OHR BiH Media Round-up, 16/4/2004

Oslobodjenje

Srebrenica Commission: Cavic and Mikerevic will be punished?; Local elections on 2 October; Roads to Croats; pensioners to Bosniaks

Dnevni Avaz

Ashdown announced dismissals in RS

Dnevni List

Municipal elections on October 2, FBiH Government on guarantees for five BiH Croats: Decision postponed for Monday

Vecernji List

Life of ICTY convict threatened in jail is Spain: Moroccan terrorists threat Drago Josipovic; Defence Ministers meet in BiH

Slobodna Dalmacija

Presentation of Montenegrin port in Sarajevo: Bar instead of Ploce?

Glas Srpske

Group of Banjaluka citizens suspect of planning terrorist attack on SFOR – Safe in Prison; Tuzla Hospital – Aleksandar’s eyes watered; Who is protected by wall of silence; Sandwich with Salmonela

Nezavisne Novine

RS Institutions slow down investigation on Srebrenica – Ashdown announces action due to scandalous report; Alarming situation at power plant Bocac lake – Ecological catastrophe threats Banjaluka; BiH Election Commission – Local elections on October 2.; SFOR inspects Telekom Srpske – SFOR checked two phone numbers

Blic

Paddy Ashdown: the report of RS Commission on Srebrenica is scandalous; Foreign currency savers sued BiH, Serbia and Montenegro and Slovenia to the Court in Strasbourg: they are dying while waiting for payment; Corruption: inspectors like to receive bribe

Slobodna Bosna

Case of Sanel Sjekirica, accused of massacre in Spain

Dani

Zenica-New York-Madrid (referring to investigation into Madriod terrorist attack, Sjekirica case)

War crimes

Ashdown: ‘Srebrenica Commission interim report is a scandalous indictment of RS institutions’

RHB, RTRS, Nezavisne novine cover and page 3  ‘Ashdown announces action due to scandalous report’, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Covering the truth’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Report of Srebrenica Commission is scandalous indictment of institutions’, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Ashdown threatens with sanctions against RS because of Srebrenica’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘Ashdown: Who wants to cover up crimes 10 years after’, Blic front, pg 12 ‘Paddy Ashdown: Scandalous’, Vecernje Novosti pg 7 ‘The Government is hiding evidence’ – Following the submission of the Srebrenica Commission interim report, the High representative, Paddy Ashdown on Thursday issued a public statement in which he says: “The interim report by the Srebrenica Commission that I received yesterday is a scandalous indictment of the RS institutions who were legally and morally bound to cooperate fully with the Commission, and yet according to this report have failed to. When the Commission was established last year, I asked them to provide a report within six months containing information of a hitherto unrevealed nature on the fate of those still missing from Srebrenica. The Commission has been unable to submit that report.  Instead, their interim report sets out a catalogue of unbelievable difficulties and obstructionism.” 

FTV – “It is simply not acceptable that nearly a decade after the shocking crimes of Srebrenica there are still individuals or institutions in the RS who are trying to cover up these crimes, as this report suggests,” reads HR statement. Paddy Ashdown and Senior Deputy HR Bernard Fassier will hold the press conference today on measures to ensure cooperation in regard to Srebrenica and other issues related to the work of ICTY.

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 4 ‘Cavic and Mikerevic will be punished?’ – SDHR Ambassador Bernard Fassier added that RS are bound by both a decision of the Human Rights Chamber and international legal obligation to cooperate fully with the Commission. “I have monitored closely the work of the Commission and have seen for myself the unacceptable difficulties the Commission has faced when dealing with the RS institutions,” said Fassier. Oslobodjenje wonders whether these measures will mean that RS President Dragan Cavic and RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic would be punished, as Fassier in his recent visit to Banja Luka said that two officials will carry responsibility for the commission report.

Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Ashdown announces removals in RS’, ‘Dismissals in RS starting’ – DA says that it was to be expected for Ashdown and Fassier to today publish the names of people who would be dismissal from due to obstructing the work of Srebrenica Commission.

Srebrenica Commission Report accuses RS authorities at all levels for obstruction

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 4 ‘Cavic and Mikerevic will be punished?’ – In its interim report, Srebrenica Commission says that it faces obstructions at all levels of RS Government. “Everybody declares to support the Commission work, but there are even trials to cover up for the information and documents,” reads Commission report.

Nezavisne novine pg 3  ‘They were fed with false archive’ – Srebrenica Commission investigation was obstructed by RS institutions, VRS HQ and RS Ministry of Defence at the first place, claims the interim report. One of examples is visit to RS MoD when Commission members were presented with “book from archive”, obviously made recently. 118 documents were found in MoD and MoD offices in eastern RS. They show that some 200 people know what happened to Bosniaks in Srebrenica. Documents have shown preparations for Operation “Krivaja”. RS Ministry of Defence didn’t want to comment allegations from Srebrenica Commission Preliminary report. “We can’t say anything about it at the moment”, said MoD Spokesperson, Branko Trkulja.

RS Government on Srebrenica Commission interim report

FENA – At the session on Thursday, the RS Government concluded that Srebrenica Commission was realistically not able to reach all relevant facts that would result in a final report. “The RS Government proposed to the HR to review the option of giving the Commission until October 12 for submitting the report”, spokesperson for the RS Prime Minister Goran Radivojac said. Radivojac stressed that the Commission face a number of problems due to which is was unable to compile a final report. “We can conclude that there was a number of objective and subjective shortcomings in the work of the Commission that influences its success”, Radivojac said. He added that it also faced time limitations, especially in terms of searching for new undiscovered grave sites. Asked to comment on Ashdown’s latest statement accusing the RS Government and institutions of obstructing the work on preparing the final report, Radivojac said that the Government made a commitment to provide all necessary material and technical support to the Commission.

RHB, BHTV 1, Nezavisne novine pg 3  ‘Radivojac: It was not possible to prepare final report’– also covered the statement.

Mikerevic: I see no reason for any consequences

ONASA by Lola Ninkovic– RS President Dragan Mikerevic said on Thursday in an interview with ONASA that the Srebrenica Commission has found some new relevant facts and 118 documents that have not been made public so far. Asked what kind of reaction from IC on Srebrenica commission report he expects, Mikerevic answered: “Obviously there was not enough time to gather all relevant facts regarding the events in Srebrenica in 1995 since the Commission was formed on January 12. We gave certain suggestions to the Commission, but we will continue the talks today in order to finalize the text of the Report which will be submitted to the OHR. As for any responsibility, I see no reason for any consequences. I think that it is realistic, and that is the view of the Commission, that the deadline of October 12 is given in order for the Commission to be able to find all facts that would shed light on those events. It is realistic to expect the High Representative to accept that request.” 

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 Mikerevic: I see no reason for any consequences’, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Cavic and Mikerevic will be punished?’ inset ‘Mikerevic demands new deadline’, Nezavisne novine cover and page 3  ‘Ashdown announces action due to scandalous report’, Glas Srpske pg 3  ‘Covering the truth’ – all carried Onasa interview.

SCG Deputy Defence Minister: Mladic not in SCG

RTRS, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Maras doesn’t know where is Mladic’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Maras: Mladic is not in SCG’, Nezavisne novine pg 2  ‘Maras claims that Mladic is not in Serbia and Montenegro’ – Attending the meeting of defence ministers of the participating state in the South-East Europe Cooperation Process, Deputy Defence Minister of Serbia and Montenegro, Vukasin Maras, stated that all relevant SCG institutions have taken all necessary measures to possibly identify the presence of Ratko Mladic in SCG, but that he was not on their territory. He also stressed that SCG had a very good cooperation with ICTY. However, Maras blamed certain representatives of the international community for insisting on certain demands they know Serbia-Montenegro is in no position of fulfilling [such as arrest of Mladic].

FBIH Govt on Monday to decide on guaranties for 5 BiH Croats

Dnevni List, front and page 3 ‘Decision postponed for Monday’ by M. Relota – DL notes that the FBiH Government, did not discuss, at its yesterday’s session, the issue of giving guarantees to the ICTY for the 5 Croat indictees, in order to secure a pre-trial release for them. According to the FBiH Deputy PM, Dragan Vrankic, the Government will take a decision to give the guarantee at a session scheduled for Monday.

RHB, FTV, BHTV 1, Slobodna Dalmacija back page ‘Giving of guarantees for indictees postponed for Monday’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Vote on guaranties for five ICTY indictees postponed’ – also covered the issue.

Gligoric: RS admitted obstructing ICTY

RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘RS admits obstructing cooperation with the Hague’, Nezavisne novine page 5  ‘Cavic and Mikerevic took off masks’ – The Vice President of the RS Socialist Party, Tihomir Gligoric said that by signing the document about cooperation with ICTY, the RS authorities admitted that until now they were obstructing this cooperation. “They, as blackmailed people, have accepted to sign that, because they were blackmailed by financial report, which the High Representative [Paddy Ashdown] has asked [SDS] to submit by [19 April] deadline,” said Tihomir Gligoric.

Blic pg 13 ‘SPRS: the authority is buying time’ – “By signing a statement by which they have invited war crimes suspects to voluntarily surrender to the Hague Tribunal, RS authority representatives have publicly admitted they have been obstructing the Law on Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal so far’, stated Gligoric.

Update to health of priest Starovlah, son

Glas Srpske cover page ‘Aleksandar’s eyes watered’ – Aleksandar Starovlah yesterday started breathing without the respirator, but is still unconscious, the Tuzla Clinical Centre confirmed. The medical condition of his father, Jeremija Starovlah, was yesterday stable – he is able to communicate and he started eating. Aslo covered in Sarajevo media.

Political developments

BiH Elections Commission on 2 October municipal elections

RHB, RTRS – Municipal elections in BiH to be held on 2 October, as announced by the president of the BiH Election Commission Lidija Korac, will for the first time include direct elections of municipal heads/mayors. Korac stressed the Election Commission is prepared to implement the election process both for mayors and other positions. Heads of municipalities and Banja Luka mayor, previously appointed by municipal councils, will be elected directly for the first time. They are elected for a term of four years and can be revoked only at a referendum. OSCE Mission to BiH Chair Robert Beecroft stressed that these are the first elections organized entirely by the local authorities, but warned that BiH institutions would have a lot to do in the next six months. He underlined that a large number of municipalities have still not taken seriously their commitments towards the Election Commission. Out of 142 municipalities in BiH only 38 have fulfilled their financial commitments and 60 have provided only a part of the funds.

BHTV 1 – “It is our view that the direct election of Mayors will have the dual effect in increasing credibility of mayors and giving a greater power to the citizens when it comes to the municipality affairs,” said Robert Beecroft on direct major elections.

FTV – BiH Parliament failed to pass changes to the BiH Election Law concerning the representation of minorities in local authorities and the ban on paid advertising of political parties, and BiH Election Commission viewed these as key issues that need to be harmonised with Council of Europe standards. If adopted, these changed can only be implemented in 2006.

Oslobodjenje cover, pg 5 ‘Local elections on 2 October’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Beecroft: Municipalities did not accept their obligations, Nezavisne novine page 2  ‘Local elections will be held on October 2’’, Vecernji List page 2 ‘Citizens will be electing Heads of Municipalities on October 2’ byDnevni List front and page 5 ‘Municipal elections on October 2’, Slobodna Dalmacija page 7 ‘Municipal elections on October 2’  – also covered the statements.

Ashdown: Municipal elections also to be held in Gornji-Vakuf-Uskoplje

FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘To hold elections in Gornji Vakuf’, Vecernji List page 4 ‘Elections for Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje’, Slobodna Dalmacija page 7 ‘Municipal elections on October 2’ – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, asked the BiH Election Commission to take the necessary steps that will allow the municipal elections in Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje to take place in accordance with the BiH Election Law. Currently the Interim Municipal Council, established by the HR’s Decision of 15 September 2001, governs the municipality. However, the letter Ashdown sent Commission now enables the municipality of Gornji Vakuf-Uskopolje to hold municipal elections at the same time as the other municipalities in BiH.

BiH HoP adopts amendments to BiH Election Law too late

FTV, BHTV 1, RTRS – BiH House of Peoples on Thursday adopted in the first reading the Law amending the BiH Election Law, which was proposed by the BiH Election Commission. At the previous session the delegates concluded that this Law should be adopted by April 15, considering that was the date of announcing the municipal elections. Changes to the law refer to the representation of minorities in local authorities and the ban on paid advertising of political parties. However, in order to implement modified Law it was necessary to be adopted by the House of Representatives. Electoral Commission has sent this Law to Parliamentary procedure 20 days ago. President of Constitutional and Legal Commission in the HoR, Mirsad Ceman, said Commission members could not meet earlier due to other obligations. Due to delays also caused by failure of the BiH House of Representatives to yesterday consider the amendments of the Election Law, national minorities will be able to implement their legal right to participate in local authorities only after 2006 general elections.

RHB – Changes require that those municipalities where 3% of national minority live they must have a place in the Council.

Also covered in Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Changes to the election law adopted’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Changes to the Election Law adopted in first reading’, Dnevni List page 5 ‘To establish responsibility because of non-adoption of changes to Election Law’ 

CoM discusses reforms progress

RHB, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Support to the local production’, Nezavisne novine pg 9  ‘Entities slow down meeting EU conditions’, Dnevni List page 3 ‘Criminal provisions in order to prevent black market’, Slobodna Dalmacija back page ‘Zero custom rate for car assembly’ – At the session held on Thursday, the BiH Council of Ministers has discussed the latest report by EC on BiH progress and more specifically the criteria for BiH admission to the Partnership for Peace programme. The Ministers accepted the report on defence reforms concluding that a significant progress has been made in this sector. CoM also adopted the changes and addenda to Law on Custom Tariffs, by which 0% rate was established for import of some parts used in automobile industry, aimed at stimulating the domestic production. CoM endorsed the changes of Law on Consumer Protection, however despite announcements did not discuss the Law on public RTV system and PBS.

BHTV 1 – Changes to the Law on Consumer Protection will be sent to parliamentary procedure to be adopted in an urgent and shortened procedure. CoM discussed the third report on implementation of the priorities for 2004, corresponding with the Feasibility Study conditions. “In order to carry out further progress in fulfilling required conditions, Council of Ministers decided it was as necessary to intensify activities of institutions in BiH in order to follow the dynamics of activities for realization of priorities for 2004^th. CoM obliged the ministers to present the work of their Ministries in ten days,” said Dragan Doko, Foreign Trade Minister.

SDA/HDZ agree on distribution of leading positions in FBiH

Oslobodjenje cover, pg 6 ‘Roads to Croats, pensioners to Bosniaks’ – The SDA Vice President Elmir Jahic confirmed for Oslobodjenje that SDA and HDZ lead negotiations about 20 days ago, and that in principle they agreed to have Bosniak head FBiH Pensions and Invalids Fund, and a Croat to be on a top of FBiH Roads Directorate. The agreement also includes national rotation for the positions, but Jahic could not confirm whether a Croat also got the leading position in FBiH Employment Bureau, as speculated by the Oslobodjenje. Jahic denied that negotiations were lead only by party leaders Sulejman Tihic and Barisa Colak, and rejects to comment on claims that Party for BiH could leave the authorities as no positions were intended for its party members. According to Oslobodjenje source, SDA and HDZ also agreed to avoid outvoting in the future, and that it was agreed for all Govt’s decisions made in absence of HDZ to be reconsidered.

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘I would not be surprised to have SDA and HDZ working behind our back’ – Leader of Party for BiH, Safet Halilovic says that SDA and HDZ devote much less attention to the reason there are on power, i.e. citizens, but instead discuss their personal interests. Commenting speculations on secret SDA/HDZ negotiations on distribution of key positions in FBIH, Halilovic comments he would not be surprised to learn that they worked behind SBiH’s back, despite the fact there were coalition partners.  

Dnevni Avaz cover ‘I am in regular contact with all ministers’, pg 5 ‘I am not on vacation because of inter-party problems’ – FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic denies that he went for vacation to avoid inter-party problems, or his anger with some appointments. 

RS opposition to hold protests in Vlasenica tomorrow

RTRS, Nezavisne novine page 5  ‘Aurhorities will get message of discontent tomorrow’ – Protests in Vlasenica organized by opposition parties are scheduled to take place on Saturday, 17 April, and to be alike those already held in Banja Luka. Representatives of SNSD, DNS and RS Socialist Party said that they will once more warn the government about the hard situation in RS, sending the same message as the one they obviously haven’t understand. SNSD President, Milorad Dodik said that with this protest they want to confirm the presence of opposition in eastern part of RS. “They must understand that a part of people want changes and that situation is such that it is only possible to reach some …new optimism only after the elections, which would be held after some time,” said Milorad Dodik, SNSD President.

BiH Islamic Community sues RS for destruction of 1200 mosques during the war

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Lawsuit against RS authorities because of 1200 mosques destroyed’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Islamic Community to sue RS’ – The BiH Islamic community will be filing charges with the BiH Court against the Republika Srpska regarding the destruction of about 1,200 mosques in BiH during the war, the deputy Reis-ul-Ulema, Ismet Effendi Spahic told journalists in Sarajevo. He pointed out that documentation was being prepared for the filing of charges with the demand that all demolished mosques must be reconstructed. “The mosques should be reconstructed by those who demolished them. For example, in Banja Luka there was no war, but still mosques were demolished. We will be demanding that the mosques must be reconstructed. This process could last about one year, as it is necessary to collect documentation,” Effendi Spahic said.

Slobodna Bosna: Ashdown told Ivanic he would destroy him

Slobodna Bosna pg. 15 ‘Ashdown told Ivanic he would destroy him’ – After the failed SFOR operation to arrest war criminal Radovan Karadzic on April 1 this year in Pale, in which Orthodox priest Jeremija Starovlah and his son were badly injured, HR Paddy Ashdown met with top RS leaders including RSNA Speaker Dragan Kalinic, Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic, Interior Minister Zoran Djeric and BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic. Ashdown was dissatisfied with behavior of RS politicians who were fiercely condemning the SFOR operation. Although Ivanic was a favorite of Ashdown, a loud verbal conflict occurred between the two. According to the magazine, Ashdown told Ivanic his political career would be finished with such the behavior.

Defence and security issues

SEECP Defece Ministers endorse BiH plan to join PfP

RHB – Defence ministers of the nine member-countries of the South East Europe Cooperation Process [SEECP] adopted a joint declaration at a conference held on Thursday in Sarajevo, by which they committed themselves to work on creating stability, security and democracy in the region as a whole, and to resolving disputes through peaceful means. The declaration welcomed the appointment of the first BiH Defence Minister. SEECP defence ministers also welcomed possible BiH and SCG’s admission to PfP in June during the NATO summit in Istanbul. BiH Defence Minister, Nikola Radovanovic said that before admission to PfP, BiH must fulfill technical and political conditions. General estimate is that when it comes to technical issues BiH is making significant progress, but the dissatisfaction of citizens exists especially in regard to the lack of cooperation with ICTY.

BHTV 1 – “[Signed] declaration says that former Yugoslavia states support efforts of BiH and SCG to join PfP”, said Nikola Radovanovic.

RTRS, FTV – “I honestly hope efforts BiH makes to enter a union of democratic states and modern defence systems will be recognized and that BiH will invited to join PfP program at the NATO’s summit in Istanbul”, said Radovanovic.

Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Together for regional security’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Support to BiH and SCG ambition to join PfP’, Dnevni List, page 2 ‘Help BiH and S&M join Partnership for peace’, Vecernji List front page ‘Defence Ministers meet in BiH’ and page 10 ‘Defence Ministers from region in Sarajevo’, Blic pg 12 ‘Ready for cooperation’ – also covered the meeting.

OHR welcomes SEECP meeting

RHB – OHR welcomed a meeting of SEECP Defence Ministers held in Sarajevo on Thursday. OHR points that best way to secure peace and progress in the region is for military forces to cooperate. OHR Spokesperson, Oleg Milisic stated that “such cooperation facilitates practical solutions to issues that are of great concern to the region: arms control and non-proliferation of weapons, and the fight against terrorism.  The fact that the meeting is being held in Sarajevo, hosted by the BiH Defence Minister signals a significant change in BiH and in South Eastern Europe.”

Sanel Sjekirica was in permanent contact with Al-Qaeda members in Spain

Slobodna Bosna pgs. 5-8 ‘Sanel Sjekirica studied, socialized, shared apartment and was in permanent contact with Al-Qaeda terrorists in Spain’ By Edin Avdic and Suzana Mijatovic – According to the magazine, in the next couple of days, the Spanish authorities are expected to officially say whether the BiH citizen, Sanel Sjekirica, was one of the direct participants in preparing and executing the bestial terrorist attack on the railway station in Madrid of March 11 this year. Based on the documents of the foreign intelligence services, the Slobodna Bosna journalists claim Sjekirica was in permanent contact with Al-Qaeda terrorists during his stay in Spain. His best friend was, according to the magazine, the arrested terrorist Fouad el Morabit Anghar as he was sharing apartment with the main initiator and designer of the Madrid massacre, Ferhad Abdel Hamid Ben.  

Dani pgs. 18-20, and pg. 60 ‘Al-Qaeda on line: New York-Madrid-Zenica’ By Esad Hecimovic –  Police-issued arrest warrant against Sanel Sjekirica is just a small part of the Spanish and international investigation into links between jihad in Bosnia and terrorists groups in Europe.

Zaric was wire-tapping US diplomats, aid workers, soldiers for years

Slobodna Bosna pgs. 28-30 ‘Zaric assisted by Jovica Stanisic was wire-tapping US diplomats, aid workers, soldiers for years’ By Suzana Andjelic – The current head of the RS Intelligence-Security Service (OBS), Risto Zaric, is the candidate of the ruling collation in the entity for the head of the unified BiH state secret police. It is surprising, according to Andjelic, that his nomination is being supported by the representatives of the international community (primarily the spying circle gathered around Paddy Ashdown), who were for years being wire-tapped by Zaric’s service. The magazine publishes copies of certain documents allegedly supporting this claim. 

Economic issues

SFOR search Telekom Srpske

FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘SFOR searched Telekom’, Nezavisne novine  page 6  ‘SFOR checked two phone numbers’ – SFOR members on Thursday conducted an unannounced search of the Telekom Srpske premises in Banja Luka. The RS Police Director, Radomir Njegus, told SRNA SFOR did not confiscate anything during the operation, which lasted about an hour. The SFOR Multinational Brigade “Northwest” spokesman, Major Tony Keene, told SRNA that this was a routine operation. He pointed out he could not give any more details about this incident and that a statement would follow in the course of the day.

Transparency International on corruption in BiH

BHTV 1, RTRS, Blic front, pg 13 ‘Inspectors like bribery’ – Center for Providing With Legal Aid in Fight Against Corruption, established within the BiH Transparency International, received approximately 1,400 calls of citizens in the last two months. Out of this number, 859 calls were reporting corruption cases, as the Head of the Center, Dario Lazic, stated yesterday. Lazic confirmed that the most of corruption cases were in relation to inspection services, which have not been performing their tasks in a proper manner. Citizens’ denunciations mostly pointed out presence of bribery, which greatly influences whether inspection services would perform an inspection and it also affects the final outcome of an inspection. RS Pension and Disability Fund, Ministry of Interior of the Federation of BiH, RS Ministry of Education and RS Ministry for Refugees and DPs were pointed out as examples of poor cooperation. 

Syndicate holds protests in Konjic

RHB, BHTV 1, FTV – Dissatisfied with the adoption of changes to the Bankruptcy Law, BiH Syndicate held a protest gathering in Konjic against the changes to the FBiH Law on Bankruptcy, claiming that according to it a majority of FBiH firms would bankrupt. Syndicate also predicts that approximately 10 000 workers will lose jobs and says it is outmost concerned with the lack on social care system for these workers. Syndicate already demanded the dismissal of FBiH Government. 

Ass of old foreign currency savers suits BiH and SCG

Vecernji List front ‘Savers sue BiH, Slovenia and Serbia and Montenegro’, pg 5 ‘Savers sue three states’, Blic front, pg 12 ‘They die without getting payments’ – The Association of old foreign currency savers of BiH has filed lawsuits against BiH, Slovenia and Montenegro, claiming compensations for the savers. The President of the Association, Svetozar Nisic, explains: ‘The sued states vouched for our deposits in the Privredna bank, Ljubljanska bank, Jugobanka and Investbanka, which have not been paid out for 13 years’, adding that, when it comes to lawsuit against BiH, 1562 savers claim 42.968.294 KMs, plus interest rates and default interests that amount to 10.000 Euros per saver. According to Predrag Radulovic, an attorney-at-law who represents the Association, ‘any state that believes it can avoid paying back the debt is wrong, because the states have an absolute obligation to return what was in the banks as savings’. Copies of lawsuits have been reportedly forwarded to the European Human Rights Court at Strasbourg.

Businessmen of BiH and Monte Negro discuss cooperation

RHB, Slobodna Dalmacija front page splash, pg 17 ‘Bar instead of Ploce?’– Noting that BiH business people are considering to use the Bar Port in Montenegro as an alternative to the Ploce Port, Slobodna Dalmacija reports that BiH business people re-started talks with Montenegrin representatives about using the Bar Port at Sarajevo yesterday. Representatives of economic chambers of FBiH, Montenegro and Canton Sarajevo organized a meeting yesterday in order to present capabilities of the Bar Port. According to the President of the FBiH Economic Chamber, Avdo Rapa, the Ploce Port is still under question mark because BiH and Republic of Croatia cannot reach an agreement, noting that the Bar Port will be used as an alternative in case its facilities and price are to be acceptable to BiH business people.

Vecernji List pg 5 ‘By reconstructing road to Bar Port, BiH is by-passing the nearer Ploce Port’ – also covered the meeting.

Control of oil and derivates

BHTV 1 – RS authorities completed the second run of monitoring the quality of the liquid oil, and established that low-quality oil was being sold at 37 places. In addition, 7 legal entities did not allow control of the samples. In order to maintain control of oil and its derivates at the state level, a meeting of authorized ministries was held in Doboj on Thursday. Refinery “Bosanski Brod” will in a month have continuous production of oil and its derivates in one of four leading laboratories in BiH. Ministries pointed out importance of the problem on the state level. Entity Ministries will in the future period do a continuous and constant check of oil quality.

Dani on OHR, Aluminij

Dani pg. 3 ‘Paddy, am I still part of the deal?’ Op-ed by Senad Pecanin – Pecanin claims that on April 8 this year, OHR sent a letter to the elektorprivredas in the FBiH ordering them to continue distributing power to the “leading economic criminal in BiH Mijo Brajkovic (Mostar Aluminij Director)” at the much lower price than is the market one. “It is obvious that all those were wrong who believed that Paddy’s officers Donald Hays, Patrice Dreiski, Toby Robinson and the others have any scruples when it comes to continuation of protection provided to the most serious criminals in this country,” wrote Pecanin.

Dani pg. 17 ‘Bosnian Barometer’ – The magazine gave two black dots (very bad move) to High Representative Paddy Ashdown with regard to an initiative that he tours some of the main European capitals together with BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic and Deputy Foreign Minister Lidija Topic and promote BiH as a valuable tourist destination. The magazine considers the initiative as inappropriate bearing in mind number of war criminals still at large in BiH, mine-field in the country, bad road infrastructure etc.

VL: Ashdown, Silajdzic against Aluminij

Vecernji List, page 2 ‘Ashdown and Silajdzic against Aluminij’, by Ilko Barbaric – following the news that the ‘Elektroprivreda of BiH’ is not supplying electricity to the ‘Aluminij’ Company of Mostar as of April 1, the author argues that it violates the recommendation of the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, that there could be no export of electricity until domestic demands are met. The author concludes: ‘What is amazing here is the apparent indifference of the High Representative Ashdown!’