OHR BiH Media Round-up, 24/3/2004

Oslobodjenje

HDZ requests abolishment of the FBiH

Dnevni Avaz

Police investigates into steal of the expensive device – Report filed with regard to steal in BH Post Office building

Dnevni List

“Orucevic: Former Mostar mayor future state Prime Minister”; “New ruling coalition at state level agreed”

Vecernji List

“Opposition demands new elections”; “Books have arrived!”

Slobodna Dalmacija

“Madrid bombers were trained in Zenica and transferred over Split”; “Interview with HDZ President Barisa Colak: SDA is pushing us into new elections”

Glas Srpske

The Hague Tribunal and suffering of Serbs: Amending false justice; Harri Holkeri: Crime against humanity

Nezavisne Novine

Over 20 thousand people at protest in Banjaluka: People chose elections; BiH Prosecutor’s Office on acetic acid anhydride affair: Toxic substances imported for drugs production; Extraordinary session of F BiH Parliament: HDZ delegates did not take part in budget debate

Blic

Sniper-shooter from Kragujevac: This politician has been killing dogs; Trick with mobile phone: Two Serbs ripped off money from casino; Pupils threw a bomb in front of school in Trebinje; Banja Luka: The protest of opposition

Political developments

RS opposition demands early elections

Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘More than 10,000 citizens requested removal of government in RS’, Oslobodjenje pg. 7, mentioned on the front page ‘Serbs have fear of hunger and not of Bosniaks and Croats’, Blic front page and p 13 ‘Deadline of six months for the Government’, Vecernje Novosti p 21 ‘Protest in rain’, Vecernji List front page splash and page 3 “Opposition wants new elections”, by Branka Stevandic, Dnevni List page 11 “People want new elections and Milorad Dodik”, by M. Relota, Slobodna Dalmacija front and page 17 “Government to fall – during next protests”, by Aleksandar Macanovic,SRNA – The chairman of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), Milorad Dodik, said at Krajina Square in Banja Luka that Tuesday’s opposition protest will be remembered as starting grand changes. He said that the protesters did not want to destroy, but a better life, they did not ask for facilities to be damaged but they wanted elections. “An avalanche will be set in motion today so that we can build a better tomorrow and when we get into power, we shall do everything to have improvements,” Dodik said adding that “criminals” would be chased by “punitive expeditions”. The SNSD chairman told the ruling parties not to fear citizens today, but to fear them “in a few weeks’ time”. “Today we are peaceful, but we shall not be so in a few weeks’ time,” Dodik said. He told RS President Dragan Cavic, Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic and Speaker Dragan Kalinic that it was the people who do the choosing and not them. Dodik believes that the privatization process had been criminal and that if he were to come into power, he would turn back the clock as far as privatization was concerned. He appealed to the protesters to march peacefully on Banski Dvori (government seat), following, which the protest in Krajina Square ended. About 10,000 people, together with the opposition leaders, then walked to the government building.

Nezavisne Novine, cover and pgs. 2 & 3, ‘People chose elections’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Time for changes’ – Participants of yesterday’s opposition protest in Banjaluka addressed a message to the local authorities saying that “It cannot go on like this any longer’. Over 20 thousand people gathered at the Banjaluka Main Square of Krajina (according to NN), in spite of heavy rain yesterday. The opposition party leaders and representatives of associations of citizens and NGO’s said it is high time Parliament of RS is disbanded and early elections scheduled. The speakers were: Milorad Dodik (SNSD), Nikola Spiric (Chairperson of the BiH House of Representatives), Ivan Tomljenovic (Republika Srpska Vice President), Slavko Jovicic (Vice President of RS Association of former inmates), Dragomir Babic (President of People’s Front, Petar Djokic (President of SPRS), Nebojsa Radmanovic (President of SNSD Executive Board), Lazar Ristic (President of Peoples’ Movement “Resistance”), Dusan Prica (President of the Pensioners’ Democratic Alliance), Dragan Savic (President of the Housing Co-operative “Soko” from Serb Sarajevo), Mile Ubovic (syndicate activist).

The protestors placed a box for ballots cast in front of the building, where the Cabinet of the Republika Srpska President, Dragan Cavic, is located. (Glas Srpske had separate article on this placement of box on pg. 2, ‘Voting box’).

According to NN inset, Cavic reiterated once more after yesterday’s protest he would not disband Parliament and convene early elections. He stressed he is not afraid of neither, high representative nor political party leaders, but only of people. (Glas Srpske carried a separate report on this statement by Cavic on pg. 2, ‘I will not convene elections’).

Glas Srpske carried a report of ordinary length (one third of a page) on yesterday’s protest in Banjaluka. The report contained statements by Milorad Dodik, Nikola Spiric, Ivan Tomljenovic, Lazar Ristic and Igor Radojicic. 

NOTE: Various agencies report on various figures, regarding the number of people who gathered at yesterday’s protest. The figure scrolls from few thousand to ten thousand (which many agency reported) upto to 30 thousand (an assessment by Milorad Dodik).

Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Police fulfils task’ – The RS Ministry of Internal Affairs yesterday announced that the two-hour rally of opposition parties in Banjaluka has ended without any violation of public peace and order. The press release stresses that police co-operation with the organisers was correct.

RS president not to call early elections

RTRS, SRNA – RS President Dragan Cavic has said that he has not changed his views following Tuesday’s opposition rally in Banja Luka and that he will not call early elections in the RS. “I shall not fall for this type of political trap nor will I agree to this demand. I shall not be dictated what to do by political parties,” Cavic told SRNA after the opposition rally at which calls for early elections had been renewed.

Kalinic: Elections must be scheduled in accordance with constitution

RTRS, Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Dialogue instead of threats’, ONASA – Republika Srpska National Assembly Speaker and President of the Serb Democratic Party (SDS) Dragan Kalinic said that early elections cannot be scheduled with bypassing of the Constitution and the law, or without the political will of all relevant factors. Kalinic said that he was satisfied with peaceful passing of the opposition rally on Tuesday in Banja Luka. “Dialogue is necessary between the authorities and the opposition, and such talks would be a sort of a test for the authorities,” Kalinic said.

PDP on protest

Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘False promises’, Blic p 13 ‘PDP: High level of conscience’ – PDP yesterday released a press statement, saying that the citizens of Banjaluka and Republika Srpska did not succumb to empty critics and false promised of the opposition parties. PDP also expressed satisfaction that protests ended without a single incident.

Tihic meets Humphreys

Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Slow progress on the path to EU’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Fulfillment of 16 conditions not going fast enough’, Vecernji List page 2, “BiH progresses towards EU too slowly”, by dja, Dnevni List page 7, “Slow progress in approaching EU”, by Nina, FENA – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic met Delegation of the European Commission in BiH Head Michael Humphreys in Sarajevo on Tuesday to discuss BiH accession to the Partnership for Peace and implementation of defence reform. They also discussed the fulfillment of 16 conditions for starting the Stabilisation and Association process with EU. Humphreys thinks that expected progress on the road toward the EU is not fast enough and called for a political consensus of all parties on the issue. Problems can be resolved by making joint decision at different levels of authority. They also discussed the transfer of the NATO mission to the EU. Humphreys stressed that there is agreement in that respect between the future EUFOR and NATO. Humphreys announced that the EC would present next week the report on the Stabilisation and Association process, which will for the first time include the document on European partnership that was agreed at the summit in Thessalonica last year.

FBiH HoR discusses draft 2004 Budget

Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje ‘Voting on draft Budget postponed’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Voting on draft budget to take place today’, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4, ‘Debate without HDZ’, FENA – The FBiH House of Representatives started a special session in Sarajevo on Tuesday to discuss the draft FBiH Budget for 2004. The draft was presented by FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic. The Budget according to the draft amounts up to 1.25 billion KM. Funds for refugees and displaced persons have been increased in the draft by 9 million KM, funds for stimulating agriculture by 8 million, culture and sport approx 3 million, and the financing of economically unsustainable cantons by 9 million KM. In its present form the budget is a stabilising, and it also has a development component, the Prime Minister said. It stimulates agriculture like no previous budget and ensures stabile financing of economically unsustainable cantons, he added. HDZ Caucus President Ivan Madunic said that he opposes the fact that the budget was defined at an FBiH Government session in Mostar on March 4, which was not attended by HDZ ministers. “Croats have been bypassed in making a decision on such an important issue, the issue of funds”, Madunic said. FBiH Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic described as a precedent in democratic practice the fact that the budget was defined without his presence as the Finance Minister, one of the key figures in this process. The House postponed voting on the draft until the Federation Government declares itself on a large number of amendments submitted by the deputies.

Vecernji List (page 3 “Renewal of coalition or elections”, by E. Medunjanin) – claims that the crisis within the FBiH authorities was best demonstrated yesterday during a session of the FBiH Parliament’s House of Representatives, which was discussing the Proposal of FBiH budget for 2004, when the HDZ MPs warned right from the start that they would not be supporting the Proposal because the FBiH Finance Minister, Dragan Vrankic, and other Croat Ministers did not participate in the final making of it. According to the President of the HDZ-CCD-HNZ Caucus in the said chamber, Ivan Madunic, by ignoring the Croats’ representatives, the partner side is sending a bad signal to the Croats in the FBiH. VL notes that if the budget is not adopted by end March, early elections must be organized, which will slow down the implementation of reforms.

Slobodna Dalmacija (front and page 17 “SDA is pushing us into new elections”, by Blazica Kristo) – carries an interview with the President of HDZ BiH, Barisa Colak, who, responding to the journalist’s question about the future course of action, says that the outcome will be probably known by end of the week, since the FBiH Parliament is discussing the budget for 2004 on Tuesday and Wednesday (House of Representatives) and on Friday (House of Peoples). “If we reach an agreement by then and agree on the budget, it is of course possible that we overcome the crisis and keep cooperating, but the basic pre-requisite is to redefine the partnership relations i.e. to devise the mode of behaviour and get it in writing (…) If it goes on like this, we will not be able to adopt neither the FBiH or State budget, and then we could end up in a crisis that could take a new direction: possible reshuffling of parliamentary majority or something third – new elections”, says Colak. Herceg Bosna Radio and Oslobodjenje pgs. 4-5, mentioned on the front page ‘If we do not reach agreement with SDA the best solution are elections’ also carried interviews with Colak in which he presented the same HDZ positions on the current disputes with their partners.

SDA once again called on HDZ to take part in executive bodies’ work

FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 6 ‘In place of new offer warning delivered to HDZ’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 8 ‘All lists at local elections will be multiethnic’, FENA – The Party of Democratic Action (SDA) Presidency on Tuesday once again called on the Croat Democratic Union (HDZ), i.e. its representatives to participate in work of

the FBiH Government and the Central Bosnian Cantonal Government, “because disputed issues can only be resolved within the system institutions”. Responsibility for the failure to adopt the budget and for jeopardizing the reformatory road of BiH will lie with the side that boycotts the institutions, was announced by SDA, after the session of Party’s Presidency.

Dnevni List (front page and page 5 “Bakir Izetbegovic pushes Tihic to the side”, by Miso Relota) – speculates that the President of SDA, Sulejman Tihic, is not the absolute number 1 in his party claiming that “by analyzing the course of negotiations (between the HDZ and SDA), one gets a feeling that Tihic is ready to make concessions to the HDZ unlike members of the SDA Collegium, who trust and see the great authority and true party leader in Bakir Izetbegovic”.

Oslobodjenje: HDZ requests abolishment of Federation of BiH

Oslobodjenje front page ‘HDZ requests abolishment of Federation of BiH’ – HDZ has submitted to the FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, an initiative for transfer of authorities from the Federation of BiH to the state and cantonal levels (i.e. for the abolishment of the entity), the newspaper learns from the sources close to SDA. HDZ Spokesman Pero Pavlovic did not want to comment on the issue. 

VL on possible abolishment of FBiH

Vecernji List (page 3, “Serb radicals also support re-organization of BiH”, by Z.J.) carries that representatives of the Serb political leadership demand from some parliamentary parties in the Federation of BiH to take certain political activities that would result in the abolishment of the FBiH as a BiH entity and then a new administrative-political organization of BiH might be discussed again. VL says that contacts among Serb, Croat and Bosniak political representatives have been intensified after the recent initiative of European Stability Initiative that envisages the abolishment of the FBiH and the federal organization of BiH. VL carries secretary of Serb Radical Party Ognjen Tadic who stated that they have certain negotiations on this issue with political parties from the FBiH. Tadic also reminded that concrete moves in the realization of some plans are being expected this year.

DL says new coalition at State level being formed

Dnevni List (front page splash “Orucevic, former Deputy Mayor of Mostar a future State Prime Minister” and page 5 “New ruling coalition at State level agreed”, by M. B.) – the daily learns from the “SNSD top” that parallel to talks between the HDZ and SDA, talks were being held between the HDZ, SNSD and SDP about formation of a new ruling coalition in BiH. According to the source, the IC and the US Ambassador to BiH, Clifford Bond, in particular, tried to gather leaders of the three parties to speed up the reform processes, which are evidently in deep crisis. According to DL, Zlatko Lagumdzija (SDP) was a hard negotiator, refusing several HDZ’s request, which resulted in the SBiH filling in the SDP’s spot. According to the source from the SNSD, SNSD has forwarded three of its requests, namely that BiH be organized in 14 cantons plus two districts, the Brcko District plus the Sarajevo District. Second request is that Drvar, Glamoc and Bosanski Petrovac be returned to the Serbs and finally that (presumably Serbs) get two additional councilors in the future City Council of Mostar. According to DL, SBIH and HDZ’s requests are still secrets, however, DL learns from its source that the SBiH wants the position of the State Prime Minister to be given to it. In that context, DL notes that a former Mayor/Deputy Mayor of Mostar, Safet Orucevic, could become the new BiH Prime Minister. DL also notes that Orucevic is currently in Vienna where he is waiting for Haris Silajdzic and the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, to return from Kuwait.

HNC SDP on work of HNC authorities

Dnevni List (page 8 “SDA requests Ashdown to dissolve current cantonal authorities”, by N. Bise) – reports that the President of Cantonal Board of SDP in Canton 7, Nermin Niksic, has called for dissolving of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNC) Assembly and organization of early elections, claiming that the leadership of the HNC authorities behave the way they like, neglecting the interests of the citizenry. “There are all valid arguments in a modern parliamentary democracy to dissolve this legislative body. Unfortunately, we are the State as we are, and at this moment, it is only the High Representative who can intervene, in other words, dissolve them”, says Niksic. Niksic’s main complaint is that the HNC Assembly is yet to adopt the HNC budget for 2004.

DL on situation in SDA Mostar

Dnevni List (page 4 “No one wants the hot seat”, by N. Bise) – following the resignation of the former President of City Board of SDA Mostar, Fatima Leho, the daily speculates as to who is the likely candidate to succeed Leho. In that context, DL says unofficial information mentioned Mustafa Delic and Murat Coric as possible candidates, but Coric rules out this scenario. According to DL’s information, the City Board of SDA Mostar wanted Zijo Hadziomerovic to puts forward his candidacy for the post, which he reportedly rejected, saying that he has obligations towards the SDA top, since he is a member of the SDA Presidency. DL reckons that nobody wants to be in “the hot seat”, especially after the SDA’s positions, during the Mostar restructuring process, suffered a heavy blow.

Economic/social issues

Hays: BiH internal debts amounts up to 20 billion KM

Oslobodjenje pg. 3 , mentioned on the front page ‘BiH internal debts amounts up to 20 billion KM’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘Better and better business environment in BiH’, Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Debt of 20 billion’, FENA – The Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, spoke at a lunch on Tuesday organized by the American Chamber of Commerce. Ambassador Hays noted that work is proceeding on rationalizing and modernizing the customs service under the new Indirect Taxation Administration, as well as that preparations are underway to introduce VAT, possibly by late 2005. According to Hays 15 business chambers will shortly be established around the country to deal with bankruptcy, enforcement of civil judgments and other business related judicial issues. Hays added that a legislative package is currently before the respective governments or parliaments – including laws on Business Registration, Procurement, Accounting and Auditing, Public Enterprises, and Investment of Public Funds, as well as amendments to the federation Bankruptcy Law – which will significantly improve the BiH business environment.

Ashdown visiting Kuwait, asks for donations, investments

Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Donations for Potocari, stimulation for investment’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Ashdown presented BiH as attractive for investments’, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Talks with most senior officials’, FENA – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, was on the second day of a two day visit to Kuwait, where he aims to encourage donations to the Foundation of Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial and Cemetery, and to promote BiH as an investment location, OHR

spokesperson Oleg Milisic said at  press conference in Sarajevo on Tuesday. In the course of the day, Ashdown met with Crown Prince H.H. Sheikh Saad Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah and the Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah.

On Monday, the High Representative met the Kuwaiti Finance Minister, Dr. Yousef Al Ebraheem. The High Representative also met with the Vice president of the Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce, Ali Al Ganen, and representatives of the Kuwaiti business community, Milisic said.

Telekom Srpske shares dropping

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 8, ‘Shares of “Telekom Srpske” dropped’ – The stock exchange yesterday confirmed that the shares of “Telekom Srpske” are dropping. Namely, the maximum drop of shares for 20% was recorded yesterday.

RS Government adopts draft law on veterans

Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Law counts increase’ – At Tuesday’s session in Banjaluka, the Republika Srpska Government has accepted the draft law on rights of veterans, war invalids and families of the fallen soldiers and forwarded it for parliament procedure. Mico Micic, RS Minister of labour and veterans’ protection, said after the session that the representatives of the veterans’ population – in spite of some reserves towards some provisions of the draft law – accepted it in the form proposed. He said that: “The proposed draft law stipulates the increase of disability allowance for 40%.”

Security/defence/investigations

SBS Director Relja Kovac resigns

BHTV, Dnevni Avaz pg. 5 ‘New public competition for SBS Director possible’, FENA – BiH State Border Service (SBS) newly appointed Director Relja Kovac resigned on Tuesday, the BiH Presidency confirmed. The proposal of the decision on accepting Kovac’s resignation and measures for ensuring the functioning of the SBS will be prepared for the Wednesday’s session of the BiH Presidency. Relevant BiH Presidency services, the OHR Legal Department and authorized EUPM officials are working on drafting that document. 

HR welcomed adoption of intelligence law

Oslobodjenje pg. 2 ‘Active role played by BiH Parliament’, pg. 3 ‘Agency in accordance to the highest standards’, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Adoption of Law on OSA commended’, FENA – The High Representative extends his congratulations to the Parliamentary Assembly for adopting the Law on the Intelligence and Security Agency on Monday following months of careful deliberation. The Parliamentary Assembly has seized the opportunity to create a modern, effective and democratically accountable Agency in line with the highest European standards, and, in so doing, has confirmed its willingness to play a full and active role in the reform process, OHR spokesperson Oleg Milisic told a press conference in Sarajevo on Tuesday. The High Representative also paid tribute to the newly established Defence and Security Policy Committee, who supported this process, and played an important role during the parliamentary procedure. They have shown that they understand that the spirit of compromise is the only way forward for BiH.

Radovanovic on reform

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Discussion on size of Armed forces and generals’ positions’, Blic p 12 ‘The Presidency on defence today’ – BiH Defence Minister, Nikola Radovanovic, yesterday said that he would today propose to BiH Presidency members to adopt the proposal regarding the size and strength of the BiH defence troops. He would also propose distribution of Generals’ posts at the General Staff.

NN editorial on Radovanovic

Nezavisne Novine editorial pg. 7 by Almedin Sisic, ‘Our “Radovanovic’s” – The author is writing about the appointment of Nikola Radovanovic to the position of the first BiH defence minister. He commends his experience and knowledge. However, he is extremely critical and sarcastic of the SDS, that failed to propose proper candidate for two times. The point author is making is that there are many people in BiH of Radovanovic calibre, who cannot be recognised because they are not politically biased. Such people, according to the author, are either working with some of many international organisations in BiH or have left the state to “cash” their brains.

He concludes the article by saying that our authority does not allow people likes of Radovanovic to help their state.

OSCE’s Beecroft: BiH cannot join PfP with two armies

Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘One cannot join PfP with two armies’ – OSCE Head of the Mission to BiH Robert Beecroft told the newspaper that the BiH’s accession to Partnership for Peace was not impossible task under condition there was a political sill for that. He emphasized that the pre-conditions for joining PfP include civil control of armed forces, transparent spending of budgetary funds, military doctrine based on defence  and coherent military structure.

Education

OSCE, OHR welcome adoption of draft higher education law by CoM

Dnevni List (page 2, “World Bank: There are no loans until law is adopted”, by R. Radic) carries that the OSCE Mission and OHR welcomed the decision passed by the BiH Council of Ministers to forward Law on Higher Education to the parliamentary procedure. DL also carries that the yesterday’ press conference OHR spokesperson Oleg Milisic conveyed the stand of High Representative Paddy Ashdown on this issue and according to this stand all Ministers who obstruct the implementation of the education reforms will be held accountable for non-implementation of the commitments that they took upon themselves. Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘WB loan depends on position of BiH parliamentarians also covered the issue.

DL: Systematic ignoring of Croats’ stands in BiH

On the same issue DL (page 2, “Systematic ignoring of Croats’ stands in BiH”, by M. Relota) says that the representatives of the International Community again ignored the fact that the proposal of framework Law on Higher Education was adopted on the ground of outvoting in the BiH Council of Ministers and they again threatened Croat officials with sanctions if they not adopt framework Law on Primary and Secondary Education. DL also says that according to their information the Cantonal Education Ministers should meet today with the OSCE and OHR representatives, however, there are no big chances that the stands of BiH Croats on this issue will be taken into consideration.

SD: Different conditions for studying in entities

Slobodna Dalmacija (page 18, “Different conditions for studying in entities”, by D. Juka) carries that asked whether the Law on Higher Education will come to life and whether Croat Ministers will be able to do something in the parliamentary procedure, Head of the Mostar University (Croat) Frano Ljubic says that Croat Ministers cannot resolve the problem but the partner’s side, since Croats are being outvoted all the time. Ljubic also says: “It is illogical to talk about harmonization of standards of higher education in BiH with the standards in the other European countries if we adopt the law at the level of 2 entities, where students in the Federation of BiH and the RS will not have the same rights, possibilities and standards of studying.”

Colak, Ivo Miro Jovic on the draft higher education law

SD (page 17, “Law on Education is one-sided”, by B. Kristo) carries HDZ President Barisa Colak as saying that during the last ten days they (referring to Croat Ministers) were told first of all by Minister of Civil Affairs Safet Halilovic that nothing can be changed on this law (on higher education) and according to Colak this is ridiculous. Colak added that some things have been changed but it is far from the way it should be.

Vecernji List (page 6, “Proposal of law is illegal”, by M. Bosnjak) carries representative in the BiH Parliament Ivo Miro Jovic as saying that the aforementioned law is anti-constitutional and that everything should be done in order to proclaim it invalid.

War crimes/organised crime

Verdicts passed at the Hague Tribunal

Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Amending false justice’ – GS writes about trials for war crimes before the Hague Tribunal. It stresses that judging by verdicts so far passed by the ICTY, only nine Serbs were murdered and 17 Serbs were injured during the war. This falls under the Celebic case against Zdravko Mucic, Esad Landzo and Hazim Delic, on which ICTY passed verdicts. GS reiterates that the first crime committed during the war in BiH was on 26 March 1992 in Serb Brod, when 256 Serb civilians were murdered.

The report concludes by saying it is high time authorities or Republika Srpska react on this, bearing in mind that the mandate of the Hague Tribunal approaches to its end and it is this institution that writes the history of the former Yugoslavia states.

SD on possible ICTY indictments against BiH Croats

Slobodna Dalmacija (page 5 “Instead of Bozo Rajic, The Hague wants Berislav Pusic”, by A. Malenica) – the daily got a confirmation from an anonymous, senior source within (Croatian) authority, that the ICTY has prepared 6 indictments against Croats for war crimes committed in BiH. According to SD, the indictments will first go to BiH, after which 3 of them will be forwarded to Croatia, because three persons from the list reside in Croatia. SD says the list contains names of Valentin Coric, Bruno Stojic and Berislav Pusic, who reside in BiH, and Jadranko Prlic, Milivoj Petkovic and Slobodan Praljak, who reside in Croatia.

Update to acetic acid anhydride affair

Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 5, ‘Toxic substances imported for drugs production’ – Marinko Jurcevic, BiH Chief Prosecutor, yesterday stated that the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH has informed all relevant institutions of import and transport through BiH of acetic acid anhydride and other substances, which are used for production of synthetic heroin. Prosecutor’s Office has also proposed a number of urgent measures, including close co-operation between police forces in BiH, urgent adoption of the law on classification of substances, etc.

Update to Jelavic case

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Investigation may be conjoined’ – Following proposal of Bernard Boland, Judge for initial proceedings at BiH Court, BiH Prosecutor’s Office yesterday took over two more files from the Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office, which was running the investigation against Ante Jelavic. Oleg Cavka, Spokesperson of Sarajevo Cantonal PO, confirmed that PO handed two files to BiH Prosecutor’s Office.

Judge Boland could not tell whether these two files will be conjoined with other file.

Dnevni List page 3 “Jelavic cases after insight into documentation”, by V. Pusic also covered the issue.

Update to Zenica police action

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Dealer and his girlfriend detained’ – The action of Zenica-Doboj Canton Police on Monday, aimed at cutting the net of drug-dealers, resulted in arrest of Suljo Skapur (27) and his girlfriend M.C. (27) both from Zenica.