OHR BiH Media Round-up, 16/12/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA

(12,00 hrs)

RTRS

(12,00 hrs)

Del Ponte on PIFWCS before UN SC

Talks on const. changes resume SA

Mostar City Council solemn session

New HR on his priorities

Holy mass at Mostar Cathedral

BiH citizen arrested inSwitzerland

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA

(18,00 hrs)

TV PINK

(18,00 hrs)

BHT 1

(19,00 hrs)

HR addresses OSCE Council

11 indicted – Srebrenica war crimes

BIH court on war crime indictments

Schilling on BIH Constitution

Talks on constitutional changes

Del Ponte on SiCG/BiH ICTY coop.

Report on Schilling’s experience

Schilling on his goals in BiH

Issue of Karadzic’s PIDF financing

FBIH Government session

PIC welcomes SAA negotiations

CoM in session

NTV Hayat

(19,00 hrs)

FTV

(19,30 hrs)

RTRS

(19,30 hrs)

Gas supply to be solved by February

SBC Police actions

HR addresses OSCE Council

Formed BiH SAA Negotiation Team

Charges vs. police officials in Bihac

Policeman wounded in action

Text of SAA handed to BiH officials

FBIH Gov’t in session

SEPCA meeting in Belgrade

BiH& SCG EU integration cooperation

BIH court on war crime indictments

Indictment against Mandic returned

Oslobodjenje

Pensions could be late because of application of VAT

Dnevni Avaz

Schwarz-Schilling: Economy will be my most important priority

Dnevni List

Vrankic and Dervisevic decide on destiny of Financial Police

Vecernji List

Croat against Croatian is project of foreigners

Slobodna Dalmacija

BiH lost hospital in Cavtat

Glas Srpske

To go to the street in wintertime? (An eviction case in Bijeljina)

Nezavisne Novine

Land radiated

Blic

State not prepared to protect citizens (investment into stock reserves)

Vecernje Novosti

Serbia related headlines

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Talks on const. changes resume in SA

RS Radio – The talks on constitutional changes led by the US Peace Institute have resumed in Sarajevo today. According to statements politicians, who are taking part in talks, gave, progress has been achieved in regard to reaching possible agreement related to changes at the BiH CoM, while there is still no progress achieved in regard to changes at BiH Presidency. Sulejman Tihic stated Thursday meeting heard some proposals, expressing expectation that the US Institute for Peace would prepare some compromise solutions for today’s session, in which order BiH would get functional and efficient authority. Responding to press question whether stances have approached, Tihic said: “There has been no significant progress reached.” Dragan Cavic and Milorad Dodik stated opinions still vary drastically in regard to BiH Presidency. 

RTRS learns that Dragan Covic is not attending today’s resumption of talks in Sarajevo.

RHB also covered the issue.

Political Developments/Reforms/Cooperation with ICTY

Schwarz-Schilling interview for BHT: I will not restrain to use Bon powers if necessary

BHT prime time news – New High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, said in the interview for BHT 1, that he has to transform the responsibility of BIH leaders. He stated that he will try to be 80-90% Special Representative while only 10% the High Representative during 2006. Schwarz-Schilling stated that after the elections in 2006, it will be seen if there is a need for HR anymore. He stated that he will not restrain from using the Bonn powers if necessary.

Late News Update – By Elvir Bucalo – BHT 1 broadcasted the entire interview with next HR in BIH Christian Schwarz-Schilling. In the second part of the interview, Schwarz-Schilling stated that role of HR should be more advisory hoping for the better progress of BIH. He stated that the atmosphere within the OHR must be changed. “OHR should be as an advisor to BIH and not to impose decisions. We have to help but they have to negotiate” added Schwarz-Schilling. Commenting the Constitutional reforms in IH, Schwarz-Schilling praised the US initiative on Constitutional changes adding that everything must be done in the frame of Dayton Peace Agreement. He added that the biggest problem in BIH is the issue of war crime indictees Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic.

BHT: Political analyst Kolar disappointed with Schwarz-Schilling’s statements re constitutional changes

BHT Late News – By Suzana Stambol – The political analyst Ramo Kolar stated that he was disappointed with the announcements of new HR to BIH Christian Schwarz-Schilling especially regarding the issue of Constitutional changes. “If they make Constitutional changes within DPA framework than nothing will change. There is no progress made since Donald Hays came out with a proposal to do the reforms,” explained Kolar. He noted that all IC representatives repeatedly mention DPA as the peacemaker but they do not mention that it hasn’t created the normal state.

Dnevni Avaz interview with Schwarz-Schilling: Economy will be my most important priority

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘Economy will be my most important priority’ and pg 5 ‘Bonn powers are the last instrument I will use’ by Sead Numanovic – Newly appointed High Representative to BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling has stated economy will be the most important priority in his work, followed by BiH institutions and their functionality and transfer of competences from OHR onto EUSR. He added this would influence the use of Bonn powers, which he would be using as the last available instrument. He noted he would work on reinstating trust in elected authorities among BiH citizens and added OHR would monitor and aid in the process of negotiations on SAA talks. With regard to Bonn powers, Schwarz-Schilling stated these powers will be used in a different manner next year and added these powers would be abolished with the end of OHR mandate – in 2007. He stressed he is very interested in the implementation of the ongoing reforms and added this issue would be of a special importance during his mandate, as well as the issue of efficiency and cost of authorities. He noted that the authorities should serve citizens instead to be a shield for certain ethnic groups and elite. Regarding the cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, Schwarz-Schilling stated this issue is one of key issues and added this process would be monitored closely. Schwarz-Schilling also said it still had not be decided how long would his mandate last, adding that this depends on the capability of BiH authorities to implement reforms, but also depends on the moment when EUSR would replace OHR. Inset ‘I do not seep during meetings’ – Schwarz-Schilling stated some people have thought he was sleeping during meetings and said this was not true explaining that closing his eyes merely helps him focus on the issue and listen carefully. Inset ‘I am honored with reactions from BiH’ – he expressed he was greatly honored with reactions in BiH following his appointment.

Schwarz-Schilling for Die Presse: BiH needs constitutional reform

RHB, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘One should review all institutions of the old (former) system’, Vecernji List, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘Schilling: I plan to remove disobedient politicians’, not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 24 ‘Complicated state’, by F, Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Schilling would not shrink from removing of disobedient ones’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Schwarz Schilling will not stop at removing those disobedient’ by BETA, FENA – The newly appointed High Representative to BiH, Christian Schwarz-Schilling told the Vienna journal “Die Presse” that the constitutional reform in BiH is absolutely necessary because the Dayton Accords “created a very complicated state”. “This is a country with 180 ministers … this is why changes are more than necessary”, said Schwarz-Schilling, adding that he is grateful to the Americans for launching the debate on this subject. He added that BiH needs “evolution” towards the future, and this means that it is necessary to “go through all institutions of the old system”. “However, it is necessary for all Bosnian parties to reach an agreement on the changes”, stressed the new High Representative, who will replace Paddy Ashdown on this duty on January 31. Nevertheless, he warned that history cannot be changed just like that, which led the journalist of “Die Presse” to the conclusion that BiH will still be a “state of ethnic groups, and not a state of citizens”. “Do not be such a pessimist”, responded Schwarz-Schilling, stressing that “all state institutions must adjust to the new circumstances so that they could be compatible with the European perspective”. “This means that the Entities, Federation BiH and Republika Srpska, must adjust to the contemporary administrative practice”, explained Schwarz-Schilling. Anyhow, he added, “my first priority will be economic development, because when people do not have anything to eat, than there is no point in talking about other things”. “In BiH there are people who are still living under tents, there is something very wrong here. The stories on democratic

Christian Schwarz Schilling’ statement to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Scwarz Schilling: BiH is a stable state’ by SRNA–AFP, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘To strengthen rule of law’ by SRNA – Future High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling told German daily “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” Thursday that BiH needs to become a “normal European state”, noting: “Furthermore, people need to regain confidence in the international community and their state institutions. This is a difficult process because physical destruction in that country has led to this in the minds of people. Economic development needs to be treated as priority; otherwise even the best political reforms will have no purpose. This means reduction of bureaucracy which poisons the activities of companies even before they invest.” He also noted that HR can act as an advisor, but cannot define reforms, since this is a job for the local politicians because the EU negotiates with them.

Vecernje Novosti:  excerpts from a CSS interview

Vecernje Novosti pg 4 ‘To preserve Bosnia and then to Europe’ by Goran Cvorovic – Daily carries extracts from an interview the new HR to BiH, Christian Schwarz Schilling gave (without providing information whether it was given to this daily or it was taken from some other interview). The new HR said his task is to turn Bosnia towards the future, noting he would hear the opinions of citizens and cooperate with the peoples of BiH. He noted one of his priority tasks will be to cooperate with BiH politicians on implementation of the SAA talks. 

German media of appointment of Schwarz-Schilling

Oslobodjenje, pgs 4-5 ‘Experienced peacemaker of quarreled BiH peoples’, by Mile Lasic – According to the daily’s reporter from Germany, the German media routinely commented the news about the appointment of Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling for the office of High Representative for BiH. The electronic media, including the ARD, used the opportunity to address the issue of 10^th anniversary of the DPA, saying that “the Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats do not wage war against each other any more, however they do not live with each other, but rather one by others”. One of leading German dailies, the ‘Suddeutsche Zeitung’ from Munich, wrote that Schwarz-Schilling’s experience of a peacemaker between the three peoples would be of good use to him, arguing that he will be having tough times in persuading the three peoples to leading BiH to sovereignty.

Oslobodjenje op-ed: Schwarz-Schilling will have hard time in BiH

Oslobodjenje, pg 9 ‘Schwarz-Schilling’, by Zija Dizdarevic – carries an op-ed in which the author, whilst commenting on the appointment of Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling for the office of High Representative for BiH, says there are efforts to have the OHR shut down as soon as possible, something that could help BiH mature and join the Euro-Atlantic integration, which will be a tough task. Commenting on Schwarz-Schilling’s announcement that one of his priorities will be strengthening of economy, Dizdarevic writes it is about a political issue since there is not even a single market in BiH since many BiH politicians are part of lobbies that work against interests of BiH. Moreover, Dizdarevic comments that many politicians hoped that the new HR would not resort to repressive measures, to which Schwarz-Schilling replied that he would use the Bonn powers against obstructionists. As a conclusion, the author says the new HR is in for grapple with the RS, which still shows resistance towards BiH as a state, and with national oligarchies, which will continue defending their monopolies.

SB, Dani op-eds on C. Schwarz-Schilling’s appointment

Slobodna Bosna, pg 32 ‘German diplomat Schwarz-Schilling convincingly wins the race for office of High representative for BiH!’, by Danka Savic– Commenting on the appointment of Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling for the office of the High Representative for BiH, SB comments he received almost an unanimous support from the PIC given it was only The Netherlands that did not support Schwarz-Schilling because it had nominated its candidate for the same post, namely Michael Patijn. SB also notes that the media have already hinted that the founder and director of European Stability Initiative and Schwarz-Schilling’s former advisor, Gerald Knaus, will be the new HR’s ‘right hand man’.

Dani pg 9 also carries in its section ‘Word in focus’ the information about Schwartz-Schilling’s appointment to the HR’s position in BiH. Dani says: ‘Unlike Paddy Ashdown, who is totally confused, Schilling is considered to be a systematic person, well familiar with the situation in BiH.’

PDP welcomes appointment of Schwarz-Schilling as new HR

Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Faster integration into Europe’, FENA – The Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) welcomed on Thursday the appointment of Christian Schwarz-Schilling as the new High Representative to BiH. The Party is now looking forward to continuation of the democratization process and greater transfer of responsibilities to the domestic bodies. PDP expects the newly appointed High Representative to contribute to BiH’s speedy European integration.

PIC welcomes start of SAA talks, reiterates dissatisfaction Karadzic, Mladic are still at large

Pink, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘BiH authorities must accept Croatian approach with regard to arrest of Gotovina’ – The Political Directors for the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Steering Board welcomed at the meeting in Paris on Wednesday the opening of Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) negotiations said the OHR’s spokesperson, Ljiljana Radetic, at a press conference in Banja Luka on Thursday.  The PIC directors stressed the need to make significant progress on cooperation with ICTY. “The PIC directors expressed their sharp dissatisfaction with the lack of recent cooperation – noting that the two most wanted war criminals Ratko Mladic and RadovanKaradzic remain at large,” said Radetic. “Police reform is essential in the fight against organized crime and terrorism and PIC will monitor progress in police reform very closely,” said Radetic on another issue that the PIC directors addressed. They also expressed concern about the lack of frequency with which the Council of Ministers meets, noting that the Council of ministers has only met five times in the past three months, and has adopted only four laws.

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Karadzic and Mladic must be arrested’, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Concerned over Terzic’ Government’ by N.B.  also covered the issue.

French Foreign Minister praised progress achieved in BiH

Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Blazy praised progress in BiH’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘France supports reduction of international role in BiH’ by Agencies – French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste Blazy organized in Paris a reception for the high-ranked BiH delegation at the end of the ceremony marking the 10^th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accord. Newly appointed High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling also attended this reception. On this occasion Minister Blazy praised a progress in BiH which makes possible that BiH joins European perspectives and he added that France and Europe would give maximal help to BiH in this process. 

French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy/ESI Directo G. Knaus on Kosovo issue, BiH

Dani pgs 38 and 39 ‘Bosnia and Kosovo cannot be connected’ by E. Suljagic carries an interview with French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, who, among the other things says: ‘France is paying the biggest attention to the issue of the future status of Kosovo, that will be of crucial importance for stability of the Western Balkans. I have reminded Serbian and Kosovo officials that France does not have an opinion on the results of the negotiations in advance and that they have to give their contribution during the negotiations in a constructive way. Naturally there are limits of possible results of the negotiations…In any case the future status of Kosovo will not influence BiH.’

Dani pgs 46-48 ‘Independence will not resolve a single problem in Kosovo’ by E. Suljagic carries an interview with Director of the European Stability Initiative Gerald Knaus, who, among the other things, says: ‘It would be good for BiH that the issue of the Kosovo status was resolved in a peaceful manner and through a compromise and this would be good for the whole region and EU. However, failure to reach the compromise on Kosovo would, most probably, bring to serious tensions and political instability in Serbia and this might even cause growing differences in the interests of Belgrade on one side and interests of Banja Luka on the other side…Finally the international resoluteness not to allow connecting of Kosovo and BiH is total and complete.’    

HR Ashdown addressed OSCE Council

RHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Non-cooperation with The Hague brings sanctions’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘There still many things to be done in BiH’ by Hina, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘RS to face sanctions’ by Agencies, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Threats and promises’ – HR Paddy Ashdown stated in Berlin at session of OSCE Council that great progress was made in BIH in the last years. He also stated that situation in BIH is changed and that BIH is now on the path towards Europe . Ashdown concluded that the greatest responsibility of running the country is now upon BIH citizens. As far as main priorities in 2006 are concerned HR stressed reform of public sector, strengthening of civil society and education of voters as well as activating of young people in public life.

Talks on constitutional reform continued in Sarajevo

Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘;Another failed round of talks’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘McElhaney: Commitment from Washington must be fulfilled’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘No talks on entities’ abolishment’ by M.Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Step by step’ by Z.Domazet  – US Peace Institute official Donald Hays and representatives of 8 the strongest BIH parties participated in talks on constitutional changes in BIH that have been continued in Sarajevo on Thursday. Beriz Belkic from SBiH stated that his party was interested to see the proposed outcome of this process and whether the powers already transferred to the state level will be included in the new Constitution. Although it had been earlier announced he would leave for Brussels, SDA Leader Sulejman Tihic attended the meeting, reiterating his stance that he is against cosmetic changes of the constitution but ready for the compromise. PDP Leader Mladen Ivanic reiterated that discussion on entities is not an option. HDZ Leader Dragan Covic repeated that his party is for modern, well organised, country and for the equality of all three peoples. SNSD Leader Milorad Dodik stated that he is ready to support the election of a President in the parliament with two vice-presidents that will rotate every 16 months. SDP Leader Zlatko Lagumdzija shortly stated that his party’s goals are the same “modern and normal state where people can live from their work, but with these bandits as our leaders, this is not possible”. US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney stated that he attends the talks in order to ensure that agreement signed in Washington is implemented.

D. Covic dissatisfied with const. changes talks held on Thursday

Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Proposal is BiH organized in 4 regions’ by Z. Kresic carries that HDZ and HNZ representatives demanded at the meeting on constitutional changes held in Sarajevo on Thursday opening of the discussion on passing a new Constitution and re-organization of BiH and in this way they conditioned their participation in continuation of the talks on this issue. HDZ President Dragan Covic said that the discussion on the middle authority level should be finally opened. He added: ‘There is no need to talk about the constitutional changes at all if we want to make corrections in the BiH Presidency, BiH Com, Parliament since we have not made any changes in the Constitution during the defence reform etc.’ Covic qualified as ‘fatal’ the option to indirectly ratify the Dayton through constitutional amendments and thus close this issue for further talks for good.

Blic: Tihic conditions RS proposal on BiH Presidency structure

EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘New Tihic’ conditions’ by Nedeljka Breberina – Commenting on proposal of RS representatives (regarding BiH Presidency structure), Sulejman Tihic expressed readiness to accept this proposal “but solely under condition that such institution is also established in RS”. He expressed his view that “solutions, that are to be accepted at the state level – in regard to institutions – should be applied to entities as well.”

SD’s comment on constitutional changes talks: Lozancic and Lagumdzija cooperative beyond any expectations

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 19, mentioned on front ‘Hays offers, Lozancic and Lagumdzija accept!’, by Zlatko Tulic – SD learns from sources close to international circles in Sarajevo that, when it comes to the ongoing constitutional reforms talks, it is the SDP leader, Zlatko Lagumdzija, and Vice President of HDZ, Niko Lozancic, who are accepting all proposals that Donald Hays is presenting to the parties in BiH, something that even surprised Hays, who is allegedly surprised with lack of vision on the part of Croat negotiators. Speculating about reasons why the two accept all US’ proposals, SD reckons that Lagumdzija is using the negotiations to win the 2006 elections with the help of the IC, and the best way is to be cooperative during the said talks, whilst Lozancic is behaving the way he is because of the difficult position his part leader, Dragan Covic, is in, who is being tried by the BiH Court and who was recently warned by the president of the European People’s Party, Wilfried Martens.

US Burns: Now is the time to achieve true safety and real reconciliation

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Now is the time to achieve true safety and real reconciliation’ announced on cover ‘Specific steps will follow words spoken in Washington’ by Nicholas Burns, US Undersecretary for Political Issues – Nicholas Burns refers to DPA, its advantages (return, reconstruction and establishing of what seems to be a normal situation) and its disadvantages saying that inefficient authority structure and ethnic divisions DPA had brought were insufficient to reply to challenges a modern state in 21^st century has to face. He reminds BiH politicians had, during their recent visit to Washington, obliged to accept more ambitious vision of future and launch constitutional changes. Burns says USA supports this process and reforms that would give BiH citizens more efficient authorities. He notes BiH has already made many achievements – it created state law enforcement institutions, judiciary, customs and tax structures and it also developed closer relations with EU. He says ten years of peace is behind us and now is the time to achieve real security and true reconciliation in the Balkans. Inset ‘Wounds of past will not heal until Karadzic and Mladic are arrested’ – Burns said until Karadzic and Mladic are brought before the face of justice before ICTY, wounds of past will not heal and BiH and SiCG will not be allowed to establish new relations with NATO.

Nezavisne Novine pg 7, announced on cover ‘BiH to face hard reforms’ by Nicholas Burns also carried the article.

Cardinal Puljic on relations between Croats and Croatians and IC role in BiH

Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘Croat against Croatian is project of foreigners’ and pgs 2 and 3 ‘We have to pull down injustice and lie’ by T. Begic carries that a public forum ‘What is BiH to Croatians?’ was held in Zagreb on Thursday and among the others Cardinal Vinko Puljic and Banja Luka Bishop Franjo Komarica spoke at the public forum. Cardinal Puljic stated that aspirations to heighten tensions between Croats and Croatians are getting bigger. He also said half jokingly: ‘The High Representative (presumably referring on Paddy Ashdown) would leave and he would probably be sorry that he failed to remove me.’ Cardinal also added that the International Community was helping the return process, however, Croats received only 2 % of these funds.

BiH and SiCG European Integration Offices define their relations

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Protocol on cooperation on EU course signed’ by A.Sisic – Representatives of the BiH Directorate for European Integration, led by Osman Topcagic, and SCG Office for Association with the EU, led by Jela Bacovic, Thursday signed the Protocol on cooperation between the two institutions. The Protocol represents formalisation of past successful contacts and information exchange between the two in the upcoming period on the course to EU. Other BiH media also covered the issue.

FBiH Government proposes candidates for police reform directorate

RHB, Pink, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Candidates proposed’ – FBIH Government adopted a list of candidates for police reform Directorate at a session held on Thursday. It failed to adopt the amendments to the law that would enable better conditions for early retirement of FBIH Army members. Reason for this was lack of finances.

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘F BiH proposed candidates for Executive Board’ by M.C., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘One seat – two names’ also covered the issue.

BiH Prosecution indicts 11 persons for war crimes in Srebrenica area

RHB , Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Indictment against 11 persons’ – The Department for War Crimes of the BiH Prosecutors’ Office has issued a new indictment against 11 persons for war crimes committed in July 1995 in the area of Srebrenica. They are charged with murders of Bosnaik civilians in village Kravice. According to unofficial information, indictees are Milos Stupar, Milenko Trifunovic, Petar Mitrovic, Brane Dzinic, Aleksandar Radovanovic, Slobodan Jakovljevic, Miladin Stevanovic, Velibor Maksimovic, Branislav Medan, Dragisa Zivanovic and Milovan Matic. BIH Prosecution spokesperson Edita Pejovic stated that the indictment awaits confirmation of BIH Court in order for it to become effective. The Court of BiH will confirm or reject the indictment during the next eight days.

Del Ponte calls on international community to exert additional pressure on SCG, RS

RHB, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslolbodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘SCG cooperation with The Hague worsened’ , Dnevni Avaz pg 2, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 2 ‘Karadzic and Mladic, enough of cat and mouse game’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘No serious action of arrest’, announced on cover ‘Authorities of SiCG and RS responsible for failure to apprehend Hague fugitives’ by Agencies, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Army is hindering cooperation’  – ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte addressed the UN Security Council in New York criticizing the SiCG cooperation in looking for the war crime indictees. She has stated that SiCG authorities, namely the SiCG Army, refuse to fully cooperate with ICTY. Del Ponte stated that SiCG and BiH more precisely Republika Srpska should be found responsible why Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are still at large. She asked for the International Community to press on SiCG and Republika Srpska to locate and arrest the rest of the war crime indictees since “political pressure has worked before”.

CoM discusses measures against war crime indictees, their supporters

BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 – At its session in Sarajevo on Thursday, BIH Council of Ministers adopted the draft law on war crime indictees at large according to which their assets will be blocked until they are arrested. The draft law has been sent to the Parliament with a proposal to be discussed in the short procedure. According to the draft, the same measures will be applied to the persons found guilty of helping the war crime indictees.

B. Ljubic on mtg Rill, Martens/J. Merdzo: Expelled HDZ members also sent documentation on HDZ Convention to EPP

Dnevni List pg 6 ‘New Martens’ stand in January’ by I. Rozic – Commenting on the meeting held between HDZ International Secretary Anton Rill and President of the European People’s Party (EPP) Wilfred Martens, Bozo Ljubic stated: ‘The fact that Rill met with Martens is not relevant for me in any case, only the official EPP’s stand, which was made by representatives of all Peoples’ Parties from the EU, is relevant for me.’ Ljubic stressed that the EPP would make the next stand with regard to HDZ at the beginning of January. Asked as to what he expects from this stand, Ljubic said that EPP is an institution that does not change its opinion very easily. DL inset ‘Documents’ carries Josip Merdzo as saying that expelled HDZ members also sent documentation with regard to the last HDZ Convention to EPP. 

Economic/Social Issues/Media

CoM adopts draft 2006 Budget

BHT, RTRS – Council of Ministers will send a budget proposal for 2006 to BIH Presidency. According to this proposal BIH budget in 2006 should be around 960 million KM. This budget is 330 million KM higher than in 2005. CoM stressed that this increase was necessary so state institutions can be strengthened. Among other things the budget will provide more money for SIPA but the SIPA’s permanent premises is still a problem. BIH Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Dragan Doko stated that due to change of ownership over building occupied by SIPA new lease contract might be less favourable. CoM also adopted draft law by which the entities and Brcko District are responsible for settling old foreign currency savings deposited in business banks on their territory by 31.12. 2001.

Oslobodjenje: Pensions in early 2006 could be late because of VAT

Oslobodjenje, front pg splash and pg 2 ‘Pensions could be late because of application of VAT’, by S. Sehercehajic – Spokesman of the FBiH Pension/Disability Fund, Sefkija Elezovic, warns that the Fund could be having problems with paying out of pensions in early 2006. He explains that traditionally, the Fund is collecting less money in first half of any year, and in combination with the start of application of VAT law, which foresees first the payment of taxes and only after that the payment of (pension) contributions, there are fears that pensions could be overdue in first several months of 2006. On top of this, the daily reports that the Executive Board of Association of FBiH Pensioners requested from the FBiH Government to help each pensioner that gets less than 250 KMs with additional 20 KM in order to alleviate consequences of the VAT law. The Association insists that the money be secured from the (FBiH) budget, not from the Fund’s means.

Vrankic and Dervisevic to decide on destiny of FBiH Financial Police

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 7 ‘Vrankic and Dervisevic decide on destiny of Financial Police’ by M. Batarello – An informal meeting with regard to the work and survival of the FBiH Financial Police (FP) was held on Thursday in the FBiH Government. FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic and his Deputies Gavrilo Grahovac and Dragan Vrankic, Deputy SIPA Director Sead Lisak and Zufer Dervisevic from the FP attended the meeting. During the meeting it was concluded that Vrankic and Dervisevic should meet and decided on the future of the FBiH Financial Police. DL explains that although the FP has lost al least 95 % of its competence due to the implementation of the reform the Law on FP is still in force. Vrankic stated: ‘If SIPA deals with money laundering and we have within the FP a unit that is much more capable of the one that Is under the SIPA’s competence I do not see the reason because of which these people would not go to SIPA.’ Vrankic added that people from the FP and International Community representatives agree with this proposal, however somebody is against this proposal. Both Sarajevo dailies also covered the issue.

SD: High Commercial Court confirms destiny of Hospital for Children in Cavtat (Croatia)

Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pgs 18-19 ‘BiH lost hospital in Cavtat’, by Ahmet Kalajdzic – reports that the Senior Commercial Court of Republic of Croatia confirmed the earlier verdict of the Commercial Court in Dubrovnik, according to which buildings of the ‘Nemanja Vlatkovic’ Hospital for Children in Cavtat are in ownership of the local, Cavtat (Croatia) hospital. SD notes that the buildings and the land were registered on the name of BiH, however the verdict will enable the change in the entry in the land registry book. Inset entitled ‘Miletic: We will go even to Strasbourg’ carries the BiH Deputy Public Defender, Dragica Miletic, who says the BiH authorities will undertake all measures to protect BiH’s property in Cavtat since the ‘Nemanja Vlatkovic’ hospital was a part of the Sarajevo Clinic.

Land near Bos. Gradiska radiated with radio-active waste SFOR stored

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘Land radiated’, pg 3 ‘Land radiated with radio-active waste’ by G.Golub – The research at the range in Orahova near Bosanska Gradiska, where SFOR allegedly built waste site, showed that the level of radiation goes up equally with the depth of ground. The experts from the RS Institute for health care protection concluded that radiation comes from radioactive waste stored at this location.

Pol. parties in RS agree Bukejlovic is buying time by withdrawing budget and economic policy files from Parliament session

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Bukejlovic’ Cabinet is buying time’ by V.Popovic – The RS Government Wednesday night  withdrew two documents – budget and economic policy – from Parliament session. These two documents will be returned to Parliament procedure after they are amended. The political officials (SNSD’ Dodik and Bjelogrlic, PDP’s Veselin Poljasevic, SDP’s Slobodan Popovic, SDA’s Sadik Ahmetovic) reiterate their stances their parties would not vote for proposed documents, stressing that Bukejlovic’s Cabinet is just trying to buy more time by withdrawing proposed documents.

EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Chasing votes’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – carries similar comments, with same message.

Cavic: two options as get-away solution: either Government gets majority or other Government with majority is elected

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Cavic: If Government falls, SDS will go to opposition’, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Cavic also aware of crisis’ by SRNA, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘On the verge of deep crisis’ – Dragan Cavic, RS and SDS President, has appealed on the RS MP’s to come to reason and vote budget for 2006. Speaking of the latest RS NA session, Cavic stressed the session has showed there is no qualified majority, noting that tense relations at Parliament has reached the level with clear indication there is no readiness to vote for rational proposals of Government. He stressed: “It remains to be seen whether Government would ensure majority by next Parliament session. If it fails, it will face a serious crisis. There are two options as get-away solution: either Government gets majority or other Government with majority is elected. However, second option would see SDS as a part of opposition.”

RS Govt. proposes Draft Law on RTRS

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Draft Law on RTRS defined’ by A.S. – RS Government Thursday defined, inter alia, Draft law on RTRS. Head of public affairs office of RS Government, Cvijeta Kovacevic stated that draft law on RTRS will protect RTRS from any kind of political influence and will enable it’s financial self-sustainability, adding certain law regulations, including this one, have been conditions for launchment of SAA talks with BiH.

Judiciary

DL: Bill of indictment against Covic and his associates for Soko case to be issued in January

Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Bill of indictment for embezzling of about 850 000 KM’ by Z. Jukic carries that HDZ President Dragan Covic has been questioned recently before the BiH Court with regard to the Soko case. DL explains that according to the FBiH Financial Police report as a Director of ‘Soko’ company he embezzled about 850 000 KM. DL learns that during the hearing Covic denied all claims from the report saying that this is about imputation of his political opponents. According to the article, Covic should be questioned with regard to this case once again by the New Year, while it has been expected that the bill of indictment against Covic and his close associates from that time, first of all Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Prime Minister Miroslav Coric, would be issued at the beginning of January. 

M. Kreso presented results of BiH Court’s work in 2005

Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Prosecution dissatisfied with achieved results’ by E. Mackic carries that on Thursday President of the BiH Court Meddzida Kreso presented achievements of the BiH Court during this year. BiH Chief Prosecutor Marinko Jurcevic stated that he is not satisfied with the things that were done stressing that much more could have been done. He added: ‘I hope that results would be more positive next year, when the BiH Prosecution had 3 Departments.’  DL inset ‘International prosecutors and judges are still necessary’ carries Jurcevic as saying that it is good that international judges and prosecutors are still here. Also reported by Vecernji List pg 4 ‘BiH Court would be able to run 16 trials at the same time’ by eme, other BiH media.

DL op-ed praising work of BiH Court

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Just go ahead’ by E. Mackic carries an editorial in which the author praises the work of the BiH Court and says that there are no any objections when the work of this court is in question.

NN op-ed critical of Palavric’ appointment

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘A path to new unity of authority’ by Slavo Kukic – Criticizing the current authority composition in BiH, with nationalistic parties leading it, the author is harshly judging the appointment of Seada Palavric to BiH Constitutional Court, whom she calls “one of the most extreme storm troopers” of the SDA. She stresses that judging by his information, she has not – in her entire life – written any single scientific text from the field of legal sciences.