| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) |
| Pensions in FBiH | Explosion in | Explosion in |
| Dodik on Karadzic | Karadzic indicted 9 yrs ago | Brcko illegal construction |
| BiH police restructure | BL-Gradiska highway | Illegal construction in USK |
| World news | World news | World news |
Note: due to technical difficulties, no summary for RTRS has been provided.
| Oslobodjenje | Bew mafia conflict in very downtown of |
| Dnevni Avaz | Amfilohije negotiates on Mladic’s extradition; BMW owned by Amir Pasic blown up |
| Dnevni List | Consortium for purchase of bank does not exist any longer |
| Vecernji List | Explosions shake |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features |
| Glas Srpske | Car of Amir Pasic Faca was mined; Construction of highway commenced |
| Nezavisne Novine | He walled in three villages |
| Blic | SNSD leader Milorad Dodik: Police Director is linked with crime |
Defence, police and security action | |
| Bomb explosion in
| Oslobodjenje cover page story ‘New mafia clash in very Sarajevo downtown’, pg 47 ‘Bomb exploded under the BMW in possession of Amir Faco Pasic’ by D. Pavlovic – Just 40 minutes after the midnight on Sunday, a bomb exploded under the a BMW vehicle parked in the Sarajevo residential area of Ciglane, the Sarajevo Cantonal Interior Ministry confirm. After the explosion, the vehicle was set ablaze, and according to the information available to the MoI, it burnt down. No-one was injured or killed in the explosion. Deputy Cantonal Prosecutor Berina Alihodzic confirmed that the vehicle is owned by Amir Pasic from BHTV 1, FTV – Police arrested Nermin A. and Mirsad K., suspects of being involved in the explosion. MoI in Dnevni Avaz pg 24 ‘BMW owned by Amir Pasic Faco blown up’, mentioned on cover, by E. Halacm, Vecernji List, pg 34, cover page ‘Explosions shake Sarajevo again’ and pg 34, ‘Torlakovic’s best man’s BMW blown up’, by R. Soldo, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2 ‘Car of Amir Pasic Faca was mined’ by A. Durmo – also covered the explosion. |
| FTV interview with Amir Pasic
| FTV – FTV managed to reach Amir Pasic on the phone, and he stated that he is shocked with the explosion of the bomb planted under his car, adding that he was in the car just few minutes before the explosion. Pasic said he suspects Naser Keljimendi and Muhamed Ali Gasi, adding they already have police record. Accusing local police of corruption, Pasic said that the only thing that is left for him to do is to turn to international organizations for his security. |
| Mikerevic on police search of Bileca military premises
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 “I always have a backup plan” by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘MoI’s action was harmonized with the army’ by Fena Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3 ‘Military structures have allowed search of the barracks’ by P. K., Glas Srpske, pg. 3 ‘Nothing aside agreement’ by D. D. – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic on Sunday stated that certain military structures were informed of the search of the barracks of RS Army in Bileca. As a comment on the statement of RS President Dragan Cavic, who has stated that he was shocked with the fact the police have searched military facilities without a knowledge of Defence Ministry and RS Army, Mikerevic said ‘there is no reason for an alarm’, and he emphasized he would not call RS Ministry of Interior officials on responsibility because certain military structures have been informed on the search. |
| Damjanac on police reform in BiH
| RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘It is too soon to talk about police at the state level’ by Fena – Conclusions of the Commission for Police Reform says that the current organization of the police forces in BiH is too large, non-efficient and in disharmony with the European standards. Commission member, Brcko Mayor Branko Damjanac, says tat the main task of the Commission is to offer a proposal of the new organization of the police forces in BiH based on comprehensive analyses. “Commission will most probably offer entirely new organizational scheme in which police in BiH would be organized on two levels, the state level and entity/District Brcko level,” said Damjanac adding that the new structure also includes reduction for 3000 police officers. Asked whether the new structure means unifying of police at the state level, Damjanac explained that “probably that is the direction things will move to, but also certain authorities will be kept at the level of centres to be established in entities and District.” |
| NATO warship in Neum
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Johnson: I wish for BiH to join PfP as soon as possible’, mentioned on cover, by D. Jurkovic, Vecernji List, pgs 6-7 ‘Neum was never safer’, mentioned on front, by Frano Matic, Slobodna Dalmacija, pgs 14-15, ‘Tihic: We hope NATO flag will fly on our ships too’, by Zoran Zekic – Media report on the arrival of German warship ‘Schleswig Holstein’ means to Neum is a big event for BiH as it shows that NATO takes care of security of this area. This was also stressed at the official reception organized at the ship and attended by the members of the BiH presidency, and a number of domestic and foreign officials. Commander of NATO HQ in Naples, Admiral Gregory G. Johnson, said that he was proud of the opening of the Old Bridge in Mostar, which is the reason for frigate’s arrival to Neum. |
| VL: BiH still sending troops to Iraq
| Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘State prepares plan to prevent retaliation’, mentioned on front, by Eldina Medunjanin – notes that despite the fact that many countries are withdrawing troops from Iraq, BiH authorities are not giving up the plan to send a de-mining unit to Iraq. Apparently, in the meantime, many BiH ministries have been involved in preparatory works. Namely, the Security Ministry has been tasked to carry out thorough preparations in order to prepare defence against possible terrorist retaliation, the Defence Ministry will decide who goes to Iraq and who commands the unit, and on top of it, the MoD has to coordinate international assistance. The Foreign Ministry has been tasked to prepare a platform for diplomatic lobbying in order to secure the support from western European and Islamic countries, and to establish diplomatic relations with Iraq. Finally, the BiH Treasury needs to secure 2,5 million KMs, the sum which represents half the sum needed to cover the cost of the unit for one year in Iraq. The rest will be apparently provided by the US Government. |
| DL op-ed on security during Old Bridge opening | Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Thank you for safe environment’, by Nevres Dedic – carries an op-ed in which the author commends domestic Police forces for doing a good job in Mostar during the opening ceremony of the Old Bridge. The author notes: “We have proven to foreigners, who have come here to advocate peace, that we can fight crime, but on the other hand, in fear of losing jobs here, they want to decrease the number of Police officers in BiH. To leave the people without jobs and give criminals an opportunity to operate in towns and villages, I cannot understand that (…) Maybe I am wrong, but I am of opinion it is premature to decrease the number of Police officers, maybe sometime in brighter future”. |
War crimes | |
| Dodik: It is in Serb national interest to see Karadzic in the Hague
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Karadzic’s departure for Hague is Serb national interest’, by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘It is out of the biggest national interest for Karadzic to show up in the Hague’, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘It is Serb national interest to have Karadzic in the Hage’ by Fena, Vecernji List, pg 3, ‘Karadzic in The Hague is in interest of Serbs’, by f, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6 ‘Early elections are a national interest for BiH’ by V. Popovic inset ‘The “Karadzic” case is burdening RS’, EuroBlic, cover and pg. RS2 ‘Police Director is linked with crime’ not signed, Glas Srpske, pg. 2 ‘Banja Luka as capital’ by G. D., Vecernje Novosti, pg. 5 ‘Authority against will of people’ by Sl. Pesevic– The chairman of the SNSD, Milorad Dodik, told to Fena on Sunday that the issue of Radovan Karadzic had to be finally resolved because it was burdening the RS and the Serb people in this entity. Commenting on the fact that an indictment against Radovan Karadzic was confirmed on the day [of interview] nine years ago, Dodik said that it was of the highest national interest to Serbs in BiH for Karadzic to appear before the Hague tribunal or for the Karadzic case to be resolved in some form, although it would be best for him to appear in the tribunal. “I am of the view that it would be tragic for the Serb Republic and Serbs to have this issue hanging over them in the upcoming years or in 10-12 years“, Dodik said. |
| Dimitrije Ivanic (SNSD) on Resolution on cooperation with ICTY
| EuroBlic, pg. RS5 ‘Ivanic: Resolution is a defeat of SDS’ by Lj. Lj. – Dimitrije Ivanic, a member of SNSD and RS NA delegate, stated that SNSD has supported the Resolution on cooperation with ICTY because it has been pleading for cooperation with the Tribunal for years. He also said: ‘We think that SDS’s support to the Resolution was the culmination of hypocrisy of this party and a defeat of one politics’. He thinks that SDS has decided to take this step only in order to preserve their positions at the authority. |
| DA: SCG has 20 more days to extradite Mladic, or will face sanctions
| Dnevni Avaz cover page ‘Amfilohije negotiates on Mladic’s surrender’, pg 2 ‘Amfijlohije Radovic negotiates on surrender of war criminal Mladic’ by M. Dr. – DA learns from West source that Serbia and Montenegro have about 20 days to arrest and extradite Ratko Mladic to the ICTY, otherwise it will face strong sanctions from the EU and USA. The first to pass such message to SCG authorities was Mark Grossman, State Department high ranking official, who also said this during the visit to Belgrade about 10 days ago to the new Serbian president Boris Tadic. The high official of Serbian Interior Minister, involved in the search for Mladic, told Avaz: “Grossman came and told us that West gives us 30 days to arrest Mladic and extradite him to the Tribunal. In case we succeed in that, EU and USA will ensure that the trial of 4 generals accused for the war crimes committed in Kosovo is held in Serbia.” Source says that regardless to all information they have, authorities still do not know much about Mladic’s whereabouts. DA learns that Belgrade asked priest Amfilohije Radovic to try to make Mladic to surrender, but nor results as yet. Source concludes that EU and USA have announced such sanctions that it would be “crazy not to try everything.” The source also reminds that for SCG it is easier to hand over Mladic, than four generals accused for crimes in Kosovo. He added that Mladic often crosses the border with BiH, and claims that Mladic enjoys big support from the State Border Service units in Zvornik-Bajina Basta. |
| VL int with Sulejman Tihic on military reforms and war crimes Mikerevic | Vecernji List, pg 7 ‘We are not ready to join NATO’, mentioned on front, by Frano Matic – VL carries an interview with the Chairman of BiH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic, in which he, talking about reforms to military in BiH, says: “We have carried out big reforms, including the reforms to the defence system, in which we came down to 12.000 soldiers from 500.000 soldiers of warring factions. We have BiH armed forces and NATO appreciates that deeply, but it keeps hurrying us to fulfil the key–pre-requisite, the arrest of war criminals, foremost Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic. The arrest of war criminals is foremost a political issue, and the RS institutions have to solve it. I must stress that the armed forces need to reform further in order to form a single army, which would be a proof that we are mature military-wise (…) The current organizational set-up of armed forces in BiH is perhaps enough to join the PfP, but not NATO as well”. Asked to comment on the initiative regarding possible changes of SDA ministers from the RS Government, Tihic says it is all about change of thesis, because instead of looking for culprits for BiH’s failure to join the PfP, there are efforts to try and sanction those who have nothing to do with the arrest of war criminals. “One has to clearly say who’s at fault for arrest of war criminals, who are still national heroes, because of whom whole of BiH suffers and which missed an opportunity to join the PfP”, concludes Tihic. |
| Dutch authorities to reply to settlement offer by mid August
| Oslobodjdnje pg 4 ‘Response in mid August’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Response from Holland arrives in second half of August’, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Response to settlement request in mid August’, by M. Karacic – A team of lawyers from Mostar, which is representing 8.000 survivors from Srebrenica, informed the public that the Dutch authorities are expected to reply to the offer about out-of-court settlement by mid-August. The reply should also contain the country admitting to share of responsibility for the crimes that happened in July 1995. |
| Admiral Johnson on arrest of war crimes suspects | Vecernji List, pgs 6-7 ‘Neum was never safer’, mentioned on front, by Frano Matic, Slobodna Dalmacija, pgs 14-15, ‘Tihic: We hope NATO flag will fly on our ships too’, by Zoran Zekic – carries a feature story on ‘Schleswig Holstein’ German warship, which was located in the Adriatic sea near Neum during the opening ceremony of Old Bridge in Mostar. The daily carries the Commander of NATO HQ in Naples, Admiral Gregory G. Johnson, who was onboard the ship, as saying: “It is not down to SFOR to arrest war criminals. It is responsibility of each citizen, especially the domestic authorities, and SFOR will help to get to those persons. I can tell you it is being done, but there are many who protect and support the criminals. Still, majority of BiH citizens want to go to Europe and I wonder why would someone opt for war crimes instead of Euro-Atlantic integration”. The ship hosted several senior BiH politicians, including all three members of the BiH Presidency. |
| Humphreys on war crimes
| Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘EU measures after the investigation on “sugar affair” in BiH’, inset ‘There is a will to arrest war crimes indictees’, by A. Sisic – In a lengthy interview, the Head of EC Delegation, Michael Humphreys,says he believes it is possible to arrest war crimes indictees if there is a political will to do it, but this should have been done much earlier. He also said that there is a political will among some people to arrest war crimes indictees. ‘Dragan Cavic, as the RS President, has taken a clear stance on this and I respect this stance. Apart from this, RS Parliament has adopted a declaration on its decision to support cooperation with ICTY. In this context, I think they are making a progress in their determination to undertake necessary measures with regard to this issue’. |
| Patten on cooperation with the ICTY
| Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Mostar can live like united city’, mentioned on cover, by A. Omeragic – In an interview to daily, EU Commissioner for Foreign Relations, Chris Patten, says that “Mostar can live as a single city as it makes no sense to live in the past.” He also confirmed that BiH cannot expect to become the member state of the EU without arresting the most wanted war crimes suspects. “One of the conditions for BiH admission to EU is the cooperation with the ICTY. We want to see BiH fully respecting the cooperation with the Hague. That is not significant only for BiH, we insist on the same thing in entire region,” says Patten. |
Economic and social issues | |
| Construction of highway BL- Bosanska Gradiska
| FTV, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 3 ‘Highway towards East and West’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Building of the highway Banja Luka – Bosanska Gradiska started’ u M.V., Dnevni List, pg 19 ‘Construction of Banja Luka-Gradiska highway starts’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Works on highway will last until 2008’, mentioned on front, by Branka Stevandic, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 2 ‘Construction of highway from Banja Luka towards Croatian border starts’, by H, Nezavisne Novine, cover ‘Construction of highway commenced’ and pg. 3 ‘First big step towards Europe’ by P. Klincov, EuroBlic, pg. RS1 ‘The most important project’ by Marija Jandric, Glas Srpske, pg. 3 ‘By shortcut to Sava’ by D. Davidovic, Vecernje Novosti, pg. 3 ‘Cavic cut the ribbon’ by Tanjug and pg. 19 ‘Five kilometres in two years’ by N. Gagic – The start of the works on the construction of Banja Luka – Gradiska highway was marked on Sunday. The highway will be 37,5 km long, and it expected to be completed in 2008. The total value of the project is about 250 million US dollars. RS President Dragan Cavic said that the importance of the highway reflected in the fact that RS would connect with Eastern and Western Europe through an exit to corridor 10 in Okucani. RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic said: ‘This is a big day for RS because first steps towards Europe were made’. The project should be completed by the end of 2008. BHTV 1 – “This part from Banja Luka to Gradiska means only one phase. The second one is toward Doboj and connection with future corridor 5-C”, said Dragan Cavic. |
| Hercegovacka Bank update
| Oslobodjenje cover, pgs 4-5 ‘Majority of the consortium members still want to purchase Hercegovacka Bank’ by Azhar Kalamujic – Hercegovacka Bank administrator Toby Robinson denied the statement that Croatian consortium of eight companies has gave up from purchasing HB. “The majority of them are still interested for HB and they want to continue activities to purchase the bank. There are a number of interested sides and negotiators present,” says Robinson, who still did not want to disclose the name of buyers. Daily also says that according to the speculations, Robinson has been asking consortium to pay 100 Million KM for the bank, while it was ready to pay 70 million KM. Dnevni List, front and pg 3 ‘Consortium for purchase of bank does not exist any longer’, by M. Batarello – DL carries Ljiljana Weissbarth, the manager of FCT, a consultancy house, who told the ‘Banka’ magazine that the consortium of Croatian companies, which was interested in buying the ‘Hercegovacka bank’, does not exist in its original form after ‘Agrokor’ Company left the consortium. Weissbarth notes it does not mean a complete fiasco of the project, however she says one has to see how to proceed in the future. According to DL, Weissbarth’s statements indirectly deny the Provisional Administrator for Hercegovacka bank, Toby Robinson, who stated that the consortium still existed without ‘Agrokor’ and that the consortium could buy the bank without ‘Agrokor’. |
| Pensions issues in FBiH
| RHB – Payment of a half of an outstanding pension starts on Wednesday most probably, stated FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmed Hadzipasic. He added that on Friday signed authorisation for the payment of half pension. Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Decision of increase of pensions today’, mentioned on front, by Ivica Glibusic – DL announces that the Steering Board of the FBiH Pension/Disability Fund (MIO/PIO) will be meeting today in order to decide whether to change the coefficient of pensions for July, in other words whether to increase the pensions or not. According to information coming from the FBiH MIO/PIO, the decision will be taken today because the relevant authorities will be informed about the funds at MIO/PIO’s disposal today. DL also carries a press officer of the MIO/PIO, Zarif Safic, as denying media speculations that there are no funds to pay out the July pensions. |
| Huphreys on sugar affair | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘EU measures after the investigation on “sugar affair” in BiH’ by A. Sisic – In a lengthy interview, the Head of EC Delegation, Michael Humphreys, has stated that for the moment there are no indications on illegal exports of sugar from BiH to EU countries. He stated: ‘We need to wait for results of the investigation and see whether the problem is present in the entire system or this was an individual case’. He also stated that a good progress in fulfilling pre-requisites of the Feasibility Study, but he emphasized that the process has not been finished as yet. |
| Mikerevic on sugar affair | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4 ‘RS and BiH institutions were not involved in “sugar affair”’ by P. K. – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic stated yesterday that he believes that, should it be proven there had been any illegalities in sugar trades between BiH and EU, no institution of RS and BiH was involved in it. He said he could not link authority bodies with the “sugar affair” and added: ‘Smuggling can be present at smugglers’ chains and customs services perhaps have not been aware enough to deal with this problem’. |
| Vrankic on internal debt | Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Proposed law o internal debts leads Federation budget into collapse’, by Miso Relota – Announcing that the FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, will be meeting with representatives of both chambers of the FBiH Parliament in order to find a solution to the Law on determining and settling of internal debt of FBiH, DL carries the FBiH Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Dragan Vrankic, as saying that the biggest problem in the structure of internal debt is the old savings, which, according to Vrankic, is a property. Furthermore, Vrankic says that when it comes to old savings, there is almost not a database. Deputy PM Vrankic calls for patience (of savers) because if the law with many shortcomings gets adopted, there could be a collapse of the FBiH budget, which could happen as a result of lawsuits before the European Human Rights Court in Strasbourg. “That’s why we have to make certain concessions, and the IMF must show understanding for it”, concludes Vrankic. |
| UNDP report: RS a lot poorer than FBiH
| Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘Republika Srpska a lot poorer than Federation of BiH’, by De. L – according to the annual report of the UN Development Programme, the Republika Srpska is a lot poorer than the FBiH, however, the social-economic situation in the FBiH is deteriorating. The latest UNDP’s report says the villages in the FBiH are a lot poorer than the cities/towns, however the villages have an advantage because they are not faced with threat of hunger. The report also says that of the three constituent peoples in BiH, the most number of poor people comes from the line of the Serbs. |
| Avdic: Economic interest behind SCG stories on borders | Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Economic interest of SCG under the cover of stories on borders’ by Kerim Zvizdic, Onasa – Delegate in the BiH Parliament Sead Avdic told ONASA that the authorities of Serbia and Montenegro are trying to avoid defining of the division balance of hydro potentials on river Drina, especially hydro power plants Zvornik and Bajina Basta, and this attempt is hidden behind requests for the simultaneous signing of the agreement on borders between BiH an SCG and defining of four annexes to this agreement, which foresee “reciprocal exchange of territories.” As member of a commission for foreign affairs of the BiH Parliament, Avdic took part in negotiations with representatives of SCG, during which he launched the issue of defining of the borders. “Under the cover of reciprocal exchange of territories, which would undoubtedly facilitate the lives of citizens from both sides of the border, SCG wants to take all of the hydro potentials and finish the job before the final succession resolution,” Avdic said. He added that BiH needs such agreement, but that it must not be signed to BiH’s disadvantage. |
Political issues | |
| Dodik on early elections
| Dnevni List, pg 19, ‘Early elections – utmost national interest in BiH’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6 ‘Early elections are a national interest for BiH’ by V. Popovic inset ‘The “Karadzic” case is burdening RS’, EuroBlic, cover and pg. RS2 ‘Police Director is linked with crime’ not signed, Glas Srpske, pg. 2 ‘Banja Luka as capital’ by G. D., Vecernje Novosti, pg. 5 ‘Authority against will of people’ by Sl. Pesevic – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated yesterday that organizing of early elections is of the utmost national interest for Serbs, Bosniaks, Croats and other people in BiH. He thinks that the announcement of the President of RS Government, who said he would appoint a new Minister of Interior in September, was proving links between crime and authority and also contributes to abolishing of RS Ministry of Interior and transferring of its authorizations to BiH level. He reiterated that SNSD was in possession of evidence on cooperation between Radomir Njegus and structures of organized crime. He also announced that SNSD would bring an initiative for proclaiming Banja Luka as the capital of RS. |
| Covic, Lozancic, Lucic signed petition for Croat channel on FTV
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Demanding Croat channel on FTV’, by Onasa, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Covic, Lozancic and Lucic supported the proposal’, Vecernji List, pg 3, ‘Covic in favour of starting Croat TV channel’, by oc – BiH Presidency member Dragan Covic, FBiH President Niko Lozancic and Minister of Health Tomo Lucic have signed the petition for introduction of a Croat channel on the FTV television, confirmed the initiator of the petition, Stjepan Jurkic from Livno. He added that the presidency of the HDZ is also expected to sign the petition. |
| Ivanic: Removal of SDA ministers inevitable
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Removal of SDA ministers inevitable’, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Removal of SDA ministers inevitable’ by fena – BiH Foreign Affairs Minister and Chairman of PDP, Mladen Ivanic stated for Fena on Sunday in Kotor—Varos that he removal of SDA ministers from current RS Government was inevitable. “The key concept of SDA is to detroy RS and in such conditions, it is simply not possible to have SDA ministers in the Government,” said Ivanic adding that “euphoria of the anti-Dayton activations of this party much finally be stopped.” Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6 ‘Single reply on Tihic’s demands’ by Srna, Glas Srpske, pg. 3 ‘Reply will follow’ by S. H. – Ivanic stated to Srna that all parties from RS should provide with a single reaction on demands of BiH Presidency Chairman Sulejman Tihic in relation to abolishment of coat of arms, flag and hymn of RS. He assessed that it was the final time to stop anti – Dayton activities in BiH and he pointed on the responsibility of the International Community in this. Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Ivanic, the hawk’ op-ed by Mirela Kukan – Author writes that Mladen Ivanic’s statement on removal of SDA ministers to be inevitable is another proof that Ivanic – long time considers to be a moderate politicians – now moves towards occupying political space of SDS and Serb Radical Party. “With his story of SDA to be a party that wants to destroy RS, Ivanic performs classic change of thesis. He also knows that the key problem and a danger for RS is arrest of Radovan Karadzic and other war crime suspects at large… SDA cannot help them with that problem. Furthermore, hysterically defending RS survival, Ivanic… tries to put all blame on somebody else. Of course, PDP leader also has other, very practical reasons for his rhetoric. Local elections are soon, and he sees his prey to be weakening of SDS position and taking over voters of this party,” concludes the editorial. |
| Paravac on Tihic’s initiative
| Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘RS is guaranteed by Constitution’ by Onasa, Glas Srpske, pg. 2 ‘Constitution is a sacred thing’ by V. B. – Serb member of BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac has stated that RS is a constitutional category and cannot be abolished without changing a constitutional frame of BiH. He also said that HR Paddy Ashdown has confirmed in his statement that he had no authorization to change the Dayton Agreement, i.e. to change the Constitutional frame of BiH. ‘Representatives of other people in BiH should know this as well, after which they should replace demands for the abolishment of RS with initiatives on revival of the production, which would be in the interest of all citizens of BiH’, Paravac stated. He added that the initiative of Sulejman Tihic was pointed against RS and he added that this initiative was unacceptable because it was disturbing relations between the entities and constitutive peoples of BiH. |
| Petition for referendum on separation of RS from BiH
| Glas Srpske, pg. 3 ‘As people say’ by K. Cirkovic – Bratunac people do not want to live in a country organized as BiH and they say that ‘it was organized in accordance with standards of Bosniak politicians and some representatives of the International Community’. Signing of a petition for referendum on separation of RS from BiH will end this evening. The action is taking pace in all Local Communities, and only at the site in the centre of the town approximately 2,000 Bratunac citizens have signed the petition in the period of time between Wednesday and Saturday. The organizers think that approximately 90% of Bratunac citizens will sign the petition considering the fact that the most of citizens are refugees who are dissatisfied with treatment of Bosniak authority. According to refugees, the authority is ignoring rights of Serb people to return and reconstruction. |
| VL on HR statement regarding education | Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Generalization’, by Mila Stankovic – Commenting on the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown’s, statement during his recent meeting with students from Mostar that the “higher education in BiH is rubbish”, because a good deal of professors do not show up at lectures and because money is taken at exams, the author argues that HR Ashdown, by taking a general position, has offended all university professors. “It is logical to ask the question how competent Ashdown is to come up with such a generalized position, thus offending honest professors by putting them in the same basket with a few irresponsible ones, who, let’s assume, exist, and who are talked about by many. However, Ashdown should have approached the problem in a different way”. |