OHR BiH Media Round-up, 29/1/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Col. Djogo arrested inBelgrade

Politika on Djogo arrest

Djogo arrested in Belgrade

Regional news

Dodik to be new PM Designate

Del Ponte sets new deadline

Sarovic’s custody extended

Ivanic on Government’s removal

Conference on war crimes in Foca

BIH CC organises public discussion

Public Discussion of BiH Const. Court

Regional News

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

BIH CC organises public discussion

Conference on war crimes in Foca

Public Discussion of BiH Const. Court

Col. Djogo arrested in Belgrade

Djogo arrested in Belgrade

Decisions of BiH Constitutional Court

Kandic on events in Foca

EU to stop SAA talks with SCG?

Socialist party expelled Djuric&Skrbic

Regional news

BiH Constitutional Court in session

Jovan Djogo arrested

Oslobodjenje

Discriminating symbols are discouraging for returnees to the RS

Dnevni Avaz

[ ESI :] BiH Image in Europe worst then Bosnian reality

Dnevni List

Six trucks of merchandise confiscated in China town

Vecernji List

Croat Canton from Stolac to Livno

Nezavisne Novine

No conditions for saving lives [related to mountaineer services]

Political issues

BiH Constitutional Court discusses entity symbols, no conclusion reached; Decision by end of March

BHT1 by Marina Boskovic – During the session held on Saturday, BiH Constitutional Court discussed the request filed by the member of BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic to assess constitutionality of the entity symbols and RS Law on holidays. The session ended without concrete results. FBiH and RS representatives presented a series of contradictory stances. Tihic’s representative Alma Colo said symbols representing only one people were discriminating and discouraging for returnees. She emphasized that there are municipalities in RS, such as Kalinovik or Gacko, with return rate of 0,5%. RS representative before the BiH Constitutional Court Hans Peter Schneider said that such statements are politically motivated, adding that the RS symbols don’t have such effect on the return but social and economic situation. Tihic’s representative Muhamed Filipovic stated that the entity symbols must either represent all peoples, or be completely neutral. RS representative and heraldic expert Dragomir Acovic claimed that the two-headed eagle in the RS coat of arms is not a symbol of Serb dynasty of Nemanjic, but a universal symbol of empire. He also claimed that the four letters on the RS flag don’t represent the letters “S” [in cyrlicis], but a drawing of a tool to light fire. Unlike RS, FBiH Parliament supports the initiative for change of entity symbols. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Decision on constitutionality of coat of arms and flags in March’ by R. Cengic – Judge Seada Palavric has been excluded from the discussion, because she was member of FBiH House of Representatives when the FBiH law on entity symbols was adopted. Final decision on entity symbols is expected within 20 days. BiH CC is to bring decision by end of March. RHB, FTV, Hayat– also reported.   Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pg 4-5 ‘Discriminating symbols are discouraging returning to the RS’ by S. Sehercehajic; Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Prominent positioning of symbols of only one people is discouraging the returning’ by A. Malagic Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Symbols of entity reason of decreased returning process’ by Erna Mackic– BiH CC discussion

RS President Cavic: if BiH CC decides to change symbols, that would be biggest political problem in future

PINK – RS President Dragan Cavic said that if the decisions by the BiH Constitutional Court on the entity symbols is to be negative decision for the RS, future negotiations on the constitutional changes would be endangered. “[Such decision] would represent, in my opinion, the hardest political problem in future regarding all political issues on the agenda. It will confirm manifestation of determination of Mr. [Sulejman] Tihic and like-minded persons that RS should disappear with all its attributes and identities,” said Cavic. RTRS – Krstan Simic, SNSD said that has never heard anyone being disturbed with RS symbols.

HR Ashdown welcomes EC’s document “West Balkan on the way to the EU”

FTV – Outgoing High Representative Paddy Ashdown welcomed the document entitled “West Balkan on the way to the EU” issued by EC, which suggests liberalisation of visa regime for the West Balkan countries. “This is the first step on the road which will end with the full liberalisation of the visa regime”, stated Ashdown in the press release issued on Saturday. Ashdown reminded that he and Chair of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic had been repeatedly pleading for liberalisation of the visa regime for BiH citizens in EU circles. RHB, PINK, BHT1, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Freer approach to the Europe’- Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ashdown fully supported liberalization of visas’ regime’- also covered.

New Dean of Eastern Sarajevo Faculty of Law appointed

FTV – Newly appointed Legal Council of East Sarajevo Law Faculty elected Dragan Pantic for new Dean of the faculty. High Representative Paddy Ashdown dismissed Former Dean Radomir Lukic in June 2004. However, Lukic refused to withdraw from his position. Since October 2005, OHR has been urging RS Government to implement HR’s decision on Lukic’s removal. Failure to remove Lukic resulted in dismissal of RS Minister for Education and Culture. Milovan Pecelj. BHT1, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Dragan Pantic Dean of Faculty of Law in East Sarajevo’ Nezavisne Novine pg ‘Dragan Pantic elected for a Dean’- also carried.

VL brings proposal for new internal BiH structure: Croat canton from Stolac to Livno

Vecerni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Croat Canton from Stolac to Livno’ by Dejan Jazvic– After outgoing High Representative Paddy Ashdown stated that BiH would have to draw new internal borders, SDA expert Omer Ibrahimagic came out with a proposal. According to Ibrahimagic Tuzla and Posavina Cantons would merge, as well as Ze- Do Canton with Midle Bosnia Canton, and just as well as Zapadna Hercegovina with Hercegovina Neretva Canton. On the other side Canton Sarajevo would merge with East Sarajevo. When RS is concerned, it would be divided in few regions, established on geographica; and economic standards.

VL: Christian Schwarz Schilling takes over OHR on Wednesday; change would not affect current staff

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Schilling arrives to Sarajevo today’ by Eldina Medunjanin– Official transfer of mandate between outgoing and new High Representatives, respectably Paddy Ashdown and Christian Schwarz Schilling would be preformed on Tuesday, while new HR would start working on Wednesday. According to the author, new HR would bring only few of his closest associates, while majority of OHR staff wouldn’t be affected by transition.

NN assesses HR Ashdown’s mandate: his good work cannot be denied, but also mistakes of allowing compromised people in OSA

Nezavisne Novine pg 10-11 ‘Once upon a time in BiH’ by Almedin Sisic– Author brings short chronology of decisions made during the mandate of outgoing High Representative Paddy Ashdown. Among others, NN stresses out [without commenting the success] establishment of the BiH Court , dismissal decisions in the RS and cooperation with the ICTY. Commenting the VAT introduction, author says although Ashdown was not directly involved he was partially to blame that BiH was not unprepared for this fiscal reform. Author concludes that Ashdown was the most controversial HR, whose good deeds can not be denied, but nevertheless a man who allowed people with ‘compromised past’ to be employed in BiH intelligence agency. 

Hayat poll on HR Ashdown’s mandate: majority believes more could have been done

Hayat – Hayat carried out poll among citizens who were asked to grade the mandate of the HR Paddy Ashdown. Out of about 1230 citizens who called to vote, 234 said he did everything he could, 166 believes he could have done more and 832 voted he has not done enough.

VL: European diplomats urge BiH politicians, US Ambassador McElhany to continue with const. changes talks

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Europeans a for continuance of negotiations’ by Zoran Kresic– According to some sources, European Diplomats have met with BiH politicians on several occasions during the past week, asking them and US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney to continue negotiations on constitutional changes. Author reminded that Croatian parties do not see purpose; since talks could return to the begging, Ser parties used this interruption to devote to inter-entity fights, while Bosniak parties are supporting the American initiative to continue negotiations.

RS Government reshuffle

SPRS excludes two members for not casting no-confidence vote to RS Govt; SP’s Gligoric: Cavic to appoint Djuric as PM designate

BHT1 by Boris Gagic – Presidency of RS Socialist Party decided to expel the RS National Assembly members Dragutin Skrebic and Nedjo Djuric from this party. According to official explanation they ignored the official stance of their party and refused to vote no confidence to the RS Government. Skrebic and Djuric probably won’t offer their RSNA seats to the Socialist Party and would continue to act as independent MP’s. Tihomir Gligoric from SP believes that RS President Dragan Cavic is going to appoint Djuric as new RS Prime Minister Designate, since there were similar speculations when the RS Government was reshuffled one year ago. According to Gligoric, Djuric is soon going to meet with Cavic to discuss the position of PM Designate. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Djuric and Skrbic expelled from the Party’ Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Nedjo Djuric expelled from SP’

SNSD leader Dodik: I have support of other parties for PM designate appointment

PINK By Natasa Sjeric- Milorad Dodik, SNSD leader said that has necessary votes for support to new Prime Minister Designate. Dodik added that expects call from RS President Dragan Cavic for consultation and agreement on new Government. “At this moment, we, in SNSD, have support of sufficient number of people to form new Government. But this decision does not depend on us. It depends on President of RS who should appoint Prime Minster Designate and who is at the same time SDS leader and has his own political demands that would probably bring certain turbulence in RS. Regarding position of PM designate, there is general opinion that PM designate should be me, and in that regard other political parties are giving support to that”- said Dodik. Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘I expect Cavic’s invitation for establishment of new government’-

SNSD’s Dodik: New Govt could be appointed by 15 February

Nezavisne Novine pg 8-9 ‘We have majority for establishment of RS Government’ by Vesna Popovic– in interview to NN, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stressed that RS could have new Government by February 15 if there is a political will. Dodik stressed that SNSD has prepared a new concept for the Government, stressing that no one can could on any privileges and that Ministers would have to put all interest below the RS’s. Commenting the accusations that he met Tihic secretly, Dodik confirmed the meeting took place but to discuss constitutional changes. Dodik stressed that accusations coming from RS President Dragan Cavic were particularly revolting, considering “all things” SDS offered to SDA in exchange for a support to [Pero] Bukejlovic’s Government.

RTRS speculations: SDS ’ secret meetings to make new RSNA majority

RTRS– RTRS speculates that the secret meeting that was held in Teslic [date not specified] between representatives of SDS, Pensioners’ Party, DSS, Serb Radical Party and expelled SPRS member Nedjo Djuric with an agenda to find majority for the new Government.

PDP leader: Dismissal of RS Govt was expected; SDS member Paravac: Govt was replaced because it was successful

FTV– PDP leader and BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic stated that the dismissal of RS Government lead by Pero Bukejlovic was expected, because it didn’t adopt a single serious economic reform law. According to Ivanic, SDS has been putting the party’s interests above the interests of RS. SDS official and member of BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac said that RS Government was removed because it represented a danger for the forthcoming elections. “[The Government] was dismissed because it was good and successful, and because it would have been successful in the future too”, Paravac said. PINK– carried Ivanic’s statement. Nezavsne Novine pg 3 ‘SDS’s Government has done nothing’ by D.R, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Why PDP voted against the Government’ – PDP distributed flyers in Banja Luka titled ‘Why we voted for RS Government’s replacement’, which stressed that this was an SDS ’s Government and not of RS.

SDA’s Kebo: I see no sense in RS President’s claims on secret deals on telecom/EPs privatisation

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘I see no sense in Cavic’s combinations’ by A. Malagic– Commenting the statements of RS President Dragan Cavic who accused SDA and SNSD for secret meetings about privatization of telecom and “Elektroprivreda’, member of SDA Presidency and BiH Minister of Human Rights and Refugees Mirsad Kebo stated that SDA leader Sulejman Tihic and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik have met to discuss possibilities for continuing of talks on constitutional changes.  Kebo stressed that Cavic is a serious politician whose behaviour should contribute to modernization of the country. “Because of that I see no sense in his combnatorics, except of need to turn the attention of the public from the fact that one government lost the confidence” stated Kebo

Oslobodjenje comments: SNSD has certain majority in RSNA for new Government

Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘SDS accused SNSD and SDA for secret agreements’, mentioned on cover by O. Vuckovic– Daily comments that after the RS Government was dismissed a “fuss” on appointment of the new Prime Minister designate is becoming worse and worse. Author adds the RS President Dragan Cavic acts like parties were never present at the political scene in the RS, accusing them for lack of principles, especially SNSD. On the other side, as daily comments, SNSD has support of the majority. PDP leader Mladen Ivanic and SDA leader Sulejman Tihic confirmed this, by saying that they are going to support the new Government if their interests are respected.

Op- ed comment: Everything is possible now, as new HR would not interfere and outgoing has no time with to deal with RS PM designate

Oslobodjenje op-ed “Caricature’ pg 9by Senka Kurtovic– In light of crisis in the RS Government and the fact that SNSD leader Milorad Dodik would probably be appointed for Prime Minister Designate, author comments that is possible now in time when High Representative Paddy Ashdown is leaving, reminding that he was the one how ceased the previous appointment of Dodik, reminding to his criminal charge. Author comments that everything is possible now, because new HR Christian Schwarz Schilling would not deal with issues of PM designate, while the outgoing HR has no time, since he is too busy travelling all over BiH and sending his last farewells. Author comments that Austrian Ambassador has gave HR a caricature, where HR and his wife are presented as royal couple, with capes made of BiH flag.

ESI Director: BiH would have difficulties with membership and candidate status, due its image in the EU

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash and pg 2 ‘BiH Image in Europe worst then Bosnian reality’ by S. Turcalo– Director of European Stability Initiative (ESI) Gerald Knaus is convinced that BiH is going to sign the SAA with the EU in next 12 months, because EC believes that as well. Knaus stressed that BiH is now much more stabile then Macedonia was, stressing that EC has huge respect for BiH negotiating team, which showed all its competence. He believes that BiH would have much more difficulties with the status of candidate and membership alone, since BiH ‘s image in the EU is worst then the BiH reality is. “BiH is there observed as a country in which crime is much larger then in other countries of the Balkans. But, if we look at the statistics that is not true” stated Knaus.

War crimes

Chief of Security of Ratko Mladic, Jovo Djogo arrested in Serbia

BHT1– Serbian Police arrested Jovo Djogo, former Colonel of RS Army and former Chief of Security of Ratko Mladic, suspected of protecting Mladic and helping him to hide. Djogo’s arrestment is part of activities aimed to locate Mladic. Djogo was mentioned in public for the first time last year, when former Serbian chief of security Goran Petrovic stated that Mladic had been protected by SCG Army and RS Army for a long time, when Djogo had acted as coordinator between the two Armies. During the war in BiH, Djogo was commander of unit that was in charge for protection of RS Army headquarters in Han Pijesak. According to unofficial sources, Serbian military intelligence service will soon publish a report that will contain the names of army officers who were authorised to collect Mladic’s pension payments. RHB, PINK, Hayat, FTV, RTRS– reported on the arrest. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Mladic’s Former Chief of Security arrested’- Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Arrest of Jovo Djogo is announcement of Mladic’s departure to The Hague’ by E. Sarac- As DA comments this arrest is prove that Serbian authorities are capable to arrest war crimes’ indictees at any moment, along with their collaborators that they have been hiding for all these years. Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Mladic’s Chief of Security arrested’ Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Mladic’s former Chief of Security arrested’

HR: extradition of indictees is RS authorities’ responsibility

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘High Representative obligated RS to extradition of indictees’- High Representative Paddy Ashdown stated that RS disregarded demands for extradition of archive materials related to Radovan Karadzic, which was demanded by ICTY.  HR stressed that delivering of these documents, along with explanation on disappearance of RS Presidency archive and extradition of remaining indictees are responsibility of RS authorities.

BiH CC: Initiative of BiH Presidency member Paravac on constitutionality of BiH’s lawsuit vs. SCG not a priority discussion

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Initiative for withdrawal of lawsuit against SCG is not a priority of BiH Constitutional Court’ by Az. Kalamujic– Daily comments that initiative of Serb member of BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac, where he asked for constitutionality appraise of BiH’s lawsuit against SCG (for aggression and genocide) would probably not be part of the agenda on BiH Constitutional Court’s session on February 27. Daily comments that Paravac sent a letter to the BiH CC, protesting because of the fact that his initiative would be discussed according to chronological order of the scheduled discussions. Daily comments that he should be satisfied if his initiative is discussed at all in this year. Registry of BiH CC, Faris Vehabovic stressed that Paravac did not ask for this initiative to be a priority, explaining that initiative also doesn’t contain demand for introduction of temporary measures.

Economic issues

FBiH Tax Administration confiscates trucks of merchandise from Chinese merchants

Dnevni List cover splash and pg 3 ‘Six trucks of merchandise confiscated in Sarajevo’s China town’ by Danka Polovina Mandic– Director of FBiH Taxation Administration Midhat Arifovic stated that merchandise was confiscated from Chinese sellers in Sarajevo, with total value of goods in amount of 150.000 KM.  

FBiH Deputy PM Grahovac: FBiH Govt’s plan to help ‘Energopetrol’ was rejected by Finance Ministry

Hayat by Senad Hadzifejzovic – In a brief interview FBiH Deputy Prime Minister Gavrilo Grahovac spoke about decision of FBiH Parliament not to allow the sale of ‘Energopetrol’. Grahovac is pleased with the statement of Chair company’s Trade Union Nusret Mamic who said that Energopetrol employees would support the program of FBiH Government for help to this company. Grahovac reminds that FBIH Government made a plan to help to ‘Energopetrol’ in 2004 and adds that this plan was never accepted by FBIH Finance Ministry. He also says that FBIH PM Ahmet Hadzipasic and himself were both against the sale of ‘Energopetrol’ and adds that Hadzipasic changed his mind for unknown reasons. According to Grahovac Hadzipasic decided to continue negotiations with INA MOL despite decision of FBIH Parliament. He also says that INA MOL consortium sent a letter on Friday notifying FBIH Government that it will not accept any new debts of ‘Energopetrol’ that were not stated in the bid. “I am surprised with his (Hadzipasic’s) persistence to conclude this issue”, says Grahovac. Grahovac concludes that new Minister of Energy should forward the plan for help to ‘Energopetrol’ made in 2004 to FBIH Parliament and adds that in his opinion it is still not too late to help this company.