17.07.2006

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 17/7/2006

OHR Morning Media Brief

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Regional News

World news:Middle East crisis

Explosion in Mostar, no casualties

Bomb explosion in Mostar

Avdic: CoE should react on ME crisis

Commemoration for Stolac victims

World News

WN: G8 Summit in St. Petersburg

Stankovic refuses to attend trial

BIH MFA on BIH citizens in M. East

Stankovic refuses to attend his trial

Ljajic: Action plan completed

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

World News

World News

A man beaten up and injured in BD

BIH MFA on BIH citizens in M. East

Avdic addresses by CoE re Lebanon

CEC removes 663 candidates

Ivanic to attend EU CoM session

Explosion in Mostar, no casualties

Delic still on BiH Presidency payroll?

Hayat Survey on leaving BIH

Malaysian delegation visits Mostar

Sarajevo Commission faces problems

 

Oslobodjenje

Sixteen BiH officers receives SCG pension

Dnevni Avaz

We absolutely support control of privatisation [FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic]

Dnevni List

House of Edo Bajram (Mostar café owner) blown up

Vecernji List

Exsplosive against grandmother and grandchild

Slobodna Dalmacija

Sibenik: judgment of fire (on fires in Dalmatia)

Nezavisne Novine

 We do not know where one million KM disappeared

Glas Srpske

The nicest gift to the village [Local road opened in Pavici village in Manjaca]

EuroBlic

Election preparation disturbed vacations

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

 

Security and defence

Second explosion in 10 days in Mostar: no people injured; police tie incident to last week’s bomb at ‘Azzaro’ café

 

 

 

 

Dnevni List cover splash, pgs 18-19 ‘House of Edo Bajram blown up’ by N. Dedic – An explosive device was planted on the window of the café located in the private house owned by Edo Kahrimanovic (aka Edo Bajram) in Mostar on Saturday evening at about 23.00, reports DL. No people were injured and the damage is estimated at several thousand KM (window glass and frames), says HN Canton MoI spokesperson Srecko Bosnjak.  Police and Prosecutor’s office suspect that the perpetrator had spent about a half an hour on the premises before the bomb went off. Vecernji List cover splash ‘Explosive used against grandmother and grandchild’ pg 3 ‘Bomb was to intimidate Bajram’s family’ by Robert Soldo  – VL reports that, based on the type of explosive used and the modus operandi, the police immediately tied this incident to last week’s attempt to blow up the ‘Azzaro’ café where a kilo of explosive was planted but did not go off.  BHT1,RHB, FTV, RTRS, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 9 ‘Explosion shakes Mostar’ by Antonela Vlaho, Dnevni Avaz pg 27 ‘Unknown device planted on the window of Edin Kahrimanovic’s house’ by S.Djuderija, Oslobodjenje pg 43 ‘Windows damaged in the explosion of unknown device’ by L.S. – also covered.

BiH Parliament to discuss Security Ministry’s report saying BiH is potential terrorist target due to its military presence in Iraq

 

Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Terrorist attacks because of soldiers in Iraq’ by D. P. Mandic – DL writes that the BiH Parliament will in one of its next session discuss the report the BiH Ministry of Security submitted to Parliament in April in which it is stated that ‘as a member of operation ‘Iraqi freedom’, BiH is a potential target for terrorist attacks’ . Report also records an increase in threats against international community and BiH judiciary members by, most often, anonymous persons. SIPA conducted checks of persons who have in any way been tied to terrorist attacks around the world but has failed to establish that any of those persons actually took part in terrorist activities, reads the report. DL notes that, although state officials are trying to convince the public that the security situation is improving, especially having in mind the ongoing police reform, crime in most of its forms was on the rise in the last year.

BiH HoR to discuss platform plan of BiH

Security and Intelligence Agency: Annual platform identical to last year’s one

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘They broke deadline for preparation of work platform for five months’ by M. Cubro – The Deputy Chair of the BiH Parliamentary Commission for supervision of the work of Security and Intelligence Agency of BiH (OSA), Hazim Felic, has confirmed that OSA has broken deadline for preparation of annual platform on security and intelligence politics for five month, i.e. deadline to do so was 31 January. He noted: “It raises special concerns that we have received a platform, which is identical to last year’s one.” Daily notes that BiH House of Representatives will at Tuesday session most likely discuss and adopt proposed platform.

Oslobodjenje: if two brigadiers have same references, one that does not receive pension from SCG would have advantage to stay in BiH Armed Forces

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 3 ‘Sixteen BiH officers receives SCG pension’ by A.Prlendaby A.Prlenda – Daily learns that there are sixteen BiH officers that still receive pension from SCG, adding that fourteen of them are professionals in active service. BiH Defence Ministry officially confirmed they are aware of their status. Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic is on holiday, but author learned that he does not exclude possibility of assessing the moral side of this issue. Inset ‘The most problematic is general Novakovic’ – Daily source claims: “The most problematic is [Stamenko] Novakovic, for he is a general. And eligibility of a general is being specially assessed. It would be correct if he would give up on that pension if he wants to remain in service. As far as others are concerned, they are brigadiers, which we have redundancy in BiH Armed Forces. So, if two brigadiers would have same references, one that does not receive this pension would have advantage to stay in the army. And as BiH Presidency determined ethnic representation in the army, staff would be competing with colleagues of same ethnicity.”

 

War crimes

Serbia completes Action Plan for coop. w/ICTY, PM Kostunica to present it on Monday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FTV by Adisa Smailagic – Head of Serbian National Council for Cooperation with ICTY Rasim Ljajic confirmed that the Action Plan for Cooperation with ICTY has been completed, stressing that it fully complies with all requirements set by Brussels and The Hague. According to Ljajic, Action Plan was created in accordance with a model used by Croatia. It contains regulations on cooperation among civil, military and foreign security agencies. Ljajic announced that the Action Plan is going to be presented by Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica on Monday in Brussels; he refused to comment the requirements set by the EU and ICTY regarding this Plan. Some Serbian media speculate they include appointment of persons responsible for implementation of each section of the Plan, full control over military intelligence, close cooperation between Serbian and foreign intelligence agencies and freezing all assets of ICTY indictees. Ljajic expressed his hope that the implementation of the Action Plan is going to result in a soon arrestment and transfer of Ratko Mladic to ICTY. EU officials stated that the Action Plan needs to be approved by ICTY as well. EU work group will be tasked with monitoring of the implementation of the Action Plan. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Action plan of Serbian Government must be accepted by the Hague Tribunal’ by BETA– European Union officials confirmed that the Hague Tribunal must also accept the Action Plan of Serbian Government, which Serbian premier will present in Brussels today. PINK, BHT1, RTRS, EuroBlic pg 3 ‘Kostunica with the Action Plan in Brussels’ by N.M.J, Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘Chance for Serbia, last chance for the Government’ by Zeljko Pantelic, Dnevni Avaz pg 15 ‘Everything is agreed with Brussels and the Tribunal’ not signed – reports Kostunica will present the Action Plan in Brussels on Monday.  

ICTY Spokesperson Nikiforov: Mladic is in Serbia ; capturing him and other indictees is pre-condition for completing ICTY mandate

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 4, mentioned on cover ‘We are sure Mladic is in Serbia!’ – In a brief interview for DA, ICTY Spokesperson Anton Nikiforov stressed that EU is supporting the stance that full cooperation of Serbia with the ICTY is the only way the negotiations on Stabilization and Association Agreement could continue.  He added that ICTY “would insist to the end, not only on arresting of [Ratko] Mladic but of other war crimes indictees at large, as well”, stressing that this is a pre-condition for completing ICTY mandate. Nikiforov said that EU hasn’t asked for official evaluation of BiH’s cooperation [as it did for Serbia, Croatia], but he underlines that ICTY has been asked informally and it provided its evaluation. Asked about BiH, Nikiforov says that “it all right”: “But, RS authorities haven’t arrested no indictees. They ‘opened’ themselves when it comes to witnesses, availability of some archives, but they just cannot identify, locate and arrest no one out of remaining indictees.” He underlines that ICTY has established a very good cooperation with RS Government and RS Interior Minister [Stanislav Cadjo]. Asked where ICTY fugitives Mladic and Radovan Karadzic are hiding, Nikiforov stated to DA “without hesitation” that Mladic is in Serbia , while they have no reliable information on Karadzic.

ICTY Spokesperson Nikiforov: Mladic is in Serbia ; capturing him and other indictees is pre-condition for completing ICTY mandate

 

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Will the Hague Tribunal close its door without Karadzic?’, mentioned on cover ‘Del Ponte: No body is after Karadzic anymore’ by Aldijana Omeragic – On occasion of approaching 11th anniversary since ICTY raised indictment against Radovan Karadzic, daily brings controversial statements of ICTY president Fausto Pocar and ICTY spokesperson Anton Nikiforov. Pocar stated that ICTY could not respect its deadline [2008 for completion of all trials, 2010 for final closure] if Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are not arrested this summer of autumn. Nikiforov stresses that process against Karadzic could not be finished by 2008 even if he would be apprehended now: “Process against Karadzic is one of the most complex ones, and it would take at least two years.” Asked what would happen if Karadzic is not apprehended within deadline, would ICTY close its doors, Nikiforov answers that it is all up to UN Security Council, adding that ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte will demand UN reaction after submitting her report in November. Author notes that Russia and Japan are standing for closure of ICTY within agreed deadline, while USA says that ICTY cannot be closed without Karadzic and Mladic, adding that the decision is up to Russia, whose lower parliament [Duma] assessed the Tribunal as unnecessary after death of former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic. Please note that the article does not carry Del Ponte’s statement.

EUFOR Commander Chiarini optimistic re capture of Karadzic, Mladic: it takes lot of time to capture a former ‘Mafia’ member, but sooner or later, they face justice

 

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘I would give anything to capture him’, mentioned on cover ‘I think he is not in BiH’ by Antonio Prlenda – Commenting his recent meeting with ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte, in a short interview for daily, EUFOR Commander Gian Marco Chiarini stated that according to his information, Radovan Karadzic was not in BiH during his mandate: “If he was here, I would give my best to capture him. My perception at this moment that Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are not here.” He denied claims that EUFOR did nothing regarding issue of capturing war crime indictees: “We undertook large-scale operations on Montenegrin border a couple months ago. We searched for him, but unsuccessfully. But we are ready.” He added that there is no need to change EUFOR’s mandate for time being. Chiarini is optimistic regarding the issue: “When I started my mandate at the end of past year, there were eight ICTY indictees at large, now there are six… In my country, it takes lot of time to capture a former ‘Mafia’ member, but sooner or later, they face the justice.

BiH Finance Ministry confirms that ICTY indictee Rasim Delic is still on BiH Presidency payroll

 

RTRS by Tijana Velic – The Hague Tribunal has rejected Prosecutor’s request for submitting a complaint on a court’s decision to reject expanding the indictment against former BiH Army Commander Rasim Delic. At the same time, BiH Ministry of Finance and Treasury have confirmed that ICTY indictee Rasim Delic still receives a salary in BiH Presidency, although he is not Sulejman Tihic’s adviser for more than a year now. Banjaluka daily ‘Nezavisne Novine’ reported that Delic’s salary is almost 1,000 KM. “I think that this is unacceptable, and another reason for all of us in RS not to do the same. This is not something that should be done; persons indicted and convicted for war crimes should be absolutely without any kind of public attention”, stated RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik. BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic emphasized that it is just another form of supporting persons indicted for war crimes; he added that it is a criminal act, and that all responsible persons should be punished and removed from their posts. According to Ivanic, it would be interesting to see what would be – or if there would be any – reaction of the International Community. RS Association of Inmates welcomed the statement of BiH Presidency member Ivo Miro Jovic, who promised to check whether ICTY indictee Rasim Delic is really on a payroll of BiH Presidency. At the same time, they wonder why Serb member of BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac does not investigate this case. Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Rockslide on the path of reconciliation’ – carries reactions of RS PM Dodik, BiH Foreign Minister Ivanic and BiH Presidency Chair Jovic, as mentioned above. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Asks for punishing of responsible in BiH Presidency who enabled Rasim Delic to receive salary’ by Onasa – carries Ivanic. Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Those in Presidency who are responsible should be sanctioned’ unsigned – carries Delic is still on payroll.

RS PM Dodik: Story about Oric and Delic drifts BiH apart from reconciliation

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Story about Oric and Delic drifts BiH apart from reconciliation’ by SRNA, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Rockslide on the path of reconciliation’  Milorad Dodik, RS Premier, stated that it is inadmissible the politics is being pushed from Sarajevo in line with which war crimes were committed in RS in an organized manner, while crimes in FBiH were committed by individuals. Commenting on Rasim Delic case (that ICTY indictee Delic still receives a salary in BiH Presidency), Dodik stated that the entire story about Naser Oric and now Rasim Delic “drifts apart peoples in BiH instead of ensuring reconciliation and understanding of each other”.  Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Paravac is not interested in “Delic” case’ by SRNA – also reported.

NN: RS Govt assigns to RS MoI 1 mil. KM for cooperation with the ICTY, it is not known where money was spent

 

Nezavisne Novine cover splash, pg 3 ‘We do not know where one million KM disappeared’ by S. Karic – Daily states that the RS Government assigned 1 million KM to RS Ministry of Interior (MoI) in December 2004 for the operative expenses related to the cooperation with the ICTY. Audit’ report for MoI’ business activities in 2005 shows that RS MoI paid 400.000 KM to the families of the war crimes suspects who voluntary surrendered to the ICTY noting that RS Government’ Secretariat for the cooperation with the ICTY also paid 311.500 KM last year to these families. According to the audit’ report, some of the families got additional 50.000 – 60.000 KM. The families did not want to talk about this issue. Audit determined MoI spent 611.030 KM for the operative work and pays to the collaborators in the war crimes’ cases noting these pays were approved by RS Minister of Interior (then Darko Matijasevic), RS Police Director (then Dragomir Andan) and RS Chief Crime Police (then Dragi Milosevic). NN could not reach those officials. Former RS Minister of Finance Svetalana Cenic stated to NN that MoI also asked from then RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic to approve more then 1 million KM for the special operations adding RS Government did not approve the resources. 

RS PM Dodik accused his predecessor Bukejlovic for hiding the list of persons that took part in Srebrenica genocide, 892 of which are still working in state and entity institutions

 

Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Dodik accused Bukejlovic for hiding participants in genocide’ by A.Avdic – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated he does not know any details regarding the list of participants in Srebrenica genocide, which was put together by RS Srebrenica Task Force. List contains approximately 28,000 names of persons that took part in attack on UN protected zone of Srebrenica, 892 of which are still working in state and entity institutions. Last week, ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte demanded publishing the list. Asked to comment this, Dodik stated: “I really do not have idea what are you talking about. My predecessor Pero Bukejlovic hid the list for sure, this is why I have not seen it.” RS Vice President Omer Brankovic also did not know where the list was: “At the next session, I will for sure demand the Government to publish the list. I have not seen it so far, for the whole job was done by the Task Force established by the previous Government.” Head of SDA caucus in RS National Assembly Tarik Sadovic also announced he would demand RSNA to publish the list. Task Force President Jovan Spaic noted that the documentation was submitted to BiH Prosecution, ICTY, OHR and RS Government, thus finishing their job. Author notes that Del Ponte denied ICTY introduced embargo on publishing of the list, after some RS officials stated that list couldn’t be published due to ICTY ban.

Romanija Association of Families of Missing Persons announce it will not support Sarajevo Commission

 

BHT1- The press release issued on Sunday, ‘Association of families of missing persons from Sarajevo-Romanija Region’ reads the Association members do not support a work of Commission for investigation on sufferings of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks and others in Sarajevo in period 1992-1995. The press release announces that the Association is not going to cooperate with the Commission, because it doesn’t agree with choice of its members. Out of three Serb members of Sarajevo Commission, the Association supports only Dobrislav Planojevic as a great expert in this field. Hayat, RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Enough with impositions and traps’ by D.Majstorovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘They will not cooperate with Sarajevo Commission’ by SRNA, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Unsatisified with Commission’s work’ unsignedalso reported.

War crimes indictee Stankovic refuses to attend trial before BiH Court ; Court decided to continue trial without his presence

 

BHT1- War crime indictee Radovan Stankovic, accused of war crimes committed in Foca area, refused to attend a trial against him before the BiH Court’s War Crimes Chamber. According to his attorney, Nebojsa Pantic, the Court Council decided to continue the processing without Stankovic being present. He regularly receives the transcripts and reports from all court session. Stankovic used to attend the sessions, but he was removed from the courtroom each time because of inappropriate behavior. The trial is closed for public because of protection of witnesses, rape victims. PINK, Hayat, RTRS– reported.

 

Police reform, SAA and visa regime, elections 2006

BiH Foreign Minister Ivanic to meet EU troika; expects them to warn BiH there is no SAA without ICTY coop. and police reform

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BHT1 by Mirela Cosic – BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic is meeting EU Troika in Brussels on Monday. Ivanic expects official Brussels to issue a warning to BiH and clearly state the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU can’t be signed without a major improvement in cooperation with ICTY and an agreement on police reform. Ivanic stated that if these two requirements are met, BiH could expect to sign the SAA with the EU by the end of this year. Otherwise, said Ivanic, the SAA will not be signed. “It is obvious that, well, basically, it is all up to us”, said Ivanic. Reporter commented that a similar warning came from the EC a month ago, but nothing happened so far. One month ago, EC warned that BiH authorities couldn’t allow themselves to spend the time before October elections only for pre-electoral campaign. Opposition parties believe that the authorities are doing exactly that, although they shouldn’t. FTV- Ivanic stated that in the eyes of the EU, there is a halt in cooperation with ICTY after years of progress regarding this issue. Also, stressed Ivanic, the EU expects an agreement on police reform. “They didn’t say what this reform must be like. They said that the three principles are wide enough, and they provide a chance for BiH politicians to agree”, said Ivanic. He underlined that he had tried to organise a meeting on police reform in March, but the meeting never happened. According to Ivanic, BiH politicians seem to run away from this subject because they believe that in that way, they can achieve maximum of their goals.Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Ivanic will have meeting with the European three on Monday’ by N.N, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Ivanic in Brussels today’ unsigned reported Ivanic to meet EU officials.

CoM Chair Terzic: OHR and IC, except US and UK Ambassadors, are doing nothing about police reform

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘I am encouraged only after conversation with McElhaney’, mentioned on cover by A.Malagic – In a brief interview for DA, Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic commented that EU Ambassadors are not showing much interest for police reform in BiH, which is condition for signing of Stabilization and Association Agreement, with an exception of US and UK Ambassadors, Douglas McElhaney and Matthew Rycroft, respectively. “Others, including the OHR are not active in that issue,” said Terzic, answering question of whether BiH would sign the SAA by end of year could be answered by looking at activities of EU Ambassadors in BiH. “And they are very weak, and according to my information, they all deem ambient for agreement on police reform would be created only after elections. I think they are wrong and that would be difficult to reach the consensus only after elections,” said Terzic. He explained that it is also questionable to what extent authorities to be appointed after the elections would want to deal first with the issue of the police reform. CoM Chair also says that following a meeting with McElhaney on Friday, he is encouraged that police reform could be solved before elections, i.e. that the SAA could be signed before the end of the year. “Until than [i.e. the meeting], there was no hope at all,” concludes Terzic. Inset ‘ Brussels is not prepared to admit mistake’ – Talking about his latest visit to Brussels , Terzic said that it is clear that EC has no solution for police reform. He stresses that they have made conditions too vague, despite suggestions from OHR to be more precise.

EU Justice Comm. to propose ‘state-by-state’ model of visa regime liberalization for West Balkans

 

Hayat- BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanicand BIH Delegation are attending a session of the EU Council of Ministers on Monday. One of the topics is a liberalisation of visa regime and concrete steps in this direction, while EU Justice Commissioner Franco Fratinni will inform EU CoM on all details on July, 24. “I will propose the package based on the principle – state by state – which would not only include visa liberalisation but also the readmission of illegal immigrants in addition to some regulations on passports, ID cards and border security. This package would direct EC in helping Balkan countries. Our goal is to help West Balkans countries in obtaining visa liberalisation if the high security level is maintained,” said Fratinni. Reporter added tat since not all countries will get visa regime liberalisation it is logical that it is based on certain conditions.

CEC removes 663 candidates from election lists; explains problems mostly to do with not being [properly] registered in CIPS

 

RTRS by Sanja Popovic – BiH Central Election Commission [CEC] has removed 663 candidates from the lists of candidates for the coming October election in BiH, because their nominations are not in line with the BiH Law on Elections. Among the removed candidates are DEPOS Co-President Svetlana Cenic, SDSStanko Pivasevic, President of Serb Party RS Predrag Gugo Lazarevic, and Socialist Party member Tihomir Gligoric. According to the new BiH Law on Elections, every candidate had to be registered in a central voter registration list on a day elections were scheduled, explained CEC President Branko Petric in a short telephone statement for RTRS. “34 candidates have not delivered a form in which they state they accept candidacy. 254 candidates have not officially verified by public notary such statements, four candidates are under investigation, which is why they cannot run at the elections. Ten candidates were on two or more lists of candidates, 87 candidates were not registered in a central voter registration list at all, while 272 were registered, but not in a same election unit they nominated for”, explained Petric [but he did not say what was the problem with the remaining two removed candidates]. CEC President stressed that political parties and candidates have been informed about this decision on Friday; however, one of removed candidates, SDS’ Stanko Pivasevic, claims he did not receive any official explanation. He claims that this is a classic example of human rights violation, because he is not allowed to run at the elections although he delivered all the necessary documentation and fulfilled all the conditions envisaged by the BiH Law on Elections. Another removed candidate Tihomir Gligoric stated for RTRS that he personally asked to be removed from the list of candidates, for private reasons. Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Failed on the identification’ by D. Momic, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘663 candidates removed from lists’ unsigned – also reported.

DL int. with Z. Komsic ( SDP):  SDP can achieve equality of Croats in entire BiH; Presidency member responsible to all three peoples

 

Dnevni List pg 8-9 mentioned on cover ‘SDP will make Croats equal’ by Zvonimir Jukic – DL runs an interview with Zeljko Komsic,SDP candidate for the Croat BiH Presidency member, in which he says that Croats from national parties who have been in the Presidency so far have failed to resolve the issue of equality of Croats in BiH as well as of other peoples. He says that ‘SDP has a recipe to make Croats feel equal in every part of BiH’’. Komsic regrets that the proposed constitutional changes were not adopted because in his opinion they would have guaranteed ethnic equality and protection of vital national interests by defining what national interest is and by providing protection mechanisms but this did not happen due to personal interests of certain individuals. Asked about the statement of HDZ’s Ivo-Miro Jovic, who recently said on TV that Komsic would be a second Bosniak in the Presidency if he was elected, Komsic replies that ‘the [election] rules are defined by law, and if you are elected, then your election was legal’.  Komsic believes a Presidency member must feel obligated to all three peoples in BiH and fight injustice done to any of those people which is another reason he thinks the constitutional changes should have been adopted because the proposed system would have provided minimum support of all three peoples to each presidency member.

SDS reaction on RTRS magazine ‘Pecat’: It is notorious lie that SDS exerts pressure on RTRS

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘Declared opponents of SDS in RTRS Management’ by SDS Information Center – Reacting on RTRS magazine ‘Pecat’ in which RTRS claimed that SDS exerted pressure on its editorial policy by publishing results of ‘professional media monitoring agency ‘Eter’’, SDS reported that it is notorious lie. SDS accused first associate to RTRS director, Mira Lolic- Mocevic, of being declared opponent of SDS. SDS recently published results of ‘Eter Agency’ by which RTRS is in favour of SNSD and critical toward SDS.

NN op-ed on SDS-RTRS dispute: SDS wants to have control over RTRS and use it in pre-election campaign

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 7 op-ed ‘Crucial fight’ by S. Goran Manuga -Author refers to constant attacks on RTRS reporting, which come from SDS and SDA. According to the author, SDS and SDA are aware that by winning the rule over RTRS actually means ruling the most influential media in RS. Author further notes SDS activated all means in order to limit the work of media and put it in the service of its pre-election campaign, adding party does not choose the means on its way. Author concludes the SDS actually fights for control over this public broadcasting service. 

EuroBlic: pre-election campaign disturb vacation plans to BiH politicians

EuroBlic cover splash, pgs 12-13 ‘Preparations for elections disturbed vacations’ by Nedeljka Breberina, Rajna Radosavljevic – Daily reports that pre-election campaign disturbed vacation plans to BiH politicians. Many BiH politicians stated that their vacation would depend on commitments in their political parties.

IFIMIES Institute conducts pre-election opinion poll in BiH, recommends ban on ethnic parties

 

Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Prevent creation of ethnic parties’ by Tanja Calic – DL reports that the “International Institute for middle east and Balkan studies” (IFIMES) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has published a survey on BiH ahead of general elections in which it recommends that ‘the only hope for BiH lies in neutralization of any form of political organization on ethnic basis if Europe and IC want BiH as an integrated community in the future ’. This recommendation was based on a telephone poll conducted in FBiH and RS which showed that 56.10 % of citizens intend to vote in the elections, and that the most popular parties in RS are SNSD with 35.1 % support and SDS with 16.2 % and in FBiH SDP with 20.3 %, SBiH with 20.1 %, SDA with 18.2%, HDZ with 6.2 % etc. According to the survey, failure to adopt constitutional changes has lead to radicalization of political scene in BiH, especially in FBiH, where two main political blocks have formed: SDA and SDP which up to now been in favor of constitutional changes and , on the other side, Party for BiH (SBiH) which is opposed to the changes meaning the latter block turned out to be the winner in talks on constitutional reforms. In RS, the political scene is described as SNSD, SP DNS and some other small parties versus SDS and other radical options.

CoM Terzic, US Ambassador discuss VAT issue and Brcko representation in state inst.

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 Inset ‘To precise position of Brcko District’ – In a short statement to DA, the BiH CoM Chair, Adnan Terzic, says he had a meeting with the US Ambassador, Douglas McElhaney, on Friday discussing, among other things, the work of the Indirect Taxation Administration and coefficients for allocation of public revenues. “The other topic was Law on Brcko District. We agreed that issue of District representation in state institutions should be solved trough laws,” said Terzic, explaining that BiH Parliament should pass this Law.

 

Economic issues

Hayat: amendment to Law on VAT passed by Parliament on rebate as of 1 July not valid as was not approved by ITA SB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hayat not signed Following the BIH House of Representative’s session when it adopted the amendments to BiH Law on VAT almost a month ago, reporter commented all media reported about it and praised efficiency of the BiH delegates. The amendments refer to the Article 72 and its removal from the Law that defined the method and time of VAT rebate. Under the amendment adopted, payments of the VAT rebate should have started on July 1. Most of the enterprisers welcomed the amendment because they had had problems. Additionally, BIH House of Peoples has also adopted the abovementioned amendment in an urgent procedure. Reporter stated that in this way the BIH delegates won some points in the pre-election campaign. But then, reporter stated, recently elected Chair of ITA Steering Board Peter Nicholl sent a letter to BIH Parliamentary Assembly in which he noted: “I am positive that you have been informed on the agreement on transferring authorities regarding the ITA politics that was approved by BIH Parliament by which no amendments to VAT Law can be adopted without prior ITA SB consent. Thus any amendment adopted without prior ITA SB agreement can be annulled by the BIH Constitutional Court, as I was informed by the OHR.” Hayat comments a problem lays in the fact the BIH HoR delegates spent the entire day at the session discussing the amendments to the VAT law for which they had known from the start that it was violating the agreement adopted by them. Reporter stated that BIH HoR MPs were rewarded by daily allowance, points during the pre-election campaign while the law hasn’t been changed at all. Reporter concluded by saying that citizens should not doubt the intelligence of the delegates but their own.

Source close to EuroBlic states that ITA’ Causevic’s “chair is shaking”

 

EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Causevic’s chair is shaking’ by D.S – Source close to daily states that Indirect Taxation Administration (ITA) director Kemal Causevic’s chair is shaking and it is matter of time when Causevic would have to give it up to some one else. Daily’s source also states that the international community representatives are disappointed in Causevic adding that Causevic only hires people that he likes and that Causevic played significant role in blockade of ITA single account.

FBiH Finance Minister Vrankic: We support control of privatisation; I am not in war with Finance Police

Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘We absolutely support control of privatisation’, pg 5 ‘I am not in war with chief of Finance police!’ by Mirela Kukan – In an interview for daily, FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic could not say precisely when would the single account be unblocked, adding that he hopes an agreement should be reached at the next session of BiH Fiscal Council. He denied that he is “in constant war with the Chief of Finance Police Zufer Dervisevic ”over jurisdiction of the financial police, noting: “The war is harsh word to describe my relationship with Dervisevic. There are many that do not want to comprehend that Finance Police is a part of Finance Ministry.” Vrankic also denied that he deprived Finance Police of certain authorities by adoption of the current Rule Book, after the law he proposed did not pass FBiH Parliament: “Rule Book on internal structure of Financial Police only determined jobs that remained within their authority.” Vrankic stressed that he absolutely stands for control of privatization, denying allegations that this Ministry was against the audit of privatization: “Ministry is not authorized for privatization, and we responded when asked for opinion, as always.” Inset ‘Privatisation of telecom operators’ – Vrankic underlined that he is in favour of privatization of telecom operators, adding that FBiH Government should preserve significant part of ownership in these companies.

OHR BiH Media Round-up

Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 17 July

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

Israel steps up attacks in Lebanon

Israel steps up attacks in Lebanon

New collect. contract for MoI signed

UN to send forces to Middle East

New attacks in Iraq

BL- Round table on missing persons

Internationals leaving Lebanon

Ind. On Serbian Action Plan

Maric sent request to Radojicic

TV news broadcast on 16 July

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Regional News

World news: Middle East crisis

Explosion in Mostar, no casualties

Bomb explosion in Mostar

Avdic: CoE should react on ME crisis

Commemoration for Stolac victims

World News

WN: G8 Summit in St. Petersburg

Stankovic refuses to attend trial

BIH MFA on BIH citizens in M. East

Stankovic refuses to attend his trial

Ljajic: Action plan completed

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

World News

World News

A man beaten up and injured in BD

BIH MFA on BIH citizens in M. East

Avdic addresses by CoE re Lebanon

CEC removes 663 candidates

Ivanic to attend EU CoM session

Explosion in Mostar, no casualties

Delic still on BiH Presidency payroll?

Hayat Survey on leaving BIH

Malaysian delegation visits Mostar

Sarajevo Commission faces problems

 

Oslobodjenje

Sixteen BiH officers receives SCG pension

Dnevni Avaz

We absolutely support control of privatisation [FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic]

Dnevni List

House of Edo Bajram (Mostar café owner) blown up

Vecernji List

Exsplosive against grandmother and grandchild

Slobodna Dalmacija

Sibenik: judgment of fire (on fires in Dalmatia)

Nezavisne Novine

 We do not know where one million KM disappeared

Glas Srpske

The nicest gift to the village [Local road opened in Pavici village in Manjaca]

EuroBlic

Election preparation disturbed vacations

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

 

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

SNSD Vasic says party would launch initiative to change RS Constitution re CoP authorities and VNI

 

RTRS – Rajko Vasic, SNSD Secretariat Secretary said that SNSD would launch the initiative for the change of the RS Constitution regarding the competences of the RS Council of Peoples (CoP) and mechanism of vital national interest protection. Vasic explained that SNSD made this decision due to the initiative of Bosniak Caucus at CoP to launch the procedure of vital national interest protection, which caused blockade of RS Telekom privatization. Vasic compared this initiative of Bosniak Caucus with the BiH lawsuit against SCG.

CEC’ Peric: some candidates removed from list can correct irregularities until 19 July

RTRS – Chair of BiH Central Election Commission Branko Petric stated that candidates who were removed from the election lists since they were not in line with the BiH Election Law have July 19th deadline to correct regularities.  There were 663 removed from the election list.

BiH presidency Chair’s Cabinet: General delic is entitled by the law to 60% of his salary

 

BH Radio 1 – Cabinet of BiH Presidency Chair, Sulejman Tihic, stated that Decision on suspending of General Rasim Delic, was passed in accordance with the Law on work in state institutions. It was stated that according to this law and its definition, the persons in custody is entitled to 60% of the regular salary, which was earning in time before he/she was suspended. “General Rasim Delic, who voluntarily surrendered to the ICTY cannot be compared to indictees that do not want to surrender or with those that are receiving high compensations from public budgets in exchange for surrender,” was stated from Tihic’s Cabinet. 

Round-table on war crimes and role of BiH Institute for Missing Persons being held in BL

BH Radio1, RTRS – RS Association of families of fallen and missing soldiers and civilians organized two-day round table in Banja Luka, commencing on Monday, which would discuss search for imprisoned and missing persons within newly established BiH Institute for missing persons, processing of war crimes suspects and individual and mass graves. Representatives of the International Commission for Missing Persons (ICMP) and along with the commission from RS, Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia will discuss these issues on the first day of the round table while representatives of the BiH Prosecution, RS and county prosecutions, ICTY, SIPA, RS Ministry of Interior and Secretariat for War Crimes would discuss these issues on the second day.

 

Economic issues

Former Malaysian PM visits BiH: announces investments in Mostar, assistance to Srebrenica 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hayat – In an interview to Hayat, Malaysian former Prime Minister Mohammad Mahathir stated that BIH citizens should believe in the prosperity of their country. “BIH needs more investments…citizens are very smart and they have the capacity to build their country. BIH needs foreign help” added Mahathir. As one of the priorities for having the foreign investments, Mahathir stated that political stability is very important. “I have observed the FBIH and RS politicians and I have seen that they have the positive attitude toward business” said Mahathir. He was positively surprised by the quality of BIH products wondering why they are not exported. BHT1, FTV – Malaysian Delegation led by Mahathir met delegation of Mothers of Srebrenica on Sunday. Mothers thanked the Malaysians for the assistance provided by Malaysian Government during Mahathir’s mandate for reconstruction of houses of Srebrenica survivors and mosque. Former PM promised to further assist SrebrenicaMunicipality. On the last days of his visit to BiH, Mahathir also visited Mostar and announced possible Malaysian investments in the City. Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Mahathir promised he would use his authority to help Podrinje’ by S.Skuletic, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Continuation of help to Srebrenica promised’ not signed also reported of meeting with Mothers of Srebrenica.RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Jumps for honorable guest’ by S.Dj, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Beslic expects capital from Malaysia’ by Fena-also reported on visit to Mostar.

DA op-ed praising Malaysian model of economic development, condemning BiH politicians

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Malaysian Prime Minister’ op-ed by Almasa Hadzic – Noting that during his visit, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammad Mahathir needed only two days to make BiH citizens happy, unlike all of the BiH officials who did not succeeded that in last couple of years. Hadzic stresses that this visit of Mahathir-led delegation of Malaysian businessmen is for sure one of the most important foreign calls to BiH. Representatives of five out of fifteen major Malaysian companies showed their interest for building 5-C corridor, Visoko airport and tourist capacities in BiH, thus showing BiH citizens that their country is interesting to the world, comments editorial. Author concluded that, unlike BiH, modern and developed multiethnic and multiracial Malaysia rose from joining economic and political interest of all of its citizens.

RS Gov to sell Brod and Modrica Oil Refineries and BL ‘Petrol’ for €400 million

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Offer worth € 400 million’ by Onasa – In an interview with Onasa news agency RS Minister of Economy, Energy and Development Milan Jelic stated that RS Government has a guaranteed offer for Bosanski Brod Oil Refinery, Modrica Refinery and Banja Luka ‘Petrol’ worth €400 million. He said RS Government still hasn’t decided who would take over the debts. Jelic confirmed that RS Government want to enter the project of ‘Buk-Bijela’ hydroelectric power plant on its own, adding that the surplus of electricity Government would also sell on its own as well. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘For refineries and ‘Petrol’ €400 million’ by ONASA – also covered.

DSS’ Kovacevic: involvement of the top RS officials in ‘Vitol’ affair prevents prosecutors to complete their work

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘RS political top blockades the investigation in the ‘Vitol’ affair’ by V.Popovic DSSPredrag Kovacevic called competent RS institutions to make things moving regarding ‘Vitol’ affair [of contract between this UK company and RS Oil Refinery, which was not carried out, causing Vitol to demand compensation from the RS], since this affair costs RS more than 115 million KM. Kovacevic also said that transfer of this case from Doboj Prosecution to BiH Prosecution (announced by Doboj Prosecutor Izudin Berberovic) proves that there are inadmissible things happening regarding this case (did not specify which things).  According to Kovacevic, involvement of the top RS officials in this affair prevents prosecutors to complete their work. 

Fokus’ source: DEPOS’ Cenic is main source of information to RS MoI on ‘Vitol’ affair Statistics on

Fokus pg 3, announced on cover ‘Spy on heels’ by R.F. – According to Fokus’ source, the main source of RS Ministry of Interior regarding relations between oil Refinery ‘Brod’ and UK based company ‘Vitol’ is Svetlana Cenic then advisor to the RS President Dragan Cavic. Daily’s source stated that Cavic is shaking since Cenic translated some documents and has information about the whole issue.

Hayat on FBiH privatization: out of 1587 contracts, only 272 were fulfilled

 

Hayat By Snjezana Mulic – Hayat brings a feature on FBiH Privatization Agency and privatization process. Namely in past 8 years, state-owned real-estates were sold for total amount of 8,9 billion KM while more than 18 companies are currently in liquidation process. Out of 1587 signed contracts, only 272 buyers have fulfilled their obligations. 55 companies were sold to the international companies for extremely low prices. Reporter stated that the IC-imposed inadequate model and personnel that caused a failure in privatisation. Most of the privatised companies cope to launch production, keep old employees and employ new ones, as well as to identify investors. Mulic ironically added it is not certain who is in worse situation: privatised companies or those waiting for privatisation. Consequently, FBIH Privatisation Agency started the procedure for 11 bankruptcy procedures. Most of the bankruptcy procedures are in Zenica-Doboj and Tuzla Cantons. Interestingly, says Hayt, Cantonal Privatisation Agency in Podrinje Canton hasn’t started the liquidation process for any of the companies but recently the Cantonal Prosecution requested the revision of the entire privatisation process because of the suspicion on “legal plundering of the citizens and the organised crime”. Reporter ironically stated that more than 60% of state-owned companies haven’t been privatised, while personnel of privatisation agencies have extremely high salaries and local tycoons are increasing their wealth.

FBiH Statistics Institute: 266 unemployed persons per placement

 

Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘266 unemployed persons per one working position’ not signed – According to FBiH Statistics Institute, there were 388,436 employed persons in FBiH in May 2006, which is some about 60% in comparison with May 1991. Also, article carries there were 350,958 registered unemployed persons, which, together with the fact that business subjects showed their interests for only 1,318 workers, bring us to a number of 266 persons per placement.

Daily reports that BiH assigns 60% of GDP to BiH Administration

 

Vecernje Novosti pg 6 ‘Authorities spent all’ by Sl. Pesevic – According to daily, BiH assigns 60% of its Gross Domestic Product to BiH Administration. Daily carries statement of Chair of Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe Rene van der Linden in which Linden said that it is not realistic to expect expensive BiH system to be sustainable and to hope to enter the EU with such system. Economist and analyst from Banja Luka Damir Miljevic stated BiH received more money per capita than Germany by Marshall plan after the World War II adding that BiH is about to face economic collapse. Miljevic stressed trade deficit, high unemployment and suspension of privatisation are top problems, noting that EU presents fiction for BiH. Vecernje Novosti pg 6 ‘Authorities spent all’ inset ‘Constitutional reforms’ by not signed – Political analyst from Banja Luka Tanja Topic said that constitutional reforms should be discussed bearing in mind that present constitutional structure is inefficient and expensive.

SDU’s Pecanac: Patriotic Block would replace FERK members if changes weren’t made

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘FERK cannot form electricity prices independently’ by M.K. – At its last session, FBiH Government discussed the amendments to the FBiH Law on Electricity, which were proposed by SDU deputy in FBiH House of Peoples Nermin Pecanac.Following the proposal of FBiH Industry Ministry, FBiH Government decided to conduct an in-depth analysis of the Law before adopting it. This was not satisfactory for Pecanac, who told DA that his amendments foresaw changes referring to authorities of Federal Electricity Regulatory Agency [FERK] to pass independent decisions on increase of electricity price: “Provoked by the last FERK’s decision to increase the electricity price, I’ve asked for this body not to be independent in price establishing and to have prior approval of the Government as a must, I believe that such response means only that the Government is running away from responsibility.” He underlined that he doesn’t want to question no one’s independence, but that FERK should be under FBiH Parliament’s control. Inset ‘Posible demand for replacement’ – Pecanac stressed that if legal regulations aren’t changed, Patriotic Black [SDU and BOSS] would ask for replacement of current FERK members.

 

Political issues

SDU’s Tokic calls on ruling parties to deblock European integrations, OHR to ‘conduct its mandate more seriously’

 

 

 

 

RHBSDU leader Sejfudin Tokic stated that the current authorities in RS, headed by Milorad Dodik, are holding back BIH from obtaining EU and NATO membership. Tokic has also called on SDA leader Sulejman Tihic, HDZ leader Dragan Covic and SNSD leader Dodik to de-block the Euro-Atlantic integrations of BIH instead of holding the usual pre-election speeches. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Use last months of governance to do at least something for the state’ by L.S. – Criticizing ruling parties and inviting them to unblock the reform processes in BiH, SDU leader Sejfudin Tokic also invited OHR to conduct its mandate more seriously. He also pointed the necessity for foreign ambassadors in BiH to deal less with support to certain parties on daily basis but instead and more with support to the state of BiH and establishment of the democratic society based on European standards. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Milorad Dodik blocked reforms’ not signed, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Road to EU blocked by current authorities’ unsigned, Fokus pg 4 ‘Dodik guilty for all ’ by not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘RS authorities blocked BiH association to NATO’ by Fena– also covered.

SP RS Gligoric critical of SzBiH’ president Silajdzic

 

Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Failed on the identification’ by D. Momic Tihomir Gligoric, SP RS candidate, who withdrew his candidature, has stated that Party for BiH has deliberately nominated Pilav Ilijaz for position of BiH Presidency member from RS, although BiH Election Law does not allow it. Gligoric is convinced that this candidature of Pilav is a pre-election trick of Haris Silajdzic, SzBiH founder and President, who will use this removal from list to cause “political event”.  

Patriot is critical of SzBiH officials, calling on leading parties in BiH not to form coalitions with SzBiH after elections  

 

Patriot pg 6 ‘Expansion of fascism’ by Slobodan Vaskovic – The author starts the article by saying that “destruction, idiotism and primitivism are main characteristics of pre-election warm-up, while main promoters of such inter-party dialogue are officials of Party for BiH (Sz BiH), who do not give up on pushing hatred, racism and chauvinism to the extent of being prepared to start another war to get in possession of a seat at BiH Presidency…” Moreover, the author is critical of SzBiH’ Safet Halilovic and his statement that “BiH is a victim of aggression launched from Serbia and realised with the assistance of quisling-like structures in one part of Serb ethnic corps in BiH”. The author criticises the international community for failing to condemn statements of this kind, adding IC has no courage to remove Halilovic, Haris Silajdzic and their likes from other two peoples from political scene, since they represent wind in the wings of BiH nationalists of all colours, noting there is no force that could prevent fall of BiH if they assume power. The solution, according to author, would be if all leading political leaders (SDA, SNSD, SDS, SDP and HDZ) agreed they would not form any coalition with SzBiH after elections.

Patriot claims debt of “Spekta” towards PB ES smaller than stated in indictment, says final aim to disable work of SDS

 

Patriot pgs 10-11 ‘SDS evaded ban in the last minute’ by Mirjana Miljanovic – The weekly claims that the debt of company “Spekta” towards Privredna Banka East Sarajevo is not precisely determined in indictment against Momcilo Mandic, Mirko Sarovic, Milovan Cicko Bjelica and Milorad Govedarica (for which they are currently standing trial) which was prepared by Privredna Banka East Sarajevo Liquidator, Toby Robinson, accusing them, inter alia of organised crime. Weekly notes debt is actually much smaller than presented, and if decision of PB ES regarding debt write-off towards “Spekta” were taken into account, there was practically no debt. Author elaborates on this claim in lengthy article, noting the entire plan was actually aimed at disabling further work of SDS.

VL says no collective leave in BiH authorities because there are obligations towards EU which must be met within 100 days

 

Vecernji List pg 6-7 ‘Politicians on vacation – only weekend holidays’ by Eldina Medunjanin – VL writes about this year’s vacation plans of BiH politicians and says that, according to the officials VL has contacted these days, there will be no collective leave in the Presidency, Parliament, CoM or FBiH Government. Inset: Schilling: Business comes first. VL says that there will be no collective leave because of the obligations towards EU and the election campaign and adds that High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling has clearly underlined what tasks lie ahead of BiH authorities in the next 100 days.

Croat caucus FBiH Parliament pushing for resolution condemning crimes by communist regimes

 

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Apology to thousands of victims of communist regime’ by Mensud Zorlak – DL reports that the Croat caucus in the FBiH HoP has initiated a resolution condemning totalitarian communist regimes,  ‘such as the regimes of Josip Broz Tito, Stalin and Mao Tse-Tung’ , and apologizing for 30 million victims of those regimes and will try to have it adopted at the next session on 25 July. According to MP Zdenko Antunovic, this is necessary in order to avoid such crimes in the future.

 

Security and war crimes

Exhumation in Kamenica; largest mass-grave so far

 

 

 

FTV By Salih Brkic – In past month, 450 remains of Srebrenica victims have been excavated from the Kamenica mass grave near Zvornik. Only 58 complete skeletons have been buried out.  According to experts, this is the largest mass grave found so far. There are still many complete and incomplete skeletons, which have to be excavated from this site. Head of FBiH Commission for Missing Persons Amor Masovic said that the existence of secondary mass graves represents an unseen crime. According to Masovic, even the Nazis were not excavating the remains of their victims and transferring them to secondary graves. The excavation works in Kamenica will continue.

DL editorial: “terrorist incident” in Mostar merely a trick to raise tensions ahead of elections

 

Dnevni List 16 July pg 2 ‘Conspiracy’ op-ed by Vera Soldo’Soldo writes about the atmosphere in Mostar in the last two weeks characterized by frequent sounds of helicopters, increased police presence and ‘tensions in the air’, caused by the alleged terrorist plot to destroy the cross on the Hum hill. She concludes that the ‘cross thing is merely a trick to stir up tensions which are now exactly where they are supposed to be ahead of elections’. What is at stake here, she believes, is a hunger for power and the incident in question was intended to make up for non-existent programs of employment, reconstruction and improvement of standard of living.

VL editorial says BiH religious leaders driving people apart, Slovenian business people bring them together

Vecernji List pg 2‘A Slovenian for Mayor of Mostar’ op-ed by Zdenko Jurilj – Author quotes a confidential report by BiH police and security agencies according to which ‘the security situation in Mostar has seriously deteriorated with a tendency towards more incidents’ and finds that Muslim and Catholic religious leaders contributed largely to this: Head of Islamic Community in BiH Mustafa Effendi Ceric said recently that ‘apartheid was being aplied against Bosniaks in Mostar’ and his counterpart cardinal Vinko Puljic, during his visit to USA, stated that ‘Catholics in BiH were under threat of extermination’. In such an environment, writes Jurilj, one should not be surprised by many incidents that have taken place in Mostar lately, such as the attack against the imam and the alleged attempt by a fanatic to blow up the cross on the Hum hill. Author then reminds of the recent opening of the “Merkator” mall in Mostar in which Croats, Bosniaks and Serbs shop and work together and concludes that ‘the Slovenians have succeeded where the politicians and religious leaders have failed’.