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| Refugee Camp in Banovici | Cavic in | World Children’s Day | FBIH MoI arrests Pakistani |
| BiH news for the week | Kostunica on ICTY | Donation for refugees | Indictments vs. 4 Bosniaks |
| Crimes against Serbs | Conference on war crimes | Cavic in | Cavic in |
| Face to Face | Nevesinje forum on war | Conference on war crimes | HR on ICTY indictees |
| Oslobodjenje | Cavic goes to |
| Dnevni Avaz | Ivic Pasalic still dreams about dividing BiH; Tihic: We will hold congress earlier because of reforms; Cavic seeks from Tadic extradition of war criminals |
| Dnevni List | Pensioners will receive 2 pensions in December |
| Vecernji List | Features Croatia related headlines |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features |
War crimes | |
| Cavic to seek from SCG authorities to extradite RS citizens indicted by ICTY
| RTRS by Stela Jungic– RS President Dragan Cavic said that he will ask from Serbian and Montenegrin authorities on Monday to extradite RS citizens indicted for war crimes by ICTY. Cavic reiterated determination of the RS to cooperate with the Hague Tribunal, and underlined that RS MoI understands that it is its duty to meet legal obligations. Commenting what he expects after 23 November when Carla Del Ponte will address the UN Security Council, Cavic said that she will probably criticise RS. “Certainly those qualifications will not be commendable for RS, on the contrary. But life will not stop on the 23 November, life goes on,” Cavic said adding that cooperation with the ICTY is the matter of continuity. RS president did not exclude possibility that RS will be sanction, but stressed that punishments will not lead to anything. “We are asking from SCG to act in accordance with the law on international norms and carries out the extraditions,” says Cavic. RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic will also travel to BHT 1, NTV Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 inset ‘Matijasevic: There are no bigger of smaller fish in the pound’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘We have no information of indictees to be in RS’ – Darko Matijasevic stated there is no information on any person publicly indicted by ICTY to currently reside in RS and refused accusations that RS MoI only arrests less important persons. NTV Hayat, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Cavic asks from Tadic to extradite war crimes indictees’, mentioned on cover, by M. Vidovic, Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 3 ‘Cavic goes to Belgrade for ICTY indictees’ by Fena, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Meeting of high-ranked authority representatives in Belgrade’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Extradition of indictees to RS’ by f, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Sanctions and punishments lead nowhere’ not signed – also covered Cavic statements. |
| Kostunica denies lack of Serbian cooperation with ICTY
| FTV, BHT 1, RTRS – Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica stated that |
| War crimes conference in Konjic
| RTRS, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Approaching of ICTY to local communities’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Extradition of RS indictees’ by F – During the Conference “Approaching of ICTY to local communities in BiH – ICTY’s work with regard to crimes committed in Konjic during the war” it was stressed that facing with the truth and processing of war criminals are prerequisites for building of trust and true re-integration of BiH and better future of its peoples and citizens. Addressing participants of the Conference, President of the RS Helsinki Board Branko Todorovic stated that true process of reconciliation and joint life in BiH are not possible until those responsible for war crimes are punished. BHT 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Punishing war criminals is an exam for BiH’, mentioned on cover, by E. Badzak – The conference was organized by RS Helsinki Committee, and special attention was paid to war crimes committed against Serb civilians in Konjic. The goal was to present ICTY activities to citizens. Participants of the conference concluded that RS and SCG authorities prevent arrests and prosecution of war criminals, even in cases of crimes committed against Serbs. |
| Ashdown warns RS on cooperation with ICTY | BHT 1 – The High Representative Paddy Ashdown stated that RS will face serious consequences if because of its non-cooperation with the ICTY BIH is excluded from the list of candidates for the Partnership for Peace at NATO Summit in December. FTV – In his statement for RTRS, Ashdown said that if ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte states before the UN Security Council that there was no progress, the consequences would be serious. RTRS – In an interview to Dnevni Avaz, Ashdown added that RS resistance towards carrying out the arrests is a source of great concern. Dnevni List pg 2 carries in its ‘Statement of Day’ HR Ashdown as saying: ‘Time for the RS is running out.’ Note: For detailed summaries of HR’s statements in DA and RTRS, please see BiH Media Round-up for November 21. |
Police and army issues | |
| Cavic, Matijasevic on police reforms: We support reforms in accordance with BiH Constitution
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘That is OK, but in accordance with the BiH Constitution’ – Commenting on the police reform, RS President Dragan Cavic stated that RS supports reforms but those in accordance with the BiH Constitution. He stressed that he is favour of existence of MoI at the RS level. “We support police reform and we want to have in this country applied standards which are relevant to all police organizations in Europe, but we also know that each country has different model and unique standards,” said Cavic adding that BiH is decentralized country with entities and that no solution outside of constitutional framework can be accepted. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘We have no information that indictees are in RS’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Existence and survival of RS MoI’ not signed – Darko Matijasevic also commented the police reform saying that he clearly supports constitutional authorities of RS: “That includes existence and survival of RS Interior Ministry, and we are ready to look for solutions that will include all European solutions and standards.” FTV – Cavic said that RS will stand for “European way”, referring to the reforms and changes which will lead society from RTRS, BHT 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Cavic asks from Tadic to extradite war crimes indictees’, mentioned on cover, by M. Vidovic, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Police reform within constitutional framework only’ not signed – also cover Cavic’s and Matijasevic’s statements. |
| First joint structure of BiH Armed Forces to be promoted on 2 December
| RTRS – The first joint structure of BIH Armed Forces will be promoted on 2 December. The honorary unit, to be engaged in protocol ceremonies in BIH, is made of 67 members. The first unit commander will be a representative of the Serb people. Asked by RTRS reporter whether this is a path towards joint BIH Army, Nikola Radovanovic,BIH Defence Minister, said that the unit is a joint structure and adds that BIH Armed Forces exists as it has been decided within the BIH defence legislation. |
Political issues | |
| SDA Main Board session held: Change of BiH Constitution possible next year
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Change of BiH Constitution will be possible next year’, mentioned on front, by E. Mackic –SDA Main Board held its session on Saturday during which it was agreed that the SDA Congress should take place on May 26, 2005. Explaining as to why this date has been chosen, president of the party Sulejman Tihic stated that important tasks are ahead of SDA during this year, that is, implementation of reforms, establishing institutions, change of the BiH Constitution, preparation for the discussion regarding the lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro and he added: ‘Probably, the change of the International Community and High Representative’s mandate will take place. This situation demands full involvement of our representatives in these activities.’ FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘All goals achieved at the elections’ by H.O., Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Change of BiH Constitution next year?’ by S. Rozajac – Tihic also announced that next year BiH Constitution could be changed, which would enable creation of modern, functional and cheaper state structure. In addition, he said that in February 2005, main hearing in the case of BiH lawsuit against SCG would be held and thus all preparations must be completed. Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Congress will be held earlier because we are turning completely to reforms’, mentioned on cover, by H. Orahovac – In a statement to DA, Tihic reiterates SDA determination to be entirely dedicated to process of reforms. As for the disputes in the work of FBiH Government, Tihic reminded that SDA always comes out stronger from any of the crisis, adding that the current one has more to do with the conflict inside Party for BiH and is not result of inter-parties disputes. |
| European People’s Party president meets HDZ officials
| FTV, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 3 ‘HDZ BiH becomes observer of European People’s Party’ by Z. Zekic, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘HDZ BiH in Europe’ by Z. Kresic – President of European People’s Party Wilffried Martens visited the HDZ BiH Headquarters in Mostar on Saturday and stated that HDZ BiH meets requirements for getting the status of an observer in the European People’s Party. The dailies report that President of HDZ Croatia Ivo Sanader also attended this meeting. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘SDA, HDZ BiH and PDP to enter European people’s party as of 3 December?’ by F.Vele, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘HDZ, SDA and PDP observers in European People’s Party soon’, mentioned on front ‘National parties observers in European People’s Party’ by NINA – DL carries President of HDZ BiH Barisa Colak as saying that as early as on December 3 HDZ BiH together with SDA and PDP will get a status of the observer in the European People’s Party and he added: ‘This is extremely important for further work, as well as, for Europeanization of BiH.’ |
| DA on statement of Ivic Pasalic in Mostar
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Ivic Pasalic still dreams of dividing BiH’, pg 4 ‘Ivic Pasalic shows that Tudjman’s dream on dividing BiH has not disappeared’ by J. Sogolj – DA brings reactions to the statements given by rightwing politician Ivic Pasalic who has started in Mostar with the presidential campaign for Croatia. At the occasion he called on creation of the Croat federal unit within BiH. DA carries statements of Safet Halilovic from Party for BiH, Miro Lazovic from SDU and Sefik Dzaferovic from SDA who all think that these statements reflect the politics of |
| DL on FBiH budget
| Dnevni List pg 3 ‘FBiH Parliament will not be dissolved’, mentioned on front, by J. Petrovic – DL carries Chairman of the House of Representatives of the Federation of BiH Parliament Muhamed Ibrahimovic who says that he does not believe that FBiH President Niko Lozancic will use his authorities and dissolve the FBiH Parliament in case that the FBiH budget for the next year was not adopted by the last day of this year. According to Ibrahimovic, in case that conditions for the budget’s adoption are not met, the decision from the last year (the Decision on temporary financing) will be applied. FBiH Minister of Finances Dragan Vrankic hopes that, nevertheless, the FBiH budget will be passed within a deadline prescribed by the law and added that in order to achieve this goal it is necessary that all institutions speed up their work on this issue and work with lot of understanding. |
| Comments on occasion of DPA ninth anniversary
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Everything is better than this Bosnia’, mentioned on cover, by A. Omeragic – On the occasion of the upcoming anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Oslobodjenje brings chronology of the events before and after DPA. In addition, it says that there are more and more people believing that while DPA served it purpose of brining peace, the time has come to change it. Haris Silajdzic states that he is certain that discussions on constitutional changes will be intensified next year. One of the participants of the negotiations leading to DPA, Kresimir Zubak, says he still wonders why the agreement had to include so many compromises adding it must be changed as soon as possible. OHR Spokesperson, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Nine years of Dayton’ op-ed by Husein Orahovac – Editorial refers to the DPA anniversary concluding that Dayton’s big achievement in BiH was peace, but that only after constitutional changes BiH can become functional state. |
| Forum EU – Western Balkans to be held on Monday | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Solana and Ashdown tomorrow at the meeting of Forum in Brussels’ by Fena – Fena news agency informs that upcoming meeting of the Forum European Union – Western Balkans will gather on Monday is Brussels “unusually big number of dignitaries from EU and international community.” As the meeting is to be held at the same time as the EU Council of Ministers, it is expected that chiefs of the Western Balkans diplomatic missions will meet with all 25 their EU counterparts. The agenda of the Forum, which will be attended by HR Paddy Ashdown and EU High Rep for Policy and Security Javier Solana, has not been published. |