Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| Beslic elected Mayor of Mostar | Martens cancelled trip to B. Luka |
| BiH HoP discusses Law on VAT | BiH HoP in session |
| Talks on Karadzic, Mladic surrender | RS NA to convene Wednesday |
TV news broadcast on
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Meeting on BIH police ref. | Pandurevic case | Magros privatisation | Police reform in BIH |
| Discussion on Constitution | Police reform in BiH | PRC session continued | HR on police reform |
| BIH-SCG meeting delayed | Bosniaks on police reform | Statement of Barisa Colak | Reactions to police reform |
| Hays in Mostar | Search for kidnappers | Law on VAT | |
| Oslobodjenje | Two days for agreement or Ashdown’s ruling will follow |
| Dnevni Avaz | Kidnapping conducted by an international group |
| Dnevni List | HDZ’s letter: Stop persecution of our leaders |
| Vecernji List | Citizens owe banks 2,4 billion |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Special warfare against HDZ BiH |
| Glas Srpske | Oppression of Alija’s pupil |
| Nezavisne Novine | Ashdown is imposing a single BiH police; HDZ expects from SDA to realize agreement they have reached; Vinko Pandurevic still refuses to go to RS; False bomb alarm at “Emporium” shopping-center |
| Blic | Joint police at BiH level |
| Vecernje Novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
| Nacional | Features Serbian related titles |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| Beslic elected Mayor of Mostar
| Herceg Bosna Radio – Ljubo Beslic has been elected the Mayor of Mostar by the Mostar City Council today. Beslic was supported by 21 councillors. In a brief statement to RHB, Mayor Beslic promised that the |
| Martens cancelled trip to B. Luka due to bad weather
| RS Radio – Owing to bad weather conditions, Wilfred Martens, PRC Chairperson, has cancelled his trip to |
| BiH HoP in session, VAT on the agenda | RS Radio, Herceg Bosna Radio – BiH HoP is holding its session in |
Police reform/possible sanctions against RS | |
| PRC continued session in
| Herceg Bosna Radio, FTV – Commission for police restructuring in BIH continued its meeting behind closed doors in |
| Sarajevo Canton Police Commissioner: Police in BiH need to be organised in a more efficient way
| BHT, FTV – International representatives in the BiH Police Restructuring Commission (PRC) are of the opinion that BiH police structure has to be organized in a way to serve to the citizens, not to politicians.This Commission is in session as of Sunday. Alarming number of unsolved cases requires more efficient police structure in BiH, said Sarajevo Canton Police Commissioner, Himzo Selimovic, adding that entities’ police forces still had good cooperation so far. “We have very good and close cooperation. Nevertheless, as you can see, we still don’t answer to some of the difficult issues that burdens us, like thefts of automobiles, drugs abuse at the inter-entity lines, etc. I am convinced that police in BiH needs and must be organized in more efficient way,” stated Selimovic. FBiH representatives support establishment of the State level united/single police, while RS representatives support reorganisation, but with entities’ interior ministries. |
| HR Ashdown: EU wants a single BiH police structure at the state level
| RTRS – HR Paddy Ashdown stated that European Commission wants joint BIH police with a jurisdiction at the state level. HR emphasises that it would be unrealistic to expect that the EU will change its conditions. “RS MoI has a number of competences. The police are only one of them, so there is a possibility that the police can work on the state level and that RS MoI continues existing with other competences”, says Ashdown. He added that he would wait for the results of the Commission for police reform in BIH before announcing his measures. “16 th of December is more significant for those who are obstructing BIH’s membership in NATO”, says Ashdown. He also stated that people in public opinion polls stated that they are not happy with the work of the police and when asked by the RTRS reporter whether he is aware of the RS citizen’s opinions regarding MoI he answered that the research into that matter was not carried out. EuroBlic,cover ‘Joint police at BiH level’ and pg. RS1 ‘Single police will cost less’ by Dusanka Stanisic also carries HR’s statement on police reform in BiH. |
| SD: HR Ashdown ready to ‘forgive’ RS’ lack of cooperation in exchange for single Police in BiH
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 16, mentioned on front ‘RS agrees to one Police?’, by Zlatko Tulic – Commenting on the process of Police reform in BiH in BiH, SD writes: “As it always happens in BiH, the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, gets involved in the story, who allegedly promised the RS leaders that he would not undertake any sanctions because of lack of cooperation with the ICTY and that he would forgive them the empty promises they have made so far in case they agree to abolishment of the entity MoIs and accept solution on single Police forces in BiH”. |
| OHR exerts additional pressures on RS representatives in PRC
| Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Ashdown threatens with his decision’, by Dejan Jazvic – Commenting on the process of Police reform in BiH and the work of the Police Reform Commission (PRC), the author says it would appear that a consensus is not at sight because the Serb representatives are opposing any proposal that would endanger the existence of the RS MoI. Commenting on the decision of the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, to remove Ranko Karapetrovic from the PRC, VL says it is about an additional pressure on the Serb side to reach an agreement. |
| RS President Cavic, RS radicals leader disagree with abolishment of RS MoI
| RTRS – RS President Dragan Cavic feels that the concept of police reform in BIH that doesn’t involve the existence of RS MoI is the deepest violation of BIH Constitution. “This is a matter which no one from RS can accept/agree on. The most tragic thing is that it doesn’t reflect at all in the ears of those who are supposed to hear it. The work in the Commission is not a work of consensus. Representative of RS Government Mr. Matijasevic is outvoted. He is expressing RS positions and not the positions of others and impression of conflict between RS and everyone else is being created”, says Cavic. He claims that RS wants to participate in the reforms but not in the concept of joint MoI. Milanko Mihajlica from SRS says that if RS MoI is abolished it would mean that RS will be abolished which is something that all Muslim parties want. Citizens interviewed on the street all agree that RS MoI has to stay. Glas Srpske, pg. 5 ‘Detrimental argues’ by N. D. also carried Mihajlica’s statement. |
| Oslobodjenje: Two days for agreement or Ashdown’s verdict will follow
| Oslobodjenje cover and pg ‘Two days for agreement or Ashdown’s verdict will follow’ by A. Prlenda – Barisa Colak, BiH Security Minister, during Monday session break of the PRC, expressed conviction that the remaining two days of PRC session would be sufficient to make an agreement on final concept of new organisation of police, adding: “I am convinced we will find a solution and will complete the work as planned…It is hard to say whether all these issues would be resolved in detail by then. One way or the other, I am convinced that our work in the next two days would be sufficient to make a concept on BiH police structure.” Kevin Carty, EUPM Commissioner, stated: “These talks represent a part of a long-lasting process. I will only tell you that we are taking part in talks, regarding the future of the entire police force of BiH. It is very important to find a solution, which would satisfy needs of ordinary citizens, instead the state apparatus.” Commissioner Carty stressed that this Commission had been established for the reason to finally establish a police structure in BiH, which would satisfy the needs of citizens, “so they live safely and without fear from organised crime”. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Colak expects good solution (to be made)’, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Current organization of Police is completely dysfunctional’, by B. Kristo, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3 ‘Ashdown is imposing single BiH police’ by M. Cubro also carried Colak and Carty’s statements. |
| SPRS on police reform
| Glas Srpske, pg. 5 ‘Harmful pressures’ by D. M. – SPRS issued a press release on Monday saying it finds as unacceptable the invitations sent to Serb representatives to participate in the work of the Police Restructuring Commission while, at the same time, solutions, chosen by representatives of the international community, were imposed to them. The press release claims those who refuse such solutions are being threatened and seriously warned. |
| SNSD will not support establishment of police structure at the state level
| RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘No support to single poliec’, Nezavisne novine, pg. 3 ‘BiH Constitution cannot be changed by pressures’ by V. P., FENA – Alliance of Independent Social-Democrats (SNSD) Executive Board Chair Nebojsa Radmanovic said on Monday that SNSD will not support the abolishment of the entity interior ministries and the establishment of a single police structure at the state level. Radmanovic told a press conference in |
| Bosniak Caucus to invoke protection of national interest in RS
| BHT, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Parliamentarians and RS MoI advocates for survival of unsuccessful police’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Salkic: We do not trust RS police’, Glas Srpske, pg. 5 ‘Veto again’ by D. Z., EuroBlic, pg. RS4 ‘Bosniaks seek for a protection of interests’ not signed, SRNA – The Bosniak floor group in the RS Council of Peoples has decided to invoke protection of the vital national interests of the Bosniak people in connection with the conclusions of the RS National Assembly about restructuring the police forces in BiH. “The RSNA conclusions talk about the preservation of the current police structure, which has not arrested a single Hague indictee in nine years and nor has it shed light on numerous attacks on returnees and their property, which is why it is not trusted by Bosniak returnees,” the head of the Bosniak floor group, Ramiz Salkic, told a news conference. According to him, Bosniaks believe that the current police organization has proved to be inefficient in preventing various forms of crimes in the whole of BiH. |
| Reaction of SDS’ Dusanka Radjevic to veto of Bosniak caucus
| Glas Srpske, pg. 5 ‘Decision was blocked’ not signed – The President of the Serb Caucus at RS CoP, Desanka Radjevic, has stated that the aim of launching the procedure on protection of vital national interests of Bosniaks was to prevent putting in force of conclusions of RS NA on police reform. ‘The true aim was not a protection of vital national interests but blocking of RS NA conclusions’, Radjevic has stated. |
| RS Prime Minister Mikerevic says police reforms must mirror those in defence
| RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘I do not believe Ashdown will remove me’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Mikerevic does not expect Ashdown will remove him’, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘RS MoI must exist’, by bs, Glas srpske, pg. 5 ‘Following the defense pattern’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3 ‘I do not expect to be removed’ by N. N., SRNA – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic has said that his government can only accept police reforms based on the example of reforms which have been carried out in defence and that it will stick to this position. “Any imposed solutions in police reforms in BiH would boil down to forceful change of the BiH Constitution and ad hoc revision of the Dayton Agreement, given that the Ministry of Interior has exclusive authority within the entity,” Mikerevic told journalists in Banja Luka on Monday. Commenting on the possible punishments which may be announced by High Representative Paddy Ashdown on December 16 for lack of cooperation with the Hague tribunal, Mikerevic said that he did not believe that this would result in personnel changes and that he did not expect “any crucial” punishments against institutions. The RS prime minister said that he did not expect to be replaced “although he had heard about such speculation by the |
| 11 NGOs demand from RS Government to resign
| RTRS, Glas Srpske, pg. 2 ‘Resignation by Wednesday’ by Srna – Representatives of 11 NGOs on Monday evening demanded from RS Government to resign by Wednesday, December 15, and they demanded from RS President Dragan Cavic to sign out early parliamentary elections. The NGOs fully supported RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic, who has stated during a session of the Police Restructuring Commission he could not sign transfer of the authority and forming of a centralized BiH Ministry of Interior. Slavko Jovicic, the Deputy President of RS Association of Former Camp Inmates, has invited EU HR for Foreign Affairs and Security Javier Solana to urgently come to |
| RS Vice-president Osmanovic: RS MoI is responsible for non-admission of BiH to NATO
| Nezavisne Novine, pg. 8 ‘RS MoI is responsible for non-admission of BiH to NATO’ by V. Popovic – RS Deputy President Adil Osmanovic thinks the responsibility for non-cooperation with the Hague Tribunal falls on RS institutions, primarily on RS MoI. He also points out that the non-cooperation with the Hague Tribunal is the key obstacle for the admission to PfP, as well as that hiding of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic shows they are afraid of a fair trial and they feel guilty and responsible for what had happened. ‘BiH needs a single police force because RS MoI, with its top personnel that systematically obstruct cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, is a non-transparent and non-democratic institution’, Osmanovic has stated. |
| DL believes RS will agree to single Police
| Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Abolishing of RS MoI’, by Erna Mackic – Commenting about possible scenario that could take place with regard to the Police reform process, the author says it is very hard to predict the outcome, however the author reckons in case the Police is not organized as a single force and without interference of politics, it is highly likely that the RS Interior Ministry will be abolished. In that context, the author wonders whether such scenario would lead to the fall of the RS Government and the author says the RS Interior Minister, Darko Matijasevic, is not that naïve. “He knows it is better to have at least a single Police, than have no Police at all. Namely, if there can be joint military, why not have a joint Police”, concludes the author. |
| NN op-ed on police reform
| Nezavisne Novine, op-ed pg. 7 ‘Police in accordance with wishes’ by Dragan Risojevic – the author writes about the police reform in BiH and says one should not doubt that a single police structure had been prepared a long time ago. He says it is now only expected that the Commission states the members had not managed to overcome differences among them for HR Ashdown to publish the expected decision. One should not doubt that such a decision would be in accordance with wishes of the Federation of BiH and Wilfred Martens, the author concludes. |
Crime/legal proceedings/war crimes | |
| Dnevni Avaz: Child kidnapping conducted by an international group | BHT, Dnevni Avaz cover page, pg 29 ‘Kidnapping conducted by an international group’ – Spokesman for the Sarajevo Canton Prosecution Oleg Cavka told the daily that an organized international group of criminals stood behind the recent child kidnapping in Sarajevo. |
| BiH Press Council condemns daily’s reporting on child kidnap case
| Herceg Bosna Radio, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Fierce condemnation of Dnevni Avaz’s decision’, ONASA – The BiH Press Council issued a statement on Monday condemning the decision of the Sarajevo Dnevni avaz daily editors to publish information on the kidnapping of a seven-year-old boy in their Friday issue, prior to the completion of the police investigation. The Council said that Dnevni avaz violated the Press Code, voluntarily adopted by journalists in BiH, in Article 11 on the protection of children and minors, which states that journalists may not publish photographs or information on children younger than 15 who are in any way involved in crime, either as perpetrators, witnesses or victims. “The regulation on public privacy and journalists’ obligation to be considerate when reporting on personal tragedies were also violated,” read the statement, adding that the Council is aware of the power of media and their preventive and advisory role, although Dnevni avaz has shown vast self-will in decision-making and assessment. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Whom the self-styled Press Council really protects?’ – The editorial staff of the daily rejects all the BiH Press Council’s accusations saying it is about a body comprising incompetent and irrelevant persons. |
| Media: Talks on surrender of Karadzic, Mladic underway
| Dnevni Avaz cover and pg 3 ‘Talks on surrender with Karadzic and Mladic conducted’ by E. Sarac – The source close to the BiH OSA (Intelligence and Security Agency) told DA under condition of anonymity that intensive talks on their voluntary surrender with the most wanted wra crime suspects, Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic, were conducted in the period between 30th November to 2nd December. Unlike previous attempted talks run by international officials, this attempt was run by the officials of RS and Allegedly, Karadzic was ready to surrender, while Mladic turned the deaf ear to this. Since the talks failed, Serbian authorities conducted a “salutary act” by arresting Vinko Pandurevic, who, according to DA is are the prison in Sremska Mitrovica ( Vecernje Novosti, pg. 2 ‘Carter and Djordjevic should persuade Karadzic’ not signed – the article reads a group of Serb people who live and work in United States have brought an initiative, for the benefit of Serbia and Serb people, to have former US President Jimmy Carter and famous plastic surgeon Borko Djordjevic (who lives and works in US) to try to persuade Karadzic and Mladic to surrender to the Hague. As according to the proposal, Carter and Djordjevic would act as mediators between Karadzic and Serbian Minister for Diaspora Issues, Vojislav Vukicevic, has informed Serbian President Boris Tadic and Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica on this initiative but they still have not replied to it. VN carries two insets: ‘The best for Serbs’ – Serbian Minister for Diaspora Issues, Vojislav Vukicevic, said he was informed on the initiative and he fully supported it. ‘This is the only and the best solution for Serbs’, Vukicevic said. ‘Welcome help’ – The Office of Serbian President Boris Tadic on Monday confirmed they have been informed on the initiative of a group of Serbs who live in US. The Office stated they welcome any kind of help. |
| Update to Pandurevic case
| BHT – War crimes indictee Vinko Pandurevic is being held in custody by Serbian police, most probable in a facility near border between |
| Reactions to statement of Haris Silajdzic that majority of Serbs are responsible for war crimes
| Glas srpske, cover page story ‘Oppression of Alija’s pupil’ by E. G. S. – The article carries reactions on Haris Silajdzic’s statement that the majority of Serbs is responsible for war crimes in BiH. Krstan Simic (SNSD) says Silajdzic is one of Bosniak politicians who build their politics on hate. Miroslav Mikes, the Deputy Chairman of RS NA Council of Peoples, says crimes cannot be generalized. |
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| Nacional Belgrade daily, pg. 12 ‘Muslims are preparing new Markalas’ by Dusan Maric – A high-ranking person from the Special Unit of the Federation of BiH Ministry of Interior claims a secret Muslim counter-intelligence service has, upon an order of its political top, developed a plan on possible measures and activities it might undertake in service of further discrediting, weakening and, finally, abolishing of RS. The aim of the plan would be destroying of peace in BiH. Measures the plan includes are writing of graffiti against Bosniaks throughout RS with an aim to blame Serb people for it. The source mentioned that the targeted spots in which graffiti would be written would be Kozluk near Zvornik, Kozarac near Prijedor, Vrbanja near This would be followed by political condemnations of such actions by Sulejman Tihic and others. Other measures include individual physical attacks by “unknown perpetrators” against Muslim returnees and their property (arsons, car explosions, beatings and murders). Such incidents would lead to reactions of Muslim population. Inset ‘“Sting” to shoot down SFOR helicopter?’ – reads there is a possibility that a helicopter of SFOR would be shot down, after which “a reliable information” would be forwarded to Sarajevo media saying that it was shot down by a “sting” rocket – one of 1,200 that were destroyed by Serbian President Boris Tadic while he was at the position of SiCG Defense Minister. The story would insinuate that a part of these weapons were not destroyed at all, but were transferred to BiH and RS to guards of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. |
Political developments/Dayton Agreement anniversary | |
| BiH Open Society Fund organizes debate on constitutional changes
| FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Europe advocates for a strong state’, FENA – The Open Society Fund BiH – Soros Foundation organised in Sarajevo on Monday a debate titled “BiH Constitution – Towards New Solutions” gathering university professors, representatives of the legislative authority in BiH and entities, non-governmental organisations, student association, media and various groups initiating changes to the Constitution. The objective of the debate was to analyze the functioning of BiH with the existing Constitution, identify problems and animate the BiH public to start viewing changes to the Constitution as something normal. Participants in the debate including some representatives of the current RS authorities agreed that BiH needed new constitutional solutions. |
| HDZ warns of organized campaign against Croat officials
| FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Special war against Croats’, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Croat officials under pressure’, Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 5 ‘HDZ’s letter: Stop persecution of our leaders’, not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 17 ‘Special warfare against HDZ BiH’, by Zlatko Tulic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘We shall not allow that Covic be toppled by secret services!’, mentioned on front ‘Member of Presidency Dragan Covic being toppled by secret services, by Zoran Kresic, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3 ‘A special war against representatives of Croats’ by V. P., FENA – The presidency of the BiH Croat Democratic Union (HDZ) discussed the current political situation in BiH at its session held in Sarajevo last Friday. An open letter warning about organized discrediting and denigration of the elected representatives of the Croat people and about activities destroying the credibility of and destabilizing the institutions of BiH was sent from the session to the Office of the High Representative (OHR), the ambassadors of the member countries of the Peace Implementation Council and other relevant institutions. “Nine years after the signing of the |
| Tihic: SDA councillors would support election of Beslic as Mostar Mayor
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Tihic: SDA councillors would support Beslic’ by A.M. – The SDA chancellors at the Mostar City Council would respect previously signed agreement regarding the establishment of the Agreement on city council constitution and would accordingly support the appointment of Ljubo Beslic, HDZ candidate, as Mostar Mayor. Sulejman Tihic, SDA President, stated Monday evening that: “All ten chancellors have signed the statement they would respect the Agreement reached between City Boards of SDA and HDZ, including myself and Barisa Colak, as party presidents. The misunderstanding regarding its implementation has resulted from insufficient level of information amongst the chancellors. The session of the SDA Caucus at City Council was excluded from the entire procedure of singing the Agreement.” FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Commitment to election of Ljubo Beslic’, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Four SDA councillors will support Beslic’, by N. B., Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Tihic’s authority on test today’, by Miso Relota, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Mayor – only item on agenda’, by E. Karamatic, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4 ‘HDZ expects from SDA to realize the agreement’ by M. Cubro and V. Coric also covered the issue. |
| Party for BiH’s Halilovic: It always ends badly when SDA hands the authority to HDZ without criticism
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘It always ends badly when SDA hands the authority to HDZ without criticism’ by E.S. – Safet Halilovic, President of the Party of BiH Presidency, commented on the latest political developments in Mostar, saying that: “The Party of BiH Presidency fully supports the City Council of our party in Mostar in their attempt to have multiethnic and democratic authority established at the level of municipality and in accordance with the stipulated Mostar structure, where no people or political group should dominate over another.” |
| PDHR Hays attends Municipal Mayors Forum in Mostar
| Herceg Bosna Radio, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘BiH more expensive than America’, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Responsibilities and competencies at the local level not defined’, Dnevni List, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Changes necessary at all levels of authority’, by NINA, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘ |
| VL commentary with regard to on Hays’ visit to Mostar
| Vecernji List, pg 6 ‘Time for self-governance’, by Radoslav Dodig – Commenting on the PDHR |
Economic/social issues | |
| VL: Citizens in BiH owe commercial banks 2,4 billion KMs
| Vecernji List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Citizens owe banks 2,4 billion KMs’, by Zdenko Jurilj – According to the latest data coming from the BiH Central Bank, the citizenry in BiH owe commercial banks some 2,4 billion KMs in loans. Apparently, most of the money (90%) is spent on purchase of apartments and similar housing issues. Still, the citizenry in BiH, statistically speaking, is not that much in debts in comparison to, for example, |
| Five economic strategies presented in
| Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Five economic strategies for development of five regions’, by Erna Mackic – Contents of five economic development strategies for each 5 economic regions in BiH was presented in Sarajevo yesterday (Monday). The presenters were the Head of EC delegation to BiH, Michael Humphreys, BiH Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Slobodan Ecimovic, and directors of the five regional development agencies. According to Humphreys, in order to develop itself, BiH needs to overcome challenges that lay before it, such as development of its market. He also stated that he believed that the economic progress in BiH depended on development of small and medium-sized companies and cooperation of all companies at local level. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6 ‘Fast development of small-sized and medium-sized firms is necessary’ by M. R., Glas Srpske, pg. 4 ‘Regions are the key to development’ by N. Zelenovic, EuroBlic, pg. RS2 ‘Humphreys: Economic development is crucial element on the path to EU’ by D. S. also reported on the presentation of EU RED projects for five regional centers in BiH in Sarajevo on Monday. |