| CROAT RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Anniversary of EP HZHB | Positive respond from EC | FBiH Govt. with miners | RS pensions/salaries |
| OHR on RS salaries again | RS pensions/ salaries | RS/IMF talks | Mikerevicin Trebinje |
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| EU on elections in Serbia | USAID program | New generation of recruits |
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| Al Qaida threatens Tokio | EU urges about VAT |
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| Oslobodjenje | Crime with visas organised in BiH Foreign Ministry |
| Dnevni Avaz | BiH European yes for BiH |
| Dnevni List | “Decision on construction of hydro-electric power plant Mostarsko Blato passed”; “Pensions and salaries under IMF competence” |
| Vecernji List | “Construction of hydro-electric power pant Mostarsko Blato begins”; “HVIDRA demands honorary guard at Mate Boban’s grave as well” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | “Special Police members got into fight!”; “SDA divides Mostar and state” |
| Glas Srpske | Lozo family from Vrapcici near Mostar in search for justice: A book for confiscations |
| Nezavisne Novine | Branko Krsmanovic: IMF giving in to demands of the Republika Srpska Government; Oleg Milisic: Lagumdzija was a victim of a faction within FOSS; Update to processing of persons from US “black list”: BiH Prosecutor’s Office has no evidence on aiding war crime suspects; Muhamed Ibrahimovic: BiH Parliament to consider suggestions of the Hague Tribunal |
| Blic | The Government delivered financial plan to IMF: 20% increase of salaries, 6% increase of pensions |
Political developments | |
| Big European yes for BiH
| Dnevni Avaz front page, pg. 2 ‘Big European yes for BiH’ – BiH has qualified with certain conditions to start process of Stabilisation and Association with European Union. This is a response to be announce in Brussels today and additionally explain afterwards in Sarajevo. Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Extraordinary BiH’s success’ – The OHR did not want to speculate about possible EC response to the feasibility study on BiH. The Chief OHR Spokesman Julian Braithwaite however said that, if the response is positive, “that would be an extraordinary success of BiH, which was only eight years ago experiencing the worst armed conflict in Europe since the second world war.” BHTV also announced positive but conditional EU response to BiH’s chances to start Stabilisation and Association process. Dnevni List (page 5, “Positive response regarding Feasibility study is expected”, by Fena) – the Director of BiH Direction for European Integration, Osman Topcagic, stated that he expected a positive response from the European Commission regarding the Feasibility Study on BiH that is to assess BiH capabilities in joining the Agreement on Stabilisation and Accession. |
| Terzic BiH process of accession to EU | BHTV – Chairman of CoM Terzic commented BiH chances to start negotiations on Stabilisation and Association agreement. Terzic said: “It is still to early to comment because we need to wait until EU makes final decision, but I expect positive answer on our feasibility study…we are going to make expert teams for negotiations for all areas…we may expect also additional conditions from the EU and we shall put a lot of energy to meet those requirements…I expect BiH will complete the negotiations till end of 2004 and sign agreement with 25 member states afterwards…EC is satisfied with a pace of reforms which were implemented within 180 days together with entities’ governments. Planned reforms for September were fully implemented, while those for October are completed in 80% and they continue in November.” Terzic told Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 that the new EC requirements towards BiH would include restructuring of the police forces and social/health-care system. The need to continue with started reforms in the sectors of defence, security/intelligence, public broadcasting system, customs and taxes will also be emphasised, according to Terzic. |
| Mostar restructuring | Vecernji List (page 2, “Hypocrisy and indecisiveness”, by Zoran Kresic) – notes that the referendum in Mostar’s Municipality North and the announcement of “declaration of citizens” in the Municipality Southeast are the strongest attacks on the Mostar Commission which has to come up with a recipe to abolish the municipalities and unify the city. In that context, VL claims the SDA showed to be the most destructive force in Mostar, preparing itself for a possible trade that could eventually take place “because the Commission will most likely not reach a joint statute”. VL also speculates that the SDA will during today’s talks at the highest level with the HDZ ask for concessions in Mostar and in turn it would give concession regarding the situation in the Government of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Noting that the SDA, under the leadership of Safet Orucevic, had advocated abolishment of all borders in Mostar, earning a lot of points with the IC in the process, VL wonders why the High Representative for BiH is tolerating “political excesses of the SDA, allowing them to undermine efforts of the Mostar Commission, which the British diplomat established”. Slobodna Dalmacija (page 19, “With division of Mostar, SDA divides the state too”, by Bruno Juric) – notes although the referendum question was about maintaining of the status of the municipality, in reality it was about the SDA showing its genuine position regarding the future organizational set-up in Mostar. “In a nutshell, this is a big ‘no’ to single Mostar”, says the author. SD goes on to say that the IC still treats Mostar as a model for whole of BiH, which is no wonder why many people claim that the future set-up of BiH depends on the solution for Mostar. “If it is to judge by the behaviour of the SDA, SDP and other Bosniak political parties on the Mostar example, then BiH will be divided. As always, the ball is in the OHR’s court. Commission for Mostar restructuring, which was established by the very Office, as the things look right now, does not have a chance to reach a common proposal for future outlook of Mostar. By organization of the referendum, these political forces only wanted to show it, manipulating with its people”, concludes the author. Dnevni List (page 15, “Results of referendum will not influence work of Commission”, by D. K.) – carries a statement by the spokesperson of the OHR South, Avis Benes, regarding the referendum in Mostar’s Municipality North, saying the referendum will not influence the work of the Commission that is working on the issue of Mostar restructuring. “OHR believes that the referendum such as this that has been boycotted by one of the constituent people, is not a good basis for decision-making. Nor can the interests of any municipality be put ahead of the interests of all the citizens of Mostar. The referendum will therefore not affect the work of the Mostar Commission, which is considering a comprehensive solution for the unification of the city”, said Benes. Dnevni List (page 7, “Obstruction of obligations from protocol”, unsigned), Oslobodjenje pg. 6 ‘Ethnic prejudices strengthen in Mostar’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 12, FENA – carries an open letter that the President of SDU, Miro Lazovic, sent to the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, warning the HR of the overall atmosphere surrounding the work of the (Mostar) Commission. The letter notes “it is an obvious fact that certain parties, whose representatives participate in the Commission for Mostar restructuring, are obstructing obligations determined in the protocol that they would in a constructive and responsible manner participate in the work of the Commission”. Lazovic notes that the atmosphere, which is being created deliberately, is creating psychological barriers and pressures on the Mostar Commission, whilst ethnic prejudices are gaining strength in Mostar. “Everything that is happening in Mostar, whose final solution should be the model for integration processes in whole of BiH, will surely reflect on further reforms to the constitutional-legal system in BiH”, reads Lazovic’s letter. Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘Fatima Leho: Bosniaks in Mostar are sick of experimental and special solutions’ – In an interview with the newspaper, Fatima Leho, the President of SDA Mostar City Board and a member of the Commission for Mostar Statute said that the provisional Mostar statute should not be changed but amended/completed in accordance to the Daytona dn constitutional principles. Asked to comment on the referendum in the Mostar Municipality North, Leho says: “The results of the referendum show the stand of the people towards the existence of the city Municipalities.” Asked whether she expects that the International Community will impose the solution for Mostar if the Commission does not reach the agreement, Leho says: “There is no legal ground for imposing of the solution, because this is about the Dayton and constitutional principles. SDA did not sign the statement that the OHR demanded from all members of the Commission until the political consensus on the decision-making in the work of the Commission was not promised by the OHR to us in public, at the press conference. Chairman of the Commission stated that he is a mediator and not an arbitrator.” Vecernji List (page 2, “HKDU on referendum”, by fvu) – the Cantonal Council of HKDU (Croat Christian Democratic Union) of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton issued a press released regarding the referendum in Mostar’s Municipality North. “Croats did not respond to the referendum, which leads to a conclusion that almost every Bosniak from the Municipality North turned out and voted against a single City of Mostar”, reads the press release. |
| Oslobodjenje: Crime with visas organised in BiH Foreign Ministry | Oslobodjenje front page, pgs. 4-5 ‘Crime with visas organised in BiH Foreign Ministry’ – The officer in the consular sector of the BiH Foreign Ministry, Goran Tomic, has provided al least 26 Schengen and Swiss visas for the persons from RS on the basis of forged RS authorities’ orders. The forged orders however have not been made in RS but in the BiH Foreign Ministry headquarters in Sarajevo, learns the newspaper from the sources close to the Ministry. |
| VL: “Great Britain to head European forces in BiH” | Vecernji List (page 2, by Fena) carries that during the meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, that is taking place in Brussels, British Minister of Defense Geoff Hoon stated that in 2004 Great Britain is ready to take over command over European forces in BiH, that would replace NATO. Hoon added: “Great Britain will be ready to command such operation as soon as all conditions are met and as soon as a certain number of operations remains.” Dnevni List (front and page 3, “Great Britain at head of European forces in BiH”, not signed), Dnevni Avaz pg. 2, Oslobodjenje back page also covered this statement. |
| HSS Croatia pre-election campaign; possible merging of HSS BiH and NHI | Vecernji List (front page, “Tomcic: Croats must have rights like the others”, and page 5, “Biggest rights to people smallest in number”, by D. Ja.) – the President of HSS Croatia *Croatian Peasants’ Party), Zlatko Tomcic, was in Sarajevo yesterday during the presentation of the HSS list for Diaspora for the coming parliamentary elections in Croatia. Welcoming the announcement of President of NHI, Kresimir Zubak, on possible merging of HSS BiH and NHI, Tomcic stated: “I support further cooperation between HSS and NHI. It is not good that this small national corpus in BiH is divided in so many parties. For this reason it is necessary to reach unity.” Tomcic also believes it is necessary to respect legality of democratic relations according to which the people who are the smallest in a number should be offered the most. VL says that although Tomcic was avoiding questions about internal relations in BiH, he stated that the complicated state organization was the main reason for slow pace of the economic recovery in BiH. (Dnevni List, page 7, “Each instability in BiH reflects on Croatia”, by E. Mackic), Sarajevo media also covered the issue. DL (page 7, “Merging of HSS and NHI announced”, not signed) – a Vice President of NHI, Ivo Zivkovic, announced merging of NHI and HSS in one party. He did not state the name of the future party, however, Fena learns from sources close to the NHI that the name of the new party might be HSS/NHI BiH at first and then it would be only HSS BiH. |
Economic/social issues | |
| RS sends action plan for increasing salaries, pensions to IMF
| BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘IMF giving in to demands of the Republika Srpska Government’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 8 ‘Krsmanovic: We do not give up on salaries, pensions increase’, Blic p 13 ‘Verification of plan’, ONASA – The Republika Srpska (RS) Government delivered on Monday the action plan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), pursuant to which it is possible to pay increased salaries and pensions without endangering the arrangements with the international finance institutions, RS Finance Minister Branko Krsmanovic said. Krsmanovic said that the action plan with additional documents will be sent from Sarajevo to IMF in Washington. He stressed that positive progresses and improvement of the fiscal policy have been made in the RS, since the revenues in the budget are increased and expenditures are reduced. According to Krsmanovic, the RS government will continue the negotiations with the IMF. He said that the main objection of the international finance institutions is related to respecting of signed documents on the economic and fiscal policies. Krsmanovic said that the RS government has also created the strategy for settling of old debts of several billions, on which the RS National Assembly will declare itself. “The IMF believes that the strategy should be adopted and announced, that the schedule of certain re-payments should be known and then the increase of salaries and pensions could be reconsidered,” Krsmanovic said. The RS government believes that this would not endanger the strategy or the additional memorandum. |
| RS Prime Minister’s spokesman on talks with IMF | FENA – Talks on boosting of salaries and pensions in the RS between representatives of the RS Government and international financial institutions are in the final phase and are developing positively in regard to Government’s positions, the spokesperson of RS Prime Minister, Goran Radivojac, told the news agency. “For now the talks are developing positively for the RS and budget beneficiaries, who are expecting increase of salaries”, claims Radivojac. Further, he confirmed that the RS Government maintains the position that these increases would not jeopardise the stand-by arrangement with the IMF, adding that the particular entity budgetary funds in the amount of 28 million KM can be used for the mentioned purposes. |
| OHR warns RS again not to raise minimum wage, pensions | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, Dnevni List front and page 2, “Pensions and salaries under IMF competence”, Nezavisne Novine pg. 3, Oslobodjenje pg. 2 ‘Not a single mark without an IMF consent’, FENA – The Office of the High Representative (OHR) on Monday reiterated that the RS’ proposals to raise the minimum wage and pensions must be in line with BiH’s international obligations. The RS must not try to implement its previous proposals until the International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirms which one of them, if any, is in line with the international obligations, OHR spokesman Oleg Milisic told Fena when asked to comment on the RS government’s negotiations with international financial institutions on the mentioned proposals. We see this as a World Bank, IMF and the RS government issue, Milisic added. |
| SDS, PDP, SNS back government decision to increase wages, pensions | RTRS, Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Agreement guards the house’; Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘SDS supports the Republika Srpska Government ’, Blic p 13 ‘SDS: Support needed for reforms’, ONASA – The Serb Democratic Party (SDS) backs the decision of the RS government to increase wages and pensions and thinks the government will defend by economic arguments its position in negotiations with international financial institutions. “The goal is not to hamper the stand-by arrangement, as some comment, because we need assistance of the international community and its financial institutions. The party thinks the government has arguments and ways to achieve its decision,” SDS’s spokesman Dusan Stojicic said on Monday. He told a press conference the party will resume with constructive approach to all reforms in RS and BiH. “We are aware that the implementation of reforms has no alternative. It’s an opportunity to strengthen RS inside and resolve political and economic problems.” Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Raise is legal’; Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Political instability without pay raise’ – According to press release yesterday issued by PDP, this party is of the view that Republika Srpska and BiH would encounter with political instability, unless international organisations supported the request for salary and pension increase. Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘No giving in’ – According to press release yesterday issued by SNS, this party said it would demand resignation of the Republika Srpska Government if it gave in to demands of international community and failed to increase salaries and pensions. SNS assessed that the goals of international community in BiH is to create a colonial relations and sell all natural resources and profitable firms at lowest price possible to foreign firms of suspicious origin. |
| GS on RS/IMF talks | Glas Srpske, cover and pg. 5, ‘Everyone is satisfied’ – GS writes in general about the ongoing talks between IMF and the Republika Srpska Government on salary and pension increase. It actually brings three eventual outcomes of these talks (see yesterday’s Preview, GS cover page story) and concludes that if talks failed and the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, removed RS Prime Minister, Dragan Mikerevic, from position, the question is who would dare to sit in premiers’ office, if wide-spreading problems of social nature are visible. GS also carries an inset with statement by Branko Krsmanovic, Republika Srpska Finance Minister. See NN cover page stories. |
| Kukic comments on salaries and pensions in RS | Dnevni List (page 6, “John No Land”, by Slavo Kukic) – the author notes that the public has in past few days been overwhelmed with skirmishes between the Republika Srpska PM, Dragan Mikerevic, and the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown. “The former would like to, at all cost, increase the pensions and lowest wages in the entity he is at the helm of. The latter, for the time being successfully, is countering him with a thesis that it would represent a deathblow, not only to the RS but also to the State as a whole. If Mikerevic succeeds, that would be a re-run of a scenario from the times of former Yugoslavia. Who needs it? What’s the point of it? Stabilisation or definitive destruction?”, says Kukic. |
| EC urges BiH parliament to adopt the law on indirect taxation system | FTV, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘Adopt Law on Indirect Taxation ASAP’, Oslobodjenje pg. 9, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2, Dnevni List page 4, “Support amounting to 15 million Euros on hold”, FENA – The European Commission Delegation urges the representatives in the BiH Parliamentary Assembly to swiftly adopt the Law on the Indirect Taxation System, the EC Delegation in BiH said on Monday. “By passing this Law you will clearly indicate the readiness of all parliamentary parties in BiH to support the reformatory course on the path towards the EU,” the Delegation said. “This signal is especially important in the moment when the EC is issuing estimation on BiH’s preparedness to commence negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA),” EC added. Moreover, the European Commission is prepared to support reform of the indirect taxation sector with approx. 15 million Euros through CAFAO’s project of supporting the Indirect Taxation Authority, the release concludes. |
| RS PM Mikerevic visits RS Elektroprivreda headquarters in Trebinje | RTRS, Dnevni List page 10, “Mikerevic announces decrease of prices of electricity”, by Nebojsa Kolak, Nezavisne Novine pg. 2 ‘Possible electricity price cut shortly’; Glas Srpske pg. 2 ‘Market is the best judge’, Blic p 12 ‘Better days for economy’ – the Republika Srpska Prime Minister, Dragan Mikerevic, was in Trebinje yesterday, paying a working visit to the Elektroprivreda of RS, hydro power-plants and the Trebinje Tool Factory. PM Mikerevic noted that the RS, with the current prices of electricity and international (phone) calls, was not attractive to foreign investors, saying it was up to the RS Government to provide pre-requisites to attract foreign investments. Regarding the ongoing talks on salaries and pensions between the RS authorities and the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, Mikerevic says the talks are at halt at the moment, however Mikerevic expects new developments on either Wednesday or Thursday. PM Mikerevic also announced opening of the Ivanjica border crossing soon. |
| Property repossession problems in Mostar | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘A book for confiscations’ – Slobodan Lozo and his father Andjelko , who have been living in Bileca for 11 years already, have never dreamt that their property reinstatement in Vrapcici near Mostar would turn into a nightmare. Namely, they owned a house and 12 thousand square metres in this settlement. However, Municipal authorities altered the cadastre records and confiscated his property. He was left with only 427 square metres around his house. The problem arose after the mosque was built on his private property. Before that, many houses also were built on his land. Lozo presumes that real-estate records were changed at the time when Amira Nozic who was removed from the position by OHR, was Head of Real Estate Affairs. He claims there are two real-estate books – yellow one, which is older and original, and green one, which is of recent production. |
| Pejic/Srpske Poste affair | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Pejic damaged Grading for million BAM’ – The owner of “Grading” firm, Grujo Todorovic, has confirmed that firm “Grading” from Mrkonjic Grad yesterday handed a complaint to Srpske Poste Steering Board, following decision of the Director of Srpske Poste, Milutin Pejic, to allocate the construction of apartment building in Banjaluka to another firm, which has sought more money for this construction work than “Grading”. Todoric claims that in this manner, Pejic has damaged the firm “Grading” form one million BAM. According to NN inset, Milutin Pejic has informed NN that he will submit new information to criminal report he has filed against himself, following “latest speculations on suspicious actions”. |
| RS Geodetic Administration | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6, ‘Geodetic Administration is a hot potato for Parliament’ – At the next session of the Republika Srpska National Assembly , Republika Srpska Socialist Party will seek response as to why no Review Panel has been established to investigate into legal acts at Geodetic Administration of Republika Srpska in the period from 1999 to 8 October 2003. At 9th October session, RS Parliament ordered that such a Panel be established. Opposition claims that ruling parties does not want to investigate into actions performed at this Administration since 199, because such investigations “would be fatal for the current authority”. Igor Radojicic, SNSD delegate and the member of the Parliament Commission for selection and appointment of candidates, is of the view that “Geodetic Administration” affair is a classical attempt to remove SPRS official. (NOTE: Tihomir Gligoric, SPRS and former Director of Geodetic Administration, has been removed from the position in May this year.) Tarik Sadovic, Head of SDA Caucus at RS NA is of the view that RS Parliament should have sought from Bosko Ceko, Republika Srpska Chief Auditor, to perform audit at Geodetic Administration. |
| New Director of Banja Luka Clinical Centre to be appointed soon
| Nezavisne Novine, pg. 11, ‘New Director of Clinical Centre to be appointed soon’ – Ministry of Health and Social Welfare confirmed that the vacancy for the position of the director of Banjaluka Clinical Centre has been announced on Friday. The mandate of the current Acting Director of Banjaluka CC, Dragan Kostic, expires on 3 December, until when the new Director should be appointed. |
War crimes | |
| Commission for establishing truth about Srebrenica to be established soon
| FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg. 4 ‘Srebrenica Commission soon’, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Who is afraid of Srebrenica?’, FENA – The commission for determining the truth on events in Srebrenica in July of 1995 should soon be formed, the spokesperson of RS Prime Minister, Goran Radivojac, said on Monday. Reminding that the Government is obligated to form the commission, Radivojac said that process of appointing of five candidates from the RS in the commission is in the final phase. “The Government wishes the commission to be expert and competent for this task”, said Radivojac, adding that potential candidates are not egger to be appointed in the commission. |
| Retired Croatian General Martin Spegelj says Croatia was an aggressor on BiH | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘Croatia performed aggression against BiH’ – At a rally in Belisce in Slavonia, retired General Martin Spegelj, Former Chief of Staff of Croatian Army (HV), said that during the war, Croatia committed aggression against BiH, when 11 thousand Croatian soldiers were killed. He further said that it is certain that Franjo Tudjman and Slobodan Milosevic wanted to divide Bosnia and Herzegovina. On Hague indictments, he said that they are not political issues, but instead issues to be dealt by judiciary. |
Police/security issues | |
| DL: “Hebib instead of Halilovic at Head of Federation Ministry of Interior?
| Dnevni List (page 3, by De.L.) carries that their source close to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry of Interior confirmed yesterday that wartime Minister of Interior of Republic of BiH Avdo Hebeib will become a new FBiH Minister of Interior instead of current Minister Mevludin Halilovic. DL says that SDA proposed Halilovic to this position and Hebib is also a member of this party. According to the DL source, the biggest shortcomings of Haliovic are interfering of SDA politics in the Cantonal Ministries of Interior in Gorazde, Bihac and Sarajevo, the lack of cooperation with Director of the FBiH Police Administration Zlatko Miletic and the fact that Halilovic does not fit in the SDA cadre’s policy at the time of turmoil within this party. |
| Selection of new Commander of Special Police Unit | Slobodna Dalmacija (page 18, “Special Police members got into fight!”, by A. Martincevic) carries that according to the sources close to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry of Interior Dragan Vikic might become a new Commander of the Special Police Unit with the FBiH MoI. The same source added that this is not certain yet because Vikic has not received the consent from the FBiH Minister of Interior Mevludin Halilovic, although the request on Vikic’s appointment has been at Halilovic’s desk for 20 days already. SD also says that a part of the Special Police Unit is against Vikic’s appointment to this position and they sent messages to Vikic saying that they are not satisfied with his coming. The article goes on to say that the aforementioned unit is divided in interest groups and thus they have got into fight recently. SD wonders whether Halilovic will sign the consent for Vikic’s appointment before he (Halilovic) receives the decision on absolving of duty that FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic should pass. Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Dragan Vikic performs a political duty withing FBiH Interior Ministry’ also covered the issue. |
| Update to US “black list” | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘BiH Prosecutor’s Office has no evidence on aiding war crime suspects’ – A source close to BiH Prosecutor’s Office yesterday confirmed that no evidence on alleged aiding of war crime suspects by persons from BiH on US “black list” has been forwarded to this institution. Barisa Colak, BIH Minister of Security, yesterday said that the ongoing investigations against some of persons from the “black list” are approaching to its end and indictments are to be pressed shortly. He said that more detailed information on this should be forwarded to Prosecutor’s Office. |
| To declassify report on coup d’etat or not | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 5, ‘BiH Parliament to consider suggestions of the Hague Tribunal’ – Chairperson of the House of Representatives of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliament, Muhamed Ibrahimovic, yesterday said that the F BIH Parliament would consider suggestion by the Hague Prosecutor’s Office not to declassify FOSS report on alleged coup d’etat. |
| OHR on so called state coup affair | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 5, ‘Lagumdzija was a victim of a faction within FOSS’ – This is an inset of the above article, where the OHR Spokesperson, Oleg Milisic, said that that Zlatko Lagumdzija may have been the victim of a faction within FOSS, but he did not discount the possibility that others may have been victims of other factions as well. |
| False bomb alarm | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘False alarm on bomb planted in front of UN building’ – The information on alleged bomb planted in front of the UN building in Nedzarici in Sarajevo was actually a false alarm. Cantonal Interior Ministry confirmed that police inspected the grounds and established there had been no bomb. |
Judiciary | |
| Ethnic data on appointment of judges, prosecutors in Bosnia and Hercegovina | Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘The largest number of Serbs among the appointed chief prosecutors’, SRNA – Up until 12 November, 258 judges and prosecutors have been appointed to the BiH courts, of which 49 per cent are Bosniaks, 20 per cent Croats, 28 per cent Serbs and three per cent others, the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH reported on Monday. The report points out that to date 11 court presidents have been appointed, 55 per cent Bosniaks, 36 per cent Croats and nine per cent Serbs. Eight chief prosecutors have been appointed, 62.5 per cent Serbs and 12.5 per cent each of Bosniaks, Croats and others. Eight deputy chief prosecutors have been appointed, 37.5 per cent each of Bosniaks and Croats, 25 per cent Serbs and others 12.5 per cent. It has been planned to appoint nearly 1,000 judges and prosecutors by 31 March next year. |