OHR BiH Media Round-up, 1/11/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

All Saints days

DO Bosna Expr. Workers’ strike

USA to declare Declarations re. BiH

Ivo Miro Jovic on chief negotiator

Illeg. immigrants arrested near Foca

Pigeons in Trebinje had no bird flue

Iraq – new attack

World News

ICTY on Norac/Ademic cases

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Local HDZ on homicide in Lukavac

Cavic meets RS political leaders

Talks on Chief Negotiator in BL

BiH HoP adopted the draft PBS law

BiH HoP adopts PBS Law

Ney on SAA talks

PBS law adopted without Croat votes

HDZ, SDA, SDS on Schwartz Schilling

BIH HoP in session

Jovic on position of Croats in BiH

No bird flu in BiH

Schwartz- Schilling on his candidacy

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

FBiH Government in session

Paedophilia case in Bihac

German candidate for new HR

BiH HoP adopts PBS Law

BIH HoP on traffic law

Candidates for chief BiH negotiator

Cavic meets RS political leaders

BIH HoP on PBS law

McElhaney on constitutional changes

Report on bail

BIH Journalists Association on Ceric

Polt, Prosper on war criminals, ICTY

Oslobodjenje

Along with Davidovic, Lajsic, Cenic and Jovicic in combination

Dnevni Avaz

[McElhaney] We will publish a series of declaration about BiH

Dnevni List

DL not issued due to All Saints Day

Vecernji List

VL not issued due to All Saints Day

Slobodna Dalmacija

SD not issued due to All Saints Day

Nezavisne Novine

Final EU precondition was fulfilled

Glas Srpske

Let us be, we are not angry [feature on elderly who just recently found out they have siblings]

EuroBlic

Dangerous bacteria in water [warns on polluted water in Zvornik schools]

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

Oslobodjenje

Along with Davidovic, Lajsic, Cenic and Jovicic in combination

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

German official on new HR to BiH

RTRS – The Advisor for foreign policy at German Bundestag, Martin Weiss, has stated after today’s meeting in Banja Luka with Dusan Stojicic, RS NA Speaker, that new HR to BiH will most likely come from Germany, which will significantly contribute to intensifying of relations between BiH and Germany.

SDHR Ney says Lukic case not yet over

SRNA– SDHR, Martin Ney, said that the case of the dean of the Law Faculty of East Sarajevo University, Radomir Lukic, is not yet over and that “it is unacceptable for him to still be teaching.” He added he is meting the RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic today to discuss “his responsibility in seeing this concluded.” Ney today met with the rector of EastSarajevoUniversity, Dragoljub Mirjanic, about the recent dismissal of RS Education Minister Milovan Pecelj. Ney added that it is necessary to urgently pass a law on higher education at the BiH level in accord with the principles of the Bologne Declaration.

Talks on SAA chief negotiator, team

RS President proposes 4 candidates for chief negotiator: Davidovic, Lajsic, Jovicic and Cenic

RTRSby Neda Arlov – Although the name of the chief BiH negotiator with the EU was expected to be announced after the meeting of RS political leaders on Monday, this did not happen; instead of one candidate the RS President Dragan Cavic announced four names: former BiH Ambassador to the US Igor Davidovic, RS Finance Minister Svetlana Cenic, former RS Minister of Economy Djordje Lajsic and former BiH Ambassador to Switzerland Jugoslav Jovicic. “When it comes to the negotiating team, we believe… the Head of the negotiating team and chief BiH negotiator should be the same person”, said Cavic commenting on the BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzic’s statement that the Director of the BiH Directorate for European Integrations Osman Topcagic would most likely be the Head of the BiH negotiating team. But even before the name of chief BiH negotiator is announced, RTRS comments, BiH received clear warning: “The SAA negotiations could be suspended immediately if there is a delay in the police reform process, in cooperation with the Hague Tribunal or in implementation of joint PBS system”, stated SDHR Martin Ney in Banja Luka. RHB– Cavic stressed that the name of the chief BiH negotiator would be announced in a few days time. PINK – Cavic pointed out that RS representatives were going to advise BiH CoM to ensure negotiations, which have to be lead at the state level, are to be completed within a year. He also introduced several young persons which would be RS members of the negotiation team. Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pgs 4 and 5 ‘Along with Davidovic, Lajsic, Cenic and Jovicic in combination’ by O. Vukovic – RS president also underlined that the cooperation with the ICTY should not be an obstacle to the SAA negotiations, as the process has marked the progress. Hayat – The SAA negotiations would be led at two levels – state and expert one. The state team will consist of Terzic, BiH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic and BiH Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Dragan Doko. BHT 1 carries SDHR’s statement. FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Davidovic has got 3 counter-candidates’ by N.D., Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Four candidates for negotiator’ announced on cover ‘Four candidates for chief negotiator’ by V. Popovic inset ‘Nay: election of chief negotiator is a task of BiH authorities’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Without name of negotiator’ by Z. Markovic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Four candidates for negotiators with EU’ by Nedeljka Breberina– also covered. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Directorates cannot be in charge of negotiations’ not signed – Cavic on Terzic’s proposal.

Jovic demands that Croat is in charge of negotiations with EU

FTV, BHT1, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Croat to lead the team’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Jovic demands that Croat is in charge of negotiations with EU’ by Srna, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘BiH facing EC with eight negotiating teams’ announced on cover ‘BiH will have eight negotiating teams’ by M. Cubro insets ‘Jovic: Chief negotiator should be a Croat’ and ‘Terzic, Ivanic and Doko automatically in the delegation’,  – BiH Presidency Chair Ivo Miro Jovic stated forming an expert and competent negotiating team is crucial for a successful conclusion of SAA between the BiH and the EU adding that a Croat should lead the negotiations: “In this process many are talking about the names of the future chief negotiator and this is happening without the Croats, which are known as traditionally Europe-oriented, so that it is quite logical that the leader of the negotiating team should be of Croat nationality.”

BHT1 int with Topcagic on SAA negotiations; Croatia also has both chief negotiator and chief of negotiating team

BHT 1 late news edition by Suzana Stambol – In the interview for BHT 1 Director of BiH Directorate for European Integration, Osman Topcagic stated that it is advisable to solve this issue as soon as possible. He explained that proposal of Chairman of Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic to have chief negotiator and chief of negotiating team, was based on experiences of other countries and that in this way Terzic wanted to connect team with BIH institutions. He said that up to now the BiH Directorate for European Integration has analyzed negotiation process of Croatia and Macedonia in order to be informed and prepared for BIH’s negotiations. Topcagic stated that CoM can adopt some guidelines of technical nature for the negotiations even before the chief negotiator is elected. He stated that the talks with EU concerning SAA will be mainly focused on implementation of the negotiations and not on the contract itself. Topcagic added that EU starts negotiations with states and not entities. General Secretary of Croatian negotiating team on SAA talks with EU Tamara Obradovic stated that Croatia had both chief negotiator and chief of negotiating team. Chief of negotiating team was in charge of the political issues while chief negotiator was in charge of technical details.

BHT 1 int with SNSD’s Simic: strongly against two positions “excluding each other”

BHT 1 late news edition by Suzana Stambol – SNSD Leader Krstan Simic stated that participants at the meeting, regarding election of Chief negotiator, in Banja Luka were mainly informed on the progress achieved up to now. Simic stated that they haven’t discussed candidates for the position of chief negotiator adding that SNSD holds nothing against Igor Davidovic. Simic refused the idea of having chief negotiator and chief of negotiating team since one excludes the other. He said that the issue of electing chief negotiator is not one of the most important issues that BIH is facing now. “But given, that in BIH every issue is divided on political or national importance and not on the strategic one, this election seems to be an important issue” said Simic. He agreed that state is running negotiations with EU but adding that this state is consisted of two entities. He noted that he disagrees with the possibility of running parallel negotiations within BIH but entities mustn’t be excluded from negotiations. Simic stated that he fears that CoM might cause a rift within itself by proposing Topcagic on a political position.

RTRS int with SNSD’s Spiric: discussions on chief negotiator a nonsense

RTRS late news edition by Sandra Zrnic– The Speaker of the BiH House of Representatives, Nikola Spiric, commented in an interview to RTRS that the discussions on the chief BiH negotiator are nothing but another nonsense in the series of stupidities exchanged between BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzic and RS President Dragan Cavic. “I believe that this is a clear own goal, and an attempt of discrediting the last Serb who could be an important figure in negotiations with the EU”, said Spiric, adding that former BiH Ambassador to the USIgor Davidovic should have already been appointed as the chief BiH negotiator. Spiric directly blamed Cavic for this situation, because he was not able to stand firmly against interests of daily politics. “Unfortunately, while politicians in Banja Luka are trying to frame each other, basic documents are being prepared in Sarajevo – and nobody from RS is taking care about the way those documents would be written”, added Spiric. HoR Chair also believes that there is no need for the chief BiH negotiator and the Head of the BiH negotiating team. “This second person could provide logistics support to the BiH negotiating team, but there is no need for additional Head of the BiH negotiating team”, concluded Spiric.

Oslobodjenje op-ed on appointment of BiH negotiating team

Oslobodjenje, pg 9 ‘Negotiator(s)’, by Mirko Sagolj – Commenting on the issue of appointment of a BiH negotiating team and what has happened so far with regards to it, Sagolj notes that the parties involved are again putting the national interest in front of interest of all citizens of BiH. Noting that no one in BiH has said anything bad about Igor Davidovic, who is perceived as a likely candidate to become the chief negotiator, Sagolj argues that Chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, in order to maintain the ‘three-national-three-nationalistic reign’, rushed to put ‘his people’ into the equation by proposing that Osman Topcagic becomesthe chief of the negotiating team. With regards to that, Sagolj argues that the parties will now start with bargaining among each other, wondering what the chief negotiator and chief of negotiating team really represent. In addition, Sagolj says it is logical to expect that Ivo Miro Jovic will now make a statement on behalf of ‘his’, the third constituent people. Finally, the author reminds that Croatia had reached a complete consensus when it was selecting the chief negotiator, something that BiH should be doing too.

PBS law/ New HR / Constitutional changes/ Lukic’s removal

BiH HoP adopts PBS law, Croat delegates announce a request to Constitutional Court to asses certain segments

Hayat by Alem Karamesic – BiH House of Peoples adopted Law on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The HoP rejected HoP representative Velimir Jukic’s proposal on establishment of three national channels in BiH. “Our proposal has been rejected and in that way, this law has been adopted without single Croat’s vote”, said Jukic. Bosniak and Serb representatives find the law a good solution. “The law is relevant for two things; first of all it regulates BiH PBS and as well all know the adoption of PBS Law is one of the feasibility study requirements”, said HoP representative Halid Genjac. “The law has been made in line with the European standards and it should provide crucial principles present in all public RTV system, namely editorial independency, financial transparency and sustainability and institutional independency”, said HoP Representative Goran Milojevic. Croat representatives announced that they were going to examine in details certain regulations and address to the BiH Constitutional Court to evaluate constitutionality. Jukic said that he hoped that the Court was going to act responsible and accept facts. Since BiH House of Representatives earlier adopted the law on PBS in somewhat different text, it would be necessary to harmonize it between the two Houses; therefore, one delegate from each of the three existing caucuses has been nominated to harmonize it with the representatives from the BiH HoR. The HoP has also adopted law on traffic security as well as proposal of law on amendments to law on elections. RTRS by Branka Kusmuk – By passing the PBS law, the last condition from the Feasibility study has been finally fulfilled. Jukic stated that Croat representatives have been outvoted once again – just like they have been outvoted when the law on Public Broadcasting Service was adopted – and that the law on PBS has been adopted without a single Croat vote. RHBalso carries Jukic. Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘Final EU precondition was fulfilled’ and pg 5 ‘Law on Public RTV system was adopted’ by M. Cubro – also carries statement of Croat delegate Ilija Filipovic who criticized the laws. RHB, PINK, BHT1, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Law on public RTV service adopted’ by H. Orahovac, Oslobodjenje pg 6, mentioned on cover ‘Law on public RTV service adopted’ by A. Terzic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘European taste was satisfied’ by N. Zelenovic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Croat delegates are too loud’ by D. S.– also covered.

OHR welcomes adoption of PBS law, urges quick harmonization of texts

Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘OHR: This is important step’ not signed – OHR welcomes the adoption of the draft Public Broadcasting Service Law by BiH House of Peoples. PBS legislation is an outstanding task of the Feasibility Study process and crucial step towards the SAA negotiations. OHR trusts that the harmonization of the Public Broadcasting Service Law, between the BiH House of People and House of Representatives, will be accomplished rapidly.

UK Embassy: deadline for proposing new HR expired, number of candidates to date unknown

RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘It is not known yet how many candidates have been proposed for position of High Representative’ not signed – The deadline for nominating candidates for the new High Representative, who will also be the Special Representative of the EU in BiH, expired on Friday, the British Embassy told FENA on Monday. However, the British Embassy was unable to say how many applications have been submitted and who are the candidates. Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘We will publish a series of declaration about BiH’ and pg 5 ‘It is time for revision of Dayton’, by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to daily, the US Ambassador to BiH, Douglas McElhaney comments on future HR for BiH [inset ‘Appointment of new High Representative’] saying that Peace Implementation Council will make the final decisions adding he is certain that the best candidate will be selected.

German authorities officially nominate Schwarz-Schilling

RHB, RTRS – The German Government has nominated Demochristian politician and former Posts and Telecommunications Minister Christian Schwarz-Schilling for the position of the High Representative in BiH, German media reported on Monday. “The German nomination was expected and it shows that we are prepared to take responsibility in the Western Balkans”, Schwarz-Schilling said. He said that he is pleased with the nomination and thinks that his experience in BiH could be useful at the new position. The European Council should reach a decision on Paddy Ashdown’s successor in late November. BHT 1 – Schilling stated for BHT 1 that if elected he would fight against corruption and organised crime in BIH, as well as the obstructionists i.e. politicians that are blocking BIH’s progress. Schwartz- Schilling said that he was flattered by all those positive reactions on his nomination.

German newspaper claims Schwarz-Schilling was second choice for HR position

Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘He visited BiH over 180 times’ by M. Lasic – Commenting on Christian Schwarz-Schilling’s candidacy for the HR position in BiH, German daily ‘Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung’ (FAZ) claims that Schwartz-Schilling was the second choice after former Defence Minister Volker Rue refused to accept the candidacy. Osl. also says that all German media estimate that Schwartz-Schilling would be officially elected a new HR in mid November. FAZ also says that Schwartz-Schilling was in Sarajevo when his candidacy was published and that he met with High Representative Paddy Ashdown. It was also published that Schwartz-Schilling used to criticize HR Ashdown for excessive using of Bonn ’s powers. Asked in an interview given to ‘Suddeutsche Zeitung’ what are his chances to become a new HR, Schwartz-Schilling said that there is hardly a candidate who has his experience. He added that in future the HR must not interfere in daily job of BiH politicians.

HDZ, SDA, SDS support Schilling; HDZ says HR position must be redefined

PINK by Adriana Domazet – One of the candidates, who will most probably replace the High Representative Paddy Ashdown, is German diplomat Christian Schwartz Schilling, former Mediator for FBiH and RS. “I think that Schwartz Schilling presents a good solution, bit the most important thing is to have the role and position of the HR to BiH redefined”, said HDZ representative Chair Velimir Jukic. “I think that Mr Swartz Schilling presents an ideal solution. It is high time for Germany to propose the HR and show what it can do in BiH”, said SDA representative Seada Palavric. “I believe that everyone find the candidate acceptable”, said SDS representative Goran Milojevic.

RS Govt again demands for removal of Dean Lukic; SDHR Nay thanked Cavic and Cenic: I have been warning Pecelj

Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘The Government again demanded for removal of Radomir Lukic’ announced on cover ‘Removal of Radomir Lukic was again demanded for’ by G. Maunaga – RS Government on Monday stated it demands from bodies of East Sarajevo Faculty of Laws to urgently legalize the administration of the Faculty, i.e. to remove Dean Radomir Lukic in order not to produce much more serious consequences for this institution. The Government noted that the failure to resolve the status of the Dean, which led to removal of RS Education Minister Milovan Pecelj, makes the appointment of the new Minister more complicated. Inset ‘Martin Nay thanked Dragan Cavic and Svetlana Cenic’ – SDHR Martin Nay met RS President Dragan Cavic on Monday and paid a special attention to the removal of Dean Radomir Lukic. ‘I thanked Cavic on his initiative to remove seven Government’s members of the Council of the Faculty of Laws. I also thanked RS Minister of Finances Svetlana Cenic for providing with technical assistance in stoppage of payments to Radomir Lukic’, Nay stated and added the crucial person in Lukic’s removal was the dismissed Minister Milovan Pecelj saying he had done nothing despite to repeated talks and warnings in writing sent by OHR. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘I have been warning Pecelj’ by Z. Ma. – carries Nay’s statement. RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Futile removal’ by S. Mi. – also carry the statement of RS Government.

Patriot on HR’s decision to remove Pecelj: ‘Merciless OHR’

Patriot column pg 3 ‘Merci(less) OHR’ – Writing about latest OHR decision regarding removal of Milovan Pecelj, weekly notes that OHR still treats SDS in line with principle “cold and hot”, stressing that Paddy Ashdown did not view as a priority the fact that Pecelj was responsible to Pero Bukejlovic as RS Premier, who did not bear responsibility for education related issues non-implemented. Weekly also observes change in attitude of Mitar Novakovic, Rector of East Sarajevo University, who has turned into cowardice member of a team destroying University from a courageous protector of university autonomy, raising the issue to Professor Lukic “who is the next”.

Ivo Miro Jovic on Bishop conference conclusions: declaration should be adopted by BiH parliament

RHB – BiH Presidency Chair Ivo Miro Jovic commented for RHB the conclusions of Bishopric Conference on the position of Croats in BiH. “I am pleased that religious and spiritual authorities among Croats and Catholics in BiH have made those conclusions…We ask nothing more and nothing less than what those other two nations have. We want the equality in order to preserve BiH as the association of equal people, based on the standards of European Union”, said Jovic. This declaration, added Jovic, should be the basis for joint text harmonized within both Houses of BiH Parliament – and it would be the key prerequisite for creating the new, “real” BiH constitution, which would not be imposed as the one from Dayton and Paris.

DA brings reactions to Bishop conference: De-centralization of BiH is essence

Oslobodjenje pgs 4 and 5, mentioned on cover ‘De-centralization of BiH is essence’ by S. Sehercehajic – Commenting on the proposal of the Bishops’ Conference on constitutional and legal organization of BiH (whose essence is de-centralization) and constitutional changes in general member of the HDZ Presidency Josip Merdzo sees nothing disputable in the fact that the Catholic Church also spoke about this problem. Commenting on the fact that the state Parliament would pass the final decision on the constitutional changes, Merdzo says that this might pose a problem since solutions firmly defined in advance and which are not in favor of BiH ‘s well-being already exist in the Parliament. Nermin Niksic from SDP believes that an ideal solution for BiH would be regionalization and he added that it is not bad that the Catholic Church involved in the whole issue. SDA Vice President Sefik Dzaferovic says that it would be the best to support the EC principle and that are 5 economic regions: Sarajevo, Mostar, Zenica, Banja Luka and Tuzla regions. He added that the issue of constitutional re-organization is a matter of concern of all citizens and that it is good that proposals are coming from all segments of the society. Osl. inset ‘Discussion for politicians and not Bishops!’ carries SDS Vice President Mladen Bosic who believes that the Bishops’ Conference is not an institution that should propose a political organization of any state especially since BiH is s secular state.

RS politicians critical of Bishops’ Conference

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Over someone else’s back’ by G. Dakic – with regard to the Bishop’s Conference, HoR delegate Petar Kunic says BiH Croats, in concord with Croatia, are using the Bishop’s Conference to change the Constitution in accordance with their own will. SRS’s Milanko Mihajlica believes the most important goal of the Bishop’s Conference was the abolishment of RS and he thinks this would not resolve problems of Croats in BiH. He also thinks religious communities should not involve in politics. Delegate at RS Council of Peoples Desanka Radjevic : ‘this is nothing new, because the Catholic Church and Vatican have been running political processes and events in BiH the whole time’. She reiterated Serbs would not even discuss proposals that do not foresee the existence of RS. Inset ‘Nagradic’ – Assistant BiH Minister for Human Rights Slobodan Nagradic says IC demands the administration in BIH to be reduced and this issue, according to Nagradic, should first be resolved in F BiH. ‘The proposal of the Bishops’ Conference was not in line with demands of the international community’, Nagradic says.

FTV ’60 minuta’ research: Croatian politicians do not support idea of third entity

FTV ’60 minuta’ current affairs programme by Arijana Saracevic Helac– Following the academic gathering on constitutional changes held in Neum, ’60 minuta’ conducted a research among political parties in Croatia and concluded that they would not support an idea on the third, Croat, entity. The Croatian Parliament is expected to declare its stance on the issue at the special session dedicated to 10^th DPA anniversary. General opinion in Croatia is that the RS should be abolished, as Serbs got full independence in their entity for which they solely blame, according to FTV, the IC. HSP and its President Anto Djapic announced they will submit their proposal for BiH reorganization to the Croatian Parliament, adding interests of Croats in BiH would be better protected in regionally established State then in the third Entity as desired by the HDZ BiH. Former Croatian Foreign Minister and current HSP’s Advisor, Mate Granic [who also directly took part in DPA] said that HDZ BiH is intentionally provoking conflicts with the IC. Croatian SDP considers that BiH would not survive establishment of third entity their Representative Zoran Milanovic said that priority is abolishment of the RS, but also of FBiH, which daily causes new divisions endangering peace in whole region. Only very few radical politicians, people who were expelled from Croatian HDZ, like Ivic Pasalic, support the idea of third entity. HNS Croatia leader Radomir Cacic commented the gathering by saying that he could not understand why no one in Neum asked about the money Croatian citizens were sending to BiH Croats, but was taken away. Cacic stressed that this Assembly was abused and used for protection of criminals.

FTV ’60 minuta’ int with Bozo Ljubic: HDZ must be democratised

FTV ’60 minuta’ current affairs programme by Bakir Hadziomerovic– After HDZ President Dragan Covic conducted disciplinary procedure against “disobedient” members of the Party, the host talked to Bozo Ljubic, the main opponent to Covic at the recent Congress. Ljubic stressed that this disciplinary procedure has been an attempt to discipline the rest of the membership and eliminate all competition. He believes that the Congress would be repeated and explained that current confrontations in HDZ are based on conceptual and principal differences. Ljubic stresses that regardless who is the HDZ leader a total democratisation of the party must be carried out. On the other side, Ljubic rejected any possibility that he and his colleagues could establish a new Party. On the constitutional changes, Ljubic said: “I believe [this country] needs a solution which would be one decentralized State with three levels of power.”

DA int with McElhaney: ‘It is time for revision of Dayton ’; Third entity/4 regions not rational; Police reform could be carried out in 3 years

Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘We will publish a series of declaration about BiH’ and pg 5 ‘It is time for revision of Dayton’, by Sead Numanovic – Carries a whole page interview with the US Ambassador to BiH, Douglas McElhaney, in which he talks about a number of topical issues. On constitutional changes and 10^th anniversary of DPA, the Ambassador notes that during the marking of the anniversary [November 21-22] in Washington, the US will publish a series of declarations that are related to the future of BiH, the ICTY and that Karadzic, Mladic and other fugitives be brought to justice. On top of this, McElhaney announces that topics of the Washington meetings will be police and defence reforms and constitutional changes. With regards to the latter, he says it is necessary that (BiH) party leaders meet and start talking about revision and modernization of the DPA and BiH as a state. Furthermore, he says there are ongoing talks about the constitutional changes, however the Ambassador is not certain there will be concrete results by the DPA anniversary, stressing that the talks are focused on the BiH Presidency, State Parliament etc. Asked about the internal organization of BiH and proposals on establishment of the third entity and division into 4 regions, McElhaney says the third entity would represents a step backwards, as for the 4 regions, McElhaney says it is not rational to make new borders within such a small country, arguing that the EU will in the forthcoming period want to discuss issues at one place, therefore there need to be structures that will defend BiH’s interests at the state level. Asked to comment on the deadline for implementation of police reform (5 years) and whether the deadline could be shorter, McElhaney says: “(…) We are interested that the reform be implemented as soon as possible, and we can consult the experts whether it is feasible. Personally, three years is more than enough to reform the police”. On future/connection between BiH and Kosovo, inset entitled ‘Talks about Kosovo’ McElhaney says there is no connection since BiH is an independent state, a member of the UN. RTRS – also carries McElhaney’s statement on DPA anniversary along the same lines.

Minister Halilovic: Police reform implemented over 3 years would save 280 million KMs

Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘Police reform over three years will save 280 million marks’, by E. Sarac – According to the FBiH Interior Minister, Mevludin Halilovic, the police reform, if it were to be implemented in the next three instead of five years, would save some 280 million KMs, the money that is (currently) used for financing of entity and cantonal MoIs. Halilovic denies some claims that the shortened implementation period would cause financial problems, saying the police could be reformed by September 2009 provided there are no obstructions.

SDHR Ney meets religious leaders in BL who agree on cooperation

RTRSby Momcilo Ostojic – Senior Deputy High Representative Martin Ney in Banja Luka held talks with the leaders of the three biggest religious communities – Catholic Bishop monsignor Franjo Komarica, mufti Edhem effendi Camdzic and Orthodox Bishoup of Banja Luka Jefrem. After the meeting, Ney announced that they have made an agreement on two things: firstly, that religious leaders from now on will meet on a regular basis, and secondly, that they will jointly visit schools in order to send a message to young people: “Joint visits as a symbol of concrete cooperation among religious leaders, and as a symbol that religious tolerance does work at the highest level”, stated Ney. BHT1, RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Religious leaders agreed on cooperation’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Tolerance most important for co-existence’ by N.D. , Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Spreading of religious tolerance through visits to schools’ by A. S., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘I have been warning Pecelj’ inset ‘Religious leaders’– also covered.

Economic issues

Parliament to decide on privatization of Energopetrol

FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Destiny of Energopetrol in hands of Parliament’, mentioned on cover ‘FBiH Government sticks to its decision on sale of Enegopetrol’ by M. Kukan, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Separation of terminals from Energopetrol approved’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Parliament to decide on INA/MOL partner’ announced on cover ‘Parliament to decide on privatization of Energopetrol’ by M. Rener– FBiH Government held extraordinary session on Monday to discuss the issue of co-capitalization of ‘Energopetrol’ company at which it adopted the information related to the process. In this way the Government has endorsed its previous decision on choosing ‘INA-MOL’ Croatian-Hungarian consortium as the strategic partner. The information will be passed to the FBiH parliament for discussion at the extraordinary session to be held on 7 November. The Government has also instructed the representatives of the state capital in the Steering Board and company’s Assembly to bring decisions related to establishing/transfers of ownership and harmonizing the book records on value of the company’s property. There was no mention of annulling the tender, while the Government has approved the succession of terminals from the offer.  Hayat – Prior to the session, FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic said that, according tot the law, it was not possible to change the FBiH Government’s decision. BHT 1 – Miro Lazovic delegate at the BIH Parliament stated that this privatisation is on disadvantage of the state since entire distribution is given to INA-MOL consortium. Reporter stated that many BIH experts claim that this re-capitalisation of “Energopetrol” proved that BIH has neither plan nor strategy in privatisation process. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Grahovac was not at session’ not signed says that it is interesting that the only opponent of the FBiH Government’s decision on selection of Consortium INA-MOL, FBiH Deputy Minister Gavrilo Grahovac, did not attend the FBiH Government’s session at all. DA learns that Grahovac has gone to Skopje.

Wesley Clark interested in construction of BiH highway in cooperation with ‘Bosmal’

Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Wesley Clark also interested in construction of BiH highway’ by L.S., Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Wesley Clarke supports the construction of Vc corridor’ by Srna  – Former Supreme NATO Commander General Wesley Clark is interested in construction of Corridor Vc in partnership with ‘Bosmal’ and he is about to end forming of the consortium with this company. This consortium would finance construction of the future BiH highway. Spokesperson of ‘Bosmal’ Amra Kebo could not say in what capacity Clark would take part in the construction of Corridor Vc and she said: ‘Perhaps this is news for public, however, it is not for us. Nevertheless, this is all we can say about it at this moment.’ DA says that Clark ’s representatives would participate at the international conference on Corridor Vc that takes place on November 17 in Sarajevo together with representatives of ‘Bosmal’, while his coming has been expected in December 2005 when all information about the highway will be known. 

NN op-ed by PDHR Butler: Advantages of adoption of Law on Obligations

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Advantages of adoption of Law on Obligations’ by Lawrence Butler – Urging the adoption of the BiH Law on Obligations, PDHR Butler underlines that with the opening of SAA negotiations, BiH’s future path is clear, noting that this country aspires to be, and stands a very good chance of becoming, a normal European democracy. He notes we must waste no time in giving BiH the kind of economic framework that the rest of Europe enjoys, since this is the only way of making sure that reforms start to make life better. According to him, this is why the BiH Parliament must in the coming months enact a new Law on Obligations, which is a kind of handbook for business regulating almost every kind of commercial transaction. Concluding the op-ed, Butler emphasizes: “Some politicians, who look at new legislation through the prism of their own political interest rather than through the prism of the benefits that will be delivered to citizens, may try to politicize this law. But now that we are on a faster track to European integration and all the benefits that this will bring, I do not believe that many will be shameless enough to try to hold up this process. Citizens have no more patience for political grandstanding that drives away investment and jobs. The Law on Obligations can be sent to parliament in the coming months and enacted by mid 2006. If that happens, citizens will benefit. There is no reason why it shouldn’t happen.”

Inspectors at “Birac” and “Balkal”

Nezavisne Novine pg 4, announced on cover ‘Inspectors are searching “Birac” and “Balkal”’ by P.Klincov – Following allegations on illicit business dealings at Zvornik Factory “Birac”, the inspectors of RS Tax Administration and RS Foreign Currency Inspectorate Monday commenced with inspection at “Balkal” and “Birac” companies.

War crimes

DA claims Bijeljina police arrests three suspects of war crimes committed in Brcko

Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘Troika suspected of committing war crimes in Brcko’, mentioned on front ‘Troika of criminals arrested’, by E. Razanica – Avaz learns that the Bijeljina police arrested Kosta Kostic, Milos Milosevic and Raco Simovic in Bijeljina on Monday over suspicion that they had committed war crimes in the Brcko area in 1992. The suspects were handed over to the Brcko District police. According to the coordinator in the Association of missing, forcibly kidnapped and killed Bosniaks of Brcko, Sead Zahirovic, there are information that show that the troika committed 19 murders. Inset ‘Officials stay silent about operation’ notes that authorities in Brcko did not either deny or confirm the news. It was only said that prosecutor Zekerija Mujkanovic and chief of police Milenko Milicevic would hold a press conference on Tuesday. RTRS reports on arrests however doesn’t bring any details.

DA int with McElhaney: BiH cannot join NATO or PfP with Karadzic, Mladic at large 

Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘We will publish a series of declaration about BiH’ and pg 5 ‘It is time for revision of Dayton’, by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to daily, the US Ambassador to BiH, Douglas McElhaney comments on arrest of criminals, saying the US have been working on arrest of Karadzic and Mladic and will continue to do so, adding that the issue will not be forsaken since it will be the US’ and obligation of Banja Luka, Belgrade and others in the Balkans. In addition, inset entitled ‘Troops in Iraq’, McElhaney says he does not know when BiH will join the Partnership for Peace or NATO, however he underlines that there will be no membership in either PfP or NATO with Karadzic and Mladic still at large.

BiH Ambassador to NATO: First arrests of PIFWCs at large, than PfP membership

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘First arrest PIFWCs, than PfP’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘We have support, but also a condition’ – Ambassador of the BiH Permanent Mission to NATO in Brussels Sven Alkalaj told FENA on Monday that without the arrest of the most wanted indicted war criminals there can be no BiH accession to NATO, this especially considering the firm US position on this issue. “Americans will not back down from the condition for BiH membership in the Partnership for Peace concerning the arrest of indicted war criminals”, Alkalaj said. He said that he also discussed this condition with the new US Ambassador to NATO, who reiterated the firm position of the US on this issue.

RTRS ‘Pecat’ feature on BiH Court : If issue of double citizenships not solved, BiH WCC could stay without indictees to process

RTRS ‘Pecat’ current affairs programme by Dragana Knezevic – Pecat examines the work of the BiH War Crimes Chamber [WCC] whose first case transferred from the ICTY is against Radovan Stankovic, a suspect for war crimes committed in Foca region. Reporter comments that the only thing public can be sure of is this case to be a test of willingness, trust and fairness for the BiH Court and BH Prosecutor’s Office. Another thirteen cases are to be transferred from the ICTY to BiH Court. At the same, defence lawyers file appeals to the transfer decisions justifying it by claiming the BiH WCC cannot guarantee a fair trial. On the other side, BiH Court Chair Meddzida Kreso dismisses these allegations, however says there is possibility for certain problems in terms of length of trials. “It would be necessary to change the regulations regarding length of detention during the trial, especially for grave criminal offences, which are war crimes and organized criminal, ”Kreso adds underlying she doesn’t expect any kind of pressure on BiH Court, except possible impatience of the victims families which BiH Court would easily solve. One of major problems for BiH Court is a possibility for indictees to escape as most of them have double citizenships. Kreso commented saying the BiH Court has come to the dead end situation, as this is certainly not a legal but a political issue. If this problem is not solved, reporter comments, BiH Court could loose all the indictees in the nearest future.