OHR BiH Media Round-up, 31/7/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

WN: 54 civilians killed inLebanon

World news

Imam attacked in Sjena near Doboj

HSP re crime on Stipica meadow

Sentence to Oric will be appealed

World News

Del Ponte complains on Oric verdict

Dnevni Avaz on SAA

Terzic’s message to Lebanon

Lugonja admits helping Mladic

Feature on terminally ill boy

Mostar jumps held on Sunday

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

WN: 54 civilians killed in Lebanon

World News

Shots fired at Doboj Imam

Del Ponte complains on Oric verdict

Terzic’s message to Lebanon

World news

Tihic on RS-Serbia special relations

Imam attacked in Sjena near Doboj

Terzic judges attacks on Lebanon

Terzic on CoM structure, PRD

Mortal remains buried in Vrhpolje

Dodik on Raca bridge agreement

Oslobodjenje

FBiH must respect court’s decision and EU conditions

Dnevni Avaz

[Islamic Community leader] Ceric: Crime in Lebanon cannot be justified

Dnevni List

Fraud: SDA and HDZ BiH preparing new election fraud

Vecernji List

Daddy, when are you coming home again? (story on Hague indictee Valentin Coric)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Alka contestants defying [Cro. Pres.] Mesic (Sinj alka, Croatia)

Nezavisne Novine

60 jumpers jumped in Neretva (440^th competition in jumps from OldBridge in Mostar)

Glas Srpske

My Republika Srpska (marking of 63^rd anniversary of GS)

EuroBlic

Games of Council with citizenship

Vecernje novosti

Massacre of children (another Israeli attack against Lebanon)

War crimes, incidents

ICTY Chief Prosecutor files appeal against Naser Oric verdict

RHB – ICTY spokesman Anton Nikiforov announced on Sunday that the Tribunal’s Chief Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, has filed an appeal against the sentence handed down on the Bosniak wartime commander from Srebrenica, Naser Oric, for war crimes against Serbs. Oric has been found guilty of failing to prevent his subordinates in the cruel treatment of Serbs and murder of Serb prisoners in Srebrenica in 1992 and 1993. Following the verdict sentencing him to two years of prison, Oric was immediately released as he spent 3 years in detention. Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and Serbian media have condemned this verdict, saying that it only proves The Hague Tribunal is “working against Serbia”. RHB note that Serbs claim that 3,263 persons of Serb nationality were killed in Srebrenica while Oric was in command. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Defence announces appeal on 40 pages’ by A.H. ­ – Oric’s defence attorney Vasija Vidovic announced that she would lodge complaint in the legally stipulated period regarding the condemning part of the verdict to Oric. Vidovic said that this complaint would be written on 40 pages. Del Ponte said that Oric’s verdict is unacceptable and that she would use new evidences of RS and Serbian governments if they submit them. Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Del Ponte complains against Oric’ verdict’ by AFP– According to daily, Nikiforov stated: “Prosecution has initially asked 18 years imprisonment for Oric, and complaint will demand sentence be more severe.” PINK, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Prosecution announced appeal on Oric sentence’ by BHT1, Dnevni List pg 56 ‘Del Ponte appeals Oric verdict’ unsigned – also carried.

Sunday incident near Doboj: Muslim imam shot at upon return home from morning prayer, nobody was injured

FTV by Muhamed Cabric – Imam Nermin Siljic was shot at, but sustained no injures, in Sjena village near Doboj on Sunday morning upon return home from morning prayer. According to eyewitnesses, a car stopped and a man shot at Siljic. Nobody was injured. Siljic was attacked by Stevo Blagojevic who had no particular reason to attack imam, says FTV, although according to the Sjena dwellers, Blagojevic often complained of the mosque prayer call and he lost a son in the war. Doboj authorities have condemned that attack regarding it as isolated and to have nothing in common to recent increased attacks on Bosniak returnees to RS. RTRS – Imam was not hurt and Doboj police has undertaken all necessary actions in order to resolve this case. Dnevni Avaz pg 51 ‘Stevo Bjelkic tried from ambush to liquidate imam Senad Siljic’ by H. Calic­ – Returnees in Sjenina Rijeka say that neither Serbs like Bjelikic, adding that Bjelkic always keep Serbian flag on his house and defies returnees this way. Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Assault on local imam’ by J.S. – Police suspects certain Cvijanovic, living in a house 100 meters from mosque, is assailant. Citizens believe suspect run away and is hiding at his brother’s house in village Paleznica, close to Doboj. BHT1 – also covered.

RS PoWs Association calls on Serb members of Sarajevo Commission to withdraw

Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Serb representatives must withdraw from Sarajevo Commission’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Serbs invited to withdraw from Sarajevo Commission’ unsigned,Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Serbs should leave Commission for Sarajevo’ by SRNA, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘To abandon Commission’ by SRNA– RS Association of former detention camp inmates of war asks from Serb representatives to withdraw from the Commission for truth on suffering of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Jews and others in Sarajevo in period 1992-1995. “We are sure this Commission will do nothing and Serb representatives in this Commission will bear historic responsibility toward numerous Serb victims in Sarajevo”, said Slavko Jovicic, Vice Chairman of RS Association of former detention camp inmates.

BiH Civil Affairs Min. Deputy Tesanovic condemns RS President Cavic for trying to collect political points on SA Commission

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Cavic is behaving like a prophet of doom’ by E.S. – Commenting the Friday’s statement of RS President Dragan Cavic who said that Commission for investigating of Sufferings of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Jews and Others in Sarajevo is “political pamphlet”, BiH Civil Affairs Minister Deputy Zoran Tesanovic told daily that he cannot accept such claims: “It is not fair to declare failure of its work, before the Commission even started with quality work. I think that this does not benefit Cavic, that behaves like ‘prophet of doom’ and every time he announces some negative results.” Tesanovic condemned Cavic for trying to collect ‘cheap political points’.

DL reports people who transported bodies of war victims in Mostar now interviewed by SIPA in attempt to locate bodies of missing persons

Dnevni List pg 3 mentioned on cover ‘Morgue and “Parkovi” drivers under investigation’ by I. Popovac – DL informs that a number of persons from Mostar area, who during the war worked as drivers for the “Parkovi” utility company [which handled burials during the war] and who were involved in the transport of war victims, have been invited to SIPA offices to be interviewed on the burials of war victims. DL claims it has ‘off the record information that these activities are related to a wide scope investigation related to persons from Mostar area killed during the war whose bodies have not been found yet because trials in the Hague and in BiH have not produced this information yet.’ DL claims these interviews are related to the ongoing trial of the Herceg-Bosna six.

Serbian Vice Premier Dulic: We must arrest Mladic

Vecernje Novosti pg 2, announced on cover ‘Deceits do not lead anywhere’ by Gordana Bulatovic – In a page-long interview to daily, Ivana Dulic Markovic, Serbian Vice Premier, speaks of a number of issues, including cooperation with ICTY and arrest of Ratko Mladic. On this, she says: ‘We must arrest Mladic as soon as possible. If we really cannot do it, we must document to our partners what we have done on this and convince them we did all within our powers. To convince them we are really working on it and that we are not deceiving them…Neither Carla del Ponte, The Hague Tribunal or ourselves.” On activities Stability Pact has launched lately regarding activities necessary to launch free trade zone of South-eastern Europe, Dulic comments on demand of BiH to have customs protection for its agricultural products until 2010, saying: “We already have a contract with BiH where customs on our products have been gradually decreasing and reached zero level last year. Hence, BiH already had an advantage in comparison with us. Re-introduction of customs for our goods at BiH market would represent a precedent and we will stick to stance that agreements on free trade must be equally respected.”

Political issues

BiH Presidency Chair Tihic criticizes agreement btw RS and Serbian PMs to construct new bridge over Sava river, special relations between RS and Serbia

Hayat – Friday’s signing the agreement on construction of the new bridge over Sava river in Raca by the RS and Serbian Prime Ministers Milorad Dodik and Vojislav Kostunica respectively, provoked a reaction from BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic. Tihic deems that the fact this agreement was signed in absence of BiH officials could aggravate relations between BiH and Serbia. Tihic added that RS PM Dodik’s conduct is unacceptable, further accusing Dodik of directly violating BiH Constitution as the border crossings is an issue in jurisdiction of a state. “This is yet another in series of Dodik’s moves that add to radicalisation and destabilisation of situation in BiH”, Hayat presenter quoted Tihic as saying in a statement for Radio Free Europe. Commenting the announcement of the new agreement on special and parallel relations between RS and Serbia, Tihic said that it was not appropriate to talk about special relations at a time when future status of Kosovo has not yet been discussed, or immediately after Montenegro declared independence. Tihic added that it was not in line with what was agreed with Serbian President Boris Tadic – that the special relations should be created only between two states, Serbia and BiH, especially since numerous authorities have been transferred from entities to the state. BiH Presidency Chair assessed that it was better not to talk about those things right now, “unless someone deliberately wants to link this issue with some other regional problems”. According to Hayat presenter, Serb member of BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac welcomed the agreement on new bridge on river Sava, saying that it would do good to the whole BiH. Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Bridge can deteriorate relations with Serbia’, by A. B., Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Assent was given by BiH Ministry of Communication and State Border Service’, announced on cover ‘Dodik: Constitution was not violated, assent was given by BiH ministry of Communication and State Border Service’ by D.Risojevic – also reported.

RS PM Dodik: Agreement on construction of bridge at Raca not in violation of BIH Constitution

RTRS – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated that his signing of agreement on construction of bridge at Raca with Serbian Government is not in violation of BIH Constitution. In a telephone statement to RTRS, Dodik noted that BiH Ministry of Traffic and Communications and State Border Service gave their agreement for it. Dodik reacted to the statement of BIH Presidency President Sulejman Tihic who stated that signing this agreement could worsen relations between BIH and Serbia. “I would be happy if Mr. Tihic in his visits to Arabic countries could firstly find money for construction of a plant or a bridge rather then spend money for construction of religious objects”, says Dodik. He adds that RS has the right to special relations with Serbia. Dodik concludes that the bridge at Raca will be completed in a year whether Tihic or someone else likes it or not. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Assent was given by BiH Ministry of Communication and State Border Service’, announced on cover ‘Dodik: Constitution was not violated, assent was given by BiH ministry of Communication and State Border Service’ by D.Risojevic – also cover.

Foreign Min. Ivanic: BiH Traffic/Comm. Ministry, SBS approved Raca bridge initiative

RTRS – BIH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic confirmed that BIH Ministry of Traffic and Communications and State Border Service gave their agreement to the initiative from Banja Luka regarding construction of bridge at Raca. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Assent was given by BiH Ministry of Communication and State Border Service’, announced on cover ‘Dodik: Constitution was not violated, assent was given by BiH ministry of Communication and State Border Service’ by D.Risojevic – Ivanic said problem started in Sarajevo when this initiative came to BiH Border Commission and BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs who have negative stance toward everything that refers to Serbia. He stressed he wonders why Tihic is bothered with initiative for a single border crossing with Serbia is launched, and still was not bothered when such crossings were opened with Croatia .

BiH Presidency member Paravac: Tihic obviously bothered by RS/Serbian relatios

RTRS – BIH Presidency member Borislav Paravac stated that relations with Serbia obviously bother BIH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Assent was given by BiH Ministry of Communication and SBS’, announced on cover, by D.Risojevic, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Tihic bothered with relations with Serbia’ by SRNA – Paravac said “Tihic is wrongly dealing with form, not content, since agreement signed at Raca is of extreme use not only for RS but for BiH as well”.

RS CoP in session, to discuss police reform and cooperation with ICTY: no agreement on police expected

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Delegates do not expect agreement on police’ by V.Popovic – Daily carries Ramiz Salkic, Head of Bosniak Caucus at RS Council of Peoples saying that the Bosniak Caucus at RS CoP will not remove veto from (RS Parliament’s) decisions on model of restructuring of police structure in BiH and Report on RS cooperation with the ICTY (for first three months this year). Salkic expects that Monday’s (today) session of the RS CoP will not reach agreement on these issues and that these issues will end up before RS Constitutional Court, adding: “If agreement had been possible issue of protection of vital national interest would not have been raised upon adopted recommendations…I am of the view at this moment, there is no readiness for agreement neither on police or cooperation with the ICTY, since our stances on this have not been recognised so far.” Momir Malic, RS CoP Vice Chair and member of Serb Caucus says: “I expect from Bosniak Caucus to offer concrete solutions and after that we can discuss and amend stances.” According to daily, Croat Caucus will abstain regarding these issues, assessing no agreement will be reached and issues will end up before RS Constitutional Court eventually. FTV, RTRS – also reported.

RS President Cavic opposes the Law on Rights and Duties of MPs in RS; SNSD claims Cavic’s behaviour is nothing more than a cheap pre-election political marketing

Hayat by Nenad Trbic – For the first time, RS President Dragan Cavic used his presidential authority to refuse to sign the Law on Rights and Duties of MPs in the RS which was previously adopted by the RS National Assembly. However, the Law – which stipulate more benefits for the MPs – has been re-included in the RSNA agenda; if delegates in the RS NA once again decide to adopt it, RS President will not be able to prevent it from becoming effective. “I don’t care which political parties those delegates represent. I think that they do not have the right to do that, and I believe that the messages from the House of Representatives should be a final argument for them not to support this law”, stated Cavic. However, SNSD claim that such Cavic’s behaviour is nothing more than a cheap pre-election political marketing. SNSD representative Drago Kalabic claims that SNSD representatives will not vote for this law, but wonders what would SDS representatives do. “We think not only that this law should be cancelled – we should excuse ourselves to RS peoples and citizens because it was a big mistake”, stated PDP representative Dragan Mikerevic. RS Government is also against this law. “We will give a negative opinion on this law once again”, stated RS Minister of Finance Aleksandar Dzombic. According to reporter, the Law on Rights and Duties of MPs in RS is much more about rights than duties; for example, it foresees that a delegate with only one mandate has the right to a pension bigger than 700 KM. Representatives in RS NA will again discuss this law in August.

DL claims HDZ BiH and SDA will pull off election fraud through control of municipal election commissions

Dnevni List cover splash pg 4-6 by Zvonimir Jukic – Jukic is the author of a 3 page story alleging it is a unanimous conclusion of BiH opposition parties that HDZ BiH and SDA parties are planning to perpetrate what he calls ‘a new election fraud through their influence in the appointment of local election committees’. In its article DL provides the names of election committee members at polling stations in some predominantly Croat municipalities in West Herzegovina, such as Grude and Siroki Brijeg, among whom there are members of parties like SNSD, SDS, Bosnian-Podrinje People’s Party, DEPOS etc. which do not have candidates who would run at these stations at all. This, Jukic claims, is in violation of the BiH Election Law according to which election committee members can only be representatives of political parties whose candidates are running at polling stations concerned which means that appointment of such committee members will be invalid and that they will have to be replaced. Their replacement, article goes on, is under jurisdiction of municipal election commissions which in west Herzegovina are ‘under direct control of HDZ BiH’. In his opinion this will be made possible by BiH Election Law which he says in ‘unclear’.

DA int with SBiH Silajdzic: SBiH needs allies

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘SBiH needs allies’ by Edina Sarac – In an interview with DA, the SBiH leader Haris Silajdzic comments statement of SDA Vice President Bakir Izetbegovic [that SBiH should not push SDA away] by saying: “SBiH needs allies in whole the BiH territory, in order to set state on principles proposed by democratic world. We need such allies that will not step back from the basic principles of integral and democratic BiH, no matter the price.” He also repeated his stances that BiH cannot progress without necessary reforms, calling for creation of the new BiH Constitution.

DL interview with FBiH HoP Chair S. Matic who says constitutional reforms must not wait

Dnevni List pg 10-11 ‘Four more lost years ahead of us’ by Mensud Zorlak – DL interviews Chair of FBiH HoP Slavko Matic who says ‘if the talks on constitutional changes area again left for the end of the next mandate, it will mean we are in for four more lost years’. Matic elaborates that ‘adoption of BiH Constitution amendments should have been followed by reduction in the numbers of entity parliaments MPs and ministers none of which unfortunately happened’’.

NN op-ed discusses election game of BiH politicians

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Election game’ by Sead Fetahagic- Author discuses election game of BiH political parties. According to author, SDP has no candidate for Bosniak member of BiH Presidency since they concentrated only on Zeljko Komsic believing that this Croat has chances considering fights between two HDZs. Author states SDA and SzBiH are in bitter war while SNSD can only be a little bit endangered by SDS .

BiH CoM Chair Terzic to attend two-day regional meeting in Salzburg

RHB – The Prime Ministers of South East European countries will hold a two-day meeting in Salzburg, Austria, starting on Monday. This meeting, under the motto ‘The Stability for South East Europe in 21^st Century’ will focus on economic development and cooperation; participants will discuss joint investments, infrastructure, free trade and strengthening of cooperation in the field of energy. It is expected that BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic would attend this meeting, along with his Croatian, Montenegrin, Albanian and Romanian counterparts, Ivo Sanader, Milo Djukanovic, Sali Berisha and Calin Popescu-Tariceanu respectively. Vecernji List pg 2 ‘By joining CEFTA BiH will get rid of unfavourable contracts’ by D. J. – Article title refers to ‘an attempt to improve the unfavourable position of BiH in trade with neighbouring countries by BiH joining CEFTA’.

Proposed changes to BiH Law on citizenship raise different reactions

EuroBlic cover splash ‘Games of Council with citizenship’, RSpg 1 ‘Games with citizenship’ by D.Stanojevic – Daily reports that the proposed addenda to BiH Law on Citizenship (whose proponent is BiH Council of Ministers, and which stipulates that persons from whom citizenship was removed can file a claim for re-issuance of citizenship five years after) raised different reactions. According to addenda, the right to re-gain citizenship would be based on marriage or residence in BiH. Nikola Spiric, delegate at the BiH HoR, is of the view these changes will solely “change the mechanism to give illegal passports”, adding: ‘This is just a cover for all that happened during the war in BiH. If Law were changed in the way stipulated by BiH Council of Ministers, the chance would be offered to the most radical Islamic elements to cleanse their passports through time ahead of us.” Mirsad Ceman, delegate at BiH HoR, is of the view these “changes protect human rights”. Zoran Tesanovic, BiH Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs, raises the issue of “what is the logic of giving BiH citizenship to individual if it was taken away from him because he obtained it in illegal manner?” Momcilo Novakovic, delegate at BiH HoR, also disagrees with the proposed changes, adding he has filed an amendment preventing that “claim for re-issuance of citizenship can be filed by a person from whom the citizenship was removed in legal and legitimate manner”.

European integrations

Daily: FBiH PBS law procedure back to beginning, authorities must respect both CC decision, EU standards; EC: no SAA singing without this law

Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 2 ‘Federation must respect court’s decision and EU conditions’ by S. Sehercehajic – The spokesperson for the EC delegation in BiH, Frane Maroevic, told daily that “it would be necessary to prepare new proposal of the FBiH Public Broadcasting Service Law that would respect the requirements of the FBiH Constitutional Court.” Last week, the Council of the Vital National Interests at the FBiH CC brought decision that the FBiH PBS Law was jeopardizing Croat VNI as it provides no protection from outvoting in decision-making process or mechanisms to prevent discrimination. Maroevic noted this development returns a procedure of law adoption to the very beginning. “This means that it would be necessary for the FBiH Parliament and the Government to do this job as soon as possible,” warned Maroevic noting that PBS legislations remains one of the key conditions to sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement. “[This] will not bring the negotiations [on SAA] to the beginning, but they cannot be completed before prior fulfillment of this condition,” underlined Maroevic and added that the FBiH law must be in line with the provisions of the state law. The member of the FBiH House of Peoples Croat Caucus, Zdenko Antunovic, comments the fact that the law would have to be brought back to the beginning expressing his sorrow with such development, but noted this would not have happened if “delegates were ready to accept amendments by the Croat Caucus” [which called on establishment of the third, Croat, channel]. He added the Caucus would not give up on this requirement. The Head of the BiH Directorate for European Integrations, Osman Topcagic, noted that the most important thing at this moment is to “see how to simultaneously respect both the court’s decision and the EU standards”.

BiH Chief SAA negotiator Davidovic: BiH could be ready for EU between 2012 and 2014

Vecernji List, pg 6, mentioned on front ‘BiH ready for EU between 2012 and 2014’, by Zoran Kresic – carries an interview with the BiH Chief Negotiator for SAA talks, Igor Davidovic, who comments that last week’s technical negotiations between BiH and EU regarding the SAA process resulted in progress in area of free trade because the two sides achieved mutual trust. In this context, Davidovic says both sides will have to make certain concessions, especially when it comes to agricultural products (protective measures for BiH agriculture). Asked to comment on the issue of police reform and Police Reform Directorate Steering Board’s decision to postpone deadline regarding taking of SB’s decisions (from end Sept to end Nov), Davidovic says he welcomes the decision, however he is of personal opinion that the reform must be returned to the political level “because it is now clear that experts cannot finish the job”. He was also asked as to when BiH will be in position to join the EU, to which Davidovic replied his assessment is it could happen between 2012 and 2014. Inset ‘Decision of Constitutional Court will influence negotiations’ carries Davidovic who says the FBiH Constitutional Court ’s decision that the FBiH PBS law violated Croats’ vital national interests would have an influence on the SAA process. He reckons this issue must be tackled by all sides (politicians) and take the best possible solution.

SDU’s Tokic, SBiH’s Belkic and SDA’s Dzaferovic say RS is slowing down BiH European path, wants IC to take action

Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘International community must clearly say who obstructs reforms’, by M. Kukan – with regards to a media report that suggested that the EC might give negative assessment regarding the reform processes in BiH (see OHR Round-up, July 30), Avaz carries statements of President of SDU, Sejfudin Tokic, member of SBiH Presidency, Beriz Belkic, and Vice President of SDA, Sefik Dzaferovic, who are more or less unison in saying it is the RS that is responsible for slowing down of reform processes in BiH and they all want the IC to take decisive action and warn the RS it cannot behave the it allegedly does (obstructs reform processes). Inset ‘Place moratorium on privatization’ – carries Tokic as saying that even the HR, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, “whose job is to protect BiH and strengthen functionality of the state, has not been doing his job for months”. Tokic goes on to say that SDU requests placing of moratorium on sale of public goods until the elections (SDU claims entity government want to sell BiH’s public goods before elections)

European Commission proposed liberalisation of visa regime for BiH: longer visa validation period, multiply entry, cheaper visas

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘EU Council proposes issuing visas with longer validation period’ by T.Lazovic – Daily carries that European Commission proposed to EU member-countries that, in terms of liberalisation of visa regime, visas for BiH, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania should been issued visas with longer validation period and multiply entry. EC also proposed visa costs to be decreased, for certain categories of citizens. These categories are to be defined with each state separately. Persons with diplomatic passports should been excluded from visa regime. Author notes that this decision has to be précised and adopted by EU Council, adding that this discussion was postponed for October. Inset ‘Liberalisation by beginning of next year’ – Article carries that liberalisation of visa regime for BiH citizens could be enter into force by beginning or mid-next year.

48% of Europeans stands for BiH entering EU

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘48% of Europeans is for BiH in EU’ by T.L. – Survey made by EU Commissariat for Enlargement says that 48% of EU citizens support approach of BiH to EU. 37% is against this idea. In comparison with Serbia , Montenegro and Albania , BiH has better statistics. Inset ‘Austrians are biggest opponents’ – Article carries that Austrian citizens are the greatest opponents of BiH entering EU.

Economic issues

FBIH HoR deputies might be recalled from their holidays to discuss privatisation of FBIH Telecoms in an urgent session

FTV – Bosniak caucus at RS Council of Peoples reached the agreement with RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik regarding the sale of RS Telecom. Presenter stated that FBIH hasn’t been doing anything concrete regarding this issue adding that instead of concrete answer to Dodik government was indecisive on reaching the final stand on selling FBiH telecoms – BH Telecom and HT Mostar – and it asked FBiH Parliament to make a decision. The extraordinary session of FBIH Parliament is still uncertain due to summer recess. Muhamed Ibrahimovic, Chair of FBiH House of Representatives, told FTV in a telephone statement that he expects to receive appropriate material [i.e. different proposals regarding the percentage] that will be forwarded to the delegates on Monday. “It is also important to hear the opinion of some bodies in the Parliament for reaching the best decision…it is a fact that RS Government has already discussed this issue before and I am sorry that and FBIH Government hasn’t done the same thing earlier…. We can call [always] on delegates from the holiday when important issues need to be solved” said Ibrahimovic. Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘About destiny of telecoms in late August’, by Mensud Zorlak – carries Speakers of BiH HoR and HoP, Ibrahimovic and Slavko Matic respectively, who say it is realistic that the two chambers of FBiH Parliament can discuss privatization of telecommunication companies related matters in late August only because it is impossible to convene sessions due to summer holidays MPs are on. (for more details of the story see OHR Media Round-up, June 30, 2006) (addition to EMM story)

Avaz: FBiH Parliament to decide about FBIH’s funds frozen in Hercegovacka bank?

Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Is FBiH Government giving up capital in ‘Hercegovbacka bank’?’, by M. Kukan – According to Avaz’s ‘reliable information’, the FBIH Government, which was asked to take decision about its deposits frozen in the accounts of the ‘Hercegovacka bank’ (some 23 million KMs), has decided to forward the issue to the FBiH Parliament that is expected to take the decision. Avaz reminds that the Provisional Administrator for the bank, Toby Robinson, informed the FBiH Government that talks on sale of the bank with Croatian investor (‘Validus’) were ongoing, however in order for the deal to go through, depositors have to give up 40% of their deposits.

Lebanon crisis

CoM Chair Terzic calls on cease of bloodshed in Lebanon

BHT1, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ceric condemns attacks on Lebanese civilians’, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Terzic calls on cease of bloodshed in Lebanon’, Nezavisne Novine pg 18 ‘Officials call on cease of fire’ inset ‘Terzic addressed telegram expressing condolence’ by Agencies – Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic fiercely judged the attacks on Lebanon civilians. He called upon the international community to urgently stop the bloodshed in that country.

Mufti Ceric: Crime in Lebanon cannot be justified in any way

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘Ceric: Crime in Lebanon cannot be justified in any way’ by Mina – The head of the Islamic Community in BiH, Mustafa effendi Ceric, issued a statement regarding Israeli massacre in Qana in Lebanon: “The Israeli massacre of over 54 civilians, including at least 34 children, in Qana [Sunday morning] is just another mistake in a series of mistakes Israel is making in the Middle East. The Israeli massacre of innocent children in Qana cannot be justified in any way. The human brain cannot comprehend it, and the soul cannot take it. Obviously, the Israeli Army has lost control over itself and it is in no condition to make rational judgments. If the world leaders who support everything Israel does have no feelings for Lebanese civilian casualties, let them then show mercy towards Israel and help it avoid committing suicide, because the massacre in Qana is an act of suicide on Israel’s part… the Islamic Community in BiH feels deep empathy with the victims of the massacre in Qana and calls on Muslims to say a prayer to Allah for peace and good in the world,” reads the statement which calls on immediate ceasefire.

SBiH leader Silajdzic condemned UN for situation in Lebanon

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘SbiH needs allies’ by Edina Sarac – Commenting current situation in Lebanon, in an interview for DA, SBiH leader Haris Silajdzic condemned UN for loosing his credibility in this case. He said: “This reminds me of days of aggression on BiH, which lasted for years, when genocide was taking place before eyes of whole the world, literarily, trough TV.”

Dailies on situation in Lebanon : strong criticism against US and UK foreign policies

Oslobodjenje pg 10 ‘More than 50 dead, mostly children, by Israeli bombing’, mentioned on cover – Daily dedicates entire page to the events in Lebanon, noting UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is facing a real ‘mutiny’ in his Cabinet over the Middle East Policy as he is decisive to support US President’s George Bush stands. Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Bloody revolution’ op-ed Svjetlana Salom – Daily brings op-ed on the situation in Lebanon, and the author carries particular criticism against the US and UK foreign policies noting that with UK support, Bush is “absolute ruler of life and death in Middle East.” Editorial concludes that these stances are exactly those responsible for such a high recruitment in the extremist rows. Dnevni Avaz pg 16 ’37 children killed in Israeli attack’ – article carries details of the latest events in Lebanon under the “19^th Day of Aggression” caption. Vecernje Novosti cover splash ‘Massacre of children’, pg 15 ‘Neither villages or people’ by TANJUG, Nezavisne Novine pg 18 ‘At least 54 civilians, including 37 children, dead’, announced on cover ‘Over 50 people dead in village of Kana’ by Agencies, EuroBlic pgs 6-7 ’34 children dead in one attack’ by CDC/IB, Dnevni List pg 18 ‘At least 50 women and children killed’ by Predrag Zvijerac, Vecernji List pg 14 ‘Building full of women and children leveled’ by Z. Bajt – also reported.

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

Israel suspends air attacks

Not covered – technical difficulties

RS CoP to convene

Condemnations of Israeli attacks

BiH CoM Terzic in Salzburg

Croatian PM Sanader in Prague

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WN: 54 civilians killed in Lebanon

World news

Imam attacked in Sjena near Doboj

HSP re crime on Stipica meadow

Sentence to Oric will be appealed

World News

Del Ponte complains on Oric verdict

Dnevni Avaz on SAA

Terzic’s message to Lebanon

Lugonja admits helping Mladic

Feature on terminally ill boy

Mostar jumps held on Sunday

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Israel suspends air raids

RHB – Israel suspended air attacks on south Lebanon this morning for next 48 hours after the world was appalled with the killing of 56 Lebanese civilians.

Political Developments

BiH CoM Chair Terzic reminds CoM’s convocation must be balanced in line with BiH Constitution

Hayat – According to Hayat presenter, Police Reform Directorate (PRD) – or the process of police reform in general – is constantly being attacked by politicians from the RS during last several days. The new target for RS politicians, added presenter, is BiH Council of Ministers (CoM), due to adopted changes to Law on BiH CoM introducing two new ministries [Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment]. CoM Chair Adnan Terzic deems that the three constitutional peoples are not equal in this institution, since currently there are four ministers of Serb nationality, and only three of each Bosniak and Croat nationality. According to Terzic, if the situation were the opposite, the whole RS would ‘probably be on their feet’, attempting to change it. CoM Chair believes that PRD was established in order to enable experts to find a most acceptable solution with no political interference; however, RS PM Milorad Dodik’s pressure was so strong that even the experts started practising politics, concluded Terzic. RTRS – Terzic reminded that the CoM convocation must be balanced as stipulated by BIH Constitution. (NOTE: Extracts were taken from interview BiH CoM Chair Terzic gave to Dnevni Avaz on Sunday. For more information see OHR BH Media Round-up 30 July 2006.)

DSS’ Kovacevic wants BiH to be organized as confederation

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘It has to be determined who sold the banks’ Inset ‘DSS demands statehood for RS’ by not signed – DSS leader Predrag Kovacevic stated that DSS is in favour of BiH (organized) as a confederation in which RS would have its statehood. He added that longing of SBiH leader Haris Silajdzic and BiH Presidency President Sulejman Tihic that BiH becomes a unitary state gives the RS the right to statehood. Kovacevic believes attempt of Adnan Terzic, BiH Council of Ministers Chair, to establish two new ministries (ministry of agriculture and ministry of science and techniques) has purpose to weaken entities and centralize all institutions and competences in Sarajevo.

BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs’ Arnaut: Reform of higher education will not even start with the next academic year

Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Reform will not even start with the next academic year’ by M. Rener – Chief of BiH Minister of Civil Affairs’ Office Srdjan Arnaut said BiH reform of higher education will not even start with the next academic year (2006/2007) since BiH Parliament would discuss the Draft law on higher education at the end of August at earliest. According to Arnaut, even if the law is passed, cantons will not have time to harmonize their laws to the state law. Arnaut also noted the RS took good regulations from the state law (when adopting the entity law).

Muharem Cerofrom BiH joint institutions: There are two versions of the Law on BiH state property

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘There are two version of the ‘Law’ by R. Cengic – Members of the Commission in charge of creation of the Law on BiH state property (law should regulate ownership and disposal of the state property worth several billion dollars) believe this law could be passed by the end of September (daily notes OHR’s decision to ban disposal of state property at all levels of power would expire by that time). Muharem Cero from BiH joint institutions said there are two versions of the law explaining “one version was made by the members of the Commission who come from the state institutions. This version expects that all property of former SFRJ (Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)… is in the ownership of state, which would distribute it to lower levels of power. Second version comes from RS representatives and expects that the property is distributed among entities”. OHR spokesperson Mario Brkic denied OHR would impose this law if BiH institutions do not pass it by the end of September. Brkic did not say whether OHR would extend ban on disposal of state property in case this law was not passed.

VL: OHR does not want to get involved in HTV Mostar issue

Vecernji List pg 4 ‘OHR does not want responsibility for faith of HRT‘ unsigned – Article writes on the last Wednesday’s session of the Mostar City Council which was interrupted at the request of Croat Councilors after SDA, SDP and SBiH refused to accept Mostar Mayor Ljubo Beslic‘s proposal to transfer a 60% ownership share in HTV (Hercegovacka TV) to Croat majority municipalities in Cantons 7 and 8, and touches upon the OHR position on the matter. VL article reads that former HR Paddy Ashdown, who imposed the Mostar City Statute, originally promised to resolve the issue of HTV but then transferred the responsibility back to local politicians. This, article reads, is the position of the current HR, Christian Schwarz-Schilling as well, whose spokesperson has stated that IC will be assisting Mostar authorities but it cannot do their job and make decisions for them.

FT: RS is still Bosnian stumbling block; HR CSS: DPA was done just to get peace; former HR Bildt: RS became permanent as Scotland

Financial Times ‘After 14 years, Serb statelet is still Bosnian stumbling block’ by Neil MacDonald – Commenting that police reform is being the “final obstacle to Bosnian association talks with the EU”, and in light of recent visit of RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodikto UK, editorial opens with a question: “What to do with the Serb mini-state within its [BiH] borders?” Article notes that demands for police reform have deepened political divisions between ethnic Serbs and the rest of the country: “The EU, frustrated by the constitutional delay, insists the RS should pose no problem as long as the wider state works too. ‘It was done just to get peace,’ says Christian Schwarz-Schilling, EU special representative in charge of the international protectorate for BiH. ‘But now the RS has started to live.’ Other European states also maintain distinct internal entities. Carl Bildt, the first HR after Dayton, says RS has become ‘as permanent as Scotland’.”

BI: Prior to elections, two BiH entities remain as ethnically polarised as ever

Balkan Insight ‘Non-Serbs Targeted in Bosnian Serb Campaign’ by Gordana Katanain Banja Luka – Commenting on as author puts as “an outbreak of intimidation against non-Serbs in the Bosnian Serb entity” (referring to incidents recorded lately in Banja Luka, Trebinje and in several other small towns in the east of the RS, like Konjevic Polje throughout July) the author stresses the RS is being blamed on a divisive run-up to general elections planned for October. She further refers to statements of local analysts blaming Bosnian Serb politicians for whipping up ethnic intolerance in the run-up to the October poll, and for playing on national differences to win votes. Regarding elections, analysts say SNSD and SDS are resorting to playing the ethnic card in order to secure votes from the RS’ largely nationalist electorate. Author notes the two entities that make up BiH remain as ethnically polarised as ever. Political analysts say the situation has been worsened by the return to the political stage of a group of hard-line nationalists who were earlier excluded from politics, including Predrag Lazarevic, former leader of the Serbian Party for RS, SSRS. In 2000, International Community banned his party from the municipal elections after SSRS refused to remove from office its leader, who was accused of violating election rules and instigating ethnic hatred. Lazarevic returned to the political stage this year as a member of the SRS [Radicals], using the opportunity to air his hard-core opposition to the concept of a multi-ethnic state, which he has described as “an empty word, a story for children”. He openly opposes the existence of united BiH, proposing Balkans in which “there will be one state for each nation”. Author further brings comments of come students in Banja Luka, sharing the view every nation in BiH should live separately, which is why the RS should break away from BiH. Analysts further notes that nationalism among the younger generation in BiH will be hard to combat. [Balkan Insight is BIRN’s online publication.]

Economy

FBiH PM forwards Agreement on obligations to FBiH Parliament for approval

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Obligation relations be transferred onto state’ by Ad.H. – The FBiH PM, Ahmet Hadipiasic, has handed to the FBiH Parliament for approval the Agreement on transfer of powers from entities onto state in the field of obligations. Daily notes that agreement of two entities, in line with which state of BiH should pass a single Law on obligations is substantiated with the need to establish a single economic space and improvement of economic and legal security of private property and foreign investors. Daily adds Agreement itself clearly underlines this move does not alter powers of BiH courts, neither does it demand establishment of any new state institution.

FBiH MoD’s debt estimated to be around 200 million KM present threat to FBiH budget

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Around 200 million KM of debt is a threat to FBiH budget’ by R. Cengic – Hasan Becirevic, member of FBiH Parliament’s Financial Board said that FBiH Ministry of Defence’s debt, estimated on the basis of incomplete data, is between 120 and 250 million KMs, which might cause serious problems to FBiH budget. FBiH Office for Audit determined that FBiH Army, FBiH Ministry of Defence and FBiH Customs, which were closed on December 31^st 2005, did not make final reports in order to inform about their claims, debts and property. FBiH Ministry of Finance says that those institutions have to make reports and that courts only know about FBiH MoD’s debts due to charges that were brought against the MoD. According to inset ‘Unknown debts of FBiH Customs’, FBiH Ministry of Finance asked several times from BiH Indirect Taxation Administration, which succeeded FBiH Customs, to submit report on taken over property and commitments, but has not received any reply. FBiH Parliament estimates FBiH Customs had huge incomes and claims from others.

DSS’ Kovacevic welcomes decision on audit of banking system privatization

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘It has to be determined who sold the banks’ by V. Popovic – DSS leader Predrag Kovacevic welcomed decision of RS Government and Commission for Audit of Privatization to start the process of audit of privatization of all banks. Kovacevic called Amor Bukic, RS Chief Prosecutor, to inform public about the status of the reports of Chief Auditor regarding banking system and conduct the investigation in the case of ‘Vitol’ (Kovacevic mentioned RS President Cavic is often connected with the affair).

Austrian bank BA-CA might block account of ‘Energopetrol’

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Possible new blockade of Energopetrol’ account’ by M. Rener – Commission for co-capitalization of ‘Energopetrol’ oil company confirmed the contract on co-capitalization of the company would not be initialed before Tuesday although the Austrian bank BA-CA gave 31^st of July as deadline for the initialing of the contract in order not to block the account of ‘Energopetrol’.

VL: Many companies interested in privatization of ‘Aluminij’ of Mostar

Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Aluminij, Feal Sibenik’s TLM and HEP together’, by Zoran Kresic – following adoption of changes to the Law on privatization of companies by the FBiH Parliament, VL notes that many domestic and foreign companies, including companies from Croatia, want to be in charge of ‘Aluminij’ because 88% of shares (owned by the FBiH and ‘Aluminij’s’ workers) will be offered for sale when the FBiH Government decides to do so. According to the head of regional office of the Croatian Economic Chamber located in Mostar, Zulfo Robovic, Croatia i.e. Croatian companies want to increase their stake in the ‘Aluminij’ (Sibenik-based ‘TLM’ has a 12% share) because numerous Croatian companies have strong business ties with ‘Aluminij’, such as ‘TLM’ (imports 50.000 tons of aluminium per year from ‘Aluminij’), Ploce Port (through which ‘Aluminij’ exports its products, and Croatian ‘Elektroprivreda’ (HEP) (which provides certain amount of electricity for ‘Aluminij’). VL learns that Siroki Brijeg-based ‘Feal’ also has an interest to take part in the privatization (two companies have strong business ties).

War Crimes

13^th anniversary of Bugojno massacre marked on Sunday

FTV – The 13^th anniversary of killings of Bosniaks by HVO in Vrbanja near Bugojno was marked on Sunday. HVO forces massacred 54 civilians and according to survivors they had no reason for such an act. Enver Sehic, one of the survivors, stated that all persons from Vrbanja are still suffering because the culprits haven’t been processed as yet although everyone knows who they are. Head of Bugojno Municipality, Hasan Ajkunic, stated that “we will do everything to serve the justice. We all know that justice is sometimes slow but we will endure”. The Chairman of BIH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic, said on the occasion that “culprits for this crime as well as for all other crimes must be found and punished since only truth and justice can build better future”. (also in Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Nobody was tried for crimes at Vrbanja’ by A.Ma, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘To establish state commission for war crimes’ by M.Ridzal)

HSP Djapic-Jurisic: Punish culprits of crimes committed against Croats at Stipica livade

RHB – HSP BiH ‘Djapic – Dr.Jurisic’ has issued a statement on the occasion of 13^th anniversary of crime on Stipica livade (near Jablanica), when 33 members of Croat Defence Council (HVO) and six Croat civilians were murdered. The party called on competent authorities to punish those responsible for this crime as soon as possible. HSP BiH ‘Djapic – Dr.Jurisic’ criticized ‘individuals from leading parties and institutions’ who attended the ceremony only in order to ‘collect some political points’. [Note: among others, Croat member of BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic and HDZ BiH President Dragan Covic attended the ceremony] (also covered by Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Unpunished crimes on Stipica livade’ by FENA

ICTY Chief Prosecutor Del Ponte tells off admiration for Milosevic

Washington Post, Guardian ‘Del Ponte tells of admiration for Milosevic’ by Ian Traynor – ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte on Saturday voiced admiration for and fascination with “her most formidable opponent”, late Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic. Del Ponte declared him superior to the dozens of other suspects who have been in the dock at the tribunal in The Hague. She told German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: “The way he questioned certain witnesses was fascinating… He really knew how to deal with people. I admired that. He was the only accused who mounted his own defence alone… Milosevic always spoke out. He had been the president of Yugoslavia. He was head and shoulders above the rest.” Milosevic died in custody in his detention cell in The Hague earlier this year, almost five years after being flown there following his overthrow in Belgrade.

Elections

Candidates for October elections must deliver a filled-out form on personal property

RHB – After BiH Central Election Commission (CEC) has completed a process of verifying the lists of candidates for the coming October elections, every verified candidate for state and entity institutions has a 15 day deadline – starting on a day he/she accepts the candidacy – to deliver a filled-out form on personal property. According to RHB presenter, the candidates for cantonal institutions have one month to do the same. BiH Law on Elections foresees that the form on personal property must include information on property that belongs to candidate, his/her marital partner, and members of his/her family that the candidate is legally obligated to support. CEC verified a total number of 773 lists of candidates, or 7,245 candidates. (also covered by Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Candidates must fulfil property cards’ by FENA, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Property status revealed’ unsigned, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Politicians’ income status’ by t. i.)