OHR BiH Media Round-up, 27/10/2005

Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 27 October

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)	RTRS (12,00 hrs)
NATO delegation in BiH	Cavic on EU negotiator
Strike of Prnjavor fish pond workers	HR: RS future guaranteed wtDayton
World news	Gaza update

TV news broadcast on 26 October

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)	TV PINK (18,00 hrs)	BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)
Avian influenza confirmed in Croatia	HR on BiH negotiation team	Rajic pleads guilty
No avian influenza in BiH	Spiric, Terzic, Lagumdzija meeting	EU Ambassadors visit Snagovo
HSS criticize border-disinfections	Ivanic on BiH negotiation team	Talks on SAA platform in Sarajevo
HB Canton bird flu prevention	BiH Presidency in session	BIH officials speculate on PfP

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)	FTV (19,30 hrs)	RTRS (19,30 hrs)
Feature story on pre-feasibility study	Report on road construction	OHR on BiH economy
Topographic maps to be made in BiH	EU Ambassadors visit Snagovo	BiH need consensus to enter EU
HR on BiH negotiating team	RS MP Expert team in USK	HR on forming SAA negotiating team
Spiric, Terzic, Lagumdzija meeting	Rajic pleads guilty	BiH EU integration perspectives

Oslobodjenje	Igor Davidovic getting biggest support to be appointed Chief Negotiator
Dnevni Avaz	EC’s Humphreys: This is the first phase of a very long process
Dnevni List	Disciplinary proceedings against Raguz, Merdzo and Ljubic
Vecernji List	Ljubic, Raguz and Merdzo facing expulsion from HDZ
Slobodna Dalmacija	Story on ‘invasion’ of folk singers in Herzegovina
Glas Srpske	At the door of hell (social problems a woman from Celinac is facing)
Nezavisne Novine	180 million disappeared from Birac
Blic	Scab, louse and tuberculosis reigning (poor living conditions at refugee centres)
Vecernje Novosti	Serbia related titles

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY
RS President Cavic on EU negotiator	RS Radio – The consultations on composition of team from RS, that is to be a part of BiH negotiating team with EU on SAA, have reached the final phase. Dragan Cavic, RS President, reiterated his stance that SNSD, as strongest opposition party in RS, should appoint chief negotiator, adding that consultations on this issue are still ongoing. Cavic said: “My Cabinet will send invitations to parties. During the course of today and tomorrow, I am supposed to meet with Heads of political parties. Yesterday, I met with RS Premier. Today, I should meet with RS NA representatives…In the meantime, my Cabinet and myself have engaged in collecting various information related to SAA talks requirements, as well as to experience other states from the region, Croatia and Macedonia, had on this issue.”
PDP leader Ivanic on EU negotiating team	RS Radio – Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister, is of the view it is of great importance that BiH shapes a platform for negotiations with EU on SAA asap. Ivanic is of the view that BiH needs a serious, de-politicised negotiating team, that would gather around 10 persons from position and opposition, who would reach political consensus related to strategy. Negotiator should be someone who knows how to run negotiations and speaks foreign languages, and someone who has sufficient political weight to face Brussels , that has its goals. According to him, Brussels ’ goals are simple and exact, including opening of BiH market asap. Commenting on announcements from BiH COM that he might be the most appropriate candidate to run negotiations, he told BETA agency has not as yet received any sort of such offer.
HR: RS future guaranteed wt Dayton	RS Radio – In a statement to Voice of America, Paddy Ashdown, High Representative to BiH, stated that the future of RS is guaranteed by Dayton Peace Agreement and nobody can abolish it bar its citizens. His message to RS politicians was that they abandon the idea of having RS as a state, but instead to concentrate on the fact RS future lays within BiH
Venice Commission proposes UN to establish commission to review de-certification of police officers	BH Radio 1 Vanja Ilicic – The Venice Commission has recommended the United Nations to establishment the special commission that would review the decision on de-certification of the police officers carried out by the UN International Police Task Force. Answering the inquiry submitted last week by the Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, the Commission has confirmed that the BiH courts have no authority to change the IPTF decisions which banned the work of about 150 policemen. Terzic called on the decertified police officers to be patient and not to commence with the announced hunger strike. He added he expects everything to be ready for the UN Security Council to make decision on these cases at their session scheduled for 15 December. In light of this, Terzic also plans to visit Washington and New York
NATO delegation visiting BiH welcomes police, defence reforms/ BiH authorities expects PfP membership by end of year	BH Radio 1 Jelena Kisic – The representatives Political Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly delegation visiting BiH met with the members of the BiH Parliament’s Commission on defence and security issues. The head of the NATO delegation, Karl Lamers welcomed the progress made in both police and defence reforms. “In a few days the fall session of the NATO Assembly, i.e. NATO member states, in Copenhagen will take place… and we will report on our impressions. We will give you our support and I think you are on the good path to achieve all planned in this year,” said Lamers. Seada Palavric, the Deputy Head of the Commission, said that BiH expects to be soon invited to join the Partnership for Peace programme, adding that the ICTY cooperation should not be an obstacle to this as the RS has strengthened it.
BiH WCC presents its work to Brcko district	BH Radio 1 Nedja Djurovic – BiH War Crimes Chamber representatives have presented their activites to the police, judiciary and the NGO sector in District Brcko. The round-table on the WCC was organized by the Balkans Investigative Network as a part of its projects ‘Transition of the Justice’. The round-tables will also be held in several others cities. The officials stressed out that the WCC will work much faster that the ICTY.

Political Developments/Reforms

Interview with EC Head Humphreys: BiH must prove it has efficient authority

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘This is the first phase of a very long process’, pg 5 ‘BiH must prove it has efficient authority’ by Lana Sinanovic – In an interview to daily, Michael Humphreys, Head of EC delegation to BiH, stresses that ever since EC delegation last week addressed proposal to EU Council of Ministers on launch of SAA talks with EU, the contact between the EC and Council is constant, adding that task forces are intensively engaged in considering the proposal addressed. He adds: “I personally expect that by 12 December, EU Foreign Ministers will give mandate to EC to launch talks.” He explains procedure ahead of BiH regarding SAA talks. On ongoing talks regarding constitutional changes in BiH, led by Donald Hays, Humphreys expresses hope that proposals on simplified structure of authority will have been adopted by next elections in BiH.

HR Ashdown says BiH should form team for SAA talks ASAP

Pink, Hayat, RTRS – The High Representative Paddy Ashdown said that BiH should form negotiating team as soon as possible, in order to prepare itself for December 12, when the EU Foreign Ministers are expected to give green light for start of SAA talks with BiH. Ashdown pointed out that it was a good idea to appoint a person from RS as the leader of the team. Prior to joining the EU, BiH has to become more functional; it will never become the EU member state if it decides to spend 70 % of budget on itself while 30 % on its citizens. (NOTE: These are excerpts from HR’s interview for Wednesday’s Dnevni Avaz)

Igor Davidovic has largest support for position of SAA chief negotiation [SNSD, SDS, SPRS, SDP]

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Cavic, Dokic and Djokic support Davidovic’ by N.D. – DA writes that the former BiH Ambassador to US, Igor Davidovic, will most probably be the BiH chef negotiator with the EU during the SAA talks. So far, he has won support of the RS President Dragan Cavic, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik and SPRS leader Petar Djokic. Dodik commented that Davidovic is the best choice and that he meets all criteria for the job and stresses that everybody is better than Mladen Ivanic. Davidovic told DA that he met with Dodik on Tuesday in which SNSD leader promised him the party’s support. He underlines he is not a member of any party. At the same time, Dodik has officially rejected Cavic’s offer for him or some other SNSD officials be employed as the chef negotiator.

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Davidovic enjoys largest support for chief negotiator position’ by A. Omeragic – SPD leader, Zlatko Lagudmzija, said that his party will support Davidovic’s nomination, adding “the job is made for him.” Dodik also told daily that Davidovic is professional and thus they agree he should hold the position. PDP supports Mladen Ivanic taking up position, however the party says it supports and respects Davidovic’s work. “Davidovic is proven professional and I have great opinion about him. I just think that Ivanic would be better for position for his knowledge,” commented PDPs Goran Milojevic. Lagumzija comments Ivanic must not be chief negotiator.

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Igor Davidovic got support of three parties’ by V.Popovic – carries statements of Milorad Dodik from SNSD, Zlatko Lagumdzija from SDP of BiH and Goran Milojevic from PDP, all expressing support to possible nomination of Igor Davidovic Chief BiH negotiator with EU.

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Ivanic cannot be a negotiator’ by M.Cubro – Reporting on Wednesday’s meeting between Spiric, Lagumdzija and Terzic, daily brings statements of Lagumdzija saying: “Ivanic cannot be a negotiator, since he has become a cheap politician. Negotiations should not be subject to cheap politics.” According to inset, Dodik said that “Ivanic has no necessary knowledge, which he has proved on the case of privatization of banks he sold extremely cheaply.”

BiH HoR Speaker Spiric meets with CoM Chair Terzic, SDP leader Lagumdzija to discuss preparations for SAA talks

Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘Igor Davidovic getting biggest support to be appointed Chief Negotiator’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Negotiating team will be supported by BiH Parliament’, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Negotiating team for Europe without Croats’, by Erna Mackic, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Ivanic cannot be a negotiator’ by M.Cubro, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Inclination to RS candidate’ by O.S. – The Chair of BiH House of Representatives Nikola Spiric organized in Sarajevo on Wednesday a meeting with the Chair of BIH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic and SDP leader Zlatko Lagumdzija in order to discuss negotiating platform before the start of talks on Stabilization and Association Agreement with EU. The three of them agreed that negotiating team should be formed as soon as possible in order for BiH to be ready to start the negotiations. “BiH has to have single negotiating position in terms of all SAA elements, regardless of whether only BiH CoM has legislative and constitutional authorities in the domain or not”, said Terzic. “A clear, organizational structure (of the negotiating team) has to be defined, and BiH CoM, is going to offer certain proposals”, said Lagumdzija. Spiric pointed out that BiH HoR was going to support the negotiating team. There was no discussion on names of the persons in the team as well as on the date when BiH politicians are to meet in order to agree on the joint platform.

Spiric meets with four NGOs representatives

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘To respect decision on equal status of constituent peoples’, FENA – BiH House of Representatives Speaker Nikola Spiric held talks on Wednesday with representatives of the Serb Civic Council – Movement for Equality, Council of the Bosniak Intellectuals Congress, the Croat National Council and Circle 99. Representatives of these non-governmental organisations informed Spiric about activities on ensuring the implementation of the BiH Constitutional Court decision on equal status of constituent peoples and plans for holding a conference dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the Dayton Agreement. Spiric said that the BiH Parliament is prepared to support the organisation of this conference, which is scheduled for mid November.

SPRS’ Djokic on talks with EU, constitutional changes

Vecernje Novosti pg 17 ‘Constitutional changes to follow’ by B. M. – SPRS President Petar Djokic has announced in Celinac that constitutional changes will follow. He also said ruling parties in Bih have realised they are incapable of leading the country to EU, so they have called the opposition to help. ‘SPRS was aware of this even before and will do everything to make sure admission of RS and BiH to EU is done in as efficient manner as possible’, Djokic said. He said RS must become as functional as possible through constitutional changes and added SPRS will try to engage citizens in this process.

NN interview with BiH Foreign Ministry’s Hadzikapetanovic: BiH has too many embassies

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘BiH has too many Embassies’ by A. S. – Secretary of BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs Adnan Hadzikapetanovic says a reform of the Ministry is necessary if BiH wishes to conduct negotiations on SAA in a quality manner. He says it is necessary to re-organize foreign policy, diplomatic network and complete state apparatus from personnel and strategic aspect, in order for the state to meet the pre-requisites Brussels has set. He also believes BiH has no chance to join EU with the current structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and he notes the only possible option is to shot down Embassies at South-African Republic, Qatar, Pakistan, India and United Arabic Emirates while, at the same time, Embassies in Brussels, London, Paris, Rome and Berlin should be strengthened.

DA speculates: Alain Richard next HR; Germany w/out candidate; Patijn/Marachian have no PIC support

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Will Alain Richard replaced Ashdown?’ by S. Numanovic – DA learns that the deadline to submit nominations for a position of the High Representative in BiH expires tomorrow. According to daily, Germany stated it has not candidate for this position, while it is possible that the French representative will join three already reported names Alexandar Vondra from CzechRepublic, Dutch Michel Patijn and Italian Laura Marachian. DA speculates that the French candidate is Alain Richard, former French Defence Minister who several months was asked by the daily on whether he would take up such post and answered [through his secretary] that he was not interested. However, his nomination was previously strongly supported by the US, while Germany and UK would also approve. However, DA says that if France doesn’t nominate a high-quality candidate, that the US could offer the support to Vondra who is regarded as the most qualified for the job. At the same time, anonymous source told DA that Patijn and Marachian do not enjoy support of the Peace Implementation Council. The decision on Paddy Ashdown’s successor will be made by the end of November. Ashdown will stay in BiH until February next year to carry out handover. Inset ‘Relationship with EC’ carries that it is very important for the HR not only to come from strong country but also to be influential enough to ensure coordination of the IC activities in the country. According to some rumors, the EU Special Representative will also head the EC delegation in BiH.

Danas on new HR: Germany to nominate its candidate?!

Danas, pgs 14-17 ‘Germans in the game once more?!’, by Zvonimir Jukic – Commenting about possible successor to Paddy Ashdown, Jukic claims that sources close to the German Embassy in Sarajevo revealed to ‘Danas’ that Germany, having sorted out its internal political issues, is again willing to turn to foreign affairs issues, including issues related to southeast Europe and BiH. According to the source, the new German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, needs an urgent confirmation on the international stage and the appointment of a new High Representative from Germany would do the trick. Danas also carries leaders of NHI and SDP, Kresimir Zubak and Zlatko Lagumdzija respectively, who both support the idea of having a German High Representative. However, Lagumdzija is not certain that Germany is really interested in taking over the post, whilst Zubak personally believes that Aleksander Vondra from the Czech republic is the best choice, still Zubak doubts that Vondra would have a full support of PIC countries.

Former HR Petritsch on Geneva conference

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘No end of talks with EU as lon as foreigners are making decisions in BiH’ by S.T. – Summarising conclusions of last week’s Geneva conference, Wolfgang Petritsch, formerly HR to BiH, says in a statement to daily that these would be good basis for BiH talks with EU on SAA, stressing: “The dominating issue at the conference was the issue of responsibility of the Bosnian authorities in reform process. A first formal step towards EU has been made with EC’ green light for commencement of SAA talks. However, the end of talks cannot be expected as long as international community is making decisions on behalf of BiH authorities.” Another conclusion was that BiH must start acknowledging itself better and fulfilling its tasks.

BiH Presidency held regular session

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Decision on non-residential representation of BiH’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘To get involved in action to help Pakistan’, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Legal cooperation with the neighboring states alleviated’ by A.S. – BiH Presidency held a regular session on Wednesday, at which it brought decision on non-residential representation of BiH in certain countries. Regarding EUPM, BiH Presidency has supported extension of the mandate of EUPM in BiH. The Presidency members thanked all EUPM representatives, saying that they brought BiH police services closer to European standards. The Presidency also made a decision on a procedure on negotiations on agreement on police cooperation between the BiH Council of Ministers and Austrian Ministry of Interior. The Presidency has also brought decision on ratification of agreement between BiH and Slovenia , and BiH and Serbia-Montenegro on implementation of official decisions in domain of criminal law. BiH Presidency called on all BiH institutions and citizens to take part in collection of aid for Pakistan areas hit by earthquake.

HDZ Presidency decides to start disciplinary procedure against Ljubic, Raguz and Merdzo, comments

BHT, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Covic requested (inter-party) investigation into Ljubic, Raguz, Merdzo’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Penalties to Ljubic, Raguz and Merdzo announced’ by J.B., Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 2 ‘Disciplinary proceedings against Raguz, Merdzo and Ljubic’, by Ivica Glibusic – The HDZ Presidency, which held a session behind closed doors on Wednesday, took a decision to start disciplinary proceedings against Bozo Ljubic, Martin Raguz and Josip Merdzo for the alleged breaking of the HDZ Statute. According to Raguz, the Presidency only discussed the way the disputable ‘Promemoria’ was presented to the public, since the HDZ Presidency did not discuss reasons that initiated the signing and preparing of the said document, nor it discussed the current situation in the party, its relations towards the HDZ of Croatia, European People’s Party and new BiH constitution. DL notes that the HDZ President, Dragan Covic, proposed the said measures at the end of the session, whilst Raguz says the measures are aimed against freedom of thinking and credible and consistent activities. Merdzo too believes that no provisions of the HDZ Statute have been violated. Vecernji List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Ljubic, Raguz and Merdzo facing expulsion from HDZ’, by Zoran Kresic – VL notes that the latest move by the HDZ Presidency could cause an even bigger rift that will probably result in establishment of a new political party if Ljubic, Raguz and Merdzo are indeed expelled from the HDZ. VL also notes that the ‘Promemoria’ was signed by 13 out of 15 HDZ MPs. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 9 ‘Disciplinary procedure against Ljubic, Raguz and Merdzo’, by E. Karamatic – Ljubic believes the motive behind the decision is to scare members of the HDZ Main Board and affect their future activities.

Croat Coalition says HDZ cannot be verified for local elections in Grude

Dnevni List, pg 18 ‘Why did Election Commission verify candidacy of HDZ?, by D. List, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 21 ‘Grude: Elections are illegal’, by J. Terzic – The Croat Coalition for Changes has sent the BiH Election Commission an official memo, asking it for an explanation of the Commission’s decision to verify the participation of the HDZ in the local elections in Grude (election for new head of municipality). The Coalition notes that the HDZ President, Dragan Covic, was removed on March 29, 2005 by the High Representative and that the BiH Election Law stipulates that no political party will meet the pre-requisites for the verification if it turns out that such person (removed by HR) has one of central positions within a party.

SD: Croatian parties approve of HSP’s proposal of constitutional changes in BiH

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘To protect Croats in whole area’ by T. Klauski – The conclusion of leading Croatian political parties on the HSP Croatia’s proposal to organize BiH in 8 provinces is that the Dayton Peace Accord is at its last gasp, it should be adjusted to the present time and cantonal organization of BiH proposed by HSP is a good step taken in that direction. HDZ representative in the Croatian Parliament (elected from the list for Diaspora) Florijan Boras says the biggest obstacle to normal organization of BiH is the RS and until this issue is resolved, it is pointless to talk about anything else.

VL on constitutional changes: All previous changes were detrimental for Croats

Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Croat geese’, by Zoran Kresic – Carries an op-ed about the forthcoming constitutional changes in BiH in which the author notes that all constitutional changes in BiH, namely the Washington and Dayton agreements, the constitutional changes from 2002, had been detrimental to the BiH Croats. As for the current situation, Kresic says the relationship between Zagreb and Mostar (Croatian and BiH HDZ) is in fact a conflict of two vanities because Ivo Sanader (President of Croatian HDZ) does not have problems meeting with Sulejman Tihic or Adnan Terzic, however he does not want to meet Dragan Covic because of the criminal charges against him, whilst in the same time Covic is not keen to give in either.

VL on constitutional changes: Croats need clear strategy, IC has its own solutions

Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘To new Dayton with strategy’, by Petar Grubisic – Carries an op-ed on the forthcoming constitutional changes in BiH in which the author argues that the BiH Croats i.e. their political representatives do not have a clear strategy about the issue. In the same time, says Grubisic, the Serbs are persistent in defending what they gained in Dayton, whilst the Bosniaks are unhappy with the DPA, wanting a state tailored to their liking, a unified BiH that is. The author also notes that any initiatives aimed at creation of a third entity will not get the green light, arguing that the future constitutional changes will not be done to the liking of the three peoples in BiH, instead it will be done according to the IC’s instructions “which obviously has its own solutions”.

SD on Covic renouncing third entity: HDZ is using third entity for daily politics

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 21 ‘Covic’s boomerang’, by Zlatko Tulic – Commenting on Dragan Covic’s interview to Nezavisne Novine from Wednesday, in which he said he was not in favour of establishment of a third entity in BiH, Tulic stresses that Covic did advocate the establishment of a third entity, however he was doing it at “village parties from Neum to Sava river” to convince naïve people at various round tables and meetings. On top of this, Tulic notes that the HDZ does not have even a vision of new constitutional changes, let alone a proposal, instead the party is only using the issue for the needs of the daily politics.

Ashdown today to attend oath-taking ceremony for City of Mostar ’s civil servants

Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Ashdown to visit Mostar today’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘130 civil servants to take oath’, Dnevni List pg 12 ‘Crucial step ahead for future of Mostar’ by S. Djuderija – OHR spokesperson Sanela Tunovic stated at the press conference held in Mostar on Wednesday that High Representative in BiH, Paddy Ashdown, will visit Mostar on Thursday, October 27 and attend the oath-taking ceremony for more than 130 civil servants at the FBiH Government’s Building. Tunovic said that the Mostar City Administration is the first major body to be formed under the new Law on Civil Servants as professional civil servants appointed without political influence. Before the oath-taking ceremony the HR will visit Los Rosales, the Centre for children with special needs and he will meet with the Mostar Mayor, Ljubo Beslic, and President of the Mostar City Council, Murat Coric.

Crime/Legal Proceedings
EU Ambassadors visit Snagovo mass gravesite	Pink, BHT, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Missing persons the biggest problem in BiH (the most important issue to be resolved)’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Portillo: This will remain in our memory forever’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Micahel Portillio: This is shocking’, announced on cover ‘Ambassadors visited mass grave’ by Z.Kusmuk – Delegation of Ambassadors from EU countries, Representative of ICPM Michael Portillo and member of BIH Presidency Sulejman Tihic visited the mass gravesite Snagovo near Zvornik on Wednesday. The expert team has exhumed 11 mortal remains, believed to be victims from Srebrenica, from the mass gravesite. The foreign diplomats have promised their help to BIH Institute for Missing Persons. ICPM’s Portillo stated that the issue of Missing Persons in BIH remains as one of the key human rights issues. UK Ambassador to BIH Mathew Rycroft expressed satisfaction with the fact that state itself is taking over more responsibility in this area. Tihic stated that “finding the mortal remains of missing persons in BIH is not just important for their families but for establishment of the truth, justice, peace, past and future”.
Former HVO Commander Rajic pleads guilty before ICTY	RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ivica Rajic pleaded guilty because he felt like that’, Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Ivica Rajic to get between 12 and 15 years’, by HINA, I. Glibusic, Vecernji List, pg 10 ‘Rajic testifies against Praljak and Petkovic?’ mentioned on cover ‘Repenter Rajic against Praljak’ by Z. Despot, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘The Hague: Ivica Rajic pleaded guilty’, by H, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Ivica Rajic pleaded guilty’ by BETA – Former HVO Commander Ivica Rajic pleaded guilty before ICTY on Wednesday. The admission of guilt followed an agreement reached with the Prosecution. Rajic has been charged with the war crimes over Bosniaks in Stupni Do, committed in October in 1993. The Prosecution asked for the sentence of 12 to 15 years in prison. Rajic was hiding in Croatia for 8 years before he was extradited to ICTY in 2003.
BiH, Croatian Prosecutions to discuss ‘Hercegovacka bank’ case	Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Decision of destiny of Ante Jelavic today’, by E. Mackic – DL announces that the Chief BiH Prosecutor, Marinko Jurcevic, prosecutor John McNair and Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Republic of Croatia, Lazo Pajic, will be meeting on Thursday to decide on start of new trials in the ‘Hercegovacka bank’ case, this time before a Croatian court. Unofficially, the meeting should also be dealing with the future of Ante Jelavic. Croatian State Prosecution told DL that Pajic would meet Jurcevic to take a look into the documentation about the Jelavic case and other cases related to the ‘Hercegovacka bank’ case. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 10 ‘Jelavic, Rojs and others before Croatian court’, by Vuk Djuricic – According to the Croatian State Prosecution, after it has taken a look into the documentation of the BiH Prosecution, the Croatian Prosecution will decide whether to file criminal charges against Ante Jelavic and his former associates, which include Ljubo Cesic Rojs, Ivan Medic and Ivan Azinovic. Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Croatia taking over documentation’, by Zoran Kresic – notes that the meeting will take place on Friday.
Update to mujahedeens from Bocinja: NN brings names of persons from ZDK providing support to mujahedeens	Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘Local politicians are giving logistic support to mujahedeens from Bocinja’ by G. M. – A confidential report of RS OBS from July 1, 2002 reads a large group of mujahedeens resides in the area of Zenica Doboj Canton and an organized group of citizens has helped them to move to the area, and also has been providing them with a logistic support, since 1993 until the date. According to the report, following persons were members of the group of citizens providing the mujahedeens with logistic support: Asim Saranovic, Ahmet Agic, Enes Pojskic, Saban Ibrakovic, Hamdija Kulovic, Amira Alijagic, Mirnaz Buljubasic, Sinan Colakovic, Goran Telelovic and Avdija Spahic. The article also brings details on public jobs the mentioned persons were employed at.

Economic/Social Affairs/Media/Education

RS Minister of Finance Cenic on budget re-balance/WB loans

Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘We are not hostages of the Federation’ by D. Vrhovac – Mihajlovic – RS Minister of Finances Svetlana Cenic has stated that all pre-requisites, except for the adoption of a Law on inspections, for the payment of the second part of loan for adjustment of business environment, in the total amount of the loan of 18,7 million KM, were fulfilled. She said the law on inspections had passed the parliamentary procedure, but was stopped at RS Council of Peoples, over the protection of vital national interest. She expects the World Bank would approve the payment of the second part of the loan by the end of the year. On the other hand, she noted that the SOSAK 2 loan – social care program – was an other issue because RS had fulfilled all pre-requisites but ‘the only problem is earmarking of funds for veterans’ population in F BiH, which had been raised without any justification, yet these funds should have been reduced instead’ and she added she opposed RS to be held hostage to someone’s irresponsible policy.

EuroBlic pg RS1, announced on cover ‘Who is able to buy 30 firms’ by Tijana Veselinovic – the article brings a contradictory report, which reads it is the first part of SOSAK 2 loan Cenic expects from the World Bank to pay by the end of the year. Apart from this, Cenic also said she does not know whether there will be budget re-balance since 25 million KM still have not been paid to RS Government from single ITA account. She also stated RS Government established a task force for development of the Law on origin of property, and she expects the Law to enter the parliamentary procedure by the end of the year.

Dnevni List pg 7 ‘RS gets loan, Federation of BiH on hold’ by D. Kozina, Oslobodjenje pg 3 also reported on Cenic press conference.

Illicit business dealings of “Birac” firm from Zvornik

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘180 million disappeared from Birac’ by P.Klincov – Dialy reports on business dealings of Alumina Factory “Birac” from Zvornik, whose majority share-holder is Lithuanian company “Ukio Banko investicione grupa”. Namley, article claims that “Ukio Grupa” – conducting business dealings through a number of tied firms – failed to record around BAM 180 million of income on processing and sale of alumina. It further brings names of these firms. According to inset ‘Diluting income’, Miladin Gligoric, RS Minister of Economy, said that “Birac” firm is diluting income by selling alumina through “Balkal” company in B. Luka and firms abroad.

Update to suit Filip Cepter versus RS

Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘RS Public Defendor agreed on payment of BAM 6 million’ by D.Risojevic – Stefan Todorovic, RS Public Defendor, has reached out-of-court settlement with Filip Cepter, who has sued RS for failed business with cellular telephony, according to which RS Government is to pay out compensation of BAM 6 million to Cepter from RS budget. Daily learns from court’s sources that bargain has been upheld by Banja Luka Basic Court on 21 October. Daily also claims referring to Government sources that bargain has been reached without consultations with anybody from RS Government.

RAK wants BiH Com to revoke its earlier decision, comment by DL

Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Independent media in way of ruling parties?’, by Marko Karacic – The BiH Communications Regulatory Agency (RAK) has sent the BiH Council of Ministers a memo asking the BiH CoM to withdraw its earlier decision according to which the RAK is to transfer 1,1 million KMs from its account onto the Public RTV service. RAK notes the funds were intended for purchasing of media monitoring equipment, the project that is worth 10 million KMs and which was enlisted on the EC’s list of projects. DL reckons that the BiH CoM’s decision can be interpreted as an attempt of the ruling parties to regain control over come media, especially because the next year is an election year. DL also notes that the BiH CoM does not have a strict legal obligation to respond to the RAK within certain period of time.

RS Minister Pecelj asks Dean Luikic to leave the office

BHT, Hayat, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Pecelj asked Lukic to step down from office’ by G.Maunaga, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Departure is the only solution’, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Pecelj: Lukic, step down’ – RS Minister of Education and Culture Radovan Pecelj called on Radomir Lukic to act in line with OHR decision and step down from office, in order not to endanger integrity of the University, Pecelj told press conference that: “I’m ready to address prof. Lukic with the friendly gesture, asking him if he can to make a step of good will, and act according this decision.” Pecelj said OHR law department will decide if Lukic’s exams are valid in the future, adding that all payments to Lukic stopped.

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