| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Security conference in | Ivanic on Conference in Munchen | Another dead in Cazin |
| Ivanic at security conference | Nikola Spiric on SIPA | 10th anniversary of Helsinki Comm. |
| Evening for 66 friars killed in WW2 | BiH HDZ in session | HNV on constitutional changes |
| Mostar: Liberation from fascism | Issue of BiH lawsuit against SCG | Electoral Commission on Constitution |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Schook on the BiH-ICTY obligations | Reaction to Priiedor policemen case | Ivanic at security conference |
| Helsinki Committee marks 10th ann. | Helsinki Committee marked 10th ann. | Crimes in Prijedor area |
| Two more persons died of freezing | HNV on constitutional changes | Crime report against 2 persons |
| | Second death after shooting in Cazin | Desecrated orthodox graveyard |
| Oslobodjenje | Every fourth person in |
| Dnevni Avaz | Millions-worth frauds discovered in |
| Dnevni List | HNV: Organization: Give |
| Vecernji List | Features |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features |
| Nezavisne Novine | Donald Hays: |
| EuroBlic | Features Serbian related topics |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
Political Developments/Reforms | |
| Croat National Council says DPA stopped war, did not stop policy that caused it
| Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘European BiH’, by Dejan Jazvic – Croat National Council (HNV), an NGO that gathers Croat intellectuals and public workers from different political parties, as well as non-partisan people, held a 4th congress at Sarajevo on Saturday, under motto ‘Change of Dayton into European BiH’. According to the HNV President, friar Luka Markesic, the Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘HNV: Organization: Give Sarajevo, Mostar and (HNV congress was also covered by RHB, BHT, FTV, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Congress of HNV of BiH in favour of federal organization of country’, by H, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Dayton Agreement stopped the war, not the politics which caused it’, mentioned on cover ‘Regionalization is a solution for BiH structure’ by Aj. Delic, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Change Dayton into European BiH’, mentioned on cover, by N. Karanjac, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Regionalisation or federalisation is a condition for peace in BiH’ by Fena/Srna) |
| BiH Helsinki Committee re-elects Dizdarevic as President, warns of violation of human rights
| BHT – BIH Helsinki Commitee celebrated its 10th anniversary in |
| BHT feature on changes to BiH Constitution, statement by RS Vice President Tomljenovic
| BHT – BIH Election Commission announced public discussion on changes of BIH Constitution. Among other issues, government institutions and NGOs should discuss the election of state presidents. Human rights of 45% of BIH populations are violated, because they can’t vote, or be elected, for positions on whole |
| Expert in constitutional law, Kasim Trnka, says HR’s proposal very significant
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Ashdown’s initiative is not a novelty in constitutional practice’, mentioned on cover, by M. Kukan – In an interview to DA, an expert in constitutional law, professor Kasim Trnka analyses recommendation of the HR Paddy Ashdown to introduce changes in the status and jurisdiction of the BiH Constitutional Court [for details, see BiH Media Round-up for 12 February]. Calling proposal very significant, Trnka stresses that it is a time to create exit strategy of the international community in order to make BiH able to join EU. Trnka says that the initiative to reconsider the status of the foreign judges in the Court present a sort of political consensus within BiH structures. Commenting the HR’s proposal to submit the law to the constitutional-legal control before it comes in force, Trnka says that this is not a novelty in constitutional practice: “ |
| Minister Ivanic at
| Pink TV – The BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs (in resignation), Mladen Ivanic,said that during 41st Conference on Security Policy, which is being held in |
| Update to formation of new RS Govt
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘PM-designate does not have our support’ by SRNA – Radislav Kanjeric, President of the Serb Radical Party “Dr Vojislav Seselj’, on Saturday stated that the delegate of this party in the RS NA, Milan Lazic, would not support the election of the new RS Government, led by Pero Bukejlovic. Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘We will support Bukejlovic’ by D.B. – Predrag Kovacevic, President of DSS, on Saturday stated that his party would support the Government of Bukejlovic, if PM-designate obligated he would work on preservation of the RS Ministries of Defence and Internal Affairs. Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Mihajlica calls on unity’ by Agencies – Milanko Mihajlica, President of the Serb Radical Party of RS, on Saturday in Banja Luka, has called on all political parties, especially those with the majority support of voters, to unite in political regard. (statements also covered by RTRS) |
| DA: PDP will decide on destiny of Bukejlovic’s cabinet
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘PDP to decide on destiny of Bukejlovic’s cabinet’ by F. Cardzic – DA says it is still uncertain whether new RS Government, to be proposed by the Prime Minister-designate Pero Bukejlovic to RS National Assembly on 15 February, will receive necessary support. A member of SDS Main Board, Momcilo Novakovic, says for DA that he has information that Bukejlovic also secured the support, adding that most probably PDP will also vote for the new Government: “But that of course is the current situation. Having in mind that PDP changes its opinion often, changes are not excluded.” The Chair of SNSD Executive Board, Nebojsa Radmanovic, stresses SNSD will not support Bukejlovic adding that it is possible for the new Cabinet to win necessary majority depending on PDP. The leader of PDP, Mladen Ivanic, says it is possible this party will support Bukejlovic, however underlines that the decision has not yet been made. |
| RS Council of Peoples says RSNA breaches Constitution
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘There is no appointment of the new RS Government without approval from the Council of Peoples’ by H. Orahovac – The Presidency of the RS Council of Peoples unanimously established that the RS National Assembly has breached RS Constitution by completely ignoring the Council in appointment of the new Government. “Notwithstanding that the Council’s position is entirely clear, we have been put in situation to be mere silent observers of crucial political events also extremely important for vital national interests,” stated Chair of the Council, Ramzija Kadric. He concludes that new RS Government cannot be appointed without the approval of the Council of peoples. Other members of the Presidency include Momir Malic, Pejo Krnjic and Miroslav Mikes. |
| DL on Law on Public RTV system: More Croatian language instead of three national channels
| Dnevni List, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘Croats get more language representation instead of channel’, by Ivica Glibusic – According to DL’s source in the BiH Council of Ministers, the HDZ leadership was engaged in early December (2004) in talks with the OHR on the issue of Law on Public RTV system, when the HDZ leadership was forced to accept the Proposal of law, which was prepared by the BiH Ministry of Traffic and Communications. According to the source, the only thing the Croats will be getting is a possibility that the Croatian language be more represented in the programming. DL goes on to say that the fundamental basis of the HDZ was to have a state TV with three national channels, to which the OHR threatened with removals, after which the Ministry’s Proposal got the support. DL concludes by saying it is unclear how come the Croat Ministers (in the BiH CoM) can support something, which in reality does not bring anything new to the Croats, adding that the HDZ’s MPs will not be supporting a law that does not satisfy the national interests. |
| Mostar Mayor Beslic: City administration will not officially mark 60th anniversary of liberation
| RHB, Dnevni List, pg 10, mentioned on front ‘City administration will not officially mark Liberation Day’, by NINA – Mostar Mayor Ljubo Beslic stated for NINA news agency that 60th anniversary of liberation of Mostar would not be officially marked by the City administration (CA) of Mostar. Noting that the CA will help the SUBNOAR (WWII veterans) by providing minimum financial backing, Mayor Beslic says that the City Council should soon declare itself about the official day of the city. “It is likely that the day when the Statute of single city got adopted will be used as the day”, explains Beslic. |
Cooperation with ICTY/War Crimes | |
| Reactions on establishment of Monitoring Group for cooperation with ICTY
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘It will finally be known who is responsible’ by M.Kremenovic-A.Durmo – A large majority of politicians in BiH has welcomed the establishment of the Monitoring Group for cooperation with ICTY. Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, stated: “As I can see, Adnan Terzic is attempting to present the establishment of the Group as a sort of assistance to RS, instead of realistic fulfilment of legal duties located in the laws and institutions of BiH.” Bosko Siljegovic, SDS Vice President, is of the view that by having established this group, the international community has finally acknowledged that apart from RS institutions, the institutions at the BiH level are also obligated to cooperate with ICTY. Alija Behmen, SDP of BiH official, has stressed that thanks to Monitoring Group, it would finally be determined who is doing its job and who is not. Marko Pavic, DNS President, is of the view that the establishment of the Monitoring Group along with the existing institutions of BiH represents running away from responsibility and cover up for failures of those obligated to do that job. |
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| FTV – Special military underground facility in |
| Women from Prijedor say Matanovic case trials was rigged
| FTV – Association of women of Prijedor “Izvor” stated that court process against 11 Prijedor police officers was rigged in order to lessen the public and international institutions’ pressure. Earlier, the Banja Luka District Court acquitted Prijedor police officers who were charged with illegal detention and murder of Catholic priest Tomislav Matanovic and his parents in 1995. With this verdict, the RS judiciary didn’t pass its first test when it comes to war crimes cases, believes this Association. (also covered by Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Judges and prosecutors still serve criminals’, mentioned on cover, by B. Kahrimanovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘RS judiciary failed the tests’ by Onasa |
| Masovic: ‘There are another 200 mass and 1500 individual graves in BiH’
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘There are another 200 mass graves and 1500 individual graves in BiH’, mentioned in cover, by E. Sarac – The Head of the FBiH Commission for Missing Persons, Amor Masovic, says that there are at least 200 mass graves and 1500 individual graves to be discovered in BiH. He adds that this year the Commission plans to exhume body remains of about 2000 victims, specifying the priority to be regions of Prijedor and Podrinje. |
Economic Issues/Social Issues | |
| Nezavisne Novine interview: PDHR Hays | Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pgs 7-9 ‘Bosnia and Herzegovina to face bankruptcy’ by Almedin Sisic – In a three-page interview to NN, Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, says that if the state of BiH fails to undertake certain steps, it would go bankrupt for sure, adding that BiH authorities must tackle the issue of rationalisation of administration and bureaucracy ASAP. He adds: “It is time all the politicians behaved responsibly: they must say they would do something about this issue and they would do it immediately.” He announces that the OHR will soon release the names of those responsible if determined that some ministers or officials are blocking this process. Responding to press question regarding responsibility for the currently catastrophic financial situation in entities and the state, PDHR Hays notes: “As of 2002, a low level of focus on reduction of authority level and state consolidation has been present since 2002, so we are to some extend responsible for having failed to raise this issue. The international community is responsible for having focused on other issues, and local politicians for having struggled with some other sorts of problems. However, we are here now and we would work every single week to resolve this problem.” |
| Minister Brankovic: Telecommunications companies in RS and FBiH not in same position
| Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Speculation on sale of Mobis – pressure on FBiH Government’, by Jurislav Petrovic – The notes that recent speculations have it that the ‘Mobis’ (mobile phone provider in the RS) could be soon sold. According to the FBiH Minister of Traffic and Communications, Nedzad Brankovic, the stories about ‘Mobis’ getting sold are perhaps a form of pressure against the FBiH Government. Brankovic says one cannot rule out the scenario (sale of Mobis), because if someone is interested in (buying) the telecommunications operators in FBiH, he/she could use the scenario to force the FBiH Government to make a wrong move. Brankovic insists that the telecommunications companies in the RS and FBiH are not in the same position, because the operators in the FBiH are to co-finance the postal service for several more years, which is not the case in the RS. |
| Hayat: Interview with Toby Robinson on future of Eronet/Hercegovacka Bank
| Hayat – 51 % of Eronet Company is owned by three companies; Hercegovina Insurance, Alpina Commerce and Grude municipality. |
| Oslobodjenje: Every fourth citizen in
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Every fourth citizens of |
Legal Proceedings | |
| Director of Sarajevo Cantonal Privatisation Agency to call on MoI to investigate possible frauds
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Millions-worth frauds discovered in Sarajevo?’, pg 3 ‘Djogic: I will call on MoI to investigate millions-worth frauds’ by E.P. – Director of the Sarajevo Cantonal Privatization Agency, Rifet Djogic, removed several officials due to suspicion that they had covered up for serious breaches of the contracts on purchasing state capital by the new owners. Djogic specifies that violation of contract provisions referring to the investments and obligations towards the workers resulted with hoax worth millions. “I will call on Interior Ministry to carry out investigation in order to establish whether there are grounds for processing,” says Djogic. |
| Alijagic case update
| Nezavisne Novine cover pg sand pg 5 ‘They welded without a break 70 condensers per hour’ by P. Klincov – The experts, who were representing the RS authorities in Alijagic case question the level of physical work of the workers with silver electrodes, which was included as evidence. They question the number of condensers the two workers welded. According to the evidence, they welded 617 thousand condensers per year, which is 70 pieces per minute or one piece per 51 seconds, which is impossible according to RS legal representatives. |
Miscellaneous | |
| Brcko: Swastika drawn in Orthodox graveyard, Serb Orthodox Church outraged | Dnevni List, pg 34 ‘ Swastika on Cvjetko Stakic’s tombstone’, not signed – The Orthodox cemetery in the Brcko suburb of Srpska Varos got desecrated. An unknown perpetrator, or several of them, drew a swastika with a black magic marker on the family tomb of respected Serb trader Cvjetko Stakic. The Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) is particularly outraged at the fact that this act of vandalism happened on the great Orthodox holiday of the Three Hierarchs. “Many injustices have been done to our Church and sacred buildings in these parts, and the fact that they occur on great Orthodox holidays is no coincidence. I do not believe that this is a harmless act by a minor who does not know that this symbol had set fire to Serb churches and razed this cemetery to the ground in 1941. I believe that this is an organized action,” the SPC archpriest in Brcko, Slavko Maksimovic, stated. He believes that it is no accident that the vandals targeted the memorial to an old Serb trader, as “someone is trying to erase traces of the Serb presence in these parts”. Police and the deputy district prosecutor have conducted an investigation on the spot. (also reported by RTRS) |