Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 16 June
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA(12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| Another incident in Mostar | 2nd round of SAA ending | Dodik on DPA |
| 2nd round of SAA talks ends today | Ivanic for Standard | HR to hold press conf. |
| Six dead in traffic accident in Istria | EU Constitution by 2008 | New terrorist attack in Baghdad |
TV news broadcast on 15 June
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA(18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Helicopter crashed near Jablanica | Negotiations on SAA continue | Two injured in a helicopter accident |
| CoM in session | Commission for Sarajevo established | Clashes in Mostar, two days after |
| SPONA on referendum in RS | RSNA in session | Croats insulted Bosniaks in Vitez |
| Trial to Ilijasevic commenced | OHR on issue of the identity papers | Mistaken identity case in Gradacac |
NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) FTV (19,30 hrs) RTRS (19,30 hrs) Mandic to be indicted Sarajevo Commission appointed BiH Armed Forces’ helicopter crash BiH Army helicopter crashed HoP Chair Milojevic on police reform Negotiations on SAA continue EC on reforms in BiH EC officials on progress in BiH Milojevic sent letter to Terzic CoM in session WN: EU Summit in Brussels Commission for Sarajevo established
| Oslobodjenje | [EC Priebe] October is deadline for implementation of launched reforms |
| Dnevni Avaz | [EC Priebe] Pre-elections campaign must not stop reforms |
| Dnevni List | Survived helicopter crash (BiH Armed Forces’ helicopters crashes near Jablanica) |
| Vecernji List | Mostar in fear ahead of Japan (game) (VL retells story on Mostar riots from Tuesday night) |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | No apparition in Medjugorje (Bishop Peric on apparition of Virgin Mary in Medjugorje) |
| Nezavisne Novine | “Vitol” asks for 115 million dollars [“Vitol” asks for 115 million dollars from Brod Refinery because of violation of contract] |
| Glas Srpske | Truth should not be hidden [Investigation of war crimes against Serbs in BiH] |
| EuroBlic | Diplomas from Srpska will be recognized in Europe too after 2010 [RS NA adopted Draft law on high education] |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
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| LATEST NEWS OF TODAY |
| Second round of SAA negotiations ends today
| BH Radio 1, RTRS, RHB – Second, official round of negotiations on Stabilization and Association Agreement between BiH and EU is ending today in Sarajevo. Most important topics of this round were migrating of employees, justice, freedom and security. As it was stated in the statement of BiH Directorate of European Integrations, it is predicted that issues, which remained from the first round would be discussed as well. |
| BH Foreign Minister Ivanic for Standard: progress of region depends on ICTY cooperation
| BH Radio 1 – In the interview for Austrian daily ‘Standard’, BiH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic stated that Austria has contributed a lot to development of the Western Balkans, during its presiding over the EU, but progress of the region depends on the arrest and extraditions of ICTY indictees Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. When it comes to signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, Ivanic said that it is possible for BiH to sign it by end of the year, but added that “political restrains” still exist. These “political restrains” refer to ICTY cooperation, which is the huge obstacle, and on the other side it refers to police reform, which is the condition for signing of SAA. |
| Another incident takes place in Mostar
| RHB – Another incident happened in the central zone of Mostar. Yesterday during long break about 30 hooligans threatened students of Mostar Grammar school and the school principal was forced to request police protection and lock up the school. Students’ parents requested that the principal suspend school until an investigation into the incident has been conducted. |
| Ivanic welcomes Sarajevo commission, deems RS Govt should assist RS members | SRNA news agency – The president of PDP Mladen Ivanic welcomed the appointment of the Commission for determination of truth about crimes against Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Jews and others in Sarajevo during the war. Ivanic deems that three members from RS in the Commission cannot do anything alone and that the Government must form the team that would be at their disposal. |
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| European integrations and reforms |
| RPM mtg in Sarajevo: EC officials not satisfied with pace of reforms implementation
| FTV by Zeljko Tica – Following the Thursday’s fourth meeting of Reform Process Monitoring team, within the Stabilization and Association Process towards EU, EC’s officials concluded that although BiH has made certain progress in reform processes, it has still not achieved enough. Last two days, BiH and EC officials summed up the implementation of reforms necessary to sign the SAA with the EU; according to FTV reporter, EC is mostly concerned with the implementation of the police reform, but also with the slow improvement in other reform processes. “EC did notice certain progress has been made, but – to be completely honest – we would like to see much more… And that is why we appeal to the authorities in this country to take up those reforms with more dynamics than before”, stated Director of the EC’s General Directorate for Enlargement Reinhardt Priebe. “Since the [SAA] negotiations…are going well, BiH has a chance to complete them by the end of the year. It depends on the implementation of those reforms when BiH will sign the SAA”, added Director of the BiH Directorate of European Integrations Osman Topcagic. EC officials deem that it is finally time to adopt remaining laws and to start the reform of the Public Broadcasting System; according to FTV reporter, more dynamics is expected in the reform of public administration. Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 3 ‘Pre-elections campaign must not stop reforms’ by T.Lazovic – Priebe told daily: “I am especially addressing parliamentarians, as on its way to Europe BiH needs great number of laws. They cannot be allowed to slow down their work four months before the elections just because of the forthcoming elections.” Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 3 ‘October is deadline for implementation of launched reforms’ by M.K.S. – Priebe stated: “I do not understand why it is so hard to adopt such important laws such as laws on obligations, banking supervisions, medicines and other very important laws for this country’s economy.” Daily carries that RPM concluded that ICTY cooperation is runs with no significant difficulties, adding that this obligation remains as long as the Tribunal exist. RPM also noted progress in field of security. BHT1 – EC will assess the progress BiH has made in its annual report, which would be published in October and signing of the SAA would depend on this report. RHB, RTRS, Hayat, PINK, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Conclude negotiations by end of year’, by E. Mackic, Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Suspension of negotiations with EU?’, by eme – also reported. |
| EC’s Priebe: SAA could be suspended because of police reform; Daily: Priebe warns RS MoI Cadjo to return RS officials to PRD
| Hayat – Reporting of the Reform Process Monitoring team meeting, all media noted the special concerns of the EC officials in regard to the implementation of the police reform. Hayat commented that the RS Interior Minister Stanislav Cadjo has also been in Sarajevo on Thursday, but was unavailable for the comment. Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 3 ‘Pre-elections campaign must not stop reforms’ by T.Lazovic, inset ‘RS must return to Steering Board’ – Daily learns that EC’s General Directorate for Enlargement Reinhardt Priebe warned Cadjo that RS Government must return to work of Police Reform Directorate [PRD] in its full capacity: “Experts should be allowed to finish the job according to the three established EU principles on police reform.” FTV – “I’m not here to establish who is responsible. BiH has to carry out those reforms… When it comes to the police, it is clear that there is hesitation in RS, and there is no point in hiding this fact”, Priebe told reporters. Hayat – Priebe stated: “EC has stressed it very clearly that in case the political agreement on police reform is questioned or if the work of Police Reform Directorate is continued to be obstructed, EC will consider suspending the signing of SAA”. PINK- “I believe that all BiH structures of power showed readiness to implement the police reform. However, previous efforts are not satisfying. EC indicted clearly that the Police Reform Directorate and Steering Board of the Police Reform Directorate should continue with their work and that all members of the Directorate should participate in its work in full capacity”, Director of the BiH Directorate of European Integrations Osman Topcagic. EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Priebe: police reform worries us’ by D. S., Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Police reform postponing signing of the Agreement’ by M. Cubro – also reports on concern over police reform. |
| BiH HoP Chair Milojevic writes CoM Chair Terzic expressing concerns over the police reform process
| FTV – BiH House of Peoples Chair Goran Milojevic has sent a letter to the BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic, expressing concern over the process of police reform in BiH. Milojevic stressed that the police reform process in BiH was threatened by deeply-rooted disagreements over the harmonisation of the decision on establishment the Police Reform Directorate [PRD], with the regulations of the very agreement on police reform. HoP Chair asked Terzic to urgently bring this issue before the BiH CoM, since “the silence as an answer to serious remarks on PRD’s modus operandi does not guarantee successful completion of this process; especially since the police reform is of a great importance for BiH, and for the completion of the talks on Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union in particular,” concluded Milojevic in a letter to CoM Chair Adnan Terzic. RTRS- BiH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic and BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak are informed about the content of the letter. Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Discordance in police reform are worrying’ not signed, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Milojevic worried about police reform process’, by NINA, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 15 ‘Take police to ‘workshop’’, by B. Kristo, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Silence is a bad response’ by D. Mo., Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Police reform before Council of Ministers’ by Agencies also reported. |
| OHR response to BiH HoP Speaker Milojevic: PRD was established in accordance with Agreement from October 2005
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Directorate was established in accordance with the Agreement’ by E.Sarac – Commenting BiH House of Peoples Speaker Goran Milojevic‘s letter to BiH officials where he asks reconsideration of decision on establishing Police Reform Directorate [PRD] due to it’s alleged non-complying with Agreement on police reform, OHR Spokesperson Oleg Milisic told daily that it is up to BiH political leaders to decide whether they will keep on undermining police reform process. Milisic stated: “Although we [OHR] did not receive this letter the following facts are clear: The PRD was set up by unanimous decision of BiH Council of Ministers in line with the October 2005 Political Agreement,” adding that state and entity Governments and Parliaments are obliged to review and eventually adopt any proposal coming out of the PRD. |
| Second round of SAA talks started on Thursday: general and political issues to be discussed
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 3 ‘Pre-elections campaign must not stop reforms’ by T.Lazovic Inset ‘Second round began’ – BiH and EU Chief SAA Negotiators Igor Davidovic and Reinhardt Priebe, respectively, started second round of two-day talks on Stabilisation and Association Agreement [SAA] in Sarajevo, Thursday afternoon. Daily carries that this round of SAA talks will be discussing general and political issues. Davidovic announced that the talks would focus on freedom of movement and issues of migration and asylum. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 3 ‘October is deadline for implementation of launched reforms’ by M.K.S. – also covered. |
| EU disappointed with RS PM Dodik’s lawsuit against ITA SB Chair Dixon
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘EU disappointed with Dodik’s lawsuit against Dixon’ by T.L. – European Commission’s General Directorate for Enlargement Reinhardt Priebe unofficially told DA that EC is unpleasantly surprised and disappointed by the lawsuit against Indirect Taxation Administration [ITA] Steering Board Chair Joly Dixon raised by the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik. Priebe said that Dixon is an expert that should help BiH authorities. Dodik accused Dixon for alleged damaging RS budget upon allocation of resources from the single account. Dixon denied these accusations adding that the attention of this accusation was to undermine work of ITA single account. |
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| Sarajevo Commission, elections, referendum debate |
| CoM establishes Sarajevo Commission with year mandate to gather information on murders, rapes, tortures, deportations, etc in all SA pre-war municipalities
| BHT1 by Marina Martinovic – At its Thursday’s session BiH Council of Ministers appointed members of the BiH Commission for Establishing the Truth about the Suffering of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Jews and Others in Sarajevo, during the period between 1992 and 1995. The members of the Sarajevo Commission are Smail Cekic, Enes Pelidija, Amor Masovic, Ivica Marinovic, Anto Zelic, Mirko Prskalo, Zeljko Rasevic, Miroslav Jankovic, Dobrislav Planojevic and Danilo Nikolic. The main task of the Commission, which has a one-year mandate, is to establish the exact number of people killed in Sarajevo, in order to avoid any kind of manipulation with numbers. “As a representative of RS Association of Inmates, I can say that – according to our information – 5,436 civilians have been killed in Sarajevo”, Branislav Dukic told BHT. CoM also suggested establishing of the state commission, which would investigate the suffering of all people in the whole country. FTV – The task of the Commission, which has a one-year mandate, is to collect information on mass and individual murders, mass and individual confinements, tortures in camps and prisons, rapes and sexual harassments, deportations, persecution and all other way of violating of international conventions in the area of all pre-war Sarajevo citizens. Hayat- Marinovic has been appointed as the first Chairman of the Commission while Deputies are Cekic and Rasovic. CoM suggested rotation on the chair at every four months, but left it up to the commission to decide. RHB, PINK, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Appointed members of Sarajevo commission’ by A.T., Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ’10 members of Sarajevo Commission appointed’ not signed, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘All pre-requisites for continuation of work of Parliament created’, by D. P. Mandic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Finally Commission’ by Dusanka Stanisic, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Commission for Sarajevo appointed’ by Z. D., Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Members of Sarajevo Commission appointed’ by M. Cubro – reported. |
| SDS’ Novakovic opposes to Masovic’s participation in Sarajevo Commission
| RTRS – The Chair of the SDS Caucus at the BiH House of Representatives Momcilo Novakovic expressed concern regarding the appointment of Amor Masovic to the position of member of the Commission for Truth about Sufferings of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Jews and Others in Sarajevo from 1992-1995, considering Masovic’s strong objections to the establishment of this Commission. |
| SNM ‘Choice is Ours’ gathers 300 young people, asking for secession of the RS and referendum
| FTV – The Serb National Movement ‘Choice is Ours’ organized a rally on Friday in Banjaluka, demanding the referendum for secession of RS from BiH. According to FTV, approximately 300 persons – mostly secondary-school pupils and students – participated in carrying Serbian flags and posters saying ‘This is Serbia’ and ‘Srpska above all’, also singing ”cetniks’” songs. RHB – Deputy Head of the “Choice is ours”, Dane Cankovic, is also a head of SPONA which launched an initiative to gather signatures for RS succession from BiH, claims they have managed to get more than 50.000 citizens to sign the initiative up to now. BHT1, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Chanting Serbia, Karadzic, Mladic and referendum’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Praising Karadzic and Mladic, calling for secession from BiH’ not signed – carried reports. |
| DA op-ed: Although Banja Luka pro-referendum support was consequence of his ‘opinion’, RS PM Dodik did not react
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Where was Dodik yesterday?’ op-ed by Edina Sarac – Commenting Thursday’s protests in Banja Luka supporting referendum on separation of RS from BIH, organized by NGO SPONA, editorial questions: “Where was [RS Prime Minister Milorad] Dodik, proclaimed fighter for ICTY cooperation yesterday? … He did not make public statement, although this happening was direct consequence of his ‘opinion’ on referendum for RS self-determination.” Noting that it does not matter this is part of pre-elections’ campaign, author stressing that it should have certain limits as well: “Fear is key pre-election’s weapon in Dodik’s hands, because, after all of his announcements, and now the meeting, it is not pleasant to be non-Serb in the RS.” Sarac concludes that the referendum story is Dodik’s wining card, which should secure him next four years of power. |
| RS PM Dodik: I informed Russian Foreign Affairs Minister on demands of EC and int. organisations aiming at deprivation of RS of all of its competences
| Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘Russia is protecting Srpska’ by D. Vujanovic – In a short interview to Vecernje Novosti, RS PM Milorad Dodik said Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov supported the idea on abolishment of the High Representative’s Bonn powers in next several months and added Lavrov told him the Russian Federation is dedicated to preservation of Dayton Peace Agreement, which means it strongly advocates for preservation of RS as an entity. Asked whether he had informed Lavrov on dangers that are jeopardising the existence of RS, Dodik replied: ‘Of course. I informed him with various EC demands and various international organisations that are trying to turn RS into an empty shell by depriving it of all competences’. He reiterated his stance regarding the referendum and was asked to comment on HR’s threat with a penalty if he [RS PM] fails to stop advocating for the referendum, upon which Dodik replied: ‘I do not know what kind of a penalty he was talking about’, and said he strongly supports everything he had said, including the statements on the referendum. |
| SDU leader Tokic invited OHR to impose sanctions against those who are advocating for RS referendum on secession
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Present atmosphere reminds me on naiveté of BiH officials before the aggression’, mentioned on cover ‘BiH political situation is destabilised’ by Lana Sinanovic – In an interview for daily, SDU leader Sejfudin Tokic invited OHR “to perform its duty and sanction all who are acting against sovereignty of our country.” He claims that reason for such decision should be destabilisation of BiH, caused by frequent statements of RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik and other RS officials on referendum and inadequate response of International Community to this announcement. Tokic is of opinion that whole issue was not incidental statement of a political adventurer, stressing it represents intended project of Serbian nationalists and parties gathered around SDS and SNSD. |
| GS op-ed by DSS’s Kovacevic: BiH has future only as federal state
| Glas Srpske op-ed pg 5 ‘A wave of nationalism threatening’ by Predrag Kovacevic [Note: author is the president of DSS party] – Kovacevic says BiH has the future only if it is organised as a federal state and any uniting of BiH, which would represent a violation of Dayton Peace Agreement, would bring new troubles and ‘might lead to tragic events that occurred in 1992’. He emphasised RS must have all competences as any federal unit that exists in the world and, as such, RS would be a guarantee of BiH’s statehood. |
| Representative of Kosovo Serbs Raskovic-Ivic: If Kosovo is independent, same to be applied on RS
| Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘If Kosovo gets independent, Republika Srpska would ask for the same’, not signed, Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘Fuse of the planet’ – Sanda Raskovic Ivic, President of the Coordination Centre for Kosovo and Metohija, has stated that “if KosMet gets independence, the same right can be applied to Republika Srpska as well. If we want to have a fuse for the planet and if somebody from the international community does not want to see that – to create one general jumble everywhere and to initiative 50 new conflicts – the best way truly is to give independence to Kosovo.” |
| OHR invites MoIs to assist in passive voters’ registration process
| PINK – Senior Deputy to High Representative Peter Bas-Backer reminded that Interior Ministries at all levels should be prepared to assist those that still haven’t received CIPS ID, by distribution of mobile teams before registration of voters is ended on August 17th. SDHR also said that MoIs should be ready to use their resources in cooperation with the CIPS and BiH Central Election Commission to enable successful launching of passive voters’ registration. OHR Spokesperson Ljiljana Radetic told the press conference that SDHR has met RS and Cantonal MoIs’ representatives in Sarajevo in order to encourage them to put in the maximal effort in preparing of passive registration. It was stated that OHR and OSCE are expecting MoIs to assists in this project in order to increase the turnout at the following elections. RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘OHR demands support of RS MoI’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Speed up issuing IDs’ by T.L., Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Teams are registering voters’ by M. Dz. – also covered. |
| Former RS PM Bukejlovic leaves SDS, joins DEPOS for upcoming elections
| RTRS by Stela Jungic – Former RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic left the SDS and joined DEPOS, explaining he would be DEPOS candidate for the position of the RS President or Serb Member of the BiH Presidency at the upcoming elections. Bukejlovic stressed that he was fighting against all kinds of corruption and crime and added that some SDS members were bothered with that. He believes present SDS methods and policies are not in like with the party’s statute and goals. Bukejlovic reported that he pointed out to SDS Leader Dragan Cavic and SDS high-ranking officials to danger of such policy. Bukejlovic also reported that he could not make agreement and harmonize stances with the SDS officials and for that reason he left. DEPOS reported on Thursday that Bukejlovic accepted to candidate as DEPOS member for one of the highest positions at the upcoming elections. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Pero Bukejlovic will be DEPOS candidate at forthcoming elections’ by Srna, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘To elections with Bukejlovic’ by D. Mo., Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘A part of SDS was bothered with fight against crime’ by S.Gojkovic also reported. |
| SDA’s Izetbegovic: if there are problems in SDA they are on the field
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover ‘Izetbegovic claims that problems are on the field and not the top of SDA’ by A.Omeragic – Daily comments, “pre-election games” have produced neurosis among SDA officials, hoping to be in the election lists. Member of SDA Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic commented this is normal in pre-election time, rejecting to confirm the media speculations that he should be the holder of the SDA’s list for the state level. Commenting speculations on “shaken relations” within the SDA, Izetbegovic said: “I saw what Adnan Terzic [Council of Ministers Chair] said, but he probably heard something on the field. I haven’t noticed that there are special problems within the party.” Denying that he is in dispute with SDA leader Sulejman Tihic, Izetbegovic said: “God forbid! Tihic is leader of my party,.” and added that he hasn’t noticed that members of SDA, who haven’t supported Tihic at the last Congress, are in less favorable position. Daily, concluded that it will be known whether the speculations on Tihic’s “revenge” are truthful or not, after the cantonal list are completed [NOTE: May 14, Dnevni Avaz published that Tihic is trying to push party members loyal to him at the influential places and that his opponent at the last party’s elections Elmir Jahic on the other side fights for the position in SDA by winning places in elections lists.] |
| Head of Srebrenica Municipality Malkic: Election lists in Srebrenica carry illegal streets’ names along with those from 2002
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Streets are carrying names of criminals’, mentioned on cover not signed– Srebrenica Municipality publicly protests against initial voters’ list claiming they carry illegal names of the streets. Municipality claims lists carry names of streets determined right after the genocide in 1995, which have been written along with the names of the streets, changed back in 2002. Because of this, Head of Municipality Abdurahman Malkic is asking for this problem to be solved, otherwise he would suspend the support in all election related activities, which includes the boycott of election activities. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘There are still streets in the CIPS data base, which offend the victims’ by A.Malagic– Malkic told DA that names of streets include Karadzic’s street, street of Greece Friendship, street of the Serb Liberators etc. |
| Hayat: incident with Croat child and homework happened in September; why HDZ and Cardinal Puljic are reacting now?
| Hayat By Asim Beslija – Based on the writings of Croatian daily ‘Vecernji List’, reporter investigated the situation with a young Croatian student that was allegedly forced to attend religious classes on Islam at the Sixth Primary School in Sarajevo settlement Stup. According to the VL, “the student was forced to say that his God is Allah and that all Croats are Ustasas while attending the Islamic school which presents evidence on position of Croats in BIH”. Reporter says he discovered above-mentioned “incident” took place in September 2005, but because of the “political manipulation it was used in June 2006”. Director of abovementioned school [of Croat nationality] in a written statement [to Hayat] said this entire whole issue was politicized and taken out of the context. Beslija argues entire issue is used only as the political propaganda as surveyed Croats in Stup claim not to have problems with their neighbours of different ethnicity. Reporter added this issue was finalized for all but HDZ BIH and Cardinal Vinko Puljic who reacted nine months after it took place, and concludes by wondering why the reaction took this long. |
| HDZ 1990’s Ljubic: Croats should be allowed to make proposal of BiH Constitution
| Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Ljubic: Let Croats make BiH Constitution’, by mv, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 12 ‘Ljubic: Croats should make BiH Constitution’, by Z. Zekic – President of the HDZ 1990 – Croat Unity, Bozo Ljubic, called on representatives of other two constitutional peoples in BiH in Mostar on Wednesday to allow the Croats, as the smallest of the three peoples in BiH, to make the proposal of new BiH Constitution together with European experts. “Our ultimate goal is equality of the Croat people to other two peoples in European BiH”, said Ljubic. |
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| Economic and social issues / Rights and obligations of MPs |
| RS Govt to publish tender for privatisation of RS Telekom in July; privatisation plan to be discussed by RSNA
| RTRS by Sandra Zrnic – At Thursday’s session, the RS Government accepted the rebalance plan on business activities of the RS Telecom until 2008. Privatization plan for the RS Telecom will be sent to the RS National Assembly to discuss it on its following session. Tender for privatization of the RS Telecom will be probably announced early next month [July]. RS Minister of Traffic and Communication Nedeljko Cubrilovic stated that smaller investments in RS Telecom would not endanger the development concept of this company. “Rebalance of capital investments will not influence change of balance statement and total income in the amount of 342.740.000 KM and total expenditures in the amount of around 280 million KM will not change”, said Cubrilovic. Commenting the statement by Hamdija Katica, BH Telecom Director, in which he said that the planned privatization price of the RS Telecom would endanger sale of BH Telecom and HT Mostar, Cubrilovic said that does not know on which information Katica based his statement. “If Mr. Katica is ready to give 1,5 billion KM for the RS Telecom, we are ready to negotiate with him”, said Cubrilovic. RS Government believes that right now is the best moment for sale of the RS Telecom. RS Government decided to remind BiH Council of Ministers about the establishment of the air space control in Banja Luka since this should have been done in January. PINK, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 13 ‘Market will set price of Telekom Srpske’ not signed, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Conclude negotiations by end of year’, by E. Mackic, Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Suspension of negotiations with EU?’, by eme, EuroBlic pg Rs2 ‘Tender by July 4’ by T. Veselinovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Telekom Srpske on sale at the beginning of July’ by D. Risojevic, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘To work in July’ by G. Dakic – also carried. |
| RSNA rejects information on RS foreign debt amounting to 1.689 bn KM; Finance Minister: “I cannot submit report showing we owe less than we do”
| RTRS by Sinisa Mihailovic– At the continuance of the regular session which started on Wednesday, the RS National Assembly rejected the information on RS foreign debt, submitted by the RS Finance Ministry, according to which the foreign debt amounts to 1.689 billion KM. RS has signed 66 agreements on loans since signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement. RS foreign debt presents 143% of the total export. According to the World Bank criteria, foreign debt should not be higher than 2,2 times of the export value. “This debt did not reach the critical amount to take us to the debtor’s crisis”, said Aleksandar Dzombic, RS Finance Minister. RSNA Representatives accepted new loans, which were proposed by the RS Government in the amount of 3,7 million Euros for the housing reconstruction and return process, 19 million US dollars for joining EU energy community; and 6,2 million $ for the project of land registration. “I can not submit better report and show that we owe less money than we really do”, said Dzombic regarding the RSNA failure to adopt the information on foreign debt. PINK– also carried. |
| RS MoI acts on Audit’s report; criminal report submitted against ten persons suspected of economic crime
| RTRS – RS Interior Ministry submitted criminal reports to the authorized Prosecution against ten persons on the basis of the Audit’s report regarding the business activities of the Oil Refinery in Bosanski Brod in 2003 and 2004. District Prosecutor in Doboj, Izudin Berberovic, confirmed that the RS MoI has submitted three reports against seven persons adding that he expects additional part of one report to be submitted. Investigation is being conducted against former directors of the Oil Refinery Vojin Mujicic and Ilija Drpa, current Director Savo Danilovic, marketing clerks Milovan Vukasinovic and Dobren Trifkovic (company Petrobard Brod) and chief of technical department of the RS Railroads Cvijan Filipovic. Those persons are under suspicion of position abuses. |
| FBiH Government failed to discuss ‘Energopetrol’ issue, Deputy PM Grahovac insists Parliament should take decision
| Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘War of criminal lobby for Energopetrol’, by Mensud Zorlak– The FBiH Government did not discuss the issue of co-capitalization of ‘Energopetrol’ at its session held on Thursday. It was Deputy PM, Gavrilo Grahovac, owing to whom the item was removed from the agenda. Grahovac insists that the ultimate decision has to be taken by the FBiH Parliament. Earlier this week, the FBiH Government’s Commission in charge of negotiations on co-capitalization made an initial agreement with representatives of INA-MOL, which was to be discussed by the FBiH Government on Thursday. (earlier media reports suggested many criminal lobbies with good connections with political structures are trying to make profit out of this case) Hayat, FTV – FTV learns Energopetrol issues was removed from the agenda, because Ministers have not received all necessary documentation. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘New million debts of Energopetrol appeared’ by M.Kukan– As DA lerns the reason why the ‘Energopetrol’ wasn’t discussed, are new debts in amount of KM7.8 million, which appeared “suddenly”. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Energopetrol removed from the agenda’ by A.O.– also reported. |
| Administrative commission of BiH HoR supports Proposal of law on rights of MPs entitling them to big salaries, pensions
| Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Disgraceful proposal supported’, by D. P. M. – reports that the Administrative commission of the BiH House of Representatives supported principles of the Proposal of law on rights and duties of MPs despite opposition coming from the OHR. The Proposal was supported by the HDZ 1990 and SDS MPs, whilst SDA and SNSD MPs were against. (according to the Proposal, MPs will be entitled to big salaries and favourable pensions once they have retired, which caused many polemics in public) |
| Daily: RSNA’s top issue is law on rights of MPs entitling them to big salaries, pensions
| Oslobodjenje pg 4-5 ‘Additional KM2.8 million for deputies’ pensions’ by O.Vukovic – Commenting the law proposal which regulates salaries, pensions and benefits of the MPs in RS National Assembly which caused “fuss” in the public, daily carries this issue was the “main subject” of all unofficial conversations in hallways of the RS National Assembly taking session Thursday. Some MPs have criticized the journalists for politicizing this issue and Head of SDS Caucus in the RSNA, Borislav Bojic, reminded journalists that 78 MPs signed the petition to pass this law. He also noted journalists aren’t judges or prosecutors concluding there are more important issues in the RS then this one. Daily reminded that the proposal of the law would allow MPs to retire with 20 years of service and 55 years of age. At the same time, RS Finance Minister Aleksandar Dzombic, in name of the RS Government, stated this legislation is unacceptable, as it would be necessary to find additional 2.8 million KM for this. |
| PDP demands Central Bank of BiH to be seated in Banja Luka
| RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘They demand Central Bank is seated in Banja Luka’ by V. Popovic – Jelina Djurkovic, PDP delegate at the BiH HoR, has forwarded for parliament procedure Proposed Law on changes and addenda to the Law on BiH Central Bank, asking that seat of this institution is relocated from Sarajevo to Banja Luka. She added: “I hope other Serb delegates would support this initiative. The reason for it is respect of the EU standards on equal territorial representation of institutions, i.e. decentralization of BiH.” She explained that a large number of state institution, around 50 of them, are seated in Sarajevo, while only 3 are seated in other cities in BiH. SNSD’ Dusanka Majkic, SDS’ Momcilo Novakovic, SP RS’ Tihomir Gligoric and SR RS “Dr Vojislav Seselj” Mirko Blagojevic expressed support to this initiative. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Central Bank to Banka Luka’ by D. G. – also reported. |
| NATO Trustee Fund already holds EURO 2.3 million on its account for accommodating surplus of staff during defence reform
| FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘EURO 8 million for surplus in defence reform’ by L.Sinanovic – Sven Alkalaj, BiH Ambassador to Belgium and Head of BiH Mission with NATO, confirms to daily that the amount of EURO 8 million will be provided for accommodating surplus of staff during defence reform. He adds tat the amount of EURO 2.3 million is already at the account of the NATO Trustee Fund for assistance to BiH, which makes sufficient resources to start with first phase of programme and realise it in 2007. Alkalaj reminded that 4000 persons have already lost their jobs in 2002, and they will also be included in the programme along with 2000 more persons who will lose jobs during the course of this owing to defence reform. |
| IMF: Stand by arrangement after the elections only
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Stand by arrangement after the elections only’ by T. Lazovic – BiH Central Bank Governor Kemal Kozaric met with IMF Monitoring Team on Thursday. Kozaric told daily after the meeting that the Head of IMF Mission to BiH, Dimitri Demekas, noted it would not be possible to talk about a new stand by arrangement for the moment. Kozaric said it would be possible to discuss the new stand by arrangement after the elections are held, if the banking supervision is transferred onto the state level by then. |
| RS CoP Chair makes remarks against report on completion of property implementation in RS: Interests of Bosniaks and Croats are affected
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘A large impertinent deceit of Milorad Dodik’s Government’ by H.Orahovac – Daily reminds that the RS NA has adopted General Report on completion property implementation in essence in RS, but the Bosniak Caucus at RS CoP reached for protection of vital national interests and disputed it. Remzija Kadric, RS CoP Chair, tells daily that: “This report is a large impertinent deceit of (Milorad) Dodik’s Government, since not only that property implementation has not completed in RS but no essential beginning of return of property to the expelled and refugees is observed. Annex 7 of Dayton Agreement is totally wrongly interpreted. The interpretation of legal acts and parts of international contracts such as DA is a blatant example of violation of vital national interests (VNI). In this concrete case, interests of Bosniaks and Croats are affected.” RS Government now should re-examine the Report and take into consideration remarks and observations which Kadric made and with which Pero Krnjic, RS CoP Co-Chair agrees. |
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| Security and war crimes |
| BiH MoDs helicopter chrashes near Jablanica due to severe weather; 2 injured
| FTV – Two members of the BiH Armed Forces suffered minor injuries in a helicopter accident that happened on Thursday in the region of Cvrsnica, Jablanica, announced BiH Ministry of Defence. The most probable cause of the accident is the strong wind, while the other circumstances of the accident are still being investigated. RHB, RTRS, BHT1, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Two hurt in fall of BiH Armed Forces chopper’ by A.P., Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Strong bora battered down BiH Army chopper’ by L.S. , Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 18 ‘Survived helicopter crash’, by Hrvoje Maric, Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Strong wind on Cvrsnica crashed military helicopter’, by Robert Solod, Dejan Jazvic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘BIH Armed Forces helicopter crashed’ by D. Mu. – also reported. |
| FBiH Government adopts security information; criminal reports related to terrorism against 16 persons
| RHB, PINK, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Number of bombing showdowns drastically increased’ by M.K., Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Showdowns with explosive’ by Fena– At Thursday’s session, FBiH Government discussed and passed the information on security situation in FBiH in 2005. It was noted that number of criminal acts, with usage of explosives, has increased for 37.5%, comparing to 2004, and these acts are mostly related to “showdowns of criminal structures”. When it comes to terrorism, 10 official reports were submitted against 16 persons who could be related to terrorist activities. |
| BiH Chief Prosecutor Jurcevic satisfied with cooperation on war crimes with Serbian Prosecution
| RHB, FTV, RTRS- Following the Thursday’s meeting in Belgrade between BiH Chief Prosecutor Marinko Jurcevic and Serbian Chief Prosecutor for war crimes Vladimir Vukcevic, Jurcevic stated that he is satisfied with the cooperation with Serbian Prosecution regarding “the delicate cases of high risk, which are being conducted in Belgrade and Sarajevo.” Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Jurcevic satisfied with cooperation’ by Onasa, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘I am satisfied with cooperation with Serbian Prosecution’ by Onasa – also covered. |
| RSNA discusses report on ICTY cooperation; according to it RS is conducting activities on search of ICTY indictees
| RTRS By Milan Trbojevic– Late on Thursday night, RS National Assembly has discussed the report on RS cooperation with the ICTY, after which SDS and DEPOS MPs asked for the break. According to this report, RS is conducting activities regarding search and arrest of the war crime indictees, especially Ratko Mladic, Radovan Karadzic and Stojan Zupljanin. This report also says that Karadzic family is under constant surveillance and that RS exchanges information with the Serbian Security and Information Agency regarding the case of Mladic which resulted with the arrest of retired colonel Jovan Djogo and several others supporters of Mladic. |
| Lawyer Tomic says his client Momcilo Mandic will be indicted for war crimes in next 10 days
| FTV, Dnevni List, back pg ‘New indictment for war crime’, by E. Mackic, Glas Srpske cover pg report ‘Momcilo Mandic being accused for committing war crimes too!’ by V. B. – Former RS Justice Minister Momcilo Mandic’s lawyer Dusko Tomic, who had talked to prosecutor Behrija Krnjic, confirmed for Glas Srpske BiH Prosecutor’s Office intends to bring an indictment against Mandic in next ten days, charging him with having committed war crimes. According to Tomic, the indictment would include events that had taken place in Vrace police school, Foca and Kula prisons and Planja’s house near Vogosca. |
| BiH Prosecutor’s Office investigates several war crimes cases against Serbs, indictments to follow
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Truth should not be hidden’ by V. B. – Public Relations Department of BiH Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to Glas Srpske the PO is intensively investigating war crimes against Serbs and it can be expected indictments would be brought in several cases following the investigations. Chairman of RS Association of POWs Slavko Jovicic said a fast processing of cases before BiH Court should not be expected and blamed Serb side for this because they have forwarded to BiH Court certain cases ‘not even a misdemeanour court in Nevesinje would have accepted’ and he suggested an institute for investigation of war crimes should be established, in order to have various expects working on collecting of evidence. |
| VL retells Mostar riots story, tensions high in Stolac too
| Vecernji List, front pg splash and pgs 4-5 ‘Mostar in fear ahead of Japan (game)’, by Robert Soldo, and pg 3 ‘Croats and ‘Brazilians’ at war in Mostar’, by Zoran Kresic – articles retell events related to Mostar riots from Tuesday night (VL was not published yesterday, for details see OHR media Round, June 15). The headline of the article refers to the forthcoming Croatia-Japan match at football World Cup scheduled for Sunday. Inset on pg 5 ‘Stones thrown at supporters’, by fm – reports that similar incidents almost occurred in Stolac. Allegedly, Bosniaks threw rocks at Croatian team supporters’ cars and sang anti-Croat songs. |
| DL: Prosecution and police working on Mostar riots case, checking surveillance videos
| Dnevni List, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘Police knows who fired shots’, by N. Dedic – carries follow up to the Mostar riots issue. According to duty prosecutor of Canton 7, Vesna Pranjic, the Prosecution and police are working together on the case and so far they have discovered some clues as to who fired shots from firearms and wounded one Omer Torlo. The investigation includes checking of surveillance videos. |
| BiH Foreign Affairs Minister: there were no legal or formal procedure for extradition of “Algerian group”
| Vecernji List, pg 20 ‘BiH admits to cooperation with CIA’, by zb, agencies, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘There was no legal procedure for extradition’ by AFP – Council of Europe’s Report on prison inmates and secret transportation of alleged terrorists with CIA planes reads that the BiH has admitted it had handed six persons of Algerian origin to the American forces on 18 January 2002. (see OHR BiH Media Round-up 15 June). Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister, stated in a letter published on Wednesday there was no legal procedure and formal procedure for extradition of persons who are still detained – without trial – at Guantanamo Base. |
| DL: BiH could face political sanctions for handing over ‘Algiers group’
| Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Political sanctions because of cooperation with CIA?!’, by Ljiljana Vidacak – following information that BiH has admitted to handing over members of the ‘Algiers group’ to the US (6 BiH citizens of Algerian origins suspected of terrorism involvement by US, handed over to US Army in 2002, currently kept at Guantanamo bay), DL reckons that BiH could be facing political sanctions by European Parliament for cooperating with CIA. |
| BiH Court President Kreso: Unnecessary conflict with UK Ambassador Rycroft was made by malicious insinuation of some local colleagues
| Slobodna Bosna pg 36-39 ‘Foreign judges are necessary for us’ by Adnan Buturovic – In an interview to SB, the BiH Court President, Meddzida Kreso, comments events which followed a letter she sent to BiH Presidency, High Judicial Prosecutorial Council [HJPC] and OHR asking for protection after the UK Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft allegedly tried to exert pressure on her with an aim to appoint the British judge Malcolm Simmons to the BiH Court, by saying this was a misunderstanding: “It was a typical malicious insinuation made by certain local colleagues outside of the BiH Court, that actually led to unnecessary conflict between me, Simmons and Ambassador Rycroft… I think the final goal was to force me to resign.” Kreso denied it was her stance that BiH Court should be cleaned of international judges: “I stand for international judges to stay by end of transition’s period, i.e. by 2009, so they can pass on their experience onto local judges.” Inset ‘Dodik committed intrusion into judicial system of BiH’ – Kreso condemned establishment of the RS Special Prosecution and Court: “What kind of special prosecution and court are they when they are made of same prosecutors and judges that are employed on RS courts? … It’s an absurd!” |
| Serbian Ambassador: BiH lawsuit against former SRY might harm relations between BiH and Serbia | EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Lawsuit harms relations’ by D. S. – Serbian Ambassador to BiH Grujica Spasojevic assessed on Thursday that the lawsuit of BiH against former SRY was not good for future relations of the two countries, regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit. Spasojevic thinks the final outcome of the process would cause frustrations on both sides and might even lead to tensions in BiH. |