Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 18 March
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) |
| Covic visits | RSNA in session |
| BiH Bishops’ Conf. finished in Mostar | US strongly supports ICTY |
| 9-year education in | Possible floods in BiH |
TV news broadcast on 17 March
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Security increased around OHR | Dragan Covic to resign? | Nikolic departed to Hague |
| CoM BIH session | Security threats against OHR | Stanisic’s plea before ICTY |
| FBIH Government session | BiH CoM in session | BiH CoM decision on ICTY indictees |
| HB Elektroprivreda on floods | Terzic and Belkic on VAT | Hasan Cengic case |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Regional News | Nikolic departed to Hague | CoM decision re: ICTY indictees |
| Feature story on a civil war victim | Stanisic’s plea before ICTY | Trebinje account de-blocked |
| Conference on disabled persons | BiH CoM decision on ICTY indictees | Vukosavlje account blocked |
| Illegal religious facilities in Konjic | Hasan Cengic case | Fagus owner arrested |
| Oslobodjenje | Colak lobbied for Covic in |
| Dnevni Avaz | Pensions will keep increasing; Djukanovic engaged 500 mercenaries [to catch Mladic]; Cengic handed over two passports to the Court |
| Dnevni List | Eronet is in HT’s ownership |
| Vecernji List | Police reveals who is McNair’s protected witness: S1: A criminal will thick file |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | ’Croat’ cadres instructed by head of AID |
| Nezavisne Novine | Verdict in Alijagic case was annulled |
| Glas Srpske | NATO offers charity |
| EuroBlic | NATO refuses to give compensation to the Starovlahs |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
| Srpski Nacional | Englishmen are locating Mladic |
| Slobodna Bosna | European correction of |
| BH Dani | Bosniaks plus Muslims equals multiethnic |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| RSNA discussing defence reform
| BH Radio 1 by Brana Markovic – At an extraordinary session taking place in |
| US strongly supports ICTY
| BH Radio 1 – |
War crimes / Cooperation with ICTY | |
| CoM adopts the law disabling ICTY fugitives from using property in BiH
| RHb, PINK, BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘ICTY fugitives will not be able to use their property in BiH’ by Onasa, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Import of poultry and pigs banned’, by D. P. M., Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Property of ICTY indictees frozen’ by D. Pasic, Nezavisne novine pg 5 ‘Deciding on the Law on extradition to the Hague was postponed’ by M. C.– At the Thursday’s session, the BiH Council of Ministers accepted the Report of the Ministry of Security on implementing the Decision under which ICTY indictees at large are disabled from disposing with their assets in BiH. The CoM demand from the all law enforcement agencies to carry out all measures to ensure this decision is implementation, also demanding the process to be checked. As the CoM’s Acting Secretary General, Karmelo Prlenda, told a press conference, those verifications will be conducted int eh banks, insurance companies, courts, and other institutions which could eventually have some evidences of ICTY fugitives’ property. Prlenda added that Justice Ministry was asked to propose the state institutions which would do this on regular basis. He concluded that the CoM did not discuss the draft Law on extradition of persons indicted by the ICTY, explaining that the Justice Ministry submitted entirely new draft. |
| Stanisic pleads not guilty | RHB, PINK, BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Not guilty’ by Onasa, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Mico Stanisici denies all accounts of indictment’ by Sense, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Stanisic says he is not guilty’, not signed, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Nikolic in The Hague, Stanisic entered plea’ by V. Rupcic– The former RS Interior Minister, Mico Stanisic, on Thursday before the ICTY entered a plea on not guilty for the crimes against humanity committed against Bosniaks and Croats in BiH in 1992. He is accused in seven counts for the crimes against humanity and three counts for violating the laws and customs of war. Stanisic has been in ICTY detention since March 11. |
| Nikolic turns himself to ICTY
| FTV – ICTY indictee, former security official of the RS Army’s Zvornik Brigade, Drago Nikolic, departed to Hague on Thursday. Nikolic is indicted for genocide, crimes against humanity and violating laws and customs of war in Srebrenica in 1995. The Serbian Minister of Local Administration and Local-Self Governance Zoran Loncar, who accompanied Nikolic to Hague, said that it is necessary for generals Nebojsa Pavkovic and Sreten Lukic to be extradited to the ICTY as soon as possible so that Serbia could meet all the international obligations regarding cooperation with ICTY. RHB, Hayat, BHT 1, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Dragan Nikoilic arrived to the Hague’, Dnevni AVaz pg 8 ‘Drago Nikolic extradited to the Hague’ by Srna, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Nikolic in The Hague, Stanisic entered plea’ by V. Rupcic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Nikolic arrived’ by Beta, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Nikolic arrived to the Hague’ by Beta, EuroBlic pg 3 ‘Nikolic in the Hague’ not signed– also reported. |
| NATO rejects to pay compensation request for Starovlah family | RTRS by Zorica Rulj – NATO has rejected the claim for compensations to the Orthodox priest Jeremija Starovlah and his son Aleksandar, who sustained the injuries in the SFOR action of searching for PIFWCs last April in Pale. Their attorney, Miljkan Pucar, stated that his clients will submit an appeal to this decision and adds that they will turn to the Governments of soldiers who participated in the action. Starovlah wouldn’t comment the NATO decision, however RTRS reporter comments that they were informed that Starovlah family is highly disappointed with the decision. Mitar Tanasic priest of Mitropolija Dabrobosanska says that this decision shows the relation of NATO towards Serb Orthodox Church. Derek Chapman, spokesman of NATO in FTV, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘NATO rejects Satrovlah’s request’, Dnevni List, back pg ‘NATO refuses to pay compensations to Starovlahs’, by A. Beus, Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘NATO offers charity’ by N. Z., EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘NATO refuses to give compensation to the Starovlahs’ and pg RS1 by Rajna Radosavljevic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘NATO refused to pay compensation to the Starovlahs’ by S. G.– also reported. |
| Del Ponte informed UN yet four months ago that war crime indictees were hiding in
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover ‘Del Ponte informed UN yet four months ago that war crime indictees were hiding in Russia’ Azhar Kalamujic – The author quotes Florence Hartmann, Spokesperson for ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte, as saying that Del Ponte yet in November last year informed UN Security Council that two war crime indictees were hiding in Russia. Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Ivanic and Grischenko to meet on Monday’ – BiH Council of Ministers Chairman Adnan Terzic told the daily that the announced meeting of BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic and Russian Ambassador to BiH Alexander Grischenko would be held on Monday. “We will try to get explanation on this case through the diplomatic way,” said Terzic. |
| DA: Montenegrin PM hired 500 mercenaries search for Mladic; Nacional: alleged search for Mladic in Valjevo
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8, mentioned on cover ‘Montenegrin PM Djukanovic hired 500 mercenaries search for Mladic’ E. Sarac – During the past two months there have been intensified activities on establishment and training of (para)military formations that would be engaged in creation of 1992 Bosnia-like chaos in case of holding of successful referendum for Montenegro independence. One of the most wanted ICTY indictees Ratko Mladic has allegedly been involved in these activities launched at the order of Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica. Aware of these illegal actions, Montenegrin PM Milo Djukanovic has hired some 500 mercenaries to search for Mladic offering a five million dollars award. Srpski Nacional cover pg splash ‘Englishmen are locating Mladic’ and pg 2 ‘English tip for arrest of Mladic’ by E. N. – AP has reported two days ago that an elite unit of Serbian police, with support of foreign experts, was searching for Ratko Mladic near Valjevo. An official of Valjevo police has stated local police was not informed there was any such activity. It is presumed that the information on the search for Ratko Mladic was false. Inset ‘False alarm’ reads some analysts think the information on search for Mladic was yet another attempt to apply pressure on Mladic to voluntarily surrender. |
| Ashdown to visit States to talk about cooperation with ICTY
| Hayat, PINK, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Paddy Ashdown requests new extraditions to the Hague’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Briefing on BiH’, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Ashdown at United Nations’ by M. Dz., Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Ashdown in Washington and New York’ by M.B., Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘Ashdown before Security Council next week’ by A.M.– The HR, Paddy Ashdown, on Sunday will depart on a four-day visit to Washington and New York, where he will meet with the senior governmental officials, address the UN Security Council and report on the latest events in BiH over the past six months. Ashdown will talk about BiH’s cooperation with the ICTY. He will welcome the recent transfer of three persons indicted for war crimes, but will also underline that this represents only the beginning of the process that will be completed once all remaining indicted war criminals have been transferred to the Hague, the spokesperson of the Banja Luka OHR, |
| EU welcomes voluntary surrenders to ICTY
| FTV, Nezavisne novine pg 5 ‘EU welcomed more frequent voluntary surrenders to the Hague’ by RTS – The European Union welcomes the trend of the frequent voluntary transfers and departures of the persons indicted for war crimes to the Hague, as of those from Serbia-Montenegro, including Kosovo, as well as those from BiH, was announced on Thursday by the Luxembourg EU Presidency. The cooperation of all Western Balkans countries with the Hague Tribunal represents the essential condition for their further EU integration, as it was stated in the announcement issued after the first day of the meeting between the EU diplomatic chiefs. BHT 1 – Commenting EU’s decision to postpone SAA negotiations with |
| Feral op-ed skeptical about WCC success
| Feral pgs 26 and 27 ‘Days of court’ by Ivan Lovrenovic carries a commentary on recent political developments in BiH and, among the other things, the author comments on opening of the War Crimes Chamber in BiH. The author says: ‘If ‘Sarajevo The Hague’ was functioning as the current BiH judiciary, both the domestic as well as the one run by international experts, is functioning at the moment, slowly, inconsistently, compromisingly and being liable to political and other influences than it would, certainly, be even worse and darker perspective.’ |
Judicial issues | |
| Colak in
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 3 ‘Colak in Brussels lobbied for Covic’by V. Zivak – HDZ leader, Barisa Colak, and the Chief of Dragan Covic’s Cabinet, Darija Ksticevic, on Thursday visited Brussels where they lobbied for EU to give up on requesting from Covic to resign. Daily learns that they have tried to contact some of the high level EU officials, however they failed. Thus, they addressed the issue with the Croatian mission to EU asking from them to stop the pressure against Covic. The daily’s anonymous source explains that Croatian officials were asked to contact Javier Solana. Apparently, there was an attempt for this, however Solana office rejected this. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Colak met nobody in |
| Covic in
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Removal notice upon return from Rome’ by A. Sisic, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Covic avoided the meeting with European troika’ by M.Dr. – F.V. – DA learns that the EU demarche requesting his resignation has not been presented to Dragan Covic on Thursday as announced due to “technical misunderstanding”. Covic has left for the PINK, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Covic in FTV – According to information FTV obtained from BiH Presidency, Covic’s statement about his resignation can be expected before the Presidency’s session scheduled for Tuesday, March 22. |
| Covic and others expected to enter plea next week
| Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Indictees in ‘Lijanovics’ case to enter plea next week’, by E. Mackic – Reports that lawyers of the indictees in the ‘Lijanovici’ case met with Prosecutor John McNair yesterday (Thursday) to make copies of documents and evidences the BiH Prosecution will be basing its claims on. According to one of the lawyers, Nada Dalipagic, it is expected that the indictees will enter pleas next week. Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘Police reveals who is McNair’s protected witness: S1: A criminal will thick file’ and pg 3 ‘S1 is extortionist and he cooperated with Izetbegovics’, by Zoran Kresic – VL article alleges that the key witness in Covic’s case, S1, is noting more but extortionist close to Izetbegovic family [according to document allegedly sent by the commander of FBiH MoI SWAT, Dragan Vikic, to the Director of FBIH Police, Zlatko Miletic, and subsequently to Prosecutor John McNair.] |
| SD criticizes HDZ, Lozancic over behaviour re Covic indictment
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 18, mentioned on front ‘HDZ: Fatal plan about leaving authority because of Covic’, by Marin Erceg – Carries an op-ed in which the author criticizes the HDZ for not declaring itself even after the indictment against the Croat member of BiH Presidency and Vice President of HDZ, Dragan Covic, was confirmed. The author also criticizes the FBiH President and HDZ Vice President, Niko Lozancic, who earlier this week called on Covic not to step down, saying that by doing so, Lozancic is labelling the HDZ as a party that does not respect the rule of law and provokes a war with the IC. Furthermore, with regards to announcements that HDZ officials will be leaving the authority in case Covic is removed or forced to step down, the author says those who side with Covic, not with the Croat people and the party, are making the same mistake that was made before, and in the same time they are not helping Covic since his problem is a matter for judiciary, not politics. |
| RS Supreme Court revokes decision in Alijagic case
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Trial in Alijagic case to be renewed’ by A.M. – The RS Supreme Court has cancelled the decision of the Trebinje District Court in case “Alijagic” and return it to the judiciary for a renewal, stated Head of Trebinje Municipality, Dobroslav Cuk. He added that the municipal bank account has been unblocked. RTRS, BHT1, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Trial in Alijagic case to be renewed’ by A.M., Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Verdict in Alijagic case was annulled’ by V. Duka, EuroBlic pg RS 3 ‘A relief for Trebinje’ by Vedran Mihijevic and Tijana Veselinovic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Municipal vault was unlocked’ by G. Dakic and M. Bestic – Cuk says municipality will not give up on determine individuals involved in the initial decision of Trebinje Court, however stressed his municipality insists on just solution for brothers Alijagic and for all similar cases. |
| Alijagic: I am not surprised because OHR applied pressure on RS Supreme Court
| EuroBlic pg RS 3 ‘A relief for Trebinje’ by Vedran Mihijevic and Tijana Veselinovic, inset ‘Alijagic: Ask Ashdown, he is deciding on everything in BiH’ – Salih Alijagic has stated he was not informed on the decision of RS Supreme Court. ‘I knew OHR was applying pressure on the Supreme Court so I am not surprised…’, Alijagic has said. Asked to say what would happen with the money that has already been transferred to his accounts, Alijagic replied: ‘Do not ask me, ask the High Representative. He is deciding on everything in BiH’. |
| FBiH Supreme Court confirms: Shares in Eronet returned to HT Mostar
| FTV, BHT, Dnevni List, front pg splash ‘Eronet is in HT’s ownership’ and pg 5 ‘Eronet belongs to Croat Telecommunications Mostar’, by Zvonimir Jukic, Vecernji List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Eronet in hands of HT Mostar!’ by Z. Kresic, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Appeal of former Eronet’s share holders rejected’ by F. Vele, Oslobodjenje gp 7 ‘Mostar Cantonal Court’s decision confirmed’, Nezavisne novine pg 8 ‘Privatization of “Eronet” was conducted illegally’ by V. C. –The FBiH Supreme Court passed a verdict yesterday (Thursday), which confirms a verdict that was earlier passed by the Cantonal Court in Mostar and which returned ‘Eronet’ shares (51%) from former owners ‘Alpina komerc’, ‘Hercegovina osiguranje’ and Municipality of Grude to the HT Mostar (Croat Telecommunications Mostar). Former owners announce they would appeal with the |
| Hasan Cengic hands over his travel documents
| BHT1, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Hasan Cengic turned two passports to BiH Court’, mentioned on cover, by E.Sarac, Nezavisne novine pg 2 ‘Hasan Cengic handed over two passports to BiH Court’ by A. D. – Hasan Cengic, representative in the BiH Parliament accused of misuse of authority, handed over all of his valid travel documents to the BiH Court. Cengic was ordered to turn his two passports after he failed to appear at the trial on Tuesday. |
| DL: Another indictment against Cengic?
| Dnevni List, pg 8, mentioned on front ‘Another indictment against Cengic?’, by N. Bise – According to unofficial information, another indictment could be soon raised against a senior SDA official, Hasan Cengic. Apparently, the Special Department for organized crime of the BiH Prosecution has intensified an investigation against Cengic in last few months because of alleged financial illegalities and involvement in organized crime. In this context, DL reports that competent bodies in the FBIH have already established that Cengic had already taken at least 8 million US$ from donations that were sent during the war to Bosniaks in BiH from Islamic countries via the Third World Relief Agency (TWRA). |
| Jelavic, Covic, Prce and Luzanski has bank accounts under false names
| BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Jeavlic had account under name Mate Jelic, and Covic ‘became’ Drago Cule’ by H. Orahovac, Oslobodjenje gp 6 ‘Jelavic, Covic, Prce and Luzanksi were protected by fictitious names’ by A.N., Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Jelavic, Covic, Prce and Luzanski used false names in the bank’, by Erna Mackic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16, mentioned on cover ‘Covic, Andric and Prce had secret accounts’ by Z. Tulic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Money was given to politicians, judges, ministers, prosecutors…’ by R. Cengic – At the trial against former HDZ President, Ante Jelavic, in the “Hercegovacka bank” case, a witness, Deputy Provisional Administrator for the ‘Hercegovacka Bank’, Marina Bogojevic, confirmed on Thursday that Jelavic, Miroslav Prce, Dragan Covic and Ivo Andric Luzanski had bank accounts on false names. Employee in the HB Julijana Cubela, who changed the names, stated before the court that they did it in order to prevent that someone from the bank’s employees publishes the amount of deposits of the high-ranked Croat officials. Asked whether the aforementioned officials asked the bank to do it, Cubela said that they did not and that the people from the bank did it by themselves. Witness Bogojevic also stated that Mostar-based “Mondo” company transferred 1 million KM to the accounts of 258 persons in 1999, and aforementioned HDZ officials were also among these persons. |
| Fagus owner was arrested
| RTRS by Sinisa Mihailovic – Police confirmed on Thursday that the owner of company Fagus Miroslav Malijevic has been arrested. He is suspected of tax evasion and misuse of company accounts. Police searched the building of the company’s administration on Wednesday and confiscated business related documentation. Unofficial sources say that the entire case is connected to audit report carried out for Srpske Sume. The report mentions connections that Malijevic had with RSNA member Velimir Sakan. Sakan is also mentioned in the affair of dismissal of chief of Kotor Varos police station Zoran Jotanovic and suspension of police officer Jovica Djuric, who confiscated Fagus truck. Sakan denied all allegations over the telephone. RTRS reporter states that none of police and prosecution officials would comment the arrest of Malijevic and adds that custody for Malijevic is still not determined. FTV, BHT 1, Nezavisne novine pg 4, announced on cover ‘Fagus owner was arrested’ by P. Klincov, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Fagus owner was arrested’ by M. S. and G. Dj. – also covered. |
| Disputed establishment of Sarajevo City Council: Decision to be made by | RTSR by Marina Marjanovic – Head of Vukosavlje municipality, Amir Zahirovic, appealed on the RS National Assembly Speaker Dusan Stojicic for assistance after the municipal account has been blocked. The municipality faced with this istuation after the court ruling which authorized the pay out of about 600.000 BAM to the favour the company “Doboj Putevi” for works they carried out in 2002. Zahirovic says that Vukosavlje is a small municipality that mostly consists of refugees and returnees. Stojicic says that RS Government needs to help Vukosavlje, adding this has happened due to irresponsible work of the municipal leadership [SNSD]. Nezavisne novine pg 3 ‘SNSD: Stojicic is creating a negative political climate’ by V. P. – The Chairman of Vukosavlje Municipal Board of SNSD party, Rajko Bozic, has stated it was unacceptable to let the parties on power to create a bad political climate and accuse former SNSD authority of the bad position of Vukosavlje. Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Without bill and building’ by M. Mihajlovic– also reported. |
| Vukoslavlje municipal bank account blocked
| Oslobodjenje pg 10, mentioned on cover ‘Decision to be made by |
Police and defence reforms / security issues | |
| EU delegation met with Cavic, Dodik, discussed police reform
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Entity constitutional organization in BiH should not be changed’ by V. P. – RS President Dragan Cavic met with EU delegation, after which he has stated Feasibility Study principles, on which police reform in BiH were based, were acceptable for RS. A press statement of Cavic’s cabinet reads entity constitutional organization in BiH should not be changed because reforms can be implemented in this frame in accordance with FS. EU delegation led by Head of EC Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys also included Deputy Head of Great Britain Mission to BiH Kate Pade-Sende and Ambassador of Holland Rob Bocher. Bocher assessed BiH was very close to launching ASA negotiations with EU, but there were still police reform and cooperation with ICTY to be resolved. EU delegation also met with SNSD President Milorad Dodik who said the party does not accept the suggested map of division of police jurisdiction. The party, according to Dodik, agrees with basic principles of police reform. PINK, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Principles of reforms are not final’ by O. Vukovic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Encouraging steps’ by G. D. – also reported. |
| Gregorian meets RS parties to discuss defence reform
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘As in accordance with the Constitution’ by N. Diklic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Gregorian: Military commands in RS as well’ by T. V. – Chairman of DRC Rafi Gregorian met with RS President Dragan Cavic and signatory parties of the Agreement on Harmonized Political Activities in Banja Luka Thursday. Cavic asked from Gregorian that the reform is conducted as in accordance with the Agreement. Gregorian has stated there is a possibility that some of military commands are seated in RS. RTRS by Daliborka Predragovic – RTRS says that all reps agreed that defence reform is acceptable as long as RS Defence Ministry jurisdiction remains. Dusan Stojicic from SDS stated that the defence reform cannot abolish RS MoD, while Dragan Mikerevic from PDP stated that will provide support if the action plan of entire process is determined. SNSD Chairman Milorad Dodik stated property of RS Army cannot be transferred to BIH Army and added that defence reform has a sense if it enables significant financial savings. Chairman of the 11 NGO’s Coordination Board Branislav Djukic stated that the police and defence reform need to be carried out in accordance with RS and BIH constitution and added that the Centre will block the work of all RS institutions if their stance is not obliged by RS NA members. Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘RS NGO’s threat with blockades’, by De. L., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Reform has been completed!’ by G. K. – Dukic stated that the NGOs would call for organization of early elections if the RSNA MPs ignore the NGOs’ position. RHB, RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘SNSD on defence reform’, by M. B. – bring Dodik’ statement. |
| No new information on security threat against OHR
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘SIPA still has not found out who threatened OHR’ by A.O, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘No new information on threats against OHR” by M.K. – DA brings that three days after the initial security threat against the OHR in Sarajevo, no official wants to bring details on the case. Admir Katica, the spokesperson for SIPA, told dailies that the Agency continues to carry out check, provide security for OHR building and all other diplomatic and consular offices. Dailies says that SIPA still has not found out who threatened the OHR. RHB, PINK, BHT1,Vecernji List pg 23 ‘OHR under protection’ not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘Strict control of borders as well’ by Z. Rerig, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Danger is still lurking’ by N. Z., Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Strengthened security measures are still in force’ by M. C. – also reported. |
| Ravna Gora Chetnik Movement threats OHR?
| Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Chetnik organization from Chicago sends OHR threats?!’, mentioned on front ‘Chetniks from Chicago threatening Ashdown!?, by Mensud Zorlak – According to DL’s sources “close to Police bodies”, members of the ‘Ravnogorski cetnicki pokret’ (Ravna Gora Chetnik Movement) sent the information on Tuesday at 1700 hrs that a truck full of explosives would hit the OHR building in Sarajevo. Allegedly, the Movement’s central office in |
| RS Govt appoints Andan new RS Police Director
| RTRS, Hayat, FTV, BHT 1, Dnevni AVaz pg 2 ‘Dragomir Andan appointed as the RS Police Director’, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Dragan Andan appointed for police director’, Nezavisne novine pg 4 ‘Andan was appointed RS Police Director’ by D. R., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Andan is Police Director’ by G. D. – The RS Government on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Dragomir Andan to the position of RS Police Director. Andan currently holds position of the head of the Public Security Center Sarajevo East. |
| SD: ‘Croat’ cadres in FBiH MoI instructed by AID | Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 18 ‘’Croat’ cadres instructed by head of AID’, by Milo Jukic – The article argues that the FBiH Ministry of Interior has no Croats in senior positions and that the only important ‘Croats’ in the Ministry are people who declare themselves as Croats (Zlatko Miletic, whose father in Serb, mother Bosniak) or who fought against the Croats during the war (Dragan Vikic, who fought the Croats in the Kiseljak area). SD also carries a photo in which one can see Miletic, Vikic and Kemal Ademovic, “a former director of infamous AID from its darkest period”. (AID – former Bosniak secret service). According to SD’s information, they discussed which one of the Croat officials from the BiH and FBiH top should be “eliminated” next, now when Ante Jelavic and Dragan Covic are “done for”. |
Economic issues | |
| RSNA discusses Oil refinery
| FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘RS Government asks for audit’, Nezavisne novine pg 4 ‘Searching for a strategic partner for Brod Refinery’ by D. R., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Loses facing an audit’ by Tijana Veselinovic – RS Minister of Economy, Energy and Development Miladin Gligoric confirmed on Thursday that the RS Government requested the Head Audit Service to make the audit of Bosanski Brod Oil Refinery its priority so that relevant institutions can afterwards start their activities. The RS Government also authorized Gligoric, RS Minister of Trade and Tourism Boris Gaspar and RS Minister of Economy, Energy and Development Miladin Gligoric to negotiate with strategic foreign partners about investments in the Brod refinery and Banja Luka Petrol. Both companies have ended last year in negative territory and Gligoric told a press conference in |
| VAT postponed for
| Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Introduction of VAT is being postponed for January 1?’ by B.S. – The Information Office of the Indirect Taxation Authority confirmed that that the ITA Steering Board adopted on Tuesday a CAFAO’s recommendation that the application of the VAT starts in beginning of next year instead of July 1, 2005. On top of this, an official request for change of the Law on VAT will be submitted to the BiH Council of Ministers in the next few days. PINK– The Chair of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic and SBiH rep to BiH Parliament, Beriz Belkic said that postponing the VAT implementation could have negative consequences for BiH “We are facing the great problems with the IMF, regarding negotiations on standby arrangement. I insist that the VAT should start being implemented in this year”, said Terzic. |
| FBiH Pension-Disability Insurance Bureau Director: Pensions will be increasing further
| Dnevni Avaz cover page, pg 5 ‘Pensions will be increasing further’ Azra Basic – In an interview with the daily, FBiH Pension-Disability Insurance Bureau Director Nadir Kovacevic denied recent allegations that the pension would be reduced due to decrease of the Bureau’s income. “The truth is that the revenues in the first two months of a year collected from taxpayers are usually lower than the revenues in other months. But the truth is also that the income in January and February of this year was much higher than in the same period last year,” said Kovacevic announcing further increase of pensions in the course of this year. |
Political issues | |
| NHI expels Ivo Lozancic
| Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjneje Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Ivo Lozancic expelled from NHI’, by NINA, Vecernji List, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘Ivo Lozancic expelled from NHI’, not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17 ‘NHI: Ivo Lozancic expelled from party’, by N. Dimitrijevic – The Presidency of NHI took an unanimous decision to expel Ivo Lozancic from the party due to his “continuous destructive behaviour” within the party. NHI also contacted the BiH Election Commission to return Lozancic’s mandate in the BiH House of Representatives to the party.Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Guilty is Kresimir Zubak’s sick mind’, mentioned on cover, by S. Se – Lozancic denies allegations on his behaviour, accusing Zubak for trying to discredit him. |
| Tihic objects Bozanic’s appointment
| Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Tihic objects appointing Bozanic as ambassador’, Oslobodjenje pg 2 – Commenting the media reports that BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic has proposed to BiH Presidency to appoint Dragan Bozanic as the Ambassador at large in the residence of the BiH MFA in Sarajevo, BiH Presidency member Sulejman Tihic deems that this cannot happen. He added he will object including this item at the Presidency’s agenda. EU has recently blocked Bozanic’s appointment to the Head of the BiH Mission in |
| Cliff: current organization of BiH is unacceptable for
| RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Ambassador Cliff hopes Karadzic and Mladic will be arrest soon’, Oslobodjenje pg Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Not for Europe’ by Srna – UK Ambassador to BiH Ian Cliff stated Thursday that the issue of Constitutional changes had been ‘laid on a table’ and it was good that all political parties are aware that the current internal organization of the country was too complicated, expensive and unacceptable for Europe. Cliff met with BiH Minister of Civil Affairs Safet Halilovic in |
| NN int with Russian Ambassador
| Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Ivanic has chosen the worst solution’ by D. Jerinic – In an interview to NN, Russian Ambassador to BiH Alexandar Grishchenko has stressed |
| SB: European BiH to be composed of five economic regions | Slobodna Bosna pgs 22-26 ‘Entities to be abolished; European BiH to be composed of five economic regions’ Asim Metiljevic – The latest and the recent Neum meeting of leaders of the ruling political parties in BiH showed clearly that there were no consensus inside the country on the need of constitutional and especially territorial re-arrangement of BiH. A few weeks later the Venice Commission, a respectable non-governmental organization, sent a message indirectly subliming actual political will of the European diplomatic circles: “The current BiH Constitution is anachronistic and with such constitutional structure BiH cannot count on admission into European Union.” However, according to the author, the transition of BiH from the Dayton to the Brussels phase is discretely being realized through establishment of the five economic regions, which actually represent a foundation for new constitutional and territorial re-arrangement of BiH. It is about ARDA – Northwestern Region, NERDA – Northeastern Region, REDAH – Herzegovina Region, REZ-RDA – Central BiH Region and SERDA – Sarajevo Region that have been officially promoted by EC Delegation in BiH and BiH Council of Ministers. |