| RADIO HERCEG BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| FBiH Budget | SDS on US sanctions | HR decision | SDS Session tonight |
| BiH joining PfP | FBiH HoR in session | Statement of M. Sarovic | RS Government Session |
| Reaction on IC Decision | Prosperity of Brcko | Karadzic’s supporters | CoM visit to Brcko District |
| Inter. Inves. Conference | RTV subscription issues | FBiH HoR in session | SNSD Session in Brcko |
| Oslobodjenje | SDA gives up on replacement of FBiH Government? |
| Dnevni Avaz | Prices of cigarettes, fuel to increase? |
| Dnevni List | “Secret Police follows terrorists in Federation”; “Tycoon companies laundered 18 million KM” |
| Vecernji List | “Islamic terrorist threatened with assassinations”; “SFOR first approved and then dismissed 6 HVO officers” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | “Sarovic hears from Karadzic”; “500 foreign investors arrive to Mostar” |
| Glas Srpske | Police officers Nenad Sarenac and Rajko Mihajlovic stick to their initial statements: We were man-shield; Zvornik: Bidrges remain |
| Nezavisne Novine | “Cajavec” personnel on strike” The staff slept at carton boxes; SDS Presidency: Sarovic says: Kalinic is the leader of parade – he should decide what we should do; Robert Bratke: US wants to see Radovan Karadzic in The Hague; BiH Court: Milorad Milakovic pleaded guilty for trafficking in people |
| Blic | Mirko Sarovic rejected accusations: ‘I will not be silent, they are preparing to take everything away from RS’; SFOR tightens circle around Karadzic |
War crimes/organised crime | |
| Sarovic on sanctions against him
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘No one can ban me from dealing with politics’ – SDS Presidency was to held a special session because of the decision of High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, made at initiative of US Government, by which Mirko Sarovic is to be removed from his function of SDS Vice-President. This decision was made because of alleged help of Mirko Sarovic to ICTY indicted, Radovan Karadzic. SDS Presidency is expected to decide on his possible replacement. All charges, presented by High Representative and US Ambassador in BiH, Clifford Bond, Mirko Sarovic has rejected as untrue and constructed. “This is about classic pressure on RS and pressure on SDS, especially on its most stabile part and me personally.” – said Mirko Sarovic. Sarovic also said that no one can forbid him to do politics, that High Representative has no mandate for something like that and that only one who can exclude him from SDS is SDS. Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘Sarovic says: Kalinic is the leader of parade – he should decide what we should do’; Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘Fears shuts the mouth up’, Vecernje Novosti p 6 ‘On the black list with Sarovic’, Blic front page and p 13 ‘I accept only judgment of my party’- Mirko Sarovic, SDS Vice President, yesterday denied all allegations presented by the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, and US Ambassador to BiH, Clifford Bond. SDS Presidency held extraordinary session in Serb Sarajevo last night, in order to discuss new developments and SDS conduct at the political scene of Republika Srpska and BiH in the future. No SDS official wanted to give any comment on this session, noting press release will be issued afterwards, most probably late during the night. Only Sarovic briefly said that “Kalinic is the leader of parade, so he should decide what we should do.” Sarovic ytesterday said that the accusations are false and orchestrated to meet other needs. Sarovic said: “The truth is they have failed to present any concrete evidence proving such allegations. This represents a classical example of pressure against Republika Srpska and SDS, especially its most stable part and me personally. You are aware of the fact I was on their way while I assumed the position of Serb member to BiH Presidency, when they fabricated and exaggerated the Orao affair. However, I am bothered with this decision, because I have been fighting for the interests of Republika Srpska, which I think is the biggest sin of mine.” On Bond, he said it is a right of each state to make up the list of persons banned from entering it, however, he firmly opposed that an ambassador of such a state defines and sets internal relations in BiH. His statement went on to stress that: “Everybody is clear with the fact that he is in charge of these things. Normally, everybody is keeping quiet about it – parliamentarians, political parties…. Nobody wants to say anything. Ant those talking about democracy, legal state and rule of law have violated it a long time ago and placed themselves above those laws. For example SFOR – it has overstepped its mandate a long time ago… no human rights and laws can be violated in the name of justice.” On HiRep’s announcement he would demand from SDS to exclude Sarovic from its membership, Sarovic said: “Nobody can deprive me of my right to engage in political activities. Only SDS can exclude me from SDS membership.” |
| Dodik, Serbian DSS on Sarovic | According to NN inset, Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, said that the inclusion of Sarovic on US black list is an internal matter for SDS. (Glas Srpske carries this report as separate article on pg. 5, ‘Different dioptre’). Both RS dailies as well as Vecernje Novosti p 6 ‘DSS requests for an explanation’ contain insets in which DSS (Democratic Party of Serbia) yesterday commented on this by saying that this has raised concern of Serb people from both sides of Drina river. DSS further stressed that “the policy of placing conditions can only deteriorate currently fragile political relations in Dayton BiH”. Vecernje Novosti pg. 6 ‘Conflicts within SDS’ reads that the President of the SNSD, Milorad Dodik, and the Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro to BiH, Stanimir Vukicevic, agreed yesterday in Banja Luka that the issue of putting the name of Mirko Sarovic to the list was an internal matter of SDS party. According to Dodik, it was more important what was behind this decision, because it was obvious there were some misunderstandings within SDS party. |
| SDS Main Board member on Sarovic | FTV -“We have one extremely difficult situation, considering that Mr. Sarovic is very popular in RS and among Serb people, very influential person. His popularity goes from the Deputy in RSNA, then he was the RS Vice- President, than he was RS President, than Serb member of the Presidency, so we have one difficult situation and I do not know what will be the decisions of the SDS Presidency and Main Board of SDS on that issue”- said Bosko Siljegovic, member of SDS Main Board. |
| ‘Mirko Sarovic not excluded from the Party’ | Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Mirko Sarovic not excluded from the Party’ – The newspaper learns from reliable sources that at its session in Lukavica late on Tuesday, the SDS Presidency did not exclude from the party the SDS Vice-president Mirko Sarovic. Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Sarovic: I will respect final decision by Party’s leadership’ – The newspaper also announced start of yesterday’s SDS Presidency session in Lukavica and quoted Sarovic as saying he would respect any SDS leadership decision on his status. |
| US Bond on IC measures | BHTV – “I can assure you that these decisions were not made against RS, but against individuals which provide help to war criminals or have committed the crimes themselves. All individuals, including Sarovic can submit an appeal to our Court or Ministry of Finances”- said Clifford Bond, US Ambassador in BiH. Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘Evidence remain confidential’ – GS learnt at US Embassy to BiH yesterday that the USA will not publicise on basis of what information they have been placing people on US ban list. The Embassy briefly noted that several US Government Agencies have been involved in this activity. Nezavisne Novine pg. 3 ‘Expansion of “black list” based on facts’ also carried the reaction. |
| OHR on measures against war criminals’ supporters | Herceg Bosna Radio, Oslobodjenje pg. 2 ‘Ungrounded objections from RS’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Ashdown made decision on the basis of concrete information’, Nezavisne Novine pg. 3 ‘Expansion of “black list” based on facts’, FENA – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, was very clear on Monday in stating that the decision on measures against individuals, which have been identified as supporters of Radovan Karadzic and other suspected war criminals, was issued on basis of concrete information, the spokesperson of OHR, Oleg Milisic, told FENA in regard to the comments of individuals from the RS that the mentioned measures were not supported by evidence. However, Milisic added, the international community will not further comment on this matter because of the sources. Apart from the measures against 10 individuals taken by the U.S. Government, the High Representative also issued a decision on freezing the assets of these persons and removed SDS Vice-president Mirko Sarovic from public functions, as well as police officials Veljko Borovcanin, Dragan Basevic and Ivan Sarac. RTRS, Blic pg. 13 ‘OHR: Decisions are well grounded’ carried the same OHR statement presented by OHR Spokesman Mario Brkic, as Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘Pressure against network’ quotes OHR Spokesman Vedran Persic. |
| Oslobodjenje, Dnevni Avaz editorial on war criminals’ supporters | Oslobodjenje pg. 2 ‘Republic of Karadzic’ Op-ed by Antonio Prlenda – “The fact Ashdown is not presenting important evidences to the authorized RS bodies shows how much he trusts them,” said Prlenda. Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘RS foundations shaken’ Commentary of the Day by Fadil Mandal – According to Mandal, it is almost unthinkable that Karadzic’s favourite Dragan Kalinic will be spared in SFOR campaign against war criminals and their supporters. |
| CRO Press comments on IC measures | Slobodna Dalmacija (front splash and page 15 “Sarovic hears from Karadzic?”, by Aleksandar Macanovic) – carries that nobody has so far made a connection between Mirko Sarovic and Radovan Karadzic apart from an anonymous US official who told the Banja Luka-based “Nezavisne novine” that Sarovic was in contact with Karadzic after “he got removed” from the BiH Presidency, although even the anonymous officials did not back his claim up with an evidence. SD also reports that other persons on the US “black list” ended up there either because of collecting “racquet” for Karadzic’s protection or by helping him in other ways. The article goes on to ask that, if Paddy Ashdown claims that Karadzic is at the helm of an organized gang that deals with organized crime, extortion, corruption and illegal trade, why these people are not arrested because it is natural that helping the most wanted war crimessuspect counts as a crime “or perhaps, at the end of the day, this is a signal to the BiH Prosecution, which has lately, under leadership of international judges, arrested a few ‘big’ and ‘small’ fry?” Dnevni List (page 2 “Sarovic goes to ‘outlaws’”, by Miso Relota) – argues that, superficially, the whole story is crystal clear, the IC has had enough when it comes to the soap-opera called “Karadzic the outlaw and co.”, so it decided to take care of his aides from the SDS. Furthermore, the author notes that many analyst are right in asking why take the decision now, why Sarovic, because many people would believe it is Dragan Kalinic, who has contacts with Karadzic, not Sarovic. In this context, the author says some people go even further and say that Kalinic “pinned” this one on Sarovic to save his skin from an indictment from the ICTY, so Kalinic’s decided to become very cooperative when it comes to cooperation with the IC led by Ashdown and Bond. Dnevni List (page 2) carries in it s “Statement of the Day”, the US Ambassador to BiH, Clifford Bond, as saying: “This is the year when war criminals must be brought to justice”. Slobodna Dalmacija (page 14, “We have quality information”, by F) – amid accusations from the RS that there were no evidence against the persons who were put on the “black list”, an OHR spokesperson, Oleg Milisic, says the High Representative was clear that the decision was based on concrete information. However, because of nature of the source, notes Milisic, the IC will not be making further comments. |
| CRO Press/Serbian Press/RS press: reactions of RS politicians to US/OHR sanctions | Mirko Sarovic, Vice President of SDS, rejects all accusations against him, stressing that he is against the practice of a foreign ambassador creating policy in BiH, obviously alluding to US Ambassador Bond. “Issues are being taken care of through the method of fear and of course, everyone is keeping quiet, and the same ones who declaratively advocate the rule of law, now breach the rule”, says Sarovic. Sarovic also notes that he does not to be in an office or function to say that this is the year during which there will be efforts to “take away everything from the RS, justifying it with alleged reforms”. (Dnevni List, page 11 “Sarovic: Nobody can ban me from being active in politics”, by De. L.). Vecernji List (page 5 “Sarovic: I am in Ashdown’s way”, by B. S.) – carries Sarovic as saying that the High Representative does not have the mandate to remove him from the office of Vice President of the party. Mladen Ivanic, President of PDP, says Sarovic is one of key political figures in the RS and from that point of view the decision requires full argumentation: “If those arguments were not to be, it think it would feed the feeling it is about a political pressure on the RS and on key figures from the Serb people”, says Ivanic. (Slobodna Dalmacija, page 15 “SDS: Where is evidence?”, Dnevni List, page 11 “Decision of IC requires full argumentation” and “PDP requires full argumentation”) Dragan Kalinic, President of SDS, says: “The campaign against Sarovic, which started during the so-called ‘Orao’ affair, during which nothing was proven, ends up in a political disqualification of Sarovic. This is a direct attack on SDS and its key stabilization and pro-reform role on the political scene of the RS and BiH, and a serious issue with far reaching qualifications, both internally and externally”. Dragan Cavic, President of RS, says he expects the High Representative and the US Embassy to present him with evidence considering the offices Sarovic had executed before. “Otherwise, such a decision would be inappropriate and unprecedented in democratic world, taken with an aim to cause political crisis in the RS and pressure on political parties in the RS and BiH, with possible consequences on continuation of the democratic process”, says Cavic. (Slobodna Dalmacija, page 15 “RS expects explanation”, Dnevni List, page 11 “Political pressure on SDS”) Petar Djokic, President of Socialist Party of RS, notes: “If they could chase Karadzic from the party, why should they have respect for somebody else”. (Slobodna Dalmacija, page 15 “Irony from opposition”) Blic p 13 ‘Arguments and evidence missing’ carries reactions of Dragan Cavic, Dragan Kalinic, Mladen Ivanic and Milorad Dodik. Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘Different dioptre’ also carries reactions by Milorad Dodik, Dragan Kalinic, Mladen Ivanic and Milanko Mihajlica from Republika Srpska Serb Radical Party demand those accusations against Sarovic be substantiated with good arguments. Petar Djokic, President of Republika Srpska Socialist Party, expressed expectation that SDS would meet request of HiRep and remove Sarovic from all party positions. He also said that this decision has resulted from the fact that Republika Srpska fails to co-operate with The Hague Tribunal and also to implement certain reforms. Mirko Banjac, Vice President of DNS (Democratic People’s Alliance” said international community would not have compiled a list without good arguments. |
| Illegal activities of persons from US/OHR blacklist | FTV – Veljko Borovcanin as Chief of Police- Srpsko Sarajevo, Ivan Sarac as Chief of the Police in Pale and Dragan Basevic- former Police official have allegedly protected the business of Milovan Cicko Bjelica and helped him to communicate with ICTY indictee, Radovan Karadzic. Their mission was to provide him with latest informations about Police work and work of International Community. On these functions they were appointed by Bjelica. It is being claimed that Samojko Djorda, former Judge of Municipality’s Court in Sokolac is the Judge which protected Milovan Bjelica with his decisions. American source has stated for Nezavisne Novine that Judge Djorda was helping Bjelica to protect the group which hide Radovan Karadzic. Pointless to say that Djorda was also appointed by Bjelica. American source said that Policemen have helped Bjelica to meet with Karadzic and beside him relation with Karadzic was also maintained by Mirko Sarovic, but only after he was replaced from the function of BiH Presidency member. Same source claims that financial help was provided by Radomir Kojic (owner of de-mining Company), Milovan Marjanovic (Director of Hydroelectric station Visegrad), Predrag Kujundzic and Ljuban Ecim (former Intelligence officers of RS) and Tomislav Kovac (former RS Minister of Interior). They were all main financiers of Karadzic’s hiding. According to same source main figure in that action is Milovan Bjelica, who was replaced last year from a position of President of City Assembly- Srpsko Sarajevo. Dnevni Avaz also carries a story on the issue on pg. 4, mentioned on the front page ‘Kovac described as the most favourite Karadzic’s minister, Ecim was tasked for money laundering’. Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘It is not me’ – Predrag Kujundzic, one of ten persons recently included in US ban list, denied any connection with Radovan Karadzic. He is embiterred over the activity of US and OHR, stressing that he has nothing to do with Karadzic. He is of the view this has resulted from months’ long campaign against him by “Dnevni Avaz”, on which he notes he would file a lawsuit and papers would have to prove their claims. He also objected against the fact that the accounts of Restaurant owned by his wife have been blocked as well. Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘Hello, here is dismissal’ – Samojka Djorda reacts on news regarding inclusion of his name on US ban list, stressing that it represents a culmination of war launched against him a long time ago. The war was launched by some people, interested in his post of President of Sokolac Basic Court. He said: “It is one of the filthiest lies I have ever heard.” Dragan Basevic, operations officer at Serb Sarajevo Public Security Centre, says that EUPM interpreter on Monday informed him he has been dismissed from duties. However, he claims he has not received any written decision by either US Embassy or OHR. |
| US’ Bratke on Karadzic | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4, ‘US wants to see Radovan Karadzic in The Hague’ – NN carry a short interview with Robert Bratke, the Assistant to US Secretary of State for Europe and Euro Asia, said that the arrest of Radovan Karadzic should take place as soon as possible, noting that nothing can be of better assistance on BiH path towards Europe and PfP. He arrived to BiH yesterday, where he is to meet BiH officials and discus some upcoming events, like transfer of mission from NATO onto European Union. |
| EUPM on SIPA/Karadzic | Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Hunt for criminals’; Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘EUPM: SIPA does not help Karadzic’ – Jan Oscar Solnes, EUPM Spokesperson, yesterday stated that some media speculations according to which Radovan Karadzic enjoys protection of SIPA are false and stemming from the fact that people do not understand the work of this Agency. According to him, SIPA currently performs restricted police duties. He also said that in collaboration with OHR, EUPM will do all it can to ensure SIPA’s work becomes operational during the course of this week. Dnevni List (page 2 “Karadzic does not have ‘his people’ in SIPA”, by D. Kozina) also carries Solnes’ statement. Vecernji List (page 5 “SIPA included in investigation too”, by Zdenko Jurilj) – says that employees of the SIPA are under a watchful eye of the IC in BiH, including SFOR, because there is a suspicion that some SIPA employees keep contacts with persons charged with war crimes. This was originally stated by the Chief ICTY Prosecutor, Carla del Ponte, for the FTV. “It is hard to co-operate with a state agency which gives information on war crimes indictees”, said del Ponte. Reporting that there is an ongoing internal investigation within the SIPA, VL tried to get a comment from the SIPA Director, Sredoje Novic, and BiH Security Minister, Barisa Colak, but both were unavailable for comments. |
| BiH Prosecutor’s Office will investigate persons from blacklist | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘BiH Prosecutor’s Office will investigate on persons from the list’ – Marinko Jurcevic, BiH Chief Prosecutor, yesterday confirmed that the State Prosecutor’s Office will investigate into possible connection between ten persons from the US black list supporting Radovan Karadzic, war crime suspect, with organised crime. He explained that: “We expect from international community, including American Embassy, to get the copy of the list and documentation attached.” |
| Update to Krivace case | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘We were a man-shield’ – The police officers Nenad Sarenac and Rajko Mihajlovic stick to their initial statements that SFOR used them as man-shield during the raid at Radovan Karadzic house in the village of Krivace near Pale on 12 January. They confirm they have filed lawsuits against SFOR at Court and demanded compensation of US $ 1 million each, for the suffering they went through that night. SFOR denies all the claims saying they have all recorded on the tape. Sarenac and Mihajlovic claim SFOR started recording the operation after their soldiers barged into the house, but failed to record when they used two of them as man-shield heading towards the house and while knocking on the door. |
| SFOR on claim for compensation of two police officers | Blic front page and p 13 ‘SFOR strikes back’ – SFOR Spokesperson Dave Sullivan reiterated at a press conference of the international organizations held in Sarajevo that police officers of Serb Sarajevo Center for Public Safety have not been used as a ‘human shield’ during the SFOR operation on Pale. The Spokesperson of the Serb Sarajevo Center for Public Safety, Miroslav Popara, stated yesterday police officers Nenad Sarenac and Rajko Mihajlovic have filed a private complaint to the Serb Sarajevo Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office. The article also quotes SFOR Spokesperson Dave Sullivan as saying that ‘a loop around Radovan Karadzic’s neck is getting tighter and the circle of his movement is getting smaller’. |
| Trial of Jelavic before Sarajevo Cantonal Court | Herceg Bosna Radio, Oslopbodjenje pg. 7, mentioned on the front page ‘What was Jelavic actually arrested for?’, Ante Jelavic’s lawyer appeared at the hearing in place of him’, Vecernji List front and page 2 “Jelavic not allowed to respond to court summons”, by Zoran Kresic, Slobodna Dalmacija page 6 “Silence of BiH officials” – Ante Jelavic did not appear before Cantonal Court in Sarajevo. Investigation Trial against Ante Jelavic, former HDZ President was held on Tuesday before Cantonal Court in Sarajevo. Josip Muselimovic, Jelavic’s Lawyer stated that it has been interesting that Jelavic is charged with the same criminal act at both Cantonal and BiH Court. He stated that the Court had confirmed today that Jelavic had received subpoena at his address in Mostar, which means that it had been unnecessary to arrest him by force. Jelavic did not appear at the Court today. |
| Milakovic pleaded guilty | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘Milorad Milakovic pleaded guilty for trafficking in people’ – Before the BiH Court Judge, Myron Grinberg, Milorad Milakovic yesterday pleaded guilty for the organised crime and trafficking in people. He signed the agreement on guilt. |
| RS police investigation into Brod Oil Refinery operations | Nezavisne Novione, pg. 9, ‘Crime police completed investigation at Refinery’ – Ilija Drpa, General Manager of Serb Brod Oil Refinery, confirmed yesterday that the Crime Police of Republika Srpska Interior Ministry has completed its investigation into business dealings of Refinery. The police focused investigation on contracts Refinery signed over the past three years. Police also confirmed investigation completed, without brining details of it. |
| Islamic terrorist ready to assassinate BiH politicians | Vecernji List (front page splash “Islamic terrorist threaten with assassinations” and page 3 “Islamic terrorists plan assassinations of politicians in BiH”, by Robert Bubalo) and Dnevni List (front page splash and page 9 “Secret police follows terrorists in Federation”, by NINA) – carry similar reports which say that an Iranian terrorist Sajad Zahidi AKA Amar, allegedly the leader of “Department for export of Islamic revolution and carrying out of assassinations in Europe and America”, has expressed readiness to execute political leaders of the Croat, Bosniak and Serb people should it be necessary. Apparently, this is stated in a report prepared by the Intelligence Service of FBiH (FOSS), which was exclusively aired by the “Alternativna televizija” on Monday night. According to VL, the document entitled “Foreign nationals who work with Iranian service in BiH” was prepared three months ago also reveals that the center of Zahidi’s Department for Europe is based in Zagreb, whilst the seat for the Balkans in situated in Sarajevo. According to DL, the FOSS agents describe Zahidi as “vindictive, does not believe in Islam and revolution, does not pray or go to mosque, he is cold-blooded and kills for slightest suspicion”. |
Economic/social issues | |
| FBiH HoR passes 2004 Budget
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 7 ‘Draft 2004 Budget adopted’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 9, Vecernji List page 2 “Draft Federation budget adopted”, by eme,Dnevni List page 4 “Financing of foreign debt restricts Federation budget”, by Miso Relota,ONASA – The BiH Federation House of Representatives accepted on Tuesday the 2004 Draft Budget, proposed by the Government at 1.185 billion KM. The draft budget has been harmonized with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and is 32 million KM down from the last year’s budget. Majority of funds from the budget will be allocated for wages and compensations of budget users (about 335 million KM), disability fees (275 million KM), Federation Army (241 million KM), of which 45 million will be spent for redundancy and sheltering of 5,516 soldiers who will be dismissed from the service in next period. A considerable burden to the 2004 budget is financing of the foreign debt, totaling 166.6 million KM. The House of Representatives also adopted the Draft Law on budget execution. Delegates also discussed draft law on changes to law on bankruptcy, while voting has been postponed. The session was interrupted in the afternoon hours and the date of continuation will be set later. |
| Covic on Mostar Investment Conference | Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 5 ‘Representatives of 43 countries are coming to Mostar’, Blic p 12 ‘Investors are coming’ – Dragan Covic, Chairman of BH Presidency and President of Organisational Board of the International Investment Conference stated that the interest in the Mostar Conference exceeded their expectation. He stated that it has attracted bigger attention of international publicity than expected. He stated that preparation goes in accordance with a plan. Presidents of Croatia, Serbia and Monte Negro, Macedonia, then Prime Ministers of Bulgaria, Rumania and Croatia has already confirmed their participation. Covic stated that 2 or 3 agreements on economic dimension would be signed with each country, like agreements on avoiding double taxation, Agreements on support to investments and Free Market. Dnevni List (page 5, “Signing of bilateral agreements with countries from region planned”, by R. Radic), Slobodna Dalmacija (front and page 14, “500 foreign investors arrive to Mostar”, by M. Landeka, and last page, “43 countries at Conference”, by D. Pasic), Vecernji List (page 4, “Over 500 participants reported their coming”, by E. Medunjanin) also deal with this issue. |
| DA: Prices of cigarettes, fuel to increase? | Dnevni Avaz front page, pg. 2 ‘Prices of cigarettes, fuel to increase?’ – The program of measures to build up control and collection of FBiH Budget revenues, set by the Federation Government, is a basis of plan to increase these revenues for 300 million KM. These measures might include increase of prices of tobacco products and oil derivatives, speculates the newspaper. |
| FBiH Government to decide on how the RTV tax will be collected | BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Brankovic prepares two variants of bill’, Dnevni List page 3, “Final decision on Government tomorrow”, by Nina – During Tuesday’s meeting of FBiH Government officials and representatives of BiH Telecom and PBS, both interested sides have repeated their opinions. Director of BiH PBS, Drago Maric said that only acceptable solution for them is that RTV subscription is paid along with phone bills. Director of BiH Telecom said that their opinion is that RTV subscription should be paid within Telecom but on separate bills, but that they will respect any decision of the Government, as their owners. FBiH Minister of Transport and Communications, Nedzad Brankovic said that the Government is aware that this issue is one of sixteen given by EC. “It is obvious that the Government must bring the final decision and we have concluded that I will, with necessary explanations, at the next Government session present design of the bill (meaning two different options)”- said Nedzad Brankovic, FBiH Minister of Transport and Communications. Even though they were invited to this meeting, OHR representatives didn’t come but their position on this is clear. |
| Update to strike at “Cajavec” | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 8, ‘The staff slept at carton boxes’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Ramp for directors’ – Both dailies rpeort on a hunger strike of personnel of “Cajavec PMP” enterprise from Banjaluka. NN also report that the Republika Srpska Government yesterday evening removed the management of Cajavec, including Jovo Davidovioc, General Manager, and Steering Board of the firm. |
| BiH ITA got premises | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6, ‘BiH ITA got premises’ – According to press release issued by the Republika Srpska Government Bureau for Public Affairs, the Republika Srpska Government yesterday allocated the premises of Banjaluka Customs Office seated in the street of Nikola Tesla to BiH Indirect Taxation Administration. The premises were allocated for a temporary use. |
Political developments | |
| Oslobodjenje: SDA to give up on FBiH Government replacement?
| Oslobodjenje front page ‘SDA to give up on FBiH Government replacement?’ By Azhar Kalamujic – Since both the Party for BiH and HDZ are either rejecting or conditioning their support to the initiative for the FBiH Government restructuring, the SDA might decide to give up on its proposal for replacement of the Government, the newspaper learns from the SDA circles. The decision on freezing the initiative for Government’s removal is to be made at the next session of the SDA Presidency. |
| Mostar issue | Dnevni List (page 7, “Implementation of decision on Mostar is on schedule”, by M. Relota) carries that OHR spokesperson Mario Brkic stated that progress in the implementation of the High Representative’s Decision for Mostar is on schedule. Brkic added: “We expect that this will continue as it has done until now, with the participation of all key sectors of Mostar society and without any delays.” DL also says that Brkic announced a visit that a HR’s Special Envoy for Mostar and Senior Deputy High Representative Werner Wnendt will pay to Mostar today. According to Brkic, on this occasion Wnendt will continue talks with political parties, people from public life and representatives of civic groups in order to involve all levels of the society in the implementation of a new Mostar Statute. On the same issue DL (page 16, “By abolishment of Mostar Municipalities CIPS documents remain the same”, by M. Musa) carries that the CIPS’ Office in Mostar received an official letter from the Ministry of Civil Affairs and central CIPS office about the changes in issuing of personal documents for citizens of Mostar after March 15 when Mostar Municipalities will be completely shut down, as well as, the decision on documents that have been already issued. The official letter says that the documents that have been issued so far will be valid until a date that is written on the identity card and they will not have to be changed again. DL says that only after March 15, CIPS will start to issue the documents in which will be written Mostar as a Municipality of residence. Slobodna Dalmacija (page 6, “CIPS in Mostar in current way by March 15”, by Fena) also covered this issue. |
Defence | |
| On SFOR Commander’s decision to absolve of duty 6 Croat officers
| Vecernji List (front and page 2, “SFOR first approved and then dismissed 6 HVO officers”, by Z. Kresic) carries that SFOR’s Commander in BiH General Virgill Packett will talk today with Chairman of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic about the order to absolve of duty 6 Croat officers because of their relations with the Croat self-rule (see Weekend Cropress summary, Feb. 8/9, 2004). VL says that 3 months ago SFOR practically approved the return to military service to some Croat officers from a group of ‘self-rulers’ and then SFOR denied itself last week. According to the article, what is really scandalous is the demand for dismissal of Colonel Zeljko Ljubanic since the Chief Inspectorate for the FBiH and RS Army led by SFOR’s officer Maturino gave consent for his return to the military service 3 months ago. The author also says that it is indicative that all 6 Croat officers come from the area of the Central Bosnia while none soldier or officer from the area of Herzegovina, who reported himself on time, was not forbidden to return to the military service. |
| Terzic expect to receive name of the candidate for defence minister today | Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Terzic: I expect name of the candidate for state defence minister today’ – In a statement for the newspaper, BiH Council of Ministers Chairman Adnan Terzic said he had still not received name of the candidate for the state defence minister although a deadline set by NATO expires in four days. He however added he expected to receive the name today. The name then goes to OHR for checking, which usually lasts some ten days, so that Terzic will be able to officially appoint the candidate only at the end of this month. |
| British MPs visit BiH, talk about military reforms | Vecernji List (page 3, by Fena) reports that British MPs visited Sarajevo yesterday and that on this occasion the Chairman of the Committee for Defense and Security of the British Parliament, Bruce George, stated: “I hope that BiH will be invited to join Partnership for Peace in Istanbul in June, however, it will only happen if BiH meets necessary conditions that include establishment of the Ministry of Defense at the state level and appointment of the BiH Defense Minister.” Dnevni List (page 8, “BiH must prove it wants to join Partnership for Peace”, by R. Radic), Sarajevo media also covered this visit. |
Other issues | |
| SFOR postponed- re-location of bridges | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Bridges remain’ – SFOR has postponed re-location of two bridges over the river of Sapna near Zvornik, which was scheduled for 14 February. SFOR claims its soldiers placed the bridges back in 1996 and 1997, which gives them right to re-locate the bridges. |
| CV’s of two Banjaluka judges being re-examined | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘CV’s of two Banjaluka judges re-examined’ – Sanela Tunovic, Spokesperson of High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, yesterday confirmed that the BiH HJPC is re-examining CV’s of former Judges of Banjaluka Basic Court, Daniela Milovanovic and Gordana Loncar, who have been recently appointed to new judicial positions as Judges at Banjaluka Basic and Prosecutor at Banjaluka District Prosecutor’s Office respectively. The source close to judicial circles claim that regarding Milovanovic, the biography is re-examined over disputable court verdict passed against Marko Trbojevic, the son of Milan Trbojevic (former Republika Srpska minister of justice) and her role during the investigation into the death of Zoran Kukolj, customs officer. |