Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on DATE
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) |
| PIC Communique | RS MoI contacts Karadzic family |
| Cant. MoIs look for Gotovina in FBiH | World news |
| RS Police/Karadzic’s surrender | Sports/Weather |
TV news broadcast on February 3
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| HNC 2004 budget-rebalance adopted | PIC meeting in | PIC SB meeting on coop. with ICTY |
| Pope’s health is improving | Law n post offices adopted | HR on State and Entities budgets |
| Meeting of PIC Ruling board | Bukejlovic meets Stojicic | Lazarevic transferred to Hague |
| BIH HoR in session | Issue of Pivara privatization | US warn its citizens on travel to BiH |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Natron-Hayat company created | PIC meeting in | Leakey on war crime suspects |
| Lazarevic transferred to ICTY | PM Adnan Terzic briefs PIC | Meeting of PIC Ruling board |
| Ashdown on PIC session | Lazarevic transferred to Hague | Radovanovic on Mladic’s dwelling |
| Solana urges coop w / ICTY | The BiH HoR held session | Croatian officials on Gotovina |
| Oslobodjenje | Karadzic must be in |
| Dnevni Avaz | RS authorities left little time |
| Dnevni List | Del Ponte: I expect extradition of 17 fugitives |
| Vecernji List | 1000 foreigners are hiding from authorities in BiH |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | People from Capljina: We did not see Ante Gotovina, we would not betray him either! |
| Nezavisne Novine | Carla del Ponte before PIC: New indictments are new challenges for BiH authorities; Bosko Vujacic: I bought ordinary, not silver electrode; Bukejlovic: I will accept SDA support; Lazarevic at the Hague detention unit |
| Glas Srpske | RS Association of Employers: Export sunk import; Over Srebrenica report: Quarrel getting severe |
| EuroBlic | Bukejlovic gathering team: Government has already ensured majority |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
| Nacional | Features Serbian related topics |
| Dani | CIA: BiH will not enter EU and is threatened with new conflicts |
| Slobodna Bosna | 24 critical hours for Zlatko Lagumdzija |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| Matijasevic confirms RS MoI contacts Karadzic family | FENA – RS Interior Minister, Darko Matijasevic, has confirmed that the RS has been in contact with the family of Radovan Karadzic, in an effort to persuade him to surrender. |
| SDA will not participate new RS Govt | FENA – President of the SDA Caucus in the RSNA Tarik Sadovic stated at the SDA press conference held today that SDA representatives will not vote and their cadre will not participate in the Government proposed by RS Prime Minister Designate Pero Bukejlovic. |
| Cant. MoIs checking whether Gotovina is in BiH | RHB at 12.00 – Spokesperson of the FBiH Ministry of Interior Robert Cvrtak confirmed that the FBiH MoI has asked the Cantonal MoIs to check whether ICTY fugitive Anto Gotovina is hiding in the FBiH. |
| SDA support PIC conclusions on ICTY
| FENA – Tarik Sadovic stated that SDA supports PIC demand for complete and cooperation of the RS authorities with the ICTY, adding RS has a chance to prove that they support cooperation with the ICTY by processing hundreds war criminals whose names are stated in the Srebrenica Commisison report. |
| CoM in session | RHB at 12.00 – FBiH Ministries’ reports on realization of obligations from the programme of 16 priorities will be discussed during today’s session of the BiH CoM. |
PIC Steering Board / Coop. with ICTY/ War crimes | |
| PIC Steering Boards meets in
| RHB, PINK, FTV, BHT 1, NTV Hayat, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 3 ‘New indictments are new challenges for BiH authorities’ by Agencies – The Political Directors of the Peace Implementation Council met in Brussels under the Chairmanship of the High Representative Paddy Ashdown. ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte briefed PIC Steering Board on the status of cooperation between BiH authorities and the ICTY. The BiH delegation [RS President Dragan Cavic, RS Interior Minsiter, Dragan Matijasevic] and led by PM Adnan Terzic, outlined the steps being taken by the RS to improve cooperation with the Tribunal. PIC reminded the BiH authorities that inadequate cooperation with the ICTY is the major obstacle standing in the way of BiH’s progress towards the EU and NATO, adding that the RS authorities now have a short period of time in which they have to demonstrate that they are fully cooperating with the ICTY. Del Ponte warned that all persons indicted for war crimes should be arrested and transferred to Hague by the end of 2005. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Karadzic must be in Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Radovan Karadzic must be arrested before July’ by S. Numanovic – “Once they are confirmed, the new indictments will be another challenged to the BiH authorities and I really hope they would react the right way,” said Del Ponte. Talking about the responsibility for the cooperation with ICTY, Ashdown said: “The main responsibility lies with RS, but also with Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘RS authorities have a little time left’, pg 2 ‘Last warning to RS’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘They called on BiH politicians to consider police reform’ – PIC communiqué. |
| Ashdown on PIC: BiH cannot be admitted to EU if it fails to cooperation with ICTY
| NTV Hayat – PIC session concluded that it was stated that BiH would not be admitted to EU if cooperation with the ICTY did not improve. HR Paddy Ashdown gave the statement on the session and its conclusions: “I think there is a positive change that the IC sees in the beginning of the changes in RS,… I have to point out that Savo Todovic’s surrender presents a step, though small, towards the right direction. That is good news… But this would be completely worthless if new steps do not be taken and if it is not clear that this is a beginning of the process and that, on the 10th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement and tragedy in Srebrenica, PIFWc should extradited to the ICTY. This includes Karadzic and Mladic. The process has started but it will not be finished until all war criminals are in the ICTY, and until RS establishes full cooperation with the ICTY. I think that the thing we are missing is willingness…. I assume that during past 10 years people knew where Savo Todovic was. If he can be delivered than others can be as well. If there is a will, the obligation can be accomplished. PIC brought another extremely important conclusion. The Council supports conclusions of Police Reform Commission. The state has to be in complete charge of the police.” |
| Terzic on PIC: We cannot expect from EC to give us chance w/out coop. with ICTY
| PINK, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘State institutions should be strengthen in the future’ by Onasa, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Praise for single economic space’ – CoM Chair Adnan Terzic informed the PIC Steering Board about progress in the process of stabilisation and association achieved between the two PIC sessions. While PIC praised the successes of the Govt in creation of the single economic space, Terzic said that the general conclusion of the meeting is that RS institutions have to improve their cooperation with the ICTY. Terzic added that the meeting of the EU-BiH Coordination Task Force, announced for the first half of March, would be an opportunity for the final analysis and assessment of the fulfilment of requirements from the Feasibility Study. BHT 1 – Terzic also commented: “We cannot expect from the European Commission to give us a chance to go further if there is no cooperation [with ICTY]”. |
| Cavic: Postiive change in attitude towards RS noted
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Better relation towards RS’ by Onasa, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17 ‘Without objections on RS’, by A. Macanovic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Positive assessments from Brussels’ by SRNA – After the PIC meeting in Brussels, RS President Dragan Cavic stated that there is a clear, positive, change in attitude about position of RS and its cooperation with the ICTY. PINK – Cavic pointed out that it was of extreme importance for BiH institutions, SBS, SIPA and BiH Interpol to establish full cooperation with entities’ Ministries in charge, in order to implement full cooperation with ICTY. BHT 1 – “It is important to strengthen confidence. That is a work to be done jointly by the international community and local authorities. And we all have equal responsibility,” said Cavic. RTRS – According to the agencies Cavic stated that members of the Council expressed full determination for support of Dayton Agreement. |
| Del Ponte meets Solana: BiH, SCG, Croatian authorities fully responsible for coop w ICTY
| Dnevni List, front pg splash ‘Del Ponte: I expect extradition of 17 fugitives’ and pg 5 ‘Del Ponte: I expect Ante Gotovina and 16 other fugitives’, by Nermin Bise, Vecernji List, pgs 10 and 11 ‘The Hague believes in quick arrest’, mentioned on front ‘Sanader will arrest Gotovina quickly’, by Stojan de Prato, Slobodna Dalmacija, pgs 2 and 3 ‘Del Ponte satisfied with Sanader’s appeal on arrest of Gotovina’, by H – The Chief ICTY Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, and EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana held talks in Brussels on Thursday. PINK, FTV, RTRS, NTV Hayat – Solana warned that there would be no admission to EU and its institutions unless there was full cooperation with the ICTY, saying that BiH, SCG and Croatian authorities were completely responsible for the issue. BHT 1 – “How can we commemorate the 10th anniversary of genocide in front of the victims when those most responsible for that crime, Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, are still at large”, stated Del Ponte after the meeting. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 inset ‘EU will react’ – Solana said that EU will react to the fact that BIH, SCG and |
| European Parliament urges cooperation with ICTY
| Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘New political initiative urgently requested’, not signed – The Foreign Police Committee of the European Parliament adopted a resolution which says, among other things, that one of key problems in BiH, even more than 9 years since the signing of the Dayton agreement, is the arrest of war crimes suspects, which is an obstacle to the country’s aspiration to join integration processes. The Committee notes that BiH is still deeply divided and that the political stability is still “on fragile foundations”. |
| NN op-ed says turbulent political events ahead of BiH, SCG,
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘ |
| Radovanovic: Report on Veliki Zep on 14 February
| RHB, PINK, NTV Hayat, BHT1, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 inset ‘Information on military premises in Han Pijesak on 14 February’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘New report by February 14’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘No evidence on Mladic’s stay at Crna Rijeka’ by Agencies – Nikola Radovanovic, BiH Defence Minister, on Thursday informed the delegates at the BiH HoR that the Chief Inspector of the BiH Defence Ministry (during investigation on possible assistance to war crime suspects) found no evidence substantiating claims that General Ratko Mladic was at the RS Army facility in Crna Rijeka. However, the MoD has established the Commission to investigate the claims, and the report is to be completed on 10 February. On 14 February, it is expected to be submitted to CoM. |
| Lazarevic extradited to the ICTY
| PINK, FTV, RTRS, BHT 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 19 ‘Lazarevic in the Hague’ Nezavisne Novine cover andpg 2 ‘Lazarevic at Hague detention’ by Agencies; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Lazarevic arrived to The Hague’- Yugoslav army’s general, Vladimir Lazarevic, war crimes suspect at large for more than 15 months, was transferred to the detention unit in the Hague. Lazarevic was indicted for war crimes committed in Kosovo against ethnic Albanians in 1999. |
| RS PoWs deny over 7000 killed in Srebrenica; Radivojac condemns, Stojicic supports denial
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Forgery against Mikerevic’ by V.P. – At Thursday’s press conference in Banja Luka, Branislav Dukic, President of RS Association of PoWs, distributed a document which challenges credibility of the Srebrenica Commission report, claiming that a document was compiled by the Commission, in collaboration with the RS Government. Dukic has announced that he would raise the issue of responsibility of Dragan Mikerevic regarding interpretation of a document. The document, amongst other issue, reads: “The list of 7806 names refers to the persons reported as missing and in relation with Srebrenica developments throughout the month of July in 1995. Out of this figure, only 1438 remains have been identified.” Goran Radivojac, Spokesperson of RS Premier, commented on a document by saying: “This is a forgery and filthy deceit.” He explains that the form of the alleged RS Government document is not authentically and brimming with grammar and spelling mistakes. According to NN, Milan Bogdanovic, former President of Srebrenica Commission, has stated: “to my knowledge, the document is grounded on RS Government Report on Srebrenica developments.” Dusan Stojicic, RS NA Speaker, has expressed his full support to the claims in the letter, adding that it represents a correct attempt to attribute proper interpretation and character of what Report deserves. According to NN sources close to RS Government, this alleged document represents an alleged “confrontation of Dragan Cavic with Dragan Mikerevic and PDP.” RTRS, Glas Srpske cover page story ‘Quarrel getting severe’ by G.K., EuroBlic RSpg 1 ‘Public does not know the truth’ by Marija Jandric, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘They do not support report on Srebrenica Commission’ by Fena – also cover RS PoWs press conference. BHT 1 reports on RS Govt denying credibility of this report. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Stojicic supports disputing the number of Srebrenica victims’ by Srna – brings Stojicic reaction. |
| NGOs letter to HR demands investigation of appointment of Novic to OSA
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘On side of justice and victims’ by B. Kahrimanovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘To investigate as to how Goran Novic was appointed director in OSA’ not signed – Representatives of a few non-government organizations and prisoners of war associations from Prijedor, Sanski Most and Sarajevo sent an open letter to High Representative Paddy Ashdown and media expressing their dissatisfaction over the fact that Goran Novic, who used to be an investigator in the prison camp Omraska, was appointed a Director of the Department in charge of training the OSA cadre. Survived Omarska prison camp inmates also wonder as to how it happened that Novic came to the aforementioned position and whether it was, perhaps, the OHR’s obligation to ask Novic was he was doing during the war. The letter also says: ‘We are convinced that you (the HR) will take the side of the victims and justice that cannot accept the fact that Novic was appointed to this position in OSA.’ FTV, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Nine organizations against Novic’, by f– also reports on the letter. |
| RS MoI contacts Karadzic family to persuade him to surrender?
| Vecernje novosti pg 3 ‘They are persuading Karadzic to surrender’ by D. Stojakovic – According to Belgrade’s Vecernje Novosti, RS Ministry of Interior has been contacting family of Radovan Karadzic in an attempt to try to persuade him to surrender. VN adds this has been confirmed by the family members. BHT 1 also says that RS MoI is in negotiations, however it doesn’t give a name of suspect. |
| SD int w/ McElhaney: We punished PDP, SDS because they jointly obstruct arrest of war criminals’
| Slobodna Dalmacija pgs 14-18 ‘We punished PDP and SDS because they jointly obstruct arrest of war criminals; Entering USA is not a RIGHT, but PRIVILEGE’, by Nidzara Ahmetasevic – Carries a lengthy interview with the US Ambassador to BiH, Douglas McElhaney, in which he, whilst explaining the US’ decision to ban the PDP and SDS leadership from entering the US, says the decision was taken because of their failure to observe the DPA because “the fact is that they are in power in the entity that does not cooperate with the International Tribunal in The Hague”. The Ambassador continued: “Personally, I cannot believe that the RS does not have information, that it does not know where those people are and that none of them are in the RS. Some people from the RS Government openly refused to cooperate and said it was a threat for the people and that they could not do it.” |
| Hartman denies agencies report on Del Ponte saying Serbs were victims in | Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Prosecutor did not state that Serbs are victims in |
Political issues | |
| Bukejlovic says he secured majority support
| FTV, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Bukejlovic claims he has the majority’, by De. L., Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17 ‘Bukejlovic: I have the majority’, by A. Macanovic, Nezavisne Novine cover ‘I will accept SDA support’ and pg 4 ‘Bukejlovic counts on SDA votes’ by V. Popovic; EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Counting in progress’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – The RS Prime Minister-designate, Pero Bukejlovic, confirmed following the meeting with the RSNA Speaker Dusan Stojicic that he had the necessary parliamentary majority required for his cabinet and that the new RS Government would include the current RS Interior and Defence Ministers, Darko Matijasevic and Milovan Stankovic respectively. Bukejlovic says he enjoys the support of the SDS, SRS and DNS, adding that the PDP will declare itself sometime this week. He also noted that the SDA, in its statements, hinted a possibility that it could support the new RS Government without participating in it. PINK – At the session on 15 February, the RS National Assembly will discuss the election of new RS Government. Bukejlovic announced that thee new Government would consist of both those belonging to a party and those persons who are not members of some party. Stojicic said that SDS was negotiating with PDP, and that there were great possibilities for PDP to support the Government. |
| Bukejlovic ‘ready’ to accept SDA support
| Nezavisne Novine cover ‘I will accept SDA support’ and pg 4 ‘Bukejlovic counts on SDA votes’ by V. Popovic – Referring to the Pero Bukejlovic’s statement that he is ready to accept the support of the SDA, Sefket Hafizovic, RS NA Deputy Speaker and SDA senior official, has stated: “Bukejlovic can count on SDA support if SDA would have its Ministers in the Government. If this were not the case, the support in questionable.” Dnevni List, pg 2 carries in its ‘Statement of Day’ column the Vice President of RS, Adil Osmanovic, as saying: “Cavic cannot secure parliamentary majority without the SDA”. BHT 1 – Commenting to Bukejlovic’s claim that he has majority support, RSNA Speaker Dusan Stojicic said: “I am convinced that this will be somewhat broader Assembly support than the one that previous Government had. I am talking about Serbs’ support.” RTRS – While Bukejlovic says that he has DNS support, Drago Kalabic from DNS stated this it depends on the Agreement on coordinated political action, and whether SDA will participate in the government. |
| PIC says state and entities budgetary expenses enormous
| BHT 1 – The Peace Implementation Council Steering Board concluded at the meeting on Thursday that State and Entities budgetary expenses in BiH are enormous. The State spends 50% of gross national income on its administration, warned the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown. “Look at the budget, the State’s amounts 300 millions KM. One part of it goes on RS internal debt that reaches 915 millions KM and it is three times higher that the State’s one. That is illogical. That’s why PIC reacted on the statements that RS will loose something with these reforms,” stated Ashdown. |
Economic and judicial issues | |
| NATRON sings contract with Turkish partner | NTV Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 12 ’60 million KM for new start’ E. Beslic, Dnevni Avaz pg 8, mentioned on cover ‘Turkish partners to invest KM 56 million’ – A contract on the establishment of a joint company was signed in Maglaj on Thursday by the representatives of the Hayat Turkish holding, Kastamonu Entergre company and Natron. The contract foresees initial investment of KM 60 million into improving the paper and cellulose production capacities. The ceremony was attended by a number of local and international officials including FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic and USAID Director in BiH Howard Sumka. |
| BiH HoR to sell barracks ‘Marsal Tito’ to US Embassy
| NTV Hayat, FTV, BHT 1, Dnevni List pg 6, mentioned on cover ‘US Embassy in former barracks Marsal Tito’ by I. Glibusic, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Marshal Tito barracks to be sold to US for KM 13 million’ by V. Zivak, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘US to buy a part of former Marshal Tito barracks for KM 12.8 million’ – During the session of the BiH HoR held on Thursday a proposal of the decision of the BiH Council of Minister on sale of former military barracks ‘Marsal Tito’ in Sarajevo for the needs of the US Embassy was discussed. Representative Jozo Krizanovic stated that they passed the decision according to which the contract on allocating the land to the US Embassy can be addressed. The land has been estimated to const about 13 million KM. |
| FBiH Government on social welfare
| Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Basis to determine compensations is 213 KM’ by M. Kukan, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Care for civil invalids transferred onto Federation’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – The FBiH Government determined at its session held yesterday (Thursday) the Proposal of changes to law on basics of social welfare, protection of civil casualties of war and protection of families with children. The key change in the Proposal is the article, which foresees that the funding for these issues will be transferred onto the FBiH level, which will make sure that all the beneficiaries receive the same aid regardless of their place of residence (NB: which was not the case before, depending on the canton where a beneficiary lives). According to FBiH Minister for Social Issues, Radovan Vignjevic, 8 million KMs that have been allocated in the FBiH budget should cover the expenses for 2005. Also covered by electronic media. |
| RS Govt in session
| PINK, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Tender for “Pivara” by 15 February’ by N.M.; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Brewery on sale’ by G. Dakic; EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Tender for Brewery by 15 February’ by T.V. – At Thursday’s session in Banja Luka, RS Government has accepted special privatisation program regarding Banja Luka Brewery “Pivara”. RS Privatisation Directorate is going to issue the public bid for purchase of state capital by 15th of February, announced Zoran Dosen, Head of Team for privatisation of strategic companies. He has also stated that the Directorate was suggested not to issue a bid before 15 February, in order to ensure that the new RS Government is in position to give its comments and suggestions on the special privatisation program. |
| RS Supreme Court on audit of Alijagic case
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Audit commenced’ by M. Dizdar; EuroBlic RSpg3 ‘Decision up to Supreme Court’ by T. V. – Chairman of RS Supreme Court Zelimir Baric has confirmed that the Supreme Court has took in consideration the request for an audit of Alijagic case. He could not say when a decision on this case would be brought. EuroBlic RSpg3 ‘Decision up to Supreme Court’ by T. V. – OHR has stated that the RS Supreme Court’s audit of Alijagic case would determine whether Daniel Ruiz, a former employee of OHR Trebinje, had influenced the court verdict as former Chairman of Trebinje Regional Court Slavko Sunjevic claims. BiH HJPC has stated there is a possibility certain representatives of international community had overstepped their authority and influenced the work of courts. Prior to any decision, HJPC would like to have all information on activities of Daniel Ruiz with regard to Alijagic case. |
| RS Press examine details of Alijagic case
| RTRS, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 5 ‘I bought ordinary, not silver electrodes’ unattributed; EuroBlic RSpg3 ‘Contract on 102 tones of oil’ by V.M – Bosko Vujacic, the owner and Director of “Gorstak” firm, has stated that repro-material of “Alijagic” firm, Trebinje Municipality sold to him in 1993, had not included expensive electrodes made of silver, but only regular electrodes. He estimates the value of goods he had bought was approximately 180,000 KM. Inset ‘Public Attorney’s Office had not called Vujacic to testify’ – reads Trebinje Office of Public Attorney’s Office had not called Vujacic to testify in this case. The Office could not state why Vujacic had not been called to testify. |
| Sadovic: ‘Ruiz had left the office three years before ruling was made’
| Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Ruiz had left the office three years before ruling was made’ by A. Malagic – Tarik Sadovic, the head of the SDA Caucus in RS National Assembly, said that the claims by former Trebinje Municipal Court Judge Slavko Sunjevic about alleged pressures by former OHR envoy in Trebinje Daniel Ruiz in Alijagic case were ridiculous. Sadovic added that he knew Ruiz very well and that Ruiz had left his Trebinje office in May 2001 while the ruling in favor of Salih Alijagic was made only in September 2004. |
| Hercegovacka Bank case continues
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘They tried to hide destination of 872 thousand KM of assistance from Croatia’, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘It has not been determined how the money was spent’ by A.N., Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Defence overturns parts of report of auditing house’, by Erna Mackic – Reports from Thursday’s continuation of trials to Ante Jelavic in the ‘Hercegovacka bank’ case when cross-examination of prosecution witness, Frank Marzluf, got completed. Marzluf works in the German-based ‘Ernest and Young’ auditing house and was involved in investigation into Hercegovacka bank case. Jelavic’s attorney asked Marzluf whether the money from |
| SD on criminal proceedings in BiH against prominent persons in BiH
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Prosecutors in hands of Mafia’, by Marin Erceg – Talking about criminal proceedings that involve some prominent people in BiH, like Ante Jelavic, Dragan Covic, the Lijanovici brothers, Hasan Cengic and others, the author argues that those who have the money, influence and political protection are likely to get away with it. In that context, the author compares the charges against Jelavic and Covic, who are charged with most serious incriminations such as undermining of state, embezzlements, organization of criminal organization etc, with charges pressed against Cengic, who is charged with abuse of office/authority only. |
| WB Director on privatization, Pension Fund
| Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘World Bank sends critics to Federation Government’, by Jurislav Petrovic – The Director of World Bank’s Mission to BiH, Dirk Reinermann, stated that participation of foreign companies that are in majority state-ownership should not be limited in the privatization process in BiH. According to DL, this is a direct criticism against the FBiH Government, which made changes to the Law on privatization and sent it to the parliamentary procedure last week by, as DL says, outvoting the Croat Ministers. According to Reinermann, “new investments have to be attracted to this country, new jobs have to be created irregardless of the ownership structure”. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 pg 4 ‘We support establishment of state pension fund’, mentioned on front, by E. D. – Reinermann also says on the issue of revision of privatization process: “The WB is concerned about any systematic revision of the complete privatization that has taken place until now, which could affect the investors and legislative security of investments in BiH.” He adds that audit could cause a grave damage to the current legal framework that currently protects ownership rights of local and foreign investors.He concludes saying that the WB supports the establishment of the single Pension Fund at the state level. |
| RS Employers demand Doko’s removal | Glas Srpske cover pg story ‘Imports sunk exports’ by D. V. M.– RS Association of Employers has demanded from Adnan Terzic, BIH CoM Chair, to remove BiH Minister of Foreign Trade, Dragan Doko. Demand is substantiated by claims that the Ministry in question “has failed to do anything to protect domestic production, introduction of reciprocal measures and lifting of customs barriers, with which BiH exporters are faced during exchange of goods with other states”. The Association is of the view that “In this way, domestic economy has suffered enormous damage. Idleness of BiH Ministry for Foreign Trades consciously favored imports on the detriment of domestic production’.” |
Security and police issues | |
| US warns citizens not to travel o BiH
| PINK, NTV Hayat, BHT 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘I is dangerous to travel to BiH’ by S.N – The US Administration warned its citizens not to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, owing to security risk against them in this state. Also, the US Administration has included the BiH in the list of extremely risky states, like |
| VL: ‘1000 foreigners are hiding from authorities in BiH’
| Vecernji List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘1000 foreigners are hiding from authorities in BiH’ by M. Sutalo carries that as many 1000 foreigners are illegally in BiH at the moment. Deputy BiH Security Minister Dragan Mektic stated: ‘Competent BiH institutions have issued decisions on their expelling however since they cannot find out where these persons are, the aforementioned decisions have not been implemented yet.’ VL explains that the fact that the BiH Service for Foreigners has not been established yet prevents implementation of the decisions on expelling. |
| CIA: BiH will not join EU and new conflicts threaten BiH
| Dani cover pg splash and pgs 18-20, ‘Bosnia does not enter EU and new conflicts threaten Bosnia’ by E. Hecimovic – Investigative Center of the CIA Director called National Intelligence Council (NIC) published (mid January 2005) estimations of the global development in the next 15 years based on one year of work of over 1000 US and foreign research workers. According to their estimations, BiH will not join the EU by 2020, due to the crisis within the EU its spreading will be stopped, while together with Serbia and Montenegro and Albania, BiH remains out of the globalization process in the area in which intensifying of internal conflicts is possible. The estimations also say that |
| SD int with McElhaney: | Slobodna Dalmacija pgs 14-18 ‘We punished PDP and SDS because they jointly obstruct arrest of war criminals; Entering USA is not a RIGHT, but PRIVILEGE’, by Nidzara Ahmetasevic – Asked to comment on the proposal of the HR Paddy Ashdown regarding the Police reform, US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney says: “I think the High Representative’s decision is positive. The most important issue is that the changes that are to follow will be of use to the citizens (…) If there is not an efficient Police system, then you cannot follow the example of other European countries. Therefore you must meet the EU standards. I know that Mr. Ashdown is determined that it goes through and what’s about to happen is the joint work of the Police and authorities to reach an agreement”. |