| BH TV 1 (19:00 hrs) | FED TV (19:30 hrs) | RT RS (19:30) |
| EU on BiH-US Agreement | OHR on Nikic | RS govt on tunnel constr. |
| Stability Pact meeting | ‘Polihem’ workers | Joint army issue |
| Interview with HR | FBiH Law on Civil Service | Stability Pact meeting |
| EUPM on Mostar police |
| Euro-Atlantic summit |
| Oslobodjenje | BiH most attractive in Balkans for business; Alibabic – Izetbegovic should wait for the court decision; Anniversary of the Ferhadija massacre – remembering the killed |
| Dnevni Avaz | Hadzipasic warns Miletic – there will be no targeted processes; Tihic starts an action – Constitution changes for Europe; Stanic – the police knows where Ermin Curtic is |
| Dnevni List | Friars in Herzegovina faced with extinction; Croat companies have to undergo an audit urgently |
| Vecernji List | Reduce the number of army soldier by 7,000; The Cup to Zeljeznicar football players; Banja Luka – OHR blocked |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Complete book of information on crime will be submitted to the government soon; Resolving the issue of Ploce Port and the Neum passage soon?; Payment of pensions begins on June 2; Close connection between politics, crime and corruption must break |
| Glas Srpske | Decision of the Republika Srpska government – a door to tunnel open; Bijeljina municipal Assembly – they demand their money |
| Nezavisne Novine | The list with names of people from BiH, who will be banned from entering EU states being finalised in Brussels – Dragan Kalinic to be banned from entering EU states; Tax inspector established illegality in the work of the Republika Srpska Tax Administration – Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the criminal report against Milica Bisic; Cvjetko Savic – joint army command is acceptable |
| Blic | Zdenko Stupar – strike will not endanger patients; Cvjetko Savic for Blic – the RS will not be left without its army; One turned a sack full of bombs to SFOR |
HR’s First Anniversary | |
| Interview with HR Ashdown | BHTV 19: 00 hrs by Laura Bosnjak – as the introduction to the interview, HR Paddy Ashdown was quoted as saying that BiH joining the EU by 2009 was possible if the reforms were implemented fast. During the interview, the HR stressed that the cost of the BiH government was an economic issue. “Two thirds of the taxes the citizens pay are spent on the politicians and bureaucracy, only one third goes to the citizens. This means that in a poor country such as BiH more money is spent on the government than in the US. We cannot afford to spend so much on politicians and bureaucracy and so little on the citizens who pay taxes,” said Ashdown. He stressed that the issue of who is guilty and who’s not, in relation to certain crimes in BiH, was not a question for the HR, but for the courts. “What we did last year was that we replaced corrupt judges, opened up space for the rule of law climate, opened up the state court and the court that would process criminal cases,” said the HR. Asked why BiH was still waiting for Serbia to send a list of criminals who would be banned from entering BiH, HR replied it was a big problem that was continuously addressed to the Serbian authorities. |
| HR’s address | RTRS at 19:30 hrs – in his written statement to the BiH citizens, following the first anniversary of his mandate in BiH, HR Paddy Ashdown stressed the importance of fight against crime and prostitution. Politics and criminal are directly linked in BiH. Also supporters of war criminals should be eliminated. Ashdown expresses optimism regarding the BiH joining the EU integration. Some important tasks have been accomplished last year. Avaz pg. 4 ‘No easy way to implement reforms’ – last night’s TV address by HR during which he stated it was possible for BiH to join the EU if reforms were implemented fast. Also said that in the next period attention has to be drawn to one big problem – the expenses of the BiH authorities. |
| HR’s interview for BBC
| Oslobodjenje pg. 1 and 5 – said BiH was becoming the best country for foreign investments. He called on all interested foreign investors to invest in BiH. He warned of a misunderstanding between the local authorities and the IC in regard to how how long the peace building process lasts. |
| Oslobodjenje commentary
| Oslobodjenje pg. 2 ‘Paddy’s first year’ by Amra Kebo – the author says that Ashdown was very welcomed when he first arrived to BiH, but a year later he is not as nearly popular. Assessments from the IC circles, claims Kebo, are that he is a good politician who surrounded himself with bad associates. Kebo goes on to list a number of things he has done – he has been making a decision every fourth day. So far, sums up the author, Ashdown is best known for expelling Munja and failing to expel Sarovic from the politics forever. However, she adds, he still has a chance of being celebrated as ‘Clinton’ – if works on the construction of the Vc corridor commenced, the project which would open employment opportunities and feed the hungry. |
| CRO press on HR’s 1st anniversary | Dnevni List pg. 1 and 10 – a letter HR wrote to the BiH citizens following the first anniversary of his mandate in BiH. Also, the daily carries reactions by BiH citizens, which are generally positive. |
Political Affairs | |
| EU on BiH – US Agreement
| BHTV at 19:00 hrs by Senad Pandzic – following the signing of the US – BiH Agreement, Chairman of the EU Council, Jorges Papandreu, and European Commission President, Chris Patten, have addressed a very strong warning to the BiH authorities. The EU continues to strongly support the need for the efficient ICC functioning. “As a country that the EU has close and developing relations, we refer you to the conclusions and leading principles of the EU Council when formulating your response to the US bilateral agreement,” says the EU warning. Avaz pg. 2 ‘EU is against the Agreement with US’ – the EU requested from the BiH authorities not to ratify the Agreement with the US. Vecernji List pg. 2 ‘On ratification on June 6?’ – Speaker of BiH Parliament’s House of Representatives, Sefik Dzaferovic, as confirming that the ‘controversial agreement’, as VL labels it, between BiH and US on the exemption of the US citizens from the ICC has not reached the state Parliament yet. Dzaferovic says the agreement has not been sent into the parliamentary procedure adding that if the agreement were to be received during this week, it could be discussed by the Parliament during a session scheduled for June 6. Apparently, the hold-up happened due to the fact that the original text of the agreement in English needed to be translated and subsequently checked by the US. Moreover, VL says the BiH Presidency rules out speculations that the BiH authorities are playing a double game by trying to sign the agreement without ratifying it, like Romania which signed a similar agreement with the US last year but still has not to ratified it. |
| Stability Pact meeting in Cavtat
| BHTV at 19:00 hrs by Mirela Cosic – “The goal of the Stability Pact and the region is the same – to join the Western Balkans to the European Union as soon as possible,” said Erkhart Busec, Stability Pact Coordinator for South-eastern Europe at a Regional meeting in Cavtat. Dominant themes were preparations for the EU summit in Thessalonica – scheduled for June 21 – and a long-term position of the South-eastern Europe, especially in the West Balkans region. Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister, said he ‘pointed out which priorities BiH will represent in the following year – the establishing of a free trade zone in the South-eastern Europe, of the electrical power regulatory agency, mutual acknowledgement of university diplomas, infrastructure projects and the fight against organised crime’. The listed have received the support of all other countries participating in the meeting. RTRS at 19:30 hrs – the Stability Pact meeting on human rights, civil liberties and democratisation in Cavtat. The goal of the Stability Past is to bring the Western Balkan region to the EU. Avaz pg. 8 ‘Developed region has more chances for the EU’ – yesterday’s Stability Pact session. |
| FBiH HoR session | BHTV at 19:00 by Marina Boskovic – the FBIH HoR held a session yesterday during which they reviewed the FBiH government programme for this year. According to PM Ahmed Hadzipasic, the biggest success was the exertion of influence on the functioning of big companies and activities aimed at finding new models of privatisation. Most objections focused on the economy sector and the situation in the ‘Agrokomerc’ company. The Commission for Harmonising the Text of the Law on Civil Service was established. FTV at 19:30 by Rasim Borcak – the FBiH HoR formed the Commission, which is going to consolidate previously rejected draft Law with the Law adopted by the Federation House of Peoples. Reps discussed the Federation government’s programme for this year. The government plans to increase the production and export as well as to help the agriculture. Deputies, especially those from opposition, criticised the programme calling it ‘incomplete and unrealistic’. The programme is to be discussed tomorrow at a session of the FBiH House of Peoples. Avaz pg. 8 ‘Vacancy announcements for all civil servants’ – reps discussed the issue of pensions and the adoption of the Veterans Law. Vecernji List pg. 2 ‘The rise of gross domestic product promised’ – Hadzipasic presented a program of the FBiH government’s work for 2003. The PM promised an increase in the number of employed persons, growth of production and exports and significant investments in the FBiH economy. The program envisages the growth rate of some 12%, for employment figures to go up by 6% and an increase of export by 15%. Other plans include $ 800 million worth of investments and speeding up of the privatization process. Oslobodjenje pg. 6 ‘Criticisms of the FBiH government’s ambitious plans’ – |
| OHR demands Nikic’s removal | FTV at 19:30 by BETA agency – Senior Deputy High Representative Donald Hays demands from a Serb member of the BiH Presidency, Borislav Paravac, to withdraw Cvijetin Nikic from the BiH Central Bank Steering Board. BETA Agency got the info from well-informed political sources close to the RS Government who claim Nikic’s dismissal was possible since the OHR is of the view that he had no reputation necessary for the post he was holding. Hays warned Paravac that if he failed to remove Nikic the RS could be shaken with a new scandal with Nikic in the centre of it. Avaz pg. 8 ‘Withdraw Nikic from the Central Bank Steering Board’ – Nikic’s removal is inevitable as the OHR believes people like him have no necessary reputation for the position Nikic is currently holding. Glas Srpske pg. 2 ‘Nikic targeted by Hays’ – reported Hays’ request on behalf of the OHR. |
| RS govt session / Fatnicko polje tunnel | RTRS at 19:30 hrs by Daliborka Predragovic – the RS government has decided to continue the construction of the Fatnicko polje tunnel. An expert team of the RS government will decide if this investment is justified and profitable in the next 30 days. A chief public auditor will review the contract and tender and some elements may need to be changed. OHR Spokesman, Vedran Perišić, said the government and Parliament should make a final decision on the construction. The privatization agency decided to sell the ‘Hidrogradnja’ company to the London-based EFT company. BHTV at 19:00 hrs by Boris Gagic – yesterday’s session of the RS government. The government decided to continue works on the Fatnicko polje tunnel. Such decision was made following a report by the government Commission that said the RS might suffer great damages unless the works continued. The government supported the defence system reforms, but stressed that all decisions regarding this issue had to be taken in the National Assembly. The government is going to ask the RS Chief Auditor’s Office to carry out the revision of a contract between the ‘Elektroprivreda’ and British EFT. FTV at 19:30 hrs – the RS government orders a Working Group, consisting of representatives of the government, ‘Elektroprivreda’ and international organisations, to examine justification of the works at the Fatnicko Polje tunnel. In the meantime, works on the tunnel will proceed since further blockade will only cause damages. The government failed to adopt the rebalance of the budget for 2003. Glas Srpske cover page – also reported on yesterday’s session by the RS govt. The decision, regarding the continuation of works on the tunnel, was received with a great satisfaction in Bileca and the entire region of Herzegovina. Blic pg. 6 ‘A month for a final solution’ – on the conclusion by the RS govt regarding the Fatnicko polje tunnel. |
| Bileca municipality on Fatnicko polje tunnel | RTRS at 19:30 by Bozidar Stajcic – the Bileća municipality issued a press release stating that 300 workers would be fired and that the Fatnicko polje tunnel project had a strategic importance for the region. This project is the only economic activity and municipality would ask for compensation from the government if the project was cancelled. |
| Tihic on constitutional changes | Avaz pg. 1 and 2 – a Bosniak member of the BiH Persidency, Sulejman Tihic, next month will officially start activities that lead to the changing of the BiH Constitution. He explained that this was the only way to join fast the EU and Euro-Atlantic integration. He stated that with the changes of the BiH Constitutions he plans to initiate the granting of necessary authorities to the state, which is a common practice everywhere in the world. This means the state would be in charge of decision related to the defence issues, economic issues, it would eliminate the possibility of obstruction, would limit the vital national interest and ensure constituency of all peoples. He said he already received the support from Laszlo Surjan, on behalf of the CoE, and Croatian President Stipe Mesic. |
| Law on Sport | Avaz pg. 3 ‘Urgently adopt the Law on Sport’ – yesterday HR Paddy Ashdown called on the BiH CoM to adopt the Law on Sport ASAP. He said sport was a strong integration factor in BiH. Slobodna Dalmacija back page ‘Sport must not be destructive’ – Ashdown yesterday visited the BiH Olympic Committee and gave full support to their work. |
| Charges against Ashdown | Vecernji List pg. 2 ‘Charges against Ashdown’ – Banja Luka based ‘Patriot’ magazine reported that politicians and public officials that had been removed by HR Paddy Ashdown were preparing to press charges against Ashdown with the European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg. VL reports this will be the first case where BiH citizens seek protection from the European Court for Human Rights ever since the country has become a full member of the Council of Europe. |
| Bosniak caucus at the CoP | Nezavisne Novine pg. 4 ‘Ramiz Salkic is the new President of Bosniak caucus’ – Ramiz Salkic is the new President of the Bosniak caucus at the Republika Srpska Council of People’s. He was elected unanimously. Avaz pg. 3 ‘Ramiz Salkic elected for the Chair’ – a first working session of Bosniak caucus at the RS CoP held yesterday. Salkic unanimously elected the new Chair. |
| DL on Ploce port and Vc | Dnevni List pg. 1 and 3 – Croatian Prime Minister, Ivica Racan, yesterday announced that he and BiH officials would soon try to reach an agreement on the important issues between the two countries related to the Ploce Port and construction of the corridor Vc that would connect BiH and Croatia with central Europe via Hungary. Racan also stated if the talks were not to be successful, the Croatian authorities would consider other options regarding the Vc corridor. |
Police Affairs | |
| EUPM on Mostar police
| BHTV at 19:00 hrs by Vanja Ibrahimbegovic – EUPM made a very careful estimate that the Mostar police might have used an excessive force during the riots after the Saturday football game in Mostar – though an investigation is still in the process. BHTV cameraman was advised to file an official complaint in order for the investigation to be carried out. “Police has no right to confiscate filmed material from journalists after riots if they were only doing their job,” said Alun Roberts, adding that the police forces must respect the established code of conduct towards the media. The BHTV shortly informed of a RTV PBS Union press release stressing that they strongly defended the professional integrity of their cameraman, Haris Zugor, who was prevented from carrying out his duty. FTV at 19:30 by Zeljko Tica – the EUPM says police has no right to detain a TV cameraman just for doing their job. Police must conduct a full, open and fundamental investigation on events that occurred after the Saturday’s soccer match in Mostar and it is going to be closely monitored by the EUPM. The EU police mission is trying to determine whether football supporters behaved in a provocative way and whether police used an unnecessary force to stop them. In addition to that, the EUPM will tackle events related to the brutal arrest of an FTV cameraman Haris Zugor. The EUPM had interviewed Haris Zugor and the PBS Union expressed their support to Zugor’s professional integrity. Oslobodjenje pg. 8 An official complaint triggers investigation’ – Roberts’ statement that it was necessary that an official complaint be submitted to start an investigation into an assault on an FTV cameraman Haris Zigor. |
| Hadzipasic – Miletic | Avaz pg. 1 and 3 – the biggest front-page story is a letter that Federation PM Ahmet Hadzipasic sent, via FBiH Minister of Interior Mevludin Halilovic, to FBiH Police Director Zlatko Miletic. The letter was triggered following Miletic’s recent statement where he accused political officials to be a part of organized crime. Hadzipasic wants to know first whether Miletic said what papers reported. If so, Hadzipasic wants him to offer strong evidence for the claims, which should be forwarded to the FBiH government, prosecution offices and courts. He adds that everything has to be done in accordance with the law. He requested that Miletic and Halilovic replied to these requests in the next few days. Dnevni List pg. 1 and 3 – DL learnt that intensive activities were being carried out within the newly established Association of Directors of Police Administrations of Regions (SEPKA) in order to draft a strategy and implementation plan to clean the region from the organized crime. DL wonders as to what steps the FBiH government will take against suspected politicians and reminds that criminal charges against some politicians have been issued a long time ago, however, nothing has been done. |
| Reform of intelligence service | Avaz pg. 4 ‘HR establishing a seven-member commission’ – the HR should soon announce a decision on the establishment of a seven-member commission with a task of preparing legal grounds for the formation of the state intelligence service. |
| A list of unwanted persons
| Nezavisne Novine pg. 1 and 3 – Dragan Kalinic, RS Parliament Speaker and President of the SDS, will most likely be on the list of 25 persons from BiH who will be banned from entering EU states, owing to their support to the network of war crime suspects. As NN learnt at the diplomatic circles in Sarajevo, Kalinic maintains direct contact with Radovan Karadzic. According to an NN inset, Milenko Vracar and Pantelija Damjanovic twice were denied visas for Austira. NN source claims that the reason for this is the fact that both of them are on the list of 25 persona non grata. |
| Temporary blockage of OHR BL | Nezavisne Novine pg. 5 ‘A short blockage of the OHR in Banjaluka over a gun and bombs’ – SFOR members yesterday morning suspended traffic and temporarily blocked the OHR Regional Office in Banja Luka because an unidentified man stopped the SFOR patrol on a transit road near the OHR Office and handed them a gun and several hand grenades in the bag. Deputy Spokesperson of the SFOR MND North West, Alex Kendrick, told SRNA news agency that the traffic was stopped until the bag with arms was opened. He did not state the name of the man who handed the bag to SFOR patrol, noting that the man was not detained. Sonja Pastuovic, Spokesperson of the OHR BL Regional Office, confirmed that after a short blockage the OHR Office resumed with its normal duties. Vecernji List pg. 1 and 3 – SFOR yesterday blocked access to roads to the OHR Banja Luka after a middle aged man approached an SFOR patrol wanting to hand over a rifle and five hand grenades. VL assumes the man wanted to get rid of the weapons because of the forthcoming visit by the Pope John Paul II. Dnevni Avaz pg. 6 ‘Stopped SFOR soldiers to hand them over a guns and bombs’ – reported on the case too. Blic pg. 9 ‘One turned a sack full of bombs to SFOR’ – reported the incident. |
| Secret meeting of terrorists in BiH | Nezavisne Novine pg. 2 ‘Secret meeting of terrorists held in BiH’ – unofficial reports claim that organised crime, in the service of the international terrorism, took over the illicit trade in nuclear materials at the traditional Balkan roads of smuggling. The London-based paper ‘Jane’s Defence’ wrote the info. The sources are American, Russian and Serb. The reports also stress the increased activities of the Islamic terrorists in the Balkan region. The sources also claim that the Islamic terrorist recently held a meeting in BiH. |
Military Affairs | |
| Kovacevic on joint army
| RTRS at 19:00 hrs – Spokespersons for the RS government, Cvjeta Kovacevic, said that reform of the defence system was an important precondition for the membership in Partnership for Peace. The government is aware of all aspects of preconditions and it has submitted proposals to the RS Assembly. |
| RS officials on a joint army | RTRS at 19:30 hrs by Rade Malesevic – after a meeting with foreign military attaches, RS Defence Minister, Milovan Stanković, stressed the importance of a joint command and civil control of the army. There is constitutional basis for the joint commands over the armies, but armies will remain at the entity level. Chief of Staff, Cvjetko Savic reported there were some intention to introduce a single army, but it was rejected. He said he would not be last RS Chief of Staff, since the RS Army was going to preserve its identity. Nezavisne Novine pg. 1 & 6 ‘A joint army command is acceptable’ – Savic yesterday stated that the RS would accept the joint military command at the BiH level, adding that the establishment of the BiH single army was impossible. He is of the view that such issue demands a consensus of all three constitutive nations. He also added that the international community demanded a joint command only for the time being, and this demand will be met. He also said that if the Republika Srpska National Assembly supported the agreement, the joint command might start functioning as of 1st January 2004. He also denied speculations that he was to be the new Head of the BiH joint military command, stressing that such issue was not even discussed yet. Blic pg. 7 ‘Joint command does not mean a single army’ – Savic’s and Stankovic’s statements. |
| Young on financing of entity armies | Vecernji List pg. 1 and 3 – Head of the OSCE Mostar, Thomas Young, stated that ‘as far as he knew, FBiH and RS armed forces would run short of money as early as August or September this year’. “The armed forces have to be acceptable in terms of financing if they want to put forward their candidacy for the membership in the NATO’s Partnership for Peace program. In order to make this happen, the HQ and supervision have to exist at the state level.” VL carries a statement by an anonymous FBiH Army source who did not agree with Young’s predictions that the armed forces would run short of money during the summer. The source explained that the situation was not satisfactory, but was not concerning either. |
Economic Affairs | |
| Dixon – Cavic – Dodik
| RTRS at 19:30 hrs by Stela Jungic – Head of the Commission for Indirect Taxation, Jolly Dixon, yesterday met RS leaders, including RS President Cavic as well SNSD leader Dodik. Dixon said the Commission would complete its work by the end of July and the VAT issues would be solved by that time. Cavic underscored that a new system should be based on the increasing trust of clients in the process of tax collection, which would increase the efficiency of the process. Nezavisne Novine pg. 6 ‘Fiscal sovereignty in taxes’, Glas Srpske pg. 3 ‘Fiscal sovereignty remains’ – Dixon yesterday stated that the new tax system would fully respect the fiscal sovereignties of the Republika Srpska abd Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and BiH. Further stated that the Commission was intensively engaged in finding best solutions possible. He also expressed belief that the Commission would comply with deadlines set and would complete its work by the end of July. Cavic expressed hopes that taxpayers would have a full confidence in the new tax system. Dodik stated that the tax collection should be controlled at the state level because such system would be much more efficient. Blic pg. 6 ‘Dixon: easier for everyone’ – reported on the meeting. |
| Head of FBiH Pension Insurance Fund | Dnevni List pg. 1 and 5 – a short interview with Head of the FBiH Insurance Fund Marko Matic. He says that the case of the Mostar Hotel ‘Ero’ will be resolved in the way that the FBiH government will cede the hotel in favor of the FBiH Pension Insurance Fund and then the Fund will have to prepare a report on the hotel for the FBiH government again. Asked as to why the Steering Board of the FBiH Pension Insurance Fund had not been appointed yet, Matic said that the cantonal governments were supposed to make some appointments, however, they did not do it and this caused a halt. |
| Draft Law on Income Tax in Brcko | FENA press agency, Radio Brcko District News at 16:00, and Dnevni List pg. 4 – yesterday at the Dom Kulture in Brcko the first presentation of the Draft Law on Income Tax of Brcko District was held. On this occasion, the Tax Administration representatives interpreted paragraphs of the Law to representatives of legislative and executive authority as well as to the entrepreneurs of the District. The working version of the Law was drafted in the course of joint 2-year work of the Tax Administration representatives and GTZ representatives. Provisions of the law envisage taxation of income and profit under the single rate of 10 %. The Law also provides for monthly income tax retentions, which will be kept by employers and paid to the account of the Tax Administration. The provisions of the Law evaded double taxation and the law could come in force as of 1 July this year. |
Agricultural Affairs | |
| Braithwaite | FTV at 19:00 hrs – OHR Spokesperson, Julian Braithwaite, announced a campaign of support to the BiH agriculture. The campaign begins in September and will target the improvement of export of agricultural products. Dnevni List pg. 7 ‘Agriculture is the most profitable sector of the Bih economy’ – Braithwaite stated that HR Paddy Ashdown and his wife spent last night with a farmer’s family in Prnjavor. “Farming, agriculture is possibly one of most important sectors of the economy. It is potentially a major export industry, capable of generating good jobs for thousands of people and earning foreign currency for BiH.” Avaz pg. 2 ‘Ashdown at farmer’s house last night’ – reported Braithwaite’s statement. |
Refugee Affairs | |
| Mikerevic – Backer – Kebo | RTRS at 19:30 hrs by Stanko Pupovac – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerević talked to the Working Group about the reconstruction and refugee returns. He said that the RS government supported refugee return and Annex 7 of the Dayton Agreement, and that they would provide 21,5 million KM. Peter Bas-Backer, OHR RRTF Head, said the foreign assistance was diminishing and a lot remained to be done. BiH Minister for Refugees, Mirsad Kebo, considers the refugee returns the most pressing political and social issue and the state-level funding for refugees will amount 14 million KM. Avaz pg. 12 ’14 million KM for a two-way return’ – reported on yesterday’s meeting. Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ’14 million KM for a two-way return’ – on yesterday’s meeting. Kebo stated that 14 KM would be allocated for a two-way return, six million KM from each entity ministry and 2 remaining million KM from the BiH CoM. |
Judiciary Affairs | |
| Up-date on Bisic
| Nezavisne Novine pg. 1 & 2 ‘Prosecutor’s Office is investigating report against Milica Bisic’ – Banjaluka Prosecutor’s Office has demanded from the police to conduct an investigation for additional information into the criminal report filed by Veljko Djukic, Tax Inspector, against Milica Bisic, former Director of the Republika Srpska Tax Administration. |
| BiH lawsuit against FRY | Vecernje Novosti pg. 2 ‘War reparations amounting 200 billion’ – if the International Justice Court reaches a sentence in favour of BiH in the lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro, then Serbia and Montenegro would have to pay war reparations amounting over $ 200 billion, an Associate at the Sarajevo Institute for War Crimes, Dujko Hasic, assessed. “The BiH lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro will not be withdrawn,” Sakib Softic, BiH agent at the International Justice Court, stated for the Radio Free Europe. The first BiH agent at the International Justice Court and a Professor of the International Law at the Illinois University, Frances Boyle (sp!), stated that there was no need for an out-of-court settlement because BiH would surely win the case against Serbia and Montenegro. |
Education Affairs | |
| DL on education reform | Dnevni List’s Miso Relota signs an editorial entitled ‘Will lambs go silent?’ where he criticizes the ongoing reforms of the BiH educational system. Saying the reform is aimed to have pupils and teachers using a language of their choice so everyone could understand them, Relota called the reform an experiment, which would cause damages to the Croat people the most. “On basis of the experiment, there could be a possibility that for a student to come to a class with 30 Croat pupils and talk in a different language because the law allows him to do that. If the schools in the Croatian language were to be abolished, it would be fair to expect an enhanced exodus of Croats from BiH. Maybe that’s the aim of the OSCE’s experiment. Remains to be seen,” says Relota. |