| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Bulgarian PM visits BiH | Vuksic’s verdict | Vuksic’s verdict | RSNA Board on revisions |
| Reforms of Public Admin | Popovo polje floods | Money laundering in BiH | Bulgarian PM visits BiH |
| Tihic’s on entities’ names | Bulgarian PM visits BiH | FBiH Govt in session | US Govt rep visits BiH MoD |
| DL int w/Russian ambas. | US Govt rep visits BiH MoD | BiH credit rating | Reforms of Public Admin |
| Oslobodjenje | Dwellers of nationalised apartments with a right to buy them; US support to BiH’s admission to PfP: Welcoming to the NATO summit; RS Citizens on decision by BiH Constitutional Court: Serbs are not against Foca?!; Ivan Vuksic acquitted |
| Dnevni Avaz | Nationalised apartments to be bought out; English and Bond visit Radovanovic: US supports BiH’s admission to PfP; Ivan Vuksic acquitted from charges |
| Dnevni List | Ashdown: Bosniaks want to politicize Police and judiciary; Ivan Vuksic acquitted of charges |
| Vecernji List | Serbs want adjective “Bosnian” to be abolished; Popovo polje: Crops destroyed |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Trebinje people flood Ravno; New indictments arrived to Zagreb |
| Glas Srpske | Investigation into money laundering in the case of Zeljko Manojlovic: The tangled web is becoming unravelled |
| Nezavisne Novine | Floods in Popovo Polje; RS NA Board for economy and finances: Banks were sold without estimate into their worth; BiH got the first sovereign loan arrangement: Positive rating stimulates foreign investments; Banjaluka: Davidovic removes and sues Kovacevic; Cantonal Court in Sarajevo: Ivan Vuksic freed of charges for Hercegovacka Banka |
| Blic | Defending Srpska from new pressures; The most expensive credits in Europe; Milosevic’s day in prison |
Legal affairs | |
| Former FOSS Deputy Director acquitted of charges for hostage situation
| RHB, FTV, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 3 ‘Ivan Vuksic acquitted of charges of taking hostages’, Dnevni Avaz cover ‘Ivan Vuksic acquitted’, pg 4 ‘Ivan Vuksic acquitted of charges for keeping hostages’, Vecernji List front ‘Ivan Vuksic acquitted of charges that he was taking hostages’, pg 3 ‘Ivan Vuksic acquitted of charges yesterday’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Former Head of FOSS acquitted of charges’, Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 3 ‘Ivan Vuksic freed of charges for Hercegovacka Banka’ FENA – On Monday, former Deputy Director of the Federation Intelligence and Security Service [FOSS], Ivan Vuksic, was acquitted from the charges of keeping hostages during SFOR operation of seizing documents from the Hercegovacka bank on 21 April 2001. The Sarajevo Canton Court found that there was no evidence indicating elements such criminal act took place. The court said it was not denying that events described in the indictment had taken place, however, witnesses did not confirm Vuksic’s responsibility for the criminal act of which he had been accused. On the contrary, during the trial it was established that Vuksic appeared in the bank when the disputed events had ended. It was also established that he had not been involved in orchestrating the “hostage crisis.” BHTV 1 – Charges also previously accused Vuksic of forcedly keeping the officials of the FBiH Interior Ministry, inspector of the financial police, and of blackmailing the international community who was forced to return taken documents back to the Bank. Dnevni List front, pg 52 ‘Ivan Vuksic acquitted of charges’ – Judge Sreto Crnjak stated that according to the Federation of BiH inspectors, who were on the spot at the time of the incident, Vuksic was not threatening them or using force but he was telling that he would rescue them. FBiH inspector Muhamed Mujic stated that Vuksic was authority and that he was calming down a big crowd of people who gathered around the bank. If the Prosecutor’s Office appeals, the case will be continued before the FBiH Supreme Court. |
| RSNA Economic Board fails to take a stand on Kristal and Banja Luka banks’ privatisation | RTRS – On Monday, RSNA Board for Economy and Finance in failed to take a final stand in regard to the auditing reports on the pre-privatization status in Kristal Bank and Banja Luka Banks, and on business conduct of company “Srpske poste” in 2000. After the session, Chairman of the Board Branislav Stojanovic said that a task force has been formed for the purpose of preparing the conclusions on the auditing reports for the next session scheduled for April 1. This session was expected to solve the dilemma whether the Banks were ruined by lousy work before privatisation [in which case, responsible would the Government of Milorad Dodik] or at the time of being sold for one Euro [responsibility of Mladen Ivanic’s government]. However, instead of bringing in conclusion and coming up with the report to submit to the RSNA, Board has established a Commission of three members to make conclusions of the board. Dodik should have attend this session, but he sent a letter to the Board saying that he sees no reason to be there, because the Banks were sold in time of Mladen Ivanic’s Government. He also said that this hearing is an attempt of politicisation and manipulation. Mladen Ivanic, on the other side says that privatisation of those Banks were good for RS. “Practically we were facing two [possibilities]: to liquidate the Bank or to sell it. The Bank was privatised and the buyer had to invest 60 million KM of additional capital and on top of that he had brought in 190 millions KM of deposit,” commented Mladen Ivanic. In regard to the pre-privatisation status in the Kristal Bank, RS Chief Auditor Bosko Ceko said that certain irregularities have been recorded and that the responsibility for this lies with the Bank’s management and the entity Banking Agency. Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 3 ‘Banks were sold without estimate into their worth’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘EURO of millions worth’ – Mladen Ivanic admitted Government failed to perform an estimate into the worth of the Bank, noting that it was a sort of formality since there were reports of the external audit office and the World Bank, which recommended the liquidation of the Bank. Ljubomir Klincov, former Director of Kristal Banka, said that no official from the Government of Milorad Dodik had ever exerted pressure against him and ordered who should get loans. |
| Money laundering in BiH | Glas Srpske cover page story ‘The tangled web is becoming unravelled’ – In an update into money laundering affair and the case against Zeljko Manojlovic from Banjaluka, Manojlovic, after pleading guilty and identifying his accomplices, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment and fine of 50 thousand KM. And this also means that the tangled web is becoming unravelled. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Bank reported on money laundering’ reports on this’ – GS also reports that the Hypo Alpe Adria Bank announced that clerks of this Bank were those, who filed a complaint with the RS Ministry of Finance against transactions run by Manojlovic in August 2003. Vaso Topic, Head of Bank Branch Office in Laktasi, has been kept in detention. FTV – Other suspect bank clerks have been released from detention after interviews, but will also be charged. |
Political developments | |
| Reactions to initiative to change RS [and FBiH] name[s]
| Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘Tihic against Dayton’ – RS Prime Minister, Dragan Mikerevic said that statements of “certain Bosniak politicians” [referring to Sulejman Tihic and Haris Silajdzic], which strongly advocate for the change of the Republika Srpska name, are harmful for all peoples in BiH. RS Prime Minister said that there is no way for the RS name to be changed without an agreement of all sides that signed Dayton Peace Accord. RTRS – The President of the Serb Radical Party Mihajlo Mihajlica commented the BiH Constitutional Court’s verdict as being a consequence of decision on constituency of all three peoples in entire BiH territory. He reminded that decision was made outvoting Serb and Croat members of that Court. RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Against demolishing RS’ – The President of Serb National Union, Branislav Lolic demands from the RS President, Dragan Cavic to schedule an immediate meeting of all Serb parties in BiH, in order to discuss the joint attitude regarding newest initiatives, “which are ruining the sovereignty of RS and jeopardize national interest of Serb people.” Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Stojicic: SDS sees initiative as ‘anti-Dayton’ and ‘anti-Serb’’ – SDS spokesperson, Dusan Stojicic, condemned Tihic’s statement for changing the name of RS and stressed that it can be seen as anti-Dayton and anti-Serb: “I believe that such high positioned official should not give so easily politicized statements.” Chief of PDP president’s Cabtinet, Sinisa Djordjevic commented that this was expected: “Tihic is trying to draw attention from problems in FBiH to us.” Dnevni List pg 15 ‘Nobody can abolish Republika Srpska’ – also brings Stojicic’s statement. Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Tihic cannot change the name of entity’ – SDS rejected this initiative by Tihic, saying it represents the change of Dayton Peace Agreement. Bosko Siljegovic, member of the SDS Chair Board, said that the initiative is unacceptable. Milorad Dodik, SNSD leader, said that RS is a constitutional category, and its name cannot be changed without the assent of all three peoples. Nevenka Trifkovic, PDP delegate, says that both entities and three constitutive peoples must agree on the change of Republika Srpska name. Slobodan Popovic, SDP Vice President, says that Tihic is faced with a problem in constituting the authority in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, owing to which reason he wants to transfer the responsibility onto Republika Srpska. Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘We will not support initiative for change of BIH entities names’ – brings Dodik statement. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Tokic: Name RS is discriminatory, and FBIH unappropriate for state structure’ – Following announcement by Sulejman Tihic of submitted a request for abolishment of the names of FBiH and RS, Sefik Dzaferovic, SDA Secretary General, said that this demand was justified as it was not appropriate to have both Federation and Republic in one state; SDU Vice President Sejfudin Tokic says that this initiative should be started in the BiH Presidency, believing both names should be changed; while both SBiH Presidency members Berzic Belkic, and Deputy BiH House of Reps Speaker Martin Raguz said that it was more important to have appropriate structure which would guarantee equal treatment of all BiH citizens. Oslobodjenje cover, pg 7 ‘Serbs are not against Foca anymore?!’ by Asaf Becirovic – Oslobodjenje carries a feature bringing comments from citizens of Eastern RS, which mainly oppose the decision of the BiH Constitutional Court to abolish the prefix ‘Srpski’ in names of cities and municipalities in RS. However it also brings that according to the Chairman of Foca/Srbinje Municipality Assembly, Lutvo Sutalo, majority of city’s population has no objections to return of pre-war name Foca. On the other side, Srpsko Sarajevo mayor Milivoje Gutalj comments that the decision was more political than legal. RHB, Blic front, pg 13 ‘Defending Srpska’, pg 13 ‘Tihic: Illogical names’, Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘Serbs defend Srpska’, pg 5 ‘Tihic against Dayton’ – carried Tihic’s announcement of soon filing demand for changes of the names of both entities [see brief yesterday.] |
| OSCE Chairman urges BiH officials to press ahead with education and defence reform | RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Only reforms lead BiH to Europe’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘BiH needs to be offered with clear perspective’, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Solomon Passy calls on BiH to accelerate reforms’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘OSCE will politically support BiH’s admission to NATO’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Passy called on faster implementation of education and defense reform’, Blic pg 13 ‘Passy: Agreement on future’ – OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, during his visit to Sarajevo on Monday, stated that the international community must offer to BiH citizens clear perspectives on better future and admission to EU. Passy remarked after the meeting with the Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic that OSCE assist BiH on the path to Europe. Minister Pasi noted that he discussed with Tihic the progress of the democratic reforms, and especially the reforms in education and in the Armed Forces. Tihic said that received Passy’s total support for BiH accession to Partnership for Peace. BHTV 1 – Passy invited BiH authorities to accelerate reforms in education and Defence, pointing out their importance in democratic development and future engagement of BiH in NATO. Addressing the issue of education, Minister pointed that the Bulgaria passed through similar problems: “My experience from Bulgaria tells me that it is very important to have Committee to draft history books for education, because if we harmonize about the past in the Balkans it will be much easier to discuss the future”, said Passy. OSCE Chairman also pointed that BiH has great chances to enter Partnership for peace, but has to fulfil its obligations. FTV – Chairman of BiH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic has repeated BiH determination to implement education reforms. Passy insisted that the education iis the most important tool in establishment of democratic institutions and it is of vital importance to accomplish the reform of this field. RTRS – BiH admission to NATO and EU depends of defence and education reforms, and therefore BiH Governments must do more in this regard, was concluded at the meeting of Solomon Passy with BiH Officials. After meeting Tihic, Passy also met with the BiH Minister of Defence Nikola Radovanovic, BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak and Chairman of CoM Adnan Terzic. At that meeting, it was pointed that BiH conditions to join PfP are divided in two parts, technical [referring to the full operational Defence Ministry] and a political aspect. This refers to “BiH’s cooperation with ICTY. Different expressions are being used…, but it is certain that concrete results in that field are being demanded,” said Nikola Radovanovic. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Excellent cooperation between OHR and OSCE Mission to BiH’ – During a meeting with High representative, Paddy Ashdown, Solomon Passi and HR pointed that BiH citizens know what needs to be done and that IC support follows. FENA – In a meeting with BiH Prime Minister Adnan Terzic, the Minister said it would be a disadvantage for BiH to fail to meet its commitments under the Bologna Process by not passing the State Framework Law on Higher Education. “BiH students would really miss an opportunity to be part of a wider European Higher Education Area”, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office said. |
| Ashdown on implementation of reforms in BiH and local authorities | Dnevni List front pg splash, pg 7 ‘Ashdown: Bosniaks want to politicize Police and judiciary’ by Renata Radic – DL carries an interview with the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, in which he, talking about course of reform in BiH, notes that he is an optimist in a long, but less optimistic in a short run. “We must travel faster if we want to go to Europe. This year we have to fulfill goals to be in the EU and Partnership for Peace. It will be harder if we are to have more obstructions. We still have chances. I am an optimist”, says HR Ashdown. Asked to assess the work of domestic politicians, HR is carried as saying it is a great feat that the three national parties (SDS, SDA, HDZ) have opened the door to NATO and introduced some reforms, adding: “But we still have a nationally based politics. We have problems in the HDZ-SDA coalition. We have the situation that the HDZ, in other words the Croats are against European standards in education. Bosniaks want politicized Police and judiciary, and the SDS maintains the situation as it is. If I were very optimistic, I’d say this country has gone much more further with these authorities than anyone believed, but we have not gone enough to get closer to the EU”. Questioned about what will happen to the OHR in the near future, HR Ashdown says: “The institution of the OHR must change, because as long as we are going towards Europe, the High Representative will work less, and BiH politicians more. OHR must change into something else”. |
| Ashdown on Mostar | Dnevni List front splash, pg 7 ‘Ashdown: Bosniaks want to politicize Police and judiciary’ by Renata Radic – Questioned whether he is satisfied with the implementation of the imposed solution to Mostar, the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, says: “I am encouraged. We are half-way through the whole process and some of the most difficult moments have been completed, and it was very difficult (…) We will see whether we can move five (FBiH) ministries to Mostar, open new jobs. I want to commend [Ljubo] Beslic and [Hamdija] Jahic [Deputy Mayor and Mayor of Mostar, respectively] and others who participated in building of institutions. They all represented interests of the City of Mostar, not the politics. Now we have a much better situation in Mostar than before. The big issue will be the budget in May. I think it will be difficult. We are not at the end, we are at the half way”. |
| DA interview with Dodik | Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘We will not support initiative for change of BIH entities names’ by Fadila Mandal – In an interview to DA, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik [DA says Dodik has becoming a leader of opposition in entire BiH] says that recent opposition protests in Banja Luka “did not have a character of protests only for RS, but for entire BiH. We simply believe that the situation in entire BiH is such that it is politically realistic for both entities and the state to hold early elections… I believe that in the international community there is more discussion on early elections. They still believe it is a matter of local authorities, but if certain institutions make a decision on early elections, they will respect it.” |
| DL on crisis between SDA/HDZ in Central Bosnia Cantonal Govt | Dnevni List pg 3 ‘HDZ and SDA without agreement on solving crisis in authority in central Bosnia’ –The Central Bosnia Cantonal [CBC] Assembly holds an extraordinary session today to discuss the resignation by the Assembly Speaker, Velimir Valjan. “Reason for my resignation is because the partner sides [HDZ and SDA] have not reached an agreement, the crisis has reached the summit. Because of that, and because of moral reasons, I am offering my resignation to make it clear who is responsible for the situation – either me or someone else”, says Valjan. DL also reports that the President of HDZ, Barisa Colak, promised the HDZ of CBC that he would try to find a solution with the President of SDA, Sulejman Tihic, and overcome the crisis in the canton. |
| DL editorial on SDA/HDZ | Dnevni List pg 6 ‘It is the eleventh hour’ by Slavo Kukic – DL carries an editorial saying that the last crisis in the relations between SDA and HDZ was a rigged one, just like all previous crises in the relations between the two parties. The author says it was created because of both upcoming municipal, and general elections. The author says that some people will say it is too early to start with causing of the crisis since the elections will take place as late as in October this year, however, the author believes that it should start immediately with causing of national frustrations, fears and homogenization of peoples because the things might get complicated due to constant falling of living standards, negative welfare, economic and all other trends. |
Economic and social issues | |
| FBiH Govt discusses three laws on housing matters [including military and nationalised apartments]
| FENA – FBiH Government held a session on Monday, attended by the ministers from HDZ, in order to discuss the three laws on housing matters. Following the session, FBiH Urban Planning and Environment Minister Ramiz Mehmedagic said that, the most importantly, the Government has finally resolved the matter of military apartments. The JNA officers who had left BiH and moved to other countries where they have managed to resolve their housing status, regardless of the fact whether they purchased their apartments in 1991, will not be given back these apartments. The other key aspect of this law is the amendment of Article 47, whereas the persons with tenants’ rights living in nationalized apartments are finally allowed to buy these apartments [Agency says that buyers will not have a right to use benefits or to pay with certificates, but only in cash paying 600 KM per square meter]. “This is a not a law on restitution, but it is one segment of the Law on Restitution that was in procedure in 1999 and 2000”, said Mehmedagic. FBiH Government has decided to forward this legal package to the FBiH Parliament in urgent procedure, and looks forward to its speedy adoption. “Aim of the Government is to provide for the full privatization of the housing fund, and it has offered a solution that is possible at the moment, although it might not be the best, and is prepared to accept the possible amendments in the Parliament and to finally put an end to this matter”, said Mehmedagic. Responding to a question on whether the amendments of the law on the military apartments are contrary to the previous decision of the Human Rights Chamber, Mehmedagic said that nothing is contrary to this decision and that everything was done with the aim of harmonizing the law with the decision. FTV, BHTV 1 – Both reported on the issue based on FENA’s news report. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4&5 ‘Dwellers of nationalised apartments have a right to buy them out’, Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Nationalised apartments to be bought out’, ‘Buy out of nationalised apartments allowed’, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘HDZ Ministers returned to Government’, Dnevni List front, pg 3 ‘Officers of former JNA will lose flats’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Implementation of reforms main task’ – also brings the conclusions from the FBiH session. |
| BiH HoR’s Commission discusses BiH Restitution Law
| Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Spiric’s Law on Restitution remains in procedure’, Oslobodjenje pgs 4&5 ‘Vote on Spiric’s law postponed’, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Further analysis of Spiric’s proposal’ – The Constitutional-Legal Commission of the BiH House of Representatives held a session on Monday, which was attended by the representatives of BiH Council of Ministers and the OHR Legal Department. The Commission considered the Bill on Restitution in BiH, which was proposed by representative Nikola Spiric. After the session Commission’s Chair Mirsad Ceman told Oslobodjenje that the vote on Spiric’s amendments was postponed, as there was a need to further examine this matter. Council of Ministers of OHR also suggested establishing of an expert task force, which would comprise the representatives of BiH CoM, OHR, the World bank, GTZ and the Commission. This task force, which would be appointed by the Council of Ministers, would work on preparing its proposal. FENA – “The Commission had a long discussion on these proposals and in the end decided to submit a partial report on Spiric’s Bill to the House of Representatives, because we were supposed to forward the report by the end of July last year. We are late because the Commission wishes to consider all relevant arguments in favour or against certain solutions”, said Ceman. |
| BiH receives positive credit rating | RHB, BHTV 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Positive mark despite expectations’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Credit rating for BiH B3’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Chance for economic development of the country’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘BiH has been given B3 credit rating’- BiH Central Bank stated at press conference held in Sarajevo on Monday that BiH has been given the B3 credit rating with positive projections for the upcoming period. Central Bank further explained that these positive projections are a clear indicator that the rating agency expects the rating of BiH to increase in the next 6 to 18 months. Credit ratings were developed by the Moody’s Investor Service, which based it on statistical indicators from domestic and international institutions, as well as talks with officials and representatives of institutions. BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic said that the positive credit rating represents a success for the authorities and the Bank. Central Bank Governor Peter Nichol said that the positive credit rating is proof that the economic situation in BiH is developing in a positive direction. Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 4 ‘Positive rating stimulates foreign investments’ – According to Terzic, this rating should ensure larger inflow of foreign investments in BiH. Peter Nichol, Governor of BiH Central Bank, says that B3 rating is not the lowest rating a state can get. He said: “It is a positive thing that we have a credit rating, because many states do not have it.” Dnevni Avaz pg 15 [business section] ‘B3 was expected and in mid-terms it should lead to lower interest rates’ – Following receipt of B3 mark, brings reactions from leading banks present in BiH, which all agree that the mark was expected and good, as it leaves space for foreign investments. |
| NN editorial on credit rating for BiH | Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘Credit rating’ op-ed by Josip Blazevic – The editorial refers to the B3 credit rating given to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where author commends this fact and stresses that it is of extreme importance for BiH as it would attract foreign investments. He says that the level of success or failure of the executive authority can be followed through the rating level. |
| Launch of public administration campaign | Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Final measure – firing workers’, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Reform of public administration is necessary’, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘There will be dismissals at public administration’ – On Monday, BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac and Delegation of the European Commission in BiH Head Michael Humphreys presented the information campaign for the process of reforming public administration. They talked about functional reviews of public administration in BiH with the objective of informing employees in public administration and the public about the reform of that sector and the role of such reviews. RHB – Minister Kovac said that public administration reform is one of the most complicated processes requiring the support of all levels of authorities in BiH. FBiH Vice President Sahbaz Dzihanovic said that BiH has an expensive public sector that cannot be supported by its economic resources. 67 percent of the GDP is spent on the state administration, Dzihanovic said. BHTV 1 – Dzihanovic also stressed that RS has done more in this area than FBiH has, urging Federation authorities to make an additional efforts that would lead towards being in the same position with other entity. RTRS – It was announced that two kinds of reviews will be implemented: systematic and sector. Systematic will include the reviews of the functions of the Public Administration and sector will include analyses of Administration at all levels of governments. This reform is considered as one of most important and EC has donated €4, 6 millions for it. |
| Update to Popovo polje floods | Vecernji List front page splash ‘Crops destroyed’, pg 7 ‘Thousands of hectares of fruit, vegetables and cereal crops destroyed’ – carries an update to the flooding of the Popovo polje in eastern Herzegovina, noting that according to first information, some 500 hectares of orchards and 1500 hectares of vegetables and cereal crops have been destroyed in the recent floods. According to the Head of Municipality Ravno, which covers the Popovo polje, Andrija Simunovic, the responsible people in charge of the Bileca Lake had kept high levels of water, which grew even higher with more water coming into the lake, which forced the responsible to release the extra water and flood the area. VL also reports that the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton [HNC] Government was in extraordinary session yesterday to discuss the issue. HNC reportedly took several decisions, among which is a decision to send a request to the BiH Council of Ministers to task the Waterworks Inspections of the Republika Srpska, which should be investigating into the regime of work of hydro electric power plants on the Trebisnjica river. Furthermore, the HNC Government requests an immediate establishment of a working commission consisting of representatives of the RS, FBiH and HNC, which should complete a report about the situation. HNC Government has also requested the Cantonal Prosecution to launch an investigation to determine the cause and consequences of the recent events. RHB, BHTV 1, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Crops in Popovo polje destroyed’, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘To establish the cause’, Dnevni List front, pg 11 ‘Government wants determining of cause of floods in Ravno’, Slobodna Dalmacija front pg splash, pg 17 ‘Trebinje people flood Ravno’, pg 17 ‘Urgent investigation on flooding’, Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 2 ‘Floods in Popovo Polje’ – all reported on the damages caused by the flood and HNK Govt session. |
| Terzic meets Doyle | Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘BiH authorities readier to implement reforms’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Another stand-by arrangement successfully completed’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘BiH authorities successfully completed stand-by arrangement’ – The meeting between the Chairperson of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, and the Head of International Monetary Fund, Peter Doyle, concluded that the successful realisation of the stand-by arrangement shows an increased responsibility of the BiH authorities and their readiness for the implementation of reforms. BiH has completed the final stand-by arrangement signed with IMF. |
Defence issues | |
| Radovanovic meets Bond, English | BHTV 1, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz cover ‘US supports BiH admission to PfP’, pg 3 ‘US supports BiH’s efforts to be admitted to PfP’ Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Full support for BiH admission into NATO’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘The Hague is a temptation for the authorities’ – US State Department South and Central Europe Department Director Charles English and US Ambassador to BiH, Clifford Bond, on Monday met with the BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic, and stressed that he had a full support by US and NATO in implementation of conditions for BIH’s admission to Partnership for Peace program. US officials also said that US Government will support the establishment of fully operational BiH Defence Ministers. It comes to the appointment of Ministry’s military staff,it was pointed out that the Minister will first check their appointment with the SFOR Command, and then have it approved by the BiH Parliament and eventually by BiH Presidency. Representative of State Department, Charles English reminded that cooperation with the Hague Tribunal is the key issue in that process, stressing he would discuss this issue today with RS Officials. English has also met with Chairman of CoM, Adnan Terzic and he pointed that progress was made in BiH especially when it comes to establishment of Indirect Taxation Administration and strengthening of BiH Institutions. Oslobodjenje cover, pg 6 ‘Welcoming to the NATO summit’ – US Ambassador to BiH Clifford Bond also commended efforts of BiH institutions in implementing reforms. He underlined the decision of the BiH Presidency on appointing the general corps, and expressed readiness of the US Administration to ensure funds to the training of newly appointed BiH officials. |
War crimes | |
| SD on new indictment against BiH Croats | Slobodna Dalmacija front pg ‘New indictments arrived to Zagreb’, pg 3 ‘Bills of indictment against Prlic, Praljak, Petkovic, Stojic and Coric arrived to Zagreb, name of sixth suspect is still top secret’ by M. Pn. – SD carries that 6 new indictments, that the Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte issued against political and military officials of the Croat Republic of Herceg Bosna (HRHB), will be handed over to the Croatian Government today. SD learns from well-informed sources that the bills of indictment arrived to Sarajevo last week however, since according to the ICTY information all suspects live on the territory of the Republic of Croatia, the indictments will be forwarded to the Croatian Government. According to these sources, the indictments have been issued against former President of the HRHB Government, Jadranko Prlic, former Heads of the HVO Main Headquarters Generals Slobodan Praljak and Milivoj Petkovic, former HRHB Defence Minister, Bruno Stojic, and former Commander of HVO Military Police, Valentin Coric. According to SD, the name of the sixth suspect is still a secret. |
| Dodik on report by Srebrenica Commission, war crimes in general | Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘We will not support initiative for change of BIH entities names’ by Fadil Mandal – In an interview to DA, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik was asked to comment recent statement of his party comrade Nikola Spiric, who said that the real problems for RS will start once the report by Srebrenica Commission is published. Dodik explaines: “The report is, undoubtedly, a duty of the RS Government. What is already clear is that a horrid massacre and murders took place. However, we do not believe that any event that occurred in BiH during the war can stood up, not even Srebrenica. We believe that following the report of the Srebrenica Commission therefore should be a Commission for Truth established to English all events in BiH. not only in Srebrenica, but in Prijedor, Tuzla, Sarajevo, Foca… In that way, we could finally put a full stop to war period.” |