OHR BiH Media Round-up, 14/9/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

Anniversary of Uzdol massacre today

RSNA rejected police agreement

RS NA rejects Terzic’s proposal

Press conf. on symp. ‘Blidinje 2005’

Lukic’s surrender confirmed

Lukic inThe Hague

RSNA rejects CoM police proposal

Simsic trial begins before BiH WCC

First trial for war crimes in BiH

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

RS NA discusses police reform

RSNA on police reform

Trial against Covic and others

OHR on SAA negotiations conditions

11 RS NGOs on police reform

RS NA discussing police reform

Liberation Day issue in Jajce

OHR on police reform process

SDA on Law on abandoned apartm.

Technical problems

Tenancy rights in Croatia

Musa denies segregation in schools

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

EUFOR and cantonal police operation

Musa denies segregation in schools

RS NA discusses police reform

RSNA on police reform

Mostar Administration constitutional?

Live report from RS NA

OHR on police reform process

NGO conference on SBC

RS NA on veterans’ housing issues

11 RS NGOs asked Tadic for help

RS NA discussing police reform

RS education workers to strike?

Oslobodjenje

Talks on police reform failed

Dnevni Avaz

Extension of detention for Momcilo Mandic

Dnevni List

Belgrade ready to sacrifice RS police

Vecernji List

War of BiH lawyers for The Hague suspects

Slobodna Dalmacija

Serb threats to RS representatives

Glas Srpske

Scream of small Mirjana

Nezavisne Novine

15 days deadline to Government

Blic

Ivanic: We have never discussed Terzic’ agreement

Vecernje Novosti

Features Serbia related topics

Srpski Nacional

Features Serbia related topics

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

RS PM Bukejlovic hopes reason will prevail after police talks failure

SRNA – RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic has said that he does not expect new accusations against the RS following the decision by the RS National Assembly to reject the police reform proposal by BiH Council of Ministers Chairman Adnan Terzic. Bukejlovic said that the “RS had already been accused”. Asked whether certain sanctions could be expected now, Bukejlovic said that the RS had already been accused of not cooperating and failing to produce police reform solutions which would be acceptable to the European Commission, Council of Ministers and Federation of BiH. Bukejlovic said he believed “reason will prevail” and that police reform talks would begin again.

RS Radio also carried the statement.

EC Delegation to BiH disappointed with RSNA decision to reject proposed police reform solutions

RS Radio, SRNA – The European Commission delegation to BiH is disappointed with the decision of the RS Parliament to refuse the police reform proposal by the BiH Council of Ministers, which is in accord with the principles of the EU, SRNA was told this morning by delegation spokesman Frane Maroevic. “Until now, the European Commission was very flexible, and searched for ways BiH could reach an agreement most quickly, following which – in the course of the year – it could commence talks on stabilisation and association,” said Maroevic. He warned that very little time is left to reach an agreement on police reform, though he didn’t exclude the possibility. Asked if the Commission may take steps in reaction to the new situation, Maroevic said that Delegation to BiH, which is headed by Michael Humphries, has no such intention since BiH institutions are expected to find a solution. He confirmed that the Commission will issue a wider and more concrete statement later in the day.

RS acceptance of proposed police reform solution just a matter of time – Serb military analyst

SRNA – Military analyst Aleksandar Radic told SRNA that the abolition of military and police forces in RS “is the way to reduce RS to mere cultural and partially political autonomy.” He believes that the issue of police reform is a crucial moment for the determination of the fate of the Dayton Accords. “It is hard to believe that it is possible to avoid police reform and it is hard to defend the existence of a separate police force when the centralisation of defence forces has previously been agreed. Now, it is just a matter of time,” said Radic. He added that regardless of the fact that the RS authorities opposed the proposals from Sarajevo , it is certain that the IC has mechanisms to pressure RS to achieve the goal of the formation of a firmer/stronger, and more centralised BiH.

Del Ponte confirms Lukic’s surrender

BH Radio 1 Brana Markovic, RS Radio – ICTY Chief Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, confirmed that the indictee Sredoje Lukic has surrender to the RS Interior Ministry on Tuesday evening. RS authorities have also confirmed this information, but so far have not revealed any details as to under which circumstances the surrender took place. Lukic’s surrender, reported Serbian media, was the result of the cooperation between the RS and SCG security services. Media also reported Lukic will depart for the ICTY today, however the Tribunal has not yet confirmed this.

First war crimes trial starts before BiH WCC

BH Radio 1 Vanja Ilicic, RS Radio – BiH War Crimes Chambers today has started with the main hearing in the first war crimes trial against Boban Simsic, indicted for the war crimes committed in Visegrad in 1992. Indictment consisting of five accounts was read and the defence lawyers have asked for six months delay of the trial to prepare themselves. Presiding judges in the case, which will see 27 witnesses, is Dragomir Vukoja.

Political Developments/Reforms

RS National Assembly rejects ‘Adnan Terzic’s proposal’ on police reform

Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘Talks on police reform failed’, FENA – The RS National Assembly adopted a conclusion in which it supports the RS Government’s stand to reject the agreement on police restructuring in BiH, “which was proposed by BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic”. The conclusions adopted after midnight state the RSNA believes that the RS Government in negotiations on police reform acted in line with the previous conclusions of the Entity Parliament. According to another adopted conclusion, the RSNA has tasked the RS Government to resume talks on police reform on basis of the conclusions dating from May 30, which among other things stated that any model of police organization in BiH, whose local areas would cross the inter-entity boundary line, was unacceptable. The conclusion on rejecting the agreement on police restructuring, “which was proposed by BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic”, was supported by 56 representatives, 10 voted against, and 1 representative abstained. Before the vote, representative of SDA Tarik Sadovic opposed the conclusion stating that the “agreement of Adnan Terzic is rejected”, stressing that the RSNA should tell the citizens that it is not rejecting Terzic’s agreement, but the launch of BiH’s negotiations with the EU. Chief of SNSD Caucus Krstan Simic said that SNSD supports the conclusion that rejects the agreement on police reform, “which was proposed by BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic”. These conclusions were adopted after debating the Report on status of negotiations on police reform, which was prepared by the Entity Government. Representative of the RS Serb Radical Party (SRS) Milanko Mihajlica said that this party categorically rejects the transfer of police authorities from Entity to the State level. DNS’ Drago Kalabic proposed that RS citizens are allowed to declare themselves on police reform at a referendum. Additionally, SDS representatives supported the RS Government in negotiations on police reform, while representatives of SDA and SDP called on accepting the agreement on police reform, which was prepared by the Council of Ministers’ taskforce, because this would open the BiH’s path to Europe .

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘RS rejects EC offer?’ reports that, according to unofficial information, RSNA was not prepared to accept the agreement on police reform as proposed by CoM. According to the daily, at a special session on Tuesday, deputies to the RS National Assembly were discussing RS Government’s report on police reform talks, as well as the proposal of the agreement on the police restructuring in accordance with the three basic European principles, which has been prepared by the BiH Council of Ministers’ negotiating team. RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic presented the RS Government’s report; according to this report, RS Government proposed an agreement, which foresees that the segment of public safety must remain under entity jurisdiction. RS Government decided to send to the parliamentary procedure the agreement on the police reform proposed by the Council of Ministers (CoM) on mountBjelasnica, because European Commission announced that – if that agreement is adopted, and verified by all three parliaments – BiH could immediately start the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. RS Government’s report stressed that BiH CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic made a “scandalous” proposal: he suggested that negotiators should delude BiH public by signing one agreement, and publishing another one. Representatives of international organizations did not react to this proposal, but they were extremely ready to react on objections about their role in police reform negotiations, is said in the RS Government’s report. This, and some other things – such as the fact that European Commission representatives refused to discuss RS Government’s proposal – clearly show that this process was not conceived as a process of negotiations, but as a means of persuading RS representatives to adopt three fabricated and reinterpreted European Commission principles, stated RS Government’s report.

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pg 18 ‘Serb threats to RS representatives’ by A. Macanovic, Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 5 ‘Belgrade ready to sacrifice RS police’ by N. Bise, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Public security to entities’ by V.Popovic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘To start all over again’ by Z.Markovic, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Terzic’s turn of events’ also covered the session.

Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Fraud does not pass’ by Z.Ma., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘A chain reaction’ by G.D.,Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 5 ‘Belgrade ready to sacrifice RS police’ by N. Bise, Vecernji List pg 5 ‘To leave security under entity competence’ by vr, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘Terzic was offering deluding of public!’ by A. Macanovic presents RS Government’s conclusions on police reform.

Oslobodjenje: Politicians have time until end of Sept to agree on police reform in order to launch SAA negotiations

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Brussels waits for Agreement by end of September’ by Az. Kalamujic – Daily reads that while Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, has stated that BiH must agree on police reform by 15 September if it is to start with negotiations on Stabilization and Association Agreement, EC delegation explained that EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has never mentioned this date as final deadline. EC’s spokesperson, Frane Maroevic, says this was a deadline set by the OHR, adding that EC and Rehn have always underlined that the agreement on police must be reached by the end of September. Daily concludes that this means the negotiators obviously have more time to reach an agreement which would respect the three basic EC principles on police.

RS NGOs threaten to block institutions if EU police reform principles are accepted

Pink, BHT, RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Terzic opened cards’ by G.K.  – Representatives of the Coordination Centre of 11 non-governmental organizations attended Tuesday’s special session of the RS National Assembly dedicated to the police reform in BiH, but they said they would walk out if the situation becomes negative for the RS interests. In that case, members of the Headquarters for the Protection of the RS Constitutional Position will gather in front of the Assembly building. They will block all RS institutions and paralyse the political system in RS, said Spokesperson for the Headquarters for the Protection of the RS Constitutional Position Slavko Jovicic.

Official Belgrade : RS must reach consensus on police reform

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 5 ‘Belgrade ready to sacrifice RS police’ by N. Bise carries that the official Belgrade has decided to exert pressure on the RS authority since Aleksandar Simic, who is an advisor to the Serbian President Boris Tadic, sent a message on Tuesday that the RS political top must reach a consensus on the police reform and he stressed that this is a state and legal issue which refers on the status of Serbs as a BiH constituent people. DL says that such reaction arrived after non-government organizations from the RS demanded Tadic’s assistance with regard to the police reform issue.

OHR: Conditions for beginning SAA talks not negotiable

RHB, Pink, Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Future of entities is not endangered’ not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘OHR is speeding up agreement on police’ by B.K., Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘OHR: A last chance’, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Far away from Europe without three basic principles’ by S.D.– If BiH fails to fulfil conditions for beginning of negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) by the end of this year, it will have to wait for another chance for at least two years, stated the OHR’s spokesman, Mario Brkic , at a press conference in Sarajevo on Tuesday. Commenting on decision of RS officials to delay once again talks on police reform and to leave that decision to the RS National Assembly, Brkic said that it is clear that beginning of SAA negotiations are depending on very well known conditions that are not negotiable. 

British Amb Rycroft: No more concessions in police reform to be made for RS

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘BiH risks international support for dividing schools’, mentioned on cover, by Antonio Prlenda – In an interview to daily, the UK Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft said that there no chance for new concessions for RS to be allowed in the course of police reform. “Main concessions for RS Government were already made – for instance by postponing the deadline for implementing reform or accepting that the final map of police regions doesn’t have to be agreed right now. In turn, we did not see RS make any concessions. The three EC principles will not be changed. They have to be met. If they don’t, there will be no police reform and there will be no progress on the way to Europe,” says Rycroft. 

SDA Presidency supports police reform based on the three EC principles

Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘To determine those responsible for obstructions of police reform’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘To present social programs to the public before introducing VAT’, FENA – The Party of Democratic Action (SDA) Presidency supported at a session in Gorazde on Tuesday police reform strictly based on the three principles of the European Commission. SDA opposes solutions that are not in accordance with these principles and has urged the international community to show decisiveness in insisting on the implementation of reforms and establishing the responsibility of those obstructing it, SDA stated. SDA also supported the measures of the FBiH Government and Sarajevo Canton aimed at helping Bosansko-Podrinjski Canton. It has urged all government institutions and international organisations to support sustainable return to Southeast Bosnia. SDA described the existing model of privatisation as inadequately effective. The Federal and Cantonal Prime Ministers are expected to propose measures for successfully implementing the privatisation process. SDA is concerned with the blockade in the appointment of ministers in the FBiH Government and has requested FBiH President Niko Lozancic and Vice President Sahbaz Dzihanovic to resolve their dispute and complete the appointments.

Tihic on police reform: Terzic has never intended to deceive the public

BHT late news – Commenting the special session of RS National Assembly on police reform, Tihic stated that certain political powers in RS Government wanting to keep the status quo are opposing the reforms and BiH’s admittance to the EU. He claimed that Chair of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic has never tried to deceive the public, adding that Terzic has always openly said that the principles set by European Commission must be respected. Tihic emphasized that, during the negotiations on police reform in Vlasic mountain, it had seemed that an agreement can be reached. However, some politicians in RS want to keep the political control over police and status of RS entity as state. Tihic repeated his stance that the international community is responsible for the problems regarding the reform processes in BiH because it was not united, and it didn’t show the determination to insist on reforms.

Ivanic says BiH COM has never discussed Agreement on BiH police reform

EuroBlic cover pg splash ’Ivanic: We have never discussed Terzic’ agreement’, RSpg 2 ‘Ivanic: Terzic outside Council’ by SRNA, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘An agreement of one man’ – Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister, Tuesday told SRNA that the proposed Agreement of the BiH CoM on police reform in BiH has never been included in agenda of BiH CoM, adding: “The BiH COM has never adopted any such document. Therefore, such an agreement cannot be regarded as Councils’ agreement, but exclusively the agreement proposed by Adnan Terzic.”

VL comment on importance of police reform for Croats

Vecernji List pg 22’ RS refuses to hand over police authorities’ by Z. Kresic comments on the police reform and the author says that if the entity police was abolished, constitutional changes will follow during which Croats would be able to demand an equal position ‘outside the framework of the imposed and unfair agreement’ (probably referring on the Dayton Peace Agreement).

Dzihanovic announces resolving FBIH Government crisis

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘FBiH Government is not a property of SDA and HDZ’ by A.O. – The FBiH Vice President, Sahbaz Dzihanovic, said on Tuesday that he has intended to find a solution for the crisis in the FBiH Government, however he did not want to disclose in which way. He did say he would not resign, or approve appointments of Zahid Crnkic and Vjekoslav Mandic to two vacant ministerial positions. While the media speculated that the reason for this is dispute with FBiH President Niko Lozancic and his former party colleagues [from SBiH], Dzihanovic claims that this is only a matter of principle: “I deem that Parliament and Government are not a property in hands of HDZ and SDA… I don’t understand why it is a problem [to satisfy the procedure]. I guess SDA and HDZ think it is enough for them to make decisions, and Constitution and laws are not important.” FBiH Vice President concludes Government can still work.  

BiH Presidency member Paravac says ultimate aim of BiH constitutional changes initiative is unitary state

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Paravac accusing Bosniaks of aiming to establish unitary state’, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Changes to the Constitution only with Dayton reality’, EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Undermining of Constitution’, announced on cover ‘Destruction of Constitution creates unitary state of BiH’ by M.S., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Constitution as battle field’ by N.Zelenovic,SRNA – BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac believes that the real problem in connection with initiatives to amend the BiH Constitution is not the political or legal incompleteness of the current Constitution, but the political and national aspirations of the elites from the ranks of the Bosniak people to carry out a complete constitutional and legal recomposition of BiH, the ultimate aim being the formation of a unitary state. “Lately, the institution of the BiH Presidency has been an increasing target, but not in connection with its constitutional and legal authority, but solely in connection with its composition and manner of election,” Paravac maintains in a written reaction to the “ever multiplying reports, as well as the orchestrated media campaign with regard to the initiatives and authorized concepts for amending the BiH Constitution.” He emphasizes that “it is not a coincidence that instead of a three-member BiH Presidency the solution being offered is a single president for the republic, who would be chosen by the entire electorate of BiH or by the BiH parliament, which means in practice having a Bosniak citizen”. “Such an elected president would represent BiH internationally, he would be the civilian commander of the armed forces of BiH or, even better, the Army of BiH, and BiH would be a republic,” Paravac said in the statement. The Serb member of the BiH Presidency warned that this principle could be applied to other state institutions, such as the BiH Council of Ministers and the BiH Parliamentary Assembly. He reiterated his standpoint that initiatives on amendments and addenda to the BiH Constitution and the Dayton framework agreement for peace in BiH “are not and must not be taboo subjects”, but are completely legal and legitimate, both from the legal and political viewpoint.” The BiH Presidency member reminded that “all initiatives, concepts and new constitutional solutions must start from the premise of the new Dayton reality in BiH, which must guarantee the fundamental principles that BiH is a state with two equal entities and three constituent peoples”. 

Venetian Commission rep. met with Ljubic, Raguz and Merdzo

Dnevni List pg 4 ‘International officials aware of HDZ division’ by Z. Jukic says that representatives of the Venetian Commission have talked in Mostar recently with a leader of the HDZ fraction, Bozo Ljubic, about constitutional changes. According to DL, Martin Raguz and Josip Merdzo also attended this meeting and Merdzo confirmed that this meeting took place and that the meeting was of informative nature. Merdzo added that during this meeting he expressed his opposition, which was supported by Raguz and Ljubic, to the attempts to shut down Cantons. Merdzo explained that through Cantons, unlike some other authority bodies, Croats implement their national rights. DL says that watching this meeting in context of current relations within HDZ it can be concluded that international representatives are very much aware of the HDZ divisions since they separately meet with the current HDZ leadership and HDZ fraction led by Ljubic. DL inset ‘Pasalic is pulling down Sanader through HDZ’ says that sources within HDZ reveal that the main mentor of HDZ President Dragan Covic in Croatia is Ivic Pasalic, who, allegedly, through assistance of his British intelligence associates, placed Covic in his team and through Covic he strikes at HDZ Croatia President Ivo Sanader.    

Repr. of NHI-HSP Djapic-Jurisic coalition talked with Cardinal Puljic about const. changes

Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Cardinal supports newly established coalition’ by I.R.– Representatives of a newly established collation NHI-HSP Djapic-Jurisic met with Cardinal Vinko Puljic on Tuesday and discussed the current situation in BiH and the initiative to achieve a better position of the Croat people in BiH. NHI Djapic-Jurisic President Zvonko Jurisic stated that they agreed to continue talks on constitutional changes. He added that Cardinal Puljic launched this initiative and the talks interrupted when it was the HDZ’s turn to organize the talks. Jurisic also said that Cardinal Puljic promised that he would launch a similar initiative again at the beginning of October.

Jovic with French Ambassador on const. Changes

Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Jovic: BiH deserves urgent resolving of crisis‘ by NINA – Chairman of the BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic met with French Ambassador to BiH Henry Zipper de Fabiani and on this occasion Jovic stated that BiH deserves its crisis to be resolved as soon as possible. Talking about constitutional changes, Jovic told the French Ambassador that apart from reform processes, the BiH Constitution should be changed. The French Ambassador stated that the interest of France is that BiH finds and builds itself and become a EU member.

DL: Is Lukac’s appointment to position of assistant to SIPA Director compromise?

Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Instead to position of Director, Lukac appointed assistant to Director’ by N. Bise carries that former candidate for the position of the SIPA Director Dragan Lukac was appointed an assistant to the SIPA Director. DL says that this seems as a sort of a compromise in order to ease tensions, which heightened after a Serb and not a Croat, as it was agreed, was appointed the SIPA Director. SIPA’s spokesperson Admir Katica stated that he cannot comment whether this case is about the compromise or not and added that he can only confirm that assistants to Director and Deputy Director were appointed.

Public opinion poll in BiH conducted by Int. Republican Institute shows citizens of BiH do not trust authority

Nezavisne Novine pgs 4-5 ‘Citizens do not trust authority’, announced on cover ‘The majority of BiH citizens does not trust authority’ by A.Sisic – The latest poll International Republican Institute carried out on the sample of 1523 interviewees in August and September shows that the political situation in BiH has significantly deteriorated over the last year according to 63%  interviewees. In comparison with same period last year when similar poll was carried out, 46% of citizens thought situation was bad. According to the poll, the three biggest problems BiH citizens are facing with are: unemployment (72%), severe economic situation (42%) and corruption (29%). This poll also showed that 58% interviewees do not support the work of the BiH COM, while 57% of them do not support the work of BiH Presidency.

SNSD, SGV, Serb Orthodox church demand more Serbs to be employed in Mostar City Administration

Dnevni List pg 13 ‘Employing of Serbs in MCA uncertain’ by S. Bjelica, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Insufficient participation of Serbs in MCA’ by V. Coric carry a reaction of the SNSD Mostar Board in which they claim that Serbs are not being employed in Mostar at all and that this is the one of the main reasons because of which mass return of Serbs have not taken place in Mostar. SNSD expects that a vacancy notice for vacant positions would be announced soon and that a chance to get job would be finally given to Serbs in this way. They also demand that the OHR involves in this process more actively and they note that the OHR in its decision envisaged that the ethnic composition of the Mostar City Administration is made according to the census from 1991.

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 22 ‘Vacancy notice for Serb cadres soon’ by D. Ivankovic carries that representatives of the Serb Civic Council (SGV) held a meeting with Head of the Mostar Implementation Unit Richard Williams on Tuesday and it was agreed that a vacancy notice would be announced through which a certain number of cadres and apprentices from the line of the Serb people would be employed. In its press release SGV expressed hope that promises coming form the OHR would be fulfilled. Also reported by Dnevni List pg 13 ‘Employing of Serbs in MCA uncertain’ by S. Bjelica.

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘To employ Serbs as well in Mostar City Administration’ by M. Landeka carries Prior of an Orthodox Monastery Zitomislici Danilo Pavlovic  as saying that the employment is a basic problem of Serb returnees to Mostar. Prior Danilo added that during the talk with HR Paddy Ashdown, Orthodox Bishop Grigorije demanded resolving of this problem. Prior Danilo also said that he talked about the same issue with Mostar Mayor Ljubo Beslic and that Beslic promised that a vacancy notice will be announced for the Mostar City Administration and taking into account of proportional ethnic representation, a certain number of Serb returnees will be employed.   

Director of FBiH Civil Service Agency on appointments in Mostar City Administration

Dnevni List pg 12 ‘New law for ethnic balance necessary’ by Z. Skoko, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 21 ’54 % of Croats and 38 % of Bosniaks’ by M. Landeka, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘146 civil servants appointed’ by ra, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘We shall take into account ethnic representation but expertise will be priority’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Appointments of civil servants in Mostar are legal’ by V.C. – After the meeting with the Mostar City Councillors, Director of the FBiH Civil Service Agency Enver Iseric stated at the press conference that so far 136 civil servants have been appointed in the Mostar City Administration (for whom the FBiH Civil Service Agency gave its consent), while the procedure for 10 civil servants has been underway. He added that there are still 39 vacancies to be announced. According to Iseric, out of the 146 appointed civil servants, 54 % are Croats, 38 % Bosniaks, 5.4 % Serbs and 2 % others. DL also carries Iseric as saying that the issue of ethnic representation in the civil service bodies in whole BiH can be regulated by a special law, which should be passed at the state level. 

War Crimes/Organise Crime

Trial of Covic and the others to start on October 11

BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Main hearing in case Covic and the others scheduled for October 11’, Oslobodjenje pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Trial of Covic ad the others to start on October 11’, Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Former protected witness Zoran Nikolic will testify over video link’ by E. Mackic, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Trail for Covic-Lijanovici case begins on October 11!’, mentioned on cover ‘Main witness would testify through vide link’ by Z. Kresic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 10 ‘Main hearing in one month’ by Z. Rerig, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Trial begins on 11 October’ by A.Durmo, EuroBlic RSpg 3, announced on cover ‘Prosecutor needs 130 days’ by SRNA – Trial in the case “Covic and others” will commence on October 11, it was decided on Tuesday at the so-called case status conference before the Court of BiH.  The indictment in this case has been raised against former BiH Presidency member and former FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Covic, BiH Constitutional Court President Mato Tadic, four of the Ivankovic Lijanovic family members (Mladen, Jerko, Jozo and Slavo), and University Professor Zdravko Lucic. They are charged with customs fraud, tax evasion, abuse of authority and receiving bribery, all in relation to the Lijanovici Company operations.

ICTY indictee Sredoje Lukic surrendered to RS authorities

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Sredoje Lukic surrendered’, AFP – Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect Sredoje Lukic, wanted by the UN tribunal for crimes against humanity committed during the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia, has surrendered to RS authorities in Bosnia, a Serbian government source told AFP on Tuesday.  “Lukic’s surrender is a result of cooperation between Serbian and RS security services,” a source said, refusing to reveal when and where the suspect has surrendered. Serbia-Montenegro’s Minister for Human Rights Rasim Ljajic told the Beta news agency that Lukic had surrendered to the authorities in Republika Srpska. Lukic, 44, who has been in hiding for several years, was indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague for crimes committed in the area of Foca and Visegrad in Bosnia. The government source said Lukic would leave for The Hague from the RS capital of Banja Luka.

Prosecutor Rattel to ask for extension of Mandic’s detention

Hayat, Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Extensions of detention for Momcilo Mandic’, pg 2 ‘Prosecutor Ratel demands extensions for Momcilo Mandic’s detention’ by A.M. – Prosecutor Jonathan Rattel confirmed to Srna news agency that he will file a request for extension of detention of Momcilo Mandic, a suspect in case of money laundering and crimes related to Privreda Bank Istocno Sarajevo. Rattel explained that he will do this “because of the investigation which is on-going” and which will be soon completed. Mandic, who was arrested in Montenegro on 17 August, has been put in detention until 16 September. Media have widely speculated that Prosecution is carrying out investigation to prove Mandic took part in war crimes, but Mandic’s lawyer Senad Kreho said that they have not been informed about this officially. 

VL: Croatian and SCiG lawyers dissatisfied since they cannot represent ICTY suspects before BiH courts

Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘War of BiH lawyers for The Hague suspects’ and pg 3 ‘Protest of lawyers’ by Z. Jurilj carries that lawyers from Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro protest against FBiH and RS Bar Associations which do not allow them to represent the ICTY suspects that will stand trial before the War Crimes Chamber with the BiH Court. VL says that the current laws do not allow their legal engagement.

Tadic’s adviser asked for a regional cooperation in order to arrest Karadzic and Mladic

Hayat – Serbian President Boris Tadic’s adviser for cooperation with the Hague Tribunal Jovan Simic asked for a regional cooperation in order to arrest two main Hague indictees, Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. Simic believes that not a single country on Balkans can carry out those arrests all alone: “We would not solve this problem until we all agree that it is the time to capture Mladic and Karadzic” said Simic only day after European Union and NATO leaders stated that Karadzic and Mladic must be extradited to the ICTY before the tenth anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement, in mid-December.

Testimony of crime committed by 2^nd Battalion of 7^th Muslim Brigade

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Scream of small Mirjana’ by B.Gajevic – carries a statement of Rada Dragicevic from Donja Bioca near Ilijas, who testifies three mujaheedens, members of  2^nd Battalion of 7^th Muslim Brigade, barged into her house in December 1992, raped and murdered her 9-year old daughter Mirjana and then shot at her. Rada survived.

German news agency publishes information of western intelligence agencies on terrorists in the Balkans

Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Terrorists linked with Al Qa’ida are preparing new attack against Britain’ by D.Raduski – Daily reports referring to claim of the German new agency DDP that the European intelligence services “hold certain vague indications saying that another terrorist cell, controlled from BiH, is preparing a new attack against London”. DDP grounds report referring to its sources at the German State Intelligence Agency (BND), adding that executors of terrorist attacks in Madrid and London “had contacts in BiH’. DDP further reports that: “Foreign intelligence agencies warn that the latest developments in the Balkans give reason for concern. Sources claim that the mosque of King Fahd in Dobrinja in Sarajevo is a brood of violent extremism. According to sources from intelligence circles in the Balkans, Bosna and Kosovo represent fruitful areas for Islamic terrorists.”

Education

Rycroft: Division in schools risks international support

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘BiH risks international support for dividing schools’, mentioned on cover, by Antonio Prlenda – In an interview to daily, the UK Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft said that the newest practice of divisions in schools of BiH could seriously jeopardize international support for this country. As the Ambassador of the country which presides EU Presidency this year, Rycroft says that the priority for EU is to ensure BiH starts SAA negotiations. In that light, BiH authorities must revise the decisions on segregation in schools, concludes Rycroft. erzegovia

BiH Helsinki Committee says practice of segregation present in schools in BiH

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘We have practice of open segregation and apartheid in schools in BiH’, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Segregation and apartheid is being introduced in schools’ by De.L., EuroBlic RSpg 1 ‘Apartheid in Bosnia’ by SRNA  – The Helsinki Human Rights Committee issued a press release on Tuesday warning that the division in the schools in BiH has escalated to such extant which enables an open practice of the segregating and apartheid in BiH. Committee also called on rights committee calling on BiH public to voice its stand against these practices.  

SD comment on problems in education area

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘Education in hands of politics’ by B. Magas comments on the divisions in BiH schools ad the author says: ‘Although there are already made solutions for educational systems in multi-ethnic states in Europe, there is a wish to come up with something new in BiH and international representatives insist on this since they do not try to adjust any of these solutions to BiH circumstances.’

Economic/Social Affairs/Corruption

Bos. Brod Oil Refinery workers on strike: They urge RS Govt. to resolve their problems

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘15 days deadline to Government’ by R.Segrt, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘A step away from abyss’ by B.Teofilovic– About one thousand workers of Oil Refinery Bosanski Brod, accompanied with their families, protested in Bosanski Brod on Tuesday. They urged RS Government to solve their problems in 15-days time, unless they want to face new workers’ protests. Workers of Oil refinery demand the payment of 12 salaries, and the start of the continuous production in refinery. Slavko Vidic, President of Refinery Syndicate, warned RS Government to solve problems related to Refinery, otherwise workers will reach for more radical protests, including blockade of the border crossing point Bos. Brod-Slavonski Brod and organise arrival to Banja Luka , where the workers from other destroyed state firms will support them.

RS Prosecutor’s Office rejects accusations by TI of BiH

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘If you do know – file report’ by M.Mi. – The RS Prosecutor’s Office ahs released a press statement, expressing its view that accusations of Boris Divjak, Director of TI of BiH (who is “extremely dissatisfied with the work of RS PO, which makes him suspect corruption comes from this institution”) are ungrounded. RS PO assessed TI’s claims as untruths misleading the public. RS PO calls on TI to inform BiH PO and HJPC of any case of corruption at RS PO.

DL: RS against Ministry of Agriculture at state level

Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Serbs are refusing establishment of state Ministry of Agriculture’ by M. Karacic says that preparations for establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture at the state level have been made in the Federation of BiH while the RS is refusing even to consider this idea. FBiH Minister of Agriculture Marinko Bozic confirmed that the RS side has the aforementioned stand on this issue and he added that so far there have been no indications that the RS might agree to establish the state Ministry of Agriculture.