OHR BiH Media Round-up, 3/7/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

No news broadcast due to strike

Gregorian on BIH Armed Forces

Two killed at a wedding party

Ril on SAA in Sophia

Two injured in a car accident

EU insists on police reform

EUFOR involved in a car accident

FBIH Government on prisons

October elections, update

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Candidates for October election

BiH Fiscal Council to hold session

Boy dies in motorcycle accident

The issue of BiH citizenship

Privredna Bank case, update

Kozara battle anniversary

OSCE PA session in Brussels

Report on Sarajevo stock market

Reactions to Oric’s release

Almhofer, Frattini on police reform

Report on a wood company

Selver still barricaded in his house

Oslobodjenje

If there was no war, today BiH would have 4.3 million of citizens [Prof. Bosnjovic]

Dnevni Avaz

Milorad Dodik is making para-police

Dnevni List

Bloody end to wedding feast (case of double homicide in Capljina)

Vecernji List

Blood feast (case of double homicide in Capljina)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Kerum: employees’ salaries higher by 500 Kuna (Croatian trading company owner)

Nezavisne Novine

They could not give me higher sentence

Glas Srpske

Symbol of fight for freedom

EuroBlic

Punishment to Oric is mocking of innocent victims

Vecernje novosti

He slaughtered Serbs one by one

Political issues

RS PM Dodik commenting PACE resolution on BiH: RS was created before Dayton

Hayat – At the occasion of marking the 64^th anniversary of battle on Kozara [WWII battle] on Sunday, the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik made a short comment on the recently adopted Council of Europe Resolution on BiH by saying that “Sarajevo had no reason to welcome CoE Resolution on constitutional changes in BiH, although it was aimed at RS.” That Resolution could be the biggest blow for BiH, stated Dodik, adding that “people in Sarajevo did not understand things”. “It is very clear what it means, and what can be the outcome of such document,” Hayat presenter quoted Dodik as saying. Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘RS existed even before Dayton’ by B.Ka. – Dodik added that if insisted on its implementation, the PACE Resolution on BiH will be the heaviest blow to the BiH: “We will clearly tell them that it is a blow to BiH, that RS was created before the Dayton Agreement, and that DPA only verified it and that it builds its own democratic system. This resolution is unnecessary and it will put under question the reached level of constitutional changes, and after it, we in the RS must take every reform coming from Europe into serious consideration, because Europe is not reconsidering every of its decisions it launches here.” RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Interest of BiH is preservation of Dayton Agreement’ by SRNA – Dodik noted BIH could exist on principles of Dayton Agreement. Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Ivanic is list holder for RS Parliament’ inset ‘To warn CoE’ parliamentarians’ by V.Popovic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘A better part of BiH is a permanent category’ by E.G.S. – GS headline refers to comment RS PM Dodik gave regarding PACE resolution saying: “Today, we are a better part of BiH…What else do they want from us?” Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘As long as RS abolitions is talked about there is no community’ by B.Kahrimanovic – Daily carries separately Dodik’s statement made at the event. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Peoples’ gathering on Kozara’ by M.Z., Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Symbol of fight for freedom’ by D.Majstorovic,  Nezavisne Novine pg 4, announced on cover ‘Peoples in BiH should have mutual respect’ by D.Kovacevic – also carried.

Serbian Justice Minister: PACE resolution adopted outside jurisdiction

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Stojkovic attacked Tribunal because of Oric’ by M.Z.– Attending the ceremony battle in Mrakovica near Prijedor, Serbian Justice Minister Zoran Stojkovic challenged the recently adopted PACE Resolution, stressing this document was passed “outside the jurisdiction”.

PDP’s Ivanic: PACE Resolution absolutely has no special importance

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Mladen Ivanic insists on the story on RS secession referendum’ by Onasa– Addressing the participants of the PDP public discussion in Zvornik, party leader Mladen Ivanic stated: “This party constantly insists on the fact that RS has to maintain its constitutional position within BiH… We are prepared for changes and reforms, but not for humiliation of the RS within BiH.” He commented PACE Resolution saying: “It absolutely has no special weight, stressing it is good it showed up, since it showed all lack of information and inconsistency of part of people with a desire to decide about these territories”. He stressed that referendum on RS secession would be a natural answer to demands on RS abolition.

PDP’s Crnadak: PACE Resolution harmful for BiH

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘PACE Resolution harmful for BiH’ not signed– Director of PDP’s Directorate, Igor Crnadak,on Sunday invited the RS representatives in BiH institutions to inform representatives of the Council of Europe [at next week’s session in Sarajevo] that recently passed PACE Resolution is harmful for BIH and directed against joint future. Crnadak told the press conference that resolution is “showing complete misunderstanding of situation in BiH”. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘For preservation of constitutional position of RS within BiH’ by SRNA, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Enough with humiliations’ by S.Sa. – Mladen Ivanic, PDP President, stated at Saturday PDP’ Tribune “Europe, the house of future” in Zvornik that PDP is ready for changes and reforms in BiH, but not on disappearance of RS. He underlined PDP insists on preservation of constitutional position of RS within BiH. On referendum, he said that plebiscite would be a natural response if demands for abolition of RS are not condemned.

SD commentary: with RS as de facto state, BiH does not work; in RS panic over PACE resolution

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 10 ‘Republic [Srpska] is quivering’ by Radoslav Dodig – Dodig repeats the contents of the PACE resolution on BiH, mentions the reactions of Bosniak, Serb and Croat politicians and then asks himself what the Resolution means to BiH. He says that the Resolution is a result of ten years of fruitless Dayton implementation and concludes that the problem lies in Republika Srpska which, de facto, is a state in spite of the fact that we call it an entity. Comment goes on to say that ‘RS may be defined as weak-kneed state but, with it, BiH is a fruitless state’. Dodig then says that the panic and consternation in RS are understandable because, ‘with or without a new Constitution, the faith of RS will depend on political winds’.

Austrian Ambassador Almhofer: PRD is a legitimate body; EU Commissioner Frattini: Completion of police reform necessary for alleviation of visa regime for BiH citizens 

Hayat not stated – With regard to objections of RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, to the composition of Police Reform Directorate (PRD), Austrian Ambassador to BiH Werner Almhofer, in an interview to Dnevni Avaz, commented both EU and Austria as EU presiding country have rejected arguments from RS and added: ‘we have no intention to discuss the way in which PRD was established anymore’. Everyone knows it happened with the assent of all three parliaments. PRD is a legitimate body, and it should do its job” At the same time, the European Commissioner for Justice and Internal Affairs, Franco Frattini, stressed the completion of police reform in BiH is necessary if the country wants to be given even slight alleviation of the visa regime for its citizens. Frattini said the introduction of biometrical passport, and signing a contract on readmission are the most important prerequisites for this process. According to the member of BiH negotiating team for alleviation of visa regime, Bakir Dautbasic, Frattini should submit concrete proposals for relaxing the visa regime for the Western Balkans countries to the Council of Europe by 24 July. PINK by Adriana Domazet – PINK carries the EU would not conclude the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with BiH without police reform. It reminds that the deadline to agree on model for future police structure is end of September, and comments that this reform could save 140 million KM per year. Member of PRD Steering Board Sead Lisak stated police reform will enable police structure in accordance with EU standards, thus meaning that there will be around 12,000 active policemen after the reform is completed. Lisak stressed that reduction of manpower will be dealt with a good social plan.

Interview with Austrian Ambassador to BiH: Not only police reform, but a number of reforms behind schedule

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Not only police reform is behind schedule’ by M.Cubro – In a half-page interview to daily, Werner Almhofer, Austrian Ambassador to BiH, says that the reforms necessary for completing SAA talks between BiH and EU currently do not proceed at satisfactory pace, stressing it can be expected SAA would be signed after BiH makes progress in reforms. He notes that: “It is known talks on agreement proceed well, but the main problem is implementation of reforms related with the process.” Responding to press question who is responsible for halt in reform implementation, including police reform as the most important one, he says: “It is not only police reform but a number of reforms that need to be implemented. EC representatives made it clear what sort of reforms those are.” On referendum option, he underlines Dayton Agreement has defined BiH structure. On OHR closure, he says that decision on abolition of Bonn powers is grounded in fact that progress has been achieved in BiH to the extend where those powers are no longer needed. On PACE Resolution, he says it has been enacted on the basis of recommendations of Venice Commission, pointing on deficiencies of the current constitutional order.

DA: RS PM Dodik and RS Government pass the proposal Law on establishment of para-police Agency

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 3 ‘Milorad Dodik making a para-police’ by Edina Sarac – DA comments that the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik is not giving up the idea to preserve control over the police forces, thus deciding to speed up his secretly prepared alternative plan: establishing para-police force trough entity laws. Namely, DA carries that several days ago the RS Government established the changes to the Law on providing security to persons and property and private detective sector. This Law, as DA writes, should be discussed in urgent procedure at the RS National Assembly’s session [in record time, notes DA] and it allows the RS Government, as a legal entity, to be a founder of a security and detective agency. According to DA, the law ensures the RS Government is entitled to establishing an agency with powers to take over “a part of the certain activities and staff members of the RS Interior Ministry.” DA further notes that if the agency that Dodik allegedly plans to establish takes over partly the RS MoI’s mandate, than in practice it would mean that “[agency’s] staff would have police authorities, i.e. they will carry out operations in the field.”  Author also notes that since the law would also allow this detective agency to conduct wire tapping and surveillance, that is also “police authority”. Author comments that Dodik intentionally “left undefined a part which refers to method, range and field of activities” the agency would perform, while the legislation reads this would be regulated by founder’s act. Sarac writes if the RS Government is a founder, it would decide what issues would the Agency deal with and how many armed employees would it have. “Interesting part is also the one which refers to financing, where it stands that no additional financial means are necessary to implement law”, which, as Sarac, explained means that Agency would be the RS budget beneficiary and would be financed from the same budget line as the current RS MoI. Inset ‘Prime Minister suddenly quite’ – DS concludes that the “conclusion [to the story] is logical: [Dodik] would have is parapolice made of personnel from current RS MoI which would be found surplus during the [police] reform implementation.” 

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to be held from 3^rd to 7^th July in Brussels

PINK – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will be held from 3^rd to 7^th July in Brussels. Commission for Political Safety will hold a session as well as Commissions for democracy, human rights and humanitarian issues, economic issues, science and technology and environment. BIH Delegation will be lead by Deputy Chair of BIH House of Peoples Velimir Jukic. Hayat – It is expected that the main topic discussed at this meeting would be the situation on Balkans; participants are expected to adopt the Resolution. EuroBlic pg 2 ‘OSCE Assembly on western Balkans’ – Western Balkans will be focus of conference. Resolution will support BiH transition from DPA framework towards structure, which is, as text reads, “is run in Sarajevo”.

OSCE Parliament: EU is decisive to accept all Western Balkans countries, adding there is no shortcut to Europe

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Support to new phase of post-Dayton BiH’ by Fena, Tanjug – During the annual session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels, Austrian deputy Wolfgang Großruck will submit the report on political-security issues, which focuses on Southeast Europe. The report underlines that the so-called “Salzburg Declaration”, which was adopted by EU ministers at a meeting in mid March, confirmed the commitment of the EU to accept all Western Balkan states, despite the fact that certain states insisted that the Declaration calls for a debate on further enlargement. “However, it must be said that there is no shortcut to Europe and that progress of every country will depend on it alone,” the report adds. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will also focus on reform of the security sector in the region and the fight against organised crime. The annual resolution would support the transition of BiH from Dayton towards a structure that will be “managed from Sarajevo”.

Member of BiH Parliament delegation Belkic to OSCE Parliament annual session: We will seek for help through direct investments

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Belkic: We will seek for help through direct investments’ by N.J. – Daily carries that BiH HoP representative Bosko Siljegovic and BiH House of Representatives MP Beriz Belkic will be members of the BiH delegation to the OSCE annual session in Brussels will be lead by the Deputy Chair of BIH House of Peoples Velimir Jukic. Belkic told daily: “Our stance is that countries heading the EU should be helped more through the direct investments, and we will, whereas we will take part in creating the resolution, candidate [this proposal] as something helpful for our country. The resolution will not change the situation, but can open processes and help realization of projects.”

BIH Deputy Foreign Minister Rill participates in conference dedicated to future of Balkans in EU integrations

PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Future of the Balkans- from stability to euro-integrations’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Constitutional changes are not condition for SAA’ by N.N.  – BIH Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Antun Rill participates in conference dedicated to future of Balkans in EU integrations being held in Sophia. Rill stated that constitutional reforms are not a condition for conclusion of Stabilisation and Association Agreement. He expressed belief that solutions will be found in continuation of negotiations that will enable better functioning of state institutions.

ICG’s Lyon: Referendum in RS could be dangerous for Serbia ’s territorial integrity

Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Referendum in RS dangerous for integrity of Serbia’, not signed – Representative of the International Crisis Group for the Balkans, James Lyon, stated for the Voice of America that it is more or less certain that Kosovo will be given some sort of ‘conditioned independence’, in the same time warning that Serbia could lose a lot should there be a separation referendum in the RS. “Some nationalists in Belgrade want referendum in the RS, and they are not even aware about the danger for the territorial integrity of Serbia”, said Lyon believing that in that case (referendum in RS), Serbia could lose more than just Kosovo.

Oslobodjenje: There are about 3.5 million people in BiH today

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘If there was no war, today BiH would have 4.3 million of citizens’ by S.Rozajac– Demography Professor Ilijas Bosnjovic stated that in 1991 there was about 4.3 million citizens in BiH, stressing that number of citizens ten years later is moving from 3.5 to 3.8 million. Bosnjovic stressed that there would be about 4.5 million citizens in BiH today, if there was no war.

Sociologist Kukic and NGO NDC share the view incidents in Mostar not accidental but with an aim to homogenise national electorate

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Elections deepened divisions in Mostar’ by J.Gudelj – Slavo Kukic, sociologist, is of the view that a number of inter-ethnic incidents shaking Mostar lately are not accidental, but instead organised with an aim to homogenise national electorate. He stresses that the youth should be holders of changes, which is not the case in BiH, since “the youth is either completely uninterested or most extreme part of BiH society.” SDP’ Zoran Peric observes that there is a link between ruling nationalists and leading people of MOI in Mostar, in regard with fact no information has been released regarding latest incidents in Mostar (i.e. names of culprits). The NGO NDC engaged in promotion of inter-ethnic dialogue, is also of the view that it is not by accident that these incidents with national symbols take place now.

War crimes and security

Serbian officials condemn ICTY decision to release Naser Oric

RTRS by Tijana Velic, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Remember what you said for Oric’ by Onasa– Former Serbian Minister of Justice Vladan Batic called upon Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte to appeal to the ruling and demand just sentence for Srebrenica war time commander, Naser Oric, who was released from the ICTY after found guilty and sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment which he has already served. General Secretary of Serbian SRS Aleksandar Vucic stated that Oric’s sentence confirms the anti-Serb nature of ICTY. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Stojkovic attacked Tribunal because of Oric’ by M.Z.– Attending the marking of WWII Kozara battle in Mrakovica near Prijedor, Serbian Justice Minister Zoran Stojkovic commented a release of Naser Oric by saying the ICTY has destroyed the last “shred” of credibility. “This shows that that this is no longer the Court, which supposed to do the job it was established for. The Court, which failed to fulfil its function, now wants to write the new history,” said Stojkovic. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘You called Oric a criminal’ – carried Batic. EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘Punishment to Oric is mocking of innocent victims, RSpgs 2-3 ‘Mockery of innocent victims’ by T.Veselinovic, – carries statement of Batic, and some outdated statements carried over weekend.  Vecernje Novosti cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘He slaughtered Serbs one by one’ by E.Popovic – Daily carries statement of Milivoje Ivanisevic, Director of Belgrade seated Center for investigating crimes committed against Serbs, who lists villages where crimes against Serbs were committed

RS Detainees Association members would no longer respond to ICTY and BiH Court summons

Hayat – Following the sentence and release of Srebrenica BiH Army war time commander, Nasser Oric, who was released from ICTY custody after the Council made a ruling by which Oric was sentenced to 2 years in prison for crimes committed [which he has already served, as he spent 3 years in detention], the Chair of the RS Association of Inmates Branislav Dukic stated members of this Association would no longer respond to a court summons for testifying before The Hague Tribunal and the Court of BiH, because they ‘lost confidence in the equity of those institutions’. BHT1, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Serbs do not want to testify before Hague and BiHState courts’ by v. l., Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘We will no longer testify before ICTY and BiH Court’ by Fena –also covered.

PDP’s Crnadak criticizes Presidency Chair Tihic for statement about Oric release

Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Ivanic is list holder for RS Parliament’ inset ‘Tihic’s statement is backtracking BiH’ by V.Popovic, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘PACE Resolution harmful for BiH’ not signed –  PDP official Igor Crnadak told the press conference on Sunday that the statement of the BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic given after releasing of Naser Oric which said “someone was victim and someone aggressor” is a part of the rhetoric which returns BiH backwards. Crnadak underlines that it is not good that there are still politicians in BiH who believe in “existence of collective guilt and collective responsibility and do not understand that only individualization of crimes and its punishing can lead to better BiH’s future”. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Tribunal destroyed its credibility’ by Agencies – Mladen Ivanic, PDP President, Sunday assessed that through verdict against Naser Oric, “the credibility of The Hague Tribunal was most seriously brought in question.”

Srebrenica former Commander Oric: not satisfied with the sentence, but refused to comment

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Justice should be trusted in’, mentioned on cover ‘I have not disgraced the homeland’ by Almasa Hadzic– In an interview to DA following a relase from ICTY detention, former Srebrenica Commander, Naser Oric,told he is not happy with a sentence, but he refused to comment the ICTY verdict. Further on in the interview, Oric talked about days spent in ICTY detention and relations he has had with others ICTY indictees. Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘They could not give me higher sentence’ by J.Sarac – In a statement to daily, Oric says that he had no reason to expect some punishment in The Hague, since he is innocent, he defended his people within his powers and therefore he was relaxed throughout the trial. He added: “Innocent man cannot be sentenced. I believe in God and justice. I have no doubts in my sentence because I simply was not guilty.”

DA op-ed: Naser Oric could not burn alleged 157 Serb villages, for there is no so many villages in the region

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Multiple lie launcher’ op-ed by Almasa Hadzic – Commenting statements of RS politicians regarding the ICTY decision, by which Naser Oricwas sentenced to 2 years in prison for crimes against Serb population committed in Srebrenica area in 1993, editorial reads the claim that Oric was responsible for burning 157 Serb villages in Drina area was not true. Hadzic explains that there were not so many Serb villages in that region at all.

Serbian Minister Stojkovic: No extradition demands for former RS PM Klickovic

BHT1 – No extradition demands have been issued so far for former RS Prime Minister, Gojko Klickovic. “The RS made no demands”, says Serbian Justice Minister, Zoran Stojkovic. Klickovic arrested last weekend by Serbian Interior Ministry upon the Interpol arrest warrant for suspicion of misuse of office, falsifying of documents and war crimes. RTRS – Stojkovic added that extradition would take its normal course if the request arrives in the following 18 days. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘No demand from RS for Klickovic’ extradition’ by SRNA – also carried.

BiH HoR to discuss next week the proposal of the law amending the Law on BiH Citizenship

Hayat not stated – Next week, BiH House of Representatives should discuss the proposal of the law amending the Law on BiH Citizenship. BiH Law on Citizenship foresees that foreign citizens can obtain BiH citizenship by naturalisation, in two ways: if they spend at least eight years in BiH, or if they spend five years, and marry BiH citizen. According to Hayat reporter, members of BiH Council of Ministers are well aware of the fact that all persons deprived of BiH citizenship could use this law regulation, and legally apply for BiH citizenship once again. In order to prevent this from happening, CoM created a proposal of the law amending the Law on BiH Citizenship, which should prevent those who were deprived of BiH Citizenship from applying for it again during next five years. In a short statement for NTV Hayat, former head of Bocinja village near Maglaj Abu Hamza stated that all former members of ‘El Mujahid’ unit would be deprived of BiH citizenship. “According to our information, Americans have forwarded to the BiH authorities the list containing the names of 15 persons who have to be expelled from BiH, and my name is on that list”, stated Abu Hamza. According to Hayat reporter, those people have been already deprived of BiH citizenship, in 2001; however, two days ago [Friday] FBiH Supreme Court ruled that this decision was not made in line with the existing laws, because FBiH Ministry of Interior failed to prove that they obtained BiH citizenship in an illegal way. However, this decision will have no effect, because it is expected that state Commission for Reviewing BiH Citizenships would deprive them of BiH citizenship once again.

DL claims Commission identified 120 cases of illegal granting of BiH citizenship; not known whether illegal citizens still in BiH

Dnevni List pg 6 ‘120 illegal BiH citizens identified ‘ by T. C. – DL writes that the Commission for audit of naturalization on foreign nationals has to date identified 120 cases of illegally granted BiH citizenship, mostly to individuals from Asia and Africa, who have now been dispossessed of their citizenship. Source in the Commission reveals to DL that citizenships were granted based on participation in the war but the Commission is yet to officially confirm whether these persons have been expelled from the country or not.

BiH Justice Minister S. Kovac: we have no legal grounds to request return of Algiers group

Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Algiers group: it’s all up to diplomacy’ by Danijela Kozina – DL runs a story on reactions to US Supreme Court’s decision on the Guantanamo prison for terrorist suspects and quotes BiH justice Minister Slobodan Kovac as saying that ‘there is no legal grounds for the Ministry to act in this case because it is only possible to request extradition when criminal proceedings against someone are under way in our country’. Kovac also says that ‘all is up to diplomacy now’.

Trial in PB ES to resume: Robinson to be cross-examined

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Defence to cross-examine Robinson’ – Daily notes that resumption of trial against Momcilo Mandic and other is “Privredna Banka East Sarajevo” case will today see cross-examination of Toby Robinson, Temporary Administrator of PB ES, who is witness of prosecution. (The defendants have been charged with embezzlements of millions’ worth.)

Economic issues

BiH Fiscal Council discuses coefficients for allocation of revenues; FTV: Americans will prevent extending ITA SB Chair Dixon’s mandate to please RS PM

Hayat – The members of the BiH Fiscal Council will meet on Monday in Sarajevo to discuss coefficients for distribution of revenues from the Single Account of the Indirect Taxation Administration (ITA). If they manage to reach an agreement on coefficients, ITA Steering Board will ratify this decision at a session that would begin immediately after the end of the session of the BiH Fiscal Council. (NB: In past few months, members of the BiH Fiscal Council have failed to reach an agreement on distribution of collected revenues. RS authorities insist they should be getting 32% of revenues, since currently they get 29%) FTV – As FTV learns, the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik is going to keep insisting on [“phantom-like”, says FTV] formula of allocation according to which in the first four months of 2006 the RS has been allocated 2 millions KM more than it should have receive. FTV also learns that US representatives will insist for the mandate of the BiH ITA Steering BoardChair Joly Dixon not to be extended to please Dodik as he finds Dixon to be greatest obstacle in implementing his requests for change in the allocation of VAT revenues. Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Americans against Dixon as well’ by P.K.– NN also carries that extension of Dixon’s mandate has been brought in question, since the American diplomats oppose to this. Daily notes that three-month mandate, HR to BiH, Christian Schwarz Schilling, extended expires at the beginning of July. Oleg Milisic, OHR Spokesperson, Sunday stated OHR does not want to comment on unofficial information. BHT1, RTRS, EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Uncertain agreement on distribution of VAT resources’ by D.Stanisic – also reported.

CoM Chair Terzic: If BiH Fiscal Council fails to make agreement the allocations would be stopped

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘If we do not agree today the payments would be blocked’ by F.Cardzic– In the eve of BiH Fiscal Council’s session [Monday], the Chair of Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic said he expects all Ministers to attend the session which was not a case previously and which would ensure legitimate decision making. Underlining that allocation has to continue, Terzic said that the Council now has two choices: “One, to continue allocation according the Law on Single Account i.e. taking VAT applications as the base for setting coefficients and another one is to agree to change the Law and go for fixed coefficients.” Terzic stressed he personally believes that the best solution is not to take the average but to carry out the allocation on grounds of the previous month’s total of collected VAT. Thus, the allocation of, for instance, May 2006 would be grounded on coefficients calculated on basis of money collected for April, etc. “If we do not Agree, the payments will be again blocked. When it comes to us at the sate level, we do not suffer consequences of this situation. Our payments are being regularly carried out, thus I suppose that the entity representatives in the Fiscal Council would make an effort to come to final agreement,” says Terzic.  

Elections 2006

Deadline for submitting the lists of candidates for October elections expires on Monday

BHT1 By Sejla Tafro – Deadline by which political parties and candidates should submit their lists of candidates for upcoming October elections expires on Monday, 3 July. BiH Central Election Commission (CEC) must verify the lists by 23 July, while candidates are obliged to submit information on their possessions within 15 days starting from 23 July. By mid August, public will be informed about the issue. The CEC is not authorized to check the accuracy of data given in the property sheet. Report brings feature on the property of some of the BiH politicians; Milorad Dodik, Sulejman Tihic, Mirnes Ajanovic and Zvonimir Jurisic. According to the latest changes in the Election Law, candidates who get elected are obliged to submit new property sheets, three months before mandate’s expiration and in case of resignation or dismissal, they have to submit their property sheets within a month. Hayat also covered. Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Sehic: Politicians waiting last minute’ by V.Popovic – Vehid Sehic, member of Central Election Commission, has stated that majority of parties is “waiting last minute to submit lists of candidates”.

Bicakcic on his rehabilitation: At the moment I have no desire for political engagement

Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘I have no desire for political engagement’, by R. Dautefendic – commenting on the High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling’s,decision to lift bans on holding public office against 7 persons, one of the persons in question, Edhem Bicakcic, says he at the moment has no desire to get engaged in the politics. Answering to the journalist’s remark that the (current) HR took the decision after elections lists have already been prepared (by parties), which in turn means he will not be able to run in the October elections, Bicakcic says he is position to take part in the elections, however he will not do it. Finally, DL wonders, considering that former HR Paddy Ashdown removed Bicakcic for alleged illegalities he committed in capacity of CEO of “Elektroprivreda of BiH”, why no proper criminal charges were pressed against him (Bicakcic). Hayat also reports Bicakcic will not run at these elections.

DL reveals election lists of SDP, Lagumdzija leads list for BiH Parliament

Dnevni List, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘We reveal election list of SDP’, by Dn. L. – DL claims to be in possession of elections lists the SDP will submit to the BiH Central Election Commission today (Monday). The daily runs names of several candidates for BiH and FBIH parliaments. The SDP President, Zlatko Lagumdzija, tops the list for the BiH Parliament.

SDP nominates Komsic and Jovicic for BiH Presidency; Meholjic for RS President

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Zeljko Komsic and Jugislav Jovicic candidates for BIH Presidency’ by N.V., Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Hadzija Mehovic for RS President’ by V.P.

– As DA learns, Zeljko Komsic from FBiH and Jugoslav Jovicic from the RS would be SDP’s candidates for BiH Presidency at the following elections. As the candidate for [Vice] President of the RS, SDP Main Board approved nominated Hakija Meholjic from Srebrenica. Inset ‘Without a candidate for Bosniak member of BiH Presidency’- DA writes that final candidate lists have confirmed that SDP would not offer a candidate for Bosniak member of BiH Presidency. DA assumes that by doing this, SDP is indirectly supporting the candidacy of SDP leader Sulejman Tihic.

Zoran Tesanovic – PDP member for BiH Presidency

RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Tesanovic and Nagradic candidates for BiH Presidency’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Ivanic is list holder for RS Parliament’ by V.Popovic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘End to election lists’ by S.Sa. – PDP nominated Zoran Tesanovic as candidate for BIH Presidency member at October elections. Slobodan Nagradic is the candidate for RS President. Tesanovic currently assumes position of BiH Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs, while Nagradic assumes the position of Advisor to RS Ministers of Sports, Youth and Family.

VL claims Mehmed Zilic voted against constitutional amendments because SBiH wanted him to do so; SBiH to reward Zilic by nominating him as list holder in elections

Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Zilic rewarded with becoming election candidate’ by Dejan Jazvic – VL runs a story on why BiH HoR member Mehmed Zilic recently voted against the constitutional changes contrary to the position of his party, SDA [reminder: constitutional amendments were two votes short of adoption]. VL finds that Zilic’s actions were directed by the SBiH party (Party for BiH) which was among the opponents of the constitutional changes and which, as it turns out now,  rewarded Zilic by putting him on the SBiH election list as a holder. VL concludes that, already during the constitutional amendments voting, Zilic was promised a future in the SBiH party which makes it certain that Zilic will in the next four years be at least a parliament member.

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

No news broadcast due to strike

Increasing of water levels

BiH Fiscal Council in session

Fiscal Council session

ICTY Council rejects release motion

Jovic failed to appear in ICTY

Nicosia mtg

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

No news broadcast due to strike

Gregorian on BIH Armed Forces

Two killed at a wedding party

Ril on SAA in Sophia

Two injured in a car accident

EU insists on police reform

EUFOR involved in a car accident

FBiH Government on prisons

October elections, update

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Candidates for October election

BiH Fiscal Council to hold session

Boy dies in motorcycle accident

The issue of BiH citizenship

Privredna Bank case, update

Kozara battle anniversary

OSCE PA session in Brussels

Report on Sarajevo stock market

Reactions to Oric’s release

Almhofer, Frattini on police reform

Report on a wood company

Selver still barricaded in his house

Oslobodjenje

If there was no war, today BiH would have 4.3 million of citizens [Prof. Bosnjovic]

Dnevni Avaz

Milorad Dodik is making para-police

Dnevni List

Bloody end to wedding feast (case of double homicide in Capljina)

Vecernji List

Blood feast (case of double homicide in Capljina)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Kerum: employees’ salaries higher by 500 Kuna (Croatian trading company owner)

Nezavisne Novine

They could not give me higher sentence

Glas Srpske

Symbol of fight for freedom

EuroBlic

Punishment to Oric is mocking of innocent victims

Vecernje novosti

He slaughtered Serbs one by one

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

BiH Fiscal Council fails to hold session due to absence of Ministers; allocation of public revenues blocked

SRNA news agency – The Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, stated that the BiH Fiscal Council today failed to hold the session, which is the reason for further delay in allocation of public revenues from the single ITA account. Terzic noted that only consultations has been held, partly because of the absence of Finances Ministries of BiH and FBiH, Ljerka Maric and Dragan Vrankic respectively. “As the Chair of the Fiscal Council, I will no longer scheduled the sessions of this body as long as Finances Ministers of BiH Lerka Maric, RS Aleksandar Dzombic and FBiH Dragan Vrankic do not submit in written an agreement on base of which the coefficients for allocation of revenues would be set,” said Terzic. Noting that “in all that money which amounts to more than 3 billion KM, everything is about allocation of 5 to 6 million KM,” Teric concluded the RS blocks the entire process. RTRS – The session was also noted attended by: Milorad Dodik, RS Premier. Prior to meeting, Dzombic, who represented the RS, expressed expectation that the Council would today reach agreement reminding of proposed model for temporary distribution, according to which coefficient for F BiH would be 66%, for RS 31.5% and 2.5% for Brcko District. Ahmet Hadzipasic, F BiH Premier, expressed support to model, in line with which entities and district should make revenues proportional with amount they achieved during VAT collection. Sinisa Kisic, Coordinator of Brcko District for cooperation with BiH CoM, stated that Brcko District should have equal treatment with FBiH and RS during distribution from VAT single account. BH Radio 1 announced the session.

BiH and German Foreign Ministers urge implementation of police reform

Srna news agency – The BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, stated today during the meeting with his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, that the delays in polcie reform are the only problem that could endanger signing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between BiH and EU. „Politicians in BiH must reach an agreement on police reform as soon as possibe, if possible before the October elections,“ said Ivanic. German Foreign Ministers also stressed out the importance of constitutional and police reforms in BiH. “It is time for BiH politicians to assume the responsibility adn for the political decision on closing down the OHR in July next year to be implemented,“ noted Steinmeierr during his one-day visit to BiH.

Security, war crimes and judiciary

FBiH Govt discusses report on situation in overcrowded FBiH penitentiaries

PINK – FBIH Government discussed a report on situation in FBIH penitentiaries which stresses that capacities of the prisons and detention centres in FBIH are not in line with the standards determined by the Law on Execution of Criminal Penalties and EU prison rules. FBIH Government stressed that FBIH Justice Ministry will suggest measures dealing with the overcrowded FBiH penitentiaries. Hayat – The total capacity of all prisons in FBiH is 1,390 inmates out of which 1,047 accused and 343 detainees. However, on 31 May this year, total of 1,640 persons were imprisoned, out of which 1,341 are accused serving their sentences and 299 persons in detention. In order to ease pressure on capacities of current facilities, the FBiH Government proposed the abandoned military barracks to be used as prisons in the future. Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘To turn old military barracks into prisons’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Military barracks without perspective should be turned into prisons’ by Fena – also reported. 

Lawsuit against Netherlands’ Government is being prepared

Spiegel, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Compensation for families of murdered Srebrenica victims’ by Spiegel, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Bosniaks request compensation’ unsigned – DL carries information published in German weekly Der Spiegel that Dutch law firm “Van Dipen Van der Krof” is preparing a lawsuit against Dutch Government and the United Nations for failing to protect Srebrenica population and for cooperation with the BiH Serb forces in July of 1995. At that time Srebrenica was a UN protected zone guarded by Dutch peacekeepers. The legal team, headed by German attorney Axel Hagerdorn, has for two years now been working on the lawsuit requesting compensation for families of almost eight thousand people who lost their lives in Srebrenica.

Commission for audit of granted BIH citizenships to assess 1500 obtained citizenships by end of August

PINK by Ljubisa Davidovic – Commission for audit of granted BiH citizenships is supposed to audit 1500 citizenships by the end of August. BIH Deputy Minister of Security Dragan Mektic stated that procedure for revoking the citizenship is very complicated, but added that the number of illegally obtained citizenships is much higher then speculated in the media. Mektic also stated that those who illegally received the citizenships would be asked to leave the country, and if they refuse the BiH authorities would deport them.

FTV: Case of purchase of ‘Privredna Bank’ building threatens to become an example on how the highest BiH court bodies are being disrespected

FTV by Sinan Saric, Halid Rifatbegovic – The case of purchase of ‘Privredna Bank’ building, namely Brcko branch office, to ‘Pavlovic Bank’ threatens to become an example on how the highest BiH court bodies are being disrespected, says FTV. Namely, BiH Constitutional Court (CC) brought decision annulling the sales contract, by which the building was given back to ‘Privredna Bank’, thus annulling decisions of District Brcko Basic Court and Appellate Court. According to FTV, Brcko Supervisor, Susan Johnson, caused additional problems by her letter, in which she asked for the BiH CC’s decision to be suspended, due to what the Appellate Court annulled the BiH CC’s decision. Reporter ridicules the whole issue by saying that no state in the world comments courts’ decisions and furthermore adds that Johnson is most probably aware of this since she said ‘I get no recommendations, I asked for clarification…I am not following the substance of the case at all’. The BiH Helsinki Committee has also opposed such relations. The BiH CC has submitted the BiH Prosecution with information on non-implementation of the decision and that is why criminal reports are expected to be filed.

DL op-ed on recent incidents in Mostar: more than just pre-election campaign

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘War wounds’, by Arijana Beus – commenting on cases/incidents that have occurred in Mostar in past one month or so (violence following Brasil-Croatia match, attack on imam in west part of city, placing of memorial plaque at Potoci near Mostar), the author reckons it is not just pre-election games we are dealing with here, it is in fact a far deeper crisis, insisting that Mostarians are not safe to take a walk where they want. Finally, Beus says the authorities must do much more to prevent any sort of provocative actions since “wounds of war are still open and should not be touched”.

Political issues

Political analyst gives overview onto parties’ progress in RS in last 10 years

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Voters award and penalise’ by Z.Markovic – Reminding of latest IRI (International Republican Institute seated in USA) research results, according to which if elections were held tomorrow, SNSD would win 40.1% votes in RS. Daily carries observation of Gostimir Popovic, political analyst, regarding rating of political parties in RS over the last 10 years, with all their ups and downs. On SNSD, he says the rating scale-up was effected by first Premier’s mandate of Milorad Dodik, which resulted in party expansion and also prominent individuals, who have been SNSD’ members since it was founded. On SDS, he notes SDS down-rating was caused with the fact it has not evolved into 21^st century party.  

Pol. parties in RS comment on IRI research saying SNSD is the strongest party

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Poll’ – carries comments of party officials regarding latest IRI research (saying SNSD is the strongest party in RS). The comments were given by SNSD’ Krstan Simic, SDS’ Mladen Bosic, PDP’ Vinko Radovanovic, SRS’ Seselj Predrag Markocevic and SP’ Zivko. Simic said that the so far polls conducted bv distinguished and reliable agencies have shown realistic situation. Bosic says SDS experienced over the past years as elections approached, those poll results were rather accurate. Radovanovic says poll results depend on agency conducting it, noting some were ordered while some were reliable. Markocevic says majority of those polls were ordered. Marjanac says polls conducted by agencies outside BiH had good assessments.

Patriot says PACE Resolution is absurd, idiotic document, aimed against existence of BiH

Patriot cover pg splash ‘Counsel from Europe’ pg 6 ‘Racist-like Resolution of Council of Europe’ by Slobodan Vaskovic – Regarding last week’s adoption of PACE Resolution (PACE stands for Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe), the author notes that Resolution “is not absurd but idiotic document directly aimed against  existence of BiH as a state. Resolution is an angle of destruction of Dayton BiH and all European parliamentarians who voted for its adoption have essentially supported unitarian but also secessionist forces in BiH, giving them additional force on the pace leading to fall and disappearance of this state.” The author underlines Resolution is also racist-like since it shows unhidden desire for abolition of all rights of one entire people for the sake of other peoples in BiH. Vaskovic notes this Aryan-like document brought up in Sarajevo’ dark corners has backtracked ethnic divisions to 1992 and annulled all positive developments made after the Dayton Agreement onwards.

Patriot critical of DEPOS leadership Djuric, Cenic and Buekjlovic

Patriot pgs 7-9 ‘Charlatans and impostors’ by Slobodan Vaskovic – Daily notes that compilation of election lists is a shock in every single party, since this process is the most precise measure of value of party officials, showing rating of each of them. Author notes compilation of lists oftenly results in severe conflicts within party members. The author refers to DEPOS, party consisted of a number of minor political parties in RS and whose members are Svetlana Cenic and Pero Bukejlovic, as political stillborn, which will not win any votes at the elections. The author reports that DEPOS Main Board on Thursday decided on final list of candidates for elections, but Nedjo Djuric, in charge of signing election lists on behalf of DEPOS, has falsified lists and proposed himself and Bukejlovic as member of BiH presidency and RS president respectively Friday. The author underlines that Djuric, Cenic and Bukejlovic have completely privatised this party, with an aim to attract voters of other DEPOS party co-founders to their side. He refers to the triple as charlatans and impostors.

Controversial comments regarding Law on rights of elected officials

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘MP’s to get advisors’ by R.Cengic – Following the adoption of the Law on rights of elected and appointed officials in F BiH, daily carries statement of SDP’s Hamzalija Beslagic, member of Administrative Commission of F BiH HoR, saying that although Law stipulates MP’s have a right to engage advisors, it will never happen. On this he adds: “I guess nobody is such a fool to approve appointment of advisors to delegates.” HDZ 1990’ Josip Merdzo, HDZ’ Josip Pojavnik, SDA’ Semsudin Mehmedovic and SDP’ Damir Masic share the view new parliament composition should see this Law provision implemented and advisors assigned.

Economic issues

International port in Neum should be constructed

BHT1 By Marina Martinovic – BHT1 comments that one of the issues which has been launched during the pre-election campaign is the issue of construction of international port in Neum, reminding that the Agreement on Port Ploce with Croatia has not yet been ratified. Reporter concluded that domestic politicians, although being enthusiastic, still have neither strategy nor navy units, regulated by law. In this regard, BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac stated: “If there are economic reasons why the port [in Neum] should be constructed, we are going to do that, of course. We have not discussed the issue and it is difficult to bring such a decision without a procedure carried out by the BiH Council of Ministers.” BiH Ministry of Transport and Communications states that it has not conducted any activities regarding the issue. While domestic experts claim that it is possible to construct the port and that it would be of extreme use, a Croatian expert says that there is no reason whatsoever why the port should be constructed.

Association of savers expects BiH CC will annul Law on payment of foreign currency savings

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Authorities are clearly working in favour of corruption and crime’ by Dk. Omeragic– Commenting on the Law on settling of obligations on old foreign currency savings passed by the BiH Parliament, the Chair of BiH Association for protection of old foreign currency holders, Amila Omersoftic, said that this Law is identical to entity laws, which were declared unconstitutional by the BiH Constitutional Court and demands its annulment. She explained that this Law transforms savings into bonds, and that by passing the Law BiH parliament has “legalized all embezzlements with old savings on entity levels”. Omersoftic underlined that BiH Finance Minister Ljerka Maric as proponent of the Law, should be “behind bars”, but adds that Maric is the executor of the robbery “conducted by OHR power clique, such as [former PDHR] Ambassador Donald S. Hays and others from IMF and World Bank who finance corrupted and immoral BiH authorities.”. Stressing that pressures in this case are huge, she emphasized largest pressure on executive power comes from IMF, while OHR controls judicial authorities. Noting the Association would file lawsuits against commercial banks, BiH, FBiH, RS, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro, OHR and IMF, Omersoftic said: “Our stance is that UN arbitrage would have to be demanded in this case. I regret the fact that current High Representative [Christian] Schwarz-Schilling hasn’t dedicated more attention to the issue and provoked democratic Europe to stand up in defence of its principles.” Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘Savers expect annulment of Law’ by G.G. – also reported.

Oslob op-ed condemns BiH and Slovenia for failing to agree on health insurance of citizens who earned pensions in Slovenia

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Pensioners, be careful with your health!’ op-ed by Marina Kavaz-Sirucic – Condemning both BiH and Slovenian authorities for not reaching an agreement over issue of health insurance of BiH citizens who earned their pensions in Slovenia, editorial reads: “Pensioners, be patient. Delegations of two countries will quickly make an agreement, as soon as they receive mandate. By that time, don’t you dare to get sick.”

NN op-ed urging privatisation audit

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 “Audit’ by Predrag Klincov – The author urges audit of privatisation process in BiH, saying only 2% of BiH citizens are of the view privatisation was conducted in a fair and legal manner. He concludes by saying that “detailed and compromise-less, but also cautious privatisation audit is needed in order to try to get back at least trust of former employees and other right-deprived citizens in justice and righteousness.”