- BH-Central Institutions
- BiH to impose visas for Iranians:
- President of BiH Presidency surprised with failure to establish diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia:
- Jadranko Prlic - The BiH Presidency decides on establishment of diplomatic relations with the FRY;
- Husein Zivalj (Dep/Minister of Foreign Affairs) - Belgrade sets unacceptable conditions;
- BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not know anything about Kostunica's visit to Banja Luka;
- Federation
- SDP, NHI and Party for BiH reach a general agreement on establishment of Coalition for Changes;
- Srebrenica associations - Bildt not wanted;
- Pensioners to demand withdrawal of Pension Law;
- Bobar's buying OBN;
- Kresimir Zubak on the creation of the Democratic Alliance for Changes;
- RS
- Center for Islamic Architecture sends letter to OHR - RS government should finance reconstruction of Ferhadija mosque;
- Dodik on reconstruction of Ferhadija - An issue for new Government;
- RS President-elect says talks on establishing of new cabinet beginning;
- International community
- High Representative's clarification of RS obligations towards ICTY:
- High Representative's decision on establishment pre-war Srebrenica municipality:
- Ingram's message to SDS - Economic reforms a condition for support of the International Community;
- Petritsch promotes new book:
- The accusation of the Mostar OHR: Bosniac DPs do not respect the law
- Editorials
- GS Editorial - Gordian knot;
- The Herzegovinian notes: Jeering at the voters
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BH-Central institutions related issues:
BiH to impose visas for Iranians:
Sarajevo papers reported that BiH Council of Ministers at its Thursday
session will, among other things, discuss imposing visas for Iranians.
Southeastern Europe Declaration on struggle against illegal immigration will
be discussed as well, papers said. The Council will also discuss the trade
agreement between BiH and Croatia and the proposal for the establishment of
an Agency for Improvement of Foreign Investments.
President of BiH Presidency surprised with failure to establish diplomatic
relations with Yugoslavia:
President of BiH Presidency, Zivko Radisic said in a statement released on
Wednesday that he is surprised by BiH Foreign Ministry's failure to agree on
the document for the establishment of diplomatic relations between
Yugoslavia and BiH.
For him it is "unacceptable that the establishment of diplomatic relations
is conditioned by political developments in the region."
Prlic-BiH Presidency decides on establishment of diplomatic relation between
FRY and BiH:
Both Banja Luka dailies reported that during yesterday's meeting with the
OSCE delegation Jadranko Prlic (BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs) said he
hoped that the BiH Presidency would take joint stand regarding establishment
of diplomatic relations between the FRY and BiH.
Husein Zivalj - Belgrade sets unacceptable conditions:
Glas Srpski and Nezavisne Novine reported & NN) Husein Zivalj (Dep/Minister
of Foreign Affairs) said that the new FRY authorities started to condition
establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, expressing
his doubt that the relations will be established by the end of the year. The
stumbling point was an annex to the protocol and it was agreed that the
document is be passed to BiH Presidency so that they can decide what needs
to be done next, Husein Zivalj, Deputy Foreign Minister told Radio Free
Europe. According to Zivalj the intention of the FRY authorities is to force
BiH to drop charges pressed against the FRY before the International Court
of Justice.
BiH Foreign Ministry not informed of Kostunica's visit to RS:
"The BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not been informed, officially or
unofficially, on Kostunica's visit to the RS on the occasion of Sarovic's
inauguration", said Hajrudin Somun (Spokesman of the BiH Foreign Ministry).
He says if Kostunica decides to visit the RS he expects official
announcement in accordance with usual diplomatic procedure.
Federation related issues:
SDP, NHI and Party for BiH reach a general agreement on establishment of Coalition for Changes:
SDP Vice-president, Sead Avdic told a news conference on Wednesday that his
party, NHI and Party for BiH have generally reached an agreement on
establishment of the Alliance for Changes, Oslobodjenje reported. He said
that the agreement clears the path for a swift proposal for the candidates
for the President and Vice-president of the Federation and the establishment
of Federation government. Avdic said that SDP is still waiting for the
response of Mladen Ivanic's PDP but that they expect that they too will
joint the Alliance.
Srebrenica associations - Bildt not wanted:
President of the Initiation Board of the Srebrenica massacre memorial
center, Sadik Selimovic told Dnevni Avaz that the Board reached a decision
that Carl Bildt's participation in this project is not wanted. The Board
proposed that either Tilman Cilh, President of the Association of Endangered
Nation or US President, Bill Clinton take Bildt's place. The High
Representative, who proposed Bildt for the position should within ten days
decide if he is going to accept the proposal.
"Despite our opposing to the decision the OHR insists on Carl Bildt. We
found out that if we do not accept him the OHR will completely withdraw from
this project," Selimovic said.
Oleg Milisic, OHR spokesman told Dnevni Avaz that "this is a complex issue
and it is impossible to satisfy all but the decision on Bildt will not be
changed."
Milisic refused to comment will OHR withdraw from the project if Bildt is
not accepted.
Pensioners to demand withdrawal of Pension Law:
Vice-president of Federation Pensioners Association, Vladimir Zlonoga told
Dnevni Avaz that this Association will demand that the High Representative
withdraws his recently imposed Pension Law. The demand will be delivered at
demonstrations the Association plans to organize on December 20th in front
of OHR headquarters and throughout BiH.
"We welcome his decision to bring order in these issues and it could have
positive effects on the new federal government but the law that adjusts the
pensions with available funds is not in our favor and takes away our
dignity," Zlonoga said.
Chris Bird, OHR spokesman told the daily that Office has nothing against
peaceful demonstrations but that OHR ``cannot withdraw a law that creates
security in pension funds structure and opens the path for BiH for
international loans.''
Bobar's buying OBN:
Sarajevo papers reported that RS businessman Gavrilo Bobar has signed a
pre-contract (SIC!) for purchase of OBN television. Bobar and OBN
representative has a meeting on Monday at it was generally agreed that he
will buy this media. Bobar plans to change the entire concept of television
and intends to be completely transparent in running this media, papers said.
Kresimir Zubak on the creation of the Democratic Alliance for Changes: Who
is interested in Herzeg-Bosnia?
Split daily Slobodna Dalmacija reported that the representatives of the SDP,
the Party for BiH and NHI, met on Tuesday night with the Ambassadors of the
countries, the EU members, who work in Sarajevo. At the same time, the
members of the minor parties, which have one or two representatives in the
Parliaments, discussed with Thomas Miller, the American Ambassador, their
participation in the Alliance. According to Kresimir Zubak, the NHI leader,
it is necessary to see if the three leading parties in the Alliance agree
about plans and programs, in order to spread the circle of the negotiators
if possible.
Asked to comment on the lack of the Croat representatives in the parties,
which should form the Alliance, and due to this, the impossibility to
constitute the House of Peoples, Zubak stated that he believes that there
are enough Croats and that you can find 30 and even more Croats, who could
me the members of the House of Peoples. Commenting the statement of Alija
Izetbegovic that the forming of the Alliance will cause reactions and that
it will bring back to life the para-institution of Herzeg-Bosnia, Zubak
answered: 'Who would realize this project? I have to confess that in my
opinion the statements of Mr. Izetbegovic have been rather confusing lately,
because he keeps denying himself. What Herzeg-Bosnia, who would create
Herzeg-Bosnia?'
RS related issues:
Center for Islamic Architecture sends letter to OHR - RS government should
finance reconstruction of Ferhadija mosque:
Today's edition of Banja Luka's Nezavisne Novine carried a letter the Center
for Islamic Architecture sent to the OHR. The letter said that the Human
Rights Chamber Decision was not implemented even a year after the deadline
expired.
"Petritsch met with Dodik in Banja Luka but nothing has been done regarding
implementation of the decision. Two months later the permit was issued and
its contents confirms that the only goal is to prevent reconstruction of
Ferhadija mosque. Therefore the Center for Islamic Architecture asks from
the High Representative to reach a decision on reconstruction of Ferhadija,
because such a law is not foreseen by the RS legislation. The Center for
Islamic Architecture asks that the RS Government, partially or completely,
finances the reconstruction of Ferhadija mosque". The letter also said that
all RS officials who obstruct the decision should be removed.
Dodik on recontruction of Ferhadija:
Nezavisne Novine reported that commenting on the letter the Center for
Islamic Architecture sent to the OHR. Milorad Dodik says that nobody has
ever asked from the Government to finance reconstruction of mosque and that
he sees no reason for attaching such great importance to this issue.
"Whether the RS Government will finance reconstruction of Ferhadija mosque
or not is an issue for the new RS Government. The RS Government does not
have position regarding reconstruction of religious buildings and it should
be position of the RS Parliament. I really think that a great attention and
publicity are given to this issue. "As far as I know, urban permit was
issued", says Dodik. Dodik thinks that such request can be considered as
further pressure since, so far, one could hear only that the Islamic
Community will finance the reconstruction. "I think that the reconstruction
is uncertain and impossible bearing in mind difficult economic and social
situation", says Dodik.
RS President-elect says talks on establishing of new cabinet beginning:
RS news agency Srna reported on Thursday that RS president-elect Mirko
Sarovic said that talks on forming the new Cabinet are just beginning and
that he would announce the name of the mandatary after his inauguration on
December 15. He told Belgrade's Blic that he would promote decentralisation
in RS, balanced development and assistance for the destitute. Asked to
comment on the law proclaimed by the high representative, Sarovic said he
feels that legislation ought only to be brought by the legislative bodies
formed in expression of the electoral will of the people.
International community related issues:
High Representative's clarification of RS obligations towards ICTY:
Sarajevo and Banja Luka papers on Thursday carried the High Representatives
clarification on the obligation of Republika Srpska towards the ICTY.
Oslobodjenje's headline ``Sarovic obliged to cooperate with the Tribunal,''
underlines Petritsch's message regarding recent comments of newly elected RS
President Mirko Sarovic.
High Representative's decision on establishment pre-war Srebrenica
municipality:
Sarajevo and Banja Luka papers reported that the High Representative has
announced his decision on establishment of pre-war Srebrenica municipality.
The decision annuls RS Law on establishment of Skelani municipality and
imposes the pre-war boundaries of Srebrenica municipality, papers said.
Ingram's message to SDS - economic reform a condition for IC support:
Glas Srpski and Nezavisne Novine reported that Joseph Ingram (Head of the
World Bank for BiH) met with Mirko Sarovic and Dragan Cavic in Banja Luka
yesterday where they discussed the RS economic priorities. After the meeting
Ingram said that he conveyed his message to the leadership of the RS and SDS
that if they want support of the IC they have to say what they intend to do
regarding economic reforms. "Even big change of policy comparing to the one
they advocated in the past will not be a guarantee for the International
support", said Ingram.
Petritsch promotes new book:
Sarajevo-based Onasa news agency reported that the High Representative to
BiH Wolfgang Petritsch estimated on Wednesday in Vienna that one country
must not be favored, but that
attention should be paid to the entire region, the Beta news agency
reported.
During the promotion of his new book "BiH, Five Years After War: Does Peace
have a Chance?," Petritsch stressed that BiH is an historic project that
must not be set aside in the moment when "the light at the end of the tunnel
is seen."
Commenting the current situation in BiH, he stressed that BiH needs
economic reforms to reduce the influence of nationalists.
"My main task is to implement the economic reforms, because these measures
will not only modernize the economy, but will also reduce the
power of nationalists. The nationalists have preserved the power because
they control the economy," Petritsch said.
He emphasized that the international presence is needed in BiH, because the
Dayton Agreement has not yet been fully implemented. At the same time,
Petritsch pledged for the arrest of all war crimes suspects.
The accusation of the Mostar OHR:
Bosniac DPs do not respect the law
Slobodna Dalmacija reported that the Head of the Mostar OHR Finn Lynghjem
accused the Association of the Bosniac DPs of ' encouraging the citizens to
disregard the rule of law', what, according to him, goes to the detriment of
all refugees and displaced persons who want to repossess their pre-war
property. Lynghjem said at the press conference that the Association of the
Bosniac DPs recently slandered the official in the Housing Office in the
Mostar (Bosniac-majority) Municipality of Old Town, who was working legally,
he said. Lynghjem called upon police to arrest the two Croats from Mostar
indicted of war crimes committed on Bosniacs, who are tried in absentia in
the Cantonal Court in Mostar. Lynghjem holds that the politicians, through
their influence on police, prevent the arrest of the two suspects. Lynghjem
said for the police in the West-Herzegovina canton to be the most brutal one
in the B&H Federation. He clarified that, with this remark, he would like to
join the criticisms presented by the UN Mission in Mostar. Stefo Lehmann,
the Spokesman of the Mission in Mostar , stated that ' the MoI of the West
Herzegovina Canton continues to violate the OHR decision on use of neutral
insignia in the public institution.'
Editorials:
Glas Srpski editorial-Gordian Knot:
The elections took place and passed, negotiations on forming new bodies
started. The problems the RS is facing will be the first test that newly
elected officials are going to take.
Protests of pensioners, health workers and engine-drivers in strike,
refugees.... are only the part of our reality.... the part of the Gordian
knot.
The point is clear. It is very difficult to live in societies which are on
the half way towards the market economy. Especially in a poor country like
BiH. Some might say, it is your problem, your opportunity knocked 10 years
ago and you failed to take advantage of it. Of course, partly he is right,
but what choice we had at the time.
If the Dayton Peace Agreement knocked arms out in this region, then the
question that crops up is whether the IC, being one of the most important
pillars of BiH, could have used stronger sedatives to make post war wounds
in BiH heal up painlessly. However, these are only questions. The answer
lies in thing of everyday occurrence.
Almost nobody can be indifferent seeing pensioners on streets trying to
solve their problems. The news that health professionals cannot provide
medical treatments for us also sounds unreal. However it is our reality that
is not going to be changed fast or easily.
Does solution exist? Of course, the solution lies in establishment of state
system that will be freed from socialistic self-management, freed from
corrupted officials, gray economy and general laziness. The solution lies in
system and state where the most important thing is market with only one rule
- You have as much money as you make. All those who says different are
nothing but adventurers.
Do we have the time and the money for adventure!?
Slobodna Dalmacija editorial - The Herzegovinian notes: Jeering at the voters
Written by Petar Milos
During the last a month and a half the IC administrators removed from the
high positions and eliminated from the political life 25 Croat appointees,
mostly from the HDZ, as the strongest Croat political party. Announcing that
the removals will continue in case of improper behavior, the IC continues to
practice its strictness over the Croats in the name of the creating of the
civic state in which the national interests would be marginalized.
However, the question arises if any Government in the Federation will be
multi-ethnic without the strongest Croat party. If it is known that the HDZ
won 80% of the Croat votes, then it is easy to conclude that the SDP won a
wretched number of the Croat votes.
The Zubak's NHI cannot improve this picture and secure a sort of the
national equality of the Croats in the Authority. Thus, it might happen that
one people (Bosniacs) will rule, while the other people (Croats) will be the
opposition.
The Croats were not allowed to have the national symbols and insignia (just
like now), so that they were carrying them secretly or in the moments of
courage they were imprisoned because of carrying them. They also learnt a
foreign language as their mother tongue, and since they did not have their
own media, the other people were talking about them and judging them.
However their whisper could be heard far away. Thus, if they were whispering
in Munich it was immediately heard in Sarajevo and Belgrade. Also in the
newest BiH the position of the Croats has not changed.
If the IC forms the Federal Authority without the strongest Croat political
party, the question arises how this Authority will rule on the field in the
Municipalities and Cantons where the HDZ has a relative or absolute
majority? They will have to replace the whole parties and bring the people
from some other places to power. Or they will create such a political
situation where everyone will set someone up and where the normal political
life and work will be blocked.
However, there are no such problems in the RS. The RS has the smallest
number of the post-election problems and the most democratic political
relations. However, also in the RS the politicians were competing
vehemently (and democratically) during the pre-election campaign, they were
accusing one another for thefts and corruption, bribe and incapability...
but in all their public appearances and programs they had one common
denominator and that is the Serbhood and the RS.
For a long time, they have had the support of the IC, which is not really
determined about its demands on the return of the displaced persons. Even if
they mention it, they are rarely taken seriously on the field. By the
scaring of the displaced persons they are buying time and it has become
clear that the RS is the ethnically clean state within the state, which has
been legalized also by the IC.
The biggest problem of the IC in BiH is that they do not know the relations
and mentalities of the peoples who live in this area. They come here with
final solutions, and those who do not fit in into their mold, will get hurt.
They are surprised and they jeer at the voters because they vote for
'nationalists', 'double-faced persons', 'suspicious guys', instead of
trying to understand why they are doing that. This way the mutual trust
cannot be acquired. The one should be aware of his nationality as of
anything that has a value, such as health or youth, for instance. The one
does not think about it unless he loses it. The fact that the nationalism is
a dominant category in the political and (everyday) life in BiH, only means
that it is a trauma that has to be cured. A therapy cannot be the laughing
at the people because they demand the protection of the national interests,
but creating of the prerequisites that each member of each people can freely
be what he is by his nationality.
The IC sent its representatives to BiH with the intention to create
Switzerland out of it. Instead, the IC representatives have become
Balkanites who want to impose democracy by force. Through their uncontrolled
strictness they only show their powerlessness to solve the problems because
of which they came here. Unfortunately, they are not the only ones who will
suffer the consequences, but also the peoples who live here.
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