Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on September 2
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) |
| Police talks to resume next week |
| Lukic to be extradited to ICTY |
| Croatia-ICTY relations |
TV news broadcast on September 1
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Colak on police reform talks | Police reform talks on Bjelasnica | Negotiations on Bjelasnica |
| Police reform meeting on Bjelasnica | EUPM on police reform process | BiH Presidency on conscription |
| Jovic on BiH Ambassador in | Rycroft in | Report on OSA’s work |
| BiH Presidency in session | BiH Presidency session | GB’s Rycroft on HR |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Police reform talks on Bjelasnica | Illegal building on Vlasic | Police reform meeting on Bjelasnica |
| BiH Presidency on defence reform | Audit in Brcko District | Pavlovic Bank robbery investigation |
| Ashdown: British secret agent? | FBiH Gov on nationalized apartments | Doboj murder |
| Zelenovic: apprehended or not? | Negotiations on Bjelasnica | FBiH Government in session |
| Oslobodjenje | Parts of International Community do not want Karadzic and Mladic in |
| Dnevni Avaz | We have 100 million KM for social funds |
| Dnevni List | Bosniaks stopped beginning of classes |
| Vecernji List | Cataclysm (on consequences of hurricane Katrina in the USA) |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | There is no change for bread |
| Glas Srpske | Paddy was telling fairytales |
| Nezavisne Novine | Path to EU leads via Tribunal |
| Blic | He killed two women, and seriously injured other two women |
| Vecernje Novosti | A disguised purchase; Two women killed, two injured (about Doboj shooting) |
| Srpski Nacional | Features |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| Stojicic: Police talks more sensitive than defence reform
| RHB – The RSNA Speaker, Dusan Stojicic, stated last night that the police reform is politically much more sensitive than the defence reform suggesting that the IC should be aware of it. Stojicic was speaking at a show called ‘Aktualni razgovori’, which was broadcast by ‘K3 TV’, and he noted that the police reform is of crucial importance for the RS. Stojicic believes that a solution, which would satisfy all three sides in BiH, could be reached. He also believes that some police jurisdictions could be transferred onto the joint, BiH state level, however Stojicic believes one cannot abolish the RS MoI. |
| Professor Vukadinovic on Euro-Atlantic aspirations of countries in the region
| RHB featured an interview with professor Radovan Vukadinovic, the head of international studies at the Zagreb Political Studies Faculty. Presenting his view about the future of the countries in the region in relation towards Euro-Atlantic integration, Vukadinovic believes BiH will be sharing, to a large extent, the same destiny with |
Political Developments/Reforms | |
| New round of talks on police reform: No essential progress was made
| Oslobodjenje pg 7, mentioned on cover ‘Compromise to difficult for Bukejlovic’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Maps of regions will be made by March 31’, mentioned on cover ‘Three principles sufficient for Europe’ – A new round of talks on the police reform in BiH at the level of governments’ representatives was held on the mountain of Bjelasnica near Sarajevo on Thursday. Participants at this meeting have agreed to establish the State Forensics Institute, and the state Agency for Certification and the Coordination of Entity Training Centres. Most of the time participants discussed three basic principles of the European Union (financing and legislation at the state level, police forces free of any kind of political influence, and the establishment of functional police regions), which they have to respect while carrying out/accepting the police reform. There were two solutions/framework agreements proposed: RS negotiating team made the first proposal (in line with the RSNA conclusions), but it was immediately rejected because, as BiH Council of Ministers (CoM) Chairman Adnan Terzic stated, it envisages the status-quo. RS prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic said to journalists that this was the first time that RS representative proposed general law on police at the State level, which regulates the issues that weren’t regulated until now. He believes that significant opportunity for BiH was missed this way. The second proposal was made by Terzic, State Information and Protection Agency Director Sredoje Novic, and BiH Minister of Security Barisa Colak. They proposed the establishment of the Agency which should create the maps of police regions until RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Agreement on unified police at sight’ by N. Bise, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Still without strong agreement on police reform’ by eme, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 11 ‘Vrankic: Another lost day” by Z. Rerig, Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘The establishment of a centre for training and Forensics Institute agreed’ by M.Cubro, EuroBlic RSpg 2, announced on cover ‘We talk about shoelaces, yet we have no shoes’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘They offer what was already rejected’ by Z.Markovic, Vecernje Novosti pg 18 ‘Bjelasnica breaking Serbs?’ by M.Labus also covered the issue. |
| DL op-ed: Agreement on police reform at sight
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Agreement at sight’ by N. Bise – Commenting on the police reform talks, the author says that the fact that the parties involved in these talks are willing to reach an agreement on this issue through a compromise and some concessions gives a hope that the solution for the police reform might be found. He added that it is also encouraging that the International Community representatives finally let domestic authority representatives to reach an agreement by themselves and the author believes that they are much more successful in negotiations when the High Representative is not involved in them. |
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| Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘They demanded centre in Tuzla’ by J.S. – At Thursday’s session (summouned upon request of 11 councilors from 4 opposition parties), the Municial Council of Tuzla has adopted Resolution, which rejects all proposals coming up during police reform talks in regard to transfer of police centre from Tuzla.The Council demands from all domestic and international institutions in charge to respect this resolute stance of the Council. FTV also covered the issue. |
| British Ambassador Rycroft hopes that BiH will fulfil all the conditions necessary to start the negotiations on SAA in next six months
| Pink Ljubisa Davidovic – During his visit to |
| BiH Presidency postpones making decisions on regular military service, BiH Ambassador to
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Military service to be discussed at the next session’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘On BiH Ambassador in Zagreb only at the next session’ – BiH Presidency accepted at the session on Thursday preliminary credit agreement between BiH and the Council of Europe (CoE) Development Bank for the financing of reconstruction of returnee houses. The credit will amount to 16 million KM, while BiH will allocate another 8 million KM for the project. Presidency also adopted a business report of the BiH Central Bank for the first six months of 2005, featuring positive financial results. The bank’s profit in the period was 18.6 million KM, up 43% from the net profit foreseen by the financial plan. Decision on placing moratorium on military service isn’t adopted on Thursday’s session. BiH Presidency decided to ask BiH Ministry of Defense to prepare complete information related to entity ministries’ decision on the issue. BiH Presidency Chair, Ivo Miro Jovic, confirmed after the session that issue of BiH Ambassador to RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Still there is no candidate for Ambassador in Croatia’ by E. Mackic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Jovic: Intolerable postponement’ by F, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘Paravac will propose new BiH Ambassador in Croatia’ by D. Pasic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 10 ‘Passing of decision on moratorium to military service prolonged’ by D. Pasic, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Candidate known next week’ by A.Sisic , Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Dismissal to recruits’ also reported on the session. |
| BiH Presidency member Tihic: Cavic is obstructing the appointment of Ambassador to
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Cavic is obstructing the appointment of Ambassador to Croatia’ by V. Z. – SDA President and member of BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic claims SDS leader Dragan Cavic was obstructing the appointment of BiH Ambassador to Croatia, as well as blocking the signing of an agreement on dual citizenship between BiH and Croatia only because Branko Kesic was not appointed BiH Ambassador to Croatia. Asked why he was blaming Cavic since Serb member of BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac is formally nominating candidates for ambassadors’ positions, Tihic said it is clear who is deciding on moves in that part of BiH. ‘Paravac had not accused SDA, Cavic had. He is suffering of a phobia from SDA and he is blaming SDA whenever he cannot resolve something’, Tihic said. He added Cavic was constantly shedding a bad light onto BiH by inventing stories about terrorism. |
| BiH Presidency member Paravac on appointment of BiH ambassadors
| Dnevni Avaz, pg ‘Borislav Paravac expects attacks on new candidates too’, by Fena – The cabinet of the BiH Presidency member, Borislav Paravac, issued a statement which says that the appointment of the BiH ambassador to Croatia is still burdened by certain problems, which are a direct or indirect consequence of rejection to accept the nomination of Branko Kesic for the said post. The statement also says that it is expected that new candidates will be exposed to attacks, the aim of which is to have servile-like diplomats. |
| British Ambassador Rycroft does not want to comment on speculation re list of British secret agents | BHT, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Ashdown is extremely efficient and energetic’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘No comment on MI6 agents’ by SRNA – British Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft didn’t want to comment on media speculations that High Representative Paddy Ashdown is on the list of British Intelligence Service’s secret agents. Ambassador Rycroft told reporters that HR Ashdown was extremely efficient during his service in BiH and that he has helped BiH authorities to come almost to the end of the road toward the EU. |
| NHI leader Zubak on cooperation between NHI and HSP Djapic-Jurisic
| Dnevni List pg 9 ‘NHI’s cooperation with HSP will not endanger agreements with SDP and SNSD’ by Z. Jukic – In an interview to DL, NHI President Kresimir Zubak confirmed that NHI started serious talks with HSP Djapic-Jurisic about possible ways of cooperation of the parties with a Croat prefix and the position of the Croat people in BiH. Zubak added that their stands with regard to these issues and constitutional changes in BiH are identical. Also, Zubak denied that this cooperation would endanger NHIs’ agreements signed earlier with SDP and SNSD. Zubak explained that HSP Djapic-Jurisic still has mortgage of ultra-right party, however this would change due to the current stands and the political programme that HSP Djapic-Jurisic advocates. |
| President of HSP Djapic-Jurisic on possible coalition partners to this party
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18, mentioned on cover ‘We shall rather make coalition with SDP than with SDA!’ by Z. Cilic carries an interview with President of HSP Djapic-Jurisic, Zvonko Jurisic. Talking about possible coalitions of his party, Jurisic said that they will not avoid the coalition with SDP although HSP Djapaic-Juriisc would not certainly accept the SDP concept of a civic state. According to Jurisic, other acceptable coalition partners are SNSD, NHI but not the current HDZ partners in the authority, SDA and SDS. |
Crime/Security/legal Proceedings/Judiciary | |
| Del Ponte: It is unacceptable that Karadzic and Mladic are still at large
| RHB, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje, front pg splash ‘Parts of International Community do not want Karadzic and Mladic in The Hague’ and pg 3 ‘Not everyone is interested to have Karadzic and Mladic before the court’, by Sense, Dnevni Avaz, pg 13 ‘It is disgrace that Karadzic and Mladic are still at large’, by Reuters, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Del Ponte: There are no negotiations as long as Karadzic and Mladic are at large’ by ra, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘Path to EU leads via Tribunal’, pg 2 ‘No full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal’ by Agencies, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Some people would not like it’ – The Chief ICTY Prosecutor, Carla del Ponte, stated at Bern yesterday (Thursday) that it was a disgrace for Serbia, BiH and the IC that the two most wanted fugitives, Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, are still at large. “The protection that they have from the state institutions show that the institutions have important things to cover up. The Serbian Army, especially, is still afraid to face the truth Karadzic and Mladic could reveal. I cannot rule out a possibility that some parts of the IC also want that some facts be hidden”, stated del Ponte. |
| ICTY’s Landale confirms Lukic to be extradited in the coming weeks | Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Extradition of Lukic in the coming weeks’ by D.R. – Jim Landale, Spokesperson of the Hague Tribunal, stated that extradition of Milan Lukic to The Hague is “a matter of weeks, not months”. |
| BiH parliamentary commission: OSA priorities include search for war crime indictees, fight against organized crime
| RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Priorities include war criminals and organized crime’, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Locating of war criminals priority in work of Agency’ by I. Glibusic,Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘OBA needs to be trained for counter-intelligence activities’ by SRNA– Joint Commission of both BiH Parliamentary Houses for control of the work of intelligence agency (OSA) concluded at the meeting on Thursday that this agency should be trained for counterintelligence tasks. Commissions Chair, Tomislav Limov, stated that one of the conclusions is also that is necessary to determine certain priorities for this year. According to him, those priorities include search for war crimes indictees and fight against organized crime. |
| VL: Incident on border crossing in northern
| Vecernji List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘ Colleagues had to disarm mentally deranged border guard’ by D. Jazvic – VL says that an incident with tragic consequences was avoided at a border crossing Dobrljin in northern Dnevni Avaz pg 13 also reported on the incident. |
| PDHR Butler on Prce pardon
| BHT – Principal Deputy of the High Representative Lawrence BHT broadcasted interview with PDHR Butler in its late news in which he spoke about Prce’s pardon and said that measures on this issue will be taken on this Autumn and that Parliament’s procedure should be finished by October or November, with main goal to increase transparency and liability. PDHR stated that new Law on Pardon will increase transparency, meaning that everything will have to be done publicly and it will also increase standards of documenting, which will define documents that person has to submit for pardon. |
| DL: OHR to remove Lozancic?
| Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Did Niko Lozancic commercialize pardons?’, by Zvonimir Jukic – Features an article about the Prce pardon case in which author writes that sources in the OHR say that a part of OHR officials are advocating a more radical action against the FBIH President, Niko Lozancic, in other words a removal from the office the way it was done in the Dragan Covic case. DL also learns from an independent MP in the BiH House of Representatives, Ivo Lozancic, that he recently asked that the relevant state bodies submit him all the documents on pardons granted by the FBiH President (Lozancic). Ivo Lozancic notes that his motive for the request is the latest decision on pardoning Prce and information that says that majority of people that have been pardoned had medical documentation, which have been signed by the same medical doctor from the Zenica area. Ivo Lozancic also explains that he asked that the BiH Election Commission submit him a report on Niko Lozancic’s property because of recent unconfirmed allegations according to which the FBiH President has recently amassed big wealth in real estate, including an apartment at Orebic and expensive cars, which he could not afford on the FBiH President’s salary. |
Economic/Social Issues/Audits | |
| FBiH Minister Vignjevic on VAT introduction: We have 100 million KM for social funds
| Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash and pg 4 ‘We have 100 million KM for social funds’ by S. T. – Despite to announcements saying F BiH Government would not develop any social program that would soften consequences of the introduction of VAT, social programs might be developed after all. According to F BiH Minister for Labor and Social Welfare Radovan Vignjevic, F BiH has approximately 100 million KM of surplus revenues and, should this be true, social programs will be developed. |
| SDP asking for zero VAT rate for certain products
| BHT, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Impose tax on rich people instead on poor ones’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘To impose tax on expensive cars instead on bread’ by E. Mackic, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Social unrests if food is not freed of VAT’ by D.Muminovic – SDP’s Caucus has asked BiH Parliament to change the Law on VAT, asking for zero tax rates for basic living products, medicines, books and newspapers. Letter, with these changes, and amendments to the Law on excise was sent to majority of Trade Unions and NGOs, hoping that this will create the necessary pressure for acceptance of this initiative. |
| BiH CoM’s Hurtic: To re-organize social protection system so that socially endangered people can benefit from VAT | Dnevni List pg 8 ‘To re-organize social protection system’ by D. Kozina – Zlatko Hurtic from the BiH Council of Ministers’ Unit for Economic Planning stated that the social protection system in whole BiH is de-centralized and there is justified fear that in case that its re-organization does not take place, it would be very difficult for socially endangered categories of population to get the funds which would be collected at the state and entity levels on the ground of a value added tax. |
| GS on ongoing reform of tax and customs systems in BiH
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Paddy was telling fairytales’ by D.V.M. – GS carries a comment upon Paddy Ashdown, HR’s statement to a F BiH paper in July (when he said the overall situation should improve if tax and customs system were carried out properly), saying that it seemed like a quote from a modern fairytale. It is not clear to Banja Luka economists, namely Vladislav Djurasovic, Professor at Banja Luka Faculty of Economics, and Radovan Rodic, associate at the same Faculty, on what Ashdown grounds his optimism, raising the issue as to whether Ashdown would be advocating such reforms if hew were to bear responsibility for them. |
| FBiH Government adopt draft law allowing privatization of nationalized apartments
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Occupancy right holders to be allowed to purchase the apartments’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 – FBiH Government finalised the proposed Amending Law on Apartments and forwarded it to the Parliament for emergency procedure. FBiH Minister of Urbanism and Environment, Ramiz Mehmedagic, said that this law enables holders of occupancy rights to purchase nationalized apartments. FBiH Government accepted on Thursday a report of the FBiH Ministry of refugees and displaced persons for the first six months of this year. According to report, 273,364 refugees and displaced persons were registered in June in BiH, of which 97,478 were in the Federation. Government also adopted report on health situation in FBiH for the 2004, prepared by the FBiH Health Institute. RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Buying off nationalized flats approved to owners’ by D. Kozina, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 10 ’20 millions KM as support to return process’ by E. Karamatic also reported on the session. |
| Audit in Brcko District
| BHT Samir Kahrovic– Report of Independent Auditing Agency has showed many irregularities in awarding of public property in Brcko District, during 2002 and 2003, which harmed the Budget for several millions. OHR stated that this Report will be submitted to the Prosecution. This audit was conducted on a small sample of only 24 cases, which is less the 10% of all cases in which Administration of BD made decisions without concord of the Supervisor. Supervisor for BD Susan Johnson stated: “Some of these cases seem to be politically motivated and not in public interest”. Co- Chair of BD Assembly and former Major, Ivan Krndelj said that he hopes that Prosecution will do the job, stressing that he is disappointed by the fact that some of those people are leaders of Parties, leaders of certain Institutions, including judicial. Supervisor Johnson stated that liability is on the Major, authorities and Parties to find solution to this issue, and Johnson recommended authorities to make changes of legal acts, till September 15th, in order to disable further abuse in disposing of public property. FTV also covered the issue. |
| RS Prosecutor’s Office to assess whether to investigate upon EPR audit report | Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Prosecutor’s Office will assess whether there is grounds for investigation’ by P.Klincov – Amor Bukic, RS Chief Prosecutor, Thursday stated that after they receive audit report on “RS Elektroprivreda”, the Prosecutor’s Offices in charge will assess whether there is grounds for launchment of investigation. |