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| Mourners respect to Pope | Celebration of RS Police Day in RS |
| Kyrgyz president resignation | Cekic on Srebrenica report |
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TV news broadcast on
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| Death of Pope John | Death of Pope John | Catholics mourning for the Pope |
| Reactions to Poe’s death | Issue of election of new Pope | Masses all over BiH for the Pope |
| Regional news | Reactions on Pope’s death | BiH officials pay respect for the Pope |
| Regional news | Mourning Day in BiH | Region leaders send condolences |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Reactions on Pope’s death | Catholics mourning for the Pope | Death of Pope John |
| Issue of election of new Pope | Mass in | Pope John |
| BiH citizens on the Pope | BiH officials express condolences | BIH condolences to |
| Pope’s visit to Banjaluka | BiH religious leaders paid respect | Patriarch Pavle’s condolences |
| Oslobodjenje | Let us thank God we had such a Pope |
| Dnevni Avaz | Srebrenica: Who is on the list of 28000 persons – Criminals fleeing to |
| Dnevni List | New conflict between EU and |
| Vecernji List | |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Dying Pope said: Amen |
| Glas Srpske | No peace for deceased |
| Nezavisne Novine | Jesus, have mercy towards the entire World! |
| Blic | Check-up of diplomas in RS |
| Vecernje Novosti | Features Serbia-related topics |
| Belgrade’s Nacional | Disgraceful: There is no money that Radovan would sully his honour |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| BiH Presidency meeting IMF officials today | RS Radio – The topic of today’s meeting between IMF representatives and members of BiH Presidency will be economic situation and BiH plans regarding macro-economic strategy. The IMF officials will meet Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM, tomorrow. |
| Economy: Placement of goods from RS in SiCG
| RS Radio – President of the RS Chamber of Commerce, Mladen Micic, has announced that today in |
War Crimes/Srebrenica Report | |
| DA: Identified perpetrators of Srebrenica crimes run to
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Criminals escape to Serbia in panic’, pg 2 ‘Panic among criminals’ by A. Hadzic – Associations of Srebrenica victims will ask from the members of Srebrenica Working Group to submit them the list of more than 28.000 names of persons related to the crimes committed in that region. The list was delivered to RS Government and OHR several days ago. Hajra Catic from “Women of Srebrenica” says that the RS Government is trying only to deceive the public with the list of 892 names. DA sources say that Ravnagora chetnik movement, who allegedly provides protection to persons who committed crimes in Srebrenica, has increased the activities in the past few days to move them to |
| Report available only to chosen members of RS Government
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Only chosen ones read the report’ by A.H. – DA unofficially learns that, in addition to RS Prime Minister, Pero Bukejlovic, and RS President Dragan Cavic, only chosen people from the RS Government had an opportunity to read the Srebrenica Working Group’s report. According to the report, the most brutal acts were committed by the members of Bratunac and Zvornik brigades and members of the Interior Ministry with headquarters in Zvornik. |
| Cekic: Report identifies approx 28.000 persons involved in Srebrenica events
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 inset ‘Cekic: Names of perpetrators of crimes submitted to Paddy Ashdown’ – “The information that more than 28.000 people had took part in the Krivaja operation, which is an official name for fall of Srebrenica. They include members of RS Army, RS police, Yugoslav Army and Police, and many, many others,” says Smail Cekcic, member of Srebrenica Commission. He adds that that full list has been submitted to the HR Paddy Ashdown, and Cekic “expects [the list] to be taken seriously.” Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘About 28.000 people took part in the crime’, mentioned on cover, by A. Avdic – Cekic also confirmed for daily that 28.000 people were identified as taking part in Srebrenica events in July 1995, adding that this includes 892 persons still employed in the RS institutions. Daily reminds of speculations that these institutions include RS Police, SIPA and OSA. Oslobodjenje also unofficially learns that the majority of persons from the lists were given regular certificates by the international community to perform their duties. |
| Osmanovic: IC wants to hide several names
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 inset ‘Osmanovic: Foreigners want to hide several names’ – The RS Vice President, Adil Osmanovic, commented to the list: “I have information that the top leadership of both SDS and RS executive authorities is in panic because of this person, because it contains the names of a number of those form top of the RS Interior Ministry, many generals, prominent professors, politicians, etc. I have also information that the international community wants to hide several names from the list as those people were for years given the certificates for the most responsible positions in the police, intelligence, SBS, customs, and they have presented RS in different parliaments of this country.” |
| Hafizovic: Those from the list were already informed
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 inset ‘Hafizovic: All those on the list were informed’ – Deputy Speaker of the RS National Assembly, Sefket Hafizovic, commented he did not have a chance yet to read the Srebrenica Working Group’s report, but he said he fears that “following recent strange event nobody but those from the group and several from RS government will see the list. Obviously, those on the list were already informed about that, especially when it comes to Srebrenic and Bratunac. I saw that with my own eyes being in Potocari for the last few days.” |
| Comments in GS on Srebrenica Task Force Report: They have brought verdict before the court did
| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘They have brought verdict before the court did’ by G. Klepic – the author of the article criticizes the fact Bosniaks have already proclaimed verdicts in cases of 892 persons, who still work at the authorities and whose names were put on the list of people linked with crimes in Srebrenica. Deputy Chairman of Srebrenica Assembly Sadik Ahmetovic thinks he, as a citizen of Srebrenica, has ‘the right to claim every person who was employed at a public institution, especially at police, army, judiciary and public companies between 1992 and 1995, is surely quite involved in Srebrenica crimes’. The Chairman of Bosniak caucus at RS CoP, Ramiz Salkic, expects from the Republic authority to remove all persons from the list within 24 hours. At the same time, Bosniaks have resented the fact the names were not made public. |
| RS abolishes dual assistance to ICTY detainees
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘As of 1 March, RS abolished financial assistance to PIFWCs in detention’ by C. A. – The ‘Assistance’ Foundation operating in the RS has received the list of those ICTY detainees that receive the assistance from SCG in addition to regular benefits from RS. In these cases, as of 1 March, RS has suspended the assistance |
| Ivanic: RS MoI got KM 1 million to improve cooperation with ICTY
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Ivanic: RS MoI got BAM 1 million’ – Mladen Ivanic, PDP President, in a statement to ATV in Banja Luka stated that the amount of BAM 1 million has been allocated to RS Ministry of Internal Affairs for operational costs of cooperation with the ICTY. Asked whether it is true that RS Government gives more than BAM 50 thousand (as stipulated by RS Government decision on voluntary surrenders), Ivanic said: “According to information I hold, RS MOI got BAM 1 million for these activities. I am not aware of how it uses it, but I suppose one share of that amount is to cover expenses of the RS MoI personnel, who are working on the issues of cooperation with the ICTY.” |
| Luka Karadzic/Ljiljana-Zelen Karadzic deny Dodik’s claims
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘My brother did not take away 36 million marks’ by S.K. – The daily re-reports the statement Luka Karadzic, brother of Radovana Kraadzic, gave to Montenegrin papers, denying that his brother has taken away the amount of 36 million marks from the RS Narodna Banka in 1997, adding that claims Milorad Dodik made are pure “fabrications”, which have originated from Biljana Plavsic. Luka Karadzic also announced he would file a lawsuit against Dodik, unless Dodik proves his claims. Ljiljana Zelen Karadzic also denied these claims. Momcilo Mandic, in an interview to “Slobodna Bosna” in November 2004 said he held documents proving Radovan Karadzic had provided himself with a financial back-up a long time ago. He also said then he had handed these documents to OHR through “Ceca” from Dragan Cavic’s Cabinet. Ncaional cover pg splash and pg 2 ‘There is no money that Radovan would sully his honour’ – carries Luka Karadzic’s statement more extensively. |
Political Developments/Reforms | |
| HR withdraws international members from BiH Election Commission
| Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘International members leave BiH Election Commission’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Three international members leaving Election Commission’, Dnevni List, pg 10 ‘Three members from Election Commission are being withdrawn’, mentioned on front ‘Nationalisation of Election Commission’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 12 ‘Ashdown withdraws foreigners from BiH Commission’, by Eldina Medunjanin, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Ashdown reached decision on withdrawal of three members from Election Commission’ by M.C.,FENA – High Representative Paddy Ashdown on Sunday decided to withdraw three international members from the BiH Election Commission, which is due to start its work by the end of June 2005, a press release issued by OHR/OSCE said. The international members of the commission – senior deputy of the High Representative Werner Wnendt, head of the OSCE Mission in BiH Douglas Davidson and his deputy Viktor Tkachenko – who established a close working relationship with the four local members of the commission in the run-up to and after the elections in 2004, expressed their confidence in the work of their colleagues from BiH. In line with this, they proposed to the High Representative that it was the right time to completely nationalize this institution. “This is an additional step in the efforts the country is making to improve its reputation as a functional country,” Ashdown said, adding that the trend was continuing in handing over responsibilities and an increasing number of powers (to the domestic authorities) for the future of this country. Davidson pointed out that handing over the electoral process to the citizens of BiH was a historic step. |
| HR leaves for | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Ashdown to hold talks on BiH chances to join PfP’ – High Representative Paddy Ashdown will leave for |
| HR says former PDHR
| TV Hayat – Former Principal Deputy HR |
| RS Interior Minister Matijasevic says survival of RS Police optimal solution
| BHT, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Survival of RS Police optimal solution’, FENA – “The relevant RS institutions have taken a clear stand and I expect that a police reform solution optimal for BiH would be accepted. This solution is the existence of the RS police and police director in the administrative and territorial space of RS,” RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic said in Bratunac on Sunday. On the occasion of April 4 – the RS Police Day, Matijasevic attended the exercise “Intercepting drug traffic and catching perpetrators”. Representatives of the RS and international police forces had an opportunity to watch the exercises of catching criminals and discovering hidden drugs. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Ready for challenges’ by O.Matavulj/K.Cirkovic also carried the statement. |
| Circle 99 Association discusses status of
| Hayat, FTY, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘New action for united |
| SPRS’ Djokic says policies in BiH based on crime | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Policies in BiH based on crime’ – “Today we have a situation that we are led and represented by policies based exclusively on crime,” RS Socialist Party leader Petar Djokic said in Brcko commenting on apprehension of senior PDP officials. |
| Ivanic: Political pursuit of local centres of power against PDP on scene
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Political pursuit of local centres of power against PDP’ by V.Popovic – Mladen Ivanic, PDP President, stated that the political pursuit has been launched against PDP after this arty has left RS Government. Also, the attempts of criminalising the party have also been on scene. Ivanic claims that local political centres of power and political opponents of PDP, who have mislead judicial bodies, are behind these attempts. He added: “Political centres of power are exerting pressure against judiciary. PDP holds information that those centres of power, that want to cover up for their own illegalities and divert attention of public on the other side, are behind these spectacular events and those events to follow.” He noted that PDP would disclose information on who namely is behind these attempts in next few days. After the session of the PDP Presidency, Ivanic commented on the latest detention of PDP officials by saying that PDP would not stand behind any single official, who has possibly taken part in illegal activities, adding that PDP would strongly oppose to political misuses of fight against crime. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Political background’ by N.D. – Dragan Mikerevic, PDP Presidency member, shares the view of Ivanic, adding: “We will no longer be a mechanism in the authority, that needs to pay accounts of the ruling nationalistic parties”. |
| NN op-ed on PDP
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘PDP is a favourite of election unit Tunjice’ by Aleksandar Sekulic – The author is writing about most recent events, which have resulted in seeing PDP officials facing accusations for illegal activities. |
| Patriot on accusations against PDP officials: Big brother
| Patriot pgs 6-7 ‘Big brother’ by Slobodan Vaskovic – The author is commenting on the latest events concerning PDP officials, stressing that RS Prosecutor’s Office is just doing its job, without political connotation, and showing that nobody is the untouchable. This refers to any politician, including PDP officials (Brano Dokic, Zoran Djeric, Perica Bundalo, Rodoljub Trkulja and Stojko Blagojevic) and Milorad Dodik and Marko Pavic. The author expresses hope that Prosecutor’s Office will also launch investigations against former and current officials of SDS, but also RS Socialist Party and other parties, on basis of grounded suspicion they have been violating the law. The author stresses that the latest big wave of charges against PDP officials surprise those badly-informed people, noting that foreign factor should not be held responsible for this. Namely, Vaskovic notes that Dragan Mikerevic and Draga Solaja, PDP officials, are responsible for the latest charges against Dokic and others, since they have been compiling information on their illegal activities during their mandate. The author adds that all those charged now are members of Mladen Ivanic’s circle, while Mikerevic and his colleagues are forwarding information to Prosecutor’s Office agisnt their fellow-colleagues in order to discredit them and hide their own illegal activities. The author further adds that the reason for discrediting Dokic was Mikerevic’s aspiration for Dokic’s ministerial seat. On incriminating claims against Mikerevic, the author gives the following example. Djordje Davidovic, Mikerevic‘s close associate, bought one building owned by “Incel” firm for BAM 520 thousand, and later on sold that same building to RS Government for BAM 2.8 million. Furthermore, RS Government could have directly bought the building of “Incel”, which is the state property, without bringing Davidovic as mediator. Hence, RS budget was damaged for BAM 2.2 million. The article stresses RS Prosecutor’s Office is conducting investigation on these claims. |
| Oslobodjenje: BiH has to have law on civil service by May
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘BiH has to have the Law on Civil Service by May’ by M. Kavaz-Sirucic – Daily refers to the conscription in BiH stating that about 10% of those obliged for military service would be in favor of serving civil service instead. To date, about 2100 recruits mostly from FBiH have filed a request for civil service. The coordinator of the public campaign aimed at promoting this option, Darko Brkan, told daily that next week the Law on civil service will be submitted to the OHR, which was drafted in cooperation with the OHR. Daily says that the obligation of the BiH is to adopt such law by May at the state level. Daily reminds that SNSD also carries out the campaign which would abolish eh military service. For SNSD, military reform should result in termination of recruitment, regular military training period and the reserve components, as well as in forming a smaller professional army that would be affordable to BiH. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Farewell to arms’ by G.D. carries SNSD leader Milorad Dodik’s statement on the issue from Saturday’s Round Table on defence reform. |
| Oslobodjenje: Will Ivanic request call off Branko Kesic?
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Will Ivanic request call off Branko Kesic?’ Az. Kalamujic – BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic should finally early next week inform the BiH Presidency on a humiliating fact that Croatia has not even after 100 days accepted/approved/agreed on the appointment of Branko Kesic as BiH Ambassador to Croatia. |
| SDP leader Lagumdzija: BiH farer away from EU than it was two years ago
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘BiH farer away from EU than it was two years ago’, Dnevni List, pg 12 ‘BiH is further away from EU’, not signed – The President of SDP BiH, Zlatko Lagumdzija, who was taking part in the ‘Western Balkans 2005 – domestic instabilities and European perspectives’ conference in Munich, Germany, (April 1-3) stated in his keynote speech dedicated to BiH that BiH was further away from Europe than it was 2 years ago, noting that both the domestic authorities and “their international mentors” are responsible for the situation. Lagumdzija stated that a path to the new Europe-acceptable constitutional framework must be clearly defined by end of year, saying that one of priorities is a transformation of the OHR, which should be helping build the European statehood, and not doing the job instead of the state institutions. |
| HDZ wants BiH Parliament to discuss Covic removal, resolution on responsibility of HR Ashdown
| Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Parliament adopts resolution on work of High Representative’, mentioned on front ‘Resolution on work of High Representative’ by Ivica Glibusic – Announces that a session of Collegiums of both chambers of the BiH Parliament, which has been requested by the HDZ following the decision of the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, to remove Dragan Covic from BiH Presidency, should take place today (Monday) or tomorrow (Tuesday) the latest, at which a joint session of both chambers would be scheduled in order to discuss “violations of the BiH Constitution and Conventions on human rights”. In a statement for DL, an MP in the BiH House of Representatives, Ivo Miro Jovic, says it is expected that the plenary session should end up in a resolution, which would seek the responsibility of the HR, “who evidently broke the Constitution”. Jovic goes on to say that the problem because which the HR removed Covic is not in the HR’s competence, since the HR’s competences are related to the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accord, which was not the reason for the removal. |
| Covic’s lawyers seek instruction on legal remedy from OHR
| Vecernji List, pg 12 ‘Amend decision with instruction on legal remedy’, by M. R. – Lawyers of the removed member of BiH Presidency (Dragan Covic), Josip Muselimovic and Zdravko Rajic, have sent the OHR a memo in which they ask from the OHR to amend the decision on Covic removal, before it is published in the BiH Official Gazette. The lawyers want the OHR to amend the decision by including an instruction on the legal remedy in it, so they could continue to seek protection of Covic’s human rights and freedoms before domestic and international organizations. Otherwise, they want the OHR to inform them whether the High Representative’s decisions are not subjected to legal remedies and second instance appeals. |
| Kukic on Covic removal, behaviour of Lozancic and Ashdown: Ashdown should be removed
| Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘Collapse of partnership’, by Dr. Slavo Kukic – Carries an op-ed in which the author comments on the situation pertaining to the Dragan Covic removal and events that followed, such as the FBiH President, Niko Lozancic, offering his mandate to the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown. Noting that the romance between the HDZ and HR seems to be definitely over, Kukic says that the HR, in his response to the Lozancic letter, publicly demonstrated his attitude towards the state and its institutions. “Just to be clear, it is the attitude of mocking, irony and belittling”. On top of this, Kukic agrees with the HDZ on removal of the HR, not because of the Covic removal, but because he embraced as partners the ones who are responsible for the tragedy that struck BiH, which in turn allowed the ruling parties to make party structures in all segments of the society. |
| OHR completing revision of removal decisions: Alibabic to be amongst first ones
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Ashdown to rehabilitate Aliobabic’ by M. Cubro – NN reports referring to a source at OHR that the first group of persons whom Paddy Ashdown HR would rehabilitate (after he had dismissed them from office) in the coming ten days would include Munir Alibabic, former F BiH intelligence agent, whom Ashdown removed in October 2002. The source added: “First decisions on revision will be publicised in coming ten days. It is certain that decisions on removals of officials, who aided PIWC’s and against whom criminal proceedings are run, will not be withdrawn.” |
Economic/Social Affairs | |
| Terzic: We do not need IMF funds for 2005
| TV PINK – Natasa Sjeric – The Chair of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic said that BiH needed no International Monetary Fund loan. BiH was offered about 50 million $ but under unsuitable terms, while BiH institutions have already made plans on 2006 budget, which do not stipulate Standby arrangement means. “We are negotiating with the IMF on new Standby arrangement. It is obvious that BiH needs the arrangement with the IMF, due to the fact that we are still depending on international financial support, which makes the World Bank loans necessary. But due to the fact that BiH and entities’ budgets have not included Standby arrangement means, I think that we do not need these means. We are ready to agree on Standby arrangement terms and to meet them after a year”, said Terzic in an interview for PINK. BHT, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘BiH does not count of IMF loan’ by M.C. also carried Terzic’s statement. |
| Together to Truth requests Ashdown to participate in resolving the problems of Serbs who exchanged their properties in | RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Correct injustice’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Serbs from Croatia losing exchanged property in BiH’ – Together to Truth association sent an open letter to High Representative Paddy Ashdown asking him to take part in solving the problems of Serbs that exchanged their real-estates in Croatia for the ones in RS. Now, with valid termination of contracts in RS, they lost everything. The association wants Ashdown to order the BIH courts not to terminate the contract on real-estates exchange. They concluded their letter saying that BiH Courts are corrupted. |
| Independent auditors on EFT case: There were no irregularities
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Independent auditors on EFT case: There were no irregularities’, Glas Srpske cover pg ‘There is nobody to pay the damage’ not signed – EFT representatives have stated KPMG Audit House has confirmed there were no irregularities in the work of EFT, adding: “KPMG experts have assessed that the report of the audit, authorized by OHR to control the work of EFT in BiH, was incorrect, tendentious and unprofessional.” PR officer of EFT Nenad Savic has stated KPMG auditors have used the same documents as special auditors of OHR and have found out factual mistakes have been made with regard to price of electricity and types of electric power EFT was trading in. KPMG has found out OHR auditor has suggested a number of serious accusations with regard to alleged tender manipulations, yet evidence published as a part of an investigation contain nothing that would substantiate these claims. |
| ITA improves collection of indirect taxes
| Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘408 million marks collected in first quarter’, by D. P. – According to the Assistant director of the Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA), Dinko Corluka, 408 million KMs had been collected on the account of indirect taxes in the first quarter of 2005, which is an increase by 27 million in comparison to the same period in 2004. |
| DL feature on corruption in BiH
| Dnevni List, pgs 12-13 ‘Dramatic proportions of corruption’, by Tanja Dragic – DL notes that BiH is the only country in the region that is yet to sign the UN’s Convention on the fight against corruption and which is one of rare countries that does not have an efficient strategy to combat corruption. In a statement for DL, a spokesman for the Transparency International, Srdjan Blagojevic, says there is the Strategy for fight against corruption within the PRSP, however it is not concrete enough and it proved to be inefficient. On the other hand, an advisor to the BiH Council of Ministers, Bojan Zec Filipovic, says the whole issue is about a process, because nobody can expect that a change would happen overnight. Filipovic notes the situation has improved in the last 2 years. |
Miscellaneous | |
| BiH Security Ministry opposes to opening of intelligence agencies’ files | Nezavisne Novine pg 8, announced on cover ‘BiH Ministry of Security against the Law on opening of files’ by M. Cubro – Tomislav Limov, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Commission for surveillance over the work of BiH OSA, said that the BiH is the only state in the region, which does not have Law on opening of files of intelligence agencies. Dragan Mektic, BiH Deputy Security Minister, stressed that the adoption of special law on access to files is “needless, since BiH has a Law on free access to information.” |
| GSon
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘No peace for deceased’ by M. Stojanovic – The article reports on the most recent incident in Tuzla – unknown perpetrators have desecrated Orthodox graveyard in Tuzla in the night between last Friday and Saturday. The author notes such incidents are detrimental for the return process and says only approximately 15,000 Serbs, out of the prewar population of 118,000, have returned to this area and only 18 Serb children are attending religious teaching (at the same time 49,000 Muslim children and 1,800 Catholics are attending religious teaching). The article features a statement of the graveyard keeper who says such incidents mainly occur during religious holidays and he claims the police usually explain such incidents as acts of drug-addicts or mentally-ill persons. The same graveyard was desecrated three times in the course of the last year. |