OHR BiH Media Round-up, 21/5/2004

Oslobodjenje

Brucellosis, Q fever epidemic threatens BiH

Dnevni Avaz

Reis Ceric: Word shehid (Muslim fighter) should not be translated

Dnevni List

BiH Court: Indictments against Jelavic, Rupcic, Prce, Karlovic and Sevo confirmed

Vecernji List

Cengic collected humanitarian aid for bin Laden

Slobodna Dalmacija

Ancient Troy was in Ljubuski field!

Glas Srpske

Employees of “Hidrogradnja” angry with Tax Administration: Tax writing complaints

Nezavisne Novine

SFOR action at wire factory in Cazin: Warehouse of spare parts of ammunition discovered; Transfer of duties at the top of RS Special Police: Lukac and Ribic file resignations

Blic

Banja Luka beer-brewers are complaining: Dumping prices are taking foam off; End of drama at the Ministry of Interior: Vukovic instead of Lukac

Slobodna Bosna

Exclusive: BiH Parliament in a defence of Ante Jelavic, Miroslav prce and Miroslav Rupcic: Hasan Cengic demands Jelavic’s release from detention and punishment for police, judges, prosecutor!

Ljiljan

Quarrels around Mostar: Spectacle or a mockery? ; Zlatko Miletic again tries to indict Hasan Cengic; These are the first independent elections in BiH

Dani

Dani in Sarajevo Central Jail: Prison Rules

Political developments

Ashdown meets with British Foreign Secretary Straw

RTRS, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Talks on admission of BiH to Partnership for Peace’ by Nina, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Cooperation with the Hague way to Europe’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Non-cooperation with the Hague obstacle to PfP’ carry that High Representative Paddy Ashdown met in London yesterday with British Foreign Minister Jack Straw. During this meeting they were talking about Feasibility Study and agreed that more should be done with regard to this issue, however, they also stressed that the BiH authorities have achieved certain progress. Talking about the BiH’s intention to join Partnership for Peace (PfP), they stressed that failing to meet international obligations towards the ICTY is the main obstacle for BiH’s joining PfP. It was concluded that in case that serious turnabout is not achieved before NATO’s Summit in Istanbul this year, BiH does not stand big chances to join PfP at the moment.

Local elections

BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘116 independent candidates conditionally certified’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ’68 independent candidates do not fulfil conditions’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Election Commission did not verify independent candidates’ by E. Mackic, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Independent candidates without verification’ by E. Medunjanin – A total of 71 political party and 184 independent candidates have been registered for this year’s local elections. BiH Election Commission could not certify independent candidates because the authorized BiH Institutions have not submitted information on whether candidates fulfil legal terms for the participation in the lections stipulated by the BiH Election Law. Lidija Korac of the BiH Election Commission said that BiH Institutions had not fulfilled their obligation towards the Commission. Out of 34 BiH Institutions, only 12 submitted necessary information. Independent candidates could not be persons who are employed within Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior of Jurisprudence, or persons who are being replaced by the decision of OHR, IPTF, SFOR etc. The municipal elections will cost approximately 3.5 million KM, and only a half of these funds have been transferred to the Commission’s account so far. The body expects BiH Council of Ministers to ensure transfer of the rest of money by June 25. 

Regular CoM session

Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Consent for the BiH Defence Ministry Rule Book’, FENA – BiH Council of Ministers on Thursday gave its consent to the Rule Book of on the internal organization of the BiH Defence Ministry. After the session, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Dragan Doko said that this provides for continuation of reform in the defence system and accessing European and Euro-Atlantic integration, primarily the Partnership for Peace. The Council of Ministers considered the Report on security situation in 2003, which was prepared by BiH Ministry of Security, and defined the measures for improving security in BiH. The Council of Ministers was also informed about the Bill amending the Law on the Public Radio-Television System and the Bill on the Public Radio-Television Service, also proposed by Novakovic, and concluded that BiH Ministry of Communications and Transport prepare an opinion on this law and forward it to the Council for consideration.

Decision about Stolac case today?

Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Decision by inspector on Stolac fortress today’, by F, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17 ‘Inspector decide about 12 crosses on Stolac fortress’, by F, – “decision on measures that need to be taken regarding the works on foundations for 12 crosses on the Stolac fortress will be submitted to the Stolac Municipality and unknown investor”, said the FBiH Construction-Physical Planning Inspector, Danijel Capelj. Capelj says that the decision, since the investor of the works is unknown, will be made public at the building of the Stolac Municipality. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Decision on Stolac fortress today’ also covered the issue.

Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Final decision about Stations of the Cross above Stolac today?’, by N. B. – the Head of Municipality Stolac, Zeljko Obradovic, could not confirm information that the Municipality of Stolac will today be receiving a decision by the FBiH Construction-Physical Planning Inspector, Danijel Capelj, related to the construction of cross at the Stolac fortress. “I still do not have an official information that the decision will be submitted today”, says Obradovic. According to DL’s information, Capelj upon visiting the location of the Old Town in Stolac, did take a decision but did not want to talk about it.

Ivanic in Skopje

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘BiH wishes to join Adriatic Charter’, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Hope in Istanbul’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘BiH readiness expressed to join Adriatic Charter’ – At the 2^nd meeting of the Commission for Partnership of the Adriatic Charter in Skopje yesterday, Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister, said that BiH is fully committed to join this Charter. According to press release issued by BiH Foreign Ministry, Ivanic conveyed appreciation for the aspirations of the Adriatic Charter member-states towards Euro Atlantic relations, and especially Partnership for Peace.

Terzic to inform EU, US officials on status of reforms in BiH

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘We will fulfil conditions for join EU by the end of July’ by S. Numanovic – Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic will during the next 20 days meet with some of the top EU and US officials in order to inform them on the status of reforms in BiH. Terzic is travelling both to Brussels and Washington at the invitation by the EU and US institutions.“I am scheduled for May 25 to inform EC officials in Brussels on the status of reforms in BiH, and I will also seize the opportunity to meet with the NATO officials and present them with the results achieved in the reform of defence. Meetings have been arranged with NATO General Secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer as well as the ambassadors of US, Germany and France at NATO,” said Terzic.  According to Terzic, in Brussels he will reiterate that the BiH’s goal is to join EU in 2009 regardless of what about this think or speak some BiH politicians or the former High Representative. “I will try to start preparing our EC partners for my coming to Brussels at the end of July, when I will with the 16 fulfilled pre-conditions from the Feasibility Study request start of process of talks on Stabilisation and Association with EU. I am absolutely confident that all the 16 conditions will be fulfilled within the set deadline and I want to announce that before the leading people in EC,” said Terzic. Commenting on claims by some EC officials that BiH has been implementing reforms but not fast enough, Terzic said that the current BiH authorities and the CoM were actually carrying out reforms faster than it was foreseen by the EC procedures themselves. He admitted problems related to the appointments of the BiH Statistics Agency Director but he said that he still believed the CoM was working ten times faster than the EC itself. According to Terzic, out of 46 that need to be passed, eight have been adopted in the most recent package and they are mainly of technical nature. He adds that the 50 percent of the job has been completed. “But we will fulfil the preconditions by the end of July. By the end of next week, a total of 36 laws will be either adopted or harmonized, as we are simultaneously working on all other issues, “ concludes Terzic adding that he cannot understand how some can say the things are going slowly when the current CoM has actually speed up pace of the reforms set by EC. When it comes to his visit to Washington, Terzic said was scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Collin Powel, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and WB representatives.   

Ashdown reiterates that European doors are open for BiH

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Consequences cannot be avoided if the RS stands (as an obstacle) on the BiH’s road to Europe’ by S. Numanovic – “Doors of Europe are open for BiH’ said High Representative Paddy Ashdown in a statement for the daily while summing up results of the talks he had held in the past seven days with foreign ministers of some leading European countries. Ashdown emphasizes that NATO was ready to admit BiH but that the Alliance as well as EU are expecting acceleration of reforms. 

Ljiljan interview with Humphreys

Ljiljan pgs 18-22 ‘Humphreys: Youth is a future of this country’ by Mirsad Sinanovic – In an interview to Ljiljan, Chief of EC Delegation to BiH, Michael Humphreys, talks about progress of the reforms regarding the conditions for beginning of the negotiations on Stabilization and Accession Agreement. On cooperation with ICTY, Humphreys stressed that this issue was one of the most important, however refused to speculate on any possible consequences if such cooperation lacks. Asked whether a difference between FBiH and RS could be made regarding lack of cooperation with the Tribunal, he stressed EC deals with BiH as a state, and not with separate entities. Humphreys however acknowledges that there is a difference in this issue between FBiH and RS, but further explains that while RS makes no effort regarding ICTY, FBiH also has to deal with a number of issues, such as return of refugees and DPs. Regarding some statements that nationalist parties cannot achieve access regarding implementation of the reforms, Humphreys stresses that for EC the only important thing is whether parties are dedicated to reforms, and not their orientation.

Mostar SDP says unification of city obstructed

Dnevni List, pg 12 ‘Total obstruction of unification of Mostar ongoing’, by M. Maslac – member of SDP Mostar Main Board, Sead Djulic, stated at a press conference held yesterday that all the talks about the process of unification of Mostar going according to the plan are untrue. Djulic notes that the HDZ is consciously stalling the implementation process, believing that the next elections will bring a good result to the party, after which the HDZ’s majority will carry out the unification the way it likes. Noting that the SDA is now panicking, after it has lost its coalition partner in Mostar, the Party for BiH, Djulic says the SDP believes that the IC is the main culprit for the situation because “it is inconsistent and unprincipled, not exerting the pressure strong enough, which is supposed to do”.

Police/security issues

Lukac handed duty

Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 5 ‘Lukac and Ribic file resignations’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Lukac handed duty’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Nevertheless, Lukac accepted decision on removal’ by BS,Blic, pg. 13 ‘Lukac withdrew’ by Tijana Veselinovic mentioned on cover ‘End of drama at the Ministry of Interior: Vukovic instead of Lukac’, Vecernje novosti, pg. 6 ‘Lukac withdrew’ by M. L., Nacional Belgrade daily, pg. 3 ‘ Lukac handed over the duty of RS Special Police Chief’ not signed’ – The press statement, which Dragan Lukac and Dragan Ribic, former Head and Deputy Head of RS Special Police, yesterday forwarded to the media reads that they filed irrevocable resignations to their positions. According to the letter, they have made this decision for moral reasons, because of the tragic events in the MoI action in Visegrad. They were ready to do this even before, but they did not do that because of various manipulations regarding this action and since they were aware that all the responsibility would be transferred only to the Special Police Department, according to them. The letter further reads: “Owing to these exact reasons, we rejected the decision, because we were made clear that those decisions were made under political pressures.”

The letter also mentions Donald Hays, PDHR: “The PDHR, Mr. Donald Hays, suggested that all the legal decisions should be respected for the purpose of establishing the truth regarding the action of MoI in Visegrad and he emphasised that the Special Police Department cannot be dismissed and should continue doing its job within its competence. He also suggested that it was necessary to establish an independent commission to establish the truth.”

Also, the letter stresses: “If we caused fear of any citizen from potential inappropriate actions of the Special Police Unit, we would like to take the opportunity to apologise to them publicly since it was not our intention even for a single moment, and at the same time we were ready to provide protection to all the citizens and their property, which this unit has been doing all these years of its existence.”

They conclude the letter by calling on all members of Special Unit to continue working and doing their job and tasks which they were trained for and in which they put a lot of effort and knowledge. Lukac and Ribic sincerely hope that in future the Special Unit will have the senior officials who will appreciate and reward their work, and especially back their own decisions and orders.

Bosko Marjanovic, Head of Commission for Transfer of duties, yesterday confirmed that the transfer of duties between the former and newly-appointed officials of Special Police did take place.

According to NN inset 1, seven members of the RS Special Police Unit, whom Rdaomir Njegus, Police Director, suspended on Monday, yesterday handed the equipment and left the base at Rakovacke Bare.

According to NN inset 2, the transfer of duties between Dragan Lukac and Dragan Ribic, former Head and Deputy Head of Special Police respectively, and Ranko Vukovic and Dragan Dukic, newly appointed Head and Deputy Head of Special Police respectively, yesterday took place. Lukac and Ribic were waiting for decisions in writing on their re-deployment to perform hand-over.

RS Govt. press release

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Support to MoI’ – The Republika Srpska Government yesterday expressed full support to the so far activities and measures undertaken by MoI. According to press release Government issued yesterday, Government is convinced that the further investigation procedure into Visegrad action would be completed in an unbiased and transparent manner.

PDP supportive of MoI

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘PDP gives recognition to EUPM and OHR’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Support to police’ – According to press release yesterday issued by PDP, this party gives recognition to EUPM and OHR who contributed to the rule of law and democratic procedure of passing decisions within authority bodies by having supported Police Director. PDP also condemned “misconduct and unprofessional attitude” of former officials of Special Unit. This party finds the statements by Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, to be harmful. According to PDP, Dodik has “supported the putschistic ideas of the removed police officers.”

Oslobodjenje on Visegrad operation, murdering of Lukic

Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘New details on murdering of Lukic – Was the helicopter flight announced?’ – Did the RS officials request from SFOR a permission for a helicopter flight prior to the operation in Visegrad during which Novica Lukic was killed? According to the reliable daily’s source, the answer to this question will clear up many things related to the operation as well as the responsibility for its total failure.  

NN editorial on Visegrad operation, RS special policemen removal

Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘Seats or arrests’ editorial by Dragan Jerinic – The author is writing about the latest developments related to removals at Special Police with the reference to Visegrad action. The message of his editorial is: “NATO will not regard valid only the attempted arrest of war crime suspects. They are not interested in what happened in Visegrad, who planned and who sold the action, neither on what conclusions on this were passed by RS NA. NATO requests to see results, and it will be visible only when Republika Srpska police manages to fill in Scheweningen cells in approximately 15 days time – so many days are left before NATO Summit in Istanbul.”

He also makes a reference to Dragan Kalinic and Mladen Ivanic, claiming that they are actually bosses, who will not face sanctions. Instead, Zoran Djeric and Radomir Njegus will. The author also firmly claims that Republika Srpska police could have arrested war crime suspects a long time ago only if Kalinic and Ivanic found it appropriate. Because Djeric and Njegus would have done it for them for sure, according to Jerinic.

SB interview with dismissed Dragan Lukac

Slobodna Bosna pgs 23-26 ‘SDS’ hardliners revenge against me through Director Njegus!’ by Suzana Sacic – SB carries an interview with the former Commander of RS Special Police Unit Dragan Lukac, dismissed by RS Police Director Radomir Njegus over police action in Visegrad in which Novica Lukic, a brother of ICTY suspect Milan Lukic, was killed. On the action, Lukac points out that police officers did not have a back-up operation plan, claiming Njegus should had prepared it, adding that such plan was draft after the action without his participation. He also denied media speculations that the order was to kill, and not to arrest, Lukac, but added that the action was carried out based on “bad” information. He adds TV cameramen were already present at the scene when police arrived, explaining that the information about the action leaked. Asked about the report on the action presented to RS National Assembly by Njegus and RS Interior Minister Zoran Djeric, Lukac comments that only a part of the truth was presented to RSNA delegates who have no understanding as to how MoI functions, which ended in Special Police being the only one blamed. On the new Commander of special police, Ranko Vukovic [who also participated in the action], Lukac says that there were trials to replace him with Vukovic already in 1997 [journalist comments that this was tried by Momcilo Krajisnik and Momcilo Mandic], stressing Vukovic has no experience with special police, while newly appointed Deputy Dragan Dukic was dismissed from special unit when he was a commander. Lukac concludes that he believes that the decision on his dismissal was entirely politically motivated decision: “Absolutely, Director [Njegus] said that when he came to the meeting with us, explaining us he has to do this because of political pressures from different sides. He admitted that also before the RSNA!”  

Ljiljan, Dani on Lukac and Visegrad action

Ljiljan pg 25 ‘SDS again powerless before Lukac’ by Edin Rizvanovic – “According to the information from RS MoI leadership, the action was ordered by Radovan Karadzic personally, as [Milan] Lukic stoled some documents from him, and as we learned, already handed it to the Hague Tribunal through its connections. The order for liquidation was passed through SDS leadership, and their people in MoI [not hard to guess who are those], and finally given to special police officer who carried out execution thinking that he killed Milan, ” reads the article which blames RS Police Director Njegus and RS Interior Minister Zoran Djeric for being entirely responsible for the action.   

Dani pg 6 ‘Because of dismissal of Chief of RS special police, EUPM officers go for vacation’ – Article, supportive of Dragan Lukac, notes that new Commander Vukovic was a member of Karadzic’s escort for a long time. It additionally writes that RS MoI has been trying to get rid of Lukac since 1997, and comments that EUPM would probably not do much about this as its Chief of office in Banja Luka is close to Njegus and Djeric.

BiH security and intelligence director general, deputy appointed

Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Dzuvo, Zaric appointed to top ISA posts’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Almir Dzuvo appointed OSA General Director, Risto Zaric appointed his deputy’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Almir Dzuvo and Risto Zaric appointed as OSA Directors’, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Dzuvo and Zaric appointed leaders of Intelligence-Security Agency’ by D. Polovina-Mandic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Measures for improving of security situation defined’ by B. Kristo, ONASA – The BiH Council of Ministers appointed on Thursday Almir Dzuvo and Risto Zaric to the positions of the director general and deputy director general respectively of the BiH Intelligence and Security Agency (OSA). The decision was made with a previous concordance of the BiH Presidency, the parliamentary commission for supervision of work of the BiH Intelligence and Security Agency and after the completion of the process of checks in the Office of the High Representative (OHR). The appointment of the chief inspector of the OSA will take place after the procedure is completed.

Terzic calls for police force reform

BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Number of employees in police to be reduced by 5,000’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Three thousand police officers in BiH to lose jobs’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘5000 extra workers in police structures’, mentioned on cover, by R. Radic, ONASA – Considering that BiH has problems with the organization of the police force, a serious re-restructuring in this field should take place, Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic said on Thursday. Terzic said that a conclusion on the necessity of reform of police forces in BiH has been made from the analysis of the Feasibility Study, namely of its part related to the creation of legal presuppositions for the strengthening of the legal state. He stressed that launching these activities was not a result of pressure by institutions of the international community in BiH. “The BiH Council of Ministers will form a commission in which BiH experts will work and whose task will be to propose the country’s authorities in which way and in which period European standards in the segment of security should be adopted,” Terzic said. The BiH Council of Ministers will request the expert assistance from the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and “the appointment of a man who will be the coordinator and who will chair the commission.” BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak said that there were 18,000 police officers in BiH. He said that approximately 5,000 more persons are employed in the administration, which exceeds economic possibilities of BiH. “By the adoption and introduction of European standards, the dismissal of approximately 5,000 employees could be expected, out of whom approximately 3,000 directly employed in police structures and approximately 2,000 from the administration segment,” Colak said.

Judiciary/crime/investigations

Indictment against Jelavic and other confirmed by BiH Court

Herceh Bosna Radio, FTV, RTRS, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Indictment against Ante Jelavic confirmed’, by H, Dnevni List, front and pg 5 ‘BiH Court: Indictments against Jelavic, Rupcic, Prce, Karlovic and Sevo confirmed’, by N. Dedic, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Indictment against Jelavic and associates validated’, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Indictments in Jelavic case confirmed’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 – Judge Bernard Boland confirmed the bill of indictment that was filed by Prosecutor of the Special Department for Organized Crime with BiH Prosecution, John McNair, against Ante Jelavic, Miroslav Rupcic, Miroslav Prce, Ivica Karlovic and friar Ivo Sevo in the ‘Hercegovacka bank’ case. BiH Court confirms that Jelavic, Rupcic and Prce have been indicted for abuse of office or authority, embezzlement, negligent conduct and tax evasion, whilst Sevo and Karlovic have been indicted for abuse of office and authority. The first hearing, at which the defendant will be entering pleas, is scheduled for June 4, 2004.

SB: ‘BiH Parliament defends Jelavic, Prce, Rupcic’

Slobodna Bosna cover splash ‘Exclusive: BiH Parliament in a defence of Ante Jelavic, Miroslav Prce and Miroslav Rupcic: Hasan Cengic demands Jelavic’s release from detention and punishment for police, judges, prosecutor!’, pgs 5-7 ‘Hasan Cengic from SDA and ‘Karadzic supporter’ Bosko Siljegovic demand removal of prosecutors and policemen who arrested Jelavic’ by Senad Avdic – SB learns that the Commission of BiH Parliament appointed three months ago to investigate legality of arrest of Ante Jelavic, Miroslav Prce and Miroslav Rupcic, concluded its report and will present to BiH House of Representatives in near future. According to its source – one of the Commission members – the report consists of about 20 page, and was signed by Commission Chair Bosko Siljegovic, SDS delegate, for whom SB says is Karadzic’s supporter, and some of the other members include Hasan Cengic SDA, Ilija Filipovic HDZ and Osman Brko SDA [no opposition parties were represented in the Commission]. The general remark of the report is that arrest “was carried out with a series of legal omissions because of which all persons that participated this action must face adequate legal and other punishments. Commission also concluded… that legality of extending detention to Jelavic, Porce and Rupcic by BiH Court was very questionable, and expressed concern regarding the fairness of the trial.” SB further claims that the harshest critics were addressed against FBiH Police Administration and its Director Zlatko Miletic. Article [very critical of the Commission] concludes that at the same time when report was being finalized, FBiH Police Administration filed charges against Hasan Cengic for misuse of office [for details of charges please see yesterday’s BiH Media Round up.]

Ljiljan cover, pgs 23-24 ‘New police scam’ by Mustafa Borovic – Ljiljan’s article claims that charges against Cengic were absolutely ungrounded, as “at the time he, as Defence Minister, in accordance with the law, approved company BIO to … produce explosive, ammunition and weaponry, as he would do with any other case… He did what Law approves.” Article is highly critical of Miletic.

OHR on Law on HJPC

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Deputies to the BiH HoP should show their commitment to reforms’, FENA – The Office of the High Representative welcomes Wednesday’s adoption of the Proposed Law on Single HJPC by Constitutional Commission of the BiH House of Peoples. The BiH House of Peoples itself is to consider the single HJPC Law on Friday. Strengthening the judiciary by adopting legislation establishing a single HJPC is one of the 16 conditions that BiH must fulfil before the European Commission will enter into negotiations with BiH for a Stability and Association Agreement. “Delegates in the BiH House of Peoples tomorrow have the opportunity to show the same commitment towards European reforms and the Rule of Law in BiH as their colleagues in the House of Representatives,” OHR Spokesman Mario Brkic told a press conference in Sarajevo on Thursday.

Trial to former CEO of HB Karlovic completed, verdict on Monday

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 60 ‘Hercegovacka bank profited from the loan’, by A. Vlaho, Dnevni List, pg 43 ‘Verdict to Ivica Karlovic on Monday’, mentioned on front, by N. Dedic, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 – trials to former CEO of ‘Hercegovacka bank’, Ivica Karlovic, who has been charged with abuse of office and authority because he, according to the Prosecution, granted a loan to ‘Gratex’ Company of Tomislavgrad thus indirectly financing the ‘Monitor M’ Company of Grude, which constituted a violation of ban imposed by the FBiH Banking Agency, was completed at the Mostar Cantonal Court. The presiding judge in the case, Slavko Pavlovic, announced the verdict would be passed on Monday, May 24.

VL: FBiH intelligence report on Hasan Cengic

Vecernji List, front and pg 3 ‘Cengic collected humanitarian aid for bin Laden’, by Zoran Kresic – the daily carries excerpts of a report prepared by the ‘FBiH intelligence agency’, which links Hasan Cengic and one Fatih Al Hassanein with the most radical Islamic groups including Osama bin Laden. Apparently, the 54-page report notes that Islamic countries had during the war sent to BiH humanitarian aid worth 2,5 billion US$, of which a considerable amount was abused. VL explains that the Fund for help to BiH Muslims, through which all the aid went, was established in Zagreb in October 1992, and the first president of the Fund was the then main imam of the Zagreb mosque, Mustafa Ceric. Back then, Cengic was appointed the secretary, who together with Al Hassanein, a Sudan national who lived in BiH before the war, seized the complete control of all humanitarian aid coming from Islamic countries. The report also says that Cengic and Al Hassanein established a humanitarian organization through which they helped radical Islamic circles in the world. The reports reads: “The embargo that was imposed to BiH enabled representatives of the Fund to impose BiH a cooperation with the most radical states in the world, as well as with terrorist organizations. A large part of the money into the Fund came from the countries that were on the special list of the US State Department, such as Sudan and other. It is assumed that terrorists used the humanitarian organization to collect money for individuals from the Bosnian government, including Osama bin Laden”. The report also links Senad Sahinpasic, Edham Bicackic, Bakir Alispahic, Irfan Ljevakovic, Fikret Abdic, Alija Delimustafic, Senaid Memic, Murid Djuliman and others to various illegalities.

Dnevni List pg 2 carries in its ‘Statement of Day’ former FBiH Deputy Minister of Defense Hasan Cengic as saying: ‘I have not overstepped any authorities.’

Todorovic says RS citizens, institutions should face Srebrenica tragic events with dignity

Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Face Srebrenica with dignity’, Dnevni Avaz pg 15 ‘Those believed the truth on Srebrenica can be hidden are wrong’, FENA – President of the RS Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Branko Todorovic told RTRS late on Wednesday the RS citizens and institutions should face tragic war developments in Srebrenica with dignity. He added that those still believing the truth would be covered up were totally wrong.

Masovic on Srebrenica Commission, Bogdanic

Oslobodjenje pg 8, mentioned on cover ‘Bogdanic told me it was about misunderstanding’ – President of the Federation Commission on Missing Persons Amor Masovic told the daily that he had still not read a letter Chairman of the Srebrenica Commission Milan Bogdanic had sent to him with regard to the availability of the information on enwly-discovered mass graves. However, according to Masovic, Bogdanic told him by phone that the entire disputes was just about misunderstanding. “I hope that the Srebrenica Commission will by May 29 get the RS Government’s consent to forward the information on mass graves to us,” Masovic said.   

Carla del Ponte on Karadzic and Mladic

Vecernje novosti, pg. 4 ‘Karadzic and Mladic are often in Serbia and Montenegro’ by BETA – 15 Hague indictees, including Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, have permanent residences or often reside at the territory of Serbia and Montenegro, yet the authority is doing nothing to arrest them, as Carla del Ponte has stated in a letter recently sent to the Hague Tribunal President, Theodor Meron. Oslobodjenje pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Karadzic and Mladic are often in SCG’ also covered the issue.

On war crimes against Serb population in Srebrenica and Bratunac

Blic, pg. 17 ‘Only Oric at the Court for 960 victims’ by M. Jandric – The article reads that 12 years ago units under the command of Naser Oric have organized first attacks against Serb villages in Srebrenica and Bratunac region. Between May and December 1992, 43 villages were torched and 960 women, children and elderly were massacred and brutally killed. A representative of the RS Secretariat for Relations with ICTY, Janko Velimirovic, has stated that only Naser Oric went to the Hague for these crimes although many other people were suspected of ethnic cleansing of Srebrenica. The article also reads that one of the main participants in crimes in Srebrenica, Abdurahman Malikic, is currently Srebrenica Mayor. Apart from Oric and Malikic, Zulfo Tursunovic is also suspected of the crimes. According to the data of the Secretariat, all crimes committed in 1992 indicate without any doubt that Serb people gave no cause for attacks.

Storage of arms spare parts found in Cazin

Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 2 ‘Warehouse of spare parts of ammunition discovered’ – The Police of Una Sana Canton, with support of SFOR, yesterday discovered the warehouse of arms spare parts at the Wire Factory in Cazin, which has not been operating since the war ended. Over 10 thousand of grenade launchers cartridge cases, around 3 thousand hand grenade cases and a large number of powder charges for hunting arms.

Economic/social affairs

HR ended tour to promote BiH’s tourism

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Change picture on situation in BiH through tourism’ by S. Numanovic – With the presentation in London on Thursday, the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, ended his tour through the European capitals aimed at presentation of the BiH’s tourist’s potentials. “This is not any more a country form the 1990s but a state on its way to Europe, the beautiful, stable and peaceful one, the one that should anyway be visited,” said Ashdown in a statement for the daily.

SD on HR’s presentation of BiH tourism

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16 ‘Vacation for tourists (adventurers)’ by Z. Tulic ironically comments on the tour of High Representative Paddy Ashdown and BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic during which they present potentials of BiH tourism and according to the author the word adventure suits the best to the whole BiH tourist offer. The author mentions the problem of undeveloped railways and the fact that BiH still does not have a proper highway. He also raises the issue of polluted rivers and Jablanica Lake that the author mentions as a place where the HR bought a house. Talking about mountain tourism the author says that it would attract hunters the most and the biggest attraction would be hunt after war crime suspects Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic.

BiH Association of Veterinarians on appearance of Q-fever and brucellosis

BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 7 ‘Brucellosis, Q fever epidemic threatens BiH’ Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Infection because of non-implementation of systematic actions in BiH’ by I. Tabucic, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Responsible ones do not know where brucellosis threatens’ by D. Jazvic carry that the Presidency of the BiH Association of Veterinarians held a session yesterday due to spreading of brucellosis in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and Q-fever in the RS. During the session it was concluded that only through consistent and systematic acting on the territory of whole BiH appearance and spreading of infectious diseases among animals and their transmitting to people can be prevented. According to President of this Association Jasmin Ferzibegovic, one of the reasons for spreading of the infection is the fact that the principles on import of cattle in BiH are not being respected.

“Hidrogradnja” firm versus Tax Administration of RS

Glas Srpske cover page story ‘Tax writing complaints’ – Obren Elez, President of the Syndicate of firm “Hidrogradnja” from Serb Sarajevo told GS that the Syndicate will file a suit against RS Tax Administration, because it illegally calculated and received payment of BAM 1.6 million in taxes. Elez claims that Tax Administration calculates and collects even taxes on field allowances and meal allowances of field employees. He says that Republika Srpska National Assembly last year adopted Changes and addenda to the Law on income taxes, which cancelled the collection of taxes on allowances for meal prepared in private restaurant. However, Ljiljana Forca, Spokesperson of the RS Tax Administration, denied these claims saying that the tax collection is in accordance with the Law.

Reis Ceric on word shehid

Dnevni Avaz cover page, pg 5 ‘Word shehid should not be translated’ – Interview with Mustafa Ceric, the Head of the BiH Islamic Community. Commenting on the dispute over putting word shehid (martyr) in the Federation Law on the Veteran’s Rights, the Head of the BiH Islamic Community, Mustafa Ceric, said in an interview with the newspaper that this word should be used in its original form without being translated since it was totally understandable and recognized by the people.

Association for Protection of Old Foreign Currency Savings Depositors demands from HR to help them in resolving of their issue

Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Life on verge poverty due to violation of BiH Constitution’ by De.L carries that the Association for Protection of Old Foreign Currency Savings Depositors demands from High Representative Paddy Ashdown to withdraw from the parliamentary procedure passing of the law on regulation of obligations on an internal debt in which the old foreign currency saving was also classified. They also expect from the HR to launch the procedure with the BiH Council of Ministers to pass a unified law at the state level with regard to the old foreign currency saving in BiH and secure that the funds coming from sale or managing of the state property are directed and blocked on ESCROW accounts by the adoption of the aforementioned law. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Adopt state law on old foreign currency saving, abolish the entity’s ones’ also reported on the issue.