OHR BiH Media Round-up, 2/5/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs)

ICTY: Prlic and others continues

Doris Pack meets RS officials

BiH and European Parliament in BL

Sarajevo Canton Day marked

Mladic case: SCG expecting sanctions

EUFOR exercise in Kalinovik region

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Broadcasting signal interrupted

Regional News

May Day protest in Sarajevo

Regional News

May Day marked throughout BiH

Petition signing in RS cities

‘Stop to work on the black market’

Protest in Sarajevo

Strikes in Canton Una-Sana

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Protests in Sarajevo

May Day-feature on ‘Azot’ worker

Marking May Day

Javor-Korjenic on protests

May Day marked in Mostar

Petition signing in RS cities

Age discrimination by employees

May Day marked in Jajce

Protest in Sarajevo

Javor-Korjenic on age discrimination

May Day celebrations all over BiH

Report on May Day celebration in RS

Oslobodjenje

Politicians by grill, employees by caldron

Dnevni Avaz

Serbia is already under sanctions

Dnevni List

Police seized kilogram of heroin (Police raid in Mostar area)

Vecernji List

Bloody May 1 (numerous traffic accidents in BiH and Croatia on May 1)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Features Croatia related headlines

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

EU Parliament member Pack meets RS officials: Failure of const. reform will not impact SAA talks, but will be an obstacle for ‘other negotiations’ 

BH Radio 1 by Radmila Grubisa – The Chief of EU Parliamentary Commission for the South East Europe, Doris Pack, met the RS President Dragan Cavic and RS National Assembly Igor Radojicic in Banja Luka today to discuss a failure of the constitutional changes and the issue of framework Law on higher education in BiH. Pack said that non-adoption of amendments to the BiH Constitution would not significantly impact the current stage of the talks on the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, however added it would represent an obstacle for “other negotiations” [without specifying which]. Stressing the current situation following a halt in the constitutional reform slows down reformatory processes in general, she noted the responsibility for the former is still with the BiH Parliament, not the High Representative. Radojicic stressed that if the BiH parliament fails to adopt the higher education law, the RSNA would do so by the beginning of the new school year. Pack is expected to meet the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik later today. RHB – announced Pack meetings with RS officials.

Economic and social issues

International Labour Day marked by protests in Sarajevo : protesters united in their despise for BiH Presidency members   

BHT1 by Mirela Cosic – In BiH, the International Labour Day – May 1 – was marked with workers’ protests. Several thousand people took part in a protest walk in Sarajevo, passing by the building of the BiH Parliament and Presidency and expressing discontent with the way BiH authorities are (not) dealing with the problems of citizens. Protest gathering people from all over BiH was organized by the BiH Farmers Association, Associations of unemployed persons and pensioners, Independent Trade Union of workers, in agriculture, food and tobacco industries, hotel management and tourism, party ‘Working to Prosperity’ and organisation ‘Civil Organizing for Democracy’. A member of Association of unemployed, Irena Javor-Korjenic, called on BiH authorities “to take over the responsibility, since we have no economic and social strategy to protect the rights of unemployed persons.” PINK – Chair of BiH Farmers Association, Ranko Bakic, demanded from the authorities to open factories and employ people, to ensure farmers are able to live from their own work and that pensioners have to get satisfying pensions. Protesters, who also called on authorities withdraw from power, ended demonstrations without any incidents. Hayat by Alem Karamesic – According to Hayat, 8.000 persons attended the protests. The demonstrations were supported by “Dosta” [Enough] movement which called on people to stop the Government from robbing people. Reporter commented the demonstrations were used by Working to Prosperity party for their pre-election campaign. FTV by Nerminka Emric – FTV reports approx. 1,000 were at the protest. Reporter also noted that despite all differences among protesters, one thing in common is that they all showed outer despise for members of BiH Presidency. That said, protesters carried dummies of BiH Presidency members, with masks over their heads and ropes around their necks. RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Half a million unemployed a result of bad policy’, by Mensud Zorlak – carries Bakic as saying BiH authorities’ policy has created an army of half a million unemployed. Oslobodjenje cover splash ‘Politicians by grill, employees by caldron’, pgs 4-5 ‘Tell them enough, get out on streets!’ by A.Becirovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Bakic to politicians: You made slavery society’ by N.JamakovicDnevni List, pgs 14-15 ‘Enough of you – you must leave’, by Mensud Zorlak, Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Less jobs, food getting more expensive’, by Eldina Medunjanin, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 15 ‘Only faith in God remains’, by Danijel Ivankovic also covered.

Protests’ member Javor – Korjenic: Number of unemployed exceeds half million 

Hayat by Tomislav Djuric – In an interview to Hayat, member of Association of Unemployed, Irena Javor-Korjenic commented the demonstrations organised in front of BIH Parliament in Sarajevo on Monday, expressing satisfaction with the attendance and notes this protest in many ways was “awakening for people”. She noted the peoples from all around BIH are united in protesting against the Government because of the unemployment which now exceeds 500.000 people. “We demand economic and social plans to be devised, protection of the domestic products to be introduced and export to be increased,” said Javor-Korjenic. She added that no one from the Government met the protesters.

RS Trade Union Alliance launch campaign ‘Stop black market’

PINK by Dragica Tojagic – The RS Trade Union Alliance on Monday launched the campaign “Stop black market” aimed at reducing the non-registration of workers, especially the youth and women, which are most frequent victims of “working on the black market”. Singing of the petition was organized in Banja Luka and several other RS cities. RTRS says black labour is mainly present in hospitality, construction, trade, small and medium size enterprises, etc. RS Trade Union argue that preventing black labour would mean higher payments of taxes and contributions and would also open possibility for tax reduce from which would benefit both, employees and employers. The Union’s Chair, Ranka Misic, said that it is essential to make young people aware of importance of this issue, as they are often affected by it. RS President Dragan Cavic also supported this campaign: “This is the campaign that makes sense. RS Government and RS National Assembly should engage in this issue, which became big today”. Citizens believe that authorities are responsible for this situation. There are 144.000 unemployed people in RS. When signed, petition will be submitted to the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik and RS Government along with the request for change of legislation on this issue. BHT1 – Misic explained that Alliance opened two books – ‘black book’ for those who do not obey the Law on work, abuse and discriminate workers, and ‘white book’ for the companies that regularly settle their obligations. Cavic signed the petition: “It is obvious that every year we are getting closer to social justice, although we are still far away from it”.  Hayat, RTRS, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Both “black and white books’ were opened’ by Srna, – also reported.

FTV ’60 minuta’: CoM Chair Terzic, SDP leader Lagumdzija discuss VAT consequences: Terzic says process successful, Lagumdzija claims 10,000 lost jobs because of it

FTV current affairs programme ’60 minutes’ by Bakir Hadziomerovic – The Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, and SDP leader, Zlatko Lagumdzija, were guests of the TV show once again discussing the consequences of the VAT introduction for average BiH citizens, both mostly repeating their earlier stances. Terzic commended successful VAT introduction stressing its main goals have been achieved, and adding that the fiscal discipline was strengthened and public revenues increased. According to CoM Chair, 97% of registered companies already started paying VAT, while the Indirect Taxation Administration has started with the tax returns payments. He argued the multiply rate VAT system could be introduced in a year or two, but emphasized another rate would not have any significant influence on market prices. Lagumdzija on the other side claimed the prices of basic goods and medication increased significantly and that about 10,000 persons lost their jobs due to the VAT. He also mentioned several chain stores which increased the prices in March and April despite their previous announcements and sharply criticized ITA for not introducing the fiscal cash registers yet [which Terzic announced would be done soon]. Lagumdzija also demanded for the humanitarian organisations to be exempted from paying the VAT.

UN proposes that decertified police officers apply for jobs that do not include law enforcement jobs, Minister Kebo rejects proposal

Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Decertified police are returning to work?!’, by Danijela Kozina – According to DL, the UN Secretariat has offered a solution for the issue of decertified police officers in BiH, namely they would apply for certain jobs in police within the scope of police reform in BiH, however they would not be able to work on the direct law enforcement jobs. In a statement for DL, the BiH Minister of Refugees and Human Affairs, Mirsad kebo, who met with Assistant Secretary General, Hedi Anabi, stated that such proposal was not acceptable for BiH. Instead, BiH wants that new solutions be prepared within the UN, which would see participation of BiH mission to UN in the process, the solutions which would eventually have to get the green light from the BiH CoM.

VL: Head of FBIH Financial Police focusing on Croat majority areas, neglecting illegalities committed by Bosniaks

Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Herzegovina target one more time’, by Zoran Kresic – VL claims that the current head of FBIH Financial Police (FBiH FP), Zufer Dervisevic, has been performing his duties illegally in last 6 years, arguing that he focused his activities foremost on Croat majority areas in Herzegovina, whilst ignoring illegalities that happened in the Bosniak majority areas. VL lists cases of ‘Hercegovacka bank’, trials to ‘Lijanovici’ and Dragan Covic, and investigations within the Canton 7 MoI as prominent cases the FBIH FP is involved in, arguing that Dervisevic has ‘survived’ owing to support of international circles in BiH. (NB: numerous media reports suggest the HDZ BiH wants put the FBIH FP under its control in an attempt to hush up crimes allegedly committed by the HDZ BiH top officials)

War crimes

ICTY Chief Prosecutor without comment on expiration of deadline to arrest Mladic

PINK – ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte refused to comment the fact the deadline set by the EU for SCG to extradite Ratko Mladic has expired at the end of April. The Acting Spokespersonfor the Prosecutor, Anton Nikiforov,explained: ”We will say nothing before the meeting that Del Ponte is scheduled to have with Olli Rehn, EU Commissioner for Enlargement on Wednesday”. EU has announced that failure to extradite Mladic could result with the interruption in the negotiations on the Stabilization and Association Agreement, which should be continued on May 11. Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Busek: Belgrade considers to extradite Mladic on May 10’ by Onasa, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Busek: Mladic will be extradited probably on May 10’ – Mladic should be extradited to The Hague by May 10, Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact in Southeast Europe Erhard Busek stated in an interview for German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung, citing ‘source from the Serbian authority’ [see BiH Media Round-up May 1] Vecernji List, pg 19 ‘Deadline expired – punishment to follow’, by H, V. Ba – VL’s article itself does not mention any sanctions at all. PINK, BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 12 ‘Del Ponte without comment’, by H, Dnevni List, pg 24 ‘Deadline for Mladic arrest expired’, not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 12 ‘Mladic was not extradited after all’, by H,  – also commented.

Chairman of SCG Council for Cooperation with ICTY Ljajic: EU negotiations with SCG would be halted

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘Sanctions have already been imposed to Serbia’ pg 3 ‘Serbia is already under sanctions’ by S. Numanovic – in a statement to Dnevni Avaz, Chairman of SiCG Council for Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal Rasim Ljajic said he expects EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn would file a negative report on SCG on Wednesday and he thinks the EU negotiations with SCG would be halted. ‘It is unlikely one could expect the negotiations to continue until [Ratko] Mladic is arrested and extradited to the Hague’, Ljajic noted. As a comment on announcements saying Mladic might be extradited to the Hague by May 10, Ljajic said such expectations were unrealistic, because nobody knows where Mladic is at this moment. He also emphasized Serbia is already under a sort of sanctions over Mladic and added that the international reputation of the country is very poor, which has a negative influence on economic projects and foreign investments. PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘EU warnings should have been taken seriously’ by Fena – Ljajic stated that despite all possible consequences of a failure to arrest Mladic, the SCG has to continue to work on this issue and meet its obligations.

SCG Defence Minister: Mladic’s surrender must be his own decision

RTRS – SCG Minister of Defence Zoran Stankovic said that meeting the obligations under the fully cooperation with the ICTY is very important and that no individual is more important than people and country. Stankovic did not want to call Ratko Mladic to surrender adding that it should be own decision.

Oslobodjenje op-ed: No one really believes that Serbia , RS or IC are really willing to arrest Mladic

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘New lie’ op-ed by Mirko Sagolj – Commenting that Serbia breached another deadline for arresting Ratko Mladic, editorial reads that no one really believes Serbian or RS authorities, as well as International Community, are really willing to arrest Mladic and Radovan Karadzic. Author notes that Slobodan Milosevic was arrested for being politically dangerous, concluding that on the other side Karadzic and Mladic extradition could represent danger as well.

Chief BiH Prosecutor Jurcevic: We cannot be working on war crimes cases for 100 years

Dnevni Avaz pg 5, announced on cover ‘We cannot be working on war crimes cases for 100 years’ by Nedzad Jamakovic – In an interview to Dnevni Avaz, Chief BiH Prosecutor Marinko Jurcevic talked about factors that were slowing down the work on war crimes cases and strategic plan that needs to be adopted in order to carry out trials to war crimes indictees within a deadline. ‘We cannot be working on war crimes cases for a hundred years. Crimes are not subjects to limitations, but the fact is humans are biologically dying’, Jurcevic said. He emphasized it is necessary to adopt changes to laws in order to strengthen vertical connections between Prosecutor’s Offices and added the BiH Prosecutor’s Office could resolve at least 2/3 of war crimes cases in its jurisdiction in next ten years if it had enough Prosecutors and better capacities for translations and investigations. Inset ‘Srebrenica team needs to be enlarged’ – Jurcevic said investigation of war crimes in Srebrenica was a priority of the Prosecutor’s Office. ‘A special team was engaged in these activities, but this team needs to be enlarged because a high number of people was involved in Srebrenica crimes’, Jurcevic added.

VL: IC preserving and legalizing RS based on crime

Vecernji List, pg 21 ‘Legal RS and criminal-like Herceg Bosna’, by Tihomir Dujmovic – commenting on the trials to ‘Prlic and others’ before the ICTY (charged with ethnic cleansing of former ‘Herceg Bosna’ i.e. Croat majority areas in BiH), the author criticizes the ICTY and IC in general for ‘preserving and legalizing’ the RS ‘based on crime’, whilst in the same time organizing trials for an attempt to establish ‘Herceg Bosna’.

Political issues

RS President Cavic: constitutional changes will be adopted eventually

BHT1 – RS President Dragan Cavic stated on Monday that those happy because of the fact that the BiH Parliament failed to pass the constitutional amendments ‘are making a terrible mistake’, because the changes agreed would eventually be adopted. Covic expressed hope that soon it would be possible to find two more representatives to vote in favour of the amendments. Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Adoption of constitutional changes will be possible soon’, not signed – carries Cavic as saying that “what some called the first phase, will obviously become the second phase of constitutional changes”. Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Constitutional changes did not fail’ by Fena – also carried.

EU and BiH Parliaments to meet in Banja Luka on May 2 and 3 to discuss const. changes

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Constitutional reform as topic of discussion’ by N. D. – Constitutional changes, SAA negotiations and cooperation with the ICTY will be topics of the 8^th meeting of representatives of European Parliament and BiH Parliament, which is scheduled for May 2^nd and May 3^rd in Banja Luka. Deputy Presiding of Joint Commission for European Integrations Vinko Radovanovic and Member of the European Parliament Doris Pack will preside this meeting. The European parliamentarians will meet with Austrian Ambassador Werner Wnendt, Head of EC Delegation Michael Humphreys, BiH Chief negotiator Igor Davidovic and PDHR Peter Bas-Backer.

SDA press release criticizing SBiH for non-adoption of const. reforms

Dnevni Avaz pg 2, announced on cover ‘SDA: If we are adventurers then Haris Silajdzic is a political tourist’ by Fena – SDA issued a press release in which it strongly criticized comments of Party for BiH’s Safet Halilovic following non-adoption of constitutional amendments. SDA says that Halilovic allowed himself unbelievable freedom to accuse other parties without arguments. As a reply on Halilovic’s claims that all political parties that have drafted the changes were “adventurers”, SDA wonders what is then SBiH’s leader Haris Silajdzic who rushes into politics and then run away from the political scene after he loses at elections. ‘If we are political adventurers, then Mr. Silajdzic is, with all due respect, a political tourist’, the press release reads. Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Where are arguments?’

RS Vice President says failure to adopt const. amendments would have influence on police reform

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Failure to adopt amendments is a move in interests of one’s party and personal interests’, mentioned on cover, by B. Kahrimanovic – RS Vice President, Adil Osmanovic, expressed dissatisfaction with the failure to adopt the constitutional amendments: “This was supposed to be a significant step forward, especially if one keeps in mind that the second phase focusing on BiH’s internal structure would be held after October elections.” Osmanovic says that current situation could also have influence on police reform.

NHI President Zubak: Proposed const. amendments would make BiH more expensive state

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 16 ‘Zubak: State more expensive with Constitution by 30 million KMs’, by Z. Zekic – the President of NHI, Kresimir Zubak, stated in Mostar (SD does not state when) that his party was against the proposed constitutional amendments because they would not make BiH a more functional state, instead they will only make BiH a more expensive state to run, by approximately 30 million KMs. According to SD, Zubak did not hide that he wanted to achieve a better, closer cooperation with foremost HSP Djapic-Jurisic and HDZ 1990.

SDP ’s posters in Zenica vs. MPs who voted against proposed amendments

BHT1 – Media report that Zenica has been covered with posters printed by the SDP carrying photographs of members of the BiH House of Representatives who voted against the proposed constitutional amendments. Posters also name them ‘the Gravediggers of European BiH, generation 2002-2006’. Hayat, Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Posters with political messages’, by z – also reported.

HoR MP Avdic condemned SDP posters with photographs of MPs who voted against const. changes

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Avdic: SDP lost the compass in its hysteria’ by E. Barimac – Commenting on the posters, signed by BiH SDP, with the photographs of representatives who voted against constitutional amendments that have appeared in streets of Sarajevo, HoR delegate Sead Avdic, Party for BiH’s Beriz Belkic and delegate Filip Andric expressed their discontent over these posters. Avdic said it was obvious SDP is losing its compass of moral and political navigation and ‘hysteria and desire to be on power have no limits’. Andric and Belkic share similar views.

DL comment: RS and its President Cavic are victors of failed constitutional reform because RS’ status is cemented

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Cavic’s victory’, by Resad Dautefendic – according to Dautefendic, the failure to enact constitutional changes represents a big victory by the RS and its President, Dragan Cavic, because the status of the RS has been cemented since no 2^nd phase of negotiations, which would address the issue of abolishment of entities, can be open due to the failure. As for the main culprit, the author points finger at the SBIH founder Haris Silajdzic, whom Dautefendic blames of putting his personal interests before interests of state, insisting that Silajdzic’s main aim is in fact to become the BiH President through direct elections, which are not envisioned by the proposed constitutional amendments.

Oslobodjenje op-ed: Opponents of constitutional changes ‘strengthen RS PM Dodik’ who now took sharper stance on police reform

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘What after NO?’ op-ed by Zija Dizdarevic – Editorial comments that failure of constitutional changes was political failure but not a catastrophe. After criticizing organizers of negotiations for being political frivolous and letting the amendments to the BiH Constitution enter parliamentary procedure before the necessary majority was ensured, editorial criticizes opponents as well. Article carries that this was the first time that some opponent group does not give in after pressure of International Community, adding though that their pre-elections-driven reasons spoiled their effort. Editorial stresses that it only opened space for SNSD leader Milorad Dodik who now stepped back saying that all the constitutional reforms were now back at the beginning, concluding that opponents of constitutional changes “strengthen Dodik” who now also took more sharper stance on police reform as well.

FTV ’60 minuta’ comment on failure of const. reform: MPs were allegedly corrupted for vote against amendments

FTV current affairs programme ’60 minutes’ by Bakir Hadziomerovic – Commenting failure of the BiH House of Representatives to adopt the amendments to the BiH Constitution, host said the BiH citizens now could only wait to see what are proposals of the opponents of those changes. He ironically comments that SBiH, HDZ 1990, SRS “Dr. Vojislav Seselj” and a couple of independent deputies could hardly agree on anything else but a complete and final division of BiH. He also noted that, according to unofficial sources, a part of 30 million KM earned through “illegal privatisation of Tuzlanska banka” was used for corrupting deputies to vote against the constitutional reform.

RSNA Speaker Radojicic: I would replace all members of Police Reform Directorate

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘I would replace all members of Police Reform Directorate’ by N. Diklic – RS NA Chairman Igor Radojicic assessed in a statement to Dnevni avaz that the Police Reform Directorate has done a poor work so far and he emphasized that BiH might pay the highest price for the manner in which police reform issue had been resolved until now. ‘The blockade that exists in police reform might reflect on signing of SAA with EU, because deadlines will be breached if the Directorate maintains the current dynamics of the work and tempo in resolving of this issue’, Radojicic added. He also added that, in his opinion, all members of the Directorate should be replaced because suggesting old ideas that had never got the support are just waste of time.

RS PM Dodik: We’ll not support police reform without consensus

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘We’ll not support police reform’ – Daily carries statement by the RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, reported on April 30 and May 1 in which he said the RS Government would not support police reform without basic consensus [NOTE: See BiH Media Round-ups April 30 and May 1]. “They must understand this. I don’t know what they want me to endorse. Marten’s plan is dead and can’t be rehabilitated no matter of authority in question. We are not against reform, we are not against a single, consolidated structure in BiH, we are not against a single law, but we are against abolishment of the RS Police regardless of who demands so”, emphasizes Dodik. “They brought everything down to whether or not we want to kill each other. Well, we wont kill each other. It is enough of that! That is a clear message. Some IC representatives don’t like my way of telling things. However, I’m saying is it’s impossible to get any kind of agreement on any kind of pressure that leads to the abolishment of the RS Police”, concludes Dodik.

HDZ 1990 establishes branches in Posusje, Stolac; After 11 Capljina councillors joined party, no majority in the Council

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 14 ‘We are genuine HDZ’, by A. Karamatic – reports that HDZ 1990 has founded the branch in Posusje. Over the weekend, it established the initiative board for Stolac. Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘HSP initiates early elections in Capljina’, by Zoran Kresic – After 11 (of 15) councillors of the Capljina Municipal Council left the HDZ BIH and joined the HDZ 1990, no party enjoys clear majority in the Council (25 councillors in total). Leader of HSP Djapic-Jurisic of Capljina, Zarko Pavlovic, says the HSP Djapic-Jurisic, which has 4 councillors, has been approached by both HDZs offering them coalition, however the HSP turned them both down. Pavlovic insists the only way out of crisis is in organization of early elections.

VL welcomes possible wide coalition of Croat parties in Sarajevo

Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Uprising in Sarajevo’, by Miroslav Vasilj – the author is welcoming the news that the 5 most influential Croat political parties (HDZ BiH, HDZ 1990, HSP Djapic-Jurisic, NHI, HSS) could be forming a coalition in Sarajevo. Vasilj argues it is the way forward for the Croat parties in the Bosniak majority cantons and in the RS and the only guarantee that the legitimate Croat representatives will indeed represent Croats throughout the country.

DEPOS says it would not make coalitions with either SDS or SNSD

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘We will not go into coalition with either SDS or SNSD’ by N.D. – Co-Chair of newly established Democratic Movement of Srpska [DEPOS] and former RS Finance Minister, Svetlana Cenic, told DA that this party have no intentions to make coalitions with neither SDS nor SNSD, but will instead lead independent politics with five seats in RS National Assembly. “We will be an opposition to the Milorad Dodik’s Government, but at the same time we would support proposals of his Cabinet if we assess they should be supported,” said Cenic. DEPOS, composed from 6 smaller parties, denied it would be close to SDS .    

SCG Ambassador to BiH Spasovic: Independence of Kosovo could cause tremors in region

Dnevni List, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘One needs more courage to solve problems’, by D. P. Mandic – carries an interview with newly appointed Serbia-Montenegrin Ambassador to BiH, Grujica Spasovic, who notes that BiH and relations in the region are one of highest priorities of the SCG ’s foreign policy. Questioned whether possible independence of Kosovo and Montenegro would destabilize situation in the region, he says when the RS’ status is concerned, he believes there are no serious people in the RS who want to compare the situation (between status of RS and Kosovo). However, the Ambassador says if Kosovo were to become independent, it would cause tremors in the region, foremost in countries in which Albanians live, such as Montenegro , Macedonia and Greece . Finally, Spasovic warns that radical forces in Serbia (Seselj’s radicals) are gaining strength, hoping that democratic forces of Serbia would join ranks to prevent ‘ Serbia from falling into abyss’.