OHR BiH Media Round-up, 25/6/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)	TV PINK (18,00 hrs)	BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)
Serbian Govt negotiates w/ Mladic?	Doboj meeting on crisis in BiH CoM	RS MoI arrests 4 Srebrenica suspects
7 arrested for Srebrenica crimes	HR on PIC Steering Board session	Cavic/Kostunica mtg
Political meeting in Doboj	RS MoI arrests anotehr 3 persons	US Senate on Srebrenica
PIC Steering Board meeting	RS MoI takes over war crimes files	The “House of Trust” in Srebrenica

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)	FTV (19,30 hrs)	RTRS (19,30 hrs)
US Senate on Srebrenica	Two injured in traffic accident	RS MoI arrests another 3 persons
Book on Srebrenica promoted	Doboj meeting on crisis in BiH CoM	Cavic meets Kostunica
Discussion on Srebrenica inUSA	PIC Steering Board meeting	ICTY investigators in Srebrenica
New arrests by the RS MoI	Poll: citizens’ on HR’s powers	Trials to Gvero and Miletic

Oslobodjenje	Chetniks of Bratunac fleeing in Serbia in large numbers [n RS MoI action]
Dnevni Avaz	US Senate condemned genocide in Srebrenica
Dnevni List	OHR to be abolished [on PIC session]
Nezavisne Novine	Fear of being arrested [n RS MoI action]
Glas Srpske	Podrinje in fear [n RS MoI action]

War crimes related issues
RS MoI arrests 11 active/former police officers in Podrinje region; Media speculate action to continue	PINK – RS Interior Ministry on Friday arrested another 3 persons in Zvornik region suspected of being involved in the war crimes in Podrinje region. In last two days, police has arrested 11 persons, namely police officers, from Bratunac, Zvornik, Sekovici and Vlasenica. According to PINK, none of these persons are on the list of Srebrenica Taskforce. Glas Srpske cover splash story ‘Podrinje in fear’ by S.R.T. – K.C. – According to GS’ unofficial information, Velimir Maksimovic, Miladin Stevanovic and Dragisa Zivanovic were arrested on Friday. In addition it speculates that two another persons – Dragoljub Simic and Vaso Todorovic – might had been apprehended in Serbia .  BHT 1 by Boris Grubesic – BHT 1 says 4 more persons were arrested on Friday, adding they were extradited to the BiH Prosecution. According to BHT 1’s unofficial information, 15 suspects have been arrested to date, but official reports say 11 were arrested. Milos Stupar, Aleksandar Radovanovic, Slobodan Jakovljevic, Milenko Trifunovic, Jovan Nikolic, Pero Mitrovic and Branko Djinic, some active policemen, were arrested previously few days. FTV – A sources in the RS MoI has confirmed to FTV that 11 persons were arrested. FTV also reports that RS MoI arrested another four persons on Friday and that according to unofficial information, the action will be continued. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ’11 arrested’ – Daily also says 4 additional persons were arrested, adding that they are all police officers from station in Skelani.  Hayat – According to Hayat’s unofficial information, several more persons charged with war crimes could be arrested in several next days. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Chetniks of Bratunac fleeing in Serbia in large numbers’ by Avdo Avdic – Journalist has visited Bratunac were RS MoI has carried out several arrests of war crimes suspects, noting that town is empty and that a number of men have fled in Serbia in fear of being arrested. Both Glas Srpske and Nezavisne Novine reports describe atmosphere in the region. RHB – also reported. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ’11 persons arrested on warrants by BiH Court’ by E.S. , Nezavisne Novinecover splash ‘Fear of being arrested’, pg 3 ‘Fear of new arrest’ by S. Karic, J. Sarac and M. Cubro – also carry that 11 persons were arrested.
Media: Arrestees under one-month detention; interrogations on going; BiH Court launches investigations	FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 inset ’Investigation started’ by E.S., Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Investigations launched’, Dnevni list pg 6 ‘BiH Courts commenced investigtaions’ by De.L. – The BiH Court has confirmed the investigations on several war crimes suspects arrested in the area of Zvornik, Bratunac, Srebrenica and Sekovici in the past few days have started, confirmed Edita Pejic from the press office of the Court to Onasa news agency. BHT 1 by Boris Grubesic – Report stats that the arrested suspects will be held in custody for one month and that they are already being investigated.  Nezavisne Novine cover splash ‘Fear of being arrested’, pg 3 ‘Fear of new arrest’ by S. Karic, J. Sarac and M. Cubro – NN reports that source close to BiH Prosecution claims that interrogation of two suspects has already started on Friday late afternoon. Report also claims that majority of arrestees are active police officers, some are former and they would be charged with the war crimes, while several will be witnesses for the Prosecution.
RS MoI official not disclosing exact number of arrested suspects	RTRS by Vesna Cibic – The Spokesman for the RS Police Director, Radovan Pejic, confirmed that RS police has been carry out the arrests following the request of the BiH Prosecution, but he did not reveal how many persons were arrested in the last 2 days in total and their names. The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown also wouldn’t comment the arrests: “I wouldn’t comment until we have official information from BiH Prosecution but I will add that this is potentially a great event.”
US Senate adopts Srebrenica declaration: Aggression against BiH, genocide in Srebrenica’	BHT 1, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Aggression against BiH, genocide in Srebrenica’, mentioned on cover, not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Declaration on Srebrenica tragedy adopted’ by VOA , Dnevni list pg 6 ‘US Senate adopts Srebrenica declaration’ – The US Senate has unanimously adopted the Resolution on Srebrenica on 22 June, which reads that the genocide was carried out by Bosnians Serbs with direct assistance of former Yugoslavia [SCG] authorities. Resolution also says that BiH was a subject to the aggression by Serbia in cooperation with Bosnian Serbs. Resolution, proposed by the Congress of Bosniaks from North America , states that apprehension of the persons responsible for the war crimes in Srebrenica is in US national interest. Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘US Senate condemned genocide in Srebrenica’, pg 2 ‘Genocide committed against Bosniaks, and aggression was carried out against BiH’ by A.M. – Article carries that some legal experts believe that this resolution will strengthen BiH’s lawsuit against SCG. Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Discussion on Monday’ – GS carries that US House of Representative will discuss the Srebrenica Declaration on Monday.
Cavic, Kostunica, Bukejlovic strongly condemn all war crimes	Hayat byVesna Surbat – RS President Dragan Cavic, RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic, and RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic met with the Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica in Belgrade on Friday. Officials condemned all crimes committed in BiH, including those in Srebrenica, as well as the crimes committed against Serb people. At the press conference following the meeting, Cavic commented on the arrests action by the RS MoI carried out in the Podrinje region stating that any detailed information or statement would endanger the investigations. Cavic also said that both RS and Serbia reconfirmed their stance that cooperation with the ICTY should be continued and improved. BHT1, RTRS, PINK, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘All war crimes must be disclosed and perpetrators processed’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘All crimes condemned!’, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Those responsible should be punished’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3’Kostunica and Cavic condemned all war crimes’ by Srna – also reported.
RS MoI takes over documents on war crimes against Serbs	BHT1, PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Crimes on 10.000 pages’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine ‘Police submitted with the 60 discs of evidences’ -Representatives of the RS Interior Ministry on Friday have taken over voluminous documentation on war crimes committed against the persons of Serb and other nationalities in BiH from the RS Secretariat for relations with the Hague Tribunal. The documentation, which consists of 10.000 pages, was taken over in the electronic form on 60 DVDs, and will be received by the MoI team of experts, the spokesperson of the RS Police Director, Radovan Pejic. RTRS [reporter not stated] – “Priority will be given to documents related to committing crimes over Serbs in Sarajevo”, stated Pejic. He added that another priority is any additional information related to charges against ICTY suspect for crimes in Podrinje area, Naser Oric. RTRS also reports that the ICTY investigators visited Srebrenica and Bratunac and the locations relevant for Oric trial.
International press speculates Serbian Govt negotiations with Mladic on surrender	RTRS, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Serbian Government negotiates with Ratnko Mladic’, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Serbian Government negotiates with Mladic’, Dnevni list pg 9, mentioned on cover, ‘Intelligence in ‘war with’ war crimes suspect’ [on Times article] – Paris-based International Herald Tribune published that the Serbian Government has tried to get in touch with Ratko Mladic’s supporters. IHT article also brings quote by the unnamed US official who said he heard from the Serbian officials that they have managed to get in touch with Mladic following the screening of the Srebrenica execution snapshots. At the same time, journalist of London-based Sunday Times, Tom Walker, stated that he was confirmed by the Serbian Government and diplomatic sources that negotiations with Ratko Mladic on his voluntary surrender are ongoing.

PIC Steering Board session
PIC recommends that High Representative be replaced by EU Special Rep.	FTV, Hayat, RTRS, PINK, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Harsh warning to the RS’ by S. Numanovic, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘BiH has the last chance to catch ‘the last train’ by M.K.S., Glas Srpske pg 5 inset ‘Powers’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Arrest of all war crimes suspects a condition for EU’, mentioned on cover ‘Crisis in BiH authorities slowed down reforms’ by M. Cubro, Dnevni list cover splash, pg 2 ‘OHR to be abolished’ by Nermin Bise – At the two-day session held in Sarajevo, the political directors of the Peace Implementation Council’s Steering Board have decided to recommend the continuation of the process of the transfer of authorities to the local government, which would result with the end of OHR’s mandate and its replacement with the post of a EU Special Representative. [NOTE: Electronic media placed this at the top of their reports on PIC SB session, while all dailies apart from Dnevni List treated issues related to halt in reforms and coop. with ICTY] BHT 1 – “What the PIC has said about process of ending of the OHR’s mandate is that there are conditions to be fulfilled to achieve that. That can’t be done overnight. BiH politicians must take responsibility for their acts. We want to see completion of the key reforms. The crucial condition for closure of the OHR is to see BiH in the process of negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement,” said the HR, Paddy Ashdown.
PIC urges progress in PBS, police reform; calls on Terzic to resolve issues in CoM	Hayat, RTRS, BHT 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Harsh warning to the RS’ by S. Numanovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Arrest of all war crimes suspects a condition for EU’, mentioned on cover ‘Crisis in BiH authorities slowed down reforms’ by M. Cubro, Dnevni list cover splash, pg 2 ‘OHR to be abolished’ by Nermin Bise – The political directors have also considered the halt in the reform process, especially with the regard to the legislation on the public broadcasting system and police reforms blocked by SDS-led RS Government. It was noted that RS’ refusal to continue with police reform is a big obstacle on the road to EU. Political directors also called on the Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, and on all other political factors in BiH to resolve the problems in the CoM as a matter of urgency so that the business of government can resume and reform can proceed. PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘BiH has the last chance to catch ‘the last train’ by M.K.S., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Last chance’ by N. Zelenovic– The Steering Board noted that BiH still had the last chance to cross the threshold to SAA negotiations at the end of this year.
Terzic’s advisor: Once BiH completes SAA negotiations, expected in Oct 2006, there will be no more need for HR	RHB – The Advisor to the BiH CoM Chair, Bojan Zec Filipovic, stated that Adnan Terzic presented the PIC with the plan to meet remaining conditions and to starts with SAA negotiations in November. Filipovic also stated that political directors expressed support for it, however its was added that if BIH fails to do so in November it will lose 7 years on its path towards EU. Dnevni list pg 3 inset ‘Terzic satisfied with PIC’s decision’ – Filipovic also assed that Terzic welcomed the decision regarding the fade out of OHR’s mandate. “At the moment our country completes the negotiations on signing SAA, and we expect this to be in October 2006, that is when a need for presence of the High Representative will cease to exist,” added Filipovic.
Ashdown: Karadzic, Mladic must be apprehended; RS warned to improve coop. w/ICTY	PINK by Aida Doric – The Board also noted the halt in cooperation with the ICTY. “There has been no extradition of war crime indictees in past several weeks, and PIC made two statements regarding the issue. Firstly, process of cooperation with the ICTY has to be continued and accelerated and there will be serious consequences for those responsible if that is not to happen”, said the HR and added that, secondly, the international community will not consider this process completed until apprehension of the war crime indictees Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Harsh warning to the RS’ by S. Numanovic  – Ashdown also warned RS authorities that they must continue and improve cooperation with the ICTY. RTRS, Hayat, FTV, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Last chance’ by N. Zelenovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Arrest of all war crimes suspects a condition for EU’, mentioned on cover ‘Crisis in BiH authorities slowed down reforms’ by M. Cubro, Dnevni list cover splash, pg 2 ‘OHR to be abolished’ by Nermin Bise– also reported.
PIC welcomes invitations to Tadic, Cavic to attend Potocari event	Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Harsh warning to the RS’ by S. Numanovic, Oslobodjenje pg 3 inset ‘Welcoming Tadic’, Dnevni list pg 2 inset ‘Ashdown supported Tadic’s arrival to Srebrenica’ – The Steering Board considered the preparations for Srebrenica commemoration, and welcomed the invitation to Serbian, Boris Tadic and RS President Dragan Cavic, to attend the event at Potocari.
Economic progress noted, but PIC concerned with finances of authorities	FTVby Blazica Kristo – PIC Steering Board also discussed the economic issues related to BiH and noted some progress. “The country’s economy is now better than in the other regional countries. The export has been increased for 20%, foreign investment for 25% and the percentage of persons living on poverty line has been reduced from 20% to 16%” said Ashdown. However, Paddy Ashdown, also pointed out to the poor finance situation in the authorities. “Deficit in the FBiH budget is annually about 300 and 400 million KM, and in the RS half that amount. Unless this is solved soon, BiH institutions, especially entities, will not be able to pay their workers”, said the HR. Hayat, RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 inset ‘Both good and bad economic situation’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘BiH has the last chance to catch ‘the last train’ by M.K.S., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Last chance’ by N. Zelenovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 inset ‘Public companies to be restructured’, Dnevni list pg 3 inset ‘Critical condition in entities’ institutions’ – also reported.

Other political issues
Doboj meeting: Political leaders fail to resolve CoM crisis; New mtg on 27 June	Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Agreement on state government not reached in Doboj’, mentioned on cover, by Fena – Members of the BiH Presidency and representatives of the ruling political parties in BiH have failed to reach an agreement at a meeting in Doboj on overcoming the problems in the Council of Ministers after the CoM Chair Adnan Terzic has accepted the resignation tendered several month before by the Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic. A new meeting has been scheduled for 27 June in Sarajevo, and it will also be attended by SDS leader Dragan Cavic. Talks were participated by Terzic, Ivanic, SDS deputy chairman Mladen Bosic, HDZ president Dragan Covic and Party for SBiH leader, Safet Halilovic. Chairman of the BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac stated following the meeting “that the situation is much more serious than it appears in the first instance.”  Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Without an agreement on overcoming crisis’ by M. Begic – Daily carries that Ivanic also stated situation is rather serious. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Talk without agreement’ by Sl. Puhalo – also carries Paravac’s statement. RHB, FTV, PINK, Hayat, RTRS, BHT 1, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Negotiations on resolving crisis in the CoM’ by V. Popovic – At the time of news broadcasts, the talks were not finished thus reports are outdated.
Ivanic: Situation must be resolved on Monday	BHT 1 by Hajrudin Redzovic – BHT carries Mladen Ivanic stating for the journalist: “Everyone know that Minister stays Minister until the new one is appointed.”  Presidency member, Sulejman Tihic, stated that SDA didn’t agree with SDS on anything. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Agreement on state government not reached in Doboj’, mentioned on cover, by Fena – DA says Ivanic stated that he continues to be the minister. “On Monday this must be solved. This situation in the Government is not good for either citizens or our country,” added Ivanic.
Tihic: Time of mono- ethnic parties has passed; SDA supports Terzic’s decision; Tihic urges sanctions against Nikolic	FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Mono-ethnic parties have no future’, mentioned on cover, pg 3 ‘SDA supports Terzi, by A. Omeragic, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Time of mono-ethnic parties in BiH has passed’ by A.M., Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Tihic wants sanctions against Minister Nikolic’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Ivanic should had been removed long time ago’, Dnevni list pg 5 ‘More and more non-Bosniaks in Bosniak party’ – SDA President Sulejman Tihic held a press conference on Friday stating that the SDA Fourth Congress held on May 26 and the constituting session of the Party’s Main Board represents a historic change in the Party and on the general political scene. He also pointed to the new orientation of this party as the BiH national party of European orientation that preserves traditional values of the BiH identity, said Tihic. Commenting on the recent decision of BiH Prime Minister Adnan Terzic to remove Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic, Tihic said that SDA supports Terzic’s decision. Commenting on the upcoming ceremony of marking the 10th anniversary of the Srebrenica tragedy, he stressed that this is the first time that the Srebrenica commemoration has a state character, because it is conducted under the auspices of BiH Presidency. SDA has also forwarded a proposal for proclaiming July 11 as the Day of mourning in BiH. IN addition, Tihic said that SDA believes FBIH Defence Minister, Miroslav Nikolic, should be sanctioned for the events at the Capljina oath-taking ceremony on June 16, when Croatian anthem was played.
BHT 1: SDS, HDZ believe SDA made wrong move	BHT 1 Lejla Redzovic – According to the BHT1, SDA’s coalition partners – SDS and HDZ – considers party’s decision to be of ‘multi-ethnic’ character as bad move and “political suicide”. SDS offical, Momcilo Novakovic, said that SDA will now loose a number of votes from Bosniaks while it will still fail to any non-Bosniak votes.
HR confirms Basic to head BiH Transport Ministry until new Minister appointed	RTRS, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Harsh warning to the RS’ by S. Numanovic, Oslobodjenje pg 3 inset ‘Recommendation to Minister Dokic’ – The HR Paddy Ashdown confirmed on Friday that BiH Minister of Transport and Communications in resignation, Branko Dokic, has decided to take his advice and formally withdraw from his position in the Council of Ministers. Ashdown added that in absence of Dokic, the Ministry is being headed by his Deputy, Haris Basic.
UNDP’s poll: Approx. 50% of citizens want HR’s powers reduced; ~35% fear new war	FTV – UNDP carried out the poll according to which 49.15% of BiH citizens want the HR’s powers to be reduced, while 18.1% of them want his powers to be increased. In addition, 23.5% of persons questioned believe that HR has to preserve same of his current powers. Opinions also differ largely between ethnic groups: 34,8% of Bosniaks, 35,8% Croats and 71% Serbs support reduction of the HR’s powers. The survey also noted that the 34,9% BiH citizens are worried with the possibility of the new war in BiH in case EUFOR leaves, while 60,9% of them believe the opposite. Also carried by Sarajevo press.