OHR BiH Media Round-up, 17/5/2005

Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 17 May

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

Police reform talks interrupted

BiH HoR to discuss PBS law

Rally in B. Luka

HR to hold press conference today

RSNA in session

RS NA in session

BiH CoM to hold session today

Meeting inBanja Luka

Ashdown accusing RS politicians

TV news broadcast on 16 May

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK  (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

CoE summit

Talks on police reform continued

Talks on police reform resumed

Police reform negotiations

Solana on police areas

Law on Public Broadcasting System

EC delegation to visit BIH

EC Delegation to visit BiH

Cavic could resign

Constitutional changes discussion

Summit in Warszawa

Boban Simsic case

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Talks on police reform continued

Exhumations near Zvornik

Police reform negotiations

SIPA Director to be appointed

Boban Simsic case

Stankovic on Bileca and Manjaca

VNI issue in RS CoP

Zeljko Mitrovic case

NGO’s protests

NATO, EUFOR on Manjaca events

56 tons of cigarettes destroyed

SBS confiscates 2000 cigarette boxes

 

Oslobodjenje

Talks on police reform failed

Dnevni Avaz

Humphreys: Conditions are clearly set

Dnevni List

Discussion on constitutional organization in BiH: Cantonization or three republics

Vecernji List

Twins were destroyed by two members of BiH Army too?

Slobodna Dalmacija

Best day at Kupres – 25 cardinals arriving (report on religious gathering)

Glas Srpske

Electricity falling in darkness?

Nezavisne Novine

Without progress regarding the maps

Blic

Marks resistant to Kunas

Vecernje Novosti

Features Serbia related titles

Srpski Nacional

Features Serbia related titles

 

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

BiH HoR to discuss draft law on PBS

 

BH Radio 1 Mustafa Karahmet, RHB, RS Radio – The BiH House of Representatives is holding its session in Sarajevo today. The deputies are expected to discuss the draft Law on PBS. In the course of the discussion on the agenda Deputy Sead Avdic proposed that a report by BiH Council of Ministers Chairman on the status of talks on police reform in BiH is also discussed. Deputies from RS were against the proposal. The House is currently discussing the amendments to the law on VAT in urgent procedure as proposed by CoM.   

RSNA in session

 

BH Radio 1 Radmila Grubisa, RHB, RS Radio – At its session Banja Luka today, RS National Assembly is expected to discuss the draft amendments to law on litigation procedure as well as a draft law from the package of laws limiting use/advertising of tobacco products.

BiH CoM in session

 

RHB – Among the other things, the BiH Council of Ministers should discuss today election of the SIPA Director as well as the status of the State Border Service Director and his Deputy, whose mandates expired yesterday.

NGOs-organised rally commences in Banja Luka

 

RS Radio – The protest rally will commence at 12:00 hrs at Banja Luka Main Square. A large number of RS citizens has responded to call of 11 NGO’s organizing the protest, expressing support. Reporter reports from the scene: Several thousand of citizens have so far gathered at the Square. Some slogans say “You took away army, now you want police”, “We want referendum”, etc. A large number of RS MoI members (around 600) are securing the location, owing to fact the rally is of high security risk. Although protest participants will not go to RS NA building, RS MoI members are also securing this facility. BH Radio 1, RHB also covered the issue.

 

Police Reform/Upcoming EC Delegation visit to BiH

Ashdown: Negotiations on police reform failed due to RS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘Talks on police reform failed’ Azhar Kalamujic, FENA – The negotiations between the 11 political parties on police reform in BiH in line with the recommendations of the European Commission have failed because of the RS, said the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, in Sarajevo late on Monday. “The negotiations failed because the RS delegates were unable to conform to the three principles laid out by the European Union. What that means is that the European Commission is very unlikely to say that the conditions for moving forward towards the negotiations on Stabilization and Association have been fulfilled”, said Ashdown. He added that a great opportunity has been lost and that the citizens of this country would pay a heavy price for that, including the citizens in the RS. “The ball now lies in the court of the RSNA. The conditions will not change. It is up to them to decide whether they can conform to them or not”, concluded the High Representative.

After interruption of talks, a few participants told Oslobodjenje that Ashdown and EC Head of the Delegation to BiH Michael Humphries had been very angry due to RS politicians behavior and particularly Dragan Cavic and Mladen Ivanic. Cavic and Ivanic requested for seven additional days to try to convince RS National Assembly to change its position on police organization in BiH. However, when they were offered to sign a joint statement obliging them to successfully lobby for acceptance of EU-proposed solutions by RSNA, they rejected to do so and the talks were interrupted.   

Dnevni Avaz pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Negotiations on police reform failed’ carried a very similar report on the issue.

NN second issue: Ashdown discontinued talks

 

Nezavisne Novine (second issue) cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Ashdown discontinued talks’ by M. Cubro – Daily reports that HR Ashdown last night discontinued police reform talks at “Konak”. Dobrica Jonjic, HNI representative, confirmed talks failed because RS politicians could not accept police regions’ maps, that would cross entity boundaries. He noted RS officials asked talks be postponed for seven days, during which they would get a mandate from RS NA to negotiate on this approach. Zlatko Lagumdzija stated: “The talks are still standing still, police reform failed and therefore it is illusionary to expect that EC would on Thursday recommend launch of talks with BiH.” Although Bojan Zec Filipovic justified Adnan Terzic’s departure from the meeting with other duties, other participants confirmed Terzic left talks in anger over impossibility to reach agreement. Nikola Spiric stated: “No agreement has been reached, but I believe that after RS NA votes on results achieved so far, space can be found to resume police reform talks.”

Media reports on continuation of police talks

 

RHB, BHT, Pink, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Police maps are debatable’, by I. Glibusic – Reports that talks on police reform will be continued in one week time. DL learns that due to failure to reach a final agreement, parties from the RS, led by Mladen Ivanic and Nikola Spiric, asked for a one-week postponement in order to discuss the issue in the RSNA. Reportedly, HR Paddy Ashdown agreed to that under condition that representatives of political parties from the RS sign a statement that the talks would continue in one week.

Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Everyone insists on its proposal of division’, by Dejan Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 18 ‘Three maps submitted’, by D. Pasic – reports that talks continued on Monday.

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘No progress regarding the maps’ by M. Cubro – the article reports on the continuation of negotiations on police reform in “Konak” residence in Sarajevo. The article carries statements of SDP’s Zlatko Lagumdzija and SDA’s Sulejman Tihic, as well as stances of political parties with regard to what these are willing to support in the course of police reform.

Oslobodjenje: France wants police regions in the framework of entities?

 

Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘France wants regions in the framework of entities?’ – According to the daily, HR Paddy Ashdown was worried before the start of talks on police reform on Monday about a fact some PIC Ambassadors were lobbying for future BiH police territorial organization within entities. This concept is allegedly being supported French Ambassador to BiH Henry Zipper de Fabiani.

NN op-ed doubts there would be any chaos after police reform as Cavic announced

 

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Chaos in mist’ by Dragan Risojevic – The author referred to the recent statement of RS President Dragan Cavic, who said there would be chaos after police reforms, and the author says the only chaos that might come out from the police reform is the position of the president at his party. ‘This became clear after the recent session of SDS Main Board, on which occasion the party had rejected the Vlasic Agreement’, the author claims.

Center Club and SDS Prijedor and Bijeljina oppose to abolishment of RS MoI

Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Traps for Srpska’ by M. Dz. (Statement of Center Club), Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘To resist pressures’ by D. B. (Statement of SDS Prijedor), Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Abolishment is not a solution’ by S. R. T. (Statement of SDS Bijeljina) – articles carry reactions on police reform, all opposing abolishment of RS MoI.

NGOs HQ: we will demand for ending of experiments and deprivation of RS of its competences

 

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Enough of sale’ by E. G. S. – Headquarters of NGOs for protection of RS constitutional position within BiH Constitution will organize protest in Banjaluka on Tuesday. Spokesperson of HQ of NGOs Slavko Jovicic says the main message to be sent out during the protest would be the demand for ending experiments and deprivation of RS authority bodies of its competences. Approximately 5,000 students from Banjaluka are also going to take part at the meeting. Police has declared the meeting as a highly risky, due to what all necessary steps have been undertaken in order to prevent any incidents. NGOs from Prijedor and Gradiska will also attend the protest.

Pensioners and refugees to attend protest as well

 

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Pensioners will come too’ by S. R. T. – The chairman of the Regional Association of Refugees and DPs from Bijeljina, Ugljevik, Lopare and Janja, Veljko Stevanovic, has announced refugees would be transported to Banja Luka with approximately 20 buses to attend the protest. The Chairman of Bijeljina Association of Pensioners Savo Pantelic has announced members of this Association will too attend the protest.

Union of Serb Associations from Slovenia supports preservation of RS

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Support from Ljubljana’ by D. M. – The Union of Serb Associations from Slovenia fully supports RS authorities, parties and NGOs in their efforts to preserve RS as constitutional element in frame of BiH.

Humphreys: No admission to Europe without police reform

 

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash “Humphreys: Conditions are clearly set, pg 5 ‘No admission to Europe without police reform’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to DA, Michael Humphreys, Head of EC delegation to BiH, says that in spite of uncertainty tailing police reform talks, he is an optimist that BiH may get a “a green light” and enter a new phase of relations on stabilization and admission to EU. He stresses several times in an interview that local authorities have achieved an extraordinary progress in reform implementation process. On police reform, he reiterates if there is no agreement on this issue, BiH will not be able to move on the path towards EU. He notes: “Conditions are clearly set: state level, professionally structured regions and no political interference in police work. Agreement at Vlasic is very important, which now needs to be upheld at the same principles it was agreed, i.e. implemented before Parliaments.” He hopes SDS would recognize Vlasic agreement as the sole solution moving BiH ahead. He notes EC finds PBS Law currently before BiH Parliament as acceptable. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 Inset ‘Humphreys: First police reform, then a positive response of EU’, Glas srpske pg 2 ‘No postponement’ by N. Z. also carry a statement of Head of EC Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys.

BiH’s Topcagic on EC delegation visit to BiH on May 19: Police reform and public RTV system pre-requisites that have not been met yet

 

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Police reform and public RTV system pre-requisites that have not been met yet’ by M. Kavaz-Sirucic – The EC delegation will visit BiH on May 19 in order to judge readiness of BiH to start negotiations on stabilization and accession to the EU. Oslob. also says that a consultative-working group will discuss progress achieved when meeting of 16 pre-requisites from the Feasibility Study is in question. Director of the Agency for European Integration BiH Osman Topcagic stated: ‘The main issues that should be still resolved are the ones from the letter sent by EU Commissioner of EU Enlargement Oli Rehn, while our side suggested the talk on security in BiH in 2004 within the context of improving the visa regime. We shall also talk about the program of activities for realization of the European partnership and prerequisites from the Feasibility Study that have not been met yet.’ 

London Guardian announces EC officials visit to BiH this week

 

RHB, Pink, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Brakes to integrations’, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘BiH is the only country in the Balkans that has not get green light from EU’, FENA – The European Commission will visit BiH this week to see if the country is ready for talks about membership of the European Union, The Guardian wrote on Monday. The Commission will review the country’s progress in meeting a set of 16 requirements spelled out in its feasibility study. A positive assessment would likely lead to a decision next month by the EU to open stabilisation and association agreement talks, seen as a first step towards eventual membership. Bosnia is the only country in the Balkans that has not yet been given the go-ahead on the road to EU accession, The Guardian writes.

 

Political Developments

HDZ-organized discussion on constitutional changes in BiH ends in Mostar without concrete conclusions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RHB, BHT, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘BiH with three or more federal units’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘BiH with two entities has no future’, FENA  – A starting point of Monday’s discussion on the “Constitutional Organization of BiH” , which was held in Mostar in organization of the BiH Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), is a decentralized BiH, composed of three authority levels: state, municipal and regional/central, and the central would be composed of three or more federal units, said Chairman of HDZ , Barisa Colak. HDZ has not defined as to how the federal units will be called: cantons, regions of entities. It has also not been defined if there would be exactly three units, but rather at least three. As Colak said, all parties with Croatian prefix are invited to the discussion, as well as representatives of political, cultural and scientific life of BiH. “The aim of this meeting is to hear views of other parties with Croatian prefix on constitutional organization of BiH so that we would incorporate a part of their views in the platform and finally come to a joint platform with the basic guideline of equality for all three constituent peoples in BiH and to a solution which would lead to stability of the state”, Colak pointed out. According to Colak, HDZ does not see BiH in future as the state with two entities. Colak earlier said that, when a complete HDZ platform for constitutional changes is drafted, it will be offered to the partners in power without whom, as he said, solution for BiH cannot be achieved.

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘To strengthen local self-governance’, FENA – Although invited, the representatives of the New Croatian Initiative (NHI), the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) and the Croatian Party of Right (HSP) Djapic – dr. Jurisic failed to appear at the meeting.  The talks lasted for more than three hours, and upon their completion the HDZ president, Barisa Colak, addressed the journalists saying that “no special conclusions have been made”.

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Opposition parties boycotted the discussion’ by V. Coric, Glas srpske pg 2 ‘The solution is – federation’ by Fena also covered the issue.

Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Cantonization or three republics’, by Ivica Glibusic – Inset entitled ‘Distribution of important offices’ reports that one could hear during the discussion that efforts need to be made in order to achieve either of two models – cantonization of whole of BiH into 12 cantons or a model with three republics (within BiH) and strengthening of municipalities. It was also proposed, when it comes to the most important offices, that there should be one president, not a rotating presidency. Also, when it comes to distribution of the most important offices, in case a Croat is the President (of BiH), the Speaker of the BiH Parliament and BiH Prime Minister should be a Serb and a Bosniak in order to have proper national balance.

Vecernji List, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Croat NO to unitarianism and centralism’, by Miso Relota – Notes that participants of the meeting agreed that the Dayton Peace Accord ended the war, however the unjust building of peace deprived the Croats of their constituent status, therefore the future constitutional arrangements should provide equality to the Croats.

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 12, mentioned on front ‘Discussion without participants’, by and back pg ‘Croat parties must bring closer their positions’, Z. Zekic – Notes that representatives of most important Croat opposition parties, NHI, HSS and HSP (Djapic-Jurisic) did not attend the meeting.

Candidates for HDZ President include Colak, Covic, Ljubic and Madunic

Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘4 candidates for HDZ President’ by V.Z. – HDZ spokesperson Pero Pavlovic confirmed that current HDZ President Barisa Colak, HDZ Vice President Dragan Covic, Bozo Ljubic and representative in the Federation of BiH Parliament Ivan Madunic are, for the time being, the only candidates for the position of the HDZ President, that should be elected at the HDZ Convention on June 4.

VL analysis: HDZ most responsible for failure of Croat projects in BiH

 

Vecernji List, pgs 4-5 ‘Failure of Croat projects’, not signed – Carries an analysis of the work of the Croat political scene in BiH, with the focus on failure of the Croat parties to realize projects that are of importance to the BiH Croats. The author argues that the Croat projects mostly failed because of incompetence of the Croat political leadership, saying it is the HDZ that is the most responsible for the situation.

Co E Summit opens in Polish capital

 

RHB, Pink, BHT, FTV – Summit of State and Government Chiefs from 46 states, members of Council of Europe, has started in Warszawa. Participants should agree on the issue of division between different international and inter-governments organizations in Europe. BiH Presidency President, Borislav Paravac, who leads BiH Delegation, is going to address the participants on Tuesday. He is going to sign Conventions on ban of terrorism, human trafficking and money laundry. Sarajevo dailies also covered the event.

Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Reducing of HR’s powers was talked about by NINA – Chairman of the BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac attends the 3rdCouncil of Europe Summit in Warsaw and during this summit Paravac met with the Venice Commission Secretary GianniBuquicchio. DL says that the two of them talked about a recently published opinion on the constitutional situation and powers of the High Representative in BiH.

Barisa Colak on SIPA Director appointment: Mladen Ivanic must respect the agreement

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Mladen Ivanic must respect the agreement’, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Obstruction in work of Council of Ministers’, by Ivica Glibusic – Carry the BiH Security Minister, Barisa Colak, who is dissatisfied with obstruction by BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, who does not want to see Dragan Lukac as the new director of SIPA. Colak says it was high time that all ministers in the BiH CoM acted responsibly because of importance of SIPA, adding that Ivanic must realize that the political agreement reached earlier (that includes appointment of SIPA director) must be observed.

SD on SIPA director appointment: British insist on Novic

 

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 12, mentioned on front ‘British insist on Novic heading the secret service’, by Zlatko Tulic – Carries an article dedicated to the issue of appointment of director of SIPA in which the author says that due to the failure to appoint the director, the situation could result in the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, using his mandate and prolonging the mandate to Sredoje Novic. SD goes on to say that it is no secret that HR Ashdown and his people from the OHR are constantly pressuring party leaders and members of the BiH Council of Ministers, asking them to support Novic’s candidacy. In that context, SD says it is Mladen Ivanic who is Ashdown’s “man for obstructions”, and the daily concludes that with appointment of Novic, British secret services would have at their disposal all the information the Serbs have, and on top of this, SD claims Novic has already transferred to Belgrade many documents that speak about crimes committed against non-Serbs in BiH.

BiH Deputy Minister of Security Mektic: Mandate of SBS officials expired

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Mandate of SBS officials has expired’ by R. C. – Deputy BiH Minister of Security Dragan Mektic has confirmed the mandate of SBS officials expired Monday and said their mandate will be extended until new officials are appointed.

Andric (MP, HDZ) on public RTV service

 

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘Giving up Croat TV program would be betrayal’ by P. Milos – On the eve of the BiH House of Representatives’ session, that is to take place on Tuesday (today) during which, among other things, a proposal of the law on public RTV system should be discussed, SD carries an interview with an HDZ MP in the BiH HoR, Filip Andric. Commenting on the adopted SBiH amendment according to which there should be 3 RTV centers (in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar), Andric says that this is actually an OHR amendment, while the story about 3 RTV centers is deluding of the public. He added: “It does not matter where the program is broadcast from, but what is broadcast and how. We agree to have RTV centers as well, but in a way that there are both the RTV in Bosniak and RTV in Croatian language at the Federation of BiH level.’

DL interview with Elvir Jahic (SDA): SDA leaders should be more accessible to SDA junior officials

Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Tihic is unavailable to party cadres’, by Nermin Bise – Carries an interview with Elmir Jahic, who is one of two candidates (other is Sulejman Tihic) to become a new SDA president. Jahic notes that leaders of SDA, including Tihic, should be more accessible to SDA officials at junior levels. Asked whether he believed that the RS would be abolished, Jahic says: “I see BiH state as a state of multi-ethnic regions, which will be formed on basis of economic, geographic, traffic and other criteria”.

DL: Tihic to step down as SDA president?

 

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Izetbegovic’s testament’, by Nermin Bise – The author analyses the situation within the SDA prior to the forthcoming SDA congress, saying that the current SDA president, Sulejman Tihic, became the president because it was the last wish of the late Alija Izetbegovic. The author also notes that it would appear, as the time goes on, that Tihic’s faction is weakening, whilst another faction, which includes Adnan Terzic, Bakir Izetbegovic, Ahmet Hadzipasic, Hasan Cengic and Elmir Jahic is currently stronger than Tihic’s camp, which could result in Tihic not getting re-elected.

Demands of Club of Bosniaks forwarded to RS Constitutional Court

 

RHB, Pink, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Two issues to Council’ by M.Dz., Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Demands of Club of Bosniaks forwarded to RS Constitutional Court’ by S. Gojkovic – Joint Commission of RS National Assembly and RS Council of Peoples has not agreed on RS NA declaration on RS’ strategic aims regarding BiH defense system, since Bosniak Caucus within the RS Council of Peoples has started issue of vital national interest. RS Constitutional Court will bring the final decision regarding the issue. Dusan Stojicic, RS NA Speaker and Commission Chair, stated that the agreement has not been reached since Bosniak Club at RS Council of Peoples was insisting on amendments, which SDA Caucus proposed at RS Parliament. According to the amendments, 50 % of war damage compensation is allowed to be asked for municipalities and towns. Stojicic finds this proposal unacceptable. There has been no agreement reached either regarding law on amendments to law on executive procedure. Hence, the law will be passed to RS Constitutional Court, which will reach the final verdict within a month. According to Ramiz Salkic, Head of Bosniak Caucus, the Caucus has given up on its claim regarding VNI protection on RS NA conclusions on defense reform, since “it is now clear that entity defense ministries will be abolished.”

 

War Crimes

Simsic war crime case transferred to be processed by BiH Court

 

BHT, Hayat, FTV, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Boban Simsic case handed over to BiH Prosecution’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Boban Simsic case taken over’ by ra, Oslobodjenje pg 2 – Court of BiH’s War Crimes Chamber has issued a decision about transferring the Boban Simsic case to this Court for further processing. Simsic is indicted for war crimes committed against civilians in Visegrad. The case has been referred to the BiH Prosecutor’s Office, in order to continue its investigation.

SCG’s Ljajic says Mladic expected to be in The Hague by July 11

 

BHT, RTRS, Dnevni List pg 23 ‘The Hague expects Ratko Mladic by July 11’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 18 ‘The Hague expects to get indictee Ratko Mladic by July 11’ by H, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘The Hague expects to get indictee Ratko Mladic by July 11’ by H, Oslobodjenje pg 2 – Serbia-Montenegro Chair of the National Council for Cooperation with ICTY Rasim Ljajic stated that Ratko Mladic in expected in the Hague by July 11, the day of the anniversary of the war crimes committed in Srebrenica. Ljajic said that the Belgrade authorities are facing a period of intensive actions and check-ups, which should confirm whether or not Mladic is on Serbia-Montenegro’s soil.

British Ambassador Rycroft visits Srebrenica

 

BHT, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Rycroft: those responsible for crimes must face justice’ by Srna, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Support from Britain’ by K. C. – British Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft said that Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic must be transferred to the ICTY. During his visit to Srebrenica on Monday, Rycroft said that Great Britain would help organization of events that will mark the anniversary of the war crimes committed in Srebrenica on July 11. Sarajevo dailies (Oslobodjenje pg 3, Avaz pg 12) also covered the visit.

 

Legal Proceedings/Incidents/Terrorism

RS Defence Minister Stankovic announces additional investigation into Manjaca/Bileca incidents

 

 

 

 

 

 

RHB, BHT, Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Additional analysis and measures against those responsible’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Stankovic announces additional analysis of oath-taking incident’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘I have not heard the removal of Djukic was asked for’ by D. R., FENA – RS Defence Minister Milovan Stankovic announced in Banja Luka on Monday that incidents during military induction ceremonies at Manjaca and Bileca would be further investigated and that additional measures would be taken against those responsible. He said that he was not able to confirm whether this would be completed until May 24, a deadline set by OHR, NATO and EUFOR. Stankovic told journalists that additional investigations were being underway even before the latest joint warning of international representatives in BiH. “If we establish that that even more people were involved (in the incidents) we shall take specific additional measures”, Stankovic said.

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘State institutions should conclude Manjaca/Bileca case’, FENA – RS National Assembly Speaker Dusan Stojicic thinks that relevant BiH institutions need to “put an end” to the entire issue (of Manjaca and Bileca incidents). “There is no reason for this story to go on because it brings into question the credibility of institutions and their work”, he added.

Oslobodjenje: Prosecutors gave up on investigation against Matijasevic

 

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Prosecutors gave up investigation against Matijasevic’ by A.O. – According to a source close to the BiH Prosecution, the BiH Prosecution gave up the investigation against RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic after they checked the State Border Service report on the conflict which took place between border-guards and policemen in mid January. RS President Dragan Cavic stated last weekend that the prosecutors launched an investigation against Matijasevic because of the incident, which took place at the Banja Luka airport during the transfer of ICTY indictee Savo Todovic to The Hague. Cavic also said that Matijasevic might get from 3 to 5 years in prison because of this incident. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘BiH Prosecution ended investigation against Matijasevic’ by A. Sisic aalso covered the issue.

Trebinje Court reached verdict in case of “SB Soft” vs. RS Elektroprivreda

 

Pink, RTRS, Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Electricity falling in darkness?’ by E. G. S., Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘RS Elektroprivreda should pay 53,8 million KM’ by V. Duka – Basic Court in Trebinje reached a verdict in case of the Belgrade company “SB Soft” vs. RS Elektroprivreda approximately 53,8 million KM worth for illegal using of software. If the verdict is to be confirmed by the District Court, there is possibility for the largest RS company to face bankruptcy. “SB Soft” claims that their aim was to get their money paid, not to destroy Elektroprivreda. Elektroprivreda has said for several times that the request of the Belgrade company had no background.

Vlasenica account still blocked

 

Pink, RTRS, EuroBlic pg RS3, announced on cover ‘Stupar: we will hand over the key of the town to the Government’ by Tijana Veselinovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Government’s 25,000 KM are not enough for verdicts’ by V. Popovic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘The Government has promised crumbs’ by G. Dakic – Head of Vlasenica municipality, Dragomir Stupar asked all relevant RS institutions to help this municipality, since its account has been blocked due to a court verdict on war damage reparations. Stupar pointed out that the issue should be solved through a legislative initiative, since several other RS municipalities could face the same situation. The account has been blocked on December 31, 2004, on the basis of 5 executive court verdicts regarding war damages. Even though Vlasenica representatives have addressed to RS National Assembly, RS Government and Ministries in charge, there has been no concrete assistance offered. In a press statement, Mayor Dragomir Stupar said that 25.000 KM, which RS Government planned to give to the municipality, was insufficient, since the municipality had to pay almost 310.000 KM.

Expert on terrorism Trifunovic: Two former members of BiH Army took part in destroying of TwinTowers

 

Vecernji List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Twins were destroyed by two members of BiH Army too?’, by Branka Stevandic – According to “an expert for terrorism and international law”, Darko Trifunovic, “members of the Al Qaeda terrorist network, who fought alongside the BiH Army during the recent war in BiH, Naval al Hazmi and Kalid al Mihdar, died during the carrying out of terrorist attacks on New York on September 11”. He also says that there are several thousands of such terrorists in BiH and Europe, who are prepared to carry out new attacks at any given moment. Trifunovic is convinced that the terrorists would not carry out attacks in BiH because BiH is “ideal for their training”. Finally, Trifunovic says there are firm indications on involvement of terrorist structures from BiH in the Madrid attacks from March 11, 2004.

 

Economic/Social Issues

Grahovac: Management of “Energopetrol” F BiH Govt. with extortion’

 

 

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Management of “Energopetrol” has faced F BiH Government with extortion’, announced on cover ‘Somebody has played the game against our state a long time ago’ by M.Kukan – In an interview to DA, Gavrilo Grahovac, F BiH Parliament Deputy Speaker, says that upcapitalisation of “Energopterol” should not result in any sort of rift at F BiH Government, “unless somebody is identifying its interests with the interests of some firms or those firms with their ethnic interest”. He adds: “Government has been now faced with extortion, i.e. situation to decide during over-time” he is of the view the management of the firm is mostly responsible for the current situation at this firm. He is convinced there is a solution for “Energopterol”, noting “it is now needless to speak about better solution.”

First meeting of representatives of Government and Consortium MOL-INA today’

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘First meeting of representatives of Government and Consortium MOL-INA today’ by M.K. – The daily learns that the first meeting of representatives of Government and MOL-INA (Hungaro-Croatia Consortium) will take place at the building of F BiH Government today. The Commission in charge of selection of strategic partner and Ahmet Hadzipasic, F BiH Premier, ad his deputy, Dragan Vrankic, will be leading the meeting.

BiH Central Bank Governor: Convertible mark is stable

 

Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘No danger to stability of convertible mark’, by D. Kozina – Commenting on a statement by the director of World Bank in BiH, Dirk Reinermann, that the stability of the convertible mark in BiH is endangered because of big difference between the import and export in BiH, the Governor of BiH Central Bank, Kemal Kozaric, says the issue is indeed a problem, stressing that it does not represent a danger to the stability of the BiH currency. Sarajevo dailies also carried the statement.