| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Food poisoning in Tuzla | BiH won’t join PfP | OHR statement | Domestic meat production |
| 900 persons suspected | Unsolved cases on children | Statement by F. Hartman | Stock company Blik |
| Memorial day of Croats | Protests of BIH farmers | Exhumation in Bratunac | Workers’ issues |
| Hays on self-governance | Audits on BiH institutions | USA delegation in Potocari | Accused Croatians |
| Oslobodjenje | Presidency overspent for travelling and vehicles; Demands for exemption of judge rejected |
| Dnevni Avaz | Ashdown on assaults made in ‘60 minuta’: It is not my job to elect authorities; Jelavic’s request rejected; State Audit Office: How tax payers’ money was spent |
| Dnevni List | Dilemma: Giboni’s song set Mostarians at odds |
| Vecernji List | Rojs first on list for extradition? |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | BiH leases 7 luxurious summer houses |
| Glas Srpske | What does Eve Ann Prentice reveals in her book “War of one woman”: Mask from Markale falls down |
| Nezavisne Novine | Theodor Meron and Carla del Ponte submitted report to UN SC: RS is not ready to cooperate with the Hague Tribunal; Audit on work of six institutions of BiH: They wasted money on cars and restaurants; Agreement Ivanic-Luzkov only dead letter on paper: Nothing of 3000 workers in Moscow, nor of BAM 100 million per year in RS |
| Blic | OHR gave 15 days to RS to arrest war crimes indictees; Dr. Jovan Todorovic for “Blic”: State is afraid of rich peasants; Beer affair: Director Radic threatens with resignation |
PfP admission, war crimes | |
| OHR: Two more weeks to show full cooperation with ICTY
| BHTV 1, RTRS, RHB, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘The price of a failure to cooperate with the Hage will be paid by all BiH citizens’ by fena, Blic pg. RS4 ‘Deadline for cooperation is two weeks’ by J. D. mentioned on cover ‘OHR gave 15 days to RS to arrest war crimes indictees’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Destiny of BiH in hands of RS authority’ by D. Polovina-Mandic – BiH institutions, especially RS institutions have only two more weeks to show full cooperation with the ICTY and the lack of such cooperation can be every serious for the future of BiH, OHR spokesperson Vedran Persic told a press conference in Sarajevo on Thursday. He refused to speculate on possible sanctions if this condition is not met, but said that if BiH does not join the Partnership for Peace at the NATO Summit in Istanbul that would be a sanction in itself. “If the Partnership for Peace is an association that can guarantee the security of BiH citizens, then it is clear that all citizens of this country will pay the prices”, Persic said. |
| BHTV 1 feature on cooperation with ICTY, admission to PfP | BHTV 1 by Laura Bosnjak – NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on Tuesday presented the agenda of the Istanbul summit to be held at the end of the month. Reporter comments that it is very unlikely that BIH will be invited to become Partnership for Peace member state, especially having in mind the claims by the RS officials that they cannot arrest Radovan Karadzic by the end of the month. “I would not connect this matter to 28th June alone. This matter can not be solved by RS, general matter of cooperation with ICTY can not be solved by 28th of June”, said Zoran Djeric, RS Minister of Interior, in an interview on Tuesday. Disappointment in relations of RS Government towards ICTY was shown in diplomatic circles in our country. “Let’s be realistic it is not easy to find someone in a very difficult, mountainous terrain. But let’s remind ourselves that SFOR commander said that Karadzic can be arrested by the end of June. RS Minister of Interior should know that it is devastating to say something [opposite]. They should do everything to arrest Radovan Karadzic and other accused for war crimes, and it is known they are in RS”, said Ian Cliff, British Ambassador in BIH. Reporter also wonders why the international community has waited for so long to start applying pressure on RS to cooperate with ICTY, especially since it is known for months that RS should show meet that preconditions before BiH can be admitted to PfP. British Ambassador Cliff reminded that RS has such obligation for the past 8 to 9 years: “They have started fulfilling their obligation at 11:50 when the clock started ticking for admission to PfP.” “RS Government is working on the arrest of the accused for war crimes from the moment the law on cooperation with ICTY was passed. Operational activities are ongoing and that is all I can say at the moment”, said Goran Radivojac, spokesman of RS Government. |
| Comments to Djeric’s statement regarding Karadzic, PfP | Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Djeric is buying time’ – Reacting on the most recent statement of Zoran Djeric, RS Interior Minister which says that RS authorities cannot arrest Karadzic by NATO Summit, the opposition parties’ officials in RS, Igor Radojicic of SNSD, Drago Kalabic from DNS, and Petar Djokic from SP RS share the view that Djeric is trying to “buy time” and provide himself an excuse for events, which would take place following the NATO Summit in Istanbul. Ljiljana Radetic, Spokesperson of the OHR Office in Banja Luka, told NN that “BiH’s institutions, and primarily the RS Institutions, have two weeks to show they are actively co-operating with the ICTY. If they failed this would be very serious”. Nevenka Trifkovic, from PDP said that unlike her, Djeric must have some more complete information which should not be made public, since he is “working at a specific institution”. |
| ICTY presents report to UN Security Council | Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘This year seven new indictments’ by sense, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘RS authorities do not show readiness to cooperate’ mentioned on cover ‘RS is not ready to cooperate with the Hague Tribunal’ – The ICTY Report, which was handed to the UN Security Council, says that the RS authorities have not still demonstrated readiness to cooperate with The Hague Tribunal. The report further reads: “OHR and SFOR have intensified their efforts in BiH aimed at arresting war crimes suspects, but these have not still resulted in any such.” The report was undersigned by Theodor Meron, ICTY President, and Carla del Ponte, ICTY Chief Prosecutor. In the report, del Ponte says that “the mandate of the Court cannot be regarded as fulfilled as long as Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic and Ante Gotovina are at large.” She also notes that ICTY is currently engaged in 13 investigations, noting that 7 new indictments will have been brought by the end of this year. She also says: “If Karadzic and Mladic were arrested during the course of 2005, their trial might last until end of 2009.” UN Security Council is to discuss the report of ICTY at its session on 29 June. Also covered in RHB, Dnevni List, pg 2, ‘RS authorities not ready to cooperate with the Hague’, by Nina. |
| Hartman on Del Ponte’s statement re Delic, Ganic, Mahmuljin | FTV – Spokeswoman for ICTY Prosecution, Florence Hartman, explained the statement given by Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte given last week stressing that the statement was manipulated. Del Ponte, during the visit to Sarajevo, was asked whether ICTY will raise indictments against Rasim Delic, Ejup Ganic and Sakib Mahmuljin, to which she answered that there investigations against Bosniaks were being conducted however media interpreted this as affirmative answer to their question. “Journalist asked Carla del Ponte whether indictments against Rasim Delic, Ejup Ganic and Sakib Mahmuljin are going to be raised. She did not mention any names, but said that investigations against Bosniaks were being conducted. She never gives names of persons being under investigation,” said Hartman. |
| Mostar Court carries investigations against 900 suspects of war crimes | RHB, RTRS – Judges in the Prosecutor’s Office within the Mostar court have confirmed that the Court has been conducting investigations against 900 suspects of war crimes with the approval of the ICTY. They warned that there were some problems in the probes given that many suspects were now abroad, for instance in Croatia, Serbia or overseas. In case indictments are issued against them, they cannot be put on trial as new laws of BiH stipulate that there cannot be trials of persons in absentia. The judges said that the cantonal court in Mostar was conducting an investigation into the death of over 100 Mostar Muslims and Croats killed by Serb forces led by JNA in the local waste dump of Uborak in 1992. A probe is also launched in the murder of over 20 local Croats in the village of Grabovica near Mostar who were killed by the Bosniak troops in 1993. An investigation is under way so as to find out what happened to 13 Muslims arrested by the HVO troops in 1993 in the business office of Vranica in the Mostar center. |
| Masovic on mass graves discovered by Srebrenica Commission | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Next Monday, exhumations starting in Bratunac area’ by A.H. – FBIH Commission for Missing Persons will most probably start with the exhumations of the mass grave in Bratunac area, on which it received information from the Srebrenica Commission. Chair of the Commission, Amor Masovic, adds that Srebrenica Commission confirmed that there are another 33 localities of primary, secondary and terciary mass graves, out of which 11 were completely unknown to the Commission before. |
| Oslobodjene on operations to capture Karadzic | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Karadzic to be caught from below’ op-ed by Antonio Prlenda – Author examines military equipment and technical capabilities at the SFOR’s disposal that could assist in capturing war crimes suspects. After outlining their advantages, he notes that “Karadzic was given time (?!) to protect himself, in a way which enabled him to look at all those technical devices as helpless. The network of supporters can be broken only by ‘treason’ and passing information from one to another. Domestic authorities could do much more. Political and police officers of RS could do much more. If they want to. The High Rep of the international community Paddy Ashdown said in Belgrade that they have two weeks to prove to the world that they are doing something concrete. As things are, Karadzic will not be caught from the sky [refers to helicopters] but from below. Are two weeks enough?” |
Judicial issues and Audits | |
| Demand for exemption of Judge Boland rejected
| FTV, BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Demands for judge Boland’s exemption rejected’ by A.N., mentioned on cover, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Demand of Ante Jelavic and Miroslav Prce’s lawyers rejected’, mentioned on cover ‘Jelavic’s request denied’ by H.O., Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Ante Jelavic and associates to enter plea tomorrow’, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Exemption of judge Bernard Boland rejected’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 4 ‘Demand of Jelavic’s defence for exemption of judge rejected’ by Z. Tulic and Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Demand for exemption of judge Bernard Boland rejected’, mentioned on cover, by V. Pusic– The dailies carry that the general session of the BiH Court rejected yesterday a demand of the defence of Ante Jelavic, Miroslav Prce, Miroslav Rupcic and Father Ivan Sevo, the 4 suspects in Hercegovacka Banka case, for exemption of judge for previous hearing Bernard Boland. The dailies also say that tomorrow these suspects should plead guilty or not guilty on the accounts of the bill of indictment issued against them. |
| VL: Judge McNair demands from Croatia extradition of suspects in Hercegovacka Banka case
| Vecernji List front pg ‘Rojs first on list for extradition?’ and pg 3 ‘McNair demands Rojs’ extradition’ by Z. Kresic – VL says that Prosecutor of the Special Department for Organized and Economic Crime and Corruption John McNair demanded from the BiH authorities to reach an agreement with Croatia in order to make possible extradition of suspects in the Hercegovacka Banka case. These persons are Generals Ljubo Cesic Rojs and Ivan Medic and former official of the Federation of BiH Ministry of Defence Ivan Azinovic, who are on the territory of the Republic of Croatia. VL also says that McNair demanded from the BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac to initiate drafting of the joint document, that is, the Agreement on extradition of citizens of the two countries who are suspected of serious crimes, as well as, of organized crime and corruption. VL explains that for the time being Croatia does not extradite its citizens to other countries apart from extradition to the ICTY. VL says that recent signing of the Agreement on execution of court decisions is the first step towards signing of the aforementioned agreement on extradition. |
| Audit reports for seven BiH institutions to be presented today | FTV, Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘Presidency overspent for travelling and vehicles’ by Azhar Kalamujic, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 4 ‘They waste money on cars and restaurants’, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Irresponsible spending of tax payers’ money on force’ by R. Radic – The BiH Auditor Office completed the report on financial dealings of 7 state institutions – Statistic Agency, State Border Service, Institute for standards and measuring, Election Commission, Communications Regulatory Agency, Utility Service company and BiH Presidency – and will published them today. FTV comments that the report will indicate that the corruption is presented in all these institutions, they have no internal control and the money is being spent in “mysterious way”. Report further stated that the specific deficiencies refer to the public acquisitions procedures, representations costs and high mobile phone bills. Furthermore, there are institutions have no clear regulations on budget spending, planning and special procedure on costs of representation. The Report will be submitted to the BiH Parliament, while BiH Prosecution will be asked to get involved more actively in this case. BHTV 1 – Chairman of parliamentary Committee on finances and budget Nikola Kragulj stated for BHTV 1 that he will demand to have auditor’s report sent to judicial institutions. As for BiH presidency, the Secretary-General’s office refused to given any statement before the report is published adding that it could be seen as a pressure on auditors. BIH Presidency, according to the unofficial report in 2003, spent 450.000 KM without justification. Following re-balance of the budget, they received additional 550.000 KM to cover their expenditures. Auditors believe this has happened due to bad internal control, supervision and monitoring of budget. Kragulj adds that the auditor reports will be completed on all state financed institutions by September. “Auditing report are sent to juridical institutions that will determine whether there are elements of criminal responsibility”, said Kragulj. As for CRA, auditors determined in reports for 2003 that there were weaknesses in planning and execution of budget, while SBS in certain cases did not spend public money transparently. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘IK Secretary General made contract on a rent worth 495.000 KM, all without competition’, mentioned on cover ‘How tax payers’ money was spent’ by F. Mandal – According to the DA, the report says BiH Election Commission rented business space in non-transparent way and made payments of costs in non-consistent manner; the main issue of CRA is Eronet’s donation of 260.000 KM for study on 3rd GSM licence; SBS broke regulations when it purchased winter clothing for officers, etc. |
| On operations of future BiH Court Special Department for War Crimes | Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘BiH Court to take over cases in 2005’ – Florence Hartmann, Spokesperson of ICTY Chief Prosecutor, confirmed on Thursday that the Hague Tribunal has not still decided which cases would be handed to the BiH Court Special Department for War Crimes. She said: “We were convinced that the BiH Court Department will be ready to take over initial cases at the beginning of next year. We still do not know which cases would be handed, neither can we speak about it. I think it is of most importance at the moment to do everything necessary to make this department and detention unit operational.” Martin Raguz, BiH Court President, is not aware of the exact date when the BiH Court Special Department would start operating. He does not know either how many judges would be employed at this Department, because this depends on the number of cases which Tribunal will hand to BiH Court. Vedran Persic, OHR Spokesperson, stated that: “The 16,5 million is intended to cover the physical reconstruction of the premises and the operational costs for the first two years. Donors will make the funds for the physical reconstruction available once the tender process for the works is complete. The remainder will be made available once the special war crimes sections of the Court of BiH and the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH are established.” According to NN inset, Vlado Adamovic, Judge with BiH Court, said that there might be more cases that ICTY would hand to BiH Court than expected. He said: “Initially, reference was made to five cases, and later on the figure of 50 cases to be handed to the BiH Court was mentioned.” This inset also carries statement by Oleg Milisic, OHR Spokesperson, saying that: “The goal is to make this BiH Court Department operational at the beginning of next year.” |
Economic issues | |
| BiH Farmers to hold protests on 10 June | FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘They’ll burn old agriculture machines’ by S. Se., Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Tomorrow protests in Bosanska Gradiska at 10’ by F.C. – Farmers from BiH decided to organize another strike to be held on 10 June. They will gather in Bosanska Gradiska, trying to make authorities for better cooperation by giving out another 6 tones of frozen chickens to citizens. Farmers say that the Free Trade Agreement is not beneficial for agriculture in Bosnia, and in addition official policy does not protect domestic production. “Authorities cannot find solution. We want authorities on our side, we want them not to support agricultural development of other states,” said Ranko Bakic, Chairman of the BiH Farmers Association. If authorities do not respond to this strike, framers said they will organize a general one. BHTV 1 – “Agricultural production should be protected by ensuring resources from entity budgets. Those resources should be strong in order to subsidize agricultural production in order to make it competitive with other countries, especially with those we signed the agreement on free trade with,” said Bakic. For instance, Croatia directos 650 million KM for subsidising of its farmers, while entity Ministries in BiH in ensured 56 million KM for this year in total [33 millions KM for RS and 23 million for FBiH]. “This is a maximum and one step we in Federation Government took towards assisting farmers. I think we will ensure more means next year”, said Marinko Bozic, FBIH Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management. |
| Terzic to meet IMF, WB directors in Washigton | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘We will seek stronger and more operative support’ by S. Numanovic – In the article which announces the visit of Chair of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic and BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic to Washington next week, Terzic says that he will use the opportunity to meet with representatives of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. “I will meet with directors of IMF to discuss whether we can compete for the middle-term arrangements with IMF, having in mind that we were praised for fulfilling stand-by arrangement,” says Terzic. He adds that such better financial arrangement is of extreme importance especially due to implementation of the PRSP strategy and related donor conference to take place in Sarajevo in September. |
| VL on privatization of electric power sector | Vecernji List, pg 3, ‘Closing EP HZHB down’, by Zdenko Jurilj, carries that in a recent meeting with representatives of FBiH authorities which was aimed at identifying the best solution for restructuring and privatisation of electric power sector in FBiH, the position of highest-ranking OHR officials was that they did not care at all about the decision of FBiH Constitutional Court (which had ruled making of conclusions from the “Action Plan on restructuring and privatising of electric power sector” without consent of members of House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament was unconstitutional) but did only care about restructuring the electric power sector and then selling it. VL adds that, according to the Plan that the OHR is pushing for with the help of the World Bank and USAID, the 3 existing BiH electric power companies would be transformed into nine companies in FBiH and eight companies in the RS, which would create prerequisites for privatisation of most profitable sector. Those who advocate the plan do not give up closing of Elektroprivreda of Herzeg-Bosna (EP HB) down, following which foreign buyers could easily took control over water potential of the Neretva. In an inset, VL, pg 3, ‘BiH without main export product’, by zj, comments that all Trade Unions from electric power sector (RS, BiH, and Herzeg-Bosnia) are against the Action Plan as it also causes a serious social issue. |
| GS update on Telekom Srpske | Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Silent phones again’ by D. Majstorovic – GS carries article about “Telekom Srpske’, bringing some information related to this affair. The author starts the article with last week’s statement of Kevin Sullivan, OHR Spokesperson, who expressed dissatisfaction of OHR over the decision of Telekom Srpske share-holders assembly to re-elect four out of five Steering Board members. GS further brings other information related to audit report on Telekom Srpske. GS inset carries statement by Dragan Solaja, RS Minister of Traffic and Communication, who said that in any state, allegations in audit reports need to be investigated, and then ascertained or denied by judiciary. Therefore, the report has been forwarded to Prosecutor’s Office for further consideration. |
| Basic on talks between Croatia and BiH on Vc corridor | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Croatian Government will once again consider offer for Vc corridor’ by F. Cardzic – Deputy BiH Communications and Transport Minister, Haris Basic, says that BiH and Croatian delegations discussed the issue of Vc corridor building at the Inter-state council session held in Zagreb at the beginning of this week. “We stressed that BiH is in favour of a transparent and public process of building that capital project,” says Basic. He adds that despite BiH delegation inquiry on Croatian assistance for the project in amount of 7-9 million US dollars [made at the time of Ivica Racan’s government], Croatian authorities did not offer any answer, while Croatian Finance Minister Ivan Suker said that Racan’s offer would have to reconsidered. |
Political issues | |
| Ashdown: It is not my job to elect authorities
| Dnevni Avaz cover page, pg 3 ‘Ashdown on assaults in ‘60 minutes’: It is not my job to elect authorities’ by S.N. – “It is not my job, or of any other representative of the international community to decided on who will be heading Bosnia and Herzegovina. That is a right and a task primarily of the BiH citizens, which are being exercised through democratic elections,” said the High Representative Paddy Ashdown for DA. Ashdown stresses he is surprised of constantly being asked “to justify why OHR works with politicians and parties that citizens of this country elected at the elections estimated as fair and free” by both the domestic and international officials. “I am especially surprised that the people who accuse me and OHR of supporting nationalists are the same people who call themselves democrats and representatives of the idea that BiH should become a part of European democratic family,” commented Ashdown. Journalist says this was the statement with which Ashdown commented the series of accusations made against him in the latest broadcast of FTV show ’60 minuta’. OHR told Avaz that nobody from 60 minuta production team has contacted the Office offering chance to respond to the accusations. |
| Ashdown in Belgrade: I will not change Dayton Peace Accord | Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Time is not in the interest of RS’ – Paddy Ashdown, High Representative to BiH, stated in Belgrade that he made it clear to RS he would not change Dayton Peace Agreement, and that the only ones who can change Dayton are peoples of BiH. However, if RS or anybody else in BiH makes the state non-functional, than Dayton must be changed, stressed Ashdown. He added that his task is to make a functional state out of BiH, noting that there are those obstructing this process. In an interview to Belgrade media, Ashdown said: “Things can extremely change if changes took place at the American administration. Therefore, I would like to say to my colleagues in Republika Srpska: do not waste your time and head reforms in a hastily manner.” |
| PDHR Hays on development of local self-rule in BiH | RHB, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Expensive bureaucracy far away from citizens’ by A. Terzic, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Citizens must participate decision making process’, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Citizens have to participate more in decision-making’ by I. Tabucic – Talking at the Conference on development of local self-rule organized by Civic Forum Tuzla and Foundation Freidrich Ebert, Principle Deputy High Representative Donald Hays stated: “Citizens should participate more in decision-making in their Municipalities.” PDHR Hays also gave support to the OHR and the International Community in BiH in the efforts exerted in order that Law on Local Self-Rule in the FBiH is passed and harmonized with the law in the RS. |
| DL on the state of the nation report for the last quarter of 2003. | Dnevni List, pg 9, ‘Violating laws with call upon interest of one’s own people’, by Renata Radic – report on the state of the nation in the last quarter of 2003, contained in a brochure called “Early warning system” by Prism Research upon engagement by the UNDP, warns of indolence of politicians and the fact that reform which the future of this country depends on are late in almost every sector. The research shows that considerable portion of political forces are still oriented by ethnic reasons without getting to causes of dissatisfactory situation in economy and in society. Constitution is often violated with reference to the interest of one’s own nation. The research, conducted among 1500 persons older than 18, indicates to increase of distrust in those who perform authority and this is due to poor economic situation and dissatisfying standard. 62% of interviewees do not approve of the work of the OHR and the percentage of distrust towards the IC is the lowest in Bosniak-majority areas. 25% of interviewees believe that corruption is very much present within the IC. |
Defence and security | |
| Terzic, Radovanovic to visit US, discuss defence reforms with Powell, Rumsfeld
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘We will seek stronger and more operative support’ by S. Numanovic – BiH Prime Minister Adnan Terzic and BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanic will visit Washington at the beginning of next week. Terzic confirms that BiH delegation goes to US upon official invitation, and that it will meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Defence Minister Donald Rumsfeld. He says that the focus of the discussions will be defence reforms in BIH: “We will also seek stronger and more operative support from US.” Journalist adds that while Terzic did not want to give more details on the talks with US high officials, it is to be expected that issues such as deployment of BiH troops in Iraq, and BiH efforts to join PfP will be included. In addition, Terzic will also use the opportunity and meet with the representatives of the World Bank and IMF. |
| Radovanovic on meetings in UK | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘UK can significantly assist laid off officers’ by M.K. – BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic held separate meetings with British Defence Secretary Geoffrey Hoon and International Security Secretary Baroness Simons in London on Monday. One of the issues addressed were activities to assist demobilized soliders in BiH: “This is about the programmes where the role of UK would be of particular importance. The assistance to soldiers who were made redundant offered by the International Organization for Migration has proven of very good quality. Our suggestion is to have UK, using its diplomatic capabilities and channels, to try to re-attract the interests of the partners to ensure this [IOM] programme is continued, especially now when a large number of people were redundant,” stated Radovanovic. |
| Mektic claims Al’Qaeda present in BiH | Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Al’Qaeda in BiH’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Organisations linked with Al Q’Aeda operating in BiH’ – BiH Deputy Security Minister Dragan Mektic has said he has information that organizations which are in a certain way linked to terrorist groups, including Al-Qa’idah, are active in BiH. He told the Banja Luka-based Alternativna television that the UN Security Council had placed three humanitarian organizations from BiH on the list of institutions linked to Al-Qa’idah some 20 days ago. “However, we do not have any concrete operative information that an Al-Qa’idah network exists in Bosnia-Hercegovina and that this terrorist network has its cells here,” Mektic said. He warned that an adequate system of fighting organized crime had not yet been set up in BiH, adding that he expected that concrete results in fighting terrorism would be achieved by setting up the state-run Information and Protection Agency. |
| SFOR approves promotion of 5 Croat officers to generals positions | Vecernji List pg 2 ‘SFOR approved appointment of Puljic and Dzoic’ by zk – Croat member of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic confirmed for VL that SFOR approved promotion of 5 Croat officers for generals’ positions and during tomorrow’s session of the Standing Military Committee, Brigadier Slavko Puljic from Mostar will be proposed a Deputy Commander of the Joint Headquarters of the BiH Army. VL also says that the BiH Presidency will give the official approval for this proposal at its session that is to take place tomorrow. According to VL, Brigadier Ivica Dzoic also received the SFOR’s consent (VL reminds that SFOR demanded additional checking of this candidate). Dzoic will be a Commander of the Operative Headquarters of the BiH Army. |
| NN int with RS MoD Nikolic: ‘We do not need state army resembling JNA’ | Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘We do not need state army resembling JNA’ by A. Sisic – In a brief interview to NN, Miroslav Nikolic, Defence Minister of F BiH, says that he is surprised over the insistence on creation of the state army resembling former JNA. Speaking of the future process of establishing the BiH Armed Forces, which is one of pre-requisites for the membership into NATO, Nikolic concludes that “tragic scenes of war have been repeated over BiH peoples owing to existence of armies such as JNA”. On this he adds: “Those were armies full of integration, which were exterminating any national insignia. Those armies were in hands of majority people and arms was in the hands of majority people.” On SFOR vetting procedure, through which he sent officers who were devoted to “Croat self-rule”, he says: “I was trying to propose the best officers from both components, followed by vast consultations and opinion-respect.” |