| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| BiH Presidency on Bozanic | Media campaign in RS | Update to sugar affair | HR on IC powers in BiH |
| Trial of Jelavic | Weather conditions in BIH | Trial of Jelavic | |
| OHR on internal debt law | BiH Presidency on Bozanic | BiH Presidency on Bozanic | Speculations re BIH police |
| | Trial of Jelavic | | BiH Presidency on Bozanic |
| Oslobodjenje | Singe VAT Rate will be introduced in BiH; FBI has not investigative powers in BiH; Court to declare on found evidences |
| Dnevni Avaz | Who threats to Izet Zigic; Administrator Robinson testified |
| Dnevni List | Toby Robinson frees Jelavic of charges!? |
| Vecernji List | Ashdown’s powers should be decreased |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Fake diplomas are the talks of corridors |
| Nezavisne Novine | SIPA will enter the BiH Football Union; Dragan Cavic, Acting President of SDS: there are speculations saying Ashdown is preparing another list; CIPS Directorate: issuing of personal documents was stopped |
| Glas Srpske | “El-Mujahid” destroyed houses |
| EuroBlic | Salih Alijagic can block RS budget; Students out on streets again today because of tuition fees |
| Nacional | Panic! – “Generals are being urgently sent to |
Political issues | |
| Venice Commission meets Cavic on constitutional changes and OHR
| RHB, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Cavic accused the HR of violating human rights with his decisions’ by Onasa, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Change of BiH Constitution cannot be imposed’ by V. Popovic; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘There will be no imposition’ by G. Dakic and pg 3 ‘They delivered evidence’ not signed, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘No change to organization of BiH in entities’, not signed, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Nobody has a right to impose constitutional solutions’, not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 16 ‘OHR intervenes too much’, by A. Macanovic, Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘Ashdown’s powers should be decreased’ and pg 3 ‘Even Ashdown must not violate human rights’, by Branka Stevandic – The members of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission met with the RS Officials in Banja Luka on Wednesday and discussed amending the BiH Constitution, OHR role and respect of human rights in BiH. RS authorities warned the members of the Commission that OHR’s position disturbs the work and progress in BIH, while Commission warned RS officials that BIH cannot be admitted to EU without constitutional changes. Commission’s member, Thomas Market added that the commission members did not arrive to impose the solution. RS President Dragan Cavicsaid that SDS is prepared to participate in constructive debates on all kinds of constitutional changes leading BiH to the European path under condition that there are no talks on changing the Entity structure of BiH.He said that the representatives of SDS have handed the experts of the Venice Commission the act with evidence that support the claims that the decisions of the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, are violating the Convention on Human Rights and Freedoms. RTRS – “Today, responsible positions in BiH are held by mostly people scared of HR as he holds a power in his hands to dismiss them, punish them, to end performance of public duty. Future of this country will not be built on fear. Future of this country demands brave political decisions”, says Cavic. Venice Commission will send a report to Council of Europe on all the issues they looked at. Nezavisne Novine inset pg 5 and cover page ‘Cavic: Speculation exists that Ashdown is preparing a new list’ – Responding to press question whether High Representative is preparing new lists for removals, Cavic said that this issue “should be raised to Ashdown,who makes deliberation who should be removed. Speculations exist, and the practise has shown there is always fire where smoke is – but who is going to burn in that fire – we are yet to see.” |
| Venice Commission with Stojcic
| FTV, BHT1, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Change of BiH Constitution cannot be imposed’ by V. Popovic; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘There will be no imposition’ by G. Dakic – Venice Commission members also met with the RS National Assembly’s Constitutional Commission. RSNA Speaker and president of the commission, Dusan Stojicic,that current position of OHR is an obstacle to development of democracy in B&H. RTRS by Nebojsa Tojagic – “BIH is not completely ready to participate in European integrations. Europe wants to have one party to talk to. That party has to be state of BIH”, said Markert at the meeting with Stojicic who added that RS has already transferred some of its authorities to the state level and that there will be no agreement on constitutional changes of entity system. “No reform is acceptable if it brings RS into question and unacceptable if it brings in to question key, basic mechanisms of protection of vital national interests”, says Stojicic. He also stressed that HR’s role in BiH should be that of a mediator. |
| BH Presidency discusses Dragan Bozanic’s appointment
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Ivanic in charge of consultations with EU’ by V.Z., Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Decision on Bozanic’s appointment should be discussed’ by A.M.,Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Bozanic has not been appointed Ambassador with Council of Europe yet’ by D. Pasic, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Instead of entity MiOs police districts are being formed’, mentioned on cover by D. Polovina-Mandic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘B. Paravac Chairman of BiH Presidency for second time’ by E. Medunjanin – BiH Presidency has tasked BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic to conduct consultations with the European Union’s officials in order to inform the Presidency about what has to be done regarding the appointment of Dragan Bozanic as the BiH Ambassador in the Council of Europe, BiH Presidency member Dragan Covic stated after the session held on Wednesday. Sarajevo press published on Wednesday that EU Ambassadors in BiH have decided to reject Bozanic’s appointment, however Covic confirmed that no such request has been accepted by the Presidency. Covic also explained that the reason he voted in favour for Bozanic’s appointment was because BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs said there were no obstacles to his appointment. RTRS – Dragan Covic said that the decision needs to be questioned. “There was enough damage made towards BIH and towards Mr. Bozanic himself so my opinion is that it is time to question that decision”, says Covic. Bozanic is currently in South African Republic BIH Embassy. He wouldn’t answer a telephone cal from RTRS because he feels that every statement could cause new headlines in the media. Secretary of BIH Embassy in Pretoria stated over the telephone that the Ambassador doesn’t want to make any statements over the telephone. Bozanic sent a letter to OHR and it was published by Glas Srpski. He stated that he will not respond the stories about his war past since all the things he’s done he’s done publicly. He stresses that he was a member of various BIH delegations that travelled to EU countries and the world and adds that his work was never evaluated that it opposes the interests of BIH. BHT 1 – In 1997, Bozanic was put on the EU black list for over a year and during that time he was not allowed to travel to EU member states. According to unnamed sources close to Javier Solana, there are no official obstacles to Bozanic’s appointment as he is currently not on the black list. BHT 1 adds that this however this doesn’t mean that Brussels will respond positively to his appointment. FTV – FTV reminds that following the BiH Presidency’s session at which Bozanic’s appointment was confirmed, Borislav Paravac stated that all verifications for Bozanic have been completed, however the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied this information the following day. |
| Oslobodjenje: Paravac to send letter of protests to Brussels
| Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Paravac announced letter of protest’ by Az.K. – Daily carries that BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic on Wednesday informed the members of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic and Borislav Paravac that EU expect from them to reconsider the decision on appointing Dragan Bozanic. Ivanic officially said this to Covic and Pravac, and he was warned by Dutch Ambassador. Ivanic explained that the demand for Bozanic’s recall is the consequence of incorrect, politically mastered media campaign. Daily reads that Paravac was also struck with bad news. He said that national pride of Serbs in BiH has been hurt by this demand, and announced sending the letter of protests to Bruseels. |
| BiH parliamentarians ask for Covic, Paravac’s resignations
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Paravac’s and Covic’s resignations asked’, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 8 ‘They have sent a demand for Paravac and Covic to resign’ by N. N. – BiH Forum of Parliamentarians sent a demand on Wednesday, asking for a resignation of BiH Presidency members Borislav Paravac and Dragan Covic. They explain their demand by saying Paravac and Covic have expressed an ignorant and humiliating stance towards dignity and international reputation of the institution of BiH Presidency. The Forum of Parliamentarians also welcomed the decision of Ambassadors of EU countries, by which they have ‘denied a hospitality to Dragan Bozanic, a controversial Ambassador appointed to a position at the council of Europe in Strasbourg’. |
| Ashdown announces reduction of IC powers in BiH Ian
| FTV – The High Representative Paddy Ashdown announced possible reduction of executive authorities of the international community in BiH. Attending the conference in Berlin titled “Behind the Cold Peace: Strategy of Economic Development and Administration in Post-Conflict Situation”, Ashdown said that hope for admission to NATO and EU, rather than executive authorities of IC, has become the driving force for reforms in BIH. RTSR, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ashdown announced reduction of IC’s authorities in BiH’ by FTV – also reported. |
| Helsinki Committee responds to Reis Ceric
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘Reis Ceric like Stalin’ by F and Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Dizdarevic: Reis Ceric is restricting human rights and freedoms’ by NINA – President of BiH Helsinki Committee Srdjan Dizdarevic responded to statements of Reis-ul-Ulema Mustafa Ceric. According to Dizdarevic, Ceric’s implications on Dizdarevic’s prejudice against religion and religious institutions are unfounded and they present an attempt of personal disqualification. According to Dizdarevic, Helsinki Committee pointed out Ceric’s attempt to restrict human rights and freedoms by using “stalinistic” methods. Dizdarevic also said in his reaction: “He (Ceric) is the one who has the ambition to determine who we vote for, what we eat and drink, which newspapers we should read and which TV channels we should watch.” Also covered by RHB, FTV, Oslobodjenje and Dnevni Avaz. |
| Cliff opposes Croat TV Channel
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Three public TV channels in BiH would be too much’ by Onasa, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Cliff against Croat TV channel’ by Onasa, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘No to Croatian language on TV’ by Hina, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 8 ‘Cliff against TV channel in Croatian language’ by Onasa – Giving an interview to Herzegovinian Television on Tuesday night British Ambassador to BiH Ian Cliff opposed establishment of a TV channel in Croatian language and added that judging by European proportions BiH is a very small country and it would be too much that it has 3 public TV channels. |
| SD op-ed on Cliff’s statements
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Ambassador stronger than Heads of states’, mentioned on cover, by M. Erceg – Commenting on the aforementioned and other Cliff’s statements SD carries an editorial which says: ‘If some Ambassadors like Ian Cliff will be deciding as to how grammar schools will be organized, who will be working in which company and whether peoples will be allowed to realize their legitimate rights, then we do not need Heads of Municipalities, Mayors, MPs, Prime Ministers, Heads of states etc.’ According to the author, legitimate rights must exist in democratic states and they include the right on a TV channel, while everything else is denying of the BiH Constitution and world standards for human rights. The author added: ‘Ian Cliff should be aware of it just like other gentlemen who teach us democracy. However, in case they have other goals regarding TV channels, divisions, the status of the Croat people and BiH as a state, finally the time has come that they tell them openly.’ |
| Paravac takes over presidency over BIH Presidency
| Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2 ‘Paravac to takeover the duty of the Chairman today’ by Srna – Serb member of BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac will takeover the duty of BiH Presidency Chairman from Sulejman Tihic today, as BiH Presidency has announced. During the takeover ceremony, Tihic will present everything that has been done during his mandate, while Paravacwill present the main goals of the work of BiH Presidency for the following eight months. |
| DL on BiH Presidency
| Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Bill to collect’, by Nermin Bise – Commenting on the fact that the Serb member of BiH Presidency, Borislav Paravac, is going to take over the chairmanship of the BiH Presidency today (Thursday), the author claims that nothing spectacular will be happening in the next 8 months during which Paravac will be chairing the Presidency. “Citizens of BiH will feel the taste of all important and irrelevant decisions for BiH in accordance with the proven recipe that is being served by Paddy Ashdown. From time to time, some spices will be added from kitchens in Washington, Brussels, Strasbourg or The Hague”, writes the author. When recapitulating the past eight months in the work of the Presidency, the author says the main features are the decision to send BiH troops to Iraq, despite numerous warnings from countries in the region, overspending of the BiH Presidency, which bought expensive coats, golden fountain pens, Audis, recommendations for Dragan Bozanic etc. |
| NN int with ICG analyst Senad Slatina
| Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘BiH Constitution causes inter-ethnic conflicts’ by R. Cengic – In an interview to NN, Senad Slatina, political analyst of the ICG (International Crisis Group), says that the BiH Constitutional causes inter-ethnic conflicts and protects entities as embryos of a unique statehood, which would be realised at appropriate momentum in the future. He also warns that BiH Constitution has no instruments, which could ensure different trends and functional state, that could be able to de-block and sanction obstructions during its development process. He is of the view that the spirit of BiH Constitution written in Dayton has evolved by giving wider interpretation to Dayton text. He also says that there are institutions in BiH, that have not been planned, owing to which reason it would be good to include the results of the implemented reforms in the Constitution. In NN inset ‘Covic will not be removed’, in response to press question regarding possible removal of Dragan Covic, Slatina expressed disbelief it would happen during Covic’s mandate. |
Court issues, war crimes and investigations | |
| Toby Robinson testified in Hercegovacka Bank case
| Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Toby Robinson frees Jelavic of charges!?’, by Erna Mackic – The Provisional Administrator for Hercegovacka bank, Toby Robinson, appeared in the capacity of witness in the Hercegovacka bank trials before the BiH Court on Wednesday. She explained some basic information pertaining to introduction of the provisional administration into the bank. Among other things, she noted that during the second entering into the bank, on the night between April 17 and 18, 2001, the Provisional Administration (PA) gathered documentation on loans, cash records, computers (70 of them) and forms, which were shipped of to the SFOR’s Butmir camp, where she worked on them for a while before transferring them to the PA’s seat in Sarajevo, where there have stayed until present days. DL notes that Prosecutor John McNair asked Robinson whether she had data on loans that Jelavic is being charged with, and Robinson replied that documents on such loans were not found on April 18. On top of it, such documents were not found later on either, therefore the PA does not have such records. DL also notes that Ante Jelavic’s defence is contesting the legality of gathering of evidence, so it appealed to the BiH Court, which should be making a ruling on the appeal today (Thursday). Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 19 ‘SFOR barges into bank without court order’, mentioned on front, by Zlatko Tulic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Documents confiscated illegally?’ by Dejan Jazvic – Notes that Jelavic’s lawyer directly asked Robinson whether she had a court warrant to enter the bank and whether the documentation was confiscated in accordance with the law, and according to VL, Robinson’s reply was that there was no court order. BHT1, FTV, RTSR, RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Court decides on accepting the evidences gathered in Hercegovacka Bank’, mentioned on cover, by M. KukanOslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Court should declare on documents found’, mentioned on cover, by A. Nerzirovic, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5 ‘Large amounts of money passed through HVO account’ by A. Durmo – covered the testimony. |
| BH Presidency adopts agreement on establishment of Registry Office
| Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Bozanic has not been appointed Ambassador with Council of Europe yet’ by D. Pasic and Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Instead of entity MiOs police districts are being formed’, mentioned on cover by D. Polovina-Mandic – At its session held on Wednesday the BiH Presidency unanimously adopted the agreement between the BiH Presidency and the OHR about the establishment of the Registry Office of Department 1 for war crimes and Department 2 for organized crime and corruption of the BiH Court, as well as, a Special Department for Organized Crime and Corruption of the BiH Prosecution. BHT 1, RTRS, FTV, RHB – all reported. |
| Update to ‘sugar affair’
| FTV by Nadja Ridzic – Members of CAFAO, Taxation and Customs Administrations, and FBIH Ministry for Interior, supported by the Central Bosnian Cantonal MoI Special Unit, carried out investigation of the “TOK PROMET” company’s business. This investigation has been requested by the BIH Prosecution department for organized crime, economic crime and corruption, and the key reason for investigation is possible company’s involvement in the “sugar affair”. FTV learns that several other companies have been also investigated. FTV carries that “TOK Promet” is also suspected for frauds involving the corrupted members of Customs Administration. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘European Commission limited important of sugar from BiH to 12.000 tons’ by F.C. – DA writes that EC has decided to recommend to CoE to established the limited quote of sugar import from the Balkans. According to the decisions, the BiH will be export to importing 12.000 tons to European Union, while SCG will be allowed to export to EU 150.000 tons of sugar. |
| CIPS temporary halts issuance of documents for verification of personal data
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 mentioned on cover ‘Distribution of 35.000 personal documents stooped?’ by S. Skuletic – Following the BiH Civil Affairs Ministry’s order signed by Minister Safet Halilovic, the check of the validity of personal data given in the procedure of taking new CIPS documents has been on going since Tuesday. “The BiH Prosecution has been carrying out the investigation against those suspected for issuing CIPS personal ID’s and driving licences with incorrect data, and [Prosecution] will completed the verification of the personal data in the next few days,” stated Halilovic for DA. He adds that the commission has been established within CIPS to investigate misuse cases. DA learns that due to these procedures, the issuance of 35.000 documents in the procedure at the time of commencing verification has been stopped. Nezavisne Novine, cover ‘CIPS Directorate: issuing of personal documents was stopped’ and pg. 2 ‘Issuing of personal documents was stopped’ by N. Krsman – CIPS Directorate confirmed on Wednesday that ID cards and Drivers’ Licenses that had been finished by October 26 will not be issued until further notice. |
| Oslobodjenje update to PIFWCs assets in BiH
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Karadzic is entitled to food, apartment, lawyer and insurance, mentioned on cover, by A.O. – The OHR Spokesperson Oleg Milisic stated that BiH authorities have promised to freeze property of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, and commented that “they should find a way to do that themselves.” Dragan Cavic, RS President, stated that RS will keep the promise given to EU, but is not sure how to do so. Unnamed sources from RS Government, says daily, have complained to media that the Law protects Karadzic as it prevents the authorities of confiscating citizens’ property, unless there are evidences and legal court verdict that the property was illegally gained. BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac did not want to comment whether the BiH law could be an obstacle to this, however added that the international obligations must be carried out. He added that the real problem is that there are no correct data on the indictees’ property. |
| Ristic brothers sue Federation
| Glas Srpske cover page story ‘El Mujahid destroyed houses’ by Sl. P. – Brothers Nestor and Branislav Ristic, residing in Doboj, has filed a suit against Federation of BiH because F BiH Army destroyed their property in the settlement of Gostovici near Zavidovici and caused the material damage of BAM 232 thousand, according to their estimate. They claim that Army used their property from middle 1995 through beginning of 1996, until Units moved to Bocinja. In spite of the fact that war ended, Army deliberately destroyed their property and left them without anything, according to Ristic brothers. |
| Alijagic to demand blockade of RS budget | EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘I will demand blockade of RS budget’ by T. Veselinovic – Salih Alijagic, who won suit against RS that is to pay him out the amount of BAM 36 million as war reparation, announced he would demand blockade of the RS budget, adding: “The Court passed this verdict effective from 24 October. However, RS NA passed the Law on temporary suspension of all claims for reimbursement only few days before verdict was to be carried out. it is outrageous. Hence, I have decided, together with my attorney, to demand the blockade of the RS budget from the Court.” |
| RS Govt to discuss Srebrenica Comm report
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Final report of Srebrenica Commission’ by Onasa, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘The Government on the report of Srebrenica Commission today’ by D. R. – RS Government will hold a special session today to discuss the report of Srebrenica Commission. Goran Radivojac, the Spokesperson of RS Prime Minister, has stated that no data contained in the report will be published after the session, i.e. before the report is discussed at the Commission for Human Rights of BiH Constitutional Court. |
| SFOR probes Telekom Srpske
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘“Telekom Srpske” was searched’ by Sn. K. – SFOR members conducted an unannounced search in “Telekom Srpske” in Foca on Tuesday. SFOR Spokesperson Mark Hope did not want to reveal any details about the search, nor he wanted to say whether SFOR had confiscated anything. He only said this was a routing search in frame of SFOR mandate. The control was performed in presence of EUPM representatives, and it was secured by Foca police, which have not participated in the control. |
| Nacional update to WT text on ICTY | Nacional pg 5 ‘Croatian lobbyist close The Hague’ by I. Marinkovic – Rasim Ljajic, SiCH Minister for human and minority rights, says that the early closure of the ICTY is out of the question, accusing the Croatian lobby in the USA for launching this story published in Washington Times. He stated: “The text published by “WT” is full of false information and unawareness of the facts! The story was written by a journalist of Croatian origin, Geoffrey Kuchner, who is the Croatian lobbyist in Washington and who wants to protect General Ante Gotovina…Marc Grossman personally ahs recently told me closure of ICTY is out of question until Ante Gotovina, Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic are arrested.” He explains that the only true thing in disputed text refers to critics against the work of Carla del Ponte. |
Economic issues | |
| Update to VAT Law
| RTRS by Nada Arlov – Proposal on the zero and 17% VAT rate has already caused a number of reactions. According to the proposal endorsed by the BiH HoR’s Commission for finance and budget, some production would be exempted from the VAT, such as bread, milk, oil of animal origin, medications, books and raw materials for agricultural production. Vladimir Usorac Chairman of BiH Farmers Association says that the zero rate leaves the space for import misuses. BiH Indirect Taxation Administration on the other hand says that introduction of the zero rate in this area would destroy domestic agriculture production. Nikola Kragulj,Chair of the BIH HoR Commission for finance and budget, says that single VAT rate can be implemented if entities adopt the social programmes before the adoption of the VAT Law. BIH Parliament will make a position on VAT law on 4th November. RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Zero rate for print’ by Fena, Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Single VAT rate is not good’, mentioned on front, by D. Polovina-Mandic – The SDP again submitted amendments to the Proposal of law on VAT, and the amendments envision three different VAT rates. Vice President of SDP, Alija Behmen, stated yesterday (Wednesday) at a press conference that the decision to have one single VAT rate is not good from the economic, development and social point of view, noting that different VAT rates are being applied throughout Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Single VAT rate will be introduced in BiH after all’ by Aldijana Omeragic – Daily reads that Council of Ministers and IC have not given up on introducing the single 17% VAT rate in BiH. This was confirmed by SDA Vice president, Seada Palavric and CoM Chair Adnan Terzic, who stressed this is possible if the entities parliament adopt the social programs to protect their poor citizens. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2 ‘Introducing of a single tax rate after social programs’ by M. Cubro – carries Terzic’s statement. Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘EC still in favor of single VAT rate’ by F.C. – On Wednesday, EC in BiH did not want to comment to the decision of the BiH HoR’s Commission on finances and budget which stipulates the introduction of the zero VAT rate to some products and 17% for all the rest. EC Spokesperson, Frane Maroevic, stated that stressed that EC believes the best solution is the introduction of the single VAT rate. |
| NN op-ed on VAT discussions | Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Protector of oligarchs’ by Mirza Cubro – The author is writing about the VAT rate, saying that BiH Parliament MP’s do not respect either themselves of their decisions (referring to adoption of two-rated VAT system). This has resulted from hand-twisting. This has resulted from a hand-twisting. This adoption would mainly effect the most vulnerable categories of population, according to the author. Cubro further wonders why power-holders, who so much care for the most vulnerable categories of population, have not thought of introducing the VAT on luxury products (including cars, alcohol, cigarettes, too expensive real estate), adding that oligarchs should not suffer, but the common people should. |
| OHR urges adoption of FBiH Internal Debt Law
| RHB, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘To adopt Law on Meeting of Internal Debt’ by f, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 9 ‘Law on internal debt is necessary’ by Fena – OHR spokesperson Vedran Persic stated that the OHR expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that the House of Peoples of the Federation of BiH Parliament did not adopt a proposal on defining and meeting FBiH internal obligations and called on them to do it at their next session. Persic added that the HoP should decide now between the interests of a few peoples well-being of all. |
| DA says Zigic threatened because he asked for privatisation of Aluminij, Brewery, etc
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Who threats Minister Izet Zigic’, pg 2 ‘Minister Zigic is being threatened for demand to revise privatisation’ by A Hadziarapovic – DA brings that FBiH Government is expected to start discussion to determine in which it is to start with the urgent revision of the privatisation, as demanded by the FBiH Energy, Mining and Industry Minister Izet Zigic. DA writes that after Zigic has announced this initiative – which would include Sarajevo Brewery, Mostar Aluminij, and several other companies – Minister was threatened to withdrew demand. Avaz learns that his family was also threatened. “Lobbies managing the state capital as it is their private ownership are trying to prevent in any possible way a possibility to disclose in which way they became majority owners in very profitable companies without privatisation ever conducted by the state,” concludes the article. |
| Ivan Madunic (HDZ) on old foreign currency savings
| Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Law on old foreign currency savings is anti-Croat like’, mentioned on front, by Ljuba Djikic – Carries an interview with the President of the HDZ-CCD-HNZ Caucus in the FBiH Parliament’s House of Representatives, Ivan Madunic, in which he notes that the recently adopted law on internal debt in the FBIH, especially the bit that talks about the return of old foreign currency savings, is a “disgrace”. “It is foremost anti-people, anti-Croat like, it is anti-constitutional, discriminatory, it is unjust and contrary to fundamental provisions on human rights from the UN charter”, says Madunic. Madunic claims that the old savers will be getting, if any, “crumbs” when it comes to payment in cash, noting that a big part will be paid in bonds, whose value is “questionable”. Claiming that the savers’ rights have not been respected, since the savings are private property, Madunic announces that the Caucus would be approaching the FBiH Constitutional Court, as well as the European Human Rights Court in Strasbourg. |
| DA: FBiH PIO to discuss pension incrise | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘November pensions could be increased’, mentioned on cover, by A. Basic – The Governing Board of the FBiH Pension-Disability Fund [PIO] held the session on Wednesday deciding to keep the October pensions at the same level alike in previous months. PIO’s Spokesperson, Zarif Safic, stated that in November there will be discussions on raise of pension coefficient following the budget rebalance. He concluded PIO has almost 30 million KM of surplus for this intention. |
Police and security issues | |
| Police Reform Commission meets in | RTSR by Pejka Medic– The meeting of the Police Reform Commission continues in Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Instead of entity MiOs police districts are being formed’, mentioned on cover by D. Polovina-Mandic – After the session of the BiH Presidency held on Wednesday Croat member of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic stated that forming of police districts Banja Luka, Mostar, Sarajevo, Tuzla and Zenica is being discussed in Brussels and he added: “’The talks have been underway and I have information since I am in contact with Security Minister Barisa Colak. The result of these talks will be known upon the end of the sessions that have been taking place in |
| Speculations on PRC’s meeting outcomes
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Patten and Solana today expects the initial solution for BiH police’ by E. Sarac – DA carries that EU Foreign Affairs High Commissioner, Chris Patten, and EU High Commission for Joint Foreign Police and Security, Javier Solana, should be presented with the initial solution to the organization of future police forces in BiH. DA learns from the source close to Police Reform Commission that could not further speculate on possibility of establishing single BiH Police, but added that “all members of the commission are in favor of the unified BiH police organized in 5 or more regions under the supervision of the BiH Interior Ministry.” Avaz reminds that the strongest opponents of this idea are RS MoI Darko Matijasevic and RS Police Director Radomir Njegus. Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Swiss model of Police suits Croats’, mentioned on front, by Miso Relota – In last few days, the members have been informed about the Swiss and Belgium models of organization of Police forces, and VL notes that satisfactory solutions are not in sight yet, because of the opposition coming from the Serb side, which rejects any possibility of abolishment of the entity MoIs. VL notes that the Police should be most likely organized at the state and local level, and when it comes to the latter, it is still not known whether it will be organized at the cantonal or regional level. VL also notes that the Swiss model is completely de-centralized, and most likely the one that is most acceptable to BiH Croats. According to the Swiss model, there is no federal (read state) Police, since all the competences are in hands of cantonal and municipal Police forces. Still, municipalities can join ranks in carrying out Police tasks. |
| Former FOSS official: FBI and CIA agents demand info on organizations and individuals related to Al-Qaeda
| Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Nevertheless, FBI and CIA were demanding information’ by Z. Jurilj – A former, high-ranked official in the Federation of BiH Intelligence Service (FOSS) stated that FBI agents were in BiH exactly in order to collect information about the work of Islamic humanitarian organizations suspected of financing Al-Qa’id. VL says that in this way statements given by BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic according to which they do not have information about presence of FBI agents in BiH have been denied. The former FOSS official added that many times he talked about the work of the aforementioned organizations with FBI and CIA agents in presence of the US Ambassador in Sarajevo. According to the same source, British agents who were SFOR members also demanded similar information and the BiH Presidency received few times from the US authorities a sort of warning grounded on the information collected by their agents which referred on some individuals and groups related to terrorist organizations. |
| US Embassy on terrorism claims
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘FBI has no investigative power in BiH’, mentioned on cover, by A. Prlenda – US Embassy in Sarajevo commented to the stances of the US analyst Yossef Bodansky, who said that BiH plays an important role in terrorist network due to connections with Al’Qaeda and training camps and that FBI investigates this, stating that US Embassy has only one FBI full time employee and that there is no permanent FBI office in BiH. The Embassy further explains that staff members from other US agencies are present, and that they work in cooperation with the BiH authorities. |
| NN says SIPA to investigates BiH Football Union
| Nezavisne Novine, cover ‘SIPA will enter the BiH Football Union’ and pg. 3 ‘Either international audit or SIPA would enter the Football Union’ by A. Sisic – Prosecutor Ahmed Halebic warned on Wednesday that the Prosecutor’s Office would engage SIPA in the issue of the Football Union should the Union ignore the recommendation of BiH Prosecutor’s Office saying that an international and independent audit house should audit the work of the Union in 2002 and 2003. According to NN, the Union has hired “Poslovni informator”, an audit house from Bijeljina. Halebic has stated he was not informed on this and he said he had learned about this decision from media. He emphasised that the Prosecution will insist that an international audit house conducts the audit at the Union. NN inset ‘Dragan Lukac: SIPA is ready’ quotes Deputy SIPA Director Dragan Lukac as saying that SIPA is ready to meet every request of BiH Prosecutor’s Office within its possibilities and authorisations. |
| BiH Presidency discuss decertified police officers | RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘BiH courts cannot discuss the appeals of the decertified police officers’ by A.M. – BiH Presidency on Wednesday discussed OHRs demand regarding the UN Security Council insisting on the issue of decertified police officers. As Dragan Covic told journalists, UN SC asked for domestic courts not to be able to address the appeals of the IPTF decisions to decertify police officer. Covic did not disclose any further details. |