| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA(18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| BiH HoR on security | Reactions to Tihic initiative | Special police on salaries | Ashdown in |
| Ashdown in | Change of FBiH symbols | BiH HoR on security | RSNA in session |
| World news | BiH HoR on security | FBiH HoR, RSNA in session | Shooting in |
| World news | BiH Court Police founded | HR visited | World news |
| Oslobodjenje | What reis Ceric minded to Tihic?; Ashdown: To remove the last barrier |
| Dnevni Avaz | Change of IDs and driving licences by 1 October; payment of pensions on Thursday and Saturday |
| Dnevni List | Professor Kukic survives terrible traffic accident |
| Vecernji List | BiH flooded by CIA because of terrorists |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Sead Karakas, director of public health institute in central |
| Nezavisne Novine | Paddy Ashdown in |
| Glas Srpske | Warning of Serb member to BiH Presidency: Tihic is causing hatred |
| EuroBlic | Prostitution in RS moved into apartments |
Economic, health and social issues | |
| Ashdown visits ER in BL
| RHB, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Develop economy, prevent corruption’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Ensure means for new equipment and six ambulance cars’, Dnevni List, pg 19, ‘RS authorities must help medical workers as soon as possible’, by De. L., Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 14, ‘Money taken from SDS is not for health sector’, by A. Macanovic, Vecernji List, pg 2, ‘With SDS money for NATO standards’, by Branka Stevandic, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 3 ‘There is no money for health system because of corruption’, EuroBlic RSpg 6-7 ‘Called for help, then had his pressure measured’ – During Monday’s visit to Banja Luka Emergency Room, High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, pledged for re-location of this Service into more favourable environment and be given six new vehicles. He said he was impressed with the level of professionalism and quality of work of all those employed at this service, stressing that the conditions they are working are “unbearable”. Ashdown said that RS authorities must identify resources for this purpose, mainly through reform of health sector, prevention of corruption and crime, especially at Funds and cuts in administration expenditures. He assessed that the money taken from SDS could not have been re-directed in RS to resolve health care and other problems, because the conditions imposed by NATO must be met. |
| FBiH HoR postpones adoption of Internal Debt Law
| RHB, BHTV 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Discussion on internal debt in September’ S. Sefercehajic, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘The Law on internal debt waiting September’ Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Old savers on hold until September’, mentioned on front, not signed – The House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament postponed until September the voting on the Proposal of law on determining and way of settling internal obligations of FBIH. The postponement came because the MPs expect the FBiH Government to declare itself about the amendments that have been submitted in the chamber. According to the FBiH Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Dragan Vrankic, the MPs cannot expect radical changes. The President of HDZ’s Caucus, Ivan Madunic, is against the Government’s Proposal of the law, claiming that what the savers are being offered is both silly and sad. “On one side we give back military apartments to former JNA officers, whilst on the other, we do not protect our citizens. This is an extremely good message to those who want to invest into BiH, it says we do not protect private property”, says Madunic. |
| CIPS deadline extended
| BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje cover page ‘Change of IDs and driving licences by 1 October’ by A.O., Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Extension by 1 October’, Glas Srpske cover page report ‘Deadline extended’; Nezavisne Novine pg 10 ‘Deadline extended until 1 October’ – BiH Civil Affairs Ministry has extended the deadline for change of IDs and driving licences for 21 municipalities in BiH by 1 October. Spokeswoman for the CIPS project, Senala Turkovic, stated that about 52% of BiH citizens have a new ID, however 39% of drivers still did not apply for the driving licence. The municipalities with deadline extended include |
| Pensions payments as of tomorrow
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Payment of pensions on Thursday and Saturday’, mentioned on cover, by A. Ahmetasevic, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Half of an outstanding pension tomorrow, increased one on Saturday’ – The half of an outstanding pensions from 200 will be paid on Thursday for about 228 thousands of pensioners. This was confirmed by spokesperson of the FBiH Pensions-Disability Insurance Fund [PIO], Zarif Safic. He also adds that the 4%-increased July pensions for FBiH beneficiaries will start on Saturday 31 July. |
| BiH HoR appoints General auditor
| FTV, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Milan Sega new state auditor’ by V.Z., Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Representatives agreed with appointment of Milenko Sego for general auditor’ – BiH House of Representatives at the session held on Monday appointed Milan Sego at the position of the Chief Auditor in the Audit office of the BiH institutions. Sego was nominated to this position after Ivan Miletic resigned. Oslobodjenje writes that representative Nikola Spiric warned that before endorsing nomination, HoR should ask from presidency to determine the mandate of the auditor, however that did not happen. The House appointed Sega and gave him an year long mandate, however this is not limiting for Presidency leaving it space to extent Sego’s mandate to 5 years. |
| BiH HoR adopts Law on Public Purchase
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Law against manipulations’ by V. Zivak, – On Tuesday BiH House of Representatives adopted that proposal of the Law on Public purchases, whose aim is to improve the efficiency of using public funds and to reduce the possibility of fraud, corruption and embezzlement in using public funds in BiH. The establishment of such a system of public purchases supports the common economic space in BiH, and its adoption was urged by both European Commission and the World Trade Organization. The law also foresees the mandatory establishment of the Commission for the public purchase in cases when the value of a contract is above a set limit. The Law also envisages the establishment of the Agency for public purchase as the independent administrative body. Director of the Agency will be appointed by the Council of Ministers through transparent process. |
| RSNA in session
| RHB, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Government should prepare the Law on war reparation’ – The RS National Assembly on Monday in Banja Luka adopted the Law on public companies, which calls for the abolishment of steering boards within six months time after Law is put into effect, introduction of tighter internal controls and more transparent distribution of funds. The RSNA also asked RS Banking Agency to make an analysis and establish reasons of insufficient placement of loans into RS economy. The RSNA also adopted changes and amendments to the law on tax administration significantly reducing interest rates. |
| Privredna Banka Zagreb interested in purchasing Hercegovacka bank?
| Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Privredna Banka Zagreb is running for Hercegovacka bank’, mentioned on front, by Zoran Kresic – the daily learns from “well informed sources”, that the President of Management of ‘Privredna Banka Zagreb’ (PBZ), Bozo Prka, is arriving to Sarajevo today to have talks with the FBiH Finance Minister, Dragan Vrankic, and Provisional Administrator for Hercegovacka bank, Toby Robinson, about possible purchase of the Hercegovacka bank. Prka will be accompanied by representatives of the Italian banking corporation ‘Gruppo Banca Intesa’, which owns PBZ. |
| Minister Zigic says contract on sale of BH Steel to be completed on Thursday | Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘The end of negotiations on Thursday?’ by A.O. – FBiH Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Izet Zigic, stated for daily that he expects final negotiations on the contract on sale of BH Steel to be completed on Thursday. He added that the only issue left to be agreed with representatives of the British-Indian company LNM is the outstanding debts for taxes. “I believe that we have managed to find solution for big interests rates on these debts. I expect we will have a final version of the contract on Thursday,” said Zigic. |
War crimes | |
| Ashdown in BL on cooperation with ICTY
| FTV, Dnevni Avaz cover, pg 2 ‘Ashdown: Remove the last barrier’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘BiH is close to PfP’, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Solid foundation to Srpska’, Dnevni List, pg 19, ‘RS authorities must help medical workers as soon as possible’, by De. L., Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 14, ‘Money taken from SDS is not for health sector’, by A. Macanovic, Vecernji List, pg 2, ‘With SDS money for NATO standards’, by Branka Stevandic– Following Monday’s meeting in Banja Luka with Dragan Cavic, RS President, and Dragan Mikerevic, RS Prime Minister, High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, said that in order for BiH to join Euro-Atlantic structures by the end of this year, the RS needs to improve cooperation with the ICTY. Ashdown welcomed the adoption of the Resolution on cooperation with the ICTY, stressing that it is time now to move from acts onto deeds. He said that such action is expected to be taken in the coming weeks and months. After talks with RS President Cavic, Ashdown said that the RS cooperation with the ICTY will commence with the appointment of appropriate person for the position of the RS Interior Minister, who will be efficient in implementing duties. However, HR did not want to disclose in public the names of potential candidates for this position. Both collocutors assessed their meeting was “extremely difficult and hard”. RTRS – Paddy Ashdown said of the non-cooperation with ICTY: “If this could be overcome, I do not see reasons why BiH could not join Partnership for Peace in next few months”. |
| Del Ponte confirms NYT article
| RTSR – Chief ICTY Prosecutor, Carla del Ponte, confirms that the existence of net of secret investigators organized in BiH and |
| Amfilohije denies DA
| RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘”Avaz” fabrication’ – Metropolitan of Montenegro and Seashore Amfilohije denied claims of “Dnevni Avaz” that he is engaged in negotiations with General Ratko Mladic regarding this voluntary surrender to the ICTY. He said: “This ia another fabrication. Somebody wants to bring the Metrpolitan and Diocese into connection with issues, which does not fall under its authority. The same story resembling Ostrog one is repeating.” |
| US Ambassador to SiCG on Mladic’s arrest
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Deadline for arresting Mladic ‘was yesterday’’ by B.Boskov – US Ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro, Michael Polt stated for Belgrade based radio station B92 that there is a cooperation between US and SCG to local and arrest war crimes indictee Ratko Mladic, which was intensified “especially since the victory of Boris Tadic in presidential elections.” Asked what kind of cooperation was taking place, Polt explained that “cooperation refers to anything related to intelligence service and police in SCG that could make a progress.” Commenting media speculations that US set deadline for SCG to extradite Mladic, Polt said that “deadline was yesterday. We expect the action of his arrest to be carried out at this moment. I don’t want to speculate on what will happen if that doesn’t occur. We expect arrest now.” |
| Tihic on Tadic’s proposal to withdraw lawsuits
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘The only settlement is for SCG to admit at the Court it carries out the aggression and genocide in BiH’ by Aj. Delic – Commenting the statement by SCG President Boris Tadic who said that tit would be best if SCG, Croatia and BiH simultaneously withdrew lawsuits, Chairman of the BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic said that BiH will not withdraw lawsuit it failed against SCG for aggression and genocide. “The lawsuit will not be withdraw and it doesn’t matter where Tihic, Halilovic, Silajdzic, Lagumdzija,… are in the Presidency. Consensus of all pro-Bosnian parties is necessary when it comes to lawsuit, aggression and genocide. Nobody has a right to bargain with 200.000 killed people,” said Tihic. He adds he agrees with the statement of NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer who said that Croatian and BiH lawsuits against SCG have nothing to do with lawsuit SCG filed against NATO. “The only thing SCG can do is to admit at the International Court its participation in aggression and genocide in BiH,” concludes Tihic. |
| DA on Mladic’s assistance network
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Mladic in |
Police, defence and security issues | |
| BiH HoR discusses security
| RHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Milan Sega new state auditor’ by V.Z., Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Representatives agreed with appointment of Milenko Sego for general auditor’, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Crime on the rise, but the situation is satisfactory’, by Eldina Medunjanin, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘MP’s told crime in increase’ – The BiH Security Minister, Barisa Colak, who presented the BiH Parliament’s House of Representatives a report on the security situation for the year 2003, stated that despite certain problems, the security situation in BiH can be considered as satisfactory. Despite Minister Colak’s conclusion, the report notes an increase to the number of criminal deeds, especially in the areas of economic crime, abuse of drugs and criminal acts against property. Minister Colak also expressed concern with the new way of operations of criminal groups in the area of organized crime, which affects the security situation in the country. As a response, which should result in prevention of escalation of crime in BiH, one could hear proposals related to better education and equipment of Police forces and other law enforcement agencies. On top of that, there are proposals to make extra efforts in order to make SIPA as operational as possible. Considering the fact that the report covered the year 2003, which does not include the latest escalation of violence, the MPs warned about the recent explosions and many unsolved murders. FTV – The Representatives decided to improve security in several ways including the inter-departmental collaboration on state level. Representative Sead Avdic said that “this is not a sign or a try of Council of Minister to intervene in work of Courts or Prosecutors, it’s the urge to try to systematically fight against organized criminal. which, at this moment, seems to be better organized than the state of BiH.” Sefik Dzaferovic, Deputy HoR Speaker: “I believe that non-collaboration with the ICTY and residence of fugitive accused war criminals significantly effects the security situation in BiH, especially in the territories where the suspects are believed to be.” |
| On presence of Islamic terrorists in BiH
| Dnevni List, pg 5, ‘CIA and American Intelligence Services sent hundreds of officers to BiH’, by T. Dragic and I. Bozovic, Vecernji List, cover ‘BiH flooded by CIA because of terrorists’ and pg 5, by Dalibor Ravic – Dailies carry the article which appeared in Daily Telegraph reading that USA deployed hundreds of their intelligence officers throughout BiH to monitor Islamic extremists to whom BiH has become a stop for money transactions, for purchase of weapons and documents and all the items needed for terrorist attacks. |
| NN: CIA agents in BiH/OSA agents aiding them
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘OSA is aiding CIA’ mentioned on cover ‘OSA agents aiding CIA’ by Mirza Cubro – NN refers to its source at the BiH OSA [State Intelligence Agency] saying that the foreign intelligence agencies (from USA, Great Britain, France and some others) are searching for potential Islamic terrorists in BiH, in which the OSA agents are helping them. The source claims: “I am not sure there are 100 agents of CIA searching for Islamic terrorists, as foreign press report. But, it is certain that British, American and French agents are working on the field in BiH and collecting information about Islamic terrorism and connection with Al’Qaeda. The biggest intelligence community in BiH is the British one. I am sure there must be almost two times more British than American intelligence agents.” Barisa Colak, BiH Security Minister, says he holds no information on residence of many foreign agents in BiH. He notes: “BiH Security Ministry does not hold such information, but the Law on OSA has regulated the manner in which cooperation with the foreign intelligence agencies can flow. Naturally, it is possible that those intelligence agents operate in BiH, but they have, for example, came here as businessmen.” |
| Powell visits BiH
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Powel in Sarajevo’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Colin Powel arrives on Saturday’ by D.A., Dnevni List, pg 5, ‘CIA and American Intelligence Services sent hundreds of officers to BiH’, by T. Dragic and I. Bozovic – US Secretary of State Colin Powell will visit BiH on Saturday, the US Embassy in Sarajevo told FENA. Other details have not been presented. International agencies reported today that the visit comes as NATO peacekeeping forces are getting prepared to transfer their mission to the EU at the end of the year. Powell’s visit to |
| Visegrad action update
| BHTV 1, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine cover andpg 6 ‘Special policemen claim they did not intend to murder anybody’, EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘We had no intention of murdering anybody’ – The members of the RS Special Police, Drazen Bojic and Vedran Purisic – charged with the murder of Novica Lukic in Visegrad during the action of arrest of ICTY idictee – pleaded not guilty on all counts of the indictments before the Serb Sarajevo District Court on Monday. They said they had no intention of murdering anybody, noting they were working in accordance with their service RuleBook, expressing the regret over Visegrad developments. Dusko Tomic, their defence attorney filed remarks on the so far flow of procedure and “unprofessional conduct” of the Judge presiding previous process, Vojislav Glavanovic. According to NN inset ‘Tomic calls Kalinic, Njegus, Djeric and Lukac as witnesses’, Dusko Tomic has put in writing the proposal and forwarded it to Prosecutor’s Office and Court in Serb Sarajevo, recommending summoning Dragan Kalinic, Radomir Njegus, Zoran Djeric and Dragan Lukac as witnesses in this process. Tomic said that these people should give their statements and provide information on circumstances under which Visegrad action was planned. |
|
| FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Collective agreement for FBiH MoI signed’ by E.P, Oslobodjenje pg 10 ‘Rights and obligations of police officer clarified’ by M.K.S., Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Collective agreement for employees of FBiH MoI signed’, by Indira Tabucic – President of Independent Union of employees of FBiH Ministry of Interior, Hamdo Melez, and FBiH Interior Minister, Mevludin Halilovic, signed a collective agreement for the FBiH MoI employees, which should regulate the employees rights and obligations, in Sarajevo yesterday. According to Melez, the agreement is very important, especially in light of announcement of Police reforms in BiH. “The biggest quality of the agreement is in the Annex, which is related to the surplus of employees in the MoI during the Police reforms. Now, nobody can say with certainty whether there is a surplus of employees, and if there is, how many it is”. |
| Radovanovic on deployment of BiH troops to | Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘We already have 55 volunteers for Iraq mission’, mentioned on cover, by M. Kukan – BiH Defence Minister, Nikola Radovanovic, stated that in according with the decision of the BiH Presidency 36 members of the BiH Armed forces with an expertise in demining will go to Iraq. The annual cost of this contingent will be 5 million KM, and a half of that sum will be provided by the US Government. BiH unit is planned to leave already this fall or at the beginig of the winter. Radovanovic stresses that only vonluteers would be deployed to |
Political issues | |
| Ashdown in BL meets Mikerevic, Dodik and Cavic
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Enable work of RS institutions’ by Onasa, Dnevni List, pg 19, ‘Government’s initiative blocked in the BiH CoM’, not signed – HR Paddy Ashdown met with the RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic in Banja Luka. According to the RS Government’s press release, Mikerevic informed Ashdown on the consultations he carried to date with political figures in RS on overcoming the current political crisis. Mikerevic added that it is necessary to find the most suitable solution to ensure functioning of institutions. Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Council of Ministers slowly solve entities’ initiatives or not at all’ – During the meeting, Mikerevic also told Ashdown of the initiatives that SR Government has sent to the Council of Ministers, adding that a majority of initiatives forwarded by entities are solved very slowly or not at all. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘BiH is close to PfP’, inset ‘Dodik supports removals of SDA Ministers’, Dnevni List, pg 19, ‘SNSD supports removal of SDA ministers’, not signed – After the meeting with the High Representative Paddy Ashdown during his visit to Banja Luka on Monday, SNSD leader, Milorad Dodik, said that his party would support SDS and PDP in their intention to remove SDA Ministers from RS Government. He said that he told Ashdown the strongest opposition party is ready to support any move, including by ruling coalition in RS, regarding removals. He also pledged in favour of scheduling parliamentary elections in January 2006, instead of autumn 2006. Dnevni List, pg 19, ‘Status of RS guaranteed by the Dayton’, not signed – After the meeting with the RS President, Dragan Cavic, the High Representative stated that the existence and status of the RS are guaranteed by the DPA, which represents the basis for BiH to move on and this cannot be changed. RTRS by Sinisa Mihailovic – Dragan Cavic stressed that the RS needs political stability and faster introduction of the constitution in all institutions. He also emphasized it was necessary to fulfill all vacant positions in the RS Government, adding that RS does not need extraordinary parliamentary elections but a stability which will enable faster membership to EU. “In my opinion RS gave a big contribution for that to happen and I would be very happy if that happens. I am absolutely sure that RS will still have its entity |
| Reactions to Tihic initiative
| BHTV 1 by Boris Gagic – Chairman of BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic requested change of the symbols of RS. Borislav Paravac warned that it might cause a huge crisis. Tihic responds: “I believe that the laws of both RS and FBiH are discriminatory and in violation of Constitution of RS and FBiH and therefore must be deleted.” Paravac believes that a dialogue is necessary in order to avoid complicating situation even more. Borislav Paravac, Member of Presidency BiH, “I think that this encourages national extremism, and this in not good”. High Representative said that in the pre- elections time everyone talks too much. Paddy Ashdown, High Representative, “ I say to the citizens of RS that your existence, your competencies are assured by the Constitution, and this is much more important than words of any politician.” RSNA will try to make a majority without Bosniak members to bring down Tihic’s request. Dragan Mikerevic, RS Prime Minister, says: “I think that we can’t intervene with the the flag, but we can intervene in the crest. We are a republic, and signs of monarchy should be deleted, this is clear, also the hymn.” The analysts say that this request is a try to move the focus from the hard social problems. All involved agree that this should be discussed after the elections, but the House of People will discuss the issue tomorrow. |
| Tadic: Remove SDA from RS and BiH authorities
| Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Exclude SDA from RS and BiH authorities’ by Onasa, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Remove SDA from authorities at the BiH level’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘RS authorities must deprive Tihic of political powers’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Tihic taken too lightly’ – General secretary of the Serb Radical Alliance (SRS) “Dr Vojislav Seselj” Ognjen Tadic said the RS authorities should exclude the SDA from the executive authority, as well as at the state level if they want to prevent the initiative of its leader and BiH Presidency Chairman Sulejman Tihic for changing the RS insignia. He told reporters in |
| Cavic on Tihic’s initiative
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Tihic will not watch that one’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Tihic’s desire for Republic of BiH is behind all this’ by M.V. – RS President Dragan Cavic believes that initiating the changes to the RS symbols is an supports inter-ethnic radicalism which he characterized as “not good”: “People are directed tot his issues which are not a life and are asking themselves whether it is possible for RS to prevent return, which is not true,” said Cavic adding that it should be kept in mind that mosques are being built in RS, return takes place and a number of return related incidents decreased. “I have a feeling [Sulejman] Tihic wants to make things more complicated, and that behind all this is his unforgettable love towards BiH without RS. He will not watch that one,” said Cavic. |
| Paravac: Tihic is causing hatred
| Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Creating political and national crisis’, Glas Srpske cover page story ‘Tihic is causing hatred’; Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Tihic’s initiative may be fatal for BiH’ – Member of the BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac made a statement on the initiative by his counterpart Sulejman Tihic to change RS symbols. In a statement to public, Paravac says that “Tihic’s persistence to seriously want to destabilize situation in BiH, and the state he heads currently, through his initiatives and statements is incredible.” Paravac further warns “Tihic and other lobbyists for similar initiatives that such move only produce political and national crisis in BiH whose consequences could be immense and fatal for its future” adding that “taking away forcefully something that is in the heart of one people can only create national intolerance, even hatred that we have been recovering from.” |
| Stojicic, Mikerevic on Tihic’s initiative
| Glas Srpske cover page story ‘Tihic is causing hatred’; Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Tihic’s initiative may be fatal for BiH’ – Dusan Stojicic, RS NA Speaker, said that the initiative for the change of the RS insignia radicalises political life and is aimed at destroying legality and legitimacy of the RS. Dragan Mikerevic, RS Prime Minister, is of the view that the statements of Sulejman Tihic damage BiH. |
| BiH HoR on public broadcasting
| BHTV 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Representatives agreed with appointment of Milenko Sego for general auditor’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Proposal law on public RTV system in BiH adopted’ by Fena – BiH House of Representatives at the session Monday adopted the proposal of the Law on Public RTV System and Public Broadcasting Service in BiH. According to the law in adopted text, the public broadcasting system in BiH consists of BiH radio-television, FTV, RTRS and corporation of public broadcasting services in BiH. BiH Transport and Communications Minister Branko Dokic before the representatives that there was a big number of amendments proposed to the Law, and that about 90% of these were accepted. He noted that those not included could harm the essence of the Law. One of such is amendment proposed by HDZ representative Filip Andric stipulating broadcasts of the public service to be transmitted in three official languages through three separate channels. |
| PDP urges population census | Oslobodjenje back page ‘Census to be done’ by Fena, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Time for census’; Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘They demand census’ – PDP released a press statement on Monday expressing its view that the conditions have been provided in BiH to hold census, bearing in mind that the property legislation implementation has completed. PDP stresses that the census would “disclose many false notions and abuses conducted by the Bosniak side in this area, with the assistance of some part of the international community”. |
| SD on higher education in BiH
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 13 ‘Professor, how much for grade?’, mentioned on cover, by Zoran Zekic – commenting on a recent statement by the High Representative for BiH/EU Special Representative, Paddy Ashdown, that the higher education in BiH is “rubbish”, the author acknowledges that BiH has, due to the war, lost a lot of educated people, who were supposed to be pillars of education system and higher education, that there is corruption at universities and various illegalities, which need to be sanctioned. However, the author notes these are isolated, individual cases and not a rule. The author goes on to say that the |
| SD feature on education laws in cantons
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 13 ‘Education unions: No classes come September’, by Darko Juka – claiming that the imposed elementary and secondary education laws in Cantons 6, 8 and 10 are enabling teachers to conduct lectures in their mother tongue, irrespective of nationality of their pupils, the author claims a lot of time will be wasted during classes to interpret classes from one language to other languages. SD carries Ivo Miro Jovic, an MP in BiH parliament, who did not want to comment as to what triggered politicians in the Posavina and Herzegovina-Neretva Canton to adopt the said laws, however Jovic notes that the imposed laws in Cantons 6, 8 and 10 are not in harmony with the State Framework law, despite the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, claming they indeed are. SD also carries Josip Milic, the President of Union of Croat education workers in |
| Ambassador Bond in farewell visit to BiH Presidency
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Appropriate cooperation between BiH and US’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘US ready to continue military and political engagement in BiH’ – Chairman of the BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic on Tuesday met with the outgoing US Ambassador to BiH Clifford Bond. According to the Presidency’s press release, Bond and Tihic discussed the progress achieved in BIH to date, transition of SFOR into EUFOR and future engagement of US in BiH. Ambassador Bond used opportunity to repeat the intention of US to stay involved in BiH in both political and military aspects. |
| Mufti Ceric points out irregularities during the
| Dnevni Avaz cover page ‘What mufti Ceric minded to Tihic’, pg 2 ‘Effendi Ceric: Joy in Mostar was not completed as name of Alija Izetbegovic was not mentioned’ by M. Kukan – Leader of Islamic community in BiH, mufti Mustafa Ceric sent a letter to Chairman of the BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic thanking him for the invitation to the Old Bridge opening ceremony, but also outlining some of the things he saw were problematic. Among other things, Ceric complained as the name of Alija Izetbegovic was not mentioned, alleged bad treatment of the delegations of Islamic countries and Mostar mufti Smajkic by state protocol. |
| NN op-ed on HR
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Bombs’ by Almedin Sisic – The author starts the article by saying that “there is no better motive for High Representative Paddy Ashdown to make new comparison between Sarajevo and Belfast than developments that took place in the BiH capital in the past few days.” The author reminds of statement HR at the beginning of his mandate, when he compared BiH with developments between |