| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1(19,00 hrs) | FED TV(19,30 hrs) | RT RS(19,30) |
| Muratovic denies quotes | Problems of ballots print | News about “Sugar Affair” | Serb prefix on ballots |
| School windows broken | Few voters from abroad | Crime in Prozor-Rama | “Forgery” epilogue |
| De-miners wont go to | SIPA operative in October | Ballots in RS | Increase of oil prices |
| Strike in SBC continues | Exhumation in Sijekovac | Session of USC parliament | Exhumations in RS |
| Oslobodjenje | Three republics in BiH a project of Bozo Zepic |
| Dnevni Avaz | Why BiH Presidency members keep silent? |
| Dnevni List | Broadcasting of BHT1 begins tonight |
| Vecernji List | Herzegovinians do not divorce |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Dr. Hebrang first honorary citizen of Siroki Brijeg, Tudjman and Susak ‘dropped’ |
| Glas Srpske | Removal of Health Care Fund in Sekovici: Seat to eternal student |
| Nezavisne Novine | PSC Banja Luka claims biggest criminals never end up in prison: Prosecutor’s let the most dangerous criminals free; The blockade of account of the only dairy in RS commenced: |
| Blic | Police on trail of unscrupulous mother |
| Vecernje Novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
| Belgrade’s Nacional | Features Serbian related topics |
|
| Political developments |
| Three republics in BiH a project of Bozo Zepic
| Herceg Bosna Radio, Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘Three republics in BiH a project of Bozo Zepic’ A. Omeragic, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Tri-parted BiH is not my model’ by ONASA – The author of a model of BiH with three republics is professor Bozo Zepic, according to former BiH Premier and current head of the Sarajevo University Hasan Muratovic. Muratovic denied he was advocating for introduction of such the BiH state structure. “Taking a sentence out of context is ill-intentioned and represents labeling and a part of pre-election campaign,” said Muratovic referring to media reports saying he was standing for establishment of three republics in BiH. Formation of three republics inside BiH is just one out of four state models proposed by some 15 experts including Muratovic and Zepic, who are the members of a group for constitutional changes established by the Center for Security Studies. Professor Bozo Zepic said on Thursday that professor Hasan Muratovic never rejected the option of the organization of BiH into three republics, but actually said it is a realistic option. “However, Muratovic never said it would be his first choice. His first choice would be a country comprising municipalities and authority divided between the state and municipalities, without entities or cantons,” Zepic said, adding that Muratovic’s second option would a country comprised of regions, while the third would be BiH comprised of three republics. “My first option, on the other hand, is the idea of three republics, as I believe it resolves the key issue, the ethnic one. However, I am not against the other models either, if valid arguments are presented and they resolve the ethnic issue, especially the ethnic issue of Croats,” Zepic said. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Muratovic: current BiH organization is the worst model’ – Muratovic describes criticisms against his alleged statement for Hercegovacka TV as a political pamphlet. He reiterated he was standing for BiH as a state with two levels of authority: the municipal and the state one. An alternative, according to Mratovic, might be establishment of a state with three levels of authority: the state one, six regions and municipal level. |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed on BiH state organization
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Republics’ In Focus column by Zija Dizdarevic – Dizdarevic believes that SDS, HDZ and SDA can easily reach consensus on establishing three republics within BiH. Dizdarevic said that, however, it was about an idea to divide BiH in three ethnic territories on the principle of ethnic majority and discrimination.
|
| NN op-ed on Muratovic
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Muratovic’s occasional affairs’ by Slavo Kukic – The author is writing about the most recent statement of Hasan Muratovic (see above). The author is actually critical of Muratovic, saying that “prominent” professor has been chosen to present the position of his party, meaning attempted re-affirmation of the old SDA theses on Muslim republic in BiH. The author reminds of the first Congress of Bosniaks in 1993, which had strongly promoted the idea of Bosniak republic in BiH. One of the biggest promoters of this idea was Muratovic, according to Kukic. The author further claims Muratovic is trying to re-affirm the idea on “green transversal”, which also includes the solution of Kosovo problem. For more info on this author refers the readers to read “Islamic declaration” written by Alija Izetbegovic. |
| Mikerevic: Problems of FBiH cannot be solved at the cost of RS
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Creation of republics in BiH saught by adventurers’, FENA – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic thinks that initiatives aimed at “producing new republics in BiH” represent a clear attempt to resolve evident and large problems in the functioning of the FBiH, but at the cost of RS. Spokesperson for the RS Prime Minister Goran Radivojac said that many wish to forget the fact that the FBiH was established by the Washington and the RS by the Dayton Agreement. Radivojac conveyed Mikerevic’s position that this is a constitutional matter and that the current BiH structure is defined by international documents with constitutional power, and that there are also those guaranteeing such a structure. He said that the issue of creating new republics in BiH is being raised by “certain adventurers who would love to place this within the daily political context and who find daily political profit more important than the stability and progress of BiH”.Radivojac said that the problem of the functioning of FBiH should be returned to the “home address of FBiH”. RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic is confident that there is a solution to that issue and wishes that FBiH resolves all difficulties in its functioning to the benefit of BiH. |
| DL on proposals of models of organization of BiH
| Dnevni List, front and pg 4 ‘One BiH made of three parts!?’, not signed – notes that after several months of hard work, a Commission for changes to Constitution and re-organization of BiH, which comprised of domestic experts and university professors, came up with four possible proposals of new Constitution and organization of BiH on which BiH citizens will declare themselves. The first model proposes BiH as it was before the war, with municipalities and the state; second model proposes municipalities and the state, with existence of regions; third concept proposes three republics in BiH, and the fourth one proposes a cantonization of the whole BiH. All in all, concrete Constitutions based on these four models should be made by end of the year and the plan is to carry out an opinion poll among the peoples and citizens of BiH to see which model is the most acceptable to them. An inset entitled ‘Muratovic did not propose organization of BiH with three entities’, by Indira Tabucic – carries professor Hasan Muratovic, who denies that he stated that he was in favour of BiH made of three republics. Muratovic says that he proposed two models: state and municipalities and/or state with six regions, noting that professor Bozo Zepic proposed the model of BiH with three republics. “It is my opinion, only the municipalities in BiH have the tradition and the state should be organized that way. But, it is obvious that someone, 15 days after, speaks about it, probably because the pre-election campaign is starting”, said Muratovic. An inset entitled ‘Zepic in favour of BiH with three republics’, by Miso Relota – carries professor Zepic as saying that when it comes to BiH made of three republics, the concept would be accepted by 90% of the Serb people, 75% of the Croats and about 50% of the Bosniaks. “There is a big number of Bosniaks who do not reject possible organization of BiH with three republics. I believe that such organization of the state solves the Bosniak and Croat national issue, knowing it is only the Serb national issue that is solved at the moment”, says Zepic. |
| DL on BiH with three republics
| Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Fourth entity’, by Vedran Vujovic – comments on the proposals as elaborated in the article above, especially on the concept that envisions three republics in BiH, saying if BiH citizens thought that concepts of national divisions of BiH were things of the past, the latest initiatives by independent intellectuals prove them wrong. The author goes on to say that the majority in the RS do not care how many entities would exist in BiH as long as you do not touch ‘their entity’, that the Bosniaks are mostly against such proposals, whilst the Croats are the ones who come up with proposals on three entities in BiH. In that context, DL says it would seem that certain individuals never learnt the lesson from the Herceg Bosna story and the lesson regarding the so-called Croat self-rule and the damages it inflicted upon the Croats. The author concludes that peoples in minority in the so-called ‘national’ republics would be worse off, since the only merit would be the ethnic affiliation. |
| Dnevni Avaz: Why BiH Presidency members keep silent on citizens’ opposition to sending BiH troops to
| Dnevni Avaz cover page, pg 3 ‘Why BiH Presidency members keep silent?’ Commentary of the Day by Sead Numanovic – According to Numanovic, the BiH public has never been louder in opposition to sending of BiH troops to |
| Over 5,000 signatures gathered against deploying BiH troops in
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘More than 5,000 Sarajevo citizens against sending of BiH soldiers to Iraq’, FENA – To date, more than 5,000 citizens have signed a petition against deploying BiH army units in Iraq, which was launched by the youth wing of the Social Democratic Union of BiH (SDU). SDU deputy president Sejfudin Tokic on Thursday said that from tomorrow the signing of the petition will begin in other towns across the country and he expects an even larger number of citizens to sign the petition. “We have received information that the current government has prolonged the departure of army units on September 1 – when it was planned in principle – until after the October local elections,” Tokic told FENA. He emphasized that the SDU will continue to insist that the decision to deploy troops has no kind of legitimacy and said he will hold a meeting with the chairman of the BiH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic, to discuss the matter. |
| SDA’s Jahic: Final decision on sending of BiH troops to | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Final decision on sending of BiH troops to |
| Deputy Defence Minister Becirbasic: BiH de-miners will not go to
| Herceg Bosna Radio – Members of BIH armed forces acting as de-miners will not go to |
| VL on reasons why BiH soldiers volunteer for
| Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘With rifle into search for better living’, by Ljuba Djikic – wondering what is driving BiH soldiers to volunteer for the mission in Iraq, given the dangers they are likely to encounter, the author carries an anonymous BiH soldier, who is preparing himself to go to Iraq, as saying: “I decided to go to Iraq knowing that I can come back in a Mercedes or coffin. Not only my mother, my wife too cries, begging me not to go, but I cannot go on like this any more. On the current salary I cannot feed the family, let alone provide for an apartment, car |
| Dnevni Avaz says there will be no removal of SDA Ministers in RS
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘There will be no removal of SDA Ministers’ – Although the PDP launched an initiative for removal of SDA-nominated Ministers from the RS Government a month ago, the initiative is obviously not going to be realize. The daily learns that RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic is against the removal and he is in such the position supported by SDS. |
| BiH Election Commission on printing of ballot papers
| BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Dual names of municipalities on ballots’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – the ballot papers for 13 municipalities in the Republika Srpska will carry names as stipulated in the BiH Election Law. It means the ballot papers will use the pre-war names of municipalities and names as stipulated in the (RS) Law of territorial organization and local self-government. DL reminds that the RS NA was supposed to, pursuant to the |
| Update to Serb prefix in names of cities
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Law abolishing prefix Serb has not been put into effect’ by V.P. – Ante Nikolic, Assistant to RS Minister of local self-governance, stated that the Law on territorial organisation and local self-governances (which RS NA adopted and which changes the names of 12 cities in RS with prefix Serb) has not been put into effect yet. He explained this law would go into effect after it undergoes the entire procedure at the RS Council of Peoples, since the Bosniak delegates have raised the issue of protection of vital national interest. |
| SD: ‘Dr. Hebrang first honorary citizen of Siroki Brijeg, Tudjman and Susak ‘dropped’ ’
| Slobodna Dalmacija front and pg 2 ‘Dr. Hebrang first honorary citizen of Siroki Brijeg, Tudjman and Susak dropped’ by D. Iavnkovic – The Siroki Brijeg Municipal Council adopted the proposal to proclaim current Vice President of the Croatian Government Andrija Hebrang the first honorary citizen of Siroki BrijEg. SD also says that the Croat Block reacted against such decision wondering whether Herbrang has got such award because of the things that he has done for Siroki Brijeg so far, or this is, perhaps, about some secret agreement of a certain group that wants to curry favour with Hebrang in this way and involve Hebrang in its personal, economic and political projects. Croat Block President Mario Vasilj also says that it was not allowed to a group of true patriots to propose late Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and late Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak for this award. |
|
| Vecernje Novosti, pg. 6 ‘Removals over Karadzic’ by Kosta Cavoski (part two of Cavoski’s feuilleton) – The author refers to recent removal of 59 officials in BiH and says that the decision on removal of Zoran Djeric reads that he has been removed because BiH has failed to arrest Hague indictees in the territory of RS and extradite them. Cavoski claims that the only true reason for which HR Paddy Ashdown has removed the officials is a general feeling of public and a secret solidarity with the Hague indictees, which has been qualified by HR Ashdown as ‘public and secret collaboration and keeping secrets’. Cavoski says that HR Ashdown has failed to explain why he had not removed former Ministers of Interior and SFOR Commanders over the same reason, since they too have been obliged to arrest Hague indictees. He claims that such a responsibility of the RS Minister of Interior could only be political and not legal. Therefore, RS NA, not the High Representative, has the jurisdiction to determine his responsibility. At the end, Cavoski concludes by wondering how it is possible that HR Ashdown has brought such serious accusations without presenting any evidence or bringing any requests for opening a criminal procedure against those persons. |
| | Economic/social issues/education |
| OHR on need for urgent higher education reform in BiH
| Herceg Bosna Radio, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Urgent higher education reform in BiH’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Rejection of law extends agony of students’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘European standards in delay’,Slobodna Dalmacija pg 13 ‘Delay of reform is responsible for everything’ by D. Pasic, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Young people paid price of political mistakes’, mentioned on cover, by De.L ONASA – OHR regrets that BiH’s youth will no longer have the opportunity to study for free at higher education institutions in Austria, the OHR said in a press release Thursday. The disproportional level of BiH students wanting to study abroad and those from abroad wanting to study in BiH – in Austria’s specific case some 2,000 BiH students study there, while only 3 Austrians want to study in BiH – is just one more indicator that BiH’s current Higher Education system is damaging BiH’s most gifted. This fact once again underlines the need for real and immediate reform of higher education in BiH – reform that will come through the Higher Education Framework Law, which will establish standards in this area that are already in place elsewhere in Europe. OHR regrets the BiH House of Peoples Decision last month to reject this Law – it has only prolonged the agony of BiH’s Students, and delays the introduction of European Higher Education standards in line with the Bologna Declaration and the Lisbon Convention across BiH. These agreements, which set European standards in HE have already been signed up to by BiH’s Education establishment. The High Education Law, which must be in line with these requirements, has now been returned to the Council of Ministers. It is now for the Council of Ministers to show the political leadership to put the interests of young people, and indeed all those who want BiH to join |
| Bosmal of construction of Corridor Vc through BiH
| Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘We expect reply to offer that was made at our own initiative’, by J. Petrovic – carries a statement by Amra Kebo, the director of communications of ‘Bosmal’, in which she notes that the BiH Council of Ministers has not replied to an offer submitted by ‘Bosmal’ regarding the construction of Corridor Vc through BiH. Kebo notes that the BiH CoM has failed to reply because there was not a commission for concessions before, and since the commission has been formed in the meantime, the company expects that its offer will be discussed soon. |
|
| Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Signing of contract with LNM in Zenica on August 16’ by M. Relota and Slobodna Dalmacija pg 14 ‘Sale of BH Steel on Monday’ by I.M. – The dailies carry that due to commitments of a future owner of BH Steel, company LNM, the signing of the sale contract will take place one day earlier, that is, on Monday August 16. DL says that apart from the future owner of BH Steel, the representatives of the OHR, Kuwaiti Investment Agency, FBiH authority etc. will attend the ceremony of signing the aforementioned sale contract. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 also covered the issue. |
| Elektroprivreda re-programmed debts of households
| RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 2 Debts on loan’ by M. Bestic – Those citizens of RS who have debts for electricity over KM 1000, will have the opportunity to pay their debts in several monthly instalments. Managing Board of “Elektroprivreda” yesterday in Trebinje brought this decision regarding re-programming of debts for households, was brought yesterday in Trebinje. Considering the fact that the amount of debts of 13,5% of households in RS has crossed KM 100 millions the Board considers this solution to be one of the best ones. Chairman of MB of “Elektroprivreda”, Borivoje Milic said that citizens would have the possibility to pay their debts in ten or twelve monthly instalments or even 24 instalments (if debts exceed KM 2000). |
| B. Luka Dairy to close plant
| Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 3 ‘Banja Luka “Dairy” closes plant’ by P. Klincov – The article announces that the Banja Luka Dairy will most likely terminate further work and close the plant on 17 August over court order on blockade of its account. By this, 190 employees will lose jobs, confirmed Vlajko Guresic, Dairy Director.
|
| Former RS Finance Minister Vracar on bank guarantees for Brod Oil Refinery
| Glas Srpske pg 8 ‘I would do the same thing!’ by V. Janjic – In a statement to Glas Srpske, Milenko Vracar, former director of Nova Banjalucka Banka and former RS finance minister, denies he abused office regarding the case of providing bank guarantees on the contract between Serb Brod Oil Refinery and the Company “Galaxy Central Europe Limited” seated at British Virgin’s Island. He stresses: “I would do the same thing again, if I had to give guarantee similar to one I gave two years ago as Director of Nova Banjalucka Banka.” He claims that succession assets have never been used for this purpose, nor has he ever abused his office or authority. |
| On extraction of petroleum in BiH
| Vecernji List pg 3 ‘BiH lies on 50 million tons of petroleum’ by R. Radic – VL says that from 40 to 50 million tons of crude petroleum could be extracted from the area of Posavina, Tuzla and northern part of BiH, however, since there is no company that might do research on this possibility the extraction of petroleum in BiH will not start soon. Assistant of General Manager in Petroleum Refinery Bosanski Bord, Dusko Bogdanovic, stated that these days refineries will get concession for research and extraction of petroleum on a few oil-wells. |
|
| Crime/security/investigations |
| Kristo and Hadzipasic on status of 6 Croats in
| Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Temporary release of six Croats in September!?’, by Miso Relota – regarding the decision of the Appeals Council of the ICTY which decided to postpone a decision of Panel of Judges of the ICTY, according to which six BiH Croats (Jadranko Prlic and others) are to be set on pre-trial release, DL carries the FBiH Justice Minister, Borjana Kristo, as saying that she was not informed about details of the latest decision by the Appeals Council. Minister Kristo hopes that the Appeals Council will execute the decision of Panel of Judges after the summer break is over, in September. FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, is carried as saying that the FBIH Government gave the guarantees two months ago, stressing that the FBiH Government cannot influence the work of the Tribunal in |
| On mine clearance issue in BiH
| Dnevni List pgs 8 and 9 ‘Slovenians are in charge of money for mine clearance in BiH’, mentioned on cover, by M. Karacic – DL carries an article on issue of mine clearance in BiH which says that this important issue has been marginalized in our country. DL goes on to say that the BiH Ministry of civil Affairs is in charge of this issue, while MAC is the executive body. According to DL, one of the absurd situations in our country is that MAC is sending projects to |
| Ivan Vuksic aspires to be new SIPA Director
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Ivan Vuksic aspires to position of SIPA Director’ by M. Cubro – NN interlocutors close to BiH Council of Ministers confirmed that Ivan Vuksic, former Director of FOSS, has been lobbying for months now for his appointment to the position of the SIPA Director. The interlocutors claim that after it was agreed Director seat should be assigned to a Croat, Vuksic has started lobbying. Vuksic believes, according to NN sources, that Barisa Colak, BiH Security Minister, would nominate him to this position. Dragan Lukac, SIPA Deputy Director, stated he has heard of these aspirations of Vuksic. Dragan Mektic, BiH Deputy Security Minister, said that Vuksic cannot be appointed to this position, because he is not a certified police officer, as Law stipulates Director of SIPA must be. He added: “His appointment would be a classical example of violation of law.” |
| Police officials critical of judiciary
| Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 2 ‘Prosecutor’s let the most dangerous criminals free’ by S. Karic – The author refers to officials at PSC Banja Luka, who claim that biggest criminals never end up in prison because Prosecutors let the most dangerous criminals free, claiming there is no legal grounds to detain them. The police further brings some examples of such cases (recent shooting/attempted murder in
Police further claims that the same persons they detain commit another criminal act shortly after they are released, bringing the example of theft cases. Police has no knowledge into activities Prosecutor’s Office is running on the base of denunciations it filed. Sead Zeric, Deputy District Prosecutor of |
| Update to “Forgery” police action
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Prosecutor’s Office proposed detention’ by Sn. K. – The police action named “Forgery” was carried out early on Wednesday and saw the arrests of Branka Susnjar (54), Velimir Glavic (42) and Stana Malinic (52), all police administration members and Sasa Pjanic, RS Customs Administration employee. The suspects were questioned before the Banja Luka District Prosecutor’s Office yesterday. After the hearing, Prosecutor proposed to Judge to pronounce detention sentence against the suspects. Alun Roberts, EUPM Spokesperson, stated that EUPM is monitoring this event, assessing that this arrest “is the sign the quality of police work is improving”. (EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Roberts: Police is getting more efficient”.) According to NN inset “Njegus ordered the arrests “of persons of minor importance”, SNSD yesterday released a press statement, in which is says that organised crime and corruption is the only field in which RS has been making an advanced progress since coalition SDS-PDP-SDA is on reign. According to SNSD, one of the main players in this crime is Radomir Njeguis, RS Police Director. The release reads: “In order to seemingly demonstrated his opposition against crime, Njegus ordered the arrests of those last in the circle.” RTRS also covered the issue. |
| Update to Sijekovac exhumation
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘The origin of human remains of 18 children exhumed in Sijekovac unknown’ by B92 – The exhumation in Sijekovac, near Serb Brod has finished. The bodies of 59 victims, including 18 children, have been exhumed. There is no reliable information regarding the origin of the human remains of 18 children between ages of 5 to 12. |
| Investigation on war-time R BIH Presidency still ongoing
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Investigation after three years still marking time’ by M. Cubro – NN reports that three years after the BiH Presidency Secretariat has filed the denunciation with the Canton Sarajevo MoI, it has not still been established how minutes from the sessions of the Presidency of Republic of BiH in period from October 1992 to November 1993 have vanished. Stjepan Kljujic, war-time member of Presidency, has no knowledge of these minutes, noting: “I was expelled from Presidency on |
| On plane crash of Macedonian delegation
| Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Any possibility of sabotage excluded’ by N. Bise – The BiH State Prosecutor Meddzida Kreso stated for DL that there are no any material evidence or elements for issuing of the bill of indictment against anyone in the case of the Macedonian plane crash in which Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski got killed. DL also says that her report with complete material was sent to |
|
| Media |
| Broadcasting of BHT1 begins tonight
| BHTV, Dnevni List front pg ‘Broadcasting of BHT1 begins tonight’ and pg 3 ‘Exclusiveness for atmosphere from |
| OHR welcomes launch of BHTV 1 whole-day program on Friday
| Herceg Bosna Radio, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Program in the entire BiH territory’, Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Start of work of BHTV1 channel a step forward’, FENA – The start of service by BHTV 1 on Friday represents an important and welcome step forward for the public broadcast system in BiH, OHR spokesperson in Banja Luka Ljiljana Radetic said on Thursday. She said that this is also an important condition from the Feasibility Study calling for a single public information/broadcasting system, which is sustainable, intended for the entire country and crosses differences. She said that it is crucial that the BiH Parliament now adopts legislation for the PBS in such a form that would satisfy demands from the Feasibility Study. She stressed that the BHTV 1 channel would serve all BiH citizens and broadcast program that covers the entire spectre of entertainment program, domestic and foreign program in languages of all BiH peoples. The fact that this channel will go on air with the broadcast of a top-class event such as the Olympic Games in a way suggests what kind of services BHTV 1 will be able to provide to the citizens of this country. “This is the first time after the war that citizens will be able to view a TV program broadcast in the entire territory of BiH”, Radetic said. |