OHR BiH Media Round-up, 4/10/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

Croatia , Turkey talks with EU

Cro, Turkey start EU accession talks

EU on BiH

BiH will not start SAA talks

Gotovina case

EU on SiCG

US offensive in Iraq

Situation in Iraq

Croatia starts EU accession talks

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Croatia fully cooperating with ICTY

RS Gov. on its police proposal

Start of negotiations on SAA for BiH

EU reached an agreement on Turkey

FBiH HoP on Laws on apartments

Croatia and Turkey to start SAA neg.

SCG will start negotiations on SAA

Meeting in Luxembourg

No new proposal on police reform

Ashdown on meeting in Luxembourg

World News

Srebrenica Task Force report

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Accident in B. Luzani

Start of negotiations on SAA for BiH

Police reform process in BiH

Children’s Week

IC urges RS to accept EC principles

Meeting in Luxembourg : the results

RS Gov. on its police proposal

No new proposal on police reform

NATO’s Deputy Commander in BiH

IC representatives on police

SiCG to start negotiations on SAA

SDS delivers financial report to OHR

Oslobodjenje

BiH not to start negotiations by Dayton Anniversary

Dnevni Avaz

Survival of RS jeopardized without police reform

Dnevni List

Del Ponte: Croatia fully cooperates with The Hague

Vecernji List

Yes to Croatia

Slobodna Dalmacija

Debt amounting to 22 millions KM invented in order to eliminate Ina

Nezavisne Novine

No commencement of talks with BiH

Glas Srpske

He visited his tombstone! (on a Serb from Fatkovici presumed dead by his family)

EuroBlic

Dealers in Bosnia work for European drug-bosses

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related topics

Srpski Nacional

Features Serbian related topics

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

RHB feature on BiH not starting SAA talks

RHB– Commenting on the news from Brussels that BiH will not start the SAA talks by 10^th anniversary of DPA, Radio Herceg-Bosna notices that the BiH public got disappointed with the news. Furthermore, RHB notices that the dominating emotion in the headlines in the BiH newspapers is disappointment. Announcing that the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board will meet on Thursday to discuss the situation, RHB notes that the RS authorities are yet to seriously realize what is really happening given that they have asked for additional explanation regarding the police reform from Brussels.

OHR satisfied with the Srebrenica Commission report

SRNA– OHR spokesperson Oleg Milisic stated that the OHR is satisfied with the report of the Srebrenica Commission on the units that took part in the crimes committed in wider Srebrenica region in 1995. He added that the OHR will confirm that the RS Government has met its obligations if all the members of the Commission today sign the report. Milisic underlined that no names from the report will be made public to ensure that subsequent investigations, prosecutions, and eventual convictions, are not undermined. The report and the documents will be forwarded to the ICTY and the BiH Prosecutors Office. “OHR expects ICTY and BIH Prosecutors will prioritise their investigations to focus initially on individuals who are still holding an office in RS or BiH institutions,” stated Milisic.

EU Foreign Ministes mtg / Police reform

EU Foreign Ministers: BiH not to start negotiations by Dayton Anniversary; Croatia and SCG start with SAA talks

PINK, FTV, RTRS, BHT1, FTV, Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘BiH not to start negotiations by Dayton Anniversary’, Dnevni Avaz cover page, pg 2 ‘Survival of RS jeopardized without police reform’, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘No commencement of talks with BiH’, pg 3 ‘No talks with BiH over rejection of police reform’ by P.Klincov, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Another train leaves the station’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Luxembourg’– Due to the fact that RS Government rejected the police reform in line with the set EU principles, BiH will not start the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU on the tenth anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement, stated EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Luxembourg. The Council of EU Ministers expressed its disappointment with the RS National Assembly decision to reject the latest proposal on police reform, which met the three basic EU principles. Participants at the meeting in Luxembourg reaffirmed that EU is ready to open SAA negotiations with BiH as soon as all the necessary conditions are fulfilled, hopefully before the end of the year. BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 4 inset ‘Karadzic and Mladic must go to the Hague’ – Daily carries that the EU officials welcomed significant progress made by the SCG which enabled the EC to recommend the beginning of the SAA negotiation. However, it was stressed that the negotiations cannot be completed before the arrests of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. Both print and electronic media widely covered both SCG and Croatia opening talks with EU. 

Warning by Ashdown, McElhaney, Humphreys, Rycroft: ‘RS government must decide: Europe or isolation’

RTRS, Hayat, FTV, Dnevni Avaz cover page, pg 2 ‘Survival of RS jeopardized without police reform’, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘RS government must decide: Europe or isolation’, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Last warning to RS authorities expires’ by N. Bise, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘It is necessary that RS accepts reform’ by B. Kristo, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘No commencement of talks with BiH’, pg 3 ‘No talks with BiH over rejection of police reform’ by P.Klincov, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Another train leaves the station’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Isolation is approaching’- The HR Paddy Ashdown, the US Ambassador in BiH Douglas McElhaney, the UK Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft and the Head of the EC delegation to BiH, Michael Humphreys issued a joint statement reminding that ten days have passed since their press conference in which it was set out what was at stake for the RS and BiH by refusing to agree to police restructuring in line with the EC principles. Statement reads that the RS Government has still not found a way forward and reminds that on Friday it produced a proposal, which the EC has once again said does not meet its principles. “This week is an important week – a week in which the EU will take key decisions on enlargement, and the PIC SB at Political Director level from capitals will meet in Sarajevo on Thursday to consider the way forward for BiH. The clock is ticking for BiH and for the RS. This matter must be resolved in days. The RS authorities have a clear choice: to find a solution that chooses Europe, or to risk isolation. So they must think again and act to meet the EC’s three principles in time for Thursday’s PIC Steering Board meeting,” concludes the statement.

Ashdown: RS has clear choice, to find solution or risk isolation

RHB, Hayat, BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 inset ‘Ashdown: How long BiH will be delayed on the road to Europe’, Oslobodjenje pg 5 inset ‘BiH’s progress stopped’- Commenting on the conclusions of the EU Foreign Minister meeting, the High Representative Paddy Ashdown stated: “The difference could not be starker. Five years after the fall of [Slobodan] Milosevic, Serbia and Montenegro – once behind BiH on the road to Europe – races ahead together with the rest of the region.  Ten years after the Dayton Peace Agreement, BiH’s progress towards the EU is stalled due to the RS Governments refusal to accept EC principles in Police reform. The question now is for how much longer RS politicians will delay BiH’s progress towards the EU. The clock is ticking. The RS authorities have a clear choice: to find a solution that chooses Europe, or to risk isolation.” RTRS comments that Ashdown has marked the RS as the sole culprit for the blockade of BiH’s path towards the Europe .

Reactions to EU Foreign Ministers’ conclusion on BiH: BiH politicians deem decision as unjust

Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Halilovic: All this reminds of injustice from 1992’, by A. M. – Avaz notes that announcement by the EU Foreign Ministers which says BiH will not be able to start the SAA talks on the 10^th anniversary of the DPA has been labeled by BiH political parties as scandalous and unjust, requesting that the RS directly punished as the responsible party. Vice President of SDA, Sefik Dzaferovic, says it is high time the RS stopped with obstructions because of which whole of BiH is suffering, saying the RS should be facing institutional sanctions in case the entity does not accept the three EC police principles in next few days. Leader of SBiH, Safet Halilovic, says some powers that be from Serbia-Montenegro are sending the RS messages to block reform processes, including the police reform, which reminds Halilovic of the policy from 1992 when BiH was left to the mercy of those who reached for BiH’s independency. Deputy President of SDU, Miro Lazovic, says his party has on several occasions warned of behind-the-stage projects and unprincipled policy of the IC, including the involvement of the Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica. He believes that obstructions coming from the RS are proves that the Dayton agreement has suffered a defeat, therefore Lazovic advocates for the revision of it. RTRS – SNSD’s Nebojsa Radmanovic commented that the RS politicians must had expected such decision from the Luxembourg, as it was obvious BiH did not meet conditions. On the other hand, member of Serb Radical Party Milanko Mihajlica told RTRS that OHR and EC will surely reject any proposal that does not foresee the abolishing of the RS Police.

RS Govt seeks further explanations from Brussels

RTRS – Following the extraordinary session held on Monday, the RS Government announced that the concept on police reform proposed by the RS authorities last Friday was in accord with the three basic EU principles; however, since there are different interpretations of those principles, the Government requested from the European institutions in Brussels to clarify them, stated RS Minister of Internal Affairs Darko Matijasevic. FTV, RHB, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘They request for interpretation from institutions in Brussels’, Oslobodjenje pg 5, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘They demand interpretation of principles from Brussels’ by V.Popovic, nevni List pg 3 ‘Government demands explanation’ not signed, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Interpretations from Brussels necessary’ by G.Dakic – RS Government also believes that different kinds of pressure will not help in solving the issue of police reform. Additionally, the Government requests the answers on functioning of the other RS institutions, whose activities are closely linked with policing. In this context, the RS Government regards as insufficiently substantiated the guarantees given by the IC representatives that police reform is the last great reform for RS before admission into the EU. It was stated that after receiving the responses and clear interpretations with regard to the above mentioned questions, the RS Government will determine the next course of action, not excluding plebiscite as the final form of finding a solution to this matter.  BHT 1 – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated that it is not a problem for RS police to be a part of future BiH Police. “If that is a problem for someone, than we won’t be able to find an agreement”, said Dodik. Political analyst Tanja Topic believes that RS Government doesn’t have many options left, other than accepting the proposal of the EC.

Humphreys: Principles already discussed at length during all meetings

RHB, Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Humphreys: RS Government’s moves are disappointing’– Following the extraordinary session of the RS Government, the Head of the EC delegation to BiH, Michael Humphreys, stated that it “is unfortunate that the RS government wants to conduct discussions [on police reform] through the media when it is clear that the proposal does not even meet the first of the three principles on which the EC insists, and that is exclusive state competency for policing in BiH.” Humphreys reiterated that the three principles have been discussed at length during all the meetings, adding it seems that there are people who still do not understand them.

Avaz’s source in PDP: Ivanic does not have written proposal on police reform

Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘Mladen Ivanic does not have police reform on paper’, by N. D. – According to an anonymous source from the PDP leadership, the PDP President, Mladen Ivanic, has not made a police reform proposal, which he has been talking about in past few days. Avaz’s source claims he is only talking to the IC about it. “Only when he finds out what could unify the RS Constitution with the three principles of the EC, Ivanic will present his proposal to the public (…) Until then, Ivanic has nothing new”, claims the source.

FTV ’60 minutes’ on police reform and Liplje meeting: Church saves SDS political rating; opposition joins to win votes; SDS to play martyr

FTV ’60 minutes’ current affairs programme, by Dragan Stanimirovic – FTV critically comments on the meeting organised by RS Government and the Serb Orthodox Church held in Monastery Liplje last week to discuss the police reform by saying that it was inappropriate to involve the church in state issues. Mentioning a high number of protests and strikes recently held in the RS due to, as 60 minutes says, SDS and PDP frauds, reporter ironically noted that when the HR Paddy Ashdown punished SDS for police obstruction by blocking their account, party’s leader Dragan Cavic cried out saying they have been banished from the political scene. FTV further comments that at this time the Orthodox Church appeared as saviour not of the “humiliated people” but of the SDS political rating, noting even the RS oppositional parties attended Liplje meeting trying to win some votes for the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, says the author, SDS still occupies positions in the most important positions in the government using every opportunity to exploit them. Report concludes that SDS will try, using all their powers, to libel their political allies, SDA, SBIH and HDZ, in order to secure victory at the upcoming elections and would once more play the role of martyr in the name of “divine nation”.

Patriot claims a failure of police reform planned by Svetlana Cenic

Patriot pgs 4-7 ‘A failed attempted of coup d’état?!’ by Slobodan Vaskovic – The author notes that as time passes by following failure of talks on police reform, the increasing number of information surfaces, showing that the rejection of reform does not hold so much “patriotic” intentions, but instead it is a well-planned action of individuals, especially Svetlana Cenic, RS Finance Minister and member of negotiating team of RS Government. Her aim was, according to author, to conduct a sort of coup d’état, dismantle SDS and take over authority with the support of the vast population dissatisfied with the offered solutions on police reform. Author notes Cenic has skilfully manipulated with everybody, including Dragan Cavic, Darko Matijasevic, Pero Bukejlovic andalso the international community. He claims that Matijasevic is not a participant of this plan of Cenic, but rather indirectly took part in its implementation by being a member of negotiating team and by having detained four members of Cavic’s security on Cenic’ allegation they were dogging every step Bukejlovic and Cenic made following orders’ of Cavic. Article claims that the latest list of 20 senior police officials at RS MoI (which, according to NN last week, OHR delivered to Matijasevic alleging they were involved in criminal activities) was a sort of warning to Interior Minister to declare himself as member of Cenic’ group or not. A diplomatic source told weekly “if Matijasevic fails to disassociate from Cenic and Bukejlovic, he will be declared head of that group. It he acknowledges the message, it is realistic to expect that those 20 bandits are interpreted as printing error. His latest moves show he has understood the message.” Source did not specify what sorts of moves Matijasevic made.

Other political and economic issues

FBiH HoP in session

RHB, PINK, BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Draft Law on Rights of War Medal Winners rejected’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Speaker does not want to talks about education’, pg 5 ‘War recognitions once again to be discussed’, pg 6 ‘Discussion on privatization of (nationalized) apartments postponed, Vecernji List pg 6 ‘Law blocked because of partisans’ by E. Medunjanin, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Law on sale of apartments on hold’ by D. Kozina – The FBiH House of Peoples postponed on Monday voting on a proposal of the law on changes and amendments to the law on sale of apartments with tenancy right for the next session, that is to take place in mid October. Also, representatives did not accept the report of the Commission for harmonization of the law on recipients of highest war medals and members of their family, which was passed in both Houses in different texts. They also adopted the conclusion according to which a draft law on income is to be sent for a public discussion, which should take place within 30 days. The FBiH HoP also postponed voting on a draft law on changes and amendments to the Law on contributions for its next session.

Minister Kebo meets Bukejlovic, Dodik, Cavic discussing sustainable return

RTRS by Marina Marjanovic – BiH Minister for Human Rights and Refugees Mirsad Kebo and the RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic have agreed that OPEC credit of 8 million USD should be spent on a sustainable return in BiH. Kebo and Bukejlovic met in Banja Luka on Monday and discussed the issues concerning sustainable return. “We have agreed to distribute those 8 millions USD on the criteria of participation in the financing the project, which is fifty-fifty”, added Kebo. Two officials also discussed the problems of Serbs from Croatia who are currently living in RS; they concluded that RS Government’s demands on the agreement on property-legal relations between BiH and Croatia are fair. “I think that this is simply a need for reducing tensions regarding this agreement; we have to adopt this agreement, and we need to work on normalising relations with Croatia”, said Kebo. He also met with RS President Dragan Cavic and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik. BHT 1 – As he visited VL in the eve of the extraordinary session of the RS Government, Kebo commented that Bukejlovic had organized it to try and find new solution which would bring BiH closer to the start of SAA negotiations. RHB, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘8 millions KM for sustainable return secured’ by T. Dragic, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Load of USA $ 8 million worth for return in BiH’ by SRNA, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Eight million for returnees’, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Loan for return’ by S.Miletic – also reported.

OHR received report on Doboj SDS

Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Money being transferred from the blocked account’ by N.D. – Daily reports that Svetlana Cenic, RS Finance Minister, Monday submitted a report OHR requested regarding financial transactions at SDS Doboj. According to daily, Ljiljana Redetic, OHR Spokesperson, confirmed that HR Paddy Ashdown will decide in next few days whether further penalties against SDS are necessary. She said that “Zero tolerance” policy still applies to SDS, noting penalties may be expected if established that there were illegalities in financial transactions of Doboj SDS. Nikola Gavric, President of SDS Doboj, confirmed money will be returned to officials who paid it, in line with HR’s order, without revealing any information of technical nature how they are going to do it (since account has been blocked for two weeks). RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘SDS demands de-blockade of account’ by V.Popovic – also reported.

EuroBlic claims BiH CoM still in dead-ally

EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Terzic on a see-saw’ by Nedeljka Breberina and Rajna Radosavljevic – Drago Vukovic, the Advisor to Serb member of BiH Presidency, confirmed BiH Presidency will not discuss the crisis at CoM at its next session. He excluded the possibility that BiH Presidency Chairman would initiate the removal of CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic and noted that it was Terzic himself who should check whether his cabinet has the support of BiH Parliament. SDA delegate at BiH Parliament Mirsad Ceman says no person had forwarded any request for removal of Terzic to BiH Parliament. ‘It is the fact that CoM is facing great difficulties in its work, but I think it is unwise to raise the issue of early elections because this would be a fruitless act’, Ceman says. Party for BiH’s Beriz Belkic doubts anything major would change at CoM because it is more logical to expect such a situation to be prolonged until the next elections. HDZ’s Vinko Zoric thinks Teriz should not resign because he had already submitted his resignation once, yet it had not been accepted. Inset ‘Kukic: no person wants to put an end to it’ – Sociologist Slavo Kukic says CoM crisis will last until someone from IC ends it. He thinks the crisis is suitable for the ruling nationalistic parties. ‘I think nothing will happen with the disputable PDP Ministers either, because they will last as long as Terzic is on the position and he will probably stay until the end of his mandate unless Ashdown makes some moves’, Kukic concludes.

Round Table in Bijeljina regarding constitutional changes

RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Change of Constitution to result in better institutions’ by Z.Kusmuk – Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and Banja Luka Daily Nezavisne novine organised in Bijeljina the Round Table “Is BiH a social state with the existing constitution?” Participants of discussion (including Petar Djokic from SPRS, Zekerijah Osmic from SDP, etc.) agreed that the changes of the BiH constitution are necessary, since basically it is not the real constitution, but the peace agreement. Osmic, RS MP, said that basic sub-topic of possible change of BiH Constitution is a social category of population, adding that bad functioning of entity and state has led to hard life of all the citizens and people.

Covic calls for unity among Croats

Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Covic: Let’s forget our disputes’, by Ivanka Dzajic – Reports from solemn session of the Municipal Council of Capljina held on the occasion of Day of Municipality. Participants were addressed, among others, by the HDZ President, Dragan Covic, who called for unity of the Croat people. “The period to come will bring re-organization of the state, a completely new constitutional surrounding, an ambiance in which we must get an absolute equality as the Croat people”, said Covic.

Oslobodjenje: Dodik is Karadzic in Dayton wrapping

Oslobodjenje, pg 9 ‘RS uber alles’, by Zija Dizdarevic – Commenting on the statement by the SNSD leader, Milorad Dodik, that BiH can be organized as federation with three units with RS being one of them or go separate ways, Dizdarevic argues that the SNSD is today the decisive political force in the RS, taking the role away from the SDS, however the SNSD is not fighting for ideas of social democracy, instead it is a guardian of idea of Great Serbia. On top of this, Dizdarevic argues that the RS is a monument to evil and right to crime, whilst Dodik is “Radovan Karadzic in Dayton wrapping”.

NN op-ed criticizing nationalistic parties

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Entire, but from three parts’ by Almedin Sisic – Criticising the leaders of nationalistic parties, the author notes that they have again show eagerness to shatter BiH in three pieces. He notes that in fear of losing their own positions and aware of catastrophic situation they have brought this country in, leading nationalistic politicians have assessed it is a best moment for a decisive political battle for their own interests. Referring to latest allegations regarding meeting between Covic and Cavic, the author notes HDZ should not be afraid of HR Paddy Ashdown, since he was the one encouraging and convincing them they are bigger reformists than they thought of themselves. However, Sisic stresses that the USA still has some clear interests in this state, including stable and sustainable Balkans and BiH in it.

Update to Prozor/Rama education issues: parents boycott classes, municipality to address the issue tomorrow

BHT 1, Vecernji List pgs 10 and 11 ‘We shall brick up school’, mentioned on cover ‘Parents surrounded school during protest’ by V. Ivankovic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19, mentioned on cover ‘Return of Croats to school upon abolishment of another school’ by A. Kudic, Dnevni List, pg 15 ‘Division of pupils must be observed’, not signed, Oslobodjenje, pg 13 ‘’Alija Isakovic’ school remains’, by F. V – Parents of Croat students in the primary school “Marko Marulic” in Prozor/Rama commenced with the boycott of the classes. They demand annulling of decision on establishing the school “Alija Isakovic” for Bosniak students in the same building. Prozor/Rama Municipality Board will meet on Tuesday and try to find a solution. BHT 1 reports that parents of Croat children from the primary school in Zepce also decided to boycott classes until the proper curriculum and classes in Croatian language is implemented. RHB– In an interview to RHB, the HNK Prime Minister Miroslav Coric urged parents to allow children to go to school, stating it is only than possible to solve the issue. He also accused some media,  especially Radio Rama and FTV, for the current situation claiming they have broadcast the statements of illegal president of Parent’s Council Mijo Peran.

Sarajevo Cantonal Court : There is no additional debt of Energopetrol

Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pgs 18 and 19 ‘Debt amounting to 22 millions KM invented in order to eliminate Ina’ by D. Pasic, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Decision of Sarajevo Court: There is no additional debt of Energopetrol’ by M.B. – The Cantonal Court in Sarajevo passed the decision according to which there is no any additional debt of Energopetrol (EP). SD also carries EP Director Namik Busatlija who says that this court decision prevented intentions of some lobbies who invented EP’s additional debts in order to obstruct the co-capitalization process by consortium Ina-Mol. Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Decision on re-capitalization before FBiH Government?’ – The FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic could not confirm whether the FBiH Government will discuss the Energopetrol privatization at the next session.

NN: Oil distributors oppose to revival of Refinery

Nezavisne Novine pg 4, announced on cover ‘Oil distributors oppose to revival of Refinery’ by R.Segrt – Petar Milanovic, Vice President of the BiH Chamber of Foreign Trade, claims that there is a large number of oil distributors in BiH, of which INA from Croatia is leading one, in whose interest it is not to revive the Bosanski Brod Oil Refinery. Miladin Gligoric, RS Minister of Economy, Energy and Development, shares his view.

Judicial, security and defence issues

Jelavic made his closing argument, verdict on Thursday

RTRS,RHB, BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Indictment against myself is unsustainable’, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘After being tried for a year I still do not know what I am indicted for’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Verdict be pronounced Thursday’ by A.D., Dnevni List pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Jelavic: I do not know what you are charging me with!’ by E. Mackic, Vecernji List pg 7 ‘Jelavic: Prosecutor wants to justify raid of bank carried out with support of tanks’, mentioned on cover ‘Jelavic was making his closing argument for two hours’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 21, mentioned on cover ‘I have not damaged either bank, Federation of BiH or Croatia’ by Z. Tulic – In his closing argument before the BiH Court, former BiH Presidency member and HDZ leader Ante Jelavic again rejected all the counts of the indictment against him in the “Hercegovacka Banka” case. The verdict in this case should be pronounced on Thursday.

NATO delegation visits BiH Defense Ministry

RTRS, RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Demanding tasks in defense reform’, Vecernji List pg 6 ‘Continuation of cooperation of defence structures’ by ra – NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander and operation commander of EUFOR in BiH General John Reith, NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo Commander General Louis W. Weber and BiH Defence Reform Commission Co-chair Raffi Gregorian visited the BiH Ministry of Defence on Monday. At the meeting with Minister Nikola Radovanovic they discussed the implementation of the defence reform, as well as the future role of EUFOR in BiH. Considering the fact that numerous demanding implementation tasks in the field of defence lie ahead of the BiH defence structures, they stressed that large importance and role of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo in supporting their implementation.

Dealers in BiH are working for European drug-bosses, EuroBlic claims

EuroBlic cover pg splash and pg RS1 ‘Dealers in Bosnia are working for European drug-bosses’ by Tijana Veselinovic – During the first 8 months of this year, the RS police have disclosed 130 cases of drug production and trades in drugs, which is for 80,5% more in comparison to the same period of time last year, stated RS MoI’s Goran Pisic.

Spanish Ambassador visited SIPA

Dnevni List pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Inserting of millions KM in legal financial system prevented’ by NINA – Spanish Ambassador to BiH, Rafael Valle Garagorri, visited a SIPA seat on Monday and achievements of this Agency, especially its financial-intelligence department were presented on this occasion. The Spanish Ambassador expressed satisfaction with the achieved results and promised that the Spanish Government will continue to support this project.

War crimes

DA: Final report of Srebrenica sub-group to be submitted to RS Govt on Tuesday

Dnevni Avaz, pg 12 ‘Nobody will be left out!’, by A. Hadzic – Avaz learns that the final Report of the Working sub-group for Srebrenica on events from July 1995, which has been signed by all members of this body, should be submitted to the RS Government today (Tuesday), and the Government should forward the Report to the OHR and relevant BiH institutions. Avaz’s sources claim that the Report is ‘extremely thorough’ and that it contains names of all participants of the Srebrenica crimes, especially those in the chain of command, who were commanding the operations in Srebrenica. BHT 1 – BHT1 adds that the report will also be submitted to the ICTY and BiH War Crime Chamber. RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic stated that some of the persons from the list of Srebrenica Task Force are now police officers. The lists won’t be published until the completion of the investigations.

Update on speculations that witnesses in case against former Herceg Bosna officials are being threatened

Vecernji List pg 7 ‘Lawyers of ‘six’ demand protection from The Hague!’, mentioned on cover ‘Lawyers of leaders from BiH would demand protection of The Hague’ by Z. Kresic – VL says that on Monday there was on official confirmation of speculations that Bosniak witnesses in the process against former Herceg Bosna (HB) officials are being threatened, while lawyers of the former HB leaders claim that these media speculations are obstruction of the investigation conducted by the defence. The lawyers also hinted that they would demand from the ICTY protection in order to be able to do their job.  

Srebrenica women dissatisfied with work of BiH Court

Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘There is still no justice in BiH’, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Prosecutor is disappointed with the information obtained by the RS Government’ by A.M. – Association “Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa enclaves” visited the BiH Court on Monday, where they were introduced with the work of the BiH War Crimes Chamber. The Chair of the Association Munira Subasic commented that they have asked the Prosecutor Ibro Bulic whether he has the list of those who took part in the Srebrenica massacre prepared by the Government, to which Prosecutor responded he was disappointed with those information as there are no details on the persons besides their names and surnames. Association has also expressed disappointed because the Prosecutor still has not submitted the list of 10 suspects detained in the BiH Court for the crimes in Kravice. Members of the Association also said they worry that at the current tempo the Court will take years to process the cases.