28.06.2006

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 28/6/2006

Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 28 June

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

Serb delegates demand CoE

3rd Infantry Unit celebrating its Day

RS Sup. Court reduces sentence

TV news broadcast on 27 June

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

RHB employees in strike

Loan for air traffic control project

BiH Fiscal Council’s session in BL

 

BiH Fiscal Council in session

BiH to start negotiations on CEFTA

 

BiH Presidency on CEFTA negotiation

HR Schwarz-Schilling in Brussels

 

VAT endangers de-mining process

CoB rejects Bajric’s plea bargain

 

NTV Hayat  (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

BIH Court rejects Bajric’s deal

BiH Fiscal Council’s session in BL

RS officials on CoE resolution on BiH

BIH Fiscal Council session

FBiH HoR session in Sarajevo

Woman killed in Banja Luka

ITA Steering Board session cancelled

VAT slows down de-mining in BiH

Dead man found in Sava river

Feature on de-mining in BIH

Islamic rel. leader attacked in Mostar

Hot weather

 

Oslobodjenje

International agents involved in search for Ratko Mladic [in Serbia]

Dnevni Avaz

Tadic offered Mesic arrangement on division of BiH

Dnevni List

Khoja will not sing at Balinovac again (assault on Moslem priest in Mostar)

Vecernji List

New electrolysis for a thousand employees (Aluminij signs new contract)

Slobodna Dalmacija

KM 2.1 million for ‘the redundant’ (Mostar City Adm. staff reduction)

Nezavisne Novine

IMF: No increase of public spending

Glas Srpske

Council of Europe to abolish the Dayton?! [Joint press statement of Dodik and Cavic]

EuroBlic

They first killed woman with knife, then set apartment on fire [Murder in Banja Luka]

Vecernje novosti

We will not give away Kosovo! [Kostunica in London]

 

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Serb members at BiH delegation at PACE demand withdrawal of Resolution from PACE session or its rejection

RTRS – The Serb members of the BiH delegation at the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) have demanded that Report and draft Resolution of Monitoring Committee is excluded from session agenda or rejected. In a statement to RTRS, Goran Milojevic, team member, says: “Report and Resolution… is brimming with false information, arbitrary constructions, biased, tendentious information and as such, those documents are not acceptable… One of the largest deficiency of these documents is negation of Dayton Agreement, as foundation on which BiH is grounded. I am of the view possible adoption of document of this sort would produce crisis… Possible adoption of this CoE’ Resolution would result in serious political destabilization in BiH and region…Colleagues Ljiljana Milicevic, Tihomir Gligoric and myself… have demanded [officially] this Document be withdrawn from agenda.”

 

Economic issues

BiH Fiscal Council fails to reach agreement on allocation of public revenues; Council and ITA SB to hold session on Monday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BHT1 by Zorica Medjedovic – Members of the BiH Fiscal Council on Tuesday in Banjaluka failed to reach an agreement on the coefficients for allocation of revenues from the Indirect Taxation Administration’s single account. This issue is to be again discussed at session of the Fiscal Council scheduled for Monday, July 3 in Sarajevo. Since this time the Council failed to reach an agreement on the issue, session of the ITA’s Steering Board has been rescheduled for Monday as well. Meanwhile, the allocation of revenues will continue as before until new solution. “We did not manage to reach an agreement on final coefficients for the month of July, since [FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet] Hadzipasic was not present, ant the representatives of the FBiH Government were not able to state his stance aloud and clear”, stated BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic. Representatives of the RS Government deem that the previous way of the allocation of revenues is ‘not reliable’, mainly because it does not treat all participants in a distribution in the same way; they suggest that a ‘more stable’ solution to this problem should be found, in order to avoid the same dilemmas each and every month. “I must say that the agreement we have reached sometime in April is about to expire, and it is still not clear what is going to happen next. But we are determined to discuss it once again on Monday, and try to disable the blockade”, stated RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik. Increased spending of budget funds was also discussed at the BiH Fiscal Council’s session in Banjaluka. “We have certain problems when it comes to cantonal levels, where we don’t have such control and where certain increases in spending might occur”, admitted FBiH Minister of Finance Dragan Vrankic. Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘No agreement on allocation of money from single account ’– Head of IMF Mission Dimitri Demekas stated: “It is important to adopt laws which would allow banking system supervision transfers to the state level.Nezavisne novine cover pg splash and pg 4 ‘There would be no change to public spending’ by D. Risojevic – IMF warned there should be no change to public spending at BiH Fiscal Council’s session. PINK, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘No agreement on allocation of money from single account’, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Distribution in old manner, final decision on July 3’ by Mirna Soja, Glas Srpske pg 6 ‘Without agreement on coefficients’ by Lj. Cicicalso reported.

BiH Fiscal Council passes draft Law on FC, submits it to Parliament in urgent procedure; RS PM Dodik opposes transfer of banking supervision to state authority

 

RTRS – BiH Fiscal Council adopted the draft Law on Fiscal Council which still needs to be approved by the Brcko District authorities. Still, the proposal will be forwarded to BiH Parliament Assembly in an urgent procedure. The Chair of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic expects the draft to be in parliamentary procedure within 10 days, and stressed it is necessary to adopt it before the elections in order to take over the authorities in fiscal sector from International Monetary Fund. The representatives of IMF approved the draft law on Fiscal Council. Head of IMF Delegation in BiH Dimitri Demekas warned that it is necessary to preserve fiscal discipline and avoid over-spending of budgets. RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated that RS Government doesn’t intent to discuss possible budget re-balance until the elections. IMF recommends the unification of banking supervision. However, this issue doesn’t have the same support in all entities. Regarding this issue, Dodik stated that it could be solved within current constitutional framework and without further transfer of entity authorities to state level.  PINK, Hayat, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 inset ‘Dodik: There is no transfer of authorities from entities’  reported.

FBiH HoR passes Law on Rights of Elected Officials; law passed almost unanimously and MPs to earn from 1,300 to 1,700

 

BHT1 by Marina Boskovic – FBiH House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted the Law on the Rights of Elected Officials. According to BHT reporter, after negative public reaction, representatives decided not to significantly increase their benefits. The Law was adopted almost unanimously; representatives will receive between 1,300 and 1,700 KM of monthly salary, but the food allowance will be only 10, instead of 30 KM per day. “The food allowance is two percent of the average salary in FBiH, and it is the same for all persons employed in FBiH. All other rights of elected officials have remained on a same level”, explained Chair of the FBiH HoR’s Administrative Commission Ismet Briga. BHT reporter underlined that elected FBiH officials with more than five years of service will receive salary for 12 months after their office expires. The Law formally revokes the function of advisers within FBiH Government members’ cabinets; however – according to BHT reporter – they will be able to freely charge for their advices as personal advisors to MPs. “It means that I can hire one of my relatives, friends or acquaintances as an advisor. I think that it’s absolutely inadequate, especially since we are already spending more than 60 percent of money on a too complicated administration”, commented SDP’s Damir Masic. “We are the representatives of citizens, and it is normal that we cannot be experts in every field. This law enables us to hire an advisor for a certain field of work”, explained SDA’s Semsudin Mehmedovic. Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Officials getting inappropriate benefits’, by Mensud Zorlak – DL notes that by enacting the law, the officials have secured good financial cover for them. Hayat, PINK, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Highest starting salary for officials 1,700 KM’ by A.Hadziarapovic, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Voting on Law on Pardoning postponed’ by A.Terzic,Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Salaries – even mandate has expired’, by Eldina Medunjanin, Nezavisne novine pg 4 ‘Salaries of delegates would not be “significantly increased”’ by R. Cengic– also carried. 

BiH Presidency decides on launching negotiations to sign CEFTA

 

BHT1 by Sanita Lisica-Biberovic – At the session on Tuesday, the BiH Presidency decided to launch negotiations on signing the Central Europe Free Trade Agreement [CEFTA]. The first round of negotiations has already started in Brussels on Tuesday; CEFTA should become operative as of January 2007, and it would replace existing bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements in a region. Along Croatia, Macedonia, Romania and Bulgaria, CEFTA should soon include BiH, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Moldavia and United Nations Mission in Kosovo. “The very subject of the agreement will be broadened, it will not be only free trade. The agreement will include free foreign investments, abolition of technical obstacles that occur so often during the implementation of free trade agreements, protection of intellectual ownership and better regulated inter-state turnover of goods”, explained Slobodan Ecimovic, Deputy BiH Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations. But according to BHT reporter, BiH – unlike Croatia and Serbia – is totally unprepared for this Agreement. “I think this is an opportunity for us to use our comparative advantages, and those comparative advantages could be activated through direct foreign investments”, stated BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac. PINK, Hayat, RTRS, Nezavisne novine pg 3 ‘Stance on lawsuit against SiCG divided in front of Tadic’ by N. Krsman also reported.

De-mining process in BiH endangered due to VAT

 

BHT 1 by Mirela Cosic – Two thirds of funds for de-mining in BiH come from foreign donors; now they appealed on the BiH authorities to find a way and exempt those funds from the Value Added Tax (VAT), in order to speed up the process of de-mining in BiH. “We have certain difficulties in this field, which we have to resolve in cooperation with the BiH Council of Ministers and Indirect Taxation Administration (ITA)”, stated BiH Minister of Civil Affairs Safet Halilovic, adding that the only acceptable solution would be that this activity is totally exempted from VAT. PINK – Donors of de-mining projects held a meeting in Sarajevo on Tuesday. And they warned that due to the VAT all such projects in 2006 might be stopped. BiH De-mining Commission Chair Mustafa Alikadic argues the Law on VAT should be changed, to ensure humanitarian projects are exempted. Canada and USA are the major donors for de-mining projects. Canadian Ambassador to BiH Shelley Whiting stated that since 1996, Canada had invested 15 million USD. James Russo from US Embassy in Sarajevo stated that financing of 16 projects in value of 1,6 million USD has been approved in June 2006. FTV, Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Scandalous decision on VAT on de-mining remained’ by A.P., Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Donors do not want to finance VAT, Dnevni List, pg 7, mentioned on front ‘Donors do not want to pay VAT!’, by R. Dautefendic, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Donors should be exempted from paying VAT’ by S. Lemo, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Program of Tadic’s visit established’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘BiH lawsuit against SR Yugoslavia’ by Fenaalso carried.

EBRD and BiH agree on credit arrangements for 12 million Euros worth Project of Managing Air Traffic

PINK- All documents of the credit arrangements between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development [EBRD] and the BiHState and Entity institutions intended for realization of the Project of Managing Air Traffic, were harmonized on Monday and Tuesday in London. Apart from BiH Minister of Traffic and Communications Branko Dokic and BiH Minister of Finance and Treasury Ljerka Maric, the negotiations were also attended by the Entity Ministers of Communications and Transport and representatives of the BiH Directorate for Civil Aviation (BHDCA). The credit of 12 million euro will be used to implement the project. “Through realization of this credit, BiH will finally be enabled to independently and fully control its airspace,” said Dokic said on Monday night. The credit arrangements should be signed on July 31 in Sarajevo. BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Vecernji List, pg 2 ’12 million Euros for control of airspace’, by D. J., Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 8 ‘BiH getting supervision over airspace?’, by Z. Tulic– also reported.

 

War crimes, security and judicial proceedings

BiH Court rejects deal Bajric made with Prosecution; judge argues charges of terrorism too severe for 8 months prison sentence

 

 

 

 

 

BHT1 – The BiH Court rejected deal Amir Bajric reached with the Office of the BiH Prosecutor, when he decided to plead guilty of preparing terrorist attacks in exchange for eight months in prison sentence. BiH Court Judge Mirza Jusufovic explained the agreement could not be accepted because “purchasing approximately 19 kilograms of explosives simply demands more severe punishment, even with the possible cooperation between indicted person and BiH Prosecutor’s Office”. Along with Senad Hasanovic, Bajric is indicted for purchasing explosives that Mirsad Bektasevic, Abdulkadir Cesur and Bajro Ikanovic wanted to use for terrorist attacks in Sarajevo.  [Trial to three of them will commence on July 20. They 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]. PINK, Hayat, FTV, RTRS,. Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Deal with terrorist rejected’ by Erna MackicVecernji List pg 3 ‘Court finds penalty for “repenter” too mild’ by Dejan JazvicSlobodna Dalmacija ‘Terrorist pleads guilty’ by Zlatko Tulicalso reported.

FTV: BiH Presidency pardons three men without knowing what crimes they committed; FBiH Govt also proposes disputable pardoning law

 

FTV – FTV comments [journalist was not signed] that while the Court of BiH is trying to prosecute suspected war criminals, the BiH Presidency members are pardoning convicted criminals, without “even” knowing which crimes they have committed. On Tuesday, BiH Presidency pardoned Zeljko Alilovic, Milan Delic and Elvir Hodzic, but – according to FTV presenter – presidency member Borislav Paravac wasn’t able to say which crimes they were initially accused of. At the same time, FBiH Government has proposed a new law on pardoning, which – if adopted – could become a legal precedent in the whole world. Namely, according to this law, FBiH authorities would be entitled to pardon persons sentenced by the Court of BiH. This proposal will be discussed on Wednesday. Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Blind pardon’ by D. P. Mandic – DL carries that Paravac referred the journalists to the Ministry of Justice for clarification on the pardons. Vecernji List pg 2 ‘BiH Presidency pardons three’ by eme – also reported.

Muslim priest attacked yesterday in Mostar; police have description of assailants

 

Dnevni List cover pg splash & pg 3 ‘Imam will not sing at Balinovac [part of Mostar] again’ by Sanja Bjelica – Islamic religious leader, imam Adnan Jakirovic, was attacked in Baslinovac, part of Mostar, on Tuesday morning at about 5 a. m. while returning home from the mosque. Spokesperson for the Canton 7 MoI Srecko Bosnjak confirmed that two unidentified attackers threw beer bottles at his car breaking the windshield after which they tried to pull him out of the car. Bosnjak added the police have a detailed description of the assailants and their car. Imam Jakirovic says the two said they would do anything to stop his singing in the morning. Representative of Islamic Community in Mostar Dr. Izet Terzic said the assault was another attempt to prevent the normal work of the Islamic community in Mostar and requested that the highest international and national officials conduct an analysis of Canton 7 MoI work which, he says, never produced anything with their investigations into previous attacks on Islamic community. BHT1, RTRS, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Imam Adnan Jakirovic attacked on Balinovac’ by F.Vele,

Oslobodjenje:Certain number of operatives have constantly been searching for Mladic in Serbia

 

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘International agents involved in search for Ratko Mladic’ by B.Boskov, Belgrade – Commenting information recently appeared in Serbian newspapers that small number of US and British agents are in search for Ratko Mladic in Serbia, author says that the news is not sensational “but rather confirmation of official claims that certain number of operatives have constantly been doing this job, because authorities, i.e. Government is ‘firmly determined’ to find him as soon as possible’.” Author notes that Serbia is in process of creation of an ‘action plan’ for arresting Mladic, that is going to be presented in Brussels by mid-July.

SIPA on possible cooperation with Serbian Gov on capturing Mladic: Our agency is always opened for any kind of cooperation

 

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘If Serbia needs help, we are here…’ by A.Prlenda – Article carries that international and local authorities in BiH putting out their readiness for any kind of cooperation with the announced team of Serbian Government that should search and capture Ratko Mladic. SIPA spokesperson Admir Katica told daily on Tuesday: “Our agency is always opened for any kind of cooperation.” NATO spokesperson Derek Chappell stated that NATO HQ in Sarajevo did not receive any official request for help or cooperation.  EUFOR spokesperson Karen Halsey told daily that Serbian Government did not contact them, adding that EUFOR is anyway restricted to the BiH territory by its mandate.

Oslob op-ed: With such intelligence services, Serbia has no chance to arrest Mladic

 

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Mladic’ op-ed by Senka Kurtovic – Commenting news that Serbian Government is establishing a team for capturing Ratko Mladic, editorial reads that it is a big step for Serbia, but small for the ICTY. Noting that allegedly international intelligence services provided some staff for this team, author concludes: “We should expect actions these days. We used to see many of these. Comforting fact is that only some about twenty people are informed on the essence of the action. That is the only guarantee for Mladic once at last appear in the Hague. With such intelligence services, over which neither [Serbian PM Vojislav] Kostunica nor [Serbian President Boris] Tadic have no full control, Serbia stands no chance.

RS CoP dispute report on cooperation btw RS and ICTY

 

RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘RS NA CoP: Disputable Report on RS cooperation with The Hague by P.K., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Obstruction called Report’ by D.M. – Bosniak Caucus at the RS NA Council of Peoples (CoP) launched the initiative on protection of vital national interest (VNI) regarding the report on RS cooperation with the ICTY for the first three months of 2006. Following the RS NA request to the RS Government to submit the information on suffering of Serbs in BiH cities, Bosniak Caucus criticised RS NA for not requesting the same regarding the “Bosniaks from Bratunac, Bijeljina, Zvornik, Vlasenica, Prijedor and other RS cities where genocide happened”. Bosniak Caucus asks from the RS Government to start the activities regarding the truth on suffering of all RS citizens in period 1992-1995.

BiH Justice Min. Kovac says Min. waiting for response from Sokolac Court regarding Klickovic case

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Request for extradition of Klickovic after response from Sokolac Court’ by Sn.K. Slobodan Kovac, BiH Justice Minister, has told daily Sector for International Legal Assistance and Cooperation with the BiH Justice Ministry on Monday received an official notice on arrest of former RS premier, Gojko Klickovic. Kovac has added that following receipt of the notice, the Ministry has addressed a request to Sokolac Court, in line with whose order Klickovic was arrested in Belgrade, to submit necessary documentation related to this case to Ministry. Sokolac Court was also asked to confirm whether it still insists on Klickovic’ arrest. Kovac adds: “We are waiting for response from Court, after which we will undertake steps.” Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Does BiH wants Klickovic’s extradition’ by E.K. – Commenting Klickovic arrest and delays in procedure of extradition, daily notes: “Seven days already passed. Maybe BiH doesn’t want Klickovic?

SD: 500 Serb civilians killed during war in Sarajevo?

 

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 8, mentioned on front ‘500 Serb civilians killed in Sarajevo?’, by Zlatko Tulic – the article retells story that appeared in the media yesterday (Tuesday), which noted there could be additional problems in the work of the Sarajevo Commission (CoM Chairman Terzic yet to sign respective decision, see OHR Media Round-up, June 27). SD also writes that according to available information, it is assumed that some 500 Serb civilians died during the war in Sarajevo.

CoE Parliament calls on USA to close secret prisons; BiH one of rare countries submitted all data regarding CIA secret flights

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Washington invited to close secret prisons’ by S.Numanovic, Strasbourg – The Parliament of the Council of Europe called on the USA to close secret prisons, stop illegal transfer of prisoners and improve cooperation with CoE in determining way of fights against terrorism in line with international legal standards on human rights. CoE concluded that 14 countries, including BiH, had colluded with US intelligence in what he called a ‘spider’s web’ of secret flights and detention centers that violated human rights laws. Article carries CoE stressed the BiH was one of rare member states that submitted all information on CIA secret flights. CoE’s Rapporteur said that NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Sheffer would be invited to answer a series of questions on this issue, including the role of SFOR in 2002 extradition of six Algerians, four of which were in possession of BiH passport, to Guantanamo base. Times, International Herald Tribune, New York Times, Washington Post, BBC, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Frankfurter Rundschau, Standard also covered the session.

HJPC says BiH judiciary facing with high number of unresolved cases

EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Courts burdened with cases’ by D.S. – Chair of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) Branko Peric said that BiH judiciary faces problem of high number of unsolved cases. Peric said there were around 1.335.000 unsolved cases at the end of 2005, expressing belief this problem should be solved through more radical reform of the executive procedure, mediation and transfer of the utility cases to other institutions. He noted that HJPC would initiate establishment of the national strategy for solving backlogs and changes and amendments to the laws that have significance for the BiH judiciary. PINK, BHT1, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘So called old unsolved cases are a big burden for BiH Judiciary’ by Agencies, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Positive steps in our country’s judicial system’ by D. P. M.- Member of Italian HJPC and Chair of European Network of Judicial Council, Luigi Berlinger, met the representatives of the BiH HJPC and discussed mechanisms against corruption, and other related issues. 

 

Reforms and EU integrations

HR CSS addresses PSCEC advising strengthening EU role in BiH; EU official do not believe BiH ready to sign SAA ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BHT1 by Elvir Bucalo, Brussels – The High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling in Brussels addressed Political and Security Committee of the European Council. BHT reports the HR said EU should strengthen its presence in BiH through the Office of the EU Special Representative following the OHR closure. “There is no exit strategy of Europe, and there is no downsizing of the BiH’s European orientation. It is an important step toward balance we have to take now: on one side we are closing, but on the other we are opening the European role”, stated the HR. However, many analysts find it hard to believe the implementation of police and constitutional reform, and cooperation with the ICTY will be at the satisfying level in the moment of OHR closure. Thje HR admitted there would always be reasons not to change things, but underlined they are unavoidable in BiH. “The responsibility undoubtedly lies on BiH political leaders, but I have no doubt that EU Special Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling will be very active in persuading the most important reforms must be finally carried out”, concluded Christine Gallach, Spokesperson of the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. RTRS- According to RTRS, the Council believe BiH is still not ready to sign the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Police reform and adoption of several important laws have been halted due to preparations for the October elections. Schwarz Schilling stressed that these reforms are crucial for BiH’s progress in process of association with the EU: “After the elections, we will clearly see if the constructive phase is going to start in BiH policy, and if BiH is going to move forward”. While EU is to be present in BiH, it is not going to intervene in policy and government in BiH. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘EU should strengthen its presence’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘EU should strengthen its presence’ by Fena, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Schilling: EU should strengthen its presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina’, by V. R., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Surplus of workers at OHR’ by N. B., Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Strengthen the institution of the Office of EU Special Representative’ by D. R. also reported.

HR Schwarz-Schilling for FTV: EU officials believe that positive outcome in mitigating of visa regime would happen by end of the year

 

FTV – In a statement to FTV, the HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling said he also talked about the police reform to Political and Security Committee of the European Council.and in favour of relaxing visa regime for BiH citizens. “They think that there will be a positive outcome by the end of this year. Then, they will start serious negotiations on visa regime at the beginning of 2007. I told them that – if those negotiations are completed at the end of 2007 – it would not be within my time table”, HR Schwarz-Schilling said in a short telephone statement for FTV, adding that the transition process in BiH has to be carried out by June 30, 2007.

EU Commissioner Rehn: BiH lately marks little progress; referendum for succession is not an option given by Constitution

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘We will not leave BiH alone after closure of OHR’, mentioned on cover, by Sead Numanovic – In an interview given to DA, the EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn comments journalist’s assessment that it appears the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU would not be signed before the end of this year saying: “For time being, the negotiations on the SAA progress well. From just technical point of view, we could complete them by the end of the year. However, that aim could be reached only if the reforms are carried out in satisfactory manner. In this light, progress in police reform… is of essence.” Rehn is to meeting the BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic today [Wednesday] to discuss the reforms in BiH, in which regard he also notes importance of the cooperation with the ICTY, reforms of public broadcasting service and public administration. Asked to comment numerous recent comparisons of situation in BiH in 1992 and now, Rehn says: “BiH lately marks very little progress, and I am especially worried about cooperation with the ICTY and police reform… I strongly call on the RS to constructively work on the police reform, having in mind authorities of the state in this field.” Underlining that the BiH Constitution doesn’t allow the referendum for succession, Rehn says that the recent decision to close down the OHR at end of June 2007 shows that BiH “is in the right way”. “It is clear though that BiH will not be left alone. Strengthen Office of the EU Special Representatives [EUSR] represents comprehensive engagement of the Union following the OHR closure… We will come out with some suggestions and ideas on this [transition] by the end ofyear.”

DA outlines resolution to be passed by the CoE Parliament today: const. reform immediately after elections, entity vote in BiH HoR to be abolished, etc.

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Abolishment of entity voting would be demanded?’ by Sead Numanovic, Strasbourg – Daily carries that Political Committee of the Council of Europe Parliament prepared draft resolution by which BiH politicians will be invited to continue talks on constitutional changes after October elections, adding that provisions on entity voting should be removed from the proposed amendments to the BiH Constitution. DA claims that the resolution will be discussed on Thursday in a urgent procedure, adding that if adopted the Resolution would become mandatory document for BiH. “Abolishing of entity voting is minimum CoE expects from BiH,” comments Numanovic. Political Committee also invites BiH authorities to schedule census by 2010. Draft resolution also foresees that the state of BiH must be in charge of the accreditation and financing process of the higher education, adding that laws on primary and secondary education must be adopted in order to prevent ethnic segregations in schools. Committee stressed importance of cooperation with the ICTY, noting the police reform must be conducted in line with three EC principles [police budget and legislation at state level, regions under technical criteria and no political interference], Mostar unified, BiH Supreme Court and BiH Truth and Reconciliation Commission established. Inset ‘Strong criticism of Dodik and Serb MPs’ – The CoE also criticised the talk of referendum.  EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Pressure on BiH’ by Nedejka Breberina – also speculates on possible content of the Resolution.

DL: CoE to recommend abolishment of entities

 

Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Cantons getting abolished, entities remain’, by Ljiljana Vidacak – with regards to the ongoing session of CoE Parliamentary Assembly, DL learns from member of BiH’s delegation Tihomir Gligoric (MP, BiH HoR) that the report of CoE’s Monitoring Team, which visited BiH in April this year and prepared a report about it, recommends abolishment of cantons and survival of entities. DL unofficial information also have it that the CoE could also be discussing recent referendum statements made by the RS PM Milorad Dodik and issue of Serb MPs walking out from sessions of BiH Parliament.

Serb members of BiH Delegation to CoE Milojevic and Gligoric announce Serb members would not support the Resolution

 

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Council of Europe to abolish the Dayton?!’ by Z. Markovic Inset ‘One-sided and tendentious text’ – Member of BiH Parliament’s delegation to Council of Europe’s Parliament and Chair of BiH House of Peoples [HoP] Goran Milojevic confirmed the Council of Europe would discuss the Resolution and added the text of Resolution looks like as if ‘it were written in Sarajevo and was later translated to English language’. Milojevic said Serb members of the Delegation would do everything to dispute the adoption of the Resolution since the Resolution contains ‘complete nonsense favourable for opponents of constitutional changes that have been agreed upon’. Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Overthrowing of the Dayton is dangerous for BiH’ by P. Klincov Inset ‘Gligoric: there is no consent for the Resolution in BiH’ – Member of BiH Delegation Tihomir Gligoric also announced Serb members of the Delegation would file a note of protest on Draft Resolution because they assess it as tendentious and anti-Dayton and added: ‘We cannot accept the Resolution because it is anti-Dayton like and it is a product of lobbying of F BiH politicians, which would cause political de-stabilisation in BiH. We do not need such help from the Council of Europe.

RS PM and President object to announced CoE Parliament’s Resolution on BiH; say it represents recommendation for abolishment of DPA

 

RTRS – In a joint statement, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik and RS President Dragan Cavic warned that the proposal by the Monitoring Assembly of the Council of Europe’s Parliament represents a “lobbied and orchestrated document which is fatal to stability and future BiH’. They stressed this Resolution, if adopted by CoE Parliament on Wednesday, is going to represent a direct support to BiH political forces, which desire unitary state with power of Bosniak people over the others. Dodik and Cavic claim a part of the Resolution represents a direct recommendation for abolishment of Dayton Peace Agreement and basic entity constitutive order. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Such Resolution is questioning BiH as well’ by Srna“…In such circumstances demand of every constituent people for deciding on its own on their own future comes as inevitable reality,” reads the statement. Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Council of Europe to abolish the Dayton?!’ by Z. Markovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Overthrowing of the Dayton is dangerous for BiH’ by P. Klincov – also reported.

EC’s Humphreys calls on OHR closure: politicians to resume full responsibility

 

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Abolishment of OHR a clear sign’ not signed– Head of the EC Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys met with Tuzla Canton Prime Minister Bajazit Jasarevic and Tuzla Mayor Jasmin Imamovic in Tuzla on Tuesday to discuss upcoming general election in BiH. Humphreys stressed this was a key year for the future of BiH, especially in light of the announced OHR closure in 2007. “This means the politicians, who establish the government after the election, will have to make decisions with full responsibility and without interventions by the HR”, Humphreys said. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Law on local self-governance necessary’ by A.Mu.– also reported.

DL reveals that Europe and US are cutting OHR funding because of reform failures

 

Dnevni List pg 5 mentioned on front ‘Europe and America cut OHR financing’ by Zvonimir Jukic – DL reveals that the reason for last week’s decision by PIC to shut down OHR in 2007 is the American reluctance to continue funding ‘the costly OHR administration’ because, among other things, BiH politicians have failed to implement the relevant reforms, including constitutional changes, despite their promises to the US Secretary of State during their visit to Washington. Jukic finds that EU will now remain the only relevant international factor in BiH which, he says, is the reason EU did not insist on the implementation of constitutional changes at the time US  was in charge of the process.

RS PM Dodik and SDHR Bas-Backer agreed it was possible to overcome differences in adoption of High Education Law

 

Nezavisne novine pg 2 ‘It is possible to overcome differences’ by P. K. – RS PM Milorad Dodik and SDHR Peter Bas-Backer met in Banja Luka on Tuesday and expressed their conviction it was possible to overcome differences with regards to the adoption of the High Education Law on state level. Dodik said RS find it acceptable to form the Agency for Accreditation of Faculties at the state level to define criteria and procedures for accrediting while entities’ agencies would issue certificates as in accordance with procedures and criteria defined in such manner. Ambassador Bas-Backer thanked Dodik for the support RS gave to the strategy of public administration reform in BiH.

DL op-ed: BiH politicians delaying reforms because they cannot survive if rule of law prevails

 

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘European Union too far’ op-ed by Resad Dautefendic – The commentator reminds of the 22 June meeting in Sarajevo between Reinhard Priebe, head of EU enlargement directorate, Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair, and entity Prime Ministers Ahmet Hadzipasic and Milorad Dodik in which Priebe conveyed the message from Ollie Rehn, EU enlargement commissioner, that reforms must be implemented in full in order for BiH to sign the SAA. The author continues that Rehn brought up all the fields of reforms:  PBS, public administration, cooperation with the ICTY and creation of a single economic space, which means nothing has been done so far. The reason for that, according to DL, is Dodik and other high RS officials do not want either BiH or EU and are delaying the reforms as part of their nationalistic election campaign. Also, “defenders’ of Croat and Bosniak interests know that, if the country joins the EU, that would mean a rule of law and order and their time is over – finds Dautefendic.

Novi Reporter supportive of end of OHR mandate

 

Novi Reporter pgs 12-13 ‘The end of 1001 nights’ by Igor Gajic – The author starts the article by saying that the black sky is above politicians in F BiH because not only that HR to BiH, Christian Schwarz Schilling, failed to punish RS politicians over referendum options and police reform, but also messages were sent out that OHR will withdraw. He adds that F BiH “should live with the facts and without ghosts coming out from bottles at every single rubbing by Bosniak politicians accompanied with fulfilment of their wishes inspired with stories from 1001 Sheherzad’s nights.” He also stresses that Haris Silajdzic’s policy of re-setting internal structure of BiH (involving his full control over BiH) loses sense after HR leaves. According to author, although F BiH parties and NGO’s still claim OHR is necessary in BiH for the upcoming 10 years, the truth is that its existence is even expensive for the period of upcoming 10 months, “since every single day of its existence means new expenses over lives of BiH citizens. Every day of OHR’ presence means allocation of enormous salaries to third-class clerks who did not deserve it by anything.”

German Ambassador had separate mtgs with RS Pres./RS PM: BiH’ admission into EU is the sole BiH perspective

 

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘RS wants to contribute to European future of BiH’ by Fena, Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Joining EU is only perspective’, not signed, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Future in European Union’ by G.Dakic, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘The sole perspective of BiH is EU’ by N.N. – German Ambassador to BiH Arne Freiher von Kitlitz, Tuesday in Banja Luka had separate meetings with RS President, Dragan Cavic, and RS Premier, Milorad Dodik. Cavic and German Ambassador jointly assessed BiH would soon find a solution to fulfilling conditions for singing a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. Cavic reiterated that the decision to end the mission of OHR by June next year is a strategically important because it is high time to shift the responsibility for the future of the country to BiH institutions. They also discussed the political situation in BiH and the region. Dodik and German Ambassador agreed BiH’s admission into the EU is the only perspective for BiH in the future, exchanging opinions on the reformatory processes on the BiH European road. Dodik stressed that the RS, as an equal partner in BiH, wishes to maximally contribute to BiH European future.

 

Elections and other political issues

BiH Presidency adopts platform of President Tadic’s visit: Kosovo talk included

 

 

PINK – BiH Presidency also adopted the platform for visit of Serbian President Boris Tadic to BiH scheduled for Thursday. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Program of Tadic’s visit established’ by Fena– Member of BiH Presidency, Borislav Paravac announced that during the visit of Serbian President Boris Tadic they would discuss the Kosovo status and Paravac repeated that BiH wants this issue to be solved trough dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘BiH lawsuit against SR Yugoslavia on the agenda’ by Fena – Paravac noted that the agenda would also include the issue of BiH lawsuit against Serbia .

DA: Serbian Pres. Tadic offered Cro Pres. Mesic arrangement on new organization of BiH, which Mesic refuzed

 

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 23 ‘Tadic offered Mesic arrangement on division of BiH’ by I.Catic – Daily carries that during their Tuesday’s meeting Serbian President Boris Tadic allegedly offered Croatian President Stjepan Mesic certain arrangement on new organization of BiH. According to DA, Tadic said that “current situation in BiH is very complicated”, proposing for BiH to be structured as “federation with three entities”, single Foreign Ministry and Court at the state level, while “army could keep its current structure”. Unnamed source claims that Tadic also suggested that Serbia and Croatia should come out with this proposal together, which would guarantee its acceptance in circles of International Community [IC]. DA claims that Mesic rejected Tadic’s proposal.

DA op-ed slams Serbian President Tadic for dreaming of Greater Serbia

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Tadic’s mini Karadjordjevo’ op-ed Edina Sarac – Commenting assertions that Serbian President Boris Tadic allegedly offered Croatian President Stjepan Mesic restructuring of BiH, editorial reads that it is just another attempt of Serbian politicians “to make hundred years long dream of Greater Serbia come true.” Author praises Mesic for refusing such offer and not allowing mini-Karadjordjevo to take place. Late Croatian and Serbian Presidents Franjo Tudjman and Slobodan Milosevic, respectively, allegedly made a plan for division of BiH in Karadjordjevo, Serbia. Editorial then slams Tadic and his announced visit to BiH [on Thursday], calling him hypocrite: “Now, when he showed his real face and what is that lies on his heart, reason for his visit to the state that he would love to divide can be questioned.”

VL: Catholic Church’s priests calling on Croat voters to vote

 

Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Church’s campaign for Croat voters in BiH’, by Zdenko Jurilj – VL reminds that the BiH (Catholic) Bishops’ Conference recently issued a statement in which it called on the Croat voters to vote in the October elections, which has led to the Church’s priests calling on the voters to do just that in their messages during holy masses. According to friar Stipe Karajica, he himself supports the priests’ behaviour, arguing that the October elections “considering the forthcoming constitutional changes, are very important for the Croat people in BiH”. However, Karajica adds, the priests will not suggest to the voters who to vote for.

VL: SDP seriously running for Croat member of BiH Presidency

 

Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘SDP against Croat parties for Croats’ offices’, by Zoran Kresic – the article in a way warns that if the October elections were held today, it would be most probably SDP’s Zeljko Komsic, who would be elected the Croat member of BiH Presidency owing to the fragmented Croat political scene since the ‘genuine’ Croat parties will nominate 3 candidates (Ivo Miro Jovic (HDZ BiH), Bozo Ljubic (HDZ 1990) and Zvonko Jurisic (HSP Djapic-Jurisic)), which means the Croats’ votes would be dispersed among the latter troika. VL insists that the SDP is seriously running for the Croat office in the BiH Presidency only, since the SDP’s candidates for the Bosniak member of Presidency, as VL believes, are not prominent figures (Milenko Bijedic and Jasmin Imamovic), which in turn means the SDP voters will opt for Komsic.

BiH CoM Chair: BiH does not need politicians who talk about Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks as factors that cannot find mutual language

 

Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Citizens do not deserve such leaders’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Terzic: Citizens do not deserve such politicians’ by Srna – BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic said in Banja Luka on Tuesday that RS and FBiH citizens do not deserve political leaders who radicalise political ambience and create confrontations between Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks, stressing: “After we have completed Dayton phase and entered Brussels phase, we need people and rhetoric that would – by doing reforms – candidate BiH for EU membership.” According to Terzic, BiH does not need politicians who talk about Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks as factors that cannot find mutual language.

SDA’ Cengic: RS PM’s actions are unacceptable and anti-constitutional

 

Fokus pg 4 ‘Dodik wants Great Serbia’ by B. Gagula – In a page-long interview to daily, SDA Main Board member Hasan Cengic comments the split between Sulejman Tihic and Adnan Terzic by saying they have different opinions on some operative and personnel issues but not on crucial issues. On cooperation between Tihic and SDP’s Zlatko Lagumdzija during the negotiations on constitutional changes, Cengic says SDA is ready to cooperate with SDP in all issues that are pro-BiH, explaining that possible coalition between SDA and SDP would be decided upon after elections. He is also very critical of activities of the RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, especially of police reform obstruction, endangering of negotiations with the EU, obstruction of Indirect Taxation Administration (ITA) resources from the single account, invitation to Vojislav Kostunica, Serbian PM to visit Banja Luka and finally pledging referendum in RS.

DEPOS to nominate Djuric for RS president

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Nedjo Djuric candidate for RS President’ by Srna- – DEPOS Main Board decided on Tuesday in Zvornik that DEPOS candidate for the BiH Presidency Member is Pero Bukejlovic, while candidate for RS President is Nedjo Djuric. List holder of Election Unit 1 for BiH House of Representative is Svetlana Cenic. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Bukejlovic and Djuric are candidates’ by S. Sa. And D. T. – also reported.

OSCE Head Davidson: it is important for people to go out and vote, because they can determine the path BiH would follow in future

 

Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Steer your own destiny’ by Tomo Maric and Zeljka Domazet – In a full page interview to Glas Srpske, Head of OSCE Mission to BiH Douglas Davidson noted it was extremely important people to go out and vote at the forthcoming elections, because they would be deciding on the future path this country would follow and he added this means people do have an opportunity to make an influence on development of events in BiH. Asked to comment the fact some domestic politicians welcomed the decision on shutting down OHR, Davidson said it would be wrong to think the international community would not monitor the development of events in BiH only because the High Representative was to leave and he added: ‘Transformation of OHR into EUSR shows the international community is still interested and concerned for what might happen in BiH in future’.

Reactions to S. Tihic’s announcement of the possibility that BiH might join the Organization of Islamic Conference

 

Dnevni List pg 9 ‘After Constitution is adopted we will become an Islamic state’ by Dario Pusic – DL writes that the recent statement by BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic about BiH possibly becoming a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference after the October elections has caused different reactions from Croat and Serb politicians. Vinko Zoric of HDZ 1990 said that there is a possibility that BiH will become an Islamic state if the six parties which proposed the constitutional amendments secure their adoption. Miljenko Brkic of HNZ said any such decision must be made by consensus and reflect the sentiments of all BiH citizens. Nikola Spiric of SNSD, in a somewhat vague statement to DL, said that ‘any kind of membership that can bring benefit is welcome but premature activities are sometimes not good’.

Mostar Mayor Beslic: City employees who opt for severance pay have to waive right to sue city

 

Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 9 ‘2,1 million KM for redundant staff’, by Miroslav Landeka – reminds that the Mostar City Council (MCC) recently adopted a decision on taking care of surplus workers of City administration, which should take care of 230 employees and which should cost around 2,1 million KMs. Mayor of Mostar Ljubo Beslic commented that all those employees, who volunteer for severance pays (amounting between 6.500 and 11.500 KMs), will have to sign an annex (to the contract with the city), according to which the city authorities cannot be sued (by redundant employees who opt for severance pays).

VL comment: Croats too are in foundations of BiH

 

Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Foundations of Bosnia and Herzegovina’, by Zdenko Cosic – Arguing that BiH is at the moment a country in which all of its peoples are not equal, Cosic says the BiH Croats will not find their luck in such BiH in which the Serbs and Bosniaks, as two dominant peoples, fight for their own interests. The author insists that Croats too are built ‘in the foundations’ of the country, which is something that needs to be pointed out to everyone in BiH.