| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| BIH HoR session | BiH HoR in session | Bank robbery in Mostar |
| HR in RSNA | RS National Assembly in session | BiH HoR in session |
| Matijasevic on police reform | Ivanic on Manjaca/Bileca events | BiH HoR rejects draft law on PBS |
| FBIH Government session | NATO to discuss Manjaca events | HR on events in Manjaca and Bileca |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| OHR on report on Manjaca events | BiH HoR in session | HR on Police Reform in RS NA |
| HR on police reform | HR addressed RSNA/police reform | RS NA in session |
| HR on report on Srebrenica | RSNA on police restructuring | HR on Bileca/Manjaca events |
| Carla del Ponte on the ICTY | Additional information on Srebrenica | Report on workgroup on Srebrenica |
| Oslobodjenje | Police represents the last obstacle on BiH’s road to EU |
| Dnevni Avaz | Dangerous illusions of politicians in RS |
| Dnevni List | Alarm in Mostar underground! (prostitute safeguarded by Police) |
| Vecernji List | Mostar: Police safeguards prostitute in hospital |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Pope: Church will not suffocate Medjugorje |
| Glas Srpske | Walking on legislative ice |
| Nezavisne Novine | Robbers have stolen more than 40,000 KM |
| Blic | Features Serbia-related headlines |
| Vecernje Novosti | Features Serbia-related headlines |
| Srpski Nacional | Rebellion of Serbs in |
| Slobodna Bosna | Kusturica vs. Imamovic, Tanovic |
| Dani | Swearing in [refers to Manjaca/Bileca swearing in ceremonies |
Police Reform | |
| HR Ashdown addressed RSNA on police reform
| RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘Police represents the last obstacle on BiH’s road to EU’ Orijana Vukovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Dodik: Majority thinks like recruits in bileca and Manjaca’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Next week crucial for police reform’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘New Constitution for European standards’ by BS, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 12 ‘Historical turning point’ by A. Macanovic– HR Paddy Ashdown addressed the RS National Assembly (RSNA) on Thursday stating that in case of non-acceptance of EU standards on police organization and functioning BiH and RS would be left behind integration processes and isolated. Ashdown emphasized that “there is no hidden agenda in police reform”. He added that “police reform is not an assault against RS“, nor “secret plan prepared for abolishment of entities“. Ashdown stressed that many polled citizens of BIH are for the police reform. Milorad Dodik, SNSD leader, said that this wouldn’t be that last reform and regardless of all the reforms citizens in RS share same opinion as soldiers participating in Manjaca/Bileca events. RS Minister of Interior (MoI) Darko Matijasevic present the RS Government potion on police reform reiterating that RS MoI should continue having the legal jurisdiction over police in the entire RS territory. HR left the session emphasizing that he will accept any adopted conclusion but warning MPs to carefully consider all the options since they were going to bear the consequences. Nezavisne Novine pg 4, announced on cover ‘BiH is facing a decision: either EU or isolation’ by V. Popovic – carries HR address to RS NA, as well as statements of SNSD’s Milorad Dodik (‘police reform is actually reform of BiH Constitution’) and RS Interior Minister Darko Matijasevic re information on activities in police restructuring and RS Government’s conclusions. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘On the expense of the Constitution’ not signed – also carries statements of Matijasevic and Dodik. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘There is no secret conspiracy’ not signed, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘EU will not beg BiH’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – carry HR’s address to RS NA. RTRS Report by Gordana Cimesa – HR Paddy Ashdown addressed the RS National Assembly (RS NA) on Thursday stating that RS EU stating that “there is no hidden agenda in police reform”. HR added that “there is no plot to open up by clandestine means to question the constitution reform” and that “police reform is not an assault against RS“, nor “secret conspiracy prepared for abolishment of entities“. Paddy Ashdown stressed that many polled citizens of BIH are for the police reform. FTV – RS National Assembly (RSNA) representatives on Thursday were discussing the information delivered by the RS Government on the police restructuring in BiH. Serb and Bosniak representatives’ positions on this issue are quite opposite, reports FTV. SPRS representative, Dragutin Skrebic, stated that the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown’s address to the RSNA on Thursday sounded like “take it or leave it”. Skrebic believes that Ashdown already promised to someone in |
| RSNA adopts conclusions on police reform
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Reforms within the frame of Constitution’, FENA – The RS National Assembly on Thursday evening requested from the Entity Government to prepare/propose the final concept for police reform in RS and BiH and forward it to the National Assembly for adoption. After a long discussion on police reform in BiH, the representatives adopted the Government’s Report on activities on police restructuring in BiH with conclusions, and emphasized that they represent the basis for dialogue on police reform and offer an opportunity for compromise in seeking the solutions for all participating parties. The RS Parliament once again reiterated its support for reform of the BiH security system, including the necessity of restructuring the police forces in line with the standards of the European Union and within the frameworks of the BiH and RS Constitutions. The Government in its conclusions supported the continuation of talks on restructuring of the security system and police reform within the frameworks of the BiH Constitution and the RS Constitution. |
| Ashdown: Some do not understand how serious
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Dangerous illusions of politicians in RS’, pg 5 ‘Illusions of politicians in RS are dangerous’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to DA given after trip to Banja Luka where he address the RSNA on the issue of police reform, the HR Paddy Ashdown says “there are still people who do not realize how serious Europe is about [police reform]” calling it a dangerous illusion. The only way out is a compromise to be reached between all sides, says Ashdown noting that European Commission was very clear stating that he as the HR cannot solve this issue. “I am certain that at this moment all sides are trying to ensure clear starting positions for negotiations, and that is a normal thing… If what is being said now is a starting point, than the agreement can be reached. If these are final attitudes that cannot be negotiated, there is no compromise, than I am afraid compromise cannot be reached,” concludes Ashdown noting it is difficult to be optimist about upcoming Vlasic talks. |
| DA op-ed on police reform: Cavic and Matijasevic hold destiny of BiH in their hands
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Entities police forces or road to Europe?’ op-ed by Edina Sarac – Editorial refers to the HR Paddy Ashdown’s address to the RS National Assembly saying that RS President Dragan Cavic and RS Interior Minister, Darko Matijasevic, hold the future and destiny of BiH and its citizens in their hands. Author notes that the ‘optimal solution according to Matijasevic’ would include not only RS MoI, but also keeping the state control over police which basically would mean that everything would stay same. Editorial further claims that Cavic and Matijasevic want to achieve something different, that is to block BiH’s path to EU as long as SCG joins. Thus, author notes that the project of “All Serbs in one state” according to which SCG supports resistance in RS: “Once the international community realizes that [RS] doesn’t give up, they will let [RS] separate and [SCG] will give them Kosovo in return.” However, editorial notes that while this may be their intention the conditions are not anything like in 1992 and thus the only solution is abolishment of entity’s police and MoI. |
| Bukejlovic: police reform will be agreed upon on Vlasic
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Bukejlovic: A reform will be agreed upon on Vlasic’ not signed – RS PM Pero Bukejlovic has stated that it is possible to find a compromise solution on police reform without having to change Constitutions of RS and BiH. Bukejlovic said he hopes forthcoming negotiations on Vlasic would result in agreements on police reform. ‘A compromise must be made in accordance with all three pre-requisites of the European Commission and I think it is possible to achieve this in frame of the existing Constitutions in BiH’, Bukejlovic emphasized. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘There is space for an agreement’ not signed – carries the same report. |
| Dnevni Avaz: Party for BiH supports five police regions
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Due to multiethnic character only option is five regions’ by M. Kukan – Member of Party for BiH’s Presidency, Gavrilo Grahovac, says that the party insist on establishment of five police regions as only such organization ensures that the “police administration have jurisdiction over territorial which are entirely of multiethnic character.” Those regions, says Grahovac, should be: |
| NHI, HSS, HSP Djapic-Jurisic and HNZ in favour of 9+ | Vecernji List pg 3 ‘9 regions plus Sarajevo’ by mv carries that representatives of the NHI, HSS, HSP Djapic-Jurisic and HNZ concluded at their third meeting held in Sarajevo that within the police reform there should be 9 police regions plus Sarajevo. They also agreed that this solution is the best solution for BiH, the Croat people and security of all citizens. |
| SB: SIPA to stay without leadership if CoM fails to appoint Director today
| Slobodna Bosna pgs 6-7 ‘Ashdown want to keep Sredoje Novic, Barisa Colak insists for Croat to be a director’ by S. Mijatovic – SB writes that unless the BiH Council of Ministers appoints new Director of the State Information and Protection Agency [SIPA], today [22 April], the agency will be official without the leadership as of Monday. Namely, mandate of current SIPA Director, Sredoje Novic, expires on 23 April and the Law on Ministerial Appointments doesn’t allow appointment of the Acting Director. According to the source close to the BiH Council of Ministers, the top candidates for are Sredoje Novic, Dragan Lukac and Sead Lisak. SB says that while OHR prefers Novic, BiH Security Minister, Barisa Colak, insists that Croat takes up the position. |
Defence | |
| HR says incidents in RS Army barracks has to be solved by domestic institutions
| BHT Boris Gagic – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, stated in Banjaluka on Thursday that domestic institutions have to do everything in order to investigate/solve the incidents that occurred during the oath-taking ceremony in RS Army barracks in Manjaca and Bileca. Ashdown said this isn’t an obligation of International Community. RS Government has been announced that they still investigate this case and they do not point out who is responsible for events that took place in Manjaca and Bileca on April 16. “I believe the report of RS Ministry of Defence on events in RS barracks is correct, and the content of that report is known in public”, said RS Prime Minister, Pero Bukejlovic. “The report does not contain the names of individuals who are responsible or could be responsible for this situation”, said BiH Minister of Defence, Nikola Radovanovic. But this report contains the statement of a great number of individuals who had the certain role in that process, added Radovanovic. The investigation in order to establish the individual responsibility will be continued. RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Ashdown: RS authorities must react’ by A. Sisic and D. Raduski also covered the issue/HR statement. |
| FTV: Still no information on responsible persons for incidents in Manjaca and Bileca
| FTV Sinan Saric – Day after BiH Ministry of Defence (MoD) received from the RS MoD on Wednesday the report on the investigation into incidents during military oath-taking ceremonies in Manjaca and Bileca on April 16, there is no information on responsible persons. This report isn’t available to journalists, but it is not the secret that this report does not contain names of the responsible persons, comments FTV. Instead, RS MioD demand adoption of the policies and guidelines that would regulate measures to be undertaken in situations like this. There is no a rulebook on military discipline at the State level, and the RS MoD is calling on this after incidents in Manjaca and Bileca. Defence Reform Commission Co-Chair, Raffi Gregiorian, sees as unacceptable such scandal to occur in a front of generals. “Based on this report, it could be concluded that responsible persons are not from military structures. Still, that does not explain why this wasn’t prevented,” said Gregorian. |
| FTV: No comments by BiH Presidency members on Manjac/Bileca incidents | FTV – BiH Presidency member, Sulejman Tihic, still didn’t receive the report on the investigation into incidents during military oath-taking ceremonies in Manjaca and Bileca on April 16. BiH Ministry of Defence forwarded this report to the BiH Presidency. FTV also didn’t manage to get the comment on these incidents from the office of the BiH Presidency Chair, Borislav Paravac. |
| NATO says events in Manjaca, Bileca not helping BiH, notes progress in coop. w/ ICTY
| BHT, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Sheffer condemned the behaviour of RS recruits’ by S.N. – NATO’s General Secretary, Jaap de Hoop Sheffer, stated on Thursday in Vilnius that the events alike those recent ones that took place in Manjaca and Bileca cannot contribute to BiH’s efforts to join Partnership for Peace program. Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘A positive progress in coopertaion with Tribunal in the Balkans’ by BETA also covered the issue. Oslobodjenje pg 10 ‘Without detailed comments on the investigation on swearing-in ceremonies’ by A. Prlenda – Source from NATO stated that the Alliance also noted RS’ improved cooperation with the ICTY, but continued to stress that the key condition to join PfP is apprehension of Karadzic and Mladic. As for the reports submitted by the RS Defence Ministry, daily brings that NATO stated that report is still being analysed; BiH Defence Ministry awaits for the reactions from other authorized institutions and says Nikola Radovanovic could make statement on the report on Friday, while OHR says that BiH Defence Ministry and NATO are in charge of this. |
| DL: ‘NATO demands highest possible standards from Balkan leaders’
| Dnevni List pg 21 ‘NATO demands highest possible standards from Balkan leaders’ not signed carries that the Permanent NATO-Russia Council met in Vilnius on Thursday and, among other things, the Council discussed the situation in the western Balkans, especially in Kosovo. One of the conclusions of the meeting was that the highest possible standards should be demanded from the Balkans leaders when the treatment of minorities, respecting of international obligations, including full cooperation with the ICTY, regional cooperation and confidence building are in question. |
Political Developments | |
| BiH HoR not discussed nomination of Croat member of the Presidency
| RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Covic’s successor to be elected on May 5’ – BiH House of Representatives (HoR) has not discussed nomination of the new Croat member of the BiH Presidency at Thursday’s session. It is confirmed that this issue would probable be discussed at the session on 4 or 5 of May. HDZ Presidency will most likely nominate its candidate for this position until then. “HDZ Presidency have enough of time to held a session until than and nominate its candidate,” said HDZ representative, Vinko Zoric. Inset ‘Deputies request for session with OHR’ – The majority in the House pointed out at a need to hold a special session to discuss relations between OHR and domestic institutions. HR Paddy Ashdown should be invited to attend the session. Dnevni List, pgs 2-3 ‘Election of successor to Covic by May 4’, by Danka Polovina Mandic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘New member of BiH Presidency by May 5 the latest’, by eme, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘HDZ does not give up on three ethnic channels’ also reported on the session. |
| DL, SD: Different positions regarding Covic successor within HDZ
| Dnevni List, pgs 2-3 ‘Different positions of HDZ people’, not signed – Carries reactions of several senior HDZ officials to the issue of replacement for Dragan Covic in the BiH Presidency. An MP in the BiH HoR, Ivo Miro Jovic, told the press that they (HDZ) maintained the position of the HDZ Main Board that the BiH Parliament should hold a plenary session, after which the HDZ would nominate a candidate. “The HDZ Caucus (in the BiH HoR) did not say a word about a candidate because it is a job for the HDZ Presidency and it will determine our candidate”, says Jovic. On the other hand his party colleague Vinko Zoric, (MP, BiH HoR) stresses the party will come up with a name of a candidate at the next session of BiH HoR. DL also carries a member of HDZ Presidency, Josip Merdzo, as expecting that the HDZ Presidency could soon schedule a new session “because it is clear that the partners in authority are rejecting to hold a plenary session. It is a new fact that requires the party Presidency to declare itself”. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 12 ‘HDZ members give up on forwarding candidacy under pressure’, by Blanka Magas – Carries Zoric as saying that unless the HDZ Presidency nominates a candidate by the next session of the BiH HoR, a candidate will be nominated by the HDZ Caucus irrespective of the position of the HDZ Presidency. |
| DL: Covic to assume full control of HDZ in
| Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘After the Mostar City Board, Covic takes over HDZ in canton too’, by Zvonimir Jukic – The daily argues that Dragan Covic will assume the control of the HDZ in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton today, when the cantonal board of the HDZ is to meet and elect its new leadership. DL argues that Covic has appointed people loyal to him to the said board in order to gain the full control of the party in the canton, the same way it was done in the Mostar City Board of HDZ. |
| BiH HoR on PBS: HDZ still requests for a Croat TV channel
| BHT, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘HDZ does not give up on three ethnic channels’, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘HDZ requests for a Croat TV channel’, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Take care of Constitution when making report on RTV system’, by NINA, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘The Law on public RTV system was sent back to procedure’ by N. N. – Draft Law on Public Broadcasting system is returned to the Parliament’s Commission for Transport and Communications for further consideration with guidelines adopted by the BiH HoR at its session on Thursday. These guidelines instruct Commission to take into consideration BiH Constitution provisions, international regulations in the human rights field and peoples’ right on use of their language, but also they instructed Commission to consider the European Commission’s and Peace Implementation Council’s standings in relation to this draft law. 20 days are given to this Commission to fulfill this task. Problem is the HDZ’s standing that this law should regulate existence of one public broadcasting company with three (ethnic channels) channels. |
| Ivanic addresses OSCE council in
| BHT, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Decision on start of BiH’s talks with EU to be made in May’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Future BiH membership in NATO leads to strengthening of the stability in the region’, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Decision on negotiations of BiH with EU in May’ by Beta – Future membership of BiH in the Partnership for Peace and the start of talks on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU will lead towards the strengthening of peace and stability in the region, BiH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic said in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on Thursday. He underlined results achieved in the defence reform process last year and also mentioned 54 laws harmonized with European laws in past two years. Commenting on the incidents that occurred during oath-taking ceremony of the RS recruits in Manjaca and Bileca, Ivanic described this as unwelcome event, which damaged BIH international reputation. Pink carried Ivanic’s comment on Manjaca/Bileca incidents. |
| NN op-ed on BiH’s road to EU, HR Ashdown:
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘ |
| BiH Minister Halilovic meets with PDHR Butler
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘To accelerate privatization process in BiH’, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘To speed up adoption of law on medicines’ by NINA – The BiH Minister of Civil Affairs, Safet Halilovic, and the Principal Deputy High Representative, Larry Butler, talked on Thursday about the current situation in BiH and they agreed that it was necessary to speed up activities with regard to adoption of the law on medicines and establishment of the agency for medicines at the state level. Since the working group in charge of this issue failed to do this job because of different position of the entities, it was proposed that the Ministry of Civil Affairs completes this task. Also, Halilovic and |
| VL:
| Vecernji List, pgs 2-3 ‘Referendum for Constitution’, by Milan Sutalo – Reports that professor of international relations at the Virginia Tech University, Gerard Toal, stated during his testimony before the US Congress on the topic entitled ‘Bosnia and Herzegovina – unfinished job’ that the Dayton Peace Accord has evolved from the formula for peace into untenable bureaucratic structure of authority that suffocates the country. Professor Toal, who has apparently been researching BiH related issues for past ten years, believes that the solution is in constitutional changes, which would start with a referendum on the “new constitutional convention”. According to VL, “the voters would vote whether they approve of establishment of constitutional convention, which would be under supervision of the EU, and which would enact a new constitution that would prepare |
War Crimes/Legal Proceedings | |
| HR Ashdown asked for additional information from RS authorities: RS Government is responsible for Srebrenica report
| BHT, Pink, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘RS Government is responsible for Srebrenica report’ by A. Sekulic and D. Raduski – HR Paddy Ashdown Thursday stated that the RS Government will be responsible for results of the Srebrenica Work Group, from which he had requested some additional information upon Srebrenica report. ‘RS PM agreed that this must be brought to an end and they have taken the obligation to do so and the responsibility is surely on RS Government’, HR Ashdown has stated. HR has asked from RS PM Pero Bukejlovic to deliver names of 200 members of a special police unit that was under the command of Hague indictee Ljubomir Borovcanin, as well as names of members of a military troop from Zvornik and names of persons who worked at then Zvornik police station. RS PM Bukejlovic has stated that the work on improvement of the report will be continued, in order to reply to demands of HR. He thinks it is not true that the Srebrenica Work Group had not done its work well and he added: ‘It is true that, when we were considering the report at a session of the Government, we have noticed there were some lacks in data we have received from RS MoI and RS Defense Ministry’. RS Interior Minister Darko Matijasevic has stated that the RS MoI is absolutely ready to deliver all information important for the completion of the work of Srebrenica Work Group. RS Defense Ministry Spokesperson Branko Trkulja has said the Ministry and RS Army have fulfilled all demands Srebrenica Commission has set before them and they have delivered all the documentation that had been asked for. Chairman of the Work Group for the implementation of Srebrenica report conclusions, Jovan Spajic, has stated they were waiting for a decision of the Government on possible convening of the Work Group. ‘The moment we are invited, the Srebrenica Work Group will start with its work’, Spajic added. EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Data of MoI are missing in Srebrenica report’ by R. R. carries a similar report. |
| RS PM Bukejlovic: Facts on Srebrenica must be determined
| Pink, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Facts on Srebrenica must be determined’ – RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic stated on Thursday that the government will try to establish the facts and answer the questions of High Representative Paddy Ashdown with regard to the Srebrenica report. Bukejlovic told reporters in |
| Mostar: Police safeguarding people traffic witness
| Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘Mostar: Police safeguards prostitute in hospital’, and pg 23 ‘Police safeguards victim of human trafficking in hospital’, by Robert Soldo, Dnevni List, front pg splash and pgs 4-5 ‘Alarm in Mostar underground!’, by Investigative Team – One Marijana M. (age 29) , a prostitute from western Bosnia working in Mostar, was taken to the Mostar Infectious Diseases Clinic on Wednesday night. Apparently, she was diagnosed with pneumonia, however she has been tested for other diseases too, including AIDS. Nezavisne Novine pg 5, annoucned on cover ‘A girl hospitalised in Mostar on suspicion of AIDS infection’ by V.Coric also covered the issue. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 22 ‘Witness in pimping case in hospital’, by T. Zoric – The Canton 7 Interior Ministry confirmed that the person in question has been protected at order coming from the BiH Prosecution. The BiH Prosecution says she is a witness related to people trafficking in BiH. |
| Dokic’s complaint rejected by HJPC; OHR says Dokic should consider resignation
| RHB, BHT, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘HJPC rejected Dokic’s complaint’ by NINA, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Complaint that Minister Dokic filed against Banja Luka Prosecution rejected’ by D. Pasic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Complaint of Branko Dokic was rejected’, announced on cover ‘OHR: Dokic should consider resignation’ by P. Klincov – HJPC has rejected a complaint Branko Dokic has filed upon the indictment Banja Luka Regional Prosecutor’s Office had brought against him. HJPC Chairman Branko Peric has stated the Office of Disciplinary Prosecutor had considered relevant evidence and concluded the investigation in this case had been conducted in a legal and professional manner. Inset ‘OHR: Dokic should consider resignation’ quotes OHR Spokesperson |
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| RTRS, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Posters criticizing Ashdown’ by B.S., EuroBlic pg RS3, announced on cover ‘Posters versus Ashdown’ by R.R., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘The invitation got lost’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Ashdown greeted with insulting posters’ – The posters with insulting message against HR Paddy Ashdown appeared in Banja Luka center Thursday morning. Unknown persons complain Ashdown for not having “paid tributes to victims of Jasenovac”. The posters also say that HR to BiH “has paid tributes to fascist Alija Izetbegovic, and failed to pay tributes to victims of fascism”. The text was written in Cyrillic. Ashdown Thursday stated that he did not attend the commemoration of victims because he either did not get it or the invitation card was lost, adding: “I am of the view that commemoration to Jasenovac victims should have been hold on one, not two separate places – difference should not be placed between victims, including commemoration ceremony.” |
| PDP demands a commission for determining truth on Serb sufferings in
| Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Silence about Sarajevo’ by N.Z., Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘To establish Commission to investigate crimes committed in Sarajevo’ by N.K., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘PDP is for the Commission’ by D. S. – The Municipal Boards and Council of Youth of PDP from East Sarajevo on Thursday supported the initiative of Mladen Ivanic, PDP President, regarding establishment of the Commission in charge of establishing the truth about Sarajevo events in period from 1992 to 1995. The commission should investigate crimes committed against Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Jews and others. Mladjenka Dragas, East Stari Grad Assembly Speaker, stressed that although both houses of BiH Parliament has reached conclusions regarding this issue, Adnan Terzic, BiH COM Chair, is obstructing this initiative. She added: “If RS has supported the establishment and work of the Commission for Srebrenica, what may be Terzic’s motive not to allow the establishment of this Commission.” She also could not understand the reasons why HR Paddy Ashdown has not so far said a word about this issue. |
| Poplasen, Dodik and Dokic on background of indictments against local politicians: Justice or politics
| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Justice or politics’ by N.Diklic – The article deals with possible background of indictments against local politicians. Nikola Poplasen, Professor at Banja Luka Law Faculty, says that the indictments against officials have become a sort of “removal of political opponents from public life and a method of blackmail of officials, used to make them to implement orders from their superiors. The IC stands behind a majority of those indictments, as a foreign mentor of some politicians.” He brings the example of this saying that at the time he was RS President six years ago, he rejected request of Ambassadors of UK and |
Economic/Social Issues | |
| DL: BiH to lift trade measures against
| Dnevni List, pg 7, mentioned on front ‘Croatian products without custom tariffs again’, by Mensud Zorlak – According to DL’s sources in the BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, BiH Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Dragan Doko, will during today’s (Friday) talks with the Croatian Minister of Agriculture, Petar Cobankovic, give in to Cobankovic’s requests and cancel the announcement of introduction of full customs tariffs on Croatian products. |
| Terzic with Macedonian President Crvenkovski on economic relations
| Dnevni List pg 4 ‘To improve economic cooperation between BiH and Macedonia’ by NINA, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Adnan Terzic in Macedonia’ by D. Pasic– During the talks between the Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, and Macedonian President, Branko Crvenkovski, which was held in Ohrid on Thursday, it was stressed that it was necessary to improve economic cooperation between BiH and Macedonia. They also talked about the situation in the region and it was stressed that it was necessary to use the possibilities the Free Trade Agreement offered. |
| BL University Professor Popovic: property laws brought by HR were in conflict with RS Law on Obligation Relations
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Walking on legislative ice’ by S. Mi. – The article refers to the property laws, brought by former High Representative Carlos Westendorph, and reads he had created a “legislative ice” that is still causing troubles to people who have exchanged their property between 1992 and 1998. The article reads many people have been evicted out on streets thanks to the implementation of the laws. ‘Usually, Serb refugees from |