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| Stojicic new RSNA speaker | EC on sugar affair | Construction of 5C corridor | Stojicic new RSNA speaker |
| Cooperation RS/ICTY | Stojicic new RSNA speaker | Stojicic new RSNA speaker | Stojicic meets Humphreys |
| St. Ilija celebrated | | | Dokic on air transport |
| | World news | EC on sugar affair | Workers strike in Teslic |
| Oslobodjenje | July pensions increased for 4%?!; Thousands of tons of sugar have disappeared in |
| Dnevni Avaz | European Commission has launched an investigation; Apply the rulling of the |
| Dnevni List | CONFIRMED: Croatian consortium is not buying Hercegovacka bank’ |
| Vecernji List | House arrest in exchange for |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Again more expensive electricity for citizens and cheaper for industry? |
| Glas Srpske | Girl was wounded; BiH facing punishments of European Union; Dusan Stojicic was elected Parliament Speaker; CIPS project is not endangered; ‘Revenge for my brother Novica Lukic’ |
| Nezavisne Novine | Grains produced loss; 232 persons are suspicious |
| Blic | End of crisis; Mladic said: I will not surrender; “Sweet affair” threatens to BiH |
Political issues | |
| Dusan Stojicic from SDS appointed as new RSNA Speaker | RHB, BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 4 ‘Dusan Stojicic new speaker’ by B. Puzigaca, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Dusan Stojicic elected for speaker instead of Kalinic’ by M. Vidovic, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Dusan Stojicic new President of RS National Assembly’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Dusan Stojicic new President of RS Parliament’ by Z. Kresic and Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘Dusan Stojicic new President’ by A. Macanovic, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2 ‘Dusan Stojicic was elected Parliament Speaker’ by V. Popovic, Glas Srpske, pg. 2 ‘Stojicic is the Parliament President’ by G. Dakic, EuroBlic, cover ‘End of crisis’ and pg. RS2 ‘Dusan Stojicic was elected Assembly Speaker’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – Dusan Stojicic was elected as the new RS national Assembly Speaker. At the special RSNA session held on Tuesday, 44 delegates supported Stojicic, 17 opposed and 13 restrained from voting. Stojicic stated that by his election, the blockade of RS institutions, caused by a non-democratic decision of the High Representative Paddy Ashdown to remove Dragan Kalinic and other six SDS delegates from RSNA was overcome. He also rejected claims of Milorad Dodik who accused him of being involved in shady deals. RSNA also verified mandates of newly elected SDS delegates. RTRS – “By taking this high profile official and state duty I am completely aware of the duties and responsibilities. I accept all of these, and I expect your sincere support and an open cooperation with all clubs and all representatives’ groups,… in order for this parliament… to implement its role regulated by RS Constitution,” said Dusan Stojicic. |
| Reactions to appointment of Stojicic
| Nezavisne Novine cover and pg. 2 ‘Dusan Stojicic was elected Parliament Speaker’ by V. Popovic and EuroBlic, cover ‘End of crisis’ and pg. RS2 ‘Dusan Stojicic was elected Assembly Speaker’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated that the election of Stojicic was ‘disastrous and RS would become only more unstable with him at the head’. RS President Dragan Cavic said that the election of Stojicic enabled a full functioning of all RS institutions and emphasized that this was not only an election of a person but also represented putting in function of all constitutional competences of RS President and President of the Government. FTV – SDA sustained from voting. “In SDA nothing is unknown or unfamiliar. At some times, as it is now, we are in position but tomorrow we could be in opposition. I do not know will we remain part of majority in RS Parliament, but we are here to work”, said Sefket Hafizovic, SDA delegate in RSNA. BHTV 1 – “The fact that SDA was restrained this time brought us into the confusion. That shows the fact that they are still in phase of political negotiations. In my opinion request for removal of SDA ministers from RS Government is hypocritical but at the same time there are coalition partnership at the level of BiH Council of Ministers”, stated Milorad Dodik, president of SNSD. FTV – “I did not talk with the SDA leadership and in my opinion there is no need for that. If I estimate I should talk to them than that will happen”, stated Dragan Cavic. Glas Srpske, pg. 2 ‘Tricks of the authority’ by M. Dz. – A delegate of SRS “Dr. Vojislav Seselj”, Milan Lazic, stated yesterday at a press conference of this party that the party did not support the election of Dusan Sojicic to the position of RS NA Speaker due to crucial differences in politics. He said that Stojicic, as a delegate of SDS, has supported defence reform, transfer of authority in field of taxation and intelligence-safety services to BiH institutions, and is also in a coalition with SDA, the main aim of which is abolishment of RS. |
| Mikerevic announces reshuffle of RS government; Cavic on SDA ministers in RS Govt
| RHB, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘SDA Ministers will RS Government will be removed’, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2 ‘Mikerevic: removal of SDA Ministers to follow in the next several days’ by V. P. – The Government reshuffle will take place in the next several days because there are less and less reasons for the stay of SDA Ministers in the Government, as RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic stated on Tuesday. “I have decided to bring this decision because of a relation of SDA towards crucial issues in BiH, such as failure to implement Mrakovica Agreement on establishing of a single petroleum market and Memorandum on returning a number of pensioners of RS under a jurisdiction of the Federation of BiH PIO Fund,” Mikerevic said. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16 ‘SDA is leaving Government’ by A. Macanovic and Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Dusan Stojicic new President of RS Parliament’ by Z. Kresic – “I understand all risks of the decisions that we shall be passing in the coming period, however, the things that burden current political relations in the RS are the statements which are coming from SDA Ministers which in a very direct and negative way show that they do not have good intentions towards the RS,” says Mikerevic. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Removal of SDA ministers could make political situation more complicated’ byM.V. – RS President Dragan Cavic stated that extraordinary elections would not help the situation in RS, as some parties claim. Addressing the RSNA delegations during the session’s break, Cavic stressed that as the president of the entity he was ready for compromises, but not to support extraordinary elections demanded by some political parties, even if that would be SDS. Talking about the announcement for RS Government reshuffle, Cavic said that removal of SDA ministers could further complicate the situation. |
| Ashdown warns RS must respect decision of Constitutional Court on names of towns
| FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘RS ignores decision of the Constitutional Court’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Apply the ruling of the Constitutional Court in all town names, including that of Foca’, mentioned on cover, by S.N., Nezavisne Novine, pg. 9 ‘Decision of the Constitutional Court must be applied without postponment’ by Srna, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘RS Government ignores Constitutional Court’s decision’ by B. Kristo – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, sent a letter to the RS Prime Minister, Dragan Mikerevic, expressing concern that the RS Government’s response to changing the name of the town of Foca flouts the ruling of the BiH Constitutional Court of February of this year. The RS Government’s proposal is to replace “Srbinje” with “Foca/Srbinje”, on the spurious basis that a High Representative’s Decision prescribes this. In his letter, the HR notes that “the RS authorities claim, that the Decision on the Use of Name for Geographical Location within Bosnia and Herzegovina, enacted on 2 June 1999, overrules the ruling of the Constitutional Court and thus enables the use of double names such as Foca/Srbinje,” and he concludes that this “is completely incorrect“. The High Representative adds that the RS authorities must “apply the ruling of the Constitutional Court in all town names, including that of Foca, without any further delay or obfuscation since the Decisions of the Constitutional Court are final and binding“. |
| Humphreys visits BL, meets Cavic, Mikerevic and Stojicic
| Oslobodjenje pg 10 ‘BiH’s European road not threatening RS’ by Onasa – The general political view in RS is the orientation to reforms that lead towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration under a condition that the RS stays within BiH, RS President Dragan Cavic said on Tuesday after a meeting with Head of the EC delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys. Cavic said that every political or any other attempt of re-arrangement of BiH, under any excuse, in which the European way of BiH would be established without the RS, would be absolutely unacceptable for the RS. Humphreys expressed satisfaction that the RS has accepted a decision of High Representative to BiH Paddy Ashdown on removal of 59 officials due to the non-cooperation with the ICTY. According to Humphreys, the European way of BiH should not endanger the existence of the RS and it does not endanger it. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Any kind of authorities’ crisis in BiH will freeze reforms processes’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16 ‘SDA is leaving Government’ by A. Macanovic – Humphreys also met with the RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic, whoendorsed the importance of police reform in BiH. Humphreys stressed: “If there is any kind of crisis in authorities, either on entity or state level, the reform processes will be frozen.” RTRS – “I, as Prime Minister will bring some decisions which I would think of as rational, but I do accept responsibility and duty to accomplish expectations of RS citizens and international public, and that is to keep RS institutions stabile” commented Mikerevic. Head of EC delegation to BiH also met with newly appointed RSNA Speaker Dusan Stojicic who said that he was ready for more productive cooperation with the ICTY. |
| Patten arrives to Sarajevo, Mostar
| FTV, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Domestic authorities determine speed of BiH’s moving towards Europe’, mentioned on cover, not signed – DL says that EC Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten will visit Sarajevo on Thursday and then Mostar where he will attend the Old Bridge opening ceremony. On the eve of his visit to BiH Patten stated: “BiH has achieved considerable progress since the beginning of this year and I will stimulate the Government to do all it can in order to meet the rest of prerequisites from the Feasibility Study. The BiH’s way towards Europe is opened, however, the BiH authorities will determine the speed of moving towards Europe.” He added that BiH must prove that it can implement reforms and meet its international obligations such as the arrest of war crime suspects. |
| Kukic on Movement for Changes
| Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Movement for Changes exposed to pressures of political parties’ by E. Mackic– A member of a Secretariat of the Movement for Changes, Slavo Kukic, stated that this Movement is a group for exerting pressure, which wants to make politicians in power to be more responsible in order to overcome complete situation in the country. Kukic added: ‘We are not competition to politicians, we do not want to take part in the political game, but nevertheless, some of our members have been exposed to pressure. One of these members is Muhamed Cavkunovic, who was brought in many unpleasant situations by Party for BiH that he belongs to.” |
| Halilovic on higher education
| Dnevni List, pg 11 ‘Unchanged proposal of law on higher education again in Parliament’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – The BiH Minister for Civil Affairs, Safet Halilovic, expects that the Framework law on higher education will be discussed by the BiH Parliament again before end of year. “There is a wrong image about the contents of the Constitutional Court’s decision. Initial positions say that interests of the Croat people can be endangered, but it is related to the amendments that were submitted during the enactment of the law, even by some international factors. The original text and article 18 related to the language do not offer a possibility for qualification on endangering of vital national interest”, explains Halilovic. |
| NN op-ed on initiative from RS secession from BiH | Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Stupidity is bad for RS and BiH’ by Dusko Tomic from Bijeljina – The author, native of Semberija area, reacts to the collection of signatures for petition on secession of RS from BiH. He finds to be it terribly wrong for RS and BiH, and especially for Semberija because this is a plain example of pre-election campaign, probably of SDS, and also a classical anti-Dayton behaviour. He also refers to this as a serious crime act, stressing it is amazing RS police does not react at all. |
Economic and social issues | |
| EC launches investigation into ‘sugar affair’
| Dnevni Avaz cover page story, pg 2 ‘European Commission has launched an investigation’ by S. Numanovic – The European Commission has launched an investigation on so called ‘sugar affair’ due to suspicion of fraudulent exports of sugar from BiH to the European Union. EC Spokesperson in BiH Frane Maroevic comments that the Commission sees this issues as very serious: “EC investigates this issue and the Commissioner Chris Patten will discuss it with BiH authorities during his visit tomorrow.” Maroevic did not disclose details of the investigation, however just added that companies from also a number of EU countries have been involved in this importing fraud. DA claims it learned that BH authorities have filed charges already several months ago against some of the companies. “BiH is not the main one, it is just one of the bases to use for sugar smuggling. This is an affair of international character,” stated unnamed source close to BiH customs. DA comments that OHR is also worried over possible consequences if investigation proves the existence of the illegal import: “It is very important not to prejudge the outcome of those investigations. But if the stories prove to be accurate, they are potentially very serious for BiH – both for its ability to export tariff free to the EU market, and for its prospects of moving ahead with the negotiation of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU” reads OHR’s press statement. BiH Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Dragan Doko confirmed to Onasa that this Ministry has also started an investigation in to the case. FTV – Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic also confirmed that the BiH authorities have already launched an investigation into the sugar import. RTRS – also brings announcement of the EC’s investigation launch. |
| Media on companies possibly involved in the sugar affair
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Thousands of tons of sugar ‘have disappeared’ from BiH’, mentioned on cover, by Azhar Kalamujic – According to Oslobodjenje, the investigation into the affairs has also been launched by CAFAO and FBiH. According to the daily, the focus of the investigations are the leading sugar importer in BiH Prodex company from Grude owned by Petar Coluk, and Man Market from Kupres [who imports its goods through Orasje], Pelepromet and Cangepromet from Prozor-Rama, and Tockpromert from Novi Travnik. BHTV 1 – BHTV 1 says that the information about the sugar import for the last year suggests that more than a half of a total amount imported in BiH was traded in by five companies mostly registered in Herzegovina. BHTV 1 further claims that according to their unofficial data one person could be an owner of all those five companies. |
| Reactions to sugar affair
| Nezavisne Novine, cover and pgs. 2-3 ‘BiH is facing punishments of EU’ by A. Sisic, P. Klincov, D. Risojevic, Glas Srpske, pg. 3 ‘Sugar as a bitter pill’ by N. Z., EuroBlic, cover and pg. RS1 ‘ “Sweet affair” threatens BiH’ by J. D. – Commenting the ‘sugar’ affair, the President of BiH Chamber of Foreign Trades, Milan Lovric, has stated that there are only two institutions in BiH that can issue certificates on origin of goods, i.e. only the Customs Administrations of entities can issue the certificates. The Head of the Federation of BiH Customs Administration, Zelimir Rebac, has rejected any responsibility of this institution. OHR stated that it expects from BiH authority to undertake urgent measures with an aim to resolve the problem of possible illegal exports of sugar from BiH to EU countries and, should it be found necessary, to ask for engagement of the authorized judicial bodies. |
| Op-ed on sugar affair
| Dnevni Avaz pg 32 ‘State institutions at the though exam’ op-ed by Sead Numanovic – Editorial refers to the ‘sugar affair’, for which author believes that it could have much larger consequences that a just sugar smuggling case. “Learning that several companies from BiH have damaged European budget for several hundreds of millions KM certainly doesn’t contribute to [efforts] for our country to join EU… Therefore, the prompt reaction by the state institutions is more than necessary. It must not be manifested only through the statements of condemnation, but through concrete actions and strengthening of the state institutions,” reads the editorial, concluding that BiH authorities should have some answers already ready for Thursday when EC Commissioner Chris Patten will visit BiH. |
| Dokic warns that due to ban over Kosovo airspace BiH losses 8 million$ per annum
| RHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Because of flight ban over Kosovo, BiH loses 8 million US dollars per annum’ by Az.K., Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘BiH losses between 6 and 8 million US Dollars annually’ by F. Cardzic, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘BiH wants open sky over Kosovo’, by Indira Tabucic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘BiH regains control over sky’, by Eldina Medunjanin, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 10 ‘BiH loses BAM 8 million per year’ by N. Krsman, EuroBlic, pg. RS8 ‘Planes will take off before the Olympics’ by J. D., Glas Srpske, pg. 3 ‘Dollars fly in the sky’ by N. Zelenovic – A BiH delegation that participated at a ministerial round table in Sofia last week launched an initiative the aim of which is to open the airspace above Kosovo. According to the BiH Minister for Traffic and Communications, Branko Dokic, who led the BiH delegation, the ban has been in place for last 4 years, since the crisis in Kosovo and NATO attacks in the region, which resulted in the situation that BiH loses between 6 and 8 million US$ a year, because some 67% of airplanes are bypassing the BiH airspace. Minister Dokic stressed that that the proposal has been supported by the International Commission for civil aviation, SFOR and OHR, however the final decision rests with the UNMIK. |
| Update to Vc corridor
| FTV, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 16 ‘Corridor will not be busy’, by Zdenko Rerig, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Eighteen months for Feasibility Study’ – carries a report from a press conference held at the BiH Ministry of Traffic and Communications on Tuesday, during which the BiH Minister for Traffic and Communications, Branko Dokic, was talking about the construction of Corridor Vc through BiH. Minister Dokic noted that there were three stages before any works on building of the Corridor Vc could start, the first one being the preparation of the necessary documentation, which is, according to Minister Dokic, being finalized. Minister Dokic went on to say that the second stage will be entered soon, and it includes, amongst different issues, technical studies, studies on consequences on environment and set of studies on feasibility. Regarding the project itself, Minister Dokic noted that international financial institutions do not have a positive approach. According to them, the frequency of traffic on the Corridor does not meet the international standards, however it is down to BiH authorities to persuade them that the construction of the Corridor in necessary for BiH. |
| DL: Croatian consortium gives up on purchase of Hercegovacka Bank
| Dnevni List, front and pg 3 ‘CONFIRMED: Croatian consortium is not buying Hercegovacka bank’, by Jurislav Petrovic – Office of the President of Agrokor’s management, Ivica Todoric, who was leading a consortium of Croatian companies that was interested in buying the Hercegovacka bank, confirmed that the consortium gave up the plan to buy the bank. Agrokor explained that the consortium was interested in buying the Hercegovacka bank with a complete portfolio, but after Eronet left the portfolio, the consortium gave up. Furthermore, a source close to the consortium stated that one of the main reasons for giving up the purchase was that Eronet did not receive the 3rd GSM licence. Still, DL was told by a source close to the Provisional Administration for Hercegovacka bank that there was another client interested in buying the bank, apparently it is the Unicredit Zagrebacka bank. DL tried to get a comment from the Provisional Administrator for Hercegovacka bank, Toby Robinson, but she was out of country. |
| Oslobodjenje speculates July pensions in FBiH could be increased for 4%
| Oslobodjenje cover page story, pg 3 ‘July pension increased for 4%?’ by A. Ahmetasevic – Oslobodjenje writes that July pensions in FBIH could be increased for 4% if FBIH Pensions-Invalids Fund [PIO] decides so. The session of the PIO’s Governing Board is scheduled for 26 July, and the increase is accepted it is also mark the application of the Law on changes and the amendments to the law on PIO which was legalized by former HR Wolfgang Petritsch. The law prescribes payment of pensions in accordance wit h the means available after collection of the revenues. Since the revenues collected have increased, writes Oslobodjenje, than 4% increase of pensions would be possible. However, the article also reads that increase was favourable by IMF. |
| Halilovic says he’ll not sign memorandum on pensions
| Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Halilovic: I will not sign a memorandum’, mentioned on cover ‘We do not accept one-sided transfer of pensioners’, by A. Basic – FBiH Pensions-Invalids Fund [PIO] continues to claim that signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on transferring about 38000 pensioners from RS to FBiH would significantly decrease pensions in FBiH. BiH Civil Affairs Minister Safet Halilovic says he will not sing any memorandum which treats the issue only partially: “The solution is a single PIO at the BiH level, and not partial measure. We do not accept one-sided transfer of pensioners from one to other entity, without any criteria and long-term systematic measures.” SDA Vice Chair Seada Palavric said that SDA will not support signing of this memorandum. |
| GS on wheat production | Glas Srpske cover page story ‘Wheat bears loss’ – The article is about buy-up of what in Semberija area, noting that although there is abundance in wheat, millers stopped buying up what a long time ago, leaving farmers with no chance to sell their wheat. |
Security, police and legal issues | |
| Police Director on security of Old Bridge opening ceremony
| BHTV 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘There are no direct threats to Opening of the Bridge’ by M.T.L., Dnevni Avaz pgs 12-13 ‘Police checked all dungeons in the city’, mentioned on cover Mostar ready for big spectacle’, Dnevni List pg 15 ‘Police forces ready for Old Bridge opening ceremony’ by S. Bjelica, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 14 ‘232 persons suspicious’ by M. Landeka and Vecernji List ‘Even 232 persons serious threat for Old Bridge’, mentioned on cover ‘Even 232 persons are threat for guests of Old Bridge opening ceremony’ by Hina, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6 ‘232 persons were registered as threat’ by V. Coric, Glas Srpske, cover ‘232 persons are suspicious’ not signed – Due to the Old Bridge opening ceremony the Operative Headquarters that will be functioning until the end of all activities related to this ceremony was formed yesterday. According to Zlatko Miletic, the Head of this Headquarters all preparations were made for successful and safe holding of the opening ceremony. Miletic also added that as far as police forces are concerned everything is ready for the opening ceremony. According to Miletic, 232 persons, who might be a possible, indirect threat to the safety of the ceremony, were identified. RHB – “What is important for Mostar citizens and citizens of FBIH and BIH is that the police forces are ready since this morning to carry out any tasks. In the activity plan that we adopted today we predicted all possibilities, incidents or unpleasant events that can happen during preparations or the actual ceremony. For this opportunity I think we have made a good quality plan”, said Miletic. |
| Humphreys: CIPS project not jeopardized
| BHTV 1, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4 ‘CIPS project is not jeopardized’ by D. Risojevic – The Head of EC Delegation, Michael Humphreys, assessed during his visit to Banja Luka that CIPS was not jeopardized because of the recent scandal of forged documents. He also said that this scandal pointed on the need of regulating this field with a law. ‘At the same time, this scandal points on the need of existence of police forces that would function on all levels of BiH’, Humphreys said. The article carries the inset ‘Skrbic: This could happen to anyone’, which quotes Mirko Skrbic, the Director of CIPS, as saying ‘Such things can happen to even the most developed countries. Even Al-Q’aida terrorists were issued EU passports’. |
| VL int with BiH Court Chairman Raguz
| Vecernji List, pg 6, ‘BiH Court is not in conflict with Prosecutor McNair’, mentioned on front, by Renata Radic – carries an interview with the President of BiH Court, Martin Raguz, who explains that there is no conflict with Prosecutor, John McNair, from the BiH Prosecution after the BiH Court rejected to transfer several cases from cantonal courts onto the BiH Court. Raguz explains that the judge, who was reviewing the Prosecution’s request, acted the way he did because the Prosecution did not elaborate for each individual case. Raguz continues: “After that, the Special Department (of BiH Prosecution) elaborated why it is being requested for each case. Now, it is being discussed and we will decide about it, to see whether the request was justified”. Furthermore, talking about the future processing of war crimes before the BiH Court, Raguz notes: “Two courtrooms and detention cells for those who are currently in The Hague need to be built. I have information that the money has been secured at a donors’ conference. 16,5 million Euros has been collected, which is enough for preparations and work of the department (for war crimes) for two years. For the rest three years of work of the department, which is the plan, funds will be secured later”. Finally, Raguz notes that the politics do not interfere into the BiH Court’s work. |
| SD int with Colak on police
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘Police needs huge reform’ mentioned on cover, by B. Magas – SD carries an interview with BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak. Asked whether the establishment of SIPA represents paving the way for the organization of the Police at the state level, Colak says that he would not define it that way since SIPA is a specialized state Agency for implementation of law and its authorities have been precisely defined. Colak added that together with the representatives of the International Community they concluded that certain reforms should be made in the area of police and police structure and the Commission for this issue has been formed. Colak added that police should become more professional, capable and trained than it is now. |
| OHR announces the first meeting of police restructuring commission | FTV – OHR spokesman Vedran Persic informed that the Police Restructuring Commission will hold its first meeting on Thursday 22 July, and its mandate is directed to assisting BiH to put in place an effective and efficient police structure and enforce the rule of law. “The Recent European Union Functional Review found BiH’s police forces to be divided, over-staffed, under-resourced, and unable to operate across the IEBL. On the other hand, BiH’s criminals are united, well-resourced, and operate throughout the region with impunity,” says Persic. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘There is no Europe without rule of law’ by Fena – Persic also informed the journalists that EU High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Chris Patten will attend the first meeting of the Police Restructuring Commission. |
| Mikerevic discuss police reforms with EUPM
| Dnevni List pg 19 ‘Police should be treated in the same way at all levels’ not signed – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic talked with Chief EUPM Advisor for the RS Ministry of Interior Gunther Freisleben about restructuring of the police forces in BiH. During this meeting Mikerevic reiterated his already stated stand on this issue, which says that he supports the reform of police forces, however, it should be carried out in accordance with constitutional solutions. The two of them also agreed that it is very important for this process to secure that police at level is treated in the same way and that it is necessary to standardize salaries and compensations that are now different in two BiH entities and at the state level. |
War crimes | |
| RSNA endorses resolution for cooperation btw RS and ICTY
| RHB, BHTV 1, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Resolution on cooperation between RS and the ICTY adopted’ by Fena – On Tuesday evening, the RS National Assembly adopted a resolution on cooperation with the ICTY proposed by the RS President Dragan Cavic, which requires the RS government to undertake all possible measures to meet all of its obligations to this tribunal as prescribed by the Law on Cooperation with the Hague tribunal. With this resolution all those accused of war crimes are called upon to immediately surrender to the RS authorities, otherwise they risk arrest, which the RS police or SFOR are obliged to carry out. “The resolution can help to decrease the time distance between post-Dayton and European Bosnia,” commented Cavic. Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2 ‘Dusan Stojicic was elected Parliament Speaker’ by V. Popovic inset ‘Resolution on the Agenda’, Glas Srpske, pg. 2 ‘Invitation to surrender’ by G. D. – The Resolution also invites all international organizations that have mandates in BiH to help the Government in fulfilling its obligations towards the Hague Tribunal and it also invites representatives of the constitutive peoples to condemn war crimes committed by representatives of their peoples. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Another call to war criminals to surrender’ by M.V. – Tarik Sadovic, chief of SDA caucus in RSNA stressed that BiH cannot join Europe without cooperation with ICTY. “We will use this resolution to reopen the issue of the lack of responsibilities of the authorities which brought RS president in the position – after removal of 5 ministers – to again ask RSNA to oblige people to do their job,” commented SNSD delegate Krstan Simic for Avaz. Oslobodjenje ‘Resolution’ op-ed by Senka Kurtovic – “If only they would starting acting instead of words. And start to believe in genuine readiness of SDS and their counterpart parties that they initiated and adopted the resolution in order to implement in reality. This way, it seems that SDS and its top leadership have just played jokes on us,” reads the comment by daily’s editor-in-chief on the adoption of the resolution by RSNA. |
| Tadic offered new deal with US if Mladic extradited | RHB, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘USA offered a deal to Serbia for extradition of Mladic’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘New deal on extraditing Mladic’ by Fena, Nacional pg 2 ‘Tadic: I will arrest Ratko Mladic’ – DA writes that USA on Monday offered a deal to the new Serbian President Boris Tadic on extradition of Ratko Mladic to the ICTY in turn of a possibility to process some of the cases in Serbia. In his interview to CNN, Tadic said that Mladic will be extradited to the Tribunal and Serbia must face with the issue of war crimes. “We have to find out where is Ratko Mladic. My respond is ‘yes’: he will be extradited to ICTY,” stated Tadic in an interview. |
| Update to status of 6 Croats in ICTY
| Vecernji List, front ‘House arrest instead of The Hague’ and pg 5 ‘No fear for escape to RS’, by Dejan Jazvic – The Croat liaison officer to the ICTY, Goran Mihaljevic, said that representatives of the FBiH Government, Justice Minister Borjana Kristo and Interior Minister Mevludin Halilovic,did well during the presentation of guarantees of the FBiH Government for Jadranko Prlic and other Croat indictees in The Hague. Mihaljevic says the chances of Prlic and others getting the pre-trial release are 50-50. VL goes on to say that Judge Alphonso Orie, who was chairing the panel of judges deciding on request for pre-trial release, was interested what would happen if one of the indictees decided to escape to the Republika Srpska. Apparently, Minister Kristo was very convincing in her answers, stressing the role of the BiH Ministry of Security and newly established SIPA. Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘There was no opposition to institution of house arrest’, by Valentina Rupcic – VL carries an interview with FBiH Justice Minister, Borjana Kristo, in which she notes that she was pleasantly surprised with the course of status conference the other day. Talking about the motion of defence teams, which requested pre-trial release through home arrest, Minister Kristo notes that the Prosecution did not oppose the house arrest. Finally, Minister Kristo believes the pre-trial release will be granted. |
| NN editorial on IC and arrest of war crimes suspects
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Indictees, arrest yourselves’ by Mirza Cubro – The editorial refers to the insistence of the international community for arrest of war crime indictees calling to it hypocritical. Author says that NATO and EU high ranking officials Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Javier Solana are punishing BiH with non-admission into NATO programme over the failure of their troops to arrest war crime suspects. He also notes that it was also hypocritical from Paddy Ashdown to accuse Risto Zaric for ensuring freedom to Radovan Karadzic, and later on awarded him with the position at OSA. Article concludes by wondering why – if international community wants a stable and peaceful BiH – its soldiers do not get serious and arrest ICTY indictees and why do not they remove people in the local institutions directly responsible for nine-year long run of the war crime indictees. |
| Mladic’s associate confirms claims made in Time article | Nacional pg 3 ‘Mladic is negotiating with Kostunica’ – A former associate of Ratko Mladic told NACIONAL that General Ratko Mladic, the most wanted Hague indictee, is engaged in secret negotiations with Premier Vojislav Kostunica. By claiming this, the collocutor ascertains claims from the US weekly “Time”. The NACIONAL collocutor further claims that the topic of this discussion is not “The surrender of Mladic, but seeing him leave Serbia”. Vuk Draskovic, SiCG Foreign Minister, and Prvoslav Davinovic, SiCG Defence Minister, did not want to make any comment on these unofficial claims. |