RADIO HERCEG BOSNA  (18,00 hrs)

BH TV 1(19,00 hrs)

FED TV (19,30 hrs)

RT RS (19,30)

CoM in session

BiH Citizens about EU

HDZ/SDA agreement

RS police affairs

Bishop’s letter to HR

Donald Hays in Gracanica

HoP in session today

RS Government in session

HDZ about FBiH crises

CoM in session

World Bank concerns

HDZ initiative

S BiH about FBiH crises

Military Industry in BiH

CoM in session

Disputes within SDS

Oslobodjenje

SDA and HDZ remain partners in government

Dnevni Avaz

Tihic: Crisis of government has been finally overcome

Dnevni List

Mostar Fair 2004: Record number of exhibitors from 20 countries; Association of BiH farmers: Blockade of roads and border crossings on April 1

Vecernji List

Floods: Houses under water

Slobodna Dalmacija

Bigger floods soon

Glas Srpske

HDZ and internal organisation of BiH: Croats divide somebody else’s property

Nezavisne Novine

Olympic fire lit in Greece; Decision of SDS Bijeljina Board: Dragan Kalinic is persona non grata in Bijeljina; Negotiations in Sarajevo: HDZ and SDA reached the agreement on the authority partnership

Blic

As of tomorrow, ‘Blic’ and its readers help children: A dinar from every sold issue of ‘Blic’ to children in Serb enclaves; Visegrad in danger: worn-out butane containers are threat to households; Joint command of BiH Army: Generals, dismissed!

Ljiljan

Ante [Markovic]’s investments in BiH like Bulajic’s movie on Sarajevo?; Rasim Ljajic: Bosniaks from Kosovo and Sandzak are in difficult position; Safet Halilovic: Croats want separate education system; Cows in front of CoM building

Slobodna Bosna

Police beings to arrest members of secret Bosniak intelligence service MOS that illegally wiretapped thousands of people for years; SB investigates a secret of expensive tapping device

Dani

Kosovo-Belgrade-Bugjno: War moves to Sandzak?; Murder to sheik Jassin: Doors to hell opened

Political developments

Crisis of FBiH Government overcome

Oslobodjenje front page ‘SDA and HDZ remain partners in government’, pg. 5 ‘HDZ Ministers return to the FBiH Government’, Dnevni Avaz front page, pg. 4 ‘Crisis of the Federation Government resolved’ – The leaders and senior officials of the SDA, HDZ and Party for BiH on Thursday adopted (agreed on) principles of their partnership (common political acting) thereby creating conditions for the return of HDZ Ministers to the FBiH Government. They also agreed that FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic and his Deputies Dragan Vrankic and Gavrilo Grahovac try to resolve all the issues 

Related to the Federation 2004 Budget in other to pave path for its passage at a session of the Federation House of Peoples on Friday. According to the agreement reached yesterday, the majority of possible future problems/disputes will be being resolved within the Federation Government as the assistance will be requested from the ruling parties’ leaders only if the Ministers fail to agree on certain issues.

Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘HDZ and SDA reached the agreement on the authority partnership’ – Sulejman Tihic, SDA President, confirmed that late last night, SDA and HDZ reached the agreement aimed at overcoming a month-long crisis of authority in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Readiness of SDA, HDZ to improve mutual relations encouraging’ – Party for BiH leader Safet Halilovic told the newspaper he was encouraged by the SDA and HDZ readiness to improve their mutual relations, cooperation and trust’

SD: “HDZ BiH’s request: Abolish the Federation”

Slobodan Dalmacija (page 6, by H) – spokesperson of the HDZ BiH, Pero Pavlovic, officially confirmed on Thursday that the MPs of the said party have started an initiative in the FBiH Parliament the aim of which is to transfer the competencies of the FBiH onto the State and cantonal levels. “We advocate the strengthening of State institutions, and we want strengthening of foreign and monetary policy at the State level, as well as of the fight against terrorism and military issues”, says Pavlovic.

Serb officials on HDZ request for constitutional changes

Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Croats divide somebody else’s property’ – The politicians in Republika Srpska share the view in general that the political crisis in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is paralysing the work of its legislative and executive authority, must not be resolved over the Republika Srpska back. This is also a sort of response of Republika Srpska politicians on proposal of HDZ, regarding transfer of authority from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina onto BiH and Cantons. Petar Kunic, Professor at Banjaluka Law Faculty, says that: “The HDZ and SDA should resolve their problems in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, instead of demanding constitutional changes and over Republika Srpska back.”

Bosko Siljegovic, delegate at the BiH House of Peoples, reminds that the current organisation of BiH is the only acceptable sort of internal administrative and territorial organisation of BiH.

Momir Malic, Vice President of the RS Council of Peoples, assessed that the initiative for the change of the BiH Constitution resulted from lengthy conflicts between the strongest Croat and Bosniak political parties in BiH. And this initiative is now represented in the worst way possible.

Bishop Peric to HR

Herceg Bosna Radio, Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Bishop Peric expressed non-confidence in Ashdown’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Bishop Peric expressed non-confidence in Ashdown’ - Bishop of Mostar and Duvno, Ratko Peric in a letter published today has rejected the proposal of High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, that representatives of Catholic Church involve in work of committee for mutual trust building in Mostar.  Bishop Peric said that during the recent imposing of Mostar’s Statute HR imposed the electoral solutions, which are unfair for Croats. Bishop Peric in his letter said that this rejection of HR proposal should be understood like a cry for democratic unification of Mostar and nothing else. Bishop has openly showed his distrust in HR and his Deputies in Mostar asking them do they really think that their injustices will build trust in the town. 

Slobodna Dalmacija (page 8 “You did injustice to Mostar”, by Zoran Zekic) – reports that the Mostar-Duvno Bishop, Ratko Peric, replied to the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, to, as Bishop Peric puts it, the HR’s letter from March 11. The reply, which deals with the issue of Mostar restructuring, among other things reads: “In talks here at the Diocese, on January 23, You mentioned you planned to determine, most likely, that there should be 14 Croat councilors, 12 Muslim ones and 5 Others. But, the final decision is: 15 of the each two, plus five Others. By doing this, You enhance the injustice done to the city, having in mind its population”.  Bishop Peric goes on to say that the Catholic Church’s data says that there are currently about 60% of the Croats-Catholics in Mostar, minding the HR’s decision to prevent domination by any one people in Mostar. In that context, Bishop Peric asks the HR “why do you implement the decision in Mostar only and become an unjust man?”. Furthermore. Bishop Peric claims that the IC did not have a widespread support among the citizens of Mostar, as the IC has claimed, noting that no representative of the Catholic Church will be taking part in the Confidence Building Board that’s to be established in Mostar.

Mostar returnees demand administration according to census from 1991

Dnevni List (page 8, “To secure multi-ethnic administration of unified Mostar”, by Z. Jukic) carries that the Coordination of the Mostar Returnees’ Associations, that gather returnees of all three nationalities, sent a proposal of the national systematization of jobs in the future, unified Mostar administration to all competent institutions that participate in the process of Mostar restructuring. DL says that referring to the constitutional amendments on representation of all peoples and national minorities in the administration according to the 1991 census, the Mostar returnees demand that the national structure of employees is taken into consideration in drafting of the aforementioned systematization. Also, in order to secure jobs for persons from all 6 Mostar regions, the Mostar returnees demand that the number of the employees coming from 6 city areas is proportional to the number of citizens who live in these areas. According to this proposal, 400 employees would be working in the future Mostar administration. Of this number, 146 employees would be Bosniaks, 145 would be Croats, 68 would be Serbs and 41 employees would be coming from the line of the others.

Brian Gallagher on Mostar

Slobodna Dalmacija (page 17 “Ashdown uses Titoist solution for Mostar”, by Zlatko Tulic) - carries an op-ed signed by one Brian Gallagher, who wrote an article about Mostar entitled “Ashdown’s Titoist solution for Mostar” in his “Viewpoint from London” column. According to SD, Gallagher argues that the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown’s, solution to Mostar is unjust to the Croats. Gallagher writes: “Paddy Ashdown's solution to unify Mostar is unfair to the Croats. Indeed, it appears to owe much to Tito style politics - that of disadvantaging the Croats politically whilst making them pay for the 'privilege'. Ashdown has missed the opportunity of helping to answer the Croat question in Bosnia-Herzegovina and providing greater protection for citizens of all three groups. It means that the issue will have to be revisited again in the future.”

Ljiljan on Mostar Statute implementation

Ljiljan pgs 28&29 ‘Nobody is satisfied in Mostar’ by Enes Ratkusic – Following statements by OHR officials that the implementation of the HR Paddy Ashdown’s decision on the new Mostar Statute goes as planned, article wonders what really did change. It reads that the temporary budget is not encouraging as it gives benefit to one people over another when it comes to the financing of Bosniak and Croat institutions. “If Ashdown’s decision was giving a real foundation for the elimination of any discrimination, than why the temporary budget did not aspire equality?” reads the article underlying that salaries for the same positions were different, depending whether the officials comes from former Bosniak or Croat municipality. “When the decision by the HR that guarantees equality, that is an absence of domination, would take place?… What is more than obvious is that Mostar has been caught up in some kind of lethargy, an absence of any interest or initiative.” Ljiljan also accuses the International Community, including HR, of changing its tactics in Mostar claiming that while Ashdown was socialising with citizens before the imposition of the decision, now the citizens are neglected. Article also claims that OHR now ignores those parties that supported Ashdown’s solution for Mostar, primarily Party for BiH, while its tries to win support by ‘opponent’, SDA. As for this party, Ljiljan speculates that the most desirable candidate for the position of City Board President is Hamdija Jahic, current Mostar Mayor. Author argues that Jahic’s resignation is the thing OHR fears the most. “If he continues with ‘successful implementation of Ashdown’s decision, [Jahic] would suffer consequences of Bosniak majorisation in Mostar, which is more than certain, regardless to all written… guarantees. If he offers his resignation, Ashdown could ban him from every further political engagement in politics. OHR needs Jahic till October.” Ljiljan also concludes that HDZ will dominate Mostar as SDA will not do well on upcoming elections while HDZ’s victory is a certainty. This, writes the author, will mean that new mayor will be HDZ candidate, as well as the president of City Council and Secretary of City Administration, regardless from what people they come from. “Without doubt, in any solution, HDZ wins,” concludes the article.

EC conducts public opinion poll in BiH

BHTV, FTV, Dnevni List (page 5, “Organized crime crucial obstacle to visa free regime”, by D.P. Mandic) carry that the “Prism Research” Agency conducted a public opinion poll for the EC delegation in BiH, noting that according to the results of the public opinion poll, BiH citizens have positive opinion about the EU. The opinion poll claims that the EU represents for the BiH citizens a creation of a better future, however, it seems that the integration process is not fast enough and there are no enough information about this process. DL also says that BiH citizens and leading people of the EC believe that the biggest obstacles for the BiH integration are crime, corruption, economic situation and non-sanctioning of war crime suspects. Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘More tha  75 percent of BiH citizens would vote for accession to EU, Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Significant but insufficient progress’ also reported on a EC Head of the Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys’ press conference at which the the results of the poll were presented.

Blic p 13 ‘Humphreys: BiH closer to EU in 2005’  - “BiH will achieve progress this year, in order to be able to start with negotiations on stabilization and association with EU next year”, the Head of the EC Delegation, Michael Humphreys, stated in Sarajevo yesterday. He announced that EU will publish a report on the process of stabilization and association next Tuesday, which will contain a temporary assessment of the progress in realization of the requirements from the Feasibility Study.

Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘BIH citizens want accelerated advancement towards EU’ - The Delegation of the European Commission has commissioned Research to conduct an opinion poll on the perception of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The results of the public opinion survey are based on interviews during February 2004 with 1,500 people from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, representative of the profile of the BiH population.

The survey clearly shows that the European Union enjoys a positive image in the BiH with 61% of all respondents expressing a very or at least fairly positive attitude toward the European Union, while less than 10% express a fairly or very negative attitude. However there is a relatively large number of respondents who express a neutral attitude (26,9%). It is clear that the population overwhelmingly supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s membership in the European Union with the large majority of all respondents (73.2%) convinced that it would be a good thing, with only 2.7% who do not think so. But, still, almost every fourth respondents is hesitant (22.3%).

The poll clearly shows that the citizens perceive crime and corruption, the economic situation, and continued impunity for indicted war criminals as the biggest obstacles to BiH integration and possible future accession. Characteristics such as geographic location of the country, language and educational standards are considered less of a problem.

EC to present report on reform process in BiH

Vecernji List (page 3 “Bad announcements, Government optimistic”, by Eldina Medunjanin) – reports that the BiH authorities will towards end of March, most probably on March 30, be presenting a report on what has been achieved in BiH relating to fulfilling of requirements for getting closer to the EU. According to VL, announcements coming from the EC are not at all encouraging when it comes to fulfilling of the 16 conditions the EU has set out to BiH authorities. VL also reports that despite bad announcements coming from the EC, the BiH Council of Ministers are to an extent optimistic that BiH will manage to implement the reforms. According to Bojan Zec-Filipovic, a spokesperson to Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers, it is too early to comment on announcements that the report will be disappointing for the BiH authorities.

Kalinic unwanted in Bijeljina

Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘Dragan Kalinic is persona non grata in Bijeljina’ – The SDS President and the RS Parliament Speaker, Dragan Kalinic, on Wednesday did not participate in the ceremony on marking the beginning of works of a Bijeljina roundabout way, since he was not invited. Namely, official of SDS from Bijeljina confirmed to NN that members of Presidency of SDS Bijeljina Board unanimously decided to declare Dragan Kalinic a persona non grata in Bijeljina.

Cvijetin Nikic, Dragan Vuckovic and Branko Stevic, all SDS officials from Bijeljina, yesterday did not want to confirm or deny this information.

SDS Bijeljina Board finds Dragan Kalinic to be mostly responsible for the personnel affairs in Republika Srpska, namely extremely inappropriate qualification of the SDS members from this area in political circles. RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 7 also covered the issue.

SDS on RS opposition protest

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6, ‘Opposition in RS is hiding behind the people’ – In an interview to NN, Dusan Stojicic, SDS Spokesperson and RS MP, is of the view that the Republika Srpska is a stable part of BiH and that there is no reason for holding extraordinary elections along with local elections in October this year. He stresses Republika Srpska institutions do function and that the disbandment of Republika Srpska National Assembly is not necessary, when the Parliament majority is stable. On this he adds: “The local elections is a political test, which shows who holds what position and what rating it holds amongst the people.”

He says “position and opposition would not fight over the authority on the street”.

He further claims that 5 to 10 thousand people gathered at Banjaluka protest. On this he stresses: “And this figure represents a failure of opposition bearing in mind that Milorad Dodik announced the participation of 50 thousand people, and hoping for participation of 100 thousand citizens.”

RS Vice-president Tomljenovic reacts to SDS criticism

Nezavisne Novine editorial pg. 7 by Ivan Tomljenovic, ‘With the people’ – Ivan Tomljenovic, Republika Srpska Vice President, reacts on the SDS press statement, which said that by having participated in the opposition rally on 23 March, Tomljenovic “took advantage of the senior position he assumes and took the side of the minority opposition side in Republika Srpska.”

Tomljenovic says that the SDS press release clearly proves that SDS officials at the most senior positions do not represent the interests of people, but of themselves.

He further stresses he took part in the rally and pointed at numerous problems shaking Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also says he has been placing the interest of people on the first place.

He concludes the article by saying that the SDP of BiH, whose member he is, is a political party functioning in the entire of BiH.

NN op-ed on RS opposition protest

Nezavisne Novine op-ed by Mirjana Kusmuk, pg. 7, ‘Game with figures’ – The author is writing about Tuesday protest in Banjaluka. She claims that instead of thinking about the messages from the protest, the ruling “political oligarchy” has directed all the strength it has towards this game on figures on number of protestors, as the only argument is has left for its rule.

She further quotes other examples on game with figures, starting with Jasenovac. On this, she adds that this game could not hide the fact that a notorious crime was committed against innocent civilians.

She then quotes the example of September and October 200 developments in Serbia, when advisors of Slobodan Milosevic lied him about the number of protestors on the streets.

She concludes the article by saying that: “Alternative to the political death of the current authority in Republika Srpska is the death of Republika Srpska.”

Economic/social issues

CoM adopts draft agreement on avoidance of double taxation with Croatia

Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 6 ‘It is easier (to regulate relations) with foreign countries, than between entities (in BiH)’, Dnevni List page 3, “Double taxation with Croatia avoided”, by E. Mackic, Slobodna Dalmacija page 8, “Equipment for mine clearance without customs?”, by Z. Rerig, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Equipment for de-mining free-of-charge’ - The BiH Council of Ministers on Thursday adopted a draft agreement on avoidance of double taxation with Croatia and the same agreement is being prepared with Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia and Macedonia as well as Austria and Germany, Deputy Finance and Treasure Minister Jusuf Kumalic said following the session. Kumalic told a news conference in Sarajevo that these agreements were a condition for the creation of a market economy and unique economic trading in BiH. The Council of Ministers also started preparations for the regulation of the internal debt relevant to war damages and old foreign currency savings. As Kumalic announced, a Council of Ministers committee should finalize by 30 June a draft bill to regulate the internal debt. At the session, the Council of Ministers also endorsed a draft bill on amendments to the Law on Customs Policy which allows for an exemption from customs duty for the goods for military and police forces in the entities and the goods for young offenders' correction homes as well as the goods for clearance of mines which are entirely financed by donors.

Hays in Gracanica

BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 17 ‘It is easier to export to America than sell in RS’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 12 ‘Strengthen competitiveness of BiH firms through change of legislation’ - Process of economic reforms and obstacles to their implementation were major themes of discussion between Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays and businessmen from Gracanica, Doboj and Orasje, which took place in Gracanica on Thursday. Donald Hays visited couple of successful firms in that town. Company Vegafruit from Doboj- East managed to increase production for sixty times during seven years of existence. Production for year 2004, based primarily on fruit processing, earned up to 45 million KM, and major part is being exported. This kind of growth of a BiH company is almost a miracle. “It is possible to survive on the market when you have quality products, quality standards and favourable price”, says Muharem Salihbasic, Vegafruit Director. Vegafruit is a successful company which employs more than 30 000 people in the region, but they still export products more easily on US market than they sells them in BiH. Reasons are unregulated market and lack of appropriate Laws. “And I urge BiH authorities to help small-business owners who want to stay on market and widen their business”, said Donald Hays.

Slobodna Dalmacija (page 8, “Disunited tax policy is suppressing entrepreneurship”, by B. Jelic) also reports that together with his associates, the Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, visited Municipalities of Doboj-East and Gracanica. During the visit to the “Vega Fruit” food company, big opportunities and achievements of this company were discussed, when PDHR Hays stated: “Obviously, the current authority is not aware yet of your importance, otherwise it would create provisions to help you and make your work easier, and not to suppress you and impose limitations and obligations.”

BiH Farmers announce new protests

FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 7 ‘Farmers announce blockage of border crossings for April 1’, Dnevni List front and page 9 “Blockade of roads and border crossings on April 1”, by I. Tabucic - BiH Farmers again expressed their dissatisfaction with the present situation in agriculture sector in the country. Farmers ask for postponement of Contracts on Free Trade implementation, but since the bilateral negotiations on the issue with the countries contractors haven’t started by now it is hard to expect postponement of the free trade agreements implementation. Farmers’ associations announce new protests and blockage of roads and boarders for April 1.

Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 13, ‘There were no farmers at Bakic’s protest’ – In a brief interview to NN, Vladimir Usorac, President of the Republika Srpska Association of farmers, says that the demands made by Ranko Bakic and his BiH Association of Farmers holds no support. He says that not a single Association of farmers from Republika Srpska supported the protest Bakic organised recently in Sarajevo, because they find those protests to be politicised.

Ljiljan cover ‘Cows in front of CoM building’, pgs 40&41 ‘Agriculture or politics’ by Anes Dzunuzovic – Following the protests of agriculture workers in front of the CoM building and the announcements of blocking border crossings on 1 April, Ljiljan writes that further postponements of Free Trade Agreements, despite the fact that they would damage local production, would badly influence BiH image in business world. It also brings reaction by the President of the Agriculture Producers and Farmers Vladimir Usorac who stated that this or any organization from FBiH and RS did not support protests because the protests were politicised and the demands unrealistic. “It is unrealistic to demand assistance from budget of 100 million KM from each entity. Perhaps the Governments would be able to secure those funds, that that would mean that the means for pensioners, education, health must be reduced and that is not realistic,” claims Usorac, and adds that the demand for postponement of FTAs was also not realistic. Usorac concludes that the protests were politically motivated by some parties, pointing out to Stranka za boljitak [Party for Prosperity] lead by owners of Lijanovici company [meat producers].

Slobodna Bosna pgs 8&9 ‘Bakic’s food politics paid by Lijanovici’ by Asim Metiljevic – SB also brings accusations against Ranko Bakic, claiming that he is not the president of BiH Farmers Associations as he presents himself, but the president of the Association of Farmers in BiH, and that he has no authorities to pose demands on behalf of agriculture workers of BiH. The journalist also claims it obtained the demands sent by Bakic to the Council of Ministers, in which Bakic apparently proposes complete annulment of import taxes on different meat products, which would be a benefit exclusively for companies such as Lijanovici. “There are no other demands. His entire engagement in ‘protection of agriculture workers’ is about protection of meat producers, that is of Lijanovici company,” reads the magazine [Bakic is one of the vice presidents of the Party for Prosperity].

Statement of Day: HSS President Marko Tadic

Dnevni List (page 2) carries in its “Statement of Day”, the HSS President, Marko Tadic, as saying: “Agriculture is on the brink of disaster.”

Causevic on ITA personnel

Glas Srpske, pg. 4, ‘No place for unqualified’ – Kemal Causevic, ITA Director, confirmed to GS that 214 candidates have applied to the vacancy issued for five assistants to ITA director. He adds that he will not be the one choosing the candidates, but he has instead left this work to experts and independent five-member commission. He also adds that 50% of the currently employed staff (351) at two Customs Administration Centres are surplus. He also adds that around 250 staff, currently working at customs administration centres do not meet criteria regarding necessary qualification. And these people will not be working at ITA any longer.

Defence/security

L: Interview with COMSFOR Packett

Vecernji List (page 7, “Karadzic should be sought after underground, where rats are”, by Dejan Jazvic) – responding to the journalist’s claim that ordinary people in BiH wonder how it is possible that Saddam Hussein was arrested very quickly in Iraq, which is not the case with Radovan Karadzic in BiH, the COMSFOR, Maj-Gen Virgil Packett, says: “I do not know. Perhaps it is because they first started searching the holes in ground in Iraq. Maybe that should be our next step here, to search the holes in the ground. That is the place where you look for the rats”. Asked as to what the greatest threats to BiH are, COMSFOR Packett reckons that the biggest problem could be the inability of BiH to defend itself from network that supports war criminals, from crime and corruption, and also the porous BiH borders. In that context, COMSFOR Packett notes it is very easy to assume different identity in BiH.

RS Vice-president Osmanovic on Djeric, Njegus

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘Review of Djeric’s work over dismissal of policemen’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Bosniak as Police Director’ – Adil Osmanovic, Republika Srpska Vice President, yesterday stated that the dismissal of police officers of Bosniak nationality from the Republika Srpska Interior Ministry would certainly result in review of work and performance of the Republika Srpska Interior Minister, Zoran Djeric. Osmanovic said that: “I am especially concerned with the situation at RS MoI. I reproach the Minister and Police Director for having appointed persons, who committed crimes during the war, as police station commanders, but were not dismissed now.”

He also said that a Bosniak should assume position of Republika Srpska Police Director, since the Minister is the Serb. Commenting on these claims by Osmanovic, Djeric said that “it is collection of political points.”

RS Police Director Njegus on security in Orahovo

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, and Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Police station commander removed’ – Radomir Njegus, RS Police Director, yesterday removed Police Station Commander in Gradiska over the failures in providing security to the reconstructed Czar’s mosque in Orahovo. According to press release issued by Njegus Cabinet, Semir Hajdarevic, so far police officer at sub-station in Orahovo, has been appointed as the new Gradiska Police Station Commander.

SPRS on defence reform

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6, ‘SDS and PDP gave up on Serb Generals’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Upon request of Tihic’ - RS Socialist Party (SPRS) yesterday released a press release, saying that the SPRS is of the view that the adoption of the military structure in BiH shows a complete break-down of the politics run by SDS and PDP at the joint institutions. The release stresses that: “SDS and PDP gave up on Generals of Republika Srpska Army upon request of Sulejman Tihic.”

SNSD on defence reform

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6, ‘Stance on defence reform ascertained’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘New fraud’ – SNSD yesterday released a press statement, saying that the SNSD is of the view that decision of BiH Presidency (regarding non-appointment of entity generals to any position) ascertains stances and positions presented by SNSD on defence reform previously.

The press release notes that this decision confirms that the story about Republika Srpska Army is “just an illusion and another fraud and deception of the ruling parties”.

DA: Retirement of 26 active generals to come?

Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Retirement of 26 active generals to come?’ – According to the newspaper, there are a total of 26 active generals in the BiH armed forces. Twelve of them are engaged with the BiH Army, five serving Croat component of the FBiH Army (HVO) and nine are in the RS Army. In accordance to the latest BiH Presidency decision due to their participation in the war they will not be appointed to the new posts within the BiH armed forces/military structure. Avaz wonders what will happen to them and whether they will all be sent to pension.  

SFOR announces support to appointment of future Generals

Vecernji List (page 2, “Ministry picks officers”, by E. Medunjanin) reports that an SFOR spokesperson, Dave Sullivan, stated at the press conference yesterday: “We are expecting to see the names of the candidates for new positions in BiH armed forces and we shall support these appointments in the same way as we supported the previous ones.” Sullivan added that the BiH MoD and armed forces were entitled to take decisions about their future on their own.

VL says opposition will ask BiH Presidency to review decision on sending troops to Iraq

Vecernji List (page 4 “BiH a possible terrorist target because of mission to Iraq”, by Zdenko Jurilj) – according to VL, the opposition in BiH is planning to ask the BiH Presidency to review its decision to send BiH troops to Iraq, because of fear that BiH could become a target of Islamic terrorists. VL carries a comment of the BiH Deputy Defence Minister, Enes Becirbasic, who says he is not in position to take decisions or comment on the moves of the BiH Presidency, however, Becirbasic says the BiH mission to Iraq would not be a typical military mission, it would be more of a humanitarian character, since the troops would be destroying the unexploded ordnance, i.e. helping the local population in Iraq.

Education

Croat education ministers insist on application of three languages

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘Croats demand separate schools’ – The Ministers of Education of five Cantons in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Croat majority yesterday signed a joint statement in which they insist on the education system with official languages of all three constitutive peoples of BiH. The statement further says: “The experts teams from each people would be taking care of the curricula. We do not support the administrative unification of the schools under the same roof, because every school has a right to its individuality and the name it would bear.”

The High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, and Head of OSCE Mission to BiH, Robert Beecroft, last week condemned the stance taken by the Croat Ministers.

Dnevni List (page 2 “Achieve right to Croat language in all subjects”, by Miso Relota) – reports that Croats Cantonal Education Ministers held a meeting with Senior Deputy High Representative, Werner Wnendt, and the President of HDZ BiH, Barisa Colak, on March 25 during which the Croat Ministers once again expressed their readiness to actively participate in the process of education reforms in BiH. (Slobodna Dalmacija, page 8 “reform process continues”, by Z. Zekic)

Ljiljan interview with Safet Halilovic on education

Ljiljan cover ‘Croats want separate education system’, pgs 35-37 ‘If there would be national universities, reforms would be senseless’ by Mirsad Sinanovic – In an interview to Ljiljan magazine, BiH Civil Affairs Minister Safet Halilovic stresses that recent adoption of the Framework Law on Higher Education in BiH by the Council of Ministers, despite the fact that HDZ ministers did not vote, was not a case of outvoting. Asked whether he believed that the representatives of the Croat people would use the option of the protection of vital national interests to prevent the implementation of the Law, Halilovic answers: “I don’t think there is an option for something like that, as the drafting of the Law was participated by representatives of all institutions and all universities in BiH.” Commenting HDZ’s argument that every people should have a right for its ‘some kind of ethnic university’, Halilovic responds: “If every people has its national university than reforms are senseless.” As for the implementation of the Law on Primary and Secondary Education, recently opposed to by the Croat Cantonal Ministers of Education, Halilovic notes that the results in the implementation of the Law are missing especially regarding the abolishment of ‘two schools under one roof’ that “are the classic case of segregation against which the international community justly reacted.”