| CROAT RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| BiH presidency session | Resignations in RS | Presidency on budget | RS telecom |
| Stolac municipality case | Third GSM operator | RS Gov on telecom | Legal suit against FRY |
| RS NA declaration | Separation wall in Israel | RS assembly against suit | Organised crime group |
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| National Museum of BiH |
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| Dnevni Avaz | Financial Police denies BH Telecom management: We have submitted findings on BH Telecom to the prosecutor |
| Dnevni List | Hauliers announce blockade of border; Richard Holbrooke proposes change to Dayton agreement; Nenad Ivankovic: Official Croatian policy did not stand behind destruction of Old Bridge |
| Vecernji List | List of diplomatic passports went missing; Serbs from Bocinja slowly lose hope: Mujaheddin offer Serbs delight of Islam |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features Croatia related headlines |
| Glas Srpske | Milorad Kostic and Milenko Kovacevic arrested in Srbinje: They blew up Ministers’ “Scoda”; Bratunac: New wave of evictions |
| Nezavisne Novine | Donald Hays in Banjaluka presented report of special auditor on Telekom Srpske: Mikerevic: Resignations or removals; Jungic: I will respect Government decision; Mass grave near Zvornik: Bosniak officials at BiH institutions visited Crni Vrh; Banjaluka: Republika Srpska Parliament sought withdrawal of BiH lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro |
| Blic | After Dragan Kostic’s promises, Banja Luka’s health workers stop protests |
| Oslobodjenje | Army officers write an open letter to Paddy Ashdown: FBiH Army remains without additional 160 apartments |
Audits | |
| Mikerevic, Hays request resignations
| BHTV, Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘The case of RS Telecom might end up before the Court of BiH’, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘Mikerevic: Resignations or removals’; Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Mikerevic demands resignations’, Blic pg. 7 ‘Annual loses of 38 million KM’; Vecernje Novosti pg. 21 ‘Suspicions confirmed’ – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic and PDHR Donald Hays at a press conference in Banja Luka on Wednesday demanded resignations of the managers/steering boards members in the RS Telecom and RS Elektroprivreda public companies. After the audit report on the RS Telecom, which revealed losses of 38 millions KM, they urged that management of the company should resign, but also officials and managers in RS Elektroprivreda. Mikerevic said: “These people should resign or they would be subject to other measures form RS government.” Commenting on the request, Zeljko Jungic, director of RS Telecom, said: “I’m going to respect any decision and there will be no obstruction on my side.” Hays underlined that auditor’s report was prepared together with financial inspectors from RS. In RS Elektroprivreda, it was said, they have just appointed temporary management and it should not be changed before October when it is scheduled to appoint permanent management trough regular procedure. Dnevni List (page 10, “Bad business operations of Elektroprivreda of Republika Srpska continues”, by F) – the Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, confirmed yesterday that the “special auditor made three reports in April, June and September on business operations of Elektroprivreda of RS, which show that, despite the removal of the general manger and members of the Steering Board, the situation in the company did not considerably improve”. PDHR Hays reportedly stated that unpaid bills of big consumers have increased and in some cases even doubled. “The current management of the Elektroprivreda has led the company to zero and it is time the new people who will manage the sector be installed”, said PDHR Hays. Oslobodjenje pg. 3, Blic pg. 7 ‘Situation in Elektroprivreda has not changed at all’ also reported on the issue. Dnevni List (page 10, “Removals of competent persons in Telekom Srpske announced”, unsigned) – the Republika Srpska Prime Minister, Dragan Mikerevic, has announced removals of competent persons in the “Telekom Srpske” after reviewing the report prepared by the special auditor of the IC on business operations of the company. The report reads that the company annually loses some 38 million KMs, which is 45% of the company’s profits from last year. The report also detected numerous irregularities, especially in areas of tenders and payments, which resulted in damages worth millions of KMs. (Slobodna Dalmacija, page 17, “Submit resignations immediately”, by M. Labus, Vecernji List, page 4, “Removals and resignations soon”, by B. S) Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘Jungic: I will respect Government decision’; Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘SO what if they remove us’ – The dailies also carried the statement made on Wednesday by Zeljko Jungic, General Manager of Telekom Srpske. According to the dailies, he also said that “I have not heard Prime Minister Mikerevic demanding my resignation. However, I will respect Government decision, because the Government, as majority owner, appointed us to positions.” Zoran Vujanovic, President of Steering Board of Telekom, noted that the Steering Board did forward each report and information on its plans to Government, demanding final verification. He is of the view that owing to special importance of Telekom for Republika Srpska, ‘It is necessary that this problem is brought up to the level of Republika Srpska National Assembly ”. Jungic reminded of good results, which Telekom Srpske achieved over the past years. He also said that some media were engaged in campaign against Telekom for the last couple of months. |
| GS on PDHR Hays’ meetings in BL | Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Monopoly to be placed under control’ – Donald Hays, PDHR, yesterday in Banjaluka had separate meetings with the Republika Srpska President, Dragan Cavic, Republika Srpska Parliament Speaker, Dragan Kalinic, and Republika Srpska Prime Minister, Dragan Mikerevic. Apart from audit report on Telekom Srpske, Hays and Cavic also spoke about the privatisation and economic affairs in general and resolvement of social problems. Cavic briefed Hays on proposals he sent to the Republika Srpska Government on 8 September, covering the fields of social sector and judiciary. Republika Srpska President once again expressed his support to conclusion on defence reform. The meeting between Hays and Kalinic agreed that the October session of Republika Srpska National Assembly should include discussion on Law on indirect taxation into agenda, as well as report on Telekom Srpske. |
| FBiH Financial Police denies BH Telecom management, Entity Government to replace company’s steering board | FTV, Dnevni Avaz front page pg. 3 ‘We have submitted findings on BH Telecom to the prosecutor’ – The Federation of BiH Financial Police denied statements by members of the management board of BH Telekom that no irregularities had been found during the company audit in 2002. On the contrary, the finance police say, at the request of the cantonal state prosecutor in Sarajevo, evidence has been collected which points to unlawful actions and criminal complaints have been filed against two persons. FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Lagumdzija in panic due to losing control over BH Telecom’ – The Federation of BiH Government is due to discuss a report by the special auditor on the business dealings of BH Telekom on Thursday. Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic will make a proposal that the company’s Steering Board be replaced. The management board of the Croat telecommunications company (HPT Mostar) was replaced about 20 days ago. The competent ministry will now investigate the responsibility of the management boards of both companies. Prime Minister Hadzipasic will forward the proposal that the management board of BH Telekom be replaced on Thursday. A special audit team of the OHR established that this company, as well as HPT Mostar, conducted its business dealings irresponsibly and without the necessary transparency. This is why Prime Minister Hadzipasic said he would be making changes. The decision on the replacement of the management board comes into force immediately. The prime minister did not reveal the names of the new members of the management board, but noted the qualities they will have. “They need to have expertise, and aspire towards contributing to the quality of the company, and I would like them to be younger people,” he emphasized. Asked about the doubts regarding the findings of the OHR’s auditors, the prime minister responded by asking: Who doubts them? “Those who have any doubts have every right to deny the findings. I would take this opportunity to ask all those who doubt the findings of the special auditor, to deny each and every finding with proper evidence. I will be happy if this happens,” he added. |
| Preliminary prosecutorial findings on Telekom audits in F BiH | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘Investigation findings on telekoms today’ – Zdravko Knezevic, Chief Federal Prosecutor, yesterday announced that the preliminary findings of investigation into allegations presented in audit reports on BH Telekom and HT Mostar should be known today. At today’s session in Sarajevo, Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to take an official stance on this telekom issue. |
| SDP on telekom audits | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Audit reports on telekoms serve to reduce their prices’ – Svetozar Pudaric, Secretary General of SDB of BiH, yesterday stated that audit reports on telekoms in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina have become means for public manipulation and serve to reduce their prices. (Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Diminishing of BH Telecom, HPT Mostar value’) |
| Doubts on irregularities in CIPS confirmed by the audits | Dnevni Avaz, page 2 “Following the control of the BH institutions’ workings: Doubts on irregularities in CIPS confirmed” – Report on the financial audits of the BH institutions confirmed the doubts, which exist with the public for several months now, on the irregularities in managing CIPS Directorate. It has been established that the Directorate did not make agreement with Siemens company on precise price of the original code for information system, and of the equipping CIPS facilities in the post offices. However, final conclusion of the report reads that “activities in the implementation of the CIPS project were conducted in accordance with the demands laid down by the laws and regulations given by Council of Ministers.” |
| Audit into FBiH Ministry of Finances | Vecernji List (page 2, “Turkish million goes to unknown”, by Zoran Kresic) – according to VL, the FBiH auditors established that the FBiH Ministry of Finances, at the time led by Sefika Hafizovic, re-routed funds exceeding 1 million KMs, originally aimed for paying gas bill most probably to Russia, for unknown purposes. The auditors apparently could not establish where the money ended up, as they were told by the Ministry that the funds had been used for “running costs”. According to VL, this financial scandal has international background too, since it was the Republic of Turkey that donated the money to pay the debts for gas in 1996. |
Economic/social issues | |
| Hadzipasic says there will be no higher pensions without economic recovery
| FTV – The pensioners were given answers to the demands made and questions raised at yesterday’s protest rally. The World Bank supports the reform of the pension system, in the belief that positive trends in the collection of revenue would continue, which would facilitate an increase in pensions. The World Bank takes the view that the pensioners should be paid everything from the state coffers collected through salary contributions. FTV reporter asked Federation of BiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic, what he would have said to pensioners had he been in Sarajevo during the protests. “I would not have addressed them even if I had been is Sarajevo. The problem of unpaid pensions, pensioners’ demand that pensions should grow in line with salaries, the problem of three months worth of unpaid pensions, a rise in the current pensions – all these problems have existed for some time and cannot be resolved without economic recovery. Yesterday I was at a place where I believe pensioners’ problems can be resolved, with good future business moves, by kick-starting the economy and establishing communications,” Hadzipasic responded. |
| FBiH President says Energy Law damages Croats
| Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, Dnevni Avaz pg. 8 ‘Lozancic requests evaluation of the constitutional foundation of elektroprivredas privatisation’, Vecernji List front “Law on electricity out of synch” and page 3, “Pronounce the law on electricity out of synch”, by zk, Dnevni List, page 2, :Lozancic sends request to FBiH Constitutional Court”, by F, ONASA – Federation of BiH President Niko Lozancic proposed on Wednesday to the Constitutional Court to evaluate as unconstitutional the part of the Law on energy that “damages Croats.” He said the law practically makes it possible for a majority of Bosniak vote in the House of Representatives to accept the action plan on restructuring of the energy sector, which abolishes the power utility Elektroprivreda Herceg-Bosna, based in Mostar. The House of Peoples did not decide on the action plan, which Lozancic considers as unconstitutional. “The Federation Constitution foresees that decisions of the parliament be confirmed by both houses, House of Peoples and House of Representatives, in the same text,” Lozancic said in a statement. |
| BiH Presidency agrees on Budget re-balance | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘Additional funds must not be used for salaries increase’ – At a press conference after a session of the state Presidency in Sarajevo on Wednesday, Chairman Dragan Covic said that the draft law had been adopted on amendments and addenda to the law on the implementation of the budget for the BiH institutions and the state’s international obligations in this year. The budget rescheduling made it possible for the Presidency member, Borislav Paravac, to obtain enough funds to complete the year without any cost restrictions, despite big expenditure. In addition to the draft law which was adopted, the Presidency also decided that there can be no increase in salaries through the rescheduling of the budget. The Council of Ministers ought to make a decision on the salaries of all those paid from the budget. The Council of Ministers must adopt the law on budget and forward to the Presidency the draft budget for 2004 by the end of the month. Even though it has been reported without any subsequent denial that Borislav Paravac’s office spent the annual budget in six months, which was the main problem with the rescheduling, Chairman Covic denied any overspending. “The funds were not spent by any cabinet already a month ago, as you say. I can responsibly state so, regardless of the information we had in our recent communication. There were certain problems, but the funds were not spent,” Covic emphasized. The rescheduling envisages that the Presidency should achieve the level of 2001, approximately 600,000 KM more than it has had so far. Dnevni List page 3, “Covic: Believe me, I do not know how much my stay in US cost”, by Renata Radic, Vecernji List page 2, “Salaries from budget in BiH will not grow”, by Dejan Jazvic,Slobodna Dalmacija, page 17, “No salary can grow”, by D. Pasic, Oslobodjenje pg. 3, mentioned on the front page ‘Borislav Paravac can continue wasting money’, Blic pg. 6 ‘Paravac is not a big spender’ also reported on the issue. |
| Third GSM licence
| BHTV – CRA and BiH Ministry of Communications agreed on the Action Plan for issuing the licence to the third GSM operator. The action plan envisages that licence for third GSM operator should be issued by November 30 and value of the licence should be determined before October 15. EroNet expressed very strong interest for the license and it seems as the strongest candidate. If EroNet does not get this licence then they will have to cease its operation on December 31. |
| World Bank on pensions | Slobodna Dalmacija (p 16, “Bigger pensions are possible”, by D. Juka) reports that, in the press release issued on the occasion of pensioners’ protests in FBiH, the World Bank (WB) expressed support to pensioners for using their legitimate democratic right adding the pensioners reminded domestic authorities as well as the International Community of the need to speed up the implementation of the key economic and social reforms. “As for the requests for pensions raise, all that is collected from revenues must go to pensioners but this must be resolved between the Government, the Pension Fund and this category of population”, the release reads. |
| OHR on public utilities in Mostar | Slobodna Dalmacija (p 21, “Encouraging compromise”, by Z. Zekic) and Dnevni List (p 16, “OHR pleased with decision of City Council of Mostar”, by D. Kozina) report that Avis Benes, the OHR (South) spokesperson, welcomed the decision on the establishment of new public utility companies “Komunalno” and the City Waste Dump Company “Uborak”, made by the Mostar City Council. The decision will ensure better services for Mostar citizens, as well as the World Bank’s assistance for the project. The decision made in the spirit of compromise is assessed as significant now that the Mostar Commission begins its work. |
| DL: World Bank on Mostar Public Utility issue | Dnevni List (p 16, “Progress possible despite complex circumstances”, by De. L.) carries the press release issued by the World Bank (WB) which reads that, following the decision by the Mostar City Council by which the remaining condition for the WB loan was fulfilled, Mostar town will be included in the “Solid Waste Management Project”. The decision to establish one Solid Waste utility in Mostar follows the successful example of the once divided water utilities that are now operating as one JP “Vodovod” under the “Mostar Water Supply and Sanitation Project”, the first WB-financed utility project in Mostar. “The much awaited decision by the Mostar City Council proves that despite the complicated Mostar environment, progress is possible. This will now result in immediate assistance to the solid waste sector, a critical environment area facing urgent needs,” the press release concludes. Slobodna Dalmacija (p 7, “Mostar will be included in the Solid Waste Management Project”, by D. Pasic) also covered the issue. |
| GS on HiRep visit to Dado factory in Banjaluka | Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘Shoes for Ashdown’ – GS carries a short story on Tuesday’s visit of the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown to shoe factory “Dado” in Banjaluka, which is owned by demobilised soldier, Nenad Skrbic. |
| NN editorial on Srpske Poste affair | Nezavisne Novine editorial by Dragan Jerinic, pg. 7, ‘The state weakness’ – The author elaborates on the case of Milutin Pejic, General Manager of Srpske Poste. According to the author, regardless of the fact that removals and appointments, open competitions and court verdicts may seem to be part of a complicated net, interwoven with positions taken by position and apposition, “Pejic” case shows the weakness and incapability of Republika Srpska authorities in the simplest way possible. |
| DL on investments in BiH
| Dnevni List (page 6, “Why are there no investors?”, by Anica Tomic-Babic) – the author offers her views why BiH is not attractive to investors, especially the foreign ones, saying the investors foremost look for security. “When we talked to a British businessman, he asked: ‘Will that Banking Agency of yours look after my pound the same as the Bank of England’? What can we tell him when the so-called BiH Central Bank does not have the monetary policy at all, when you can read on daily basis that somebody robbed a bank, that accounts of ‘clients’ and ‘stockholders’ of some ‘banks’ have been frozen, frozen after intervention from the OHR and foreign circles because the banking agencies and commissions for securities do not care for origin of capital and character of the stockholders”, says the author. |
Political developments | |
| Holbrooke says Dayton Agreement only framework for future
| BHTV 1 – US diplomat Richard Holbrooke will be visiting Sarajevo on Thursday. He commented for our BHTV news bulletin on the implementation of the Dayton Agreement. “The Dayton peace agreement is the framework for the future and the recent past in BiH. It is not a perfect document and there are many ways in which it can be improved. I fully support this and I believe that we should go on. There is space for other improvements. Even the US constitution has a vehicle for amendment. But I think that it is very important to maintain the Dayton Agreement as a framework,” he said. Asked what are the priorities in BiH now, Holbrooke responded: “Bosnian priorities should be to get their economy on stable feet, integrate economy in the region and work on joining the European institutions, including the EU. If this is to be achieved, the Dayton process must be completed. The remaining war criminals should be arrested and you should complete the process whereby BiH still has three different armies.” Dnevni List (front and page 3, unsigned) – the SENSE news agency learns from “unofficial diplomatic sources” that Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, who will be visiting BiH in the next two days, expressed readiness to address the MPs in both chambers of the BiH Parliament about possible construction of annexes and positive changes to the Dayton Peace Accord. DL also carries a statement by the BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, who met Holbrooke during the recent visit to the US. “I told Ambassador Holbrooke that opening of issue about some new Dayton is not topical”, said Ivanic. Ivanic reportedly believes that opening of discussion about some sort of “Dayton 2” would “deepen the differences, since there is no agreement about the issue among representatives of the three peoples in BiH”. |
| RS demands that lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro be dropped | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg. 8 ‘Declaration adopted that rejects BiH lawsuit against SCG for genocide’, Vecernji List page 2, “Serbs do not recognize Lawsuit against S&M”, by bs, Dnevni List, page 10, “Withdrawal or ratification of lawsuit”, by F,Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4, ‘Republika Srpska Parliament sought withdrawal of BiH lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘To get to the bottom of lawsuit’, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Deputies accused themselves by their own’, Blic pg. 7 ‘They request withdrawal of BiH lawsuit against S&M’; Vecernje Novosti pg. 4 ‘It is not only Bosniaks’ issue’ – At an extraordinary session in Banja Luka on Wednesday, the RS National Assembly adopted a declaration demanding that BiH’s lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro for genocide be dropped. The lawsuit had been filed with the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The state Presidency and the Parliamentary Assembly are asked to re-examine the issue and decide either to withdraw or to ratify the lawsuit, and thus open a debate on the future of the lawsuit among the three constitutive nations. The declaration stating the RS view on the lawsuit against SCG (former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), was supported by all representatives of Serb political parties in the Assembly. Their stand was unanimous: the aim is not to outvote the Bosniaks and the Croats in the RS, but to open a debate on the issue in which the three constitutive nations would take part, with the aim of strengthening peace and reconciliation and building a future in BiH together, it was said. Dnevni Avaz, page 8 “This is a trial to postpone main hearing in The Hague” – BH Presidency member Sulejman Tihic said that the declaration adopted by Serb political parties’ deputies to the RS National Assembly asking for withdrawal of the BiH’s law-suite against Serbia and Montenegro for genocide did not have any grounds. “This is about the decision of one people in RS, not all three constituent peoples. I expect that representatives of other two peoples will dismiss this declaration through the constitutional mechanism through the RS Council of People.” |
| Sontheim appointed acting Brcko Supervisor | Glas Srpske, pg. 2 ; Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Sontheim as Acting International Supervisor’, Oslobodjenje pg. 5, Vecernji List (p 4, “Paddy Ashdown appointed Supervisor”, by Ma. B.), Dnevni List (p 4, “Gerhard Sontheim acting Supervisor for Brcko”, not signed) – The High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, has appointed Gerhard Sontheim as acting Supervisor of Brcko District until that position is filled on a permanent basis. His appointment follows the departure of Supervisor Henry L. Clarke. |
Exhumations; security; legal proceedings | |
| Visit to Crni Vrh
| Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘Those who did not visit this site have guilty conscience’ – The Bosniak members of joint BiH institutions yesterday visited the site of mass grave at Crni Vrh near Zvornik. Some of those officials are: Elmir Jahic, Selim Beslagic and Nadzida Mlaco from House of Representatives, and Osman Brka from House of Peoples. Jahic said that it is not good that the visits to Crni Vrh are mono-national, adding that it is not good for building of trust and reconciliation. |
| Police arrest in Srbinje | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘They blew up Ministers “Scoda’; Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘Suspected of blackmails and abductions behind bars’ – Owing to reasonable suspicion that they committed criminal acts of causing public danger, extorted money and made threats, Milorad Kostic and Milenko Kovacevic, both from Srbinje, were arrested. Police arrested them the night before the last in Srbinje. They were handed to Prosecutor’s Office in charge yesterday. They have also been suspected of having planted an explosive device under the vehicle owned by Dragan Solaja, Republika Srpska Minister of Traffic and Communication. Blic pg. 6 ‘They burned down cars and extorted money’ also reported on the issue. |
| Property laws implementation in Bratunac | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘New wave of evictions’ – Milenko Komlenovic, Head of OMI Office in Bratunac, stated that temporary accommodation needs to be provided to 250 families, that will be evicted from 160 houses in the next two months. |
| Former RS minister Suzic found guilty
| Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Former minister Nenad Suzic sentenced to eight months imprisonment’ – Banjaluka Basic Court Panel of Judges, chaired by Judge Dragan Uletilovic, yesterday sentenced Nenad Suzic, former Republika Srpska minister of education, to unconditional eight months imprisonment. He was charged for criminal act of misuse of office and official responsibility. The affair on grounds of which Suzic was tried and eventually sentenced, is related to Marijana Sevo (daughter of Nada Sevo, Prijedor Mayor), to whom Government approved scholarship of 5 thousand pounds for post-graduate studies at Stradtford University in Great Britain. |
| Criminal reports against Republika Srpska officials | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘233 criminal reports filed against officials’ – NN learnt at Republika Srpska Public Prosecutor’s Office that in the past years, criminal reports have been filed against 233 Republika Srpska officials and public dignitaries, out of which majority are still unresolved. The interesting case is related to former Republika Srpska Prime Minister, Gojko Klickovic, against whom investigation has been on since 1998. Owing to the fact that Republika Srpska police cannot access him, the arrest warrant has been issued for him. |
| Officers write an open letter to Paddy Ashdown: FBiH Army is to stay without additional 160 apartments
| Oslobodjenje, front page & pg 4,5 “Officers write an open letter to Paddy Ashdown: FBiH Army is to stay without additional 160 apartments” by Asaf Becirevic – Following the decision of the Commission for Real Property Claims (CRPC), FBiH Army will loose additional 160 apartments. In accordance with the CRPC’s decision, 56 FBiH Army officers, families of Muslim fallen soldiers and veterans will have to leave their apartments they got form the FBiH Defence Ministry and Army. “So, those 56 apartments will be returned to their prewar owners, JNA officers. CRPC’s decision still did not reach us officially, but analysing decisions CRPC already published on the internet we came up with these results… We asked CRCP not to implement its decisions until they consider our appeals.” – said FBiH Army Chief of Housing Department Asim Hodzic. About 600 soldiers initiated writing a letter to the High Representative Paddy Ashdown to inform him on the breaches of their human rights. Oslobodjenje claims that 98% of the families that will be forced to leave their homes are Bosniaks, and that due to the difficult financial situation CRPC will end its mandate next month instead on 31 December. |
| DL says security of Croats in Bihac jeopardized | Dnevni List (page 5, “Security of Bihac Croats jeopardized”, by Miso Relota) – the article warns of attacks on Croats in the Bihac area, citing there were five attacks on elderly Croats in month of September. The daily also carries the BiH Minister of Security, Barisa Colak, who says he got assurances from the FBiH Minister of Interior, Mevludin Halilovic, that the Police was looking for perpetrator(s). Minister Colak says the Security Ministry will closely follow the situation and send its officials to the area. “I expect urgent responds and revealing of felonies”, says Colak. |
| HRTV Mostar against CRA’s decision | Dnevni List (page 15, “Menix: It seems CRA surpassed the High Representative”, by V. Soldo) – the Director of HRTV Mostar (Croat Radio Television Mostar), Vlatko Menix, plans to go against a decision passed by the Communications Regulatory Agency (CRA) according to which national prefixes from the names of public broadcasters are to be erased. Menix says he will contest the decision with the BiH Constitutional Court, believing it is never the name of the outlet that determines the programming, also noting that the CRA issued a long term licence to the HRTV Mostar under the existing name in December last year. On the other hand, the CRA spokesperson, Amela Odobasic, stresses the decision applies only to broadcasters that are being funded from public funds. (Vecernji List, page 5, “Constitutions and UN conventions are with HRT”, by Z. D.) |