| HERCEG-BOSNA RADIO(18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Law on Indirect Taxation | Law on taxation passed | Law on Taxation passed | EUPM attacked by anthrax |
| EC welcomes IT law | US supports HJPCs | Radicals won in Serbia | Feature story on evictions |
| OHR welcomes IT law | Elections in Serbia | BiH politicians on elections | Law on indirect taxation |
| US Embassy on Judiciary | Third license for GSM | US/SDA on judiciary | SDA on discrimination |
| Oslobodjenje | By whose mistake Muslims from BiH will not go to the hajj? |
| Dnevni Avaz | Dispute over inequality in judiciary, police escalates – political parties reject Ashdown’s assessments |
| Dnevni List | “Aluminij: Announcement on the eve of today’s session of FBiH Government: Definitive breakup”; “SDA’s double policy demands OHR’s sanctions” |
| Vecernji List | “Stimulus to Serb extremists in BiH”; “FBiH will disappear due to Aluminij’s shutting down” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | “If Aluminij shuts down, FBiH will shut down as well”; “Mostar – the main winter airport” |
| Glas Srpske | Attempted eviction of family of fallen soldier in Doboj: Drama played alive; Bratunac: Church provided land parcels |
| Nezavisne Novine | Investigation into EUPM letters: SFOR neutralised the powder which resembles anthrax; Police identified those involved in fraud in Banjauka Brewery: Two workers were illegally selling Nektar Pivo; BiH Parliament: Law on Indirect Taxation harmonised |
| Blic | Drama at a building roof in Doboj: she wanted to go into death with her children because of an apartment; Who will enter the Government with whom?; ‘Mlekara’ facing bankruptcy; ‘Metla’ action failed to eliminate corruption; Four centers for indirect taxation in BiH |
| | Economic/social issues |
| Law on Indirect Taxation adopted | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 6 ‘Text of Law on Indirect Taxation harmonised’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Proposal for a regional centre in Brcko rejected’ – House of Representatives and House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH on Monday adopted the Law on the Indirect Taxation System.By the new proposal of the Law proposed by the Council of Ministers the Agency for Indirect Taxation will have four Regional Offices in Banja Luka, Tuzla, Mostar and Sarajevo. The representatives have obliged the CoM to in the following 6 months review the economical justification of the regional offices and to based on the received parameters inform the Parliament in order to make additional changes of the law if necessary. The Law on Indirect Taxation system was adopted in the identical text in both Houses and will be valid as of January 1, 2004. The House of Representatives discussed the economical situation in BiH with special emphasis on the protection of the domestic production. The representatives had number of remarks to the report of the Council of Ministers presented by the Minister Dragan Doko. Slobodna Dalmacija last page, “150 millions KM for establishment of the system”, by B. Kristo, Vecernji List page 2, “Law on Indirect Taxation harmonized”, by E. Medunjanin, Dnevni List page 5, “With mini VAT in new year”, by I. Glibusic, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4, ‘Law on Indirect Taxation harmonised’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Four safe boxes to taxes’, Blic p 13 ‘Four tax centres’ also covered the issue. |
| EC/OHR welcome adoption of the law on indirect taxation | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Key step towards Europe’ – The representatives of the European Commission in BiH welcomed the adoption of the Indirect Taxation Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Parliamentary Assembly on Monday as important step toward successful establishment of the tax collection system. The establishment of the Indirect Taxation Administration is one of the most important reforms on BiH’s road to Europe. Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, Dnnevni Avaz pg. 2 – The OHR also welcomed the adoption of the Indirect Taxation Law as it represents an important step of BiH towards Europe, stated Oleg Milisic, the OHR Spokesperson. |
| CRA on third GSM licence | BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Eronet and HT not obstacle to third GSM licence issuance’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 5, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Premium for telecom operators in BiH is not too high’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘First decision, then licence’ – CRA will start process of issuing the third GSM license as soon as the BiH CoM sends written confirmation on price and other conditions for the third operator. Independent regulator CRA has changed name to RAK, but mandate will remain the same. Head of the Agency Kemal Huseinovic told a press conference in Sarajevo on Monday that the RAK will focus its work on issuing third license, transformation of PBS and regulation of network providers. Only two candidates for third operator are HT Mostar and Eronet, but they have very complicated mutual ownership relationships and nobody knows how to resolve them. Dnevni List (page 4, “Decision on owner of third GSM license in second half of January”, by J.P.) carries that CRA spokesperson Amela Odobasic stated that the decision on the third GSM license will be passed in the second half of January. Asked whether the ‘Eronet’s’ future is questionable, Odobasic stated the item 5 from the Action Plan stopped being effective as soon as the decision on the price of the GSM license was passed. |
| Aluminij power supplying issue | FTV Pogledi, ONASA – The FBiH Minister of Finances, Dragan Vrankic, on Monday told ONASA that a compromise solution must be found and that all sides must give in when it comes to resolving the situation in the Mostar-based Aluminij. “Electricity must be delivered and Aluminij must continue working, while the price must be agreed upon. (FBiH) Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic cannot run away from the problem and reproach others for not accepting his proposal, since this is a problem of the Government, not of two ministers,” Vrankic elaborated. He went on to say it would be best if electric power could continue to be delivered through the Debis Co., while the price of power should be agreed upon with Aluminij representatives. According to Vrankic, no specific proposal has been discussed on Monday since the Party for BiH adhered to its demand that market conditions be met. “It is not true that Hadzipasic has proposed something and that we have rejected it. The only fair thing here is that Elektroprivreda BiH and the Aluminij should continue spending our kilowatts and develop together,” Vrankic said. Hadzipasic, for his part, told ONASA earlier on Monday that he would not present to the government on Tuesday the proposal already welcomed by the Office of the High Representative, since he had not received Vrankic’s support, as well as the support of the FBiH Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry, Izet Zigic.“I have asked from Vrankic and Zigic to reach a consensus and that the three of us should together bring forth the proposal before the Government. As the two of them did not accept it, I have decided to withdraw it,” Hadzipasic elaborated. Minister Zigic declined to tell ONASA exactly what he saw as disputable in Hadzipasic’s proposal aimed at resolving the issue of power delivery to the Aluminij. “It would not be fair for myself to convey the position and opinion stated by the Prime Minister at the time,” Zigic said, adding that his personal position was that the price should be at least 36 euro per MW/h or there should be a new tender issued, but his opinion did not gain the necessary support at the Government. DL also says that according to unofficial information coming from the FBiH Government, Hadzipasic’s stand is that he will not present the proposal that the OHR mentions at today’s session of the FBiH Government because the proposal did not get support of FBiH Minister of Finances Dragan Vrankic and Minister of Energy Izet Zigic. Vecernji List (front page, “FBiH will disappear due to Aluminij’s shutting down”, and page 3, “Aluminij is shutting down production”, by Z. Kresic) carries that on the eve of today’s session of the FBiH Government, General Manager of ‘Aluminij’ Mijo Brajkovic confirmed that Aluminij will shut down its production if the price of electricity goes over 28 Euros per MW. He added that this announcement is not any kind of trick but the market reality. Nevertheless, Brajkovic expressed hope that the agreement will be reached. Dnevni List (page 3, “Blackmails of Croatian Elektroprivreda because of Mostar Aluminij”, not signed) carries that Elektroprivreda of BiH was supposed to sign the contract on electricity delivery with a Consortium made of one Slovenian company and one company from BiH. DL says that the contract was not signed since the purchaser did not receive a license of the Croatian Elektroprivreda for transit of the electricity from the BiH power system to the Slovenian power system. DL says that official representative of the Consortium Robert Golob stated that Croatian Elektroprivreda explained that the transit cannot be approved since the issue of electricity delivery for Aluminij has not been resolved yet. According to him, in this way Croatian Elektroprivreda is violating a Charter on Energy, the document passed at the initiative of the UN and European countries in order to connect power systems and establish free trade of energy. DL (page 16, “Association of Trade Unions: The end of Aluminij marks the beginning of the end of the Federation of BiH”, by S. Bjelica) carries that the Presidency of the Association of Independent Trade Unions held its session yesterday during which they gave unanimous support to Independent Trade Union of Aluminij. Slobodna Dalmacija (front and page 15, “If Aluminij shuts down, FBiH will shut down as well”, by Z. Zekic) and Vecernji List (page 3, “The end of Aluminij – the end of FBiH”, by Fena) also covered this session. |
| OHR: Hadzipasic’s proposal for Aluminij is fair and correct | FENA – While the FBiH Government is considering the modality for resolving the dispute with company Aluminij, the OHR wishes to remind all those engaged in resolving of this matter that finding of a fair solution is essential for BiH. As OHR announced, the foreign investors will not invest in a country in which business disputes are not resolved in a responsible and timely manner. Finding a solution for fulfilling the energy requirements of the “Aluminij” combine is absolutely necessary for the well being of BiH economy, and thus OHR calls on all sides to reach a fair and correct solution based on healthy economic foundations. OHR states that the proposal given by Prime Minister Hadzipasic as a provisional solution is a correct and fair approach to resolving this situation. Dnevni List front and page 3, “Definitive breakup on Aluminij case”, by M.R. also carried the statement. |
| EC on solution for Aluminnij | Dnevni List page 3, “Calling on seriousness and responsibility in Aluminij case”, FENA – The European Commission Delegation to BiH urges the FBiH Government and all other parties to resolve the issue of the electricity supply to the Mostar «Aluminij» combine as quickly as possible. Since this company plays an important role in the overall economy of the country and is the largest exporter, it is vital to ensure its continued operation, was announced by the EC Delegation to BiH. |
| Affair at Banjaluka Brewery | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘Two workers were illegally selling Nektar Pivo’ – NN learnt from its police source that the Banjaluka police has filed report to Banjaluka Basic Prosecutor’s Office against four persons, suspected of having sold a large quantity of beer from the state owned firm Banjaluka Brewery. According to report, they did this upon a falsified invoice. The act was performed in time period from 11 to 15 December and these four persons have damaged the Brewery budget for approximately BAM 305 thousand. Zoran Glusac, Spokesperson of Republika Srpska Interior Ministry, could not confirm these claims, noting that public will be informed of this today. |
| Eviction postponed in Doboj | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ’Drama played alive’; Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘Wife of fallen soldier warned she would jump from 5th floor with her children’ – GS reports on yesterday incident in Doboj, when Office of Ministry of Refugees and DP’s attempted – for third time – to carry out scheduled eviction of the self-supporting mother with three sons (two of whom are juveniles). Namely, the family of Jadranka Djuric said they would all jump from the 5th floor at their apartment if Doboj, if eviction was to proceed. OMI decided to postpone eviction until further notice. |
| Bratunac Orth. Church allocates land parcels | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Church provided land parcels’ – Serb Orthodox Community of Bratunac gave 103 land parcels to refugees and displaced persons, who expressed wish to stay in this municipality. 43 families got parcels in the settlement of Kravice. |
| Update to Free Trade Agreements application postponement | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘Zagren waiting for official explanation from Sarajevo’ – Miroslav Boric, Assistant at the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, said that this Ministry is still waiting for reply from the BiH Council of Ministers, which should explain the reasons why it passed one-sided decision regarding suspension on the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement for three months.
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| | Appointments in judiciary, police |
| SDA against appointing of judges, prosecutors with undignified war past | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, FTV, FENA, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘We do not interfere in judiciary work’, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Undignified past of those appointed’, Blic p 13 ‘SDA does not accept criticism’ – The BiH Party of Democratic Action (SDA) rejected on Monday the accusations “that the requests of this political party for equal constitutional position of Bosniak people in judiciary and police structures represent interfering into work of these institutions”. “We once again call on OHR, the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) and the European Union Police Mission (EUPM) to respond before BiH public and the citizens to ten concrete questions, from which it is clearly seen that Bosniaks are unequally represented in these institutions,” SDA stated in a press release. Further, SDA states that it does not have the right and that it will not accept discrimination of Bosniaks in these field, or appointing of judges and prosecutors that do not have a dignified war past. In the meantime, SDA will continue using all democratic means with the aim of protecting the constitutional position of the Bosniac people, because “we can only go to Europe by respecting the Constitution and the law”, the release concludes. Dnevni Avaz front page ‘Parties reject Ashdown’s assessments’, pg. 4 ‘We can reach Europe only by respecting Constitution and laws’ carries the SDA release as well as similar reactions by Party for BiH leader Safet Halilovic and BOSS President Mirnes Ajanovic. Dnevni List p 5, “SDA asks for answers to specific questions”, by Nina and Slobodna Dalmacija p 14, “We do not accept discrimination”, by Dinko Pasic also carried SDA release. SD editorial (front & p 14, “SDA lost its judges”, by Marin Erceg) comments that the SDA campaign has taken such a proportion that the High Representative Paddy Ashdown reacted after the SDA congress and precisely defined the very essence of the campaign. The author says the campaign is likely to continue because having one’s own judge and prosecutor is of utter importance to a corrupt politician and SDA is trying to conceal its officials’ criminal activities.
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| OHR says SDA Dzaferovic should address his questions to the Constitutional Court | Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘SDA should address Constitutional Court’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4, FENA – If the Deputy Chairman of the BiH House of Representatives, Sefik Dzaferovic, regards that the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council has violated the Constitution, he should address his question to the Constitutional Court, the spokesperson of OHR, Oleg Milisic, said in a statement for Fena on Monday. He responded to Dzaferovic’s claims that the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and the European Union Police Mission have issued unconstitutional decisions in their work. |
| US Embassy support independent judiciary, HJPCs | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Equal rights for all’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Support to strong, independent judiciary’ – The Embassy of the USA also expressed its support to strong and independent judiciary as a key pillar of democratic BIH in which Rule or Law ensures equal rights to all citizens of BiH. The key segment of the establishment of the rule of law in BiH is appointment of judges and prosecutors in order to ensure the trust of citizens. US embassy reacted on frequent complaints and demands for changes in HJPCs. Press release from the Embassy reads that US understand concerns over ethnic representation in judicial institutions, but merit selection should be first criteria for appointment. The embassy warns that necessary politicisation of this process may have negative impact on reforms and supports work of current HJPCs. |
| SDU’s Tokic on disputes over appointments in judiciary, police | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 – “The newest media reaction of OHR and the strongest parliamentary party in BiH SDA shows deep crisis of the government functioning and the role of the international community in the reform process in BiH”, stated Sejfudin Tokic, Vice-president of the SDU BiH.On behalf of SDU, and based on the reactions in media of OHR and SDA regarding Mostar, judiciary and police Tokic gave a press statement: “Instead to accept the fact that all three people are not equally represented according to the Census 1991 in the governing functions in the judiciary and police, and to take some action on this issue the representatives of international community for days now are repeating like parrots that those institutions doing appointments are independent and no one is asking them that.” |
| Tihic, Spiric on Head of SIPA | RTRS – SDA will insist that Director of SIPA is a Bosniak, as it is a principle that Head of the Intelligence Agency and the Chair of the HoR can not be from the same people, according to Sulejman Tihic, SDA President. Nikola Spiric, the Chair of the HoR, however has different opinion: ”The way that Mr. Tihic is saying that Head of SIPA should be Bosniak says why the conditions were not created for normal functioning of this Agency in the interest of BiH citizens. Does it mean that due to the fact that a Serb is a head of that Agency that the Agency was in vacuum? That is what worries us. It is my opinion that the opinions of SDA convention regarding police and judiciary shows that we still have hear some middle communism and that political parties still want to have domination in the services which should be independent as they are all over there world.” Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘SDA wants domination of Bosniaks’ also carried Spiric’s statement.
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| | Political developments |
| Humphreys discusses feasibility study tasks with RS ruling, opposition leaders | BHTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Indirect Taxation would save Republika Srpska budget’; Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Dayton is not an obstacle’, Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Entities not obstacle to accession to EU’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 9, Blic p 13 ‘Michael Humphreys: Deadline by June 1’ – Head of EC Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys talked to top RS leaders including President Dragan Cavic, Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic and RSNA Speaker Dragan Kalinic on implementation of conditions from feasibility study what would enable negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement in 2004. He wanted to test political commitment for work on these conditions. Humphreys said: “Feasibility study is one of the most important tasks and I wanted to remind on obligations from feasibility study.” SNSD leader Milorad Dodik said after the meeting with Humphreys: “First condition on capturing of war criminals seems unachievable”. Bishop Komarica also met with Humphreys and said: “I hope they are going to do something dramatic to change current tragic situation when return of Croats is in question”. RS Government and opposition promised to work with full energy on implementation of conditions from feasibility study. |
| Ivanic on BiH admission into PfP/NATO | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘BiH in PfP as of next year’ – Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister, stated that following the latest changes in defence system, BiH will become the member of Partnership for Peace in 2004, which will open the door for BiH admission into NATO Alliance. Ivanic also proposed that there should be a professional army in BiH, which should be composed of approximately 5 to 6 thousand soldiers from Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. |
| Reactions in BiH to election results in Serbia | FTV – Serb Radicals won extraordinary parliamentary elections in Serbia but democracy lost. Future instability in Serbia is very likely after the elections, according to majority of media reports. Comments by BiH politicians – Sefik Dzaferovic from SDA: “Elections will have negative impact on European integration of Serbia. It will not have any significant impact on relations between BiH and Serbia.” Momcilo Novakovic from SDS: “There has not been any significant change in political ambient and no major changes will happen because Democratic party of Serbia will create new government with coalition partners. It may improve relations between two countries.” Zlatko Lagumdzija from SDP: “The most severe consequences will be for Serbia. Times changed, so I am not any more afraid of impact of elections in Serbia, but I am just worried about impact of our own actions.” Marko Blagojevic from Serb Radical Party from RS: “With victory of Radicals in Serbia finally real values were appreciated and illusions disappeared. Radicals may improve relations between two countries.” Vinko Zoric from HDZ: “I’m not sure radicals will be able to create the new government”. Vecernji List (front & p 19, “West worried about radicals’ victory”, by zb) reports that the view prevailing in the British press is that the outcome of parliamentary elections in Serbia might cause instability in the region as radicals’ victory “would strengthen anti-Serb positions of Kosovo Albanians and incite Montenegrin Government to break from the union with Serbia, that it would increase instability in BiH and strengthen anti-Serb nationalists in Croatia”. Vecernji List (p 19, “Encouragement to Serb extremists in BiH”, by D. Jazvic) carries that there have been no official reactions from the state top, though Bosniak officials had warned prior to Serbian parliamentary elections that coming of radicals to power might slow normalization of relations in the region down. Bosniak national media are said to point out that radicals’ success follows the return of HDZ to power in Croatia, adding that the outcome will have direct negative consequences on internal affairs in BiH as it would encourage Serb extremists in BiH who have not stopped dreaming of “Great Serbia”. On the same issue Dnevni List (page 2, “Serbia turned right radically”, by M. Relota) carries an editorial saying that a newly elected Serbian authority will lot allow to lose Kosovo or Montenegro. The author goes on to say: “And what is about the Republika Srpska? What do you think? If Bosniaks and Croats continue to provoke with changes of the Dayton Peace Agreement than the RS will start ‘packing’ luggage for direction Belgrade through Loznica (a town in Serbia). For those who do not know radicals won with the striking majority in Loznica. Croatia is in not a priority at the moment, however, Croatians should not delude themselves that it will remain as such.” |
| Dodik expects early elections in 2004 | Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Early elections in 2004’, FENA – RS Alliance of Independent Social-Democrats (SNSD) President Milorad Dodik said Monday that he expects early elections to be organised next year and described 2003 as extremely bad for the RS. He said that SNSD expects to win power in 25 to 30 municipalities in the RS at the regular local elections scheduled for next year. “This has been a good year for SNSD despite the fact that we are not in power because we are certainly one of the strongest political parties”, Dodik said. He criticised the current authorities in the RS claiming that they have done nothing on improving the social and economic situation and that “all has been done to lose numerous important elements (state attributes) for the RS”. |
| Meeting in Cavic’s office on RS Government work | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Government performance be discussed today’ – the Republika Srpska President, Dragan Cavic, yesterday announced that the meeting, which he is hold with representatives of parties holding majority at Republika Srpska Parliament, will take place today in Banjaluka (Tuesday). He will raise an issue as to why some requests, which he sent to the Republika Srpska Government three months ago in writing, have not been fulfilled. |
| PDP satisfied with Mikerevic | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘PDP satisfied with Mikerevic and its ministers’ – Goran Milojevic, PDP Vice President, stated that PDP is satisfied with the work of Government led by Dragan Mikerevic and its ministers. He said PDP would present this stance at today’s meeting with the Republika Srpska President, Dragan Cavic. Although PDP assessed the work and performance of Mikerevic and other ministers positively, Milojevic did not exclude the possibility of some personnel changes at some ministries. |
| DL: “SDA’s double policy requires OHR sanctions” | Dnevni List (front & p 7, by Zvonimir Jukic) carries that SDA BiH was among the first ones to support the European Parliament’s MPs initiative to revise Dayton Accords (DA) and that there would be nothing disputable about that if the SDA, together with SDS, did not fiercely defend certain SDA principles which hinder progress in BiH. The author illustrates this with SDA’s position on Mostar organisation saying this is exactly the case where SDA hypocrisy is detected. He reminds that in the second half of the 1990ies, OHR strictly and almost daily removed both local and leading HDZ officials for double policy in building of FBiH so he finds it would be logical and consistent of the OHR to remove those SDA leaders who oppose progress in Mostar. The author says that such a move would stabilise the situation in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNC) and Mostar and the OHR Regional Office in Mostar would thus regain reputation and status it has had so far. He adds that, at the moment, repeated appeals by Heads of OHR Mostar to resolve the issue of the HNC Government are not taken seriously by the SDA and that, unless something is changed, the OHR in Mostar will become unnecessary in this form. Jukic says that radical change of the Dayton is to start in Mostar in mid-January next year and if the OHR does not remove Mostar obstacles to the process, the status quo will last for a very long time. |
| VL: “ICG is closing down its office in Sarajevo” | Vecernji List (page 4, by G.K.) carries that the International Crises Group (ICG) is about to close down its office in Sarajevo and only one ICG Director for Europe, Nicholas Wilde, has remained in the office. He said that the ICG will continue to analyze the situation in BiH, however, according to him, it has reduced the number of analysts since a new conflict does not threaten BiH, ‘the international protectorate has finally started to give results’ and BiH stabilizes as a state. VL says that the ICG expects that a Special EU Mission for BiH, like the one that has been existing in Macedonia during the last two years, will be established by the end of the High Representative’s mandate in May 2005. |
| | Other issues |
| CIPS | Oslobodjenje pg. 8 ‘New ID cards valid for 10 years’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 13, FENA – Processing within the Citizens’ Identification Protection System (CIPS) has so far included 80 percent of the BiH population, was stated on Monday at a press conference in Sarajevo by representatives of the Directorate for Implementation of Project CIPS. According to data collected by the Directorate, the total of 486.257 new personal cards and 152.663 drivers’ licences have been issued to BiH citizens until Monday, December 29. Spokesperson of the Directorate Bojan Zec – Filipovic and members of the expert team reminded about the legal deadline of one year in which the BiH municipalities are obligated to complete the activities of changing the personal documents. They stressed that these documents will be valid for the next 10 years, and denied the speculations on changing them soon before this period. Simultaneously, they announced that the traffic licences would be replaced by the certificates on registration of vehicles, stating that this process will be launched on April 1 2004. |