OHR BiH Media Round-up, 30/10/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

No transmission

Schwartz- Schilling new HR?

Terrorists arrested in Denmark

Tihic on Schilling’s nomination

RS Army’s explosive devices stolen

Z. Tesanovic on Chief Negotiator

One person killed in car accident

Cavic on Chief Negotiator

No avian flu in BiH

NTV Hayat  (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Interview with Schwartz- Schilling

World news

Schilling candidate for new HR

Danish arrests related to BiH’s

BH bishops – constitutional changes

Traffic accident near Banja Luka

USAID certificates

WC indictee surrendered in Livno

RS Army warehouse robbed

Inter-religious meeting

RS Army’s explosive devices stolen

Terrorist arrests in Denmark

Oslobodjenje

Platform for change of constitution accepted ( Washington meeting)

Dnevni Avaz

Topcagic the chief of negotiating team? (Terzic interview)

Dnevni List

Bishops for European organization of state

Vecernji List

State with four regions

Nezavisne Novine

Tens of dead in New Delhi

Political Developments/Reforms

Cavic interview on SAA talks, constitutional changes, lawsuits against HRs

Pink – RS President Dragan Cavic stated for ONASA that he thought that BiH’s Chief Negotiator on SAA with the EU should be someone from SNSD, regardless of the fact that SNSD President Milorad Dodik has rejected the proposal.

Oslobodjenje, pgs 4-5, mentioned on front ‘Partnership with Dodik on European path’, by Onasa – carries a lengthy interview with Cavic in which he says that when it comes to the SAA talks, BiH political leaders should meet ASAP and jointly propose people for the BiH negotiating team, the people from entities who are capable to do the job. On request for establishment of the third (Croat) entity, Cavic says such decision is down to the Croats and Bosniaks in the FBIH because the existence and integrity of the RS cannot be put into question. As for constitutional changes in general, Cavic says the agreement must be reached by all three peoples, stressing that the fact is that the Serbs, especially the Croats, fear they might be outnumbered i.e. outvoted by the Bosniaks, therefore there needs to be a solution that would prevent any sidelining (of peoples). Furthermore, Cavic sees no reason why the 3-member Presidency is a dysfunctional solution, maintaining that BiH should continue to have the BiH Presidency in the current form. As for the BiH CoM, Cavic says it does not have to be called ‘a government’ in the future, however its powers should increase. Inset ‘Thirty lawsuits against High Representatives’ carries Cavic as responding to journalist’s question whether the SDS is doing something regarding the announced lawsuit against HR Paddy Ashdown. Cavic notes that the SDS needs to see whether anyone abused the SDS’ money to allegedly finance war crimes suspects, however Cavic notes that more than 30 lawsuits have been submitted to the Strasbourg Human Rights Court against HR’s decisions targeted against members of SDS. On top of this, the SDS is preparing charges against Ashdown, Wolfgang Petritsch and Carlos Westendorp for violation of European convention on human rights, however, according to Cavic, the party does not have the money to go ahead with the lawsuits. In this context, Cavic says the SDS is working with its ‘friends in Great Britain and Belgium ’ on assessing as to where to file the lawsuits against the High Representatives.

Terzic interview in Avaz on SAA talks

Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘Topcagic the chief of negotiating team?’ and pg 5 ‘Topcagic a candidate for chief of negotiating team’, by Admir Malagic – Carries an interview with Chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, in which he mostly comments on the issue of appointment of BiH chief negotiator for the SAA talks with EU. Regarding the conclusion of the SDA Presidency that Terzic’s proposal (that chief negotiator should be from RS, see OHR Media Round-up, Oct 29) is not the position of the SDA, Terzic says he is sorry he did not have the chance to attend the session at which he would have presented a ‘different approach to the negotiating process’. As for the role of the Director of BiH Directorate for European Integration, Osman Topcagic, in the forthcoming process, Terzic says Topcagic will most probably be the “chief of the negotiating team, i.e. the man who will coordinate all activities and provide technical and logistics support to the negotiating team”. Terzic also announces a special meeting about the issue scheduled for Wednesday. On Igor Davidovic being mentioned as the most serious candidate for the chief negotiator, Terzic says it is not good to comment about any names before he gets them from Dragan Cavic, however Terzic says Davidovic is certainly one of respected candidates.

Tesanovic (PDP) on SAA talks: Process has gone downhill

Pink, Dnevni Avaz, pg 5 ‘Everything has gone bad regarding negotiator since the beginning’, by Fena – It is still unknown who will be BiH’s Chief Negotiator with the EU, being that there is no agreement among political leaders in RS and that Council of Ministers not only that hasn’t discussed this issue, but they still haven’t passed the strategy for SAA, which according to BiH Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs and Member of PDP Main Board, Zoran Tesanovic, means that this process has gone downhill. Tesanovic said it wouldn’t be good to appoint a person without strong professional background and without negotiating experience, stressing that only RS would lose in that case. “We will certainly participate in this meeting that RS President Dragan Cavic has scheduled, but I fear that he has allowed things to get out of his hands, because he allowed some key figures from the RS to be disputed in the media, as potential Chief negotiators”- said Tesanovic.

Hayat poll: Who should be chief negotiator?

Hayat – Tonight’s question for viewers was: Whom do you suggest as BiH’s representative in negotiations with the EU? Do you agree with Chairman of CoM Adnan Terzic and HR Paddy Ashdown that this representative should be from RS?

Most of the viewers didn’t agree with the idea that Chief Negotiator comes from RS, because of the simple fact, as they explained, because they don’t see BiH as their country and therefore they wouldn’t represent it well. When it comes to suggestions, majority of viewers proposed Haris Silajdzic, Zlatko Lagumdzija and Nijaz Durakovic, while some of them said that BiH doesn’t have people for this job, due to which it should hire a professional from outside.

Media say Schwartz-Schilling most serious candidate to become new HR, reactions by BiH politicians

Pink – According to writing of daily press, German diplomat and former Mediator for RS and FBiH Christian Schwartz Schilling is a German candidate for new High Representative in BiH.  According to the media, Schilling’s nomination was submitted on last day of the deadline, while CzechRepublic, Italy and Netherlands have already nominated their candidates. According to “Dnevni Avaz” it is expected that PIC will most probably elect Schilling for the position. RTRS, Vecernji List, pg 16 ‘Schwartz-Schilling instead of Ashdown’, by D. J. – BIH media announced that German diplomat and former mediator for RS and FBIH Schwartz-Schilling is the most serious candidate for the position of High Representative in BIH.

Pink, Oslobodjenje, pg 2 ‘Politicians of high reputation’, by Fena, Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Experience could be precious’, not signed– Member of BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic has greeted the nomination of Christian Schwartz Schilling for the High Representative. Tihic said that experience that Schilling has in out country could be valuable for successful performance in the position, adding that it is significant that last mandate of the High Representative will belong to a strong and competent person, and that everything else would be an experiment which could have negative impact on reforms.

BHT – Information on candidacy of former international mediator for BiH Schwartz-Schilling for the High Representative’s position in BiH caused many positive reactions in BiH, reports BHT. Party for BiH (SBiH) says BiH will gain a lot with Schwartz-Schilling as the HR, while SDA considers that his previous experience as international mediator for BiH could be invaluably useful for successful performance of the HR’s duties. Oslobodjenje, pg 2 ‘Competent diplomat who knows BiH’, not signed – The SDP says it is too early to make any judgements, however any future HR will have to be dedicated to BiH’s future and help the country in the future tasks. (also carries SBiH’s statement).

Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Schilling is good new for BiH’, by Fena – President of SDU, Sejfudin Tokic, welcomes the news that Schwartz-Schilling could become the new HR.

Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘Topcagic the chief of negotiating team?’ and pg 5 ‘Topcagic a candidate for chief of negotiating team’, by Admir Malagic – Chiarman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, says he is happy with the proposal of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel because Schwartz-Schilling knows the situation in BiH.

Hayat interview: Schwartz-Schilling on his plans in appointed HR

Hayat – By Senad Hadzifejzovic– After Germany nominated its candidate for the next High Representative in BiH and after it was published (on Friday night) that this candidate is Christian Schwartz- Schilling, the editor did an interview with him, being that he was already in Sarajevo .

Asked when he learned about this nomination- Schwartz Schilling said that he was already in Sarajevo , because of other reasons, where he was informed, on Thursday, from German Ministry of Foreign Affairs that his nomination was submitted to the PIC .

Asked what will be his priority of he is elected- Schwartz- Schilling said that he doesn’t have any program, but he has some ideas and assumptions, being that he has visited every corner of this country, during his position of International Mediator for BiH. Schwartz- Schilling said that he is introduced with issues in BiH and has idea what the tasks are, but he stressed that these are task that every candidate has to have in mind. “To revive BiH Institutions, so that they aren’t just a dead letter on the paper, to stabilize country and to revive it economically and to enable people to live and work in this country and to see perspective in it”- said Schilling, adding: “Then, it is also important to continue the way toward the EU, especially on the place where current High Representative will end and that is from the signing of the SAA. Most importantly is that country and its citizens truly take their future in their own hands and that function of the HR has to be reduced and at the end I would say that I would like to end my mandate as an advisor and a friend and not as the High Representative”.

Talking about the length of his mandate- Schwartz Schilling said that he thinks that it will be about two years, where mandate of the High Representative would be ended in one year, after which it would be transformed into Special Representative of the EU. Asked about the fact that he as Chairman of Association of Endangered Nations, will not be greeted the same by all peoples in BiH- Schwartz- Schilling said that his principles on human rights will not change, stressing that he has resigned his position in German Cabinet following his principles, but he added that there are people on all sides whose intentions are good, but there are also those who refuse to come out of the past, because of which people who are future oriented should be supported and strengthen. Schwartz- Schilling stressed that BiH has already come far, but in order to achieve in its intentions, BiH politicians have to take even more responsibility, adding that he is hoping to get the same amount of trust from BiH citizens as he has in this country. At the end Schwartz- Schilling said: “I think that everything goes well when trust is growing and I will do everything in order for citizens to have trust in me and to move forward; and if I am elected I will do everything I can from my side. I think that this is simply the matter of political agreement, but also of agreement among citizens, because we live in democracy. I think that this is possible and because of that I hope that good times are to come for BiH, for me and for Europe”- said Schwartz- Schilling. (part of interview from Hayat also covered by Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Revive BiH institutions’, not signed). Nezavisne Novine, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘Germany wants bigger influence in BiH’, by Mirza Cubro – carries a separate interview along with same lines as above.

Catholic Bishops in BiH present proposal of future organization of BiH: 4 regions instead of entities

FTV, BHT, RTRS, Oslobodjenje, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Bishops for BiH with four cantons’, by KTA, Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘Four regions instead of entities’, by KTA, Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Bishops for European organization of state’, by Erna Mackic, Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘State with four regions’ and pgs 2-3 ‘Church for reorganization of BiH’, by Dejan Jazvic, Nezavisne Novine, pg 3 ‘Form four cantons instead of two entities’, by Agencies – BiH (Catholic) bishops have drafted political and constitutional changes, which they maintain are necessary to establish equality in the country and eliminate what they say are injustices stemming from the adoption of the 1995 Dayton peace agreement. The document, entitled “Proposals of BiH bishops for legal-social organization of BiH” was adopted at the 35th regular session of the Bishopric Conference, and its essence is the establishment of four functional cantons instead of the present entities. The proposal foresees establishment of four cantons, that is regions – Sarajevo, Banjaluka, Mostar and Tuzla, where all peoples would have at least 30 percent of share in the legislative and executive authorities. Document was presented by BiH Archbishop, Cardinal Vinko Puljic. He said that the document is delivered also to Vatican and he expects the Holy See to support the efforts of BiH bishops for the establishment of full equality of all peoples.

Belkic (SBiH) on constitutional changes in BiH

Oslobodjenje, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Platform for change of constitution accepted’, by V. F. Z. – Beriz Belkic, an SBIH MP in the BiH House of Representatives, stated for the daily that representatives of BiH political parties adopted a platform for changes to the BiH Constitution at the last session of talks on constitutional changes, which was held in Washington last week. However, according to Belkic, the platform does not mention the territorial reorganization of BiH because there is not consent by the RS politicians, and the platform will be used for concrete negotiations of political parties scheduled for November in Brussels . Belkic explains that the platform foresees that the BiH Presidency will continue to have 3 members, however with reduced authorities, so the Presidency cannot interfere, for example in appointment of state auditors. There is consensus that the Presidency is elected in the BiH HoR. Two-chamber (HoR and HoP) BiH Parliament will also continue to be. Regarding the future of BiH CoM, Belkic explains that politicians from the FBIH wanted to have a proper BiH government, with a prime minister leading it, however the RS parties believe the BiH CoM should continue to be in place.

NN interview: Raguz (HDZ) on relations within HDZ, constitutional changes

Nezavisne Novine, pgs 8-9, mentioned on front ‘Possible isolation of HDZ’, by Josip Blazevic – Carries an interview with Deputy Speaker of BiH House of Representatives and senior official of HDZ, Martin Raguz, who will be subjected to disciplinary procedure in his party after signing the ‘Promemoria’. Commenting on the issue, Raguz insists that he and other people who signed the ‘Promemoria’ did not do anything against the HDZ Statute, believing that the European People’s Party (EPP) will insists on having new HDZ inter-party elections, otherwise the EPP might be imposing restrictive measures towards the HDZ. On constitutional changes, Raguz says there needs to be an honest dialogue among the parties in BiH, adding that the HDZ, as the leading Croat party, should be presenting a clear vision and not change its position on several occasions, as was the case in last one month.

Cavic: Decision to dismiss Pecelj unnecessary, other reactions

Oslobodjenje, pg 9 ‘Sanctions and interventionism did not stop’, by Fena, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Sanctions towards RS did not stop’, not signed – RS President Dragan Cavic has assessed that the decision by the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown,to dismiss RS Education and Culture Minister Milovan Pecelj was unnecessary. “This decision raises the concern that intervention and sanctions have not ended and that they will remain in force, regardless of the fact that we all want the High Representative and his powers to leave the country,” said Cavic. He pointed out that Minister Pecelj tried to resolve this problem with the Eastern Sarajevo University administration and was within reach of a solution when the decision was reached on his dismissal.

Nezavisne Novine, pg 2 ‘Pecelj is not responsible in ‘Lukic’ case’, by P. Klincov – According to SDS spokesman, Stanko Pivasevic, Minister Pecelj was the least responsible because “if he had not removed Lukic, he would be held responsible by the OHR, if he had removed him, he would have breached the law, because the University enjoys autonomy according to the Bologna declaration and international conventions”. Krstan Simic (SNSD) says constants removals by the OHR are not a good solution, adding that he could not see how Pecelj could influence the removal (of Lukic). Zoran Tesanovic (PDP) thinks Pecelj was not responsible because it is University’s Council that appoints deans, adding the Government should not be playing the key role in the process. Inset ‘Pecelj: I am not the first or last one’ carries Pecelj as saying he is not either the first or last person to be removed by the OHR. “I asked that the LawSchool in East Sarajevo be respected and not does not endangered”, said Pecelj.

Terzic on HR’s Decision regarding renaming of public facilities

Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘Topcagic the chief of negotiating team?’ and pg 5 ‘Topcagic a candidate for chief of negotiating team’, by Admir Malagic– Chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, commented on the High Representative’s Decision regarding naming of public facilities by saying the decision represents a complication for the BiH CoM, however Terzic believes the decision was a good solution the ultimate aim of which is to prevent abuses.

Hayat’s Face-to-Face: Huseinovic v Dokic

Hayat – By Senad Hadzifejzovic– Following the decision that Council of Ministers passed to award 1,156 million KMs from the account of Communication Regulatory Agency (RAK) to BHT1 and BH Radio for leasing of satellite channels, after which RAK objected and accused BiH Minister of Communications and Transport (MoCT) Branko Dokic for this- guests of tonight’s Face to Face were RAK Director Kemal Huseinovic and Minister Dokic.

Huseinovic said that all of this looks like that someone wants to put CRA under direct control of BiH MoCT and that is something that hasn’t happened anywhere in the world, stressing that all this seams like that BiH MoCT can’t accept and can’t deal with the independency of RAK. Huseinovic stressed that this decision is undermining the independency of RAK, stressing that this decision can’t remain as it is now, being that this money is the money of 183 broadcasters, adding that after this decision was published he has received many calls from these broadcasters who have objected to this and asked why they weren’t awarded with this money. Dokic explained his stances (published in all media) stressing that this decision wasn’t passed by him or by BiH MoCT, but by the BiH CoM, which accepted the proposal of BiH Ministry of Finances to finance tenancy of satellite channels from the surpluses of RAK. Dokic said that he has made two proposals for the CoM and BiH Ministry of Finances, but they have rejected to finance this from the Budget surpluses and made the decision the way it is. Dokic also stressed that this is the matter that CoM will have to solve, stressing that BiH Parliament has also asked for full information on this issue and that CoM will stand behind it.  At the end Editor asked both of his guests, whether the speculations are true that all of this was started because Dokic asked for free experimental broadcasting of 2GHz for RS Telecom and because Dokic pressured RAK to give frequency in Sarajevo to BN TV. Huseinovic said that Dokic has asked RAK to give licence to RS Telecom for work on experimental base for 2GHz and RAK has told Dokic that BiH CoM has to supplement or pass new policy on telecommunications sector, which includes public consultations, not just on demand of one operator. Regarding the second question, Huseinovic explained that Dokic has never pressured RAK because of BN TV, but that his Advisor Zdravko Savija has attended meetings with BN TV Director and acted on Minister’s behalf, or he said so. Regarding the BN TV issue, Dokic said that he never heard that his Advisor had attended these meetings and if he did he wasn’t doing it on Ministry’s recommendation. At the end, Huseinovic said that he hopes that CoM will change this decision and act to the letter of the law, while Minister Dokic said that these means would be transferred to BHT and BH Radio.

Security, War Crimes

Danish police arrests two more terrorist suspects

BHT, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘Two more persons suspected of planning terrorist attacks arrested’, by L. S., Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Detonators for terrorist attacks stolen?!’, by D. Kozina, Nezavisne Novine, pg 2 ‘Danish police arrested two more persons’, by AFP– Danish police arrested two more people suspected of planning a terrorist attack in Europe, one day after four young men of Middle East origin were detained near Copenhagen. Danish police say this case was connected with last week’s arrest in BiH of three persons suspected of planning bomb attacks. RTRS – FBIH MoI spokesman Robert Cvrtak stated that he could not confirm the connection between the 2 groups (Sarajevo and Copenhagen).

RS Army’ warehouse broken into, connection with recent arrests?

BHT – The RS Army Headquarters confirmed that explosive devices have been stolen from its warehouse in Jahorina, municipality of Pale, which happened on October 25. RS Army Headquarters did not specify the quantity of stolen explosive devices, but said that a commission has been formed to investigate this case. The RS Army HQ did not comment whether this case linked to arrest of suspected terrorists in BiH and Denmark. RS Police spokesperson, Radovan Pejic, said that investigation is moving in right direction. (FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Detonators for terrorist attacks stolen?!’, by D. Kozina, Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Devices for activation of explosives stolen’, by bs, Nezavisne Novine, pg 2 ‘Stolen materials can be used for terrorist attacks’, by R. Rakic, D. Bojanic also report)

War crimes suspects turns himself in

FTV, Pink – Livno Cantonal Court ordered one month of detention to former RS Army soldier, Pero Radic, who is indicted for war crimes. He surrendered voluntarily on Friday. Radic is charged with murder of a prisoner, an HVO soldier, in the Glamoc area.

Salkic: Ashdown should annul RS Govt’s decision to allocate money to war crimes suspects’ families

Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Ashdown would have to annul decision on awarding war criminals’, by E. H. – The President of Bosniak Caucus in the RS Council of Peoples, Ramiz Salkic, commented on the RS Government’s decision to allocate 330.000 KMs to families of war crimes suspects by saying that the HR, Paddy Ashdown, should be, instead of commending the RS Government’s cooperation regarding war crimes, in fact annulling the said decision, arguing that the RS Government is still following the policy of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic to award those who committed crime in the name of the RS.

Economy

RS Government undertakes action regarding situation in ‘Sume RS’ lumber company

RTRS – Boris Gagic – Number of lumber camps in RS is reduced from 42 to 24, on the basis of the RS Government decision. RS Government made such decision after demands from the OHR, following audit reports that indicated malversations in RS “Sume RS” public lumber company. Experts believe that smaller number of lumber camps reduces chances for malversations. In order to prevent another fraud cases, RS Government also announces careful consideration of candidates for managers’ positions in newly formed lumber camps. “Persons mentioned in audit report, for which is determined involvement in irregular activities, they can’t be appointed to positions in new lumber camps,” said Goran Perkovic, RS Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management. RS Government does not expect dissatisfaction of local authorities with this decision, because part of the incomes from felling trees will return to municipalities. Government also announces to the OHR that they will implement requested tasks in the forestry sector in given deadline.