13.12.2005

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 13/12/2005

Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 13 December

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

Hays about new Constitution

Cenic on Karadzic/Mladic

Martic trials in ICTY

RS Academy on DA

BiH Presidency inParis

Weather

TV news broadcast on 12 December

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

ICTY: Gotovina pleaded not guilty

NATO action in Pale

Marking of 10th DPA anniversary

Budisa express support to Gotovina

Terzic on Karadzic and Mladic

Schilling to be new HR for sure?

Croatian veterans’ reaction

Gotovina appears before the ICTY

NATO searched Stajcic’s house

Mesic on Gotovina’s helpers

HR on Karadzic and Mladic

Terzic: Karadzic / Mladic not in BiH

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Regional News

Sentence for war crimes in Croatia

EU CoM on BiH SAA negotiations

Gotovina enters a plea

Gotovina pleaded not guilty

HR on war crimes indictees

Davidovic’s trial starts

Paravac on lawsuit against SiCG

ICTY: Gotovina pleaded not guilty

NATO action in Pale

Romanian PM visits BiH

OHR transfers authorities

 

Oslobodjenje

HR Ashdown: Sanctions against RS if the Hague fugitives are not arrested

Dnevni Avaz

Ashdown: Future Ministers will go through more strict vetting procedure

Dnevni List

New bills of indictment arrive on ground of private investigations

Vecernji List

Gotovina in isolation

Slobodna Dalmacija

Covic and Lijanovic to be politically retired

Glas Srpske

BiH Lawsuit against SCG ripe for waste basket

Nezavisne Novine

Jacques Shirac: BiH has its place in EU

Blic

1/5 of groceries are not eatable (inspections into shops, restaurants)

Vecernje Novosti

Serbia related cover page splash

 

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

German Foreign Minister Steinmayer on Schwarz-Schilling’s candidacy

RHB – German Foreign Minister, Dr. Frank Walter Steinmayer, stated in Brussels today that he was looking forward to the support of the EU ministers to the candidacy of Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling for the office of the High Representative for BiH. The PR issued by him notes that the formal approval of the candidacy will be done on December 14 and that Schwarz-Schlling will replace the current HR, Paddy Ashdown, in late January 2006.

Hays on constitutional changes, arrest of Karadzic and Mladic

 

RHB – US Institute for Peace’s Donald Hays stated for ATV Banja Luka that a failure of the constitutional changes talks is possible since leaders of the parties take a risk whether a new Constitution would be better than the current one. Hays also said that it was possible that Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic get arrested by the end of this year. He added: “However, it is another question whether this could be done.”

FBiH HoR in session

 

RHB – FBiH House of representatives continued the 22nd session that was suspended yesterday. The MPs are expected to discuss, among other issues, a Proposal of law on FBiH development bank; Draft law on agriculture and agricultural land and Draft law on waters.

RSNA session

 

RS Radio – 31st regular session of the RS NA has today commenced with discussion on the Information regarding initiative of the BiH Central Bank on transfer of authorities over banking sector supervision.

Svetlana Cenic, RS Finance Minister, has today told RS MP’s that Ministry has been faced with a problem related to collection of documents related to sale of banks in RS. She also stressed that RS Banking Agency did not forward information on situation at banks.

Cenic on Karadzic/Mladic

 

RS Radio – RS Minister of Finances Svetlana Cenic stated in Banja Luka that any kind of funds are not being allocated from the RS budget for financing of Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic. This is a response to Rafi Gregorian’s letter addressed to Cenic, Dragan Cavic, Pero Bukejlovic, Darko Matijasevic, Milovan Stankovic, Nikola Radovanovic and Dragan Vukovic.

 

War Crimes/Cooperation with ICTY

HR says al war crimes indictees at large must be arrested

 

 

 

 

 

RHB, Pink, Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 3 ‘Sanctions against RS if the Hague fugitives are not arrested’, Vecernji List pg 7 ‘Ashdown: We have to arrest all indictees’ by H, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Ashdown: Possible sanctions against Banja Luka and Belgrade’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Arrest or sanctions’ – The High Representative Paddy Ashdown stated that, after Ante Gotovina’s arrest, strong measures must be undertaken in order to arrest and extradite to the ICTY all other war crimes indictees still at large. He assessed that 11 extradited indictees this year, with engagement of RS or Serbian authorities, were result of increased pressures of the international community, what will continue, he said. Ashdown welcomed arrest and extradition of Gotovina and called on the most wanted ICTY war criminals, Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic to surrender. “The question I would like to ask Mladic is why are you coward, if you are General, why do not you answer the ICTY charges; what are you doing by hiding from one safe area to another,” Ashdown told journalists in Sarajevo on Monday. Ashdown also said that Banja Luka and Belgrade could face sanctions if they fail to arrest war crime indictees soon.

Terzic says Karadzic and Mladic are not in BiH, but SCG

 

RHB, BHT, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Law on confiscation of the Hague indictees’ frozen property’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Karadzic and Mladic are definitely not in BiH’, Dnevni List pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Terzic: Karadzic and Mladic are in SCiG’ by M. Zorlak, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Faster to Karadzic and Mladic’ by F, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Terzic: Karadzic and Mladic are in SiCG’, announced on cover ‘Karadzic and Mladic are in SiCG’ by N.Krsman, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘They are not here’ – The BiH Council of Ministers (CoM) Chair Adnan Terzic has stated that war crimes indictees Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are not in BiH, but that they are in Serbia-Montenegro ( SCG).  The SCG authorities should therefore be encouraged to extradite Karadzic and Mladic as soon as possible, because they were definitely not in BiH, Terzic told journalists in Sarajevo on Monday. Terzic also announced a discussion at the next session of the CoM on a law that will amend the decision on freezing the property of all persons indicted for war crimes by the ICTY.

VN: Mladic in The Hague by New Year?

 

Vecernje Novosti pg 4, announced on cover ‘Mladic in The Hague by New Year’ by D.Radeka, M.Z.Radonjic – Daily learns from its sources that the encirclement around Ratko Maldic is tightening, noting General has already been located and will be arrested by New Year. Aleksandar Simic, Advisor to Serbian President, does not hide hope either that the greatest problem SiCG has with the world will be soon resolved, relying on cooperation between world intelligence agencies.

US’ Gregorian’s letter to RS officials demanding evidence RS is not aiding Hague fugitives

 

Nezavisne Novine pgs 2-3, announced on cover ‘RS Government must prove it is not aiding Hague fugitives’ by S. Cavrag and S. Gojkovic – A deadline, set for RS Minister of Finances Svetlana Cenic to issue a public official statement that would confirm no funds from RS budget were earmarked to help, directly or indirectly, Ratko Mladic, Radovan Karadzic or any other Hague fugitive, expires at the end of working hours today. This is one of pre-requisites DRC Chairman Raffi Gregorian set in a letter sent to RS representatives, asking from them to show, through specific actions, they are not aiding Hague fugitives and to show they are cooperating with the Hague Tribunal. Cenic announced she would do as requested and announced she would present items of the budget at RS NA session in the course of the day, as well as answer to questions Gregorian raised in the letter. Inset ‘Letter was sent to several addresses’ – Gregorian sent the letter to RS PM Pero Bukejlovic and reminded him he needs to sign an agreement on transfer of defense competences from the entity onto the state by December 31. The letter was also sent to RS President Dragan Cavic, Minister of Finances Svetlana Cenic, Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic, Minister of Defense Milovan Stankovic and General Drago Vukovic, the Head of RS Army HQ.

NATO raid house of a Karadzic supporter in Pale

 

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘House raided of former St John Radio editor’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘NATO at Pale again’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘House of Karadzic’s aid searched’ by D. Kozina, Vecernji List pg 6, mentioned on cover ‘NATO raided house of Karadzic’s aid’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘NATO in search after Karadzic’ by A. Macanovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Personal belongings and documentation taken away’ by D.M., EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘House of person suspected of aiding Karadzic searched’ by D.S., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Search before coffee time’ by S.Sekara – Members of NATO have seized certain material from the family home of Dragan Stajcic at Pale on Monday and this material will be examined in the NATO Headquarters. Stajcic is suspected of being a part of the network supporting indicted war criminal Radovan Karadzic, the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo confirmed. The operation was being carried out with the objective of finding additional information on the network supporting indicted war criminals, as well as gathering information that could reveal the location of Radovan Karadzic. Dragan Stajcic worked at the Sveti Jovan radio station, formerly owned by Sonja Karadzic-Jovicevic, Radovan Karadzic’s daughter.

Gotovina pleads not guilty

 

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 11, Dnevni List pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Gotovina listens trial in Serbian language’ by A. Beus, Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘Gotovina in isolation’ and pgs 2 and 3 ‘I am not guilty Your Honour’ by Stojan de Prato, Slobodna Dalmacija pgs 2 and 3 ‘I am not guilty Your Honour’ by I. Sabalic, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Gotovina: I am not guilty’’, announced on cover ‘Gotovina pleaded not guilty’ by Agencies  – Croatian general, the ICTY indictee, Ante Gotovina, pleaded not guilty before the Hague Tribunal on Monday to all of the seven counts of the indictment charging him with war crimes against Serbs committed during and after the military operation Storm in 1995.

Paravac officially challenges legality of BiH lawsuit against SCG

 

BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘BiH Presidency must withdraw lawsuit against SCG’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Paravac submitted demand because of lawsuit against SCiG’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘Withdrawal of lawsuit against SiG before ICTY has been demanded’ by B. Kristo, Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Suit ripe for waste basket’ by G.D., Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘Paravac demanded assessment on constitutionality of BiH suit against SiCG’ by S.Karic – BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac submitted to the BiH Constitutional Court request for evaluation of legal validity of the lawsuit against SiCG. Paravac asked the Court to order BiH Presidency to withdraw the charges against SiCG. SDS asked BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic to inform the International Court of Justice in Hague about the procedure started by Paravac at BiH Constitutional Court. SDS believes that the process in Hague shouldn’t be continued until the final decision of BiH Constitutional Court on validity of the lawsuit against SiCG is made. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Softic: Procedure is being carried out on the basis of decision made by BiH Presidency and not one people or entity’, pg 4 ‘Ivanic: I am surprised they are asking that from me’ also covered the issue. Glas Srpske cover pg inset ‘Call to Ivanic’, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘ SDS calls on Ivanic to inform ICJ in The Hague of initiative’ separately reported on SDS request to Ivanic.

DL: Private investigations on war crimes in Canton 10

 

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 6 ‘New bills of indictment arrive on ground of private investigations’ by I. Rozic – Prosecutor of the Canton 10 Prosecution Milorad Barasin confirmed that many persons conduct their own investigations on the war crimes committed on the territory of this Canton. According to Barasin, these persons established a contact with the Prosecution and handed over the information they have and he added that 2 Prosecutors and a few investigators work on these cases at the moment. 

 

Political developments/Reforms

OHR hands over authority for vetting process to BiH institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz cover page, pg 2 ‘Future Ministers will go through more strict vetting procedure’, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Posts must not be rewards for loyalty and friendship’, Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Vetting procedure for Ministers in hands of Parliament’ by D. Polovina-Mandic, Vecernji List pg 9 ‘Parliament would be checking candidates’ by E. Medunjanin, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19, mentioned on cover ‘Ashdown: OHR would not be electing Governments any longer!’ by B. Kristo, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Responsibility for vetting procedure of ministers in BiH authorities’ by R.Cengic, EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Ashdown: State to vet candidates’ by D.S., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘It is your turn’ by Z.DOmazet – The process of checking candidates for ministerial positions at the state level, which was performed by OHR so far, should be handed over to BiH authorities next week. The High Representative Paddy Ashdown forwarded to BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic on Monday draft amendments to the state laws, which foresee the transfer of authority over the vetting process to BiH institutions. The deadline by when the BiH Parliament needs to adopt these amendments is spring next year in order for the application of the process to start after the general elections next October. This is an important process because it protects citizens from bad government and corruption, stated Ashdown. He underlined that a Commission will be formed with members from all leading parties in BiH, with task to consider nomination of each candidate and checking whether the candidate meets all the necessary qualifications and his ability for a certain position.

Spiric welcomes transfer of OHR’s authorities

 

Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Checking will be done by SIPA and Election Commission’, by A. M. – Avaz notes it is the Speaker of the BiH House of Representatives, Nikola Spiric, was the man who originally proposed that the domestic institutions carry out checking of candidates instead of the OHR. Spiric welcomes the move, saying it is illogical that foreigners, i.e. the OHR carry out these tasks 10 years after the signing of the DPA, arguing that one cannot speak about country’s sovereignty when foreigners are in charge of checking. He notes that the board (consisting of members of parliamentary parties) will only be receiving information about who the candidates are, after which it will be SIPA and BiH Election Commission that will be involved in further checking.

SD: IC would not allow politicians with criminal past to put forward their candidacy at 2006 elections

 

Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pgs 16 and 17 ‘Covic and Lijanovic to be politically retired’ by Z. Tulic carries that the International Community is creating a new criterion for the 2006 elections according to which the IC wants at the next elections the politicians that do not have a criminal past. SD says that for a long time the information have been coming from the OHR according to which dossiers of all politicians would be crucial for their candidacy at the elections. SD also says that it has been confirmed from the OHR that on the eve of the elections it would be known exactly which politicians would be able to put forward their candidacy. A source from the OHR stated that a message would be sent to the politicians with the criminal past that they should not put forward their candidacy. SD speculates that Dragan Covic, Mladen Ivankovic Lijanovic would be among these politicians and that Mladen Ivanic, Branko Dokic, Tihomir Gligoric, Mehmed Zilic etc. might be among them as well.    

BiH Delegation in Paris ; Presidency members met with Chirac

 

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘BiH Delegation in Paris’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Chirac’s support to BiH’, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘BiH delegation in Paris at anniversary of DPA’ by NINA, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 4 ‘Jacques Shirac: BiH has its place in EU’ by Agencies, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Dayton to be superseded’ – Jacques Chirac, French President, Monday received members of the BiH Presidency at his residence in Paris, stating: “I am convinced that all states and all peoples from your region have their place in EU.” He pointed out to the necessity of strengthening of democratic institutions and promotion of co-life amongst difference communities. According to sources close to Chirac, he also raised the issue of war crimes. According to French President, the Dayton Agreement, whose value was in imposition of peace to those who did not want it, should be superseded. According to Chirac’ sources, the only way to supersede day is through European perspective.

PIC session announcement

 

Dnevni Avazpg 2 ‘Political Directors to discuss key reforms’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Tomorrow about new HR to BiH’ – Daily carries OHR MA, saying that the Political Directors of the PIC (Peace Implementation Council) will meet in Paris on Wednesday 14 December. The BiH authorities, led by Chairman of the BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic and Chairman of the Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic will participate in part of the meeting. This meeting of the Political Directors will be the first since the launch of SAA negotiations between BiH and the European Union; and will take place ten years to the day since the Dayton-Paris Peace Accords were signed. The meeting will mark the conclusion of an era in which postwar recovery dominated BiH, and the transition to a new era in which the focus of political, social and economic activity will be on securing the prosperity and stability that are characteristic of a modern European democracy. NN also notes that PIC session is expected to appoint new HR to BiH.

EU Council welcomes start of talks on SAA with BiH

 

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Progress in Western Balkans countries’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Start of talks a historic moment for BiH’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Negotiations with EU are historic moment for BiH’ by SRNA – EU Council for General Affairs welcomed the report of EC on Albania, SiCG and Kosovo. The EU Ministers also welcomed the start of negotiations on SAA with BiH, but they emphasized the need to full implementation of police reform, PBS system reform and full cooperation with ICTY. At the session of EU Council of Ministers, France blocked the decision to grant Macedonia the status of EU membership candidate country.

US Ambassador to participate in talks on constitutional reform

 

BHT, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Ambassador McElhaney to take part in talks’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘McElchany on talks of constitutional reforms’ by R.S.  – US Embassy in Sarajevo said on Monday that US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney is going to participate in talks on constitutional changes on December 15th and 16th.

Oslobodjenje op-eds on constitutional reforms

 

Oslobodjenje op-ed pg 9 ‘Uncertain ending’ by Mirko Sagolj – Referring to talks on constitutional changes Donald Hays had with political representatives, the author notes it would be a miracle if all parties agree on what needs to be changed, when and how. He also points on differences in stances of political parties and also notes Dnevni Avaz has started to fiercely criticize Sulejman Tihic while, at the same time, it had become extremely inclined to its “great enemy” Zlatko Lagumdzija. The author says there is something behind all of this and the ending of the talks might reveal what it is.

Oslobodjenje op-ed pg 9 ‘Feelings without Constitution’ by Zija Dizdarevic – In light of talks on constitutional changes, the author claims a part of BiH citizens does not think of BiH as of their country and he analyses the reasons that have led to such a situation. He, inter alia, says post-Dayton international policy has kept BiH “on hold”, as something that has no secure future. Such a political stance was integrated in BiH Constitution, which gave the entities attributes of a state while the state, on the other hand, had minor competences. He also claims nationalistic parties have found grounds in BiH Constitution and inability of international authorities to understand what this was all about and they (the parties) have caused citizens’ rejection of the state.

Ilija Filipovic new HDZ negotiator at const. changes talks

 

Dnevni List pg 11 ‘Ilija Filipovic new negotiator’ by V.I. carries that Ilija Filipovic would be a new HDZ representative at continuation of the constitutional changes talks. VL also announces that in organization of HNZ the 6th meeting of the parties with a Croat prefix on the constitutional changes would take place in Kiseljak on Friday. 

DL op-ed: IC or Americans would agree and impose const. changes

 

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Negotiations on Constitution’ by T. Dragic speculates as to what might happen at continuation of the constitutional changes talks and the author says that she doubts that our politicians would manage to resolve the issue of organization of the middle authority level and therefore she believes that, as many times before, the International Community or Americans would agree and impose the constitutional changes.

HJPC supports HR’s decision on judges’ salaries

 

Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 8, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Support to OHR’ by SRNA  – The BiH High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) supports a decision of the High Representative Paddy Ashdown that resolves the huge disproportion between judicial salaries in BiH and the salaries of most citizens. By this decision, salaries to judges and prosecutors will be reduced for 3 to 12%.

NN op-ed on HR’ decision: It is hard to have independent judiciary with miserable salaries

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Salaries’ by Sandra Gojkovic – Regarding latest HR Ashdown’ decision regarding salaries of judicial staff, the author notes that “the fact remains it is hard to have independent judiciary with miserable salaries, and these two do not complement. Therefore, some sort of mid-value, that would not cause doubt between judiciary and citizens, needs to be identified.”

SDHR Ney reacts to proposed changes to BiH Election Law

 

Dnevni Avaz, pg 5 ‘’Closed’ election lists worried principals of OHR’, by A. Hadzic – Avaz learns that SDHR, Martin Ney, sent the Chairman of Working Group for changes of BiH Election Law, Momcilo Novakovic, a letter in which  he expresses concern over positions of the Group related to some changes to the law. According to Avaz’s sources, the letter was addressed to other members of the Group. Namely, SDHR Ney minds about the Group’s positions pertaining to procedures related to ‘closed’ election lists and participation of women in the said lists. According to Avaz’s information, some members of the Group, especially those appointed by the BiH Election Commission, are in favour of having ‘open’ election lists, which will allow voters to vote for people they prefer. On the other hand, other Working Group members are advocating positions of their political parties that stipulate that voters are to vote for the parties and the parties offered lists. Novakovic however notes that nothing has come to his address, still he announces a session of the Working Group for tomorrow when he will put the letter on the agenda. Inset ‘System that suits party leaders’ carry an anonymous member of the Working Group who says that, unless the OHR reacts, party leaders will install their yes-men to the election lists who would automatically make it to the parliament because voters would be voting for parties and their respective lists. The source also claims that the proposed changes’ aim is to eliminate women from the elections lists.

VL/SD on alleged dispute between Germans and British in EUFOR

 

Vecernji List pgs 8 and 9 ‘War broke out in EUFOR’, mentioned on cover ‘British want to rule EU military mission in BiH’ by D. Jazvic carries that according to German newspaper ‘Die Welt’ the media mission of the German Army in BiH will not be interrupted due to the lack of money but because of military diplomacy. ‘Die Welt’ says that the Department within which ‘radio Mir’, youth magazine ‘Mirko’ etc. are acting would be shut down most probably due to the British attempts that they completely rule over this segment of the EUFOR acting in BiH. ‘Die Welt’ also claims that General David Leakey and British officer William Weber directly support this policy. VL inset ‘EUFOR: Constant audits of Departments’ carries EUFOR spokesperson Jem Thomas who commented on this case by saying: ‘EUFOR keeps conducting audits of its Departments including the Information Department in order to achieve bigger efficiency and in order to adjust to changed conditions.’  Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19, mentioned on cover ‘British and Germans in war because of ‘Mirko’ by Z. Tulic carries on the same issue that German Colonel Eberhard Melber stated that HR Paddy Ashdown also involved in the whole issue by giving support to Leakey. SD also says that according to some information former Head of the OHR’s Press Office Julian Braithwaite is also involved in this issue.

S. Palavric on her future work as BiH Constitutional Court judge

 

Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Justice must always win’ by D. Polovina-Mandic carries an interview with a newly elected judge of the BiH Constitutional Court, Seada Palavric, in which she says that it would not be hard for her to distance herself from political acting since law has been her life choice. Asked whether she would be able to judge objectively since, most probably, her first case would be a demand of Sulejman Tihic for judging constitutionality of the RS name, Palavric said: ‘International standards and European Convention would be crucial in every case that I would work on.’

On the eve of today’s RS NA session, political aprties say NO to proposed budget for 2006

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Budget overthrows the Government’ by V. Popovic – The adoption of 2006 RS budget is uncertain, considering the fact PDP and SNSD delegates have announced they would not support the budget, while remaining parties, except for SDS, have in principle supported the draft budget. PDP confirmed they would not support the budget or RS economic policy for the next year, because they think the budget was underestimated and revenues should be much higher. SNSD would not support the budget because it had not followed the needs of its beneficiaries for the past five years. SNSD’s Milorad Dodik said they are aware the Government would draft a number of legislative acts due to pressures of OHR, but SNSD does not have the intention to support those laws ‘even if OHR exerted pressure on the party as well’. SRS’s Milanko Mihajlica said this party too would not support draft budget or economic policy, adding that the party would present several amendments. SDA would demand that more money is earmarked for return and they would support the budget only if this is fulfilled. SDS’s Mladen Bosic said in case the budget is not adopted, this would only deepen the crisis and might lead to “overthrowing” of the Government. Inset ‘Misic: Draft budget does not have the approval of Syndicates’ – Chairperson of RS Union of Syndicates Ranka Misic stated draft RS budget for 2006 does not have an approval of the Syndicates because it earmarked 18 million KM for social program, while the syndicates demand this amount to be at least 50 million KM. (EuroBlic RSpg 3, announced on cover ‘Not much money for workers’ by Mirna Soja – carries Misic’ statement)

EuroBlic RSpgs 2-3 ‘Lack of votes jeopardizes Government’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – Daily also carries statements of officials from PDP, SNSD, SDS, SP RS regarding today’s session of the RS NA. SDP of BiH claims that the greatest problem is plan on economic policy for 21006, which does not offer solutions to crucial issue in economy. DNS Drago Kalabic claims that all those against the bidget should take over responsibility for further destiny of RS Government, adding: “It is not correct to oppose to something, without making further moves.”

SNSD’ Radmanovic: Cavic did not officially offer SNSD to take part in authority

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Cavic did not officially offered power’ by V.P., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Government without support’ by D.Mo.– Monday’s session of SNSD Executive Board discussed the possibility to take over the RS Government after RS PM Pero Bukejlovic lost the support of parliament majority. SNSD representative Nebojsa Radmanovic stated that Dragan Cavic, RS President, did not address an official offer to SNSD, noting SNSD will not respond to calls Cavic has made in this regard through media. He reiterated previously announced stance of SNSD that this party would not vote for proposed budget and economic policy for 2006, adding: “If budget were not adopted, it would be clear Government has no legitimacy and that Cavic should make decisive moves in accordance with the RS Constitution.”

 

Economic/Social Affairs

FBiH HoR adopted amendments to Pension-Disability Insurance Law

 

 

RHB, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Right to early retirement extended for three more years’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Deadline for early pension extended’ by E. Mackic, Vecernji List pg 11 ‘Legal deadline for early pensions extended’ by F  – The FBiH House of Representatives (HoR) adopted on Monday changes to the Law on Pension Disability Insurance, which extends the deadline for early retirement for another three years. Under the existing legislation men with 60 years of age and 35 years of employment, and women with 55 years of age and 30 years of employment can file for early retirement by December 31. According to changes to the Law on Pension Disability Insurance this deadline should be extended until 2008.

BiH State Property Commission: Kaisindo range assigned to BiH Justice Ministry for building of BiH state prison

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘BiH prison at the military range at Kasindo’ by R.C. – The BiH Commission for State Property Monday unanimously reached decision that the military range at Kasindo is excluded from the ban on state property disposal, which HR Paddy Ashdown, declared in March this year. According to Dezmaludin Mutapcic, Commission President, Kasindo range has been accordingly assigned to BiH Justice Ministry to serve as land where state prison would be built.