14.10.2005

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 14/10/2005

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Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 14 October

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS(12,00 hrs)

Presidents’Summit started in Zagreb

BiH HoR endorses police reform

BiH HoR on police

Jovic on const. changes

“Croatian Summit 2005” opens

B.Brod refinery workers on strike

FBiH HoR on police reform agreem.

Brussels discusses avian flue

OHR and Brit. Embassy on Sa Airport

TV news broadcast on 13 October

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

FBiH HoP passed police agreement

NATO raid in Pale

Dozens BiH fans injured in Belgrade

OHR on passing of police agreement

OHR on police reform agreement

BiH national team back to Sarajevo

NATO’s action on Pale

Teachers on segregation in schools

Football game differently accepted

Expo in Zagreb

RS Gov. on Audit Report on “Sume”

NATO searched photo shop at Pale

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Soccer match SiCG vs. BiH

Hooliganism of football match

NATO’s action on Pale

HR on start of SAA negotiations

Regional News

Balance of the football match

Feature on constitutional changes

Announcement of sport programme

FBiH HoP passed police agreement

EU discussing future of EUFOR

Licence plates Fraud

HR on passing of police agreement

 

Oslobodjenje

Supporters from RS caused a war in audience

Dnevni Avaz

Images of fascism displayed at Marakana toured the world

Dnevni List

Federation Government abolishing Financial Police?

Vecernji List

Cardinal wiretapped too (Croatian intelligence involved in alleged wiretapping)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Back to Bosnia with heads smashed up (BiH-SiCG football match riots)

Glas Srpske

Someone has to pay

Nezavisne Novine

Firm of Karadzic’s son-in-law searched

 

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

BiH HoR adopts agreement on police reform

 

 

BH Radio 1 Mustafa Karahmet, RS Radio – At the session today, the BiH House of Representatives has adopted the Agreement on the police reform, which was presented by the RS President Dragan Cavic. Even though the agreement was forwarded for vote without a possibility of amendments, the delegates launched the discussion. Delegate from the Radical party have strongly criticized the agreement, while the parties from FBiH mainly objected the five-year duration of the police reform. Despite all criticism, the representatives agreed that the fact the agreement endorses 3 EC principles is a reason enough to support it. As for the proposal that the destiny of the Cantonal Interior Ministries is linked with the destiny of the RS MoI, the BiH HoR concludes this is to be later discussed by the Collegium of both houses.

Croatian Summit 2005 opens in Zagreb

 

BH Radio 1 Mirza Sadikovic – “Croatian Summit 2005” dedicated to the discussion on the European unification process and EC economic and social models has been launched today in Zagreb. Presidents of Austria, Hungary, Poland, Italy, Moldova, Bulgarian, Albania, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, SCG, Macedonia, Slovakia and Romania, as well as numerous international representatives will take part. BiH Presidency Chair Ivo Miro Jovic is heading the BiH delegation. The summits at the presidential level have been held every years since 1993. Jovic is planned to speak at the plenary session on Friday, and is expected to meet a number of presidents. 

RHB also reports on start of the Summit of Central European Countries’ Presidents in Zagreb this morning. On this occasion Croatian President Stjepan Mesic stated that the EU enlargement is the only way that Europe should take.

Jovic on BiH const. Organization

 

RHB – Chairman of the BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic stated for France Press that BiH Croats demand a right on establishment of their Republic if the RS was not abolished in favour of unified BiH. Jovic also stressed that his basic goal is unified BiH, that is, one entity only.

B.Brod refinery workers on strike

 

RS Radio – Around 1500 workers of Bosanski Brod Oil Refinery, who have been on strike since 05 September over backlog salaries, have blocked all entrances to the company as of this morning. President of the Striking Board, Danilo Brocilo, stated that all entries/exits from the facility is possible under the escort/control of workers, who control the flow through the gates. According to him, workers have decided to undertake this step over RS Government and Refinery management’ failure to respond to workers demands.

 

Incidents/Crime/Legal Proceedings

17 injured at SCG/BiH football match

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5  ‘Supporters from RS caused a war in audience’, Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pgs 2-3 ‘Images of fascism displayed at Marakana toured the world’ – Both dailies dedicated two pages to a number of articles on the football match held in Belgrade on Wednesday when SCG won BiH. They strongly criticize paroles with nationalistic messages [Thank you Ratko; Knife, wire, Srebrenica; itd], singing of nationalistic songs by the SCG supporters from the RS and the tensions throughout the game. In addition, they report that 17 in total have suffered injuries, none severe, as the result of violence between fans during and after the match. DA learns that Serbian Interior Ministry has detained 10 persons, and subsequently it has decided to file charges against four for the violence. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Nothing unseen till now’ by Aj. D. – The Chair of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, attended the game and said that the violence and ‘nationalistic’ behavior was something that has already happened, and will happen in the future, expressing regret this happens. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Unlike football players, many politicians do not live for this country’ by Aj.D. – The BiH House of Representatives Speaker, Nikola Spiric, also attended the match and said that the atmosphere of the game was only the reflection of the tragic conditions we lie in. “BiH pays the price for internal lack of honesty. Those who love BiH will make sure this happens less and less,” said Spiric also criticizing “some” of the paroles displayed. He also expressed regret that BiH has lost the game, but praised the entire team/and its players. 

Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 51 ‘Back to Bosnia with heads smashed up’, by Zeda, Vecernji List, pgs 46-47 ‘Knife, wire, Srebrenica’, by Dalibor Kasac, Dnevni List, pg 40 ‘They were throwing huge firecrackers at us’, by Zeda also covered the issue.

Prosecutor McNair: We still do not have official confirmation Jelavic is in Croatia

 

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘No confirmation Ante Jelavic is in Croatia’, FENA – Head of the BiH Court’s Special Department for Organised Crime, Economic Crime and Corruption John McNair told FENA on Thursday that the Prosecutor’s Office still does not have confirmation that Ante Jelavic is in Croatia, even though Croatia has been requested through official channels to check if Jelavic is in this country. The BiH Court sentenced Jelavic to 10 years imprisonment last week for abuse of position while he served as the FBiH Defence Minister. Jelavic did not show up for the sentencing and has been on the run since then. McNair repeated that the BiH Prosecutor’s Office expects Jelavic to be arrested and to serve his sentence in BiH. He added that it would be wise for Jelavic to surrender, otherwise he could spend his entire life as an international fugitive.

Croatian judiciary: Without verdict of Croatian court Jelavic cannot serve his term in Croatia / Jelavic’s bail amounting to 500 000 KM to be transferred to state budget

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Without verdict of Croatian court Jelavic cannot serve his term in Croatia’ by S.T. – DA learns from the Croatian Ministry of Justice that Ante Jelavic cannot serve his term in Croatia until some of Croatian courts pronounces a sentence against him in the same case. DA inset ‘No extradition’ says that the Croatian Justice Ministry denied announcements that Jelavic might be extradited to the BiH authorities. Another DA inset ‘Jelavic’s bail amounting to 500 000 KM to be transferred to state budget’ carries BiH Court spokesperson Edita Pejovic as saying that the Jelavic’s bail amounting to 500 000 KM will be transferred to the BiH budget. Dnevni List pg 5 Jelavic’s bail to be transferred in budget’ not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 21 ‘Jelavic’s 500 000 KM placed in BiH budget’ by F also carried Edita Pejovic’s statement.

DL: ‘Former Croatian state top under extensive investigation!?’

 

Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Former Croatian state top under extensive investigation!?’ by DL investigative team carries that Croatian President Stjepan Mesic announced a few days ago that the Croatian institutions should reveal as to who was sending money to BiH through illegal channels. A high-ranked Croatian Government official during the 1990s, who wanted to stay anonymous, stated that only 3 persons knew through which channels money from Croatia was sent to BiH and they are late Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak, a person who was the Finance Minister at that time and Prime Ministers to certain extent. DL says that the investigation on this issue will probably be extended on Croatia.

NATO raids a shop in Pale

 

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘Firm of Karadzic’s son-in-law searched’ by M.Cubro Danka Tesic, Spokesperson of the East Sarajevop PSC, Thursday stated that NATO soldiers Thursday searched premises of company “Mobil Photo” in Pale, whose co-owner is Branislav Jovicevic, the son-in-law of Radovan Karadzic. She also said that PSC East Sarajevo took no part in this action, noting that NATO members took away several packages of unknown content from the shop.  Spokesperson of NATO HQ in Sarajevo, Derek Chappell said that NATO’s action in Pale saw confiscation of certain equipment from the company, whose co-owner is believed to be son-in-law of Karadzic. However, Sonja Karadzic denies claims that Jovicevic is co-owner of the shop, while Predrag Sakic claims to be the sole owner of the shop, denying any family ties with the Karadzic’ family.

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Shop owned by Karadzic’s brother-in-law raided’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8, Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Search of shop of Karadzic’s son in law’ by B. Stevandic, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Karadzic’s relatives under strike of NATO’s soldiers’ by M. Zorlak, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 20 ‘Shop of Karadzic’s son in law searched’ by F, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Another blank bullet’ by S.Sekara also reported on the operation.

Gligoric case

 

BHT, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Tihomir Gligoric sentenced to ten months on probation (ten-month suspended prison term)’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Only 10 months of suspended sentence to Gligoric’ by E. Mackic, Nezavisne Novine pg 11 ’10-months probation term to Gligoric’ by A.D. – Representative in BiH Parliament, Tihomir Gligoric was found guilty before BiH Court due to his failure to carryout the decision of BiH Constitutional Court and he was sentenced to ten months probation term. Appealing Council has confirmed that decision of the Court was final and executive. BiH Court Appeals Chamber upheld this sentence, also finding guilty Stamenka Kozomara and sentencing her to 6 months probation term. They were sentenced for the office abuse while serving in the RS Administration for geodetic and Property-Legal Affairs.

GS on BiH CC’s decision for compensation regarding Subotic case

 

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Somebody ahs to pay’ by D.M. – Daily writes about the recent decision of the BiH Constitutional Court regarding Bogdan Subotic, when BiH was ordered to pay BAM 3 thousand for failure to protect his basic human rights related to EUFOR detention. It carries comments of Krstan Simic, Amnesty International and RS Ombudsmen, warning that such arrest are in violaition of human rights. Slobodan Radulj admits those actions DA has entrusted vast powers to international forces, which still do not include violation of human rights.

 

Dayton Anniversary/Political Developments/Reforms

FBiH HoP adopts police reform agreement

 

 

 

RHB, BHT, FTV. RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Agreement on police reform accepted’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Parliament: Croats support police reform’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Reform adopted, none satisfied’ by E. Medunjanin, Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Agreement on police reform passed’ by R.Cengic – At its special session in Sarajevo on Thursday, FBiH Parliament’s House of Peoples passed the agreement on police restructuring in BiH. This agreement was already passed by FBiH House of Representatives, Council of Ministers and RSNA, while BiH Parliament’s House of Representatives will discuss this agreement on its Friday’s session. Deputy Head of EC Mission to BiH Renzo Daviddi addressed the deputies emphasizing the importance of this agreement adoption for opening of negotiations on SAA with EU till the end of this year.

SDA supports police reform based on three EC principles; Party not supporting initiatives for census, establishment of the third entity

 

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘To implement European principles in police reform’, Dnevni Avaz ‘Census possible to be carried out in 2010’, FENA – The Party of Democratic Action (SDA) supports police reform based on the three principles of the European Commission. SDA requests the European Commission to remain consistent during the implementation phase in the interpretation of those principles which include a state police structure without police authorities in the entities and cantons, and that police regions be established based on technical criteria, which means that they cross the inter-entity line. SDA General Secretary Amir Zukic told a press conference in Sarajevo on Thursday that SDA supports the Wednesday’s statement by US Undersecretary of State for Political Issues Nicholas Burns who said that it is time for constitutional changes in BiH, and that BiH should have one president, a strong prime minister and strengthen the state parliament. These are also the principles which SDA supports – a functional and efficient state with a president or presidency with a non-rotating chairman, a government with broadened authorities instead of the Council of Ministers, and an internal organization without entities. “We do not support initiatives for forming a third entity. We think that the internal organisation of BiH should be based on economic criteria and that the country should be divided in five economic regions”, Zukic said. SDA rejects the initiative of SNSD for pitting the census as an item in the BiH Budget for 2006. Zukic said that this initiative is mere politicisation because without a law on census, the implementation of the Law on Statistics and the establishment of a single statistics structure it is impossible to plan funds for these purposes in the budget. “We support the position of the European Commission that the census is realistically possible in 2010. By then we need to intensively work on the implementation of Annex VII from the Dayton Agreement and the Constitutional Court’s decision on equall status of constituent peoples in BiH”, Zukic said. SDA supports activities on commemorating the anniversary of the death of Alija Izetbegovic. Zukic described Izetbegovic’s role as irreplaceable and decisive in the fight for the independence, international recognition and defence of BiH.

British Embassy, NN op-ed on change of name of Sarajevo Airport : Not wise decision

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Change of name of Sarajevo airport is not a wise decision’ – Daily carries press release British Embassy to BiH released Thursday, saying it is not a wise decision in a multi-ethnic state as BiH to change the name of the International Airport in Sarajevo without mutual agreement. Release further reads: “Regardless of somebody’s views on Alija Izetbegovic, such a decision – without assent of all three peoples – cannot be reached in BiH, ten years after the war. Still, decision on this is not to be dealt with by the international community.”

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘A public secret’ by Slavko Kukic – Writing about developments in BiH, author also criticizes the initiative for change of name of Sarajevo Airport . He moves on further claiming that Sarajevo might get its counter-part capitals, referring to Banja Luka and Mostar. On this he claims this will happen in the future, since both Serbs and Croats have a right to have their Alija’s.

Ashdown: Agreement not perfect, but it is only way to move forward

 

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Agreement on police leads to Europe’ by A.O. – The HR Paddy Ashdown told daily that while the Agreement on police reform adopted by the RSNA is not the perfect solution, he still hopes that BiH parliament will adopt it today as it is the only way to move forward. He adds that in that case, almost overnight BiH will move from Dayton to Brussels phase and will move “towards the time when there will be no more of OHR and Bonn powers will not be needed anymore.” However, Ashdown adds that OHR will stop using its powers only when “SDS, the RS, HDZ and all other parties” stop carrying out measures which are damaging this country: “When they stop doing this, than I will stop using Bonn powers. I will not use measures and sanctions and I will be happy because of it.”

Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Keep entity by police reform, not entities’, by Erna Mackic – Carries an interview with High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, in which he explains the course of police reform in BiH. According to the HR, although there is concern in the FBiH about the agreement on the police reform, especially among the HDZ, because the agreement does not mention the cantons, the paragraph 3 of the agreement says that everything must be done in accordance to the BiH Constitution. On top of this, the HR stresses that the EC and US will keep an eye on the implementation of the agreement, which will make sure that there are no political interferences into the implementation process.

OHR: Local police to cross IEBL

 

RHB, Pink – OHR has called on BiH Parliament’s House of Representatives to pass the agreement on police reconstruction at its session on Friday and open the doors for start of negotiations on SAA with EU. OHR’s Spokesperson Ljiljana Radetic stated at a press conference in Banja Luka that if the BiH parliamentarians seize this opportunity they will show their commitment to Europe and create new political reality in BiH.

FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Police regions will cross entity lines’ by SRNA, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Commendation to police’ by M.Dz. – Radetic also said that the Agreement on police reform will enable police regions to cross the Inter-Entity Boundary Line (IEBL) if necessary. Radetic stated that there will be only one Ministry of Interior and that police regions in BIH will be established on the basis of the technical and not political principles.

SRS Mihajlica calls for referendum on police reform in RS

 

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Different interpretations’ by S.S. Milanko Mihajlica, President of SRS , in Zvornik Thursday assessed that upcoming parliamentary elections are of extreme importance, reiterating SRS ’ view that people of RS should voice their stances regarding police reform at referendum. He claims that on one side, SDS , SNSD and PDP interpret this Agreement in one manner, while international community, on the other hand, interprets it differently.

EU Parliament’s Pack on necessity to adjust DPA

 

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘To abandon ethnic stands in BiH’ not signed – At the session with regard to the 10th Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) anniversary a Head of the EU Parliament Delegation for Southeast Europe, Doris Pack, stated that BiH politicians have to successfully ‘adjust’ the DPA 10 years after its adoption in order to establish an efficient and smaller state apparatus and meet pre-requisites for joining the EU in this way. She stressed that the DPA is no enough any longer and she judged that for this reason Serbs, Bosniaks and Croats must abandon ethnic stands and reach an agreement on the joint framework for BiH. Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Europe will not receive country with 200 Ministers and 14 Parliaments’ by L. Sinanovic, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Politicians need to adjust Dayton agreement’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Politicians in BiH must adjust Dayton’, by ra carried similar reports.

Participants in drafting DA K. Trnka, M. Tadic and K. Zubak on constitutional changes

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Zubak: RS should be reduced on Canton’ by H. Orahovac carries Kasim Trnka, Kresimir Zubak and Mato Tadic who took part in drafting the DPA 10 years ago say that the time has come to change the DPA. Trnka says that the BiH Constitution should be changed and he believes that it would be easy to make it if there were the political will from the RS. Tadic believes that through changes of the Constitution a functional state should be made of BiH in which rights of all 3 constituent peoples would be well protected. Zubak stands for drafting a completely new Constitution, however, if this is not possible corrections of the current one should be made. He added that if the RS must ‘survive’ in a new constitutional arrangement then it should be given competence that Cantons currently have.

SDA and SDP in favor of constitutional changes, and for SDS it is too early

 

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘SDA and SDP in favor of constitutional changes, and for SDS it is too early’, mentioned on cover, by Az.K. – A.O. – SDA supports the initiative of the US Administration for the change of the BiH Constitution presented by the US Under Secretary Nicholas Burns who visited BiH this week. SDA General Secretary Amir Zukic comments that SDA advocates for the functional state with one president or the Chair of the Presid4nc who would not rotate. It is also in favor of the state government with broader powers than those of the BiH CoM at the moment. SDP official Damir Hadzic also welcomes Burns’ initiative, adding BiH politicians should use the occasion of the 10th DPA anniversary to discuss the constitutional changes. On the other hand, SDS believes that Burns suggestions are “problematic” and that BiH is not ready for such changes in the current situation. SDA Vice President, Momcilo Novakovic said that it is still too early to discuss this. HDZ spokesperson Miso Relota said that constitutional changes can be agreed on only in the Parliament, adding this party is ready for them.

NN: Comments following Nicholas Burns’ initiative for constitutional changes

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘A function of President disputable’ by V.Popovic/M.Cubro – Following proposal of Nicholas Burns regarding constitutional changes in BiH (including establishment of position of President of BiH, inert alia), daily notes that leading parties from F BiH (Sefik Dzaferovic from SDA, Safet Halilovic from Party for BiH) support the initiative of the American Administration. It also carries comments of parties from RS.Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, reiterated SNSD stance on this issue, promoting SNSD Declaration recently presented (proposing BiH should be composed of federal units not entities). Mladen Ivanic, PDP President, stated that constitutional changes are not an issue here, adding that the issue of election of members of Presidency should be settled in the manner that would not harm any of three BiH peoples. ML;aden Bosic from SDS was cautious in giving statement on this, saying SDS is still to take official position on this. Tihomir Gligoric from SPRS , is of the view that issue of constitutional changes can be raised only on the basis of consensus of all three peoples of BiH, without imposition of solution at the detriment of any of the peoples.

NN op-ed on political situation in the region

 

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 8 ‘The end of beginning or beginning of the end’ by Miroslav Mikes – Writing about political situation in the region, the author notes nationalism, chauvinism and autism still exist here, stressing fortunately, NATO pact, which does not allow escalation of primitivism is guarding us. On police reform, he promotes police reform in line with EC principles, stressing that it is still left to be determined whether RS powers guaranteed by DA will not be respected in regard to IEBL crossing. Raising the question into reason why such Agreement on police reform was adopted now, he observes Agreement is “still undetermined” and to face with certain problems in its implementation. On this he adds it was inadmissible to leave BiH lagging behind Croatia and SiCG on path to EU, noting that “owing to dignity of those who appointed him, HR should complete his mandate successfully. Hence, it is of no relevance what was adopted, when and how it will be implemented – instead, it is important to stress that partially determined principles have been accepted in order to bring us closer to the family of developed world states. On long tracks, this is the most important.“

An international conference Ten Years after Dayton to take place in Geneva from October 20-21

 

BHT, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘New voices for BiH’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘A vision of development and future of BiH necessary’ by A.Sisic – At an international conference organized by Association ‘BiH 2005’ entitled “Ten years after Dayton” scheduled to be held in Geneva on 20 and 21 October, over 500 experts from BiH and the world shall deal with BiH future, namely constitutional and legal organisation and economic development. The existing BiH Constitution presents weakness for both of these aspects, claim the Association ‘BiH 2005’ members. Its Executive Director, Christophe Solioz, notes the mood for changes does exist stressing it was essential that the local BiH experts be initiators of all the changes and not the international ones. President of Association BIH 2005 Jakob Finci stated that situation creates the Constitution and not vice versa. He added that since there are proposals for the reform of the BIH Constitution it is obvious that something must be changed. Geneva Conference will mostly focus on economic development of BiH, but also on the issues of education, justice, reconciliation and stabilization in the region.

VL: Covic and Martens to meet on November 7; Covic says he will not leave BiH because of trials against him

 

Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Covic and Martens will meet on November 7’, by Vlatko Ivankovic – According to VL’s unofficial information, the President of HDZ BiH, Dragan Covic, will meet the President of European People’s Party, Wilfried Martens, at Brussels on November 7, when he will be presenting Martens all evidences that will show that the 9th HDZ Congress was carried out in accordance with democratic principles.

Slobodna Dalmacija, pgs 18-19, mentioned on front ‘I can leave BiH only in a coffin’, by Zlatko Tulic – Carries a brief interview with Covic, in which he announces that he would be meeting with Martens at Brussels soon. Asked whether he fears that he would be put in detention because of the Jelavic case, since he is being tried by the BiH Court too, Covic says he has no fears, arguing that he will stay in BiH because he believes in the state. Commenting on speculations that the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, might remove him from the office of HDZ President, Covic has the HR does not have the power, not even stipulated in the Bonn powers, to do it. However, he says even if it happens, it would not be a surprise.

SB: If HDZ ignores EPP, it will face great problems; strong internal conflicts yet to happen

 

Slobodna Bosna pgs 12-13 ‘Will Dragan Covic comply with EPP’s conclusions and leave the HDZ leadership to Bozo Ljubic?’ by S. Mijatovic – SB writes that if the HDZ top officials continue to ignore the recommendations of the European People’s Party, lead by Wilfred Martens, to carry out new elections of party’s leadership, they will face serious problems – not only the certain internal division but also loss of the observer status in EPP. Martens wrote to HDZ last week following the complaint filed by Dragan Covic’s opponent in the elections, Bozo Ljubic, who claims that the elections were fraud. SB’s source in HDZ says that the leader of HDZ Croatia, Ivo Sanader, was the one who establishment/mediated in Ljubic-Martens contact, and meeting held in Dubrovnik last month also attended by Martin Raguz, Ivan Madunic and Josip Merdzo. SB concludes that the HDZ Presidency and Main Board session clearly demonstrated division in the party, but concludes that the strongest inter-party conflicts are yet to happen especially since Ljubic collected two new 200 signatories of support and allegedly announced he will publicly present evidences next week to prove Covic falsified election results.

HDZ’s Ivo Miro Jovic, Dragan Covic lobbying for third federal unit in BiH

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Third federal unit or abolishment of RS’ by AFP– Attending regular annual Summit of Central European Initiative in Zagreb, Ivo Miro Jovic, Chairperson of the BiH Presidency, stated that Croats in BiH will demand a right to establish their own republic unless RS is abolished, adding: “I have nothing against Serbs, but if they have Serb Republic, then we should have Croat and Bosniak Republics.”

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Sarajevo as Brcko’ – Dragan Covic, HDZ President, says that HDZ advocates establishment of federal units within BiH. Speaking of Sarajevo , Covic said that this city – if it is to be capital – cannot be organized as it was so far but instead it should be a district as Brcko.

SB brings alleged OHR’s analysis: Ruling coalition must go; SNSD, SDP, NHI HSP-HSS should replace it; SDP’s problems: communist support/arrogant leader; SBiH a wildcard

 

Slobodna Bosna pgs 18-21 ‘British Lord admitted capitulation in BiH’, mentioned on cover, by Asim Metiljevic – SB obtained the copy of alleged OHR’s document titled “Elections 2006”, supposedly presented to the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board last week. According to the document, the OHR deems that the current ruling coalition of SDA, SDS, HDZ and two satellite parties – Party for BiH and PDP – is not ready or mature to take over responsibilities in the country concluding they have to leave the authorities. Upcoming elections in 2006 must mark a change of ruling parties, otherwise IC would allegedly have to either give up entirely from BiH or to continue with aggressive approach in the country thus delaying it’s process of European integrations. The coalition has already disabled the plan of OHR’s withdrawal as of 2005 as planned earlier, as the year was marked with numerous crises in all levels of authorities and obstructions. SB further claims HR Paddy Ashdown allegedly advocates lobbying and encouraging of the new authorities comprised of SDP and SNSD and three Croat opposition parties, HSP, NHI and HSS, whose cooperation could be in a form of coalition, union or even a joined party. The document supposedly dedicates entire chapter “Ally or die” to the HSP’s success in the last few years. As for the Serb political scene, document allegedly proves OHR has no dilemma – SNSD and Milorad Dodik are the only alternatives to SDS and PDP. It has been noted “the rightist Milorad Dodik’s rhetoric could be frustrating for non-Serbs” and make possible [strong] Coalitions with FBiH parties difficult, but the conclusion acknowledges Dodik has not even tried the later. The biggest surprise of the analysis, says SB, is “OHR admitting” that the reformatory coalition “is practically impossible without SPD’s participation.” However, the “new SDP” [emerged after 2004 local elections] apparently has two immense problems: “arrogant leader, Zlatko Lagumdzija” and a support of the “old communist intelligence”. However, SDP has been deemed by the OHR as stabile/well organized party as demonstrated in their political campaign against VAT [which, notes SB, OHR doesn’t support but still appreciates as professionally carried out action]. Finally, OHR also sees the Party for BiH as a Wildcard, a reserve plan in case SPD lacks Bosniaks votes. While document notes the party has been seen by Serbs as “light SDA”, its founder, Haris Silajdzic, still enjoys very strong support of Bosniak electorate body. 

 

Economic/Social Issues/Education

DL: FBiH Government wants to abolish FBiH Financial Police?

 

 

 

Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 2 ‘Federation Government abolishing Financial Police?’, by Zvonimir Jukic – Learns from a source in the FBiH Government that the said Government will during Friday’s session (today) discuss a proposal according to which the FBiH Financial Police is to be abolished. According to the source, the ruling SDA and HDZ want to eliminate the Financial Police, and it is the HDZ President, Dragan Covic, who stands behind the proposal. DL notes that his main motive is the fact that the Financial Police gathered a lot of documents on his involvement in illegal privatization of ‘Soko’ company of Mostar. DL also says that Covic is in good relations with the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, therefore many expect that the OHR would not object to the plan.

BiH Publishers call on Terzic to exempt publishing from VAT

 

Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Prime Minister, exempt print media from VAT’, by Mensud Zorlak – The Association of BiH Publishers has sent the Chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, a letter asking him to exempt the print media from the VAT, arguing that the imposition of the VAT on print media represents taxing of information, opinion and knowledge. Dnevni Avaz pg 10 also covered the issue.

BiH Trade Union of primary schools education on problems in this area

 

Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Children abandon school in great numbers’ by M. Zorlak carries that representatives of the BiH Trade Union of primary school education warned that the situation in this area is disastrous. President of this Trade Union Ibrahim Halvadzija stated that it is alarming that an increasing number of children abandon primary schooling and he explained that the main reason for this is poverty. The Trade Union also stressed the issue of segregation in schools and Halvadzija added that none from the BiH political structure does anything to stop this negative practice. Other media in BiH also covered the issue.

RS Govt. discussed Audit Report on “Srpske Sume”, Lukic case

 

Pink, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Police ordered to identify those responsible for illegal activities’ by P.Klincov – The RS Government Thursday ordered RS MoI to identify those responsible for illegal activities at JP” Srpske Sume”, mentioned in RS Chief Audit Report on this company’s dealings. According to RS Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water-management Goran Petkovic, RS Government expects the Company to regulate the trade of wood assortments, to increase number of constructors in forestry and to take care of increase of reserves of wood mass, while the next step will be to reduce number of forest units and appoint new management. Perkovic stressed that Directors of forest units cannot be re-elected at those units, where negative economic effects were observed or where irregularities existed, adding that local officials had an enormous influence upon the work of forest units. It was stressed that Inspection will have a lot to do, while Ministry of Interior and Prosecution will be included into the issue. Furthermore, Company has many things to do, from establishment of the central account, to the fight with pests and prevention of illegal forest cutting, while all prosecuted reports should be realized.

Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘”Lumbering” waiting for director’ by G.Dakic – apart from carrying Perkovic’s statement, it includes inset “Lukic”, saying that daily learns from unofficial sources that Government Thursday “deprived” Radomir Lukic of September salary.