| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| 3 war crimes suspects arrested in MO | Three war crimes suspects arrested | Three arrested for war crimes |
| Reactions on Radic’s apprehension | 2. day of the conference inSarajevo | EC on police reform |
| May Dawns 1992-2006 manifestation | Applications for elections certified | Tihic in Opatija |
| Cavic on referendum in RS | OSCE & OHR on law on h. education | CoM on VAT |
SIPA arrests in Mostar |
| SIPA arrested three war crimes suspects in Mostar | Hayat by Alem Karamesic – Acting on the basis of the order of BiH Prosecutor’s Office, SIPA Special Unit apprehended Marko Radic, Damir Brekalo and Dragan Sunjic. RHB – SIPA suspects in Mostar on Friday morning. According to SIPA announcement, they have been apprehended on three different locations in Mostar and handed over to the BiH Prosecutor’s Office for further processing. According to presenter, Radic – former HVO Commander – was on the list of persons suspected of committing war crimes, which was forwarded to the Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office in Mostar by The Hague Prosecution in 2004. Radic is indicted for torturing prisoners of war, especially in camp ‘Vojno’ near Mostar. BHT1 – The arrested have been transferred to BIH Court and put into custody. SIPA Spokesperson Admir Katica confirmed the arrest adding that the action was successfully conducted and that up to that moment 12 persons in total have been arrested under suspicion for committing war crimes. PINK – Radic [President of the Mostar City Association of Croat Defence Council HVO Veterans of Patriotic War] was the Chief of the Police Station Mostar after the war but was dismissed by the High Representative at that time due to the incident, which happened in 1997 in Liska street in Mostar when the police had fight with group of Bosniaks. The indictment regarding camp ‘Vojno’ charges six Croats for keeping Bosniak men, women and children in prison. FTV – BIH Court Spokesperson Boris Grubesic confirmed that the action has been organized upon their request refusing to reveal the names of the arrestees. RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Marko Radic, Damir Brekalo and Dragan Sunjic arrested’ by F.Vele, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Three arrested for war crime’ by A.S., Dnevni List cover splash, pgs 2-3 ‘Special unit scares Croat children’ by Nevres Dedic, Vecernji List cover splash, pg 3 ‘Fright on children’s faces’ by Robert Soldo also covered. |
| Associations of HVO Veterans, HDZ, BiH Pres member Jovic condemned ‘brutal’ apprehension of Marko Radic | RHB – Association of HVO Veterans of Patriotic War has sent an open letter to Croat officials in BiH, strongly protesting against the way apprehension of this Association’s President Marko Radic was conducted on Friday morning. ‘To arrest a man while he was taking his children to school, a man that always responded to court summons, is an impudent and unnecessary demonstration of force’, is said in this letter. Association of HVO Veterans of Patriotic War urged all Croat officials in BiH to do all they can to clear up this case, and to protect Croat interests in BiH; special session of the Association of HVO Veterans of Patriotic War is scheduled for Monday. Association of Families of killed and disappeared Croat soldiers, and HVO Disabled Veterans of Patriotic War also condemned the ‘forcible apprehension of Radic’. HDZ also made an announcement on the occasion of the apprehension of three Croats on Friday morning in Mostar. ‘This apprehension is another message to Croats: leave, or you will be prosecuted’, HDZ said. FTV – Croat Association of Veterans of Mostar City protested over the brutal and dictatorship manner the former Commander of HVO Second Brigade Marko Radic has been arrested in the action carried in Mostar on Friday. The Association claimed that this arrest was an attack on the entire Association and Croatian people in BIH. RTRS – BiH Presidency member Ivo Miro Jovic is shocked with the demonstration of force at the presence of children during the arrest of Radic. Dnevni List pgs 2-3 ‘Associations demand resignation of Barisa Colak’ by V.Soldo – Association of HVO Veterans of Patriotic War official stated: “If [BiH Security Minister] Barisa Colak knew about this shameful action, and I believe he knew, he should resign.” Dnevni Avaz pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Marko Radic, Damir Brekalo and Dragan Sunjic arrested’ by F.Vele – Inset ‘Jovic worried’ – also carried. |
| DL op-ed: BiH Security Minister Colak should resign after SIPA action in Mostar | Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Attack on children’ op-ed by Ivica Glibusic – Commenting Friday’s SIPA apprehension of war crimes suspect Marko Radic in Mostar, editorial reads that it has been done in uncivilised manner, before the eyes of children, adding that such action was completely necessary for Radic has always been responding to court’s call. Author invited BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak to resign for moral reasons, for he took part in appointing SIPA leadership. |
Police reform |
| BiH Foreign Minister Ivanic and EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn in Brussels discussed SAA talks; police reform important and inevitable | BHT1 By Elvir Bucalo, Brussels – During the meeting with BIH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic in Brussels on Friday, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn stated that technically, Sarajevo was accomplishing the conditions set in the Stabilization and Association Agreement [SAA], while the political side is questionable precisely the issue of police reform. Ivanic stated: “technically looking, the SAA can be signed by the end of the year. Nevertheless, some of the political issues were stressed at the meeting with the special emphasis put on the police reform. EC expects this issue to be dealt with utter seriousness since failure in this matter might lead to not signed agreement”. Ivanic deems that a political agreement on police reform that would be adopted by RS as well must be reached by the middle of June when the next round of SAA negotiations is scheduled. It was also reiterated the importance and inevitability of the police reform. EU Commission for Enlargement spokesperson Kristina Nagy, stated at the occasion that “it was clearly said to Sarajevo that the issues of ICTY cooperation, reform of Public Broadcasting Service and police reform are going to be under special magnifying glass”. PINK – Ivanic said in the phone interview: “Rehn believes that the process of the police reform is slow. Rehn believes that the blockade of the police reform could endanger signing of SAA. I gave certain proposals on how to unblock the present situation. BiH politicians should reach the compromise and to eliminate this last problem. I hope that this situation will be unblocked in the following month and that we will show readiness to take the responsibility and reach the agreement in Sevilla, which will be acceptable for all so we can sign the SAA”. RHB – Rehn expressed great concern over the slowdown in the police reform process, emphasizing that domestic institutions have to find appropriate solution as soon as possible. Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Olli Rehn is worried by freeze of police reform’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘EU dissatisfied with blockade of police reform’ by D.R., Dnevni List pg 6 ‘To sign the Agreement by end of year’ – also covered. |
| BiH Foreign Minister Ivanic: SIPA should take over serious crimes; basic security should remain on entity and cantonal police | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Brussels is worried for blockade of police reform’ by S.Numanovic – Following the meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn in Brussels, in a short interview for DA, BIH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic said that “all serious criminal cases should be taken of entity and transferred to state institutions, on already existing police structure of SIPA… Basic security of citizens would remain on lower levels of authority – entities and cantons.” Proposing for all the budget competences to be transferred to the state level, Ivanic denied that his proposal is in discordance with the Agreement on police structure reached in October 2005. |
| RS Association of Defendologists organized round table in Banja Luka on Friday under the title “Political and professional aspects of the police reform in RS and BiH | RTRS By Stela Jungic – RS Association of Defendologists organized round table under the title “Political and professional aspects of the police reform in RS and BiH in Banja Luka on Friday. RS Association of DefendologistsChair Dusko Vejnovic stated: “Police should be serving interest of the community and citizens, not the interest of oligarchy, bureaucracy or elites…” Chair of the International Police Management Symposium Dilip Das believes that the BiH should have decentralized police such as in Great Britain, US, Canada, Japan etc. “I believe that police here should be localized, decentralized and working in smaller groups in local areas”, said Das. At the very beginning, SDA representatives left the round table. “This is about repulsive instrumentation of the police reform”, said SDA’s Tarik Sadovic. RS National Assembly Committee for the defence and security Chair Velimir Sakan said that future decisions of the Police Reform Directorate Steering Board would be unacceptable for the RS. Sakan said that the RS would insist on the agreement on the police reform, by which all the decisions should be brought by consensus and should be in accordance with the RS and BiH Constitutions. PINK – BiH House of Representatives deputy Petar Kunic stated that PRD SB does not respect the agreement on the police reform. FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Entities MoIs should remain’ by Srna, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Solution on police is being imposed’ Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Direction forgoing the Agreement’ by D.Momic – also carried. |
| Hayat: Even if PRD makes all necessary decisions, they would not be accepted in RS | Hayat by Lejla Gutlic – According to Hayat reporter, even if BiH Police Reform Directorate [PRD] makes all the necessary decisions, they would not be accepted in RS. RS officials claim that the process of police reform will fail if the principle of consensus is not obeyed and, according to RS President Dragan Cavic, not a single political party in RS would support police regions that cross entity borders. RS National Assembly Speaker Igor Radojicic emphasized that RS would not support the proposal of the police reform, adopted by eight members of PRD Steering Board, because it is not in line with the recommendations of RS NA. RS Minister of Interior Stanislav Cadjo said that the proposed model of police structure in BiH, with only two levels – local and state level – is unacceptable for RS. Reporter tried to explain how it is possible that PRD Steering Board can make such important decisions with simple majority, instead of consensus. Consensus is in fact necessary for PRD SB to make any decisions in regular procedure; however, if there is no consensus, than the rules of extraordinary procedure apply, which is when it is possible to pass a decision with only simple majority. Representatives of Serb people in the BiH Council of Ministers voted in favour of such way of making decisions in the PRD SB; Hayat reporter ended this report commenting that this proves that members of BiH CoM adopt many decisions and rulebooks without even knowing what they have voted for. |
| Head of EUPM Coppola on police reform: Not a single decision was brought against RS; RS demands are not completely clear | Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘RS demands are not completely clear’, pg 5 ‘Not a single decision was brought against RS’ by Edina Sarac – Commenting work of Police Reform Directorate [PRD], in an interview for DA Head of EUPM Vicenzo Coppola stated: “Unfortunately, we only made to agree on partial solutions, but my message is that we are not quitting and we will continue working on technical issues. It would be silly to hide the fact that we have no troubles within PRD Steering Board, and these are stances and demands from RS, that are not completely clear to me.” Noting that RS representatives took role of observers in work of PRD SB, Coppola stressed: “That can bring us certain troubles, but it is their right to do what they want. Still, we are working and making decisions, although RS does not want to participate. PRD SB will keep on working even if they withdraw their representatives… I hope that this would not happen… It is absolutely clear. It has not been done anything so far against RS, I state that with full responsibility… I did not hear not a single argument for their decision on not participating in work of PRD SB… Problem is that they are not only refusing to participate in work of PRD, but they are refusing police reform itself.” Coppola directly accused RS politicians for the present situation: “It is the RS politicians who prejudice issues, they are the ones that are leading the whole thing in wrong direction, not us.” Inset ‘Political influence on work of Direction’ – Coppola noted that it is quite normal that PRD SB are instructed by the political leadership, adding that in case of RS, politicians are not counseling their representative, they obstruct his work. |
| Head of SDA Caucus in RSNA Sadovic: Dodik is stopping police reform due to elections | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Dodik is stopping the process due to elections’ by Fena – Head of SDA Caucus in RS National Assembly Tarik Sadovic accused leading RS politicians, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik above others, for stopping police reform due to elections: “Instead of letting experts do their job and create a model of police structure on which judicial and executive authority will take stances, we have instrumentalisation and manipulation by all possible means.” Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Dodik is leading stoppers of police reform’, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Dodik is stopping police reform’ by Fena – also carries. |
Debate on RS referendum initiative |
| EU finds referendum initiative unacceptable | RHB – European Union deems that the initiative for organizing referendum for secession of RS from BiH is unacceptable. ‘Let’s not forget that BiH functions on the basis of the Dayton Constitution, while the Constitution of Serbia-Montenegro allows the possibility of referendum for independence’, unnamed source from the European Commission stated after BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic held a meeting with the EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn. FTV – A confidential source from EU stated to HINA news agency, that Rehn categorically rejected the initiative to launch the referendum on separation from RS. Ivanic stated that EU deems that this issue shouldn’t be even discussed. BHT1By Elvir Bucalo, Brussels – Reporter stated that EU officials did not want to comment the RS call on organizing referendum similar to Montenegrin, considering it to be mere pre-election campaign. RTRS – Rehn said that RS should not demand the referendum and compare RS and Montenegro since the referendum in Montenegro was in accordance with the SCG Constitution. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Brussels is worried for blockade of police reform’ by S.Numanovic, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘EU: Ideas on RS referendum are not acceptable’ by Hina – |
| EU High Representative Solana: We will not allow splitting of BiH | Dnevni Avaz pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘We will not allow splitting of BiH’ by S.N. – Commenting recent statements on RS referendum, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana stated for daily: “International Community has a clear stance: Dayton Agreement recognized BiH as sovereign and independent state. RS is part of that state, which is also clearly defined by DPA. As an entity withing BiH, RS is obliged to work within frames of constitutionally agreed structures. So, RS does not have right or authorities to organize or hold referendum. IC will not allow BiH’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to be threatened.” |
| Belkic believes that secessionist movements will not emerge in RS | RHB – SBiH Vice President Beriz Belkic believes that secessionist movements will not emerge in RS. He expressed regret that politicians from RS often call upon citizens to reduce their right to BiH. Belkic stressed that he is against division of BiH on the basis of ethnic borders, and added that the internal organisation of BiH should be discussed. Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘There will be no secessionist movements in RS’ – also carried. |
| RS Veterans’ Organization support referendum in RS | RTRS By Sandra Zrnic – Chair of the RS Veterans’ Organization Pantelija Curguz called for the referendum on RS secession due to the frequent attacks on the RS: “We believe that the only way is that we mobilize our resources and call and motivate Serb people to show its determination by the referendum”. Regional Association of refugees and displaced persons from Bijeljina gave its support to the referendum. |
| SPONA to organize meeting on secession of RS in Banja Luka in June | Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Meeting on RS secession is being scheduled’ by T.Calic – Article reads that in spite of OHR warnings, RS NGO SPONA is organizing meeting to support RS secession during this month. The meeting will point out whether RS Nation Assembly be demanded to schedule referendum on secession. SPONA president Branislav Dukic stated that PDHR Larry Butler refers to Dayton Peace Agreement only when Serbs are in question. Serb People’s Movement ‘Choice is ours’ Dane Cankovic stated that his organisation will keep on collecting signatures supporting secession until they achieve their goal – ‘free RS, singled out from BiH’. |
| RS President Cavic: Smartest thing for Bosniaks and Croats would be if they do not raise issue of legitimacy of RS, for it would encourage all those that are advocating for policy of secessiona | Glas Srpske, Glas Plus pgs 2-3 ‘One who demolishes RS, demolishes BiH as well’ by Zarko Markovic – In an interview for GS RS President Dragan Cavic explains that the only reason why the issue of RS referendum on secession is raised, was because of “political aggressiveness towards RS, and recent calls for its abolition”. Cavic stressed: “I think that referendum in RS can be only a product of situation if RS is threatened to the point that there is no other way of defence but to defend by people’s will and so solve its status within BiH.” Denying any connection between status of Kosovo and Montenegrin referendum with BiH intern issues, Cavic added: “The smartest thing for Bosniaks and Croats would be if they do not raise issue of legitimacy of RS, for that is the only way to move all political ambient into radicalism and encourage all those that are advocating for policy of secession.” Cavic also commented constitutional changes, police reform, Commission on suffering of Sarajevo citizens, RS insignia, repeating his previous stances. |
Law on Higher Education |
| OSCE and OHR urge all political parties and parliamentary delegates to adopt the Law on Higher Education as soon as possible | RHB – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Office of High Representative (OHR) assessed that the adoption of the Draft Law on Higher Education in BiH Council of Ministers is only the first, although important, step in the process of the adoption of this law in the BiH Parliament. The full adoption of the Law on Higher Education is an obligation BiH has taken on in the context of her European Partnership commitments: the state also has a responsibility to ensure appropriate procedures for accreditation, recognition of diplomas and quality assurance in line with Bologna principles, OHR and OSCE said. Both organisations strongly urged all political parties and parliamentary delegates to ensure that this law, which should provide an appropriate legal framework for implementing country’s obligations regarding Bologna Declaration and Lisbon Convention, is adopted as soon as possible. BiH Council of Ministers passed the proposal of this law on its session on Thursday. Serb Ministers did support this proposal of law. PINK, Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Call on deputies to support proposed law’ by S.Gojkovic, M. Rener Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘To adopt Law on Higher education in BiH Parliament’ – also carried. |
| UK Ambassador Rycroft welcomes the adoption of the Draft Law on Higher Education | RHB – British Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft welcomed the adoption of the Draft Law on Higher Education in BiH Council of Ministers. He reminded that the new Law, which is in line with the Bologna process, was among the conditions for BiH admission into the Council of Europe, and also very important for the talks on Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union. Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘BiH Parliament members must think of needs of youth’ by Fena Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Call on deputies to support proposed law’ by S.Gojkovic, M. Rener – also covered. |
| PDP’s Borenovic invited RS MP’s in BiH Parliament not to vote for proposed BiH Law on higher education | RTRS – PDP Presidency member Branislav Borenovic invited RS Representatives at the BiH Parliament not to vote for the proposed BiH law on higher education, which was passed by BiH Council of Ministers by outvoting Serb members. Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘PDP will not vote for proposals harmful for RS’ by N.N. – also covered. |
| RS politicians condemning BiH CoM decision on Law on Higher Education | Glas Srpske cover splash ‘Fake destroyed the agreement’ by M.Filipovic, Z.Domazet – Article carries thatadoption of the Draft Law on Higher Education in BiH Council of Ministers is done by bogus, carrying statements of RS Education Minister Anton Kasipovic, Deputy BiH Civil Affairs Minister Zoran Tesanovic, SDS’ Momcilo Novakovic, SNSD’s Dusanka Majkic all of them condemning decision of BiH CoM, announcing lack of support for this proposal in BiH House of Representatives. |
Economy |
| Economic-Scientific Council: effects of the VAT introduction better than expected | BHT1 By Irena Kljajic – BIH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic and members of the Economic-Scientific Council [ESC] discussed the effects of the Value Added Tax [VAT] introduction. It was concluded that in the first 5 months of the collection of Vat income was satisfactory while it was expressed concern with the allocation of the VAT collected assets. Terzic stressed at the occasion that although CoM is responsible for introduction f the VAT, the entity Governments are responsible for its allocation announcing the serious discussion over spending the assets during the official visit of IMF delegation: “The information we have today is alarming since entity and cantonal Governments spend the surplus on the things that do not cause the reproduction.” ESC claims that the black market has been deceased as well as that the export-import is breaking even for more than 50%. ESC Chair Muris Cicic said: “Nevertheless, we are rather precautious because of the tendency of the income to come under control in the regional countries that have introduced VAT”. Reporter noted that RS Government refuses to consult the service of the economic-scientific council because the issue of the coefficient for the allocation of the assets from the joint account would be soon discussed. Hayat – On the basis of analysis for the first three months of 2006, ESC deem that the effects of VAT introduction are better than expected. Since the revenues of the state have been significantly increased since the VAT introduction at the beginning of 2006, it was announced that the VAT rate could be reduced. However, Terzic was not able to say when it could happen, asking for a time to conduct serious analysis. FTV By Zlata Behram – ESC’s Aziz Sunje stated that export-import rate reveals the BIH is becoming the organized state. Reporter added that there should be some kind of precautiousbecause of the experiences of other countries at the same time. It is expected to have the income growing and in the case it remains the same. PINK – ESC works within Economic Planning Unit and should be counseling body to BiH CoM Chair, ministries and entities’ governments. Cicic said that the Economic Planning Unit gives good results and analyses. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘VAT introduction reduced grey economy’ by T.Lazovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Without control of public income surplus’ by R.Cengic, Oslobodjenje ‘Decreasing VAT rate is possible’ by S.Rozajac, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘VAT effects better than expected’ by D.P.Mandic – also covered. |
| ITA made payment for the BiH institutions but not for the entities, foreign debt and reserves | FTV – Indirect Taxation Administration [ITA] made payment from the single account of the assets to the BiH institutions while the assets haven’t been allocated to the entities. It is expected to solve the current situation at the meeting of BIH Fiscal Council scheduled on Monday. ITA Steering Board session is scheduled on Tuesday when it is expected to solve the issue of assets allocation. BIH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic said: “This is another attempt to create the chaos, and show that revolution that was organised on January 1, 2005 was not good and unsustainable so we could go back to the system when entities are feeding the state with a tea spoon. I am convinced that it is impossible to be done as well as the IC will harshly react on this… State cannot be blocked it is not responsible for the collection of the VAT income, so regardless to the set coefficient, state gets the income. What is done by RS will not have any effect, the system of BIH accounts will not be changed but than again they will not get the money.” RTRS By Marina Marjanovic – RS Minister of Finance, Aleksandar Dzombic proposed allocation of the resources in accordance with the temporary base and existing coefficients. After the single account has been blocked for several week, ITA Steering Board passed temporary decision on allocation of the resources by June 1st. By this decision, 65,7% is assigned to FBiH, 30,5% is assigned to RS while 3,8% to Brcko District. Due to the application of fixed instead of temporary coefficients last year, RS claims that was damaged for 40 million KM from the single account. Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 4, mentioned on cover ‘Dixon blocked money for entities and foreign debts’ by T.Lazovic – ITA Director Kemal Causevic confirmed for daily that ITA SB Chair Joly Dixon ordered blocking of money allocation for entities and foreign debts: “We allocated only money for state institutions and VAT refund reserve, everything else is blockaded.” Inset ‘OHR and European Commission are informed’ also covered. Nezavisne Novine pg 4, mentioned on cover ‘Money only for state institutions’ by R.Cengic, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Blockade of single account in perspective’ by D.P.Mandic – also covered. |
| NN op-ed: Economy instead of talks on Constitution | Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘Economy ahead!’ by Slavko Mitrovic – Criticizing FBiH for failure of constitutional changes, OHR and International Community for not respecting RS stances on police reform, editorial reads that BiH should turn over to economy when everything else is a failure: “Better life of every individual is the only possible basis for BiH as common state.” Author notes that only economy could bring mutual trust and prosperity, adding that every other agreement would be much easier to reach if the economy is brought on higher level. |
Other political issues |
| BiH Presidency Chair Tihic met Croatian President Mesic in Opatija; issue of Ploce harbour and Peljesac Bridge to be discussed by experts | RHB – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic and Croatian President Stjepan Mesic agreed in Opatija, Croatia on Friday that relations between two countries are progressing and improving well, adding however, that there are still some outstanding issues that have to be settled – such as the use of the Croatian seaport of Ploce, Peljesac bridge and passage through Neum – so that they will not burden the relations in the future. Two officials met on the margins of a two-day summit of Southeast European countries and UNESCO called ‘Communication of Heritage: A New Vision of Southeast Europe’ in Opatija. PINK – Tihic and Mesic believe that Kosovo situation has no connection with the situation in BiH. Tihic and Mesic reported that all opened issues between BiH and Croatia should be solved as soon as possible. BHT1 – Tihic emphasised issues of Peljesac bridge and Ploce harbour should be dealt in accordance with the European standards: “We should see how this situation would be solved in EU and than to follow the example in order to avoid burdening the relations between the two countries”. Mesic noted that the issues couldn’t be discussed by the two presidents but by the expert teams formed for the occasion. FTVBy Zinaida Hamidovic – Reporter said that Mesic heard how the bridge would be too expensive to construct so he would abandon the entire project and instead he would ask BIH for concession. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Tihic and Mesic powerless in solving disputes’ by Darjan Zadravec, Dnevni Avaz pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Issue of Ploce, Neum and Peljesac bridge must be solved’ by Admir Malagic, Vecernji List pg 8 ‘Tunnel instead of Peljesac bridge’ by N.K., Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Open issues with Croatia shold be solved’ by Hina/R.D. – also covered. |
| BiH Presidency Chair Tihic met Montenegrin President Vujanovic in Opatija; regional countries should recognize Montenegro | PINK – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic met with Filip Vujanovic, Montenegro President. Vujanovic said that his country would appreciate if BiH would be among the first countries to recognize the independence of Montenegro. Tihic believes that all countries in the Region should be among the first countries to recognize the independence of Montenegro. Hayat – At the same time, BiH Presidency member Ivo Miro Jovic received the delegation of Parliament and non-governmental organisations form Montenegro and Kosovo. During the meeting, they emphasized the importance of democratic society in the countries of the region. RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Kosovo, Montenegrin and Slovenian parliamentarians in BiH’ – also covered |
| CEC completed the certification of political parties and independent candidates for participation in the October elections | RHB – The BiH Central Election Commission [CEC] completed the process of certification of political parties and independent candidates for participation in the October elections, CEC President Branko Petric announced on Friday. 48 political parties and 13 independent candidates have submitted applications for the October elections; only one independent candidate was not certified, because he was under OHR sanctions. PINK – Petric said that CEC respected the law in the process of the certification. One of the requirements for the certification of the application is to sign the statement on respect of Dayton Peace Agreement in BiH. FTV – One political party (The Green Party) hasn’t been verified for the state level because of the insufficient number of the support votes. Lidija Korac Deputy Chair of CEC stated that CEC would punish all parties that violate the law adding “CEC can ban the party from running the elections in October but the permanent ban can be only issued by other BIH Institutions”. Hayat, BHT1, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ’48 parties and 12 independent candidates certified’ by L.Sinanovic, Oslobodjenje pg 2, mentioned on cover ’35 candidates for BiH Presidency’ by A.Terzic, Nezavisne Novine pg 6, mentioned on cover ’48 parties and 12 independent candidates on elections’ by N.Krsman, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Commission is calling on respecting law’ by Dario Pusic, Vecernji List pg 2 ’48 parties on elections’ – also carried |
| HR organizes meeting with leaders of six most influential BiH parties | Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Schilling: Stronger EU approach’ by zk – Article carries that High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schillingwill organize meeting with six leading BiH political parties on June 19. Meeting is organized in order to discuss constitutional changes and October elections. Daily learns that EU will take stronger approach to constitutional changes after October elections. VL alleges that HDZ, SDP, SDA, SNSD, SDS and PDP leaders are invited to the meeting. |
