OHR BiH Media Round-up, 11/9/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Police talks continue on Monday

Police reform update

RS officials on police reform

Possible crisis in FBIH Government

Bukejlovic on police reform

Talks on constitutional changes

HSS on crisis in BIH

SDS on police reform

Compensation of war damage issue

Crossing Izacic opens on Monday

McElhaney on USA priorities in BIH

Robberies in BiH and Croatia linked

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Shooting and explosion in Kakanj

US Embassy threat suspect arrested

Bukejlovic addresses RS citizens

World News

Explosions in Kakanj

SDS supports RS negotiating team

Terzic on Ivanic case

Robberies in BiH and Croatia linked

Re: Holbrook on BIH Constitution

Police reform talks on Monday

Missing oil issue in Brcko District

Feature on possible VAT effects

Oslobodjenje

Richard Holbrook does not offer a way-out from crisis

Dnevni Avaz

Culprits for crisis are Lozancic and Dzihanovic

Dnevni List

Tourist centres without out-of-season offers

Vecernji List

He threatened to Americans via SMS

Nezavisne Novine

The offensive against the city of Tal Affar launched (Iraq)

Reforms (police / defence)

Bukejlovic says part of the solutions in the police reform proposal are not acceptable

BHT 1 – Part of the solutions in the police reform proposal are not acceptable, it is stated by the negotiators from the RS, two days before final round of negotiations, reports BHT. RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic said in an address to the citizens that police reform is possible without constitutional changes. RS Government finds new law on basics of the security system in BiH acceptable. Bukejlovic’s address released Saturday on web-site reads the RS NA position on police reform showed where the limits of acceptable solutions are. As BHT reports, not all RS officials agree with that.  “We have to be ready to hand over part of the sovereignty and accept something that doesn’t makes us happy at the moment,” said RS Vice-President, Ivan Tomljenovic. BHT reports that divisions in stances are visible among RS officials, under pressures of the international community. There are speculations in Banjaluka that RS President Dragan Cavic can’t control trio Bukejlovic – Cenic (RS Minister of Finance) – Matijasevic(RS Minister of Interior), which follows RS NA conclusions, while Cavic agreed with the HR Ashdown on 23 September, as the final term for adoption of the police reform plan.

RTRS – Bukejlovic warned that general principles of EU have been “tweaked along the way” in the last conditions upon which complete agreement cannot be reached. Bukejlovic added that at the moment agreement on RS police and its stay in the entity competence cannot be reached. He concluded that this fact does not mean that certain solutions won’t be accepted in the next period.

Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘It is impossible to reach consensus’ by D.Bojanic , Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘RS did not demand a change of basic EU principles’, NTV Hayat – also report

RS advocates for Entity MoIs and separate police budgets while HR warned RS representatives that BIH has to adopt the police reform that will respect the three EU principles

TV PINK – The continuation of the police reform negotiations is scheduled for Monday, 12^th September in Banja Luka. Reporter noted that the RS attitude hasn’t been changed and that they still advocate for the police reform that will include the Entity Ministries of Interior and separate police budgets. On the other hand, the High Representative to BIH Paddy Ashdown warned the RS representatives that the time is running out and that BIH has to adopt the police reform that will respect the three EU principles.  Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘New round of talks on Modnay in Banja Luka’ by FENA – carries similar reminder.

SDS will support agreements reached at the RS National Assembly’s session

Nezavisne Novine pg3 ‘Democratic dialogue to lead to police reform’ by D.B., Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Solution to police reform cannot be reached through use of force’, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Support to RS Government stances on police reform’, TV PINK, RTRS – SDS issued the statement regarding the police reform negotiation in which they said that SDS will support agreements reached at the RS National Assembly’s session. SDS denied all accusations on obstruction labelling them as means of IC to threat RS and SDS by imposing sanctions. SDS noted that solution on police reform can only be reached by consensus and not by use of force.

Police reform talks to resume Monday

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Resumption of talks tomorrow’ by SRNA,RHB –referring to RS Government press release, media remind of resumption of police reform talks on Monday, 12 September at 16:00 hrs at Banja Luka RS Govt. building.

French Ambassador to BiH appeals on RS to change stance on police reform

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘France calls on RS authorities to change stance on police’ – The French Embassy in BiH Saturday assessed that it is high time RS authorities changed their stances regarding police reform talks. Anri Zipper Fabbiani, French Ambassador to BiH, Saturday stated that “solutions RS side presented are not satisfactory.”

Dodik’s interview to NN

Nezavisne Novine pgs 8-9, announced on cover ‘Defence reform is the best solution for peoples of BiH’ by Dragan Risojevic – In a two-page interview to daily, Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, speaks of a whole range of issues, including reforms (police and defence), SDS, PBS, constitutional changes, initiative on naming Sarajevo Airport after Alija Izetbegovic. On police reform, he is patiently waiting to see the outcome, since he made his proposal a long time ago and nobody listened to him, owing to which reason he does not want to interfere in this any longer. On defence reform, he says that this was the best concept offered, expressing slight regret over the fact that military forces were not abolished. Regarding threats on SDS ban, he expresses his opposition to any sort of ban, stressing SDS should not be banned since this party has already been faced with political debacle, losing votes of the electorate and going through some problems/rifts within the party itself.  On PBS, he is of the view as public broadcaster, PBS should be leading the state in the future, instead of returning BiH viewers in the past for 30 minutes every evening by releasing stories to revoke war times. He namely criticises editorial policy of BHT 1.

Oslobodjenje on defence reform implementation

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, announced on cover ‘Conscription becomes part of past’ by Antonio Prlenda – The author explains, step by step, how the BiH Armed Forces will be gradually re-organised, also raising the issue as to whether NATO would assist in financial regard in accommodation of those to-be-sacked from armed forces.

Constitutional changes / Comments on Holbrook’s initiative

Comments following Holbrook’s statement on ongoing talks on constitutional changes in BiH

BH T 1 – Following announcement of Richard Holbrook (see OHR BH Media R-up for 10 September), Elmir Jahic, SDA official, stated that “SDA considers that BiH should finally have BiH Government instead of the Council of Ministers, with significantly extended authorities, what also means increase in number of ministers.” He added that his party’s belief is also that BiH citizens deserve to have BiH President instead of three-member Presidency. Still, RS officials are united in position that there can’t be imposing of the new Constitution and that changes can’t happen only with guarantees for RS survival. “I am deeply convinced, based on previous experiences, that we shouldn’t enter into that process, which requires creation of such political climate, such atmosphere and political willingness, to accept constitutional changes, what still does not exist in RS,” said independent delegate in BiH Parliament, Petar Kunic. “If someone wants to talk about constitutional changes, we will ask for affirmation of civilisation principle in relation to the right of people for self-determination for secession,” said SNSD President, Milorad Dodik. 

NTV Hayat – Midhat Izmirlija and Dennis Gratz have already prepared the new BIH Constitution. “The idea was to create the country that will be self-sustained without the help of HR to tell us what to do as well as to create the feeling that those who felt important to still feel that they are important” said Gratz. Vahid Sehic stated that team of “Association 2005” have also prepared the democratic and citizen-centred R BIH constitution. “We want to erase the unprincipled number three, since whatever we divided by three we ended up with zero” added Sehic. SBIH welcomes all ideas that will change the current situation to better. Reporter noted that SBIH came up with the idea of BIH without Entities five years ago but that provoked the representatives of International Community to remove them from the electoral lists. Beriz Belkic delegate at the BIH House of representatives and member of SBIH commented the recent statements of IC representatives on the Constitution change as better ever than never. “The issue of constitution change must be resolved by BIH citizens and they should all know that without the good legal frames, organisation, mechanisms, institutions and good constitution, the country cannot meet all the needs of the citizens” said Belkic. He added that BIH HoR has already adopted amendments on the Constitution regarding the salaries. Reporter concluded that the BIH Constitution is in the ownership of citizens and it should be crated to “fit” everybody.

RTRS – Former BIH Ambassador in USA Igor Davidovic says that Holbrook’s initiative does not represent the official stance of the White House. He added that the mentioned NGO’s is probably making an analytic projection of possible change of BIH Constitution. Members of position and opposition in RS agree that BIH Constitution cannot be changed without agreement of all 3 people in BIH. Momcilo Novakovic from SDS and SNSD Chairman Milorad Dodik support that stance. 

Kasim Trnka and Josip Merdzo on Holbrook’s initiative

Oslobodjenje cover pg splash, pg 2 ‘Richard Holbrook does not offer a way-out from crisis’ by S.Sehercehajic – Kasim Trnka, Professor of the Constitutional Law, is of the view that Holbrook’s initiative is a significant step, which still does not respond to crucial issues: who will implement those solutions. He adds: “It is not so hard to propose an ideal Constitution, but the problem rests with BiH institutions and how to reach ethnic consensus on this…meaning this constitution should result from agreement of local authorities.”

According to inset ‘Cosmetic changes’, Josip Merdzo, HDZ official, adds constitutional changes should establish a new structure in BviH, without which there will be no political stability and economic development.

Political analyst critical of Holbrook’s initiative

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Story about new constitution is distraction of people’ by Mensud Zorlak – Commenting on Holbrook’s initiative, Enese Reljic, independent political analyst, says it is the biggest stupidity of all times, adding: “For such a long time, the international community and local political forces have been convincing RS officials to accept police reform concept, but nobody can make them accept it for a year now. Just imagine what would happen if somebody attempted to persuade them into constitutional changes.” Reljic is of the view Holbrook could not say it that American Government is preparing new constitution of BiH, but instead he invented some US NGO.

DA op-ed on constitutional changes

Dnevni Avaz op-ed pg 3 ‘Change of BiH Constitution’ by Admir Malagic – The author stresses that unlike local politicians, international officials seem to acknowledge the need for the change of Dayton Agreement if BiH wants to find its place within EU. He emphasizes change of BiH Constitution is inevitable, noting that local politicians seem not to care for either Dayton Constitution or talks on constitutional changes, since the existing Constitution has not been translated into local language as yet.

Panel Discussion on BIH Constitution in Banja Luka discussed whether the current BIH Constitution presents the obstacle on the path to EU

TV PINK – Swiss organisation for development and cooperation organised another Panel Discussion on BIH Constitution in Banja Luka on Saturday. The participants at the conference presented the Swiss model of state organisation adding that it can serve only as the inspiration for new BIH Constitution. They discussed whether the current BIH constitution is presenting the obstacle on the path to EU.  When it comes to changing the BIH Constitution, the opinions are utterly opposite. For RS intellectuals, namely Petar Kunic, it is too early to change the BIH constitution adding “the current Constitution gives good legal frame for state organisation, economical development and EU integration”. On the other side, the participant at the Washington Treaty and the Dayton Peace Negotiations, Kresimir Zubak stated that the change of the Constitution is vital since the state jurisdictions are not precisely determined by the current one.  (Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Discussion on change of Constitution’ – carries Zubak’s statement)

Other political affairs

F BIH PM Hadzipasic stated for FENA that the crisis in F BIH Government is not political

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Crisis is not caused with political motives’, TV PINK, RHB – After media published articles speculating on the crisis in F BIH Government, referring to the resignations of the F BiH Ministers of Veteran’s Issues and Health respectively, Ibrahim Nadarevic and Tomo Lucic, and the issues of their successors, F BIH Prime Minister Ahmed Hadzipasic stated for FENA that the crisis is not political. He said that it was the problem of certain systematic disagreements that are not caused by political motives.

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘Culprits for crisis are Lozancic and Dzihanovic’, pg 2 ‘President and Vice President of F BiH should reach agreement’ by S.Dzanic – Hadzipasic also stated that Niko Lozancic and Sahbaz Dzihanovic, F BiH President and Vice President respectively, should reach an agreement as to how to overcome the current situation, expressing hope it would be done so in the upcoming days. Gavrilo Grahovac, F BiH Vice Premier, briefly commented on situation by saying that “Lozancic and Dzihanovic caused the crisis. My advise to them is to tender resignations if they fail to resolve problems they have caused in three days time.”

Oslobodjenje pg 3, announced on cover ‘Government will not be in session next week’ by S.Se. – Daily reports referring to sources close to F BiH Government that no resumption of F BiH Government session will be scheduled next week, adding that Niko Lozancic, Sahbaz Dzihanovic, Desnica Radivojevic, as well as SDA and HDZ top officials will have to reach an agreement regarding solution to the problem (arising from two vacated ministerial positions).

HSS is worried due to the crisis in BIH

Vecernji List pg 3 ‘They propose a state without entities and cantons’ by dja, RHB – HSS is worried due to as they say overall crisis in BIH. HSS stresses that current officials have no will or decisiveness to agree on anything.  HSS reminds that BIH politicians allowed HR Paddy Ashdown once again to do their job for them and appoint high SBS/SIPA officials. HSS announced it is considering the possibility of publishing its own proposal on constitutional changes in BiH, which would include abolishment of entities and cantons.

Oslobodjenje op-ed on political situation in BiH

Oslobodjenje op-ed pg 9 ‘In what state we are living?’ by Senka Kurtovic – The author is critical of political developments in BiH, starting with reference to the latest statement of Adnan Terzic regarding appointment of SIPA Director. She notes BiH ministers at state and entity level seem to be unable to reach any sort of agreement.

Muris Bajic and Jakob Finci on manners and behaviour of BIH politicians

NTV Hayat – Muris Bujic from Civil Centre for Initiative commented in his interview for Hayat the behaviour and manners of BIH politicians. He said that there is no bylaw that would regulate the behaviour of members and politicians within the Governmental organisations. Bujic said that the bylaw should be proposed and adopted by the parties that would be under its governance. He reminded that Council of Europe advised all BIH institutions on adopting the bylaw that would regulate the behaviour of the members which would gain the trust of the citizens. The only institutions with adopted internal bylaw are of Centre and Novo Sarajevo Municipalities in Sarajevo and Tuzla Parliament after the incident that occurred during one of their sessions.

Jakob Finci the Chairman of the State Employment Agency agreed with Bujic’s statements on bad manners of BIH Politicians adding that even the EU countries do not have the adopted bylaw on the political behaviour. Finci stated that law-abiding is enough for tolerant and respective political conduct.

SDA boycotts Livno Canton Assembly session

BHT 1, NTV Hayat – SDA delegates in Livno cantonal Assembly will not participate in continuation of interrupted session, scheduled for the 13 September, at which there will be discussion on amendments to the cantonal Constitution. SDA cantonal Board underlines that there will be no parallelisms and divided national schools in the education system of this Canton .

Miscellaneous

Daviddi on 17% VAT rate

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘VAT of 17% has no alternative’, announced on cover ‘This VAT rate has not alternative’ by Enes Plecic – In a brief interview to daily, Renzo Daviddi, Head of Economic Department at the EC delegation to BiH, reiterates reasons supporting 127% VAT rate in BiH, noting it has no alternative and studious research have proved this rate is optimal for BiH.

Croatian police brings in connection robbery from Zagreb with robbery of “Pavlovic bank” vehicle

BHT 1, NTV Hayat, FTV – Croatian police investigates link between robbery of finance agency “Fina” in Zagreb and robbery of Bijeljina’s “Pavlovic bank” vehicle on the road Han Pijesak – Sokolac, when 2 million KM were taken away. It appears that robbers in both cases used automobile Volkswagen Passat, worn rubber gloves and were armed with Kalashnikovs. RS Police spokesman, Radovan Pejic, confirmed that Croatian police contacted RS Ministry of Interior in relation to this case. 

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Guards were murdered by “Bijeljina group’ by SRNA, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘A robbery in Bijeljina upon Zagreb model?’ by T.Bo.R.S.

Newly constructed border crossing Izacic opens on Monday

Oslobodjenje pg3 ‘Customs officers from BiH and Croatia under the same roof’, RHB, NTV Hayat – Newly constructed border crossing Izacic will be opened on Monday. The border crossing will be opened by FBIH PM Ahmet Hazipasic, Croatian Finance Minister Ivan Suker and ITA Director Kemal Causevic.

Two explosive devices thrown at the house in Kakanj, one police officer slightly injured

Dnevni List pg 14, announced on cover ‘Assault with automatic rifle and bombs at the family of Cehajic’ by ZEDA, BHT 1, NTV Hayat, FTV – Early on the Saturday morning, an unidentified perpetrator threw two explosive devices on the house of Enijad Cehajic in Kakanj. Attacker then was shooting from an automatic rifle, causing material damage. He was also shooting at vehicle in which were three police officers, when one of them was lightly injured. Investigation is underway, informed Zenica-Doboj Canton Ministry of Interior.

Suspect for threats to US Embassy in BiH arrested in Travnik

Vecernji List cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘He threatened to Americans via SMS’ by Robert Soldo/Dejan Jazvic, FTV – Person with initials K.D. is arrested on Friday night in Travnik, suspected of recent threats to the US Embassy in BiH and information on planted explosive device, learns BHT. This person is handed over to the FBiH Ministry of Interior.

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Kenan Dervic threatened to US Embassy?’ by I.C.-A.M. – Daily reports Kenan Dervic is suspected of having threatened to US Embassy in Sarajevo . He is currently detained in Travnik.