OHR BiH Media Round-up, 10/7/2006

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Report on representatives’ pensions

130 die in air plane crash in Russia

World news

Results of BiH Parliament’s work

40 dead in Iraq

World news

Expenses of the BiH Parliament

Tihic joins ‘March of Death’

2 die in traffic accident

Report on pre-election campaign

Conference on Srebrenica genocide

Fugitive Selver arrested

Oslobodjenje

The World would respond before Court [Conference on IC and Srebrenica]

Dnevni Avaz

We have to fulfill obligations toward the Council of Europe [H. Silajdzic]

Dnevni List

Prisoners’ rebellion (hunger strike by inmates in Banja Luka)

Vecernji List

He tried to kill me by going against me in car (MP in FBIH Parliament Josipovic receives threats, asks for police protection)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Italy celebrates, France in tears (football World Cup)

Nezavisne Novine

More than 120 dead in Siberia [Plane crash in Russia]

Glas Srpske

They want to have documents that do not exist [BiH Constitutional Court considers Paravac’s appeal re BiH lawsuit vs. SiCG, see OHR BiH Media Round-up: July 9, 2006]

EuroBlic

Nothing without back-pack when there is fire in hills [level of RS’s fire protection readiness]

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

War crimes proceedings and cases

Hunger strike of war crime prisoners in Banja Luka

RTRS – Posters with information on hunger strike of war crime prisoners from Tunjice prison in Banja Luka have appeared around this town on Sunday. The RS Ministry of Justice confirmed for RTRS that 6 prisoners have entered a hunger strike on 30 June due to ICTY’s sentence to Naser Oric, Srebrenica wartime commander. Oric has been sentenced to 2 years of prison by ICTY because he failed to prevent the murders and tortures of captured Serbs from December 1992 until March 1993. BHT1 – According to the posters, prisoners stopped drinking water on 4 July. RS Government confirmed it has undertaken measures in order to solve this problem.Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Prisoners’ rebellion’ by Anja Krajinovic – article reads that on 1 July further 10 prisoners started a ‘selective’ hunger strike meaning they only eat some meals. PINK, Hayat, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘War crimes convicts on hunger strike’ by Srna, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘War crimes convicts on strike over sentence to Oric’ by N. Moraca, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Revolt over sentence to Oric’ by V. Janjic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘War crime convicts on hunger strike’ by R. I. – also covered.

Trial to 7 RS Army officers accused of crimes in Srebrenica to start on 14 July in ICTY

PINK – Trial to 7 RS Army officers – Vujadin Popovic, Ljubisa Beara, Vinko Pandurevic, Drago Nikolic, Ljubomir Borovcanin, Milan Gvero and Radivoj Miletic accused of genocide in Srebrenica – will start on 14 July before the Hague Tribunal. Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Trial to officers of RS Army for Srebrenica’ by Beta, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Trial to seven RS officers for genocide starts on Friday’ by Onasa, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘In Banja Luka, someone is bothered by truth again’ by Fena– also carried.

BiH Presidency member Paravac says decision of BiH CC on discussion re BiH lawsuit vs. ex SCG indicates possible secret- or outvoting

RTRS by Sandra Zrnic – BIH Presidency member Borislav Paravac feels that the issue of BIH lawsuit against Former Yugoslavia must be resolved through presentation of the facts. Commenting the decision of BIH Constitutional Court to decline his request for the Court to hold a public discussion on the issue, Paravac stated he asked for a such type of the discussion since he fears the decision of the BIH CC might be made by secret voting or majority of votes. “I feel that BIH CC is once again starting the discussion in which there is no protection of vital national interest”, says Paravac. He added that doubts are raised again by the fact that members of the BIH CC include high-ranking political officials. BIH Presidency President Sulejman Tihic stated that the fact that BIH CC is even considering Paravac’s request goes to show that certain international power centres are exerting pressure to ensure the lawsuit is dropped. Tihic also reminded that BIH CC held several discussions regarding Paravac’s request. Paravac on the other hand doubts Tihic’s decision to withdraw his request on re-examining the constitutionality of the name RS. “I feel that there is an intention for compensation in this delicate moment”, says Paravac. PINK carried Tihic’s statement.

OHR: Presidency Chair is entitled to belief that some int. powers want to stop lawsuit, but Court will continue its work

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Presidency Chair has right to his opinion’ not signed – The OHR Spokesperson, Ljiljana Radetic, commented the statements of the BiH Presidency Chair, Sulejman Tihic on the work of the BiH Constitutional Court, by saying that Tihic is entitled to his own opinion whereas judicial bodies are obliged to do their job. Tiic said on Sunday that the way in which the Constitutional Court discussed the demand of the Serb member of the Presidency, Borislav Paravac, related to the lawsuit against former SCG , indicates that some international power centres are exerting pressure to ensure lawsuit is dropped.

ICTY secretary Holthuis to meet survivors of Grabovica massacre on Monday

Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Death threats to survivors of Grabovica’, by Ljiljana Vidacak – announces that secretary of the ICTY, Hans Holthuis, will be visiting Grabovica today (Monday) where he is to meet survivors of Grabovica massacre and family members of victims (BiH Army troops killed 33 Croat civilians on September 8 and 9, 1993). Representative of the Association of Croat victims ‘Grabovica 93’, Josip Dreznjak, says Croats of Grabovica are not happy with the fact that of 33 victims, whereabouts of 21 bodies is yet unknown, underlining that the Croat returnees to Grabovica still receive death threats.

DL: Visit of ICTY’s Holthuis shows there is hope justice will be served

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Finally Grabovica’, by Arijana Beus – the author argues that today’s (Monday) visit by ICTY secretary Hans Holthuis is a glimmer of hope that the justice will be served. In that context, Beus reminds that the ICTY has acquitted former commander of BiH Army, Sefer Halilovic, of command responsibility for the case, arguing that Halilovic did not have the effective control over the troops in Grabovica.

Former RS PM Klickovic: there were no organised crimes in Krupa in 1992

Vecernje Novosti pg 10 ‘There were no crimes’ by Vladimir Mitric – In a lengthy statement to Vecernje Novosti, former RS PM Gojko Klickovic commented on the news that he would be indicted for war crimes as well, and he said he had initiated a meeting with then Deputy ICTY Prosecutor in February 2004, in which he explained to the Deputy there were no organised crimes in Krupa in 1992, which he had been held responsible for. Klickovic added: ‘On that occasion, I answered all questions and it was clear there is no reason to talk about crimes of Serbs and it was concluded both sides had their victims’.

Preparations for 11th Srebrenica anniversary

Conference on role of IC in fall of Srebrenica held in Sarajevo: UN SG Advisor says Britain and France “knew perfectly well what was happening” and covered up for it

BHT1 by Armela Subasic – As a part marking the 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide, the conference entitled “International Community and Srebrenica Genocide” was held in Sarajevo on Sunday. The experts participating in the conference agreed that the role and responsibility of the International Community in Srebrenica genocide has not yet been made clear. Director of Institute for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity, Smail Cekic, stated that the IC and UN are still not capable to prevent new war crimes, just like they were not able to prevent Srebrenica genocide, noting it is still happening in several African countries. The conference was open by the Advisor to the UN Secretary General, Diego Arria, who visited Srebrenica for the first time in 1993 when he was a member of the UN Security Council’s Commission. In 1993, Arria was the first official who warned the UN that of possible developments and noted entire town was a concentration camp. Arria, who privately arrived to BiH to attend the memorial ceremony in Potocari, stated that, at that time, UK and France were in charge of control over the UN protected zone of Srebrenica. “They perfectly knew what was happening and they made all efforts to prevent the world from knowing what was happening. This is the truth”, said Arria after the conference. Arria underlined that Srebrenica represents the greatest case of covering up the truth in history of the UN, concluding it is a disgrace for the entire UN. Hayat– Arria added that the former UN SG Boutros Boutros-Ghali was well aware of the fact that the UN troops were not able to protect the citizens of Srebrenica, but he failed to do anything about it. French writer Sylvie Mateau, who published a book on Srebrenica genocide last year, argued fall of Srebrenica was expected concluding certain high-ranked French military commanders told her such development was ‘obvious’. FTV – Arria concluded that the Srebrenica genocide can’t be sanctioned, because UN doesn’t have the mechanisms which would enable a lawsuit in this case. PINK – also covered.

Int with UN SG Advisor Arria: Terrorist attacks in world began after genocide in Srebrenica

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Terrorist attacks in world began after genocide in Srebrenica’ by Sanita Rozajac – In an interview for daily, Advisor to the UN Secretary General, Diego Enrique Arria, repeated his stances that world power [UK, France, Russia, USA and China] tried to cover up truth about genocide in Srebrenica. He noted: “Terrorist attacks in world began after genocide in Srebrenica. This event provoked anger of Muslims around the world. They were bitter, for nothing was done for Muslims in Europe… We have to have in mind that Srebrenica did not happen in 24 hours. Even in 1992 [co-chairman of the Conference for the Former Yugoslavia] lord [David] Owen showed the map by which Serb part [of BiH] was about to inherit Srebrenica.” Commenting on ICTY sentence against Srebrenica wartime commander Naser Oric, Arria stressed: “Naser’s leave for the Tribunale was compensation for [Bosniak wartime leader Alija] Izetbegovic. One Bosniak had to be in the Tribunal in order to war in BiH be shown as civil war.”

BiH Presidency Chair Tihic joins ‘March of Death – Road to Freedom’

BHT1 – Around 1.000 participants of ‘March of Death – Road to Freedom’ marking the 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide have arrived to Bujince near Bratunac. They are expected to reach Potocari on Monday. Chair of BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic joined the march near Nova Kasaba. FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Tihic in the “march of death”’ by V. Ra.also covered.

Sarajevo press extensively report on preparations for Srebrenica anniversary stressing tragedy of fall and responsibility of IC in it

Oslobodjenje cover splash ‘The World would respond before Court’, pgs 4-5 ‘The World would respond before the Court, after all’ by E.Kokor– Daily carries two whole pages dedicated to Conference in Sarajevo ‘International Community and genocide in Srebrenica- did they know’ and March of Death, as well as other activities dedicated to marking of 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide. Among other things, it carries Activist of Association of families of Srebrenica genocide victims, Hasan Nuhanovic, stated at the conference that rising of the lawsuit against the UN is in process. “That is the only thing we can do, to discuss this issue in court and that the indictee answers questions under oath,” said Nuhanovic. Dnevni Avaz pgs 2-3 ‘Srebrenica is the biggest disgrace in history of the UN’, mentioned on cover by Z.Persic– Beside the report on the Conference, DA also carries two entire pages, dedicated to Srebrenica anniversary.

Elections 2006, reforms and other political issues

SDP presents candidates and platform for October elections before 7000 supporters

FTV – At the Convention held on Saturday evening in Sarajevo, SDP presented its candidates and platform for the upcoming October elections. The Convention was attended by 7000 supporters, who were also addressed by the representatives of European leftist parties and head of the US Democrats via video link. SDP President, Zlatko Lagumdzija, stated that SDP has presented a programme which could lead BiH forward if the party wins the elections, a scenario in which Lagumdzija is convinced. Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Ready to fight injustice’ by Erna Mackic – Oin the occasion, Lagumdzija said: “This country has for too long been waiting for a fight against injustice, poverty, crime and war criminals.” RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Ready to win at the elections’ by R. Rakicalso covered.

RS PM Dodik visits Israel , says RS supports BiH’s European path, disagrees with model of police reform, European principles not disputable

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘RS accepts European path’ by V. Popovic – RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik,and RS Government’s delegation are paying a three-day visit to Israel, where they are holding talks on economic cooperation with Israeli businessmen and investors. Dodik on Sunday met with Deputy Executive Director of Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mark Sofer and noted BiH’s determination is the most important for European path and added RS fully supported such path. With regard to police reform in BiH, Dodik said European principles are not questionable for RS, it is the model that is being imposed from Sarajevo that is disputable, since it does not respect the constitutional structure of BiH and does not allow RS to preserve its police as an organisational part of single structure. RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Bringing large investors’ by Srna – reports only on the talks on economic cooperation, does not carry Dodik’s statement on police reform.

RS PM Dodik: RS will soon withdraw from Police Reform Directorate

Dnevni List, pgs 8-9, mentioned on front ‘Referendum is reality’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – carries an interview with the RS PM and leader of SNSD, Milorad Dodik. Questioned for how long RS representatives in the Police Reform Directorate will remain as observers, Dodik replies: “We will be observers for a little while longer, then we will withdraw because we have significant objections to the work of the Directorate, which is not formed in accordance with the agreement (on police reform). A foreign national with a decisive vote sits on it, which is not foreseen by the agreement, of 11 members there is only one RS representative, whilst we have majority vote, and that is something that is unacceptable to us”. Inset ‘There will be no formation of para-police’ – responding to the journalist’s remark that he (Dodik) has been accused of forming para-police forces by preparing the Law on agencies for security of persons and property and private detective services, Dodik rules out a possibility that this is about establishment of an illegal police force, insisting it is about providing security services.

SNSD rejects accusations of SDS who claimed SNSD was exerting pressure on RTRS

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘SDS continues battle for media, petroleum and primary mission’ by V. Popovic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘False fighters for media’ by N. G., Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘SDS’ ordered accusations’ by Onasa – SNSD on Sunday rejected accusations of SDS’s Ognjen Tadic who said SNSD was exerting a political pressure on RTRS [Tadic told press conference on Friday it was obvious SNSD was exerting pressure on RTRS and SDS wants to free it of this pressure]. SNSD says Tadic actually continues SDS’s fight for its “holly trinity” – petroleum, media and primary mission and explains SDS had accused SNSD in order to present itself as a fighter for media free of pressures.

SBiH’s leader Silajdzic: message of PACE Resolution is that we have to accept modern democracy

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 5 ‘We have to fulfill obligations toward the Council of Europe’ by Edina Sarac– In a page long interview for DA, SBiH leader Haris Silajdzic commented the Resolution by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe [PACE] denying he lobbied for its adoption. “Simply, people who have recognized what is the key problem are sitting in PACE. SBiH’s analysis from two months ago results with almost same [conclusions] as the Resolution. So, people have detected the problem,” said Silajdzic. Talking about his meeting with the PACE Chair René van der Linden, Silajdzic stressed that it was emphasised that BiH has to fulfil its obligations toward the CoE, with which he agreed, adding that CoE and European Parliament’s Resolutions are very similar to the one passed by US Senate. “Message of all these resolutions is that we have to accept principles of modern democracy and because of that, this is mandatory for us…I have told him that after elections we would submit invitation for even larger presence of Venice Commission’s experts, who can assist us in establishing new BiH Constitution,” said Silajdzic. SBiH founder stressed  “we” do not have to accept the resolution is “we don’t want to. If we don’t want to be better off. It is up to us, as member of CoE, state which taken over the responsibilities to apply it.”

HSP’ Jurisic: entities are cause of Croat people’s inequality

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘To abolish entities urgently’ not signed– Candidate for Croat member of the BiH Presidency at upcoming elections, Zvonko Jurisic, stated that entity division within BiH has to be abolished, since it is a cause of inequality of Croat people. Talking at the Convention of Coalition for Equality [HSP Djapic- Jurisic and NHI], Jurisic stated: “current establishment of BiH is economically unsustainable, absolutely unacceptable for the EU and entity division is in favour of Serbs in RS, who can decide on legal and constitutional way without other two constituent peoples on all issues, even if it wouldn’t suit Croats and Bosniaks”. Jurisic emphasised the low return level to the RS, stressing, “RS name alone is a psychological barrier to return of Croats and Bosniaks”. 

RS PM Dodik maintains referendum is one of options for Serbs in BiH

Dnevni List, pgs 8-9, mentioned on front ‘Referendum is reality’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – carries an interview with the RS PM and leader of SNSD, Milorad Dodik, in which he mostly repeats his earlier statements about organization of referendum in the RS. Namely, he insists that any insisting that the RS should be abolished will create a reaction among the Serbs, who will realize “if BiH does not want us, the we are entitled to see how to proceed”. He also repeats his earlier position that the Resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which foresees abolishment of the entity vote in BiH Parliament, represents interference into BiH domestic issues and is targeted against the RS.

DA op-ed: BiH destiny can be decided upon only by its constituent peoples

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Tadic’s principles’ op-ed by Mirela Kukan– Commenting on recent statements of Serbian President Boris Tadic given during visit to Sarajevo when he stressed that “integral BiH is Serbia’s vital interest”, Kukan emphasises that only few days after i.e. as agencies carried on Sunday, Tadic wonders who could stop other ethnic communities to demand independency, if Kosovo would get it. This, according to Kukan, only shows Tadic has “lost his illusive, democratic appearance”. Author stresses that such statement is very dangerous, as Tadic now tries to connect BiH and Kosovo and it proves intentions of “Greater Serb efforts to introduce referendum as practice” in the countries of former Yugoslavia. “However, all those advocating for splitting of BiH are intentionally forgetting that, unlike Kosovo, our state has no issues related to the status, since it is sovereign and independent [country] whose destiny can be decided upon only by its constituent peoples, and not only one, Serb, as Tadic desire. And naturally, only by consensus and compromise. Not by outvoting by any chance,” concludes Kukan.

Representatives in state Parliament satisfied with what they have done during last four years

Hayat not stated – NTV Hayat investigates whether representatives in state Parliament are satisfied with what they have done during the last four years. All polled representatives – Momcilo Novakovic, Elmir Jahic and BiH House of Representatives Chair Martin Raguz – said that they are satisfied, stressing that more than 200 laws have been adopted since the beginning of their mandates. However, they were able to single out only two truly significant laws that they have managed to adopt during last four years: fiscal sector and defence reforms. Raguz underlined the defence reform, reform of indirect taxation, Value Added Tax introduction, reform of the whole intelligence and security system in BiH, but added that representatives still have a lot of work to do; according to HoR Chair, they still have to adopt laws in the fields of higher education, Public Broadcasting System and Service, and police reform.

NN op-ed: timing and way of HR’s rehabilitation of removed politicians was bad

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Rehabilitations’ by Mirza Cubro – The author reminds High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling, in first six months of his mandate,rehabilitated almost every person his predecessor had removed and comments both removals and rehabilitations will leave consequences, especially now before elections. He also comments perhaps the current HR is trying to correct mistakes of his predecessor but both timing and way are quite bad. ‘OHR had never revealed the criteria it respected when it was reaching decisions on removals, nor it revealed who and on base of which principles was deciding on rehabilitations’, the author says. Cubro concludes by saying if any of the removed politicians had been violating the Dayton Peace Agreement, then OHR should have forwarded evidence to BiH Prosecutor’s Office since it has a jurisdiction over processing of counter-constitutional activities.

Security issues

Nezavisne Novine: three CIA airplanes suspected of transferring terrorism suspects have landed in BiH

Nezavisne Novine pg 4, announced on cover ‘CIA airplanes landed three times to BiH’ by M. Cubro – Despite denial of BiH authorities, CIA airplanes suspected of transferring terrorism indictees to some of CIA secret prisons in Europe have landed three times in BiH territory. Nezavisne Novine is in possession of the documents, which prove that BiH Directorate for Civil Aviation approved landing of CIA airplanes. BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic said that BiH authorities could not confirm alleged secret flying over or landing of CIA airplanes since BiH authorities have no full competences over BiH air control. Council of Europe investigates CIA secret flights and prisons and asks from BiH to deliver report regarding this issue. On the basis of the list of CIA airplanes’ registration plates that Council of Europe submitted to BiH, it is confirmed that three CIA airplanes have landed to BiH territory.

BiH Security Minister Colak: Audit of illegally acquired citizenships will be conducted according to laws; problem with police reform is election campaign

Vecernji List, pg 6 ‘We will not extradite into countries that have death penalty’, by Zoran Kresic – carries an interview with the BiH Security Minister, Barisa Colak, in which he mostly focuses on the issue of audit of illegally acquired BiH citizenships. Colak insists that the commission in charge of the issue will carry out its tasks pursuant to BiH laws as well as international conventions, underlining that all persons who got the citizenship illegally will have to leave BiH. “One has to note that we will not extradite persons into countries that have death penalties”, said Colak. Inset ‘Police reform getting politicized’ – Colak was asked whether BiH will miss out “on yet another train for Europe” i.e. whether it will not sign the SAA due to obstructions of the RS in the police reform process, to which Colak replies BiH has been clearly told that the SAA will not be signed if the deadlines are not respected. “The misfortune is that the deadline, the September 30 that is, comes in the midst of the elections campaign”, underlines Colak.

MP in FBIH Parliament Josipovic (HDZ 1990) asks for police protections after receiving threats

Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘He tried to kill me by going against me in car’ and pg 3 ‘Death threat’, by Ana Drmac – reports that Slavica Josipovic, an MP in the FBiH Parliament, has asked for police protection after receiving threats from one F. G. from Vitez, who has reportedly been harassing her in past 15 days. VL’s unofficial information have it he is a member of criminal circles. Josipovic explains that she initially met him (F. G.) some 15 days ago when he asked from her to find a job for his wife, otherwise “she could expect anything”. Josipovic comments that she cannot rule out a political background to the case because she will be running for another term in the FBiH Parliament as an HDZ 1990 candidate (NB: she used to be in HDZ BiH)

Economy and public administration

RS PM Dodik: Appointment of Nicholl to ITA should not have happened: key on distribution of revenues lies in fixed coefficients

Dnevni List, pgs 8-9, mentioned on front ‘Referendum is reality’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – carries an interview with the RS PM and leader of SNSD, Milorad Dodik. Asked to comment on the appointment of Peter Nicholl, as the new Chairman of ITA Governing Board, Dodik says he is against appointments of foreigners and that the time has come for BiH nationals to assume offices. “(…) there are no guarantees that Nicholl can lead us to any changes, because he cannot do a thing without the Fiscal Council and I think this is about lack of trust into local people”, said Dodik. The RS PM insists the solution to distribution of public revenues lies in determining of fixed rates.

FBiH PM Hadzipasic: there is no will to reform public administration before elections

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘There is no chance to reduce administration by elections’ by M.Kukan – FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic told DA there are no chances for the reform of the public administration to be carried out before the October elections. Author notes this is a case despite this issue being a priority in making a progress toward the EU and the fact that Director of the EU Enlargement Directorate, Reinhard Priebe, emphasised it as one of key conditions for Stabilization and Association Agreement. “A year ago we in the Government have raised the issue of decrease of number of ministries and we moved further with the initiative, but there was no interest for something like that to be carried out,” said Hadzipasic. Emphasising that reducing administration is necessary, Hadzipasic stated there was no will for this process among the high-ranking officials. Inset ‘Guilt of ruling parties’- Hadzipasic said party officials are preoccupied with other issues in pre-election period [while daily suggests the delay in the issue due to ruling parties, as indicated in the headline].