OHR BiH Media Round-up, 21/6/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

Closing events of ‘June dawns’ today

Interplet employees in Strike

PRD in session

IM Jovic meets Jewish institute reps

Auto-tranport in strike

Colak on citizenship

Mostar City Council on excess staff

Mittal Steel unfroze the strike

“Economist” conference in Sarajevo

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

BiH HoR & HoP in session

CoM session

BiH Fiscal Council in session

Neretva valley to become fully salty

Dodik on PRD

BIH HoP in session

Day of Refugees marked

BIH HoR session

BIH HoR in session

World Bank reps meet BiH officials

ITA Steering Board session

Entity Govts on welfare re VAT

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

SB ITA discusses VAT revenues

Addit. evidence re Zvornik war crime

CoM session

BiH Fiscal Council in session

Exhumation near Tuzla : 24 remains

BIH Fiscal Council session

BiH HoP on session

BIH HoR in session

BIH Fiscal Council session ends

Macedonia on BiH’s milk export

CoM in session

BIH HoR session

Oslobodjenje

[BiH HoR] VAT returns to begin

Dnevni Avaz

Will Terzic be list-holder of SBiH?

Dnevni List

Beslic: It was not destroyed during my mandate (Mostar Mayor Beslic on destruction of Mostar’s OldBridge)

Vecernji List

Last chance for Croatia (football World Cup)

Slobodna Dalmacija

New Yutel in Sarajevo (Igman initiative’s plan to establish regional broadcasting)

Nezavisne Novine

The amount of BAM 1.5 million spent on cars and travels

Glas Srpske

Uncertainty harder than loan

EuroBlic

It is easier to get an index than labour booklet (enrolment policy for some faculties delayed)

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related topics

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

PRD SB in session, discussion on model of future police structure in BiH

RHB– Harmonization of the presented model of police structure is the main topic of the meeting of the Police Reform Directorate Steering Board taking place in Sarajevo today. As announced by the Board member Sead Lisak at the previous meeting, Directorate’s executive body has presented the Board with a model according to which the police structure in BiH would be organized at two levels: state and local. In today’s meeting, the Board is supposed to discuss comments that its members have supplied to date.  RTRS – Vinko Dumancic, PRD SB Chair, has announced prior to the session that session is to discuss some remarks and suggestions, which some members of SB filed against the proposed model. Responding to press question how many of such remarks were made, Dumancic could not give exact answer since those will be presented during the session.

SNSD Vasic: Work of PRD SB must be urgently solved

RTRS – At today’s press conference in Banja Luka, SNSD Chair Board member, Rajko Vasic, has reiterated stance that the issue of change of work of the PRD SB must be urgently resolved, otherwise RS representative at the SB “should withdraw from this farce on reform, which obviously cannot contribute to improvement in BiH.”

PRD SB member Smajic: not informed why CoM rejected report

SRNA– Nijaz Smajlovic, the Acting Police Director of RS told SRNA in Sarajevo he was not informed of circumstances and reasons why BiH CoM Tuesday returned Report on PRD work for first five months of this year work. SRNA ’ source close to BiH CoM says Report was returned since it was not signed. Same source also noted that Report was also returned because it was not even discussed at PRD session.

FBiH HoP discusses amendments to law on nationalized apartments

RHB – An extraordinary session of the FBiH Parliament House of Peoples is taking place in Sarajevo today. The first agenda item will be discussion on the report of the joint commission of HoP and HoR who have offered an agreed proposal of the Law on amendments to the Law on sale of apartments with tenancy rights. Also on the agenda are the proposal of the Law on amnesty for illegal possession of explosives and weapons in FBiH and amendments of the FBiH Code of Criminal Procedure. BH Radio 1 by Aida Suljievic – Awaiting for the decision of HoP, members of the Association “ DOM ”, which is protecting rights of citizens who live in nationalized apartments, are peacefully protesting in front of the Parliament’s building demanding a right to purchase those apartments. 

SNSD: RS to consider opening of independent account with the ITA

FENA – According to SNSD Main Board member, Rajko Vasic, the SNSD proposes to authorized bodies of RS to consider opening of independent account with the ITA in which RS taxpayers would pay VAT duties in order to accurately establish the sum that is to be used as basis for distribution of public revenues. Vasic notes that the practice has shown there are attempts to steal (money) from RS.

Mostar City Council in session today, discussion on excess staff

RHB – A session of the Mostar City Council will take place at the FBiH Government building in Mostar today at 13.00. Agenda items will be the Book of rules on internal organization of the City Administration, program of dealing with redundant staff and a report on registration of company ‘Uborak’ (waste disposal), reads a press release from the City Council.

HSP urges CSS to put out of force Mostar Statute

RHB – United HSP BiH has again requested that High Representative Christian Schwarz Schilling put out of force the Mostar Statute. They also requested that an independent commission be appointed to draft a new statute of Mostar and for the early elections to be announced for the City of Mostar.

Economic issues / MPs rights and obligations

BiH HoR adopts changes to VAT law allowing refund as of 1 July

PINK by Zeljko Mandic – At the session on Tuesday, the BiH House of Representatives have adopted changes to the law on Value Added Tax which would enable the VAT returns as of 1 July. The BIH HoR deputies refused to discuss in an urgent procedure changes to the VAT law as proposed by the SDP Chair Zlatko Lagumdzija which would introduce zero rate for certain products and instead this would be considered in the normal procedure. Changes to BIH Elections Law proposed by SDS deputy Momcilo Novakovic will be considered in a shortened procedure. These changes would enable voting to those who were on elections lists at the last elections but failed to change their ID’s since. Member of BIH Central Election Commission Lidija Korac feels that these changes shouldn’t be adopted. “There is still time until October for persons to change their ID’s”, says Korac. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Refunding from VAT means starts’ by A.Terzic,Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Amendments to the Law on VAT in regular procedure’ by H.Orahovac – DA reports huge dispute aroused at the session following the PDP proposal to amend the Law on BiH Central Bank and move its seat to Banja Luka. HoR’s Collegium set three-weeks deadline to on it, i.e. whether to discuss it in urgent or to return it to regular procedure. MPs also agreed with the CoM’s proposal to discuss proposal law on higher education in urgent procedure. The HoR has, in both readings, adopted amendments to the Law on OSA [BiH Intelligence Service], BiH Criminal Law and Law on classifying of enterprises in BiH. FTV, RHB, BHT1, Hayat, Vecernji List, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Return of VAT begins on July 1’, by Eldina Medunjanin – also report from BiH HoR session with a focus on VAT. Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘MPs broke ‘their own’ law?!’, by D. P. Mandic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Right to vote to people without CIPS ID’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘VAT refund starts as of 1 July’ by N.Krsman  – focus on elections law.

DL: By changing VAT law, MPs breached their own legislation

Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘MPs broke ‘their own’ law?!’, by D. P. Mandic – reports from BiH HoR session and notices that that the MPs broke the (VAT) law they personally enacted when they erased the article 72 since the VAT law foresees that any change to the law requires opinion of the ITA Steering Board. DL also notes that the MPs are only supporting small changes since they rejected to discuss essential changes to the law which were proposed by SDP’s Zlatko Lagumdzija (introduction of zero rate for basic groceries, medicines etc).

BiH HoR MPs deem that CoM’s information on VAT effects was incomplete

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Deputies don’t trust Terzic’s word’, mentioned on cover, by M.K.S.– After BiH House of Representatives rejected the Council of Ministers’ information on VAT effects for first six months, MP Ljiljana Milicevic explained that she voted against the information, because it is not complete. Milicevic says that only after the BiH HoR is submitted with the information on VAT effects on manufacturers, bakers and budget beneficents, then the information would be complete. SP RS MP in BiH HoR, Tihomir Gligoric, deems that information is unrealistic and wonders ‘whether one should trust the word of [CoM Chair Adnan] Terzic and of his associates“.  Economic Adviser of the CoM Chair, Zlatko Hurtic, reminded information contains also means for social protection which have increased for 19% and that FBiH Government [thanks to the increased incomes from the indirect taxation] has managed to pay remaining half of pension and disability outdated pensions.

DL op-ed: Only state profits from VAT, ordinary citizens face increased prices

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Only state profits from VAT’, by Resad Dautefendic – following the Monday’s decision by the MPs in the BiH HoR to reject the Information of effects of introduction of VAT in BiH, Dautefendic notes it is only the state that has profited from the introduction of VAT by collecting more public revenues for its needs, whilst on the other hand the ordinary people are faced with increased prices of goods. Commenting on the MPs’ decision to reject the Information, the author suspects their motives are to collect political points prior to the October elections.

ITA SB fails to reach final decision on allocation of revenues

FTV by Sanja Bagaric – At the session held in Sarajevo on Tuesday, the BiH Indirect Taxation Administration Steering Board failed to reach the agreement regarding the allocation of revenues from single ITA account. It also forwarded its decision to the Fiscal Council which held session afterwards. PINK, FTV, Hayat, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Companies presenting false expenditures?!’, by Erna Mackic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Still far from an agreement’ by V. Bugarin, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘War over coefficients’ by D. S., Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Without an agreement on allocation of revenues’ by R. Cengic  – also carried.

RS Minister of Finances Dzombic: RS demands changes to legislation to be introduced, fixed coefficients to be defined

Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Still far from an agreement’ by V. Bugarin – Following the meeting of ITA Steering Board, during which the Board members failed to reach an agreement on coefficients for distribution of revenues in 2006, RS Minister of Finances Aleksandar Dzombic stated F BiH Ministry of Finances representatives insisted that the allocation of revenues is conducted in accordance with the existing VAT claims and coefficients, while RS representatives asked for a revision of these, changes of legislative solutions and defining of fixed coefficients. He added that a representative of BiH Treasury Ministry thinks the existing legislative solution allows fixed coefficients to be defined on a temporary basis and changes to the Law could be introduced only after fixed coefficients are defined. EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘War over coefficients’ by D. S., Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Without an agreement on allocation of revenues’ by R. Cengic – also reported.

BiH Fiscal Council fails to reach agreement on allocation of VAT revenues

Hayat by Lejla Gutlic – The BiH Fiscal Council under chair of the Prime Minister Adnan Terzic held session on Tuesday in Sarajevo, at which agreement on allocation of VAT revenues has not been reached. International Monetary Fund representatives attended the session. While the RS representatives ask for fixed coefficients, FBiH demand legal allocation. In terms of District Brcko, RS asks for 2 % of revenues to be allocated to the District while District officials oppose such proposal. The FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic did not attend the session, while FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic left before the end. “If there is no agreement on tax rates then there is no agreement at all…When the issue of BiH’s loan had been discussed and the way it is going to be paid out, the RS faced the task of paying out 33.33 % and no one has ever asked us how we are handling…”, said the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik. Next Fiscal Council’s session has been scheduled for June 27, in Banja Luka. If the agreement does not been reached, single BiH’s account will be blocked. BHT1, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Draft law by the end of the week’ by Onasa– – also reported.

RS PM Dodik: F BiH should get 66%, RS 32%, Brcko District 2% of revenues / District Mayor Djapo: District would not agree the Law to be changed

Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Brcko is not Banja Luka’ by Z. D. – Prior to the beginning of Tuesday’s session of BiH Fiscal Council, RS PM Milorad Dodik stated RS still insists on getting funds from ITA single account in accordance with the fixed coefficient of 32%, which is a real ratio between economy and consumption. Dodik added it would not be realistic if Brcko District took bigger part in consumption than Banja Luka, since it is impossible. Dodik claims it would be realistic if F BIH got 66%, RS 32% and Brcko District 2% of revenues. Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Djapo: Brcko would not agree the Law to be changed’ not signed – also carries Dodik’s statement and reaction of Brcko District Mayor Mirsad Djapo who said any political agreement with regard to allocation of the revenues is out of question, adding Brcko District pleads for allocation of the revenues in accordance with the claims and final place of consumption emphasizing Brcko District would not agree the Law to be changed under any terms.

PRHR Butler : Law on benefits of members of BiH Parliament in unjust and expensive

RHB, PINK, FTV, RTRS, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Butler: BiH politicians, stop living in a separate world’ by b. l., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Benefits causing headache’ by SRNA , Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Law on benefits of members of BiH Parliament in unjust and expensive’ not signed – BiH politicians should stop living in a special world in which the rules of arithmetic clearly do not exist, SDHR Larry Butler said on Tuesday commenting on the decision of the BiH House of Representatives’ Administrative Commission to adopt the draft law on the rights of delegates and members of parliament. Reminding of Butler’s comment, OHR spokesperson Oleg Milisic said on Tuesday that if adopted the Law would give members of the parliament benefits and pensions high above those ordinary people enjoy. “The proposed law is not only profoundly unjust, it is also catastrophically expensive. It is not an issue whether these people deserve such generous privileges and enormously high pensions, but whether BiH can afford to pay those people, and the clear answer is that it cannot”, Milisic said citing Butler’s words. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Stop living in special world!’ by Fena – also covered.

World Bank satisfied with BiH’s last year’s budgetary surplus 

RHB– During Tuesday’s meeting between Council of Ministers’ Chair Adnan Terzic, BiH and entity Finance Ministers, Ljerka Maric, Aleksandar Djombic and Dragan Vrankic respectively, and the World Bank representatives, report on execution of BiH portfolio has been presented. The World Bank made some proposals on how to speed up implementation of its projects in BiH. BHT1- Delegation of World Bank stressed that privatization process in BiH must be enhanced as well as the importance of the implementation of World Bank’s projects. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Satisfied because of surplus in the budget’ by T.L.– World Bank’s Director Orsalia Kalantzopulos and Residential WB Representative Dirk Reinermann have expressed their satisfaction with the fact that BiH, for the first time, has ended the last year with the budgetary surplus. 

NN reports BiH Presidency continued to squander public money in 2005

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘The amount of BAM 1.5 million spent on cars and travels’ by N.Krsman – Daily reports that after audit report for 2004 showed a progress in spending public money, the BiH Presidency has continued with squandering the money in 2005. Daily makes this conclusion on the basis of audit report for BiH Presidency in 2005, which lists main remarks such as weak internal control, non-definition of management and disrespect of procedures for public procurement. Out of the sum of BAM 6.2 million (as budget for BiH Presidency is), BAM 1.5 million was spent on travel costs, fuel, car maintenance, representation costs, phone bills and professional training of the staff. 

War crimes, security, judiciary and crime

BiH HoR rejects to establish Prijedor Commission

BHT 1 – At the session on Tuesday, BIH House of Representatives has rejected to put on the agenda BIH HoR delegate Senija Kapetanovic’sproposal for forming of commission for suffering in Prijedor. This proposal was rejected because it did not get the majority support from RS. “My intention was to determine the facts and truth for people who are going to live in Prijedor so they can move forward” said Kapetanovic. FTV– As FTV comments, most attention at the HoR was drawn by the proposal to establish Prijedor Commission. “I am really surprised [with RS MPs rejection] and I think it is bold what they did especially because we have discussed the issue of forming Commission on sufferings in Sarajevo” added Kapetanovic. Deputy Chair of BIH HoR Nikola Spiric stated “I am for investigation of all the crimes in BIH on suffering of all peoples in BIH…I am against the commissions for investigating sufferings of only one people”. Kapatanovic noted that she did not mention the nationality of the people whose sufferings she proposed to be investigated. Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Proposal without support of delegates from RS’ by N.K., EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Without Commission for Prijedor’ by D.S. – Tihomir Gligoric, Head of Caucus of independent delegates, has assessed that proposal of conclusion for Prijedor Commission was “spiting over establishment of Sarajevo Commission”.  Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs4-5 ‘Refunding of means from VAT starts’ by A.Terzic– Inset ‘RS against Commission for Prijedor’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Changes of the Law on VAT in regular procedure’ by H.Orahovac– also reported.

DA op-ed condemns Serb MPs for voting against Prijedor Commission

Dnevni Avaz op-ed pg 3 ‘Lie and hypocrisy of Serb delegates’ by Husein Orahovac – The author says Serb delegates, by voting against Senija Kapetanovic’s initiative on forming of a commission for investigation of sufferings of Prijedor citizens, have showed they are true promoters of lies and hypocrisy in political life of BiH and they showed that [Radovan] Karadzic’s and [Ratko] Mladic’s perception of this state is still alive at BiH Parliament.

SA Comm Chair Marinovic: Truth about suffering in Sarajevo will be revealed

Nezavisne Novine pg 14, announced on cover ‘Truth about suffering in Sarajevo will come to the surface’ by V.Popovic – In a half page interview to daily, Ivica Marinovic, Chairperson of the Commission in charge of investigating truth about suffering in Sarajevo during the war, says that Commission should be formed soon, adding he will demand discipline and full disassociation from political interference in its work. Marinovic is convinced that Commission will accomplish its goal – reveal truth about sufferings in Sarajevo – within the stipulated deadline of one year. According to him, it is evident Commission will have to rely on security bodies that functioned in that period on both sides, adding the non-governmental sector should also be consulted.

RS President denies he was informed on plot to assassin top RS officials

RHB, BHT 1, Hayat,Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Cavic doesn’t take assassinators seriously’ by Fena, Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Cavic does not know about preparations for assassination’, not signed – RS President Dragan Cavic denied that he has been informed on a group preparing the assassination of the highest RS officials, RS Prime Minister and RS President. Cavic added that if there is information on the abovementioned activities than SIPA and Intelligence-Security Agency are working on that.

RS MoI investigates allegations on training of assassins in Pale

RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Information before the authorized Prosecution’ by Fena, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Dodik: institutions of RS are capable of defending me’ by SRNA, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Claims on preparation of assassination being examined’ by V.P., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘examination underway’ by V.J. – RS Ministry of Internal Affairs Tuesday announced it is undertaking certain activities related to the statement of DSS Chair Predrag Kovacevic who claims that an organised group in Pale is being trained to assassin highest RS officials. RS MoI announced that it cannot reveal any detail on the activities that are ongoing.

RS PM trusts RS MoI is capable of defending him

EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Dodik: institutions of RS are capable of defending me’ by SRNA– Milorad Dodik, RS Premier, is convinced that RS institutions are capable of reacting on threats addressed to him, adding: “Information I have show that RS police is equipped and that it had successfully planned all the actions.”

Chair of RS Attorneys’ Chamber Cizmovic: Schwarz-Schilling is pardoning non-work of Prosecutor’s Offices

Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Cizmovic: Schwarz-Schilling is pardoning non-work of Prosecutor’s Offices’ by E. S. and H. O. – Chair of RS Attorneys’ Chamber Jovan Cizmovic assessed the decision of HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling on changes and addenda to BiH Law on Criminal Code, by which he extended the maximum duration of detention to three years, as pardoning of non-work of BiH Prosecutor’s Office. Cizmovic also said HR’s decision was a sort of a shock because this issue had not been discussed at all nor anyone had asked them [attorneys] for an opinion on the matter. Chair of F BiH Attorneys’ Chamber Josip Muselimovic says he still had no chance to read the official decision, therefore he could comment on media reports only and he said such a decision might deteriorate the position of detainees, since it would be possible they would be detained for couple of years. Inset ‘Jurcevic: absolute support’ – Chief BiH Prosecutor Marinko Jurcevic said he fully supported HR’s decision since more than a year is needed for processing of complicated cases, such as war crimes cases.

GS op-ed says Decision on detention extension needs to be clearly set

Glas Srpske op-ed pg 2 ‘Water gets spoiled if stands too long’ by Miroslav Mikes – In regard to recent Decision of HR to BiH, Christian Schwarz Schilling, (regarding changes to Law on criminal proceedings and extension of detention to three years), the author says such a decision may be justified in trials for organised crime with too much documentation and witnesses but only if legal norms are clearly set to apply to those cases. He also criticises BiH Justice Minister for having sought assistance from HR on this issue, raising the question as to whether Minister is capable of doing its job. Author also reminds of European Convention on human rights and basic freedoms facilitating fair and svift trial. He fears unless decisions is set into details, Decision of HR may be in contradiction with the given positive legal order.

RS PM Dodik says HJPC prevents fight against organised crime

BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Rebelled centre power!’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Dodik: HJPC is rebelled centre of power’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘HJPC prevents fight against organised crime’ by FENA – The RS Premier, Milorad Dodik, Tuesday accused HJPC (High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council) of having prevented the fight against organised crime. He referred to HJPC as apostate center of power that finds itself self-sufficient and living up high. He has stressed that RS Government – in spite of the fact HJPC disputed appointment of Judges at RS Special Prosecutor’s Office – will not give up on this issue, adding: “If this body were formed, many thing would be different, but somebody form HJPC did not want that and it is to their credit.”

BiH Security Minister Colak: There are no announcements that there will be riots prior to elections

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘There are no announcements that there will be riots prior to elections’ by Faruk Vele – In an interview for daily, BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak stated that the Commission for audit of naturalised BiH citizens [for the period 6 April 1992 – 1 January 2006] already brought 38 conclusions on withdrawing citizenships. Commission, established in February 2006, was tasked to audit all 1,500 citizenships in a half-year period. Colak confirmed that all the ones that are deprived from BiH citizenships would be banished from the country, adding that full explanation will be provided with every decision. Colak denied that his ministry has any exact data regarding allegations of world media warning that some of terrorists are connected with BiH. Commenting recent riots in Mostar after the football match of Brasil and Croatia , he concluded that there are no indications that anything similar could endanger the forthcoming elections.

Mostar Mayor Beslic to Bishop Peric: Old Bridge was not destroyed during my mandate

Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 7 ‘Beslic: It was not destroyed during my mandate’, by V. Soldo – following the recent invitation by the Mostar Bishop Ratko Peric to the Mostar Mayor Ljubo Beslic to help reveal the truth about the destruction of the Mostar’s Old Bridge (NB: Bishop Peric argues the bridge was not destroyed by HVO in 1993, but rather by BiH Army troops), Mayor Beslic responded by saying it is not a duty of the Mayor of Mostar to do that, underlining that he is not the first Mayor of Mostar and that the destruction did not take place during his mandate. According to Beslic, the investigation should be foremost conducted by ICTY investigators.

GS feature on companies that took loans from PBES notes Prov. Admin. started ‘extorting debts’

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Uncertainty harder than loan’ by D.Todorovic – Daily features a story regarding companies from Foca and Vlasenica (“Maglic”, “
Ploca”, “Mermer” and “10 August”), that have taken loans from Privredna Banka East Sarajevo and failed to resolve their status later on. “Maglic” management also blames Toby Robinson, Provisional Administrator of PB ES for this uncertain status of the company, whose bankruptcy proceedings she had halted. Daily also reports that Robinson has recently started to extort the debt from some of these companies.

Police and defence reforms

CoM fails to adopt PRD’s report; RS reps objects there are no signatures; RS PM says on Wed to decide whether to continue participation in PRD

RTRS- Council of Ministers failed to adopt a report on the work of Police Reform Directorate for the period of January 1 – May 29, 2006. CoM members from RS were against the adoption since the report was submitted without signatures and it was unclear who submitted it. RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated that RS institutions would not support the work of PRD until it is returned within the framework of agreement on police structures in BIH. Dodik also stated that a decision would be made on Wednesday whether the Serb representative in PRD will remain in the capacity of observer. PINK, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Report returned over “technical deficiencies’ by D.Muminovic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘To respect stances of Srpska’ by D.Momic, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Futile job without RS representatives’ by Fena – Dodik stated that RS institutions would not support the work of Police Reform Directorate until it is returned within the framework of agreement on police structures in BIH. Hayat – BiH Police Reform Directorate Steering Board should held session on Wednesday. FTV, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘To respect stances of Srpska’ inset ‘Report rejected’ by D.Momic– also reported.

CoM: PRD report was not rejected, but vote was postponed

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Report returned over “technical deficiencies’ by D.Muminovic – Regarding Tuesday’s rejection of PRD Report before BiH COM, Mirjana Micevska from BiH CoM Public Affairs Office stated that Report was not rejected but instead “voting on it was postponed owing to some technical deficiencies”. She added: “Two reports showed up, one of which refers to PRD work for two, while second refers to PRD work for five months. One of reports was not signed, so voting on it was postponed until next week, when these deficiencies should be removed.”

RS President Cavic: Stances of RS must be respected in police reform

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Solutions aren’t acceptable for the RS’ by Fena – RS President Dragan Cavic said on Tuesday that if would be good if certain changes were made in the search for the future model of police reform, because if positions remain where they stand at the moment, such solutions will not be acceptable for the RS National Assembly and the RS. He was unable to say if RS representatives would listen to recent warnings from international officials to join the police reform process more actively, and added that this issue falls under the authority of the RS Government. “I am confident, based on what I have heard from RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik and the RS Interior Minister [Stanislav Cadjo], that the development of a some sort of an initial proposal of police reform will have sense only if RS representatives actively take part in that and if their views are respected, something that was not the case so far“, Cavic said. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘To respect stances of Srpska’ by D.Momic, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Stances of RS weren’t respected so far’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Report returned over “technical deficiencies’ by D.Muminovic, Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Meeting on police reform’, not signed, Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Meeting on police reform’, not signed – also reported.

BiH For. Minister rejects BiH CoM Chair accusations he contributed to PRD decisions regarding out-voting in decision making process

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Ivanic: Terzic’s accusations are ungrounded’ – Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister, has stated that Decision on forming of PRD was not in line with the Agreement on Police Restructuring from October 2005, adding Decision should be re-examined. He has rejected accusations of Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair (who said Ivanic contributed to forming of PRD and out-voting of decisions), saying those are ungrounded, stressing he had not attended the session of the BiH CoM when Decision on PRD forming was adopted. He has underlined RS representatives have never voted for Decision on PRD , at which decisions should be passed through outvoting. He underlines the importance of decision-making process through consensus.

PRD SB Chair Dumancic does not expect adoption of model on BiH police structure at Wednesday’s meeting of PRD

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Dumancic does not expect adoption of model on BiH police structure’ by Az.K. – Police Reform Directorate [PRD] Steering Board Chair Vinko Dumancic stated he does no expect this working group to adopt final model of the BiH police structure at its Wednesday’s meeting. He said that he has such opinion for the meeting will not be attended by SIPA Director Sredoje Novic and FBiH Interior Ministry Police Administration Director Zlatko Miletic. Article carries that RS Police acting Director Nijaz Smajlovic earlier freeze his status at the PRD. Dumancic noted that the announced session would be dealing with objections and suggestions for correction of police structure model proposed by PRD Executive Body 15 days ago. Offered model anticipates bi-level of police structure – state and local, without any specification given for the local police areas. Author stresses that the organisation scheme is the only possible topic for discussion.

Spain to provide 443 thousand euros for BiH Armed forces

PINK- BIH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic met the Spanish Defence Minister José Antonio Alonso inMadrid. They signed an Agreement on Understanding, regulating the cooperation between two Ministries. Radovanovic and Alonso spoke on situation in South East Europe, reform of defence system in BIH and Spanish contribution in establishing peace in BIH. Minister Alonso emphasized Spain’s readiness to provide concrete support to BiH Armed Forces. As it was stated, Spain is prepared to pay 300 thousand euros into the NATO Trustee Fund, which would provide severances for surplus of soldiers and would support the training of de-mining unit, which would cost about 143 euros.  Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Spain would help BiH Armed Forces with 443 thousand euros’ not signed, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Cooperation with Spain in area of defence’, not signed – also reported.

Constitutional changes, elections and other political issues

RS President: Const reform talks after elections

RTRS – RS President Dragan Cavic stated that negotiations on constitutional changes would continue after October elections. Cavic spoke on the meeting of political leaders with HR Christian Schwarz Schilling that occurred on Monday night and stated that all participants agreed that it is hard to expect that agreement on constitutional changes and text of amendments will be changed. SNSD Chair Milorad Dodik stated that RS representatives are sorry that the constitutional amendments were not adopted. BHT1, Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Decrease extreme charges’, by Ljiljana Vidacak, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Without any new attempts until elections’ by D. Mo., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Continuation of talks on the Constitution on the menu’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Changes to the Constitution after elections’ by V. Popovic and R. Cengic – also covered.

PDP Presidency member Radovanovic on meeting of six BiH party leaders with HR: Constitutional changes only after October elections

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Constitutional changes only after October elections’ by A.M. – Commenting Monday’s meeting of six major BiH political parties [HDZ, SNSD, SDS, SDA, SDP and PDP] leaders with HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling at his residence, PDP Presidency member Vinko Radovanovic confirmed that all party leaders are still supporting constitutional changes, adding: “We all agreed that it is not realistic to expect anything happen on that field before the elections. Pre-elections campaign already started, it is hard to make that issue actual again. PDP’s stance is that after the elections, amendments should be adopted first, before opening second phase, i.e. two phases should not be connected.” SNSD leader Milorad Dodik commented: “There is an agreed package, but obviously there are problems in FBiH to secure the parliamentary majority, plus there is a fact that some representatives of FBiH’s parties showed scepticism that this agreement is likely to be respected after the elections.” Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Without any new attempts until elections’ by D. Mo., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Continuation of talks on the Constitution on the menu’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Changes to the Constitution after elections’ by V. Popovic and R. Cengic – also carries both.

HDZ’s Relota: parties agreed continuation of constitutional reform would be launched after elections

EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Continuation of talks on the Constitution on the menu’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – HDZ Spokesperson Miso Relota confirmed leaders of SDS, SNSD, SDA, HDZ and SDP and PDP’s representative agreed [at the meeting at HR’s] in a joint assessment approximately 80% of delegates at the future composition of BiH Parliament would be members of these parties, which would be sufficient to ‘launch the story on constitutional changes right after the elections’. Relota added it is clear BiH with the current Constitution has no European future and all parties agreed the process of constitutional reform must continue. Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Six parties will have 80 percent of MPs’, by Zoran Kresic – also reported.

DL on HR’s dinner with leaders of 6 parties: refrain from dangerous statements during pre-election campaign

Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Decrease extreme charges’, by Ljiljana Vidacak – Reports that during Monday night’s dinner between the HR, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, and leaders of six leading political parties (for more info see OHR Media Round-up, June 20), one of topic on the agenda was how to make the forthcoming pre-election campaign free of ‘extreme charges’ in other words dangerous statements that have been made lately.

Croat Block’s Vasilj fears Bosniak and Serb officials will enact new BiH Constitution

Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘One can expect Bosniak-Serb deal after elections’, by Dario Pusic – carries interview with leader of Croat Block of BiH, Dr. Mario Vasilj. Questioned about possibility that all three BiH peoples reach a consensus about constitutional changes, Vasilj fears that there could be a ‘Bosniak-Serb deal’ after the elections, which would result in adoption of constitutional changes detrimental to the Croats and which would be given legitimacy by one of the three existing Croat coalitions (led by HDZ BiH, HDZ 1990 and HSP Dajpic-Jurisic), which would do anything just do be in power.

VL: BiH CoM Terzic leaving SDA and joining SBIH because he is displeased with SDA’s coalition with SDP

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Terzic leaving SDA to join SBiH’ by Bljesak.info (web portal) – VL carries a report published on Mostar web portal ‘Bljesak’ which learns from sources in SBiH (Party for BiH) that CoM Chair Adnan Terzic is about to leave the SDA party and join the SBiH party because he is displeased with SDA’s coalition with SDP and party president Sulejman Tihic who, in Terzic’s opinion, is working according to instructions from SDP’s Zlatko Lagumdzija. Reportedly, Terzic was told by the SDA leadership he should not hope to be put on the SDA list for the coming elections.

SBiH is considering to offer BiH CoM Chair Terzic to be SBiH’s list-holder for October elections

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘Will Terzic be list-holder of SBiH?’ by E.S. – SBiH Vice President Safet Halilovic confirmed to DA that presidency of his party is seriously considering the possibility to offer BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic to be SBiH’s list-holder at the forthcoming elections, after Terzic’s SDA did not offer him such position. Halilovic said that such offer would be made upon “PM’s immeasurable contribution to the reform processes in the past four years.”

Osl: SDP needs more then quarrels with Terzic to win the power

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Red Europe’ op-ed by Danijel Omeragic– Commenting on the fact that more and more European countries have chosen Social Democratic Parties over Conservatives, Omeragic argues workers decided to punish conservatives for failures in economic and social reforms. Author further comments this is something that SDP BiH needs to think about, since this party and its leader, Zlatko Lagumdzija, four months before the elections have offered citizens only the law on confiscation of illegally gained property and quarrels with Council of Minister’s Chair Adnan Terzic about the VAT, “Which is little from the left party in order to win the power”.

SDS Presidency convened: Dragan Cavic again candidate for RS President

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Dragan Cavic for RS President’ by N.D. – Mico Micic, SDS Vice President has confirmed to daily that SDS Presidency Tuesday decided on proposals of candidates for the upcoming elections, while final appearance of the lists will be revealed on Friday when SDS Chair Board will hold session. Daily’s source at SDS says that Dragan Cavic, President of SDS and RS, will be a candidate for the highest entities’ position, while Mladen Bosic, SDS Vice President will be candidate for the Serb member to BiH Presidency. Bosko Siljegovic, SDS Vice President will be SDS list holder for BiH HoR, while Snjezana Bozic will be SDS list holder for RS NA.

VL speculates with names of candidates for Croat member of Presidency: Jovic, Ljubic, Jurisic and Limov in the race

Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Limov against Jovic, Ljubic and Jurisic’, mentioned on front ‘Who are candidates for Croat member of Presidency’, by Zoran Kresic – Although all political parties are yet to confirm their candidates for the office of Croat member of BiH Presidency, VL speculates that Ivo Miro Jovic (HDZ BiH), Bozo Ljubic (HDZ 1990) and Zvonko Jurisic (HSP Djapic-Jurisic) will be running for the office. VL also notes that the SDP, which is mostly supported by the Bosniak electorate, could be winning the race since the SDP will not be running for the Bosniak office in the Presidency, instead they will focus of the Croat office. In this context, VL notes that the SDP’s most likely candidate is Tomislav Limov.

Serbian Embassy in Sarajevo confirmed that Serbian President Tadic is visiting BiH next Thursday

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Tadic in BiH on 29 June’ by SRNA, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Tadic coming to Sarajevo’ by Lj.Lj., Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Accent is on improving future relations between Serbia and BiH’ by S.S. – Serbian Embassy in Sarajevo confirmed to DA that Serbian President Boris Tadic will pay official one-day visit to BiH on next Thursday. This would be Tadic’s first official visit to BiH after Serbia became independent state. Daily learns that Tadic will meet BiH Presidency members, BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic and BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic and discuss bilateral issues, with special accent on future relations between BiH and Serbia .

Serbian Premier says Serbia respects all International Documents, including DPA

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Kostunica: Let’s respect integrity of BiH’ by RTS – In his address to Serbian MP’s Tuesday, Vojislav Kostunica, Serbian Premier, has inert alia stated that Serbian Government respects territorial integrity of RS, i.e. BiH. He also added that during recent visit to Banja Luka by Serbian delegation, the agreement was reached to approach changes of the Agreement on special parallel relations between RS and Serbia in line with the altered circumstances, the new status of Serbia and DPA. Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘Enough with conditioning’ inset ‘Closer with Srpska’ – Kostunica said that “the same way Serbia respects Resolution 1244, that guarantees essential autonomy to Kosovo and Metohija and ascertains sovereignty of Serbia over KosMet, it has the same approach towards other international documents, including Dayton Agreement.”

Initiatives to change Mostar Statute getting more frequent

Dnevni List pg 10 ‘Citizens of Mostar in favor of Statute change?’ by Sanja Bjelica – DL writes that people of Mostar often have to put up with political crises whose existence is attributed to the Statute of Mostar imposed two years ago by the then High Representative Paddy Ashdown. This has lead to requests from political parties and even certain members of the IC for changes to the Statute or even its abolishment. Besides, the Statute is in violation of the European Convention on local self-government. Mostar web portal ‘Bljesak’ published on its site the results of an opinion poll taken from 601 site visitors according to which as much as 59.40 per cent of the people who took part in the poll believe that the Statute needs to be changed and only 6.32% that the Statute is good. Even the IC is starting to consider the possibility of changes to the Statute.  Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Mostarians request Statute change’ by Bljesak.info – VL carries an article with similar contents.

Media and culture

CRA : Right to privacy in BiH not violated more then in other countries

BHT1– At the Conference  “Media Freedom and Right to Privacy” held in Sarajevo on Tuesday, Head of CRA Kemal Huseinovic stated that right on privacy is violated in BIH but less than in the regional countries. “Electronic media has reached a high level of self-regulation regarding the rights of individuals that are respected” added Huseinovic. PINK, Hayat, FTV,RTRS- also reported. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Right to privacy is not violated in BiH more then in other countries’ by Onasa, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘More of laws, less of consciousness’ by S.Se–

BiH CoM approves funding of 7 BiH cultural institutions

BHT1, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Money to the cultural institutions’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Approved payment to cultural institutions of state importance’ by Onasa, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Financing of seven cultural institutions accepted’, by NINA – The BiH CoM has adopted information submitted by the BiH Civil Affairs Minister, Safet Halilovic, according to which 7 cultural institutions that are of importance for BiH will be getting 2,1 million KMs for the first 6 months of 2006. (institutions include BiH Museum of History, BiH National Museum (Zemaljski muzej), National and University library of BiH, BiH Art gallery, Museum of literature and theatre of BiH etc).