Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 30 August
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs) |
| RSNA on defence reform | RSNA in session [on defence] |
| BiH HoR in session | BiH HoR in session [on VAT] |
| HDZ delegation visiting Grude | Katrina Hurricane kills dozens in US |
TV news broadcast on 29 August
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| RS Government on defence reform | Schook on Karadzic and Mladic | World News |
| SRS on defense reform | Update on Zelenovic case | Feature Story |
| FBiH HoR on defence reform | RS Government on defence reform | RS Govt adopted the defence reform |
| Jovic visited | Protest of ETAS VALVES workers | Schook on Karadzic and Mladic |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Feature on suicide of war veteran | Evacuation of | U.S Embassy evacuated |
| RS Government on defence reform | RS Govt adopted the defence reform | RS Government on defence reform |
| FBiH HoR on defence reform | FBiH HoR on defence reform | RS Government on police reform |
| Schook on Karadzic and Mladic | Schook on Karadzic and Mladic | Int. Day of Missing Persons |
| Oslobodjenje | Scorpions did evil in Cazinska Krajina too |
| Dnevni Avaz | Three key persons offer compromise |
| Dnevni List | Defence finally under state competence |
| Vecernji List | While running after kidnapper police wounded Fikret from BiH |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | EUFOR took away from house bombs and 58 000 KM? |
| Glas Srpske | Silent bells for alert |
| Nezavisne Novine | BiH has something to offer to |
| Blic | Government accepts single army |
| Vecernje Novosti | Features |
| Srpski Nacional | Features |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| RSNA discusses defence reform
| BH Radio 1 By Brana Markovic – RS National Assembly has commenced the extraordinary session this morning which focuses at the defence reform. Representatives were already addressed by the outgoing NATO Commander, Steven Schook, and Co-Chair of the Defence Reform Commission, Raffi Gregorian. Schook underlined BiH has already met all technical details necessary to join the Partnership for Peace program, adding only things left are political agreement and cooperation with ICTY. Gregorian gave detailed outlined of the proposed reform. RSNA will also discuss the information by the RS Government which proposed two third majority to approve transfer of authorities from entities to BiH. Majority of representatives said they would endorse proposal, with only Radicals party objecting it. RSNA members also received the letter from the RS Coordination Board of 11 NGOs which demands immediate cease of these “unconstitutional” activities. RHB also covered the issue. |
|
| BH Radio 1 Hatka Hamidovic – Tuzla Municipal Assembly will hold extraordinary session on 1 September to discuss the proposal to have one of the police regional HQs in Bijeljina instead in |
| BiH HoR in session
| BH Radio 1 By Mustafa Karahmet – BiH House of Representatives is currently in session in RHB also covered the issue. |
Political Developments/Reforms | |
| RS Government asks RSNA to vote for transfer of defense authorities to BiH level
| RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 11 ‘Transfer of authorities only with the two-third majority’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2, Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Defence finally under state competence’ by N. Bise, EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘Government accepts single army’, RSpg 3 ‘Reduction before change of Constitution’ by N.B. Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘They supported defence reform’ by R.Segrt, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Parliament counts – two thirds majority’ by M.Dzepina – The RS Government on Monday proposed to the RS National Assembly (RSNA) to reach a two-thirds majority decision on the transfer of competences in the area of defence to state of BiH level. If the RSNA reaches a favourable decision on the transfer of competences in the area of defence from the RS to the level of |
| RTRS, FTV on defense reform
| RTRS Nada Arlov, FTV carried the same report – On Monday’s extraordinary session, RS Government has suggested to RS NA to accept transfer of authorities in defence to State level, with two-third majority on its Tuesday’s session. Reporter noted that this decision will demand changing of the Constitution, stressing that RS Government hasn’t participated in drafting of BiH Law on Defence and Army Forces. RS Government admitted that this is an important reform and that majority of Representatives in RS NA will vote for abolishment of RS Army and Ministry of Defence. Reporter stressed that this was expected after the session of SDS’s Main Board on Friday, where its members showed significant change in attitudes, which will bring 26 of SDS’s votes. SNSD is still advocating the demilitarization of BiH. “”We think that at this moment it is acceptable for defence reform concept to include abolishment of conscription and reserve troops”- stated Milorad Dodik, Leader of SNSD. However, SNSD will bring additional 18 votes for RS Government’s proposal, and Representatives of PDP stated that they don’t want to be the obstruction for implementation of the reforms hence BiH’s path to EU. Reporter noted that this will bring 9 more votes. PDP’s Representatives stressed that they will insist on amendments to the BiH Law on Defence regarding the national representation of the State Officers and disposal with RS Army’s property. PDP Representative Veselin Poljasevic stated: “We agree that BiH Professional Army, placed in RS, has the right to use RS Army’s property, but the rest of it should be owned by RS”. RS SRS categorically refused to support the reform. “I can’t be more amazed with political parties as SDS, PDP, SNSD and Socialists, who are suggesting this to be a good solution for RS” stated the Leader of SRS Milanko Mihajlica. Reporter concluded that after Tuesday’s RS NA session, when definitely defence reform will be accepted, the next historical day for defence in BiH is January 1st, when Entities’ Ministries of Defence will be abolished and transferred into BiH Ministry of Defence. |
| RS Radicals not to support defense reform solutions
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Adoption would mean new divisions’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Radicals not to support defense reform solutions’, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Defence without support’ – President of Serb Radical Party Milenko Mihajlica stated that representatives of SRS in RSNA or in any other institution can’t support the proposed solutions for defence reform or the transfer of authorities in this area to the State level. Mihajlica expressed surprise by the fact that RS parties are trying to present this as acceptable solution, even though RS will lose its Ministry of Defence as well as all the authority over the RS Army. |
| FBiH HoR to discuss defense reform on September 6
| RHB, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Defense Reform to be discussed on September 6’, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 – FBiH House of Representatives will hold an extraordinary session on September 6th, which will be fully dedicated to defence reform. According the agenda, FBiH HoR will discuss transfer of authorities in defence area to the State level and decision on approving of that agreement. It was stated that whole series of laws as well as Amendments to the Constitution have to be passed by the end of the year, so that the reform could be implemented. |
| DA: Ashdown, Terzic, Cavic propose compromise on police reform
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Three key persons offer compromise’, pg 3 ‘Maps would be later drawn up police directors and deputies’ by E. Sarac – According to the compromise allegedly advocated by HR Paddy Ashdown, the Chair of BiH CoM Adnan Terzic and RS President Dragan Cavic, the first phase of the police reform would be about transferring financing and police jurisdiction to the state level. DA learns from well-informed source that the issue of police regions would be than discussed by director and entities deputies of police director. However, DA says that the largest obstacles to this solution is the fact that Cavic has not ensured the support for it at the SDS Main Board and Presidency sessions last week. DA learns 70% of his partisan colleagues were against this proposal, and apparently were not encouraged even with Cavic’s underlying that RS Interior Ministry would survive with reduced authorities and that the first phase of reform would not include the crossing of inter-entity boundary line. DA’s source close to SDS say the SDS wing close to Pero Bukejlovic doesn’t accept anything but the solution close based on RS National Assembly’s conclusions. However, DA says that these stances could change until the meting in Bjelasnica due to large pressures from the international community but also from Cavic. OHR, learns DA, asked from Cavic to, if necessary, remove Bukejlovic. “RS President would do that very gladly, and replace him with a friend, Finance Minister, Svetlana Cenic,” reads the article noting that as this is legally impossible without the crisis in the Government, and therefore Cavic allegedly asked from Ashdown to replace Bukejlovic and RS MoI Darko Matijasevic if their police reform proposal doesn’t win the support. However, DA underlines that hardly any progress is to be expected tomorrow. |
| Oslobodjenje: Uniforms and less disputable police institutions to be discussed
| Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Uniforms and less disputable police institutions to be discussed’, mentioned on cover, by Az. Kalamujic – Daily brings that the negotiations on police reform will not continue on Wednesday, but on Thursday in Bjelasnica, as BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzic is to address the BiH Parliament. Terzic’s Cabinet told daily that under the conclusions from the meeting in Hutovo Blato, entities finances ministers, Dragan Vrankic [FBiH] and Svetlana Cenic [RS], were supposed to draft the plan of projected total costs of police reform and present in on Bjelasnica. Meanwhile, RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic said all sides are in favor of harmonizing police salaries in the country. Furthermore, expert teams of the FBiH and RS MoIs are expected to present in Bjelasnica a proposal on a headquarters of independent forensic institute, training center and agency for police management. As daily learns, FBIH MoI expert team was finalizing its proposal on Monday, suggesting the forensic center to be seated in |
| NN, GS on continuation of police reforms talks
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘RS Government opposes unified Institute for forensics and training’ by M.Cubro – One of participants of police reform talks Monday confirmed to daily that the representatives of the F BiH will propose that the Institute for forensics and Police Training Centre become part of the BiH Security Ministry. However, the RS representatives oppose to this proposal, source says noting: “The situation is identical with the appearance of police uniforms. F BiH proposes single uniform which would only carry the emblem of BiH police, while RS proposes the maintenance of the existing status. Stance of the representatives of RS and F BiH completely differ, since one propose maintenance of entities ministries, while others propose single police structure.” Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair, Monday did not want to make any comment on continuation of police reform talks, adding: “Let’s wait for Thursday when many things will be clearer.” Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Continuation at Bjelasnica’ – reports on continuation of police reform talks at Bjelasnica on Thursday. |
| Russian Ambassador to BiH met with Cavic/Bukejlovic
| Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘ |
| BL: DPA anniversary not to be marked in | Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Police postpones 10th birthday of Dayton that was supposed to be celebrated in Paris’, mentioned on cover ‘Ceremony in Paris is being postponed’ by Z. Jurilj – VL says that marking the 10th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement which was supposed to take place in Paris, after the ceremonies that are to take place in Dayton and Sarajevo, most probably will not take place due to failed negotiations on the police reform. |
| Sanader and Martens expect from Covic to abandon HDZ President position by Christmas
| Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Hard autumn for HDZ President’ by Z. Jukic carries that Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader has visited Siroki Brijeg recently where he watched a football match between ‘Siroki Brijeg’ and a Montenegrin football club, however he did not meet with HDZ BiH President Dragan Covic on this occasion. According to a DL source, Sanader sent a message to Covic’s close associates that he does not want to meet with Covic. DL inset ‘September – month of decision?’ says that extremely difficult autumn is ahead of Covic since as early as on September 3 President of the European People’s Party Wilfred Martens will visit HDZ BiH, while Sanader is supposed to visit HDZ BiH in mid September. Covic’s opponents claim that during these visits Covic will be told that it has been expected from him to leave the position of the HDZ BiH President by Christmas this year at the latest. |
| DL op-ed on difference between Sanader and Cardinal Puljic’s attitude towards Covic
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 14 ‘Between Puljic and Sanader’ by P. Milos carries that Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader did not meet with HDZ President Dragan Covic during his recent visit to Siroki Brijeg, however, Sanader did meet on this occasion with Covic’s counter-candidate Bozo Ljubic. SD says that according to some judgments this meeting is a certain sign that Covic’s would end his mandate soon and that Sanader is aware of it since he is better informed by the International Community. The author says that on the other side we have Cardinal Vinko Puljic who publicly expresses his support to Covic. The editorial concludes that due to such situation BiH Croats are confused since they do not know whether to follow the message of Cardinal Puljic, who is not a politician but who has undisputable stature, or the message of Sanader, who as the Croatian Prime Minister has a right and constitutional obligation to take care of destiny of BiH Croats. |
| 10th Conference of the Congress of European Regions opened in Mostar
| Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘BiH has something to offer to Europe’, pg 2 ‘Support to BiH for its admittance to European family’ by V.Coric –The 10th Conference of the Congress of European Regions, which is to last seven days, was opened in Mostar Monday. Ricardo Illi, President of the Congress, stated at the opening that the Congress of Euroepan Regions fully supports BiH in its effort to become a member of European family. |
War Crimes | |
| NATO’s Schook farewell press conference: Karadzic and Mladic to be in The Hague soon
| RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Karadzic, Mladic soon in The Hague’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘NATO has to complete story about Karadzic and Mladic’ by N. Bise, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘We shall close chapter on Karadzic’ by Z.C., Nezavisne Novine pg 6, announced on cover ‘Chapter on Karadzic and Mladic will soon be completed’ by A.Sisic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Another side of Srpska’, Vecernje Novosti pg 4 ‘Commendation to Republika Srpska’, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Schook is an optimist’ by SRNA – At a farewell press conference in Sarajevo on Monday, NATO Commander in BiH General Steven Schook said that he is optimistic when it comes to putting an end to the chapter on Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. Schook believes that a great progress has been made since last October regarding the war crime indictees. According to Schook, citizens and authorities of RS and SCG have significantly changed their behaviour in relation to the persons indicted for war crimes. Schook stated that NATO is going to continue helping the authorities to finally complete this chapter. Commenting this work as NATO Commander in BiH, Schook said that he has been insisting on devotion of NATO for creation and maintenance of a peaceful and safe environment, as well as creation conditions for BiH’s admittance to the Euro-Atlantic integrations. Schook emphasized that NATO is going to stay in BiH as long as it is necessary and until BiH becomes a full member of Partnership for Peace. Schook will hand over his duty to Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘We are closer and cl,oser to a day when chapter on Kardzic and Mladic will be closed’ carried an interview with Schook. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Reis Ceric handed a recognition to Schook’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4, mentioned on cover – Both dailies reported that Head of the BiH Islamic Community Mustafa Ceric received Schook on Monday and handede him a recognition for contribution in establishing religious service within BiH Armed Forces. |
| Russian Ambassador possesses no information on apprehension of Zeleneovic
| RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘I have no information on apprehension of Zelenovic’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2, Nezavisne Novine pg 6, announced on cover ‘Russian police confirmed Zelenovic was not arrested’ by S.G., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Zelenovic’, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Shuvalov: We hold no information on Zelenovic’ by T.V. – Russian Ambassador in BiH Konstantin Shuvalov stated that he has no information that ICTY indictee Dragan Zelenovic has been arrested in |
| Natasa Kandic to release another tape on Scorpions
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘”Scorpions” did evil in Cazinska krajina too’ by Edina Kamenica, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘New video tape reveals role of Scorpions in BiH’ by T. Dragic – Director of the Fund for Humanitarian law from Serbia, Natasa Kandic, says she possesses the tape proving the presence of “Scorpions” unit [Kandic provided the tape of the same unit carrying out executions in Srebrenica] in Cazinska krajina during the war in BiH. Tape was already released at the same time the tape of Srebrenica execution was shown too, however Kandic explained that it did not receive much attention. “This [tape] shows no fight, no executions,… but tape is in many ways important testimony,” explains Kandic further underlying that the snapshots showing Milorad Lukovic Legija [arrested under suspicion of murdering Serbian PM Zoran Djindjic] and Slobodan Medic, Scorpions Commander, in a territory under control of Fikret Abdic, will be important in BiH lawsuit against SCG. |
| Update to Srebrenica Report
| BHT Zorica Lolic – Work Group for Srebrenica still hasn’t answered the questions on number and identity of people related to Srebrenica events. The Chairman of the sub Group of the Work Group Smail Cekic stated that investigation of RS Ministry of Defence is progressing but they still do not have the information on the number and identity of police troops from Zvornik. The identity of Ljubisa Borovcanin’s troop is still unknown as well as the identity of members from scorpion Unit and two Jahorina troops. Chairman of work Group Jovan Spajic stated that only when they have all information they will publish it. The Work Group has partially received the documentation from ICTY. Dnevni Avaz pg 13, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Case of ”Scorpions” remains undisclosed’ also covered the issue. |
Economic/Social Issues/Education/Religious Issues | |
| Mostar: City authorities do not allow farmers to hold protests in front of HDZ HQ
| Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Farmers announced blockades of roads leading to Mostar’, mentioned on front ‘Farmers will block city’, by Marko Karacic, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 19 ‘Why are authorities afraid of farmers?’, by Danijel Ivankovic, Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Farmers are threatening with blockade’, by R. A. – Protests of Association of BiH farmers were not held in front of the HDZ HQ in Mostar yesterday because the City authorities did not issue the necessary permit. According to the leader of farmers from West-Herzegovina Canton, Miro Pejic, the City authorities sent the decision only to the police, denying the farmers to see the explanation of the decision. City authorities however say the permit was not issued due to short notice and possible negative consequences on traffic in that part of the city. DL concludes that unlike last Monday, when farmers could take some of the blame, this time it is solely the responsibility of the City authorities, in other words a pure political pressure that prevented the protests from taking place. Pejic announces new protests in 15 days time, saying if the authorities keep behaving like they do, the farmers will protest in front of the City administration and even block roads leading to Mostar. |
| Presidency Chairman Jovic visits
| Dnevni List, pg 12, mentioned on front ‘State is still not giving guarantee for University’, by V. Soldo – The Chairman of BiH Presidency, Ivo Miro Jovic, met with the Chancellor of the Mostar University (NB: Sveuciliste, Croat pre-dominant), Frano Ljubic, in Mostar yesterday (Monday). The main topic was implementation of the |
| Dokic on removal of Bajrambasic
| Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Managers asked for removal’ by D.Majstorovic – this article focuses on Dokic statement that four members of project team demanded removal of Bajrambasic, owing to his failure to complete the task he was entrusted, i.e. coordinate with project team managers. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16, mentioned on cover ‘Pursuit after Minister of Traffic’ by Z. Rerig, Dnevni Avaz pg 9, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Dokix: Removal will bring improvements in work’ by D.Muminovic – Branko Dokic, the outgoing BiH Minister of Traffic and Communication, Monday stated that removal of Izet Bajrambasic from the position of the coordinator of the 5C Highway Project will not have negative impact on the flow of highway construction. Dokic claims that he had removed Bajrambasic in order to ensure proper highway construction process, stressing: “He was removed in order to correct omission. The biggest omission, apart from bad cooperation with the other managers of the project team, is “exaggerated” cost of the highway.” |
| Update to Divic/Zvornik situation
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Silent bells for alert’ by M. Dz. – Article claims Serb Orthodox Church, its priests and believers have no peace in F BiH and parts of RS where Bosniaks are a majority. It especially refers to blockade of a church in Divic settlement near Zvornik on Sunday, as well as to several other cases. In an inset ‘To apply laws’, the Head of RS Secretariat for Religion, Dusan Antelj, has stated such situation was unsustainable and emphasised laws must be respected. Inset ‘Kadric’ carries Chairman of Zvornik Assembly Vehid Kadric saying bells of the church in Divic have not rung for two years and all other activities of the church were reduced down to the minimum. He explained all of this happened in order not to provoke Divic population. |
Organised Crime/Security/Legal Proceedings | |
| GS, VN: The British “Spectator” on al Qa’eda
| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Al-Q’Aida was created in BiH’ by S. Ljepojevic (Tanjug), Vecernje Novosti pg 14 “Al Qa’eda created in BiH’ – The article carries a summary of an article published in British weekly “The Spectator” and reads mujahedeen movement of “holly Islamic warriors” was established in Afghanistan during the war against the Soviet Union but grew to become a global terrorist network during 90es in BiH. It was an instrument of the politics of western left-oriented parties and of liberal politicians, as according to “The Spectator”. It also claims the globalization of Islamic terrorist network in BiH had developed under a direct support of the administration of then |
| FBiH police carry out operation near
| FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘US Embassy evacuated’, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Sarajevo: Police intervention near US Embassy’ by H – The police in Sarajevo on Monday afternoon carried out operative measures in the part of the city where the US embassy is located, the Sarajevo Canton police said, not wishing to disclose any details. Officials at the embassy said they could not comment because of security reasons. The FTV on Monday quoted unofficial sources as saying that the police operation was prompted by serious information about threats to the |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed by PDHR Butler: Pardons and People in Power
| Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Pardons and People in Power’ Op-ed by PDHR Larry Butler – “When the people in power abuse the law to help their friends and political allies, the rights of citizens are put in jeopardy. This is the issue that lies at the core of the controversy now surrounding the decision by Federation President Niko Lozancic to grant a Pardon to his former party colleague Miroslav Prce,” wrote |
| Judge Babic reiterates Lozancic was not authorized to pardon Prce
| Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘Lozancic is not authorized to pardon Prce’ by Prof dr Milos Babic – This is another open letter Professor Doctor Milos Babic, Judge with BiH Court, writes about the issue of pardoning of Miroslav Prce. Babic substantiates his claim (that Niko Lozancic was not authorized to pardon Prce) by referring to Article 13 of the Law on BiH, which makes |