| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| BiH/Cro crime ptotocol | Issue of Algerian group | Croatian elections in BiH | OHR’s letter to CoM Min. |
| Child death rate in BIH | BIH&CRO crime protocol | BIH&CRO crime protocol | Bukejlovic continues talks |
| Support to PM-designate | Issue of Meakic case | Support to PM-designate | Debt of local communities |
| Spiric condemns Terzic | OHR’s letter to CoM Min. | Gregorian on defense ref. | Alijagic case audit |
| Oslobodjenje | BiH will soon have only 6000 troops?; Law on apartments: the problem is restitution and [or] returnees without an apartment?; Sacirbegovic: I will appeal against justice Moss’ verdict; RS PoWs on Srebrenica report: Not more than 2300 Bosniaks were killed?! |
| Dnevni Avaz | Olli Rehn: European Union cannot close doors; OHR: Work of CoM must not be blocked |
| Dnevni List | Hays: We support Mostar as economic centre of region |
| Vecernji List | Panic because of meningitis; Protest against relay |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | To reduce pensions to all? |
| Nezavisne Novine | |
| Glas Srpske | New plates in July |
| EuroBlic | UNESCO too is defending |
| Vecernje novosti | UNESCO defends |
| Nacional | |
Political issues | |
| SPRS will not support Bukejlovic/Volas,Lazic on support to Bukejlovic
| BHT 1, FTV, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Socialists will not support new composition of Government’ by N. Bise, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Socialists rejected to participate in RS Government with nationalists’ by J.S., Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘PM-designate lacks support of SPRS and SNSD’ by O. Vukovi, Nezavisne novine, pg. 2 ‘SNSD and SPRS will not support Bukejlovic’ by V. Popovic, EuroBlic, pg. RS1 ‘Socialists showed a yellow card to Bukejlovic’ by Nedeljka Breberina – The RS Socialist Party will not support the RS Prime Minister-designate, Pero Bukejlovic, or new RS Government consisting of nationalist parties, stated SPRS leader Petar Djokic. After he met with Bukejlovic, Djokic said his party will cease all consultations with PM-designate adding that the new Government should be comprised of SDS and PDP. “If [those parties] cannot do that, than they should state this clearly in order to organize early elections at both RS and BiH levels, as the work of Council of Ministers is obviously blocked,” said Djokic. Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Election of Government depends on PDP support’ by bs – also says that due to such SPRS stand the election of new Government definitely depends on PDP. EuroBlic inset ‘Volas: he promised us nothing’ – The President of RS Trade Union Association, Cedo Volas, has stated that designate Bukejlovic has made no promises to the Trade Union, but the Union hopes, since Bukejlovic has an experience in industrial business, that he would have more understanding and ideas for development of economy. EuroBlic inset ‘Terms for support’, Glas Srpske, pg. 5 ‘Support is possible’ by S. R. T. – SRS “Dr. Vojislav Seselj” delegate at RS NA Milan Lazic on Friday stated they would support the new Government should it be willing to respect the Agreement on harmonized political acting. ‘If it succeeds in preserving the last elements of statehood, i.e. the army and police, we will be willing to give our support to it. We also expect from the new Government to conduct an audit of privatization and to end the practice of appointing poor quality personnel in economy’, Lazic has stated. |
| Bukejlovic: Majority secured
| RHB – RS Prime Minister Designate Pero Bukejlovic confirmed that he secured support of the majority in the entity Parliament for the election of his cabinet. He stressed that there will be no SDA Ministers in the new Government and explained that on the ground of its moves SDA excluded itself from the Government. He added that cooperation with the ICTY and privatisation audit will be among priorities of the new Government. |
| OHR calls on Ministers to attend CoM session
| BHT 1, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ministers in resignation cannot block CoM work’, mentioned on cover, by S.N, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘OHR: outgoing Ministers must work until they are replaced’ by Srna, Glas srpske, pg. 2 ‘Ministers, go to work’ not signed – OHR Spokesperson |
| SNSD not to be involved in talks on particp. in CoM
| RHB, BHT 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘SNSD will not enter CoM’ by Srna, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘PM-designate lacks support of SPRS and SNSD’ by O. Vukovicc, Nezavisne novine, pg. 2 ‘SNSD and SPRS will not support Bukejlovic’ by V. Popovic –SNSD Chairman Milorad Dodik stated that his party will not be involved in conversations regarding possible SNSD participation in CoM. Dodik accused SDS and PDP that they created a crisis in CoM and therefore they should be the one to solve it. |
| Djokic: RS reps to return to CoM?
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘RS representatives returning to CoM!’ by Fena – SPRS President Petar Djokic stated that there is an intention that RS representatives who submitted resignations in the BiH Council of Ministers return to their functions in this body. |
| SD edit.: HR giving in to RS politicians
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 15, mentioned on cover ‘State has been without Government for over a month’ by B. Kristo – With regard to the RS crisis the author says that High Representative Paddy Ashdwon is making the things even more complicated who at first insisted on abolishment of entity Ministries when the defense and police reform are in question, however, now he says that their abolishment is not necessary. The author also says that such practice looks like giving in to RS politicians who managed to transfer the problem from the RS to the BiH Council of Ministers. The author concludes that such behaviour of the RS politicians remind of the time of the Croat self-rule, however, unlike then the HR gives in to RS officials a lot. |
| US Ambassador: ‘Changes in RS Government are not purely cosmetic’
| Oslobodjenje supplement ‘Pogled’, pg 28 ‘Changes in RS Government are not only cosmetic’ by Marina Kavaz-Sirucic – In an interview to Oslobodjenje, the US Ambassador to BiH, Douglas McElhaney, says that the changes in RS authorities following the sanctions imposed on 16 December were not just superficial. Repeating that cooperation with the ICTY is the most important, McElhaney says that police and defence reforms must note progress. Asked to comment to the possible changes to BiH Constitution, Ambassador says that he would not like to prejudice what has to be changed adding that it is up to BiH citizens to decide so. As for the official |
| Olli Rehn on association to EU
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘European Union cannot close doors’, pg 5 ‘Cooperation with the Hague is a condition to integrations’ by Olli Rehn – EU Commissioner for enlargement, Olli Rehn, writes an article in DA on conditions for joining EU and changes that occur in the country in and post that process. He stresses that most importantly, the countries must strengthen the rule of law in their territory and meet international obligations such as the cooperation with the ICTY. On the countries of Western Balkans, Rehn says that their regional cooperation is extremely important for economic development. He adds that in next few years these countries will move from ‘stabilisation’ into ‘association’ stage of moving closer to EU. |
Crime/Judicial proceedings/War crimes | |
| BiH/Cro protocol on fight against crime signed
| RHB, BHT 1, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List pg 4, mentioned on cover ‘Criminals cannot hide behind double citizenship any longer’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 3 Republic of Croatia and BiH against crime’ by dja, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 5 ‘Border is not rescue to criminals any longer’ by D. Pasic, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Croatia and BiH will cooperate in fight against crime’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Cooperation in fight against all forms of serious crime’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3 ‘Joint acting of BiH and Croatia in fight against crime’ by Onasa, Glas Srpske, pg. 3 ‘Jointly against crime’ by V. J – BiH Prosecution and Croatian State Attorney signed the protocol on mutual cooperation in fight against all forms of serious crime. BiH Prosecutor, Marinko Jurcevic, says that the protocol will facilitate easier exchange of information and documents, including witnesses’ statements. He added that such direct community will speed up processionof series crime and war crimes cases. |
| Sacirbegovic will appeal against extradition order
| Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Sacirbegovic announced appeal to verdict’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Sacirbegovic to file appeal’ by rt, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Sacirbegovic: I will appeal against decision of justice Moss’, mentioned on cover, by F. Cardzic – Former BiH Ambassador to the UN, Muhamed Sacirbegovic, announced that in the next 10 days he would appeal against the decision of the US court to extradite him to BiH authorities to be prosecuted for alleged embezzlement of money. In his statement for DA, Sacirbegovic says that for the first time he will have chance to respond to allegations against him, adding that he considers US Government guilty “for jeopardizing rights of US citizen. Especially of the citizens with a name Muhamed. For me this is a matter of principle.” Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘I will appeal against justice Moss’ verdict’ by Onasa – also reported on Sacibergovic’s intention to appeal. |
| Key Blaskic’s winess beaten up
| RHB, Dnevni List pg, mentioned on cover ‘Key Blaskic#s witness Mehmed Ahmic beaten up’ by J. Petrovic, Nezavisne novine, cover ‘Witness of “Blaskic” case was attacked’ and pg. 3 ‘Crucial witness in “Blaskic” case was attacked’ by M. Cubro, Glas srpske, pg. 2 ‘Witness was attacked’ – President of the Association of Ahmici victims Elvedin Kermo attacked key ICTY witness in the case of Croat General Tihomir Blaskic, Mehmed Ahmic. DL says that thanks to Ahmic#s testimony the sentence against Blaskic was reduced from 45 to 8 years. |
| RS MoF, Baric, Simic on blockade of Vlasenica and Trebinje munic. accounts | RTRS, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘To regulate issue of de-blockade of municipal bank accounts by law’ by NINA – With regard to the problems caused by blockade of the Trebinje and Vlasenica municipal accounts, the RS Ministry of Finances believes that the only solution for the RS Municipalities and towns is the adoption of the framework law which will regulate this issue. RTRS, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘Alijagic case will be resolved by the end of the year’ by P. Klincov – Chairman of RS Supreme Court Zelimir Baric stated the audit of Alijagic case still has not been assigned and that it should be completed by the end of 2005. The reason for this is a large number of cases from a previous period. Baric says that the case will be taken into consideration during 2005 and added that there are several cases like that which still wait to be assigned. Chairman of RS National Assembly Board for supervision of judicial reform process Krstan Simic feels that Alijagic case should take priority in RS Supreme Court. He adds that the Chairman of the Supreme Court should be aware of the case significance and therefore make it a priority. RTRS reporter concludes that whoever ends up with the case will have a lot to do due to the amount of documents that accompany it. |
| Police arrests suspects for burning down state flag in Foca
| BHT 1, FTV, Dnevni List pg 35 ‘They set BiH flag on fire’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘State flag in Foca burned down while BiH played vs. Macedonia’ by A. Bajramovic, ezavisne Novine, pg. 3 ‘BiH flag was burned in front of Municipal building’ by I. J. – While BiH played handball match against Macedonia in Gorazde, BiH flag in front of Foca municipality building was taken down and burned. Three 19 years old men were consequently arrested for this incident. “I believe that [this incident] has no significant political background,” stated the head of Foca municipality, Zdravko Krsmanovic, an SPRS member who took over municipality from his SDS predecessors. |
| MVP started talks on release of Algerian group
| BHT 1 – The lawyers of the so-called Algerian group proposed BiH authorities to start negotiations on release of this group from Also covered by Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘BiH authorities must help to release ‘Algerian group’’ by S. Numanovic, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Negotiations on releasing ‘Algerian group’ started’ by Onasa |
| Nacional on
| Nacional Belgrade daily, cover and pg. 3 ‘ |
| RS PoWs claim not more than 2300 Bosniaks killed in Srebrenica
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Not more than 2300 Bosniaks killed?!’, mentioned on cover, by Asaf Becirovic– Daily refers to recently published demand by the RS Association of prisoners of war for revision of the Srebrenica Commission report, claiming that the number of victims was inaccurate and that defence of Slobodan Milosevic shows that not more than 2300 Bosniaks were killed, mostly soldiers. The Chair of the Association, Branko Dukic, claim that some of those buried in Srebrenica Memorial died of natural cause. Director of Investigative and |
Economic issues | |
| Mtg Beslic/Hays: OHR supports Mostar as economic centre of region
| BHT 1, FTV, Dnevni List cover pg ‘Hays: We support Mostar as economic centre of region’ pg 13 ‘OHR supports Mostar as economic centre of region’ by M. Zorlak, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Hays: Visions of city’s development are positive’ by F, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Hays supported Beslic’s ideas’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Ljubo Beslic demands 5 ministries to move to Mostar’ by A. Omeragic, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘Administration is an obstacle to development of the town of Mostar’ by D. Muminovic – The meeting between Mostar’s Mayor Ljubo Beslic and Principal Deputy High Representative |
| January pensions to be increased by 4%
| RHB, FTV, Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Pensions to be increased by 4%’ by D. Polovina-Mandic – DL says that the Management of the Federation of BiH Pension Insurance Bureau (FBiH PIO/MIO) will propose on Monday to the FBiH MIO/PIO Steering Board to increase January pensions by 4 %. Deputy Director of the FBiH MIO/PIO Ivan Rogic confirmed this information for DL. |
| On demand to transfer some RS pensioners on FBiH MIO/PIO funds
| Slobodna Dalmacija cover splash, pg 16 ‘To reduce pensions to all?’ by Z. Tulic – With regard to the demand of pensioners from the RS who want to receive pensions from the Federation of BiH, SD says that in case that their demand is met this would cause reduction of pensions in the Federation of BiH. The article also carries Director of the FBiH Pension Insurance Bureau (FBiH PIO/MIO) Nadir Kovacevic as saying that each new pensioner would be a great burden for their funds. According to SD information, this issue will be resolved in the BiH Council of Ministers. |
| UNESCO on “Buk Bijela”
| EuroBlic, cover ‘UNESCO too is defending Tara’ and pg. RS2 ‘UNESCO is threatening with revoking protection to Tara’ by Beta, Vecernje Novosti, cover ‘UNESCO defends Tara’ and pg. 7 ‘UNESCO is defending Tara canyon’ by V. R. – Head of UNESCO Mission Mechtild Rossler on Friday warned that the construction of “Buk Bijela” hydro-power plant, due to which a part of Tara canyon would be flooded, might lead to serious ecological consequences. She announced that UNESCO World Committee would adopt a report containing recommendations to Montenegrin Government in May. She also explained that the study on the construction of power plant is not corresponding to international standards, because of which a new study will, most probably, have to be developed. She stressed UNESCO has no authority to forbid the construction of “Buk Bijela” plant but it can recommend taking into consideration all consequences that might follow such a project. |
Defence/Police issues | |
| Mtg Gregorian, Stankovic, Stojicic, Sakan, Dodik
| RTRS, FTV – Chairman of the Defense Reform Commission Raffi Gregorian met with RS Defence Minister in resignation Milovan Stankovic and RS party representatives. Gregorian stressed that political leaders in BIH should determine the future existence of entity armed forces and added that their existence might become a problem when BIH becomes a NATO member. He added that a question remained open whether BIH has an efficient command and control over armed forces from the state level. RS National Assembly Speaker Dusan Stojicic introduced Gregorian with the fact that there is no political readiness in the RS for the defence reform that would abolish RS Defence Ministry and RS Army HQ. Chairman of competent RS NA Board Velimir Sakan stressed that he is not pleased that the mandate of the Commission has been extended. He also stated that he has an impression of fraud since RS NA deputies were convinced that the solutions from defence reform will be of interest for RS and BIH. RHB, FTV, RTRS – Dnevni List ‘Minimal professional military structure in BiH’ not signed – After talks with the Chairman of the Defense Reform Commission, Raffi Gregorian, SNSD President Milorad Dodik said that SNSD would support the reforms that envision termination of recruitment, military service period and reserve components, and establishing of professional army that would be financed from the budget. Also covered by Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Entities defence ministries can be an obstacle to NATO’ by J.S. [mtg Gregorian-Stojicic], Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘DRC mandate extended’ by Onasa [mtg Gregorian-Stankovic], Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘SNSD supports only professional composition’ by O.V. [mtg Gregorian-Dodik], EuroBlic, cover ‘The Commission has no mandate to abolish armies of entities’ and pg. RS2 ‘We will not be abolishing entity armies’ by Mirna Soja, Glas Srpske, pg. 2 ‘The Commission is not abolishing the armies’ by D. Zec |
| NN interview with Gregorian
| Nezavisne Novine, cover ‘Entity armies not to be abolished yet’ and pg. 5 ‘RS and Federation of BiH Defense Ministries will be abolished by autumn’ by D. Risojevic – carries an interview with Co-Chairman of Defense Reform Commission Raffi Gregorian in which he has stated that the entity Defense Ministries will be abolished by autumn, which does not automatically means abolishing of the entity armies. He also said: ‘I am interested in establishing of a professional army that, most probably, would include abolishing of military service and reserve troops’. Asked to comment “the fact Ashdown has, without presenting clear evidence, brought accusations that war crimes indictee Ratko Mladic was hiding in a military facility” and to say whether he has seen the evidence, Gregorian has stated he was not in possession of the evidence Ashdown was talking about. ‘Nevertheless, I would not like to comment this investigation, since it is still ongoing’, he added. The journalist further claimed HR Ashodwn has “admitted in public he does not want to do this (present the evidence) because he does not believe the local authority” and asked Gregorian “what kind of a reform is this when he (the HR) does not trust the same reformed forces, which, as he was saying in past, were excellent?” Gregorian replied the Chief ICTY Prosecutor, High Representative and NATO officials have pointed on a problem that exists in the region, which is in relation to a system that enables individuals to deal with illegal, anti-Dayton activities. |
| Oslobodjenje: BiH may soon have only 6000 troops
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 6 ‘BiH soon to have only 6000 troops?’ by A. Prlenda – Daily says that BiH Armed Force could soon carry out new cut in a number of troops, while possibilities for making Army a professional service are also being discussed. According to unofficial information, Defence Reform Commission will soon start to seriously consider the way of reducing a number of troops. Currently, Armed Forces number 12.000 troops, however daily claims that due to lack of finances for entities and state Defence Ministries, the Armed Forces could be further reduced to 6000 and conscription may be abolished. Advisor to the Croat member of BiH Presidency, Slavko Marin, says that professional army would be the best solution. |
| Osmanovic believes that next RS Police Director will be Bosniak or Croat
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘I am certain that Bosniak or Croat will be elected’ by E. Sarac – Article reads that for the very first time candidates from Bosniak and Croat peoples have applied to the position of RS Police Director. According to the RS Vice President, Adil Osmanovic, these candidates meet all criteria included in the vacancy announcement. “This time I believe that Bosniak or Croat will take over the position of the Police Director, because I think that two years ago when Radomir Njegus was elected only Serb representatives applied to the vacancy,” said Osmanovic. He added that whoever is to be appointed must be ready to tackle the issue of employees in RS Interior Ministry that provide assistance to war crimes suspects for years. |