06/23/2005

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 23/6/2005

Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 23 June

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

Manifestation ‘June Dawns’ in Mostar

Main hearing in Covic case in Sept

Spanish Amb, Jovic visit Ravno

Dokic, Pavic trial on 15 Sept in BL

Status conf. on Lijanovic case today

New suicide bombs inIraq

TV news broadcast on 22 June

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

BIH Presidency in session

BiH Presidency in session

Woman killed in road accident

FBIH HoR in session

FBiH HoR in session

Srebrenica declaration in CoE

HSP on meeting of Croat parties

Bridge btw BiH/Croatia opened

BiH Presidency on Ivanic’s dismissal

Anniversary of late Pope’s visit

OSCE’s campaign in BiH

Covic still receives Presidency salary

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

BiH Presidency in session

ITA confiscates arms from China

BiH Presidency in session

Mt on CoM crisis in Doboj on Friday

Border crossing Izacic issue

Alijagic case update

SDHR Ney on situation in BiH

Bridge btw BiH/Croatia opened

Former RS PDI Fund emp. sentenced

Mass gravesite in Dariva, Sarajevo

Discussion on Vc corridor

Trafficking charges vs. 5 persons

 

Oslobodjenje

BiH Presidency’s initiative: Urgent meeting with parties and Terzic; All 11 bridges between Croatia and BiH reconstructed; Tomo Lucic resigned because of Dragan Covic FBiH MoD owes 60 million KM?; Jankovic surrendered for 180.000 KM?

Dnevni Avaz

Grahovac: Nikolic should tender resignation; Opening of bridge: Sanader pointed out to the good cooperation with BiH; Tomo Lucic leaves after he did not support Covic

Dnevni List

New affair at sight?

Vecernji List

BiH and Croatia connected

Slobodna Dalmacija

Croatian anthem – illegal

Nezavisne Novine

New bridge was put in function

Glas Srpske

Drugs took away children [a story of former drug addict]

EuroBlic

To ban construction near the highway path

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

Srpski Nacional

Features Serbian related titles

 

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Hearing in Covic-Lijanovici case postponed to September

 

BH Radio 1 by Aida Suljevic – Main hearing in the case of Dragan Covic, Lijanovic brothers, Mato Tadic and Zdravko Lucic will start on 1 September this year, was concluded at the status conference held in the BiH Court in Sarajevo today. The main reason for the postponement of the main hearing is inability of the defence lawyers to appropriately prepare themselves for the trial, as the Prosecutor today presented them with the new evidences in the case. On 29 June, the indictments will be official read out, in accordance with the BiH Crime Procedure Code.

Trial of Dokic, Pavic stars on 15 September in BL

BH Radio 1 – Trial of former RS Communications and Transport Ministers, Brako Dokic and Marko Pavic, indicted fro misuse of office will start on 15 September before the Banja Luka Basic Court. This was today at the status conference held today.

Mothers of Srebrenica: Tadic’s arrival to Potocari commemoration will cause incidents

 

SRNA news agency – The president of the Association of Srebrenica Mothers, Hatidza Mehmedovic, warns that the arrival of Serbian president Boris Tadic for the commemoration in Potocari will cause dissatisfaction and incidents, which would be improper for a commemoration. “We condemn those who invited him. We don’t need Sulejman Tihic or anyone else to come to Potocari to hold political speeches and promotions, ” said Mehmedovic.

RS officials to meet Kostunica

SRNA – RS President Dragan Cavic, RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic and RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic would meet with Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica on Friday (tomorrow).

 

Political developments

BiH Presidency requests urgent mtg with ruling parties and Terzic on crisis in CoM; Jovic/ Paravac/ Ivanic give contradictory statements on session 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PINK, Dnevni AVaz pg 4 ‘Talks of the ruling parties on crisis in CoM to be held in Doboj’ by A.M., Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Ruling parties’ meeting by end of week’ by M. Zorlak, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘With parties’ leaders before end of week’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 14 ‘Covic has right on 6 salaries’ by B. Kristo, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Tomorrow on crisis of the authorities’ by M. Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Positive mark to Terzic’ by V. Bugarin inset ‘Talks’ – At the session held on Wednesday, the BiH Presidency decided to hold the meeting with the representatives of the BiH parliamentary parties on 24 June [Friday] in Doboj in order to resolve the current crisis in the functioning of the BiH executive government. Following the session, Ivo Miro Jovic told press conference that the Presidency has adopted the verbal report by the Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic on the causes and consequences of his acceptance of Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic.  Jovic said that Ivanic was still performing the duty of the Minister in his technical mandate.

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 2 ‘Urgent meeting with parties and Terzic’ by M.K.S. – Jovic said that Terzic informed the Presidency that he would do the same “even in case in which HR Paddy Ashdown would nominate some other candidate.”

BHT 1 by Damir Simic – Jovic said that Terzic convinced them that Ivanic was obstructing CoM’s work. “I sincerely expect serious approach to the problem. BiH future must not be brought in question, and especially not the reforms,” said Jovic. According to BHT1, while Jovic claims that Terzic’s report has been adopted, the office of the Presidency Chair, Borislav Paravac, denies this. Ivanic also claims that Presidency Chair didn’t adopt the conclusion. “I don’t have information that they adopted the conclusion. That would be a very important indication, if the Presidency adopts such conclusion, than it would be obvious that the Presidency took its side,” said Ivanic.

RTRS, FTV – Jovic adding that Ivanic should necessarily be at that meeting in Doboj as the PDP President. For this reason, Presidency has not considered Ivanic’s letter stating this would be studied at the meeting. Hayat – The Presidency has not taken stance regarding the removal yet.

Tihic says Presidency members’ opinions on Ivanic/Terzic differs, but all agree this is crisis  

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Talks of the ruling parties on crisis in CoM to be held in Doboj’ by A.M. – BiH Presidency member, Sulejman Tihic, told DA that Doboj meeting should offer solutions to the current crisis, especially since even Presidency members have different opinions on this issue. “However, we all agree with the crisis is consequence of [Terzic’s decision] and that CoM doesn’t function… We have decision on removal and statement by Ivanic, supported by the representatives of the RS Political parties, who claims he is still the Ministers. Some kind of third solution is hardly to be seen, because which ever decision we take someone will have to lose and someone will get. But, we need to find solution where none losses,” says Tihic. Inset ‘We have no Foreign Minister’ carries Tihic as saying that officially BiH has not Foreign Minister at the moment. “OHR’s opinion, when it comes to Ivanic’s technical mandate’, is just an opinion. If OHR thinks Terzic’s decision was illegally, it could have annul it or change it. For the moment, it is valid,” said Tihic.  

BiH Presidency adopts report on OSA, Manjaca/Bileca incidents; Jovic demands appointment of Ambassador to Croatia

 

PINK, Hayat, RHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 2 ‘Urgent meeting with parties and Terzic’ by M.K.S. – At the Wednesday session, BiH Presidency adopted the annual platform on the security and information policy, a report on the work of OSA for the second semester of 2004 and the information on BiH military and diplomatic missions abroad. The Presidency adopted report by the BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic report as well as EUFOR and NATO recommendations with regard to oath taking ceremonies at Manjaca and Bileca on 16 April. Members endorsed draft text of the joint declaration of the BiH Presidency and the presidents of Serbia-Montenegro and Croatia at the forthcoming meeting of the Igman initiative, scheduled to take place on 27 June in Belgrade. Ivo Miro Jovic said that he would not permit the BiH Presidency’s next session to be held unless the election of the Ambassador to Croatia is included in the agenda.

Ivo Miro Jovic says Covic entitled to salaries as former BiH Presidency member

 

Hayat by Denis Zaimovic – BiH Presidency member, Ivo Miro Jovic, told press conference on Wednesday that the payout of two salaries to the former Presidency member, Dragan Covic after he was removed by the High Representative was in line with the regulations of the BiH Presidency. He added he sees no reason for “some things, whether intentionally or accidentally, are brought up at all”. “It is his right to receive salary and he should do with his salary what ever he wants to”, said Jovic.  Reporter quotes the HR’s decision from 29 March 2005 which states that “…[Covic] is being deprived of all privileges, or status which comes out from his post of BiH Presidency member.”

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Payout of two salaries to Covic in accordance with Presidency’s regulations’ by Fena – “He is equally entitled [to salaries] just like that were [removed BiH Presidency member Mirko] Sarovic or Sefer Halilovic in the ICTY,” underlined Jovic. 

BHT 1 by Alenka Bruck – The OHR requested report on this case from the Presidency’s Chair Borislav Paravac’s office and they won’t give any statements on this until they receive this report.

FBiH Healthcare Minister Lucic steps down; on shuffles within HDZ

 

Dnevni Avaz, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘Tomo Lucic leaving because he did not support Covic’, by M. Kukan – The FBiH Healthcare Minister, Tomo Lucic, sent a brief letter to the FBiH President, two Vice Presidents, as well as FBiH Prime Minister and two Deputy Prime Ministers, informing them that due to changes in the leadership of the HDZ, which nominated him for the said office, that he is resigning. In a statement for Avaz, Lucic says since he openly said that the election of Dragan Covic for president of HDZ was not the best option, and after the HDZ Convention decided as it did, he thought that the resignation was a logical move. Lucic also noted that in talks with Covic, he (Covic) agreed with this.

Oslobodjenje, pgs 4-5, mentioned on front ‘Tomo Lucic resigned because of Dragan Covic’, by Alda Omeragic – In a statement to the daily, one of two FBiH Vice Presidents, Desnica Radivojevic, said the resignation is made in accordance to the law. Oslobodjenje’s sources say that the HDZ expects the FBiH Agriculture Minister, Marinko Bozic, to resign too, however Bozic shrugged off the information, saying that he and Covic talked how to improve the work and that there were no talks about the removal. On the other hand, some say that Bozic is a candidate for a position in the future BiH Ministry of Agriculture, but he did not want to comment on it. Moreover, the daily carries the FBiH Defence Minister, Miroslav Nikolic, as saying that he was told by Covic that “perhaps, there will not be big purges in the HDZ”. Covic was unavailable for comments.

Ivo Miro Jovic: ‘Possibility to establish third entity in BiH should not be excluded’

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Possibility to establish third entity in BiH should not be excluded’ by Onasa , Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘BiH needs the third entity as well’ by Onasa– In an interview given to Onasa Croat member of the BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic says that he stands for de-centralized BiH in accordance with European principles and standards. Asked whether BiH needs the third entity, Jovic said: ‘If one people has the entity why the other two peoples would not have it. If one people does not have it, the other two peoples should not have it as well. We can call them entities, republics, regions. There could be more or less entities and they might be grounded not only on an ethnic principle but on the geographical, economic principles.’ Jovic also says that the RTV system in BiH has been already divided. He wonders as to how it is possible that we have the Bosniak and Serb media space but that there is a fear of the third one. According to Jovic, the problem emerges when Croats demand the same rights and he added: ‘I would be ashamed if I was demanding something that other 2 peoples do not have. Simply, we want to preserve our tradition, culture and language and I do not see why this would be a problem.’

DL: ‘European People’s Party would not support Covic’s election?

 

Dnevni List pg 8 ‘European People’s Party members will not support Covic’s election?’ by Z. Jukic – At its plenary session, that is to take place on Monday, the European People’s Party (ENS) Main Board should discuss the situation in HDZ BiH after the last HDZ Convention and election of Dragan Covic to the position of the HDZ President. According to DL, those who are well informed about this issue claim that the process of HDZ BiH integration in the community of European People’s Parties would be frozen since a person who is a subject of the trial became the HDZ President.  A high-ranked HDZ official close to Covic’s counter-candidate Bozo Ljubic stated that if ENS concludes that the election of the HDZ President was rigged in that case there would be 2 possibilities: either Covic would step down or he would refuse to step down and this would mean international isolation of HDZ BiH and its breakdown.  

HDZ Croatia member F. Boars on Covic’s election: Election rules were violated

 

Jutarnji List pg 12 ‘HDZ (Croatia) representatives cannot get in touch at all with some of their incapable Ministers’ by A. Plisic carries an interview with HDZ Croatia representative in the Croatian Parliament Florijan Boras who mostly talks about the problems within HDZ Croatia. Asked to comment on the election of Dragan Covic for the position of the HDZ BiH President, Boras says: ‘Obviously the election rules (at the HDZ BiH Convention) were violated. It concerns me that the HDZ BiH leadership turns a deaf ear to these objections. I do not know Covic enough, however, I believe that it is not good that he put forward his candidacy since according to the High Representative’s decision Covic was prevented to work in BiH executive bodies. This means that he cannot be politically active. This is not good for him and especially not for the Croat people. ’

SDHR Ney urges CoM to meet and discuss reforms

 

NTV Hayat byAdnan Rondic – In an interview to Hayat, the Senior Deputy High Representative Martin Ney stresses BiH must meet two remaining conditions under the terms of the Feasibility study if it is to be admitted to Euro-Atlantic structures. “I think that BiH Council of Ministers is aware of the situation and I would like for them to meet regularly in order to discuss the tasks they are faced with. I would prefer if they would discuss them at their sessions, as soon as possible. Chance for BiH to become part of Euro-Atlantic structures is unique one”, said Ney. He added that Europe had invested both politically and financially to BiH. Ney says that the Brussels sees BiH as being extremely slow in process of implementing reforms. “Carry out the necessary reforms in order for BiH to reach the threshold, which it has to cross in order to enter Europe”, concluded Ney.

VL: Kucan to be next HR?/BiH to come under CoE’s patronage

 

Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Milan Kucan succeeds P. Ashdown!’ by Z. Kresic – VL says that one of the main topics that the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) would discuss at the end of the month would be election of the High Representative Paddy Ashdown’s successor. VL says that former Slovenian President Milan Kucan is being mentioned as the person who stands the best chances to become the next HR. VL also says that it has not been expected that the name of the next HR and his powers would be known after this PIC session since final decisions on these issues have not been passed. VL inset under headline ‘Patronage’ says that European diplomatic circles also think about the possibility that BiH comes under patronage of the Council of Europe. 

 

FBiH MoD issues

FBiH HoR discusses over 1000 lawsuits filed against FBiH MoD due to outstanding salaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RHB, PINK, Hayat, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘FBiH MoD subject to over 100 lawsuits because of overdue salaries’ by A. Basic, Oslobodjenje pg 10 ‘Appointment of the judge to the constitutional court postponed’ by S. Se., Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Over 10 000 lawsuits against Ministry of Defence’ by A.V.  – FBiH House of Representatives adopted conclusion by which FBiH Government is tasked to prepare information on situation in FBiH Ministry of Defence within 60 days and to propose solution for the possible problems. This information should have been prepared until HoR’s session on Wednesday, but it was not delivered to the representatives. More than 1000 lawsuits have been filed against FBiH Defence Ministry due to different reasons, such as salaries, some bonuses, illegal dismissals etc. The election of new FBiH Constitutional Court President has been postponed for the next HoR’s session. Working group proposed Redzib Begic for new candidate for FBiH Constitutional Court President.

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘FBiH MoD owes 60 million KM?’, mentioned on cover, by S.Se. –  FBiH Defence Minister, Miroslav Nikolic, explained that the MoD has started with the regular payout of salaries in 2001, however there have been some overdue since 2000. Some benefits to the MoD’s staff were not paid by 2003, and Nikolic claims he has informed the Government on this issue timely. Dleegate Ismet Brga said it is useless to discuss this issue without credible information from the Govt, adding some information he possesses says MoD owes 30 million KM, which rose to 60 million KM with interests included. 

Grahovac: Nikolic should resign or be removed

 

Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘Grahovac: Nikolic should resign!’ and pg 2 ‘If he does not resign, Nikolic should be removed’, by M. Kukan – The FBiH Deputy Prime Minister, Gavrilo Grahovac, insists that the FBIH Defence Minister, Miroslav Nikolic, should resign because of events in the Capljina military barracks when the Croatian national anthem was played together with the BiH anthem during the oath-taking ceremony. Grahovac argues that Nikolic should realize that he should step down, otherwise he (Grahovac) expects the FBiH Prime Minister to start an initiative that should result in Nikolic getting removed. Grahovac expects the same from the FBiH President and two Vice Presidents.

EUFOR on oath-taking ceremony in Capljina

Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pg 15 ‘Croatian anthem – illegal?!’ by F, B. Kristo carries that in its press release EUFOR Commander David Leaky concluded that the oath-taking ceremony in Capljina on June 17 was conducted in a dignified manner [NOTE: SD’s cover splash story is a repetition of report to be found in BiH Media Round up for June 22

 

Economic and judicial issues

Bridge connecting BiH and Croatia opened in Jasenovac

 

 

 

 

 

PINK, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘All 11 bridges between Croatia and BiH reconstructed’, mentioned on cover, by D. Zadravec, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘The last bridge on Sava reconstructed’, mentioned on cover ‘Sanader pointed out to the good cooperation with BiH’ by Fena, Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘BiH and Croatia connected’ and pg 7 ‘Ivo Sanader opened bridge in Jasenovac’ by Fena, Dnevni List pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Sanader: Future of Croatia and BiH is in EU’ by Hina, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘New bridge was put in function’ and pg 5 ‘New bridge near Jasenovic was put in function’ by Hina, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Bridges over Una and Sava’ by M. Batos – BiH Minister of Security Barisa Colak, Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and the Head of European Commission Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys haveopened reconstructed bridge which connects Croatia and BiH, namely Gradina in BiH and Jasenovac in Croatia. Sanader pointed out that BiH and Croatia had established once destroyed communications and that the new page on history of the two states was to be turned. EU has financed construction of more than 6 inter-state bridges, which connect BiH with its neighbours. EU invested 5.5 million Euros in reconstruction of the bridge.

Bajrambasic: to ban construction near the path of Vc corridor

 

EuroBlic cover pg splash and pg RS7 ‘To ban construction near the highway path’ by Tijana Veselinovic – Associate to BiH Minister of Traffic and Communications Izet Bajrambasic has stated they had requested from Municipalities, through which Vc corridor will pass, to ban construction near the area where the highway will be constructed.

NTV Hayat, FTV, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Solution for Corridor through Mostar east to Ploce Port’ by A. Beus, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘IGH (Croatian Construction Institute) proposes route which would end up in Ploce’ by F. Vele report that impact of the Corridor Vc on environment and its possible routes were discussed in Mostar on Wednesday.

Farmers to block border crossings on Saturday

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Cars would be crossing blockade on borders without tpobelms’ by F. V. carries President of the BiH Association of Framers Ranko Bakic as saying that farmers are going to block border crossings (Doljani, Kamensko, Orasje, Izacic, Bosanski Bord, Raca, Orasje etc) for trucks on Saturday at 11 o’clock and the blockade would last until Sunday.

RHB, BHT 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Blockade of Doljani on Saturday’ not signed, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Blockade of border crossings on Saturday’ by NINA, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Framers’ protest against uncontrolled import’ by I. Dzajic – The Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Branch Office of the BiH Association of Farmers calls upon all farmers from the Canton to join them on Saturday, 25 June, in a protest rally and blockade of the border crossing Doljani.

Update to Hercegovacka Bank trial: DL speculates new affair at sight?

 

Dnevni List cover pg splash ‘New affair at sight?’ and pg 7 ‘New affair at sight – inter-state money laundering?!’ by E. Mackic – Former Federation of BiH Minister of Defence Vladimir Soljic testified in the trial against former HDZ President Ante Jelavic for the Hercegovacka Banka case. Among the other things, Soljic talked about business operations of company Monitor M, established by former Croat Community of Herceg Bosna. DL says that after a long questioning of Soljic Prosecutor John McNair came up with the thesis that financial transactions between Croatia and Monitor M might be classified as inter-state money laundering and this statement caused stormy reaction of Jelavic’s lawyer Dragan Barbaric.

Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘All salaries for 66th HVO regiment were coming from Zagreb’ by Z. Tulic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Susak was deciding on everything’ by Agencies, Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Susak was deciding how to spend the money’ by Srna, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Money taken away from soldiers!’ also report on the trial. 

Status conference on Covic-Lijanovic case today although Law on Criminal Procedure does not mention it

 

Vecernji List PG 4 ‘Status conference on case Covic-Lijanovic?’ by Z. Kresic carries that the status conference on the Covic-Lijanovici case is to take place on Thursday (today). VL says that this is the first time that there is the status conference for some case before the BiH courts since the BiH Law on Criminal Procedure does not mention this legal term. Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Today’s hearing for Lijanovici case closed for public’ by E. Mackic, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Lawyers also speculate as to what would happen today’ by A. N. carry that lawyers of the defendants in this case say that they do not have detailed information about the status conference and they speculate as to what the status conference might mean since the BiH Law on Criminal Procedure does not recognize a term ‘the status conference’.   

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Trial in “Lijanovici” case to commence on Tuesday’ by A. Du. – also announces.  

Trebinje Prosecution investigates Salih Alijagic

RTRS report by Bozidar Stajcic – Trebinje Prosecution ordered investigation against Salih Alijagic due to suspicion that he forged or destroyed business documentation. Investigation was started against Milan Vrcevic due to suspicion of giving a false testimony in case Alijagic. According to the verdict in initial Alijagic trial before the Trebinje court, the Trebinje municipality and company Metalac were to pay 35 million KM to brother Alijagic as compensation for their property stolen during the war. Investigation against Bozidar Vucurevic and Jovan Spajic is scheduled for end of June. They are suspected of misusing official position in the time when property of brothers Alijagic was stolen.

 

War crimes issues

Sead Avdic collects signatures for Srebrenica declaration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FTV, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Declaration signed by more than 35 CoE representatives’ by S.N.Sead Avdic, BiH official in the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, said he collected more than 35 signatories for the Srebrenica declaration, DA lears. Avdic confirmed that the declaration, once it gathers even bigger support, will be published and discussed at the plenary session of the CoE parliament in October. DA says that due to the objection by Tihomir Gligoric, SPRS delegate, declaration has not been submitted to CoE as the official statement by the BiH delegation. 

BHT 1 – BiH parliamentary delegation at the Council of Europe session in Strasbourg agreed on draft Declaration on Srebrenica, stated for BHT Sead Avdic, member of BiH delegation.

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Text on declaration is being prepared’ by Onasa – Daily brings that the members of the BiH delegated to the CoM Parliament are preparing the text of the declaration for adoption by Friday.

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Declaration on Srebrenica entered discussion process’ by V. Popovic (reports 23 signatures were collected and carries statements of Sead Avdic and Tihomir Gligoric), EuroBlic pg RS2, announced on cover ‘Without agreement on declaration’ by Nedeljka Breberina, Glas Srpske pg 2 ’23 signatures were collected’ not signed  – also cover.

Three war crimes suspects arrested upon BiH Prosecutor’s request?

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Three police members from Sekovici were arrested?’ by C. Arsenic – A source close to RS MoI told DA three RS MoI members – Miso Stupar, Brano Dzinic and [Jovica] Nikolic Jole – were arrested in East Sarajevo. According to some information, RS Police Director Dragomir Andan invited them for a conversation without telling them the reason for the conversation. Only after they were arrested, Andan requested that the arrest warrants are issued. Spokesperson of RS Police Radovan Pejic said he couldn’t understand where the paper got such information and said it is obvious someone is trying to obstruct the process of arresting of persons with criminal records.

Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Jovica Nikolic was arrested over crimes in Srebrenica’ by A. S. and R. C. – NN says that the source close to FBiH MoI claims Jovica Nikolic was arrested upon an order of BiH Prosecutor’s Office over crimes committed in Srebrenica. NN also claims police inspectors Branko Dzinic and Miso Stupar were arrested Wednesday afternoon. It also carry Andan stating he had no information any of RS MoI members were arrested in Sarajevo

Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Jovan Nikolic and Jovo Novakovic arrested in Bratunac’ by R.I. – In addition to Jovan Nikolic, daily brings that Jovo Novakovic, a suspect in war crimes committed against Bosniaks in village Suha, was also arrested. Daily’s sources claim that there is a big search going on after the members of Red Berets unit who had been located near Skelani and Pjelovci regions during the war.  

Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Was Jovan Nikolic Jole arrested?’ by A. HadzicAvaz dedicated ½ page story describing the background of Jovan Nikolic Jole, who is allegedly well known in Bratunac as a member of SDS’s HQ in time when greatest crimes were committed in this town and he was one of closest associates of a criminal Miroslav Deronjic. Nikolic’s name was mentioned in Deronjic’s verdict proclaimed in the Hague. Inset ‘Information on Karadzic?’ – reads nobody knows why the official bodies are silent about the arrest of Nikolic. Some speculate he was arrested in order to provide with information on Radovan Karadzic’s whereabouts.

Oslobodjenje: Gojko Jankovic’s family was promised 180.000 KMs for his surrender

 

Oslobodjenje, pg 6, mentioned on front ‘Gojko Jankovic surrendered for 180 thousand KMs?!’, by V. Zivak – Oslobodjenje learns from its sources close to the RS Interior Ministry that the family of Gojko Jankovic, who voluntarily turned himself in to the ICTY, had made a deal with the RS MoI according to which they will receive 180.000 KMs for the surrender, despite the RS Government’s decision that say the sum is set at 50.000 KMs. Jankovic’s son Slobodan denies the family will receive 180.000 KMs, however the daily learns that the family originally asked 300.000 KMs, however, after 4 days of negotiations at the Motel ‘Dragana’ at Banja Luka, a deal was made. Oslobodjenje notes it was Dragi Milosevic, the Head of CID Administration with the RS MoI, who took part in the ‘negotiations’ and his task was to persuade Jankovic to give himself up no matter the cost. The source reckons the money could be paid out from the US ’ ‘Reward for justice’ funds allocated for arrest of war criminals.

RTRS sums up reactions to the SCG delegation’s presence in Potocari

RTRS report by Valentina Lekanic – RTRS brings reactions to the announced arrival of the SCG delegation at the commemoration of the Srebrenica tragedy. BIH Presidency member Sulejman TIhic stated that decision of Serbian President Boris Tadic to attend the commemoration is a moral and human act and it can only contribute to improvement of relations between SCG and BIH. Member of commemoration organisation board Tuzla Mufti Husein Kavazovic stated that the invitation to SCG delegation to attend is a moral degradation of victims and tragedy, adding the Islamic Community wants nothing to do with SCG delegation while in Potocari. Munira Subasic Chair of Association Mothers of Zepa/Srebrenica stated that the maximum that the delegation can expect is to be ignored. Head of Srebrenica municipality Abdurahman Malkic stated for Sarajevo press that 600 identified Srebrenica victims will be buried on the commemoration day. Initiator of Srebrenica declaration and BIH deputy in Council of Europe Parliament Assembly Sead Avdic stated that he gathered 23 deputy signatures to put the declaration into Parliament procedure. According to SRNA declaration wasn’t signed by Serb members of BIH Delegation Tihomir Gligoric and LJiljana Milicevic. Declaration will be sent to all deputies to sign by fall session of CoE. Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Srebrenica citizens gave up from protests’ by R. Cengic – also carries Mothers of Srebrenica. Vjesnik pg 14 ‘Kostunica against Tadic’s going to Srebrenica’ by B. Al Pinto Brkic  – also sums up reactions against Tadic’s going to Srebrenica.

 

Security issues

Update on Algerian group case

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BHT 1 Marina Boskovic – 6 members of the so-called ‘Algerian group’ could be released from the US military base Guantanamo by the end of this year, judging by the information that their wives received from the Guantanamo base, reports BHT. ‘Algerian group’s’ lawyer, Stephen Olesky, stated that the US authorities are ready to negotiate with each country on conditions for extraditions and he believes that the time has come for BiH to do this. BiH is the only European country whose citizens are still in the base Guantanamo. BiH Justice Ministry Slobodan Kovac claims that they cannot request extradition because there are no criminal proceedings against those 6 persons in BiH. Kovac announces that this Ministry will propose to the BiH Council of Ministers to transfer this case to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Foreign Affairs Ministry is the most relevant for issues like this, these are relations between the countries,” said Kovac.

Dnevni List pg 3 ‘To speed up return of BiH citizens from Guantaamo in Kuba’ by NINA, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Pasic promised help with regard to protection of Algerian group’s rights’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 11 ‘Prisoners in Guantanamo moral tragedy’ not signed carry that the Algerian group’s lawyerOleskey received BiH ombudsman for human rights Safet Pasic. During this meeting Pasic promised that the institution of the BiH ombudsman would do everything in order to question moves of the state bodies in this case and it would take care that they take all necessary measures to protect rights of BiH citizens and speed up their return to BiH.   

FTV: ITA confiscates shipment of arms from China?

 

FTV by Sinan Saric – On Wednesday, the Indirect Taxation Administration (ITA) officers from Tuzla region confiscated a shipment of arms and cold weapons from China . Value of the shipment is several hundreds of thousands KM. It is still unknown where these arms should have been used, said the presenter. FTV reporter said that, according to unofficial data, those arms were aimed to the street gangs or some terrorist groups. Approximately 10.000 knives, over 3000 knuckle-dusters as well as some other things which can be used as side arms were sized on Wednesday and have been sent to the FBiH Ministry of Interior for analyses.

Exports of weapons from BiH increased for six times

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘Exports of weapons from BiH increased for six times’ by P. Klincov – Reports on data of BiH Foreign Trades Chamber, according to which exports of weapons and ammunition from BiH in the first five months of 2005 amounted approximately 19,3 million KM, while the exports for the same period of time in 2004 amounted approximately 3 million KM.

SDS and SDA oppose to establishing of new intelligence agencies

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘SDS and SDA do not want to have new intelligence agencies in BiH’ by M. Cubro – SDS and SDA oppose to establishing of new intelligence agencies – POA and VOA. Both SDA and SDS believe establishing of a counter-intelligence agency would be unproductive and unnecessary since OSA is already performing such tasks. SDP, on the other hand, supports the establishing of these two agencies.