| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| SFOR again arrests Bjelica | Milosevic starts w/ defence | Visegrad bridge rebuilding | Ashdown in Trebinje |
| Milosevic starts w/ defence | SFOR again arrests Bjelica | Milosevic starts w/ defence | SFOR again arrests Bjelica |
| Results of UNDP poll | Police Reform Commission | New mass grave Bratunac | Exhumations in Sijekovac |
| Campaign vs. trafficking | BIH mission in Iraq | Exhumations in Sijekovac | Hercegovacka banka case |
| Oslobodjenje | Milovan Cicko Bjelica arrested in Sokolac; First body remains discovered; Majority of Serbs doesn’t support state’s leadership; Ashdown: Bilecko lake is a paradise for smugglers; 20.000 citizens signed petition [against mission to Iraq] |
| Dnevni Avaz | [Ashdown]: It is time for new BiH Constitution; Soon indictments in case of ‘sugar affair’; Bjelica and Borovina arrested; [Milosevic] Criminal repeats old lies |
| Dnevni List | Crime and non-cooperation shocked Ashdown |
| Vecernji List | Croatia welcomed winners of golden medals |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Exams of 4 years of primary school can be passed in two days in Siroki Brijeg |
| Nezavisne Novine | Slobodan Milsoievic trial: The Occident broke down SFRY; Sokolac: SFOR again arrested Milovan Cicko Bjelica |
| Glas Srpske | International forces carried out arrests in Sokolac yesterday: Bjelica – second time! |
| EuroBlic | Celo’s file soaked in blood; SFOR again detained Milovan Bjelica |
|
| Arrests/war crimes |
| SFOR arrests Milovan Bjelica and Velimir Borovina
| FTV, BHT 1, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Milovan Cicko Bjelica and Veljko Borovina arrested’, mentioned on cover, by E.S., Oslobodjenje cover splash ‘Milovan Cicko Bjelica arrested in Sokolac’, pg 7 “Borovina, Cicko’s both left and right hand, also arrested’ by E. Kamenica, Vecernji List pg 3 M. Bjelica arrested again, SFOR claims that they have evidence’, mentioned on cover, by B. Stevandic, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘SFOR arrested M. Bjelica again’ by NINA, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Milovan Bjelica in detention again’ by A. Macanovic, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 3 ‘SFOR again arrested Milovan Cicko Bjelica’ by A. Sisic, Glas Srpske cover page story ‘Bjelica – second time!’ by B.G., EuroBlic RSpg2 ‘Arerst justiefied with “new information”’ mentioned on cover ‘SFOR again detained Milovan Bjelica’ by J.D., Nacional pg 7 ’SFOR detained the associate of Radovan Karadzic’ – On Wednesday in Sokolac, SFOR again apprehended Milovan Cicko Bjelica due to a suspicion that he was engaged in activities in violation of the Dayton Agreement. According to statements of the witnesses, uniformed and armed SFOR soldiers in three Jeep’s have cuffed Bjelica,who did not resist the arrest, took away his personal possessions, and then put him in a car which headed to Han Pijesak direction. Spokesman of Centre for Public Security Srpsko Sarajevo, Radovan Pejic said that SFOR soldiers have also arrested Velimir Borovina, the former driver of Bjelica, in Sokolac as well. He said that three SFOR soldiers in civilian suits came out of a white Jeep with SFOR licence plates and arrested Borovina. This happened only 10 minutes after the arrest of Bjelica took place, in front of the Bobar Bank. SFOR officers brought Borovina into the car and drove away in direction of Han Pijesak. Both detainees are believed to have been transported with helicopter to Orao base in Tuzla, according to Pejic. RHB – SFOR Spokesperson Major Sandor Zsiros confirmed Bjelica’s arrest, stating that this happened on the grounds of new evidences that occurred since he was released from SFOR detention on June 14. Zsiros also said that Bjelica was transported to a safe location and that local police was informed about this action. “SFOR is cooperating with BiH authorities on a number of levels, and it will continue to help them to fulfill all obligations from the Dayton’s Agreement and to surrender persons charged for war crimes still at large,” said Zsiros. |
| Speculations on a reason for Bjelica’s second arrest
| BHT 1 – Milovan Bjelica was earlier arrested by SFOR on May 14 due to suspicion of being a part of financial support network for Radovan Karadzic. He was also removed from all functions in public offices, and put at the EU and USA black lists. SFOR Spokesman Sandor Zsiros says that he could not make any speculations on arrest, however added that he is sure that this was reason for the arrestment. According to sources from RS Interior Ministry, Bjelica didn’t answer any questions about war crime suspects during the interrogation in May. Still, confidential sources say that SFOR believes that Blejica is the only person who can say where Karadzic is hiding. Oslobodjenje cover splash ‘Milovan Cicko Bjelica arrested in Sokolac’, pg 7 “Borovina, Cicko’s both left and right hand, also arrested’ by E. Kamenica – Oslobodjenje’s source claims that Bjelica was arrested again because information he gave SFOR last time proved to be counterfeit, “especially those referring to Dragan Andan, current the first policeman of Serbsko Sarajevo”, whom Bjelica accused of assisting Radovan Karadzic even today and of being at the top of mafia in that region. However, source says that this information later proved to be entirely wrong. As for Velimir Borovina, the same source claims he is Bjelica’s right hand, linking their arrests with the ‘end of empire’ of Momo Mandic and several other powerful figures in RS, all police officers. Noting that Mandic experiences a number of difficulties trying to sell his property – as everybody is aware of his crime related background – the source also reminds of the fact that SDS delegates prevented the adoption of the Law on illegally acquired property, which – as it appears – OHR would have to impose: “There it makes sense to connect Bjelica’s arrest to this as foreigners finally understood that arrest of Karadzic primarily depends on breaking economic power of his assistants.” Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Milovan Cicko Bjelica and Veljko Borovina arrested’, mentioned on cover, by E.S. – DA notes that three years ago El Mundo, Madrid based newspapers, identified Borovina as one of the key Karadzic’s supporters and one of the leaders of his support network. DA also reminds that his name has been mentioned several times in media speculations related to the unsolved murder of Srdjan Knezevic, chief of Public Security Centre Sokolac. |
| RS President Cavic on arrests of Bjelica and Borovina
| Glas Srpske cover page inset ‘Right to defence’ by G.D. – Dragan Cavic, RS President, on Wednesday stated that SFOR is obligated to hand persons it suspects of engagement of activities in violation of DA to local authorities. Speaking of Bjelica and Borovina arrests, Cavic said that they have a right to defence. He noted: “Not a single state in the world, apart from Iraq and Afghanistan, allows citizens be arrested and procedure be brought against him/her without the order of prosecutor.” Speaking of activities of the international community, Cavic said that “there is still a Central Committee in Sarajevo, resembling the one from the times of Union of Communists, with one difference that present Committee has been established by OHR.” According to him, anything a person says in BiH can be considered as “verbal misdemeanour”. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘OHR and SFOR violate human rights in BiH’ by O.V. – also covered the statement. |
| ICTY: Milosevic launches defence
| RHB, RTRS – The former Yugoslav president, Slobodan Milosevic, on Tuesday commenced the presentation of his defence before the ICTY following several delays. At the introduction, he stressed that the “accusations against [him] are notorious lies” blaming the international community – especially Germany, Vatican and US – for break of former Yugoslavia and for the wars in the territory. BHT 1 – The presentation of defence evidences will last 150 working days, and Milosevic announced testifying of 1600 witnesses, including former high political, military and intelligence officials of Russia, France, etc. FTV – Taking into account that the Prosecution was presenting its case for over two years and that the trial has been rescheduled twelve times, the Court expects that for Milosevic’s defence to last till October 2005 becoming the longest trial for war crimes in history of International Law. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Seat of crimes was in Berlin and Vatican’, mentioned on cover, by Sense Dnevni Avaz pg 21 ‘Milosevic accused West for breaking SFRJ’, mentioned on cover, Dnevni List last pg ‘Germany responsible for break up of Yugoslavia’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 19 ‘Milosevic is defending himself by attacking International Community’ by H, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘Yugoslavia was destroyed according to order of big forces’ by H Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 2 ‘The Occident broke down SFRY’ by Beta; Glas Srpske pg 9 ‘Occident broke down Yugoslavia’; EuroBlic cover and pg 4 ‘Milsoevic blames CIA, Vatican, Germany’ by Aleksandar Zivotic – also covered. |
| RS Office for Missing Persons continues exhumations in Sijekovac
| BHT 1 – On Wednesday, the RS office in search of missing persons has continued with the exhumation of a mass grave in Sijekovac, near Brod where remains of 60 victims, including 18 children, have been found so far. However, the identity of the victims has not been confirmed, which causes many speculations. The head of the office, Aleksandar Radeta, says that a number of found children’s bodies creates confusion, as there were not reported missing in BiH, therefore assuming these are Serb victims from Croatia. Deputy Head of FBiH Commission for Missing Persons [who ceased exhumations in Sijekovac], Marko Jurisic, denies these assumptions, saying that such statements harm the families of the victims. Searches of both FBIH Commission and RS Office are based on statements of witnesses. Collaboration of the two institutions on investigation and information exchange is almost non-existent. According to Radeta, the cooperation is supposed to go through the Red Cross’ working group. Jurisic believes that the collaboration could be improved, and that the search for missing is being too much politicised. FTV – FBiH Commission for Missing Persons has confirmed that bodies from mass grave in Sijekovac were transferred Visoko for DNA analysis. RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Exhumation at Sijekovac resumed’; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Secrets under macadam’ – also reported on update to Sijekovac exhumations. |
| New mass grave found in Bratunac municipality
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘First body remains discovered’, mentioned on cover, by S. Smajlovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Remains of 20 victims from Srebrenica found in Bljeceva’ Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Remains of 20 Srebrenica people found at Bljecava’ – Expert team for missing persons of Tuzla Cantonal Prosecutor Office and International Commission for Missing Persons have located another secondary mass grave site in Bljeceva, Bratunac municipality. Team is certain that bodies buried belong to Bratunac and Srebrenica citizens who died in 1992 and 1995. The Chief of the team, Murat Hurtic, says that more over hundred of bodies are expect to be found. More than a hundred complete bodies and another hundred remains of victims were exhumed from the previously opened mass grave in Bljeceva. FTV – FTV comments that this mass grave was not included in the list of mass grave sites presented by the Srebrenica Commission. |
| Ashdown announces ‘painful’ measures if RS fails to cooperate with ICTY
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘It is time for a change of BiH Constitution’, pg 5 ‘It is time for changes to the Constitution’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview with DA, the High Representative Paddy Ashdown, accuses RS of being the most responsible for BIH’s failure to make ICTY and Carla Del Ponte certain that the state will cooperate regarding the war crimes issues. “This issue must be solved in next few months,” stressed Ashdown adding that otherwise “all BiH’s citizens will suffer, as BiH will not have a certain long lasting peace and we have to examine which further actions should be carried out… If [RS authorities] continue to act [as previously] I will have to act and it will be very painful. And trust me, this time we will not give up until RS authorities do what they are expected to do: fully cooperate with the ICTY!” As for Serb Orthodox Church, Ashdown said that he could not say whether the Church offers haven for indictees at large, but said that he had talks with Bishop Vladika and that they agreed that the issue of war crimes suspects must be solved as it block the future of BiH. “If he would say this publicly, I would welcome such move. However, acts are much more important.” Ashdown also stresses that RS authorities are not the only problem, adding that there are also a part of authorities in FBiH side who will have to be more cooperative. FTV, RTRS, BHT 1 – While visiting to Trebinje, Ashdown noted that no progress regarding the arrest of war criminals have been noted. He warned RS authorities that he would have to take painful measures if they continue this way. |
| Srebrenica Commission holds session
| RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘To check validity of the source’, mentioned on cover, by Avdo Avdic, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Cekic: We will ask RS MoI to examine validity of information on Kazani’ by A.H. Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Session of Srebrenica Commission’ by NINA, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Kazani at review’ – During session of the Srebrenica Commission held in Banja Luka on Wednesday the most attention was paid on analyses of the documents that the Commission has at its disposal and the information on the number and identity persons who are still missing were harmonized. Also, the issues referring to graveyards were discussed. The members of the Commission concluded that they believe that the Commission will do tasks from its mandate within the set deadline, that is, October 15. |
| Smail Cekic on Kazani mass grave issue
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Cekic: We will ask RS MoI to examine validity of information on Kazani’ by A.H. – A member of the Srebrenica Commission, Smail Cekic, commented on the case of Kazani mass grave location that the Commission will ask from RS authorized institutions to check the information based on which the Commission listed the site in its report. FBiH Commission for missing persons recently suspended exhumation work at the location of this grave because, as they said, no mortal remains of Bosniak victims were found there. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘To check validity of the source’, mentioned on cover, by Avdo Avdic – Cekic gave similar statement to Oslobodjenje. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Kazani at review’ – Cekic said that the case of the Kazani mass grave had been blown out of proportions in the Federation, adding that this Commission would continue checking information with regard to this mass grave and would not give up on information that hey had obtained. |
| DA says OSA has already launched activities for arrest of war crimes suspects
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘OSA made first steps to arrest war criminals’ by E. Sarac – DA refers to the on going visit of BiH Intelligence Agency’s [OSA] Director Almir Dzuvo and his deputy Risto Zaric to the ICTY. Article says that they already had a number of meetings with the ICTY representatives, and according to the DA information, concrete measures towards arrest of war crimes suspects at large have been agreed. Zaric and Dzuvo apparently informed their counterparts that they have already launched activities towards the arrest of war criminals. The well-informed source says that visit of intelligence officers to the Hague Tribunal is a result of the talks held two months ago between ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte and the Chairman of the CoM Adnan Terzic. According to DA information, in the past few months one of the priorities for Zaric and Dzuvo were also requests Del Ponte submitted to Terzic at the time, which was one of the main reasons she invited them to the Hague. DA further says that this is, according to the well-informed sources, the most significant and the most comprehensive visit of intelligence officers from the territory of former Yugoslavia. |
| BHT 1 on investigation of Dretelj war crimes
| BHT 1 – Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office in Mostar has launched an investigation of the war crimes committed in Dretelj concentration camp. ICTY approved this case to be prosecuted by BiH courts. Former guards of the camp, Mijo Banovic and Ado Alagic, identified by the prisoners as direct perpetrators of war crimes, have been interrogated. Vide Palameta, who gave his statement through his attorneys, should show up in front of the Prosecutor soon and statements of about 50 witnesses have been gathered so far. Nijaz Mehmedbasic, Senior Prosecutor of the Mostar Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office said: “We also interrogated a number of suspects. But we are limited here, because some of the suspects are outside of BIH, and this is a limiting factor to continue to press charges.” Prosecution Office will not raise individual indictment. It also conducts the investigation against Ivan Anicic, commanding officer in charge of Dretelj camp, for which the Office has received the A approval from ICTY. |
| Euroblic connects Celo to war crimes | EuroBlic RSpg 1 ‘There is evidence on war crimes’ mentioned on cover ‘Celo’s file soaked in blood’ by J.D. – Radovan Pejic, Spokesperson of the PSC Serb Sarajevo, told EuroBlic that “PSC Serb Sarajevo back in 1996 submitted a Report with the Prosecutor’s Office in charge against Ramiz Delalic Celo suspected of having committed several criminals acts. We hold evidence that Delalic was harassing and beating up on prisoners at the known prison for Serbs Silos in Tarcin.” According to Pejic, there is hard evidence proving that “with the blessing of Alija Izetbegovic, Delalic was harassing and maltreating also Muslims – apart from Serbs – and held military and civilian command over Muslim troops as well.” Pejic noted: “Delalic was in charge of ethnic cleansing of the Sarajevo settlement of Stari Grad.” According to inset ‘Izetbegovic rewarded him for the murder’, Marko Mikerevic, the former Judge-Juror with the Sarajevo Higher Military Court, claims that over the murder at the Serb wedding, Alija Izetbegovic issued an order which has appointed Delalic as the Commander of the 9th Hill Brigade of the Muslim Army. |
|
| Military and security issues |
| Ashdown says Trebinje isolated with criminals walking freely through city and of unprotected borders
| BHT 1, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Ashdown strongly warned chief of police in Trebinje’, Dnevni List front and pg 5 ‘Crime and non-cooperation shocked Ashdown’ by N. Kolak – High Representative Paddy Ashdown stated in Trebinje that justice, opening of new places of work and reforms will take BiH to Europe and added that this especially refers on Trebinje which should exert more efforts in order to achieve set goals. Commenting on his meeting with the HR in Trebinje, Acting Head of the Trebinje Municipality Radomir Kuduz stated that the HR’s visit represents support to development programs of this Municipality. The HR also met with Head of the Trebinje Public Security Centre Mrksa Skocajic and Head of the State Border Service (SBS) Unit Miodrag Kundacina. After this meeting the HR stated that he is not satisfied with the work of the local Police when preventing of the organized crime and smuggling is in question. According to Ashdown, there must be better cooperation between the Police and SBS. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Isolation still lasts’ by M. Bestic; Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Criminals walk freely’ by V.D. – Ashdown warned in that Trebinje municipality is still in isolation and that it must establish firm rule of Laws if it wants to attract investments, provide good life in the community and revive the economy. HR emphasized that security situation hasn’t improved in the last year, but instead crime has and criminals are freely walking trough the city. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Bilecko lake a heaven for smugglers’, mentioned on cover, by S.S., Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ’15 kilometres hole in BIH border’ – “Nothing has change, as authorized police state in Capljina did not secure drivers for unknown reason, so 15 kilometres of BiH’s border with Montenegro is entirely deserted, which of course makes it a heave for smugglers. SBS in Trebinje has no equipment for patrolling in the night and all that is unacceptable. Doors are entirely open for criminals through Bilecko lake and I will raise this issue with the highest SBS officials,” commented Ashdown. |
| Debate on sending BiH troops to Iraq
| FTV, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Even without the Law to peacekeeping missions’ by V. Zivak, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Filling Defence Ministry to be accelerated’ by H. Orahovac, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Law solves dilemmas on sending troops abroad’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic, Nezavisne Novine pg 11 ‘Law on peace operations needs to be adopted prior to deployment of soldiers to Iraq’ by M. Cubro – Joint Commission of the BiH Parliament in charge of defence and security issues and supervision of defence and security structures at the State level on Wednesday discussed a proposal of law on participation of BiH armed forces and other State employees in peace and other missions abroad. According to the acting President of the Commission, Bosko Siljegovic, many amendments have been submitted in the process, which propose that the law be applied on Police officers too. As a result, the Commission concluded that a working group, which includes representatives of the BiH Ministry of Defence, compiles all the amendments within next seven days. “Since the (BiH) Presidency’s decision on sending BiH members to peace operations in Iraq caused a string of discussions, I am sure that the BiH Parliament will solve all the dilemmas with adoption of the law”, comments Siljegovic. Deputy President of the said Commission, Sefik Dzaferovic, says the future law will observe the BiH Constitution and Law on Defence of BiH, which foresees that the BiH Presidency sends BiH troops abroad. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 7 ‘departure of BiH unit to Iraq is legal’, by Zdenko Rerig – SD adds that the said Commission passed a conclusion that the BiH Presidency’s decision to send a BiH de-mining unit to Iraq was an act of political nature that did not deal with technical issues. The Commission also noted that the decision has the legal ground in the BiH Constitution and Law on Defence of BiH, therefore it is legally valid. SD also carries the Chairman of BiH Presidency and President of SDA, Sulejman Tihic, as saying at an internal SDA meeting that it is important to be friends with the US. “Of course, we are a European country, we have the European road, we want to become a member of the EU, but we still need the US and their help, foremost because they have proven themselves in their work in BiH”, said Tihic. BHT 1 – BHT 1 notes that BiH troops will be sent to Iraq, despite the fact that BiH has not even adopted the appropriate law, noting that BiH Presidency has not examined possible solution to cancel Iraqi mission. Instead of sending troops, BHT 1 notes that BiH could help Iraqi children alike Croatia. BHT 1 concludes that citizens of BiH are against the military mission. Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Over 20.000 citizens signed petition’, mentioned on cover, by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Presidency’s decision is harmful and it doesn’t contribute to peace stabilisation’ by Aj.D. – SDU on Tuesday organized public discussion on sending BiH troops to Iraq, saying that over 20.000 citizens have signed party’s petition against this decision. Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Mine field’ op-ed by Daniel Omeragic – “BiH has no much choice. It can either send its troops to Iraq, stay a partner with USA and face possible revenge from terrorists, or stay without US support,” reads editorial. |
| Police Restructuring Commission in session
| BHT 1, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘A report on BiH police forces was discussed’ by V. Iliktarevic – The second session of the Police Restructuring Commission commenced in Banja Luka on Wednesday. The participants discussed the Report on Functional Overview of BiH Police Forces, which was presented in Sarajevo on July 16. The Report reads that in accordance with European standards, there is a surplus of 3,000 policemen in BiH, and accordingly an adequate social program must be developed in order to take care of this number of employees. The Report also reads that the current structure of the police is not satisfactory and does not correspond to needs of the state in fight against organised crime. The yesterday’s session was closed for media and there were no statements after the session. According to some unofficial information, the session will continue today. |
| Update to RS MoI ‘Forgery’ action | Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ’94 cars more to be confiscated’ by Z.K.-S.K. – Twenty six vehicles have been seized on suspicion of having been registered on the basis of forged documents in the RS over the past 10 days as part of the ongoing “Forgery” action. In the last week of August 24, the RS Interior Ministry addressed letters to the Public Security Centres in Bijeljina, Trebinje and Banja Luka asking them to seize vehicles suspected of having been registered in such a way. |
|
| Political issues |
| Cavic criticial of SFOR and OHR
| EuroBlic RSpg3 ‘We are preparing lawsuit against Ashdown’ by T.V.; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Rights under the feet’ by G.D.; Nezavisne Novine pg 10 ‘SDS demands urgent appointment of Interior Minister’ by V. Popovic – Dragan Cavic, SDS Acting President, on Wednesday stated that at the present time, it is much better to be in The Hague than being the citizen of BiH, because the right to defence at least exists in The Hague, while here in BiH, nobody has a right to file a motion against any decision passed by High Representative, Paddy Ashdown and SFOR actions. At the press conference in Banja Luka on Wednesday, he assessed that the human rights in BiH and RS are strongly violated by those, who constantly talk about human rights, meaning international community and SFOR. He stressed: “The fact itself it is not allowed to file a motion against any decision of HR shows there is no judicial authority in BiH.” He noted that the SDS has engaged several legal experts, who should identiy method for filing a lawsuit against High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, over the latest removals at SDS. Also, SDS demands that the RS Interior Minister is appointed as soon as possible, “because further delay could only have negative consequences for RS”. He also said that the SDS has sent an addenda to financial report on party dealings to BiH Election Commission, claiming the SDS is the only party which was requested to do so and which “places SDS in an unequal position before elections”. |
| Ashdown on changing BiH Constitution
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘It is time for a change of BiH Constitution’, pg 5 ‘It is time for changes to the Constitution’ by Sead Numanovic – Journalist comments that even though the High Representative Paddy Ashdown would not say himself that it is finally a time to have BiH Constitution rewritten, “he leaves no doubt into readiness of the international community to assist that process.” In this interview, HR Ashdown says that it is “a time to solve the issue of BiH’s dysfunction. If the state spends double more money for its functioning than on taking care of its citizens and fulfilling their needs, that that is a dysfunctional factor for that country.” Asked whether he supports the change of BiH Constitution, Ashdown said: “I support the debate on that issue… It is up to the citizens of this country to decide what has to bee done… We will be happy to assist through advices, constitutional experts we would employ if needed,… But the final decision is up to you… It is time to start creating BiH which will function better.” For the next year, Ashdown stresses his priority to be “implementation, implementation, implementation!” |
| Njegus apologizes to journalists
| Police Director, Radomir Njegus, on Wednesday made a public apology to the members of the pres over the recent statement he gave that “Nezavisne Novine” and RTRS journalists should be placed “in prison or mental hospital” He told ATV that “I have never thought of giving a statement about any member of the media”. He said: “The words I spoke out referred to other category of people, and God forbid to have them applied to the press. If some journalists understood it applied to them, I am very sorry and I do apologise to them.” |
| UNDP poll shows least Serbs trust BiH authorities and IC
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Majority of Serbs doesn’t support BiH Presidency’, mentioned on cover, by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Most Serbs do not support Presidency and ICTY’ – Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Serb ‘deprive’ of its support work of BiH Presidency’ not signed – The results of the UNDP public opinion poll on trust of BiH citizens towards domestic authority bodies show that most of Croats (61,3 %) and Bosniaks (51 %) support the work of the BiH Presidency, while most of Serbs (58,4 %) do not support it. DL says that, in general, interviewed persons of Serb nationality were distanced towards domestic authority. RHB – The pool also show that citizens of BiH are becoming more critical towards the international organizations, especially OHR. All major international organizations – such OSCE, OHR, UNDP, SFOR and EU – are highly respected among Bosniaks, while they are less popular among Croats and especially among Serbs. RHB noted that support to also depends on whether the group is majority or minority in the region – for instance, only 32% of Croats support OHR in territory where this group is majority, however over 62% of Croats living as minority group support OHR elsewhere. |
| Turkovic on situation in Stolac
| Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Disputable issues should be resolved within institutions’ by N. Bise – Chairman of the Stolac Municipal Council Zoran Turkovic stated that he expected more from the meeting of leading HDZ and SDA officials from the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton which was held on Friday and during which the situation in Stolac was discussed. Turkovic added that during this meeting it was concluded that that disputable sissies should be resolved in an institutional way. According to Turkovic, another meeting on the situation in Stolac should take place today at the local level and representatives of all political parties that participate in the Work of the Stolac Municipal Council should attend it. |
| VL says new school year could be marked with protests over language issues
| Vecernji list, pg 7 ‘Fight for Croatian language continues in desks’, mentioned on front, by Zoran Kresic – VL notes that the new school year will be marked with the fight for the Croatian language in elementary and secondary schools. VL notes that an action called ‘Let’s save the Croatian language’ will start on September 6 in Posusje, which will be organized by Association of Unions of elementary and secondary schools that work according to the Croat curriculum, after which the protests will continue in Vitez (September 10) and Mostar (September 17). According to one of Unions’ leader, Josip Milic, the aim of the protests is to inform the public about the changes to the education laws, which does not guarantee that the children will be taught in the mother tongue i.e. the Croatian language. The other aim is to request from the Croat officials to raise the issue of constitutionality of the law. Milic notes the protests do not have anything with politics and forthcoming local elections. |
| BiH Election Commission on preparations for election; warn parties on hatred speech | Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Severe sanctions for language of hatred in elections campaign’, by Ivica Glibusic – According to the President of BiH Election Commission, Vehid Sehic, the job on printing of all ballot papers will be completed by September 2. He further notes that the paper used for printing of the ballot papers was purchased in Slovenia, which contains the water mark (protection) of the BiH Election Commission, adding that efforts are being made to prevent any abuses, for which the municipal elections commissions bear the biggest responsibility. Sehic stresses that should any language of hatred occur during the election campaign, political parties and individual can expect severe sanctions. Also covered by Sarajevo print media. |
|
| Economic issues |
| Debate on Buk Bijela dam project continues
| Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5 ‘Tara canyon would not be drowned due to the construction of “Buk Bijela” hydropower plant’ by Srna, Glas Srpske, cover and pg. 2 ‘Tara runs peacefully’ by R. Masic, Vecernje Novosti, pg. 11 ‘Electricity, no damage’ by D. Todorovic – All three dailies carry a statement of Milan Manigoda, the Director of “Hydropower plants on Drina”, who claims that Tara canyon would not have been drowned due to the construction of “Buk Bijela” dam, nor there would be any ecological danger. Nada Radovic, the Assistant Director for Investments and Development of “HE on Drina”, stated that ‘This is the most profitable facility in this part of Europe, approximately 400 million ? worth, which will be producing 1 billion and 350 million kwh of electricity per year and would have a profit amounting approximately 50 million ?’.” Vecernje Novosti cover, pg 11 ‘Either Tara or money’ by C. Prelevic – Lazar Ljubisa, a former Director of Montenegro Elektroprivreda and a member of the World Council for Energy, says that ‘the construction of this hydropower plant would cause more damage than benefit to Montenegro’. On the other hand, Slobodan Vidmar, the Chairman of Montenegro Elektroprivreda Council, thinks the opposite and says that “Buk Bijela” dam must be constructed. Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘It is time for a change of BiH Constitution’, pg 5 ‘It is time for changes to the Constitution’, inset ‘Buk Bijela is not economically sustainable project’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview with DA, the High Representative Paddy Ashdown, comments to the Buk Bijela dam project: “OHR several times repeated what auditor established. When it comes to Buk Bijela, they estimated that is not economically sustainable project… I believe that report should be looked in this on-going debate.” |
| ITA announces charges soon to be pressed in sugar affair
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Indictments for sugar affair soon’, mentioned on cover, by A.M. – The Director of the Indirect Taxation Administration, Kemal Causevic, said that ITA and the representatives of the State Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday held a meeting to discuss the results of the investigations into the ‘sugar affair.’ Causevic refused to give details, but confirmed that charges will be pressed soon. “Investigation included a big number of companies and a big number of people. There will at least 20 companies and the same number of people responsible prosecuted,” Causevic concludes. |
| RS Housing Fund denies NN allegations
| Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5 ‘RS Government cannot dispose with the Fund’s money’ by D. R. – RS Housing Fund yesterday denied claims that Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic and RS Government have given 1,5 million KM from the Fund’s budget to “Privredna Banka” Serb Sarajevo last year. Goran Crncevic, the Deputy Head of RS Housing Fund, stated yesterday at a press conference, that “this is impossible, because no person at the Government is authorised to sign any orders on transfer of funds.”. The Fund claims the Government can only assess the work of the Fund upon submitting the Fund’s annual reports, but cannot transfer the Fund’s money as they see fit. Crncevic claims 3,5 million KM of the Fund’s money is still blocked at the Mandic’s bank, however, in spite of a blockade, the bank is regularly fulfilling its obligations towards the Fund. |
| Parliamentarians on VAT | Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘Lower tax rate will stimulate consumers’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – notes that majority of MPs in the BiH Parliament believe that the future VAT should have practically three rates, including the zero rate for healthcare, schooling etc. Sefik Dzaferovic (SDA) and Vinko Zoric (HDZ) are of opinion that there should be a lower rate for fundamental groceries and publishing, on the other hand Azra Hadziahmetovic (SBiH) believes it is easier to have one rate for the whole VAT system. However, she too notes that from the point of view of the citizenry, it is better to have different rates, which would eventually favour the priorities that need to be stimulated in the future. Nikola Spiric (SNSD) says nowhere in the world the groceries are used to fill the budget. |