OHR BiH Media Round-up, 20/5/2006
TV news broadcast on May 19
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| HR Schwarz-Schilling inZagreb | Tihic regarding BiH and NATO | Registration of parties for elections |
| Sulejman Tihic at VarnaSummit | HR paid visit to Croatia | New statistics on effects of VAT |
| Central European Summit in Varna | Talks on RS Special Prosecution | Chamber of Commerce on VAT |
| Salary coefficients for police officers | Covic on constitutional changes | Financing of Corridor 5c construction |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Salary coefficients for police officers | Police criticizes FBiH Government | Pistols found at Gradiska Border |
| Draft law on police officers | Dodik meets HJPC official | Talks on RS Special Prosecution |
| Conference on Corridor Vc in SA | New statistics on effects of VAT | Election of RS Police Director |
| Domestic companies and Corridor Vc | ICTY trial for Srebrenica genocide | Reactions to Terzic’s statement |
| Oslobodjenje | BiH in the Partnership for peace by the end of the year |
| Dnevni Avaz | 48 parties registered for elections |
| Dnevni List | Croats must have equal rights |
| Vecernji List | By helicopter on motel full of people [Helicopter of BiH Armed forces damaged roof of hotel in Doboj because it flew over too low] |
| Nezavisne Novine | Customs officers confiscated 49 pistols [Pistols were confiscated on Bosanska Gradiska border crossing point, investigation ongoing] |
| Glas Srpske | Terzic’s slap to the truth |
General political developments | |
| HR CSS held talks with Croatian PM Sanader and Parliament Speaker Seks
| RHB, TV Pink, BHT1, TV Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘EU is goal of BiH and Croatia’ by Agencies, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Valuable Croatian experiences’ by D. Zadravec, Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 2 ‘Croats must have equal rights’ by Hina, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘RH supports all changes in BiH’ – High Representative in BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling visited Croatia for the first time since he took over the duty of the HR. During his stay in Zagreb, Schwarz–Schilling held talks with Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Croatian Parliament Speaker Vladimir Seks. HR stressed Euro-Atlantic integration is the shared goal of Croatia and BiH and he noted regional cooperation and a high level of bilateral relations are very important. HR added that it was also very important that BiH use Croatian experiences. Sanader emphasized that Croatia supported all the changes in BiH that would guarantee the sovereignty and equality of Croats with two other peoples. Croatian Prime Minister also said that Croatia want BiH to carry out the reforms required for Euro-Atlantic integration as soon as possible. Schwarz-Schilling also met Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Vladimir Seks and informed him on the course of constitutional reforms in BiH. They discussed the roles of parliaments and representatives in the creation of a positive climate between the two countries. TV Pink – High Representative stressed that Croats in BiH must have an active role in building country in which they would feel well together with other two constituent people. |
| HR CSS: All three peoples in BiH must have equal rights
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5, announced on cover ‘A complete package of constitutional changes after elections’ by Lana Sinanovic – Following his visit to Zagreb, HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling stated in an interview to Dnevni Avaz that the accent was put on future economic cooperation between BiH and Croatia. ‘We discussed PlocePort, construction of mainland – Peljesac bridge and Vc corridor highway where we need to cooperate closely’, HR CSS stated. HR said he convinced Croatian PM Ivo Sanader that his stance was clear – all three peoples in BiH must have equal rights and he added that he expects, at the same time, from all three peoples to act constructively and determinant in their intention to build their future. |
| Central European presidents meet in Varna, Bulgaria ; Tihic emphasized the importance of further strengthening of economic relations between the countries in the region
| RHB, TV Pink, BHT1, FTV – Addressing the participants of the 13th meeting of presidents of Central European countries in Bulgarian summer resort of Varna on Friday, BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic emphasized the importance of further strengthening of economic relations between the countries in Central Europe. Tihic reminded that some of the countries from the region would become EU members in 2007, while others have already started the negotiations on full membership, or begun the talks on Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. BiH Presidency Chair expressed his content with the fact that the Central Europe Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) would be enlarged, which is an ‘important step for the integration of the whole region into the European Union’. TV Pink, BHT1 – Tihic said he expects BiH to join Partnership for Peace by the end of the year and to join NATO by 2008. Tihic stressed that this means full cooperation with the ICTY and arrest of six war crime indictees. FTV – Tihic expects BiH to sign the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU by the end of this or beginning of the next year. Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘BiH will get an invitation for admission to NATO by 2008’ by Agencies, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Linking Kosovo and BiH would be disastrous for peace’ by Agencies, Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pg 5 ‘BiH in the Partnership for Peace by the end of the year’ by Fena, dnevni List pg 5 ‘To improve economic relations’ by Nina – also reported. |
| SNSD’s Spiric calls for boycott of BiH CoM following CoM Chair’s statement re Commission for truth on sufferings of Sarajevo Serbs / other Serb officials criticise the statement
| BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘RS demanded boycott of the work of CoM’ by V. Popovic, Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Terzic’s slap to the truth’ by G. Klepic Inset ‘Paravac and Spiric’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Spiric called on boycott’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Boycott of CoM and Terzic’ by O. V., Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Serb “strike” on the state Government’ by D. P. Mandic – After the statement of Chair of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic on establishing of a commission tasked to investigate the faith of missing Serbs from Sarajevo, SNSD member Nikola Spiric called upon all RS members of the CoM to boycott the work of CoM until such decision is established. Namely, Terzic said that such commission would not be established as long as he is the Chair of CoM. According to Spiric, Terzic’s statement means hushing of organised crime. BHT1 – PDP also sharply criticized Terzic’s statement. According to PDP, Terzic’s statement confirmed in a venturous and offensive manner that Terzic doesn’t respect the decision of BiH Parliament Assembly. RTRS – RS Association of fallen and missing soldiers and civilians sent a letter to Terzic in this regard. RS Office for Missing Persons believes that Commission on suffering of Sarajevo Serbs should be established as in accordance with the decision of BiH Constitutional Court. Office of BiH Presidency Member Borislav Paravac reported that Terzic’s statement is culmination of arrogance and that Terzic lost credibility and support of Serb people. Nevenka Trifkovic, PDP Secretary said that Terzic’s statement is arrogant and insulting for Serbs. Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Paravac: what is Terzic afraid of?’ not signed, Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Terzic’s slap to the truth’ by G. Klepic Inset ‘Paravac and Spiric’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Terzic’s peak of arrogance’ by Fena – carry Paravac’s statement. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Spiric called on boycott’ not signed, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Terzic’s statement is offensive for Serbs’ – carry Trifkovic’s statement. Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘RS demanded boycott of the work of CoM’ by V. Popovic – carries Trifkovic’s statement and also reads Associations of veterans and representatives appealed on RS Ministers at BiH CoM to boycott the work of CoM. |
| Jovicic: nobody had even asked from Terzic to establish the commission / Bogdanic: this would have negative impact on forming BIH Institute for Missing Persons | Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Terzic’s slap to the truth’ by G. Klepic – Following BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzic’s statement regarding the establishment of a commission for investigation of truth on sufferings of Sarajevo Serbs, Deputy President of RS Association of POWs Slavko Jovicic stated luckily it was not up to Terzic to give any approval on this and added ‘apart from this, nobody had even asked from him to establish the commission’. Head of RS Office for Missing and Imprisoned Persons Milan Bogdanic thinks Terzic’s statement would have a negative influence on dynamics of forming of the BiH Institute for Missing Persons. |
| PDP’s Djurkovic: RS might be forced to establish the Commission itself
| Oslobodjenje pg 2, announced on cover ‘RS will be forced to form a commission for Sarajevo’ by A. T. – PDP’s Jelina Djurkovic stated for Oslobodjenje that, if CoM Chair Adnan Terzic and F BiH Government, continue ignoring demands of BiH Constitutional Court regarding the establishment of the Commission for investigation of sufferings of Sarajevo Serbs, RS would be forced to establish the commission by itself. |
| CoM Chair Terzic: CoM should establish a commission to investigate the truth on war in entire BiH
| BHT1 – Commenting the reactions to his statement regarding the establishment of a commission for investigation of truth on sufferings of Sarajevo Serbs, CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic said that they are part of pre-electoral campaign. BHT1, FTFV – Terzic stressed that BiH CoM should establish a commission tasked to investigate the truth about war in entire BiH. RTRS – Terzic expressed regret if he had insulted families of victims explaining that CoM cannot establish commission for each municipality. “CoM can only establish commission that will determine truth in the whole BiH. I do not see any reason that RS Representatives see this idea on negative way. This does not exclude analyses about what was happening with Serbs in Sarajevo”, said Terzic. Terzic expressed regret that RS Representatives did not show more enthusiasm in determining truth in cases where victims are two other peoples. Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘RS parties are abusing tragedies of thousands of people’ by Srna, Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Terzic’s slap to the truth’ by G. Klepic Inset ‘Critics to authorities of Srpska’ by Z. D., Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘PM regrets if he had hurt feelings of victims’ family members’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Terzic regrets if he hurt feelings of families of victims’ not signed – also reported. |
| 48 parties and 13 independent candidates registered for October elections | BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ’48 parties registered for elections’ and pg 2 ’48 parties and 13 independent candidates registered for elections’ by L. S., Glas Srpske pg 2 ’48 parties registered’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ’48 parties and 13 independent candidates registered for the elections’ by A. T. – The deadline for registration of parties and independent candidates for October elections expired on Friday. BiH Election Commission received 48 registrations of parties and 13 registrations of independent candidates. Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ’48 parties registered for elections’ and pg 2 ’48 parties and 13 independent candidates registered for elections’ by L. S. – carries a list of parties and independent candidates who registered for elections. |
| HDZ submits application for participation in the October election
| RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘HDZ will be the winner’ by H. O., Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Covic and Ljubic running for all levels of authorities’ – BiH HDZ submitted the application for participation in the October election, as HDZ President Dragan Covic stated on Friday in Sarajevo. Covic explained that HDZ would run for the BiH Presidency member, state and FBiH Parliament, RS President and Vice-President, RS National Assembly, as well as in all ten FBiH Cantons. HDZ leader expressed certainty that HDZ would be one of the winners of the coming elections. |
| Silajdzic probably candidate for BiH Presidency member
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Silajdzic again president as of today’ by Srna, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Haris Silajdzic candidate for President of Party for BiH’ by E. Sarac – Party for BiH stated it is expected the party would reach a decision on election of Haris Silajdzic to the position of the party’s president at the 2nd convention of the party today [Saturday]. BHT1 – According to SBiH, Silajdzic will most probably be this party’s candidate for the position of BiH Presidency member. |
| HDZ 1990 registered for elections, expect to win votes of 55% of Croats
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘They expect to win votes of 55% of Croats’ by H. O. – President of HDZ 1990 Bozo Ljubic and his associates registered for October elections on Friday. Ljubic said the party registered for elections for all authority levels and they will have a candidate for BiH Presidency member. ‘It is possible that I would be a candidate for this position [BiH Presidency member]. I expect we would win 55% of votes of Croat people’, Ljubic stated. Dnevni list pg 4 ‘HDZ 1990 will gain more than 50% of Croat votes’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Covic and Ljubic running for all levels of authorities’ – also reported. |
| Weekly commentary: what does the increased number of Croatian parties mean for the Croats in BiH?
| RHBBy Ivica Simunovic – The preparations for the October election are underway and, according to the reporter, it is not hard to notice that the most tumultuous situation is among Croatian parties in BiH. In order to explain this situation, one should take a look into the past, when Croats, aware of the fact that they are the smallest people in BiH and concerned for their future, tend to unite around one leading party, HDZ. However, difficult position of Croats in BiH, and especially constitutional changes ‘which forgot that Croats exist in BiH’, led to the explosion of the Croatian political scene in BiH: HDZ split into two parts, HSP ‘Djapic – dr. Jurisic’ is growing and other parties became lively as well. The bad side of the big number of Croatian political parties in BiH is the danger of the dispersion of votes, which is the problem other peoples in BiH can take advantage of. |
| HoR Deputy Chair Dzaferovic: vote of non-confidence in CoM was attempt to destabilise it
| Oslobodjenje pg 3, announced on cover ‘Half of state Ministers “on ice”’ by A. Terzic – Following Thursday’s session of BiH Parliament, it became clear BiH CoM no longer has a support of delegates from RS, since all 12 delegates from RS voted for removal of BiH CoM. Deputy Chairman of BiH HoR Sefik Dzaferovic stated for Oslobodjenje that ‘the Char of CoM, Adnan Terzic, is in state of need’. Dzaferovic said: ‘we need to clearly say that all obstructions and crisis had come from the very RS. This latest development of events is nothing else but an attempt to destabilise CoM…’. |
| F BiH Missing Persons Commission member Odobasic criticises OHR’s statement on Palic case
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘OHR ignored rule of law’ by E. Kamenica – OHR’s press release saying there would be no postponements of deadline for finding late Colonel Avdo Palic, as according to member of F BiH Commission for Missing persons Jasmin Odoboasic, also contains an inappropriate statement. Namely, the statement OHR Spokesperson Ljljana Radetic gave on May 18 reads: ‘If RS fails to fulfil obligations in this case, then it provides F BiH with an excuse not to fulfil its obligations with regard to persons who had gone missing in Sarajevo’. Odobasic believes linking of these two cases is opposite to laws and added: ‘OHR must demand all decisions on missing persons to be fulfilled and must not condition any of these with fulfilment of other decisions’. |
Constitutional reform | |
| Covic expects talks on constitutional changes to be continued on Tuesday
| RHB, TV Pink, BHT1, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘On changes to the constitution on Tuesday again’ by D. Muminovic and V. Popovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Covic will come to the continuation of talks on May 23’ by Srna, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Pre-election campaigns made constitutional negotiations more difficult’ by Erna Mackic – HDZ President Dragan Covic on Friday stated that he expects talks on constitutional changes to be continued on Tuesday, in the residency of the U.S. Ambassador to BiH in Sarajevo. However, according to RHB, Covic is not convinced that it would be possible to make some significant changes during next ten days. TV Pink, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Impossible change of Constitution by elections’ by A. Omeragic – HDZ Leader Dragan Covic said that it is not possible either theoretically or practically to adopt constitutional changes by the end of May and implement them at the upcoming October elections since it has not been possible to do it in one year. |
| SDP to attend talks, PDP and SDS think F BiH parties should ensure support to amendments among F BiH parties
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘On changes to the constitution on Tuesday again’ by D. Muminovic and V. Popovic – President of HDZ 1990 Bozo Ljubic has stated that, during previous debates on the constitutional changes, HDZ delegates had been even suggesting that the process should be postponed for two or three months ‘and now similar suggestions are being presented as subsequent wisdom of same people who had refused to listen to such suggestions’. SDP’s Zlatko Lagumdzija confirmed he would attend the meeting and added he does not know whether any agreement would be reached. SDA’s Sefik Dzaferovic said he had heard the meeting would be held but he was not familiar with any details. Party for BiH noted they have not been invited to attend the meeting while PDP’s Mladen Ivanic noted it is not realistic to expect RS to make any kind of compromise before parties from F BiH ensure support to constitutional amendments among F BiH parties. SDS’s Mladen Bosic shares Ivanic’s view. |
| SNSD presented new proposal re negotiations on constitutional changes: BiH Parliament should establish commission to deal with const. changes and legal regulations for implementation of changes
| TV Pink – Nikola Spiric, Member of SNSD Main Board, believes that negotiations on constitutional changes should continue after the October elections. At the press conference, which was held on Friday, Spiric presented a new proposal regarding negotiations on constitutional changes. According to this proposal, BiH Parliament should establish a commission that would deal with the constitutional changes and legal regulations that would provide implementation of the constitutional changes. This Commission would participate in the BiH Parliament and would have as many members as BiH Parliament. The international community should also appoint its member to the Commission but this member would not have power to participate in decision-making process. If this proposal were accepted, complementary elections along with regular elections would be held later and would refer to BiH Parliamentary Assembly. “This means the following: if we elect 42 representatives (at the October elections) and if we reach an agreement, as it was almost agreed earlier, that BiH Parliamentary Assembly counts 87 representatives, we should organize complementary elections for election of 45 representatives”, Spiric said. This proposal would be sent to political parties’ leaders who participate in the negotiations on constitutional changes, OHR, EC, Austrian Embassy, UK Embassy, US Embassy, Russian Federation Embassy and French Embassy. RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘It is possible to change the Constitution by April of 1008’ by V. P., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘First elections, then constitutional changes’ by M. Dz., Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Commission for changes to the Constitution should be formed at BiH Parliament’ by Srna, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Strategy on continuation of negotiations after elections was developed’ not signed – also reported. |
| HR CSS: I believe const. amendments would be adopted after October elections
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5, announced on cover ‘A complete package of constitutional changes after elections’ by Lana Sinanovic – In an interview given to Dnevni Avaz following his visit to Zagreb, HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling said the stance of Croatia is that the constitutional reform is absolutely necessary for BiH because these would lead to the best organisation of the state for all three constitutive peoples. Asked whether he believes the constitutional amendments would be adopted before October elections and whether the amendments would be applied in elections, HR stated he believes the entire package of the constitutional amendments would be adopted after elections. |
Economic/social issues | |
| Participants at the Fifth Pan-European Conference in Sarajevo discussed Corridor Vc
| BHT1, TV Pink, RHB, TV Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Austrians, Malaysians, Spanish and Hungarians want the concession’ by Se. Muslic, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ’45 kmm of highway by 2009’ by S. R., Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Corridor to be built from Adriatic Sea to Sava river’ by R. D. – Experts gathered at the Pan-European conference “Way to Progress” held on Friday in Sarajevo discussed the possibilities for financing of the constructions works on Corridor 5c. The financing source should be determined by the end of this year. By 2009, 45 km of the highway should be completed. Several corporations from Malaysia, Spain and Austria are interested in financing the construction of the highway. The total value of the project is 2,2 billion EURO. Experts believe that the project should be financed through private sector and they believe that the highway would bring economic profit and improve the environment for social development and foreign investments. TV Pink – Esref Gacanin, director of IPSA, company in charge of study and planning documentation in regard to 5C corridor through BiH, said that construction of the corridor could not be cheaper than 2,5 billion BAM but not more expensive than 3,1 billion BAM. IPSA will submit feasibility study on July 26th. RHB – According to some estimates, the highway through BiH will cost approximately €2.5 billion, while the exact cost will be known very soon. |
| Results of implementation of VAT presented: BiH CoM and Statistics Agency satisfied
| TV Pink, RTRS, FTV, TV Hayat, BHT1, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Publ;ic revenues increased for 69%’ by R. Cengic, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘VAT made the growth of revenues for 69% possible’ by Agencies, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, announced on cover ‘Social funds for 25% fuller’ by M. Kavaz – Sirucic – BiH Council of Ministers (CoM) and BiH Statistics Agency are satisfied with BiH implementation of the Law on Value Added Tax (VAT) in first three months of 2006. Zlatko Hurtic, Economic Advisor to BiH Council of Ministers said that public revenues for the first quarter of this year are for 69% higher than for the same period last year. Hurtic also said that funds for social categories are for 25% higher than last year. According to Hurtic, average increase in prices in FBiH was 6% while in RS 9%. BiH Statistics Agency reported that increase in prices is smaller than expected. FBiH Government and RS Government started with payments for mitigation of consequences cased by VAT introduction as of May. TV Pink – Zlatko Hurtic said that the following step is strengthening of social care system. BHT1 – Hurtic stated that the introduction of a second VAT rate [0 VAT rate] would open up new possibilities for tax evasion. Expert Dzenan Dzonlagic commented that only the state institutions and banks see the positive effects of the VAT. |
| BiH Foreign Trades Chamber: statistics data showing positive effects of VAT not always correct
| TV Hayat – During the first four months of 2006, BiH has recorded approximately KM 4.5 billions of foreign trade turnover. The foreign trade deficit was approximately one billion and 358 millions KM. 53.3 percent of import have been covered with export, stated Deputy Chair of the BiH Foreign Trade Chamber Petar Milanovic. BHT1 – BiH Foreign Trades Chamber warns that the statistics data showing positive effects of VAT introduction is not always correct, depending on methodology. Milanovic stated that the situation in BiH couldn’t be significantly better than in other countries after introduction of VAT. Milanovic claims that, according to statistics, the export leader in RS is company “Dis Eurostandard” from Prnjavaor with export of 40 million KM after the introduction of VAT. Milanovic claims that this data is a result of a mistake. In this year, this company had 100 times lower export. This mistake, claims Milanovic, has changed the entire statistic analysis. Milanovic stressed that the positive effect of VAT is decrease of grey economy. |
Judicial issues | |
| Talks on RS Special Prosecutor’s Office were held in Banja Luka
| TV Pink – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, Member of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) Sven Marius Urke and RS Chief Prosecutor Amor Bukic had talks on Friday in Banja Luka regarding the issue of RS Special Prosecution. HJPC disputed appointments of the Special Prosecutors to the RS Special Prosecution on Wednesday. Milan Tegeltija, RS Chief Special Prosecutor and other Special Prosecutors resigned on Thursday due to HJPC stance. Bukic said that both RS Government and HJPC want to reach agreement on this issue. “Ministry of Justice will submit proposal to HJPC and then we all will work together in finding the best solutions”, said Bukic. HJPC suggested to RS Government to change the Law on fight against organized crimes in order to enable HJPC to appoint prosecutors since HJPC is the only institution that has the authority to make such appointments. HJPC Chair Branko Peric said that HJPC does not want to obstruct this process in RS or to interfere in RS National Assembly’s competence in establishing new judicial institutions. Peric said that as soon as RS Government changes this Law, HJPC would open vacancies and hire Special Prosecutors. TV Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Changes to the Law on Special Prosecutor’s Office to follow’ by D. Risojevic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘The valid law postponed settling of accounts’ by V. Janjic, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Law on fight against crimes should be jointly additionally developed’ by Srna, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘To find a solution for appointment of prosecutors’ by O. V., Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Without prosecutors for couple of months’ – also reported. |
| SNSD’s Spiric: SNSD considering possibility of launching initiative for introducing changes to HJPC Law
| RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Changes to the Law on Special Prosecutor’s Office to follow’ by D. Risojevic Inset ‘Spiric advocates changes to the Law on HJPC’ by V. P., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Only criminals gained profit’ by M. Dz., Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Prosecutors encouraged criminals’ – Member of SNSD Main Board Nikola Spiric said the party is considering the possibility of launching the initiative on introducing changes to the Law on HJPC after HJPC disputed the appointment of RS Special Prosecutors, as well as to reconsider the transfer of competences in this field from entity to the state level. |
| PDP’s Trifkovic: Special RS Prosecutor’s Office should be filled in asap, HJPC should have reacted before appointments were made | RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Special Prosecutor’s Office should be filled in as soon as possible’ by V. P. – PDP’s Nevenka Trifkovic stated that RS Government and HJPC should resolve issues with regard to appointment of special RS prosecutors as soon as possible in order to continue with the fight against organised crime and she added that HJPC should have reacted before Law was put into effect and Special Prosecutors were elected. |
| NN source: Personal conflict between Kreso and Simmons is reason why Kreso opposes re-appointment of the judge
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Conflict over Ante Jelavic’ by N. Krsman – British Embassy on Friday refused to comment on re-appointment of judge Malcolm Simmons as BiH Court judge because this was a matter for independent judiciary and High Representative, when it comes to foreign judges. Chairperson of BiH Court Meddzida Kreso disputed the re-appointment and a source close to BIH Court claims a personal conflict between Kreso and judge Simmons with regard to “Ante Jelavic” case was actually behind the disputes with regard to re-appointment of judge Simmons. [Note: the article carries no details on the alleged “personal conflict” between Kreso and Simmons] |
Police issues | |
| Five candidates for the post of RS Police Director, only one satisfies all requirements
| TV Pink, RTRS, BHT1, TV Hayat – Ilija Lukic, Chair of the Independent Commission for the election of the RS Police director said that only one of five candidates who applied for the position of the RS Police director satisfies the criteria. Lukic did not want to say the name of the candidate who satisfies the criteria since Commission would have the interview with this candidate on May 26th after which should bring decision in this regard. “It seems that some of the candidates have not read the vacancy requirements…We will have the interview with this one candidate. We will evaluate him and then vote in accordance with the Operating Procedure of the Independent Commission. If the candidate gets the majority, four votes, candidate will be appointed to the position”, said Lukic. RTRS – RTRS unofficially learned that Dragan Skrbic, Sinisa Karan, Mirko Tufekdzija, Dragomir Babic and Uros Pena applied for the position of the RS Police Dir. RTRS, BHT1 – According to unofficial information, only Uros Pena satisfied criteria for the position of RS Police Director. Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Uros Pena was the only one to meet criteria’ by D. Risojevic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Uros Pena the only candidate?’ by V. J., Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Only one out of five candidates met requirements’ by N. Diklic – also reported. |
| Police officers sharply criticized decision of FBiH Government on salaries
| RHB, TV Hayat, FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Salaries had been harmonised with Rule Book’ by R. C., Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Administration and Trade Union defend policemen’ by M. K., Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Salaries for policemen decreased for 20%’ by Fena, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Dissatisfaction over decrease of base of salaries’ – FBiH Government decided on Thursday to reduce the salaries of police officers for almost 20%. FBiH Police Administration and Trade Union of FBiH Ministry of Interior reacted on Friday, sharply criticizing this decision. Spokesman of FBiH Police Administration Robert Cvrtak explained that by this decision, police officers would be less paid than unqualified workers in FBiH institutions. Cvrtak warned that the decrease of salaries would have negative effects on life and work of police officers. Trade Union of FBiH MoI demands from Government to reconsider this decision, announcing that the Trade Union will use all legal methods to oppose this decision, including strike. |
| F BiH Ministry of Finances: it is not true policemen would be receiving lower salaries
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Salaries had been harmonised with Rule Book’ by R. C. – F BiH Ministry of Finances claims the F BiH Government had reduced salaries of police officials and increased salaries of advisors of the appointed officials because of the harmonisation of coefficients and harmonisation of Rule Book on Salaries with F BiH Law on Public Services. The Ministry also stated it was not true policemen would be receiving lower salaries because everyone whose salary would decrease after calculation in accordance with new coefficients would receive a personal transitional sum that would compensate the decrease. |