OHR BiH Media Round-up, 19/6/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA(12,00 hrs)

‘Napredak’ supports RHB strike

BiH HoR discusses effects of VAT

BiH HoR to discuss VAT effects

Costs of living in FBiH increasing

MUP steps up security in Mostar

Trial against ‘Scorpions’ continues

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA(18,00 hrs)

Report on World Cup

UN’s Annan on ICTY authorities

1 dead, 6 injured in a traffic accident

Police patrolling in Mostar

Davidovic regarding SAA

No incidents in MO during WC game

Earthquake in Sarajevo

Ivanic travelled to Geneva

Igman Initiative session in Sarajevo

CAA Napredak in session

HoR to discuss Law on Higher Edu.

IMF on economic reforms in BiH

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

Old Currency Savers to boycott law

UN’s Annan on ICTY authorities

Traffic accident close to Trebinje

FAP on BIH property abroad

1 dead, 6 injured in a traffic accident

Croatian SBS arrested 2 BiH citizens

Conference on Media

Old foreign currency savings issue

Kovacevic on criminal groups in Pale

Report on Croat refugees in Capljina

Delegation from Split in Livno

Report on ‘Lignosper’

Oslobodjenje

Museums to sue Council of Ministers?

Dnevni Avaz

New blackmail by Dodik’s ministers [on ITA joint account]

Dnevni List

Football World Cup

Vecernji List

Football World Cup

Slobodna Dalmacija

Football World Cup

Carefully on the sun (from 10 to 15 hrs)

Glas Srpske

Heroes are not forgotten (63rd anniversary of Sutjeska battle)

EuroBlic

Vecernje novosti

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

BiH HoR discusses VAT effects

BH Radio 1 by Mustafa Karahmet – BiH House of Representatives has commenced the session discussing the information on the first effects of the VAT introduction in BiH, which was submitted by the BiH Council of Ministers. The deputies were addressed by the Indirect Taxation Administration [ITA] Director Kemal Causevic instead of BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzic, who was late for the session. Causevic said that tax revenues in the first quarter of 2006 is 52% higher than those collected in the same period last year. He noted this amount for 2006 was approx. 1,471 billion KM [out of which 981 million KM came from VAT]. He underlined that VAT introduction had positive effect on foreign trade exchange: revenue earned from export was equal to 28% of import expenditures before the VAT introduction, while this percentage in May 206 increased to over 50%. Causevic also stated that VAT refund has been functioning well. On two previous occasions, the BiH HoR failed to discuss the Information, which was to be presented by Terzic, because the MPs from the RS walked out of session as the Sarajevo Commission had not been established. RHB – announces the session.

HNC MUP steps up security measures in Mostar during World Cup

RHB – A large number of special police troops patrolled the streets of Mostar on Sunday. No incidents were recorder all day. Lejla Trivun, HNC MUP spokesperson, informed that the reason for increased security measures is the bad experience after last week’s football match Brazil-Croatia. Increased measures will stay in force for the duration of the world cup and will be stepped up at certain times and in places of gathering of large groups of people. Activities of intervention forces for prompt action will also be enhanced. ‘This is just a precaution and not a demonstration of force’ – she said.

Economy, media, human rights and culture

Association for Protection of Old Foreign Currency Savers called on all foreign currency savers not to break their contracts with banks

BHT1 – The Assembly of the Association for Protection of Old Foreign Currency Depositors in BiH urged all foreign currency savers not to break their contracts with banks, and not to sign the agreement according to which they would each be given KM 100 immediately, while the rest of their saved money would be paid in shares during next thirteen years. President of this Association’s Steering Board Amila Omersoftic said that the Parliament [in April 2006] passed the law on foreign currency savers under the pressure of Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic; she argues this law does not guarantee that depositors would ever see their money again. Hayat – Omersoftic stated: “We are forced to change the debtor and break the contract with the banks to get 100 Km by verifying the savings, 1000 Km will be given in 2007 and after that 13 years of bonds that we have no guarantees for. We also have to renounce the rights to file charges against Government in case they fail to pay the old foreign currency savings.” She added in this way the FBIH taxpayers would be paying the savings, adding that the Association will focus on the BIH judiciary and the filed charges. FTV – Association welcomed Constitutional Court’s decision to repeal the law from 2004, which basically postponed the return of foreign currency savings; Omersoftic expressed hope that the latest law will be repealed as well. Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Unsuccessful Cengic’s pre-election speech’, by Mensud Zorlak – carries comments by Omersoftic. DL also notes that the Assembly of foreign currency holders was abused by Muhamed Cengic, who called on savers to vote for him in the October elections. (Cengic is running for BiH Presidency in October elections, he has been nominated by Radom za Boljitak party) PINK, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Savers should not boycott the Law’ by D.Muminovic, Oslobodjenje pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Preparing lawsuit against banks in autumn?’ by S.Rozajac, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Lawsuits expected by autumn’ by Fena also covered.

Igman Initiative two-day conference commences in Sarajevo, discussion focused at media

BHT1 by Marina Martinovic – Two-day conference of the Igman Initiative under title “Monitoring of Media Reports in the Dayton Triangle States” commenced in Sarajevo on Sunday. The Initiative was established in 2000 and it compromises of more than 140 NGOs form Serbia, Montenegro, BiH, and Croatia, with a goal to facilitate renewing cooperation and normalizing inter-state relations within the Dayton Triangle. This year’s conference concluded not only that media in these neighbouring countries do not cooperate enough, but instead they even contribute to deepening of social, cultural, political and informative gap between the citizens of those countries. According to BHT1 reporter, this is the main conclusion of the monitoring media reports conducted by experts of the Igman Initiative with the help of Norwegian Embassy to BiH. Director of the Radio Free Europe [RFE] Nenad Pejic stated: “The thing we used to call ‘a profession’ has slackened sharply, criteria are extremely low, so almost anything is allowed… That is a direct consequence of a political control over media.” The first step out of such media reality, according to BHT1 reporter, is a weekly television magazine, which would be broadcasted in all four countries in the region, in cooperation with the RFE. Hayat – It was stressed that media in the former Yugoslavian countries are politically influenced which is against the European standards. The conference also agreed to publish the series of relevant texts urging the higher rate of professionalism. FTV – Representatives of Governments and non-governmental organisations from BiH, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro are attending this session, along with eminent journalists and heads of OSCE missions in those states. RTRS – The project showed that media in BiH and neighbouring countries is more dedicated to writing about break-up of former Yugoslavia than about way of BiH, SCG and Croatia to EU. Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Journalists promoting neighbouring countries’ by R. Dautefendic, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Media are mostly covering the Hague issues’ by S.R., Dnevni Avaz pg 4  ‘Reporting from region still based on past’ by Fena,  – also covered.

Possible new blockade of ITA account over distribution coefficients

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘A new blockade as of 1 July possible’ by R.Cengic – Daily notes that although session of the ITA Steering Board is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss and determine permanent distribution coefficients, it is still uncertain whether they would be defined. Daily notes referring to its source close to the ITA Chair Board President Joly Dixon that “ITA SB members, Finance Ministers and experts are defining methodology for determination of coefficients. However, there will be nothing from the agreement until premiers within BiH Fiscal Council agree on specific methodology.” ITA SB member Sefika Hafizovic says that at this point, three proposals are in game: the one she proposed, the one proposed by RS Finance Minister and proposal of ITA Department for Macro-economic analyses (without elaborating on contents on each).

DA: Proposal of RS Finance Minister Dzombic for allocation of money from single account is blackmail

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘New blackmail by Dodik’s ministers’ by T.Lazovic – Daily learns that RS Finance Minister Aleksandar Dzombic would propose fixed coefficient for the RS [32% of total income] in allocation of money from the Indirect Taxation Administration [ITA] single account. FBiH Finance Ministry expert Hajrudin Hadzimehanovic confirmed for daily, that Dzombic earlier announced this as one of the possibilities to solve this inter-entity dispute by setting fixed coefficients independently on how much revenues come from each entity/ Brcko District. According to the current legislation, money is t be allocated in such way that more entity is spending more it would receive from collected public revenues, whereas this sum is calculated every month. Hadzimehanovic stated Dzombic’s proposal would mean change to the law on allocation of the public revenues from the single account : “Even if the coefficients could have been fixed, there would have to be a basis for that, whether it would be territory, number of dwellers, they cannot be groundlessly fixed, without formula by which these [coefficients] would be calculated.” Article carries that Dzombic’s proposal would mean that FBiH and Brcko District would lose almost 3% [approx. 10 million KM monthly], adding that such demand “has a form of blackmail… and it could lead to blockade in allocation system again”. Author concludes that this is maybe one of aims of RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik’s Government, for all of his ministers are resisting the reform processes at the state level.

BiH HoR to discuss effects of VAT on Monday

Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Today about first effects of introduction of VAT’, not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Information on VAT effects before deputies’ by Fena – BiH House of Representatives will today (Monday) discuss the Information of first effects of introduction of VAT. On two previous occasions, the BiH HoR failed to discuss the Information, which is to be presented by BiH CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic, because the MPs from the RS walked out of session because the Sarajevo Commission of suffering of peoples had not been established.

BiH Foreign Minister Ivanic travelled to Geneva to attend UN Human Rights Council session

PINK – The BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic travelled on Sunday to Geneva where he would attend constitutive conference of the UN Human Rights Council. Ivanic explained to SRNA news agency that the UN Human Rights Council is new body, which will replace UN Human Rights Commission. He stated that the first two- day session of this Council would start on Monday, adding that many ministers would take place at this session.

Cultural institutions say they might bring a lawsuit to claim their funds

Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pg 7 ‘Are museums bringing lawsuits against Council of Ministers?’ by Edina Kamenica – Approximately 2 million KM were earmarked from this year’s budget for functioning of cultural institutions, but the funds still have not been distributed to the institutions. Head of seven cultural institutions met with Minister for Civil Affairs Safet Halilovic who promised them BiH CoM would discuss this issue at its next session but, at the end, BiH CoM failed to even include the issue to its agenda. Cultural institutions say they might bring a lawsuit to claim their funds.

Oslobodjenje: Members of steering boards have most lucrative jobs

Oslobodjenje, pgs 4-5, mentioned on front ‘Members of steering boards have most lucrative jobs’, by Almir Terzic – Following recent complaints by BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic that some members of steering boards in (public and state owned) companies and institutions have bigger salaries than BiH Presidency members (2700 KMs), the daily tried contacted several of those institutions such as ITA and DERK (State Agency for Electricity), which revealed how much money their steering board members get a month. The only institution which withheld the information was the BiH Central Bank, which stated ‘it was a private matter’.

EuroBlic: BiH diplomats spend 41 million KM per annum

EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Diplomats spend BAM 41 million’ by Mirna Soja – Daily reports that BiH currently has 55 embassies throughout the world, that spend the total of BAM 41 million on annual basis. Owing to limited financing, BiH Foreign Ministry does not plan to open new Embassy offices this year, neither to close any of the existing ones., the analysts are of the view that the effects of the work of diplomatic and consular representative offices of BiH are weak, since many embassies and consular missions do not deal with economic diplomacy neither do they contribute to improvement of image of the state in the world. Adnan Hadzikapetanovic, Secretary with BiH Foreign Ministry says that Foreign Ministry is satisfied with the work of BiH missions, being aware of the fact that “effects of their work are minor. Generally speaking, they should be working more on improvement of BiH image and to engage in economic diplomacy.”

Political issues

BiH HoR to discuss BiH law on Higher Education in urgent procedure on Tue

PINK – Following the request of BiH Minister of Civil Affairs Safet Halilovic, BiH House of Representatives will discuss draft BiH Law on Higher Education at its Tuesday’s session [June 20]. The draft law was determined by the BiH Council of Ministers [CoM] and agreed with the BiH CoM Legal Department. Halilovic requested for the law to be discussed in an urgent procedure due to short deadlines for educational reform and a beginning of the new academic year. Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Show responsibility for more than 100.000 students’, not signed – Minister Halilovic hopes MPs will show responsibility for 100.000 students, “who should not be doing another school year without state law on higher education”. Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Law on Higher Education again in procedure’ by Onasa, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Minister Safet Halilovic demands discussion in urgent procedure’ by Onasa – also covered.

PDP leader Ivanic: those afraid of OHR transformation into EUSR are afraid of reality in BiH

FTV – Commenting recent statement by the SDA leader Sulejman Tihic, PDP leader Mladen Ivanic said on Saturday evening that those who were afraid of the International Community’s intention to transform the Office of the High Representative into the EU Special Representative with fewer authorities were “obviously afraid of the reality of political life in BiH”. “The time when International Community implemented political goals of parties from Sarajevo has gone, and all of us should understand that. International Community will not do our job any more”, FTV presenter quoted Ivanic as saying. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Abolishment of Bonn powers is good for BiH’ by M.S. – Further commenting OHR’ transformation and abolishment of Bonn powers, Ivanic has said that those announcements “represent the sole normal and good thing for BiH, and those fearing that obviously fear to accept the reality of the political life in BiH”. Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Transformation of OHR is a good thing!’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Foreigners will not do our job’ by Onasa

Interview with SDA leader Tihic: Party for BiH has committed a crime towards the state by non-adopting constitutional amendments

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘SzBiH has committed a crime towards the state’, announced on cover ‘Hasan Cengic is a free archer’ by R.Cengic – In a half-page interview to daily, Sulejman Tihic, SDA President says that there is no conflict within SDA, noting: “The Chair Board session held on Saturday in Tuzla showed no conflict between Sulejman Tihic and Hasan Cengic, but rather a conflict between Hasan Cengic and the remaining Chair Board members exists.” He stresses Cengic will not be penalised over such appearances, since SDA is a democratic party. As for radicalisation of situation in BiH, he assigns responsibility for that to Party for BiH (SzBiH) and non-adoption of constitutional changes, underlining: “While amendments to BiH Constitution were discussed, they committed a crime towards the state, whose consequences we cannot perceive as yet from realistic point of view.” According to him, it is still too early to speak about possible SDA coalition with SDP. Daily observes Tihic is the sole candidate of SDA for position of Bosniak member to BiH Presidency.

BiH CoM Chair Terzic: SDP leader Lagumdzija and SDA leader Tihic obviously have agreement to attack me

Dnevni Avaz pg 4, mentioned on cover ‘Lagumdzija and Tihic obviously agreed attack on me’ by E.Sarac – Commenting his statement at the occasion of SDA Main Board session in Tuzla held on Saturday, when he said that some from his party would love t see SDP leader Zlatko Lagumdzija at his position, BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic explains in a short interview for daily: “I mentioned Lagumdzija for there is a, for me astonishing, relationship between president of my party [Sulejman Tihic] and Lagumdzija, that was obvious not only through a fight to have constitutional changes adopted, but also through a set of Lagumdzija’s attacks on me, which is for sure part of their agreement.” Inset ‘Personnel policy’ – Commenting the fact that he is not list-holder for the BiH Parliament, Terzic said: “It is matter of SDA personnel policy, leader Sulejman Tihic and his concept of setting new infrastructure of the party.”

NN op-ed: Cengic and Terzic object Tihic for getting too close with SDP’s Lagumdzija

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Where is SDA heading’ by Natasa Krsman – Author observes the SDA Chair Board session Saturday in Tuzla showed conflict of views at this party is not naive at all as attempted to be shown. She notes the objection Hasan Cengic and Adnan Terzic made regarding work of Sulejman Tihic, was in relation with his “coalition” with SDP’s leader Zlatko Lagumdzija. She concludes by saying that regardless of how much it was unimaginable after the death of Alija Izetbegovic that Tihic would be a true leader of SDA, it has showed over years not so many people would have reached decisions in the interest of party goals, i.e. centralisation of BiH.

HDZ of Croatia’s Bebic: HDZ Croatia welcomes formation of coalition led by HDZ 1990, Ploce port and Peljesac bridge are separate issues

Dnevni List, pg 9, mentioned on front ‘We are supporting coalition Croat unity’, by Ivica Glibusic – carries an interview with Deputy Speaker of Croatian Parliament and Vice President of HDZ of Croatia, Luka Bebic, who says the HDZ of Croatia is welcoming formation of the coalition Croat Unity (led by HDZ 1990 Croat Unity), saying it is a respected political force that wants to build a modern BiH based on principles of the EU. (NB: Bebic recently attended gathering of HDZ 1990 in Neum) Questioned to comment on the issues of Peljesac bridge and Ploce port and journalist’s remark that the Sarajevo authorities want to solve the issues ‘in a package’ (Croatian and BiH authorities cannot reach agreement about them), Bebic notes the issues will be solved through agreement between the two sides, underlining that the issues should be treated separately.

DL: HDZ BiH and HSP Djapic-Jurisic will form post-election coalition

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Danger after elections’, by Ivica Glibusic – commenting on formation of three Croat coalitions for the coming October elections (led by HDZ BiH, HSP Djapic-Jurisic and HDZ 1990 Croat Unity), the author thinks that the first two will form a post-election coalition despite earlier statements by the said parties officials, who ruled out such possibility. Glibusic also warns of possible post-election scenario, which could make the position of the Croats even more difficult, namely Glibusic believes the winning Bosniak parties in the FBiH will form coalition with one of Croat coalitions that would request less seats in the future executive authorities.

Parties making lists for upcoming elections/ Lists to be announced until end of months

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Parties starting to make lists’ by R.Cengic – Daily observes political parties have not as yet completed lists of candidates for upcoming elections, although deadline for submission of these of CEC (Central Election Commission) starts tomorrow. SDP is to determine lists at SDP Presidency session on 24 June. The most uncertainty is within parties with Croat insignia, since there are still transfers from HDZ to HDZ 1990 or other parties, daily adds. SNSD will at party Convention on 29 June in Banja Luka determine lists for October elections. PDP and SDS will propose lists on 23 June. DEPOS is to announce lists on 28 or 29 June. Final deadline for submission of lists is 3 July.

US Peace Institute’s Server blames SzBiH founder Silajdzic for failure of constitutional changes

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Silajdzic is culpable for failure of constitutional changes’ by N. N. – A representative of American Institute for Peace, Daniel Server, has stated Haris Silajdzic is the main culprit for non-adoption of constitutional amendments in BiH, adding Silajdzic was a wartime Prime Minister everyone had admired but now, in peace, he had decided to carry out a campaign for abolishment of entities, which is not a realistic move at the moment.

IRI survey concludes SNSD, SDP most popular parties in BiH

PINK by Ljubisa Davidovic – According to the research of the International Republican Institute [US NGO established in 1983 with the offices around the world including BiH], SNSD is the political party with the highest support of BiH citizens at this moment. If the elections would be held tomorrow, 16,6% of citizens would vote for SNSD. The second most popular party is SDP with 10,8% of support, SDA 8,8%, SBiH 6,3%, SDS 4,3%, HDZ 3,8%, BOSS 2,1. All other parties have less than 1% of the support. As for the entities – SNSD has 40% support of the RS citizens, while the most popular party in the FBiH is SDP. SNSD Main and Executive Board member Dubravko Suvara stated that SNSD has confidence of the RS citizens due to its correct policy. According to IRI, 31,5% of citizens cannot decide at this moment to who to vote for. 4,8% did not want to give answer while 3,4% reported that would not vote. Reporter commented that number of voters decreased during previous elections due to disappointment and complicated procedure of registration. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘The biggest support of citizens to SNSD’ by V.Popovic

Oslobodjenje: Most of RS Ministers and RSNA MPs do not know whether any of provisions of RS-Serbia Agreement are being implemented

Oslobodjenje pg 6, mentioned on cover ‘Nobody knows whether special relations are functioning’ by O. Vukovic – Following the announcements on changes to the Agreement on Special and Parallel Relations between SR Yugoslavia and RS, the article comments most of RS Government’s Ministers and RS NA delegates do not know whether any of the provisions of the Agreement were being implemented, while some of them do not even know what the Agreement actually includes. RS Minister of Education and Culture Anton Kasipovic thinks the Agreement is most often put in daily-political context although it has the capacity to establish a number of useful relations between Serbia and RS.

Serbian official says both documents UN SC Resolution 12/44 and DPA should be respected

Vecernje Novosti pg 3 ‘About status since July’ inset ‘”Dayton” – 1244’ – Sanda Raskovic Ivic, President of the Coordination Board for Kosovo and Metohija, in an interview to Tanjug Sunday, responded to press question as to whether RS has a right to referendum in case Kosovo gets independence saying “Serbia is the last state that would go against Dayton Agreement that has ended war clashes in BiH and against Resolution 1244 as well”, stressing: “However, if any of these two documents is opposed, then opposition is against both of them. And not only against those documents, nut in wider context as well. As a citizen, it is hard for me to accept that Albanians have a right to something Serbs do not have.”

Head of OSCE Mission Davidson, Council of Europe’s Cartwright: If Mostar authorities can change Mostar Statute, it would be good

Dnevni List, pg 11 ‘You can change Mostar Statute’, by Sanja Bjelica – carries an interview with the Head of OSCE Mission to BiH, Douglas Davidson, and special representative of Secretary General of Council of Europe, Tim Cartwright, who comment on the functioning of local administration in BiH by saying reforms are being carried out slowly in BiH because the adopted laws and guidelines given by the IC are not respected. Questioned whether the imposed Statue for Mostar is the best solution for the city, Davidson says at the time (of imposition) it was the only possible solution. “(…) What one has to do first is to make sure the system functions and after that, if it is not good, one has to make sure to change it. However, it is hard for me to think that anything can be worse than what you have had so far”, said Davidson. Cartwright added that no single solution would suit everyone (in Mostar). “Honestly, if Mostar authorities can get to a better solution than the present one, nobody would be happier than me”, said Cartwright.

FBiH HoR to work until all opened issues are solved

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘House of Representatives will work without pause’ by Ad.H. – Responding to the critics of representatives of International Community, FBiH House of Representatives Speaker Muhamed Ibrahimovic told daily that FBiH HoR will work until all the opened issues are solved, for “We do not want to leave unfinished job to the future convocation.” He added that although critics were aimed at BiH HoR, FBiH HoR would also try to give its contribution to the reform processes. Ibrahimovic added that he would not allow discussions to turn into pre-elections campaigns.

NN op-ed says nationalism darkness coming over BiH over last few months

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘A positive discrimination’ by Sead Fetahagic – The author observes the term “positive discrimination” is sometimes mentioned at seminars and round tables, but the practise sees no example of this, since BiH politicians –only stream for their own and party goals. He observes last few months have shown we are sliding towards darkness of intolerance and that bugaboo of nationalism is ruling our lives. On referendum reference Milorad Dodik made, he adds it is a pure nationalistic stirring, comparing Dodik with Slobodan Milosevic. He notes Milosevic was not nationalistic at the beginning of his career, as many people knowing Dodik tell him, underlining that Milsoevic has acknowledged nationalism is a good mean to reign.

BiH Assistant Foreign Minister Perkovic: Aim is to meet pre-requisites for visa free regime by end June 2007

Dnevni Avaz, pg 5 ‘We will meet pre-requisites for visa-free regime by end of June 2007’, by S. Skuletic – According to BiH Assistant Foreign Minister, Zoran Perkovic, when it comes to easing of visa regime for BiH citizens with the so-called Schengen countries, it is holders of diplomatic and officials passports, students, university professors and journalists, who are in better position and who could soon enjoy an easier visa regime, namely more will be known in a month and a half after next round of talks with EC representatives. Perkovic goes on to say that BiH’s main goal is to be included on the so-called ‘White Schengen list’, which include countries that have free visa regime with the EU. He explains the aim is to harmonize BiH’s legislation to the EU, sign re-admission agreement, extend database and establish several institutions to achieve the abovementioned by end June 2007.

War crimes, security and judiciary

UN SG Annan: ICTY Chief Prosecutor’s request for broader ICTY authorities ‘unnecessary and unrealistic’

BHT1 – In an interview to Radio Deutsche Welle, the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, assessed that a request by the ICTY Chief Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, to broaden Tribunal’s authorities in order to “actively participate in the search and apprehension of persons indicted for war crimes” was “unnecessary and unrealistic.” During her last address to the UN Security Council, Del Ponte demanded broader authorities deeming they are necessary because neither Serbia and RS nor NATO and EUFOR are actively trying to locate Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic and other ICTY fugitives. Further commenting the request, SG Annan further noted that it is difficult to expect that ICTY and its Chief Prosecutor would be able to do what Governments in the region and NATO forces failed to do so far: to locate and apprehend Mladic and Karadzic. FTV, PINK, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Proposal of Carla del Ponte is unrealistic’ by SRNA  also covered.

Chairman of Sarajevo Commission Marinovic: Politics and media could negatively influence work of Commission

Vecernji List, pg 8 ‘Interference of politics and media will make determining of truth difficult’, by Dejan Jazvic – carries an interview with the BiH Deputy Minister for Human Rights and Refugees and current Chairman of Commission for determining of truth on suffering of peoples of Sarajevo, Ivica Marinovic. Questioned whether the Commission will be influenced by politics given what has been happening regarding its establishment, Marinovic says the politics has got involved already, which cannot be good for the work of the Commission. On top of that, he fears the media could play a negative role in the whole process since the media will influence the work of the Commission members, which will make it difficult for the Commission members to take right decisions.

Entities’ Govts to transfer authority over field of search after missing persons onto BiH by the end of month

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Entities to transfer authority onto the state by the end of month’ by N.Krsman – Milan Bogdanic, member of Collegium of Directors of the INL (Missing Persons Institute) of BiH has stated that the by the end of this month, the entities Governments should transfer authority over the field for search after missing persons onto the BiH. Bogdanic stresses that the Institute is an independent state, that is now to start functioning normally, noting: “The next 2 years Institute should function through integration of two entities offices. Currently, the procedure for appointment of Steering Board is ongoing, and after it is appointed, the adoption of legal acts regulating the work of Institute should follow.” He also adds that the most important part of the work is related with the CEN (Central Register of Missing Persons), since it is to determine the number of missing persons and put an end to daily politicisation of the issue of missing persons in BiH. 

NN: No new referrals from the ICTY to BiH in next few months

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘No new referrals from The Hague to BiH’ by A.Dj. – BiH Court and ICTY confirmed that although BiH Court has recently announced the next transfer from the Hague will be “Ljubicic” case (Pasko Ljubicic has been charged with war crime against humanity committed in Ahmici, Pirici, Santici and Ocehnici), the decision on this will be reached in the upcoming months. Mathias Hellman, ICTY representative to BiH, confirmed that appeal proceeding is currently ongoing, adding that upcoming few months will not see any referral of case.

DL comment: RS authorities doing nothing to arrest war crimes suspects

Dnevni List, pg 8, mentioned on front ‘War criminals will live in separated RS?!’, by R. Dautefendic – commenting on the issue of arrest of war crime suspects and actions carried out by the RS authorities, Dautefendic notes everything the RS MoI and RSNA are doing is deception of public. The author warns that all that coincides with rallies organized in Banja Luka, “with blessing of (RS PM) Milorad Dodik”, whose aim is separation of the RS from BiH i.e. that these activities are well synchronized (between the RS authorities and various NGOs) and that all this happens before the IC and the first man of the OHR, Christian Schwarz-Schilling (DL suggesting that they are doing nothing).

DSS Leader Kovacevic says criminal group in Pale plans to assassinate some RS officials

RTRS by Sanja Popovic – DSS [Democratic Party of Srpska] leader Predrag Kovacevic said that one criminal group is taking training in Pale [eastern RS] in order to prepare the assassination of some RS official. Kovacevic said that DNS would disclose information on this at the press conference next week if the RS Interior Ministry does not do this instead. “There is a criminal group in Pale, which is taking training in order to assassinate some official in RS”, said Kovacevic. He did not want to report the name of the official. RS Minister of Interior Stanislav Cadjo did not want to comment. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘A group of assassins is being trained in Pale’ by P.Klincov, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Everybody gets its powers’ by D.Mo – Kovacevic ahs expressed hope that the new composition of the RS NA will manage to return a part of powers transferred from RS onto state level. He also said that majority of RS citizens wants independence, adding “demands for secession was encouraged by BOsniak politicans’ attempts to centralise BiH”. Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Assassination of Serb Politician?’ unsigned

Lawyers Simic and Mikes not content with HR’s extension of detention sentence from 1 to 3 yrs

EuroBlic pg RS3, announced on cover ‘Schwarz-Schilling extended detention to three years’ by Marija Milic – Following the news that the HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling had amended provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code, Banja Luka lawyers Krstan Simic and Miroslav Mikes expressed their disagreement with changes to the mentioned Law and they think the extension of detention to three years violates the European Convention on Human Rights, according to which every indictee has the right to fast and efficient procedure. BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac has stated that the changes were needed but his suggestion, as well as the suggestion of a team of BiH Justice Ministry that had been monitoring the efficiency of trials, was that the maximum duration of detention should be extended to two years.

Patriot claims SIPA filed denunciation against PB ES Administrator Robinson before BiH Prosecution for criminal activities at PB ES

Patriot pgs 10-11 ‘Robinson robbed Privredna Banka’ by Mirjana Miljanovic – Author notes that Toby Robinson, Provisional Administrator of Privredna Banka East Sarajevo has obviously came to BiH to make more money. Author elaborates on last weeks’ claims of defence attorneys of defendants in case PB ES that a Report has been filed with BiH Prosecution against Robinson regarding criminal act she committed at PB ES. Weekly reports referring to reliable sources, SIPA did indeed file a denunciation against Robinson and other suspects in this case suspected of illicit personal financial gain of millions worth. Author alleges Robinson approved many loans to person(s) although PB ES’ property was supposed to be handled by Court, which was not the case here. In regard to partial stripping of immunity from Robinson by OHR Legal Representative, Anthony Sarkis, weekly notes that HR to BiH Christian Schwarz Schilling has decided to do this after acknowledging Robinson was “heavily” engaged in criminal activities and he did not want to be possibly linked with charges before a court he protected a criminal. Partial immunity stripping refers only to case of PB ES. It also means immunity for criminal proceeding before local court remains. Dusko Tomic, defence attorney of Momcilo Mandic, claims that he has already identified two persons in Texas who will sue Robinson before American Federal Court for crime committed at PB ES.