| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| FBiH Govt in session | Dispute btw HDZ and SDA | SFOR in TS Banja Luka | Prosper warns RSNA |
| RSNA session, Prosper visit | SFOR in Telekom Srpske | HDZ extraordinary session | RSNA in session |
| UN Security Council on BiH | Prosper RS Assembly | Bogdan Subotic arrested | Discrimination in RS MoI |
| Dispute btw HDZ and SDA | FBIH Govt crisis | Dispute btw HDZ and SDA | Bogdan Subotic arrested |
| Oslobodjenje | SFOR arrested Karadzic’s Minister Bogdan Subotic; FBIH Govt: Draft budget established without Croat ministers; Control of Telekom Srpske; Delegation from about 50 countries attended the funeral in Skoplje |
| Dnevni Avaz | Beriz Belkic: Oja and OHR should give report to Parliament; Hadzipasic: Lozancic and Covic said they did not want Federation; Terzic: High Rep’s powers to be reduced |
| Dnevni List | Hadzipasic: New blockade of work of FBiH Government; Proposal of FBiH budget adopted |
| Vecernji List | Search in Telekom Srpska; SFOR arrested General Subotic yesterday |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Croat Ministers boycotted session; SDA takes joint decisions alone |
| Glas Srpske | General Subotic arrested; Chlorine leaks because of the rust; Banjaluka capital; Moving from song to Hague; Al-quaeda cock the trigger; “Drunk terrorist” |
| Nezavisne Novine | US Ambassador for war crimes, Pierre-Richard Prosper: “There was no deal with Karadzic”; SFOR arrested General Bogdan Subotic; SFOR raids Telekom; Rotimlje, village where Macedonian plane crashed – SFOR new where location of the crash is |
| Blic | They stole 12 machine guns from barracks; Bogdan Subotic arrested: landing operation against General; Half of Hilandar burned |
| Vecernje novosti | Hilandar in flames |
| Slobodna Bosna | Boris Trajkovski killed by Frenchmen?! |
| Dani | 10 most powerful Sarajevo citizens |
| Ljiljan | Zutic’s (head of FBiH Privatisation Agency) sale of the state property – Stanic offered two-fold less money and got Feroelektro |
Political developments | |
| FBiH Govt again in crisis, dispute btw HDZ and SDA
| RHB, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 7 ‘New crisis because of distribution of positions and problems in the army’, Nezavisne novine pg 6 ‘HDZ announced possible retreat from the Government’, Slobodna Dalmacija front splash, pg 17 ‘Croat ministers boycotted session’, Vecernji List front splash ‘Croats again outvoted in Federation authorities’, pg 5’The HDZ-SDA authority in crisis!’ – The ministers from the HDZ failed to attend the session of the Federation government in Mostar on Thursday due to discordance over personnel solutions regarding top posts in the Federation Bureau for Pension-Disability Insurance [PIO] and the Federation Office for Roads. While the SDA thinks a Bosniak should be the director of the PIO and a Croat the director of the Office for Roads, the HDZ stand is that both positions should be handed to Croats. Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic told reporters both offices have considerable financial funds. “Here we have a capital of some 700 million KM, which can be spent transparently and legally or not,” he said. He assessed as unprincipled the latest party quarrel in the Federation government. FTV, BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 7 ‘Draft budget endorsed without Croat Ministers’, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ’35 million KM for highway from BH Telekom’, Dnevni List front, pg 5 ‘Proposal of FBiH budget adopted’ – FBIH Government at the same session adopted the draft budget of 1,2 billion KM. The Government also decided to direct 9 million KM for return, 8 million KM for assisting agriculture, 205.000 KM are devoted to Potocari Memorial Centre. Additionally, Government decided to keep allocated means for culture and sports same as last year, and BH Telekom profit will be used to finance continuation of Sarajevo – Zenica highway. Slobodna Dalmacija front, pg 17 ‘SDA takes joint decisions – alone’ – Proposal of FBiH budget for 2004 was adopted without consultations with the FBiH Finance Minister, Dragan Vrankic. SRNA – HDZ BiH will not support the adoption of the FBIH draft budget as it considers that all executive government decisions adopted by ethnic group outvoting were illegitimate, the chairman of the HDZ BiH, Barisa Colak said after the session of the party’s leadership in Sarajevo. Dnevni List front splash, pg 7 ‘Hadzipasic: New blockade of work of Federation of BiH Government’ – DL reports that representatives of HDZ, SDA and SBiH held a meeting on Wednesday night to discuss issues pertaining to appointments to public offices and institutions. Apparently, the three parties could not reach an agreement. PM Hadzipasic notes it would be very sensitive if both the offices were led by representatives of one people only. |
| Hadzipasic accuses HDZ of blocking the Govt in order to establish third entity | RHB – FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic evaluated that Federation of BiH was in difficult situation, as the new dispute erupted between HDZ and SDA over distribution of top positions. “The Federation government is in a very difficult situation because of unprincipled, slow and insufficiently rational and tolerant negotiations between parties. Fourteen posts have been vacant for six months, and this is very important for the Federation and for us to be able to discharge the tasks we are facing in a good quality and rational manner”, Hadzipasic stressed, also proposing to the FBiH President, Niko Lozancic, for Croats to appoint the head of Office for Roads and a Bosniak to PIO. Oslobodjenje cover, pg 7 ‘New crisis because of distribution of positions and problems in the army’ – Daily claims that the reason for dispute was only Hadzipasic failure to sign a decree for solving the status of 750 demobilised HVO members. FBiH Prime Minister answered that one of the conditions for the decree to be signed is that the FBIH minister of defence submits a list of 33,000 soldiers with all the necessary info in order to arrive at the figure of presently active members of the FBiH Army. “I know that minister Nikolic is not in position to submit the list because of extra-governmental influences but this list is one of the conditions for the decree to be signed”, said Hadzipasic also inviting also reps of HVO demobilized members to see him if they needed further explanation. Dnevni Avaz cover ‘Lozancic and Covic said they do not want Federation’, pg 5 ‘By blocking the Government, HDZ works to establish third entity’ – Hadzipasic stated for DA that HDZ behavior proves “that all trials to dismiss the Government were, a matter of fact, an illusion used to decapitate executive authorities. Obviously, by blocking the government, they want to transfer the real powers to the cantons, and than to reactivate the project of creating the third entity. Dragan Covic, and than Niko Lozancic, told us at the inter-party meetings that they do not want Federation of BiH.” |
| HDZ holds extraordinary session to reconsiders relations with SDA | RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘HDZ threats to abolish partnership with SDA’, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘We will reconsider relations with SDA’, Vecernji List front splash ‘Croats again outvoted in Federation authorities’, pg 5’The HDZ-SDA authority in crisis!’ – Following the newest dispute, HDZ held its extraordinary session in Sarajevo, establishing that the relations between Coalition partners were not going well, and that the problems between SDA and HDZ were becoming serious. HDZ session was held because, as it was said, disrespect of signed agreement about establishment of parliamentary majority. HDZ Presidency considers that this violation of regulations by SDA could become a real threat to the implementation of the reforms. HDZ President, Barisa Colak, pointed to the necessity of re-examining existing relations with SDA. Colak also stressed that holding the session regardless to the absence of HDZ representatives was not contributing to partners’ relations. SRNA – If an agreement with the SDA was not possible, Colak did not exclude the possibility of the HDZ BiH crossing over to the opposition benches. FTV – HDZ also announced to end its partnership with SDA unless it’s fulfils its promises. HDZ’s discontent about Partnership with SDA culminated last night when Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipacic rejected proposal by his Deputy Minister Dragan Vrankic to postpone the Government’s session. ”If Suggestion of Budget comes to agenda of BiH Parliament it won’t be confirmed by HDZ”, said Niko Lozancic, HDZ Vice President. “SDA promised there would be no outvoting. At the last session of the FBiH government we were overruled seven times on the ethnic group basis”, says Barisa Colak adding: “We have to take responsibility and come to an agreement.” Colak announced that he will have talks with SDA President Sulejman Tihic on Friday and will request an urgent inter-party meeting. Dnenvi Avaz pg 5 ‘SDA will not satisfy HDZ conditions’ Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘We will not fulfill HDZ’s demands’ – SDA Vice President, Seada Palavric announced SDA was not satisfied with HDZ demands for appointments to the FBIH PIO and Office for Roads: “HDZ demands refer to taking positions in which there is money, leaving others to Bosniaks, Serbs and others.” |
| Ashdown meets Rumsfeld and Powell; UN SC supports reforms process in BiH | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ashdown talks to Rumsfeld and Powell about BiH today’, Dnevni List pg 10 ‘UN and HR are looking for joint solution for BiH’, Blic pg 17 ‘Slow pace of reforms’ – The High Representative Paddy Ashdown will be in Washington on Friday for meetings with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, OHR spokesperson Vedran Persic told a press conference in Sarajevo today. He said that the High Representative will use these meetings to underline the progress that BiH has made in specific reform areas with a focus on achieving Partnership for Peace membership and meeting the European Commission’s requirements for the start of Stabilisation and Association Agreement negotiations later this year. Dnevni List pg 3 ‘International Community stays in BiH’ – High Representative Paddy Ashdown stated in New York that the International Community is not planning to withdraw from BiH. Asked as when it will be the time that the HR withdraws from BiH and lets the decision-making to domestic politicians, the HR said that the IC will not withdraw from BiH, however, its presence will change a form. The HR added: “After the HR some special representative with different tasks could come and it would be so as long as transition is underway and as long as circumstances demand it.” RHB – Following briefing by the High Rep, UN Security Council offered its full support to the implementation of reforms in BiH, underlining the country was important for the regional stability and on a good way to join Euro- Atlantic Integrations. During the discussion participated all fifteen SC’s member states and representatives of Ireland, it was said that BiH has made a significant progress in the area of defence, intelligence and borders management, and that was on the way to reform judiciary and to unite Mostar. BHTV 1 – Security Council expressed its concern for unsatisfactory economy, and failure to respect some of the IPTF’s police desertification decisions. |
| Terzic on his address to UN SC
| Dnevni Avaz cover ‘Powers of High Rep decreasing’, pg 2 ‘Demand for transfer of a part of High Rep’s powers to BiH authorities adopted’ – Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic, who addressed the UN Security Council on Thursday, stated for DA: “All 15 UN SC’s member states adopted with a good doze of optimism both my, and the report by the High Rep Paddy Ashdown, on the situation in BiH… I asked and was supported in a plan to support the plan of High Rep activities with which a part of his powers will be transferred to BiH institutions, and to assist to BiH authorities to fight organized crime.” In addition, Terzic said that UN Security Council raised an unexpected issue of decertified police officers: “UN is worried with the verdicts brought in the benefit of those people, and demanded from us, having into account that at the time of certification authorities did not adopt the regulations which excluded appeal possibility to those decisions, to do that now. I think that is something questionably legally and encroaches human rights. We will see what will UN do about that.” |
| DL editorial on Ashdown, Terzic speeches before UNSC | Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Boycott of reforms in BiH’ by A. Beus – DL carries an editorial which compares the speeches delivered by CoM Chair Adnan Terzic and HR Paddy Ashdown before UN Security Council. The author says that Terzic’ speech was more positive than High Rep, adding that Ashdown stated that one of the crucial problems is the campaign certain groups are running against the independent judiciary in BiH. The author wonders whether BiH authorities can stop this campaigns since “this [campaign] has remained a thorn in [HR’s] eye…Therefore, BiH politicians – if you stop the campaigns that were launched against the process of establishment of the independent judiciary, perhaps, we have a chance to join the EU? We have to admit that we have moved from a deadlock and made some necessary moves in approaching the EU, however, is this the essence of everything?” |
| Ljiljan interview with SDHR Wnendt; Dani on OHR decision re naming of street in Mostar | Ljiljan pgs. 18-22 ‘Wnendt: Old Bridge opening ceremony will be attended by political leaders from all over the world’ – “There are various mechanism to protect national interests defined by the Mostar Statute. The two-third majority is also the protection mechanism. But it is understandable there is so much distrust, and some fear there will de domination of one people established. But, really, the Statute establishes such the mechanisms to prevent domination of any people. The Statute itself should be viewed as a basis for better development, better future of the town,” stated Senior Deputy High Representative Werner Wnendt. Dani pg 16 ‘The Barometer’ column – Magazine awarded HR Paddy Ashdown with two stars [very good mood] for his decision on imposing temporary ban changes of the streets and squares in Mostar. |
| SB: Dragan Kalinic baffled Dragan Cavic | Slobodna Bosna pg 15 ‘Dragan Kalinic baffled Dragan Cavic’ – Dragan Kalinic, the SDS President, totally defeated his inside-party rivals, Mirko Sarovic and Dragan Cavic, who have been for a long time preparing Kalinic’s political liquidation. At a session of the SDS Main Board held early this week in Serb Sarajevo, vast majority of the present Board members “forced” Kalinic to withdraw his resignation from the top party post he had submitted together with other SDS Presidency members as sign of support to Sarovic. Sarovic was earlier removed from the politics by High Representative Paddy Ashdown on suspicion of providing support to war crime indictees. The final result of the SDs Main Board session is that Kalinic remained in the office of the SDS President while Sarovic was suggested to “remove himself” in order not to jeopardize SDS’s political position ahead of this year’s local elections in BiH. |
| Dani on a political duel in Zagreb for influence among BiH Croats | Dani pgs. 26-28 ‘Zagreb duel for BiH Croats’ By Snjezana Mulic-Busatlija – The author analyzes position of HDZ BiH amid attempts by Ivic Pasalic’s (former advisor and close associate of late Croatian President Franjo Tudjman) Croatian Block – The Movement for Modern Croatia to form its branch in BiH. Mulic-Busatlija claims that more than ever before, HDZ BiH has become a community of members with different, mutually confronted political opinions. “While the leader of the HDZ BiH (Barisa Colak) says the party is very stable, its members without his knowledge go to the Croatian Parliament for support,” read the article. At the same time, the top HDZ BiH officials were advised by Croatian HDZ President Ivo Sanader not to follow the HDZ’s dissident Pasalic in his political ambitions. |
| Dani on European prospects of BiH
| Dani pgs. 32-35 ‘Visa regime from Bosnians remains unchanged’ Jasna Jelisic – If the BiH authorities prove by June this year to the European Commission in Brussels that a significant progress has been made in implementing 16 requirements from the Feasibility Study, BiH has a chance to start negotiation on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with EU early next year. This process might last at lest a year, read the article. “Here Europe will not happen tomorrow. This is a process that will change us, develop economy and political institutions, increase efficiency, improve quality of life as well as the understanding of the entire process,” said EC Head of the Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys in a brief interview for the magazine, which is a part of the story. |
| Belkic: OHR should report to BiH Parliament | Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Oja and OHR should submit the report to Parliament’, pg 2 ‘HJPCs and OHR, and Justice Ministry must submit reports to BiH Parliament’ – Daily brings reactions to the speech delivered by High Rep before UN SC in which he warned of the campaign being led against independent judiciary. Member of SBIH Presidency Beriz Belkic said he did not think it was “that dramatic”, adding that BiH was missing transparency and that HJPCs, Justice Ministry and OHR should submit reports on their work to BiH Parliament. SDA Secretary General Sefik Dzaferovic and SDU leader Miro Lazovic said that Ashdown should have said more precisely who were groups threatening judiciary. |
War crimes | |
| SFOR arrests former RS Defence Minister
| RHB, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4&5 ‘Karadzic’s minister of defence Bogdan Subotic arrested’, Dnevni Avaz cover ‘Karadzic’s defence minister in war arrested’, ‘Bogdan Subotic, RS Defence Minister during the war, arrested’, ‘SFOR expects satisfactory information’, Nezavisne novine cover, pg 3 ‘SFOR arrested General Bogdan Subotic’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘General Bogdan Subotic arrested’, Vecernji List front, pg 2 ‘SFOR arrested RS Army General B. Subotic’, Dnevni List pg 11 ‘Action carried out without participation of local Police’, pg 18 ‘SFOR arrested General Subotic’, Blic front, pg 12 ‘Landing operation’, Nacional Belgrade daily pg 2 ‘Karadzic’s defense Minister arrested’, Vecernje Novosti pg 15 ‘Taken by force in front of his house’ – Late on Wednesday evening, SFOR arrested RS Army retired General Bogdan Subotic in front of his family home in Glamocani near Banja Luka. SFOR stated that he was arrested under suspicion of supporting indicted war criminals. Subotic has been transferred to an unknown location and is currently being questioned. SFOR Spokesperson, Dave Sullivan, said that General Subotic will be in detention as much time needed to obtain information from him. He added that Subotic was on the list of persons whose accounts were blocked by the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, because of suspicion that they help the ICTY indictees. FENA – RS Ministry of Interior spokesperson Zoran Glusac told FENA that the RS police was not informed about the last night’s operation. SRNA – The RS Interior Minister, Radomir Njegus, confirmed to SRNA that the RS police did not take part in the arrest of Bogdan Subotic. “SFOR announced an operation to the Banja Luka public security centre last night, but did not reveal details of the operation. SFOR asked for the RS police to be involved, but the police refused due to legal constraints,” Njegus said. BHTV 1 – SFOR announced last night action to the Ministry of Interior and asked for MoI’s support but MoI refused regarding legal restrictions. During the war in BiH now retired General Bogdan Subotic served as the RS Defence Minister and was later an advisor to the former RS President Mirko Sarovic. His name is on the first list published by the US Administration of individuals banned entry into the US and EU states because of suspicion to be aiding indicted war criminals. Oslobodjenje pgs 4&5 ‘Keeper of secret of trades with BiH Army’ – In addition to claiming that Subotic was one of the trusted Radovan Karadzic’s associates, daily says that in 1994 he was appointed to the position of Chairman of so called state commission for investigation of the banned trade, assistance to the enemy and obstructing military RS power. Daily said that Commission was nothing more but a cover for well organized crime of selling large quantities or arms and good to Bosniaks. |
| OHR welcomes SFOR action
| BHTV 1 – OHR welcomes the SFOR action to detain general Bogdan Subotic, stressing this shows “yet again that being put on the International Community’s list of persons who are assisting indicted war criminals is on the first step in a series of increasingly serious measures that may be taken against people who support indicted war criminals”, was announced by OHR on Thursday. |
| Prosper in Banja Luka | RTRS, RHB, FTV, BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Arrest of Karadzic and Mladic, or political and economic sanctions’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘If Mladic and Akaradzic are not urgently arrested, RS will face santions’, Nezavisne novine cover, pg 5 ‘RS authorities do not co-operate in arresting of indictees’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Prosper: Arrest Karadzic and Mladic or suffer consequences’, pgs 2&3 ‘Prosper announced sanctions against RS’, Dnevni List pg 11 ‘Karadzic’s arrest condition for European-Atlantic integration’ – Addressing the RS Government and Deputies in RS National Assembly, US Ambassador at large for war crimes, Pierre Richard Prosper, said that RS government has been constantly saying that it is under an obligation to cooperate in arresting war crimes suspects, but added that it did not fulfilled its obligations in this regard and stressed that not a single suspect had been located. Prosper stressed that the choice was before the politicians: “At the June summit in Istanbul, NATO will either offer Bosnia-Hercegovina the privilege of joining the Partnership for Peace or postpone this indefinitely. The offer will depend on meeting two basic conditions: the implementation of defence reforms and cooperation with the tribunal.” Prosper was very direct in his address, and that he stressed that people who stand between RS and its future are Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. US Ambassador Prosper concluded to this that these top two war criminals must be arrested or the RS would remain a black hole of Europe forever, and would face sanctions. Prosper has also met with RS President Dragan Cavic, to whom he pointed that the world and USA were expecting the concrete steps to be taken by RS. “This is a bad sign for RS, as that speech of Mr. Prosper has repeated that – what we already knew in some ways – that is RS is a black hole in a way,” said Milorad Dodik, SNSD President. Blic pg 13 ‘Hostages of indictees’, Vecernje Novosti pg 6 ‘Karadzic and Mladic are protected by criminals’ – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic did not want to comment on the statement of the Ambassador Prosper regarding the ability of some politicians to resolve the issue of Karadzic and Mladic immediately. “This is a perception of every international representative and I cannot comment this”, Mikerevic stated. The leader of SNSD, Milorad Dodik, has stated that “one should give a serious thought” to Prosper’s statement. “In principle, he threatened RS with sanctions”, Dodik said. |
| War crimes conference in Bjelasnica | Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Judiciary under the pressure of war crimes creators’ – A three-day conference titled “Investigating and prosecuting of war crimes, the crimes against humanity and genocide”, organized by the RS Helsinki Board for Human Rights in cooperation with the ICTY’s Outreach Programme, commenced on Thursday on Bjelasnica. Aim of the gathering, which is attended by BiH judicial workers and experts of the Hague Tribunal, is seen in viewing the different aspects of prosecuting the persons indicted for war crimes committed in BiH, and creating of conditions for prosecuting them before the courts un BiH, including the establishment and functioning of the Council for War Crimes of the BiH Court. President of the RS Helsinki Board for Human Rights Branko Todorovic stated it is crucial for BiH, for its full reintegration and establishment of the rule of law, that the war crime suspects face justice and answer for their crimes. In this context, Todorovic raised concerns about the fact that “especially in RS there are not any court processes currently in progress, and the judicial institutions in this BiH entity are exposed to strong political pressures and obstructions in regard to the matter of war crimes”. |
Economic issues | |
| SFOR raids Telekom Srpske premise in Banja Luka
| FTV, BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 6 ‘SFOR’s inspection fo Telekom Srpske’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘SFOR raided Telekom Srpske in Banja Luka’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Search of Telekom Srpske seat’, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Search in Telekom Srpske’, Nezavisne novine cover, pg 3 ‘SFOR raids Telekom Srpske’, Blic pg 12 ‘SFOR inspected Telekom’ – SFOR British troops carried out the inspection of the “Telekom Srpske” building in Banja Luka on Thursday.SFOR stated that the objective of the operation was to gather documentation and technical equipment that could be of interest to them. Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic said he was informed about the investigation and that SFOR can check any institution according to their mandate. The RS Ministry of Interior and all relevant institutions were informed about the operation. RTRS – SFOR Spokesperson Dave Sullivan confirmed that some documents were seized by the troops during the probe into Telekom Srpske. RHB – Lieutenant of British Navy from the Headquarter of SFOR, Mathew Brock said that this action is not related to SFOR prior actions or with the arrest of General Bogdan Subotic. |
| Hays meets Bulldozer members | Slobodna Dalmacija pg 8 ‘Businessmen demand urgent reforms’, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Hays: To make more creative and flexible the work of Government’ – PDHR Donald Hays held a meeting with members of the Bulldozer unit for urgent reforms from the Federation of BiH, Republika Srpska and Brcko District and Cantonal Ministers of Economy and local businessmen also attended the meeting. Hays stated: “In a direct contact with businessmen in the field, these bodies will identify problems and then they will inform the Government about them so that the Government can react as soon as possible and adopt Acts that will make business operations easier. This will make the complete work of the authority more creative and flexible and, what is the most important, more efficient. For this reason such bodies are welcome. Reforms in this country simply cannot be postponed any longer.” |
| Hays meets economic groups | Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Regional development is a key to BiH development’ – The Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, on Thursday met with the directors of five BiH regional economic agencies. Fight against gray economy, ensuring new working places, development of agriculture and improvements of the health systems and environment were described as the main goals that economic agencies should strive to reach. Nezavisne novine pg 17 ‘Investors lacking information’ – Regional development agencies are of highest importance for attracting foreign investors to BIH. “A lot of donators do not know whom to contact when they arrive in BIH. That is why regional development agencies are a right place for gaining information on economic potential of a certain region”, said Donald Hays. |
| Hays to meet authorities on Bankruptcy Law | RHB – On Friday, PDHR Donald Hays, will hold a meeting with the FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic, representatives of the World Bank, the labor unions and the FBiH Government in order to discuss the FBiH Law on Bankruptcy. OHR stated that this Law “is an indispensable element in resuscitating the privatization process so that firms can rationalize their status and attract the kind of investment capital that can, over the long term, create new jobs.” |
Macedonian plane crash | |
| Black box sent to Germany
| BHTV 1, RHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Analyses of black box in Germany’, Nezavisne novine cover, pg 2 ‘SFOR knew where is crash location’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Black box of Macedonian plane taken away to Germany’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘French flight controller under magnifying glass’ – SFOR refused to comment the allegations that their soldiers were on the scene of the accident, shortly after the crash of the plane carrying Macedonian delegation to the investment conference in Mostar. At the same time, BiH Traffic and Communications Ministry’s Commission appointed to investigate the accident announced that a team of Macedonian, USA and BiH experts left for Germany, carrying that black box from for analyses. The team will remain in Germany until the analyses are completed. FTV – It is still unknown who gave false information following the plane crash, when several hours later media were informed that 4 bodies were already recovered. Answering journalist’s question as to why SFOR didn’t allow Ministry of Interior to search the zone of plane crash, SFOR spokesperson Dave Sullivan said:”If they went into minefields then I would have to answer why did we let them in.”. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Begic: State Commission has evidences of the Macedonian plane crash’ – Daily brings statement by the Director of BiH Civil Aviation Administration Salko Begic who confirmed that the preliminary report on the investigation will be completed next week already, and that entire case should be completed in two monts. |
| BH delegations went to Skoplje to attend President’s funeral | RHB, BHTV 1, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 8 ‘Delegation from about 50 countries attended the funeral in Skoplje’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Tihic paid respect to Trajkovski’, Nacional Belgrade daily pg 19 ’47 state delegations will escort the Macedonian President today’ – Chairman of BiH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic, departed for Skopje, where he will lead the BiH Delegation on Friday’s funeral of late President Boris Trajkovski. Tihic met with Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski, to whom he pointed that BiH was prepared to help in the investigation in any way. Representatives of about 50 countries are expected to attend the funeral. BiH delegation headed by Tihic, consists of also Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mladen Ivanic and Security Minister Barisa Colak. |
Intelligence, defence and police issues | |
| RSNA recommends RS deputies in BiH HoP to vote for BiH Intelligence Law | BHTV 1 – RS National Assembly adopted the draft law on the parliamentary control of the defence and security sector, which will enable a greater amount of control over the work of institutions in the sphere of defence and interior affairs. The draft law was proposed by RSNA deputies – members of the assembly committee for observing and controlling the work of bodies and institutions in the defence and interior affairs’ sector. Explaining the necessity of adopting this law, committee chairman Velimir Sakan told the People’s deputies that it was necessary, within the framework of defence reforms, to obtain a more adequate control and strengthen parliamentary control of institutions in this sector. According to the draft law, the assembly committee for observing and controlling the work of bodies and institutions in the defence and interior affairs’ sector has received further authorization, a greater influence on budgetary expenditure and personnel policy. RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Draft OSA BiH Law endorsed’ – RSNA also recommended to the RS deputies in the BiH House of Peoples to vote for a bill on BiH intelligence and security agency, which had been approved by the House of Representatives. |
| OHR urges adoption on Intelligence | RHB, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Ashdown expects adoption of Law on Intelligence-Security Service’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Law on Security Service today’ – OHR spokesperson Vedran Persic stated yesterday that although High Representative Paddy Ashdown is on a tour over the USA and Great Britain he is following with big attention development of events in BiH with regard to adoption of Law on Intelligence-Security Service. Persic added that the HR looks forward to the BiH House of Peoples following the good example of the House of Representatives and adopting the Law on Intelligence and Security Agency at their next session this Friday. Persic also said that adopting the Law will help BiH move towards establishing European standards in the security sector. |
| Dani on BiH Intelligence Law | Dani pgs. 29-31 ‘Law for Bosnian spies’ – An interview with Kalman Kocsis, former Chairman of the BiH Intelligence Reform Commission and former Head of the Hungarian Intelligence Service, on the intelligence system reform in BiH. Introducing the interview, interviewer Emir Suljagic writes that when and if the BiH state parliament adopts the Law on the Intelligence Service, that will mark the beginning of a long-term and probably painful process of changes inside the intelligence community in the country. “Domestic intelligence officers differently from politicians realized very quickly that the proposed law was in their interest, and that it would give them freedom to act professionally, concentrate on their work and relieve from the bad image from the past,” said Kocsis. |
| NN on investigation of the coup d’état affair | Nezavisne novine pg 2 ‘Vuksic to be banned from work in future agency’ – BiH Parliament’s commission for investigation of the coup d’etat affair will request for Ivan Vuksic, dismissed FOSS Director, and several other employees of the agency, to be banned from work in future State Intelligence Agency. This is one of 13 conclusions and recommendations contained in the report by the Commission, which also concluded that human rights of former FOSS Director, Munir Alibabic, and other were breached by FOSS who carried out unauthorized wiretapping. The commission in its work interrogated about 20 witnesses for the past last three months. |
| Osmanovic accuses RS MoI for discrimination against Bosniaks and Croats; RS MoI denies | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘They will ask for RS Police Director to be a Bosniak or a Croat’ – RS Vice President, Adil Osmanovic, stated at the press conference on Thursday that out of 422 Bosniaks employed by RS Interior Ministry, 41 of them were fired based on based on criteria for establishing a surplus of the workers. He added that no Bosniak or Croat participated in drafting these criteria, as none of them are present in leadership positions. He stressed that if RS Interior Minister was a Serb, than Police Director has to come from two other constituent peoples. Vice President of the RS Government, Omer Brankovic, warned against alarming situation in RS institutions due to lack of Bosniak and Croat representation. RTRS – RS Interior Ministry claims that police officer were laid off due to their negative points they earned for their professional performance. RS MoI Spokesperson, Zoran Glusac, said that out of 621 Policemen dismissed in total, only 7% of them were members of other nationalities. “No other criteria, except three basic: criminal liability, disciplinary, social and some other additional criteria, wasn’t applied,… without regard] to their national, sexual or some other affiliations”, said Glusac. |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed on Defence Minister | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘State’ op-ed by Zija Dizdarevic – “Appointment… of Dragomir Dumic for the position of the first state Defence MInister in BiH is a fact of great importance for political relations in the country… Saying yes to consituttional changes in this field is a great political gain for BiH… The fact that a Serb from RS was the first to take the leading position in defence sector is itself a positive message exchanged between the state and entities’ ministers. Steps like that can help gradual establishment of the trust in BiH as a state.” |