| CROAT RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| SCG President apologizes | SCG President apologizes | SCG President apologizes | SCG President apologizes |
| SCG-BH visa regime | Trade Agreements in SEE | FBIH Gov’t under pressure | FHoR session |
| HoR on defence reform | Elections in SCG | RS salaries and pensions |
|
| Oslobodjenje | SCG President apologized to BiH citizens; Hays: RS Government must decrease expenditures |
| Dnevni Avaz | Belgrade’s historic apology; Hays: We will solve the problem within 24 hours |
| Dnevni List | Apology of President Marovic; Municipal taxes up to half million KM |
| Vecernji List | Prominent Croats threatened with death, Svetozar Marovic apologized to BiH citizens |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Serbia apologized to BiH citizens; Emergency state in Zenica mines |
| Glas Srpske | Elecxtricity bills: They cannot walk inside the homes naked` |
| Nezavisne Novine | Sarajevo: Svetozar Marovic apologised to BiH citizens; Two Mostar refugees in London own “Finance Central Europe’: Fraud directed by Mostar woman Jasna Badzak; Case of coup d’etat: Tapping of Munir Alibabic violates Constitution; Banjaluka: Minister Savanovic “locked” the door before students |
| Blic | Svetozar Marovic: ‘Sorry’; Agreement failed: Students were left in front of the Government because of scarves; Prijedor: Graffiti against the Mayor |
| Dani | Bosnian Muslims – European enemy number one |
| Slobodna Bosna | Who produces affairs in BiH? (State coup, communist police associates, wiretapping of diplomats) |
| Ljiljan | Governing coalition falling apart – SDA dismissed Party for BiH? |
Apology by SCG President | |
| SCG President apologized for BiH citizens; mtg of Interstate Council | FTV, CRHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4&5 ‘SCG President apologized for BiH citizens’, pg 4 ‘Marovic offers settlement on BH Lawsuit’ Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Belgrade’s historic apology’, pg 2 ‘Marovic apologized to BH citizens’, Vecernji List front, pg 3 ‘Svetozar Marovic apologized to BiH citizens’, Dnevni List front, pg 5 ‘Apology of President Marovic’, ‘Crossing of border with identity card as of January 1, 2004’, Slobodna Dalmacija front, pg 7 ‘Serbia apologized to BiH citizens’, Jutarnji List pg 11 ‘Svetozar Marovic apologized to BiH citizens’, Vjesnik pg 12 ‘SCiG President apologized to BiH citizens’, Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 3 ‘Svetozar Marovic apologised to BiH citizens’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Agreements instead to lawsuits’, Blic pg 3 ‘Apology of Marovic in Sarajevo’, Vecernje Novosti pg 13 ‘Time of forgiving is ahead of us’ – The President of Serbia and Montenegro, Svetozar Marovic, on Thursday apologised to all citizens of BiH, for their sufferings and misfortunes caused by the war. At the press conference following the meeting of the Interstate Cooperation Council between BH and SCG, Marovic said that he came to BiH with the messages of forgiveness and reconciliation, which was a precondition for building a better future of the region in the united Europe. Marovic: ‘I have a duty to apologize on behalf of me and those I represent to every misfortune and evil anybody in Bosnia and Herzegovina suffered because of anybody from Serbia and Montenegro.’ Chairman of the BH Presidency, Dragan Covic said President never thought the apology would happen, but added that has a lot of understanding for the act of SCG President, while Serb member Borislav Paravac failed to hide his anger over this act. He added that the BiH lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro was not discussed at the meeting, and stressed that was the issue for legal experts to discuss among themselves and not the politicians. At the session of the Inter State Council, BH and SCG Foreign Ministers Mladen Ivanic and Goran Svilanovic signed today the agreement on academic and technical co-operation and the agreement on travel of citizens from both countries, which enables BH and SCG citizens to cross borders only with ID cards. The agreement comes into effect on January 1 2004. BHTV 1 – President of SCG Svetozar Marovic underlined: ‘My apology is not only a move of courtesy, but a sincere excuse for all evil things that anybody committed against people in BiH… People should not suffer because some individuals committed bad things’. Chairman of BiH Presidency Dragan Covic: ‘We were not prepared for such statement, but we have understanding for his intentions for such move.’ |
| BHTV 1 interview with Marovic | BHTV 1 – In an exclusive interview for BHTV president of SCG Svetozar Marovic elaborated some of issues of relevance for bilateral relations. Marovic stated: ‘We need to discuss economic issues and arrest of war criminals. There are still many obstacles for trade and we need to remove them. Trade between Serbia and RS is declining, so it opens opportunities for Federation to step in… Port of Bar is ready to become reserve port for BiH if there are problems in accessing Ploce Port, and SCG does not condition such an agreement… SCG is also interested for highway Vc if it becomes international project under commercial terms…I apologised because 10 million people can not be responsible for warfare and those individuals who are responsible should be prosecuted and sentenced… Arrest of Mladic is not questionable at all, but authorities in SCG do not know his whereabouts. Some opposition parties support him to hide, but rightwing and nationalist can be found in anywhere…all indicted war criminals should be brought to justice either before the ICTY or local courts.’ |
| Reactions on apology by SCG President | Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Contribution towards better understanding’ – Member of BH Presidency Sulejman Tihic welcomed the apology by SCG President to BH Citizens: ‘I see this statement as the contribution towards better understanding and development of well-intentioned neighbouring relations between our states. This statement has nothing to do with the BiH lawsuit against SCG and in no way it can threaten the procedure led in the Hague’ – stressed Tihic. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Apology for better relations between BiH and SCG ‘ – With regard to the apology by Svetozar Marovic, President of Party for BiH Safet Halilovic is of the view that statement by Marovic is a political gesture, which should be measures with concrete and practical solutions of life related issues. Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, said that the apology of President Marovic should not be regarded as a recognition and responsibility-taking for war developments, but instead an call for other officials to do the same. DNS assessed that the ‘apology is welcomed, because anybody who wants peace, wants to forget the past.’ Vecernji List pg 2 ‘As Montenegrin Willy Brandt’ by E. Medunjanin – VL carries an editorial with regard to Marovic’s statement. The author says that on the ground of his statement Marovic will score precious political points in Brussels and Washington. The author concludes: ‘Actually, it might be said that SCiG citizens will benefit more from Marovic’s apology than BiH citizens, to whom this apology was made.’ Vjesnik pg 12 ‘Marovic’s ‘We are all equally guilty’’ by M. Barisic – Referring to Marovic’s statement saying that officials in Sarajevo and Zagreb should apologize as well, says that this Marovic’s call on mutual apology should be rejected as another attempt of aggressor to reduce his crime and to transfer his own responsibility for the aggression to the victims of the Great-Serbian aggression. |
Political issues | |
| FBiH HoR on army apartments
| BHTV 1, CRHB, RTRS, FTV, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘JNA officers left without military apartments’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘No return of apartments to the officers of neighbouring states’, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘JNA officers will not get back apartments in FBiH’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Return of apartments to military personnel in FBiH unabled’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Military persons cannot claim apartments in BiH’, Blic pg 13 ‘New conditions for military apartments’ – The FBiH House of Representatives adopted in an emergency procedure on Thursday the draft law on amendments and addenda to the Law on the sale of flats with tenancy rights. The law was tabled by the parliamentary floor group of the SDA, and the amendments refer to the return of army flats. The amendments ban army personnel who had a flat in the FBiH and served in the armed forces outside BiH from regaining their flats in the Federation. The amendments also stipulate that these individuals cannot get any compensation either. In addition, individuals who had a flat in the Federation but obtained tenancy rights in countries outside Bosnia-Hercegovina are banned from getting their flat in the Federation back. Thus the amendments prevent people from holding double tenancy rights. |
| DA: New crisis in FBiH Gov’t, HDZ refuses to attend the session | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘New crisis commenced in FBiH Government’ by A. Hadziarapovic – FBiH Governmetn was scheduled to hold a session on Thursday in order to discuss the further consolidation of Pension and Insurance Funds, however Ministers appointed by HDZ, led by Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic, refused to participate the session as Government filed to support their proposal and remove leaders of FBiH Financial Police. Deputy FBiH Prime Minister Gavrilo Grahovac stated for DA: ‘Due to these kinds of ultimatums Government was prevented from functioning normally… After HDZ recently walked out of the Government’s session following the established of draft Veterans Law, and now this situation in which the same party regardless to Constitution, law and procedures, tries to impose their stands – it is questionable whether Party for BiH will maintain its involvement in all levels of the authorities. We will re-examine our participations in executive and legal authorities in details, and than HDZ should ask whether they will have a place to return to.’ |
| Possible removals in FBiH Gov’t
| BHTV 1 by Mirela Cosic – The rumours on upcoming replacements in FBIH Government are spreading. Reporter says that it appears that HDZ requested replacements of certain ministers. Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic promised that analysis of performance of the government would be completed in a few days. Federation President Niko Lozancic: ‘I do not want to speculate before analysis is done.’ Hadzipasic responded in a similar manner: ‘I will wait for analysis…this is not matter for SDA, but for the Parliament which has a power to dismiss the government.’ FTV by Zeljko Tica – Replacements in FBiH Government seem likely to happen in next few days, while ruling parties consider performance of their ministers. Most often, the name of FBIH Defence Minister Miroslav Nikolic has been mentioned, as he failed to excise parallelism in his ministry. Nikolic answered to media reports saying: ‘I have not heard anything officially, but learned about it from media.’ Prime Minister Hadzipasic commented that generally he is satisfied ‘with the work of the Government, but there are some pressures made on the government from outside. Complete analysis of government work will be done very soon… I believe it was possible to achieve more in certain ministries…’ Both SDA and HDZ are doing their analyses of government. |
| VL on request to remove FBiH Defence Minister | Vecernji List pg 2 ‘They’d remove Nikolic because of honorary guard for Izetbegovic’ by Zoran Kresic – Regarding the topical issue of request for removal of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Defence Minister, Miroslav Nikolic, VL claims that the real reason behind the request by the Bosniak officials is not Nikolic and Dragan Covic’s decision to reinstate 6 officers with the history in the so-called Croat self-rule, but Sulejman Tihic’s personal revenge on Nikolic. Apparently, Tihic sent Minister Nikolic a request some ten days ago to deploy the so-called honorary guard at the late Alija Izetbegovic’s grave, but Nikolic turned him down. VL also notes that the Commander of the Joint HQ of the FBiH Army deployed the guard without the approval of Minister Nikolic. |
| Brcko Mayor Kisic on Supervisor’s decision to remove him | RTRS, CRHB, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Supervisor Sontheim hurried up with resignation’, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘I was removed without the proved guilt’, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Sontheim already passed judgement’- At the press conference held on Thursday, removed Mayor of Brcko District, Sinisa Kisic stated that he was not responsible for accusations stated against him in the indictment raised by District Prosecutor. Regarding decision of the Brcko Supervisor Gerhard Sontheim, Kisic said that that this was the verdict before court’s one, which breaches human rights. He added the Supervisor has previously removed persons from the office as well, who were indicted, and that was his mistake, since he introduced new moral and political and legal principles. Also, several officials on highest state positions are in similar situation, when indictments against them were raised or criminal charges filed, but they still perform their functions. Kisic said he wonders why Prosecutor’s office was not so efficient in discovering perpetrators of other serious criminal deeds, like murders and tax evaders. Finally he said he plans to start preparing his defence, together with the team of lawyers and other defendants. |
| DL editorial on Brcko officials’ removal | Dnevni List pg 6 ‘BiH does not have extra time’ by P. Gasparevic – An editorial reads that this is the first time in BiH that an international official from the local level removes domestic politicians, adding that the removal might be understood as a sign of de-centralization of the current international institutions and possible announcement of de-centralization of the BiH political system. Also, the author proposes the introduction of districts in BiH because in the author’s opinion it would strengthen the BiH statehood. The author also believes that the BiH statehood is a hostage of the vague wording of the Dayton Peace Agreement. |
| VL interview with Covic | Vecernji List front, pgs 4& 5 ‘Croat Ministers who cannot bear brunt should leave’ by Z. Kresic – In an interview to VL, Chairman of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic Covic says that HDZ will discuss the issue of Croats’ ministers performance in the governments in a month at the latest and added: ‘Personally, I am partially satisfied with the work of the executive authority in BiH. Representatives of Croats, that is, HDZ, cannot function in this way any longer.’ Covic also added that he had a feeling ‘a part of our people is waiting that the IC passes all decisions. It is better to find other solutions for those who show that they cannot bear brunt of the problems and that more determined cadres take over their positions.’ Covic commented that the current crisis in the relation with SDA makes him uncertain they are ‘in the same project.’ Commenting SDA from HNK on Mostar to remain divided in 6 Municipalities, Covic says: ‘Mostar can only be a normal city, to which people will come and not move out from it, exclusively as a unified city.’ Regarding the cooperation with IC, Covic said that it is at the high level, but added that it during the last few years the IC and all its institutions created a dominant position towards the authority and added: ‘I believe that by the end of the mandate of the current High Representative the contents and authorities of the IC’s acting will change considerably to the benefit of creating the domestic authority system.’ |
| Ljiljan on disputes between SDA, Party for BiH | Ljiljan pg. 23 ‘Shareholding companies’ by Sead F. Arslanagic – Arslanagic comments on the disputes between the two ruling political parties, SDA and Party for BiH, started by the statements exchanged between Safet Halilovic and Adnan Terzic. Halilovic first requested SDA to stop appointing its candidates to all positions available, as Terzic responded that the Party for BiH had joined coalition only because of the positions/offices. “Halilovic threatens his party will leave the ruling coalition. Many would recommend him this option since the situation will not change anywhere in the country except in the Sarajevo Canton and the same one would welcome the Party for BiH’s stepping down,” concludes the author. |
| SB: Holbrook on BiH
| Slobodna Bosna pgs. 27-29 ‘Three insane mafias holding power in BiH today’ by Nidzara Ahmetasevic – In recent days, the prominent American institution ‘The Council of Foreign Relations’ has organized a debate on the future of the Balkans and the main guest was Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. He describes today’s BiH as a ‘criminal pool’. He emphasized that shocking 62 percent of BiH’s GDP was being spent in public sector for financing ‘criminal groups pretending to be ethnic political parties. And that is a tragic reality.’ |
| Slobodna Bosna interview with Stability Pact’s Busek | Slobodna Bosna pgs. 40-41 ‘Government in BiH too much relies on OHR as Europe wants your country without Ashdown’ – Interview with Erhard Busek, the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe Special Coordinator. ‘I think it would be good if current government (in BiH) finally strengthen its activities and take over the responsibility. I believe that could finally move OHR aside making them assistants and decision makers,’ said Busek. |
| Ashdown visits Moscow | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ashdown visits Moscow’, Dnevni List page 2 ‘HR for BiH in Russia’ – OHR spokesperson Oleg Milisic stated at the press conference yesterday that High Representative Paddy Ashdown goes to Moscow today where he is to meet with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov. Milisic added that the two of them will be talking about the progress in BiH and crucial reforms in the area of defense, indirect taxation, intelligence services and Mostar. |
Economic and social issues | |
| Hays on internal debt and RS decision on increase | CRHB, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Internal BiH debt about 5 billion KM’, Oslobodjenje cover, pgs 4&5 ‘RS Government must decrease expenditures’, Dnevni Avaz cover ‘We will solve the issue in next 24 hours’, pg 4 ‘The problem with pensions in RS will be solved in next 24 hours’ – ‘The issue with the increase of pensions and salaries in Republika Srpska will be solved in next 24 hours’ – stated the Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays. At the press conference held on Thursday, Hays added: ‘Prime Minister Mikerevic believes that is that the economy in this entity is improving and that the efforts in tax collecting are more successful, and thus, the costs of the government have dropped due to growth of the Gross National Product. However OHR does not understand these facts as Mikerevic.’’ He underlined that OHR’s position is that every activity of this kind cannot be implemented if it is not in line with the IMF Agreement. According to Hays the internal debt in BH is currently estimated at approximately 5 billion KM or about 2.000 KM per person. PDHR Hayd explained this debt mainly refers to government’s debts to the citizens. Hays said that in line with the IMF’s recommendation, based on the previous study of the macroeconomic reality in BH, BH Council of Ministers and the entities’ governments have formed a working group with the aim of preparing proposal solutions. These proposals have been forwarded to the Prime Ministers. PDHR warned that he expects a long debate on this matter, but stressed it is necessary to learn the lessons from countries that have not successfully resolved the problem of their internal debts. |
| RS and IC negotiate increase of salaries and pensions
| BHTV1, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Harsh negotiations with OHR on pension and salary increase’ – Spokesperson for RS Prime Minister Goran Radivojac confirmed at the press conference held in Banja Luka on Thursday that new round of negotiations between IMF, the World Bank and Dragan Mikerevic on increase of minimal wages and RS are scheduled for Friday. Deadline for reaching an agreement in Saturday. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Negotiations with OHR on beginning position’ – Daily says that the High Representative Paddy Ashdown met with Mikerevic on Wednesday in this regard, however that there were no details on this meeting offered to the media. Daily says: ‘No matter how much the Government tries to avoid direct answer what was discussed on Wednesday with Ashdown, there are speculations that these negotiations could be ended to the damage of Mikerevic, that is that the international community could ‘ask him’ to file resignation.’ |
| Hadzipasic on RS decision to increase salaries and pensions | FTV by Aida Salcinovic – Asked to comment possible negative consequences FBiH may suffer if RS decides to pursuits its decision on the increase of minimal wages and pensions which could cause the cancellation of stand-by arrangement with IMF, FBIH Prime Ministers Ahmet Hadzipasic said: ‘Any payment over current capacities would lead either to budget deficit or decreased allocations for state budget… Our behaviour determines future assistance… We need to live up our commitments and follow strict rules…’ Reporter concludes it is still not known what OHR may undertake if solutions is not found till end of week. Trade Unions in RS have announced serious social unrest unless increase is implemented. |
| Ivanic supports Mikerevic on pensions and salaries | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Ivanic supports Mikerevic’ – President of PDP and BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic stated that he supported the decision of the RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic in regard to the increase of salaries and minimal wages for civil servants, regardless to the criticism coming from the international community. ‘With improved collection of taxes RS created conditions that the process of pensions’ increase could start. I think that the pensions are unjustifiably low and that they have to increase. Beside that, non-implementation of the decision by BiH Human Rights Chambe for Funds to take over the payment of pensions to those who paid allowances there [FBiH] contributed to low pensions in RS.’ –said Ivanic for DA. |
| RS Finance Minister says local resources can finance increase | Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Increases from domestic safebox’ – Branko Krsmanovic, RS Finance Minister, told GS that the increases in pensions and salaries can be covered by local resources, not foreign resources and investments. He further says that the RS Government is seriously aware of decisions it passed. He added that general assessment is that this decision on pension and salary increase can be achieved. He also added that Government has no intention of violating the contract with IMF, because it has no interest in doing that. He at the end expressed readiness to share the destiny of Prime Minister for eventual consequences of the decisions. |
| RS Employers Union criticising IC on their stand on increase | Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Ashdown lost the strings’ – Commenting on the latest decision of the the RS Government to increase the minimal labour wages, Damir Miljevic, President of the RS Employers Union, said that the international officials keep repeating that local authorities must take over more responsibility, and when it happens, IC officials start lecturing and exert pressures. He explains that ‘the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown has created a complete drama out of this issue. Actually, OHR has involved in something, which exceeds their authority, it lost strings and started using political arguments to exert pressure against authority, because they do not have any realistic arguments for a dialogue.’ He further stressed that both sides should present exact data to public, on basis of which we could be able to make conclusions as to whether there is a realistic coverage for pension and salary increase or not. |
| Oslobodjenje on Mikerevic | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Mikerevic’s historical ‘no’’ editorial by Hamza Baksic – Regarding the announcement of RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic that he would not give up on the decision to increase pensions and civil servants minimal wages in RS, author writes on possible scenarios and their consequences, but at the same time commending his courage to oppose to the IC. ‘Calculation by Prime Minister Mikerevic suffers of typical flaw – its starts from the need, and not possibility.’ – says author who in principle agrees with the Mikerevic’s initiative, however doesn’t agree with his approach and timing as there are no means for that at the moment. Two possible scenarios are possible – the first, in which Mikerevic fulfils his decision, which would be followed by the IMF and the World Bank’s actions. That, according to the author, would be catastrophic for the entire state. Secondly is that Mikerevic obeys OHR ‘which would turn blade of social revolt, together with obvious … xenophobia, towards Ashdown…’ Author concludes: ‘Mikerevic’s resistance and threat with the inflation… can today have serious consequences… Despite that, his determinacy is impressive, as he is an exception in a sea of officials’ and non-creative… avoidance of the responsibility and politicians’ races for high salaries not followed by the high results.’ |
| Dani: poor assessments of entity governments’ actions | Dani pgs. 16-17 Bosnian Barometer – The magazine awarded RS Government with three black dots (disastrous move) because of its persistence in trying to increase pensions and salaries in the entity in spite of the international community’s warning this cannot be done without appropriate financial coverage. The move hides the Government’s intention to at least temporary ease social tensions and thereby remain in power, according to the magazine. At the same time, Dani gave two black dots (very bad move) to the FBiH Government because it had failed to accept FBiH Ombudsmen recommendation and annul its decision on removal of BH Poste and HT Mostar’s steering boards. |
| RS Government discuss Bulldozer Phase II | RTRS, BHTV 1, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Bulldozer in second gear’, Blic pg 13 ‘The Government must save’ – RS government held a session on Thursday to discuss the Bulldozer Phase II consisted of 50 reforms and measures will now be taken on making changes and harmonising legislation in certain areas. Spokeswoman for Prime Minsiter, Cvjeta Kovacevic said: ‘These new reforms include new accounting standards, recognition of facsimile orders and new approach in fighting corruption and organised crime. Work on these problems will start immediately.’ Cvijeta Kovacevic said that the Government also provided approval for reaching an agreement worth 500.000 Euro between the EU and the RS Civil Defence on a demining program. |
| PDP says Telekom Srpske is the best company in RS | Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘There is no crime in Telekom Srpske’, Blic pg 13 ‘PDP: accusations without evidence’ – PDP representatives Vitomir Tomic and Milenko Antesevic dnied the statement of Prime Minister Milorad Dodik who said that their party had ‘criminal bonds with RS Telekom’. They say that a part of the RS opposition is trying to create such an image that crime is ruling in all segments of society with the support of PDP, just in order for ‘them to take over the authority’. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘PDP threatens to NN’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Shaky accusations’ – Milenko Antesevic, PDP MP, claims that Telekom Srpske is the best company in Republika Srpska, which individuals want to criminalise. He accused opposition parties and NN of performing a ‘lynch against leadership of Telekom and PDP’ on the basis of presumptions. Vitomir Tomic said that SNSD has engaged in a crazed campaign against Telekom, noting that this behaviour is transferred into parliament premise. They called on NN yesterday to give the name of person/s who delivered them special audit report before it was officially published at press conference. |
| ITA update | Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘To appoint the director immediately’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ;Kemanl Causevic, Ilinka Gligoric anad Dragan Prusina proposed’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Three candidates for ITA director selected’ – The press release issued on Thursday by the Indirect Taxation Commission said that the Commission reviewed all 25 applications for the position of ITA Director and short-listed three top candidates, who will be called for interview. |
Defence and military issues | |
| FBiH HoR on defence reforms | BHTV 1, CRHB, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘No return of apartments to the officers of neighbouring states’, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘With amendments to the defence reform’ – FBiH House of Representatives adopted on Thursday a proposal for the amendments to the FBiH Constitution in the field of defence sector, drafted by the constitutional commission of the House, however failed to pass the amendments. The amendments are related to the transfer of entity authorities to the state level in the sector of defense, in accordance with the current reforms in this field. It FBiH President, Niko Lozancic, emphasized their significance, adding that every wrong word could mean a step backwards. It is necessary to establish one command and control of the armed forces at the state level, which is a condition for the admission of BiH into the Partnership for Peace. Slavisa Sucur, Chairman of the Constitutional Commission, said that the proposals for the amendments by Commission and by the FBiH Government were different, there a deadline of 15 days has been give for them to cooperate in order that a joint proposal for the amendments, on which the FBiH Parliament is expected to declare itself. The Government’s proposal for the amendments has the provision on the constitutional protection of soldiers and their family members, which is not treated in a proposal of the constitutional commission. FTV – After the HoR ordered the Commission and the Government to harmonize two sets of amendment, Mile Kudic, member of commission for defence reforms, warned that it means further delay in the reform process. |
| RS Gov’t adopts strategy to fight corruption and organized crime | BHTV 1, RTRS – At its session, the RS Government supported the strategy for fighting corruption and the Action plan with draft conclusions. It also decided to appoint RS representatives to the team for fighting corruption and organised crime in BiH. Spokesperson for the RS Prime Minister Goran Radivojac said that the Government requested that work on developing the law regulating the fight against corruption and organised crime be accelerated. The RS Government calls for the establishment of units that would implement measures and activities in accordance with the above-mentioned strategy and to ensure space and funds for the work of bodies that have the task to implement the strategy. The RS Justice Minister is requested to report to the Government every four three months on the implementation and effects of the Action Plan. |
| Terzic: SIPA to start to work by 31 December | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘SIPA will start working by 31 December’ – Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic said to DA that he expected Sarajevo authorities to sent today official offer for at least one building which would be most appropriate for the headquarters of the BiH State Information and Protection Agency. ‘It is about the project that SIPA can move into almost immediately, it is in state ownership, and as I understood, we will get it for free of charge.’ – added Terzic stressing that by 31 December SIPA could move into those premises [which he refused to say where were they] and to start being operational. |
| SB on wiretapping affair | Slobodna Bosna pgs. 5-8 (to be continued) ‘Hajradinovic case shows that for years now the entire Bosniak political, judicial and police leadership has been corrupted’ Signed by Investigating Team – ‘In recent days, the media primarily pro-Mafia Avaz and disoriented and chronically uninformed Oslobodjenje were writing about an unremembered police-diplomatic scandal i.e. wiretapping of a number of foreign diplomats in a building owned by newly-composed businessmen arrived in BiH from Macedonia, Izet and Elvis Hajradinovic,’ said the magazine. It claims the case shows that for years now all top Bosniak political, judicial and police officials have been corrupted. |
| VL update on intelligence reforms | Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Parliament reinstates 150 intelligence agents’ by Zdenko Jurilj – According to VL, the House of Representatives of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliament will take a decision according to which 150 non-deployed intelligence agents from the SNS (National Security Service, Croat predominant) and AID (Agency for Protection and Documentation, Bosniak predominant) will be employed by the FOSS (Federation Intelligence Service). According to the Deputy Speaker of the FBiH HoR, Josip Merdzo, the faith of non-deployed employees of AID and SNS will be discussed either during the day (today) or at one of the next session of the FBiH Parliament. ‘That would solve the destiny of employees of the two intelligence services who were left jobless in the newly established FOSS because of unjust deployment’, says Merdzo. |
| OSCE welcomes joint board for defence policy | CRHB – OSCE Mission to BH welcomed a decision of the BiH House of Representatives to establish a joint board for defence policy, security and control over the defence structures in BH. This represents successful finalisation of the establishment of the joint Board for Defence and Security, which OSCE has initiated in April last year. OSCE said this was a great step forward in implementation of the commission for defence reform recommendations. |
Legal issues | |
| Orton announces possible extension of his mandate
| Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘OHR employees unfairly treat the appeals on the High Representatives decisions’ – The BiH Ombudsman for Human Rights, Frank Orton, said: ‘If by the end of my mandate [31 December] the new Ombudsmen are not appointed, I will have to stay, as envisaged by the legal regulations.’ At the an informal meeting with the representatives of the media in Sarajevo held on Thursday, Orton was asked to comment on the proposal by BiH Presidency for new Ombudsmen, he stressed ‘that proposed candidates public sees more as politicians rather than like someone that could bring unbiased and independent decisions’. He added: ‘I cannot tell that they would not bring independent and unbiased decisions. I only say that there are seen like that, that is what majority think and how they see Mariofil Ljubic, Snjezana Savic and Safet Pasic.’ BH Ombudsmen also paid attention to several irregularities by OHR employees: ‘You see, when somebody wants to appeal to High Representatives’ [Paddy Ashdown] decisions, who by the way has authorities of Indian Maharaja, than OHR employees say that that person should appeal before the European court for Human Rights. And you know, the appeal there can be filed only against the country who is the member state of the Council of Europe. The High Representative is not the state.’ Following this statement, he also said to the journalist that he ‘proposed to Paddy Ashdown to establish a body which would re-examine decisions imposed by the High Representative.’ Ombudsman’s meeting with the press was also attended by the President of the Executive Board of the International Commission of Judges (ICJ), justice John Dowd. Dowd said: ‘The international representatives that personify the UN structure must not be untouchable. I think that it would be necessary to establish an independent judicial body, whose fundamental task would be to control the arbitrary decisions of international officials, which might negatively affect the status of human rights at local level and damage the UN credibility.’ Oslobodjenje [pg 7 ‘Frank Orton staying in BiH’] also reported on the possible extension of Orton’s mandate. Dnevni List pg 3 ‘New ombudsmen should not be members of political parties’ – Regarding candidates for BH Ombudsmen, Orton stated: ‘It can happen that elected persons perform their duty impartially and independently as Ombudsman should do…However, I doubt that these persons will be considered as the persons who will be performing their duty independently and impartially.’ |
| Sadovic accuses HJPC of being discriminatory towards Bosniaks | Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘We expected that Oja would support the removal of discrimination against Bosniaks’ – President of the SDA caucus of the RS National Assembly Tarik Sadovic stated for DA that the discrimination is present in appointment of judges and prosecutors in RS. Daily says Sadovic proved this with the facts that leading judicial functions there is not a single Bosniak and therefore denies the statement by the Head of High Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils Jan Erik Oja, who stated that HPJC was not discriminating Bosniaks. |