| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Appointments to BiH Army | SFOR search in Banja Luka | Explosion in Zenica | Toby Robinson appointed |
| Audits on BiH institutions | Appointments to BiH Army | SFOR search in Banja Luka | SFOR search in Banja Luka |
| Toby Robinson appointed | Audits on BiH institutions | Audits on BiH institutions | Audits on BiH institutions |
| Iraqi resolution adopted | Explosion in Zenica | BiH HoR in session | Iraqi resolution adopted |
| Oslobodjenje | Belgrade mufti: Kostunica said it is good that we are going to BiH; Advisors threatened auditors; Sifet Podzic, a Chief of BiH Army Joint HQ |
| Dnevni Avaz | Big scandal in Election Commission; Tihic calls for charges; Bond in Stolac: Abolish divisions |
| Dnevni List | Today: Entering pleas on Hercegovacka Banka case |
| Glas Srpske | Preparing for harvest this year: There will be imports |
| Nezavisne Novine | Unannounced SFOR action in Banja Luka: The apartment of Head of Zoran Djeric’c Cabinet searched; Following accusations addressed to Mile Maksimovic: Paddy Ashdown appointed Toby Robinson as new Manager of Bank by Momcilo Mandic; BiH Presidency proposed Commanders of Armed Forces of BiH: Participants of “Croat self-rule” future Commanders of BiH Army; BiH auditors presented seven reports: They spent BAM 25 million: Celinac: The dead also vote for the SDS |
| Blic | Apartment of the Head of Djeric’s office was raided; Redzovic rejected over his war past; They will again distribute frozen chicken |
Note: Due to religious holiday in Croatia, Slobodna Dalmacija and Vecernji list were not issued today.
Defence and security | |
| Appointments to the BiH Armed Forces
| BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Sifet Podzic a Chief of Army HQ’, mentioned on cover, by A. Omeragic, – Following recommendations of the Standing Committee for Military Matters, and with consent of the COMSFOR, the BiH Presidency has determined a list of candidates for the generals’ positions in common defense institutions of BiH, namely, Brigadier Sifet Podzic to the duty of Chief of Joint HQ of BiH Army, Brigadier Slavko Puljic as Podzic’s Deputy for Operations, and Brigadier Vlado Dzoic as the Commander of Operative HQ of BiH Army. According to the Chairman of BiH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic, this rounds up the appointment procedure that had started more than a month ago. Tihic also notes that certain procedures related to harmonization of ranks in the armed forces will have to be carried out since there are different systems in the FBiH and RS. FTV – “We nominated Rizvo Pleho for position of Chief Inspector in Defence Ministry, Miladin Milojcic for Deputy Chief of Joint HQ in charge of resources, Mirko Tepsic for Deputy Commander of Operative Command for Operations and Sakib Foric for Deputy Commander of Operative Command for Resources,” explains Sulejman Tihic, Chairman of BiH Presidency. RTRS, RHB – Asked by the journalist as to why brigadiers Vlado Dzojic and Slavko Pujic [the journalists said they took part in Croat Self-Rule] were approved, Tihic answered: “The COMSFOR does not ask either Sulejman Tihic or someone else in this country for whom they will give consent and he brings decisions independently”. Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Unknown destiny of current generals’, by Renata Radic – Regarding the future of people who were in the main posts in the military and who are to make way for the new people, DL says their destiny is unknown. Blic, pg. RS2 ‘Redzovic did not pass’ not signed mentioned on cover ‘Redzovic rejected over his war past’ – Blic writes about Emir Redzovic, candidate for general’s position saying he was not appointed by BiH Presidency after media speculations that he committed war crimes against Serb civilians were published. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 “Sifet Podzic, Slavko Puljic and Vlado Dzoic on top positions in BiH Army’ by M. Kukan – Tihic also stated that Dzevad Radjo, who was first approved by SFOR however later became a subject to the investigation, has retired voluntarily. |
| SFOR Searches apartment of the Head of RS MoI Djeric’s Cabinet | Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘SFOR searched the apartment of Head of Zoran Djeric’c Cabinet’ mentioned on cover ‘The apartment of Head of Zoran Djeric’c Cabinet searched’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Search at dawn’ – SFOR members on Wednesday carried out a search of the apartment owned by Ljubinko Mitrovic, Head of Cabinet of RS Minister of Internal Affairs, Zoran Djeric, according to NN. According to GS, Marc Hope, SFOR Spokesperson, said that the SFOR action was in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement. According to him, local police has assisted SFOR in undertaking this action. SFOR soldiers came to the apartment of Mitrovic in the settlement of Mejdan/Obilicevo around 04:00 hrs am and stayed there for two hours. It has not been made public as yet why the inspection was carried out. The only thing SFOR said was that “the action was successful”. As NN learnt from the circles close to the international organisations in Sarajevo, an interesting documentation has been confiscate. NN also unofficially learnt that Mitrovic was targeted by SFOR because of his godfather’s ties with the Hague indictee, Ljubomir Borovcanin. According to NN inset 2, Goran Radivojac, Spokesperson of the RS Prime Minister, stated on Wednesday: “RS Government is surprised over yesterday’s search of the apartment owned by Ljubinko Mitrovic. We are not aware of reasons for this search.” Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Ministers bit responsible for the work of their subordinates’ – Radivojac said that all ministers, as well as the prime minister, appoint their own staff, including advisers and chiefs of staff: “That means that all ministers also share a part of responsibility for the work of their subordinates.” RHB, RTRS, FTV, BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Apartment of Djeric’s Chief of Cabinet searched’ by s, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Apartment of Djeric’s Chief of Cabinet searched’, Blic, pg. RS4 ‘Apartment of the Head of Djeric’s office was raided’, mentioned on cover, by N. B.– all reports informed about the search without too many details. |
| DL on OSA appointments | Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Zvonko Kutlesa – acting Secretary General of BiH Council of Ministers!?’ by M. Relota – According to DL unofficial information Ivan Cosic from Tomislavgrad will be appointed Chief Inspector of the BiH Intelligence-Security Agency and during today’s session of the BiH Council of Ministers Cosic should be relieved of his current duty of BiH CoM Secretary General. DL also says that according to another unofficial information, Zvonko Kutlesa (who has been a Secretary General of the Canton 10 Assembly) from Tomislavgrad should be appointed a new BiH CoM Secretary General. |
| DL on Al’Qaeda activities in BiH | Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Testimony of former officer of Al-Qaeda on activities in BiH’, mentioned on cover, by Miso Relota – DL claims to have received yesterday a letter of an inmate in the Zenica prison, whose details DL is not disclosing for reasons of his safety, in which the inmate claims that he is a foreign national and a former officer of the ‘Al-Qaeda’ terrorist organization, which he had left after the September 11 attacks. The inmate claims that the ‘Al-Qaeda’ was present in BiH between 1992 and 1995, during the war, and that the organization still has members in the country. The inmate says: “It is interesting that the competent bodies knew about the persons, but they are doing nothing to bring them to justice to answer the crimes they had committed against innocent citizens of BiH. A group of butchers, who came to BiH and called themselves mujahiddin and Allah’s fighters, were killing the Serb and Croat people during the war, and after the war they became trade people and innocent citizens of BiH (…) I recommend BiH authorities, especially the ones working in the BiH Presidency, to wake up from the deep sleep in order not to wake up one morning in ruins, because bin Ladin’s people are around you, they do not sleep day or night, waiting for the green light to start with criminal attacks” |
| DL on BiH (not) joining PfP | Dnevni List, pgs 10-11 ‘Opposition hold authorities responsible for rejection from NATO’, by Zvonimir Jukic – Notes that the BHTV 1 reported on Tuesday, calling upon its sources close to NATO, that BiH certainly will not be joining the Partnership for Peace at the Istanbul NATO Summit. DL also notes that representatives of opposition in BiH are pointing the finger for the failure at the BiH authorities, and carries an SDP BiH Vice-President, Alija Behmen, as saying that the failure to arrest Radovan Karadzic, is not the only reason BiH is not joining the PfP, albeit the arrest is the main reason. “In this context, I mean it is the existence of three armies and five months which were needed for appointment of the commanders”, says Behmen, adding that too much time has been wasted on reforms of intelligence sector and reform to Police too. According to President of Croat Peasants Party (HSS), Marko Tadic, the main culprits for the failure are the current authorities and the High Representative for BiH. “The current authorities in BiH, led by national parties, have again shown and proven that they are neither capable or willing to lead the country into a better and European future (…) On the other hand, the High Representative does not want to acknowledge his defeat. He does not want to acknowledge his failures (…) He is more and more engaging into marginal activities which are not in description of his tasks”, says Tadic. An inset entitled ‘Who believes Ashdown’, carries Tadic as saying that “Ashdown is trying to convince, without any arguments, the international and BiH public that the domestic authorities are capable, joint and willing to implement the necessary reforms and take BiH to PfP, EU and NATO. Unfortunately for him, nobody in BiH trusts him”. |
Audits of BIH institutions | |
| Auditors present findings of 7 BIH institutions; most irregularities in BiH Presidency
| Dnevni Avaz pg 6 ‘How much Tihic, Paravac, and Covic spent’ by F. Madal, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Advisors from BiH Presidency threatened auditors they will lose jobs’, inset ‘25 million KM could have been saved’, inset 2 ‘Whom Paravac’s Cabinet paid for oil’, mentioned on cover ‘Advisors threatened auditors’, by Az. Kalamujic, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Pressure and threats against auditors are coming from BiH Presidency and BiH Council of Ministers’, mentioned on cover, by R. Radic, Blic, pg. RS1 ‘They wasted 25 millions’ by J. D. – The Acting BiH Chief Auditor, Samir Musovic, yesterday stated at the press conference that BiH budget would have been for 25 million KM higher if BiH institutions had paid more attention to spending of funds. He yesterday presented an audit report on seven institutions and he said that the most problems and omissions were found at BiH Presidency and BiH Agency for Statistics. Regarding the BiH Presidency, Musovic claims the three members were surprised with the irregularities and were already undertaking activities to prevent abuse of spending of budgetary funds. Musovic confirmed that the exact number of official vehicles, the way in which these have been purchased, circumstances under which many vehicles had been stolen, given as gifts or hijacked is not known. Masovic and his associate had received phone calls from low-positioned officials of BiH institutions and had been warned that it is not very likely they would be able to get another job after this. BHTV 1 -“ In an interesting way it was explained to us that after this job we should not expect a new job”, said Samir Musovic, Acting BiH Chief Auditor Office. “This was said by certain employees, advisors and so on, [working for] Ministers and of Presidency members,” added auditor Dragan Kulina. The audit report reads that the members of the President did not submit to BiH Ministry of Treasury and Finance a justification for spending 450.000 KM out of budget reserves. Apart from the sides in question, auditing reports were sent to BIH Parliament and BIH Prosecution. “I have to say that the Prosecution is already acting based on some reports from earlier years and we are cooperating and sending documents. So we expect Prosecutor Office to react upon these reports as well,” said Kulina. Among those who received negative marks for some deficiencies are BIH Statistics Agency [where auditors especially criticised the failure to appoint the Agency Director], BIH Election Commission, BIH Institute for measurements and standards and BiH Public Utility Service, the Communications Regulatory Agency, and the State Border Service. RHB, FTV, RTRS – also reported on the press conference. |
| Tihic on audit reports | Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Auditors should file charges’ by A.O., Dnevni Avaz cover, pg 6 ‘Tihci asks for charges’ by M.K. – Chairman of the BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic on Wednesday called upon leaders of the BiH Auditors Office to file charges against all politicians at power who spent budget money illegally. Referring to the parts of the audit report which criticises presidency for overspending, Tihic said he supports auditors work. BHTV 1 – “Auditor is obliged to say who threatened him/her… If he was threatened by employee of the Presidency, he should state the name and a person threatening an auditor can not work in the Presidency,” commented Sulejman Tihic on claims that auditors were threatened. |
| Oslobodjenje says Covic to appoint former HB Deputy Director to Chief Auditor | Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Former leader of Hercegovacka Bank nominated for the auditor’ by Azhar Kalamujic – Oslobodjenje learns that Dragan Covic, member of BiH Presidency, has nominated Zlatko Prusina, former Deputy Director of the Hercegovacka Bank, to the vacant position of Chief Auditor of financial dealings of the BiH institutions. Author further says that Prusina was the deputy of HB by 1998, while according to the report of former HB Provisional Administration Toby Robinson, at that time a number problems occurred in the workings of this Bank. Article says that this nomination is not surprise as it comes at the same time Auditors have started about exceeding expenses of Presidency members and argues that Covic has made sure that all is partners from Hercegovacka Bank are appointed to the FBiH and state institutions. Oslobodjenje also claims that former Chief BiH Auditor Ivan Miletic suddenyl resigned a month ago, at the time of finalizing the report on the state institutions mentioned above, and that he took over the position in Elektroprivreda Herceg Bosne. “It is interesting that OHR did not see anything problematic in this way of political selection of key financial controllers of the state institution, even though while it previously asked for the respect of the procedure when the Serb member of the State Border Service was appointed,” says the article and concludes that the appointment of the new auditor will happen one of these days without previously published vacancy notice [as BiH Presidency has no legal obligation to public vacancy for this position]. |
| DL on audits | Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Politicians getting more prodigal, people are getting hungrier’, by Ivica Glibusic – Amid reports that suggest that BiH authorities are wasting taxpayers’ money, the author argues that given the enormous salaries of BiH officials in comparison to salaries of normal workers in BiH, it is impossible to talk about BiH progressing and reaching better living standard. “On top of that, if we take into consideration the high salaries of international officials, and BiH nationals working in those institutions, it becomes clearer why BiH leadership cannot understand cries of citizens. They do not know that there are people in BiH on verge of survival, and that many jobless young people are forced to leave the country”, argues the author. |
Economic and social issues | |
| BiH HoR appoints members of the Concession Commission
| BHTV 1, RHB, RTRS – At its session on Wednesday, the BiH House of Representatives appointed members to the BiH Concessions Commission. Djoko Slijepcevic, Milomir Amovic and Muhamed Karamehmedovic were appointed from Republika Srpska, Nikola Antunovic, Hamed Mesanovic and Ivo Andric were from appointed from Federation and Mustafa Ramic from District Brcko. Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Council of Ministers is trying to discipline BiH Parliament’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Members of the Concession Commission appointed’ by A. Terzic – Deputy BiH HoR Speaker Nikola Spiric opposed to the appoints, stressing that three candidates for Concession Commission are of 65 years of age, while one of them is a retired senior 70 years old. HoR also rejected the initiative of the Party for BiH to postpone the candidacies in order to ask from CoM to present information on the total number of candidates that appeared and the method used to short list candidates. FTV – The Concession Commission will have a task to chose proposal for awarding concessions over usage of BiH’s natural resources. This will also include the concessions to the Vc corridor. The House also passed the draft laws on establishment of the Measurements, Intellectual Ownership and Standards Institutes. The Standards Institute will be located in Sarajevo, Intellectual Ownership Institute in Banja Luka, and the Standards Institute in Mostar. |
| HR appoints Toby Robinson to Privreda Banka Srpsko Sarajevo | RHB, RTRS, FTV, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Robinson has got another bank to run’, mentioned on cover, not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Toby Robinson new adminsitrator’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Toby Robertson heads the Bank which was controlled by Mandic’ – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, appointed Toby Robinson as Provisional Administrator for the Privredna Banka Srpska Sarajevo (PBSS). The press release also says that the RS Banking Agency had been unable to find a qualified individual prepared to succeed Mile Maksimovic as Provisional Administrator after he resigned following threats and a physical assault in Zvornik on 10 May 2004. |
| BHTV 1 says on salaries of judges and prosecution | BHTV 1 by Boris Grubesic – FBIH Constitutional Court has decided that the addenda to the Law based on which salaries of judges and prosecutors were reduced in Federation was unconstitutional. The addenda to the Law will be abolished within the next 6 months, and the salaries will be returned to previous amounts. Constitutional Court emphasised that the salaries of judges and prosecutors can only be reduced through disciplinary procedures. “We will ask from High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council to with start activities which will bring Prosecutors in the equal position with the judges as determined by the Law on Judges and Prosecutors functions. In principle Constitution has to be respected in each of its segments and in regard to every citizen of FBIH”, said Zdravko Knezevic, FBIH Chief Prosecutor. |
| Protests of BiH Farmers RS
| Blic pg. RS5 ‘They are distributing chicken again’ by Nedeljka Breberina mentioned on cover ‘They will again distribute frozen chicken’ – BiH Association of Farmers will today organize a protest in Gradiska. They will distribute 3,000 chicken to citizens and approximately 50 tons of fertilizers to farmers. They also announced they would torch a part of mechanization during the gathering as a sign of a protest against the situation in agriculture. ‘Should the authority fail to take this protest seriously, we will be willing to unite with other associations of farmers in BiH and organize a joint protest soon’, the President of BiH Association of Farmers, Ranko Bakic, has stated. |
| RS Govt in session | Glas Srpske pg 21 ‘Less taxes on economy’ – Goran Radivojac, Spokesperson of the RS Prime Minister, yesterday confirmed that following the adoption of the changes of the Law on Tax Administration (which reduced overdue interest), similar measures, which would reduce taxes on economy, can be expected. According to him, RS Government yesterday discussed the draft Action Plan for revival of production, further privatisation and realisation of social programme. |
Political issues | |
| Bond in Stolac
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 10 ‘Incidents in Stolac are a part of pre-elections campaign’ by N. Bise, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘US assistance conditioned by elimination of conflicts in Stolac’ by N. Bise – US Ambassador to BiH Clifford Bond visited Stolac yesterday where he met with the Head of the Stolac Municipality Zeljko Obradovic and President of the Stolac Municipal Council Zoran Turkovic. After this meeting, Bond stated that the US wants to contribute to improving of the situation in Stolac, however, under condition that this city is functioning normally. Bond added that in case that disagreements and divisions in Stolac continue, the USA will not help this town. Bond also judged that the latest incidents in Stolac are a part of the pre-election campaign for the local elections that are to take place in October this year. Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘It is unacceptable for children to go to different schools’, mentioned on cover ‘Abolish divisions’ by F. Vele – Ambassador Bond also stated that there are a number of problems that should be solved in Stolac: “It is unacceptable for Bosniaks and Croats separately go to the schools, while children of Serbs are educated in RS.” He also mentioned divisions in health and education, issues related to the water and electricity supply, etc. |
| FBiH HoP adopts FBiH Govt working plan for 2004 | FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘The Government’s Working programme for 2004 adopted’ by S.Se., Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘The Government’s Working programme for 2004 adopted’ – FBiH House of Peoples at the session on Wednesday adopted the FBiH Government’s Working Programme for 2004. FBIH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic said that no party interests would dominate in implementation of the programme, although the parties on power have formed the current government. He said that the Government intends to submit the Working Programme for 2005 to the Parliament in October or November this year. The Programme for this year divides the Government activities in three groups: measures coming from the EC Feasibility Study, initiatives for BiH Council of Ministers, and intern measures in the Government. The priority for this year will be progress in the economic sector, and Hadzipasic believes that by achieving economic progress, FBiH would also note progress in social sector. “We have great results in investments, for example factory for production of coal in Lukavac, BH Steel, etc. I hope that we will soon solve problem of “Natron,” said Hadzipasic adding that the Government also seeks to protect domestic production, define strategy for privatisation of public and public enterprises, and support returnees. |
| DA on BiH Election Commission | Dnevni Avaz cover page ‘Big scandal in Election Commission’, pg 3 ‘Punished mayors don’t know whom to appeal’ by A. M. – M.Z. – DA writes that a big scandal is about to explode in the BiH Elections Commission, as nobody could inform as to whom sanctioned party officials could appeal to. Nada Sevo, Prijedor Mayor from SNSD who had to resign from the Main Board, said that she still did not appeal to such sanction as she doesn’t know whom to submit appeal. She states that OSCE letter reads that she should appeal to BiH Election Commission, while the Commission told her that a suspension of a sanction against her is in OHR mandate. Party for BiH also expects from OHR to annul sanction against their candidate Fehim Skaljic. Chairman of the Election Commission, Vehid Sehic says that BiH Election Commission has no authority to address these appeals. DA also carries comment by Mario Brkic, OHR Spokesperson, who denied that OHR is responsible to deal with this issue. |
| Hays in Tomislavgrad | RHB – Principle Deputy High Representative Donald Hays met Wednesday in Tomislavgrad with municipal officials on functioning of local self-governance, the position of youth and the upcoming municipal elections. Hays visited Tomislavgrad at the invitation of Municipality Head Zdravko Prka. During the talks, the officials concluded there is no desirable progress in functioning of local self-governance without full engagement of citizens. Hays also toured the cite a future sports center, where he met with young people. |
| DA: Salaries of FBIH civil servants could be drastically increased | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘The lowest salary of the FBiH bureaucrats 900 KM’ by Ad. H. – DA learns that, in accordance with the Law on FBIH Civil Service, a new categorization of working places and coefficients for salaries have been prepared for all employees paid through FBiH budget. Apparently several thousands of employees will be divided into 10 categories, and DA says that drastic increases of the salaries are problematic. If adopted, the proposal will set increase of a 400 KM salary to 500 KM, and the lowest salary for any apprentice – without a single working day – will be 900 KM. These changes would not increase salaries of Ministers. |
| DL int with new HDZ Secretary General | Dnevni List pg 9 ‘HDZ aspires to strengthening of infrastructure and reputation among Croat people’ by M. Relota – In an interview for DL newly appointed HDZ Secretary General Vlatko Medjugorac stated that during the last session of the HDZ Main Board held in Bugojno last week they mostly discussed preparations for coming local elections. Talking about possible HDZ coalitions, Medjugorac said that the HDZ Municipal Boards in field should judge a possibility for forming coalitions with other parties with a Croat prefix. Asked about the establishment of the Croat Block BiH (HB) Medjugorac says that HDZ welcomes their establishment if they are truly going to be the initiative and force that will work of improving of the position of the Croat people. |
| DL Statement of Day | Dnevni List pg 2 carries in its ‘Statement of Day’ High Representative Paddy Ashdown as saying: “It is not my job to elect authority.” |
| NN on Ivanic | Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Frauds of Mladen Ivanic’ by Aleksandar Sekulic – The author is critical of Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister and PDP President, saying that the citizens of Banja Luka are disappointed with him. The author also claims that if only half of the promises Ivanic had given during pre-election campaign in 2000, this BiH entity would have certainly become more successful (in economic regard) and a more developed part of the State of BiH. As one of such disappointments, Sekulic refers to the Moscow Agreement Ivanic signed with Moscow Mayor, Luzkov Jurij, which was about construction works. |
Media | |
| BiH HoR accepts to discuss proposal Law on PBS system in urgent procedure | BHTV 1 – BiH House of Representatives accepted the request of the Council of Ministers to discuss proposals for Laws on the Public Radio and Television system and service by urgent procedure. BiH HoR Speaker, Martin Raguz: “We have reacted immediately upon the request of the Council of Ministers to have these two laws, which are important not only for the service but also for the whole position of BiH. We know that these laws are parts of the package of 16 requirements for BiH to sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement.” Reminding that the parliament was prepared even earlier to discuss these two laws, Raguz said that it would not be logical for such important laws to be adopted without any discussion, but that there was no cooperation or link between the parliament and the Public Broadcasting Service: “There is a minimum of 60 days for entire procedure, [which includes] not only discussion but making decisions in the committees, decisions on the possible amendments and declaring [attitudes] on the law in the first and second reading. At one moment I think we changed thesis and the independence meant complete lack of communication. This is why some crucial problems with finances and human resources, and some others, are now coming back to us after six years of being totally independent from us due to the role of the international community and some other subjects.” FTV, RTRS – also reported on this time of the agenda. Print media published announcement of the BiH HoR discussion on the issue. |
Hercegovacka Bank case | |
| Jelavic’s lawyer doubts trial will be fair | Dnevni List front pg ‘Today entering pleas on Hercegovacka Banka case’ and pg 5 ‘Ante Jelavic believes that process is staged’ by R. Radic – Commenting on the fact that the demand for exemption of judge Bernard Boland in the process against suspects in the Hercegovacka Banka case was refused, Josip Muselimovic, who is a lawyer of a suspect Ante Jelavic, stated that due to this situation he doubts that the suspects will have a legal trial. Muselimovic also added that these suspects will be entering pleas today. DL says that in case that Jelavic pleads guilty he might expect some privileges, however, since Jelavic believes that this is a staged process it is hard to believe that he will do it. |
| BiH Justice Minister says BiH did not demand Rojs’ extradition | Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘BiH is not demanding extradition of Ljubo Cesic Rojs’ by H. Orahovac – Following speculations that appeared in Croatian media that BiH is about to seek extradition of Ljubo Cesic Rojs in order to ensure his hearing before the BiH Court in relation to the Hercegovacka Bank, however BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac denies he has any knowledge of such request. Apparently, the extradition has been requested through the Justice Ministry by the Prosecutor of the BiH Court’s Special Department, John McNair. |
War crimes | |
| Del Ponte sets conditions to CoM
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Arrest of Karadzioc and locating Mladic’ by S. Numanovic – DA says that Carla Del Ponte, Chief ICTY prosecutor during her recent visit to BiH, has submitted to Adnan Terzic, Chair of BiH CoM, a list of measures that BiH authorities should implement if they want to receive a positive mark for cooperation with the ICTY. Among others, this list includes the arrest of all ‘big’ war crimes suspects at large, especially Radovan Karadzic and locating Ratko Mladic. Del Ponte also requests appropriate measures with regard to locating and finding other war crimes suspects, including transparent efforts by the intelligence services, constant communication with the Prosecutor Office, display of ‘wanted’ posters on visible places, public TV campaigns, hotlines for tips on indictees at large, etc. In addition, Del Ponte demands CoM to establish an office for cooperation with CITY. |
| Patriot magazine on meeting between Kalinic and Del Ponte
| Patriot magazine pgs 14-15 “Del Ponte to Kalinic: You know where Karadzic is!” by Patriot team – The article refers to the recent visit of Carla del Ponte, ICTY Chief Prosecutor, to Banja Luka when she held meetings with RS most senior officials. According to the article, she has not said anything new during this visit, but just reiterated accusations regarding RS non-cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. Unlike Dragan Cavic and Dragan Mikerevic, RS President and Prime Minister respectively, who addressed the press and admitted RS needs to improve cooperation with the ICTY, Dragan Kalinic, RSNA Speaker, who also had a separate meeting with del Ponte, did not want to make any comment on the meeting. Patriot learnt from its sources that during that meeting, del Ponte told Kalinic she had information strongly proving that Kalinic knows on Radovan Karadzic’s whereabouts, and that they maintain daily contacts. Patriot source further claims that Kalinic used all methods in trying to convince del Ponte it is not true. However, del Ponte gave him deadline to deliver the “package”. Patriot further concludes: “And this meeting between Kalinic and del Ponte shows the political sorrow and hypocrisy of the international community, including the Hague Tribunal, towards this entity. If del Ponte knows Kalinic knows of Karadzic’s whereabouts, then Paddy Ashdown and Virgil Packett know this as well. If this were so, it would be logical that Kalinic’s name has been included in “black list” a long time ago.” Patriot further claims that “international officials, mostly Ashdown, prefer to have a Kalinic blackmailed rather than removed.. Kalinic proved to be a good means in the hands of the international community. |
| Srebrenica Commission to submit report | Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Srebrenica Commission to submit report today’ – Srebrenica Commission yesterday confirmed that Commission should today submit final report to RS Government. The report is to disclose the entire truth related to Bosniaks, who have gone missing in the area of Srebrenica between 10 to 19 July 1995. The report should arrive at the Cabinet of Dragan Mikerevic, RS PM, by midnight. |