RS Government reshuffle |
| SNSD leader Dodik: SNSD to forwards it proposal for PM designate to Cavic; | BHT1 by Zoran Sarenac – After representatives in the RS National Assembly on Thursday decided to cast a vote of no confidence to the RS Government and dismiss it, SNSD started making a coalition for the new Government. RS President Dragan Cavic now has ten days to appoint new Prime Minister designate who would further establish new Government. SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stressed that they have 42 representatives’ support for their candidate for PM designate, adding the proposal will be forwarded to RS President. BHT reporter stated that, so far, only PDP officially announced that they would support new, SNSD’s Government. Cavic promised that he would obey the constitutional deadline for appointing the new PM designate. FTV, RTRS – “We expect principle behaviour of President Cavic who said that whoever brings 42 signatures would be proposed,” commented Dodik.RHB – Dodik stated for RHB that budget proposed by RS Government dramatised the entire situation, making them start the initiative in the first place. Chief of SNSD caucus in RS NA Krstan Simic stated that he expects from Cavic to suggest Dodik as new PM designate. RTRS, Nezavisne Novine, pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘I expect consistent attitude from Dragan Cavic’ by A.Sekulic – S.Gojkovic – Dodik said he expects Cavic to approve SNSD’s candidate for new PM designate. SDA’s Sefket Hafizovic said that his party would decide on participation in future Government when they see program and concept. PINK – Answering question whether new Government will include Ministers from SDA, Dodik said that all Representatives in RSNA have the same rights by the Constitution. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘ I have signatures of 42 representatives and Cavic has to approve me mandate’ by N.Diklic – Dodik said SDS representatives would be invited on the talks for the new Government, though doubting that he would get their votes. |
| SDS Presidency demands from Cavic to appoint their candidate; SDS’ Bojic says his party could still have places in new Government | RHB, FTV – SDS Presidency also officially asked Cavic to propose new PM designate from the party. They added that dismissal of current Government was a result of suspicious political deals and party trading. RTRS by Nada Arlov commented that SDS representatives in huge number visited Office of RS President Dragan Cavic on Friday and requested him to appoint PM designate from SDS. Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Authority in RS taken over by present opposition’ by Branka Stevandic – In regard to the fall of RS Government, SDS’ Stanko Pivasevic said that SDS will go into opposition, and let the parties who voted against the Government to form the authority at both, entity and state levels. SDS Borislav Bojic said that SDS is still not in opposition, while RS National Assembly still has to choose new Government, adding that it is still not impossible for SDS to have positions in executive authority. |
| RS President Cavic says everyone exerts pressure on him; Cavic: SNSD/SDA made agreement re privatisation of telekoms, EPs | BHT1 by Zoran Sarenac – RS President Dragan Cavic claims that almost all political parties are exerting some kind of a pressure in regard to the appointment of the PM designate, including SDS; but he added that SDS’ representative cannot be a Prime Minister any more. Hayat – Cavic underlined: “No one will influence my decision, although everyone including SDS is trying to create a political ambience of my move”. BHT1, PINK – Cavic also said that Sulejman Tihic, SDA Chair informed him about meeting that Tihic and SDA Vice Chair Mirsad Kebo had with SNSD Chair Milorad Dodik and SNSD high official Nikola Spiric in Doboj on January 22. He added Dodik has to explain the agreement he allegedly reached with Tihic on joint privatisation of both telecom companies and RS and FBiH Elektroprivreda as condition for SDA’s support to SNSD’s Government. ”. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Essence of the talks were constitutional changes’ by T.L. – Kebo denied privatisation of telecoms was discussed adding the constitutional changes were discussed. Spiric said that there were no talks on any privatization. Nezavisne Novine, pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Cavic would check lists of representatives for support to Designate’ by A.Sekulic – Tihic denied that SNSD and SDA were talking about RS Government at their meeting in Doboj. Glas Srpske cover splash, inset ‘We want to join the Government’ – Talking about the meeting on 22 January, Tihic said current affairs were discussed without specific agreements made, adding that SDA is interested to join the new Government under condition that agreement on its work is reached. BHT1 – Cavic stated: “I will not accept unprincipled agreements. According to constitution, I and nobody else have the responsibility for the appointment of the PM designate. Those who bring me the signatures of 42 representatives must know that I will check each and every one of them.” Nezavisne Novine, pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Cavic would check lists of representatives for support to Designate’ by A.Sekulic, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘ I will not accept games behind back’ by N.Diklic, Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 4-5 ‘Dragan Cavic claims he would bring decision on his own’ by O.Vukovic – Cavic said that he cannot accept games being played behind his back by SDS, SNSD and PDP, adding that he would make decision on his own. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Nothing besides the law’ by G.D. – RS Government issued a press statement expressing concern over allegations that some political leaders have reached an agreement on privatisation of certain companies which lead to their mutual in the RSNA. FTV, Nezavisne Novine, pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Cavic would check lists of representatives for support to Designate’ by A.Sekulic, Glas Srpske cover splash ‘Games behind back’ by Z.M.– also reported. |
| RS PM Bukjelovic: removals is to deepen crisis in authority | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘My removal would only deepen crisis’ by N.D. – RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic, to whom Government has been cast vote of no confidence on Friday, said that his removal would only deepen the present crisis of authority. Bukejlovic explained that saying that if his Government didn’t survive, he wonders how any Government composed of different options could survive in such conditions. RTRS by Stela Jungic – Legal experts believe that by the time of appointment of new Government, that by the RS Constitution and legislative there are no limitations for work of Pero Bukejlovic’s Government, which was removed on Thursday. Bukejlovic’s Government now works in technical mandate. |
| NN op-ed on RS Govt dismissal: This is beginning of deconstructing SDS | Nezavisne novine pg 7 ‘Cavic’s neurosis’ op-ed by Predrag Klincov – Commenting dismissal of the RS Government, author says that this was “not typical dismissal of the government but the beginning of the fight towards deconstruction of mafia structure of SDS, a parties whose unquestionable leader is Dragan Cavic.” Editorial further reads that even Cavic is aware of this, thus he announced he personally will count every vote behind the new RS PM-designate. “This demonstrates that he did not get only nervous because of this, but that he is also getting in the stage of schizophrenia,” concludes the author. |
| Media speculate on possible transfer of crisis to state level | BHT1 by Vanja Filipovic – Within next few days, SDS would decide if it would raise a question of a confidence in the BiH Council of Ministers. BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak believes that such move could provoke a small crisis in state institutions: “If the Government falls it could create problems, especially since this is the election year and the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement [SAA] have just started”. SDA representatives believe that the spreading of the entity crisis to the state level is ‘inadmissible’. SDA’s Sefik Dzaferovic: “It would be an abuse, which is related with the entity voting in the state Parliament, and therefore– during the process of constitutional reforms – we supported the idea of abolishing the entity voting”. SBiH believes that the manipulations and the trade in votes during the process of appointing the new government are by no means out of the question. SBiH’s Beriz Belkic: “It would surely have some influence on state authorities… but I think that the position of BiH CoM would not be an issue”. PDP stated that, in case somebody raise a question of a confidence in BiH CoM and request the resignation of ministers, their ministers would resign. Hayat – Reporter reminds that SDS stressed that it will block the work of BIH institutions if RS Government is dismissed. He continues by saying that only BiH House of Peoples could become a problem if SDS decides to do so. Dnevni List pg 8 ‘SDS blocks BiH Council of Ministers and work of State Parliament’ by Anja Vrebac – SDS Vice president and BiH HoR rep Bosko Siljegovic says that he hopes that the ones who initiated this political adventure probably have some kind of solution to prevent crisis of authority at the state level. Siljegovic added that SDS would not willingly go to the opposition at the state level. BiH HoR Chair, SNSD’s Nikola Spiric said that eventual blockade is impossible. |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed on recent crisis of authority on all levels in BiH | Oslobodjenje pg 9 op-ed ‘Rulers without ideas’ by Dragan Stanojlovic – Comenting recent removal of RS Government and current crisis of FBiH Government, editorial says that main cause and generator of crisis in all the levels of authority in BiH is that leaders are without ideas. |
Other political issues |
| Outgoing HR Ashdown changed the regulation of the BiH Election Law | RHB, PINK, Hayat, FTV, BHT1 – Outgoing High Representative in BiH Paddy Ashdown has brought a decision on changing the regulation of the BiH Election Law, lifting ban for approximately 160 removed officials to run in the elections. On a farewell press conference in Sarajevo, Ashdown urged BiH Council of Ministers to forward the proposed law on testing the candidates to the parliamentary procedure as soon as possible. “This country now has the opportunity to take its fate into its own hands, which means that BiH politicians at all levels must prove that they are capable of implementing reforms. In the same time, BiH citizens must hold them responsible for their actions”, stated Ashdown. RHB– He announced further transfer of authorities from OHR to BIH institutions. Ashdown also stated that a time has come for local institutions to take over verification process of people appointed for Minister’s positions. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Everyone removed by Temporary Electoral Commission can run next year’s elections’ by S.Numanovic, Oslobodjenje pg 6, mentioned on cover, ‘Remover officials can run elections again’, mentioned on cover, by A.Omeragic, Nezavisne Novine pg 5, mentioned on cover, ‘Cancelled ban of election’s candidature for 160 persons’ by A.Sisic – Also covered the press conference. |
| Ashdown: opposition has to consider what did they do to prepare for October elections | Oslobodjenje ‘Pogled’ supplement pgs 4-5 ‘Bosnia and Herzegovina got in my blood’ by Aldijana Omeragic – In an in interview to Oslobodjenje, outgoing HR Paddy Ashdown talks about the work OHR carried out during his mandate, stressing importance of commenced and completed reforms and expressing regret that Karadzic and Mladic were not arrested. Asked about his alleged cooperation with nationalistic parties, Ashdown said that citizens have voted for them in a democratic way, stressing that he himself is a liberal. Though, nationalistic parities could be forced to do reforms, which happened in Croatia , commented Ashdown, underlining that all the reforms have been made with nationalistic parties. Speaking about the opposition, HR stated that citizens in RS would have choice at October elections, expressing hope that that kind of choice would be present in both FBiH and state level, adding that opposition should ask themselves what did they do to prepare for the elections. |
| VL op-ed: Pros and cons of Ashdown’s mandate | Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Sarajevo departures last protector’ by Zoran Kresic – Author comments that outgoing High Representative Paddy Ashdown has been the only true protector in BiH, while he has been imposing all the key decisions, for which he was authorized by the Peace Implementation Council. Together with US mediators, Ashdown managed to make BiH politicians adopt single Armed Force, SIPA, State Border Service, State Intelligence Service [OSA], single taxation system, and helped BiH to open Stabilisation and Association Agreement [SAA] with EU. On the other hand, says editorial, Ashdown failed in economical and social projects as well as Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are still at large. |
| Chief of EC delegation to BiH Humphreys presents document “West Balkan on the way to EU” | RHB, Pink, FTV, RTRS, Hayat by Zumra Arnautovic – Chief of EC delegation Michael Humphreys presented document “West Balkan on the way to EU”. He spoke on concrete obligations that BIH must fulfil so visa regime for its citizens could improve. Humphreys stated that visa regime couldn’t be abolished until countries in the region including BIH don’t make a significant progress towards fight against organised crime, corruption, illegal migration and human trafficking. . He also stated that in the following few months EC will present revised consular instructions that should simplify and speed up visa procedures. Humphreys stressed that the region will face difficult challenges in the following months. “I feel it is necessary to confirm European perspective of West Balkan countries since many issues for EU enlargement must be resolved”, stated Humphreys. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 Humphreys: BiH citizens will get Schengen visas easier’ by T.Lazovic,Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover, ‘Easier visa regime from this year’ by M.K.S., Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Western Balkans citizens easier to get visas’ by M.Cubro – also reported. Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Balkans is not getto’. |
| BHT1: EC focus on Western Balkans; countries to close SAAs by 2007 | BHT1 by Elvir Bucalo – In addition to the proposed relaxing visa regime for citizens of BiH and other West Balkan states, EC also proposed the creation of regional free-trade zone among five countries included in the process of stabilisation and association. “We are working together with the Stability Pact on this and we hope to complete the negotiations by the end of this year, so that the agreements could become operational in the beginning of 2007”, stated EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn. According to BHT reporter, officials in Brussels are closely monitoring all the parallel processes on Balkans, including the process of establishing the future for Kosovo; therefore, they promptly react on all speculations that part of BiH could be traded for Kosovo independence. “The situation in Kosovo and the negotiations on Kosovo future have no connection whatsoever with the rest of the Balkans, especially with BiH. It would be wrong if the citizens of BiH would think that the future solution for Kosovo could affect BiH and its borders in any way”, explained Christine Gallach, spokesperson of the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘To form regional free-trade zone’ by M.K.S. – Rehn on creating free trade zone in the region. |
| BHT1: EC looses patience over Public Broadcasting System reform; Maroevic: EU could break up SAA talks | BHT1 by Mirela Cosic – One of the main conditions BiH has to fulfil during the negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement is the reform of Public Broadcasting System [PBS]. According to BHT reporter, EC is slowly losing its patience because the talks on PBS are not yet completed; although the state laws on Public Broadcasting System and Service have been adopted, it is already certain that the entity parliaments would not be able to complete the PBS reform until the deadline on February 9. “Because of the course of discussion it is obvious that the law which is currently in the parliamentary procedure in FBiH is not in accordance with a state level law”, stressed Head of the EC delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys. But that is not the only problem. “Chairmen of both FBiH Houses, House of Representatives and House of Peoples, are on a 21-day long business trip to the United States of America… Therefore, unfortunately, the exact date of the next session is still unknown”, stated Damir Masic from the FBiH Parliament’s Information Commission. Delegates in the RS National Assembly, according to BHT reporter, also do not know when will the Law on Public Broadcasting Service be on their agenda – and that is why EC is slowly losing its patience. “I have only one thing to say about the reform of the Public Services: we are talking about it for too long, and we are gradually losing patience”, stated Chief SAA negotiator for the EU, Reinhardt Priebe. Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Talks with EU could be aborted due to FBiH Government’ by M.C.R.C. – In light of the fact that FBiH Government adopted Law on FBiH Radio-Television in contradiction to PBS law at the state level, EU could break up talks with BiH on SAA, stated spokesperson for the EC Delegation to BiH Frane Maroevic.Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Easier visa regime from this year’ by M.K.S., inset, ‘PBS reform too long’ – Humphreys on PBS reform. |
| BiH Constitutional Court to decide on RS insignia by end of week; SDS : this could radicalise situation | RTRS by Radoslav Banovic – BiH Constitutional Court is in session on Saturday and it will discuss the request filed by the member of BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic to assess constitutionality of the RS symbols. RS representatives before the BiH Constitutional Court say that the procedure will demonstrate that entire process is politicised and that RS symbols do not insult anyone. RS Representatives expect judges to be impartial although some of them were earlier members of SDA. Hans Peter Schneider, Chief Representative for RS before BiH Constitutional Court believes that RS symbols do not insult anyone. BiH Constitutional Court will bring final decision by Saturday or Sunday. RHB, Glas Srpske pg 2 inset ‘Serious attack’– RS President Dragan Cavic stated that Tihic’s initative could result with serious consequences. Cavic stated that RS is making great efforts to annul Tihic’s request in BIH Constitutional Court. He also stated that if BIH CC decides in Tihic’s favour that decision would represent the biggest political problem for the future.Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘In circle of politics’ by D.Momic – SDS‘s Branislav Bojic stated that this demand is of political nature, not legal. Bojic added that by this kind of moves, SDA could only radicalise political conditions in BiH.Oslobodjenje pg ‘Tihic demands opinion on constitutionality of arm of coats, flag and anthem’ by S.Se – also carries the report. |
| BiH Constitutional Court discusses Tihic’s and Paravac’s initiatives re Presidency, FBiH HoP | FTV, BHT1, Hayat – BiH Constitutional Court has discussed BiH Presidency member Sulejman Tihic’s request for the assessment whether the part of BiH Constitution that regulate the appointment of BiH Presidency and BiH House of Representatives members is in accordance with the regulations of the European Human Rights Convention; Constitutional Court decided that it is not competent in this case. It also decided on the request of BIH Presidency member Borislav Paravac regarding constitutionality of 166 laws adopted by FBIH Parliament is unfounded. BIH CC stressed that Paravac hasn’t submitted proper legal arguments that would support his request. |
Judicial issues, war crimes |
| Former BiH Presidency member Sarovic to spend 30 more days in custody | Hayat, FTV, RTRS, PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Sarovic’s detention prolonged’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4, mentioned on cover, ‘Guarantee of Serbian Government refused’ by A.Sisic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Sarovic’s detention prolonged’ by Z.Domazet– Mirko Sarovic, former RS President will spend 30 more days in custody due to indictment that charges Sarovic for abuses in “Privredna banka Srpsko Sarajevo” in 1998. Sarovic’s attorney Dragisa Jokic said that BiH Court rejected guaranties that Serbia gave for Sarovic taking into consideration that Montenegro did not give guaranties and that Sarovic could escape there. |
| Ashdown, BiH CoM Chair Terzic, ICTY: RS is still not fully cooperating with Tribunal | Hayat, Pink,RTRS, BHT1, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘RS is not cooperating with ICTY’ by S.Gojkovic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Objection to RS’ by N.Z. – RS is still not doing enough regarding the cooperation with the ICTY, is said in the joint statement issued by the outgoing High Representative Paddy Ashdown, BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic and The Hague Tribunal. |
| ICTY Chief prosecutor once again urges EU to press SCG for Mladic, Karadzic | Oslobodjenje pg 2, mentioned on cover, ‘I need Mladic’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘To arrest Mladic by end of February’ by Beta – Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte once again urged European Union to exert pressure on Serbia-Montenegro to arrest Ratko Mladic and to discover the hiding place of Radovan Karadzic. “Mladic can be arrested. Serbian Government simply has to decide to arrest him and deliver him to The Hague. I must say that my latest information on Karadzic’s whereabouts is several months old. The only thing I know is that he is still in the region, and that he is moving. Therefore, he could be in RS, but also in Serbia ”, stated Del Ponte in Paris . |
| SCG Chair of National Council for Coop with ICTY, Ljajic to report on Mladic before Defence Supreme Council | RTRS, Pink – Rasim Ljajic,Chair of the National Council for Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal said that some individuals from SCG Army communicated with Ratko Mladic, war crime indictee. According to Ljajic, report on this issue will be presented on the following session of Supreme Council of Defence. Ljajic added that authorities in Serbia have no knowledge that Mladic is in Serbia but have to make double efforts in order to locate Mladic. |
