Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 15 December
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| Each 3rd Croatian is from BiH | Shooting in Gacko |
| On Croat population in BiH | RS NA convened |
| US Congress for | Constitutional reform talks to resume |
TV news broadcast on 14 December
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK(18,00 hrs) | BHT 1(19,00 hrs) |
| Scientific meeting on DPA in Mostar | 6 arrested in BL for war crimes | 6 war time suspects arrested |
| | Schilling new HR | Christian Schwarz Schilling – new HR |
| Schilling elected new HR | AI on trials in BiH | Reactions to appointment of new HR |
| Bukejlovic on new HR | Serbian MoJ on Mladic file | Liberalisation of visa regime in 2006 |
NTV Hayat(19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS(19,30 hrs) |
| 6 arrested in BL for war crimes | Christian Schwarz Schilling – new HR | Amnesty Intl on war crimes in BiH |
| Schilling new HR | Ashdown on his last tasks | Six in RS arrested for war crimes |
| | Communiqué on reforms in BiH | Official |
| Tihic on Schilling appointment | Mostar scientific conference on DPA | |
| Oslobodjenje | BiH future is in EU |
| Dnevni Avaz | Christian Schwarz-Schilling appointed new HR |
| Dnevni List | Dario Kordic celeberated birthday with Gotovina |
| Vecernji List | Dead baby left in paper bag |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Police found dead newborn child in sofa |
| Glas Srpske | One suit – three patterns (Mostar round-table on DPA, Constitution) |
| Nezavisne Novine | Markica Dodig is the best [award was presented to the sportsman of the year in BiH] |
| Blic | Paddy Ashdown cedes his chair to Schwarz-Schilling |
| Vecernje Novosti | Serbia-related heaslines |
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| LATEST NEWS OF TODAY |
| Schwarz Schilling on
| RS Radio – Christian Schwarz Schilling, the newly appointed HR to BiH, has announced he would not restrain from using his vast |
| Rill-Martens meeting
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| RSNA withdrew budget and economic policy proposals from Parliament procedure
| RS Radio – Owing to numerous objections, the RS NA late Wednesday night withdrew two documents budget and economic policy from Parliament session. Pero Bukejlovic, RS PM, announced these two documents will be returned to Parliament procedure after they are amended. Dusan Stojicic, RS NA Speaker, scheduled resumption of 32nd regular session for 21 December (Wednesday). |
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| Political Developments/Reforms |
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| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Without justice path towards |
| Christian Schwarz-Schilling appointed new HR;
| Vecernji List pgs 2 and 3 ‘Last High Representative’, mentioned on cover ‘Schilling Ashdown’s successor’ by D. Jazvic also says that so far none High Representative dealt with the crucial problem of BiH and that is non-functional and unfair state organization. The author believes that the current constitutional changes talks give some hope that the process, which would finally resolve this issue, might begin. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 13 ‘Man made for ‘missions impossible’ ‘ mentioned on cover ‘Schilling new HR’ by |
| Avaz: CV on new HR Schwarz-Schilling
| Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Son of famous composer and successful businessman’, by S. T. – Avaz carries a brief CV of the new High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, noting that he was born in Innsbruck, Austria in 1930, and that his father and mother were famous composer and pianist respectively. Schwarz-Schilling graduated East-Asian culture, linguistics and history in |
| HR Ashdown on Schwarz-Schilling
| Hayat – HR Paddy Ashdown said that Schilling is very talented man, man who knows much about this country and who gained a lot of trust here. “He’ll have to decide what his priorities are, but I guess that he will decide same as I did, that establishment of State’s structures is my priority. I think that he can decide to make the State more functional in favour of all BiH citizens and that this will be one of his priorities”- said HR. HR said that he guesses that International Community will have a successor who is totally different then he is, adding that this is necessary, being that every HR till now has had different job to do. “I will talk to him personally, tell him how much I enjoyed this job and what privilege is this job, but he has to decide alone on what he needs to do”, said Ashdown. |
| FTV: Ashdown on priorities until the end of his mandate
| FTV – HR Paddy Ashdown stated for FTV that he plans to complete 11 tasks until |
| Terzic on
| Pink, Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Reduce presence of international community to lowest possible measure’, by S. N. – In a brief interview for Avaz, the Chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, stated that during the yesterday’s session of the Peace Implementation Council ( |
| Tihic on Schilling
| Hayat – After the ceremonial session in |
| Party for BiH’s Halilovic, BOSS’ Ajanovic,
| Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Ajanovic: He subordinated his engagement to interests of our state’, by Onasa – carries reactions to appointment of Christian Schwarz-Schilling for the new HR for BiH. Leader of SBiH, Safet Halilovic, believes the appointment is a good solution since Dr. Schwarz-Schilling always reacted in the right way, as a friend of BiH, ‘especially during the aggression’. President of BOSS, Mirnes Ajanovic, says the time has finally come to have a HR who has subordinated his political engagement to interests of other state, in this case of BiH. Speaker of RSNA, Dusan Stojicic ( |
| RS PM Bukejlovic,
| RTRS, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Germany is big friend of BiH’ by Z. Kresic, B. Stevandic, Glas Srpske pg 3, announced on cover ‘Trust given to Schwarz-Schilling’ by Z. Markovic inset ‘Reactions’, EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘Paddy Ashdown cedes chair to Schwarz-Schilling’ and pg RS3 ‘Schwarz-Schilling instead of Ashdown’ by Nedeljka Breberina – RSNA representatives and RSNA Chair Dusan Stojicic expect less interventionist and more of the advisory role of the new High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling. EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘Paddy Ashdown cedes chair to Schwarz-Schilling’ and pg RS3 ‘Schwarz-Schilling instead of Ashdown’ by Nedeljka Breberina also carried reactions of SNSD, Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘Christian Schwarz-Schilling new High Representative’ by Agencies – reactions of RS PM Bukejlovic, RS NA Chairman Stojicic, SNSD, HDZ, Safet Halilovic. |
| SDA’a Dzaferovic,
| BHT Mirela Cosic – BiH politicians welcomed the appointment of Christian Schwarz Schilling in the position of new High Representative. Sefik Dzaferovic from SDA stated that Schwarz Schilling is going to be successful as HR, since he knows the situation in BiH very well. Leader of |
| BiH Deputy Security Minister Mektic: Visa regime to be liberalized as of the next year
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Visa regime liberalization next year’ – Dragan Mektic, BiH Deputy Minister of Security stated that starting from 2006, visa regime for the West Balkans countries should be liberalized. The procedure of getting the visa will be simplified, and costs decreased. Visa regime will be specially liberalised for doctors, students, scientists and business people. This will be the first phase, after which the visa regime is going to be abolished. |
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| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Balkans must not be left outside EU’ by S.N. – The European Stability Institute ( |
| OHR urges BiH Entities’ authorities to complete defence reform
| Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Completion of defense reform by the end of the year’ – OHR has called on Entities’ Governments and Parliaments to finish the defense reform till end of year, so that new defense regime would be fully operative as of January 1 2006. On this day, beside VAT, new BiH Law on Defence will come into force. |
| RSNA has agreed on amendments’ drafts on RS Constitution
| Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘RS Army – dismissed!’ by M.L., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Amendments’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Defence at BiH level’ – During its session RSNA has agreed on amendments’ drafts on RS Constitution, which are allowing transfer of defence authorities onto the State and are précising the number of Judges in RS Constitutive Court. |
| Mostar: University professors on cont. changes/ D. Covic: It would be hard to reach consensus on const. Changes
| Dnevni List pg 10 ‘Serb professors support third entity’ by S. Bjelica carries that under patronage of the BiH Presidency a scientific gathering was held in Mostar on Wednesday during which university professors from Banja Luka, Mostar and Sarajevo were supposed to state their stands on the situation in BiH 10 years after the Dayton Peace Accord was signed, however they mostly focused on constitutional changes. DL says that stands of the university professors did not differ much from the stands of politicians depending from which entity they come. HDZ President Dragan Covic also spoke at the gathering. Asked whether he believes that a consensus on constitutional changes would be reached by March 2006, Covic said that the consensus could be expected in one week if we talk about cosmetic changes. He added: ‘It is obvious that some people are in hurry just to place Annex 4 with 2 or 3 corrections before the Parliament and that we say that we have the BiH Constitution. I believe it would be hard to reach the consensus.’ Vecernji List pg 3 ‘BiH organizations divided scientists’ by zk, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Covic: We shall not reach solution on Constitution soon’ by J. Terzic carry similar reports. Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘One suit – three patterns’ by agencies, Nezavisne novine pg 5 ‘BiH Constitution must be changed’ by Agencies – “Dayton – Paris Peace Agreement – ten years later” conference was held in Mostar on Wednesday. The general conclusion of the conference was that BiH Constitution must be changed in order for all three peoples to have equal rights and in order to provide with pre-requisites for economic progress of the country. Cazim Sadikovic, one of Chairmen of the conference, says the only goal of the constitutional changes is to remove obstacles that exist in BiH Constitution, so that a fast economic prosperity can be accomplished. Academic Rajko Kuzmanovic says entities should be kept, reconsider the establishing of the third entity and reduce administration. Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘One suit – three patterns’ by agencies – also carries statement of HDZ President Dragan Covic who said cosmetic changes to BiH Constitution may be introduced in seven days but this would not resolve the standing issues and he added that ‘someone is in a hurry’ to introduce two-three changes and ‘say BiH has a new Constitution’. |
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| Dnevni List pg 6 ‘New deceit of Croats at sight’ by I. Rozic carries that most parties with a Croat prefix accuses HDZ and |
| Interview with N. Lozancic on const. changes: ‘Stand of parties from RS is being imposed’
| Slobodna Dalmacija pgs 16 and 17 ‘Stand of parties from RS is being imposed’ by F carries an interview with HDZ Deputy President Niko Lozancic on constitutional changes. Among the other things, he says: ‘We have been informed that all parties from the RS have a single position and that parties from the FBiH have been left to agree with the position of parties from the RS. I view this as a bad message… My feeling is that parties from the FBiH could easily reach a consensus if RS parties were to accept a concept under which BiH would get its institutions, rather than a summation of institutions from the two entities.’ Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Entities should not elect BiH institutions’, FENA also carried Lozancic’s statement on the issue. |
| Danas:
| Danas pgs 14-17, mentioned on cover ‘Vatican for BiH without entities’ by M. Malic – Danas sources reveal that the Holy See has launched during the last weeks a real diplomatic offensive within which EU countries request a support of the European countries to the proposal for the BiH re-organization drafted by BiH Bishops. Danas reminds that the essence of this proposal is establishing of 4 functional Cantons instead of current entities. |
| Dodik holds lecture stressing RS should be preserved
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Fight for Srpska’ by M.F. – Miloard Dodik, SNSD President, held a lecture to students of Banja Luka College on the topic “Vision of social and political events in BiH”, noting that the admission to EU would ensure resolvemenet of political and religious turmoil in BiH, stressing: “The RS is on the verge of final political fight for preservation of its identity, since increasing number of demands comes from Sarajevo to abolish it. Also, RS must resolve the issue of crime and corruption on the European path.” |
| On mtg Ril.Martens/Martnes thanked on docum. reg. HDZ Convention
| Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Explanation of situation in HDZ BiH’ by vi – In Brussels on December 13 a meeting between HDZ International Secretary Anton Rill and President of the European People’s Party Wilfred Martens took place. VL says that Martens thanked on submitted documentation in which the situation in HDZ with regard to the 9th HDZ Convention and election of Dragan Covic for the HDZ President was explained. |
| Dodik claims he has necessary 43 votes to form Govt.
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Majority’ – Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, Wednesday stated that SNSD has a possibility to form new Government since it can provide 42 MP’s votes necessary for that. |
| Bozic took oath as RS Edu. Min.
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Bozic has taken an oath’ by G.M. – Snjezana Bozic is officially a new RS Education Minister as of Wednesday after she has taken a solemn oath at RS NA session. |
| NN op-ed: Tihic is careless, but must be respected as member of the highest BiH body
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Tihic and Ashdown’ by Mirza Cubro – Writing about latest issue involing HR Paddy Ashdown and Sulejman Tihic, the author admits although Tihic is terribly bad member of BiH Presidency (because he does his job in an careless manner, driven by short-term party and personal interests), he is still member of the highest BiH authority body in BiH and this fact should be respected by each and every person in BiH. He ntoes it is hard to believe that Tihic asked his name be removed from |
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| Economic/Social Affairs |
| FBiH HoP adopted amendments to Laws on Pension-Disability Insurance and Defence
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| Humphreys: VAT will not bring chaos
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘VAT will not bring chaos’ by Sead Numanovic – Daily reports that in spite of some announcements, including HR Paddy Ashdown’ (that VAT would bring chaos in BiH), Michael Humphreys, Head of EC delegation to BiH, claims the opposite, noting: “There will be no sort of chaos. The VAT introduction will not be easy, but there will be no chaos. Ask me the same question on 1st January and I am convinced I would be able to say and prove my words.” According to him, the ITA is well founded and the state can tackle challenges of the new system of tax collection. He stresses in general, there should not be any price increase. |
| Hadzipasic announces meeting today discussing abolishment of F BiH Finance Police
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Talks on abolishment of F BiH Finance Police start’ by M.Kukan – Amhet Hadzipasic, F BiH Premier, told daily that the meeting will be held at the building of the F BiH Government today, which will be attended by himself, Gavrilo Grahovac and Dragan Vrankic, his deputies, Zufer Dervisevic, F BiH Finance Police Chief inspector and representatives of the international community. Hadzipasic told daily meeting will discuss the issue of abolishment of F BiH Finance Police. Although Hadzipasic did not say the following, daily learns an official will represent IC from the American Embassy’s Economic Department. |
| Croatian Government approved allocation of 26,2 millions Kunas for programmes of BiH
| Dnevni List pgs 8 and 9 ‘Biggest assistance amounting to 800 000 Kunas to school in Odzak’ mentioned on cover ‘400 000 Kunas to ‘Matica Hrvatska’ ‘, – On Wednesday the Croatian Government passed the decision about distribution of 26,2 millions Kunas of the Croatia assistance to educational, cultural, scientific and health programmes of BiH Croats. It was decided that 14,7 millions Kunas would be directed for the programmes from the area of culture, 10 millions Kunas for educational and scientific programmes and 1,5 millions Kunas for the projects from the area of health. Vecernji List pg 13 ’26,2 millions Kunas to Croats in BiH’ by D. Knezevic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 2 ’26 millions Kunas to Croats in BiH’ by A.B. Krile. |
| RS NA in session: Harsh discussions on proposed budget and economic policy for 2006 – voting still uncertain
| EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Government on pins and needles’, announced on cover ‘Government’s pass for survival’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Cash register brimming with wishes’ by G.Dakic, Z.Markovic – RS Minister of Finance Svetlana Cenic stressed that rejection to pass the Budget would annul everything that was done so far; stressing that if Budget isn’t passed the RS will be on temporary financing, which means that pensions and Budget users would be endangered. Cenic didn’t want to comment on speculations at Parliament that Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Bjelogrlic claims Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Bigger incomes from taxes’ not signed, Sarajevo dailies also reported on the session. |
| Central Bank disappointed over RSNA rejection of transfer of authorities over banking supervision
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Money of citizens and not Government is in banks’ by NINA – The BiH Central Bank (CB) issued a press release, stating that the CB is disappointed over the fact that RS National Assembly has rejected the transfer of authorities over banking supervision from the entity Banking Agency to the BiH Central Bank. The Central Bank Governor Kemal Kozaric emphasized that the latest decision of the RSNA shows that the politics does not want to consider this issue in a professional manner. Dnevni Avaz pg 5 also covered the issue. |
| Spiric: Adoption of the state budget is late
| Nezavisne novine pg 6 ‘Adoption of the state budget is running late’ by M. Cubro – HoR Chairman Nikola Spiric has stated that the budget of BiH institutions would not be adopted by the end of the year, by which the state Constitution would be violated. The article reads the disputable item of the budget is defence expenses for the next year. |
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| Crime/Security/Legal Proceedings |
| Six former Manjaca concentration camp guards arrested
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| Two files on crimes concerning Vucurevic referred to BiH
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Vucurevic charged with expulsion of 5500 Bosniaks’ by F.Vele – Daily learns at BiH Prosecutor’s Office (PO) that two files referring to war-time role of former Head of crisis center and war-time Municipal President Bozidar Vucurevic have been referred from Mostar Cantonal PO to BiH PO for assessment. As daily learns investigation on two cases is still ongoing, adding this file has a large chance of ending in hands of state prosecutors. The first file accuses Vucurevic and his associates of expulsion of 5500 Bosniaks from Trebinje, while second file deals with potential war crimes in the area of Ravno. One of these cases also investigates Vucurevic’ role in attacks against |
| SiCG Defense Minister Stankovic: I do not expect Mladic would surrender
| Vecernje Novosti pg 5, announced on cover ‘I do not expect Mladic’s surrender’ by M. Vuksanovic – SiCG Minister of Defense Zoran Stankovic said he does not expect Ratko Mladic would surrender in the forthcoming period of time, considering the fact he had not done so until now. He referred to a statement of an official who had stated, prior to Stankovic’s departure to Nezavisne novine pg 2 ‘Ljajic: we will present original of the file’ by Agencies – Chairman of SiCg Council for Cooperation with Hague Tribunal Rasim Ljajic stated that he would forward an original of Ratko Mladic’s file to Hague Tribunal, in order to remove suspicions that someone is hiding parts of this report. |
| 11 persons indicted over Srebrenica war crimes
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘They were accused for conspiracy in genocide’ by A. Sisic – A source close to BiH Court claims the Special Department for War Crimes of BiH Prosecutor’s Office brought an indictment over war crimes committed in Srebrenica against 11 persons on November 12. The article carries names of the indicted persons. |
| Update on ‘Covic and others’ case
| Vecernji List pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Prosecution admitted: Our witness is criminal’ by D. Jazvic – In a written explanation of the bill of indictment in the case ‘Covic and others’, that was discussed on Wednesday, the BiH Prosecution called its crucial witness Zoran Nikolic a criminal. VL says that such qualifying of the prosecution witness by the prosecution itself shocked the defence lawyers. The article also says that the explanation is full of another illogical things and imprecise claims. Also reported by Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Evidence against Jelavic in case ‘Covic and others’ ?!’ by E. Mackic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘3 counts of bill of indictment are being withdrawn’ by Z. Tulic. DL and SD also say that 3 counts of the bill of indictment were withdrawn while the Panel of Judges should pass the final decision on this withdrawal. Sarajevo dailies, electronic media, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Indictment was shortened’ not signed, Nezavisne novine pg 2 ‘Prosecutor gave up from three accounts of the indictment’ by A. D. also covered the issue. |