| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| BiH/SCG Interstate Council | BiH/SCG Interstate Council | BiH/SCG Interstate Council | BiH/SCG Interstate Council |
| Case of Mirko Norac | Cooperation with ICTY | Cooperation with ICTY | Ashdown on RS/ICTY |
| Hayes in Kresevo | Shefer visited Croatia | FBiH HoR in session | Session of RS Government |
| Beecroft visits Mikerevic | World news | World news | Law on Customs Rates |
| Oslobodjenje | Two mass graves which Masovic was unaware of discovered!; Karadzic is a problem for entire BiH; OHR on education: If laws not harmonized, there will be punishments; First an agreement, than changes to the borders |
| Dnevni Avaz | Negative answer would be tragic!; Signing of borders agreement postponed; Terzic and Del Ponte: New and better ways of cooperation expected |
| Dnevni List | Belgrade: To prepare proposal of agreement on border by next session’ |
| Vecernji List | Belgrade: One step far from agreement on borders |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Ante Jelavic is Bosnian Pedro |
| Glas Srpske | Another failed attack against Brod Oil Refinery: Empty shots |
| Nezavisne Novine | Paddy Ashdown: Possible sanctions against RS; Inter-state Council of BiH and SiCG: Agreement on evasion of double-taxes signed; Parliament of F BiH supports request for re-employment of FOSS agents: Intelligence officers trained for liquidation of state officials employed at OSA |
| Blic | Blic: Heart attack as epidemic disease: More and more persons up to 40 years of age are ill; One killed, other injured in shooting |
Political developments | |
| BiH/SCG Interstate Council: border and lawsuit issues two obstacles to cooperation
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘First agreement, and than correction to borders’, Dnevni List front, pg 5 ‘Belgrade: To prepare proposal of agreement on border by next session’ Vecernji List pg 2 ‘ Two Agreements signed yesterday’, mentioned on cover ‘One step far from agreement on borders’ by V. Ruocic,Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Agreement on evasion of double-taxes signed’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Two obstacles to cooperation’, Blic, pg. 3 ‘Agreements were signed’ – Session of the Interstate Council for Cooperation between BiH and Serbia-Montenegro concluded on Wednesday in Belgrade, and representatives of the two countries signed the Agreement on Double Taxation and the Agreement on Readmission. BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic commended the session and accentuated that BiH prioritizes relations with the neighboring countries, and that in this context certain controversial matters should be resolved. SCG President Svetozar Marovic ascertained that progress was made since the last session of the Council, however pointed to the unsolved issue of borders with two sides having different approaches to it. Tihic and Marovic agreed on the need for taking further activities in resolving the border matters, whereas the relevant commissions have been tasked to prepare all the necessary agreements on borders until the next session of the Council. On the issue of BiH lawsuit against SCG, Tihic said in Belgrade that the issue of the lawsuit “is an issue of truth and justice” and that this was “also a legal case during which two sides will appear before the International Justice Tribunal”. Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘No giving up on lawsuit’ by F.M. – In a statement for DA, Tihic says that the issue of lawsuit was raised by Vuk Draskovic, who said that it was nto SCG people to be blamed, but former president Slobodan Milosevic. However, Tihic stressed there will be no giving up on the lawsuit. RTRS – ““Fully respecting the fact that many people got killed in BiH, the question is whether justice will be found in the lawsuit if the whole people is charged with a crime,”” commented Marovic. “Sulejman Tihic voiced his personal view. This is not a stance of the BiH Presidency, because we have not discussed this issue,” commented said Borislav Paravac, member of BiH Presidency. SRNA – Paravac told a press conference in Belgrade that “the lawsuit is unlawful because the BiH Presidency has never made the decision to lodge it and because the Serb people, as a constituent nation in BiH, is not behind it”. FTV, BHTV 1 – Both delegations expressed the joint preparedness for fulfilling the commitments towards the Hague Tribunal, and supported improving of cooperation in the defence sector. Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Agreement on borders postponed’, mentioned on cover, by Fadil Mandal – “Time of the politics lead on grounds of ethnicity are long past us,” stated Marovic. |
| Ashdown warns OHR would penalize cantons failing to harmonize education with state law | BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘If Laws are not harmonized, there will be punishments’ by onasa, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘The key to BiH’s admission to PfP is not in Brussels, but in Banja Luka’, inset ‘4 June deadline to cantons’ not signed, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Punishing of parties and individuals responsible for obstruction of law’ by M. Batarelo, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Ashdown: Sanctions to HDZ again’, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 5 ‘Possible sanctions against RS’, Blic pg. 13 ‘Ashdown threatens with punishments too’ by SRNA – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, on Wednesday warned that the failure of certain cantons to bring their primary and secondary school legislation into line with the State legislation represented a violation of the Rule of Law and indirectly, a challenge to the statehood of BiH itself. Last year, the HDZ and the SDA voted for the State Law on Primary and Secondary Education, which did the State Parliament then adopt unanimously. Since the end of last year cantons 2, 6, 7, 8 and 10 have consistently failed to support the harmonization of Cantonal Laws with the State legislation. The High Representative said that if action is not taken by Friday 4 June to bring the cantonal laws into line with the state legislation, the OHR will penalize those parties and individuals who are responsible for obstruction, starting with fines. |
| FBiH HoR adopts report on FBiH Government | Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Discussion on Information on recent events in Stolac postponed’, by Miso Relota – The House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament yesterday adopted the Report on work of FBiH Government for 2003 and Programme of work of the FBiH Government for 2004. FTV – FTV comments that this showed that improvement in relations of ruling parties, as last year they were looking only for the change of the government all the time, however at the session they accepted the report on the work of government. Both SDA and HDZ supported the report. BHTV 1, RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Prime Minister announces continuation of reforms’ by A. Terzic, – covered the session. Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Discussion on Information on recent events in Stolac postponed’, by Miso Relota – FBiH HoR did not discuss the Information on recent events in Stolac because the representatives of the FBiH MoI did not attend the session. It’s worth noting that the President of HDZ Caucus, Ivan Madunic, blamed the Bosniak media for distorting the picture about Stolac. “The one who destroyed the crosses on the Stations of the Cross at the Old Town has initiated everything. If the people in Stolac do not mind the crosses, they should not trouble the individual too”, said Madunic. |
| DL criticises Hadzipasic over FBiH Govt report | Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Prime Minister’s re-telling of already known’, by Ivica Glibusic – The author criticizes the Prime Minister of FBiH Government, Ahmet Hadzipasic’s, report on the work of the FBiH Government in 2004, in which PM Hadzipasic reiterated “in the good old style” that the current Government inherited many problems, such as economic crisis, unemployment, trade deficit etc. In that context, Glibusic argues that the same rhetoric could be heard from Hadzipasic’s predecessors, wondering how long this practice will go on. Glibusic suggests to all the Prime Ministers in BiH to do more to improve the living standard in BiH and stop deceiving the public with fabricated crisis and national tensions. |
| Mostar City Council in session | RHB, Slobodna Dalmacija, last pg, ‘Rules of procedure adopted’, by E. Karamatic, Dnevni List, pg 11 ‘New working bodies appointed’, by V. Soldo – the City Council of Mostar (CCM) yesterday held its 7th extraordinary session as well as the resumption of the recently interrupted 24th regular session. Among different decisions, the MCC adopted the Rules of Procedure of MCC, appointed the second Deputy President of MCC (Suad Hasandedic) and appointed Presidents of Caucuses of peoples. The Presidents of Caucuses are: Dzemil Spago (Bosniaks), Jadranko Lovric (Croats) and Ratko Pejanovic (Serbs). The councilors did not discuss the issue of new budget of Mostar although the decision on temporary financing of City of Mostar expires on May 31. According to the President of MCC, Ivan Musa, the budget will most likely be discussed early next week. |
| New Croat part in BiH to be formed | Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘New Croat party in BiH’, mentioned on cover, by Miso Relota – according to DL’s exclusive information, on June 5 this year, a new Croat party in BiH will be formed in Mostar – namely the ‘Croat block’. The party will run under a slogan ‘Voice of new generation’. Unofficially, DL learns that Mario Vasilj from the Pedagogical Faculty of Mostar could become the party President, whilst Ivan Madunic from Tomislavgrad, Ivan Brzovic from Kupres, Damir Kraljevic from Ljubuski and Marko Krilic from Busovaca are mentioned as future party members. DL notes that behind this kind of structure, one can clearly identify the politics of the Croat National Assembly (HNS), which is represented by, among others, Petar Milic and Marko Tokic. The initiating board of the party says the formation of the party is not about breaking the HDZ BiH up, confirming that an active member of HDZ and MP in the FBIH Parliament, Ivan Bacak, will be joining the party and becoming its Secretary General. |
| Ashdown on success in BiH | Dnevni Avaz cover page story ‘Negative answer would be tragic!’, pg 5 ‘The key to BiH’s admission to PfP is not in Brussels, but in Banja Luka’ not signed – In an interview to DA, the High Representative Paddy Ashdown, asked to comment successes that occurred during his two-years mandate to date, points out reforms of judicial system. Ashdown states that BiH Court, since its establishment in January 2003, has carried out 202 investigations, raised 39 indictments against 164 persons and brought 46 verdicts of punishments. Secondly, Ashdown refers to the Indirect Taxation Administration, and as third success he speaks of amendments adopted by BiH authorities to establish state armed forces. Talking about the relationship between IC and BiH, Ashdown says it will change after BiH strongly starts to enter European integrations. |
Cooperation with ICTY/ PfP membership | |
| Terzic meets Del Ponte: BiH ready to take responsibility for full cooperation with ICTY
| RHB, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘To define list of actions for better cooperation with ICTY’ by Nina, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Prosecutor’s Office to define cooperation’, Blic, pg. 15 ‘BiH overtakes full cooperation with the Hague’ by BETA – J. D. – The Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, met with the Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte and discussed possibilities of improving cooperation with the Tribunal. During the talks, Terzic voiced readiness to improve cooperation with the Hague tribunal because, as he put it, the BiH Council of Ministers now had concrete mechanisms to do this thanks to the new set of reformists laws on security. Terzic suggested to the Hague chief prosecutor to define a list of actions enabling full cooperation between the BiH authorities and The Hague. FTV, BHTV 1 – Terzic stressed that BiH authorities will now take over the responsibility for full cooperation with ICTY including arrests of war crimes suspects. RTRS – Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic proposed to Carla Del Ponte, main ICTY prosecutor, to define list of actions which should enable complete cooperation with ICTY. She accepted this, and the list should be made by Jun, when she comes in Banja Luka. Adnan Terzic expressed his willingness for improvement of cooperation with ICTY. Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Radovan Karadzic is a problem for entire BiH’, mentioned on cover, by Sense – “Radovan Karadzic is a problem of entire BiH and not only RS… Problem called Radovan Karadzic floats over reforms of defence, intelligence, prolice structure, and… even above reform of customs,” stated Terzic after the meeting with Del Ponte. Chief ICTY Prosecutor next week will visit BiH, where she will hold meetings in both Banja Luka and Sarajevo. SENSE comments Terzic went to ICTY after receiving negative signals from Brussels officials regarding possible admission to PfP. Dnevni Avaz mentioned on cover ‘New forms of cooperation expected’ by S.N. – Terzic stated for DA Carla Del Ponte welcomed the proposal for higher level of cooperation and accepted the suggestion to formulate the list by 2 June, when she will visit Sarajevo. |
| Ashdown warns RS over lack of cooperation with ICTY | RTRS, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 5 ‘Possible sanctions against RS’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘From words to move to arrests’ – The High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, indicated possible penalties may be imposed against RS, if BiH were not admitted into PfP over the RS failure to cooperate with the ICTY. He said that “such a situation cannot happen without consequences”. In an interview to SRNA and FENA news agencies, Ashdown said that: “RS cannot expect to be protected through international law, but yet refuse to respect it when it finds appropriate.” Dnevni Avaz cover page story ‘Negative answer would be tragic!’, pg 5 ‘The key to BiH’s admission to PfP is not in Brussels, but in Banja Luka’ not signed – Following the warning that BiH will not be invited to join PfP if RS doesn’t change its attitude towards ICTY drastically in next two/three weeks, the High Representative Paddy Ashdown stresses that key to BiH success regarding PfP is not in Brussels, but in Banja Luka. He adds that rejecting BiH to PfP in June would be tragic for BiH, and that it could not go without sanctions against RS. Without wanting to speculate on possible sanctions, Ashdown praised the progress of defence reforms in BiH, and the work of BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic. In addition, Ashdown said that beside cooperation with ICTY, RS is obliged to cooperate with Srebrenica Commission and to act strongly against network supporting war crimes suspect. Ashdown also commented that the statement by Dragan Cavic, in which he acknowledged crimes in Srebrenica, was brave, however added that nine years after the end of the words actions are needed. |
| Dodik on admission to PfP, Ashdown’s statements | Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Hard temptations’; Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘RS is not responsible, but individuals at power instead’ – Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, is of the view that Paddy Ashdown, High Representative, falsely accuses RS for the failure to implement the Dayton Peace Agreement. Dodik said that HiRep should investigate into personal responsibility of individuals assuming senior positions at authority. In his address to SNSD members in Pale, he said that two hard temptations are ahead of RS political plan: cooperation with the Hague Tribunal as a main pre-requisite for BiH admission into PfP and report on Srebrenica. RTRS – Dodik added that BiH would not be admitted to Partnership for Peace in June due to the failure to fully cooperate with ICTY. However, he stressed that this was not a problem of RS and that RS could not be responsible for it:. “RS generally cannot be punished for that, but those who are in power in RS,” said Dodik. |
| NATO SG Scheffer visits Sarajevo | RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Scheffer gathers information on BiH before NATO summit’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Getting informed prior of NATO summit’, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Jaap de Hoop Scheffer tomorrow in Sarajevo’ – The NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, will visit Sarajevo on Friday, and meet with both domestic and international officials. The visit is a part of SG’s Balkans tour, which has started in Zagreb yesterday. FENA – As Fena learns from SFOR Command in Sarajevo, Scheffer and members of the North-Atlantic Alliance should also visit the SFOR Command, and hold a meeting with BiH Presidency members. Aim of their visit is to be informed in detail about the situation in BiH before the NATO Summit in Istanbul, which will take place in late June. BHTV 1, FTV, Dnevni List, pg 21 ‘Scheffer: Croatia will get additional support from NATO in Istanbul’, Vecernji List pg 12 ‘Croatia also gets formal support to join NATO in June’ by D. Knezevic, Mladenka Saric – also carry announced NATO SG’s visit to Sarajevo and details of meeting in Zagreb. |
| SD on BiH’s chance to become member of PfP | Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 16 ‘BiH has not passed test for Euro-Atlantic integration’, by Miroslav Landeka – speaking about “the failure of BiH to pass the test when it comes to extradition of war criminals and cooperation with the ICTY”, the author notes that the fact that the ICTY could be transferring the case of Mirko Norac (Croatian Army general charged with war crimes in Croatia) onto the Croatian judiciary shows how far BiH is from the real cooperation with the ICTY. SD goes on to say that for years already, Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are eluding both SFOR and domestic authorities, to be more exact the RS authorities, which do not even think about arresting the two. In that context, SD argues that such attitude of the smaller BiH entity is affecting the whole country by putting greater distances between BiH and Euro-Atlantic integration. SD concludes that one cannot be optimistic that BiH will become a member of Partnership for Peace at the NATO Summit in Istanbul. |
Other war crimes issues | |
| FBiH Missing Persons Commission meets with Srebrenica Commission | Oslobodjenje cover page story ‘Two mass graves Masovic was unaware of discovered’ by A.B. – Daily brings that representatives of the FBiH Mission Persons Commission and Srebrenica Commission will visit next week locations of 16 mass graves with a bodies of Srebrenica victims. This has been agreed at the meeting Srebrenica Commission Chair Milan Bogdanovic, and Federal Commission Chair Amor Masovic held on Wednesday. “It seems that the location of two out of 16 mass graves were unknown to us by now,” said Masovic, adding that they also discussed how will Srebrenica Commission describe events from 1995. He comments: “My impression is that Commission has no doubts as to what happened there, however they try to explain that it is not in their mandate to legally qualify crime in Srebrenica. I advise RS Government to use Srebrenica Commission report, which will I hope contain word genocide, as alibi to tell a truth on what had happened.” Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Mikerervic’s Government would acknowledge genocide through Srebrenica Commission’ by M. Drinjakovic, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Two new mass graves identified in Srebrenica area’, by D. P. M. – also meeting. |
| EUPM says Osmanovic’s allegations pure speculations; Osmanovic reaction
| FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Pure speculations’, by Onasa, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘No persons indicted for wart crimes work in RS police’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Speculations on policemen’; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Accusations without evidence’ – EUPM Spokesperson in Banja Luka, Alun Roberts, stated that there are no grounds for the recent reports in the FBiH media, according to which certain police officers in RS might be responsible for war crimes. He added that EUPM that such statements without any evidences are pure speculation. Print media yesterday reported the statement of RS Vice-president, Adil Osmanovic, according to which the ICTY has complied with prosecuting 12 police officers from RS before domestic courts for their involvement in war crimes. Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Let EUPM and RS MoI look for a list with the state prosecutor’ by E.S. – Adil Osmanovic responds to EUPM and RS MoI statements saying that they can obtain a list of officers in question from the Prosecutor, and also says EUPM was made aware of the list a month ago. “Their reaction is weird. I thought they would carry out concrete steps, what they should have done immediately after receiving the list, and not to publicly deny this without checking,” says Osmanovic of EUPM statement. |
| Memorial Chamber to be build in Srebrenica | FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Symbol of Golgotha of Srebrenica Bosniaks’, mentioned on cover, by A. Becirovic – The Memorial Chamber for remembering the victims of genocide that happened in 1995 in Srebrenica will be constructed as part of the Memorial and Cemetery in Potocari near Srebrenica. At the press conference of program task force members, Project Director Suzanne Bardgett said that the Memorial Chamber would be located at the Accumulator Factory, which was the base of UN peacekeeping forces during the war, and in July of 1995 it was the last abode of the victims. British Ambassador to BiH Ian Cliff said that the Project is important for BiH, adding that the Memorial Chamber Project is financed from a donation of the British Government of 150.000 KM. President of the Executive Board of the Srebrenica-Potocari Foundation Beriz Belkic said that the first phase of the Memorial Centre is complete, and that the second one – Memorial Chamber – should be completed by July 11 2005. |
Economic and social issues | |
| Beecroft and Mikerevic discuss property issues
| RHB, RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Property is major concern’, Blic, pg. 13 ‘Beecroft: You have ended war, resolve problems’ by BETA, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘It is time that Croatia resolves issue of property exchange’ by A. Macanovic– – According to Robert Beecroft, Chief of OSCE Mission, relations of RS with International Community have deteriorated. Beecroft met with the RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik and the Chief RS Auditor Bosko Cevko. Mikerevic said that recent incidents occurred in Banja Luka related to the evictions of two families indicated problems with the contracts on exchanging properties between the persons in RS, i.e. BiH with persons in Croatia, which were concluded during the war, and afterwards terminated, and now not recognized equally in both countries. This is why RS Prime Minister declared that this matter should be resolved as soon as possible, and that the Council of Europe should be engaged in this matter if necessary. Mikerevic added that a solution must be found in regard to the property laws, which would be equal or similar in BiH, Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro. Ambassador Beecroft is paying a farewell visit to Banja Luka. Chie of OSCE Mission also met Milorad Dodik, with whom he talked about Partnership for Peace, and said that the main obstacle was non-cooperation of RS with ICTY. |
| Hays visits company in Kresevo, points out vet control issue | RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Mechanism of vet protection is weak in entire BiH’, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Situation is more favourable for importers than for meat producers’ by Nina– Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays visited meat processing company ‘MIS Stanic’ from Kresevo. DL explains that this company is one of 16 companies that received certificates from Croatian veterinary services for export of their products to Croatia, however, appearance of Q-fever and brucellosis dispersed their hopes that they will break into foreign market. Commenting on this situation, Hays stated: “This company is expecting from the BiH institutions, veterinary services and Ministers of Agriculture to protect their interests. They must secure that these deceases are put under control.” |
| Brod Oil Refinery update | Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Brod Refinery is not under the mortgage of “Orbal” – The RS Government denied claims of the Australian-Liberian Company “Orbal Marketing Service”, which claims that the Serb Brod Oil Refinery has been placed under mortgage in February 1995 over the debt of US $ 60 million. Milan Bogicevic, RS Minister of Energy and Development, yesterday said that: “There is no evidence substantiating these claims.” Government also claims that there has been no trace found either at Government, Courts or Refinery proving that Agreement with “Orbal” was signed. Minister Bogicevic explained that the first time he heard of this firm “Orbal” was in January this year, when company officials came to see him and brought a copy of the document certified at the Sokolac Basic Court. On this he added: “However, the check-up process found no evidence on mortgage at either Refinery or Sokolac Court.” According to Dragan Mikerevic, RS Prime Minister, the registry at the Court in Derventa was also under check-up, but no evidence was found proving the Agreement was signed. The RS “Official Gazette” dated 1995 contains no evidence either, although this document should contain information on such Agreement, if signed. Wartime officials of Government and Serb Brod Oil Refinery (Boro Bosic, Minister in 1995, Vojin Mujicic Refinery Director in 1995 and Momcilo Tepic former General Manager of RS Oil Industry) have no knowledge of such an Agreement. BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘No information on a mortgage’ by Fena – Commenting on claims regarding Serb Brod Oil Refinery, RS PM spokesperson Goran Radivojac said that these are speculations, aimed at destabilising the company. |
| GS on Refinery, Mrakovic meeting | Glas Srpske cover page report ‘Empty shots’ – GS carries some information about disputable agreement between Serb Brod Oil Refinery and “Orbal Marketing Service”, reported by the media in FBiH on Wednesday. GS quotes its source close to the FBiH Ministry of Finance, claiming that the agreement on simplification of trade between RS and FBiH signed at Mrakovica is a dead letter, which practically means that the administrative barriers to trade in oil in F BiH will not be abolished in the near future. GS also carries a statement of Saud Filipovic, RS Justice Minister, who said he met with “Orbal” officials, who showed him a copy instead of the original agreement. |
| RS Government in session | Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Interest rates tightens less’, Blic, pg. 13 ‘Deadline for the Government is June 15’ by Tijana Veselinovic, Vecernje novosti, pg. 21 ‘Delegates set off the alarm’ by Sl. Pesevic,– At yesterday’s session in Banja Luka, RS Government has set the Draft law on changes and addenda to the Law on Tax Administration, according to which the interest rates per amount of obligations would in the future be calculated at a daily rate of 0.66%. Goran Radivojac, Spokesperson of the RS Prime Minister, stated that this is one of first reactions of Government upon Parliament discussion on economic affairs. Government also discussed and adopted the information on the work of representatives’ offices of RS abroad in the first three months of this year. Draft law on displaced persons and refugees in RS and refugees from BiH was withdrawn from agenda. |
| RSNA on economic measures | Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘MP’s proposed 200 measures’, Blic, pg. 13 ‘Deadline for the Government is June 15’ by Tijana Veselinovic, Vecernje novosti, pg. 21 ‘Delegates set off the alarm’ by Sl. Pesevic – The RS NA Board for Economy and Finances yesterday completed the list and categorisation of 200 proposed measures and initiatives, which were proposed at the Tuesday session of the RS NA. Acting upon conclusions of Parliament, the Board will forward the list to RS Government tomorrow. Government is obligated to prepare an Action Plan on these proposals by 15 June. |
| NN editorial on RS Government report on economic situation in RS | Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘Privatisation’ editorial by Predrag Klincov – The author is being critical of the RS Government report on economic situation in the RS (presented at Tuesday’s RS NA session), which read that the concept of the mass privatisation was wrong and did not have good results. The author says: “It was especially interesting to see those MP’s, who were pushing so hard to get hold of the microphone and criticise this Report… They know very well that the elections are approaching.” The author is extremely critical of local politicians, who were initially pushing hard to place their “likes” at the firms and institutions subject to privatisation process, and now criticise the entire process. Also, he is saying that the mass privatisation is not just a theft of extreme dimension, but also an art of robbery. |
| Spiric on military apartments | Blic, pg. 12 ‘Spiric: the Court will reach decision in favor of former Yugoslav Army officers’ by J. D. – Upon the initiative of the Deputy Chairman of the HoR of BiH Parliamentary Assembly, Nikola Spiric, the Constitutional Court will on Saturday decide on constituency of the Article 3A of the Law on Housing Relations of the Federation of BiH. This Law deprived a number of former Yugoslav Army officers of their right to be reinstated to their pre-war apartments in the territory of the Federation of BiH. Spiric referred to the Charter on Human Rights and said he expected the Court to ‘decide in favour of former Yugoslav Army officers’. |
Defence and security issues | |
| NN on appointments to OSA
| Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 3 “Intelligence officers trained to liquidate soon at OSA’ – The FBiH Parliament has requested that the sacked officers of the FOSS, including those trained for liquidation, should be enabled to apply for the BiH Intelligence and Security Agency (OSA). The Parliament has recently adopted conclusions, according to which all former members of the AID and SNS should be allowed to apply for the OSA. The President of the Parliament’s Commission monitoring the performance of the FOSS, Sead Delic, said that the Commission observed certain irregularities had taken place regarding the process of sacking those people. He added that the court proceedings would most probably determine whether Pogorelica, where AID officers had been trained, had been a terrorist camp. |
| FBiH HoR on Law on Defence and Law on Service in FBiH Army | Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Discussion on Information on recent events in Stolac postponed’, by Miso Relota – the House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament yesterday adopted the Report of a joint commission of both chambers of the FBiH Parliament, which harmonized the text of Law on Defence and text of Law on Service in FBiH Army. In that context, the FBiH Government has been tasked to prepare changes and amendments to the said laws, which are related to pension-disability insurance issues, within 60 days. The chamber also adopted the Report on work of FBiH Government for 2003 and Programme of work of the FBiH Government for 2004. |
| Croatian Government on rights of HVO soldiers | Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Agreement with BiH on rights of HVO members by end of year’ not signed – Vice President of the Croatian Government, Jadranka Kosor, stated that the Croatian Ministry of Family, Defenders and Inter-Generation Solidarity should draft an inter-state agreement with BiH by the end of July. This agreement should regulate rights of HVO soldiers and members of their families. Kosor also added that they expect that that agreement will be finished by the end of July so it can be signed by the end of the year. Sarajevo media also covered this. |