Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 1 July
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs) |
| Bos. Grahovo: Cro monum. damaged | Prosecutors sign agreement |
| 5 years in prison to Maktouf | Maktouf sentenced to 5 years |
| Terrorist Al-Hajari has BiH citizenship | |
TV news broadcast on 30 June
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Al’Qaeda Al-Hayari is BIH citizen | CoM session | July 11 Mourning day in BiH |
| Rehn on EU enlargement | BiH Parliaments session | Resolution on genocide in Srebrenica |
| HR on S&A Agreement | RS NA session | |
| SIPA in Egmont group | Adopted law on waste transport | Mass served for Serb victims |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| CoM session | Al-Hayari is BiH citizen | Bush on West Balkans |
| Greek soldiers weren’t in Srebrenica | Regional news | Al-Hayari is BiH citizen |
| Tempest in BIH | Rehn on enlargement/West. Balkans | EUFOR on Wednesday search |
| Pollution of rivers in BIH | BiH Parliament’s plenary session | SIPA in Egmont group |
| Oslobodjenje | Terrorist Al-Hayari possesses BiH citizenship |
| Dnevni Avaz | Prince Charles will assist in rebuilding of Ferhadija [mosque in |
| Dnevni List | HT Mostar’s accounts blocked |
| Vecernji List | SDP poaches Herzegovinians from HDZ [ |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Survive at 37 degrees [heat-wave in |
| Nezavisne Novine | New Al-Q’Aeada leader in |
| Glas Srpske | Al-Q’Aida from Konjic |
| EuroBlic | Houses were damaged, electric lines torn down, trees… [report on storm in RS] |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
| Srpski Nacional | Features Serbian related titles |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| First war crimes case before
| RHB, Radio 1 by Amir Suzanj – The BiH Court has found Abdulahim Maktouf, an Iraqi citizen living in Travnik, guilty of accomplice to war crimes and sentenced him to 5 year imprisonment. Even though the law stipulates minimum 10 years imprisonment for this crime, the Court has decided to lessen it expressing believe that 5 years of imprisonment is adequate for crime committed. Maktouf has been found guilty for being an accomplice kidnapping in three Croat civilians from Travnik and their capture in camp of El Mujahid unit where there one was beheaded. This is the first verdict by the |
| BiH/Serbia prosecutors sign agreement on cooperation | BH Radio 1 – Today in |
| Police raids Karadzic brothers’ house | BH Radio 1 – The |
Security and police issues | |
| BIH Civil Affairs Ministry: Al-Hayari has BiH citizenship, but no passport
| RHB, BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Al-Hayari does not have valid passport or ID’ by S.T. – BIH Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a statement saying that Junuz Muhamed Al-Hayari, listed as one of 36 most dangerous militants, has BIH citizenship, but not the BIH passport or CIPS ID. Native Moroccan, Al-Hayari was marked as one of most dangerous terrorist suspected of numerous attacks in |
| Saudi Arabian Embassy in BIH has no info on Al-Hayari; Daily says Civil Affairs Ministry seeks OHR opinion | BHT 1 – The Saudi Arabian Embassy in BiH has no official information on the terrorist with BiH citizenship, Younus Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Hayari. Embassy stated that they are searching for more information. Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Terrorist Al-Hayari has BiH citizenship’ by A. Omeragic says that the BiH Parliament demanded from the OHR a legal interpretation of the provision of the law on BiH citizenship, while the BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs stated that the status of Al-Hayari and other naturalized persons would depend on the OHR’s legal interpretation (the article does not say when these legal interpretations were demanded). |
| SIPA joins Egmont group
| RHB, PINK, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjneje pg 10 ‘SIPA member of Egmont group’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘SIPA’s admission to Egmont is big success’ by E. Sarac, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘SIPA included in global fight against terrorism’, by Ivica Glibusic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘BiH in international network against money laundry’, by vr, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 18 ‘BiH will persecute money laundry’, by D. Pasic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4, announced on cover ‘BiH is stronger in fight against money laundering’ by A. Sekulic, EuroBlic pg RS8 ‘Stronger measures against money laundering’ by N. B – SIPA’s Financial Intelligence Department has joined the Egmont group, an international network for preventing money laundering. SIPA has therefore become an active member of the international fight against organized crime and terrorism, the Agency stated. “This again proves BiH’s determination to deal with money laundering which supports war criminals as well as terrorist activities at local, regional and international level,” SIPA director Sredoje Novic said. The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, and EUPM Commission, Kevin Carty both welcomed SIPA’s admission to Egmont adding that this show the large level of trust in the Agency. BHT 1 – “BiH got a possibility to receive information from 94 countries in a very short time frame, to exchange the information on money laundering and financing terrorism in secured way,” said Novic in a phone statement for BHT. |
| VL: Appointment of SBS leadership in final phase
| Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘R. Peric candidate for director of SBS’, by Dejan Jazvic – VL reports that procedure related to the appointment of new State Border Service Director is reaching final phase since interviews with candidates for leading positions were conducted on Wednesday. BiH Security Minister, Barisa Colak, should soon receive the ranking of best-placed candidates. VL comments that, although there is no new political agreement on the issue, one can expect that a Croat is appointed the SBS Director since a Serb (Sredoje Novic) got appointed the SIPA Director. According to available information, the current acting Deputy Director of SBS, Robert Peric, is most likely to become the SBS Director. |
| BiH HoR tasks CoM to establish group to revise de-certification of police
| Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘CoM in charge of revision of decertification process’ by A |
Economic /judicial issues | |
| CoM session on economic issues
| RHB, RTRS, FTV, BHT1, PINK, Hayat, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Working materials without Croatian language’, by Nermin Bise, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Farmers’, by eme, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Suspension of application of zero customs rate did not decrease BiH’s de-balance’, by Zdenko Rerig, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘27million KM less was spent in the course of last year’ by M. Cubro, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘27million KM less was spent in the course of last year’ by M. Cubro inset ‘Ivanic did not attend the session’ – The BiH Council of Ministers, at its session held on Thursday after longer pause, analyzed effects of its decision to temporarily suspend the application of zero customs rate as foreseen in the Free Trade Agreement. The BiH CoM concluded that its decision did not lead positive developments regarding the decrease of BiH’s deficit with countries that BiH signed the FTA agreements. According to the Minister of Foreign Trade, Dragan Doko, it is actually the entities’ governments that are responsible for the situation in the farming business in BiH. The BiH CoM also issued the Decision on obligatory utilization of preferential treatment of domestic products or domestic bidders in the procedure of public procurement. This decision was issued for the purpose of protecting domestic bidders, and refers to 2005 and 2006. BIH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic did not attend the session. |
| Farmers continue protests in front of CoM building
| BHT 1 Sanita Lisica – BiH farmers protesting for past six days in front of the BiH Joint Institutions building on Thursday sent an open letter and a hoe to the BiH Council of Ministers Chair, Adnan Terzic. This way they expressed dissatisfaction with the situation in which, they estimate, is about 500.000 farming households. BiH farmers are still protesting in front of BiH Parliamentary Assembly building. They stated that they would protest until their demands are met. Farmers urged authorities to establish BiH Ministry of Agriculture, to protect domestic production and to revise the Free Trade Agreements signed with neighbouring countries. President of the BiH Farmers Association, Ranko Bakic, reiterated that the farmers are not being politicised. RHB, RTRS, Hayat, PINK, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover, ‘Farmers sent a hoe to PM Terzic’, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘They will stay in tents until realization of requests’, by Mensud Zorlak, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Farmers call on Prime Minister for dialogue from tents’, by ra, EuroBlic pg RS5 ‘Shovel for Terzic’ by Dusanka Stanisic, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘They sent a shovel to Terzic’ by Srna – also reported. |
| Terzic: Protests held at wrong place, CoM not responsible
| Hayat report by Elma Kazagic – Chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic described the farmers’ protests in front of CoM building as the protest at the wrong place. “They cannot achieve here anything; this is a wrong address. Entity ministries are in charge of theses kinds of problems, according to the law and Constitution” stated Terzic. Halid Genjac delegate at the BIH House of Peoples disputes the sincerity of farmers’ intentions stating it is possible they are politicised. Commenting to the demand by farmers to establish state level ministry, Terzic commented: “I can propose this to be done by the CoM but they will again say that I work on my own.” RHB – BIH Minister of Foreign Trade Dragan Doko stated that FTAs with |
| BiH Parliament discuss the economic issues: 680.000 poor people in BIH
| PINK, BHT1, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘680.000 citizens are poor!’, mentioned on cover, Dnevni AVaz pg 13 ‘There are still 680.000 poor people in BiH’ – The delegates of the BiH House of Representatives and BiH House of Peoples on Thursday held plenary session with a focus at the economic issues. They acknowledged the report on implementation of the action plan of the BiH Midterm Development Strategy for the period August 2003 – March 2005, with the conclusion that the collegiums of both Houses summarize the debate, present proposals and make relevant conclusions. The Report states that the total of 597 measures were planed to be implemented by the end of March this year, and 399 of them have been completed. The report on status of economy in 2004 accents the annual increase of GDP by 5, 7 percent, which is above the regional average, with optimistic indicators on the greater rate of exports in relation to imports, and boosting the coverage of imports by exports. The report on status of poverty 2001/2004 said that 17, 8 percent of the population was poor in BiH in 2004. Of the total number of poor persons in BiH, 51 percent live in RS and 49 percent in Federation BiH. RHB, RTRS, FTV, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Working materials without Croatian language’, by Nermin Bise– Zlatko Hurtic, Advisor on Economy to the BIH Prime Minister, stated that the rate of poverty in BIH has decreased for 2%. The delegates have discussed the draft of the social program aimed at reducing the consequences of the VAT introduction. |
| Media slam discussion in BiH parliament
| Hayat report by Semsudin Skejic – The reporter stated that the plenary session in BIH Parliament seemed as a comedian’s show. “When the delegates had adopted the agenda after the three hour discussion, then they discussed the minutes from the previous session for another hour” said the reporter. FTV carried similar comment. |
| RSNA adopts Law on war compensations, extends deadline for purchase of state apartments
| PINK, FTV, Dnenvi Avaz pg 8 ‘Deadline for purchase of state apartments extended in RS for next six months’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Deadline for privatisation extended by the end of the year’ by V. P.,EuroBlic pg RS2, announced on cover ‘Deadline for privatisation of apartments by the end of the year’ by Tijana Veselinovic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Privatisation by the end of the year’ by G. Dakic– RS NA convened a session at which it discussed the law on accountancy and audit. RS NA unanimously adopted the amendment to the law on privatisation of state- owned apartments, by which the deadline for privatisation of apartments was prolonged by the end of the year.– also reported. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Law on war compensation adopted’ – DA reports that RSNA has also adopted the Law on war compensation. |
| RS PM Bukejlovic met Head of World Bank Office in BiH Reinermann, discussed acceleration of privatisation | FTV, RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Acceleration of privatisation’ by Lj. C., EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Loan depends on inspection’ by N. B., Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Speeding up of privatization process in RS’, by NINA – Head of the World Bank Office in BiH Dirk Reinermann, said during talks with RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic in Banja Luka on Thursday that the World Bank is prepared to activate the second installment of the BAC – credit for improving the business environment, in the amount of 30 million USD. Reinermann added that the RS National Assembly need to adopt as soon as possible the law that will regulate the work of inspection services. Reinermann and Bukejlovic also discussed the possibility of the World Bank helping the RS accelerate the privatization of state capital in companies. The RS Prime Minister informed the World Bank Delegation about the privatization process and underlined the need for accelerating this process with the support of the World Bank and other international financial institutions. Reinermann said that the World Bank is prepared to help and presented the possibility of approving an 18 million USD loan for improving the working conditions of the RS Privatization Agency. Also covered by |
| HT Mostar accounts blocked at request of Toby Robinson
| Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 5 ‘HT Mostar’s accounts blocked’, by Marko Karacic – reports that the Banking Agency (NB: report does not specify which one, probably of FBiH) blocked accounts of the HT Mostar (Croat telecommunications) yesterday (Thursday). The Agency took the decision on basis of a request by the Provisional Administrator for ‘Hercegovacka Bank’ (HB), Toby Robinson, who demanded that the HT Mostar paid 2 million KM into the HB’s account. Robinson’s request is based on a court decision according to which the HT Mostar has to allocate on its account 2 million KMs that are to be paid out in form of compensation to the ‘Hercegovina Osiguranje’ (HO), and Robinson wants the HT Mostar to pay to money to the HB. Court is yet to take a decision on the actual payment of the money. The CEO of HT Mostar, Stipe Prlic, calls the decision a scandal because the HT lost a case to HO, not to HB, saying that Robinson has no right to block the HT Mostar’s accounts. |
| SD interview: Robinson on Hercegovacka bank’s future, about illegal present to Covic
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 7, mentioned on front ‘Croatian companies want to buy the bank without Agrokor’, by Zoran Zekic – Carries an interview with Toby Robinson in which she notes that there are still some Croatian companies that are interested in buying the Hercegovacka bank (HB) even after one of the major players involved, namely the ‘Agrokor’ company, decided to back down. Robinson also announces a big action against companies and persons that have failed to return loans to the HB, including the ‘Eurobus Soko’, which owes more than 2 million Euros. In that context, Robinson says that Dragan Covic deems the loan, on behalf of the owner, as some sort of present to the Soko. Inset entitled ‘I am filing lawsuit against Dragan Covic’ carries Robinson as saying that she will ask Dragan Covic to return 56.900 KMs, which he illegally received in form of an official car that he had received from the Hercegovina Osiguranje. |
| Dani claims Lijanovici continue to avoid paying customs through new company
| Dani pgs 22-24 ‘Lijanovic robbed the state again’ by Snjezana Mulic – Magazine claims that the “Meat Industry Lijanovici” has continue to “rob the state” through its newly establishment company “Meat Industry Mostar” [MI-MO]. Lijanovici have allegedly sold out a number of their properties after indictment has been filed against its founders [4 brothers Lijanovici] for damaging the budget for 47 million KM, at the same time transferring its production to the MI-MO. Article carries that MI-MO has continued to breach legislations, as found out by the Indirect Taxation Administration [ITA] in control of implementation of the decision on customs free meat import [according to the decision, for every kilo of meat bought out from domestic producers, companies have a right to import three customs free kilos of meat ]. ITA official, Ratko Kovacevic, confirmed to magazine that a number of company, including MI-MO do not posses valid documentation to prove they have purchased meat from domestic producers. Dani says that ITA doesn’t want to reveal more information as the investigation is on-going, but its “credible source” confirms that MI-MO damaged state budget for at least half million KM for past ten months. Furthermore, Dani claim that the specific amount of meat bought in BiH, MI-MO has been buying from “Sisovic” company from Posusje, which is actually the biggest importer of meat by foreign producers “meaning that… all this time MI-MO has been buying meat made by foreigners and was exempted from customs?!” In addition to mentioned sum of half million, magazine claims that MI-MO also embezzled another 600.000 KM in the same way Lijanovici allegedly damaged the state budget for 47 million KM by, according to source close to Financial Police, importing sausage and declaring it as pepper. |
| ITA launches registration of VAT payers
| RHB, BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 4, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 19 ‘Call for VAT registration’, by D. P.– The registration of VAT payers in BiH starts on Friday, July 1. The BiH Indirect Tax Administration stated that all future VAT payers are obligated to forward the requests for registration to the ITA regional centres by September 30 this year. All physical and legal entities whose taxable turnover exceeds 50.000 KM are obligated to submit the requests for registration to the ITA. |
| RS Govt refuses to reveal value of works on university town in | Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘RS Government is hiding the value of the works’ and pg 3 ‘RS Government does not want to reveal how much money was spent’ by S. Gojkovic – NN claims RS Government refuses to say how much money has been invested so far in the construction of the first university compound in RS or how much more money is needed to complete the works. Students of Banja Luka Faculties are embittered they still have not officially moved in. |
War crimes | |
| BiH CoM declares 11th July Mourning Day in BIH
| RHB, RTRS, FTV, BHT1, PINK, Hayat, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Working materials without Croatian language’, by Nermin Bise, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Farmers’, by eme, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Suspension of application of zero customs rate did not decrease BiH’s de-balance’, by Zdenko Rerig, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘11th July Day of Mourning’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Decision to declare 11 July Mourning Day’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘27million KM less was spent in the course of last year’ by M. Cubro inset ’11 July is Mourning Day’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ’11 July is Mourning Day’ by Srna – The BiH Council of Ministers decided on Thursday to approve 100.000 KM from the budget reserves in support of the Organising Board of the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the massacre in Srebrenica. CoM reached a decision to declare July 11 a national day of mourning in BiH. |
| Preparations for Srebrenica commemoration: Conference on Srebrenica to be held; Agencies continue talks on security
| Oslobodjenje carries full page [pg 10] of articles related to Srebrenica including an interview with a member of organizing board, Ismet Dizdarevic [‘Truth is spoken by science, not politics] who announces holding international scientific conference on Srebrenica that will be held in Srebrenica and Sarajevo from 11 to 15 July. In addition, it brings that the talks of agencies to provide security at the ceremony have continued in the EUPM’s HQ in |
| Serb Orthodox Church to open Memorial Centre for Serb victims in Bratunac on 12 July
| BHT 1, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Bloody June in Brezani’ by K. Cirkovic – The Serb Orthodox Bishop for Zvornik regions, Kacavenda, and representatives of the RS Government will open the Memorial Center for Serb war victims in village Kravice, Bratunac municipality, on July 12. Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) states that this facility is about 50 meters further away from a factory hall were more than 1000 of Srebrenica Bosniaks were executed on 12 July 1995. |
| EUFOR: Two persons detained during search of Roguljic’s premises
| FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 10, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Search of premises in Trn carried out on credible information’, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘EUFOR arrested two persons’, by NINA, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Two cars belonging to Bojan Roguljic seized’, by bs – According to an EUFOR spokesman, Robbie Baillie, during the recent raids near Banja Luka (raid of business premises of Slavko Roguljic), two persons got arrested and they were handed over to local police for further proceedings.Baillie reiterated that the search was carried out on base of credible information. Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Two vehicles and documentation were confiscated’ by S. Karic – Search of Slavko Roguljic’s business complex – reports on confiscation of vehicles and documentation, does not mention any apprehensions. EuroBlic pg RS8 ‘ “Audi A4”, BMW and weapons were confiscated’ by Mirna Soja – EUFOR Spokesperson claims 2 persons were apprehended, Banja Luka PSC denies it. |
| SD: ICTY puts stop to biased prosecutors and judges
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 18 ‘Stop to prosecutors with wartime stresses’, by Z. Tulic – Reports that the Sarajevo Canton’s Chief Prosecutor, Branko Sljivar, suddenly departed for The Hague where he is to meet with senior officials of the Tribunal. According to some information, Sljivar will have some unpleasant conversations related to the work of judicial bodies in the FBiH. Namely, about the work of judges and prosecutors that are dealing with war crimes, whose families were victims during the war. Apparently, Sljivar will get instructions that such persons are removed for war crimes related cases because of their evident partiality. |
| VN publishes list of ‘Serbs killed in Srebrenica region’, OHR’s comment
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘List of 3287 dead Serbs from Srebrenica surroundings’ – The Belgrade based daily “Vecernje novosti” published the supplement with the list of 3 287 Serbs allegedly killed in Srebrenica and its surroundings in the period between 1992 and 1995. Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Killings in Srebrenica are the most brutal category of premeditated crimes’ – In response to mentioned VN supplement, the OHR stated: “Any citizen of BiH can bring a case to the Court, as was the case with the family members of the men who went missing in Srebrenica in 1995….In response to the Human Rights Chamber’s Decision, the RS Government established a Commission to conduct such an investigation. The systematic ferocity, over a concentrated period of time, of the killing at Srebrenica places this event in the most brutal category of premeditated war crimes.” |
| Greek Foreign Ministry denies Greek troops took part in Srebrenica | Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Greek troops were not involved in Srebrenica massacre’ – Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected all claims according to which the members of the Greek troops were involved in Srebrebnica massacre. |
Political issues | |
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| PINK, FTV, BHT 1, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Extended situation of “national jeopardy in the Balkans”’ by VOA– The President of the United Stated, George Bush, informed the US Congress that his administration’s evaluation that there the situation in the Balkans is at the high risk level will be extended for another year. The reasons for such a decision are the terrorist acts in |
| BHT 1: Crisis in BiH Com fabricated by politicians to avoid responsibility for bad records?
| BHT1 byLejla Redzovic Medosevic – EU’s message to BiH politicians is clear – implement your obligations and we will talk about your admission to the EU, reports BHT commenting that it seems that BiH politicians do not pay any attention to that message and their own obligations. BiH authorities didn’t agree on key reforms in the country, and reporter deems that the explanation for this is the statement by the Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic: “Well, I think that ruling structures are the structures that never had joint and clear, politically agreed direction.” Opposition parties agree with Terzic’s statement and claim than ruling parties have fabricated this crisis in order to avoid situation in which politicians would have to justify the bad results of their work. “ The CoM comes up with these soup-operas… just to avoid to answer to the question why the project on the corridor Vc has not been moved forward for an inch, why the number of working places is low,” commented SDP leader, Zlatko Lagumdzija. SDS claims that there was never a crisis in the CoM and that there was only a personal conflict between Terzic and Mladen Ivanic, BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs in technical mandate. SDS delegate Momcilo Novakovic said that SDS will accept all solutions proposed by PDP and Terzic together. |
| Hayat brings reactions to Terzic statement of ruling parties never having same direction
| Hayat report by Denis Zaimovic – Hayat brings reactions to the abovementioned statement by Adnan Terzic that the ruling parties have never had a politically harmonized director, while the report himself notes that that the statement presents the truth about the real crises in BiH. Momcilo Novakovic from SDP and Vinko Zoric from HDZ believe that BiH needs a new composition of the Council of Ministers. Novakovic also says he agrees with Terzic but adds that politicians should take the responsibility over all their actions including Terzic, while Zoric says that BiH Prime Minister is to be blamed for current crisis. Milorad Zivkovic from PDP stated that Terzic was honest in his address before the BiH House of Representatives, however adding that if he was Terzic he would resign. Beriz Belkic from SBIH doesn’t think that BIH needs a new CoM but more dedication from the side of its ministers. Terzic stated that he is that last person in the government that should resign. The decision will be most likely issued by the High Representatives, concludes the reporter. |
| SB says most possible option is removal of both Ivanic and Terzic
| Slobodna Bosna pg 16 ‘Most realistic option of the ruling nationalists is to remove both Terzic and Ivanic’ by A.M. – Article deals with the crisis in CoM, stating that the most possible option is to reshuffle the Council of Ministers which would also mean removal of both Mladen Ivanic and Adnan Terzic. In addition, SB says that this is one of the rare opportunities for leaders of all three ruling parties to solve the crisis and strengthen their positions at once. SB expects HDZ leader, Dragan Cavic, to even reconsider removing Barisa Colak; it notes that Dragan Cavic should also not object as PDP left the Govt in RS but keeping best positions in CoM; and as for SDA, SB reminds that Sulejman Tihic and Terzic are in conflict all the time. |
| VL: Terzic offered resignation three times during last meeting
| Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Who will go first – Terzic or Ashdown?’, by Miso Relota – Carries a report about what went on during the last meeting between the BiH Presidency, ruling parties and Chair of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, that wasdedicated to the crisis in the BiH. According VL’s information, the talks were ‘lively’ and Chairman Terzic had even offered his resignation three times before it was decided that the BiH CoM should continue working. VL learns from a source close to the PDP that one could expect Terzic to retire come autumn or in the beginning of next year. |
| EU Enlargement Comm. Rehn: European perspective promised to Western Balkans will be fulfilled
| RHB, FTV – European Union will continue the enlargements and the recent failure of its Summit will not be an obstacle to the realization of the European perspective promised to the Western Balkans countries, stated the EU Enlargement Commission Olli Rehn addressing the international conference on the Western Balkans in Brussels organized by the EC and attended by over 400 ministers, ambassadors, EU officials and NGOs reports. BHT 1 Elvir Bucalo – “Plan A didn’t work due to Europeans’ objections to the Constitution, we didn’t have a plan B, so we go on to the plan C – enlargement, consolidation, conditioning and permanent communication,” said Rehn and added that enlargement is one of the most important guarantees for European security. It was also said during this conference that linking Kosovo destiny with BiH’s is unacceptable, reports BHT. |
| Chair of Int. Comm. for Balkans meets BiH Presidency members: BiH must be efficient country without HR’s
| RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘State functions in BiH should not be divided in three parts’ – Giuliano Amato, the chair of the International Commission for Balkans stated that the Bonn powers of the High Representative must be overcome and the efficient BiH state built. He added that the state should not have all of its functions divided in three parts. Amato also met with the members of the BiH presidency, Ivo Miro Jovic and Sulejman Tihic. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Dayton agreement not just’ – Jovic, who met with the members of the International Balkans Commission led by Amato, stated at the meeting that the constitutional structure of BiH is unjust and that Constitution has to be changed. |
| Int Commission for Balkans holds meeting in
| FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Current structure of BiH is unacceptable’– The Commission held on Thursday in Sarajevo the session of the taskforces that participated in designing the Report titled “Balkans in the European future”, and concluded that the countries need road maps by end of 2006 in order to join EU. “It is very important to send positive signals from BiH, SCG and Croatia, to be more to the point: we have to do our homework better, especially now when the whole Europe re-examines its enlargement towards the Southeast, ”, said Zlatko Lagumdzija, member of Working Group for report on Balkans. Nezavisne Novine pg 9, announced on cover ‘Authorities of High Representative must be reduced’ by M. Cubro – In a lengthy interview, Giuliano Amato, repeats that the current system is not good as everything is divided in three parts. Amato on Wednesday and Thursday presented the Commission’s report to BiH authorities as well. According to Amato, reactions of the authorities on the report were mainly positive. ‘Our proposal is that the |
| SDHR Ney in Mostar: Mayor Beslic warns of obstructions
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Slow implementation of City Statut’, Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Mostar is going in right direction’, Dnevni List, pg 15, mentioned on front ‘Obstructions in Mostar continue’, by Sanja Bjelica, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 19 ‘Martin Ney: Ministries move to Mostar soon’, by M. Landeka – The Mayor of Mostar and President of Mostar City Council, Ljubo Beslic and Murat Coric respectively, met on Thursday with the SDHR, Martin Ney, when they talked about the current situation in the city. Following the meeting, Mayor Beslic said that there were resistances against implementation of certain decision that he and Coric could not solve alone, however Beslic did not mention any names. On the other hand, SDHR Ney said he was closely following the situation in Mostar, promising he would do everything to make sure that Sarajevo-based FBiH ministries (5 of them) are moved to Mostar. Ney also promised that the OHR would continue providing support to democratic processes in Mostar. |
| Croat Caucus in BiH HoP: Law on RTV service is damaging for BiH Croats
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Law on RTV service is damaging for BiH Croats’ by A. Terzic – Members of the Croat Caucus in the BiH House of Peoples issued a press release in which they claim that the proposal of the law on public RTV system is damaging for vital Croat national interests. The statement was signed Anto Spajic, Velimir Jukic, Branko Zrno and Ilija Filipovic, while Tomislav Limov refused to sign the statement since he disagrees with the stands of his colleagues with regard to the aforementioned law. |
| OHR: Constitutional Curt will decide on law on public RTV system
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Constitutional Curt will decide on law on public RTV system’ not signed – Commenting on the issue of the proposal of the law on public RTV system in the BiH House of Peoples, the OHR stated that it is up to the BiH Constitutional Court to decide on the destiny of the proposal of the law. OHR spokesperson |
| VL: Martens invites Covic for talks to
| Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Wilfried Martens invited Dr. Covic for meeting’, by Miso Relota – According to VL, the President of European People’s Party, Wilfried Martens, has sent the President of HDZ BiH, Dragan Covic, a letter in which he congratulated him for the win in the internal party elections and in the same time Martens invited Covic to visit him in Brussels. There are no further details. |
| Rycroft on BiH’s progress towards EU
| Oslobodjenje pg 13, mentioned on cover ‘EU is in crisis, but it is not clinically dead’ by E. Krehic – DA says that the UK would chair the EU in the next 6 months and on this occasion DA carries an interview with British Ambassador to BiH Mathew Rycroft. Asked whether it is possible that BiH starts negotiations on joining the EU while the UK chairs the EU, Rycroft says that it is possible, but that it would be hard due to the lack of progress especially when the police reform is in question. Asked whether he sees a way out from the vicious circle where SDS hinders reforms and people keep voting for SDS, Rycroft says that he believes that SDS might become the party of reforms, the party for Europe and he says that we must not forget many changes that SDS has made lately and reforms that SDS supported. |
| UNDP survey: Dodik and SNSD’s popularity rising
| Slobodna Bosna pgs 18-21 ‘Government not trusted by the people’ by Asim Metiljevic – SB obtained the latest survey by UNDP, according to which the ruling parties have less than 50% of support of citizens, while more than 50% of citizens have stated they would respond to elections. Popularity of Milorad Dodik’s SNSD is increasing to the extent where he enjoys more support not only among the opposition parties but all. More than 75% of Serbs have stated they would vote either for SDS or for SNSD, more than 80% Bosniaks would vote for SDA, SDP or Party for BiH, while 85% Croats have stated they would vote for HDZ, SDP or “Through Work to Prosperity” party.The biggest winner, says SB, is PDP who enjoys only less than 3% support. It also notes that three ruling parties – SDA, HDZ, SDS – all note fall of their popularity among their voters, in average for 15%. Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Dodik and SNSD have the greatest support’ by M. C. – carries part of SB article. |
| Mesic strongly disagrees with Draskovic linking Kosovo and RS
| Feral Tribune, pgs 4-6 ‘Minister of Justice should do her job’, by Ivica Djikic – In an interview to Feral, the Croatian President, Stjepan Mesic, comments on the statement by the SCG Foreign Minister, Vuk Draskovic, linking the future of Kosovo with future of RS, ruling out such possibility. He adds Kosovo was a constitutional element in the old Yugoslav federation with its own autonomy, whilst the RS was not. Mesic says Draskovic made such statement because of ‘domestic needs’, underlining that the world would never agree to anything like that. |
| DA Op-ed criticizing Terzic’s moves and SDA policy
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Short-sightedness’ by Z. Dizdarevic carries an editorial harshly criticizing Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic for causing the BiH CoM’s crisis that he is not able to resolve and the author says that Terzic is a politically short-sighted person. The author concludes; ‘SDS, which blackmails BiH, is still the main partner for SDA, while SDP, which no matter what it is like stands for a democratic and prosperous BiH, is their (SDA’s) enemy.’ |
| Prince Charles promised Effendi Ceric help in reconstruction of Ferhadija | Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘Prince Charles promised Effendi Ceric help in reconstruction of Ferhadija’ by A. Burazerovic – During the seminar at Imperial War Museum in London, Reisu-l-ulema Mustafa Effendi Ceric met with Prince Charles, who promised that he would support reconstruction of Ferhadija mosque in Banja Luka, as well as, projects of other religious communities. |