Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 23 March
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) |
| HNC: Croat Teachers’ presser | BiH HoR in session: Law on Elections |
| Bishops oppose const. changes | RSNA in session: const. changes |
| Position of Croats in | US: ICTY will not be abolished |
TV news broadcast on 22 March
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Bishop conference in Mostar | Stakic sentenced to 40 years | Stakic sentenced to 40 years |
| BiH Presidency on const. changes | Del Ponte to visit Banjaluka | Del Ponte to visit B.Luka & Belgrade |
| Di Carlo on constitutional changes | | BIH Presidency on cons. changes |
| BiH parties on constitutional changes | Presidency on constitutional changes | FBIH HoP session |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Strike in HNC schools continues | Stakic sentenced to 40 years | Agreement on constitutional changes |
| Tuzla Canton farmers in protest | BIH Presidency on cons. changes | RS NA to discuss const. changes |
| Stakic sentenced to 40 years | Bishop Conference on cons. changes | Discussions on police reform in BiH |
| Zoran Lilic to testify on March 28th? | SDU, BOSS, SzBIH on cons. changes | HR on Police Reform Directorate |
| Oslobodjenje | [Kebo] People from Srebrenica, not polit. should decide on destiny of memorial |
| Dnevni Avaz | [Bishops’ Conference] Direct threat to BiH future |
| Dnevni List | Political leaders of Croats blackmailed?! (BiH Bishops called on non-adoption of constitutional changes agreement) |
| Vecernji List | Ethnic cleansing legalized (BiH Bishops called on non-adoption of const. changes) |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Do not adopt constitutional changes (BiH Bishops called on non-adoption of const. changes) |
| Nezavisne Novine | 100 workers on strike |
| Glas Srpske | Paddy as Churchill |
| EuroBlic | 190 thousand cans of fish withdrawing from sale (inspectors announcing denunciation against “Podravka” management owing to false expiry date on fish cans) |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| BiH HoR discuss amendments to Law on Elections; constitutional changes not on agenda
| BH Radio 1 by Mustafa Karahmet – At its Thursday’s session, BiH House of Representatives discusses amendments to the BiH Law on Elections in the first reading. Reporter notes that this is the largest number of amendments to this Law, adding there are about 50 of them, to the draft law proposed by the Working Group. Authorized commission accepted 24 of them, which became the integral part of the draft law. Deputies used their procedural right and submitted 29 more amendments that are to be discussed in the second reading. Reporter says that the greatest changes in the Law will be a raise of electoral threshold from 3% to 4%, as well as introduction of the passive registration of voters. Karahmet concludes that contrary to the expectations, BiH HoR would not discuss agreement on constitutional changes in this session, adding that this is though the main topic of informal talks during the breaks. |
| RSNA in session, discussing BiH lawsuit against
| BH Radio 1 by Brana Markovic – At its Thursday’s extraordinary session RS National Assembly will discuss the BiH lawsuit against |
| Serbian President Tadic: Initiative to prolong arrest of Mladic beyond April 5 launched | |
| US Ambassador to | BH Radio 1 – In an interview for Belgrade-based |
Agreement on constitutional changes | |
| BiH Presidency supports agreement on constitutional changes
| RTRS – The BiH Presidency on Wednesday supported the agreement reached by the leaders of seven political parties – SDA, |
| BiH Bishop’s Conference calls on Croat MPs to prevent passing of const. changes agreement in Parliament
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| Bishop Peric implies that const. changes were agreed by using compulsion and blackmails
| Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Entity division destroys Croats’ not signed – Asked whether HDZ President Dragan Covic signed the constitutional changes agreement under compulsion, Mostar Bishop Ratko Peric stated: ‘I do not know a reply to that question. According to the current development of the situation and as it was said in the statement (the Bishops’ statement) that everything was done in secrecy, it is certain that it was not done without compulsion, blackmails and this sort of methods.’ Vecernji List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Do not adopt constitutional changes’ by T. Kvesic, Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘Inter-party agreement is direct threat to BiH future’ by F.Vele Inset ‘Croats will say their stance in Parliament’ – Peric added that Covic has no authority to sign the agreement on behalf of Croat people. |
| Banja Luka Bishop Komarica: It is inevitable that Church involves in resolving of some political problems | Dnevni List pg 3 ‘We cannot wash our hands’ not signed – Commenting on the opinion that the Church should not involve in politics, Banja Luka Bishop Franjo Komarica stated that this is inevitable and added: ‘As citizens we take part in the joint concern about the future of this country and if it is about well being of each individual or community we cannot wash our hands of whole issue and let the others to resolve the problem.’ |
| HDZ says agreement will be supported, but HDZ MPs claim that Covic signed the agreement on his own
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| HDZ Vice President Cavara on HDZ MPs support to const. changes: ‘Each HDZ member, including MPs, is obliged to implement decisions of HDZ bodies’
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘Voice of Croats has not been shut down’ by |
| HKDU’s Musa: Election of Presidency members does not solve ‘Croat issues’ in BiH
| Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘Coalition for changes certain in its success’, by Ljiljana Vidacak – carries a whole page interview with the President of HKDU (Croat Christian Democratic Unions), Ivan Musa, in which he announces that the Croat Coalition for Changes (established in late 2005) that comprises of the HKDU, HSS, HDU and HD will go into 2006 general coalition as a coalition. Asked to comment on the signed proposal of constitutional changes, Musa opposes the changes, saying the issue of election of members of BiH Presidency in which the Croats will allegedly elect the Croat member of the Presidency will not resolve ‘the Croat issue’ in BiH. Musa argues that more important issues for Croats are education and issue of establishment of a TV channel (in Croatian language). |
| DL op-ed welcomes BiH Bishops’ appeal not to adopt constitutional changes since it is justified
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Bishops’ appeal’ by D. Kozina welcomes the BiH Bishops’ appeal not to adopt constitutional changes and the author says that we all should think how it is possible that Croats have come in the current position when in spite of guarantees about equality of all 3 peoples they cannot have their TV channel, schools in Croatian language and on the ground of the constitutional changes agreement they will lose a little influence they had in decision making. |
| RS Parties mainly support changes, as long as they preserve RS institutions; Radicals deem that this endangers RS
| RTRS by Zorica Rulj– Although it is still unknown when would the representatives in both houses of the BiH Parliament discuss the proposed changes to the BiH Constitution, many political parties have already made their stances clear. |
| FBiH parties criticize the agreement considering it a step backwards for BiH
| BHT1 by Mirela Cosic– The agreement on the changes to the BiH Constitution is still being criticized. Public discussion organised by SBiH, SDU and BOSS stressed that this agreement only further cements division of BIH. Miro Lazovic from SDU says that election of BiH President represents a huge step backwards for BIH. Marko Tadic from HSS stressed that the agreement is damaging for Croats in BIH. Hayat– “All NGOs, diaspora, BiH citizens are well aware of what is going on here. This is a clear division of BiH”, said SBiH founder Haris Silajdzic. Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Change of the Constitution – silent coup d’état’, mentioned on cover by A.Omeragic, Dnevni Avaz 3 ‘Durakovic: Silent coup d’état is ongoing’ by E.Sarac– SDU member Nijaz Durakovic called the agreement ‘silent coup d’état’. Silajdzic said that parties did not have to accept this, since “ |
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| Oslobodjenje pg 4 Inset “Changes in political context’ by O.V., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Agreement is not harmful’ by D. Mo.– Vice President of |
| SNSD leader Dodik: changes are already signed and should resume after elections with discussion on non-functional FBiH
| Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘BiH lawsuit against |
| SDA leader Tihic: many compromises had to be made, agreement has parliamentary majority
| Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Agreement has parliamentary majority’ by M.K.S.– SDA leader Sulejman Tihic addressed the Youth Association of SDA and said that he is certain that agreement on constitutional changes would get majority in BiH parliament. He stressed that most important issue of these changes is that BiH now has the state authorities and Council of Ministers, which is equivalent to Governments of European countries. BHT 1 – Tihic added that compromises had to be made during talks on constitutional changes. “We don’t need laws that will not have the support of at least a certain number of deputies”, says Tihic. He added that the situation is not ideal but at least it is an improvement of the existing one. |
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| RTRS – The Collegium of the RS National Assembly decided that the first item on the agenda of Thursday’s session would be the information on the participation and the end of negotiations between political parties on constitutional changes. Leaders of |
| BiH HoR Co-Chair Dzaferovic: Amendments to BiH Constitution would be discussed at end of April
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5’ ‘On amendments to BiH Constitution at end of April’ by A.T.– As daily learns BiH House of Representatives should discuss amendments to BiH Constitution at the session between April 20 and 30. Co-Chair of BiH HoR Sefik Dzaferovic told daily that they have received the agreement signed by seven political leaders, but not the official proposal of amendments. Dzaferovic rejected prior announcements that BiH HoR could discuss this at Thursday’s session, stressing that passing of amendments would not prolong date of announcement or of holding of October elections, since amendments to BiH Election Law foresee shortening of the deadline for announcing of elections from 170 to 150 days. This means that BiH Election Commission would announce the elections on May 4 instead of April 14. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Dzaferovic: Agreement is not in agenda’ by A.M. – also carries. |
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War crimes | |
| ICTY Appeals Chamber reduces sentence to Stakic from life to 40 years of imprisonment
| PINK – The ICTY Appeals Chamber on Wednesday decided to reduce the sentence for accused Milomir Stakic from life sentence to 40 years of imprisonment. ICTY originally sentenced Stakic, former Prijedor Municipality Head, to life but the Appeals Chamber concluded that he was not guilty on the indictment count which accused him of genocide. Stakic was sentenced for war crimes committed in Omarska, Keraterm and Trnopolje camps in |
| ICTY Chief Prosecutor Del Ponte visits
| PINK– Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte is going to visit Banjaluka and |
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| PINK– Russia asked United Nations’ Secretariat for the information about the conditions in The Hague Tribunal’s detention unit. Citing Russian diplomatic mission at the UN Headquarters in |
| RSNA to discuss BiH lawsuit vs.
| RTRS, BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Discussion on status of BiH lawsuit against |
| RS PM Dodik: BiH lawsuit against
| Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘BiH lawsuit against |
| Wednesday’s hearing before ICJ postponed; former RS PM to testify on Thursday
| BHT1– Wednesday hearing in BIH lawsuit against |
| DA op-ed: | Dnevni Avaz 4 ‘What are Dodik and Cavic looking for in Belgrade’ by Edina Sarac – Commenting recent official visits of RS President Dragan Cavic and RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik to Belgrade, editorial reads that these two were trying to explain they have nothing to do with BiH lawsuit against |
Police reform | |
| Police Directorate Steering Board submits four proposals on future police model; SB decids to forward Dodik’s demand to the CoM
| RTRS– The Steering Board of the Police Reform Directorate has discussed the proposals for the concept of future police structure in BiH at the session on Wednesday. Four models of possible future structure of BiH police forces have been presented; according to the Steering Board Chair Sead Lisak, three proposals are based on police organization at the two levels, state and local, while the RS Police proposal includes the third level – entities and Brcko District. But since RS Police Director Dragomir Andan did not explain his proposal, Steering Board decided to continue the discussion on April 5, concluded Lisak. Members of the Steering Board have decided that RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik’s demand for changes of decisions regarding the work of Directorate should be forwarded to the BiH Council of Ministers. Dodik requested that CoM decisions on the work of Directorate should be harmonized with the agreement on the police reform; he is discontented with the way members of the Steering Board are elected, with the authorities of BiH CoM and Ministry of Security, and with participation of international representatives in the work of the Police Reform Directorate. PINK, Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Dodik’s request before Council of Ministers’ by V. Popovic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘I will not accept pressures’ by Z. Markovic Inset ‘Demand’- covered. |
| DA on police reform: Due to RS officials, reform at the very beginning
| Dnevni Avaz 4 ‘Andan for regions, but within frame of RS MoI’ by E.Sarac – Article, which starts by stating that the police reform is again at the very beginning, carries that RS Police Director Dragomir Andan “blocked” Wednesday’s session of Police Reform Directorate [ |
| HR Schwarz-Schilling: questioning Police Directorate’s legality leads to slow down in its work
| PINK, Dnevni Avaz 4 ‘Dodik want to impose political control’ by E.S., Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Dodik’s request before Council of Ministers’ by V. Popovic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘I will not accept pressures’ by Z. Markovic Inset ‘Demand’ – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik resolutely rejected the accusations that he obstructs the agreement on police reform published on Wednesday in Sarajevo-based daily Dnevni Avaz. Citing ‘well-informed’ sources, DA reports that Dodik questioned the legality of the Police Reform Directorate, appointed by the CoM on |
| RS PM Dodik rejects DA’s accusations he questions legality of Police Directorate
| RTRS, Dnevni Avaz 4 ‘Denying Directorate will only slow police reform’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 inset ‘Reform must not be brought in jeopardy’ –High Representative in BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling stated on Wednesday he is confident that the work of the Police Reform Directorate would continue. Schwarz-Schilling discussed this issue on Wednesday with BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic and RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik. The views of the RS Government and all other competent authorities are important; however, the Directorate allows RS to present its positions, stated Schwarz-Schilling, adding that questioning the legitimacy of the Police Reform Directorate would only slow its work down. |
| FBiH MoI Halilovic: Social care plan for policemen found surplus during police reform in preparation
| Dnevni Avaz pg 10, mentioned on cover ‘It is estimated that 3000 policemen will loose their jobs in BiH’ by Aj.D. – FBiH Minister of Interior Mevludin Halilovic told DA that law regulating for social care for approximately 3000 policemen who would loose their jobs due to the police reform would be put into effect in three years, after the process is over. Halilovic said that this act would be identical to one applied in the case of FBiH Army. |
| NN op-ed supportive of establishment of Special Prosecutor for crime / urging withdrawal of RS Pol. Director from position | Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Non-adapted’ by Pero Simic – The author notes that judging by current mood amongst RS public, the establishment of a special prosecutor to deal with crime and corruption is a clear indication RS Government led by Milorad Dodik has headed into compromise-less fight against organised crime and corruption. Furthermore, the author is critical of the work of Dragomir Andan, RS Police Director, urging his soon withdrawal from position owing to many illicit activities he has been engaged in, as author claims. |
Other political issues | |
| FBiH HoP session interrupted before vote on Law on FBiH public broadcasting service; Croat Caucus demands three channels
| FTV – Chair of FBIH House of Peoples Slavko Matic interrupted the session of FBIH HoP on Wednesday afternoon before vote on the proposal law on the FBiH Public Broadcasting Service. He explained that there were no conditions for any amendments to win the majority support, or to have quorum on the law itself. Hayat – The Croat Caucus insisted on a single service with three channels, which the proposal of law does not foresee. Namely, the proposal of law foresees financially sustainable and institutionally independent service. “Our aim is to show that the most rational solution is to have TV established at state level, with single service which would broadcast three channels”, said Mate Franjicevic, the Chair of Croat Caucus in the FBiH HoP. Croat Caucus also announced a possibility of launching a procedure in case of protection of vital national interest unless the MPs support establishment of three channels. In terms of amendments submitted by the FBiH Government, the one which reads that FBiH is the founder of FTV is the most important one. BHT1– Spokesman of European Commission in BIH Frane Maroevic stated that this law must be adopted in accordance with the state law. |
| Blic: BIH parliamentarians share the view initiative on a confidence vote in CoM will not pass since elections are approaching | EuroBlic RSpg 2, announced on cover ‘October elections to save Terzic’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – Daily carries confirmation of Tihomir Gligoric, Socialist Party’s delegate at the BH HoR, that today’s session of the BiH Parliament may include the issue of initiative on a confidence vote to BiH CoM. However, SDA’ Mirsad Ceman is of the view that only few months before elections, this initiative does not have much chances to be accepted, while |
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| Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘ |
| | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘OHR’ Repressive measures did not reach the goal’ by O.V., Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘ |
| GS: Former HR Ashdown was preventing adoption of Law on
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Paddy as Churchill’ by G.Dakic – Writing about possible reasons for failure to prepare Draft Law on BH Constitutional Court, daily reminds that proponent of this Law was Momcilo Novakovic, |
| SDA’s Ahmetovic: Passive registration of voters legalises and de facto finishes ethnic cleansing
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Passive registration of voters is devastating for Bosniaks’ by H.Orahovac – SDA Presidency member Sadik Ahmetovic told DA it would be devastating for Bosniaks if BiH House of Representatives adopt amendments to the Law on Elections which would enable passive registration of voters. Ahmetovic stated that Bosniaks and Croats could not vote in the RS municipalities they have been displaced from, stressing “passive registration legalises and de facto finishes ethnic cleansing”. |
Economy, judiciary and social issues | |
| RSNA to discuss Law on Privatization Audit on March 30; Chair of the RSNA Commission Stojicic says he never saw that draft
| RTRS by Momcilo Ostojic – Chair of RS National Assembly’s Commission for Monitoring the Privatisation Process Dusan Stojicic stated on Wednesday that the Commission has not yet received the RS Government’s proposal of the law on the audit of privatisation process. Stojicic explained that he has learned from media about this law, adding that he immediately asked for the full information from the authorized ministry. “And you know what they told me? They informed me that the text of that law has not yet been completely defined, which is why they could not send it to us”, said Stojicic, wondering what has RS Government adopted on Tuesday’s session. Explaining the adopted proposal of the law, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik on Tuesday said that they want to restore the confidence into the privatisation, which was full of vagueness and speculations. According to RTRS, RS National Assembly should discuss the proposed law on the audit of privatisation of state capital in companies and banks at the session on March 30. EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Stojicic: where is the law’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Agreement is not harmful’ by D. |
| FBiH HoP did not adopt changes and amendments to Law on rights of defenders and members of their families
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Improving of defenders’ status prolonged’ by M. Zorlak – The FBiH HoP did not adopt at its session held on Wednesday changes and amendments to the Law on rights of defenders and members of their families on the ground of which this category of population would get more favorable conditions for getting of a pension. DL says that FBiH HoP’s MPs were willing to adopt the changes and amendments, however, FBiH Minister for Defenders’ Issues Zahid Crnkic stated that it would be better to pass the conclusion which would oblige the FBiH Government to propose a high-quality Law on rights of defenders and members of their families within 60 days, that is by May 31, 2006 at the latest and MPs adopted Crnkic’s proposal. PINK, |
| Conference on mediation held in
| PINK– The third national conference ‘Future challenges in the implementation of mediation’ took place in Sarajevo on Wednesday, which discussed the solving disputes through mediation developed in BiH through pilot-projects in Banjaluka and Sarajevo courts which solved more than 250 cases, in amount of almost 15 millions KM. Chair of the BiH Association of Mediators Goran Salihovic stressed that citizens should be offered with an option to decide whether they want their case to go before the court, or to be solved by mediation. BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac added that all administrative disputes should be subject to mediation. High Representative in BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling and Canadian Ambassador to BiH Shelley Whiting also supported mediation process. FTV– also covered. |
| NN: Hunger strike of “Mittal Steel” workers
| Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘100 workers on strike’ by A.Mujkic, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Mittal Steel employees freeze hunger strike’ by A.Dz. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Hunger strike ceased by mid April’ by Mi.D. – around 100 workers out of 194 workers, whom “Mittal Steel” Zenica in February did not extend contracts have gone on a hunger strike Tuesday evening, demanding they be employed again or current status of waiter be prolonged until integral production is launched. |
| BiH Refugees Minister Kebo: There is no one from Srebrenica in Srebrenica-Potocari Foundation Steering Board
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 6 ‘People from Srebrenica, not politicians should decide on destiny of memorial’ by Asaf Becirovic – Day after he resigned from the position of Steering Board member in Srebrenica-Potocari Foundation, BiH Refugees and Human Rights Minister Mirsad Kebo proposed SDA deputy in RS National Assembly Sadik Ahmetovic. Kebo said he resigned to open space for the “ones who are most interested in the issue”, adding that the there is no one from Srebrenica in Steering Board, which is mistake of those who were in decisive position [author said it was OHR]. |