| BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Ashdown on PBS | Ashdown on PBS | Ashdown on PBS |
| RTVBiH Union to HR | RTVBiH Union to HR | RS Gov session |
| ICTY report | ICTY report | World news |
| World news | Elections in Croatia |
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| Oslobodjenje | Serb/RS symbols before the BiH Constitutional Court |
| Dnevni Avaz | Hadzipasic heavily accuses Miletic |
| Dnevni List | “Members of the BiH Presidency talked with Ashdown on Intelligence Service”; “Attempt to remove Head Prlic”: “Tens million Euros for reconstruction of Elektroprivredas” |
| Vecernji List | “High Representative gave deadline for PBS reform by Friday”; “30 polling stations to voters in BiH” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | “Josip Merdzo rejected initiative of Fatima Leho: HDZ refuses to divide Mostar with SDA”; “Pensions from RS ‘ate’ pensions from Federation” |
| Glas Srpske | In Prijedor refugee settlement of Vrbice: 15 houses flooded; Switzerland: Balkans raises concern!? |
| Nezavisne Novine | Donald Hays: Those making personal benefits from public firms must end up at Court; International auditors inspecting Telekom Srpske premises again; Agreement between Srpske Poste and Italian firms: Pejic runs business with Pejic; Paddy Ashdown: BiH authorities given deadline by 7 November to make their stances on public broadcasters |
| Blic | Dusan Stojicic: ‘SDA initiative on change of symbols will not pass’; ‘Orao’ affair: Defenders request exemption of the judge; Trade Union: OHR wants to suspend RS Television |
Media restructuring | |
| Ashdown: Agreement on PBS reform must be reached by November 7
| BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 6 ‘Friday is deadline for reform’ and pg. 5 ‘Coming weeks crucial for future of BiH’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3, mentioned on the front page’, November 7 – EU deadline given to local authorities’, Vecernji List front page, “High Representative gave deadline for PBS reform by Friday”, and page 2, “Either reform or PBS remains without 1,5 million Euros”, by E. Medunjanin, Dnevni List page 4, “Deadline for agreement on reforms in PBS November 7, 2003”, by E. Mackic, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘BiH authorities given deadline by 7 November to make their stances on public broadcasters’; Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Debts darken the screen’, Blic pg. 13, FENA – The authorities in BiH have to, until November 7, reach an agreement on the sustainable and independent public broadcasting system, in line with the Dayton Accords and European standards, if they wish the European Union to support PBS reform with 1.5 million Euros. If they fail to do so, the money will be taken elsewhere, and reform will eventually be implemented before of later, but this will be done without support of the international community, the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, said at a press conference in Sarajevo on Monday. The High Representative stressed that November 7 was set as the deadline because the European Commission need to be assured that the EU taxpayer’s money allocated for PBS this year is going to be invested into a sustainable institution. According to him, in the next six weeks the European Union and NATO will issue two major decisions for the future of BiH, after which it will be known weather the doors leading to Europe and NATO will be open or shut. If the decisions are not positive, BiH will be facing a difficult path. The BiH authorities should therefore until November 7 assure the European Union and the international community that they are serious in addressing the reform of PBS. Reform of the PBS is a condition for European integration and will be a part of the forthcoming Feasibility Study. Ashdown said this is not blackmail, but that it is just about a common sense. Ashdown regarded the economic situation in the PBS as bare surviving, because it produces a monthly loss of approximately one million KM. Stating that the BBC Consultancy – at request of PBS management, provided the only comprehensive plan of reform, Ashdown said that PBS must seriously address it. |
| RTV BiH Trade Union denies it is deceiving public, seeking more money | BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘BBC positions contrary to the European practice’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Solutions look like a political decision’ – The independent union of employees of the public company RTVBiH in transition sent another open letter to High Representative Paddy Ashdown on Monday. It stresses that it is not true that the union is deceiving the citizens of this country and that it is seeking more money. The truth is that it wants to see a more efficient way of collecting the licence fee. The union stresses that it is not against the reorganization of the radio and TV system and that, with its suggestions and comments, it wants to contribute towards the adoption of the best possible bills. It demands that management bodies urgently set in motion the broadest possible discussion about all aspects of the establishment of a public service in parliaments and NGOs. The union asks Paddy Ashdown why he demands that management boards adopt a proposal by a BBC team, which is based on non-existing laws. He should first adopt new laws and then implement them, the letter says among other things. |
| Bosnian Serb trade union rejects proposed model of public broadcasting law | FTV, RTRS, Glas Srpske pg. 3 ‘Errors cost a lot’, Vecernje Novosti, p 21, ‘They are depriving important media from its independence’, Blic, p 13, ‘They want to suspend the RTRS’, ONASA – The Republika Srpska union of information and graphic sector has assessed as “absolutely unacceptable” the offered model of the law on public broadcasting in BiH. The union thinks the model leads to full disappearance of RS Radio-Television (RTRS) and loss of its editorial independence, which opposes the Dayton accords, the constitutions of BiH and RS and the Recommendation No 96 of the Commission of Ministers of the Council of Europe. “Here we have a continuity of false moves by well-paid officials of the Office of the High Representative, who rule for years over media in RS and BiH without a piece of moral responsibility for the catastrophic economic and social position of workers in the field,” the union said in a statement issued on Monday. The union backs reforms in sector of public RTV services, but not on damage of RTRS, which must remain a public service of all RS citizens with a special channel, frequency and editorial independence. “We are convinced that the OHR is most responsible for the present catastrophic material and social position of 630 workers of RTRS. The Steering Board, appointed by the OHR, pulls all strings in this media house without any democratic procedure, failing to answer for that to anyone,” the statement read. |
| Kukic on PBS reform | Dnevni List (page 6, “What else to say?”, by Slavo Kukic) – carries an editorial signed by Slavo Kukic in which he says that many people believe that the Steering Board of PBS is an extended arm of the OHR stressing that the Board is not an OHR branch and will never be, also noting that many political parties have tried in the past three years to take over the Board but in vain. Kukic also notes that the Steering Board will neither give in to pressures coming from the respective Unions, saying that thorough reforms to the public broadcasting system are necessary, both the technical and staff related reforms. |
Political developments | |
| Serb/RS symbols before the BiH Constitutional Court
| Oslobodjenje front page, pg. 3 ‘RS symbols before the BiH Constitutional Court’ – The SDA will launch a legal procedure before the BiH Constitutional Court if the RSNA fails to support change of the RS symbols, SDA General Secretary Sefik Dzaferovic told the newspaper. Oslobodjenje front page, pg. 3, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘SDS against change of RS symbols’, Blic p 13 ‘SDS: change of symbols will not pass’, FENA – The Serb Democratic Party (SDS) regards as unacceptable the initiative of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) for changing the RS symbols, and the Party will not support this idea in the National Assembly, said the spokesperson of SDS, Dusan Stojicic. The initiative of the SDA caucus in the RS National Assembly for harmonising the Law on Flag, Coat of Arms and Hymn RS, the Law on Seals RS and the Law on Territorial Organisation and Local Self-government with constitutional amendments should be considered on Wednesday in resumption of the Assembly session. At a press conference on Monday Stojicic emphasised that this initiative represented a strike against all good political and other relations in the RS. “We will always oppose any form of institutionalisation of this and similar initiatives”, said Stojicic. |
| SDS party agrees to support reforms proposed by BiH Defence Reform Commission | Oslobodjenje pg. 2, Dnevni List page 8, “Defence reforms in BiH accepted”, by De. L., ONASA – Spokesperson of the Serb Democratic Party (SDS) Dusan Stojicic said that the party caucus to the RS National Assembly will at the November 5 session accept the defence reforms proposed by the BiH Defence Reform Commission. “The SDS is aware of the consequences that BiH would face if the reforms were rejected, which is why we shall support them,” said Stojicic. |
| Patriot interview with SDS’ Nikic
| Patriot, pages 6, 7 & 8, by Mladen Stojanovic, ‘SDS from Semberija may become opposition to governing parties’ – This is an interview with Cvijetin Nikic, SDS Vice President. Responding to Patriot question to comment on alleged “negligence” of SDS from Semberija (Bijeljina region), Nikic says that his name was exceedingly politicised in the media, adding that he personally insisted at the SDS Presidency session not to be assigned on any party position. This is owing to the fact that he has many duties, including being regular professor at the Bijeljina School for foreign trade and as President of SDS Municipal Board in Bijeljina. However, he stresses he would like to pay back to the voters in Semberija, where SDS got majority vote. He explains that Bijeljina SDS should have more representatives at entity and joint institutions (not only one). Also, he expresses hope that some SDS officials from Semberija would get some positions at Directorates’ offices or Ministries, if Government were to be re-shuffled. He expresses expectation that some changes will be made. Otherwise, SDS from Semberija will speak up, because it has to pay back to its voters. Commenting on his candidature at the BiH Central Bank and placement of Djojo Arsenovic on US ban list (both are from Bijeljina), he expresses his full understanding of the position of international community, that is trying to establish democratic standards along with difficult period of transition and property transformation. He claims that sacrifice needs to be made in order to achieve a certain level of values. He further explains that: “In this context, I find myself and Arsenovic to be a part of that sacrifice. But, through our work and deeds, he and I will show what kind of citizens of BiH we actually are in the period ahead, and also what kind of future we want for BiH.” He further denied press speculation that he is more inclined towards the Republika Srpska President, Dragan Cavic, than the RS Parliament Speaker, Dragan Kalinic. On future of SDS, he expresses hope that this party will overcome all temptations, which will make it stronger and more stable. |
| Slovakia to help BiH on its road to EU | BHTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Good but not consistent cooperation’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Economic cooperation needs to be improved’ – The foreign ministers of Slovakia and BiH discussed economic cooperation in Sarajevo on Monday. Mladen Ivanic and Eduard Kukan believe that the pre-condition for that is a favourable business environment. The successful Slovak investment in the Banja Luka firm Celeks will help future potential investments from this friendly country. Slovakia is prepared to help BiH on its way to Euro-Atlantic integrations. “Slovakia would like to play a positive role in the Balkans, including BiH, and we are prepared to share with you our recent experiences related to the EU and NATO membership,” Kukan said. “We also agreed that we must speed up some of the agreements regulating bilateral relations and I hope that relatively soon we will be in a position to realize part of the agreements through succession agreements of the former Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, and we will prepare new agreements between BiH and Slovakia,” Ivanic emphasized. |
| HDZ’s Merdzo on Mostar restructuring | Slobodna Dalmacija (front and page 17, “HDZ refuses to divide Mostar with SDA”, by Zoran Zekic) – the daily notes that the feathers have been ruffled with a statement of the President of SDA City Board of Mostar, Fatima Leho, who stated that the SDA believed the six municipalities should remain in Mostar, and with an alleged proposal to a representative of the HDZ in the Mostar Commission, Josip Merdzo, to abolish the Central Zone in Mostar and divide the city down the former confrontation line. SD carries Merdzo as commenting on the statements, confirming that Leho did propose to abolish the Central Zone. “The HDZ’s position is that the Central Zone should have never existed because it has always been a stumbling block. However, it not only the Central Zone that is the problem in the set-up of Mostar, but also a complicated administration starting from the city level and further. Therefore, everything is still open, the only thing certain is that the city will definitely be restructured. Still, all the proposals should be addressed to the Commission”, says Merdzo. Commenting on the referendum in Mostar’s Municipality North, Merdzo did not want to go into special comments, he however noted that the referendum is not in line with good intentions, when observed in the context of the Mostar restructuring. Questioned whether the Mostar Commission received a proposal that can be heard in the media that the settlement of Ljuti Dolac joins Mostar, since Ljuti Dolac is in the Municipality of Siroki Brijeg and before 1970s it was within Mostar, Merdzo says there were no other territory-related proposals. |
| Oslobodjenje correspondent verbally attacked | Oslobodjenje pg. 5, mentioned on the front page ‘An Oslobodjenje correspondent attacked’ – The Mostar-based Oslobodjenje correspondent Nermin Bise early on Monday was verbally attacked by an SDA activist under nickname ‘Luster’ in a Mostar coffee-bar. Luster, who is a criminal very well-known to the police, delivered verbally threats to Bise due to his continued negative writing against Fatima Leho and SDA. Bise reported the incident to the Mostar Centre Police Administration. |
| EC’s Humphreys in Mostar
| Dnevni List (page 12, “Humphreys: Mostar must lead us to Europe”, by Z. Skoko) – the Head of EC Mission to BiH, Ambassador Michael Humphreys, visited Mostar on Monday and held talks with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Mostar, Hamdija Jahic and Ljubo Beslic. According to Mayor Jahic, the talks were about issues that are of great importance for the City of Mostar. DL also reports that Ambassador Humphreys stated that he had talks with the Head of OHR South, Ambassador Jacques Andrieu, and the Chair of Mostar Commission, Norbert Winterstein, and that the talks were informal, mostly dedicated to the work of the Mostar Commission. “The result of the work of the Commission must be Mostar as a city with functional public administration. I hope that, during the time I’ll spend here, that BiH will go towards the process of accession to the EU. Mostar, the second city in BiH must be the leader in all that, it must lead us to Europe”, said Humphreys. |
| BiH and Croatian elections
| Vecernji List (page 12, “Generals Cuk and Sopta are not on the list”, by ri) carries that Croatian Army General Mile Cuk and HVO General Stanko Sopta Baja were not intending to put forward their candidacy for the election unit 11 (Diaspora) in the race for the position in the Croatian Parliament, as some media reported. However, according to unofficial information General Zeljko Glasnovic was still thinking about that possibility yesterday and VL says that they failed to get the information on Glasnovic’s final decision on this issue. On the same issue, Dnevni List (page 3, “Cuk: I am not related to so-called Generals’ list for Diaspora in any way”, by Hina) carries that Cuk issued a press release denying that his name is on the so-called Generals’ list. The press release also says: “Obviously, my name should have been used without my knowledge for political purposes only.” Vjesnik (page 6, “Mile Cuk denies that he is related to so-called Generals’ list for Diaspora in any way”, by Hina) also covered this press release. Vecernji List (front “Voters in BiH get 30 polling stations” and page 5 “Croatia will have as much as 30 enclaves in BiH on election day”, by Milan Sutalo) – reports that BiH authorities should, by either Thursday or Friday, most likely positively, respond to a request forwarded by the Republic of Croatia to hold “consular days in Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 22 and 23”. This “consular days” term is in fact a request to the BiH authorities to give consent for establishment of 30 polling stations in BiH where Croatian citizens should vote in the Croatian parliamentary elections. If the request gets the green light, some 30 designated locations would be given extraterritorial status. Slobodna Dalmacija (page 17, “Petar Milic goes with independent list”, by D. Juka) – reports that Croat Christian Democrats (CCD) will be participating in the Croatian elections and since the party is not registered in Croatia, it will run as an independent list, the carrier of which is Petar Milic. CCD will, during the campaign, present a document entitled “Platform for Federal Republic of BiH”, which advocates administrative restructuring of BiH, according to which there should be six republics in BiH, two of which would be the Croat ones. (NB: Petar Milic has been removed by HR Petritsch) |
| Opinion poll on proposal to abolish border between Croatia and BiH | Slobodna Dalmacija (last page, “76% of citizens support abolishment of border”, by M. Skobic) carries that at the public opinion poll conducted by www.bljesak.info from Mostar, citizens were asked whether they support the program for the abolishment of the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia (proposed by the independent list of Jerko Ivankovic Lijanovic for the coming elections in Croatia). According to the public opinion poll, out of 164 votes, 110 (over 76%) of them believe that the existing border between BiH and Croatia should be abolished, while 45 (27 %) believe that the border should not be abolished. Only 9 people (5,4 %) of do not have a position on this issue. |
Police/security affairs | |
| Top BiH officials, High Representative discuss single intelligence service
| BHTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Intelligence services should be depoliticised’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Adopt law on state intelligence service by the end of this year’, Dnevni List front “De-politicisation of intelligence services” and page 3, “BiH needs de-politicized intelligence service”, unsigned, Slobodna Dalmacija, back page, “Intelligence services according to European standards”” by D. Pasic,Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Agents beyond politics’ – The BiH Presidency members on Monday had talks with the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, about the need to adopt a bill on a security and intelligence service at state level by the end of this year. It was concluded that BiH needs a single operational and depoliticized intelligence service which will be set up in accordance with European standards. The Representative stressed that the formation of a commission for parliamentary supervision was the best step to depoliticize the service. The Presidency members voiced their conviction that three key reforms in the fields of defence, indirect taxation and security and intelligence service will be completed by the end of this year. |
| Dnevni Avaz: Hadzipasic heavily accuses Miletic | Dnevni Avaz front page, pg. 2 ‘Hadzipasic heavily accuses Miletic’ – In his letter to HR Paddy Ashdown and EUPM Commissioner Sven Frederiksen, the Federation of BiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, accused Federation Police Administration Director Zlatko Miletic of bringing into question the legality of the Administration’s operations. He also blames Miletic for jeopardising the realisation of priorities related to the Interior Ministry’s work set by the Government. |
| OHCHR on de-certified police officers | FTV, FENA – There was coverage in some of the media this morning of the activities of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in relation to the issue of the de-certified police officers. Unfortunately, in these reports there was considerable misrepresentation and a great deal of speculation, which was portrayed as fact. “OHCHR has a mandate to monitor human rights in BiH. We have been concerned as to the numbers of police officers who have approached our office directly, and as to the numbers who have lodged applications with the courts. Hence we asked for clarification from the Ministry of Interior as to the current situation and will take whatever actions seem appropriate should there be concerns as to the protection of the human rights of those involved,” the OHCHR said in a press statement. Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘Why the UN Mission does not additionally explain the status of the de-certified policemen?’ also covered the issue. |
| American experts on danger of terrorism in the Balkans | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Balkans raises concern’ – America experts for strategy warn that “owing to global-wide fight against terrorism”, regardless of where such is run in Iraq or Afghanistan, the potential danger of this in Islamic regions in the Balkans is inadmissible neglected. Tanjug re-reports the statement of an European diplomat serving in Sarajevo, which was carried in the Swiss daily “Die Neuer Curicher Zeitung”. The paper also carries statement by the American expert George Friedmann, who deeply believes that it is necessary to speak about the expansion of the radical islamism in the Balkans. |
| NN editorial: Pressures against police
| Nezavisne Novine editorial by Almedin Sisic , pg. 7, ‘Pressures against police’ – The author wonders as to what may be going one between the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, and four political parties on reign, SDA, SDS, HDZ and PDP. In his view, something strange is going on, since OHR was extremely critical of some position parties in the last 15 days. As latest of such examples (of strange relations) was when HiRep last week marked SDA as the party, that exerts pressure against police. What the author and also the public expected from the HiRep was to give the names, but he did not, which was at great surprise. The author questions why HiRep failed to give the names of those obstructionists, since it has been the case in the past – to give names or to remove officials from their positions. He concludes the article by referring to BiH as “political Frankenstein”, whose destiny is likely to equate with the destiny of this movie character. |
Economic/socials issues | |
| Roundtable on corporate governance
| FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Place public companies under control’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 8 ‘Way of management in public companies must be changed’, Dnevni List front and page 5, “Hays: BiH will get over tens millions Euros for reconstruction of Elektroprivredas”, by R. Radic, Vecernji List page 2, “Managers who manipulated with people have to stand trial”, by eme, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘Those making personal benefits from public firms must end up at Court’; Glas Srpske, p3, ‘To reduce misuses’, FENA – If we wish to implement economic reform in order to insure benefits for the citizens, attract foreign investments and create new jobs, we must change the culture of managing the public companies in BiH, emphasized on Monday the Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, in opening remarks at the roundtable on Corporate Governance. The roundtable has gathered representatives of the state and entity ministries, international and local experts for the purpose of considering the proposed entity laws on public companies. In regard to reports of the special auditors on managing of public companies in BiH, Hays said that these reports have clearly indicated the existence of structural deformations in the view of management in public companies. “It was determined that there is a culture in which certain people think that public companies are independent and that they do not have to answer to anybody”, said Ambassador Hays, adding that some cases included great political manipulation as for the benefit of political followers, as well as for certain political party. Hays said that the draft entity laws on public companies represent the beginning of process of changing the culture of managing of public companies. They establish detailed ethic codes for directors and employees of public companies, strict accounting controls, and obligatory financial sanctions and removals of those that violate the standards of company management. |
| SDS supports indirect taxation bill | Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘An old opposition story’; Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6, ‘SDS committed for reforms’, SRNA – Serb Democratic Party (SDS) spokesman Dusan Stojicic said on Monday that, at the last session of the RS National Assembly, SDS deputies voted for conclusions relating to a bill on indirect taxation because they regard it as one of the strategic political objectives and a condition for obtaining BiH’s full participation in Euro-Atlantic integration. “We were aware of the responsibility regarding this issue and expressed our commitment to participate in a responsible manner in the implementation of all necessary reforms in the RS and BiH,” Stojicic told a news conference in Banja Luka. |
| SNSD on taxation | RTRS, Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘On the course of reforms’; Nezavisne Novine, pg. 6, ‘SNSD insists on abolishment of military service’ – Following yesterday’s session of SNSD Chair Board, Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, stated that the SNSD would take part in the voting procedure for the constitutional changes at Republika Srpska National Assembly, if proposal by this party regarding abolishment of military service and regulation of military property affairs were adopted. SNSD Chair Board concluded that by expressing support to the Law on indirect taxation in BiH, the Republika Srpska National Assembly transferred the authority of Republika Srpska onto BiH level. And this issue will be discussed at the level of BiH. Dodik also announced that amendments to the Law on indirect taxation will be prepared, noting that: “If all amendment were adopted, SNSD would vote for such solutions.” He also added this party supports that the first chairperson of the Indirect Tax Administration should be BiH citizen, not a foreigner. Oslobodjenje also carried the statements. |
| Vc corridor
| Slobodna Dalmacija (page 5, “‘Konstruktor’s’ or ‘Ingra’s’ consortiums for Corridor Vc”, by O. Ramljak) reports that the BiH Ministry of Traffic and Communications invited tender for making of project documentation for the Corridor Vc through BiH. The tender is open until December 12, 2003. It is still not certain whether some Croatian construction companies would respond to the tender alone or make consortiums with other companies. (Vecernji List, page 10, “Still a tender on Corridor Vc”, by D. K.) notes that the BiH Council of Ministers established that BiH, considering the challenges related to the terrain and length of the corridor, could not finance the cost of project. (also reported in Jutarnji List, page 4, “Joint bid of constructors from Republic of Croatia for Corridor Vc?”, by K. Zabec) |
| CEO of HT Mostar Prlic removed
| Dnevni List (front and page 3, “Attempt of removal of director Prlic”, by D. Coric) – reports that the interim Supervisory Board of HT Mostar (Croat telecommunications Mostar) removed the CEO and President of management of HT Mostar, Stipe Prlic. DL learns from an anonymous employee of HT Mostar that the decision was taken in highly suspicious circumstances, despite a recommendation by auditor (David) Taylor and specific order by the FBiH Minister of Traffic and Communications, Nedzad Brankovic, to postpone the session of the Supervisory Board until the FBiH Government has declared itself regarding the recommendation of the FBIH Ombudsman on illegality of removal of the former Supervisory Board and appointment of the current one. DL notes the decision was taken although only 7 members, out of 11, attended the session, because representatives of the HT Zagreb walked out of the session (they share the same opinion with Minister Brankovic). On top of that, only 5 members of the Board, all 5 coming from the HDZ BiH, voted in favour of removal. |
| Another inspection into Telekom Srpske | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘International auditors inspecting Telekom Srpske premises again’ – On Friday, a group of eight international auditors, led by an American expert in international circles took away some documents and files from Telekom Srpske and MOBI’s. NN source close to Telekom also said that the same group of auditors also inspected the files at Republika Srpska Ministry of Trade. According to NN inset, Dale Ellen Ralph, took away documentation from Banjaluka Customs Office related to disputable delivery to Telekom from Austrian “Siemens”. |
| Update to Pejic affair | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 5, ‘Pejic runs business with Pejic’ – NN learnt that the General Manager of Srpske Poste, Milutin Pejic, arranged a deal with the Italian firm represented by Pejic as well. Namely, at the end of 2001, Srpske Poste agreed on the construction of facility in Banjaluka (of approximately 9720 square metres) with the Italian firm, whose represnetative is “General Manager Pejic”. The document, which does not state the name of the firm and in which this firms makes a business proposition to Srpske Poste, reads that the total worth of the project is DM 7,484,000 |
Legal proceedings | |
| Findings of investigation into coup d’etat by Friday | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘Results of the investigation on coup d’etat by end of this week’ – Nikola Spiric, The Chairperson of the Parliament Investigative Commission, yesterday confirmed that the results of the parliamentary investigations into the alleged coup d’etat may be publicised by the end of this week. |
| Update to Orao trial
| Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘Request for disqualification of judges denied’ – Regarding “Orao” case, the Panel of Judges at the Bijeljina Basic Court yesterday denied request filed by defence, in regard to disqualification of President of the Panel, Nebojsa Jovanovic. The explanation given along with denial of motion was that the motion was not filed within the anticipated legal deadline, meaning before yesterday’s hearing started. |
| Evictions in Republika Srpska/Banjaluka | Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘Evictions will continue’ – Drago Vuleta, Assistant to Minister for Refugees and DP’s, told Glas Srpske that approximately a thousand families, who have a right to alternative accommodation, will be evicted from other people’s property in Republika Srpska by the end of this year. He explained that some accommodation would be provided through rental services (approximately 800 families are to be settled in this manner). As for Banjaluka, he said that 270, that are still left to be evicted, have a right to alternative accommodation. Out of this figure, 120 families will be forcibly evicted in the course of this month, while 150 families will be evicted during the month of December. |