OHR BiH Media Round-up, 20/11/2004

Oslobodjenje

Double murder because of computers; Pakistani obtained visas for group threatening prosecutor Schmidt; Paravac [doesn’t] recognize Day of BiH Statehood; Property of ICTY fugitives frozen; Revision should take down mortgage of past

Dnevni Avaz

Pakistani threatened state prosecutors; Monster killed two innocent men; Biber: Process thieves in privatization; Amor Masovic: Srebrenica Commission gave false information; Scandalous statements of Ivic Pasalic in Mostar

Dnevni List

Final struggle for Aluminij, Klas and Sarajevo Brewery started

Vecernji List

Assets of ICTY fugitives frozen

Slobodna Dalmacija

Plates full of pesticide

Nezavisne Novine

Decision of BiH Council of Ministers: Assets of the Hague fugitives frozen; Person linked with threats against prosecutor’s arrested: Pakistani threatened to McNair and Schmidt; Banja Luka : Police seized documents from Clinical Centre

Glas Srpske

Unusual conflict in Orlovaca near Prijedor: Love cracked, as well as the gun

EuroBlic

Dragan Cavic: Signatures fade, peace remains; Over lottery gain, he shot at his spouse

Vecernje novosti

Usual event in Derventa: Icon in tears

Nacional

Momcilo Mandic: They want to destroy my family as well

Police, security and judicial issues

Police arrest Pakistani posing threat to BiH Prosecutors

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 8 ‘Pakistani threatened state Prosecutors’ by M. Kukan, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Pakistani obtained visas to group threatening prosecutor Schmidt’ by Az. Kalamujic – E. Beslic – The FBiH Police announced it arrested on Thursday A.I., a Pakistani national with permanent residence in Zenica, on suspicion that he committed the criminal act of human trafficking, illegal trafficking and endangering persons under international protection. DA and Oslobodjenje learn that the suspect is Ahmed Istikhar believed to pose threat Prosecutors John McNair and Johnatan Schmidt. Dailies carry that Istikhar allegedly assisted persons who threatened to Prosecutors to enter BiH. After interrogation in the police, suspect was transferred to BiH Prosecution.

RHB, BHT 1, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Pakistani who was threatening US Prosecutor Schmidt arrested’, mentioned on front, ‘Pakistani was threatening Prosecutor’, by R.S., Dnevni List pg 38 ‘Pakistani was threatening Prosecutors McNair and Schmidt’ by Zeda, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘He was involved in human trafficking’ by Zeda, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 2 ‘Pakistani threatened to McNair and Schmidt’ by D. Muminovic– covered the issue. FTV also broadcast name of the suspect.   

Double murder in Sarajevo

BHT 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje cover splash ‘Double murder because of computers’, pg 41 ‘Aleksa Mican killed workers because of 5 laptops’ by Dragan Pavlovic, Dnevni Avaz cover, pg 47 ‘Monster killed two innocent men’ by E. Helac, Dnevni List pg 38 ‘He ordered laptops and then riddled employees of ‘IT Computers’ with bullets’, mentioned on front, by D.P. Mandic, Vecernji List pg 21 ‘He riddled with bullets 2 salesmen of computers’, mentioned on front, not signedNezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘IT Computers staff murdered’ by A. Durmo– Sarajevo Cantonal Police arrested Aleksa Mican from Zenica, on suspicion he had murdered two workers of company “IT Computers” in Sarajevo on Thursday, and two other persons suspected of assisting in the crime. Police stated that Mican opened fire with automatic riffle on two deliverymen who came to his apartment to deliver five laptops after they discovered he wanted to pay with counterfeit bills. Although Mican fired 12 rounds, nobody notified the police, instead, a police officer, who also wished to purchase computer equipment in this company, was informed where they had gone, and he was the one to discover them. Mican was wanted by police for carrying out about 30 crimes acts.

Martens meets heads of RSNA and RS CoP caucuses in Banja Luka

Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Consensus on police reform must be reached’ by V. Popovic – Chairman of Commission for Police Restructuring in BIH, Wilfred Martens, stated in Banja Luka Friday following the meeting he had with the Heads of Caucuses at the RS National Assembly and RS Council of Peoples that the Commission must reach a consensus on a police reform. He expressed readiness to pay another visit to the RS NA at the beginning of December when the Commission is to complete its work.

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Serb parties against abolishment of entities’ polices’ by E. Sarac – Martens rejected proposal by Drago Kalabic from DNS that there should be referendum on change of BiH Constitution organized with regard to transfer of police authorities to the state level.

EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Deadline by the end of year’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Martens: Consensus must be reached’ not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Bosniaks for abolishment RS MoI, Serbs and Croat against it’ by A. Macanovic – Dailies also carry the statement of Martens.

BHT 1 by Zorica Lolic – Martens said that EC wants to see reformed and professional police forces with joined command.

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Nothing would be done hastily’ by E.G.S. – GS concludes following Friday’s meeting of Martens with RS NA representatives that there has been no agreement reached as yet regarding the future model of the police forces in BiH, and the main point of dispute is the issue of survival of RS MoI. GS also carries Martens’ statement.

RHB – Chief of EC delegation in BIH Michael Humphreys stated that all police jurisdiction should be transferred to the state level.

Comments to meeting with Martens and police reforms 

Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Consensus on police reform must be reached’ by V. Popovic – Borislav Paravac, Chairperson of BiH Presidency, said that RS Ministry of Internal Affairs cannot be abolished, because in such a case, change of BiH Constitution should be made. Sefket Hafizovic, SDA delegate at RS NA, and Zekerijah Osmic, SDP of BiH delegate of RS NA, share the view that BiH would get a single police.

EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Deadline by the end of year’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – Velimir Sakan, President of the RS NA Board for surveillance over defence and internal affairs institutions, said that “t is still too early to speak about final solution to police reform, since reform should satisfy political and legal aspects”. Tarik Sadovic, SDA delegate at RS NA, is of the view that “the existing police system in BiH is too expensive, complicated and inefficient”.

BHT 1 – Representatives of Serb Parties reminded that Entities’ Police are constitutionally defined category and they have mentioned the possibility of referendum. “Considering that meeting was attended by these, as I like to call them lately, gravediggers of RS, PDP and SDS; it is obvious from their performances that they are prepared to support these kinds of demands” said Drago Kalabic, from DNS. “The one who has made this kind of organization on BiH level, has been working for criminals, because employees of MoI were practically retained and criminals have had their work without boundaries”- said Pejo Krnjic, representative of Croats in RS Council of Peoples. 

RTRS – Muharem Murselovic from Party for BiH feels that unique police in BIH is very acceptable. Martens announced that the next meeting of the Commission will be held at the beginning of December.

RHB, Dnevni Avaz inset on pg 4 ‘Paravac: RS MoI cannot be abolished’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Paravac: RS MoI cannot be abolished’ not signed – also carry comment by Paravac. 

BiH Constitutional Court verifies decisions on appeals re: immunity

FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Text on Immunity decision established’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Appeals on immunity rejected’ by Onasa, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Daragan Covic and others ‘without immunity’ as of yesterday’, mentioned on front, by A. Beus – The BiH Constitutional Court verified on Friday the decisions, which were passed at the last session, on the ground of which appeals of few politicians to the decisions of other BiH courts, which did not accept their objections regarding immunity, were rejected. DL says that in this way Dragan Covic, Edhem Bicakcic, Ante Jelavic, Miroslav Prce and Sulejman Garib do not have immunity any longer.

NN update to Cengic case

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Prosecutor’s to hold deposition of over 60 persons’ by M. Cubro – NN learnt that the BiH Prosecutor’s Office Special Department for organised crime and corruption plans to hold deposition of over 60 persons regarding business dealings of Hasan Cengic.

War crimes

CoM freezes property of 21 ICTY fugitives

RHB, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Property of war crimes suspects at large frozen’ by F.C., Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Property of ICTY fugitives frozen’, mentioned on cover, by V. Zivak, Vecernji List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Assets of ICTY fugitives frozen’ by D. Jazvic and Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Assets of 21 ICTY suspects frozen’ by D. Polovina-Mandic, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Drafting of state strategy for struggle against illegal trafficking’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 3 ‘Assets of the Hague fugitives frozen’ by M. Cubro; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Assets locked’ by N. Zelenovic  – At the session held on Friday, the BiH Council of Ministers passed a decision preventing 21 war criminals indicted by ICTY from using their property in BiH. CoM Chair Adnan Terzic explained that BiH authorities want to demonstrate their commitment to fully cooperate with the ICTY, and added that BiH Ministry of Security has been given the task to control the implementation of this decision. The decision will be effective once it is published in Official Gazette.

BHT 1 – “Security Ministry is obligated to oversee the enforcement of this decision and that is why it is very important that it is published in the gazette, so that every institution that this decision is related to, could enforce it,” Terzic stated.

RTRS – Decision includes also freezing property to Ratko Mladic, Radovan Karadzic and Ante Gotovina. Terzic couldn’t explained whether this decision relates to the suspects’ family members.

Cavic on issue of RS cooperation with ICTY

RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Sanctions are certain’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘RS can expect sanctions in future too’ by M. Radetic, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘RS has changed its relation towards ICTY’ not signed and Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Different attitude of IC towards RS’ by ds, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘RS might expect sanctions’ by V.P. – The RS could suffer certain sanctions due to the inadequate cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, RS President Dragan Cavic said on Friday, although this BiH Entity has significantly intensified the activities on apprehending the indicted war crime suspects. “If we remember the experiences from the past, we would see that every time the qualification on cooperation with the Tribunal was poor, it was certainly followed by repercussions, which have so far been applied in various forms, mainly sanctions against the RS. It is expected that some form of such a relation towards the RS will be applied in the coming months”, Cavic said.

Ashdown on issue of RS cooperation with ICTY

RTRS – High Representative Paddy Ashdown stated that RS authorities have 2 weeks to fulfil their obligations towards ICTY. Ashdown added that in his report to the UN Security Council he would say BIH has made a significant progress in joining Euro-Atlantic integrations, however underlying that non-cooperation of RS with ICTY is still the biggest problem. HR also said that if BIH fails to appear on the list for joining NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme on 9/10 December consequences will be very serious. “If Carla del Ponte says that nothing has been done and NATO says nothing has been done… it will be very serious”, says Ashdown.

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘There is less and less time for RS’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to DA, HR Ashdown says that in the talks he has just held with US, UK and UN officials he stressed the issue of failure to cooperate with ICTY: “To be honest, during the meetings I had, the biggest attention was given to the issue of RS failure to cooperate with ICTY. The consistent refusal of RS to meet that international obligation is a source of growing concern… We particularly talked about the reasons for such situation. It is more and more clear that the problem is not only in individual obstructions, but in systematic weaknesses of security structures in BiH… I am very worried about that [NATO] meeting [in December]. Until it happens, speculations on what could happen are interesting, but useless.”

Amor Masovic says Srebrenica Commission cited false information in report

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Srebrenica Commission gave false information’, mentioned on cover, by E. Sarac – The Chair of the FBiH Missing Persons Commission, Amor Masovic, stated that Srebrenica Commission has published in its report a false information on exhumation of one of the mass graves in Sekovici region. Masovic explains that reports reads that the Srebrenica Commission had informed his office of the locality after which Missing Persons Commission carried out exhumation, while he claims that his office knew about it for a longer time and that exhumation was carried upon ICTY request. Masovic said he has not read entire report, but just the first part where this information was included, adding he could expect more false information to be included.

Political issues

On session of Mostar City Council

Dnevni List pg 14 ‘Mayor to be elected as late as on December 1’ by V. Soldo, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Mostar without Mayor’ by f, iz and Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘Mostar still without Mayor’ by F – A new Mostar Mayor, as well as, new President of the Mostar City Council (MCC) and his two Deputies were not elected at the first session of a new composition of the MCC which was held on Friday. Senior Deputy High Representative Werner Wnendt addressed the Councilors at the beginning of the session and he stated: ‘The things in Mostar are changing and this is good news not only for Mostar but for the whole BiH.’  Councilor Huso Kapic stated: ‘All parties greed that one more week is necessary to make parties’ consultations in order to come up with the names of candidates, which would be handed over to the OHR which would make vetting procedure within one week. We have agreed to hand over all names by November 24 and this means that this session would continue on December 1.’ On the same issue Dnevni List pg 15 ‘Beslic, Hasandedic or Vucina?’ by V.S. carries that according to official information coming for the office of HDZ Spokesperson, the meeting of all members of the Coalition HDZ-UHSP-HSP-HKDU-HNZ will take place soon and they will discuss a proposal on future Mostar Mayor in details. It has been speculated that current Mostar Deputy Mayor Ljubo Beslic will be the candidate of this Coalition. DL also speculates with names of possible candidates of other parties in Mostar.  

RHB, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Mayor and Council Chair will be elected on 1 December’ by F. Vele, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Councillors gave oath’ by Onasa – also cover.

Ivic Pasalic: Croat need federal unit in BiH

Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Croatia will withdraw signature from DPA’ by I. Rozic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘I support Croat Republic in BiH’ by zok and Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Businismen and young people will vote for me’ by D. Ivankovic report that candidate for Croatian President and President of Croatian Block Ivic Pasalic visited Mostar on Friday. On this occasion he stated: ‘Most of Croats in BiH who had their stand ended up in prisons, they are subjects to trials or they were deprived of basic human rights.’ He added that in case that he becomes the Croatian President nothing will prevent him to withdraw the signature from the Dayton Peace Agreement and try to find a new way which would guarantee true equality to Croats. Apart from this statement VL also carries Pasalic as saying that as the Croatian President he would resolutely support the idea on creating Croat Federal unit in BiH.

Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Pasalic seeks creation of Croat federal unit in BiH’, mentioned on cover ‘Scandalous statements of Ivic Pasalic in Mostar’, by F.V. , Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Croats need federal unit in BiH’ by Fena – also covered the statements.

Is Paravac going to recognize BiH Statehood Day?

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Paravac [does not] recognize Day of BiH Statehood’, mentioned on cover, by Az. K., Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Serbs will not celebrate anniversary of ZAVNOBiH’ by E. Medunjanin and Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Is Paravac going to repeat last year’s ‘scandal’ by A. Beus – The dailies carry that the BiH Presidency is going to organize a reception on occasion of BiH’s Statehood Day on November 25 and the dailies wonder whether Serb member of the BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac will repeat the scandal from the last year when he refused to attend the reception and when he said that he does not accept this holiday until the Law on State Holidays is adopted. Paravac’s Advisor Drago Vukovic stated: ‘It will be known on Monday whether Paravac or someone from his cabinet will attend the reception.’   

Comments to 9^th Dayton Peace Agreement anniversary

EuroBlic cover and RSpg 3 ‘Signatures fade, peace remains’ by Tijana Veselinovic – EuroBlic carries comments regarding the 9^th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Dragan Cavic, RS President, said that “In the past nine years, the DA has proved to be a good solution for BiH and it needs not to be changed…BiH can exist only at the foundation of DA and any attempt to exceed this framework could revert the situation. RS is the condition for survival of BiH.” Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister, claims that change of DA cannot be achieved without the assent of all three peoples, noting that “however, there are certain adjustments in the interest of RS people., which is not under dispute at all”

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Views still different’ by N. Krsman & V. Popovic – Borislav Paravac, Chairperson of the BiH Presidency, stressed that the Dayton Agreement has brought peace. Martin Raguz from HDZ and Mirsad Ceman from SDA share the view agreement has brought peace to BiH, stressing that it is high time the Agreement were changed. Beriz Belkic from SDA is also of the view Dayton should be changed. Mario Brkic, OHR Spokesperson, said that DA has created requirements for the commencement of building of future for all the citizens of BiH.

NN op-ed on holidays in BiH

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Agreement for peace’ by Natasa Krsman – The author writes that BiH is the state with no Law on holidays, owing to which reason the citizens of this state do not celebrate same holidays. She emphasises that the fact the rare people celebrate the day when the war ended shows how happy the BiH population is in the peace time.

Ashdown says he is worried with conflicts in ruling coalition

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘There is less and less time for RS’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to DA, HR Paddy Ashdown says that in the talks with US, UK and UN officials held last week he praised the reforms in BiH, but also expressed his concern about conflicts in ruling coalition lately. “I am afraid this could have negative influence on reforms. It would be a tragedy for BiH if it misses opportunities before us because of inter-party disputes and small interests,” said HR.

DL on HTV Mostar broadcast in two languages

Dnevni List pg 13 ‘Herzegovinian TV in Bosniak language as well!?’, mentioned on front, by S. Bjelica – DL says that according to their sources close to SDA, a local TV with 2 channels (one in Bosniak and other one in Croatian language) will be established in Mostar. The sources claim that preparations for this project have been already underway. DL also says that as far as the OHR’s opinion in this issue is concerned, the OHR stressed that this decision is exclusively up to city authorities and the article concludes: ‘Since the OHR is not against it and being aware of ‘partnership resolving of problems’ in Mostar  (the author probably refers on SDA and HDZ) it is quite certain that Mostar will be precedent in BiH once again.’

Economic issues

Reactions to adopted Draft Law on Privatisation Audit in FBiH

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 5 ‘Final struggle for Aluminij, Klas and Sarajevo Brewery started’ by N. Bise – According to Vice President of the F BiH House of Representatives Josip Merdzo the Draft Law on Privatization Audit, adopted by the FBiH HoR, creates space for certain kind of abuse. Merdzo stressed that it is not logical to pass the Law which would refer on something that has been already done according to the law. He added that this would not be a positive message to future investors, however, he believes it is good that it is still being worked on the Draft Law and thus there is still room to make certain corrections. Merdzo also claims that this is about strong pressure of SBiH which wants to damage Aluminij through the aforementioned Law. Merdzo added: ‘If someone believes that he will raise the Aluminij issue through this Law, HDZ caucus is definitely against it.’ The article says that the same sort offensive has been launched against Sarajevo companies ‘Klas’ ‘Sarajevo Brewery’ and ‘Sarajevo Tobacco Factory’.

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Biber: Process all persons involved in illegal privatization’ by A. Basic – DA carries that reactions to the adopted draft Law on Privatization Audit have been positive. In this light, it carries statements by President of BiH Trade Union Edhem Biber. However, DA also brings comment by head of HDZ caucus, Ivan Madunic, who says that this Law is very tendentious as it includes also some companies.

Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Audit should bring down mortgage of the past’, mentioned on cover, by A. Omeragic – Commenting the adopted draft Law, FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, said: “Pressures and conflicts in the public around these Laws can shake the Government, or even bring it down.”  He condemns objections to this law.

OHR on VAT

Dnevni List pg 6 ‘It is possible to introduce VAT by New Year’ not signed – DL carries that OHR Senior Advisor for Tax Policy Mark Campbell stated that it is possible to introduce VAT in BiH by January 1, 2006 while it would take one year longer to introduce VAT with a differentiated rate.