OHR BiH Media Round-up, 1/12/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

BiH CoM’s session today

SBS murder case in Trebinje

Bandic feels no guilt for murder

FBiH Government’s session today

US on Mladic

Conf. link btw. BG and SA Courts

Day of Struggle against AIDS

World AIDS Day

Pristina shooting

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Slovakian President visits BiH

Cengic’s acquittal verdict confirmed

BiH diplomats must report to MoFA

Detention for Sarovic and others

Stankovic’s indictment adjusted

BiH de-miners left forIraq

Sadovic on trust for Government

Smith on ICTY fugitives

New kidnapping in Iraq

Bukejlovic accused PDP

Globus on Karadzic and Mladic

Sarovic, Bjelica, Govedarica testified

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Detention for Sarovic and others

Cengic’s acquittal verdict confirmed

Detention for Sarovic and others

Cengic’s acquittal verdict confirmed

Sarovic, Bjelica, Govedarica testified

Cengic acquitted of indictment

Detention for Andrun

Limaj, Musliju acquitted by ICTY

SBS employee indicted for murder

Covic’s case, update

New crisis of RS Government?

RS Government without majority

Oslobodjenje

RS is given property rights on BiH property

Dnevni Avaz

Pensions would be late because of VAT

Dnevni List

Vrankic and Cenic are suppressing BiH free media

Vecernji List

Bandic: Rajic was also killing Croats

Slobodna Dalmacija

Lozancic new HDZ President?

Nezavisne Novine

They gave the money to Hague fugitives

Glas Srpske

Rattel is demanding detention

EuroBlic

Partisan’ holiday, chetnik’ coat-of-arms (Prijedor municipal session)

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related topics

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

CoM in session

RHB – The BiH CoM’s session takes place today. Among the other things, they would discuss a proposal of the decision on organization of the Direction for Implementation of the Police Restructuring.

Belgrade , Sarajevo war crime courts established video link

RTRS, BH Radio 1 – The Belgrade-based District Court’s Special War Crimes Chamber and the BiH Court today for the first time established a videoconference link between courtrooms in Belgrade and Sarajevo. The link is to allow giving of the testimonies by witnesses, interested parties not able to attend main hearings. Head of the BiH Prosecution’s Special Department for War Crimes Vaso Marinkovic said at a press conference following establishment of the video link with Belgrade that new war crime indictments could be expected soon.

EC’s Frattini on liberalization of visa-regime

RHB– Deputy President of the EC Franco Frattini stated that the Western Balkans countries could not expect liberalization of the visa-regime until they reach an advanced phase of the negotiations on full membership in the EU.

Judicial proceedings

Rattel interrogates Sarovic, Govedarica, Bjelica; BiH Court to decide on detention today

RTRS by Branka Kusmuk – BiH International Prosecutor Jonathan Rattel on Wednesday interrogated Mirko Sarovic, Milorad Govedarica and Milovan Bjelica, after which he submitted the request to the BiH Court to order one month detention for all three suspects. The BiH Court is expected to make decision on Thursday. The Press Office of the BiH Court’s Registry stated that indictees would also be heard before the pre-trial judge, who will then decide on detention. Sarovic’s Defence Attorney Dragisa Jokic stated that interrogation was only a formal procedure, adding that he and other attorneys never received an arrest order. This was also confirmed by Bjelica’s attorney Alija Galijatovic who added that they weren’t informed either about the indictment. Spokesperson of BiH Court Edita Pejovic did not want to comment on the charges, stressing the public would be informed after the BiH Court reviews the Prosecutor’s proposal. BHT1 – Three men were arrested for involvement in millions-worth embezzlements in Privredna Banka East Sarajevo. Namely, the bank allegedly provided illegal loans for companies close to SDS. BiH Prosecution will go through the financial transactions of SDS within the investigation process. SDS still did not comment on the case, and the party’s Presidency will discuss the issue at the next session. Hayat,RHB, FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Detention proposed for those apprehended’, announced on cover ‘Prosecutor Rattel proposes detention for Sarovic, Bjelica and Govedarica’ by A.Sisic, Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Rattel is demanding detention’ by Z.Domazet– also reported.  

Cavic on Sarovic, Govedaric arrests: Culmination of pressures against SDS

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Ratel demands for detention’ inset ‘Political spectacle’ by S. S. – RS President and SDS President Dragan Cavic stated on Wednesday on Jahorina that the manner in which Mirko Sarovic and Milorad Govedarica were arrested presents a sort of a display show and completely unnecessary political spectacle. He expressed his fear this case has a purely political character and that this is actually a culmination of pressures on SDS.

VN alleges Robinson offered a deal to Sarovic, without speculating for what reason

Vecernje Novosti pg 14 ‘Sarovic fell down on a promise’ by D.Stojakovic – Daily alleges that Toby Robinson ten days ago promised to Mirko Sarovic in a phone conversation she would make sure decision banning him political activities is suspended, without giving the reason why. Inset I speculates why Dragan Kalinic was not detained either since denunciation on PB ES has been filed against him as well. Inset II notes that surprisingly, SDS did not react but instead held reserved stance regarding arrests of former SDS officials unlike previous times.

Hasan Cengic’s acquittal upheld

RTRS, FTV, PINK, Hayat, BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Acquittal of Hasan Cengic confirmed’, Dnevni Avaz pg 13, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Acquittal versus Hasan Cengic in effect’ by A.D.  – Appellation Council of BiH Court upheld ruling according to which Hasan Cengic was acquitted of charges for office misuse while performing the duty of the Deputy FBiH Defence Ministry in 1996.

VL on Cengic and Maktouf’s cases: Acquitting sentences to Bosniaks only

Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Court ‘justice’ for chosen ones only’ not signed comments on the acquitting sentence pronounced to Hasan Cengic and abolishment of the verdict to war crime indictee Abdulahim Maktouf and VL says that these two verdicts raised doubts in impartiality of the BiH Court among the Serb and Croat part of the BiH public since it is obvious that most of acquitting sentences, that have been pronounced so far, referred on Bosniaks.

Political issues

Bukejlovic without intention to resign, says PDP plays political game after loosing some CEO appointments

RTRS By Biljana Knezevic– After announcing its move to the opposition, PDP has implemented this at the Tuesday’s session of the RS National Assembly when the party denied support to all reports submitted to the RS Government submitted. RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic stated that he will not put his mandate on disposal and that he not even considering the possibility of resignation, even though – as reporter commented – it became clear that RS Government has lost majority in RSNA. Bukejlovic wasn’t surprised by sudden change of course, adding that it is clear that all of this is a political game, originating from the personnel appointments where PDP lost few directors’ position. “Such PDP’s decision came out as the result of appointment of Visegrad hydroelectric and Kotor Varos Wood Company Directors”, says Bukejlovic. Reporter comments that Bukejlovic and SDS officials are no longer hiding the fact that partnership with PDP was based on reciprocity, whereas the support was given in exchange for positions. “I don’t know why this Government should resign. If political games are an issue, then politicians should replace this Government,” added the PM. PDP representatives in RSNA have rejected everything that RS Government submitted, even the report from 2004, which according to SDS was made by their official Dragan Mikerevic. “We are a Party which has nine representatives and which decided to perform and act in opposition in RSNA,” said Veselin Poljasevic, from PDP. Reporter commented that RS Government could transfer to technical mandate, adding however that PDP officials do not even consider resignations to the directorial positions while Bukejlovic announced that he will consider the possible retribution. RTRS concludes he could start with his own Cabinet, as two key persons in it are from PDP.

Hayat, BHT1, RHB, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Bukejlovic: Let MP’s remove us’ by V.Popovic, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ’15 MP’s signed’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘I will not tender resignation’ by D.Mo.– also carried Bukejlovic.

PDP’s Borenovic: SDS invitation for PDP to leave CoM posts is nonsense

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Chairs brought quarrel to them?’ by Z. Markovic – PDP Presidency member Branislav Borenovic assessed as a nonsense the invitation of SDS Presidency to Mladen Ivanic, Branko Dokic, Slobodan Nagradic and Zoran Tesanovic to resign from their posts at CoM, while PDP delegate Nevenka Trifkovic stated PDP did not support the Government reports because these were not developed in a quality manner. With regard to resignations of PDP members from posts at joint and public institutions, Trifkovic said PDP would not be fulfilling anyone’s expectations and noted everyone must do their jobs.

RTRS: opposition doubts PDP sincerity; SPRS: option to establish provisional Govt; Sadovic: It is illogical PM rejects to address issue; RS PoWs: crisis deliberately provoked; Davidovic: Crisis will have no influence on SAA talks

RTRS by Biljana Knezevic – RTRS reporter comments that the RS opposition parties doubt the sincerity of the PDP. “Political games from PDP have some trade related goal here, but we’ll see…We have their firm promise that they will support the replacement of the Government,” said Drago Kalabic of DNS. “SNSD will not stand in the line behind DNS, being that they are a marginal party, but we will assess – after reviewing all elements of potential crisis – how to position the party towards [PDP] and what will be the stance of SNSD,” commented Krstan Simic, from SNSD. RTRS – President of RS Socialist Party Petar Djokic said that at the moment RS Government doesn’t have majority in RSNA and it should put its mandate and legitimacy to trial. Djokic added that if current Government would be revoked, the only option would be to establish provisional government, which would be proposed and supported by current opposition. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Bukejlovic: Let MP’s remove us’ by V.Popovic, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ’15 MP’s signed’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – Milanko Mihajlica, Presidnet of RS SRS, is of the view that the most realistic option is if Government continues to work in technical mandate, since its dismissal would deepen the authority crisis in RS. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Artificial conflict’ by G.K. – RS Association of former detention camp inmates assessed that the current crisis at RS Government was deliberately provoked in order to implement constitutional changes agreed upon in Washington in an easier way. RHB, Hayat –  “It would be logical for the Government to raise the issue of confidence [in it] at the RSNA [session], in line with the Constitution. It find it illogical for the RS PM neither to resign nor to initiate the issue…someone has to do it”, Head of SDA Caucus at the RS NA Tarik Sadovic. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘No influence on start of negotiations’ – Igor Davidovic, the chief BiH negotiator in SAA talks, comments that the crisis in the RS authorities should not bear consequences to the beginning of the SAA talks with EU. He adds that for this reason of political instability in BiH he had insisted for the negotiating team to be established without political involvement, thus situations like this would not influence the talks.

Analyst: Who would be brave enough to take over power in RS with elections and difficult year ahead?

RTRS late news edition – In an interview to RTRS, Srdjan Puhalo, analyst with the Partner agency from Banja Luka commented on current political situation stressing that dissatisfaction with partnership between SDS and PDP is something that lasted for a longer time. Commenting PDP, Puhalo stated that it remains to be seen if they will act as true opposition, adding that he believes that they made this move to restore trust of RS citizens. Regarding the announcement for revoking the confidence in the RS Government, Puhalo said that the real question here is who would be brave enough to take over the power, as the elections are next year and keeping in mind that the next year would be extremely difficult due to VAT introduction and implementation of the remaining reforms. 

VL op-ed on PDP’s becoming opposition in RS

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Ruling powerlessness in RS’ by B. Stevandic comments that the final result of the crisis in the RS will depend to a large extent on consistency of PDP President Mladen Ivanic, while PDP is already ready for the opposition acting and they send a message that they would act as the opposition at the RS level only. The author concludes: ‘Due to such stand suspicion, that this is only about a pre-election trick or the current fight of the coalition partners over positions, is justified.’

RS Government waits for approval to appoint Snjezana Bozic

Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Snjezana Bozic to be appointed RS education minister’ by D.R. – Pero Bukejlovic, RS PM, Wednesday stated he holds reliable information OHR will give green light for the appointment of Snjezana Bozic to the position of RS Education Minister. He stressed that the will most likely get OHR response today (Thursday), noting that Bozic may be appointed to the position the same day. RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Snjezana Bozic to be appointed new RS Education Minister?’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘RS Government waits for approval to appoint Snjezana Bozic’ – also reports.

VL source close to SDS leadership: Cavic to remove Cenic

Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Cavic minds Minister Cenic’ by Z. Kresic, B. Stevandic – A source close to the SDS leadership revealed that SDS President Dragan Cavic is trying to eliminate the current RS Minister of Finances Svetlana Cenic within the campaign of purging SDS after new re-election for the SDS President. The source added: ‘It is well known that Cenic has strong, very often hard-lined stands of the Serb side in negotiations and this is the reason because of which Cavic minds Cenic.’

Ashdown closes down Mostar Implementation unit, local officials to take over: HR warns obstruction in move of 5 FBiH Ministries to Mostar will not be tolerated

FTVIvan Pavkovic – Mostar Implementation Unit has been officially closed down on Wednesday. The MIU has been established by OHR in order to coordinate the process of unification of Mostar. In the ceremony marking the closing of MIU, HR Paddy Ashdown handed over all remaining tasks of MIU to the Mostar authorities. Ashdown emphasized that the politicians in BiH must take over responsibility for implementing the reforms that are necessary to complete the unification of Mostar, adding that the remaining reforms must be resolved through by local politicians reaching a compromise. PINK – “Single City Council, single budget, single state service, unified Public Attorney, unified welfare system, unified fire, civil protection, airport, old peoples’ homes, retired associations”, said the HR. On the matters still needing to be solved, HR said: “The question of [Hercgovacka] TV, the question of the cultural sector, the question of street names…these still have to be resolved, there is a small number of issues, but these are important issues, but I think 80 to 90 percentage of th work has done.” RHB– “We are not closing down our interest in unification of Mostar. That work is not being finished it is being handed over to OHR South Office- I will be engaged and OHR will still be engaged,” said HR. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ashdown: Responsibility in hands of BiH politicians’, mentioned on cover ‘Ashdown did not name obstructionists’ by F.V. – DA says that Ashdown accused the obstructionists for the failures in Mostar unification process, however he did not name them. PINK, Dnevni List pg 10 ‘FBiH Ministries must move to Mostar in full capacity’ not signed – During his visit to Mostar, where he met with FBiH Minister of Trade and Tourism Maid Ljubovic, the Representative Paddy Ashdown said that he would not tolerate any obstructions in terms of transfer of FBiH Ministries from Sarajevo to Mostar. BHT 1 – “I’m delighted to hear that FBIH PM Ahmet Hadzipasic believes that this process is going to be completed by the end of this year”, said Ashdown.

Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Hadzipasic promising to complete the process by New Year’, Nezavisne Novine pg 8, announced on cover ‘Unification of town is obligation of local politicians’ by J.Blazevic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Cannot be done over night’, EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Ashdown: Bring unification of Mostar to an end’ by S.V., Dnevni List pg 10 ‘Unification of Mostar in hands of politicians’, mentioned on cover ‘Politicians take over responsibility for unification’ by S. Bjelica, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Ashdown: Unification of city is task of authority’ by M. Landeka, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Europe will open door to BiH’  – also reported. 

SDA dissatisfied with implementation of Mostar Statue/ HR’s decision; HDZ thankful to HR for imposing Statue; Radom za Boljitak claims Mostar still disunited

Hayat by Asim Beslija – Hayat features a report on the situation in Mostar, especially in regard to the unification process. Head of the OHR’s Mostar Implementation Unit Richard Williams was in charge of the Status implementation for the past two years. Williams said process of restructuring Mostar administration was completed with a success, even though there were some details still to be worked on. “We have no perfect ethnical balance as yet, but we still have 50 more vacancies to be fulfilled by through the public vacancy announcements. Once we get this over with, we will be close to the ethnical balance and for the first time Serbs will be allowed to return to the administration”, said Williams. Mostar Mayor Ljubo Beslic says that administration is now finally unified. “This means that bills for the public utilities services are identical, social welfare is organized in the identical way, criteria is the same, no matter in which part of Mostar you live”, said Beslic. SDA, one of two the most powerful political parties is unsatisfied with the implementation of both Mostar Statue and the HR’s decisions. SDA finds that split cultural institutions, unsolved status of the Hercegovacka TV, disputable street names, etc., are some of the most important issues not yet solved. HDZ is thankful to the HR for imposing the Statue which made two sides to dependent upon each other. HDZ claims that the division has been overcome. ‘Working to Prosperity’ party is also thankful to the HR for making two parties, HDZ and SDA, to now unite the city. Radom za Boljitak states that no progress whatsoever has been achieved and that the City of Mostar does not exist, in administrative sense. Hayat reporter concludes that, nevertheless these claims, the situation in Mostar has been improving.

Bishop Peric’s open letter to HR on HR’s political mistakes

RHB, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Bishop Peric accused Ashdown’ by J.B., Dnevni List pg 6, mentioned on cover ‘Ashdown made political mistakes’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Ashdown made anomaly out of Mostar’, mentioned on cover ‘You also used to threaten us’ by I. Brkic-Cubela, Z. Kresic – Bishop of Mostar and Duvno, Monsignor Ratko Peric has sent an open letter to High Representative Paddy Ashdown, in which he summarised the HR’s mandate in BiH, especially when it comes to the smallest, constituent people, where Peric was astonished by the fact that entities weren’t abolished during HR’s mandate, adding that HR has even threaten to do that, Peric stressed that prolonging of BiH agony proves that this dividing was part of activities of internationally unified injustice.  Peric stressed that through absurdity of two entities they are now trying to establish a new absurd, a Bosnian identity. Peric said that he is surprised that the HR was able to observe political anomaly in BiH, being that Croats on all sides, are in minority and therefore outvoted in all issues, adding that the HR was expected to help the third people as well, and not to systematically ignore and penalize them. Peric also said that nothing was done on returning of people, while everything was done so that Croats wouldn’t get channel on their own language. Peric mentions “Hercegovacka Banka”, stressing that this issue wasn’t solved, even though the IC showed all police and political aggressiveness. Peric also emphasised that he is surprised by the fact that many of Croat, democratically elected, officials were replaced in these ten years of Dayton colonialist obstinacy.

Slovakian President in first visit to BiH

BHT1 Damir Simic – Slovakian President Ivan Gasparovic arrived in Sarajevo to his two-day state visit to BiH. Gasparovic met with BiH Presidency members and Chair of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic. They discussed the Slovakian experiences in process of association with the EU and business cooperation between Slovakia and BiH. A group of Slovakian businessmen also arrived to BiH to meet with BiH businessmen. Chair of BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic stated that Slovakian experiences in process of association with the EU could be very useful for BiH. Gasparovic stated that Slovakian’s priority is to intensify the cooperation with Western Balkans. PINK – “While discussing benefits Slovakia received as it became the EU state member, I have concluded that a year and half after no prosperity has yet been brought, but we have entered an environment which enabled our forces, economic, cultural, social to develop”, said Gasparovic. He added that constitutional reforms BiH had to carry out on its way to the EU is an internal matter of BiH but stressed that he believed that new BiH constitutional organization would have a great impact on other states of former Yugoslavian. RHB, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Countries entering EU are becoming stronger both politically and economically’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘EU noticed progress achieved in BiH’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘BiH needs to implement reforms for the sake of citizens’, announced on cover ‘Reforms needed for the sake of citizens’ by M.Cubro, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Reforms are guarantee for joining EU and NATO’ by M. Zorlak, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘BiH will learn from Slovakia’ by eme, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Support on way to Europe’ by F, H – also reported.

New diplomatic scandal at BiH Foreign Ministry

BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Baruncic, Turkovic to report to Ivanic’ – BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Ambassadors in China and USA to report to Ministry because of violation of foreign policy. BiH Ambassador in China Pero Baruncic was invited to Sarajevo for consultations with Ministry because of his statement made at conference on Kosovo that was held in Beijing. According to Ministry’s report to BiH Presidency, Baruncic has violated the diplomacy codex in his address to the SiCG Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Draskovic. DA learns that Baruncic apparently presented his stances on independence of Kosovo which were characterized as “individual stances.” BiH Ambassador in the USA Bisera Turkovic has been asked to submit report on her lecture at “George Washington” University, where she told students that “BiH had existed for thousands of years, and it will exist in the future – BiH where people are going to feel like Bosnians and Herzegovinians, and not just like Croats, Serbs or Bosniaks”. BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic stated that the incidents of BiH diplomats are only professional mistakes, and there is no “ethnic colour” in this issue.

BD Supervisor, Mayor not to discuss police chief’s resignation; Law on police amended

RTRS, Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Resignation of police chief on hold’ by N. T., Glas srpske pg 3 ‘Milicevic remains the chief’ by M. Dj., Vecernje Novosti pg 18 ‘Police chief stays’ by M. D.– Following the consultations with the EUPM and OHR, supervisor for Brcko District Susan Johnson and Major Mirsad Djapo decided not to discuss the demand on removal submitted by BD Chief of Police Milenko Milicevic. Instead, Supervisor issued order on amendments to Law on Police, which were recently rejected by majority of representatives in BD Assembly.

SD: ‘Lozancic new HDZ President?’

Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pg 21 ‘Lozancic new HDZ President?’ by Z. Tulic carries that one of the participants of the meeting between HDZ and European People’s Party revealed that after their meetings in Sarajevo and Brussels HDZ President Dragan Covic realized that he has to leave the current position and he is trying to secure to get ‘his man’ at this position. According to the source Niko Lozancic might be that person. SD says that those who are better familiar with the HDZ Statute know that Lozancic cannot be elected without a new HDZ Convention, and the new Convention is exactly what the group gathered around Covic does not want since they are aware that none of them could get a necessary majority.  

International officials: ‘It is high time to adopt Law on Higher Education’

Dnevni List pg 6 ‘It is high time to adopt Law on Higher Education’ by NINA carries that British Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft, Head of the World Bank’s Office in BiH Dirk Reinermann, Council of Europe Special Envoy Tim Cartwright, SDHR Martin Ney, Head of the OSCE Mission Douglas Davidson and Head of the EC delegation in BiH Michael Humphreys expressed their satisfaction over the fact that they participated at the first meeting of the working group in charge of the law on higher education. They stated that it is high time to adopt this law. Hayat – In an interview to Hayat, the UK Ambassador Rycroft says that if BiH fails to pass the law by the end of this year it will loose a loan in amount of 34 millions $. “It seems as if higher education experts and deans of universities made certain preparations… to make draft of law on higher education by December 9^th. It is very important for three reasons; the first reason is economic…; the second reason is that this is BiH’s international obligation”, said Rycroft.

Bicakcic/Tuka on HR’s decision to rehabilitate some politicians

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Pardoned ones at secret list’ by Z. Tulic carries a reaction of Edhem Bicakcic to the High Representative Paddy Ashdown’s decision on rehabilitation of some politicians and Bicakcic says that he does not want any mercy from the OHR and says that on the ground of the HR’s decision he was deprived of basic human rights. Mijat Tuka, a removed FBiH Minister for Refugees says that the OHR has always been removing non-selectively and without any criterion. He added that he would be only partly satisfied if the OHR representatives publicly deny what they said during his removal. 

War crimes

Globus: Karadzic, Mladic to be secretly transferred to BiH, than extradited to ICTY

RHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘A secret apprehension of Karadzic, Mladic is being prepared’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Last warning (ultimatum) to Karadzic, Mladic’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Secret extradition of Karadzic and Mladic’ by N.N. – European intelligence services have received reliable information on official Belgrade preparing secret apprehension of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, reported Zagreb based magazine ‘Globus’. The article also reads that Karadzic and Mladic are going to be secretly transferred to BiH where they should officially be arrested and extradited to the ICTY. Globus pg 32-34 ‘Serbs extradite Karadzic and Mladic’ by M. Cigoj – original article.

Admiral Smith denies Holbrooke: I was banned from searching for Karadzic

RHB, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Smith: We were not allowed to search for war criminals’ – Former NATO Commander in BiH, admiral Layton Smith stated that at the time of performing this duty he was banned from searching for the ICTY fugitives at large. In an interview to Vecernje novosti, Smith rejected the accusations by the US diplomat Richard Holbrooke who said he rejected to pursue Karadzic. Smith said that he was facing both, pressure to pursue fugitives on one hand, and on the other, he was said not to use his forces in apprehension.

War crimes suspects Andrun kept in one month detention

BHT 1, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Andrun in one-month custody’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Detention given to former warden of “Gabela” camp’ by D.Mu.  – BiH Court brought decision to put in one-month detention the person that has been arrested in Capljina on Wednesday. The person is suspected of committing war crimes in Gabela. According to unofficial sources, the arrested person is Nikola Andrun, former guard at “Gabela” camp, where many Bosniak prisoners were tortured and killed during the war.

NN publishes document Mandic gave to OHR proving Hague fugitives have been “provided” back in 1997

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘They gave the money to Hague fugitives’, pg 3 ‘Money withdrawn after intrusion into SRJ circulation was given to Hague fugitives’ by P.Klincov – According to document Momcilo Mandic handed to OHR as evidence that the Hague fugitives have “provided themselves” back in 1997, the amount of DM 113 million out of DM 230 million (which RS Government in 1997 withdrew after intrusion into the-then SRJ circulation) was used to cover expenses of war crime fugitives. Decisions on allocation of resources were to be signed by the-then RS Premier, Gojko Klickovic, exclusively, not RS Government.

Former SIS investigator denies I. Rajic’s claims

Vecernji List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Bandic: Rajic was also killing Croats’ by jre carries parts of an article published in Croatian weekly ‘Globus’ in which Ivan Bandic (he is a former investigator of the Croat Secret Service (SIS) and HVO) brings details of the war crime committed in Stupni Dol and among the other things he says: ‘It is undisputable that BiH Army units were in Stupni Dol, however, Ivica Rajic who was in charge of the attack certainly knows who needed such attack and as to why the war crime was committed there.’ Bandic claims that Rajic is also responsible killing of a few Croats who were supporting the alliance with Bosniaks. Globus pg 36-40 ‘Secret agent Bandic: Crucial witness against Rajic’ by G. Malic  – original article.

Statistics, economy and property issues

UK, UNDP help to improve statistical researches by increasing sample size; Population census in 2010

FTV – British Ambassador Mathew Rycroft and UNDP Resident Representative Jens Toyberg-Frandzen signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Director of BiH Statistics Agency Zdenko Milinovic, and his FBiH and RS counterparts, Dervis Durdevic and Slavko Sobota respectively. The memorandum is to start an initiative for improvements in the sample for statistical research in BiH by 2009 by increasing its size to 80.000 households. British Government will invest 316.000 KM in this project, to be implemented by UNDP. RTRS by Dragana Knezevic– RTRS relates this issue to the population census in BiH, stating it will most probably be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The last census was conducted fourteen years ago. “Since then, demography of BiH has changed significantly and because of that, the census from 1991 can’t be used as reliable sample frame,” commented Rycroft. Milinovic confirmed the Agency is carrying out preparations for consensus, adding that considering all technicalities and political will such project would not be carries out before 2010 or 2011. BHT 1, Hayat – also reported of memorandum signing ceremony. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Population census in 2010’ by Srna – Frandzen also stated that census will be carries out in 2010.

RS Govt presents economic policy for 2006; Hayat wonders who’ll adopt it

RTRS by Sinisa Mihailovic – RS Government has presented draft RS economic policy for 2006. During the first public debate in Banja Luka, a number of suggestions, proposals and mistakes of the document were noted. Macro-plan of economic policy is marked by growth of GDP, controlled inflation up to 6%, increase of budget spending up to 5% and attracting foreign investors. Damir Miljevic from RS Employers’ Association consider this to be insufficient, being that the plan doesn’t include raising employment rate and subventions. He added that inflation has been underestimated, claiming it will not be below 10%. RS Trade Union President Ranka Misic said that document doesn’t offer any solutions. RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic said that there is nothing to worry about being that the large increases in the price of oil and the impact of this which caused inflation of 3% has passed. Mladen Micic from RS Chamber of Economy stated that not enough attention was dedicated to agriculture, wood industry, development of the business environment and export. Bukejlovic answered that all these suggestions and remarks will be included into document, adding that VAT will be fully under control, and added the authorities will solve the issue of additional VAT rates as they go through the process. Hayat– Hayat comments that as of Tuesday evening, the Government has no majority in Assembly, wondering who will now accept the budget projects and economic policy for 2006. “We are going to discus both economic politics and budget”, says Head of PDP Caucus at the RS NA Veselin Poljasevic. “I need no Assembly’s majority for economic politics and the budget if it does not suit the citizens and the RS”, said Bukejlovic. PINK also reports.

Harsh reactions after Vrankic and Cenic said ‘no’ to exempting press from VAT/DL op-ed criticising BiH CoM’s decision not to exempt press from VAT

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Vrankic and Cenic are suppressing BiH free media’ by M. Zorlak carries that the Association of BiH Newspapers Publishers harshly reacted against the opposition of entities’ Ministries of Finances, Dragan Vrankic and Svetlana Cenic to the proposal of the Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic to exempt press and printing industry from a value added tax. Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Zeljko Kopanja: Entity Ministries want that press from Serbia and Croatia suppress us’ by F. Cardzic also carries reactions to this decision by owner of Sarajevo magazine ‘Start’ Dario Novalic, General Manager of ‘Dnevni List’ Ismet Brkovic and owner of ‘Nezavisne Novine’ Zeljko Kopanja. Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Attack on truth’ by A. Vrebac carries an editorial in which the author criticizes the BiH Council of Ministers’ decision according to which media would have to pay a value added tax. The author says that this is a strike on truth, the right of the public to be informed objectively etc.

CoM to discuss print media paying VAT; ITA handing over VAT registration forms

Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Terzic proposes zero rate’ by D. Risojevic and M. Cubro – Bojan Zec Filipovic, the Advisor to CoM Chairman, has stated that CoM will today (Thursday) decide whether to free print media of paying VAT. FTV, Hayat, BHT 1 – In the ceremony held on Wednesday, BiH Indirect Taxation Administration handed over the VAT registration certificates to more than 100 most successful companies in Sarajevo region.

Economic experts: VAT would cause reduction of salaries and pensions; Hurtic denies

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘Pensions would be late because of VAT’ and pg 3 ‘Are pensions and salaries going to be late and reduced’ by A. Dedajevic carries that economic experts are afraid that introduction of a VAT in the first 3 months next year would cause insolvency of companies and reduction of salaries and pensions. Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Only companies doing a business on a verge of grey economy will be impacted’ by Az. D. – Zlatko Hurtic, Advisor to the CoM Chair, says that pensions and salaries will not be reduced due to VAT implementation.    

Cero: OHR has pragmatic approach towards BiH state property

Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pgs 4-5 ‘RS is given property rights on BiH property’ by Azhar Kalamujic – Member of the BiH State Property Commission Muharem Cero stated he would insist at the next Commission session that military land in Kasindol is registered as state property and only then to be allocated for the construction of a detention unit. He added he has a feeling representatives of BiH and RS are sitting at the Commission and he is worried over a pragmatic approach of OHR to BiH state property. ‘This pragmatism can be seen in accepting of a situation that had derived from the war and genocide’, Cero added.

Hadzipasic and HVB Banka official on “Energopetrol” issue: Bank will activate mortgage

Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘HVB Banka yesterday announced it would activate mortgage over “Energopetrol” pumps’ by M.Kukan  – A letter HVB Banka addressed to Ahmet Hadzipasic, F BiH Premier, Wednesday surfaced at his table, announcing Bank would activate the mortgage over 25 pumps of “Energopetrol”. Hadzipasic told daily that: “The letter reads that F BiH Government failed to provide any proof any progress has been achieved in regard to resolving the problem of “Energopetrol”, stressing that HVB Banka lost patience and would hence activate mortgage.” Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘The bank should launch the procedure of activating of mortgages today’ by M. Rener – The Head of HVB bank Marketing Department, Selma Ridjanovic, stated that F BiH PM Ahmet Hadzipasic did not forward a demand in writing on Wednesday to ask for an extension of a deadline for activating of mortgages, i.e. overtaking of “Energopetrol” property, which expired yesterday.

Ploce port issue

Sanader to propose new agreement on Ploce port to BiH authorities; Ploce is Croatian port

RHB, PINK, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover ‘Croatia will propose new deal on Port of Ploce’, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Sanader to offer new option’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 9 ‘Sanader: We are sending to Sarajevo new proposal for Ploce’ by F. Lausic– Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader stated for SRNA that Croatia is going to propose a new agreement on Port Ploce to BiH Presidency and Council of Ministers. Sanader said that the existing agreements on Ploce were made in period when Croatia had special relations with FBiH. HRT– We can not close our eyes before a fact that 80 % of companies that use Port of Ploce come from BiH. We’ll have in mind that fact but this is a Croatian port and it will stay Croatian”, Sanader underlined.

Terzic: New Agreement on Ploce Port is unacceptable

Dnevni Avaz pg 5, announced on cover ‘New Agreement on Ploce Harbour is unacceptable’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to daily, Adnan Terzic, BiH COM Chair, expresses hope that Ivo Sanader, Croatian Premier, will keep his promise and forward the proposal of the new agreement to Inter-state Council. He expresses regret over the fact that he was unable to realise the agreement on Ploce harbour he reached with Ivica Racan, Croatian Premier in 2003. He is of the view that any drastic change of Agreement on Ploce will not be accepted, stressing that 95% of goods for BiH goes through Ploce harbour. He notes it is not good to raise the issue of agreements reached, since Agreement on free trade could be questioned accordingly. According to inset ‘Election of Police Directorate’, Terzic announces that today’s (Thursday) session of the BiH COM will open the issue of forming of Polcie Reform Directorate, noting some consultations have already been made. He says it is possible Directorate may be formed soon, maybe even today or next Thursday, adding he would like to see decision reached when Minister Mladen Ivanic is attending the session (Ivanic is travelling to Ohrid today).

DA op-ed on Sanader’s behavior regarding border between BiH and Croatia

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘What Sanader wants from BiH’? by H. Orahovac carries an editorial on the issues of the border between BiH and Croatia near Neum and the Ploce port status and the author believes that by raising the issue of the border with BiH, Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader is trying to relativize internal and quite frequent confrontations with Croatian President Stjepan Mesic. The author concludes that it is pity that such Sanader’s move also cost BiH.