Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 13 June
| BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| BiH CoM establish Sarajevo Comm. | Int. Econ. Forum in |
| Zelenovic to enter a plea on Tuesday | Zelenovic to enter plea |
| Symposium of insurance companies | |
TV news broadcast on 12 June
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Broadcasting signal interrupted | EU Ministers had meeting in Lux. | Mittal Steel workers froze strike |
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| Tihic met with the Ambassadors | Warning strike of health workers |
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| Becirbasic on BiH Armed Forces | Protest of Krivaja workers |
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| Strike of steel companies’ workers | Feature on strikes in BiH |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| ‘Mittal’ veterans protest in | Regional news: | EU Ministers had meeting |
| Health workers in warning protest | EU on situation in BiH | 230 million KM taken away from SRJ |
| DIB cancels credit transactions | Mittal Steel workers froze strike | Robinson testified |
| Robinson testified in Mandic case | Report on coal mine Tusnica | Trial to Delalic continues |
| Oslobodjenje | [FBiH experts warn] FBiH lost 1.3 billion KM in its own firms |
| Dnevni Avaz | [EU Council of Ministers] EUFOR also needed after 2006 |
| Dnevni List | Lethal medicine in the pharmacies [dangerous asthma inhalators in BiH pharmacies] |
| Vecernji List | Sports related headline |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Sports related headline |
| Nezavisne Novine | Strikes shaking F BiH [three protests of workers held in |
| Glas Srpske | Poor people got the worst of it |
| EuroBlic | Every tenth marriage facing a divorce |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| BiH CoM to establish Sarajevo Commission on Wed/Thu | BH Radio 1 – Deputy BiH Minister for Human Rights Ivica Marinovic confirmed for radio that all preparations for establishing the Commission on suffering of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Jews and others in Sarajevo during the war time are about to end. Marinovic said that BiH Council of Ministers is to establish the Commission on Wednesday or Thursday. |
War crimes | |
| EU Foreign Affairs Ministers called for arrest of Mladic and Karadzic, welcome Zelenovic’s extradition
| PINK – The EU Foreign Ministers held a meeting on Monday in Luxemburg and decided to recognize the independence of |
| British Foreign Affairs Minister Hoon congratulated for extradition of Zelenovic
| Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Congratulations for Zelenovic, others are waited for’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Hoon greeted to swift extradition of Zelenovic’ by FENA, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘He congratulated on Zelenovic, asked for Karadzic and Mladic’ by Srna, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘He congratulated for extradition of Zelenovic’ by Srna – British Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoff Hoon on Monday congratulated to BiH authorities for a fast extradition of Dragan Zelenovic to the Hague Tribunal and appealed for extradition of remaining fugitives, especially Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. Minister Hoon reminded in a press statement that the full cooperation with ICTY was both an international obligation and pre-requisite for closer relations with EU and NATO. |
| ICTY Prosecution in contact with RS institutions regarding intrusions into FRY monetary system; allegedly money used for protection of Karadzic
| BHT1- The ICTY Prosecution is in contact with the RS authorities, because of the investigation regarding the money RS Government took by intrusions into the former |
| Bosniak Liaison officer with ICTY says if RS authorities had wanted, they would have investigated the biggest thefts of all in RS in nine years
| Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘RS authorities could have resolved the biggest theft if they had wanted to’ by E.Sarac – Commenting on the Hague investigation regarding RS intrusion into FRY monetary system, Amir Ahmic, Bosniak Liaison Officer with ICTY, says that it is al old story, reminding that Momcilo Mandic, former RS justice minister, spoke of it during witness stand in the Hague. In a statement to daily, he notes that the aim of this story is not to locate Radovan Karadzic but instead for exclusively sake of internal disputes in RS, stressing that if the desire had existed, the biggest theft of all in RS would have been investigated during the last nine years. |
| Zelenovic to enter his plea; if pleads not guilty to return to
| RTRS- ICTY indictee Dragan Zelenovic, who has been transferred from the |
| Trial to Delalic postponed; witnesses from Zvornik and
| BHT1– The continuation of the court trial before Cantonal Court Sarajevo in the case of Ramiz Delalic aka ‘Celo’, who is indicted for killing of attendee of a Serb wedding, Nikola Gardovic in March 1992 [which has been referred to by Bosnian Serbs as a beginning of war in Sarajevo] has been postponed once again due to failure of witnesses to appear. Two witnesses of the prosecution, Orthodox priests Radenko Mijovic from Zvornik and Jovan Gazovic from |
| Six former BiH Army members plead not guilty for crimes in Vares
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Croats viciously tortured’, mentioned on cover, by Ivica Milesic – Before the pre-trail judge in Zenica Cantonal Court, Faik Spahic, six members of former BiH Army pleaded not guilty to the indictment which accuses them of the war crimes committed in Vares municipality against imprisoned members of the former HVO [Croat Defence Council]. All of them – Sabahudin Operta, Muharem Frljak, Memsudin Operta, Mirsad Siljak, Muris Ajanovic and Alija Cizmo – have disputed all counts of the indictment raised by the Prosecutor Branimir Tomas. Date of the trial is to be set later. |
| Disagreement between Chief Prosecutor and ICTY judges | Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Del Ponte requests more power, judges request shortening of cases’ not signed – A new discord arises between the ICTY judges and Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte related to speeding up trials and the deadline for winding down ICTY, it is stated in a report by IWPR (Institute for War and Peace Reporting). Del Ponte strongly contests the new amendment to the ICTY Regulations according to which the judges are entitled to instruct the Prosecutor’s Office to select the indictment points, which would be tried before the court because “that would bring into question her independence”. Del Ponte’s spokesman Anton Nikiforov said he did not expect the new amendments to affect the two big indictments against 9 Bosnian Serb officers charged with genocide in Srebrenica and 7 political officials and officers charged with mass deportations and killings in Kosovo whose trials are slated to start within weeks. He added that “to ‘shorten’ indictments would be seen as unjust by those already tried’’. Del Ponte also announced she would request the Security Council that her staff be allowed to apprehend suspects. This last request was described by Vitalij Curkin, a Russian delegate, as ‘fantasy’. |
Security, judiciary, defence and police reforms | |
| EU Foreign Ministers extend EUFOR’s mandate for another six months
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘EUFOR also needed after 2006’ by S.Numanovic – Conclusions EU Council of Ministers adopted also reads the number of EU troops deployed in BiH would remain the same until the end of year, and the mandate to be extended onto 2007. In this context, the Recommendation of EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solanaand HR Christian Schwarz Schilling, not only regarding EUFOR but also EUPM were accepted, confirming EUPM has a leading role in coordinating police activities at fight against organized crime in BiH. BHT 1, RTRS, FTV,Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Karadzic and Mladic must be brought to justice’, not signed, Vecernji list pg 4 ‘EUFOR in BiH for another six months’ by F, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘EUFOR stays in BiH six more months’ by |
| PB ES’ Provisional Administrator Robinson: RS Government, agencies, municipalities, clients from
| RTRS by Radan Skipina – The Provisional Administrator of the ‘Privredna Bank East Sarajevo’ Toby Robinson testified before the BiH Court on Monday at the trial against Momcilo Mandic, Milovan Bjelica, Milorad Govedarica and Mirko Sarovic, who are indicted for financial embezzlements in PB ES and criminal deeds trough fictive companies “Spektra’ and ‘Matres’. OHR partially released Robinson from business confidentiality, however she was not stripped of diplomatic immunity. According to Robinson, at the time when she took the position of the Provisional Administrator of PB ES, this bank was not liquid and had no capital. Robinson added that this bank was giving loans without guarantees to people that were associated with the bank, which have never been returned. Talking about many abuses and violations of the laws on banking, Robinson said that the RS Government, agencies, municipalities, clients from |
| BiH Presidency to decide on future Armed Forces’ structure by end of June
| RTRS, PINK- BiH deputy Defence Minister, Enes Becirbesic, announced during the meeting with the BiH Ambassador to Romania, Poland and Qatar, Branko Neskovic, Zoran Skenderija and Azra Kalajdzisalihovic respectively, that the BiH Presidency should bring decision by the end of June on future structure of the BiH Armed Forces and the locations of units. Becirbesic added that there is surplus of around 2000 members of the BiH Armed Forces who will receive a settlement from the NATO Trust Fund. Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘NATO has changed relation toward BiH’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘NATO has changed relation toward BiH’ by Agencies – “About half a year ago, NATO has changed its relation towards our country and we are no longer beginners, but we also participate… in improvement of the cooperation and adoption of NATO standards,” said Becirbasic. |
| Daily on defence reform: Will Brcko District get Army?
| Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Will Brcko get Army[?]’ by A. P. – While talks between Defence Ministry and BiH Presidency on future organisation of Armed Forces are still ongoing, the question whether any of command offices or units would be seated in Brcko District had been launched. Daily carries that under the Brcko District Statute the city is de-militarised zone, which however does not refer to a possibility of having state units or civil service. As according to information, which was neither confirmed nor denied by Brcko District Government by Monday afternoon, local authorities would not mind if BiH Armed Forces had some of its formations in the territory of the District. A well informed source told daily that even international representatives are showing their interest in this scenario. However, this interest is not shared by the leading political parties, which are also involved in defence reform. Similar situation had occurred in past when local authorities of Brcko had offered facilities for seats of OSA and SIPA in Brcko. |
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| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘No major objections on state level of police organization’ by Az.Kalamujic – The Police Reform Directorate Steering Board would meet on June 21 in |
| CoM to discuss draft strategy on fight against organized crime at one of its next sessions
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘BiH losing 1.5 billion Euros per year over tax evasions’ by M. Cubro – Draft strategy on fight against organised crime and corruption, which BiH CoM will discuss at one of forthcoming sessions, reads BiH loses 1,5 billion Euros per year due to tax evasions and debts. The draft strategy foresees strengthening of state institutions for financial investigations and confiscation of illegally acquired property. CoM Chair Adnan Terzic on Monday confirmed the draft strategy was developed and will be discussed soon, because it is one of pre-requisites for faster integration to EU. |
| HJPC rejected RS Govt’s draft law on fight against organised crime
| EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Nothing without vacancy’ by Tijana Veselinovic – HJPC Chair Branko Peric confirmed HJPC had rejected RS Government’s draft law on fight against organised crime, which foresaw establishing of a special prosecutor’s office. He explained HJPC could not have accepted the proposal that the prosecutors should be selected without vacancy notices and he announced he would meet RS Minister of Justice Omer Visic to finally harmonise provisions of laws on fight against organised crime. |
Economic issues | |
| Mittal Steel employees protest in front of FBiH Govt building, freeze hunger strike for 7 days giving Govt time to find solutions
| BHT1 by Mirela Cosic – Demobilised veterans employed in Mittal Steel and Zeljezara Zenica companies on Monday gathered outside the FBiH Government building in |
| Report on privatization in FBiH: privatisation blocked: 1.3 billion KM of state capital lost
| BHT1 by Sanita Lisica-Biberovic, Tanja Alavuk – The participants of the round table on privatisation process were informed that in a period from 1999 to 2005 about 1030 companies have been privatised in the FBiH. BHT reports comments that the companies bought by the foreign investors are reasonably successful, while those bought by small stockholders have mostly gone bankrupt. Experts believe that 2006 could be the most difficult year for the privatisation process in the FBiH, especially since there are no adequate laws to regulate this field. Small stockholders own about 450 companies in FBiH; most of those companies have already gone bankrupt, or work on the verge of bankruptcy. “I’m dissatisfied with effects of the privatisation, as new owners are not capable of restructuring their companies and launching production. A great number of those companies will go bankrupt”, stated Director of the FBiH Privatisation Agency, Resad Zutic. New changes to the Law on Privatisation would speed up this process in FBiH; however, the Parliament still has yet not adopted those changes. “Since it is a very serious issue, I’m not sure if this pre-election time is the right time to discuss it”, stated the FBiH House of Representatives MP Husein Nanic. “I think there are huge political barriers to privatisation, and this Government – which made the corrections in the privatisation process almost impossible with their passive behaviour – bears a great deal of responsibility for all those negative things in the field of privatisation”, concluded Director of Sarajevo Economic Institute Anto Domazet. Members of Transparency International warned that the state is not capable of operating companies, as the state itself is corrupted. FTV- Many domestic experts supported the idea of selling the state capital funds on stock market, which proved to be a good idea in RS and neighbouring countries. “If radical steps are not made, I predict a ‘privatisation hole’ which could last up to two years – which means that there would be no improvements in this process”, concluded Director of the Sarajevo Stock Exchange [SASE] Zlatan Dedic. Dnevni Avaz pg 5, announced on cover ‘Privatisation of strategic companies is blocked’ by M.Kukan – Zutic warned that last week’s failure of FBiH Parliament to adopted Changes and addenda to Law on Privatisation blocked the privatisation of strategic companies, hence destiny of companies like “Agrokomerc”, “Krivaja”, “Hepok”, “Aluminij”, “Energoinvest” remain uncertain. Oslobodjenjecover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘FBiH lost 1.3 billion KM in its own firms’ by Alda Omeragic – Daily carries that while the experts have also invited the representatives of the authorities, nobody attended discussion. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘FBiH lost 1.3 billion KM in its own firms’ by Alda Omeragic– As daily carries, in last six years FBiH has lost 1.3 billion KM of state capital in its own companies, showing as a lousy owner, though authorities are constantly talking about protection of state assets. PINK, Hayat,Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Changes to laws needed for continuation of privatisation’ by M. Rener– also carried. |
| ITA satisfied with VAT collection, Head of RS Chamber of Commerce and RS NA delegate warn poor population suffer because of it
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Poor people got the worst of it’ by D. Vrhovac Mihajlovic – Head of ITA Communications Department Ratko Kovacevic has stated ITA is satisfied with the way in which reform of tax system in BiH is being implemented. On the other hand, Head of RS Chamber of Commerce Mladen Micic says the positive thing about VAT introduction were revenues that are being collected to the budget, however, the presence of grey economy is still noticeable and prices grew significantly, which affected the poorest population. Inset ‘Pensioners’ – Delegate of RS Pensioners’ Party at RS NA Ruza Nikic also noted VAT affected primarily pensioners and unemployed people and added she would suggest that a part of funds collected from VAT to be distributed among these categories of the population. |
| IMF visits BiH: New warnings for decrease of public spending are expected
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘New warnings for decrease of public spending are expected’ by T.Lazovic – Daily carries that International Monetary Fund [IMF] will open consultations with BiH institutions on Tuesday, aiming to get familiar with economic and financial situation of BiH state and issue its remark and recommendations in form of official document. Head of IMF Department for BiH Dimitri Demekas and his associates will hold meetings with all relevant state and entity officials in next two weeks. DA learns that IMF will take special attention on control of budget spending and strengthening of fiscal discipline, adding that new warnings for increase of public spending are expected. Author reminds that IMF report is one of the most relevant information sources among investors. IMF will also meet with representatives of all state funds [pensions and health care] and BiH Trade Union President Edhem Biber. Daily carries that IMF will also meet officials of HDZ 1990, adding that this party stated they do not know anything about these allegations. |
| DA op-ed: Vc corridor a paradigm of failure of local authorities
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Corridor as a soap opera’ op-ed by Sead Numanovic – Commenting on the procedure of construction of the 5C corridor highway through BiH, the editorial describes the project as a paradigm of failure of the local authorities because 5C is the only project implemented without international community. Instead of 30 km per year as previously promised by a local politician, BiH has had 8.5 km of highway built in 3.5 years for which there are countless excuses such as land ownership, tender documentation, absence of necessary laws, etc. “Of course, when there are no arguments, there is ethnic rhetoric. Others (e. g. Serbs)are to blame for us not having a freeway. Let’s take that is the case! Then who is to blame for the chaos in and around |
Political issues: referendum, elections, etc. | |
| BiH Presidency Tihic met with EU Ambassadors, discussing BiH approaching EU | PINK, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Tihic held working meeting with EU Ambassadors’ by Fena – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic held meeting with the EU Ambassadors in Sarajevo on Monday. Tihic and Ambassadors discussed requirements for BiH’s approach to the EU. The meeting was initiated by Austrian Ambassador Werner Almhofer since |
| BHT1: BiH and
| BHT1by Marina Martinovic – Since all countries in the region made a significant progress in negotiations with the EU, Martinovic comments this leaves BiH and |
| RS PM Dodik in
| RTRS – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik arrived to |
| Politicians’ comments on referendum in light of constitutional reform and forthcoming elections: some find referendum justified, others see it as pre-election campaign
| EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Not enough of marketing, even less of reality’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – Most of RS politicians agree referendum might be included as a protective mechanism in new BiH Constitution, as well as a principle that would additionally strengthen positions of the state. SNSD’s Krstan Simic said the party is aware of position of BiH as the state and added the party never disputed the principles of the Dayton and if the state will be developed on these principles ‘Serb people will not need to think about referendum’. Simic noted if Albanian people in |
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| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Referendum when the time comes for it’ by Srna, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘ |
| BiH HSS to launch initiative on referendum for creating region of Bosanska Posavina
| Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘They will demand for referendum for Bosanska Posavina’ by Fena – BiH HSS on Monday criticised RS PM Milorad Dodik’s justification of the statement on referendum in RS [Dodik explained the statement was a counter-measure to rumours from F BiH on abolishment of RS], and the party added it would initiate organising of referendum for creating of a region of Bosanska Posavina, for which they have collected enough number of signatures so far. |
| VL op-ed: Only worse thing from RS PM Dodik pre-election games is behavior of his FBiH counterparts
| Vecernji list pg 4 ‘Political [im]morality’ op-ed by Dejan Jazvic – “Lack of consistency of parties and their leaders is one of rare constant factors in BiH politics,” reads the introduction to the editorial further claiming that one of the best proofs for this is the behaviour of the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik. Author notes Dodik has launched his pre-election campaign long time ago, “never hiding the fact he wants to win votes of disappointed supports of |
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| Transition on Line ‘Montenegro’s referendum revives talk of independence for Bosnia’s Serbs’ -Commenting the talk of referendum by the RS PM Milorad Dodik, |
| Serbian PM’ visit to
| Patriot Banja Luka seated weekly pgs 6-7 ‘Vojo amongst Serbs’ by Slobodan Vaskovic – Writing about last week’s visit of Serbian Premier, Vojislav Kostunica, the author, amongst other issues, observes that Kostunica’s stay in Banja Luka did not assign political points solely to him, but also to RS leaders, Dragan Cavic, RS President, and Milorad Dodik, RS Premier. According to author, Cavic has many reasons to be satisfied, since Kostunica discussed issues of strategic importance for Serbia and RS at his Cabinet (while talks at Dodik’s Cabinet focused on economy) which was also attended by other high ranking officials in RS and BiH. By this, Kostunica has ascertained Cavic’s leading role in Serb political establishment in RS, as author stresses. |
| BiH
| RTRS by Branka Kusmuk– Despite the BiH Central Election Commission’s deadline on registration of coalitions expiring today [Tuesday] at 17hrs, only Pensioners’ Party and NDS applied for the registration of the pre- election coalitions. Reporter commented that the |
| HDZ submits objection to
| BHT1 by Martina Kristo-Antelj – HDZ has submitted an objection to the Appellate Council of the |
| HDZ Presidency session: HDZ will form coalition with
| Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Decision by HDZ Presidency session: HDZ will form coalition with |
| VL comment on coalitions of Croat parties: former opponents form coalitions
| Vecernji list pg 4 ‘Coalition to be made up of HDZ, |
| SBIH today to take decision on possible coalitions
| Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Party for BiH today to decide how it will take part in elections’ by E.S. – Safet Halilovic, Party for BiH (SBiH) Vice President, Monday told daily that although deadline for submission of coalition applications with Central Election Commission expires today, SzBiH will today know whether it would take part at elections independently or in coalition, adding: “Intensive consultations with large number of parties are ongoing… We will try – through wide linking of a block of small parties, non-partisan organizations and individuals – to show up as a wide association in the fight for constitutional changes and reforms in BiH.” |
| 3 coalitions in RS for elections at RS level
| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Big ones go independently’ by Z.Markovic – It is evident for the time being there are three coalitions for elections at RS level: one of parties with Croat parties, second one between RS Serb Radical Party and Serb Party led by Predrag Lazarevic, NDS and Pensioners’ Party. Bigger parties (SNSD, |
| BiH HoR Chair Raguz: BiH HoR session on 22 June
| Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Session by end of June?’ by A.Terzic – BiH House of Representatives Chair Martin Raguz told daily on Monday, that the ‘crisis’ in state Parliament will be overcome, adding that he expect normalisation of its work in last days of June. He said that the continuation of the interrupted session is scheduled for 22 June: “What is going on is way of political pressure on the most important legislative institution in our state. I do not want to add raising tensions any further, so I am trying to respect all the provision so the work could continue without obstacles. Daily carries that BiH HoR Co-Chair Nikola Spiric was not informed that the there are conditions for the continuation of BiH Parliament’s work: “I expect BiH Council of Ministers do their job regarding forming Commission on sufferings of Sarajevo citizens during the war time… As soon as causes are removed, we are ready to start working. It is sad that High Representative must react to this issue at al, but it has to be said that we are not responsible for the situation occurred.” |
| HDZ’ Lasic:
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 9 ‘To the last breath for |
| DL: it is time for city authorities to say if this city can go into reforms | Dnevni List pg 2 My Mostar…’ op-ed by Sanja Bjelica – Commenting on current situation in Mostar, and most disputable issues such as return of Croats to business area of Stari Most or returning of football club ‘Velez’ to stadium ‘Bijeli Brijeg’, Bjelica notices these are all the issues that authorities do not seem to want to discuss: “City authorities simply don’t have the strength to define some issues once and for all, and to say at loud does this city can, and does it want to go into reforms and true unification… It is better to timely say that we can’t be together then to live under the cover of false unity, in such horrible political ambient, tap in one place or even worst, go backward.” |
| HR awarded with Manfred Wörner medal; met German State Secretary Silberberg discussing police and PBS reforms | FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Schwarz-Schilling awarded with Manfred Wörner medal’ by Onasa – The HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling was awarded with the ManfredWörner medal in |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed condemns BiH authorities for readiness to recognize Montenegrin independence prior to Mtg apology for aggression | Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Montenegro and pyramids’ by Svjetlana Salom – Editorial condemns BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic for inviting regional countries to recognize Montenegrin independence without prior apology for taking part in aggression, or guarantees for payment of war damage. Author also condemns other BiH politicians for not reacting after Montenegrin parliamentarian Predrag Sekulic, asked to comment apology for taking part in aggression on BiH, said that it is not an issue that should be discussed, adding “we should turn ourselves to future”. Editorial concludes that Tihic surely did not react for he was in Opatija [ |