| CROAT RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Pope’s visit | Ivan Merc beatified | Pope’s visit | Pope’s visit |
| EUPM on Pope’s visit | Pope’s address |
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| Croatia developments | Middle East |
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| SARS | Explosion in Iraq |
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| Oslobodjenje | Pope John Paul II to BiH citizens: Believe in God and move on from the beginning |
| Dnevni Avaz | Pope called for forgiveness |
| Dnevni List | “Pope: BiH, I ma taking you in my heart!”; “Banja Luka Bishop Franjo Komarica: Due to will of this world power-wielders Catholic Church is faced with total extermination”; “Criminal charges against 18 political officials in power soon” |
| Vecernji List | “Pope called on mutual forgiveness”; “Politicians will remain without big fees” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | “Wounded Bosnia in Pope’s heart”; “General Dzanko is becoming The Hague witness soon” |
| Glas Srpske | Text Book Review Commissions: History is shortened; Experts on this years wheat crop: Drought takes measurements; Banjaluka: Candles at Drakulic |
| Nezavisne Novine | Roman Catholic Head in visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina: Pope calls on mutual forgiveness and reconciliation |
| Blic | Build your future by yourself |
| Vecernje Novosti | Pope in Banja Luka: Mutual forgiveness |
Pope’s visit to BiH | |
| Arrival
| Croat Radio Herceg-Bosna, BHTV 1, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje front-page, pgs. 4-5 ‘Believe in God and move on from the beginning’, Dnevni Avaz front page, pgs. 2-3 ‘Pope calls for forgiveness’, Blic pg. 6&7 ‘Build your future by yourself’, Vecernje Novosti pg. 24&25 ‘Mutual forgiveness’, BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, International Herald Tribune – Early on Sunday, upon his arrival, Pope’s was welcomed by BH Presidency members, High Representative Paddy Ashdown, Catholic Church representatives and other state and entity officials. In his opening remarks, President of BH Presidency, Borislav Paravac greeted Pope and all other people that gathered who came to mission of peace and friendship. “We experience Your visit as a confirmation to our certain path to European integration. This is a great encouragement in accomplishing this very important goal. I am convinced that here today, inspired by Your missions, we are sending out to the world the message of peace, love and human virtues. I am hoping that this will bring us closer to full reconciliation of people in South-East Europe.” Pope said that he understood the situation of BH citizens, expressing hope that international community would stay with BiH. He highlighted that the future of BiH was in hands of its authorities and citizens. He said to BH citizens to “be builders of their own future. Your true treasure was existence of your character and your rich human, cultural and religious heritance.” Pope also said that he hoped BiH would become a member of EU. At the following meeting with BH Presidency, Pope exchanged presents with its members. |
| Holly Mass in Petricevac, beatification of Ivan Merz | At the holy mess held in Petricevac, about 50.000 pilgrims gathered. On this occasion Pope beatified Ivan Merz, born in Banja Luka. He said to BiH citizens to be builders of their own future so BiH could become a part of united Europe, in atmosphere of progress, freedom and peace. Banja Luka Bishop, Franjo Komarica stressed the need for reconciliation based on truth, forgiveness to others, while he at the same time asked for forgiveness of those Catholics who committed crimes. He also said that this church in wider Banja Luka region is before extinction. Komarica said “dozens of thousands of Catholics from the region of Banja Luka and other parts of BiH were still waiting to return to their homes, to be with their parish, and continue decent life.” Pope said he wished his visit contribute to peace and reconciliation.” In the afternoon Pope met top entities’ officials and the representatives of BH Inter-religious Council. Serb Patriarch Pavle was not present, but there were other representatives of Serb Orthodox Church. Pope left BiH at around 19.30. |
| Not a single incident reported
| Pilgrims arrived to Banja Luka with 460 buses and approximately 700 private vehicles. After the mess, pilgrims left Banja Luka satisfied. One of the pilgrims stated that he wished to commend the work performed by local police forces, calling them outmost professionals. Pope’s visit in Banja Luka passed without even a single security incident. The only problem presented a parked car early this morning. Spokesperson for RS MoI, Zoran Glusac explained that police that patrolled the road Pope’s vehicle was to take noticed parked car whose owner they could not find, and therefore the car was searched together with SFOR. However, nothing was found and problem was avoided. OHR and EUPM expressed satisfaction with fully secured environment during the Pope’s visit. |
| No protests against Pope’s visit at commemoration for victims from WWII | RTRS, FTV- Commemoration for 2000 victims of Ustasha crimes from WWII in Drakulici near Banja Luka. Participants at the commemoration conveyed a message that they do not oppose Pope’s visit, but the mass should have been on Petricevac. There has not been incidents and protest during this event. Commemoration mass was held also in Saint Sava church in Belgrade as a protest against Pope’s visit to Petricevac where these atrocities from 1942 were committed. |
| Dnevni Avaz editorial on Pope’s visit | Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 Commentary of the Day by Husein Orahovac ‘Inappropriate politicisation’ – Orahovac claims that a politicisation of the Pope’s visit to BiH coming from RS reveals a low level of the political culture and a lack of sense of belonging to the state of BiH. |
| Cro-Press on Pope’s visit to Banja Luka | Dnevni List (front and pages 3, 4 and 5, “Pope: BiH, I am taking you in my heart!”), Slobodna Dalmacija (front and pages 2 and 3, “Wounded Bosnia in Pope’s heart”), Vecernji List (front and pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, “Pope called on mutual forgiveness”), Jutarnji List (front and pages 2, 3 and 4, “Pope demanded forgiveness for crimes committed by sons of Catholic Church”) and Vjesnik (page 1, 2 and 3, “Pope called on people to stay in BiH, on reconciliation and forgiveness”) carry that Pope visited Banja Luka yesterday and beatified Ivan Merz. In his speech Pope expressed his regret over injustice and sufferings that members of the Catholic Church caused to the others in that area and added that relations of new brotherhood and understanding can be only built through mutual forgiveness and reconciliation. Pope is quoted as saying: “Do not look for more comfortable life anywhere. Do not run away from your responsibility waiting that somebody else resolves your problems, but prevent evil with strength of goodness.” On the same issue DL (front and pages 4 and 5, not signed, “Bishop Komarica: Due to will of this world power-wielders Catholic Church is faced with total extermination”) carries that Banja Luka’s Bishop Franjo Komarica stated in his speech: “In spite of our peaceful behavior, that is well-known to our neighbors and international representatives, due to the will of this world power-wielders, the Catholic Church in a wider area of Banja Luka is faced with total extermination.” The dailies note that none representative of the Serb Orthodox Church attended the Pope’s mass and the dailies also note that the visit passed without incidents. Vecernji List (page 2, not signed) carries an editorial saying that in spite of the fact that protocol wanted that the Pope’s visit is the religious and not the official, state one, all sides will try to score political points from the Pope’s visit. “Serbs will claim that with his coming to Banja Luka Pope recognized the Republika Srpska in some way, Bosniaks will be stressing his coming to BiH as a state and Croats will try to divert attention to their difficult position, especially with regard to the return to the Serb entity. Banja Luka authorities did everything that the visit passes as best as possible. They tried to send a picture to the world showing that the RS functions as rule of law even when it is being deprived of that quality due to the nature of the Pope’s protocol.” Dnevni List (page 2, by Ivica Glibusic) carries an editorial dealing with the Pope’s visit to Banja Luka. Among the other things, the editorial says: “Believers understood well Pope’s messages, however, I hope that political leaders also heard and understood well these messages. BiH politicians have to realize Pope’s words of reconciliation and forgiveness… At the end of the mass representatives of the religious communities, Jewish Municipality and Islamic Religious Community welcomed Pope. The Serb Orthodox Church, that is, its representatives, did not condescend to welcome that man who goes on pilgrimages all over the world and calls on peace, tolerance and human rights. This is just another proof that all spiritual leaders in BiH are not ready for tolerance and reconciliation.” |
| Pope’s visit in RS Press | Nezavisne Novine, pages 1, 2, 3 and 20 & 21, ‘Pope calls on mutual forgiveness and reconciliation’ – NN extensively reports on Sunday’s 22 June, visit to Banjaluka by the Head of the Roman Catholic Church, John Paul II, who, on the occasion beatified Ivan Merz. NN divides the report into following sub-titles: Reception, Before the mass, The Blessed Ivan Merz, Forgiveness and reconciliation, Greeting in five languages, Pope with Inter-religious council, Farewell, and 199 medical interventions. On pages 20 and 21, NN carry pictures on Pope’s visit to Banjaluka. NN also contains insets, which are as follows: Citizens of Drakulic lit candles for the Serbs murdered in 1942, False alarm halted the traffic for two hours, Four days of travel on foot to attend the mass and Cherry pie for the Pope. (Glas Srpske reports on Pope’s visit to Banjaluka on page 2. The main article is the one entitled “Pope calls on reconciliation”, which deals with the beatification of Ivan Merz, speech by Pope and some other issues of interest (VIP participants, etc. Other articles are entitled: ‘The truth is the foundation of reconciliation’, speech by Banjaluka Bishop Franjo Komarica, “Everybody needs peace’, speech by Borislav Paravc, ‘Provocation’, police threats prior top visit and after the visit saying that “You preserved the Pope, but will not preserve Dragan Cavic”, ‘Sahovnice beyond Protocol’, ‘Police passed the test’, statement by EUPM officer, Alun Roberts.) Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Candles at Drakulic’ – The local population of Drakulic settlement in Banjaluka yesterday lit candles at the Commemoration site for 2297 Serbs, who were murdered at this site on 7 February 1942. The ceremony was also attended by approximately 550 children. Nezavisne Novine editorial by Slavisa Sabljic, ‘Pope’ – In an article, the author refers to the Pope as the “pilgrim of the peace and promoter of dialogue and ecumenism amongst religions and all nations of the world”. The author commends the visit of the Pope to Banjaluka, Republika Srpska and BiH, when he asked for forgiveness for the sins committed by “some sons of the Roman Catholic Church”. The author also, in some way, wonders into the reasons that the visit has passed without any incident or related. In his view, this may be a reason of esteem towards the guest, the manners of the host or the culture and good manners, which operates amongst Balkans’ people from time to time… The author concludes the article by saying that Pope has become a part of history already. “Because of the Pope, the historians have already included yesterday’s date into the history of Banjaluka, Republika Srpska and BiH. In the history of the town, which should not forget the fact that the good and good people have always existed. And still.”, concludes Sabljic. |
BiH-international community relations | |
| Osman Topcagic on the significance of Summit in Greece
| Dnevni Avaz pg. 4, mentioned on the front page ‘Osman Topcagic on the significance of Summit in Greece – Signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement by the end of the year’ – “The Summit in Greece was an extraordinary opportunity for the Western Balkans including BiH to come again in the focus of the EU and World interest. This was an event which almost 5,000 people were participated in, and among them there were some of the high-ranking European politicians,” said Osman Topcagic, the acting Director of the BiH Directorate for the European Integration. He added that he expected the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU to be signed by the end of this year. |
| Romano Prodi, Ivanic on Thessaloniki Summit | Dnevni List (page 6, by De. L., “Problem of BiH is still existing separatism”) carries that EC President Romano Prodi stated that the progress in Balkans, especially on the territory of former Yugoslavia, differs from one country to another, and added: “For instance, you are aware that there are many difficulties in BiH due to the political situation and separatists that still exist… Other cases are better, however, the progress is present everywhere. The real problem is in the area of politics exclusively. When you are a big market then the assistance in investments exist. Therefore, the problems in Balkans are of political nature and it should be clarified that the past is only fiction.” On the same issue DL (page 2, by De. L.) carries BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic as saying: “The Summit was very successful with the message saying that Balkans’ countries will be the EU members. Even those countries that opposed such stand have shown a much bigger degree of support and this is a very positive surprise for me.” |
| ‘BiH authorities and OHR do not care about the children from Diaspora’ | Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Diaspora requests regulation of the additional education of children’, Oslobodjenje pg. 3, mentioned on the front page ‘BiH authorities and OHR do not care about the children from Diaspora’, Dnevni List page 8, FENA – The World Congress of the BiH Diaspora has been disappointed with a fact their suggestions related to the additional education of children in Diaspora, presented recently to the BiH and OHR officials in Sarajevo, have not been included in the new draft law on primary schools. For this reason the Congress sent a letter to Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic, Chairman of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly Sefik Dzihanovic, BiH Minister of Civil Affairs and Communication Safet Halilovic and Deputy High Representative Gerhard Enver Schroembgens asking them at least to put their proposals as Amendments in the procedure of passing of the aforementioned law. |
| DL on possible changes of BiH Constitution | Dnevni List (page 8, by Miso Relota, “Start with process of constitutional changes as soon as possible”) reminds of the initiative launched by Bosniak member of the BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic for the change of the BiH Constitution and DL says that Serb politicians are against it. The article says that an unofficial comment of international organizations, first of all, of the OHR says that none is against constitutional changes, however, that they have to be the result of an agreement of all parties involved. Head of the EC Mission in BiH Michael Humphreys stressed that he does not expect that some kind of a Post-Dayton conference will take place in terms that it is imposed by the International Community. He added: “If it will take place then it has to be the result of an internal agreement.” Croat member of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic stated with regard to this issue: “The mechanism of protection of vital, national interest is incorporated in the Mostar City Statute. If that mechanism is incorporated in the Statute of one city then it has to exit at the sate level as well.” |
| RS Press on Thessaloniki Summit | Glas Srpske, page 3, ‘Door to the Balkans opened’; Nezavisne Novine, page 4, ‘States dictate the membership, not the European Union’ – The conclusion of the Declaration enacted on Saturday at the Summit of EU and south-eastern European states at Thessalonike, is that the admission of Bosnia and Herzegovina into EU membership, together with four other states of the western Balkans, depends upon their readiness to respect the European standards. The leaders of the BiH, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia and Albania have obligated that they would be strengthening the rule of law, which includes the fight against organised crime, trafficking in people, refugee returns and closer co-operation with the Hague Tribunal. According to Glas Srpske inset, at the Thessaloniki Summit, the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, has addressed the issue of the organisation of police forces in BiH, namely whether it makes any sense to have 11 police forces in BiH, 1 Commissioners. |
| Schwartz Schilling in Banjaluka | Glas Srpske, page 3, ‘Srpska on the right path’ – International mediator for BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling said on Saturday that the RS has achieved another guideline in its development and on the path of accepting European values and standards, which is proved by the visit of Pope John Paul II to Banja Luka. “Who would have thought that ten years after the war completed, Pope would visit Banja Luka”, wondered Schilling and emphasised that this is an example of endeavours that are made by everybody, especially the religious leaders, in establishing of reconciliation in BiH. Reminding that he will soon be stepping down from the duty of mediator for BiH, Schilling said that this job should be taken over by the local authorities in order to develop the democratic society, the rule of law, co-existence and better future for everybody here. He said that over the past days he had visited municipalities Teslic, Sanski Most, Prijedor and Modrica where he observed that good will exists for working together. “Such atmosphere was not present before and there was no dialogue between the different parties”, he said, and particularly stressed the co-operation between municipalities Prijedor and Sanski Most “as an example of good co-operation between the two entities”. Sarajevo media also covered the issue. |
Incidents; crime | |
| A Bosniak returnee to Janja beaten up
| Dnevni Avaz pg. 8 ‘Wild Stevic threatened in the presence of police he would set on fire a half of Janja’ – Four persons of the Serb nationality brutally beaten up a 64 years old Bosniak returnee to Janja, Smail Smajic, on Saturday. Smajic, who is suffering a hear disease, was saved by a young Bosniak bypassing the site. Smajic was than transported to the Tuzla Medical Centre for treatment. The Janja police pressed just misdemeanour charges against the attackers although Smajic has suffered sever injuries. |
| DL: “Criminal charges against 18 current political officials” | In light of the report on crime, prepared by the Federation of BiH Ministry of Interior (FBiH MoI) Commissioner, Zlatko Miletic, and the reaction by the FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, that this report contains only old charges and only the names of four high-ranked politicians, Dnevni list learns some data that deny Hadzipasic. The daily says that the fact that the PM is silent about announced criminal charges against 18 current political officials, filed by the FBiH Customs Administration director, proves that Hadzipasic intentionally misinforms the public. According to DL, Hadzipasic is thoroughly informed on those cases. The “book of crime”, according to DL, contains the following names: Hasan Cengic, Semso Mehmedovic, Mirsad Zutic Beganovic, Ivan Vuksic, Vinko Zoric, Esad Humo, Jasmin Imamovic, Selim Beslagic and Gavrilo Grahovac, adding that the Financial Police continues additional checking of some other officials. The article concludes with listing the names that have already been mentioned in public in the criminal context: Mile Juric and Tomo Mihalj (irregularities in the State Border Service), Dragan Covic, Miroslav Coric and Goran Bilic (Herzegovina-Neretva Canton), Sahbaz Dzihanovic and Boris Arnaut (issuing citizenship certificates in Consulates), Mila Gadzic and Maid Ljubovic (former HNC Privatisation Agency – SOKO Co. case), and Ismet Trumic, the FBiH Government Secretary. DL also learns that a comprehensive operation of taking the ones suspected of having been involved in criminal activities in will be soon undertaken. |
| Investigation into arms smuggling | Nezavisne Novine, page 4, ‘the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina police investigates arms smuggling’ – Robert Cvrtak, Spokesperson of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Police Administration, confirmed that entity police forces are co-operating on disclosing and cutting the chain of illegal arms trade. He also confirmed that the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina police is engaged in investigation into illegal arms trades from Republika Srpska with the organisations “Brotherhood of Young Muslims” and “Igaza”. |
Economic / social affairs | |
| VL on new way of appointments in Steering and Supervisory Boards of profitable companies
| Vecernji List (front page, “Politicians will lose fees” and page 9, “Politicians will lose big fees” by E. Medunjanin,) carries that the Federation of BiH Government decided to launch the procedure for announcing of public vacancy notices for the election of members in Steering and Supervisory Boards of the companies in which the Federation of BiH owns majority of capital and VL says that some of the most profitable companies from the area of telecommunications and power-supply are among them. The article also says that since it was banned to perform political duties and to be a member of the Steering Boards at the same time, many politicians withdrew from the Steering Boards. The article concludes: “In this way the influence of the Government on the work of big, profitable companies will be considerably limited, as well as, possibility that local politicians collect ‘fees’.” |
| SD: “13 contracts with PBS signed, remaining 12 cancelled: Plamenko hinders development of Eronet” | With regard to last week’s “Eronet” press conference at which it was said that pressure was being made on the PBS not to make business with this GSM operator, Slobodna Dalmacija (p 17, by Zlatko Tulic) learns that the pressure comes from Plamenko Custovic, the gray eminence of the Party for BiH and a member of the TV Council. SD says it’s no novelty, since it has been recently confirmed by international circles that the main actors in stalling and obstructing the expansion of “Eronet” net and infrastructure come from this very party and from individuals from the SDP. Tulic says Slavo Kukic has only (ab)used his position in HPT Mostar in an attempt to unify HPT Mostar and BH Telekom into one company, which the IC would not hear of. |
| Drought consequences | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Drought takes measurements’ – The predictions by all those, who were claiming that the lengthy drought would be take a measurement to the crops, proved to be true. It was proved that the harvest has been reduced to only a half of the normal harvest at the fields. |
| Interim Law on single customs and VAT
| Nezavisne Novine, page 5, ‘Arguments pro and contra single customs and VAT’ – The Interim law on merging of two customs administration and the establishment of a single Indirect Taxation Administration is to be discussed at the next Republika Srpska National Assembly session on 25 and 26 June. Damir Miljevic, President of the Republika Srpska Association of Employers, is of the view that the BiH will get a single customs, stressing that “key problems – inactivity of the customs service and smuggling would remain”. Velimir Sakan, PDP MP, expressed the view that PDP supports the reform on single customs and VAT, stressing that the party officials have not decided whether to support the proposed reforms or not. Nikola Spiric, SNSD MP, said that his party will support the reform laws, which is the first step towards the regulation of the original incomes of BiH. However, he is also of the opinion that the method “take it or leave it” is not good for BiH. Drago Kalabic, DNS MP, stated that his party will not vote for the interim law. Slobodan Popovic, SDP of BiH MP, expressed belief of this party that BiH needs a single customs and VAT. |
| Tax evasion cases in Republika Srpska | Nezavisne Novine, page 5, ’64 criminal reports over tax evasion last year’ – Milica Cvijanovic, President of the Crime Department at the Banjaluka Basic Court, stated that 67 criminal reports over tax evasion were filed at Republika Srpska Prosecutor’s Offices last year. Out of the total, the PO’s denied incitements in 3 cases, passed sentence verdicts against 30 persons and 6 acquittals. Cvijanovic is of the view that the number of undetected tax evasions is much bigger than the number of the detected tax evasions. |
| Pejic waits for OHR reaction | Nezavisne Novine, page 9, ‘Milutin Pejic waits for OHR reaction’ – Milutin Pejic, General Manager of Srpske Poste, claims he will keep assuming this duty until further notice, although the Executive Board of this firm on Friday denied his objection to decision on removal. He said that: “I am waiting for OHR reaction.” |
| Clinical Centre strike continues | Glas Srpske, page 3, ‘New warning’ – The staff of the Banjaluka Clinical Centre, who have been on strike for 26 days, will gather at three locations at 07:30 hrs on Monday morning. Zeljko Sukalo, member of the Striking Board, told the press that: “We are not satisfied with the outcome of the Republika Srpska Government session, which discussed the situation at Clinical Centre and its problems.” |
| VL on assistance to HVO and BiH Army war veterans | Vecernji List (page 11, by Ilko Barbaric, “This is typical robbery!”) carries that when the assistance that the Fund supposed to help resolving of housing issues of former HVO and BiH Army members is in question, the proportion of given funds is 7 to 1 to the benefit of Bosniaks. VL carries Head of HVO Office for Issues of Demobilized Soldiers and Homeland War Victims of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Vlado Boban who says that they are shocked over this proportion. He claims that this is discrimination and robbery since it is known that the Croat economy in the Federation of BiH fills in 60% of the budget. |
Other issues | |
| Human rights in RS
| RTRS – Respect of human rights in RS has improved, but still not satisfactory. President of RS Helsinki Committee Branko Todorovic asserts that additional education of citizens about their legal protection are necessary. There are about 8 thousand sues in the Human Rights Chamber. The young should get much more information about their rights. |
| Review of textbooks | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘History is shortened’ – The Text Boor Review Commission has completed the review of the text books (for the subjects of religion, geography, history and study of nature and society) that will be used in the Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the next school year. Wednesday is the final deadline, by which the experts for mother tongue should complete their review. It has not been established as yet whether the tongue will be defined by either territorial directives or the nation. |
| Osmanovic over refugee returns to Republika Srpska | Nezavisne Novine, page 6, ‘The tempo on refugee returns to Republika Srpska is satisfactory’ – Adil Osmanovic, Republika Srpska Vice President, gave a positive assessment onto the returns of Bosniaks to the north part of Republika Srpska, apart from municipality of Banjaluka. For this failure, he finds the local authorities and the Republika Srpska Ministry of Refugees and DP’s to be fully responsible. |
| DL: “Appeal to Croatian authorities to secure higher degree of return to Serbs” | Dnevni List (page 10, not signed) carries that during the meeting with President of Serb National Council (a political party from Croatia) Milorad Pupovac, Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska Government Dragan Mikerevic expressed belief that the Croatian authorities will exert efforts in order to resolve problems of Serbs in Croatia because this is the only way to secure a higher degree of their return to their pre-war homes. The press release issued by the RS Government says that Mikerevic promised help to Serbs in Croatia, first of all in the area of cultural cooperation. Mikerevic called on all Bosniak and Croat refugees to return to their abandoned property in the RS. |
| Editorial on Stolac: “Silent war between cross and crescent” | Slobodna Dalmacija (page 11, by Josip Jovic) editorial carries that in Stolac Muslims and Croats have gone trough different phases (of their relations), phases of love and hate, tolerance and conflicts, war and peace, but the phase of mutual distrust has been the deepest and biggest one. “It seems that some silent war of the crosses and the crescents continue even now. Distrust grows if the one side is charged with the crimes while the crimes of the other side are forgiven or not even mentioned, if one side is the privileged while the other is neglected. Obviously all know that coexistence and mutual respects are the only solution. But it is easier to say than to live in line with it. When in October 2001 the round table titled “Stolac – the place of conflict instead of conversation” was organized with the idea to promote the dialog, only one, Croat side appeared.“ |