Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 23 May
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) |
| BiH HoP on rights of HVO victims | SNSDs Spiric: boycott of Parliament |
| Polit. leaders with McElhaney today | 55.5% voted for independence |
| Tihic and Covic on Mostar budget | World News |
TV news broadcast on 22 May
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Referendum in | 14 years of BiH being UN member | |
| Jukic on atmosphere in | Conference of Police Chiefs in SA | Serbian reactions on referendum |
| Djukanovic on referendum | Ivanic at EBRD annual assembly | European reactions on referendum |
| Serbian Army on Montenegrin refere. | Misic and Dodik had meeting | BiH reactions on referendum |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| | | Regional News |
| Survey in | Serbian and regional reactions | Press Conference announced |
| Rastodar on situation in | BiH reactions on referendum | Regional News |
| Kosovo on | European reactions on referendum | RS reactions to CG independence |
| Oslobodjenje | |
| Dnevni Avaz | [BiH CoM Chair Terzic] There will be no Commission only for |
| Dnevni List | Crime rages because of divided police [Police chiefs conference in |
| Vecernji List | Pupil drowned [Pupil drowned in Neum] |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Covic removes Bagaric [Steering Board Chairman of Mostar Clinic removed, papers suspect HDZ’s Covic is behind it] |
| Nezavisne Novine | |
| Glas Srpske | 25.000 ballots disputable [Montenegrin referendum] |
| EuroBlic | Separation – 55,4% yes, 44,6% no [Montenegrin referendum] |
| Vecernje novosti | Brothers went [Montenegrin referendum] |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| BiH HoR Deputy Chair Spiric invited Serb representatives to boycott work of HoR
| BH Radio 1 by Mirsad Bajtarevic – Following the meeting with the RS PM Milorad Dodik and Chair of RS Association of missing persons form Eastern Sarajevo, Mirjana Simanic, Deputy Chair of BiH HoR Nikola Spiric has invited the RS representatives in the HoR to walk out of the session on Wednesday after the plenary session and to boycott the work of the House until the Commission for sufferings of Sarajevo Serbs, Croats, Jews, Bosniaks and others is established by the Council of Ministers. Spiric stated tension around this issue rose with a reason, considering that the establishment was ordered by the BiH Parliament in |
| 55.5% of Montenegrins voted for independence | |
Montenegrin referendum | |
| Montenegrin referendum: 55.4% of citizens voted for independence; PM Djukanovic hopes that
| BHT1 by Sasa Delic, Podgorica – According to first preliminary results of Sunday’s referendum, citizens of |
| Deputy Speaker Montenegrin Assembly:
| Hayatby Nebojsa Redzic, Podgorica – In an interview to NTV Hayat, Rifat Rastoder, Deputy Speaker of Montenegrin Assembly, discussed the advantages of independence for |
| EU and NATO: Montenegrin referendum would have no impact o the region and future of Kossovo
| BHT1 by Elvir Bucalo |
| European Parliament’s Pack: Respect results of referendum in | |
| Serbian officials to address citizens after results of Montenegrin referendum are final;
| BHT1 by Vesna Simic, |
| Presidency Chair Tihic: Montenegrin referendum will not warm up separatists’ ideas of Albanians in Kosovo and Serbs in RS
| BHT 1 – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic and BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic congratulated Montenegrin citizens and officials on the results of Sunday’s referendum for independence. “I think this it a victory for |
| CoM Chair Terzic: I expect continuance of good relations between BiH and
| Dnevni Avaz pg 20 ‘Terzic expect continuance of good relations between two states’ not signed – The Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic stated for DA that he “expects continuance of pretty concrete and good relation between [BiH and Montenegro]. Process of dissolution of former |
| BiH officials congratulate Montenegrin citizens; BiH Presidency member Paravac: question is whether disintegration of
| FTV – The referendum in |
| Officials in the region congratulated Montenegrin independence; announce soon recognition
| BHT1 – BHT 1 comments that the Montenegrin referendum for independence was closely monitored in all countries in the region, especially in Kosovo. Kosovo media in Albanian language stated that Montenegrin referendum was an example for Kosovo. “It is a great thing that |
| NGO Serb People’s Movement ‘Choice is ours’ organized signing petition for secession of RS from BiH in Prijedor on Monday
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Call for secession from BiH’ by B.Ka, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Petition for separation’ by G. S., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Sigantures for separation’ by P. S., – NGO Serb People’s Movement ‘Choice is ours’ organized signing petition for secession of RS from BiH in Prijedor on Monday. Prior to this, the NGO organized similar events in Doboj, Bijeljina and Gradiska. NGO’s President Dane Cankovic said: “it is a time for RS to create independent state… for if certain national minorities like Albanians can do it in Serbia, why we cannot do it, because BiH Serbs are constitutive people that has right to decide on its destiny.” Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Referendum for secession of RS possible’ by B. Rogic – Chairman of Serb movement of non-government organizations ‘SPONA’, Branislav Dukic announced that they would demand from the International Community to organize in the RS a referendum on secession of the RS from BiH. |
| Oslobodjenje editorial: Unlike
| Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Right on independence’ op-ed by Zija Dizdarevic – Commenting the Montenegrin referendum, the editorial reminds of the recent column published by the former US Ambassador to |
| DA op-ed: one of key regional issues now for
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘ |
| VL: Montenegrin independence shatters dreams of ‘Great Serbia’, strengthens BiH; DL: independence will have no effects on events in BiH
| Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Montenegrin ‘yes’ for more stable BiH’, by Eldina Medunjanin – commenting on the result of referendum in Montenegro, the author thinks the decision will have many direct and indirect consequence for BiH. Firstly, BiH and the new state will have to organize diplomatic relations, take care of many bilateral issues etc. More significantly, Medunjanin believes the independence will make all those who dream about ‘Great Serbia’ realize that the dream is over and that there will be no exchange of territories in the Balkans, which will in turn strengthen BiH. Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Happy independence’, by Sanja Bjelica – also comments on the Montenegrin referendum saying it will not have any effect on events in BiH whatsoever. Bjelica reckons that relations between BiH and |
| Die Welt op-ed: If Montenegro was allowed to hold referendum, so should RS
| Die Welt ‘Chances of small statehoods’ by Stefanie Bolzen – Commenting Montenegrin referendum for independence, editorial published in Berlin-based daily reads that Montenegro now buried the last remains of Yugoslavia, adding that, after the wars in the Balkans, the EU HR for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, wanted to prevent “secessionist Domino-effect through forced partnership between Serbia and Montenegro. Yet the Unionists lost, Solana lost, and the EU has to deal with yet another country who wants to join the club… [Succession] is unquestionable risk to be allowed a propos Serbia, which after the loss of Montenegro and possibly Kosovo, stretches its arms even more strongly towards BiH and demands of the RS. But if Montenegro was entitled to self-determination, this should also have to be applicable in the case of the RS.” In its upcoming Presidency over EU, Germany is to inherit large burden of moderation, argues the author, noting the reason for this is disappointing result of Austrian term when it comes to the Balkans. Thus, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as a EU-Chair in 2007, will have a chance to strongly influence both the EU and the Balkans. Author reminds of the German preference of “privileged partnership” between EU and Western Balkans countries rather than the membership itself, and concludes: “It must remain clear that European integrations are worthwhile for both small countries of the Balkans and the entire |
Other political issues | |
| New mtg on const. changes on Tue: RS officials say there would be no new negotiations, without discussion on anything by things already agreed
| BHT1 – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated on Monday that representatives of political parties would discuss the ‘position of constitutional changes’ during the working lunch hosted by the U.S. Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney in |
| Mtg on const. changes – SNSD’s Dodik: only logical thing would be to work on complete reconstruction of the Constitution after elections; PDP’s Ivanic:issue is whether FBiH parties are capable of solving it
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Dodik and Ivanic do not believe in constitutional changes before elections’ by Z.P. and A.M. – Commenting meeting to be hosted by the US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney in his Sarajevo residence on Tuesday, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik told daily that the only logical thing would be to work on complete reconstruction of the Constitution after elections, adding that working in phases should not be an option: “Our suggestion is to establish mixed parliamentary commission just after the elections, which would be composed of deputies and experts from the field… We have opportunity to adopt that constitution within two years.” SDA Secretary General, Amir Zukic, stated: “We think that we should fight for better functioning of BiH state, for in that case Dodik could not get this attention and block police reform.” For BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic [PDP] his party will be represented by PDP Presidency member Vinko Radovanovic. Ivanic told daily from |
| NN source comments mtg on const. changes: two scenarios possible – either implementation of Agreement after elections or “exerting pressure” on HDZ 1990 to adopt it before elections
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Search for support to constitutional changes’ by M. Cubro and S. Gojkovic – Anonymous NN’s collocutor says aim of the meeting on constitutional changes to be held today, is to ensure the support of the international community in order to implement the Agreement on the constitutional changes immediately after the elections. The source says there are two possible scenarios to be discussed during the meeting: either to ensure the implementation after elections to launch the second phase or to “exert pressure” on HDZ 1990 for them to change their stances and support the changes in a repeated Parliamentary procedure before the elections. SDA’s Sefik Dzaferovic on Monday stated he does not know which topic will be discussed during the meeting, HDZ’s Miso Relota said HDZ President Dragan Covic will attend the meeting and advocate for continuation of negotiations after elections, |
| HR
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Adopt a package of laws by elections’ by Srna – High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling will on Wednesday appeal on BiH Parliament delegates to adopt a package of reforms in the period of time of 100 days before October elections, as according to OHR’s press statement. The press statement reads that the delegates cannot afford to miss the chance to show BiH citizens and International Community they can work seriously and efficiently on improvement of life conditions and to lead BiH forward. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘To use hundred days before election for passing of reform packages’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Adopt reforms in 100 days’ by R. I. – also reported. |
| HKDU leader Musa: Another talks on const. changes now is farce
| Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Another discussion on amendments – a farce’, by Ljiljana Vidacak – the President of HKDU (Croat Christian Democratic Union), Ivan Musa, says the announcement according to which constitutional amendments could again be in parliamentary procedure is nothing but legal and political farce. He explains that from the legal point of view, 6 months have to pass between discussions in the BiH Parliament about the constitutional changes, whilst politically wise, it is ‘a circus’ to ask from the MPs to change their position. Musa also says the solution for a just BiH is to have ‘mathematically speaking’ 1 state, 3 peoples, 3 entities/federal units and 3 levels of authority. |
| BiH Central Election Commission’s findings reveal illegal funding of parties
| Dnevni List, pg 9, mentioned on front ‘ |
| HDZ submitted demand to the BiH
| Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Verification of participation at election of HDZ 1990 questionable’ by A.Terzic – According to daily, in the next few days the BiH Central Election Commission would decide if application of the HDZ 1990, under that name, is possible at 2006 general elections. Namely, in last few days HDZ has sent a demand for prevention of the verification of HDZ 1990, arguing that two parties under name HDZ could confuse the voters. In a statement for daily, Chair of the BiH |
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| RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Election strategy was adopted’ by V. Popovic – |
| SNSD’s Kunic:
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘ |
| FBiH PM Hadzipasic revokes Govt’s decision on reducing police salaries
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Hadzipasic revoked decision on decreasing police salaries’ by M.Kukan – FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic issued a statement, revoking FBiH Government’s decision from the past week to decrease salaries of police officers by almost 20%. Hadzipasic stressed that his Government is preparing the amendments to the Law on police officers, adding that the salaries would remain the same, for FBiH Government wants to improve standard of policemen. Amendments will be aiming to decrease the differences in salary categories. FBiH Government would send amendments to the parliamentary procedure in 30 days. Inset ‘Talk with Miletic’ – Daily learns that Hadzipasic met FBiH Police Director Zlatko Miletic, stressing that FBiH Government does not want to diminish efficiency of the police fore in its fight against criminal. Hadzipasic explained that disputable decision was brought due to harmonisation of salaries of FBiH officials. FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Policemen will not have lower salaries’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘FBiH Government respects results of police work’ by Fena, Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Same salaries to police officers’, by eme, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Changes to Law on police officers’, by NINA – also covered. |
| SD: HDZ’s Covic removes Chairman of Mostar Clinic’s Steering Board Bagaric because he attended inaugural session of HDZ 1990
| Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 13 ‘Covic removed Bagaric’, by Petar Milos – the Chairman of Steering Board of the Mostar Clinic (under construction), Dr. Ivan Bagaric (he is also an MP in the Croatian Parliament representing Croatian Diaspora), was removed from the office in the Steering Board allegedly without an explanation. He says he learnt about it when he called the secretary of the FBIH Ministry of Health in |
| DL:
| Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘ |
| CoE Monitoring Team assesses BiH progress in obligations toward the CoE
| FTV- BiH Presidency members Borislav Paravac and Ivo Miro Jovic on Monday met the delegation of the Council of Europe’s Monitoring Team, which will stay in BiH until May 27, as a part of regular assessment of progress BiH has made regarding the obligations towards the Council of Europe. Constitutional reforms, October election, the implementation of the agreement on police reconstruction, adoption of the state law on higher education, cooperation with ICTY and human rights in BiH were the main topics during the meeting on Monday. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Defence reform can be a good example’ by Fena – Defence reforms was positively evaluated, and it was stressed that it can be used as an example for other upcoming reforms. |
| Sinisa Macan appointed new CIPS Director
| RTRS, Glas Srpske cover page ‘Macan new Director’ by Srna, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Sinisa Macan appointed for CIPS Director’ by Srna, Nezavisne Novine pg 10 ‘Sinisa Macan new Director’ by N. Krsman – Board of Civil Service for appeals within Council of Ministers has reached a decision on appointment Sinisa Macan for CIPS Director. By this decision solution of BiH Civil Service Agency, which appointed Mustafa Pasalic, is annulled. BiH Civil Affairs Minister Deputy Zoran Tesanovic expressed satisfaction with this decision, adding that this is the victory of the legal system and not of frivolous people, such as Minister Safet Halilovic. Tesanovic reminds that on several occasions he has warned the CoM about Halilovic’s decision, which questions the constitutionality of BiH peoples. |
| Negotiations on mitigating visa regime to start on May 30
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘What consultations on visa regime mitigation can bring to our country’ by T.Lazovic – On May 30 representatives of BiH security Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry would start negotiations with the EC on mitigating of visa regime for BiH. Head of the Delegation would be BiH Security Ministry Secretary Bakir Dautbasic who confirmed that during the meeting the progress of BiH would be presented. Dautbasic expect for the EC to present its stances, adding that EC Delegation could be lead by Jan de Ceuster, Head of Justice, Freedom and Security department within Commissariat lead by Franco Frattini. |
| SDA and HDZ officials met in Mostar, but agreement on Mostar issue wasn’t reached
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Mostar issue still without solution’ by F.Vele – Meeting of HDZ, SDA and Mostar City representatives dedicated to crisis in functioning of city authorities and Bosniak-Croat relations in general was held in Mostar on Monday night. Meeting, scheduled due to pressures from the International Community for the Mostar budget 2006 to be adopted, was attended by the HDZ and SDA leaders Dragan Covic and Sulejman Tihic respectively, officials of Cantonal Boards of both parties, Cantonal Prime Minister Miroslav Coric, Chair of Cantonal Assembly Omer Cevra, Mostar Major Ljubo Beslic and Chair of City Council Murat Coric. After the meeting, HDZ officials claimed that “solution is on sight”, while SDA officials stressed that “there is no solution for Mostar” and it seems that budget will not be passed at Wednesday’s session of the Mostar City Council, though Beslic announced otherwise. Author comments that SDA is still trying to use the budget issue to warn at full failure of Mostar integration. “We have talked about seven to eight issues that present Mostar problem. Systematization of city administration employees, budget issue, street names…we exchanged opinions and got our stances closer, but we still have no final agreement” said Tihic. Asked if the agreement was reached n the budget, which OHR insists on, Tihic said that this issue would be solved by City Council. Covic, expressed certainly that the budget would be passed at following session, adding that SDA has conditioned the budget passing by “carrying out o some projects”. |
| GS op-ed: there are no differences between parties in BiH, these are all in essence nationalistic
| Glas Srpske op-ed pg 2 ‘Factor genocide’ by Nenad Kecmanovic – Elaborating on whether genocide had been committed over Bosniak people during the war in BiH, the author says Serbs had not attempted to systematically destroy Muslims in BiH. He also says, although Muslims had the highest number of casualties, it was not because they were sitting tight but because they were fighting on three different battlefields despite to the fact they had not been adequately armed. The author says that, in accordance with statistic data from Sarajevo, the number of victims radically decreased from 200.000 down to 60.000, which is in percentage not much higher number than the number of casualties in other two sides in the war. Therefore, the author concludes the thesis on genocide is only a tool of political manipulation, wondering whether some new politicians might put the end to inter-ethnic conflicts in BiH and concludes by saying there are no differences between parties in BiH because these are all, in their essence, nationalistic parties and he says BiH cannot exist as a democratic state but only as one-party state or personal dictatorship state that controls democracy. He adds: ‘now you have a real authority of international protectorate, i.e. of American Ambassador and the HR, along with a decorative democracy.’” |
Dispute over Commission for suffering of | |
| RS reps in CoM demand Comm. on suffering of Sarajevo Serbs; Chair Terzic still believes Comm. should be established for entire country, not separately for each city
| RTRS – At next session of the Council of Ministers,the RS representatives will make decision regarding the request of the RS Association of families of fallen and missing soldiers and civilians from |
| RS PM Dodik: RS Ministers would leave CoM if the Commission for sufferings of Sarajevo Serbs is not established
| FTV, Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘Boycott of Ministers’ by M. L. – The RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik reiterated on Monday that the special Commission for investigating wartime suffering of Serbs in |
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| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Boycott of Council of Ministers’ by A.O., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Attack on citizens’ rights’ by Z. M. – |
| BiH CoM Chair Terzic: Only what is right is to establish the Commission for whole the state
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 4 ‘There will be no commission only for Sarajevo’ by S.Numanovic – In a short interview for daily, the Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, denied claims of the RS politicians that he does not want to allow establishment of the Commission on suffering of Serbs in Sarajevo: “BiH Parliament demanded establishment of the Commission for suffering of all citizens – Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats, Jews and others. The only right thing to do, as far as I am concerned, is to establish the Commission for entire state. We can task it to deal with sufferings of |
| RS Veterans’ Association: RS representatives at CoM greatly responsible for Terzic’s behaviour | Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Enough of double standards’ by S.Sekara– Presidency of RS Veterans’ Association decided at Monday’s session that would invite all RS representatives in BiH joint institutions to take the common stance regarding the attacks from the FBiH, which attempt to question RS survival. Head of the Association Pantelija Djurguz stated that statement of Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic regarding the Commission for Sufferings of Sarajevo Serbs is “inappropriate and for judgment”. “There is a feeling that representatives of the RS who sit at the CoM are in good part responsible for Terzic’s behaviour” said Djurguz. |
Fight against crime, economic issues | |
| Conference of police chiefs in
| BHT1- The 28th Conference of Police Chiefs of European Capitals has commenced in |
| RS MoI officials and RS Prosecutor’s Office held a meeting in “Mrakovica” villa, discussed fight against organised crime
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Main topic fight against crime’ by D. R. – Highest police officials of RS, with Minister of Interior Stanislav Cadjo at the head, met with top-officials of RS Prosecutor’s Office in “Mrakovica” villa on Kozara with an aim to intensify fight against organised crime, as according to information of Nezavisne Novine. A special police unit for fight against crime, which had been recently established in frame of RS MoI, was presented during the meeting. RS MoI did not want to reveal which topics were discussed, yet those who are informed claim organised crime was the main topic. |
| EBRD prepared to finance road reconstruction and gasification project in BiH
| PINK- BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic, who is attending the annual conference of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development [EBRD] in |
| RS Trade Union submitted RS PM Dodik with demand for audit of privatization in eight companies | RTRS by Stela Jungic – On Monday, the RS PM Milorad Dodik met the Chair of RS Trade Union Ranka Misic to discuss new laws and regulations on the black labour market and audit of the privatization. Misic submitted to Dodik a demand on audit of privatization in eight RS companies. Meeting also focused on the bankruptcy procedures, and Dodik said the RS Government would propose changes to the law in order to ensure the priority in the procedure is payments of debts toward employees. He also noted his dissatisfaction with the practice of bankruptcy administrators, which prefer selling rather than rehabilitating companies. Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Eight companies the priority’ by O.V., Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Trade Union asks audit of privatization in eight companies’ by Srna, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Demands for privatisation audit’ by Srna, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Check-up in eight firms’ by D. Filipovic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘All suspicions must be checked’ by M. M.– also reported. |