| RADIO HERCEG BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| FBiH Government’s session | Krstic verdict | Krstic case | Visegrad police action |
| ICTY News – Krstic | OHR on Krstic | RS radicals on government | Z. Djeric on action in Viseg |
| Platform on Education | SDS financial report | Visegrad operation | EC report on SAA |
| HDZ in crises | Visegrad operation | Jelavic case | HR visited Croatia |
| Oslobodjenje | Genocide is a real name for massacre in Srebrenica |
| Dnevni Avaz | A half of backlog pension to be paid early in May |
| Dnevni List | Ashdown: HDZ BiH should follow HDZ of Croatia; Extraordinary Main board put on hold!? |
| Vecernji List | FBiH Government gives guarantees to The Hague for 5 Croats; Eight members of RS special police in custody |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Lake 100 metres deep instead of Duvno; HDZ BiH is blocking Bosnia’s road towards Europe |
| Glas Srpske | After the murder of Novica Lukic in Visegrad – RS Special Force policemen under investigation; Dr Ruzica Lukic – dropped in his tracks; Reactions – Cavic, Kalinic, RS Government; Flat for bad dreams |
| Nezavisne Novine | Nezavisne novine reveals results of investigation on RS Police action in Visegrad – Murdered Novica Lukic wasn’t armed; Sarajevo – Dragan Covic claims that there will be no removals in HDZ leadership; Milanko Mihajlica – There is no Serb majority in RSNA; Madrid – Sanel Sjekirica questioned on terrorist attack; Hague Tribunal Appeal Council – Radislav Krstic’s punishment reduced for 11 years |
| Blic | Ruzica Lukic accuses: They killed my husband in pyjamas; Infectious diseases are threatening; Vasilije Peric: We must retain people in Ugljevik |
| Vecernje Novosti | The Tribunal sentenced RS Army General Radislav Krstic to 35 years in prison: Verdict for all time |
War crimes | |
| ICTY: Krstic sentenced to 35 years in prison
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje front page, pgs. 4-5 ‘Genocide is right name for massacre in Srebrenica’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2, mentioned on the front page ‘Verdict for genocide confirmed’, FENA/AFP – The Hague Tribunal on Monday sentenced Bosnian Serb general Radislav Krstic to 35 years in prison for perpetration in genocide, the crimes against humanity and war crimes committed against the Bosniaks of Srebrenica in 1995. Thus, the sentence for the Serb general has been reduced in comparison to the first-instance verdict. On August 2 2001, Krstic was sentenced to 46 years of prison. |
| The Hague verdict highlights importance of RS report on Srebrenica – OHR | BHTV, SRNA – The OHR said on Monday that the ruling in the case of Radislav Krstic, in which the Hague tribunal once again confirmed as genocide the events which unfolded in Srebrenica in 1995, “highlights the importance of the work on the Srebrenica events conducted by the RS government’s commission”. “This is a reason why the cooperation between the RS government and the Srebrenica commission is a priority”, the OHR’s statement says. Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘The importance of the work of Srebrenica Commission’ carried OHR Chief Spokesman Julian Braithwaite’s statement on the issue. |
| Tihic hails verdict against Srebrenica general
| Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Verdict against Krstic for genocide also confirms the character of the war in BiH’, FENA – The Hague tribunal’s ruling in the case of Radislav Krstic (who led the troops that captured Srebrenica in 1995) confirms that the Bosnian Serb forces carried out genocide against Bosnian Muslims. This is not only important for establishing the truth, for justice and for punishing those who are held accountable, but it also confirms the character of the war in BiH, Chairman of the BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic told FENA, adding that the tribunal’s ruling on Monday “for charges of participation in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed against Bosniaks in Srebrenica in 1995” was the first genocide verdict after the Nuremberg trials. Tihic pointed out that the ruling against the RS Army Gen Radislav Krstic “confirmed that the end objective of the Bosnian Serb policies was to wipe out in whole or in part Bosnian Muslims, their culture and their presence in Srebrenica and Podrinje”, and that “the ruling clearly shows that the orders to wipe out Bosnian Muslims and to carry out genocide came from the Bosnian Serb political and army top echelon”. “This is a message to those who understand, but still deliberately or inadvertently advocate and represent such a policy, that it is high time to relinquish it, to condemn these crimes and for them to do their utmost to arrest and extradite to the Hague tribunal Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, who are most responsible for these crimes and others,” Tihic told FENA. |
| Malkic: ICTY should have sentenced Krstic to life imprisonment | Oslobodjenje pg. 4, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2, FENA – Srebrenica Municipal Official Abdurahman Malkic said that Monday’s verdict of the Hague Tribunal’s Appeal Council sentencing Bosnian Serb general Radislav Krstic to 35 years of prison is unfair. “I declare that the 35-year prison sentence is too short, considering that the first-degree council of the Hague Tribunal had previously sentenced Krstic to 46 years of prison. The Court was supposed to accept the Prosecution’s appeal and sentence Krstic to life imprisonment”, Malkic told Fena. |
| Subasic: The Hague represents politics, not justice | Oslobodjenje pg. 5, FENA – I feel humiliated as a victim and, in some way, dead, said the President of Citizens’ Association “Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa Enclaves”, Munira Subasic, commenting for Fena Monday’s verdict of the ICTY Appeal Council handed down to RS Army general Radislav Krstic on 35 years of prison for particiaption in genocide, the crimes against humanity and war crimes against the Bosniaks of Srebrenica in 1995. Subasic declared that “after everything that has happened in the Hague”, she can freely state that the Hague represents politics, and not justice. |
| RS police launch investigation into Visegrad raid | RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 2 ‘Check on the use of force in Visegrad’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 8 ‘Special policemen who participated in Visegrad operation detained’, SRNA – Zoran Djeric, the RS minister of internal affairs, has ordered police director Radomir Njegus to urgently set up a team if Interior Ministry’s senior experts which should assess the legality of the use of force and possibly determine the responsibility of those involved in planning and implementing yesterday’s operation in Visegrad (in which a war crimes suspect’s brother was killed by the police). “The task is to write a detailed report on the basis of facts and after proper procedure is completed. After this, the police director will propose and carry out adequate legal steps within his powers,” the Interior Ministry of the RS said in its statement. Vecernji List, front and page 3 ‘Eight members of RS special police in custody’, by Branka Stevandic – reports that Ruza Lukic, a wife of Novica Lukic who was shot dead by members of the RS Special Police on Sunday during the search for war crimes suspects, stated that her husband was shot on the doorstep and that he had not been armed, which brings into questions claims of the RS Police that Novica offered resistance. VL also reports that the RS Interior Minister, Zoran Djeric, ordered the RS Police Director, Radomir Njegus, to form a team of highly trained experts to investigate into possible responsibility of the RS MOI members who planned and carried out the operation. VL also carries Dragan Ninkovic, a District Public Prosecutor, as saying that 8 members of the RS MoI SWAT team, who participated in the operation, have been put into custody for sake of the investigation. |
| Cavic requests investigation into police operation in Visegrad | FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg. 8 ‘Cavic’s demand’, Blic p 11 ‘RS President requests conducting of investigation’, FENA – RS President Dragan Cavic has requested launching of an investigation for the purpose of determining the exact circumstances that led to the use of armed force by representatives of RS MoI, which resulted in murdering Novica Lukic in course of a police operation on Sunday in Visegrad. “RS MoI has a legal obligation to carry out operations in apprehending the persons indicted for war crimes before the Hague Tribunal, but in this process it must apply special measures of protection and caution for the purpose of protecting the lives of all persons included in the police operation”, it was announced by RS President. Cavic regards as correct the decision of RS Minister of Interior Zoran Djeric to order an urgent and detailed investigation into the police operation in Visegrad. RS President extended his condolences to the family of Novica Lukic. |
| RS government requests detailed probe into Visegrad raid | RTRS, SRNA – The RS government on Monday requested from the relevant bodies to carry out a detailed and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of Novica Lukic during Sunday’s operation carried out by the RS police in Visegrad, which was aimed at arresting war crimes suspects Milan and Sredoje Lukic. The RS government asked for all necessary activities to be completed in the shortest time possible in order for all the interested sides and the public to have complete information about this incident, the government’s press office statement said. The statement recalled that the RS government assumed relevant obligations under the Law on Cooperation with the Hague tribunal, that the RS Interior Ministry’s operation stemmed from these obligations and that the operation was carried out on the orders of the relevant judicial institutions. The statement said that the government deeply regretted the death of Novica Lukic and extended condolences to his family. |
| RS Serb Radical Party not to back government over Visegrad raid – chairman | BHTV, FTV, RTRS, FENA – Milanko Mihajlica, the chairman of the Serb Radical Party of the RS (SRSRS), confirmed on Monday that this party would no longer be part of the Assembly majority and that it would not back the incumbent RS government. At a news conference, Mihajlica explained that the SRSRS had made this decision because it was not pleased with the RS government’s acts, especially regarding economy and privatization. According to him, Sunday’s “brutal action of the RS police in Visegrad” contributed even more to this decision. He stated that the operation of the RS special police force in Visegrad, in which one person died during the attempts to capture war crimes suspects, was “the last straw” and that the incumbent Assembly majority would no longer be backed. According to Mihajlica, the RS interior minister, Zoran Djeric, should resign due to all that has happened and that representatives of the special police forces which carried out the operation should be questioned about it. He stated that the SRSRS was in favour of the cooperation with the Hague tribunal, but not in the way seen – he said – on Sunday in Visegrad. |
| RTRS: Reactions to Visegrad operation | RSNA Speaker, Dragan Kalinic has asked from RSNA Board for Control and Monitoring of MoI and Army work that by Wednesday, when the special session of RSNA is scheduled, they submit the report on action of Police in Visegrad. In first reactions of RS Politicians mostly are demanded the investigation and establishment of liability, because of possible overstepping of Police’s authorities. Dusan Stojicic, SDS Spokesperson: SDS insists on fast and thorough investigation of that what has happened in Visegrad, from the point of estimate was the level of authority of MoI members overstepped and including the possible liability of all levels in RS MoI. Goran Milojevic, PDP Vice- President: This way I express regrets and condolences to the family of late Novica Lukic. Even though we do not know all circumstances and details regarding that event, with great expectations we expect the information from RS MoI, which as we were informed conducts a thorough investigation regarding that. Milanko Mihajlica, President of SRS (Serb radical Party): This that has happened yesterday in Visegrad not only that is for every judgement. Because of these reasons we in SRS consider that is necessary that Minister of Interior, Zoran Djeric submits his resignation. We are surprised that he hasn’t done it jet. Nebojsa Radmanovic, Chairman of SNSD Main Board: It is full clear that searching for indicted for war crimes is a responsibility of Governments in BiH, in any case they have signed it alone in several times, but it is also completely clear that those who are not indicted or suspected can not and must not be hurt because of those activities. DS considers that- as it was pointed in the statement- spectacular actions of arrestment of war criminals, beside the demonstration of strength and power of conductors of the arrestment, have for a consequence injuring of innocent ones and have became the daily part of life in this area. DS wonders how much innocent should get injured so that potential culprits would face the face of justice. Branko Todorovic, Chairman of RS Helsinki Committee for human rights: It is unacceptable that improvised and controversial searches for persons indicted for war crimes, are ending with brutal and unacceptable violations of human rights, this time unfortunately of the basic human right, right on life. |
| RS/Serbian dailies on RS Police action in Visegrad | Glas Srpske cover page ‘Special Force policemen under investigation’; Nezavisne novine cover and pages 2 and 3 ‘Novica Lukic wasn’t putting resistance because he wasn’t armed’, Blic front page and p 11 ‘They killed my husband in pyjamas’, Vecernje Novosti p 24 ‘He paid his brother’s escape with his life’, Vecernje Novosti p 24 ‘Policemen “detained” for investigation’ – Novica Lukic who was killed on Sunday in RS Police action in Visegrad wasn’t armed. This is result of Prosecutor Dragan Ninkovic’s investigation. Novica Lukic (42) brother of ICTY indictee was murdered in RS Police attempt to arrest Milan and Sredoje Lukic. Srpsko Sarajevo District Court ordered action. Prosecutor Ninkovic didn’t want to give media statements. He said that they have questioned Novica’s wife, Ruzica Lukic. Dr Ilija Dobras, pathologist who performed autopsy, couldn’t give statement either. According to him, Srpsko Sarajevo District Prosecutor’s Office put embargo on all information related to this case. Srpsko Sarajevo Public Security Centre Spokesperson, Radovan Pejic, claims that there was resistance during the action. He said that one person was wounded and transported to the Visegrad Hospital where he died soon after. “My husband never has touched weapon. He wasn’t in the war. Saying that he was putting resistance is absurd”, said Ruzica Lukic. She visited Visegrad Police Station where she was told that Visegrad Police wasn’t informed on this action. It was directed from Banjaluka. “Heads of Visegrad Police told me that they haven’t seen Court Order, which should have been presented to them first and then to us”, Ruzica Lukic stated. She repeated what happened on Sunday morning. “I haven’t been allowed to enter the house for 6-7 hours. Everything has been searched. All documents and our savings, some 10.000 km were taken away”, Lukic stated. Novica Lukic will be buried in Visegrad today at 13:00 hrs. ‘Experts claim that police action in Visegrad was clumsy’; Bozidar Spasic, former Head of Special Operations Department of Yugoslav Secret Police said that Police action in Visegrad was clumsy, performed on SFOR’s way. He emphasised that Police had to stick to the rule – there is no hastily entrance in the building. Police must use megaphone for negotiations. “Police entered the house with no reason. They put in danger both other people in the house and policemen. What would happen to police if there was booby traps or heavy armed persons in the house”, asked Spasic. ‘Djeric ordered Njegus to investigate’; RS Police Director, Radomir Njegus, has ordered Internal Affairs to investigate Visegrad action. ‘Hajducke vode case’; Murder of Novica Lukic looks like police action in Hajducke vode, near Teslic, when Predrag Bijelic was killed. Bijelic was murdered in his car on August 20, 2003. Police never has answered allegations that Bijelic wasn’t armed and wasn’t putting resistance. Investigation of Doboj Prosecutor’s Office hasn’t been finished yet. ‘Eight policemen in prison’; District Prosecutor, Dragan Ninkovic, said that 8 policemen, who were in the Visegrad action, are detained in Kula prison in Srpsko Sarajevo. He said that local police wasn’t involved in this action. ‘RS leadership requests urgent investigation’; RS Government regrets because of death of Novica Lukic and requests urgent investigation. Mikerevic’s office reminds on obligations from Law on co-operation with ICTY. RS President, Dragan Cavic, requests full investigation as well. “If use of excessive force is proven those responsible will face charges”, Dragan Cavic stated. RSNA Speaker, Dragan Kalinic, has ordered RSNA Committee for overseeing the work of RS MoI and RS Army to submit report on investigation prior to RSNA session, which will be held on April 21, 2004. ‘Requests for Zoran Djeric’s resignation’; Majority of RS political parties request urgent investigation of murder of Novica Lukic. Head of SNSD Executive Board, Nebojsa Radmanovic, RS Police Director Radomir Njegus is more responsible than RS Minister of Interior Zoran Djeric. SDS Spokesperson, Dusan Stojicic, stressed that murder in Visegrad demands serious investigation and if there was excessive use of force responsible ones should be punished. SDS asked for a session of the RSNA Committee for overseeing the work of RS MoI and RS Army. SRS is appalled with the RS Police action in Visegrad. The manner in which the action was conducted was brutal and resembles SFOR action in Pale. RS Minister of Interior should resign, as he is responsible, said SRS President, Milanko Mihajlica. Yesterday’s operation of RS police in Visegrad, although tragic considering that it resulted in killing one person, is an indication that the RS authorities are finally beginning to understand seriously the matter of cooperating with the Hague Tribunal and starting to take action, said Head of the European Commission Delegation to BiH, Michael Humphreys. |
| SDS wants Ashdown to rescind decision banning its financing | BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 6 ‘The Party was spending up to 1.5 million KM annually’, Vecernji List, page 2 ‘SDS submits OHR financial report’, by bs, Slobodna Dalmacija, page 19 ‘SDS submits OHR financial report’, by A. Macanovic, Blic p 13 ‘SDS prepared the report for OHR’, Vecernje Novosti p 5 ‘Money is on agenda now’, ONASA – Spokesman for the Serb Democratic Party (SDS) Dusan Stojcic said on Monday the SDS expected High Representative Paddy Ashdown to suspend his decision on prohibition of financing of the SDS from the budget, once he considered the financial report of the party. Stojcic told a press conference the SDS would forward in the course of the day to the Office of the High Representative the full financial report, containing 128 separate reports of 63 municipal boards of the party for the past year and two months. Commenting of the announcement of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) that it would not participate any more in the Serb majority in the Republika Srpska National Assembly, Stojcic said it would mean that there would be no Serb majority in the RS People’s Assembly any more. “I do not want to question the decisions of the SRS, but I believe there is still room for talks and that their decision is not final,” said Stojcic. The SRS called Monday for restructuring of the RS government and exclusion of the members of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) from the government, as a condition of their support to the Serb majority in the assembly. Nezavisne novine page 4 ‘There is no Serb majority in RSNA’, Vecernje Novosti p 21 ‘ “Shaky” chair of the Government’ – Milanko Mihajlica rejects allegations on SRS deal with Dragan Kalinic. According to allegations, SRS has agreed not to support Serb majority in RSNA so Dragan Mikerevic’s Government would collapse. He said that there was no deal with Kalinic and that SRS is not satisfied with work of RS Government. With no support from SRS, SDS and PDP have 35 representatives in RSNA. For majority of votes they need 42 seats. Even if SDA supports them, they would have 41 seats and would need one vote more. Mihajlica said that SRS wants new RS Government, which will reflect Serb majority in RSNA. SDA members would be excluded. |
| OHR received SDS report | RTRS, Nezavisne novine page 4 ‘Detailed analysis of SDS report’ – OHR has received the financial report from SDS, confirmed OHR Spokesperson Oleg Milisic. He said that before any comments, OHR will analyse the report in detail, but he couldn’t say how long will that analysing last. |
| FBiH Government provides guarantees for five Bosnian Croats
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 7, mentioned on the front page ‘FBiH Government gives guarantees to the five Hague indictees’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3, Vecernji list front page & p 3, “FBiH Government gives guarantees to The Hague for 5 Croats”, by D. Jazvic, Dnevni list front page & p 7, “Guarantees given for 5 Hague indictees”, by Miso Relota, Slobodna Dalmacija p 3, “Sarajevo: FBiH Government approved of guarantees for Prlic, Praljak, Coric, Stojic and Pusic”, by B. Kristo, FENA – FBiH Government on Monday adopted the Conclusion on issuing guarantees for temporary releasing of five Croat officials who are indicted for war crimes by the ICTY: Jadranko Prlic, Bruno Stojic, Valentin Coric, Slobodan Praljak and Berislav Pusic. The Government has tasked the FBiH Ministry of Interior to conduct all the necessary preparations and insure that a person, who will be appointed by the Government later on, could provide arguments for issuing guaranties for the mentioned persons before the ICTY, if this is requested by the Tribunal’s court council. |
Political developments | |
| Ashdown visited Croatia
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 5, mentioned on the front page ‘Cooperation of Croatia with the Hague can serve as an example for RS as well’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal necessary’, Dnevni List, front page splash and page 5 ‘Ashdown: HDZ BiH should follow HDZ of Croatia’, Vecernji List, page 10 ‘Ashdown: There is no compromise with The Hague’, by H, Slobodna Dalmacija, front and page 2 ‘HDZ BiH is blocking Bosnia’s road towards Europe’, by T. Klauski, HINA – There can be no exceptions or compromises regarding Croatia’s international commitments, particularly towards the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague, and the Croatian government seems to understand that, the international community’s High Representative to Bosnia-Hercegovina, Paddy Ashdown, said at a meeting with President Stjepan Mesic in Zagreb on Monday. Ashdown expressed his admiration and support for the work the Croatian government had done in connection with the transfer of six Bosnian Croat indictees to the Hague tribunal. He said that other people indicted by the tribunal should follow that example and that this process should be completed. By facilitating the transfer of the indictees to The Hague, Croatia set an example to others in the region, particularly to the RS in BiH and the union of Serbia and Montenegro, he added. The British diplomat welcomed the Croatian government’s determination to do all that was necessary with regard to reform on its path to the European Union. I hope in the following days we will be able to see the results of the consistent moves made by this and the previous government, Ashdown said. Speaking of the situation in BiH and relations with the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) of BiH, the High Representative expressed hope that this party would realize that all the measures aimed at meeting European and international standards in education were the only way that could be followed and that could lead to success. |
| DL: ‘Ashdown’s picnic in Zagreb’ | Dnevni List, page 2 ‘Ashdown’s picnic in Zagreb’, by Ivica Glibusic – the author reflects on the High Representative’s visit to Zagreb saying that ‘frequent picnics’ of representatives of the IC in Zagreb show that BiH Croats are by-passed when it comes to solving problems in BiH. In context of the HR admiring the Croatian authorities in handling the recent extradition of the Croat indictees to the ICTY, the author claims the HR could have done it by sending out an open letter. In context of education issues in BiH, the author writes: ‘Transfer of part of authorities in the area of education from the cantonal to federation level, which the High Representative advocates too, is a sign that the Croats will be left without possibility to influence the building of the education system, especially the school calendar. Which eventually means that the Croat children in BiH will be left without Christmas and Easter holidays that the Catholic children in western Europe have. The High Representative obviously believes that the Croats will sold their national interest for 42 million dollars, which cannot be ruled out’. |
| HDZ Presidency on education reform | Dnevni List, front and page 3 ‘Extraordinary Main board put on hold!?’, by Miso Relota – reports from session of HDZ Presidency, which, whilst discussing the education reforms, stated that competent ministries have already forwarded into the parliamentary procedure changes and amendments to the Law on elementary education, which contain guarantees that the right to the mother tongue will be preserved. When it comes to higher education, the HDZ Presidency says it will try to correct the ‘anti-constitutional framework law’ with amendments, noting that, should there be a transfer of authority, the HDZ will advocate for higher education at the state level. |
| EC Humphreys presents SAP report for 2004 | BHTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Worrying lateness of reform laws’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Culprits for undone job will be know’, Nezavisne novine page 4 ‘There is no progress toward EU’, Dnevni List p 5, “No Europe without capable state institutions”, by Danka Polovina-Mandic,FENA – You cannot join the European Union without a parliament that issues decisions that will lead the country into European integration, said on Monday the Head of the European Commission Delegation to BiH, Michael Humphreys, while presenting the EC Stabilization and Association Process Report on BiH in 2004 to members of the Joint Commission for European Integration of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly. According to him, significant progress was realized in BiH in the past 12 months, especially in the domains of indirect taxation and defense, but there is still a great deal of work to be done in other areas, said Humphreys. However, the role of the international community is not to tell different parties and institutions in BiH what needs to be done. “It is the Parliament’s role to tell the Council of Ministers what to do, as well as vice versa, and this should be done without the pressures from the international community. This is the road to Europe, because you cannot join the EU by the international community’s actions, instead it is necessary to have BiH institutions that are capable of making decisions and running this country”, he said. The Joint Commission for European Integration Chair, Fatima Leho, regarded as positive the fact that European partnership is finally being initiated, considering that it is specified which laws in which field must be adopted, as well as the deadlines and who is responsible for this. “And when this is clear, it can easily be determined who and why is late and who is responsible for the lateness”, said Leho. |
| Colak denies rifts within HDZ
| Dnevni List, page 3 ‘Extraordinary Main board put on hold!?’, by Miso Relota – the daily unofficially learns that, when it comes to an initiative of Stefo Masatovic, to hold an extraordinary session of HDZ Main Board, that the HDZ Presidency yesterday discussed whether to sanction Masatovic. On the same issue, Vecernji List, page 2 ‘Misunderstandings should be solved within institutions of the party’, by rb – reports that the HDZ Presidency passed a conclusion that there is unity within the party and that members of the Presidency stated that all misunderstandings should be solved within the institutions of the party. Slobodna Dalmacija, back page ‘Not a word about conflict within the party’, by Z. Tulic – notes that the HDZ Presidency did not discuss the alleged rifts within the HDZ. According to SD, President of HDZ BiH, Barisa Colak, denies alleged rifts within the party. Sarajevo dailies also report on the issue. Nezavisne novine page 5 ‘Covic claims that there will be no removals in HDZ leadership’; HDZ Vice President, Dragan Covic, rejects allegations on initiative among HDZ Main Board members to dismiss party leadership. Covic spoke prior to HDZ Presidency session. “Do you really think that there are Main Board members who would like to change anything”, Covic asked. He denied that HDZ Main Board would meet to discuss requests for internal reorganisation. Covic reminded that Main Board meets once in four months. Next meeting will be held in May. |
| Masatovic says 120 members of HDZ Main Board want inter-party elections | Slobodna Dalmacija, page 16 ‘Matic, Vukic and Josipovic among ‘rebels’?’, by Emil Karamatic – carries Stefo Masatovic, a member of the HDZ Main Board, who claims that more than 120 members of the said Board have signed a memo, which requests the HDZ President, Barisa Colak, to convene an extraordinary session of the Main Board, organize inter-party elections and remove all HDZ cadres at all levels of authority. According to Masatovic, he is joined by Zeljko Matic from the RS, Slavica Josipovic from Vitez and Dragan Vukic from Ravno. SD learns from well-informed sources that Martin Raguz, a member of HDZ Presidency, is in fact the man behind the project. SD carries an ‘interesting’ statement by Raguz: ‘HDZ needs a serious discussion about the party and the party’s Statute. If the HDZ wants to be a credible political party, the discussion has to be conducted pursuant to the Statute, at relevant party bodies, not in the media’. |
| DL says several members of HDZ in Mostar filing resignations | Dnevni List, front and page 2 ‘Why is City Board of HDZ Mostar keeping quiet?’, by De. L – the papers learns from an anonymous source, a member of City Board of HDZ Mostar that several members of the said Board have been dissatisfied with the work of Presidency of HDZ BiH for some time already, which has triggered some of them to submit resignations from the City Board. DL got a confirmation from the City Board that a Vice President of City Board of HDZ Mostar and one of founders of HDZ BiH, Jadran Topic, has submitted a written resignation 15 days ago, and that the same was done by Branko Bozic AKA Jez. Apparently, announcements of resignations have also come from Mile Puljic, Jadranko Lovric, Ivan Beus and several other officials, who have not been participating in the work of the City Board for some time already. According to DL, among reasons behind the dissatisfaction are the failure to implement the (HDZ) Main Board’s conclusions regarding the Statute for City of Mostar and appointments of several ministers and members of steering boards in several institutions without consent of cantonal and municipal organizations of HDZ. |
| DL: Mayor Jahic requests support from OHR | Dnevni List, page 9 ‘Jahic requests OHR’s support because of conflict with Hadziomerovic’, by Zvonimir Jukic – argues that the Mayor Mostar, Hamdija Jahic, who was recently appointed the President of SDA in Mostar, has most likely parted way with radicals in SDA Mostar, which are, according to DL, led by Zijad Hadziomerovic and Omer Behmen. DL goes on to say that radicals mind Jahic’s dedication in implementation of the High Representative’s decision on Mostar, adding that Jahic has received support from the OHR and several opposition parties in Mostar, including the SBiH, for his action. DL also reports that according to its source close to international organizations in Mostar, Mayor Jahic, at an informal meeting with officials of the OHR South, requested from them to support him in the Hadziomerovic case, who previously announced that he (Hadziomerovic), a member of the SDA Presidency, will ask the SDA top to declare itself about Jahic’s policy. The author concludes: ‘Those who can read into political requests know what Jahic expects from the OHR’. |
| SD on election of Mayor of Mostar | Slobodna Dalmacija, page 19 ‘Mayor of Mostar to be elected according to old model’, by M. Landeka – carries a representative of the Centre of Civic Initiative in Mostar, Majda Behrem-Stojanov as confirming that the latest changes to the Election law, which foresee direct election of local officials, will not be applied in Mostar. According to SD, the future Mayor of Mostar will be elected pursuant to the new Statute of Mostar, which was proclaimed by the High Representative for BiH, and the author writes that according to some earlier considerations of the High Representative, there is a proposal that a candidate for the Mayor of Mostar must be confirmed by the OHR, as is the case with certain cantonal, FBiH and state ministers. |
Economic/social issues | |
| Procurement Law
| Nezavisne novine page 4 ‘Mikerevic accepts Procurement Law’; On Friday 16 April the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Dragan Mikerevic informed the European Commission Delegation to BiH, that the RS Government endorses the current draft of the Public Procurement legislation, was announced today by the European Commission. This decision clears the way for the law to be adopted by the Council of Ministers and allows for the European Commission to resume this important Project. The Delegation of the European Commission welcomes the decision of the Republika Srpska government to endorse the single public procurement law for entire country. |
| Veterans dissatisfied with changes to the Law | Blic p 13 ‘Budget is poor, rights on paper’ – ‘RS NA has a deadline for holding public discussions on the draft law on rights of veterans of war, invalids of war and families of killed soldiers, and the deadline expires on May 7. Veterans of war, invalids of war and families of killed soldiers think it is very important to adopt the Law, yet they have many remarks on the draft law’, as the President of the Association of Veterans of War, Savo Cvjetinovic, has stated. They are dissatisfied with the budgetary funds foreseen for the realization of such a law, and fear they would have just another dead letter on paper. |
| DNS on privatisation process
| Blic p 12 ‘To accelerate the privatization process’ – ‘The privatization process must be accelerated and, should the need arose, adjust it legally and institutionally with an aim to develop economy and employment. DNS will show support to anyone who would act in this direction. Nevertheless, we are afraid of a new Milica Bisic, to whom we have approved citizenship in a short procedure, after which she had used the first opportunity to leave us without fulfilling her obligations’, DNS stated yesterday as a comment to the announcement on arrival of former Serbian Privatization Minister, Aleksandar Vlahovic, to the position of an advisor for the privatization process issues in RS. |
Security/investigations | |
| Sanel Sjekirica case
| Slobodna Dalmacija (front page “Sanel Sjekirica was room-mate of Madrid massacre organizer” & p 4, “Sanel Sjekirica in Canillas prison”, by Z. Sagolj and I. Scepanovic) carries that the BiH Foreign Ministry was not informed through official channels that Sanel Sjekirica, BiH citizen suspected of being involved in terrorist acts in Madrid, was detained in Canillas prison in Madrid but found about Sjekirica’s whereabouts from the Spanish press. Sanja Vidovic, the acting Spokesperson of the BiH Foreign Ministry, is quoted as saying that BiH Embassy in Madrid was not informed of Sjekirica’s surrender and detention either. Commenting that, unlike western media, BiH media somewhat soften the qualification of act Sjekirica is suspected of, Slobodna Dalmacija (p 7, “I shared flat with organizer of Madrid massacre”, by Z. Tulic) in a separate article finds out from a source close to BiH Ministry of Security that BiH cannot do much in case Sjekirica is interrogated as a witness. Yet, in case he is interrogated as a suspect, the state will have to take certain steps. Nezavisne novine page 5 ‘Sanel Sjekirica questioned on terrorist attack’; Spanish Police started questioning BiH citizen, Sanel Sjekirica. He is linked with people’ suspect on terrorist attack in Madrid, confirmed Sanja Vidovic, BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs acting Spokesperson. “We have no official information. According to information from our Embassy, after the questioning it will be known whether Sjekirca will stay in prison or will be released”, Vidovic confirmed. Sanel’s mother, Sena Sjekirica, claims that he is not suspect. “Police wants some information on guys who studied with him. Sanel’s lawyer told me that he will be released after the questioning”, Sena Sjekirica stressed. Dnevni Avaz pg. 4, mentioned on the front page ‘Sanel Sjekirica released’ – According to the daily, after investigation Sanel Sjekirica was released from police custody. It was allegedly established that he was not linked with international terrorism. |
| Jelavic, Prce, Rupcic case | Nezavisne novine page 5 ’90 more days of detention for Jelavic, Prce and Rupcic requested ’, Blic p 13 ‘They request extending of custody for Jelavic’ – Prosecutor in BiH Prosecutor’s Office Special Department for fight against organised crime, John McNair, requested from BiH Court to extend detention of former BiH Presidency member, Ante Jelavic, FBiH Minister of Defence, Miroslav Prce and Hercegovina osiguranje Director, Miroslav Rupcic for 90 days more. BiH Court President, Martin Raguz, said that Court would make decision in day or two. They can extend detention for a month, two or three or reject Prosecutor’s request. Jelavic’s lawyer, Josip Muselimovic, thinks that Court will extend detention. He plans to appeal on it. |