OHR BiH Media Round-up, 3/10/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

BiH HoP’s session takes place today

EU Foreign Ministers continue talks

RS Govt. schedules session

FBiH HoR to vote on Income Law

RS Govt to take stance on police

Auditing in RS

World news

World news

EU session of Ministers

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Two BiH citizens arrested inCroatia

Terzic on CoM situation

Two killed in car accident in Sarajevo

Terzic won’t resign

SDA, SDS on early elections

Car accident near Bijeljina

Police reform proposal

Ivanic on early elections

PDP, Cavic on police reform process

PDP Main Board in session

100^th Day of BIH Farmers Protest

Feature on returnees to Prijedor

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Car accident in Sarajevo

Two killed in car accident in Sarajevo

Cavic on survival of RS

Terzic/Ivanic on CoM situation

Car accident near Bijeljina

Police reform proposal

Tihic visits SDA in Croatia

Two BiH citizens arrested in Croatia

PDP in favour of early elections

No Science in BIH

Minister Kebo in Prijedor

Terzic won’t resign

Oslobodjenje

Police Mafia runs Tuzla

Dnevni Avaz

Millions cubic meters of wood are being transported to Serbia illegally

Dnevni List

BiH citizens suspected of double homicide (Croatian police arrested 2 BiH citizens)

Vecernji List

Paddy Ashdown should pay tax too

Slobodna Dalmacija

Features Croatia related headlines

Nezavisne Novine

Four dead, four severely injured [car accidents in Sarajevo and Bijeljina]

Glas Srpske

A letter from hell

EuroBlic

Merchants claim they were tricked

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

Srpski Nacional

Features Serbian related titles

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

RS Government to hold session on police reform

RTRS – The RS Government has scheduled for 14:00 hrs today session, which is to result in RS Government stance regarding latest rejection of Government’s proposal on police reform by EC. BH Radio 1 notes that EU Foreign Ministers are expected to send a message to the BiH, especially to the RS authorities, calling on them to accept the police reform in line with the three EU principle as soon as possible

FBiH HoP in session

RHB, BH Radio 1 by Maida Alic – FBiH House of Peoples have commenced the session this morning. Delegates are discussing the changes to the Law on sale of apartments with tenancy rights, which would allow the sale of the nationalized apartments. However, as the House of Representatives has previously postponed the vote on the changes following the discussion, HoP is expected to do the same. 

Police reform issues

Cavic: SDS officials face dilemma of choosing party or entity 

FTV, RTRS,Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘A dilemma in SDS: party or republic’ by agencies, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Severe consequences are possible’ by Beta, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘The issues of survival of RS will be raised’ by Agencies, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Next period will be difficult for RS’, not signed – RS President Dragan Cavic stated in Frankfurt, Germany, that there is a possibility of opening the issue of the entity’s survival in the capitals around the world at the 10^th anniversary of Dayton Peace Agreement. Cavic underlined that “everyone is aware of the possible difficult consequences for RS status”, and denied he was in conflict with Pero Bukejlovic on police reform issue. “In some things we do differ a lot, but that is not a reason I am here,” said Cavic. He added that RS is much more important than the party itself, and underlines that it would be absurd for the party to be sanctioned and than for EC principles to be satisfied: “Than, what did we do? Prime Minister and I do not look at those things the same way even though we belong to same party.”  Cavic concludes many in SDS have a dilemma of choosing party of the entity, but underlines that none should be sacrificed. 

Novakovic: Everyone should increase activities on police reform

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Bukejlovic and RS Government don’t care about SDS’ by A. Omeragic – SDS Vice President Momcilo Novakovic told Oslobodjenje he expects RS Government, SDS and others parties from RS “to increase activities in order to find solution on police reform.” He did not comment what would RS Government do now that the IC has rejected its newest proposal, but denied there is a conflict inside the SDS on whether or not the three EC principles should be accepted but admits “thoughts on it differ.”  Novakovic further explained: “RS Government has no such kind of obligation towards the SDS as the [President Dragan] Cavic does. Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic doesn’t worry much about SDS, but Cavic has to worry about the future of this party a lot.”  Novakovic also stresses that the “ SDS has no significant influence over the Government” and strongly denies that story on conflict in SDS has been orchestratedin order to shift responsibility for police reform failure. Novakovic concludes that SDS Main Board will soon decide on whether its stance regarding police reform remains the same and on the Council of Ministers.

Cenic: RS Govt will demand for explanation from EC

Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Cenic: RS Government demands for an explanation’ by D. Risojevic and M. Cubro – RS Minister of Finances and RS member of police reform negotiating team Svetlana Cenic has stated RS Government will demand for an explanation from EC on why the Government’s new proposal on police reform was not acceptable from the point of view of European principles. CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic confirmed the agenda of today’s session of 25 Ministers of Foreign Affairs of EU will not include BiH, due to the breached deadline for police reform. He also assessed that the issue of BiH would not have been discussed even if RS Government’s proposal of Friday had been accepted. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Acceptable principles’ by D. Mo. – also carries.

Interview with Matijasevic: To please Europe , to preserve Srpska 

Vecernje Novosti pg 7 ‘To please Europe, to preserve Srpska’ by Slobodan Pesevic – In an interview to daily, Darko Matijasevic, RS MoI, speaks of police reform in BiH, cooperation with the ICTY, allegations of eavesdropping on President Dragan Cavic. Speaking of latest RS Government proposal on police reform, Matijasevic says that Government took into account the fact EC principles had to be respected with respect towards Constitutions of RS and BiH, noting the aim was to preserve the constitutional position of Serbs and to advance security sector. He expresses optimism in seeing agreement reached, as well as in seeing BiH and RS head towards European integration. He notes there were no pressures during police reform, only political debates, process of conviction and polemics. On IC’s advocating for IEBL crossing, Matijasevic says: “I do not view this IC principle as rational and realistic, but instead subjective and biased. Everything here is subordinated to better functioning and technique in work…This aspiration of IC is of pure technocratic nature.” He did not want to reveal any information handed to Srebrenica TF, noting all data will be known after report is published. On allegations regarding eavesdropping on President Cavic, he says that denials Cavic himself and RS Government say enough about this issue. On apprehension of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, he says that this is an international obligation of the RS MoI towards the Hague Tribunal, which needs to be responded to in a proper manner.  

PDP excepts RS Govt to offer new police reform proposal acceptable for both EU and RS

RTRS, FTV, RHB, BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Ivanic has its own police reform proposal’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Cenic: RS Government demands for an explanation’ by D. Risojevic and M. Cubro – PDP will request from the RS authorities to present a new proposal for police reform both acceptable for the RS and in line with the three EC principle. “We will call on RS institutions – RS Government and RS President – to make a proposal which would be acceptable for RS and the European Commission, and enable us to start the negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement”, said PDP’s Vice President Goran Milojevic at the PDP Main Board session. He specified that the latest proposal of the RS Government on police reform was not discussed, “because the relevant institutions of the international community have said that this proposal was unacceptable”. Milojevic said that PDP expects the international institutions to state which parts of the latest Government’s proposal are unacceptable. He added that the three principles of the European Union for police reform are acceptable for the PDP Main Board, and that BiH’s priority interest is the launch of SAA negotiations. Milojevic confirmed that Mladen Ivanic has his own “prepared concept for police reform”, but refused to present the details from this concept, noting that Ivanic would try to give his contribution to resolving this situation.

SNSD to discuss police reform this week

RTRS by Marina Marjanovic – SNSD will discuss the issue of police reform at their next session scheduled for this week. SNSD official Krstan Simic stated that they are awaiting the Government’s stance but added that the EU principles must be satisfied as well as principles of BIH Constitution and its citizens. Reporter comments that so far SDS hasn’t got an official stance. SDS Deputy Chair Mladen Bosic stated that SDS will also wait for the official stance of RS Government.

Terzic doesn’t intend to resign, but it would suit him if BiH Presidency withdraws support for him

RHB, PINK, RTRS, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 9 ‘Terzic does not intend to submit resignation’, by H – In an interview to Banja Luka daily Nezavisne Novine published on Sunday, BiH CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic said he had no intention to resign from office since, according to him, there were good relations inside CoM, which in general functions properly. However, Terzic said “it would suit to him personally if the BiH Presidency withdraws its support to him.”  Terzic also emphasized that he believed in success of police reform and that he was encouraged by announcements of additional US Administration assistance to BiH.

VL: EU Foreign Ministers will call on RS to accept police reform, Solana’s Office says no sanctions against RS, only individuals

Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Brussels warns RS, but without sanctions’, by Miroslav Vasilj – VL learns that EU Foreign Ministers will today (Monday) call on the RS authorities one more time to accept the police reform. Office of the EU High Representative for Foreign Common and Security Policy (Javier Solana), which is finalising proposal of conclusion from the meeting of the Foreign Ministers, denies a possibility of imposition of sanctions against BiH, namely the RS. “It is not the way the Union wants to take part in BiH reforms. Instead of sanctions, partnership is opted for, and sanctions are reserved for individuals who obstruct the work and mission of the International tribunal for war crimes in The Hague”, says Solana’s Office.

BHT 1 on upcoming EU, PIC meetings

BHT 1 by Boris Gagic – BHT 1 comments that while PDP calls on the RS Government to take a final stance on police, the RS and SDS President Dragan Cavic warned that the very existence of RS could be endangered if the RS is declared as a obstructionist of the Dayton Peace Agreement. OHR earlier announced that things would be clearer after the meeting of Foreign Ministers of EU member countries and Peace Implementation Council. “What the SDS-led government does will have significant influence on the tone and the conclusions of those two very important meetings. RS Government knows what it has to do, and I hope they will not waste our time”, stated Principal Deputy High Representative Lawrence Butler.

Oslobodjenje op-ed criticising latest RS Govt. proposal on police reform

Oslobodjenje op-ed pg 9 ‘A manoeuvre’ by Ibrahim Prohic – Writing about the last proposal of RS Government regarding police reform, the author notes its accepts but doesn’t apply three EC principles, adding proposal actually represents a clear rhetoric aimed at reaching a short-term and strategic political goals. Criticising RS Government actions, the author notes it is encouraging that the last manoeuvre (i.e. proposal of RS Government) did not include SNSD, which has either realised inevitability of crucial police reform or conducted talks with international mediators behind curtains. He concludes by saying: “One way or the other, Bukejlovic’s proposal without Dodik’s verification is worth nothing.”

NN op-ed criticising police reform obstructions

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘My police – my corruption’ by Sead Fetahagic – The author criticises the fact that bribe and corruption are vastly represented at all pores of the BiH society. He concludes by saying that the reason why RS politicians are persisting on maintenance of jurisdiction over police is because they need a force to control their own criminal activities.

Other political issues

Ivanic: PDP is ready for early elections

Hayat, RHB, RTRS, PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Now!’ by Fena, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘PDP in favour of early elections’, not signed– PDP President Mladen Ivanic stated that this party has nothing against the initiative to hold the early elections if the main parties in the BiH Council of Ministers support this idea. “As far as PDP is concerned, this can happen immediately”, Ivanic told the press before the beginning of the PDP Main Board session on Sunday which discussed police reform and the general political situation.

PINK brings reactions to early elections initiatives

PINK by Dragica Tojagic – Feature brings reactions to the initiatives for holding early elections and to the SDS announcement’s of withdrawing support to the BiH Council of Ministers. OHR’s spokesperson Oleg Milisic comments that latter would reduce SDS responsibility for the current situation. Member of SDS Presidency Borislav Bojic stated that a better solution than holding early elections should be found for the current situation. He repeated SDS has not been satisfied with the work of CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic. Leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik stated that his party will support the early elections if organised in entire BiH and if the mandates would be acknowledged as 4-years long terms. Tarik Sadovic from SDA Party stated that early elections would be damaging for BIH. He said that RS wants to transfer their problem to the CoM. Reporter stated that political parties in BIH are also dived on the issue of constitutional changes. SDA strongly rejects the possibility of forming the third entity in BIH.

DA: ‘Is Covic asking for Cavic’s support for the third entity?’

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Is Covic asking for Cavic’s support for the third entity?’, announced on cover ‘Did Covic and Cavic secretly meet?’ by E. Sarac – No person from the top of HDZ and SDS wanted to confirm or deny the information that the leaders of these two parties, Dragan Covic and Dragan Cavic respectively, secretly met in a restaurant in Banja Luka on Saturday. A source close to SDS claims, if the meeting indeed took place, Cavic and Covic discussed constitutional changes since it was agreed a month ago that the two would meet at the end of September to discuss this topic. The source also claims it is quite possible that Covic is actually trying to get a support of SDS for the establishment of the third entity. A source from HDZ says it is not strange to see two politicians holding a meeting to exchange their views with regard to political matters and he added the prevailing opinion in HDZ is that Croats should have what other two peoples already do. Inset ‘HDZ Spokesperson denies there was a meeting’ – HDZ Spokesperson Miso Relota denied Covic and Cavic met and added this information was ‘pure fabrication’.

HDZ will plead for three federal units in BiH

Vecernje Novosti pg 7 ‘An entity for each of the peoples’ by Tanjug – BiH HDZ President Dragan Covic has stated that HDZ would, through talks on constitutional changes, plead for establishment of three federal units that would have legislative, executive and judicial authorities. ‘HDZ finds the existence of two entities unacceptable, therefore we wish for an entirely new document, as well as for changes of the Dayton Agreement’, Covic said. Chairman of BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic supports the idea on the establishment of the third entity because, as he says, F BiH has become ‘a dungeon for Croat people’. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Fed up with dungeons’ not signed – also reported.

VL op-ed: Croats should be more organized

Vecernji List, pg 6 ‘Future of Croats in BiH is in their hands’, by Friar Iko Skoko – Friar Skoko notes that if one listens to the BiH Croats, their speech seems to be without vision, they feel as if they are losing their constituent status in issues related to schooling and language. Skoko argues that the remedy is that the Croats should be working more on organizing themselves better i.e. that the ultimate responsibility rests with the Croats themselves.

Ekstra magazine: Dragan Cavic changes political option

Ekstra Magazine pgs 17-19 ‘Americans are changing Dayton, Dragan Cavic is changing political option!’ by Ekstra magazine team – The magazine notes that after rejection of police reform proposal by RS NA, Paddy Ashdown has acknowledged Dragan Cavic is no longer a trump card since he has lost support at the SDS. Furthermore, daily claims that Cavic himself was the one who informed OHR of illegal activities at SDS Doboj, which resulted in “zero tolerance” policy towards that party. Article further speculates on Cavic planning to establish a new party, which would be called New Democratic Party, through which he would get hold of a senior position at joint institution of BiH with the assistance of “his international friends”. If this fails, daily notes that international mentors have ascribed him the position of the NATO Coordinator for South East Europe, owing to important role he played in adoption of defence reform. Weekly also notes in an inset “Going through biographies for the purpose of “spontaneous” persuasion” that international teams of experts have been lately engaged in activity aimed at digging out any sort of “dirty stuff” about Darko Matijasevic and Pero Bukejlovic. However, they have failed in finding anything.

Ekstra magazine: Kalinic and Sarovic forming a new party

Ekstra Magazine pg 5 ‘Kalinic and Sarovic forming new party?’ – Daily reports referring to its source that an increasing number of SDS officials and members have been turning towards removed officials of SDS, Mirko Sarovic and Dragan Kalinic after having seen through the plans of Dragan Cavic (including establishment of a new party). Daily notes that being aware of influence Kalinic and Sarovic have, Paddy Ashdown and Cavic have ordered a new ungrounded attack against SDS officials via Toby Robinson. Daily says that removed officials of SDS are not frightened with latest accusations against them by Robinson, standing and closely monitoring developments related to SDS and thinking of possibility to establish a new party, which would assemble a majority of SDS members with patriotic orientation.

Komsic: BiH drawn into divisions and national tensions, blames Ashdown for strengthening SDS

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Ashdown only strengthens SDS and RS position’, Dnevni Avaz pg 5, mentioned on cover, ‘Chaos and crisis in state did not just happen’, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Ashdown strengthened SDS’s position on power’ by Agencies, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘BiH drawn into unbreakable circle of divisions and national tensions’, not signed – Deputy President of SDU, Ivo Komsic, notes that whilst countries from the region are joining the EU, BiH is presented to the world as a country of chaos and obstructions to European processes. He says the country is being drawn into the circle of divisions and national tensions, the process which started with the arrival of Paddy Ashdown, “who has strengthen the SDS in power and national homogenisation with his ineffective removals”.

SN: Bosnia does not find stances of EU to be suitable

Srpski Nacional pg 9 ‘Bosnia does not find stances of EU to be suitable’ not signed – with regard to Luxemburg meeting, SN claims many believe the isolation of BiH is not a result of lack of cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, but is more likely linked with its Muslim Government and its support to terrorist cells in BiH. “Such a situation in Sarajevo might explain why there are attempts to annul the Dayton Agreement and abolish RS as an entity. BiH must present itself as a country that is not being run by Muslims, if it wishes to enter EU,” reads the article.

Williams: Future of FBiH depends of future of City of Mostar

Dnevni List, pg 13, mentioned on front ‘Future of Federation is in unification of Mostar’, by V. Soldo – Carries an interview with the director of OHR’s Mostar Implementation Unit, Richard Williams, in which he talks about the process of unification of the city. Williams reminds that many institutions in Mostar have been unified, that the most difficult part of the implementation of the Mostar Statute is over and that ‘easier job and calming of situation’ is to take place next year. Asked to comment on obstructions to the implementation of the Statute, Williams says: “Personal interests of individuals who have obstructed the unification have been identified. However, I must stress that leaders of all political parties have accepted the Statute, and if somebody is working against the unification of the city, than he/she works against the Dayton agreement, which we cannot accept”.

Decertified police officers to start with hunger strike on Oct 21 unless de-certification revision started

Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Decertified police officers warn with hunger strike’, by Danijela Kozina – According to the President of Association of decertified police officers of FBIH, Ramo Sulic, some 170 decertified officers together with their families will start a hunger strike in front of the OHR and residential representative of UN in BiH on October 21 unless the process of revision of de-certification starts in the next period. Sulic explains that the chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, promised that works on the final solution on the issue would start after October 21, when the Venice Commission is expected to declare itself. Finally, DL notes that a delegation of decertified officers will meet the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, on October 5.

Security, crime and judicial issues

Oslobodjenje: ‘Police Mafia runs Tuzla ’

Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pg 7 ‘Police Mafia runs Tuzla’ by A. Avdic learns from its source from the police that a group of policemen from Tuzla , who organize illegal transfers of BiH citizens to France , have been actively smuggling weapon lately. The source added that these policemen are members of the Tuzla-Vlasenica group that has been in charge of Mafia in the Tuzla Canton. According to the source, leading people of the Tuzla Canton Ministry of Interior are aware of this situation, however, they have not done anything concrete with regard to this issue.

DA on illegal cutting of wood on Majevica mountain

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash and pg ‘Millions cubic meters of wood are being transported to Serbia illegally’ by A. Hadzic carries that forests on Majevica mountain have been illegally cut and wood transported to Serbia ever since the Dayton Peace Agreement was signed and the article wonders as to why someone from the competent bodies in the Tuzla Canton does not oppose this robbery organized by the Serbian-BiH criminal lobbies. DA also says that a group of concerned citizens from this area sent a letter to media a few days ago asking them to inform the BiH public about this problem. 

VL: Two judges in favour of acquitting Jelavic, one opposes

Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Ante Jelavic requests acquittal’, by Zoran Kresic – On the eve of passing of verdict to Ante Jelavic in the ‘Hercegovacka bank’ case, VL learns that two judges from the 3-member Panel of Judges, namely judges Malcolm Simmons and Branko Peric, believe that the prosecution did not manage to prove that Jelavic is guilty, which is not the position of the third Panel member, an American judge Temin. According to VL, people involved in the judicial related issues say that one of possibilities is that Jelavic will receive a prison sentence that would match the time he had spent in custody.

SN: OHR and HR informed on terrorist in BiH

Srpski Nacional pg 8 ‘Ashdown in panic’ not signed – the article refers to the statement of NATO Commander in BiH Lewis Webber [see OHR BIH Media Round-up, September 30] who, reportedly, said the information on terrorists in BiH was available both to OHR and Paddy Ashdown. SN claims some people say there is perhaps a sort of silent agreement between OHR, Ashdown and these terrorists, by which OHR would be willing to turn a deaf ear to existence of terrorist camps under a condition no terrorist act is conducted in BiH.

War crimes

Feature story on suffering of Serbs at “Viktor Bubanj” camp during the war

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘A letter from hell’ by N.Z. – Daily features a story about Serbs, who were imprisoned at Sarajevo camp “Viktor Bubanj”. One of such is Ognjen Cajevic, who, in a letter to his family in Belgrade through ICRC, said he was released of any criminal responsibility for the murder and he expected to be either released or exchanged. However, no trace of him has been available following this latter. Other inmates claim he was taken somewhere and murdered. Zoran Jovanovic from Kalinovik also testifies about suffering at Viktor Bubanj camp. He claims that at the time he was taken to camp. Daily concludes by saying that nobody has so far been held responsible for the documented crimes committed against Sarajevo Serbs during the war.

DA: ICTY investigators are coming to Herzegovina

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Investigators of the Hague Tribunal are coming to Herzegovina’ by F. Vele – Hague Tribunal investigators have launched an extensive investigation with an aim to reveal true intentions as well as persons responsible for exerting pressures on potential witnesses in trial to Jadranko Prlic and others. According to DA, the investigators should arrive to Herzegovina soon.

Srebrenica official claims RS MoI rigged information on Srebrenica events

Oslobodjenje pg 8, announced on cover ‘RS MoI rigged documents!’ by A.Av. – Sadik Ahmetovic, Vice President of Srebrenica Assembly and RS MP, told daily Sunday that “Report on events in Srebrenica in July 1995 has been rigged. All the information in it have been filtered at RS Interior Ministry.” He explained that Srebrenica Commission has made Report on basis of documents handed by direct participants in crimes, noting it is almost inconceivable to expect that all documents available were reviewed. He added that “nobody from Commission even deigned to speak with Srebrenica victims, whom the Hague Tribunal brought as witnesses at many processes.”

Return and economic issues

Minister Kebo visits Prijedor, says more should be invested into sustainable return

Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Kebo to seek Swedish assistance’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Tens of thousands workers unemployed’, mentioned on cover, – BiH Minister of Human Rights and Refugees Mirsad Kebo visited Prijedor municipality on Sunday and said that certain funds must be invested into sustaining return, and not only in construction of the houses. In this context, Kebo said that he would travel to Sweden next week and request that the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), which has so far invested 125 million KM in the Prijedor area, also direct a part of the funds for the purposes of ensuring sustaining return. Minister Kebo on Sunday talked about sustainable return and return-related issues with the administration of Municipality Prijedor, noting that Prijedor is one of the towns that made the greatest efforts to implement property laws and that 50 percent of the pre-war population have returned to this municipality.

Savers announce blockades of institutions and border crossings

RTRS, BHT1, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 15 ‘Lawsuit is at the BiH Court for a year’, mentioned on cover, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Savers block banks and institutions’, by T. Dragic – Steering Board of Association of old foreign currency savers decided at a session held Sunday to organize a protest rally in front of the BiH Central Bank on October 20. According to the Association President, Svetozar Nisic, the savers tried on many occasions to reach a solution through institutions of the system, however since the competent authorities are persistent in not meeting the savers, they will resort to more drastic measures, which would include blockade of BiH Council of Ministers and BiH borders in case the savers are not received by competent authorities and a solution in favour of the savers is not reached. Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Blockades again’, by Arijana Beus – In light of announcements of blockades by the BiH savers as well as farmers, the author underlines that all possible protests will be in vain “because the fact is that not much can be agreed upon with our politicians”, which is evident from the protest of farmers who have been camping in front of joint institutions’ building for almost a hundred days.

VL: Paddy Ashdown to pay taxes in BiH?

Vecernji List, front pg splash and pg 5 ‘Paddy Ashdown should pay tax too’, by Zoran Kresic – Notes that the FBIH House of Representatives will today (Monday) vote on the law on income tax. According to the FBiH Finance Minister, Dragan Vrankic, poorer categories of population will be exempt from the tax duties, which includes pensioners that receive less than 300 KMs, invalids, unemployed persons and students. VL also notes that IC representatives will be exempt too, however it does not apply on IC representatives with residence in BiH, and VL notes that it could happen that the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, “who has a villa on Jablanica lake”, will have to pay the tax.

Terzic on VAT Law

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘To reduce deadline for return of VAT to 45 days’ by M.Cubro – Adnan Terzic, BiH COM Chair, has confirmed that the BiH COM will change the Law on VAT, in oroder to reduce deadline for return of VAT form 12 months to 45 days. He explained that the Law should regulate VAT return within the same deadline given to tax payers to register taxes.