16.06.2004

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 16/6/2004

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs)

FED TV (19,30 hrs)

RT RS  (19,30)

Siroki Brijeg car accident

Hays meets auditors

Audit into FBiH MoD

Legija trial update

Debate on BiH Constitution

Audit/ RS Banking Agency

Hays on audit reports

Debate on BiH Constitution

Human trafficking report

Debate on BiH Constitution

ICTY update

Illegal property

World news

Milorad Bjelica released

Legija trail update

World news

 

Oslobodjenje

Amor Masovic applauded Bogdanic for courage; BiH as the state of cantons, but entities; Todorovic will return 30 million KM?

Dnevni Avaz

What Terzic told to Powell; Bogdanic submitted report on Srebrenica to Masovic; Radovanovic: I will not submit resignation; Criminals hijacked Tarik Sadovic’s car

Dnevni List

Security of Old Bridge endangered

Vecernji List

Mad cow disease: Suspicion of first case in Croatia

Slobodna Dalmacija

Reptiles getting closer to urban areas: More and more snakes, same number of bites

Glas Srpske

Warning of Slobodan Ristic: They want a new nation

Nezavisne Novine

Exhumation at Sandici village: Eight bodies exhumed; Sarajevo : Delegate Tarik Sadovic expelled from car with gun; Donald Hays: BiH Presidency must accept auditor’s report

Blic

Amor Bukic: Prosecutor’s Offices are buried with old cases; Serbs for the Dayton : Bosniaks and Croat for changing of the Constitution

 

Political issues

Public debate on initiatives to change constitution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oslobodjenje cover, pg 7 ‘BiH as the state of cantons, not entities’ by A. Terzic, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘New Constitution is the best solution for the state’, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Serbs do not want changes’; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Bill without Serbs’, Blic, pg. RS2 ‘Cantons vs. entities’ by J. D. mentioned on cover ‘Serbs for the Dayton: Bosniaks and Croats for changing of the Constitution’, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Situation in BiH is economically and politically untenable’, by Eldina Medunjanin – At initiative of Caucus of HDZ-CCD, the Constitutional-legal commission of the House of Representatives for BiH Parliament on Tuesday organized a public debate about constitutional organization of BiH and possible constitutional changes. Representatives of the Serb people did not take part in the debate. Apparently, majority of participants assessed the start of such debates as a good way forward, and the general assessment was that the time has come to carry out changes to the Constitution of BiH. In that context, VL notes that positions of participants as to how to carry out the changes were different. According to the Speaker of the BiH House of Representatives, Martin Raguz, the current economic and political situation in BiH is untenable, pointing out to an oversized and inefficient structures of authority and the need for creating pre-requisites for equality of all peoples and citizens that live in BiH. VL notes that one could hear a position on the need for cantonization of the RS (presented by Safet Halilovic, from SBiH), and decreasing of competences of entities at expense of the State.

Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Solutions from Dayton will always require international arbitration’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – notes that unanimous conclusion of the participants is that the Constitution of BiH needs to be radically changed, because the current one is an obstacle to future progress of BiH. DL quotes the FBiH President, Niko Lozancic, as saying: Dayton(Peace Accord) did stop the war, but it has also left solutions about which we will always debate and seek international arbitration”.

FTV, RTRS, RHB – SDA demands enabling to all citizens a right to actively participate in the election of BiH Presidency members, and urgent regulation of the dual citizenship issue.

BHTV 1 – However, RS politicians stress that there will be no constitutional changes without an agreement of both entities and consent from all three constituent peoples. Opposition parties believe that this is a classic method used by parties at power to raise tensions before the elections: ”That is a classic story in which, for example, SDA talks about RS disappearance and then SDS returns and says they won’t take a part in those talks” commented Igor Radojcic from SNSD.

BiH delegation meetings in Washington 

 

Dnevni Avaz cover page ‘What Terzic said to Powell’, pg 2 ‘Negative respond in Istanbul could cease reforms’ by Sead Numanovic – US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, stressed during the meeting with BiH delegation headed by the Prime Minister Adnan Terzic that US fully supports all reforms in BiH which are directed to European integrations. Powell praised reforms carried out in the past 17 months, but also stressed that the fact that Radovan Karadzic was still at large was a stain to everything done. Terzic stressed to Powell if BiH was “failed at this first exam. It will be very difficult to implement the rest of reforms”. Terzic said that he stressed to all officials of US administration he met that non-acceptable of BiH to PfP would only be “an award to Karadzic”. BiH Delegation will participate a number of meetings in the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Powell promised assistance for functioning of SIPA’ – Powell expressed readiness of the USA to provide financial, experts and technical assistance to SIPA.

Dnevni list, pg 6, ‘USA satisfied with progress in implementation of reforms in BiH’, by Nina – During the visit of Adnan Terzic, the Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers, Nikola Radovanovic, BiH Defense Minister, and Lidija Topic, BiH Deputy Foreign Minister, to Washington upon the invitation by the State Department, Donald Rumsfeld, the US Secretary of Defense, expressed satisfaction with progress achieved in implementation of reforms in BiH. Rumsfeld said that the US troops would remain to be present in BiH because of the assistance in defense reform. It was mutually concluded that both BiH and USA need BiH to be admitted to PfP.

Colak on Mostar and High Representative

 

RHB by Zeljko MaticHDZ President Barisa Colak, PDP chairman Mladen Ivanica and president of SDA Sulejman Tihic, president of SDA, last night in Berlin talked about political situation in BiH. Colak presented his own opinion about united Mostar, but emphasized that it is his personal attitude: “I think that there were much worse solutions for Mostar… Mostar is organized in a way unlike any other town in BiH, or, I am not aware of any similar structure of a town in Europe. Our approach in solving that problem was to organize Mostar like every other town, or if some changes are necessary in Mostar they should include roles which are applied in other towns”, said Barisa Colak. “I think that it is time for High Representative’s retreat, but for that we must take over the responsibility. Honestly, there were mistakes committed by the international community but there was also our lack of readiness to take over the responsibility. And HR’s powers are not appropriate for a country wanting to become a part of EU. HR’s decision cannot be challenged, and we must do something in order to reduce those powers as soon as possible” added Colak.

Coalition for Mostar says it would bring down ‘Ashdown’s statute’

 

Dnevni List, pg 8, ‘HSS and NHI gave coalition with HDZ up’, mentioned on cover, by Nina, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17, ‘We will not allow dispersing of votes’, by Zoran Zekic, and Vecernji List, pg 3, ‘HDZ Mostar with Croat parties’, by F – The coalition for Mostar formed for the local elections, consisting of HDZ, UHSP, HSP, HKDU and HNZ, was presented at yesterday’s press conference in Mostar. Miroslav Coric, the President of HDZ Mostar City Board, expressed belief that the coalition would get 95% of Croat votes in Mostar in the municipal elections. He also said that the coalition was a reaction to the Statue of Mostar and the Election law imposed by the International Community. The coalition will therefore advocate changes to Mostar Statute and will send a request to the Election Commission regarding the way of appointment of councilors to the City Council of Mostar since a part of councilors will be elected from the city list and a part of them by drawing lots.

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Priority to take down Ashdown’s Statute’ by N. Bise – If this coalition obtains majority in the new City Council, said Coric, the priority will be a change to the decision of Paddy Ashdown on Mostar Statute. Coric further says that the provisions of ‘Ashdown’s Statute’ are to be changed until the next elections: “It is against the honour of Mostar citizens to have this kind of Election Law. The International Community has offered the law which is ideal for electoral engineering.”

On Feasibility Study obligations

 

Blic, pg. RS2 ‘The authority stumbles on the path to EU’ by N. B. – EC cannot say whether BiH authority would get a negative or positive mark on implementation of obligations from the Feasibility Study. A meeting with domestic politicians will be held in Banja Luka next week, on which occasion they will be informed on remaining obligations. A positive mark will not be assigned for cooperation with the Hague Tribunal because, according to EC Spokesperson Frano Maroevic, it is insufficient. Nevertheless, a progress was achieved in many other areas since the Feasibility Study was published.

DL on education issue in Canton 7

Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Fines against HDZ and SDA as of Friday’, mentioned on cover, by Nermin Bise – OHR spokesman, Mario Brkic, confirmed for DL that the HDZ and SDA in Canton 7 have an additional deadline by Friday, June 18, by which they should harmonize the cantonal Law on primary and secondary education to the State Framework law. “Representatives of these parties announced they would solve the problem, and the OHR has given them an additional deadline until June 18, so the sanctions for these parties in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton are still under suspension”. Spokesman of HDZ BiH, Pero Pavlovic, stated that leaders of the HDZ in Canton 7 are engaged in intensive talks with representatives of the IC in order to find a solution to the issue. He expressed hope that a solution would be found, adding that one could not be certain what the results of talks with the IC would be.

 

Defence and security

SFOR completes vetting procedure for generals’ candidates to BiH Armed Forces

 

 

 

RHB, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘SFOR completed vetting procedures’, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Enough candidates for generals’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘SFOR completed vetting procedure for generals’ positions’, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Crime-catchers an successful tool in fight against crime’, by Vedran Vujovic, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Vetting of officers completed’, by eme, Blic, pg. RS2 ‘Generals were checked’ not signed– SFOR confirmed on Tuesday that the vetting procedure for candidates for the positions of general in the BiH armed forces had been completed. A statement says the results have been forwarded to the BiH Defence Ministry, which should bring further distribution of the posts. The statement stresses that a special investigation into a small number of officers, whose candidacy is controversial, is being conducted as a part of the checks. SFOR Commander Virgil Packett will BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic about the results of this investigation in due time.

US State Department report on BiH fight against human trafficking

 

BHTV 1, RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘BiH makes progress regarding fight against human trafficking’, Vecernji List, pg 2, ‘BiH better in fight against human trafficking than Croatia’, by Zoran Kresic, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘BiH on the right path in the fight against trafficking in people’ – The latest State Department’s annual report reads that BiH has achieved progress in struggle against human trafficking and sexual abuse, thus moving from Group 3 to Group 2. Although BiH territory is still being used as transit for human trafficking and although BiH is still in the group of countries which do not meet minimum standards in struggle against human trafficking, BiH’s efforts to take steps in this direction are commended. Apart from adopting anti-corruption measures, US expect BiH to adopt new legislation and apply more serious sanctions against those who break the law.

Radovanovic on BiH admission to PfP Delegate

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘it is not questionable that Karadzic should be arrested’, mentioned on cover ‘I don’t intend to file resignation’ by S. Numanovic – BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic agrees with the remark by US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, that the fact Radovan Karadzic was still at large was the only obstacle of for BiH’s admission to Partnership for Peace [see more above in section of political issues]. “I believe that this issue is to determine,” said Radovanovic adding that there is no question that Karadzic has to be arrested. However, what is questionable, believes Radovanovic, “is entire issue to be focused at one personality. With that, the complete social processes or changes are related to one act.” Radovanovic added he will not resign if BiH fails to be admitted to PfP. 

Tarik Sadovic attacked in RS, his car stolen 

 

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 6 ‘Armed perpetrators took care of Tarik Sadovic’,    Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 2 ‘Delegate Tarik Sadovic expelled from car with gun’, Vecernji list, pg 3, ‘Official vehicle hijacked with guns’, by Robert SoldoTarik Sadovic, RS NA MP, was robbed on Monday evening in the Lukavica street in the settlement of Dobrinja. According to press release issued by the Sarajevo Canton MOI, two unidentified robbers, around 23:00 hrs on Monday evening at the traffic lights, intercepted and expelled Sadovic, his wife and her friend from the car and escaped with the vehicle Sadovic drove, which is in possession of an institution.

RTRS: Sifet Podzic illegally occupies property

 

RTRS – RTRS comments that the human rights in BiH were violated once again. There is no end to the stories on abandoned property, evictions and alternative lodging. While Jovo Vukobrad, military pensioner, lives in alternative accommodation, Sifet Podzic, recently appointed chief of the BiH Armed Forces Command, lives in his apartment. Slobodan Radulj, advisor to the Serb member of BiH Presidency, said that he believes that OHR will do additional checking of candidates for generals’ functions.

DL on situation in FBIH Army

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Army is burden to BiH, not security’, by Ivica Glibusic – amid reports that speak of difficult financial situation in the FBiH Army, the author is amazed with cries of ‘so-called BiH patriots’ who advocate that BiH needs a strong and well equipped army, with conscripts serving in it too. In that context, Glibusic says that one should be realistic and face the truth, because, in his opinion, BiH does not need conscripts, arguing it is only waste of money, suggesting that BiH needs a small professional army to cut costs and instead, invest money into economy.

 

Audits of BiH and entities institutions

Hays meets with BiH Auditors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 4 ‘BiH Presidency must accept Auditor’s report’, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Forward the results of audit to state investigative bodies’, mentioned on cover, by Erna Mackic, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 23 ‘Prusina cannot be at head of bank’, by Zdenko Rerig – During the visit to the Office for audit of BiH institutions, Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, expressed OHR’s full support to the work of the Office, stressing that a possibility that the Parliament calls the BiH Presidency to account, on basis of the recent audit report, would be a healthy decision for the country. According to DL, PDHR Hays stressed that the Office could not improve the work of bodies of authority without support of the people and Parliament, because, in essence, the audit report is not about individuals, it’s about process, and if the process was improved, management would improve too.

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Hays against appointment of Zlatko Prusina to the position of Chief Auditor’ – DA says it learned that Covic has nominated Prusina for the position at the latest session of BiH Presidency, apparently stressing that Prusina “is a competent person” to perform duty of chief auditor.

BHTV 1 – According to the BHTV 1, Hays said that the BiH Prosecutor’s Office received the audit reports. Hays also added that the information on non-transparent spending of 25 millions KM, as indicated in the latest audit reports, is a reason enough to organize an extraordinary session of the Parliament. ”It’s time for Parliament to take a bigger part in supervision of spending public sources in Government’s Institution,” stressed Hays.

FTV – Hays aalso said that Dragan Covic’s proposal to nominate Zlatko Prusina for the position of BiH Chief Auditor was a stain on the work of BiH Presidency, adding that all Prusina had been doing was in opposition to law. Hays suggested to BiH Parliament not to accept this proposal. On the findings of the latest report, Samir Musovic, acting Chief Auditor said: “It is necessary to raise responsibility within institutions for spending of public means; to establish financial discipline”. FTV says that the main question is who will and when take responsibility for illegally spent public funds. Hays commented the way Parliament should have reacted to the report: “Parliament would establish Commission to invite persons involved in such actions, conduct investigations, and audit reports to be immediately submitted to institutions in charge of investigation.

DA int with Tihic on audit reports

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘I warned both auditors and finance ministers because of overspending’ by Fadil Mandal – Chairman of BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic says he is surprised with the media and political reactions to the audit reports of BiH institutions: “In principle I support the audit report. Entire last year I spent fighting against the irregularities mentioned in the audit reports. I believe it is a time finally to introduce order into spending and usage of means from BiH budget. So far I have made several public appearances and talked about overspending of certain cabinets, especially Serb. That is why I did not vote for adoption of 6 months report… Unfortunately, media, auditors and others try to put me – a person who rationally acted when it comes to budgetary means – in the same basket with those who obviously did not do so.” Asked who is the most responsible for the irregularities in the work of BiH Presidency, Tihic answered: “The main problem is that Secretary general and BiH Presidency’s Secretariat, as civil servants, were in charge of budget and taking care of legality of spending means. However, they did not act that way. My cabinet never made direct costs to the Presidency… We never had problems… The problems appeared with other cabinets,… who were spending more.” 

Int with Martin Raguz on audit reports of BiH institutions

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘BiH Parliament cannot prevent processing of audit report’ by A. Sisic – In a brief interview to NN, Martin Raguz, President of the BiH Court, says that if cases regarding money wasting at BiH joint institutions were processed by the BiH Prosecutor’s Office, the cases would be processed as if common citizens were concerned. He stresses: “I would like to stress that nobody holds any privilege at BiH Court. All citizens are absolutely equal before the Law.” He further says that BiH Parliament can only decide whether immunity should be removed or not, while Prosecutor’s Office is to conduct investigations and conclude whether there is criminal responsibility.

SD on audit of BiH Presidency

 

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17 ‘BiH Presidency before court?’, mentioned on cover, by Z. Tulic – Wondering whether the BiH Presidency will be held accountable because of inappropriate spending of 25 million KMs, the author says that information close to the BiH Prosecution say that audit reports have not yet arrived (to the Prosecution), although the Office for audit of BiH institutions claims the reports have already been submitted to the Prosecution. SD also notes the legal procedure regarding the audit report. Apparently, the BiH Parliament should be the first one who gets to declare oneself and take political decisions, only then it is possible to forward the report to the Prosecution for analysis.

Oslobodjenje op-ed criticises BiH Presidency

 

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Audi or kidneys’ op-ed by Antionio Prlenda – Highly critical of the BiH Presidency spending, especially in light of warnings from FBIH Army that it is facing with financial collapse, author concludes: “As long as it is great (only) for politicians, this country has no chances for better future. Extravagant nastiness of political leaders is not a new story. However, current members of BIH Presidency do not suffer any consequences. Well, of course, that is why they are on power…” 

Update to audit report of RS Banking Agency  

 

BHTV 1 – Following the audit at the RS Banking Agency, the RS Chief Audit Office established that during the temporary administration procedures at Prijedorska Banka and Privredna Banka Gradiska, the Agency has damaged the RS budget for BAM 8 million. The Agency in 2002 sold these two Banks to Nova Banjalucka Banka and “Telekom Srpske” at extremely low prices. RS Banking Agency considers this report to be tendentious. ”By checking these banks the estimate of possessions value is less than accounting value” concluded chief auditor, Bosko Ceko. “I refuse these diagnoses and I consider them to be very are tendentious” answered Dusanka Novakovic, Agency Director.

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Suit with former NBJ unsettled’ – The issue on ownership of RS Banking Agency over cash assets at accounts upon receipt and placed as deposits of BAM 1.2 million worth (at the end of 2002) and of BAM 2.8 million (at the end of 2003) has not been settled as yet. This is reported in the Audit report on RS Banking Agency. The report explains that Agency, as legal successor of the former NBJ (People’s Bank of RS) has failed to provide conditions for distribution and allocation of resources and obligations of the former Bank towards RS budget.

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘I am ready to take responsibility for irregularities’ – Dusanka Novakovic said she was ready to face accusations regarding irregularities listed in audit report on transactions at Agency, adding she would demand responsibility of Bosko Ceko for having falsely reported on the work of the Agency. She claims that Auditor presented his views without going through documentation, meaning that the report was tendentious.  

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Ceko: Nobody can sell banks as s/he wishes’ – Bosko Ceko, stated that the best response to the statement of Novakovic upon audit report was provided by the RS NA Board for Economy and Finances that concluded that institutions in charge of controls should investigate into all suspicious business dealings of the RS Banking Agency.

Audit report of RS Government Secretariat

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘No information on apartments’ – The Audit Report, which the RS Chief Auditor’s Office prepared regarding the work of the RS Government Secretariat, reads that RS Government has registered it owes apartments of BAM 3.4 million worth. However, the auditors expressed reservation towards the presented figure, because there is no information in documentation, that could substantiate claim the apartments were bought. Also, auditors established that budget reserve resources have been used to meet needs that have not been anticipated by the Law on budget system. Such include initiation of production and financing of some manifestations, whose founder RS Government is not.

FTV says audit into FBiH MoD completed

 

FTV by Zvonko Maric – FBIH Defence Ministry is another institution whose dealings are being checked through the audit procedure. FTV reports that the situation in the Ministry is extremely difficult, facing with the serious lack of finances, and that it si expected for someone to take responsibility for it. According to FTV, team of auditors and inter-departmental inspection found that in 2002 doings of this Ministry damaged Federal budget for 13,5 million KM. Following the audit, FTV says that auditors Drago Ragicevic and Munib Bisic received threats. As an example of latter, FTV says that general Rasim Delic threated to Bisic that he would be dismissed, as the auditor found that Delic was on the list for donation for the house reconstruction in amount of 42 000 KM and other illegal manipulations. FBiH Minister of Defence Miroslav Nikolic says that illegal loans were also given to certain companies such as Vitezit and Krivaja. Nikolic also claims he was threatened that he would be dismissed and that is why he ceased further investigation.

 

Srebrenica Commission

Bogdanovic gives Srebrenica Commission final report to Masovic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘Amor Masovic applauded Bogdanic for his courage’ by Avdo Avdic – The Chairman of the Srebrenica Commission Milan Bogdanic on Tuesday submitted the final report on the events in Srebrenica to the FBiH Missing Person Commission member Amor Masovic. “I sincerely applaud to mr Bogdanic and other members of the Commission for their courage to take up this issue which till few days ago was nothing but a taboo, even within the international community. The information we received from the Commission was confirmed to be true in locality of Sandici,” stated Masovic. Masovic did not want to comment on the content of the report. Bogadnic commented that the final report mainly refers to the establishment of the number of missing persons in July 1995: “We made lists in accordance with the applications filed by the members of families to the Human Rights Chamber. There are about 1.331 persons, however this is not the final number as we still did not receive information for about 500 persons.” Commenting the debate on whether the word genocide was used in the report, Bogadic reiterated to Oslobodjenje that the Commission is not court institution to decide on the legal qualification of the events in Srebrenica.

Also covered in Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Bogdanic submit Srebrenica report to Masovic over mass grave in Sandici’, ‘Victims were thrown into dry bed of Kravica river after they were killed’, mentioned on cover ‘Bogdanic submit the report to Masovic’, by A. Hadzic.

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Eight bodies exhumed from the grave at Sandici’ – NN reports that the F BiH Commission for Missing Persons has exhumed eight bodies from two primary grave sites at Sandici.

Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Crime in Srebrenica has been precisely defined’ by Asaf Becirovic – According to the source close to RS Government, Ministers in RS Government have adopted the Srebrenica Commission report without even reading it. The source claims that the Government had to adopt it, and said that in case they did got familiar with the content they would not endorsed it. The same source also said that the role of the international member of the commission, Gordon Bacon, was essential for the report.

Reactions to the Srebrenica Commission report

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Names of those executors of crimes missing’ – Munira Subasic, President of the Association of “Movement of Mothers of enclaves of Srebrenica and Zepa” yesterday commented on Srebrenica Commission and stated that Srebrenica mothers are satisfied with the final report, noting that “RS authorities have completed this task only because they had to do it and in order to get a passing grade and survive. They admitted the crime because they had to do that, but they avoided naming the executors of crime.” Zumra Sehomerovic from Srebrenica observed the report does not include the names of those who planned, ordered and carried out the re-location of mass graves. Both of them express dissatisfaction over the fact that Commission failed to make the list of the missing persons.

Oslobodjenje pg 4 “Proof we were right” – The Association Women of Srebrenica and Zepa expect from RS Government to arrest all those responsible for the genocide and from the international community to abolish both RS and FBiH.

Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Srebrenica report can be used for lawsuit against SCG’ by E.S. Amir Ahmic, Bosniak officer for the relations with ICTY, commented on the Srebrenica Commission report saying that it is obvious from the report that he new evidences were really gathered and that the report also incorporated a number of documents proving SCG participation in this event. “The report is very useful, also from the aspect of BiH Lawsuit against SCG before the International Justice Court in the Hague,” concluded Ahmic.

 

Economic issues

Hays on Hercegovacka Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oslobodjenje cover, pg 5 ‘Ivica Todorovic will return 30 million KM to the Government’ by Az. Kalamujic – Asked to comment what will happen with approximately 30 million KM of the FBiH Government currently held in Hercegovacka Bank, the Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays confirmed that purchaser of the Bank will also take over the responsibility to pay out majority of its debts [Hercegovacka Bank was earlier purchased by the consortium of Croatian companies, headed by Ivica Todorevic]. “The banking laws of this country set the conditions to meet when paying out to the bank’s clients. They stipulate small saving holders to be paid out, and than big clients,” explains Hays.

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 23 ‘Prusina cannot be at head of bank’, by Zdenko Rerig – During the visit to the Office for audit of BiH institutions, Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, was asked to comment on the proposal of BiH Presidency, which was forwarded to the Parliament, to appoint Zlatko Prusina, a former senior official of the Hercegovacka bank, as the new general manager of the said bank. “Judging by information we found in report on the work of the bank, that person is completely incapable and unqualified for the job (…) I simply cannot believe the Presidency has thoroughly examined his capabilities and qualifications for the office, and still nominated this person”, stated PDHR Hays, appealing to the Parliament to reject the proposal.

RS Government persistent in its demand for full implementation of Mrakovica Agreement

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘F BiH is violating Mrakovica Agreement’; Glas Srpske pg 2 From understanding to misunderstanding’ – Branko Krsmanovic, RS Finance Minister, yesterday stated that RS Government does not even want to speak about the Proposed new law on excise at the state level, until the problem regarding placement of oil from Serb Brod Oil Refinery at F BiH market is settled. He informed the members of the ITA Steering Board of this stance of RS Government at yesterday’s meeting in Banja Luka. Joly Dixon, ITA Steering Board Chairperson, yesterday reiterated that the main purpose of the Mrakovica Agreement was to revive the internal market in BiH.

DL on 3rd GSM licence

 

Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Making of platform for talks with HT Zagreb started’, by J. Petrovic – The daily learns from a source close to the FBiH Ministry of Traffic and Communications that the Commission, which is tasked to assess a proposal of HT Zagreb regarding transfer of its shares in Eronet onto HT Mostar, assessed the proposal as acceptable for the FBiH. The Commission also took a decision to start with making of a platform for start of negotiations with HT Zagreb. Apparently, the platform will be prepared today, after which the Commission members could review it and make their remarks. The final platform is to be submitted to the FBiH Government to get the final consent in order to start the negotiations.

NN editorial highly critical of Toby Robinson

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘Link to “Mobi’s” op-ed by Slavo Kukic – In the op-ed the author is critical of Toby Robinson, new appointed as Temporary Administrator of Privredna Banka Serb Sarajevo. He refers to her as “an arrogant American cow-girl from California”. He is writing the article in relation with the latest developments regarding GSM licence, criticising activities of Robinson regarding this issue.

OHR to facilitate adoption of laws on debts

Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Set of laws on debts towards citizens’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘To adopt laws to regulate BiH authorities’ debt towards citizens’ – OHR Spokesperson, Vedran Persic, stated that OHR today gathers representatives of the FBiH Government and Parliament, as well as the representatives of the World Bank and IMF to plan adoption of the laws that FBiH Government sent into parliamentary procedure on 19 May. As Persic explained, this set of laws will enable implementation of the plan agreed between BiH authorities and the international community with regard to the issue of debt towards the citizens.

 

Court proceedings and judiciary

Verdicts in Orao trial on 2 July

 

 

RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Verdicts on 2 July’ by V. Du., Blic, pg. RS8 ‘New evidence’ by Ljubo Ljubojevic – Trial in “Orao” case continued yesterday at Bijeljina Court. The defence presented approximately 50 new evidence and these will be considered at the following hearing scheduled for June 29. The court Council yesterday rejected a request for a repeated hearing of a financial expert of the Court, Drago Cacanovic. The verdicts in the case are expected on 2 July.

Update to Hercegovacka Bank case

 

Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Main hearing in ‘Hercegovacka bank’ case soon’, by N. Dedic – Notes that representation of defendants in the ‘Hercegovacka bank’ case received a (written) decision of the BiH Court, which extends custody to Ante Jelavic, Miroslav Prce and Miroslav Rupcic, and which also rejects the request for exclusion of Judge Bernard Boland. DL also notes an interesting detail in the whole case, alleging that Judge Boland originally extended the custody to Jelavic verbally, without stating reasons for it and time duration. Allegedly, Judge Boland issued a written decision a few days later. Finally, DL notes that the main hearing will before the BiH Court will be organized soon.

RS Chief Prosecutor on work of the Prosecutor’s Office

 

Blic, pg. RS1 ‘Prosecutors are buried with old cases’ by Tijana Veselinovic mentioned on cover ‘Amor Bukic: Prosecutor’s Offices are buried with old cases’ – Chief RS Prosecutor Amor Bukic has stated that he expects that Banja Luka Regional Prosecutor’s Office will soon complete investigations based on audit reports on the work of “Petrol”, “RS Post Traffic” Banja Luka Clinical Centre, “Banja Luka Bank”, Kristal Bank” and Health Care Fund. ‘Prosecutor’s Offices have carried out investigations in 433 cases against 635 persons in field of economic crime during the past year’, Bukic said. He says that prosecutors have took over 4,500 incomplete investigation cases from Courts, but there is also a great increase in crime, which affects the work of the Prosecutor’s Offices.

The article carries the inset ‘Investigation against former Prime Minister too’, which reads that the Chief RS Prosecutor expects that Banja Luka Regional Prosecutor’s Office will soon complete the inherited investigations against many public and political persons, one of which is SNSD leader and former RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik. As a comment on “the yellow folder” of RS Minister of Interior Zoran Djeric that contained 107 denunciations, Bukic has stated that 13 indictments have been brought on the base of the list, six denunciations have been forwarded to BiH Prosecutor’s Office, five denunciations were either rejected or investigations were stopped, additional data were asked for in cases of 14 denunciations and investigations are still ongoing in 74 cases.   

Raguz on his successor

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘BiH Parliament cannot prevent processing of audit report’ by A. Sisic – In a brief interview to NN, Martin Raguz, President of the BiH Court, responding to press question regarding his retirement and possible successor on the position, says he is not aware as to who would candidate to succeed him on the position, neither when he would retire. Journalist speculated that Vlado Adamovic, the Judge, aspires to succeed him on this position, while international community, according to the journalist, would like to see Judge Branko Peric assume this position after Raguz goes to retirement.