Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on
RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
BiH HoR on confidence in BiH CoM | BiH HoR assesses work of BiH CoM | RS Govt committed to reforms |
Terzic on BiH- | Borovcanin denied pre-trial release | BiH HoR to hold session |
Outbreak of cholera in | ‘Osvetnici’ sentenced to 15-20 years | ICTY rejects temporary release claim |
TV news broadcast on
RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
Jovic to attend Stolac manifestation | Explosive devices not set in BL | PDP supports Terzic’s removal |
Rupel meets Del Ponte | Financial support to BiH Judiciary | RS NA on transfer of authorities |
HNC Unions on HNC Government | Issue of BiH border with | HJPC on RS Special Prosecutors |
Peric’s letter to Ceric | Conference on bankruptcy proceed. | Donor conf. on judiciary reform |
NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
First election applications | Protests of workers in Lukavac | HJPC disputed appointments |
Requests for Terzic’s dismissal | “Agrokomerc” workers in strike | RSNA in session |
BIH farmers announce protests | Liquidation processes in BiH | Live from the RSNA session |
Tender for BIH passports | New meeting on “Energopetrol” | Kovacevic on alleged prep. of assas. |
Oslobodjenje | [BiH CoM Chair Terzic] |
Dnevni Avaz | [EU Parliament’s reporter Fava] |
Dnevni List | Croat returnees live nearby mines (problem with mines in Brcko district) |
Vecernji List | Sanader can help BiH (Schwarz-Schilling interview) |
Slobodna Dalmacija | Boy ran away from kidnappers (attempt of kidnapping in Livno) |
Nezavisne Novine | Conflict over Judge Simmons |
Glas Srpske | Agreement is unacceptable |
EuroBlic | EUFOR was violating mandate, everybody is evading truth |
Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
BiH CoM Chair: It is unserious to try to vote no confidence in BiH CoM at time of | RTRS – Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair, has today stated that it is unserious that the BiH Parliamentary Assembly is trying to vote no-confidence in the BiH CoM, that is currently engaged in talks with the EU on
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ICTY rejects motion for temporary release of Borovcanin
| BH Radio 1, RTRS – The Hague Tribunal has rejected the motion for temporary release filed by former Deputy Commander of RS MoI Special Brigade Ljubomir Borvcanin, charged with genocide in Srebrenica. The Judges concluded that if detainee were temporary released, he would not respond to court summons for trials. |
Political issues | |
BiH HoR to discuss confidence vote to CoM on Thursday/ PDP to support vote announcing all RS parties would do the same
| BHT1- At the BiH House of Representatives’ session scheduled for Thursday, the Deputies should cast a confidence vote to BiH Council of Ministers and its Chair Adnan Terzic. The initiative for the Terzic’s removal was submitted by a Mixed Club within the BiH HoR composed of Tihomir Gligoric, Mirko Blagojevic and Petar Kunic. PDP stated on Wednesday that the Deputies of this party are going to join the initiative for the Terzic’s removal and a confidence vote to BiH CoM. PDP believes that the lack of efficiency of the BiH CoM is Terzic’s responsibility. PDP Deputy Jelina Djurkovic stressed that Terzic has left the position of “primus inter pares” two years ago, and started working on his own. BiH HoR Deputy Vinko Radovanovic stated that Terzic’s independent acting, arrogant behaviour and office abuse provide sufficient ground for his removal. SDA deputy Sefik Dzaferovic stated that, according to SDA, there is no a single reason for dismissal of the BiH CoM and Terzic. |
CoM Chair Terzic: Reasons for the initiative are clear, we stripped power from smaller entity
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Terzic: I do not expect that vote of no-confidence to the CoM would pass’ by S.S.– Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic said that he does not expect that no-confidence vote would pass the BiH House of Representatives, stressing that motives for launching of this initiative are crystal clear. ‘It is certain that one Government, which stripped the power of a smaller BiH entity in many segments…cannot gain sympathies of those that sit in the BiH Parliament and come from the RS” said Terzic. He added that anything can happen, but…”If deputies feel that we are not doing our job, we would gladly withdraw ourselves from the positions and allow arrival of those that would do it better then we did”. |
HR Schwarz-Schilling interview prior to visiting
| Vecernji List, front pg splash and pg 6 ‘Sanader can help BiH’, by Dejan Jazvic – carries an interview with the High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, prior to his departure for Zagreb that is to take place today (Thursday) where he is to meet, among others, with the Croatian PM, Ivo Sanader. Asked what he would tell the PM, the HR says ‘’(…) I will tell PM Sanader what I think he should support or initiate, and in return I expect from him to tell me what he thinks I should do. We will talk about the role of the Catholic Church and bishops, constitutional changes and situation in Mostar. I believe there are issues related to situation in BiH in which PM Sanader can help and I will tell him that”. |
Issues of borderlines with
| PINK – RS President Dragan Cavic said that BiH institutions are competent to solve problems of the municipalities of Kostajnica, Novi Grad and Kozarska Dubica, resulting from the Agreement on border between BiH and |
BiH CoM Chair Terzic:
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Croatia is trying to close BiH at sea’ by Azhar Kalamujic – BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic told the daily that the demand for talks’ re-launch on the interstate border in the Neum region, made by the Croatian Government, “is a try to close our country at see, i.e. to be deprived of a status of maritime state.” Terzic confirms that the BiH Border Commission provided him a line of evidence proving that |
RSNA rejects RS Government’s report on effects of transferring authorities from RS to BiH level/MPs claim that administrative costs have increased proportionally to each transfer
| BHT1 – At the session held on Wednesday, RS National Assembly rejected the information of the RS Government on effects of decisions on transfer of authorities from the RS to BiH level. SDA Deputy Tarik Sadovic believes that this transfer is effective, because it strengthens BiH. |
HR Schwarz-Schilling interview prior to visiting
| Vecernji List, front pg splash and pg 6 ‘Sanader can help BiH’, by Dejan Jazvic – carries an interview with the High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, prior to his departure for Zagreb. Responding to press question what he would do regarding situation in Mostar, the HR says “we will considerably focus on situation in Mostar”, however the HR underlines there is no other way but for the local authorities to assume responsibility for what they are doing. In that context, the HR says if someone wants Mostar to fail, to have a divided city, he will not hesitate to stress it, which will undermine the authorities’ credibility prior to the forthcoming elections. |
DL: Mostar budget to be adopted at next session of City Council
| Dnevni List, pg 10 ‘City budget to be adopted soon?’, not signed – DL learns from sources close to the OHR that the Mostar City Council |
HDZ 1990’s Ljubic: We advocate unification of Mostar
| Danas, pgs 22-25 ‘B. Ljubic: HDZ 1990 will strongly advocate for unification of Mostar’, not signed – carries an interview with the leader of HDZ 1990, Bozo Ljubic, in which he mostly reiterates statements pertaining to establishment of HDZ 1990 and rejection of constitutional amendments. Questioned about the position of HDZ 1990 regarding situation in Mostar, Ljubic says he proposed back in 2000 a platform on unification of Mostar, which included the abolishment of 6 municipalities and national parallelisms and unification of Mostar as one functional unit, the platform he has supported until present days. |
DL: HDZ’s Covic offering coalition to SNSD and
| Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘Covic ‘offering’ himself to Lagumdzija and Dodik’, by Z. Jukic – According to DL’s sources, after failing to gather a grand Croat coalition that would foremost include the |
Danas speculates with names of candidates for Croat member of BIH Presidency: Jurisic, Tadic, Krizanovic, Lozancic and Ljubic in race for BiH Presidency
| Danas, front pg splash and pgs 14-17 ‘Jurisic, Tadic, Krizanovic, Lozancic and Ljubic in race for BiH Presidency’, by Z. Jukic speculates with names of possible candidates for the office of Croat member of BiH Presidency, saying that |
SP Petar Djokic: We do not want coalition with
| Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Time of divisions in BiH has passed’ by A.T. – BiH Socialist Party leader Petar Djokic told press conference that this party will consider possibility of forming ‘patriotic block of Serb parties’ for the October elections in the FBiH, adding that there will be no joint lists with |
British Ambassador Rycroft:
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘European policy of enlargement is right’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘EU should not raise ramps for Western Balkans countries’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Correct European enlargement policy’ by N. N. – At the international conference on Western Balkans organized by Hungarian European Society in Budapest on Wednesday, British Ambassador Matthew Rycroftstressed that the European policy of enlargement is right and that it must continue. Rycroft said that the EU and NATO could use the influence they have in the region: “ |
Reis Ceric: BiH has reasons to become full member of OIC
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 13 ‘Ceric wants BiH in Organization of Islamic Conference’, by H – The leader of Islamic community in BiH, Reis-ul-ulema, Mustafa eff. Ceric, stated in an interview for ‘TV Mostar’ on Tuesday night that BiH had reasons to become a full member of the Organization of Islamic Conference because “more than half of citizens in it are Muslims”. SD notes that Ceric did not state under whose data Muslims make more than 50% of the citizens in BiH. (also reported in Vecernji List, pg 20 ‘BiH is alliance of Islamic countries’, by H, Vjesnik, pg 12 ‘Ceric wants BiH to become part of OIC’, by Alenko Zornija) |
Constitutional changes/Police reform | |
BiH Presidency Chair Tihic: Path to
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Path to Europe is impossible without changes to Constitution’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Tihic: I hope that amendments will be practiced at elections’ by L.S., Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Way towards EU impossible without amendments to Constitution’ not signed – Chairman of BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic on Wednesday stated he believes it is in the interest of all citizens and peoples of BiH, as well as in the interest of the state, to adopt amendments to the BiH Constitution and to hold the October elections in accordance with these amendments. Tihic especially noted the current Constitution provides the state with “extremely reduced” competences and one cannot even imagine pre-requisites that would be set for BiH might be efficiently and quickly fulfilled with such competences. |
BiH Presidency Chair Tihic answering speculations regarding his visit to
| Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘I demanded from USA further support to constitutional changes’ by A.Omeragic – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic told that leaders of parties that signed the Agreement on constitutional changes will meet on May 23, when they will discuss possibilities of adopting constitutional amendments before the October elections. Tihic added that he has a concrete suggestion, refusing to come up with details before meeting political parties’ leaders. Denying all speculations and political attacks regarding his visit to the |
SNSD Secretary General Vasic:No talks on constitutional changes before elections
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Constitution cannot be discussed in corners’ by Fena – SNSD Secretary General Rajko Vasic told at the press conference on Wednesday, that as far as his party is concerned, activities regarding constitutional changes before the October elections are over. He added that only the Constitution adopted in Parliaments could be a valid legal act, while all other actions are similar to political improvisation and imposition. Vasic stressed that all negotiations on constitutional reform must be led in Parliaments, and not “in corners”. Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘No talks on constitutional changes before elections’ |
HR Schwarz-Schilling interview prior to visiting
| Vecernji List, front pg splash and pg 6 ‘Sanader can help BiH’, by Dejan Jazvic – carries an interview with the HR, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, prior to his departure to |
MP in European Parliament Swoboda criticizes | Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘American pressure was wrong’, by Zoran Kresic – MP in the European Parliament and the Parliament’s Deputy President of the Committee for South-east Europe, Hannes Swoboda, on Wednesday stated that the US administration was wrong to force BiH politicians to accept constitutional changes that were not acceptable to certain groups. “It was stupid to impose constitutional changes from the outside. They must find solutions themselves”, said Swoboda. |
SBiH leader Halilovic: Every compromise with RSNA’s stance regarding police reform would mean quitting model that implies BiH as sovereign state
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘RS is constantly imposing thesis that BiH is a confederation’ by Edina Sarac – In an interview SBiH leader Safet Halilovic said that the police reform issue is a test to valuate real intentions of RS politicians and relevant international figures: “If the international factor allows the police reform model advocated by the RS to be imposed at the state level, than it is for sure that constitutional changes, they are in favor of, are heading the same direction, in line with strengthening model that imply sovereignty of RS and pre-conditions for its secession.” Halilovic explained that the stance of Police Reform Directorate [ |
Judicial issues/Crime/War crimes/ Security | |
HJPC press release: Appointment of special RS Prosecutors is in contradiction with Law on HJPC
| BHT1 – The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council [HJPC] issued a press release on Wednesday, which reads that the appointment of Prosecutors in the RS Special Prosecution is in contradiction with the Law on HJPC, adding that the appointed Prosecutors cannot perform this duty. HJPC also stated that some regulations of the set of laws, which enabled establishing of RS Special Prosecution, are in conflict with some regulations of the Law on HJPC. HJPC stressed that the RS authorities did not ask the opinion of the Council regarding this issue, although they were obliged to do so. FTV- HJPC recommended the RS Government to urgently start the procedure for change of this set of laws. HJPC is willing to provide full expert help in finding a solution for this case. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘RS Special Prosecutors cannot perform duties’ by Onasa, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Appointment of prosecutors is not in accordance with the law’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Appointments of special prosecutors disputed’ by D. Risojevic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Appointment of special prosecutors disputed’ by M. S., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Procedure knows no needs’ by Z. M. and M. D. – also report |
RS PM Dodik: HJPC’ reaction inappropriate; criminals were informed about this before I was- that shows how hard it is to fight organized crime
| RTRS – Commenting on the press release of the HJPC, RS PM Milorad Dodik expressed his belief that the HJPC’ reaction is inappropriate: “We want everything to be transparent in order to avoid problems with the |
DA op-ed harshly criticizing RS PM Dodik for acting unlawful regarding issue of RS Special Prosecution
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Dodik’s new disgrace’ by Husein Orahovac – Commenting on HJPC’ statement (saying appointment of prosecutors to the RS Special Prosecution is unlawful), the editorial reads that “[RS Premier] Milorad Dodik should leave politics, in disgrace….” The author notes that Dodik only wanted to fight his political enemies, not the crime, “in style of an official from a totalitarian regime. For it is known that only in such political frameworks one could act in spite of law and cynically play with judicial authorities.” Editorial concludes that Dodik would hopefully finally stop to act like that no one could touch him. |
NN op-ed: Mafia proved it has influence even in judicial institutions
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Who is bothered with the Special Prosecutor’s Office’ by Aleksandar Sekulic – According to the author, the RS Government with RS PM Milorad Dodik at the head, had faced numerous obstructions in the fight against the organised crime but the latest obstruction, which came from the HJPC, is definitely without a precedent. The author notes: ‘Remarks presented with regard to forming of the Special Prosecutor’s Office and yesterday’s decision on disputing the appointment of special prosecutors got the character of holding only one side – the side of Mafia’ and he added Mafia once again proved it is powerful and it demonstrated it has an influence in numerous institutions, even in judicial ones. |
Donors’ Conference for BiH Judiciary; Swedish Ambassador promised EURO 2 million for judiciary
| BHT1 – The donors’ conference for the |
NN learns BiH Court President opposed extension of mandate of International Judge Simmons due to dissatisfaction with his work | Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘Conflict over Judge Simmons’, pg 3 ‘Kreso requested protection of independent judiciary’ by A.Djozo/N.Krsman learns that the HR to BiHChristian Schwarz-Schilling on 5 May has extended the mandate to International Judge with the BiH Court, Malcolm Simmons, although Meddzida Kreso, theBiH Court President opposed this since she was not satisfied with his work. To the daily’s knowledge, Kreso on Friday had a bitter discussion with the British Ambassador to BiH, Matthew Rycroft, who insisted that the Simmons’ mandate is extended. After this, Kreso on Monday addressed a letter to Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair, Sulejman Tihic, BiH Presidency Chair, and Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister, asking from them to undertake measures in order to protect the independent judiciary. Sanela Tunovic, OHR Spokesperson, on Wednesday confirmed the HR extended mandate to Simmons, without commenting on the mentioned claims. |
NN op-ed: It is strange BIA released information on assassination plot against Dodik and acted opposite in case of Djindjic’s assassination
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Fight for Dodik’ by Pero Simic – Referring to the most recent information on possible assassination of RS PM Milorad Dodik, the author says RS PM’s announcement on fight against the crime and corruption, as well as on forming of a special court and prosecutor’s office is obviously standing in the way of certain criminal organisations. He notes it is interesting the information came right after a private visit of Serbian President Boris Tadic and adds that the visit obviously frightened and bothered someone in |
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Assassins are in connection with the group that had the same goal in past’ by V. Popovic – |
People that allegedly made payments to
| RTRS – |
RS MoI’s Cadjo: MoI involved in work of Commission investigating Palic’s case
| FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘RS MoI included into the search’ not signed – At Wednesday’s session of the RS National Assembly, SDA deputy Sadik Ahmetovic demanded from the RS Government information on actions taken in order to investigate the faith of colonel Avdo Palic [who has gone missing in 1995, during the negotiations with the RS Army representatives on evacuation from Zepa]. RS Minister of Interior Stanislav Cadjo stated that the RS MoI is actively involved in the work of Commission tasked to investigate the case of Palic. |
Oslobodjenje: Nothing new in ‘Palic case’
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘I’ve gone crazy in wilderness’ by E.K. – Milan Dupor Chair of the RS Government’s Commission tasked to find Avdo Palic, said on Wednesday he “heard nothing new”. This refers to his talk with Dragi Milasevic, former chief of crime-service who is working of the field, trying to locate sources that could locate the Palic’s grave. Dupor said that Milsaveic informed him that ‘he has gone crazy in that wilderness’ (probably referring to the locations where he was looking for the Palic’s grave). |
Update to “Abazovic case”: BiH to demand Information on the issue from Council of Europe and raise the issue to international level accordingly
| EuroBlic cover pg splash, RSpg 1 ‘EUFOR was violating mandate, everybody is evading truth’ by Tijana Veselinovic – Tihomir Gligoric, delegate with the BiH House of Representatives, told daily that he would propose to the BiH HoR to demand information from the Council of Europe whether responsibility of EUFOR members (who took part in action related to “Abazovic” case, i.e. attempted action of arrest of war crime suspect in January 2006 resulting in death of his wife and serious wounding of him and his son) was determined. According to him, this is the only manner in which “something can be done and issue raised to international level”. He suspects that local investigation and security bodies “are afraid of international institutions in BiH, owing to which reason they are stalling with investigation on this case”. Bosko Siljegovic, President of a Joint Commission of both Houses of BiH Parliament for defence and security policy, expressed expectation that at today’s (Thursday’s) session of the BiH Parliament, delegates would raise the issue of responsibility of EUFOR soldiers who took part in Abazovic arrest. He reminded of Commission’s assessment that “EUFOR exceeded its mandate during action”. |
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Serbian Government did not do all within its power to find Mladic’ by Onasa – UK Ambassador to |
Coordination group for defence reform: Export of weapons to | Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Weapons export to Iraq in line with regulations’ – Examining Amnesty International report on BiH export of surplus of small weapons to Iraq, Coordination group for defence reform stated that the job was done in legitimate, legal and transparent manner. |
Member of the EU Parliament’s inquiry commission for
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘ |
Economy | |
RSNA passes the Law on RS IDB/ DEPOS and
| RTRS – At its Wednesday’s session, RS National Assembly [RSNA] passed the Law on RS Investment- Development Bank [RS IDB], which foresees new ways in managing over the RS property and resources. Investment Bank will manage funds such as development and employment fund, housing fund, action fund, restitution fund and fund for over RS property and claims. RS IDB will work on creation of the business environment for the development of the RS economy; increase of competition; increase of jobs and production. The RS Privatization Agency should transfer all the documentation to the RS IDB by December 31. “Project of the RS IDB should provide higher level of capital resources’ productivity, total level of efficiency regarding use of resources will be increased”, said Aleksandar Dzombic, RS Minister of Finance. |
SERDA Conference in
| PINK, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘EU supports economic development of regions’ by T.L., Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Easier to EC’s funds’, by D. P. Mandic– The conference on regional economic development and BiH way to the EU was held on Wednesday in Sarajevo. Representatives of BiH and Cantonal institutions and Head of EC Delegation Michael Humphreys were present at the conference. “I am glad that all five regional development agencies are established… These are the agencies that may play a role in opening of new jobs and development of flexible and dynamic economy”, said Humphreys. According to Humphreys, recognition that the EC gave to SERDA and other regional development agencies is connected with the BiH improvements toward EU integrations. |
Farmers ask protection of milk exporters, announce boycott of Croatian products
| BHT1, |
Madunic (MP in FBiH HoR, Croat Bloc): Bosniak parties want to destroy ‘Aluminij’ of Mostar
| Dnevni List, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘Bosniaks want to destroy Aluminij’, by Mensud Zorlak commenting on the Draft law on privatization, which was withdrawn from the procedure in the FBIH HoR by the FBIH PM, Ahmet Hadzipasic, an MP in the FBiH HoR, Ivan Madunic (Croat Bloc), says the Draft was withdrawn because there are attempts not to adopt it since it is favourable towards the ‘Aluminij’ company of Mostar. He explains that “the Bosniak parties” would rather like to destroy the ‘Aluiminij’, decrease its value and only then go into the privatization of the company, pointing the finger foremost at the SBIH. |