| CROAT RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| RS report on Srebrenica | PBS reform | War crimes trial in SA | Humphreys in Banja Luka |
| HR in Tuzla | Markovic in SA | Srebrenica report | Demobilisation of soldiers |
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| Demobilization of soldiers | Sender of false E mails |
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| Oslobodjenje | SDA leadership established a commission for removals |
| Dnevni Avaz | First sentencing for crime in Grabovica |
| Dnevni List | “Croats from BiH with Ivo Sanader”; EUPM will not accept political interference in Police work; “Prlic remains at his position” |
| Vecernji List | “Police strike on Croat leaders”; “HDZ BiH gave support to Sanader” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | “HDZ got competition for the first time”; “Canton 10 Government: Teachers took students’ money” |
| Glas Srpske | What is hidden behind SDA request for the change of Republika Srpska symbols: Srpska is target, symbols are just starting point; Bijeljina: Pupils assaulted |
| Nezavisne Novine | American Ambassador Clifford Bond visited Majdan settlement near Mrkonjic Grad: Croats want to return to the Republika Srpska; Illegal activities at Telekom Srpske resume: Contracts of millions worth beyond the law after audit; Firm owned by Milutin Pejic “cools down” post offices in Republika Srpska; Carla del Ponte: Republika Srpska is a safe shelter for war crime suspects; Werner Wnendt: Politicians want to maintain their influence over intelligence agencies |
| Blic | Bozidar Djelic: ‘Losing economic independence of the RS would lead to uniting of BiH’ |
Economic/social issues | |
| Ashdown visits Tuzla, Brcko
| Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, Oslobodjenje pg. 7, mentioned on the front page ‘A state spending 70 percent of the budget on government cannot accede EU’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3, mentioned on the front page, Ashdown delighted with Panonsko Lake’, Dnevni List page 2, “Decision on BiH entering NATO and EU in next one month”, by Fena, Vecernji List, page 2, “Two historic decision for BiH to follow”, by zb, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘Tight borders are pre-requisite for visa abolishment’, ONASA – High Representative to BiH Paddy Ashdown met on Tuesday in Tuzla with representatives of the regional Bulldozer Committee to discuss the preparation of 50 new reforms that will presented next week to the BiH authorities within the second phase of Bulldozer. Also were discussed at the meeting the reduction of illegal trade, abolishment of visa regime and attracting of foreign investments. Ashdown said that it would be decided in the next thirty days whether the European Union (EU) doors are opened to BiH, adding that the future of BiH will be ensured if that happens. According to Ashdown, the Bulldozer Committee is the best project that the international community has achieved in seven years of work and the second phase of its implementation is very important for BiH. Oslobodjenje pg. 7 ‘A state spending 70 percent of the budget on government cannot accede EU’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3, mentioned on the front page, Ashdown delighted with Panonsko Lake’, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘Tight borders are pre-requisite for visa abolishment’, ONASA – High Representative to BiH Paddy Ashdown said on Tuesday in Brcko that BiH enters the historic month since the European Commission (EC) will decide with two weeks whether the way towards Europe is opened for it. After a visit to the Brcko District Development Agency, the High Representative said that NATO would decide on December 2 about the admission for BiH into the Partnership for Peace. Ashdown said that the reforms would move in two directions, first economic then the reduction of local administrations in BiH. “Pensioners are poor because too much money goes to the payment of a big number of politicians and bureaucrats For the same reason, hospitals are in bad condition,” Ashdown said. |
| Markovic optimistic about foreign investment in BiH energy sector | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 5 ‘BiH interested in construction of hydro-electric power plants’, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘Markovic promised that he would “bring” a billion of US dollars in BiH’, Vecernji List page 2, ”Elektroprivreda companies will not be for sale in next five years”, by D. Jazvic – The last premier of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), Ante Markovic, on Tuesday arrived in Sarajevo, where he held talks with the chairman of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, and the FBiH Premier Ahmet Hadzipasic. After his meeting with Terzic, Markovic told reporters that he was planning to coordinate activities of foreign companies interested in investments in BiH’s energy sector. “Those are a few leading Italian companies, whose operations would be financially covered by foreign banks, for instance from England,” Markovic said, declining to give more details about the companies. Investors, who are represented by Markovic, are willing to invest in the construction of at least five hydroelectric power plants, with the power of 750 MW, in the Federation. According to Markovic, the investors plan to secure about 1.3 billion dollars for this purpose, which may ensure the production of at least 1.4 billion kWh of electricity annually. BiH Premier Terzic said his government was very interested in enhancing the capacity of the country’s energy sector. “BiH is the only country in the region to have potential for the long-term export of electricity,” he added. Commenting on possibilities of foreign investors’ engagement in the privatization of the BiH energy system, Terzic said privatization could not be carried out in the next three to five years as this was the time necessary to complete the ongoing process of de-regulation. |
| BiH to become full member of Council of Europe Development Bank | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘BiH to be a shareholder in the CoE Development Bank’, Oslobodjenje pg. 8 ‘Money to stimulate return available to BiH’, Dnevni List page 6, “BiH becomes member of Council of Europe Development Bank” – BiH will become a legitimate shareholder in the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), after the British government decided to pay part of the membership subscription’s first instalment. A spokesman for the Office of the High Representative (OHR), Mario Brkic, said at a press conference in Sarajevo on Tuesday that London had made the relevant decision last week, and that Britain was going to cover 40 per cent of the membership fee. Sweden earlier secured another 40 per cent, and BiH’s Central Bank the remaining 20 per cent. CEB membership will make it possible for BiH to have access to the bank’s funds, which will be used for the return of refugees. |
| VL on relations inside FBiH Tax Administration, Financial Police | Vecernji List (front “Police attack on Croat leaders” and page 3 “Financial Police prepares attack on Croat officials”, by Zoran Kresic) – reports that Croat officials in BiH informed the High Representative for BiH and Ambassadors of most influential countries accredited in BiH that a part of Bosniak structures in the FBiH Tax Administration and Financial Police (FP) are trying to compromise Croat institution through “private investigations” by planting evidences. An anonymous Croat official told VL that inspectors of the Financial Police, at orders coming from the Director of FP, Zufer Dervisevic, are continuing the “job” together with the Cantonal Prosecution of the Canton 7, preparing politically motivated indictments. “Inspectors that work without a valid decision are leaving the legal framework. They enter banks, companies and other institutions, trying to get to databases, and then together with the Prosecution, which obviously has political ambitions, they create indictments”, says the VL’s source. Another anonymous source confirmed to VL that Dervisevic’s mandate had expired three years ago. |
| OHR on removal of CEO of HT Mostar | Dnevni List (front “Prlic remains in his office” and page 3 “Prlic’s removal is not valid”, unsigned) – following reports that the CEO of HT Mostar (Croat telecommunications Mostar), Stipe Prlic, has been removed by an incomplete Supervisory Board of HT Mostar, DL reports that the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Minister of Communications, Nedzad Brankovic, reacted to the decision (DL does not specify in what way Brankovic reacted). DL also carries a comment to the decision by an OHR spokesperson, Mario Brkic, who says the decision is not legal because of few reasons and that Prlic remains in his office. “Our understanding is that the decision is not legal because of several reasons and Prlic remains in his office. The new Steering Board should not be taking no crucial decisions until the objections stated by the Ombudsman, which deal with the appointments, have been resolved”, says Brkic. |
| Update to Telekom affair | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 5, ‘Contracts of millions worth beyond the law after audit’ – Following publication of international audit report, Telekom Srpske continued to perform illegal activities in regard to making amendments to initial contracts, which increase the initial price of the contract. Namely, Telekom Srpske received an equipment on 22 October this year from Siemens AG Austria, which is of approximately EURO 997 thousand worth. The equipment was delivered following signing of eight amendments to original contract with Siemens, while auditor recommended only one amendment, which is in accordance with the Article 39 of Law on Public Procurement. Furthermore, audit report also recommended that in accordance with the Law, head of “administrative body” cannot be a member of the Commission, which is to review applications for some tender. |
| Update to Pejic affair | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 4, ‘Firm owned by Milutin Pejic “cools down” post offices in Republika Srpska’ – “Holodex” firm from Banjaluka, a private firm owned by General Manager of Srpske Poste, Milutin Pejic, did business with Srpske Poste, which is in violation of the Law. After Republika Srpska auditors commenced with inspection at Srpske Poste, Milutin Pejic removed his name from the court registry as the person in charge of “Holodeks”. According to NN inset, Pejic addressed a letter to NN, in which he expressed great pleasure to see that NN reports on his unprofessional conduct. He further asked NN to inform him when it completes carrying reports against him, so he could then complete his lawsuit against this paper. |
War crimes | |
| Del Ponte dissatisfied with SCG, RS cooperation with ICTY
| BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 5 ‘RS still a peaceful shelter for indictees’, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘Republika Srpska is a safe shelter for war crime suspects’; Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Republika Srpska avoids its duties’, FENA – On Tuesday the Chief Prosecutor of the Hague Tribunal, Carla del Ponte, expressed dissatisfaction with co-operation of the former Yugoslav states with the ICTY. “It is necessary to have a greater political will and better co-operation with the Hague Tribunal, otherwise we will not be able to close the doors of the Court until 2010”, said Del Ponte at press conference in Vienna, where she participated in the extraordinary session of the OSCE Permanent Council. She emphasised that Serbia and Montenegro and Republika Srpska were obstructing the work of the Court, instead of co-operating with it. Of the 21 indicted war crime suspects at large, seven are in Serbia, she stressed, adding that Ratko Mladic was in Serbia, and Radovan Karadzic is in the RS. |
| Bosniak sentenced to 10 years in prison for war crime against Croats | BHTV, FTV, Dnevni Avaz front page, Oslobodjenje pg. 26, mentioned on the front page, Dnevni List last page, “Tens years of imprisonment for massacre in Grabovica”, by Hina, Vecernji List front and page 3, “Ten years imprisonment for crime in Grabovica”, by z.k., SRNA – The council of the cantonal court in Sarajevo on Tuesday sentenced Enes Sakrak (born in 1973) to 10 years in prison for the murder of two Croat civilians and a war crime against civilians. The cantonal state prosecutor’s office in Sarajevo said that it had filed charges against Sakrak with the agreement of the Hague tribunal prosecutor’s office. The prosecutor added that his office had launched an investigation into the killing of more than 30 Croat civilians in the village of Grabovica near Jablanica and war crimes against civilians committed by the 9th Mountain Brigade of the BiH Army. The brigade was active in September 1993 in the region of Grabovica, as part of the Neretva 93 operation. |
| RS report admits large number of Srebrenica Bosniaks killed | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 8, FENA – “A large number of Bosniaks, previously arrested in Srebrenica, were executed at a number of locations at which they had been detained in the area of Zvornik municipality,” it is admitted in a RS Government report on the July 1995 events in Srebrenica. Excerpts from the report by the RS Government, forwarded to the Human Rights Chamber, were published by the Banja Luka-based Alternativna TV in its Dosje program. According to the report, “in the period between 14 and 17 July, a large number of Bosniak prisoners from the Bratunac area were taken in buses and trucks to Zvornik municipality where they were held in several locations”. They were held in buildings on the Vranjevo farm, in the Orahovac primary school, Teskovci, Rodjevici and the Pilici cultural center.” It notes that a large number of Bosniak captives were executed in these places and that they were buried at locations in the area of the village of Petkovici, near the dam, and in the areas of the villages of Kozluk, Branjevo and Orahovac. “Certain reports indicate that these graves were later dug up and moved to other locations,” the report adds. |
| Mikerevic says Srebrenica commission to be set up | FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 8, Dnevni Avaz pg. 10, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 3, ‘Srebrenica Commission by the end of next week’; Glas Srpske, pg. 2, ‘Case is still open’ – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic said in Banja Luka on Monday that next week a commission would be formed to determine what happened in Srebrenica in July 1995 when several thousand Bosniaks were killed. The Human Rights Chamber of BiH and High Representative Paddy Ashdown recently urged the RS authorities to form the commission and Mikerevic confirmed that the response was positive. He told reporters that the process of selection of five members of the commission from the RS was under way and that two members should be nominated by the High Representative. “We have a situation in which people find it difficult to accept positions in the commission. This is a really difficult problem at this stage,” he said. He added that he was working together with RS President Dragan Cavic to persuade the right candidates, those with the necessary experience, to accept work in the commission with the aim of gathering facts over the next six months in order to shed light on the “Srebrenica case”. Mikerevic expects the selection process to be completed next week. |
Media restructuring | |
| OHR: Only reform will save jobs in PBS
| Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 7 ‘Reduction of expenditures understands firing’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘BBC proposal should be seriously considered’, FENA – The High Representative welcomes the recognition by the RTV BiH Trade Union in transition, expressed in their latest letter to him, that fundamental internal reform and cost-cutting is necessary if PBS is to survive. Successful reform will only be possible if the management and unions in PBS work together in partnership and in the long-term interests of PBS. The unions can either be a force for reform and change, and save jobs. Or they can use their power to block reform, which in the end would cost more jobs. They therefore have an important and responsible role to play. The solutions offered by the BBC Consultancy are only a starting point. They provide a realistic way of saving the majority of jobs in PBS, ensuring that everyone is paid on time, that their benefits are paid, the debts paid off, and money freed up for investment in new equipment and programmes. But it will be up to PBS’s management, in consultation with the unions, to decide which ones will be implemented, according to the HR. What the High Representative hopes and expects is that the PBS management will take the BBC’s analysis of the problems facing PBS seriously, will seriously consider the BBC’s proposals, and where they disagree with them, will identify other realistic means of addressing those problems. But let’s be clear: nobody is going to force any proposals on PBS’s management or its unions, emphasized the HR. The High Representative therefore encourages the PBS management to consider the BBC analysis and proposals seriously, and agree a basis for taking forward internal restructuring and cost cutting, in a way that involves the unions as appropriate, by the deadline of 7 November. |
| EC Humphreys discussed PBS reform with top RS officials | BHTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg. 7 ‘Key period’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘Three broadcasters within one system’, Blic p 13, ‘Mikerevic: solutions are possible’ – Michael Humphreys, Head of European Commission in BH said that EU did not plan to establish one state RTV service, but that it was about three public broadcasters within one system, with every broadcaster having its editorial independence. RS Prime Minister, Dragan Mikerevic, stated that RS would make additional efforts in order for the law on public broadcasting in BH and RS to be adopted, the one that will be acceptable for both entities. He added that any law, especially law on informing of the public cannot be adopted without opinion of the public and public discussion. Mikerevic stated this after Tuesday’s meeting with Michael Humphreys, at which they talked about reform of the public RTV system. Humphreys also stated that this is one of the conditions that BH should have fulfilled already in September last year. He stressed that this is one of the most important issues connected to admittance of BH into European integrations. Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Denouement on Friday’ reports that Michael Humphries, Head of European Commission Mission to BiH, on Tuesday in Banjaluka had separate meetings with Dragan Mikerevic, Republika Srpska Prime Minister, the Republika Srpska President, Dragan Cavic, SNSD President, Miloard Dodik, and the RS Parliament Speaker, Dragan Kalinic. |
| BHTV1 on PBS laws | BHTV – Law about public broadcasting wrote by OHR, leaving the question does Paddy Ashdown ignore the work of his staff by saying that the law will not be imposed? Frane Maroevic, the spokesperson of European Commission, said that the donation of € 1, 5 millions is intended for transmitters and satellite equipment so that the signal of BHTV1 could cover the whole B&H. In case of ignoring the deadline Paddy Ashdown will not do anything, will not impose the law. Paddy Ashdown said that the times when High Representative had been solving the problems were behind us. European Commission analysed the law designed in mandate of Wolfgang Petritsch, so the TV journalist asked Vedran Perisic, the spokesperson of OHR, was this model of law being analysed. He said that every law accepted by the Government will have to be in harmony with that recommendation, avoiding to directly answer the question. |
| SDA believes PBS reform necessary, HDZ still not discussed the issue | FTV – The Party of Democratic Action (SDA) believes that the reform of the radio-TV system is necessary, but not in the manner suggested and promoted at the moment. The party believes that the sale of the radio-TV building is unacceptable, and notes the lack of a detailed program of care for redundant employees as an additional shortcoming of the offered (media reform) plan. “It is certain that the SDA will take an active part through the relevant institutions – through parliament, the governments – and at all levels [sentence as heard], because this issue is of outstanding importance for the state of BiH. We shall certainly do everything to find a solution to the benefit of citizens,” SDA Vice-president Elvir Jahic said. FTV also reports that the Presidency of HDZ held a session on Tuesday in Novi Travnik but they are not in hurry to take part in PBS problem. Barisa Colak the President of HDZ said that they will discus it on next Presidency session. |
| Dokic on PBS
| Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘Dokic: We will respect OHR request’ – Branko Dokic, BiH Minister of Traffic and Communication, yesterday announced that by 7th November, BiH authorities will make their stances on the offered model laws on PBS. Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 also carried the statement. |
| BBC consultants say never proposed sale of RTV building | Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘We never proposed sale of RTV home’ – The BBC consultants believe that their plan is based on a certain amount of money, which will ensure broadcasters to finance of all of their operations. |
| Custovic on financial situation in PBS | Dnevni Avaz pg. 9 ‘Ungrounded judgment’ – Plamenko Custovic, the president of the PBS Steering Board, said that inefficient collection of the subscription fees and not mismanagement was the main reason for the poor financial situation in the PBS. |
| Professor Tadic on reforms to public broadcasting in BiH | Dnevni List (page 6, “Disperser of fog”, by Professor Marko Tadic) – tackles the issue of restructuring of public broadcasting in BiH saying “the storm goes on, guillotines are ready, heads are known, executioners are ready, only a sign from the order-maker is being awaited”. Professor Tadic says the High Representative for BiH is using the familiar tactic in the process, “a thin carrot (provided mostly by European taxpayers), a stick, and then a threat ‘you will not go into European Union and that’s your fault'” that is. The author also reminds that the HR, when talking to journalists about the issue, stated that he “wanted to disperse the fog created regarding issues on reforms to public broadcasters in BiH” and in that context Tadic reckons it is exactly the HR who is “wrangling the fog over the Grey House” (referring to the RTV building in Sarajevo). |
Political developments | |
| SDA leadership established a commission to analyse executive bodies performance | Oslobodjenje front page, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 – The SDA Presidency on Tuesday appointed Adem Boric, Elmir Jahic, Sefik Dzaferovic, Hasan Muratovic and Sefkija Cekic as members of a commission tasked to prepare analysis of functioning of executive bodies at all levels. If personal responsibility for certain failures is determined, the commission will propose adequate measures, the party said in a press release. |
| Bosniak representatives in the HNC Assembly warned Prime Minister Coric | After Bosniak Ministers from the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Government have decided to suspend their work in the HNC Government recently, because they failed to agree with the Croat Ministers on the way of allocation of funds from the HNC budget, Dnevni List (page 3, “Stop controlling Bosniak Ministries”, by Fena) carries that the Caucus of Bosniak representatives in the HNC Assembly issued a press release in which they called on HNC Prime Minister Miroslav Coric to stop controlling the Ministries whose Ministers are not Croats. |
| Croatian elections
| Vecernji List (front “HDZ BiH gives support to Sanader” and page 3 “HDZ BiH for Sanader”, by zk) – reports that the Presidency of HDZ BiH took an unanimous decision to support the HDZ of Croatia in the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Croatia, calling on all the eligible voters in BiH to vote for Ivo Sanader’s list (NB: Sanader is President of HDZ Croatia). According to VL, this clears all the doubts whether the HDZ BiH would give its support to some other political party. Dnevni List (front “Croats in BiH with Ivo Sanader” and page 5 “Unanimous support to HDZ of Republic of Croatia”, unsigned) – apart from carrying the information as above, DL says the HDZ Presidency discussed different lists of possible candidates for the election of MPs from the Croatian Diaspora that have appeared in the media lately. The decision was to discuss the issue at one of future sessions of the HDZ Presidency. |
| Initiative for change of Republika Srpska symbols | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Srpska is the target, symbols are only starting point’ – On the eve of today’s session of the Republika Srpska National Assembly , the general view of political officials in the Republika Srpska is that the request of the SDA MP”s (that Republika Srpska should change Laws on flag, hymn and coat-of-arms, stamps and territorial organisation and local governance) represents another attempt to proceed towards the final goal, which is the abolishment of the Republika Srpska. Some of those officials are: Dusan Stojicic of SDS, Nevenka Trifkovic of PDP, Igor Radojicic of SNSD, Milenko Mihajlica of SRS. |
| SPRS on abolishing RS symbols | Blic, p 13, ‘Secret agreements on abolishing RS symbols’ – Deputy Presidents of the SPRS party, Miroslav Mikes and Tihomir Gligoric, accused SDS and SDA of “reaching a secret agreement regarding the initiative for changing RS national symbols”. They claim the reason why the parties had done this was to cover what they were really doing – transferring the republic authorities to the state level. They said that the SPRS representatives will not support the mentioned initiative. Tihomir Gligoric said his party supported efforts of the Commission for defense reform in BiH yet he believes the Commission had not done the work as best as they could have. “Because of this, it is necessary to improve the proposal on the reform through the regular parliamentary procedure. We believe only professional army should exist, recruiting should be abolished, and in this way we would save approximately 400 million KM”, Gligoric pointed out. |
Police/security affairs | |
| OHR/EUPM respond to Hadzipasic, Halilovic
| Dnevni Avaz pg. 8, Dnevni List front and page 3, “European Police will not accept political interference into work of Police”, by I. G., FENA – The EU Police Mission (EUPM) and OHR have responded to a letter they recently received from FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic and FBiH Interior Minister Mevludin Halilovic. In the letter, among other things, they requested support for implementing a number of measures on establishing full coordination in the work of all Ministry of Interior structures and resolving problematic relations between the Minister and FBiH Police Administration Director Zlatko Miletic, partly created by overlapping authorities of these two positions. EUPM spokesperson Jon Oskar Solnes said at a press conference in Sarajevo on Tuesday that Hadzipasic and Halilovic were provided an explanation of the EUPM position towards those issues. EUPM views such correspondence as a normal part of ongoing dialogue with BiH officials. |
| BiH journalists’ association condemns attack on colleague | FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Verbal attacks are usually being transformed into bodily attacks’, FENA – The coordinating body of journalistic associations in BiH has strongly condemned a verbal attack on Oslobodjenje correspondent Nermin Bise. Persons with a criminal dossier seriously threatened Biso on Monday, 3 November in a public place. Stressing that this case is politically motivated because somebody wanted to obstruct the above-mentioned journalist’s reporting on party games which center on the division of Mostar, the coordinating body of journalistic associations demands that the authorities in Mostar tackle this issue. “The authorities and the political parties have an obligation to secure an environment for the unobstructed work of journalists regardless of what or whom they are writing about. Our experience warns us that verbal attacks, if they go without fines or public condemnation, could turn into physical attacks on journalists,” said the statement by the coordinating body of journalistic associations in BiH, which consists of the Independent Union of Professional Journalists of BiH, the Alliance of Journalists of BiH, the APEL Journalists’ Association and the Independent Association of RS journalists. Dnevni List (page 6, ” ‘Apel’ condemned attack on ‘Oslobodjenje’ journalist Nermin Bise“, not signed) carries that the journalists’ association ‘Apel’ condemned an attempt to intimidate ‘Oslobodjenje’ correspondent from Mostar Nermin Bise because of his article saying that President of SDA Mostar Fatima Leho proposed High Representative Paddy Ashdown the division of Mostar. DL also carries Bise as saying: “I do not want to believe that political connotations stand behind the whole case. Due to the nature of the job that we are doing there is always risk to find oneself in such or similar situations.” |
| Dnevni List editorial on attack on ‘Oslobodjenje’ journalist Nermin Bise | Dnevni List (page 2, “Used not to submit to threats”, by M. Skoko) carries an editorial harshly condemning an attack against ‘Oslobodjenje’ correspondent from Mostar, Nermin Bise, and the attacks and threats that BiH journalists have been exposed to in general. The author says that regardless of the fact whether Bise wrote the disputable article in a more or less professional way, nevertheless, the one cannot help feeling that this is about the worst method of suppressing the right on freedom of speech. The author explains that disputable article dealt with the talk that High Representative Paddy Ashdown had with the members of the Mostar Commission. The editorial also says that although it was announced at the beginning that the sessions of the Mostar Commission will be public, this was not the case and thus journalists are forced to use unpopular methods, referring to various sources and sometimes even using their imagination. The author says that an answer to the question as to who is responsible for this situation the one should look for in the OHR under which patronage the Mostar Statute is being drafted. The author also says that Chairman of the Mostar Commission Mr. Norbert Winterstein deserves applause because he finally got an idea to meet journalists during this week. |
| Interview with SDHR Wnendt: intelligence sector reform | Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 8, ‘Politicians want to maintain their influence over intelligence agencies’ – In a page long interview to Nezavisne Novine, Senior Deputy High Representative, Werner Wnendt, announced that BiH Council of Ministers is expected to forward the Proposed law on intelligence agency of BiH, along with changes made, to parliament procedure by 10 November. On intelligence law, he said that: “I do not think that any party or individual represents an obstacle to adoption of this Law. However, it is true that there are some politicians who would like to maintain their influence over intelligence agencies.”Regarding this, he added that if local parties failed to agree on this law, HiRep would not impose it. |