OHR BiH Media Round-up, 5/11/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Big cross in Mostar damaged

Investigation on terrorist suspects

HR lift bans on 23 individuals

Investigation vs. 2 terrorist suspects

Update on Stankovic case

Sport news

BIH MoD on initiation caps case

Delic’s indictment to be broadened?

Investigation on terrorist suspects

Terzic’s interview for BN TV

Int. conference on BiH in Geneva

EUFOR found illegal arms

NTV Hayat  (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Investigation on terrorist suspects

Investigation on terrorist suspects

Investigation vs. 2 terrorist suspects

HR lifts bans on dismissed politicians

HR lift bans on 23 individuals

HR pardons 36 persons

Celebration of Day of Shehids

Outcomes of int. conf. in Geneva

Bar incident in Bosanski Petrovac

Investigational-Documentary Centre

Stankovic’s case deadline extension

Explosion in Foca

Oslobodjenje

No evidence Karadzic was in BiH this year

Dnevni Avaz

I am ready to go to prison (verdict against writer Matvejhevic in Zagreb)

Dnevni List

Vandals broke spotlights near Cross

Vecernji List

She looked as if she had been sleeping (infanticide case in Zagreb)

Nezavisne Novine

23 persons pardoned

Glas Srpske

Doctors under investigation (autopsy of dead infant at B.Luka Clinical Centre: parents not satisfied)

HR rehabilitates 23 officials

HR lift bans on 23 individuals from participating in public and political life

BH TV 1, NTV Hayat, RTRS – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, issued on Friday decision lifting the prohibition banning 23 individuals from participating in public and political life. In taking the decisions in respect of these individuals the HR has consulted closely with the ICTY and other relevant international organisation. This decision does not mean that these individuals will be automatically returned to the positions they held at the time of removal. The decisions taken are based on political judgement and do not effect any ongoing legal processes these individuals may be involved in, reads the OHR’s press release. In addition, the HR lifted the decisions against 13 individuals who were removed in June and December 2004 specifically to overcome the obstructionists who were standing in the way of getting the RS to finally uphold its international obligations towards the ICTY. Should it prove necessary, the HR will not hesitate to put on the removed list these or any other individuals found to be obstructing the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement – particularly in respect of any obstruction of the work of the ICTY or the proffering assistance to persons indicted for war crimes, announces OHR.

FTV – The prohibition to work in the public sector has been lifted from all the persons except for Momcilo Ristic, who has been banned from leading positions in the Teslic municipal administration in next two years and Rasim Sahinovic who has been banned from performing any minister functions on all levels of authority. However this does not give them the automatic right to reclaim their earlier positions if these positions have been filled in the meantime.

Dnevni Avaz pg 2, announced on cover ’23 removed officials rehabilitated’ by S.Numanovic – The lsit of rehabilitated persons is as follows: Dusan Beric, Milan Bogicevic, Vojislav Gligic, Miso Glogovac, Slavko Kujundzic, Slobodan Saraba, Dragan Dobrilovic, Ilija Drpa, Ratko Misanovic, Zoran Spasojevic,  Zeljko Tadic, Zoran Ostojic, Milos Tomovic, Dusan Umicevic, Branko Trbojevic, Zaharije Simicevic, Momcilo Ristic, Milan Kecman, Milan Djuric, Stipe Maric, Stipo Babic, Ivan Damjanovic, Rasim Sahinovic.

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘23 persons pardoned’ by V.Popovic, A.Sekulic, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Bans against 36 persons abolished’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Ashdown rehabilitates those written off’ by M.Dizdar – also report

Removed SDS official Ninkovic accuses Cavic of having prepared lists for HR Ashdown

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Cavic is creator of lists for removals and pardoning’ by V.Popovic – Milan Ninkovic, former SDS official permanent removed from office, claims that Dragan Cavic, RS President, is creator of list of politicians whom Paddy Ashdown, HR to BiH, Friday rehabilitated, as well as list of 58 officials, who were removed on 30 June last year. Ninkovic says that Cavic made a list of persons, who were on the way of his political career, and then agreed on the list of people HR should remove at one lunch at Krupa na Vrbasu (settlement near Banja Luka ) last year. Ninkovic claims that those rehabilitated officials represent not threat to Cavic and political career, and will also become members of the new SDS Chair Board, which is to be elected at SDS Congress on 10 November.

Oslobodjenje op-ed critical of HR’s mandate

Oslobodjenje op-ed pg 9 ‘Go away you Prior’ by Mirko Sagolj – Writing about the HR’s mandate in BiH and end of it, the author – by making a reference to HR’s, Paddy Ashdown, interview to British papers on end of Dayton Agreement – stresses that HR’s mandate should have focused from the very beginning to the change of Dayton Agreement, removal of destructive forces from power and refugee returns, instead of having been “standing still”. He says HR started his mandate in wrong direction by having declared nationalists reformists. He concludes by saying that the majority of BiH population, regardless of HR’s “expressed love for BiH” would be happy to tell him “go away, you Prior”.

SAA talks / constitutional changes

Ney in conference in Belgrade

TV PINK – International conference “Conflict Resolving and EU Integrations – Perspectives for West Balkans” started on Friday in Belgrade. The conference was organised by NGO’s “Friedrich Neuman” Foundation and Forum for Ethnic Relations. SDHR Martin Ney stated at the conference that he can’t predict the future of BiH, adding that on December 12^th, Security Council is going to decide on start of negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement with BiH. According to Ney, BiH is still not a regulated country, and Dayton Peace Agreement had created a loose legal frame. “Celebrating the 10^th anniversary of signing of the DPA, BiH is standing at the crossing of the road from Dayton to Brussels. DPA was a perfect agreement to end a war, but very bad agreement to create a state”, said Ney. BiH Deputy Minister for Civil Affairs Zoran Tesanovic confirmed that members of BiH’s negotiation team for negotiations on SAA still haven’t been selected. He criticized the fact that this issue has become a political problem, According to Tesanovic, it is necessary to determine the platform of negotiations first, and negotiation team can be appointed later.

Oslobodjenje repeats rumours Cenic will be BiH chief negotiator on SAA talks

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Svetlana Cenic – new candidate for negotiator’ by O.Vukovic – Dialy reports referring to rumours at Banja Luka political circles that Svetlana Cenic, RS Finance Minister,will be the BiH chief negotiator on SAA talks. Daily gives background of the issue, related to Dragan Cavic’ announcement on Igor Davidovic, who gave up on candidature.

VL op-ed on chief negotiator

Vecernji List op-ed pg 2 ‘It is important to be from RS’ by Miroslav Vasilj – Raising the issue as to why RS should propose chief negotiator with EU on SAA talks, the author sarcastically stresses that OHR demand for that might be interpreted as Paddy Ashdown’s reward to Serb side for all the obstructions they made during implementation of Dayton Accords. He concludes HR should know that ethnic background is completely irrelevant in selection of chief negotiator, but instead negotiating skills, expertise in various fields, knowledge of language and patriotism do matter.

Lidija Topic: Commencement of BiH talks with EU on SAA by Christmas this year

Vecernji List pg 6, announced on cover ‘Commencement of talks with EU before Christmas’ by Mila Stankovic – Daily carries interview with Lidija Topic, BiH Ambassador at EU in Brussels, who stresses significant progress has been achieved in fulfillment of 16 conditions from EU Feasibility Study. She claims that official solemn ceremony marking commencement of talks will be held in BiH before Christmas this year, noting Great Britain, as EU Chair this year, is leading these preparations.

ECC invited all subjects to take part in selection of negotiation team

Oslobodjenje pg4 ‘Talks with EU are not matter of party and individuals’, NTV Hayat – Management of European Cultural Centre invited all subjects in BiH to take part in creation of best possible negotiations team for talks with EU on Stabilisation and Association Agreement. This issue is no longer a problem of only one party, but issue of the whole nations, stated the Centre.

Scheffer says only secure recipe for Balkan stability is membership of Balkan states in EU and NATO

Oslobodjenje pg2 ‘NATO and EU membership are crucial for stability in the Balkans’, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Membership of Balkans states in EU and NATO is of crucial importance for stability’ by BETA, RTRS – NATO General Secretary Jaap De Hoop Scheffer stated in Vienna that the only secure recipe for stability in the Balkans is membership of Balkan states in EU and NATO.

OHR refuses to comment “Vecernji list” speculations on secret report

TV PINK – According to Zagreb based newspaper “Vecernji list”, there is a secret report of OHR which reads that Croats in BiH can’t make their idea real and establish an own entity or republic, because the USA would never tolerate the existence of a Muslim mini-state in Europe. OHR refused to comment this article. OHR Spokeswoman Ljiljana Radetic said that OHR never comments any media speculations. According to “Vecernji list” edition for BiH, the mentioned report was made long time ago, during the mandate of former HR Wolfgang Petritsch.

First phase of the talks on constitutional changes closed, next one in  Brussels

BH TV 1 reports that first phase of the talks on constitutional changes, in which eight BiH political parties participated, ended in Washington. Second phase will be held in Brussels from 11 to 14 November this year, where parties’ leaders will discuss the same subject. Issues that are to be discussed in Brussels are will BiH have presidency or one president, how legislative and executive authorities would look like, etc. Parties’ positions are different on those issues. PDP supports strengthening of the BiH Parliament, but they are against the changes in three-member BiH Presidency and against giving the higher authorities to the BiH Council of Ministers (CoM), said PDP representative, Slobodan Nagradic. SDA also supports strengthening of BiH institutions. “Internal restructuring, administrative and territorial, wasn’t directly tackled, even thought there were some restrained questions and comments on this issue,” said SDA representative, Mirsad Ceman. HDZ is against opening of the issue of abolishment of cantons, while RS representatives are especially sensitive when it comes to the survival of entities, commented reporter. “Everyone first have to declare if they accept RS as administrative, territorial and constitutional part of BiH and than we can talk on country’s organisation,” said SDS President Dragan Cavic. SDS have nothing against transformation of the BiH CoM into BiH Government due to European integrations, but this party is also against changes within BiH Presidency, quotes reporter. SDP expects more serious moves, while SNSD supports constitutional changes, but only if those are realized in accordance with their declaration on BiH constitutional development. “If everything is in Sarajevo, BiH will always have a problems,” said SNSD representative, Nebojsa Radmanovic. All parties’ officials agreed that agreement on constitutional changes should be reached through dialogue.

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘The hardest is agreement on Council of Ministers’, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Consensus on BiH CoM will be the hardest to reach’, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘The consensus on BiH CoM hardest to reach’ by SRNA, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Trap called regions’ by D.Momic – also reports on Nagradic’ statement

VL releases Bishops’ proposal on regionalisation of BiH

Vecernji List pgs 4-5, announced on cover ‘Bishops and OESS agree on BiH structure’ by Miroslav Vasilj – Daily got hold of proposals regarding BiH regional structure, proposed at recent Bishops’ conference, according to which there would be four regions: Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar and Tuzla. Entities and cantons would be erased from maps.

Constitutional changes proposed by BIH bishops appropriate, says HNZ

RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Bishop’s proposal deserves attention of politicians’, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Efforts oif BiH Bishops commended’, Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Support to Bishops’ efforts on just constitutional order of BiH’ – HNZ expects that all serious political subjects in BIH should consider the proposal made by BIH Catholic bishops regarding constitutional changes in BIH. HNZ claims that the intentions of bishops were appropriate. HNZ also feels that this proposal can help the proper authorities to adopt solutions for problems in BIH.

Commentary of riots in Parisian suburbs and its connection with BIH

RHB – brings its weekly commentary on current events. This week Simunovic comments the riots in Parisian suburbs and draws a connection with BIH. Simunovic says that these riots happen every so often in countries that play a key role in transformation of BIH. He poses a question whether officials of those states are able to deal with the complexity of BIH reality if they are not able to ”clean their own back yard”. He says that international community will create a new barrel of gunpowder if it abolishes Cantons and leaves 2 entities with the announced constitutional changes in BIH. Simunovic adds that Croats in BIH should have their federal unit but that fact seems to scare the Croat parties and members of international community. He continues by saying that if that doesn’t happen international community will have to stay in BIH for a long time. Simunovic concludes that hopefully those that care about us by successfully solving the problem of their immigrants will know how to solve the enigma of BIH.

Outcomes of international conference “BiH – Ten years after Dayton and further”/Finci’ statement

FTV, RTRS – International conference “BiH – Ten years after Dayton and further” held in Geneva 15 days ago analysed BiH post-war recovery and present situation, also suggesting new developing ideas for BiH’s road to Europe. The main conclusion of the conference was that BiH citizens and politicians have to overtake the responsibilities for the situation the state is in. Representative of Association BiH 2005 have underlined that this conference was a turning point in BiH crossing from Dayton era enter the Brussels era. The Conference Chair Jakob Finci said that without personal responsibility of BiH citizens cannot hope to have the responsible state. Director of the Association BiH 2005, Cristophe Solioz said that it is important for the changes process to start today, and the responsible ones in the first place are Bosnian politicians who by their acts and not by words have to be obliged to perform these changes, adding that it is not IC that should make pressure onto politicians, but BiH citizens. In the contrast from other conferences, this one has not been dealing with security but economy and youth issues, said the reporter, adding that Association BiH 2005 will try to convert into research centre providing analysis for the centres of power in BiH and world. Association will try to work on creating the social treaty between the next High Representative and BiH citizens, ends the reporter.

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Not Europe, but BiH needs refomers being proposed’, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Support to forces ready to implement reforms’ by S.Se., Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Citizens should have main role in running admission process to EU’ by N.Krsman, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘International whip to be taken over by citizens’ by D.P.Mandic, TV PINK, NTV Hayat – also reports on conclusions of Geneva conference

Holbrooke’s interview to VoA: RS NA should not exist

Nezavisne Novine pgs 8-9 ‘It is a mistake RS NA exists’ by Voice of America –Daily carries extracts from interview Richard Holbrooke, creator of Dayton Agreement, gave to Voice of America, when he was speaking about situation in BiH and SiCG/status of Kosovo. He is of the view that Dayton Agreement, that stopped the war in BiH, was successful, stressing some changes and more decisive application need to be applied. He expressed hop[e that 10^th anniversary of Dayton Agreement would see improvement of Dayton basis, that should be super-structured. On RS, he said: “The name Republika Srpska implies existence of state within the state. That name was a mistake – they should not be let to have Parliament, since there is BiH Parliament. That was a mistake, that should be amended.”

Other political issues

NN claims SDS from East RS not satisfied with Cavic’ work – removal will be demanded at SDS Congress

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘east is dissatisfied with Cavic’ by V.P. – Daily reports referring to its source from SDS top leadership that the majority of SDS members from east RS is not satisfied with the work of SDS President, Dragan Cavic, owing to which reason they will ask his removal at the upcoming SDS Congress on 10 November. Source claims that their dissatisfaction escalated after Cavic gave a green light for police reform.

NN carries extracts from Draft document on establishment of Directorate for police reform implementation

Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Integrated police is basic task’ by A.Sekulic – Daily carries extracts from Draft Document regarding establishment of Polcie Reform Directorate (which was prepared by BiH CoM and of which NN got hold), noting that the basic task of the Directorate would be to establish unified and integrated police force at the state level. If local representatives at this institution fail to reach agreement on some issue, the international representative will have a final word on the issue. The Directorate will have to prepare a plan for implementation of police reform by 30 September 2006. According to this draft, the International Representative (post to be assumed by EUPM Commissioner) and BiH citizen (post to be assumed other members of the body will rotate on the position) will be chairing Steering Board of the Directorate, while other members of the Board will be: Director and Deputies of SIPA and SBS, entities’ Polcie Directors, two Cantonal police commissioners, Brcko District Police Chief, Director and Deputy Director of the executive body and international representative. The Executive Body of the Directorate will be consisted of: Director, deputy director, ten experts-professionals and logistics personnel.

SDS to propose RS education minister Sunday

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Names of candidates for education minister today’ by G.M. – Bosko Siljegovic, SDS Vice President, confirmed that following consultations at SDS, it was decided that Election Unit 5 from Zvornik should propose the candidate for the position of the RS Education Minister, noting that consultations with potential candidates are ongoing and names of proposed candidates will be revealed tomorrow (Sunday).

Oslobodjenje op-ed: Message from Belgrade

Oslobodjenje op-ed pg 9 ‘Message from Belgrade’ by Daniel Omeragic – Writing about latest meeting in Belgrade between Dragan Cavic, RS President, and SiCG officials, the author stresses that Serb leaders have voiced out message on the eve of commencement of SAA talks that any re-ordering of borders ion the Balkans is out of question. However, he raises the question what if Kosovo got independent, stressing that only strong European presence in Serbia and BiH would then drive away aspirations of those, who would wish to substitute loss of Kosovo with breaking of BiH into parts, regardless of the message voiced out from Belgrade .

Covic and Ljubic going to Brussels to meet EPP

Dnevni List pg 5, announced on cover ‘Covic and Ljubic to travel to Martens together!?’ by Z.Jukic – Daily reports referring to tis sources at HDZ that HDZ of BiH delegation will travel to Brussels Monday to meet with leadership of the European People’s Party (EPP), in order to clear put numerous problems arising in relations between these two parties, following election of the new leadership of the HDZ. According to daily’s source, EPP leadership sent out message to Dragan Covic that he would be attending the meeting under condition he is accompanied with Bozo Ljubic.

Preparations for Igman conference dedicated to 10^th anniversary of DA

RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Marovic at meeting of Igman initiative’ – SCG President Svetozar Marovic will arrive in Sarajevo on Monday to participate in the meeting of Igman initiative. Meeting is dedicated to 10^th anniversary of Dayton Agreement. He will also meet with members of BIH Presidency as well as Croatian President Stjepan Mesic.

Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘BiH Presidency has not as yet harmonised a joint statement’ by Z.P. – Sejfudin Tokic, President of the BiH Forum of Democratic Alternative, told daily that the text of a joint statement of the 11^th session of Igman initiative, which is to commence in Sarajevo Sunday, has not been harmonised as yet. According to him, the most important issues included in statement are that BiH Constitution needs to be harmonised with the European and NATO standards, that relations between BiH, SiCG and Croatia are based on non-interference into internal affairs and respect of sovereignty.

RS Government in session

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘National prevention plan adopted’ by S.Gojkovic/R.Rakic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘End to painstaking job’ by G.Dakic,TV PINK, BH TV 1, NTV Hayat – In its Friday session, RS Government adopted the report on implementation of laws on property rights and the national alert plan in case of bird flue epidemics. According to RS Government, most claims for return of property have been successfully resolved during past six years. There are about 400 unsolved cases, which refer to unclear sale of real estates. Speaking about prevention measures against bird flue, RS Government Spokeswoman Cvijeta Kovacevic stated that RS Government is ready to take measures for protection of poultry farmers and food producers who are negatively effected by bird flue.

RS Government announced that professor Radomir Lukic is not working legally as of 10^th of October

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Grades Lukic gave to students annuled’ by A.S., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Inspections in game as well’ by N.G.,RTRS – RS Government announced that professor Radomir Lukic is not working legally as of 10^th of October. It reminded that OHR dismissed Lukic from the position of Eastern Sarajevo Law Faculty dean and every ignoring of this decision reflects on the work of this faulty. RS Finance Minister Svetlana Cenic stated that she humiliated herself with HR Paddy Ashdown due to Lukic. She added that a compromise solution was found but Lukic declined it. She concluded that if OHR was to declare that she endangers RS Institutions she would leave immediately.

Defence/Security issues

Gregorian on budget for defence in 2006

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Low budget for defence does not lead BiH towards NATO’ by I.Sinanovic – In a statement to daily, Raffi Gregorian, Chairperson of the Defence Reform Commission, explains his fear related to low budget BiH is to assign to defence, revealing that he was told members of the National Fiscal Council are attempting to cut down the budget for 2006 from BAM 300 million, as planned, to BAM 260 million. On this he stresses: “Such a low budget will not facilitate the implementation of defence reform and will also seriously jeopardised chances of seeing BiH become respectable candidate for the NATO. That amount is in contradiction with demands stipulated in Law on defence striving for NATO membership.”

Terzic stated for BN TV that there is connection between individuals from security-police system and criminals

RHB – Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic stated for BN TV that there is connection between individuals from security-police system and criminals. He especially stressed the examples from State Border Service. He added that smuggling in Bijeljina area is at its best especially when members of SBS patrols are of one nation.

BIH Prosecution starts investigation against 2 foreigners suspected of terrorism

RHB, TV PINK, BH TV 1, FTV, RTRS – BIH Prosecution started an investigation against 2 foreigners suspected of terrorism and possession of illegal weapons. BIH Prosecution announced that the 2 persons in question are Mirsad Bektasevic and Cesur Abdul Kadir who were arrested on 19^th October and are still in custody.

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Official investigation against Baktasevic and Abdulkadir launched’ by S.T., Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Order for investigation’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Bektasevic and Abdulkadir suspected of terrorism’ by M.C. – also report

EUFOR found illegal arms and ammunition near the Mostar airport

BH TV 1, NTV Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Illegal weapons found’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Weapons found’ by J.Blazevic– Spanish members of EUFOR have found illegal arms and ammunition near the Mostar airport. EUFOR troops have checked the arms prior to handing it over to Mostar police on further investigation. This was the third case of finding illegal arms and ammunition near Mostar.

War Crimes

Leakey’ interview to Dnevni Avaz: Karadzic is not a free man

Oslobodjenje cover pg splash, pgs 4-5 ‘No evidence Karadzic was in BiH this year’ by Antonio Prlenda – In an interview to daily, David Leakey, EUFOR Commander, explains the latest EUFOR action in Sarajevo (in conjunction with local police when vehicles were checked in Sarajevo centre), saying it bear fruits, since information were collected and forwarded to prosecutor. He notes action was carried out as one of such in the fight against organized crime. He concludes interview by assuring the journalists that “nobody ahs seen Karadzic in BiH during the course of this year, according to information I hold.” According to inset ‘Terrorist cells’, he expressed satisfaction with the level of information available about Karadzic, proving “Karadzic has no freedom to move around. He is not a free man. In some way, he is already in prison…I am of the view Mladic and Karadzic are now living as a sort of terrorist cell into which you managed to infiltrate and then disperse it into minor ones. It is a classical example of terrorist tactics.”

Indictment against Stankovic still not harmonised with local laws

TV PINK, NTV Hayat, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘BiH Prosecution demands extension of deadline until 14 December’, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘They demand another month to adjust indictment’ by SRNA– BiH Prosecution requested from BiH Court a one-month prolongation of deadline for harmonisation of ICTY indictments against Radovan Stankovic with local laws. Stankovic has been transferred from Hague to Sarajevo in September. This is the fist case that has been transferred from ICTY to a local court in former Yugoslavia.

Miscellaneous

Day of shehids marked

Dnevni Avaz pg 3, announced on cover ‘If we forget them, we will forget ourselves’ by S.Turcalo, Oslobodjenje pg 7, announced on cover ‘They gave their lives for homeland, truth, justice and man’– Dailies report on marking of Day of Shehids at the cemetery Kovaci, led by delegation of the Islamic Religious Community in BiH.

Electronic media also report on celebration of 2^nd day of Ramadan.

Unknown perpetrators desecrated Cross near Hum

Dnevni List cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘Vandals broke spotlights near Cross’ by N.Dedic, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Assault against Cross’, announced on cover ‘Cross at Hum hill stoned’ by Darko Juka, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Spotlights beneath the Cross broken’ – carry press statement of Mostar Bishop’s Office condemning breaking of spotlights and desecration of Cross at Hum near Mostar.

Former Head of OHR ACCU appointed as BiH Court Judge

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Dauster appointed as BiH Court judge’ by M.Cu. – Branko Peric, President of the HJPC, Friday confirmed that Manfred Dauster, former head of OHR ACCU, was Friday appointed Judge at BiH Court , Department for organized crime and corruption.

Croatian Gov. to sign agreement with BiH Gov. regulating the rights of HVO members, war victims

BH TV 1 – The Croatian government decided on Thursday to launch the procedure to sign a cooperation agreement with the BiH government regulating the rights of war victims in the neighbouring country who were members of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) and of their families.At the beginning of next year a law regulating the rights of war veterans and their families will go into force in FBiH. The law will considerably restrict the rights of the families of HVO soldiers who were killed, imprisoned or went missing during the war, as well as of disabled war veterans.

NHI welcomes extension of users of Croatian veteran’s pensions to members of HVO

RHB – NHI welcomed the initiative of Croatian Government to extend the circle of users of Croatian veteran’s pensions to members of HVO. It also expressed worry over the future status of HVO war invalids since their status will be resolved in 2007/2008. NHI reminds that due to new FBIH law income of HVO veterans will be reduced significantly.