| BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| None | Director of ITA | IMF vs increase of wages |
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| PBS reform | RS NA on Telecom |
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| Banovic sentenced 8 years |
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| USK Police Commissioner |
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NOTE: Summary for CRHB is not included, due to technical problems with their broadcasting signal in Sarajevo.
| Oslobodjenje | Oslobodjenje learns: The report on police efficiency in BiH: Politicians use police for their partisan interests; FTV prepares for strike?; KFI has to prove its credibility; Banovic convicted to 8 years |
| Dnevni Avaz | The investigation of the crimes [committed] in Dretelj commenced; Ashdown in Rudo: Talks for easier decision making |
| Dnevni List | Inviting of tender for Corridor Vc soon; |
| Vecernji List | Municipality North secedes from Mostar; Raids force pimps: Prostitutes at telephone order |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Energy system is collapsing; OHR leaves BiH without passports? |
| Glas Srpske | HiRep worries pensioners: Paddy does not know or does not want to; Bileca: Running away from misery |
| Nezavisne Novine | Empty box of KM 3.2 million worth addressed to Director of Telekom Srpske: Customs filed report against Telekom for attempted fraud; The Hague Tribunal: Predrag Banovic sentenced to eight years imprisonment; Declaration on fight against crime adopted: Confiscation of illegally obtained property stipulated; Bakir Izetbegovic: I have no ambition to become SDA leader; Ivanic, Kalinic and Mikerevic with Ashdown: Republika Srpska authorities are not satisfied with proposed model law on RTV system; Milorad Dodik: SNSD approves of reforms, but demands abolishment of recruitment |
| Blic | Campaign: Ashdown’s pressure on Cavic; Tihic invokes new conflicts; Borislav Paravac: ‘The state must support everyone who returns’ |
Appointment of ITA Director | |
| OHR on ITA vacancy announcement
| FTV by Zeljko Tica – Miscommunication between OHR and the BiH Council of Ministers regarding the appointment of Director of Indirect Taxation Administration has taken place two days ago. Chairman of CoM Adnan Terzic says that entire procedure for selection has been completed and that a candidate should be appointed. On the other side OHR wants procedure to be accelerated. While Terzic was not available for the comment, OHR spokesman Vedran Perisic said: ‘Commission for the Indirect Taxation took initiative to repeat procedure due to slowness of the Council of Ministers work…Chairman of the Commission proposed to issue new advertisement for this position and it was done.’ Reporter commented that it was obvious that Terzic’s candidate Fuad Kasumovic did not meet OHR criteria, so they decided to find another one. At the latest session of SDA Main Board Sulejman Tihic and Adnan Terzic were disagreeing on the appointment for this position. |
| Terzic: CoM will appoint Kasumovic | Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Council of Ministers will nominate Kasumovic’ by V.Jahic – According to daily, Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic announced that the CoM will nominate Fuad Kasumovic as the Director of the Indirect Taxation Administration. Daily says that all preconditions have been met to carry out the appointment. According to ‘reliable source from top of SDA President of the Indirect Taxation Commission Joly Dixon informed CoM on 20 August that Kasumovic was first on the list of candidates, as he fulfilled all set criteria. Asked whether this situation could lead to the problems with OHR or dismissals of some politicians, such as Terzic, the source answered that the ‘misunderstanding’ already existed, but that there was no reason for removals. ‘In this case the problem is not with OHR, but CAFAOO and the obstruction by Alen Jensen, whose motives are known only to himself. The appointment will be in accordance with the Law… The misunderstanding around appointment of the ITA Director opened some other issues – such as the role of CAFAO in BIH.’ The same source further accuses CAFAO of ‘breaking the single economic in BiH.’ |
| Maroevic: Misunderstanding to be solved soon
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 21 ‘Kasumovic (does not) remain Director’- EC spokesperson, Frano Maroevic, stated that there was misunderstanding with regard to the appointment of Director of Indirect Taxation Administration. Maroevic stressed that this misunderstanding will be resolved in the next few days after a vacancy for the appointment of the Director of the Indirect Taxation Administration is published again. Maroevic added that Head of the Indirect Taxation Commission, Joly Dixon, issued the new vacancy. SD also says that one of the candidates for this position Fuad Kasumovic called on the Bosnia and Herzegovina Council of Ministers “to reconsider circumstances under which an unauthorized vacancy was published in the dailies” and added that the Indirect Taxation Commission does not exist any longer because its mandate expired on August 20. |
Vc corridor | |
| Dokic on Bosmal
| Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Dokic: Deadline for Bosmal by November 23’, Dnevni List front, pg 5 ‘Inviting of tender for Corridor Vc soon’, Nezavisne Novine pg. 3 ‘Public tender for selection of concessionaire for highway in November’; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Bosmal” running out of time’, Blic pg 15, ‘Bosmal is running out of time’ – BiH Minister of Traffic and Communications, Branko Dokic, stated at a press conference held in Sarajevo on Tuesday that the BiH Council of Ministers would probably invite a public tender for potential concessionaires who want to participate in the construction of a part of Corridor Vc that goes through BiH. Dokic also said that the Bosmal company had to hand over a bank guarantee for the sum amounting to 300 million Euros by November 23. Dokic reiterated that, so far, the Bosmal actually had not proven that it had necessary money at its disposal and that this was also a position of the BiH CoM. FTV – Branko Dokic also said that CoM ‘will make decision on concession for construction of corridor Vc…Bosmal will be given additional time to get banking guarantees for the project.’ |
| KFI as possible investor for Vc
| Oslobodjenje cover, pg 6 ‘KFI will have to prove its credibility’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Nobody has information on KFI’s credibility’, pg 4 ‘Basic: For me that offer is non-existent’ – Swiss company Kay Funds Investments [KFI] announced that it would present its offer on Vc corridor to the Council of Ministers this week. BiH Transport and Communications Minister Branko Dokic stated that state Government so far did not receive official offer for building the corridor but said that the meeting will be held on Wednesday, when more information would be available. While CoM is ready to discuss the corridor project with all potential investors, Foreign Investment Promotion Agency [FIPA] said it never received any information that would prove the credibility of the company. FIPA director Mirza Hajric said that they only know the company to be registered with Swiss Chamber of Commerce. ‘For months we are trying to have KFI to provide us with their big projects carried out up to now. Even though we spoke with KFI officials for several times, and we hold meetings, we never got any of those documents. KFI will have to prove its credibility to the Government’- stated Hajric. KFI was mentioned for the first time in BiH in August, when their representative Sanja Lopar announced that the company was ready to invest hundreds of millions in the country, and that KFI secured 5 billion US dollars for the projects in BiH, which will be presented to CoM. Deputy BiH Minister for Transport and Communication Haris Basic said that he was present in the last meeting held between Prime Minister Adnan Terzic and the company, and he did not get any impression that KFI was he able to implement the project. |
Telekom Srpske audit | |
| RS NA to discuss Telekom Srpske
| RTRS, Blic pg 15 ‘Representatives on ‘Telekom’ today’, Vecernje Novosti pg 19 ‘Bosniaks ‘writing’ anthem’, Nezavisne Novine pg. 5 ‘Republika Srpska National Assembly about Telekom today’ – RS National Assembly is expected to discuss discus special auditor’s report on Telecom Srpske at the session on Wednesday. In an interview to RTRS, Senior Deputy to the High Representative Donald Hays sent a message to NA delegates stressing that they should not follow only their party’s interests at the cost of damaging the citizens. Hays mentioned that the certain amount of the pressure has been imposed on the representatives of both RS and FBiH Parliaments. According to the special auditor’s report, RS Telecom has signed off debts to the RS Government and main political parties, while main internal auditor assisted in hiding these illegal activities and beside astronomical salary was given additional 18 000 KM thus maintaining the illusion of the control. Law on Purchases has been breached on purpose, and even when the control has been conducted, documents were forged. Members of the Parliament will be proposed to assign Parliamentary Board of Economic and Finance to check allegations from the report and to propose initiation of the sanctions for the responsible ones. |
| Hays’ editorial in NN on Telekom Srpske | Nezavisne Novine pg. 7 ‘Telekom Srpske’ editorial by Donald Hays – In an editorial, PDHR Donald Hays writes about the international audit report on Telekom Srposke. He once more reiterates that Telekom Srpske was badly managed with and accordingly business results are lower than they could actually have been. He further brings bits and pieces from report, referring to phone bills, service costs, etc. He concludes that Republika Srpska authorities need to clear up situation at Telekom Srpske, noting that necessary laws need to be adopted in Parliament, in order to modify the culture of firm management. He calls for immediate changes. He also concludes that the initial reaction of the local politicians and Telekom officials upon audit report proves that many of them forgot what their main task is – to protect the interests if local population and not their own ones. |
| Patriot: Solaja on TS audit report
| Patriot pgs 21&22 ‘Special audit report is not a Holy Scripture’ by Miljan Kovac – In an interview to Banja Luka bazed magazine Patriot, Dragan Solaja, RS Minister of Traffic and Communication, commented on special audit report on Telekom Srpske by saying that in the introductory note, report stressed that was ‘not an audit into justification and exactness of financial reports.’ Solaja further said that some parts of the report were published in media before its official publication, which has arisen some pre-qualification on guilt adding that nobody is guilty until proved otherwise. As for some errors and slight mistakes in report, he says that audit report is not a Holy Scripture. Some mistakes have already been corrected. Solaja also denies speculations that he is in conflict with the current leadership of Telekom Srpske. |
Media | |
| Mikerevic opposes RTRS Law
| RTRS – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic stated on Tuesday that ‘RTRS Law as offered by the OHR was not acceptable for Republika Srpska’. Mikerevic met with Speaker of the RS National Assembly Dragan Kalinic, BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic and OHR representatives in Sarajevo to discuss broadcasting. Mikerevic explained that OHR offers BBC model, according to which PBS would be one enterprise, with organisational parts FTV and RS, which is unacceptable. Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 3 ‘Republika Srpska authorities are not satisfied with proposed model law on RTV system’ – Dragan Mikerevic said: He further said that: “At the meeting with HiRep at OHR in Sarajevo, Mladen Ivanic, Dragan Kalinic and myself informed High Representative [Paddy Ashdown] and his associates with remarks we have on the offered model law and which relate to the ownership, financial, organisational and management concept of the public broadcasters.” He added: “We seek for best solutions possible, because the offered model law does not satisfy us.” |
| EU supports Draft Law on Public Broadcasting | FTV by Mirza Huskic – European Union issued declaration of support for a draft Law on Public Broadcasting, prepared by OHR. EU believes the draft it is a viable solution that would lead to efficient operation of a single public broadcasting system with 3 services. The draft Law should be passed in next 10 days. BBC Consulting Team, who have been working on the proposal for reform, did not allow to be taped even though they work in the same building. OHR claims the law was prepared by local experts, it is obvious that foreigners prepared parts of the law in English. Changes of the law include sell of RTV building in Sarajevo and construction of other two business buildings. According to the solutions from the proposal 500 people would lose jobs. |
| PBS Governing Board on BBC’s plan | Dnevni Avaz og 10 ‘PBS Governing Board will offer its mandates at disposal’ – At the Monday evening, the members of the PBS Governing Board held a session and concluded among other things that mandates of the Board’s Executive Commissions will be offered at disposal unless the issue of subscription is not solved by 1 January 2004. President of the PBS Governing Board Plamenko Custovic stated for DA: ‘That is correct, we tied up our mandates to the solution of this fundamental issue, even though some are truing to make it marginal. Of course, that is not a case, and by solving this issue we will be in position to systematically solve all other issues.’ As for draft Law on Public Broadcasting, Custovic said that the Board did discuss it, but did not want to make any comments at the time. Regarding the statement made by the High Representative Paddy Ashdown that EC could change its mind on the 1.5 million Euros of donation to PBS, Custovic said that it was a truth that donation was late for over a year, ‘which is one of the main reasons BHTV 1 project was not implemented’. EC Spokesperson Frano Maroevic explained that before giving donation EC wants to make sure that the system was sustainable. Worker’s syndicate will also hold the meeting to discuss the draft Law. |
| FTV on BBC’s plan | Oslobodjenje cover, pg 3 ‘FTV prepares for the strike?’ by A.Corovic – FTV Collegiums refused BBC Plan which outlines the strategy for the exit from the current crisis, which foresees large staff redundancies and sale of the RTV House in Sarajevo. They further believe that this would lead FTV into disaster, which could even threat to existence of public broadcaster. Daily further claims that FTV Collegiums have been put under large pressure from OHR and local politicians for having such opinion. ‘Unless we accept BBC plan for exit from the crisis, BiH Parliament will adopt the Law on live broadcast of the sessions of House of Peoples, which will bring FTV ‘on the knees’. The Law in question should be passed on 7 November, which will be followed by the dismissals in the Governing Board and Collegiums. This scenario should be implemented by the end of year, for ruling parties to calmly wait for municipal elections. OHR clearly told us that we can avoid this only by accepting BBC plan.’ – said source close to FTV Governing Board to Oslobodjenje. |
Security | |
| SNSD approves of reforms, but demands abolishment of recruitment
| Blic pg 15 ‘SNSD: Reforms drove into a corner’, Nezavisne Novine cover, pg. 6 ‘SNSD approves of reforms, but demands abolishment of recruitment’; Glas Srpske pg. 2 ‘Authority obstructing reforms’ – In a short interview to NN, Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, said that SNSD would support any solution to defence reform in BuH, if the recruitment (which has been mandatory so far) is abolished and the entire state is gradually demilitarised. He says that defence reform is a good course BiH needs to take towards European integrations. However, he is of the view that European integration is to include abolishment of recruitment, so it is better to do it now. Answering to the press question on HiRep’s statement (when he expressed disappointment over the so-called reformist politicians in BiH, who obstruct defence Reform), Dodik said that Mr. Ashdown has a right to have his own opinion. On HiRep’s disappointment over him, Dodik said that he was also disappointed over HiRep’s speech at the funeral of Alija Izetbegovic. |
| EUPM on Jakupovic | FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘For EUPM, Jakupovic is Police Commissioner’ – Following the decision of the Una-Sana Cantonal Government to accept the resignation submitted by USK Police Director Husein Jukupovic, Deputy Head of EUPM, General Gerd Thielmann met with both the Police Commission Jakupovic and the Cantonal Minister of Interior Safet Sarganovic. The spokesperson of EUPM, Jan Oscar Solnes stated that EUPM Commissioner Sven Frederiksen regards as unacceptable the inappropriate forms of political influence on the Police Commissioner Jakupovic, in his attempt to move forward the on necessary police reforms. Solnes also reiterated that such development of events is not relevant in terms of his resignation, in line with the legislation of the Independent Selection and Review Boards (ISRB), because they constitute the venue for deciding on appointment of police managers and their possible dismissal or resignation. As the Police Commissioner did withdraw his resignation, in accordance with the ISRB’s request, the EUPM is of the opinion that he is rightfully the incumbent Police Commission in USK. |
| Oslobodjenje on interference of politics with police | Oslobodjenje cover, pgs 4&5 ‘Politicians use police for parties’ interests’ by Senka Kurtovic – According to the internal report being prepared for the High Representative Paddy Ashdown the biggest problem to achieve the efficient police are not corrupted individuals, but interference of the politics into the police work. Daily’s source says that the report stresses police efficiency to be mostly questioned through interference of the local authorities, and that the corruption existed in a form of political connections. Authors of the report apparently wrote that the reason BiH local police forces still do not work in accordance to the European and professional standards, despite 7 years of trainings, is ‘systematic corruption’. |
| Meeting on regional police cooperation | FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Soon the joint regional police actions’, FENA – As part of the Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA) the first conference of the Board for fighting organized crime gathered police representatives from Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro and BiH started in Sarajevo on Tuesday. The goal of this Board is to develop co-operation between police forces in the region and adequately respond to the problem of organized crime burdening the entire Southeast Europe. The meeting was closed for public. It was mentioned that there had been remarkable co-operation during Sablja operation in SCG, when police authorities from neighbouring countries exchanged information on movement of suspects. Croatia underlined gradually improving cooperation, but also need for better communication. EUPM Commissioner Sven Frederikson said BiH needed better inter-entity relations between police forces, but also important achievements on preventing trafficking of women. |
| SD editorial on intelligence reforms | Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘One secret service, and three office’ by Blazica Kristo – the author is suspicious whether the BiH Intelligence-Security Agency will start working on January 1, 2004, as planned earlier, saying that the interested parties cannot agree on a number of issues. According to SD, the political parties have submitted the Intelligence Reform Commission suggestions about the number of regional office, and in that context, SD says the Bosniaks want to have two or three offices (Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar), the Serbs favour two (Sarajevo and Banja Luka) whilst the Croats believe the optimum number is three (Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar). Commenting on this, SD says it is a matter for the parties to agree upon, saying it is certain that the OHR will not accept changes and proposals that go against the High Representative’s decisions and which are not in line with European standards, such as politically motivated removals. SD also notes that the SDA, HDZ and SDS cannot agree who is going to the Head of the future Agency. In that context, SD says the Bosniak believe the post should be given to them since the Head of SIPA is a Serb, Sredoje Novic, whilst the Croats have the BiH Security Minister in Barisa Colak. |
Political issues | |
| Mostar’s Municipality North organizes referendum on November 15
| Vecernji List front ‘Municipality North secedes from Mostar’, pg 3 ‘Municipality North secedes from City of Mostar’ by Zoran Kresic – VL reports that the Mostar’s City Municipality North made another step toward possible separation from the city (of Mostar) since the Bosniak councilors at a yesterday’s session of the Municipal Council devised a referendum question which, according to VL, is trying to stop the unification of the city and obstruct the work of Mostar Commission. The referendum questions reads: ‘Are you ‘in favour’ of Municipality North maintaining the status of unit of local self-government organized as a municipality’. The referendum is to take place of November 15 and is to be funded from the municipal budget. The Croat councilors voted against the referendum. VL also notes that the decision by the Municipal Council was yesterday criticized by the Cantonal Board of HDZ in Canton 7, which labeled the decision as an ‘unacceptable pressure on the Commission for reform of city of Mostar’. VL goes on to say that this scenario coincides with dissatisfaction and attempts of the local SDA, led by Fatima Leho, to obstruct the work of the Mostar Commission, and that the referendum is totally against the current, Interim Statute of Mostar and ‘Ashdown’s principles’ on establishment of the Mostar Commission, which clearly defines that the boundaries of the city of Mostar are not to be changed. |
| Leho: Bosniaks will not accept Mostar as one municipality
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Bosniaks will not accept one municipality’ by N. Bise –Negotiations between the Mostar Commission members should reach their peak on the session to be held on Thursday. According to Oslobodjenje, Chairman of the Commission Norbert Witnerstein said to the members that when it comes to the Dayton Peace Agreement they are not bound by it. This was opposed by SDA delegate Fatima Leho: ‘SDA strongly stands behind the principles which were signed on Mostar in Dayton, and which envisage six municipalities… Nobody can change DPA without political consensus… Creation of a single municipality in Mostar places Bosniaks in unequal position. Nobody can impose that.’ |
| HDZ session in Mostar | Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘SDA Ministers make work of cantonal government difficult’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Cantonal Board condemns statement by President of SDA Sulejman Tihic’ – The Cantonal Board of HDZ in Canton 7 held a session on Tuesday, discussing a series of issues including the functioning of the executive authority at the cantonal and level of municipalities. The Board gave its full support to the Canton 7 Prime Minister in his activities pertaining to disposal of budget funds in the canton and condemned the way the Ministers from the SDA cause crisis in the work of the Government, which result in late salaries to the budget beneficiaries. The Board also criticized a recent statement by the President of SDA, Sulejman Tihic, that there were no prison camps organized by the BiH Army saying it is well known that the “Muslim army organized more than 20 camps in the area of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton where a big number of Croat civilians had been imprisoned”. Finally, the Board calls on the Croats, who have a right to vote in the Croatian elections, to turn out and vote for the HDZ of Croatia. |
| RS NA to discuss changes to Law on Flags, Coat of Arms and Anthem | Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Discussion on change of RS symbols’ – At its regular session on Wednesday, RS National Assembly will discuss changes to the Law on Flag, Coat of Arms and Anthem of the RS. Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Serb parties against SDA’ – President of Serb Radical Party, Milanko Mihajlic, stressed that the SDA initiative for the change of the aforementioned law is unacceptable for this party. PDP spokesperson, Igor Crnadak, stated that the SDA initiative is not welcome and unnecessary at this moment. Leader of Socialist Party of RS, Petar Djokic, stated that such issues should be resolved only when the economic and social issues in the RS are resolved. |
| FBiH Ombudsmen oppose Presidency to appoint State Ombudsmen | FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘State Ombudsmen limit entities’’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Federal Ombudsmen against appointment in the Parliament’, FENA – BiH Presidency is expected to nominate candidates for three Ombudsmen at the state level. The proposal will be sent to the Parliament. FBiH Ombudsmen opposed executive authorities to interfere with the selection of the state Ombudsmen, calling it intrusion in the appointment of the people whose nature of the job is to be absolutely politically independent. Ombudsmen Vera Jovanovic said that Ombudsmen should be appointed through transparent and democratic competition. In addition, European Ombudsmen Institution opposed current Law on BiH Ombudsmen, which limits communications between entities’ Ombudsmen and state institutions. |
| Patriot int. with Mikerevic on reforms and IC | Patriot pgs 6-9 ‘There are many people obstructing reforms’ by Ljiljana Kovacevic – In a lengthy interview, RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic said that there are six ongoing reforms in RS, none of which can be prolonged and implemented later on, and all of extreme relevance (reforms in following sectors: defence, finances, education, VAT and customs, intelligence). RS PM believes that there is not much time left to implement these reforms, because the situation is getting worse and worse. On press remark that he gives in to demands of international community too often, Mikerevic says that in order to achieve good results in everything, a good co-operation with the IC officials is necessary. On this, he adds that Republika Srpska does not give in to IC demands, but instead pushes on its own. He says that RS also wants to have and develop some of BiH institutions in RS. |
| DA editorial on Ashdown’s warning over reforms | Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Fights or reforms?’ editorial by Sead Numanovic – Author refers to the Paddy Ashdown’s warning addressed to BiH politicians that they have to show outmost seriousness, ‘while at the very same day some of them entered the new phase of quarrels. Ashdown, as experienced British diplomat, perhaps welcomes this moment in order to once again make a point that he cared about BiH and not personal benefit or promotion, which … is really not the case with BiH politicians.’ Outlining main points from Ashdown’s statement on key reforms, article further concludes: ‘Will BiH politicians after this, and appeals from some other international officials and public, wake up and start working for the benefit of this country. Obviously, there are to choose between: fights or reforms. |
War crimes | |
| Ivanic: BiH lawsuit against SCG is will of one people
| BHTV – BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic commenting recent statement of chairman of BiH Presidency Dragan Covic asserted that the fact that Croats abstained voting on declaration proved the lawsuit against FRY is charge of one people. Senior officials of RS Council of People underlined that it was purely legal matters and warned politician to be more cautious in comments. Vice chair of Council Remzija Kadric: ‘I cannot comment more about this issue’, while a member Miroslav Mikes said: ‘During the vote in the Council, It was clear that the lawsuit comes only from one side’. |
| Commission established to decide on Bosniak Club initative
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Commission established to decide on Bosniak Club initative’, Nezavisne Novine pg. 4 ‘Rule Book for functioning passed’, Glas Srpske pg. 3 ‘Response set by politics’ – Remzija Kadric, Chairperson of the Republika Srpska House of Peoples confirmed that HoP selected five persons to sit in Commission, which should decide on whether the vital national interest is violated in the case of RS NA Declaration against BiH lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro. |
| Banovic faces 8 years of imprisonment | FTV, BHTV 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Verdict delivered in ICTY’, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 2 ‘Eight years of imprisonment for Banovic’, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘Predrag Banovic sentenced to eight years imprisonment’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Banovic sentenced to eight years’ – The Hague Tribunal convicted Predrag Banovic, former guard at detention camp Keraterm indicted for five murders, to the sentence of eight years of prison, as requested by both the prosecution and defence. In June 26 2002 Banovic pleaded guilty on the murder of five non-Serb civilians and beating up of 27 other civilians at detention camp Keraterm. |
| Investigation into Dretelj concentration camp | Dnevni Avaz cover, pg 2 ‘Investigation into the crimes [committed] in Dretelj commenced’ – Following the approval by the ICTY, Mostar Cantonal Prosecutor Ibro Bulic commenced with the investigation against two guards and three members of HVO Military Police who were engaged in concentration camp Dretelj near Capljina. Gojko Sokota, Vido Palameta, Mijo Banovic, Ado Alagic and Meho Gusic have been suspected for the crimes committed against civilians and prisoners of war, including killings, torturing and illegal arrest. |
Social issues | |
| IMF against boosting pensions and wages in RS
| FTV, RTRS, BHTV1, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘IMF against increase of wages and pensions in RS’ – The International Monetary Fund disagrees with RS Government’s decision to increase the lowest labour wage and to introduce monthly growth of pensions. The meeting between RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic, RS Finance Minister Branko Krsmanovic and the Chief of IMF in BiH Peter Doyle was held on Tuesday. Doyle stressed that making these decisions may cause problems in executing obligations accepted by the transitional arrangement and continuation of the co-operation with IMF. Mikerevic rejected the claim that this increase has been a result of a lack of discipline and stressed that the Government’s policy in this field can no longer be based on the lowest labour wage of 68 KM. He also stated that the budget audits control application of regulations in this field and that the Government is determined to reduce the lowest labour wage in certain institutions from even up to 130 KM to the level of legal frameworks. RS Prime Minister also stressed that abovementioned decisions would not endanger the macro-economic stability and will, on the contrary, introduce more order and discipline. President of RS Association of Pensioners Rade Rakulj stated that the representatives of IMF are in great measure responsible for the difficult position of the pensioners. He pointed out following pensioners’ protests in FBiH, their pensions were increased, which that was rejected for RS pensioners. Minister Krsmanovic stated that they would continue talks with IMF, trying to find solutions to further prolong the stand-by arrangement under these new circumstances. |
| RS pensioners critical of High Rep | Glas Srpske cover page story ‘Paddy does not know or does not want to’ – Regarding problems of pensioners in Republika Srpska, the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, recently stated that he cannot do anything to resolve this problem, noting that final decision on this should be reached by Human Rights Chamber. According to Rade Rakulj, President of the Pensioners’ Association of RS, this statement by HiRep is extremely surprising. He adds that HiRep does not know that HRC did indeed pass decision on the issue (of payment of pensions from the area they were earned) on 10 January. Or HiRep does not want to know of this decision. Rakulj further claims that Association informed HiRep and PDHR Hays several times of their problem. Ilija Stevancevic, President of Republika Srpska Pensioners’ Party, said that the old and ill people from Republika Srpska expected from HiRep to accelerate the implementation of HRC’s decision. |
| Ashdown visits Rudo | RTRS, Dnevni Avaz cover ‘Talks for easier decision making’, pg 3 ‘I bring decisions easier when I talk to people’, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘From first hand [learning] on the survivial’ Nezavisne Novine pg. 4 ‘Ashdown: Returns needs to be accelerated’; Glas Srpske pg. 3 ‘A coffee with Mayor’ – The High Representative Paddy Ashdown on Tuesday in Rudo stated that he came to see by himself that this municipality has achieved great results in the implementation of property laws and refugee returns. He also promised that through bilateral relations, he would make sure that the problem related to succession issues at firms ‘Rudoplast’ and ‘Autodelovi’ (between BIH and Serbia and Montenegro) is resolved. HiRep also visited the Serb family of Smiljka and Bogdan Bradonjic in the settlement of Gaocici, where he spent the night. |