Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 25 January
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| | First round of negotiations on | BH’ |
| Croat parties to meet in Mostar | Rehn asked | Train accident in |
| | Mesic’s testimony before ICTY | |
TV news broadcast on 24 January
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Regional news | Regional News | Regional news |
| Jovic sends condolences | Regional News | BIH sends condolences |
| Bad weather in | BiH offers help to | BIH on aid to |
| Start of | HR’s farewell visit to | Regional news |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Regional News | Investments in District Brcko | Regional news |
| BiH offers help to | FBIH HoR on Energopetrol | Regional news |
| FBiH HoR on Energopetrol | Energopetrol Union on FBIH HoR | RS Poste & Zeljeznice audit reports |
| Hadzipasic on FBiH budget | Kasumovic acquitted | Narodni Front on eviction of B.Dzajic |
| Oslobodjenje | Government yet continues negotiations with MOL-INA |
| Dnevni Avaz | Representatives rejected Government’s decision |
| Dnevni List | OHR obstructs audit of BiH citizenships |
| Vecernji List | Cries for help of children beneath crushed railway carriages (tragedy in Montenegro) |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Mostar: Storm was breaking tress |
| Nezavisne Novine | 44 persons got killed, 198 persons injured [train accident in |
| Glas Srpske | |
| EuroBlic | |
| Vecernje novosti | |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| BH’
| RTRS – The first round of |
| Croat parties to meet in Mostar on Wednesday to talk about constitutional changes
| |
Economic issues | |
| FBiH HoR rejected FBiH Government’s proposal for co-capitalization of ‘Energopetrol’
| Hayat By Elma Kazagic – The FBiH House of Representatives has rejected the FBiH Government’s proposal on co-capitalization of ‘Energopetrol’. Only one representative voted in favour of the proposal, while 24 of them, mostly Party for BiH, BOSS and |
| FBiH PM Hadzipasic: If INA-MOL accept offer, I will sign contract on Energopetrol regardless of Parliament’s decision
| Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Despite the ban, Hadzipasic is selling Energopetrol’, mentioned on front ‘Hadzipasic is selling Energopetrol’, by Mensud Zorlak – Following the FBiH HoR’s rejection of the FBiH Government’s proposal on co-capitalization of ‘Energopetrol’, the FBiH PM Hadzipasic comments the HoR did not make a decision to sever cooperation with ‘INA-MOL’ instead it only disagreed with the way of recovery of ‘Energopetrol’ the way the Government proposed it. “I will wait until January 27 for the INA-MOL to declare themselves about the acceptability of the offer. If they accept the offer, I will sign the contract with them regardless of the Parliament’s decision”, says PM Hadzipasic. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17 ‘Energopetrol is one step away from bankruptcy’, by B. Kristo – carries PM Hadzipasic who is not optimistic in positive outcome of the process. |
| SDA blames Govt for failing to provide add. info; FBiH Vice Pres. Dzihanovic: Energopetrol should not be sold; Culture Min. Grahovac: agreement not possible
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Mehmedovic: Representatives were angry at Government’ by M.K. – President of SDA caucus in FBiH House of Representatives, Semsudin Mehmedovic stated for DA that representatives of this party were angry with the Government, as additional information on ‘Energopetrol’ was not submitted. SDA rep Bakir Izetbegovic, who supports the FBiH Govt, didn’t want to comment sustained vote of entire SDA caucus. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Prime Minister should take break and think what to do next’ by M.K. – FBiH Vice President Sahbaz Dzihanovic stated that FBiH Govt should now take a break and think about privatization of ‘Energopetrol’, but only after recovery of this company. Dzihanovic added that state should not loose ownership of ‘Energopetrol’. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Grahovac: There will be no agreement with Consortium’ by M.K. – FBiH Minister of Culture and Sport Gavrilo Grahovac stated that he thinks there will be no agreement with Consortium MOL-INA on ‘Energopetrol’, and that it is not possible. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Parliament decided in favor of BiH’ by M.K. – SBiH representative in FBiH House of Representatives Zaim Backovic stated that the decision of FBiH HoR on ‘Energopetrol’ means that Parliament decided in favor of state of BiH. Backovic added that without such decision, talks on Bosanski Brod and Modrica Oil Refineries would be impossible. |
| Enegropetrol Syndicate critical of HoR decision
| FTV – Coordination Board of Energopetrol Syndicate expressed surprise with the FBIH House of Representatives’ rejection of the proposal on co-capitalisation of Energopetrol. |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed on ‘Energopetrol’: Hadzipasic is saving what is left to be saved
| Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Energopetrol’ op-ed by Senka Kurtovic – Author says it was an expected decision from FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic to continue negotiations with MOL-INA on selling 67% of state property of ‘Energopetrol’. Author praises abilities of Hadzipasic, saying that he can work his job properly regardless of pressures by party, lobbies or media. Editorial concludes saying that FBiH Parliamentarians are willing to get attention from media, while Hadzipasic is saving what could be saved. |
| RS Chief Auditor Ceko reveals more crime in RS Railways and RS Poste
| RTRS by Sinisa Mihailovic – RS Audit office has published audit reports on business and financial conduct of RS Posts and RS Railways which determined that aside money paid by Telekom Srpske, a loss of several million KM was registered. In line with law, Telekom Srpske has been contributing to the RS Posts with certain amount of money however the company has been registering these revenues as profit. Thus, according to the report RS Posts had 10 million KM of loss on annual basis unlike report presented by the company which claimed a profit of 10 million KM per year. Chief RS Auditor Bosko Ceko said former director of RS Posts Milutin Pejic hired people without adequate professional background. As far as RS Railways, audit report shows it failed to register 57 million KM of earlier losses. Ceko claims that company reduced losses for 2003 and 2004 in the amount of 2,7 million KM. Ceko stresses that audits were submitted to authorized institutions. Doboj police has confirmed that it is confiscating documentation from RS Railways as ordered by the |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed critical state-owned companies
| Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Bad employer’ op-ed by Borivoje Simic – Commenting illegalities in managing and privatisation of state-owned companies, editorial questions if the state has to be such a bad employer. Author criticizes authorities for using state-owned companies as the source for their parties’ budget incomes. Giving examples from other countries in transition, editorial concludes that adequate audit and judicial milieu is necessary for state to become a good employer. |
| | Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Croatia to decide on raising an indictment against Jelavic’ by D. Muminovic – BiH judicial bodies have forwarded to Croatian State Attorney’s Office the “Hercegovacka Banka” case and, after it is reviewed, it will be decided whether Croatia would raise an indictment against Ante Jelavic, as according to the Croatian State Attorney’s Office. |
End of HR mandate | |
| HR Ashdown: IC along with
| PINK by Ljubisa Davidovic – During his farewell visit, HR Paddy Ashdown visited |
| HR criticized Croatian authorities for failures in return process
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Same standard for all’ by |
| VL interview with HR Ashdown on const. changes, future of HDZ BiH
| Vecernji List pg 6, mentioned on cover ‘New borders would be drawn within BiH’ by Z. Kresic carries an interview with High Representative Paddy Ashdown. Asked whether it is realistic to expect drawing of new borders within BiH, HR said: ‘This must happen. If you cannot make it there is no joining to |
| Blic overview of HR Ashdown’s mandate; Politicians criticize his measures
| EuroBlic pgs RS2-RS3 ‘Rider of wild horse is leaving’ by Nedeljka Breberina and Marija Jandric – The article carries an overview of HR Paddy Ashdown’s moves and decisions reached during his mandate. Inset ‘Paddy Ashdown under magnifying glass of BiH politicians’ – Nikola Spiric said a great progress, especially with regard to legislation, was made during Ashdown’s mandate. He believes measures and removals were not too strict measure and he says the greatest problem of Ashdown’s mandate was the fact he had to cooperate with insincere local politicians. Sulejman Tihic assessed the fist part of HR’s mandate as successful because it had contributed to reforms and strengthening of state institutions but, according to Tihic, HR had showed indecisiveness and in some cases double standards during the past year. Nemanja Vasic (the removed Director of RS Directorate for Roads) criticized the removal of officials. Dusan Stojicic said HR had contributed to development of BiH, but he thinks his mandate was characterized with a number of decisions that were disputable from the point of view of the European Convention on Human Rights. Dragan Covic says BiH was marked as a classical protectorate during HR’s mandate and he believes Ashdown caused great damage to BiH through frequent use of |
| DL op-ed on departure of HR Paddy Ashdown: ‘Both, parties in power and opposition are eager to see Ashdown leaving’
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Good bye Paddy’ by E. Mackic carries that the BiH parties in power as well as the opposition are eager to see High Representative Paddy Ashdown leaving BiH. DL says that the reasons because of which the parties in power feel this way is the fact that they had to fulfil all his wishes, while the opposition is insulted since they believe that Ashdown did not accept their ideas for the progress of BiH. The author concludes the editorial by saying ironically: ‘The parties in power suspended negotiations on constitutional changes since Ashdown did not twist their arms on time. However, why would Ashdown do it? New High Representative Christian Schwarz Schilling should have hard time as well.’ |
| DA: Christian Schwarz Schilling prepares for BiH mission
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 pg ‘In Berlin fill up the team for BiH mission’ by S.T.- Daily comments that successor of current HR Paddy Ashdown, Christian Schwarz Schilling is carrying out preparation for his ‘BiH mission’ selecting potential members of his future staff. Among these people, as daily learns, are his current advisor Dieter Wolkewitz and Director of European Initiative for Stability Gerald Kanus. According to daily engagement of Christopher Bennett is an option, where he would serve as advisor to the HR. Bennett is a former Director of International Crisis Group in Balkans. |
| |
| BiH/EU today open first round of
| RTRS by Branka Kusmuk – First round of negotiations between BIH and EU on Stabilisation and Association Agreement starts in |
| NN int w/ chief negotiator Davidovic: BiH can fulfill all pre-requisites from
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6, announced on cover ‘BiH in EU in eight years’ by M. Cubro – In an interview to NN, Chief BiH Negotiator with EU Igor Davidovic says BiH can fulfill all pre-requisites from |
| Presidency Chair Paravac welcomes
| PINK– Member of BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac believes that the Stabilization and Association Agreement talks present great opportunity for BiH to join the EU within next 8-10 years, by which BiH citizens would face brighter future. “I think of it as BiH’s historical chance, since BiH is not self-sustainable state, such as it is. At this moment, I see no other solution”, said Paravac. |
| VL on beginning of negotiations on
| Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Davidovic will demand guarantees for joining EU’ by D. Jazvic comments on the beginning of the negotiations on |
| SD raises issue of
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 14 ‘Shady dealer in negotiating team’ by Z. Tulic announces the beginning of the negotiations on |
| NN op-ed: the most difficult work to follow after signing | Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Negotiations’ by Aleksandar Sekulic – Referring to the start of the first round of |
Other political issues | |
| RS PM Bukejlovic: I would not leave the post, but rather restructure my Cabinet
| PINK– RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic said that he has support of 42 representatives in the RSNA, but that there is possibility for representatives to be lobbied in the final moment. “Both, Mr Dodik and I are collecting votes, and both of us claim to have 42 votes”, said Bukejlovic. BHT 1– Bukejlovic stated that it is almost impossible to set aside the funds for coming elections from RS budget as intended by the parties that support establishment of new RS Government. He doubts that new Government would be that successful. RTRS – Bukejlovic claims that he would not leave his position but rather restructure his cabinet. He says that he is gathering votes in RSNA majority, which voted and supported his appointment. Veselin Poljasevic from PDP says that Bukejlovic cannot count on 9 PDP votes given to him in the past. SNSD Chair Milorad Dodik repeats that they have the necessary majority for vote of no confidence to current RS Government. “Bukejlovic should pack his bags and realise that manipulation is not the best form of political acting”, says Dodik. |
| NN on Thursday’s session of RS NA: Overthrowing of Government is evident
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Overthrowing of Government is evident’ by V.Popovic – Daily notes that judging by the current atmosphere at the parliamentary parties, the SNSD’ motion may get a necessary support at the RS NA. Namely, the overthrowing of Government would be supported by: 18 delegates from SNSD, 9 from PDP, 3 from Party for BH, 3 from Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Delegates to decide’ by Z.Markovic – reports on Bukejlovic’ presser. |
| Bukejlovic: No negotiations with FBiH parties on new RSNA majority | Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Bukejlovic: No negotiations with parties from FBiH’ by N.Diklic – RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic stated that there are political conditions for adopting the RS budget for 2006, adding that he is not worried with casting vote of confidence to his Government. Bukejlovic said he didn’t talk with parties from FBiH on possible forming of new majority in RSNA. |
| DA: IC signals Cavic that Bukejlovic, RS Govt must be dismissed; fights over Telekom
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Heavy fight of parties over RS Telecom privatization’ by E.Sarac – According to DA sources, the RS President Dragan Cavic received clear instructions form the international community that RS Government lead by the RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic has to be removed. Author alleges that SNSD leader Milorad Dodik has already agreed with Cavic, adding that all parties from RS fight over privatization of RS Telecom, which is the actual cause of crisis in the RS. Author fails to provide more detailed explanation of connection between privatization of RS Telecom and crisis of RS Government. |
| NN op-ed: only next RS NA session will show who has the majority support
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Drafters of an adventure’ by Anton Kasipovic – the author notes only the next RS NA session will show who has the support of the majority. He also notes many are speaking about a “purchase” of delegates’ support and he says if a part of these allegations is true, then honest delegates should ask themselves what they are doing in company of those who are selling their stances. |
| Reactions on Tihic’s invitation for continuation of constitutional changes
| Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Tokic: Tihic tries to split responsibility for badly done job’, mentioned on cover, by A.M. – Referring to invitation of SDA leader Sulejman Tihic to SDU, BOSS, LDS, BiH Free Democrats, BPS and GDS for consultations on the constitutional changes, SDU leader Sejfudin Tokic stated that talks on this issue should be discussed in BiH Parliamentary Assembly. Tokic said that SDA and parties from RS are playing pre-elections game, and that they are not trying to solve issue of BiH Constitution and functionality of state. LDS leader Lamija Tanovic and BOSS leader Mirnes Ajanovic supported Tokic. Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Halilovic: Entity concept still on table’ by A.M.-F.V. – On Tihic’s initiative to hold separate talks on const. changes with SBiH leader Safet Halilovic and HDZ leader Dragan Covic, Halilovic stated that nothing has been done to remove obstacles that stopped adopting agreement on constitutional changes. Halilovic stressed that ethnic-entity concept is still on the table. HDZ Spokesperson Miso Relota said that HDZ will take part in all the events that would lead to continuation of constitutional changes. |
| Siljegovic, Dzaferovic, Komsic: talks on const. changes were partially successful
| Hayat current affairs program ‘Korak’ by Adnan Rondic– Commenting on the last round of talks on constitutional changes, |
| Jovic: This is year in which we either succeed or fail
| Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Jovic: This is year in which we either pass or fail exam’, by D. P. Mandic, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Jovic: Petritsch has to take off restraining shirt by himself’ by Fena – Carries a report from a reception that the BiH Presidency organized on Tuesday for journalists and editors of media during which the Chairman of BiH Presidency, Ivo Miro Jovic, asked from the media to be a more conscientious part of the citizenry and build climate in BiH that will lead the country to Europe. He also noted that the year ahead would show whether the BiH society is ready to pass the exam or not. He also commented on the former HR Wolfgang Petritsch’s statement that there is a possibility that the EU closes its door to new possible members by saying that no one should be surprised with statements ‘coming from that man’. |
| Granic:
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 7 ‘There will be no third entity’, by Senol Selimovic – asked what Croatia could and should do for the ‘post-Dayton BiH’, former Croatian Foreign Minister and current advisor to the |
| Ivanic: Political turbulences have no impact on stability of RS
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Concrete agreement on visas in March’ by Edina Sarac – At the meeting of the foreign ministers of participating states of the South-East Europe Cooperation Process [SEECP] in Athens, BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic underlined problem of visas for BiH citizens. Ivanic said that issues regarding visa regimes would be wider discussed at the meeting of the foreign ministers of EU and Western Balkans countries, in March. Talking about constitutional changes, Ivanic said that referendum on this issue at the state level would be political domination, adding that the last referendum in BiH produced the war. Ivanic added that raising an issue of referendum on constitutional changes could lead to the referendum for separation of RS. Inset, ‘Political turbulences in RS’ – Ivanic stated that political turbulences in RS have no impact on its stability, while institutions in both RS and BiH are much stronger that they used to be. Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘The most important event for BiH is the start of negotiations’ by Agencies – also reported. |
| BiH HoR Const. Comm. members argue with different interpretations over agreed changes on CoM, human rights
| Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘BiH Council of Ministers will be on ethnic and entity basis’ by A.Omeragic – After the leaders of eight political parties negotiated constitutional changes, discussion has been opened in the Constitutional legal Commission of the BiH House of Representatives. As chair of Commission Mirsad Ceman explains, members of Commission disagree over the content of the constitutional changes due to different interpretations of the agreement reached and the law regulating this issue. Following political agreement, Commission produced amendments that change the Constitution on issues regarding BiH CoM and human rights. New BiH ministries: agriculture, science, technology and environment will be established by the law, and will not be included in the Constitution. |
| Radomir Lukic removed: RS Govt. order Faculty to appoint Dragan Pantic Faculty Dean
| Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Radomir Lukic removed’ by S.Gojkovic – The RS Government has dismissed bodies and removed Dean of East Sarajevo Law Faculty, Radomir Lukic. The Law Faculty was given deadline of 60 days to constitute new University bodies,Council and Counsel, and to appoint Dragan Pantic, proposed by Government, new Faculty Dean. Faculty was also ordered to appoint Secretary of this institution. FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Dragan Pantic instead of Radomir Lukic’ not signed, EuroBlic pg RS8 ‘Dr. Dragan Pantic temporary dean’ by S. V., Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Inspection left, the Dean stayed’ by G. D. – also reported. |
| Grahovac: FBiH budget not to be discussed in January
| Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Budget on hold’ mentioned on cover, By A.T.– FBiH Government scheduled its last session in January for Thursday, but as daily learns issue of the Budget would not be discussed. Vice FBiH PM Gavrilo Grahovac stated that he does not know the reason for this, stressing that he raised the issue on last session, but got only a smile, instead of the answer. Daily comments on all damages that temporary financing could bring to most endangered categories of the population. Daily leadns that ‘new’ proposal of the Budget should be discussed by the Government at first middle of February, while the FBiH Parliament could discuss it only at the end of February or at begging of the March. |
| FBiH Government Secretary Trumic: No constitutional base for session since it lacks two ministers | Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ’FBiH Government fell into another crisis’ by M. Kukan– Secretary of FBiH Government Ismet Trumic stated that FBiH Government would not hold its session till further notice. Trumic explained that Government doesn’t have constitutional base for session, since that it lacks one of Ministers, namely FBiH Minister of Energy, Industry and Mining. Daily learns that meeting was held in the Cabinet of FBiH Preisident Niko Lozancic and it was decided that leaders of SDA, HDZ and SBiH should be informed about the problem. Because of that, as daily learns, SDA leader Sulejman Tihic, HDZ leader Dragan Covic and SBiH Safet Halilovic are to meet Lozancic on Wednesday. |
Security, defence issues | |
| Cavic meets Gregorian: full cooperation with ICTY necessary
| PINK– The BiH Parliamentary Defence and Security Commission paid a visit to the BiH Defence Ministry, in order to be informed about the situation in implementation of the BiH Defence Law. “Budget may be the crucial problem regarding the issue of functioning of the Ministry and implementation of the law”, said the Chair of the Commission Bosko Siljegovic. “We hope that by passing the budget, laws will continue being implemented, since the law is extremely strict in terms of deadlines and during this year, we are planning to implement our activities in line with the law”, said the Deputy BiH Defence Minister Enes Becirbasic and added that by doing so, by December 31st, 2007, BiH Defence Law would be fully implemented. Problem with the budget occurred at the end of last year when BiH House of Representatives failed to pass the budget proposed by Council of Ministers, due to which decision on temporary financing was passed. Such financing doesn’t include newly proposed MoD budget, which also includes means for staff members that joined as of 1 January following abolishment of entities MoDs. BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Budget could be key issue’ by L.Sinanovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘ Support to defense budget in the amount of 310 million’ by A. Sisic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Budget tailors obligations’ by N. Zelenovic – also reported. |
| BiH MoD faces problems due to failure to pass budget | BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Fulfill obligations towards the Hague’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Important task is implementation of defense reform’ by D. R., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Closer to the Partnership’ by G. D. – At the same time RS President Dragan Cavic and political advisor to the NATO HQ Commander Raffi Gregorian met to discus the defence reform and concluded that implementation of it, would present fulfilling of main conditions for BiH’s full integration into NATO. Both of them stressed necessity of full cooperation with the ICTY in order for BiH to become NATO state member. |
| DL: OHR obstructs audit of BiH citizenships
| Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 8 ‘OHR obstructs audit of BiH citizenships’ and pg 8 ‘International Community obstructs audit of BiH citizenships’ by A. Vrebac carries that audit of the BiH citizenships issued in the period from 1992 to 1998 has not started yet although changes to the Law on BiH citizenship envisaged that it takes place in mid December last year. DL reminds that BiH Deputy Security Minister Dragan Mektic has stated recently that the state Commission for audit of the citizenships has not been formed yet since some domestic institutions and the International Community have not proposed names of candidates. BiH CoM’s spokesperson Bojan Zec Filipovic stated that all domestic institutions proposed the candidates, however OHR representatives in the Commission have not been appointed yet. He added: ‘This fact makes impossible forming of the Commission since the Commission cannot start with its work if its all members were not appointed. ‘ |