- BiH Presidency explains decision to endorse draft budget
- The BiH House of Representatives not to discuss draft Budget on Thursday
- Stand By Arrangement with IMF brought into question: BiH to lose $86 million?
- BiH marks 10th anniversary of its admission in the UN
- The BiH Helsinki Committee urges re-consideration of certain provisions in the draft Law on PBS
- Vecernji list: Interview with Lidija Korac, President of the BiH Election Commission
- Vecernji List on removal of Jozo Krizanovic’s security chief
- BiH Federation House of Representatives adopts Law on the Intelligence- Security Service
- Limov: Croatia issued ID to a terrorist suspect
- Arrest of 21 another police officers in Prijedor planned?
- Bijeljina Public Security Centre to file criminal charges against another 20 police officers
- The High Representative visits Banja Luka
- Oslobodjenje: Following the High Representative’s visit to Srebrenica – Petritsch bypassed the Serb officials
- The European Commission adopts a program of financial assistance to BiH worth up to 71.9 million Euros
- Petritsch lifts suspension of Federation apartments privatization
- SFOR’s secret operation in Mostar
- Dnevni Avaz’s Person of the Day: Manfred Dauster, the head of the OHR AFD
- Globus: Interview with Wolfgang Petritsch
- Regular press conference of international organizations held in Mostar
- Petritsch’s book “BiH from Dayton to Europe” promoted in Sarajevo
- Oslobodjenje: Nation in the stomach
- Dnevni List: Secret Services wiretap Dnevni List!
- Vecernji List: May you be pre-occupied with elections
BiH State-related Issues
BiH Presidency explains decision to endorse draft budget
(Provided by OHR Banja Luka)
While discussing the draft 2002 budget for the BiH institutions members of the BiH Presidency reached full consensus and a high level of agreement on the law on the implementation of the budget, the BiH Presidency said in a statement yesterday. The statement, which was issued in reaction to different reports that appeared in the public about the final conclusions and the decision on the 2002 budget for BiH institutions made at the Presidency session on 20 May, the BiH Presidency says that different views emerged among the Presidency members only with regard to making decisions on the use of funds from budgetary reserves. “Under Article 5, Point 3, Sub-point F of the BiH Constitution, Members of the BiH Presidency Zivko Radisic and Jozo Krizanovic advocated the view that the Council of Ministers should make decisions on these funds, because the Presidency proposes the budget, while Beriz Belkic advocated the view that the distribution and activation of funds should be decided upon either by the Council of Ministers or the BiH Presidency,” the statement explains. This means that the law on the implementation of the budget was adopted at the Presidency’s session with two votes for and one against. “It is a fact that during a discussion members of the BiH Presidency remained true to their previously aired views on the lawsuit against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, but also showed a high level of responsibility towards the need that after five months BiH should finally get a budget for its state institutions,” the statement says. The statement concludes by saying that the discussion resulted in a maximum compromise which removes the possibility of the financing of the country’s vital needs being blocked.
The BiH House of Representatives not to discuss draft Budget on Thursday
The Chairman of the BiH House of Representatives, Mariofil Ljubic, told Oslobodjenje that the draft State Budget for this year would not be put on the agenda of the House’s session scheduled forThursday in Sarajevo. Ljubic added that the draft might be discussed at a special session of the House to be scheduled for May 30, if the authorized commissions (for legal and financial affairs) do their part of the job by May 29.
Stand By Arrangement with IMF brought into question: BiH to lose $86 million?
According to Oslobodjenje, Donald Hays, the Principal Deputy High Representative, on Wednesday sent a letter to the BiH Parliamentary Assembly saying that, due to a possible non-adoption of the State Budget within the necessary time frame, the IMF would probably not discuss the new stand-by arrangement with BiH, worth up to $86 million, at the next IMF Board session scheduled for June 14.
BiH marks 10th anniversary of its admission to the UN
In regard to the 10th anniversary of BiH’s admission in the UN, a reception was organized in Sarajevo on Wednesday for BiH State Officials, representatives of the international community and diplomats. Oslobodjenje reports that the attendees were addressed by the BiH Foreign Minister, Zlatko Lagumdzija, who hosted the reception, and the Head of the UN Mission to BiH, Jacques Paul Klein.
The BiH Helsinki Committee urges re-consideration of certain provisions in the draft Law on PBS
According to Dnevni Avaz and ONASA, in a press release issued on Wednesday, the BiH Helsinki Committee for Human Rights supported the strengthening of the Public Broadcasting System in BiH, but warned that the Law on the Public Broadcasting Service should not in any case bring the independent, commercial broadcasters into a unequal position.
Vecernji list: Interview with Lidija Korac, President of the BiH Election Commission
(Provided by OHR Mostar)
Vecernji list carries an interview with Lidija Korac, President of Election Commission of BiH who said that the Commission has sent a request to BiH, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to ask for documentation from relevant court bodies in Croatia regarding trials against Fikret Abdic, so that they can check if this person is or is not charged with violations of international humanitarian law, which would, according to Election Law of BiH, automatically exclude him from the next elections. Korac stated that OSCE and other two non-governmental organizations have shown interest in monitoring elections in October. In relation to the Code of conduct of political parties, Korac said that the Code is part of the Election Law and is the same as before, adding that, in her opinion, political parties have enough freedom. She also said that political campaigns have already started and that some newspapers and magazines are in function of promoting certain political parties. She also explained that the Election Law has defined the position of electronic media but did not do the same with the printed media. Regarding the registration of voters outside BiH, Korac stated that almost 40,000 registering forms have been sent to Croatia, and only about 5% came back with the confirmation of taking part in the elections, but she said that the final deadline is June 20 so an increase of the percentage is expected.
Vecernji List on removal of Jozo Krizanovic’s security chief
(Provided by OHR Mostar)
With regard to the removal of Zoran Kapetanovic, the Head of Security for Jozo Krizanovic, the Croat member of the BiH Presidency, Vecernji List carries that it has been speculated that Ivica Vuksic, the Head of SNS (the Croat Intelligence Service), removed Kapetanovic and 4 of his colleagues on grounds of suspicion that they were responsible for leaking SNS information to the media. It is about revealing details regarding the secret meeting that Vuksic, allegedly, had with Ante Jelavic, a removed HDZ President, and Mostar Bishop Ratko Peric. VL says that it will be known on Friday whether this conflict within SNS will formally expand beyond the boundaries of SNS. Most probably Kapetanovic will hire a lawyer, although Vuksic and his assistants are trying to deprive himof this kind of legal assistance. According to unofficial information, the evidence showing that SNS officials were illegally wiretapping journalists in Sarajevo and Mostar while trying to find out as to who gave information about Vuksic’s activities, will be presented during the legal procedure.
Federation
BiH Federation House of Representatives adopts Law on the Intelligence- Security Service
Oslobodjenje and Dnevni Avaz report that, late on Wednesday, the BiH Federation House of Representatives adopted the Law on the Federation Intelligence-Security Service. The deputies accused the Federation Government of irresponsible behavior because it was ignoring their requests for full information about the arms sale, the negotiations with IMF, the AM Sped-related investigation, the dismissal of soldiers, the Pogorelica case, problems inside the Refugee Ministry, problems related to the restitution, and some other disputed issues.
Limov: Croatia issued ID to a terrorist suspect
(Provided by OHR Mostar)
Almost all Croat(ian) dailies carried the following report:
BiH Federation Deputy Interior Minister Tomislav Limov told the local Croat TV station Oscar C based in Mostar yesterday that a person responsible for a terrorist car bomb attack in 1997 in western Mostar had an ID which had been issued in Zagreb. This is the first time that any of the Bosnia-Herzegovina officials have publicly confirmed that persons who have been involved in terrorist activities in Bosnia-Herzegovina and originate from the Arab counties had documents issued in Croatia.
Sarajevo-based press has on a number of occasions written that there was information that citizens from the Arab countries – posing as humanitarian workers – received documents issued in Croatia under false names in order to enter Bosnia-Herzegovina. Some of these individuals were part of the mujahedeen units in central Bosnia-Herzegovina who fought against HVO units. Limov said that the person responsible for the car bomb attack in western Mostar escaped from a prison during the tenure of the previous Bosnia-Herzegovina government, at the time when nationalist parties were in power. Limov did not disclose the name of the suspect.
Republika Srpska
Arrest of 21 another police officers in Prijedor planned?
(Provided by OHR Banja Luka)
Nezavisne novine learns that the RS Interior Ministry will arrest 21 former and current police officers of the Prijedor Police. The paper carries the list of 21 police officers who will allegedly be arrested. The Prijedor Police did not confirm this news but almost everybody in Prijedor knew about it yesterday. According to an unofficial source, the Prijedor Police launched an investigation against these 21 people, because they were involved in the murder of the Catholic Priest Father Matanovic in 1995. The police officers, whose names are on the list, managed to find out, through their channels, that something is going on and requested the Prijedor Police to inform them when they are supposed to show up in the Police Station. “There is no need for them (the Prijedor Police) to send people to arrest us, because we shall show up since we have nothing to be afraid of. It is unbelievable that the Police want to arrest us without having any evidence and that we have to prove our innocence”, stated police officers whose names are on the list. They claim that some other people who were on the leading positions at the time when Father Matanovic was murdered know more about this case. They claim that among these persons are current RS Interior Minister, Dragoljub Jovicic, current Head of the Prijedor Public Security Department, Mirko Tufegdzija and some other people.
Bijeljina Public Security Centre to file criminal charges against another 20 police officers
(Provided by OHR Banja Luka)
Nezavisne novine learns that the Bijeljina Public Security Center, which covers Bijeljina, Ugljevik, Lopare, Zvornik, Sekovici, Osmaci, Milici, Vlasenica and Srebrenica, will launch an investigation against another 20 police officers who are suspected of taking bribes, forging documents, illegally using weapons and car smuggling. The paper quotes Spokeswoman of the UN for the region of Tuzla, Bijeljina and Doboj, Katy Friesen, as saying that the Police is preparing criminal charges against a certain number of employees of the Bijeljina Public Security Center, but she could not say against how many people the charges will be filed. She said that all the details concerning the case would be made known very soon.
International Community
The High Representative visits Banja Luka
(Provided by OHR Banja Luka)
Both Banja Luka dailies quote the High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, as saying at his farewell news conference in Banja Luka yesterday that in the past three years significant progress has been made in BiH. As the three most important achievements Petritsch pointed out the process of refugee return, state institution building and economic reform. “When it comes to the RS, significant progress has been made especially in the RS”, said Petritsch. He said that three years ago there were only 10,000 minority returns in the RS and that, in the meantime, this number has increased and that now there are 96,000 minority returns registered to the RS. Petritsch also pointed out that one of the most important tasks that lies before the RS authorities is arresting persons indicted for war crimes by the ICTY. He pointed out that some progress has been made in this field but that it is still not enough. “The RS authorities should finally arrest Karadzic and Mladic in order to remove the collective responsibility from the Serb people, because there is no collective responsibility, but only individual responsibility”, said Petritsch. Petritsch said that one of the biggest problems that BiH is facing is corruption against which all institutions in BiH have to fight to make sure BiH becomes an equal partner in EU associations.
Nezavisne novine also reports that the High Representative’s book “Bruno Kreisky and Austria” was promoted yesterday in Banja Luka. The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, said the book, in a way, has nothing to do with BiH, but on the other hand, has many things in common. “As a chancellor of Austria between 1970 and 1983, Kreisky paid attention to reforms, reconstruction and pro-European orientation. His life is proof that a poor country, as Austria was after W.W.II, can become one of the richest countries. I worked for Kreisky for seven years and many things that I learned from him I indirectly applied in my job in BiH”, said Petritsch. (All BiH media reported on the visit)
Oslobodjenje: Following the High Representative’s visit to Srebrenica – Petritsch bypassed the Serb officials
In an article on High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch’s Tuesday visit to Srebrenica, Oslobodjenje writes that the visit left bad impression on the citizens and the representatives of the multiethnic authorities in the municipality. “ The protocol of the visit, which I had received only an hour before Petritsch’s arrival, immediately disappointed me, because it foresaw only me as his host. This upset the citizens in Srebrenica, as well as the officials in the multiethnic municipal administration,” the Srebernica Mayor, Sefket Hafizovic, told the newspaper, wondering why his close associates Desnica Radivojevic, the President of the Municipal Assembly, and Milka Rankic had been excluded from the protocol of the visit. In a statement for Dnevni Avaz, Radivojevic blamed the Head of the OHR Regional Office, Charlie Powell, for the failure claiming that Petritsch had surely not been aware of this since he had always respected the multiethnic character of the administration in Srebrenica.
The European Commission adopts a program of financial assistance to BiH worth up to 71.9 million Euros
Oslobodjenje reports that the European Commission has adopted a 2002 program of financial support to BiH’s accession to the Stabilization and Association Process worth up to 71.9 million Euros. The program is directed to the five priority areas: democratic stabilization (25 million), building of the administrative capacities (10.5 million), economic and social development (13.4 million), natural resources and environment (6.5 million), and judiciary and interior affairs (16.5 million).
Petritsch lifts suspension of Federation apartments privatization
The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, today issued three Decisions lifting the 4 December 2001 freeze on the privatisation of certain unclaimed apartments in the Federation. He also established the necessary Commissions to review the revalidation of cancelled occupancy rights and the issuance of new occupancy rights to socially owned property made after 1 April 1992. The freeze had been imposed by the High Representative at the time in the RS and the Federation in order to prevent illegal privatisation. (All Sarajevo dailies carried the Press release)
SFOR’s secret operation in Mostar
(Provided by OHR Mostar)
Dnevni List, Vecernji List and Slobodna Dalmacijacarry articles on yesterday’s action of SFOR that deployed ten APCs (armoured personnel carriers) and 30 vans on the Spanish Square in the center of town, and near Catholic Bishop’s residence, which is very close to the house of former HDZ leader Ante Jelavic. Vecernji List says that it was the Anti Fraud Department of OHR that requested the deployment before 0900 hrs but the OHR recalled them around 1100 hrs and SFOR simply withdrew. All newspapers speculate that the reason for this engagement of SFOR was a visit of Provisional Administrator for “Hercegovacka Banka” Toby Robinson to Mostar, but they all carry denial by HB Spokesperson Johan Verheyden who said that Robinson was not even planning to come and visit Mostar. The spokesperson of the SFOR’s MND SE Lt-Col Nicolas Rambaud, speaking at the regular press conference of international organizations seated in Mostar, explained that he could not reveal what type of action it was because of operational reasons. He also could not rule out the possibility that another, “mysterious” as VL puts it, action would be conducted in days to come. SD reads that the action, which first leads one to a conclusion that it is related to secret ammunition caches in Mostar, was in fact conducted because of a visit of Toby Robinson to Hercegovina Osiguranje. The papers allegedly learn this from a talk with SFOR troops, SD also says that the deployment was requested by the OHR. The same source tried to get a comment on “the clumsy misunderstanding between OHR and SFOR” from OHR Mostar which told the papers to contact the OHR in Sarajevo which also could not give a comment because all the spokespersons were not in the office. SD was told that they’d be contacted later. The same papers carry the CEO of Hercegovina Osiguranje Miroslav Rupcic as saying that he had heard about speculations that Ms. Robinson is coming to Hercegovina Osiguranje and that he had phoned her to find out what’s going on. Ms. Robinson told Mr. Rupcic that she was aware of information that she is coming to Mostar escorted by SFOR troops and that the stories have nothing to do with common sense. Rupcic added that he had great co-operation and communication with the Provisional Administrator and that Ms. Robinson would visit Mostar in two days but without military escort.
Slobodna Dalmacija also carries a press release of Toby Robinson which reads that recent events in Mostar caused concern to Hercegovina Osiguranje (HO), a subsidiary of Hercegovacka Banka, in which the Provisional Administrator wants to clarify that she is happy with the current management of HO, Miroslav Rupcic in particular. Ms. Robinson says that she has no intention to remove a single senior member of the HO management and that there is no need for a take over to take place, or other radical steps in relation to HO.
Dnevni Avaz’s Person of the Day: Manfred Dauster, the head of the OHR AFD
Dnevni Avaz declared Manfred Dauster, the Head of the OHR AFD, the Person of the Day. In the article entitled: “The Fighter against Corruption,” the newspaper writes that, by urging the domestic authorities to better organize the fight against corruption, Dauster has initiated a new phase of partnership relations between the international community and authorities in BiH.
Globus: Interview with Wolfgang Petritsch
Globuscarries an interview with the High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch in which he talks about the situation in Mostar. Speaking about the Hercegovacka Banka case, the HR says that the bank was part a of wider strategy for the destabilization if not destruction of BiH as a state. “Had we not reacted, we would have got a political and economic problem and of course serious organized crime. We severed the inflow of money to separatists and stopped their biggest source of funding. On the other hand, we prevented the collapse of the Federation”, says Wolfgang Petritsch.
Regular press conference of international organizations held in Mostar
(Provided by OHR Mostar)
Slobodna Dalmacija carries a FENA’s report on yesterday’s press conference of international organizations seated in Mostar. The reports reads that asked by a journalist whether leading people of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton will be removed, Avis Benes, an OHR Spokesperson, stated: “OHR cannot either confirm or deny whether Wolfgang Petritsch, the High Representative of International Community in BiH, will remove Omer Macic, the President of the Herzegovina-Neretva Cantonal Government and Miroslav Coric, his Deputy, before he leaves BiH.’
Avis Benes adds: ‘Even if such moves are forthcoming they are not being announced in advance.’
The spokeswoman of OHR South confirmed that the HR is concerned about Macic and Coric’s work, however, Benes hopes that during the session of the Cantonal Government, which is to take place tomorrow, the Government will resolve problems, such as merging the Ministries, in a much more constructive way.
Nicholas Rambaud, the SFOR MND SE Spokesperson, stated: “After three secret caches of arms were found in the last few weeks and there is information that there are other warehouses of this sort, Multi-National Division Southeast is still conducting the investigation.’
He stressed that at the moment SFOR does not have results with regard to this issue and once again he called on all citizens, who know something about illegal warehouses, to report it to SFOR units.
Dnevni List also covered yesterday’s press conference. The article signed by Marko Markovic carries exactly the same parts of Avis Benes’ statements regarding the removal of Omer Macic and Miroslav Coric as carried in the FENA’s report.
Petritsch’s book “BiH from Dayton to Europe” promoted in Sarajevo
Dnevni Avaz reports that a book written by the High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, and entitled : ”Bosnia and Herzegovina from Dayton to Europe,” was promoted in Sarajevo on Wednesday. The promoters included Zarko Papic, Zdravko Grebo (university professors), and Fra Petar Andjelovic.
Editorials
Oslobodjenje: Nation in the stomach
In an Oslobodjenje editorial, Gojko Beric wrote that, early next week, the next High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, would take over the office from Wolfgang Petritsch, and many were looking at the replacement as the last chance to put things in BiH in order. However, Beric concludes that the disease, which BiH is suffering of, is named nationalism, and together with crime and corruption it makes this country totally sick. “I do not see what and how much in this can be changed by an Englishman, even if his name is Paddy Ashdown.”
Dnevni List: Secret Services wiretap Dnevni List!
Written by editorial board of Dnevni List (Provided by OHR Mostar)
The editorial statesthat according to reliable information coming from a source who wanted to stay anonymous, the editorial board of Dnevni List and some of its journalists have been wiretapped by a Intelligence Service, which acts on the territory of the Federation of BiH, after DL revealed and published many articles about corruption affairs in which many officials autorithy in power were involved. The editorial says that the editorial board determined that no court or judge on the territory of the BiH Federation issued such order. The board criticizes people who work for this Service for not knowing that thousands mortar rounds were stored close to them. At the end, the editorial board of Dnevni List sends a message saying that if these spies continue to be rude and to wiretap, Dnevni List will not be decent any longer and then the public will have an opportunity to learn some juicy stories from the private lives of these spies.
Vecernji List: May you be pre-occupied with elections
Written by Radoslav Dodig (Provided by OHR Mostar)
The editorial notes that statistically speaking, considering the fact that there were general elections in 1996, 1998 and 2000 and municipal elections in 1997 and 200, these are sixth elections since 1996, one election a year, as Dodig puts it. Speaking about possible results, the author cites a survey conducted by the Washington-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) which says that 8 parties would make it into the parliaments at the state and entity levels with the SDP looking the strongest (20% of votes), followed by SDS (16%), SDA (15%), HDZ (9%)…all the way down to Mirnes Ajanovic’s BOSS (3%).
In relation to Croat parties and their participation/role in the elections, Dodig deems that small parties do not stand a good chance of success because, according to the author, the Croat electorate favours the strong and noisy, and the coalition of small parties are quite the opposite – they do not even recognize themselves in the scheme let alone their ability to convince the voters.
Finally Dodig says that the October elections will bring nothing new apart from an increased number of disappointed, deceived and embittered voters. “Who is looking forward to elections then? Manufacturers of ballot boxes and posters!’, says Radoslav Dodig, reads Vecernji List.
Headlines
Oslobodjenje
- Grabovac was aware of the AM Sped-related investigation
Dnevni Avaz
- Ahmed Zilic, a legal expert at CoE: All judges who collaborated with the secret police during the communist period should be removed
Jutarnje Novine
- The Financial Police complete investigation into the case of AM Sped: Criminal charges against the Minister, Federation suffers damage
Dnevni List
- With regard to all the disputable issues in Aluminij Company: Federation Government requested to find a solution without international arbitration
- Interview: Ante Colak, Vice President of HSS BiH, MP of C10 Parliament and President of the a lternative government of C10: the Herceg Bosna Canton institutionally does not exist
Vecernji List
- Special military forces leave the town on the Neretva river without getting their job done: Secret action of SFOR in Mostar
- Affair with SNS: Secret agents tapping journalists
Glas Srpski
- RS Commission on missing persons says Bosniaks conceal crimes committed against Serbs
- Bijeljina Police arrested two Bosniaks who beat up a sixteen year old Serb
Nezavisne Novine
- Allan Jensen, Head of CAFAO: CAFAO monitors work of RS Customs Administration – bribe and tax evasion