| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Interview with HR | Ivanic resigned | Ivanic resigned | HR on measures vs. RS |
| HR ‘face to face’ w/citizens | Possible crisis in BIH CoM | Terzic on Ivanic’s resign | Ivanic resigned |
| Interview with Bulatovic | Terzic on Ivanic’s resign | Reactions in RS on Ivanic | Reactions on Ivanic |
| Update to Alijagic case | Alternative BiH Govt | Alternative BIH Govt | Arrested policeman |
| Oslobodjenje | Parties from RS withdraw from BiH authorities; BH Steel: two-hours warning strike; Alternative government with 18 ministers |
| Dnevni Avaz | Ashdown will not change the plan: Privatization: Not to allow pull out of capital |
| Dnevni List | BiH CoM before breakdown |
| Vecernji List | Who does mind Santa Claus |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features |
| EuroBlic | Mladen Ivanic too has resigned |
| Vecernje novosti | There is no BiH without Srpska |
Reactions to HR/US Govt measures | |
| Mladen Ivanic resigns, all other PDP members in state authorities to resign by Tuesday
| Vecernje novosti cover and pg. 5 ‘There is no BiH without Srpska’ by M. Labus – All Ministers and Deputy Ministers at BiH CoM, who are members of PDP, have resigned or will resign latest by Tuesday, as it was decided at a session of the Main Board of PDP party held in Banja Luka on Saturday. BHT 1 – BiH Foreign Affair Minister, Mladen Ivanic, submitted his written resignation to the Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic,following the measures against RS officials announced by the HR Paddy Ashdown and US Government. He also announced resignations of the BIH Minister of Transport and Telecommunications Branko Dokic and BIH Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs Zoran Tesanovic. Mladen Ivanic commented: “We believe that the political atmosphere created has been directed against PDP, because this party always clear stance of supporting the reforms, but also defending the constitutional position of RS.” Speaker of the BiH House of Peoples, Goran Milojevic, stated that he is also ready to resign, but he will wait due to specific decision-making process in HoP. Ivanic emphasized that PDP is aware of the importance of cooperation with ICTY and claimed that party has done everything possible to meet this obligation. However the party condemned HR’s efforts to use ICTY for constitutional changes in BiH. PDP announced that they will participate the meeting of Serb parties organized by RS President Dragan Cavic on Monday, as well as the establishment of the new government and plans to overcome this crisis. Dnevni List cover pg splash and pgs 2 and 3 ‘BiH CoM before breakdown’ by N. Bise – Goran Milojevic stated: ‘Further PDP moves will depend to a great extent on the conclusion which should be passed at the meeting of representatives of all RS parties with RS President Dragan Cavic.’ FTV – “We have done everything for BIH’s association with EU, but we can’t imagine BiH in EU without RS. PDP believes that a part of High Representative’s decisions, which oversteps constitutional status, is not acceptable for us and it obligates all PDP members not to implement it in their work,” said Ivanic. RTRS – “HR put himself in a function of accomplishing the goals of only Bosniak people and its strongest party SDA”, said Ivanic. Oslobodjenje cover splash ‘Parties from RS withdrawing from BiH authorities’, pg 4 ‘Mladen Ivanic resigned’ by O. Vukovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Mladen Ivanic resigns, same move announced by Branko Dokic, Zoran Tesanovic and Goran Milojevic’ by J. Stojanovic, Dnevni List cover pg splash and pgs 2 and 3 ‘BiH CoM before breakdown’ by N. Bise, Vecernji List pg 2, mentioned on front, ‘BiH without Foreign Minister’ by B. Stevandic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 12 ‘Mladen Ivanic submitted resignation’ by A. Macanovic, EuroBlic, cover and pg. 3 ‘Mladen Ivanic too has resigned’ by Tijana Veselinovic, Vecernje novosti, cover and pg. 5 ‘There is no BiH without Srpska’ by M. Labus – also reported. |
| Terzic: Ivanic showed seriousness and responsibility, but others should not withdraw
| RTRS, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Ivanic showed seriousness and responsibility’ by I.G., EuroBlic, cover and pg. 3 ‘Mladen Ivanic too has resigned’ by Tijana Veselinovic– BiH Council of Ministers chairman Adnan Terzic stated that he was pleased with the fact that Mladen Ivanic resigned from his position of BiH Foreign Minister, adding that it showed that Ivanic is a serious and responsible minister. However, he added if Ministers and deputies from RS leave CoM that a crisis will occur in that institution. FTV – Terzic also added that he believes that the decision to resign was made too emotionally, stressing he hopes RS officials will reconsider it more rationally. According to Terzic, there are different suggestions on possible solution for political crisis, such as changes at CoM, establishing of a new majority at BIH Parliament Assembly and even new elections. Stressing he is willing to accept any proposal, Terzic warned RS officials that none of the solutions can postpone the deadline for implementation of reforms by April 2005. Otherwise, says Terzic, RS will be the only one to take the consequences. BHT 1 by Almira Huseinovic – In an interview to BHT 1, Terzic assessed that the PDP is not so strong party to cause a crisis of the BiH executive authorities. Terzic also said that SNSD’s proposal for extraordinary elections is an attempt to transfer obligations of RS to state level. Dnevni list pg 3 ‘Ivanic showed seriousness and responsibility’ – Terzic concludes that there is a tendency among the politicians of RS, but excluding Ivanic, to try to transfer the crisis to the BiH level in order to buy time as they are not dealing with the key issues. Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Crisis in the authorities will not be long-term’ by M. Kukan – Terzic said for DA that he was still not sure whether Ivanic’s resignation was irrevocable, adding that he doesn’t believe that the current crisis would be long-term and eventually demand from him to search for new governing partners. |
| HR: resignations could be political game, but dangerous one and damaging for RS citizens
| NTV Hayat by Senad Hadzifejzovic – In an interview to NTV Hayat, the High Representative Paddy Ashdownwas asked whether submitted and announced resignations of politicians from RS are a political game, to which he answered that they could be, adding they are dangerous and that they could cause delays in reforms and integrations, adding that the biggest damage will be caused to RS citizens. HR stressed he will not change his final position, and that is that BiH must cooperate with ICTY stressing resignations can’t change that. Asked to comment to the statement by RS President, Dragan Cavic, that this situation could cause homogenization of peoples with possible severe consequences, Ashdown said he believes Cavic said this out of anger, adding that there is no chance that 1992 will repeat, stressing that everyone should concentrate on future and underlying RS has not other future but the one to be part of BiH. On the calls for extraordinary elections, HR commented they are not in the interests of BiH since this would also further delay process of joining Euro-Atlantic integrations. In ‘Face to face’ feature, Ashdown also answered to the questions by the citizens. He stressed that latest measures had no intention to cause any tensions among citizens in RS. Answering to several questions on constitutional changes in BiH, HR stressed that this can be done only by the BiH citizens and not him. HR said that he believes that in ten or fifteen years BiH will either have no entities, or they will be reduced to smallest possible level, explaining that this can happen only when people feel safe enough to allow that and with full agreement of all peoples. |
| OHR: Plan for BiH will not be changed
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Ashdown will not change the plan’, pg 4 ‘The plan for BiH stays the same’ not signed – “The plan that is needed to be implemented to ensure BiH moves forward and achieve the progress stays the same. A priority is to ensure meeting all given, necessary steps, and the representatives of the authorities in this country still have capacities to do so,” stated OHR Spokesperson RTRS, EuroBlic, pg. 3 ‘Priorities remain the same’ not signed– Sullivan says that negotiations on Association and Stabilization have to move forward and adds that RS authorities still have the responsibility to take necessary steps in order to meet their obligations. RTRS – RTRS carries that Paddy Ashdown announced in the interview with Nezavisne Novine that even more rigorous measures will be carried out against RS if it continues to disrespect Dayton Agreement. He doesn’t exclude the abolishment of RS, says RTRS. |
| BHT 1: Dodik: CoM has no more legality; Paravac: BiH in deep political crisis
| BHT 1 by Sanita Lisica – Journalist comments that a number of politicians believe that the resignations of BIH Foreign Affairs Minister and announcements of resignations of other BiH Ministers from RS could cause a political crisis in the BIH Council of Ministers. Ivanic’s resign was expected after the decision of RTRS – journalist commented that only PDP members resigned which draws the question of relation between SDS and PDP. Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Crisis in BiH institutions’ – carries Paravac’s statement. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘CoM has no legality anymore’ by J.S. – carries Dodik’s statement. EuroBlic, pg. 3 ‘Dodik: expected’ not signed – carries both Dodik and Paravac. |
| FTV: RS parties to form ‘Govt of national unity’; Paravac submitted sealed resignation to SDS
| FTV – RS President, Dragan Cavic, invited all RS parties to meet on Monday in order to discuss the future of RS government and work of BIH institutions. According to unofficial information, this meeting will establish a “Government of national unity”, in order to postpone the implementation of international obligations for as long as possible. Also according to unofficial information, SDS will withdraw their members from BIH institutions. The chairman of the BiH Presidency, Borislav Paravac, said today that his sealed resignation is with the SDS and if it calls for him to resign he will respect the decision of the party. In his statement for FENA news agency, Paravac said that he expects SDS to follow and react adequately to the existing situation. Milorad Dodik stated for FENA that Ivanic’s resign is an expected and responsible decision, which puts focus on the crisis at BIH Council of Ministers. RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Borislav Paravac yesterday submitted sealed resignation’ by Fena , Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Enveloped Paravac’s resignation in SDS’ not signed – also carry Paravac’s statement. |
| SNSD says it will present plan for exit from crisis on Monday
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Tomorrow, SNSD’s plan for exit from crisis’ by S.Se – SNSD leader, Milorad Dodik, stated that this party will present the plan for the exit from current crisis at the Monday’s meeting of RS parties organized by RS President Dragan Cavic. “There is a need for new beginning of the international affirmation, importance and role of RS. That, above everything, means the cooperation with the ICTY, and this can be ensured only by those people who have flawless international credibility,” stated Dodik for Oslobodjenje. He repeated that the crisis would be solved through extraordinary elections, as SNSD would exclude possibility of cooperating with SDA following the PDP and, as Dodik says, expected SDS withdrawals. |
| Tihic: RS politicians do not understand HR decisions are in interests of all citizens
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘I hope reason will win’ by S. Sehercehajic – Commenting to the announced withdrawal of SDS ministers from CoM, the member of BiH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic, said that this was unrealistic adding that such announcements were a “result of the RS politician’s lack of understanding that the latest HR decisions were in the interests of the RS and BiH citizens.” In his statement for daily, Tihic added he hopes that RS politicians will not make decision which would jeopardize functioning of the authorities at the state level. SDS withdrawal would be a violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, says Tihic, and postponements of the obligations RS undertook with this accord. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘I truly hope they will read Dnevni List pg 2 carries in its ‘Statement of Day’ SDA President Sulejman Tihic as saying: ‘Other countries could also introduce |
| Novakovic of SDS says IC should take responsibility for situation in BiH
| Dnevni List cover pg splash and pgs 2 and 3 ‘BiH CoM before breakdown’ by N. Bise – Commenting on Ivanic’s resignation SDS representative in the BiH Parliamentary Assembly Momcilo Novakovic stated that Ivanic’s resignation is a logical move and he added: ‘I believe that the crisis will deepen and that resignations of some other members of the BiH Council of Ministers are possible.’ Novakovic believes that the HR used up all possibilities he had. Novakovic also said: ‘The International Community must take over absolute responsibility for everything that happens in BiH and say in public that this is about the protectorate that they (the IC) introduced.’ |
| Spiric on Ivanic’s resignation
| Dnevni List cover pg splash and pgs 2 and 3 ‘BiH CoM before breakdown’ by N. Bise – Commenting on Ivanic’s resignation Deputy Chairman of the BiH House of Representatives Nikola Spiric stated that such moves are not that bad for creation of new political environment in BiH where the principle of responsibility for executing of the authority must be defined. |
| SBiH: HR took minimal measures
| Dnevni List pg 3 ‘BiH is still hostage of RS’ by I. Glibusic – Commenting on the HR’s decision BiH Minister of Civic Affairs Safet Halilovic stated: ‘The HR has taken minimal measures when he removed some Heads. This is not the right response to non-implementation of the |
| DSS: HR decisions will radicalize political situation
| EuroBlic, pg. 3 ‘DSS severe consequences’ by Beta, Vecernje Novosti, pg. 5 ‘DSS: wrong’ not signed – Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) has assessed that the decisions of High Representative Paddy Ashdown would not contribute to the regional stability but would only radicalize political situation. DSS emphasized that the measures brought by HR would have severe consequences and these measures represent yet another wrong step in the current complex political circumstances. |
| Agencies: European officials believe most important for Cavic to take right stance
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Dragan Cavic must take responsibility’ by Onasa, Vecernje Novosti, pg. 5 ‘Cooperation, not resignations’ not signed – European diplomatic sources from Brussels have stated that new resignations in RS ‘would serve to nothing’ as well as that there is a need for a substantial steps in cooperation with the Hague Tribunal because time is running out. European diplomatic officials think that, at the moment, it is the most important that RS President Dragan Cavic takes the right stance and they think he ‘should not resign but he should take the responsibility for newly created situation’. Asked to comment on assessments of some diplomatic sources that have stated HR Ashdown has used the strictest measures, European diplomats in Brussels have said that ‘it is also true that Ashdown was under the strictest pressure of USA’. |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed on measures: ‘We are again at the beginning, seeking new reformers’
| Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Resignations’ op-ed by Senka Kurtovic – Commenting to the resignations announced by Mladen Ivanic and Dragan Mikerevic, author says there were expected, especially since nothing has been done for both RS and BiH to move forward. She also arguments that resignations were not a respond to HR’s measures, but to the US Government’s decision to ban PDP and SDS officials to enter US. Noting that she was glad this happened so HR Paddy Ashdown can see who were the ‘reformers’ he worked with to change situation in BiH, Kurtovic also notes that it is true this will have negative consequences for BiH citizens who now cannot expect some country to lessen visa regime. Concluding that sanctions will most probably not change much, Kurtovic says: “And were we stand now? Again, at the beginning. Seeking new reformers.” |
| DA op-ed argues abolishment of RS has started
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Has abolishment of RS started?’ op-ed by Edina Sarac – Editorial reads that the measures by HR and US are the harshest the international community imposed against RS up to date. She also notes that these measures showed that HR and US will not accept anybody, regardless to their position, to mess about with them. She further argues that measures ruined PDP credibility and made more space for SNSD. However, authority says that the hardest decision for RS is to abolish entities’ Defence and Internal Affairs Ministries. “Already now we can see the indications of the two processes launched on 16 December – obliteration of RS and its isolation,” says the author. “True, decisions could lead to larger political crisis in at both entity and state levels. Thus, it is left to be seen whether individuals on power in this country will know how to act in extraordinary situation and make moves best for this country and its citizens, leaving aside their own and party’s interests,” concludes the editorial. |
| DL op-ed: ‘We are at the beginning again’
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Some new guys’ by M. Karacic carries an editorial on Ivanic’s resignation and the author concludes: ‘After Ivanic, Mikerevic and others some new guys will come who will probably conduct the same politics when the cooperation with the ICTY and arrest of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are in question, and we shall be at the beginning again, some new authority crisis is to happen, some new Ministers etc…’ |
| VL op-ed on ‘government of national unity’
| Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Government of National Unity?’ by B.S., D. Ja. – VL carries an editorial, which says that after Mikerevic and Ivanic’s resignation the possibility for forming of the new RS Government, that is, the so-called Government of the National Unity (which would be made of Serb parties from the RS) has been opened. VL goes on to say that according to analysts the resignation of the RS Prime Minister might be used as a factor for unification of all Serb parties in the RS in order to find the joint response to the latest sanctions against this entity. VL also says that the result of these talks will certainly depend on the opposition leader Milorad Dodik and his readiness to reach the agreement with the leaders of the parties in the authority. VL also says that it has been speculated that Dodik himself might be the Head of the new RS Government. |
| Survey shows citizens support HR measures
| NTV Hayat – NTV Hayat carried out the TV survey among the citizens, posing the question: “Do you support latest decisions of High Representative and |
| Ashdown: Mladic was assisted by RS authorities and Army
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘RS authorities are allied with war criminals’ by Fena – The HR Paddy Ashdown reiterated on Friday that ICTY indictee, Ratko Mladic, was in Han Pijesak this year and added that Mladic could not be hidden there without the cooperation with the RS Army and institutions of RS. In a statement for RTRS, Ashdown said these was reliable information, and not just journalists speculations. He added that NATO forces have tried a number of times to arrest both Mladic and Radovan Karadzic, but failed to do so due to the fact that there was no cooperation with the RS authorities. “The threat to RS is not coming from me, but from a fact that they do not meet international obligations,” reiterated Ashdown. Vecernje Novosti, pg. 5 ‘RS depends on the |
Other political issues | |
| Establishment of BiH Alternative Government
| Bht 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Alternative government with 18 ministers’, mentioned on cover, by Nagorka Idrizovic, Dnevni List pg 5, mentioned on front, ‘First Government in BiH constituted’ by D.P.M., Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Functional state’ by E.Me. – The inaugural session of the BiH Alternative Government took place in |
| SDP Main Board in session: OHR reforms give no results
| BHT1, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Reforms are still just a letter on the paper’ not signed – SDP Main Board held session on Friday concluding that the implementation of all reformatory laws prepared by the OHR, with pressures on carriers of the reforms – SDS, SDA, HDZ, PDP and SBiH – was nothing but a letter on a paper. SDP said it is finally a time for HR and the governing coalition to start implementing promised changes, including the assured cooperation with the ICTY. SDP members also concluded that the current situation, for which both ruling parties and HR were responsible, shows that crisis of authorities takes root not only in RS but entire BiH. |
| Brcko Supervisor outlines principles for new Govt | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Guidelines for work of new District’s government’ by E.R. – The Brcko District Supervisor, Susan Johnson, sent a letter to new Brcko Mayor, Mirsad Djapo, outlining principles under which new District’s government would be constructed. Johnson warned that the new members of the Government have to commit to building of trust among peoples, to support trial to persons indicted for war crimes, and fight against organized crime. |
| NTV Hayat’s update to Alijagic case
| NTV Hayat comments by Senad Hadzifejzovic – NTV Hayat broadcast feature on the verdict of the Trebinje District Court who ruled in favor of Salih Alijagic and ordered Municipality Trebinje to pay 36 million KM of compensation for war damage. After municipality has failed to pay out the amount within deadline, its bank account should have been frozen. However, as Hadzifejzovic comments, at the time the politics got involved, i.e. RS Government, and it blocked the Court’s ruling. He further stressed that the international community encourages independent judiciary, but once judges become independent the IC allows politics to get involved concluding that this is hypocritical. Prosecution in Trebinje considers the ruling to be final and obligatory. Howeverm Stevo Pamucina, justice at the Trebinje District Court said that the audit of the case was demanded by the by Municipality Trebinje and RS authorities. According to Hayat, RS Supreme Court accepted to carry out audit following anonymous demand and has put aside all other cases. Dobroslav Cuk, Major of Municipality Trebinje, admitted that Alijagic was robbed, however added that he should seek responsibility of those who have committed this. According to Hayat, Cuk is also a on a list of 50 persons suspected for war crime of ethnical cleansing and genocide in Eastern Herzegovina and that he would be tried at the Mostar Court. |
| VL on holidays
| Vecernji List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Who does mind Santa Claus’ by M. Relota carries an article which says that some radical Islamic organizations from BiH call on Moslems in BiH to ignore Western and Christian holidays every year on eve of Christmas and New Year. |
Economic issues | |
| BH Steel to hold warning strike on Tuesday
| BHT1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Two-hours warning strike on Tuesday’, mentioned on cover, by Mi.D., Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘BH Steel Trade Union announces two-hours strike on Tuesday’ by A. Dzonlic, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Warning strike scheduled in BH Steel’ by Zeda – The Trade Union of the ‘BH Steel’ company announced two-hours strike to be held on Tuesday. The strike is a warning for the new owner, Indian-British company ‘LNM’ due to failure to meet obligations within ‘the social package’. Chair of the |
| DA on privatisation in FBiH
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Mehmedovic: not to allow pull out of capital from BiH’, mentioned on cover, by A. Basic – Article reads despite the fact that FBiH Government on Thursday established the changes to the Law on privatization with an aim to speed up this process, the heads of the caucuses in the FBiH Parliament still have divided opinion on this issue. Head of SDA Caucus, Semsudin Mehmedovic, says that nobody should be prevented from participating the privatisation, but that situation of the company must be looked into it. “Of course, it must not be allowed to pull out capital from BiH,” adds Mehemedovic. Head of HDZ caucus, Ivan Madunic, says that it is clear that there is a wish to prevent foreign state companies to participate in the privatisation of enterprises in FBiH. He believes that the Govt’s move is unnecessary and announced HDZ will not supported it. SBiH announced they will support the proposal. |
| NTV Hayat: 135 mil KM invested in Srebrenica | NTV Hayat – Following NTV Hayat’s announcement that they would investigate the total donations that went to Srebrenica related projects, station broadcast that 135 million KM were given in total. |