| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA(18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| HR to decide on Mostar | SDA replacing FBiH Govt. | ICTY News | BiH Judge in Strasbourg |
| Cased of Jelavic | Mostar issues – SDA, HDZ | Jelavic’s appeal rejected | BiH Ombudsmen operat. |
| Stocholm conference | HR in Mostar | Nineteen policemen free | HR on decision for Mostar |
| BiH Judge in Strasbourg | Civil Initiative campaigns | Mostar issues | Karadzic’s arrest this year? |
| Oslobodjenje | Ashdown to impose changed Winterstein’s plan? |
| Dnevni Avaz | Sidran (Bosnian writer) runs for Oscar |
| Dnevni List | “Ashdown: We must not miss deadline for Mostar”; “Jelavic and others knew that police was looking for them”; “Certain corrections of Winterstein’s proposal” |
| Vecernji List | “On the eve of today’s decision on Mostar: “None people will run city alone”; “Infected chicken meat can enter BiH” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | “Snow covered Posusje”; “BiH does not have its capital” |
| Glas Srpske | Unusual position of BiH delegation in Stockholm: Three extra “Masovic’s” |
| Nezavisne Novine | Amor Bukic: Republika Srpska Prosecutor’s Office will ask for “yellow file case” with 107 denunciations from Djeric; How was Novo Srpsko Sarajevo build: Neither city or millions; Paddy Ashdown in Mostar: Decision on Mostar maybe today; Sarajevo: Herzegovina police was protecting Jelavic, Prce and Rupcic |
| Blic | ’22. December’: the new owner delivered 14 dismissals; Helsinki Committee: Djeric must leave; The police removed posters |
Mostar restructuring | |
| Ashdown to impose changed Winterstein’s plan?
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje front page, pgs, 4-5 ‘Ashdown to impose changed Winterstein’s plan?’ – High Representative Paddy Ashdown is expected to impose a decision on Mostar organisation today (Wednesday). According to Oslobodjenje he will task SDA and HDZ to implement a partly changed Norbert Winterstein’s proposal on the town’s structure. The change refers to number of the councillors in the Mostar City Council, which will now have 35 members, 17 of whom will be selected from a city list. |
| HR held final consultations on Mostar | Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 5 ‘Talks with artists, sportspersons’, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘Decision on Mostar maybe today’ – High Representative Paddy Ashdown held final consultations on Mostar organisation with representatives of SDA and HDZ and he also meet with some prominent artists and sportspersons. During the final consultations HR has meet on separate meetings with representatives of SDA, HDZ and S BiH. Even though they have participated in development of new Statute SDP and “Radom za Boljitak” claim that they haven’t been invited to meet HR. SDA and HDZ have asked for postponing of decision. “We know that this must be done by the 31 of January, if it is not done by then Mostar will have to wait another four years. I think that citizens can’t wait that long”- said High Representative. This lasts a year, two Commissions for development of the new Statute have faile, the parties haven’t reached a consensus, so it is expected that HR will make that decision. Even though HR has announced that the parties which oppose the decision will be penalised, SDA has announced that they will not accept imposed solutions. “The final resolution for the Mostar has been arising from the Dayton Agreement. Those who oppose that oppose the Dayton’s Agreement itself”- said HR. Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘(Un)successful political talks’ – Following meeting with HR Ashdown, Chairman of the SDA Mostar City Board Fatima Leho said the SDA was open to all sorts of dialogue, with all parties and at all levels. “Those expecting positive outcome for their political positions are the only ones avoiding talks on the issue,” said Leho, who had allegedly told the HR that it was extremely irresponsible to avoid any dialogue on so important issues such as Mostar organisation. BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 4 HDZ distances itself from Puljic, Pehar (HDZ Mostar officials) – City Board of HDZ has expressed their satisfaction with the referendum results, which have supported their demand that Mostar should be one Municipality and one election unit. SDA has submitted a formal proposal on Mostar organization as the basis for negotiations on the issue with other political parties. SDA Presidency member Zijad Hadziomerovic said that they have received a written proposal from HDZ. According to this proposal the consensus could be reached soon and they will ask Serb part to participate in the negotiations, said Hadziomerovic. On Monday’s press- conference of the HDZ City Board they have said that time has come for negotiations to be fruitful. About the SDA statement, which contradict their attitudes and even questions the referendum, HDZ City Board has discussed and concluded that this can’t be an official attitude. The President of City Board Miroslav Coric has said that those negotiations can be work of individuals but they are not the official attitude of HDZ and claims that HDZ stands for their initial proposal. Both HDZ and SDA agree that it is better to postpone the decision than to impose one. Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Ashdown decisively rejected SDA and HDZ proposal’ – According to the newspaper, the HR Tuesday’s meeting with representatives of HDZ and SDA did not result in agreement on Mostar organisation. Paddy Ashdown rejected the political parties’ proposal to postpone the imposition of a decision on the issue. The daily also report on Ashdown’s meetings with artists, sportspersons. Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Mostar citizens wants only an unified town’ carried the results of the Partner Ageny poll on Mostar issue. Oslobodjenje pg. 5 ‘Party for BiH supports Winterstein’ – The Mostar City Council of the Party for BiH announced on Tuesday it supported Norber Winterstein’s proposal on the Mostar organisation saying it expected HR to stick to the document when imposing the decision on the issue. |
| Sanader reiterates that Mostar should be undivided town | Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Mostar does not need divisions’ – At Tuesday’s session of the Croatian Parliament, Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader reiterated that Mostar should be established as a single town and that consensus amongst political parties involved should be reached on the issue. |
| HR: Crucial hours for Mostar | Dnevni Avaz front page ‘Crucial hours for Mostar’, pg. 5 ‘At making decision the most important is interets of Mostar citizens’ – Interview with HR Paddy Ashdown. “Last 14 hours of talks with political parties and political representatives is ahead of us. I can say nothing but there is a zero chance to reach consensus although we will try to achieve this with final negotiations,” said Ashdown referring to resolution to Mostar organisation issue. |
| CRO Press on Mostar issue
| Dnevni List (front and page 5, “Ashdown: We must not miss deadline for Mostar”, by M. Batarelo) carries that High Representative Paddy Ashdown stated in Mostar yesterday that the process of Mostar reorganization has been postponed for a year already and that the moment has come to pass the final decision for Mostar. DL says that during his yesterday’s visit paid to Mostar the HR talked with members of Mostar Sevdah Reunion in Music Center Pavaroti, with pianist Meliha Kolukcija, actor Toni Pehar and selector of BiH female handball representation Zlata Zubac. Addressing the journalists after these meetings the HR stated: “I repeat that time is running out and if I see that there is room for consensus it is certain that I will try to use it. If it does not happen, we have to move on, we must not miss the deadlines.” DL says that the HR did not want to comment on the SDA announcements saying that they will not implement possible imposing of the solution by the HR. The HR added: “I do not react by words but by acts. We shall see as to how the situation will develop. Resolving of the Mostar issue is something that comes out from the Dayton Peace Accord (DPA) and it is responsibility that we have according to the DPA. Those who oppose it oppose the DPA.” Slobodna Dalmacija (page 4, “Decision on Mostar today”, by Z. Zekic) also covered this visit. Vecernji List (front page, “None people will run city alone”, and page 3, “Election system for special Mostar conditions”, by Z. Kresic) carries an interview with the HR. Asked as to how he will react in case that the decision on Mostar is not implemented the HR says: “You know that I cannot answer this question. Nevertheless, I will tell you that in that case there will be no foreign investments, the Investment Conference that the BiH Presidency organizes in February this year will fail since a small number of investors will attend it.” The HR also said that there will be no a Supervisor for the implementation of the decision but that it would be reasonable to have one Department for the implementation that will provide technical assistance to Mayor and Deputy Mayor. DL (page 18, “HDZ: Agreement on Mostar without HR”, by V. Soldo) carries that HDZ Municipal Boards of the Mostar Municipalities with the Croat majority (West, South, Southwest) held a joint press conference yesterday during which they judged the referendum held in these Municipalities on Sunday as successful. Also, it was stated that the adopted referendum question is a basic guideline for HDZ, Croat people and all Mostar citizens when the Mostar organization is in question. It was stressed that they will not depart from HDZ principles when this issue is in question. President of the HDZ Municipal Board of the Mostar Municipality West Mile Puljic stated that the Mostar Commission did not work efficiently due to the fact that it was working under patronage of the OHR that was imposing its principles to the Commission. Puljic added that in case that the HR extends the deadline for the agreement of all political parties for 20 days the final solution for the City of Mostar would be reached. DL also says that HDZ confirmed that agreements on possible solution reached among the political parties already exist and it is up to the HR to decide on possible extension of the deadline. SD (page 17, “Time for agreement at local level”, by Z. Zekic) also covered this press conference. DL (front and page 18, “Certain corrections of Winterstein’s proposal”, by M. Relota) carries that the HR met with President of the HDZ Cantonal Board of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Josip Merdzo and President of the HDZ Mostar City Board Miroslav Coric. DL says that during this meeting the HR informed them that he will impose the solution that is already known as a proposal of Norbert Winterstein but will small corrections. Merdzo stated: “It is certain that the city list will be extended by 30 % and this means from the current 13 to 17 Councilors.” Merdzo added that this is a more favorable option than the one offered in Winterstein’s proposal but still it is very stretched calculation. DL also carries Merdzo as denying that HDZ asked extension of the HDZ President Barisa Colak. Merdzo said that the HR refused such proposal. Vecernji List (page 2, “Concerning announcements on beginning of negotiations”, by zk) carries that the SDA published concerning statements yesterday saying that HDZ Mostar Board proposed continuation of negotiations on Mostar with 6 Municipalities. Head of the Mostar Municipality Stari Grad Zijo Hadziomerovic confirmed this information. VL says that Colak and Merdzo opposed these claims and added that this is obviously about a private initiative of individuals from HDZ and not party as a whole. VL (page 2, “Ashdown decides on Mostar today”, by Z. Kresic) carries that although the HR is supposed to publish the decision on Mostar today this might be postponed since Tihic demanded from Colak yesterday continuation of talks on this issue since the HR’s decision is not acceptable for both sides. VL says that at first the HR rejected this possibility, however, its is not known, whether the HR changed this stand after the meetings that took place late yesterday afternoon. VL also says that efforts exerted in order to remove Mostar from the top of the list of ‘case cities’ were stopped under pressure of irrational and paranoiac fears of those who make minority in Mostar but who are dominating majority in BiH. The author believes that this solution will prolong agony and it will not stabilize situation in Mostar and for this reason political circles believe that Mostar will need the assistance of the International Community for a long time. According to the article, the Ashdown’s Statute might have the same destiny as the Statute from the time of Hans Koschnik. SD (page 18, “Stand of citizens is final criterion”, by Z. Zekic) carries that Vice President of the HDZ Mostar Board Ante Tonci Pehar rejected media speculations saying that HDZ City Board Mostar sent an official letter to SDA offering a compromise regarding the division of the city or some sort of agreement before final stand of the HR. SD (page 19, “Referendums stir fire”, by A. Macanovic) carries that commenting on the Mostar referendums, SNSD official Nikola Spiric stated that the referendums are a result of agreements reached among national parties who want to stay in power for thousand years. SD also carries PDP President Mladen Ivanic as saying that Serbs will have a crucial role in the future organization of Mostar. He added that Serbs have to demand their rights and not only be in favor of one or another side in the Federation of BiH. DL (page 18, “Each individual who demonstrates power suffers consequences”, not signed) carries that non-government organizations of the Mostar Municipality North protested against ‘the ignoring attitude of the HR and OHR towards them’. In their protest letter they stress that during the public forum held in Mostar Cultural Center last Friday the HR promised in public that he will plan appointments for January 27, however, the citizens of the Mostar Municipality North were ignored again. The letter also says that they are well familiar with demonstration of power, however, each individual who demonstrates power suffers consequences for the things that this power causes. DL (page 18, “Ashdown holds press conference”, not signed) carries the OHR’s media advisory announcing today’s HR’s press conference in Mostar. |
| ID cards in Mostar | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘Mostar people could get new ID cards’ – Milan Skrbic, Director of CIPS Directorate, yesterday could not confirm whether the citizens of Mostar would have to get new ID cards following the Mostar City restructuring, since their new ID cards contain the name of one of six municipalities in Mostar. |
Organised crime | |
| BiH, Croatian officials informed on procedure of Jelavic’s arrest
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Muselimovic asks for support from Zagreb’ – Josip Muselimovic, Ante Jelavic’s Lawyer sent a letter to BiH Presidency, Ivo Sanader, President of HDZ Croatia, Borisa Colak, HDZ BiH President and Stipe Mesic, Croatian President, informing them about circumstances of Jelavic’s arrest. Slobodna Dalmacija (page 12 “Jelavic: They try me because of politics”, by Marijan Sivric) – carries an interview with Jelavic’s attorney, Josip Muselimovic, in which he, responding to reports that there is a protected witness in the case who cut a deal with the Prosecution, says that he indeed heard those stories but has not concrete knowledge, given the fact that he has gone through the case-file with Prosecutor McNair. “One cannot rule out a possibility there is a person who is a protected witness in this case”, notes Muselimovic. Muselimovic also confirms reports that several persons from the economic, political and religious circles will be summoned soon. |
| Sanader on arrest of Jelavic
| Herceg Bosna Radio, Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Mostar does not need divisions’, Dnevni List page 5 “Croatia reserved towards Jelavic arrest”-“If Jelavic’s arrest is politically motivated it should be rejected. If it is about legal criminal reasons then we could not get into it”- said Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader at Tuesday’s session of the Croatian Parliament commenting on Jelavic’s arrest. He also stated that he has not discussed about Jelavic’s arrest during his recent meeting with High Representative. |
| BiH Court rejects Jelavic’s appeal? | BHTV, FTV – BiH Court Council has discussed and decided about the appeal submitted by the defence Lawyer of Ante Jelavic. Their decision couldn’t be published before the response was delivered to Lawyer Josip Muselimovic. Unofficial information says that the appeal is rejected. Slobodna Dalmacija (page 11 “Jelavic as Tito”, by Sasa Ljubicic) – the author criticizes Jelavic for his statement that he is not recognizing the BiH Court, saying the statement is about sheer petty politics and proof that Jelavic is not giving up the heritage from Mate Boban (former President of Croat republic of Herceg Bosna) times. The author also argues that Croatia had allocated money for the HVO, disabled persons, for culture etc. but instead, the money was used to buy cars and private companies. |
| FTV: FBiH Government to discuss procedure of Jelavic’s arrest | FTV – According to unofficial information, during the next session the FBiH Government will discuss the information about the way Ante Jelavic, Miroslav Prce and Miroslav Rupcic were arrested, which will be presented by FBiH Minister of Interior Mevludin Halilovic. That information says that police was following the orders of BiH Court and acted according to law. It is also said that FBiH MoI has tried for a year to have informational talks with them but that Cantonal MoI couldn’t find them on their addresses. The BiH Court has signed a search warn, by which the suspected could be arrested and their homes searched, even if they are not present. The information also says that FBiH MoI has only been there as backup and that, according to video tapes they haven’t even enter the houses. It is also said that Police have acted highly professionally with full respect toward persons and their property. Dnevni List (front and page 7 “Jelavic and the rest knew Police was looking for them” also covered the issue. Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 6, ‘Herzegovina police was protecting Jelavic, Prce and Rupcic’ – The document, of which NN holds possession of and which was signed by Zlatko Miletic, Director of Federal Interior Ministry Administration, says that the members of criminal investigation department and special police of Federal Interior Ministry had to carry out the arrest of Ante Jelavic, Miroslav Prce and Miroslav Rupcic, because Herzegovina police was obstructing the process run against these three persons since 7 January 2003. |
| Azinovic’s lawyers seek for meeting with State Prosecutor | Dnevni List (page 7 “Azinovic’s lawyers expect meeting with Prosecutor McNair”, by N. Dedic) – regarding reports that the fourth suspect, Ivan Azinovic, is on the run, DL reports that Azinovic’s lawyers, Nada Dalipagic and Davor Silic, told DL that they submitted the Special department of the BiH Prosecution the power of attorney in the case and that they expected a meeting with Prosecutor John McNair. DL notes that Azinovic met with his lawyers two days ago, when he ruled out a possibility of turning himself in voluntarily. Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Ivan Azinovic negotiates on surrender to State Prosecution Office’ also covered the issue. |
| FBiH Parliament to discuss arrest of former BiH Croat leader | Dnevni Avaz pg. 2, FENA – Sarajevo, 27 January: At the request of the floor group of the coalition comprising the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the Croat Christian Democrats and the Croat National Union (HNZ), an emergency session of the House of Representatives of the Federation of BiH has been called for February 5. The parliament will discuss only one thing: a draft decision on electing members of a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the arrest of former member of the BiH Presidency Ante Jelavic and former Federation defence minister Miroslav Prce. |
| Nacional: Bosnian HDZ appalled with arrests of Jelavic and co | Nacional weekly from Zagreb (pages 17-19 “Bosnian HDZ appalled with arrests of Jelavic and co”, by Zeljko Rogosic) – reports that Prosecutor McNair has already filed requests aimed at expansion of the investigation on Ljubo Cesic Rojs, Ivan Medic, friar Ivo Sevo, Ivica Karlovic and Vilim Primorac. According to Nacional, Sarajevo has already filed official request to Croatian judiciary requests aimed at extradition of Rojs and Medic. The weekly also carries the Chairman of BiH Presidency, Dragan Covic, who claims that the Cantonal Court in Sarajevo is already conducting investigations for the same deeds the BiH Court is now investigating, noting it is illegal to have two trials for the same criminal act. Furthermore, Nacional also reports that the Head of OHR’s Legal Department, Ian Campbell, in May 2002 directly interfered into the work of the BiH Constitutional Court, which at the time was deciding on the appeal lodged by Jelavic. According to Nacional, a council of the BiH Supreme Court gave in, deciding to renew the process against Jelavic, since, originally, the Supreme Court took a temporary decision ordering the Sarajevo Cantonal Court to suspend any kind of action. |
| RS Prosecutor Bukic demands “yellow file” from Djeric | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4, ‘Republika Srpska Prosecutor’s Office will ask for “yellow file case” with 107 denunciations from Djeric’, Blic front page and p 13 ‘The ball is not in the Minister’s court’ – Amor Bukic, Republika Srpska Chief Prosecutor, said that the Republika Srpska Public Prosecutor’s Office would ask for a “yellow file case” from Zoran Djeric, Republika Srpska Interior Ministry, which contains 107 denunciations filed by police, in order to investigate whether accusations that none of those cases has been processed. He also said that since 1998, 233 denunciations have been filed against politicians and public officials, yet only insignificant number of those has seen court decisions. Bukic also stressed that the slow process of appointment of judges and prosecutor’s has had an impact upon a slow work of judiciary. |
| Reactions to Djeric’s claims | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Minister Djeric should file resignation’, Blic – Republika Srpska Helsinki Board for Human Rights yesterday demanded from Republika Srpska Interior Minister, Zoran Djeric, to file his resignation, in order to ensure an obstructed implementation of reforms within police force of Republika Srpska. Helsinki Board is of the view that Djeric failed to ensure normal and efficient functioning of police. In the press release issued today, Helsinki Board strongly condemned the most recent statement by Djeric at Republika Srpska National Assembly and his public threats to media and all those, who are critical of his work. Furthermore, Helsinki Board expects from international community to undertake appropriate measures in accordance with their authorities. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Unnecessary politicisation of the so called yellow file case’ – Mirko Sarovic, SDS Vice President, stated that the case of the so called “yellow file case” was unnecessarily politicised, noting that the issue of fight against crime and corruption was transferred from institutions in charge of this into the sphere of politics and political conflicts. He said: “The problem is not in a number of denunciations, but in the fact that none of these denunciations show court verdicts before Republika Srpska judiciary.” He also said it is high time that courts and prosecutor’s offices started doing their job in a professional and unbiased manner, released of any sort of political pressures by local or international officials. He also said that HJPC should finally complete the process of appointing judges and prosecutors in Republika Srpska. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Minister Djeric did not officially complain against the work of judges and prosecutors’ – Sanela Tunovic, the Spokesperson of HJPC, yesterday said that: “the process of re-selection of judges and prosecutors does not last for two eyars, but since September 2002. The procedure of re-appointment could not have been completed before.” She also added that Zoran Djeric, Republika Srpska Interior Minister, could file a complain to HJPC if he has any remark to make. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Condemnation of attempted harassment of the press’ – The press release was yesterday issued by the Press Council, saying that the Press BiH Council is disappointed with the statement of Zoran Djeric, Republika Srpska Interior Minister, regarding his call to NN and Zeljko Kopanja. The release stressed that: “Djeric should bear in mind the consequences that such statements could cause.” |
Political developments | |
| FBiH Government reshuffle
| Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘SDA today launches official initiative for removal of the Government’ – SDA Presidency Collegium decided in Sarajevo late on Thursday to on Wednesday officially submit initiative for FBiH Government restructuring to FBiH President, his deputies and SDA’s coalition partners: HDZ and Party for BiH. BHTV – SDA considers that the replacement of the whole FBiH Government should be done. This was said before the beginning of SDA leadership meeting, which has started late on Tuesday night and during which they should agree on submitting the formal demand to FBiH President Niko Lozancic. “I can not say the FBiH Government didn’t work, and that she was better than the last Government, we only want to do more, we want to prepare for local elections, to show that this Government is prepared to fulfil its pre- election promises”, SDA Vice-President Mirsad Kebo told the TV station. “I wouldn’t talk about individuals, because we think that this is about the evaluation of the Government as a team and team is composed of individuals and basically they have worked as a team. I think that the main criticism is a lack of clear vision for exit of this situation.” he added. |
| NN editorial on FBiH Government restructuring | Nezavisne Novine editorial by Mirza Cubro, pg. 7, ‘Removal for victory’ – The author is writing about SDA initiative for replacement of Ahmet Hadzipasic, Federal Premier, saying that SDA is to blame Hadzipasic for all the failures, including Bosmal affair and delays in implementation of 16 pre-requisites necessary for talks on BiH admission to EU. He says that after Hadzipasic is gone, the parties on reign in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina would convince the citizens that all the problems would go after him. The final goal of this SDA campaign, according to the author, is to get as much support during forthcoming local elections as possible. Because, SDA is not to be blamed for anything, Cubro concludes ironically. |
| DL on Mesic-Ashdown meeting
| Dnevni List (page 5 “Croats in BiH must take decision alone”, unsigned) – regarding the recent meeting between the Croatian President, Stipe Mesic, and the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, DL says the public got interested into what the two talked about. DL carries the head of (President Mesic’s) Information Office, Danijela Barisic, explaining that Mesic and Ashdown talked about problems BiH is facing and that President Mesic said that the times, during which the Croat policy in BiH was created in Zagreb, were long gone and that the BiH Croats had to care of themselves on their own, with Croatia only to help them. Questioned to comment on the letter that Ante Jelavic has apparently sent to President Mesic following his arrest, Barisic says the letter is yet to arrive so she could not comment on it. |
| Paravac on Stockholm Forum | Glas Srpske, coevr page story, ‘Three extra “Masovic’s” – Borislav Paravac, Serb member to BiH Presidency, will demand from BiH delegation upon their return from Stockholm Forum to summit a detailed report on what was happening there. He said: “Somebody will have to explain why people, whom BiH Presidency did not authorise to go there, went to attend the Forum. What we agreed was that BiH should be represented by two Bosniaks, two Croats and two Serbs. What we have are five Bosniaks, two Serbs and one Croat who went there. And how come Amor Masovic was a member of delegation, since he represents himself as the president of non-existent State Commission for search for missing persons?” |
| FBiH President Lozancic on organization of BiH | Slobodna Dalmacija (page 16 “Foreigners tailor our justice”, by Ivica Milesic) – carries the President of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Niko Lozancic, as saying at 14th anniversary of HDZ of Zenica: “To our initiatives and messages that this state ought to be organized as homeland for all three equal and constituent peoples and other citizens living in these areas, and to have democracy and rule of law, the powers that be respond with inappropriate arrest of former most senior officials of the HDZ BiH and by doing so, they send us a clear message what they look like upon our efforts to have BiH as state for all its peoples. However, we say to the powers that be that we’ll not give up our intentions that this state be organized according to European standards and in which the human rights are being observed. This party requests that Tuzla, Zenica and other cities in BiH be organized as Mostar, regardless of some party appetites that would like to seize all the powers. HDZ in fact is fighting for equal rights of every man, not for one people only, in this case for the Croat people”. |
| Tadic on position of Croats and Serbs in Sarajevo | Dnevni List (page 6 “Year of solid anxiety”, by Professor Marko Tadic) – argues that the Sarajevo Croats are losing hope after disappointments they’ve suffered in the past decade, when various Croat organizations and associations were not able to help them and when even the Cardinal Puljic’s voice does not have the specific weight. The author goes on to say that the anxiety of the Sarajevo Croats is even growing bigger after the High Representative vigorously defended the survival of the Republika Srpska and after the HR offered the “original” solution to Mostar, putting the Mostar issue on top of the IC’s priorities and in the same time ignoring the situation in and organization of Banja Luka, Sarajevo and Travnik. When it comes to the Sarajevo Serbs, the author argues that they are more determined to leave Sarajevo than their Croat neighbours, since their priority is to get hold of their property and sell it immediately. “Day after day, Sarajevo loses its pre-war Croats and Serbs. There will barely be a letter remaining of the multi-ethnic Sarajevo”, notes Tadic. |
Economic/social issues | |
| Building of Novo (New) Srpsko Sarajevo
| Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘Neither city or millions’ – The author Maja Bjelajac has investigated into the reasons why Novo Srpsko Sarajevo, the city which was supposed to be built following the agreement signed between Momcilo Krajisnik and Nikola Sainovic in November 1996 has not been built at all and where the money intended for this construction (around BAM 106 million) has gone. Although opposition leaders at Serb Sarajevo Parliament tried to get this information on couple of occasions, their attempts failed. Still, opposition party officials claim (including Pero Marinkovic, SNSD delegate at Serb Sarajevo Parliament) that the resources intended for revitalisation of economy in Serb Sarajevo (which was part of Phase 1 of project) of BAM 28 million worth was actually a loan, which Serb Sarajevo City Hall provided with grace period of one year. Marinkovic further claims that “noone has ever asked for the money. Noone press charges either.” |
| OHR on property implementation | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 8, ‘The worst results in Banjaluka and Tuzla’ – Ljiljana Radetic, the OHR Spokesperson, said that OHR is satisfied with the results of property legislation implementation in Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. She is of the view that the property reinstatement was one of the biggest successes in 2003. She also stressed that local institutions should ensure that the remaining property claims are resolved within the shortest time frame possible. She also confirmed that Banjaluka is still the worst city by the property legislation implementation. |
| Evictions in RS | Blic, p 13 ‘Necessity of changes the Law’ – At its latest session, the RS NA has asked from the Government and the Ministry for Refugees to temporarily cease evictions in cases in which two-way return is not possible, until new provisions of the Law are adopted. Such a request should go in favour of many Serbs from Croatia, who had exchanged their property with BiH citizens during the war and who are often not in a position to be reinstated to their property in Croatia. The Associate of the Minister for Refugees and DPs, Drago Vuleta, has explained this would annul the provision of the Law brought by the High Representative, hence neither the Ministry nor the Government can propose changing of the Law without consent of OHR. Therefore, according to Vuleta, they will inform representatives of the international community on the Assembly conclusions at a meeting today, and will see if they are willing to accept the changes. |
Other issues | |
| Mijovic appointed Judge at Court in Strasbourg
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 6, mentioned on the front page ‘Peter Sheeder apologised for ungrounded accusations’ – Parliamentary Assembly of CoE has appointed Ljiljana Mijovic as a BiH Judge at European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg. Out of 130 members of Parliamentary Assembly, 84 members voted for Mijovic. Ahmed Zilic got 35 votes while Zoran Pajic got 9 votes. Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Mijovic at European Court’ also reported on the appointment. According to the newspaper, Mijovic commented on her election by saying: “I am satisfied with the outcome, but not so much over the duty I was appointed to, as because of the fact that all the filth has been disassociated from my name.” Also, she is satisfied because it has proved that all accusations against her were ungrounded. |
| Book of Condolences for Frederiksen | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘Book of Mourning upon death of Sven Frederiksen’ – Following a sudden passing away of EUPM Commissioner, Sven Frederiksen, the most senior BiH officials and representatives of international community and diplomatic missions in BiH have expressed condolences. Also, the Book of Condolences has been opened at EUPM HQ in Sarajevo yesterday. Sarajevo media, Blic p 12 ‘Great contribution to preservation of peace’ also covered the issue. |
| Posters of Karadzic removed | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘Public utility workers removed posters with the picture of Karadzic’ – Zoran Glusac, Spokesperson of Republika Srpska MoI, yesterday confirmed that public utility service removed the posters of Radovan Karadzic, which appeared yesterday morning in Banjaluka. He also said that police was present while posters were removed, in order to prevent any eventual incident. According to him, the police is trying to investigate who placed these posters and whether this could raise tensions amongst citizens. Along with the picture of Karadzic, the posters in Banjaluka also carry the wording in Cyrillic alphabet: “Always with you. I am watching you.” Dave Sullivan, SDFOR Spokesperson, yesterday said that local authorities of Republika Srpska are performing their work excellently and removing the posters immediately. Sarajevo media also reported on the incident. |