26.06.2006

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 26/6/2006

Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 onJune 26, 2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

No news broadcast, RHB protesting

Veterans block road in Zvornik

 

Plea for release of 3 Srebrenica men

 

Stop to Human Trafficing

TV news broadcast on June 25, 2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Regional News

365th day of farmers’ protest

Pilgrims gather in Medjugorje

Regional News

Disabled unemployed persons in RS

Report on Ajvatovica Days

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje

Crans Montana Forum session

HR on RS’ secession referendum

Report on pilgrimage to Medjugorje

HR repeats his stance on RS status

Cavic on RS’ abolishment

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Bad Transmission

Regional News

HR repeats his stance on RS status

 

Report on Ajvatovica Days

Vidovdan celebration

 

Pilgrims gather in Medjugorje

Veterans announce protests

 

Regional News

Pena on police reform

 

Oslobodjenje

When two are meeting, it is usually the third one that is paying the price (Platform of Islamic Community for inter-religious dialogue)

Dnevni Avaz

This is not best time for OHR to start packing bags (ICG Special rep. James Lyon)

Dnevni List

Look for victory of world peace  (anniversary of Medjugorje apparition)

Vecernji List

Medjugorje – hundreds of souls unified in one prayer (Medjugorje anniversary)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Secret extradition of Munib Suljic (Croatian war crimes case)

Nezavisne Novine

Deficit reached BAM 442 million through fuel in 2006 (Brod Refinery not functioning, while INA/MOL supplies 2/3 of the market in BiH)

Glas Srpske

Time to collect debts (Still unknown where money earmarked for development of East Sarajevo 10 years ago ended)

EuroBlic

It would have been better if they were in the authorities (National minorities dissatisfied with their position in BiH)

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

 

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Serb veterans block road in Zvornik; protest against transferring of war crimes suspects to Tuzla

 

 

BH Radio 1 – By Ljubo Ljubojevic– Members of (Serb) Veterans Association of Zvornik today (Monday) have blocked the main road between Zvornik and Bijeljina, in Karakaj, protesting because of arresting and transferring of Serbs of Zvornik, who are suspected of committing war crimes, to FBiH courts. Members of the Association held a protest walk. At a special press conference, the Head of Public Security Centre Bijeljina Slobodan Nikic stressed that protest was announced in written, however noting that the Association hasn’t informed the police about the place, time or number of protest venues. Nikic said that police revealed the location through its operative work, adding that somewhere about 500-600 people have blocked the main road in Karakaj.

Plea to acquit three Srebrenica Bosniaks charged with murdering Serbs

BH Radio 1 – In regard to marking of International day of fight against torture and all forms of violence, BiH Society for Endangered Peoples has sent a letter to BiH Justice Ministry and to RS Justice Ministry asking them to “finally release” Ahmo Harbas, Behudin Husic and Nedzad Hasic,who after the fall of Srebrenica in July 1995, managed to escape “mass executions” and were hiding in woods by 1996 when they were arrested by RS Police. It was also stated that three of them were imprisoned, tortured and forced to sign a confession on murdering of Serb woodsmen, which they haven’t committed.

 

Political Developments/Reforms/Elections

HR Schwarz-Schilling: RS has no jurisdiction to organize referendum

 

 

RTRS- The High Representative Christian Schwarz Schilling stated that RS was an entity within the state of BiH, and as such, it didn’t have the jurisdiction to organise a referendum on secession. According to Schwarz-Schilling, raising of this issue is irresponsible and provocative. Schwarz-Schilling added that the International Community was not going to allow any violation of BiH’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that the legal aspect of this issue was absolutely clear. PINK, BHT1, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘The issue of referendum is irresponsible and provocative’ by Srna, EuroBlic pg RS4 ‘RS has no jurisdiction’ by Srna, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Issue of referendum is irresponsible and provocative’, not signedalso reported.

RS President Cavic: Any attempt to terminate RS will result in certain and definite self-determination of Serbs

 

RTRS By Andjela Krupesic – 10th annual Vidovdan festival was celebrated in Kulasi near Prijedor. This holiday marks the victory of RS Army in this area in the last war. RS President Dragan Cavic opened the ceremony. He stated that such manifestations confirm that RS has been established as a result of the will of the Serb people, stressing that this will has been internationally recognized by the Dayton Peace Agreement. “I don’t feel any pessimism regarding the future of RS”, said Cavic. He stressed that the international community has confirmed that no constitutional changes can be made without full consensus. BHT1- “Any attempt of forceful termination of RS, i.e. its fundamental Dayton and constitutional position, will result in certain and definite self-determination of Serbs for their own statehood”, said Cavic. He warned that referendum is not a word to be toyed with, because “referendums here were followed by wars, regardless of who organized them”. Cavic reiterated that the decision on OHR closure by summer next year has a historic character. (also covered by Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘The issue of referendum is irresponsible and provocative’ by Srna Inset ‘Cavic: the attempt to abolish RS means referendum for statehood’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Attempt of abolishment is strengthening Srpska’ by B. Radulovic)

US Undersecretary Di Carlo: there would be no “domino effect” in region after Kosovo issue is resolved

 

Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘Negotiations, but by the end of 2006’ by Dubravka Savic – US Undersecretary for Europe Rosemary Di Carlo stated in an interview to Vecernje Novosti that the issue of Kosovo should be resolved through negotiations by the end of the year the latest and noted there would be no “domino effect” in the region since the issues of Montenegro, Kosovo and RS have been defined with clear, internationally recognised documents and added: ‘With regard to RS, there is Dayton Peace Agreement, which defines borders of BiH’.

Serbian PM Kostunica to be informed by UK officials on official stance re. RS and DPA

 

RTRS- During the visit of Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica to Great Britain, British officials are going to inform Kostunica on official stance of British Government, according to which the status of RS and Dayton Peace Agreement, as well as territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH, must be respected. This information was published by Belgrade-based “Vecernje novosti” daily. (also covered by Dnevni List g 8 ‘Official London: RS must be respected’ unsigned

FBiH politicians against, RS in favour react to PIC decision to close OHR

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Dzaferovic: To end constitutional changes before abolishment of OHR’ by S.Skuletic – Daily carries comments of BiH politicians on decision of Peace Implementation Council [PIC] to set deadline for closing the OHR. SDA Vice President Sefik Dzaferovic stated that constitutional changes, police reform, Stabilisation and Association Agreement [SAA], Partnership for Peace should be also brought to an end before closing the OHR. LDS leader Lamija Tanovic thinks that it would be better if PIC set concrete tasks before the BiH authorities and the OHR. SDP Main Board member Jozo Krizanovic said that OHR would be necessary as long as BiH has no authorities that are ready to take over responsibility. HDZ BiH Presidency member Velimir Jukic is of opinion that BiH authorities should be enabled to perform their duties independently, adding that it is questionable whether it is possible before 30 June 2007. RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated that High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling is doing his job devotedly, for he is “capacitating people in BiH to decide on important issues and not adopting any rules or laws for them.” Inset ‘Cavic: BiH is entering integrating phase’ – RS President Dragan Cavic said it is now clear that BiH enters integrating phase in which everyone would have to learn to seek solutions in partnership relations. Inset ‘Brkic: Untied hands to arrogant politicians’ – HNZ leader Milenko Brkic thinks this would only untie hands of arrogant politicians to block reform processes without sanctions.

PDP leader Ivanic: Abolishing the OHR is good for BiH, for full responsibility would be transferred onto local institutions

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘It is nor realistic to work anything with SDSby Edina Sarac – In an interview for Avaz, PDP leader Mladen Ivanic commented PIC decision to close OHR on 30 June 2007: “Four years ago when I entered BiH Council of Ministers, I was the only politician who was saying that we do not need High Representative. Abolishing the OHR is good for BiH, for full responsibility would be transferred onto local institutions… HR’s parting will get local politicians to be more serious. This is a clear message that BiH left the tutorship phase and that they believe in us.” Commenting blockades of work of BiH institutions, Ivanic said he thinks local politicians would be forced to make a deal once HR is not present, for they would not sit waiting for an imposed solution. As for the talk of referendum launched by RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, he stressed: “Energy gathered in the RS around referendum story should not be underestimated, for it is the result of a constant pressure for abolishment of the RS.

Former HR Ashdown: BiH politicians must take over responsibility, EU has to fulfil promise – EU perspective of the Western Balkan

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 6 ‘BiH politicians must take over responsibility’, mentioned on cover ‘Politicians must become serious’ by S.Numanovic – Praising the decision of Peace Implementation Council [PIC] to set 30 June, 2007 as deadline for closing the OHR, former High Representative Paddy Ashdown told daily that precondition for it (closing of OHR) is seriousness of both BiH politicians and EU: “The first ones (BiH politicians) must take over the responsibility and start making decisions fully on their own, without relying on International Community. The second ones (EU) must be determined to fulfill promises given to Western Balkan states in Thessaloniki [EU perspective of the region]. It means, among other, that there are mechanisms allowing even use of pressure in order to achieve that.” He added that there is no reason for fear that decision to abolish OHR is anticipatory, since EU became the most stabile peace structure. Inset ‘Slam on reforms’ – Commenting talk of referendum on RS secession launched by the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, Ashdown said: “If that continues, BiH will not enter Europe. Simple as that.” Inset ‘What is more important?’ – Ashdown noted that BiH has to decide between strong presence of IC and entering the EU.

ICG Special representative Lyon: This is not the best time for OHR to start packing up

 

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 6 ‘This is not the best term for OHR to start packing bags’ by S.Skuletic – Commenting announced closure of the OHR, International Crisis Group [ICG] Special representative James Lyon told daily that International Community [IC] cannot stay in BiH forever, adding: “With regard to turbulent year of 2006, Montenegrin referendum, issue of Kosovo, this is maybe not the best moment for IC to start packing its bags in BiH… IC is aware that there are potential problems that could postpone their parting from BiH. This is why the set dates for abolishing of OHR cannot be viewed with hundred percent certainty. If some politicians keep on talking about referendum in BiH or if Kosovo status makes an influence, it is for sure that OHR will not be abolished so soon.” Inset ‘Conditions fulfilled’ – Lyon said that certain conditions should be fulfilled before OHR withdraws – stabile security situation, end of privatization process, constitutional and police reforms.

VL: European center for political studies analyses creation of new countries in the Balkans and finds EU will not accept division of BiH

 

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Serbs and Croats in BiH in favour of their own states’ by Zdenko Jurilj – VL carries estimates of Lucia Montanaro of the European Centre for political studies in Brussels about the possibilities of creating new states (in the Balkans), who said for the Voice of America that independence of Montenegro, albeit a significant democratic success, can lead to Serbs in Kosovo and BiH and Croats in BiH seeking secession and similar situations in Vojvodina and Sandzak. According to her, EU must achieve a fine balance between minorities’ rights and creation of a large number of small states, which are not always capable of economic independence for which reasons EU would not take kindly to division of BiH in the future. Montanaro notes that stories about independence of RS are brought up by Serb political leaders with tacit political sponsorship from Belgrade because this kind of position strengthens Belgrade ’s position in Kosovo negotiations.

Speaker of BiH HoR Raguz: BiH CoM has to pay more attention to BiH Parliament, less on IC, BiH needs partnership with IC

 

Dnevni List pg 7 mentioned on cover ‘Raguz will organize Parliament’ by D. P. Mandic – regarding the recent blockade of the BiH Parliament related to the establishment of the Sarajevo Commission, Speaker of BiH House of Representatives, Martin Raguz, says that the CoM has done its part of the job and BiH has learned a valuable lesson.  According to Raguz, solutions to avoid blockade of parliament operation in the future could be fines for its members (like in Germany ), but also changes to the Rules of Procedure and even the Constitution. He further notes that the biggest constraint for the work of the Parliament is that there is still the entity voting in the HoR which needs to be addressed however it is uncertain whether it can be done without changing the Constitution. As for the CoM, Raguz says that CoM will have to pay more attention to the Parliament than it has so far – until now CoM has paid more attention to the IC than the Parliament. Asked if BiH is ready to stay on its own after the OHR shuts down, Raguz answers that from now on BiH needs a partnership relationship with the IC instead of IC covering for incompetence of local officials as it has been the case so far.

BiH Deputy Foreign Minister Rill addresses Crans Montana ; underlines importance of SAA for BiH

 

PINK- BiH Deputy Foreign Minister Anton Rill headed a BiH delegation at the Annual Session of the Crans Montana Forum named “Addressing a New World”, which took place in Monaco from June 22 to 25. Deputy Minister Rill addressed the gathering at the plenary session on subject “EU Enlargement heads towards Southeast”.  Rill underlined that the political stability, security and economic development were preconditions for development of the entire region and that BiH supported political dialogue and all solutions that are in line with European principles and values. “The launch of negotiations for signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement is an exceptionally important step for BiH. The negotiations send a positive signal to the public that BiH is heading in direction of European integration and represent a stimulus to all institutions in BiH to take their part in the job so that the negotiations could be concluded in the expected period- late 2006”, underlined Rill. (BHT1, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘BiH pleads for political dialogue’ by Srna, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘EU enlargement heads southeast’ not signed– – also carried.

BiH to be discussed at the summer session of CoE’s Parliament

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘BiH at the agenda as well’ by S.Numanovic, Strasbourg– As the author comments, according to the agenda BiH would be one of the main topics of the summer session of Council of Europe’s Parliament, which starts on Monday. DA carries that discussion would be dedicated to CIA flights over Europe, status of so called “Algerian Group” [group of six Algerians, accused for terrorism activities and extradited to Guantanamo in January 2002], failed constitutional changes and anniversary of Srebrenica genocide. Strasbourg expects BiH politicians to return to constitutional changes right after elections. Further on, certain dosage of “understanding” is expected, when it comes to CIA flights, considering the role of International Community in BiH, since it is known that CIA flights were not reported to BiH authorities. However, “understanding” is not expected for case of “Algerian Group”, since the CoE has already warned and asked BiH authorities for more active role and lobby for releasing of them. European officials in Strasbourg deem that authorities in BiH have done almost nothing in that field.

DL commentary: BiH needs Dayton II to get out of dead end in reform implementation

 

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Dayton II inevitable’ op-ed by Ivica Glibusic – The author thinks that the decision to abolish OHR will strengthen those who are trying to stop reforms in BiH. By delaying BiH’s accession to EU and NATO, DL comments, the IC hopes to make the BiH leaders agree with one another about reform implementation but this is not going to happen because when politicians in our country use the word ‘reform’, it gets a completely different meaning. Dayton implementation has brought BiH in a dead end and to get out of it, BiH needs a Dayton II, comments Glibusic. Otherwise, RS problems, including police reforms, are going to remain unsolved and, apart from that, RS will not agree to a new Constitution, which would bring BiH among normal European countries. If this has not been done with HR around, the author says we should ask ourselves what will happen without him. As for Mostar, composition of its administration needs to be based on election results and not along ethnic lines, which is not going to happen without putting out of force the City statute. Finally, the author says if there is no Dayton II, BiH is going to stay at the bottom of European countries in every respect.

NN op-ed: nobody should be either too glad or too worried over closure of OHR – it will continue its mandate as EUSR

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Shutting down OHR’ by Dragan Risojevic – Referring to the announcement that OHR would be closed on June 30 next year, the author says the decision was expected having in mind the progress that had been achieved since the Dayton Peace Agreement was signed, therefore it is not clear why some people are glad, while others are desperate because OHR will be closed. Risojevic comments no person should be either too glad or too worried over closure of OHR, primarily since OHR would continue with its mandate as EUSR and concludes by saying: “Now, everyone is facing a great test of the art of behaviour, the first one in the history of post-war BiH. It is time for the domestic politics to become much more sensible from one to another in order to achieve joint, strategic goals, which are greater in number than differences.”

Oslob op-ed: BiH still necessary needs tutorship

 

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘State with special needs’ op-ed by Josip Vricko – Commenting statement of former High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch, who said that announced closure of the OHR must be carried out very carefully and with detailed planning [for more details see OHR Media Round-up 25 June] for BiH is a state with special needs, editorial reads that this means BiH still necessary needs tutorship. But even more pessimistic than that, says author, is Petritsch’s prognosis that BiH would need to wait for another generation of politicians for ethnic borders to be erased. Criticizing both authorities and its political opposition for bringing BiH to the status “comparable with East Timor ”, editorial cynically wonders what would happen when such state as BiH stays alone with its politicians [without presence of international community].

VL commentary re PIC decisions: IC must retain sponsorship of constitutional changes

 

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘At the end of protectorate’ by Dejan Jazvic – Commentary reads that the PIC decision to close down OHR has caused contradictory reactions: while some believe it is a sign of IC’s confidence in BiH institutions, others believe the decision is premature. The author notes that both might be right because this means BiH must assume responsibility for its future, but it also means that the separatists and proponents of a unitary state in this country will be encouraged by OHR’s departure. Therefore, the author concludes that the IC must sponsor the constitutional changes, which will improve the Dayton organization of BiH.

RS Police Director Pena: I am going to respect decision of the RSNA and stances of RS President and PM re. police reform

 

RTRS- Newly appointed RS Police Director Uros Pena stated that as a member of BiH Police Reform Directorate Steering Board, he was going to respect the decision of RS National Assembly and stances of RS President and RS Prime Minister regarding the police reform. Pena believes that politicians should have a clear stance regarding this issue. He explained that in case of police reform conducted in accordance with current proposal of PRD SB, it would be necessary to make a constitutional re-composition, which is not practiced anywhere in the world. Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Cooperation with the Hague and fight against the crime are priorities’ by Onasa– Talking about priorities, for Radio RS, RS Police Director Uros Pena [appointed on Friday, June 23] stressed that cooperation with the ICTY is a legal obligation and permanent process, but underlined that focus would also be on fight against organized crime and corruption, police work on audit reports and fight against drug trafficking.  (RHB, BHT1, FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Accent on fight against drugs smuggling’ by Agencies, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Pena: I will respect stances of RS institutions’ by Srna, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Reform should be harmonised with Constitution’ by Srna– also carried)

EUPM Commander Coppola welcomes appointment of Pena as RS Police Director

 

RTRS- The Head of the European Union Police Mission [EUPM], Brigadier General Vincenzo Coppola welcomed the appointment of Uros Pena as the RS Police Director. Brigadier General Coppola said he was looking forward to the full engagement of Pena in activities of the Police Reform Directorate, EUPM said. Coppola reiterated the significance of participation and commitment of all sides in the process of police reform and underlined the preparedness of EUPM to support Pena and his associates in realizing the serious tasks they are facing, especially with regards to battling organized crime, apprehending war criminals and implementing police reform. (RHB, FTV, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Appointment of police director welcome’ unsigned, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Coppola welcomed Pena’s appointment’ by S. G., Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘General Coppola welcomes appointment of RS Police Director’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Coppola welcomes appointment of Pena for RS Police Director’ not signedalso carried.

RTRS asks politicians what their main focuses in pre-election campaign would be

 

RTRS Momcilo Ostojic – In “the already started pre-election campaign”, as RTRS underlined, politicians were asked to present main focuses of their pre-election campaigns. Borislav Bojic from SDS stated that all issues were equally important, adding that SDS has prepared a concept of solution for all current issues. PDP’s Nevenka Trifkovic stated that for PDP, the main focus would be development of villages and agriculture. Krstan Simic from SNSD stated that it was necessary to definitely define the status and the role of RS, conduct economic reforms and complete the privatisation process. SDA member Tarik Sadovic said that SDA was going to focus on economic and social issues, as well as strengthening of BiH state, adoption of new Constitution and process of association with the EU. SDP’s Slobodan Popovic announced that in the first 100 days of its rule, SDP is going to adopt the law on establishing of Agency for confiscation of illegally gained property. Commenting the fact that many people are not willing to vote, Simic stated that the solution for this problem lied in a rational approach of voters to the parties. Sadovic believes that the worst possible solution for the future was refusal of citizens to vote. Radivoje Trbic from DEPOS stated that the parties should set high goals in order to achieve the minimum. Bojic believes that the political parties probably won’t change significantly in the future, which means that the voters can easily assess each party. Commenting the pre-election campaign in BiH, professor Miodrag Zivanovic stated that the major problem was the fact that BiH politicians didn’t feel responsible towards the citizens, but towards the international institutions. According to Zivanovic, all BiH parties are nationalists, and they don’t have real political programs. Zivanovic believes that the citizens shouldn’t vote at all. According to him, this sign of citizens’ disobedience would show the politicians that the citizens are able to think and make rational decisions.

SDA leader Tihic: there is no ‘rift’ within SDA

 

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Cengic and Terzic have no support of SDA Main Board’, mentioned on cover by Avdo Avdic – In a short interview for daily, SDA leader Sulejman Tihic commented claims on a ‘rift’ within SDA, stressing that there are only “different opinions on how the party should be led”. Commenting the “attacks” on him during the session of the SDA Main Broad by Hasan Cenigic and Adnan Terzic [Council of Ministers Chair], Tihic said that these people have no support of SDAMB, but are given much space in the media, which creates “false image about the situation within the SDA. The party is united… Terzic should ask himself why does the base think like that about him and why he wasn’t nominated by the Central-Bosnia Canton or some other board.” However, Tihic stressed that this doesn’t mean that Terzic led the CoM badly, but also underlined that success in reforms is not a credit of one man, but of all institutions together. Commenting on the “attacks” of Cengic regarding the constitutional changes and coalition with Milorad Dodik’s SNSD, Tihic said that Cengic got the best response from the members of SDAMB from the RS who told him that it is easy “to sit in Sarajevo and wait for a modern, European Constitution. However, in RS it is good when anything is improved in the current constitution, because the relief is sensed in the field immediately”. Underlining that SDA has to have partners in RS, regardless on how different they might think about BiH, Tihic stressed: “Because if we are in the government then we can change things. It is easiest to sit in Sarajevo, late go somewhere abroad, return after a month and then talk stories about Bosnia again”. Asked if he refers to SBiH leader Haris Silajdzic, Tihic said: “I think on many”.

PDP leader Ivanic: BiH will be led by seven parties after elections

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘It is nor realistic to work anything with SDSby Edina Sarac – Predicting results of the forthcoming elections in an interview for daily, PDP leader Mladen Ivanic stated that BiH will be lead by seven parties after elections: SDS, SNSD, PDP, SDA, SDP and SBiH, adding that he is still not sure which Croat party will take the lead: “We will see what would happen with HDZ 1990, for we all know how much impact the Church has among Croats.” Commenting speculations that SNSD and PDP are making pre-election agreement, following which Ivanic would be joint candidate for BiH Council of Ministers Chair, he noted: “There is a possibility that everyone goes with its candidates for leading positions, where I would be candidate for BiH Presidency member, [also] to have some common candidates or it is possible not to have any deal.” Ivanic denied every possibility for coalition with SDS. “I think that it is not realistic for us to do anything with SDS in these elections, just as it is not realistic after the elections,” said Ivanic. Ivanic denied accusations that his party has always been member of a ‘power clique’, expressing optimism regarding October elections. Inset ‘After Ashdown’s support, Terzic lost connection with local politicians’ – Commenting work of BiH CoM, Ivanic said that some good job has been performed, before BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzicstarted acting irrationally after receiving support of [former HR Paddy] Ashdown, losing connection with other local politicians.”

Avaz speculates if SDP would give up seat in BiH Presidency in favour of SDA

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Who are the possible candidates for members of BiH Presidency’ by A.Malagic– Citizens should be introduced with the names of candidates for BiH Presidency by the end of next week, since the deadline of BiH Central Election Commission for submitting of the lists will expire by then. Avaz brings a preview of the current situation, where it is certain that SBiH would nominate its leader Haris Silajdzic, while SDA would most probably appoint its leader Sulejman Tihic. At the same time, patriotic Block [SDU and BOSS] would nominate BOSS leader Mirnes Ajanovic. From the RS [Serb member of the Presidency], SDS nominates Mladen Bosic, SNSD would nominate Nebojsa Radmanovic, while it is announced that PDP could nominate its leader Mladen Ivanic. However, according to Avaz, speculations is that Radmanovic would be supported by PDP, which wouldn’t nominate anyone and by doing so “it’d prevent the dispersion of votes”. SDP would nominate Zeljko Baros and Jugoslav Jovicic. DA comments that most speculation is about the Croat member of the Presidency, since HDZ leader Dragan Covic already announced that he wouldn’t run for the office and this issue is still unsolved in Coalition Croat Unity [HDZ 1990, HSS, HKDU, HDU and Croat Demo-Christians]. Concrete names came only from SDP, which nominates Zeljko Komsic and Jozo Krizanovic. Inset ‘Will Lagumdzija sacrifice the candidate for Tihic’ by R.T.SDP has also nominated candidates for Bosniak member of the Presidency, namely Jasmin Imamovic and Milenko Bijedic, who – as Avaz notes- have no chance against Tihic or Silajdzic and therefore Avaz’s anonymous sources claim that Lagumdzija is doing this in order “to raise the price”, since it is expected that SDP would not have the candidate for Bosniak member, by which they would do “a favor” to Tihic and at the same time “put the signature” to coalition between two parties.

Serbian President Tadic in Sarajevo on Thursday

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Tadic in Sarajevo on Thursday’ by S.S. – Daily carries that Serbian President Boris Tadic will pay official one-day visit to BiH on Thursday. This would be Tadic’s first official visit to BiH after Serbia became independent state. According to the Cabinet of the Serbian President, Tadic will meet BiH Presidency members, BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic and BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic and discuss bilateral issues, with special accent on future relations between BiH and Serbia. (also in Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Tadic in BiH on Thursday’ by Agencies, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Boris Tadic visiting Sarajevo on Thursday’, not signed)

 

Economic/Social Affairs

One year of Farmer’s protests; Farmers to give “black letters of gratitude” to those most responsible for such situation; experts say farmers’ requests justified, but claim that some politics is behind them

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FTV By Aleksandar Markovic – On Sunday, BiH Farmers Association organized big protest in Sarajevo, marking the first anniversary of their protest in front of the joint BiH institutions building. They say although BiH authorities are not on side of domestic farmers, they are going to make them raise BiH’s economy to European level. As the Head of the BiH Farmers Association, Ranko Bakic, claims, BiH farmers wanted and still want dialogue with the authorities, however authorities are not interested. “The easiest thing for them to do is to import; along with import lobbies they gain great wealth since import of food presents a great business these days”, said Bakic. Commenting the allegations that Association and he himself were being supported by a domestic lobby, Bakic said that criminal import lobbies, namely people who are dealing with criminals, launched such allegations. Farmers said that they were going to give “black letters of gratitude” to the ones they find the most culpable, namely BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic, BiH Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Dragan Doko and BiH House of Representatives Deputy Chair, Nikola Spiric, “thanking” them for all the bad things they have done to economy. BHT1- Experts say that most of the farmers’ requests should be met, but point out that a protest cannot last for a year. “All this proves that certain political forces, with their own interests, are behind the whole issue”, said FBiH Foreign Trade Chamber representative, Petar Milanovic. Featured citizens said that they supported the protest. RHB, PINK, RTRS, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Black thank you notes for lies and deceptions’ by Erna Mackic, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Continuation of fight for protection of domestic production’ by R. Rakic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Black thank-you note for Terzic’ by D. S.also carried.

Data of BiH Foreign Trade Chamber show INA/MOL is controlling 2/3 of petroleum market in BIH, while Brod Refinery is not in function

 

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pgs 4-5 ‘Deficit reached BAM 442 million through fuel in 2006’ by D. Risojevic – According to data of BiH Foreign Trade Chamber, BAM 442 million worth of petroleum products were imported to BiH during first five months of this year. Out of this amount, BAM 285 million worth of petroleum products were either produced in Croatia or imported to BiH with mediation of Croatia. The article reports INA/MOL (Croatian/Hungarian company) is still dominant at BiH market and reminds Brod Refinery stopped working in August 2005 due to failure of its supplier, “Vitol” firm, to deliver crude oil. Chairman of the Chamber Peter Milanovic is of the view the state should protect domestic producers and added: ‘I think the experience from Serbia, where borders were closed for imports of petroleum products, should be applied in the case of Brod Refinery at least at the beginning when the future buyer would take over the firm’.  

 

War Crimes

BiH Prosecutor’s Office confirmed war crimes indictment would be raised against Momcilo Mandic

Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Fourteenth indictment awaits for Momcilo Mandic’ by A. Djozo – War Crimes Department of BiH Prosecutor’s Office stated it had launched investigations in 86 cases against 245 persons in 18 months of its work and this resulted in bringing of 13 indictments. BiH Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the 14th indictment will soon be raised against former RS Minister of Justice Momcilo Mandic. According to unofficial information, Mandic is being held a suspect in accordance with the command responsibility for existence of prisons that had been turned into concentration camps for non-Serb population during the war.

 

Miscellaneous

Islamic Community issued the Platform for inter-religious dialogue

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 6 ‘When two are meeting, it is usually the third one that is paying the price’ by Sefko Hodzic – Daily carries two details from the three-partite meeting of the Council for inter-religious dialogue that took place on 20 April, 2006. According to (Catholic) Bishop Pero Sudar, Islamic community leader Mustafa effendi Ceric firstly refused all institutional means of cooperation in which representatives of Catholic and Orthodox churches would not take part – explaining that ‘when two are meeting in BiH, it is usually the third one that is paying the price’. Secondly, he (Ceric) presented a Platform of Islamic community for inter-religious dialogue. Article carries details from the Platform, noting that it reads openness of Islamic Community for dialogue with other religious groups in BiH on basis of comprehensive respect.