OHR BiH Media Round-up, 2/6/2006

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

3 arrested in Mostar for war crimes

Mital Steel hunger strike

World News

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Conference on war crimes

War crime suspect arrested

Mittal Steel workers’ hunger strike

3 people arrested for war crimes

Judiciary conference

Shoe factory ‘Aida’ workers protest

RS not to accept police ref. proposal

Regional news

3 suspected war criminals arrested

Croat inferiority re Law on PBS

CoM session

Prosecut. Office, CoB on war crimes

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Borislav Berjan arrested in Visegrad

3 suspected war criminals arrested

3 war crime suspects arrested

USA cuts aid to Serbia

Thirteen bodies exhumed in Sekovici

CoM session

Conference on BiH Courts

Conference on war crimes in SA

Audit of BIH citizenships

Nomination of candidates

Anniversary of Dobrinja massacre

Reactions to police reform proposal

Oslobodjenje

[OHR] BiH stays sovereign state after OHR leaves

Dnevni Avaz

UNESCO sends experts to Visoko [alleged pyramid]

Dnevni List

Chinese clothes carcinogenic (latest tests in China show some Chinese children’s clothes contain carcinogenic colours)

Vecernji List

One year old girl burnt (girl died in fire in Maglaj)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Siroki goes to pick up title at Skenderija (BiH basketball championship)

Nezavisne Novine

SDS squandered “Grad” and then increased its capital unrealistically [irregularities regarding the ownership transfer of a firm from Bijeljina from RS on the Municipality]

Glas Srpske

Model unacceptable for Srpska [reactions on decision of PRD Steering Board]

EuroBlic

Offer of RS Government: “Telekom Srpske” 450 million Euros

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Three war crimes suspects arrested in Mostar

BH Radio 1 – In the action of police officers of Centre for Investigating War Crimes and SIPA Special Unit conducted this morning upon the order of the BiH Prosecution on three locations in Mostar, three persons were arrested in the action under suspicion of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Arrested persons would be handed over to BiH Prosecution for further processing. As BH Radio learns arrested persons are Marko Radic, Emir Brekalo and Dragan Sunjic, former HVO members. At the Radic was Commander of HVO Second Brigade and currently is President of Croat Association of Veterans of Mostar City.

War crimes and judiciary

Conference on prosecuting war crimes in BiH: judicial experts demand from CoM to adopt national strategy for solving these crimes

FTV – Two-day conference “Prosecuting war crimes in BiH – achievements and challenges” has commenced in Sarajevo on Thursday. More than 120 representatives of the courts and prosecutors’ institutions attend the conference organized to exchange experiences and recognize key challenges in processing war crimes. “Without the construction of the state prison, I think that the reform of the judiciary system in BiH would be deprived of one very important segment… because we would not know what to do with all those prosecuted people”, stated BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac. BiH Court President Meddzida Kreso emphasized the need of making all citizens equal before the law, since the sentences for the same crime are not the same before state, or entity courts. At the same time, BiH Chief Prosecutor Marinko Jurcevic expects the BiH authorities to do more in order to complete the process of prosecuting war crimes in BiH; thus Jurcevic called upon BiH Council of Ministers to create national strategy for solving war crimes cases. “If we want all the war criminals to be prosecuted, the state has to strengthen the capacities on both local and state level”, stated Jurcevic. BHT1– It was said that about 13.000 persons in BiH are suspected of committing war crimes, while only 72 Prosecutors in the entire country work on those cases. It means one prosecutor has approximately 180 cases to work on. Regardless of inadequate financial support, representatives of the Court of BiH claim that they would not give up until all indicted war criminals are apprehended and prosecuted. “Not a single committed crime must remain unnamed, whenever it had been committed, and whoever had committed it. It is very important to understand that the Court of BiH processes individuals indicted for war crimes; it does not accept so-called collective responsibility, because peoples have not committed war crimes”, stated Kreso. RHB, PINK, Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Kreso: We are not trying peoples and states’, by Erna Mackic, Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Kreso: Not a single crime must not stay unnamed’, by ra, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 4 ’13.000 war crimes suspects in BiH’, by H, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘BiH has to clear up its past’by A.Omeragic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘There are 13.000 war crimes suspects in BiH’ by D. S.  – carried similar reports.

CIN : donors to decrease support to BiH Court / donors say foreign judges to continue playing an important role in processing of war crimes

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Smaller budget and salaries’ by CIN [Centre for Investigative Journalism] – CIN reports donors would decrease their material support to BiH Court, which would lead to reduction in the number of staff from 263 down to 78 by the end of 2009 if the state budget fails to earmark funds for financing of their salaries. The article concludes by saying the most important donors, i.e. Americans and British, say foreign judges will continue to play an important role in processing of war crimes and adds that British and OHR have rejected remarks of BiH Court President [Meddzida Kreso] and have extended the contract of British judge Malcolm Simmons.

DL criticizes IC for interfering into work of judiciary in BiH, calls for abolishment current organization of BiH

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Fatal mistake’, by Pejo Gasparevic – with regards to the letter that the BiH Court President, Meddzida Kreso, sent to the BiH Presidency in which she asks for protection after the UK Ambassador to BiH, Matthew Rycroft, allegedly tried to exert pressure on her with an aim to appoint the British judge (Malcolm Simmons) to the BiH Court, Gasparevic is very critical of the alleged behaviour of the Ambassador and IC in general for obstructing the development of the civic society and democracy in BiH. Moreover, Gasparevic reckons that the IC’s policy in the south-east Europe has made many ‘fatal mistakes’, putting the ‘hesitation of the IC to remove the two-entity organization for three peoples in BiH’ in the first place of such fatal mistakes.

Three persons suspected for war crimes apprehended upon order of Sarajevo Cantonal Court

BHT1- Retired police officer, Borislav Berjan, has been apprehended on Wednesday evening in Visegrad, under suspicion he committed a genocide and war crimes against prisoners in the area of Sarajevo during the war in BiH. Another two war crimes suspects were apprehended on Thursday: Djoko Staka, suspected of committing war crime against civilians in the area of TrnovoMunicipality, and Momir Pandurevic Momo, suspected of committing war crimes against civilians in the area of Grbavica settlement in Sarajevo. All three were arrested upon the warrant of the Sarajevo Cantonal Court and have been transferred to the local prison, where they will stay for at least one month. RHB, PINK, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Borislav Berjan arrested’, not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 15 ‘Banja Luka: Arrested because of war crime’, by A. Macanovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Borislav Berjan, Momir Pandurevic and Djoko Staka arrested’ by E.Sarac, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Borislav Berjan responded to police invitation’ by A.Prlenda, inset ‘Staka and Pandurevic arrested’, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘War crimes suspects’ not signed– covered.

CoM to discuss candidates for Sarajevo Commission at next session

FTV – At Thursday’s session, the members of the BiH Council of Ministers have discussed the establishment of the Commission for truth about sufferings of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Jews and others in Sarajevo in period 1992-1995. The CoM Chair Adnan Terzic announced that the members of this Commission should be appointed at next CoM session. Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘Appointment of Commission members next week’, not signed – BiH Deputy Minister of Human Rights, Ivica Marinovic, expressed hope the list of possible candidates for the Commission will be completed by next week. BHT1, Hayat, RTRS,– also covered.

BiH Human Rights Ministry invite associations to submit proposal for Sarajevo Commission members

Hayat– BiH Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees invited entity governments, Sarajevo Canton Government, NGO’s, Associations, Unions and organizations of war victims to submit their proposals on candidates for membership in the Commission for examining the truth on war victims in Sarajevo . The Commission will be composed of 10 members, including three Bosniaks, three Serbs and three Croats and one representative of others. They will hand in their work program to the CoM within 30 days and report regularly every three months. The final report should be sent in within 12 months. The list of candidates can be ready next week and the CoM will then nominate the members.

RS Association of POWs says they will not participate in work of Sarajevo Commission

Glas Srpske cover pg report ‘Against Sarajevo Commission’ by G. K. – RS Association of POWs on Thursday stated they do not intend to participate in any way in the work of Sarajevo Commission, which was established by CoM upon BiH Parliament’s decision. The Association Chair, Slavko Jovicic, explained that the Association rejects to have any kind of a commission that would differ from demands the Association presented in past. East Sarajevo NGOs would demand from OHR to impose a decision on forming of a commission for investigation of sufferings of Serb citizens, as it had been done in Srebrenica case and Avdo Palic case before, if F BiH authorities bring new obstructions in this case.

Possible disputes about composition of Sarajevo Commission

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Composition of the Sarajevo Commission new source of clashes’ by A.Terzic– After last week’s boycott of the BiH House of Representatives [due to the rejection of CoM Chair Adnan Terzic to establish the Commission for Sufferings of Sarajevo citizens], Serb representatives from the RS have returned and as Head of SDS Caucus in BiH HoR, Momcilo Novakovic, told daily that they would attend the session on June 8 and that are already participating the work of commissions. “Our following stances would depend on personal composition of the Commission. We will insist that persons that will not obstruct the work and which care for the truth are in its composition” said Novakovic to daily.  He didn’t want to speculate on names, but stressed that their stance on this would be known after names are published. Same stance that composition of the Commission could cause “new debates” has head of the Mixed Club Tihomir Gligoric. He believes that all those people who worked for years in various commissions that never gave any results simply “cannot have place in Sarajevo Commission.“ “We will not accept not even one member of the Commission, who would get to the position based on political influence” said Gligoric.

GS op-ed re: Sarajevo Commission: Bosniaks trying to preserve “myth on Bosniak victims”

Glas Srpske op-ed pg 2 ‘Fear from democracy’ by Predrag Lazarevic – The author wonders whether the Sarajevo Commission would complete its mission or representatives of Bosniaks would try to, through obstruction of its work, preserve “the myth on Bosniak victims”, which they have started to systematically create with help of former HR Paddy Ashdown in past two years. Anti-Serb behaviour of Bosniak politicians, with logistic support of a number of foreign officials, has become so frequent lately that even RS PM Milorad Dodik had mentioned the word “referendum”.

Feral Tribune op-ed: Sarajevo Commission abused by Serb and Bosniak authorities

Feral Tribune, pgs 28-29 ‘Troubles blooming throughout Bosnia’, by Ivan Lovernovic – carries weekly commentary in which the author, whilst commenting events surrounding the establishment of Sarajevo Commission for establishing truth on destiny of peoples, says the whole story comes down to the Serb and Bosniak authorities trying to abuse the issue for their own purposes, in which the former are trying to increase the number of Serb victims, and the latter are reluctant to name the events in wartime Sarajevo with the real name – war crimes.

US withholds aid to Serbia due to failure to arrest Mladic

BHT1- United States of America have lost their patience because of Serbian constant failure to locate and arrest most wanted war crimes indictee Ratko Mladic. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice refused to recognize Serbia-Montenegrin cooperation with The Hague Tribunal; therefore, as of midnight, seven million USD of financial help to Serbia have been frozen. However, U.S. will continue to provide money for humanitarian aid, as well as for strengthening democracy in SCG. RHB–US Ambassador to SCG Michael Polt expressed his regret after the decision of his government to freeze aid to SCG. He called upon the Government of SCG to hand over Mladic, and added that “he does not want the people of Serbia to suffer because the fugitives. The time has come to arrest Mladic.” RHB, PINK, Hayat, FTV, Dnevni List, pg 25 ‘Serbia left without American aid’, not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Time for Belgrade to hand over Mladic’ not signed – also carried.

New mass grave with victims of Srebrenica located near Sekovici

FTV, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 4 ‘New grave of Srebrenica victims located’, by H – The FBiH Commission for missing persons confirmed that a new mass grave containing remains of 25 people from Srebrenica was located at Brsine near Sekovici. Head of the Commission’s Tuzla branch, Murat Hurtic, stated the victims were people from Srebrenica who were trying to reach Tuzla in July 1995 when the Serb forces caught them and killed them. Hurtic noted that the victims’ hands were tied behind their back.

DA: Security agencies and private de-mining firms are aiding Karadzic?

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Who is financing Karadzic’s hiding from Brcko?’ by E.R. – Daily learns from the unnamed source in Brcko District Government that competent authorities is submitted with the demand to check certain security agencies and private de-mining firms that are connected with aiding Radovan Karadzic. District Supervisor Suzan Johnson informally stated for DA that she would check this information.

Education, elections and other political issues

CoM adopts law proposal on higher education without support of Serb Ministers who object establishment of Agency for licensing and accrediting; EC welcomes adoption 

PINK – The Council of Ministers adopted Law proposal on Higher Education. CoM Chair Adnan Terzic stated that all Ministers supported the provisions under this law apart from the section stipulating an establishment of state agency for accreditation and licensing. Serb Ministers voted against this provision, thus the law was adopted by simple majority and not through consensus. RTRS – BiH Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs Zoran Tesanovic stated that the competence over this process could be possibly transferred to the state level in accordance with the current procedure thus meaning that RS National Assembly needs to decide upon it. The Law has been forwarded into parliamentary procedure in shorten procedure, and Terzic said he expects it would receive necessary support. EC delegation in BIH has welcomed the adoption of the law. BHT1 – BHT 1 comments that the law is of a great importance for the education reform in BiH, as it is one on the four key principles set by the International Community. Law regulates autonomy of universities, mobility of students and other academic staff, and accepts the basic principles of the Bologna Declaration. It also envisages establishing of the Sate Agency for accreditation and licensing of higher education institutions, which will immediately treat the private universities and the public universities active today will be treated after the expiry of the four-year period, when the Bologna Declaration should be accepted in all segments. Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Law proposal on Higher Education submitted to the Parliament’ by Agencies– BiH Communications Minister Branko Dokic told SRNA that Ministers from the RS advocated that accrediting and licensing of universities should remain under authority of RS Education Ministry i.e. Cantonal Ministries in FBiH. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 Inset ‘Humphreys welcomed adoption of the law’ – Head of EC delegation to BiH, Michael Humphreys, welcomed the adoption of the law stating that this important step would provided education and qualifications in line with the worlds standards. Hayat, FTV, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Ball is in the parliamentarians’ court’, by D. P.Mandic, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Law proposal on Higher Education passed’ by M.K.S. – also covered.

BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivanic: outvoting of high education law transfers responsibility on BiH Parliament

Nezavisne novine pg 3 ‘Agency for licensing questionable’ by M. Cubro – Commenting the Law on higher education adopted by the CoM despite the objections form the Serb ministers, the BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic told NN that outvoting on the law takes a responsibility from the Council of Ministers and puts it on the Parliament: “The proposal of the working group was to keep the accrediting at the level of the entities, and for the State Agency to be authorities for joint criteria for universities.”

RS Education Minister Kasipovic: RS Govt will discuss RS Draft High Education Law at its next session

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘To urgently pass the Law on Higher Education in RS’ by S.G.– RS Education Minister Anton Kasipovic said on Thursday that draft Law on Higher Education would be discussed at the next session of RS Government. “We are very close to the solution that we can propose to the RS National Assembly. Naturally, we are hoping for improvements in the course of the parliamentary debate” said Kasipovic, during his meeting with new Rector of Banja Luka University Stanko Stanic, which was attended by RS NA Speaker Igor Radojicic and RS Science and Technology Minister Bakir Ajanovic.

Brcko District Assembly adopted draft law on high education of Brcko District

EuroBlic pg RS6 ‘High education law drafted’ by L. S. – Brcko District Assembly, during its 32^nd session, adopted draft law on high education of Brcko District. The suggestion of SDS Caucus for holding of public tribune, due to seriousness of this project and remarks presented during Assembly discussion, was not accepted. Assembly Chairman Milan Tomic has stated it this law would not enter the second reading at the next session already, but there will be enough time for development of amendments.

HDZ 1990 adds ‘Croat unity’ to its name: BiH CEC to take final decision on participation in elections today

BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Bozo Ljubic’s party goes on elections as HDZ 1990 Croat Unity’ by L.Sinanovic, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘About ‘HDZ 1990 Croat unity’ today’, by zk, Dnevni List, back pg ‘Two words verify application of HDZ 1990’, not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 15 ‘Ljubic: Name HDZ 1990 remains’, by Z. Tulic – reports that the President of HDZ 1990, Bozo Ljubic, and HDZ 1990 Presidency member, Josip Merdzo, forwarded to the BiH Central Election Commission ( CEC) on Thursday a proposal that the party takes part in the October elections under the name ‘HDZ 1990 – Croat unity’. The CEC will today (Friday) decide whether the party will be allowed to take part in the elections. Earlier, the CEC asked from the HDZ 1990 to add a word/words to its name that would distinct it from the HDZ BiH and prevent possible confusion of the electorate.

SB op-ed: HDZ 1990 could change many important things on political scene

Slobodna Bosna pg 4-5 ‘Would Ljubic HDZ 1990 live up the destiny of Zubak’ NHI’ op-ed by Senad Avdic– Commenting on parties which emerged from a fraction of some other party, author notes that in most cases they have failed ‘miserably’ and that they were always perceived as “losers or even worst traitors.” Avdic mentions several examples from the region, including NHI which emerged up from HDZ long time ago and went trough many troubles since. However, commenting on HDZ 1990 author notes that this could be a party that can dispute the theory i.e. could make a success and win over HDZ lead by Dragan Covic, since its leaders Bozo Ljubic and Marting Raguz haven’t abandoned the current HDZ, but were forced out with explicit use of Stalinist methods. Second reason is that they would not be perceived as traitors, as Ljubic was among those who established the original HDZ in BiH. “All these are reasons for which HDZ 1990 is certainly going for upcoming elections as favourite bid ‘from the shadow’… It is pretentious and silly to now predict what would that change in political post-election architecture. But there is no doubt that it would change many things, important things,” concludes Avdic.

HDZ’ Covic and Jovic meet Holy Sea representative D’Errico: Both sides concerned that Croats might be ‘erased’ from power

Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Vatican worried with announcement that Croats will be erased from authorities’, by Zoran Kresic – reports that HDZ President, Dragan Covic, and BiH Presidency member, Ivo Miro Jovic, met with the representative of the Holy Sea to BiH, Alessandro D’Errico, at Sarajevo on Wednesday night to discuss issues pertaining to constitutional changes and forthcoming elections. According to Covic, both sides expressed concern regarding divisions among Croats-Catholics and possibility that the Croats be erased from the authorities after the next elections. Covic and Jovic explained to D’Errico that there was a danger that the Croat member of BiH Presidency and Croat members of BiH CoM be imposed by the Bosniak parties due to the small size of the Croat electorate in BiH. Covic also revealed details of his meeting with the High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, about the forthcoming elections, position of the Croats and constitutional reforms. The HR indicated the EU would get engaged in the process (of constitutional changes) with the wish that the process ends as soon as possible in order to further decrease authorities of the HR.

FBiH Finance Minister Vrankic: Croat ministers have no real influence

Vecernji List, pg 6, mentioned on front ‘Croats without influence in ministries’, by Zoran Kresic – carries an interview with the FBIH Minister of Finances, Dragan Vrankic, in which he mostly talks about economy related issues. On top of this, Vrankic complaints that Croat ministers in the FBiH Government have no real influence, explaining that anything related to the work of the Croat ministers gets diminished and/or derogated in the FBiH Parliament.

SD speculates with names of candidates for future composition of BiH Presidency

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 13 ‘Battle for president’, by Zlatko Tulic – the article speculates with names of candidates for the next composition of the BiH Presidency. When it comes to the RS, SD notes that the most serious candidates are SNSD’s Nebojsa Radmanovic (current RS Minister for Local Self-Government), SDS’ Dragan Cavic (RS President) and PDP’s Mladen Ivanic (current BiH Foreign Minister). As far as the FBIH is concerned, SD says it is clear SBIH’s Haris Silajdzic and SDA’s Sulejman Tihic will run for the office of Bosniak member of BiH Presidency. As for the Croat member of the Presidency, SD notes the SDP is thinking about nominating Zeljko Komsic, whilst some information have leaked from the HDZ BiH that their candidate will be Slavko Matic. Still, SD reckons it is HDZ President, Dragan Covic, who is the most serious candidate of the HDZ BiH, pending the outcome of court processes that are carried out against him.

SB: SBiH leader Silajdzic cannot run for BiH Presidency without support of SDU; SDU demands their candidates to be list holders on state and FBiH levels

Slobodna Bosna pgs 6-9, 18 ‘Tokic blackmails Silajdzic, Zubak and Jurisic will not support Ljubic’ by Asim Metiljevic and Suzana Mijatovic – Commenting possibilities of the newly established ‘Patriotic Black’ [SBiH, SDU and BOSS] authors speculate on disputes within this body, stressing that this is being kept away from the eyes of the public, but indirectly confirmed in a statement of SDU leader Sejfudin Tokic who recently announced that SDU would come out independently to election. Though some of high ranked officials anonymously told SB that such threats are just “shooting blanks”, article carries they are directed against SBiH leader Haris Silajdzic, who wants to run for Bosniak member of BiH Presidency as Block’s candidate. However, SB speculates he cannot do this without Tokic’s support, which is conditioned with 30% of candidates on election ballots and demands for SDU candidates to be list holders for state and FBiH lists. Article further notes that Silajdzic is willing to pay the price for the SDU support for the following reasons: Firstly, he lost chance to use rejection of constitutional changes against his main opponent SDA leader Sulejman Tihic, as all demands for dissolution of BiH appeared right after constitutional reform failure which had it been adopted would finally break the efforts have BiH in the “Kosovo package”; and secondly, Silajdzic is being connected with certain financial affairs.

FBiH Govt adopts Bill on Rights of Elected Officials

FTV- At its session in Mostar on Thursday, the FBiH Government has finalized the Bill on the Rights of Elected Officials, Holders of Executive Functions and Advisers in FBiH Government Institutions. Elected officials in terms of this Law are members of both FBiH Houses of Parliament, holders of executive functions are the president and the vice-president of the Federation, while advisers are those who advise speakers of federal Houses of Parliament and the holders of executive functions.RHB, PINK, BHT1, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Federal officials would have higher salaries after all’ by M.K., Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Rights of elected officials established’ not signed – also reported.

Police issues

RS PM Dodik: decision will be brought in next few days whether RS reps would continue participation in PRD SB; RS President Cavic: consensus is a must; PDPs Ivanic accuses ex-RS Govt for only 1 RS rep in PRD SB

RTRSby Marina Marjanovic – In the light of police reform proposal and the Opinion on future police model confirmed by Police Reform Directorate’s Steering Board on Wednesday, the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated that it will be determined in the following days whether RS representatives in PRD Steering Board will remain in capacity of full-time members. Dodik also stated that RS used all legal tools to ensure decisions in PRD are reached through consensus. RS President Dragan Cavic stressed that police reform needs to be discussed on basis of a consensus. Cavic also stated that RS National Assembly would vote against every proposal that is not in accordance with RS interests. BIH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic on the other hand accuses former RS Government lead by Pero Bukejlovic for agreeing to having only one RS representative in the PRD Steering Board consisting of 10 members in total. Former RS Finance Minister Svetlana Cenic [now an official of newly established DEPOS party] responded to this and stated that she will publish the entire documentation exchanged between CoM and RS Government at the time in order to prove that they are not to blame for such unfair ration in PRD Steering Board. RSBA Speaker Igor Radojicic also stated that RS NA would not adopt solutions unfavourable for the RS. RHB– Radojicic announced on Thursday that RS would not accept the proposal for the police reform that was voted on Wednesday by the eight members of the Steering Board, since they have not taken into consideration the positions and proposals of RS. “The Steering Board can make a nice plan for the reconstruction of the FBiH Interior Ministry”, stated Radojicic, adding that they are working in favour of only one entity. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Dodik: RS would consider weather would remain even in observers status’ by Srna – Dodik said that all RS proposals regarding the police reform are being ignored and that truth that the PRD was established in “grotesque” manner is being avoided:  “I don’t see why RS reps would remain as full [PRD SB] members. In following period we would consider whether we would be present even in observers status.”PINK– carried short and general report. Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Minister will not interfere in work of director’ by Az.K. Inset ‘What are we doing in Direction?!’ carry Dodik. Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Model unacceptable for Srpska’ by Z. Markovic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘RS will not accept imposed solutions’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Suggestion on police reform unacceptable for RS’ by Srna carry Dodik, Cenic and Radojicic.

RS politicians criticise adoption of model of pole reform at PRD Steering Board session

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Model unacceptable for Srpska’ by Z. Markovic – RS NA Chair Igor Radojicic has stated RS would not accept the model of police reform that was adopted by 8 members of PRD Steering Board without recognising stances and recommendations of RS NA and added: ‘It is obvious the Steering Board works for one entity only’. Head of SDS Caucus at RS NA Borislav Bojic assessed no reform in BiH can be implemented if consensus is not reached. PDP’s Veselin Poljasevic stated PDP Caucus would not accept such a draft model on organisation of police structures since conclusions and recommendations of RS NA were not respected.

RS President Cavic: the adopted police reform model will suffer failure

Glas Srpske cover pg report ‘Defeat is final instance’ by Z. D., Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Referendum is a reply to those who wish to abolish RS’ by Srna – RS President Dragan Cavic on Thursday stated the adopted model of reform of police structures would suffer a failure when it comes to political discussion and added the reform would fail ‘because it is being adopted by politics, not professionals’.

Deputy BiH Security Minister Mektic: there can be no reform without consensus

Glas Srpske cover pg report ‘No reform without agreement’ by Z. D. – Deputy BiH Minister of Security Dragan Mektic stated the “stretched-out” consensus that was reached during the session of PRD Steering Board would, most probably, break as any other “stretched-out” thing at its first verification at legislative and executive bodies in BiH. He added that the reform can neither bring results nor can it be implemented as long as consensus is not reached.

PRD Steering Board Chair Dumancic: we will meet again in some 20 days when I expect to see written suggestions

EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘RS will not accept imposed solutions’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – Chairman of PRD Steering Board Vinko Dumancic did not want to comment on speculations that, by the adoption of an opinion on further development of police reform without RS votes, the process again entered a dead-end street. He added they deliberately did not want to discuss on the issue of local organisation because there were many differing opinions on this issue. Dumancic said: ‘we will meet again in next 20 days or so, when I expect to see some written suggestions’.

Police organization scheme: Minister will not interfere in work of director

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Minister will not interfere in work of director’ by Az.K. – Daily carries proposal of police organization scheme on state and local levels, proposed by Police Reform Directorate [ PRD] Executive Body. Proposal however doesn’t specify number of regions, borders nor their interior administrations. State level is to be divided into political and operational. BiH Security Minister will be in charge of political level, and will not be able to interfere with the operational one.

Oslobodjenje op-ed: although PRD was ordered to stay out of politics, it has been completely preoccupied with demands from RS

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Police without politics’ op-ed by Azhar Kalamujic – Commenting that police reform is in decline, for RS is rejecting to accept what its representatives agreed to seven months ago, editorial reads that job of police experts working in the Police Reform Directorate [PRD] is not an easy job – “they have almost useless political wastes at their table, out of which it is hard to make a decent proposal.” Editorial concludes that although PRD was ordered to stay out of politics, its has been completely preoccupied with demands from RS.

CoM approves reappointments of Dzuvo, Zaric and Cosic to OSA leadership

FTV – The Council of Ministers discussed the report of the Commission for the Audit of Citizenships; the Commission decided to deprive 38 persons of BiH citizenship, but the names have not been announced yet. BiH CoM extended mandates, and reappointed Almir Dzuvo, Risto Zaric and Ivan Cosic to the positions of Intelligence-Security Agency [OSA] Director, Vice Director and Chief Inspector respectively. They will remain at OSA top during next four years. EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Loyal or competent’ by S. R. M., Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Terzic appointed his man to the head of OSA’ by Z. K. – The Chair of the Association of Dismissed OSA Employees, Predrag Ceranic, commented on these reappointments and has stated BiH CoM is bringing safety of BiH citizens in jeopardy by appointing suitable or loyal personnel instead of appointing competent personnel to positions in OSA. BHT1, Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Dzuvo, Zaric and Cosic appointed’ by Onasa – also covered.

Debate on referendum initiative

SDS Cavic: the referendum is the answer on attempts to abolish RS

BHT1- RS President Dragan Cavic warned all those who wishes to abolish RS that the answer of Serb people in RS will be only one – the referendum. Cavic explained that the question of referendum in RS was ‘placed in the wrong context’.

Reactions to referendum issue – SDS Novakovic: RS PM Dodik was not realistic nor pragmatic

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘BiH stays sovereign state after OHR leaves’ by Aldijana Omeragic – Referring to allegations and reactions to RS referendum, SDS Vice President Momcilo Novakovic said that RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik was not ‘realistic nor pragmatic’, adding that RS PM must be cautious with his statements: “Without international support, referendum cannot have any significance, even if it was scheduled… If Serb people, together with other two peoples would have enough space, regardless to the presence of internationals, BiH will not fall apart.”

SDU’s Tokic criticial of PM Dodik and referendum initiative

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Parts o Radovan Karadzic’s project still live in heads of RS politicians’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Reviving of Radovan Karadzic’s project’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Strikes against sovereignty’ by Fena, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Strikes against sovereignty from RS’, not signed – SDU’s Sejfudin Tokic said latest nationalistic statements of RS PM Milorad Dodik and coordinated activities of NGOs on collecting of signatures for separation of RS are direct strike on sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH.

DEPOS Cenic: FBiH politicians are afraid of PM Dodik

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Politicians in F BiH are afraid of Dodik’ by V. Popovic – Deputy Chair of DEPOS Svetlana Cenic assessed the latest attacks on RS and its highest representatives by certain politicians and media from F BiH are result of fear from the competition they se in RS PM Milorad Dodik.

HSP Djapic-Jurisic: Main aim of Parties with Serb prefix is to show BiH is impossible

Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Sanctions against SNSD requested’, not signed – The HSP Djapic-Jurisic’s Commission for constitutional affairs held an extraordinary session (DL does not state when) dedicated to the statement of the RS PM, Milorad Dodik, in which he announced possible organization of separation referendum in the RS. HSP Djapic-Jurisic notes that such possibility is very realistic when the OHR closes down, which could happen next year, arguing that parties with the Serb prefix are unison in breaking BiH down. The party insists that the Serb parties’ tactics will be some sort of ‘war of attrition against the IC’ through blocking of reforms in the Parliament, which would show to the EU, USA and UN that single BiH is impossible. (NB: the article does not mention any calls for sanctions against SNSD)

SDP Vice President Popovic: What if that SPONA gathers 100,000 signatures and submit them to RSNA and RS Gov?

Dani pgs 12-15 ‘Silajdzic needs Dodik’s radicalism’ by Vildana Selimbegovic – Commenting statements of RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik on referendum, SDP Vice President Slobodan Popovic in an interview to Dani expresses fear that this initiative could get out of control: “What if that NGO [SPONA] gathers 100,000 signatures and submit them to the RS National Assembly and RS Government? One can objectively ask then what would RS Prime Minister, Government and RSNA do about it, how would they deal with that possibility, which is not impossible, on the contrary, it is very realistic.” Asked to comment if there are parties in FBiH who are in favour of “Dodik’s nationalistic radicalism”, Popovic replied: “SBiH first of all, partially SDA… But SDA and SBiH are angry with RS PM lately.”

Oslobodjenje on referendum: “What will happen when OHR leaves?”

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘BiH stays sovereign state even after OHR leaves’ by Aldijana Omeragic – Article reads that after RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik raised issue of possible RS referendum, OHR did not manage to cool the tempers, not even after warning that HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling would use his ‘Bonn powers’ if necessary. Author reminds that SBiH protested after Schwarz-Schilling stated that BiH is established after Dayton Peace Agreement, claiming that he denied thousand years of BiH’s statehood. Article continues that on the other hand, PDHR Larry Butler clearly stated that there will be no referendum as long as OHR is in BiH, leaving the question “what would be after OHR leaves?” unanswered. Chair of Constitutional legal Commission of BiH House of Representatives Mirsad Ceman [SDA] stated: “I think that this [Butler’s] message was unfortunate, for it says that, while we are here, we wont let that happen, but when we leave, solve your problems.” Explaining Butler’s statement, OHR spokesperson Ljiljana Radetic said: “The Dayton Peace Agreement is an internationally binding treaty which recognizes BiH as a sovereign and independent state. The RS is bound by that agreement and the Constitution contained therein… The peace agreement, and BiH’s constitution, remain in place regardless of the OHR’s existence until amended in accordance with the procedure set forth in the Constitution.” Supporting statement of US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney [“BiH is sovereign state, and that’s that!”], SBiH’s Beriz Belkic noted that International Community “has to leave no space for possible alternatives… This is why IC must not support half-solutions for BiH, it must create firm ones.”

Oslobodjenje op-ed: After OHR leaves – catastrophe

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘After OHR leaves – catastrophe’ op-ed by Senka Kurtovic – Commenting how international community half-heartedly condemned allegations on possible secession of the RS made by RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, editorial stresses that HR Christian Schwarz-Schillingstated he would use his ‘Bonn powers’ in case of referendum. Author reminds that Schwarz-Schilling promised to be the very last HR, and questions what would happen after OHR ends its work in BiH.

OSCE head Davidson: There will be no serious consequences of Montenegrin referendum on BiH; Even after OHR leave, IC will remain in BiH

Dani pg 24-25 ‘If I was Bosnian, I would be unnerved’ by Faruk Boric – Commenting debate on referendum initiative, the Head of OSCE Mission in BiH Douglas Davidson said: “My impression is that, in spite of demands coming from RS NGOs, there will be no serious consequences of Montenegrin referendum on BiH. Reason is obvious: Montenegro was federal republic in Yugoslavia, RS was not… Most important for BiH is that I did not hear any of the officials seriously connecting issues of Kosovo and BiH.” Davidson said that USA and EU will remain in BiH: “I can assure those… who are afraid that OHR will end its mandate too soon, International Community will remain present even after OHR leaves.”

Dani: It is hard to say whether RS PM Dodik, with his radical nationalism, did more damage to SDP or helped more SBiH

Dani cover splash ‘They are stronger together’, pgs 18-21 ‘Radovan came down the mountain’ by Senad Pecanin – Article reads that recent statement of RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik on RS referendum is “timed so that entire pre-elections campaign is based on exchange of verbal nationalistic fire of great calibre.” Author comments that politically Dodik did a great job: Firstly, pushed aside SDS and PDP as leading Serb parties; he did a great favour to SBiH leader Haris Silajdzic whom he promoted into leading protector of ‘Bosniak dignity’; he discredited SDA by making political alliance with them on issue of constitutional changes; and finally, he paralyzed SDP with whom he was ‘natural coalition ally’. Author notes: “It is hard to say whether Dodik, with his radical nationalism, did more damage to SDP or he helped more Silajdzic. But one thing is for certain, and that is that with his statements, Dodik threw BiH politically back political 1996… when Slobodan Milosevic and Radovan Karadzic were still the most powerful Serb leaders in BiH… [when] Dodik did have not a one percent of influence he has now when he is the most powerful politician in the state, which he keeps a hostage of his own non-accountability.”

Feral Tribune commentary: SNSD Dodik and SBiH Silajdzic emerging as leading figures

Feral Tribune, pgs 28-29 ‘Troubles blooming throughout Bosnia’, by Ivan Lovernovic – Commenting on the RS PM Milorad Dodik’s statement regarding possible organization of separation referendum in the RS, Lovrenovic says such rhetoric could result in emerging of two prominent political figures among the Serbs and Bosniaks, Dodik and SBiH’s Haris Silajdzic that is, who have assumed roles of the SDA and SDS from 1990. The only big new, says Lovrenovic, is that ‘the third partner’, the HDZ BiH, is lost i.e. it is falling apart without leaving a credible replacement.

Oslobodjenje op-ed: Problems in BiH are not anymore unemployment or inefficiency of system –problem is what Dodik says

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Knot of memories’ op-ed by Hamza Baksic – Commenting how RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, issuing statements on referendum of RS and suffering of Sarajevo citizens, is actually just keeping his political initiative with minimum effort, author notes: “Problems in BiH are not anymore unemployment, not thousands of unregistered newly-born children, not inefficiency of the system – the problem is what Dodik says.” Editorial reads that after loss of Montenegro Serbia decided to export its crisis reviving the referendum story, adding that Dodik only used it to hid his ‘good and healthy’ promises from the beginning of his mandate, thank to who he received the supranational support.

GS op-ed: anti-Serb behaviour of Bosniak politicians led to mentioning of “referendum” in RS

Glas Srpske op-ed pg 2 ‘Fear from democracy’ by Predrag Lazarevic – Editorial carries that anti-Serb behaviour of Bosniak politicians, with logistic support of a number of foreign officials, has become so frequent lately that even RS PM Milorad Dodik had mentioned the word “referendum”. His statement caused unrest among Euro-American and Bosniak circles in Sarajevo that even HR Cristian Schwarz-Schilling had mentioned the possibility of using the Bonn powers. The HR made an effort during his visit to Belgrade to prove RS could be compared with neither Montenegro nor Kosovo, ‘but his arguments were not convincing enough’. The HR stated on the occasion RS does not have a historical dimension and the author added: ‘neither does Kosovo’.

Economic and property issues

RS PM Dodik: Charges vs. ITA SB Chair Dixon being investigated

RTRS – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated that BIH Prosecution is carrying out an investigation related to the criminal report and charges against Chair of ITA Steering Board Joly Dixon. Dodik stated that the report would remain until Dixon re-examines the distribution coefficients. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘BiH Prosecution without comment on charges or lawsuit against Dixon’ by R.I. – Daily carries that BiH Prosecution did not officially confirm nor denied Dodik’s allegations on investigation ongoing. Hayat, BHT1, Dnevni List, back pg ‘Prosecution conducting investigation against Dixon’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘BiH Prosecutor’s Office carries an investigation against Dixon’ by Srna– also carried.

If ITA fails to agree on allocation of revenues the single account would be automatically frozen; FBiH and RS PMs to meet on Friday and discuss the issue

BHT1 by Sanita Lisica-Biberovic – If the members of Indirect Taxation Administration [ITA] Steering Board fail to agree on principles regarding distribution of public revenues in BiH, the distribution of money will be automatically halted. ITA members claim that they have fulfilled all that has been previously agreed, including the verification of applications. However, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik claims that nothing has changed since the last meeting on unblocking the joint account. FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic deems that there is no reason for the new blockade of the account. “It is possible that I will hold a meeting with RS PM Dodik on Friday. If that happens, we will analyse the situation and if all those demands are justified, than one should be ready to make a concessions. But if demands are not justified, then I don’t think we can do anything beyond the agreement signed one-and-a-half month ago”, said Hadzipasic in a telephone statement for BHT. If the ITA SB pass a decision on blocking the distribution of money, RS PM claims that this problem will be solved before the court.

ITA Director: Awaiting ITA SB instruction son allocation of public revenues from single account

Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘It is still unknown how will money from VAT be allocated’ by T.Lazovic – Indirect Taxation Administration [ITA] Director Kemal Causevic stated for daily that ITA is waiting to receive full instructions from ITA SB on allocation from the single account to the entities’ accounts: “I expect that we will receive instructions whether it will be allocation or not, by that time [Friday, 14hrs].” Daily carries that next session of ITA SB is to be held in seven days. Inset ‘FBiH to receive more money in June’ – RS Finance Minister Aleksandar Dzombic objected to VAT coefficients deeming that not all corrections in VAT-registration of ‘BH Telecom’ were made rightly, adding that it would provide FBiH with cca. 1% more money [some about 3 million KM]. ‘BH Telecom’ General Manager Hamdo Katica denied these allegations. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Still without agreement’ by R. Cengic – distribution of ITA funds in accordance with old coefficients.

RS Minister Jelic: starting price for privatisation of 65% of “Telekom Srpske” capital is 400 million Euros

Hayat, RTRS, EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘Offer of RS Government: “Telekom Srpske” 450 million Euros’ and pg RS3 ‘Start 450 million Euros’ by Tijana Veselinovic and ‘The Government announced new owner of Refinery’ by T. Veselinovic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Strengthening of industry’ by D. Vrhovac – Mihajlovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Minimal price 450 million Euros’ by R. Segrt – RS Minister of Economy, Energy and Development Milan Jelic on Thursday stated the starting price for privatisation of 65% of state capital of “Telekom Srpske” would be 400 million Euros, but he could not confirm whether the starting price would increase to 450 million Euros if 80% of the capital is offered for privatisation. Minister Jelic told journalists the name of buyer of Brod Oil Refinery will be published on June 6 or June 7.

Decision of Office for State assets rejected by Serb Ministers in CoM

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Serb Ministers rejected decision on Office for State Assets’ by H.O.– As DA learns, a decision on establishment of BiH Office for State Assets wasn’t accepted at Thursday’s session of Council of Ministers, since Serb Ministers didn’t vote for it. CoM Chair Adnan Terzic put this decision on the agendaand before he did it, he received a positive opinion on the decision from BiH Finance Ministry and CoM’s Legislative Office. As Terzic foreseen the Office would deal with registering, maintaining and using of property in state possession. DA reminds that Senior Deputy High Representative Peter Bas-Backer has warned Terzic in a letter that such Office shouldn’t be established [it was noticed that this is not in accordance with decision on moratorium on managing state property [earlier brought by former HR Paddy Ashdown], At Thursday’s session, Serb Ministers stated that state assets is “a very huge issue and needs to be handled with great caution”. They demanded additional opinions on the decision and stated that would like Justice Ministry and Minister Slobodan Kovac to declare on the issue. It remains unknown when the decision would be discussed again. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘New laws are needed’ by M. C. – Terzic who said he has the support of all Ministers for establishment of the Office ‘but it is needed for the Ministry of Justice to analyse how to realise this initiative in the most efficient way from legal point of view’.

OHR doesn’t object to establishment of the Office for State assets

Dnevni Avaz pg2 ‘OHR supports Terzic’ by S.N., Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘New laws are needed’ by M. C.– As it was stated from the OHR, this institution doesn’t object to establishment of the Office for State Assets and deems that BiH should be enabled to exercise its property rights as any other state. “CoM Chair Adnan Terzic decided to submit the decision on establishment of the Office for State Assets to the CoM and now it is up to the CoM to discuss this proposal. OHR is not against the establishment of the Office for State Assets”- was stated from the OHR. However, OHR explained that CoM should be aware during the discussion on Terzic’s proposal that office as Terzic proposed could deal with gathering of data on state assets, but it couldn’t manage, determine or pre-register or dispose with the state property, since this requires passing of the new law.