Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on February 11, 2005
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| HR’s interview to Reuters | Report on Police reform in UNSC | Announcement of HR’s press conf |
| Announcement of HR’s press conf | Kebo and Mollander sign agreement | One death caused by freezing |
| EUPM report to UN Security Council | World news | Rumsfeld in |
TV news broadcast on
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Stolac cross not removed | Terzic on his visit to | Low temperatures caused deaths |
| FBIH Government in session | OHR on Mikerevic’s statement | BiH imports more water than export |
| Del Ponte in | Tihic met with Schook and Gregorian | Funds missing in Capljina’s school |
| NATO pleased with reforms in BIH | Group on fiscal sustainability in sess. | BiH fiscal sustainability discussed |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Three persons died of cold in RS | Low temperatures caused deaths | Cavic meets RS NA members |
| Terzic on his visit to | | BL Clinic has no heating |
| Matijasevic on Miletic’s statement | Railway Draft Law adopted | Heating problems in BL schools |
| Gotovina’s poster still not removed | Vladimir Kovacevic capable for trial | Terzic returns from |
| Oslobodjenje | Six years after assassination of FBiH Deputy Interior Minister Jozo Leutar – Prosecution will not investigate into failures of previous investigation procedure |
| Dnevni Avaz | Ashdown: This is achievement of BiH in the most beautiful light ( |
| Dnevni List | Next elections according to new Election Law |
| Vecernji List | Ice-wave |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Money from enrolment fees was disappearing for 10 years |
| Nezavisne Novine | Ljiljana Zelen-Karadzic: Radovan will not surrender |
| Glas Srpske | Doko plotting secretly? |
| EuroBlic | Serbian President in Kosmet: They are painting a room for Tadic |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
| Nacional | Features Serbian related titles |
| Ljiljan | Vance-Owen Plan from 1993 will be ground for new organization of BiH |
| Slobodna Bosna | 10,000 war criminals will stand trials in |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| Police reform report submitted to UNSC | BHR1, RHB, FENA – A report that was submitted to the UN Security Council on Thursday says that the EUPM has achieved a considerable progress towards establishing a Police force in BiH that would be established in accordance with international standards. The report, among other issues, says that the EUPM is trying to create a single and efficient Police structure for whole of BiH, in accordance with instructions of the HR Paddy Ashdown after the RS failed to arrest a single war crimes indictee. |
| HR Ashdown to hold press conference today | RTRS, RHB – Paddy Ashdown, the High Representative to BiH, today in |
| Matijasevic to meet counterpart in Montenegro | RTRS – Darko Matijasevic, RS Interior Minister, is today paying a visit to Podgorica, where he will meet his colleague from |
| Stojicic: RS Govt will be appointed on Feb 15
| FENA (originally aired by BN TV) – The RSNA Speaker, Dusan Stojicic, confirmed last night (Thursday) that the new RS Government would be appointed at the next session of RSNA scheduled for February 15. Stojicic notes that the PDP too will support the new Government and that there will be no SDA ministers in it. |
| Kebo, Mollander sign agreement | RHB, BHR1, SRNA – BiH Minister for Human Rights and Refugees Mirsad Kebo and Swedish Ambassador to BiH Anders Mollander signed in Sarajevo today the agreement on realization of the project called Strengthening of Local Administration in the Area of Return, Reconstruction, Development and Housing Policy worth 700 000 KM. |
BiH-IC relations/Cooperation with ICTY | |
| PM Terzic returns from Brussels ; On cooperation with ICTY, visa regime with EU
| Hayat TV – After a three-day visit to TV Pink – Issues of cooperation with the ICTY and police reform were also discussed on in Oslobodjenje, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘EU sends list of measures to liberalize visa regime’, by Az. Kalamujic – Carries Terzic as saying that EU Commissioner for justice issues, Franco Frattini, will send a group of experts to Sarajevo to attend the Consultative Working Group meeting on March 10 and 11, who will present BiH authorities with list of measures that need to be fulfilled in order to liberalize and abolish the visa regime to BiH citizens. (also reported on by RHB, FTV, BHT, Dnevni Avaz, pg 12 ‘BiH authorities have received full support from Brussels’, by S. N., Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Terzic: BiH is EC priority’ by D. Polovina-Mandic, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘State will help RS to meet The Hague obligations’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Cooperation with The Hague condition for Europe’ by Z. Rerig, Nezavisne Novine announced on cover ‘Possible sanctions for BiH’ and pg 3 ‘RS authority is exposing the entire state to sanctions’ by M. Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Hague is the obligation of Srpska’ by Srna, EuroBlic pg RS1 ‘Bosnia is threatened with sanctions’ by Dusanka Stanisic) |
| Avaz op-ed on Terzic’s trip to | Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Encouraging messages from Brussels’ Commentary of the Day by Sead Numanovic – Numanovic considers as encouraging the fact that the BiH delegation, which visited Brussels in the past days, brought a confirmation that BiH is high on the list of EU priorities. |
| Terzic: Working group on cooperation with ICTY to meet today
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Ashdown and Terzic to head the team’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘First meeting of a group for hunt on war criminals to be held today’ – Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic has announced that the first meeting of a working group tasked to improve cooperation with ICTY would be held on Friday. According to Terzic, the body will be chaired by him and HR Paddy Ashdown. It will comprise State Defense and Security Ministers, Presidents of the Entities, Entities’ Interior Ministers, and heads of OSA, SIPA and SBS. Commanders of NATO, EUFOR, ICTY representatives and Head of EUPM will also participate. “The state bodies will fully cooperate with ICTY and help RS authorities fulfill their exclusive obligation which is the apprehension and transfer of war crime indictees,” said Terzic. |
| HR Ashdown: IC should reduce engagement in BiH if cooperation with ICTY improves
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘I reduced my authorities’ by Reuters – Paddy Ashdown, High Representative for BiH, on Thursday has stated that international community should reduce its engagement in BiH, if cooperation with the ICTY improved and BiH headed on the path towards EU and NATO. The British diplomat has stated that he has already cut down the implementation of his “vast authorities in dismissing politicians and passing laws, and that his successor could commence the mandate without these authorities”. |
| NN int with Ljiljana Zelen-Karadzic
| Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pgs 8-9 ‘Radovan will not surrender’ by Dragan Jerinic – Ljiljana Zelen-Karadzic, wife of Radovan Karadzic, has stated she wants things to be as Radovan wishes and she said she thinks Radovan would never surrender. ‘Nobody from the family can make a decision and tell him to prepare himself to go to |
| Serbian Minister Jocic: Mladic and Karadzic not in | Oslobodjenje, pg 7 ‘Karadzic and Mladic are not in Serbia!’, by B. Boskov – Carries the Serbian Interior Minister, Dragan Jocic, who is adamant in saying that the ICTY indictees Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic are not hiding in Serbia. |
| SBS: We have not yet received information on Karadzic, Mladic movements | Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘SBS does not receive usable data/information on Karadzic, Mladic’ Az. K. – The daily quotes the BiH State Border Service’s (SBS) Public Information Office as saying that the SBS has so far received not a single usable information that might have led to apprehension of the most wanted war crime indictees including Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. |
| Kazani case update
| BHT – Verdict in the case of Samir Bejtic, who is indicted for war crimes against Serb civilians in Kazani near |
| Slobodna Bosna on start of war crimes trials at BiH Court | Slobodna Bosna cover pg splash ‘10,000 war criminals will stand trials in Sarajevo’ and pgs 24-28 ‘Detention unit in Sarajevo will hold 250 war crimes indictees in each moment’ by Suzana Mijatovic – The article carries an announcement that the processing of war crimes in Sarajevo will commence in several weeks before the Special Department for War Crimes of BiH Court. Former “Ramiz Salcin” barracks have been adjusted for the needs of the court and, according to SB, several tens of million € have already been invested for this purpose. According to BiH Court President, Meddzida Kreso, eventually 39 local and international judges should be employed at |
Political Developments/Reforms | |
| OHR: BiH is sovereign state, not the RS
| TV Pink – Answering the critics stated by the office of the resigning RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic on Chair of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic’s visit to |
| Colak: BiH and SCG should settle regarding BiH’s lawsuit
| RTRS – BIH Security Minister Barisa Colak stated that BIH and SCG should reach a deal regarding the lawsuit for genocide and aggression (that BiH filed against SCG) if there is will for it in BIH. Colak stated that the deal would be a good basis for reconciliation. (also reported by BHT, Dnevni Avaz, pg 12 ‘Colak believes BiH and SCG should settle’, not signed, Nezavisne novine pg 5 ‘Settlement is needed’ by Agencies) |
| Sehic and BiH HoR on changes to BiH Election Law
| Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Next elections according to new Election Law’ by I. Glibusic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Changes of Election Law necessary’ by D. Pasic – President of the BiH Election Commission Vehid Sehic held a meeting on Thursday with the leadership of the BiH House of Representatives during which it was concluded that it is necessary to form a working group that would work on changes to the BiH Election Law as soon as possible. Sehic stated: ‘Announced changes should be completed by the end of this year in order to be completely ready for the next year which is the election year.’ (also reported by RHB, Hayat, Oslobodjenje, pg 6 ‘Changes are necessary to Election law’, not signed |
| Mihajlica on participation at new RS Government
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘The radicals accept Ministerial posts’ by V. P. – RS President Dragan Cavic met Thursday late evening with representatives of parties that support election of new RS Government. Milanko Mihajlica (SRS), Darko Jotanovic (DNS) and Predrag Kovacevic (independent delegate) attended the meeting. SRS will support the election and accept participation at the new Government and, according to Milanko Mihajlica, the party had not set a term of participating at the Government. He also stated that the executive Board of the party had concluded a new CoM should be elected and he emphasized the party is dissatisfied with the stance of Chairman Adnan Terzic towards initiative coming from RS. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘The Government on the agenda’ by N. D. – reports on the meeting of parties with Cavic. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘To elect the Government and remove the Council’ by N. D. – also carries Mihajlica’s statement.(meeting announced by RTRS) |
| OHR vetting procedure for new Ministers of RS Government
| Nezavisne novine pg 2 ‘Cenic passed, Pecelja disputed’ by D. Risojevic – Svetlana Cenic, a political advisor to PM designate Pero Bukejlovic, has passed OHR’s vetting procedure as the candidate for future RS Minister of Financeswhile the nomination of Milovan Pecelj for the position of Minister of Education and culture was disputed, a source close to OHR has confirmed. The article reads OHR has disputed Pecelj’s nomination due to a promotion of “Sitovacija” book of Radovan Karadzic in May 2002. |
| Tihic meets Schook, Gregorian
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Continuation of defence reform’, FENA – BiH Presidency member Sulejman Tihic on Thursday held talks with the Commander of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, General Steven Schook, and the Co-Chairman of the BiH Defense Reform Commission, Raffi Gregorian. The talks focused on the issues that should be resolved in the further course of defense reform, which are obstacle to BiH’s admission into the Partnership for Peace and NATO, said a press release issued by the Presidency’s Public Relations Service. This primarily refers to the existence and the role of the Entity defense structures, and the conception and functioning of the recruit and reserve contingents of the military in BiH (also reported by Pink TV, Dnevni Avaz, pg 10 ‘BiH must be protected from aggression in future too’) |
| Ljiljan: Police re-organization first step towards new organization of BiH
| Ljiljan cover pg splash ‘Vance-Owen Plan from 1993 will be ground for new organization of BiH’ and pgs 14 and 15 ‘BiH will be organized according to Vance-Owe Plan?’ by M. Borovic – Ljiljan learns from its high-ranked international and diplomatic sources that the future organization of the BiH Police is the initial and primary phase for a new re-organization of BiH and its authorities according to the Vance-Owen Plan from March 1993. This would imply abolishment of BiH entities and complete de-centralization of the whole authority in 10 regions with the joint leadership at the state level, that is, the BiH Presidency, BiH Parliament and BiH Council of Ministers. Asked whether the police regions are a copy of the Vance-Owen Plan and whether this is a forerunner of the future political-territorial organization of BiH, an OHR spokesperson |
| Colak on Police reform, arrest of war criminals
| Ljiljan pgs 10 -13 ‘After implementation of reforms I will take over responsibility for arrest of war criminals’ by T. Lazovic- Carries an interview with BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak. Asked to comment on the Police reform, Colak says: ‘I am convinced that if we persist on the concept, which was proposed, we shall have the police, that will be better educated, better paid and that will serve its citizens.’ Asked whether he would take responsibility for the arrest of ICTY fugitives and the struggle against the organized crime as the Minister under whose competence will be the Police (after the end of the Police reform) and intelligence structure, Colak says: ‘Of course. The Minister has the political responsibility.’ |
| Nacional criticizes US Ambassador, double standards of USA | Nacional pg 12 ‘Gratae and non-gratae personae’ – Nacional reports that the policy of double standards, which the Administration of Bill Clinton has launched and has been implementing towards the Balkans, is still in implementation but solely towards Serbs. The report further notes that the US Administration, with Condoleeza Rice, is now to go through a re-organisation, which should see dismissals of all democrats. It further notes US Administration has banned SDS and PDP officials from entering the USA , owing to their failure to cooperate with the ICTY. The article concludes the entry is banned on the basis of political reasons, although some other parties, on the same basis should be also banned an entry. |
Economy/Social Issues | |
| First meeting of Working Group on fiscal sustainability
| TV Pink – During the first meeting of the Working Group (WG) on fiscal sustainability, it was concluded that the BiH administration was too large. Beside BiH and entities’ Ministers of Finances, experts from OHR, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, representatives from Cantons and District Brcko participate in the work of the body. The main task of the Group is to make final report on situation with public expenses. Principal Deputy High Representative, Oslobodjenje, pg 5 ‘Constitutional changes are road to cheaper, European BiH’, by A. Omeragic – Carries the FBiH Finance Minister, Dragan Vrankic, as saying: “We do not need this many Police officers, tax people…We have the Indirect Tax Authority that functions and there are no reasons not to build the whole system like that”. Questioned whether it meant the abolishment of entities, Vrankic noted that the WG is not dealing with politics, however he added that he would consult experts for constitutional issues. “Maybe this indeed is a basis for constitutional changes”. (also reported by RHB, BTH, FTV, Dnevni Avaz, pg 10 ‘Vrankic: BiH does not need as many Police officers as today’, by L. Sinanovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘First analyses of possible constitutional changes by the end of the year’ by R. Cengic, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘BiH has too big number of policemen’ by D. Polovina-Mandic) |
| FBiH Govt on law on sale of tobacco products
| TV Pink – FBiH Government has adopted Law on changes and amendments to law on restricted usage of tobacco products. According to the new law, minors are forbidden to enter places in which smoking is allowed and it is forbidden to give or sell tobacco products to minors. In accordance with requests of the World Health Organization, regulations, which stipulate marketing and financing of tobacco products, are also being added. In case of law violation, fines in amount of KM 5 000-50 000 will have to be paid. (also reported by RHB, Hayat TV, FTV, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Fine for smokers up to 50 000 KM’ by E. Mackic, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Markets to remain without cigarettes’, mentioned on cover by E. Medunjanin, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Minors banned to enter premises where people are smoking’ by D. Pasic, Dnevni Avaz, pg 12 ‘It will be banned to sell cigarettes in food shops and market places’, Oslobodjenje, pg 11 ‘Ban on sale of cigarettes to minors’) |
| BiH CoM adopts Draft law on BiH railways, draft law on state service
| BHT – BiH Council of Ministers (CoM) on Thursday determined the draft law on BIH railways and draft law on state service. Both of these drafts will be urgently sent to parliamentary procedure. FTV – BiH Deputy Minister of Communications and Transport Haris Basic comments on draft law on BiH railways: “This law will allow us to determine the manager of the railway infrastructure; this will give the opportunity to EBRD to invest 150 million KM. The Constitution limited us on the issues of the owners of infrastructure; this will be dealt with within next three months. ” Draft law was prepared by BiH Ministry of Communications and Transport in conjunction with OHR and other international institutions for financing. The Ministry will form Regulations Board on BiH Railways that will monitor Railway Sector and Licence issues. (also reported by Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Law on Railroads was forwarded to BiH Parliament in short procedure’ by N. Krsman, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘To speed up process of employing civil servants’ by M. Zorlak, Dnevni Avaz, pg 9 ‘Draft law on railways in urgent procedure’) |
| Avaz business centre opened
| Dnevni Avaz cover page, pgs 2-4 ‘Ashdown: This is achievement of BiH in the most beautiful light’ – The new AvazBusinessCenter was opened in Sarajevo on Thursday. Some 2,000 guests ate the ceremony were addressed by Avaz Director Fehim Skaljic, BiH Council of Ministers Chairman Adnan Terzic and High Representatives Paddy Ashdown. They all emphasized the importance of this project as an example of domestic investment for the country’s future. (Opening of Avaz business center covered also in Dnevni List pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Avaz Business Centre opened’ – not signed |
| RS Association of Employers demands removal of Minister Doko
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Doko plotting secretly?’ by D.V.M. – The article reminds that the RS Association of Employers has demanded for removal of Dragan Doko from the position of the BiH Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Affairs, for having failed to protect domestic production. It further reminds of some actions Dokocarried out, bringing some comments criticising these activities. |
| EFT new owner of mine in Doboj
| EuroBlic pg RS2, announced on cover ‘They plan to construct thermo-power plant’ by Tijana Veselinovic, Glas Srpske, pg 3 ‘British are digging now’ by G. Dakic – London firm EFT became a majority owner of “Stanari” mine from Doboj on Thursday. EFT is in possession of 71,11 % of the mine’s capital. Director Zlatan Matko announced the goal of the firm would be to construct thermo-power plant near the mine, in order to be able to export electricity to EU countries. (also reported by Pink, BHT, RTRS) |
Legal Proceedings | |
| Update to removal of Stolac cross
| Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Removing of Stolac cross prolonged’ by N.B. – Removing of the Stolac cross has been prolonged again on Thursday because of the begging of the Lent. DL also says that the Federation of BiH Minister of Urban Planning Ramiz Mehmedagic rejected the demand of the Stolac Municipality Head Stjepan Boskovic to freeze the decision according to which the Stolac cross has to be removed until a more complete solution is found. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19, mentioned on cover ‘To suspend pulling down of Stolac cross’ by I. Raguz covered the aforementioned Boskovic’s letter. (also covered by RHB, Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘Removal of cross in Stolac postponed’, not signed, Nezavisne novine pg 3 ‘Deadline for negotiations on removal of crosses has expired’ by V. C., Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Date is still unknown’ by Srna) Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Uncertain destiny of crosses’ by F. Matic – Carries the Federation of BiH Ministry of Urban Planning press release which says that February 10 was the deadline until which intensive talks for resolving of this problem were taking place and it was not the date for the removal of illegally built cross. VL says that Mehmedagic did not state in this press release as to when the removal of the cross might happen. |
| Tuzla: Charges pressed against judges, professors of University of Tuzla
| FTV – Tuzla Canton (TC) Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against judges, professors and the Chancellor of the University of Tuzla. TC Prosecutor Izo Tankic confirmed the charges against two suspended District judges accused of abuse of authority. “We are conducting the investigation in the University of Tuzla in order to get the insight of their management at the University, finances, professors and their way of assessing,” stated Izo Tankic. |
| SD: Abuse of funds at Capljina Secondary School , Minister Doko involved?
| Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pg 16 ‘Money from enrolment fees was disappearing for 10 years’ by E. Karamatic – SD carries an article about non-transparent way of spending the money from enrolment fees in the Secondary School in Capljina. SD also says that the person who was the Head of the accounting office in this school for the longest period of time was the current BiH Minister of Trade Dragan Doko, however, SD failed to get his comment on this issue. (also covered by BHT) |
| Leutar case update
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 2 ‘Secret of Leutar’s murder is in disappeared black bag’ by Z. Tulic – With regard to the renewal of the investigation on the murder of late Federation of BiH Deputy Minister of Interior Jozo Leutar, SD carries that according to the sources close to the Cantonal Court in Sarajevo, the Prosecution is allegedly in possession of the evidence about 2 persons who directly participated in the assassination of Leutar and these persons currently live on the FBiH territory (one in Zenica and another one in Sarajevo). SD also says that the Leutar’s black bag, which disappeared immediately after the assassination, is also being mentioned with regard to this case. Allegedly, documents on some investigations regarding financial transactions in which both, domestic and some high-ranked international officials were involved, were in this bag. Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘Six years after assassination of FBiH Deputy Interior Minister Jozo Leutar – Prosecution will not investigate into failures of previous investigation procedure’ L. Sofradzija and Az. Kalamujic – A re-launched investigation into murder of FBiH Deputy Interior Minister Jozo Leutar in Sarajevo six years ago, which is being conducted by a special Sarajevo Canton Prosecution’s team in conjunction with FBiH and Sarajevo Canton police, has already achieved certain results. The Prosecution’s spokesman, Oleg Cavka, however emphasized that it would be unprofessional to present details on collected evidences in this phase of the investigation process. He confirmed that the special team was also working on review of evidences collected in the course of the previous investigation into the murder. But the team will not deal with possible failures in the previous process. |
| Chief BiH Prosecutor Jurcevic: Cooperation with intl. Prosecutors very good | Dnevni Avaz pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘McNair’s department achieving very good results’ – In an interview with the daily, Chief BiH Prosecutor Marinko Jurcevic emphasized a very good cooperation with both domestic and international members of his office thereby denying media speculations that he is not being properly informed about all the cases. |
| Andan on murder investigation in Markovic case
| Glas Srpske cover pg ‘Who made the order?’ by B.G. – Dragomir Andan, East Sarajevo PSC Chief, does not want to disclose details of the investigation, which led to the names of the suspects for the murder of Zeljko Markovic (East Sarajevo PSC Chief murdered on 24 September 2002 in Sokolac in a typical ambush). |
| Update to Alijagic case | Nezavisne Novine announced on cover ‘Trebinje Prosecutor’s Office commenced an investigation on Alijagic case’ and pg 4 ‘Trebinje Prosecutor’s Office is investigating Alijagic case’ by V. Duka and P. Klincov – Trebinje Regional Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation in Alijagic case to determine whether certain persons involved in processing of the case have violated laws, as the Prosecutor’s Office confirmed. The article further carries an overview of the Alijagic case. |