OHR BiH Media Round-up, 18/6/2005

Oslobodjenje

Minister Kristo does not allow transfer of inmates to RS

Dnevni Avaz

We are not losing the war against organized crime

Dnevni List

Forcible collection is illegal

Vecernji List

RS pilots flying over Croatia again

Nezavisne Novine

Nikolic ignored Radmanovic’s warning

Glas Srpske

They are undertaking no actions

War crimes/defence issues

Minister Kristo halted transfer of inmates from Zenica prison

BHT1 – FBiH Justice Ministry stopped execution of the decision on transfer of four non-Bosniak war crimes convicts from Zenica to Kula prison. BiH Justice Minister, Slobodan Kovac, issued this decision on Thursday. FBiH Ministry stated that decision is not executed because it was issued in institution that has no jurisdiction over this issue. FBiH Justice Minister, Borjana Kristo, formed an independent commission after information on violence against those four convicts, which should determine all the facts in this case by the end of week. “Based on that report we will decide on further actions,” said Kristo and added that basic human rights and freedoms and the European Convention on basic human rights that forbid torturing of convicts serving sentence in prison will be respected. Kovac repeated that prisons are not in his jurisdiction, but he issued decision on transfer due to security reasons in accordance with the State law (reporter didn’t clarify which law).

RHB, FTV, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Decision on transfer only after the commission’s report’ by Valentina Rupcic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Keys are in Kristo’s hands’ by N. Zelenovic, Oslobodjenje cover pg splash ‘Minister Kristo does not allow transfer of inmates to RS’ and pg 3 ‘Minister Kristo does not allow transfer’ by A. Omeragic, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Decision on transfer of inmates to follow on Monday’ by A. Durmo, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Kovac cannot order transfer of inmates’ not signed – report on Minister Kristo’s decision.

Inmates’ family members met with Ministers Kovac and Kebo

Women – War Victims Association protest against Kovac’s decision to transfer inmates

RTRS – 4 prisoners of Zenica prison Vlastimir Pusara, Milorad Rodic, Zoran Knezevic and Ivan Bakovic are still on hunger strike. Members of their families decided to abort the announced hunger strike since they met with BIH justice Minister Slobodan Kovac and BIH Minister for Human Rights and Refugees Mirsad Kebo but they haven’t given up on their demand for transfer of these prisoners to another prison. FBIH Ministry announced that the decision on their transfer will be made on Monday since by then commission with the task to determine facts related to the incidents that occurred in Zenica prison will complete its work. Kovac stated that he made a legitimate decision on the transfer of the mentioned prisoners 2 days ago but his decision was not carried out due to non-harmonization of FBIH and BIH laws. Representatives of Women War Victims Association on the other hand protested and demanded from Kebo and Kovac not to form one national prisons in BIH and expressed hope that BIH will have a prison for all those who committed war crimes regardless of their ethnicity.

BHT1, FTV, TV Pink, NTV Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Pusara and others must serve sentences in a prison in F BiH’ by R. Rakic, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Protest in front of institutions’ buildings’ not signed– also reported on the protest against Kovac’s decision on transfer of inmates.

Croatian hymn was played during taking the oath in Capljina

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘Nikolic ignored Radovanovic’s warning’ and pg 3 ‘BiH Defence Law was violated by playing Croatian hymn’ by V. Coric and D. Muminovic – F BiH Defence Minister Miroslav Nikolic ignored BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic’s warning to change the protocol on taking of the oath of F BiH Army soldiers, according to which Croatian hymn was played along with the state hymn. Nikolic Friday stated he thinks playing of the Croatian hymn, which is traditionally played at ceremonies of oath-taking in Capljina, was not in violation of the laws. ‘I would not call this song the state hymn of the Republic of Croatia because it existed even before the Croatian state was established. This was always a hymn of all Croats who were performing this song for centuries’, Nikolic said.

Vecernji List pgs 6-7 ‘Last military march?’ by Frano Matic – also reported on taking of the oath but reads that soldiers and parents welcomed the state insignia with dignity while listening the state hymn and hymn of Croat people in BiH.

War crime indictee Vjestica released from custody

TV Pink, BHT1, NTV Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Miroslav Vjestica released from custody’ by vr, Glas Srpske pg 12 ‘Vjestica at large’ by Srna, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Vjestica was released from detention’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Miroslav Vjestica was released from detention’ by Srna, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Miroslav Vjestica released from detention’ by Nina – Miroslav Vjestica, indicted for committing war crime on the area of Bosanska Krupa, was released from custody on Friday. The decision was made by Court of BiH. Vjestica has to deliver all passports and identifications that he possesses and he has to report to police every day.

Plavsic not to be released from prison after turning 75 in July

BHT1 – Biljana Plavsic will not be released from serving her sentence of 11 years in prison for war crimes when she turn 75 in July, stated ICTY spokesperson, Jim Landale. Sweden Embassy in BiH confirmed for BHT that there is no legal regulation in Sweden that would order releasing convicts when they reach a certain age. Plavsic is serving her sentence in Sweden and Plavsic’ lawyers launched an initiative for her release calling on Swedish law.

FTV, RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Plavsic remains in Sweden’ by Srna, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Biljana Plavsic remains in Hinseberg prison’ by Tanjug, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Plavsic will not be released soon’ by S. G., Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Plavsic cannot be released from prison earlier without a consent of the Tribunal’ by Srna – carry similar reports.

Croatian police arrested 10 persons suspected of having been members of the “Scorpions” unit

FTV, BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 3, announced on cover ‘Approximately 10 members of the Scorpions were apprehended?’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Ten persons suspected of having been members of the Scorpions were apprehended’ by Hina – Croatian police arrested 10 persons from Vinkovci area, suspected of being members of Serbian police special unit “Scorpions” unit. During search of family houses of these persons a significant amount of small arms was found. After interrogation, police will decide on extending detention or not to the suspects.

General Nikolai stated before ICTY he was surprised with evacuation in Srebrenica organised by Mladic

BHT1 – Dutch General Cees Nicolai, the chief of staff for the UN forces in Bosnia during the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, stated before ICTY that he was taken by surprise by the evacuation of Bosniak refugees from the enclave organized by Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic. Lawyers for families of the victims of the massacre have called the hearings to see if there is enough evidence to file a civil action against the Dutch state for failing to protect their loved ones. Nicolai also said it was clear that the evacuation of Bosniak from Srebrenica after the fall should have been done by the UN.

Cekic: RS MoI had not delivered a single new name of members of police stations

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, announced on cover ‘Srebrenica list without new names’ by S. Rozajac – Member of Srebrenica Task Force Smail Cekic has stated that, as of March 31, RS MoI had not delivered a single new name of members of 12 police stations that have been in connection with Zvornik PSC. He said RS MoI had sent some information to TF but these were not new data, but only confirmed data the TF already had.

US Ambassador to SiCG Polt: Serbia must admit and condemn Srebrenica crimes

NTV Hayat – U.S. Ambassador to SiCG Michael Polt says that Serbia has to admit and condemn the crimes, which happened in Srebrenica. According to the survey, conducted by Strategic Marketing, every second Serbian citizen saw snapshots on execution of 6 Bosniaks from Srebrenica. 92 % of interviewed persons say that Serbia needs to face the truth on war crimes. 43 % would extradite Ratko Mladic, while 37 % would not. 20 % say that Mladic should be extradited for his war crimes, while 23.3 % say that he should be extradited in order for SiCG to join EU.

Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Slaughter in Srebrenica is a concrete crime’ not signed – also carries Polt’s statement.

Montenegrin delegation to attend Srebrenica commemoration

NTV Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Djukanovic too has said he is ashamed over Srebrenica’ by Srna – Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic informed that Montenegrin delegation was to attend marking of 10^th Srebrenica genocide anniversary. “Group for changes” proposed Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic and Djukanovic to declare July 11 as mourning day.

Perovic: Marovic’s apology is mocking the victims

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Marovic’s apology is mocking the victims’ not signed – The leader of Montenegrin Liberal Union, Slavko Perovic, strongly criticised SiCG Svetozar Marovic’s statement re Srebrenica crimes and said Serbs and Montenegrins are not criminal peoples.

Srebrenica women do not guarantee safety to Tadic

Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Srebrenica women do not guarantee safety to Tadic’ by R. Cengic – Srebrenica survivors think Serbian President Boris Tadic should, at the commemoration in Potocari, admit individuals and groups from SiCG had committed crimes in Srebrenica upon an order of military and civil top of Serbia. They reiterated they cannot guarantee safety in Potocari to Tadic.

213 mortal remains exhumed in Liplje near Zvornik

BHT1 Samir Kahrovic – 213 incomplete body remains are exhumed from the mass grave in Liplje near Zvornik. This mass gravesite is one of the biggest secondary mass graves discovered so far in BiH. “These are evidences on further mistreatment of the victims, during transport and removal from primary mass grave. There are indications in this case that this could be a tertiary mass grave,” said Tuzla Canton Prosecutor, Mensur Topcic. Members of the expert team of the FBiH Commission for Missing persons say that these remains belong to victims from Serebrenica. Exhumations lasted for 5 weeks and will end next week.

Political developments/reforms

Humphreys: BiH could start SAA negotiations by end of year

RHB – 2 day conference of Parliament Commissions for European integrations of South-eastern European countries started in Sarajevo. The goal of the conference is to improve cooperation of West Balkan countries. Chief of EC delegation in BIH Michael Humphreys stated that that EU hasn’t forgotten its promise that the countries of West Balkans will become EU members and added that BIH could start negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement by the end of the year if it resolves the issues of police reform, PBS Law and cooperation with ICTY.

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Two large steps to negotiations with EU’ not signed – carries statement of Michael Humphreys.

Pack: no country will be accepted to EU unless it fulfils requested demands

RTRS – Doris Pack, the Chair of European Parliament delegation for relations with South-eastern Europe countries, reiterated the position of EU that none of the countries will be accepted to EU unless they fulfil the requested demands. The Head of European Integrations Directorate, Osman Topcagic, feels that BIH is in a final phase of completing the conditions listed in the Feasibility Study.

FTV, TV Pink, NTV Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 2, announced on cover ‘There will be no looking through fingers on the path to Europe’ by Fena, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘There will be no [admission] to EU without reform of police and PBS’ by eme, Nezavisne Novine pg 10 ‘The police and PBS Law are path to Europe’ by M. Cubro, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Admission to EU only after fulfilling of obligations’ by Erna Mackic, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘BiH had gotten a long way on the path to EU and it would not be good if this was blocked’ not signed – also reported on the conference.

BHT: Launching of SAA talks in November again brought in question

BHT1 Marina Boskovic – EU officials warned once again BiH politicians to take responsibility for the reforms that have began. Participants in a two-day conference of the South-East Europe’s parliamentary commissions in charge of the European integrations that commenced in Friday in Sarajevo concluded that the next period is not period of reforms having in mind situation in the BiH Council of Ministers, reports BHT.  After CoM’s Chair Adnan Terzic’s decision to accept resignation of BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mladen Ivanic, after resignation of Branko Dokic and announced resignation of Dragan Doko, no one knows how the CoM will function, commented reporter. “It wouldn’t be good if this situation lasted longer, there is a lot of the laws and decisions that are waiting for the adoption,” said BiH Minister of Justice, Slobodan Kovac. Announcements that BiH could start negotiations on Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) in November are again under question mark, said reporter. “We can still talk about November, but in that case we should have as soon as possible adopted the law on Public RTV system, than we could talk on adoption of action plan on police reform,” said Director of the BiH Direction for European Integrations, Osman Topcagic. EU officials also warned that BiH is the only country in the region that haven’t started SAA negotiations yet. Next CoMs session is not scheduled yet. BiH Parliament says there won’t be discussion on Ivanic’s status, because their position is that this was not a dismissal but it was a resignation.

CoE willing to launch SAA as soon as BiH fulfils pre-requisites

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘BiH cannot enter Eurpe without fulfilling all pre-requisites’ by Agencies – During the Brussels Summit held Friday, Council of Europe (CoE) reached no conclusions on tempo and range of the future enlargement. Chiefs of states and Governments expressed their readiness to launch SAA talks with BiH as soon as it fulfills all pre-requisites.

DS: Terzic is trying to destabilise political area in BiH

RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Forgotten future’ by M. S., Nezavisne Novine pg 10 ‘Accepting of Ivanic’s resignation was reaffirmation of nationalists’ by V. P. – DS feels that by accepting resignation of BIH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic is trying to destabilise political area in BIH in the function of reaffirmation of national parties.

SRS: all political subjects in RS should agree on overcoming the CoM crisis

RTRS – SRS appeals to all political subjects in RS to agree on overcoming the crisis in CoM. SRS feels that RS fate depends on solution of the crisis.

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘To find a joint language’ by M. S. – SRS “Dr. Vojislav Seselj” called upon all RS political subjects to define a joint stance on overcoming the crisis at BiH CoM. While assessing the current political situation as extremely difficult, SRS “Dr. Vojislav Seselj” President Mirko Blagojevic has stated that ‘both the international elements and our opponents from F BiH’ want to destroy RS.

SDS’s Bosic: SDS finds non-party ministers to be acceptable

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Bosic: We will talk about non-party ministers’ by M. Cubro – Deputy SDS President Mladen Bosic Friday stated non-party ministers are acceptable for SDS. ‘Personally, I think it will not be disputable for the party to support the concept to have the entire CoM composed out of non-party members, however I am not sure if the initiative to have non-party Minister at only Serb positions would pass smoothly’, Bosic said. CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic had announced he would soon nominate candidates for two vacated ministers positions after the consultations with all parliamentary parties, respecting the conclusions of the House of Representatives of the BiH.

NN op-ed critical of Cavic’s statement re new ministers to be appointed to CoM

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘“Reformers” ride again’ by Aleksandar Sekulic – According to the author, the key to solution of Adnan Terzic’s position was in RS President Dragan Cavic’s hands, who had promised to HR Paddy Ashdown he would support the appointment of new Ministers from among Serb people to CoM. SDS will support new ministers as experts, and not as the party members, by which they would distance the party from possible responsibility for their decisions, while they will have no other obligation than to lay accounts to Terzic and Cavic.

HNZ Chairman Brkic: BiH needs a new Constitution

RHB, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘BiH needs a completely new constitution’ by Fena, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Elections only after new Constitution is adopted’ by Hina and E. Milavic – HNZ Chairman Milenko Brkic stated on Friday in Mostar that BIH needs a completely new constitution. Brkic feels that the new constitution should be made before the next elections and suggests that the elections should be held in accordance with that constitution.

RS politicians condemn decision of Bosniak Caucus to raise issue of VNI upon RS NA conclusions on police reform

Glas srpske pg 5 ‘By veto against constitutionality’ by G. Dakic – GS reads the European principles on police reform were in accordance neither with the constitutional organisation of BiH nor with the Dayton Agreement. The article refers to the veto Bosniak Caucus at RS NA had decided to file upon RS NA conclusions on police reform and quotes PDP’s Velimir Sakan as saying this is yet another proof that Bosniak delegates at RS Council of Peoples were misusing this body in daily-political purposes. ‘Their main goal is to cause a damage to RS and its bodies’, Sakan said. The Head of the Administration for Police Education, Dragomir Jovicic, thinks no vital national interest of any people in RS was jeopardised. SRS pleads for a change to the Republic Constitution and abolishment of the Council of Peoples. SRS President Milanko Mihajlica claims RS CoP had become the main obstacle to a normal work of RS NA.

McElhaney: issue of change to BiH Constitution is a matter for everyone in BiH

Glas Srpske, Glas Plus Inset, pg 2, announced on cover ‘Everything is in your own hands’ by Nedeljko Zelenovic – In a page-long interview, US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney said the issue of change to BiH Constitution is a matter for everyone in BiH and domestic politicians must present their stance on what they want. This issue is not something one side in BiH can use against others, Ambassador McElhaney said. With regard to police reform he said: ‘I do not think majority of leaders from RS think the police reform is radical to such an extent that it would take authority away from RS’.

BiH Security Minister Colak met with Austrian Interior Minister Prokop, discussed cooperation in security field, fight against crime and corruption

TV Pink – BiH Minister of Security, Barisa Colak met with Austrian Minister of Interior, Liese Prokop on Friday, in Sarajevo. They discussed possibilities of cooperation in the security, migration and asylum fields as well as the fight against crime and corruption. According to Colak, BiH and Austria will soon sign agreement on re-admission. That agreement should regulate status of persons whose stay in any of these two countries has been illegal. “It is very important to mention that Austria is taking over EU chairing and, of course, it will start a line of significant initiatives regarding security”, said Colak. “Organized crime, corruption and fight against terrorism are the issues we are going to discus when we take over EU chairing. These are very important issues and it was very useful to talk them through during the meeting”, said Lisa Prokop. She also said that Austria had offered BiH the project of education in fight against forgery and counterfeit.

FTV, BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘More efficient suppressing of crime, corruption and terrorism’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 10 ‘Western Balkans belong to Europe’ by D. M., Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Insisting on police cooperation’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Agreement between BiH and Austria on re-admission to follow soon’ by Srna – also reported on Colak – Prokop meeting.

PDHR Butler visited Tuzla and Bijeljina

RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Administration is spending 65% of the funds’ by V. Jahic– PDHR Larry Butler visited Tuzla on Friday. He spoke with students of Tuzla University and municipality officials. He also spoke with TC PM Bajazit Jasarevic and TC ministers on privatisation. Butler stated that bankruptcy procedure must be shortened and made more efficient and added that employees without an appropriate education will not be able to remain in their positions when it comes to reform of public administration.

RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Larry Butler in Semberija’ by S. R. T. – PDHR Larry Butler visited farmers in Bijeljina. He met with several representatives of farmers’ associations from Semberija and RS. He stated that without a coordinated agriculture policy BIH would not be able to survive in EU. Slobodanka Milosevic from “Eurofarm” farmers’ association stated that they are alarming all officials in charge to create favourable agricultural ambience. Butler announced establishing of a special working group that will deal with coordination of agricultural production, trade and Ministries.

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘The process of the admission to EU might destroy BiH farmers’ by Z. K. – also carries a report on PDHR Butler’s visit to Tuzla and Bijeljina.

Covic met Lucic and Bozic

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Covic held talks with Ministers Lucic and Bozic yesterday’ by F. V. – HDZ President Dragan Covic held talks with F BiH Ministers of Health Care and Agriculture, Tomo Lucic and Marinko Bozic respectively, on their work at the F BiH Government. HDZ did not want to comment on whether this represents a possibility the mentioned Ministers would be removed.

BiH, Macedonian, Montenegrin and Albanian PBS representatives signed protocol on cooperation

BHT1, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Protocol on cooperation’ not signed, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Protocol on cooperation of RTVs in the region was signed’ by Hina – Representatives of BiH, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania of public broadcast services signed on Friday in Sarajevo protocol on cooperation. BiH Public Broadcast System Director Drago Maric said that sides that signed the agreement intend to act as a region towards EU and Council of Europe funds, integrate their creative and technical capacities and participate together at RTV gatherings. The signing of the protocol came at the end of a two-day seminar on European audio-visual policy and reform of the broadcast sector in the West Balkans, organised by the EU and the Council of Europe.

F BiH Defence Minister Nikolic does not expect to be removed

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Nikolic doesn’t expect dismissal from the top of HDZ’ by Marko Karacic – F BiH Minister of Defence Miroslav Nikolic denied HDZ is preparing his removal and he said anything that goes that direction would be based on some other reason, not on bad work.

Speech of Franks denies Matijasevic’s claims

Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Speech of Congressman Franks denies Darko Matijasevic’ by S. N. and E. S. – Although RS Police Minister Darko Matijasevic hadtried to deny he warned US Congressman Trent Franks of BiH as of a possible terrorist base, a speech Franks held on May 26 denies Matijasevic’s claims. Namely, Frenks had warned of information coming from BiH on the engagement of foreign fighters ‘in fight against Serbs, the same that we are currently facing in Iraq’.   

Legal issues/organised crime

McNair: we are not losing the war against organised crime

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘We are not losing the war against crime’ and pg 4 by S. Numanovic – The Head of the Special Department of BiH Prosecution for Fight against Organised Crime, John McNair, has stated he does not think they were losing the war against crime and corruption in BiH and he expressed satisfaction with the way in which Ante Jelavic trial is developing. He said both Cengic and Maktouf cases are very difficult ones and he said he does not expect they would win all cases. He also expressed satisfaction with cooperation with SIPA, F BiH MoI, Sarajevo Canton Prosecutors and entities’ prosecutors.

Former RS Justice Minister Filipovic indicted

RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Former RS Minister accused of bribery’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Filipovic received bribery to “heal” money launder’ by D. Risojevic– Banja Luka Prosecution raised an indictment against former RS Justice Minister Saud Filipovic. Filipovic is accused for illegal mediation since he asked director of Banja Luka prison Stojan Davidovic to leave the prisoner Zeljko Manojlovic in prison Tunjice instead of sending him to Kula prison. He also asked Davidovic to send Manojlovic for medical treatment after a few days, which Davidovic did. According to the Prosecution, Filipovic received 5000 BAM for this mediation. Neither Filipovic nor Davidovic wanted to comment on the allegations. Davidovic only stated that Filipovic had never asked him to transfer Manojlovic and added that he is currently in Kula prison. Manojlovic was sentenced to 2 years in prison and 50 000 BAM fine for money laundering.

24 items of indictment against Dodik raised upon a conclusion reached by Ivanic’s Government

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Ivanic was “writing” the indictment against Dodik’, announced on cover by S. Karic – The Government of Mladen Ivanic, by a conclusion reached on March 24, 2001, had defined that all distributions of apartments and funds during the mandate of the previous Government were done without a rule-book, ‘which was opposite to laws’. This conclusion of Ivanic’s Government had led to raising 24, out of the total of 32, items of the indictment against Milorad Dodik.

Trebinje Regional Prosecutor’s Office to decide on investigation against Salih Alijagic

RTRS – CountyProsecution in Trebinje will decide on Monday whether it will start an investigation against Salih Alijagic suspected of documents forging. Former Chair of Trebinje County Court Slavko Sanjevic stated that he knows that the court documents regarding case Alijagic are not complete and that some paperwork is missing. Owner of company Gorstak, which bought Alijagic property, Bosko Vujacic submitted samples of electrodes that are not silver to the police. Sanjevic also claims that there is evidence that Alijagic’s bought the electrodes in power plant Gacko that were imported from Russia in 1977. Current Chair of Trebinje County Court Bojan Stevic says that he is not familiar with the allegations on missing documents in case Alijagic.

SAB savers demand from OHR not to get involved in case against F BiH Banking Agency

Nezavisne Novine pg 10 ‘Savers do not want OHR to get involved’ by R. Cengic – Savers of SAB bank, who have won the legal proceeding against F BiH Banking Agency, demand from OHR not to get involved in this case. ‘The task of OHR is to ensure the rule of law that foresees an independent judiciary and independent judges’, Miralem Dautbegovic, one of the savers, has stated. Legal experts of OHR had interpreted the Law on Banking Agencies and had stated that the Banking Agency cannot be prosecuted nor it can be held responsible in a court proceeding for any activities they have performed while acting in good will. OHR Friday refused to comment on the interpretation of its legal experts.

Illegal forcible collection of RTV subscription in Herzegovina

Dnevni List cover pg splash ‘Forcible collection is illegal’ and pg 9 ‘Legal validity of RTV orders was determined in an illegal manner’ by Anja Vrebac – Hercegovina Courts started issuing warnings for forcible collection of TV subscription, which, according to “Your rights” Legal Aid Office, was done in an illegal manner since the order can become legally valid only eight days after the party receives a bill and only unless the party does not file a complaint upon the bill.

Economic/social issues

BiH Farmers’ Association collecting signatures for protection of domestic production

TV Pink, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 11 ’14,000 signatures were collected’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘They have collected 14,000 signatures for protection of domestic production’ not signed – BiH Farmers’ Association has collected about 14.000 signatures of citizens who gave their support to petition on protection of domestic production in BiH. The petition started on June 13 and collecting of signatures is being organized in Banjaluka, Gradiska, Bijeljina, Brcko, Gorazde, Trebinje and Sarajevo. The petition will be delivered to the Chair of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic on June 25.

F BiH ignores order of Commission for Human Rights on payment of pensions

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘They are undertaking no actions’ by R. S. – GS reads deadlines for the start of payment of pensions to pensioners who live in RS but have earned their pensions in F BiH have expired, however F BiH authorities still ignore the order of the commission for human rights on pension payment. RS association of pensioners have announced they would ask that the BiH is excluded from the council of Europe for violating human rights. The President of RS Association of Pensioners, Rade Rakulj, accusses HR Paddy Ashdown of such a difficult situation because he is ‘a fan of F BiH’.

Experts close to defining final path of VC corridor

Vecernji List pg 2, announced on cover ‘Corridor through Herzegovina near tourist centres’ by Dejan Jazvic – After they held consultations with Croatian counterparts, BiH experts are close to defining the final path of Vc corridor through Herzegovina. The experts are inclined to a solution that would completely satisfy both tourist and economic needs of majority of municipalities in Herzegovina . According to this proposal, the highway would pass from north of Mostar to Domanovici (between Pocitelj and Capljina), it would pass some 15 km from Medjugorje, Citluk and Ljubuski and connect with Croatia in Grabovine. The other part of the highway would pass from Domanovici in direction of Neum, from which it would not be further than 20 km.

International round table discussion on poverty was held in Sarajevo Friday

TV Pink – International round table on poverty reduction in BiH was organized on Friday in Sarajevo . According to new data, poverty in RS has been reduced by 4% while in FBiH by 1%. Still poverty represents serious problem in BiH. The round table concluded that the poverty was not only result of insufficient amount of incomes but it was also related on the non-quality education and health insurance as well. It was also concluded that poverty reduction represents global priority.

Miscellaneous

Croatian firms interested in hiring pilots from RS

Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘RS pilots flying over Croatia again’ and pg 9 ‘Croatian firms want to employ Serb pilots’ by B. Stevandic and V. Moskaljov – According to unofficial information, several helicopter firms from Croatia are interested in hiring pilots from RS because they are less paid than Croatian pilots. RS pilots too say there is an interest, however they have received no official request from Croatia as yet.