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| SDS Resignations | R. Karadzic in Belgrade | R. Karadzic in Belgrade | SDS resignations |
| Reaction on SDS resign. | SDS Presid. resignation | SDS Preside. -resignation | BiH Presid. in Banja Luka |
| FBiH HoP Session | Defence Minister agreed | Defence Minister agreed | RS Government Session |
| Dismissal of Croat Officers | FBiH HoP in session | FBiH HoP in session | TV Subscription in RS |
| Oslobodjenje | Sarovic’s man to head BiH State Border Service? |
| Dnevni Avaz | What is internal debate within SDA leadership about – Minor disagreements or start of political conflict |
| Dnevni List | “Covic: Appointment of Defense Minister by February 15?”; “SDS is abandoning RS and BiH Executive authority” |
| Vecernji List | “SDS leadership submitted irrevocable resignation”; “BiH has loan rating as bad as Albanian one” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | “Evidence on murder of Croat returnees in Travnik covered up”; “Deadline for sale of Hercegovacka Banka will be extended” |
| Glas Srpske | Commission for investigating crimes against Serbs in Sarajevo: Time for truth; Banjaluka: A Ser to be defence minister of BiH |
| Nezavisne Novine | Agreement in Banjaluka: Serbs get defence, Croats SIPA and Bosniaks OSA; Serb Sarajevo: SDS Presidency files resignation; Del Ponte/Solana meeting in Brussels: Karadzic and Mladic in Belgrade, Gotovina in Croatia; Ilija Drpa: Co-operation between Refinery and “Vitol” has not been jeopardised |
| Blic | Response to pressure of OHR and USA: 10 resignations in SDS; Del Ponte: Karadzic and Mladic in Belgrade; 350,000 people still waiting to return |
Ware crimes/organised crime | |
| SDS leaders resign over Ashdown’s decision to dismiss Sarovic
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4, SRNA – The chairman of the Serb Democratic Party (SDS), Dragan Kalinic, his deputy Dragan Cavic and six members of the party presidency have tendered their irrevocable resignations from party posts because they failed to find the right response to constant pressure, the use of force and the practice of eliminating key people from this party. The following are the members of the SDS presidency: Mirko Sarovic, Borislav Paravac, Cvjetin Nikic, Pantelija Cugruz, Nedeljko Zekanovic and Slobodan Sarba. The conclusions which the SDS presidency adopted unanimously at last night’s session stress that the SDS does not accept the decision of the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, to dismiss SDS deputy chairman Mirko Sarovic from his party post and to remove him from public life in the RS and BiH. The statement issued by the SDS information service says that the SDS presidency regards this decision by the High Representative as a continuation of the practice of putting pressure on the SDS, which is aimed at quashing personal and collective resistance to the process of unitarization of BiH and the revision of the Dayton Agreement and at annulling the strong and irreplaceable political influence which this party has for years had in securing a stable future for the RS and its people. The SDS presidency draws attention to “the well-established practice, which is tacitly accepted by the international community and a number of political parties in the RS and BiH, to remove legally elected people from political and public life by arbitrary and unilateral decisions, which are outside the mandate of the Dayton peace agreement”. “This seriously breaches human rights, threatens democratic processes and brutally annuls the electoral will of the people,” the statement says. It adds that those affected are as a rule people backed by the SDS and the Serb people. It says that the outgoing SDS leadership holds itself responsible only to its members. Until a new SDS leadership is elected, the outgoing SDS presidency will prepare and hold a session of the main committee and an emergency party congress, and until then it will have a so-called technical mandate. Vecernji List (front page, “SDS leadership submitted irrevocable resignation” and page 3, “Whole SDS leadership submitted irrevocable resignation”, by B. Stevandic), Slobodna Dalmacija (page 17, “Collective resignation because of Mirko Sarovic”, by A. Macanovic) and Dnevni List (front and page 12, “SDS abandons RS and BiH executive authority?”, not signed), Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘SDS Presidency files resignation’; Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘Resignations respond to use of force’, Blic front page and p 13 ‘Collective resignation’, Nacional Belgrade daily p 9 ‘Bush measures, Ashdown cuts’, Vecernje Novosti p 5 ‘Resignation of everyone from the top of SDS’ also covered the issue. According to NN, sources close to SDS claim that collective resignation was the only way in which the Presidency members could have made Dragan Kalinic to vacate the position of Party President. |
| Paravac expects SDS to consolidate its ranks | Herceg Bosna Radio, FENA – BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac said in Banja Luka on Wednesday that Mirko Sarovic was a political figure that accepted the reform orientation of the RS and BiH. In a statement to journalists he expressed hope that SDS would find a way at the Main Board session to overcome the newly developed situation following the resignation of the SDS President, Vice President and the entire Presidency. Paravac, who is also a SDS Presidency member, added that he expects SDS to consolidate its ranks. |
| Reactions to Sarovic dismissal, SDS resignations | Glas Srpski, Nezavisne Novine, electronic media – The Republika Srpska President, Dragan Cavic, yesterday stated that the suspension of the SDS Vice President, Mirko Sarovic, from assuming political functions in Republika Srpska “is without precedent”, noting that “it is inadequate, unless substantiated by evidence”. Cavic said that such an approach “could represent a culmination with serious consequences for the political stability of Republika Srpska, but also serious consequences for SDS, which certainly represents an inevitable factor in political life of Republika Srpska and BiH”. RS President said: “I am personally hurt and irritated, because Sarovic completely supported me during the implementation of legal reforms during the course of last year. By having exerted pressure against him to file resignation to the position of the member to BiH Presidency, instead of being removed from Office, we have made a major mistake and altered his decision in conviction that all the promises HiRep gave to us would live and be realised.” He did not want to comment on resignations filed by SDS Presidency. (Glas Srpske carries this statement by Cavic separately pn pg. 5, ‘Act without justification’) Mladen Ivanic, PDP President, said that the resignations of SDS officials represent a serious political development, because SDS is the party that won majority vote at the elections. Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, expressed expectation that Paddy Ashdown would undertake serious measures, since SDS refused to accept OHR decision. He said that SDS resignation would not lead to crisis in Republika Srpska, “since the crisis has occurred when SDS and SDA assumed powers”. The OHR Spokesperson, Mario Brkic, did not want to make any comment on party politics. However, he added that many people did not at first accept HiRep’s decisions, but he knows of none which has not been implemented. Blic p 13 ‘Accusations without precedent or arguments’, Vecernje Novosti p 5 ‘Strike against RS’ also carried the reactions. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 carried two articles with reactions to SDS resignations by political leaders in FBiH (‘Now it is clear they are representing Karadzic’s politics’) and by RS politicians (‘Ivanic does not expect the parliamentary majority will be jeopardised’). |
| NN editorial on SDS resignations | Nezavisne Novine editorial by Josip Blazevic, ‘SDS – what now’ – The author is saying it is not such a bad thing that SDS Presidency filed collective resignation. However, he also speculates into eventual reasons for this action. He adds dismissal of Mirko Sarovic by HiRep may not be the only reason SDS Presidency decided to do this was to avoid responsibility from eventual inadequate development of events for the future of Republika Srpska. They fear that the public and population of Republika Srpska would turn back on them, because SDS seems to be failing to resist to increasingly often requests for change of Dayton Peace Agreement, territorial re-organisation and transfer of authorities from entities’ onto state level. The author also expresses regret over SDS resignation because Dragan Kalinic, the one and only collaborator of international community, would have doe all he could to have all these tasks accomplished. |
| Russian Embassy to BiH says HR did not consult PIC | Herceg Bosna Radio, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘Decision on “black list” without opinion by PIC’; Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘Procedure violated’, Oslobodjenje pg. 8 ‘PIC ignored’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘Paddy Ashdown did not consult PIC Steering Board’, Blic p 13 ‘Warning of the Russian Federation Embassy in BiH’, Nacional Belgrade daily, p 9, ‘Warning of Russian Embassy’, Vecernje Novosti p 5 ‘He had asked us nothing’, FENA – Without any intention to bring into question that all responsible for war crimes should be brought to justice the Russian Embassy in BiH stated on Wednesday that the latest decision of the High Representative on measures against persons suspected of supporting Radovan Karadzic and other indicted war criminals was made without consultations in the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board, which is against the adopted principles and practice of its functioning. The Russian Embassy thinks that standard procedure needs to be strictly respected in the future. |
| OHR on Russian Embassy’s reaction | Herceg Bosna Radio, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Justified bypassing of PIC’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘Discussion on the issue to take place soon’, FENA – We respect the position of the Russian Federation as a key member of the PIC. Obviously there are some decisions that prevent prior consultation of wider forum of PIC Steering Board Members. This is something that will be discussed in the proper forum at the soonest possible time, Mario Brkic, OHR spokesperson, said on Wednesday. |
| VL says that there is a crisis within PIC Steering Board because of decision on Sarovic | Vecernji List (page 3, “Conflict of USA and Russians because of Sarovic”, by D. Jazvic) carries that the decision on sanctioning of SDS Vice President Mirko Sarovic and another 9 Serbs might cause the biggest crises within the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Steering Board. VL says that the Russian Embassy in Sarajevo issued a press release yesterday reacting against this decision passed by High Representative Paddy Ashdown. The press release says that this decision was passed without consultations within the PIC Steering Board and this is contrary to adopted principles and practice of its functioning. VL also says that another proof that certain conflicts took place within the PIC Steering Board because of the Sarovic’s sanctioning is the information that the US Government involved in the action within which Sarovic was sanctioned more intensively than the other PIC Steering Board members. According to VL, the OHR cautiously reacted to Russian criticism and the article carries OHR spokesperson Mario Brkic as saying: “We respect the position of the Russian Federation as a crucial member of the PIC. Obviously, there are certain decisions that prevent prior consultations in a wider Forum of the PIC Steering Board. This decision is something that will be discussed at a proper Forum as soon as possible.” Slobodna Dalmacija (page 9, “Russians’ objections will be discussed”, by D. Pasic) also covered the OHR’s s reaction. SD also says that the OHR did not want to comment on the decision of the SDS Presidency to submit irrevocable resignation, explaining that ‘it is about the party’s policy’. SD (page 17, “Ashdown did not have consultations”, by B. Kristo) covered the press release issued by the Russian Embassy in BiH. |
| Bond on US measures | FTV – US measures against ten Bosnian Serbs, by which their property is frozen, their bank accounts blocked and they are banned from entering US was brought after thorough investigation on the basis of confirmed information and it was not pointed against RS but against individuals which provide support for the ICTY indicted, according to US Ambassador in BiH Clifford Bond. He also said that those information will be available to BiH judiciary but not to the public and revealed that there were some payments from the US program Reward For Justice. “Decisions we brought, regarding the new ten individuals were based on what we call credible information. Unfortunately we can not publish those information, but they are credible. So the information for freezing the property and preventing those individuals from travelling to USA will encourage rest of the Politicians to cooperate and take actions, which will brought those individuals, especially Karadzic and Mladic to the justice”- said Bond. Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘There will be new names on the blacklist’ carried the statement. |
| Del Ponte says Karadzic is in Belgrade | Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘Karadzic and Mladic in Belgrade, Gotovina in Croatia’; Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Karadzic in Belgrade’, Oslobodjenje pg. 3, mentioned on the front page, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Karadzic currently hides in Belgrade’, Vecernje Novosti p 6 ‘Karadzic and Mladic are in Belgrade!’, Blic front page and p 2 and 3 ‘Svilanovic; Let her come and arrest them’, FENA – Ex-Bosnian Serb leader and indicted war criminal Radovan Karadzic is living in Belgrade, according to chief United Nations prosecutor Carla Del Ponte. She added that her office’s relations with Serbia were frozen as a result. Del Ponte said she had received information “just last week” from a credible source in the Serbian capital. “Belgrade has become a safe haven for our fugitives, Karadzic is now living in Belgrade”, she told journalists. “I have to say that cooperation is now frozen”, Del Ponte added. “We have some fifteen fugitives in Serbia”, she said referring to a group of indicted war criminals wanted by the Hague Tribunal. Del Ponte earlier said that indicted war criminal Ratko Mladic is in Serbia as well. “We now have both of our most wanted men responsible for the committed crimes – Mladic and Karadzic – in Serbia”, she said. |
| Serbian PM on Del Ponte’s claims | BHTV, Nezavisne Novine, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Del Ponte has no evidence’ – Serbia Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic said that they have no information, which would confirm the allegations of Chief Prosecutor that Karadzic and Mladic were in Belgrade. |
| Ashdown: State Court shows no one is above the law | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘BiH Court showed nobody is above the Law’, Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Decisive fight against most powerful criminals’, Blic p 12 ‘Defeat of criminals’, Dnevni List pg 2, FENA – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, on Wednesday congratulated the BiH Prosecutor’s Office on bringing to a successful conclusion the Milakovic-Sherwood human-trafficking case. “The BiH authorities, together with the international community, have spent a lot of time building the institutions of the Rule of Law. This conviction shows that that work is beginning to bear fruit,” the High Representative said. “The BiH Prosecutor’s Office has proved today that crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina does not pay – that those who break the law will be brought to book. I’m sure that every honest citizen in BiH will cheer the fact that powerful criminals are beginning to end up behind bars,” he added. In his statement, the High Representative welcomed the fact that the newly established State-level judicial institutions are showing their judicial muscle. “We are witnessing the start of a new judicial era, in which no one can flaunt the law and expect to get away with it because of their connections or influence,” the High Representative said. |
| Commission for crimes against Serbs in Sarajevo | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Time for truth’ – The BiH CoM is expected to establish the Commission in charge of investigating crimes committed against Serbs during the war in Sarajevo. The initiative was launched by PDP delegate at BiH HoR, Jelina Djurkovic. The Commission has been entasked to investigate into how many and in what manner Serbs killed in Sarajevo during the war. The number speculated rates between 7 to 10 thousand. |
| SD on Fazlic case | Slobodna Dalmacija (front page splash and page 17 “Hidden evidence on murders of Croat returnees to Travnik”, by Zlatko Tulic) – learns from sources close to the FBiH Ministry of Interior that Deputy Director of BiH Interpol, Asim Fazlic, who was recently arrested for alleged involvement in corruption, is behaving very cooperatively during the investigation. Apparently, faced with irrefutable evidences, Fazlic admitted to hiding Interpol’s arrest warrants, however Fazlic claims he was forced to do it because of blackmails coming from individuals from criminal milieu and police circles. The daily also claims to be in possession of documents which allegedly reveals details of hiding of evidence linked to murders of two Croat returnees to Travnik, who were killed on August 30, 1997. Apparently, the investigation into the murders was blocked and impeded by an inspector of (FBiH) MoI, Mirsad Fazlic, a close relative of Asim Fazlic, and the then Minister of Interior of Central Bosnia Canton, Midhat Zubaca. |
Political developments/reforms | |
| BiH Presidency, RS leaders discuss ongoing reforms
| BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List front page splash and page 5 “Covic: Appointment of defence minister by February 15?”, by NINA, Vecernji List, page 3 “Covic talked to RS authorities”, by Branka Stevandic, Slobodna Dalmacija, back page “Covic: Reforms that RS has implemented encourage”, by A. Macanovic, Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Protection of the domestic production’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 8, Blic p 12 ‘A step closer to the Partnership’ – During a meeting of the BiH Presidency members with leaders of RS in Banja Luka on Wednesday it was discussed about the sixteen guidelines, which were given by EC. Chairman of BiH Presidency Dragan Covic said that on this road BiH could expect dynamic processes, because in the period of four months it is necessary to pass 44 Laws and establish about 20 new Institutions. RS President Dragan Cavic said that the hardest part of the work was behind us and now it was necessary to reach consensus about distribution of new functions. He also said that RS representatives consider that change of BiH Constitution can’t be supported at this time. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Covic visited Nezavisne” – Dragan Covic, Chairperson of BiH Presidency, yesterday visited the editorial board of Nezavisne Novine and spoke with editors and journalists of this Banjaluka seated papers. Covic stressed that free journalism one of pillars of democratic society. |
| BiH’s first defence minister to be a Serb | BHTV, FTV, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4, ‘Serbs get defence, Croats SIPA and Bosniaks OSA’, Glas Srpske cover page story ‘A Serb defence minister’, Oslobodjenje pg. 4, mentioned on the front page ‘Slobodan Radulj to be appointed Defence Minister’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2, FENA – The future and first defence minister of BiH will be from the ranks of the Serb people, the director of the BiH Intelligence-Security Service will be a Bosniak, and the State Information and Protection Agency director will be a Croat, it was decided late on Wednesday at a meeting of the members of the BiH Presidency and high-level RS officials in Banja Luka. A source close to the Serb Democratic Party (SDS) confirmed for FENA that the post of the chief of the joint staff of the BiH armed forces would be taken by a Bosniak, while the chief of operational command would be a Croat. It has been learnt that Slobodan Radulj, who has until now been an advisor to the Serb member of the BiH Presidency on military matters, has been nominated as BiH defence minister. According to NN inset, Slobodan Radulj, legal advisor to Borislav Paravac, last night said he heard of his eventual nomination as BiH defence minister from the media, noting that no official of Republika Srpska and BiH has discussed this possibility with him before. He also added that: “I will have to seriously consider it if I were offered the position, because it is neither easy or simple job.” |
| VL on appointment of BiH Defence Minister, changes to BiH CoM | Vecernji List (page 2 “Stjepan Pocrnja will not be minister after all?”, by Zoran Kresic) – the daily learns from an anonymous participant of yesterday’s talks in Banja Luka that Stjepan Pocrnja, who has been often mentioned in the media as a likely candidate for the future BiH Defence Minister, is not likely to be appointed to the said office. The same source adds that the future candidate should be meeting the OHR stipulated criteria in order to save time in the process of the appointment since this is one of pre-requisites for joining the PfP. The daily further reports that leaders of political parties again discussed the issue of number of ministries in the BiH Council of Ministers i.e. whether to have either 8 or 11 ministries + the Prime Minister in order to achieve the national balance. In that context, VL reports that Serb representatives propose the abolishment of the Ministry of Refugees and its merger with the Ministry of Civil Affairs. In the same time, the SDA advocates the establishment of the State Ministry of Agriculture, separation of Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations into two separate ministries, and the idea that the Direction for European Integration becomes a ministry. Reportedly, Croat representatives advocate the rationalization of the BiH CoM, but in the same time, they do not rule out a possibility to increase the number of ministries in order to achieve the equal balance. |
| International community to warn against risk of failing to meet NATO, EU requirements | Herceg Bosna Radio, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘BiH will not meet requirements for Europe?’, FENA – The Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, the Senior Deputy High Representative, Werner Wnendt, and senior representatives of the European Commission, the World Bank, the IMF, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and USAID will hold a press conference on in Sarajevo on Thursday. Ambassadors Hays and Wnendt will draw attention to the real danger which now exists that BiH will fail to fulfill requirements, within an acceptable time frame, for PfP membership and the start of Stability and Association negotiations with the EU. They will also emphasise the significant amount of international financial support that will be lost to BiH unless key reforms are adopted. They will identify what must be done before the beginning of summer and lay out timelines for urgent government and parliamentary action. |
| Wnendt visited Mostar | BHTV, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘No dismissals until the end of year’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 8 ‘Statute to be implemented by several teams’, FENA – Special Envoy for Mostar and Senior Deputy High Representative Werner Wnendt stated in Mostar on Wednesday that there are no plans for any job cuts before the end of 2004 in the city and municipal administration, adding that all decisions related to the work posts will be taken gradually and by City Authorities. Wnendt explained that the municipalities will operate after 15 March as a part of city administration. “Employees who works in the city administration and municipalities and who are qualified and have appropriate education and experience have great chance to work in the future city administration”, Wnendt pointed out. According to Wnendt, offices in the former municipalities will be probably kept in order to continue offering services to the citizens. “Mayor of Mostar Hamdija Jahic and deputy mayor Ljubo Beslic expressed their support to the process which goes to the benefit of all citizens in Mostar. They are committed to lead the integration process of all administration in Mostar”, Wnendt pointed out. Vecernji List (page 2, “Municipal Administrations’ employees remain by 2005”, by Fena), Slobodna Dalmacija (page 9, “Reduction of administration next year”, by Z. Zekic), Dnevni List (page 15, “Reduction of number of employees in public administration”, by D. Kozina) also covered the visit. |
| Mostar’s Municipality North rejects HR’s decision on Mostar
| Dnevni List (page 16 “High Representative’s decision on organization of Mostar rejected”, by Vesna Leto) – reports that councilors of the Mostar’s City Municipality North held a tempestuous session yesterday discussing the High Representative’s decision on “final” organization of Mostar. Reportedly, the Head of Municipality, Salem Bubalo, offered his resignation, but caucuses of SDP, CD Coalition, HDZ and Pensioners’ party did not accept it. According to the spokesperson of Municipality North, Miralem Gluhovic, “the Council of City Municipality North did not accept the imposed decision of the High Representative because it opposes the will of the citizenry expressed in the referendum. The Council believes the decision of the High Representative on abolishment of unit of local self-government of City Municipality Mostar-North in anti-constitutional, illegal and illegitimate, therefore the FBiH Parliament is requested to review the decision urgently and take a position that will protect constitutions of State of BiH and FBiH and interests of the citizenry”. In this context, DL reports that the President of the Municipal Council has been tasked to start the procedure with the FBIH Parliament within seven days. DL also reports that the OHR has given consent to completion of already started tenders, the aim of which is to build 10 business premises in Municipality North. |
| DA on debate inside SDA leadership
| Dnevni Avaz front page pg. 2 ‘Minor disagreements or start of political conflict’ – It seems that an attempt to remove FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic has created a dispute inside the top SDA leadership. The newspaper unofficially learns that Sulejman Tihic has expressed his dissatisfaction with statements on the initiative for FBiH Government restructuring that were being made by Bakir Izetbegovic and that created a bad picture in public on unity within SDA leadership. |
Economic/social issues | |
| FBiH HoP adopts draft budget for this year
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Draft budget accepted’, Vecernji List page 2 “Budget for survival only”, by eme,Dnevni List, page 4 “Federation budget 32,4 million KMs short”, by Miso Relota, SRNA – The House of Peoples of the Federation of BiH on Wednesday endorsed a draft budget for the FBiH for 2004 and the bill on its implementation. The budget is set at 185m KM, which is 32m KM less than last year. A day earlier, the budget was adopted by the FBiH House of Representatives. |
| Hays visits Vares | Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘Politicians obstacle to privatisation’, Dnevni List page 10, “Donald Hays got concerned about impossibility to get job”, by Zeda,Vecernji List page 4, “Donald Hays visits Vares”, by ba, FENA – Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays visited Vares Municipality on Wednesday to get informed about the economic environment and experiences in the privatisation of companies. He discussed with Vares Mayor Hamdo Fatic ways to improve services provided to citizens. After visiting the “Zvijezda” sawmill, “Amfibolit” quarry and the Factory of Spare Parts Vares Ambassador Hays said that he saw many natural potentials and resources in this municipality. “I think that the international community can to a certain extent help this municipality, but in any case a continued and joint action by cantonal and Federal authorities is needed”, Hays said. According to Hays it is the right time for citizens of this municipality and the entire BiH to start taking the destiny of the country in their own hands, to stop waiting for a miracle because miracles do not happen in economy. “The only important thing in economy is to work hard an to have available a certain potential. BiH citizens cannot even afford to wait until tomorrow. They have to start making the first steps today”, Hays said. |
| RS Government on inspectorates | Blic p 12 ‘Removal of inspectors’, Vecernje Novosti p 21 ‘Inspectors dismissed’ – The RS Government has concluded the results of the work of the inspection services were incomplete, especially in the field of trades and inspections the work of which directly affects budgetary revenues and presence of grey economy and black market, as the Government has stated. The Government assessed the reports of the Republic Market Inspection Service, Republic Sanitary Inspection Service, Urbanism and Construction Inspection Service and Republic Waterworks Inspection Service as negative and has decided to dismiss the main republic inspectors. The competent Ministries have been ordered to look into the work of inspectors and undertake personnel changes. |
Security affairs | |
| FBiH HoP adopts report on intelligence agency
| Oslobodjenje pg. 5 ‘Heads of FOSS should be held responsible’, ONASA – The BiH Federation Parliamentary House of Peoples adopted at its session on Wednesday a report of the joint commission of both houses of the BiH Federation Parliament for monitoring and control of work of the BiH Federation Intelligence-Security Service (FOSS). The commission has reconsidered complaints of 180 former employees of the Agency for Investigation and Documentation (AID) and 60 former employees of the Service of National Security (SNS), who were not employed during the formation of the FOSS. According to vice-president of the commission Ivan Vrankic, the labour-legal status of 150 persons from the former AID and SNS has not been yet solved. The commission has determined that the law on intelligence-security services was violated in the procedure of selection of candidates for the FOSS. |
| Oslobodjenje: Sarovic’s man to head SBS | Oslobodjenje front page, pgs. 4-5 ‘Sarovic’s man to head SBS? – SDS has decided to remove Slavisa Vukovic, the deputy director of the BiH State Border Service, in order to appoint Relja Kovac, who is an alleged close associate of Mirko Sarovic, to the post. |
| EUPM on death threats to Minister Djeric
| Blic p 12 ‘Roberts: We did not know’, Glas Srpske pg. 2 ‘Extremists in Travnik’ – ‘EUPM has found about death threats to Interior Minister Zoran Djeric at the same time journalists were informed about this at a press conference of the Ministry of Interior held on Monday’, EUMP Spokesperson Alun Roberts stated yesterday at a press conference. He also said he did not know whether ‘EUPM had requested from the Ministry of Interior to provide them with information on the attempt of assassination of Djeric’. |
| Nebojsa Lazic to file lawsuit against RS Police Director Njegus | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Nebojsa Lazic to file lawsuit against RS Police Director Njegus’ – Nebojsa Lazic, the Director of the National Institute for the fight against drug-addiction, has announced he would file a lawsuit against the RS Police Director, Radomir Njegus, who denied that Lazic had been followed by the police. Responding to claims by the RS MoI leadership who, at their recent press conference, said that there was a criminal report against him, Lazic denied this saying that there was a valid court decision ordering the MoI to reinstate him. Lazic went on to say that the story of the assassination attempt against Minister Djeric was not plausible and that it was intended to shift the public attention onto the other side. |