OHR BiH Media Round-up, 25/2/2004

Oslobodjenje

Determining responsibility for genocide in Srebrenica – State of BiH to be sued as well

Dnevni Avaz

Amor Masovic on so called independent judiciary – A few judges complained to me against pressures

Dnevni List

“Mostar: Everything is ready for beginning of conference”; “Meeting of 5 Education Ministers with HR: To stop politicization of schools in Federation”

Vecernji List

“Alarm because of shots at OHR Mostar on Mostar’s Boulevard”; “BiH will initiate construction of 2 new ports on Save river”

Slobodna Dalmacija

“Herzegovina receives world statesmen”; “Ante Jelavic was hatching plot by nodding his head”

Glas Srpske

Confession of Zeljko Jankovic Luna: Tied for 28 days

Nezavisne Novine

Session of BiH House of Representatives: BiH got joint intelligence agency; BiH Prosecutors Office: RS Interior Ministry illegally involved into investigation; Mehmed Halilovic: Ban against “Avaz” to report lies is not censorship

Blic

Minister Branko Dokic: Unknown route of Vc corridor; Pressure on the authority: 16 pre-requisites; Luna free: He had been interrogated for 28 days with a blind-fold over his eyes; Milovan Stankovic in the game: SDS keeps secret on who will be the Defense Minister

Intelligence/security/judiciary

BiH HoR adopts law on BiH Intelligence-Security Agency

Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 9, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4, Dnevni List page 5 “BiH getting state intelligence service by April 1”, Slobodna Dalmacija, page 7 “Law on Intelligence-security agency of BiH adopted”, by B. Kristo, Vecernji List, page 2 “State Law on security service adopted”, by Eldina Medunjanin, FENA – The BiH House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted the Bill on the BiH Intelligence-Security Agency. The Law establishes the BiH Intelligence-Security Agency, which is responsible for collecting, analysing, and distributing of intelligence information with the aim of protecting the security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the constitutional order of BiH. The Agency carries out its activities in line with the BiH

Constitution and the European Convention on Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms. The Agency is a civil intelligence-security agency. The composition of the Agency includes the civil intelligence services that previously functioned in Federation BiH and RS. No other civil intelligence-security structures can be established on the BiH territory. In line with the Lawl, the Agency has jurisdiction on the territory of entire BiH and its residence is in Sarajevo. The Agency is managed by General Director and Deputy General Director. The General Director and Deputy General Director are appointed and removed from duty by BiH Council of Ministers at proposal of the chairman and in consultation with members of BiH Presidency and the Security-Intelligence Commission. Further more, the House of Representatives considered in urgent procedure the Bill amending the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, the Bill amending the Law on the BiH Prosecution and the Bill amending the Law on the BiH Court.

Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘Law on OSA adopted’ – BiH House of Representatives yesterday adopted the Law on intelligence and security agency of BiH. The Agency should start operating as of 1 April this year. Two existing entity intelligence agencies, FOSS and OBS will make the state agency. Barisa Colak, BiH Minister of Security, said that: “I am satisfied with the adoption of this law, but I am not satisfied with some solutions……I think it would not be a problem to provide resources for the agency, because entity budgets have already included resources for entity agencies, which will now be transferred onto state budget.”

According to NN inset, Calman Koscis, Chairperson of the Task Force in charge of preparing the Law on intelligence agency of BiH, stressed that that by having adopted this Law, BiH has made step towards its membership in EU.   

OHR welcomes the adoption of the law

BHTV, FTV, FENA – The adoption of the Law on the Intelligence and Security Agency of BiH by the BiH House of Representatives is a welcome development and the High Representative commends all those who supported the Law in Parliament on Tuesday, OHR said. There are important technical amendments that are likely to be tabled in the BiH House of Peoples on Thursday directed at guaranteeing that the CoE standard, that a single Minister be responsible for the Agency, is upheld. In light of the importance of meeting CoE standards these amendments have the support of the OHR.

VL: “Shots heard near building of OHR Mostar”

Vecernji List (front “Alarm because of shots at OHR Mostar on Mostar’s Bulevar” and page 3 “Shots at building of OHR Mostar”, by Robert Soldo) – reports that shots were heard nearby the OHR South in Mostar, to be more exact on “Bulevar” road, yesterday just after midnight (on the night between Monday and Tuesday). Reportedly, 3 pistol shells were found on the spot. VL goes on to say that all Police patrols were alarmed after the shots were heard and that the perpetrators are still being looked for. VL unofficially learns from the Mostar Police that the shots came from either an unknown VW Golf Mk II, maroon in colour, heading towards northern direction, or from a Mercedes-Benz which was in the same time heading south. The hypothesis has it that the drivers of the two cars confronted each other.

BiH Prosecutor Gafic critical of Republika Srpska MoI

Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘RS Interior Ministry illegally involved into investigation’ – Jasmina Gafic, BiH State Prosecutor, in charge of case against Rajo Krsmanovic and Bogdan Vasic, yesterday warned Republika Srpska Interior Ministry it has not legal authority to speak about the investigation, of which they know nothing and in which they are not involved.

Gafic said: “I did not give investigation report to anybody, neither did I request further police investigation. Therefore, I wonder why they make such conclusions.”

According to NN inset, Republika Srpska National Assembly yesterday withdrew from parliament agenda discussion on Republika Srpska police report on acetic acid anhydride affair. The Heads of Caucuses concluded it was not necessary to hold any discussion on this issue, since the BiH Prosecutor’s Office processes this case.

According to NN inset 2, Marinko Jurcevic, BiH Chief Prosecutor, said it was not clear to him how RS MoI could have given any comment on the case, with which it has nothing to do.

FBiH Assistant Ombudsman for Media on “Avaz”

Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4, ‘Ban against “Avaz” to report lies is not censorship’ – In an interview to NN, Mehmed Halilovic, Media Ombudsmen in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, says that the court verdict (on temporary ban to report false information on Zlatko Lagumdzija) does not represent a general ban to write about Lagumdzija nor does it represent a censorship. However, he adds that bearing in mind temporary ban has been passed four times in only few months, it raises great concern. Also there is a danger of seeing this temporary ban transfer into its contrary. Namely, the exception stipulated by the Law on slander could become a rule.

Halilovic agrees that the professional level of most journalists is debatable, because they too often ignore their own code of conduct. However, he also says too many court verdicts of this kind could de-stimulate the work of media and media freedoms.

He concludes the interview by saying that the media should not have political role, because it is not their job. 

HiRep on Radoncic

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Criticising advisors is old trick’ – the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, yesterday announced he would carefully consider steps he may undertake as a reaction to interview the owner of “Avaz”, Fahrudin Radoncic, gave to NN. Ashdown said that: “Criticising advisers is the oldest trick in the book and I am going to treat it with the seriousness it deserves.”

NN: Reactions to court’s ruling against Avaz

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Media should bear responsibility for falsehood’ – Seada Palavric, SDA Vice President, yesterday expressed her support to the freedom of media expression, “but the one exclusively including presentation of facts and truth. Otherwise, media should bear responsibility. The Court in charge should establish whether media reported false information. ”

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Radoncic and Ashdown have family misunderstanding’ – Senad Pecanin, Director of Magazine Dani says that the conflict between the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, and Fahrudin Radoncic, “Avaz” owner, is just misunderstanding in the family. He said: “It is a misunderstanding between people, who deserve the deepest contempt of all those knowing that BiH cannot be grounded on the marriage of interest between local criminals, meaning those defenders of national interests and international representatives, who are supportive of them or live in their houses.”

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Avaz” owner is trying to smooth out things with OHR’ – Senka Kurtovic, editor-in-chief of Sarajevo “Oslobodjenje” says that Fahrudin Radoncic has acknowledged he initiated the conflict with OHR all by himself. She wonders as to whether “Avaz” owner has any other compromising picture of the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown.

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘OHR will win in clash with Avaz’ – Senad Avdic, editor of magazine “Slobodna Bosna”, said that “Avaz” has initiated a conflict with OHR by publishing the picture of the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, sitting under the calendar with picture of Radovan Karadzic.

He concludes: “The very moment HiRep stopped defending “Avaz”, HiRep has become “Avaz” target. I hope OHR will end this conflict in an elegant manner without court processes and God help Avaz .”

Masovic says judges complain on pressures

Dnevni Avaz front page, pg. 9 ‘A fey judges complained to me against pressures on them’ – Amor Masovic, the Chairman of the Federation Commission for Missing Persons, and the deputy to the BiH House of Peoples supports Dnevni Avaz journalists’ demands regarding alleged introduction of censorship. He said that a few judges had told him so far that the individuals from the international communities were exerting political pressures on them. Avaz carries reactions to their protests/demands on pgs. 9-10. There are no reactions by more prominent politicians/public officials.

Defence

Dragan Kapetina new nominee for BiH Defence Minister

FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Dragan Kapetina nominee for Defence Minister of BiH’ – New SDS candidate for BiH Minister of Defence will be Dragan Kapetina, Military Advisor for Borislav Paravac. Rejection of SDS candidate Branko Stevic has caused discussion with many different views at the SDS Presidency session and while Dragan Cavic and Dragan Kalinic thought that nomination of Branko Stevic shouldn’t be withdrawn, rest of the Presidency considered that few more names should be offered, among which OHR would chose one.

Dnevni List (page 11 “Story comes down to two names”, by De. L.) – reports that the Serb member of BiH Presidency, Borislav Paravac, will today at noon propose the Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, a candidate for the future BiH Defence Minister. Reportedly, the President of SDS in resignation, Dragan Kalinic, did not want to say which candidate was selected by the SDS Presidency, however he said that there were two candidates. Kalinic explains that publishing names in advance proved to be wrong in the past.

OHR disappointed with failure so far to nominate BiH Defence Minister

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘BiH authorities did not fulfilled the first condition for PfP’, FENA – The OHR regrets that the governing coalition has not yet agreed on a candidate for BiH Minister of Defence. It is almost March, yet the BiH authorities have failed to fulfill the first and most basic requirement for Partnership for Peace membership thereby putting at risk the long-term security of every citizen of this country, said the spokesperson of OHR, Kevin Sullivan, in Sarajevo on Tuesday. The BiH authorities have been invited to submit a report to NATO in March outlining progress made. At this rate, there will be nothing to report, and members of the Alliance will be justifiably sceptical about BiH’s readiness to join PfP, added Sullivan. The OHR also notes with great concern the failure of the Federation government to pass legislation required to harmonise Federation defence structures with the new BiH Law on Defence. The Federation is now in danger of undermining the new state level defence system and thus becoming BiH’s impediment to membership in PfP. OHR urges the Federation authorities to act without delay to adopt these laws, emphasised the spokesperson of OHR.

Terzic regrets Stankovic did not accept nomination for BiH Defence Minister

BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Terzic disappointed because Stankovic gave up on the nomination’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2, Dnevni List, Slobodna Dalmacija, back page “Stankovic dropped, two names in contention”, by A. Macanovic, Vecernji List, page 3 “Terzic disappointed”, by bs,Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6, ‘Milovan Stankovic does not want to be minister of defence of BiH’, FENA – BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic said on Tuesday that he has not yet received the name of the candidate for BiH defence minister from the Serb Democratic Party, and that he was disappointed by the information that the current RS Minister of Defence, Milovan Stankovic, does not wish to be appointed on this function at State level. “I expected SDS to propose Stankovic last night, and I would have nominated him today, after which the candidacy would undergo the confirmation process in the BiH House of Representatives”, said Terzic.

FBiH defence minister reportedly asked to resign?

TV Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Minister Nikolic to resign?’ – The Federation of BiH Defence Minister Miroslav Nikolic must tender his resignation, or he will be dismissed, Hayat journalists have learnt from reliable sources. The prime minister of the Federation, Ahmet Hadzipasic, or High Representative Paddy Ashdown can ask for Nikolic’s resignation. If Paddy Ashdown were to do it, Nikolic’s political career would be finished, since in this case he would be banned from holding any public office, the TV house’s report says. Miroslav Nikolic’s career is marred by the fact that he allowed six officers, who had earlier voluntarily left the army and transferred to the Croat self-administration, to come back to work in the Defence Ministry. Minister Nikolic used a loophole in the previous defence law of BiH, according to which the BiH Presidency members were the civilian commanders of the army. So the Croat member of the Presidency took decisions on the Croat, and the Bosniak member on the Bosniak component of the Federation army, according to the report.

Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Decision on dismissal of the Croat officers must be respected’ – According to the newspaper, the SFOR Commander, Virgil Packett, again warned Croat member of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic two days ago that the decision on the dismissal of six Croat officers had to be implemented/respected.

Political developments/reforms

Humphreys and Terzic present 16 conditions from the Feasibility Study in Banja Luka

Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Apprehend war criminals and then go to Europe’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Mikerevic announcing better cooperation with the Hague’, Dnevni List page 11, “Through meeting of prerequisites European chances for BiH grow”, by M.R., ”Vecernji List page 3, “Europe will not wait for you long!”, by B.S., Slobodna Dalmacija back page “Humphreys to BiH authorities: One cannot go to Europe with war criminals”, by A. Macanovic, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6, ‘First reforms, then Europe’, FENA – It is expected from BiH, and especially the RS, to have full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal in apprehending the indicted war crime suspects, and this is the first very important condition without which BiH will not be able to get closer to Europe, warned on Tuesday the Head of the European Commission Delegation to BiH, Ambassador Michael Humphreys. Ambassador Humphreys and BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic in Banja Luka presented the 16 conditions from the Feasibility Study to the representatives of the RS National Assembly and the Council of Peoples. They reiterated that only the fulfilling of these conditions within the envisaged deadlines could result in opening of the negotiations on BiH’s Stabilisation and Association with the European Union. Humphreys indicated as an important condition the establishment of the BiH High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, expressing hope that the RS Assembly would, at the session taking place in Banja Luka on Tuesday and Wednesday make the decision on transferring of entity authorities onto the BiH State level, which would enable establishing of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council. He also emphasized the necessity of intensifying activities for establishing in full capacity the BiH Agency for Information and Protection (SIPA) for the purpose of achieving more significant results in fighting organised crime. Terzic emphasised the need for fulfilling the remaining conditions from the Road Map, i.e. the Council of Europe post-accession criteria.

Mikerevic says there is will to cooperate with the Hague tribunal

Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘RS Government will cooperate with The Hague’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2, FENA – The prime minister of RS, Dragan Mikerevic, said that there was political will in the RS to cooperate with the Hague tribunal, but that there were also forces that were trying to stall this cooperation. “Political institutions in the RS have demonstrated the will to cooperate in the previous actions of SFOR, and we expect even better results in the future”, said Mikerevic after the meeting with the head of EU Mission in Bosnia, Michael Humphries. Humphries emphasized that Bosnia had to do everything it could to bring to trial war crime suspects, because otherwise it would not be able to integrate into Europe. “Unless there are cooperation and practical actions to catch them, Bosnia will not go forward towards the European integration”, said Humphries and added that this issue blocked the process of integration both in Croatia and in Serbia – Montenegro.

Kalinic concerned EU conditions leading to centralization of BiH

Oslobodjenje pg. 10, FENA – Speaker of the RS National Assembly Dragan Kalinic on Tuesday said that the centralization of BiH through the process of meeting the conditions set for its integration into the EU must not be allowed. After Chairman of the Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic and head of the European Commission delegation in BiH Michael Humphries briefed the RS Assembly and the Council of Peoples on 16 areas where progress is expected in the adoption of laws and the establishment of new institutions, Kalinic said that “he is not sure that 48 new laws and 25 new institutions can contribute towards BiH being a more efficient and cost-effective country, which would facilitate its joining Europe”. “It seems that a lot of it is just another way to centralize BiH,” Kalinic said and expressed the hope that, once the action plan focusing on meeting the conditions set in the Feasibility Study had been implemented, the competent officials would take into account the fact that a lot of the issues included in the action plan should be resolved at the level of entities. He said the RS was prepared to adopt the highest European standards, and that, as far as meeting the conditions set to BiH, it would favour solutions which would bring about framework laws for BiH, but that the implementation of the laws ought to remain within the entities’ jurisdiction. “In this way we shall create conditions for every citizen and every foreign investor in BiH and its entities to enjoy the same conditions, rights and opportunities in all towns in the country,” he said.

SDA gives up on Federation government reshuffle

Oslobodjenje pg. 7 ‘Premier’s resignation if he does not implement the plan’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 12, FENA – The presidency of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) held a session on Tuesday to discuss the report on the implementation of decision on the reshuffle of the Federation of BiH’s government, it was announced after the session.

Even though the prime minister of the Federation and ministers who are SDA members placed their mandates at the party presidency’s disposal, the SDA presidency decided to stop the procedure aimed at the government reshuffle because of the view of the SDA’s partners in the Federation government, which are either against the reshuffle or have set additional conditions for it. In line with the programme for the crisis resolution, the prime minister and the ministers will draw up a plan of activities for the forthcoming period. The SDA’s deputy chairman, Elmir Jahic, was appointed head of the main election HQ for local elections, the statement says.

SD: “Ashdown stays until end of 2006?”

Slobodna Dalmacija (page 16, by M. Skobic) – carries a report from a BiH papers “San”, which reported that there are plans to extend the mandate to the current High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, until end of 2006. Apparently, an initiative has already been launched. According to the report, HR Ashdown would stay in BiH until end of 2006, and in the October of 2006, general elections would be held, after which the OHR should shut down. “San” claims that the same initiative has been launched for the Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, because there is a general opinion that Ashdown and Hays managed to “shake” BiH and start reforms the country needs to get closer to European integration and Partnership for Peace programme.

Mostar issue

Dnevni List (page 7, “New referendum in Mostar Municipality North!?”, by V. Kljajic) carries that according to DL information, the Municipal Council of the Mostar Municipality North might pass the decision on the organization of another referendum soon and according to unofficial information it might happen in the next 15 days, that is, before March 15, when the Mostar Municipalities should be shut down according to the decision passed by High Representative Paddy Ashdown. DL also says that according to the circles close to SDA, at the new referendum the citizens of the Municipality North would declare themselves whether they support separation of this Municipality from the City of Mostar. DL says that many people interpret announcement of the new referendum as the last SDA attempt to hinder the implementation of the HR’s decision on Mostar. The author also says that Mostar Mayor Hamdija Jahic and his Deputy Ljubo Beslic are directly responsible to the HR for the implementation of the aforementioned decision and therefore the one should not be surprised that the two of them have been absent from Mostar lately since they are exposed to an increasing pressure of local HDZ and SDA officials.

Dnevni List (page 16 “Rondo renamed into Mate Boban Square”, by S. Bjelica) – reports from 29^th session of Municipal Council (MC) of Mostar City Municipality Southwest (SW), which was held yesterday, during which the MC took a Decision, despite opposition coming from the SDP and SBiH, to rename the “Trg hrvatskih velikana” (“Croatian peers square”), the popular “Rondo”, into “Mate Boban square”. The MC also renamed the “Bare promenade” into the “Balinovica promenade”. MC also took a Decision to erase the “Fra Dominik Mandic” grammar school from the court register. Furthermore, at an initiative of the HDZ, the MC passed a conclusion that the High Representative’s decision on Mostar was against the will of the people, therefore an anti-constitutional and illegitimate. Pursuant to that, it was concluded to send a request to the FBiH Parliament to review the HR’s decision. Still, despite the disagreement with the HR’s decision, the MC decided to fully support the Head of Municipality and the municipal administration in implementation of the new Statute. (Slobodna Dalmacija, page 20 “name of fra Dominik Mandic grammar school erased”, by Darko Juka, Vecernji List, front “The Central Rondo square becomes Mate Boban square” and page 4 “Rondo named into Mate Boban square”, by O. C.)

Ivo Sanader to meet Barisa Colak in Mostar today

Vecernji List (page 5, “Sanader to go HDZ BiH first”, by zk) carries that after his coming to Mostar today Croatian Prime Minister and President of HDZ Croatia Ivo Sanader will meet with HDZ BiH President Barisa Colak. VL says that is has been judged that this meeting will overshadow disagreements in the relations of two parties after the last meeting between a part of HDZ BiH officials and 4 Diaspora representatives in the Croatian Parliament that took place in Zagreb recently and about which the HDZ BiH leadership was not informed.

On the same issue Slobodna Dalmacija (page 17, “Sanader carries out purge in HDZ BiH?”, by Z. Zekic) carries that the aforementioned meeting was not planned in the first version of a protocol of the Sanader’s visit, however, some changes were made and time for this meeting was found. SD says that public speculates that Sanader has certain demands when HDZ BiH is in question and that he stands for necessity of personnel changes in HDZ BiH. According to the article, this especially refers to those HDZ BiH members who were supporting some other political options at the last elections in Croatia. 

RSNA amends election law

Nezavisne Novine, pg. 8, ‘Citizens to elect Mayors’ – Republika Srpska National Assembly yesterday adopted the Law on changes of the Republika Srpska Election Law, according to which Mayors of municipalities would be elected by citizens.

Russian Embassy to BiH on RS delegation’s visit to Moscow

Dnevni List (page 6, “Preparations for establishment of cooperation between Moscow and Sarajevo”, by Nina) – with regard to the visit that the Republika Srpska delegation paid to Moscow the other day, the Russian Embassy to BiH issued a press release in which it has been underlined that the aforementioned visit took place at the invitation of the Mayor of Moscow. The press release also says that the claims about unbalanced approach of the Russian Federation in the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accord and advocating of interests of only one constituent people have no ground. The press release also quotes an official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs who stated: “Moscow is willing to give all kind of assistance in strengthening of BiH as a unified, multi-ethnic state made of 2 equal entities and 3 constituent peoples.” Sarajevo media also covered the issue.  

War crimes

Luna released

Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Tied for 28 days’; Nezavisne Novine, cover ‘I did not see a daylight for a month’  & pg. 3, ‘Luna released’ – Around 11:30 hrs yesterday, SFOR handed Zeljko Jankovic Luna from Bijeljina to PSC Bijeljina officials. PSC Officials claim SFOR did not give them any documentation.  Jankovic says he did not see daylight for 28 days because he was tied in container. He also says he would not file a lawsuit with any court, because nobody can protect him. Sarajevo media also covered the issue.

Families of Srebrenica victims to sue State of BiH as well

Oslobodjenje front page, pg. 5 ‘State of BiH to be sued as well’ – The Mothers of Srebrenica and Podrinje Association has recently filed a lawsuit before the Strasbourg-based Court for Human Rights against the countries bearing the responsibility for the genocide committed in the town in 1995. Apart from Netherlands, the Association will also ask for compensation from BiH, Serbia and Montenegro, France, Great Britain and US. 

Education

OHR: Politicisation of Federation Schools Must End

Herceg Bosna Radio, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 6 ‘End politicization (in education)’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 12, Dnevni List page 2, “To stop politicization of schools in Federation”, Slobodna Dalmacija last page, “Politicisation of education destroys children’s future”, by D. Pasic – The High Representative met with all the cantonal education ministers on Tuesday in the OHR to call on them to end the politicisation of education which has done so much damage to the children of BiH, and to implement education reform. At a meeting in the OHR with with Ministers Stipo Ivankovic (Canton 2), Nikola Lovrinovic (Canton 6), Jago Musa (Canton 7), Jozo Maric (Canton 8) and Marin Ivic (Canton 10), the High Representative called on the ministers to keep their promises and end delays in implementing agreed reforms.  He underlined that the education authorities in the Federation of BiH must honour the commitments on education reform they made in November 2002 and do everything that is required in order to implement post-accession requirements in eduction stipulated by the Council of Europe. The High Representative underlined two particular issues of concern:  the development and adoption of the Cantonal Primary and Secondary Education Laws – which must be in line with the BiH Framework Law on Primary and Secondary Education in BiH, and the administrative and legal unification of the remaining “two schools under one roof”.

VL on Law on higher education

Vecernji List (page 2 “Where is BiH schooling going?”, by Misijana Brkic) – noting that the Law on higher education “got stuck” in the BiH Council of Ministers, the author warns of a danger that the Croats are potentially faced with, especially when it comes to the issue of funding of universities. In that context, the author wonders what would happen to the funds if the issue were to be decided at the entity (FBiH) level “given the previous practice of the FBiH Ministry of Education and Education Minister Pasic to allocate a larger part of budget funds to the Bosniak institutions ‘in the need’”. VL goes on to say that in the meantime, “international observers” are noting if the law was not put in place by March 31, the World Bank might withheld 42 million US$ allocated to the BiH education, which triggers the author to conclude: “Still, even if cornered, should one accept everything?”.

Economic/social issues

Mostar Investment Conference

Dnevni List (front page splash and page 3 “Everything is ready for start of conference”, by V. Kljajic) – reports that preparations for the Mostar Investment Conference, scheduled for February 26 and 27, have been completed and goes on to say that the Chairman of BiH Presidency and President of Organizational Board, Dragan Covic, will be opening the Press Centre of the Mostar Investment Conference today at 1300 hrs. Later this evening, Chairman Covic will be receiving all senior guests, heads of delegations and participants of the conference at Mostar’s “Hotel Ero”. (Slobodna Dalmacija, front page splash and page 17 “Herzegovina receives world statesmen”, by Marijan Sivric, Jutarnji List, page 10 “BiH: 300 projects for investors”, by M. Borovac, Vecernji List, page 5 “Dozens of agreements will be signed”, by Zoran Kresic, Sarajevo media)

Nacional (page 11, “By announcement of his coming Mesic attracted Balkans political elite to Mostar”, by B. Jelinic) – carries the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, who will also attend the Conference, as saying: “In my speech I will remind that the war conflicts in BiH were fertile ground for development of crime, corruption and growth of poverty. Now we can see completely opposite trends since political stability and peaceful multi-ethnic coexistence can create numerous, new business chances.” Nacional also carries the Croatian President Stjepan Mesic: “I truly hope that after the Mostar Investment Conference a new round of inter-state talks regarding the status of the Ploce Port will start. It is a mutual interest to regulate its status and stimulate its development.”

Minister Dokic on Corridor Vc

Vecernji List (front page splash “BiH will launch construction of two new ports on Sava river” and page 2 “Itinerary of corridor through Herzegovina still being discussed”, by Dejan Jazvic) – BiH Minister of Traffic and Communications, Branko Dokic, announces that presentations of several projects of construction and reconstruction of highways, ports on Sava river and railroads through BiH will take place during the forthcoming Mostar Investment Conference, noting that BiH rests its biggest hopes on construction of roads. Minister Dokic also notes that Croatia is still ready to participate in construction of Corridor Vc, as was the previous Croatian Government. Regarding the itinerary of the future Corridor Vc through BiH, Minister Dokic says the southern exit point will not be determined by end of the year, because several itineraries of the Corridor Vc through Herzegovina are still being discussed. Sarajevo media, Dnevni List, front and page 3 “Corridor Vc is biggest investment challenge during Mostar conference”, by E. Mackic also covered the issue.

FBiH HoR and FBiH Govt on Law on bankruptcy

Dnevni List (page 5 “Protection of citizens from SARS and AIDS”, by Miso Relota) – reports that the House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament yesterday postponed the voting on the Proposal of law on changes to law on bankruptcy for today, because the FBiH Government did not submit a programme of social measures that will take care of workers who will lose the job once the law has been applied.

The same papers (page 5, “Measures of social protection of redundant workers adopted”, by M. R.) – reports that the FBiH Government, at its session held yesterday, adopted a Programme of measures for taking care of workers who are to lose jobs in the process of privatization, bankruptcy and restructuring of companies that have at least 51% of state capital. Apparently, funds for realization of the Programme will be secured from contributions for employment and funds acquired from privatization of companies and will be spent on payment of unpaid pension and disability contributions, on payment of severance packages and creation of new jobs. Sarajevo media also covered the issue.