Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 16 August
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| Car accident near Livno | RS Government on Vitol |
| Croat families leave Drvar Municip. | Brod Refinery accuses RS Govt. |
| Ivo Miro Jovic visits Bos. Gradiska | Earthquake in |
TV news broadcast on 15 August
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| HR sent letter to Lozancic | Vuleta on fond for returning | Incidents in Divic avoided |
| Krajisnik update | Bulldozer project | Leptospirosis epidemic |
| Regional News | Increase of oil prices | WN: Israeli withdrawal from |
| Church holiday celebrated in BIH | World News | Ashdown on Lozancic’s decision |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Re-exhumations in USC | Young people protest in | HR sent letter to Lozancic |
| Boy electrocuted in Zenica | Serbian MoJ on Karadzic and Mladic | Petrol prices went up |
| Baby Snowflake recovers | Nedjo Samardzic’s case | PTSP manifested after the war |
| Continuance of police negotiations | Two bodies exhumed in Bijeljina | Report on human rights in BIH |
| Oslobodjenje | Construction of tunnel through Prenj mountain will take five years |
| Dnevni Avaz | Prosecutor McNair: We are considering report against Lagumdzija |
| Dnevni List | On ‘Olena Popik case’: Sportsmen from Siroki were buying sexual services |
| Vecernji List | Golden and silver shepard’s crooks gift for Cardinal |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features |
| Glas Srpske | The lower are, nevertheless, higher |
| Nezavisne Novine | 50 trunks of arms found |
| Blic | Fuel price goes up for 0.05 KM |
| Vecernje Novosti | Features |
| Srpski Nacional | Features |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| Croat families leaving | RHB – Head of the |
| RS Government on Vitol
| RS Radio – Miladin Gligoric, RS Minister of Energy and Development, has today stated RS Government is awaiting for response from the British company “Vitol” regarding Government’s call for resolvement of problems related to termination of supply of oil to Brod Refinery. Gligoric also said that agreement has not been terminated as yet, stressing that appropriate solution should be found during meeting with “Vitol” officials. |
| Brod Refinery accuses RS Govt.
| RS Radio – The Syndicate of Bosanski Brod Refinery will – at today’s session of the Syndicate – decide whether it would go on protest, because the staff has not received any salary for the alst 12 months, neither were allowances paid over last two years. The President of the Syndicate, Slavko Vidic, accused the RS Government led by Dragan Mikerevic for having signed the agreement with “Vitol”, which damages the Refinery. He criticizes current RS Government composition for having failed to find a new strategic partner. |
Political Developments/Reforms | |
| Talks on police reform to continue on the
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Talks on police reform in BiH’ – RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic convened a meeting on police reform in BiH for Wednesday, August 17. The meeting is to take place on the Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Hadzipasic: These talks are just waste of time’, mentioned on cover ‘Hadzipasic not going to Mrakovica’ also reports that Hadzipasic does not go to Mrakovica quoting him as saying that Minister Halilovic does not have authority to reach full agreement on the police reform. According to the daily, the talks on Mrakovica are not likely to achieve any spectacular results. This is because the RS representatives are going to the meeting with the RS National Assembly conclusions requesting for survival of RS Interior Ministry, police financing at the entity level and firm inter-entity line between the police structures. On the other side, FBiH Government advocates for erasing the line, police financing at the state level and abolishment of the entity interior ministries. BHT, Hayat, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘They were warned to protect RS Constitution’ by B.S. also announced the Mrakovica meeting. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘The final stance of RS Government on the eve of negotiations at Mrakovica’ by V.P. – Announcing Mrakovica meeting on police reform, daily also carries statement of Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair, who expressed expectation that the talks would resume on the basis of agreement (in principle) adopted at Vlasic, adding: “Many people are skeptical that any agreement might be reached at Mrakovica. Still, I am a mild optimist, although I do not expect revolutionary changes of stances of RS officials. The starting basis for talks should be PRC proposal, agreement of political parties on police reform from Vlasic and maps of police regions.” Boris Gaspar, RS Vice Premier, confirmed that the RS Government has not still decided what stance RS Government would represent at Mrakovica and whether RS NA conclusions on police reform would be binding for RS representatives at talks. EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Hadzipasic refuses to go to Mrakovica’ by N.Breberina – Daily reports Ahmet Hadzipasic will not attend Mrakovica meeting on police reform, also carrying statements of Nedzad Vejzagic (confirming Mevludin Halilovic will attend Mrakovica meeting) and Bojan Zec Filipovic (confirming Adnan Terzic will also attend it). |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed on police reform: Entities more important than the state
| Oslobodjenje op-ed pg 9 ‘Entities and police’ by Daniel Omeragic – Writing about resumption of police reform talks at Mrakovica Wednesday, the author notes that judging by initial reactions (on the eve of talks), it is hard to expect agreement would be reached regarding future organisation of police reform. He refers to Ahmet Hadzipasic’ statement on the issue. Backtracking the flow of police reform talks, when the precious time was lost since RS authorities do not accept police reform going beyond entities’ boundaries, the author concludes that it will be so as long as the BiH Constitution – according to which entities are more important than the state – is in effect. |
| GS criticizes Tihic statement regarding police reform
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘The lower are, nevertheless, higher’ by Snj.M. – Daily carries comments of political officials regarding the statement of Sulejman Tihic (when he said that representatives of political parties, not entity institutions should run police reform talks, since low ranking political representatives are at entity institutions). Marko Pavic, DNS President, Igor Radojicic, SNSD Secretary General, Momcilo Novakovic, Head of SDS Caucus at the BiH HoR, Tihomir Gligoric SPRS official, also share the criticism regarding such statement, stressing the importance of entity institutions, through which the voice of people is heard. Daily concludes that if communist leaders resurrected from graves, they would be proud of Tihic and his advocating of mono-political system. |
| Mihajlica on constitutional changes
| Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Mihajlica: Secret negotiations on change of Constitution’ by B.S., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Negotiate publicly’ by Z.Ma. – Milanko Mihajlica, President of the RS Serb Radical Party, demanded that all talks on changes of BiH Constitution should be run in public, stressing that the interests of Serb people should be taken into consideration during such talks. He stated: “If part is taken in negotiations, I ask SDS, SNSD, PDP and SP RS with which international officials and officials from F BiH they are negotiating the issue of constitutional changes.” He also expressed full support of his party to police reform talks, calling on negotiators to make results of talks available to the public. |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed on HR’s mandate and powers
| Oslobodjenje op-ed pg 9 ‘High Representative’ by Zija Dizdarevic – Writing about the issue of selection and appointment of new High Representative to BiH (and also EUSR at the same time), the author refers to some polls on possible successor, including IFIMES poll (concluding that BiH citizens would like to see Kire Gligorov appointed as HR). On this he stresses that if nothing else, for the sake of good manners, it would be appropriate to have BiH Council of Ministers and BiH Parliamentary Assembly take a stance on this issue of appointment and the programme before final decision on future UN and EU representative and his programme is reached. Regarding most frequent demands for reduction of HR’s powers, the author notes powers should be kept until BiH is established as self-sustainable in political and constitutional regard. |
| Cardinal Puljic criticized IC representatives at mass in Komusina
| Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘Golden and silver shepherd’s crooks gift for Cardinal’ and pg 4 ‘Shepard’s crook given to Cardinal’ by Z. Coric carries that during the mass in Komusina held on Sunday Cardinal Vinko Puljic sent a message to international representatives that they do not view us (probably referring on Croats) as second-class citizens and he added: ‘Is it shame to practice one’s own religion? Is it too much to ask equal rights for all?’ Puljic also raised his voice against double standards that international representatives have in BiH. |
| Tihic denies Covic that SIPA Director should be a Croat
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘I did not accept Covic’s proposal’ by A.Malagic – In a statement to daily, Sulejman Tihic, member of BiH Presidency, denies allegations that agreement was reached with Dragan Covic, HDZ of BiH President, regarding the appointment of SBS Director. Tihic explains: “A month ago, Covic and Niko Lozancic came to me asking for my assent for their proposal. I said it cannot be done so noting that seat must be assigned to Bosniaks. They should fight for what was theirs – SIPA Director. It was just a talk, nit no agreement was reached.” On police reform, he says in an inset under headline “I would like to be denied’ that: “I still have some reserves regarding success of talks, but I would like to be denied. Ever since RS Government with SDS leading it was elected, I have no optimism that it is the institution that would be advocating for police reform in line with European standards.” |
| SNSD critical of Tihic over SIPA/SBS appointments
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘SNSD: Tihic is exerting pressure against SIPA and SBS’ by V.P., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘He is allegedly concerned’ by Z.Ma. – The SNSD Monday released a press statement, assessing statements of Sulejman Tihic, member to BiH Presidency (regarding alleged omissions during the appointment process of SIPA and SBS Director appointment) as inadmissible. SNSD interprets these statements as attempts to exert political pressure against these two institutions. The party reiterated its support to professionalism during appointment process, advocating that selection should be run by institutions in charge not political leaders. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 also carried the statement. |
| BiH at 21st place of Failed States Index/ Palavric, Andric, Limov, Spiric on this fact
| Dnevni List pg 3 ‘BiH politicians believe that we are on verge of poverty’ by D. Pusic – BiH has been placed on the 21st place of the Failed States Index which was made by the Foreign Policy and Fund for Peace. DL explains that the Foreign Policy is a publication of Carnegie’s Foundation for International Peace. Commenting on this result SDA Vice President Seada Palavric stated that a danger of the economic collapse is certain if we do not do something and priority is transferring of all competence at the state level. Filip Andric from HDZ believes that this result shows that the current state structure in BiH does not promise future to anyone. Tomislav Limov from SDP says that such result is not a surprise having in mind the attitude of the current authority towards the situation in BiH. Nikola Spiric from SNSD says that this research just confirmed his view on the situation in BiH. He added that the International Community wanted to transform the BiH society as if nothing happened in BiH. |
Judiciary | |
| HR Ashdown requests FBiH President Lozancic to clarify media reports he has granted a pardon to Prce
| RHB, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Lozancic, Kristo misused the law for political purposes’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Pardoning law cannot be misused for political purposes’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Lozancic must explain decision on pardon to OHR by Friday’ by M.Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Why Prce was pardoned?’ by R.G. – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, on Monday wrote to the President of the Federation of BiH, Niko Lozancic, asking him to clarify media reports that he has granted a pardon to Miroslav Prce, who was sentenced to five years imprisonment in 2004 for misuse of public funds. The High Representative has asked Mr Lozancic, to explain – if these media reports are true – the reasoning behind his action. The High Representative asked Lozancic to respond to this request by Friday 19 August. In his letter, Ashdown notes that Prce admitted his personal guilt and responsibility in a criminal enterprise that resulted in the diversion of millions of KM of public funds for improper use, including private use. This offence carried a maximum penalty under law of 15 years. However, as a result of plea bargaining Prce, by accepting a five-year sentence, was able to avoid a much longer period in prison. The presiding judge in a written recommendation earlier this year noted that it would be “totally unjustifiable” if Prce were to receive a pardon. President Lozancic’s decision has given rise to the concern that the FBiH Authorities have overturned a State Court Judgment, in effect subverting a legal agreement by the Court and Prosecutors Office. In his letter, the High Representative raises the concern that pardoning law has been misused for political purposes by two senior members of the HDZ [Lozancic and FBiH Justice Minister Borjana Kristo], and he expresses the view that “public confidence in the rule of law requires the maximum transparency in these matters.” Using his powers as FBiH President to interfere in a BiH State Court case at the same time that State-level legislation governing Presidential pardons is being prepared reinforces the perception that politicians are above the law and defies the most basic principal of the rule of law: that all are equal before the law. After receiving a response from the Federation President, the High Representative will decide what further steps to take. Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Ashdown to abolish decision on Prce’s pardon’ by A.B., Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Inappropriate use of President’s powers’ not signed also carry the OHR’s press release on Prce’s pardon. DL also says that that HR might annul this Lozancic’s decision during this week. |
| DL op-ed on HR’s reaction regard. Prce’s pardon
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Pardon’ by |
| Prosecutor McNair on Prce, Covic, Lagumdzija cases
| Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash and pg 5 ‘We are considering criminal charge against Lagumdzija’ by S. Numanovic carries an interview with Head of the Office for Corruption and Organized Crime with the BiH Prosecution John McNair. Commenting on the pardon for former Federation of BiH Defence Minister Miroslav Prce, McNair says that this issue is an urgent issue for him. He added that as early as on Thursday he sent an urgent request to get a copy and details of this decision, however, he has not received a reply to this request yet. Asked to comment on the information that Prce made a deal with them, McNair says: ‘There is no such deal with Prce. We talked with Prce and his lawyers for a long time, however, it was never agreed that he serves one third of sentence and be released.‘ Asked to comment on the journalist’s conclusion that it seems that the case against HDZ President Dragan Covic is questionable and that Covic would not stand the trial at all, McNair says that Covic would certainly stand the trial. Asked about the Zlatko Lagumdzija case (they did no specify on which they case they refer), McNair says that he cannot comment on this case and that they are considering it. |
Economic Issues | |
| Vc corridor construction to cost KM 6 billion
| Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 7 ‘Construction of tunnel through Prenj mountain will take five years’ Az. Kalamujic – According to a rough estimation, the construction of a 340 kilometers long part of Vc corridor though BiH will cost KM 6 billion. This sum does not include costs of purchase of land along the highway. The estimation of costs wilol be more precise in February 2006 when the project documentation should be completed. Dnevni Avaz pg 11 also covered the issue. |
Miscellaneous | |
| The possible incident between Bosniaks and Serbs in Divic has been avoided
| BHT Report by Hatka Hamidovic – The possible incident between Bosniaks and Serbs in Divic has been avoided: although it was announced, Serb Orthodox Church Priests did not serve the liturgy in church in this Zvornik settlement. The problem in Divic arises from the fact that the church – constructed in 1996, when Serb refugees from FBiH lived in this area – was built on the foundations of the mosque destroyed during the war in BiH. Some of the returnees to Divic even claim that the remains of Bosniaks killed during war were buried under the church; they demand that the church has to be removed, so those bones could be exhumed. The Serb Orthodox Church priests in Zvornik decided not to serve liturgy in Divic, in order to avoid possible incidents, although several citizens insisted that the liturgy is served in Divic – even if it would mean clashes with Bosniak people. The Zvornik Municipality Head Budimir Acimovic does not know when this problem could be solved: “I’m ready to mediate the discussions which would calm the situation in Divic settlement”, added Acimovic. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 also covered the issue. |
| Weapon and ammunition found near Mostar
| Dnevni List cover pg 49, mentioned on cover ‘Over 50 boxes of weapon and ammunition found’ by N. Dedic, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘In boxes with Arabic script mortar rounds were found’ by R. Soldo, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘50 trunks of arms found’, pg 2 ‘Police found 50 trunks of grenades’ by V.Coric – In the last two days, the police has found 50 trunks of arms (including grenades, mines, some missiles and ammunition) in the area between villages of Goranaci and Bogodol near Mostar. According to Cantonal Prosecutor in charge, Esad Maksumic, the police investigation is ongoing. The only elad for the time being is medical booklet found in one of trunks, lastly verified in 1993. |