RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1(19,00 hrs) | FED TV(19,30 hrs) | RT RS(19,30) |
Uzdol massacre annivers. | Probe on Mac. plane crash | Registration of property | FBIH HoP in session |
Komarica on returnees | Trial of Milosevic | Coal mine blocked | EU on PIFWCs property |
HR warns BiH authorities | Uzdol massacre | Law on civil war victims | HR warns BiH authorities |
FBIH HoP in session | Krsmanovic trial | EUFOR to replace SFOR | PoWs on mujahidins |
Oslobodjenje | 1500 former JNA apartments go to FBiH; Masovic will not attend Commission’s sessions |
Dnevni Avaz | Apartments will not be returned to JNA officers; Paddy Ashdown: Two big problems must be solved; Matijasevic: I still have not bring decision |
Dnevni List | 11th anniversary of suffering of Croats in Uzdol: Perpetrators of massacre still at large |
Vecernji List | International community plunders BiH |
Slobodna Dalmacija | Ivan Mamic Icola on manipulations in HDZ: Everyone stole votes, and we were best at it |
Nezavisne Novine | John McNairL First indictments from |
Glas Srpske | Dragana Bjelica denies SFOR announcement: Two minutes of mercy |
EuroBlic | A first mujahedeens charged with war crimes in BiH |
| Political issues |
Ashdown warns BiH over delays meeting conditions for accession to PfP
| RHB, BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Impressed with progress in BiH’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Again delays in fulfilling conditions for Partnership for Peace’ by Fena, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘BiH at crossroads again’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Not much was done on cooperation with The Hague’ by M.C. – The High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, on Tuesday warned that failure to cooperate with the ICTY could be catastrophic for BiH. On Tuesday Ashdown met with the Foreign Minister of Norway, Jan Petersen. Following the meeting, HR Ashdown stated that if BiH wanted to join the Euro-Atlantic integration, it has to go through “two gates in next six months”, meaning the NATO and Partnership for Peace and continue its road to FTV – FTV comments that judging by warning of the HR Ashdown, following the meeting with Petersen, BiH is on its way to catastrophe. “We are again in situation where, when it comes to the cooperation with Hague we don’t hear anything, especially when RS is in question. On their side, we come across silence only. I have to warn once again, if BiH does not meet all conditions… it will mean catastrophe, not only for BiH but to its future in RTRS – According to Ashdown, if the conditions are not met the situation for authorities and individuals could become rather serious. “If you want to have a protection that |
Ivanic: charges against Maktouf confirm presence of mujahidins in BiH
| RTRS, RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Bad BiH’s image in the world because of mujahidin’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘BiH has problems with its image in the world because of mujahidins’ by Fena, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Indictment confirms presence of mujahiddin in BiH’, mentioned on front, by Ivica Glibusic, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Confirmation of influence of mujahiddin in BiH’, by Branka Stevandic – with regards to reports that the BiH Prosecution has filed war crimes charges against Abdulahim Maktouf, a BiH citizen of Iraqi origins, DL carries the BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, as saying at a press conference held in Banja Luka on Tuesday that BiH has big problems related to its image in the world because of presence of mujahiddin. He also noted that the issue of terrorism in BiH, especially in the FBIH, was never really addressed adding that the charges against Maktouf conclude stories about political influence of mujahiddin in BiH. Finally, Ivanic noted that a great responsibility now rested with the OHR, noting that the OHR and other international institutions must be more direct when it comes to mujahiddin in BiH, otherwise one could talk about application of double standards. EuroBlic cover and pg 11 ‘First mujahedeen charged in |
Ivanic says Ashdown should not talk before elections, announces RS Govt reshuffle
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Message to Ashdown’, Nezavisne Novine pg 13 ‘SNSD leader is a victim of his financers’ by A. Sekulic – The President of PDP and BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, commented the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown’s, statement in which the HR announced that he could strike again if there is no progress in cooperation with the ICTY. Ivanic stated that it would be better for HR Ashdown “not to speak at all before the elections, because the so-called ‘hardliner’ national parties could again win many votes”. Ivanic continued: “My opinion is that there should be a High Representative of the EU in BiH next year, whose task would be not to remove people and impose laws, he would rather have a counselling role”. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 16 ‘It’s better for him not to speak up at all’, by A. Macanovic, Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘New interior minister by end of week’, not signed – Ivanic also announced that upcoming appointment of the new RS Interior Minister would be followed by the reconstruction of the RS Government. |
Journalists condemn
| RTRS, FTV – BIH Coordination of Press Associations strongly condemns the statement of candidate for Banja Luka mayor Ljubisa Buco Kragulj at TV Simic programme two nights ago, when he called on a lynch of certain journalists and media (referring to RTRS and Dragan Davidovic, its Director, “Nezavisne Novine” and ATV). Kragulj accused Nezavisne Novine of being a CIA branch office and as for General Director of RTRS Dragan Davidovic he said that he was appointed by International community to destroy RS. Kragulj also insulted Deputy chief editor of Nezavisne Novine Mirjana Kusmuk. He also commented on Alternativna Televizija Banja Luka (ATV) saying it is financed by foreigners. The Association issued a press release expressing their astonishment over the level of hatred Kragulj voiced towards his opinion-non-likes. Association also called on SDS and PDP, two of seven parties supporting Kragulj, to disassociate from his public statements. Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 4 ‘Kragulj called on lynch of journalists‘ by D. Risojevic – According to NN inset ‘Kragulj’s statement under review’, BiH Election Commission will review the public appearance of Ljubisa Buco Kragulj at Simic TV and if established he violated election rules, he would be penalised, whether in financial regard or his name would be removed from election list, announced Vehid Sehic, President of Election Commission. According to NN inset 2 ‘He denies his statement’ Kragulj on Tuesday denied he “has called on lynch of journalists and media”, saying he has just criticised the editorial policy and the work of the RTRS General Manager, Dragan Davidovic. |
SDP files proposal on change of BiH Constitution
| Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘BiH – a republic without entities’ by A. Terzic, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Organize BiH as de-centralized state’, mentione don front, by Danka Polovina-Mandic, Nezavisne Novine pg 12 ‘Decentralised BiH without entities’ by FENA, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘No entities in Republic’ by SRNA – The SDP of BiH Caucus at the BiH House of Representatives on Tuesday filed a Proposal on changes and addenda to BiH Constitution, which does not stipulate existence of entities and Cantons, but instead sets BiH as a decentralised republic with the high level of regional and local self-governance. Proposal gives to BiH attributes of social and secular state, where sovereignty was given to the citizens and peoples are constitutive throughout the territory. Zlatko Lagumdzija, President of SDP, at the presser in |
New
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘New US Ambassador arrived to BiH’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘McElhaney: I am looking forward to work with BiH leaders’, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Fighter against terrorism arrives to BiH’ by Zoran Kresic, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Tihic received credentials from US Ambassador’ by NINA, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Douglas McElhany arrived to Sarajevo’ by N.N.– New US Ambassador to BiH, Douglas McElhaney arrived to Sarajevo on Tuesday. “I am very pleased to be here in Sarajevo, and look forward to working closely with leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, our European allies and the international community to realize the political and economic reforms necessary for Bosnia and Herzegovina to integrate fully into Euro-Atlantic institutions”, he stated. US Embassy informed that McElhaney will present his credentials to the Chairman of the BiH Presidency today. |
Update to Konjevic polje incident
| BHT 1 by Lejla Redzovic – RS Chief Urbanism Inspector, Zaharije Kujacic, will meet municipal and entity authorities and officials of Serb Orthodox Church to solve the problem of illegally constructed church in Konjevic Polje in a yard of Bosniak returnee Fata Orlovic. Citizens of Konjevic Polje believe that the recent incidents regarding this church are a part of elections campaign. They claim that people from outside of Konjevic Polje have been brought to cause problems. Around 3000 Bosniaks and 5 Serbs live in Konjevic Polje, and they all agree that Fata Orlovic has a right to demand relocation of the church. Local Serbs claim that they don’t even go to that church. RS inspection ordered the church to be closed down four months ago, but has not happened as yet. Mensur Sehagic, RS Minister for Urban Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology claims that this problem should have been solved long time ago, and stresses that the church was constructed illegally. BHT 1 says that municipal authorities believe that this case is too big for them and that was the main reason they arranged meeting with entity authorities and Serb Orthodox Church officials in Bijeljina. Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘The decision on closing down the church in Konjevic polje is legal’ by A. Hadzic – The article in DA brings statement by Mensur Sehagic, who again claims that the ban on usage of the church in Fata Orlovic’s yard is legal, issued by inspector Kujacic. Adding that the issue around this church is rather complex, he invited other institutions to join in trying to solve it, pointing to the RS Government and RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerervic. |
PDHR Hays: ‘A general change of attitude of BiH politicians necessary’
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘A general change of attitude of BiH politicians necessary’ by FENA – Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays stated during yesterday’s press conference in |
SD on elections manipulations
| Slobodna Dalmacija, front & pg 15, ‘Everyone stole votes, and we were best at it’, by Petar Milos – SD carries the story of one Ivan Mamic Icola who describes how on several occasions he rigged HDZ internal elections in Tomislavgrad by manipulation (in secluded hamlets, Icola and his friends put all villagers on the list of HDZ membership, they secretly cast ballots, etc.). Nowadays Icola says he did because he had believed that Josip Peric, the current President of Municipal Council of Tomislavgrad, and Zdravko Prka, the current Mayor, (who, opposed to Tokic-Bacak faction, represented a moderate one) were honest people. |
Oslobodjenje follow up on border issues
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘It is known where is the border with SCG!’ by E. Kamenica – Mustafa Begic, Director of Institute for geodetic and property issues in BiH, denies the statement by Sulejman Tihic, who said that issues between BiH and SCG over the borders will be solved only with the ratification of the corresponding agreement. Begic explains that BiH officially has no border disputes with |
DA on RSNA-adopted Law on Self-Governance
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Cementing the situation in municipality where Serbs are on power’ by M. Radetic – DA writes that the representatives of the non-Serb parliamentarian parties believes that the Law on local self-governance, adopted by the RS National Assembly, will completely cement the situation in municipalities where only Serbs are on power. SDA’s amendment stipulating that the chief, chair of the municipal assembly and its deputies cannot be members of the same constituent peoples, was refuted. However, Chair of SDA Caucus in RSNA, Tarik Sadovic, says that the current Law is an improvement in comparison with the existing situation among employees of RS municipalities, despite the fact that SDA amendments on banning mono-ethnic symbols in municipalities was rejected. RS Minister of Self-Governance, Slaven Pekic believes that such amendment would create blockage in the work of municipalities, as there is no institution that could determine which symbols are and which are not mono-ethnic. |
DL on position of Serbs in Mostar City Administration | Dnevni List, pg 12, ‘Ashdown’s decision makes employment of Serbs impossible’, by Sanja Bjelica – in light of the systematization of jobs in the City Administration of Mostar, DL notes that associations of citizens of Serb nationality and some political parties with Serb prefix are of the view that citizens of Serb nationality in Mostar are being brought in a discriminated position thanks to the High Representative Paddy Ashdown’s decision on filling positions through internal vacancies and thanks to the fact that the constitutional decisions on constituency of peoples are not being respected. Thus, very few Serbs (some 3%) employed by the Mostar City Administration or by former Municipalities will have the opportunity to apply for jobs, while the systematization plan foresees that some 20% of people of Serb nationality should be employed there. The daily also reminds that, upon proposal of the Serb caucus, the Mostar City Council has adopted a conclusion saying that, if it proves impossible to fill the positions through internal vacancies due to lack of personnel coming from the lines of the Serb people, external vacancies will be published as well. Mostar Mayor Hamdija Jahic admits the situation adding that all further steps will be taken in cooperation and coordination with the OHR. He claims that he will advocate respect of the principle of equal representation of peoples, adding these problems are of technical nature exclusively. |
| War crimes |
11th anniversary of Uzdole massacre marked
| RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Covic: We must turn to future’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Memory of victims’ by Fena, Dnevni List, front and pg 3 ‘Perpetrators of massacre still at large’, by Vesna Leto, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 16 ‘Uzdol is still waiting for justice’, by Z. Zekic,– The eleventh anniversary of the Uzdol massacre, in which a BiH Army unit killed 41 Croats at the village of Uzdol near Prozor-Rama, was marked on Tuesday. Holy mass was served by the Bishop of Dubrovnik, monsignor dr. Zelimir Puljic, and several political delegations, including a delegation led by the Croat member of BiH Presidency, Dragan Covic, laid wreaths at the monument erected to the victims. Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Remembering Croat victims of Uzdol crime’, by Simun Novakovic – VL notes that apart from general Sefer Halilovic, who is being tried by the ICTY, no one else is being tried for the Uzdol crimes although the perpetrators are known. FTV, BHT 1 – Dragan Covic said in a speech: “Coming here is a message of peace. I’ve visited ICTY recently. We went there because we want to stand together in our attempt to get rid of the burden of past, to turn to the future. We can’t do that… until all those responsible for war crime are arrested.” |
EU Parliament freezes property of Karadzic, Mladic and Gotovina
| BHT 1, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘EU Parliament froze property of Karadzic, Mladic and Gotovina’ by SRNA, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Property locked’, Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Assets of Karadzic, Mladic and Gotovina frozen?’, by Nermin Bise – European Parliament on Tuesday adopted decision on freezing all the assets and establishing control over all financial operations of Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic and Ante Gotovina. The decision will be a part of a European Council statute. The result of the decision is that all EU members will have to start controlling financial operations connected to these 3 war crimes indictees. |
McNair on indictments be processed before
| Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 3 ‘First indictments from the Hague from 1 October’ by A. Sisic – John McNair, Head of BiH Court Special Chamber for organised and economic crime and corruption, confirmed on Tuesday that the Special Chamber will start receiving upheld indictments for war crimes against persons (who would be tried in BiH) from the Hague as of 1 October. He stressed: “Chamber will be getting these indictments in accordance with the Rules of the Road. The indicted persons would be tried in BiH.” He further confirmed that the State Prosecutor’s Office has actively engaged in transfer of some cases from |
Update to Maktouf indictment
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Maktouf’s defence expected indictment for economic crime’ by Az. Kalamujic – Daily reminds of the war crimes charges against Adulahim Maktouf which were pressed by the BiH Court’s Special Department for organized and economic crime and corruption. The indictment has been issued on Monday and forwarded to Vlado Adamovic, judge for pre-trial hearing at the EuroBlic cover and pg 11 ‘First mujahedeen charged in Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Lozo claims this is a confusion’ by F.V. – Lozo gives similar statement. Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Big step for BiH’, by Arijana Beus – carries an op-ed with regards to reports that the BiH Prosecution has filed war crimes charges against Abduladhim Maktouf, a BiH citizen of Iraqi origins. The author welcomes the BiH Prosecution’s move, saying it is a step forward for BiH as a state, and especially for the BiH Prosecution. On the other hand, the author notes that the indictment confirms what’s been speculated about for years in BiH – the presence of mujahiddin in BiH. |
Update to Milovan Bjelica case
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Bjelica visited by Red Cross representatives’ by Fena – According to SFOR Spokesperson Mark Hope, representatives of the International Red Cross have visited Milovan Cicko Bjelica arrested by SFOR and kept detention for interrogation. Hope added that Bjelica has also been allowed to get in contact with his family and lawyer. Glas Srpske cover page story ‘Teo minutes of silence’ by S.R.T. – Dragana Bjelica, the Milovan Bjelica’s wife, on Tuesday denied SFOR announcement saying that detainee was allowed contact with his family and attorney. She said SFOR release “is not true”. She added: “The truth is that only once in these 15 days I was allowed two minutes talk with him over the phone.” She added she was not allowed to ask him anything during that talk, stressing: “It was important for me to hear his voice. I can say he sounded calm and sound.” |
Oslobodjenje: Masovic will not attend sessions of Srebrenica Commission | Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Masovic will not attend the session of the Commission’, mentioned on cover, by A. Avdic – Daily writes that, according to the well informed source, the Srebrenica Commission will not likely not accept the proposal by the Chief of FBiH Missing Persons Commission, Amor Masovic, to allow him or some of his colleagues to attend the sessions of Srebrenica Commission. Article further says that Masovic’s proposal was not discussed at the latest session of the Commission, “despite the fact that OHR representatives were claiming that the ‘thing was finished’.” Daily concludes that in this case it should also not be accepted for FBiH Commission to resume with the search of bodies at the locations identified by Srebrenica Commission. |
| Economic and social issues |
FBiH HoP: Military apartments will not be returned to JNA officers
| RHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover splash ‘1500 former JNA apartments to belong to Federation of BiH’ by S. Sehercehajic, Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Apartments will not be returned to JNA officers’,pg 2 ‘Military apartments will not be returned to JNA officers’ by A. Basic, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Return of 1500 military flats made impossible’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘No return of military flats’, by f, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Law passed make-up voting’ by Srna – The House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament adopted a law yesterday, which makes the return of 1500 military flats in the FBiH to former JNA officers, who left BiH and continued the military service in Serbia and Montenegro, impossible. The title of the said law is Law on changes and amendments to Law on sale of flats with tenancy right. The proposal of the said law was adopted in the FBiH HoR in early July. Thirty MPs voted in favour of the law, 3 were against, 12 abstained from voting. |
FTV on property registration
| FTV – According to the World Bank, 331 days are needed in BiH to register a property. |
FTV on protests in Zenica mine
| FTV – Residents of Obrenovci near Zenica’s coal mine shaft Stranjani prevented the miners working in the first shift to enter into the mine on Tuesday. They demand compensations for the damage on their houses caused by the coal exploitation at this location. Three years ago they filed a lawsuit against the Mine for causing ground sliding and damages on their houses. |
VL interview with Grabovac
| Vecernji List, front and pg 5 ‘International community plunders BiH’, by Zdenko Jurilj – carries an interview with former FBiH Finance Minister (removed by HR Ashdown) and professor at Sarajevo School of Economy, Nikola Grabovac, in which he, talking about the VAT, notes that he is in favour of three different VAT rates. Questioned to estimate as to how much money is being taken out of BiH through import of goods and operations of foreign banks in BiH, professor Grabovac estimates that the banks keep deposits in foreign banks amounting to some 2,5 billion KMs, which is of no use for BiH because the funds cannot be used for cheap loans and development of economy. |
Oslobodjenje on audits of FBiH institutions
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Minister Lucic was giving himself daily allowances’, mentioned on cover, by A. Omeragic – Daily brings parts of the report prepared by the FBiH Auditors which marks a number of irregularities noted in the FBiH Institutions. According to the report, FBiH Health Minister Tomo Lucic was giving himself daily allowances as well as to the people not working in the Ministry. The irregularities of the working of the Ministry also include uncontrolled purchase of the oil, tax frauds, overspending of the budget, etc. The auditors also discovered irregularities in the Ministry of Refugees and DPs, who was warned to work “more carefully with humanitarians” and to sort the lists of refugees and DPs, as they include a number of names of people who do not have that status anymore. The report on Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining also show illegitimate spending, such as unauthorized pay raises, purchase of oil for private vehicles, etc. The FBiH Trade Ministry has also been warned by auditors. |
BiH Refugees Ministry says 450.000 flats in BiH destroyed | Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘There are 450.000 destroyed apartments in BiH’ by S.R., Dnevni List, pg 4, ‘Ensure 2.5 billion KM for reconstruction of destroyed housing units’, by Erna Mackic – the BiH Ministry for DPs and Refugees has announced that there have been 18,388 applications to the public tender this Ministry published in order to register the number of people in need of housing reconstruction. The definite number will be known at the beginning of October as the tender is still open. The Commission for DPs and refugees assesses that it is necessary to ensure 2.5 billion KM for the reconstruction of destroyed housing units, the current number of which is 450,000. So far, 37% of the total destroyed housing units have been reconstructed. At yesterday’s session, the Commission came up with the list of municipalities in which joint projects will be implemented in 2004 and it also adopted the Feasibility Study of the Development Bank of the Council of Europe. The selection of the Study beneficiaries will be based on updated UNHCR database from 19 collective centres. |
| Security issues and investigations |
Preparations for handover between SFOR and EU forces
| RHB, BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘EUFOR as for December’ by Fena, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘SFOR and EUFOR agreeing on transition’, not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 16 ‘All done by December’, by F – SFOR spokesman Mark Hope stated that the preparations for the transfer of authority from the NATO-led SFOR to the European Union are proceeding well and the new EU-led peacekeeping mission in BiH is expected to be operational in December. A special conference on planning a new EU-led force and establishing a special NATO headquarters for BiH has just ended in Neum. The meeting was attended by British Gen David Leakey, who had been appointed commander of the EUFOR mission in the country. He will command about 7,500 troops from EU member countries, while at the same time a special NATO headquarters will be established in FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Concept of Althea operation approved’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Support to BiH for accession to EU’ by S.N. – Council for general and foreign affairs of the European Commission on Monday approved the concept of the military EU operation in BiH [ALTHEA]. “This is the skeleton of a plan of activities aimed to show that we continue with preparations to take over the military mission in BiH from NATO,” Christina Galjak, spokeswoman for Javier Solana, stated for DA. |
Mikerevic to bring decision on RS MoI today
| RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Mikerevic brings decision today’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Appointment of Interior Minister today’ by A.S. – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic confirmed in Bijeljina on Tuesday that he will bring decision on appointment of the RS Interior Minister today. “I hope that now I will be able to transfer duties to the person who will work 24 horus a day,” Mikerevic said refusing to give a name of new RS MoI. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Matijasevic still did not decide whether he will be RS Minister of police’, mentioned on cover ‘Matijasevic: I still did not bring decision’ by M. Vidovic – BiH military attache in NATO HQ in Brussels, Darko Matijasevic, says to DA that he was surprised when he saw in the newspapers that he was approved by the OHR for the position of RS Interior Minister. Asked whether he will accept the appointment, Matijasevic responded: “If I have a chance to talk to authorized officials of the RS, than I will have defined and formulated attitude on that issue.” EuroBlic RSpg 4 ‘Government reserved towards Matijasevic’ by R.R. – Confirms Matijasevic is a candidate for RS MoI. |
Macedonian investigation of the plane crash
| BHT 1 – Macedonian State Prosecution will request additional evidence from the BiH Prosecutor’s Office on the crash of plane which carried the Macedonian delegation to Mostar development conference. The crash killed Macedonian president Boris Trajkovski,members of the delegation and plane crew. Families of the killed announced submitting the lawsuit against BIH, |
SD interview with a Croat Self-Rule indictee Petar Milic | Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 14 ‘Covic was more important, but he is not being tried’, by Zoran Zekic – carries an interview with Petar Milic, who is a part of group of seven people that will be charged with events related to the Croat self-rule from 2001. Milic believes that the whole process is politically rigged because “the IC is conducting and forcing the |
| CIPS affairs |
RTRS on investigations around CIPS irregularities
| RTSR by Daliborka Predragovic – The State Prosecutor Ahmed Halebic confirmed that investigation on issuing forged documents within the CIPS project could last for a year. BiH Prosecution says that those arrested in Banja Luka CIPS office are “small players” compared to those they worked for. Official authorities feel that CIPS project is not in danger, but they don’t deny that the criminal activities in connection to it exist. “There are attempts of crime. There is a great interest in falsified visas, for instance for Chinese or other people, they pay 5000 US dollars for it. Similar situation is with some other documents”, Safet Halilovic BIH Minister of Civil Affairs says. “We have a group of 30 000 potential people who didn’t exist in the old database. There could be manipulations with those documents. It isn’t such a problem to go to every one of those addresses. We are not China or Brazil”, Mirko Skrbic Director of CIPS Direction says. RTRS journalist wondered that if CIPS was suppose to provide unique database and stop the misuses, than how can so many false documents be issued. Boris Divjak from Transparency International BiH believes that problems of false documents shouldn’t have happened. In his opinion that doesn’t justify costs of the project paid by BIH citizens, who had also an aim to make traveling easier. But, according to Divjak, the real problems will most probably occur after this. He adds that we might have to replace the documents one more time and declare 40 million dollars to be a failed investment |
CIPS denies BHT 1 that 200.000 documents could be forged
| Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘We do not have information on forging’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘200.000 documents is not forged’ – The CIPS project directorate on Tuesday refuted claims that it had confirmed to BHT1 the existence of 200,000 forged documents of persons who have were killed or went missing during the war and 35,000 documents of those who were not born in BiH. A statement by the CIPS project directorate says that only the BiH Prosecution is responsible for giving information on the number of forgeries. The latest official information of the relevant authorities, which the directorate has received, suggests that it was established that 70 cases out of the two million issued documents were forgeries beyond any doubt. |
Transparency International says CIPS not transparent project
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘It is not impossible that falsifications are made consciously’ by M. Vidovic – The Director of the Transparency International, Boris Divjak, warns that a number of issues were not clear or transparent about the CIPS project. Along that line, Divjak mentions that the project never had a transparent procedure of the purchasing equipment, but that Siemens got the job at the time when the “high representatives was an Austrian.” Commenting to the cases of forged CIPS documents in |