Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 29 March
RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
Del Ponte in Banja Luka & Belgrade | Del Ponte met RS officials | Carla del Ponte in B. Luka |
1 part in BiH lawsuit agst | Ovcina admitted murder of Culjak | Sarajevo Cantonal Court verdict |
Colak: Issues with Cro to be solved | US and EU on const. changes | Terzic on police reform |
TV news broadcast on 28 March
RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
No Transmission | | BIH lawsuit against |
| Terzic meets EBRD delegation | Mass gravesite found near Visegrad |
| Meeting of BiH Fiscal Council in BL | Exhumation in Stjepanovici |
| BiH lawsuit against | Donators conference – BIH judiciary |
NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Mass gravesite found near Visegrad | Corpse discovered in Banjaluka |
Murder in Mostar | Exhumation in Stjepanovici | Meeting of BiH Fiscal Council in BL |
Doyle on VAT | Donators conference – BIH judiciary | Terzic meets EBRD delegation |
Hadzipasic on FERK’s decision | BIH lawsuit against | RS Government in session |
Oslobodjenje | [Talks on const. changes in |
Dnevni Avaz | [Head of BiH legal team] Softic: |
Dnevni List | Politicians ordered more expensive electricity |
Vecernji List | BiH does not want a 30-meter high bridge (Peljesac bridge update) |
Slobodna Dalmacija | Mob kills owner of car spare parts shop (murder near Mostar) |
Nezavisne Novine | One was murdered and left on a garbage dump [3 persons arrested following murder of Dragan Culjak from Mostar] |
Glas Srpske | On the path of Khazars [warning on negative demographic image in RS and |
EuroBlic | People are bearing with it, authorities are calculating [session of BiH Fiscal Council] |
Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
RS PM Dodik, RS MoI Cadjo meet ICTY Chief Prosecutor; Dodik: we are entirely dedicated to resolve the ICTY issue
| RTRS – At the EUFOR base bear Banja Luka, the meeting between Carla del Ponte, ICTY Chief Prosecutor, Milorad Dodik, RS Premier, and Stanislav Cadjo, RS Interior Minister, ended. PM Dodik gave statement to the press after the meeting, stressing RS Government readiness to fulfil duties towards ICTY. He added: “I got the impression ICTY Chief Prosecutor fully understands the situation. The agreement was that we should entirely devote to resolvement of all the issues related to cooperation with the ICTY, which has already become a traumatic experience for RS… There is no dilemma in RS that this duty will be completed as soon as opportunity arises.” |
RS PM Dodik: | |
Economic and judicial issues | |
BiH Fiscal Council meets in
| RTRS – After the meeting of BiH Fiscal Council held on Tuesday in |
FBiH HoR demands FBiH Govt to explain reasons for increase of electricity price
| BHT1 – The FBiH House of Representatives demands from the FBiH Government to explain reasons for the increase of electricity prices in average of 6% as of 1 April. FBiH Prime minister Ahmet Hadzipasic feels that the problem of price increase could have been resolved through internal money reserves in Elektroprivreda’s. PINK– Hadzipasic stated on Tuesday in Sarajevo that the FBiH Electricity Regulatory Commission [FERK] did not chose the right moment for the price increase, as it has occurred in the year of VAT introduction, and therefore could have a significant negative impact on the standard of BiH citizens. “I think that FERK has succumbed to demands of Elektroprivredas, without considering the current situation in which electricity companies are in – high cost of their work, cheap export of electricity, relatively high salaries, opportunities for investment, monitoring the level and breach of investments, breaches of deadlines and many other irregularities”, stated Hadzipasic, adding that it’s unavoidable for the price of electricity to be corrected some time in the future. Hayat, FTV– also carried. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Citizens and economy cannot stand increase of price of electricity’ by A.Dedajic – Following the statement by the BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic that Hadzipasic should deal with problem of increase of price of electricity, FBiH PM commented: “I interpret this statement of PM Terzic as a statement of uninformed man. It is known who regulates price of electricity and that FBiH Government has nothing to do with it. While we could influent price of electricity, we did not change it as we were aware that our citizens and economy could not cope with an increase of price.” |
FERK responses to FBiH PM Hadzipasic: Consumers do not pay excess of expenses of Elektroprivredas
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Consumers do not pay excess of expenses’ by A.Dedajic – Article carries that FBiH Electricity Regulatory Commission [FERK] official Ivica Dreznjak provided daily with “unclear and partial information in written” on comparison of prices of electricity for export and BiH citizens. Dreznjak denied statement of FBIH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic that consumers have to pay for every excess of expenses in conduct of business of Elektroprivredas. Author comments that Dreznjak did not provide any information on conduct of business of Electroprivredas. |
HDZ against increase of electricity prices
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9, mentioned on cover ‘Bills increase by 30 per cent’ by Az.D. Inset, ‘HDZ expects review of decision’ – HDZ announced that the party is against announced increase of price of electricity, for it will strike economy, big consumers in the first place such as ‘Aluminij’. |
DL: Political parties made sure electricity prices go up
| Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Politicians ordered more expensive electricity’, by Mensud Zorlak – according to DL’s information, the FERK took the decision to increase the prices of electricity after it was subjected to pressures by political parties because there is an alleged plan that the extra money will be used to finance pre-election campaigns. Article also carries FBIH PM Hadzipasic’s statement. |
BiH Association of Employers asks from CoM, FBiH Govt to discuss increase of electricity price
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Agency did not estimate the moment’ by Fena, Inset ‘Demand for urgent session of CoM and FBiH Government’ – BiH Association of Employers has established a Group of black, coloured metallurgy and metal-refining, which was joined by largest companies, such as Mittal Steel, Aluminij, ASA Holding. They have sent a demand to Council of Ministers and FBiH Government to urgently discuss the issue of announced increase of electricity price. |
DL criticizes government officials after announcements that electricity prices will go up
| Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Electrocuted’, by Sanja Bjelica – The author is heavily criticizing the decision of DERK and FERK (BiH and FBIH regulatory agencies for electricity) that approved higher prices of electricity. What Bjelica criticizes even more is subsequent statements by government officials, who say they are shocked with the recent events. In that context, the author says the prices of electricity could not go up had it not been for the ‘green light’ that was given from the ‘top’. |
Oslobodjenje op-ed: BiH citizens still did not receive social benefit to ease VAT, now to face increase prices of electricity | Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Electricity’ op-ed by Senka Kurtovic – Commenting decision of FERK to increase price of electricity, as of April 1, editorial ironically reads that BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic promised citizens that introduction of VAT would not cause a disaster. Author concludes that citizens still did not receive promised 10 KM of social benefits to ease negative effects of VAT. |
Donor conference in
| FTV – A donor conference is to be held on Friday in |
RSNA on Thu session to discuss laws regulating fight vs. economic, organized crime
| RTRSby Sinisa Mihailovic – On Thursday, the RS National Assembly will discuss the draft law on special Prosecutor’s Office and special court, as well as the draft law regulating the fight against organized and economic crimes. Special Prosecutor’s Office would be established as a special department within the Office of the RS Prosecutor, and the Chief RS Prosecutor and the President of the RS Supreme Court would appoint the employees. The |
Special Prosecution to be in charge of deeds for which BiH Prosecution and Court are not in charge
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘At least 10 years imprisonment for organised crime’ by D.Risojevic – Explaining details of the set of laws on special prosecution and court, sent to RSNA by RS Government, the daily notes that if a leader of the organized criminal group were tried in line with the proposed Law on stamping out organized crime, the person would be tried to at least 10 years imprisonment. The proposed Law also stipulates the establishment of a special council with RS Supreme Court, which would be in charge of resolving appeals. Special Departments with Courts would be in charge of acts of organized crime for which BiH Prosecutor’s Office and |
Establishment of RS Special prosecution;
| RTRS current affairs program ‘Crvena Linija’ by Zoran Popovic– Commenting the draft Law on RS Special Prosecution for organized and economic crime, SNSD deputy in the RSNA, Radovan Bjelogrlic,stated that he believes that RS does need such institution, since currently only person dealing with the crime is the RS Chief Auditor Bosko Ceko, noting that even then his reports do not result with a judicial action. On the other side, former RS Labour Minister and |
RS Govt holds session; adopts labour law, holiday law
| PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Establishment of real status of employed’ not signed – At the session in Banjaluka, the RS Government discussed and adopted the set of laws in the field of labour and employment, and informed about the working material concerning the higher education law.RS Minister for Labour and Veterans Bosko Tomic stated that the biggest change is that law now ensures that persons who lost their job because of company’s downsizing or similar are entitled to settlement in total amount of 20 percent of average RS salary. In addition to that, Government decided that the RS Employment Bureau would have to pay fees to the Pension-Disability Insurance Fund for the workers that lost the job, and need up to three more years of length of service. On Tuesday, RS Government also defined the proposal of the Law on Holidays, under which five Entity holidays will be observed in the RS, including the RS Day (January 9), New Year (January 1-2), International Labour Day (May 1-2), Victory Day (May 9) and the Day of the establishment of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH (November 21). BHT1, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ’21 November also Holliday in RS’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Five national holidays’ by O.V., Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘At least 10 years of imprisonment for organized crime’ by D. Risojevic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Fewer obstacles to pensions’ by G. Dakic– reported. |
RS NA Commission in charge of privatization audit proposes enactment of Law on privatization audit
| RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘About privatization audit in regular procedure’ by A.S.- Majority of members of the RS NA Commission in charge of monitoring implementation of privatization in RS is of the view that it is necessary to pass the Law on privatization audit, but also that its discussion and adoption should go through regular parliament procedure. Dusan Stojicic, President of the RS NA Commission, has stated that final stance on this issue will be reached after today’s formal adoption of conclusions from (Commission) session. |
EBRD meets CoM Chair Terzic: EBRD in total has invested over 1 bn KM
| PINK – During the meeting with a delegation of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) executive directors and representatives of capital in |
RS Minister of Finances Dzombic sent a letter to ITA Governing Board Chairman Dixon, demands to define legitimate distribution of funds from ITA account | Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Urgently resolve distribution of funds between RS and F BiH’ by R. S., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Suspicious calculation’ by D. V. M. – RS Minister of Finances Aleksandar Dzombic sent a letter to Chairman of ITA Governing Board Joly Dixon demanding from him to undertake urgent measures to define a legitimate distribution of funds from the single ITA account for 2005 and 2006. Dzombic notes that the data of ITA, which are necessary for calculation of coefficients for distribution, are not trustworthy in opinion of RS representatives and lead to payment of less funds to RS. |
War crimes issues | |
First part of hearing in case of BiH vs
| PINK– Serbia and |
Chief ICTY Prosecutor
| PINK– ICTY Chief Prosecutor’s Spokesperson Florence Hartmann confirmed that Carla Del Ponte visits |
RS Vice President Osmanovic: RS MoI will cooperate with ICTY if there is strong pressure on Dodik
| Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘RS MoI will cooperate with the Hague if there is strong pressure on Dodik’ by E.Sarac – Commenting statement by the RS Interior Minister Stanislav Cadjo who said that cooperation with the ICTY is a legal obligation both RS and BiH have to fulfil and that there should be no inactivity in this regard, the RS Vice President Adil Osmanovic said that this cooperation depends on the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik. Osmanovic stressed: “RS MoI will cooperate with |
RS Association of former detention camp inmates critical of ICTY Chief Prosecutor
| EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Former camp inmates against Carla del Ponte’ by D.S. – RS Association of former detention camp inmates opposes to announce arrival of Carla del Ponte, ICTY Chief Prosecutor, claiming “Carla del Ponte cheated on them since they never trusted her when she had promised she would bring charges against top Bosniak officials from political and military circles”. Slavko Jovicic, Vice President of the Association Tuesday stated “del Ponte has only one goal – to accuse Serbs and perform further satanisation of the Serb people and present it as such to the world public.” |
RS Secretariat for relations with ICTY: RS MoI closely observed Karadzic’s family, but no suspicious behaviour revealed
| BHT1 – RS Secretariat for relations with ICTY prepared its quarterly report, which reads that the RS Interior Ministry has been engaged in constant surveillance of the family of Radovan Karadzic and have not noticed any suspicious behaviour. The RS National Assembly will consider this report on March 30. Hayat – Report also reads that the RS Police carried out a number of complicated operations on discovering, arresting or ensuring the voluntary surrender of the war crime indictees. RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Karadzic family under surveillance of intelligence service’ by Srna Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘RS Police constantly monitored Karadzic family’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Karadzic’s family was not suspicious’ by S. Gojkovic, Vecernje Novosti pg 13 ‘Network of helpers as target’ not signed, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Karadzics closely monitored’ by G. Dakic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘They were watching on Karadzics, but no trace of Radovan’ by Srna– also reported. |
BiH Presidency member Jovic addresses ICTY expressing shock with verdicts to ex BiH Army officers Hadzihasanovic, Kubura | BHT1– BiH Presidency member Ivo Miro Jovic sent a letter to the President of the ICTY Fausto Pocar and the Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte, in which he expressed a shock with the verdicts passed in the case of ex BiH Army Commander of the Third Corps, Enver Hadzihasanovic, and the Commander of the Seventh Muslim Brigade, Amir Kubura. In mid March, ICTY sentenced Kubura and Hadzihasanovic to 2,5 and 5 years respectively for crimes committed in |
Political issues | |
FBiH HoR discusses report on FBiH Govt’s work and activities plans in 2006
| PINK – During the regular session held on Tuesday, FBiH House of Representatives discussed the report on the work of the FBiH Government in 2005 and plan of activities in this year. “I hope that the personnel changes have been finally over… Those hockey changes should become the thing of the past. I will try to strengthen the implementation of previously reached decisions, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make some significant improvements in the year of elections”, stated FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic. FTV – FBIH HoR ended the session without the completed discussion which would continue at the upcoming session. BHT1, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Criticism to Government’s work in last year’ pg 8 ‘Criticism to Government’s work in last year’ by A.Hadziarapovic, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Government’s program for 2006 was not passed’ by S.Se., Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Without ‘Smoking kills’ notice‘ by dja– carried similar reports. |
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German Ambassador to BiH visited Foca
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Changes are visible’ by D.T. – German Ambassador to BiH, Arne Freier von Kietlitz, Tuesday in Foca stated that changes in the municipality of Foca are visible, making a special reference to creation of more favourable climate for return of Foca pre-war inhabitants. |
Political officials comment on | EuroBlic RSpg 8 ‘USA sanctions remain’ – Commenting on USA’ lifting of sanctions against the municipality of Foca, Mladjan Zaric, PDP delegate at RS NA, says it is good sanctions were lifted against Foca, but it is not good same was not applied to Bijeljina. Miladin Jovicic fromSNSD is of the view such a decision of the US Administration results from inconsistent policy of |
Two-day seminar ion
| RTRS – A two-day constitutional seminar on the role and responsibility of BiH political parties for the development of the state and further steps in the process of reforming the BiH Constitution ended in Cadenabbi (Italy) on Tuesday. The seminar, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, discussed the activities and agreements on constitutional reform reached so far. Participants agreed changes to the Constitution represent a large step for BiH towards the EU. “It is evident that some parties insist on the full realisation of their political goals, and those parties are not satisfied with the constitutional changes so far. I think that the agreement on constitutional changes should be forwarded to the Parliament,” stated BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs and PDP President Mladen Ivanic. He added that the next phase of talks on constitutional reforms could be focused only at the FBiH. “Objectively, the biggest problem of BiH at this point is the complicated structure of Federation, with ten cantons, too many ministers and too expensive government. I think it is completely natural and logical that it would be the subject to dominate next year,” concluded Ivanic. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘BiH must not allow itself to make steps back’ by A.O. – US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney, EU Parliament Deputy Doris Pack and European Stability Initiative Gerald Knaus took part in the seminar. SDA leader Sulejman Tihic confirmed that BiH House of Representatives Chair Nikola Spiric and Co-Chairs Martin Raguz and Sefik Dzaferovic, |
EU Western Balkans Director Priebe: BiH has clear EU perspective and must not make steps back
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘BiH must not allow itself to make steps back’ by A.O. – At the seminar on BiH constitutional reform held in Italy, EU General Secretariat for Foreign Relations Western Balkans Department Director Reinchard Priebe stated: “BiH has clear EU perspective and must not lose time and make steps back in the reform process.” Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘US and Europe underlined: If you do not adopt first phase, there will be no next phase in change of Constitution’ by H.Orahovac – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic stated for DA that US and EU clearly underlined that if agreed constitutional changes are not adopted, there will be no second phase of the talks on the changes. Tihic confirmed that BiH House of Representatives Chair Nikola Spiric and Co-Chairs Martin Raguz and Sefik Dzaferovic, |
Comments following adoption of Islamic Community Rijaset’ Resolution: SDA and Tihic supportive of it; Patriotic Block supportive; SDU Lazovic still opposes agreement;
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ceman: They took care of interest of all peoples’ – DA carries SDA Presidency member Mirsad Ceman and |
| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Only culture [sector] remained’, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘People must know’, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Undermining of the Dayton [Agreement]’ – carry reactions of |
VL: Constitutional changes divided Croat political scene
| Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘War of Croat political stars’, by Zdenko Cosic – the author argues that the agreement of the political parties regarding the constitutional changes in BiH has divided the Croat political scene in BiH like never before. This was specially highlighted after the statement by the BiH (Catholic) bishops, which noted that the changes should not be supported in the Parliament. Although the author does not specifically say it, he hints that the Croat politicians, who are not supporting the changes, are abusing the bishops’ statement for the sake of October elections. |
HR Schwarz-Schilling welcomes changes to Election Law, says October elections are crucial for BiH
| Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘Schilling: October elections are of crucial importance’, by NINA – The HR for BiH, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, expressed satisfaction with adoption of changes to the BiH Election Law, which will make possible the passive registration of voters, stressing that elections are necessary mechanism of a functional democratic society. The HR believes that the October elections are of crucial importance for BiH because the voters will decide who will run the country. He also noted that the pre-election campaign must focus on concrete issues and that all in BiH, be it citizens individually, groups of citizens or Unions, have the responsibility to make the political parties focus on concrete issues. |
BiH CoM Chair Terzic said he made agreement on police reform with RS PM Dodik: any further tensions endangers European future of BiH | Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘I am not ready to accept demand for resignation of |
Croatian PM Sanader: Peljesac bridge getting politicized, hopes to reach agreement with BiH
| Vecernji List, front pg splash and pg 10 ‘BiH does not want a 30-meter high bridge’, by Dejan Jazvic – As reported on Tuesday [see OHR Media Round-up, March 28], an expert commission, tasked by the BiH CoM to assess the project of building of the Peljesac-Croatian mainland bridge, concluded that the project that envisions building of a 30-meter high bridge would limit BiH’s access to see, which leads VL to say it is certain the BiH CoM will reject the Croatian proposal. Commenting on the latest development, the Croatian PM, Ivo Sanader, believes the issue is now being politicized in BiH since elections (in BiH) are approaching. Sanader notes |
BiH Security Minister Colak: Burning issues between BiH and | Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘ |
MP Sucur (
| Oslobodjenje pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Enough changes for removal of Lozancic’ by S.Se, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Signatures for Lozancic’s removal collected’ by R. C., Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Removal of Lozancic depends on House of Peoples’, by M. Zorlak – An |
OHR welcomed adoption of two laws that would strengthen rule of law and human rights
| Nezavisne novine pg 8 ‘Adoption of the laws was welcomed’ by Agencies – OHR welcomed the adoption of two laws adopted through the Parliamentary process on Tuesday that will strengthen the rule of Law and Human Rights and confirm BiH’s commitment to its international obligations, as OHR Spokesperson Oleg Milisic told a press conference in Sarajevo on Tuesday. FBiH HoR adopted the Law on Minor Offences of F BiH, while BiH HoP adopted the Law on Changes and Amendments to the Law on Ombudsmen. |
EU to increase price of visa almost by double | Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘EU to increase price of visa from €35 to €60’ by T.Lazovic – Daily learns that EU is to increase price of visas, which would also apply for BiH citizens. Council of EU for Justice and Home Affairs in its draft decision anticipated increase of price for almost double due to expenditures for new system of security. Final decision is expected to be brought by end of April. European Commission Delegation to BiH still have no such information and did not want to comment this. |