| CROAT RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Grabovica anniversary | Presid. visit to Slovenia | NATO uses civil war term | Ljubljanska bank debt |
| Visit to Slovenia | Rudi Cajavec | BiH Presidency in Slovenia | Mikerevic |
| NATO Commander in BiH | Federation Government | Succession | Strike of Cajavec workers |
| BiH Steel salaries | World news | Students prepare strike | World news |
| Oslobodjenje | Skoplje does not want Ceklic as BiH Ambassador to Macedonia |
| Dnevni Avaz | Colak: Everything has to be cleared up |
| Dnevni List | “Visit to Slovenia successful”; “10th anniversary of horrible crime in Grabovica was marked”; “ICG is making new report on Mostar: SDA replaced HDZ in obstructions to unification of city” |
| Vecernji List | “BiH does not have right on access to open sea”; “Large number of Serb refugees from Hadzici are dying of cancer”; “Ivanov is saving reputation of Russians” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features Croatia related headlines |
| Glas Srpske | Payment of August pensions commences today: No pension increase; Vlasenica: Debts turns off machines |
| Nezavisne Novine | Ivan Vuksic, three days following removal from Office, signs executive order: Removed director runs FOSS; On the eve of the visit of EBRD delegation to Banjaluka: Director of Telekom Srpske visiting EBRD in London; Slobodan Kovac, BiH Minister of Justice: BiH authorities expect extradition of Muhamed Sacirbegovic |
| Blic | SFOR discovered arms: Goodbye weapon; ‘Petrochemic Europe’ wants to buy Oil Refinery in Brod |
Defence reform | |
| Admiral Johnson visits BiH
| BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. ‘Karadzic and Mladic – NATO priorities’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘NATO continuing hunt on Karadzic, Mladic,’ Dnevni List page 3, “Defense reform one of crucial areas in BiH”, FENA – Commander of the Allied Forces in Southern Europe Admiral Gregory Johnson, who is paying a regular visit to the region, stated on Tuesday that the defence reform in BiH is one of the key fields in which he expects progress. At a press conference in Sarajevo, he said that he had met with Chairman of the Defence Reform Commission, Jim Locher, with whom he discussed the needs for designing a common doctrine and exercise standards, which would help bring the BiH defence structures more in line with European standards, as well as toward the future membership in the Partnership for Peace. Further, he said that he expects establishing of a single defence structure under strong civilian control. Admiral Johnson discussed these matters in the course of the day with the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, and they both expressed hope that the three reform commissions (intelligence, taxes and defence) would mutually move BiH ahead on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration. He thanked the Commander of SFOR, General William Ward, on the brilliant managing of SFOR and the deep dedication to support BiH after the extraordinary progress in the past year. However, the progress is not only the result of presence of SFOR, but also the efforts of this country’s people who are building a pluralist, multiethnic society from the ashes of war. “A great deal has been accomplished, but there is more to be done and this is why the international community, and especially NATO, remain fully dedicated to supporting this positive process and will not to allow its fall”, said Johnson. Responding to a question when will SFOR finally apprehend Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, he said that he couldn’t talk about the future operations, but stressed that NATO is fully determined to bring this task to an end, considering that it must be completed before the process of integration. |
| Colak says political wisdom needed to unite entity armies | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BH Radio 1, Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘BiH to accede PfP by the end of this year?’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 8, Dnevni List front and page 5, “Colak: BiH will meet conditions for admission to Partnership for Peace by next year”, by R. Radic – “Bosnia and Hercegovina on the road to joining the Partnership for Peace – progress or obstruction” was the topic of the round table organized by the BiH Alliance for Security. Although senior members of the Security Ministry and the Standing Military Committee were the main invitees, the question of how, when and through which military structures we can join the Partnership has remained unanswered. Although our country has not achieved any concrete results in its efforts to join the Partnership for Peace, politicians are inclined to say that they are satisfied with what is happening at the moment. And what is happening at the moment, according to minister Barisa Colak, is the finalization of the future defence concept, which is yet to be adopted by parliament. The minister thinks that the harmonization process will be concluded by the end of the year, but warns that considerable political wisdom is needed for a successful outcome. “All that has been achieved to date and which still remains to be done will require a great deal of compromises which BiH representatives will have to make in order to arrive at a joint conclusion. Any obstruction is misplaced in a situation where we have to accept opposing opinions when we are trying to find different ways of solving problems,” Colak said. Secretary General of the Standing Military Committee Enes Becirbasic feels that our country will fulfill the conditions for joining the Partnership for Peace program only in the middle of next year, which is also when the deadline expires. He adds that satisfactory solutions have been found, but unfortunately he cannot discuss what these solutions envisage. The representative of the Standing Military Committee did not speak about the need to unify the two armies as a condition for membership in Euro-Atlantic integrations, however minister Barisa Colak was direct: “This should really be an army of all peoples who live in BiH, without any opportunity for anyone to fear preferential treatment or anything else which would be unacceptable to us in BiH.” |
Political developments | |
| Presidency visit to Slovenia: Covic and Drnovsek on economic cooperation
| Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, FENA – The solid friendly relations between Slovenia and BiH could be even better, and the economies and entrepreneurs from both countries are certainly one of the most important foundations for building them. This is the common position of Slovenian President Janez Drvnosek and BiH Presidency Chairman Dragan Covic, stated in short addressing to businesspersons from Slovenia and BiH, participants of a business conference that was organised by the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce for BiH and Slovenian businesspersons. On this occasion the Slovenian President reiterated that the two countries are very important economic partners to each other and indicated certain obstacles to the development of business co-operation. He said that the economic consolidation in BiH depends on the political consolidation in the country, which is a precondition for speedy economic development and better co-operation between the two countries. In this context, Drvnosek called on removing of artificial economic barriers and discrimination in business relations. Dragan Covic supported Drvnosek’s position, emphasising, however, that the BiH legislation is among the most liberal ones in the field of foreign investments, which is, according to him, one of the manners for not only accelerating the development of BiH, but also of reducing the great BiH deficit in trade exchange with Slovenia. |
| BiH Presidency members meet with representatives of BiH Diaspora in Slovenia | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Diaspora says the state forgot it’, FENA – On Tuesday, the members of BiH Presidency, Dragan Covic, Sulejman Tihic and Borislav Paravac, and BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic and the Minister of Human Rights and Refugees, Mirsad Kebo, met at the BiH Embassy in Ljubljana with representatives of Diaspora, cultural societies of BiH peoples, the Islamic Community in Slovenia and representatives of the Serb Orthodox Church, Ljubljana mufti Osman Djogic and priest Peran Boskovic. On this occasion members of the BiH delegation regarded the visit to Slovenia as very successful and explained that the talks focused on visa policy, the agreement on social and pension insurance and the status of BiH minorities in Slovenia. Minister Ivanic said that he and his Slovenian colleague Dimitrij Rupel discussed the matters of introducing supplementary classes in the languages of BiH peoples in Slovenian schools, co-financing of cultural activities of BiH peoples in Slovenia, and the regulating of their status. |
| BiH Presidency members returned from Slovenia | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 6 ‘Not to politicise foreign currency savings issue’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Ljubljanska Bank debt issue to be solved by experts’, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Debt of Ljubljanska Banka is the most sensitive issue’, FENA – We have additionally improved the past level of relations between Slovenia and BiH. The basic characteristic of bilateral relations is seen in friendship and partnership in co-operation, said BiH Presidency Chairman Dragan Covic upon the return of BiH Presidency members from a two-day visit to Republic Slovenia. Talking about the problems that are burdening the relations between the two countries, Covic said that the matter of old foreign currency savings was particularly in focus during the talks in Slovenia. “We concluded that it would be good to consider this not as a political but as an expert matter, where we will soon engage our experts in order to provide an advantageous solution for the governments on both sides. We hope to be efficient this time so that our savers could soon receive an offer,” said the BiH Presidency Chairman. Blic pg. 7 ‘Payment still far away’ – Mladen Bosic, BiH Ambassador to Slovenia, confirmed on Tuesday that the issues of debt of Ljubljanska Bank and trade misbalance of BiH in comparison with Slovenia were the most sensitive issues discussed during BiH delegation’s visit to Slovenia. Unfortunately, no agreement on these issues was reached. Dnevni List (front page, “Visit to Slovenia successful” and page 7, “Visit to Slovenia judged as successful”, by Fena, and “Individual rights on high level”, not signed), Vjesnik (front page, “Slovenia and BiH agreed to form Commission for Ljubljanska Bank”, by Hina), Vecernji List (page 2, “Stimulate production through export to Slovenia”, by V. Zagorac) also covered the second day of the Presidency’s visit to Slovenia. |
| Ashdown to address BiH Parliament | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 2 ‘How to reach Europe, Partnership for Peace’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Path towards EU does not go through OHR’, Dnevni List page 2, “Adoption of customs’ reforms – brighter future for BiH”, not signed, Vecernji List page 2, “Ashdown is warning authority and opposition”, by D. Ja. FENA – Early on Wednesday, the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, will be addressing the both Houses of the BiH Parliament on the key choices facing BiH over the autumn, was announced today at a press conference in Sarajevo on Tuesday by the OHR Spokesman Vedran Persic. Ashdown will particularly set out the major reforms in the Customs/VAT, defence and intelligence, and emphasise that BiH’s future in Europe and membership of NATO’s PfP will depend on whether these reforms are successfully adopted. All political parties, both in government and in opposition, have a grave responsibility before them as they consider these reforms in parliament in coming weeks and months, was announced by OHR. |
| EU on reforms in BiH | Blic pg. 4 ‘First law then aid’ – “If BiH does not implement the reform of customs system within the deadline, EU will withhold promised financial help,” Frane Maroevic, spokesman of European Commission, told Blic. “It makes no sense to give aid for something that has not been done,” Maroevic says, explaining that the EU foreseen 10 million euros for reorganisation of customs system in BiH. He mentions another financial penalty that awaits BiH if the law on indirect taxation is not parliamentary adopted. “It is about 60 million euros, which is a macro-financial aid of EU to the state’s and entities’ budgets,” Maroevic says. Director of Communications in OHR, Julian Braithwaite, warns that the end of this autumn is the final deadline for parliamentary adoption of the law on indirect taxation. “If the law is not adopted it would mean that BiH authorities have not succeeded in fulfilling European standards and that they have damaged BiH chances on the road towards Europe,” Braithwaite says. He reminds on OHR’s position that these are not the reforms the IC could implement on behalf of BiH, but the reforms BiH needs to realise by itself. |
| Ashdown to meet Ivanov | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, FENA – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, will meet on Wednesday the Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, who will be paying a one-day visit to Sarajevo. Aside the one-hour meeting with the High Representative, Minister Ivanov will also meet the members of BiH Presidency, the BiH Council of Ministers and BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic. Ivanov and Ashdown last met in Moscow in December, where they discussed progress in peace implementation in BiH and the importance of Russia’s sustained engagement in this process. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘Russia supports Dayton BiH’ also announced the meeting. The newspaper also reminds that Alexander Jakovenko, Russian Foreign Ministry official, recently stated that “Russia supports the consolidation of the BiH statehood upon implementation of the peace agreement. Russia is ready to continue providing assistance to BiH in establishment of multinational, democratic and self-sustainable state.” Dnevni List (p 8, “Russia has still not lost interest in the Balkans”, by D.L.) carries Jakovenko as saying that “the process of defining of internationally recognized borders has still not been completed and that the issue can only be solved through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms”. Jakovenko adds that the Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov will give support to the HR’s efforts directed at implementation of reforms in BiH. Vecernji List (front & p 3, “Ivanov defends Russian diplomats’ reputation”, by E. Medunjanin) adds that the incident involving drunk Russian diplomats, that took place the other day in Sarajevo, casts a shadow on Ivanov’s visit. Slobodna Dalmacija (p 19, “Ivanov in Sarajevo today”, by D. Pasic) also announces Ivanov’s visit to BiH. |
| Oslobodjenje: Skoplje does not want Ceklic as BiH Ambassador to Macedonia | Osloboodjenje front page, pg. 7 ‘Skoplje does not want Ceklic as BiH Ambassador to Macedonia’ – Circles close to the BiH diplomacy in Sarajevo believe there is a realistic danger that the authorities in Skoplje might reject to agree with the appointment of Savo Ceklic as the new BiH Ambassador to Macedonia. This is because he is already performing a lower-ranking duty in the Embassy and such a promotion is in diplomatic circles being considered as an insult of host country. |
| DL: ICG prepares new report on Mostar | Dnevni List (front & p 9, ‘SDA replaces HDZ in obstructing unification of the town”, by Zvonimir Jukic) carries that the International Crisis Group (ICG) has renewed its interest in Mostar and is soon to publish a report that will point to main obstructionists of progress in Mostar on its way to full unification and the road to Europe. Knowing the way of ICG’s work and straightforwardness of its reports, the paper expects the ICG to point to individuals who want to maintain the war-time division of the town, parallelisms and division of public utility city companies. Reminding that the ICG Report on Mostar from 2000 blamed the HDZ policy for obstructions, it also pointed to the IC inertness in the process of unification of Mostar. DL goes on to say that the new Report could be similar to the one of 2000 the difference being that the main ICG’s interest could this time be SDA Mostar, adding that attempts of groups within HDZ to have this party dominate are doomed to failure in advance. Currently, SDA Mostar obstructs any unification and its local leaders through local media periodically make inflammatory statements. The daily adds that Mostar Mufti’s Office has a similar role now, and the IC’s inertness has not changed. The author concludes by saying that the new Report would probably also contain guidelines and, bearing in mind that the direction ICG had suggested in order to make HDZ accept Mostar unification proved successful, he wonders if the same will be applied with the SDA. |
| DL: Statement of Day by Robert Beecroft | Dnevni List (page 2) carries in its ‘Statement of Day’ Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH Robert Beecroft as saying: “There are positive elements in last HDZ stands.” |
| S. Palavric proposed changes and amendments to Law on Civil Service in BiH institutions | Dnevni List (page 4, “Ombudsman is not considered to be civil servant”, by Fena) carries that SDA representative in the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly Seada Palavric forwarded to the parliamentary procedure proposal of Law on changes and amendments of Law on Civil Service in BiH institutions. Palavric explained that the changes propose that the personnel of the Ombudsman’s Office for Human Rights of BiH as well as a BiH Ombudsman himself are exempted from the change of that law. Palavric said: “It is insane that they have not been exempted before, because the issue of the BiH Ombudsmen has been regulated by a special law and together with his personnel the Ombudsman controls civil servants and their work…They must have bigger autonomy and different treatment as they have in other countries.” Sarajevo dailies also covered the issue. |
| Kovac on extradition of Sacirbegovic, judicial reform | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 6, ‘BiH authorities expect extradition of Muhamed Sacirbegovic’ – Slobodan Kovac, BIH Minister of Justice, expressed expectation that in the near future, USA may extradite Muhamed Sacirbegovic to BiH. On this, he explained that: “It would be of extreme importance if proved that Sacirbegovic holds US citizenship. However, no evidence proving this has been found so far.” On judicial reform, Kovac says that the reform has commenced with the establishment of High Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils. His opinion is that such a beginning of reform will make the entire judiciary system in BiH independent. |
| Mikes on eventual constitutional changes | Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Nothing beyond the Law’ – Vice President of Republika Srpska House of People’s, Miroslav Mikes, told SRNA news agency that the idea on the change of BiH Constitution should not be ignored, adding that if it comes to that, regulated procedure must be applied and no impositions should be made. He said that: “We should be realistic this time, as well as pragmatic and go towards problems. Because this would enable us to resolve the problem in the best way possible, if changes do take place. (Dnevni List page 10, “Bosniaks want centralized state”, not signed) |
| Dnevni Avaz interview with Dodik | Dnevni Avaz pg. 5 ‘Many people have headache from Mikerevic’s visions, perspectives’ – In an interview with the newspaper, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik claims that his party currently does not want to join any re-structured government but it wants early elections to be held in the country. According to Dodik, SNSD need yet only one vote in the parliament for such the decision to be made. “The international community has good and bad solutions in BiH. The bad ones are linked to their offering of a partnership to the nationalistic parties, which are verbally for the reforms as, on the ground, nothing is being changed,” said Dodik. |
Security affairs | |
| EU Police Mission says crime rate in BiH stable
| FTV, ONASA – The European Union Police Mission to BiH said in a statement on Tuesday that the crime rate in BiH is stable. A total of 17,892 crimes were registered in the first seven months of this year, which is a 2.15 per cent increase in comparison to the same period last year. “What the Mission finds interesting is the increase in the number of reported crimes. A total of 11,362 crimes were registered in the first seven months, while 10,918 were registered last year,” read the statement. The local police had a total of 1,937 arrests in the period in question, and 1,501 last year. A total of 62.6 per cent crimes were solved, which is a decrease in comparison to last year’s 64.9 per cent. “According to the Mission’s operative analysis, the police in BiH is performing its duty professionally,” read the statement. |
| Lozancic urges for professional behaviour of all authorized institutions | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Illegal actions should be sanctioned’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 – FBiH President Niko Lozancic supports ongoing legal procedures in the Entity and urges for the legal and professional conduct of all FBiH institutions’ employees, and insists that activities of the authorities at all levels be ensured in legal way excluding all outside influences. Lozancic repeated his attitude in the press release issued on Tuesday due to more frequent media reports on the alleged support to the activities of certain individuals working with FOSS. He also asked for the urgent sanctioning of all illegal activities regardless as to which institution or the individual might be conducting them. |
| Colak: Everything has to be cleared up | Dnevni Avaz front page pg. 2 ‘Colak: Everything has to be cleared up’ – BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak is one of those who received a FOSS report on wiretapping former FOSS chief Munir Alibabic. In a statement for the newspaper, Colak said that only the Federation Prosecution Office was authorized to take further steps regarding the matter. |
| NN on FOSS affair | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘Removed director runs FOSS’ – Although Ivan Vuksic, former Acting FOSS Director, was removed from the position last week upon decree passed by Ahmet Hadzipasic, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vuksic still runs FOSS. This is a confirmation NN learnt from a couple of collucutors employed at FOSS. On Monday, Vuksic signed Decision of establishment of the commission for transfer of documentation and material and technical resources between Edhem Besic and Nezir Fisa, former and newly appointed Executive Director of FOSS respectively. |
| SD on Alibabic wire-tapping case
| In light of the scandal regarding FOSS wire-tapping Zlatko Lagumdzija and Munir Alibabic, Slobodna Dalmacija (p 19, “Everyone wire-tapped, no one responsible”, Zlatko Tulic) comments that the most interesting thing about it is the behavior of Amir Jaganjac, the president of the FBiH Supreme Court as the relevant officials first confirmed wire-tapping was authorized while on the eve of the beginning of the investigation into the case, the very same Court denied having authorized the wire-tapping. The daily therefore wonders who Jaganjac is trying to protect. |
| Investigation into bomb attacks | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘No word from police and prosecutor’s office’ – Zlatko Miletic, Director of Federal MoI, yesterday confirmed that police completed investigation into bomb attacks in Sarajavo. He added that Prosecutor’s Office is now to do its share of the work. However, Zdravko Knezevic, Federal Chief Prosecutor, says that he has not received any report from Federal police into these explosions. |
Economic/social issues | |
| Kuwaiti owners of BH Steel against pay rise for striking workers
| Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, FENA – Representatives of the Kuwaiti investment agency (KIA), the co-owners of BH Steel ironworks, arrived in BiH in order to discuss the current situation in the company. As soon as they arrived, they issued a statement saying that they would not agree to any pay rise, and that the Federation government and other owners should solve the problem of surplus workers. The Kuwaiti side does not agree to any pay rise because the company is already operating in the red, and with a pay rise the loss would only grow. From the BH Steel management in Zenica we have learnt that the management committee will meet tomorrow, 10 September, to discuss the current situation, and jointly decide on what further steps to take to resolve the situation. |
| Mostar waste dump issue | Vecernji List (p 2, “Awaiting for 7 million dollars….”, by Misijana Brkic–Milinkovic) carries an editorial saying that daily life in Mostar has for a long time been burdened with the waste disposal issue adding that there are 20 more days left before Mostar gets to the blind alley if it loses the chance to get the World Bank’s (WB) loan for the project. The author blames the CD Coalition within the Mostar City Council for this situation as the Coalition, who has so far always spoken about unification of everything, now systematically obstructs the Council’s work and in a nonchalant manner gives up the WB loan. Slobodna Dalmacija (p 17, “A million marks gone to waste”, by Zoran Zekic) comments that, in case Mostar loses the WB loan, the “domestic” funds for solving the sewage issue in Mostar will surely not be found in the next 50 years. |
| DL: “Members of HT Supervisory Board request withdrawal of decision on removal”
| Dnevni List (p 8, by S. Kuzman) learns from a source close to the Ministry of Traffic and Communication that the members of HT Mostar’s (Croat Telecom) Supervisory Board (SB) have sent the FBiH Minister of Traffic and Communication an objection to the decision on relieving this Board’s president and members off duty. They justify the request by saying that the decision contradicts a number of FBiH laws and the conclusions and recommendations of the FBiH Ombudsmen. Another objection to the decision is that it does not contain justification for relieving HT Mostar Supervisory Board’s employees off duty. The SB members remind that the Board could not submit the annual business report, for which it is reprimanded, as HT Mostar registered at the competent court on 1 January 2003 only. The SB members’ objection is reported to also have been sent to FBiH Ombudsmen’s Office and to the OHR. |
| Director of Telecom Srpske in London | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 5, ‘Director of Telekom Srpske visiting EBRD in London’ – NN learnt from its source at Telekom Srpske that Zeljko Jungic, Director of Telekom Srpske, left to London, where he is to meet officials of EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and disucss disputable contract signed between this Bank. EBRD yesterday did not want to make any comment into this matter. EBRD delegation is coming for a two-day visit to BiH today, during which they are to discuss privatisation of Telekom Srpske and Eronet. |
| August pension payment today | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘No pension increase’ – The payment of August pensions for 165 thousand pensioners in Republika Srpska commences today. As GS learnt at the Republika Srpska PIO Fund, there will be no pension increase, which was previously planned. |
| Problems at Furniture Factory in Vlasenica | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Debt turns off machines’ – Owing to unpaid electricity bill, Vlasenica Elektroprivreda has switched off electricity supply to Furniture Factory “10 August” in Vlasenica, which employs 225 people. As GS learnt at the Factory, the large share of debt, namely KM 240 thousand, originates from the time before the Factory was privatised. |
| Nacional: Interview with RS President Dragan Cavic on 5c corridor | Nacional weekly (p 12-14, “Irrespective of Bosmal, the Republic of Croatia could construct the highway to Banja Luka”, by Berislav Jelinic) carries an interview with the RS President Dragan Cavic entirely dedicated to the issue of construction of Vc corridor. Cavic says that various rational, regional, national and business interests are intertwined in relation to the construction. He adds he was not involved into the matter nor was he informed on it in an institutional way. Wondering how Bosmal appeared in the project, he says: “I have no intention to tacitly observe the attempts to realize this project bypassing the existing state Law on Concessions. True, Article 25 of the Law on Concessions allows the possibility that someone gets the concession on the basis of a self-initiated bid and the Commission is to deliver its position on such a bid. Yet, it cannot be done bypassing the legal procedure, which was attempted in this case. Only once the Commission, which will be seated in Banja Luka and will consist of 7 members: 3 from the FBiH, 3 from the RS and a member appointed by the High Representative, makes its decision, can the competent Ministry start negotiations with bidders”. As for Croatian bid for the project, Cavic says his objection to it is that, in one of its segments, it neglects the RS and adds: “We want to talk with Croatian authorities about what could be a back-up solution for this project and that is Okucani-Gradiska-Banja Luka direction, perhaps including Doboj in the future”. Cavic concludes by saying that speculations that the RS wants to secede from BiH have no reasonable foundation adding that it is not possible any longer and that the most notorious nationalists and separatists have sobered up. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Republika Srpska ready to negotiate with Croatia’ carried the parts of the interview. |
| Cajavec directors banned from entering factory | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘Workers denied access to leadership into facility’; Glas Srpske, pg. 4, ‘One chair – many wishes’, Vecernje Novosti pg. 21 – Workers of Banja Luka’s Cajavec banned on Tuesday the entrance to the company to newly appointed director Jovo Davidovic, former director Dusan Baros and general director of Cajavec Holding Milan Baros. Member of the company’s trade union Vasilije Lavriv told reporters the workers prevented the directors to enter the firm because the Holding’s Steering Board illegally appointed Davidovic, who has registered at court and blocked the company’s account. Lavriv said that according to the Statute, it is not possible that the Steering Board appoints a director in other company and that the most workers consider Milorad Adamovic the legitimate director. Cajavec’s workers decided to stage a hunger strike in front of the Republika Srpska Government’s building if their demands are not met by 14 September. |
| Bogicevic on Oil Refinery | Blic pg. 7 ‘Monthly profit 2 million KM’; Vecernje Novosti pg. 21 ‘Oil in 20 days’ – First quantities of agreed shipment of raw oil from Nigeria will arrive to RS refinery in Srpski Brod at the end of September. RS Minister of Energy Milan Bogicevic said that this shipment would mean that after long time all production capacities would be used. Bogicevic explained that British company Petrocamak Europe, with oil sources in Nigeria, won the international tender for delivering unprocessed oil for RS refinery, as it had the best offer. He added that company also offered investment of 15 million US dollars, which will be realised upon request of the Srpski Brod refinery. In exchange, British company asked for raw oil worth of 15 millions to be proceeded. |
War-related issues | |
| RS Association of Prisoners of War invited HR to attend ceremony during which memorial plaque dedicated to victims of war, prison camp ‘Viktor Bubanj’ will be unveiled | Dnevni List (page 3, “Condemn crime together so that it does not happen again”, not signed) carries that the Republika Srpska Association of Prisoners of War sent yesterday an invitation to High Representative Paddy Ashdown to attend the ceremony of unveiling a memorial plaque dedicated to the victims of the Bosniak prison camp which used to be located in former military barracks ‘Viktor Bubanj’ in Sarajevo. Among the other things, the invitation says that through this act they want to give contribution to reconciliation of all peoples in BiH and they remind that the Bosniak side has already marked a few places in which massacres took place and the RS Association of Prisoners of War gave its support to it. |
| Interpretation of property exchange contracts | Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Property on seesaw’ – According to GS, Vukasin Boskovic, President of Banjaluka Basic Court, and Sonja Pastuovic, Spokesperson of Regional OHR Office in Banjaluka, share the view on the following matter: wit is solely up to the judges in Republika Srpska whether they would respect the interpretation of OHR that property exchange contracts can no longer be annulled on the basis of general war circumstances |
| Gregory Kopley on Srebrenica report | Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘The truth has been sacrificed’, Vecernje Novosti pg. 4 ‘RS report on Srebrenica under pressure’ – In a statement given to Bijeljina seated BN TV, Gregory Copley, Director of the American Institute for Strategic Studies in Washington, stated that the report of the Republika Srpska Government on Srebrenica developments was compiled under the pressure of the OHR. Regarding this he noted that: “We know that the Republika Srpska Government is conducting its own investigation into Srebrenica affairs, but that investigation has not bee completed as yet. And so does the Hague Tribunal – it is conducting its investigation into the case, which has not been completed as yet. Neither are ICTY officials convinced that all answers are available now. It is well-known that OHR insists that the Republika Srpska Government should compile a report, telling them what report should include. Accordingly, this report is not grounded on research, but on what OHR wants from Republika Srpska to admit.” He also said that according to international standards, this report is invalid. He noted that ISSA compiled a report, which expressed concern over “illegal pressures against the Republika Srpska Government by the Office of HIRep, exerted by Ambassador Donald Hays.” In his opinion, the truth has been sacrificed in this case, in order to “meet political deadline”. On Bill Clinton’s visit to Srebrenica, he says that the real purpose of Clinton’s visit to is to express support to his allies and once more accuses Serbs of aggression. |
| 10th anniversary of Grabovica massacre marked | Dnevni List (front page, “10th anniversary of horrible massacre in Grabovica was marked” and page 5, “Tell us where they are, in river, fire or ground”, by V. Leto) carry that the 10th anniversary of the crime committed over Croat civilians was marked in village Grabovica, near Jablanica, yesterday. Vecernji List (front page, “R. Delic also goes to The Hague because of Grabovica”, and page 4, “R. Delic and R. Delalic go to The Hague because of Grabovica”, by Z. Jurilj) carries that according to a VL’s source with The Hague, The Hague is preparing new bills of indictment against former BiH Army Commander Rasim Delic, Commander of the 9th BiH Army Mountain Brigade Ramiz Delalic Celo, Commander of the Special Unit “Zulfikar’ Zulfikar Alispaga Zuka, former Commander of the military security Jusuf Jasarevic and former Minister of Interior of Republic of BiH Bakir Alispahic for the crimes committed over Croat civilians in Grabovica. Sarajevo media also covered the issue. |