| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| OHR:Covic’s time for decision limited | Tihic proposes changes of BiH Const. | ICTY speeds up trials |
| Komarica meets OSCE Chief in iH | HR welcomes Venice Comm. report | Schook on assisting PIFWCs |
| Gregorian accuses RS for obstruction | Gregorian accuses RS for obstruction | Gregorian accuses RS for obstruction |
| MCC unifies Mostar institutions | NATO seminar in | GDP increased in BiH for 5% |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| BiH villages isolated due to snow | Gorazde faces problems due to snow | Double murder in Meka Gruda |
| Farmers thank Hayat for support | Grahovo villages isolated by snow | |
| Custom terminal in | Floods to follow snow | Gregorian accuses RS for obstruction |
| Face to Face | Tihic proposes changes of BiH Const. | Serving military service |
| Oslobodjenje | [BiH Law on Traffic Safety:] Rigorous punishments for irresponsible drivers; ICTY opens new courtroom |
| Dnevni Avaz | Charles Redman: Construction of highway must start now!; Tihic: HR is still necessary in BiH; Gregorian: RS Government blacks BiH’s admission to NATO |
| Dnevni List | Introduction of VAT postponed?!; Mostar: Decision on unifying city institutions; Tadic received bribe in Mostar; Gregorian: RS blocks defence reform |
| Vecernji List | Ashdown with a part of powers |
| Nezavisne Novine | Five-year deficit in BiH exceeds 27 billion KM; Baklir Izetbegovic: I don’t want to make family’s dynasty out of party |
Constitutional changes and other political issues | |
| Tihic proposes: one BiH President, BiH Govt with PM position, and changes in BiH Parliament
| PINK by Svjetlana Todorovic – BiH Presidency member, Sulejman Tihic, proposes BiH Constitution to be changed. Tihic has presented this proposal in FTV – “There should be four-years mandates instead of current few-months terms”, added Tihic in telephone statement to FTV. BHT 1– also reported on Tihic’s proposal. |
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| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘We need the HR until BiH Constitution is changed’, mentioned on cover ‘HR is still needed in BiH’, by A.M. – Milan conference was attended by SDA representatives Tihic, Seada Palavric, and Sefik Dzaferovic; HDZ was represented by Velimir Jukic and PDP by Mladen Ivanic, Dragan Mikerevic and Zoran Djeric. Only these parties, as the members of the Association of European Peoples’ parties were invited. DA says that the focus of the discussion was the question whether the position of the High Representatives was beneficial for BiH and whether Constitution should be changed. “Ivanic told that the High Rep is not needed, that he uses the powers contrary to European conventions and that his authorities should be abolished by the end of year,” said Tihic strongly opposing this. RTRS – RTRS comments that SDA was the only party present at the conference which did not support idea of reducing HR’s powers. |
| PDP stresses entities must exist, demand reduction of HR’s powers
| Nezavisne novine pg 2 ‘Existence of two entities cannot be brought into question’ by Srna, Dnevni list pg 2 ‘ RTRS by Daliborka Predragovic – Dragan Mikerevic from PDP stated over the telephone that the existence of RS has not been brought into question at the conference. Commenting Tihic’s proposal, Mikerevic said that the participants of the conference believe that current BIH Constitution is not an obstacle on BiH’s path to EU. BHT 1 – also reported on PDP stance. |
| Venice Comm. says revision of constitution not against DPA, OHR says it will consider report
| PINK – Deputy Secretary of the Venice Commission, Thomas Markert, stated that the revision of BiH Constitution would not oppose the Dayton Peace Agreement. Markert also stressed that it is necessary to reduce the HR’s powers broadening the authorities of the BiH. The OHR has welcomed such initiative. “The report by the BHT 1 – brings details of the Venice Comm. report [for more details, see BiH Media Round-up for March 12]. RTRS, Vecernji list cover splash ‘Ashdown without a part of powers’, pg 2 ‘Ashdown without a part of Bonn powers’ by Dejan Jazvic, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Transfer authorities from entities to BiH’ by Fena, Dnevni list pg 6 ‘Ashdown welcomes Venice commission report’ by Nina, Nezavine novine pg 3 ‘Only efficient authorities will lead BiH to Europe’ by D.B. – carry OHR’s welcoming the Venice Commission report. |
| VL: Ivanic lobbies for removal of Paddy Ashdown | Vecernji list cover splash ‘Ashdown without a part of powers’, pg 2 ‘Ashdown without a part of Bonn powers’ by Dejan Jazvic – Commenting the conclusions of the Venice Commission, VL says that announcement of reducing the HR’s powers especially cheered up the RS political leaders, which seek ways to withdrawn international community from decision making process on BiH international issues by the end of year. VL unofficially learns that PDP leader, Mladen Ivanic, spent considerable time lately to lobby for Paddy Ashdown’s removal. Article concludes that eventual reduction of HR’s powers would be carried out in stages thus the next, probably the last, HR would have much less authorities. |
| Tomljenovic: Best solution is dividing BiH in five regions | FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘BiH with two entities is untenable’ by RTRS, Dnevni list pg 3 ‘Organize BiH into five regions’ by Nina– Appearing in the RTRS current affairs programme on Friday, the RS Vice-President, Ivan Tomljenovic, repeated his stance reported last week that RS would probably disappear before BiH enters EU as the current BiH territorial organization with two entities is simply untenable economically. Tomljenovic also stressed that BiH should be divided into five regions. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘The best solution for BiH is division into five regions’ by A.M. – In statement to DA, Tomljenovic adds that these regions would not be established on ethnic basic or entities, but geographic position. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Abolishment of cantons is the first step in erasing entities’ borders’ by S.S. – L.S. – Vice President of SDA, Elmir Jahic, supports Tomljenovic’s proposal of organizing BiH into five regions on geo and economic criteria. Member of SNSD Main Board, Nikola Spiric, underlines that “open dialogue should decide whether BiH should stay as it is or be changed.” Ivo Miro Jovic from HDZ believes that current organization is unjust to Croats as two other peoples dominate entities, adding the future is in local self-governance. |
| Mostar City Council unifies parallel institutions
| RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Unification of public institutions has started’ by Fena, Nezavine novine pg 3 ‘First city institutions unified’ by Agencies– At the session held on Saturday, the Mostar City Council adopted the Decision on unifying city’s parallel institutions. These include the two of Mostar’s social services and two public homes for senior citizens. “These are the first institutions to be unified, and our wish to have other institutions unified as well before the adoption of the budget,” said the MCC Chair Murat Coric. Commenting the unification, Mostar Mayor, Ljubo Beslic, stated that this decision is of the greatest importance for city. In addition, MCC concluded that the “HR, Paddy Ashdown should…urgently establish the regulations within legal framework enabling issues on fulfilling positions in City Administration to be solved at the level of the city,” said Coric. Vecernji list pg 2 ‘Beslic today in Washington’ by M.R., Dnevni list pg 10 ‘Beslic will lobby for Mostar in Washington’, mentioned on cover ‘Decision on unification of Mostar’s institutions’, by Nina – Beslic also informed councilors on his upcoming trip to Washington to meet the World Bank officials. |
| DA: HDZ divided over Covic’s resignation; Covic supporters plan media attack on Ashdown? | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Fractional division around Covic’s resignation’ by F. Vele – DA learns that in the eve of HDZ Presidency’s session to be held on Monday in Mostar, the party is divided on the issue of Dragan Covic’s resignation. Author claims that a fraction of the HDZ BiH opposes tries to interpret the indictment against Covic as anything else but his personal problem and an economic crime. This group also believes that party should respect the laws, considering that Covic should resign and be replaced in the Presidency by Martin Raguz. The second fraction is of entirely different opinion, deeming Covic is a victim of political lynch and that the IC makes decision to remove him in order to weaken Croats before the constitutional changes. DA also learns that Covic spends this week with closest associates considering his next move, while one of them told Avaz that “Dragan is absolutely certain he is innocent… He prefers to be removed, and maybe even to play ‘a victim’ of the international community.” The source also announces possible “media attacks against Paddy Ashdown.” Raguz stated for DA that he will voice his opinion following the session of the Presidency. RHB, Dnevni list pg 2 ‘Time for Covic’s resignation is not unlimited’ by Nina – OHR spokesperson Dnevni list pg 3 ‘Tadic received Bribe in Mostar’, mentioned on cover, by Nermin Bise – DL brings details of the indictment against Covic and others, focusing on Chair of the BiH Constitutional Court, Mato Tadic, indicted for receiving 200.000 € bribe from Lijanovici. Tadic was allegedly bribed to annul the verdicts against Lijanovics and for ensuring Covic is under immunity. |
| Izetbegovic on SDA Convention, supports dividing BiH in 5 regions | Nezavisne novine pgs 8-9 ‘I don’t intend to create family’s dynasty out of SDA’ by Rubina Cengic – In an interview to DA, the SDA Vice President, Bakir Izetbegovic, denies there is conflict inside the party and adds that the Convention to be held in May should mark SDA’s intention to turn “from Bosniak to Bosnian and European.” He also said that he would not run for the position of the SDA’s President as he doesn’t intent “to make the party a family’s dynasty”. On organizational structure of BiH, Izetbegovic says: “The most desirable solution for us is the simplest one – state and municipalities. But Serbs are not ready for that. Thus, SDA will most probably be in favor of regions.” |
Defence and police reforms | |
| Gregorian: ‘RS is standing on BIH’s way to join NATO and defence reforms’ | PINK by Jovanka Nina Stevanovic – On Monday, BiH Defence Reform Commission [DRC] will starting working on drafting two new crucial laws regarding defence reform, the law on BiH military service and draft law on amendments to the defence law. According to DRC Vice Chair, Raffi Gregorian, these laws are necessary in order for BiH to be admitted to NATO. However, Gregorian said the “RS is standing in the way of BiH to join NATO and defence reform process in BiH“, including these laws, by refusing to “be actively involved in the work of the Commission, and they are sending their observers, a group of persons who work for SDS.” The laws should be adopted by 1 July, as set by the HR. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘RS still blocks defence reform’ by Onasa – Gregorian says it is “all about RS government’s unilateral decision, led by the SDS“. SDS and five other RS political parties signed the Agreement on joint political action “which is not valid any more for at least half of those political parties“, Gregorian added. RHB, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘RS Government blocks BiH’s admission to NATO with unilateral decision’, mentioned on cover ‘RS Govt block admission to NATO’, by L. Sinanovic, Dnevni list pg 5 ‘RS blocks defence reform’, mentioned on cover, by Danka Polovina-Mandic, Nezavisne novine pg 2 “RS block BiH’s integrations through RS Government” by N. Krsman– Gregorian said that unless RS starts sending representatives instead of observers to the DRC meetings, it would be considered that it obstructs membership of BIH in EU and NATO. Gregorian stressed that the report on the work of the Commission will be submitted to HR Paddy Ashdown who will decide on possible measures against RS. BHT 1 – DRC Vice Chair will addressed the RS National Assembly in |
| RS MoD sticks to Govt’s and RSNA stance on defence reform
| RTRS – A spokesman for the RS defence ministry Branko Trkulja said that the Ministry would not comment on the remarks made by the BiH Defence Reform Commission co-chairman Raffi Gregorian that “RS stands in the way of BiH to join NATO and of BiH defence reform process“. “The RS defence ministry will stick to the attitudes the Government and the RS NA on the matter“, Trkulja told SRNA. |
| OHR official says BiH needs just one MoI | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘BiH needs only one Police Ministry’ by Srna – OHR representative, Michael Doyle, stated at the public debate on police reform held in Bijeljina that only one Interior Ministry should exist in BiH. “Fifteen percents of funds more than in any other European country is being directed at the police administration, due to existing 13 MoIs and bad organizational structures,” told Doyle and stressed that one MoI would decrease costs and improve fight against crime. He stressed that proposal for police reform was not imposed by the international community but recommended by the Police Reform Commission. |
War crimes | |
| Merron says ICTY considers ways to speed up trials
| PINK by Svjetlana Todorovic – The ICTY President, Theodor Merron, said that the ICTY has been discussing ways to accelerate processes led before the Tribunal. Due to plan of completing all cases before the ICTY until 208, Court’s officials discuss the possible transfer of certain cases to national judiciaries in the states of former BHT 1– In other to sped up trials, the ICTY also considers opening of the new courtroom. Currently, 37 indictees are waiting for beginning of their trials, and there is still 17 persons accused of war crimes at large. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Opening new courtroom’, mentioned on cover, by Fena, Vecernji list pg 9 ‘We will speed up trials’ – also carried Merron’s statement. |
| Schook: There are individuals assisting PIFWCs employed in RS institutions
| BHT 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Schook: There are people assisting war crimes suspects at large in RS institutions’ by RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Individuals in RS institutions support fugitives’ by Fena, – The Commander of NATO HQ in BiH, general Steven Schook, stated in the statement given to RTRS on Friday that there are people assisting the war crimes suspects at large in RS institutions. He stressed that RS authorities in the past 10 years have not done enough regarding the cooperation with the ICTY. According to Schook, hundreds of millions KM are being directed for supporting the Hague indictees at large. |
Economic issues | |
| Institutions organize VAT seminars
| Dnevni list cover splash ‘VAT implementation postponed?!’, pg 6 ‘VAT implementation starts at beginning of October?!’ by Dario Pusic – The Indirect Taxation Administration and BiH Foreign Trade Chamber organized a series of seminars on introduction of VAT in BiH. At seminar in PINK also reports on this and other such seminar organized by RS Employers Association in |
| NN brings analyses of economic situation: worst is in agriculture field
| Nezavisne novine cove splash, pg 16 ‘Five year deficit in BiH exceeds 27 billion’ by Predrag Klincov – Article refers to economic analysers warn that if BiH continues with unfavourable trend of trade exchange with foreign countries, which in past years has been marked with deficit over 27 billion KM, it will seriously endanger macroeconomic stability of the country. Economic Advisor to Serb member of BiH Presidency, Vasilj Zarkovic, says that the economy cannot be developed on grounds of being a country where it is easier to import than to produce. According to analyses, the worst situation is in field of agriculture. BiH Foreign Trade Chamber official, Petar Milanovic, belives that the best potential is the metal industry, followed by forestry. Both experts agree that economic improvement cannot be achieved without foreign investments. |
| ‘Bechtel Enka’ CEO warns BiH must start construction of highway immediately
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Construction of highway must start now!’, pg 5 ‘If highway was a priority for authorities, they would find money’ by E. Sarac – The CEO of the international corporation ‘Bechtel Enka’, Charles Redman, states for DA that BiH must immediately start with the construction of the highway. Participating the SEE summit held in |