OHR BiH Media Round-up, 16/11/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

ICTY: Halilovic acquitted

ICTY: Halilovic acquitted

31^st regular RS NA session

BiH HoP on naturalized citizens

RSNA in session

Andan on Mladic

EBRD onCroatia

Bush visits Japan

McElchany on Washington talks

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Reactions to conference in Brussels

Djurkovic’s arrest confirmed

HR addresses UN Security Council

Croat & Bosniak veteran’s demands

Mandic’s custody extended

Conference on Vc corridor

Discussion on high education

Ashdown meets US and UN officials

Terzic in visit to Malaysia

FBIH HoP deputies in Tuzla

Support for BiH in joining PfP

Dokic on Peljesac-mainland bridge

NTV Hayat  (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Dokic on Peljesac bridge

Unemployment in BiH

HR addresses UN Security Council

Wesley Clarke interest in Corridor Vc

War veterans to organize protests

Reactions to Brussels conference

Arrest warrant for Bosko Pervisic

Lijanovic case, update

NGO’s on constitutional changes

RS MoI reports to RSNA

Bosko Previsic escaped to Croatia?

Opinion poll on Dayton Agreement

Oslobodjenje

OHR is silently observing division of Mostar

Dnevni Avaz

[HR speech] We must cure BiH of dangerous addiction

Dnevni List

Pressure exerted against winesses

Vecernji List

Mostar is threatened with erasing from UNESCO

Slobodna Dalmacija

Full board for 140 marks (report from Mostar dorm)

Nezavisne Novine

USA will support any decision of BiH politicians

Glas Srpske

Guardians of a wrong image

EuroBlic

Without a spectacular turning point in Washington either

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

ICTY acquits Halilovic of war crimes charges

RTRS, RHB – ICTY acquitted former commander of BiH Army, Sefer Halilovic, who had been charged with killing of Croat civilians in Grabovica and Uzdol in Herzegovina in September 1993. BH Radio 1 by Jelena Kisic – Prosecution however did prove the Army committed war crimes against 25 civilians in Uzdol and 13 in Grabovica.

RSNA in session, changes to privatisation law adopted

RTRS, BH Radio by Radmila Grubisa – RSNA session commenced today. Without much discussion, the delegates adopted the changes to the law on privatization of the state capital in the companies. RS Industry Ministry Miladin Gligoric explained said the goal of the changes was to speed up the privatization of strategic companies.

BiH HoP in session, to discuss citizenship law

RHB – BiH House of Peoples is in session today, and it is expected to discuss in the urgent procedure the Proposal of law on changes and amendments to the law on BiH citizenship, which foresees establishment of a commission that should be reviewing awarding of BiH citizenships to foreign nationals.

Catholic bishops refuse to take part in 10^th anniversary of DPA in US

RHB– Catholic bishops from BiH refused to take part in the forthcoming marking of the 10^th anniversary of the DPA that is to take place in the US next week. Cardinal Vinko Puljic informed the US Ambassador to BiH, Douglas McElhaney, about the status of the Catholic Church in BiH, warning of difficulties the Croats are facing when returning to their pre-war homes.

Constitutional changes / DPA anniversary

HR Ashdown addresses UN SC : BiH needs to consider post Dayton era; urges UN to review police certification process conducted by IPTF

FTV by Zinaida Hamidovic – The High Representative Paddy Ashdown on Tuesday addressed the UN Security Council for the last time in his capacity as the HR stating that it was possible to change the BiH Constitution as well as the role of the International Community in BiH. Ashdown said that BiH managed to achieve what was deemed as impossible a year ago. BiH is at Europe’s threshold, said Ashdown. The HR added that constitutional reforms had to be continued and that it had to be done by BiH politicians through consensus. In interview for FTV, Ashdown said that BiH politicians need to reconsider the post-Dayton era and find new framework to move forward. “Now what that means is constitutional changes. The IC could offer aid and support, but domestic representatives are the ones who should reach the agreement through consensus. Good news from Brussels is that the process has been launched, event though through small steps of the domestic authorities. The most important thing is to continue the process. I doubt that greater progress is going to be achieved by elections in October 2006”, said the HR. BHT 1 – HR also welcomed surrender of 12 war crime indictees, but pointed that the most wanted still had not been arrested. PINK– While in the US, Ashdown will also meet US and UN officials and attend the events surrounding the tenth DPA anniversary. Hayat– Ashdown has also addressed the issue of police de-certification and urged the UN SC to set up a review of police certification process conducted by the UN’s International Police Task Force. Hayat expressed hope that the UN would bring the positive decision on the issue. Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘We must cure BiH of dangerous addiction’, and pgs 4-5 ‘Bosnia and Herzegovina managed to do what many thought impossible’, not signed – carries entire speech HR delivered before the UN SC. RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Governments and state service in BiH squander the money’ by FENA, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Dayton Accord has reached the end of its usefulness’ by NINA, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Great progress of BiH’, announced on cover ‘Implementation of reforms in BiH to follow now’ by D. Risojevic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘At the Europe’s doorstep’ by Srna– Carry Ashdown statement that DPA leaves no more room for reforms necessary to sing the SAA .

FTV: politicians will go to Washington with same difference in stances; if anything agreed, it will be due to US pressure

FTVby Blazica Kristo – FTV comments that following the Brussels meeting, stances of BiH political parties differ a lot and that it seems they would depart for Washington with such differences. FBiH parties support the efficient state government and parliament which could lead BiH towards Euro-Atlantic integrations. RS political parties are willing to introduce so called ‘cosmetic changes’, the ones which would ensure existence and authorities of the RS. “Some kind of partial solutions, which would extend the agony… I am against it. It is better not to have the situation changed at all, instead of having someone say that the job was done when it was not done”, said SDA Chair Sulejman Tihic. “The changes, if not adequate, but cosmetic, would legalize the temporary solutions as permanent ones”, said SBiH’s Safet Halilovic. BiH politicians deem Washington talks as a chance for DPA corrections, agreement Croats found most disappointing. HDZ Chair Dragan Covic says that proposed constitutional reforms are making state structure greater. “I expect no pressures at Washington talks, I expect that anything which is not to be agreed on is going to be signed”, said SNSD Chair Milorad Dodik. Reporter concludes that the great number of BiH politicians believes that if anything is to be signed, it will be the result of the USA pressure. RTRS also carries Dodik and Tihic. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘I hope that US administration really stands behind Burn’s statement’ by A.M. – Mirsad Ceman, SDA official who participated the Brussels talks expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcome adding he hopes Washington negotiations would bring “something more”. He also criticised the RS representatives in Brussels for “advocating only for strengthening and confirming the entities divisions”, especially Dodik.

Cavic: All that endangers RS is unacceptable  

RTRS by Biljana Knezevic – RS President Dragan Cavic stated after the conference that whatever endangers RS is unacceptable. He stressed that European and US officials do not expect revolution changes to BIH Constitution but those which will adjust BIH to European integrations. He added that such position was a problem for FBIH parties since they were counting on pressure from international community that never occurred. He expects that conference scheduled in Washington will be a continuation of talks in Brussels. Cavic also stated that if a compromise on constitutional changes is reached in Washington then a joint document would be signed. FTV – “As far as FBiH politicians are concerned, cosmetic changes are those which do not foresee abolishment of entities…this means that they are approaching the issue cosmetically, cosmetically in terms of estimation and qualification and basically in terms of having the Dayton Agreement founding abolished”, said Dragan Cavic.

Dodik: RS officials to sign in Washington stmnt that Karadzic should turn himself in, otherwise apprehended

Dnevni Avaz, pg 9 ‘Call Karadzic on to surrender’, by Srna, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘To sign statement on Karadzic’ by ra, Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Leaders from RS will invite Karadzic to surrender’ by V. Popovic – SNSD President Milorad Dodik said on Tuesday that the political representatives from RS at the meeting in Washington to be held in one week will sign a statement that ICTY indictee Radovan Karadzic should turn himself over. “It is almost certain that we from the RS will have the opportunity to sign a statement that Karadzic should surrender and to express preparedness to request from the institutions to do their job in the case he fails to comply”, explained Dodik. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘They wanted to dissolve Dayton’ by G.Dakic – Dodik also said that the constitutional changes represent no condition for BiH admission to EU.

Some RSNA delegates demand session Brussels conference; Speaker Stojicic says RSNA will not discuss the issue

RTRS by Vesna Cibic, Aida Halilovic – Commenting the constitutional changes and the conference in Brussels before the RS National Assembly, SRS Chair Milanko Mihajlica demanded a special RSNA session dedicated to the conference. SNSD member Krstan Simic stressed that it is not good to scare RS citizen and wondered why no one reacted to the report of Venice Commission from 3rd of March which was the base for conference in Brussels. Several deputies feel that RS President Dragan Cavic should address RS NA and notify deputies on the conference. RS NA Speaker Dusan Stojicic concluded that there will be no discussion on changes to BIH Constitution or conference in Brussels and added that negotiators will not address RS NA since RS NA statute does not allow it. Late news edition also informed that RS NA deputies have adopted a decision by which the Assembly will organise a public discussion after which changes to RS Constitution will be made regarding the number of judges in RS Constitutional Court. These changes were initiated by RS President Dragan Cavic. EuroBlic cover pg splash, RSpg 2-3 ‘No spectacular turn in Washington either’ by Nedeljka Breberina  – also reports.

Relota: ‘Conclusions of Venetian Commission unacceptable’; Tihic: ‘New Constitution after elections’

Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Conclusions of Venetian Commission unacceptable’ by I. Rozic – Commenting on the Washington talks on constitutional changes, HDZ spokesperson Miso Relota stated: ‘We expect that, just like in Brussels, signing of some agreement would be offered to us, however as long as the authors of these agreements take Venetian Commission conclusions as the ground for the agreements HDZ will not sign anything.’ He added that most probably the US Institute for Peace and the US Administration make a Washington proposal of the agreement. DL inset ‘New Constitution after elections’ carries SDA President Sulejman Tihic as saying that he expects that differences, which appeared in Brussels , would be overcome in Washington . Tihic hopes that all participants of the negotiations in Washington would sign a joint statement on the ground of which they would oblige themselves that they would pass a new Constitution immediately after general 2006 elections. 

Ivanic says nothing was agreed; HSS disappointed; NHI will not go to Washington

Dnevni Avaz, pg 9 ‘Ivanic: Nothing was agreed in Brussels’, not signed– PDP Chair Mladen Ivanic confirmed that nothing was agreed at the conference. He stated that certain parties from FBIH didn’t want to reach an agreement on constitutional changes. RHB– HSS is disappointed with the conference. This party stressed that the conference is proof that 3 national parties and their “satellites” are not capable to offer an acceptable constitutional solution. NHI Chair Kresimir Zubak declined the invitation to participate in the conference dedicated to changes of BIH Constitution scheduled for 20^th November in Washington. Zubak stressed that NHI hasn’t participated in the conference in Brussels and therefore will not participate at the conference in Washington. Dnevni Avaz, pg 9 ‘Entities are obstacles to reforms’, not signed, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Zubak will not go to Washington’, by NINA, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘’Zubak will not go to Washington’, by ra, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 26 ‘Zubak: Existence of entities denies BiH’, by N. Dimitrijevic – also carry Zubak.

PDP’s Nagradic: Croats want Serbs to make them an entity

Novi Reporter pg 15 inset ‘Croats want Serbs to make them an entity’ – In a half-page interview to weekly, Slobodan Nagradic from PDP says, inert alia, that the Croat officials are not explicit in expressing their views regarding constitutional changes, adding they just express dissatisfaction with the so far solutions offered. He notes Croats would accept third entity if somebody else, for example, for make one for them.

Zdravko Tomac: Serbs and Croats should have joint policy to resolve problems in BiH

Novi Reporter pg 19 inset ‘There is no major problem between Serbs and Croats’ – In a page interview, Zdravko Tomac from Croatian Social democrats says that Croat people in BiH is majority in both entities in BiH. He also proposes an idea of a historic agreement to be signed between Serbs and Croats in the Balkans, stating that the agreement of the two biggest peoples should not be at the detriment of any other people, noting it is high time Serbs and Croats considered their interests in the Balkans and started running a joint policy, which would resolve the problem of BiH.

RS NGOs demand protection of RS const. position; PoWs: We will not allow for const. changes to occur

RTRS by Momcilo Ostojic – Six NGOs in RS demanding preservation of RS constitutional position in negotiations on changes to BIH Constitution decided to form Serb movement of NGO’s that will be called SPONA (Link). Chair of RS Association of former detention camp inmates, Branislav Dukic stated that members of SPONA represent 90% of RS population, as it includes Associations of PoWs, Veterans, Families of the imprisoned and missing persons, refugee coordination, pensioners and Students Organization. “We will not allow for changes to constitution to occur”, stated Dukic. “Identity of RS must be preserved”, says Mihajlo Paradjin Deputy Chair of RS Veterans organisation. Chair of RS Association of killed and imprisoned soldiers and missing persons Zarko Radic stated that no one has the rightto allow RS disappear as so many people died defending it. Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘No more concessions’ by M. Mi., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘“Spona” protects Srpska’ by M. S. – also reported on Spona establishment.

EC: ‘Important progress has been achieved’

RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Important progress has been achieved’, Dnevni Avaz, pg 9 ‘European Commission believes progress has been made’, by Fena, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘EU: Progress in negotiations on BiH Constitution’ by H– The EC stated on Tuesday that the meeting of leaders of main BiH political parties in Brussels aimed at reviewing the BiH constitution has led to “significant developments”. “A new constitutions is not being mentioned, things remain within the same framework, with amendments that should contribute to its improvement. We now need to seek which parties will defined amendments which as yet to not have a specific form”, one of the Commission’s spokespersons told the press and underlined the fact that BiH officials were able to hold talks “without frameworks”.

Ambassador McElhaney: USA will support any decision of BiH politicians

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 4 ‘USA will support any decision of BiH politicians’ by D. Risojevic – in an interview to NN, US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney stated he believes a progress might be achieved during the Washington talks on constitutional changes. He says many options are still open but the final agreement depends on BiH politicians. He noted it is not enough to have peace in a country but institutions need to be developed. Asked whether any constitutional changes would be defined on November 22 in Washington, the Ambassador replied three issues are being discussed at the moment – BiH Presidency structure, CoM and state parliament and he believes this is a good start. Inset ‘Washington invitation to Karadzic and Mladic to surrender’ – the Ambassador emphasized that all Serb politicians that will attend the Washington talks have decided to issue a statement with regard to cooperation with the Hague Tribunal and he expressed his hope that the statement would represent an invitation to Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic to surrender.

VL: ‘Burns report to US Senate shows that cosmetic changes of Constitution are result of the IC’s pressure and not agreement of BiH political parties’

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Burns: We would like to have one President and strong Government’ by Z. Kresic – US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns stated before the Board for International Relations with the US Senate, held at the beginning of the last week, that Chief US State Secretary Condoleeza Rice will demand from the BiH Presidency members (at the meeting on November 22) to give their consent for cosmetic constitutional reforms in order to ‘dismantle’ collective BiH Presidency, establish a stronger Government and reform the Parliament. VL says that they are in possession of this report and VL says: ‘By this claim Burns confirmed that cosmetic changes of the Constitution are the result of the International Community’s pressure and not the agreement of BiH political parties.’ 

Nacional claims BiH officials will support draft of new BiH Const.:  ‘Unitary BiH as of March 1, 2006 ’

Nacional pg 28-34 ‘Unitary BiH as of March 1, 2006’ by M. Spahic carries that according to their reliable information coming from the IC circles, BiH officials would support a draft of a new BiH Constitution, and its final implementation will have to be officially confirmed by March 1, 2006. Nacional also says that on November 21/22 BiH officials would attend the ceremony marking the 10^th anniversary of the DPA and signing of ‘ Dayton plus’ would be given to BiH officials during this ceremony. 

Blic: No spectacular turn in Washington either

EuroBlic cover pg splash, RSpg 2-3 ‘No spectacular turn in Washington either’ by Nedeljka Breberina – Following failure of Brussels talks on constitutional changes, daily notes referring to analysts (sociologist Ivan Sijakovic, Dr. Kasim Trnka) saying they do not expect any spectacular turn of events during talks of representatives of eight parliamentary parties. Trnka also notes that “international factor is present in the entire story, and the public is most likely unaware of what was agreed in Brussels”.

Oslobodjenje op-ed on Brussels/Washington talks: Constitutional changes are inevitable

Oslobodjenje op-ed pg 9 ‘Brussels, then Washington’ by Senka Kurtovic – The author notes Brussels talks failed, admitting some minor still insufficient progress has been achieved. She notes judging by announcement of Paddy Ashdown (that talks must continue), Washington talks will be prepared better. The raises the issue of importance of constitutional changes, which is key of BiH integration into Europe . She concludes by saying international officials will have to do much to convince RS representatives in this, adding it is evident Washington talks will not bring anything new. 

NN op-ed on Brussels talks: we should not be sceptical about progress in Washington

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Brussels negotiations’ by Dragan Risojevic – Writing about constitutional changes, Risojevic notes that participants of Brussels talks have split on three key problems: structure of BiH Presidency, BiH COM and state Parliament, adding that some indications show we should not be sceptical about seeing some agreement reached in Washington. He stresses final goal of changes is new Constitution of BiH, daring not to speculate on potential outcome of Washington talks.

NN op-ed on Brussels talks: “ Washington ” talks more serious, to result with agreement

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Anniversary’ anniversary’ by Anton Kasipovic – Writing about constitutional changes, the author notes that Brussels meeting was only a preparation for the more serious Washington talks, which is to result in signing of some kind of the agreement. On this, he raises the issue as to whether how BiH will mark 10^th anniversary of Dayton and in what form. He stresses that in order to a state out of BiH, RS must stop pretending to be a state. Moreover, in order to make BiH a state of all peoples BiH must be spacious enough for all of them.

Novi reporter on const. changes:

Novi Reporter pgs 12-13 ‘Serb yoga according German tradition’ by Igor Gajic – The author compares the talks on constitutional changes in BiH, claiming they were initiated by Bosniaks and supported by the IC, with the const. changes of Austria in 1938 and Polland in 1939, carried out by the German Chancellor, as foreigner, which resulted in incidents in five years time. Author points out to the fact that Serbs and Croats were no consulted on potential changes prior to preparing draft changes by Donald Hays. The author also criticises the RS officials for failing to present their related views and proposal, noting they are preoccupied with their own survival. Novi Reporter pgs 14-20 ‘Between third entity and marginalisation’ by D.Kovacevic-S.Bizic – Substantiating claims from above article, authors stress that the IC in BiH is rarely neutral and continuously supportive of Bosniaks, while Serb and Croats are left aside. He also observes that Croats are also disunited in its stances regarding their future status in BiH.

Prime Communications poll: changes of DA only with consent of the three peoples

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Changes of the Dayton [Agreement] only with consent of the peoples’ by S. G., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Majority supports agreement’ not signed – Prime Communications Agency from Banja Luka has conducted a poll that indicates that 74,9 % of citizens deem that the Dayton Agreement can be changed only with consent of the three constituent peoples. The total of 13,7 % of citizens feel that the Agreement should not be changed, because it is suitable for all three peoples. The poll on the stands of RS citizens on these issues was conducted on the combined sample of 1.770 adult citizens.

Economic, judicial and social issues

Conference on Vc corridor to gather 220 reps of international companies; Dokic says Croatia must ensure BiH’s free passage to open sea if Peljesac bridge constructed

PINKby Aida Doric – The International Financial Conference on the Vc corridor will gather about 220 representatives of the international companies on Thursday in Sarajevo. Aim of the Conference is to present the activities on project preparation and to inform possible investor about it. BiH Minister of Communications and Transport Branko Dokic: “In further activities, our priority is to convince Brussels that this is not just BiH project but that this is truly European project, and to ask for direct support and help in financing this project and that BiH enter EU with this project finished.” BHT 1 – It is supposed that the construction of the corridor is 6 milliards KM. The Feasibility Study should be completed by mid 2006, when public bid is going to be issued. Dokic added that no concrete agreements were expected at the conference: “It is not possible to make contract on concession immediately after the conference since we have no necessary documentation and the Commission on concessions has given us no green light to do that.” Dnevni List pg 2 ‘BiH will demand harmless passage on Peljesac’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 4, mentioned on cover ‘Peljesac Bridge – Zagreb under strike of Sarajevo’ by Z. Jurilj, E. Medunjnain, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Dokic: Croatia must secure passage to Neum’ by H and last pg ‘Talks on Peljesac bridge follow’ by Z. Rerig, Hayatby Alem Karamesic – Dokic also reacted to Croatian plans of construction of the bridge connecting the mainland with Peljesac peninsula by saying that the bridge would disable sale of larger ships to port Neum. “We insist that  if the bridge will be constructed, that Croatia ensure to BiH free passage to the open sea,” stated Dokic. He also deems that Croatia would not bring into question good bilateral relations between two countries. FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Croatia will not allow itself a luxury to damage relations with BiH’, Dnevni Avaz, pg 11 ‘Dokic: We will either agree or challenge Croatia’, by L. Sinanovic, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Highway will not go through Neum’ by D. Polovina-Mandic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘The Corridor gathers elite’ by N. Z., EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Vc Corridor conference’ by D. S also reported.

Former NATO Commander Clarke interested in Vc corridor construction

FTV, Hayat, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Clarke’s representatives at conference on Corridor Vc’ by D.P.M. – Mark Nichols and Michael Durke, highly positioned envoys of former NATO Supreme Commander Wesley Clarke, have arrived in Sarajevo on Tuesday. Clarke is strongly interested in the construction of the highway on corridor 5c in partnership with Bosmal. They will attend the conference on the highway on corridor 5c. Bosmal and General Clark are concluding the establishment of a consortium that would finance the construction of the corridor 5c.

Terzic in Malaysia discusses economic investments

BHT 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘BiH wants to be a voice representing Malaysia in EU’, announced on cover ‘Economic partnership with Malaysia’ by Sead Numanovic, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Terzic in Malaysia invited concessionaires for highway’ by Az.Kalamujic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Terzic at audience at Malaysian King’s’ by D. Mu. – During the press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair, assessed BiH visit to Malaysia was fruitful, expressing gratitude of Bih to Malaysia for the assistance provided at key moments. Terzic also said that BiH now offers a new shape of cooperation between the two states, which would enable investors from Malaysia to invest in BiH. On SAA talks, Terzic said that once BiH is admitted into EU, it wants to be voice representing Malaysia in EU.

Detention to Mandic extended for a month

Hayat, FTV, BHT1, RTRS, PINK, Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Custody to Mandic extended’, by S. T., Oslobodjenje, pg 10, mentioned on front ‘Another month of detention to Momo Mandic’, by A. N., Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Detention to Mandic extended for one month’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Detention to Momcilo Mandic was extended’ by A. Durmo, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Detention was extended’ by Srna– BiH Court extended custody to Momcilo Mandic, who was accused of organised crime related to the Eastern Sarajevo Privredna Bank operations, for a month. The extension has been requested by Prosecutor Jonathan Rattel.

Trial for Covic/Lijanovic case continued

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Pressure exerted against witnesses?!’ not signed – At continuation of the trial in the Covic/Lijanovici case Chairman of the Panel of Judges Richard Gebelien said that Robert Livingston would be questioned on Wednesday. Livingston is an official person who had a contact with former protected witness Zoran Nikolic. Lawyers of the indictees were against this hearing since Livingston was present in the courtroom from the very beginning of the trial and they believe that his testimony is contrary to the BiH laws. The defence also demanded that Nikolic should be among the first witnesses that would questioned since a bigger part of the bill of indictment is grounded on his testimony.  DL also says that the defence of Jerko Lijanovic did not get a reply to the question whether it is correct that the Prosecutor was questioning witnesses as suspects and exerted pressure against them. Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Crucial witness in 20 days’ by D. Jazvic,Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 25 ‘Protected witness has to be urgently questioned’, by Zlatko Tuliccarry similar reports. RTSR, Hayat, FTV, RHB, Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘First prosecution witness will be investigator Robert Livingstone’, mentioned on front ‘Canadian the first prosecution witness’, by S. T., Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Livingstone will be the first witness’ by A. Durmo – also reported.   

Veterans warn Govt against reducing their allowances; otherwise, massive protests to be organized

FTV by Zlata Behram – Members of war veteran’s organizations and associations of the former BiH Army and HVO soldiers warned FBiH Government and Parliament against decrease of their disability pensions. Namely, the budget has been allocating 301 million KM for the pensions, but now means would also be directed for some other purposes. The organizations presented their stances to the FBiH Minister for War Veterans Issues Zahid Crnkic. Crnkic said that the issue could be solved by asking the FBiH Government to allocate 334 millions KM to the budget for 2006, by which war veterans would still have their 301 million KM, while 18 millions would be allocated to recipients of war medals and 15 to members of Fikret Abdic’s forces. It is said that the World Bank is to decide on the issue. The veterans warned that if their request was not met they would organize massive protests. Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Leaders of fighters’ associations announce mass protests’, by A. Dedajic, Oslobodjenje, pg 8, mentioned on front ‘If you touch incomes, we are taking it to the streets’, by A. Becirovic, Dnevni List pg 7, mentioned on cover ‘Defenders’ associations to come out on streets soon’ by D. Custovic – also reported.

VL: ‘Mostar to be erased from UNESCO’s list?’

Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘Mostar is threatened with erasing from UNESCO’, and pg 3 ‘UNESCO rejecting Mostar?’, by Zoran Kresic – According to VL, authorities in Mostar are risking that the Old Town core of Mostar could lose its status in the UNESCO (it has been included in world heritage list) unless a special agency that would administer the Old Town is established soon and pre-war users of business premises (Croats and Serbs) are reinstated. VL announces a visit of UNESCO Deputy Director for culture, Mounir Bouchenaki, to whom the Mostar authorities are to report about the progress regarding the aforementioned issues. Mayor of Mostar, Ljubo Beslic, hopes the issue (pf establishment of agency) will be solved at the next session of Mostar City Council.

War crimes

Detention for Djurkovic demanded

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Djurkovic claims Bosniaks voluntarily asked to leave Bijeljina’ by R.I. – RS Interior Ministry confirmed that upon the order of the BiH Court its officers arrested Vojkan Djurkovic in Bijeljina. Djurkovic has been arrested under suspicion of committing the war crimes in Bijeljina region as the member of Zeljko Raznjatovic Arkan‘s paramilitary group, the “Tigers”. Daily, inert alia, reports that during the war in BiH, Djurkovic claimed he was in charge of dislocation and exchange of civilians from the area of Bijeljina, claiming his work was human and based on written demands of Bosniaks, who voluntarily asked to be moved out from Bijeljina. Hayat, PINK, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Detention for Djurkovic demanded’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Vojkan Djurkovic transferred to BiH Court detention unit’ by N.Krsman N.Krsman– also reported.

Update to Previsic case: In the run in Croatia

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘HNK MOI did not issue wanted warrant’ by F.V. – Zoran Krtalic, Judge with Mostar Cantonal Court, Tuesday confirmed to daily that the former warden of concentration camp “Gabel” Bosko Boko Previsic, charged with war crimes against civilian population and war prisoners, is not accessible to judiciary as yet, adding it is true Previsic is in the run most likely in Croatia. However, the MoI of Herzegovina Heretva Canton Tuesday had no official information on the run of “Gabel” camp warden. Leila Trivun, Spokesperson of the HNK MoI told daily that MoI has not still received order of the Cantonal Court regarding issuance of wanted warrant after Previsic.  BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Warrant after Bosko Previsic’ by A.O., Dnevni List pg 49 ‘Arrest warrant after Bosko Previsic issued’ by N. Dedic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 21 ‘Fugitive in Croatia’ by A. Vlaho – also reported.

RTRS, on Previsic case: BiH , Croatia and SCG should extradite war crimes suspects among each other

Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘Escape of suspects to neighboring states’, by Edina Sarac – The author reminds of recent statements by the President of BiH Court, Meddzida Kreso, is which she appealed for help from the IC when it comes to processing of war crimes suspects who have double citizenships and who are using the double citizenship to hide from the BiH judiciary in the neighboring countries, as was the recent case when the former commander of Gabela prison camp (Bosko Previsic) most likely found refuge in Croatia. Sarac argues that top echelons of the state, foremost the BiH CoM and BiH Justice Ministry should try to make a tripartite agreement with Croatia and SCG on extradition of war crimes suspects, otherwise the BiH Court could find itself in situation that it tries only Bosniaks for war crimes and criminal acts. RTRS – RTRS also warns that the cases alike this become regular now and that there are no guarantees that it won’t happen again if the regional countries don’t reach agreement on treatment of these cases. “If Inter-State agreement is not signed, we will have situation where people will run away in order to avoid proceedings on BiH courts,” commented the chair of the HJPC, Branko Peric. 

GS on establishment of Commission for war crimes committed against Sarajevo Serbs

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Custodians of false image’ by N. Z.- D. Mo. – Daily raises the issue as to why F BiH authorities are still not investigating war crimes committed against Serbs in Sarajevo six months after BhiH Constitutional Court’ decision ordering F BiH to provide information to the families of Serbs regarding destiny of their family members. Daily notes that OHR has not reacted on this either, carrying comments of Slavko Jovicic, Vice President of the RS Association of former detention camp inmates(urging HR Paddy Ashdown to involve in the issue), Jelina Djurkovic, PDP delegate at BiH HoR (reiterating accusations Adnan Terzic and Sulejman Tihic are obstructing establishment of Sarajevo Commission), Slobodan Nagradic, Assistant to BiH minister for human rights and refugees (saying Terzic has never included this issue into CoM’ session) and Democratic Initiative of Sarajevo Serbs (saying it is high time truth about Sarajevo Serbs were revealed).

Sources close to RS, BiH, ICTY officials: negotiations on surrender of Mladic ongoing; main issues discussed: payment to Mladic, amnesty to support network

Vecernje Novosti pg 13, announced on cover ‘Closer to surrender than ever’ by V. M. – Sources close to RS and BiH political, police and intelligence structures claim RS and SiCG representatives of authorities have had frequent contacts lately and the main topic was, most probably, surrender of Ratko Mladic. According to the sources, the day of surrender of Mladic is in sight, but Mladic’s negotiators allegedly demand for a payment in the amount of 10 million € as well as that members of Mladic’s support network be granted amnesty. EuroBlic pg 4 ‘Negotiations with Mladic on conditions of surrender’ announced on cover ‘Negotiations with Mladic on surrender’ by Tanja Nikolic – Djakovic – A source close to the Hague Tribunal claims the time for Mladic’s surrender is running out. The source says Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica’s “man” – a Serbian businessman with strong connections in Washington – is bringing negotiations on surrender of Mladic to an end and he was instructed to present the ultimatum to him – either he would surrender or he would be arrested. EuroBlic also reports that the main issue discussed is a payment to Mladic and his family.

ICTY’s Mathias Hellman on financing ICTY: Tribunal spent a billion dollars

Oslobodjenje, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Tribunal spent a billion dollars’, by Fena – Representative of the ICTY Secretariat in BiH Matias Hellman told FENA that the IC has, through the UN and the ICTY invested almost a billion USD into the implementation of justice of atrocities committed in former Yugoslavia. “This can sound as a large amount of money, but the annual cost of the functioning of the Tribunal is still less than a twentieth of the annual cost of peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia during the way,” added Hellman.  Asked if certain claims that the ICTY is facing bankruptcy were true, Hellman said: “It would be entirely false to say that the ICTY is facing bankruptcy. At a certain period last year there were financial difficulties where some of the states were late in paying the commitments towards the ICTY budget. However, that situation was overcome a long time ago and all the debts have been settled.”

Other political issues

RSNA adopts RS MoI working report

PINKDragica Tojagic – The RSNA accepted the Working Report of the RS Ministry of Interior for the first six months of this year that was presented by the Chief of the RS MoI Cabinet, Zoran Glusac. Glusac evaluated RS MoI cooperation with the ICTY as positive, stressing that ten war crimes indictees surrendered themselves to the RS authorities in this period. RSNA Parliamentary Board for Defence and Security, Velimir Sakan underlined that the Report misses some information in terms of the cooperation with the ICTY and personnel policy and therefore it should be amended in the coming period. SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stressed that the high crime rate is surely linked with the fact that a large number of people employed with the law enforcement is involved in supporting certain criminal organisations. Delegates also adopted the Working Report of the Regulatory Agency for Electric Power for 2004.RTRS – SBiH delegates stated they are not satisfied with the with the report. Muharem Murselovic from SBiH stated that RS MoI hasn’t done enough to protect returnees and religious objects, especially in Prijedor. Borislav Bojic from SDS stressed that not only mosques in Prijedor were attacked but churches too. RS NA has also adopted a conclusion by which RS deputies in BIH Parliament are obliged to vote against budget for 2006 if it doesn’t provide resources for population census. BHT1, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘There are no calculations when it comes to cooperation with The Hague’, by Fena, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Results on cooperation with ICTY’ not signed, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘The police got satisfactory mark’ by G. Dakic, Glas Srpske pg RS2 ‘Delegates commended policemen’ by R. R.also reported.

SBiH’s Omerovic blames OHR, HDZ and SDA for divisions in Mostar

Oslobodjenje, front pg splash and pg 7 ‘OHR is silently observing division of Mostar’, by Asaf Becirovic – Leader of SBiH for Mostar, Safet Omerovic, argues that Mostar has remained a deeply divided city, for which he points the finger at the OHR, foremost the OHR South, as one of the main culprits. Omerovic says: “The ruling political parties, the SDA and HDZ, and OHR’s Implementation Unit led by Richard Williams are not implementing the Statute at all. That’s why the policy of the HDZ and Croat people is getting more present in the city (…) Decision of the City Council that have supported the implementation of the Statute are not being implemented. Having said that, the OHR is doing nothing, thus derogating the Statute it has imposed. It is possible to conclude that those people who claim that the OHR had made some promises to the HDZ before the adoption of the Statute were right, and that’s why he have the current situation.” He goes on to criticize the national representation in the MostarCity administration, claiming that there are too many Croats at the expense of the Bosniaks and Serbs. “(…) What does OHR say? Nothing! It blesses the HDZ! It is inconceivable that Lord Ashdown comes to oath taking ceremony for civil servants knowing that the national balance is unacceptable for Bosniaks and Serbs! In fact, I believe that the chief of OHR’s Implementation Unit, Richard Williams, managed to find some sort of a soothing option with the SDA. I would not be surprised if that’s the case (…) Richard Williams is the direct participant, the promoter of all divisions in the city (…) ”, says Omerovic.

NN speculates if Schilling appointed new HR, Gerald Knaus of ESI his chief advisor

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Knaus might be chief advisor’ by Jane’s – PIC session will be held on December 14, on which occasion the name of new HR to BiH would be made public. Analysts believe that, if Christian Schwartz Schilling is appointed new HR, his advisors would set his policy. Gerald Knaus is mentioned as one of possible chief advisors. Knaus is the president of the ESI , European Stability Initiative, policy institute providing analysis also with a focus at the South-East Europe region.  

Ljubic, Raguzand Merdzo have not received yet decision on their expelling from HDZ

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Merdzo and Raguz did not get decision’ by zk carries that Bozo Ljubic, Martin Raguz and Josip Merdzo have not received yet the decision on their expelling from HDZ and for this reason they have not filed appeals to this decision. VL also says that people from HDZ said that the decision would be submitted in accordance with procedures and deadlines. 

BrusselsSummit on Balkans on 8^th December

Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Summit on European politics in Brussels’ by FENA – One-day Summit on European politics in the Balkans will be held in Brussels on 8^th December. Numerous officials from south-east Europe and EU will take part in this Summit, including Olli Rehn, EU Enlargement Commissioner, Boris Tadic, Serbian President, Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister, etc. Debate will focus on the issue of Balkans’ integration into EU.