Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 30 November
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| Jovic met HVO Assoc. of Pensioners | Hasan Cengic’s acquittal confirmed | Trebinje District |
| Slovakian President visits BiH | MIU closing down | Smith on Karadzic’s search |
| Solana welcomes new EUPM Comm. | World news | |
TV news broadcast on 29 November
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Sarovic and Govedarica arrested | Sarovic arrested | Sarovic, Govedarica arrested |
| FBIH HoP session | Former warden of “Gabela” arrested | War crime suspect arrested |
| DA anniversary conference | Two killed in police chase | Milosevic against separation of cases |
| Dokic meets Kalmeta | | The issue of police authorities |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Sarovic arrested | Sarovic, Govedarica arrested | ICG on EU visa regime |
| Bjelica to surrender | Verdicts in case of Una Bank Bihac | Sarovic and Govedarica arrested |
| Verdict in “Una- Bank” case | New political crisis in Brcko District? | Bjelica surrenders to BIH Prosecution |
| Comments on HR decision | The issue of police authorities | Nikola Andrun arrested |
| Oslobodjenje | Sarovic, Govedarica and Bjelica turned to Prosecution |
| Dnevni Avaz | Sarovic and Govedarica arrested |
| Dnevni List | Covic withdraws, Lozancic to be President |
| Vecernji List | Spectacular police action : Head of Gabela prison arrested/Mirko Sarovic brought in |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Hydro electric power plant death for Klobuk |
| Nezavisne Novine | Sarovic, Govedarica and Bjelica arrested |
| Glas Srpske | Mirko Sarovic detained |
| EuroBlic | Sarovic and Govedarica arrested |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| Hasan Cengic’s acquittal verdict confirmed | BH Radio 1, RTRS – Appellation Council of BiH Court has today upheld ruling according to which Hasan Cengic was acquitted of charges for office misuse while performing the duty of the Deputy FBiH Defence Ministry in 1996. |
| HR hands over remaining MIU tasks to Mostar authorities
| BH Radio 1 Emil Karamatic – The HR Paddy Ashdown today handed over the remaining tasks of the Mostar Implementation Unit to the local authorities at the ceremony of closing down the MIU. Ashdown underlined the politicians in BiH must take over responsibility for implementing the reforms that are necessary to complete the unification of Mostar. He added that constructive changes has occurred in Mostar and that their pace must be maintained. During his Mostar visit, HR also met with the FBiH Minister Trade and Tourism, Maid Ljubovic, has fully moved to Mostar. Ljubovic supported the request for move of other five FBiH ministries. |
| Smith denies he did not want to arrest Karadzic, adds he was banned to search for him
| RTRS, BH Radio 1 – Former NATO Commander in BiH, admiral Layton Smith stated that at the time of performing this duty he was banned from searching for the ICTY fugitives at large. He also rejected the accusations by the |
Arrests / Judicial proceedings | |
| Sarovic, Govedarica arrested, Bjelica surrenders to BiH court; Speculations on extending indictments related to PBES to war crimes
| BHT 1 by Gvozden Sarac – The joint action of BiH Prosecutor’s Office, SIPA and EUFOR resulted in apprehension of former BiH Presidency member Mirko Sarovic and the former director of the RS Strategic ReservesMilorad Govedarica, both suspects in the investigation into the operations of Privredna Bank East Sarajevo [PBES]. Third suspect Milovan ‘Cicko’ Bjelica surrendered voluntarily on Tuesday afternoon. Along with the director of this bank Momcilo Mandic, already in custody, these three are suspected of multimillion financial frauds related to the work of PBES. They were all previously blacklisted by the EU and US for suspicion of aiding war crimes suspects at large. Sarovic and Bjelica were apprehended in the office of East Sarajevo Mayor Radomir Kezunovic. Hayat by Adnan Rondic – Kezunovic said that on the initiative of PBES Provisional Administrator Toby Robinson, a meeting was held in his office, where Sarovic and Govedarica were supposed to discuss out-court settlements. After Robinson explained her proposal, two men in civil walked into the office and presented as EUFOR officers, after which Sarovic and Govedarica were taken away. According to unofficial information investigation in this case has been expanded to providing of assistance to war crimes’ indictees. RTRS – Bjelica’s attorney Alija Galijatovic stated for RTRS over the telephone that Bjelica has been questioned and remains in custody. Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Mirko Sarovic detained’ by Z.Domazet, inset ‘I did not run away’ carries Bjelica’s phone statement to daily, saying he would surrender in the company of his attorney. Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Sarovic and Govedarica were arrested, Bjelica surrendered to the Prosecution’ by A. Nezirevic and A. Omeragic – Prosecutor Johnatan Rattel will demand a one-month detention to be set for Sarovic and Govedarica [who will be interrogated today]. BiH Prosecutor’s Office did not want to confirm whether their indictments will includes charged related to war crimes. BK TV – OHR has rejected to comment the arrests. RTS 1 [Serbian state TV], FTV, |
| Media speculate on crimes related to working of PBES; DA: What about Kalinic?
| FTV by Sinan Saric – Reporter says that the criminal activities related to the Privredna Bank East Sarajevo are worth approximately 30 millions KM. Four companies involved in those activities are Privredna bank, Matres company, Spectra company owned by |
| Former “Gabela” warden arrested
| Hayat, FTV BHT1, RTRS, PINK, Dnevni List pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Deputy Head of Gabela prison camp Nikola Andrun arrested’ by N. Dedic, Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘Head of Gabale prison arrested’ and pg 3 ‘Andrun was taken with injured head’ by F. Matic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 20, mentioned on cover ‘Capljina: Head of prison camp Gabela arrested’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Former warden of “Gabela” arrested’, announced on cover ‘SIPA members arrested former warden of “Gabela” camp’ by D.Mu. – Former warden of prison camp “Gabela” Nikola Andrun, suspected for war crimes against civilians, was arrested on Tuesday morning in Capljina. Arresting action was conducted trough coordinated action of police members and members of SIPA. Andrun was surrendered to BiH Prosecution, who issued order for his arrest. |
| Verdict to Maktouf abolished; Case returned for a new trial
| BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘First-degree sentence for war crimes of Abduladhim Maktouf was annulled’ by Aj. D., Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Verdict to Maktouf abolished’, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘New trial to A. Maktouf’ by E. Medunjanin, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Re-trial against Maktouf’ by A.D. – BiH Court Appellate Council abolished on Tuesday the first-instance verdict on the ground of which Abdulahim Maktouf was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment because of the war crime committed against civilians in Travnik in 1993. DL learns that the case was returned for a new trail. |
| Update on trial in ‘Covic and others’ case
| Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Covic warned that he was working illegally’ by M. Zorlak reports on continuation of the trial in the ‘Covic and others case’, when economic expert Sadeta Ceric gave her testimony and stated that by disrespecting of the law company ‘Lijanovici’ profited and damaged the FBiH budget in this way. She also said that Dragan Covic, who was the FBiH Minister of Finances at that time, interpreted the BiH CoM’s decision on taxation of some chicken products in wrong way and completely illegally. Also reported by Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Andric misinformed Covic’ by D. Jazvic and Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16 ‘Privileged import damaged agriculture’ by Z. Tulic. |
Political developments | |
| PDP rejects Govt’s proposals at RSNA session; DNS launches initiative for vote-of-confidence to RS Govt
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Initiative for vote-of-confidence to RS Government’ by V.P. – Tuesday’s session of RS NA was in the shadow of gathering of 20 signatures organised by DNS (Democratic People’ |
| RTRS on RSNA session: It is obvious Govt lost parliamentary majority; Stojicic surprised with developments; Bukejlovic: I will not resign
| RTRS late news edition by Biljana Knezevic – RTRS reporter comments that the RS Government has no support of the RSNA as of Tuesday night. She adds this became evident after a discussion on situation in RS economy that lasted the entire day. None of the information suggested by the Government has received majority support which has shown that PDP has become opposition. RS NA Speaker Dusan Stojicic was surprised with this outcome and stressed that nothing like this ever happened in RS NA. RS PM Pero Bukejlovic on the other hand stated that he wasn’t surprised at all. “I as a PM do not have the intention to resign nor do I have the intention to recommend to the Government to resign”, stated Bukejlovic. He added that RS NA deputies should dismiss the Government if they are not pleased with it. |
| DA in with Bukejlovic: ‘Crisis of the authorities is not good for negotiations with EU’; Bozic to take over Pecelj’s ministerial position
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Crisis of the authorities is not good for negotiations with EU’ by Nadja Diklic – RS PM Pero Bukejlovic stated in an interview to DA that the RS Government will consider PDP’s announcement on withdrawal of their support only after the party officially informs the Government on this decision. RS PM added that they will not seek for a new Assembly majority until this happens. He noted that this is not the time for pre-election activities, having in mind the official start of negotiations with EU, and he added BiH needs a stabile authority at all levels. RS PM said he will meet BiH Chief Negotiator Igor Davidovic to discuss his invitation to RS Government to join negotiations. With regard to constitutional changes and |
| NN op-ed: PDP is always calculating in financial and political regard
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Confiscated property tax’ by Anton Kasipovic – The author is criticizing the activities of the PDP, questioning the possibility of seeing the RS Government face crisis following PDP announcement it would withdraw from power. He compares it with the alleged crisis at BiH COM, at which Mladen Ivanic, PDP President, is still sitting. The author is ironical in noting that PDP is always calculating what seems to be best for it, in financial and political regard. |
| Conference on
| FTVby Adisa Ruzdic-Hodzic – Three-day conference on 10th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement commenced in Sarajevo on Tuesday gathering a number of politicians, governmental representatives, international representatives, professors and various experts. Opening the conference, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel stated that BiH’s preparation for EU integration would be the greatest challenge for both the International Community and BiH authorities. “The politicians could no more hide behind the boycott, or by saying that they have to wait for the consensus to emerge, or behind the International Community”, stated James O’Brien, one of the DPA creators. During the process of European integration, IC will not be able to do the job for domestic politicians as they have to take over responsibility for the implementation of the reforms, concluded O’Brien. PINK by Aida Doric–“I hope, and that dominated this discussion, that BiH will have good negotiators, singular position toward the EU, that we will look respectable and serious before them and that this will be the best way to present ourselves as the country which knows what is doing and where it goes,” said BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic. Hayatby Nebojsa Radulovic– Rupel also underlined that will be no trade of RS for Kosovo. High Representative Paddy Ashdown has invited BiH authorities to be more determined in implementation of reforms, which are opening doors of Euro-Atlantic integrations, adding that BiH is walking toward establishment of rule of the law and economic sustainability. RTRS, |
| “NATO membership conference”: After defence reform, cooperation with ICTY only remaining condition
| PINKBy Adriana Domazet– In organization of BiH Alliance for Security and British Embassy, Conference “Membership in NATO- security and stability in region” was held in |
| DL learns from its sources details of agreement btwn HDZ and EPP: Covic withdraws, Lozancic to be new HDZ President
| Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Covic withdraws, Lozancic to be new President’ by Z. Jukic learns from its sources within HDZ details from the Monday’s meeting between HDZ officials and European people’s Party (EPP) President Wilfred Martens. According to these sources, it was agreed that there would be no new HDZ Convention, however, it was agreed that HDZ President Dragan Covic would withdraw from his current position by Christmas this year and Niko Lozancic would come to his position. DL says that in this way a concession was made to Covic since he is convinced that he would preserve control over HDZ with Lozancic as the HDZ President and that he (Covic) would be a President from the shadow as he used to be when Barisa Colak led the party. The source also reveals that the package of measures that HDZ and EPP are going to take might contain the decision on pardoning of Bozo Ljubic, Josip Merdzo and Martin Raguz. |
| M. Relota denies SD report reg. mtg HDZ/Martens
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘HDZ denies that Martens demands Covic’s resignation’ by A.O.carries HDZ denial of the SD article published on Tuesday in which it was said that during the HDZ/EPP meeting it was agreed that HDZ would lose a status of an observer in EPP if Covic does not withdraw from the position of an HDZ President. HDZ spokesperson Miso Relota said that during the meeting it was agreed that none information from this meeting would go into public and he added: ‘We have sent an objection to EPP since obviously someone did not stick to the agreement.’ Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17, mentioned on cover ‘Martens did not threaten Covic’ by M. Sivric carries a similar report and Relota as saying that EPP President Wilfred Martens was not satisfied with media speculations and untruths that have been published during the last months regarding the meetings between EPP and HDZ, as well as with latest media writings. |
| HR Ashdown: ‘I will personally monitor the process of uniting of Mostar’
| Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘I will personally monitor the process of uniting of Mostar’ by S. Numanovic – OHR and High Representative will continue to monitor the process of uniting of Mostar and its institutions even after the Unit for Mostar is shut down. HR Paddy Ashdown has stated a lot has been done in the process of uniting of this town, but lots of work still remains to be done. HR noted that moving of Ministries is a constitutional obligation and he will not tolerate the existence of large offices in Sarajevo and small Ministries in Mostar. Vecernji List pg 5 ‘OHR returns Mostar to Mostar authority’, mentioned on cover ‘Ashdown hands over Mostar to Beslic’ by D. Jazvic carries an interview with High Representative Paddy Ashdown along the same lines as in Dnevni Avaz. |
| Interview with Head of MIU R. Williams: ‘Mostar will be normal town in 3 years’
| Dnevni List pg 10 ‘Mostar would be normal town in 3 years’ by S. Bjelica carries an interview with Head of the OHR’s Unit for Implementation of the Mostar Statute Richard Williams, whose unit ceases with its work on Wednesday (today). Asked to judge the job that has been done so far, Williams said: ‘The process of the Mostar Statute implementation was very difficult for 2 reasons. One of the reasons refers on falling behind schedule and the delay itself since none party or ethnic group had majority and therefore a consensus was necessary for the smallest decision in Mostar. The second problem were hardliners. It is not a secret that we lost 5 months during this year because of obstructions and hardliners’ acting. However, a progress has been achieved in 4 main areas and they are: authority, unification of institutions, development and maintaining of infrastructure and economic development.’ Asked as to when Mostar might start to function as a normal city, Williams says: ‘What would really bring changes are the institutions with ethnic representation of all. From my previous experience I can say that 2 years of implementation are necessary and one year to finish the things and that everything falls into place.’ |
| Sarovic, Vucurevic comments HR’s pardons: decisions for all; GS: Removed officials will not suspend their procedure before
| Hayat report by ATV– The HR Paddy Ashdown announced decision on pardoning some officials replaced, which caused many comments and even Mirko Sarovic, only few hours before arrested, reacted. Nikola Poplasen, former RS president and one of pardoned officials, deems this decision not as recognition of his innocence, but as another act of dictatorship. “Decision on so called pardoning is pretty ridiculous, as was the decision on punishing [us]. I understood that majority of us have been pardoned… and that we have right to apply for desk clerks, but nothing further,” added Poplasen. Sarovic and Bozidar Vucurevic were not pardoned. Vucurevic commented he feels fortunate, adding that he was afraid of pardoning, because of which he taken some action and frozen his membership in |
| ICG on Balkans: EU visa regime is ghettoizing Balkans | RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Visa regime ghettoizing the Balkans’ by |
| RTRS ‘Crvena linija’ on const. changes: Agreement to be reached by consensus, not imposed by IC
| RTRS ‘Crvena linija’ magazine by Zoran Popovic – Programme dedicated to the constitutional changes gathered SNSD offical Krstan Simic, |
|
| |
| BHT 1 ‘Posteno govoreci’ on
| BHT 1 ‘Frankly speaking’ magazine by Duska Jurisic – In an magazine dedicated to |
| Brcko District: Police chief resigns;
| FTV by Halid Rifatbegovic – FTV comments that Brcko District could face new executive and legislative authority crisis as the police chief, Milenko Milicevic, has resigned. Although he did not publicly explain his decision, local analysts believe that it has something to do with recent criticism on the work of the District police. In addition, |
| President of | Vecernji List pg 6 ‘Holy See supports organization of BiH with many regions!’ by Z. Kresic carries an interview with President of |
Economic issues | |
| FBiH HoP neither rejects nor endorses Govt decision on Enegropetrol; Govt to proceed with negotiations
| FTVby Blazica Kristo – The FBiH House of Peoples was informed about the Government’s decision to choose Croatian-Hungarian consortium INA-MOL for the strategic partner in the process of privatisation of Energopetrol company. Delegates refused to support both proposed conclusions, i.e. they neither supported nor banned the Government’s activities on privatisation or its decision on selecting the strategic partner. FTV reporter speculates that the only concrete result of numerous FBiH Houses’ sessions to discuss Energopetrol could be complete failure of the privatisation process. “I would be very happy if we manage to complete the process of Energopetrol privatisation, because I have 80 percent of doubt that we would make it”, stated FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic. “PM obviously made his decision long time ago, and he did not need the decision from the Parliamentary Assembly or the FBiH HoP. He simply rejected all the suggestions”, stated HoP delegate Nermin Pecanac. Hadzipasic stressed that FBiH Government will continue the negotiations with the INA-MOL consortium, but added that he was not sure if those negotiations would result in an agreement. In addition, HVB Central-Profit Bank could activate the mortgage on 25 Energopetrol’s gas stations as of Wednesday. Hadzipasic informed that the Bank has promised to give the FBiH Govt additional two or three weeks to complete the deal with INA-MOL. |
| 31st session of RS NA focused on economic situation in RS
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Government preparing special Law for privatization of Refinery’ by R.Segrt, EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Firms in great debts’ by Tijana Veselinovic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Debts as noose’ by D.Vrhovac-Mihajlovic– 31st regular session of RSNA has continued on Tuesday, during which representatives have discussed the situation and analyses in economy, which includes situation in Oil Refinery and analyses on small and medium businesses. Addressing the representatives, RS Minister of Economy, Energy and Development Miladin Gligoric stressed that Government will do everything to make even a larger progress toward revitalization of economy, during the next year. He stated that RS has reduced foreign trade deficit, public expenditure and salary deficit and increased economy activities. As far as refinery in Bosanski Brod in concerned Gligoric stated that it needs revitalisation and modernisation in order to reach its pre-war capacity. He added that this process requires 156 million Euros and therefore RS Government is looking for a strategic partner in that process. If partner were not identified, RS Government would enact a special law regarding privatization of this company. RS Finance Minister Svetlana Cenic addressed the RS NA deputies. She stated that audit report of Bosanski Brod refinery will be completed soon and added that RS Government is preparing changes to the law on bankruptcy. Cenic also stated that as far as macro economic plan is concerned RS has accomplished more than FBIH. She repeated once again that with VAT implementation pension fund in RS will be reformed. RTRS, PINK, BHT1 – also reported. |
| Session of BIH fiscal council held in
| RTRS, BHT1, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Commendations to Srpska’ by D.Mo. – Session of BIH fiscal council has been held in |
| Terzic proposed changes to VAT Law: Entities ministers and officials opposed to it
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Cenic and Vrankic against press’ by A.Sekulic – Entities’ officials Tuesday opposed to the proposal of Adnan Terzic, BiH COM Chair, that press and graphical works should be exempt from VAT. Daily learns that Svetlana Cenic and Dragan Vrankic, entities Finance Ministers, and Miodrag Kudic and Sefika Hafizovic, RS and F BiH representatives at the ITA Steering Board, opposed to this in fear that those may lead to further changes of the VAT rate on the eve of VAT implementation in January 2006. |
Border issue with | |
| Croatian Transport Minister pays surprise visit to BiH, meets Dokic: BiH and
| FTVby Zinaida Hamidovic – Croatian Minister of Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development Bozidar Kalmeta paid a surprise, unannounced, visit to |
| Halilovic: No new discussions with official
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Halilovic: Veliki and Mali Skoj and the top of Klek peninsula belong to BiH’, announced on cover ‘It is not clear what Sanader wants’ by H. Orahovac – BiH Civili Affairs Minister, Safet Halilovic, says that the agreement on borders from 1999 had already been achieved that he would not task the State Commission for Borders to open new discussions with official Zagreb. Hayat by Lejla Gutlic – BiH authorities, including Council of Ministers weren’t informed about this meeting. Bozidar Kalmeta stated that Peljesac bridge and borders issue were not related, but reporter disagreed. She stressed that border issue and bridge were brought into relation after conversation with Halilovic, who claims that expert studies have prove that land that Croatia plans to build the bridge on is not suitable, which would increase the price of the construction works, adding this was the reason for which they want BiH territory near Mali and Veliki Skolj. Reporter explained that if |
| Terzic: By building the Peljesac bridge Ivo Sanader sends a message he does not want agreement on
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover ‘By building the bridge Ivo Sanader sends a message he does not want agreement on Port of Ploce’ Az. Kalamujic – CoM Chair Adnan Terzic said on Tuesday that BiH and Croatia might reconsider the agreement on inter-state border near Neum but that he did not see what could be changed in what the two authorized states’ commissions had already signed. Terzic believes that there is a connection between the reactions in BiH to start of construction of Peljesac bridge and Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader’s government’s intentions to again raise the issue of inter-state border line. The part of this package is problem of use of |
| Ivo Miro Jovic: To respect decision of Badinter’s commission | Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘To respect decision of Badinter’s commission’ – Chairman of the BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic on Tuesday told the daily that it was necessary to respect the decision of Badinter’s Commission, which had said that the states established following breakdown of former socialist Yugoslavia had to maintain borders from that time. |