| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Bank robbery Medjugorje | CoM on budget | TV subscription in FBiH | BiH only with RS as entity |
| FBiH Government Session | Mostar Statute rejected | Mostar organization | On 11 Jan SFOR action |
| HNC Government session | TV Subscription in FBiH | CoM session postponed | Request for referendum |
| Mostar Statute rejected | HDZ suggestion in RS | Telecoms privatization | TV subscription |
| Oslobodjenje | Paddy Ashdown: I cannot stop SDA and HDZ if they want to destroy Mostar; Hadzipasic said he would not resign; The war in Sarajevo underground only starts; RS against financing of the state institutions |
| Dnevni Avaz | Police detained and interrogated several persons; Writing of war debts for state companies; Bank in Medjugorje robbed |
| Dnevni List | Ashdown: I do not think there will be brotherhood and unity after new organization of city of Mostar; OHR denies claims of Zagreb’s Vecernji List: OHR did not participate in negotiations between SDA and HDZ |
| Vecernji List | Ivica Pasalic forms Croat block in BiH; Family kiosk in Mostar destroyed by explosive device |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | BiH not to get single mark after blockade of electricity to Aluminij?; Mostar: Explosive under newsstand |
| Glas Srpske | Why Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ BiH) proposes abolishing of the Federation of BiH – deal with no Serbs involved; Karadzic on posters; Churchill’s parrot swears Hitler |
| Nezavisne Novine | BiH Prosecutor investigates production of narcotics in Visegrad; Hypo Alpe-Adria Bank in Medjugorje robbed – 20.000 KM stolen; Preparations for construction of Banjaluka-Gradiska highway late – single meter of land hasn’t been bought yet; Slobodan Radulj: “BiH youth in ‘white’ Al-Quida”; Person arrested for Torlakovic’s assassination; FBiH Government rejects agreement on subscription fee. |
| Blic | Bombing attacks in Sarajevo; Pension enough to buy two breads; Villages without electric power; Dragan Kapetina is candidate for BiH Minister of Defense |
Mostar issue | |
| Mostar City Council rejects Winterstein’s proposal
| FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Winterstein’s proposal rejected’, Nezavisne novine pg 3 ‘No deal on Mostar’, Dnevni List pg 15 ‘Is Mostar expecting an imposition of solution’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 6 ‘No unity on future organization of Mostar’ – The Mostar City Council held a session on Monday rejecting the proposal for City’s Statute by the Chair Mostar Commission Norbert Winterstein. Party Radom za boljitak said that it was of opinion that Mostar should have 3 election units – North, City and South – explained counsellor of this party Pavo Saravanja. Representative of Party for BiH, Ramo Omanovic, said this party supported Winterstajn’s proposal with regarding to defining Mostar as a single city with six election units. SDP representative Federik Vasic stated that this party has not changed opinion given in its study on Mostar, proposing that it is divided into four municipalities. HDZ sticks to stand that Mostar should be one municipality and one election unit, and that the election process is in accordance with both BiH Constitution and BiH Election Law. BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘City Council refused Witnerstein’s proposal’ – The president of the Club of Coalition for Unified and Democratic BiH Suad Hasandedic explained that draft Statute created by Winterstein was unacceptable due to failure of the Commission to reach consensus over crucial issues: “Offered constitution of the city council doest reflect equality of all constituent peoples. We do not accept any solution which violate existing constitutional and legal regulations.”HDZ representative Jadranko Lovric explained stand of this party: “We only want to have constitution and laws of BiH respected… It is impossible to reach consensus… That means that Mostar could expect imposed solution, and we believe that that imposed solution will be just and honest in according with the Constitution and BiH Election law.” RHB – After all parties shared their opinion, it was concluded that all parties should submit it in writing to Ivan Musa, president of the Council, who will forwarded it to the OHR in Sarajevo. |
| Ashdown to meet with Mesic, Sanader on Mostar | RHB, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ashdown and Mesic about Mostar’, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Talks about Mostar’, Jutarnji List pg 2 ‘Ashdown at President Mesic’s today’, Nezavisne novine pg 2 ‘Ashdown to visit Mesic’ – President of Republic Croatia Stjepan Mesic will meet on Tuesday the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown. Ashdown and Mesic will discuss the matters of significance for both countries, focusing on Mostar. Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Sanader and Ashdown on Mostar’ –HR Ashdown will also be meeting the new Croatian Prime Minister, Ivo Sanader. |
| Oslobodjenje int with Ashdown on Mostar | Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 6 ‘I cannot stop SDA and HDZ if they want to destroy Mostar’ by V. Zivak – The High Representative Paddy Ashdown, in an interview to Sarajevo based Oslobodjenje, said that he was not aware of the speculations that SDA and HDZ agreed on dividing Mostar according to the ethnic principle: “As I am aware, such agreement doesn’t exist or I don’t know about it. I have had meetings with SDA and HDZ, but those talks will stay a secret. I assure you that such agreement between these two parties was not mentioned.” Asked to comment the rejection of Winterstein’s proposal by Mostar City Council on Monday, Ashdown said: “Maybe you were surprised, but I was not. What did you expect from them? They spent 10 months without reaching an agreement. Did you think they would do it in three hours?” On the possibility to impose the solution on Mostar, Ashdown said: “We are still not in position to bring any decision, and I will not be in such position until we finish with the dialogue. I still did accept that this process failed. It is not very likely that there would be an agreement reached in next few days, but there is still a chance. I will continue on talks… as long as I believe it could give some results.” Ashdown also said that only if there was no other option he would impose the decision, adding: “If SDA and HDZ want to destroy this chance and if they want to destroy donors conference, if they have to destroy an opportunity for Mr. [Sulejman] Tihic to bring all important personalities from around the world at the reopening ceremony of Old Bridge… than I cannot stop them.” Commenting whether he believe that SDA and HDZ would implement any imposed decision, HR said: “The issue of Mostar is an issue of BiH, and if Mostar becomes the only place in the state in which there is no understanding how big and where are the city’s chance, than you can be sure that nobody will win there, everybody will lose. I cannot stop that.” |
| DL int with Ashdown on Mostar | Dnevni List front pg splash, pgs 4&5 ‘Ashdown: I do not think there will be brotherhood and unity after new organization of city of Mostar’ by Renata Radic – Questioned as to what can be expected with regards to Mostar issue in the next 10 days, the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, in an interview for Dnevni List says: “According to Dayton, Mostar is my responsibility. I do not have responsibility for Bugojno, Travnik, Vitez or Sanski Most, but I do have it for Mostar. It means I will act if there is no consensus. Ask yourself whether the IC will be ready to invest into a divided Mostar. Millions of dollars have been labeled as aid for Mostar. But, it could easily happen that Mostar be declared a failure and that funds be re-routed for Pristina. Mostar today survives thanks to the Elektroprivreda. The World Bank said it was only a temporary situation and that the arrangement expires on April 1 and I fear the arrangement will not be extended and the city will be left without funds”. Questioned whether there would be any removals of politicians who obstruct the process, HR Ashdown says he never predicts what he will do adding that since Mostar was mentioned in DPA as a special case, “those who obstruct Mostar organization, in a way obstruct the Dayton Peace Accord”. |
| EU delegation to visit Mostar | Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘EU Ambassadors in Mostar’, Dnevni List pg 15 ‘Talks on administrative and legal organization of the city’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘European Ambassadors today in Mostar’ – Delegation of the European Union in BiH, lead by Deputy Chief of EU Mission to BiH Renzo Daviddi, will visit Mostar today, reads the press released issued by the EC. The delegation will meet representatives of the political parties who participated the work of the Mostar Commission, and will talk about future administrative and legal structure of the city. UK Ambassador to BiH, Ian Cliff, and Dutch Ambassador Rob Bosscher will also be in the delegation. |
| DL calls upon Croats to turn out at 25 Jan referendum
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘To decide on destiny of Mostar through referendum on January 25’ by I.G. – DL carries that United HSP (UHSP) called on Croats and citizens of Mostar to turn out at the referendum that will take place in Mostar Municipalities West, Southwest and South on January 25. UHSP President Miljenko Milos stated: “Mostar should be organized as one election unit as other cities in BiH because it suits all democratic standards.” |
| Oslobodjenje editorial on Mostar | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Where are Serbs?’ editorial by Mirko Sagolj – Referring to the latest situation in Mostar, Sagolj writes: “The essence of the problem in Mostar lies in its destiny that again only two nationalists parties are deciding on its destiny – SDA and HDZ, with some assistance from some smaller political parties. HDZ would like to have Mostar as a single election unit with the city leadership election by the principle ‘one voter-one vote’. SDA believes that with this Croats, as the most numerous people, would achieve domination over Bosniaks… This is why SDA… tries at any cost to keep city divided between six [nationalists] municipalities, so everybody can rule in their own… In all this, it appears like there are no Serbs. And the past of this country confirms the rile that there is no domination of one people over another if you respect traditional principles – equality of all citizens and peoples.” |
Political issues | |
| CoM again postpones discussion on state budget
| BHTV 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Stand of entities governments on state budget demanded’, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘State without budget’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 6 ‘Problem is financing of new institutions’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Financing of the new state institutions questionable’ – BiH Council of Ministers once again postponed the discussion on the draft budget of BiH institutions and international obligations for 2004. CoM representatives said that further agreements with entities governments were necessary and they would also negotiate with IMF on budget increase. According to the IMF proposal, the budget and means intended to implement BiH’s international obligations should be about 480 millions KM. CoM claims that it was necessary to found more funds for financing new institutions, such as the BiH Defence Ministry and the Indirect Taxation Administration. CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic said that CoM would hold talks with the representatives of the international community, including IMF and added he believed that OHR had enough authority to help BH authorities to persuade IMF to authorise the increase of the budget for the entity governments. IMF representatives warned that if the budget is increased it could damage implementation of the foreseen objectives, among which is the payment of BiH enormous debts. FTV – In addition, negotiations with IMF, World Bank and entity governments will be reopened, and BiH Civil Affairs Minister Safet Halilovic said that those meetings would be held in next few days. He added that some amounts of money would be transferred from entities to the state, adding that there are also possibilities for BiH to take new loans. Oslobodjenje cover, pg 5 ‘RS against financing of state institutions’ – According to daily, ministers from Serb people disagreed with financing of the institutions such as the National, Historical and Literature Museums, as well as the Art Gallery and several other from the state budget. Minister Safet Halilovic said that 3 million KM were needed for financing these institutions. Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Colak: Small budget is biggest problem’ – Commenting on this situation, the BiH Minister of Security, Barisa Colak, stated that in order to reach a final consent on this issue, it is necessary to have another meeting with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and Ministers themselves. He added that one of the biggest problems was the amount of the budget (211 million KMs), which is not enough to meet needs of all Ministries. Colak stresses he hopes that the problems will be resolved with the current amount in the budget and that the budget will be adopted soon. |
| Dailies claims Ahmet Hadzipasic will be removed; Hadzipasic says he would not resign
| Vecernji List pgs 4&5 ‘SDA, HDZ and SBiH toppling Government’ by Zoran Kresic – VL reports that SDA, HDZ and SBiH are determined to make a radical cut and form a new FBiH Government after the Ministers failed to fulfill the expectations. According to VL, today is the “D” day because the SDA Presidency, which is sitting today, will be deciding on the trust to the FBiH PM, Ahmet Hadzipasic. In that context, VL reports it is unknown what the OHR’s position is, since there was a request for verbal consent to remove Hadzipasic, who is trusted foremost by the Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘It is possible that Hadzipasic will leave?’ – Daily claims that at today’s session of SDA Presidency officials will discuss the reconstruction of the FBiH Government and staff changes. According to DA source, Ahmet Hadzipasic will be removed. Oslobodjenje cover, pg 7 ‘Hadzipasic said he would not resign’ by Az. Kalamujic – Ahmet Hadzipasic stated for daily that he would not resign, adding that he learned from media about possibilities of his removal. Article also carries out the statement by anonymous member of the SDA appointed commission, which was supposed to examine the work of its officials at the executive levels: “I have never heard that any member of the Commission mentioned Hadzipasic’s removal. That would be crazy move for the party, as it did not find adequate replacement.” Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘I expect positive analysis of the work’ – FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic said that he expected the honest analysis of the government’s work in the past year, including criticism, however added that he hoped that the personnel changes would be finalized soon so that executive authorities could dedicate themselves to solving the urgent issues. Dnevni List front, pg 3 ‘OHR did not participate in negotiations between SDA and HDZ’ by De. L. – OHR denies report from Monday’s edition of “Vecernji List”, which reported that the OHR has agreed to removal of the FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, the removal that was allegedly arranged between the SDA and HDZ. “That’s not true because the OHR was not consulted and did not give consent to such agreement”, reads a statement from the OHR. |
| Oslobodjenje claims SDA dissatisfied with more ministers
| Oslobodjenje cover, pg 7 ‘Hadzipasic said he would not resign’ by Az. Kalamujic – Daily claims that in addition to Hadzipasic, SDA is also dissatisfied with FBiH Interior Minister Mevludin Halilovic, Education Minister Zijad Pasic and Refugee Minister Edin Music. Oslobodjenje also claims that Barisa Colak also “sent message to their coalition partner that they can count on reconstruction of the government and removal of defence minister Miroslav Nikolic and Agriculture Minister Marinko Bozic.” Journalist also claims that Party for BiH also started with the analysis of its officials and their work in the Government. |
| Reactions from RS on HDZ’s proposal to abolish FBiH | BHTV 1 – Following the proposal by the HDZ Main Board to abolish the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to change BiH Constitution, representatives of the political parties in RS have recognised the possibility of the abolishment of RS. SDS Vice President Mirko Sarovic commented that their respond to any change of Constitution would be a referendum, adding that this stand is very strong and it would mean that RS would never again address any of its issue in Sarajevo. Nevenka Trifkovic from PDP said that the party was aware that some things in FBiH did not function well and that the Government has been behind the schedule regarding some decisions, but she added that did not mean that there should be just drastic restructure and rather that it mean for the FBiH institutions to be more efficient. Nebojsa Radmanovic from SNSD said that anyone has a right to start the initiative, but any decision would have to be agreed between all three peoples and two entities. Glas Srpske cover pg ‘Deal with no Serbs involved’ – SDS representative in BiH Parliament Ljiljana Milicevic, PDP representative in BiH Parliament Jelena Curkovic and two representatives in RSNA Darko Jotanovic, from DPS, and Dusko Vukotic, from DS, rejected this initiative. |
| Reactions from FBiH on HDZ proposal to restructure BiH | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘It is time for reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina’ – Endorsing HDZ conclusion that it was the time for BiH’s reconstruction, president of Party for BiH Safet Halilovic stated: “Their proposal is not consistent, as there is no mentioned of delegates in RS when they talk about merging of parliament’s houses… it is necessary to carry out parallel transformation of both entities… Secondly there is no definition of the problem of entity, which is the main disturbance in implementation of the reforms.” SDU also noted that HDZ’s proposal to harmonize BiH constitution with the European standards is along its lines, said president of the party Miro Lazovic: “We have started with that initiative in before BiH Parliament and we expect it to result with the adoption of the resolution. Of course that Dayton agreement is not sacred book, it should be amended, however for us the only way of its changes to the Annex 4 is through parliamentary procedure.” SDA Vice President Seada Palavric: “SDA expressed its opinion on restructuring of BiH long time ago. Sure, only if BiH consists of multiethnic regions. That has to include entire BiH, not only FBiH. Regions must be formed based on geographical, agricultural, regional and other factors relevatioon for the region, all in way that no people is dominant over another… Abolishing one entity and leaving another would break BiH Constitution.” |
| Oslobodjenje editorial on HR and DPA changes | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘For Constitution, against BiH’ editorial by Zija Dizdarevic – Referring to the recent statement by the High Representative Paddy Ashdown which said that RS citizens should not fear the RS would be abolished and such change to the Dayton Peace Agreement could only be initiated by themselves, author says: “The High Representative addressed RS citizens encouraging them ‘don’t fear, be brave’. Those words… suggest the condition of lack of protection, vulnerability, need for protection and strong interventions. Encouraging thesis on vulnerability of Sebrs in RS… is unhealthy political intention.” Claiming that the tasks of the High Rep is not to protect two-entity concept of BiH, but the Peace Agreement itself, author adds even BiH Constitution allows possibilities to change DPA and that concludes that RS is a primary problem of BiH, as it was a result of aggression. “RS would not be such problem if Croats and Bosniaks returned in masses, especially in cities, which would significantly change political, social and cultural atmosphere… The message to RS citizens that only they can change DPA is dangerous demagogic game. Neither they imposed that document, nor they can change it… Current organization of BiH was made by the international will… Strong pressure from the international authorities is necessary to reach constitutional reforms in regular parliamentary procedure according to the European standards,” reads editorial concluding that otherwise BiH would continue to be a product of conflict. |
| Crisis in HNC Government continues | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Bosniak ministers sent requests to PM Coric’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Bosniak Ministers do not give up on boycotting the work of the Government’, Slobodna Dalmacija back pg ‘No budget without Bosniaks’, Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Determine severance pays for MoI’, Dnevni List front, pg 16 ‘Bosniak ministers blackmailing again’- Dailies reporte that Bosniak Ministers again did not attend the session of the Herzegovina-Neretva Cantonal Government held on Monday. HNK Prime Minister Miroslav Coric said that the absence of the Bosniak Ministers makes the work of the Government difficult adding that Presidents of cantonal boards of HDZ and SDA, Josip Merdzo and Salko Sokolovic respectively, met to discuss the issue, but unfortunately without concrete results. On top of that, Coric notes that Sokolovic sent him a list of requests that needed to be met so the Bosniak Ministers return to the work in the HNC Government. These conditions demand of PM Coric to ensure equality of Bosniak Ministers, to make sure that they can run their respective ministries pursuant to the law, that the PM annuls all illegal Government decisions taken without the presence of the Bosniak Ministers and that were taken through the outvoting. |
Security and defence issues | |
| Sarajevo MoI on security situation
| FTV, BHTV 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 29 ‘MoI Board on security situation’, Blic pg 13 ‘Showdown of clans’ – At the meeting of the Sarajevo Cantonal Interior Ministry’s Board, and in the presence of EUPM representatives, it was concluded that the security situation is Sarajevo deteriorated. Meeting participants discussed the total security situation, with special focus on the recent explosions. Spokeswoman for Sarajevo MoI Ljiljana Sakic stated that the conclusions is that special measures would be enforced to solve crimes, adding that the investigation on the Sunday’s murder of Taib Torlakovic has been on going. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘SDP demands urgent session of Sarajevo Assembly’ – Concluding that the security situation in Sarajevo is at the lowest level since the end of war, SDP demands urgent extraordinary session of Sarajevo Cantonal Assembly, which would discuss these issues and result with protection measures. |
| Update to Torlakovic’s murder investigation | Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Police detained and interrogated several people’, pg 29 ‘Prosecutor hopes to soon have concrete results’, Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 5 ‘Person arrest for murder of Torlakovic’ – Deputy FBiH Prosecutor Dragan Stupar confirmed that several persons were detained and interrogated following the assassination of Taib Torlakovic. He refused to give any details, only adding he hoped that the investigation will soon result with some concrete results. Oslobodjenje cover pg, pgs 4&5 ‘The war in Sarajevo underground only starts’ by R.I. – Following the murder of Taib Torlakovic on Sunday in Sarajevo, which is 11 explosion in Sarajevo in the last month and a half, daily claims that previous explosions were only a warning, however that the first murder in these attacks means that the fight for ruling Sarajevo underground was coming to its peak. Torlakovic allegedly worked for [ethnic Albanian] brothers Aziz and Ali Muhamed Gasi. Media reported that Gasi brothers were in fight with Ramiz Delalic Celo, who allegedly launched attack against them. |
| Radovan Karadzic’s posters in Pale | FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Karadzic’s posters in the centre of Pale’, Nezavisne novine pg 2 ‘Police removed posters of Karadzic’, Blic pg 13 ‘Police removed posters with Karadzic’s photo’ – Posters with the character of indicted war crime suspect Radovan Karadzic appeared on Monday in the centre of Pale, as well as in several other locations in this Municipality. The black and white posters have Karadzic’s picture under which it reads – “with you always”. Similar posters have previously appeared in several municipalities in RS. BHTV 1 – Spokesman for the Srpsko Sarajevo Public Security Centre Miroslav Popara said that the investigation has been on going and that this was a criminal act with political background. |
| NN on Al’Qaida in BiH | Nezavisne novine cover, pg 2 ‘BiH youth recruited for ‘white’ Al-Quida’ – Former member of BiH Anti-terrorist team and assistant to Serb member of BiH Presidency, Slobodan Radulj, said that youth in BiH are being recruited for so called “white” Al-Quida. According to some information, future terrorists will be blonde, with blue eyes, originating from BiH and Kosovo. He said that 400 humanitarian agencies work in BiH and that some of them are used for money laundry and financing of terrorist activities. Radulj claims that SDA has blocked the work of national anti-terrorist team. |
| Blic on position of BiH Defence Minister | Blic pg 13 ‘Dragan Kapetina is candidate’ – Sources close to the RS authority claim the most serious candidate for the position of BiH Minister of Defense is Dragan Kapetina, as he has had experience in this field even since before the war. Kapetina had been Assistant Minister of Defense at the first Government of Socialistic Republic of BiH, when national parties came on power. In the Government of Gojko Klickovic, he was the Deputy Minister of Defense. After the SDS returned on power, he was appointed to the position of the Advisor for Military Issues of Serb member of BiH Presidency Mirko Sarovic, at which he had remained even after Borislav Paravac arrived to the Presidency. |
RTV subscription in FBiH | |
| FBiH Govt fails to adopt plan on collection of RTV subscription | RTRS, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Government protected consumers’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Adoption of RTV subscription payment rejected’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 inset ‘Again without decision on RTV subscription’, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Without temporary solution’, Nezavisne novine cover, pg 2 ‘FBiH Government rejects Telecom and FTV agreement’ – At the session held on Monday, the FBiH Government rejected the proposal by FBiH Ministry of Transport and Communications to adopt the decision on collection of RTV subscription through telephone bills as temporary measure valid until end of May, when the Law on collection of subscription should be adopted. Government said it did not received an officially opinion from BiH Economic Relations and Foreign Trade Ministry, which was supposed to advise whether imposing collection of RTV subscription would mean violation of the Law on Consumer Protection. The PBS Director Drago Maric said that the situation in the country has been asymmetrical, as the agreement has already been singed in RS. He however added this is still not the final from the FBiH Government’s side. FTV, BHTV 1, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Ashdown will not’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 6 ‘Consent for payment of RTV subscription was not give’ – OHR recommends FBiH Government to solve the question of TV subscription collection as soon as possible. OHR Spokesman Vedran Persic said OHR is of view that the Law on Consumers’ Protection is not an obstacle for adoption of the decision. Persic also pointed: “This is one of conditions from the Feasibility Study and this means that domestic authorities should take over responsibility for its implementation.” He concluded that the High Representative would not impose the solution. |
Legal affairs | |
| Update on trial Lagumdzija vs. Avaz | Oslobodjenje cover, pg 3 “I was presented as Russian mafia”, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Lagumdzija blamed Avaz for elections failure’ – Legal dispute between leader of SDP Zlatko Lagumdzija and Avaz has continued on Monday at the Sarajevo Cantonal Court. The process, which Lagumdzija initiated against Avaz by accusing it of damaging his reputation and honour, is expected to finish soon. Lagumdzija stated: “I was the most hurt by brutal lies and trials to present me as classical gangster working as a part of Serb and Russia mafia,” and added that “publishing lies” in Dnevni Avaz throughout July 2002, which referred to his alleged illegal involvement in CIPS project, negatively impact his and SDP’s elections results. Avaz’s editor-in-chief Fahrudin Djapo stated that the texts on Lagumdzija and CIPS were written by “Avaz’s best journalists”, who conducted in accordance with Press Code and stressed that they did not initiate affair, but only reported on statements by politicians. |
Economic and social issues | |
| FBiH Govt endorses decision on industrial electricity tariffs | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘War debt to be written off for state companies’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Adoption of RTV subscription payment rejected’ – During its session, the FBiH Government gave support to the Law on application of industrial electricity tariffs proclaimed by High Representative Paddy Ashdown, who insisted on its consistent implementation. |
| Dokic on privatisation of telecom operators | FTV – BiH Ministry for Transport and Communications claims that the telecommunication companies in BiH are not yet Companies are not yet ready for the privatisation. In this year, BiH Council of Ministers will make possible amendments and changes to the Telecommunication Sector Policy, especially regarding the privatisation. BH Communication Minister Branko Dokic said they would define the conditions under which telecom operators could be privatised. |
| SD on foreign investments in BiH | Slobodna Dalmacija front, pg 15 ‘After blockade of electricity for Aluminij not a single KM from Germany’by Z. Tulic – SD carries an article in which the author wonders whether BiH is in a sort of economic isolation. SD says that there is an information coming from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations which says that the investments in BiH decreased by 30 % and compared with 2002 this decrease amounts to over 200 million KM. SD says that the reason for such situation is the fact that BiH does not respect international contracts that it signed. According to the article, the second problem that might endanger future foreign investment is the Aluminij issue that has not been resolved yet. |