27.06.2006

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 27/6/2006

Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 27 June

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

No news broadcast due to strike

EUBRD credit for flight control

BiH Fiscal Council in session

 

FBiH Law on Rights of Elected Off.

BiH Court rejects bargain

 

Autotransport protest

Serb/foreign agencies search Mladic

TV news broadcast on 26 June

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

No news broadcast due to strike

A suspected terrorist pleads guilty

8-month sentence for Amir Bajric 

 

Day of fights against drugs marked

Reg. conference on reconciliation

 

Report on addicts in Sarajevo

HR lobbies for easier visa regime

 

Stop to Human Trafficking

International Anti-Drugs Day

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Suspected terrorist pleads guilty

8-month sentence for Amir Bajric 

Serb Veterans block road in Zvornik

CoE Parliamentary Assembly session

International Anti-Drugs Day

Suspected terrorists’ trial to start

Conference on regional reconciliation

Report on rehabilitation centre Ilijas

Three persons arrested in Bijeljina

CEC on the lists of candidates

Anti-drugs conference in Sarajevo

RS NA’s session scheduled

 

Oslobodjenje

Long term and strategic interest of Serbia is preserving integral BiH [Serb. President]

Dnevni Avaz

It is important to ease visa regime [Schwarz-Schilling with Rehn and Frattini]

Dnevni List

Killed brothers over his son’s driving (murder in Tomislavgrad)

Vecernji List

Kljujic refused to testify for prosecution (trial of Prlic et al. at ICTY)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Shot one brother to death, other brother died of heart attack (murder in Tomislavgrad)

Nezavisne Novine

Harriers in BiH for the first time

Glas Srpske

An evening out spiced with beatings [Several policemen caused incident in “011” night-club in Banja Luka]

EuroBlic

Poor citizens were first to be left without electricity [“Elektrodistribucija” cut off returnees to villages near Banja Luka from electric net over debts]

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

 

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

BiH officials sign contact with EBRD on air traffic control management

BH Radio 1, RTRS – Today’s meeting in London between representatives of BiH’s entity and state institutions and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) resulted in an agreement on all credit contracts, in amount of EURO 12 million, intended for carrying out the project for air traffic control management.

FBiH HoR in session

BH Radio 1 by Ljiljana Radl – The FBiH House of Representatives has started a two-day session and MPs have already passed the FBiH Law on Rights of Elected Officials together with 12 am endments. The changes refer to salaries and benefits of elected officials, during and after the expiring of the mandate, establishing the coefficients for MPs’ salaries, differing by the importance of the elected officials. In addition to raised salaries, elected officials and carriers of public offices have right to a salary after their office expires and the height of the salary would be determined by the years of service, where officials with more then 12 years of service would be receiving salary for 12 months, in amount of the whole salary they have had at the public duty. At the continuance of the session, Mps would also discuss the proposal Law on Pardon and proposal Law on Income Tax.  

 

Security, war crimes and judiciary

Terrorism suspect bargains with Prosecution, trial to other three suspects starts on 20 July 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hayat – At the status conference before the BiH Court it was confirmed that Amir Bajric accused of purchase of explosive devices for a purpose of carrying out terrorist acts has made a deal with the BiH Prosecutor’s Office pleading guilty in exchange for eight months of prison sentence. However, according to NTV Hayat, the very fact that an indicted person has come to an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office does not guarantee that the Court will accept that agreement; the final decision is expected on Tuesday. Prosecutor Ahmet Halebic confirmed that the Prosecutor’s Office is negotiating with yet another one indicted person, Senad Hasanovic. The trial in a case against suspected terrorists Mirsad Bektasevic, Abdulkadir Cesur and Bajro Ikanovic will commence on July 20 [Three of them were arrested on late October 2005 by police in Sarajevo, under suspicion of planning of terrorist attacks in BiH and abroad; Bektasevic and Cesur were allegedly planning suicide attack for which Bajric was ensuring explosive]. BHT 1, PINK, BHT1, FTV, RTRS,Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Bajric made a deal with the Prosecution’ by N.Jamakovic, Dnevni List, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘Terrorist cust deal with Prosecution!’, by Erna Mackic, Vecernji List, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Defendant Bajric cuts deal about admitting guilt’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Bektasevic stated Bajric had acquired explosives’ by A. Djozo  carried.

CoE Parliament to discuss secret American prisons in Europe , CIA secret flights, and failure of constitutional reforms in BiH

 

Hayat– The delegation of the BiH Parliament is taking part at the summer session of the Council of Europe’s Parliament in Strasbourg. Main topics to be discussed at this session are secret American prisons on the soil of CoE member states, secret flights and CIA operations in Europe. In a short telephone statement for NTV Hayat, member of BiH delegation Sead Avdic [independent MP] stressed that those topics would be discussed first thing on Tuesday morning. According to Avdic, participants at the CoE Parliamentary Assembly session on Monday discussed the independence referendum in Montenegro, and agreed that Montenegro has become an independent state in a completely legal way. PINK – The session, will also discuss the issue of failed constitutional reforms in BiH, as the BiH delegation representative [member of SP RS] Tihomir Gligoric told SRNA. Gligoric said that although not planned, this topic has been put on agenda thanks to lobbing of BiH political parties, which opposed agreed constitutional reforms. RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Discussion on constitutional reforms in BiH on Thursday’ by Agencies – also carried.

Zvornik Veterans block road in Karakaj protesting due to arrests and transfers of war crimes suspects to Tuzla Court

 

RTRS by Jasenko Todorovic – Several hundreds of Zvornik citizens blocked the main road between Zvornik and Bijeljina, in Karakaj, protesting over arrestment and transfer of persons, suspected of war crimes, to Cantonal Court in Tuzla. A Serb Veterans Association of Zvornik, which organized the protest, stressed that the blockade was just a warning to the RS Government and BiH Council of Ministers to stop the arresting and announced that it was going to undertake more radical steps if their requests do not be met. “They promised that they were going to stop doing that but still, persons are being taken. Everyone, including the BiH Justice Minister, Slobodan Kovac, told us that we were right”, said the Chair of the Association, Mile Vukadinovic. Later on, Kovac met with the highest BiH Prosecution and Court officials, as well as FBiH and RS Supreme Court and Prosecution representatives and entity Justice Ministries’ officials. As the press release, issued by the Justice Ministry reads, courts should get in charge of war crime cases according to their locality. BHT1, Hayat, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘They blocked Zvornik-Bijeljina road because of arrest of Serbs’, by f, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Zvornik people do not want to be taken for hearings in Tuzla’ by Z. Kusmuk and J. Sarac, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Stop taking Serbs to Tuzla’ by S. P., Vecernje Novosti pg 17 ‘Tuzla is not competent’ by Tanjug, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘To prosecute war crimes in Bijeljina’ by A.Avdic– carried.

BiH Justice Min. Kovac: If charges filed after 1 March 2003 , crime to be tried in places it has been committed

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Some cases courts can lead without local authorisation’ by H.Orahovac – Following Monday’s meeting of BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac with judicial-prosecutorial authorities at the state and entity levels, daily carries the perpetrators of the criminal acts would be tried in the places where the crime has been committed in case the charges were filed after 1 March 2003. For crimes that were carried out before this date, the proceeding will be lead by the Court who has raised the indictment. Kovac said that no specific case was discussed at the meeting, including the dispute over Tuzla Prosecution and Zvornik veterans. Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘To determine places for serving prison sentences’ – Article also carries that meeting participants agreed that state and entity authorities should start activities in order to determine places for serving prison penalties for the persons sentenced for war crimes.

SDA’s Sadovic requests RS Government to prepare and submit to RSNA the report on Avdo Palic

 

HayatHead of the SDA Caucus in the RS National Assembly Tarik Sadovic requested the RS Government to prepare and forward to the RSNA the report on activities towards disclosing the truth on fate of BiH Army colonel Avdo Palic, who went missing during the war in Zepa in 1995, as well as cases concerning the disappearance of hundreds of Bosniaks and Croats. Sadovic said on Monday that the Human Rights Chamber reached a number of decisions requesting RS structures to establish the fate of hundreds of Bosniaks and Croats gone missing during the war in territory controlled by the RS Army. “To my knowledge not a single of these decisions has been fully implemented”, Sadovic said. He reminded that he proposed to the RS Government to prepare the report and forward it to the RS National Assembly for the last session, but that the RS Prime Minister only gave a vague response. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘To submit information on disappearance of Avdo Palic’ by Fena, Nezavisne novine pg 9 ‘He asks from the Government for information on Palic’ by Fena – also reported.

Patriot outlines fate of BH Army Colonel Palic, says his murder was severe war crime stressing perpetrators must be found

 

Patriot cover pg splash ‘Mladic and Palic’, pgs 13-15 ‘Crime without punishment’ by Slobodan Vaskovic – Weekly carries a photo taken on 26 July 1995 at Boksanica, showing General Ratko Mladic shaking hands with BiH Army Colonel General Avdo Palic, who disappeared in Zepa July 1995. The Commission formed to investigate the faith of Palic neither established exact date when he disappeared, nor clarified circumstances under which he was killed.  Furthermore, the Commission has not yet managed to discover where Palic’ mortal remains are buried. Weekly’s source says: “we did not establish that, but we proved that Palic was not captured in the UNPROFOR base, as suggested earlier by numerous sources”. According to him, Palic “was alone and unarmed” when he was arrested by Serb soldiers. The Commission allegedly further established that Palic was held in an apartment belonging to military intelligence officer near Rogatica, and in early August he was transferred to a prison in Bijeljina. He was allegedly kept there until the night between 4th and 5th of September 1995, when he was taken over to Han Pijesak by RS Army officer, Dragomir Pecanac. Magazine notes the arrest and murder of Palic is a severe war crime and that perpetrators must be found. Author adds it is clear the arrest of Palic was done under direct orders of Mladic, or at least that he knew all about it. “SIPA, the agency intensively dealing with this case according to our findings, should reveal all these details. It is certain that Dragomir Pecanac knows the most about this case and that the key to solving this mystery is in his hands.”

Interpol still have not submitted information on ex RS PM Klickovic’s arrest

 

Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Still no Interpol’s information’ by E.K.– The BiH Justice Ministry has not yet received the information from the Interpol on the arrest of former RS Prime Minister Gojko Klickovic carried out last Thursday in Belgrade. Klickovic, suspected for abuse of position, falsifying of documents and war crimes, currently waits in detention in Belgrade to be extradited to BiH. Serbian authorities have stated that they have informed BiH authorities about the arrest, but BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac explained that they couldn’t do anything without Interpol information. “When the Interpol informs us we then ask BiH Court whether it insists on extradition, and if the answer is affirmative we ask for certain documents to be submitted,” said Kovac, and told the author to talk to his Deputy Nikola Regoja, who is on vacation. Minister Kovac said that procedure has to be finished in 40 days and he expects no problems with extradition, since Klickovic doesn’t have double citizenship. Daily concludes with a comment that all what remains is for someone to ask for extradition of this man, who is on the run since 1998 and whose guarantee for releasing from jail was given by former RS Justice Minister Momcilo Mandic, paying with Privredna Banka East Sarajevo’s finances, which is presented in the indictment against him, where stands that he used KM150 thousand for this purpose. Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘BiH awaits for Interpol confirmation’ by N.Diklic also reported.

Defence attorney of Tomic says IC cares much about Klickovic’s arrest and possible answers he may give before the BiH judiciary

 

Vecernje Novosti pg 20 ‘A short-cut to Radovan’ by V.Mitric – In regard to the last week’s arrest of Gojko Klickovic in Belgrade his defence attorney Dusko Tomic has stated upon his arrival from Belgrade Monday that his client’s arrest has a wider political and diplomatic context, adding the indications “he may get Serbian citizenship” for which he had filed a motion five years ago are excluded. According to Tomic, it is absolutely clear that international community cares much about Klickovic’s arrest and answers he may give before BiH judiciary. Daily notes it is indisputable that Klickovic represents a short-cut to his war-time boss Radovan Karadzic, which is in relation with – according to daily – recent media reports on RS intrusion into FRY monetary system (money believed to be used for financing hide-out of war crime suspects). Daily notes that officials from Sarajevo and Banja Luka share the view the arrest of Klickovic in Belgrade represents one of the most serious signals Serbian authority is truly ready to meet all requirements on the path to “Partnership for Peace”.

S. Kljujic testifies in trial of Prlic et al. in the Hague

 

Vecernji List cover splash pg 3 ‘Stjepan Kljujic refused to testify for prosecution!’ by Zoran Kresic – VL carries that Stjepan Kljujic, (former HDZ BiH President and BiH Presidency member)testified in the Hague yesterday in the trial of six former leaders of Herceg-Bosna after receiving a subpoena following his initial refusal to testify. Kljujic testified on his cooperation with late Croatian defence minister Gojko Susak in 1990 and said that the cooperation was understandable because the interests of all Croats were equal. Prosecutor also asked Kljujic about former HDZ BiH President Davor Perinovic who Kljujic said was a radical and was after a greater Croatia. Kljujic testimony in the Hague is supposed to take three days. Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Kljujic: Tudjman told mi nothing about Karadjordjevo’ by Sense

Mandic’s lawyer Tomic says he will press charges against T. Robinson on several accounts

 

Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Criminal charges to be filed in US due to immunity’ by Erna Mackic – DL carries that Momcilo Mandic’s lawyer Dusko Tomic has announced he will press charges against Toby Robinson, recently appointed as liquidator of PB East Sarajevo by the High Representative. The charges, he says, will be on several accounts: closing down transfer accounts of the banks she has managed which Tomic says is illegal in our country, working as a bank liquidator despite the fact that only BiH nationals can be employed in such positions and, lastly, for failing to pay income tax although she has had two well paid positions in BiH over the past five years. He announced he would request information on her salary from the High Representative He added that, although Robinson has immunity in BiH, charges can be filed in USA.

Patriot says HR defending PB ES liquidator Robinson before public judgement

 

Patriot pgs 4-5 ‘Pressures’ by not signedToby Robinson, until recently temporary administrator of Privredna banka East Sarajevo (PB ES), has found herself “a lawyer” to publicly defend her following last week’s report in Patriot, which read that Momcilo Mandic, through his defense attorney Dusko Tomic,had decided to file a lawsuit against her before the American Federal Court on account of crime and criminal activities she had allegedly committed in PB ES. Weekly ironically this defence is being led “no less than” the HR to BiH, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, who hastried to do that last Thursday when he appointed her for the liquidator of PB ES and commended her work. Weekly says Robinson has done wrong, allegedly proven by the criminal charges against her submitted by the SIPA to the BiH Prosecutor’s. Commenting the OHR press release on Robinson appointment which says that “in case the court determines the newspaper articles quoting the defense attorney of Mr. Mandic are true, that would be an attempt of libel and intimidation of witnesses, which is extremely serious and which should be dealt with by the responsible bodies”, magazine notes that it did not come across Schwarz-Schilling mind to warn Robinson about the same thing. According to weekly, the statement issued by the OHR can also be understood as a pressure on the media which in the previous period dealt with this case and in doing so they were not afraid to publish accusations against Toby Robinson, no matter how powerful she might be. If Schwarz-Schilling really intended to influence the media by disabling them to write about this case, then it is horrible, weekly adds expressing hope the OHR statement has after all been just poorly designed.

Serbian PM to ask British PM to assist in locating/apprehending Ratko Mladic

 

EuroBlic pgs 2-3 ‘American and British agents are already searching after Mladic in Serbiaby I. Cvetkovic- N. Calukovic – Daily learns from sources close to the Serbian Government that a small number of British and American agents are already in Serbia in search after Ratko Mladic. Daily’s source did not want to give the exact number of those, noting they are collaborating with the local security agencies and maintaining constant contact with Serbian BIA (Security Intelligence Agency) and Military Security Agency. Daily learns that today’s meeting of Serbian Premier Vojislav Kostunica and his British counterpart Tony Blair will focus on the issue of increased engagement of the British Intelligence service in locating and apprehending Mladic. Daily’s source notes Kostunica will ask for an increased presence of British agents in the action of arrest from Blair.

G17 Plus’ Dinkic: action plan for arresting Mladic similar to Croatian for arresting of Gotovina

 

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘We will be arresting Mladic as Croats did Gotovina’ by Blic– Daily carries statement of Vice-President of Serbian Party G17 Plus, Mladjan Dinkic [published in Blic on Monday, June 26] where he said that Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica would present the action plan for establishment of full cooperation with the ICTY, to EU officials, somewhere in mid July. Talking at the session of G17 Plus Main Board, Dinkic said that “action plan” would be similar to Croatian plan for arresting of General Ante Gotovina, and added that Serbia, USA and the EU would be working together on extradition of Ratko Mladic. Dinkic said Kostunica has invited representatives “of all security structures” to the next session of Serbian Government, stressing Ministers from this party “would ask numerous questions” on ICTY cooperation. He added that he supports the plan of PM Kostunica to include foreign intelligence services into the search for Mladic, adding that all domestic services also have to work together on the issue, which depends on President Boris Tadic, who is a Commander in Chief. Dnevni Avaz pg 19 ‘Dinkic: Arresting of Mladic depends on Tadic as well’ by Agencies – also covered.

Oslobodjenje: New delays in inaugurating Sarajevo Commission, this composition would most probably not do anything

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Terzic hasn’t signed the decision’ by A.Terzic– Inaugural session of the Commission for Sufferings of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Jews and Others in Sarajevo cannot be held, due to the fact that Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic hasn’t signed the decision on appointment of the Commission. Daily comments this hasn’t been done even though the BiH Office for Legislature in coordination with BiH Human Rights and Refugee Ministry has submitted the text of the decision on June 20, and all members were appointed on June 15. Chair of the Commission, Ivica Marinovic,told daily that the session would be scheduled after Terzic signs the decision: “Until the procedure is finished we cannot act further.” Daily comments thatin August the state officials are mainly at holidays and that in September “most probably” there would not be “some serious” action in this regard due to the upcoming elections. Thus, comments the author, “it is little probable that there would be anything of this Commission in this composition. It is left to be seen how the Serb MPs in the BiH Parliament would react to this delay in appointing Commission.”

 

Bilateral relations, meetings, visits, EU integrations

OIC SG Ihsanoglu meets

BiH Presidency Chair Tihic: hope BiH joins Islamic Conference

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hayat by Nebojsa Radulovic – The Secretary General of 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference [OIC], Ekmelettin Ihsanoglu, is visiting BiH. After the meeting with Ihsanoglu in Sarajevo, BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic expressed hope that BiH would become an OIC member state after the October election. According to NTV Hayat reporter, OIC has donated approximately $30 million to BiH so far; during the talks in Sarajevo, Tihic once again asked for OIC help in the field of reconstruction, sustainable return and especially in the work of the Court of BiH and the construction of BiH state prison. OIC Secretary-General Ihsanoglu expressed hope that OIC would be able to provide more help to all segments of BiH society. PINK- At the recently held Islamic Conference Organization’s Ministers conference, a resolution which supports the BiH Government in return and reconstruction processes, has been unanimously adopted”, saidIhsanoglu. “BiH still has not become Islamic Conference Organization member, due to what it has no access to all available funds, but I hope that after elections we will be able to reach consensus regarding the issue”, said Tihic.  Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Tihic asked help for building of state prison’ by A.Omeragic– Tihic informed Ihsanoglu on closure of the OHR, failure of constitutional changes and associating of BiH with the EU. Following the meeting, Tihic stressed that he has asked for assistance of OIC members in constructing of BiH state prison for needs of BiH Court. BHT1, FTV, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Membership in Islamic organization after elections’, by D. P. Mandic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Support to return and judiciary’ by N. Krsman, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘It is my honour to visit country to which heritage and beauties I admire’ by T.Lazovicalso reported.

U.S. military jets landed on Sarajevo Airport ; Ambassador McElhaney: this shows confidence we have in security situation in BiH

 

Hayat by Zumra Arnautovic – Two U.S. Marine Corps Harrier Jump Jets have landed on SarajevoInternationalAirport on Monday afternoon. The Harrier AV-8B Jump Jet is the world’s only vertical take off and landing jet fighter. U.S. Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney stressed that the presence of those military aircrafts on Sarajevo Airport shows the level of confidence U.S. have in the security situation in BiH. BHT1- Commander of NATO Headquarters in BiH Louis Webber stated that the visit of planes represents the determined engagement of NATO in BiH. FTV, RTRS,Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘American support even on BiH sky’, mentioned on cover by A.Prlenda, Dnevni Avaz pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘McElhaney: This is sign of US trust to BiH’ by L.Sinanovic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Mighty ‘Harriers’ in BiH sky’, by Eldina Medunjanin, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Harriers in BiH for the first time’ by M. Cubroalso carried.

HR Schwarz-Schilling lobbies for liberalization of visa regime for BiH, during his visit to Brussels  

 

Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘It is important to mitigate visa regime’, pg 2 ‘Visa regime should be simplified’ by Fena – The High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling, met with European Justice and Enlargement Commissioners Franco Frattini and Olli Rehn, respectively, in Brussels on Monday. Schwarz-Schilling explained the significance of the decision of the Peace Implementation Council [PIC] to close the OHR on 30 June 2007 and urged them to do everything in their power to ensure that the EU seized the opportunity created by the closure of the OHR to give BiH and the Western Balkans a European perspective. In his meeting with Frattini, Schwarz-Schilling lobbied for liberalization of the to EU visa regime towards citizenship, specifically businesspeople, students and researchers. ”Relaxing the visa regime is exceptionally important. This would provide tangible benefits to BiH citizens and help maintain the momentum towards Euro-Atlantic integration,” said HR. Frattini supported HR’s efforts and said he would present his proposals for a negotiating mandate to EU justice and home affairs ministers before the summer break. BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Inevitable softening of visa regime’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Support in closure of OHR was asked for’ by N. Moraca, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘To Europe without visas’ by Z. Markovic – also covered.

Former HR Ashdown: Western Balkans and BiH are part of Europe and EU must have integral approach to them

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘EU policy in Balkans must be united’ by S.Numanovic – Daily carries parts of speech the former HR Paddy Ashdown delivered in the UK Embassy in Paris where he said that the “EU must make its demands for reforms implementation in BiH, and rest of the Balkans, more strict.” Ashdown added the Western Balkans and BiH are part of Europe; thus the EU must approach it as the region not separate parts: “From the experience as the HR, I can tell you there is no problem we could not deal with if we consider the Balkans as a region.” Praising the progress in BiH since the end of war, Ashdown noted that such progress would also be reversed: “European perspective is that glue that keeps all the reforms together and stabilises the region. If you abolish it, if you say there is no European perspectives for the region, then I am afraid we could go back to old ideas and visions that brought so much of blood, suffering and destruction to the region.” He criticized EU for its confusion in the case of Balkans: “Who in the EU is authorised for the Balkans? Commission or European Union Council? Nobody knows!” HE concludes Europe has to deal with this issue if it wants to be taken serious.

Serbian President Tadic: Serbia is going to respect DPA and any changes agreed by all three peoples in BiH

 

BHT1 by Alenka Bruck – Serbian President Boris Tadic is in his first official visit to Montenegro. He stated that it is necessary to solve the technical issues of separation of two countries as soon as possible, so that the two countries can continue with cooperation. Tadic stated that the relations between Serbia and Montenegro are important for the EU. Asked to comment the possibility for organisation of referendum on status of RS, Tadic stated that he couldn’t deal with petitions, stressing that Serbia stands behind the Dayton Peace Agreement. PINK- “Serbia is going to respect the Dayton Peace Agreement since it has signed it; any change in BiH, agreed by all three constitutive people in BiH, will be acceptable for Serbia,” said Tadic. He added that Serbia would find anything, based on citizens’ petitions, unacceptable. FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 19 ‘Serbia would always be a Montenegro’s friend’ not signedcarried Tadic is to visit BiH.

Serbian President Tadic: Everything should be done in order for integrity and sovereignty of present Balkans states to be preserved

 

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Long term and strategic interest of Serbia is preserving integral BiH’ by Senka Kurtovic – Prior the his announced visit to BiH on Thursday, Serbian President Boris Tadic says in an interview for daily that Serbia is ahead of the large reformatory processes which would ensure its position of being the stability factor in the Balkans. He underlines that the full cooperation with the ICTY must be reached, with Ratko Mladic arrested and expresses certainty that radical wing would not win the elections [in Serbia]. Tadic also notes that the current relationship between BiH and Serbia were good, however some aspects, including economy and fight against crime, could be further advanced to strengthen bilateral and neighboring relations. Commenting announces of special relations between RS and Belgrade [which were criticized by FBiH parties], Tadic says that such ties are to be seen “in light of strengthen economic, culture, political connections and they are not directed against anymore.” As for the initiative for the RS referendum, Tadic notes that “changing borders in South East Europe is very dangerous, not only because of the region, but because many other complex states in the world… Everything should be done in order to preserve integrity and sovereignty of present Balkans states…Long term and strategic interest of Serbia is preserving integral BiH.” Tadic added that the BiH lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro for aggression and genocide burdens the relationships, adding there is an effort from Serbian side to settle the case in out-of-the-court procedure. 

Oslob op-ed: Not much should be expected from visit of Serbian Pres Tadic to BiH

 

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Tadic and Serbia’ op-ed by Daniel Omeragic – Commenting South East European mini-tour of Serbian President Boris Tadic, editorial reads that not much should be expected from it adding Tadic would use the opportunity to underline Serbia is stability factor and good neighbour. Author notes Serbia did not change much in political sense since Tadic’s last visit to BiH in 2004: “Country is still ran by [Serbian PM] Vojislav Kostunica, not willing to send Ratko Mladic to the Hague, and Radical [leader] Tomislav Nikolic is near to take the authority over from Kostunica.” Editorial reminds that Tadic became first Serbian official to condemn massacre in Srebrenica and pay respect to innocent victims.

DL: RS leaders working on new special relations agreement with Serbia despite Presidency Chairman Tihic’s objections

 

Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Tihic contests RS’ ties with Serbia’, by Mensud Zorlak – DL notes that despite statement by the Chairman of BiH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic, who said he would invoke the vital national interest protection with the BiH Constitutional Court in case the RS wanted to sign new special relations agreement with Serbia (Tihic claims the agreement requires consent of BiH Parliament, RS politicians think it does not), (political) leaders of RS are working in a hurry to prepare and sign a new agreement with Serbia. (the signing of new agreement was triggered during the last visit of the Serbian PM Kostunica to Banja Luka the other day)

BiH Delegation attends Conference on Reconciliation and Cooperation at the West Balkans

 

BHT1 by Elvir Bucalo, Brussels – Delegation of BiH Parliament attends the Conference on Reconciliation and Cooperation in the West Balkans, which is being held in Brussels. EU Parliament’s Commissioner for West Balkans Doris Pack said that the West Balkans’ countries need to hear that the EU stands behind them. Deputy Speaker of BiH House of Representatives Nikola Spiric stated that empty rhetoric talks couldn’t solve the problems of West Balkans, adding that the investment funds for the region need to be more generous, so that the citizens can see that the association with the EU is going to be positive for them. EU Parliament members stated that they support the investments n West Balkans, but they also expect reconciliation and better cooperation of West Balkans countries. Pack stressed the EU has invested in reconstruction and development projects, but she stressed that the EU is also trying to help the development of capacities. She added that many missing capacities must be built by the West Balkan countries themselves. Hayat- Parliamentary delegations from Albania , BiH , Serbia , Montenegro and the delegation of European Parliament will take part at this Conference.

CoE Parliament to discuss failure of constitutional changes and anti-Dayton statements in BiH

Dnevni Avaz pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘On Thursday discussion on BiH in urgent procedure’ by Sead Numanovic, Strasbourg – Article carries that Council of Europe Parliament in Strasbourg will discuss situation in BiH at its Thursday’s session. Daily learns that, following the initiative of the largest CoE Parliament’s deputy group – socialists, CoE Parliament will discuss failure of constitutional changes and anti-Dayton statements in BiH. Author notes that it is expected for CoE Parliament to condemn blockade of work of BiH Parliament by Serb deputies due to fact that Sarajevo Commission was not formed.

 

Elections; closure of OHR

BiH CEC : not a single party submitted list of candidates

 

 

Hayat- Not a single political party or coalition has yet submitted the list of candidates for the coming October elections. After the deadline expires in seven-days time, BiH Central Election Commission [CEC] will have another twenty days to check the candidates and certify those who satisfy all requirements. CEC members claim that experience from previous elections shows that political parties usually send in their lists of candidates just one or two days before the expiration of the deadline, that is in the last possible moment. Sarajevo press also reported.

Dnevni List reveals candidates for Croat member of BiH Presidency

 

Dnevni List pg 3 mentioned on cover ‘We reveal names of Croat candidates’ by Dario Pusic – According to DL, Croat candidates for the BiH Presidency are Ivo Miro Jovic for HDZ BiH, Bozo Ljubic for HDZ 1990, Zvonko Jurisic for HSP Djapic-Jurisic and Jozo Krizanovic for SDP. Miso Relota, HDZ BiH spokesperson informs DL that the party session in which the final decision on the candidate name will be made is scheduled to take place in Kiseljak on Wednesday but the public already speculate I. M. Jovic will get the votes of HDZ leadership. HDZ 1990 yesterday expressed its support to Ljubic as the party candidate. As for SDP, apart from the abovementioned Krizanovic, Zeljko Komsic is also mentioned as a likely candidate. Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Ljubic for the Presidency’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Croatian Unity nominated Bozo Ljubic’ by H.O. – carried on Ljubic’s nomination.

SNSD Executive Board defined list of candidates for October elections

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘List of candidates for general October elections were defined’ by V. P. – SNSD Executive Board defined lists of candidates for October elections at its session on Monday. According to unofficial information, SNSD would nominate Nebojsa Radmanovic for the position of Serb member of BiH Presidency and would nominate RS Minister of Economy, Energy and Development Milan Jelic for RS President. The party would nominate Milorad Dodik a list holder for RS NA for Electoral Unit 1, while Nikola Spiric will be nominated a list holder for BiH HoR for Electoral Unit 1. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Trust was given to Radmanovic and Jelic’ by M. Dz. – SNSD President Dodik confirmed Radmanovic and Jelic would be nominated for the above-mentioned positions. The article reports nothing on the nomination of Dodik for any of the positions.

SDA: Tihic candidate for Bosniak member of Presidency

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Sulejman Tihic candidate for member of Presidency’ by E.S.– At the Monday’s session, SDA Collegium has unanimously supported all proposals of candidates’ lists for upcoming elections, which we submitted by the Personnel Commission. SDA Secretary General, Amir Zukic told DA that SDA Presidency would discuss these nominations on Tuesday, but is expected to accept them all. According to that, SDA leader Sulejman Tihic would be nominated for Bosniak member of BiH Presidency, while Adil Osmanovic would be nominated for RS Vice-President.

SD commentary: BiH CoM Terzic average state bureaucrat

 

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 11 mentioned on cover pg ‘Terzic’s last tango’ by Radoslav Dodig Dodig writes about the current political standing of Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair who, according to his official position, is supposed to be ‘the first violin in this country’s politics’. The real truth, Dodig claims, is that Terzic does not enjoy support within his party (SDA) which has not put him on the candidates list for the October elections. As for his work in CoM, the commentary reads that his attempt to remove Mladen Ivanic from the foreign minister position failed thanks to the Presidency giving its support to the latter. Also, the author finds that the relationship between the CoM and the Parliament has been so poor to the point where they have become adversaries and not co-workers. Dodig ends his comment with the opinion that Terzic is an average state bureaucrat, without image and flexibility.

SBiH leader Silajdzic: Parting of OHR could influence implementation of reforms necessary for accomplishing our priorities, above all, entering EU

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Ones that do not have anything to say about their own results, deal with other parties’ by Edina Sarac – Commenting accusations of SDA leader Sulejman Tihic that SBiH is trying to cause a division inside the SDA, in an interview for daily SBiH leader Haris Silajdzic stated that his party is not dealing with other parties’ problems, but with concrete problems of BiH as a state. Commenting announced closure of OHR, Siladzic noted that he was against that possibility even when Paddy Ashdown was performing duty of HR: “It is still not time for abolishment [of OHR], although we made progress in many fields… Parting of OHR could influence implementation of the reforms necessary for accomplishing our priorities, above all, entering EU.” He concluded that OHR leave should be coordinated with BiH entering negotiations on EU membership.

Islamic Community leader Ceric: Message that IC is parting BiH are horrifying

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Message that International Community is parting BiH are horrifying’ by T.L. – Commenting the announced closure of OHR, Islamic Community leader Reis Mustafa effendi Ceric stated that messages that International Community [IC] is parting BiH are horrifying: “It [IC] cannot leave BiH without finishing its job, and that is strengthening and settling up normal state in BiH. I hope it is clear to Europe, since they there very well know what the normal state means.”

DEPOS, Radicals on OHR closure

 

RTRS Closure of the OHR, announced by the Peace Implementation Council, presents another kind of pressure on the RS politicians in order to bring decisions and carry out reform processes, claims DEPOS. Serb Radical Party welcomes the OHR’s closure and call on equality in decision-making process between the FBiH and RS. Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘New pressure for continuation of reforms’ by D. R., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Clear message’ by D. Mo. – also reported on DEPOS. 

HSP Djapic-Jurisic disappointed with closing down of OHR

Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Jurisic disappointed with decision to close down OHR’, not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Leaving of OHR would mean a permanent division of BiH’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘It would be a permanent division on Bosniak and Serb part’ by Fena – President of HSP Djapic-Jurisic, Dr. Zvonko Jurisic, stated in Mostar on Monday that the party was disappointed with the PIC‘s decision to close the OHR down on June 30, 2007, claiming that single BiH in which all three constitutional peoples are equal can only be achieved through pressure and help of the IC. Jurisic stressed that the departure of the OHR at this moment would mean the permanent division of BiH into Bosniak and Serb part (of BiH), requesting that the OHR takes responsibility and impose solution to preserve integrity of BiH if necessary. Jurisic concluded that it was a big lie that the three BiH peoples can agree on new BiH Constitution, stressing that the Serb people has been rewarded in Dayton , the privileges the Serbs do not want to give up nowadays.

Oslob op-ed: It is OHR’s responsibility for BiH to get modern Constitution, sign SAA and join PfP before OHR closure

 

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘There you are’ op-ed by Zija Dizdarevic – Commenting closure of OHR, editorial argues that Peace Implementation Council [PIC] made good decision, noting that it was made at the time when ‘efforts on creation of Greater Serbia’ grows on. Author claims that BiH Parliament should have discussed the issue before the final decision has been made. Slamming RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik for blocking the reform processes, editorial stresses that International Community [IC] is not handing country’s destiny into hands of BiH politicians, but into “hands of politicians that hate BiH”. Dizdarevic concludes that closure of OHR would have had sense only after BiH would get modern Constitution, sign the Stabilisation and Association Agreement [SAA] and joined NATO Partnership for Peace [PfP] programme: “It is a big responsibility of OHR to be so.”

 

Economy and economic affairs; MPs benefits

IMF meets RS President Cavic: no stand by arrangement before elections

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hayat – Representatives of the International Monetary Fund [IMF] have announced that the potential talks on a stand-by arrangement with the IMF will be possible only after the October election in BiH. An IMF delegation, led by the Head of the IMF Mission to BiH Dimitri Demekas, has informed the RS President Dragan Cavic on possible measures for preserving macro-economic stability in BiH. During the talks with the IMF delegation, Chair of the RS Association of Trade Unions Ranka Misic pointed to the difficult economic situation in the RS, stressing it has become even worse after the Value Added Tax introduction at the beginning of 2006. PINK – Following the meeting with Misic, IMF told journalists that BiH authorities have to work on improvement of business environment and implement lawsin order to improve economic situation. Consultations, which are being carried out these days with the RS authorities, Trade Union and other organizations’ representatives, will result in a report on overview of economic situation in BiH, which is going to be sent to the IMF Steering Board. “As you already know, we failed to agree on a stand-by arrangement with the authorities and it would be inadequate to deal with this now, when elections are to take place”, said IMF official Graham Slek. RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘About stand-by agreement only after elections’ by Srna, Nezavisne novine pg 4 ‘[Discussion] on stand-by arrangement after elections’ by Agencies also carried.

ITA SB member Kudic says only temporary distribution coefficients should be determined

 

EuroBlic pg RS2 ’29,7% is too little’ by Mirna Soja – In regard to today’s session of the BiH Fiscal Council (BiH FC), daily notes that the RS budget will be damaged for 5 to 6 million BAM on a monthly basis unless BiH FC meets request of RS Government that as of 1 July, its current coefficient of 27.9% is increased for 2%. It also carries statement of Miodrag Kudic, member of the ITA Steering Board, saying: “In May, over 40% of tax payers in BiH failed to report on final consumption in VAT claims, on basis of which the distribution coefficients between entities and Brcko District should be calculated. I do not know whether this is deliberate or accidental, but the final distribution coefficients cannot be calculated on the basis of these data.”  He is of the view that it is possible to determine only temporary coefficients for the upcoming period, which should be calculated on the basis of data on final consumption in the past 2 years.

RSNA to withdraw the Law on rights of MPs and Entity Officials

 

Hayat by ATV Banjaluka – ATV reports that it seems that the RS National Assembly has decided to withdraw from the procedure the Law on the rights of MPs and entity officials which supposed to introduce privileges enabling representatives in the RS NA to have larger bigger pensions [three times the average pension in the RS] after much shorter duration of the service. According to ATV reporter, this law will be withdrawn almost certainly; reporter comments such decision will be made [unwillingly] because MPs are afraid of losing some votes at the upcoming elections, and not because their conscience has been suddenly awaken. “I’m afraid that the RS Government and most of the RS NA representatives at this point are not ready to support this law… I doubt that this law will be on agenda”, stated SDA representative in the RS NA Tarik Sadovic. According to reporter, this law must be placed at the end of agenda of 36th RS NA session, but representatives are not obligated to discuss it; in fact, many of 78 representatives who proposed this law have decided to withdraw their signatures. “What is going to happen on the next session, that is at the end of previous session, I really don’t know. I think that the things have not yet been harmonized. As far as I know, the Commission [for Election and Appointment] will probably suggest some kind of a solution, but I really don’t know what is going to happen” stated SDP representative Zekerijah Osmic. “We believe that this issue should be solved, but in a manner that is in accord with the economic and social situation in RS”, stated SRS representative Milanko Mihajlica. RS Government also does not support this law.

Former RS PM Mikerevic denies any responsibility for the contract signed between Brod Refinery and “Vitol” firm

Nezavisne Novine pgs 8-9, announced on cover ‘Bukejlovic’s Government had attempted to hide the true culprit’ by M. Kusmuk – In a lengthy interview to NN, former RS PM Dragan Mikerevic comments on the report RS MoI had forwarded against him to the Prosecutor’s Office, in which he was charged for abuse of office with regard to the work of Brod Refinery, and he says he has an impression individuals from former RS Government had exerted pressure on unprofessional MoI personnel that was carrying out a procedure upon the audit report, in order to at least temporarily hide the true culprit for the work of the Refinery and its relations with “Vitol” firm. He says he had heard about “Vitol” for the first time when the President’s Office asked him to attend talks with a representative of “Vitol”, one Stevo Jovanovic. Mikerevic reiterated he had not known the contract with “Vitol” ever existed and he could not have asked for the contract to be annulled since he had never seen the original of the contract until it was published in Nezavisne Novine.