Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 28 April
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| What’s not said about Vlasic meet? | Farmers protest in | First phase of Vlasic mtg ends |
| Abolishing of drafting, army reserves | Russian President visits | BiH CoM’s session cancelled |
| BiH Parliament delegation in | 6 killed in | SiCG Colonel’s arrest in |
TV news broadcast on 27 April
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Negotiations at Vlasic | Vlasic meeting continues | Meeting on Vlasic/police reform |
| HNZ on police reform | Report on Serbs killed in | Doris Pack on BiH structure |
| HB on Croat channel in BIH | Meeting on security in | Report on Serbs killed in |
| HSP on BIH order | Cedomir Brankovic arrested | FBiH Commission rejects the list |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| [Hayat ceased temporarily to air | Meeting on Vlasic/police reform | Pack on proposed cantnisation |
| by cable after dispute] | Report on Serbs killed in | Preliminary list of Serbs killed in SA |
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| New mass grave in Foca area | Report on Vlasic meeting |
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| HJPC rejected Renovica apeal | SRS on police reform |
| Oslobodjenje | Hadzipasic announces reduction of the invalid pensions |
| Dnevni Avaz | 15 persons suspected in ‘Dobrovoljacka’ case |
| Dnevni List | Raguz instead of Covic |
| Vecernji List | |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Dr. Bozo Ljubic at helm of HDZ? |
| Nezavisne Novine | One police agreed |
| Glas Srpske | The number of victims increasing |
| EuroBlic | Denunciation for crimes at |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
| Nacional | Features Serbian related topics |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| Comments on Valsic negotiations
| RTRS – The talk of 11 parliamentary parties in BiH on police reform at Vlasic ended late last night. The talks are to resume sometime between 11 to 15 May. Dragan Cavic, SDS President, stated after the first phase of talks that no agreement has been reached regarding police regions. He noted agreement has been reached in regard to establishment of the Commission, which is to deal with police regions’ maps. The Commission is to be consisted of representatives from both entities and BiH COM. The BiH CoM Chair, Adnan Terzic, and HR to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, today in |
| Tokaca: List by RS MoI best example for police reform | FENA – President of the Investigative-Documentation Centre Mirsad Tokaca stated that HR Paddy Ashdown does not need a better example for the police reform from the first page of the preliminary list of killed Serbs in |
| Protests of farmers in
| BH Radio 1 by Aida Suljevic – Several hundred of farmers are holding the protests in front of the building of the BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in |
| RS CoP to hold session on 4 May | RTRS – On 4th May, RS Council of Peoples will hold regular session which is to discuss launch of procedure for protection of vital national interest of Bosniak people. The request has been filed upon adoption of the RS NA Declaration on strategic commitments of RS in defence strategy. |
Vlasic talks on police reform end | |
| Negotiations on Vlasic end: Tihic says agreement on single police organization at BiH level reached
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Expert commission will determine the number of police regions’, mentioned on cover, by Az. K. – In a statement to Oslobodjenje, Sulejman Tihic said while a number and borders of the police regions were not agreed on, the agreement was reached allowing the police to cross entities and cantonal border lines. He confirmed Adnan Terzic will head Commission who will come up with the final proposal on the police maps by 9 May. Tihic also said that the leaders reached an agreement on three documents stipulating the single police organization will be established at the BiH level and foreseeing that the police related laws are in the state authorities. Daily concluded that HR Paddy Ashdown and EC Head Michael Humphreys let Terzic head negotiations which gave some results. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 inset ‘Tihic: Exclusive authority of the state’ – Tihic further: “I am satisfied with the overall results of the negotiations… Now I am optimist and I really think we will reach the final solution satisfactory for all sides, and in the interests of BiH state… in same way, everybody find compromise… There are regions which will be established in according with the agreement based on functionality which could, but don’t necessarily have to, respect inter-entity border line. Entities’ MoIs could stay but they will not have police authorities.” BHT 1, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Organization of police at state level agreed’ by De.L., Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Police Director will have assistants from both entities’ by M. Relota, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17, mentioned on cover ‘Negotiations lasted whole night’ by A. Macanovic – also report the on transfer of jurisdiction over police to the state level was reached, including financial control [Cropress carried out report by BHT1]. FTV reported that the agreement is a result of the political trade carried out without IC reps present. |
| DA says number of regions, state control over police not agreed
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Negotiations on Vlasic temporarily ceased’, mentioned on cover, by E. Sarac – DA reports The Vlasic negotiations between 11 political leaders on police reform were temporarily ceased Wednesday evening at about 22.00. According to daily, the representatives failed to reach an agreement on the number of police regions and transfer of authorities from entities to the state level. Instead, they have agreed to establish the Commission which will draft the proposal of the regional organization. The RS negotiators, Dragan Cavic, Mladen Ivanic and Milorad Dodik, insisted to maintain inter-entity border lines and for RS to have the status of a single police region. The agreement was also reached on budget and legislative activities to be executed at the state level. According to the leader of SBiH, Safet Halilovic, this is a result of the negotiations between local politicians without IC presence. The principal agreement was also reached on establishment of the Police Conference to supervise the work of the single police structure. It would include Police Director, two Assistants from FBiH/RS, Directors of SIPA and SBS, and Police Regions Commissioners. Under this agreement, the entities MoIs would continue to exist. DA further learns that the dispute was caused by the discussion on the political control over the police. One side lead by Dragan Cavic, was advocating for Police Board to also include Security Minister and two of Assistants of BiH Police Director. Opposing side was arguing that the Board should have more members and that its role should be consultative. At the end, principal agreement was reached according to which the Police Board is to consist of Security Minister and Entities Interior Ministers, and three other members appointed by RS and FBiH Governments. DA unofficially learns that the Chair of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, will head the Commission in charge of producing the final proposal. RHB, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Regions for the break’ by N.Diklic, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Concessions extorted, outcome uncertain’ by Rajna Radosavljevic– reports aired/published before the end of negotiations. PINK – carries Halilovic. |
| Dodik: Maps are key issue
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 inset ‘Dodik: Nothing is agreed until all is agreed’ – SNSD leader, Milorad Dodik, commented the talks on police reform leaving the hotel at Vlasic by saying that “nothing is agreed until all is agreed. There is more talk to be done on maps, which is the key problem of everything… I think that one of the solutions will be to have police uniforms with symbols of both the state and entities. An effort was made to come to some kind of compromise. I think that the constitutional change is not necessary to end reform.” Nezavisne Novine cover splash, pg 3 ‘One police agreed’ by R.Segrt, P.Klincov – Dodik said: “Bearing in mind the fact that RS Interior Minister would be the member of the [Police] Board and would decide on police budgets and appointments, it means RS MoI survives.” On issue of police uniforms, Dodik said that: “I think that one of solutions would be for police to have BiH coat-of-arms on one sleeve, and RS sign on the other.” According to NN, the talks are to resume sometime between 11 and 15 May. RTRS – also carries similar Dodik’s statement. |
| Ashdown satisfied with the negotiations at Vlasic
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 inset ‘Ashdown satisfied’ – OHR spokesperson, |
| RS NGOs, Veterans, PoWs, Refugees protest against solutions made in Vlasic
| RTRS by Tihomir Joksimovic – The Coordination Board of 11 RS NGOs on Wednesday announced protests in front of the building of the Government if RS leaders political parties accept proposed solutions on police reform at the Vlasic meeting. Board underlined that the RS representatives have no authority to decide upon police reform since RS NA has the exclusive right. The Chair of RS Association of Veterans Savo Cvjetinovic said the RS representatives on Vlasic should not and cannot accept any solution that is against BIH Constitution. The NGO Board added that is a crucial moment for RS and that the current processes are not intended to carry out reform but, as the Chair of RS Association of PoWs, Slavko Jovicic stated: “quite obvious aim of the International Community is to weaken RS Institutions and to abolish RS”. The Chair of Coordination body of RS Association of refuges Veljko Stevanovic said that citizens of RS cannot endure anymore the humiliation, insults and abuse of dignity “regardless from whom it’s coming”. Within next seven days RS NGOs will sign protocol on further proceedings according to the development of Vlasic talks. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘We will preserve Srpska’ by S.R.T., Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Decisions only in accordance with Constitution’ by N.N. – also report. |
| Brcko official: police reform is depriving Brcko of its authorities
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Brcko is losing its authority’ by M. Dj. – The President of Brcko District Municipal Board of DS, Stako Stakic, has stated that the proposed model of police reform represents a dismantling of the Dayton Agreement. ‘Brcko District, as in accordance with suggested maps, falls under the jurisdiction of Doboj. Not only that the Final Award is being violated by this, but it is also continued to be disrespected and Brcko is being deprived of its authorities’, Stakic has stated and added that the District has been deprived of its authorities on the occasion of establishing of ITA. |
| EUPM official Hamilton on police reform
| Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Criminals in BiH are communicating better than police officers’ by A. Sisic – EUPM officer for Bijeljina region David Hamilton has stated that it is clear to everyone that criminals in BiH have greater possibilities of access and communications than police officers and he noted he thinks BiH needs a police reform. |
| Op-ed: false compromise worst solution | Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Vlasic gathering’ op-ed by Gojko Beric – A false compromise would be the worst possible outcome of talks on police reform, according to Beric. |
| Op-ed: masques of politicians fell down
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Masques fell down on Vlasic’ by M. Zorlak carries an editorial saying that masques of political leaders, especially the ones from the RS, have fallen down during the meeting on the police reform taking place on Vlasic since they proved that they support the European BiH in theory only, because in practice they prefer the country in which organized crime, corruption and human trafficking rule. |
| Op-ed: politicians in BiH not treated as partners, but as ‘tribal chiefs’
| Nacional pg 10 ‘Prisoners’ – Daily comments on Vlasic meeting, criticising HR Paddy Ashdown’s insistence on abolishment of RS MoI and changes of BiH Constitution, which would result in abolishment of RS. ON HR’s approach towards Vlasic meeting participants, daily notes: “participants were strictly ordered not to communicate with the press. On bases of these facts, it may be concluded that politicians in BiH are not treated as partners in negotiations, but rather as tribal chiefs, who have not experienced civilisation…It is obviously the role HR has assigned to them, since he acts as all-mighty governor, whom natives view as God.” |
| Op-ed: entity MoIs to be abolished
| Novi Reporter editorial pg 6 ‘Vlasic’ by I.G. – The author refers to Vlasic meeting, noting that Dragan Cavic and ruling political elite of RS have upheld their oath they have given few months ago in Neum that “with their lives, and especially functions, they would be protecting any creation devised by the King of BiH”. The author concludes that police reform would be implemented in accordance with wishes of Paddy Ashdown and that entity MoI would be abolished. |
| Op-ed: Vlasic – a game of Lord of Flies
| Novi Reporter pgs 16-17 ‘Game of Lord of the Flies’ by Igor Gajic – The article of extreme criticism and containing rather harsh words and phrases, with sub-headline “Vlasic lining-up of reformers” notes that Paddy Ashdown is again exerting pressure against local officials of mainly Serb nationality, some Croats may also be subject to pressures, while SDA and Party for BiH “flies” regularly avoid pressures and criticism of HR. The author notes the outcome of Vlasic meeting can be predicted, ironically noting that yes – police reform should be implemented but in accordance with Ashdown’s principles. |
War crimes | |
| RS MoI publishes list of killed Serbs in
| RTRS – Representatives of the RS Interior Ministry on Wednesday presented a preliminary list of 2,436 Serbs who were killed and 575 who went missing in Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Ejup Ganic leading the responsible ones?!’ by De.L., Vecernji List pg 3 ’15 persons suspected, Ejup Ganic is among them’ by bs – According to unofficial information, Ganic is among those accused in ‘ PINK – “RS MoI is going to do all in its power to collect exact and complete data on every citizen who was killed in RHB, FTV, BHT1, Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘15 persons suspected in ‘Dobrovoljacka’ case’ by Orijana Vukovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Preliminary list of 2435 killed and 575 missing Serbs in Sarajevo publicised’, pg 9 ‘Backovic: Minimising crimes of RS Army and destabilizing BiH’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ’15 persons from Sarajevo charged with crimes’ by A. Macanovic, EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘Denunciation for crimes at Dobrovoljacka street supplemented’ and RSpg 1 ‘Punishments waiting for crimes’ by Mirna Soja, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Names of 2345 Serbs murdered in Sarajevo published’ by D.Risojevic, Vecernje Novosti pg 6 ‘List of victims on inetrnet’ by M.Labus, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Ejup Ganic leading the responsible ones?!’ by De.L., Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Names of 2436 killed and 575 missing Serbs published’ by A. Macanovic – also cover. |
| FBiH officials strongly oppose RS MoI claims on war crimes vs. Serbs
| BHT 1 Boris Grubesic – The List of names of murdered Serb civilians during the war in FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 – also carries Odobasic. |
| Todorovic: SDS is manipulating with victims
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Todorovic: SDS is manipulating with victims’ by V. Popovic – Chairman of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Branko Todorovic thinks RS authorities, by publishing lists of Serbs that were killed or gone missing in Sarajevo from 1992-1995 during Vlasic negotiations, are trying to avoid taking of the responsibility for decisions they make and divert attention away from these events. He notes: “SDS obviously wants to avoid taking of the burden of responsibility for decisions that have been made. Instead, it is transferring it to citizens. This is no coincidence because SDS has already showed it manipulates in a quite skillful manner with such things, especially when it comes to national interests.” He thinks police reform is necessary in BiH, but the manner in which the IC and BiH authorities are trying to realise this have brought everyone in a kind of a dead-end street and he emphasises that the reform should not have been dealt with in a hastily manner because it dramatically rises tensions in society. |
| NN op-ed on list: Games with a list
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Games with a list’ by Dragan Risojevic – Writing of list RS MoI presented, the author thinks this list would surely bring new quarrels. He believes the police should be left out from such quarrels because they are facing a noble task – to let families of killed persons know these crimes would be punished. However, the author notes the timing of publishing of the list is interesting, having in mind Vlasic negotiations, and believes this was made in order to lessen a shock caused by possible agreement on state police. ‘Half of Serb Sarajevo citizens can swear the police were in possession of these data even during the time they still have lived in Serb Sarajevo, however the police have waited for an entire decade to pass before someone gave a consent on publishing of the data’, the author concludes. |
| Matijasevic says he is not fully satisfied with RS coop. wt/ ICTY
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Matijasevic dissatisfied with cooperation with the ICTY’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Matijasevic not satisfied with cooperation of RS with ICTY’ – RS Interior Minister, Darko Matijasevic, has said that the RS cooperation with the Hague tribunal is improving, but he is not yet satisfied with its level. According to him, full cooperation must be achieved and all persons listed by the Hague tribunal must face the justice system. “I, the minister of this sector, will not be satisfied until we meet legal demands,” Matijasevic stated for the |
| ICTY presses charges for revealing of identity of protected witness
| Vecernji List, front pg splash and pgs 8-9 ‘The Hague indictment for Rebic’, by Jasna Babic, Dnevni List, pg 12, mentioned on front ‘Markica Rebic and journalists of Hrvatsko slovo charged’, not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 3 ‘The Hague charges Markica Rebic, Ivica Marijacic, Domagoj Margetic and Stjepan Seselj’, by H – Spokesperson of ICTY, Jim Landale, announced that an indictment has been unsealed against former head of Croatian intelligence service (SIS), Markica Rebic, journalist Ivica Marijacic, and editor-in-chief of ‘Hrvatsko slovo’ from Croatia Domagoj Margetic and Stjepan Seselj respectively, who are charged with revealing of identity of a protected witness and publishing of transcripts of the witness’ testimonies given in the Blaskic trials dating from 1997 and 1998. |
| Bishop Grigorije calls on Karadzic/Mladic to surrender
| RTRS, EuroBlic pg 3 ‘Karadzic and Mladic should go to The Hague’ – Bishop of Zahumlje Herzegovina Region and Seashore, Grigorije stated that ICTY indictees Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic should turn themselves in since it is not Christianly for entire nation to suffer because of two individuals. In a statement given to weekly “Reporter” that they should prove their innocence or guilt before ICTY in |
| SCG military analyst: Mladic in
| PINK – The Chair of the SCG National Council for cooperation with the ICTY, Rasim Raljic said that search for Ratko Mladic is going to be intensified [see BiH Round up April 27]. In Belgrade, the meeting on security was held on Wednesday during which military analyst, Zoran Dragisic said that Mladic was probably hiding in Serbia: “I think that he is hiding here, due to the pressure Serbia is faced with which is issued by numerous agencies. According to some data, Mladic very often crosses SCG-RS border.” |
| Del Ponte: Gotovina was hiding in | BHT 1 by Seid Masnica – ICTY Chief Prosecutor, Carla del Ponte, stated that ICTY suspect Ante Gotovina was hiding in |
Defence and security issues | |
| Results of investigation on Manjaca/Bileca and sanctions to be announced on 4 May
| BHT 1 by Mirela Cosic – Defence Reform Commission (DRC) held working meeting in FTV Sanja Bagaric – Even though these incidents in Manjaca/Bileca damaged BiH reputation in the world, Radovanovic notes that they could lead to the reorganisation of BiH armed forces. “This event will enable command, control, responsible and competent institutions to be affirmed. That way, this event could get some kind of positive dimension,” said Radovanovic. It is confirmed that the draft law on military service won’t be ready by the beginning of May. Radovanovic concluded that the solutions regarding the defence reform will be proposed at the next meeting on May 27. RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Drafts late, but not adoption’ by A.P., Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Such conscription is unacceptable’ by S.N., Dnevni List pg 5 ‘NATO supports abolishment of military service’ by E. Mackic, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘To abolish current system of recruitment’ by H, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Measures for incidents at Manjaca and Bileca at the beginning of next week’ by A.Sisic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Recruits cost much’ by N.Zelenovic – also cover. |
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| Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Al Q’Aeda knitting net’ by D.Majstorovic, EuroBlic pg 3 ‘Al Q’Aeda in Zenica’ by D.Vukelic, Vecernje Novosti pg 7 ‘Al Q’Aeda still in Bosnia’ by M.Vuksanovic/S.Kraljevic – The conference on terrorism in South East Europe has taken place in Belgrade, with the participation of several American representatives, including members of US Congress and US Ministries. Evan Coleman, consultant at US Ministry of Justice and FBI, said that America is too much occupied with the internal affairs and uncertain situation in Iraq to pay attention to resolving the old problem – the presence of “Al Q’Aeda” cells in BiH (namely in Zenica) and in the region. According to inset “Suspicious groups’, Dragomir Andan, RS Police Director, stated at the conference that RS MoI holds information on actions of Al Q’Aeda and its cells in BiH, accusing Bosniak political leadership, led by SDA, for having enabled the arrival of terrorist cells in BiH. |
Political issues | |
| DL: Raguz to become Covic’ successor
| Dnevni List cover pg splash ‘Raguz instead of Covic’ and pg 3 ‘Raguz is most serious candidate for position of Covic’ successor’ by M. Batarello – DL says that the HDZ Presidency session should take place on Friday (April 29) and a candidate for a Croat member of the HDZ Presidency should be elected during this session. HDZ spokesperson Pero Pavlovic said that preparations for the HDZ Convention and discussion on constitutional changes would be discussed during this session however he refused to confirm that the HDZ Presidency would also propose a candidate for Dragan Covic’s successor. DL says that, nevertheless, the election of the Covic’s successor has been expected at the aforementioned session, since the BiH House of Representatives has scheduled a session for May 4 and the election of the Croat member of the BiH Presidency is an item of the agenda. According to DL, it is quite certain that Martin Raguz would be the Covic’s successor, President of HDZ Caucus in the HoR Vinko Zoric would come at the current Raguz’ position (Chairman of the BiH HoR), while Covic would be the strongest but not the only candidate for a new HDZ President at the HDZ Convention in June. ‘Danas’ cover pg splash and pgs 10-13 ‘Raguz instead of Covic’ by Danas investigative team – same information was carried by the magazine. |
| SD interview: Bozo Ljubic on HDZ, position of BiH Croats
| Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash ‘Dr. Bozo Ljubic at helm of HDZ?’, and pg 17 ‘Bozo Ljubic: I do not have right to be passive!’, by Zvonimir Cilic – Carries an interview with senior official of HDZ, Bozo Ljubic, who has been mentioned by some media as a candidate to become the new HDZ President. As for the position of the BiH Croats, Ljubic notes that the HDZ has been idle regarding the position of the BiH Croats, which resulted in things going “downhill”, which resulted in worse economic and political position of the Croats. As for the HDZ and his possible engagement, Ljubic, according to SD, “buttoned up” by saying: “I can say that everyone, who can contribute to the benefit of the Croat people in BiH and citizens in general, has no right to be passive”. |
| DA: Doko, Dokic to resign from BiH CoM? | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Resignations to be filed by Ministers Dokic and Doko?’, mentioned on cover, by S.N. – According to DA, the Council of Ministers will face with two new resignations, Foreign Trade Minister Dragan Doko and BiH Minister Transportation and Communication Branko Dokic. As DA learns, Doko was expected to inform yesterday Adnan Terzic and Deputy Prime Minister Barisa Colak whether he would resign. Media speculated that in that case, he would be replaced by Dragan Vrankic, current Finance Minister in the FBiH Govt. Also according to DA, Branko Dokic, who is suspected by the BL Court of misuse of power, has started looking for new job as of today, and it is speculated that he would be replaced by Dragan Mikerevic. Inset ‘Dokic: I expect talk with Terzic’ carries Dokic as saying that he will talk about his resignation with Terzic soon. Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Hadzipasic does not know about Vrankic’ by M. Relota carries Hadzipasic as saying that he has not received the official information that Vrankic would replace Dragan Doko. Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Changes in FBiH Government on hold!?’ by M. Karacic DL also carries that the departure Vrankic has been mentioned quite frequently lately. Vrankic did not either deny or confirm this information, however, he stressed that he would respect all decisions of the HDZ Presidency. |
| Doris Pack says cantonalisation is best solution for BiH
| BHT 1 y Elvir Bucalo – Cantonisation is the best solution for the future of the BiH, stated for BHT Head of the European Parliament Delegation for the Southeast Europe, Doris Pack. This proposal foresees RS as one canton, Brcko another, and FBiH to consist of several cantons. This way, there will be no more FBiH. Pack claims that this structure would go together with the proposal on the organisation of the state police structures. She added that current BiH organisation is not functional and it is not in accordance with EU standards. Regarding the High Representative powers, Pack said that upcoming end of the HR Paddy Ashdown’s mandate should be used for radical changes. She believes that the country still needs the High Representative, but not the one with the unlimited powers. RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Cantonalisation is the key’, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘ |
| VL interview: Austrian Ambassador Almhofer on HR’s powers
| Vecernji List, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘I expect that Ashdown uses his powers less and less’, by Eldina Medunjanin – Questioned to comment on “frequent calls for constitutional changes and decrease of powers of the High Representative for BiH”, the new Austrian Ambassador to BiH, Werner Almhofer, says: “As for reduction of the High Representative’s powers, it will happen parallel with the process of getting closer to the EU and the progress that needs to be made along the road. One can expect that the powers the High Representative has will be used less, with a possibility that they are not used at all in the future. It is a process that lasts, which is in the context of getting closer to the EU”. |
| HR to announce names of pardoned politicians: Three municipal officials to be rehabilitated first
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Three municipal officials to be rehabilitated first’ S.N. – High Representative Paddy Ashdown is expected on Friday to announce first list with the names of removed BiH officials that will be rehabilitated. According to the reliable daily’s source, it is about three lower-ranking municipal officials, who used to work with bodies tasked for implementation of property laws. The Friday’s announcement of names represents only the first phase in the process of rehabilitation of some of the public office holders in BiH, who were removed by OHR since 1996. |
| OHR welcomes return of PBS law into parliamentary procedure
| FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘OHR welcomes returning PBS law into parliamentary procedure’, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Law on RTV service new admission ticket for EU?’ by D.K., Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Rturn of Law into parliament procedure welcomed’ by Agencies – OHR welcomes the return of PBS laws to parliamentary procedures and hopes that the Parliament will act constructively and duly adopt the PBS laws, said the OHR South spokeswoman, |
| HNZ does not fully agree with Croat parties’ platform on BiH’s reorganization
| Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Without signature on platform’ by M. Vasilj carries that HNZ President Milenko Brkic informed that, most probably, HNZ will not participate in signing of Croat parties’ platform on reorganization of BiH, which has been scheduled for May 4 in Sarajevo. Commenting on this issue, HSS President Marko Tadic stated that HNZ objections would be reconsidered ad if representatives of other Croat parties agree with them they will not be put in the document. He added that if it was necessary signing of the platform would be postponed until stands are completely harmonized. |
Economic and social issues | |
| RS Finance Minister on pensions, dissatisfied with VAT preparations
| EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘BAM 12 million to RS PIO Fund today’ by Tijana Veselinovic, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Taxes filling in vault’ by D.Vrhovac-Mihajlovic – RS Finance Minister, Svetlana Cenic, Wednesday announced that Ministry would transfer the amount of BAM 12 million to RS PIO Fund intended for payment of debt to pensioners from 2000. She also stated that RS budget has been carried out in the first three months of 2005, in the amount of BAM 190 million, or 91.4 %. She expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing preparations for VAT introduction, explaining that IC has not as yet provided answers to two issues raised: how municipalities will be financed and how would the most vulnerable families be protected. Also carried by |
| RS pensioners to hold protests
| RTRS Report by Daliborka Predragovic – The Chair of RS Pensioners Association, Rade Rakulj, confirmed that the pensioners in RS would hold protests. After RS Finance minister, Svetlana Cenic said that RS Govt will transfer 12 million KM although RS NA decided to pay 36 million of KM for retirees. Cenic said it is due to insufficient funds in the budget. “Everybody is waiting for these first hundred days of new government, you will hit from all sides, retirees are not the only users of budget” commented Cenic. |
| FBiH PM Hadzipasic announces reduction of disability pensions
| Dnevni Avaz cover page ‘Hadzipasic announces reduction of disability pensions’, pg 3 ‘Payments/pensions/benefits for veterans to be reduced as of next year?’ A. Basic – FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic told the daily after a meeting with Head of World Bank’s |
| On mtg Reinerman/Bukejlovic
| Dnevni List pg 9 ‘World Bank will secure 150 million Dollars of loans’ by NINA, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16 ‘ WB to suspend 30 million Dollars for BiH?’ by D. Pasic – During the meeting with RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic held on Thursday, Director of the World Bank Office for BiH Dirk Reinerman stated that the WB is planning to secure about 150 million Dollars of loans for various projects in BiH. SD also says the WB issued a press release which says that over 2 years ago BiH experts and the WB made the project whose goal was to improve business environment in order to make it more attractive for domestic and foreign investors. The press release also says that all reforms from this project have not been implemented and the WB stressed that further lack of progress might force the WB to suspend this project, which would result in the loss of the unpaid second tranche amounting to about 30 million Dollars and BiH would be deprived of modern business environment attractive for investors. |
| DL: INA-MOL best bid for recovery of Energopetrol | Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Best offer of company INA-MOL’ by D. Polovina-Mandic – Federation of BiH Minister of Industry, Mining and Energy Izet Zigic stated that the Commission in charge of selection of a new partner for recovery of Energopetrol has assessed bids and the report and recommendations have been forwarded to the FBiH Government which should discuss this issue today (Thursday). DL says that Zigic did not want to reveal the decision of the Commission before the FBiH Government makes stand on this issue. DL says that according to their information the bid of the Croatian-Hungarian company INA-MOL has been assessed as the best one. |