OHR BiH Media Round-up, 12/5/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

BiH CoM in session

Commission on police maps meeting

Meeting on 10 years afterDayton

Unification of Croat political scene

Conference on II World War in SA

Cavic statement on defence

Requests for removal of Andan

World news

10 persons died in Iraq

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

OHR on SDS

SEE Summit in Bucharest

OHR’s statement

Transfer of FBIH Ministries

Law on BiH PBS adopted

Incidents in Bileca and Manjaca

Human rights conference

13^th Bratunac genocide anniversary

Nadarevic wants to leave his job

HSS, HKDU & HDU meeting

Tribic pleads not guilty

Bosniaks’ suffering in Bratunac

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Reactions to FBiH CC’s decision

Nadarevic wants to leave his job

EUPM on Andan’s allegations

SDS Main Board on police reform

Veladzic announced his resignation

OHR on SDS

Miletic on Karadzic’s whereabouts

OHR’s reaction on SDS statement

RS Army issues

Polt on Mladic’s whereabouts

Bosniaks’ suffering in Bratunac

Law on public RTV system

Oslobodjenje

Minister Nadarevic tenders resignation; OHR: Rejecting Vlasic is disastrous

Dnevni Avaz

Haris Silajdzic: Kuwait ready for new investments

Dnevni List

Croat Block is being established

Vecernji List

Meeting between parents and children forbidden

Slobodna Dalmacija

Equal in good and bad

Nezavisne Novine

SDS and RS again facing isolation

Glas Srpske

King also toasted

EuroBlic

Not so many reasons to celebrate

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related topics

Srpski Nacional

Features Serbian related topics

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Meeting of commission on police areas starts in Sarajevo

BH Radio 1, RS Radio – A meeting of the commission on police areas in BiH started in Sarajevo today. The body is to discuss three proposals for the BiH police territorial organisation. The first one is foreseeing BiH police organisation in five regions as proposed by Wilfred Martens-chaired Police Reform Commission, nine regions or nine plus one regions, which is an option supported by the High Representative. RS Interior Minister Darko Matijasevic reiterated before the start of the meeting that he was sticking with his initial position the agreement on police reforms might be reached within the current BiH and Entity’s Constitutions. NHI representative Dobrica Jonjic expressed hoe that the expert group would reach the agreement as SDP member of the body Damir Hadzic was cautious in predictions bearing in mind the latest SDS Main Board’s conclusions on the issue. Finally, OHR believes that any territorial police organisation must be based on technical and political requirements. The body is expected to reach the agreement on the issue i.e. propose police areas maps by May 16 thereby allowing continuation of BiH political leaders’ talks on police reforms in the country.      

BiH CoM in session

RHB – BiH Council of Ministers is in session today. It should discuss the Proposal of law on changes and amendments to law on criminal procedure, proponent of which is the BiH Ministry of Justice and Proposal of law on changes and amendments to law on HJPC BiH. The agenda also includes proposal of decision on appointment of leading political officials in SIPA.

Seminar on Dayton Agreement commences in Banja Luka

RS Radio – Two-day science gathering entitled “RS – 10 years of Dayton Peace Agreement” has commenced in Banja Luka today. Around 60 scientific and public staff from BiH and the abroad will take part in this. the aim of the meeting is to examine constitutional and legal position of RS ten years after DA, economic and social status, security issues, as well as the status of culture and language in RS. Following presentation of Rajko Kuzmanovic, President of Academy of Science and Arts, Dragan Cavic, RS President, addressed the meeting. He said that on the path towards Europe, RS will stay on the path of Dayton , and that Dayton must be preserved.

RS President Cavic says RS requests its own Army within joint BiH defence system

RS Radio – Last night in Banja Luka, Dragan Cavic, RS President, has stated that RS has implemented one reform of defence, while another reform has come uninvited. In this reform, we demand our position and army, within the joint system of defence. He stated this in his address to officials at RS Army Day celebration.

Police reform

OHR warns SDS’ rejection of Vlasic agreement could isolate RS and BiH as a whole

RHB, FTV, Hayat, BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Rejecting Vlasic agreement is catastrophic’, mentioned on cover, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Giving up on Vlasic agreement can be fatal’, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘SDS and RS facing isolation again’ and pg 3 ‘SDS and RS facing isolation’ by V. Popovic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Prisoners of history’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘RS way to isolation certain’ by M. Karacic – Following the reports on SDS Main Board’s rejection of the Vlasic conclusions regarding the police reform, OHR issued a statement reading that “if true, the consequences would be disastrous for the RS and for BiH as a whole… It would mean that the SDS has decided to destroy its chances of moving forward to modern Europe.”  Statement further reads that the RS leaders should be in no doubt “what is at stake when the EC visits BiH next week to assess whether BiH has finally met the conditions to be able to start negotiations with the EU on a Stabilization and Association Agreement.” OHR also warned that “RS politicians hold the future of their people in their hands. If the SDS now blocks police restructuring, and BiH’s future in Europe, the SDS – and in consequence the RS – will find itself utterly friendless and alone…The choice is theirs and they will have to bear the consequences of it.”

RTRS – OHR spokeswoman LJiljana Radetic stated that it appears that SDS purposely has decided to ruin further progress towards modern Europe.

Dutch Embassy supports OHR: ‘SDS stance worrying’

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘SDS’s stance worrying’, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘SDS and RS facing isolation again’ and pg 3 ‘SDS and RS facing isolation’ by V. Popovic – The Royal Netherlands Embassy to BiH on Wednesday expressed support to the OHR statement that going back on the Vlasic agreement by the SDS would be disastrous for RS and for BiH as a whole. “The press reports on the stands of SDS on the initial agreement reached at Vlasic are very worrying and bring into serious risk the chances for the negotiations on a SAA with the EU”, is said in the announcement of the Royal Netherlands Embassy.

EU disappointed with SDS stance on police reform

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘SDS and RS facing isolation again’ and pg 3 ‘SDS and RS facing isolation’ by V. Popovic – EU is disappointed with the fact the Main SDS Board has rejected the agreement their representatives have signed on Vlasic and carries a statement of EC Delegation to BiH Spokesperson Frane Maroevic who said: “We still cannot talk about possible sanctions but it is clear that this is a crucial issue and it must be resolved.”

Comments to SDS main board session re police reform: SNSD, SDA

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘SDS has again chosen a wrong path’ by V. P. – RS politicians criticize the stance of SDS with regard to Vlasic agreement. SNSD’s Nikola Spiric thinks SDS, by sending out a signal opposing the police reform, has actually sent out a message that it opposes RS. Party for BiH’s Safet Halilovic assessed SDS has chosen a wrong path and says political leaders ‘often produce a public opinion, which they later defend on behalf of the membership’. SDA’s Adil Osmanovic says SDS will have to take the responsibility and suffer consequences over the conclusions of the Main Board. PDP’s Sinisa Djordjevic thinks SDS, after developing such a stance, can expect harsh critics of the international community to follow.

RTRS – Tarik Sadovic from SDA stated that RS President Dragan Cavic is in a very awkward position since it is obvious that he made certain promises in Vlasic and now the party has made him to withdraw them. Reporter concludes that a clear message came from Brussels ; EU policies will not be changed.

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Europe welcomes the Vlasic Agreement’ by D. R. – Talking about the meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner Ollie Rehn in Brussels, Spiric says has stated Rehn has welcomed the Vlasic Agreement as one of pre-requisites for the admission to EU. The delegation also met with representatives of British parliament at EU. ‘Rehn has emphasized Europe will not change because of BiH but BiH, including its constitution, must adjust to Brussels.”

Blic: Situation in RS is getting more complicated since SDS Main Board session

EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Done deal is getting closer’ by Nedeljka Breberina and Rajna Radosavljevic – With regard to a session of the Experts Commission for Police Maps, EuroBlic comments that the situation in RS is getting more complicated since SDS presented its stance regarding the Vlasic Agreement. The article carries statement of SDS President Dragan Cavic, explaining the stance of SDS. Gavrilo Antonic from PDP claims PDP will reach a final decision on police reform after all its elements are known and they refused to comment on SDS’s stance. Igor Radojicic from SNSD thinks there would be no police reform if SDS decides to maintain their stance since its membership is the most numerous both in BiH and RS parliaments. Petar Djokic, SPRS thinks final solutions would not be presented by May 16 and they hold the ruling parties responsible for this. DNS’s Drago Kalabic thinks stances of small parties would not play crucial role in this issue, however he thinks ‘not everything is as it seems’ at those who are making decisions. He says conclusions of SDS are more the issue of intra-party fights than rejection of police reform. Inset ‘Ashdown’s warning’ – carries Wednesday’s statement of HR Paddy Ashdown with regard to SDS’s stance on police reform. Hayat – carries Radojcic.

BiH Presidency member Tihic requests for investigation: OSA, SIPA, FBiH MoI should deal with RS Police Chief Andan’s statements

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Superfluous pressure’ by S.R.T., Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Bukejlovic doesn’t expect pressure’, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Done deal is getting closer’, inset ‘Bukejlovic’s estimation’ –  RS PM Pero Bukejlovic does not expect the international community to exert pressure over the conclusions of SDS’s Main Board because the party conclusions did not say ‘there is no readiness for police reform’. Bukejlovic added: “We want a reform in accordance with European criteria and we believe an agreement can be reached within the existing legislative and constitutional frames.”

RTRS – RTRS reports that SDS is surprised that other parties haven’t made their stance on continuation of police reform, and added Bukejlovic stated that he expects other parties to follow the way of SDS work in order to have single criteria in RS when it comes to police reform.

Nacional: HR wants to abolish RS through MoI

Nacional pg 10 ‘A trap’ by P.T.N. – Starting the article with SDS Chair Board conclusions, the author refers to police reform in BiH, ironically noting that in a perfidious manner, the HR Paddy Ashdown, is trying to abolish the RS through abolishment of the RS MoI.  

Defence and security issues

RS MoD Stankovic: ‘I do not fear removal’

RTRS, RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘RS was not supposed to give a final word in case of Manjaca and Bileca’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘I do not fear removal’ by Fena, EuroBlic cover pg splash, RSpg 1 ‘Not so many reasons to celebrate’ by Marija Milic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Defending tradition’ by M.Dzepina – RS Defence Minister, Milovan Stankovic, said that his ministry had never claimed its report on incidents that took place in Manjaca and Bileca during an oath-taking ceremony would be final. He went on to say it was up to the BiH Defence Ministry, Presidency, NATO and EUFOR to assess implemented activities and measures. Following the NATO and OHR comments that the punishments for the incidents were too lenient, Stankovic said that the RS MoD could not change anything at present, because the report containing an official assessment of the incidents was finished. BHT 1, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 (inset) ‘Stankovic: I am not afraid of removal’, EuroBlic RSpg 1 (inset) ‘Stankovic: Removal does not scare me’- “I’m not afraid [I will be replaced]. When I became minister, I knew that it won’t last forever”, said Stankovic. BHT 1 comments that the report on incidents did not include the names of high ranking officers responsible, which is unacceptable for the IC. “Soldiers are required to obey the laws and orders, that is their job. Those who are above them are required to make sure that this will be the case, and they have to take responsibility for their actions”, said Defence Reform Commission co-chair Raffi Gregorian.

PINK, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘RS Army marked its day’ by De.L- Stankovic also said that RS Army had carried out all necessary steps to implement defence reform, such as reduction of the troops number, locations and weapons. But, RS is faced with problem of further transformation of BiH military forces, by which entities’ RS MoD and HQs should be abolished. RTRS – On the 13^th anniversary of RS Army, Chief of RS Army HQ Novak Djukc stated that latest decisions of HR Paddy Ashdown abolishes entity MoD.

DA: NATO, EUFOR, OHR expect BiH Presidency to remove RS MoD Stankovic, RS Army Chief of Staff Djukic over Manjaca/Bileca incidents

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘BiH Presidency expected to remove Stankovic, Djukic’ S.N. – OHR, NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo and EUFOR have requested BiH Presidency to apply their authorities and remove persons responsible for the incidents occurred during the oath-taking ceremonies in the RS Army barracks in Bileca and Manjaca on April 16 this year. The Presidency is also expected to make its position on a proposal to abolish recruitment/regular military service in BiH. Regarding Bileca and Manjaca incidents, the international officials expect the Presidency to remove RS Defence Minister Milovan Stankovic and RS Army Chief of Staff Novak Djukic. If the required measures are not taken within the deadline set, HR Paddy Ashdown and NATO Commander Steven Schook will react adequately, the daily learns. According to Dnevni Avaz, it is hard to expect that the Presidency will properly respond to the international community’s demands bearing in mind Serb member of the body Borislav Paravac’s opposition to removal of any of high-ranking officials at the RS military-defense structures.

BHT 1 Gvozden Sarac – BHT 1 learns from a source in NATO that sanctions against those responsible for the incidents are possible. Reporter further comments that EUFOR, NATO and OHR are not satisfied with the RS MoD’s measures, so they will probably take their own measures.

Terzic on Andan’s claims: Difficult and false accusations

FTV, BHT1, RTRS, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 5 Hard and false accusation’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Claims by RS Police director are absolutely untrue’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Prosecutor’s Office should investigate into Andan’s claims’ by M.L., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Madrid on investigation’ by N.Z., Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Terzic demanded checking of RS Police Director claims’ not signed– The Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, on Wednesday called on the BiH Prosecution and Court to urgently check the allegations stated day earlier by RS Police Director Dragomir Andan that detonators used in the Madrid train bombings which claimed 191 lives last year were produced in BiH. “According to all reports from the service charged for this kind of operation in BiH, which was in constant communications with corresponding services in Spain, the stated information is absolutely untrue,” Terzic said also wondering as to why these allegations were launched at this very moment. “Andan’s statement clearly confirms the need for urgent police reform in BiH, which means one chain of operative police management, efficient information disposal and urgent action,” the statement reads. 

Tihic: OSA, SIPA, FBiH MoI should deal with RS Police Chief Andan’s statements

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘OSA, SIPA, FBiH MoI should deal with RS Police Chief Andan’s statements’ E. Huremovic – Commenting on the RS Police Director Dragomir Andan’s statement on alleged presence of Islamic terrorists in BiH, Bosniak member of the Presidency Sulejman Tihic said that he was not receiving any official intelligence or police reports supporting such the allegations. “It is about unserious and irresponsible statements being made by a high-ranking police official, who should instead visit mass grave sites in BiH and find out who had committed crimes over BiH citizens (during the war in BiH and afterwards),” said Tihic. Tihic however expects the authorized state institutions including OSA, SIPA or FBiH Interior Ministry (MoI) to officially judge the Andan’s statements. Asked if he as a Presidency member might personally request international community in BiH to remove Andan, Tihic said first the issue should be considered within the state institutions in BiH. “Our deputies to the RS National Assembly will request that Andan be held responsible for his statements and removed. If that is not accepted than we can request the international community to remove such a person from office,” said Tihic.    

EUPM, EUFOR have no information presented by Andan

RTRS, BHT1, Hayat – EUPM has expressed surprise at a statement by the RS police director, Dragomir Andan, claiming that terrorist groups were present in BiH. Adding that the Mission has never officially received such information, it expects Andan to immediately launch an investigation to verify this intelligence information and to submit the data for urgent investigation to the relevant agencies for law implementation, such as SIPA.

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Spanish authorities have no information on terrorists’ by L.S. – E.S. – DA also brings that EUFOR stated they also have no information Andan presented at the press conference.

FBiH MoI denies Andan’s claims

BHT1, Oslobodjneje pg 5 ‘FBiH has no connect with terrorism in Spain’- FBiH Police Administration does not have any information linking persons in BiH with last year’s terrorist act carried out in Spain, as claimed by Dragomir Andan, the administration said on Wednesday. “The claims made public by the RS police director which link terrorist activities to individuals and groups in BiH, in the part that is not in the RS, are astonishing and as such we completely reject them,” the administration points out. “Mr.Andan should pay more attention to the problems in RS”, said FBiH Mevludin Halilovic [refering to information  of that FBiH police that Radovan Karadzic was in RS some 30 days ago.]

DA claims Spanish authorities to question Andan

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Spanish authorities have no information on terrorists’ by L.S. – E.S. – DA learns that Spanish officials do not possess information on claims by RS police director, Dragomir Andan regarding the terrorist attacks in Madrid. DA also claims that they would summon Andan for an interview where he will be asked to share the evidences on his claims. Apparently, public would be informed about the results of this talk.

Dailies comment on RS Police Chief Andan’s Islamic terrorists-related statements

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Police is complete’ Op-ed by Gojko Beric – “(RS Police Director Dragomir) Andan seems to know whereabouts of Bin Laden but he does notb know where is hiding his former boss Radovan Karadzic,” writes Beric. 

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Executors and sleepers’ Commentary of the Day by Almasa Hadzic – Hadzic claims that not Andan’s statements on alleged presence of Islamic terrorists in BiH are surprising but surprising is silence and a lack of proper reaction by the top BiH officials to insulting the country they are running. 

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Andan and Al Q’Aeda’ by Aleksandar Sekulic – The author sats that not so many attention was given to the issue of Al Q’Aeda cells in BiH. The author denies this claiming that media did pay attention to this issue, while local politicians and officials did not. The author concludes the article by saying that “Andan could call on Miletic to switch places for some time – Miletic to be RS police director, and Andan to be F BiH police director. Maybe then they would do something. Miletic may arrest Radovan Karadzic, and Andan may detect at least one Al Q’Aeda cell.”

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 18, mentioned on front ‘Terrorists ‘help’ preservation of RS MoI’, by Zdenko Rerig – Author argues that some RS officials will resort to almost everything in order to save the RS MoI, which includes police regions that do not get across the entity boundaries. The author says that Andan’s statements could have far-reaching (negative) consequences for BiH as a whole: “Imagine what many world media will convey to their public, what kind of story they would serve, which in fact came from a mouth of a ‘relevant’ domestic politicians i.e. official”.

Veterans issues in FBiH

FBiH Veterans Minister tenders resignation

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 3 ‘Minister Nadarevic tendered resignation’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Veterans Ministers Ibrahim Nadarevic resigned’, mentioned on cover, by A.Basic – FBiH Minister for Veterans issues, Ibrahim Nadarevic, has tendered his resignation to FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic on Wednesday due to the decision of the Constitutional Court to equate the rights of BiH Army veterans with members of the People’s Defence of the former Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia led by Fikret Abdic. Nadarevic stated for DA dailies that this decision was worse than it would be to equalize chetniks and partisans in WWII.

FTV – “I would betray people I led in the fight for freedom, if I would be the one who would have to accept the applications of those who have been attacking BiH and killing my soldiers”, said Nadarevic in his telephone statement for FTV.

BHT1, RHB, PINK, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘Ministaer Nadarevic tendered resigantion’ by R.Cengic, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Abdic’s supporters chased away Minister Nadarevic’ by I. Glibusic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Minister Nadarevic submitted resignation’ by eme, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘I will not be taking care of quislings’ not signed  – also reported on Nadarevic tendering of resignation. 

Una-Sana Veterans Minister announces resignation

FTV – Minister for Veterans’ issues in Una-Sana Canton, Sefik Veladzic, has also announced his resignation stating he would not participate in the implementation of the FBiH Constitutional Court’s decision. “I feel offended and humiliated,” said Veladzic.

Hadzipasic confused with further procedure on Nadarevic

FTV, BHT 1, Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 3 ‘Minister Nadarevic tendered resignation’– Media report that, FBiH PM Ahmet Hadzipasic, who received Nadarevic’s request, said that he is not competent to launch a process of removing him from the post. According to the law, the FBiH Minister his resignation or the request to be removed can only be submitted to the FBiH President, and the parliament has to confirm the decision. PM can only submit a request for dismissal of a certain minister if he is not satisfied with his work, but in this case, Hadzipasic already announced he would not do that. He added that FBiH Government would not discuss this issue on its next session, scheduled for Thursday.

Reactions to FBiH Constitutional Court ’s decision

Dnevni Avaz entire pg 8 – DA carries reactions by Association of demobilized veterans, Organization of fallen soldiers and Association of Velika Kladusa PoWs, all opposing to the decision of the Constitutional Court and giving their support for Nadarevic. Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Veterans announced peaceful protests’ carries that Veterans organizations of Una-Sana canton are shocked with the decision of the Constitutional Court and that they announce peaceful protests. Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘We will bring decision down with demonstrations’ by A. Becirovic – also brings announcement of protests.  FTV also bring reactions by PoWs associations.

Hayat by Semsudin Skejic – On the other side, DNZ representatives in FBiH Parliament House of Representatives, Hafeza Sabljakovic said that the Court’s decisions finally made her feel like true BiH citizen. DNZ commends the Court for having courage to bring such decision, by which long lasting injustice has been made right. Former Commander of BiH Army in the Western Bosnia, Atif Dudakovic, strongly opposes this decision.

Political issues /economy, judiciary

Comm. for Traffic/Communications adopts PBS Law with amendments

PINK, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘TV program will be broadcast from centers in Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka’ by Srna, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Establishment of centres in Mostar, Banja Luka and Sarajevo planned’ by M.Cubro , Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Television can pass’ by N.Z. – The Commission for Traffic and Communications of the BiH House of Representatives on Wednesday accepted the Law on the Public Radio-Television System BiH with certain amendments whose essence is that the corporation will have organizational units in Sarajevo , Banja Luka and Mostar, and that the programmes will be produced, edited and emitted equally from those three centers. Commission’s Chair Milos Jovanovic told the press that the Commission tried to reach a compromise between the request of the HDZ Caucus and the requests of the OHR, BiH CoM and the EC. The Commission will submit the report to the HoR, which is in session on Tuesday, said Jovanovic, adding that this bill would afterwards be considered by the House of Peoples, after which it will be known definitely whether the law has been adopted or not. 

PINK – BiH Minister of Transport and Communications, Branko Dokic said that this was a significant step, and that all three languages were going to be treated equally.

BHT 1 – The Chair of the Commission Milos Jovanovic explained further that this doesn’t mean that “the program from Mostar will be only in Croatian language, from Banja Luka in Serb and from Sarajevo in Bosnian. All three languages and two prints will be equally represented.”

RTRS – This solution was welcomed by CoM, OHR and European Commission but Croat members are still not pleased and they announced launching a procedure for protection of vital national interes.

Oslobodjneje pg 7 ‘EC satisfied with solution’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘TV program will be broadcast from centers in Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka’ by Srna – Spokesperson for EC delegation to BiH, Frane Maroevic, expressed hope that the both Houses would endorse the law. RTRS – Maroevic says that EC is ready to finance a centre in Mostar.

HDZ objects the PBS law

Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Proposals of Croats rejected again’ by I. Glibusic carries HDZ representative in the BiH House of Representatives Filip Andric as saying that there is no high-quality progress when this law is in question and he added: ‘They do not give us the right on media in Croatian language guaranteed by the European Convention on human rights and European Chapter on regional languages and languages of minorities.’ Commenting on this statement Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic said that the European Convention on human rights does not refer on Croats but on national minorities only.   

EuroBlic RSpg 3, announced on cover ‘Croats want their own TV channel’ – Pero Pavlovic, HDZ Spokesperson, stated that when ethnic minorities in some European states can, why Croats in BiH, as constitutive people, could not have RTV channel, that would be broadcasting in Croat language. He sees no reason why anybody should be bothered with this. Momcilo Novakovic, SDS delegate at the BiH Parliament, stated that SDS finds the proposed Law (on PBS system) to be acceptable, adding: “It is a normal thing that their suspect in its objective reporting, as we all do.” Elmir Jahic, SDA Vice President, assessed that the proposed law is satisfactory, while HDZ demands are unrealistic. RTRS, BHT1 – report on dissatisfaction of Croat representatives with the Law.

Spiric on visit to Brussels

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Europe welcomes the Vlasic Agreement’ by D. R. – Nikola Spiric, a member of a BiH delegation which met EU Enlargement Commissioner Ollie Rehn in Brussels and representatives of British parliament at EU, stated of the meetings: “Rehn has emphasized Europe will not change because of BiH but BiH, including its constitution, must adjust to Brussels. British parliamentarians too have stated that the police reform, PBS reform and cooperation with the Hague Tribunal were pre-requisites BiH must fulfill in order for them, as presiding country, to be able to set the date for the start of negotiations on signing ASA.”

Dokic offered his resignation, but Terzic does not accept it’

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Dokic offered his resignation, but Terzic does not accept it’, announced on cover ‘Dokic: I offered my resignation, but Terzic does not accept it’ by M.Cubro – Branko Dokic, BiH Minister of Traffic and Communication, on Wednesday confirmed that he had offered his resignation to Adnan Terzic seven days ago, but resignation was rejected. Dokic added: “It was agreed I should first complete some ongoing projects and then leave BiH COM. It has never been an issue whether I would tender resignation or not.” Terzic stated he expects from Dokic to complete some ongoing projects regarding establishment of civilian control over BiH sky in the coming seven days, and then to tender resignation. Terzic added: “I am sorry he has been charged since he is a good minister, but it does not amnesty him from charges anmd he must tender resignation.”

Oslobodjenje: BiH Foreign Trade Minister Doko has not officially resigned

Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Doko has not officially resigned’ – In a statement for the press, Bojan Zec Filipovic, the advisor for the BiH Council of Ministers Chairman, said that BiH Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Minister Dragan Doko had not officially submitted his resignation. Media announced earlier that Doko would resign over disputes with BiH farmers related to the application of Free Trade Agreements with neighboring countries as his party, HDZ, said he would resign for private reasons.

At initiative of Catholic Church Croat Block is being formed

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Croat Block is being established’ by Z. Jukic – At the initiative of the Catholic Church high-ranked officials the meeting of the Croat ruling parties, opposition, Croat cultural and scientific institutions was held in Sarajevo on Wednesday night. The invitation signed by Cardinal Vinko Puljic says that the basic goal of the meeting is establishment of the Croat National or People’s Block. DL also says that it was agreed during the meeting that the participants would not go in public with the details from the meeting and for this reason it is not known as to what this Block is supposed to do. DL speculates that this was just the first meeting of this kind and that the joint Declaration, which would determine the goals of Croats with regard to the future of BiH and the Croat people in BiH, should be signed by all participants at the end of these meetings. DL inset under headline ‘Part of Croat opposition against latest initiative’ quotes one participant of the meeting who says that some leaders of the Croat opposition do not support this initiative and they believe that this is just another attempt to make sure that HDZ remains in power. The DL source added that the whole initiative was devised by ‘a fake opposition member’ who always undermines all agreements reached among the parties with a Croat prefix apart from those which secure the supreme position of HDZ. Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘To return undermined dignity to Croat people’ by M. Landeka and Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Establishment of Croat Forum in BiH launched’ by M. Vasilj say that during this meeting they discussed relations of Croats towards BiH as a state, constitutional changes, Croat channel, Election Law, Croatian language and relations between Croats and the International Community.  

SD int with Ivo Miro Jovic

Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 15 ‘Equal in good and bad’, by Milo Jukic – carries an interview with the Croat member of BiH Presidency, Ivo Miro Jovic, which is similar to yesterday’s interview in Vecernji List (see OHR Media Round-Up, May 11, 2005). In addition, asked to explain his attitude towards the IC, Jovic says: “I will not support initiatives of some members of the IC whose goal is to control the crisis instead of solving it (…) I want to stress that the IC should be present in BiH, in order to overview the correctness of moves and harmonize them with what’s called standards and criteria of the modern democratic world, in other words the EU, however, our institutions and people must assume real responsibility for functioning of authorities”.

Croat parties discuss const. changes

Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Establishment of Croat Forum in BiH launched’ by M. Vasilj – VL learns that the HDZ top invited representatives of all Croat political parties, cultural and scientific institutions at the joint meeting on constitutional changes, which should take place on Monday in Croat Home Herceg Stjepan Kosaca in Mostar.  Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16 ‘HDZ invites all Croat parties at discussion’ by B. Magas says that HDZ Spokesperson Pero Pavlovic confirmed this information. SD says that people from minor Croat political parties believe that this invitation is just a market trick that removed Croat member of the HDZ Presidency Dragan Covic timed on the eve of the HDZ Convention and that this discussion would only serve personal interests of HDZ officials.

Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Establishment of Croat Forum in BiH launched’ by M. Vasilj – HSS, HKDU and HDU held a meeting on constitutional changes on Wednesday. After the meeting HSS President Marko Tadic stated that they reached an agreement regarding 4 vital national interests of Croats in BiH and they are change of the Constitution, change of the BiH election law, return of Croats to the RS and the right on double citizenship.

Jelavic case update

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Defence rejects allegations on fictitious businesses’ by A.N., Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Sokovit and Vitezit under control of HVO’, by Erna Mackic – Reports from continuation of trial to Ante Jelavic in the ‘Hercegovacka bank’ case. Marko Strbac, who was the FBiH Assistant Defence Minister for financial issues at the time Jelavic was the FBiH Defence Minister, stated in his testimony that the money for the HVO and (Croat) victims of war was coming from Croatia, therefore it was not a part of the FBiH budget. Jelavic’s lawyer, Dragan Barbaric, insisted on explaining parallelisms in the FBiH MoD at the time. (Jelavic trial also reported by Vecernji List, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘Ante Jelavic comes to trials from outside for the first time’, by Dejan Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17, mentioned on front ‘USA were deciding about spending of money’, by Zlatko Tulic)

Round-table on human rights in BiH

RHB, Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘BiH Constitution is obstruction to human rights’ respect’ by R.Cengic, EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Foreigners decide on everything in BiH’ by SRNA– The Helsinki Committee BiH organized a conference on human rights ‘What has been done in area of human rights 10 years after Dayton?’ with a goal to evaluate what was done in the past years regarding protection of human rights. FBIH Vice President Sahbaz Dzihanovic stated at the conference that the right solution for insurance of full human rights in BIH is an initiative from inside rather than an imposed solution coming from outside. Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Vital interests of BiH do not exist’ by F also covered Dzihanovic as saying that vital interests of BiH citizens do not exist but instead we have vital interests of Croats, Serbs and Bosniaks. PINK says that although invited, none BiH officials attended the conference. Chair of the Helsinki Committee BiH, Srdjan Dizdarevic stated that as long as they (BiH officials) neglect this issue and as long as BiH citizens do not do something about this, BiH will not be able to put up with Europe .

Stolac issues: Monument at Radimlja unveiled

Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Monument at Radimlja unveiled’, by Zvonko Peric, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Day of remembering at Radimlja’, by mr, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Memorial erected’, by I. Raguz – On the occasion of 60^th anniversary of the Bleiburg events and Way of the Cross, a monument was unveiled at Radimlja near Stolac yesterday (Wednesday). The manifestation was opened by the president of ‘Matica hrvatska’ for Stolac, Mladen Boskovic, whilst a holy mass was served by don Rajko Markovic (SD says the holy mass was served by msgr Luka Pavlovic).

Party for BiH founder Silajdzic says Kuwait prepared to invest further in BiH

Dnevni Avaz cover page ‘Kuwait prepared for fresh investments’, pg 5 ‘Kuwait prepared to invest additional KM 100 million in new projects’ – Party for BiH founder Haris Silajdzic on Wednesday returned from Kuwait. In an interview with the daily, Silajdzic emphasized that the Kuwait Government was prepared to invest KM 100 million that it would get from sale of its share in BH Steel Company in new projects in BiH. These projects, according to Silajdzic, have to be offered by BiH government.

War crimes

Stankovic says RS MoD asked for additional info on Srebrenica

RTRS, RHB, PINK, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Preparation of additional list of those involved in crime’, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Those directly involved in military operation of Srebrenica seizure being looked for’ by D.Risojevic – RS MoD Milovan Stankovic confirmed that he had received a request from the Commission on Srebrenica events to provide additional information regarding the list of the RS Army officers involved in Srebrenica crimes, adding RS Defence Ministry would try to observe the deadline. “The book with a list of units which were under command during the attack on Srebrenica contains a list of around 24,000 members,” Stankovic said, adding that it had transpired in work hitherto that the list was too long because of which the commission requested this list to be whittled down to a minimum. Stankovic said that whittling down the list would be a very difficult task which required accompanying documentation which the ministry did not have, but that it would use the method of cooperating with the people who were members of unit command structures in order to perform this task with a high level of precision.

US Ambassador to SCG: Mladic is in SCG

RHB, BHT1, RTRS, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Draza saved 500 Americans’- US Ambassador to SCG, Michael Polt, said that there is “strong suspicion” that the Hague indictee Ratko Mladic is still in the territory of Serbia-Montenegro, adding it should not be so difficult to find and arrest him. He also further explained the decoration of Draza Mihajlovic stating that US Administration brought such decision because Mihajlovic saved 500 Americans in WWII.

Srebrenica survivors accuse Andan

Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Andan persecuted Bosniaks from Srebrenica!’, mentioned on cover, by V.J., Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Dragomir Andan was in Potocari in July 1995’ – Association Women of Srebrenica claims that RS Police Director, Dragan Andan, took part in Srebrenica events in summer 1995. As every 11^th in the month, members of the Association held peaceful protests in Tuzla . It brings statement by one of the members who says she recognized Andan from Srebrenica.

NN says information on Karadzic’s stay in BiH in April false

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Security agencies in BiH have not located Karadzic’ by A.Sisic – Several NN collocutors from state security agencies have confirmed that BiH Security Agencies have investigated into claim that Radovan Karadzic was seen having lunch with his spouse Ljiljana in April, and this piece of information has proved to be false. NN collocutor from SIPA said: “This information was forwarded to several addresses, including BiH Prosecutor’s Office, SIPA, following which security agencies promptly reacted. But we have not detected anything indicating Karadzic was anywhere in BiH in Apil.” Marinko Jurcevic, BiH Chief State Prosecutor, on Wednesday reiterated PO stances, saying that “code of ethics does not allow comments in public regarding intelligence information.” Zlatko Miletic, F BiH Police Administration Director, and Sredoja Novic, SIPA Acting Director, on Wednesday did not respond to any phone call.