| RADIO HERCEG BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| HR dismissed 59 officials | Dismissed 59 officials | Dismissal of 59 RS officials | HR dismissed 59 officials |
| Reactions of RS officials | Reactions in RS | Statement of HR | Statement of D. Cavic |
| Patten supported HR | New ICTY indictments | Statement of Dragan Cavic | Statement of the HR |
| EU brought new measures | Police reforms | Reaction of Dragan Kalinic | Reaction of Dragan Kalinic |
| Oslobodjenje | SDS accounts blocked, Kalinic, Djeric and yet 57 RS officials removed |
| Dnevni Avaz | Is Karadzic’s surrender being negotiated? |
| Dnevni List | Croats and Serbs not allowed to enter European Union |
| Vecernji List | Five more Croat(ians) on EU black list |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | 60 officials in RS removed |
| Glas Srpske | High Representative removed 59 officials from RS: Penalties and threats; |
| Nezavisne Novine | Paddy Ashdown sanctioned individuals in RS: Kalinic, Djeric and 57 officials removed; Dragan Kalinic: God and angels guard Karadzic; Zoran Djeric: Removal offered me satisfaction |
| Blic | Ashdown removed 60 officials: A purge |
| Vecernje Novosti | Paddy Ashdown removed and temporarily removed 59 officials: Attack against RS |
Cooperation with ICTY/PfP | |
| Ashdown removes 59 RS/SDS officials
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘SDS accounts blocked, Kalinic, Djeric and yet 57 RS officials removed’, Dnevni Avaz cover page ‘Is Karadzic’s surrender being negotiated?’, pg 2 ’59 persons removed from public and partisan offices in RS’; ‘Kalinic, Vucurevic, Djeric, Ninkovic, Kornjaca… sanctioned’, Vecernji List, pgs 5-6 ‘Republika Srpska under sanctions’, by Dejan Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija, front and pg 19 ’60 officials in RS removed’, by Zdenko Rerig, and pg 8 ‘Beside chief of MoI, six more officials removed’, by H, Dnevni List, pgs 6-7 ‘Fierce strikes on strongest party in RS’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic, Nezavisne Novine cover and pgs 2-3 ‘Kalinic, Djeric and 57 officials removed’, Glas Srpske cover page report ‘Penalties and threats’; Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Ashdown cutting’ (a list of removed officials), EuroBlic cover and RSpg 1 ‘Ashdown’s purge’; Vecernje Novosti cover and pg 4 ‘Assault against RS’, SRNA – High Representative Paddy Ashdown has relieved RS National Assembly Speaker Dragan Kalinic and Interior Minister Dragan Djeric of their duties, and added another 13 names to “the black list” of those suspected of helping war crime indictees, dismissed yet 57 persons in the RS/SDS and frozen the bank accounts of three persons and 60 municipal committees of the Serb Democratic Party (SDS). “Kalinic was dismissed on the basis of the findings of the revision into the SDS financial dealings and over the lack of cooperation with the Hague tribunal, which is why BiH has missed an opportunity to join the NATO-led Partnership for Peace program,” Ashdown told journalists in Herceg Bosna Radio, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 4 ‘EU borders closed to The Hague suspects aides’, by S. Setka, T. Klauski, Vecernji List, front and pg 5 ‘Five more Croat(ians) of EU black list’, by dja, and pg 15 ‘Mesic’s secretary Bagic banned from entering EU’, by Dusan Miljus, Jasna Babic Dnevni List, front and pg 6 ‘Croats and Serbs not allowed to enter European Union’, not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ’13 more individuals banned from entering EU’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘EU black list expanded for 13 names’ reported on extension of EU black list. |
| Ashdown’s interviews for NN, FTV
| Nezavisne Novine pgs 4-5 ‘More radical penalties against politicians in RS possible’ by Nihada Jablic – In an interview to NN, Paddy Ashdown, High Representative to BiH, says that decision on removals of 59 officials is not an attack against RS or any people, “instead this is a punishment of a small number of corrupt politicians, who think freedom of Radovan Karadzic is more important than citizens of this state”. He says by means of his yesterday’s decision, he wanted to offer a chance to new progressive forces in RS start acting, but also a chance to SDS to reform. If politicians in RS do not use this chance, Ashdown announced possible new, more radical measures. Responding to pres question regarding Mladen Ivanic and raising the question on his possible responsibility, Ashdown said: “I look towards future and what is said in NATO communiqué, and not towards past”. FTV – HR Ashdown also give statement on his Wednesday’s decisions to FTV. |
| RS Government accepts Ashdown’s dismissal of two ministers
| RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Removals of Djeric, Bogicevic accepted’, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Removals accepted’ – At the emergency session that was held in Banja Luka on Wednesday the government of the RS accepted yesterday’s decision by High representative Paddy Ashdown on the dismissals of some of the ministers. At the session the RS government considered the decision adopted by the High Representative on the dismissal of Zoran Djeric, RS minister of the interior, and Milan Bogicevic, minister of economy. Omer Brankovic, deputy prime minister, stated after the session that the decision had been accepted, but he refused to discuss the government session in detail. Glas Srpske cover page report ‘A hard blow’; Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Removals might stop reforms in RS’ – At yesterday’s extraordinary session in Banja Luka, RS Government assessed decision of High Representative on removals of 59 officials represents a hard blow to RS and might stop the ongoing reforms’ processes. Dragan Mikerevic, RS Prime Minister, stated: “Government is still convinced that these inappropriate measures would not destabilise RS.” He noted removals of Zoran Djeric and Milan Bogicevic represent a great loss for RS Government. He further assessed that decision does not contribute to development of democratic standards. Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, RTRS,Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘None is more important than RS’ by A. Macanovic also carried Mikerevic’s statement. |
| Kalinic, Djeric on HR’s decisions
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 4 ‘God and angels guard Karadzic’; Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘More brutal than ever’; EuroBlic RSpg 1 ‘I will confront Ashdown before international institutions’; Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘God and angels guard Karadzic’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Kalinic: Karadzic guarded by the God and angels’, Osloboodjenje pg 4 ‘Karadzic guarded by God and angels’, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 19 ‘Karadzic guarded by God and all angels’, mentioned on cover, by A. Macanovic, Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Dragan Kalinic: Karadzic guarded by God and angels’, by B. S. – RS NA Speaker, Dragan Kalinic, yesterday stated he was removed since he “did not accept to see SDS commit a political suicide and because this party did not ensure Radovan Karadzic is arrested”. “ In his address to RS MP’s, he estimated “this is the most brutal cleansing of the political scene in the RS so far. Many are impotent before the fact that Radovan Karadzic is, probably, protected by God and angels, and that is the only truth.” Kalinic said he was removed as the Party President, which has been suspected of “having failed to forget dark past”. He also announced that the deliberation of HiRep will be the subject before European Human Rights Court in He assessed his removal as “draconian measure, which also means that as of tomorrow, I am banned from assuming any public and political affairs, from entering the Office… As a result of this, my pension, health and social contributions have been cancelled.” “I am leaving, and it is not the first time I do that – if God decides, I will be back, because I have only spent five out of nine political lives I have”. Said Kalinic. He added it is a paradox, but it seems good under these unfortunate circumstances, that nobody will now be able to make him politically responsible for what is about to happen at SDS and the RS as well. He also said that he was removed “over a controversial financial report of the international auditor, according to scenario launched with affairs Orao and Elektroprivreda.” He also addressed a message to Ashdown, Bond and other, saying: “I forgive you for this removal, although you have done this beyond Constitution and laws in the colonial style as cowboys and colonialists.” Kalinic addressed a message to people saying that “it is not the end of the world and this will again be our state”, stressing that RS and its institutions must fulfil their obligations. “God bless you and your families and colleagues”, concluded Kalinic his address. This article contains inset “Djeric: Removal offered me satisfaction” (Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘My conscious is clear’), which carries reaction of Zoran Djeric, RS Interior Minister. He said he was removed from the position upon decision of High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown. Decision, which has been forwarded to Djeric from OHR, reads, inter alia, that “decision has not been made upon any issue, that concerns you personally, but instead of your responsibility by function.” After the parliament session, Djeric stressed this decision has offered him grounds for the professional approach during time he assumed position over the past 18 months. The statement reads: “I was extremely devoted, together with my associates, in fulfilling all legal duties, including protection to RS citizens and their property.” Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Zoran Djeric is guilty because of official responsibility’, not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 19 ‘I am satisfied’, by A. Macanovic, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘I was committed to my work’ also carried Djeric’s reaction. |
| Cavic calls on all Bosnian Serbs to unite in face of worst crisis ever
| BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Cavic believes it is about draconian punishments’, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Ashdown’s decision is draconic, scandalous and unprecedented’ by A. Macanovic,Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Dragan Cavic: OHR introduced crisis in RS’; Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Unseen and un-heard of’; EuroBlic RSpg 1 ‘This is a breakdown of democracy’’; Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘Breakdown of democracy’, SRNA – RS President Dragan Cavic said on Wednesday that the OHR has been assaulting the RS ever so more aggressively and that it has been, whether consciously or not, assuming the role of an “institution making true the wishes of Bosniak and Croat politicians who would rather that the RS did not exist”. “The international community must count on our human and national dignity as a threshold which it will not be able to step over as the Serb people have paid a too high price for the creation and existence of the RS,” Cavic said in a public statement. President Cavic called on the Serb people to offer unified support to the RS’ |
| BiH Foreign Minister Ivanic says sackings aimed at “destabilizing” RS
| FTV, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘According to tact of Bosniaks’, SRNA – Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic has said that the leading purpose of the High Representative Paddy Ashdown‘s measures passed on Wednesday was to “completely destabilize” the RS because such a “pogrom of top officials” showed a desire to bring the RS institutions to a complete crisis. “This is clearly an example of arrogance and high-handedness and an attempt to create environment under the pretext of the European and Euro-Atlantic integration. In reality, the manner in which these integration processes are being promoted with such punitive measures is only distancing citizens of the RS from the European path,” Ivanic told SRNA. He remarked that dealing with politics under such circumstances was next to pointless. “It is clear that Ashdown’s measures have nothing to do with the failure to join the Partnership for Peace (PfP) and to cooperate with the Hague Tribunal as much as they are used as the reasons,” said Ivanic who is on his first official visit to Malta. He announced that the Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) would make its stand about the latest situation on Friday. “This has nothing to do with any coalition in the government or with any political party. I believe it is a case of inappropriate, and at least in the more recent history, to me an unknown way of meting out punishments. If this continues it will be clear that the whole procedure is aimed at undermining the RS, which would be an attempt to apportion all problems in BiH to one side, and this is unacceptable,” Ivanic said. He stressed that the RS would also find an answer to this challenge. “In the next day or two, RS key politicians who are still in their posts, will have to find these answers,” Ivanic said and urged the citizens to continue to respect the RS institutions. “We will certainly find solutions for the current situation, and these will have to be very specific because it is certain that the political scene in the RS will not be the same after this,” Ivanic said. The foreign minister went on to say that “certain people” in |
| RS MP’s on HR’s decision
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Decision of Ashdown contrary to will of people’ – SDS MP’s yesterday left the RS Parliament premise after Dragan Kalinic, RS NA Speaker, announced he was removed. Before the left the premise, Borislav Bojic, SDS delegate, assessed that such brutal removals destroy democratic principles and raise the issue on necessity for elections. Milanko Mihajlica, President of RS Serb Radical Party, stated that Ashdown’s decision is one of the hardest blows RS has ever experience since it has been founded. He said: “Decision of High Representative encroaches basic human rights – it is also extremely undemocratic and contrary to will of people.” (FTV,Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘What is the point of elections’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Delicate position’ by A. Macanovic also carried Mihaljica’s statement) Nevenka Trifkovic, PDP MP’s at RS NA, said Ashdown’s decision on removal of Minister Zoran Djeric is too harsh. |
| Reactions of removed RS/SDS officials
| RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Embitterness of those removed’ – NN carries some reactions of those (temporary) removed. Bozidar Vucurevic did not hide embitterness over decision, saying “it is an act of decapitating of the entire Serb people, which SDS is representing in a way.” Dragomir Ljubojevic, Bijeljina Mayor, visibly embittered, said: “I am no longer City Major. Branko Stevic will be acting mayor from now on.” Some other SDS officials were not so embittered according to NN. Nedeljko Djekanovic, SDS MP att RS NA, said: “Well, I am glad in a sort of way, because I have become bored with all tehse things.” (Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘It is better behind bars’) Nemanja Vasic, Director of “RS Roads” said: “I made it clear to them I am no longer member of SDS Chair and Municipal Boards.” He said information held against him are false. (Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Assault against RS’) Momcilo Komljenovic, Director of Petrol said: “I do not know what might be the reason for my removal. If they accuse me of aiding war crime suspects, they could have easily seen from audit report there is no such thing.” Pantelija Damjanovic, President of SRS Executive Board, stated: “This is a sort of democracy on which I have no comment.” Vesna Ecim-Zlojutro, SDS MP at RS NA, was even joking and said that thesis on equality of gender has been proved on this decision, since she is the only woman on the list. Savo Krunic, General Manager of “Srpske Sume” said he accepts decision of High Representative, noting he is convinced Ashdown would soon acknowledge “this campaign against director and company “Srpske Sume” results from well-thought and deliberate misinformation.” (Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Accusations have no grounds’) Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Decision without precedent’ – Milan Ninkovic, President of SDS Doboj Board, said that even fascist did not pass such decision like HiRep did. He expressed surprise his name has been included on the list. He added: “I have nothing to do with reasons for removals given by HiRep, nor do many other people from the list.” Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘They are bothered with progress’ – Slavko Tosovic, removed Deputy Mayor of Serb Novo Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘I heard of it from journalists’ – Radenko Damjanovic, Financial Director of RS Health Insurance Fund, said he heard from journalists he has been removed by HiRep. He said: “I do not know reasons for my temporary removal, but I do know it was done without any argument. I have been on this position for three months only.” Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Is this democracy?’ – Rodoljub Djukanovic, SDS MP at RS NA, said he yesterday received an envelope from High Representative, in which Paddy Ashdown informed him he has been removed from all functions together with his 11 colleagues. He said: “I am surprised over this decision, because I was elected to assume this duty at elections. I do not know of what kind of democracy Ashdown and his like-minded persons talk if they reach for such undemocratic means. There is no argument to justify this.” Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘I am not in mourn’ – Jovo Kosmajac, Director of RS PIO Fund, stated: “I cannot believe High Representative has decided to make such a move. But it seems that a bad fate is to be blamed for this. I know I did my job professionally.” He expressed hope RS would not face harm over this decision. Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Unknown reason’ – Ratko Misanovic, employee of “RS Roads” expressed his surprise over information on his removal, but he did not want to make any further comment before he gets the official information in writing. Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘As usual’ – Mirko Sarovic, former Serb member of BiH Presidency, said that: “Now I see my removal was of trivial importance. This decision has led things upto absurdity. I am of the view that the crisis from RS would transfer onto BiH institutions. SDS itself is facing with the greatest temptation ever. Removal of so many people is an exchange for ban of work of the entire party, meaning its milder form.” |
| Dodik on HR’s measures
| Herceg Bosna Radio, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Milorad Dodik: SNSD will assist in stabilization of RS’; Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘To preserve stability’, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Individuals are not RS’ – Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, stated that following latest removals, RS is faced with extremely delicate situation, from which a way out must be found and problems concerning institutional functioning resolved, in which order it could continue on the path towards European relations. He said: “Individuals do not make RS, individuals are not those, because of whom RS should be brought in question. I am fully convinced in a good future of institutions, if political smartness of people, who make decisions on RS future, find the best solutions.” He further said that if people entrusted SNSD with mandate, this party would accept this responsibility. He expressed hope RS institutions would resume their normal duties today, noting that RS can overcome this situation and move on. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Delicate position’ by A. Macanovic also carried Dodik’s statement. |
| Paravac on HR’s decisions
| Glas Srpske cover page report ‘Bad for democracy’ – Borislav Paravac, Serb member to BiH Presidency, assessed that removals of 59 officials represents a bad sign for democracy and reforms’ processes in BiH. Paravac told SRNA news agency that it is not a way how to encourage people engaged in public positions and how should take the destiny of the entire people into their hands. |
| Tihic: HR’s decision entirely expected
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Tihic: I hope BiH will from now on fulfil obligations toward The Hague’, FENA – The decision of High Representative Paddy Ashdown to dismiss 59 RS officials is entirely expected, BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic said and expressed confidence that it would ensure the establishment of efficient law enforcement structures, the respect of the Dayton Agreement and international agreements. Tihic stated that this would also include the prosecution of war criminals, their arrest and transfer to Dnevni List pg 2 carries in its ‘Statement of Day’, the Chairman of the BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic as saying: “There will be no blockade of the authority because of Ashdown’s sanctions.” |
| SDP, SDA, Party for BiH, NHI on HR’s decisions
| FTV – Opposition political parties in FBiH believe that HR’s decisions are nothing but lies, and that SDS will use this to present itself as a victim ahed of the municipal elections, and that this would only make the Serb people vote for SDS. “I am afraid that International Community officials still do not understand that reformers, to whom they gave authority, are noting else but their worst failed investment in BiH. What is the most tragic is the fact that they stopped on half way, and it would have been better if they had done neither this, because in period of elections we have the same script every year. That is why SDS gets stronger every time”, said Zlatko Lagumdzija, SDP President. According to Sulejman Tihic, SDA leader, this should ensure establishment of efficient structure of security service, arrest of war criminals and acceleration of process of reforms. Haris Silajdzic, founder of the Party for BiH thinks that Wednesday’s decisions do not cope with the root of the problem (Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Ashdown did not touch the essence of the problem’ also carried Silajdzic’s statement). NHI also believes that this will not ensure better future for BiH citizens; they believe that corruption leads BiH, as well as poverty, unemployment and that this cannot be changed only by replacement of officials. |
| EC’s Patten supports HR’s decisions
| BHTV, FTV, Herceg Bosna Radio, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Karadzic and the others must face justice in The Hague’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘EU supports measures taken by Paddy Ashdown’ by NINA – With regard to the removal of 59 RS/SDS officials, Chris Patten, EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, stated that he supports the measures taken by the High Representative. It is scandalous that RS government did not arrest anyone accused of war crimes almost ten years after the war had finished, said Patten. Radovan Karadzic and other indictees must face the justice in the ICTY and in order for BiH to be able to leave behind the tragic past and turn to the future, according to Patten. |
| US welcomes Ashdown’s measures
| BHTV, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘They were preventing BiH from fulfilling Dayton obligations’, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 8 ‘Washington resolutely support Paddy Ashdown’s move in BiH’, by H, Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘American Government supports removals’, not signed – a press release from the US Embassy to BiH says that the US are strongly supporting measures that the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, undertook against officials of the RS and SDS. The PR says that the officials in question and the SDS prevented the fulfilling of obligations BiH has towards the ICTY, especially the arrest of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. As a support to measures of the High Representative, the US Government is freezing funds of companies owned by the RS, as well as funds of three RS officials, who provided financial and logistic support and protection to Radovan Karadzic. Furthermore, the |
| British Foreign Minister supports HR
| FTV, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘British Minister Straw supported Ashdown’s measures’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Measures not directed against Bosnian Serbs’ – British Foreign Minister Jack Straw stated that he fully supported the measures taken by the HR. Straw added: “As the HR stated clearly, these measures are not directed against Bosnian Serbs and they are not a threat to the existence of the RS. The measures refer to those who actively undermine an effort to find and arrest Karadzic and the others that the ICTY charged with war crimes.” |
| SCG politicians on HR’s decisions
| FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘SPS, DSS and SRS reacted’; Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘Ashdown electing instead of Serbs’ – Ivica Dacic, senior officials of Serbian Socialist Party, is of the view that the decision of High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, might have a negative impact upon political future of Serbs from RS. He said this decisions “is another proof that the international community in BiH is heading towards revision of Zoran Stojkovic, DSS and Serbian Justice Minister, said decision shows RS is under a complete control of the international community and that it is de facto a protectorate. Tomislav Nikolic, SRS Vice President, assessed that decision of High Representative, ascertained previous assessment of radicals that “RS is under occupation”. |
| VL: British diplomacy extends life to RS
| Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘British diplomacy extends life to RS’, by Zoran Kresic – The daily got a confirmation from an anonymous source close to western diplomatic sources that the British diplomacy extended the life to RS at the last session of the Peace Implementation Council, whilst in return, the PIC member countries gave their support to ‘drastic’ decision of the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, by which he removed almost 60 Serb officials. The source stresses that the Americans were in favour of ‘more radical measures’, however the source did not want to say what the measures might be. Questioned whether one of measures was the abolishment of the RS, the anonymous officials said that nothing had been ruled out. According to his words, the British sided with Russians and French, who were opposite the |
| DL: Black lists and human rights
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Black lists and human rights’ by Ivica Glibusic – Commenting on the yesterday’s decision passed by the HR and the EU black list, the author wonders as to what kind of democracy we have in BiH when one person is passing decrees, appoints and removes some officials. According to the author, this means that monarchy like dictatorship has been introduced in BiH. The author also says that there are announcements that economic sanctions will be imposed against the RS and wonders what kind of sanctions they are since they will be imposed in one part of the country while the other part of the country will not suffer their consequences at all. The author believes that in this way the International Community and some officials from |
| Oslobodjenje’s Beric on Kalinic’s removal, need for further measures | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Assembly of dead people’ op-ed by Gojko Beric – “Dragan Kalinic deserved to be removed from politics, but as long as the political-criminal structure of RS is not destroyed the individual replacement of officials will have no effect,” wrote Beric. |
| Interview with Radovanovic
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘I do not believe one should leave (resign from) the government because of anyone’s removal’ – Interview with BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic. “I do not think that the resignation from government in sign of protest would be a rational move,” said Radovanovic adding that any irrational reaction (to HR measures) would jeopardise/stop reforms in the country. |
| Del Ponte addresses UN Security Council | BHTV – Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte announced filing the 6 new indictments against 11 persons from all of the countries in the former |
| On del Ponte’s announcement that Karadzic was supposed to be arrested yesterday | Dnevni List pg 22 ‘Action for arrest of Karadzic day after BiH was not admitted to Partnership for Peace!?’, mentioned on cover, by NINA and Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Search was carried out secretly’ by f – Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte stated that Radovan Karadzic was supposed to be arrested yesterday. According to the dailies, neither the RS Ministry of Interior nor SFOR’s spokesperson Mark Hope had a comment to del Ponte’s statement. Hope also stated that SFOR was only carrying out its routine operations yesterday. DL says that nevertheless it is indicative that a day after BiH was not admitted to Partnership for Peace, SFOR activities on the border with |
| DA: Are secret negotiations on Karadzic’s surrender being held? | Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Is Karadzic’s surrender being negotiated?’ – The daily’s source close to the international community says that intensified talks on surrender of Radovan Karadzic were taking place for several days now. According to the source the Del Ponte’s statement on Karadzic’s soon transfer to |
Police reforms | |
| Police reform in BiH
| BHTV – “Reforms of police forces in BiH will be finished till the end of this year” said Adnan Terzic, Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers. He didn’t want to deny or to confirm would the entities’ MoIs be abolished. Terzic and High Representative Paddy Ashdown will announce on Friday forming of a commission for police reform. Commission will have 12 members including 3 international and 9 domestic experts. “Commission will have a task to make stronger forces at the state level ensuring that the war crime indictees could be caught in a more effective way. Forming of such the police is one of EU conditions for liberalising visa regime for BH citizens”, -said Paddy Ashdown. The inaugural meeting of the police reform commission is to take place at the end of July. |
| Hadzipasic meets Martens, Daviddi to talk about Police reforms
| Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Preparations for reconstruction of Police’, not signed – following a meeting between the FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, and Chairman of Commission for reconstruction of Police, Wilfred Martens, and Deputy Head of EC delegation to BiH, Renzo Daviddi, which was dedicated to the issue of reforms to Police structures in BiH, FBiH PM Hadzipasic stated that BiH needed a highly professional and well trained Police that will serve citizens, not political parties. Chairman Martens noted three phases in reconstruction of Police, first the analysis of the current situation, followed by reaching of an agreement on vision about organization of Police forces, and finally the implementation of solutions on the ground. |
| NN op-ed on police
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Police is threatening us’ by Dragan Jerinic – The author says that the RS MoI has threatened the journalists to be careful “about what they write about the work, I beg your pardon, lack of work of this institution, or otherwise, they will be facing “measures and actions” that this institution intends to undertake”. The RS MoI allegedly noticed that certain media and journalists are endangering this institution and that such activities especially increased after the RS police stepped up its measures and actions and the good results achieved in preventing and discovering criminal activities, including its activities to arrest war crime suspects. The columnist claims that the report submitted by the RS Police Director some two months ago spoke best about the work of the police – increased crime rates, a small number of successfully resolved criminal acts … Instead of addressing threats to journalists, the MoI should answer the question of what has been done by it to resolve assassinations, arrest bank robbers, break criminal groups, resolve car thefts. Jerinic concludes the article by saying the following: “And finally, has not the HiRep sanctioned their lack of work by removing Interior Minister Djeric and high ranking officials of the RS MoI. Don’t the sanctions prove that the RS MoI is led by politicians installed there to hush up crime? All citizens of the RS are aware of this, just like journalists and representatives of the international community. All of them are aware of this with the exception of Kevin Carty, the Head of the EUPM”. |
Political developments | |
| DL: SBiH and SDA cut deal for Mostar
| Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Party for BiH and SDA together in Mostar after all’, by N. Bise – According to DL’s knowledge, the SBiH and SDA have cut a (local) deal in Mostar, following a deal that was cut between the SDA Vice President, Bakir Izetbegovic, and President of SBiH, Safet Halilovic. Apparently, the aim is to have as many pro-Bosnian councillors in the future composition of the City Council of Mostar. The agreement that the two parties reached means that SDA will register its election list for the city area South, and the SBiH will not, whilst in the same time, the SBiH will register its list for city area Southwest, and the SDA will not. On top of this, DL carries a member of SDA Presidency, Zijad Hadziomerovic, as confirming that Suad Hasandedic will be topping the SDA’s list in local elections for Mostar. DL also notes that the HDZ’s topper will be Goran Bilic, whilst the current Deputy Mayor, Ljubo Beslic, is placed only 6th on the HDZ’s list. |
Economic/social issues | |
| FBiH HoR on flats of former JNA officers
| Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Officers of former Yugoslav Army (JNA) to lose flats’, mentioned on cover, by E. Mackic and Vecernji List pg 2 ‘1500 flats of former JNA officers remain to FBiH’ by f– The House of Representatives of the Federation of BiH Parliament adopted yesterday a proposal of the law on changes and amendments to the Law on sale of flats with a tenancy right. The purpose of the proposed changes and amendments is to keep 1500 flats in the FBiH so that they would not be repossessed by former JNA officers. |
| World Bank’s Reinermann on BiH status in WB
| Dnevni List, pg 10 ‘Status of Bosnia and Herzegovina in World bank changes as of today’, by Dirk Reinermann – Carries an article signed by the Director of World Bank’s Office in BiH, Dirk Reinermann, in which he highlights the importance of July 1, the day when BiH is getting promoted to a new ranking, because BiH’s status within the WB changes from a post-conflict into a transition country. Explaining the difference between the two statuses, Reinermann writes: “It, in essence, means that the implementation of key reforms has to speed up, so BiH catches other transitional countries in the region. In other words, the future support of the World Bank will be strictly measured by results of authorities achieved in starting and implementation of agreed reforms. In comparison to other transitional countries, BiH had lost almost a decade because of the war and post-war period. It is high time to make the time up”. Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘BiH is not post-conflict country any more’ also carried the article. |
| FBiH Finance Minister Vrankic calls for single economic space in BiH
| Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Single economic space leads to EU’, by Zoran Kresic – The FBiH Finance Minister, Dragan Vrankic, called on authorities and political parties in BiH to create a single economic space in BiH in order to get closer to the EU. Currently, Minister Vrankic is in |
| Consortium for Hercegovacka Bank collapsing?
| Jutarnji List, pg 11 ‘Consortium of Croatian companies for Hercegovacka bank collapsing?’, by S. Hodak, A. Koscec – Claims that the consortium of Croatian companies, which is interested in purchasing the ‘Hercegovacka bank’ is starting to fall apart. Apparently, the ‘Atlantic Grupa’, owned by the Tedeschi family, has already left the consortium, whilst unofficial information say that other companies too are thinking about withdrawing from the project. JL goes on to say that the business people involved are withdrawing because they get a feeling that the story is becoming more and more political, whilst the main parameter, the profitability, is getting lost. On top of that, some members of the consortium fear that Ivica Todoric, one of members of the consortium, is becoming too dominant within the project. |