OHR BiH Media Round-up, 19/10/2005
Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 19 October
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| Terzic on BiH joining NATO | FBiH HoP in session | Message fromBrussels |
| FBiH HoP to hold two sessions | Izetbegovic’s death anniversary | NATO SG on BiH admittance NATO |
| Zepce: Solution to education crisis? | World news | Jovic in Rome |
TV news broadcast on 18 October
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Jelavic interview to Nacional | BiH HoP adopts police agreement | FIFA will punish SCG Football Assoc. |
| Dragan Covic to be arrested? | BiH to start SAA talks in December? | CoM Chairman Terzic in Brussels |
| No avian influenza in BiH | Terzic meets Scheffer | BiH HoP on police restructuring |
| Ban on bird hunting in FBiH | Davidson on segregation in schools | CoE’s monitoring mission in BL |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Ban on bird hunting in BiH | Strike on BH TV 1 and BH Radio 1 | Jelavic spoke for “Nacional” |
| World News | Kumalic and Stulanovic’s case | Terzic in Brussels |
| Corruption in increase in BiH | TIBiH study on corruption in BiH | CoE Monitors in Banja Luka |
| Jelavic for ‘Nacional’ | Six cases of meningitis in Travnik | BiH HoP passed police agreement |
| Oslobodjenje | Hundreds of HDZ officials want Dragan Covic to resign |
| Dnevni Avaz | Procedure for negotiations with BiH begins |
| Dnevni List | Covic and Lijanovic must mortgage property or they will go to detention |
| Vecernji List | Jelavic is hiding in Zagreb |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Ljubic for removal of Covic |
| Nezavisne Novine | Higher risk from bird flu |
| Glas Srpske | Either park or reserve [reports on possible consequences of adoption of a law on protection of Bosna river spring] |
| EuroBlic | Electric shock of 17% is possible |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| FBiH HoP in session
| RHB, BH Radio 1 by Ljiljana Radl – The FBiH House of Peoples continued its special session dedicated to education in Sarajevo today. Deputies much of the attention paid to the issue of language/equal right to use languages of all constituent peoples in schools, which, according to BH Radio 1, represents a prove how much the education sector is being politicised. The discussion also pointed out at necessity to change Constitution in terms of education authorities currently vested mainly at the cantonal level so that any FBiH HoP conclusions do not need to be implemented. However, the proposed conclusions foresee formation of a parliamentary board that would tour all the places where the education problems were reported. |
| Alija Izetbegovic death anniversary
| BH Radio 1 by Mustafa Karahmet – The second anniversary of death of the first Republic of BiH President and SDA/Bosniak leader Alija Izetbegovic is being marked today. The Liberation Square in Sarajevo was re-named to Liberation Square of Alija Izetbegovic on the occasion. Some 5000 people attended a ceremony at Kovaci Shehid Cemetery . In addition, a commemorative gathering/conference is to take place at National Theatre. |
| Hadzipasic: Nikolic could stay in FBiH Govt after January 1, 2006 | RHB– FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, confirmed that the current FBiH Defence Minister Miroslav Nikolic could be in the future a minister without portfolio in the FBiH Government. This would happen in order to maintain the national balance in the FBiH Government, since the FBiH MoD will be abolished as of January 1, 2006. |
BiH efforts to open SAA talks | |
| Terzic meets Scheffer: BiH might be admitted to NATO by 2008
| Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘Procedure for negotiations with BiH begins‘, pg 2 ‘BiH might be admitted to NATO by 2008’ by Sead Numanovic – Daily learns that BiH might be admitted into NATO membership in 2008 under condition that the issue of war crime indictees is resolved and technical pre-requisites for NATO membership are met. In a statement to daily following meeting with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary General (SG), Adnan Terzic, BiH COM Chair, stated: “NATO SG told me BiH must use all capacities in order to fulfil admittance criteria. He also stressed he would be unfortunate if it did not happen.” According to Terzic, NATO message was it is uncertain when new expansion of NATO might follow after 2008. according to daily, all western Balkans states might be admitted to NATO in 2008. Terzic also said meeting discussed defence reform, noting: “The problem is how to accommodate around 2200 people who will appear as surplus during defence reform. The idea is that a trustee fund is founded to ensure their social accommodation.” According to inset “Karadzic and Mladic are obstruction for PfP”, Terzic said that the fact Karadzic and Mladic are still at large represents an obstruction to BiH’ membership in PfP.RTRS – “I expect that objectively BiH, if the opposition is included as we talked… in my Cabinet with opposition leaders; that we can have agreement signed until the end of the next year,” said Terzic. RTRS, RHB, BHT1, FTV, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 3, announced on cover ‘NATO is satisfied with news coming from BiH’ by FENA, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘NATO satisfied with progress in BiH’ by N. Bise,Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Negotiations with EU in December, in NATO in 2008’, by Dejan Jazvic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Frattini: BiH has fulfilled pre-requisites’ by M. Cubro, inset ‘BiH in NATO by 2008’ – also reported. |
| Terzic/Fratini mtg: Visa regime to be abolished?; DA: EC to recommend opening SAA talks, adoption of PBS laws a condition for talks launch
| FTV, Hayat, RTRS, BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Abolish visa regime’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘NATO satisfied with progress in BiH’ by N. Bise,Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Visa regime’, by dj, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Frattini: BiH has fulfilled pre-requisites’ by M. Cubro – BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic on Tuesday held talks with the EU Commissioner for Justice and Interior, Franco Fratini, who welcomed the political agreement on the police restructuring. Fratini also expressed interest in implementation of this reform and offered full assistance. Talks also focused on the issues of terminating the visa regime for BiH citizens. Fratini pledged that a team of experts would visit BiH by the end of the year in order to analyze the current situation and seek the necessary solutions for this purpose. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Visa regime a part of the top EC priorities’ by S.N. – DA says that Terzic now can leave Brussels more than satisfied with the achieved. He apparently received the promise that the EC would in the next two days ask the EU to approve the opening of the SAA talks. DA claims Fratini and Terzic talked about the upcoming EC two-day session, and it learns that the EC will ask EU Foreign Ministers to approve the platform for SAA negotiations. If the EU supports the EC’s request, BiH should open the talks in the first part of December, which would be the fastest launch of the SAA talks. However, the adoption of the outstanding three laws related to the public broadcasting is a precondition to launch the negotiations. |
| Terzic: Solana promised he will stand behind us during the negotiations
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Terzic: Solana promised he will stand behind us during the negotiations’ by S.N. – Adnan Terzic also met with the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Police Javier Solana in Brussels on Tuesday. Tezic stated the following this meeting, the BiH has received “unexpected good news: “We did not anticipate the statement by the NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who said that NATO wants to see BiH joining in 2008. This way, both EU and Alliance once again acknowledge BiH as the stabile and prosperous country. At the same time, the international officials leave everything up to us.” He added Solana congratulated on the significant progress made by the country during the past several weeks and urged Terzic to maintain the same pace and quality of reforms. Terzic said it is necessary to move forward and to complete the negotiations with the EU with success. “Solana and EU promise to stand behind us not only during the negotiations, but also in the implementation of the police reform,” concluded Terzic. BHT1, Hayat – also reported. |
| Rehn: negotiations are near
| FTV, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Negotiations are near’ by Beta -European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn stated in Rome that the negotiations with BiH on Stabilisation and Association Agreement could start before the end of the year. Hayat – Adnan Terzic is expect to meet Rehn today. |
| DL op-ed: Const. changes make possible BiH’s way to Europe
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Messages from Brussels’ by N. Bise carries that when the BiH’s way to the EU is in question optimistic messages arrive from Brussels, where Adnan Terzic met with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Franko Frattini. The author also says that these messages will make sense only if BiH focuses all its forces on change of the Constitution in the coming period since it this the only possible way to join the EU. The author believes that both BiH entities should be abolished and BiH established on the principles of decentralisation and full equality of constituent peoples. |
| BiH HoP adopts police agreement
| BHT 1 by Tomislav Djuric – The BiH House of Peoples on Tuesday unanimously adopted the Agreement on police restructuring in BiH, previously also adopted by the BiH House of Representatives, FBiH Parliament and the RS National Assembly. BHT1 says this by HoP’s endorsement of the agreement, legislative procedure has ended and in the next 74 days the executive authorities should form the Directorate which would than create the police reform implementation plan. In the meantime, the greatest value of the agreement is that it opens the doors for the beginning of negotiations with the European Union, stated Tomislav Limov, a delegate in the BiH HoP. European Commission supported the Agreement on police restructuring in BiH, saying that it is in line with the three European principles. FTV – HoP also adopted the conclusions linking a fate of FBiH/Cantonal MoIs with the RS MoI. BiH CoM and the IC have been urged to monitor the process. The HR in BiH Paddy Ashdown welcomed the adoption of the Agreement on police restructuring in BiH HoP. PINK, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Agreement on police reform adopted’ by H.O., Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Agreement on police reform adopted’ by V.Z.F, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Unanimously adopted agreement on police’ not signed, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Agreement on police confirmed’, by eme, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘The Agreement on police reform was adopted’ by M. Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Conclusion to police’ by Srna, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Lesser OHR’s role is possible’ by D. S. – also reported. RTRS – carried OHR welcoming the HoP decision. |
Other political issues | |
| FBiH HoP discusses education issues: Out of 54 ‘two-schools-under-one-roof’ only 4 integrated
| RHB, PINK, Hayat, FTV, BHT1, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Only four schools united in F BiH’ by A.Dedajic, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ’48 disunited schools in F BiH’ by A.Terzic, v – FBiH House of Peoples discussed on a special session the situation in the field of education in FBiH. Representatives in the FBiH House of Peoples concluded that the education system in BiH is divided and not coordinated, and classes are conducted on the basis of two completely different curricula. But since the education in under cantonal authorities jurisdiction, HoP conclusions do not obligate anybody. Representative in FBiH HoP Muhamed Ganibegovic, who collected necessary 25 signatures of fellow representatives, convened this session. He believes that the main education problem in FBiH is the fact that “two schools under one roof” system exists in so many municipalities, Stolac, Capljina, Orasje, Prozor/Rama, Busovaca and Zepce. According to the FBiH Education Ministry, out of 52 institutions with “two-schools under one roof” only 4 have been integrated/ Mate Bandur, member of Parliamentary board for education, sport and youth issues reacted immediately, saying that the same problems exist in Sarajevo, Zenica or Tuzla, but they are not so visible. Speaking before the HoP, OSCE Head of Mission Douglas Davidson said that the “two schools under one roof” is only a part of a deeper BiH phenomenon: “I am referring to the apparent inability of BiH authorities to agree upon form and structure of a single education system which would meet the terms, respect the rights and identity of all pupils in BiH”, said Davidson. He thinks that the only solution is to form an agency for curricula at the state level. The HoP will vote on Wednesday on the conclusion prepared by the Parliamentary Board for Education, Science, Culture and Youth Issues. |
| CoE’s Monitoring Team in BL: Stojicic says HR powers have to cancelled
| RTRS By Sinisa Mihailovic – The Monitoring Mission of Council of Europe’s Parliament visited Banja Luka on Tuesday before issuing a new report on BiH which should be presented to the Parliament in summer 2006. Mission Member Kimo Sassi said that BiH has made a great progress, stressing that much was done on police and defence reforms and on improving the the cooperation with ICTY, thus the SAA talks could be opened in mid-December; however he stressed that judiciary is in delay, being that a number of unsolved cases has been multiplying. “This country needs progress and many problems can be solved only at the state level and I think that requires certain flexibility from both entities,” said Sassi. Members of the Mission stressed that economy and education need to be taken care as of now, stressing that Law on Higher Education needs to be passed as soon as possible. The RS representatives on the other hand information the officials on the obstacles in the reform processes, including complexity of FBiH structure and breaches of human rights by the High Representative Paddy Ashdown. RSNA Speaker Dusan Stojicic said that the HR should be stripped off the Bonne powers. “Institution of OHR should be transformed as soon as possible into some kind of EU Special Representative,” said Stojicic. They all agreed that only certain perspective for the SEE stability is to join the EU; however the UK Ambassador to BiH Mathew Rycroft, warned that EC will decide about BiH faith before the CoE and if the answer is positive the negotiations will start in December. “It will not solve the problems over night, but I am certain that it would be a dramatic turnover for BiH,” said Rycroft. FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Powers be taken away from HR asap’ by FENA – carry Stojicic. PINK, BHT 1, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Progress in cooperation with The Hague’ by NINA, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘BiH achieved great progress’ by V. P.– also reported. |
| GS on Cavic mtg with CoE’s Monitoring Mission
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘The Balkans in peaceful harbor’ by G. Dakic – A joint conclusion reached at a meeting of RS President Dragan Cavic with the Monitoring Mission members was that the future of the western Balkans was in EU. Cavic reiterated his concern over violations of human rights through decisions of OHR, upon which one cannot file any complaint. Cavic’s Cabinet expressed its expectation that the mandate of OHR would change after SAA talks are launched. The Monitoring Mission members discussed police and defense reform issues with RS PM Pero Bukejlovic while RS Education Minister informed them on education reforms. |
| Ljubic presents “Promemoria”, asks for new elections in HDZ
| Oslobodjenje, front pg splash and pgs 4-5 ‘Hundreds of HDZ officials want Dragan Covic to resign’, by A. Omeragic – Candidate for the HDZ President during the party’s last convention, Bozo Ljubic, has secured a support of several hundred officials of the HDZ, who want the current HDZ President, Dragan Covic, to resign and new convention to be organized. Ljubic presented the ‘Promemoria’ on Tuesday, which points out to irregularities of the election of Covic, incapability of the HDZ leadership and its revengeful policy. Among senior HDZ officials, Ljubic is supported by Martin Raguz, Ivan Madunic, Josip Merdzo and Vinko Zoric. Ljubic and Raguz pointed out that the President of European People’s Party, Wilfried Martens, has asked for re-elections in the HDZ. Inset ‘HDZ: Convention was finished in June’ carries an HDZ spokesman, Miso Relota, notes that the HDZ Convention finished in June and that “we do not want to go back to it”. Relota stresses if dissatisfied people want new elections, they have to collect at least 80 signatures of members of the HDZ Main Board. Apparently, they cannot secure that many signatures. Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Bozo Ljubic expects new convention’, by Zoran Kresic – Ljubic notes that the ‘Promemoria’ was signed by 13 out 16 HDZ MPs in the FBiH HoR and 3 out of 5 MPs in the BiH HoR. BHT 1 – Ljubic’s supporters claim that current HDZ leadership does nothing to solve problems of BiH Croats. “I believe that all Croats in BiH agree that the DPA is not functional, and that it is unfair. Now it is the time to correct that injustice”, stated Raguz adding this can be done only with right people and right support. RHB,Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Ljubic expects new election of HDZ leadership’ by F.V., Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 8 ‘Ljubic for removal of Covic’, by Zoran Zekic, Nezavisne novine pg 9 ‘They demand for election of new leadership of the party’ announced on cover ‘A part of HDZ demands for new elections at the party’ by J. Blazevic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Signatures of dissatisfaction’ by Srna– also reported. |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed on HDZ
| Oslobodjenje op-ed pg 9 ‘Ljubic and Covic’ by Senka Kurtovic – Writing about rifts inside HDZ, author notes that Bozo Ljubic seems to be still persistent in his attempt to win HDZ President seat, in which ardent supports and founders of HDZ support him. She raises the issue of possible new HDZ elections, noting Ljubic may not have enough votes for that nowadays (80 votes necessary), but the issue remains open since he might get it in the future. |
| RS Govt calls on dean Lukic to resign, ceases his salaries
| RTRS, BHT1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Payments from budget to Radomir Lukic terminated’ by O.V., Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘On removal of Lukic again tomorrow’ by G. M., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Payments were stopped’ by D. M., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Professor Lukic was left without salaries’ by M. Soja and D. Stanisic – The RS Government on Tuesday once again called on Radomir Lukic to step down from the post of the Law Faculty Dean in order to avoid the eventual consequences he personally, the students, the Faculty and the University in Eastern Sarajevo could suffer due to failure to implement the HR’s Decision. The Government’s announcement reads that the ministries of finance and education have ceased all payments to Lukic from the RS Budget. “Given that the Law Faculty Council did not act in line with the Government’s conclusion from October 7, the Government will at the next session debate the proposal decision to remove seven members of the Faculty Council, which are appointed by the Entity Government”, statement further elaborates. In line with this decision, the Ministry of Education and Culture has ordered the education inspection to monitor the legality of work at the Law Faculty in Eastern Sarajevo . |
| OHR on Lukic: give evidence
| EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Professor Lukic was left without salaries’ by M. Soja and D. Stanisic inset ‘Sullivan: He must give money back’, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Give proof’ not signed – As OHR Spokesperson Kevin Sullivanstated at a press conference held in Sarajevo on Tuesday, OHR expects from RS Education Minister Milovan Pecelj to forward to OHR a proof in writing that the payment of salaries to professor Radomir Lukic were stopped, and it demands from RS Government to state in public that Lukic is no longer a teacher at the East Sarajevo Faculty of Laws. |
| British Embassy: PIC would decide on new HR after October 28
| RTRS, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Decision’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Statement of Ambassador Rycroft was incorrectly reported’ by N. N., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Wrong interpretation’ not signed – Denying some media reports according to which British Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft would decide on October 21 in Geneva as to who will be a new High Representative in BiH, the British Embassy in BiH issued a press release which says that the Peace Implementation Council would pass the decision on this issue after October 28. |
| SDA supports Srebrenica women objecting new HR to be Dutch
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘It would not be wise if HR is a Dutch’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Past as a warning’ by Fena – SDA on Tuesday supported the reserves expressed by representatives of the Association “Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa enclaves” concerning the possibility that a candidate from the Kingdom of Netherlands, Michael Patin, could be appointed as the future High Representative in BiH. “We deem that it would not be wise to appoint a person from Netherlands, given the difficult experience we had in regard to the Dutch Battalion and its failure, to say the least, to protect the citizens of safe haven Srebrenica and Zepa, as well for everything that developed before their eyes afterwards”, SDA President Sulejman Tihic told Fena. |
| RTRS ‘Crvena linija’ program on const. changes: Dodik, Tihic, Covic
| RTRS ‘Crvena linija’ current affairs programme by Zoran Popovic – Programme dedicated to the constitutional changes was participated by the leaders of HDZ, SNSD and SDA, Dragan Covic, Milorad Dodik and Sulejman Tihic respectively. Covic said that constitutional reform must be organised with the IC help and adopted by the Parliament. Dodik repeated his stance that BIH should be comprised of three federal units [whose possible succession would be banned by the Constitution], the BIH CoM expanded, BiH Parliament’s authority improved; RS Council of Peoples abolished but more seats in the BiH HoP. Tihic advocates for abolishment of entities and BiH organization into 5 to 10 economic regions [to which Dodik opposed]. “FBIH should be divided in, at least, 5 regions while RS in 3… But BIH cannot be divided into 3 federal units because it represents the disintegration of BIH. The establishment of 4 and more units is acceptable,” Tihic added. He agrees the Parliament should be reformed, adding Houses should protect issue of the Vital National Interest. Covic says BiH should be divided in at least three federal units with restricted authorities. He added that while HDZ is against only two entities, it does agree that BiH doesn’t need three either: “Three federal units is something completely different. The difference is in its organisation, authority and they would not be ethnically clean.” Regarding the issue of VNI protection, Covic said that it must be carefully defined avoiding the possibility of outnumbering as it was the case with the PBS Law. Covic also advocates for three levels of authority: state level, federal level and municipal level. Three politicians also agree on a possibility for one President – Dodik proposes the Parliament to elect one President and two deputies; Tihic advocates for one President whose decisions are ratified by the Parliament; and Covic stated one President with four-year mandate term should be elected without a possibility of rotation during one mandate. All three agreed that Sarajevo should be organised as a district. |
| Novi Reporter int. w/ Dodik [on police, OHR, SAA , constitution]; confirms he was offered to lead SAA negotiations but rejected it
| Novi Reporter pgs 14-17 ‘Milorad Dodik: We do not need an octroi constitution’, announced on cover ‘This was a political process’ by I.Gajic/S.Bizic – In an interview to weekly, Miloard Dodik, SNSD President, says that the trial against him was a political process. He denies speculation Agreement on police reform contains some provisions unknown to public, stressing that one should only carefully read it and everything will be clear. Regarding IEBL crossings, he notes that some IC officials insisted on inclusion of the following provision: that IEBL will be respected with a possibility of seeing it crossed on three sites. He underlines RS officials rejected this, noting that OHR can interpret Agreement as it likes, but there will be no OHR in BiH in five years time. Regarding constitutional changes, he says that SNSD advocates new constitutional project, underlying that two of three peoples in BiH do not view BiH as their state, which is a great problem. On OHR, he says that it has failed to promote the practise of democratic procedures and failed to teach people of BiH to work and reach decisions in a democratic manner. He confirms he was offered to be a leading BiH negotiator during the SAA talks (upon proposal of Dragan Cavic,accepted by Adnan Terzic). However, he stresses he would not accept position since elections follow next year, but still he has not rejected a possibility that someone else from the party would take it if offered. |
| Ivo Miro Jovic: There are evidences Dayton was created at detriment of Croats
| Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Jovic: There are evidences Dayton was created at the detriment of Croats’ by F. Vele – In a statement to DA, the Chair of the BiH presidency, Ivo Miro Jovic, says “there are numerous evidences that BiH is a community of non-equality designed in Dayton at the detriment of Croats.” He adds that Croats are not sovereign in any part of the country, which makes them unequal to other two peoples. “BiH is divided into two parts, between two peoples, and Croats are the one constantly being accused to trying to divide country… I am being accused of wanting to divide BiH, of wanting third entity, but all that is being fabricated to maintain current situation in which we, Croats, don’t exist,” concludes Jovic. |
| BHT 1 int. w/ Bakir Izetbegovic: HR’s decision on airport probably made under great political pressure; SDA’s reaction emotional act
| BHT 1 ‘Posteno govoreci’ current affairs programme by Duska Jurisic – Talking about the issue of renaming Sarajevo airport into Alija Izetbegovic Airport, the SDA Vice President, Bakir Izetbegovic, says he doesn’t understand why the airport cannot be named after his late father while there is a bridge named after Franjo Tudjman and a street named after Petar Karadjordjevic. He emphasized that entire entity is named after only one BiH people. Commenting the decision by the HR Paddy Ashdown to annul renaming, Izetbegovic said that it was probably made under great political pressure, while the SDA reaction was an emotional act. According to Izetbegovic, SDA may not cooperate with Ashdown in a future, but it will definitely cooperate with next HR and with the IC as such cooperation is of vital interest for BiH and its citizens. |
| NN op-ed’s on political scene in BiH
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Pre-election truce’ by Mirza Cubro – The author is extremely critical of the ruling authorities in BiH, stressing that all of them prefer power than keeping their own promises and words (referring to numerous statements and rifts regarding police and defence reform etc.). He also emphasises that being at the very bottom of the list of states striving for EU membership, BiH is still far away from accomplishing that goal, bearing in mind expertise and efficiency of local politicians. Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Europe’ by Sasa Cavrag – Editorial notes that a green card for EU is this-years’ bingo of BiH, while next year’s biggest issue will be constitutional changes, which will represent the real test for the BiH authorities and exam which the authority must pass without IC’ officials and their pressures. He also notes that BiH is extremely insufficient as a state, proved by the fact that it has not as yet prepared a strategy against bird flue. |
Judicial issues | |
| Jelavic’ statement to Nacional: ‘I am ready to surrender to Croatian authorities’
| RHB, RTRS, Nacional cover pg splash ‘Ante Jelavic: I am ready to surrender to Croatia within 24 hours’ and pgs 12-16 ‘I am ready to go to Croatian prison’ by Z. Rogosic, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘I am ready to surrender to Croatian authorities’ by Index.hr, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Jelavic ready to be tried in line with “laws he understands”’, Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘Jelavic is hiding in Zagreb’ and pgs 6-7 ‘Jelavic asking in Zagreb that he does not get extradited to BiH’, not signed, Dnevni List, back pg ‘I believe in President and Prime Minister’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Jelavic willing to go to a jail in Croatia’ by N. N. – Ante Jelavic in run after being sentenced by the BiH Court to 10 years, apparently spoke to a journalist of the Croatian magazine “Nacional” somewhere between Dalmacija and Likam, which proves he is in Croatia . Jelavic said that he has had full trust into BiH judiciary, but not in three-member Council, which is composed of two foreign Judges, appointed by those who have replaced him from the position in BiH Presidency and banned his political work. Further on, Jelavic said that whole process was politically motivated, which proves the verdict was brought on circumstantial evidences. When it comes to Croatia Judiciary, Jelavic expects not to be extradited to BiH, especially before the verdict becomes effective, stressing that he is prepared to face another trial in Croatia , to detention and even jail time in Croatia , but only if all elements from the indictment are reviewed. |
| SD stating reasons why Croatian authorities should deal with Jelavic’s case
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 5 ‘By using HVO money Ante Jelavic bought flat to The Hague indictee’ by V. Djuricic says that its strange that the Croatian authorities have not dealt with the Jelavic’s case before since apart from playing a main role in illegal spending of money of Croatia taxpayers was also involved in implementation of the ‘Plan The Hague’ whose goal was hiding of the ICTY indictees and obstruction of the Croatian cooperation with the ICTY. According to SD, it was concluded on the ground of the investigation that Jelavic secured money for purchase of a flat for former ICTY fugitive Ivica Rajic, who was hiding in Croatia for years. SD also says that well-informed sources claim that Jelavic had an important role in hiding ICTY fugitive Ante Gotovina. |
| DL: Covic and Lijanovic must mortgage property or they will go to detention
| Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 5 ‘Covic and Lijanovic must mortgage property or they will go to detention’ by E. Mackic – DL speculates that in order to make sure that indictees from the case ‘Covic and others’ would appear before a court and respond to court summons, the BiH Prosecution will demand from the Panel of Judges to detain the indictees or that they submit a bail, hand over their travelling documents, report to the police on a regular basis or mortgage their property. Commenting on this speculation, the BiH Prosecution Special Department for Organized Crime and Corruption stated that on October 27, it would be explained what amount the indictees would have to submit, in which form, whether they would have to hand over their travelling documents etc. DL also says that according to their unofficial information, by continuation of the trial the FBiH Ministry of Interior would be wiretapping all 7 indictees. Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Bail amounting to 1 million KM’, mentioned on cover ‘Bail amounting to 1 million KM demanded’ by Z. Kresic carries a similar report and says that sources close to the BiH Prosecution claim that the bail demanded for Dragan Covic and the Lijanovics might amount to 1 million KM. |
| VL: Ashdown could be fined for giving false testimony before ICTY | Vecernji List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Ashdown to be fined 100.000 Euros’, by Zdenko Jurilj – Notes that the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, could be held responsible for giving false testimony before the ICTY following the recent testimony of the Serbian general, Bozidar Delic, whose statement in the ‘Milosevic’ case undermines Ashdown’s testimony related to deployment of the Serbian tanks and troops in Kosovo. VL notes Ashdown could face a fine of 100.000 Euros or seven years imprisonment. |
Economic issues / corruption | |
| BHT 1 workers announce general strike
| BHT 1 – Employees of BHT1 and BH Radio announced a general strike for next week, due to overdue salaries and unpaid benefits. Due to this, the employees have established an Independent Trade Union, whose Governing Board will prepared employees’ demands and give deadline to the Management to fulfil them. Program Director of BHT1, Milan Trivic supported the establishment of the Syndicate, adding it is the only way employees can realize their rights. The Union demands five salaries by November 15, while the November salary should be paid by December 15. FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Journalists threaten with strike because of unpaid salaries’ by A. Beus, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 2 ‘BH Radio 1 and BHT 1 threaten with general strike’ by F, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘We are ready for a general strike’ by N. Krsman, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘They threat with strike’ by Srna, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Strike is possible’ by Z. B – also reported. |
| TI report on corruption in BiH
| RHB, PINK, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘BiH is most undeveloped and most corrupted country’ by M. Zorlak, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Judging by corruption BiH is like Tanzania’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16 ‘Corruption like in Gabon’ by Z. Rerig – ‘Mafia is governing this country, and corruption in BiH is constantly rising’ – this is one of the conclusions from the Transparency International BiH (TI BiH) report. Unlike previous studies, this one was created on the basis of subjective positions of interviewed people on corruption. “It is possible that the situation has not deteriorated, but the very fact that things are the same means that the situation is even worse than before”, said chairman of the TI BiH Board Boris Divjak. Currently, BiH shares the positions from 88th to 96th place among the 159 ranked countries on the Corruption Perception Index, but the real problem is the fact that last year BiH was at the 70th position. Sarajevo press also covered the issue. |
| RS Trade Union of Energy Workers warn on possible increase of electricity prices | EuroBlic cover pg splash and pg RS1 ‘Electric shock of 17% is possible’ by Mirna Soja – RS Trade Union of Energy Workers warned that the price of electricity might increase for more than 17% (due to introduction of VAT) unless Elektroprivreda is organized as a holding corporation. |
| SD interview: Lagumdzija on VAT | Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘Zero VAT rate is saving poor people’ by B. Kristo carries an interview with SDP President Zlatko Lagumdzija who, among the other things, says: ‘The Commission for Finances and Budget did not support the SDP proposal for changes to the Law on VAT since SNSD and SBiH representatives only voted for that proposal. SDA, HDZ and SDS did not support the proposal and they obviously support the Peace Implementation Council conclusion made about 10 days ago that VAT must have a unified rate.’ Asked to comment on the journalist’s conclusion that this means that BiH citizens are hostages of the PIC’s opinions and decisions, Lagumdzija says: ‘Exactly, however we have not given up that proposal yet. At the next session of the Parliament we shall try to state more than obvious arguments in favor of the SDP proposal and present the support that we get from ordinary people.’ He added that in case that they do not get the Parliament’s support they shall have to ask themselves again ‘whether foreign occupiers with support of domestic traitors rule this country’. |