| Radio Herceg-Bosna (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30 hrs) |
| FBiH Defence Law passed | Case of Dragan Lukac | Candidates for Generals | Lukac’s removal affair |
| Tourist potentials of BiH | FBiH Law on Defence | Law on Defence | RSNA on Visegrad action |
| BiH – Norway cooperation | Case of Dario Kordic | Natron’s opportunities | Death of judge Trbojevic |
| Gandhi will not be minister | Trial of Vidoje Blagojevic | Brucellosis in Konjic | Gandhi will not be minister |
| Oslobodjenje | BiH needs young and non-compromised persons |
| Dnevni Avaz | Michael Humphreys: Not a single of 16 reforms has been completed |
| Dnevni List | State Court competent, request of defence rejected |
| Vecernji List | HVO remains! |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Brucellosis: Herzegovina not threatened with epidemics |
| Glas Srpske | Special Police Chief did not hand over duty yesterday: Lukac does not give in |
| Nezavisne Novine | Accusations of parents of Novica Lukic: MoI top responsible for the murder of Novica Lukic; Banjaluka: If Njegus does not withdraw decision on removals, special police will leave MoI |
| Blic | Outrage: misfortune of mother used in pre-electoral run |
Political developments/education | |
| OSCE’s Beecroft presents “People are our priority” campaign
| Herceg Bosna Radio, Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 7 ‘BiH need young and non-compromised persons’, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘BiH citizens must involve in creating country’s future’, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Citizens influence on their future by voting at elections’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Children pay the cost’, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Country needs new generation of young and non-compromised leaders’ mentioned on front, by Indira Tabucic,FENA – The citizens of BiH need to engage more actively in creating the future of their country, i.e. take the main role in order to make changes and prosperity possible, said on Tuesday the OSCE Head of Mission to BiH, Ambassador Robert Beecroft, at a meeting with domestic partners with which OSCE is working on a wide range of projects, before stepping down from this duty next month. On the occasion, Ambassador Beecroft promoted the new OSCE Campaign “People are our priority”, which is aimed at approaching and supporting the BiH citizens in active engaging in transformation of the society. “BiH has an enormous potential and the force of transformation is right here, in its citizens”, said Ambassador Beecroft. He said that the OSCE is dedicated to making the people their priority, not for the purpose of gaining points or profits, but instead for insuring the long-term stability and prosperity in BiH. With the results of polls and researches conducted by focus groups, he illustrated that the OSCE Mission was working with its domestic partners to respond to the actual needs of the citizens. According to the latest poll within the “People are our Priority” campaign, 93 percent of the questioned citizens believe BiH needs new generation of young and non-compromised persons who will bring fresh ideas and have ability to resolve problems. Thus, he specified the projects such as the Successor Generation Initiative, the Young Entrepreneurial Spirit, the Public Communications Initiative, the Citizens’ Participation in Power Programme, the Public Administration Reform, etc. As part of the campaign “People are our Priority”, the OSCE Mission is hosting a series of radio and television shows to bring the latest information about OSCE programmes and activities to the public. The Mission will be hosting 40 radio shows a month for the rest of the year. |
| Michael Humphreys: Not a single of 16 reforms has been completed | Dnevni Avaz cover page, pg 5 ‘Not a single of 16 reforms has been completed’ – An interview with Michael Humphreys, the EC Head of the Delegation to BiH. “European Commission has neither expected that by the end of May the reforms requested from BiH would be carried out. The truth is that a significant progress has been made but this does not mean that we can recommend start of negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association with EU,” said Humphreys. |
| VL claims OHR and OSCE are trying to impose single language in classrooms | Vecernji List, page 5 ‘Croat-Bosnian and Bosnian-Croat languages in schools’, by Zoran Kresic – commenting on the last statement by the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, and the Head of OSCE Mission to BiH, Robert Beecroft, in which they warned about the failure of four cantons (2, 6, 7, 8) to harmonize respective cantonal education laws to the state Framework education law, the author argues that the reaction by HR Ashdown and OSCE’s Beecroft is an ultimatum to the four Croat-majority cantons that the cantonal laws will be harmonized by power of decree, which in reality means that the state law’s aim is to impose a single language in BiH, thus ignoring the legally adopted decisions. VL argues that Ashdown and Beecroft in their statement did not present to the public the fundamental differences between the laws that the cantons have adopted and the state law, which was actually done by the OSCE’s Head of Education Department in BiH, Lars-Ake Stal, who, in his letter to the cantonal education ministers, stressed that all teachers in every school will be able to give lectures in their mother tongue. Interpreting Stal’s position, the author argues that the state law on education’s aim is to enable a linguistic ‘mix’, which will create equal Croat-Bosnian or Bosnian-Croat language, and eventually a dominant Bosnian language. |
| Croat education unions to HR Ashdown
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17 ‘Strike against imposition of the law’, by Z. Zekic, Dnevni List, pg 11 ‘Adamant in intention to preserve Croat schooling and language in BiH’, by NINA – Association of Unions of Elementary and Secondary Schools in BiH has sent the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, a letter concerning, as the Association puts it, “the latest Ashdown’s threats and intimidations that he will be forcibly imposing the education law, with a threat of extermination of the Croat schooling in BiH and eradication of the Croatian language”. The Association claims that, should something like that happen, it will use all legally allowed measures of disobedience, including strikes and protests. “Your predecessor destroyed the Croat TV and channel in Croatian language in a similar way. In case of similar happening with the education, rest assured you will encounter bigger difficulties”, reads a press release signed by Andjelko Kvesic and Josip Milic, leaders of Unions of elementary and secondary schools. |
| Croatian Consul General in Mostar on education/language issues | Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Maricic: Help of Croatian Government this year through tender again’ mentioned on cover, by Ivica Glibusic – answering to the journalist’s question whether the BiH Croats’ fears, that their language will be put into question because of the way the education reform in BiH is going, are justified, the Croatian Consul General in Mostar, Ratko Maricic, says: “Honestly, the Croat people should preserve its language. It is its inalienable right – to learn it, to use it and express itself in its own language.. Moreover, the right to the language should be secured to the Croat people in whole of BiH and all its institutions. With regard to that, the education reform should be implemented in the way that the Croat people does not lose its right to be taught in BiH in the Croatian language. It has to be foremost secured by the legal and legitimate institutions in BiH, and the Croatian Government is following processes of education reform in BiH, and in contacts with BiH authorities and other relevant international factors, it is trying to help to secure those rights. In that way, Croatia is implementing its constitutional obligation to take care after Croats outside Croatia”. |
| Mostar: CBMC forwards proposals to City authorities | Dnevni List pg 11 ‘First 5 recommendations for confidence building’ by V. Soldo – the Confidence Building Measures Committee forwarded yesterday proposals for consideration by the Mostar city authorities and they are: irrigation of Bijelo Polje, establishing of an NGO forum, improving of recreation facilities in Bijeli Brijeg and establishing of a single medical emergency calling service. DL says that Chairman of the aforementioned Committee, Zoran Pajic, handed over these proposals to Mostar Mayor Hamdija Jahic and his Deputy Ljubo Beslic and stated that the fifth recommendation refers on education of the youngest ones. According to the article, the Mostar City Council should adopt the first 5 recommendations and it will also have to find the way to secure funds necessary for their realization. |
| Dodik on the current government | Blic, pg. 13 ‘Dodik: the authority is under control of criminals’ by M. P. – ‘I know that many from Banja Luka and RS, who have police records, are controlling the very top of the police. The problem is not at the police only, the problem is in the fact that the same groups are controlling other segments of the authority as well…Because of this, the only way out is in new and early elections’, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik has stated during a lunch organized for the press at his family property in Laktasi. He pleads for holding of general elections at the same time with local elections. |
Defence | |
| Federation of BiH HoR adopts draft defence law
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘FBiH Army still divided’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Two components remain in FBiH Army’, Vecernji List front pg ‘HVO remains!’ and pg 2 ‘Nevertheless, Croat component remains in FBiH Army’ by E. Medunjanin, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘2 components of FBiH Army remain’ by E. Mackic – Federation of BiH Parliament on Tuesday adopted at an extraordinary session the draft laws on defence and military service in the FBiH Army, which the Federation’s House of Peoples will consider today. According to the draft defence law, the Federation Army will continue to consist of two components. A majority of the 120 amendments put forward for this bill were not adopted by the Federation Government. |
| SFOR on vetting of candidates for top military posts | FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Vetting of potential general continues’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Vetting of candidates for RS Army Chief of Staff completed’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Vetting procedure of candidate for position of Commander of RS Army Main Headquarters completed’ by D.P.M.,FENA – The spokesperson of SFOR, Captain Robert Lapreze, on Tuesday stated that the process of vetting the new 12 new candidates for generals’ posts in the BiH Armed Forces was in progress. Lapreze told a press conference that a deadline for completing this process has not been set, considering that it is a thorough process that requires voluminous activities. He said that the process of vetting the candidates for the RS Army General Staff Official had been completed and that the results were forwarded on Monday to BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic. |
| Tihic rejects criticism re nomination of candidates for top military posts | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Tihic: General Packett supported our decision’ – Chairman of the BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic rejects criticism related to the process of nomination of the candidates for the top military posts i.e, why the current generals/commanders in FBiH Army including Atif Dudakovic, Ramiz Drekovic and Vahid Karavelic. Tihic said that he actually wanted to preserve them from exposure to media campaigns and attacks. |
| Javier Solana on preparations for the military mission in BiH | Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Javier Solana on preparations for the military mission in BiH – A EU military staff liaison officer coming to Sarajevo soon’ by S. Numanovic – The European Union remains committed to the military mission in BiH that should replace SFOR at the end of this year. This position was made during a two-day meeting of 25 EU defence ministers in Brussels. Javier Solana, the European Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Security, said on the occasion that the EU had to approach to this task with a full responsibility. “We must ensure that the EU has powers so that we carry out the mission which is ahead of us with success and that we fulfil the tasks and responsibilities given to us,” said Solana. |
Police affairs/crime/investigations | |
| Lukac still not handed over the office
| BHTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Special police announces it would leave’ mentioned on cover ‘If Njegus does not withdraw decision on removals, special police will leave MoI’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Lukac has still not handed over the office’ – In the company of 30 more special police, Dragan Lukac, RS MoI Special Police Unit Chief, yesterday in Banjaluka met with Radomir Njegus, Republika Srpska Police Director, in order to reach an agreement regarding the most recent removals and suspensions within this unit. According to GS, Dusko Jandric, President of RS Police Syndicate, and, Kevin Carty, EUPM Commissioner, also attended the meeting. As NN learnt, Special Police Unit members said they would all leave the Unit, unless Police Director withdrew his order of removals and suspensions. A source close to NN says that Njegus refused their collective resignation, saying that the talk on this will resume. Lukac stated last night that talks on this with Njegus should resume today, “because it is also in the interest of Njegus”. Commenting on Njegus claims regarding results of the internal control unit (see below), Lukac said that the conclusions of the investigation are ridiculous, because he himself is not in charge of preparing the operational plan. He also said that there are attempts to make criminals thieves. The members of RS Special Police yesterday addressed a letter (a petition) to the Republika Srpska President, Dragan Cavic, the RS Parliament Speaker, Dragan Kalinic, RS Government and RS Parliament Board for police and legal overview, which reads that the Unit is ready for implementing all orders in accordance with the Constitution and Law, including arrests of war crime suspects. The letter, which was signed by 70 members of Special Police, points at the responsibility of Zoran Djeric, RS Interior Minister, and Radomir Njegus, Police Director, for having falsely stated that Special Police is engaged in criminal activities. The letter further reads that the RS MoI Internal Control Unit failed to prepare the analysis into Visegrad action (which resulted in tragic death of Novica Lukic) by 14 May, neither has the Unit established the responsibility for this death. The special policemen expressed distrust towards Zoran Djeric and Radomir Njegus, because they are not ready to undertake responsibility for the action in Visegrad, which they ordered. The petition further reads that the members of Special Unit will not allow being compared with the Serbian Special Operations Unit, neither will they allow any action of similar kind be launched. (Blic, pg. 12 ‘Ready to arrest as well’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Members of RS Special Police Unit expressed disobedience’ by B. Stevandic) According to NN inset, Kevin Carty, EUPM Commissioner stated at yesterday’s press conference in Banjaluka that decision of Radomir Njegus regarding removals at RS MoI were passed in accordance with the Law and in full respect of all rules and regulations. He expressed disappointment over reactions of some people inside RS Interior Ministry regarding suspensions. He also said that statements these people gave were not correct and could hinder the implementation of internal investigation. Carty also stated that there has been some positive development taking place yesterday morning. (Herceg Bosna Radio, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Removals according to law’, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Removals in RS Interior Ministry legal’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 Lukac, Ribic removed in compliance with law’) According to NN inset, upon unofficial information that the Banjaluka PSC Chief, Zeljko Spasojevic, and his associates yesterday filed resignations, Zoran Glusac, Spokesperson of the RS MOI, stated that he holds no official information on this. Later on yesterday, Banjaluka PSC Chief, Zeljko Spasojevic told GS that he and his associates did not file resignations. (Blic, pg. 12 ‘Resignations announced at the Banja Luka Center for Public Safety’ by FoNet) According to NN inset, top leadership of Republika Srpska MoI sought for back-up and some policemen from other cities across Republika Srpska – namely Doboj, Bijeljina and some other- came to Banjaluka yesterday and were accommodated at Vrbas military barracks waiting for further orders. Zoran Glusac, Interior Ministry Spokesperson, yesterday did not want to make any comment on this information, according to NN. He said that police presence has been increased owing to ongoing session of RS NA. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Scenario of creating chaos in RS for holding early elections’ by E. Sarac – The daily speculates that someone in RS wanted to misuse Lukac’s removal in order to create chaos in the entity for the political purpose of holding early elections this year. |
| French intelligence informed on Milan Lukic!? | Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘French intelligence agents involved’ – According to Dusko Tomic, legal representative of two special police officers, who carried out Visegrad action and were later on put in custody, his clients asked from him to remove the “classified” label from their file and that their names should be published and accordingly they should be tried in public, “because they want to say the names of those who ordered Visegrad action”. According to him, “defendants are aware they are responsible for involuntary manslaughter, because they did not want to kill. However, it should not be forgotten that the Law allows them to use fire arms during arrests of war crime suspects.” His statement went on to stress that: “They were ordered to shoot at the indictee Milan Lukic.” He further said that “owing to complexity of the entire situation, the role of the French intelligence agency, which, in my knowledge, placed the information that Milan Lukic was in the house, should be cleared up.” (Blic, pg. 12 ‘They will say who has ordered shooting at Lukic’ by J. D. mentioned on cover ‘Lawyer of suspected Special Police members claims: they are willing to say who were givers of the order’) |
| Njegus before RS MP’s | BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Njegus: I am ready to face responsibility’; Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Wrong-doing from the very beginning’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘From 7 to 10 thousands KM disappeared from the Lukics’ house in Visegrad’, Blic, pgs. 12-13 ‘Njegus: there will be no radical measures’ by Tijana Veselinovic, Vecernje novosti, pg. 7 ‘Withdrawal only “in package”’ by Sl. P and M. L. – At yesterday’s session of Republika Srpska National Assembly in Banjaluka, Radomir Njegus, RS Police Director, stated that the police action in Visegrad of 18 April (when Novica Lukic was murdered) has complicated the security situation in the Republika Srpska. He expressed readiness to face personal and professional responsibility for the omissions. He announced that the issue of responsibility will be further investigated, noting that the internal control investigation has not completed as yet, because it still needs to get statements from two police, who took a direct part in Visegrad action and were imprisoned later on. The prosecutor in charge does not allow taking statements from them. On report, Njegus said that the investigation established a number of operational omissions. He confirmed that Novica Lukic, did not resist the arrest. He also said that the police operation commenced with a police barge into a wrong house, which disturbed the rhythm and may have warned the target of the operation. He noted that the house search was carried out in contradiction with the Law on criminal proceeding. Milanko Mihajlica, SRS, demanded from Zoran Djeric and Radomir Njegus to resign from the positions over Visegrad action. Mirjana Kosarac, SDS delegate, called on the MoI to disclose all relevant information about Visegrad action as soon as possible. Dusan Stojicic from SDS pointed at the media accusing them of non-objective reporting. Milorad Dodik from SNSD said at RS NA session that it is inadmissible that Njegus removed only Dragan Lukac over Visegrad action and promoted all other participants in the action. Dodik also asked Njegus to say whether it is true that Ranko Vukovic, whom he appointed as the new Special Police Unit Chief, did indeed plan the operation in Visegrad and took a direct part in it, unlike Lukac, who did not participate in that. Njegus confirmed this as being true. |
| Family of Novica Lukic accuses RS police top of murder | Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Novica Lukic was murdered because he knew of criminal activities of RS top officials…’ mentioned on cover ‘MoI top responsible for the murder of Novica Lukic’ – Mile Lukic, the father of Novica, stated that: “The policemen knew that my son Milan was not in the house and that he did not come by for the last five years. They wanted to murder Novica, who had some information regarding criminal activities of the Visegrad top police officials during the war and after it.” He also stated that the two special policemen in detention and the removed Head of Special Police Unit cannot be the only ones responsible for the murder of his son. On this he added: “They were just executors. I am sure there are persons who made the order and planned the operation.” |
| Parliament Board supportive of Njegus measures | Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘To reject blackmails’ – The RS Parliament Board for control of internal and defence affairs concluded that many omissions were performed during the Visegrad action of attempted arrest of Milan and Sredoja Lukic. The action itself also contained the elements of “illegal conduct of special police officers”. The Board also concluded that regardless of the outcome of this action, Republika Srpska must continue implementing its duties including full co-operation with the Hague Tribunal. Board also expressed full support to the measures undertaken by Republika Srpska Interior Ministry on this issue. |
| BiH Court to try money laundering cases | Dnevni List, front pg and pg 49 ‘State Court competent, request of defence rejected’, by R. R. – Panel of Judges of the BiH Court, with Judge Bernard Pierre presiding, yesterday took a decision to separate a case involving 65 physical persons and legal entities, charged with money laundry, tax evasion and forging of documents, into seven groups. On June 1, 2004, trials to prime suspects Ranko Pilic from Doboj, Tihomir Lukic from Croatia, and their joint ‘Uzdah’ Company will start. Pilic and Lukic are charged with damaging the budgets of the RS and FBiH by 13, 5 million KMs. The indictment says the two opened several accounts in the Reiffeisen, Kristal, Zepter and Razvojna and MEB banks in order to launder money of other companies they were in contact with. Apparently, 115 companies from whole of BiH are involved in the case. |
| Judge Mirjana Trbojevic not murdered | Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Judge Mirjana Trbojevic was not murdered’ – The finding of the forensic and ballistic experts from Tuzla, who were examining documentation regarding the death of the Banjaluka Basic Court Judge, Mirjana Trbojevic, is that the death resulted from suicide or an accident. Still, Banjaluka District Prosecutor’s Office has not closed the case. Sead Zeric, Deputy District Prosecutor in Banjaluka, says that: “Regardless of facts handed to us by experts from Tuzla, I must stress that Prosecutor’s Office will undertake some further activities in order to establish a complete truth about this case.” |
Economic/social issues | |
| HR continues tour to promote BiH’s tourism
| Herceg Bosna Radio, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Change of damaging image of BiH’, FENA – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, and Deputy BiH Foreign Minister Lidija Topic on Tuesday completed a successful presentation in Berlin where they spoke to representatives of the German travel industry, the spokesperson of OHR, Oleg Milisic, told a press conference in Sarajevo. Berlin is the third leg of the tour; the High Representative and the Foreign Minister held similar presentations in the Hague on Saturday and in Stockholm on Monday. In each of these capitals the BiH delegation, which consists of three tourism experts as well as the High Representative and the Foreign Minister, has been asked about initiatives to begin low cost flights to BiH. Several tourism industry representatives have indicated that there is sufficient demand from markets in Europe to visit BiH, and the region, to justify more flights. Industry representatives have also expressed an interest in developing BiH’s spa tourism sector, said Milisic. On Wednesday the delegation is in Paris and is in London on Thursday. Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Ashdown recommends BiH’s mountains rivers and lakes to German and Swedish citizens’ also reported on the BiH tourism promotions in Berlin and Stockholm. Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Tourist potential can be crucial for economic development of BiH’ by D.P.M. also reports that an OHR spokesperson Oleg Milisic stated that the HR and Topic had successful presentation of BiH tourism potential in Berlin. Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Swedes to visit BiH tourist destinations soon’ by Nina and Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Topic and Ashdown in Stockholm’ by zog – BiH Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lidija Topic, and High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, presented perspectives and possibilities of development of BiH tourism in Stockholm. DL says that the HR was talking about progress that BiH achieved in the area of development of tourist potentials and security. The dailies also carry that after the aforementioned presentation, HR Ashdown and Topic met with Swedish Minister for International Development Carin Jamtin. |
| ITA Steering Board adopted initial version of three laws | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Initial versions of the laws on VAT, single account and customs policy adopted’ – At a session held on Tuesday, the BiH Indirect Taxation Administration Steering Board adopted initial version of the laws on Valu-added Tax, single account and customs policy that will serve as the basis for further consideration. |
| VL on Law on VAT | Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Law on VAT is late’ by ms carries that Law on Value Added Tax will not be in the parliamentary procedure this week since the group that was tasked to make a draft of this law did not complete its job. VL explains that members of the Indirect Taxation Administration Steering Board who are in charge of this law cannot declare themselves on it since they did not read a proposal of the law. VL concludes that this law might be on the agenda of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly at the end of this or at the beginning of the next month. |
| President of RS Chamber of Commerce on economic situation | Blic, pg. 15 ‘Economy is a hostage of electricity’ by N. Breberina – The President of RS Chamber of Commerce, Mladen Micic, claims that the ‘RS economy is a hostage of high prices of electricity. The policy on economics, adopted at the beginning of this year, is not being implemented in practice’. He also claims that the problem is that the international community often restrains the authority in its striving to improve the economic environment. ‘The international community runs a fiscal instead of development policy with an aim to service obligations of RS, i.e. BiH. The Prime Minister tells us that we must appreciate international institutions that finance certain segments of economy as well as that the one who gives money must be listened to’, Micic emphasized. |
| Update to “Fatnicko polje” tunnel | Blic, pg. 15. ‘ “Fatnicko polje” tunnel is being cut’ by SRNA – The Supervising Engineer, Slavko Vukalovic, has announced that the works on “Fatnicko polje” tunnel would continue in the following two days if there would be no heavy raining. |
| VL on salaries in judiciary | Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Judges and prosecutors will still have astronomic salaries’, by Dejan Jazvic – notes that it would appear that salaries to judges and prosecutors, which are as seven times higher as an average salary in BiH, will not be decreasing despite being subjected to permanent criticism by both the public and some representatives of the state and entity authorities. VL reminds that the salaries have been made high because the IC wanted to secure the independence of the judicial officials, and in that context VL says the advocators of reduction of salaries say the professional ethic should be the reason for professional and unbiased conduct, it should not be conditioned by the high salaries. “The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council does not have the mandate to decide on the judges and prosecutors’ salaries. However, we are of opinion that the judges and prosecutors’ salaries should not be decreased, they ought to be harmonized in both BiH entities”, comments the HJPC. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Will salaries of judges and prosecutors in FBiH be reduced?’ also addressed the issue. |
War crimes | |
| Srebrenica Commission: Bogdanic’s letter to Masovic
| Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Srebrenica Commission’s mandate has been misunderstood’ – In a letter sent to President of the Federation Commission for Mi9ssing Persons Amor Masovic, Chairman of the Srebrenica Commission Milan Bogdanic reminded that the body had been established by the RS Government’s decision. “By the same decision, the Commission has been obliged to report monthly on its work and submit final report to the RS Government. The Commission has no0 mandate to forward such reports to other organisations or commissions,” said Bogdanic in his letter. A source close to OHR told the newspaper that the OHR was concerned about the politicisation of the Srebrenica Commission’s work. According to the source, legally, Bogdanic is right when he claims the information should be submitted to the RS Government. But, the source adds, Masovic also has every right to get those information/Commission’s findings. The RS authorities should therefore be obliged to provide the Commission for Missing Persons with such information, the source concludes. |
| SFOR on Bjelica case | Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Vetting procedure of candidate for position of Commander of RS Army Main Headquarters completed’ by D.P.M. – an SFOR spokesperson, Robert Lapreze, stated that the investigation on Milovan Bjelica, who has been suspected of helping war criminals, continued in SFOR’s premises. According to Lapreze, SFOR is in contact with Bjelica’s family and all necessary information have been offered to them. Blic, pg. 13 ‘SFOR made meeting with lawyer impossible’ by J. D. mentioned on cover ‘SFOR made impossible for lawyer to contact Bjelica’ – Yesterday, representatives of Legal Department of SFOR from Butmir base near Sarajevo did not want to reply on a request in writing of Bjelica’s lawyer Veljko Civsa by which he had asked to be allowed to meet his client and to be informed on the location and conditions in which Bjelica is being held. ‘They said I would be informed in writing on the future ways of communication with them’, Civsa stated. Civsa informed BiH Presidency and OHR on his request sent to SFOR and his opinion regarding the arrest of Bjelica. |