OHR BiH Media Round-up, 18/11/2005

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

Events marking DPA anniversary

Vukovar, Skabrnja commemorations

APEC session

Talks in Dayton on const. changes

6 killed in car bomb blast in Iraq

Snow on roads

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

McElhaney on constitutional reforms

Three killed in fire

Pre-feasibility study on corridor 5c

Covic on constitutional reforms

Barbaso visits BiH

SAA talks to start next week

Cavic on BIH

CoM appointed Chief Negotiator

International conference in Dayton

SDP on Dayton Agreement

Conference on Corridor Vc

McElhaney on Washington meeting

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

EUFOR soldier died in traffic accident

McElhaney on Washington meeting

3 women killed in fire

CoM appointed Chief Negotiator

International conference in Dayton

Sentence to 3 war crime indictees

RS citizens on CoM

Chief BiH negotiator appointed

10 killed soldiers & civilians identified

Conference on Corridor Vc

SAA talks to start in next 12 days

Media conference in Sarajevo

Oslobodjenje

America stays fully engaged in BiH

Dnevni Avaz

World Bank warned BiH it cannot take more loans

Dnevni List

They tumbled down in 150 metres deep abyss (on car accident of EUFOR soldiers)

Vecernji List

Croatia related headline

Slobodna Dalmacija

Saric: Pekija knocked me out (on incident at football match Zeljeznicar-Sarajevo)

Nezavisne Novine

Negotiations at the end of the month

Glas Srpske

Two days of mourning

EuroBlic

Gradiska sunk in sorrow

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Holbrooke awarded with Dayton Peace Prize

RHB, BH Radio 1 – Political forum marking the 10^th DPA anniversary has continued in Dayton today. Creator of the agreement, Richard Holbrooke, has been given the Dayton Peace Prize. He stated that the key success of the Agreement was ceasing war activities, while the issues which need to be solved are being discussed currently upon initiative from the Washington . 

BiH Intellectuals discuss DPA legacy and possible changes

BH Radio 1 – Conference marking the 10^th DPA anniversary has started also in Sarajevo . The participants of the conference titled ‘BiH before challenge of European future and new political structure’ discuss the possible models to amend the agreement. With the support of the BiH parliamentary assembly, the gathering was organized by the Serb Civic Council, Association of Bosniak Intellectuals, Croatian People’s Council and Association of the Independent Intellectuals ‘Circle 99’.

RHB commentary: New constitutional changes bring cosmetic changes

RHB – RHB carries a commentary about the anniversary of Herceg Bosna in context of the forthcoming talks on constitutional changes that are to be held in the US. The author, Ivica Simunovic, notes that Herceg Bosna helped Croats survive in BiH, however it was the Dayton Peace Accord that tailored their destiny. Regarding the forthcoming talks, Simunovic says ‘the repeat of the show’ will only bring cosmetic constitutional changes.

SAA talks, DPA anniversary and constitutional changes

CoM appoints Igor Davidovic as chief negotiator, forms state delegation

RHB, PINK, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Igor Davidovic appointed chief negotiator’, by Fena, Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘Igor Davidovic is BiH’s chief negotiator with EU’, by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Davidovic is chief negotiator with EU’ by M. C., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Igor Davidovic officially chief negotiator with EU’ by N. B., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Igor Davidovic was appointed’ by Z. D., Dnevni List pg 7 ‘State delegation for negotiations with EU formed’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Igor Davidovic also official negotiator’ by dja  – The BiH Council of Ministers on Thursday appointed Igor Davidovic as the Chief negotiator and formed the State delegation for preparing and conducting the negotiations on a Stabilization and Association Agreement between BiH and the EU. The State delegation comprises CoM Chair Adnan Terzic, Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic, Minister of Security Barisa Colak, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Dragan Doko, Minister of Civil Affairs Safet Halilovic, Minister of Justice Slobodan Kovac, Director of Directorate for European Integration Osman Topcagic, Head of BiH Mission to the EU Lidija Topic and Chief negotiator Davidovic. This Delegation will have a task to ensure fast and efficient negotiating process and all their work has to be presented to the public, which will be the job of Director Topcagic.

Chief of EC Enlargement Directorate Barboso: SAA talks could be opened next week

RHB, Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Speed of negotiations with EU depends on reforms in BiH’, by Srna, Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘Negotiations with BiH start this month’, by A. P. – Director General of the EC Enlargement Directorate Fabrizio Barboso said in Sarajevo on Thursday after talks with BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzic that EC is certain that the SAA talks will start as early as November, much earlier then expected. He also stated that CoM’s decision on appointment of Chief Negotiator in negotiations with the EU is proof that everyone in BIH is dedicated to this process. PINKBy Aida Hsanbegovic– Barbaso added that the goal of this visit is insisting on need of the country to continue reforms. “His statements will in fact ensure no one… thinks I am an unrealistic optimist when I say that in a year, until end of our mandates, we’ll manage to end SAA talks. We are aware of all challenges that we have, but we are also aware that we have clear roadmap who to respond to all these challenges,” said Terzic.  As it was announced, Barbaso will meet with members of BiH Presidency on Friday and with Entities’ Prime Ministers.  BHT 1 by Damir Simic – It is expected that the officials in Brussels will make on Monday a decision on EU platform for those negotiations. “The final speed of the negotiations would depend on the readiness to implement the police reform and the law on Public Broadcasting Service, to fight corruption and to continue the cooperation with the ICTY”, stated Barbasso. The Chief BiH negotiator Igor Davidovic would have to gather a negotiating team as soon as possible, so the members of this team could prepare themselves before the negotiations officially start. “I am very pleased with the fact that the negotiations would start even sooner than we expected. I am sure that the negotiating team would have the support from the BiH Council of Ministers, and also from the other side of the negotiating table”, stated Davidovic. PINK, Hayat, FTV, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘Negotiations at the end of the month’ and pg 2 ‘Negotiations with BiH at the end of the month’ by M. Cubro, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Approval for negotiations next week?’ by D. S., Slobodna Dalmacija pg 6 ‘Negotiations start as early as in November’ by Falso reported.

McElhaney: US expects BiH leaders to reach agreement in US, Karadzic/Mladic must be apprehended; RS authorities to sign statement re ICTY

Hayatby Semsudin Skejic– Addressing the journalists on the topic of the DPA anniversary events to occur in the United States, the U.S. Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney stated that the Brussels meeting has been successful as the BiH leaders talked about constitutional changes necessary to carry out of SAA process. McElhaney added that the U.S official stance is that BiH politicians, after meeting in Washington, would come to the solution that would enable efficient functioning of three most important institutions in BiH: Presidency, CoM and Parliament. Asked if politicians will be under pressure to reach an agreement in Washington, McElhaney answered: “I have said to political leaders is: you came this far alone, you have identified these issues, you have said alone there certain dosage of consensus exists- let’s end this matter.”  FTV – “The RS authorities, political and religious, will make a statement in Washington, confirming that those two persons must go to the Hague, and confirming that they will do their best to make this transfer possible”, stated McElhaney adding full cooperation with the ICTY means Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are apprehended and extradited to the Hague. BHT 1 – McElhaney is certain that talks in Washington will result in an agreement, and that the changes will be announced after BiH leaders meet U.S. State Secretary Condoleezza Rice. Vecernje Novosti pg 4 ‘For a unified Bosnia’ by D. Savic – Rice next week plans to prod Bosnian leaders to join together to reject a patchwork of regional governments and ministries that helped end the war but kept the country divided along religious and ethnic lines. RTRS, RHB, Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘America stays fully engaged in BiH’ and pg 3 ‘USA expect agreement on constitutional changes’, by E. Sarac, Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘We will not forsake arrest of criminals’, by A. Omeragic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘USA expects agreement on three crucial issues’ announced on cover, by M. Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘We expect progress’ not signed, Dnevni List pg 8, mentioned on cover ‘Rice will not hand over new Constitution to BiH leaders’ by D. Polovina-Mandic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘New Constitution would not be delivered to BiH leaders’ by eme, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Ground of new state in Washington’ by B. Kristo

BiH parliamentarians left for US; Raguz says BiH parliament ready to move towards Brussels phase

BHT 1 by Laura Bosnjak – BHT1 says that the proposal of the constitutional changes in BiH should be completed over this weekend Washington, when BiH Parliamentary delegation, US state under-secretary Nicholas Burns, former American special envoy Richard Holbrooke and the President of the American Institute for Peace Donald Hays will all gather to discuss the issue. BHT 1 further says that the agreement will be presented to the BiH political leaders at the meeting in Washington, on Monday, November 21. Reporter says political will have to show readiness to accept the constitutional changes before the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. BiH House of Representatives Deputy Chair Martin Raguz told BHT reporter that BiH Parliament is ready to accept the constitutional changes, and to move forward to the Brussels phase. “I believe that we are all aware of the fact that without some serious constitutional changes we would not be able to successfully conduct the processes of admission to the European Union”, stated Raguz. Hayat, FTV – also reported parliamentary delegation left for the Washington . IN addition, the DPA anniversary will also gather people participated in signing of agreement in 1995, representatives of current authorities of all levels, religious leaders, professors, cultural workers, etc.

RS delegation departs for Washington without changing their stances; Dodik against one President

RTRS by Marina Marjanovic – RS delegation travelling to Washington to participate in the conference on constitutional changes in BIH leave without changed position on the issue. Political officials stressed that one President and abolishment of entities are options not acceptable for them. RS President Dragan Cavic stated that solutions for constitutional changes must be in accordance with positions of those representing RS. SNSD Chair Milorad Dodik stated that he would never sign for the one President. PDP Chair Mladen Ivanic claims that he will only sign a document that is a product of consensus. Reporter stresses that members of political parties who are not participating in the conference judge any kind of meeting that is being held outside of BIH borders. BHT1 by Zorica Lolic – Dodik told press on Thursday there are some other things he will not support: “I will not sign the proposal that there is one President in BiH, that the representatives of the House of Peoples are elected among the members of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, and that BiH Ministry of Agriculture is established if it means that entity Ministries of Agriculture will be abolished.” SNSD President did not exclude the possibility that the constitutional changes could be accepted even without his assent. “If the majority comes to an agreement, there is nothing I can do about it. After all, I am the opposition”, concluded Dodik. Oslobodjenje, pg 2 ‘Against one president’, not signed, EuroBlic pg RS5 ‘Without pressures of Washington’ by R. Radosavljevic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘There will be no imposing’ by Z. Markovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Everyone maintains their stances’ by V. Popovic, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Forming of BiH Government unacceptable’ not signed – also reported.

Covic: HDZ wants new Constitution

RHB– HDZ Chair Dragan Covic stated for RHB radio, commenting the Washington conference, that a scenario is made by which changes to BIH constitution will be discussed over longer period of time. He added that new BIH Constitution would not be offered in Washington. Covic also stated that party members will reluctantly agree on issues presented by US Peace Institution in Brussels. He concluded that nevertheless BIH needs a new Constitution. Oslobodjneje pg 5 ‘HDZ wants new Constitution’ – carries similar statement Covic gave to daily.

SD: ‘Bishops will not go at Dayton anniversary, Dragan Covic has not been even invited’

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 4 ‘Bishops will not go at Dayton anniversary, Covic has not been even invited’ by V. Vegar carries that although invited Catholic Bishops will not attend marking of the 10^th DPA anniversary and according to the author in this way they expressed their opinion on injustices that this agreement brought to the Croat people. SD says that at the same time HDZ President Dragan Covic has not been invited at this ceremony since the US Administration stick to the principle according to which they do not invite officials who are a subject to criminal charges. SD concludes that in this way President of the strongest Croat party will not participate in very important talks on constitutional changes that might result in signing of some sort of a document. Slobodna Bosna pg 10 ‘Dragan Covic, HDZ president, will not go to States’ by A.M. – SB carries the same information adding that the US has been trying to make Barisa Colak to go instead.

Ivanic: const. changes not obligatory for SAA process; HDZ keeps stance; SPRS: const. changes implemented only through competent bodies

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Everyone maintains their stances’ by V. Popovic, inset ‘SDP: Washington is a chance for Constitutional changes’ [SDPsupports Lagumdzija] – PDP’s Mladen Ivanic said constitutional changes do not represent a new pre-requisite for the start of talks on SAA and noted he expects no pressures to be exerted in Washington. HDZ’s Miso Relota stated HDZ will maintain the stance it presented in Brussels with regard to constitutional changes. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘They know what they do not want’ by Srna – also carries Relota’s statement. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Verified recipe’ by Z. Ma. – SPRS’s Nedjo Djuric on Thursday stated in Banja Luka that representatives of parties cannot negotiate on constitutional changes during their private meetings, noting that changes can be implemented only by competent bodies. ‘Everything else is verified recipe of EU to agree on everything with chiefs of parties first and only then to seek from Parliament to confirm and adopt what had been agreed upon’, Djuric said.RHB, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Chance for constitutional changes’ not signed – SDP Presidency feels that marking of Dayton Agreement in Washington is a perfect opportunity for first decisive step towards constitutional reforms in BIH.

Kunic: Dayton is not an obstacle, worried politicians will sign a statement on necessity to change DPA

BN TV ‘Puls’ current affairs programme by Suzana Radjen-Todorovic – Petar Kunic, delegate in the BiH House of Representatives, does not consider the DPA as obstacle for further BiH development in BiH or process of the Euro-Atlantic integrations. “I do not see big reasons for constitutional changes. I think that BiH has far more important issues to deals with. I believe those are economic integrations, economic development and Euro-Atlantic integrations,” he said. Asked about upcoming meeting on constitutional changes in Washington , Kunic said he fears that representatives of BiH political parties might sign statement in which they confirm that constitutional changes in BiH are necessity, what would leave a space to the international community to exert pressures for the changes in the future. 

Ambassador Turkovic: No constitution has been signed or agreed upon as yet

Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘There is no constitution that is already written or agreed upon’, by A. M. – The BiH Ambassador to US, Bisera Turkovic, claims it is premature to talk about any constitution that could be signed during the forthcoming talks in the US. “It must be stressed that there is no constitution that has been already made or agreed upon”, said Turkovic.

HNZ’s Bandur on Washington talks: there’ll be no pressure

Dnevni List pg 7 ‘I will not sign anything that does not serve interest of Croat people’ by A. Beus – HNZ representative Mate Bandur who also participates at the Washington talks stated that as far as he knows proposed constitutional solutions do not damage the Croat people and according to him a compromise for all 3 peoples has been proposed in order to get a pragmatic solution. Bandur also says that pressures have not been expected at the talks in Washington and that everything should be resolved through a consensus of BiH political leaders.

HR Ashdown: Dayton must be changed

Hayat report by VoA– In interview given to Voice of America, the HR Paddy Ashdown commented to the situation in BiH by stating that the important thing is to realize the country is at the end of the first phase of its road to the EU. “Thanks to the reforms that we carried out, especially in the last year, BiH is now prepared to join NATO, when Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are finally apprehended and to join the EU,” said HR adding this will lead to the second phase of transition. “In order for BiH to be functional and efficient state, decentralized, which will serve citizens not politicians – BiH now spends 70% from taxes on administration and only 30% on health, education, pensions – so we have to change Dayton. How can we do that? First of all, we are not rejecting Dayton…but it is time to think about how to move fr4om Dayton State toward modern European State”- said HR, adding that this process has already started in Brussels and will continue in Washington. Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘USA’s engagement still has key importance’, by Srna, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Crucial role of America’ by Srna, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Engagement of USA in BiH is of a crucial importance’ by V. P. – Ashdown is holding a series of the meetings in Washington this week, including his final consultations with the US State Department as the HR.  

NN op-ed: situation different from citizens’ point of view than HR presents

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Between Brussels and Washington’ by Slavo Kukic – the author wonders if HR Paddy Ashdown believes in what he is saying and notes that, from BiH citizens’ point of view, the topics on which he is talking look quite different.

Holbrooke: DPA saved Balkans from Al-Qaeda

Hayat, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘The Dayton stopped Al-Q’Aida’ by Srna, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Dayton Accord saved Balkan’ not signed– The Creator of the Dayton Peace Agreement Richard Holbrooke addressed the US Senate and stated that the November 1995’s event and signing of the document prevented Balkan to become another Afghanistan. “We didn’t know about Al-Qaeda back then, but now we know that only DPA and later action on Kosovo have stopped Osama Bin-Laden and Al-Qaeda from making new Afghanistan out of Balkan,” said Holbrooke. As one of creators of DPA, Holbrooke explained that article was installed into DPA on possible unilateral usage of military force to exterminate Mujahedins in BiH. 

Hays: ‘Talks on Constitution for eight months already’ 

Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘Talks on Constitution for eight months already’, by Fena – Fena news agency reports that while leaders of BiH political parties deny participation in the development of proposals of constitutional changes, Donald Hays, one of the key players in this process, in a letter to the Balkan Research Networks unveiled that parties from BiH have been involved in these talks for eight months no and that their representatives have proposed the “contentious” changes. “In March, eight political parties with representatives in both houses of the BiH Parliament selected their delegates to work on behalf of the parties in the Working Group for dealing with constitutional changes. The aim of the Working Group was to find solutions to the contentious issues from the Venetian Report. The Working Group first met in March and has since met once a month in Sarajevo until October”, Hays said. In his letter Hays further unveiled how the talks on the key issue for the future of BiH were initiated and conducted and how they would conclude in Washington this weekend.  Donald Hays was the former Deputy High Representative in BiH and is now an expert in the US Institute for Peace (USIP).

Puljic: IC hasn’t done much, DPA was most damaging for Croats

RHB, BHT1, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘International Community did not do much’ by NINA– Cardinal Vinko Puljic met with the Croatian Ambassador to BiH Josip Vrbosic. They discussed the status of BiH Croats in BIH. Puljic stated that it is obvious that the international community hasn’t done a lot in BIH and added that Croats suffered the worst consequences after Dayton Agreement was signed. Puljic also stated that new concept of BIH Constitution will not protect interests of Croats in BIH.

Feral op-ed on Washington talks: new constitution to be adopted in Washington under US pressure?

Feral pgs 28 and 29 ‘Frame for empty heads’ by I. Lovrenovic carries that it is well known that a new BiH Constitution would be adopted in Washington on the ground of the US pressure and the purpose of this pressure is to avoid instability in BiH during the negotiations on the Kosovo status and to secure a minimum of the state functionality necessary for the negotiations with the EU. The author says that for this reason the USA would be satisfied with slight changes while they resolutely reject all deeper changes, especially administrative-territorial ones and the author concludes that the real and long-term battle for generally acceptable BiH starts after Washington. The author also says that BiH would be less and less the country of Croats if they were represented by Croat political representatives that we could see at the Brussels talks.

SB op-ed on SDA’s request for abolishment of RS: Amateurish request

Slobodna Bosna op-ed ‘Abolishment of RS is amateurish request’ op-ed by Senad Avdic – Author comments to the SDA’s participation in the talks on constitutional changes reminding it leader Sulejman Tihic has been requesting the abolishment of the RS. “RS is a part of BiH – equal, for time being constitutionally verified, practically functional; privately I very skeptical about patriots who love BiH without RS, more disgusting are only those who love RS outside of BiH!,” reads the editorial. Author, while pointing out that RS was created by war criminals, deems that SDA’s requests are amateurish and irresponsible. “SDA and Sulejman Tihic’s project should not be abolishment of the RS, but active and continuous work on its democratization and modernization,” concludes SB.

Economic and judicial issues

Int conference on Vc corridor commences in Sarajevo ; WB and CoM disagree over spending

Oslobodjenje, front pg splash and pgs 4-5 ‘World Bank warned BiH it cannot take more loans’, by A. Kalamujic, M. Kavaz-Sirucic, Dnevni Avaz, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘Prime Minister Terzic rejects policy of World Bank’, by L. Sinanovic, – BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic on Thursday opened the International Financial and Expert Conference (INFECO) for the corridor 5C, attended by over 250 participants from significant financial institutions and companies. Terzic stressed this is one of BiH’s most significant projects. “The results of the freeway pre-feasibility study, which was designed in line with the World Bank methodology, indicated the conclusion that those who invest into corridor 5C can expect substantial profits”, stressed Terzic addressing the participants. The project’s feasibility, as he added, is enhanced by the fact that BiH is to open SAA talks with EU. BiH Minister of Communications and Transport Branko Dokic said that the freeway project is a strategic, political and economic matter and that all human, technical and technological resources should be united in this project. Representative of financial institutions praised the building, however they also warned that public finances in BiH are under great pressure. However, Terzic answered: “When I became CoM Chair, the World Bank clearly stated that BiH should repair existing roads, instead of building a corridor. But we do not accept that kind of policy – we want to develop BiH.”Dnevni Avaz, pg 4 ‘We advise caution to Bosnia and Herzegovina’, by L. S. – Representative of the World Bank, Martin Humphreys said: “Therefore we see it crucial that public finances in BiH are established in right way and that comprehends sector part, but also qualitative planning on the State level”.  RHB, PINK, BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4, announced on cover ‘Money for construction of corridor Vc was not provided’ by D. Muminovic, EuroBlic pg RS5 ‘Large bite for BiH’ by D. S., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Corridor to Europe’ by N. Zelenovic, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘By building Corridor BiH builds Europe’ by D. Polovina-Mandic, There is no change of Corridor Vc southern route’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 6 ‘BiH also expects help of IMF’ by F – also reported.

FBiH Govt doesn’t change stance on Enegroptrol co-capitalization 

RHB, BHT1, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz, pg 11 ‘Federation Government did not accept parliamentarian’s objections’, by M. K., Oslobodjenje, pg 2 ‘There are no elements for other model of recovery’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Decision on additional investment of capital remains’ by M. R., Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Government determined when sale of EP to Ina-Mol is in question’ by M. Zorlak, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 21 ‘Parliament decides on co-capitalization of ‘Energopetrol’ by D. Pasic

 – The FBiH Government on Thursday analyzed the assessment issued by the FBiH House of Representatives after debate on co-capitalization of “Energopetrol” and declared that the HoR’s conclusions do not contain any new elements that could affect the Government’s previous decision. Additionally, there are no new elements that could guarantee another model for recovering “Energopetrol”, apart from the one offered earlier. The FBiH Government deems that the contract on recovery of “Energopetrol” should also encompass the modalities for protecting the domestic market in line with international standards and BiH laws. FTVby Zlata Behram – FBiH Government decided that the Croatian-Hungarian consortium INA-MOL would remain the strategic partner in the privatisation of Energopetrol. Only FBiH Minister of Culture and Sport Gavrilo Grahovac voted against this decision, while Federal Minister of Trade Maid Ljubovic abstained from voting.

RS Govt sent letter to OHR re distribution of ITA funds: RS budget damaged for 28 mil; solution must be find otherwise RS will cease coop. with ITA

FTV, RTRS, BHT, Dnevni Avaz, pg 12 ‘UIO damaged RS by 28 million marks?’, not signed, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘They seek for justice from OHR’ by M. Soja, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Dixon proclaimed – lawfulness’ by G. Dakic, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘To investigate distribution of money from ITA account’ by R. S. – RS Minister of Finance Svetlana Cenic on Thursday said she addressed a letter to the HR, Paddy Ashdown, asking for his assistance in resolving the problem on accounting the coefficients for distribution of revenue from the single account of the BiH Indirect Tax Authority (ITA), because the RS Budget was damaged for approx. 28 million KM in 10 months of this year. She told a press conference that the Entity Budget was damaged for the mentioned amount, “which was directed to the FBiH Budget” due to disrespecting of the Decision on manner of accounting the distribution of coefficient.   The Government requests from Ashdown to take measures to ensure that the “ITA Steering Board and ITA Director respect the regulations they issued themselves” and that the RS Budget is provided with its original funds, as well as to help issue the Decision on accounting the distribution coefficient following the introduction of VAT in BiH.  Cenic said that if the current practice is continued the Government could request from the RSNA to recall the decision on forming a single account of indirect taxes in BiH. PINKBy Milka Mrdja – Cenic said that during one of the meetings, PDHR Lawrence Butler has stressed that RS representatives are right and that he will do everything for this problem to be solved, but nothing happened and Cenic stressed that this kind of behaviour is questioning the participation of RS members in work of BiH National- Fiscal Council.

Update to Peljesac bridge: Ivanic hopes there will be no need for diplomacy solution for the issue

Dnevni Avaz, pg 5 ‘Rules of international law are on our side’, mentioned on front ‘Croatia wants to prevent our access to sea’, by Husein Orahovac – With regard to the construction of Peljesac bridge, BiH Minister of Civil Affairs Safet Halilovic says the construction of the bridge is in violence of principles of the international laws. Dnevni Avaz, pg 5 ‘Ivanic hopes there will be no diplomatic dispute’, by N. D. – BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic stated for DA that he hopes there would be no need for a diplomatic resolving of Peljesac bridge issue. However ‘should this not be the case, we will reach for an international arbitrage in order to protect BiH interests’, as Ivanic said. Dnevni Avaz, pg 5 ‘It will be the way we agree upon’, by L. S. – Deputy Croatian Minister of maritime affairs, tourism, traffic and development, Mato Jurisic, expressed readiness to accept any solution on which an agreement is reached and he added there is no doubt Croatia would respect all international standards. He noted Croatia would send some additional studies to BiH.

OHR supports request for exemption of property in Kasindol from HR’s ban in order to allow construction of BiH Court ’s prison

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Allocate land for detention unit’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Land for detention unit of BiH Court is needed’ by N. N.Slobodna Dalmacija pg 22 ‘OHR: Support to work of Commission for State Property’ by F, mb– At the latest meeting of the BIH commission for state property, OHR supported the Justice Ministry’s request to exempt certain property in East Ilijas (formerly Kasindol) from HR Paddy Ashdown’s decision on temporary ban of state property disposal. This property would be used for construction of BIH Court ’s prison unit. The OHR urges the Commission to approve the exemption as a key element in the reform of BiH’s criminal justice system and cautions against misinterpreting any single exemption from the High Representative’s ban, as this would be to prejudge the outcome of the Commission’s work.

Hearing in Croat self-rule case started

Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Decision on disbanding of soldiers illegal’ by E. Mackic – The hearing in the Croat self-rule case started on Thursday and according to the prosecution witness Mijo Anic the decision on disbanding the Croat component of the FBiH Army passed by then member of the BiH Presidency Ante Jelavic, former FBiH Defence Minister Miroslav Prce and General Dragan Curcic had negative consequences for functioning of the FBiH Army at that time. Anic also said at the hearing that when he was appointed to the Prce’s position he put out of force the Prce’s decision on disbanding of soldiers since, in his (Anic’s) opinion, it was illegal and damaging for FBiH Defence Ministry officials. Also reported by Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Anic on commanding in HVO’ by E. Medunjanin, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘They sent home 6500 soldiers’ by Z. Tulic. Also reported by Sarajevo press.

DL: There is possibility to annul bill of indictment agst M. Tadic

Dnevni List pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Bill of indictment against Mate Tadic is being annulled?’ by D. Polovina-Mandic – Lawyer Zarko Bulic who represents President of the BiH Constitutional Court (BiH CC), Mate Tadic, in the Covic and others case lodged an objection to the Panel of Judges in which he claims that it is necessary to get an approval of the BiH CC in order to issue a bill of indictment and detain his client. DL explains that according to the BiH CC rules a judge of this court cannot be detained and a bill of indictment cannot be issued against him without the BiH CC approval. DL says that prosecutor Johnatan Rattel considers these rules (DL officially learns that Tadic himself initiated them) as an internal act and he believes that the BiH Court should not act according to them. DL says that if the BiH Court accept the Bulic’s objection it might happen that the bill of indictment against Tadic would be annulled.

War crimes / defence issues

RS PM’s advisor denies Karadzic was hiding near Trebinje, Mladic hidden by RS army

RTRS, BHT1, Hayat, EuroBlic pg RS2, announced on cover ‘Karadzic was not in Trebinje’ by R. Radosavljevic, Vecernje Novosti pg 13 ’30 fellow fighters were interrogated’ by Sl. Pesevic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Neither Ratko nor Radovan’ by V. Janjic, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Information not correct, check up ongoing’ by A. Sekulic– The Security Advisor to the RS Prime Minister, Cvjetko Savic, on Thursday told Fena that “only indices existed” that ICTY indictee Ratko Mladic in his hiding was still using the services of current members of the RS Army, but that they have proved to be “incorrect”. “These were only indices and after the controls by the relevant ministries they were proved to be incorrect”, claims Savic.

Details of RS MoI report on Mladic, Karadzic, Zupljanin: RS/EUFOR/NATO tried to arrest Karadzic in Trebinje in June 

Hayatreport by ATV – On June 28^th, RS Police, EUFOR and NATO have searched for Radovan Karadzic in Trebinje and this action failed, reads the report the RS Ministry of Interior submitted to the RSNA. The report also mentions hideouts of Stojan Zupljanin and details on interrogation of Han Pijesak dwellers brought into connection with Ratko Mladic. Report mentions that arrest of Milan Lukic as being a result of the surveillance of his wife, being that RS MoI and Serbian agencies have followed the line of their divorce.  RS Government confirmed the validity of this report, sent to RSNA representatives. Head of RS Government’s PR Bureau Cvijeta Kovacevic said: “Because this report was discussed by the Government on its 32^nd session, it accepted it and submitted it to the RSNA and as far as I know that will be the subject of discussion of next session”. Oslobodjenje, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Karadzic was near Trebinje last summer’, by Onasa – also carries details of the report.

Slobodna Dalmacija pgs 16 and 17, mentioned on cover ‘They were catching Karadzic in Trebinje, former officers protect Mladic’ by A. Macanovic – SD claims that the failed action was carried by on the ground of the information coming from OSA, which said that Karadzic was seen in this area.

Labus: I have not received information of RS Govt on Karadzic and Mladic

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘I am not informed on whereabouts of Karadzic and Mladic’ by Onasa, Vecernje Novosti pg 13 ‘No trace of Mladic’ by M. Vuksanovic – No official wanted to officially comment claims of RS Government that Ratko Mladic is being helped by RS Army, but also by SiCG Army, however SiCG Defense Ministry expressed its surprise over these claims and reiterated SiCG Army is not protecting Mladic. Inset ‘Labus: I have no information’ – Deputy President of Serbian Government Miroljub Labus stated he had not received the information of RS Government with regard to alleged locations at which Hague indictees Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are hiding. Hayat – Serbian authorities claim not to have information on Mladic and Chair of SCG National Council for cooperation with ICTY Rasim Ljajic said negotiations were not under way. “That would in fact mean that we know where Mladic hides and I still claim that he would sooner get arrested and extradited to the ICTY then he would surrender,” said Ljajic. Disturbance among public was caused by the statement of Serbian President Boris Tadic who said, for foreign media, that Mladic hides in forests between SCG and RS border.

Scheffer: No PfP membership without Karadzic/Mladic in ICTY

BHT 1by Elvir Bucalo – NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer reiterated that BiH must adopt changes to the constitution if it wants to become the member state of the NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme. Scheffer stressed that there is mutual desire for BiH to join the PfP as soon as possible, but: “They should realize that, as long as Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are not in the Hague, there is an obstacle to BiH admission to PfP. Whether they like it or not, that’s the way things are, and it is not going to change before they are delivered to the Hague .” Scheffer announced that the next year would be crucial for BiH, because if the main conditions are satisfied, NATO Summit could open the door for BiH to become the member of NATO in 2008.

BL Court passes verdict in Prijedor war crimes case

RTRS by Biljana Knezevic – Banja Luka Country Court has sentenced Dragan Radakovic, Drasko Krndija and Radoslav Knezevic to a total of 55 years in prison for war crimes committed against civilians in Prijedor. Radakovic and Krndija are to serve 20 years each whilst Knezevic will serve 15 years in prison. Radakovic and Knezevic are in custody and Krndija is still at large. Krndija’s attorney Milica Culum stated that her client stated that he would rather commit suicide that serve sentence for something that he believes is not guilty of. Reporter comments that this process was going on for 12 years. BHT1, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ’55 years of prison for 3 criminals’ by N. Moracaalso reported.

NN op-ed ridicules RS parties’ invitation to Karadzic to surrender

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Surrender’ by Natasa Krsman – referring to the invitation of RS parties to Karadzic to surrender, the author notes there is a graffiti that reads: ‘My wife too appeals to you to surrender’ and the author notes that the invitation of RS parties will be taken as seriously as this funny graffiti.

Media on Halilovic’s acquittal

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘They ‘pardoned’ BiH Army crimes’ by V. Vegar comments on Sefer Hlailovic’s acquittal and the author says: ‘The ICTY did not try the BiH Army, but a General (referring to S. Halilovic) who was disowned by the BiH Army and the Bosniak political top tried to kill him.’ The author says that in case that the court was trying the BiH Army the sentence would be big since crimes of the BiH Army were proved, however, Halilovic is not responsible for them. BHT 1 ‘Javna tajna’ current affairs programme comments that the entire process only proved that Halilovic was the victim of regime. Dani cover splash, pg 3 ‘Justice for Republic of BiH’ op-ed by Emir Suljagic – Author also suggests that Halilovic was sacrificed and that his proven innocence was a victory for BiH. Stating Halilovic was pushed out of Army once the SDA took control of it, author notes that Rasim Delic will, “without any doubt”, take position that Carla Del Ponte saved for Alija Izetbegovic. Slobodna Bosna cover splash, pgs 6-9 ‘Sefer Halilovic acquitted’ by Senad Avdic, Danka Cavic – SB notes that while it was proved that Halilovic is not guilty of the crimes, the fact is that the crimes were committed, civilians killed, thus the authorities must establish who was responsible for it.  

Defence Ministry warns on insufficient budgetary means to implement reform

Oslobodjenje, pg 7, mentioned on front ‘Insufficient budget for military in BiH would jeopardize reform’, by Antonio Prlenda – Carries an interview with the Co-Chairman of the Defence Reform Commission, Raffi Gregorian, in which he warns that anything less than 300 million KMs for the military in BiH in 2006 would slow down the country’s road to the Partnership for Peace and endanger the defence reform process. He argues that the amount of 300 million KMs is a mere 2% of the country’s GDP, explaining that the NATO requests from its members to allocate 2,5% of respective GDP to the military. Inset ‘Without investigations on Karadzic’s people’ carries Gregorian as saying that the support network of Radovan Karadzic is very active in BiH. “Look at the list of involved people that was made by the High Representative and US Government. I have not seen that some measures have been undertaken against members of the network, and some of them have been on the list since 2003, said Gregorian. BHT1 carries similar statement on budget by BiH MoD Nikola Radovanovic.

Other political issues

Sanader: ‘There is no BiH without Croat people’

HTV1, NOVA TV, FTV, RTRS, Hayat, Oslobodjenje, pg 4 ‘There is no BiH without Croat people’, by Fena, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Zagreb “drew” the border’ by Srna, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘There is no BiH without Croats’ by Onasa, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Sanader: There is no BiH without Croat people’ by HINA, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Zagreb wants to see emancipated BiH’, mentioned on cover ‘There is no BiH without Croats’ by D. Knezevic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 2 ‘We take care of Croats in BiH’ by F. Lausic  – Croatian Government has proposed to the Parliament to ratify the agreement on State border with BiH and the Prime Minister Ivo Sanader stated that relation with BiH are one of Croatia’s priorities, reminding that two countries have established their borders few years ago. BHT1 – Sanader added at the Government’s session that agreement would be inter-state border soon ratified. He also expressed his concern about the position of Croats in BiH. Sanader warned that there is a possibility that Croats could loose their equality in BiH, but added that his Government will do all that it can to prevent that from happening.

CoE criticizes BiH’s failure to adopt resolutions, education situation; OSCE Head Davidson: BiH education is disuniting the state

FTVby Zinaida Hamidovic – Ministers of Foreign Affairs of 46 Council of Europe’s member states concluded their meeting in Strasbourg. CoE Secretary General Terry Davis spoke to BIH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic.Davis stressed that BIH is late with signing a CoE convention on money laundering, terrorism and human trafficking. He also criticised the education situation in BIH. According to CoE, the situation in elementary and secondary education as well as the absence of law on high education are also the reasons for concern. RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘BiH was criticised over education’ by Srna– also reported. Nezavisne Novine pg 11 ‘BiH education is disuniting the state’ by S. Gojkovic – in an interview to NN, Chief of OSCE Mission to BiH Douglas Davidson has stated he thinks politics had interfered with all spheres of education in BiH and, at this moment, education is disuniting the state.

DL interview with French Minister for European Affairs C. Colonna

Nezavisne Novine pg 4, announced on cover ‘BiH needs stronger institutions’ by D. Risojevic, Dnevni List pg 9 ‘To intensify interest of French companies for BiH’ by A. Beus both carry an interview with French Minister for European Affairs Catherine Colonna who comes to visit BiH. Among the other things, Colonna stated: ‘I hope that we shall be able to play a role in strengthening of the rule of law and reconciliation in BiH.’ She added that she would also like that more French companies are interested in BiH. 

Lozancic: Its is still possible to have one or more Croat TV channels

Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Lozancic dissatisfied with presence of Croats from BiH at HRT’ by NINA – Being a guest at Radio Livno FBiH President Niko Lozancic stated that he is unsatisfied with presence of Croats from BiH at HRT (Croatian TV). Talking about a Croat TV channel he said that regardless of some decisions that were passed in the previous period on the ground of outvoting he is still convinced that Croats would have one or even more TV channels in their language. 

Oslobodjenje op-ed on SDHR Ney’s warning re: culture institutions

Oslobodjenje, pg 9 ‘Anti-culture’, by Zija Dizdarevic – Carries an op-ed in which he comments on the warning by the SDHR, Martin Ney, regarding the state’s responsibility for financing of cultural institutions of BiH i.e. the lack of it. Dizdarevic sees two reasons why the state has failed to honour its obligations, firstly there are political forces with the political system of BiH that are denying BiH’s statehood, and secondly, Dizdarevic argues that no coalition in BiH has ever been ‘an alliance for BiH’ – instead they were ‘partnerships for power’.