OHR BiH Media Round-up, 12/11/2004
Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on12 November 2004
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| Arafat funeral preparations | SFOR raids FAMOS premises in Pale | Lazic arrested in Bijeljina |
| HR addressed UNSC | Former RS Army’s Lazic arrested | SFOR raids FAMOS premises |
| Bralo case | SFOR could not confirm arrests of Th | SFOR not confirmed Sekovici arrests |
TV news broadcast on 11 November 2004
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| FBIH Government session | Yasser Arafat died | Yasser Arafat died | RS MoI action in Trebinje |
| Arizona Market’s 1st phase | The HR address to UNSC | RS MoI action in Trebinje | MoI search in E. Sarajevo |
| Situation in Gornji Vakuf | Covic on war criminals | Illegal workers in Livno | Yasser Arafat died |
| Protests in Tuzla | Beara pleaded not guilty | ITA prevented smuggling | ICTY indictee addresses |
| Oslobodjenje | Yasser Arafat died |
| Dnevni Avaz | Bairam message of Head of BiH Islamic Community Ceric: Renewal of moral is the most important thing; Paddy Ashdown: RS might face serious consequences |
| Dnevni List | Municipal debts leave citizens without water supply |
| Vecernji List | Plunder of Aluminij stopped |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Cicko was going on foot to Medjugorje every day |
| Glas Srpske | A group suspected of organised crime arrested in Trebinje: A group of six behind bars |
| Nezavisne Novine | BiH Election Commission hands certificates on election results: New Mayors can take over the authority; Paddy Ashdown: The time given to RS to arrest war crime suspects is running out; RS Government: Investigation into business deals with Mandic’s bank announced; Trebinje: A group of criminals arrested; Araffat died |
| Blic | Special police operation: Smugglers arrested in Trebinje |
| Vecernje Novosti | Dragan Cavic: I did not hand lists to Kostunica |
| Belgrade’s Nacional | Features Serbian related topics |
| Slobodna Bosna | AIDS strikes back |
| Dani | ‘Klas’ company operation – After removal of Husein Ahmovic, Sarajevo Brewery owner Hilmo Selimovic will be richer for KM 150,000 daily |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| SFOR raiding FAMOS company premises in Pale
| BH Radio 1 News at 1200, RS Radio, SRNA – SFOR members launched an unannounced search of facilities located within the Famos Company compound in Pale this morning, at around 09:00 hrs. This was confirmed to SRNA news agency by Radovan Pejic, the Spokesperson for the EastSarajevoPublicSecurityCenter. Pejic added that SFOR had informed the PSC about the beginning of the action and asked for a police patrol for assistance purposes. Pejic stressed that he could not, at that stage, provide any further detail with regard to the action. During and immediately after the war, the Famos Administration Building accommodated, during a certain period of time, amongst others, the office of the RS President. |
| Former commander of RS special unit apprehended | BH Radio 1, RS Radio, SRNA – Ljubisa Lazic, former Deputy Commander of RS Army Panteri Special Brigade, was apprehended in Bijeljina this morning. |
Political developments/Cooperation with ICTY | |
| Ivanic addresses UN Security Council
| BHT, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘BiH has made a significant progress’, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Ivanic: Everybody should follow example of Srebrenica Commission’ by M.B.,Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Peace rooting up’, FENA – BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic on Thursday addressed the UN Security Council. In his speech, Ivanic stressed that BiH has realized substantial progress in spite of all challenges it has been facing over the past six months. “The completion of SFOR’s mandate, i.e. replacing of SFOR with the EUFOR troops was announced at the latest NATO Summit in Istanbul. At the same time, it was announced that the NATO headquarters would be opened in Sarajevo to help the BiH authorities in implementing defence reform, apprehending indicted war crime suspects, combating organized crime and terrorism”, said Minister Ivanic. He reminded that the Human Rights Commission within the BiH Constitutional Court last Monday had accepted the RS Government’s Report on the events in Srebrenica in July of 1995, and in this manner the Srebrenica Commission, which was formed by the RS Government, had completed its historic mission and laid a cornerstone for the successful post-war reconciliation in BiH. Ivanic indicated the significant economic reforms that have been implemented in BiH, i.e. the fact that the High Representative did not impose any of the 40 adopted laws, although some of them were politically delicate. “In this year, for the first time ever, BiH has independently organized and funded local elections, although, we admit, the turnout was low”, said Ivanic. Ivanic also underlined the establishment and functioning of the state-level Defence Ministry, the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), prosecuting the cases of organized crime and corruption before the Court of BiH, forming of the single customs service and the State Border Service. |
| Ashdown: Time is running out for RS
| BHT, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Time is running out for RS’, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Ashdown: Time given to RS is running out’ by NINA, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘RS is blocking BiH’s way to Europe and NATO’ by D. Pasic , Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘The time given to RS to arrest war crime suspects is running out’ and pg 4 ‘The time for RS is running out’ by N.N., FENA – “Bosnia and Herzegovina’s NATO and EU aspirations are being jeopardized by the RS’s complete failure to meet its obligations to the ICTY”, the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, told the UN Security Council on Thursday. He said that the lack of ICTY cooperation is now the biggest threat to the entire country’s, but most especially the Republika Srpska entity’s, prospects. The High Representative reminded the Security Council that in nine years the RS has not handed over a single PIFWC; it has failed to give the ICTY the information it needs to track down indictees; and it has failed to take any significant action to do this itself. “That is an affront to justice and an affront to the values of the institutions which RS leaders claim they wish to join,” the High Representative said. “They need to be in no doubt that they cannot treat this solemn obligation, which they signed up to at Dayton, as if it were written in invisible ink, when it’s there in black and white. And they need to be clear that the International Community, and this Security Council, will not permit them to remain in fundamental breach of a cardinal requirement in Dayton with impunity. Nine years is already too long – far too long. Time is running out for the RS to take action to comply with international law. Time is running out for the RS to continue to block BiH’s path to the European Union and to NATO. Time is running out for those who think they can abuse the protections offered by Dayton,” said Ashdown. The High Representative emphasized that “the time for excuses is over” and that the RS authorities must act decisively so that BiH can “make that final, crucial break with the past, and embrace a brighter future as a modern European nation.” Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘We will not give up on demand for war criminals to be arrested’, mentioned on cover ‘RS might face serious consequences’ – Interview with HR Ashdown in which he emphasized top priorities including the accession to PfP and start of negotiations on SAA, importance of the Srebrenica report as a positive example for further establishment of the truth about the war in BiH and its consequences and the responsibility of RS to finally make concrete steps towards establishment of the full cooperation with ICTY. Dani pg 17 ‘Bosnian Barometer’ – The magazine gave one star (good political move) to HR Paddy Ashdown for his statement that RS itself depends on if it will fulfil provisions of the Dayton Agreement or continue to avoid fulfilment of its international obligations including the full cooperation with ICTY. |
| VN interview with Cavic
| Vecernje Novosti cover pg splash and pg 2 ‘I have not delivered lists to Kostunica’ by Dusan Stojakovic – In a short interview to VN, RS President Dragan Cavic claims he has delivered no list of Hague indictees to Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and he points out that he, as RS President, has no authority to deal with such matters. He, however, explained RS Police and Serbian Police were cooperating and exchanging operative data on Hague indictees. The journalist claimed Serbia and RS were in different positions regarding the cooperation with the Hague and asked Cavic to say to which extent does this represent aggravating circumstances for RS. Cavic replied: “Serbia does not have a high representative, RS does. No person from outside can change Serbia’s constitutional position. Serbia can be sanctioned by the Security Council after ICTY Chairman Theodor Meron and ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte submit a report on November 23’. He added that BiH would not be sanctioned and he said BiH would find RS to be a culprit for non-cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. |
| RS’ Stojicic on accusations against Kostunica/Serbian Minister Loncar on ICTY indictees’ addresses
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Kostunica will never erase RS’ by V. Popovic – Dusan Stojicic, RS NA Speaker and SDS senior official, said that the issue of RS cooperation with the ICTY is a legal obligation of RS, adding that claims “Serbia is obstructing this cooperation do not contribute to anybody. I am convinced that the eraser, for which some claim to be in the hands of Vojislav Kostunica will never erase the RS.” According to NN inset ‘RS authorities handed addresses’ (NN referred to B92 report), Serbian Minister for local self-governance, Zoran Loncar, confirmed that the RS representatives did indeed hand addresses at which Hague indictees were residing, adding: “There were few addresses, not as much as presented in the public. According to information I received, as member of Council of cooperation with ICTY, none of those addresses proved to be true. Namely, it was established not a single war crime suspect has ever resided at those locations.” RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘False addresses’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘There are no ICTY indictees on addresses sent by RS’ by M.B. also carried Loncar’s statement. |
| US Ambassador reiterates US commitment to see war crime suspects arrested
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Arrests to prove cooperation with the ICTY’ by N. Krsman – BHT 1 Thursday evening carried a statement of the US Ambassador to BiH, Douglas McElhaney, who reiterated the USA stance regarding the arrest of war crime suspects, adding that the RS Government is now expected to provide facts and evidence on cooperation with the ICTY (including arrests). Commenting on press question regarding possible sanctions against RS, he said that “I think there is still hope to see RS cooperating with the ICTY. At the end, we would determine what kinds of measures would be undertaken.” |
| OSCE Head of Mission to BiH Davidson in Vienna
| Nezavisne Novine pg 11 ‘BiH is at the right path to become a normal state’ by Srna – The Head of OSCE Mission to BiH, Douglas Davidson, assessed on Thursday that BiH is on the right path to become a normal state and he pointed out that there are still outstanding issues, such as the cooperation with ICTY. While presenting a report before OSCE Standing Committee in Vienna, Davidson assessed there are many reasons for optimism. According to Davidson, approaching of BiH to Euro-Atlantic integrations has been accelerated in the past several years and most of demands of EU for signing the Accession and Stabilization Agreement have been fulfilled. He also said the most important pre-requisites for the admission to PfP have been fulfilled. |
| FBiH Government crisis
| Oslobodjenje, pgs 4-5, mentioned on front, ‘MPs reject discussion on crisis in FBiH Government?!’, by A. Terzic – According to the President of SBiH Caucus in the FBiH Parliament, Ismet Briga, the said Caucus will be meeting prior to next Tuesday’s session of the FBiH Parliament’s House of Representatives in order to discuss pending issues, including the crisis in the FBiH Government. Briga notes that due to the importance of the issues, the President of SBiH Presidency, Safet Halilovic, will also be taking part in the Caucus’ meeting, after which the SBiH MPs will know how to proceed. On the other hand, the Speaker of the FBiH HoR, Muhamed Ibrahimovic, says he has not received anything official from the SBiH related to the SBiH’s announcement that they would be officially requesting a discussion in the FBiH Parliament about the crisis in the FBiH Government, and in the same time Ibrahimovic says the right place to address the issue is the FBiH Government itself. Ibrahimovic adds that even if the SBiH does request the discussion, it will not be done the same day, because such initiative would be first sent to the FBiH Government for its declaration. Oslobodjenje, pg 4 ‘Hadzipasic in favour of talks between SDA, HDZ and SBiH’, by Fena – The FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, confirmed that ministers in the FBiH Government coming from the SBiH did not attend yesterday’s (Thursday) session of the Government. Hadzipasic explains that the move is not a product of what happened during the last session of the Government, it is rather a product of the situation that has been on in past six to seven months. “During the course of next week, I will be talking to ministers from the SDA, and I will be asking for talks with the HDZ and SBiH. I would like it to have talks between ministers from all three parties”, says PM Hadzipasic. Dnevni List pg 2 ‘SBiH Ministers return to Government’ by N. Bise also carried Hadzipasic’s statement on the issue. Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘I am waiting for arguments from SBiH’s ministers’, by A. Hadziarapovic – Carries an interview with the FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, who says he is in contacts with ministers from the SBiH, noting that he expects from them to submit arguments what they are not happy with in order to have an open discussion. PM Hadzipasic notes that one of options is to have separate meeting between ministers coming from the SBiH and SDA, even with the HDZ, which would be followed by a session of the FBiH Government in order to discuss all open issues. PM Hadzipasic also stresses he is ready to present the whole situation to the FBiH Parliament too. Oslobodjenje, pg 5 ‘If Halilovic is removed, Government of canton Sarajevo will fall’, by A. T. – The daily learns from a senior official of the SBiH that in case the Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, decides to remove the BiH Minister of Civil Affairs, Safet Halilovic, in accordance with powers that were given to him by the BiH Presidency, The SBiH will be withholding the support to the FBiH Government in the FBiH Parliament and in cantonal assemblies throughout the FBiH. “If SBiH cadres are to be replaced, ministers coming from the SBiH will withdraw from the Sarajevo canton Government, the support in the Sarajevo Canton Assembly will be withheld, which means the fall of cantonal Government of Denis Zvizdic”, says the anonymous SBiH official. Dnevni Avaz, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘It is not late to save our property’, by E. Sarac – Carries an interview with the founder of SBiH, Haris Silajdzic, in which he gives his support to all actions that SBiH ministers in the FBiH Government are undertaking, including the decision not to attend the FBiH Government sessions. Silajdzic notes it is not yet too late to save the property of BiH, foremost in the ‘Aluminij’ Company of Mostar. |
| Oslobodjenje interview with Terzic
| Oslobodjenje – Pogled, pgs. 4-5 ‘It is normal Paddy Ashdown supports me’ by Senka Kurtovic – CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic claims that the delegates of the Parliamentary majority should make an effort and adopt what was agreed upon at CoM and harmonized between entity authorities. He says this was the main reason why he has submitted his resignation notice to the BiH Presidency. He claims he primarily wanted to get a support of the parties of the Parliamentary majority for fast, urgent and efficient reforms. In the further course of the interview, Terzic explained in details all developments regarding the adoption of VAT Law and his resignation that had followed the adoption. |
| NN on BiH COM re-shuffle
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Removals of Ministers in December’ by M. Cubro – NN source at the BiH COM claims that Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair, will not re-shuffle current composition of BiH CoM until December this year, when all Ministers should file annual reports on the work and performance. The source further notes that the PIC would hold the session on 2nd December, when Terzic would demand support to establish the BioH Government to replace the existing CoM. Collocutor further notes: “Apart from support, Terzic expects to see police reform completed by that time, after which it would be known whether the state interior ministry would be established. And the number of ministries depends on this issue, since state government must have as much ministries to offer an equal number of departments to each people.” |
| Tihic meet with newly-elected mayors from SDA
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘To ensure money for lawsuit against SCG’, pg 10 ‘To ensure equality of all peoples in BiH’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Conditions have been created for BiH Constitution to be changed’, FENA – SDA President Sulejman Tihic addressed in Sarajevo on Thursday newly appointed mayors and municipal councilors elected from SDA lists of candidates. Tihic reminded that SDA is the strongest political party in BiH and stressed that SDA won 710 seats in municipal assemblies and 36 post of mayors, two of whom in the RS. He said that important tasks lie ahead of SDA and its representatives at all levels of authority including the two most important tasks in the next year. “It will be ten years next year since the signing of the Dayton Agreement and we expect conditions for discussing changes to the BiH Constitution to be met. We need to prepare well and ensure strong internal unity, but also the unity of all BiH forces. We think that the arguments are strong and that that critical mass has also been reached within the international community in regard to the BiH Constitution and the Dayton Agreement change and that we shall change the BiH Constitution next year”, Tihic said. He said that the BiH lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro for aggression and genocide is the second important issue. “We need to be well organised in this field as well. We need to get prepared and do all in our power so that the International Court of Justice decides in 2006 that aggression was carried out against BiH and genocide committed against Bosniaks”, Tihic said. “I wish to underline the importance of this lawsuit and the need that every mayor and municipal council plan budget funds for financing the lawsuit,” he said. “Due to opposition of Serb representatives at the state level it is impossible to pass a budget that would ensure funds for financing the lawsuit. This is an important project which requires significant funds. We need to ensure funds through the Foundation we have established and I urge all municipalities to provide a part of the funds for financing the lawsuit”, Tihic said. |
| Heads of 132 Municipalities took over certificates
| BHT, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Heads of 132 Municipalities took over certificates’ by N. Bise, Vecernji List pg 6 ‘Certification on mandates to new Heads of Municipalities’ by ds, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 14 ‘138 Heads of Municipalities took over mandate’ by F, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 2 ‘New Mayors can take over the authority’ by R. Cengic; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Heads got certificates’- BiH Election Commission on Thursday handed mandate certificates to newly elected head of municipalities and mayors. According to NN inset ‘Acimovic’s victory upheld’, the repeated elections at Zvornik municipality again saw the winning of Budimir Acimovic, the candidate of seven political parties. Sarajevo media, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Victory of Budimir Acimovic upheld’ carries Zvornik election results also covered the issue. |
Srebrenica Report | |
| OHR, OSCE welcome RS Government’s apology for crime in Srebrenica
| FTV – “Now they must consider these information and follow them with appropriate actions, including arrests and indictments. It is not only the RS Government in question. I asked leaders of other peoples as well to start process that will allow them to confess crimes that were committed by all of peoples. We all know that Srebrenica was the worst crime, but it is not the only one. There are war crimes committed by Croats and Bosniaks and it is very important to spread further this process of facing the past,” said HR Paddy Ashdown in a phone statement for FTV. |
| Society for Threatened Peoples on Srebrenica report, need for apprehension of war criminals | Oslobodjenje, pg. 8 ‘Admitting a crime is a farce if no criminal is arrested’ not signed – The President of the BiH Society for Threatened Peoples, Fadila Memisevic, has said the Society welcomed the fact RS Government has adopted the report of Srebrenica Commission and she also said the gesture of excuse would mean nothing if it would not be followed by concrete steps – arresting of war crimes indictees. |
| SGV on Srebrenica report, RS Government’s apology
| FTV, Oslobodjenje, pg. 10 ‘The importance of truth on crimes and criminals’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz, pg. 12 ‘Contribution to regaining trust and coexistence’ by Fena – Serb Civic Council – the Movement for Equality (SGV) has pointed out the importance of the fact the truth on criminals and crimes committed over Bosniak civilians in Srebrenica was comprehended. The NGO also thinks the latest statement of RS Government regarding the crimes committed in Srebrenica represented an important contribution to regaining inter-national trust and coexistence. |
| RSNA Speaker hopes Srebrenica report to help rebuild trust among peoples
| BHT, FTV, RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘The truth should speak up’; EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Facing the truth’ by Tijana Veselinovic, FENA – RS National Assembly Speaker Dusan Stojicic said on Thursday that the Srebrenica report spoke about the events of 1995 in a painful, but truthful way and that it would create an obligation to establish the truth about events, which happened in other parts of BiH as well He told journalists in Banja Luka he hoped that the report would be a turning point in building trust among the peoples in BiH. He said “the Serb people will never accept the thesis that they committed genocide, nor that the RS is a genocidal creation,” adding that there was no reason for anyone in the RS to feel inferior or humiliated because of the Srebrenica report. |
Economic/social issues | |
| Old foreign currency depositors pressed charges before courts in Sarajevo and Strasbourg
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHT, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 8, mentioned on cover ‘Lawsuits before courts in Sarajevo and Strasbourg’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Lawsuits against banks, states and International Community’ by D. Polovina-Mandic, Vecernji List pg 8 ‘Court struggle for return of money’ by eme, FENA – The Steering Board of the Association for protection of foreign currency depositors in BiH on Thursday pressed charges before the Municipal Court in Sarajevo and the European Human Rights Court in Strasbourg against the BiH and foreign institutions, officials and banks. Namely, the recently passed Law on the Internal Debt in FBiH treats the old foreign currency savings as a part of the internal debt of Federation BiH, but the Association declares that majority of depositors will never get back their money deposited in banks in BiH, which were at the time guaranteed by SFRY (former socialist Yugoslavia ). The depositors are particularly unsatisfied with the fact that the Law envisions returning a part of the savings in bonds. They are comparing them to “worthless papers” similar to certificates in privatization. Vecernji List pg 8 ‘HR is imposing this robbery!’ by Z. Mihaljevic carries a short interview with President of the Association for Protection of Old Foreign Currency Savings Depositors Amila Omersoftic who comments on the Law on Internal Debt adopted by the Federation of BiH Parliament and she says: ‘This is legalized robbery of BiH citizens…This is the robbery imposed by the High Representative.’ |
| Arizona Market opened
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHT, Oslobodjenje pg 10 ‘Arizona Market a symbol of entrepreneurship’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Ambassador Hays: Rule of Law in Brcko is the most progressive in BiH’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Biggest market in Balkans opened’, mentioned on front, by D. Kozina, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘5000 employed at biggest market in Balkans’ by J. Terzic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘New face of Arizona’ by M. Djurdjevic – First phase of the Arizona Market was officially opened in Brcko on Thursday. Principal Deputy HR Donald Hays was present at the ceremony. He stated that there was no doubt that the Italian investors choose Brcko District for their investment, they choose it because of the location, rule of law that prevails in Brcko and the feeling that every citizen works towards the same goal. Susan Johnson Brcko Supervisor stated that Arizona Market is an example of what can happen when determination and cooperation win over individual and political interests as well as national preoccupations. She stressed that 7 million KM in tax was made from Arizona Market this year and added that this Market provides employment for many people. Brcko mayor Branko Damjanac stated that 130 million KM was invested in the market. Damjanac expressed pleasure with what was done in Arizona . Owners of the land on which the Market is situated announced peaceful protests for Thursday but the protests were not held since Brcko police did not allow it. |
| VL: ‘PDHR Hays against Silajdzic’s ‘revision’ of privatization’
| Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘Plunder of Aluminij stopped’ and pg 4 ’Hays against Silajdzic’s ‘revision’ of privatization’, by Zoran Kresic – VL notes that the OHR has for the first time opposed proposals of Haris Silajdzic’s SBiH on revision of privatization, in the same time encouraging domestic authorities to enable foreign investments and create new jobs. This is apparently stated in an opinion that the OHR had submitted to the Mostar-based Pincom.biz Internet site. According to VL, by doing this, the OHR is clearly letting the SBiH know that the OHR does not support the blockade of the FBiH authorities and attempts to destroy the BiH Council of Ministers. VL argues that the SBiH is trying through the selective revision of privatization contracts to stop companies from Croatia to invest into the communications and energy sector in BiH, and in the same time the SBiH is trying to send successful companies, such as ‘Aluminij’ of Mostar, back to ashes. According to VL, Economic Department of the OHR, which is led by Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, wrote to Pincom.biz in which the OHR, among other issues, stated: “It is important that BiH authorities work on speeding up of the privatization in order to create desperately needed jobs. Proposals within this law (on privatization) show that some politicians do not understand it”. |
| EP HZ HB starts action for payment of debts for electricity
| Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Municipal debts leave citizens without water supply’ by V. Soldo carries General Manager of Public Company Elektroprivreda of Croat Community of Herceg Bosna Vlado Maric as saying: ‘Users of water supply systems in Citluk, Mostar and Neum do not pay their electricity bills on a regular basis and, probably, we shall have to take strict measures, that is, cutting of the water supply systems.’ Maric added that this measure will be in force until Heads of Municipalities become aware that debts for electricity must be paid. Asked about speculations that some debts for electricity will be written off, Maric says that nothing was written off and he added: ‘The exception is 1999 when pensioners’ debts were written off. Although there were rumors that the High Representative signed the decision to write off the debts, nothing was written off.’ |
| RS pensioners re-address HR
| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Paddy, respond to us, at least!’ by R. Skondric – The article reports that the RS Pensioners Party has again on Thursday addressed a letter top Paddy Ashdown, HR, asking from him to meet its delegation and discuss pensioners’ problems. The first time they sent a letter to HR asking for a meeting was in July this year, but no response was provided to them ever after, according to Pensioners’ Party. |
Security/Crime/Judiciary/Legal Proceedings | |
| Following incidents in Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje: Two high schools closed
| Herceg Bosna Radio, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 7, mentioned on cover ‘Two high schools closed’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 15 ‘Topic is recovering, Police guards school’, mentioned on front, by J. Senda and Vecernji List pg 7 ‘Bosniak students called their older colleagues to help them in fight’, mentioned on front ‘School closed after fight’, by R. Bubalocarry an update on the incident in front of a Secondary School in Uskoplje when two students of the Croat nationality were stabbed by knife by 3 young men of the Bosniak nationality. Both dailies report that the school was closed after the incident, however, classes will start on Monday again. SD also says that municipal officials called on calming down of the situation. VL carries a statement of an Uskoplje citizen of the Croat nationality who says that all protagonists of this incident are problematic persons. |
| Hercegovacka Bank/Jelavic case
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Ljubo Beslic got two housing loans’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘General Beslic: Wife was exerting pressure against me’ by E. Mackic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 20 ‘There was no flat for me in Sarajevo’ by Z. Tulic carries that the trial on the Hercegovacaka Banka case continued on Thursday when another 3 witnesses were questioned with regard to the housing loans granted by the Croat component of the Federation of BiH Army. One of the witnesses was current Mostar Deputy Mayor Ljubo Beslic, who used to be a Brigadier General in the FBiH Army. Beslic was granted a housing loan amounting to 130 000 KM and he, as well as, other witnesses who were questioned on Thursday was talking about circumstances under which he was granted the loan. |
| Update to Croat self-rule case
| Vecernji List pg 4 ‘BiH Court does not recognize facts on identity’ by M. Vasilj – Judge of the BiH Court Guy Van Craen rejected as ungrounded objections of the indictees in the Croat self-rule case (Ante Jelavic, Marko Tokic, Petra Milic and Miroslav Prce). Most of their objections referred on competence of the BiH Court in this case. The official letter, which was sent to the indictees, says that the Croat self-rule case was transferred on the BiH Court in accordance with the law. |
| Update on Bralo case
| Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pg 14 ‘Cicko was going on foot to Medjugorje every day’ by Z. Cilic carries an article about ICTY indictee Miroslav Bralo Cicko (a Croat suspected of committing war crimes in village Ahmici in 1993), who turned himself in a few days ago. The author of the article says that Bralo was not hiding at all and that he lived normally in the area of the Citluk Municipality . The author also says that during the last years Bralo has been completely dedicated to religion and he used to go on foot to Medjugorje every day. An inset in SD under headline ‘He is willing to tell everything he knows’ says that according to the SD information, Bralo is willing to tell everything he knows and that the ICTY believes that the things Bralo could say might be important and relevant. |
| Bill of indictment issued against Head of prison Gabela? | Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Head of prison in Gabela indicted’, mentioned on front, by De.L. carries that according to the DL unofficial information, Prosecutor of the Cantonal Court in Mostar Ibro Bulic issued a bill of indictment against B.P. who used to be a Head of prison (in which Bosniaks were detained) in Gabela near Capljina during 1993. B.P. is being charged with murder of 19 years old Mustafa Obradovic after B.P. found some bread and cigarettes in the pocket of this prisoner. DL explains that B.P. is on the ICTY list of war crime suspects who can be processed before the domestic courts according to the ICTY’s approval. |
| Update to “ Tuzla procession” war crimes case
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Investigation on “Tuzla procession” again’ by J.S. – Novak Kovacevic, Bijeljina District Prosecutor, confirmed to NN that the Hague Tribunal has classified the case of “Tuzla procession” with “A” label, meaning ICTY has approved processing of four persons of Bosniak nationality from Tuzla for crimes before local court. Kovacevic noted that bill of indictment has not been brought as yet, since the invetsihagtion in accordance with the new Law on criminal proceedings is being conducted. |
| On Special Police action against organized crime
| BHT, FTV, RTRS, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 50 ’10 persons from Trebinje arrested’, mentioned on front, by T. Bojanic, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Trebinje: Leader of organized group of criminals arrested’ by A.M., Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘A group of criminals arrested’ and pg 6 ‘An organised group of criminals arrested’ by A. Sisic; Glas Srpske cover page story ‘A group of six behind bars’ by E.G.S.; EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘Smugglers arrested in Trebinje’ and RSpg 1 ‘A group of six arrested’ by E.B. – On Thursday in Trebinje, RS MoI special police, acting upon BiH Court’s order, arrested a group of six persons suspected of having been involved in organised crime, illegal drug trafficking, robbery, car smuggling, human trafficking, corruption and bribing of public officials. Jonathan Ratel fromBiH Prosecution’s special department in charge of this case, issued demand for arrest warrants after the following persons (still unofficial information): Zeljko Tasovac, Vaso Glibo, Dragomir Bodiroga, Zoran Vukanovic, Djordje Skero and former member of RS MoI Vladimir Vukasinovic (all from Trebinje). Sarajevo media also covered the issue. |
| RS Government on HR’s demand for PBES-related investigation
| Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 2 ‘Investigation into business deals with Mandic’s bank announced’ by D.R.-A.S. – Goran Radivojac, Spokesperson of the RS Premier, confirmed that acting upon request of HR Paddy Ashdown, the RS Government would launch investigation regarding transaction from public funds of RS with Privredna Banka Serb Sarajevo. More detailed information on the investigation would be made public after Premier returns to the state from official visit to Israel. |
| SB: State Prosecutor Ratel met with Momcilo Mandic in Belgrade
| Slobodna Bosna pgs 10-11 ‘State Prosecutor Ratel met with Momcilo Mandic in Belgrade’ – According to the magazine, some ten days ago, BiH Prosecutor Jonathan Ratel in Belgrade’s Aleksandrija restaurant met with Serbian/Bosnian businessman Momcilo Mandic. Before any further talks, Mandic requested that a process against his son Aleksandar before the BiH Court is stopped. Ratel allegedly accepted this condition requesting Mandic to come to Sarajevo and answer all the questions to be asked by the prosecutors in the course of the investigation launched. |
| SB says new Code on Criminal Proceddings protects criminals | Slobodna Bosna pgs 21-23 ‘Sarajevo is being terrorized by a small group of always the same criminals who are protected from jail and court processing by the new law’ by Suzana Mijatovic – Police chiefs and independent legal analysts are directly linking astonishing increase of violence, murders, assassinations, robberies and abductions registered in the course of this year in Sarajevo and other parts of BiH with the adoption of the new, OHR-imposed Code on Criminal Proceedings, which stimulates and encourages criminals. |