OHR BiH Media Round-up, 4/6/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

HR meets Del Ponte

Carla del Ponte in visit to Sarajevo

Arrest of war crime suspect

RS reactions to Srebrenica video

4 “Skorpioni” members arrested

Tadic on Srebrenica crimes

HDZ BIH Assembly

Reports against war crime indictees

Del Ponte on war crime indictees

Dokic resigned

Novak Djukic removed

Interview with Del Ponte

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Carla del Ponte in visit to Sarajevo

Arrest of war crime suspect

Arrest of war crime suspect

A person arrested in Sarajevo

Tihic on Srebrenica crimes footage

Djukic dismissed by NATO & EUFOR

Serbian Police arrested 10 persons

Del Ponte in Sarajevo

Dokic resigns

Feature story on Nura Alispahic

RS Army chief of staff removed

Del Ponte in Sarajevo

Oslobodjenje

‘Skorpioni’ were killing on Jahorina

Dnevni Avaz

Del Ponte: We cannot wait any more

Dnevni List

Covic-Colak conflict is made up

Vecernji List

Rift because of president (on HDZ convention)

Nezavisne Novine

There are more recordings of Srebrenica crimes

Del Ponte in Sarajevo/War Crimes

Carla del Ponte in Sarajevo : More recordings of Srebrenica crimes to be released

NTV Hayat – The Chief ICTY Prosecutor, Carla del Ponte, came in visit to Sarajevo. She met with the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, EUFOR Commander David Leakey, RS Minister of Interior, Darko Matijasevic, and mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa. All the meetings were held behind the closed door, and there are no details about them. Del Ponte said that shocking video on execution of 6 men from Srebrenica proved that Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic should be arrested as soon as possible, since only in that way, tribute could be paid to victims and commemoration could be held as well. “I am tasked by the UN Security Council to bring Karadzic and Mladic to the ICTY, and if this is not to happen by July 11, I will not attend the commemoration nor will I be able to pay the tribute to the victims”, said del Ponte. Del Ponte added that the ICTY possessed similar videos and that they were going to be presented at Slobodan Milosevic’s trial in future. On being asked whether she was going to disclose names of NATO members, responsible for Karadzic and Mladic being still free, if they were not to be arrested by July 11, del Ponte said “Yes, I am staying on that and I can confirm that if they are not to be arrested by the end of the year, I am going to reveal the information”, said del Ponte.

FTV – Del Ponte added that the (Orthodox) Church protects Karadzic, but Mladic should be arrested this summer, according to promises from Belgrade. Meeting with the HR Ashdown, and RS Minister of Interior Matijasevic was also held behind closed doors, while the scheduled press conference was cancelled. OHR spokesman, Oleg Milisic , told journalists that the press conference was cancelled because del Ponte arrived earlier than it was planed, so the meeting was finished earlier as well and she departed from the OHR building. Del Ponte denied to journalists that one of the subjects of this meeting was possible removal of Matijasevic and said that subject of discussion were Karadzic and Mladic arrests.

BHT – “She has only got a promise from Serbian President, Boris Tadic that Mladic is in Serbia now and that he will be extradited this summer. But she is not sure where Karadzic is now”, said Sabra Kolenovic, Member of Association “Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa”. Del Ponte also met with the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown and RS Minister of Interior, Darko Matijasevic but the details of their talks are unknown, said BHT reporter. (Also reported by RHB, Pink, Oslobodjenje, pgs 4-5, mentioned on front ‘Carla del Ponte will not come to Potocari’, by S. Rozajac, Oslobodjenje, pg 5 ‘I will reveal responsible for failure to arrest’, by M. K. S., Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘Del Ponte: We cannot wait any more’ and pg 3 ‘Del Ponte: We cannot wait for Karadzic and Mladic to be brought to The Hague’, by S. Skuletic, Dnevn List, g 9 ‘Del Ponte: Without Karadzic and Mladic in The Hague, I am not going to Srebrenica’, by Erna Mackic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘We will release new recordings of Srebrenica crimes’, by Dejan Jazvic, Nezavisne Novine, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘There are more recordings of Srebrenica crimes’, by R. Cengic)

Oslobodjenje: More of the same from del Ponte

Oslobodjenje, pg 9 ‘Nothing new’, by Danijel Omeragic – Carries an op-ed commenting on Carla del Ponte’s visit to Sarajevo. In an ironic tone, Omeragic notes: “It is interesting that she did not meet with representatives of authorities, and the meeting with Ashdown was so brief that there were no press statements as planned before. They probably decided together that the best thing for them is to keep quiet when they have nothing new to say”.

Update to ‘Skorpioni’ committing crimes against people of Srebrenica

Pink – Office for fighting organized crime within Serbian Ministry of Interior informed that former “Skorpioni” members Slobodan Medic, Pero Petrasevic, Aleksandar Medic and Aleksandar Vukov had been arrested. Police has conducted research for their accomplices, Milorad Momic, Slobodan Davidovic and Branislav Medic. They are all being charged with war crimes against civilians. Namely they executed 6 persons, most probably Muslims, from Srebrenica. Out of these 6, 4 were minors.

BHT – The Prosecution at the Special Chamber for War Crimes in Belgrade has started procedure against 7 out of 10 persons, who were identified from the video-tape recording of execution of 6 Bosniaks from Srebrenica. Three of those persons are still at large. Serbian public has been shocked, after seeing the recording of executions committed by members of “Skorpion” unit. Executed Bosniaks from the videotape have been identified; four juveniles and two men, age under 30. They were tortured before they were executed, confirms Belgrade Prosecution. “None of politicians have said that they admitted responsibility for Srebrenica and that they admit Serbia was hiding documents and facts regarding Serbian involvement in crimes committed in Srebrenica”, stated Natasa Kondic, Director of SCG Humanitarian Rights Fund. She added that the official Serbia announced arrests of the persons who committed these crimes but nobody has took responsibility for the crimes that the former authorities committed.  Media in Belgrade are investigating who is the priest on the tape, who was blessing the persons who committed executions of Bosniaks. Serbian Orthodox church didn’t comment on recording yet.

Hayat – B 92, TV station, has broadcast video, which shows Slobodan Medic, “Skorpioni” Commander and Milorad Ulemek Legija, member of Serb voluntary guard, who was at that time member of Fikret Abdic’s forces. The event took place in Krajina, several months before Srebrenica genocide took place. Medic ordered civilians from a village to be executed.

FTV – “Those images are proof of a monstrous crime committed during the war in that area. This crime is committed in the name of our nationality,” said Serbian President, Boris Tadic, and added that he expects all State and national institutions to make clear their views on this recording, adding that they have already known that this has happened based on the report of the RS Government’s Srebrenica Commission. (issue also covered by NTV Hayat, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine, pg 4 ‘Four of killed were minors’, y R. Segrt)

Oslobodjenje, front pg splash and pgs 4-5 ‘‘Skorpioni’ were killing on Jahorina’, by Branislav Boskov from Belgrade – The (Serbian) Police has so far arrested 10 persons, who have been identified on the video recording. Two persons are being looked for, although it is believed they are abroad. Apart from confirming the news on the arrests, the spokeswoman for the (Serbian) Prosecution for war crimes, Jasna Jankovic, noted that the recording showed “a crime that happened a kilometer away from a village called Trnovo, nearby the Jahorina ski-centre”.

SIPA and Sarajevo police arrest person connected to ‘Skorpioni’

BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Person connected to crimes of Skorpion unit arrested’, by NINA, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Person connected to crimes committed by Skorpions arrested’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine, pg 4 ‘Person connected to ‘Skorpions’ arrested in Trnovo’, not signed  – State Information and Protection Agency (SIPA) and Sarajevo Cantonal Ministry of Interior (MoI) officers have arrested one person, suspected of being member of “Skorpioni” unit. This person, accused of committing war crime, was been arrested in the Trnovo area on Friday. The identity of this person is kept secret due to protection of investigation. “One person has been arrested in the Sarajevo, BiH Prosecutor’s Office is carrying out the necessary proceedings and I am going to propose to the Court of BiH to order detention for that person”, said Ibro Bulic, BiH Prosecutor.

Dnevni Avaz, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘ One ‘Skorpion’ arrested near Sarajevo’, by Aj. D. – Carries initials of the arrested person, namely B. V.

RHB – Chief of RS Government secretariat for relations with ICTY Jovan Spajic stated that the footage of the Bosniaks being killed in Srebrenica are being verified since it does not exist in RS archives.

RTRS – Spajicstated that after the material (on ‘Skorpioni’) is received, the RS authorities will process individuals responsible for that crime if they are in RS.

Tihic on crimes committed by ‘Skorpioni’

FTV – BiH Presidency member, Sulejman Tihic, stated that video footage showing members of a Serbian Ministry of Interior unit Scorpions executing Srebrenica Bosniaks shows not only the extent of the crime, but also the fact that armed forces of another country took part in the aggression against BiH and the genocide against the people of Srebrenica.

Hayat, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine, pg 5 ‘Tihic calls on OSA, SIPA and RS MoI to conduct investigation’, not signed – Tihic invited the RS Ministry of Interior, SIPA, OSA and all institutions in charge, to process persons responsible for crimes as seen on the video on execution of 6 men from Srebrenica.

Hayat: Woman recognizes her son on video

Hayat – Report brings a feature on Nura Alispahic, woman from Srebrenica who recognized her son on the shocking video on execution of 6 persons from Srebrenica.

US Congress preparing Resolution on Srebrenica

Hayat – U.S. Congress is preparing Resolution on Srebrenica, in which it asks for all responsible to be arrested. SCG representatives in Washington are trying to make the Congress remove the sentence on Yugoslavia’s support to aggression politics and ethnic cleansing. (also covered by Oslobodjenje, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Genocide in BiH under tutorship of the then FRY’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine, pg 5 ‘Draft resolution on Srebrenica’, not signed)

East Sarajevo Police submits reports on crimes against Serbs in Sarajevo and Bugojno

BHT, Pink, Dnevni Avaz, pg 12 ‘Prosecutions submitted with reports on war crimes in Sarajevo and Bugojno’, not signed, Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Alispahic, Pusina, Vikic and Efendic charged’, by NINA, Nezavisne Novine, pg 6 ‘Evidence against 38 persons’, by A. Sekulic  – Eastern Sarajevo Police submitted report to BiH Prosecution against 20 identified and 5 unidentified persons, suspected of committing war crimes against Serbs in Sarajevo’s settlements Pofalici and Velesici. The report has also been submitted against 13 persons suspected of murders of 8 former JNA soldiers in 1992 in Sarajevo. The report of Banja Luka Police on war crimes against Serbs in municipality Bugojno was sent to the BiH Prosecution as well. “Banjaluka Public Security Centre delivered on May 20 the report on committed war crime against civilians. The report is against 6 identified and more unidentified soldiers of BiH Army and HVO military police”, said Radovan Pejic, RS Police Director Spokesperson.

RTRS – Pejic couldn’t confirm whether Dragan Vikic, Bakir Alispahic and Jusuf Pusina are among the suspects.

RS Police negotiates another voluntary surrender?

Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje, pg 4 ‘Negotiations with Zupljanin become difficult’, by Fena, Dnevni Avaz, pg 12 ‘Negotiations on Stojan Zupljanin’s surrender to The Hague ongoing?’, by Fena – Spokesperson for RS Police Director, Radovan Pejic neither confirmed or denied information on whether negotiations on extradition of an ICTY indictee, Stojan Zupljanin were going on. Zupljanin was the Banjaluka’s police chief in the wartime, indicted for genocide and crimes against humanity

NATO/EUFOR measures on Manjaca/Bileca events, reactions

EUFOR/NATO remove Chief of RS Army HQ, statements, reactions

RHB, BHT, RTRS, Oslobodjenje, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Leakey and Schook remove number one man in RS Army’, by A. Prlenda, Dnevni Avaz, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Novak Djukic removed, recruits from Manjaca dismissed’, by S. Turcalo, Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Leakey and Schook order removal of general Djukic’, by Mensud Zorlak, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘General Djukic removed’, by Eldina Medunjanin, Nezavisne Novine, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘General Djukic removed, soldiers go home’, by M. Rener, D. Risojevic  – Chief of RS Army HQ general Novak Djukic was dismissed from duty by EUFOR Commander general David Leakey and NATO Commander in BiH general Steven Schook. EUFOR and NATO announcement states that Leakey and Schook made such decision because they feel that general Djukic is responsible for events that occurred in Bileca and Manjaca when RS Army recruits refused to plea allegiance to BIH.

Pink – EUFOR and NATO find Djukic responsible for failure in planning and commanding. “I have informed General Djukic on the removal, and in my opinion, Djukic was extremely professional in his reaction on the removal and he accepted the decision we have brought”, said Schook. “In line with my authorities, I have added two more measures. First, all training of recruits has been suspended and Manjaca recruits are going to be dismissed by Wednesday”, said Leakey. Schook and Leakey pointed out that full defence reform had to be carried out, namely entities’ Ministries of Defence have to be abolished.

Hayat – “These measures are serious measures, removal of General Djukic, the recruits have been sent home, training has been abolished”, said EUFOR Commander, David Leakey. In next period, obligatory military service is to be abolished, as the result of defence reform.

FTV – General Leakey also said that the role of the veterans’ association at the events in Manjaca was particularly inflammatory and offensive to Dayton Peace Agreement, so it is ordered that war veterans’ representatives should not participate in an active speaking role at official military ceremonies until the rulebook on such ceremonies is revised and rewritten at the state level.

NTV Hayat – EU High Foreign Policy and Security Representative, Javier Solana supports such decision, while the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown,said that EUFOR reacted since BiH Presidency’s reaction was inadequate. (Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Support to general Leakey’s decision’, by S. N. – Solana statement,

Pink, RHB, BHT, Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Stankovic: It is political retaliation’, not signed – RS Minister of Defence Milovan Stankovic said that the decision EUFOR brought on removal of General Novak Djukic and dismissal of March Manjaca recruits too harsh. “I find the decision as a political revenge and this is not the right time for it, since we are in reform processes”, said Stankovic for SRNA

Political Developments/Reforms

Terzic accepts Dokic’s resignation

BHT – BiH Council of Ministers Chair, Adnan Terzic accepted on Friday a resignation of BiH Minister of Traffic and Communications, Branko Dokic. Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) will nominate a new minister. It is speculated that the former RS Prime Minister, Dragan Mikerevic, is going to be a new Minister of Traffic and Communications, says the presenter. Dokic submitted his resignation due to court proceeding, which is being conducted against him before Basic Court in Banja Luka. He is accused of damaging of RS budget in amount of several hundreds of thousands KM while he was RS Minister of Traffic and Communication. ”I am obligated to accept that resignation but I must admit I am sorry that minister Dokic goes, but it is clear that he cannot stay in BiH CoM “, said Terzic.

Pink – Dokic finds the lawsuit unfounded, first of all due to the fact that it has been filed on the basis of anonymous report. Dokic claims that the whole campaign against him has started due to the fact that he banned import of second-hand mobile phones, in 2000. (Dokic resignation is also covered by RHB, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Minister Dokic submits irrevocable resignation’, by Az. Kalamujic, Dnevni Avaz, pg 8, mentioned on front ‘Branko Dokic submits irrevocable resignation’, by L. Sinanovic, Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Branko Dokic resigns’, by Erna Mackic, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Prevented sale of equipment to Telekom Srpske’, by Dejan Jazvic, Nezavisne Novine, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Branko Dokic resigns’, by M. Cubro)

HDZ Convention on Saturday, possible rifts within party

FTV – Several members of the HDZ Presidency left the party’s session on Thursday evening, due to dissatisfaction with decision on the way of voting for the party’s President at the coming Convention on Saturday.  Namely, election on the basis of majority of votes (relative majority) goes in favour of one of the candidates, namely Dragan Covic. Previously, a candidate had to win more than 50% of the votes in order to be elected.  Also, Covic got support of 12 HDZ Presidency members, out of 23. “Those who wanted to vote on support to Covic, they did that. There was certain number of members who left the session and those who didn’t’ want to vote,” said current HDZ President, Barisa Colak. Nevertheless, HDZ Assembly doesn’t have to confirm Presidency’s decision on the way of electing the President. Besides Covic, candidates are Barisa Colak, Bozo Ljubic and Ivan Madunic. (announcement of HDZ Convention and session of HDZ Presidency is also covered by RHB, FTV, Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje, pg 5 ‘Covic is party’s presidential candidate’, by V. Z., Dnevni Avaz, pg 10 ‘It never boiled like this prior to inter-party elections’, by F. Vele, Dnevni List, gs 4-5 ‘New HDZ president by way of simple majority’, by Marko Karacic, Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘Rift because of president’ and pgs 4-5 ‘Strengthening or division’, by Miso Relota, Nezavisne Novine, pg 6 ‘Dragan Covic a candidate for party president’, by V. Coric)

Dnevni List, front pg splash and pgs 2-3 ‘Covic-Colak conflict is made up’ by M. Batarello – The author argues that various media reports that suggested that the HDZ President, Barisa Colak, and his deputy Dragan Covic, are at odds, including a recent interview by Colak in which he noted that he was surprised with Covic’s candidacy, are made up with an aim to secure the victory for Covic.

Dnevni List, pgs 6-7, mentioned on front ‘Today’s Convention determines party’s future’, by Ivica Glibusic – Carries an interview with a member of HDZ Presidency, Martin Raguz, in which he argues that today’s (Saturday) HDZ Convention will be a turning point for the party and its future, depending on the outcome of the Convention i.e. who is to get elected the party president. Raguz says he will support Bozo Ljubic.

Terzic says he will ask HR Ashdown to appoint SIPA Director

FTV, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz, pg 5 ‘Terzic will ask Ashdown to appoint SIPA Director’, by Onasa, Dnevni List, pg 10, mentioned on front ‘Director of SIPA to cause early elections!?’, by Hina, Nezavisne Novine, pg 2 ‘Terzic will ask Ashdown to appoint SIPA leadership’, by M. Cubro  – BiH Council of Ministers (CoM) Chair, Adnan Terzic, stated that the obstructions to appointment of SIPA Director come from the RS. He added that that the BiH CoM is not able to appoint new SIPA Director in this situation and announced that he would call on the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, to fulfil this obligation on behalf of the BiH CoM. BiH Minister of Civil Affairs, Safet Halilovic, sees as justified Terzic’s call to the HR to appoint SIPA Director.

Ivanic on SIPA Director appointment

Oslobodjenje, pg 7 ‘I have nothing against Lukac’, by V. Z. – The BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, stated for Oslobodjenje that he “personally has nothing against Dragan Lukac (becoming) the SIPA Director”, arguing that the issue is whether the professional or political criteria is to be used when appointing people to key positions. Ivanic notes that political parties that make up parliamentary majority should sit down and solve the issue. Regarding announcements that the High Representative will appoint the Director if BiH CoM fails to do so, Oslobodjenje carries an OHR spokesman, Oleg Milisic , as saying that the HR never announces his decisions in advance.

Avaz op-ed: RS leaders blocking BiH

Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘Why is state blocked’, by Lana Sinanovic – Commenting on the removal of Novak Djukic and Adnan Terzic’s announcement that he would call on the High Representative to appoint the SIPA Director, the author argues that these examples illustrate the blockade the state is in. The author points the finger at the RS leaders, claiming that they have not accepted the fact that the entity they are leading is not a state and that the RS cannot be a permanent obstacle to the future of BiH.

Andan to respond to HR Ashdown’s request

BHT – RS Police Director, Dragomir Andan, will deliver appropriate answer to the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, says RS Police Director Spokesperson, Radovan Pejic. TheHR demanded from Andan to withdraw his statement that the group who committed terrorist attacks in Madrid last year was preparing in BiH. The information on this case cannot be delivered to the State Information and Protection Agency (SIPA) because Director of this agency is not appointed yet. Pejic claims that all relevant facts regarding this case were given to the EUPM at the begging of the investigation. EUPM denies this. “He did not back up his allegations with any kind of evidences. Mr. Andan had the opportunity to deny these allegations, but he did not do that”, said Zinaida Ilarija, EUPM Spokesperson.

Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Andan got information in Belgrade’, not signed – Speaking about Andan’s original statements, Pejic says Andan “was delivering operational information and intelligence that he, among other issues, received seven days earlier at a Conference on terrorism in southeast Europe (held in Belgrade) and he stressed that he was checking all the information and facts”.

(Also covered by Pink, Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje, pg 2 ‘Director of RS Police preparing answer’, by not signed)

Oslobodjenje, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Andan given deadline until June 6’, by M. K. S. – The OHR said on Friday that Andan has been given a deadline until June 6 by which he has to send the EUPM Commissioner, Kevin Carty, a letter in which he would retract his statement.

Nezavisne Novine, p 2 ‘I will reply by June 6’, by Sn. K. – The RS Police Director, Dragomir Andan, confirmed that he would reply to EUPM Commissioner Kevin Carty by June 6. Andan says he is yet to see a letter sent to him by the HR Paddy Ashdown since he was on away trip to Montenegro.

Oslobodjenje: Ashdown begging Andan to deny his claims

Oslobodjenje, pg 9 ‘Ashdown is disgrace for International Community’, by Mirko Sagolj – Commenting on the fact that Andan has been requested by HR Ashdown to send the EUPM Commissioner Carty a letter in which he would deny his earlier statements, the author says that Ashdown turned from a “rigid executioner”, who removed Nikola Grabovac and Munir Alibabic, into a person who humbly begs a mere police officer “whose place is in The Hague” to publicly deny a claim he cannot prove. In that context, Sagolj says the fact Ashdown is appealing to Andan proves that Ashdown does not deserve to be a HR, claiming that everything he has done in BiH was to overthrow a multi-national authority (Alliance for changes) and install the national parties to power.

Sadovic: RS opposition reject police reform

Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘Ashdown is wrong when he says that opposition in RS did not reject police reform’, by H. O. – President of SDA Caucus in the RS NA, Tarik Sadovic, claims that the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, is wrong in saying that the opposition (in RS) did not take part in the rejection of the police reform. Sadovic argues that the IC, in order to preserve its credibility, has to take concrete measures against individuals and RS institutions.

Solioz on BiH current state of affairs

Pink, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘BiH still depends on economic and political might’, by rs – 10 years after the signing of the DPA, BiH is still depending on financial and political assistance of foreign states. BiH 2005 Association Executive Director, Christophe Solioz, said in Banjaluka on Friday that, in order to become an EU member, BiH had to solve this issue, as will as the issue of high unemployment rate and visa regime. Solioz claims that BiH authorities have to turn to their future, which is possible only by bringing decision on their own. He adds that he hopes that by next year, the High Representative is going to be replaced by a special EU representative. “Local authorities should put on the agenda reform process”, said Solioz. At the end of October, there should be a conference organized in Geneva, at which it should be discussed on BiH situation, 10 years after Dayton.

Legal Proceedings

Former ZDC Interior Minister acquitted of abuse of office charges

FTV, Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘Mehmedovic and Korajlic acquitted’, by Mi. D. – Zeljka Bajramovic, Dnevni Avaz, Mehmedovic and Korajlic freed from charges for abuse of office’, by A. Dzonlic, Dnevni List, pg 34 ‘Mehmedovic and Korajlic freed from charges’, by Zeda, Nezavisne Novine, pg 9 ‘Mehmedagic and Korajlic freed of charges’, by A. M. – Zenica Cantonal Court acquitted former Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDC) Minister of Interior, Semsudin Mehmedovic, and his deputy, Nedzad Korajlic, from the charges on abuse of office and authority. The two are indicted of dislocation of certain quantity of the weapons at the end of 1995, which is contrary to the Dayton Peace Accod regulation that says that all weapons must be placed at UN IPTF’s disposal. The Court concluded that motives or intentions weren’t proven in this case. Cantonal Prosecution can appeal to this verdict in time period of 15 days before the FBiH Supreme Court.

NN: RS Govt appoints Govedarica to senior office in ‘Elektroprivreda RS’ despite several investigations against him

Nezavisne Novine, pg 9, mentioned on front ‘Former manager of ‘Matres’ appointed to Supervisory Board of ‘Elektrokrajina’’, by M. Cubro – Reports that the RS Government appointed on April 15, 2005, Milorad Govedarica, a former manager of the ‘Matres’ Company (recently mentioned as financier of SDS campaigns), as the President of the Supervisory Board of ‘Elektrokrajina’, which is the biggest organizational unit of the ‘Elektroprivreda of RS’. NN also notes that several investigations are ongoing against Govedarica, adding that the OHR’s anti-corruption team classified Govedarica in the year 2000 among 31 cases of corruption that need to be processed immediately. In July 2000, an indictment was raised against Govedarica over embezzlement worth 263.829 KMs. Inset entitled ‘Investigation against Govedarica soon’ – carries a district prosecutor from Eastern Sarajevo, Jasmin Sosa, as saying that the prosecution will next month open an investigation against Sse, who is suspected of abuse of office in the capacity of the manager of ‘Petrol Pale’ Company.

Witness in Covic case says he will stick to his testimony

Dnevni Avaz, pg 10 ‘Nikolic: I will not give up statement against Covic’, by F. V. – In an exclusive statement for Avaz, the key witness in the ‘Covic and others’ case, Zoran Nikolic, stated that he would not give up on his testimony given to the BiH Prosecution, contrary to media reports from yesterday (see OHR Media Round-up, June 3, 2005)

Economy

BiH, UN sign agreement worth 70 million US$

Pink, BHT, FTV, Oslobodjenje, pg 4 ‘Project worth 70 million dollars’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Framework for UN aid to BiH signed’, by rt – BiH Council of Ministers Chairman Adnan Terzic, resident UN representative in BiH Jens Toyberg Frendzen and UNICEF representative in BiH Helena Eversole signed on Friday in Sarajevo the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and Action plans of program activities of UN agencies in BiH. These documents define precise UN activities in BiH for the period from 2005 until 2008, during which some 70 million US dollars will be spent.

ITA increases collection of public revenues

BHT – BiH Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA) collected more than 760 million KMs of taxes in the first five months in 2005, which is 10% more than in 2004.