OHR BiH Media Round-up, 27/5/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Drug-addicts taint graves in Tuzla

Paunovic sentenced to 20 years

Convict escapes from Zenica prison

Meeting of police directors

Prisoner from Zenica escaped

BIH Court sentences Paunovic

HDZ 1990 Coalition agreement signed

Meetings of police directors in SA

Charges filed against Milojica

Meeting of HDZ presidency

Public forum in Pale

Regional News

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Transmission problems

Convict escapes from Zenica prison

Prisoner from Zenica escaped

HR on police reform

74 prisoners escaped in 2005

Paunovic sentenced to 20 years

Draft Law on Cantonal policemen

Meetings of police directors in SA

HR on RS stance on police reform

Armed hold-up in Zenica

EUPM on future role

Pena for RS Police Director

Oslobodjenje

We will ask for referendum on separation (RS PM Dodik interview)

Dnevni Avaz

RS without right to referendum on separation (legal expert Trnka’s statement)

Dnevni List

They disarmed police officers and took away prisoner (Zenica prisoner escaped)

Vecernji List

Church recognizes mixed marriages

Nezavisne Novine

Together against crime (meeting between police directors)

Political Developments

RS PM Dodik says future BiH must recognize right to self-determination through referendum

Oslobodjenje, front pg splash and pgs 4-5 of ‘Pogledi’ supplement ‘We will ask for referendum on separation’, by Orijana Vukovic – carries an interview with RS PM, Milorad Dodik. Asked to comment on the issue of constitutional changes in BiH, he, among other issues, says: “The basis for my and support of my party for new constitutional arrangements will be organization of BiH as federal unit (NB: Dodik did not use term federal state) with clearly divided authorities about all issues. The union must recognize the right to self-determination through the right to referendum, which would be organized in democratic conditions set by the EU. That will open a possibility that people decide what they think of and want from BiH. That’s something that all peoples in the neighborhood have, a part of the UN Charter and something that’s older than the integrity of borders because facts are that all borders have been violated. I think if people do not have such rights, they cannot believe in community they live in” Inset ‘Era of referendums is coming’ – asked to make a comment following the referendum in Montenegro, PM Dodik says: “I think it is good everything went the way it did in Montenegro. I also think if some have the right to referendum, why others would not (…) I also think that the decision of Montenegrin people will not affect BiH in a special way, however the referendum showed the way how to promote the policy of long-term democratic process of separation, which could be a lesson for BiH. I once again repeat that any people in BiH have the right to democratically decide about its destiny. The thing that Europe does not allow it (referendum) now, it does not mean it will not allow it in the future (…)”.

PDHR Butler asks RS PM Dodik to explain his statement on new referendums in region

RTRS – Principal Deputy High Representative Larry Butler asked from RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik to explain his earlier statement on new referendums in the region. (NB: Dodik earlier stated that it would be good to hold the referendum in Kosovo, hoping that after that others would get the same right). Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Butler asks for explanation from Milorad Dodik’, by S. Numanovic – Ambassador Butler emphasized that the RS is bound by the Dayton Peace Agreement, an internationally binding treaty which recognizes BiH as a sovereign independent state. As the RS is bound by the Agreement, PDHR Butler said that officials here must work for the future of BiH, within its constitutionally agreed structures, towards full Euro Atlantic integration, and not speculate on events unrelated to BiH.   Commenting on the recent referendum in Montenegro, Ambassador Butler said that there is no linkage between events in Montenegro and BiH. “Bosnia and Herzegovina is an internationally recognized sovereign state. I see no relation between events elsewhere in the region and here,’’ said the PDHR.

Professor Trnka: RS has no jurisdiction to organize referendum on separation

Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash and pg 2 ‘RS without right to referendum on separation’, by H. Orahovac – carries a legal expert on constitutional law, Dr. Kasim Trnka, who argues that the RS has no jurisdiction to organize a referendum on separation because such thing would constitute a violation of the BiH Constitution since it would directly endanger sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH.

Former CIA officer Meyer for VOA: Referendum in RS almost inevitable

Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘It’s logical that RS asks for separation’, by A. B. – Former deputy chief of CIA’s operational group for the Balkans, Steven Meyer, in an interview for ‘Voice of America’, commented requests of some RS parties’ request that separation referendum from BiH gets organized in the RS. Meyer stresses it (referendum in RS) is almost inevitable given that the West has said during the Montenegrin referendum ‘go ahead, do it, we do not care as long as it a democratically implemented referendum’. He notes it is no wonder that the RS parties are now using the same message of the West.

DL: Calls for referendum must not be underestimated

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Political excitements’, by Pejo Gasparevic – the author notes that various statements coming from NGOs from the RS that the RS should be given the right to hold separation referendum must not be underestimated or discarded as political exhibitionism. Instead, Gasparevic reckons the situation in which RS NGOs asking for separation could be a prelude for creating ambiance for giving compensation to Serbia in case Kosovo goes separate way from Serbia.

SDA’s Tihic says Commission on suffering of citizens should be formed at state level, Serb representatives welcome decision on founding of Sarajevo Commission, support removal of Terzic

RTRS – By Sandra Zrnic – RS Officials welcomed the decision on establishment of the Commission for Truth on Suffering of Sarajevo citizens. Sulejman Tihic, SDA Leader, said that it is shameful to establish the Commission for Sarajevo and not for other cities/towns mentioning Zvornik, Brcko and other. Tihic said that it is necessary to establish the Commission at the BiH level. Tihic accused RS officials that they politicized this issue and called them to stop the boycott of the BiH Parliament. SNSD welcomed decision of BiH Council of Ministers and it will support the Commission. SNSD believes that this Commission should be established as soon as possible and that its members should be professionals with high moral values and respect. PDP Main Board Member Zoran Tesanovic said that this decision presents victory of the BiH Parliament. Tesanovic believes that behaviour of Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chairman regarding the establishment of the Commission and Safet Halilovic, BiH Minister of Civil Affairs regarding the appointment of the Director for the CIPS project implementation strengthened PDP stance on necessity of preservation of the entity voting.  Petar Djokic, leader of RS Socialist Party welcomed the decision of the Serb representatives in BiH HoR to leave the session due to BiH CoM’s failure to establish the Commission. Djokic expressed regret due to non-acceptance of the Socialist Party’s initiative for the dismissal of Terzic. SRS Representative at BiH House of Peoples Djoko Pajic believes that Terzic presents the main obstruction to the implementation of the decision of the BiH Parliament. DEPOS and SRS “Dr. Vojislav Seselj” welcomed decision on establishment of the Commission. SRS “Dr. Vojislav Seselj” Mirko Blagojevic said that this party supports dismissal of Terzic.

Novakovic ( SDS, MP in BiH HoR): SDS Caucus continues its work

Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Serbs are returning to delegates’ seats’, by D. P. Mandic – President of SDS Caucus in BiH HoR, Momcilo Novakovic, told DL that after the BiH CoM decided to form the Commission for truth on suffering of Sarajevo citizens, the SDS Caucus will continue working (in Parliament). Still, Novakovic is not happy because the Commission is to report on its work to the BiH CoM only, believing that the Parliament should be getting reports too. “I will insist that this composition of the Parliament, which asked that the Commission be formed, gets the information at least after first 90 days of work (of the Commission)”, said Novakovic. DL notes that the same (return to Parliament) applies for RS Socialist Party and PDP’s MPs.

BiH Human Rights Ministry will nominate candidates for Sarajevo Commission next week

Oslobodjenje, pgs 4-5 ‘Composition of Commission for Sarajevo next week’, by A. Terzic – BiH Deputy Minister for Human Rights and Refugees, Ivica Marinovic, confirmed for the daily that his Ministry would nominate candidates for members of the Commission for truth on suffering of Sarajevo citizens most probably at the next session of the BiH CoM scheduled for next week. He explains that the Ministry will carry out consultations with relevant authorities, foremost with entity (FBiH presumably) and Canton Sarajevo authorities in days to come.

VL comment: Politicians will not have heard HR’s message, pre-election campaign at full swing

Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Pre-election campaign’, by Dejan Jazvic – commenting on the speech by the High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, before the BiH Parliament, in which the HR called upon the MPs to use the last 100 days to enact several reform laws, Jazvic argues the HR’s message will not reach politicians because the pre-election campaign is at full swing already. The author notes that everything the political parties are nowadays doing is carefully dedicated to pre-election purposes, the best example of which was the request of the Serb parties to remove the Chairman of BiH CoM, the same parties that have been part of the BiH CoM Chairman Terzic has been leading.

BHT1 comment on crisisi in BiH CoM: Politicians behaving what they like, crisis was carefully planned

BHT1 – By Mirela Cosic – Presenter stated that the recent crisis in the BIH CoM once more showed that BIH politicians behave what they want and not what they are suppose to. Reporter stressed that many representatives, apart from those from SDA, often express their dissatisfaction with the work of CoM Chair Adnan Terzic but when an initiative for no confidence vote is launched, they abstain from voting. On the other hand, reporter commented that Serb MPs (in BiH Parliament) have decided to deal with the issue of the establishment of the Commission (on suffering of peoples in Sarajevo during the war) only now although two years had passed (since BiH Parliament took the decision on founding of the Commission). According to analysts, the entire crisis has been prepared and carefully carried out by politicians as a part of their pre-election campaign while the more important issues are being left aside.

HDZ 1990 and Croat Coalition for Changes sign Framework coalition agreement

RHB – A Framework coalition agreement between HDZ 1990 and Croatian Coalition for Changes (consisting of HKDU, HSS, HDU and HD) was signed in Mostar on Friday. The president of HDZ 1990, Bozo Ljubic said that the aim of the coalition was to instigate voters to vote during the elections. He pointed out that “the parties and politicians have agreed over higher interests” and the platform of the coalition is to have a reform of the constitution where the equality of all BiH citizens would be preserved. The coalition supports a HDZ 1990’s candidate for BiH Presidency and that they are also open for talks with other parties. Ljubic commented that the current model of BiH is unacceptable. Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘Coalition with HDZ BiH impossible’, not signed – Ljubic noted that forming of coalition with HDZ BiH was impossible because HDZ BiH has an illegally elected leadership and because HDZ BiH agrees to constitutional changes that would turn Croats into minority.  (also reported by BHT1, FTV, Dnevni Avaz, pg 10 ‘HDZ 1990 and Croat Coalition for Changes together in elections’, by F. Vele, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Bozo Ljubic candidate for member of Presidency’, by D. Pusic

President of Mostar City Council Coric: Aim is to adopt city budget on Monday

Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘We will harmonize budget during the weekend’, by F. V. – The President of Mostar City Council (MCC), Murat Coric, stated on Friday that the MCC could be in session on Monday at which it could adopt the city budget for 2006. He explains the aim for this weekend is that the HDZ and SDA, as well as other parties, harmonize their positions and adopt the budget on Monday. (similar in Dnevni List, pg 10 ‘We will do everything to adopt budget’

BiH Constitutional Court rejects to make ruling on Presidency’s Tihic re harmonization of BiH Election Law with international conventions

RTRS – At its following session, BiH Constitutional Court will discuss request of BiH Presidency member, Borislav Paravac, regarding RS and BiH dispute over BiH lawsuit against SCG for genocide before the International Court of Justice. BiH Constitutional Court rejected request of BiH Presidency Chairman, Sulejman Tihic, to decide on harmonization between BiH Election Law and the international conventions. BiH Constitutional Court also rejected (Paravac’s) request to decide on constitutionality of the Law on establishment of the companies that are engaged in the transfer of the electrical energy. (also reported by BHT1, FTV, Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘Tihic and Paravac’s motions rejected’, by Fena, Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 Motions of Tihic and Paravac rejected’, by Fena, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Constitutional Court rejected Tihic’s request’, by NINA

Police Reform/Fight Against Crime/Crime

HR Schwarz-Schilling disappointed with news RS reps withdrew from police reform process

RTRS – High Representative Christian Schwarz Schilling said that he was disappointed with the news that the RS representatives withdrew from the police reform process and that degraded their position in the Police Reform Directorate to the position of observer. Schilling said that the RS Representatives reported that they support three principles of the EU and BiH way to Europe adding that the RS does not use the opportunity to emphasize its proposals and constructively engage in the police reform. HR believes that the key to move on remains in the hands of the RS Government. EC Chief Michael Humphreys believes that the RS is responsible for the obstruction of the police reform. Hayat – This can postpone and block the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between BiH and EU. Also reported by Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘RS blocks BiH’s path to Europe’, by Fena,

RS PM Dodik: I will support concept in which RS does not stay without police structure

Oslobodjenje, front pg splash and pgs 4-5 of ‘Pogledi’ supplement ‘We will ask for referendum on separation’, by Orijana Vukovic – carries an interview with RS PM, Milorad Dodik. Asked to comment on the course of police reform, Dodik says: “The HR clearly said that those who say no to the police reform will be blamed for failure to respect the Agreement on police structures reform in BiH. I think (Christian) Schwarz-Schilling must take care how he presents some issues because his statement hints he read the Agreement from the middle of it onwards, not from the beginning. Had he done it from the beginning, he would have read about the way the Police Reform Directorate gets formed and he would have seen that the Agreement is not being observed. There is a foreigner in the Directorate who has the decisive right to vote, which is not foreseen in the Agreement, therefore he (presumably the HR) should intervene and insist that the BiH CoM forms this body pursuant to the Agreement (…) The police reform concept that I can accept and support is the one in which the RS will not stay without police structure. If they have some other way to solve the issue, let them solve it. I will call on the people to disobedience because this is an issue that must be solved through consensus of all”.

BiH CoM Chairman Terzic: Consultations how to unblock police reform next week

Nezavisne Novine, pg 3 ‘Consultations how to unblock next week’, by M. C. – Chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, confirmed for NN that local authorities and IC would hold a number of consultations next week the aim of which is to try and find a way how to unblock the police reform process. Terzic refused to comment about possible solutions that could be applied to unblock the process.

Working group prepares new Draft law on police officers

Hayat – A Working group consisting of members of EUPM, OHR, cantonal and entity experts have drawn up a Draft framework law on police officers which will be passed on to the relevant cantonal ministries and parliaments. According to Mustafa Besic, a member of the Working group from the Ministry of Interior of Canton Sarajevo, the law will provide security to the policemen, define the authority of the police and precisely state the rights of police officers. Additionally, this will initiate the revision of awarded ranks to the police members.

EUPM to coordinate joint actions of EUFOR and BiH authorities

FTV – EUPM has announced on Friday that it would have a new role regarding the support to the BIH law enforcement agencies. As it was explained, EUPM will coordinate joint actions carried by EUFOR and BIH police agencies.

Independent Board nominates Uros Pena for office of RS Police Director

RTRS – By Sinisa Mihailovic – Independent Board for appointment of RS Police Director nominated (to RS Minister of Interior) Uros Pena to the position of the RS Police Director. Pena was the only of five candidates who met the vacancy criteria. The position of the RS Police Director has been vacant since April 2006 when Dragomir Andan resigned from the office. Priorities of the new RS Police Director would be fight against corruption, drug dealers, cooperation with the ICTY, work in accordance with the audit reports and improvement in the traffic security. “This is not seasonal but permanent job, which demands planning and activities of police structures not only in RS but in BiH”, said Pena. RS Police Director will not change the stance on the police reform. Pena is at the moment Chief of the Police Education Management. In 2001 and 2002 Pena was Deputy of Dragomir Jovicic, Minister of Interior. (also reported by BHT1, FTV, Oslobodjenje, pg 2 ‘Uros Pena new RS Police Director?’, by O. V.

Police Directors from region agree on joint activities in fight against crime

RHB – A meeting of police directors from BiH, Serbia and Montenegro and Croatia was held in Sarajevo on Friday. The Director of SIPA, Sredoje Novic pointed out after the meeting that they have exchanged data and information and agreed on mutual activities in an attempt to fight crime in the region. FTV – Reporter noted that Police Directors have agreed to give more authority to Crime Departments for independently exchanging the information in the region. Reporter stressed that BIH is the most complex partner in the region because of the 15 different police agencies. SIPA Director, Sredoje Novic, on the other side stated that this has changed. “You are all aware of the Police structure in BIH and for them it is very important to know if they ask for the information and support that they will get it” added Novic. Reporter explained that even after the abovementioned meeting BIH still has 15 police Structures adding that the meeting presented just the start of the cooperation that will be transferred to the state level. Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Herzegovina – People smugglers arrested’, by Erna Mackic – Police Directors confirmed a joint operation between the BiH and Croatian police resulted in arrest of two people I Herzegovina, who were smuggling people across the border. (also reported by Pink, BHT1, RTRS, Oslobodjenje, pg 5 ‘Faster exchange of data’, by S. Filipovic, Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘Bigger engagement and cooperation of intelligence services necessary for arrest of war criminals’, by M. Kukan, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Act together against terrorism’, by eme)

Convict from Zenica prison escapes with help of 2 armed persons

BHT1 – By Vanja Furtula – A convict from Zenica Prison, Emin Isakovic, escaped during his regular medical check-up in ZenicaHospital on Friday. He was helped by two armed persons who captured the medical staff and two police officers guarding Isakovic, and trapped them in basement. The investigation is still ongoing. (also reported by Pink, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Helper locked up hostages in infirmary’, by Zeda, Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 20 ‘They disarmed police officers and took away prisoner’, by Zeda )

War Crimes

BiH Court sentences Paunovic to 20 years for crimes committed in Rogatica area

Pink – By Zeljko Mandic – BiH Court on Friday sentenced Dragoje Paunovic to 20 years in prison for war crimes committed against Bosniaks in the area of RogaticaMunicipality in the period between May and September 1992. Judge Davor Jukic said it was proved that Paunovic ordered and participated in execution of Bosniaks on August 15^th 1992 calling upon statements of witness ‘A’ and Amin Bazdar. Ranko Dakic, defense attorney said that he would lodge a complaint against the verdict. BHT1 – This is the highest sentence for the war crimes passed by BIH Court. (also reported by FTV, Oslobodjenje, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Dragoje Paunovic gets 20 years in prison’, by A. S., Dnevni Avaz, pg 12 ‘Dragoje Paunovic gets 20 years in prison’, by N. Jamakovic, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Paunovic sentenced to 20 years in prison’, by Erna Mackic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ’20 years in prison for shooting civilians’, by Eldina Medunjanin)

FBiH Commission for Missing Persons’ Masovic to RS PM Dodik: Arrest those who want money for information on Palic

Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘Arrest those who want money!’, by E. K. – the Chairman of FBiH Commission for Missing Persons, Amor Masovic, sent a message to the RS PM, Milorad Dodik, to arrest people who demand money in exchange for information on destiny/whereabouts of BiH Army Colonel Avdo Palic (BiH Army Colonel who went missing in 1995, RS authorities are obliged to find his remains). Earlier, PM Dodik noted as one of reasons why the RS authorities cannot find the remains because people who allegedly have the information want money in exchange.

Banja Luka Court confirms indictment for Ljubija crimes

BHT1 – District Court in Banja Luka has confirmed charges against Boro Milojica for war crimes committed in Ljubija in 1992. (also reported by FTV, Oslobodjenje, pg 7 ‘Indictment against Boro Milojica confirmed’, by Onasa