OHR BiH Media Round-up, 21/5/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Pan-European conf. on Aluminj

HR on constitutional amendments

Athens : Eurosong finale

Financial plan on Vc by end of year

Election applications arrive

BiH on BiH song for Eurosong

FBiH Police Administ. on salary coef.

Feature on housing loans

Regional News

Call of Comm. on citizenship revision

Entrepreneurs fair in Sarajevo

World News

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

HR on constitutional changes

Fornication related arrest in Tesanj

Athens : Eurosong finale

Silajdzic appointed President of SBIH

Zeps Inter metal fair

Regional News

LDS changes name

Pan EU members visit Aluminij

Tihomir Burzanovic live from CG

Car accident near Bijeljina

Entrepreneurs fair in Sarajevo

Reactions to Terzic’s statement

Oslobodjenje

Croatian Government gave in to public pressure

Dnevni Avaz

Return of Haris Silajdzic

Dnevni List

There will not be World Cup on cable TV [BHT1 has exclusive rights to broadcast Football World Cup games]

Vecernji List

They were beating us and yelling “kill Ustashas” [two young man were attacked and injured in Mostar by a group of hooligans]

Nezavisne Novine

Many might walk again [New methods in medical treatment of spinal cord]

Political developments

Haris Silajdzic elected Party for BiH President, announces he would run for BiH Presidency member

BHT1 – Haris Silajdzic was elected SBiH Chair at the second convention of SBiH. SBiH Presidency proposed Silajdzic and there were no opposing candidates. “The first reason is that I was under pressure by SBiH members to get actively involved in politics again, second reason is aggressiveness of the trend for BiH separation due to different reasons. I can see one League that will oppose this trend”, said Silajdzic. Guests at the convention also showed support to Silajdzic. Dubravko Horvat from HDZ 1990 said that Silajdzic has charisma and image to implement political concept that is acceptable and joint for BiH. “Return of Dr. Silajdzic does not only have a goal that Dr. Silajdzic runs the party but to gather broader spectrum of political options that are ready to build European BiH”, said Safet Halilovic, former SBiH Chair. TV Hayat, FTV – Silajdzic announced he would run for the BiH Presidency member. Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Return of Haris Silajdzic’ by E. Sarac – those who attended the convention as guests were SDU’s Sejfudin Tokic, BOSS’s Mirnes Ajanovic, HDZ 1990’s Dubravko Horvat, leader of the Republicans Mladen Potocnik, leader of BH Democrats Sead Avdic and academic Muhamed Filipovic. Inset ‘Safet Halilovic endured all attacks’ – quotes Filipovic as saying he is grateful Silajdzic had returned to the political scene and he is satisfied Halilovic had endured all attacks ‘that might have looked like attacks against Party for BiH, but were actually attacks against the state of BiH. The battle was won with difficulties, but by rejecting faulty amendments that were promoted by pathetic politicians the battle was won’. Inset ‘Political scene will become more serious’ – SDU’s Tokic assessed that the political scene will become more serious due to Sijaldzic’s come-back.  RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Haris Silajdzic again elected president’ by Srna, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Silajdzic at the head of the Party for BiH’ by eme – also reported.

HR CSS expects constitutional amendments would be adopted after October elections

TV Pink, TV Hayat, RTRS – HR Christian Schwarz Schilling stated that he doesn’t believe that constitutional changes will be adopted before October elections. He added that he expects that Council of Ministers and BIH Parliament will constructively work on constitutional amendments until October elections. Speaking about his visit to Croatia, the HR said that conflicts between Croat politicians in BiH are not helping BiH on its path towards EU and added that Croatian PM Ivo Sanader agrees with this evaluation. RTRS – HR CSS added that he expects that Council of Ministers and BiH Parliament constructively work on constitutional amendments until October elections in order to correct bad picture that was sent from the BiH to EU.

Politicians’ comments on SNSD’s presentation of model for constitutional changes: idea good, but launched too early

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Initiative good, but launched too early’ by D. Muminovic and D. Bojanic – Following SNSD’s presentation of a model for changes to BiH Constitution [See OHR BiH Media Round-up: May 20, 2005], representatives of political parties mostly agree the idea is good but was launched too early. SDA’s Sulejman Tihic said everyone knows BiH cannot enter Europe with the existing Parliament, Presidency and CoM and added ‘we must adopt changes before elections and SNSD’s plan might be applied in the second phase of the constitutional changes, after elections’. PDP’s Neveka Trifkovic said the party thinks everything that would have a positive effect in finding a solution to the problem is acceptable. HDZ 1990’s Martin Raguz said the party supports SNSD’s proposal, while HDZ’s Miso Relota thinks SNSD’s proposal was launched too early, added: ‘I think it is not realistic to expect some kind of complementary elections to be organised’ and stressed it will not be possible, most probably, to implement constitutional changes before 2010. SDS’s Mladen Bosic said there is no room to discuss constitutional changes at the moment. SPRS’s Petar Djokic also agrees it is not realistic to discuss constitutional changes on the eve of elections.

Leader of NDS Nedzad Latic says the party will affirm Bosniak identity, criticises SDA over fight for power

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘SDA’s flag should feature a tail between legs instead of crescent’ by T. Lazovic – In an interview to DA, leader of People’s Bosniak Party (NDS) Nedzad Latic has stated he had decided to reactivate the party, which was registered four years ago, with an aim to affirm Bosniak national identity adding: ‘This is the only political party that will not be hiding its national name’. He compared the party’s political views with the views of People’s Croatian Party (NHS) of Vesna Pusic in Croatia. Asked whether the party supports the national organization of the state, three members of Presidency and national voting, Latic replied: ‘No, but we respect the reality…everyone in BiH should work in the interest of their peoples but Bosniaks, as majority people, are the most responsible for coexistence’. He also commented on SDA by saying its ideas have eroded to such extent over careers that the party is even capable of creating conflicts and splits among Bosniaks over fight for power and added: ‘All I can say about SDA is that its flag should feature a tail between legs instead of crescent’.

Croatia asked for revision of border with BiH near Klek peninsula and Veliki and Mali Skolj islands

TV Hayat – Reporter stated that BIH politicians are facing another test since Croatia has asked for the revision of the border with BIH regarding the peninsula Klek and two small islands Veliki i Mali Skolj. Mugdim Cukle, Head of Commission on borders, stated that “it is interesting that with the issues of PlocePort, construction of bridge mainland – Peljesac at the time when BiH mentions possible construction of Neum Port, Croatia comes out with request for the revision of the border in Neum area”.  Bakir Tanovic, Head of Initiative Board on corridor Vc declaration, labelled this move as a diplomatic one made with an aim “to gain something they do not have any rights to”.  The reporter stated that allegedly Croatia received some documents proving that BIH has illegally got into possession of the abovementioned islands. On the other hand, BIH has been given this territory according to the Agreement from the Former Yugoslavia under OHR’s supervision. Cukle added that the commissions have used all the valid documentation available at the time of the negotiations “and it cannot be disputed”. Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pgs 4-5 ‘Croatian Government gave in to public pressure’ by Darjan Zadravec – In mid November 2005 Croatian Government requested from Croatian Parliament to ratify an agreement on state borders between Croatia and BiH, which was signed by former BiH and Croatian Presidents Alija Izetbegovic and Franjo Tudjman respectively in 1999. However, Croatian Government changed its mind only ten days later saying the Agreement should be discussed again by Inter-state Border Commission.

Expert Alikadic: BiH has the right to access to open sea / CoM Chair Terzic: we have valid arguments and nothing to fear of

TV Hayat by Senad Hadzifejzovic – In the interview to TV Hayat, expert Nedzad Alikadic explained that BIH has the right to the free access to open sea since it inherited the international agreement signed by Former Yugoslavia as well as Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro. Alikadic displayed the naval map explaining the possible BIH sea border. While analysing the map, Alikadic explained that Croatia has illegally deprived BIH of the access to sea by issuing the law and making the straight-line border, which is against the BIH’s interest. In the interview to TV Hayat, Chairman of BIH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic stated: “We have decided to have BIH Commission on borders, meaning experts, dealing with this issue”. Alikadic suggested to Terzic BIH Parliament should adopt a resolution on independent access to the open sea. Terzic stated that the commission on borders has signed the agreement on BIH’s territorial access to the sea. “This leaves the second phase when we will discuss the issue of access to the open sea…We have valid arguments so there is nothing to fear of. I am glad to have reached the agreement with (Croatian Prime Minister Ivo) Sanader to have this issue solved by experts and not by politicians” added Terzic.

CoM Chair Terzic: Croatian PM Sanader said agreement on Ploce Port will not be signed

TV Hayat By Senad Hadzifejzovic – In the interview to TV Hayat Chairman of BIH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic commented the agreement between Croatia and BIH regarding the PlocePort and confirmed Croatian PM Ivo Sanader told him that the agreement would not be signed. Terzic stated that this agreement has been offered to BIH in 2003 by Racan’s Government adding that on their pressure Terzic responded by saying that BIH might ask for BarPort services. The reporter asked why BIH doesn’t construct its own Port in Neum and Terzic replied that BIH authorities have selected construction of corridor Vc as a strategic goal. Terzic said that politicians are for the exit to Neum and construction of the port and added that they need to develop a feasibility study for all of this. “We need people to be interested in funding that project” added Terzic.

BOSS’s Ajanovic pleads for withdrawal of decision on F BiH policemen’s salaries

FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘BOSS demands a special session of F BiH Parliament to be held’ not signed – BOSS Chair Mirnes Ajanovic appealed to FBIH House of Representatives Chair to hold a special session unless FBIH Government withdraws a decision by which salaries to policemen will be reduced by 20% [See OHR BiH Media Round-up: May 20, 2006].

RS Associations, NGOs criticise CoM Chair’s statement re forming of Commission for investigation of sufferings of Sarajevo Serbs

RTRS – Nedeljko Mitrovic, Chair of RS Association of Families of Fallen and Missing Soldiers called all the RS Representatives in BiH Institutions to boycott work in those institutions due to the statement of Adnan Terzic, BiH Council of Ministers Chair that the Commission on suffering of Serbs in Sarajevo will not be established. Association of Serb NGOs SPONA called Terzic to resign. SPONA also called the RS Representatives in BiH Institutions to stop their work until Terzic resigns. According to SPONA, if Serb Representatives in BiH institutions do not act in accordance with its request, it would be considered as betrayal of Serb national interest. RS Association of families of fallen and missing soldiers and civilians from East Sarajevo also believe that RS Representatives in BiH institutions should freeze their activities until Commission on suffering of Serbs in Sarajevo is established. This Association believes that Terzic by his stance participate in hiding crimes committed over Serbs. RS Association of Missing Persons from Sarajevo-Romanija Region also believes that Terzic by his actions hides crimes and criminals.

Returnees to Mostar suggest to Ambassador McEhaney a supervisor for Mostar should be appointed

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Returnees asked from McElhaney to appoint a supervisor’ by F. Vele – US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney and representatives of several NGOs from USA on Friday paid an unofficial visit to Pijesci returnee settlement in Mostar. Chairman of the Coordination of Returnee Associations from Mostar Ibrahim Rahimic said they informed the Ambassador on disastrous situation in Mostar and asked from him to do everything he can to ‘stop raging of fascism and apartheid in Mostar’. He said the returnees suggest a supervisor of Mostar should be appointed in order to overcome this situation.

Economy

Delegation of Pan-European conference visited “Aluminij”

RHB, FTV, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘A status of special consumer for “Aluminij”’byM. V. – A Delegation of the Pan-European conference visited “Aluminij” firm in Mostar. Director of “Aluminj” Jura Musa stressed the importance of the company for BiH and emphasized the problem with electricity payments. On this occasion, representative of Pan-European conference Haris Tahmaz stated that “Aluminij” should get a special treatment with regard to electricity contributions. 

Debts to RS Elektroprivreda to be re-programmed

TV Pink – Debts to RS Elektroprivreda amount more than 200 million BAM. In order to resolve this problem, RS Government has decided to enable re-programming of debts to all electricity users. According to advisor in RS Ministry of Energy Milorad Zivkovic, all debts made before January 1 will be included in this program.

Miscellaneous

DA sources: ICJ to publish verdict in BiH lawsuit vs. SiCG on Feb 7, 2007

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Verdict on February 7 next year?’ by S. Numanovic – International Court of Justice (ICJ) might publish its verdict in the lawsuit of BiH against SiCG on February 7, 2007, as according to several anonymous sources of Dnevni Avaz, and not in September this year as it was previously expected.

Bosniak liaison officer with ICTY Ahmic: Kostunica is not arresting Mladic in order to politically survive

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Kostunica is not arresting Mladic due to his own political career’ by E. Sarac – Bosniak liaison officer with the Hague Tribunal Amir Ahmic has stated that the key reason why Hague indictees Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic have not been arrested as yet was [Serbian PM] Vojislav Kostunica’s political survival, i.e. fear of the current Belgrade authorities that both the Government and parties currently on power might be “wiped off” the political map of Serbia if they extradite the two indictees.