Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 31 October
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| BiH HoP on Law on PBS service | Cavic meets political parties | Mtg on Chief |
| Stability Pact mtg in November | Prosper on cooperation with ICTY | BiH HoP discussing PBS law |
| World news | CIPS’ statement | World news |
TV news broadcast on 30 October
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| World news | Terzic on | Talks on Chief Negotiator in BL |
| 65 million Euros loan to be signed | Ivanic on | Reactions on Schilling’s nomination |
| Napredak’s anniversary | WB on privatisation process in BiH | Conference on economy finished |
| Dead swan found near | Feature on corruption in BiH | BIH HoP in session on Monday |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Interview with Beriz Belkic | Ceric on FTV political programme | Chief |
| Reactions on the new HR candidate | FTV’s open letter to Ceric | Schilling confirms candidacy for HR |
| Preparations for | Talks on Chief Negotiator in BL | Feature on war profiteering |
| Dead swan: avian flu or not? | Conference on economy finished | 4 illegal immigrants arrested |
| Oslobodjenje | New crisis of FBiH Government in sight |
| Dnevni Avaz | Biber: We are running out of patience [regarding law on privatisation revision] |
| Dnevni List | Bebic banned Jovic to speak |
| Vecernji List | Ivo Miro Jovic : I have had enough backroom dealers from Republic of Croatia |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features |
| Nezavisne Novine | They lack workers [feature on Kresevo, town with lowest unemployment rate in BiH] |
| Glas Srpske | Ceric is burying |
| EuroBlic | Every other pupil in RS is afraid of famine |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| Meeting underway in
| BH Radio 1 by Dragan Stegic – A meeting to discuss candidates for the Chief BiH Negotiator and members of the negotiating team from RS in upcoming talks on |
| BiH HoP in session, laws on PBS and ITA to be discussed
| BH Radio 1 by Amir Suzanj – A session of the BiH House of Peoples is being held in |
Discussions on BiH | |
| Terzic says Topcagic to be Chief of BiH negotiating team providing support to team, chief negotiator
| FTV, PINK, RTRS by Momcilo Ostojic – Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic stated that Chief of BIH Negotiating Team on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU would most probably be Osman Topcagic, Director of European Integrations Direction. His task would be to coordinate activities, provide logistic and technical support to the team and to the Chief Negotiator. FTV – Topcagic refused to comment Terzic’s statements, adding that |
| Cavic holds meeting on
| RTRS, BHT1, FTV, PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Today name of chief negotiator?’, mentioned on cover, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Today talks on chief negotiator and other team members’, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Talks about negotiator with EU today’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Davidovic most serious candidate’ by bs – RS President Dragan Cavic scheduled for today [Monday] a meeting with the political representatives in RS to talk about the chief negotiator and members of the negotiating team from RS for BiH’s negotiations on |
| Comments on
| RTRS by Momcilo Ostojic – PDP Chair Mladen Ivanic stated that PDP hasn’t discussed Igor Davidovic as a possible candidate as well as any other candidates for that matter. SNSD Vice President Krstan Simic feels that negotiating goals and strategies should have been determined first and than the Chief Negotiator appointed, however added that Davidovic has SNSD support. In addition, RS President Dragan Cavic mentioned there are two other candidates whose names he did not reveal. Cavic will also meet with scientist and businessmen on Monday afternoon to discuss the same issue. Chair of RS Chamber of Commerce Mladen Micic stated that economy will be one of the main topics of the negotiations so it is therefore necessary to determine what will be protected in BIH. SP RS and DNS have candidates for the negotiating team and stated their support for the chief negotiators is conditioned with acceptance of their candidates. Senior Deputy to HR Martin Ney will also be speaking to Cavic and other RS officials on the subject on Monday. BHT 1 – SNSD President Milorad Dodik stated that due to disorganised BIH CoM, whoever is elected for the chief negotiator will face difficulties. BHT 1 also says that Davidovic will most likely be the chief negotiator. PINK – The Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic commented that Igor Davidovic is a “respectable candidate, who could be appointed”. FTV – FTV also comments that Davidovic is most likely to be appointed as the chief negotiator. Terzic said that BIH CoM will discuss the issue on strategy and way of forming the BIH negotiating team at the session on Wednesday. Hayat – Terzic also said that there are people in BiH capable of successfully conducting the negotiations with EU. “The biggest resource of BiH is the human potential…I believe that we have enough experts who could contribute to the quick and effective talks on |
| Dodik definitely rejects position of chief negotiator
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Dodik definitely gave up’, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Dodik definitely turned down offer’ by Fena – SNSD President Milorad Dodik on Saturday said that he has definitely turned down the offer to be the BiH chief negotiator in the forthcoming negotiations on Stabilization and Association with the European Union. Dodik stressed that his priority is the victory of SNSD at the next general elections in BiH. The SNSD leader accused the current authorities in RS and BiH of being devoted to their personal and group interest, and not the interests of BiH peoples. “After the next general elections, SNSD will no longer be out of institutions, because it will not be possible to constitute the authority structures without us”, Dodik said at the Election Conference of SNSD Municipal Board in Kotor-Varos. |
| Ivanic on
| PINK by Ljubisa Davidovic – BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic stated for TV Pink that the negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement with EU should start on December 12th; before that Adnan Terzic should announce the name of chief BiH negotiator. According to Ivanic, the |
| NN op-ed on BiH negotiator on | Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Negotiator’ by Sandra Gojkovic – The author is criticizing today’s talks at Cabinet of Dragan Cavic, RS President, regarding chief negotiator for EU talks from RS, raising the issue who gave Cavic authority to summon and negotiate on future negotiator. She is also underlining the fact that officials of |
Other political developments | |
| Schwartz-Schilling: BiH citizens have confidence in me
| Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘BiH citizens have confidence in me’ by M.Lasic – A German paper published on Sunday reported on decision of German Government to nominate Christian Schwartz Schilling to succeed Paddy Ashdown on the position of HR to BiH. Schilling personally confirmed this in a statement to “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagzeitung” (FASZ), adding that candidature confirms commitment of |
| Media comment reactions on Schwarz-Schilling very position, but no RS party reacted
| BHT 1 by Adela Malkoc– Reporter stated that the candidacy of former international mediator for BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling for the High Representative’s position in BiH caused many positive reactions in BiH. Reporter added that everyone hopes that he will be the last HR to BIH. Mirsad Kebo from SDA stated that Schwartz-Schilling as the HR would allow BIH politicians to take full responsibility over fate of their country Krstan Simic from SNSD stated that his party doesn’t hold anything against Schwartz-Schilling but they advocate for BIH without international “tutor”. President of SDU, Sejfudin Tokic, stated that Schwartz-Schilling would enable faster EU integration for BIH. Slobodan Popovic from |
| Jovic: ‘HR from
| Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘I have had enough backroom dealers from Republic of Croatia’ and pgs 4 and 5 ‘Backroom dealers such as Bebic are not welcome in BiH!’ by Z. Kresic – VL inset ‘HR from Germany would be fairest solution’ carries a comment by the Chair of the BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic on the possibility that Christian Schwartz-Schilling becomes the next HR. Jovic said that Germany helped BiH a lot and for this and other reasons, Germany should have stronger engagement in the international administration bodies. Jovic also believes that ‘ |
| Oslobodjenje editorial welcomes possibility of Schwarz-Schilling being new HR
| Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Not even a shilling on black market’ by Ramo Kolar – Commenting the nomination of Christian Schwarz-Schilling for the HR position, the author notes that he is ready to “publicly claim, considering I have spent years with [Schwarz-Schilling] at the field…, made more than all domestic politicians together… He is the man who knows the issue.” Praising Schilling, author also reminds of his advocating for the domestic politicians to take over more responsibilities: “Schilling believes that at this time, as well as in the future, less interventions should take place while more advices and concrete help are to be offered to BiH in all its segments… Schilling would act in both European but also |
| DL: Vice President of the Croatian Parliament banned Ivo Miro Jovic to deliver speech in Ravno
| Dnevni List cover pg splash ‘Bebic banned Jovic to speak’ and pg 3 ‘Vice President of Croatian Parliament banned Chairman Jovic to deliver speech’ by M. Batarello carries that a scandal took place during the ceremony that marked opening the road between Ravno and Cepikuce, Croatia. DL says that on this occasion Vice President of the Croatian Parliament Luka Bebic prevented BiH officials, including Chairman of the BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic, to deliver speech (allegedly he excluded Jovic’s speech from the protocol). DL also says that this project has been the joint project of |
| Jovic on incident in Ravno: ‘Backroom dealers such as Bebic are not welcome in BiH!’
| Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘I have had enough backroom dealers from |
| More than 900 HDZ members supported Promemoria
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Ljubic has support for new Convention’ F.V. – More than 900 members of the strongest Croat political parties in BiH have signed so called ‘Promemoria’, a document made by a group of dissatisfied HDZBiH officials and members following the latest party convention, at which, as they said, leader of the party (Dragan Covic) had been elected irregularly. Bozo Ljubic, the counter-candidate to Covic at the Convention and Promemoria initiator, says that it might be even more HDZ members supporting them in the initiative for the new Convention/repeated election of the HDZ leader to be organized. “The important is the document is being signed continuously and we enjoy enough support,” said Ljubic. It is however still uncertain whether Ljubic, Josip Merdzo, Martin Raguz and the others will manage to get a support strong enough to request for new Convention at the next session of the HDZ Main Board. They will have to be supported by 80 percent of the Board members in order for such the decision to be made. |
| Former
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Little progress made in reconciliation in BiH’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Very little progress towards reconciliation’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Three peoples in BiH do not want to cooperate’ by Agencies, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Foreigners are imposing cooperation’ by Tanjug – Dailies carry excerpts from the articles published by the UK Sunday Times, in which former Defence Minister and current ICMP official, Michael Portillo, says that “reconciliation between the factions has made little progress” in BiH after the war. One of the reasons, says Portillo [who recently visited BiH], is the fact that the three ethnic groups in BiH are not keen to cooperate, while this is being imposed to them by the foreigners. However, he stresses that the foreign concept win little loyalty in BiH. Portillo adds Paddy Ashdown, “a sort of colonial governor” is one of those who exude optimism, “as he nears the end of his term perhaps he has a vested interest in perceiving progress.” On the Euro-Atlantic integrations, Portillo says “ |
| OHR: Pecelj is responsible that exams and qualifications issued by Lukic are not valid
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Pecelj is responsible that exams and qualifications issued by Lukic are not valid’ by N.D., Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Milovan Pecelj violated the Law on Universities’ by G. Maunaga – OHR spokeswoman in Banja Luka, Ljiljana Radetic, explained on Sunday that the RS Education Minister Milovan Pecelj was not removed “only because” he failed to dismiss Professor Radomir Lukic. She added he was asked to meet his duties under the Article 120 of the RS Law on University which requires Minister of Education to inform students when a teacher who is teaching them is removed. “The only thing asked of Minister Pecelj by OHR was that he should conform to his duties laid down in RS Law on University, in this case to inform students of East Sarajevo University that professor Lukic’s teaching cannot qualify them for grades of academic qualifications,” Radetic elaborated stressing that in refusing to do this, Pecelj failed to fulfil his duties under the law and could not therefore remain as Minister for Education. |
| Ivanic: Decision on removal of Pecelj sent out to the world ugly image on situation in BiH | Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘A strike on education’ by P. P. – BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic has stated that the decision of HR Paddy Ashdown to remove RS Education Minister Milovan Pecelj has sent out to the world an ugly image of situation in BiH. He added that no politician, including HR, should not and must not get involved in education in a country. |
| SNSD’s Dodik: SNSD is alternative to current authority
| EuroBlic RSpg 3, announced on cover ‘For personal booty, they impoverished Srpska’ by Goran Djuric, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Dodik announces victory’ by D.K. – Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, has accused RS authority of having enabled public defenders in RS – through changes of regulations related to the work of public defenders offices – to “settle debts at the detriment of RS”. At the election conference of SNSD Municipal Board in Kotor Varos, Dodik named Jovan Cizmovic as one of those plundering on RS, failing to provide concrete proofs to substantiate these claims. He reiterated SNSD’ dissatisfaction with the privatization process. On Bosanski Brod Oil Refinery, he said it is an evident example of “how national treasure is ruined owing to personal booty”. On constitutional changes talks, he reiterates SNSD stance on federal order of BiH. Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘SNSD is an alternative to current authority’ by |
| Antelj criticizes Ceric’s statement
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Ceric is burying |
Constitutional changes | |
| Beriz Belkic on Washington talks: BiH is half way to a compromise on concept of constitutional changes
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘BiH is half way to constitutional changes’ by S. Skuletic – Commenting talks in Washington, the Party for BiH official Beriz Belkic stated that BiH is on the half way to reaching a compromise regarding the new constitutional structure. He denied media speculations that the platform on the constitutional changes was adopted, and added that just some solutions were prepared. He added that Washington talks were focused at the working of Presidency, BiH Parliament and the Council of Ministers. As for the parliament, Belkic says that a majority believes that it should stay two-Houses body. The talks will be continued on 11 November in Brussels, also supported by the US Institute for Peace. Hayat by Semsudin Skejic – “There is a consensus that the way of electing BiH Presidency members has to be changed, because current one is obviously not in keeping with international conventions on human rights and freedoms, and that the authorities of BiH Presidency should be reduced … HoP should focus on vital national interests, which should be defined very carefully and precisely in BiH constitution – in order to prevent any possible misuses, and bitter and senseless discussions”, Belkic commented in an interview to Hayat on Washington talks. |
| Dailies bring comments on
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘President, Prime Minister or small corrections’ by M.K.S. – Daily carries that representatives of eight political parties [SDA, HDZ, PDP, SBiH, SNSD |
| VN: Croats in BiH want their own Republic
| Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘They want their own Republic’ by D.Stojakovic – Daily reports that participants of two-day scientific session in Neum “Constitutional and legal status of Croats in BiH” demanded establishment of a third entity in BiH, to be mainly populated by Croats. Dr. Bozo Zepic, Professor at Mostar Faculty of Law, stated that thorough constitutional changes are necessary in order to see establishment of BiH “with three republics for three peoples”. He also appealed on Croat Diaspora in |
| VL: Croats without consensus on const. changes/Macek, Zubak, Covic, Djapic on const. changes
| Vecernji List pgs 12 and 13 ‘Minute of silence for Dayton’, mentioned on cover ‘There is no agreement among Croats’ by M. Vasilj, V. Begic carries that for years representatives of the Croat parties in BiH have failed to reach an agreement when constitutional changes are in question. VL says that the fact that Catholic Bishops and Croat intellectuals have a different opinion on this issue has made BiH Croats even more confused. VL also carries spokesperson of the Croatian Government Ratko Macek who says that the Croatian Government will welcome all constitutional solutions based on constituency and equality of all 3 peoples however, it cannot interfere in this issue since this is an internal political issue of BiH. |
Economic issues | |
| Daily: New crisis of FBiH Government over Energopetrol in sight
| Oslobodjenje cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘New crisis of F BiH Government in sight’ by A.Avdic – Writing about today’s session of the F BiH Government, daily reports that Commission in charge of preparing agreement on re-capitalisation of the Sarajevo oil company “Energopetrol” on Sunday prepared two reports for today’s session of Government. According to Resad Zutic, Director of the F BiH Agency for Privatisation, ‘first report is about activities conducted so far on re-capitalisation of ‘Energopetrol”. This information should also be forwarded to F BiH Parliament for discussion. Second information deals with details related to contract with consortium INA-MOL on re-capitalisation of the biggest oil company in BiH.” As daily learns from its sources, one of the reasons why last session of F BiH Government saw no summoning of Supervisory Board of company, was that Ministers from Party for BiH will today launch initiative to annulment of tender for re-capitalisation, while HDZ ministers were tasked by Zagreb to demand preparation ot general contract on sale of 67% of Energopetrol. |
| Biber: We are running out of patience [regarding law on privatisation revision]
| Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘Biber: We are running out of patience’, pg 2 ‘Was Law returned for finishing touches in order not ever to be enacted?’ by E.Plecic – Articles raises the issue on what is going on with the Draft Law on audit of contracts and privatisation, which was returned to F BiH Government this spring for finishing touches. Government claims it is being worked on, while BiH Syndicate, which is one of proponents, is getting more and more sceptical about it, owing to which reason they announce severe protests of workers, who feel cheated, might follow. Edhem Biber, President of BiH Syndicate, stated: “I am afraid Law has been returned for finishing touches in order not ever to be enacted.” He said that Syndicate will demand a written explanation from Government when and whether the Law will be finally forwarded to Parliament for discussion. Izudin Kesetovic, President of the Board for Economic and Financial Issues, said that HoR does not give up on the Law either, expressing his suspicion that some individuals from Government “have got out of control” in an attempt to deliberately avoid adoption of Law. |
| Terzic discussed with FBiH Government delegation ways to reduce consequences of VAT for welfare cases
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Authorities must reach to publishers demands’ by A.M., Dnevni List pg 5 ‘130 millions KM for welfare cases’ by D. Pusic – Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic met on Sunday with Federation of BiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic, his Deputy Gavrilo Grahovac and FBiH Minister of Labour and Welfare Policy Radovan Vignjevic. They were talking about the measures that the FBiH Government is intending to take in order to reduce consequences of the VAT introduction for welfare cases. Vignjevic said: ‘In order to take care of socially endangered categories of population, such as children, civilian war victims, invalids, pensioners etc. 130 millions KM has been allocated from the budget and with regard to this issue I have presented proposals that the FBiH Government would discuss at its session at the beginning of November.’ |
| USAID director Sumka on projects in 2006 | FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ’37 million dollars for projects in next year’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ’36-37 million dollars anticipated for 2006’ by Fena – Head of USAID Mission in BiH Howard Sumka told Fena news agency although the U.S. Congress has not yet formally approved the budget for its activities in the new fiscal year starting October 1 it has been agreed that the budget would equal to last year’s budget – US$ 26 million. Additionally, the activities of USAID would be funded with additional |
War crimes, crime and security issues | |
| Prosper: ICTY work must be extended
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 “Work of Tribunal must be extended’, mentioned on cover ‘Tribunal must extend its work’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to daily, Pierre Richard Prospere, former US Ambassador for cooperation with the ICTY has recently left the office at the US Department of Office, claiming he decided to do so in order to devote to his candidature for the position of the Chief Prosecutor of California. He denies this decision was out of sudden, stressing he has always planned to return to |
| NN: BiH coordination team for cooperation with ICTY has not met in months
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘No session for few months’ by M.C. – Daily reports referring to its source at the BiH CoM that the BiH Coordination team for cooperation with the ICTY has not held session for few months now, although meetings should be held on a weekly basis. NN collocutor says that the task of this team is to, inter alia, ensure regular exchange of information and harmonise and coordinate activities of all security and judicial institutions. Adnan Terzic, one of two co-chairpersons of the Commission, could not recall the last time session was held. Another co-chairperson is Paddy Ashdown, according to daily, which names other members of the Commission. |
| BiH Prosecutor’s Office: no information on connection between those arrested in
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘The Prosecutor’s Office has no information on connection with those arrested in BiH’ by M. C. – BiH Prosecutor’s Office on Sunday confirmed it has no information on possible connection between persons who were suspected of attempted terrorist attacks and arrested in Denmark on Saturday with persons arrested in BiH. The article reads the arrested persons in |
| VL: Double standards of BiH authorities that insist on Jelavic’s extradition but refuse to extradite persons charged with war crimes committed in | Vecernji List pg 3 ‘BiH refused to extradite Milivoj Zec’, mentioned on cover ‘They want Jelavic, however, they do not want to extradite Zec’ by D. Jazvic carries that the BiH authorities show hypocrisy and double standards since they insist on the extradition of Ante Jelavic, while on the other hand they refused to extradite to Croatia Milivoj Zec charged with war crimes committed in this country. VL says that furthermore the BiH authorities did not launch their own investigation on the war crimes that Zec committed and he even preserved his place of work in the BiH State Border Service. |