OHR BiH Morning Media Brief
RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| 305 killed civilians buried in Prijedor | Funeral for 305 Prijedor victims |
Sanader on const. changes in BiH | RS Govt. on cooperation with ICTY | Report on war crimes in Prijedor |
Monastery opened in Busko Blato | RSNA adopts Higher Education Law | Serbian Gov. adopts Action Plan |
Mija Tomic’s monument revealed | A draw for October election | BiH Prosecution denies Tihic’s claims |
NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
US’ warrants against an RS Minister | Funeral for 305 Prijedor victims | Talks on visa facilitation with the EU |
Energopetrol employees’ protest | RS Government in session | Trial against suspected terrorists |
Sarabon employees’ protest | BiH Prosecution denies Tihic’s claims | Privatisation of ‘Telekom Srpske’ |
Trial to terrorist suspects | Trial against terrorist suspects | RS Government in session |
Oslobodjenje | Privatisation of nationalised apartments started in FBiH |
Dnevni Avaz | [Islamic Community leader] Reis ef. Ceric: Crimes cannot remain unpunished |
Dnevni List | Grbic went mad and beat up a child (local story) |
Vecernji List | Hell (heat wave expected today) |
Slobodna Dalmacija | |
Nezavisne Novine | 305 murdered civilians buried |
Glas Srpske | Immunity stronger than conscious |
EuroBlic | Law on delegates’ salaries not adopted |
Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
War crimes | |
305 Bosniaks and Croats, killed during the war, buried in Prijedor
| BHT1 by Zoran Sarenac – Funeral ceremony for 305 Croat and Bosniak victims from Prijedor was held on Thursday in village Rizvanovici. Most of the remains were found in Kevljani mass grave. None of the RS officials attended the ceremony. The religious ceremonies were held by head of Islamic Community, mufti Mustafa Effendi Ceric, and local Catholic priest Marijan Stojanovic. After the ceremony, victims were buried in 16 cemeteries in and near Prijedor. Ceric stressed that the grief of victims’ families also contains hope, because they can be sure that the justice is going to be served. Over 3600 non-Serbs from Prijedor area were killed during the war. So far, 2600 remains were found. Report features story on man who buried ten members of his family on Thursday. Hayat by Vladimir Kovacevic (ATV) – BiH Presidency Chair, Sulejman Tihic attended the funeral and said that such events presented an opportunity for emphasizing that missing persons had to be found and criminals punished. “Reconciliation asks for truth and justice…only on truth and justice foundations we can build better future and reconciliation between people and states”, said Tihic. RTRS – Tihic stated that the future and trust among peoples and countries could be built only upon the foundations of tolerance and mutual understanding. Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 4 ‘Crimes cannot remain unpunished’ by M.Zgonjanin – Daily carries whole page dedicated to funeral of 305 Bosniaks and Croats killed in Prijedor region during the wartime. DA also carries speech of Islamic Community leader Reis Mustafa effendi Ceric who said that no crime may remain unpunished. Nezavisne Novine cover splash, pg 2 ‘305 murdered civilians buried’ by D.Kovacevic – Daily reports on funeral of 302 Bosniaks, including four Roms, and three Croats at Prijedor Islamic and Catholic graveyards Thursday. All victims were civilians, murdered during the war in BiH and whose remains were identified over the past year. PINK, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Precondition for forgiveness is acknowledgement of guilt’ by Besim Kahrimanovic, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Mortal remains seen off’, not signed – also covered. |
RS Govt passes report on coop. w/ICTY cooperation for Apr1/Jun30 2006; says period marked with intense activities of RS MoI to locate war criminals
| RTRS by Sinisa Mihailovic – RS Government on Thursday adopted a report on cooperation with the ICTY for a period between April 1 and |
BiH Prosecution: names of 892 persons from Srebrenica TF report cannot be revealed due to ongoing investigations
| BHT1 – With regard to the request of the BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic to publicise 892 names of persons brought connection with events in Srebrenica and listed in the Report of the Srebrenica Task Force, the BiH Prosecutor’s Office said on Thursday that its stance of not revealing names is in line with the provisions of the Code on Criminal Procedure. “Announcing the names of persons from the list could jeopardize the ongoing investigations of the Prosecutor’s Office on war crimes committed in the Srebrenica area”, is said in the statement of the Prosecutor’s Office. BiH Prosecution stated that ten investigations are currently being conducted against several tens of persons suspected of having committed war crimes in Srebrenica; two criminal procedures for war crimes in Srebrenica are also in progress. In one case, 11 persons are being prosecuted for genocide; another two persons in custody are being investigated on the suspicion that they had perpetrated in the crimes in Srebrenica, is said in the statement of the BiH Prosecutor’s Office. [On 1 April 2005, Task Force for implementing conclusions from the final report of the Srebrenica Commission submitted OHR and Prosecutor with the list of identified 892 persons brought into connection to the events in Srebrenica in 1995 who are still employed in municipal, entity and state institutions. Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Publishing of names would jeopardize investigations’ not signed, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Names are not for public’ by Z.B., Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Names cannot be published’ by Sn.K. also carried. |
There will be no halt in work of Commission for investigating suffering of peoplrs in | Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘There will be no halt in work’ by N.K. – Ivica Marinovic, President of the Commission in charge of investigating suffering of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Jews and others in Sarajevo during the war, Thursday stated that there will be no halt in work of the Commission following tendering of resignation of Commission member Zeljko Rasevic Wednesday. Marinovic noted situation of this kind was regulated by the Rule Book on work of this Commission. Anton Kasipovic, RS Minister of Education and Culture, has stated that Government Thursday did not discuss the issue of appointing new Commission member. |
Political issues | |
OHR objects to RS Law on Higher Education deeming that it would bring confusion
| PINK by Danijel Vujanovic – Representatives in the RS National Assembly on Wednesday evening adopted the entity Law on Higher Education, which was reportedly harmonized with the principles of the law whose adoption on the state level is expected. OHR reacted immediately, and OHR Spokesperson |
RS officials deem that higher education law would be useful for entire academic community
| PINK – Following the OHR’s criticism over the adoption of the RS Law on Higher Education, the RS Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Culture, Anton Kasipovic does not think adopted entity law would damage students; and stresses the Govt supports the adoption of the framework law at the state level: “An expert group, along with experts from RS, has worked on a concept of that law, and harmonized almost 99 percent of it. A question at issue was the Agency for Accrediting; we thought, and we still think, that we have offered [adequate] solution – that the criteria for accrediting universities and faculties should be issued by the agency on a state level, that those criteria should be implemented by the entity ministries of education, while the state agency would be in charge of control and, of course, representation outside BiH.” RTRS – RSNA Speaker Igor Radojicic also reacted on OHR statement; adding the RS was tired of waiting for the state law to be adopted, which according to Radojicic has not even been harmonized yet mainly due to “sluggishness” of BiH Civil Affairs Minister Safet Halilovic. He also underlined the all RSNA deputies voted of the RS law. Hayat, BHT1 also reported. Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Law on High Education is in interest of students’ by S.Gojkovic, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Use, not harm’ by G.D., Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Law brings confusion’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 11 ‘Law in RS contested’, by dju – carry Kasipovic. |
RS CoP fails to agree on VNI’ motion filed on privatization of Telecom Srpske
| RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Decision at Joint Commission of Council of Peoples and RS Parliament’ by V.Popovic – Regarding Thursday’s session of the RS Council of Peoples, daily reports that CoP has failed to reach agreement on decision related to “Telekom Srpske” privatisation programme, over which Bosniak Caucus has filed VNI protection. Since agreement was not reached, a Joint Commission of RS CoP and RS NA will discuss one of crucial decisions regarding “Telekom”. According to daily [opposite to other media reports, see below], Club of Bosniaks was close to giving up on procedure. President of Bosniak Caucus at RS CoP Ramiz Salkic stated after the CoP’ session that this Club will withdraw decision on VNI protection if their Conclusions, with which RS Government mostly agreed are accepted. Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Stalemate position over “Telekom”’ by D.Momic – also reported. |
Bosniak Caucus in RS CoP withdraws VNI initiative on privatization of Telecom Srpske after talks with RS PM Dodik; agreed some means to be used to help returnees
| BHT1 by Boris Gagic – After a telephone discussion with the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, members of Bosniak Caucus at RS Council of Peoples decided to withdraw the veto on privatisation of ‘Telecom Srpske’, reports BHT1. Member of Bosniak Caucus, Ramiz Salkic, stated that the Caucus members were insisting on rights of former Bosniak employees of Telecom. He also stressed that some of the privatisation revenue should be used for reconstruction of homes for returnees. RTRS by Momcilo Ostojic – RTRS reports that in order give up the amendments to decision on privatisation of ‘Telekom Srpske’, delegates of Bosniak nationality have suggested to the RS CoP to adopt the Conclusion, which they agreed with Dodik. The Conclusion foresees that controversial formulation ‘civil war’ is erased from the privatisation program; documents should be delivered in languages and scripts foreseen by the Constitution, while the part of funds obtained through the privatisation of ‘Telekom Srpske’ would be intended for taking care of workers who lost their jobs in 1992, and improving infrastructure in returnees’ settlements. Since RS CoP is not entitled to change anything in documents adopted in the RS NA, Joint Commission of RS NA and CoP should discuss this issue. However, according to RTRS reporter, even the Joint Commission will not easily adopt this Conclusion, because members of Serb Caucus deem that ‘improving infrastructure in returnees’ settlements’ part of the Conclusion would discriminate refugees of Serb nationality who decided to stay in RS. “As you have seen, I was elected member of the Joint Commission… I think this (issue) should be transferred to the |
BiH
| RTRS By Zorica Rulj – BiH Central Election Commission [ |
Interview with RS PM Dodik to Russian daily: BiH does not want Srpska as a part of BiH, why IC reacted mildly regarding failure of const. changes
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘BiH does not want Srpska as a part of state’ – In an interview to Russian daily “Nova Izvestia”, Milorad Dodik, expresses conviction grounded on some polls that SNSD will win at upcoming elections. On BiH future, Dodik says: “Unfortunately, I must say I had more trust in BiH future six or seven years ago than I have now. The reason for my pessimism lays in the fact that even now, ten years after war, some circles in |
Croatian PM Sanader:
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RS Pres did not sign Decree on proclamation of Law on privileges of MPs and delegates
| EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘Law on delegates’ salaries not adopted’ by R.Radosavljevic – The RS National Assembly will again vote on recently adopted Law on rights and duties of MPs and delegates at Council of Peoples at the session at end of August since Dragan Cavic, RS President, refused to sign the Decree on its proclamation and returned it to parliament procedure. Daily notes that if Law were re-adopted, it would be put into immediate effect even without signature of RS President. |
Prof. Slavo Kukic in DL column:
| Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Vote for Komsic’ by Slavo Kukic – In his column in Dnevni List, professor at Mostar [west] University Dept. of Economics Slavo Kukic provides his take on some of the presidential candidates in the October elections. He believes that these elections might be the first ones in which people will vote for new names whereas so far they have had to vote for those who ‘marked the bloody nineties’. This, unfortunately, he believes, does not hold true in case of the Bosniak candidates because ‘all of them have the nineties on their conscience’. Kukic expresses a positive opinion on SNSD candidate Nebojsa Radmanovic who Kukic says is not known for intolerance and hatred although this does not mean he can be expected to act in accordance with the wishes of people in FBiH. As for the Croat candidates, Kukic does not put much faith in HDZ BiH candidate Ivo-Miro Jovic, because, ‘this time citizens will vote and this does not suit Jovic’. Finally, Kukic says that the best candidate for the Croat Presidency member is |
European integrations: police reform, IC presence | |
EC recommends launch of negotiations on liberalization of visa regime with
| FTV – On Thursday, European Commission recommended the European Council to open negotiations on agreements to facilitate the procedures for issuing short-stay visas and on readmission between the EU and the BiH, |
EC’ Humphreys: Police reform is pre-condition for
| Hayat – Head of the EC Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys reiterated on Thursday that the police reform is clearly a precondition for BiH to conclude a Stabilisation and Association agreement with the EU. He reminded the EU Troika last week told the BiH Foreign Minister that the EU will not change its requirements and will wait for BiH to fulfil its commitments. “There have been many discussions on how to move the process forward and the October political agreement reached by political representatives, including those from RS was crucial in allowing the Commission to start the |
| EuroBlic RSpg 1 ‘Authorities tighten nightstick’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – Daily carries statement of Milorad Dodik, RS Premier, regarding police reform (saying that Agreement on Police Reform must be either respected or new talks should be held – for more information see OHR BiH Morning Media Brief, 20 July 2006). On the same issue, Vinko Dumancic, Chairperson of the Police Reform Directorate ( |
EU HR Solana rejected possibility of re-opening negotiations on police reform; RS Gov expected to fulfill given promises
| Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘There will be no negotiations on police reform in BiH’ by S.N. – On Thursday, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana rejected possibility for opening new negotiations on police reform in BiH. In a statement for daily, Solana said: “As for the police reform, EU stance remains – agreement from October 2005 must be fully implemented, and adopt the reform plan in line with three European principles.” The three EU principles urge for the exclusive state competency over police legislation and budgetary issues, local police areas based of technical policing criteria, and a system that protects the police from improper political interference. Reminding that state and both entity parliaments supported the agreement, he stressed: “EU is carefully monitoring police restructuring process, and expects RS Government to respect given promises. EU decided to continue talks on Stabilisation and Association Agreement [ |
EUFOR Commander Chiarini said he would not hesitate to use force to protect peace in BiH; police reform not likely before elections
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘If needed, EUFOR will defend peace in BiH with weapons’ by Sead Numanovic – Commenting range and mission of his mandate, in an interview for daily, EUFOR Commander General Gian Marco Chiarini said: “My mandate is clear and I will not ask anyone to use it, if necessary. This also means that I would even use weapons to protect stabile and safe surrounding in this country.” Commenting police reform, Chiarini said that it is in the matter of fact a political problem, since there is quite enough space for compromise regarding technical issues: “Politically, there is a space for compromise, but it is pre-elections time now and there is lot of hard stances which worsen possibility for agreement and compromise. I am afraid that this issue would have to wait for the period after elections in order for agreement to be reached.” He also noted that police in BiH is getting even better every day, stressing RS police started fight against organised crime. Inset ‘RS arrested 20 criminals’ – Chiarini said that since the new RS Government was established, RS police arrested some about 20 war crime indictees: “Everyone deals with the big ones, indicted for war crimes, but these arrests are very important for local communities.” |
| Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Europe is waiting for BiH’ by Onasa – UK Ambassador Matthew Rycroft expressed hope that the police reform in BiH would be finished before signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement i.e. before end of the year. “That has to be finalized before signing of the |
HR C. Schwarz-Schilling writes for VL: IC reducing its powers because BiH must become able to solve its own problems
| Vecernji List pg 11 ‘BiH will be solving its own problems’ by Christian Schwarz-Schilling – HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling writes about the upcoming closing of OHR and says that ‘there were expectations that OHR would extend its mandate and the reason for such hopes is that OHR has been successful’. He continues by saying that the |
BHT1 in possession of EU documents on Kosovo: protectorate over Kosovo with | BHT1 by Vesna Simic – BHT1 claims it is in possession of the exclusive internal EU plan for establishing EU Protectorate in Kosovo, allegedly prepared by Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Police, Javier Solana. According to this plan, the protectorate office will be called the International Civil Mission [ |
Security and judicial issues | |
Trial on terrorism indictments starts before
| RTRS by Danijela Djukic – The trial of Mirsad Bektasevic, Abdulkadir Cesur, Bajro Ikanovic and Senad Hasanovic commenced before the |
BL lawyer Simic and Helsinki Board Chair Todorovic share the view
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Immunity stronger than conscious’ by D.Momic – Regarding of completion of investigation by East Sarajevo Prosecution regarding Abazovic case (in January 2006, EUFOR attempted the arrest of war crime suspect, Dragomir, which resulted in killing of his wife Rada and severe wounding of his juvenile son Dragoljub) showing not only that EUFOR shot at unarmed people, but also shot them in the back, daily carries comments of local officials. |
BiH Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs Tesanovic calls on Presidency to take measures in ‘Abazovic’ case | EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘All responsible should be penalised’, Nezavisne Novine, pg 4 ‘Punish responsible ones’, by N. M. – BiH Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs, Zoran Tesanovic, called on the BiH Presidency Thursday to take all necessary measures in order to have all persons, who caused “the tragedy to the Abazovic family”, punished. Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘To punish persons responsible for suffering of Abazovics’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Tesanovic asks for punishing of responsible for case Abazovic’ not signed – also covered. |
Economic issues | |
Privatisation of nationalized apartments started in FbiH; municipalities lack alternative apartments
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Privatisation of nationalised apartments started in FbiH’ by A.Omeragic – Article carries that although six-month period for privatisation of nationalised apartments started in FbiH on 11 July, municipality authorities are still not sure how they would manage to accommodate families that did not receive the right to buy their apartments. According to the amendments to the Law on privatisation of apartments, families living in property of religious communities should be given the alternative apartments, but author notes that municipalities are still not sure whether they would have sufficient number of alternative apartments. |
PDHR: If BiH Parliament adopts changes to Law on VAT, without approval of ITA SB, it would lead BiH to financial catastrophe
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Parliament is working following recipe that leads to financial catastrophe’ by T.Lazovic – Commenting possibility that BiH House of Representatives could adopt changes to the Law on VAT [ |
OHR against changes of Law on Pharmaceuticals: To place Agency in BL and Laboratory in | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘To place State Agency in Banja Luka and laboratory in Sarajevo’ by Fena – The amendments to the Law on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices will be considered by the Constitutional-Legal Committee of the BiH House of Representatives on Friday. This law will regulate the sale and manufacture of drugs throughout the country: one of its principal objects is to make medicine safer and cheaper. OHR Spokesperson |
OHR BiH Media Round-up
Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 21 July
RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) |
Fires in | Salaries of health sector in RS |
BiH CoM to have 2 new ministries | Fires in |
EUFOR Cmdr – Karadzic not in BiH | Field searches in Gostovici |
TV news broadcast on 20 July
RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| 305 killed civilians buried in Prijedor | Funeral for 305 Prijedor victims |
Sanader on const. changes in BiH | RS Govt. on cooperation with ICTY | Report on war crimes in Prijedor |
Monastery opened in Busko Blato | RSNA adopts Higher Education Law | Serbian Gov. adopts Action Plan |
Mija Tomic’s monument revealed | A draw for October election | BiH Prosecution denies Tihic’s claims |
NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
US’ warrants against an RS Minister | Funeral for 305 Prijedor victims | Talks on visa facilitation with the EU |
Energopetrol employees’ protest | RS Government in session | Trial against suspected terrorists |
Sarabon employees’ protest | BiH Prosecution denies Tihic’s claims | Privatisation of ‘Telekom Srpske’ |
Trial to terrorist suspects | Trial against terrorist suspects | RS Government in session |
Oslobodjenje | Privatisation of nationalised apartments started in FBiH |
Dnevni Avaz | [Islamic Community leader] Reis ef. Ceric: Crimes cannot remain unpunished |
Dnevni List | Grbic went mad and beat up a child (local story) |
Vecernji List | Hell (heat wave expected today) |
Slobodna Dalmacija | |
Nezavisne Novine | 305 murdered civilians buried |
Glas Srpske | Immunity stronger than conscious |
EuroBlic | Law on delegates’ salaries not adopted |
Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
BiH CoM to discuss changes to Law on BiH CoM
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HDZ BiH to present its programme, candidates in Mostar today | |
Economy: VAT, ITA, privatisation, affairs | |
DEPOS Co-Chair: attempt to pass Law on determination and distribution of BiH property behind VNI motion regarding “Telekom Srpske”
| RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Those responsible for Brod Refinery must provide answers’ inset ‘Trap for Telekom’ by V.Popovic, Fokus cover splash ‘Robbery from Sarajevo under preparation’, pg 5 ‘They seize even the sight of it’ by M.S. – DEPOS Co-Chair Svetlana Cenic claims that the privatisation of Telekom Srpske is being obstructed because of somebody’s intention to pass the Law on determination and distribution of state property between the state of BiH, FBiH, RS and Brcko District. At the press conference, she has showed copy of the proposal of this Law, which says that the state property is composed of all movable property and real estate, which had been at the disposal of former Socialist Republic of BiH until |
SB: Insisting on unilateral telecom privatization Dodik harmed Mobis first of all
| Slobodna Bosna pg 15 ‘RS Prime Minister decrease the value of all three telecoms’ by A.M.– Author comments that RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik has lost the “advantage of the first step”, which he expected to gain with accelerated privatization of Telecom Srpske. Not only that, the Author reiterates, Dodik is also in panic because potential investors started to lose interest after Bosniak Caucus in RS Council of Peoples launched the protection of vital national interest. “Unlike Dodik, whose political career solely depends on Serb votes, ‘Mobis’ buyers are counting on entire BiH telecom market, so they are forced to make their business moves with much more attention in order not to jeopardize their market perspectives,” comment the Author. In conclusion the Author claims that with “insisting on unilateral privatization of ‘Mobis’, Dodik has already caused an irreparable damage not only to BH Telecom and Eronet, but to Mobis first of all.” |
Osl: loses after privatization of Telecom Srpske would be measured in hundreds of million euros
| Oslobodjenje ‘Loses measured with hundreds million euros’ by B.Simic– According the Analysis that daily acquired, based on which FBiH Government has decided to “get into the race with RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik” in privatization of telecoms, possible loses for FBiH [if RS would do it first] would be about 300 million euros. The largest damage, the Analyses, drafted by Consultancy House ‘Deloitte and Touche”, would suffer the BH Telecom, whose essential loses would be about 130 to 180 million euros. Underlining that this would have impact on other spheres, author reiterates that FBiH Government and Ministers are on the test take over the leadership, win over the strategic partners, and in that way stimulate entrance of other investors and “in final line contribute to erasing of entity line in telecommunication services”. |
RS Government dismisses head of RS Geodetic Office Bojat
| RTRS By Sinisa Mihailovic – At its Thursday’s session, RS Government has dismissed Director of RS Office for Geodesy and Property-Rights Affairs Vladimir Bojat, and appointed Cana Babic as Acting Director of this institution. BHT1- According to Government, this institution is responsible for the fact that the construction permission for highway |
Energopetrol employees protest in front of HVB Central Profit Bank in SA, asking for Energopetrol’s account to be unblocked
| FTVby Azra Pasukan – Hundreds of “Energopetrol” employees gathered on Thursday in front of the main office of “HVB Central Profit Bank” in |
Chair of BiH HoR Commission on budget and finance says it is high time Parliament adopted amendments to VAT Law
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Changes to VAT law inevitable’ by D. P. Mandic – Ljiljana Milicevic, Chair of BiH HoR Commission for budget and finances says for DL that the Commission on Thursday did not discuss the amendments to the Law on VAT proposed by Party for BiH and Deputy Speaker BiH HoR Nikola Spiric because the Commission decided to wait for BiH CoM to furnish its analysis of possible effects of these changes and because Spiric did not attend the session. She stressed however that changes to VAT law are inevitable and that she hopes that ‘Peter Nichol will cooperate with the Parliament better in the future meaning that the Commission will not have to wait two months for his reactions to Commission’s proposals’’. She stressed ‘nobody can usurp Commission’s right to propose laws. It is high time BiH Parliament put itself above ITA Steering Board and adopted changes to Law on VAT after which ITA SB can request evaluation of constitutionality of the adoption procedure before the Constitutional Court’. |
RS Govt rejects ITA initiative for mounting of new measuring instruments at gas stations, saying it is additional cost
| Nezavisne Novine pg6 ‘Vladimir Bojat removed’ by A.Sekulic,Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Too many measuring instruments’ by D.Vrhovac-Mihajlovic – RS Government has rejected demand of BiH Indirect Taxation Administration (ITA) to install new measuring instruments on gas stations in RS, because owners of gas stations have already done that few years ago and mounting of new instruments would represent additional expense for gas station owners. RS Government on Thursday approved the continuation of the process of privatisation of Tobacco Factory Banja Luka and Rolling Mill ‘Unis’. The buyer of Tobacco Factory Banja Luka is already known: it is ‘Antonic Trade’ company from Laktasi, who promised to pay all TFB debts, invest KM 4.7 million per year, and employ new 400 workers. |
Brcko Mayor expects ITA SB Chair will resolve issue of distribution from ITA single account
| Dnevni Avaz pg 15 ‘Djapo: I believe Peter Nicholl will return process to legal framework’ by E.Razanica – In a statement to daily, Mirsad Djapo, Brcko Mayor, says that although distribution of resources from single account, collected from indirect taxes, is blocked for 15 days now, self-sustainability of District has not been brought in question as yet. He added: “Unless this problem is resolved, Brcko, but also the entire of BiH, will face serious problems…I believe ITA SB (Indirect Taxation Administration’ Steering Board) Chair Peter Nicholl backtrack this process from political arrangements into legal framework.” |
Hercegovacka bank future uncertain, clients yet to decide on method to withdraw their deposits
| Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Sale of bank to Varazdin buyers uncertain’ by Zoran Kresic – Following the invitation of Hercegovacka banka’s provisional Administrator Toby Robinson to HB clients weeks ago to choose a method of withdrawal of their deposits (small percentage now which would mean bank liquidation or gradual payment over several years by bank’s prospective buyers from Varazdin), VL reports that bank clients have not yet replied to this invitation for which reason the deadline for them to provide their answers has been extended. FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic believes it would be better to sell HB than to liquidate it; in other words, it would be better for FBiH to give up some of its money deposited in HB than to possibly lose all of it. |
Elections and other political issues | |
13 political parties promised to protect the interests of refugees and displaced persons
| BHT1by Zumra Arnautovic – After GROZD’s and Youth Association’s platforms several BiH political parties signed yet another one; namely Association of refugees introduced the parties with their requests, one of such being reconstruction of 40,000 returnees’ housing units. Several parties signed the platform, promising that, if win the elections, they would meet their requests. “I do not believe that the requests would be 100 % met, but we will make an effort to do as much as possible“, says SDA’s Sead Jamakosmanovic. “We are going to do all in our power for some of the requests to be met… we must neither prejudge nor forget it, but object when face statement that Annex 7 has been implemented“, says Stranka za BiH’s Beriz Belkic. “Our party is aware of the fact that solution to these issues is an expression of political will of all parties in BiH which means that neither political party can guarantee solution“, says SDU’s Sejfudin Tokic. Returnees’ representatives are rather sceptical regarding politicians’ promises. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Took over the responsibility to renew 40, 000 houses’ not signed– DA carries names of 13 political parties which signed the agreement: GDS, SDU, BOSS, Politicki pokret mladih, BH Demokrate, LDS, HSS, SDA, SBiH, |
15 NGOs to organize ‘street election’, on which young people would elect four biggest problems they are facing in BiH
| PINK by Dragica Tojagic – On Saturday, July 22nd, 15 non-governmental organisations will organize ‘street election’, on which young people would have the opportunity to elect four biggest problems they are facing in BiH, which domestic politicians should immediately solve. Travelling with no restrictions, modernisation of educational system, admission into European Union, creation of environment in which it would be possible to buy an apartment or to find a job, bigger participation of young people in political life are among the priorities BiH politicians should work on; “The final goal is to awake the conscience of our politicians, to make them fulfil what they often promise to young people”, explained Zeljko Milinkovic from the Youth Initiative for Election 2006. The results of ‘street election’ will be announced on July 26; during this campaign, a whole series of round tables, forums, interviews and debates will be organized in August and September. Participants at those gatherings will try to encourage BiH politicians to develop a strategy for solving the problems of young people in BiH. RTRS- also covered. |
Prizma survey shows: over 50 % of BiH citizens are going to vote at October elections | |
| Dani pgs 12-15 ‘MPs and Ministers want raise on their large salaries’ by Vildana Selimbegovic– In interview to BH Dani, FBiH House of Representatives’ MP from |
SB: ‘Aluminij’ CEO Brajkovic rejected HDZ 1990’s offer to be candidate in elections
| Slobodna Bosna, pg 13 ‘Mijo Brajkovic rejected HDZ 1990’s offer’, by S. M. – reports that ‘Aluminij’ deputy manager for legal-staff issues, Jure Musa, will be ‘Croat Unity’s’ (coalition led by HDZ 1990) list leader for the FBiH Parliament. This happened after the ‘Aluminij’ CEO, Mijo Brajkovic, allegedly refused the same offer by the HDZ 1990 leader, Bozo Ljubic. Allegedly it is the HDZ of Croatia, foremost its senior member Luka Bebic from Metkovic, which insisted the HDZ 1990 should be recruiting as many successful business people from BiH, since it would be a wise pre-election trick. |
SB op-ed: Whoever does not play by rules of ‘schizophrenia’ set by SBiH leader Silajdzic, stands no chance at October elections
| Slobodna Bosna pgs 4-5 ‘Pre-elections political schizophrenia’ op-ed by Senad Avdic – Condemning BiH authorities for negligent attitude regarding EU integrations, editorial reads that BiH is ill society created by ill elites, adding that the name of illness is schizofreny. Harshly slamming SBiH leader Haris Silajdzic, calling him a initiator of the illness, author tries to prove that Silajdzic’ behavior is a paradigm of schizophrenia: “He is in power for 15 years, being at the same time the most prominent critic of the authorities. He took part in creating |
Deputy to Special Envoy for Kosovo Rohan: EU has to be clear that instability of Balkans cost ten times more from enlargement costs
| Der Standard ’Balkans is also Europe’ – Commenting the EU enlargement process, in an interview for Vienna-based daily, Deputy to Special Envoy for future status process for Kosovo Albert Rohan said: “It is a general assessment, that there are certain ‘bad feelings’ regarding both deepening and enlargement of the EU, but people has to be clear that the enlargement also brings stability to this region [West Balkans]. Instability in Balkans cost as ten times more as the help for enlargement.” He also noted that the approach of |
BiH MoFA Ivanic meets newly appointed French Ambassador to BiH
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Legal, audits and security issues | |
Dani points finger at judge Simmons, prosecutor McNair because Jelavic is at large
| Dani, pgs 18-20 ‘Failed attempt to have rule of law in BiH’, by Dzenana Karup-Drusko – comments the recent decision of BiH Court’s Appellate Council to annul the first-degree verdict to former leader of HDZ BiH and member of BiH Presidency, Ante Jelavic (Jelavic was found guilty of embezzling money Republic of Croatia was sending as aid to BiH Croats, sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Verdict was overturned because of ‘considerable violations of BiH Criminal Procedure Code’). Dani underline this case is probably the biggest judicial scandal, which came to be because the process was run by foreign judge (Malcolm Simmons) and foreign prosecutor (John McNair) and Dani argue that the two were not competent enough to take on the ‘Jelavic’ case although there were many evidence that show Jelavic is guilty. The weekly also notes that domestic judges, when processing similar, high-profile cases, are far better professionals than foreign judges, as evident in ‘Sarovic and others’, ‘Okic and others’ cases, since domestic judges schedule trials almost every day, unlike their foreign colleagues, who have a practice of postponing trials, which led to Jelavic getting out of detention (after maximum duration of detention of one year expired). In this context, Dani remind of the story it was the |
SB blames annulment of Jelavic sentence on
| Slobodna Bosna pg 6-9 ‘Jelavic’s crime was not sanctioned because of court’s dilettantism’ by Suzana Mijatovic and Senad Avdic – SB article blames the annulment of Jelavic sentence on BiH Court judge Malcolm Simmons and state prosecutor John McNair and specifies what their principal mistakes were: McNair, whom SB calls a ‘dilettante prosecutor who ruined all the major cases‘, made a number of mistakes during the proceedings e. g. indicting Jelavic for actions during his term in the BiH Presidency but failing to provide any evidence of that. He also charged Jelavic of actions during his membership in the bank management but failed to prove Jelavic was on the bank’s board of directors in the first place. Court panel chaired by Malcolm Simmons found Jelavic guilty for damaging the FBiH budget without specifying the amount of the damage; it also completely “overlooked” three items in the indictment concerning payment of monies to HDZ and Hague indictees which means Jelavic was neither found guilty nor acquitted of these charges. |
BiH Prosecution to take over investigations on “Vitol” and Brod Refinery cases
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘BiH Prosecution taking over investigation in “Vitol” affair’ by G.Maunaga – Izudin Berberovic, Prosecutor with Doboj District Prosecution, has stated that following consultations with BiH Prosecution, Organised Crime Department, this Department is expected to take over cases of “Vitol” and Brod Refinery until the end of this month. Berberovic stated that 22 persons, including five foreigners, are included into investigation on business dealings of Refinery since 1999 until present time. |
BH Jus Min: Inspectors examined documentation regarding payments to Delic
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Inspectors controlled payment of salaries to Delic’ by N.K. – BiH Justice Ministry Thursday confirmed that the Inspection of BiH Justice Ministry Thursday examined documentation on basis of which BiH Presidency paid 60% income to Rasim Delic, Hague war crime indictee and former advisor to BiH Presidency member, SUlejman Tihic. Slobodan Kovac, BiH Justice Minister, has stated he is not familiar with inspection results as yet. |
Audit established RS Def Ministry left behind debt of BAM 150 million
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘They left behind over BAM 150 million in debt’ by D.Gavrilovic – The RS Chief Audit Service has determined that the abolished RS Ministry of Defence has left behind a debt of approximately BAM 150 million. Hence, RS Government will have to pay out BAM 110 million to implement court rulings in suits Ministry lost. Apart from this RS Government is also to pay out debt of BAM 46 million to employees and suppliers, piling up over last few years. |
SIPA and BiH Prosecution taken over investigations on murder cases in
| Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘SIPA has engaged in investigations on unresolved murder cases’ by D.Muminovic – Zoran Mandic, recently appointed Head of the Public Security Center East Sarajevo, Thursday stated that the SIPA (State Investigation and Protection Agency), together with BiH Prosecution, has taken over investigations in some cases of unresolved murders in East Sarajevo over the last 7 years, and East Sarajevo police will continue to actively work on resolving these cases. He did not want to go in details regarding these cases, saying some have political or Mafia background. |
SB: ‘Islamic Army in
| Slobodna Bosna pgs 14-15 ‘Islamic hackers put threatening messages on SDA web-site condemning Sulejman Tihic to death’ by M.Pargan – Weekly carries that on 18 July, hackers of ‘Islamic Army in Bosnia’ breached SDA web-site, warning voters to take care whom they will give their votes at the forthcoming elections. ‘Brigade Bera ibn Malik’ brigade, who took over the responsibility for this act, had no public statements prior to this. “This religious or pre-elections pamphlet of Islamic Army in |