| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| CoM session | CoM in session | RTV subscription | RS National Assembly |
| FBiH Government session | BiH HoR in session | BiH Defence Ministry | RTV Subscription |
| BiH HoR session | RS National Assembly | Una-Sana Cantonal Govt | CoM Session |
| RSNA in session | RTV subscription | RS National Assembly | HoR Session |
| Oslobodjenje | Sulejman Tihic offered ‘award’ to Hadzipasic; Zijad Turkovic one of the organizers of Taib Torlakovic’s assassination |
| Dnevni Avaz | SDP leader insulted Muslims; Solution at Lozancic’s; |
| Dnevni List | Hercegovacka Banka in Herzegovinian hands again!?; Paddy Ashdown with citizens of Mostar today |
| Vecernji List | RTV subscription with hone bill; New BiH with 12 Cantons and District Sarajevo |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Mostar better than Sarajevo; World Bank demands urgent unification of Mostar: Divided city without 12 million $ |
| Glas Srpske | The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina persistently refuses to implement HRC decision: Attack against Constitution with cheques |
| Nezavisne Novine | RS NA : Procedure for change of Republika Srpska capital launched; Hasan Muratovic: The only sin by Ahmet Hadzipasic is a bad communication he has with party top; Republika Srpska police gave assent on import of raw materials for drugs; Implementation of bankruptcy Law in Republika Srpska mainly effects those employed: Termination of employment for 500 workers of “Vezionica” firm from Zvornik |
| Blic | Schools without heating and electricity; The murderer of the three Andjelics seeks freedom; RS Assembly: Councilors bitterly criticized the Government |
| Ljiljan | Donald Hays – Aluminij produces more politics than power |
| Slobodna Bosna | ‘Bosnian Saber operation’ is being started |
| Dani | Last Taib Torlakovic’s night |
CoM, BiH HoR, RSNA in session | |
| CoM session: discussion on budget postponed again
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Entities will finance Defence Ministry’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Waiting for agreement on new institutions’, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Arms producers need state license’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Funds for obtaining of 150 000 forms for passports approved’ – BiH Council of Ministers at the session held on Thursday again did not discuss the budget of the state institutions for 2004. BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic explained at the press conference: “The reason behind this is the yesterday’s meeting of the BiH Council of Ministers Chair and entity Prime Ministers with Finance Ministers during which the method for financing new BiH institutions was agreed.” Ivanic added that the agreement between entities and CoM would be annexed to the state budget, whereas a segment from funds planned in entity budgets would be provided for financing the new institutions – state Defence Ministry, State Information and Protection Agency, Indirect Taxation Administration and Intelligence Service – at the state level once they start to function. Ivanic added that more specific agreements on this issue should be reached by early next week. FTV, BHTV 1, RTRS – It still has not been known what amount of the money would be transferred from entities to the state for the establishment of new institutions,and the Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic said that 5.5 million KM would be required for Defence Ministry. “The main goal is to reduce general growth of expenditures at all levels of authorities”, stressed Ivanic. |
| BiH HoR session | BHTV 1, RHB, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Proposed law on arms production supported’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Imports cause headaches’ – The BiH House of Representatives supported the principles of the draft Law on production of Weaponry and Military equipment, which will allow the state control in this field. In addition, it authorizes only BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations to issue licence for weaponry manufacturing. However, BiH HoR failed again to discuss the draft Law amending the Law on Conflict of Interest in BiH institutions. FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Withdrawal of the Law on benefits for representatives demanded’ – The amendments to the Law would decrease the number of situations in which the state officials would come into the conflict of interests. However, OHR noted in a letter sent to representatives that such changes would jeopardise the spirit of existing law, asking representatives to rethink about the changes that allow the officials to make private agreements with private companies that work with Government. Confronted by this the deputies have decided to postpone this discussion. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Law on freedom of religion adopted’ – The BiH HoR also adopted the Law on freedom of religion and faith. At the request of representatives BiH Traffic and Communications Minister Branko Dokic informed the House about activities on building the Vc highway. However, SDP official Zlatko Lagumdzija said that the fact that the building of Vc corridor would not start this year meant that Minister Dokic deceived citizens. RTRS – Proposal to the Law on changes and amendments to the Law on Central Registration and Data Exchange has also not been adopted. Representatives accepted the requests to discuss in shortened procedure changes to the Laws on BiH coat of arms, flag and anthem. |
| RSNA: Banja Luka new capital of RS
| RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Government to prepare information on language and script by 1 April’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Banja Luka capital of Republika Srpska’, Dnevni List pg 12 ‘Banja Luka – new capital of RS’, Vecernje Novosti pg 6 ‘Banja Luka the capital’ – RS National Assembly on Thursday endorsed the initiative for changing the RS Constitution, which would make Banja Luka the RS capital instead of Srpsko Sarajevo. The initiative received support by 71 representatives. BHTV 1 – RSNA also decided to amend the Article 68 of the RS Constitution, which defines a transfer of the authorities from RS to the state level, and the Constitutional Board has been tasked to prepare the texts of the amendments to the Constitution for the next session, meaning that the SNSD initiative has been completely accepted. RSNA decided on this with votes of great majority. Dusan Stojcic from SNSD explained that it has been obvious that in the process of European integration and reforms there will be a necessity to transfer the responsibilities to the state with an agreement from RS and in interest of the entity, while the initiative to change the constitution article in this regard would define when and how such transfer would take place. Asked to comment what would be achieved by changing the capital of RS, leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik explains: “What will be achieved? I can ask you what Belgrade has by being the Capital of Serbia or Sarajevo by being the Capital of Bosnia. Simply, it is not little to be Capital City.” FTV – Dragan Kalinic, RSNA Speaker estimated that the process regarding the change of capital would be finished in about one month. Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 6 ‘Procedure for change of Republika Srpska capital launched’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘New address to capital’ – Tarik Sadovic, Head of SDA Caucus at RSNA, said that his party would most likely propose that the citizens of RS vote on the issue of Banja Luka as capital at referendum. |
RTV subscription in FBiH | |
| FBiH Govt adopts the decision regarding subscription
| RTRS, RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘The issue of RTV subscription solved’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Recommendation on RTV subscription adopted at third attempt’, Vecernji List front pg ‘RTV subscription with phone bill’, pg 2 ‘Croat prefix in Mostar Post Office is being abolished, RTV subscription with phone bills’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘Contract on payment of RTV subscription temporary’, Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 9 ‘TV subscription fee with phone bills in F BiH as well’ – The FBiH Government on Thursday adopted the conclusion recommending BH Telecom and HT Mostar to sign the agreement on collection of the RTV subscription through telephone bills. This would harmonize situation in both entities, with the contract already singed between RTRS, PB and Telecom Srpske. The recommendation to the telecom operators notes that such decision is temporary till the Law on PBS is adopted, and which would clearly define the ways for collection of the RTV subscription. Deadline for this is 30 June 2004. The Government also noted that the decision was made out of the obligations towards the Peace Implementation Council regarding the establishment of financially stable public broadcasting system FTV – The Office of the High Representative welcomed the FBiH Government’s decision. |
| BHTV 1 feature on subscription | BHTV 1 – Following its decision on the collection of RTV subscription, FBiH Government instructed that both BiH Telecom and HT Mostar have responsibility to establish joint Commission that would issue guidelines for implementation of the agreement, as well as to supervise and analyse the consequences of this agreement. According to Nedzad Brankovic, FBiH Minister of Transport and Communications, this solution was made in order to fulfil the obligations laid down in the Feasibility Study, which foresees the establishment of model for financially self-sustainable PBS. This financing model will be in force by the end of June 2004, and is to be followed by the final financing model that will results from the analyses of the temporary model. Minister Brankovic said that the Ministry will observe situation monthly and it’s consequences, and then will build the final model. |
Mostar | |
| Ashdown on Mostar and SDA boycott of talks with EU | FTV – The High Representative Paddy Ashdown still believes that ruling parties are able to carry out the reforms, however added that that process has been slowed down and warned that the reforms have to be accelerated in next six months. Ashdown claims that only domestic politicians are to blamed in case of failure to reach the solution for Mostar Statute and adds that there is still time to reach the consensus. However, HR stressed he would not hesitate if he would have to impose the solution: “I think there is time to reach the consensus and I am ready to go anywhere and talk to anyone to reach the consensus on Mostar’s future. It is not a good sign that the SDA is not ready to talk to senior levels of the EU. I do not know how they think it helps the Bosniak people, because in that way they insult Europe. But I think it is important to point one thing, you can’t build the future based on boycott.” Slobodna Dalmacija back pg ‘City has future only if united’ by Blazica Kristo – Ashdown also announced his Friday’s visit to Mostar: “I am traveling to Mostar on Friday where I will meet representatives of the SDA and I hope they will be ready to talk to me. The best solution is a consensus, the worst is that there is not one If I have to decide I will, and when I decide I will have in mind the interests of all citizens and not only of the members of one nation.” Dnevni List front, pg 17 ‘Paddy Ashdown with citizens of Mostar today’ – DL brings announcement of HR visit to Mostar today. |
| DA: Ashdown holds Colak, Covic and Tihic responsible for Mostar | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Ashdown considers Colak, Covic and Tihic responsible for Mostar’ – Daily writes that HR Paddy Ashdown holds leaders of HDZ, Barisa Colak and Draga Covic, and SDA leader Sulejman Tihic responsible for the solution for Mostar city. Article reads that according to the source from OHR, SDA and HDZ leaders must work together to find solution to the problem present over 10 years. This is apparently the message that Ashdown will pass in Mostar during his visit today, and OHR already sent invitations to all Mostarians to meet Ashdown and openly tell him about their concerns. “People of Mostar are sick of lack of efforts to solve problems and current situation in the city. Some parties use such position for manipulations, telling citizens and some groups that their interests have been threatened, reviving the ghosts of the past and war,” stated OHR source. |
| SDU supports Winterstein’s proposal; SDP: solution must not be imposed | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘The best solution offered by Winterstein’, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘For Mostar the best is Winterstein’s solution’ – US Ambassador to BiH Clifford Bond met with the SDU officials headed by the party’s president Miro Lazovic. On the occasion, SDU said that the best solution for Mostar was as laid down in the proposal by Chair of the Mostar Reform Commission Norbert Winterstein. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘Heads of OHR fall into games of national parties’, Dnevni List pg 16 ‘Djulic: Change of authority the only solution to Mostar’ – At the press conference of the City Board of SDP Mostar, board member Sead Djulic stated that the position of the SDP regarding the proposed solution for Mostar, “on which the OHR insists”, was that the solution must not be imposed. “Didn’t the last session of City Council confirm that the majority of political subjects, who are in the legislative authority, do not accept the proposed solution”, argued Djulic. Djulic believes that as long as the current ruling parties in Mostar remain in power, there can be no solution to Mostar. |
| HSP reacts to Ashdown’s int | Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Dayton Agreement annul Washington [agreement]’ – The United Croatian Party of Right [HSP] issued a press release reacting to the statement of the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, given to the Radio Station Mostar on 19 January regarding Mostar. Speaking on the special status of Mostar, Ashdown said that such status was signed by, besides others, high-ranking Croatian officials from both BiH and the Republic of Croatia. “High Representative did no mention that such a status of Mostar was defined by Washington Agreement as well as that Dayton Agreement annulled the Washington one. If High Representative reactivates and puts again in function Washington Agreement, it can be valid not only for Mostar but in his entirety, it means that FBIH should be formed only in the case of its confederation with the Republic of Croatia. Mr Ashdown, do you really think like that or all circumstances are not sufficiently known to you”, reads the statement. |
| ICG on Mostar; Jovicic: Nobody asks Serbs for opinion
| Nezavisne Novine pg 10 ‘Jovicic: Nobody seeks opinion from Serbs in Mostar’ – Senad Slatina, the analyst of the International Crisis Group, said that HDZ wants a unified Mostar, because it assessed that approximately 60% of Croats lives in the city, while SDA fears that if it accepted the proposed model on city organisation, it would lose the parity it currently enjoys in this city. In a statement to Radio Free Europe, Slatina said that: “Before the war, the population of Mostar was mixed and consisted of 20% Serbs, 35% of Croats and 35% of Bosniaks. Now there are 60% of Croats and 40% of Bosniaks.” Milan Jovicic, Mostar City Hall councillor, says that: “Nobody asks Serbs for opinion on Mostar issue. Actually, the whole issue involves two sides, not three sides. As if only SDA and HDZ existed here in Mostar.“ |
| Ljiljan on Mostar | Ljiljan pg. 28 ‘What is the content of unified Mostar?’ By Mustafa Spahic – The author wonders if the unification of the town means the final returning of Serbs into the public, political and social life of Mostar? He also wonders if such the outcome (establishment of Mostar as one municipality) would mean the return of pre-war workers of the Serb and Bosniak nationality to the Aluminij, which is nowadays the most ethnically cleaned company in Europe? Ljiljan pg. 29 ‘Brcko-like city on Neretva, why not? By Enes Ratkusic – “It seems that Ashdown himself does not know what move to make. It is however hard to say how much his recent visit to Zagreb was motivated by such uncertainty. If one wants to make judgment on the basis on media reports (on Ashdown’s visit to Zagreb), everything was like an inter-state meeting, in which Croatia was represented by Sanader and Mesic and BiH by Ashdown,” writes Ratkusic adding that Ashdown was practicing exactly the same politics as his predecessors who had been regularly visiting late Croatian leader Franjo Tudjman whenever they needed support for certain decision. “Although a formal decision (on Mostar organization) has still not been made, Mostar already uses to life without municipalities,” Ratkusic concludes. |
| DL editorial on Mostar and HR | Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Paddy a straw of salvation’ by Arijana Beus – The author notices that ever since the Mostar issue has become topical, many people are addressing the High Representative with their pleas, suggestions etc, whilst on the other hand many people also say it is not right that the HR decides on the future of Mostar. “What is not clear to us is where the politicians are in the story. What’s their role in it? Obviously none because nobody writes them letters, be it because the people lost trust in them, or because they believe they are not capable of solving the problem such as Mostar”, says the author. Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Mostar circus’ by Pejo Gasparevic – According to the author, the current political noise in Mostar is to a large extent a struggle for support of voters at the coming local elections. The author says that in the theater of the Mostar absurd the HR gets the main role and, by all chances, exactly the HR will have to impose the decision for Mostar. The author also reminds that the HR gave promise that the second Mostar Commission cannot fail when he was appointing Winterstein the Chairman of the Mostar Commission. The editorial says that the BiH experience has shown that it is much more useful to do small acts of charity in BiH than to give big promises. |
| Dani editorial on Mostar | Dani pg. 37 ‘Policy of small-number hands’ Column by Ivan Lovrenovic – “All relevant political parties and OHR should finally bring the Mostar case out of its separate/special status and search for a model that would be possible to apply to all cities in which the war produced drastic ethnic structure disorder. The problems created in relations between majority and minority in still mechanical and undeveloped democracy should also be fundamentally re-examined,” wrote Lovrenovic. |
FBiH Govt reshuffle | |
| Lozancic on FBiH Govt restructuring
| Dnevni Avaz cover ‘Resolution will occur at Lozancic’s’, pg 3 ‘Talks about FBiH Govt on Monday’ – The FBiH President Niko Lozancic on Wednesday sent letters to the leaders of SDA, HDZ and Party for BiH – Sulejman Tihic, Barisa Colak and Safet Halilovic respectively – as well as his Deputies Sahbaz Dzihanovic and Desnica Radivojevic proposing the meeting on the possible restructure of FBiH Government to take place on 26 January. “Following that meeting, there will certainly be more details about the restructuring of FBiH Government. All political parties, which create parliamentary majority, made clear in one or another way that FBiH Govt restructure is needed, however nobody talked about the techniques.” – stated SDA Vice President Elmir Jahic for DA. He added that SDA decision in this regard is irrevocable, refusing to speculate whose dismissal would be requested in addition to the FBiH Prime Minister. Avaz claims that according to its source close to parties interested in the Govt restructuring, in addition to PM, FBiH Interior Minister Mevludin Halilovic will be dismissed. |
| Ashdown: I will not interfere | FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Ashdown: it is not up to me to interfere’ – Avaz brings statement made by High Rep Paddy Ashdown regarding the possible restructure of FBiH Government: “In past, the international community interfered with the establishment of the governments. Maybe that at the time was needed and right thid to do. I am working to serve the citizens of BiH and I will not interfere with the results of the elections and I think that the citizens are the ones that have to vote for the government they want, and my task is to work with that government. It is not up to me to say that this person should be a prime minister, this person should be removed. My job is to work as constructive as possible with people elected. Therefore, I do follow up these announcement on removals with interest, however it is not my task to interfere in situation such as these.” |
| Tihic on plans for FBiH Govt reshuffle | Vecernji List pg 2 ‘State has to support economy more actively’ – Three members of the BiH Presidency visited Tuzla on Thursday. On this occasion Bosniak member of the BiH Presidency and SDA President Sulejman Tihic stated that the BiH Presidency decided to reconstruct the FBiH Government led by FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic. Tihic added: “This does not mean that the FBiH Government did not work well or that it does not give results. It was hindered by relapses of the former Government. Apart from this, the achieved results are not at the level of the promises that parties gave at the elections.” Tihic also said that he has been tasked to discuss this issue with partner’s parties and he has been doing this these days. Dnevni List, Oslobodjenje, Dnevni Avaz and electronic media also covered the visit to Tuzla. |
| SDA offered Hadzipasic an award if he resigns | Oslobodjenje cover, pg 3 ‘Tihic offered ‘award’ to Hadzipasic’ by Senka Kurtovic – According to the information given by senior SDA official, before the session of SDA Presidency on Tuesday, the president of the party and secretary general, Sulejman Tihic and Sefik Dzaferovic respectively, offered “award” to FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic for his resignation. The same source claims that SDA leadership day before asked Tihic and Dzaferovic to make Hadzipasic resign. “In case Hadzipasic was to accept, the leadership suggested Tihic and Dzaferovic to offer him to chose between leading positions in Elektroprivreda BiH or Energoinvest, that is in one of the embassies of BiH around the world,” explains the source. Asked how did Hadzipasic answered, the official said: “I only know that Hadzipasic strongly refused this and that he told them that he did not become the Prime Minister to be offered managerial or diplomatic positions. And it ended there.” Oslobodjenje also claims it learned that FBiH Transport and Communications Minister Nedzad Brankovic offered himself to SDA Presidency to be a Prime Minister of the entity. |
| Lagumdzija’s remark on Hadzipasic insulted SDA | Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘SDP Chief insulted Muslims’, pg 2 ‘Lagumdzija’s insult of religious feelings and tradition of Muslims in BiH’ – The Vice President of SDA, Seada Palavric, expresses bitterness and protests against the statement given by SDP President, Zlatko Lagumdzija, that “SDA is sacrificing Ahmet Hadzipasic as a sacrificial lamb for the upcoming holidays”, in the central news of FTV broadcast on Wednesday. “The upcoming holiday is Kurban Bajram. We do not believe that Lagumdzija is not aware that this holiday does not include sacrificing of lambs, and not to speak about people”, said Palavric. SDA regards Lagumdzija’s statement as the rudest insult to the religious feelings and tradition of BiH Muslims. |
| Muratovic supports Hadzipasic | Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 5 ‘The only sin by Ahmet Hadzipasic is a bad communication he has with party top’ – Hasan Muratovic, member of SDA Presidency, is one of rare officials from SDA top who took the side of the current Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ahmet Hadzipasic. Muratovic said that the SDA demands for removal of Hadzipasic are counter-productive, because the authority would not be able to function in the next three or four months until the new Government is composed. |
| Slobodna Bosna, Dani on removal of Hadzipasic, FBiH Government’s reshuffle | Slobodna Bosna pgs. 28-30 ‘If Brankovic replaces Hadzipasic, that would be a sign that Bakir Izetbegovic has taken over control of SDA’ By Asim Metiljevic – The author writes that SDA is actually intending to remove just FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic and Interior Minister Mevludin Halilovic. Other minister should not worry and particularly Nedzad Brankovic, who is, according to the magazine’s sources, the most serious candidate to replace Hadzipasic. “Eventual appointment of Brankovic as the Federation Premier would additionally strengthen position of Bakir Izetbegovic inside the Party and even if so is not happened, Izetbegovic would not lose since the second most serious candidate for the post is Sarajevo Canton Prime Minister Denis Zvizdic, who is also his (Izetbegovic’s) favorite,” wrote Metiljevic. Dani pgs. 32-33 ‘Hadzipasic to go – Nedzad Polic will be the new Prime Minister!?’ By Esad Hecimovic&Vildana Selimbegovic also covered the issue. The magazine speculates that the candidates to replace Hadzipasic also include current Tuzla and Zenica-Doboj Cantons Prime Ministers, Bajazit Jasarevic and Nedzad Polic. |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed on Hadzipasic and SDA | Oslobodjenje ‘SDA neurosis’ op-ed by Zija Dizdarevic – Author writes that the rejection by Ahmet Hadzipasic to resign from the position of FBiH Prime Minister presents a new situation when a political refuses to do something in accordance with the will of majority within that party. Additionally, in this Hadzipasic pressures SDA to follow constitutional procedure of his removal that can result in removal of the entire Government. Thirdly, as Hadzipasic demands evidences for his ‘bad performance’, it brings SDA into “duels with facts and solving of the problems within the party” which it doesn’t prefer. Editorial further reads: “Worsening economic and social situation, together with the raising unrests among the citizens, made SDA to panic in the elections years, especially due to the pressure of the opposition parties to also hold early presidential elections. SDA neurosis is in growth since did not manage to bring into position within police, intelligence and judiciary. In turn, SDA commenced the campaign on alleged vulnerability of Bosniaks… At the same time, it maintains the union with SDS and HDZ… SDA shows itself to be a party of conflicts without positive program. It leads unfair war against SDP, and it is in conflict with the international community. SDA like this presents very much a negative political factor.” |
Defence and security issues | |
| EUPM: Security situation in Sarajevo not deteriorating
| BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje pgs 4&5 ‘Security in Sarajevo not deteriorated’ – EUPM issued a press release reiterating that according to the information it receives from the investigating authorities the security situation in Sarajevo for the common citizen has not deteriorated. According to the EUPM Deputy Spokesperson Lena Anderson there were three periods when the explosions occurred in Sarajevo, and she stressed that local police must increase their efforts to bring criminals before the justice. FTV, Oslobodjenje pgs 4&5 ‘Police ready to [arrest] only minor offenders’ – On the other side, the Sarajevo Cantonal Government has reached the conclusions that noted that the security situation in Canton has declined. The conclusion was also said that it was brought based on the information about the activities by the Interior Ministry in the light of Taib Torlakovic’s murder. Cantonal Interior Ministry was instructed to prepare evaluation of the security situation and to propose the measures for establishing the satisfying level of the security. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4&5 ‘Zijad Turkovic one of the organisers of Taib Torlakovic’s assassination?’ – Daily claims that Zijad Turkovic from Sarajevo is a suspect for the murder to Taib Torlakovic in Sarajevo. Torlakovic, a close associate of ethnic Albanian Gasi brothers and a suspect for organized crime, was killed in explosion of the device planted in his car. Turkovic was arrested on Monday due to suspicion in another case, however Oslobodjenje claims that evidence against him in Torlakovic case will be offered to Cantonal Prosecutors today. |
| NATO and EU discuss peacekeeping mission in BiH | RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘NATO and EU started negotiations on taking over mandate in BiH’, FENA – On Wednesday, NATO and European Union have commenced comprehensive consultations at the high level on the implementation of the Agreement on European Security, as well as the preparations of EU to take over NATO operations in BiH. This will be further discussed in NATO summit to be held at the end of June in Istanbul. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said “NATO and EU have started with the comprehensive contacts over the possibilities to take over the mission later this year.” |
| FTV feature on BiH Defence Minister | FTV by Zeljko Tica – BiH Minister of Defence should be appointed by 15 February, and in addition to the changes within FBiH Government, the ruling parties will have to make decide on the ethnicity of the Minister. Parties in FBiH say that this issue will be solved through agreement, while SDS thinks that they have undeniable right to be offered this position for their candidate. All parties are interested in the function. SDS goes on claiming that their request is based on the Constitution, as only two-thirds of Ministers can be from FBiH. SDS rules out any other possibility, but FTV claims, according to unofficial information, HDZ would have a chance to appoint BiH Defence Minister, as it is unlikely that SDA and SDS would reach any agreement. Journalists speculates that due to the ethnic balance, the position should be fulfilled by Bosniak, who could possibly trade with HDZ on obtaining its approval by giving in some other position. SDA officials say that everything is possible, while opposition parties and Party for BiH say that Minister should be chosen because of his professional competency and ability to carry out the defence reforms. |
Economic | |
| PDHR Hays on BiH economy, Aluminij
| Ljiljan front page, pgs. 18-22 ‘Aluminij produces more politics than power’ – Interview with the Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays. “Aluminij from Mostar must behave as a domestic enterprise. It must get the same treatment as other domestic firms. And this is one of the reasons why we are trying to establish a transparent and efficient system of electricity distribution throughout the country. I believe that there is a sufficient amount of electricity first to meet needs of the domestic companies and than export the surplus. But when you have three different managing systems, which are permanently in conflict and which do not cooperate and coordinate their activities then it is logical such problems will appear. And, of course, the politics is always there as well,” said Hays. |