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| Elect. system reconnected | Beara in ICTY detention | Elect. system reconnected | Beara in ICTY detention |
| Ljubisa Beara surrendered | Elect. system reconnected | SCG-BIH football match | Jovicic on Foca conference |
| Milic/ Croat Self-Rule trial | New attacks in | Beara in ICTY detention | Electr. system reconnected |
| Terzic/ Interstate Council | Circle 99 on terrorism | Del Ponte on cooperation | Elektrokrajina objections |
| Oslobodjenje | BiH will demand Lahmar’s extradition?!; Beara: Indicted for genocide in Srebrenica; Division because of Coalition with SDS; BiH linked to electricity network |
| Dnevni Avaz | Karadzic’s intelligence officer arrested; Weekend with HR: Paddy Ashdown on top of Visocica; Covic stays on the position till the end; Grahovac: Wrong solutions for HT Mostar |
| Dnevni List | Trials to self-rule start today |
| Vecernji List | After football match between BiH and |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features |
| Nezavisne Novine | Ljubisa Beara in |
| Glas Srpske | To Court for pension |
| EuroBlic | Nijaz Smajlovic as Head of RS Police |
War crimes | |
| ICTY indictee for war crimes in Srebrenica in detention: unclear whether arrested or he surrendered?
| RHB, Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Karadzic’s intelligence officer arrested’, pg 2 ‘Chief Karadzic’s intelligence officer in the Hague’ by S.N., Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Indicted for genocide’, mentioned on cover, by Onasa, Dnevni List pg 5’Hartmann:Beara transferred to The Hague’ by NINA, Nacional pg 5 ‘All indictees should surrender’ by V. Djukanovic, EuroBlic pg 3 ‘Beara was not arrested, he surrendered’ by N.M. Jovanovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Colonel Beara in The Hague’ mentioned on cover ‘Ljubisa Beara in The Hague’ by A. Sekulic, inset ‘EU expects the surrender of all crime suspects’ – Former Head of Intelligence in the RS Army Headquarters Ljubisa Beara surrendered to Serbian authorities on Saturday and left for the Hague, the Government in Belgrade stated. The ICTY charged Beara with genocide or participation in genocide, violations of customs and laws of war and crimes against humanity in connection to events in Srebrenica. BHT 1 – Beara has been charged with playing a key role in execution of more than 7000 Srebrenica Bosniaks and moving women and children. Radislav Krstic, Momir Nikolic and Miroslav Deronjic testified on his alleged involvement. SENSE news agency reports that Beara will plead guilty next week. Spokeswoman for ICTY Prosecution, Florence Hartmann stated that Beara was arrested by Serbian authorities in his apartment without resisting, while Serbian government said on Saturday night he surrendered. Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Ljubisa Beara in The Hague’; Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Colonel Beara in The Hague’ mentioned on cover ‘Ljubisa Beara in The Hague’ by A. Sekulic,Nacional pg 5 ‘All indictees should surrender’ by V. Djukanovic –Spokesperson of ICTY, Jim Landail gave unclear answer, saying that Court decision on pre-trial release will depend on the fact whether Beara surrendered or was arrested. FTV – FTV also reports on these conflicting statements, adding that according to Serbian authorities Beara stated to Serbian Justice Minister, Zoran Stojkovic, occasion of his surrender that he did so to protect the State and his family. Stojkovic travelled to Hague with Beara to state that Serbian Government offers all guarantees for Beara’s pre-trial release. RTRS – RTRS also says it is still unclear whether Beara surrendered or was arrested. Stojkovic said that he has confirmed this to Carla Del Ponte and he also told her that |
| Galjak, RS MoI on Ljubisa Beara case
| EuroBlic pg 3 ‘Beara was not arrested, he surrendered’ by N.M. Jovanovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Colonel Beara in The Hague’ mentioned on cover ‘Ljubisa Beara in The Hague’ by A. Sekulic, inset ‘EU expects the surrender of all crime suspects’ – Christina Gallack, Spokesperson of Javier Solana, stated that at today’s meeting in Luxembourg, EU Foreign Ministers would take a positive stance related to surrender of Ljubisa Beara, but would also remind SiCG that “some very important persons” are still at large. She added surrender of Beara is a positive step, which should encourage other war crime suspects to surrender as well. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Colonel Beara in The Hague’ mentioned on cover ‘Ljubisa Beara in The Hague’ by A. Sekulic, inset ‘Beara’s surrender is important for RS as well’ – RS MoI stated that this surrender brings heaviness, being that the actions on fulfilling RS obligations toward ICTY have been intensified. FTV – RS Ministry of Interior believes that Beara’s detention has significance for both RS and MoI regarding intensified activities to fulfil obligations towards ICTY. RS MoI emphasized that they undertake such activities all over the RS and cooperate with police structures in BiH and neighbouring countries. |
| Rasim Ljajic on Beara case | Nacional pg 5 ‘All indictees should surrender’ by V. Djukanovic – Rasim Ljajic, SiCG Minister for Human Rights and Chairperson of the National Council for Cooperation with ICTY, said that other war crime suspects should follow the example of Ljubisa Beara, since only in this manner Government could provide assistance to them and their families. |
| Reactions to Foca conference on war crimes | RTRS, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Jovicic: Placement of stuffed truth’ by SRNA – President of RS Association of former inmates, Slavko Jovicic, stated on Sunday that this Association condemns holding of Saturday’s Conference on war crimes in Foca, because they consider the goal of this meeting was placement of selective and stuffed truth. Jovicic added that fact only Bosniaks representative were invited represents selective and biased view upon all war happenings in BiH. He said: “We are disappointed over the fact that not a single representative of victims of Serb nationality was invited.” He said it is evident holding of such conferences, without participation of representatives of victims of Serb people, would not contribute to the main goal of these conferences, which is to establish the truth about suffering of all peoples during the past war. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Facing the truth and satisfaction for the victims’ by Fena – Chair of the association ‘Women – Victims of war’, Bakira Hasecic, commented that the conference was an opportunity to face the truth and a certain satisfaction for the victims. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Radovan Stankovic before BiH Court’ by Onasa – Senior Advisor to the ICTY Secretariat and chairman of the conference on crimes committed in the Foca region held on Saturday, Christian Rohde, confirmed to FENA on Saturday that the ICTY Prosecution has information about a large number of crimes committed in this part of BiH. He said that only two cases concerning crimes in Foca were prosecuted so far, adding this could be resolved by the transfer of cases from the ICTY and their prosecution before the Oslobodjenje pg 6 ’14 years old girls raped’, mentioned on cover, by Elma Kazagic – Oslobodjenje gives account of the Conference held in Foca. [Please see Weekend Brief for October 9n10] |
| NN on establishment of Commission on crimes against Serbs in
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Establishment of Commission for Sarajevo’ by R. Cengic – Mirsad Kebo, BiH Minister of Human Rights and Refugees, on Sunday in Sarajevo confirmed that the BiH Council of Ministers – on basis of conclusions reached by the BiH Parliamentary Assembly – would establish Commission in charge of setting the number of those murdered in Sarajevo during the war. Nikola Spiric, BiH House of Representatives Co-Chairperson, said that BiH CoM was given this task a year ago. Minister Kebo also said that the composition of the future Commission of BiH COM has not been determined as yet, noting it may compose of ten members. |
| Former BiH Army officer charged with war crimes | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Indictment against Salem Pinjic’ by F.V. – The Prosecution of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton in Mostar has raised the indictment against former member of the BiH Army, Salem Pinjic for suspicion of committing war crimes against civilians of Serb ethnicity in Konjic region. |
Economic and social issues | |
| Electricity zones in BiH reconnected after 12 years
| RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Electro power network in BiH again united’ by E. Dizdarevic, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘BiH linked to European network’, mentioned on cover, by A. Vatres-Nezirevic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Electrical zones in BiH unified’ mentioned on cover ‘The electrical zones of Balkans and Western Europe unified’ by R. Cengic, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘3 Elektroprivredas in united system’, mentioned on cover, ‘3 BiH electro-energy systems united’, by E. Medunjanin, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Cheaper electricity for industrial consumers’ by D. Polovina-Mandic– On Sunday, after more than decade, the two electricity zones in BiH have been reconnected. The synchronization process took place over several hours on Sunday morning, and re-connected the BiH power grid so that it operates at the same frequency. This also reconnected the network of BHT 1 – In this way BiH fulfilledone of theconditions set by the EU. “We are the only Balkan country with capacities to export electric power and that is why this reconnection is maybe more important to us than to our neighbors,” BiH Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Dragan Doko, stated. FTV – At the same time, electric power system in BiH has been integrated.Reconnection is also important because of the Stabilization and Accession Agreement with EU. “Cheaper electricity is base for development and you cannot have it without competition and transparency, and that currently does not exist in this sector,” said Head of the European Commission delegation in BiH, Michael Humphreys. Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Heys said that this represents a good first step. “But, it took four years to happen because of wasteful politics,” Hays underlined. RTRS – Omer Hadzic, General Director of joined Energetic Coordination Centre, said that new Companies in BiH are being formed, which is independent coordinator of the system as well as joined transfer Company for BiH. Director of the |
| Objections of Elektrokrajina Trade Union regarding electricity transfer company of BiH
| RTRS – Trade Union of “Elektrokrajina” will file charges and organize protests against RS Government, if it implements the decision on transfer of distribution parts of this Company to future joint transfer Company of BiH. RS Ministry of Economy, Energy and Development says that everything around establishment of the new company has done in accordance to the Law and they point that Unions’ reactions are premature. Union claims that establishment of new Company will mean that “Elektrokrajina” will be majority in a private ownership, which is in contradiction with RSNA decision according to which majority capital of this company should be in the state’s hands. Dusan Vrhovac, Chairman of the Trade Union, said that on one side this would jeopardise the Company and the employees and on the other side they are confident that it isn’t good that this kind of Company is mainly privately owned. RS Ministry of Energy claims that there is no need for concern, because this Company will remain public ownership adding that a merge of “Elektkokrajina” and “Elektrodoboj” has been planned. |
| NN: Audit of RS Government for 2003
| Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 5 ‘ ‘Government performed illegal activities’ by D. Risojevic – The report of the RS Chief Audit Office on RS Government for 2003 reads that the financial reports of the RS budget for 2003 do not present objective and factual state in almost all departments, noting that majority of omission (as was example in previous years as well) were observed in procurement proceedings. The audit report of Bosko Ceko, which was recently handed to the RS NA Board for Economy and Finances, reads that audit into consolidated budget reports established a number of irregularities, omissions, mistakes and violations of the legal procedures. A large number of irregularities in tender proceedings were observed at Ministries of Defence, Internal Affairs, Education, Justice and Department for refugees and DP’s. |
| VL: Big companies interested in construction of power-plants in BiH
| Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Siemens and Chrysler in BiH?’, by Dejan Jazvic – The daily reminds that the RS Government has entrusted a consortium of companies, which is officially led by ‘Gradjevinar’ Company from Serbia, with construction of the ‘Krupa’ and ‘Banja Luka’ hydro power-plants on the Vrbas river, however VL claims that ‘Gradjevinar’ does not have the necessary capabilities to execute such projects, insisting that some reputable companies such as ‘Siemens’ and ‘MBB’ (which works under DaimlerChrysler) are in fact behind the projects. VL concludes that BiH has great natural resources when it comes to production of electricity and that the only obstacle to realization of such projects is the issue of ecology. |
| BiH farmers announce new protests
| Vecernji List pg 15 ‘New blockade of border with BiH next month’, mentioned on cover ‘BiH farmers will block border’, by D. Jazvic – VL says that in case that the BiH Council of Ministers does not start to resolve their problems BiH farmers will block border crossings with Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro on November 20. According to the BiH Association of Farmers, their crucial demand refers on correction of the Free Trade Agreement with neighbouring countries because of which survival of domestic agriculture has been brought in question. |
| DA update on 3rd GSM licence
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘The problem of HT Mostar is being solved in wrong manner’, mentioned on cover ‘Solutions for HT Mostar wrong’, by A. Hadziarapovic – The Memorandum on Understanding which should define further moves by HT Mostar will be discussed at the upcoming session of the FBiH Government. DA brings that in addition to possible agreement with HT Zagreb, Mobilkom from Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Mobilkom |
| Session of BiH-SCG Business Council to be held on Monday | Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘BiH loses 200 million USD on Kosovo’ by H. Arifagic – In light of upcoming meeting of BiH and SCG Business Councils to be held on Monday in Sarajevo, daily writes that this marks the beginning of the process which would sovle some of the key economic issues between the two states. One of such is the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement. Vice President of the FBiH Chamber of Commerce, Avdo Rapa, states that “the agreement is not being implemented in Kosovo, so negative effects for BiH have been estimated to 200 million USD, measured in potential BiH export in that region.” Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Session of business council of BiH and SCG’ by Fena – announces the session. |
| RS government to carry out registration of refugees and DPs
| RTRS – RS Government made decision to carry out registration of the refugees and displaced persons in a period from 1 November until 31 December, which will enable Government to gather information under which it would establish the guidelines for a work of RS Ministry of Refugees and DPs for 2005. Minister of Refugees and Displaced Persons, Jasmin Samardzic said that main goal is to obtain accurate information on number of refugees and displaced persons. Samardzic also added that the attempt to carry out registration of this population category at the BiH level has failed as it seems that FBiH is not interested. |
| PDHR Hays to visit Narodno grijanje | Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Ambassador Hays today in Narodno grijanje’ by Fena, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Hays pays visit to Narodno grijanje’ by NINA- Principle Deputy High Representative Donald Hays visits Narodno Grijanje heating company in the vicinity of |
Security and legal issues | |
| Trials regarding Croat Self-Rule case starts today | RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Group to plead on charges for Croat Self-Rule’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Pleading of indictees for Croat Self-Rule’ by u, Dnevni List, front and pgs 4-5, ‘Trials to self-rule start today’, by Ivica Glibusic – Ante Jelavic, Miroslav Prce, Dragac Curcic, Marko Tokic, Ivo Andric Luzanski, Zdravko Batinic and Petar Milic will be entering pleas in Sarajevo before the BiH Court today on Monday in the ‘Croat self-rule’ case. According to Milic, he will be appearing before the court today and plead not guilty, insisting that the whole case has been politically rigged. Milic claims that the issue of territorial jurisdiction was compromised here, since it was first envisioned that the Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Trials to Croat self-rule a dangerous precedent’, mentioned on front, by Zoran Kresic – According to VL, one can expect the defendants to warn that the case is about a dangerous precedent and proceedings to political struggle for equality of the Croats in BiH. |
| DL on Croat self-rule
| Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Croat self-rule’, by Ivica Glibusic – The author is wondering what triggered the Croats to establish the Croat self rule, noting that some people believe it was about justified Croats’ request to enjoy the same rights like other two peoples in BiH, whilst others believe that political leaders and their associates started the whole project in order to hush up their dishonorable deeds. However, the author claims that the project was supported by the majority of BiH Croats, who hoped that the Croat self-rule would ensure fundamental human rights to the Croats and others who lived in the areas under the self-rule. Finally, the author wonders why the project lasted very shortly, wondering whether the Croat leaders had a clear vision what was about to happen, whether they had enough diplomatic support and wondering whether the timing was right. |
| DL int with new president of
| Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Assistance of foreign judges is very much needed’, mentioned on cover, by D. Polovina-Mandic carries an interview with newly appointed President of the BiH Court Meddzida Kreso. Asked whether people who work in the BiH judiciary are ready to face with all challenges, Kreso says that BiH has a capable and professional cadre who will be able to take over all tasks after a mandate to foreign judges expires. She added that for the time being presence and assistance of foreign judges are very much needed. Asked whether it is true that a court within a court is being established by the establishment of the Registry Office, which according to a journalist shows that the International Community does not trust enough domestic judiciary when processing of the most serious crimes is in question, Kreso says that these are hypothetical assumptions and she would not comment on them. She added that according to her personal opinion, it is necessary to have the Registry Office. |
| NN update to ‘coup d’état’ affair
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘F BiH Prosecutor did not prevent leak of information’ by M. Cubro – The Chief Federation Prosecutor, Zdravko Knezevic, failed to prevent the leak of confidential information about the arrest of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic during the so-called “coup” scandal. According to Knezevic’s testimony in the proceedings launched before the |
| VL update to Stolac case
| Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Prosecutor investigates ‘Stolac case’ ‘ by R. Soldo – VL reports that Deputy Cantonal Prosecutor in Mostar Nedzad Karalic has got interested in the background of the case in which Croat flags in Stolac were set on fire last month and the suspects in this case are Amer Zugor, Asim Kohanic and Emir Kekic. VL goes on to say that the Prosecutor asked from the police to investigates as to who and according to whose order put up the Croat flags. VL says that they were told in Stolac that employees of the Stolac Public Utility Company put up the flags since they are in charge of decoration of the town in accordance with municipal provisions and not members of HSP Jurisic-Djapic as some media carried. |
| Oslobodjenje update on Algerian group
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘BiH will demand Lahmar’s extradition?!’ by V. Zivak – Daily publishes a summary of the report prepared by the BiH delegation who visited BIH citizens held in |
| SBS units for struggle against illegal migration, drug traffic closed down | Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Anti-drugs Department closed down’ by E. Medunjanin – VL says that although the International Community insists on strengthening of the struggle against illegal migration and drug traffic, the State Border Service (DGS) leadership passed some personnel solutions according to which DGS Departments in charge of these issues are being closed down. |
Political issues | |
| SNSD Executive Board gathers in Trebinje
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Strong and detrmined’ by M.B., Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Dodik: New approach to administration bodies’ by N. Ko., Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Trebinje to restore its soul’ – On Sunday in Trebinje, President of SNSD, Milorad Dodik, said that everything bad in local administrations of Municipalities where SNSD has now won must be repaired and cleared. At the session of the SNSD Executive Board, Dodik announced changes in the approach towards local administration, noting that “Mayor should be Mayor of all the people, but also implement the policy of SNSD.” He stressed the interest of SNSD is the interest of all the citizens, regardless of their ethnic or party background. Commenting on election results, Dodik said that SNSD recorded a raise of 25% in electorate, noting that “SNSD has now become the first party by support in RS and currently the second party by strength in BiH”. RTSR – The satisfaction with election results was pointed during the session and Dodik stressed that it isn’t accidental that this session is being held in Trebinje, because this city has showed that it is prepared for changes. “We must not start with a logic that ruled so far, because we will fail immediately. We must made new approach, new approach…meaning what I have said, and in administration, and in mentality, in relation of Head of the Municipality toward the citizens…” Dodik underlined. |
| DA int with Barisa Colak
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Dragan Covic will stay on position till the end of mandate’, mentioned on cover, by Faruk Vele – In an interview to DA, the HDZ President Barisa Colak stresses that media speculations on HDZ’s weak elections results and possibility for removal of some of its top officials are malicious, emphasizing that speculation of Dragan Covic to be replaced in Presidency were not true. He underlines that the party has been very satisfied with its success on elections, adding that announced inter-party elections [to be held in January in Neum] have nothing to do with municipal elections. Colak denies that low turnout signified the lack of citizens’ confidence in ruling parties, adding that HDZ will produce the analysis on this matter. Asked about elections in Mostar, Colak says that while election results have not yet been announced, it is clear that Coalition of Croat parties will win majority number of councilors, adding: “It is logical than that we offer the Mayor. Therefore, I believe that future Mostar mayor will be a Croat from HDZ Coalition. In that sense, I expect the cooperation from other parties.” Asked to comment on recent announcements from HDZ that they would work to change or even replace the Mostar Statute imposed by the HR Paddy Ashdown if they win in elections, Colak says: “I don’t not when is that going to happen, but as both man and HDZ President, I expect the work on changes to imposed Ashdown’s Statute, because simply something better, more natural, something in common interest must be made.” |
| VL: ‘Mostar: SDP refuses to join ‘pro-Bosnian coalition’
| Vecernji List, pg 6 ‘Jahic’s idea fails’, by Miroslav Vasilj – According to VL, a statement by the President of SDP of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Nermin Niksic, that the SDP will not form coalition with any national parties, in reality shatters the idea of the current Mayor of Mostar and President of SDA of Mostar, Hamdija Jahic, who wants to form a pro-Bosnian coalition in the City Council of Mostar. According to Niksic, the SDP is in favour of a pro-Bosnian coalition, however Niksic claims that national parties are not pro-Bosnian. “It would mean that we would have a pro-Bosnian and a pro-Croat coalition in one city. It is about division into two blocks, which is unacceptable”, stresses Niksic. |
| Oslobodjenje on SDA dispute in Brcko
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Rift over Coalition with SDS’, mentioned on cover, by V.J. – According to daily, three newly appointed delegates in Assembly and SDA Main Board for District Brcko sent a letter to Sulejman Tihic to replace Ahmet Dervisevic, a president of this party in the District. According to unofficial information from a credible source from this party, three delegates – Halil Ljuca, Hasim Kujundzic and Esad Kadric – demand new elections in the party, and daily learns that the reason for the dispute are SDA unofficial negotiations SDS on possible coalition with SDS and SBiH in District’s Assembly. |
| VL, DL on issue of self-government
| Vecernji List, pg 6 ‘Heads of municipalities and councilors in legislative chaos’, by Milan Sutalo – The daily claims that many municipalities in BiH could be in for crisis unless a new law on local self-government is in place before municipal councils have been constituted. The author claims that such law should be defining authorities of the heads of municipalities and municipal councils and their relations, considering that many municipalities will have heads of municipalities who are not members of majority in municipal councils, which in turn could result in clashes between the two. According to the President of Association of municipalities and cities/towns in FBiH, Anton Stitic, there is a complete chaos in the area of local self-government in BiH, noting that some people obviously do not want to have a new law, despite the Council of Europe and OHR insisting on it. Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘New heads of municipalities will work according to old law’, mentioned on front ‘New mayors, old laws’, by D. Kozina – Carries the secretary of the FBiH Parliament’s House of Representatives, Ante Baotic, as saying that the law on local self-government will go into the (parliamentary) procedure in about a month or two. Baotic stresses that the fact that the new law has not been adopted yet will not affect the work of new heads of municipalities, because they will be working according to the old law until a new one has been adopted. “Whether the heads of municipalities have more power in the new law or not, it will be regulated by the new law that cannot be adopted without a broad public discussion, which takes time”, stresses Baotic. |
| NN op-ed on census
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘List us’ by Dragan Risojevic – The author is supportive of most recent statement of Srdjan Dizdarevic, President of BiH Helsinki Board for Human Rights, who said it is high time census were convened in BiH [see Weekend Media Brief Oct 9n10]. The author notes arguments of Helsinki Board for holding census (which is not alone in this initiative according to Risojevic) are rather convincing, including the fact people of any state cannot plan their development unless the number of citizens is established. The author is further critical of SDA resistance to census, noting that SDA might be a little bit afraid of census, since it would reveal the exact number of Serbs and Croats, refugees from F BiH. |