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| Siroki Brijeg: car accident | Explosions in | Tax frauds in CBC, ZDC | War crimes trials in BiH |
| Murder in Brcko | BiH generals visit | Petition against BiH in | Conflict in Konjevic Polje |
| BiH generals visit | Flight control in BiH | Army facilities in Srebrenik | BiH generals visit |
| Conflict in | Trial of Milosevic | Return to Zepa | Reaction on C. Autonomy |
Oslobodjenje | SDS an obstacle to the establishment of ‘mini Hague’; De-miners more needed to |
| Dnevni Avaz | New driving licences disappeared from CIPS in Zenica! |
| Dnevni List | Hauliers left without jobs?! |
| Vecernji List | Herzegovinian kidnapped in |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features |
Nezavisne Novine | Clash in Brcko: Taxi driver killed a man; Batic: Cavic is lying; Fata Orlovic: The police was beating on me |
| Glas Srpske | The background of trial against former Prijedor policemen: Two keys – one lock |
| EuroBlic | Julian Braithwaite: I have never been a British spy |
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| War crimes |
| Reactions to OHR’s urge to BiH Parliamentarians to adopt the legislation on war crimes trials in BiH
| RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Voting on war crimes processing upon urgent procedure’ by N. Krsman – Nikola Spiric Deputy Chair of BiH House of Representatives on Sunday confirmed that that Collegium of BiH Parliament’s HoR would decide at its next session that series of Laws, which are creating the possibilities for processing war crimes cases in BiH, should be discussed upon emergency procedure. Momcilo Novakovic, Head of SDS Caucus at HoR, is of the view that demand of HR Paddy Ashdown (that this Law should be adopted by the end of September) mainly refers to Collegium of the House of Representatives, noting his party would remain faithful to its stance the Law has some deficiencies. Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Bill delivered to Srpska again’ by N. Zelenovic – According to GS, Novakovic assessed that HR continues with his practise of accusing exclusively RS for the alleged non-cooperation with the ICTY. Tihomir Gligoric, Delegate of the RS Socialists Party at BiH Parliament, stated he does not actually understand the meaning of HR’s warning, regarding the adoption of the laws. He noted: “There is enough time to adopt amendments by the end of this month. If Mr. Ashdown is of the view we did not respect procedure, applicable at all democratic states, then he has authority to impose them. EuroBlic RSpg4 ‘Election games are not more important than reforms’ by J.D. – The daily carries last week’s warning to RS authorities by HR, Paddy Ashdown, on the need to improve the cooperation with ICTY. |
| Oslobodjenje on SDS’ objection to adoption to legislation related to war crimes trials in BiH
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 7 ‘SDS an obstacle to establishment of the BiH’s Hague’ by A.O. – SDS representative in BiH Parliament, Milos Jovanovic, stated for Oslobodjenje that his party opposes the adoption of the legislation related to the war crimes trial in BiH because “new legislation excludes counting in the time [war crimes suspects] detainees in the Hague whose cases would be transferred to BiH judiciary spent in the detention or during the Tribunal’s procedure.” Daily writes that for SDS delegates had asked for the resignation of BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac for proposing the set of the Laws in urgent procedure, blaming him of ‘working against Serb interests.’ Article brings Nikola Spiric’s statement that any SDS postponing are “pure stupidity” and that SNSD supports the adoption of the legislation in urgent procedure. As a Deputy Speaker of BiH HoR, Spiric said that his counterpart Sefik Dzaferovic, and Speaker Martin Raguz will agree to offering the legislation for new vote. Oslobodjenje brings that while objection of SDS against the concept of adopting the laws in urgent procedure has a ground, they believe that in this case the legislation should be endorsed. Jovanovic said that HDZ delegates also objected tot this procedure. |
| DL on refusal to adopt set of Laws pertaining to judiciary in BiH Parliament
| Dnevni list, pg 7, ‘SDS obstructs establishment of judicial system’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – Commenting on the fact that both Houses of BiH Parliament refused to consider a set of laws pertaining to judiciary under urgent procedure, Beriz Belkic (Party for BiH’s deputy in the House of Representatives) says this represents a continuous resistance to establishment of judicial system on BiH level. Momcilo Novakovic, the President of SDS caucus in the BiH House of Representatives, says that this is the first time deadlines are being mentioned and wonders if it is feasible to do the transfer of all lawsuits onto BiH in some 10-15 days. He says he cares more about getting a quality text of laws. Nikola Spiric (SNSD), the Vice-Speaker of the House of Representatives, comments that SDS keeps on leading the policy of obstructionism. |
| GS on trial of Prijedor policeman
| Glas Srpske cover page story ‘Two keys – one lock’ by M.D. – G.K. – The story is about the trial against former Prijedor policemen, charged with illegal detention of the Catholic priest Tomislav Matanovic and his parents in 1995 in Prijedor. Krstan Simic, defence attorney of one of defendants, claims that if Banja Luka District Court followed the path placed by |
| RS Association of PoWs announce protests against HR Ashdown | Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Protests against Paddy Ashdown’ by S. G. – The RS Association of former war inmates on Sunday announced that owing to frequent pressures and threats against the Serb people by the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, the Association would hold a mass protests after local elections. The Association stressed that the “goal of protest is to warn Ashdown he can no longer humiliate Serb people”. |
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| Security and military issues |
| Update to Konjevic polje incident: situation calms down
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Begic: SPC should remove the Church from the private land’ by E. Huremovic – Following the fight between Serbs [from other villages] and Bosniaks in Konjevic Polje in Bratunac municipality on Saturday afternoon [see Weekend Media Brief for details], the situation has calmed down. The incident occurred after the grou pf Serbs from other villages tried to attend the mass to be served in the church said to be illegally built in a yard of Bosniak returnee, Fata Orlovic. “Police presence is bit strengthened, but I believe that there will be no more need for their intervention. As for the Bosniak returnees and their relation with three domestic families, there never were any problems and there will be none. Incidents are being caused by people from other parts of Republika Srpska coming here probably for their own aims,” Cazim Jusupovic, head of Konjenic polje community, comments. Refik Begic, the Chair of Bratunac Municipal Assembly, stressed that the issues must be solved through dialogue, not use of force, and explained that this is a tenth time for an incident to happen in Konjevic polje, all related to the church illegally built in the yard of Bosniak returnee Fata Orlovic. “That church is an barrier to trust building in Bratunac. The key role in solving this problem should be played by RS authorities in application of Law and respect of human rights, but also by the Serb Orthodox Church who can solve all these problems just with one move – to remove the church,” Begic stressed. Fata Orlovic, reported to be injured, was released from hospital in Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Citizens of Konjevic-polje in a fear’ by Fena – According to Begic, while the situation has calmed down the fear is still present among citizens. He stressed that he will contact representatives of the local authorities, Serb Orthodox Church and Bosniaks inviting them to discuss the issue of the church built in Orlovic’s yard. |
| Police denies it beat up on Fata Orlovic
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Orlovic: Policemen beat up on me; Peric: There was no use of force’ mentioned on cover ‘The police was beating on me’ by J. Sarac – Dragomir Peric,Spokesperson of the Public Security Centre Bijeljina, denied allegations of statement by Fata Orlovic who said that policemen beat up on her and kept her fainted in police vehicle for few hours.Peric added: “There was no physical contact or assault against her. It is another thing what Fata claims. Nobody was hurt during the stoning incident, and citizens dispersed after police intervention.” RTRS – RTRS brings statement from a doctor in Bratunac ambulance who claims that Orlovic had no injuries when she came, and that only later he saw in media that she was transported to Tuzla Clinic. Headof Municipality Bratunac, Nedeljko Mladjenovic said that someone uses Orlovic to create such disturbances in the election period. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Fata started the fight’ by K. Cirkovic – GS carries information related to Bratunac incident, also claiming that Serbs, who gathered in front of the Church at Saturday morning for a mass, wondered why Ramiz Salkic, delegate at the House of Peoples at RS NA, came there that morning. According to GS, Salkic threatened to police that High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, would “sweep them all”. |
| BiH citizens sign petition against sending BiH troops to
| FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Petition ‘Presidency goes to
RHB, BHT 1, RTRS – The generals of BiH Armed Forces – Colonel General Sifet Podzic, Major General Slavko Puljic, Major General Miladin Milojcic, Major General Vlado Dzoic, Brigadier Rizvo Pleh and RS Army Major General Stamenko Novakovic departed BiH to visit |
| BiH generals visit USA
| Glas Srpske cover page story ‘Two keys – one lock’ by M.D. – G.K. – The story is about the trial against former Prijedor policemen, charged with illegal detention of the Catholic priest Tomislav Matanovic and his parents in 1995 in Prijedor. Krstan Simic, defence attorney of one of defendants, claims that if Banja Luka District Court followed the path placed by Simic further noted that the ICTY has grounded the verdict on Celebici case on the fact that “nobody can be held responsible for anybody’s detention, if that person is not in position to stop such detention’. |
| SD journalist says ‘stories on terrorism in BiH’ blown out of proportions
| Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘The issue of terrorism has been blown out of proportions’ by A. Prlenda – Daily brings interview with the journalist of Slobodna Dalmacija, Danko Plevnik, who writes on terrorism. He recently attended the conference in |
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| Economic issues, audits |
| FTV on tax frauds in Zenica and
| FTV by Nadja Ridjic– Sixteen companies in |
| Ivanic not supporting three rates of VAT
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘We will not go to Europe with 0 rate of VAT’ by Srna; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘0 rate to caviar as well’ by S.R.T. – Mladen Ivanic, BiH Froeign Minister, stated on Sunday that he does not support the introduction of three-rate VAT system, since this sort of taxation makes enough space for numerous manipulations. He noted he does not oppose to introduction of a single VAT system, adding a single rate should be established first and them additional rates should be set. Dnevni List pg 5 ‘There must not be zero rate’ not signed – BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic stated that he does not support the idea to introduce three rates of a vale added tax since it will make room for numerous embezzlements. He added: “There must no be a zero rate since we shall not join the EU with it.” |
| ITA Director Causevic claims one rate VAT the best for BiH
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘I claim that the best is single VAT rate’ by F. Cardzic – The Director of the Indirect Taxation Administration Kemal Causevic said he believes that the ‘satisfying’ solution to the rates of Value Added Tax will be agreed on in the next 15 days consequently “offering the best law to parliamentarians for their vote. Of course ITA will implement any Law parliament adopts. I am deeply certain that the single rate of VAT is the best for BiH.” Causevic comments to the reject of single rate VAT by the BiH Parliamentarians: “I don’t think that some delegates intentionally and with some special aim rejected our proposal. Simply, it is elections time and probably everybody fight for votes. Finally, both position and opposition voted for the same thing. Perhaps it is mistake of ITA of not educating delegates enough by explaining them what it means one and what more rates. Thus, we bear – perhaps the biggest – part of responsibility,” Causevic said. |
| DA says documents disappeared from CIPS Zenica
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘Thirty seven new driving licences disappeared from CIPS in Zenica’ by A. Dzonlic – DA learns that 37 driving licences disappeared from the CIPS facilities in Zenica in August, and that the case has not been reported to the commanding officers till recently. According to Avaz, Zenica Cantonal Interior Ministry has started the investigation on the case only on Friday, when even the Interior Minister Muhidin Alic learned about it. MoI has informed Avaz that the case was reported to CIPS Directorate, however Directorate denied this. DA’s source says that there is a possibility that document in question were sent from Zenica for printing in Banja Luka with the photographs of persons that lost a right to possess driving licence. |
| Audit of FBiH budget spending in 2003 reveals 16,3 mil KM overspent
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Over two million KM spent for purchase of official vehicles’ by A. Hadziarapovic – The auditors of FBiH completed the audit of FBiH budget for the last year, giving a negative mark for financial dealings. It has been established the budget was exceeded for 16,4 million KM. The report states that the money was overspent on salaries, reimbursements, purchase of office supplies, etc. According to the audit report, the sum is not a final, as FBIH Defence Ministry and FBiH Army have not yet booked about half of million KM of their debt. Report findings say that about 40% of spend money – 2,13 million KM – was spent on vehicles. |
| NN says Una Sana canton exceeded budget for 15 million KM
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Budget exceeded for over BAM 15 million’ by R. Cengic – The Government of Una Sana Canton has exceeded the budget planned for 2003 for over BAM 15 million, which is in direct violation of the Law on budget of F BiH and Law on realisation of the cantonal budget. |
| DL on import of oil by railway
| Dnevni list, cover page & p 5, ‘Hauliers left without jobs?!’, by Arijana Beus – as the FBiH Government is preparing the proposal of Law on amendments to the Law on Terminals in FBiH, which is one of the conditions for import of oil by railway, oil distributors oppose passing of a decision on oil import by wagon-cisterns exclusively as they are of the view that this way would slow down the purchase and will cause increase of prices. Muhidin Alic, the President of FBiH Section of oil distributors, says that the FBiH and RS railways must impose themselves on the trade market, though conditions for this have not been created yet. He finds terminals to be indispensable as a way to make stocks and prevent increase of oil prices. Marinko Boskovic, the President of Association of oil distributors of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, is of the view that railways in BiH are not properly equipped for import of oil and he does not see much advantage if oil is imported by railway except that one firm or he state would become monopolists. He adds that FBiH Government should first consider the issue of some 500 hauliers in |
| Mikerevic presents RS economic potentials in
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Economic potentials of RS presented to Italy’ by D.R.; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Following the recipe of Italy’ by G. Dakic; EuroBlic RSpg12 “Premiers agreed on cooperation’ by N.B. – A RS delegation, led by Dragan Mikerevic, RS Prime Minister, on Saturday presented the economic potentials oif the RS at the International Economic Fair in Bari (Italy) and agreed on a soon visit to Italian investors to RS. According to press release issued by RS Government Public Affairs Bureau, “Premier stressed that RS is determined to persist on reform-oriented course of BiH towards European integration.” RS Premier also met with Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Premier, who expressed interest in the flow of reforms in BiH |
| Information on foreign assistance to BiH on Internet as of today
| Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Information about donors’ money accessible’ by R. Radic – VL says that the UNDP and Ministry of Foreign Trade are working on the data on the assistance sent to BiH. According to VL, this data will be published on Internet today, however, information from this data will be accessible to ordinary citizens partly and certain information from the data will be accessible to the state administration only. |
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| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Americans interested in soda factory Lukavac’ by E. Huremovic – Tuzla Cantonal Prime Minister, Bajazit Jasarevic, informs of the interests expressed by the US company “Emergent Development” to purchase soda factory Lukavac. Jasarevic says that the he was assured that the US Embassy to BiH would support such project, but that official confirmation is still being waited. Factory was previously planned to be taken over by the |
| Doko: export improves BiH’s image | Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Export improves BiH’s image’ by H. Arifagic – BiH Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Dragan Doko, states that the export from BiH grows faster than import, which signifies a certain improvement in BiH economy despite its large problems. “The BiH image in the world is improving… We open to the world more and more, and consequently we’re becoming more attractive for foreign investments which are necessary,” Minister adds. |
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| Political issues |
| Batic denies Cavic’s claims against SNSD
| Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 2 ‘Batic: Cavic is lying’ by N.N. – The former Serbian minister of justice, Vladan Batic, on Sunday stated that he had never shown a list to RS President and SDS Acting President, Dragan Cavic,with the names of persons whom SNSD President Milorad Dodik had allegedly accused of having participated in the murder of former Serbian Prime Minister, Zoran Djindjic.Cavic told this on Saturday, noting that he had seen a list with the names of SDS members and all members of his security, which Dodik had allegedly handed to Batic. Batic underlined: “Dragan Cavic is lying. I have never shown him a list of people suspected of this, because I have never received any list from anybody, including Dodik.” Cavic further accused Dodik for having personally “denounced and slandered the members and officials of SDS to foreign intelligence agencies and embassies… SNSD President accuses me – and used to accuse Dragan Kalinic before me – of having made lists for removals of candidates in order to improve the rating of the party before elections. Therefore, I call on him to ask Mr. [Paddy] Ashdown to remove 50 members of his party, in order to improve election rating of his party.” Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘It is time for Dodik to leave’ by N.D., EuroBlic RSpg4 ‘Cavic: Dodik is slandering and informing on SDS’ by N.B. – report on Cavic’s statement. |
| SNSD: Cavic calls on lynch of opposition
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Cavic’s invitation for lynch of opposition’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Cavic wants to eliminate Dodik’ by D.R.; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘A forgetful President’ by N.D. – SNSD released a press statement stressing RS has lost the institution of the unbiased president following the most recent accusations voiced by RS President against SNSD. The release reads: “A public statement of [Dragan] Cavic when he called on removal of SNSD President from the political scene is just a resumption of years-long policy of SDS that SNSD and Dodik should be disabled in political and physical sense. Now the real motive of Cavic’s statement is completely clear – it is an attempt to try to save whatever can be saved in Banja Luka, since it is clear that candidate of SDS and seven other political parties, Ljubisa Kragulj, is losing the race and would win less votes.”” |
| VL: Forum of all BiH Croats is being created because of inequality’
| Vecernji List pg 10 ‘Forum of all BiH Croats is being created because of inequality’, mentioned on cover, ‘Forum of all Croats is being created’, by M. Relota, S. Tomasevic – A non-party body which will gather Croat officials, intellectuals, representatives of parties with a Croat prefix and representatives of the Catholic Church in BiH will be formed in BiH soon. According to VL, this body will be called Forum and its task will be to create a joint stand in an effort to stand for and build equality of all peoples since Croats are in an unequal position compared with other 2 peoples in BiH. VL says that Cardinal Vinko Puljic spoke up about this problem in a letter sent to the Pope (see Weekend Media Brief for details). VL also says that HDZ President Barisa Colak shares Puljic’s opinion and says: “The position of Croats in BiH will be much better in future since the processes which lead this country towards Euro-Atlantic integration are conditioned by equal constitutional and legal position of all 3 constituent peoples in BiH.” |
| RSNA in session
| RTRS – At the session today, RS National Assembly should discuss the Law on Protection of National Minorities in RS, but RS Association of National Minorities has invited deputies to reject the Law saying they were not consulted on it. The Association stresses that the Law should protect minorities, but their representatives weren’t consulted by the Government or invited to attend the session. President of RS Association Vladimir Blaha said that this Law will be “a dead letter on a paper” and that they are only asking for the rights provided by European Convention. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Privatisation of business buildings, spaces and garages’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘MP’s to discuss sale of business premises’ by D.R.; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Treasury on agenda’ by D.Z. – During the session today, RSNA MP’s will discuss proposals of the Law on Local Self-governance and on privatization of business premises, buildings, garages and offices. Among four Law drafts, which they should discuss also, is the Law on Treasury. |
| Ombudsman Raguz: ‘FBiH authorities violate human rights the most’
| Dnevni List pg 3 ‘FBiH authorities violate human rights the most’, mentioned on cover, by D. Polovina-Mandic – In a short interview given to DL, BiH ombudsman Branka Raguz stated that the Federation of BiH authorities mostly do not respect recommendations of FBiH ombudsmen especially in the cases when these decisions affect politics. She added that the FBiH Government has never respected ombudsmen’s recommendations, which refer on ministerial, Government’s and other appointments in public companies. Raguz said that they informed the FBiH Parliament about all violations, however, the Parliament has not placed this issue on the agenda for a year and a half. According to Raguz, it is absolutely clear that positions in Steering and Supervisory Boards in the public companies are very profitable, everyone wants to get this position and this is exclusively a political issue. Raguz added that for this reason ombudsmen demanded the OHR’s help since something has to be changed in the competent law. |
| VL on elections in Mostar
| Vecernji List pg 6 ‘There are no direct election because Croats are larger in number’ by M. Vasilj – VL says that Mostar is the only city in which the future Mayor or Head of the Municipality will not be elected directly and many non-government organizations, parties and citizens are dissatisfied with this fact and believe that this is about discrimination. VL reminds that member of the BiH Election Commission Lidija Korac has stated for a local Mostar TV recently that it is not good that there is one election system for the City of Mostar and the other for the rest of the Federation of BiH. VL also says that legal experts believe that this is about interfering of politics. According to the article, by imposing a new Mostar Statute High Representative Paddy Ashdown prevented direct election of the Mayor. VL says that it has been suspected that the HR did this because of the fact that the Croat electorate is slightly bigger in number than the Bosniak one in Mostar. |
| Bandur on organization of FTV
| Dnevni List pg 8 ‘I will stand for a few channels on FTV’ by NINA – Consultations regarding the first meeting of a working body whose goal is drafting of the proposal on organization of public broadcasters at the level of the Federation of BiH with a stress on TV outlets will take place on September 14. HNZ Vice President and representative in the FBiH House of Peoples Mate Bandur, who launched this initiative, stated that he will stand for a few channels on FTV, however, it will depend on members of the working body whether his proposal will be accepted or not. According to Bandur, the final proposal would go at the discussion and adoption in both Houses of the FBiH Parliament in a form of the law. |
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| Miscellaneous |
| OHR official denies being a spy
| EuroBlic cover and RSpg 1 ‘I have never been a British spy’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – Julian Braithwaite, Head of Communications at OHR, told EuroBlic that media speculation, which claim he worked as a British spy for years, actually confirm the reputation of this region as the centre of conspiracy theory. He denies those media speculations. In a brief interview to EuroBlic a month before his departure from BiH, he says that HR’s decisions were not too radical, but were painful for BiH. He notes those decisions were necessary, since BiH must go through a transition in order to become a partner of EU and NATO. |