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| Director of the Federation Customs Administration warns on new threats against customs officers | Earthquake in Algeria kills at least 770 people and injures more than 4600 | Milosevic’s trial before ICTY | RS Government considers construction of tunnel, oil industry, pension fund |
| At least 707 persons died in last night’s earthquake in Algeria | FBiH Customs Administration press conference: officials involved in customs frauds | Nearly 800 victims of earthquake in Algeria
| Chairman Paravac and Presidents of Serbia/Montenegro and Croatia on refugee problems |
| UN Security Council terminates sanctions against Iraq | Leaders of BiH, Croata and Serbia and Montenegro fail to sign joint declaration on return of refugees | Federation Government helps Zenica Coal Mine | Covic visits Banja Luka, expresses satisfaction with preparations for Pope’s visit |
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| UN Security Council terminates sanctions against Iraq |
| RS president Cavic informs Council of Europe delegation about ongoing reforms+ |
| Oslobodjenje | FBiH Premier Ahmet Hadzipasic on international projects in BiH: annual income of foreign experts amounting up to 250,000 KM |
| Dnevni Avaz | Durakovic responds to accusations: Lagumdzija is a sick liar! |
| Dnevni List | Arms smuggled in humanitarian aid; Mostar as one local unit with one budget and one assembly |
| Vecernji List | Selling of games in Premier league in bloom |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Two priests from Grude, discharged from service are not leaving parish waiting for decision on appeal from Rome: We are not heretics, we are still Franciscans |
| Glas Srpske | Works n Tunnel Fatnik Polje-Bileca Lake temporarily to resume: Five days for hope |
| Nezavisne Novine | Over 700 people died in the earthquake in Algeria: Over hundreds of the dead under the ruins; The Hague Tribunal: Trial against Sefer Halilovic at the beginning of July; Salzburg: BiH, Croatia and SCG determined for EU; Banjaluka: Ongoing preparations for the Pope’s visit to end by 7 June |
| Blic | Petar Djokic: ‘Mikerevic requests resignations from socialists’; Rail-road workers at forceful leave are afraid of dismissals; BiH diplomat drove drunk and lost his job |
| Slobodna Bosna | ‘American clean-up Bosnia’ |
| B-H Dani | ‘Sacir Filandra – Divjak and Lovrenovic are not holy cows’, ‘Hamdija Tigar Abdic finally in the court’ |
Economic affairs | |
| Hadzipasic: Foreign experts in BiH earn annually even up to 250,000 KM
| Oslobodjenje front page, pg. 3 ‘Annual income of foreign experts amounting up to 250,000 KM’ – Federation of BiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic said on Thursday that “the time has come for the Federation Government to have bigger influence and control over the projects of the international financial institutions in BiH, and particularly of those being implemented by the World Bank.” He added that the Government had to participate in the selection of experts and determination of their salaries. “We have projects such as PTAC (the project of technical assistance to the process of privatisation), in which the income of foreign experts amounts even up to 250,000 KM,” said Hadzipasic. |
| VL: “HVB Bank is not buying Hercegovacka Bank”
| Vecernji List (page 2, by zk) carries that the General Manager of HVB Bank, Franz Friedl, denied that this bank is a possible buyer of the Hercegovacka Bank, which is going to be sold. VL says that anonymous sources from the Hercegovacka Bank Provisional Administration were saying before that apart from German Dresdener Bank, it is very possible that HVB Bank buys Hercegovacka Bank. Friedl said that these are ungrounded speculations. Asked whether he knows Hercegovacka Bank Provisional Administrator Toby Robinson, Friedl said that he does. |
| Fatnicko Polje tunnel | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Five days for hope’; Nezavisne Novine, page 7, ‘Decision on destiny of tunnel at Fatnik Polje next week’ – The most important works on the drain channel from Fatnik Polje to Bileca Lake will continue, but only until 27 May, when the destiny of this construction work of US $ 27 million worth, will be finalised. This decision was yesterday passed by the Republika Srpska Government on the basis of the report of the Commission for project review. Milan Bogicevic, Republika Srpska Minister of Energy, stated that: “Owing to some reserves of the international community towards this project, Republika Srpska Ministry of Economy, Energy and Development made a proposal to the Republika Srpska Government, which was accepted, that international experts, together with the Republika Srpska Government Commission for project review, give a final assessment into justification or non-justification of investment in this project until 27 May.” Owing to suspension of further works on the tunnel, the daily damage to the construction amounts to KM 10 thousand. Blic, p 3 also reports on the issue. |
| Police investigations into sale of banks
| Nezavisne Novine, page 5, ‘Investigation into the sale of Kristal Banka approaching to its end’ – NN has learnt at the Republika Srpska Interior Ministry that the police investigation into the sale of Kristal Banka is approaching to its end. Uin the parallel with the investigation on this case, the Republika Srpska police is also investigating the sale of Privredna Banka Doboj. The investigation is being carried out upon the documentation, which police took away from Republika Srpska Finance Ministry. |
| Statement by WB’s Ingram | Nezavisne Novine, page 3, ‘Ingramm: Authorities make wrong moves’ – Joseph Ingramm, World Bank Director in BiH, stated that BiH authorities are making wrong moves in a desire to reconstruct and revive big pre-war companies, who are now badly operating. In his view, ‘The authorities hesitate to go through privatisation. The key element of the states, that have successfully gone through transition, is the establishment of the small firms.” |
| Preporod, Napredak, Prosveta and La Benenvolencija to challenge possible change of apartments privatisation law | Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Principle of ownership is being abused’, FENA – Co-ordination Board of national cultural societies in BiH including (Bosniak) Preporod, (Croat) Napredak, (Serb) Prosvjeta and (Jewish) La Benevolencija warns that, if the current authorities accept the request of OHR for abolishing Item 2 Article 47 of the Law on Privatisation of Apartments (allowing the privatisation of once nationalized apartments), it will use all legal means to protect the rights of the original owners and request adequate compensation for incorrect legal solutions both from the international and local institutions. With this request, which was forwarded to the FBiH Government by Deputy High Representative for property, return and reconstruction issues Peter Bas-Backer, the original owner’s rights are, according to the Board, handed over by force to the occupant of the apartment. And this violates the fundamental principle of ownership and it actually means new expropriation of property (nationalisation). The Co-ordination Board of national cultural societies emphasises that transfer of ownership by force is illegitimate and represents serious violation of fundamental human rights. Vecernji List (page 4, by eme, “We shall sue domestic authorities”) and Dnevni List (page 8, not signed, “Through lawsuit to guaranteed human rights and freedoms”) also reported on the issue. |
| Editorial: “Smuggling of coffee and alcohol continues” | Slobodna Dalmacija (page 17, by Miroslav Landeka) carries an editorial which says: “While some representatives of the International Community are already proclaiming the end of the first section ‘passed’ in Bulldozer, many businessmen are wondering whether domestic authorities will adopt and implement proposed measures. According to the current situation, they will, however, only those that do not endanger some industrial lobbies and those that are nothing but cosmetic changes. It will be more difficult with those that serve interests of BiH and its citizens…It is only strange that IC officials, who will stop on a half way as they did many times by now, are keeping silent, regardless of the fact that this time they are driving a bulldozer.” |
Political developments | |
| Croatian, BiH, Serbia-Montenegrin leaders meet in Salzburg
| Oslobodjenje pg. 5 ‘Declaration on return to be signed soon’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Signing of a declaration on return postponed’ – Croatia, BiH, and Serbia-Montenegro have expressed the hope that a joint declaration on principles for the return of refugees will soon be signed and presented to the international community as the three countries’ contribution to regional cooperation and the strengthening of the stability of south-eastern Europe, read a joint statement released by the three countries’ presidents in Salzburg on Thursday. Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, BiH Presidency Chairman Borislav Paravac and the President of Serbia-Montenegro, Svetozar Marovic, met in Salzburg during the Central European summit, to discuss the joint declaration on return of refugees, the signing of which, previously announced for this event, was postponed as consultations on harmonising stands were under way. They also discussed bilateral relations and the situation in Southeastern Europe. Mesic told reporters that the problem of the failure to sign the declaration at this summit arose due to the abolished tenancy rights, the solution of which would be mulled over by expert teams. Svetozar Marovic told reporters he believed the joint statement also showed that the countries in the region were taking the right direction and cooperating solving concrete issues. “The issue of the declaration on return of refugees can soon be settled. The meeting in Salzburg is yet another proof that the said countries are determined to accelerate their pace towards the European Union,” Marovic said. The joint statement reads that the three countries are improving their relations. The signatories say that the promotion of the ties would be facilitated with the liberalisation of visa regimes and that all three states will cooperate with the Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal and make all efforts to establish the whereabouts of missing persons. Nezavisne Novine, pages 1 & 3, ‘BiH, Croatia and SCG determined for EU’; Glas Srpske, page 3, ‘Door for co-operation opened’, Blic, p 6, Vecernje Novosti, p 4, Dnevni List page 14, unsigned, “Declaration on refugees will not be signed yet”, Vjesnik page 2, by Hina,Jutarnji List page 2, by Ana Plisic, “Klestil demands strengthening of European military force”and Slobodna Dalmacija (page 2, by H, “Tenancy rights hinder return”) also reported on the meeting. Glas Srpske, page 2, ‘Citizenship disputed’; Nezavisne Novine, page 5, ‘Property be returned’, Blic, p 6 – Petar Dzodan, President of the Association of Refugee Serbs from Croatia and Krajina, yesterday stated that the international community and BiH authorities did not make a big progress in enabling the Serb refugees from Croatia and Krajina to return to their homes. He also stressed that: “Legal property reinstatement must be ensured to Serb refugees from Croatia and Krajina.” Vecernje Novosti, p 7 ‘Prison instead of home’ – There are some 100 Serbs in Croatian prisons who are being tried or have been sentenced for war crimes, as Petar Ladjevic, DSS advisor for refugee issues, had stated. He pointed out that they were mostly sentenced without evidence. Although the situation regarding the return to BiH is more favorable since 80% of property had been returned to owners, there are still 160,000 property claims to be resolved, as Ladjevic said. |
| Paravac addresses Summit in Salzburg
| BiH Presidency Chairman Borislav Paravac stressed Thursday, as he addressed participants in the Summit of Presidents of Central and Southeast European countries in Salzburg, that countries in the region are determined to stay on the path of reforms orientated towards joining European structures and to take responsibility for their future. He said that the analysis of the economic and political situation in the region shows that the situation is much better than it was in the past period. Paravac described the development of regional co-operation as one of BiH foreign policy’s top priorities. Dnevni List (page 3, by D.L.) and Vecernji List page 2, by Fena, “Paravac’s speech in Salzburg” also reported on Paravac’s address. |
| CoM Chairman Terzic takes part in regional conference in Ohrid | Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘BiH borders are protected’, FENA – BiH Council of Ministers Chairman Adnan Terzic addressed participants in a two-day regional conference on border management and security in Ohrid on Thursday. He stressed that BiH borders are secure today. “We are determined to establish open, controlled and secure border in the region in order to prevent illegal cross border activities, especially those supporting terrorism and organised crime”, Terzic said. He added that early this year BiH move a step close to the EU by establishing the Ministry of Security and the Ministry of Justice at the state level. Terzic underlined the importance of introducing European standards in border management in central and east Europe. |
| ‘Agreement with US will not slow down BiH’s moving towards Europe’ | Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Agreement with US will not slow down BiH’s moving towards Europe’ – The officials (unnamed) of the US Embassy to BiH believe that the bilateral agreement between BiH and US granting the immunity to the US citizens before the ICC will not slow down moving of BiH towards the European integration. They told the newspaper that they expected the agreement to be ratified by July 1. This will allow that the programs of assistance worth up to 73 million US dollars are continued. |
| VL: Interview with US Ambassador to BiH Clifford Bond | Vecernji List (front page, “We have good cooperation with Covic and Colak” and page 5, “We really have excellent cooperation with Covic and Colak”, conducted by Jozo Pavkovic) carries an interview with US Ambassador to BiH, Clifford Bond. Asked as to how he judges signing of the agreement between BiH and the USA on non-extradition of the US citizens to International Criminal Court, Bond says: “My judgment is very positive. The USA wants to stay engaged in BiH and the whole region and this agreement will make it possible…We do not want to bring BiH in the situation that it has to chose between the USA and Europe and this is not about pressure at all.” Asked to comment on the work of HDZ BiH, Bond said: “We said that we shall be working with officially elected officials in BiH and we really have very good relations with persons such as President Dragan Covic or Minister Barisa Colak…The thing that we are concerned about are some people within HDZ and their stand towards BiH territorial integrity and its future as a part of Europe. These concerns do not refer to one party only but to any party that does not implement the Dayton Peace Agreement completely.” Asked to comment on the work of the other national parties, Bond said: “During the last 7 month much more has been done with regard to imposing of laws by the OHR than with regard to implementation of the laws that the parties had to make.” |
| BiH’s UNESCO Commission member resigns over ICC exemption accord with US | Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Agreement with US is a discriminatory act’ – Miodrag Zivanovic, a member of the BiH UNESCO Commission, has tendered his resignation to the commission in protest against BiH signing a bilateral agreement with the USA on the non-extradition of American citizens to the International Criminal Court (ICC). “The non-extradition of solely American citizens is a discriminatory and uncivilized act. I do not wish to be a member of a country’s commission which is responsible for signing such an accord because this contradicts my morals and principles,” Zivanovic told a news conference in Banja Luka on Thursday. He said that the explanation given by the BiH Presidency and the Council of Ministers regarding this decision was hypocritical. “The US could not blackmail BiH into making such a decision because this country does not have anything else but its dignity, something which it lost after signing the agreement,” Zivanovic said. He stressed that signing or declining to sign the agreement was not a political issue on whether BiH was drawing closer to Washington and Brussels, but rather a moral one, taking into account that BiH has agreed to act in a discriminatory fashion. The BiH Council of Ministers appointed members of the UNESCO Commission a couple of months ago. |
| SB on BiH lawsuit against Serbia-Montenegro | SB pg. 13 ‘Avaz copying SD’s and Karadzic’s Patriot magazine’ by A.M. – the SB’s angle on the front-page story published on Monday (May 19) in Avaz daily about Serbia willing to sacrifice the RS in return for BiH withdrawing the lawsuit. Avaz’s source was an anonymous source from Bosniak political top. The day before the ‘exclusive’ Avaz’s story was printed in the RS weekly ‘Patriot’ as magazine points out it is the medium of the SDS and Serb intelligence and other structures). According to the SB, the ‘exclusive’ Avaz story was launched by political circles who are trying to test public reactions and discover which circles would oppose the idea the most. The magazine’s judgment is that the ‘test balloon’ came from the OHR since HR Ashdown was interested even before coming to BiH in the possibility of withdrawing the BiH lawsuit against FRY. According to the magazine, Ashdown spoke on the subject with Lagumdzija and Silajdzic and both were determined in continuing with the lawsuit. The BS claims that no information came from the Bosniak political top of the lawsuit withdrawal or any negotiations were held with Belgrade officials on the subject. |
| SB: Washington afraid of radicalisation of Bosnian Muslims | Slobodna Bosna the front–page story and continues on pgs. 17 – 20 by Suzana Andjelic and Senad Avdic – the two authors of the article wrote two separate pieces under the same topic. Andjelic angles her story on the ‘Orao’ case and basically points out that even though there is evidence, no Federation companies were sanctioned for exporting arms to Iraq. Avdic on the other hand, offers his view on what’s the real reason behind the renewed interest of the US in BiH. Avdic thinks that Americans want to use their overall generous politics towards BiH to remove suspicions that Bush’s Administration is anti-Muslim. Therefore, Washington is especially afraid of radicalisation of Bosnian Muslims. Avdic thinks that is it’s shown that the US turned against themselves BiH Bosniaks, who they saved in the last minute, very few will be persuaded in noble intentions of US towards Palestinians, Chechens, whose tragedies they neglected and were even biased. |
| Mostar restructuring | Dnevni List (front and page 3, by V. L., “Mostar as one local unit with one budget and one assembly”) reports that the Commission for making of Statute for City of Mostar met in the late afternoon hours (?) because of, as the daily learns from a source close to the OHR, new principles of the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, which clearly define the organizational set-up of City of Mostar and the ways of the set-up. Among other instructions the Commission is to implement, Dnevni List says the Principle 4 is related to the single budget of the city. The Principle is to ensure that the single assembly adopts one single budget that will allow the City to honour its obligations. According to DL, the Principle 6 reads that there is the need to establish a single assembly and electoral system for the City of Mostar. This Principle should enable an election of one assembly from the territory of the city and that members of the assembly are elected in accordance to the electoral rules. This Principle also prohibits an establishment of other units of local self-government that would have its own assemblies on the territory of the city. Finally, the daily reports that after the Principles have been implemented, some 4.500 current employees of six municipal administrations would lose jobs. According to DL, the process will be carried out gradually and should be completed by the next municipal elections. The same daily carries an interview with a member of the Commission, Josip Merdzo, (page 3, “Additional explanations did not surprise us”) in which Merdzo says the additional explanations did not surprise him because the previously forwarded eight principles clearly showed it was about one local unit, one budget and one assembly. “Some might be surprised. The translation used the word ‘jedinstven’, and in the English it was ‘single’. It is clear these two cannot be brought into line because ‘single’ means one, one assembly, one budget”, says Merdzo. Merdzo also stresses that, as far as the Croat side is concerned, there will be no special surprises and new moments. Regarding the above-mentioned redundancies, Merdzo says the number will be much lower. |
| FBiH Government session
| Dnevni List (front and page 4, by Miso Relota, “Government will pass final decision in case of Hotel Ero”) carries a report from yesterday’s session of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBIH) Government, at which the Government, among other issues, decided to discharge the January 2003 class of the FBiH Army one month earlier thus saving 500.000 KMs. The Government also supported an initiative by a Mostar-based lawyer, Damir Sadovic, a representative of the Federation Pension Fund (MIO) in the Hotel “Ero” case, who is advocating a settlement between the MIO and TUHINVEST which has assumed the role of the owner of the Hotel. However, the Government decided that Sadovic couldn’t take any decision independently without a declaration from the Government. Sarajevo dailies and Slobodna Dalmacija also reported on the session. |
| Preparations for Pope’s visit | Nezavisne Novine, pages 1 & 4, ‘All construction works be completed by 7 June’; Glas Stpske, page 3, ‘Dignified reception’ – Dragan Covic, member to BiH Presidency, stated during his yesterday’s visit to Banjaluka that the construction of all the necessary infrastructure for the visit of Pope on 22 June to Banjaluka should have completed by 7 June. The meeting between Dragan Covic and Dragoljub Davidovic, concluded that the municipal authorities should include in the preparations for the Pope’s visit. Sarajevo dailies also cover the issue. |
| Mikerevic demands resignation of Gligoric, Ilic and Pejic | Nezavisne Novine, page 6, ‘Mikerevic demands resignation of Gligoric, Ilic and Pejic’, Blic, p 7 – Petar Djokic, President of the Republika Srpska Socialist Party, yesterday stated that Republika Srpska Prime Minister, Dragan Mikerevic, in a written form, yesterday demanded from Tihomir Gligoric, Director of the Republika Srpska Administration for Geodetic Affairs and Real Property Affairs, Dragutin Ilic, Director of the Republika Srpska Fund of health care, and Milutin Pejic, Director of Serb Post Office, to file their resignations to the current positions. Djokic stresses that: “Mikerevic has made this demand following constant pressures from the very tops of SDS and PDP. However, their resignations or dismissals may result in inconceivable consequences for those firms.” Cvijeta Kovacevic, Head of Republika Srpska Government Public Affairs Bureau, said she is not aware of any such demand made by Mikerevic. She just said that there may be conflict of interest in the case of Gligoric, because he assumes both, public and political functions. Accordingly, the Republika Srpska Government proposed to Civil Service Administration to dismiss Gligoric of his public function. |
| Republika Srpska Government session | Glas Srpske, page 3, ‘Resignation of Ostoja Kremenovic accepted’ – At yesterday’s session in Banjaluka, the Republika Srpska Government adopted the resignation filed by Ostoja Kremenovic from the position of Director of the Republika Srpska Pension and Disability Fund. Accordingly, the Republika Srpska Government adopted the information on the situation within the field of pension and disability allowances, concluding that some short-term measures should be performed in order to improve its status. |
| Cavic with CoE delegation | Glas Srpske, page 3, ‘Partnership getting closer’; Nezavisne Novine, page 4, ‘BiH is making progress in judicial reforms’ – Yesterday in Banja Luka, members of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, led by Laslo Surlan, met with the Republika Srpska President, Dragan Cavic, and the RS Parliament Speaker, Dragan Kalinic. The meetings discussed the accelerated fulfilment of the conditions set to BiH for admission into European integration. The meeting with Kalinic concluded that the judicial reforms in BiH and its entities is in progress. According to press release issued by Cavic Cabinet, “Republika Srpska President informed the delegation that the Republika Srpska officials are actively engaged in reorganisation and reform of armed forces in BiH, stressing that Republika Srpska has a proposal regarding the status of the Republika Srpska Army in military reform.” |
| DL: “Suspensions threaten Croats only” | Dnevni List (front and page 5, by De. L) carries that according to the sources in the Croat component of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Army at the proposal of Chief inspector of the FBiH Ministry of Defence Drago Dragicevic, FBiH Minister of Defence Miroslav Nikolic handed over names of 12 high-ranked officers of the Croat component of FBiH to the Disciplinary Commission of the FBiH MoD because these officers were at the election lists during the last elections in BiH. According to Dragicevic, they violated provisions of the Article 202 of Law on Defence that bans political engagement of FBiH Army officials. DL says that this Article is contrary to the European Human Rights Convention, BiH Constitution, and Election Law. The article also says that the name of President of House of Representatives of FBiH Parliament Muhamed Ibrahimovic is also among the aforementioned group, however, Minister Nikolic will suspend the process against Ibrahimovic because Ibrahimovic and SDA will be strongly against it. DL says that thus suspension only threatens Croats and according to DL this is a classical example of political showdown and revanchism against the persons who were against the Croat self-rule. |
| Dani on amendments proposed in FBiH Parliament by Ajanovic | DANI ‘Bosanski Barometar’ column on pg. 6 – assessed Ajanovic’s recent moves at the FBiH Parliament with a white star encircled in a black dot, meaning ‘so, so’. The magazine thinks that the way things are going the Federation parliament will son discuss only amendments and changes to the laws suggested by Mirnes Ajanovic. First he suggested an amendment to the Criminal law, which related to the confiscation of illegally acquired property. The magazine thinks it was rather surprising that the Parliament adopted the amendment since the public knows members of this parliament by suspiciously acquired property. This however did not satisfy Ajanovic since his addresses at the Parliament were not taking at least a third of FTV’s program. His constant requests that the FTV be obligated to broadcast live Parliament session were easy to see for what they really were – a chance for him to gain more voters at the next elections. “But our people are not crazy to pay six KM per month and get in return Mirnes’s tones and those of other reps. Soap operas are much better instead. Less chance of becoming mentally ill.” |
Fight against organised crime; war crimes | |
| Federation Customs officers receive threats from organized crime
| Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Threats repeated to the Customs Administration staff’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Rebac: Customs officers again subjected to liquidation threats’ – The BiH Federation’s Customs Administration has managed to uncover various types of customs fraud, and thus prevented the loss of another 200million KM. However, their open fight against corruption and organized crime is accompanied by threats to the Customs Administration employees. The customs fraud is a well known fact in our country, but the fact that senior officials of the Customs Administration and the Federation government were involved in this is worrying. However, the Federation’s Customs Administration has turned the page and started to fight organized crime and corruption openly, director of the Customs Administration Zelimir Rebac says. The fight against crime is accompanied by threats to the Administration’s employees, he added. “Whichever issue we open – and the latest one is the issue of humanitarian aid – my colleagues who are working on this are already receiving written and other threats of their and their families’ liquidation,” Rebac told journalists in Sarajevo on Thursday. Road rollers and poker machines are being brought to Bosnia-Hercegovina instead of flour, under the guise of humanitarian aid. There are indications that arms are smuggled in the same way. The head of the unit in charge of investigation into customs fraud, Dzevad Karadza, says that the Customs Administration, in cooperation with CAFAO (The Customs and Fiscal Assistance Office) and Interpol, is checking the documentation accompanying humanitarian deliveries. Dnevni List (front and page 7, by Fena, “Weapon smuggled in humanitarian aid”), Nezavisne Novine, pages 1 & 5, ‘Department employees authorised to “barge into” firms’also reported on the Rebac press conference. |
| Slobodna Bosna on CAFAO/Jensen | Pgs. 22 – 24 by Mirsad Fazlic ‘I was shocked how influential criminals in BiH are’ – an interview with Allan Leon Jensen, CAFAO Chief. Asked about changes in the BiH customs service since he arrived in 1996, Jensen said a major progress has been established. To support it he mentioned the adoption of the Law on Customs in both entities, a joint Law on Tariffs, introduction of computerized database system and cooperation between the entity administrations. Asked when BiH would have customs service resembling those in European countries, Jensen said that technically BiH customs administration can perform their job professionally, but it would be fully efficient and modern when the entity administrations become one. As for the corruption problem within the customs administrations, Jensen said he though key officials were paid by certain authority structures to remain loyal. Added that breaking those connections was the biggest problem. Asked what was currently making the work of BiH customs services more difficult, Jensen replied that the main factor was the lack of cooperation between the entity administrations. |
| Serbian police searching for 20 Zemun Clan associates | Oslobodjenje pg. 3, mentioned on the front page ‘Serbian police searching for 20 Zemun Clan associates’ – The Belgrade Office of Interpol has in recent days informed police forces and security services in BiH and its entities on a possibility that more than 20 persons linked to the Zemun Clan enter BiH’s territory. According to the newspaper, the Serbian Interpol has not requested their immediate apprehension but just information on their possible coming to BiH and stay in the country. |
| ICTY on war crimes processing in BiH | Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘First war crime processes to take place in BiH only in the second half of 2004’ – The Chamber supposed to deal with war crimes in the framework of the BiH State Court, due to financial and logistical reasons, is not likely to start its operations before the second half of 2004. “We were not happy when we heard about the delay,” Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte said following her return from the Balkan region. |
| Sefer Halilovic trial in July | Nezavisne Novine, page 3, ‘Trial against Sefer Halilovic at the beginning of July’ – The Judge O-Gon Kwon, stated at the status conference on the case against Sefer Halilovic that he would propose to the Panel of Judges that “the case is ready for trial processing at the beginning of July.” The Prosecutor’s Office announced that it would bring around 100 witnesses to the stand, and sought from defence to forward all the documents it has to PO. Sarajevo dailies also reported on the issue. |
Other issues | |
| Update to Bijeljina detention of three municipal officials
| Nezavisne Novine, page 2, ‘Prosecutor’s Office filed request for investigation’ – Bijeljina Public Prosecutor’s Office yesterday filed a request with the Bijeljina Basic Court for investigation against three persons, suspected of committing criminal act of causing general danger with fatal consequences. As NN learnt, Prosecutor’s Office will give final assessment into possible indictment after the investigation completes. |
| Update to Sokolac shooting
| Nezavisne Novine, page 3, ‘Police claims Orasanin and Ceho are hiding in east Republika Srpska’ – Mladen Ceho and Ognjen Orasanin, main suspects in the shooting at Sokolac, when Ratomir Spaic and Slobodan Jankovic sustained bodily injuries, are still in flight. According to information available to the Serb Sarajevo PSC, Orasanin and Ceho are hiding in the east Republika Srpska, owing to which reason only local wanted warrant was issued for them. |
| Republika Srpska Helsinki Board | Nezavisne Novine, page 5, ‘100000 unresolved cases at Republika Srpska Courts’ – The research of the Republika Srpska Helsinki Board for Human Rights proved that there are currently 100000 unresolved cases sitting at 45 Magistrates Courts in Republika Srpska. Branko Todorovic, President of RS Helsinki Board, stated that: “Out of this figure, 30 thousand cases are sitting at the Banjaluka Magistrates Courts, while there are 10 thousand such cases at Bijeljina Magistrates’ Court. The violation reports fall under a statute of limitations after two years. The fact that these cases are not solved result in deliberate violations of population, who knows that the Court would not process them and they would go unpunished.” Blic, p 2 also reports on the issue. |
| SB: The Justice Ministry checking FOSS employees | SB pg. 13 and 14 ‘The Justice Ministry checking FOSS employees’ – the Inspection for Management and Judiciary at the federation Judiciary Ministry has been checking for two weeks already files of all FOSS employees who were admitted to the service after the new government was elected. Even though the task of inspectors, led by Fazila Music, is to check the whether relevant procedures were respected in the course of the employment of all workers, they have focused on Bosniak employees only. More precisely, on those employees who started working at the time when Munir Alibabic was FOSS Director. |