TV news broadcast on
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Vinko Puljic on Good Friday | HR on Colak addressing to | Person killed in mine explosion |
| Scandal before UN Security Council | McElhaney on defence reform | Bukejlovic on crimes against Serbs |
| Issue of lawsuit against SCG | Bosniaks in RS CoP on defence | Financing of BiH lawsuit against SCG |
| World News | Agreement on CRO-BiH border | FBiH Gov. budget re-balance |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS(19,30 hrs) |
| Nomination of Branko Kesic | FBiH Constitution | Double homicide and a suicide |
| HR on Colak addressing to | Bosniaks in RS CoP on defence | Conference on Serb War casualties |
| McElhaney on Covic indictment | BiH census | Orthodox church Delegation in |
| Lijanovic company case, update | Person killed in mine explosion | Bosniaks in RS CoP on defence |
| Oslobodjenje | Bukejlovic: Genocide larger than one in Srebrenica committed against Serbs in |
| Dnevni Avaz | Terzic: We will prove Lagumdzija does not tell the truth! |
| Dnevni List | Easter message of Cardinal Vinko Puljic: Mass for community necessary; Ivan Prskalo: HDZ faced with disaster |
| Vecernji List | Mostar: Bishop Ratko Peric compared Ashdown with Pilat |
| Nezavisne novine | Ashdown: Covic damaging BiH; Tragedy in Kozarska Dubica: He killed his daughter-in-law and his father, then committed suicide |
| Glas Srpske | |
Update to Ashdown-Colak dispute/Comments on Hays | |
| HR Paddy Ashdown creates a scandal before UN Security Council while rebutting Colak
| RHB – HR Paddy Ashdown created a diplomatic scandal before UN Security Council while rebutting BIH Minister of Security Barisa Colak on situation in BIH. Colak indicated to UN that International Community in BIH is starting to cause problems in the country and that human rights are still abused in BIH. Colak criticised work of international prosecutors. HR was enraged by the last remark. Ashdown went to the stand visibly annoyed and talked for 15 minutes out of the regular procedure. He said that Colak’s addressing to UN Security Council was coloured with distress concerning the issue of his friend, the member of BIH presidency Dragan Covic. HR was mostly annoyed by the report on 10 000 Croats that emigrated from RS which was presented by Colak. The report of Colak was completely opposite to the Ashdown’s report intentionally or not. Paddy Ashdown pointed out the progress that has been made by RS and its cooperation with ICTY. He pointed the surrender of RS military officers forgetting the fact that the smaller entity hasn’t arrested anyone from the ICTY list. HR Paddy Ashdown criticised Colak’s report for containing information on returning to pre – war chattels and judicial system in BIH. Colak rebutted that he is BIH Minister of Security and that his duty is to inform public on the real situation. RTRS – “Colak advocated for EU conventions and the practice in BIH courts” said Pero Pavlovic spokesperson of HDZ. HR Paddy Ashdown considers Colak’s addressing as lobbing for Covic. “A BIH official should represent the entire country and not the individuals” said NTV Hayat also reports on dispute. |
| HR’s int. to NN and VoA: Dragan Covic is damaging BiH
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘Dragan Covic is damaging BiH’ by Helena Djordjevic – This is a joint interview Paddy Ashdown, HR to BiH, has given to NN and Voice of America in front of the White House in Washington, when he said that “it is a big mistake for Dragan Covic to underestimate damage he is causing to BiH by remaining on position”. HR says he would announce his intentions regarding Covic case when he returns to BiH, adding that IC deeply regrets over the fact that Covic did not undertake steps to persevere the international reputation of BiH and its institutions. He adds: “You cannot have somebody responsible for international affairs with whom IC does not want to talk, since it would greatly damage BiH.” On police reform, he notes that USA adheres to its stance that police reform must be implemented, adding there is a clear understanding police reform would not jeopardise the existence of RS. On revision of DA, he notes it is up to peoples of BiH, adding DA has already been revised three times (VAT, defence issue and establishment of HJPC). On pull-out strategy of IC from BiH, he stresses: “There is no pull-out strategy of international community from BiH, but instead there is a pull-in strategy of BiH into EuroAtlantic integration.” |
| Reactions to opposing of BiH authorities to the HR
| BH TV 1 – Suzana Stambol – Continuity in BiH officials opposing to the international community officials in BiH some see as breakdown of coalition between SDA, SDS and HDZ with the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, and others see it as willingness of local authorities to take the future of BiH in their hands, reports BHT. Open opposing to the HR of BIH Minister of Security, Barisa Colak, before UN Security Council and strong opposing of RS authorities to the defence reform provoked sharp criticism by the international community officials. Colak denied that he opposed to the IC just because he doesn’t think the same way as the HR do. “The IC shouldn’t make any moves that could devaluate BiH institutions and officials that works in them,” said Colak.Reporter mentioned the example of Dragan Covic, indicted for bribery and abuse of authority, who refused to listen the IC calls on his resignation. Political parties in BIH see in this that they can move on alone. “I think that we should now talk more on essential things and because of interests of this country, we should take the things in our own hands,” said PDP President, Mladen Ivanic. “The HR is trying now to explain to his bosses that he is resolute but that local authorities are becoming wild, and local authorities say that they would do everything the right way but the obstacle is that international protector,” said SDP President, Zlatko Lagumdzija. The OHR’s comment on this was that the HR’s focus is not on individuals or political parities, but on reforms needed for Euro-Atlantic integrations. |
| Mostar Bishop critical of HR’s in BiH
| Vecernji List pg 97, announced on cover ‘Mostar: Bishop Ratko Peric compared Ashdown with Pilat’ by Miso Relota – During the Good Friday service, Bishop Ratko Peric warned of unjust persecution of legally elected officials of Croat nationality during all these past years, during which High Representatives, including Carlos Westendorp and Paddy Ashdown, whom he called domestic governors, ruled. He compared HR Ashdown with the Roman Governor Pontius Pilat during his reign in Palestine. |
| VL on Hays’ statement: Foreigners have spent billions in vain!
| Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Foreigners have spent billions in vain!’ by Zoran Kresic – The author notes that the latest statement Donald Hays gave to VoA represents the biggest blow to 10-year long claims of the international administration on successful conduct and implementation of reforms and progress achieved in the state of BiH. He notes that such claims as Hays’ made may consolidate frequent initiatives to accelerate the pull-out strategy of OHR. The author stresses these claims have far more influence that statement Barisa Colak gave before the UN SC. |
| NN op-ed on Hays’ statement
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Without state’ by Nihada Hasic – The author is critical of the latest statement Donald Hays gave, adding he seemed like he freed his soul of burden he was carrying, transferring the responsibility of failure onto BiH and its citizens. She concludes by saying that if somebody says Kosovo is even more advanced than BiH, BiH peoples would again be angry with the foreigners, from whom “we falsely expect to get us moving from where we were in 1995”. |
Pale conference / War crimes | |
| Bukejlovic stated that war crimes against Serbs in
| BH TV 1 – Mirela Cosic – RS Prime Minister, Pero Bukejlovic, stated on Thursday that crimes against Serbs in Sarajevo is, perhaps, bigger genocide that one that happened in Srebrenica. Bukejlovic stated this during conference held on Pale, titled “Through the truth to justice”. “Suffering of Serbs in TV PINK – 7 074 victims are included in the documents out of which 2 436 killed ones, 575 missing ones, 221 were raped, 2 996 were detained in war detention camps, 846 were tortured in various ways. RS MoI is familiar with 21 locations of mass gravesites in which Serbs were buried. RTRS – Slavko Jovicic the vice-president of the RS Inmates Association stated that there were mass gravesites in NTV Hayat, FTV, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Sarajevo is even worse than Srebrenica’ by Branka Stevandic, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘All the crimes documented’, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Pejic: 2436 Serbs murdered in Sarajevo’ by N. Krsman, Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pgs 4-5 ‘Bukejlovic: Genocide larger than one in Srebrenica committed against Serbs in Sarajevo’by Aldijana Omeragic – alsoreport on the issue. Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Worse then Srebrenica”– reports on Bukejlovic’s and Matijasevic’s statements; Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘ |
| Reactions on Pale conference:
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Bukejlovic: Genocide against Serbs in Sarajevo larger than genocide in Srebrenica?!’ by E. Sarac – Reporting on Pale conference, the daily notes that “although there is no single verdict of the ICTYU regarding mass and systematic destruction of Serb people, neither has any Bosniak officer in the Hague and before local courts charged with genocide, the PM of smaller BiH entity, Pero Bukejlovic, without any doubt stated genocide has been committed against Serbs in F BiH!” Milan Bogdanic, Director of RS Office for search after missing persons, stated that according to information he holds. 388 bodies have been exhumed (265 at Lav cemetery and Kosevo stadium) in the area of Sarajevo. He said it is necessary to establish Commission on Sarajevo resembling the Srebrenica Commission. |
| # Oleg Milisic
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 inset ‘Face with the past!’ – Commenting on Bukejlovi’c statement, Oleg Milisic, OHR Spokesperson, stated that “OHR is disappointed that the RS PM has chosen to enter into this kind of competition on individual suffering. BiH will never build a future if it cannot come to terms with it’s past.” |
| # Lazovic/Odobasic
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Lazovic: Serb Army killed majority of Serbs’ by E. Sarac – Daily reports that Miro Lazovic, President of Republic of BiH at the time of aggression against BiH, was surprised over Pero Bukejlovic’s statement (on genocide against Serbs), adding that everything stated in Pale was “fabrication and political manipulation”. He added: “The majority of Serbs in Sarajevo were killed with snipers or shells shot from Serb positions.” General Nedzad Ajnadzic views this story as cheap politics. Jasmin Odobasic, F BiH Commission for search after missing persons, views this as another attempt to present “artificial truth about suffering of Serbs”. |
| # Munira Subasic on Bukejlovic statement: Lies caused war in BiH
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Lies caused war in BiH!’ by A. Becirovic – Munira Subasic, President of the Association “Movement of mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa” is not surprised over information on the murdered and missing Serbs, adding a statement of this kind could have been expected from the SDS member. She said: “RS Government is attempting to alleviate the shock of the world over Srebrenica Commission Report with these lies. Their lies caused the war in BiH. It is possible a large number of Serbs were murdered in Sarajevo, but a large number of them was killed by shells their compatriots threw from the hills.” |
| Predrag Ceranic accuses Risto Zaric of protecting people assisting war crimes suspects’ network
| Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Risto Zaric knew his associated were protecting Hague fugitives’ by M. Cubro – Predrag Ceranic, former RS Intelligence Agency member (OBS), claims that two years ago Risto Zaric, BiH Intelligence and Security Agency (OSA) Deputy Director and formerly OBS Director, knew of counter-intelligence activities his associates were conducting with an aim to protect war crimes suspects. Ceramic claims he warned Zaric of this in writing through Head of OBS Bijeljina, adding he was at that time threatened over his activities aimed at dispersing network of assistance to war crimes suspects. |
| DA: Investigation after leak of information on Mladic
| Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Military intelligence officers from RS searching who betrayed Mladic’ by E.S. – Daily reports that the members of the military-intelligence sector of RS Defence Ministry are conducting extensive investigation on who leaked information on Ratko Mladic in December 2004 (when HR Paddy Ashdown revealed OHR holds evidence Mladic was at Veliki Zep in summer time of 2004). |
| Confiscation of Hague fugitives’ property in BiH | Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘Property of Hague indictees being confiscated’ and pg 3 ‘The Hague is confiscating property’ by rs– According to unofficial information, the secret action called “Cluster of berries” (Grozd) is being run with an aim to inspect accounts of Hague indictees. The newly-established Revision Office with BiH State Court has made this order, forwarded to all the banks and other financial institutions. The order demands suspension of all the transactions from the accounts of 13 Hague fugitives, including Ante Gotovina, Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic. |
| Police General Lukic to go to The Hague Thursday | Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Sreten Lukic to go to The Hague Thursday’ by Agencies – Zoran Loncar, Serbian Minister of State Administration and Local self-governance, on Friday stated that Police General Sreten Lukic will be able to go to The Hague on Thursday, after the surgery he will be subject to on Monday. |
Other political issues | |
| The Bosniak Caucus within RS CoP to start the initiative on protection of vital national interest
| TV PINK, BH TV 1, NTV Hayat, FTV – The Bosniak Caucus within RS Council of Peoples decided to start the initiative on protection of vital national interest regarding declaration on strategic RS’ stances on BiH defence system and conclusions of the last RS National Assembly session. The declaration, which RS Parliament adopted, suggests demilitarization of BiH, which the Caucus finds unacceptable if the same processes are not going on in the neighbouring states. RTRS – . “Bosniac Caucus caused a problem within Defense Reform in RS” said Igor Radojcic SNSD emissary in RSNA. “I think that this is hypocrisy since the entire RS is for the Reform and NATO” said Desanka Radjevic the SDS delegate at the RS Council of Peoples. Though in Bosniac Caucus said that they are for Reform with NATO standards, in SNSD said this move is anti-reformist and they should revise the importance of this institution since it obstructs all the reforms. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Veto on defence reform conclusions’ by S.G., Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Demilitarisation in BiH only is unacceptable’ by J.S., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Again reaching for veto’ by G.D. – also report on the issue |
| SDA demands from Ashdown to supplement decision of state property ban
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Decision of state property ban should be supplemented’ by Erna Mackic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘It is necessary to supplement decision on state property ban’ by FENA– Desnica Radivojevic, SDA member and F BiH Vice President, stated at press conference Friday that the SDA is of the view decision of HR on state property ban should be supplemented, since it failed to include the state property so far illegally managed with in RS and some parts of F BiH. He said SDA demands from HR to obligate bodies in charge to carry out revision of decision reached so far on state property management. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘BiH authorities can supplement Ashdown’s decision’ – Mario Brkic, OHR Spokesperson, told FENA that BiH authorities can, if they want, supplement HR’s decision on state property ban and obligate institutions in charge to audit so far decisions on state property. |
| Comments on indictment against Branko Dokic
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Terzic: Dokic should decide whether he would resign’; by V. Popovic – Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair, is of the view that Branko Dokic, BiH Minister of Communication and Transport, against whom Banja Luka District Prosecutor’s Office has pressed charges, should decide himself whether he would tender resignation or not. Terzic stresses that no pressure should be exerted against politicians, against whom indictments are brought, until Court proves their guilt. Branko Todorovic, Executive Director of RS Helsinki Committee of Human Rights, says that politicians, against whom indictments are brought, are expected to tender resignations. Vinko Radovanovic, PDP Presidency member, is of the view that “nobody is guilty until proved otherwise.” |
| CRO-BiH relations are endangered due to nomination of Branko Kesic for BiH Ambassador to Croatia
| NTV Hayat – Denis Zaimovic – The report features problems which occurred in relations between BiH and Croatia, when BiH asked Croatia to issue permission to new BiH Ambassador to Croatia, Branko Kesic. Namely, Croatia refuses to do that due to Kesic’s war engagements. Report brings feature on several articles published in Croatian newspapers, which refer to the issue as “the cold war” between Sarajevo and Zagreb. For example “Novi List” states that BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mladen Ivanic wants to revenge for Croatia’s refuse to support Kesic, by having the present BiH Ambassador to Croatia, Zlatko Dizdarevic returned to BiH, before the new one is to replace him. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave no statement regarding the issue. Former Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tonino Picula said that due to duties Kesic was performing during the war, he could not be recommended for any position. Ivanic did not want to give any statements. |
| Discontent of SDP’s representative in FBiH HoP regarding Paravac’s demand
| FTV – SDP representative in FBiH House of Peoples Svetozar Pudaric marked the demand of BiH Presidency Chair Borislav Paravac for protection ofviolated constitutional rights andequal rights of peoples in FBiH, as theheight of hypocrisy. He added that this demand was enabled by the hypocrisy of SDS’s sisterly parties HDZ and SDA that done everything to be equalized with its coalition partner. |
Judiciary related affairs | |
| BiH CC says realization of constitutionality in FBiH is far from satisfactory
| BH TV 1 – The realization of constitutionality in FBiH is far from satisfactory, stated the Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Violation of ethnic balance in six most important functions’, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Serbs on pallid paper’ – also report. |
| BiH Presidency claims: current constitutional solution to BiH is neither rational nor efficient
| NTV Hayat – Alem Karamesic – BiH Presidency claims for the first time that the current constitutional solution to BiH is not rational or efficient, which presents an obstacle on BiH’s way towards Europe. BiH Presidency member, Sulejman Tihic says that the Venice Commission claims that the state authorities should be strengthened, and that authorities Cantons have should be decreased or abolished. It was also stressed that by strengthening BiH authorities, the HR’s ones were going to be reduced. Authorities BiH entities have should also be reduced. “The decision on eventual abolishment of the RS should not be imposed, it should be brought by domestic politicians”, said Tihic. “In my view if there is no rationalization of Government here, you cannot get in the Europe. But I do not know of any politician who thinks otherwise”, said the Principal Deputy to the High Representative, Donald Hays. Tihic said that the stance of the Presidency was that the constitutional system was neither rational, nor functional and that BiH could not reach the EU with it. Tihic believes that due to the Venice Commission stances, BiH is going to face the new terms, by which BiH would be strengthened, entities and Cantons would be abolished. This should be foundation to all reforms in BiH. FTV – FBiH Ombudsman Vera Jovanovic stated that the problem regarding constituency of peoples exists from earlier periods. “All those who are interested in political theory know that without the dialog and compromise cannot be successful politic. And in order to have that you must have the political will of the ruling politicians in BiH”, said the BiH Election Commission President, Vehid Sehic and added that unfortunately we still don’t have that. |
| BiH prosecutor’s Office suspended the investigation against two judges of FBiH Supreme Court
| BH TV 1, NTV Hayat, FTV, RTRS – The Special Department for Organized Crime, Economic Crimes and Corruption within BiH Prosecutor’s Office has suspended the investigations against the FBiH Supreme Court judges, Milan Pavlic and Danica Sain. The BiH Prosecutor’s Office had launched an investigation against judges Pavlic and Sain on the suspicion that they had received bribes from the meat processing company “Lijanovici”. Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Investigation against Supreme Court judges suspended’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Investigation against judges terminated’ by De.I., Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘McNair’s department suspended investigation against judges Pavlic and Sain’ by H.O. – also report on the issue. |
| Brothers Ivankovic – Lijanovic claim their indictment has political background
| RTRS – Bojan Kecman – Brothers Ivankovic – Lijanovic on a press conference said that BIH member of Presidency Dragan Covic, Zdarvko Lucic, and Mato Tadic were not paid by the “Lijanovic” company. Covic, Lucic, and Tadic are accused for bribery, evading taxes, and corruption. Brothers Ivankovic – Lijanovic also said that the entire indictment has a political background and that it is supported by OHR. They said that former prosecutor Mats Madsen (SP) left BIH because he did not agree with the indictment. “I know that the SMS messages of protected witness were opened by the OHR officials” said Jerko Ivankovic – Lijanovic. The OHR said that all indictees will have a chance to address BIH court and plea on guilt. |
| HT Mostar has become co-owner of Hercegovacka Banka’ | Dnevni List pg 5 ‘HT Mostar has become co-owner of Hercegovacka Banka’ by Zvonimir Jukic – The author notes that in accordance with decision of the F BiH Supreme Court, another decision passed has gone unnoticed in the public which is that HT Mostar has become the co-owner of Hercegovacka Banka. The main decision stipulated that ERONET should be returned to HT Mostar. |
Economy | |
| Terzic denies Lagumdzija’s accusations regarding FTA
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Lagumdzija does not tell the truth’, announced on cover ‘Terzic: We will prove Lagumdzija does not tell the truth! By S. Numanovic – Adnan Terzic, BiH COM Chair, firmly denied claims of the SDP delegate at the BiH HoR, Zlatko Lagumdzija (who said that the most recent changes to the Law on Free Trade will result in BiH loss of BAM 40 million). Terzic said: “That is not the truth and we will prove it. The changes apply only to first quarter of this year. We will submit information on what has been achieved with this decision. If parliament agrees, we would extend measures we have passed.” |
| BiH Statistic Agency presents the report on the BiH’s foreign trade exchange
| TV PINK – Dragana Erjavec – On Friday, BiH Statistic Agency presented the report on the BiH’s foreign trade exchange. In February 2005, the greatest export was made in domain of manufacturing industry, and the same goes for the import, where manufacturing industry leads. In February 200, oil and oil products were imported the most, as well as cars and coal, while aluminum, car motors and coax were exported the most. it was exported to Croatia the most, as well as to the EU states. At the same time it was imported from Croatia and the EU states the most. The Agency has also published demographic report for 2004, which includes all those who are in BiH, regardless their citizenships. Dnevni List pg 5 ‘BiH trades most with Croatia’ by D.P.M. |
Miscellaneous | |
| Radulj repudiates Softic’s allegations on united BIH on charges against SCG
| TV PINK, RHB – Ljubisa Davidovic – According to RS advisor for legal issues to member of BiH Presidency, Slobodan Radulj, lawsuit for aggression and genocide, BiH has issued in 1993 before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, is illegal and illegitimate, which RS does not support at all. Radulj claims that BiH presidency has never reached consensus, when it comes to the issue of lawsuit, due to what statement of BiH legal representative, Sakib Softic surprised him. Radulj said that it was nothing but another lie which RS and Serbs were facing. RS members of BiH Presidency have never received decision on lawsuit being undertaken. Radulj says that the lawsuit could be referred to as a private one. Radulj says that he is not familiar with the case in which a state was found guilty for genocide, due to the fact that only individuals could be charged on this basis. The ICJ declared itself in charge of the issue and the court process should start at |
| 5 millions needed for financing of BiH lawsuit against SCG, 1,4 million collected
| BH TV 1 – Gvozden Sarac – Costs of BiH lawsuit against Serbia-Montenegro for genocide and aggression before International Justice Court (IJC) in Hague, amounts 5 millions KM, but only little bit over 1,4 million KM is collected so far through institutional and individual donations. Representatives of Serb people are against financing of this lawsuit from the State budget, because they see it as illegal. “It is well know who and when filed that lawsuit and representatives of Serb people in BIH institutions will never vote for financing of that lawsuit from the State budget,” said representative in BiH parliament, Vinko Radovanovic. “That is the only obstacle that made impossible to finance the lawsuit though institutional ways, from the State budget, even though this lawsuit is in the interest of all BiH citizens,” said representative in BiH Parliament, Mirsad Ceman.Main court hearing before IJC will begin next year. |
| The issue of carrying out of census in BiH
| FTV – Azra Pasukan Buljina – Authorities in BiH consider that the statistic data that gives BiH and FBiH Agency for Statistics are incomplete, because BiH hasn’t had the census since 1991. The fact is that BiH needs a database that will be created by the census but before the census, it is necessary to conduct some preliminary activities which will last for several years, said the reporter. Some BiH Parliament representatives proposed the carrying out of census in BiH already in the next month, despite the fact that the census is the most important statistic investigation that requires great preliminary activities, said the reporter. This is the initiative of SNSD representatives who gave draft law on census in the parliamentary procedure. Demographists believe that this fast carrying out of census is not serious, because everywhere in the world the preparations for census last from 2 to 5 years. |