Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 24 January
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| Extreme cold in | Regional news | Toll of train accident in |
| Mourning in | ‘Energopetrol’ to go bankruptcy | Culprits for accident: train staff |
| Rugova funeral on Thursday | No gas supply stoppage by March 1 | Bukejlovic: I have support of 42 MP’s |
TV news broadcast on 23 January
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Temperatures in BIH | Davidovic: BiH ready for | Train falls into chasm in |
| BIHAMK report | EUFOR- | WN: extreme cold in |
| Regional News | RS NA session scheduled for Thursd. | Extremely cold weather in BiH |
| Situation in BIH Gas | Ashdown’s farewell visit to Trebinje | Omanovic sentenced to 14 years |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Regional News | Train falls into chasm in | Regional News |
| World News | Unemployment in BiH | Bank robbery in |
| Investment bank signs loan contract | Funds for stimulating employment | RS NA session scheduled for Thursd. |
| Construction of Feal started | Negotiations with ‘Alon Group’ | Tihic calls for new talks on Constitut. |
| Oslobodjenje | January pensions increased for two percent |
| Dnevni Avaz | [Davidovic] We are ready for first round of talks |
| Dnevni List | Dead man found without arm |
| Vecernji List | Agreement on rights of HVO victims |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | War invalid committed suicide in centre of city |
| Nezavisne Novine | Train went down to Moraca canyon [report on train accident in |
| Glas Srpske | Winter is becoming more severe [report on weather conditions] |
| EuroBlic | Horror in Moraca canyon [report on train accident in |
| Vecernje novosti | Four train cars of death [report on train accident in |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| FBiH HoR discusses Energopetrol
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| FBiH PM Hadzipasic: If INA-MOL Consortium fails to respond by Jan 27, Energopetrol to declare bankruptcy
| BH Radio 1 by Ljiljana Radl – FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic stated that if by January 27 ‘Ina-Mol’ Consortium does not provide FBiH Government with a positive respond on the new conditions for privatization of ‘Energopetrol’, this company would declare bankruptcy. Commenting decision of FBiH House of Representatives not to adopt proposal of FBiH Government for co-capitalization of ‘Energopetrol’, Hadzipasic said that FBiH HoR would alleviate work of the Government and the Prime Minister who wouldn’t be responsible if ‘Ina-Mol’ fails to meet new conditions. |
RS Government issues | |
| Speaker Stojicic schedules special RSNA session to discuss no-confidence vote in Govt on Jan 26
| PINK – The Speaker of the RS National Assembly Dusan Stojicic scheduled the special RSNA session on confidence to the RS Government on Thursday, January 26. The discussion on vote-of-confidence for the RS Government has been requested by 18 representatives of SNSD, 9 representatives of PDP and an independent representative Radovan Bobic. Stojicic said that the vote-of-confidence is depending on the votes of SDA party. According to Stojicic, without SDA votes, RS NA can’t decide on non-confidence for the Government, which raises the issue of election of a new Government. Stojicic also emphasized that all responsibility for the next step should be taken by the parties which started the initiative for vote-of confidence, and especially by PDP.EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Council of Minister is (not) in jeopardy’ – In regard to the issue of confidence to BiH CoM, Stojicic said: “Essentially, it is of no importance whether we would formally raise the issue of a confidence vote in BiH COM if RS Government were overthrown. What is important is that our conduct would be proportional with the conduct of those who make the majority with us at the BH Parliament. Hence, this would open the issue of decision-making at the BH Parliament.” PINK, BHT1, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6-7 ‘SNSD claims it has 42 votes against the Government of Pero Bukejlovic’ by O. Vukovic, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘This is not about blackmailing stance’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘A confidence vote in RS Government on Thursday’ by V.Popovic, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Government in the hands of SDA’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘For or against Government’ by G.Dakic – also reported. |
| SNSD certain it will have majority of 42 votes to vote no-confidence to RS Govt
| RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6-7 ‘SNSD claims it has 42 votes against the Government of Pero Bukejlovic’ by O. Vukovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Dodik: We are prepared to propose a PM designate’ by N. Diklic– Head of SNSD Caucus Krstan Simic stated that SNSD strongly believes that RSNA majority is going to vote no confidence to the RS Government. He also believes that SNSD can count on votes of all parties who rejected the Government’s proposal of the 2006 budget, thus it should have necessary 42 votes. Simic stressed that SNSD is ready to create a new Government. According to Simic, a new Govt lead by SNSD would not be a Govt of compromise, but a Govt of courage, determined to try to change things only eight months before the elections. PDP’s Veselin Poljasevic announced that PDP is going to vote no confidence for the current Govt. SNSD expects the same votes also from DNS, Socialist Party and SDA. Dnevni List pg 5 ‘SDA will not support RS Government’ – RSNA SDA’s Sefik Hafizovic clams that |
| RS PM Bukejlovic: RS Government currently has the support of 42 delegates
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘RS Government currently has the support of 42 delegates’ by V. Popovic – in a page-long interview to NN, RS PM Pero Bukejlovic claims RS Government currently has the support of 42 delegates at RS NA. He replied to accusations of opposition parties and said RS Government was not criminalized and he noted the Government had achieved many significant results. Inset ‘I do not believe any Minister from the current Government would again be at Ministerial position at the new Government’ – Asked whether he believes any of the current Ministers might be members of the new Government, Bukejlovic said he does not believe this would be the case. |
| RTRS:
| RTRS current affairs program ‘Pecat’ by Biljana Knezevic– So far, PDP, |
| BHT1, DA speculate on possibilities for new RS Govt: SDA, PDP not certain they would take part
| BHT1 – SDA says it is still not involved in a story about the new Government. “I think that it is superfluous to talk about it before making the first step”, added Sefket Hafizovic. PDP says it is still not sure that they will participate in the new Government. “This is the first step, and I think that we should not rush with the decisions”, explained Poljasevic. Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Dodik: We are prepared to propose a PM designate’ by N. Diklic– SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated for DA that they would think about establishment of the new government after the no-confidence vote. “We would wait for the RSNA decision. I believe that we have majority for composition of the new government and my party is prepared to accept the obligation to nominate the PM designate,” said Dodik. So far, SNSD ensured support of the SDA, PDP, SBiH, |
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| Davidovic: BiH team ready for first round of negotiations with the EU
| PINK– BiH Chief Negotiator with the EU on Stabilisation and Association Agreement Igor Davidovic stated that BiH negotiation team is ready for the first round of talks with the EU. He mentioned that first round of negotiations is scheduled for Wednesday in |
| DA: Wednesday
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash pg 2 ‘We are ready for first round of talks’ by T.Lazovic – BiH negotiating team is prepared the talks with EU on |
| Busek: BiH could remain a ‘black hole’ in the
| FTV – Stability Pact Coordinator for South-Eastern Europe Erhard Busek warned on Monday that, if constitutional reforms in BiH would fail, BiH would remain a ‘black hole’ on the geographic map of the region. In an interview to German radio ‘Deutsche Welle’, Busek stressed that he is disappointed with the fact that the representatives of eight biggest BiH political parties were not able to reach an agreement on constitutional changes. It is a very bad signal on the eve of negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement, concluded Busek, adding that it shows BiH is unable to carry out reforms necessary for it to become a normal, democratic state. BHT1, |
| Tihic invites on continuance of constitutional changes talks: would not insist on abolishment of entities
| RTRS by Zorica Rulj – Although the talks on constitutional changes have ended without results, SDA leader Sulejman Tihic called on the political leaders in BiH to continue them. Tihic said he has offered a concession by not insisting on abolishment of the entities, adding he is convinced that an agreement can be reached. However, Tihic underlined that ethnic and entity principles can’t dominate the future governmental structure of BiH. |
| Tihic: No readiness in ICC to exert pressure on Serb side because of Kosovo negotiations
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Not even close to agreement’ by |
| NN op-ed on TIhic;s initiative: doomed to failure in advance
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Tihic’s initiative’ by Mirza Cubro – The author notes that the initiative of Sulejman Tihic on continuation of talks on constitutional changes was doomed to a failure in advance, but this would not cause a loss of voters’ support. On the contrary, according to the author, this was a calculated move because Tihic would even get the support of voters who wish to have a better state because he was the only one who asked for the talks to continue even after everyone else have given up from it. |
| SD: BiH will get new Constitution in March
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 16, mentioned on front ‘Dictate by |
| VL: Croatian PM Sanader to offer Granic position of
| Vecernji List, pg 8 ‘Sanader takes Granic away from Djapic’, mentioned on front ‘Mate Granic is Sanader’s advisor for Dayton’, by Anita Maslenica – VL learns from sources close to the Croatian Government that the Croatian PM, Ivo Sanader, should in the next few days meet with Dr. Mate Granic, former Croatian Foreign Minister who is currently a special advisor to the Croatian |
| DA int. w/ HR Petritsch: Doors of Europe could close for BiH
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Doors of Europe could close for BiH’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to DA, former High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch stated that doors of Europe could be closed for BiH, commenting that after France and Netherlands have rejected EU Constitution a “failure” of talks on constitutional changes could be very dangerous for BiH. Petritsch said that he admires USAID’ Donald Hays on his efforts, adding that the results failed to appear. He also stressed that talks on Stabilisation and Association Agreement [ |
| RS reps do not specify whether they would demand exclusion of Judge Palavric from case of Tihic’ motion with BH CC on constitutionality of RS symbols
| EuroBlic RSpg 1 ‘Doubts in objectivity of judge Seada Palavric’ by Nedeljka Breberina – Nevenka Trifkovic, PDP delegate, stated after Monday’s meeting of the RS NA delegates before BH Constitutional Court that the BH CC should overrule motion filed by Sulejman Tihic, Bosniak member to BH Presidency, regarding assessment on constitutionality of RS coat-of-arms, hymn and flag, since the motion is of political nature and offers no legal arguments. She did not want to disclose strategy and arguments RS representatives will offer before the BH CC, adding that RS team demanded additional team to give their arguments, finding half-an-hour timing to be insufficient. Dusan Stojicic, RS NA Speaker, did not want to specify whether the RS representatives would demand exclusion of Judge Seada Palavric in this case, since she had been the SDA member until recently. Sefket Hafizovic, SDA delegate, stressed Palavric is no longer SDA member, therefore he sees “no reason why she would be biased in this case”. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Not even close to agreement’ by |
| Oslob. op-ed: consistent implementation of human rights would questions Constitution itself
| Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Dangerous human rights’ op-ed by Zija Dizdarevic – Commenting talks on constitutional changes, author expresses his surprise that BiH political parties leaders easily agreed on the need for pursuing reforms necessary for strengthening the State institutions and protecting human rights. He says that consistent implementation of human rights and freedoms would lead to questioning the BiH Constitution itself, since the Constitution is made for ethnic groups and not based on individual citizen. Author stresses that in spite of fact that all international conventions on human rights have been included in BiH Constitution, it is still discriminatory towards minorities. Author concludes that placing a citizen as a primary constitutional subject would not threat proper exercise of ethnic rights, but a threat to ruling nationalistic structure. |
| HDZ Presidency in session: support for police reform, object raids in HNK
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| Ashdown tours
| RTRS by Bozidar Stajcic – Within his farewell tour, HR Paddy Ashdown visited Trebinje on Monday, where he met with the representatives of |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed: “Farewell circuit” | Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Farewell circuit’ op-ed by Mirko Sagolj – Commenting HR Paddy Ashdown’s farewell tour trough BiH cities, editorial says it has been his last circuit. Author says that Ashdown has been finishing with his mandate the same way he has begun – in great delusion, underlining that Ashdown has supported nationalistic political parties instead of Alliance for democratic changes. Editorial claims that Ashdown has given his attention to “reformed nationalists” and his favourite media, instead to multiethnic parties and respectable moral strength of civic sector. Author ends with statement that better political situation was not to be expected with such attitude. |
Security issues | |
| Agreement on free transit of EUFOR troops signed in Belgrade
| BHT1– |
| Mektic: CoM Task Force had not received offer from Ilidza re site for SIPA HQ Zec-Filipovic: offer was received | Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘New offer was sent to Adnan Terzic only’ by N. Krsman – CoM Task Force had not received a new offer from Ilidza municipality for a location in Sarajevo settlement Nedzarici, at which SIPA HQ might be seated, as according to the Head of the Task Force, Dragan Mektic. Bojan Zec Filipovic, the Advisor to CoM Chairman, has stated that the offer of Ilidza municipality was received and it will be discussed during next CoM session on Thursday. |
| OHR on SIPA seat: issue has to be solved before Ashdown leaves
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Milisic: SIPA seat has to be solved before Ashdown’s leave’ by E.Sarac – OHR Spokesperson Oleg Milisic stated for DA that it should be decided on SIPA seat before High Representative Paddy Ashdown leaves BiH. Milisic reminded that political quarrels over SIPA date from July of 2003, and that BiH citizens pay 600.000 km per year for SIPA current space rental, adding that functional SIPA is one of key conditions in EU integrations process. Inset, ‘Novic without comment’ – SIPA Director Sredoje Novic didn’t want to comment statements of BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic who said that “Novic has no rights to say that SIPA seat is a political issue.” |
| Decertified police officers update: | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Sulic: We would not allow to be manipulated with’ by M. Kukan– Head of FBiH Association o Decertified Police officers Ramo Sulic stated that they have found out that some are trying to exploit their case to raise the issue of all replacements in public BiH life, carried out by the International Community. Sulic stated that this refers to replaced politicians, stressing that they are not going to allow this. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Ambassadors have understanding for demands of decertified police officers’ by A. M.– BiH Ambassador to UN Mission in New York, Milos Prica stated that he is going to finish talks to UN Security Council’s Ambassadors on the issue of decertified police officers and revision of the process. |
Economic issues | |
| New factory for aluminium processing; operative as of August
| BHT1 by Martina Kristo-Antelj – Building of new factory for processing of aluminium started within the complex of ‘Aluminij’ Mostar. ‘Aluminij’ and ‘FEAL’ company from Siroki Brijeg would carry out project, worth KM 32 million. General Director of ‘Aluminij’ Mijo Brajkovic stated that new factory would be equipped by latest technology standards, that it should start working in August and open possibilities for developing of small and medium businesses. ‘FEAL’ Director Ante Musa stated that building should have started earlier, but that administrative difficulties prevented that. Chair of BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic stressed that this is a bright example, which shows that BiH could achieve great success with successful management, such as this one. It was emphasised that factory would be also producing aluminium alloys intended for car industry, shipbuilding and electro industry, while negotiations on cooperation with German market are ongoing. |
| FBiH Investment Bank to administer funds for stimulating employment in 2006
| FTV by Azra Pasukan-Buljina – Even though some statistical data show that unemployment rate is about 44 percent, Director of the FBiH Employment Bureau Hasan Musemic believes that the actual unemployment rate in FBiH is not bigger than 26 percent. One possible way to fight this problem is the project of credit stimulus, which has been carried out by the Employment Bureau for the last four years. In 2006, FBiH Investment Bank will administer the funds for stimulating employment, stated its Acting Director Zlatan Jugo. It is expected that those credits would enable the opening of approximately 10,000 new jobs in industry, handicrafts and agriculture. The importance of this project is even bigger when one knows that the Value Added Tax introduction could increase the unemployment rate in BiH; because, according to FTV reporter, employers who have problem with paying VAT will most likely decide to fire employees as the easiest solution. PINK, Hayat, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Loans to employers, unemployed to get jobs’, by Erna Mackic– reported on this. |
| Negotiation with the potential partner of Oil Refinery Bosanski Brod started
| FTV– Representatives of the RS Government have started the negotiations with the representatives of Israeli company ‘Alon Group’ on establishment of joint company with the Oil Refinery Bosanski Brod. RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic, Minister of Economy, Energy and Development Miladin Gligoric, Minister of Finance Svetlana Cenic and the representatives of Oil Refinery are participating in those negotiations. RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Negotiations with “Alon” commenced’ by R. Segrt, Glas Srpske pg 2, a solution from Israel’ by Z. M., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Negotiations on Refinery commenced’ by T. Veselinovic– also carried. |
| Pensions in FBiH increased by 2 percent
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 3 ‘January pensions increased for two percent’ by A.Terzic – January pensions in FBiH would be increased for two percent, learns Oslobodjenje. “Fund must not decide on higher increase of pensions due to fear of capability to keep continuity at the same level,” commented from FBiH Pensions Disability Insurance Fund [PDIF] the decision on gradual increase of pensions. FBiH PDIF has scored surplus worth 37 million KM due to increased incomes in December of 2005. Dnevni Avaz pg 6 ‘January pensions to be increased’, mentioned on cover – also reported. |
| Croatian Parliament to verify agreement btw BiH and
| Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘Agreement on rights of HVO victims’ by V. Rupcic – At the session that is to take place on January 25 in Zagreb, the Croatian Parliament should verify the agreement between BiH and Croatia on cooperation with regard to rights of HVO victims and members of their families. This agreement should also be at the agenda of the BiH House of Representatives at the session scheduled for January 30. It has been expected that the agreement would also be verified at this session since competent Commission did not have objections on the agreement. |
War crimes | |
| Scorpio member pleads not guilty, says unit was under RS Army command
| BHT1 by Vesna Simic – Former member of Scorpions unit Branislav Medic before the War Crimes Council of the |
| RS MOI’s Pejic: RS MoI is in possession of documents on crimes of mujahedeens and crimes against Serbs, reports forwarded to Prosecutor’s Office
| Nezavisne Novine pg 8, announced on cover ‘Hundreds reports, not a single indictment’ by S. Karic – In an interview to NN, the Head of Public Relations Bureau of RS MoI, Radovan Pejic, has stated that RS MoI is in possession of substantial documentation on presence of mujahedeens in BiH and crimes they have committed, and these documents have been forwarded to Prosecutor’s Offices. He also noted RS MoI had, so far, submitted a number of reports on war crimes against Serbs in BiH to the competent Prosecutor’s Offices, but he has no knowledge on what had happened with these reports. He could not say whether any indictments could be expected to be raised soon. |
| SiCG legal representative Stojanovic: I have no information that BiH lawsuit against SiCG would be dropped
| Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘Genocide will not pass’ by Ivan Lovric – in an interview to VN, referring to the recent statement of professor of international laws and author of BiH lawsuit against SiCG Francis Boyle, who had stated that BiH is currently under a pressure exerted with an aim to force BiH to drop the lawsuit against SiCG, SiCG legal representative Radoslav Stojanovic has stated he has no such information. He added, in case BiH dropped the lawsuit, the reconciliation process would be launched and a solution would be reached through an agreement. He reiterated that it cannot be proven SiCG and Serb people have intended to destroy Muslim people in BiH. |