| CROAT RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| BiH HoR session | BiH HoR session | BiH Steel | BL Clinical Centre |
| Free trade with SCG | Hadzipasic in Tuzla Canton | BiH HoR session | RS Gov on Telekom Srpske |
| EU on ICTY | Negotiations on Kosovo | Short supply of passports | CoM Session |
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| Negotiations on Kosovo |
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| Oslobodjenje | Humanitarian worker from Sarajevo indicted for terrorism; War crimes in Mostar: Jadranko Prlic threatened with the Hague; BH Human Rights Chamber: Press release on Srebrenica on Wednesday? |
| Dnevni Avaz | Investigation into the coup d’état: Sealed envelop hides the secret; Avaz learns: Constitutional Court confirmed – Bicakcic, Covic and Garib to stay without immunity |
| Dnevni List | Terzic: Croatia requested to submit deadlines for implementation of Agreement; Proposal of law on intelligence-security service rejected |
| Vecernji List | Intelligence service needs supervision; Army left without helicopters |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features Croatia related headlines |
| Glas Srpske | Medicine Faculty in Banjaluka: Police on test; In Kozarac and Vlasenica: Drinks then fists |
| Nezavisne Novine | Bosko Ceko, Republika Srpska Chief Auditor: Ivanic Government was deliberately violating the laws; Representatives of the BIH House of Representatives: Public hearing of those responsible for alleged coup d’etat; The Republika Srpska Government adopted Action Plan on Telekom Srpske: Replacement of leadership was left on share-holders |
| Blic | Mladen Ivanic: When assessing the budget deficit they mixed apples and oranges; Passports for emergency cases arrived |
Political affairs | |
| BiH HoR on coup d’état, judicial laws, Vc corridor
| CRHB, BTV, RTRS, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Shameful manipulation with coup d’état’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Proposal of law on indirect taxation adopted’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Without discussion on revision of budget’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Urgent establishment of concession commission requested’, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Information on Vc corridor adopted’, ONASA, FENA – The House of Representatives tasked a three-member Investigative Commission to continue the parliamentary investigation into the so-called coup d’état case, and inform the House on the conclusions at the next session. The reason for such a conclusion was a sealed envelope with the sign ‘official secret – strictly confidential’, submitted to Commission Chairman Nikola Spiric by the BiH Ministry of Security shortly before the session. According to the Deputy Minister of Security, Halil Mektic, although the Ministry had requested information about the ‘coup d’état’ case from the FBiH Intelligence Service, FBiH Interior Ministry and BiH Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry received the information no sooner than Friday. House representative Zlatko Lagumdzija said the Commission has failed to find answers to question as to who violated the BiH Constitution. BH HoR at the session held on Monday also adopted the information submitted by CoM on Vc corridor update. BiH HoR also passed set of legislation on judicial system – Law on the BiH High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and the Law on the Court of BiH – which was earlier imposed by High Representative, and Law on Aviation. The House also adopted amendments to the BiH Election Law relating to the new appointment to the Election Commission, given that the Serb member of the Commission, Branko Peric, has resigned due to taking up another office. The new member will be appointed by an ad hoc commission comprising two members of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, the Election Commission and the HJPC each. The amendments also define that the mandate holder in the BiH House of Peoples cannot at the same time have a mandate in the FBiH House of Representatives, or entity and cantonal assemblies. Dnevni Avaz cover, pg 2 ‘Sealed envelop hides a secret/Secret of so called coup d’état stayed sealed in the envelope’ – ‘Security Ministry has undertaken all measures within its powers. We obtained certain information from authorized institutions that dealt with that issue at some time. This Ministry did not conduct separate investigation… The only possibility envisaged by the Law is to have FOSS to unseal this document. Investigation Commission… must be aware that this is secret and public must be switched off, and it would have to find appropriate way to inform representatives.’ – stated Deputy Security Minister Dragan Mektic. Nezavisne Novine cover, pg. 3 ‘Public hearing of those responsible for alleged coup d’etat’ – Nikola Spiric (Chairperson the Commission consisting of Martin Raguz and Sefik Dzaferovic) said that the Commission did not disclose any piece of information in support of the alleged coup d’etat. He also said that “Something big is going on, but we do not know what”. He grounded this claim on the fact that one employee of the Federal FOSS informed them that an internal investigation is conducted at FOSS aimed at interrogating all people, who had any contact with Munir Alibabic. |
| CoM session: Ploce port, trade with SCG, 2004 budget | CRHB, RTRS, FTV, Dnevni List front, pg 3 ‘Croatia requested to submit deadlines for implementation of Agreement’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 4 ‘Croatians requested deadline for signing of protocol’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Precise Croatian stand towards Ploce requested’ – On Monday, the BiH Council of Ministers considered the Proposal for signing the Protocol between BiH CoM and the Croatian Government which would launch the procedure for amending Article 3 of the Agreement on Free Transit through the territory of Republic Croatia in and out of Port Ploce and through BiH territory in Neum. The Council of Ministers accepted the Report on the problematic of the BiH institutions Budget for 2004 on basis of the Supplementary Memorandum on Economic and Financial Policies for BiH. The BiH Ministry of Finance and Treasury was obligated to take all necessary activities for the soonest possible preparing of a draft BiH institutions Budget for 2004. The Council issued the Decision on taking out of force the Decision on provisional banning of the Agreement on Free Trade between BiH and Serbia-Montenegro on goods originating from Montenegro and the goods that Montenegrin companies export to BiH. This decision was adopted after Monte Negro Government adopted Decision on Automatic Application of the Agreement on Free Trade on Monte Negro territory. Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘BIH soon to become a member of CoE’s Development Bank’ – Furthermore, the Council launched the initiative for admission of BiH into the Council of Europe Development Bank. |
| Barisa Colak: HDZ will not support Law on BH Intelligence Service | CRHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘HDZ will not support state Law on Intelligence Service’, Oslobodjenje pg 10 ‘Law on Intelligence unacceptable’, Vecernji List front ‘Intelligence service needs supervision’, pg 3 ‘More modern service is required’, Dnevni List front, pg 7 ‘Proposal of law on intelligence-security service rejected’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 4 ‘Reservations towards new law on defence’– At the session held on Monday, the HDZ Presidency warned that the Law on Intelligence prepared by the expert commission led by Kalman Kocsis is not on the trail of reformatory activities that are necessary for BiH HDZ President Barisa Colak said the law proposal doesn’t deal with some real elements the law should be containing. According to Colak, there is no parliamentary control of the work of the new intelligence service and on top of that, the Presidency believes the proposal of the law defines the new service as a mere merger of the two current services. ‘Solutions in the Bill do not focus on real elements that such a law should include. We declare that parliamentary control of the service has not been included, and we regard as a great omission the fact that the proposed law defines the new service a common merger of the two existing services’, said Colak. HDZ Presidency will support implementation of the reforms in those fields. Colak says the HDZ, apart from some remarks, welcomes the defence reforms, expecting that the BiH law on defence would be adopted by mid-December. When it comes to education, HDZ Presidency requested cantonal ministries (of education) and experts in the field to actively get involved in the process. HDZ opposes the decision by the Communications Regulatory Agency CRA to ban the usage of national prefixes in the names of public broadcasters. |
| SDS on defence reforms | Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Law on Defence maintains Army in Republika Srpska’ – Cvjetin Nikic, SDS Vice President and President of SDS Bijeljina Board, yesterday in Bijeljina stated that the BiH Law on Defence resulted from hard work of well-intended officials of BiH. According to him, this legal solution has allowed that RS maintains its Army. |
| Humphreys met with Covic, Mikerevic and Dodik
| CRHB, RTRS – Michael Humphreys Head of European Commission delegation in BIH, had separate meetings with the RS President Dragan Cavic, RS Prime Minister, Dragan Mikerevic, and SNSD President, Milorad Dodik in Banja Luka on Monday. Cavic and Humphreys discussed in Banja Luka on Monday draft Law on Public Procurement, and the reform of public broadcasters in BH. Humphreys underlined the need and expressed worry over the adoption the law on public purchases in BH, which is one of the key legislations for every EU member states. Cavic said that principles concerning the reform of public services have been agreed and added that reservations concerning the proposed draft law on public broadcasters have been expressed. RS President said that the role of the Communications Regulatory Agency has been overemphasised in the public service reform, which is not the regular European practice. Humphries emphasised that one joined broadcaster does not mean that other broadcasters will lose their differences. Opposition also wishes to see BH in Europe as soon as possible, stated SNSD leader Milorad Dodik After meeting Dodik, Humphries said that EU cannot speculate as to when BiH would be able to join EU, noting that admission will take place when authorities of BiH and the entire society of BiH implement necessary reforms, but he pointed that BH authorities should make key steps by the end of the year regarding defence reform and indirect taxation. Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Laws make sieve thicker’; Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Defence reforms must be completed by the end of 2003’, Blic pg. 15 ‘Public purchases in line with European standards’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘In accordance with European standards’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Mikerevic asked for assistance by EC’s experts’ – Humphreys alsdo met with RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic, when Head of EC stressed the need for continue with the reforms of power supply system. Humphries and Mikerevic concluded that the reforms in the field of customs and tax policy proceed as planned. |
| DA: Winterstein prepared draft Mostar Statute | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Winterstein prepared draft Mostar Statute’ – DV learns that Chairman of the Mostar Statute Commission Norbert Winterstein prepared draft of the document which defines future structure of Mostar city. This document is working material compromising from parts of several European charters on administration of the local self-rule, which will present the basis for Mostar future structure. OHR Mostar Office also confirmed this information, and added that discussion on the document is to be held on Tuesday in OHR. |
| GS on education | Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘Not a step away from core’ – The Ministers of Education of RS and the FBiH will not hold a meeting on 23 October, as had been previously announced, neither will they sign Strategy and policy of modernisation of primary and secondary education in BiH. This means that ministers will not actually sign the establishment of the Agency for curriculum, nor will primary and secondary pupils in Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina will learn from unified textbooks. |
War crimes | |
| EU foreign ministers: ‘Cooperation with ICTY a key factor to join EU’
| BHTV 1, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 20 ‘Cooperation with the Hague a key to accession to EU’ – At the meeting held in Luxembourg, Foreign Ministers of EU member states on Monday confirmed that the full cooperation between the countries of Western Balkans and ICTY a key factor in the accession of those countries to EU. Warning that lack of cooperation would postpone the process, they also insisted on strengthening of national capacities for processing of cases handed over from the ICTY. Vecernje Novosti pg. 5 ‘Cooperate with the Hague!’, Blic pg. 5 ‘Cooperation with the Hague is visa for Europe’- Ministers issued this warning after talks with ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte and her assessment of the level of co-operation between the West Balkan countries and the Hague Tribunal.Del Ponte also informed them about the report she submitted to the UN Security Council in New York on 9 October. EU Foreign Affairs Ministers think that West Balkan states have made progress in cooperation with the Hague Tribunal but that the progress is inadequate and expressed concern over the fact that certain countries are still not fully co-operating with the Tribunal. However, the ministers did not identify these countries. The EU Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Council stressed the need for increasing efforts on arresting and transferring to the Hague Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic and Ante Gotovina. |
| Milojevic on BiH lawsuit against SCG
| Blic pg. 13 ‘We do not protect crime’ – At the PDP press conference, party’s Vice President Goran Milojevic said that – as a Chairman of BiH House of People – he would discuss with Serb representatives in the joint institutions the way for implementing the RSNA’s decision in regard to the BiH lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro. |
| Del Ponte’s interview for VoA | Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Trials in BiH to ‘small fry’, FENA – Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte stated for ‘Voice of America’ that the fact that an increased number of defendants pleads guilty will make the work of the ICTY easier. Del Ponte also said that according to the current situation there should be another 40 to 45 trials and that it was possible that the work on these cases might be completed by 2008. Also, 12 cases in which the suspects are not “bigwigs” will be transferred to BiH, 3 cases with 8 suspects to Croatia and 2 cases with 5 suspects to Serbia and Montenegro. |
| NN: 30 new war crimes indictments | Nezavisne Novine pg. 3 ’30 new indictments for crimes in former Yugoslavia soon’ – SRNA reports that according to a source close to ICTY, The Hague Tribunal will soon publish 30 new indictments for the crimes committed in former Yugoslavia. |
| Oslobodjenje: ‘Prlic threatened with ICTY’ | Oslobodjenje cover, pg 4 ‘Jadranko Prlic threatened with The Hague’ – The Hague Tribunal on media neither confirmed or denied information publicized in media that it gave approval to Mostar Cantonal Court to proceed with the investigation on war crimes committed in Heliodrom concentration camp. ‘Those are rumours circling in BiH media.’ – stated ICTY Spokeswoman Florence Hartman, however she did not want to deny this either. According to ICTY spokersperson in BiH Refik Hodzic, BH courts did not require approval by the Tribunal to process war crimes cases. ‘Courts in BiH are authorized and have a duty to investigate war crimes regardless to the work of the Hague Tribunal.’ – said Hodzic and added that ICTY would get involved only if the investigation might lead to high-ranking officials. Oslobodjenje concludes that certain information say that investigation might connect Jadranko Prlic with war crimes. |
| RS report on Srebrenica | Oslobodjenje cover, pg 10 ‘Press release about RS report on Srebrenica on Wednesday?’ – Srebrenica Municipal Head Abdurahman Malkic says that BH Human Rights Chamber still keeps quite despite of ‘cries from public’ to make RS governments report on Srebrenica public. ‘Obviously RS Government hides what had happened in Srebrenica in July 1995. My understanding that all Ministers from the government of this entity did not participate in drafting this document, and that it is the document by Prime Minister Mikerevic, also proves this.’ – stated Malkic. According to Oslobodjenje, BH Human Rights Chamber will issue official press release on the RS reports to media on Wednesday. Daily also says that judges refused to comment the report in advance. President of FBiH Mission Persons Commission Amor Masovic said he also did not see the report. |
| Wall Street Journal on Srebrenica trials | The Wall Street Journal ‘The Crimes of Srebrenica’ – Excerpt from an article published in the magazine on the trials before the ICTY on crimes committed in Srebrenica: ‘The cases before the [Hague] tribunal these days show that trying leaders responsible for past horrors [in BIH], in a court established specifically to address those crimes, may yet exact a measure of justice. Recent revelations at least help set the historical record straight for people struggling to build stable societies… The wheels of justice have turned very slowly in addressing Balkan crimes. But they are now turning faster and the world is finally getting clearer testimony defining who was to blame.’ |
| BHTV 1 on BiH War Crimes Council
| BHTV 1 by Amir Busuladzic – Special Council for War Crimes within the BiH State Court should commence with its work by mid 2004 and processing of cases in fall next year. Council requires 30 million US dollars to start to function. Since 1992, over 7000 cases related to war crimes have been commenced in BiH courts. Some of them will be sent to the special council. Judge Branko Perisic explained: ‘There are several important preconditions to meet before the Council can start with its work. Technical conditions, translation, witness protection, execution of verdicts, are some of them’. ICTY will probably transfer about 50 indictments to the BiH Court. Head of Judicial Council Jan Erik Oja said: ‘It is necessary to provide adequate conditions for judges…I am concerned that judges and prosecutors may be under pressure, what was case in the past’. Donor conference for new Council will be organised in the Hague at end of October. |
Economic issues | |
| RS Government on Telekom: Action Plan adopted
| BHTV 1, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 10 ‘Telekom Srpske consolidation plan adopted’, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg. 3 ‘Replacement of leadership was left on share-holders’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Telekom waiting for Ceko’ – At yesterday’s session in Banjaluka, the Republika Srpska Government adopted Action Plan on Consolidation of Telekom Srpske. The Plan anticipates that all open tenders at this firm should be reviewed, as well as that the ongoing public procurement processes are suspended if established that irregularities are taking place. Dragan Solaja, Republika Srpska Minister of Traffic and Communication, stated that by 30 October at latest, Telekom Share-Holders Assembly will take place and discuss the conclusions reached by the Republika Srpska Government and Republika Srpska National Assembly . Moreover, they are to adopt measures aimed at implementation of the recommendations from international auditor’s report on Telekom and undertake measures against Management and Executive and Supervision Boards of Telekom Srpske. |
| PDP on Telekom Srpske
| Glas Srpske pg. 2 ‘Truth to be revealed asap’, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Establish real truth’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘PDP demands truth to be revealed on Telekom Srpske’, FENA – At press conference held in Banjaluka on Monday, Goran Milojevic, PDP Vice President, expressed the view that management of Telekom Srpske should be given a chance to present their views on the international audit report on Telekom.He also expressed PDP support to Action Plan on Telekom, which was passed by the RS Government. On Telekom audit report, he expressed the view of PDP that no crime and corruption were involved in this affair, but instead problems resulted from some accounting and technical issues. Blic pg. 13 ‘We do not protect crime’ -“Noone from the PDP is planning to stand behind the crime in Telekom, if it is proved, but we think that first people who work in that company need to be heard,” said Milojevic. PDP wants the representatives of the Telekom, Auditor, Public prosecutor’s Office, etc. to be present at the session of the RSNA Committee for Economics and Finance when Committee discusses the Telekom report. |
| NN interview with RS Chief Auditor on Telekom Srpske | Nezavisne Novine cover, pg. 5 ‘Ivanic Government was deliberately violating the laws’ – In an interview to NN, Bosko Ceko, Republika Srpska Chief Auditor, elaborates on audit report on Republika Srpska budget for 2002. He said that the loss, which audit detected in the Republika Srpska budget for 2002 of BAM 113 million is probably even bigger. Regarding this, he noted that the mismanagement with budget resulted from the fact that those who did the same thing in 2001 were not penalised. On Telekom Srpske, Ceko says that if his Office entered the premises of Telekom, it would detect even bigger loss than international auditors did, because Republika Srpska Chief Audit Office knows local regulations and mentality of persons better than international auditor. He also said that he could perform audit at Telekom, only if Republika Srpska National Assembly ordered him so. In such case, Parliament would have to provide resources for that. |
| Price of third GSM licence
| BHTV 1 – Economic Institute in Sarajevo finds estimate of price for third GSM licence to be undervalued. The Institute believes that 20 million KM, as previously determined by the Price Waterhouse Coopers company, is too low, and estimated in favour of Eronet company. BH Transport and Telecommunications Minister Branko Dokic said: ‘We received revision and we’ll see if these two documents are sufficient to determine price for GSM licence’. |
| DL: Supervisory Board of Croat posts on decision on removal | Dnevni List pg 5 ‘There is not either legal or moral reason for removal’ – the Supervisory Board of the Croat Posts Mostar (HP Mostar) have sent the (FBiH) Ombudsman’s office, OHR and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) Minister of Traffic and Communication, Nedzad Brankovic, an objection against the decision of the FBiH Government to remove the said Supervisory Board. The Board complains that the competent Ministry has not made any written or verbal objections to the work of the HP Supervisory Board and that the Board learned everything about the issue from the media. Moreover, the Supervisory Board says the profits have gone up, whilst the costs were decreased, and goes on to say that the Rulebook on internal organization and salaries in HP Mostar was also adopted, which meant rationalization of jobs and cost cutting. |
| FBiH delegates visits Tuzla Canton, discusses economy | CRHB, BHTV 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Miners, well done’, Dnevni Avaz ‘Starting with production in soda factory is a big test’ – Delegation of FBH Government, headed by the Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic visited Tuzla Canton on Monday and met with the representatives of Cantonal Government. They talked on joined projects, economic capacities, development of agriculture and infrastructure. Representatives of the FBH Government held several meetings with the most significant companies in the Canton. According to Hadzipasic, Tuzla Canton made great progress in the last 5 and half months and initiated many projects. He stressed that soda factory in Lukavac is of strategic importance for BiH and that FBiH government will do everything to see it functioning. Tuzla Canton Prime Minister, Bajazit Jasarevic expressed his gratitude for the assistance in solving problems in the areas where Bulldozer commission did not give results. |
| NN editorial on BiH economy | Nezavisne Novine pg. 7, ‘Economy getting stronger, wallets getting emptier’ editorial by Josip Blazevic, – The author writes about the current economic situation in BiH. According to him, all local and international officials claim that the economic situation in BIH has improved. Theoretically, it has in comparison with previous years. On the other hand, author presents the best indicator of the real economic situation in BiH, which is that a large majority of local population is faced with financial problems biggest than ever before. He further lists three possibilities as eventual way-out from the crisis. First one is that BiH takes a loan from abroad, which is impossible from the practical point of view. Second option is that surplus of value from our own resources and forces are created, which is also impossible. The last option is foreign assistance. However, assistance has been increasing for past years and this year’s assistance is eight times smaller than last year. The author concludes the article by quoting one solution to the crisis to be early elections. |
| Update on Bulldozer Commission | Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Drafting of plan for implementation of reforms from phase 2’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘This month, authorities will receive another 50 demands for changes’ – Members of the Emergency Reform Units of FBiH and the RS met today in Sarajevo to discuss their implementation strategy for the reforms which are now being finalized under Phase II of the Bulldozer Initiative. OHR press release reads that 50 reforms have already been drawn up by the Bulldozer Committees and are now being scrutinized by technical experts. They will be presented to the governments at an official hand-over ceremony later this month – when the clock will start ticking for the government to review and enact the reforms. |
| Nicholl on BiH official credit rating | Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘I expect we will improve BiH image in financial circles’ – Governor of BiH Central Bank Peter Nicholl says that first BiH official credit rating – which estimates capability of the country to pay off loans and debts on time – should improve the image of the country in financial circles around the world. Study is conducted by US company Moody’s and will be presented in March 2004. With AAA as the highest rank, Nicholl said he expected BiH to be awarded with B mark. Central Bank finances the study of capability of the country to pay off the loans, after CoM demanded so as BiH is one of five country in European without a ranking. |
Social issues | |
| BL Clinical Centre ends strike after 4 months
| CRHB, RTRS, Vecernje Novosti pg. 21 ‘Trust opens ambulances’ – After more than four months of strike, workers of Banja Luka Clinical Centre resumed their activities in full capacity on Monday. Strike Board Chair Zdenko Stupar confirmed that patients are being provided full medical services even though the decision on putting a moratorium on the strike has still not been signed. Clinical Centre workers received payments for April salaries last week and expect to receive May salaries this week. Those were the main demands for for ending the strike, which started on May 29. The Clinical Centre’s management is requested to sign an agreement on the pace of paying other earnings and improving working conditions in this medical institution. Money spent by the employees on food, basic sanitary necessities and other things cannot be reimbursed yet, since there is no money in health funds. |
| RS pensioners demonstrations in Banja Luka | CRHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Warning to authorities’, Blic pg. 12 ‘Prelude for 20th October’s protests’, Vecernje Novosti pg. 20 ‘The worst position ever’- Banja Luka pensioners will hold a protest on Tuesday to express their dissatisfaction with the difficult living conditions. Representatives of Pensioners’ Democratic Association, which organizes the protest, said on Monday that the average pension has ranged between 100 and 120 KM for the last 32 months. They stressed that despite adoption of the Pension Disability Fund’s financial plan in August, promised 6 percent increase has not happened. |
| Oslobodjenje: ‘Only half of a pension by the end of year’ | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Only half of the pension by the end of year’ by A Ahemtasevic – Oslobodjenje claims that according to their source close to IMF, pensioners by the end of year would, in the best case, receive only a half of one out of three overdue pensions. This would be a way to acknowledge the government’s discipline, and the final decision will be brought at end of November or at the beginning of December. At the end of November, new IMF mission should arrive to BiH to conduct control of FBiH Government’s fulfilment of the obligation, which includes drafting comprehensive strategy to solve the issue of internal debt. |
| DL Statement of Day, Hadzipasic | Dnevni List pg 2 carries in its ‘Statement of Day’, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, as saying: “The payment of a part of overdue pension depends on International Monetary Fund. “ |
| FBiH MoD and FBiH Army in difficult situation | Slobodna Dalmacija pg 13 ‘Reception of new conscripts is being postponed’ – Due to difficult material situation in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry of Defense and FBiH Army, FBiH Defense Minister Miroslav Nikolic sent a letter demanding from members of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic and Sulejman Tihic to take urgent measures in order to overcome existing problems. The letter also says that in order to secure minimal activities of the aforementioned Ministry and the FBiH Army, apart from regular budgetary funds it is necessary to secure additional 5 million KM. Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Elektroprivreda sticks to contract’ – Elektroprivreda BiH limited delivery of electricity supplies to FBiH Defence Ministry HQ in Sarajevo as the contract on reprogramming of the debt still did not come to force. Nikolic said last week that Ministry and Elektroprivreda reached an agreement to reprogram debt by paying it off in 60 installments starting as of 1 January 2004. |
Legal proceedings | |
| Orao trial adjourned
| FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Procedure adjourned due to two defendants to show up’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Trial in Orao affair adjourned’ – The trial on Orao affar before Bijeljina Basic Court adjourned on Monday, owing to failure of witnesses and two defendants to take stand. The continuation has been scheduled for 3 November. The absentees failed to submit medical documentation to the Court, proving that they are ill, which was an alleged reason for their absence. |
| Oslobodjenje: ‘Humanitarian worker from Sarajevo accused of terrorism’ | Oslobodjenje cover ‘Humanitarian worker from Sarajevo accused of terrorism’, pg 7 ‘Humanitarian worker from Sarajevo indicted for murder of 5 foreigners in Algeria’ – BH citizens of Algerian origin Aissa Benkhaira was apprehended on 19 September at the border crossing Meteljka near Foca, following arrest warrant issued by Asian Interpol. Benkhaira, an official of Kuwait General Committee for assistance to Sarajevo, is a suspect for taking part in terrorist attack in Algeria in 1995, which killed 5 foreign citizens and an Algerian soldier. He was handed over to the BiH State Court, which also precedes the case against Egyptian Jusuf Amgad indicted by his government for connections with allegedly terrorist organization El Islamia. Oslobodjenje wrote earlier that state institutions and judiciary have been in dilemma whether to extradite Amgad and Benkhaira as they could face death penalty in their respective countries if found guilty. |
| DA: Bicakic, Covic and Garib to stay without immunities | Dnevni Avaz cover, pg 3 ‘FBiH Constitution Court confirmed abolishing immunities for Bicakcic, Covic and Garib’ – According to daily, FBiH Constitution Court brought the decision to abolish the immunities of former FBiH Prime Minister Edhem Bicakcic, his deputy and current Chairman of BH Presidency Dragan Covic and former Minister Sulejman Garib in the cases currently under the investigation. Sarajevo Cantonal Judge Vladimir Spoljaric confirmed that FBIH Constitution Court returned cases of mentioned politicians to Cantonal Court for further investigation. |