Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 22 December
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| BiH, FBiH HoR in sessions | BiH HoR in session | BiH HoR’s in session |
| Tomljenovic on HR’s sanctions | FBiH HoR in session | Dodik on Terzic |
| SDS to discuss RS crisis today | World news | SDS Chair Board to convene |
TV news broadcast on 21 December
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Cavic met with NA parties | Miners Day marked | Freedom House on BiH | NATO on RS crisis |
| FBIH HoR in session | Ivanic on his resignations | Children adoption affair | Cavic met with NA parties |
| Ivanic’s press conference | RS officials in talks | Search for bank robbers | Ivanic’s press conference |
| Dukic on HR’s measures | RS Unions announce strike | Cavic met with NA parties | NGO’s on RS Government |
| Oslobodjenje | Early elections are not solution for the crisis; Ivanic: I will not be yes-man; RS authorities planned terrorism act |
| Dnevni Avaz | [McElhaney]: I invite our allies to do the same; Cavic: To elect the new Government as soon as possible |
| Dnevni List | Croat and Serb representatives against nation Bosnians |
| Vecernji List | Holidays: |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Series of robberies in churches |
| Nezavisne Novine | Douglas McElchany: |
| Glas Srpske | How much does the administration in BiH cost: They first sum and then subtract; Srpska to face with abolishment: Petritsch without the mask |
| EuroBlic | Cavic: Elections would additionally complicate situation; Former ministers claim: Dodik did not allocate apartments to us |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| BiH HoR in session
| BH Radio 1, RTRS, RHB at 12.00 – The BiH House of Representatives is holding its session in |
| FBiH HoR in session
| BH Radio 1, RTRS, RHB at 12.00 – At the continuation of its regular session in |
| Russian Foreign Ministry on HR measures
| RTRS at 12.00 – The Russian Foreign Ministry issued press release warning that the issue of BiH’s membership in an international organisation must not be the motive for erosion of the peace agreement, changes to which are inadmissible without a consensus within the country. Ministry also feels that actions undertaken by the HR Paddy Ashdown call to question every argument for their necessity and appropriateness. “Russia warned Paddy Ashdown on several occasions not to take actions which lead to violating still very fragile balance in BiH and to hindering the peace process in the country,” says a press release. |
Update to political crisis | |
| Cavic holds second round of talks with political parties
| RTRS – RS President Dragan Cavic said that many in BiH should learn from the existing situation that adequate solutions cannot be found under pressure. After the second round of talks with political parties participating in the work of the RS Council of Peoples, Cavic said that everyone had agreed that the crisis must be overcome as soon and possible and a new government elected. He repeated that the new RS Prime Minister will be appointed after RS NA adopts Dragan Mikerevic’s resignation. RHB – Cavic stated that everyone agrees that the crisis has to be overcome. RHB reporter unofficially finds out that everybody agrees that the new RS PM should be Milorad Dodik. BHT 1 – Cavic confirmed that he didn’t invite RS Vice-Presidents, Adil Osmanovic and Ivan Tomljenovic, to attend this meeting even though he did not deny political character of their functions. “All participants in the meeting agreed to support [need] to fulfill international obligations, and [reiterated] that full functioning of all institutions at all levels represents the best protection for those institutions,” said Cavic. “Today’s meeting showed that President Cavic counts on political representatives of other peoples and that he will conduct intensive talks in order to solve the current crises in the RS and Council of Ministers as soon as possible,” said Tarik Sadovic, Head of SDA Caucus at the RSNA. Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Elections is not a solution’ by V. Popovic – Sadovicstated after the meeting that: “The early elections would additionally complicate the situation, put on hold reforms processes and deteriorate economic and social situation.” FTV by Jakov Avram – Cavic stated that that there are different opining on whether early elections should be held. “Solution for crisis is currently in the hands of RS political parties,” stated Cavic. Cavic said that he believes that there is need to urgently overcome crisis in the BiH Council of Ministers and that he will try to come to single position on this issue with the representatives of political parties. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Cavic: To elect new Govt as soon as possible’, mentioned on cover, by J.S., Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Early elections are not solution’ by Orijana Vukovic, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Cavic talked with leaders of parliamentary parties in RS’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘New RS Government soon’ by bs, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘RS does not cooperate with The Hague’ by A. Macanovic and pg 17 ‘Everybody agrees: To find way out of crisis as soon as possible’ by A. Macanovic – also reports on the meeting. Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘New PM designate should be experienced manager’ – Sadovic said that the new PM designate should be experienced manager. He adds that the support of SDA for the new RS Government depends on the number of ministers that will come from this party. |
| Osmanovic, Tomljenovic meet Bosniak, Croat reps
| RTRS – RS Vice Presidents, Adil Osmanovic and Ivan Tomljenovic, on Tuesday met with the parties’ representatives of the Bosniak and Croat peoples. They all have fully supported the measures announced by the HR and US Government. Tomljenovic stated that the blockade of the institutions is not in the interest of either RS or BIH citizens. Representatives of these parties stated that the current crisis has to be overcome as soon as possible so reform processes can be continued. BHT 1 – “Message of today’s meeting is reminder to all those that do not respect the fact that the RS is multi-ethnic entity, that without active participation of other peoples, decisions cannot be adopted at entity level,”stated Tomljenovic. FTV – “Instead of blockade of the institutions by the highest Serb officials, we call on them to take political responsibility. Blockade of the institutions is not in the interest of RS citizens or RHB – Joint statement of SDA, SDP, SzBIH and NHI was read by RS Vice President Ivan Tomljenovic, and it said that the parties will welcome the resignations of the RS Prime Minister and Serb representatives in the Council of Ministers if they come as a result of accepting the responsibility for failure of RS to cooperate with ICTY. The statement also says that resignation will be condemned if its intention is to obstruct the measure of the HR Paddy Ashdown. Party representatives warned Cavic that RS has to cooperate with ICTY and offered its help. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Decisions cannot be made without Bosniak and Croat representatives’ by J.S., Oslobodjneje pg 5 ‘Support for HR decisions’ – also covers. |
| Ivanic holds press conference to explain his resignation: ‘I don’t want to be yes-man’
| BHT 1 by Vanja Filipovic, Suzana Stambol – Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Affairs Minister, stated that his resignation represents a protest against efforts to build an authoritarian system in BiH and added he doesn’t want to be an interpreter for orders given by the international community. As the PDP’s leader, he announced at the press conference held in FTV – Ivanic said that the measures by the international community were preventing him in performing his duties. Following explanations that RS structures are hindering progress in BiH, he viewed his resignation as the only logical and possible move. Ivanic thinks that BiH is a country that can function normally, a country that can be lead by politicians that people and it doesn’t need a tutor. “I think that this is the last moment for BiH, all its politicians, to really take the destiny of the country in their own hands, to make the decisions, to fight for the basic rights and this is exactly how I view this resignation”, said Ivanic. He said that he is fully committed to cooperation with the ICTY, but flatly denied that his resignation could in any way be connected to undermining cooperation with the ICTY. RHB, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘If Minister of Foreign Affairs resigns, than that is the crisis’ by M. Drinjakovic, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover, ‘I wont be yes-man’ by Az. Kalamujic, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘BiH at turning point because of HR’s decisions’ by D. Polovina-Mandic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘I cannot stand Ashdown’s autocracy any longer’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘I am refusing whipping’ by Z. Rerig, Nezavisne Novine cover ‘Ashdown rules in an autocratic manner in BiH’ and pg 3 ‘Resignation over autocratic ruling of Paddy Ashdown’ by A. Sisic; Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘We do not need a tutor’ by N. Zelenovic; EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘The line I could not go beyond’ by Dusanka Stanisic; Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘I defend the honour’ by D.S. – also covered press conference. |
| Dokic submits resignation to Terzic
| FTV – BiH Minister of Transport and Communications, Branko Dokic, submitted his resignation to the BiH Council of Ministers Chair, Adnan Terzic, on Monday. During two-hours long talk between two of them, Dokic explained that his act is result of his perception that the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, give himself the right to abolish institutions established by the Constitution. According to Dokic, in this way a damage was made to one entity and one people. “I am not ready to participate in political life with such relations, if those are really to be implemented in BiH,” said Dokic. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Branko Dokic resigned’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘I submitted the resignation to Adnan Terzic’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Minister Dokic resigned’ not signed – dailies carry FTV announcements. |
| Kovac, Milojevic still did not resign
| Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 3 ‘Council of Ministers will not convene as rump institution’ by M. Cubro – Slobodan Kovac, BiH Justice Minister, confirmed he had not tendered resignation, although SDS had demanded it from him. EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Tactical retreat’ by EuroBlic team – Goran Milojevic, BIH HoP Chair said: “I do not have reserves to tender resignation. However, this institution protects vital national interests and it would be absurd to do the same thing Ministers at BiH COM did.” |
| Dodik: ‘Terzic and SDA do not enjoy support by RS political parties any more’ | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Dodik: Terzic and SDA (do not enjoy) have no support by RS political parties any more’ by F. Cardzic – In a statement given to the daily on Tuesday, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik says the essence of the agreement reached amongst the RS political parties’ representatives at the Monday’s meeting at RS President’s office is not exactly as presented by Dragan Cavic. “It is obvious that (BiH CoM Chairman Adnan) Terzic has not been informed about the conclusions made at the meeting. He should otherwise be a little bit more concerned about it, since if anything was agreed at the meeting it was for sure about a full agreement that it is not possible to talk about any consolidation of the BiH CoM as long as the body is chaired by Terzic i.e. SDA,” said Dodik adding that it was about clear position of all BiH CoM members coming from RS. |
| BHT 1 update to political crisis: SDS to decide tomorrow on official stance
| BHT 1 by Vanja Filipovic, Suzana Stambol – [BHT 1 brings the reactions on the current political crisis]. “Council of Ministers can’t even reach quorum anymore after these decisions. It would be good to find solution for this situation, if not in other way, than to decide on early elections for BiH Parliament,” said Branko Dokic, BiH Minister of Transport and Communications in resignation. CoM’s Chair, Adnan Terzic, don’t want the crisis in the RS to have effect on BiH institutions. “This week for sure I will not schedule CoM’s session and I will not do that until there is a normal political atmosphere in BiH. Also, if we don’t have session, that doesn’t mean that ministries aren’t working or that State doesn’t have Government,” said Terzic. SDS still keeps resignations sealed. “SDS Presidency and Main Board have scheduled sessions for Wednesday, and after that SDS will take official stance regarding resignations of Borislav Paravac and representatives in House of Representatives and Peoples,” announced Bosko Siljegovic, SDS Vice-President. While local authorities in BiH deals with consequences of the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, journalist says meanwhile he travels around Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘SDS is preparing a sharp reply to Ashdown’ by V. P. – announces SDS session. |
| US Ambassador calls on allies to follow US Govt measures | Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 5 ‘USA call on EU da undertake same measures towards SDS and PDP’ by ONASA; Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘The Hague is the center of Dayton’ by M. Draganic, Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 5 ‘I invite allies to carry out the same measures against SDS and PDP leaders’ by Onasa, Vecernji List pg 2, mentioned on front ‘USA: EU also must sanction SDS and PDP’ by D. Jazvic – In an interview given to ONASA, US Ambassador in BiH Douglas McElhaney, stresses that the US still preserves its stance to invite all its allies to follow its example and undertake the same measures as US Administration did, regarding ban of entry to PDP and SDS officials to USA. On this, he adds it is very important to bear in mind tehse measures have targeted the officials of SDS and PDP, who are to bear responsibility for the failure to cooperate with the ICTY. In response to the question how will this reflect on the overall situation in |
| RS NGOs: ‘Ashdown implements SDA politics’
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Ashdown implements SDA’s politics’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘As soon as possible to the Government’ by N. N. – The chairman of the coordinating body of the RS NGOs, Branislav Dukic, believes that HR Paddy Ashdown has lately been implementing policies of the SDA. “Ashdown is an evil for the Republika Srpska,” Dukic told Banja Luka-based Alternativna TV and added that the HR with his actions was increasingly violating the constitutions of the RS and BiH. He emphasized that the Serb people did not accept a unitary BiH, adding RS in will call for a referendum on independence if the survival of this entity is brought to question. RTRS – The Board has also concluded that the RS Government will have to be held responsible for all mistakes it did in the past, announcing that they will submit criminal reports against those who brought RS into this position and asking RS authorities to dismiss SDA representatives in RS institutions. Slavko Jovicic, Vice President of RS POW Association, says that the Government cannot be excused from mistakes. RS Student Association also condemns the attack on RS and feels that RS PM in resignation Dragan Mikerevic is as much to blame as HR Paddy Ashdown. |
| GS brings comments on HR: ‘This is a protectorate’
| Glas Srpske, pg. 5 ‘A protectorate, and that’s it!’ by D. Majstorovic – carries the statement of Gerald Knauss from the ESI, who said that BiH had become protectorate. It also carries a statement of the Chairman of the Council of Peoples at RS NA, Miroslav Mikes, who says the HR to BiH must act in accordance with the Constitution and Laws and not under pressures. As a comment to Knauss statement, Mikes says BiH had become a semi-protectorate a long time ago. ‘It has really turned into a protectorate by the latest decisions of Paddy Ashdown, however the international community does not want to admit it because, in that case, it would have to take some obligations for BiH’, Mikes says. Nevenka Trifkovic (PDP) claims HR Ashdown had, instead of introducing positive processes in BiH, turned BiH three steps backwards. Branislav Lolic (SNS) says there are always certain pressures in politics and international relations, but responsible and serious politicians and diplomats should not give in to these pressures. Krstan Simic (SNSD) thinks neither public nor RS authority should lose time on interpreting statements and measures of the High Representative. |
| NATO supports HR measures, defence reforms must continue
| RTRS, BHT 1, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Cotninue with defence reforms’, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘BiH must show progress’ by Onasa, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Defense reform must not be stopped’ by De.L., Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Support to measures’ by ONASA – The defence reform process must not be stopped or delayed because of recent resignations in the RS, spokesperson for the NATO Headquarters in BiH Dwight Mood said at a press conference in Sarajevo on Tuesday. Regardless of changes in the leadership action stated in the recent letter by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to BiH Presidency Chair Borislav Paravac needs to be taken, which means that necessary system reforms for the rapid strengthening of command and control at the state level need to be implemented, Mood said. The NATO Headquarters in |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed on Ivanic’s resignation
| Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Struggle for democracy’ In Focus column by Senka Kurtovic – According to Kurtovic, BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic’s explanation that his resignation represents a sort of struggle for democracy sounds ridiculous. “Struggle for democracy in BiH ever since |
| DL op-ed on political crisis
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘BiH without diplomacy’ by D. Polovina-Mandic carries an editorial on the crisis in the RS and the author says that although Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic claims that calling of early elections only would cause the real crisis, the fact is that the BiH CoM will not have quorum for passing of any decision until the current situation is resolved. The author also argues that if Serb representatives had been more consistent in their stands they would have withdrawn from all positions and then, perhaps, the HR would have realized that he cannot pass decisions and make big changes outside BiH institutions and on the other hand the way for some new and more capable forces would have been opened. |
| NN op-ed on HR | Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Ashdown as PM-designate!’ by Aleksandar Sekulic – The author claims that the intention of Paddy Ashdown to completely devastate RS by delivering it demands nobody, including NATO, has ever imposed against it, has surfaced lately. Author claims his intention and final goal is the abolishment of RS – the goal which is parallel with the constant aspirations of the SDA. The author is critical of HR, saying that he has turned from the interpreter of the DA into its most severest violator. The author further stresses that owing to his fear that RS might strengthen its position through appointment of Milorad Dodik as RS PM, HR is behind the latest lawsuit against Dodik, along with some SDS officials. |
Other political issues | |
| Cavic on indictment vs. Dodik
| BHT 1, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘Strike on Dodik is purely political’ by I. Simundza– RS President Dragan Cavic said that charges against SNSD President Milorad Dodik, for abuse of office and damaging the RS budget for 6 million KM, are complicating relations between political parties that should find a common solution for resolving the current political situation in the RS. “I hope that there will be enough wisdom on all sides to overcome this situation”, Cavic told journalists in RHB – RHB wonders whether charges against Dodik were pressed at this moment, when there are rumours he will become next RS PM, an accident or planned. |
| NN reactions to charges against Dodik
| Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘Strike on Dodik is purely political’ by EuroBlic, pg. RS2 ‘Former Ministers are defending Dodik: he was not distributing apartments to us’ by M. Soja – Former RS Minister For Education and Culture Nenad Suzic says claims brought by the indictment against Milorad Dodik were not true. Former Minister for Informing Rajko Vasic thinks this is a political indictment brought in time when Dodik might have been appointed the Government trustee. Former Minister for Veterans’ Issues Slobodan Zupljanin and Director of Tobacco Factory in Banja Luka Dubravko Prstojevic also think the indictment is groundless. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘Pressure of politicians’ by I. S. – RS Association of Judges and Prosecutors issued a statement upon latest statements of RS politicians with regard to the indictment against Milorad Dodik and Novak Kondic. The Association believes these statements represent a strike and inappropriate pressure on the work of Courts and Prosecutor’s Offices in RS. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘A political act’ by N. N. – Member of PDP Presidency Vinko Radovanovic thinks that bringing of the indictment against Milorad Dodik for something that had happened four years ago is a political act. |
| Petritsch on change of DPA
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Serb illusion on independent within BiH’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17, mentioned on front, ‘We took care of Croats – the same should be done with Serbs’ by F, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Petritsch: DPA is being changed towards united BiH’ by NINA, Glas Srpske cover page story ‘Petritsch without the mask’; Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Paddy Ashdown is changing Dayton’ by FENA – Former High Representative for BiH Wolfgang Petritsch stated for BBC Radio that High Representative Paddy Ashdown changes provisions of the Dayton Peace Accord in direction of centralization of BiH discretely and as he goes along. He added that at the time when he was the HR, Croats were under strike and this caused a big crisis, however, at the end Croats accepted the idea of BiH. According to Petritsch, now there are only Serbs who still believe in the illusion that they can preserve independence within BiH. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘ |
| Ivic Pasalic in
| BHT 1, RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Croatia doesn’t need NATO’ by M.K.S., Dnevni List pg 7, mentioned on front ‘DPA is dead’ by De.L., Vecernji List pg 3 ‘DPA is dead’ by D. Jazvic and Slobodna Dalmacija pg 5, mentioned on front ‘SDA will not make me afraid’ by Z. Tulic – Presidential candidate at the Croatian presidential elections Ivic Pasalic harshly criticized the current Croatian authority in Sarajevo on Tuesday and said that in case he wins at the elections in Croatia he would stand for the establishment of the Croat Federal unit in BiH. He also said that the Dayton Peace Accord as a document is dead since it has been changed all the time without consent of Croats from BiH and the |
| Terzic: I hope we’ll start with SAA negotiations in mid 2005
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Terzic expects beginning of SAA negotiation in the mid next year’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘BiH on the safe path to Europe’ by V. Zivak, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘BiH on certain way towards EU’ by E. Mackic – At a New Year’s reception for journalists and Ambassadors (organized by Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic, Director of the Direction for European Integration Osman Topcagic and Head of the EC Mission in BiH Michael Humphreys), Terzic stated that this year has been very successful with regard to the process of European integration. He was also very optimistic and stressed that BiH will implement all conditions from the Feasibility Study by the end of March and added that BiH is on certain way towards the EU. |
| OHR on financing cultural institutions
| BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Care of BiH cultural institutions is the state obligation’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘It is regretful that Minister Maric considers cultural institutions financing a political issue’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘State must finance cultural institutions’ not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘BiH cultural institutions should be preserved’ by D. Pasic – The High Representative sent a letter to individual members of the Council of Ministers drawing attention to the present difficult situation of the seven cultural institutions of BiH, OHR spokesperson |
| GS on OHR statement
| Glas Srpske cover page story ‘They first sum and then subtract’ by D.V.M. – GS brings some reactions on Tuesday’s statement of Damir Miljevic, President of the RS Association of Employers, says that the administration cost should not exceed 40% in the state of this size, raising the question as to why international community officials keep silent about the crucial problem on this issue, which is huge administration in F BiH with 121 Governments and over 100 Ministries. |
| Halilovic on financial cultural institutions
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘It is regretful that Minister Maric considers cultural institutions financing a political issue’ – Commenting on the issue of financing cultural institutions, BiH Minister of Civil Affairs Safet Halilovic said he had sent a letter to OHR yet two months ago stating all the problems related to these institutions all founded by the state. “Ashdown emphasized it is about |
| Update to names of RS cities
| RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Eastern instead of Serb’ by Onasa, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘No agreement on Brod and Kostajnica’ by S.G.; EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘What name should be given to Brod’ by T.V. – The Joint Commission of representatives in the RS National Assembly and delegates in the RS Council of Peoples on Tuesday reached an agreement on the Law on the city of “Srpsko Sarajevo”, in the segment of names of municipalities that make the city of Eastern Sarajevo. The Commission has not harmonized the stands on the names of municipalities Bosanski Brod and Bosanska Gradiska. The Chief of the Serb Club in the Council of Peoples Desanka Radjevic explained that the Commission has harmonized the stands according to which the municipalities, by the analogy of the names of towns – Eastern Sarajevo for example, receive the names such as – Eastern Ilidza, Eastern Stari Grad, Eastern Novo Sarajevo and others. |
| Croat and Serb representatives oppose idea to introduce nation Bosnians
| Dnevni List front pg splash and pg 9 ‘Croat and Serb representatives against nation Bosnians’ by |
| DL: ‘Appointment of officials in Mostar City Administration by Monday’
| Dnevni List pg 14, mentioned on front, ‘Appointment of officials in Mostar City Administration by Monday’ by V. Soldo – Mostar Mayor Ljubo Beslic confirmed that Heads of Departments in the Mostar City Administration will be appointed by the end of this week, while Heads of Services will be appointed on Monday. Beslic stressed that due to the fact that Services have not been formed and the Heads of Departments have not been appointed yet, at the next session of the Mostar City Council he will propose passing of the decision on temporary financing for the first 3 months of 2005. |
| Refugees to sue HR Ashdown | Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Refugees to sue Ashdown’ not signed – Chairman of the Coordination Board of RS Associations of Refugees and Displaced Persons Veljko Stevanovic stated that this Coordination Board will file a lawsuit against High Representative Paddy Ashdown since the HR through his decrees, directly and indirectly, participated in taking away 20 000 Serb apartments in the Federation of BiH and gave a green light to the FBiH authorities to continue with destruction and robbery of Serb property and desecration of Serb graveyards. |
Security and other issues | |
| BiH introduces fingerprint ID system at state level
| FTV, BHT 1 – A memorandum of understanding on the formation of a system for automatic identification of fingerprints and palm prints [APIS] was signed in Sarajevo on Tuesday. The Motorola firm has already started with the installation of equipment envisaged by the project for which the EU has donated 3m KM. The memorandum was signed by Michael Humphries, head of the EC delegation in BiH, BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak, Minister for Civil Affairs Safet Halilovic, DGS, SIPA, RS and FBiH Internal Ministries, the Brcko District and those of the cantonal ministries of internal affairs. Humphries said that this project paved the way for the formation of a system for the identification of finger and palm prints at state level which would contribute to a more efficient fight against crime. RTRS – Sredoje Novic, SIPA Director, stated that this is one of most important projects in BIH when it comes to police technical equipment. System should be installed by April 2005. Memorandum defines the obligations of all institutions that signed it, but the relation with the CIPS has not been clearly defined. Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Finger and palm prints database’ by Onasa, Dnevni List pg 5, mentioned on front ‘New instrument for revealing of crime’ by E. Mackic – also covered. |
| EUFOR inspections
| FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Potential hiding places for war crimes suspects sealed off’, mentioned on cover, by Fena – In the RS and the FBiH, EUFOR has conducted unannounced raids into military facilities at some 20 locations many of which will be sealed, the EUFOR said in a press release issued today. A few of the facilities really needed for the country defense purposes will remain opened. This EUFOR program is based on the strong evidence according to which some of these facilities are being used for illegal activities and/or they represent part of the war crime indictees support network. BHT 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Illegal weapons warehouses discovered in Zivinice and Han-Pogled’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 2 Illegal arsenals found’ – report that EUFOR found two illegal weapons warehouses in |
| Former ICTY detainees demand compensation from state
| RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Compensation over ungrounded detention at Scheweningen’ by SRNA, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Former The Hague detainees ready to file lawsuit against state’ by A. Beus – A group of former ICTY indictees (Zejnil Delalic, Nenad Banovic, Zoran, Mirjan and Vlatko Kupreskic, Dragan Papic, Ivan Santic, Pero Skopljak and Marniko Katava who were charged with war crimes, however, these charges against them were dropped afterwards) addressed the BiH Justice Ministry with the demand to receive compensation from the state for the time they spent in The Hague detention. DL also says that after the meeting of BiH justice Minister Slobodan Kovac with some of them it was concluded that such cases are not regulated by domestic laws and that adequate provisions should be incorporated in the Law. |
| Proceeding in Ferhadija case
| Oslobodjenje pg 7, mentioned on cover ‘RS authorities planned the terrorist act’ by S.R. – A legal proceedings is to start before the Banja Luka Municipal Court today (Wednesday) based on a lawsuit filed against Republika Srpska by the citizens of Bosanska Krajina for a terrorist-criminal act by which the Entity’s government prevented Muslims to come to Banja Luka and lay cornerstone for the reconstruction of the town’s Ferhadija Mosque in 2001. Mirko Sarovic of SDS was the RS Presidents at the time as other top RS leaders included today’s RS President Dragan Cavic, BiH Foreign Minister in resignation Mladen Ivanic and SDS’ Dragan Kalinic. |
| VL, SD on increased number of robberies in BiH | Vecernji List front pg splash ‘Holidays: El Dorado for thieves’ and pg 25 ‘They even robbed two banks within one day’ by R. Soldo and B. Stevandic and Slobodna Dalmacija front pg splash ‘Series of robberies in churches’ and pg 22 ‘Robbers took away few thousands KM’ by A. Vlaho carry reports on an increased number of robberies in BiH lately. |