23.05.2005

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 23/5/2005

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Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 23 May

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

BiH/Croatia parliamentarians mtg.

BiH/Croatia parliamentarians mtg.

Ashdown on BiH (Avaz interview)

HR’s authorities to change

Turkish businessmen inSarajevo

BiH/Croatia parliamentarians mtg.

Brussels : Foreign Ministers meeting

EBRD Assembly in Belgrade

Situation in Iraq

TV news broadcast on 22 May

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Zrinski players attacked

European bank assembly

Sports-related clashes

World news

RS Elektroprivreda versus SB Soft

Law on traffic safety

European bank assembly

BiH companies’ work

Auditors in BiH

HDZ on police reform

Feature on bridge in Visegrad

EBRD annual meeting in Belgrade

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Incident in Stolac

Eurovision Song contest

Kopanja on his attacker

Gathering on Igman

BiH at the Eurovision Song contest

European bank assembly

Circle 99 in session

Eurovision Song contest in Capljina

Dodik on police reform

Regional News

EBRD annual meeting in Belgrade

RS NA special session

 

Oslobodjenje

Illegal purchase of apartments in RS

Dnevni Avaz

Three years of Paddy Ashdown in BiH

Dnevni List

State of emergency in Stolac

Vecernji List

Inter-ethnic conflicts in Stolac

Slobodna Dalmacija

Features Croatia related headlines

Glas Srpske

Two souls in the entire village

Nezavisne Novine

EBRD invested EURO 350 million in BiH

Blic

He killed his grand-mother because of the house

Vecernje Novosti

Features Serbia related titles

Srpski Nacional

Features Serbia related titles

 

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Croatian parliamentary delegation visiting BiH

 

BH Radio 1, RHB, RS Radio – A delegation of the Croatian Parliament’s Foreign Policy Commission arrived in a three-day officials visit to BiH. The delegation members met with the members of the BiH House of Representative’s Commission for Foreign Affairs. The participants at the meeting concluded that regardless of unresolved issues the relations between the two countries were being improved.

RS SRS rejects SNSD Dodik’s initiatives re police reform

 

FENA – Serb Radical Party of the RS rejected as unacceptable SNSD proposals related to passing a constitutional charter which would define competence of the RS in the future constitutional and legal structure of BiH. SRS President Milanko Mihajlica rejected as unacceptable the initiative of SNSD President Milorad Dodik according to which in continuation of the talks on the police reform the RS should offer the model on the ground of which the RS would accept crossing of an inter-entity line. 

 

Economic/Social Issues

EBRD annual conference takes place in Belgrade

 

 

 

BHT Sanita Lisica – The BiH Council of Ministers (CoM) Chairman Adnan Terzic and Minister for Treasury of the Institutions of BiH Ljerka Maric are in Belgrade, where they attend the annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development(EBRD). The Western Balkans is finally favourable for the investments, especially because the region will soon become a part of the European Union, it was said at the beginning of this meeting. “I believe that this meeting, as well as the four preparatory meetings, are the great encouragement for the countries of the Southeast Europe”, said Terzic addressing the participants. RHB, Pink, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘EBRD invested EURO 350 million in BiH’ by Agencies also covered the issue.

BiH CoM Chair Terzic: EBRD, Islamic Bank willing to build 5c Corridor

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘EBRD, Islamic Bank willing to build 5c Corridor’ – The BiH CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic, who attended the EBRD Assembly in Belgrade on Sunday, said that all Southeast European countries’ prime ministers had expressed wish for EBRD to be a partner in further development of this part of the world. Terzic met with EBRD President Jean Lemierre to discuss future EBRD plans referring to BiH. The construction of 5c Corridor through BiH was in the focus of the two officials; meeting as well. “We agreed to meet next moth in London and discuss details of possible EBRD, Islamic Bank and BiH Government’s joint participation/investment in 5c Corridor construction,” said Terzic. 

BiH Foreign Minister Ivanic meets with EBRD President Lemierre

 

Oslobodjenje pg 11 ‘Banker’s recognition to progress made by countries in Southeast Europe,’ Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Euro 145 million for railways’, FENA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provided a record amount of funds to BiH last year – 95 million Euro, and a further increase is expected this year, it was stated at a meeting of EBRD President Jean Lemierre with BiH Foreign Minister and EBRD Governor in BiH Mladen Ivanic in Belgrade on Saturday. The EBRD is interested in supporting infrastructure reconstruction/development at the municipal level in BiH. The largest amount – 145 million Euro – is planned for the reconstruction of railways in BiH. The EBRD President was interested in the economic situation in BiH, especially economic reforms that will improve the position of BiH companies. Ivanic praised the engagement of the EBRD in BiH so far.

Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Domestic institutions must rule country’ by De.L. – BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic stated on Sunday at the plenary session of the EBRD annual assembly held in Belgrade that the time has come that domestic institutions start ruling the country ‘since foreign investors will not come as long as foreign institutions run some areas’.  He added that in order to convince the investors to invest their money, above all, BiH must have strong institutions.

Nationalised apartments: tenants demand equal rights in entities

 

Oslobodjenje cover pg splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Illegal purchase of apartments in RS’ by Aldijana Omeragic – In wait of Law on Restitution, the tenants of the nationalized apartments last week in Sarajevo announced protests for 10 June, unless F BiH authorities enabled them to purchase apartments. The Association also says that the nationalised apartments in RS have already been purchased. President of the Association, Mladen Bevanda, says that this Association members can be classified as second class citizens. Mustafa Begic, President of the BiH Restitution Commission, confirms that: “It is true that tenants in RS have purchased apartments. It turns out at the end that Law on Restitution is being prepared only because of tenants in F BiH.”Begic also notes that RS authorities failed to respect Law on ban on trade in assets subject to restitution, adopted in 1991.

Another 1692 lawsuits for return of old foreign currency savings filed

Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Another 1692 lawsuits for return of old foreign currency savings filed’ by T. Dragic carries that the Association of citizens for return of old foreign currency savings sent another 1692 lawsuits (demanding about 40 million KM) at the address of the European Human Right Court in Strasbourg.

GS carries article on return to Foca area

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Two souls in the entire village’ by D.T. – Daily features a story of Dragica and Milos Vreca, the only two returnees to the village of Sivsice near Foca and problems they are facing after return.

Vlasenica Assembly Chair Stupar: SDS is penalising Vlasenica because it voted for SNSD

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 6, announced on cover ‘SDS is penalizing Vlasenica because it voted for SNSD’ by V.Popovic – In an interview to NN, Dragomir Stupar, Vlasenica Parliament Speaker, expects that the next ten days would see de-blockade of the budget of the municipality of Vlasenica, since there is an offer of a Bank to pay off disputable debt. Valsenica account has been blocked as of 31 December 2004 over the suit and verdict in the interest of five Bosniaks (whom municipality should pay out the amount of BAM 310 thousand). Stupar stresses that Vlasenica is faced with a sort of informational blockade, warning “the situation in Vlasenica will not improve as long as SDS holds power at the RS level”.

 

Political Developments/Reforms

Avaz interview with HR: Three years of Paddy Ashdown in BiH

 

 

 

 

 

Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘Three years of Paddy Ashdown in BiH’, and pg 5 ‘We have brought BiH before EU and NATO doors’, by Sead Numanovic – Carries an interview with the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, in which he outlines achievements in past three years since he has been the HR for BiH and future tasks that lay ahead. HR Ashdown notes that BiH, as a state, has strengthen in last three years, with one taxation system, with unified customs, state judiciary and state-controlled armed forces. However, HR Ashdown says a lot more needs to be done, because a completely effective government in not yet in place, some ministries need to be de-centralized, which includes the transfer of FBiH ministries to Mostar. HR goes on to say that extraditions of PIFWCs have started recently after nine years, noting that should the process be finalized with the extradition of Karadzic and Mladic, BiH will end up in NATO. As for the SAA talks, the HR says BiH has mostly met all the pre-requisites, however two issues are pending, the PBS and police reform. Asked to outline his other priorities until the end of his mandate, the HR notes the transfer of authorities and powers from the High Representative onto the domestic authorities and the aggressive shift from the HR to the EUSR.

NN op-ed: Who are we to Paddy

 

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Who are we to Paddy?’ by Almedin Sisic – Reminding marking of HR Paddy Ashdown’s anniversary of mandate approaches at the end of May, the author notes that HR has finally admitted that “nationalistic parties cannot bring BiH into EU”, denying years of his mandate when he was saying nationalists are reformers. The author stresses that Ashdown is consistent in his inconsistency, and hence finds the culprits for the black age over BiH. The author concludes: “Who are we to Paddy? He is soon to return to United Kingdom, with small savings he earned here. And we are to stay here with his reformers, with whom he was planting violets of happiness and prosperity.”

Vecernje Novosti interview with Law Professor Popovic: 664 HR’s decisions violate international laws

 

Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘Hawthorn stake through RS’ by Dubravka Vujanovic – in a page-long interview, Professor at Banja Luka Faculty of Law Vitomir Popovic has stated High Representatives to BiH have so far reached 664 decisions that were in violation of all provisions of international laws. Asked whether the latest measures, which demand for a joint army and police, actually mean abolishment of RS, Popovic said these measures ‘should put a hawthorn stake through RS…’. He added that this leads to a question whether the Dayton Agreement still exists. Popovic says RS had expected from authority representatives in Serbia to react in a clear way and protect RS interests, however this did not happen. He expressed his opinion that EU does not support such decisions of HR and he also blames certain representatives of RS authorities for such a relation of the international community towards RS (‘Individuals from the highest state bodies went to Vlasic where they discussed police reform and, opposite to stances of the main boards of their parties and RS NA conclusions, they have made agreements’). He concludes by saying that they need to let HR know that, unless he starts respecting authorities prescribed by Annex 10 of the Dayton Agreement, they will stop implementing his decisions in the territory of RS. ‘If he is not respecting laws, then we do not need to respect them either’, Popovic said.

HDZ BiH supports a genuine police reform in BiH – senior official

 

RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘A genuine police reform (needed)’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Entity MoIs will not be abolished soon’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘HDZ supports police reform’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘HDZ supports police reform and demands abolishment of entities’ by ONASA, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Constitution needs to be changed’ – HDZ BIH believes that BIH needs a genuine police reform as well as a genuine reform of existing constitutional order including the abolishment of entities and transfer of their authorities to municipalities and the state. Chair of Croat caucus in FBIH House of Peoples Mate Franjicevic stated that HDZ BIH supported the police reform in BIH but that the recent events represented just the polishing of the reform, which means that BIH will not see the abolishment of entity MoI’s very soon.

BiH politicians on UHSP initiative for referendum on establishment Croat TV

 

Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Referendum on forming Croat TV’ by A. Vrebac carries comments on the UHSP initiative for organizing the referendum on establishment of a Croat TV. HDZ representative Filip Andric says that he would support the referendum in any case, however, he also stressed that there is still hope when this issue is in question, since the law has not been adopted in the BiH House of Peoples yet. Tomislav Limov from SDP still hopes that a favourable solution could be found through institutions of the system. He added: ‘Although, I do not consider the referendum a radical move, I am aware that its results should pass the institutions of the system in order to become valid.’  Velimir Jukic from HDZ says that the issue of referendum is not so simple since one should bear in mind who organizes the referendum and why.

Filipovic (HDZ): HR is deluding public with regard to law on public RTV system

 

Vecernji List pg 7 ‘To turn Herzegovinian TV in FBiH broadcaster’ by M. Relota – HDZ representative in the BiH House of Peoples Ilija Filipovic talks about the HDZ amendments when the law on public RTV system is in question and he says that HDZ proposed transforming of the Herzegovina TV into a Federation of BiH broadcaster. He also comments on the statement given by High Representative Paddy Ashdown who said that a broadcaster which would produce a TV programme in one language only is contrary to the Dayton Peace Accord and Filipovic says that this statement is deluding of the public. Filipovic added: ‘I would like that someone from the OHR or Council of Europe shows in public as to where this was written in the DPA.’ He also said that the fact that we have RTRS,which broadcasts a TV programme in Serbian language only, denies aforementioned HR’s statement.

Kukic: Covic manipulating everyone

 

Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘Testimony on art of manipulation’, by Slavo Kukic – carries an op-ed in which the author presents his view on how the removed member of BiH Presidency and candidate for HDZ president, Dragan Covic, works i.e. how Covic manipulates with people. Focusing on the issue of PBS law, Kukic says there is yet another deal between Covic and the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, saying that Covic is in troubles because many HDZ members insist of the Croat channel in BiH, however there is an issue of loyalty to the HR and the risk of ending up behind the bars. Kukic learns from sources in the BiH CoM that the solution has been found, which will satisfy both the HR and Covic. Namely, the HDZ will publicly go against the proposed PBS law and will invoke the vital national interest clause in the BiH HoP, and on top of it, the HDZ will ask the BiH Constitutional Court whether there are grounds to invoke the vital national interest. However, the proposal of the law has been amended by article 26, owing it to suggestion of HDZ leaders, which will be used by the Constitutional Court to reject the HDZ’s appeal. As a result, both goals will be achieved, the obligation towards the HR will be met and the reputation with the electorate will be saved.

VL: OHR warned Hadziomerovic

 

Vecernji List pg 6 ‘He threatened Hadziomerovic’ by mr carries that High Representative Paddy Ashdown and his Deputy Lawrence Butler sent two letters to a new SDA Mostar President Zijo Hadziomerovic in which they warned him that he would suffer consequences if he obstructs implementation of the Statute for re-organization of Mostar. VL says that if Hadziomerovic obstructs unification of Mostar the OHR would remove him or he would be in sort of isolation by international representatives. 

Dodik proposes for more police regional centres to be located in RS

 

RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘A larger number of police centres needs to be located in RS’ by V.Popovic Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, is of the view that the disputable issue of police regions may possibly be resolved if a larger number of police centres were located in RS. He announced that during resumption of police reform talks, he would propose that a centre of Tuzla police region is located in Bijeljina or Zvornik; if this proposal was not accepted, he would then propose that this area is divided in two: Tuzla and Bijeljina. He explained: “If F BiH is ready to accept this compromise,. Police reform talks can immediately resume, since such centres could cross IEBL when necessary.” He reiterated the responsibility rests with the RS politicians to find a most favourable solution on police reform, which would not lead RS in isolation, which would not be fair towards RS citizens. He added: “Those persisting in adhering to the concept Darko Matiajsevic proposed risk to see sanctions imposed against RS. I think we do not need another period of exhaustion, since EU would not give up on its principles.”

Nikola Spiric, member of the SNSD Chair Board, said it is encouraging leaders of the political parties from RS agreed that police reform talks should resume and RS politicians should take a definitive stance on it. Position and opposition representatives from RS held meeting in Banja Luka Friday evening, upon initiative of Spiric and with the intention to identify a solution on police reform. Dragan Cavic briefly commented after the meeting it was an informal meeting, at which information on police reform was exchanged.   

RS Finance Minister Cenic comments on police reform costs

 

Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Reforms cost a lot’ – Svetlana Cenic, RS Finance Minister, during the programme at RADIO BIG Sunday stated that each reform being implemented in BiH costs a lot, stressing that budgets of RS and F BiH are to pay those. She also said that according to IMF estimate, the police reform would cost approximately BAM 142 million, adding that RS budget, responsible for social policy, is to lose many incomes on various grounds and through defence and police reforms. She stressed: “I do not oppose to reforms, neither do I think we should not go to Europe. We should go to Europe, but in a planned manner.” She also added that the bad economic situation in the RS and BiH can barely cover expenses for the establishment of new state bodies.

OHR urges for appointment of SIPA Director

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Call to BiH CoM to appoint SIPA Director’ by N.Krsman Sanela Tunovic, OHR Spokesperson, on Sunday stated that the SIPA cannot be headless for much more time, noting that BiH COM should resolve this issue asap. She said: “We call on BiH CoM to resolve this issue asap, since SIPA is an important institution in this state and situation of this sort cannot last forever.” She could not comment as to whether OHR would undertake any measures if SIPA Director were not appointed today (Monday).

Comments on first 100 days of RS Government

 

EuroBlic pgs RS2-RS3 ‘Few satisfied people, pensioners are embittered’, announced on cover ‘Few satisfied people’ by Nedeljka Breberina and Rajna Radosavljevic – A general assessment of the work of RS Government during the first 100 days of its mandate was that nothing spectacular had happened, nor it was expected to happen. Deputy RS President Dzerard Selman thinks RS Government deserves a positive assessment of its work, considering difficult situation it inherited from the past Government, and he says concrete results can be expected by autumn. RS Chamber of Commerce (Mladen Micic) believes the RS Government has done nothing spectacular and it was only the approach to resolving agricultural problems where it had made a progress. He added that it seems as if this Government has a more serious approach to privatization process. Chairman of RS Association of Employers Damir Miljevic has assessed that this Government has only continued where the past Government had stopped and he thinks the Government has no development strategy. RS Association of Trade Unions (Cedo Volas) thinks the so far mandate of the Government had passed quite peacefully and concrete effects of its work still cannot be seen. Chairman of RS Association of Pensioners Rade Rakulj says pensioners will not give a positive assessment to the work of the Government because it had done nothing for pensioners in the first 100 days of its mandate. Inset ‘Great pressure, close majority’ – SDS’s Stanko Pivasevic says this Government had showed more results than any of the previous Governments. PDP’s Milenko Antesevic says PDP is not satisfied with the work of the Government and he points out that its representatives seldom appear in public. SNSD’s Krstan Simic and SDA’s Tarik Sadovic agree in their assessment that the Government has done a poor work during these 100 days.

 

War Crimes

DL: Tri-lateral agreement on extradition of war crime indictees amongst BiH, Croatia and SCiG to be signed in June?

Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Agreement to be signed as early as in June in Brijuni’, mentioned on cover ‘Agreement to be signed in Brijuni soon’ by D. Jazvic – VL says that a tri-lateral agreement on extradition of war crime indictees would be, probably, signed among BiH, Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro in Brijuni in June.  The article also says that the BiH Ministry of Justice does not directly announce signing of the agreement, however, they expect that progress in regulating the issues, which seriously endanger processing of war crimes, would be achieved.

Association “Istina” responds to Prosecutor Branko Sljivar claims: So far we posses information on 2500 Serbs killed in Sarajevo during the war

 

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Let him ask, we will give’ by N. Z. – “Istina” Association for investigation on sufferings of Serb and other people in Sarajevo has assessed that the statement of Chief Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor Branko Sljivar, who claims that approximately 200-250 Serbs were killed in Sarajevo during the war, was negation of the truth on war crimes against Serb people. The article reads that if it is true that the Chief Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor is not in possession of any documents on crimes in former Dobrovoljacka street, Viktor Bubanj barracks and other places in Sarajevo, then it means only one thing – F BiH authorities have never investigated these crimes because, most probably, it never considered these as crimes. Chairman of the Association Dusan Zurovac has reminded that the Association has so far collected information on almost 2,500 Serbs that were killed in Sarajevo and he added: ‘Let Branko Sljivar address “Istina”. We will forward any documents we have to him’.

 

Incidents

Clashes between Croat soccer funs, local Bosniak citizens in Stolac

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RHB, BHT, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Stolac was like Belfast’, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Hatred spreaders must be found and punished’, Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘Inter-ethnic conflicts in Stolac’ and pgs 2 and 3 ‘Showdown in Stolac’ by F. Matic – On the way back from a football match played in Trebinje fans of football club ‘Zrinjski’ from Mostar stopped in a café in Stolac where they came in a conflict with local Bosniaks. The conflict started with verbal insults (both sides say that they did not start first) and it finished with a mass fights in the centre of Stolac. Luckily, none was seriously injured, while a few cars were damaged. VL says that after ‘Zrinjski’ fans withdrew, a bus with ‘Zrinjski’ football players, which was on the way back from Trebinje, was stopped and attacked in Stolac. The windows on the bus were broken and few persons were injured. VL also says that the police could not intervene at first since there were about 200 persons attacking the bus, however, more policemen were sent on the spot and they managed to calm the situation down. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Bus with ‘Zrinjski’ football players attacked’, mentioned on cover ‘Now you will see how balijas (insulting name for Bosniaks) slaughter’ by I. Raguz, Dnevni List cover pg splash and pgs 2 and 3 ‘State of emergency in Stolac’ by N. Bise also report on these incidents. Dnevni List pgs 4 and 5 ‘Main goal spreading of hatred and intolerance’ not signed carries a press release of football club ‘Zrinjski’ in which they condemn the incident and all those who provoked it, as well as, those who caused the incident by their acting, and who, perhaps, provoked it, in order to undermine reputation of ‘Zrinjski’ and relations in this area and whole BiH. DL pg 5 ‘Riots of fans were announced from Trebinje’ by N. Dedic carries that according to the sources close to the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Ministry of Interior, it was announced from Trebinje that ‘Zrinjski’ fans were drunk and that they were taking off Serb symbols from the institutions in Trebinje. The article also quotes spokesperson of the HNC MoI Srecko Bosnjak who says that the investigation on this case has been underway.

DL op-ed condemns incidents in Stolac

 

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Stolac is going back to 1993’ by A. Verbac carries an editorial in which the author harshly condemns the incident in Stolac. According to the editorial, Stolac sits on tinderbox and the time will show as to what even will put Stolac on fire.