| RADIO HERCEG BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| IC Spec. Press Conference | IC measures | List of Karadzic supporters | List of Karadzic supporters |
| Electricity for Aluminij | Reactions in RS | Reactions in RS | Sarovic removal |
| FBiH Draft Budget | RS MoI press- conference | FBiH HoR in session | Try to murder Deric |
| Education Reform | FBiH HoR in session | PDHR with businessmen | USA- Defence reforms |
| Oslobodjenje | Fresh strike on network of Karadzic’s supporters |
| Dnevni Avaz | Strike on Karadzic’s supporters |
| Dnevni List | “Robbery: Robbers took away over 200 000 KM”; “Performing of public functions forbidden to Mirko Sarovic” |
| Vecernji List | “Hooligans before judge”; “Two villains ribbed Hypo Bank in Grude” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | “The end of Aluminij’s agony”; “7 policemen injured, hooligans demolished area around Pecara” |
| Glas Srpske | US “black list” expanded: Bush takes measures, Ashdown does cuts; Policemen sue SFOR: They demand compensation 1 million BAM each |
| Nezavisne Novine | US Government expands list of persons from BiH aiding war criminals network: Sarovic, Ecim, Kovac, Borovcanin, Djorda on the list…; Kalinic: Sarovic removed from political scene; Mikerevic: the Republika Srpska Government will cooperate in arrests of war criminals; Radomir Njegus: Narco-mafia was preparing assassination against Minister Djeric; Marin Kvaternik: Acetic acid anhydride import to RS suspended |
| Blic | New campaign for arresting Karadzic: Mirko Sarovic too banned from entering America and EU; Drug-bosses have planned murder of Minister Djeric; Hunger strike at ‘Cajavec’ |
War crimes | |
| International community measures against persons supporting indicted war criminals
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje front page, pg. 7 ‘Fresh attack on network of Karadzic’s supporters’, Dnevni Avaz front page, pg. 2 ‘Strike on Karadzic’s supporters’, FENA – The US Government, in cooperation with the OHR, has taken measures against ten new individuals for supporting Radovan Karadzic and other persons indicted for war crimes. These persons are Mirko Sarovic, Samojko Dorda, Milovan Marjanovic, Ivan Sarac, Veljko Borovcanin, Dragan Basevic, Ljuban Ecim, Radomir Kojic, Tomislav Kovac and Predrag Kujundzic. US Ambassador to BiH Clifford Bond told a press conference in Sarajevo on Monday that these persons would be banned from entering the US, all their assets and financial activities in that country will be blocked, as the US citizens would be prohibited from conducting financial transactions with these persons. Moreover, High Representative Paddy Ashdown said that the OHR had also passed a decision on freezing bank accounts of these persons, and it had removed from public office SDS Vice President Mirko Sarovic, as well as police officials Borovcanin, Basevic and Sarac. The four persons added on Monady to the list of men supporting indicted war criminals are already on the EU list, which was issued in June 2003. Ashdown said that this is a coordinated action by the international community launched based on credible information with the objective of confronting criminal networks supporting Karadzic and others. SFOR Commander General Virgil Packett stressed that SFOR would continue supporting operations aimed at eliminating the support network for Karadzic and other indicted war criminals, and that it would work together on establishing intelligence based on which action would be taken. Dnevni List (front and page 3 “Mirko Sarovic Banned from executing public offices”, by Renata Radic), Vecernji List, front and page 3 “Mirko Sarovic on American ‘black list’”, by Dejan Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija, page 17 “Karadzic aides removed”, by Zdenko Rerig, Jutarnji List, page 10 “Ashdown: Saraovic was hiding Karadzic”, by H), Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Bush measures, Ashdown does cuts’; Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘Sarovic, Ecim, Kovac, Borovcanin, Djorda on the list’, Blic front page and p 13, ‘Sarovic on the list too’, Nacional Belgrade daily p 6 ‘Americans extended the list’, Vecernje Novosti p 6 ‘Bond is chasing Radovan’ also covered the issue. |
| Mikerevic: RS to respect steps against Karadzic supporters | BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘RS to respect US government measures’, Blic p 13 ‘To avoid collective guilt’, SRNA – Dragan Mikerevic, prime minister of the RS, said on Monday that the RS authorities would respect the position of international community representatives in BiH in connection with the decision to block the property of ten persons and forbid their business transactions in US because of their financial support to war crimes suspects. “What is essential here is the fact that any mention of names from the RS in this context is a minus for the whole RS and it decreases the level of trust,” Mikerevic told a news conference in Banja Luka. |
| Cavic, Ivanic, Kalinic ask for additional argumentation on Sarovic | RTRS, ONASA – Republika Srpska President Dragan Cavic expects the High Representative and the U.S. Embassy to BiH to inform him about facts and argumented evidence in the case of sanctions against vice-president of the Serb Democratic Party (SDS) Mirko Sarovic. Otherwise, Cavic thinks that this decision is inadequate and without precedent in the democratic world. Sarovic’s was among the bank accounts of 10 Bosnian Serbs that were frozen on Monday as part of ongoing international efforts to hunt down Radovan Karadzic, the top war crimes fugitive from the Balkan wars. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Cavic expects to see evidence’; Glas Srpske, cover page inset also covered the statement. BHTV, FTV, SRNA – The BiH foreign minister and chairman of the Party of Democratic Progress (PDP), Mladen Ivanic, said on Monday that Mirko Sarovic was one of the key political personalities of the RS and the Serb people, and that looking from this point of view, the international community’s decision to put him on the list of people helping hide Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic demanded well-backed arguments. “If these arguments do not exist and if they are not presented in the public, I think that this would give grounds to the feeling that this is just another form of pressure on the RS and its key politicians,” Ivanic told a news conference in Banja Luka. He stressed that as a politician he cooperated more than correctly with Mirko Sarovic and that Sarovic was a serious politician who carried out his job with a lot of dignity. Glas Srpske, cover page inset also carried the statement. BHTV, FTV, RTRS – Dragan Kalinic, SDS President stated that this has been culmination of pressures and direct attack to SDS after removal of SDS Officials few months ago. “Sarovic is second Vice President of SDS who’s been removed from political scene without our will. It is clear that Sarovic is not ordinary member of SDS due to his overall contribution in development of SDS”, said Kalinic. Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘Kalinic: Sarovic removed from the political scene’; Glas Srpske, cover page inset also carried the statement. |
| SNSD, SRS, Kovac on US/OHR measures | RS press – Nebojsa Radmanovic, President of SNSD Executive Board, said it is obvious OHR has information related to network of persons supporting and aiding war criminals. He expressed surprise over the fact that the name of Mirko Sarovic has been included in the list. Milanko Mihajlica, President of Serb Radical Party, said the blocking of bank accounts and ban from entry into USA to Mirko Sarovic is unacceptable. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘Kovac: I do not finance Radovan Karadzic’ – Tomislav Kovac said this is another farce aimed at deceiving the public. He also said that accusations against him (of aiding Karadzic) should be substantiated with facts and evidence. He demands from international officials to prove these claims. He also demanded from Republika Srpska authorities to substantiate claims and eliminate him from economic scene or otherwise to demand compensations from international community. |
| Request for compensation from SFOR
| Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘They demand for compensation 1 million BAM each’; Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Two policemen demand millions compensation from SFOR’ – Nenad Sarenac and Rajko Mihajlovic, the members of PSC Serb Sarajevo, whom SFOR used as shield during its operation in Krivace near Pale on 12 January, will try to achieve their rights through the Courts. Namely, they will file compensation request with SFOR of BAM 1 million each. Blic p 13 ‘Men shield in hunt for Karadzic’, Vecernje Novosti p 2 ‘ ‘Men shield’ claims compensation’ also covered the issue. |
| List of 167 Serbs people accused of war crimes | Vecernje Novosti, p 20 ‘Long list for intimidation’ – A list containing 167 names of Serb people, suspected of alleged war crimes, was published in a Belgrade daily through the Federation of BiH Ministry of Interior, after which it has been also published in ‘Novo Oslobodjenje’ newspaper from Serb Sarajevo. People are rightfully disturbed because they are deprived of the basic human right to free movement. Even people who had been liquidated by Muslims during the war, as well as persons who had left BiH in 1992, are on the list. The general opinion is that the list is in no relation with cases forwarded from the Hague to Sarajevo for processing. On the other hand, some think the list includes not only criminals but also rebels ‘against the state of BiH’. The Spokesperson of the Federation of BiH Ministry of Interior, Robert Cvrtilo, says this is a wanted list that has been signed out in accordance with an order of the Federation of BiH courts and Federation of BiH Public Prosecutor’s Office, as well as that all of these people ‘are responsible for acts of war crimes’. No person from the RS political leadership has given a statement upon this arbitrary list compiled with an aim to intimidate Serbs. Having this in mind, it is no wonder that OHR, OSCE and NGOs for protection of human rights in BiH are silent. |
Economic/social issues | |
| FBiH HoR discusses 2004 Budget
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 6 ‘Fund (pension) threatened by military strike’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 8 ‘Hadzipasic: We will try to take way 300 million KM from criminals’, FENA – The FBiH House of Representatives concluded on Monday the discussion on the Draft FBiH Budget for 2004. Representatives will vote on this document on Tuesday. Both the position and the opposition in Parliament made numerous remarks to the Draft Budget. The remarks mainly refer to reduction of the planned budgetary funds in comparison to 2003 by 32,4 million KM. The FBiH Government was criticised for reducing the planned funds for refugees, veterans, culture and sport, while the grants for lower authority levels – municipalities and cantons, are not even planned. The Government was also criticised for planning the paying of only one late pension from the previous years in 2004. FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic told the press that the Government was also dissatisfied with numerous budgetary items, especially in the sectors of agriculture, refugees and DPs, sport and culture, but stressed that this is the maximum that could have been achieved in arrangements with international financial institutions. According to him, in this year attempts will be made to “pull out” approx. 300 million “by ordering the oil market, categorizing excises for cigarettes, banning the export and smuggling of wood”, i.e. maintaining financial discipline. The FBiH Government considered this year’s Budget in the amount of 1.185.000.000 KM as the one of stabilizing and social nature, with realistically planned incomes and outcomes. The FBiH House of Peoples will consider the Draft FBiH Budget for 2004 on Wednesday, February 11. Vecernji List page 3 “Stabilization-like, not development-like budget”, by eme, Dnevni List page 4 “Today voting on Draft budget for 2004”, by Miso Relota also covered the issue. Vecernji List (page 6 “Federation cows mooing sadly”, by Radoslav Dodig) – the author tackles the issue of 2004 FBiH budget saying it is no wonder the Government allocates 10,3 million KMs to the culture in the situation as it is at the moment, however the author reckons the Government should be allocating more to the agriculture in terms of subsidies especially given the fact that BiH imported, in last year alone, food worth 1,16 billion KMs, including 95 million KMs worth of milk. Oslobodjenje pg. 6 ‘OHR’s warning’ – The Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, sent on Monday a letter to FBiH Finance Minister (that was presented to the member of HoR) Dragan Vrankic requesting that the draft budget is corrected in the part referring to financing of the former FBiH Customs Administration. The draft foresees only 22 instead of planned 27.6 million KM for the purpose. |
| PDHR Hays meets delegation of managers
| Oslobodjenje pg. 5, mentioned on the front page ‘Phantom firms, grey economy strengthen in BiH’, FTV, FENA – The politicians in BiH have still not realised the responsibility they have towards the economic sector in the country, Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays said in Sarajevo on Monday. After talks with a delegation of some 20 top managers from BiH and SE Europe selected by the Directorate, i.e. the Independent Agency from Zenica, Hays said that politics in BiH needs to be detached from economy. He added that BiH can no longer afford obstruction and political divisions. “The time when governments provided subventions and protected their own interests has passed”, Hays said and stressed that governments cannot manage companies, instead they can create conditions for business and export. Ambassador Hays was informed about problems businessmen in BiH are facing and the elimination of which could help faster implementation of economic reforms. Dnevni List (page 4 “Economy in function of politics”, by Renata Radic), Slobodna Dalmacija, page 6 “Administration is suffocating entrepreneurship”, by D. Pasic also covered the issue. |
| Agreement on power delivery to Aluminij signed | Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Contract signed on (terms of) selling power to Aluminij’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘Aluminij power supplying temporary resolved’, Dnevni List page 5, “Long-term contract on electricity delivery at end of March?!”, by De.L., Vecernji List (page 4, “Aluminij got electricity finally”, by O. Cvitkovic), Slobodna Dalmacija front and page 13, “The end of Aluminij’s agony”, by D. Juka – Elektroprivreda BiH (EP BiH) signed in Mostar on MOnday a contract on electricity delivery with Elektroprivreda of Croat Community of Herceg Bosna (EP HZ HB) and electricity for the first three months of this year has been secured for Aluminij in this way. General Manager of EP HZ HB Vlado Maric stated that he hopes that the Annex of the contract on electricity delivery will be signed for the rest of the year in accordance with tariff positions on electricity delivery. Head of EP BiH Enver Kreso said that one of the things that causes problems in these 3 companies is ‘unpleasant involvement of politics in economy”. He added that by signing of these contracts politics was placed in the position that it can only pass laws and create environment in which companies can go at the market. General Manager of Aluminij Mijo Brajkovic said he hopes that the contracts will be signed over the long term so that plans for the future can be made. He added that the Commission made of EPs and big consumers will be formed and criterion for big consumers will be made. |
| NN editorial on Bulldozer | Nezavisne Novine editorial by Almedin Sisic, pg. 7, ‘Bulldozer on heating oil’ – The author is writing about the slow, but still ongoing reforms in BiH, saying that the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, must have acknowledged just recently that the nationalistic parties could never complete the implementation of these reforms and that their officials will remain loyal to their ideals. Hearby he refers to Sulejman Tihic, Dragan Kalinic, Barisa Colak and Zoran Djeric. He makes this judgement on the fact that HiRep has been recently making public warnings to some individuals in BiH. He wonders as to whether HiRep would not move too far from verbal warnings, or would he maybe even remove somebody from the position, in order not to be remembered as the one and only HiRep who has not removed a single politician from the office. The author is also sceptical of Bulldozer reforms, concluding the article by saying that: “What we know is that Bulldozer has stopped before it headed its way, because nobody has poured the oil in it.” |
| Conference on alternative dispute resolution held in Sarajevo | Dnevni Avaz pg. 8 ‘Hays to request Parliement to pass the law on mediation’, ONASA – The Southeastern European Development Program organized a conference in Sarajevo on Monday dubbed “Alternative solutions to disputes – support to mediation in BiH.” The conference is aimed at informing the public in BiH of the advantages of mediation in judiciary practice. Its introduction would increase the efficiency of courts and contribute to judiciary reforms in BiH. BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac said that mediation is a means of resolving disputes whereby a third neutral party is called in to mediate between the disputing ones. He added that a law on mediation, a part of judiciary reforms in BiH, has been forwarded to the Parliament. Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays said that mediation is one of elements missing in BiH at present. “Mediation would prevent long delays in lawsuits, which is crucial for BiH in order to attract foreign investors. This should be seem as a mechanism of potential transformation that BiH need only put to use,” Hays said, adding that he will appeal to the Parliament to pass the law as soon as possible. “If an enterprise wants to partner with the Government, a quick judiciary system is necessary. This does not mean that decisions will be passed in their favor,” Hays said. Director of the World Bank Mission to BiH Dirk Reinermann said that mediation is necessary for accelerating the economic development in BiH. The SEED has greatly contributed to the development and implementation of mechanisms of alternative solutions to disputes, and partaken in the drafting of the law on mediation, by offering assistance to the BiH Association of Mediators and training its members. Upon the acceptation of the law, the SEED intends to incept a pilot mediation project. |
| BH Steel Trade Union continues its general strike | Dnevni List (page 5, “Workers of BH Steel in front of FBiH Government building”, by Zeda) carries that the Trade Union Board of BH Steel of Zenica decided to continue its general strike. DL says workers will start a general strike tomorrow at 7 hrs at their places of work and it will end up in front of the Government of Federation of BiH building in Sarajevo. The article says that the BH Steel Trade Union workers are dissatisfied by the fact that the management of this company decided not to extend the application of the decision on increase of salaries’ basis. Slobodna Dalmacija (page 6, “Zenica metallurgists in strike”, by I. Milesic) also covered this issue. |
Political developments | |
| SD: “Authority powerless without Ashdown”
| Slobodna Dalmacija (page 13, by Blazica Kristo) – the author argues that BiH is disoriented both politically and economically, claiming that moves of the authority in the past six months show that the political players are only interested in staying in power. The author goes on to say that the BiH authorities failed to use the chance given to them by the High Representative for BiH when he said he would not take important decision, but rather rest it with the local authorities. In that context, Kristo says the issues such as the law on indirect taxation and collection of RTV fees, adopted after the pressure from the OHR and EC Mission to BiH, showed the way BiH authorities were functioning. Even when it comes to the start of 2004, the author is pessimistic, criticizing the FBiH authorities over the long saga regarding the removal of the FBiH Government and incapability to adopt the 2004 budget. |
| Statement of Day: FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic | Dnevni List (page 2) carries in its ‘Statement of Day’ Federation of BiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic as saying: “If I hade heard arguments I would not have been FBiH Prime Minister any longer.” |
| Session of HNC Government | Dnevni List (page 16, “Passing of important laws through consensus?”, by S. Bjelica) carries that the after two and a half months the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Government held its first session in full composition. According to HNC Government Prime Minister Miroslav Coric, Ministers from the line of Bosniak people participate in the work of the HNC Government again since it was agreed that the important issues must be harmonized before they are placed on the agenda of the HNC Government sessions. Coric also said that the HNC Government will forward the Cantonal budget for 2004 in a form of a proposal or draft to the Cantonal Assembly by the end of March. Coric added: “During the session we talked about joint institutions in our Canton and all these are steps that help us complete job on the budget for 2004.” Slobodna Dalmacija (page 6, “A half salary for November arrives in February!”, by Z. Zekic) also covered this session. |
| HR’s statement to Belgrade media | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘No change of Dayton without Serbs’ – In a statement given to the Belgrade seated press, the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, said that without consent by all three peoples of BiH, Dayton Peace Agreement cannot be changed. He also said that Republika Srpska citizens should not allow being feared with stories on this subject. He also said he would be protecting the Dayton Peace Agreement as HiRep to BiH. He expressed satisfaction over the ongoing process of implementation of reforms. He also conveyed thanks to the Republika Srpska President, Dragan Cavic, for the courage he demonstrated during the enactment of decision on a single army. |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed: How to save RS | Oslobodjenje pg. 2 ‘How to save RS’ Op-ed by Zija Dizdarevic – “By logic of ruling through political blackmails, Ashdown uses the situation to force RS to participate in important reforms at the BiH state level. But, on the other side, he resolutely defends survival of RS, which creates doubts in his well intentions. In this way, Ashdown’s trade is for the benefit of a virtual BiH state, but at the cost of the original BiH,” wrote Dizdarevic. |
| VL on HDZ officials’ role in appointments to public offices
| Vecernji List (page 2 “High, low and – consistency”, by Tomislav Kvesic) – the author is criticizing senior officials of the HDZ BiH regarding their role in the process of appointments to senior offices in the BiH Council of Ministers, claiming the officials are pitiful, frightened and disoriented. The author explains that the HDZ first claimed they would install Barisa Colak in the office of Chair of BiH CoM, and Colak settled in a “safe” office of the BiH Security Minister. After that, the HDZ said it would insist on a Croat becoming the first BiH Defence Minister, and now the party is not pushing for it because of alleged compromises. The author goes on to say that the HDZ BiH was as determined in the issues of Mostar restructuring and arrest of Jelavic and co, accepting the situation and offering resistance in form of pitiful press releases. VL reckons this is because a former High Representative for BiH, Wolfgang Petritsch, “struck fear into their bones”, so they do not want to suffer the destiny of Ante Jelavic, Marko Tokic “and the other deprived”. |
| Possible changes to BiH Election Law | Vecernji List (page 5 “National minority in authority”, by M. Stankovic) – reports that a working group that worked on changes and amendments to the BiH Election Law has completed its work, and that one of important results of the work is an introduction of national minorities to the legislative bodies. The final say whether the changes get the green light is on the BiH Parliament. |
Defence reforms | |
| NATO’s Secretary General sent letter to BiH Presidency members
| Vecernji List (page 2, “BiH must have leading role in arrest of persons charged with war crimes”, by dja) carries that NATO’s Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer sent a letter to the BiH Presidency members in which he says that during the last year BiH made a considerable progress, that made BiH a more credible candidate for NATO’s program Partnership for Peace. Scheffer welcomed accepting of responsibility and leading role of the BiH authority with regard to the arrest of war crime suspects and he reminded that BiH must have a leading role in these activities. Dnevni List (last page, “NATO will keep being present in BiH”, by Nina) and Slobodna Dalmacija (last page, “BiH is getting closer to Partnership for Peace”, by D. Pasic), Oslobodjenje pg. 7 ‘NATO engagement will not stop’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘BiH must take leading role in apprehension of war criminals’ also carry this letter. |
| D. Kalinic on BiH Defense Minister issue, work of RS Government etc. | Vecernji List (page 2, “RS on appointment of BiH Defense Minister”, by Fena) carries that SDS President Dragan Kalinic confirmed the information about the meeting of representatives of political parties that make majority in the Republika Srpska regarding the appointment of the BiH Defense Minister. He added that SDS is about to finish analyses on the results achieved by the RS Government so far, on functioning of the RS National Assembly and BiH Parliamentary Assembly and he believes that the changes in the RS Government should not be made at the moment. Oslobodjenje pg. 7 ‘Path towards chaos and constitutional crisis’, ONASA – Kalinic also said that a dissolution of the Republika Srpska Government would be dangerous, as it would result in a political chaos and serious constitutional crisis. Kalinic said that the present RS government has achieved good results, adding that its “absolute priority is to improve the present economic and social conditions, and bring an end to the numerous affairs”. |
| DA: Stjepan Pocrnja the most serious candidate for Defence Minister | Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Stjepan Pocrnja the most serious candidate for Defence Minister’ – According to conclusions made during talks amongst the leaders of SDA, SDS and HDZ in the past days, a compromise that a Croat be appointed BiH Defence Minister is likely to be accepted. Avaz speculates that Stjepan Pocrnja, current deputy general secretary of the BiH SCMM, is the most serious candidate for the post. |
Organised crime | |
| Attempt to murder Djeric prevented
| BHTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 5, ‘Narco-mafia prepared assassination against Minister Djeric’, Blic front page and p 12 ‘Drug-dealers ordered Djeric’s liquidation’, Vecernje Novosti p 6 ‘Death threats to Djeric’ – RS Ministry of Interior has announced that they had thwarted the plan of organized criminal groups to liquidate the Minister of Interior, Zoran Djeric – said RS Police Administration Director, Radomir Njegus. When it comes to import of anhydride of acetyl’s acid to RS, it was said that Police has no evidences that this substance was used or intended to be used for heroin production. After the RS MoI has cut off the line of drugs production, during the last year, criminal groups, have contracted the murder of Minister Zoran Djeric. According to Milorad Jelisavac, Chief of Criminologist Police of RS MoI the treats were sent to not only the Minister but also to high officials of Border Service in RS and FBiH. Police’s Director, Radomir Njegus said that they have found no evidences that anhydride of acetyl’s acid was used for production of heroin. Sarajevo dailies also covered the issue. |
| VL says two courts working on Jelavic case | Vecernji List (page 5 “Two courts working on same deed!”, by Zoran Kresic) – reports that Ante Jelavic is requested to show up before the Sarajevo Cantonal Court today to testify about the same abuse of office and authority for which the BiH Court decided to put him into custody. Jelavic’s lawyer, Josip Muselimovic, says he will respond to the summons, whilst he is not sure whether his client will be allowed to join him. VL concludes there are two parallel investigations against Jelavic in the Hercegovacka bank case, which is a precedent that will most likely, according to the author, be ended in the way that the State Prosecution and State Court continue dealing with it. |
| Update to Terpentin affair
| Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Acetic acid anhydride was also confiscated in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’ – Milorad Jelisavac, Head of Interior Ministry CID, at yesterday’s presser also said that the problem of acetic acid anhydride import is not only a problem of Republika Srpska, but also of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a large quantity of this substance (namely 34 tons) were imported during the course of last month. This substance was also stored at the location where substance confiscated from Terpentin and RBS company was stored. However, the public was not informed of this case. |
| RS Health Minister on Terpentin affair | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4, ‘Import on acetic acid anhydride suspended’ – Marin Kvaternik, Republika Srpska Minister of Health and Social Welfare, said that following the information received from the BiH Prosecutor’s Office, he ordered suspension of further issuance of licences for import of acetic acid anhydride, which may also be used for production synthetic drugs. He explains that the licences for import of this substance were issued to “Terpentin”, RBS Company and Interspeed from Brcko on the basis of documentation they attached to the request, which were certificates proving the firms were registered and document explaining for what purpose the substance would be used. |
Media | |
| DL: “Attempt to topple editorial board because of Mostar correspondents” | Dnevni List (front and page 9, by Ivica Glibusic) – says that attacks on the leadership of FTV, especially on its editor-in-chief, Marija Topic-Crnoja, were fierce last week after the Independent Union of Professional Journalists of BiH (NUPN BiH) – the Mostar branch, expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the FTV, Topic-Crnoja in particular, because she “slammed the door shut” to Bosniaks and Serbs in Mostar, i.e. prevented them from working for the FTV’s correspondents’ office in Mostar. This was stressed after the FTV hired Anita Damjanovic as its new correspondent from Mostar. Topic-Crnoja rejects the accusations saying there were two vacancies before at which no candidate proved suitable for the job. According to Topic -Crnoja, there are still individuals and political parties in Mostar who want to make a case city out of Mostar and want to drag the correspondent’s office into it. “As far as we are concerned, we need capable journalists regardless of their names, because the editorial policy of the FTV has been very clear so far”, says Topic-Crnoja. |