23.07.2005

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 23/7/2005

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RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

HR met with Mostar officials

World News

Counterfeiters uncovered inSarajevo

FBiH Gov. on Aluminij issue

Negotiations on Mladic’s surrender

Construction of a state prison

Constitutional Court discuss PBS law

USA supports defence reform

Jankovic and Ljubicic cases

RS CoP on police reform

RS MoD abolished till next year

Exhumations in Budak completed

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Resolution on Srebrenica- FBiH HoP

Changes of nationality in Brcko

OHR conducts audit in “Vrbas”

Building of State Prison

Body of Hungarian tourist discovered

Construction of State Prison

Registree Johnson on Ljubicic case

Exhumations in Budak

Negotiations on Mladic’s surrender

Jankovic transferred to BiH Court

Construction of a state prison

Stankovic on RS Army, MoD

 

Oslobodjenje

The decrease of officials’ wages accepted

Dnevni Avaz

Secret negotiations of eight political parties

Vecernji List

It was as if the war started (EUFOR action in Uniste)

Nezavisne Novine

Unification proceeds slowly

Glas Srpske

All by herself versus everybody (about Serb woman from Sarajevo)

 

Police/defence reforms 

Terzic and Ashdown call for police reform talks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BH TV 1 – BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic and High Representative in BiH Paddy Ashdown invited leaders of political parties on a joint meeting on the police reform process, scheduled for Tuesday in Sarajevo. However, representatives of the RS political parties say that they have not received any kind of invitation for political discussions. Domestic institutions must carry out the police reform process in keeping with the three basic EU principles, but respecting the BiH constitution in the same time, say members of the RS Government. Members of the opposition parties believe that the executive authority, and not the leaders of political parties, should reach agreement on the police reform process. “If those who have the authority are not ready to take the responsibility for decisions they make, than they have no right to have the authority”, said SDP’s Slobodan Popovic. SNSD proposed two police centres in Herzegovina, in Trebinje and Mostar, and that the centre of northeast region should be in Bijeljina instead of Tuzla. “We agree that the solutions must be in the interest of BiH’s police efficiency, but we also think that entity borders should be ignored only where it is absolutely necessary – for example, in Sarajevo”, said SNSD’s Krstan Simic. SDA is also for the compromise, but only within the limits of already established reform principles. “Any compromise that includes new discussions about the entity borders is not possible, because it is not in keeping with the European principles”, said SDA’s Sefket Hafizovic. It is still not clear whether the representatives of the OHR will take part in the new discussions on the police reform.

RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘On Tuesday on reforms’also report on Terzic/Ashdown invitation.

Terzic: I believe in agreement on police reform

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘I believe in agreement on police reform’ by M.C. – Apart from carrying Terzic’ confirmation of a meeting, daily carries Terzic’ statement saying: “I believe that all the parties would take place in talks and that we will reach an agreement, in order to get a recommendation in November for launchment of SAA talks.”

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Resumption of police reform talks’ – On upcoming resumption of police reform talks, Adnan Terzic says: “Agreement from Vlasic is an excellent basis for resumption. In my view, the most important thing is to define police regions, to close the issues of uniforms, police region seats …It is necessary to make an exact dlan for realization of the agreement with clear deadlines and possibilities for financing of police reform. Neither Vlasic or Konak talks discussed this. And such agreement would greatly loosen up political environment in BiH.”

RS MoI denies media speculation regarding Potocari explosive

 

Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Ramp to speculation’ by V.J., Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘RS MoI is surprised over speculation on explosive at Potocari’ – The RS MoI is surprised over speculation of some media in regard to investigation on planting of explosive at Potocari (in relation of Gojko Vasic statement). Radovan Pejic, Spokesperson of the RS Police Director, stated: “RS police announces just official information. We do not want to get involved with speculation, that can only effect investigation.” Pejic said that media took Vasic’ statement out of context, when he said that one of possibilities was smuggling in explosives, noting it was also possible explosive could have been activated on the day of commemoration, which would mark a terrorist attack. He said that motive will be disclosed after the perpetrator is identified.

USA supports defence reform proposal

 

Nezavisne Novine pg4 ‘USA supports proposals on BiH defence reform’ by AP,Vecernji List pg 3 ‘USA supports single Army’ by ra, TV PINK – Few days ago, members of Defence Reform Commission have signed the statement on accepting of Law proposal on Defence and Army Service. As response, State Department has stated that USA has supported the proposal for defence reform and invited to its passing; being that according to this proposal, united Army would be compatible with NATO and in accordance with demands for fulfilment of military parts of Dayton Peace Agreement.

SRS “Dr. Vojislav Seselj” / Centre Club will not support defence reform proposal

 

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Remember a promise’ by Ml.S. Mirko Blagojevic, President of the Executive Board of the Serb Radical Party “Dr. Vojislav Seselj” on Friday called on RS MP’s to remain consistent to pre-election promise from October 2002 and vote against the proposed defence reform. According to him, the proposed reform leads towards establishment of BiH Army, and brings Serb people in subordination status.

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Parliament is older’ by Z.Ma. Radivoje Trbic, delegate of the Club of Centre at RS NA, on Friday in Banja Luka stated that this Club will not support the proposed defence reform of it deviates from the RS NA conclusions.

 

Other political issues

DA claims secret negotiations on constitutional changes ongoing

 

 

 

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘Secret negotiations of eight political parties’, pg 2 ‘Will BiH have only one president in the future’ by F.Vele – Daily reports, that the presidents of the eight parties (SDA, HDZ, Party for BiH, SDS, PDP, SNSD, SDP of BiH and one opposition party) Friday should have handed responses on three question (related to future constitutional changes in BiH) to representatives of the international community. Referring to its source from one of the eight political parties, the negotiations are talking place in secrecy. The source notes that: “It is about existence or non-existence of BiH Presidency, i.e. whether only one President will exist in BiH, how long his mandate would be, who he is to be appointed…Other two issues are related to the work of the future BiH Government and State Parliament with all details related to their election and actions.” Source further notes that second round of talks is to resume in the next several weeks. Daily also learns from unofficial sources that all the parties have handed their proposals, without being able to find out details of any.

Terzic: I will not change decision about Ivanic

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Stand-by arrangement begins in October’, announced on cover ‘Terzic: I will not change decision about Ivanic’ by S.Numanovic – Daily asked Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair, to comment on Dragan Covic’ proposal that Terzic should withdraw decision on removal of Mladen Ivanic. Terzic said: “I see no possibility to withdraw my decision unless conditions I have already presented are met…Covic has so far adhered to principles. If he is prepared to accept it, then it is not good for him, and especially for this state.”

Oslobodjenje op-ed on current political scene in BiH: BiH is living with three hard “natural disaster”: Dayton Agreement, rule of nationalistic parties and Paddy Ashdown

 

Oslobodjenje op-ed pg 7 ‘State without Government’ by Mirko Sagolj – Writing about current political scene in BiH (especially relations between Adnan Terzic and Mladen Ivanic), he raises the issue as to whether BiH has a legitimate and legal state Govenrment at all. On HR, the author notes that Paddy Ashdown finds it suitable to ghave the situation in BiH as chaotic as it can, because he can rule easier in that manner without making a single good and useful move. The author stresses that the situation at the BiH COM only represents the realistic reflection of the current political scene in BiH, where everybody poays attention for personal interests. He concludes by saying that BiH is living with three hard “natural disaster”: Dayton Agreement, rule of nationalistic parties and Paddy Ashdown. BiH will see no progress until it gets rid of all three of them.

HR’s visit to Mostar

 

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Slow unification of Mostar’, Dnevni Avaz pg 21 ‘Faster rhythm to a complete reintegration of Mostar’ by F.Vele, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash  and pg 2 ‘Unification proceeds slowly’ by V.Coric, RHB, BH TV 1, NTV Hayat, FTV, RTRS – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, visited Mostar on Friday where he had separate meetings with the Mostar Mayor, Ljubo Bešlić, and the chairman of the Mostar City Council, Murat Ćorić. OHR spokeswoman for Mostar region, Sanela Tunovic, said that they discussed positive impact that would have including of the Mostar’s OldTown to the UNESCO’s list of the world heritage sites. “They also talked on many other things that need to be done in relation to continuation of the process of unification of this town,” she said.“We agreed that the process of unification in Mostar is too slow, but we also share the satisfaction with the fact that this process is at least stable”, said Mayor of Mostar Ljubo Beslic. “Of more worry to me is the fact that there are those who support the unification of the city, but only on their conditions”, said Ashdown.

Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Waiting for Paddy on heat…’ by Misijana Brkic-Milinkovic – Author notes that the visit of HR to Mostar was in the sign of – wait, while Ashdown said nothing spectacular. Author notes that changes in the city of Mostar proceed at snails’ pace. 

Tadic: BiH CC reached decision on PBS, but does not want to disclose it

 

BH TV 1, RHB –BiH Constitutional Court has decided whether the Law on Public Broadcasting System is violating the vital national interest of Croat people in BiH, stated Constitutional’s Court President Mato Tadic. Nevertheless, Tadic did not want to reveal what they have decided. “We will announce our decision tomorrow (Saturday), and it will be final and obligating for all sides involved in this issue”, said Tadic for BHT. If the decision is that the Law on Public Broadcasting System is violating the vital national interest of Croat people, the law will be returned to the parliamentary procedure. BHT reporter reminded about the main aspects of this law: it foresees three regional centres in Sarajevo , Banja Luka and Mostar, which will equally broadcast program on all three languages. Along with the Police reform process, the Law on Public Broadcasting System are the only uncompleted conditions from the Feasibility Study. 

FTV – FTV presenter made short comment, saying that representatives and politicians in BiH often forget that Public Services should serve citizens of this country, and not certain political structures and objectives. “Public Services must have independent editorial policy, and full autonomy. Right now, I believe that Public Broadcasting Service’s autonomy is seriously endangered”, said Ombudsman Assistant for Media Mehmed Halilovic.

RS CoP rejected all VNI claims

 

NTV Hayat –RS Council of Peoples hasn’t passed any of initiatives for rising of vital national interest of Bosniak and Croat Caucuses. Bosniak and Croat Caucuses considered that RSNA’s conclusion on police maps (that they can’t cross Entities’ lines) are harming national interests of all peoples. Chairman of Bosniak Caucus in RS CoP, Remzija Kadric said that they think that this shouldn’t obstruct police reform and that conclusions of police reform commission should be accepted without any demands. On the other hand, Serb Caucus and Deputy Desanka Radjevic see this demand as unconstitutional, stressing that RS Constitutional Court can’t be asked to pass decisions opposite to the Constitution that it protects. RS CoP hasn’t agreed on any of initiatives, being that Bosniaks and Croats are disputing the deadlines for payment of material and non-material damages and disrespect toward population census in employment within public institutions.

RHB, RTRS, Glas Srpske pg2 ‘Veto without support’ by G.D. also report

BiH HoR Commission for legal and constitutional issues in session: The decrease of officials’ wages accepted, Law on high education rejected

 

Oslobodjenje cover pg splash. pg 2 ‘The decrease of officials’ wages accepted’ by V.Z. – The members of the Constitutional and Legal Commission of the BiH HoR on Friday accepted amendments to BiH Constitution (with majority vote), according to which the wages of state officials can be reduced during their mandate/term. Three members of the Commission from RS voted against adoption of this amendment.

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Principles of proposed law rejected’ by M.R., Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘No support to Laws on tobacco and holidays’ by V.Z. Momcilo Novakovic, SDS delegate at Commission, stated that the HoR’s commission Friday rejected principles of the Proposed Law on high education. Novakovic stated it is evident this Commission Report will be forwarded to BiH HoR, which would mean end of proposed law.

Changes of Election Law

 

NTV Hayat – Working Group of BiH Parliament for changing of the Election Law has been submitted with the demand, according to which every candidate would have to submit his/hers medical certificate. Reporter talked to some politicians like Ramiz Mehmedagic (FBiH Minister of Physical Planning and Environment), Svetozar Pudaric (Representative in FBiH HoP), Miro Lazovic (Representative in FBiH HoP) and Ibrahim Mujic (Representative in FBiH HoP), who had different opinions on this issue. While some think that medical certificate would be a good idea, some consider this to be nonsense and against basic human rights, but all agreed that rejecting of someone’s nomination because of physical disability (regardless is it about kidneys, hearth or war caused disability) would present discrimination. On the other hand, all agreed that some kind of psychological tests would be a good idea.

 

Economy / education affairs

F BiH Govt. Report on Aluminij accepted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 RHB, TV PINK, BH TV 1, NTV Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Information on agreement with Alumij accepted’ by S.Se., Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Aluminij passed another instance’ by A.Basic Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Activities for Aluminij approved’ by Agencies  – FBiH House of Peoples (HoP) adopted on Friday the FBiH Government’s report on activities aimed at resolving standing issues in Mostar’s company “Aluminij”. Report was presented to the HoP by the FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic. The House of Peoples supported the activities of the Government but requested that their final result be transformed into changes to the law on the privatisation of companies. Only after changes to this law are adopted by the Parliament will the Government be able to sign the agreement with Aluminij. Some HoP delegates considered this report as underutilise and suggested that the HoP could oblige the Government to determine the ownership structure in “Aluminij”, in accordance with FBiH laws, reports RHB. The FBiH HoP didn’t adopt text of the resolution on Srebrenica at Friday’s session. This session will continue next week.

RS Government on IMF arrangement

 

Glas Srpske pg2 ‘First councilling then dollars’ by G.Dakic, TV PINK – During its session RS Government has discussed and passed Law proposals on registry of financial reports and Agency for mediator and informative services. RS Minister of Finances Svetlana Cenic stated that passing of the Law on this Agency is very important for verifying of old foreign exchange savings, considering that BiH Constitutional Court has ordered conducting of verifying of all internal debts. During the press conference Cenic stated that Government has also discussed the last session of the IMF, during which the importance of the Law on Fiscal Council has been stressed, especially being that this is a demand for signing of stand-by arrangement in amount of Km150 millions. Cenic stressed that this stand-by arrangement would last eighteen months and that all costs will be under control, being that it will last trough election and post-election period. Cenic, stressed that if the Law on Fiscal Council isn’t passed till October the signing of this stand-by arrangement will have to wait till January, till new Budgets are approves. Beside these two law proposals, RS Government has also passed law proposals on RS Inspections.

Talks with IMF on stand-by arrangement completed

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘US $ 50 million to BiH’ by M.Cubro, FTV, RTRS – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, Fiscal Council and the Central Bank BiH Governor reached an agreement on procedures which will form the basis for a Stand-by Arrangement, worth 50 millions USD.

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Stand-by arrangement begins in October’ by S.Numanovic – Daily elarns that the BiH authorities and the IMF officials Friday in Sarajevo agreed that the stand-by arrangement should commence in October. As Adnan Terzic told daily, the agreement includes basic fiscal goals of the budget for 2006.

NN reports that Cenic responded to Butler , saying he gave her reason to establish the background of all the pressures, hinting legal and other steps would be undertaken.

RS Finance Minister, Svetlana Cenic, shocked with OHR’s letter in relation to RS Banking Agency

 

RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘OHR opposes to removal of Dusanka Novakovic’ by S.GojkovicThe RS Minister of Finances Svetlana Cenic says she is shocked with the letter Lawrence Butler, PDHR, addressed to RS Govenrment, RS Presidnet, RS Premier and RS Finance Minister, in which the RS Government is warned to respect legal procedures during appointment of the RS Banking Agency Director. Current acting director, Dusanka Novakovic, supposed to be replaced at Fridays session of the RS Government, according to OHR’s letter. “It seems that politics and letters in BiH are created based on unconfirmed rumours, what makes me really shocked,” said Cenic. The OHR didn’t have the comment on this issue, even though it was stated in this letter that decision on replacement of Novakovic would be politically motivated. Novakovic also didn’t want to comment on this situation. Cenic claims that the issue of appointment of the Agency’s Director will be made in accordance with law, after deadline for applications expires.

RS Education Minister refuses to sign directives for history and geography textbooks

 

BH TV 1 – RS Minister of Education and Culture Milovan Pecelj refused to sign the directives for writing the history and geography textbooks, because, as he say, they are used to impose joint textbooks. OSCE expects that Pecelj will change his mind, because those directives, made by the Joint Experts’ Commission, represent the possibility to explain the controversial issues in a way that would be acceptable for everyone. “It’s my duty to tell you that Commission’s mandate was to make didactical, methodical and technical instructions for writing the history and geography textbooks, and nothing more”, said Pecelj. Among other things, Commission proposed that controversial issues should be explained without offending anybody, and that all the constitutional peoples, ethnic and religious minorities and neighbouring countries should be portrayed impartially.

DA op-ed critical of RS Minister Pecelj

 

Dnevni Avaz op-ed pg 7 ‘New schoolbooks on hold’ by Sanja Skuletic – The author stresses that Milovan Pecelj, RS Education Minister, is the only Minister, who does not want to sign Directives for writing the history and geography textbooks, by which he has placed himself versus cantonal and federal ministers of education, international officials, etc. who regard this as priority of priorities. She ntoes that because of Pecelj, pupils in smaller BiH entity are studying from textbooks whose directives were set by Radovan Karadzic. She raises the issue asd to when authority holders in RS would acknowledge the fact that joint aspect of everything brings the only future to BiH and all of tis citizens.

OHR’s auditors commenced on Friday with audit in company “Vrbas”

 

RTRS – OHR’s auditors commenced on Friday with audit of business books of the wood industry “Vrbas”. OHR didn’t give any more information on this on Friday to RTRS, but RS Ministry of Economy stated that the OHR searches for documentation in relation to “Vrbas” management contacts with their business partners, interested in privatisation of this company. RTRS finds out unofficially that someone broke into company’s facility where business documentation was kept. “The OHR never comments on its daily work, these are regular events and we don’t think these are the things with which the OHR should go in public,” said OHR spokesman, Oleg Milisic. “Vrbas” director Milos Licina didn’t want to talk to RTRS. This company don’t work for two years.

 

War crime issues

Kandic confirms negotiations on Mladic’s surrender ongoing

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Negotiations in Mladic’ surrender ongoing’ by BETA, TV PINK, BH TV 1, NTV Hayat, FTV, RTRS – Director of Fund for Humanitarian Right, Natasa Kandic stated that negotiations on Ratko Mladic’s surrender are being run. Kandic said that she is certain that negotiations are lead, but she is not sure if they are lead by the Government or someone appointed by the Government to negotiate with groups around Mladic. Kandic believes that these groups are counting on $5 million award, which were provided by U.S. Government for information on Mladic and Radovan Karadzic.

VL: Search for evidence on detention camps in Western Herzegovina

 

Vecernji List pgs 2-3 ‘The Hague investigators combing western Herzegovina’, announced on cover ’The Hague investigators in western Herzegovina’ – Daily reports referring to two sources close to intelligence community in BiH, who demand anonymity, that over the last few months, the state investigators have visited at least ten locations in western Herzegovina region (including Mostar), where prisoners of war, mainly of Bosniak nationality, were imprisoned during the war. Daily notes that investigations are ongoing in line with the previous approval of the ICTY, with an aim to collect information on former detention camps.

Trial to Gojko Jankovic handed to BiH

 

NTV Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘BiH was not aware of Del Ponte’s decision, but it supports it’ by A.Omeragic , Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Trial to Gojko Jankovic handed to BiH’, BH TV 1 – The Hague Tribunal decided to forward Gojko Jankovic’s case to the BiH authorities. Jankovic is indicted for the war crimes committed in Foca. Court of BiH’s War Crimes and Organised Crime Chamber Registrar Michael Johnson said that this institution is not informed about the ICTY’s intention to refer the Pasko Ljubicic’s case from Croatia to the Court of BiH. Ljubicic is indicted for the war crimes committed in Ahmici village, where more than hundred Bosniaks were killed in 1993.

BiH gets state prison

 

NTV Hayat – Even though transfer of cases from ICTY to BiH War crimes Chamber and lower Courts is impatiently expected, this transfer will depend on building of State Prison, and decision on its location will be passed in next few weeks. (according to SRNA this location is determined and it is in Eastern Sarajevo)  BiH Minister of Justice, Slobodan Kovac stressed that it is necessary to provide €15 millions for building, while BiH has only €3 millions, which will be used for making of projecting documentation, while rest will be provided trough donations. Kovac stressed that many technical issues demand building of this prison, just as well as the fact that prisons have to be built in accordance with international standards. “That is another phase and a step closer to establishing of rule of the law and that is something we all want to happen”- said Kovac. Being that BiH no has only one modern detention unit, with 31 places and being that BiH is stepping into processing of war crimes it is vital to build this prison which would have 300 places. “As the Chief Prosecutor of BiH said in his statement in May, currently there are 200 potential suspects for war crimes that BiH prosecution deals with. At this moment, prison capacities in Entities’ prisons can’t meet the demand of BiH Court. Certain number of cases is being transferred from the ICTY and it is up to BiH to provide impartial trial in these cases, according to international standards”- said Michael Johnson, Registree for War Crimes and Organized Crime.  Building of the prison should start in six months and last for a year and Minister Kovac couldn’t precise where the prison will be built.

TV PINK, BH TV 1, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘The construction of state prison commences in six months’ by A.Omeragic, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘BiH gets state prison’ by M.Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘New prison next year?’, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Kovac: Prison will be close to Court’ by H.O. also report