07/13/2005

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 13/7/2005

Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 13 July

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA(12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs)

RTRS(12,00 hrs)

World news

200 killed in train accident,Pakistan

Multiple train collision in Pakistan

Chappell on future NATO’s arrests

26 killed by suicide bombers in Iraq

Ashdown on Srebrenica for BBC

Sport

Int. Conf. on Srebrenica continues

British For. Sec. commends Tadic

TV news broadcast on 12 July

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA(18,00 hrs)

TV PINK  (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Prosper visits BIH Court/Prosecution

Prosper visited BiH Court

Feat. story: Srebrenica, the day after

Maric & Rainerman sign agreement

NATO determined to arrest Karadzic

Requiem for Serb victims

Jovic & Tihic meet Brown

Conference on Genocide in Sarajevo

Conference on Srebrenica crime

Holbrooke on Karadzic

Holbrooke on changing of DPA

Prosper visited Court of BiH

 

NTV Hayat  (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS(19,30 hrs)

Great act of Mazowiecki

Prosper visited Court of BiH

Commemoration in Bratunac

Mazowiecki on Karadzic’s arrest

Conference on Srebrenica crime

St. Peter mass in Bratunac

Mass-grave in Budak opened

Holbrooke on Karadzic’s arrest

Milivoje Ivanisevic on Serb victims

Holbrooke on Karadzic’s arrest

Mazowiecki on Srebrenica ceremony

MoI employee killed in car accident

 

Oslobodjenje

Andan organized delay and posters of criminals?

Dnevni Avaz

We talk about arrests of criminals with Russians – US ’ Prosper

Dnevni List

Drastic customs on import of meat to Croatia

Vecernji List

Attacker on London arrived from Brcko ?

Slobodna Dalmacija

Subjects on defence in schools again?’

Glas Srpske

A right to justice

Nezavisne Novine

Requiem to Serbs killed in Podrinje region

Blic

Serb villages devastated

Vecernje Novosti

Truth still awaiting for justice

Srpski Nacional

World does not recognise Serb victims

 

 

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Chappell would not speculate on future NATO’s actions

 

RHB – Asked whether NATO might arrest a daughter of Radovan Karadzic, Sonja Karadzic, NATO’s spokesperson Derek Chappell stated that the NATO has right to arrest all those who help Karadzic. He added that he does not want to speculate on the NATO’s future plans.

Academic conference on Srebrenica continues

BHT Senka Jasarspahic – International academic conference on Srebrenica has continued the sessions today. The participants are discussing the aims that were planned to be reached by the genocide.

 

 

Srebrenica Anniversary/War Crimes

Osl: RS Police Director organized delays of buses in Potocari and putting up of Karadzic, Mladic posters

 

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 6 ‘Andan organized delay and posters of criminals?’ by A. Avdic – Article claims that more than 10.000 people were late for the funeral of 610 Srebrenica victims on Monday as their buses where stopped by the RS police in vicinity of Potocari Memorial Center. Oslobodjenje says that RS Police Director, Dragan Andan, was informed about this by one member of the organizing board, and responded to this: “That is not a problem. Anyways, I don’t care.” Sadik Ahmetovic, the member of the Board, told daily that this incident with the buses was action organized with the RS MoI: “Police has intentionally obstructed the arrival of tens of thousands of people to the funeral in Potocari. They wanted to diminish the value of the gathering.” Oslobodjenje also carries that that “second strange situation occurred in departing Potocari.” Majority of the people were redirected to leave Potocari through village Lonjanin, which is two hours longer road, due to the traffic accident [note: other media reported of the traffic accident in which secretary of RS Interior Minister was killed]. On the way through village, says daily, all houses had put up posters of Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic, Slobodan Milosevic, Drazo Mihajlovic, while its dwellers have verbally insulted those returning from Potocari.

Potocari commemoration: RS police criticized for stopping thousands to attend funeral

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Several thousands people did not attend funeral because of RS Police’s failure’ by A. Hadzic – On the same issue of buses spotted by RS police in vicinity of Potocari, DA carries statements by Srebrenica Municipal Head, Abdurahman Malkic, who fiercely judged that the RS police failure to ensure the arrival of thousands of people. Tuzla’s mufti Husein effendi Kavazovic commented that due to a number of domestic and international officials, who arrived to condemn the genocide, families and friends of those killed were prevented to attend the funeral [as security checks were not completed on time]. Sadik Ahmetovic, Vice Chair of Srebrenica municipality, criticized EUPM stating it is shocking that EUPM did not know what was going on. Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘RS police made impossible coming of thousands citizens’ by D. Pasic also carried Malkic’s statement.

Dnevni Avaz pg 12, mentioned on cover ‘Surrounded with police, victims felt like it was July 1995’ by E. Sarac – Head of FBiH Missing Persons Commission, Amor Masovic, strongly condemned the fact that several thousand of people were stuck near Potocari and held by police stating those who survived probably felt again like it was 1995. Masovic also criticized a series of speech delivered by politicians: “More was said by Karadzic and Mladic than about victims or expressions of condolences to victims of families. I have a feeling many did not understand what was going on in Potocari [commemoration].” Masovic also complained about translation provided at the site of the mass grave, where he said the interpreter did not translate his words of aggression, JNA, Karadzic and Mladic’ forces in the  region .

Prosper: We are talking with Russians on arresting PIFWCs

 

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 5 ‘We talk about arrests of criminals with Russians’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to DA, the US Ambassador-at-large for war crimes, Richard Pierre Prosper, comments that the regional cooperation with the ICTY has first marked the improvement with departure of 23 indictees to the ICTY, than was halted and no new surrenders have occurred in the last several months. Commenting to the statement by ICTY Chief Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, that ICTY suspects at large hide in Russia, Prosper said: “We heard about it and we are talking with Russians about that… regardless where [indictees] were, it is international obligation of every country to undertake measures once it is establishes some suspects is in their territory… We reminded [Russians] of their obligation. They also understand it is their duty to cooperate. What is left to be done is to either deny or confirm those information… and adequate measures to be taken.”

BHT Duska Jurisic – BHT brings short preview of an interview US Ambassador for War Crimes Pierre Richard Prosper gave to this television. American Government want ICTY to complete its job successfully; Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic and Ante Gotovina must understand that we will go all the way, said Prosper. He did not want to confirm whether those indicted war criminals will be arrested until the end of the year, but he repeated that the United Stated will persevere in attempts to arrest them. “Karadzic and Mladic, as well as Ante Gotovina in Croatia must understand that the Hague Tribunal will have open doors until they are inside. It might not happen this year; it could happen next year, or in 2008, or in 2020, but it will happen eventually”, said Prosper.  

US Ambassador Prosper meets with BiH Presidency members Jovic and Tihic: Apprehension of war criminals is priority

 

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Apprehension of war criminals is priority’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Coming to Srebrenica in sign of support to BiH policy’ – US Ambassador for War Crime Issues, Pierre Richard Prosper, met in Sarajevo on Tuesday with the Chairman and Member of BiH Presidency, Ivo Miro Jovic and Sulejman Tihic, The officials emphasized the need for urgent arrest of indicted war criminalc, especially Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. The meeting was also attended by Richard Holbrooke and US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McEllhaney

US’ Propsper visited BiH Court, Prosecution

 

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover ‘Karadzic and Mladic should be arrested by the Dayton anniversary’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘US will request Croatia, Serbia to extradite criminals to BiH’, Dnevni List pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘USA has complete confidence in work of BiH judiciary’ by E. Mackic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘Karadzic and Mladic are priorities’ by D. Pasic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Indictees should be tried in the state where crime was committed’ by M.Cubro, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Prosper trusts BiH Court’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Tribunal at home’ – US Ambassador for War Crime Issues, Pierre Richard Prosper on Tuesday visited BiH Court and Prosecution.  After the visit he emphasized that cases from ICTY need to be transferred to BiH Court. Ambassador expressed his satisfaction regarding the establishment of BiH Court, adding that this can serve as an example to other countries, with similar experiences. Ambassador said that BiH is working on promoting and establishing rule of the law, adding that this is being done trough local authorities. “USA wants to encourage local prosecuting of cases, in a possible measure. So, I will encourage ICTY to transfer as much cases as possible to this Court, because we have trust in it,” said Ambassador Prosper.  Ambassador said that his country will demand from the countries that fugitives hide in, to extradite them to BiH Judiciary and this was asked from him by BiH Court’s Officials. Chairwoman of BiH Court Meddzida Kreso said she pointed to the Ambassador the need for financial support, especially when it comes to building of detention facilities on the State level. BiH Chief Prosecutor, Marinko Jurcevic said that they have asked Ambassador to help them in that, because they think that without political support and donator conference they will not be able to build that prison. Ambassador Prosper rejected all speculations on secret agreement of his Government, regarding the surrender of Karadzic and reminded that his Government and President George Bush are determined to extradite Karadzic and Mladic to ICTY.

US’ Holbnrooke: Karadzic is probably hiding in a monastery

 

RHB, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Karadzic is probably in a monastery’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Holbrooke: SDS and Church give shelter and protect Karadzic’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Karadzic is in monastery, he cut his hair and he grows beard’, mentioned on cover ‘Karadzic cut his hair and he lives in monastery’ by D. Jazvic, news agencies, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Karadzic in monastery with cut hair and beard’ by F, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘SDS and SPC are hiding Radovan Karadzic’ by AP, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Indictees have protection’ – In an interview with Associated Press, US diplomat Richard Holbrooke stated that Radovan Karadzic is protected by SDS as well as Orthodox Church. Holbrook stated that SDS is a criminal organization and added that he thinks that Karadzic is hiding in a monastery.

NATO: Sasa Karadzic remains in custody until further notice

 

RHB, Pink, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘ Sasa Karadzic remains in custody until further notice’. Dnevni Avaz pg 3, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Sasa Karadzic remains in detention until end of investigation’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Sasa Karadzic remains in detention until end of investigation’ not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija ‘Karadzic’s son remains in detention’ by H, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘It is too early to release Aleksandar Karadzic’ by SRNA – NATO Spokesman in BiH Derek Chappel repeated NATO’s determination to arrest most wanted ICTY indictees. When it comes to arrest of Radovan Karadzic’s son Sasa Karadzic Chappel stated that he was arrested since NATO had new information regarding his possible involvement in certain criminal activities. Chappell stated that Sasa will remain in custody until investigation concludes.

Serbian analyst claims NATO soldiers torturing Sasa Karadzic

 

Srpski Nacional cover pg splash “Karadzic’s son tortured with gas, light and shock-spray’, pg 2 ‘Karadzic’s son must talk’ by U.Mrdic – In a statement to daily, Marko Nicovic, police and security analyst from Serbia claims that the NATO soldiers and foreign intelligence officers would apply all methods possible to make Aleksandar Karadzic say an extra word regarding hiding of his father Radovan. He says NATO soldiers use inhuman methods of gas, bright light, spray to force, etc. 

Message saying ‘Go Away’ appear at the wall of Karadzic’s house in Pale

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Message saying ‘Go Away’ appear at the wall of Karadzic’s house in Pale’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘The sign “Get away from here’ surfaced on the house of Karadzic’ in Pale’ by M.Cubro – On the night Monday to Tuesday, the unknown eprsons wrote the message “Get away from here” on the house of Radovan Karadzic’s family in Pale. The message was written in Cyrillic with Four S sign along with it, confirmed Danka Tesic, Spokesperson of the PSC East Sarajevo. She also added: “Police attended the scene, investigation and search after suspects are ongoing.” Police claims that Karadzic’s family did not report this incident. Sonja Karadzic stated that “police recommended us not to comment on this event, owing to ongoing investigation. “

Mazowiecki: One should not speak about Mladic, Kardzic; they should be arrested

 

RHB, BHT, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘One should not speak about Mladic, Kardzic; they should be arrested’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘BiH Islam distance itself from terrorism’, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Annan should have been in Srebrenica’ by B. Kristo – Commenting on the Srebrenica commemoration, Polish politician Tadeusz Mazowieckistated in Sarajevo on Tuesday that there were too many speakers at the commemoration who were mentioning the names of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. He added that one should not speak about Mladic and Karadzic but they should be arrested instead. The crime committed in Srebrenica, however,  must not be reduced to an issue of two war criminals, stated Mazowiecki during the meeting with the members of the Independent Intellectuals’ Association “Circle 99”. What is much more important is the fact that Western countries admitted they made a mistake in BiH, and that that is why their representatives attended the commemoration in Srebrenica on Monday, said Mazowiecki.

Requiem for Serb victims held in Srebrenica

 

Pink, BHT, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘Requiem to Serbs murdered in Podrinje region served’ by J.Sarac, Glas Srpske cover pg splash, and pg 3 ‘A right to justice’ by K.Cirkovic, EuroBlic cover pg splash, pgs 2-3 ‘Serb villages devastated’ by S.R.M./BETA, Vecernje Novosti cover pg splash and pgs 24-25 ‘The truth is still waiting for justice’, Srpski Nacional cover pg splash ‘The World does not recognize Serb victims’, pgs 12-13 ‘Wounds deep will never heal’ by V.DJukanovic – The day after the commemoration for the Bosniaks killed in Srebrenica in 1995, requiem for the Serb victims from Srebrenica, Bratunac, Milici and Skelani was served in Srebrenica. Many high-ranked RS officials attended this ceremony, but the representatives of the International Community, who participated in Monday’s commemoration, did not come. The veterans’ organizations from Srebrenica and neighbour municipalities, and the Serb Orthodox Church organized manifestation dedicated to, as they call it, Serb new-martyrs. About one thousand people attended this ceremony, including BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac. “I was ready yesterday (Monday) to come to Srebrenica, and I came… I expected somebody from the other side today”, said Paravac. “I don’t want this manifestation to be understood as the way of making the balance in crime. I believe that we should all seek for the balance in justice”, said RS President Dragan Cavic. Pero Bukejlovic, RS Premier, expressed concern over the fact that a large number of people in BiH still does not accept the fact that “RS is a reality, the creation of the Dayton Agreement and that efforts on its preservation would persist.” He also said “the glorification of Naser Oric during Potocari commemoration was inappropriate”.

Oslobodjenje pg 6, mentioned on cover ‘Petrovdan with Chetnik signs/symbols’, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘FBiH authority representatives bypassed commemoration’ by B. Stevandic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 6 ‘Commemoration for Serb victims in Podrinje’ by A. Macanovic also reported on the event.

Tomislav Nikolic criticizes Tadic for not having paid tribute to Serb victims in Bratunac

EuroBlic pg 3 ‘Tears for victims, prison for criminals’, Glas Srpske cover pg report ‘A tear for victim, prison for criminal’ – Tomislav Nikolic, Vice President of SRS “Dr. Vojislav Seselj” stated in Bratunac that each victim of war deserves tears, and each criminals deserves prison. He criticized Serbian President Boris Tadic for having paid tribute only to Bosniak victims in Srebrenica.

International conference on Srebrenica genocide continues: ‘RS should be abolished

 

Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTVOslobodjenje pg 7, mentioned on cover ‘RS should be abolished’, Dnevni Avaz pg 5, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Cognition of crime is a hope for a better future’ by S.I. – International Scientific Conference “Genocide on Bosniaks of UN’s safe haven- Srebrenica, July 1995- lessons for future generations” has continued on Tuesday in Sarajevo. Over 40 scientific authorities, from the areas of genocide and crimes against humanity participated, US Professor Francis Boyle, regarding the BiH lawsuit against SCG, said that RS, due to the manner it was created, should be dissolved as legal Entity.

Report on Srebrenica presented in New York: 8 thousand murdered is a bg lie

 

Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘A great lie – 8 thousand murdered’ by Dubravka Savic – Daily brings exctracts from Report on Srebrenica events by a group of researchers from USA and Europe (led by Professor Ed Hermann from Pennsylvania University) presented at a press conference in New York on 11 July. The Report notes that the claim 8 thousand Muslims were killed in Srebrenica in 1995 is not grounded on evidence and represents a political fabrication. Report notes that at least 3 thousand out of 5 thousand “missing” from Srebrenica arrived to Tuzla , while 2 thousand were killed during 3-year war in BiH. Report notes that Serbs from Bosnia were under constant satellite surveillance and bombs of NATO, owing to which reason they could not “hide” the bodies. Moreover, Report stresses that surveillance should have provided evidence on actions of Serb troops, which was not the case.

HR Ashdown’s interview to BBC

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Srebrenica is the biggest, but not the only crime in BiH’ by BBC – Upon 10th anniversary of Srebrenica tragedy, Paddy Ashdown, HR to BiH, said in an interview to BBC that thanks to pressures of the IC to BiH, the Serb authorities are heading from negation to acceptance regarding fact crime was committed in Srebrenica, adding: “The result of this is visible, since Presidents of RS and Serbia attended Srebrenica ceremony. We should be aware this is not the only crime. This was the biggest crime, but crimes were committed by everybody against anybody. We should open the process of truth and reconciliation, in which tribute will also be paid to Serbs and Croats murdered.” He assessed that nine years after the signing of DA, the Serbs now acknowledge they must fulfill their duties towards the ICTY.

NN op-ed on Srebrenica: IC’s guilt

 

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘The guilt of international community’ by Mirza Cubro – The author stresses that the international community to BiH has declared itself responsible for Srebrenica events, but the actions of its officials in BiH show nothing has been done to help victims of Srebrenica genocide, but also other victims in BiH, to continue living normally. He concludes that IC officials have not obviously acknowledged that acceptance of responsibility for failure to protect Srebrenica can be amended only with arrest of the most wanted war crime suspects.

SD op-ed on fact that Tadic did not apologize for Srebrenica

 

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 11 ‘There was no apology’ by D. Blazevic carries an editorial on the fact that Serbian President Boris Tadic did not apologize at the commemoration in Srebrenica. The author concludes: ‘It seems as if Serbia does not want wake up from disgrace, and it would admit and experience this disgrace by the apology.’

Tihic, Jovic meet with UN’s Brown

 

RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘UN aware of its responsibility for Srebrenica’, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘UN is aware of responsibility for Srebrenica’ by NINA, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘The role of UN in peace building in BiH irreplaceable’ by ONASA – BIH Presidency President Ivo Miro Jovic and BIH Presidency member Sulejman Tihic spoke with Special representative of UN Secretary General Mark Brown. Jovic and Tihic stated that the role of UN during and after the war was and is irreplaceable. They also expressed support to the work of ICTY.

26 mortal remains exhumed from Budak mass grave

Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg4 ’26 mortal remains exhumed’ by J.S. – The members of the F BiH Expert Team of Commission for Search after Missing Persons on Tuesday exhumed 26 mortal remains from the mass grave at Budak (near Memorial Centre Potocari).

 

 

Political Developments/Reforms

OSCE: Lovrinovic removal was necessary

 

Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Support of parents and parties’ by NINA – The OSCE believes that the removal of the Central Bosna Canton Education Minister Nikola Lovrinovic was an unpleasant but necessary measure by which the rule of law in BiH is being secured. The OSCE also believes that in this way BiH can achieve progress with regard to its obligations in the area of the education reform, which include removing of politicisation and segregation from thee education system. DL also says that President of the CBC HDZ Board Anto Spajic called an emergency session of this board due to the Lovrinovic’s removal, while the Council of Parents of a school in Vitez expressed their support to Lovrinovic.  Croat Block (HB) issued a press release expressing their dissatisfaction over the Lovrinovic’s removal.

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Lovrinovic removal was necessary’ also carried OSCE statement.

Lovrinovic: My removal was not justified

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Ashdown destroys Croat education with blessing of HDZ’ by Z. Cilic carries an interview with Nikola Lovrinovic who reiterates that his removal was not justified. He also says that he did not receive any support from HDZ after his removal.

SD op-ed criticising Lovrinovic’s removal

 

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘There is no justice for Lovrinovic’ by M. Erceg carries an editorial which says that Nikola Lovriovic was removed since he wanted to secure in the Central Bosnia Canton the education which suits both Croats and Bosniaks. The author also says that none objected Lovrinovic’s work apart from those ‘who came to BiH with prejudice and started a story about segregation, apartheid’.  The author also says that by this decision High Representative Paddy Ashdown deprived Lovrinovic of his rights.

SD on SDA’s stand regarding defence reform

 

Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pg 17 ‘Subjects on defence in schools again?’ by Z. Tulic carries that the work of the Defence Reform Commission has been suspended for the time being. SD goes on to say that while Serb politicians hinder the police reform, Bosniak politicians reject proposals on the defence reform. SD source stated that SDA representatives demand solutions for the defence reform, which are very similar to the ones that former Yugoslavia used to have, supporting the military service. SD also says that in case that there would be no conscription and military service, SDA would demand introduction of military education in schools, similar to the subjects on defence that pupils in former Yugoslavia used to have.  

VL: SBiH unwanted in future Alliance for Changes

 

Vecernji List pg 5 ‘SBiH unwanted in future Alliance’ by M. Vasilj – The International Community representatives, especially the USA, excluded Party for BiH from their future projects whose goal is forming coalitions made of SDP, SNSD, HSS and NHI. VL says that in this way a new Alliance for Changes would be made. According to the article, it has been speculated that Americans decided to exclude SBiH because this party was using all possible means to stay in power although it has been losing at the elections for years. Also, the Croat and Serb electorate feel big animosity towards this party and they believe that SBiH is much more radical than SDA. According to VL, for this and many other reasons HSS, NHI and SNSD demanded that SBiH does not join the future coalition.

VL: Terzic to withdraw?

 

Vecernji List pg 5 ‘SDA top against Terzic’ by M. Relota carries that the withdrawal of Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic might be expected in autumn or at the beginning of the next year. A source close to the SDA Presidency claims that Terzic’s withdrawal is very certain and that disagreements between Terzic and SDA President Sulejman Tihic are more than obvious. The source added that Tihic and Bakir Izetbegovic objected Terzic that he provoked the BiH CoM’s crisis.

Police reform update: Politicians comment

 

EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Polcie is exercising patience’ by Nedeljka Breberina Bojan Zec Filipovic, Spokesperson of Adnan Terzic, confirmed that BiH CoM has received invitation from RS Government regarding continuation of police reform talks. Report carries comments of EC, OHR and EUPM, urging continuation of talks. Tarik Sadovic from SDA states: “The recent RS government commitment to police reform talks is to be commended, but only if it is not a cheap political trick.” Velimir Sakan from PDP is of the view talks can resume only when good solutions are offered. Stanko Pivasevic from SDS says: “Still, I am of the view the EU principles must also be partly amended. Simply put, we cannot allow abolishment of RS, regardless of whether we launch talks with EU or not.” Petar Djokic SPRS President says that RS Government should not behave like ostrich and should offer a clear proposal on police reform.

Int. with Petricth: BiH must change its political scene

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘SDS, SDA and HDZ cannot go to Europe’ by R.Cengic – In a half-page interview to NN, Wolfgang Petristch, the former HR to BiH and President of the “Association for BiH 2005”, says that the parties like SDS, SDA and HDZ cannot function in Europe, adding that the biggest obstacle for the BiH is that etno-national groups, parties and elites still hold a strong influence. He stresses that such a political and social climate must be changed at elections and through pressures of citizens themselves. He emphasizes BiH political scene must adjust to European political scene.

 

 

Economic/Social Affairs

Croatia to introduce customs on meat import amounting to 70 %

 

Dnevni List cover pg splash ‘Drastic customs on import of meat to Croatia’ and pg 3 ‘Customs on import of meat to Croatia even 70 %’ by M. Karacic – At the last session of the Croatian Government the decision on protection of domestic meat production by introduction of customs on meat import amounting to even 70 % was passed. DL says that although some sources claim that this decision would not refer on BiH due to the Free Trade Agreement, the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture stressed that the customs would be introduced for all countries.  

OHR Economic Newsletter: Positive macroeconomic indicators in second quarter of 2005

 

Oslobodjenje pg 11 ‘Reforms giving results’, FENA – According to the OHR Economic Newsletter for the second quarter of 2005, many of the current macroeconomic indicators for BiH are positive. Exports are rising faster than imports, GDP growth is well above five percent, and investment is increasing, OHR Spokesman Mario Brkic said at a press conference in Sarajevo on Tuesday.  However, none of this gives grounds for complacency. Although poverty is declining, the fact that 18 percent of the BiH citizens are still living below the poverty line is unacceptable. The economic turnaround means that reforms are starting to deliver, which means that the authorities have to redouble their efforts to implement reforms. As the Principal Deputy High Representative, Larry Butler, points out in his Introduction to the Newsletter, “The law establishing the BiH Phytosanitary Agency was passed around two years ago, but the Agency is not expected to have operating premises until the end of this summer. He stresses that implementing reforms expands the capacity of the authorities to offer better public services. Thus, for example when the Consumer Protection Law is enacted, the BiH Consumer Protection Ombudsman can start acting as a powerful advocate for product safety. “When the Law establishing a Market Surveillance Agency is implemented, the Agency can start to ensure that, for example, toddlers in this country are not playing with toys that have been made with toxic chemicals. When the Director of the BiH Standardization Agency has been appointed, the Agency will be better able to help BiH companies implement European product safety and quality standards. When the BiH Statistics Agency has adequate capacity, it can begin to deliver the sort of credible and up-to-date statistics that attract investment and help create jobs”, said PDHR Butler, according to the OHR Spokesman.

BiH farmers demand establishment of state Ministry of Agriculture

 

Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Parliament’s support demanded’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Framers want new Ministry’ by E.M. – The BiH Association of Farmers sent a letter to the BiH Parliamentary Assembly demanding support for their requests stated during the farmers’ protest. In the letter the farmers especially stressed a need for establishing the BiH Ministry of Agriculture at the state level.

 

 

Miscellaneous

BiH Bishops’ Conference began in Banja Luka/Cardinal Puljic: War in BiH could have been prevented 

 

Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Ethnic cleansing of Catholics’ by NINA – A regular session of the BiH Bishops’ Conference started in Banja Luka on Tuesday. At the beginning of the session Banja Luka Bishop Franjo Komarica stated that the number of Catholics in a church in Banja Luka keeps reducing and that this shows that the process of ethnic cleansing of Catholics is being reinforced. Cardinal Vinko Puljic said that session begins at the same time as the commemoration for the BiH war victims and he stressed that the evil that BiH and its citizens were faced with could have been prevented.  Also reported by Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Cardinal: Church must not be silent’ by Z. Coric.