OHR BiH Media Round-up, 26/7/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

BiH HoR, FBiH HoP in session

Trial to Mandic started

BIH HoR session

HoP condemns communist crimes

Serbian Action Plan came into effect

BIH citizens working inIraq

OHR on changes to Law on Elections

ITA SB in session

ITA Steering Board session

CEC verifies lists of candidates

BiH HoR in session

BIH HoR session

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

BiH HoR in session

16 year old drowns

Incident in Konjevic Polje

BiH ITA SB in session

Hail in Ljubuski

ITA Single Account de-blocked

BiH HoR discusses VAT Law

Fires in Herzegovina

BiH HoR in session

FBiH HoP in session

Pig’s plague in Tuzla

Dodik visits London

Oslobodjenje

Panic among officials of 1997 RS Government [Klickovic case]

Dnevni Avaz

Draconian penalties in traffic are being installed [new traffic law]

Dnevni List

Bravely against Hearts (football story)

Vecernji List

EUFOR was target of terrorist attack? (VL on ‘Bektasevic et all’ case)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Explosives blew up BMW 7, police stays mute (car blown up in Posusje)

Nezavisne Novine

BAM 240 million de-blocked

Glas Srpske

They are bothered with cross and three-fingers

EuroBlic

If Serbs reject, Bosniak to chair

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related cover splash

Security, war crimes and trials

Media report clash between 50 Bosniaks and Zvornik PSC members

RTRS – Over 50 Bosniaks from Konjevic Polje near Bratunac clashed on Monday night with support team of Zvornik Public Security Centre. As official police statement reads, the incident occurred when three Bosniaks stopped their car in front of the car of police officers who were returning from duty and started insulting them on ethnical basis. One of the Bosniaks grabbed a police officer, and the police officer pushed him away. A Bosniak police officer who was off duty reacted. After that, some fifty Bosniaks came out of a nearby restaurant and got involved in the incident. The situation was put under control in early morning hours of Tuesday, after involvement of support troops of Zvornik Public Security Centre, Bratunac Police and EUFOR. BHT1 – Each party blames the other for the incident that occurred at a gas station. Bosniak returnees who were involved claim that the members of the unit started hitting them without an obvious reason whilst unit members claim that they were insulted. EUPM and EUFOR were notified on the incident whose representatives participated in a special session of Bratunac municipality. Deputy head of Bratunac municipality Mustafa Golic stated that the members of special unit will no longer be present in Konjevic polje and stressed that investigation on the incident is an imperative at the moment. FTV by Salih Brkic – Local imam Muzafer Effendi Muminovic who was called to calm the situation stresses that the incident was caused on purpose. Reporter comments that it is still unclear why where the members of the support unit even present at the gas station at such hour. Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Putting out ethnic passions’ by Robert Soldo – Article refers to police and EUFOR activities related to this incident. No numbers of people involved in the incident is provided in the article.  Hayat – also covered.

DA: Witnesses claims police attacked Bosniak returnees

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Zvornik Special Unit attacked us’ by A.Hadzic, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘It is a lie that policemen came incidentally’ by A.H. – Local official Cazim Jusufovic told daily that 47 RS policemen attacked 35 Bosniak returnees. He also denied statement of Public Security Center Bijeljina who claimed that Zvornik Special Unit came incidentally on the spot of incident. Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover ‘General fight or police attack on Bosniak returnees’ – Eye-witness Adem Muminovic claims that more than 40 RS policemen took part in fight, adding that surveillance cameras recorded everything, but police took records away.

GS on K. Polje incident: assaults of Bosniaks against Serb returnees in area of Bratunac and Srebrenica in increase; NN says Bosniaks assaulted police

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘They are bothered with cross and three-fingers’ by K.Cirkovic – Referring to the incident in Koljevic polje [GS claims two occurred, see blow], daily observes that the release of Naser Oric, The Hague convict, did not just disturb Serb people in the area of Bratunac and Srebrenica (saying they are witnesses of his war crimes), but also encouraged a large number of Bosniaks, returnees to these municipalities “to clash with Serbs and everything called Serb in this area”. Daily notes this claim is substantiated with several physical assaults of Bosniaks against Serbs in the area of Bratunac – of which public was not informed at all, according to daily – the destruction of Orthodox cross at Stari Grad near Konjevic Polje [which allegedly occurs for the fifth time] and assault of Bosniaks against policemen from Zvornik police station on night of Monday to Tuesday. As for latter, GS says that the incident occurred when three Bosniaks parked a vehicle at the gas station provoking the policemen and guests of the restaurant at the station by playing extremely loud music and insulting people at the ethnic grounds. Policeman has reportedly came up to Bosniaks to warn them, on which they have reacted by violence, says GS. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Bosniaks assaulted policemen’ by Z.Kusmuk – NN also reports that the police was assaulted, and that they reacted to violence [account of events published in NN was close to one given by the GS]. In addition, NN carries that Bosniak policeman from Zvornik PSC who was out of duty that night, got also involved in the fight against colleagues. 

Wartime RS MoI Assistant Momcilo Mandic pleads not guilty for war crimes

RHB – Momcilo Mandic pleaded before the Court of BiH not guilty to all counts of the indictment, holding him responsible for war crimes committed against civilians. According to indictment, Mandic – as a former wartime Assistant Minister of Internal Affairs of the so-called SerbRepublic of BiH – led the attack on Training centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of BiH in Vraca, Sarajevo, on April 6, 1992. The indictment further alleges that Mandic, as a Minister of Justice in the Government of so-called SerbRepublic of BiH, was exclusively responsible for functioning of all penitentiaries between May and December 1992. Hayat – “I have read the indictment carefully, I understand it and I find it unfounded and I plead not guilty to all charges and sub-charges and I am going to prove it during the trial”, said Mandic. BHT1 – BIH Prosecutor Vesna Ilic demanded custody for Mandic due to fear that he might escape. BIH Court judge Shirin Fisher denied this request and stressed that Mandic is already in custody due to other indictment raised against him for financial frauds in regard to Privredna Banka East Sarajevo. RTRS – Trial against Mandic should commence within 60 or 90 days. PINK, FTV, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Mandic pleads not guilty for war crimes’ by B. K., Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Momcilo Mandic: I am not guilty’ by rl   Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Mandic: I am not guilty’ unsigned, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘He stated he would prove innocence’ by A.Djozo, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Mandic: Not guilty’ by SRNA, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Momcilo Mandic rejects guilt for war crimes’ by A.Omeragic, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Momcilo Mandic pleaded not guilty for war crimes’ by N.J. –    also covered.

Commission on suffering of Sarajevo citizens faces budgetary issues

RTRS by Zorica Rulj – The Commission tasked to investigate truth on sufferings of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Jews and others in Sarajevo [in 1992/95] agreed on the draft task agenda which should be adopted at the session scheduled for Thursday. However, the members of the Commission are most concerned with the financing. Head of Commission Ivica Marinovic explained that the body was established long after adoption of 2006 budget, thus this year it would completely rely on the budget reserves and would have means at its disposal only in 2007. Marinovic also said that Commission might face serious financial problems as some organisations and individuals demand money for providing information. He claims that the Director of the Investigation-Documentary Centre, Mirsad Tokaca, was one of those and Tokaca denied this, claiming that he hasn’t even been contacted by Sarajevo Commission. Reporter said that the Commission is supposed to complete its work in a year, but this deadline seems to be too short. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Marinovic doesn’t believe that job would be done in year’ not signed – Marinovic stressed that they foresee that about 700, 000KM would be necessary for Commission’s work. In regard to recent resignation of Commission’s member Zeljko Rasevic, Marinovic said that they have sent a memo to the CoM, asking for urgent appointment of new member. FTV, Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Programme of work by the end of week’ by N.Krsmanalso covered.

Explosion destroys car in Posusje, owner suspected of ties with auto mafia

Slobodna Dalmacija cover splash pg 9 ‘Explosive blows up BMW, police remains silent’ by T. Zoric – SD reports on an incident that took place in the town of Posusje on Monday morning at 02.20 a. m., when an explosive device completely destroyed a BMW vehicle. Canton 8 MoI issued a brief release without stating the car owner’s name. Nobody was injured.  Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Bomb in Posusje’, mentioned on front ‘Posusje like Lebanon’ by Dalibor Ravlic – VL reveals the car belonged to one Ivan Manduric from Posusje whose weekend cottage was also blown up late last year. Article states that there is a thick file on Manduric in Posusje police department related to car thefts and that the police tie him to ‘car mafia which, allegedly, organized the attack because Manduric was in the way of their operations in Posusje.’  Dnevni List pg 19 ‘Explosive blows up Ivica Manduric’s BMW’ mentioned on cover ‘Ivica Manduric’s BMW blown up’ by N. Popovac and I. Culina

VL: ‘Bektasevic et all’ were planning attack on EUFOR?

Vecernji List, front pg splash and pgs 6-7 ‘EUFOR was target of terrorist attack?’, by Dejan Jazvic – Writing about the ‘Bektasevic et all’ case (group of terrorist suspects arrested in Sarajevo in late 2005 under suspicion they were planning terrorist attacks in BiH), VL says EUFOR facilities and staff could have been possible targets of attacks. However, according to legal experts VL has contacted, it will be very difficult to prove what true intentions of the suspects were unless one of the suspects (excluding Amir Bajric, who admitted to providing explosives, cut a deal with Prosecution, got sentenced to 2 years) comes forward and reveals true plans. (Inset ‘Possible targets of attacks’ – reminds that the Sarajevo weekly ‘Slobodna Bosna’ carried Bajric’s statement, who noted that Bajro Ikanovic (one of suspects) once told him whilst they were passing by a line of German EUFOR vehicles units that “Jihaad must be carried out and all of them must be killed”.

Extradition of former RS PM Klickovic would upset plans of many high ranked members of SDS , says Klickovic’s attorney

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 7 ‘Panic among members of the RS Government in 1997’ by E.Kamenica – Serbian Supreme Court still hasn’t discussed an appeal of former RS Prime Minister Gojko Klickovic regarding a decision of Serbian authorities to extradite him to BiH. But, as was confirmed by the BiH Court Spokesperson Boris Grubesic, decision on this could be expected soon, adding that deadline is a month. Klickovic has been indicted for war crimes and economic crimes [Note: Klickovic is suspected of being involved in intrusion of RS authorities in monetary system of former Yugoslavia in 1997, during which 230-370 million KM as some claim were taken. The funds were allegedly partly used to assist the ICTY fugitives.] Decision on Klickovic’s detention in BiH Court was passed on June 28 and would start as of day of his extradition. On the other side, Klickovic’s attorney Dusko Tomic claims that extradition would “upset plans of many high ranking members of SDS”. Tomic argues that if indictment against Klickovic is justified, then it should be raised against all members of then Government, since all mentioned issues were discussed at the Government and Klickovic, as the PM, was only carrying out someone else’s orders. Further on, Tomic names members of the RS Government that voted for the disputable decision, which regards to breach into the monetary fund, and stresses that some of those people are now at high positions. He especially mentions Ljubisa Vladusic, who is today Deputy of BiH Central Bank Governor. Daily tried to contact Vladusic, but he was on a business trip.

Netherlands Ambassador to BiH: RS authorities have to implement Human Rights Chamber decision on Colonel Palic

Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Solve destiny of Avdo Palic’, not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Behaviour of RS authorities is cynical’ by Onasa– Netherlands Ambassador to BiH Karel Voskuehler met on Tuesday Esma Palic, widow of late Colonel Avdo Palic. Palic gone missing in 1995, during the negotiations with RS Army on evacuation of Zepa and no one heard of his since. Ambassador and Mrs. Palic talked about failure to implement the decision of BiH Human Right Chamber passed on January 16, 2006. Ambassador stressed that behaviour of RS authorities is extremely cynical and totally unacceptable and he repeated the prior appeal from the OHR. “RS authorities have to finally start to implement the decision of Human Right Chamber and investigate Palic’s fate and transfer his body to the family,” reads the statement of Netherlands Embassy. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Behaviour of RS authorities is cynical and unacceptable’ not signed– also carries on meeting.

MPs duties and rights; ITA and VAT issues;

BiH HoR rejects draft Law on Rights and Obligations of MPs

BHT1, Late news – On Tuesday, BIH House of Representatives failed to adopt draft Law on Rights and Obligations of MPs. 17 deputies voted for, 9 were against, whilst 5 abstained from voting. Deputies who voted against stressed that the current economic situation in BIH does not allow for adoption of such law.

BiH draft Law on Rights and Obligations of MPs causes fierce reactions

BHT1 By Marina Boskovic – Reporter comments that BiH draft Law on Rights and Obligations of MPs has caused fierce reactions of BIH public, international community and some deputies. [The Law was being discussed in BIH House of Representatives during the broadcast of Tuesday’s BHT1 central news.] HDZ deputy Vinko Zoric feels that the proposal law is good and adds that BIH deputies should have good pensions. Reporter comments that RS National Assembly deputies might also acquire increased rights despite the fact that the law on their rights has been declined by RS President Dragan Cavic. Reporter concludes that parliamentarians came in power by votes of BIH citizens who are unemployed, have low pensions and generally live in hard conditions. Hayat By Elma Kazagic – Reporter comments that regardless of numerous warnings, BiH HoR discussed the draft Law on Rights and Obligations of MPs, according to which an average MP’s salary would be 1,500 KM. “You are not solving a thing by limiting an MP’s pension… We will solve a problem if we manage to create conditions in which anyone would receive pension in amount of at least 500 KM and salary in amount of 700 KM”, said independent deputy Mladen Potocnik. “These are not privileges but regulated duties and it is a normal thing for an MP to have certain rights, making an MP’s position clearer to comparison to the one we use to have…I find this a good proposal”, said BiH HoR MP Ivo Lozancic [NHI]. Those who oppose the law say that it is against BiH citizens. “MPs’ salaries should be closely related to their work; it is not logical for a single article to deal with MPs’ duties and for 21 article to deal with MPs’ rights”, comments SNSD’s Dusanka Majkic. “Bearing in mind BiH citizens and their situation, this is not a good solution”, comments SBiH’s Beriz Belkic. “It is unjust to pass such a law, it is not fair in terms of BiH citizens”, comments SDA delegate Sefik Dzaferovic. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Rejected proposed privileges for BiH Parliament Members’ by H.Orahovac – Daily carries that monthly salaries for some BiH Parliament MPs would be 4,000 KM. Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Draft Law on Rights and Obligations of MPs rejected’ by S.Rozajac – Article carries that HDZ Ruza Sopta and HDZ 1990 Vinko Zoric were insisting on adoption of this law. BiH HoR Co-Speaker Sefket Dzaferovic [SDA] invited deputies to reject the law; SBiH Beriz Belkic claimed it would be inappropriate to adopt the Law. FTV, RTRS also covered.

BiH HoR rejects urgent procedure for debate on changes to Law on VAT

PINK by Zeljko Mandic – At the session held on Tuesday, BiH House of Representatives rejected to discuss the amendments to law on VAT in urgent procedure, thus the SDP request to introduce zero VAT rate and SDS request to decrease the VAT rate from current 17% to 14% will be discussed in standard procedure. Hayat by Elma Kazagic – Reporter comments that proposed changes on VAT Law have once more increased tensions in the BiH Parliament. Namely, SDS proposed reducing VAT rate from 17 to 14 %. “There is possibility for VAT rate to be reduced next year”, says advisor to BiH Council of Ministers Zlatko Hurtic. “The Government has no mechanisms to carry out social programs and that is where the problem occurs”, says BiH HoR delegate Mirsad Sipovic. “The best way to destroy this reform is to pass several amendments; second thing…there is no surplus in money, means have been collected, but money has to be returned”, says independent delegate Sead Avdic. SDP’s proposal to have proposal on zero tax rate discussed has not passed. “By that, ‘heaven’s door’ would be opened for criminal actions and corruption, thus destroying the whole VAT system… Citizens are well aware of the fact that the VAT managed to reduce grey economy, unfortunately prices have been increased, but social programs for 2006 have been increased by 20 %”, says Hurtic. “It was said that the means are being refunded… have our citizens been given 10 KM at least… the account has been blocked for a month due to the fact that it cannot be agreed on whether to allocate 32 or 31.5 %…no one blames BiH CoM or BiH ITA; it seems as if only those who are sitting here are to be blamed”, says Avdic. Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Offensive behaviour by OHR and Nicholl’, by D. P. Mandic – reports on Tuesday’s session of BiH HoR related to discussion of changes to VAT law and carries a comment by Jozo Krizanovic (MP, SDP) who noted that letters PDHR Larry Butler and Chairman of ITA Steering Board Peter Nicholl have sent to the BiH HoR, in which they noted that all changes to the VAT law require prior consent of the ITA SB, are offensive for the BiH Parliament claiming the Parliament is losing its dignity. PINK, BIH1, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘No abridged procedure for payment of old foreign currency savings’ by M.Cubro , Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Returning of old foreign currency exchange would last for years’ by S.Rozajac– Law on VAT and old foreign exchange currency savings. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Rejected proposed privileges for BiH Parliament Members’ by H.Orahovac Inset ‘Without decision on VAT’ also covered.

NN op-ed notes VAT regulations need to be changed

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Agreement’ by Predrag Klincov – Writing about Tuesday’s session of Steering Board of ITA (Indirect Taxation Administration), the author observes since it was not possible to reach permanent solution regarding distribution of ITA revenues from single accounts, the issue of launching procedure for altering existing legal regulations treating this issue imposes itself as inevitability. Until this is identified, common citizens will face consequences, according to author.

Reached agreement on temporary coefficients for distribution of ITA single account assets

PINK by Dragica Tojagic – At the session of Indirect Taxation Administration Steering Board (ITA SB) held on Tuesday in Banja Luka, the agreement on setting temporary or provisional coefficient for distribution of funds from ITA single account has been reached [to date 240 million KM have been blocked on the account]. The adopted coefficient will be implemented only in July and August when the decision on setting permanent coefficient is expected. According to provisional coefficient, 65,9% of assets from ITA single account will be allocated to FBIH, 31.2% to RS and 2.9% to District Brcko. Chair of ITA SB Peter Nicholl stated after the session, that SB will discus possibility of setting permanent coefficient for District Brcko. “We have also agreed that, in forthcoming period, we will again revise the entire system of distribution. At the moment I cannot tell you whether the system will be changed but I can tell you for sure that all options will be discussed” added Nicholl. Finance Ministers of RS and F BiH, Aleksandar Dzombic and Dragan Vrankic respectively, expressed satisfaction with the adopted agreement hoping that at the next session of ITA SB, they will reach the agreement on distribution of resources for the rest of the year. Dzombic said that coefficient is satisfactory since it is provisional. Vrankic noted that no mistake was made by adopting the set coefficients. IT SB members have also reached agreement on VAT rebate according to which the first rebate should start on August 10, 2006. RTRS – BiH Minister of Finance and Treasury Ljerka Maric stated it has not been easy to choose the right distribution method, because the law allows several possibilities. The increased coefficient for RS caused symbolical decrease of FBiH coefficient, but a significant decrease of Brcko District coefficient. A final decision should be made by the end of August. Until than, FBiH representatives agreed with the lower coefficient, although they previously announced that any coefficient below 66% is not acceptable. Vrankic stated that it wouldn’t make any sense to hold tightly on some principles. He explained that cumulative capacities of FBIH are around 65,9%, and therefore the new coefficient was acceptable. BHT1, Hayat, FTV, Dnevni List pg 56 ‘Single account unblocked’ by T. C., Nezavisne Novine cover splash, pg 3 ‘BAM 240 million de-blocked’ by D.Risojevic, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘One third of VAT to RS’ by Nedeljka Breberina, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘More money to Srpska’ by D.Vrhovac-Mihajlovi, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Solution found for July and August’, mentioned on cover ‘’Two-month compromise again’ by N.Diklic, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘240 million KM unblocked’ by O.V., Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Rebate of VAT starts from August 10’ by Fena –– also covered.

BD Major Djapo: we will not reconcile with such decision, since the law was violated

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Djapo: We will not reconcile with such decision’ by E.R.– Commenting decision that ITA Steering Board passed on allocation of revenues from single account, according to which Brcko District gets only 2.9%, BD Major Mirsad Djapo told DA that Law is violated with this decision. “In following period I will consult with associates, MPs in BD Assembly and BD Supervisor. In any case I will not reconcile with this decision, because with its implementation the sustainability of BD would be questioned,” said Djapo. He didn’t want to confirm, but he didn’t denied that would raise criminal charges against ITA, because of such decision. “I expect from state institutions to protect us from such behaviour,” said Djapo. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 Inset ‘Basic was against’- Haris Basic [FIPA Director] voted against the decision.“With this BD is significantly harmed and the solution, which would provide a permanent quality, wasn’t passed. Everything showed that temporary decisions give no results,” said Basic.

ITA SB Chair Nicholl: passed decision is the best we could get; it is temporary, but there is no will for anything else

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘I have not yielded to RS demands’ by T.Lazovic– ITA SB Chair Peter Nicholl commented for DA that the “decision p[assed by the ITA Steering Board on allocating of revenues from single account is temporary, as there was no will for establishing coefficients until the end of the year”. He argued that the decision on temporary coefficients passed was the “best we could get [Tuesday].” He underlines it doesn’t mean he agrees with stances of the RS representatives who asked for fixed coefficients. “Be fair, I haven’t agreed with RS demands. They asked 31.5% of the revenues from single account and they got 31.2%. Everyone moved from they positions at the beginning,” said Nicholl. FBiH asked for 66% and got 65.9% and Nicholl deems that decision is in accordance with the Law “except in the part which refers to Brcko District”, to which the fixed coefficients until end of the year were promised, stressing that they would deal with that in August. Asked what after August, Nicholl said that all possibilities should be reviewed until then, “but there will be no time to change the approach”.

FBiH HoP adopts changes to the Law on Privatisation, rejects Bill on Pardons

RHBby Zana Rebo – The FBiH House of Peoples at the session on Tuesday adopted the changes to the Law on Privatisation; those changes foresee the possibility of separate privatisation of healthy parts of big companies, which did not attract much attention as a whole. HoP rejected the FBiH Bill on Pardons. HoP also did not accept the resolution on condemnation of crimes of the totalitarian communist regimes, which was proposed by Croat delegate Zdenko Antunovic. Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Agreement on Aluminij possible ‘ by Eldina Medunjanin – Article notes that adoption of changes to Law on Privatization is particularly important for ‘Aluminij’ company because ‘it will make possible implementation of the previous agreement resolving issues related to BiH’s biggest exporter.’ (read ‘Aluminij’) Dnevni List pg 13 ‘Hadzipasic: Robbery of large companies has been made possible’ by Mensud Zorlak – Article states that FBiH Prime Minister Ahmed Hadzipasic agrees that ‘adoption of changes to Privatization Law makes it possible for criminal lobbies to get hold of sound parts of large companies’ but he thinks that ‘such robbery can only be prevented by good organization within labour unions and management structures in the companies‘. BHT1, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Condemning of totalitarian communist regimes’ by S.Se, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Sale of healthy parts of state companies’ by S.Se– Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Debts towards employees transform into shares’ by A.Hadziarapovicalso covered.

Police and other reforms

PRD Steering Board to hold session on Wednesday: Outgoing Chair says if Serbs reject chairing Presidency, Bosniak to take it up against

FTV by Zeljko Tica – Police Reform Directorate’s Steering Board will hold a session on Wednesday. Chair of PRD Steering Board Vinko Dumancic is supposed to hand over his duty to a Serb representative in the Board. Members of the Board RS Police Director Uros Pena, SIPA Director Sredoje Novic and Brcko District Police Chief Milenko Milicevic already announced that they cannot take over this duty out of personal reasons. “If they do not want to take over the position we will have to appoint a Bosniak who will continue to be the Chair”, says Dumancic. Reporter comments that the Steering Board will have to extend the deadline for police reform implementation by the end of the year. He stresses that due to delay of this reform Council of Europe failed to consider the liberalisation of visa regime for BIH citizens. “We, the members of the Board are not to blame for this situation because we perform our jobs correctly”, says Dumancic. He adds that certain things are not going according to plan. Reporter concludes that Pena is in the form of an observer in the Board whilst RS politicians constantly object the work of PRD Steering Board.  Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Dumancic to be succeeded by a Bosniak?’, not signed, EuroBlic cover splash, RSpg 3 ‘If Serbs reject, Bosniak to chair’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Function of Chair to Serbs’ by SRNA, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Dumancic: If Serbs refuse offered place, Bosniak will chair’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Function of General Director in line’ by Az.K.also covered.

PRD Dumancic’ statement reg. PRD Chair causes reactions amongst RS officials

Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Gauntlet thrown down to Srpska’ by D.Momic – In regard to today’s (Wednesday) session of Polcie Reform Directorate (PRD) and statement of PRD Chair Vinko Dumancic (saying if Serbs reject to accept post, Bosniak will be appointed), daily carries statements of some politicians from RS. SDS’ Mladen Bosic stated this statement was not surprising, and he sees the sole solution from the dead alley police reform is in organising referendum, stressing such sort of referendum represents an integral part of European democratic tradition. PDP’ Mladen Ivanic is of the view the greatest culprit for halt in police reform rests with OHR, criticising OHR for having ignored demands he initiated for new talks on police reform. SNSD’ Milorad Zivkovic views Adnan Terzic, BiH Council of Ministers Chair the sole culprit for halt in police reform, noting: “Decision on establishment of PRD is completely illegal and not in the spirit of agreement reached.” He views demands for referendum on police reform a pre-election campaign. Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘To schedule referendum in RS on police reform’ by P.K., EuroBlic cover splash, RSpg 3 ‘If Serbs reject, Bosniak to chair’ inset ‘Police reform on referendum’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – carries Bosic.

RS PM Dodik met with British officials: police reform and constitutional changes on agenda: regret over failure re. const. changes talks expressed

Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Support to reform process’ by D.Momic – During his visit to London, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik met with British Minister for EU issues Geoff Hoon and General Political Director at British Ministry of Foreign Affairs John Sawers. In a statement to daily, Dodik said: “We all expressed regret over failure in talks on constitutional changes. RS Government obtained support for the reform course it follows, and we have agreed that it is necessary to resume talks on constitutional changes after elections.” He stressed that “the federal principle of constitutional order already exists in BiH, and this should be legalised in the upcoming period through BiH Constitution”. According to him, “in this manner BiH would get a frame of federal state, and RS would get clear authorities, rights and duties as federal unit.” Regarding police reform, Dodik said he reiterated stance it needs to be restored to frame of previously reached political agreement, saying “it is possible to reach final solution only through talks, not dictate.” According to inset ‘Referendum’, Dodik stated in regard to referendum that the British have agreed it is necessary to stop stories about abolishment of RS, since constant insistence on this can only cause damage.RTRS, zavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘European principles are wide frame for police reform’ by D.R., Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Dodik in Great Britain’, not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Dodik visits Great Britain’ by FENA,  – also reports

DL, SDP’s Lagumdzija: Europe is imposing silent sanctions against BiH because of failure in police reform

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Silent sanctions by IC’, by R. Dautefendic – following reports that the EU ministers of justice and interior postponed discussion on easing of visa regime for west Balkans states (for details see OHR Media Round-up, July 25), DL comments it is clear Europe is imposing silent sanctions against BiH “because they (Europeans) cannot convince our politicians any more to form a state police”. DL also carries a comment by SDP’s Zlatko Lagumdzija, who says: “It looks as though there will be no police reform for a while. That’s why we are faced with silent sanctions, it is new authorities that can offer solution”. Inset ‘OHR without comment’ DL heavily criticizes the OHR for failing to comment on the news. DL believes it is the OHR, which should be first to react considering that the OHR is the only international institution that has mechanisms to force BiH politicians to work on reforms.

UK Ambassador Rycroft: No SAA without police reform, IC has not forgotten about Karadzic

Dnevni List, pgs 6-7 ‘You cannot go to Europe without state police’, by Resad Dautefendic – carries an interview with the UK Ambassador to BiH, Matthew Rycroft, in which he mostly talks about processes related to BiH getting closer to the EU, foremost the police reform. Asked as to when BiH citizens can expect easing of visa regime with EU, Rycroft says: “(…) In case police reform is implemented, the SAA can be signed between BiH and EU, which means speeding up of your trip to Europe. In turn it means more jobs, security prosperity and finally easing of visa regime. If that is not done, none that I have just mentioned will happen”. The Ambassador was also asked whether the IC has forgotten about Radovan Karadzic, a war crimes suspect, to which Rycroft says: “(…) I have mentioned that the cooperation with The Hague Tribunal is one of thresholds to Europe. It means the RS is obligated to find Karadzic and his support network. In the past period the focus was on arrest of (Ratko) Mladic, but we have not forgotten Karadzic and he will have to be deported to The Hague”.(NB: Rycroft does not mention state police as suggested in the headline)

Political and other issues

OHR: Amendments to BiH Electoral Law would produce chaos

Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Brkic: Reinstalling of old voter registration system would produce chaos’ by Agencies – OHR spokesperson Mario Brkic told press conference that OHR urges BiH parliamentarians to reject amendments to the Law on Election: “Treating invalid documents as valid for voter registration purposes, by allowing citizens without CIPS cards to vote, as the amendments propose, would undermine the Election Law itself and indeed the whole concept of the Rule of Law.” Brkic stated that adopting amendments would actually reinstate the old system of voter registration and cause chaos. Hayat, RHB, RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Chaos could start’, not signed, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Amendments cause chaos’ by SRNA also covered.

Serb officials say no decision on new ministries at BiH CoM without assent of entities

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Constitution impedes Terzic’ by D.Momic – Regarding statement of Adnan Terzic, BiH Council of Ministers’ Chair, that Serb ministers have deadline until Thursday to consult on two new ministries at BiH CoM or otherwise decision will be reached through two thirds majority. SDS’ Mladen Bosic says this statement is in line with so far conduct of BiH CoM Chair, “who is constantly trying to expel Serb representatives from decision-making process”.  SRS “Vojislav Seselj”’ Predrag Markocevic opposes to ant sort of unconstitutional action and transfer of powers onto state level. PDP Mladen Ivanic says “existing constitutional order of BiH does not enable establishment of two new ministries without the assent of entities, since it is within their power.”

PDP’s Nagradic contests Agreement BiH signed with Holy Sea , says it is discriminatory towards other religions in BiH

Vecernji List, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Serbs blocked agreement with Holy Sea’, by Zoran Kresic – notes that the ‘Serb side’ on Tuesday opposed to ratification of the General Agreement BiH and Vatican had signed earlier (Agreement was signed in April 2006, foresees among other issues return of property confiscated from the Catholic Church by the then communist authorities in BiH). Namely, Slobodan Nagradic of the PDP, who currently works in the BiH Foreign Ministry (also a candidate for RS President in October elections), argued that giving special status to the Holy Sea would be discriminatory for the other religions in BiH, underlining it would endanger Serb vital national interests. Inset ‘Schilling too had objections to Agreement’ notes that the OHR too raised concerns regarding some provisions of the Agreement, claiming it would be a big burden for BiH as a state. Namely, it was requested to change the provision according to which the Catholic Church would get back its nationalized property within 10 years. Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘PDP against agreement with Vatican’, not signed,, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Nagrdic thinks that agreement with Vatican is damaging Serbs’ – carries Nagradic.

Daily: SBiH Silajdzic supports mufti Ceric’s criticism

Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Useful initiative’ by S.Hodzic – SBiH leader Haris Silajdzic supported Leader of Islamic Community in BiH Mustafa effendi Ceric and his statements at the opening ceremony of Glamoc mosque on Saturday, when he criticized Bosniaks political leadership [who called on politicians “not to sell our honour for petty benefits“]. Silajdzic said that his support to Ceric does not mean he wants to gain any political points for his party or himself, adding though that there is a certain similarity between Ceric condemning politicians and Silajdzic refusing constitutional changes.

New BiH Law on Traffic Security; large fines for traffic violates

Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Draconian penalties in traffic are being installed’, pg 10 ‘Younger then 23 cannot drive alone from 23 to five hours’ by S.Skuletic– Article carries on the new BiH Law on Traffic Security, which would come into force on August 8. This Law precisely defined regulations of the driving and foresees high financial penalties for every violation of the law. Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Citizens are again targets of politics’, by D. P. Mandic – the author notes that the Law of Traffic Security, as suggested by many MPs, in the BiH parliament, is full of shortcomings, which should have been overcome by enacting of 22 by-laws, which the BiH CoM failed to provide.

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

PRD SB in session: election of new chair expected

BH Radio 1 by Vanja Ilicic– Police Reform Directorate Steering Board is in session today, and it is expected to appoint new PRD SB Chair who would replace Vinko Dumancic. New Chair should be elected from the members of Serb nationality, however if none of them accept mandate, a Bosniak would be the new PRD SB Chair. In addition to election of new Chair, PRD SB should discuss plan of activities until the end of year. According the Dumancic’s assessments deadline will not be respected, i.e. the PRD SB work would not be finished by September 30, nor the proposal of future organization of police would be drafted. Model of the police organization would be discussed at today’s session as well and, for the fourth time, members of the PRD SB would continue to give suggestions and objections to submitted proposal. Ilicic stresses that police reform is one of main conditions for signing of Stabilization and Association Agreement. RHB, RTRS also announced the session.

RS PM Dodik in a statement to RTRS: issue of const. changes is one of the most important issues we in BiH must deal with

RTRS – At meetings with the British officials in London, the RS Premier, Milorad Dodik, has stated that constitutional changes are focus of meetings, adding that talks on constitutional changes should resume after elections. After meeting with British Secretary for Europe, Geoff Hoon, and General Political Director at British Foreign Office, John Sawers, Dodik said RS does not dispute existence of BiH, but instead wants to see it as federal unit where RS would be a unit. In a statement to RTRS, Dodik says: “We have here agreed that the issue of constitutional reform is one of the most important issues we in BiH must deal with…We want to be partners of BiH and that all other speculations from other side are unrealistic…Issue of referendum was also raised. I made it clear that any reference to abolishment of RS results in calls for referendum, to which each and every single democratic community ahs a right to implement… The unavoidable issue is the issue of police reform. I understood that 3 European principles represent a wide framework, and that British authorities want to see compromise and consensus inside BiH in implementation of police reform. We do not want to see halt in police reforms faces us with situation that SAA (Stabilisation and Association Agreement) talks are halted. If this happens, we will not view ourselves responsible for that, since we simply want to contribute to police reform. It is another issue that some others do not want it.”

FBiH CC VNI Council to decide on FBiH PBS law today

RHB– Council for protection of vital national interests with the FBiH Constitutional Court will today announce a ruling on the request of the Croat Caucus in the FBiH Parliament’s House of Peoples, which invoked the VNI clause regarding the FBiH Law on RTV service.

Economic and judicial issues

BiH HoR rejects changes of law on old foreign currency saving deposits

RTRS by Branka Kusmuk – At the session held on Tuesday, BiH House of Representatives rejected the proposal of independent deputy Tihomir Gligoric for changes of law on old foreign currency saving deposits. According to this proposal, the repayment period for holders of frozen foreign currency accounts would be reduced from 13 to 5 years. Head of Association for repayment of foreign currency saving deposits Ale Lizalovic criticized the BiH Council of Ministers, claiming that it doesn’t take this problem seriously. BiH HoR deputy Speaker Sefket Dzaferovic [SDA] said that he couldn’t vote for a law, which might lead the country into bankruptcy. Gligoric stated that the decision made by BiH HoR is an attempt to gain additional time. Members of associations of foreign currency depositors say that they can’t wait any longer. They announced filing of lawsuit before the International Tribunal in Strasburg. They are convinced that they would win such lawsuit. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Rejected proposed privileges for BiH Parliament Members’ by H.Orahovac – BiH Deputy Finance Minister Jusuf Kumalic stated that the proposed deadline of five years would be impossible to fulfil. Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Savers entitled to press charges’ by D. P. M. – Article reports that FBiH HoR adopted the proposal by MP Filip Andric to delete from the Law on settling debts from old foreign currency saving the clause according to which savers would sign a statement waiving their right to press charges after receiving a symbolic cash payment in exchange for their savings. RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Repayment of old foreign currency savings will last for years’by S.Rozajac – also reported.

BiH Minister of Transport and Communications Dokic: We will schedule pre-qualification tender for selection of concessionaire for highway on 5-C Corridor

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Pre-qualifications for selection of concessionaire in October’ by Az.Kalamujic – On Tuesday, BiH Minister of Transport and Communications Branko Dokic confirmed this Ministry would schedule pre-qualification tender for selection of concessionaire for Vc corridor: “Pre-qualification tender would help us to shortlist investors [usually 4-6 investors], that would be then directly provided with tender for selection of concessionaire.” Dokic also announced soon start of creating bidding documentation for the highway on Vc corridor. World Bank promised to pay foreign consultants that would help local experts in creation of bidding documentation. Just recently published, Feasibility study estimates that the highway would be cheaper by 200 million KM, compared to anticipations from 2005.

Oslob op-ed slams BiH authorities for not being more agile in project of 5-C Corridor

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Corridor of improvisation’ op-ed by Borivoje Simic – Commenting publicising the feasibility study on Vc Corridor, editorial reads that if local and not world experiences would be applied “it is not likely that we will have highway to Sava river by 2012 as estimated.” Slamming BiH authorities for being too slow, influenced by daily-based politics and different stances of entities, author concludes: “Such behaviour can only cool down the investors, that still show interest for this project.” 

DA: In SAA round EC would ask for faster abolishment of customs on agriculture products

Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘EU asks for faster abolishment of customs to agriculture products’ by T.L.– BiH and European Commission on Thursday are continuing negotiations on Stabilization and Association Agreement. This round would be focused on free trade issues and as DA learns BiH team has sent its proposal with the list of products on which wants to preserve customs until membership in the EU. Chief of BiH Team for Free Trade, Dragisa Mekic told DA that he expects EC to present its stances on this proposal in Thursday’s round. Negotiating EC team, which would be lead by Head of Department for BiH and Albania in European Directorate for Enlargement, Dirk Lange, as DA learns would ask for shorter deadlines in which BiH would have right to customs during the import from the EU. Mekic explains that this refers mostly to agriculture and refined agriculture and industrial products, such as waffles, beer, even mineral water.

Model-Courts to improve efficiency of BiH Courts

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Model-Courts should speed up solving of cases’ not signed- The BiH High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC), USAID’s Justice Sector Development Project and seven BiH courts signed on Tuesday the Memorandum of Understanding named “Initiative of Model-Courts”. The key objectives of IMS are introduction of lasting improvements in the model-courts in the sector of judicial administration, achieving better case management in appellate procedures, as well as allowing the representatives of model-courts to become intercessors of reforms in the sector of judicial administration.  By signing the Memo, HJPC will take over the overall coordination of projects in model-courts, as the leading institution for supporting reformatory activities in the entire judicial sector in order to ensure development of strategies for expanding the successful reformatory activities to other courts. On behalf of HJPC, Chair Branko Peric signed Memorandum.

Political issues

EC’s Humphreys criticizes the decision of BiH Parliament to cease employment process in all ministries until after elections

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Political elite takes care of itself and not the reforms’ not signed- At Tuesday’s session the BiH Parliament adopted a conclusion to stop all employment of new officials and employees in all ministries until the process of the establishment of government following the October elections is completed. Commenting this decision Head of EC Mission to BiH, Michael Humphreys said: ”This decision is a clear sign of political involvement in appointment of civil servants. It is very disappointing that the last session of the BiH Parliament was not dedicated to the reform agenda, which would bring this country closer to Europe, but dealt with issues, which will bring benefit only to the political elites.”  Humphreys stressed that one of main goals of the Public Administration Reform, which is a priority in order to complete the Stabilization and Association Agreement negotiations, is that BiH must work towards a professional, non-political civil service with recruitment and promotion based on experience and merit.

Head of RS Helsinki Committee Todorovic condemns attacks of SDS against media

RTRS by Lidija Beslic – Head of RS Helsinki Committee Branko Todorovic condemned he attacks of SDS against media, stressing that SDS has been trying for years to put the media under its control.  According to Todorovic, media, which are not controlled by SDS, are constantly subject to different types of pressure and threats.  Todorovic said that his comment refers directly to SDS President Dragan Cavic and his recent attacks against RTRS. He announced that he is going to inform International Helsinki Committee about this incident. He urged upon all politicians to sustain from speeches of hatred and intolerance during the electoral campaign. He called all citizens to vote at the elections. Nezavisne Novine pg 6, announced on cover ‘SDS is trying to place media under its control’ by Z.Kusmuk – also reported.

Final date for Telekom Srpske privatisation tender to be announced next week

Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Tender for “Telekom Srpske” soon’ by R.Segrt – Nedeljko Cubrilovic, RS Minister of Traffic and Communication, has announced that final date when tender for privatisation of “Telekom Srpske” will be known next week. He assessed that after Bosniak Caucus at RS Parliament withdrew motion for protection of vital national interest in sale of “Telekom”, “political games” ended. Daily notes that any interested company that has at least 800 thousand subscribers in land telephony and 1.5 million in mobile telephony, with annual profit of EURO 500 million can apply.

DA: CoM Resolution urging precise definition of VNI is justified

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Political trading in RS’ op-ed by Edina Sarac– Commenting the vital national interest that Bosniak Caucus in RS Council of People launched on plans for privatization of ‘Telecom Srpske’ and how they withdrawn their initiative; Sarac stressed that main issue in this story is minimising of VNI significance. Therefore, Sarac justifies the fact that Council of Europe discussed VNI in its recently passed Resolution, urging for more precise definition, “which, in any case would leave less space for political games on harm of those whose interests are being protected. This way, we will get into situations such as this, where in finish of solving of major issue it turns out that dust was risen for no reason,” concludes Sarac.

RS Helsinki Committee Chair Todorovic invited politicians to be responsible in their pre-election speeches

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Think, then elect’ by V.Du.– At the press conference in Bijeljina, and in regard to upcoming elections, Head of RS Helsinki Committee, Branko Todorovic warned politicians that encouraging of ethnical, religious and race hatred is a criminal act. Therefore, he called upon BiH politicians to act responsibly in pre-election campaigns. He looked back to previous years, in which hatred was encouraged in political speeches. “What may concern us is that in the introduction to the pre-lection campaign, we were the witnesses of totally unmeasured invitations of BiH politicians, starting with already seen on disappearance of entities, to those suggesting that entities should become independent states,” said Todorovic. He invited citizens “to think wisely and chose political forces that would lead this country in following period”. He also condemned SDS interference into editorial policy of medias. 

SDS’ Bosic: visa regime relaxed only tom diplomats

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Futile effort about visas’ by D.Mo. – Mladen Bosic, SDS Vice President, has assessed that it has become evident the efforts BiH is placing on relaxation of visa regime for citizens are futile, since representatives of international community have promised this would be provided only to diplomats. According to him, “it seems as if European Union’ states still viewed there was a danger from import of terrorism from BiH”. According to him, the latest developments in Brcko show Wahhabism, financed and imported from Saudi Arabia, is expanding in BiH.

GS op-ed critical of Mufti’ Ceric speech at opening of mosque in Glamoc

Glas Srpske op-ed pg 2 ‘Religion as politics’ by Goran Barac – The author says that the Head of Islamic Religious Community in BiH Reis-ul’ulema Mustafa Effendi Ceric has against placed his political engagements over religious one. The author refers to Saturday speech Effendi held at the opening of mosque in Glamoc, when he called on Mostar Mufti and representatives of Catholic Church in Herzegovina to identify “ways and get closer”. Author observes there would be nothing disputable about this if Mufti “skipped” representatives of Serb and Orthodox Church, which can be interpreted in two ways according to Barac. One that Mufti does not want to have any cooperation with Serbs and Orthodox Church in this part of BiH and secondly there is no Serbs in this area at all, author adds.

War crimes and security issues

Serbian Minister Jocic: Action plan re cooperation with ICTY has begun

Dnevni List, pg 15 ‘Action for arrest of war criminals begins’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 20 ‘Hunt for Ratko Mladic has begun’, by H – Serbian Interior Minister, Dragan Jocic, stated on Tuesday that the implementation of the (Serbian Government’s) Action plan on cooperation with the ICTY has begun, stressing that operative bodies were to be formed by the end of the week. Jocic also noted that the cooperation with the ICTY was “our obligation towards the state and people”. (NB: Serbian PM Kostunica recently presented the Action plan to Brussels, which should lead to arrest of war crimes suspects, including Ratko Mladic) Hayat – Serbian Government will allocate Belgrade War Crimes Chamber 46,5 million Dinars. PINK, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 18 ‘Hunting of Ratko Mladic starts’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Carrying out of action plan’ by Fena, Vecernje Novosti pg 3, announced on cover ‘New teams chasing Mladic’ by Z.U.-M.V. – daily also reports that Military and Intelligence Agency (BIA) has also involved implementation of Action Plan.

DL editorial notes new incident in Mostar, concludes authorities must do away with ‘spoils of war’

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Mostar’s reality’ op-ed by Sanja Bjelica – Bjelica reminds of recent incidents in Mostar which she says the authorities took lightly, the result being that delinquents and thugs are still in control of Mostar’s destiny. She brings up a new incident related to an exhibition of about 60 valuable paintings donated by Serb family Neimarevic to the City of Mostar which, however, were on display for one day only (last Sunday) because a local thug occupying commercial spaces in the Old Town has threatened that “the gallery would be set on fire if Serb paintings are found in it”. The result, she notes, was that the Mostar authorities did not react and the gallery was simply closed. Bjelica comments that ‘primitive people and thugs are bothered by the very mention of a Serb name in the OldTown because that might mean that Serbs and Croats will return to OldTown and that thugs will have to give up the spaces they are occupying.’ It is high time City authorities ‘erased the lines of spoils of war’, Bjelica points out and ends her comment by concluding ‘if a gallery bearing a Serb family’s name has no place in the Old Town, then multiethnicity and cohabitation definitely have no place in Mostar’.

EUFOR: we will look into the claim of BOSS officials Ajanovic and Alispahic

Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘We will look into claims of Alispahic and Ajanovic’, mentioned on cover, by L.S. – In statement for DA, EUFOR Spokesperson Karen Halsey stated that EUFOR is familiar with the letter that BOSS candidate for BiH Presidency Mirnes Ajanovic and list leader in front of Patriotic Block [BOSS, SDU] for BiH Parliament, Fatmir Alispahic have sent to SIPA and EUFOR. Ajanovic and Alispahic sent this letter on Monday, asking EUFOR and SIPA to investigate and neutralize activity of paramilitary formations in the RS, claiming these were responsible for frequent attacks on returnees. Halsey said that EUFOR would look into this matter and would not ignore the claim.

SIPA says it has not received BOSS officials Ajanovic and Alispahic’s letter

Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘We are conducting investigations that can be brought into relation with that letter’ by E.Sarac – Deputy Director of SIPA Dragan Lukac told DA that SIPA has not received the letter that BOSS officials Mirnes Ajanovic and Fatmic Alispahic have sent to SIPA and EUFOR warning about existence of paramilitary formations in the RS. According to information he obtained from media, Lukac says that these are only allegations, without concrete information on when, where and who is doing that. “Naturally, we are interested in such information and if found credible, we would carry out certain measures in accordance with our authorities. I can say that we are doing other things, related to something that can be brought into connection with this letter, whose part I have read in the papers,” said Lukac.