OHR BiH Media Round-up, 15/4/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

European Parliament on DPA

Jankovic pleads not guilty

Fire inParis

Exhumation in Imotski

Del Ponte on Karadzic, Mladic

Cavic on Resolution on Balkans

Del Ponte on arrest of Karadzic

Gotovina case

Transit through Croatia to SiCG

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

FBIH Invalids in protests

European Parliament in session

European Parliament’s resolution

BIH farmers announce protests

Vujadin Popovic leaves for the ICTY

Meeting in Brussels

Franciscans suggest new BIH order

ICTY cases, update

IMF delegation in Banja Luka

HDZ BIH session

CoE High Committee in session

Disabled person’s demands

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Monument to Drazo Mihajlovic

European Parliament on Balkan

SAA negotiations in autumn

Problems regarding BuskoLake

Russia on OHR’s transformation

Popovic in The Hague

Protest in FBiH Govt building

Franciscans on BiH reorganization

Regional News

Invalids issues to be discussed

Crans Montana forum in Zagreb

BiH swaps body remains with SCG

Oslobodjenje

Terzic: I know Ivo Sanader will understand me

Dnevni Avaz

General Grabovica: Our best sons are being neglected’

Dnevni List

Strasbourg – Resolution on western Balkans adopted: Europe abolishes Dayton!

Vecernji List

Boston lawyers sue Pentagon over cruel tortures: Prisoners suffocated by gas

Slobodna Dalmacija

Strike against oil, coffee and cigarettes coming from Croatia

Nezavisne Novine

Dayton should be changed

Glas Srpske

To change Dayton

EuroBlic

There are 500 thousand unemployed – 180 thousand working unregistered

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related topics

Nacional

Features Serbian related topics

Slobodna Bosna

Former Yugoslavia , spit and start singing! (Refers to announced come back of former Yugoslavia ’s most popular rock band Bijelo Dugme)

Dani

Mine of new crime (digging up iron from a mass grave)

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Cavic: DA cannot be changed

RTRS – Dragan Cavic, RS President, has today stated that revision of Dayton is out of question. Commenting on Resolution European Parliament adopted, Cavic said that Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe did not take part in creation of DA, hence it has no mandate to change it.

RS Govt on police reform

FENA – RS Government today called on all political parties and institutions to contribute to formulating clear principles on the issue the police reform in accordance with the Agreement on Coordinated Political Action. 

Jankovic pleads not guilty

BH Radio 1, RTRS  – Gojko Jankovic indicted for war crimes committed in Foca today pleaded not guilty to all counts of the indictment before the ICTY.

EUFOR continues checks of vehicles

BH Radio 1, RTRS – EUFOR members continue control of vehicles at several locations in the municipalities of Kasindo, Visegrad, Cajnice, Han Pijesak and Rogatica.

Political developments

European Parliament says DPA revision necessary, and HR’s power too extensive

RHB, RTRS, FTV, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Revision of Dayton Agreement is necessary’ by Srna, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Dayton revision necessary’ Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Strasbourg – Resolution on western Balkans adopted: Europe abolishes Dayton!’, not signed– The European Parliament has adopted the Resolution on the status of regional cooperation between the Western Balkans countries, on basis of the Annual Report of the European Commission on the Stabilization and Association Process in this region.

BHT 1 Elvir Bucalo – The resolution says that the revision of the Dayton Peace Agreement is necessary, as well as the higher level of transparency in the work of the High Representative. The Parliament also concluded BiH still has not solved the key issues, adding that BiH needs urgent political initiative based on participation of all the three peoples. Welcoming a series of PIFWC’s surrenders to the ICTY, the Parliament also urged RS authorities to fully cooperate with ICTY. They also requested from the authorities at all levels to do everything in their power to detain Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic as soon as possible. EP appeals to the Council of Europe and European Commission to create joint strategy of control of the state border crossings, with BiH and the whole Balkans region.

PINK – EU Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn promised that the detailed report was going to be issued in autumn.

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘Dayton should be changed’ and pg 3 ‘Revision of Dayton Agreement is necessary’ by Srna, Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Dayton should be changed’ – Delegates of European Parliament also adopted amendments reading that exaggerated powers of High Representative to BiH are unnecessary.

GS reactions to EP resolution by SDS, SNSD, DNS, PDP, SP RS

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Chirch is sanctity’ by N.D. – Commenting the EP’s Resolution on West Balkans, Nikola Spiric fromSNSD, says that a call of the IC for a change of DA represents a recognition of the IC that it had made a mistake ten years ago when the Agreement was composed. Momcilo Novakovic from SDS disagrees with the assessment that existence of RS and FBiH contributes to “regional instability”, adding: “Many local and international officials forget that some other European states are complicated, but it has not been an obstacle for their EU entry.” Drago Kalabic from DNS, underlines that European Parliament ascertained that “all moves IC makes are aimed at constitutional reorganization of BiH at the damage of Serb people.” Gavrilo Antoic from PDP says that concern European MP’s expressed regarding the presence of depleted uranium is “extremely hypocritical and cynical”, adding it dates from the war times, when European Parliament supported bombardment of RS. Zivko Marjanac from RS Socialist Party regards statement on HR powers as admission of mistake.

EU Enlargement rep says   BiH could start negotiations on SAA in autumn 

FTV, Hayat, RTRS – The European Commission expects to start the negotiations on the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with BiH in the autumn, if BiH meets the conditions on full ICTY cooperation and carries out both police and defense reforms, announced the representative of EU Enlargement Commissioner, Fabrizio Barbaso. Participating the Kran Montano Forum in Zagreb , Barbaso added that the countries of this region belong to EU and that they can become a full member state if human and minority rights are respected. Barbaso stated this at Crans Montana Forum in Zagreb on Thursday which gathered about 500 participants from 20 countries and focuses at the “European perspectives – regional cooperation”.

Russians proposes transformation of OHR into EU Office in BiH

FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Moscow proposes transformation of OHR into EU Office in BiH’ by Srna, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Quicker investments’, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Russian request: Strong decrease of Ashdown’s powers!’, by Eldina Medunjanin – BiH Presidency Chair Borislav Paravac held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Vladimir Cizov in Sarajevo on Thursday. Cizov informed Paravac about the proposal of Russia for marking the 10th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement in the right way and transforming the OHR into a EU Office in BiH. Paravac said that BiH is implementing overall reforms, just like other West Balkan countries, especially Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro, for joining the EU because that is the only way towards prosperous peace in the region. Paravac and Cizov underlined good relations between the two countries and expressed optimism in terms of improvement of cooperation, especially in the field of economy, between the two countries.

Int. Comm. for Balkans presents report in Belgrade

RTSR, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Western Balkans in EU in 2014’ by Agencies, Vecernje Novosti pg 4 ‘In EU until 2014’ by M.R.P.  – The International Commission for Balkans presented its report in Belgrade on Thursday, estimating that the status quo of the countries in the region is unacceptable. They anticipate that the regional countries will become EU members in 2014 if maintain this pace.

BHT 1 by Mirela Cosic – Report calls on the BiH to change its constitutional structure, in order to enter into EU. “It is clear that BiH constitution has to be [amended]”, said Zlatko Lagumdzija, BiH Parliament representative who was present at the presentation. Lagumdzija added that the new High Representative in any case needs to be the Representatives of the European Union. “The new Representative will be European, representative of EU, not alike at the moment, EU and UN representative”, said EU High Representative for the Foreign Security and Politics, Javier Solana. Solana added that he believes this would mean more responsibility transferred to EU. BiH minister of Foreign Affairs, Mladen Ivanic, believes that the reduction of HR’s authorities would lead to strengthening of domestic institutions. He added that the constitutional changes need to be discussed once the Stabilization and Association Agreement is attained. ”I believe that discussion on constitutional changes, without attaining the SAA, isn’t realistic”, said Ivanic.

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Sarajevo cannot be capitol city as long as one people is forgotten’, not signed – Lagumdzija also said that Sarajevo could not be capitol city of BiH for as long as one or two peoples were forgotten, since Sarajevo has to be the example of equality of peoples.

Franciscans say best thing for BiH is abolishment of entities

RHB, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Entities should be abolished, and BiH organized in cantons’, mentioned on cover ‘Franciscans request abolishment of both entities’ by KTA, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Franciscans request abolishment of entities’, by NINA, Vecernji List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Abolish entities, organize BiH in cantons’, by Dejan Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 4 ‘Bosnian Franciscans requesting abolishment of entities in BiH’, by H – The Franciscan province in Bosnia, which is holding its plenary session in Sarajevo this week, has proposed re-organizing BiH in order to find a way out of “the confusing and frustrating situation” in the country. The Franciscan plenary council proposed reorganization and final annulment of both the FBiH and the RS so as to set up an indivisible civil and democratic state of Bosnia-Hercegovina. The friars believe that the best solution would be the organization of the country into cantons.

HDZ Presidency, Main Board to meet today

Dnevni List, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘Decision of Convention of HDZ today’, by Ivica Glibusic – Announces that session of HDZ Presidency and HDZ Main Board will be held in Mostar today (Friday). The party announced it would discuss issues of preparations for the forthcoming convention of HDZ, scheduled for mid-May and issue of constitutional changes. HDZ Secretary General Vlatko Medjugorac says there are no announcements that the issue of replacement for Dragan Covic will be discussed, but he could not rule out such a possibility. (similar in RHB, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘They will not propose Covic’s successor’, by Zoran Kresic)

BHT 1 int w/ Colak on today’s session

BHT 1 ‘Frankly Speaking’ current affairs program by Duska Jurisic – In an interview to BHT1, the HDZ leader Barisa Colak stated that there have been no plans to discuss the successor of Dragan Covic at the [today’s] session of HDZ Presidency and Main Board, but the focus would be discussion the plans for a future and new statute. He also said that the BiH Parliament still has not responded to the initiative of this party to discuss Covic’s removal at the extraordinary session of both House. Colak stressed that appointment of a new member of BiH Presidency is very important for HDZ, but in his opinion it is equally important to talk about the situation in BiH, take clear stand on this occurred and discuss whether it harmed BiH image.

Terzic regrets not attending international forum in Zagreb

Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 3 ‘I know Ivo Sanader will understand me’ Az.K. – Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic regrets he has given up on attending Crans Montana international forum in Zagreb explaining he has had already scheduled and unavoidable meetings with IMF representatives in the country. “I know my colleague (Croatian Prime Minister) Ivo Sanader will understand me given that Croatia has issues to resolve with IMF as well,” said Terzic. 

Hayat int/ with new PDHR Butler

Hayat Adnan Rondic – In an interview for NTV Hayat, new Principal Deputy High Representative Lawrence Edward Butler comments on the BiH future: “We have a very clear process, which International Community carries out through the OHR and many other institutions and embassies present in Sarajevo that have paid great attention, resources and love to help BiH to create state institutions that would enable it to enter Euro-Atlantic institutions. Countries that join Euro-Atlantic institutions do not waste their time on thinking how parts of their territory or their sovereignty could be taken. By being admitted to NATO and EU, it means that sovereignty is going to be split with similar countries, with similar values and readiness to takeover the same responsibilities… BiH is very close to Stabilisation and Association Agreement. All its attention has to be paid to achieving this aim, and it may be achieved.”

Martin Ney new SDHR to take over in May

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Martin Ney’ by M.Dr – DA learns that German Martin Ney will take over the duty of the new Senior Deputy High Representative in May. New SDHR previously occupied position in the Director for cooperation with the EU within Germany Foreign Ministry.

Dani opd-ed: Who will try Paddy Ashdown?

Dani pg 3 ‘Who will try Paddy Ashdown?’ Op-ed by Ivan Lovrenovic – In an article full of fierce criticism against High Representative Paddy Ashdown, Lovrenovic claims that Ashdown, in the course of his three-year mandate, has made more damage to the profession of politician than all local officials together since the Dayton Agreement signing. NOTE: Lovrenovic has supported such claims with no arguments apart from a general allegation that it has been described for a thousand times on the pages of BiH magazines, newspapers that OHR represents not a system but anti-system allowing HR to do what he wants without any control.

Hayat on erecting monument to WWII chetnik leader in Doboj region

Hayat by Denis Zaimovic, Semsudin Skejic – On April 24 in a village of Luznjak near Doboj, Ravnagora chetnik movement will mark 54th anniversary of return of Drazo Mihajlovic, WWII chetnik leader, to the village. On the occasion, they plan to erect the monument, confirms the movement’s Chair, Dusan Sladojevic. “This issue underlines the necessity for the adoption of the that law on protection of anti-fascism achievements, as well as of the law on ban of fascists ceremonies. I think that BiH Council of Ministers and BiH Parliament have to react as soon as possible, since the fact is that Mihajlovic is responsible for war crimes committed World War II. Erecting the monument will expand national hatred. If they fail to prevent this, the RS authorities will be blamed”, said BiH Presidency member, Sulejman Tihic. BiH Presidency President, Borislav Paravac still has not received an invitation for the even. Sladojevic said that Paravac would be a guest of honour at the ceremony, and that Paravac would probably attend the ceremony if had time.

Economic and social issues

Disabled persons still have not reached agreement with FBiH Govt; Minister announces possible partly payout

BHT 1Marina Boskovic – About 20 disabled persons from FBiH spend another night in the FBiH Government building, refusing to leave the offices until they are promised the implementation of law regulating their rights starts. “We will leave this building only when we get the solution to our problem”, said President of FBiH Association of Disabled Persons Zijad Arapcic. The law regulating the benefits for disabled persons was adopted in 2004 at the time of the pre-election campaigns, comments BHT reporter. “Certain arrangements should be investigated in order to find out if there are some reserves which would be sufficient for paying these benefits at least partly”, said Radovan Vignjevic, FBiH Minister of Labour and Social Welfare. Vignjevic said in Sarajevo he would propose to the FBiH Government at a session next Thursday to consider the possibility of at least paying a part of contributions to invalids. The implementation of the Law on Social Protection of Civil Victims of the War and Families with Children requires a total of 32.7 million KM.

Hayat – Arapcic said that criminal report against FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic had been filed due to misuse of position. Arapcic said that criminal report will also to be brought against Vignjevic if he fails to present solutions.

PINK, RHB, FTV, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Cheated invalids fighting for life’, mentioned on cover, bvy Senita Sehercehajic, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Arapcic threts to call all 80.000 members to join them’, Dnevni List, back pg ‘Invalids sleeping in Government building’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Instead of money Government offers promises’, by eme – also reported.

IMF delegation in BL

BHT1, Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 10 ‘Economy is priority’, Dnevni AVaz pg 4 ‘The problem of unemployment in BiH demands urgent reaction’, Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Change attitude towards privatization’, by M. Karacic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Economic development is the most important’ by G.D., pg 2 ‘Lower pays and allowances’ by M.Ms., Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Civil servants’ salaries to be reduced for 10%’ by SRNA –  IMF delegation to BiH paid a visit to Banja Luka, where they met with the BiH officials, including the Chair of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, RS President Dragan Cavic, FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, RS Prime Minister, Pero Bukejlovic and RS Finance Minister Svetlana Cenic. IMF delegation to BiH stated to have made a progress in talks on the fiscal and macro economic trends in BiH. Peter Doyle, Head of IMF Mission to BiH said that more funds should be provided for the budget for compensation of war damage for the next year.

Slobodna Bosna: Adnan Terzic against powerful world’s financiers

Slobodna Bosna pgs 14-16 ‘BiH between proud and bankruptcy – Adnan Terzic against powerful world’s financiers’ By Asim Metiljevic – The BiH Council of Ministers i.e its Chairman Adnan Terzic has resolutely rejected in the past days an IMF request to essentially reform state administration and reduce its expenditures. Such the stand has jeopardized BiH’s chances to get two WB loans valued at 60 million dollars. According to the author, by caring about the state administration established mainly through employment of the persons close to the ruling political parties, Terzic and his coalition partners actually invest in the next pre-election campaign. 

RS Pension Fund sues FBiH Pension Fund

Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Lawsuit against pension fund’, by Marko Karacic, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘RS claiming 21 million KMs from Federation fund’, by F – During its session in Banja Luka, the RS Government decided to file lawsuit against FBiH Pension-Disability Fund, since it rejected to pay pensions to RS pensioners who earned their pensions in FBiH. The lawsuit is to be filed to Court in charge, in Mostar. RS Pension Fund allocated around 21 millions KM in the first three months of this year for 38.000 pensioners who earned pensions on FBiH territory. RS Minister of Labour and Veterans Miodrag Deretic comments: ““The lawsuit is the only legitimate way for solving the situation and protecting the large group of retirees in RS”.

PINK, FTV, RTRS, BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Pensions for 38.000 beneficiaries to be paid out’, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Suit filed’ by G.D., EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Lawsuit against F BiH PIO Fund today’ by T.Veselinovic – also reported

Farmers announces new protests on 28 April, 1 June

PINK, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjneje pg 9 ‘New protests’, Dnevni Avaz pg 14 ‘New protests’, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Ministers Doko and Ivanic targeted by farmers’, by D. Polovina-Mandic– BiH Farmers Association announced general protests on June 1, if BiH Council of Ministers and other institutions in charge continue jeopardizing domestic production. The Association will holds warning protests on April 28. The association states that BiH CoM’s decision to abolish customs taxes to import of flour and beer from SCG to BiH is yet another attack against domestic production.

RHB – Chairman of BIH Farmers Association Ranko Bakic blames BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic and BIH Minster of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Dragan Doko, as well as other officials who voted against customs taxes, for the bad position of farmers in BIH.

SD: BiH to introduce new taxes on imported goods from Croatia

Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 17 ‘Strike against oil, coffee and cigarettes coming from Croatia’, by Zlatko Tulic – Amid reports on deteriorating relations between BiH and Croatia, the author argues that the relations have indeed become colder recently. SD also notes that an information has leaked from BiH CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic’s office that BiH is preparing new taxes/customs on products that are being imported from Croatia. Terzic’s advisor Bojan Zec Filipovic told SD that the BiH CoM had not decided anything yet, however SD’s sources in the BiH CoM say that the new taxes on coffee, oil, cigarettes and other high tariff goods are indeed being prepared.

CoM Standing Committee meets in Sarajevo to discuss employment in region

FTV bySinan Saric – The third meeting of the Standing High Committee of the Council of Europe in the field of employment in Southeast Europe, so called the Bucharest Process, started in Sarajevo on Thursday. The Bucharest Declaration was signed two years ago by Southeast European labour, employment and social policy ministers. It aims at preparing Southeast European countries for future integration in to the EU.  First step for BiH should be establishment of the Social and Economy Council and creation of the State action plan for employment. Unemployment rate in BiH reaches 45%, while in Serbia-Montenegro this rate is 25% and in Albania 14%, reports FTV.

RHB, PINK, EuroBlic cover pg splash, RS pg 5 ‘There are 500 thousand unemployed – 180 thousand working unregistered’by by D.S., Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘As much as half BiH population looking for job’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Unemployment rate in BiH at 44,5 percent’, by ra– also reported.

Update to protests of Fagus workers

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Manipulators’ by Predrag Klincov – Writing about protest of “Fagus” staff, the author notes that it is obvious they organised protest upon somebody’s order. Their manipulators obviously tried to send a message to public that “Fagus” staff may lose their jobs because actions of Prosecutor’s Office, not illegal dealings of Miroslav Malijevic. He concludes it is sad that manipulation with workers deprived of their rights has reached enormously high level. BHT1, RTRS – reported on the protest.

Dokic: Tender for Vc by end of year

Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Tender for corridor Vc by end of year’, by M. B., Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Tender for Vc corridor by end of year’ – BiH Minister of Traffic and Communications, Branko Dokic, stated at Zagreb yesterday (Thursday) that it was highly likely that a tender would be invited for the construction of the Corridor Vc through concession by end of 2005.

War crimes

Popovic surrenders to ICTY

PINK, RHB, BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Popovic surrendered’, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Vujadin Popovic in the ICTY’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Vujadin Popovic at Scheweningen’ by BETA – On Thursday Former RS Army Col Vujadin Popovic, charged with crimes committed in Srebrenica in 1995, voluntarily surrender to the Hague Tribunal. RS Interior Minister Darko Matijasevic accompanied Popovic. The RS government has welcomed Popovic’s decision to surrender voluntarily and has announced that it will give the necessary guarantees for him to be released until the beginning of the trial.

BiH Court says Milovan Zec will not be extradited to Croatia

RHB, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 15 ‘Milovan Zec will not be extradited to Croatia’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Court interrogated Milovan Zec and released him’, Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Milovan Zec will not be extradited to Croatia’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘M. Zec was not extradited after hearing, instead he was released’, by Dejan Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 4 ‘BiH: Zec will not be extradited to Croatia’, by Z. Tulic, Glas Srpske pg 12 ‘There will be no extradition’ – The BiH Court has confirmed that detention has not been ordered for Milovan Zec, member of the State Border Service (DGS), who was arrested on Wednesday a warrant issued by Croatian Interpol. He is suspected of committing war crimes. According to the Court’s Secretary General, Vahida Jeftic, the BiH Court has ruled that Zec cannot be extradited to Croatia as he is a Bosnia-Hercegovina citizen.

Danas says Kostunica criticized RS Govt for adopting Srebrenica Working Group report

Danas, pgs 28-30, mentioned on front ‘Criminals from RS are now top RS officials’, by Zvonko Maric – According to “reliable sources of Danas weekly”, as soon as the RS Government adopted the report of the Srebrenica Working Group carrying the names of those involved in Srebrenica ‘95 events, the senior officials of the RS were invited to Belgrade where the Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica gave the RS delegation a lecture that contained insulting vocabulary because the report was adopted “just like that”. On top of this, the delegation was given strict instructions how to reduce the damage in the public, which got informed about the Srebrenica events, namely, the delegation was to organize a press conference at which the RS Prime Minister, Pero Bukejlovic, eventually spoke about the alleged genocide against the Sarajevo Serbs. As for the list of people who took part in the crimes in the Srebrenica area, Danas’ sources in the OHR claim that the RS Interior Minister Darko Matijasevic is also on the list. According to Danas, Matijasevic’s role is not clear enough.

Batic says he has evidences Mladic was at Topcider

Vecernje Novosti pg 7 ‘I know Mladic’s associates’ by B. S. P. – Upon the announcement of Serbian Defense Minister Prvoslav Davinic that he would sue Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic unless he presents evidence for claims that Ratko Mladic was hiding in Serbian military facilities in time when two soldiers got killed at Topcider barracks, Batic said he can hardly wait for Davinic to sue him. Batic claims: “There are evidence for everything I have said. We have names, phone numbers and addresses of Ratko Mladic’s associates and we will make these public only upon a request of those who should be interested in this in accordance with laws.” Dnevni Avaz pg 15 ‘Officials confirm our information on hiding Mladic’ by E. Sarac, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Ratko Mladic is in Topcider’, mentioned on cover, by B. Boskov – dailies repeat Batic’s statement that Mladic was in Tipcider last year. 

BBC int w/ Del Ponte

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘It is scandalous that most wanted ICTY fugitives are at large’, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Closer to The Hague’ – The Chief Prosecutor for the Hague Tribunal, Carla del Ponte, expects that Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic will be arrested by this July when the 10^th anniversary of the massacre in Srebrenica is to be marked. Del Ponte told BBC that her expectations were based on the pressure Brussels was putting on SiCG, which wishes membership in the EU. Del Ponte went on to describe the fact that Mladic and Karadzic had still not been arrested as scandalous stressing that the international community was “absolutely obliged” to locate and arrest them.

Police and defence issues

SIPA presents Krimolovci in BL: To date 138 reports on crimes, including 16 on PIFWCs

FTV, BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Krimolovci presented’, Dnenvi Avaz pg 15 ‘SIPA obtained 16 information on war criminals through Krimolovci’, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Krimolovci received 16 information of war crimes’, by De. L., Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘138 useful information obtained in two weeks’ by S.Karic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Line of trust’ by V.J., EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Phone versus criminals’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – SIPA Director, Sredoje Novic, on Thursday in Banja Luka said that since the transfer of the “Krimolovci” hotline from the EUPM, SIPA has so far received 138 useful reports, of which 16 refer to war crimes. He explained that the information on war crimes have been forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for the purpose of making the operational check-ups. Since SIPA has taken over the line, over 400 various reports have been provided through the calls made on the telephone number 080 020 505.

PINK – “The line is of extreme importance especially when it comes to openness and security of given information, regarding all kinds of crucial security issues, such as issues related with war crime indictees, mass gravesites, organized crime, drug, terrorism, etc”, said Novic. EUPM Commissar, Kevin Carty said that crime had entered all pores of the society in BiH, and it could not be fought without help fo citizens. “Millions of KM are being lost by illegal activities, so the public has a great role in helping police”, said Carty.

RTSR – “This line is not created for gossips but for restoring the trust into public institutions” said RS President Dragan Cavic. SNSD stated that they support this operation as a method of fighting against organized crime.

Peace Support Operations Training Centre opens in Sarajevo

RTRS, Hayat, BHT1, PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Opened peacekeeping school’, mentioned on cover, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Radovanovic: Contribution of BiH to the international peace’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Modern training of soldiers for peacekeeping operations’ by A.Sisic, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Centre for training for peace operations opened’ by D.S.  – The Peace Support Operations Training Centre has been opened in EUFOR’s camp Butmir in Sarajevo . The officers from BiH armed forces will be trained for peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in this base.

FTV – Three courses per year will be organized in the Centre on principles, procedures and planning of peace support operations. The first class of cadets – 36 from BiH and 6 international students – has already completed training. “Training that this Centre provides will enable us to increase BiH’s contribution to the stability in the world,” stated on this occasionBiH Defence Minister, Nikola Radovanovic.

FBiH Army Commander Grabovica: A single army formation a great BiH’s victory

Dnevni Avaz cover page ‘Our best sons are being neglected’, pg 5 ‘A single army formation a great BiH’s victory’, Oslobodjenje pg 7, mentioned on cover ‘Armed force from a time faithful for (crucial for destiny of) BiH’ – Interview with General Hajrudin Grabovica, the Commander of the Federation of BiH Army Joint Headquarters, on the occasion of the 13^th anniversary of the BiH Army establishment. Grabovica emphasized that as the politics and diplomatic measures had failed to prevent brutal aggression against BiH the country had been defended by its best sons, who formed the BiH Army 13 years ago. It is therefore unfair to equalize the aggressors/criminals and the defenders/victims. Speaking on the ongoing defense reform, Grabovica said that the main aim of the reform was the establishment of a single army in BiH. “We are expecting significant progress to be made on that road this year including the abolishment of the entities’ defense ministries,” emphasized Grabovica.

Tihic: Only with a single defence system BiH could enter NATO

Oslobodjenje pg 7, mentioned on cover, ‘To NATO with a single defence system’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Abolishment of entities’ armies is condition for PfP’ by J.S. – On the occasion of 13^th anniversary of the FBiH Army, member of the BiH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic said at the ceremony in Tuzla that BiH msut have a single defence system without entities’ ministries of defence.

NN int. with Carty: The authorities want to keep the control over police

Nezavisne Novine pg 8, announced on cover ‘The authorities want to keep the control over police’ by A. Sisic – In an interview to NN, EUPM Commissioner Kevin Carty said he sees no argument that would justify opposing of certain people to police reform. He thinks that due to such behavior of RS authorities BiH citizens can only draw a conclusion that the collusion between the authorities and organised crime is still present. He talked about EUPM-OHR joint information campaign on police reform and said it can be expected in the next following weeks that the High Representative would intensify political negotiations with an aim of achieving necessary consensus that would lead to a progress. He added it is well known that “certain people in RS oppose to police restructuring but I see no reasonable argument that would explain why they actually oppose it”.

DA op-ed supports abolishment of entities MoIs

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Who needs RS MoI?’ op-ed by Edina Sarac – “RS will not disappeared if entity police abolished, and the only ones to lose will be criminals, war criminals and their aides… For RS and BiH citizens the single police forces, without entities’ Interior Ministries, can be only a tick to a better future,” reads the op-ed on police reform. 

VL: Boston lawyers of Algerian group sue Pentagon over cruel tortures

Vecernji List front pg splash and pgs 16-17 ‘Boston lawyers sue Pentagon over cruel tortures: Prisoners suffocated by gas’, by dj, zb – Boston-based lawyers of the six members of the “Algerian group” – of which four are BiH citizens, which are detained at the U.S. military base Guantanamo Bay – have raised charges before the Federal Court against the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Justice for refusing to announce information on the “dangerous torturing” of the said detainees, was reported by the Voice of America. BHT 1, RHB, PINK, Dnevni Avaz pg 12  ‘Lawyers of Algerian group sued US MoD’– also reported.

Judicial issues

HJPC says BiH Constitutional Court should be under their control

Hayat, BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Decision of the Constitutional Court on Tadic is worrying’, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Tadic should be replaced?’, by NINA – The BiH High Judicial and Prosecution Council (HJPC) on Thursday expressed concern with the BiH Constitutional Court’s decision to support court president Mato Tadic, despite the fact that a lawsuit had been filed against him. “HJPC believes that the manner in which the Constitutional Court has acted with regard to the lawsuit against Tadic demonstrates the necessity that Constitutional Court judges be put under the competence of the council and, in accordance to this, amendments and addenda to the Law on HJPC be adopted,” reads a statement by the HJPC, which studied aspects of the Constitutional Court’s decision at a session held on 4 April.

NN: BiH PO’s investigation on involvement of Bicakcic, Covic and Alijagic in damaging budget for BAM 11 million

Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘Bicakcic, Covic and Alijagic suspected of having damged the budget for BAM 11 million’ by M.Cubro – NN reports referring to a source at BiH Prosecutor’s Office that Special Department of the BiH Prosecutor’s Office for organised, economic crime and corruption is conducting investigation into the level of culpability of former officials of the F BiH Government, Edhem Bicakcic and Dragan Covic, regarding payment of BAM 11 million from budget resources without Government decision. NN collocutor notes: “Former F BiH PM Bicakcic has approved, while former F BiH finance minister Covic and his deputy Mehmed Alijagic have signed and implemented decisions on payment of over BAM 11 million to various budget users, associations and individuals from budget resources.” John McNair, Head of Special Department, briefly commented: “We have previously stated that several investigations are run against Dragan Covic. We have nothing further to add.”

B.Luka Basic Court passed verdict against Veselka Jeremic

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Three month imprisonment to Veselka Jeremic’ – The Banja Luka Basic Court has sentenced Veselka Jeremic, former employee of RS Ministry of Traffic who was indicted in the same indictment along with Branko Dokic and Marko Pavic, to three months prison term and financial penalty of BAM 10 thousand. She will have to give back the amount of BAM 18,955 she had obtained illegally. According to plea bargain Jeremic reached with Prosecutor’s Office, Jeremic said she would “present true testimony” before Banja Luka Basic Court in the case against Dokic and Pavic.

Feral Tribune on Alijagic case

Feral Tribune, pgs 26-27 ‘Republika Sudska’ (sudska means judiciary’s), by Luko Brailo – Carries a recapitulation of the Alijagic case and an interview with Salih Alijagic. Among other issues, Feral claims that the Law on postponement of execution of claims in municipalities and cities in the RS, which was adopted by the RSNA, could never be adopted without a blessing from the OHR and High Representative Paddy Ashdown, “which practically represents an attack on the constitutional order of the state”. On top of this, Feral claims that both the US and Russian embassies to BiH were more than actively engaged in the lobbying pertaining to the law in question. Alijagic comments: “I am appalled with the so-called lobbying, in other words a classic pressure of the RS judiciary and BiH in general”.