OHR BiH Media Round-up, 13/5/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

Anti-corruption declaration signed

Explosion against eviction

Minister Ivanic inPortugal

Table on DA resumes in BL

Mostar City Council on Monday

NATO delegation in Kosovo

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

EUPM on Andan’s allegations

Three proposals on police maps

Processing war crime cases in BiH

FBIH Government session

Jurcevic on war crime cases

Delivering cases from ICTY to BiH

CoM session

Seminar on DPA

Police maps in BiH

BIH Farmer’s demands

BiH CoM session

Mektic on Andan claims

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Three proposals on police maps

Theft in USC Assembly

OHR,NATO & EUPM on Bileca/Manj.

BiH CoM session

Possible wire-tapping in Brcko

Suggestions of police maps in BIH

ICTY cases to be transferred to BiH

Journalists on draft law on PBS

Reactions to Andan’s allegations

Jurcevic on war crime cases

Proposals on police regions

Seminar on Dayton Agreement

Oslobodjenje

Investigations against 194 war crime suspects

Dnevni Avaz

US Ambassador McEllhaney: We remain dedicated to prosperity in BiH

Dnevni List

There is no money for 9-yera primary school education

Vecernji List

FBiH Government demands additional guarantees from INA

Slobodna Dalmacija

HDZ and SDP in coalition

Glas Srpske

Knowledge demands assets

Nezavisne Novine

First indictments in a month time

Blic

From Bosnia to Federation

Vecernje Novosti

Features Serbia-related topics

Srpski Nacional

Al Q’Aeda in Bosnia – Serbia as target

Dani

Thank you, papa Bush! (Referring to US medal handed to Draza Mihajlovic’s family)

Slobodna Bosna

Croatian Way of Cross (October 1991)

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Brussels : Anti-corruption declaration signed

RHB – Justice Ministers of BiH, Serbia and Montenegro , Croatia , Albania , Moldavia , Romania and Macedonia have signed an anti-corruption declaration at Brussels . The meeting, which was held over last two days under auspices of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, was aimed at exchanging experiences and coordinating activities between the countries in the fight against corruption.

Ivanic in Portugal

RHB – BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, is in official visit to Portugal . He will be meeting his Portuguese colleague to discuss bilateral issues between the two countries.

ICTY on transfer of Rasevic, Todovic and Jankovic cases to BiH Court

RHB – Representatives of the Serbia-Montenegro judiciary took part at a discussion on the ICTY Prosecution’s request that the cases of Mitar Rasevic, Savo Todovic and Gojko Jankovic be transferred onto the BiH Court . The indictees are charged with crimes committed in Foca in 1992 and 1993. Representatives of the BiH judiciary, who followed the discussion via a video link, say the participation of the SCG representatives was a surprise. ICTY Prosecution noted that the BiH Court has the expertise and is ready to take over the cases. The ICTY’s Council will take a decision after analysing the case.

Incident in Banja Luka : Eight persons severely injured

RS Radio – Mico Maric has this morning caused explosion by activating/setting afire gas cylinders in the sign of protest of his eviction from the apartment in Banja Luka settlement of Centre. Maric, who has been hospitalized, is in critical state. Other 8 persons, including five policemen, have been injured. The RS MoI has not as yet released any official information on the incident. Jasmin Samardzic, RS Minister of Refugees and DP’s, visited the location. A large number of RS Police Support Unit are securing the area. Samardzic ahs scheduled extraordinary press conference for 12:00 hrs today.

Maric’s wife Dragojla is out of life danger, while doctors are still fighting for the life of their child (hospitalized at surgery unit). According to Banja Luka Clinical Centre Spokesperson, other three persons are also in serious condition, namely policemen Dojder Igor, Daunovic Ljubomir and Cvijetic Stojan are still in life danger.

Banja Luka Round Table on Dayton resumes

RS Radio – Round Table “RS – 10 years of Dayton Peace Agreement” resumes in Banja Luka today. The speakers were talking about the situation in the fields of science, education and culture, and models that could help improve and develop these sectors.

Police/Security Affairs

Commission on police areas send three proposals to BiH political leaders for further consideration

Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Politicians to get three map proposals’, mentioned on cover ‘Politicians to decide on maps of police regions’, Oslobodjenje pg 8, mentioned on cover ‘Matijasevic’s map saves a line of division in BiH’ – Commission on police areas in BiH held session in Sarajevo on Thursday, during which were presented three proposals presented; 5, 9+1 and 2 police regions. “In terms of police areas, there is a proposal on 9+1, which I have proposed, as well as proposal on 5 areas and RS Minister of Interior, Darko Matijasevic and his team has also issued their proposal. We have systematized all there proposals, and we are going to submit them, together with police maps, to BiH political parties’ leaders”, said the Chair of the Commission, Dobrica Jonjic. “RS’ proposal presupposes existence of inter-entities borders and the offered local police regions are within entities”, said Matijasevic. “We find 5 police regions the most suitable solution, which, owing to operative factors is the best solution”, said FBiH Minister of Interior, Mevludin Halilovic. “According to us, the best and the most efficient solution at this moment is organization in 5 police regions, by which we first of all satisfy the operative factors”, said Damir Hadzic, SDP representative. All three proposals are going to be treated equally at talks on police reform, which are to be continued on May 16-17 in Sarajevo .

According to Dnevni Avaz, the representatives of the Croat political parties will request survival of cantonal ministries of interior if Matijasevic’s proposal is accepted. In addition, according to Avaz’s sources, only nine plus one regions map will be on the agenda of the upcoming political leaders’ meeting as the other two options will be rejected.

Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Dobrica Jonjic Chairman of Commission’ by A. Beus also covered the issue. EuroBlic RSpg 2, announced on cover ‘Three proposals in game’ by Dusanka Stanisic – Daily carries statements of Dobrica Jonjic and Damir Hadzic regarding police maps. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Five, ten or several police regions proposed’ by M.C. – carries statement of Dobrica Jonjic.

Interview with Sarovic: Cavic and SDS Main Board share identical views

Nezavisne Novine pg 4, announced on cover ‘SDS Chair Board stances coincide with Dragan Cavic’s stances’ by Vesna Popovic – In a page-long interview to NN, Mirko Sarovic, former member of BiH Presidency and high SDS official, says that “international community wants to push on reforms, that a RS public majority is obviously disapproving and regarding as severe violations of Dayton to detriment of Serb people, with SDS hands. Each member of SDS knows that if that hand is not withdrawn, SDS will not even have to take part at upcoming elections.” He notes that SDS Chair Board stances are identical to Dragan Cavic’s stances, noting there is no misunderstanding: “I believe that he would, without retreats, firmly commit to SDS Chair Board stances.” He regards SDS stance on police reform as persistence on police reform, but within Constitutional framework.

Party for BiH advocates for three EU principles of police reform

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Three principles for police reform’ not signed – Party for BiH issued a press statement condemning all individuals, institutions and organizations that are trying to obstruct reform path of BiH towards Euro-Atlantic integrations and it announces its delegates would support three principles for police reform – exclusive authority over the police at the state level and its state budgeting, police regions defined on basis of operative efficiency and elimination of police interference in the work of the police.

HNC HDZ on police reform

Dnevni List pg 9 ‘HNC HDZ: Police reform after constitutional re-organization of BiH’ not signed – At its session held on Thursday Herzegovina-Neretva Canton HDZ, among the other things, discussed the police reform and they concluded that the police reform should be implemented after the process of constitutional re-organization of BiH is completed. 

BiH CoM fails to appoint new director of SIPA

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘No consent on appointment of director of SIPA’, by V. Zivak – The BiH Council of Ministers did not declare itself about the issue of appointment of the director of SIPA at its session held on Thursday. BiH Deputy Justice Minister, Niko Grubesic, stated at a press conference that consultations regarding BiH Security Minister, Barisa Colak’s, proposal that Dragan Lukac be appointed the director are still ongoing. Oslobodjenje learns from government sources that BiH Minister of Traffic, Branko Dokic, and BiH Defence Minister, Nikola Radovanovic, were not ready to declare themselves as long as the Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic does not attend a BiH CoM session (Ivanic is currently in Portugal). The sources reveal that Chairman Adnan Terzic insisted that ministers Dokic and Radovanovic vote about the appointment, however they did not acceptit. Oslobodjenje also learns that everything depends on Ivanic i.e. whether he gives up or not that a Serb leads the SIPA.

Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘SIPA still without director’, mentioned on front ‘Ivanic and Colak still at odds’, by E. Sarac – Notes that Colak and Ivanic do not give up on their candidates, Dragan Lukac and Sredoje Novic respectively. The issue will be again discussed at today’s (Friday) session of BiH CoM.

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Appointment postponed for today’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Ivanic is blocking the election of SIPA Director’, announced on cover ‘SIPA still without Director’ by M.Cubro also covered the issue.

DL says Ashdown and Covic joined forces against Colak

Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘Paddy’s blockade of Barisa Colak’, by Zvonimir Jukic – Carries an article that deals with media reports according to which the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, has promised Dragan Covic help in his plan to become a new HDZ president. DL reads that the HR, during several meetings with accredited diplomats in BiH, allegedly stated that, at this moment, Covic was the best choice for the HDZ BiH. DL learns from an anonymous HDZ official from Canton 8 that an atmosphere was being created by Ashdown and Covic, which would put Barisa Colak on sidelines and make him look incompetent, like in the situation with the appointment of Dragan Lukac for the director of SIPA. In this context, DL’s source claim that Colak wanted to restore balance with Covic by appointing Lukac to the said office, however HR Ashdown got in the way by persistently prolonging mandate to Sredoje Novic, which was confirmed yesterday when the BiH CoM postponed the decision on new SIPA director.

BiH Assistant Security Minister Mektic says his Ministry does not posses RS Police Chief Andan’s information on Islamic terrorists’ activities in BiH

BHT, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Data unknown t6o Ministry’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Mektic considers Andan’s information very serious’, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘We shall check Andan’s information’ by bs, FENA – The BiH Ministry of Security does not have at this time information presented by RS Police Director Dragomir Andan on May 10 indicating that the last terrorist attack in Spain was prepared in BiH, BiH Assistant Security Minister Dragan Mektic said on Thursday. Mektic told journalists in Banja Luka that Andan’s claims should be taken seriously, that they should be immediately put through intelligence and operative checks, which should be easier to do by directly contacting the Spanish police. “We shall contact the Spanish police as we did several times so far in talks about the terrorist act itself when we received information that a certain Sanel Sjekirica was brought into connection with that terrorist act because he shared an apartment with a Moroccan”, Mektic added. He stressed that he has not seen information presented by the RS Police Director, but that he expects to receive it in accordance with procedure defined by law specifying that such information is to be sent to the BiH Intelligence-Security Agency and the State Investigation and Protection Agency. Mektic thinks that it is not good practice to present such information at a press conference without previously informing relevant institutions.

EuroBlic: RS Police Director’ claims tickled the public in BiH

EuroBlic RSpg 3, announced on cover ‘Director Andan tickled public, then kept silent’ by Mirna Soja-Marija Milic – The article reminds of Dragomir Andan statement, brining comments of Adnan Terzic (of Wednesday), Dragan Mektic, Assistant to BiH Security Minister, OHR and Tarik Sadovic, Head of SDA Caucus at RS NA (who said it is still uncertain whether SDA would demand Andan be held responsible for this statement).

SB on Andan’s role in disappearance of displaced persons from Croatia in 1991

Slobodna Bosna cover pg splash ‘Croatian Way of Cross’ and pgs 18 – 21 ‘Way of Cross of Croatian displaced persons through BiH’ by Senad Avdic says that over 4000 Croatian displaced persons arrived to the area of Bihac and Cazin in October 1991, after JNA and Serbian paramilitary units occupied the Croatian territory along the border with BiH. After some time, the Croatian authority organized transport of these people to the area of Herzegovina and in order to secure their safe travel through BiH then BiH Minister of Interior sent to Bihac current RS Police Director Dragomir Andan and current Sarajevo Canton police official Fahrudin Abaz. The article explains that at that time JNA units in cooperation with local Serb volunteers already controlled some parts of BiH and the aforementioned convoys were stopped few times by JNA and paramilitary units and at least 80 young men were taken away from the bus and every trace of them has been lost since then. According to Ramo Brkic, one of Bihac policemen who were providing security to the convoys, they tried to contact Andan when the buses were stopped however, every time it was impossible to find him. Slobodna Bosna says that they also contacted other persons who are familiar with this case and all of them suspect that Andan was at that time in direct connection with the JNA and Serbian forces, who took away Croatians to the prison camp in Manjaca.    

Nacional brings extracts from RS MOI report on terrorist cells in BiH

Nacional cover pg splash, pgs 2-3 ‘Al Q’Aeda in Bosnia – Serbia as target’ – Daily brings extracts from the “strictly confidential” report of RS MOI, listing names of Islamic organizations in BiH (around 20), the names of their leaders and members, financers and their connections with Al Q’Aeda, Hamas, Hezbollah. Daily notes that Report will be forwarded to BiH services in charge of the issue, as well as to OHR, UN SC Anti-Terrorist Team, US and other services combating terrorism.

According to inset “Serbia in danger’, Jovan M.Petkovic political analyst from Banja Luka, says that HR Paddy Ashdown holds all information on terrorist organizations, but he does not want to battle this, because he is relaying on support of Muslim parties in BiH on police reform.

Political Developments/Statements

US Ambassador McElhaney responds to Dizdarevic and Hadzovic on medal to Mihailovic

Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘We remain dedicated to prosperity in BiH’ and pg 2 ‘Millions of American soldiers went missing in fight against fascism’, by A. M. – Avaz learns that the US Ambassador to BiH, Douglas McElhaney, has sent the president of BiH Helsinki Committee, Srdjan Dizdarevic, and president of Council of Congress of Bosniak Intellectuals (VKBI), Sabira Hadzovic, a letter in which he responds to their objections to recent awarding of medal to the daughter of late Chetnik leader Draza Mihailovic. Ambassador McElhaney reminds that the medal was awarded to Mihailovic posthumously by the Truman administration on March 29, 1948 because of activities related to rescues of 500 US pilots whose airplanes were shot down in the WWII.  McElhaney argues it would be careless to draw conclusions that deal with a wider context of the US engagement in the WWII or the current political environment. Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘Concrete cause for giving medal to Draza Mihajlovic’, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Medal to Draza Mihailovic only for rescue of 500 pilots’ by S.G. also covered the issue.

RS President Cavic believes BiH politicians addicted to High Representative

BHT, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘RS President fiercely attacked the institution of the High Representative’, FENA – RS President Dragan Cavic thinks that BiH does not need a High Representative with existing authorities, rather a special representative of the EU without a mandate to intervene. “I think that BiH does not need a High Representative in such a capacity, with emperor like authorities and covering all three segments of power – the judicial, legislative and executive”, Cavic said. He thinks that BiH needs a High Representative, i.e. a special representative of the EU with a supervising role, without a mandate to intervene or to be the ultimate authority for interpreting and that would have just a coordinating role between the parties. He said that BiH needed to be “treated from the addiction of politicians to the role of the High Representative”. Asked what is the role of the RS if all authorities are transferred to the BiH level, Cavic said that there is no simple answer to this question because he could then say that it has no role and that the RS should be declared dead. He said that the RS has a need to participate in processes that will lead towards integrations. “This is the interest of Serbs”, he said and added that the RS supports the European road, but that it does not wish to take that road dead.

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Culpability on SDS and RS Government’, announced on cover ‘We do not need Paddy Ashdown’ by V.Popovic – Apart from reporting on Dragan Cavic’s press conference, article also brings some reactions following OHR warning that RS would end up in isolation. Igor Radojicic SNSD,. Petar Djokic SPRS and Drago Kalabic DNS share the view the warning raises concern, blaming SDS for possible consequences. Nevenka Trifkovic PDP hopes RS will not be isolated, noting it is high time reforms in BiH were implemented in the best interest of citizens.

Glas Srpske pg 5, announced on cover ‘Fear spread and ruling’ by G.D.-D.M. – carries Cavic’s statement.

Round Table on Dayton Agreement takes place in Banja Luka : From Bosnia to Federation

Pink, RTRS, EuroBlic cover pg splash, RSpg 1 ‘From Bosnia to Federation’ by Nedeljka Breberina – Two-day science gathering entitled “RS – 10 years of Dayton Peace Agreement” is being held in Banjaluka. While addressing the meeting, Venice Commission Deputy Secretary Thomas Markert feels that the current constitution is an obstacle for membership in EU and adds that constitution can be changed only with consensus of all 3 people, adding: “We see BiH in future as a federation of two entities, because we are of the view that will of citizens in RS must be respected and this structure preserved…However, RS should also show some flexibility and accept some changes.” He also claims that the state must undertake more extensive responsibility and power if BiH wants to take part in European integration. UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Elizabet Rehn agrees that change just for the sake of it is not necessary but adds that constitutions have to be changed sometime because life changes as well. Rehn also stated that there are no plans for abolishment of RS and that entities will remain. She added that relationship between IC and BiH authority is nowadays more equal than it used to be in the past, noting the role of HR is whittled down. Merkert and Rehn share the view regarding police reform that a police force in Bih must be unified, without going into details of reform.

President of Academy of Science and Arts, Rajko Kuzmanovic said that the DPA presented compromise act, which brought peace to BiH nations, and added that it would be irresponsible to touch upon this issue. Kuzmanovic said that only Annex 4 of the DPA could be changed, but that still there were no conditions created. “Everyone should be aware of the fact that RS wants the European way, but we do not want to head that way dead”, said RS President, Dragan Cavic..Cavic stated on the seminar that RS and BIH are at a critical position now, transition from Dayton to European phase. He stated that all changes will be supported as long as vital entity status is not endangered. The meeting is attended by BiH and RS officials, as well as international community representatives.

EuroBlic inset RSpg 1 ‘Third entity’ – RS Republican Alliance proposed Thursday a model for reaching ”a historic agreement of Serb and Croat peoples in BiH” regarding establishment of a third, Croat entity in BiH. The press release Alliance released reads that the establishment of the Croat entity has historical, civilization, economic and any other pre-requisites aimed at achieving the constituency rights within F BiH.

Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Dayton is the best measure’ by D.M.-G.D. – carries statements of Cavic, Kuzmanovic, Rehn, Merkart, and also Pero Bukejlovic, RS PM, saying that it is high time transfer of authority onto state level ended. Aleksa Buha, academician, spoke about reasons for creation and existence of RS, noting that civilization and historical right of a contemporary European humankind is the right to self-determination and independent state organization.

Nezavisne Novine pg 11 ‘Discussion on Dayton and RS place in it’ by I.Vuckovic – daily carries geneal information on Round Table and statement of Cavic.

BiH Minster Dokic: I will leave the office before the start of trial

RTRS, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘I will leave the office before the start of trial’ – BiH Minister of Transport and Communications Branko Dokic confirmed that he offered his resignation last week. Dokic stated that he will leave CoM before court process against him starts in Banja Luka and added that he was asked by CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic to remain in his position until he concludes several ongoing projects.

VL: ‘OHR inconsistent in removal of officials!’

Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘OHR inconsistent in removal of officials!’, by Zoran Kresic – The author argues that the OHR is inconsistent when it comes to removal of officials, citing cases of Dragan Covic, who got removed by the High Representative, and Branko Dokic, who has not been removed even one month after the confirmation of the indictment. VL also reminds of case of the Secretary of FBiH Government, Ismet Trumic, who is charged and tried for charges of abuse of office/authority. Back in 2000, Trumic, who was at the time the head of customs office in Tuzla, allegedly damaged the FBiH budget by 92.000 KMs by giving money to his assistant Denijel Fajic to buy an apartment.

SD: Possibility that SDP and HDZ form coalition

Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 17 ‘HDZ and SDP in coalition’, by Blanka Magas – The author says there is a possibility of HDZ and SDP forming a coalition after the 2006 elections. To back her claims up, Magas reminds that the SDP president, Zlatko Lagumdzija, said during his appearance in the ‘Posteno govoreci’ magazine two weeks ago that they (SDP) would certainly never be in power together with the SDA and SDS, omitting to mention the HDZ. According to an anonymous official of SDP, the party would not mind forming the authority with the HDZ if the HDZ were to reform itself the way the HDZ of Croatia has done under Ivo Sanader. SD also reports that as far as the HDZ is concerned, several HDZ officials agree that the HDZ would do good with a change of coalition partner(s) because the Croats have not had much use of coalitions with the SDA.

Forming of 2 Croat opposition blocks agreed at mtg in Sarajevo/Croat parties not to attend HDZ mtg on const. changes on Monday?

Dnevni List pgs 6 and 7, mentioned on cover ‘2 Croat opposition blocks are being formed’ by Z. Jukic – Commenting on the meeting of Croat political parties and institutions organized by Cardinal Vinko Puljic (held in Sarajevo on Wednesday) President of Croat Christian Democrats (CCD) Petar Milic stated that the goal of this meeting was not rescuing of HDZ and that HDZ representatives did not even attend the meeting. According to Milic, it was concluded during the meeting that the Croat opposition should be strengthened through forming of 2 opposition blocks (the first one would be made of HSS, NHI and HKDU, while the other one would be made of CCD, HSP Djapic-Jurisic and HDU). NHI President Kresimir Zubak also said that in spite of his suspicions that the meeting might be an attempt to gather all parties with a Croat prefix, this was not the case. He added that at the initiative of some associations and parties Cardinal Puljic agreed to organize the first meeting only and he will not be a host of other meetings. DL says that the next meeting of this kind will take place on May 24. Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Post-office responsible for HDZ non-coming at Forum of Croats’ by M. Vasilj carry that participants of the meeting, including Cardinal Puljic, were upset since HDZ representatives did not attend the meeting and for this reason they decided not to attend the meeting on constitutional changes that HDZ arranged for Monday. VL, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘HDZ organizes meeting on constitutional changes’ by I. Rozic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17, mentioned on cover ‘Cardinal’s invitation came late to HDZ’ by M. Landeka say that the reason because of which HDZ did not appear at the aforementioned meeting is the fact that HDZ received the Cardinal’s invitation too late. DL also says that, most probably, representatives of the Croatian executive authority would attend the meeting on Monday.

Ivan Madunic another candidate for HDZ President

Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Ivan Madunic from Tomislavgrad is new candidate’ by M. Relota – HDZ Municipal Board Tomislavgrad nominated Ivan Madunic for the position of a new HDZ President. Currently Madunic is a representative of the HDZ-HNC-CCD Coalition in the Federation of BiH House of Representatives

NN op-ed on HDZ

Nezavisne Novine op-ed g 7 ‘Unfaithfulness at HDZ ship’ by Slavo Kukic – The author is writing about rifts within HDZ on the eve of party elections, saying that apart from Dragan Covic, two more persons are aspiring for the position of HDZ President, including Ivo Miro Jovic, who is a serious component to him. The author ntoes that if Covic wins party elections,. The final count-down for HDZ will commence.

FBiH Gov. formed Commission in charge of moving 5 Ministries from Sarajevo to Mostar

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘5 Ministries in Mostar soon’ by M.Z. – The Commission made of Gavrilo Grahovac, Dragan Vrankic and Haris Ihtijarevic formed with the Federation of BiH Government on Thursday will define dynamics and deadlines in order to move 5 FBiH Ministries from Sarajevo to Mostar as soon as possible.  

Economic/Social Issues

FBiH Government discusses sale/re-capitalization of Energopetrol

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover ‘INA and MOL must give up on oil terminals and gas stations’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘INA and MOL given additional requirements for start of negotiations’, Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘FBiH Government demands additional guarantees from INA’ and pg 18 ‘INA and MOL partners with additional pre-requisites’ by D. Jazvic, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Additional negotiations with INA and MOL’ by Hina, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘Additional negotiations with INA and MOL on Energopetrol’ by Z. Rerig – At its session held on Thursday the Federation of BiH Government adopted the information according to which INA-MOL submitted the best bid for co-capitalization of Energopterol (EP) and it was decided to start additional negotiations as a pre-requisite for final taking over of this company. FBiH Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry Izet Zigic stated after the session that the FBiH Government now requires from INA-MOL to declare itself on additional pre-requisites, which should be met before taking over of EP. The first pre-requisite that the FBiH Government insists on is that petroleum terminals in Ploce, Zivinice and Mostar remain in state ownership and that they were not offered for privatisation. The same pre-requisite was set when the status of gas stations in Herzegovina and Croatia , which are disputable because of unresolved relations between EP and Energoinvest, is in question. Also, INA-MOL is supposed to meet all EP debts towards the Federation of BiH etc. 

Bad financial situation obstructs further education

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Knowledge demands assets’ by D.B. – Daily features story on two High School pupils in Prijedor, who have excellent grades, but not resources to continue studies.

Crime/Legal Proceedings

Special Department for War Crimes within BiH Prosecution has identified 206 extremely sensitive was crime cases

Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 5 ‘Investigations against 194 wear crime suspects’, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Indictment before BiH Court in a month?’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘First bills of indictment for war crimes’ by E. Mackic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘206 cases for processing to mini-The Hague’ by E. Medunjanin, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘First indictments in a month time’ and pg 2 ‘Domestic indictments for war crimes in 30 days’ by R.Cengic– At a press conference in Sarajevo on Thursday, Chief BiH Prosecutor, Marinko Jurcevic said that war criminals were facing serious enemy now that Special Department for War Crimes within BiH Prosecution has been established. The Department has been dealing with war crime cases, since it has started its work on March 9. “Since the Department has been established, all cases have been revised, which Cantonal and District Courts asked to be estimated, and which are being marked as A cases”, said Jurcevic. Jurcevic added that cases against 734 persons had been examined, out of which 206 were said to be sensitive one and out of which 194 were being investigated. These 194 cases are going to be transferred to BiH Prosecution. Jurcevic also said that he expected BiH Court to raise indictments in a month.

OHR, NATO, EUFOR on Bileca/Manjaca incidents: RS Minister Stankovic’s measures inadequate

BHT, Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Stankovic’s measures totally inadequate’, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover ‘Those responsible must be punished by May 24’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Resignations of high-ranked officials demanded’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Removals of high-ranked officials of RS Army demanded’ by eme – In our statement of 18 April, we called on RS Defense Minister Milovan Stankovic to carry out an immediate inquiry into the incidents at the Manjaca and Bileca swearing in ceremonies, read a joint press release issued by OHR, NATO and EUFOR on Thursday. “We regard the measures announced by Minister Stankovic, on the basis of that inquiry, on 6 May in respect of the VRS as wholly inadequate given the serious breakdown in the constitutional obligations of the VRS within the Armed Forces of BiH. The events of 16 April called into question the constitutional loyalty and military professionalism of the VRS chain of command and its commitment to Dayton. It is clear that the RS authorities have significantly underestimated the gravity of these incidents,” read the release. “There must now be an appropriate response by the RS authorities to this matter. The events at Manjaca and Bileca represent serious failures in the chain of command: the need to take action to address this is a matter of political responsibility. We therefore call on the BiH Presidency to ensure that those individuals with senior command positions are held properly to account. We further look to Minister Stankovic to play his full part in making sure this happens both by identifying those individuals responsible and making appropriate recommendations to the Presidency, through Minister Radovanovic, and by making the necessary systemic changes to prevent any recurrence. We expect all these actions to be taken by 24 May at the latest,” concludes the release.

EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘A warning to Stankovic’, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘NATO and EUFOR demand removal of General Novak Djukic’ by D.Risojevic – Referring to NN sources close to BiH Presidency, NATO and EUFOR have demanded removal of Novak Djukic, RS Army General Staff Chief, but not removal of Milovan Stankovic. According to this source, this demand for removal may be placed on agenda of BiH Presidency session Wednesday.

PBS Law

Analysts believe that three centres of BiH PBS should not become national/ethnic services

BHT Sanita Lisica – Proposal on three regional centres of BiH Public Broadcasting Service, which was adopted by Commission for Traffic and Communication could contribute to more quality program, but not if those become national services, consider media analysts. They say that the most important is that these centres produce program which would be in the interest of all BiH citizens. “I see it as a centre which would have one studio where we will have live reporting from Mostar“, said Milan Trivic, BHT 1 Director. Trivic believes that this could be just one step forward in functioning of BiH Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Analysts consider that turning these centres into national would be risky for BiH. Complete PBS should satisfy constitutional regulations, says BHT reporter. European Commission should finance construction of regional centre in Mostar.

Journalists not satisfied with draft law on PBS

FTV Dzenana Zolota – The Commission for Traffic and Communications of the BiH House of Representatives adopted on Wednesday the draft law on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) in BiH. According to this law, PBS will have regional centres in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar, and the program will be produced and broadcasted equally from those three centres. If the draft law is accepted in the both Houses of BiH Parliament, that would be the model which does not exist nowhere in the world, said the presenter.  FTV reporter said that this proposal is ridiculous and that the politic is again on the stage. “I am not familiar with the fact that experts from media were involved in creation of such draft law on PBS”, said Amir Zukic, BHT News Editor. “I believe that is a special fraud, and that Wolfgang Petritsch offered such proposal four years ago”, said Jozo Pavkovic, journalist from daily newspapers “Vecernji list”. Therefore, journalists consider that journalism is a profession that should not have national sign and it has to work exclusively for citizens.

Ivo Miro Jovic says Croats will not give up on a channel in Croatian language’

Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Jovic: We will not give up from a channel in Croatian language’ by S. Skuletic – Majority of BiH politicians support the decision of HoR Commission for Traffic and Communications on adoption of Draft PBS Law, which foresees broadcast of program from centers in Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka, in which the three languages and two alphabets would be equally represented. However, HDZ Spokesperson Ivo Miro Jovic claims the Draft has no mechanisms to prevent the equality from remaining only a word on a piece of paper and says Croat people only want to have the same treatment as the other two peoples in BiH, having in mind Serb people have RTRS and Bosniak people have FTV. Deputy President of SDA Seada Palavric says the party would support the adoption of the Draft but ‘the third channel is out of question’ because ‘so much blood has been spilled since 1992 to prevent dividing of BiH in three parts’. President of BOSS Mirnes Ajanovic thinks HDZ should accept a compromise. SNSD’s Nikola Spiric refused to comment on the Draft Law and did not want to say whether the party would support the adoption. SDS’s Momcilo Novakovic says the party would support the decision of the Commission, including all amendments, since this Law is one of pre-requisites for the membership at PfP and he said the solution foreseeing three national channels is unacceptable. Inset ‘Lazovic: Entities’ TVs should be abolished’ quotes SDU Deputy President Miro Lazovic as saying it is absurd to insist on a national programs in the era of cable and satellite TV programs. ‘Entities’ TVs should be abolished and a single public broadcaster with several programs…should be established’, Lazovic said.

Croat journalists on proposed Law on public RTV service

Vecernji List pg 5 ‘TV centre divided Croats in BiH’ by M. Vasilj – VL says that although HDZ representatives were stating that a TV channel is the best solution for Croats they did not vote against the proposal of Law on public RTV service but they were sustained and this was interpreted as giving up the Croat TV channel. Commenting on this law, President of the Association of Croat Journalists BiH Vlatko Menix strongly opposed the proposal of the law and stressed that a TV centre does not mean anything to Croats since due to financial problems it will be just an ordinary correspondence office. HINA and BBC correspondent Pejo Gasparevic stated that he is not against the Croat channel, however, he believes that, at this moment, establishment of a TV centre in Mostar should be adopted.

HSP BIH strongly opposes proposed PBS law

RHB, Vecernji List pg 5 ‘HSP: To establish TV channel!’ by mv, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16 ‘Instead of TV channel centre in Mostar’ by Z. Zekic – HSP BIH strongly opposes the acceptance of draft law on public RTV system by BIH parliament commission for traffic and communications. HSP feels that this draft law is not in accordance with consensus made by all Croat parties, church leaders and other Croat associations. HSP is asking Chair of HDZ caucus in BIH Parliament Vinko Zoric to undertake necessary steps so that this decision (acceptance of the draft PBS law) will be annulled.