OHR BiH Media Round-up, 20/2/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

Bird flu: Results today

Results on dead swan today

Anti-avian-flue measures in RS

Serb, Bosniak reps on const. talks

‘Grbavica’ crew arrives today

Bank robbery Karanovac

World news

Hadzipasic to meet Ban

Talks on Kosovo status commence

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Bird flu protection in BIH

Dead chickens found near Banjaluka

SIPA raids night clubs in Vitez

Terzic visits Pliva lake

Terzic on avian flu in BiH

HR congratulates for “Golden Bear”

Clubs in Vitez area raided

Avian flu spreads around the world

Measures of prevention  of bird flue

Vatican nuncio in Sarajevo Cathedral

Talks on constitutional changes

5 parties discuss constit. changes

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Avian flu update

Film Crew on Grbavica’s Golden Bear

Constitutional talks continue

Talks on constitutional changes

HR on movie Grbavica

Agreement on BIH Presidency

Feature on ‘Biofood’ company

Poll on movie Grbavica

HR on BIH future

War criminal employed in CG MoI?

FBIH MoI’s raids in SB canton

Eastern RS SDS boards on Cavic

Oslobodjenje

Deadly virus arrived to BiH, after all?

Dnevni Avaz

Tihic: Close to the agreement on constitutional changes

Dnevni List

Secret negotiations without Croats (SDA, SDP, SNSD, SDS, PDP const. changes talks)

Vecernji List

Poultry in Banja Luka die massively (On bird flu in BiH)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Features Croatia related headline

Nezavisne Novine

“Golden bear” coming to BiH today

Glas Srpske

Thank you, ball! (football fan unveils monument to ball in Bijeljina)

EuroBlic

He activated a bomb over housing solution (incident at Bijeljina “Orao” institute)

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related topics

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

RHB on avian flue: situation under control 

RHB – RHB carries an update to the situation pertaining to possible outbreak of bird flu in BiH. According to the report, the situation nearby Jajce, where two dead swans were found on Thursday, is under control and expert teams are registering poultry in both BiH entities.

Deputy FBiH Chief Veterinarian says avian flue case near Jajce possible; RS introduces measures against avian flue

BH Radio – Deputy Director of FBiH Veterinarian Office Nihad Fejzic said that there is a reasonable doubt that dead swans found near the PlivskoLake near Jajce are infected by avian influenza, but Fejzic claims that there is no immediate danger for citizens. Fejzic added that results of tasts, conducted on Veterinarian Faculty in Sarajevo, would be known today. He also explained that test samples would be sent to London to additional analysis. RTRS – RTRS reminds there is still no indication of avian-flu in BiH. The RS Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Waterpower in technical mandate has today introduced anti-avian-flue measures, following similar measures introduced by the BiH Veterinary Service.

Constitutional changes

SDS , SNSD, PDP, SDA and SDP leaders meet in US Embassy facilities to discuss constitutional changes; Source: US pressured parties to meet

BHT1 by Vanja Filipovic – Leaders of SDS, SNSD, PDP, SDA and SDP – Dragan Cavic, Milorad Dodik, Mladen Ivanic, Sulejman Tihic and Zlatko Lagumdzija respectively – met on Sunday discussing the changes to the BiH Constitution. Party leaders met in the Residency of the US Embassy on Sunday assessing a possibility to continue negotiations on the changes. According to unofficial sources, the political leaders were put under great pressure of US officials to meet again. Allegedly, they have been discussing the future organisation of BiH Presidency and entity votes in the BiH Parliament. The Sunday’s meeting was closed for public, and it ended after eight hours. No participant wanted to make any statements. Hayat Snjezana Mulic – Hayat reporter speculates that representatives of Croat political parties have not even been invited to this consultative meeting, concluding that the talks on constitutional changes would be continued next Tuesday. PINK also reports.

BHT1: UK/US Ambassadors attend meeting; Source: Agreement on Presidency rotation, entity vote?

BHT 1 late news– The consultative meeting on negotiations on constitutional changes held in Sarajevo was also attended by the US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney and British Ambassador Mathew Rycroft. SDA leader Sulejman Tihic stated following the meeting that parties now have closer stances on all issues related to the constitutional changes. He also emphasized that the parties which didn’t attend the meeting also have to present their stances. According to the online edition of daily Nezavisne novine, the political leader agreed on the future structure of BiH Presidency and entity vote in the BiH House of Representatives. According to NN, the political leaders have agreed that BiH is going to have a President and two Vice Presidents who would rotate in position every 18 moths. Also, the entity vote would allegedly be preserved in one of the BiH parliamentary houses. RTRS – According to Tanjug news agency, two members of Presidency would be elected from FBIH, one from RS without clearly defined ethnicity.

DA source: Presidency to have 3 members directly election from FBiH, RS; entity vote to be abolished in HoR, but to remain in HoP? 

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘Tihic: Close to the agreement on constitutional changes’ and pg 2 by A.M. and N.D – Commenting the meeting on Sunday, an unnamed RS party leader told DA: “So far, BiH Presidency would still have three members, who would be directly elected from FBiH and RS. We have accepted recommendations of Venice Commission (…) so the entity voting would be abolished at the next elections.” The unnamed source said that rotation within BiH Presidency should be every 18 months, adding that this still has to be agreed. Inset  ‘Solutions for BiH Parliament proposed’- According to DA source another meeting also to be attended by HDZ and HNZ should be held by end of the week at which changes made so far should be confirmed. DA source stressed that issue of the BiH Parliament was discussed but that nothing precisely was agreed. DA source stressed that entity vote could be abolished in House of Representatives, but preserved in House of Peoples, which would solely deal with vital national interest.

Talks on constitutional changes: HoR to number 87 delegates, HoP to number 21 delegates who Chair will not rotate

Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘BiH gets president and two vice presidents’ by M.Cubro – as reported in BH TV 1 late news edition. It also reports a participant of talks told daily number of delegates at the BiH HoR would be increased from 42 to 87, adding that the number of delegates at the BiH HoP would be increased from 15 to 21 and rotation at this upper house would be abolished. Daily also notes agreed proposal of constitutional reformsshould be verified at this week’s meeting of leaders of the eight biggest parties in BiH, i.e. this proposal should also be accepted by leaders of HDZ, HNZ and Party for BiH.

DL on result of last night’s const. changes talks/Dodik and Lagumdzija met on same issue in Germany recently ?

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Secret negotiations without Croats’ by D. Pusic carries that according to a well-informed source during the last night’s ‘secret negotiations’ leaders of 5 parties declared themselves on the proposal prepared by IC representatives and which is a summary of constitutional changes negotiations and bilateral talks that took place afterwards. DL also says that an SDP source confirmed that Lagumdzija and Dodik have met in Germany recently on the same issue however there is no information on the things they agreed there. 

EuroBlic: US is exerting pressure against Serb side

EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Talks on Constitution under US pressure’ by D.Stanisic – Reporting on Sarajevo meeting, daily observes referring to a source close to RS officials, who attended the meeting that “[Douglas] McElchany was exerting pressure against Serb side to give up on some of its demands in order to ensure continuation of talks”. Source further noted that “direct interference of American side is in action”, although the so far US support to “evolutionary instead of revolutionary approach to constitutional changes is no longer present.” Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Resumption under lock’ by Z.Domazet – daily also reports referring to participants of talks from RS that international officials are somewhat exerting pressure against local officials to give up on their demands.

CoM Chair Terzic: It is not in anybody’s interest to halt negotiations; HDZ’s Relota: this was unofficial mtg of those who disrupted talks on const. changes

FTV By Blazica Kristo – Commenting the meeting on the constitutional changes, the Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic stated that politicians “cannot leave BIH future only to the International Community. Participants at the talks on constitutional changes have achieved a lot and they are close to reaching an agreement. It would not be in anybody’s interest to halt the negotiations”. HDZ Spokesperson Miso Relota [party did not have its representative at the meeting] says that these were not the official talks but bilateral talks of the parties responsible for the discontinuation of the previous talks. Relota added that HDZ was not the reason because the negotiations were stopped therefore it was not invited at the talks on Sunday. He noted that they have reached agreements in principle on rotation in Presidency and voting in Parliament in last few days and participants at the talks in Sarajevo on Sunday have to finalize and put them on paper. Member of Party for BiH Beriz Belkic said his party hasn’t received an invitation for the talks on Sunday. Relota stated that after the agreement is reached between the parties who met on Sunday, HDZ would urge the US Ambassador to BIH Douglas McElhaney to schedule the official meeting for continuation of the negotiations. BHT1 late news– Relota stated that HDZ expects these issues to be solved soon, so that the negotiations on constitutional changes can continue with talks on reform the middle level of authority. Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Secret negotiations without Croats’ by D. Pusic – also carries Relota.

SDA’s Tihic: Mtg was continuation of Dodik’s and my previous agreement

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘Tihic: Close to the agreement on constitutional changes’ and pg 2 by A.M. and N.D.– Commenting Sunday’s talks on constitutional changes, the SDA leader Sulejman Tihic said that this round of talks was based upon his talks with SNSD leader Milorad Dodik earlier in Doboj. Tihic stated: “We wanted to present to this group of political parties what we had agreed upon as a possible compromise. We have discussed Presidency, Parliament and state authority and we are very near to reach an agreement. But for now, Dodik’s and mine assignment is to talk with other three parties: SBiH, HDZ and HNZ and to see if they would agree with proposed solutions.” Tihic announced that he would possibly meet with SBiH leader Safet Halilovic and HDZ leader Dragan Cavic on Monday.

PDP’s Ivanic: Sunday meeting was unofficial, but with some improvements

RTRS Radan Skipina – PDP Chair Mladen Ivanic stated that the meeting on the constitutional changes held on Sunday was of informal nature, however did add that certain improvements were made. Ivanic also stated that talks would continue once organisers speak to HDZ and other Croat party leaders. Reporter adds that they contacted parties from RS who stressed that this meeting is felt as a sort of pressure. He concludes that meeting held on Sunday occurred after European Parliament adopted a resolution on continuation of negotiations on constitutional changes, visit of EC Chair Jose Manuel Barroso and recent Ivanic’s visit to Washington . 

SDP spokesperson Masic, Chairman of BiH HoP Jukic: Secret negotiations without Croats

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Secret negotiations without Croats’ by D. Pusic carries SDP spokesperson Damir Masic confirmed that the meeting on constitutional changes took place on Sunday night and he claims that it is good that this happened regardless of the fact that all negotiators who attended previous talks on the same issue were not present last night. Chairman of the BiH HoP Velimir Jukic stated hat he heard of inter-party negotiations on this issue, however he refused to give some further comments due to the lack of information.

SDU sharply condemns ‘secret talks’

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Negotiations on Constitution to be lead in the Parliament, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Unprincipled coalition of SDA, SDP and SNSD is on the scene’ by L. Sinanovic, Dnevni List pg ‘Tokic condemns secret talks’ by R.D.– SDU leader Sejfudin Tokic sharply condemned a manner the negotiations on constitutional changes were carried out, stressing that these ‘secret negotiations’ have put the lives of BiH citizens into hands of ‘irresponsible individuals’.

Other political issues

HR Schwarz-Schilling with Barroso and Rehn: BiH must implement reforms

PINK – After the meeting with the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barrosoand EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on Saturday evening in Sarajevo, the High Representative in BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling stated that their visit is ‘a clear signal’ that BiH’s future is in the European Union. Schwarz-Schilling, who also performs duty of the EU’s Special Representative, welcomed beginning of the talks on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, adding that the success of those talks would depend on the willingness of BiH authorities to conduct necessary reforms. HR stressed that both BiH entities must adopt the remaining laws in the field of public broadcasting; he added that the police reform must be completed, and the state law on ombudsmen adopted.  BHT1, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Reforms must be conducted’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘To support parties that can lead BiH to the Europe’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Success of talks depends on BH authorities’ by P.K., Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 11 ‘Reforms must be implemented’, by B. Kristo, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Adopt laws from area of public broadcasting’, by A. Curic– also report on the meeting.

VL source: EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn stated behind closed door that EC is not satisfied with Banja Luka ’s cooperation with ICTY

Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Rehn criticised RS behind scene’ by Z. Kresic carries a VL source, who attended the meeting of EC President Jose Manuel Baroso and EC Enlargement Commissioner Ollie Rehn with high-ranked BiH officials, who says that the public remained deprived of the main thing that Rehn said during this meeting. Allegedly, Rehn openly stated that the EC is not satisfied with the attitude of Banja Luka towards the ICTY since crucial ICTY indictees have not been arrested yet. VL says that if we view the context of negotiations on approaching the EU such judgment does not refer on the RS only but on whole BiH since entities do not represent a negotiating party in the talks with the EC.  

DA op-ed: BiH politicians have to agree on constitutional changes and not allow ‘small interest’ to slow down BiH way to the EU

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Barroso’s warnings to our politicians’ op-ed by Elvir Huremovic– Commenting Saturday’s visit of the Head of the EC Jose Manuel Barroso to BiH and to his warnings that BiH has to fulfill three principles [efficiency, functionality and protection of human rights] and his statement expressing belief that at best BiH could sign “Stabilization and Association Agreement by end of the year,” Huremovic says that BiH politicians should see this as warning, considering the “turn to the right” in some of the EU countries and the fact that EU doors could close because of that. Therefore, author stressed that most important condition for BiH politicians is to agree on constitutional changes, but he emphasized the fact that election year could slow down BiH way to the EU, because of some small political interest.

PDP and SP RS hold sessions discussing their members in the new Government

RTRS Nada Arlov – PDP Presidency held a session in Eastern Sarajevo whilst SP RS Presidency held a session in Banja Luka on Sunday night. Both discussed possible candidates for new RS Government.  Unofficially RTRS found out that PDP would offer its candidates for Ministers of Education, Agriculture and Sport and Youth. According to same information Minister of Sport and Youth could be Branislav Borenovic, whilst Slaven Pekic could also be one of the candidates. Director of PDP Directorate Igor Crnadak stressed that PDP expects that the new Government will increase pensions, establish council for fight against corruption, increase incentives for agriculture by 2% and introduce Ministry of sport and youth. Reporter comments that SP RS is interested in Ministry of labour and veterans. SP RS Chair Petar Djokic stated that his party expects that new Government will deal with economic development and audit of suspicious privatisation. Reporter concludes that all demands for the new Government will be widely discussed next week. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘They expect three ministries’ by V.P.- also carries Crnadak’s statement. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Support to election of new Government’ by V.P., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘SUport to Dodik’ – carries SPRS.  

SP RS interested for Veteran’s Ministry, but hides name of candidate

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Djokic hides name of his candidate’- Main Board of SP RS has gave its support to establishment of new RS Government. After the session leader Petar Djokic stated that they are interested for Ministry of Veterans, but are ready to talk about other solutions. However, Djokic did not want to reveal name of their potential candidate.

Experts doubt that Dodik has enough time or political strength to meet all he promised

Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Dodik, hostage of his own promises’ by Balkan Investigation Network [BIRN] – Reminding appointment of RS Prime Minister designate, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik and establishment of new RS Government, article reads that Dodik has promised many reforms, while experts are warning that Dodik hasn’t got enough time or political strength to carry that out. Since major Dodik promise refers to audit of privatization, Chair of RS Helsinki Committee Branko Todorovic and Professor of Faculty of Economic in Banja Luka Miodrag Zivanovic doubt that Dodik can carry this out, but stressed that audit of privatization would mean factual “announcement of war” to organized crime and “wartime profiteers.”

SNSD’s Dodik: Stanislav Cadjo new RS Interior Minister

BHT1 – RS Prime Minister Designate Milorad Dodik confirmed that the new RS Minister of Interior is going to be Stanislav Cadjo from SNSD. PDP is going to have three ministerial positions in the new Government. Socialist Party (SPRS) also gave its support to the new Government. Dodik promised to give SPRS one ministerial position, although this party is not a parliamentary party anymore. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘RS Police Minister is Stanislav Cadjo’ by N.N.- also reported.

SDS boards from Eastern RS disagree with Cavic and SDS Presidency

RTRS Sladjana Jasarevic – SDS Board of Sokolac municipality held a meeting on Saturday night at which, according to RTRS, party members from 15 municipalities in Eastern RS openly expressed disagreement with the SDS Presidency policies and SDS Chair Dragan Cavic. They apparently demanded to know why Cavic failed to respect the decision of SDS Main Board appointing Milorad Dodik as new RS Prime minister designate rather than Nedjo Djuric as agreed. RTRS source also claims that it asked Cavic to re-examine the decision on withdrawal of SDS into opposition as well as his invitation to SDS Ministers to leave Council of Ministers. Same source claims that the question was raised on SDS participation in talks on constitutional changes if the party is in opposition. Most of representatives are also displeased with the way of gathering and allocation of SDS financial resources. These conclusions will be considered by SDS Presidency on Monday in Banja Luka as well as SDS Eastern Sarajevo. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘No resignations at BiH Council of Ministers’ by V.Popovic– also reported.

NN op-ed: SDS rifts is of interest nature

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Unseen miracle’ by Aleksandar Sekulic – In regard to rifts at the SDS, the author notes the problem is the SDS President, Dragan Cavic, himself. The author also notes that the rifts inside SDS cannot be viewed as a political conflict since its essence does not rests with observation of the state, society and politics – the conflict inside SDS is of exclusively interest nature, whose background includes money and power.

DA int with HDZ leader Dragan Covic: There is no reason for crisis in FBIH authorities to continue

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘There is no reason for authority crisis to be continued’, mentioned on cover ‘Cardinal and I understand each other well’ by Faruk Vele– In a page long interview for DA, HDZ leader Dragan Covic talked about most recent crisis in FBiH Government, which ended by HDZ’s demand for another Ministry to be established, on which leading FBiH Parties have agreed; however the crisis was not ended with that, since HDZ representatives in FBiH House of Peoples refused to support the law on allocation of public revenues. Covic stated that there is no reason for crisis in FBiH to continue and invited SDA, HDZ and SBiH leaders respectively to another meeting in order to ‘put the end to it’’. Commenting the statement of SDA leader Sulejman Tihic who said that HDZ has tricked SDA, because denied support to abovementioned law, Covic denied these allegations, stressing that this law is too important, where mistakes can cause deep social and political consequences. Covic did not want to comment the statement of Cardinal Vinko Puljic that he is disappointed by activities of Croat parties, especially HDZ saying that Cardinal and he understand each other well. Inset ‘That speaks of Bozo Ljubic’- Covic said that fact that Bozo Ljubic presented as HDZ representative during the meeting with Croatian PM Ivo Sanader speaks of him. Asked about establishment of new HDZ 1990, Covic said: “No political party is a reality for prolonging of political life for Bozo Ljubic, Martin Raguz and Josip Merdzo“.

Der Standard: Kosovars refuse ‘BiH model’

Der Standard ‘Decentralized Kosovo – key to resolve status issue’ by not signed – Commenting very different proposals to resolve status of Kosovo, Austrian left-wing daily Der Standard suggests that decentralization of Kosovo is the key to reaching an agreement. Kosovars demand full autonomy for their enclaves in all aspects of governance – including culture, health and finances, as well as their own police and judiciary, while Belgrade asks for the same model to be applied in the communities with Serb majority. Daily further reads that Kosovars refuse this proposal pointing out to BiH, where the division into two entities undermines the state. Thus, official Pristina prefers the Macedonian model under which Kosovo autonomy would not allow autonomy of Serb population. On the other hand, rights of Serbs would be exercised through the strengthened local self-governance and promotion of participation of Serb minority in general, just like is the case with Albanians in Macedonia . Comment concludes that there is no proposal from the UN yet.

Health and economic issues

No evidence that chickens found dead in Obrovac died of avian flu; Oslobodjenje: avian flue in case of dead swans near Jajce?

Hayat – RS Chief Veterinarian Inspector Zoran Djeric stated that first tests have shown that chickens discovered dead on a farm in Obrovac near Banja Luka died from chicken plague and not of avian influenza. Djeric stressed that they would continue to monitor situation.  BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic on Sunday visited PlivaLake near Jajce; he met with the representatives of BiH Veterinary Office and Crisis Headquarters, who informed him about the measures and activities taken in order to prevent the spreading of avian flu in BiH. The results of the tests carried out on two dead swans discovered on Thursday will be announced on Monday, and the samples will be sent to London for additional analysis. RHB – Director of BIH Veterinary office Jozo Bagaric stated that all mechanisms related to protection from bird flu have been activated in BIH. He stated that all poultry must be kept inside and added that help line has been activated as well.Oslobodjenje cover pg splash ‘Deadly virus arrived to BiH, after all?’ and pgs 4-5 ‘Extermination of poultry in three kilometer radius starts today’ by Edina Kamenica – Following the news of dead swans found in Pliva lake near Jajce, daily visited site and talked to the inspector of the BiH Veterinary Office, Sulejman Hasimbegovic, who – according to the daily – alluded that these were the cases of avian flue after all. PINK, BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Terzic: No place for panic’ by I.G., Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Veterinarians claim there are no indications on avian flue’ by Z.Saric/R.Rakic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Avian flue under control’ by M.Z., Vecernji List cover pg splash and pg 6 ‘Poultry near Banja Luka die massively!’ by V. Rupcic – covered the case.

Leader of BiH Veterinarians says they are not properly equipped for bird flu, Central Bosnia Canton health official says chances are bird flu killed two swans at Pliva lake

Dnevni List, pg 6, mentioned on front ‘State is unprepared, veterinarians without equipment’, by Anja Vrebac – According to the president of BiH Association of Veterinarians, Jamin Ferizbegovic, the BiH authorities have to be more engaged in the matter of bird flu in BiH, since experts teams working on containing of possible disease are not fully equipped because they allegedly do not even have full body protection. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 10 ‘No room for panic’, by Zvonimir Cilic – The director of Healthcare Institute of Central Bosnia Canton, Dr. Sead Karakas, says it is 90% chance that the two swans, which have been discovered near at Pliva lake last Thursday, died from bird flu. He also notes one should not be panicking because the citizenry are not in imminent dange

FBiH PM Hadzipasic: FBiH Govt would breach contract with ‘Mittal’ if obligations aren’t met

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Breaching of contract with Mittal in sight?’ by A. Dzonlic– FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic confirmed for DA that he has met with Director of ‘Mittal Steel’ Roland Ban, in order to discuss difficulties in carrying out of the privatization process. Hadzipasic stated for DA that FBiH Government would breach the contract with ‘Mittal’ if all articles of the contract weren’t fulfilled. As DA learnes session of Steering Board of the company is to be held on Monday in Zenica, where articles of the contract are to be discussed. Inset ‘Ambassador Rycroft in MSZ’- As DA learns British Ambassador to BiH Mathew Rycroft would visit ‘Mittal Steel’ in Zenica where he would meet with the management.

Director of Foreign Investments’ Agency Basic: Employees in IC organizations deliberately present situation in BiH much worse than it really is

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘OHR employees obstruct road to Europe’ by M. Zorlak carries Director of the Foreign Investments’ Agency (FIPA) Haris Basic as saying that representatives of the International Community and BiH citizens who work for the IC organisations deliberately present the situation in BiH much worse than it really is in order to preserve as longer as possible their well-paid places of work. DL says that Basic has got this information after few meetings abroad with possible investors. Basic did not want to say on which IC organizations he refers to, however DL says that the most influential IC organization is the OHR, then the EC, EUPM, OSCE, EUFOR etc.

‘Aluminij’ postpones public call issued for former employees

Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘Public call to ‘Aluminij’ workers postponed’, by F. V. – The management of ‘Aluminij’ company of Mostar noted in the media on Sunday that it is postponing the public call (published on February 15, 2006), which had called on former workers of ‘Aluminij’ to report to the company in order to solve their status within the company. The postponement came to be after the company got a suggestion from the FBIH Government until changes to the Law on privatization of companies are enacted. Also published in Dnevni List on page 12.

Investigations, judicial issues and war crimes

SIPA, FBiH MoI carries out anti-trafficking action in Central Bosnia

BHT1 – Upon request of BiH Court and Prosecution, forces of SIPA and FBiH Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with other police agencies, have completed the anti-trafficking action in Central Bosnia Canton. Police searched three nightclubs in Vitez and several private houses in Zenica. Spokesman of FBiH Police Administration Robert Cvrtak stated that the police had discovered 15 girls, most of them citizens of Serbia and Montenegro, among them several girls under age of 18. According to Cvrtak, police believes that those girls are victims of trafficking. Four suspects were arrested, and police is looking for two more persons suspected of trafficking. RHB – Police forces raided nightclubs in Busovaca. The action was supported by EUFOR. FTV – 3 persons were arrested in the raids of night bars in the above-mentioned cantons. Police still searches for suspects Sadik Varda from Zenica and Dragan Miskovic from Vitez. Hayat, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Three owners and 15 girls detained’ by ZEDA, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Four people arrested’ not signed Dnevni Avaz ‘Large raid in night clubs on territory of Vitez and Zenica’ by E.S and L.S.– also carried similar report.

Defendants in PB ES case to enter pleas before BH Court tomorrow

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Trial to Mandic, Sarovic, Govedarica and Bijelica starts’ by A.S, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Mirko Sarovic and others to go before Judge’ by A.Durmo – Mirko Sarovic, Momcilo Mandic, Milovan Cicko Bjelica and Milorad Govedarica, charged in the case of “Privredna Banka East Sarajevo” (PB ES) are expected to enter plea before BH Court tomorrow. The indictees have been charged with millions’-worth embezzlements through PB ES.

VL: Former FBiH Interior Minister Zilic illegally gave away state money

Vecernji List, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘Hundreds of thousands of KM for police principals’, by Dejan Jazvic – VL claims to be in possession of a list of former police officials, who were illegally receiving money from a former FBIH Interior Minister and current MP in the BiH HoR, Mehmed Zilic (SDA), the deed for which he is being tried by the Sarajevo Municipal Court. The money was being given 8 years ago for purchase of apartments and cars, and one of receivers of the money in amount of 40.096 KMs is a current member of the Police Reform Directorate, Taib Spahic.

Former Serbian State Sec. Chief: Mladic in The Hague in the upcoming ten days

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Ratko Mladic in The Hague in the coming ten days’ by V.P. – Goran Petrovic, former Head of the Serbian State Security, has stated that Ratko Mladic might be extradited to the Hague in the upcoming ten days. He substantiates this claim with the fact that Vojislav Kostunica, Serbian Premier, has asked international officials to prolong deadline (by which Mladic should be apprehended) from 21 February to end of February. According to Petrovic, “this proves negotiations with Mladic are ongoing.”