OHR BiH Media Round-up, 11/7/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

Commemoration in Srebrenica

Int. conf. on Srebrenica started

RS does not respect Mourning Day

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Commemoration in Srebrenica

Boyle, Softic on lawsuit against SCG

Preparations for Potocari ceremony

Security checks in Srebrenica

Pejic on preparations in Srebrenica

Mazowiecki and Ashdown awarded

Remains of victims transported

Conference on Srebrenica

Feature story on Srebrenica victims

Scheffer on Srebrenica massacre

Tadic on his arrival to Srebrenica

March of Death/Road to Freedom

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Mazowiecki and HR awarded

Mazowiecki and Ashdown awarded

A boy disappeared in river Vrbas

Final preparations in Srebrenica

Preparations for Potocari ceremony

Monument to Serb victims in Sklama

Conference on Srebrenica

March of Death/Road to Freedom

Commemoration in Srebrenica

Natasa Micic in visit to BiH

Conf. on BiH, 10 years after

Tadic and Leakey on Mladic

Oslobodjenje

Three days before explosive was found, search of suspected was ordered

Dnevni Avaz

International Community let down Srebrenica

Dnevni List

Police strike on beggers and derelicts

Vecernji List

We need 18 millions KM

Slobodna Dalmacija

Two-hour blockade of border crossing Doljani

Glas Srpske

Wounds heal slowly

Nezavisne Novine

I am coming to prove citizens of Serbia were not behind the crime

Blic

What really happened in Srebrenica

Vecernje Novosti

Forgiveness without oblivion

Srpski Nacional

You gave your word, now give my Mladic

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Commemoration in Srebrenica takes place

RHB – The commemoration for Srebrenica victims takes place in Potocari. High-ranked officials from BiH and all over the world attend the commemoration. 610 identified bodies would be buried during the commemoration.

BH Radio 1, RS Radio are broadcasting Potocari commemoration. 

Srebrenica Anniversary/War Crimes

Tenth anniversary of Srebrenica massacre to be marked today

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Burrial of 610 victims’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2, AFP – Tens of thousands of people were expected to gather near the Bosnian town of Srebrenica on Monday to mark the 10th anniversary of Europe’s worst massacre since World War II, and also to bury the remains of some 600 victims. The commemoration of the killing of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys by Bosnian Serb forces is expected to be tense, notably since police last week found large quantities of explosives near the memorial cemetery in Potocari, just outside the town. International dignitaries including Foreign Ministers Philippe Douste-Blazy of France, Jack Straw of Britain and Bernard Bot of The Netherlands are expected to join massacre survivors and families of victims at the ceremony. Organisers are expecting some 50,000 people to attend. For the first time a top Serbian delegation will attend the Srebrenica commemoration, with the delegation being led by President Boris Tadic. The genocide at Srebrenica is the basis of the key charges laid by the UN war crimes tribunal against former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic, who has been on trial at The Hague court for three years. Over 1,500 police are expected to secure the area around the memorial cemetery where 610 victims, aged between 14 and 75, are to be buried during the ceremony. The remains of victims were found in mass graves, more than 60 of which have been uncovered in the area since the end of Bosnia ‘s 1992-95 war. Over 1,300 bodies, identified by DNA analysis, have been buried so far at the cemetery but there are still more than 4,500 body bags filled with human bones awaiting identification.

Dnevni List pg 4, mentioned on cover ‘Burial of mortal remains of 610 Srebrenica citizens’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 13 ‘Shadows of Karadzic and Mladic in Srebrenica’, mentioned on cover ‘Anniversary under shadow of Karadzic and Mladic’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 5 ‘Genocide started when General Mladic entered town’, mentioned on cover ‘Genocide signed by Mladic’ by Hina and pg 5 ‘Thousands of people cry after Srebrenica victims’ by BBC, pg 14 ‘Burial of another 610 victims of genocide’ by M. Herceg also announce today’s commemoration in Potocari.

Delegations of more than 50 states, 600 journalists confirmed their arrival in Srebrenica

RHB – President of BIH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic along with other two members of the BIH presidency Sulejman Tihic and Borislav Paravac have confirmed their attendance at the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the genocide on July 11^th in Srebrenica. Delegations of more than 50 states and international organizations have also confirmed their arrival in Srebrenica on July 11^th. Presidents of Serbia-Montenegro Svetozar Marovic, Serbia Boris Tadic, Croatia Stjepan Mesic and Albania Alfred Mojsiju have confirmed their arrival. Foreign Affairs Ministers of Turkey (Abdullah Gul), Great Britain (Jack Straw), Holland (Bernard Bot), France (Philippe Douste-Blazy), Sweden (Laila Freivald), Slovenia (Dimitrij Rupel), Macedonia (Ilinka Mitreva) and Bulgaria (Salomon Pasi) will also arrive. A number of other countries will also be represented at the level of ministers, deputy ministers or ambassadors. The USA will be represented by the Ambassador for War Crimes Issues Pierre-Richard Prosper while Poland will be represented by its former Prime Minister, Tadeusz Mazowiecki. ICTY President Theodor Meron, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and representatives of the UN, Council of Europe and NATO have also confirmed their participation. 600 journalists from 140 news agencies confirmed their arrival. At the commemoration ceremony in Potocari, the remains of 610 identified Srebrenica victims will be buried. The ceremony will be secured by the police officers from both entities.

All preparations in Srebrenica completed as planned

Pink Mirjana Pavlovic – All preparations for commemoration in Potocari, which is to be held on Monday, are being carried out as planned, claims Spokesperson for the HQ of the S 2005 operation Radovan Pejic. Teams in charge of investigating issue of 35 kilograms of explosive, which has recently been found near the Commemorative Centre in Potocari, have conducted another search on Sunday. Pejic pointed out that security teams were going to take all necessary measures in order to prevent any similar incidents. “All activities regarding protection of all Memorial Centre premises have been conducted”, said Pejic. RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic is in the Centre in order to be informed on measures and activities which are being carried out. Pejic also mentioned another incident which occurred. “200 T-shirts displaying Naser Oric’s pictures have been given to people”, said Pejic.

BHT Suzana Stambol – The preparations for Monday’s commemoration for Bosniaks killed in Srebrenica in 1995 are almost completed. BHT journalist, reporting live from Potocari, said that thousands of people from all parts of BiH and other countries arrived in Srebrenica, where on Monday they will attend the commemoration for their loved ones – their fathers, sons, brothers and husbands. EUFOR Commander, General David Leakey told on a press conference in Bratunac that “everything is ready” for Monday’s ceremony. Representatives of RS Ministry of Interior did not want to present the exact number of the policemen that will be securing the Potocari area, but that number will probably be much bigger than last years’ 500, due to the fact that 35 kg of explosive have been found in Potocari last Monday.

FTV, RTRS, EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Not to repeat to anybody’ by N.Breberina, Vecernje Novosti pg 4 ‘World at the scene of tragedy’ by Milena Markovic , Srpski Nacional pg 11 ’50 delegations in Potocari’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Police according to plan’ by V.J., Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Everything ready for burial of 610 Srebrenica victims’ by J.Sarac also covered the issue.

EU’s Solana: International Community let down Srebrenica

Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘International Community let down Srebrenica’, pg 5 ‘We will be eternally marked and shamed for failing to prevent Srebrenica’ by Javier Solana, Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Disturbing past and brighter future’ by Javier Solana – In an article, Javier Solana among other things notes that integration of the BiH in EU structures is “our goal. However, there can be no integration without reconciliation. And there can be no reconciliation without justice. Therefore, it is a moral and political imperative that all those responsible for crimes committed in BiH are tried in The Hague.”

Serbian President Boris Tadic confirms his arrival to Srebrenica

Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Mladic will be arrested in a few days’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Tadic: Mladic would be arrested these days’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 13 ‘We shall arrest Mladic soon’ not signed, Vecernje Novosti pg 4 ‘Hope in soon arrest of Mladic’, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Arrest in few days?’ – Serbian President Boris Tadic said in a statement for Sky News that he hoped that Ratko Mladic could be arrested in next several days.

Pink, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘I will show Serbia’s relation/stand towards crimes against Bosniaks’ – Tadic confirmed his arrival to Potocari on July 11. “I am going to attend the commemoration in Srebrenica in order to pay tribute to innocent Srebrenica crimes victims. Being the Serbian President, I am going to show Serbia’s relation toward war crimes, committed against Bosniaks. The first reason is of human nature. The second reason is due to Serbian people. We have not been in the background of the crimes. We have to show the distance between citizens and criminals, since Serbia’s future depends on it. The third reason is necessity for establishment of full trust and cooperation between states in our region. I am going to Srebrenica, thinking about regional cooperation and responsibility for all the events which happened in ex Yugoslavia. We have to destroy enchanted circle of evil in the Balkans. The truth is that many crimes have been committed against Serbs. But, it is a virtue to condemn crime committed on our behalf against others. That is the reason I am going to visit Srebrenica”, said Tadic.

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘I am coming to prove citizens of Serbia were not behind the crime’, pg 2 ‘Citizens of Serbia were not behind the crime’ by Mirjana Kusmuk – Daily carries interview with Boris Tadic, where he reiterates his statement on the eve of Potocari commemoration and regarding the arrest of Ratko Mladic.

EuroBlic pg 5 ‘Tadic: We were not behind the crime’, announced on cover ‘Virtue and strength is to condemn crime committed in our name’, Vecernje Novosti pg 4, announced on cover ‘To stop the circle of evil’ carry Tadic’s statement regarding his trip to Srebrenica

EUFOR’s Leakey: Capture of Karadzic and Mladic is getting closer

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Capture of Karadzic and Mladic is getting close’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje back pg ‘Karadzic and Mladic’s capture is becoming closer’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Encirclement is tightening up’ – David Leakey, EUFOR Commander, has stated that “encirclement” around two main suspects for crime against Muslims in Srebrenica is tightening up. He told “The Associated Press” that the authority is collecting information on potential whereabouts of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, but the two are still escaping the arrest.

Del Ponte warns Kostunica regarding apprehension of  Mladic

Nacional cover pg splash, pg 2 ‘You gave your work, now give my Mladic’ by P.T.N. – Daily reports referring to its source at the Serbian Government that Carla del Pnte has addressed a message to Vojislav Kostunica, warning him he had promised Ratko Mladic. Daily’s source notes Serbian Government is doing all it can to locate Mladic and hand him to the ICTY.

Russian Ambassador to SiCG denies claims Russian secret agency engaged in secret negotiations with Mladic

EuroBlic pgs 2-3 ‘We are not negotiating Mladic’ surrender’ by Ivana Cvetkovic – In an interview to daily, Aleksandar Alekseyev, Russian Ambassador to SiCG, inter alia, denies claims that Russian secret agency was engaged in secret negotiations on voluntary surrender of Ratko Mladic, noting those claims are pure speculations which have nothing to do with the reality.

NN: US’ Burns op-ed on Srebrenica, Karadzic and Mladic

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Year of decision for the Balkans’, announced on cover ‘2005 is the year of decision for the Balkans and the American policy in the region’ by Nicholas Burns – Writing for NN, Nicholas Burns, Sub-secretary for political affairs at US Department of State, says that Balkans cannot revert to normal as long as the stain of Srebrenica is not removed. He stresses that Bosnian Serbs will not be able to leave past behind until Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic are arrested.

Osl: Search warrants for Dedic house in Potocari issued 3 days before explosive fund

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 2 ‘Three days before explosive was found, search of suspected was ordered’ by Avdo Avdic – The search warrant issued by the Court in case of Bosniak returnee which were suspected of planting explosive in Potocari was signed three days before the explosive was even found, learns Oslobodjenje. Daily further claims that justice Hajrudin Halilovic from Basic Court in Srebrenica signed the warrant for search of Dedic family’s house on 1 July. RS SWAT team has carried out search of a house of Saban Dedic and his sons on 4 July, “just several hours after the explosive was found.” Dedic said he informed OHR, EUPM and other domestic and international organization on warrant.

Srpski Nacional reports on “scandalous conduct of HR to BiH”

Srpski Nacional pg 9 ‘Ashdown is hiding terrorists’ – Daily writes that upon order of Paddy Ashdown, High Representative to BiH, the identity of those who planted explosive at Potocari will be kept secret until Srebrenica Commemoration ends. Daily writes that Croatian Intelligence Agency has detected a conspiracy aimed at blaming Serbs for the slaughter of innocent Bosniaks who ware to attend commemoration. Daily writes Al Qaida’s activists in BiH are responsible for this act. Daily also reports that Ashdown is subject to pressure of the USA regarding its demand to him to arrest 936 persons from the list which CIA Director, Porter Goss, handed to Ashdown few weeks ago.

Conference entitled “10 years after Srebrenica; messages and perspectives for BiH” held in Sarajevo

Pink Zeljko Mandic, BHT, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Genocide started by introducing embargo on BiH’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Siljadzic: Srebrenica is teaching us that fascism is alive’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Old tunes of Silajdzic’  – International conference entitled “10 years after Srebrenica; messages and perspectives for BiH”, organized by Heinrich-Boll Foundation and EFA Group within European Parliament, has started on Sunday in Sarajevo. Representatives of the International Community have discussed with political and representatives of nongovernmental sector on what has been achieved 10 years after the war in BiH and what has to be done in the future. “USA, Europe, Den Hague, the whole World agreed that genocide had been committed. The main issue is, whether such BiH, established on genocide should remain as such or something needs to be changed”, said former BiH Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic. “Additional effort has to be conducted in order for the whole truth to be revealed, and all of us have to be ready to face to truth and individual responsibility”, said the Chair of the BiH Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Srdjan Dizdarevic.

Association “Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa enclaves” presented awards to Mazowiecki, Ashdown

BHT Sanita Lisica, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Money for education of Srebrenica children’, mentioned on cover ‘Opening of the mosques and recognition to Mazowietcki’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 – Association “Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa enclaves” awarded a symbolic prize “Srebrenica 1995” to Tadeusz Mazowiecki, former Polish Prime Minister, for his contribution in fight for the truth about Srebrenica genocide. Mazowiecki, who was special United Nation’s Envoy for Human Rights, resigned from his post in 1995 immediately after the genocide in Srebrenica. He refused to take 5.000 Euro prize, and decided to give that money for education of children from Srebrenica. High representative in BiH Paddy Ashdown has been presented with the “Charter of Potocari” award, for his contribution in the building of Memorial Centre Potocari.

Reconstructed mosque in Potocari opened on Sunday

RTRS, Hayat Branka Kusmuk, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Money for education of Srebrenica children’, mentioned on cover ‘Opening of the mosques and recognition to Mazowietcki’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 – The newly reconstructed mosque in Potocari was opened on Sunday. The ceremony of opening was attended by effendi Mustafa Ceric. Ceric called this opening of the mosque “in the centre of killings of the Bosniaks” as “bringing in the hope and life in Potocari”.

The participants of the march in honour of Srebrenica genocide victims arrived in Potocari

BHT Samir Kahrovic, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Memory of disappeared sky and invisible soil’ – The participants of the march in honour of Srebrenica genocide victims – March of Death/Road to Freedom – arrived in Potocari at 1700 Sunday evening. Approximately 400 participants of this march walked for three days from Crni Vrh via Konjevic Polje to Potocari, the same route that led many Srebrenica citizens to freedom in July 1995.

Chair of Serbian Civic Association Natasa Micic in 2-day visit to BiH; Miic will attend Srebrenica commemoration

Hayat Asim Beslija, Oslobodjenje pg 7, mentioned on cover ‘Condemnation of criminals and Serbian regime’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Facing the past not obligation but need’ – The Chair of Serbian Civic Association (GSS) Natasa Micic, together with the Chair of BiH Liberal-Democracy Party Lamija Tanovic, visited the place in Sarajevo, where 67 Sarajevo citizens lost their lives. They placed flowers at Markale market. Micic is in 2 day-long visit to Sarajevo and she is also going to attend commemoration in Srebrenica. Micic said that the priority of the whole region was facing the past. “We are going to pay tribute to Srebrenica victims on Monday. Victims have the right not to be forgotten and criminals to be punished”, said Micic. Tanovic said that satisfied cue to the fact that in this way, thanks to liberal parties in Serbia , attention is being paid to crimes and fact that they should not be forgotten.

DL, VL op-eds on anniversary of Srebrenica massacre

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Myth about Srebrenica’ by M. Zorlak carries an editorial on the Srebrenica massacre anniversary and the author says that for the first time all people, and not Bosniaks only, worked together in order to send a message about Srebrenica victims all over the world. The author also says: ‘The crime in Srebrenica is a stain of the whole civilized Europe, however, it would be even a bigger crime to allow to forget Srebrenica.’  

Vecernji List pg 2 ’10 years later’ by D. Jazvic also carries the editorial on the same issue and the author says: ‘If after today’s commemoration the attitude of the International Community and domestic authorities improves towards Srebrenica and its citizens it would be the biggest result of a sad and tragic anniversary.’ The author added: ‘Instead of compassion and pathetic speeches Srebrenica needs justice and a chance for a new beginning. On the contrary it would be the saddest place in Europe for a long time.’

EuroBlic: Two Dutch Reports on Srebrenica

EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘What really happened in Srebrenica’, pgs 4-5 ‘How did Srebrenica happen’ – Writing about Srebrenica, daily carries extracts from Reports made in Holland, which were described by the expert’ public as the most objective reports so far. The first Report was worked out by Hans Bloom from the Institute for War Documentation on 7600 pages, while the author of second one is Dion van den Berg. Both Reports had been prepared for six years. Reports have regarded Srebrenica event through purely historic facts, without any political assessment. Daily carries sub-headlines such as: How did Srebrenica become a problem; Arms delivered to Bosniaks, they attack Serb villages; Agreement between Bosniaks and UN on a joint defence of Srebrenica; Muslims murder a Dutch soldier; The goal of operation is to cut the corridor off instead of occupying Srebrenica; Mladic proposes evacuation of 25 thousand people; Crime was not planned in advance, Mladic surprised; Covering up traces of crime; Karadzic was not informed; The Dutch are helpless; Bosniaks separated. 

Serbian professor on Srebrenica: There was no genocide

Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘There was no genocide in Srebrenica’ – In a statement to VN, Dr Milan Skulic, Associate Professor at Belgrade Faculty of Law, comments on Srebrenica by saying that “it is not disputable that a murder of one person – along with genocidal intention – is qualified as genocide. However, such intention is disputable in the acse of Srebrenica. When only men of some age are destroyed.. it shows such separation demonstrates intention not to destroy – completely or partly  – a part of population , consisted of other sex and age.” He also says that in order to speak about genocide, the intention on destruction of women, children and the elderly had to be in question.

British papers on Srebrenica

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘The West did not give answers to the hardest questions’ by BBC – Daiy re-reports extracts from the British weekly “Economist” and “Independent on Sunday” regarding Srebrenica commemoration. The first one concluded that without Srebrenica, American would not have obtained support to military intervene and bomb Serb linrs in Bosnia , which ended. 

Commemorative monument to Serb victims in Skelani unveiled

RTRS, Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Wounds heal slowly’ by K.C.,Vecernje Novosti cover pg splash and pg 5 ‘Forgiveness without oblivion’ by Radoje Andric, Srpski Nacional pg 10 ‘Requiem to victims in Skelani’ by V.Djukanovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Monument to Serb soldiers and civilians unveiled’ by SRNA – Daily reports on unveiling of commemorative monument to 301 Serb victims in the area of Skelani, who were murdered during the war. Around 2 thousand people attended ceremony, while no RS authority official attended the event.

BiH Lawsuit against SCG

Circle 99 Independent Intellectuals Association discuss issue of BiH lawsuit against SCG

Pink Jovanka Nina Stevanovic, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Great powers exerting pressures on BiH to withdraw lawsuit against SCG’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘BiH politicians should not accept withdrawal of the lawsuit’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Boyle” If BiH proves suit, survival of RS will be brought into question’ by R.Ra., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘The West pushed a brake?’  – According to US professor of international law Francis Boyle and BiH agent/legal representative in the lawsuit Sakib Softic, reasons why the issue of BiH lawsuit against Serbia-Montenegro for aggression and genocide, which was filed 12 years ago, is being solved too slow are of political nature. Boyle claims that the Western powers are trying to deny the lawsuit. He says that pressures are going to increase by the beginning of the process in February 2006. “It is up to the BiH people to make pressure to BiH authorities in order for the process to start on time – in February 2006”, said Boyle. Softic claims that no agreement on withdrawal of lawsuit will be reached and that BiH is going to prove SCG role in the war in BiH. “What we need to prove is that genocide was committed. Persons were executed due to the fact that they belong to a certain national, ethnical or religious group”, said Softic.

Phon Van den Bisen: BiH lawsuit against SCG getting stronger

Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Pressures against BiH a confirmation that lawsuit strengthens’ mentioned on cover, by Az. Kalamujic – In an interview to daily, the team leader of international group of lawyers representing the BiH lawsuit against SCG before the International Justice Court, Phon Van den Bisen, says that increasing political pressures against BiH to drop the lawsuit only means that the case is getting stronger. “It is obvious our case is becoming stronger and stronger every day. The new snapshots of crimes committed by Scorpions unit only confirm what we have already written about them. Also, the statement by the SCG Council of Ministers in which they say they are not the responsible one for the crimes but the previous government, i.e. regime in Belgrade, endorses our case,” says den Bisen.

Political Developments/Reforms

Meeting of Defence Reform Commission interrupted

RHB, BHT, Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Tihic: Bosniaks did not brought further process into question’, mentioned on cover ‘Bosniaks do not dispute defence reform’ by M. Kukan, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Meeting stopped because of political consultations’ by De.L., Vecernji List pg 3 ‘DRC meeting took place’ by F, FENA – The BiH Defence Reform Commission met on Friday and Saturday to continue reviewing the new law on defence and the law on service in the BiH Armed Forces. The Commission achieved significant progress on numerous issues before the meeting was interrupted to hold final political consultations at the senior level, according to the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo . The Commission expects work on the development of draft laws to be completed soon.

EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘SDA reverts to beginning’, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘A step backward’ by N.Z.  – Apart from carrying NATO release on interruption of DRC session, dailies also refers to well-informed source that the session was interrupted owing to clear obstruction by the SDA, adding: “SDA does not accept professionalisation of army and abolishment of conscription neither does it accept reduction of reserve capacity in line with the NATO standards.” According to inset ‘They say one thing, do another’, Nikola Spiric stated that “SDA later on changed its mind”.

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Tihic: Bosniaks did not brought further process into question’, mentioned on cover ‘Bosniaks do not dispute defence reform’ by M. Kukan, Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘SDA opposes proposed concept of defence reformn’ by M.Cubro – Sulejman Tihic, SDA President, Sunday told NN that: “We will  not and cannot accept the model of three ethnic components, that would be called regiments, but the core would be the same. It is not the contribution to integration but instead disintegration of the Army.”

SDS’ Bosic critical of SDA

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘False multi-ethnicity of SDA’ by SRNA, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Enough of frauds’ by M.Dj. – Mladen Bosic, SDS Vice President, Sunday in Brcko stated that the SDS – as part of right centre – remains in a group of European people’s parties and has no intention of changing it profile for the purpose of false multi-ethnicity. He also stated that by appointing non-Bosniak staff at party leadership, the SDA is trying to deceive international and domestic public, representing itself as multi-ethnic party.

VL on discrimination of Croats when employing in public companies and FBiH bodies is in question

Vecernji List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Croats also discriminated in Herzegovina’ by F. Vukoja, E. Medunjanin carries that Croats are discriminated when employing in public companies in the areas where Bosniaks make majority is in question, but also when hiring in the Federation of BiH bodies is in question. As an example the authors state the Mostar Tobacco Factory in which there are no Croats at all and according to the authors the situation is similar in any other recently privatised company in the eastern part of Mostar. The authors say that nevertheless the political structure from Sarajevo keep repeating that Aluminij is a typical example of segregation of Bosniaks.

N. Herceg to be appointed new HDZ Secretary General

Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Nevenko Herceg instead of Vlatko Medjugorac’ by M. Relota – According to the information coming from the HDZ Presidency members, Nevenko Herceg would be appointed on Monday (today) a new HDZ secretary General. During the last years Herceg has been an advisor for economy of a Croat member of the BiH Presidency.

Lovrinovic on his removal

Vecernji List pg 6 ‘He was demanding an explanation but received removal’ by A. Drmac carries an interview with removed Central Bosnia Canton Education Minister Nikola Lovrinovic. Lovrinovic says that the removal was a surprise for him since only a few days before the removal he sent a letter to the OHR demanding more precise interpretation of some articles from the law on primary and secondary education, however instead of explanation he received the removal. Lovrinovic claims that the biggest absurd with regard to his removal is the fact that none apart from the OHR complained about his work.

Miscellaneous

Renovated Osman-Pasa mosque in Trebinje was opened on Sunday

BHT Report by Angela Cvitanovic, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Osman Pasha Mosque reconstructed’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8, Nezavisne Novine pg 10 ‘Osman-pasha’s mosque opened’ by V.Duka, Glas Srpske, pg 4 ‘Mosque reconstructed’, EuroBlic RSpg 3  ‘Mosque in Kevljani opened’ – Renovated Osman-Pasa mosque in Trebinje was opened on Sunday. About 2.000 people attended the ceremony of opening the mosque; most of them are Bosniaks from Trebinje who currently live in Scandinavian countries and North America. “The message to all Bosniaks and all other citizens is to return to their houses in Trebinje, so that together we can build Trebinje beautiful as it used to be”, said Trebinje Municipal Head Dobroslav Cuk.

Osl: Tesanovic has urged Halilovic to solve issue of Commission on naturalized citizens without success

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘What Halilovic knows about mujaheedins?’ by A.Terzic – Daily reads that the Deputy BiH Civil Affairs Minister, Zoran Tesanovic, has asked Minister Safet Halilovic on two occasions in less then a year to actualize the issue of Commission tasked to examine the status of BiH citizens who received citizenship from 1992 to 1995. “The issue if very serious… Since this Council of Ministers composition took over, the Commission examining status of naturalized citizens has brought no stances and conclusions on ways to award citizenship,” said Tesanovic. “Having in mind this is one of the most serious reasons for such harsh visa regime… I suggest the reports on work of the first and second commission to be merged and… to send clear proposal on changes to the Law on citizenship so Commission could complete its work,” reads the memo Tesanovic sent to Halilovic. Deputy Minister also wrote to Halilovic in September 2004 that there are 9164 persons who were awarded the citizenship, but were not included in the work of the Commission. Article concludes that authorities must do something on this issue as soon as possible, especially after the case of Al-Hayari, killed Al’Qaeda high-ranking official, with BiH citizenship.

HNC police action against beggars and derelicts

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 18‘Strike on beggars and derelicts’ by S. Djuderija – The Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Ministry of Interior started a few days ago an action called ‘Strike’ whose gaol is preventing of begging and vagrancy on Mostar streets.

Head of Mostar University (Croat one) on financial problems of this institution

Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘We need 18 millions KM’ and pg 4 ‘(Croat) University in worse position from (Bosniak) University’ by M. Relota carries Head of the Mostar University (Croat) Frano Ljubic who says that 18 millions KM is a minimal amount necessary for normal functioning of this University. Ljubic also says that this University is in the worst financial situation of all Universities in BiH and he claims that it is even in the worse situation than University Dzemal Bijedic (another Mostar University ) although they are being financed from the same Cantonal budget. Ljubic claims that the funds planned in the budget for these two Universities are not proportional to their number of students and employees. 

Croatian framers blocked border crossing Doljani

Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pgs 12 and 13 ‘5-hour blockade of border crossing Doljani’ by S. Soldo, Dnevni List pg 12 ‘Farmers blocked road Metkovic-Doljani’ not signed – Croatian farmers from the Neretva valley blocked a border crossing Metkovic-Doljani between BiH and Croatia on Sunday protesting against illegal import of agricultural products from BiH and from Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia etc. through BiH. 

Croatian Minister on BiH’s opposition to construction of bridge Peljesac

Jutarnji List cover pg splash ‘BiH against bridge’ and pg 3 ‘BiH: We shall not allow construction of bridge Peljesac’ by S. Pavic, N. Bozic – Regarding the announced beginning of construction of a bridge connecting the Croatian Adriatic Highway with Peljesac peninsula, JL carries that BiH Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Haris Basic said for Dnevni Avaz that BiH would not allow the construction of the facility to jeopardize access to the BiH costal town of Neum from the sea (see OHR BiH Media Round-up July 10, 2005). Reacting to this statement Croatian Minister of Traffic, Tourism and Development Bozidar Kalmeta stated that he is surprised by Basic’s statements since the Croatian and BiH delegations resolved all dilemmas during the talks in Cavtat, which took place as early as in March this year.  Kalmeta added that the construction of the bridge would start in September and the bridge would not endanger the BiH access to the open sea and coming of ships to Neum in any way.