| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Oil price increased | HIV in rise in BiH | Oil price increased | Oil price increased |
| Increase cigarettes prices? | Oil price increased | Publishers against VAT | Prices in RS higher |
| Publishers against VAT | Discussion on VAT rate | BiH to reject IMF funds? | Arrest in forgery case |
| Deal btw BiH, Germany | PMs criticise IMF | OHR on Buk Bijela | Journalists against Njegus |
| Oslobodjenje | Sugar affair with EU never existed; Miserable is the state which depends on VAT on books |
| Dnevni Avaz | Tihic: Decision on sending troops will not change ; Flags divided Stolac |
| Dnevni List | There is no highway towards Dubrovnik |
| Vecernji List | Medjugorje establishes its own television |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | America stays in BiH because of ‘Islamic state’ |
| Nezavisne Novine | Investigation on bombing attacks in Sarajevo: BiH Prosecution will take over five cases; OHR warned RS Police Director: Radomi Njegus must not influence the work of journalists by applying pressures; Acting Director of RS PIO Slavko Basic: there are no conditions to pay full amount of pensions in RS; IMF against import quotas |
| Glas Srpske | The “Hordes” have planted evil; Stop to Buk Bijela |
| EuroBlic | Fuel price went up, fuel is cheaper in RS than in the Federation of BiH |
|
| Economic issues |
| Oil price keeps growing
| RHB, FTV – Following the continual increase of oil price at the world market, oil distributors announce new growth as soon as next week while on Monday both RS and FBiH already introduced 6 pfenings increase. BHT 1 – BHT 1 reports that the increase of the oil prices will also cause increase in prices of transport services as of Wednesday, adding that the price growth will not be less than 10%. As for food industry, companies announced that they will not change the prices of bread and other products in the next 10 days despite the fact the oil price also affects them. In the past two months oil prices in BiH grew for 23%. Oslobodjenje cover, pg 6 ‘Transportation more expensive?’ by M.Kavaz – Daily also talks about the oil prices growth trend and speculates on possible increase of transportation costs. RTRS – Chairman of RS association of oil distributors Vukasin Vojinovic said that an urgent meeting was demanded at BIH level to discuss the price differences between entities and Brcko District, where the oil is cheaper by 4 pfening. In addition, all oil distribution will hold a meeting in September to discuss the general price growth of oil and its possible shortage. NOTE: All print media have reported on the increase of oil prices. |
| Coordination Board for Euro-Atlantic integrations criticises IMF stand-by arrangements
| Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘IMF halts BiH economy’ by V. Zivak, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘To enable banks to increase investments’ by Aj.D., Nezavisne Novine, cover ‘IMF against import quotas’ and pg. 4 ‘IMF against decision on introducing of import quotas’ by M. C., Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 7 ‘Proposal: A 17% VAT?’, by Zdenko Rerig, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Apart from economic stabilization, BiH must have space for development’, by Erna Mackic – BiH authorities will in negotiations with the IMF insist that some provisions of the stand-by arrangement for 2005, which the IMF has sent to BiH authorities, be harmonized. Following the 22nd session of the Coordination Board for Euro-Atlantic integration attended among others by the Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, and entity Prime Ministers Dragan Mikerevic and Ahmet Hadzipasic, it was stated that some provisions of the stand-by arrangement are not in function of long-term economic development of BiH. This especially refers to import policy, in which development of some areas of economy would be halted without short-term interventions of the State. The Coordination Board also discussed the work of the Indirect Tax Administration, concluding that the envisaged VAT rate set at 17% is the most appropriate solution at the moment. However, some products should be VAT free. BHT 1 – Board said that the VAT exemption will be asked for meat and certain automobile parts, stressing that the stand-by arrangement must be harmonized until October so it could be implemented next year. RTRS – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic explains that a reason for asking IMF to make certain corrections in the agreement is that the arrangement contains some clauses stopping BIH authorities in launching some of the future initiatives to protect domestic production and affirm economic development. “For example we forbid the export of logs which would mean in the short term that we would increase the higher phase of wood processing in BIH and by that we would have higher foreign currency income”, says Dragan Mikerevic. “Many solutions we proposed are in fact with regard to re-defining relations especially in this part of crediting policy,” says Ahmet Hadzipasic FBIH Prime minister. “We as a country in development have to have a small space where apart from stabilisation we can speak about development and I think that today us 3 Prime ministers will send a letter to Mr. Doyle of our views to the suggested stand by”, says Adnan Terzic Chairman of CoM. FTV – “Mr. Doyle and people that leads IMF gives too much authority to themselves and at the end one of them will become Trade Minister here,” says Terzic, explaining that it is not IMF job to discuss quotas or trade liberalisation. |
| Publishers oppose VAT on books
| RHB, BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Miserable is the state which depends on taxes on books’, mentioned on cover, by K.R., Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Kulenovic: After being burned during the war, books will be set on fire by VAT’ by A. Malagic – On Monday, the BiH Association of Publishers and Booksellers invited the Council of Ministers and BiH Parliament to abolish the VAT on books. In the meeting between authors and journalists, Association’s President Ibrahim Spahic said that the VAT rate of 0 percent on books equals development, and that the 17 percent rate equals darkness. Authors present said that the appeal against introducing VAT is supported by numerous people from the entire BiH, including both academics and BiH citizens. The petition against introducing VAT has two thousand signatures, and it should be forwarded to the BiH Council of Ministers. |
| Treasury Minister: Only smaller changes to VAT Law possible
| RHB, BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Only smaller changes in the VAT Law possible’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Only smaller changes of VAT possible’ – BiH Minister for Finance and Treasury Ljerka Maric told Fena that every initiative about the Bill on VAT is absolutely welcome, including the initiative launched by the BiH Association of Publishers on relieving books and publishing from VAT, but only if it does not disturb the system. Minister Maric declared that a meeting with the publishers would be held during this week to talk about their initiative. However, Maric has confirmed her previous statements on the occasion of accepting the Draft Law on VAT in early July, namely that it will be possible to make only minor corrections in the final version of the law that should be adopted in the BiH Parliament. VAT should be introduced in BiH as of July 1, 2005. |
| Terzic says 17% VAT adequate for BiH
| BHT 1 by Lejla Redzovic – If one rate VAT is introduced in BiH, the State will equally treat purchase of luxury automobile and basic life supplies. Therefore, experts propose lower and higher VAT rates, while the current intention to introduce one rate VAT means that the price of food previously exempted from taxes or with a take rate of 10 % will be increased. However, the same time the taxes for cars will be lower than before. “I believe that VAT rate of 17% will remain, as it will be seen that it is the most adequate for BiH. There is a good will in authorities to find optimal solution and today’s indicators show that 17% is optimal, and in six months it can be different,” stated Chair of the Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic. |
| Mikerevic says 17% VAT to burden agriculture
| Glas Srpske, pg. 2 ‘Huge burden for agriculture’ by V. S. – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic stated that the RS Government believes a lower VAT rate should be defined for agricultural products in order to prevent sale of agricultural products on a black market. He assessed that the proposed single rate of 17% would be too great burden for agriculture and said it would be better if the state introduced a lower tax rate for agricultural products from the very beginning. He reminded that the Government has even proposed introducing of so called 0% tax rate in order to respect a social element in fiscal system. ‘The sixth directive of EU prevents this, however it is not impossible to introduce a minimum of a tax rates, from which the state would have benefits, while such a tax rate would not be a burden for farmers’, Mikerevic stated. |
| OHR: No economic argument for Buk Bijela dam project
| RHB, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘No economic arguments for Buk Bijela’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Suspend Buk Bijela project’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 6 ‘Economically unjustified construction of dam Buk Bijela’ by B. Kristo, Glas Srpske, cover page ‘Stop to Buk Bijela’ not signed, EuroBlic, pg. RS7 ‘Montenegrins do not want a dam’ by Srna, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3 ‘Strong arguments for a suspension of Buk Bijela’ by I. Simundza – OHR has issued a statement regarding the petition signed by 13.000 by citizens in Montenegro against the construction of Buk Bijela hydropower plant on Drina river stressing that such massive civil response suggests that “this is a deeply unpopular project with a potentially devastating impact on the environment, and on the potential for tourism.” In addition, OHR points that that this “strengthens the arguments for suspending the project set out by the BiH Special Auditor’s Office in their audit of RS Elektroprivreda (ERS), published in February 2003. The audit pointed out that there had been no credible feasibility study, financial analysis or environmental impact study done for the Buk Bijela project, and raised serious concerns about its long-term economic viability… The BiH Special Auditor therefore recommended that Buk Bijela project should be stopped until after ERS has been restructured for privatisation, and credible financial and environmental studies had been carried out.” OHR also warns that if RS and Montenegro authorities proceed with the project without adequate procedure “it would raise serious questions in the international community about the ability of the two governments to handle major infrastructure projects responsibly.” |
| Oslobodjenje: “Sugar affair” never existed
| Oslobodjenje cover page ‘Sugar affair with EU never existed’ by Azhar Kalamujic – Daily claims it learns that the European Union so far has not offered a single evidence to customs investigators in BiH that would prove information on ‘sugar affair’ that were in the focus of media attention recently. Chairman of the CoM, Adnan Terzic said that the Indirect Taxation Administration informed him that there are no evidences to support that the companies in BiH illegally exported sugar from BiH to EU member states. Daily further says that the investigation carried by the ITA and BiH Prosecution so far confirm Terzic statement. According to the source close to the investigation, about 250.000 tons of sugar more than needed was imported to BiH and the majority ended up in RS. There is a possibility that sugar from RS was further smuggled to Croatia and SCG. |
| BiH, Germany sign agreement on financial cooperation
| RHB, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Nine million euros for USK and Srebrenica’ by Fena, Dnevni List pg 2 ’14 million Euros for encouraging of development’ by V. Vujovic and Slobodna Dalmacija pg ‘7 million Euros to Una-Sana region’ by D. Pasic – BiH Minister of Finances Ljerka Maric and German Ambassador to BiH Arne Freiherr von Kittlitz und Ottendorf signed in Sarajevo yesterday an agreement on financial cooperation between BiH and Germany for 2003 which amounts to 14 million Euros. After signing of the aforementioned agreement Maric stated that she expects that the agreement on financial cooperation between BiH and Germany for 2004 will be signed soon as well. |
| Update to possible investigations in Canton 7 Health Insurance Fund
| Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘I will take a decision later’, mentioned on front, by De. L. – With regards to yesterday’s article from DL that the FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, might order an investigation into business operations of the Canton 7 Health Insurance Funds because of alleged corruption of its senior staff, (see yesterday’s Cropress summary), the Canton 7 Chief Prosecutor, Nijaz Mehmedbasic, told DL that he was yet to receive any official information about possible launching of an investigation against a former and current Director of the Fund, Pero Milanovic and Rade Bosnjak respectively, and a group of doctors that are allegedly corrupted. Prosecutor Mehmedbasic told DL that he was yet to read the DL’s article from yesterday, noting that a decision whether to start some investigative works would be taken later on. Inset entitled ‘Apology or lawsuit’ carries Bosnjak as denying DL’s report from yesterday, and Bosnjak wants DL to apologize to him otherwise he might take matters to the court over slander. |
| RS PIO Director on pensions issues
| Nezavisne Novine, cover ‘Acting Director of RS PIO Slavko Basic: there are no conditions to pay full amount of pensions in RS’ and pg. 6 ‘There are still no conditions for payment of full pensions’ by I. Simundza – In an interview to NN, Slavko Basic, the Acting Director of RS Pension and Insurance Fund, has pointed out that the Fund has achieved a stability in payments of pensions. Asked when RS pensioners can expect payments of full pensions, considering that the Fund is currently paying only 78,26% of pensions amount, Basic answered that “it is too early to make any assessment on as to when this will take place’. He, as a member of the Council for PIO Reform, stated that the reform of pension system would last for three or four years. He also supported the memorandum on understanding and defining of relations at BiH Pension and Insurance Funds: ‘I support this memorandum and it has been signed by RS Government…Nevertheless, the Federation of BiH has not signed this memorandum as yet and this is a part of policy of this entity that I do not support. RS will not abolish payments of pensions to pensioners in the Federation because we cannot deprive them of their right to pensions’. |
| DL speculates RAK pressured to award GSM licence to Eronet
| Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘John Milne wants that GSM licence be awarded to Eronet’, by Zvonimir Jukic – The daily learns from a senior, anonymous official of the RAK (Communications Regulatory Agency) that a former assistant director of RAK and a current employee of the Provisional Administration for Hercegovacka bank, John [note: correct name is James] Milne, has started to apply pressure on members of the RAK Steering Board with regards to the appeal that Eronet filed with RAK over its decision to award the 3rd GSM licence to HT Mostar. (RAK will discuss the appeal on Friday, August 27) Allegedly, Milne got a financial compensation for jobs he has done for owners of Eronet so far, and he would get an additional bonus is the appeal goes through. DL also reports that Milne claims that he is still influential in the RAK and that he promised wonders to owners of Eronet, thus compromising the reputation of the IC. In that context, DL notes that diplomatic circles are considering taking a resolute action against him. |
| British “Vitol” interested in Serb Brod Oil Refinery | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5 ‘“Vitol” is ready to invest in the Refinery’ by D. Risojevic – According to RS Minister of Economy Djordje Lajsic, British company “Vitol” is ready to invest in modernising of Serb Brod Oil Refinery equipment but only if BiH authority creates conditions that would enable sale of petroleum from the Refinery throughout BiH market. ‘“Vitol” has informed us that they are interested in entering this investment if the issue of double taxation is resolved, which we believe will be done next month already’, Lajsic stated. |
|
| Political issues |
| Agreement on surplus workers from Mostar City Administration reached
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘About 220 workers will stay without jobs’ by F.Vele, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Salaries for surplus workers until the final solution’ by Onasa, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘Surplus workers of Mostar Administration were taken care of’ not signed – Syndicate of Mostar City Administration workers on Monday reached an agreement with the Mostar major and his deputy, Hamdija Jahic and Ljubo Beslic, regarding the care for the workers to be redundant following the adoption of the decision on systematisation in city administration. According to the proposal of systematisation expected to be adopted soon by the City Council, more than 220 workers will be redundant. According to the agreement with workers, City Administration will continue to pay full salaries for a surplus workers until a final solution is found for them. BHT 1 – “No one speaks about dismissal of workers, we didn’t talk about that today, we spoke on a way to take care of those [workers] that are surplus. We will work with Unions to ensure that no one is dismissed from work and left on the street”, said Jahic. |
| Covic meets US official to discuss American support to BiH
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘BiH counts on US support’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Washington’s support to BiH will not be missing’ by Fena, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘Priority – struggle against terrorism’ by D. Pasic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Environment that attracts investors’ by RS, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘There will be USA support’ by NINA – Croat member of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic received in Sarajevo yesterday Michael Haltzel, a Senior Advisor for Foreign Policy to the US Senator, Joseph Biden. During the meeting they talked about the political stability of BiH, activities and efforts that the current BiH authorities exert on its way towards Euro-Atlantic integration etc. Covic also said that BiH counts on the USA support and presence, while Heltzel stressed that the USA is monitoring all developments in BiH and that the USA will support BiH. |
| BiH delegation visits Pakistan
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘BiH delegation in Pakistan’, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘BiH delegation traveling to Pakistan today’, by NINA – announces that the Chairman of BiH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic, will be leading a BiH delegation that will be visiting Islamic Republic of Pakistan between August 24-August 27. Tihic will be accompanies by Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, and Director of Foreign Investments Promotion Agency (FIPA), Mirza Hajric. They are to meet the Pakistani President Musharraf and Prime Minister Jamali. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Agreement to avoid double taxation to be signed’ by S.N. – Tihic stated for Avaz that he expects BiH delegation to sign an agreement with Pakistan on ban of double taxation, which caused a loss of 5 million KM this year only for construction company Put from Sarajevo. |
| Update: Stolac flag issue
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘It is unacceptable for flags of parastate Herceg Bosna to wave in Stolac’, mentioned on cover ‘ Flags divided Stolac’, by F. Vele – The Youth Forum from Stolac today sends a letter to the High Representative Paddy Ashdown and FBiH and Cantonal authorities warning them of the new, recurring, post of Herceg Bosna flags in Stolac downtown. Chairman of the Forum, Nerin Dizdar, says that “it is unacceptable for flags of parastate Herceg Bosna to wave in Stolac.” He repeated that members of the Forum will again remove the flags on their own if authorized institutions failed to do so. The chairman of the Stolac Municipal Council Zoran Turkovic states for DA that next week Council will hold session to discuss this issue. He adds that Croat side is particularly interested in this discussion for another reason: “Bosniak representatives suggested… discussion on unification of Primary and Secondary Education in the city. Some of Croat representatives do not favour that, so they are trying to prepare terrain through flags for over-voting Bosniaks in City Council and reach more deep goals, that is division of education.” Head of Stolac Municipality, Zeljko Obradovic, comments the situation in Stolac criticising Youth Forum, adding that the police should have never allowed the Foruma to take Herceg Bosna flags down. Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Stola’ op-ed by Mirko Sagolj – Editorial warns that if the situation in Stolac keeps to get tense like this all the time “there will be blood.” Sagolj blames HDZ and SDA, noting that in Stolac there are no Serbs presently as if they never lived there, for creating the situation alike in Mostar with a division as their final aim. |
| HR Ashdown calls for implementation of adopted laws
| Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘State security institutions must become functional’, by Dejan Jazvic – the daily announces an interview with the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, which will be published tomorrow. In today’s edition, VL carries HR Ashdown as sending a message to BiH authorities that they must implement in next few months the laws they have adopted since the beginning of the year. According to HR Ashdown, start of negotiations with the EU on stabilization and association will depend on implementation of the laws. VL notes that the OHR has defined six key areas i.e. institutions that must become functional in next few months, if BiH wants to get a positive answer from the EC. These refer to a complete start of work of the SIPA, war crimes department with the BiH Court, Indirect Tax Administration, intelligence-security service, Minister of Defence and other recently established ministries. |
| SD: ICG report on international presence in BiH | Slobodna Dalmacija front and pg 12 ‘America stays in BiH because of ‘Islamic state’’ by J. Celan – SD carries parts of the International Crises Group study published under title ‘Euphoria: Change of security arrangement in Bosnia’ immediately after the NATO’s Summit in Istanbul that took place in June. According to this study, replacement of NATO with the EU forces will be the most important change of the international presence in BiH since the end of the war. Celan also says that one can see from this study that there is a tension between NATO’s/Anglo-American and European views on the BiH’s near future. Celan goes on to say: “Nevertheless, the ICG study clearly defines a real political membership of High Representative Paddy Ashdown: having in mind his ‘strong hand’ the authors say that in general the HR is considered to be an honorary American in Bosnia.” The author also mentions the study of Daniel Serwer (‘Balkans: From American to European leadership’) who says that the USA engagement in BiH has always been a result of combination of background interests such as prevention of creating of an Islamic state in central Bosnia. |
|
| War crimes |
| Update to Kevljani, Pelemisi exhumations
| RHB, BHT 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Six victims exhumed’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘About 30 bodies exhumed from Kevljani’ by M.Z. – Expert team of FBiH Commission for Missing Persons up to Moday has exhumed 30 bodies from mass grave in Kevljani, Prijedor region. Exhumations at this particular location will continue by the end of the week, while the team will also examine several other possible mass graves locations in the same region. At the Kevljani locality, Commission found identification documents belonging to the prisoner of war held in Omarska concentration camp. FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Victims from Susica and Tepici concentration camps’ – Nine complete and 44 incomplete body remains have been exhumed in past six day from mass grave Pelemisi in Sekovici municipality. Victims were citizens of Vlasenica killed in 1992. |
| Update to Herceg Bosna archives
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Colak: I cannot confirm that the documents have been found’ by F. Vele – HDZ chairman in BiH, Barisa Colak, stated for DA that he doesn’t know whether Herceg Bosna documents demanded by ICTY have been found. Colak stressed: “Attitude of our party is that we are open for fair cooperation and that all documents found will be submitted within set deadline. It is up to the authorized institutions to find those documents.” Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Documents that The Hague wants are – in private archives’, by Zdenko Jurilj – VL learns from a ‘reliable’ source that wants to stay anonymous that a part of the Herceg Bosna archives the ICTY Prosecution is interested in, is in private archives, basements and apartments of people who indirectly or directly participated in tailoring of political decision on destiny of BiH Croats. Allegedly, a part of the documents is in possession of former intelligence officials, whilst a part of the documentation was destroyed because of negligence, which means the ICTY prosecution will have difficulties in recovering them. |
| Decision on pre-trial release of 6 Croats to be passed this week?
| Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Final decision on status of Prlic and others this week’, mentioned on cover ‘Decision on status of Prlic and others by end of week’ by I. Glibusic – DL says that since the ICTY’s summer break ended up yesterday it has been expected that the decision on pre-trail release of 6 Croats charged with war crimes should be passed this week. Commenting on the ICTY’s request for war-time documentation of the Croat Community of Herceg Bosna, Zelimir Par, who is a lawyer of Jadranko Prlic stated: “This request is not in direct connection with this decision and I do not see the reason because of which the request would be an obstacle for passing of the decision on pre-trail release for 6 Croats.” |
| Slobodan Kovac on transfers of cases from ICTY to BiH Court | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2 ‘Tens of cases for the BiH Court’ by Srna – BiH Minister of Justice Slobodan Kovac stated yesterday that the Hague Tribunal could transfer tens of war crimes cases to BiH Court. Kovac emphasised that the BiH Court Department for War Crimes should start functioning at the beginning of 2005 and should continue working for the following five years. He reminded that the international community representatives have recently stated that donors’ funds in the amount of 16,5 million ? have been provided for the first two years of the Department’s work and he added he does not know how the Department would be financed during the remaining three years. |
|
| Security and defence issues |
| Update to “Forgery” action
| RTRS, FTV, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2 ‘Another MUP employee was arrested’ by I. Simundza, EuroBlic, pg. RS2 ‘Administrative worker was arrested’ not signed, Glas Srpske, pg. 10 ‘Milivoje Jevdjevic was arrested’ by M. D., Vecernje Novosti, pg. 19 ‘Detention for Jevdjevic’ by M. L. – Banja Luka Public Safety Centre and Banja Luka Regional Prosecutor’s Office stated that they have arrested Milivoj Jevdjenic, an administrative worker for registration of vehicles, because of abuse of office. Jevdjenic was arrested in frame of the “Forgery” police action. |
| RS journalists against Njegus
| RTRS by Sinisa Mihajlovic – Associations of journalists strongly condemned the RS Police Director Radomir Njegus who stated last week at the press conference that a dangerous lobby works hard to ensure he is dismissed and replaced. He also accused “illiterate shady dealers, psychopaths, informers, traitors and uneducated journalists” to belong to this group. RTRS says that this is not the first attack of Police Director directed against the journalists in RS. Brane Bozic from RS Journalist Association says that the press conference Njegus organised wasn’t a press conference but a monologue since he didn’t allow any questions to be asked, adding that Njegus’s mistake is that he tried to interfere with the editorial policies of media. Dragan Jerinic from RS Association of Independent journalists feels that Njegus’s statement on journalists is an attack on freedom of press, adding this is a reason why the coordination of journalist associations launched a initiative for Njegus’s dismissal. Chairman of RSNA board charged with monitoring and control of works of defence institutions and MoI, Velimir Sakan, opposes to these accusations and dismisses them as ungrounded. He says that he supports the professional work of the police and wonders why big accusations against police happen when certain results are achieved. He called on media to professionally report on the police work. |
| Tihic: BiH citizens support decision to send troops to Iraq
| Dnevni Avaz cover page ‘Decision on sending troops will not change’, pg 5 ‘Bigger part of population supports our decision to deploy troops to Iraq’ by Sead Numanovic – In a page long interview to DA, SDA leader and the Chairman of BiH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic stresses that the decision on deployment of BiH troops to Iraq will not be changed despite objections. Asked to comment how SDA and Presidency can be on one side, and the public on other side when it comes to this issue, Tihic says: “I don’t think you are right. We and the public are not on opposing sides. Bigger part of population supports our decision to deploy troops to Iraq and I think that saying we do not agree on this with the public is a wrong estimate.” Asked by the journalist how come public agrees when objections to the decision has been posted all the time, Tihic said that this was an imagine created by, in Avaz’s instance, covering mostly the statements of those opposing the idea. Tihic reiterated that he would never bring such decision without previous broad consultations: “I talked to key people in [SDA], with late president [Alija] Izetbegovic, with all important Bosniaks in religious, cultural and every other segment of life.” SDA leader further stresses that this mission also means to support USA, to which BiH owes. Commenting to the speculations that this decision caused a rift between him and his deputy in the party, Adnan Terzic, Tihic said that this was not true and that it is not a problem to disagree, as long as the decision is to be implemented. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Presidency should have asked for Parliament’s opinion’ by H. Orahovac – DA brings that SDS supports Presidency’s decision, however that in the future things must be differently done with regard to the procedure. Berzic Belkic comments that Presidency should have consulted the state Parliament. |
| NN on investigations of bomb attacks in Sarajevo
| Nezavisne Novine, cover ‘Investigation on bombing attacks in Sarajevo: BiH Prosecution will take over five cases’ and pg. 3 ‘BiH Prosecution takes over the investigation’ by M. Cubro – A special department for organised and economic crime of BiH Prosecution will in the following several days ask from BiH Court to give its consent for taking over the investigation on bombing attacks in Sarajevo, as several collocutors from BiH Prosecutor’s Office, Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Interior and OHR have confirmed. According to a collocutor from OHR, international community officials have agreed last week that the Special Department should take over the investigation. The decision on taking over the investigation should be brought by the end of this week. Marinko Jurcevic, the Chief State Prosecutor, has confirmed that he would discuss this issue with his Deputy, John McNair. |