| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA(18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| ICTY on 6 Croats | Mine explosion in Lukavac | Mostar culture declaration | False bomb alarm in BL |
| Mostar culture declaration | Change of RS cities names | | RSNA on new Speaker |
| Tihic on culture heritage | ICTY on 6 Croats | Negotiations with Mladic | About BH elections |
| Del Ponte on SCG | World news | Del Ponte on SCG | Regional issue |
| Oslobodjenje | |
| Dnevni Avaz | “Sugar affair” worth 100 million KM?!; Negotiations with Mladic on surrender |
| Dnevni List | Early elections very likely to take place, OHR in panic |
| Vecernji List | Patients should look for blood by themselves |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Interview wit A. Terzic: They are better off here than to be sent to |
| Nezavisne Novine | RS President demands adoption of the Resolution on Cooperation with |
| Glas Srpske | |
| EuroBlic | Dragan Mikerevic: To calm down situation in Srpska |
Security and police issues | |
| New bomb threat in BL
| Glas Srpske cover page story ‘The game of a dark mind’; – For the third time in the past month, the RS police in Banja Luka was falsely informed of a bomb planted at the buildings of RS NA, RS Government, RS MOI, B. Luka Basic and District Court, RS Supreme Court, “Boska” department store and “Zenit” trade centre. Rade Mutic, Spokesperson of Banja Luka PSC confirmed this information. GS learnt from its sources that the threatening message was again sent from the cell phone number on 061 network, the operator from F BIH. First two alarms were sent to cell phone number of Rade Mutic, while the last one was sent to cell phone number of a clerk of a RS institution. The first false alarm took place on 29 June, while second one took place on 13 July. Radomir Njegus, RS Police Director, said that “it is obvious somebody is torturing citizens of RHB, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Police against searched the buildings of Government and RSNA’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Police searched the buildings of Government, RS NA, Courts…’ – also reported. RTRS – RS Government’s spokesperson, Goran Radivojac, commented: “When it comes to RS Government and its employees, RS Ministry of Interior has very seriously taken all threats addressed to official institutions and to authority executors, and that is the reason we feel safe, but we do not have time to waste since citizens expect concrete results from us and that is the reason why we cannot leave buildings. We are aware of the risk we are taking.” |
| Update to security during
| RHB, BHTV 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Mostar is ready to welcome high profile guests’ by Onasa, Dnevni List pg 12 ‘Mostar is ready to receive guests’, mentioned on cover, by S. Bjelica and Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16 ‘Mostar safe city’ by A. Vlaho – Mostar Mayor Hamdija Jahic and his Deputy Ljubo Beslic met on Monday with Herzegovina-Neretva Cantonal Interior Minister Tomislav Martinovic, HNC MoI Police Commissioner Srecko Glibic and Head of the Mostar Police Administration Himzo Djonko in order to discuss the security aspect of the Old Bridge opening ceremony. After the meeting Martinovic stated that it was concluded that the security situation in the City of |
| Njegus replaces removed police officials
| FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Njegus appointes Milosevic and Nikic’, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Milosevic a chief of UKPRS’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Drago Milosevic as Head of Crime Police Administration’; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Milosevic instead of Sakota’ – Radomir Njegus, RS Police Director, appointed Dragi Milosevic as the new Head of RS MOI Crime Police Department and Slobodan Nikic as the New Head of Bijeljina PSC [instead of Pero Sakota and Mile Pejcic removed by HR Paddy Ashdown]. According to press release issued by RS MOI, Milosevic has so far assumed the position of the Head of Common Crime Department at RS MoI, and Nikic has been Bijeljina PSC Deputy Chief. |
| SD interview with Terzic, on Solana, Scheffer, EUFOR
| Slobodna Dalmacija, front and pg 13 ‘They are better of here than to be sent to Iraq’, by Blazica Kristo – SD carries an interview with the Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, in which he, talking about the recent visit by the NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, and EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, says: “It was clearly stated at the meeting (with Scheffer and Solana) that European military is not coming to BiH to preserve the peace. That’s the most important message that I wanted to send to the world, because we cannot think about increasing the number of investors, and in the same time have some military forces safeguarding the peace. They are coming to BiH authorities, to the OHR too, to help the swift and efficient adoption of European and NATO standards. I also must stress that SFOR mandate will not be entirely completed unless the most wanted war crimes suspects, Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, are not arrested by end of year. If they arrest them, it will be a complete success of the mission”. |
| Ivanic: PDP will not propose new candidate for RS MoI
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘We will not propose the candidate for Interior Minister because he would be removed’, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘We will not propose Interior Minister as he will be – removed’ by Fena – The PDP chairman Mladen Ivanic stated that his party would not put forward a candidate for a new RS Interior Minister and that a “professional” from the police would be nominated for the post. He added that additional talks about whether the three ministers from the SDA would remain in the RS government would not be held. “The post of the RS interior minister is clearly, in these situations, the next post which will be culled. Under such circumstances, people from a political life who are currently available and who would be able to lend some political significance would not have the scope to have a serious impact and, for this reason, the most likely outcome will be to find a professional from the police ranks,” Ivanic told journalists in Banja Luka. Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Mladen Ivanic’s political manoeuvre’ op-ed by Edina Sarac – Editorial refers to the abovementioned announcement by Mladen Ivanic, and the author wonders why Ivanic and his party have been struggling for months to keep “their man” Zoran Djeric at that position and now are giving up on it. Author says that this was undoubtedly Ivanic’s political manoeuvre where he will have some benefit. Editorial speculates that by not keeping the position for PDP at this time, Ivanic moves further from the issue of cooperation with ICTY, while [since Djeric has been removed conditionally] there is still a chance to regain a position after Radovan Karadzic gets arrested. |
| Osmanovic: New RS MoI must be Bosniak
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Bosniak should be an Interior Minister’ by E. Sarac – RS Vice President [Bosniak] Adil Osmanovic says that the position of the RS Interior Minister should be now taken by the Bosniak representative. “According to my information, Police Director [Radomir] Njegus should soon be retired, meaning that position will be vacant too. So, one of these two positions should be taken by the representative of one out of other two constituent peoples,” says Osmanovic. |
| Rojs says he is willing to testify in HB case | Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Ljubo Cesic Rojs: If they summon me I will testify in Hercegovacka Banka case’, mentioned on cover, by N. Dedic – Ljubo Cesic Rojs stated for DL that he is willing to testify in the Hercegovacka Banka case if he gets a summon from the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption with the BiH Prosecution. He added: “I will come to testify and say everything I know, however, there is nothing that they might charge me with since I was not involved in any of suspicious deals.” |
War crimes | |
| ICTY on status of 6 Croats
| RHB, BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Decision at the beginning of August’ by Fena, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Decision of pre-trial release in one week the latest’, by Miso Relota, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Six Croats from BiH in custody for time being’, mentioned on front, by Valentina Rupcic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Prosecutor’s Office against release of Herceg Bosna officials’ – The ICTY held a status conference on Monday to discuss requests of 5 BiH Croats and 1 Croat from Croatia (Berislav Pusic, Jadranko Prlic, Valentin Coric, Slobodan Praljak, Bruno Stojic and Milivoj Petkovic) held in custody in the ICTY, who seek a pre-trial release. The FBiH Government was represented by the FBiH Justice Minister, Borjana Kristo, and FBiH Interior Minister, Mevludin Halilovic. In her address, Minister Kristo repeated the guarantees that the FBiH Government gave for the 5 BiH Croats, noting that the FBiH authorities would make sure that every indictee appears any time the ICTY wants so. Minister Kristo noted that the decision about possible pre-trial release would be taken within one week. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 2 ‘Both Bildt and Petritsch vouch for Prlic’ by H – SD reports that representatives of Croatian and BiH authorities gave assurances that the indictees would not pose a threat to any witness, victim or others, whilst well-known diplomats Carl Bildt and Wolfgang Petritsch gave personal guarantees for Jadranko Prlic. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Court council to bring decision on release’ by E.S. – In a statement for DA, Minister Halilovic explains the procedure that took place on Monday. |
| Time magazine says
| Dnevni Avaz cover ‘Negotiations with Mladic to surrender’, pg 3 ‘Serbian Government negotiates with Mladic on his surrender’ by S. Numanovic, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Serbian Government secretly negotiates with Mladic’ by Onasa – Media report on the article that appeared in US magazine Time, according to which the Serbian government is secretly negotiating with Ratko Mladic, promising to fund his defense and provide financial aid to his family if he surrenders. The magazine quotes a senior government official as saying: “We are working very intensely on that and expect results in a couple of weeks.” Time further says that the “change appears to have been prompted by the RHB, FTV, Vecernji List pg 18 ‘Government secretly negotiates with Mladic on his surrender to The Hague’ by zb, Nezavisne Novine inset pg 7 ‘Secret negotiations with Ratko Mladic’, Nacional pg 5 ‘Mladic should be in The Hague’; Vecernje Novosti pg 5 inset ‘Government is negotiating with Mladic’– also reported on the article. |
| Del Ponte on SCG failure to cooperate with ICTY
| RHB, FTV, BHTV 1, RTRS, Vecernji List, pg 12 ‘Hadzic escapes under their nose’, by Zorana Bajt– The Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte on Monday heavily criticised the authorities of Serbia and Montenegro for not cooperating with the Tribunal, saying that if it continued she would try to take her complaint to the UN Security Council. Del Ponte told a press conference that despite promises from |
| Scheffer in
| RHB, FTV, RTRS, Nacional pg 5 ‘Mladic should be in The Hague’; Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘To cross the Hague threshold’, Dnevni List pg 23 ‘Cooperation with The Hague one of prerequisites for Partnership for Peace’ not signed – During his visit to SiCG, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary General, said that “I cannot comment where Ratko Mladic, war-time military leader of Serbs from BiH is hiding. I can just say he should be in |
| Cavic on cooperation with ICTY
| Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 3 ‘Dragan Cavic demands support of Parliament’ – As NN learnt at the RS NA Secretariat, Dragan Cavic, RS President, has demanded that the agenda of today’s session of RS NA embodies Resolution on cooperation with the ICTY. The Resolution, inter alia, demands from RS Government to urgently undertake all measures necessary in accordance with the Law on RS cooperation with the ICTY aimed at a complete fulfilment of all obligations towards their Court. RS Government would also be demanded to make personnel changes at RS MoI, in order to enable police forces to implement requests of prosecutors in charge regarding processing of war crime cases. |
| Russians deny AP allegations
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Russian will not make ‘deals’ with such people’ by M. Dr. – The First Secretary of Russian Embassy office in FBiH, Ivan Gorbunov, in a statement to DA denied allegations made by the Associated Press that Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic asked their nationalist counterparts in Russia to assist them in being granted an asylum. Gorbunov stresses that these were completely ungrounded speculations: “ |
Political issues | |
| RSNA today discusses appointment of its new Speaker; reactions | Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 3 ‘Dragan Cavic demands support of Parliament’, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Speaker on agenda’- Delegates of the RS National Assembly are expected to elect a new speaker at an extraordinary session scheduled for today instead of Dragan Kalinic removed on June 30 by High Representative Paddy Ashdown due to non-cooperation with ICTY. The majority parties have announced they will nominate delegate of the SDS Dusan Stojicic for the new speaker of the Assembly. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Nothing disputable’ – Igor Crnadak, PDP Spokesperson, stated on Monday there is no reason for RS NA to fail to elect new RS NA Speaker. At the press conference in Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Support to Stojicic’ – RS Pensioners Party would support nomination of Dusan Stojicic to the position of the new RS NA Speaker. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Faster from crisis’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Insisting to remove SDA Ministers’ – Milanko Mihajlica, President of RS Serb Radical Party, yesterday confirmed that the delegates of this party would support the nomination of Stojicic. BHTV 1, FTV – SDA announced possible support to Dusan Stojcic under the condition that SDS and PDP give up on demand to remove three SDA ministers from RS Government. RTSR – “I am sure that assembly’s majority will ensure an absolute support to Dragan Stojicic. That presents a need, not only for SDS and those parties that will support our proposal, but a need of RS” said Borislav Bojic, SDS representative in RS National Assembly. “We are very interested in political stability in RS. Crisis, which was caused by decisions of the High Representative, has to be overcome as soon as possible” said Milanko Mihajlica. “I expect that discussions on the highest level have been held but I cannot tell you about the final decision of that discussion,” said Tarik Sadovic. “Dusan Stojicic is an incomplete politician, maybe incomplete person as well; person who was involved in many criminal affairs. I simply cannot believe that that kind of situation is being ignored” said Milorad Dodik, SNSD Chairman. |
| Tokic says name Foca/Srbinje unacceptable | FTV, BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Manipulation of authorities’ – SDU vice chair Sejfudin Tokic – who initiated the decision of the BiH Constitutional Court to order change of ethnic prefixes from names of 13 cities and municipalities in RS – stated following the proposal by the RS Government to rename Foca to Foca/Serbinje: “It is very clear that RS authorities will try to prolong the practical application [of the decision]… for after the local elections.” Tokic underlines that it is with this goal that the RS Government manipulates decision of the Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘RS authorities continue to drive their people crazy’ by Sanja Skuletic – In an interview to DA, Toic raises the same points as reported above. He adds: “The proposal with which RS authorities are trying – calling upon the decision of the HR Paddy Ashdown – to keep the name Srbinje in name of Foca city can be understood only as the trial to misinform and drive their own people crazy and failure to accept the fact htat in a future there will be no prefix Serb which will survive.” |
| Reactions to Tokic’s statement
| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Bosniaks always ask more’ – Below are some comments on the statement by Sejfudin Tokic, President of SDU in BiH, who commented on the change of names of RS cities with the prefix “Serb” and also demanded the change of company names such as “Srpske sume”, “Srpske Poste” and abolishment of various holy holidays celebrated at municipalities and cities. Milanko Mihajlica, President of RS Serb Radical Party, said that: “It is more than obvious that numerous Bosniak politicians continue their campaign against everything of Serb origin. Tokic’s demand is beyond every hypocrisy.” He further said that Serbs in BiH have never and nowhere said they are bothered with celebration of any Muslim religious holidays, regardless at what state level those holidays are celebrated. Branislav Lolic, President of the SNS, said: “Through constant imposition of former pro-Bosnian ideas, Bosniak politicians would like to impose the establishment of a long-time wasted idea – the creation of the Bosnian nation. These political games only cause confusion and tension.” Igor Crnadak, PDP Spokesperson, said that PDP MPs at the RS NA would support the proposed changes to the Law on territorial organisation and local self-governance, noting there is no reason to violate BHTV 1 – Chairman of the RS Council of Peoples, Remzija Kadric, says that the deadline to fulfil decision of the |
| Mikerevic: Removal of SDA Ministers is problem of secondary nature
| EuroBlic cover ‘To calm down the situation in Srpska’ pg. RS3 ‘Politicians are balancing’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – Prior to a special session of RS NA, President of RS Government Dragan Mikerevic stated that he fully understands demands of PDP and SDS for removal of SDA Ministers, but he needs to think about possible consequences. He claims that his balancing in relation to removal of SDA Ministers was ‘a logic dose of reserve in reaching important decisions’ as well as that removals are less important issue for RS at this moment. Mikerevic said: ‘Our priority is to again establish RS NA and to verify mandates of new delegates, followed by the election of a new Parliament Speaker. After that, we urgently need to appoint Ministers of Justice and Internal Affairs.” Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘It is important to constitute National Assembly’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Removal of the SDA ministers secondary problem’, Vecernji List page 3 ‘Removal of SDA Ministers is problem of secondary nature’ by f – also reported on the statement. |
| Ivanic says PDP will not give up on demand to remove three SDA ministers
| EuroBlic cover ‘To calm down the situation in Srpska’ pg. RS3 ‘Politicians are balancing’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘We will not porpose the candidate for Interior Minister because he would be removed’, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘We will not propose Interior Minister as he will be – removed’ by Fena, – PDP leader Mladen Ivanic confirmed that the party would not give up from its demands for removal of SDA Ministers and he also assessed the stance of the Prime Minister as care of procedure issues. SDA, on the other hand, claims there were some ‘discussions at a high level’ during the weekend. SDA delegate Tarik Sadovic says that if SDA Ministers left the Government, they would no longer be a part of the Assembly majority, stressing ‘What would remain as a Serb majority would surely provoke the Government crisis.” SRS President Milanko Mihajlica stated that the party supported the Government reshuffle, including dismissal of SDA Ministers, otherwise SRS would no longer support the Government. |
| Update to organization of BiH local elections
| FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Participation of 26.586 candidates verified’ by A. Terzic, Dnevni Avaz pg ‘26 588 candidates verified preliminarily’ – BiH Electoral Commission said in a statement on Monday that it has completed the preliminary vetting process for 26,588 candidates for the upcoming municipal elections in BiH. A total of 769 candidates are running for municipal governors, and the remainder are for municipal councils and assemblies. Another 2165 candidates had their applications rejected, due to their failure to meet the necessary legal requirements. |
| DL: OHR in panic because of early elections | Dnevni List front and 7 pg ‘Early elections very likely to take place, OHR in panic’ by Z. Jukic – DL carries that according to their sources close to BiH diplomatic circles, High Representative Paddy Ashdown was dramatically talking about the situation in the RS at the last session of the Peace Implementation Council and said that it is more possible to persuade SDA not to complicate the situation in BiH further than to persuade PDP and Mladen Ivanic to give up announced removals of SDA Ministers in the RS Government. The sources also said that the HR stated that the break-up of the ruling coalition in the RS and BiH would seriously endanger the process of reforms and imply calling of early elections and that such development of the situation does not suit the OHR. The HR reminded that a longer loss of the OHR’s control over SDS and PDP would seriously endanger continuation of reforms especially with regard to unification of police forces in BiH. |
| SD interview with Terzic on OHR, IC
| Slobodna Dalmacija, front and pg 13 ‘They are better of here than to be sent to Iraq’, by Blazica Kristo – SD carries an interview with the Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, in which he, responding to a question as to how long BiH would need the OHR, says: “In this shape and with this mandate, it will not be necessary for long time. I reckon that, by end of my mandate, meaning by end of 2006, we will create pre-requisites that BiH authorities assume responsibility for political processes in BiH, and that the OHR will grow into an institution through which the EC will help BiH authorities to swiftly and efficiently adopt European standards (…) I think that me and the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, agree that we can lead to changes of the mandate of the High Representative by end of our mandates”. He also comments on his earlier statement that some people from the IC do not suit the pace of reforms in BiH by saying: “In order to have an ambiance for reforms, to adopt them, there has to be a positive environment. For example, Chris Patten held such a speech in the Bundestag in April, it was prepared by the IC people from BiH, and it did not correspond to the situation in BiH at all, it was stated that nothing was happening here, that the EC gave BiH a chance, that we missed it, and by then, we had adopted some 20 laws. I believe there is a number of junior officials of the IC, who simply do not suit that BiH goes at this pace, because their services would no longer be needed in BiH. What’s their alternative? (…) Alternatives are |
| FTV feature on BiH progress on meeting 16 EC conditions
| FTV by Zeljko Tica – FTV says that BiH reached a significant progress towards fulfilling 16 conditions set up by the European Commission before beginning the negotiations on the Stabilization and Accession Agreement. Osman Topcagic, director of BiH European Integrations Directorate says that BiH Council of Ministers adopted 40 laws out of 47 requestedBiH Council of Ministers approved texts of 40 laws, while the rest seven laws are in the process of being authorized and approved by the entities. Representatives of the both Houses in the state parliament adopted 19 laws, while the rest of them are still in the procedure. Topcagic stresses that European Commission has changed perception about BiH, as it became obvious that BiH has been serious about meeting all conditions. . However, he notes that alike in the case of admission to the Partnership for Peace, a failure to fully cooperate with the ICTY could be an obstacle for admission to EU. Noting that there is still time to improve this, Topcagic adds he expects BiH to begin with negotiations on SAA by the end of this year. |
| DL: HR to leave BiH soon, an Italian to become new HR
| Dnevni List pg 7 ‘An Italian on position of HR’ by Z. Jukic – In an inset to the aforementioned article, DL carries that according to media the HR’s closest associates Julian Braithwaite and Alistair Sommerland are leaving BiH. According to the same media writings Paddy Ashdown will also leave BiH soon and an Italian diplomat will come to his position as the |
| DL on problem of reconstruction of City of
| Dnevni List pg 11 ‘City has no money for reconstruction of ‘Razvitak’ ‘ by V. Soldo – DL carries an article on the problem of reconstruction in Mostar. The author says that the Mostar leadership, as well as, the OHR representatives have warned many times that the reconstruction of the housing units and the return of displaced persons is a problem which is difficult for the City of Mostar itself and the assistance of the state and the International Community should be demanded for resolving of this problem. In an inset under headline ‘Vain appeals addressed at BiH institutions and IC?’ by V. Soldo, DL reminds that last month Mostar Mayor Hamdija Jahic and his Deputy Ljubo Beslic, as well as, Senior Deputy High Representative Werner Wnendt visited destroyed building ‘Mukosa’ in Mostar and Wnendt appealed on competent institutions to recognize the importance of reconstruction and send a signal to the international donators’ community to involve in the reconstruction projects in BiH. |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed welcomes European leadership in BiH | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘From Dayton to Brussels’ op-ed by Zija Dizdarevic – Author refers to the recent visits of the NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and EU HR for security and foreign affairs Javier Solana to BiH, when they presented the basics of the altered international presence in BiH. Explaining the details of the future EU leadership in BiH, author notes that BiH “should welcome the arrival of EUFOR also by encouraging its mission. Bad war experiences with the EU should be replaced by the realization that it is necessary to fulfil the aspiration for full European integration.” He adds that this would be the third EU mission in the region, and that SFOR troops were already compromised of about 80% of European soldiers. “The next stage should be return to the principle of partnership… in order to reach the strengthening of the responsibilities of the domestic authorities. However, that is impossible without permanent and direct expertise EU participation.” The author sees two critical points in BiH that could cause failures to move forwards: the constitutional concept and political atmosphere. |
Economic, social and cultural issues | |
| Mostar culture declaration signed
| RHB, BHTV 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 6 ‘Mostar declaration on cultural heritage’ by S. Serdarevic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Through culture to reconciliation’, mentioned on cover ‘Culture is unifying southeast Europe’ by Z. Kresic, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Mostar Declaration obliges on preservation of cultural heritage’ not signed and Slobodna Dalmacija pg 4 ‘Declaration on cultural cooperation signed’ by M. Landeka – Ministers of Culture of 8 countries from Southeast Europe and Italy signed the Mostar Declaration following the conference on culture held in Mostar on Monday. This declaration obliges its signatories to work on preservation of the joint cultural heritage after years of the tragic destruction and to stimulate cultural pluralism. BiH also signed a contract with RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Tihic: Protection of monuments returns us to trust and tolerance’ by F. Vele – “Each reconstructed or protected object leads us closer to a tolerance and trust, which are part of tradition of BiH peoples” said Sulejman Tihic, Chairman of BiH Presidency, during his speech opening the conference. |
| DA says EC – BiH relations in jeopardy over ‘sugar’ affair
| Dnevni Avaz cover page ‘“Sugar affair” worth more than 100 million KM?!’, pg 3 ‘Sugar affair threats to BiH?’ by S. Numanovic – DA writes that BiH could face the biggest scandal to date, which could even jeopardize economic and political relations between Brussels and Sarajevo. DA says that according to the source from EC seat in |
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| Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘Croatian is not allowing refugees to sell apartments’ A. Omeragic – BiH and Croatian Ministers of Justice, Slobodan Kovac and Vesna Skare-Ozbolt respectively, this week will continue talks on unsolved property issues between two countries. According to the BiH representative in Croatia, Zlatko Dizdarevic, a value of this property in question is about 1.5 billion SUS dollars and its has recently also been discussed at the Interstate Council meeting. However the agreement was not entirely defined, and Dizdarevic adds that BiH authorities do not have a single attitude on Croatian offer. The disputable is an issue of status of BiH citizens who possess or would like to purchase property in Croatian, and BiH refugees whose property in |
| E. Busek visited EP HZ HB
| RHB, Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Erhard Busek visited EP HZ HB’ by Z.G. and Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Mostar transformer-station important for BiH and whole region’ by NINA – Stability Pact Special Coordinator Erhard Busek visited Elektroprivreda of Croat Community of Herzeg Bosna (EP HZ HB) on Monday, that is, the transformer-station Mostar 4 – Cule. On this occasion Busek stated: “The reconstruction of the energy system in southeast |
| Half of outstanding pension in FBiH to be paid as of 25 July 20, 2004
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Payment of a half of the outstanding pensions starts on 25 July’, mentioned on cover, Az. B. – DA brings that a half of the outstanding pension from 2000 in FBiH will start to be paid as of 25 July. Spokesperson for FBiH Pensions-Invalids Fund [PIO] Zarif Safic said that as soon as the government transfers the money to the bank account, the PIO will be ready to start with payments within 48 hours. The payment of this outstanding pensions has been a matter of months-long discussions between IMF and the FBiH Government. |
| Update to transfer of Eronet shares
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Domestic shareholders in favour of talks with HT Mostar’, mentioned on front, not signed – Director of Hercegovina osiguranje (and President of Eronet Supervisory Board), Robert Gavranovic, reiterates that majority owners of Eronet (Hercegovina osiguranje, Alpine komerc and Municipality of Grude) are against the agreement that the Eronet’s Management reached with HT Mostar after the Communications Regulatory Agency has awarded the 3rd GSM licence to HT Mostar. Gavranovic notes that the domestic shareholders are indeed in favour of an agreement with HT Mostar, however it is an issue that needs to be discussed with the owners since the Management is not entitled to carry out such negotiations. Gavranovic also notes that he sent a proposal of agreement to HT Mostar. Furthermore, Gavranovic notes that the domestic shareholders are against the transfer of HT Zagreb’s share in Eronet onto HT Mostar, saying the transfer should be subjected to the right to pre-emption. DL learns from a source close to the BiH Council of Ministers that the domestic shareholders have sent the OHR a letter, asking the OHR to declare itself whether the transfer was legal and whether the right to pre-emption ought to be observed. Apparently, the letter was sent on July 8, and the OHR is yet to respond. |
| Op-ed by PDHR Hays on internal debt
| Oslobodjenje pg 17 ‘Securities and cash’ by Donald Hays – In an op-ed on the issue of internal debt, the Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays writes that this week the parliaments of the Federation will be faced with a very difficult issue of voting for the bill that “solves the debt problem and puts in place strict discipline on borrowing.” “The facts are simple: the total amount of money owed by the BiH authorities is more than 200 percent of GDP. If this debt isn’t dealt with aggressively, it is projected to climb to 250 percent of GDP by the end of this year. Debt on this scale traditionally leads to the total collapse of domestic economies, bank insolvency, and currency collapse,” writes Hays.He underlines that, while the Law will mean also some unpopular decisions, if it doesn’t pass the debt could well climb to 250 percent of GDP right away. On the other hand, if the bill passes – 82 percent of frozen foreign currency account holders will get all their money, another 12 percent will get 20 percent or more of their accounts paid over a period of four years, along with bonds that can be redeemed by the government early if the economy improves. |