Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| New Pope: Congratulations/reactions | Report on Bileca, Manjaca submitted | Stankovic received report |
| FBiH HoP in session | FBiH HoP in session | Update to Milosevic trial |
| NATO Foreign Ministers in | New Pope to take over on Sunday | New Pope held first mass |
TV news broadcast on
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| FBIH HoR on Manjaca/Bileca events | Cavic on Manjaca/Bileca events | New Pope elected |
| NATO awaits Manjaca/Bileca report | NATO on Manjaca, Bileca | Cavic on Bileca and Manjaca |
| Colak, Leakey on Bileca/Manjaca | HR on police reform | Gregorian on incidents |
| Cavic on Bileca/Manjaca events | BiH-Montenegro agreement | NATO on Bileca, Manjaca |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| New Pope elected | New Pope elected | New Pope elected |
| Cavic on Manjaca/Bileca events | Flooding wave case in Mostar | Reactions to Bileca/Manjaca events |
| Feature story on newly elected Pope | Protests of Polietilenka workers | Colak & Leakey press conference |
| US Peace Institute on RS Army | Law on rights of disabled persons | Carthy visits Brcko District |
| Oslobodjenje | More than 100 million KM spent in financing war criminals |
| Dnevni Avaz | RS politicians stand behind military mutiny |
| Dnevni List | We have Pope |
| Vecernji List | Pope Joseph Ratzinger |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | New Pope |
| Glas Srpske | It is better, but it is not good |
| Nezavisne Novine | Ratzinger is the new Pope |
| Blic | A report of Defense Minister is awaited for |
| Vecernje Novosti | Features Serbia-related headlines |
| Srpski Nacional | Features Serbia-related headlines |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| Report on Bileca/Manjaca submitted | BH Radio 1 – RS Defence Ministry today confirmed the report prepared by a RS Army commission on possible omissions during the oath-taking ceremony of March class recruits was submitted to the RS Government and BiH Defence Minister, Nikola Radovanovic. |
| FBiH HoP in session | BH Radio 1 – By Ljiljana Radl, RHB – FBiH House of Peoples has commenced the session today by discussing the report on the work of the FBiH Government in 2004 and 2005. The agenda also includes a discussion on the changes to the Law on FBiH Banks adopted by the House of Representatives last week in absence of the HDZ representatives. The changes refers to the ‘Islamic banking’, which should enable opening of the banks from Islamic countries in BiH, whose way of business differ in calculating the interest rates and offering more favorable credits. The Croat Caucus announced it would raise the issue of the vital national interests if the changes are endorsed. |
| Main hearing in Ferhadija mosque case continued before
| BH Radio 1 By Radmila Grubisa – Banja Luka Basic Court has continued today the main hearing in the case of events occurred in Banja Luka in 2001 on the occasion of laying cornerstone for Ferhadija mosque when an angry mob attack the attendees and burned down several buses which transported them to the BL. Former RS Prime Minister Mladen Ivanic testified denying that the events were orchestrated underlying that the Government has paid out a compensation to the Islamic Community following the event. |
| NATO Foreign Ministers in
| RHB – NATO Foreign Ministers will be meeting in |
| RS Govt. in session, discussion underway on police reform | RS Radio – RS Government is holding session in |
Defence | |
| RS President Cavic says there is no basis to sack defence minister
| RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7, mentioned on cover ‘Parents, relatives and others influenced soldiers’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Dragan Cavic was first who got details of the investigation’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Appeal for stabilization of RS and BiH’, ‘Cavic singled out Croat soldiers’ not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 22 ‘Oath was whistled down in Mostar as well’ by F,EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘A report of Defense Minister is awaited for’ by Marija Milic and Rajna Radosavljevic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘We will not bring sacrifices’ not signed, Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘Bileca is not disputable’ by Sl. P., FENA – RS President Dragan Cavic said in Banja Luka on Tuesday that there was no basis for the replacement or resignation of the entity minister of defence, Milovan Stankovic, adding that he did not think that officers took part in or encouraged the violation of the law during the oath-taking ceremony at the barracks in Bileca and Manjaca. “If they had and if it proves to be so, then they have no business there,” Cavic told a news conference in Banja Luka, adding that a preliminary report on what happened at the oath-taking ceremony showed that all officers did their jobs in line with the law and the army’s rules of service. The entity president believes that a political environment is being created in connection with what happened in the barracks whereby it is necessary to “offer a sacrifice”; he is also of the opinion that emotional reactions should cease. He emphasized that there were emotional reactions among “young Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs and that this is generally worrying”, and radicalisation should thus not be additionally encouraged. |
| NATO expects to receive RS Defense Minister Stankovic’s report on Wednesday
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Comments to follow after receiving report for RS’, FENA – The NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo has still not received a report from RS Defence Minister Milovan Stankovic on incidents during the military induction ceremonies in the RS on April 16, spokesperson for the NATO HQ in Sarajevo Derek Chappell said at a press conference in Sarajevo on Tuesday. “As you know from yesterday’s press conference, a report is being compiled. It will be given to us tomorrow (on the events of Saturday). We have not received that report yet. I don’ think it would be wise to comment on the facts of the case until we have results of the investigation that is carried out by the competent military authorities,” Chappell said. |
| RS Army’s Vukicevic confirmed the RS Army Commission is working on the report
| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Commission writing Report’ by SRNA – Head of Administration for civilian and military cooperation at the RS Army General Staff, Borislav Vukicevic, stated that the RS Army Commission in charge of investigating possible omissions during Manjaca oath-taking ceremony, will complete report and hand it to RS Army General Staff Chief. He said that the Commission has compiled a large number of documents, including Report on preparation of ceremony and orders, media reports and photos, etc. He noted there are lists, which soldiers have signed shortly after the ceremony, and each list contains the text of oath in accordance with Article 74 of BiH Law on Defense. He said that upon orders of the RS Defense Minister, Milovan Stankovic, the RS Army chief of staff, Novak Djukic, formed an expanded commission composed of representatives of the RS Army General Staff and subordinated units. |
| NN: HR Ashdown, BiH Defence Minister Radovanovic to present stances after they receive report
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘BiH Defense Ministry and the international community are waiting for the report’ by A. Sisic – BiH Defense Minister Nikola Radovanovic has stated BiH Defense Ministry still has not received a report from RS Defense Ministry on the oath incident in Manjaca and Bileca, therefore he refused to give any further comments. The article also carries statements of NATO Spokesman Derreck Chappel, EUFOR Commander David Leakey and BiH Minister for Security Barisa Colak. Inset ‘Ashdown: On the incident after the report’ – HR Paddy Ashdown Tuesday refused to comment on incidents in Manjaca and Bileca barracks by saying: ‘We are looking into this situation, but we will present our final stance after the report of RS Defense Minister and we will consider the case in a serious manner, however I do not wish to prejudice what the report would say’, HR Ashdown has stated. FTV also carried HR statement. |
| BHT: Trust in BiH’s ability to meet NATO standards undermined
| BHT Elvir Bucalo – Incidents in Bileca and Manjaca mean major set back in BiH’s attempts to join Partnership for Peace as soon as possible. In the same time, the trust in BiH’s ability to fulfil Euro-Atlantic standards is undermined, stated various NATO officials in |
| Incidents in Bileca and Manjaca will speed up the defence reform process – Raffi Gregorian
| BHT Mirela Cosic – Incidents that happened during the oath giving ceremony in Bileca and Manjaca on Saturday will speed up the defence reform process, which includes rescinding the entity Ministries of Defence, stated Defence reform Commission co-president Raffi Gregorian for BHT. “I won’t talk about consequences, but I believe that this incident will speed up what needs to be done – and that is creating one Ministry of Defence”, said Gregorian. |
| FBiH HoR condemns Manjaca, Bileca incidents
| RHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Recruits were being trained systematically’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Sharp condemnation of events in Bileca, Manjaca’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Sanctions against RS demanded’ by I. Bozovic, Glas srpske pg 5 ‘Invitation to Ashdown’ by Srna – At a session in Sarajevo on Tuesday, deputies to the FBiH House of Representatives sharply condemned the orchestrated manipulation of recruits of the RS Army at the oath taking ceremonies in Manjaca and Bileca. They warned the High Representative that he is “obligated to sanction the anti-Dayton activities of leadership in the RS in context of the latest primitive political provocations, which are directed against the overall efforts of BiH to access the European military and political integration”. |
| BiH Security Minister Colak, EUFOR Commander Leakey concerned about Manjaca, Bileca incidents
| RHB, FTV, BHT, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Concern about events in Bileca, Manjaca’, FENA – BiH Minister of Security Barisa Colak and the EUFOR Commander, General David Leakey, on Tuesday raised concerns about the incidents that occurred on Saturday in Manjaca and Bileca at the oath taking ceremonies. “I think that all this must worry us. We must do our utmost to ensure that the laws that are issued by this state are respected, regardless of the matter they regulate”, said Minister Colak. He stressed all those who violate these laws must bear the consequences. General David Leaky deems that the incidents in Manjaca and Bileca deserve to be condemned, and underlined that they are bringing into question the integrity and commitment of officers in the chain of command of the RS Army. Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘RS Army officers responsible for the oath?’ also carried Leakey’s statement. |
| US Peace Institute’s Server: Those refusing to take an oath should not be in the army
| Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Such an army should not even exist’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Army which cannot take BiH’s oath should not exist at all’, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘No oath – no army’ by Fena,FENA – Director of the Balkans Initiative at the US Institute of Peace Daniel Server said commenting on incidents in Bileca and Manjaca that there is no reason for the existence of any armed force in BiH if that armed force is not willing to defend BiH. Server thinks that this does not bring into question the statehood of BiH, but the status of any armed force that cannot take a solemn oath to defend BiH, which is what BiH armed forces should do: to protect BiH and represent and expand peace support operations. He added that those who cannot take an out do not belong to the army. Asked by the Voice of America if this means that the Dayton Peace Agreement is not a solution for BiH, Server said that the Dayton Agreement had been good so far, but that it has become apparent that BiH has outgrown it. Commenting on the statement of NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo Commander General Steven Schook that this incident could not have come at a worse time, just before this week’s meeting of NATO ministers in Vilnius, Server said that he assumes that people responsible for this knew perfectly well that this is a bad time and that they deliberately tried to hold BiH back. |
| Ex FBIH Army Commander says RS Army should be abolished, single BiH Army established
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘RS politicians stand behind military mutiny’, pg 5 ‘Military mutiny did happen in Manjaca and Bileca behind which are politicians’ by E. Sarac – Retired Commander of the FBiH Army, general Atif Dudakovic, stated that Manjaca and Bileca swearing-in ceremonies, in which recruits booed the BiH anthem and rejected to swear in to BiH, were a part of well-thought mutiny orchestrated by RS politicians. Dudakovic added that this was not typical military coup, but an incident of ‘Croat Self-Rule’ type which shows that RS Army has to be abolished and a single BiH Armed Forces established to serve all. |
| SNSD’s Dodik says his party was right when they voted against defence law
| RTRS – SNSD Chairman Milorad Dodik says that events in Manjaca/Bileca prove that SNSD was right all along when they voted against the law on defence 2 years ago. He adds that RS President Cavic was supposed to explain to the public what did defence reform foresee. Chairman of RS National Assembly Board for supervision of work of security structures Velimir Sakan (PDP) stated that he never read the text of the solemn oath. |
| RS veterans leader Cvjetinovic opposes to repeating the procedure of taking the oath
| Vecernji List pg 3 ‘New oath would cause disapproval’ by B.S., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Repetition would be in vain’ by G.K. – The president of the RS Veterans’ Organization, Savo Cvjetinovic, feels that repetition of oath-taking ceremony by RS recruits would be in vain, adding it might cause even greater dissatisfaction among soldiers and their parents. He noted: “I suppose that taking the oath again would not be different than the last time.” Cvjetinovic claims that the OHR and IC organizations use certain cases as reason to dismiss certain people, stressing that he would not be surprised if they come out with the decree abolishing the RS Ministry of Defense, “just like the Orao affair was used for some other purposes.” |
| SD comments on Manjaca/Bileca oath, situation in BiH
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 16 ‘Even the façade has broken’, by Marin Erceg – Commenting on the recent events related to the Manjaca/Bileca oath and statement by former Serb member of BiH Presidency, Mirko Sarovic, that “BiH is necessary evil for the Serbs”, the author says that everyone should have realized by now that BiH has serious construction flaws in it in form of the Dayton Peace Accord, stressing that those who can fix it, in reality do not want to do it. As for the responsibility for the Manjaca/Bileca events, SD lists the powers that be in |
| NN op-ed on comments to Manjaca, Bileca incidents: Victims or culprits
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Victims or culprits’ by Branko Todorovic – The author refers to comments given following Manjaca incident (Gojhko Beric, Enes Becirbasic, Adil Osmanovic, Adnan Terzic, Sulejman Tihic), noting that the statements do not differ from Manjaca incident, since they are all part of vicious BiH circle of hatred, distrust, tactlessness, political and intellectual non-responsibility, superficiality and non-acceptance of BiH as it is at the present time. He stresses it is possible to get out of this circle my removing words of hatred from media and making people like members of “Circle 99” realise there is a BiH outside |
Political Developments | |
| Ashdown says police reform remains “only ” obstacle to
| RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Coming weeks crucial for future of BiH’ A. Terzic, Dnevni List pg 9 ‘There is no agreement on police reform’ by D. Polovina-Mandic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘You will remain black hole in Europe’ by E. Medunjanin,Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Path to an agreement will be extremely difficult’ by R. Cengic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Three weeks for a decision’ by N. Z., ONASA – High Representative Paddy Ashdown said on Tuesday the European community will in next three weeks pass a key decision on whether BiH can continue further on the path to the only future it has, the future within the European community. Ashdown was speaking to reporters prior to a meeting with the leadership of both houses of the Federation BiH parliament, which will focus on police reform in BiH. “Majority of issues and problems has been resolved, including the fact we can reach a constructive cooperation with the Hague tribunal,” he said. He stressed the only barrier which remained on this path is police reform, which will be very difficult and complicated and whose implementation will requires compromises. “The police reform must be consistent with three key principles highlight by the EU. If we manage to do so, BiH can move further on the path to Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Next three weeks are of historic importance for BiH’ A. Basic – “Police reform has to in line with three crucial principles, issued by EU. If we manage to do that, BiH could continue its way to |
| EUPM Commissioner Carty visits Brcko District
| RHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Either joint police or European door will be closed’, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ’10 regions meet professional criteria’, Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Carty: BiH politicians are closing door for Europe by not accepting police re-organization’ by T. Bijelic, FENA – The EUPM Commissioner in BiH, Kevin Carty, met on Tuesday in Brcko with the chief of the Brcko District Police, Milenko Milicevic, and members of the EUPM team operating in Brcko. Work of local police in the District and cooperation with EUPM as well as activities on police restructuring in BiH were the topics of the meeting. “Reasons for police reform in BiH are clear. Current police forces in BiH are not functional, and are under strong influence of various political parties, and for this reason their restructuring is necessary if this country is eager to start talks on accession to European Union. Politicians in BiH have two possibilities- either to accept the police restructuring or to close the door to |
| RS NA Chairman discussed police reform with PDHR Butle
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Trough an agreement to a solution’ not signed – RS NA Chairman Dusan Stojicic met with PDHR Lawrence Butler and discussed police reform. Stojicic stressed the most dangerous solution would be those that would leave spece for discontent of peoples in BiH. Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Citizens need police reform in BiH’ also reported on the meeting. |
| POLL: 73 percent of FBiH, 37 percent of RS citizens support proposed police reform solutions | BHT – According to the poll conducted by the Puls agency for BHT, 73 percent of FBiH citizens support the new territorial organization of the BiH Police. On the other hand, 63 percent of the RS citizens are satisfied with the way things are functioning now (with the current police structure). |
| FBiH HoR discussed proposed constitutional changes
| RHB, BHT, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Constitutional changes sent to authorize3d body for further consideration’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Administration is spending from 67-70 percent of GDP’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘On constitutional changes without success’ by NINA, FENA – The FBiH House of Representatives on Tuesday did not take a final stand on any of the two initiatives for amending the FBiH Constitution forwarded by FBiH Vice-president Sahbaz Dzihanovic and representative Mirnes Ajanovic. The both initiative are aimed at reducing the administration in Federation BiH and the budgetary expenditures in this segment. Dzihanovic’s proposal was considered on Tuesday at the House of Representatives session, but was forwarded to the Constitutional Commission in order to consider this and other initiatives aimed at improving the Constitution, and to forward a relevant conclusion to the House. Mirnes Ajanovic withdrew his initiative firm the daily agenda. For the purpose of reducing the administration and budgetary expenditures, Dzihanovic among other things proposes abolishing the institution of FBiH president and two vice-presidents, and reconstruction of the FBiH Government from the current |
| BHT: BiH HoR to discuss election of Croat member of the BiH Presidency on April 21
| BHT Boris Grubesic – After Croat member of the BiH Presidency has been removed, this institution is completely blocked. The process of electing the new Presidency member should start at the next BiH House of Representatives (HoR) session, scheduled for Thursday, April 21. BiH Croat Democratic Union (HDZ) will discuss the names of their candidates for this post in the next two days. “I cannot talk about the names – we have to discuss it with the HDZ president first”, said Vinko Zoric, HDZ representative in the House of Representatives. Without one of its member, BiH Presidency cannot make any decision, nor it can sign international contracts. |
| HDZ leader Colak to talk to presidents of ruling parties about Covic replacement issue | Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Plenary session of both chambers expected’, by Miso Relota – VL reads that the HDZ insists that it will not appoint a person to replace Dragan Covic in the BiH Presidency until both chambers of the BiH Parliament have addressed the issue. In that context, VL says the HDZ Presidency has tasked the HDZ President, Barisa Colak, to carry out talks with presidents of parties that make the ruling majority. |
| DL on situation within HDZ, Jelavic factor in it
| Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Who will Jelavic support?’, by Zvonimir Jukic – The article is dedicated to the situation within the HDZ ahead of the forthcoming HDZ convention scheduled for mid-May, when a new party president is to be elected. DL stresses there are several factions within the party, all wanting to obtain the power, such as former mayor of Mostar, Ivica Prskalo, who is counting on support of some HDZ members from Mostar. Saying that one should not rule Martin Raguz out, DL however says that Dragan Covic’s faction is currently controlling the party and is likely to do so after the convention. This is backed up by frequent media reports that suggest that Covic is to become the new HDZ president. Finally, the author wonders whether Ante Jelavic, who is likely to be released from detention on May 19, can affect the course of the HDZ convention. Inset entitled ‘Covic – chancellor of |
| NN op-ed: HDZ creating image of Covic as protector of Croat people
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘HDZ games’ by Mirza Cubro – The author is critically writing about the HDZ activities aimed at creating the picture of Dragan Covic as protector of Croat people. He is critical of HDZ demand for discussion before BiH Parliament on decisions and powers of HR. He notes BiH Parliament has no constitutional authority to discuss these issues. Hence, he concludes the HDZ might be aware of this and the final goal of their campaign is to block the work of the BiH Presidency, which cannot hold sessions without one member. |
| BiH Presidency member Tihic meets with outgoing SDHR Wnendt: Calls for partnership relations between Balkans, EU
| RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘EU should establish special partnership with Balkans countries’, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘BiH needs assistance on its road to EU’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘BiH needs assistance of International Community’ by NINA – Outgoing Senior Deputy High Representative Werner Wnendt said on Tuesday during talks with BiH Presidency member Sulejman Tihic that the European Union should establish special partnership relations with the region of the western Balkans because it is in its interest that those countries join the European Union. A statement issued by the Presidency says that Wnendt and Tihic have agreed that BiH still needs the assistance of the international community during its accession to the Euro-Atlantic integrations, in the framework of which cooperation with |
| DA int/ with SDHR Werner Wnendt: Much left to be done in Mostar, but we are in right direction
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘OSA is not yet a fully professional service’ by Sead Numanovic – Outgoing Senior Deputy HR, Werner Wnendt, in a farewell interview to DA says that one of the most important projects he was involved in the capacity of SDHR was Mostar restructuring. In that context, Wnednt notes that while there is a lot yet to be done in this city, he believes that all is going in right direction. Commenting the reform in intelligence sector, Wnendt commented that the BiH Intelligence Agency [OSA] is an agency in growth – trust must be built, professional work ensured, as well as its service to BiH and not again individuals, state of the international community. He concludes that the military structures n BiH will have its intelligence services as every military in the world, which will not act as the separate secret service but a part of the sector. |
| Swiss Ambassador Breiter met RS PM Bukejlovic, RS President Cavic discussed reforms and negotiations with EU
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Possible scheduling of the start of negotiations with EU in May’ by Agencies – RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic has stated during talks with Swiss Ambassador to BiH Urs Breiter in Banja Luka this entity is committed to work towards joining Euro-Atlantic structures. With regard to police reform in BiH, Bukejlovic said that it is possible to reach an acceptable solution that will ensure the implementation of European standards in this field trough necessary consensus of political factors. Ambassador Breiter also met RS President Dragan Cavic. RHB, Oslobodjenje also covered the issue. |
Crime/Legal Proceedings | |
| EUFOR, BiH police carrying out joint anti-crime operations
| Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘EUFOR, BiH security services carried out 41 joint operations’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Aim is to catch brains of organized crime’, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Extensive action whose goal is breaking up of criminal network has been underway’ by M. Zorlak, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘To break up network of The Hague fugitives and criminals’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Police efficient at local level’ by B. Kristo, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Crime and drugs smuggling are in increase in BiH, announced on cover ‘Crime in increase’ by M. Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Traps for criminals’ by Srna – Members of the European Union military forces (EUFOR) in Bosnia and Hercegovina and local police have so far carried out 41 joint operations in the fight against organized crime, which has resulted in the arrest of several dozen persons suspected of grave crimes, BiH’s Security Minister Barisa Colak said in Sarajevo on Tuesday. The joint operations are the result of the changed mandate of the EUFOR which, unlike SFOR, whose mission ended in December 2004, has the authority to take measures in fighting grave crimes, especially organized crime, Colak said at a news conference held with the EUFOR commander, General David Leaky of Great Britain. The Bosnian police and the EU military forces have together arrested 27 wanted persons, including three persons suspected of war crimes. They have also arrested 44 persons later charged with various criminal acts, as well as more than 1,000 persons who committed petty offences. Colak cited last week’s operation at a border crossing near the north-eastern town of |
| Mandic claims he submitted to OHR documentation proving 100 mil KM spent on financing war criminals
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘More than 100 million KM spent in financing war criminals’ by Vedrana Zivak – Infamous former RS Justice Minister, Momcilo Mandic, accused by the international community of financing PIFWCs at large, told daily on Tuesday he submitted OHR with the documentation on invasion of the Serbian payment operation system, thus proving 100 million KM was spent to finance war crimes suspects. Mandic did not want to specify as to who exactly was helping PIWFCs at large, but explained that he sent to OHR “a decision by the RS Government signed by Gojko Klickovic to take the money in an amount equal to today’s 100 million KM… from Serbia through Payment Bureau in Sokolac.”Mandic denies playing any role in assisting Radovan Karadzic. “I can prove that foreigners invented post-war financial support of Karadzic… Karadzic ensured himself in 1996 and 1997 to be able now to enjoy freedom out of ICTY reach,” claims Mandic. Asked about the IC’s sanctions against him [accounts blocked, property frozen], Mandic explained he has nothing left in BiH accusing the Privredna Banka Srpsko Sarajevo Administration Toby Robinson of taking all his possession away from him, and of detaining his son. Commenting speculations that his son’s release was conditioned with his surrender to BiH judiciary, Mandic said he has a proof in written that judiciary has tried to do this and underlined his lack of trust in judiciary which includes foreign judges and prosecutors. |
| Minister Cenic: Mandic only asked from me to schedule him a meeting with OHR representatives
| EuroBlic pg RS4, announced on cover ‘They are promising music and they know there are not enough money’ by Nedeljka Breberina – Inset ‘Karadzic is concern of others’ carries RS Finance Minister Svetlana Cenic’s comment on recent statements of Momcilo Mandic. She said she could only reiterate that Mandic had asked her to schedule a meeting for him with representatives of OHR, which she did. ‘I have not been looking in the documentation and I do not know what it contained. It doesn’t even cross my mind to investigate on whether Mr. Karadzic had taken the money or where he is at the moment, because I thinks there are enough of those who deal with it’, Cenic said. Asked to say who is financing the RS Government’s campaign on necessity of cooperation with ICTY and how much it costs, Minister Cenic said it would cost approximately 130,000 KM, RS Government would pay 30% of the sum and it is expected from international institutions to finance the other 70%. |
| SNSD’s Dodik believes he will be acquitted
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘I believe in liberating verdict’ by O. Vukovic – In a statement to daily, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik comments to the indictment which accuses him of misuse of office by saying he has trust in judiciary expressing belief that he will be liberated of all charges. However, Dodik says that the investigation has excluded a number of facts which would help him, such as the fact that 24 out of 28 accounts of indictment are about allocation of apartments and that almost all individuals mentioned have been cleared of those charges. Wondering how can be held responsible to the all these cases when a court has already determined that the legal procedure was carried out in most of these cases, Dodik says that the judiciary was obviously facing with pressure in his case [without specifying who was pressuring it] concluding that this is a political process against him. |
Economic/Social Issues | |
| New protest of BiH farmers on April 28
| Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Farmers at protests with cattle and tools’ by I. Rozic, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Protest in Sarajevo on April 28’ by F carry that representatives of the BiH Association of Farmers stated at the press conference held on Tuesday that due to passive attitude of competent authorities when the domestic production is in question, BiH farmers are going to organize a peaceful protest on April 28, 2005 in front of the BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations and they will demand to be received by competent Minister Dragan Doko. The aforementioned Association also decided that if the BiH Council of Ministers and other competent bodies continue to endanger domestic production after the peaceful protest as well, a general protest will be organized on June 1 and it will last until demands of farmers are met. |
| Sanader on Free Trade Agreement btwn BiH and
| RHB, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘ |
| Serb returnees to Bocinja say they live better, but still not good
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘It is better, but it is not good’ by Sl. P. – features statements of Serb returnees to Bocinja village who say they live better, but are still afraid of mujahedeens who also live in this village. They blame Serbs who sold their property to mujahedeens and they also complain the only TV stations, programs of which they can watch in this village, are FTV and BHT1. They addressed Mayor Mehmed Mustabasic with this issue, but they say no solution has been found as yet. They also complain about lack of jobs and poor quality of roads. Inset ‘Sect’ quotes Mayor Mustabasic as saying Bosniaks in Bocinja represent an issue because they do not follow the true Islam. ‘These are mostly uneducated people who are causing damage to the Islamic Community with their behavior. Actually, one could say they are, in a way, turning into a sect and we will have to resolve this issue’, the Mayor has stated. |
| RS Finance Minister Cenic not believe state will go bankrupt
| EuroBlic pg RS4, announced on cover ‘They are promising music and they know there are not enough money’ by Nedeljka Breberina – in a page-long interview to EuroBlic, RS Minister of Finances Svetlana Cenic said she does not thinks the state would go bankrupt due to too large administration, although it is not quite functional. ‘I think that primarily the administrative apparatus of F BiH should be reduced because this structure in RS is much more simple’, Cenic said. She added bankruptcy is only possible if the issues with regard to internal debt and war reparations are not urgently regulated in a legislative manner. |