| CROAT RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Holbrooke, Kouchner, Cox | Holbrooke, Kouchner, Cox | Border disputes | RS Telecom |
| Agreement with teachers | Border crossing closed | Burglary in customs in Tz | Border agreement |
| Property return in RS | No discussion on Telecom | Misuse of funds for return | Cox, Holbrooke in BiH |
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| No discussion on Telecom |
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| Oslobodjenje | 60th anniversary of Oslobodjenje: Magnificent content of the newspaper written by the truth |
| Dnevni Avaz | Richard Holbrooke: Without Izetbegovic there would be no BiH today |
| Dnevni List | “Dayton agreement is not prison one cannot get out of”; “License to Eronet and Eronet to HT Mostar” |
| Vecernji List | “Holbrooke: There is way out of Dayton”; “Croat name for private media” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features Croatia related headlines |
| Glas Srpske | What does settlement of Kasarna in Trnovo hide: Workers found skeletons; Banjaluka: Language as a stumbling block |
| Nezavisne Novine | Richard Holbrooke visited Sarajevo: Dayton may be amended with consent by all three peoples of BiH; Patrick Cox in Sarajevo: Path towards Europe are reforms; Banjaluka: SNSD, SPRS and DNS signed “Charter for future”; Banjaluka: Management of Telekom Srpske does not want to file resignations |
| Blic | Together at elections; Loses remove Telekom’s leaders; Ilic does not want to give his post |
Political developments | |
| Holbrooke, Couchner visiting BiH
| Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘BiH needs a commission for truth and reconciliation’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘The Dayton Agreement should be amended’ – Members of the BH Presidency met in Sarajevo on Thursday with US Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Dr Bernard Kouchner, who are here in two-day visit to BH. Two officials were updated on situation in BiH and everything else that will be done in connection to the defence reform and dilemmas on that issue, as well as about the roads towards European and Atlantic integrations, in civil and military part. Asked by the journalist whether he deems necessary to change Annex IV of Dayton Agreement, Ambassador Richard Holbrook stated that the agreement is a framework for the peace, prosperity and hope, and that is not a prison one cannot go out from. BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 3, mentioned on the front page ‘Three armies in BiH – the biggest Dayton’s mistake’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘The post-war progress in BiH is impressive’ – In the course of the day, Holbrooke and Kouchner addressed BiH Parliament. They used this opportunity to emphasise need for reforms and recognise deficiencies of Dayton agreement. Mistakes of Dayton agreement were about weak power of central government as well existence of three Armies. It was said remarkable progress has been achieved on establishing of multiethnic and multicultural communities, but BiH authorities were sometimes hiding behind international community. Dnevni List (front and page 3, “Dayton agreement is not prison one cannot get out of”, by Renata Radic) – also carried a report on Thursday’s visit of, as DL puts it “creators of Dayton agreement”, Richard Holbrooke and Bernard Kouchner, who talked to members of the BiH Presidency, BiH Parliament and High Representative for BiH. Holbrooke is carried as saying, talking about the Dayton Peace Accord, that the DPA is not a straitjacket or prison one cannot go out of, but the agreement that can be built upon if the BiH citizens want to do it. Questioned to comment on the request of the RS NA on withdrawal of BiH lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro, Holbrooke did not want to go into “deeper comments” since it is about vast material that needs rendering. “Genocide happened in BiH. I support the International Criminal Court in The Hague and efforts to bring the responsible to justice. I think it is a great failure that Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic have not been arrested”, said Holbrooke. (Vecernji List, front “Holbrooke: There is way out of Dayton”, and page 3 “Dayton is not straitjacket one cannot escape from”, by Eldina Medunjanin) Dnevni Avaz front page, pg. 5 ‘Without Izetbegovic there would no be BiH nowadays’ – “I do not think HR Paddy Ashdown is working out of control. I think that, here, he did and he is still doing a great deal of work,” said Richard Holbrooke in an interview for the newspaper. He also says that without Alija Izetbegovic’s constructive participation there would be no BiH today, and that, therefore, he will visit him in hospital on Friday to express his personal recognition to the BiH/Bosniak wartime leader. Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘Dayton may be amended with consent by all three peoples of BiH’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Dayton is not a prison’, Vecernje Novosti pg. 13 ‘Mandela’s recipe for reconciliation’ also reported both on Holbrooke and Couchner’s meeting with BiH Presidency and their addresses to the Parliament. Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘It is never too late to ban SDS’ – In a short interview to NN, Richard Holbrooke, former US Envoy for the Balkans, still thinks that SDS is extremely corrupted group of people, who provide a hide-out to Radovan Karadzic. He is also of the opinion that SDS should be banned, and recalls that he proposed something of this kind in 1996. However, Alija Izetbegovic, according to him, did not agree with that. Holbrooke sent out a message to people hiding Radovan Karadzic that it is not good for them nor for their people. He is firm in saying that: “It is never too late to ban SDS. I have told this to each HiRep. If HiRep does not do that, it would be a great mistake. SDS is a group of people corrupted in moral, political and financial ways.” |
| VL editorial: “Dayton on menu” | Vecernji List (page 2, by D. Jazvic) carries an editorial with regard to the visit of ambassador Richard Holbrooke paid to BiH. The editorial says that in a diplomatic manner Holbrooke refused to reply whether he supports the change of the Dayton Peace Accord, however, his words that ‘the peace agreement is not a straitjacket that one cannot escape from’ speak for themselves, concludes the author. The editorial also says: “If BiH wants to be a part of unified Europe it has to become more functional, cheaper and above all, more normal state. The state does not need to have the entities in order to be de-centralized…This is not the only European country in which three peoples live and in which different national interests interweave.” The author suggests that BiH should follow the example of the others, who knew how to distribute the wishes of some ethnic groups and needs of the state in a more functional way. |
| DL editorial: “Change of Dayton” | Dnevni List (page 6, by Pejo Gasparevic) carries an editorial saying that American diplomat Richard Holbrooke himself admitted shortcomings of the Dayton Peace Accord (DPA). The author says that by all accounts the change of the DPA is an inevitable necessity. The editorial says that the change of the DPA can be the result of a new international conference or it can be suggested to domestic BiH authorities and peoples to agree upon the sort of change of the DPA, and according to the author this option is less possible. The author concludes: “Domestic structures did not create the DPA and according to this logic they cannot change it. This means that everything is in the hands of the International Community.” |
| Pat Cox addresses BiH Parliament | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 7 ‘Europe opened towards BiH’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘The process of entering Europe is a task of all in BiH’, Slobodna Dalmacija (page 15, “Road to EU is long and hard”, by Zdenko Rerig), Dnevni List, page 5, “Decision on joining EU is on state government”, by Renata Radic, Vecernji List, page 2, “BiH has its place in European Union”, by Eldina Medunjanin,Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4, ‘Path towards Europe are reforms’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Europe offers its hand’ – President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, announced today that EU wishes to see BH as its member, but the road is long and difficult. Emphasising significance of the rule of law in EU countries, Cox warned that the highest priorities of BH should be arrests of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, accused of war crimes. Talking to BH Parliament, at the end of his tour in west Balkans states, Cox emphasised joined fight of the states in the region and EU against organised crime, corruption, trafficking of humans and weapons. Those should be top priorities. |
| Three main Bosnian Serb opposition parties form coalition, call for elections | BH Radio 1, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘Creation of a new political coalition in RS, BiH’, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4, ‘SNSD, SPRS and DNS together on elections’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘New coalition’, Blic pg. 7 ‘Elections only solution for the crisis’; Vecernje Novosti pg. 5 – In Banja Luka on Thursday, the leaders of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD], the RS Socialist Party (SPRS) and the Democratic People’s Alliance (DNS), Milorad Dodik, Petar Djokic and Marko Pavic respectively, signed an agreement entitled the “Charter for the Future”. The document calls for early general elections. The joint activity of the three largest opposition parties at all levels of authority in the RS and BiH is the main reason for signing the agreement. These were the words of SNSD chairman Milorad Dodik after the signing of the agreement. Dodik announced an initiative for early general elections in the country. “We are calling on all people in the RS to support us in our belief there should be early elections in autumn 2004. Until then, we think that we should focus on resolving important issues concerning economic development,” he said. Marko Pavic said one of the aims of these three parties was as soon as possible European integration. According to him, this is not possible while the SDS, HDZ and SDA are in power. SPRS chairman Petar Djokic said agreement was in fact a creation of a new coalition in BiH. |
| Interview with Chair of BiH Presidency Covic
| Slobodna Dalmacija (page 17, “Paravac will know exactly how much he can spend”, by Blazica Kristo) – in light of re-balance of 2003 budget and expenditures of the BiH Presidency and the Serb member of the Presidency in particular, Chair of the BiH Presidency, Dragan Covic, was asked to comment whether the Presidency has discussed the issue that the Serb member has three offices, in Sarajevo, Lukavica and Banka Luka, to which Covic replied the issue has so far been discussed 20 times. He further states that they (members of BiH Presidency) agreed that everything must be crystal clear with regards to expenditures of the Presidency i.e. how much every member can spend. “In that sense, the issue of some certain offices in Sarajevo and Banja Luka when the Serb member of the Presidency is in question, will be solved”, says Covic. |
| VL on sessions of Mostar City Administration
| Vecernji List (page 4, “Jahic should have called sessions”, by ms) carries that the Mostar City Administration has not held the session for 8 months already. VL says that president of the Mostar City Council Ivan Musa reminded public of this fact saying that it is sad that the decision on forming of two public utility companies at the level of the city was passed after the ultimatum of the High Representative. Musa accused Mostar mayor Hamdija Jahic and his deputy Ljubo Beslic of this situation since they have not called the session of the Mostar City Administration for 8 months. VL says that Beslic stated for this daily that he is not responsible since according to the Mostar Interim Statute the Mostar mayor calls the sessions of the Mostar City Administration and not his deputy. |
| Cavic on early elections | Blic pg. 7 ‘There are no conditions for early elections’ – RS President Dragan Cavic said he could not call early elections that the opposition parties requested, because such a decision would be unconstitutional, but there is a room for agreement on implementing economic and democratic reforms. Cavic told Podgorica’s Dan that the basic condition for early elections is non-functioning of the RSNA, and since that is not the case the opposition’s request is not a good solution. The RS President said that in a case that a new parliamentary majority is formed, he would revoke the Government and appoint new one, as according to the constitutional procedure. |
Economic issues/audits | |
| Eronet denies BH Telcom allegations
| Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, Dnevni Avaqz pg. 4 ‘Amir Spahic attempting to deceive the public’ – The management of the Eronet Mobile Communications denied on Thursday allegations of the BH Telekom that Eronet is doing business illegally. General manager of the BH Telekom Amir Spahic, reacting to the OHR’s special auditor’s report, said the campaign against the BH Telekom is being waged by high state and federal officials whose aim it is to legalise the illegal business operations of the Eronet, through which one is anxious to introduce the mighty Deutsche Telecom into the BiH telecommunication market. |
| RS Telecom audit | RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 “RS Telecom Steering Board member refused to resign, called the session of the shareholders’ assembly’, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 5, ‘Management of Telekom Srpske does not want to file resignations’; Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Shareholders taking measurements’, Blic pg. 7 ‘Without resignations in Telekom Srpske’- Although expected, nobody from the Steering Board resigned on Thursday, instead it was announced that the session of the shareholders will decide on that on October 30. President of the Steering Board announced that the members of this Board are prepared to take their responsibilities and resign in the case that allegation from the special auditor report, about 38 million KM missing are proved true. He added that they will offer resignations only to the shareholders convention. In accordance to the law. Numerous conclusions have been adopted at the session, among which are that RS NA should form research board which will question auditor report findings and adopt final opinion on this issue. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mladen Ivanic, stated today that the business of RS Telecom should be revised and those responsible should bear consequences. |
| Ivanic on Telekom audit report
| Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Ivanic satisfied with audit report’; Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Audit without secrets’ – Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister and former Prime minister of Republika Srpska, yesterday assessed that the audits conducted at public firms are useful, stressing that the institution of international auditor has been established upon his own initiative and proposal. According to him, the entire affair related to Telekom has been politicised, initially by one journalist from one newspaper, who lost the apartment at the time when Ivanic came to power as Premier. |
| Prosecutor’s Office on RS Telekom affair | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, Prosecutor drops two charges for disputable contracts’ – On 29 May this year, Banjaluka Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office dropped two charges against the leadership of Telekom Srpske, finding the charges to be ungrounded. The charges were brought by the organisation “People’s Front”. |
| FBiH Government not discussed BH Telecom, HT Mostar audits | Slobodna Dalmacija (page 21, “Removals in BH Telekom and HT Mostar on Monday”, by D. Pasic) – despite earlier announcement by the FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, that the FBiH Government would raise the issue of removals and suspensions at the first session of the Government, Thursday’s session did not discuss the issue due to administrative-technical omissions since all the ministers did not get the audit report. According to SD, unofficial information has it that one of reason is that there is not an agreement between the SDA and SBiH about removals in the BH Telekom Steering Board. (Dnevni List, page 5, “About BH Telekom and HT Mostar at next session”, by F, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Due to a mistake made by Minister Brankovic, the removals in telecoms postponed’) |
| DL: “Eronet gets the licence, Eronet goes to HT Mostar” | Dnevni List (front and page 5, by J. T. K.) – following the signing of the action plan for issuance of the third GSM licence between the BiH Ministry of Traffic and Communications and CRA on Wednesday that envisages further actions with regards to the issuance of the licence, DL believes it is unlikely that the CRA will ban “Eronet”, which is, according to DL, “the operator of the Croat people in BiH”, and which has mighty HT Zagreb and Deutsche Telekom’s backing. According to DL the most likely scenario is that the third GSM licence will be given to the HT Mostar, which would cede the licence to “Eronet”. In that case, according to DL, all sides would be happy, namely, the State of BiH would still be the majority owner, HT Mostar would stay in the business, and the HT Zagreb and Deutsche Telekom have stakes both in the HT Mostar and “Eronet”, so their profits would go up. |
| OHR on pensioners’ protests | Osloboodjenje pg. 8 ‘Pensions can be increased’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 10 ‘Pensioners’ protests represent a wake-up call for the BiH authorities’, FENA – Pensions in BiH can increase, but only if the governments push through the reforms necessary to promote economic growth and ensure that more money goes to citizens rather than criminals, according to OHR. Commenting on the pensioners’ demonstration a couple of days ago, the spokesperson of OHR, Mario Brkic, said at a press conference in Sarajevo on Thursday that these demonstrations were a wake-up call for the BiH authorities, and for all of us”. By using their democratic right to protest, the pensioners have reminded the BiH authorities that they to increase the pace of reform, emphasised Brkic. OHR was very much encouraged by the decision of the Council of Ministers to adopt the Law establishing a state customs administration and reforming the tax system. This law, more than anything else, will ensure that more money is made available for pensioners, teachers, doctors and others. OHR urges the parliament to pass the law as soon as possible, in the name of all those hundreds of thousands of citizens who live at or below the poverty line in BiH, said Brkic. |
Education | |
| HNK Government and Teachers Union reached an agreement
| Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, Dnevni Avaz pg. 10 ‘Classes in the high schools start today’ – Government of HNC and Trade Union of High School Teachers signed on Thursday an agreement on cessation of the strike. Union of Primary Schools Teachers is still considering this issue/agreement. President of the Union stated that they will sign the Agreement in the case that the Council of Primary Schools accept it as well, in which case classes will start tomorrow/Friday. Minister Jago Musa stated some of the conditions of the Agreement, those are: that the salary for the September will be paid when other budgetary users get it as well; lost hours have to be compensated and the Ministry will follow up the compensation process and hours that do not get compensated, will be deducted from the salary. |
| OSCE on Law on primary and secondary schools | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Language as a stumbling block’ – Following request of the OSCE, the Republika Srpska Government withdrew the proposed Law on primary and secondary education from agenda of the latest Republika Srpska National Assembly session. According to Duska Golic, government official at Republika Srpska Ministry of Education, OSCE made this request because some details related to the usage of language in schools still need to be harmonised. |
Defence | |
| High Representative urges BiH leadership to adopt proposed defence Reforms
| Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, on Thursday urged Bosnia and Herzegovina’s political leaders to adopt proposed defence reforms as soon as possible. The High Representative was speaking after a meeting earlier in the day between the Chairman of the Defence Reform Commission (DRC) and the Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers. During the meeting, DRC Chairman James Locher presented Prime Minister Terzic with the Commission’s final report, signed by all the Commission members last Thursday, including the draft State-level Defence Law. The High Representative, who also attended the meeting, said that in reaching this agreement the members of the Commission had forged a consensus that benefits everyone. “It is now for the governments and parliaments to enact these reforms as soon as possible, as only in this way can BiH become a credible candidate for PfP,” the High Representative said. |
| SFOR command transfer | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘Virgil Packet is the new SFOR Commander’ – During the transfer of duties with the former SFOR Commander, William Ward, the new SFOR Commander, Virgil Packet, stated that SFOR will keep logging for war crime suspects. He stressed that they can run, but they cannot hide forever. |
Security/legal proceedings | |
| Accusations against Republika Srpska police action in Teslic
| Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘They wanted to kill us, not arrest us’ – Banjaluka inhabitants, Srdjan Boskov (20) and Milan Ponorac (24), arrested in police action at Hajducke Vode in Teslic some weeks ago, were released from custody on Wednesday. Doboj District Court established that there is no ground to extend their detention. Their colleague, Predrag Bijelic (37) was killed in this action (seven bullets in the back). Boskov and Ponorac claim that police opened their fire at them, and they were not armed. Republika Srpska Interior Ministry is conducting an internal investigation on this case. Both admit they are drug addicts. |
| Two skeletons found in Trnovo | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Workers found skeletons’ – While working of sewerage system in the settlement of Kasarna in Trnovo, the workers from “Union Invest” from Serb Sarajevo excavated 2 human skeletons, which caused numerous speculations in this small settlement. The workers informed police and court authority in charge of this. More information will be available after forensics completed their work. |