| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Croatian deputies outvoted | Education law adopted | SCG / ICTY cooperation | Veterans law in RS NA |
| Puljic met HR | HR on Srebrenica Comm. | 4 persons arrested in RS | HR on RS improvement |
| HR on Srebrenica report | Veterans Laws | SFOR ordered dismissals | Legija hiding in Belgrade |
| USA HQ Chief in Tuzla | Croatia & Succession law | Education law adopted | Tito died 24 years ago |
| Oslobodjenje | Success of Srebrenica Commission is not guaranteed; SDA against discussion on ‘sahovnica’; Americans staying in BiH |
| Dnevni Avaz | Sanader cannot dismiss Covic; American soldiers will still keep the peace; SDS assisted war criminals |
| Dnevni List | Meeting between HR and Cradinal Puljic: Lack of food will in building of stable state; Bosnia is shelter of Al-Qaeda sleepers’ |
| Vecernji List | Studying: Same conditions to all students; Citizens and authority should stop spreading of Al-Qaeda |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Stone-pit for 50 000 KM per year?; Director was receiving salary of cleaning lady |
| Glas Srpske | Department for prevention of suspicious affairs: Old laundering, new package; Republika Srpska Army: Dismissals on Friday |
| Nezavisne Novine | Richard Mayers: American soldiers remain in BiH; HiRep on Srebrenica Commission: Ashdown: Report on missing persons must be completed by the end of June; Nikola Spiric: BiH Presidency is working on the verge with crime |
| Blic | Lawyers: Legija was hiding in his house; The police should have known this; Circus Legija; He is changing cell every evening; Every tenth child in RS suffers from asthma |
Srebrenica Commission/ war crimes | |
| Ashdown on Srebrenica Commission second preliminary report
| RHB, BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4&5 ‘Success of the Srebrenica Commission is still not guaranteed’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘RS authorities showed moderate will to cooperate’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Information about location of 6 mass graves handed over to Commission’, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Final report on Srebrenica at beginning of June’, Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 2 ‘Ashdown: Report on missing persons must be completed by the end of July’; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Ashdown asks for more’, Blic pg 13 ‘RS authority is cooperating’, – The High Representative Paddy Ashdown described as relatively good the Srebrenica Commission’s Progress Report delivered by the RS Government, but warned that the success of the Commission has not been ensured. He reminded journalists at a press conference in Sarajevo that he sacked two officials earlier for obstruction and warned others that they have to fulfil their commitments regarding the work of Srebrenica Commission. Ashdown said that the report states limited proof that the RS authorities have changed their position towards cooperation with the Commission. The report shows, and this was also confirmed by international observers, that financial and logistical support for the work of the Commission has been provided. The report has provided new, first real, information on the locations of six previously unidentified mass graves. If this information is confirmed Ashdown will view it as “limited progress”. FTV – “The Commission now has a clear priority: to identify, with reasonable certainty, all remaining Srebrenica mass grave sites and such other information with regard to people and events required by the Human Rights Chamber decision,“ said Ashdown, adding: “I will consider RS authorities responsible for any possible help that they can offer to Commission.” RTRS, Vecernje Novosti pg 6 ‘The Head of Intelligence did not “pass”’– Ashdown also said that the level of cooperation with the RS Intelligence Service so far “has been conspicuous by its absence”, and he added that OBS Director Simo Zaric has been responsible for that: “ I will … hold Mr. Zaric responsible …for giving all information that his agency has in any form which could help to the work of the Commission.” Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Exact number of missing persons will not be known in June’ – High Rep also said that there would be no further delays of deadlines, meaning that by the mind June the report has to be finalised, and the complete list of missing persons to be finalized by July. RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘In RS it is not patriotic to cooperate with the Commission’ – The Srebrenica Commission’s report also concludes that there is no political ambience that would ensure better and high quality work of the Commission as generally accepted feeling is that it is not patriotic to cooperate with the Commission. |
| Bogdanic on upcoming Commission activities | Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Checking existence of another 5 mass graves’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Search for five new mass graves’ – The chairman of the Srebrenica Commission, Milan Bogdanic, said on Tuesday that the commission was planning over the next few days to check information about the existence of five more mass graves in which victims of Srebrenica had allegedly been buried. He added that he could not assess positively cooperation with the FBiH Commission for Missing Persons precisely because it failed to forward its information about mass graves and about the already exhumed graves to the RS government’s Srebrenica Commission. “So, there is speculation about the information regarding the number of graves, which the Hague tribunal gave the Federation commission. Although the Federation commission had this data, it has failed to carry out exhumation works on any mass grave site because it was not in the position to do so or for some other reason,” Bogdanic said. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Data on six mass graves will be given to Amor Masovic’ – Bogdanic stated that the information on allegedly six new mass graves given by the RS authorities to Srebrenica Commission will be forwarded to FBiH Missing Persons Commission to establish whether that was new information for them. |
| Oslobodjenje editorial on Srebrenica Commission | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Ashdown and Srebrenica’ op-ed by Daniel Omeragic – Editorial refers to the second preliminary report by Srebrenica Commission, which, says author, proves that the Commission finally started to seriously do its job. “Paddy Ashdown is, however, careful in estimating the Commission’s work and RS authorities cooperation… Everything that happened in the last few months around the Commission indicates that RS authorities are not ready to honestly face the truth on Srebrenica. If Ashdown had never punished those responsible for the work of commission, the RS Government would probably never submit the information on mass graves,” reads the editorial. |
| ICTY Chair warns UNSC on lack of cooperation from SCG
| FTV – The President of the ICTY, Theodore Meron, reported to the UN Security Council on the insufficient co-operation of the Serbian authorities with the Tribunal. Meron stated in the letter to the UN Security Council Speaker that there was no co-operation of Belgrade at all and he pointed out that Serbian authorities offered no help to neither locate and arrest Ratko Mladic, nor to access witnesses and evidences connected to the investigation. |
Education issues | |
| BiH HoR adopts Law on Higher Education outvoting Croats
| RHB, BHTV 1, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Law on Higher Education adopted’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Framework Agreement adopted’, Dnevni List, p 3 ‘Framework Law on Higher Education adopted without presence of Croats’, Slobodna Dalmacija, back page ‘Proposal of Law on Higher Education adopted’– BiH House of representatives adopted the draft Framework Law on Higher Education at a session in Sarajevo held Tuesday. The voting was carried out in absence of the Croat delegates, including the HoR Speaker Martin Raguz, as they were all against it. The adoption of the law is not expected to go smoothly in the BiH House of Peoples as Croatian delegates would call upon the protection of their vital national interest, considering the Law to be unconstitutional and against the will of Croats in BIH. Croat Rep in HoR, Ivo Miro Jovic, emphasises that this draft doesn’t include Cantons which according to Federation Constitution have jurisdiction over education as well as that the law was brought without participation of experts from Croatian people. Opposing opinion came from Minister Safet Halilovic who stresses that unless the law is adopted by 7 May, BiH will lose 42 million US dollars of loan. Serb representatives are of the opinion that young people must have quality education and obtain degrees that will be recognised in Europe. FTV – Out of 39 amendments to the Law that HDZ suggested, none of them was accepted. ”Our Club was not present at the discussion, [and] a thing that this law does not ensure are equal rights for all nations in BiH,” said Ivo Miro Jovic. “This law corresponds with the highest European standards and it jeopardises no one. I really do not understand these remarks,” answered Safet Halilovic. “Croats know exactly what they want and that is to ensure justice for all and to preserve cultural identity of Croats, and that is the only way for us to become part of Europe,” said Jovic. |
| BiH HoP postpone discussion on Higher Education law to 7 May | Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Vote on education law postponed’ – Delegates of the BiH House of Peoples at the session held on Tuesday decided to postpone the vote on the draft Framework Law on Higher Education. Club of Croat representatives asked for discussion on the law to be postponed for 48 hours, and to submit about 60 HDZ amendments to the HoP within that timeframe. HDZ delegate Velimir Jukic stated that the party demands HoP to discuss these amendments as this was an issue of protection of the vital national interests for Croat people. HoP is scheduled to discuss the Law on May 7. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Constitutional-legal commission to reconsiders justifiability of filed amendments’ – Croat representatives asked for Constitutional-legal commission to reconsiders all 60 amendments proposed latest by 7 May. |
| Chancellor of Mostar University issues a letter calling for rejection of the law | RHB, Vecernji List front page splash ‘Studying: Same conditions to all students’ and page 5 ‘Divisions are against students’, Dnevni List front and page 13 ‘Who wants to divide BiH through higher education?’, Slobodna Dalmacija page 18 ‘We do not need assistance but uniformed conditions’ – The Chancellor of the Mostar University, professor dr. Franjo Ljubic, issued a press statement on Tuesday just prior the adoption of the draft Framework Law on Higher Education in BiH, which among other things says: “[The law] is not good. It should be adopted since it is in favour of 3 high education laws in BIH, special laws in Federation, RS and Brcko District, which will as a consequence have different education criteria. I believe that equal education criteria suit all people in BIH regardless of their nation. I am certain that position of one state education law is not opposite to the position of Council of Europe, OSCE, the World bank and University Associations of European countries. I do not know to whom would suit the new law. Probably only to those who want to divide BIH. That is not in the interest of our students or in the interest of all students in BIH… Mr [Paddy] Ashdown will protect the interest of our students if he speaks in favour of… a single higher education law instead the framework law… We expect such help from Mr. Ashdown and if he gives it I will appreciate it. If not, that I will think that he is a politician who is not honestly in favour of single education standards and equal criteria for all BIH students and Universities.” |
| OSCE on education in Central Bosnian Canton | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Politicians prevent children to receive modern education’, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Overspending limited means’, Dnevni List page 8 ‘OSCE Mission disappointed by behavior of Central Bosnia Canton officials’, Vecernji List page 5 ‘OSCE: Central Bosnia Canton is wasting resources’ – The OSCE spokesperson Elmira Bajrasli expressed the OSCE disappointment over the behavior of the Central Bosnia Canton officials who did not adopt the decision on administrative and legal unification of ‘two schools under one roof’. She added that it is surprising that the officials from this Canton are preventing their children to get modern, high-quality education that will prepare them fro the future. |
Defence and security issues | |
| FBiH HoR today to discuss draft Law on Veterans’ rights
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Today, vote on veterans law’, Vecernji List, p 2, “Nadarevic: We offer free choice for use of term “sehid”” – The FBiH House of Representatives on Tuesday held the special session entirely devoted to the proposal of the Law on the rights of veterans and members of their families, forwarded to HoR by the FBiH Government. However, the Croatian reps stressed that regardless to which party they belong they will have the same position towards the proposal of the law. That was stated by Ivan Maduric, Chair of the HDZ, HNZ and HDK Caucus. Deputy Speaker of House of representatives, Josip Merdzo suggested for proposal to go back into the draft Law form. The majority of Bosniak representatives rejected his suggestion. A large number of amendments have been suggested. BHTV 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Croat reps demand two funds’ – The deadline for the adoption of this Law is May 7, which would enable the loan in amount of 50 millions dollars. However, the main obstacle for Croat reps is the use of term ‘shehid’ and they also advocate for the establishment of two separated funds. FTV – The FBiH HoR session will be continued today, when decision on presented amendments should be reached too. “This Law is about rights of the war veterans, and not about rights of Bosniaks, Serbs or Croats. In the same way, Government will discuss this Law. Government will support solution that will bring more means,” said Ahmet Hadzipasic, FBiH Prime Minister. Dnevni List, p 4, “Adoption of Law on Defenders without Croat representatives” – The competent Minister Ibrahim Nadarevic is quoted by DL as saying that individual rights remain the same. DL concludes by saying that, thanks to the votes of SDA, SDP and Party for BiH, it is highly likely that the Law gets adopted at today’s continuation of the session, which is due after the FBiH Government declares itself on proposed amendments. |
| RSNA postpones discussion on draft Law on Veterans’ rights | RTRS, BHTV 1, FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘RS Government withdrew Proposed law on soldiers’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Government withdrew soldiers’ law’ – RS Government on Tuesday evening withdrew the Law on the Rights of Veterans, War Invalids and Their Families from parliamentary procedure. RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic explained that the Government has decided to do this because the Bill does not enjoy adequate support from the representatives. The adoption of this law by 7 May is also a condition set by the World Bank to give its approval for the loan worth approximately 97 million US dollars. RTRS – The biggest number of complaints came on the issue of calculation of compensation for invalids. Government foresaw the calculation coefficient to be 0.8 whilst Veteran Associations instead on the calculation of 0.9. “I think it would be difficult to gather these financial means in the budget for next year especially I think that other expenses for these categories will be endangered,” said Mico Micic, Minister of Labour and Veterans, raising his doubt over increases. |
| PDHR Hays and WB Head Reinermann on Law on Defenders’ Rights | Dnevni List page 4 ‘Law conditions getting of loan amounting to 51 million $’ by E.M. carries that Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays stated that the Law on Defenders’ Rights and members of their families is well balanced. According to Hays the compromise reflect interests of both constituent peoples and it especially deals with the issue of HVO victims and preservation of their possible privileges. Head of the World Bank Office in BiH Dirk Reinermann stated that the aforementioned law is a condition for negotiations on the second World Bank loan amounting to 51 million 4. |
| VL op-ed on Law on Veterans’ Rights | Vecernji List pg 2 “Law to “branioci”, what about “branitelji”?” [N.B. “branioci” & “branitelji” are two variants of the same word meaning “defenders”] op-ed by Oliver Cvitkovic – Editorial on Law on Defenders carries the background to the Law on Defenders saying that the proposal is harmful due to the fact that it ensures only 3 basic rights of defenders: disability allowance, other person’s assistance and right to orthopedic device and all other rights are transferred onto level of cantons most of which could not cover that burden. The editorial adds that it is most likely that issue of national interest will be invoked when it comes to voting on the Law in the FBiH House of Representatives. |
| US General says American will stay in BiH after SFOR hands over its mandate | RTRS – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Richard Myers, stated at the press conference held in Tuzla that that Americans would stay in Bosnia within the NATO force even after the EU takes over the primary mission in BiH. After touring the SFOR base in Tuzla, Myers told that the American forces would be included in the mission through checking war crimes suspects and fighting terrorism. The US military chief said that all war crimes suspects have to be brought before the justice, which is one of the conditions for BiH to make progress. “I think that this type of justice is essential for progress in the Balkans because this would create conditions for these countries to get a better status within the international community, which would give the people the feeling of stability and security,” said Richard Myers. He also acknowledge the progress reached in the field of defence reforms. “ In terms of the Partnership for Peace, the first thing that has to be understood is the that membership in PfP depends on Bosnians more than on anyone else. Having said that I stress that it is on the people of this country, especially those in government to speed up the defence reform and to lead the country towards the membership in PfP.” RHB, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 3 ‘Americans will stay in Bosnia’, Dnevni Avaz cover ‘American troops will still keep the peace’, pg 3 ‘American troops will still keep peace in the Balkans’, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 3 ‘US Army remains in BiH’, Vecernji list, front page splash “Citizens and authorities should stop spreading of Al-Qa’ida” & p 3, “Al-Qa’ida must not expand to BiH”, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘USA for preservation of peace in the Balkans” – also covered the press conference. |
| Tihic repeatedly demands SFOR for explanation on officers that failed vetting procedure | Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘I will not participate in the selection of new names’ – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic on Tuesday told Fena that “all three Bosniak candidates for the generals’ positions in the armed forces, which did not pass SFOR’s vetting procedure due to the alleged involvement in war crimes, have received confirmations from the Hague Tribunal that investigation procedures against them are not being conducted”. Tihic further explained that he received information from the liaison officer in the Hague, Amir Ahmic, that an investigation is not being conducted against Selmo Cikotic, and he confirmed that he “also has received the same Tribunal’s confirmation for Brigadiers Jasmin Saric and Haris Saric”. Tihic stressed “this speaks about the quality of vetting, the arguments of SFOR’s confirmation process in regard to these candidates”. BiH Presidency Chair said that he has addressed a letter to the Commander of SFOR and forwarded to him the ICTY confirmations, and asked him to state why were the remaining candidates, Brigadiers Safet Podzic, Senad Masovic and Serif Spago, rejected and to provide the relevant arguments why this was done. “BiH Presidency is the civil commander and it has the right to know the reasons”, stressed Tihic. “Regarding the new candidates, I will certainly not engage in this process, because this is not my legal obligation, but the obligation of the Entity and BiH defence minister”, said Tihic. BHTV 1 – also mentions this interview given to FENA. |
| Tihic meets with Nikolic on SFOR instruction to dismiss three officers; Nikolic says new candidates being checked | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Tihic asked from Packett to reconsider the decisions’ – BH Presidency Chair, Sulejman Tihic, met on Tuesday with the Bosniak candidates for the positions of generals with the BiH Army that failed to pass SFOR vetting procedure. Tihic promised them to do everything to protect them. He also confirmed that he talks with FBiH Defence Minister Miroslav Nikolic and told him that SFOR’s instruction on discharging without the right to retirement of officers Cikotic and two Sarics is contrary to the BiH Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights, and that Nikolic should, before reaching his decision, consult with the relevant institutions for protecting human rights and hold another meeting with COMSFOR. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘SFOR reviewing six new officers’ – Miroslav Nikolic, Defence Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, yesterday announced that by the end of this week, he would send a list with names of six new candidates for the positions at BiH armed troops to SFOR. |
| Radovanovic on generals appointments
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘radovanovic expects for letter to got o SFOR’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘To continue appointments to Joint HQ’ – BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic told FENA that the Standing Committee For Military Matters will today discuss the proposal of candidates that passed the check for positions of generals in the BiH armed forces. Radovanovic said that he did not receive a proposal of new candidates from the FBiH Ministry of Defence. Asked to comment on reports that the ICTY is not investigating Jasmin Saric who was discharged from the FBiH Army without the right to retirement by the SFOR Commander, Radovanovic said that he expects BiH institutions to receive this letter soon and that it would be forwarded to the SFOR once this happens. RTRS – Colonels Miladin Milojcic and Mirko Tesic will most probably be suggested as candidates for function of deputies to the Chief of Joint BiH Army HQ, confirmed Radovanovic. He added that, ‘green light’ that general Rizvo Pleho should be confirmed Chief Inspector while the second Bosniak candidate approved by SFOR, brigadier Sakib Foric, will be proposed to the position of deputy commander of operational command. |
| DA: Another Bosniak candidate to be failed? | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Dzevad Radjo also to be taken off the list?’ – DA says it learned that SFOR Commander also sanctions brigadier Dzevad Radjo, which passed its vetting procedure in the first run, and was listed as one of the candidates for general position with BH Army. The reason for this is apparently the traffic accident that Radjo was involved in about 8 years ago. DA says this information was partly confirmed by BH MoD Nikola Radovanovic, who stressed that SFOR for now only has asked for explanation. |
| Oslobodjenje editorial says that despite all, improvements are made | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Nevertheless, it happens’ op-ed by Antonio Prlenda – Editorial refers to the current situation regarding the appointment of the generals to BH Army, focusing on the difficulties as Sulejman Tihic announced he would not participate in the procedure anymore, and the fact that there is a lack of Croat candidates. In addition, author notes that these events overshadowed another, positive, event: “I have to mention the fact that during the joint exercise ‘Help sufferers, 2004’ held last week a significant, more than anything of psychological kind, improvement was made. Members of the RS Army wore, on their arms next to the VRS coat of arts, a big state coat of arm on the other arm. Even though this is symbolic, even skeptics must admit that they did not believe this would happen!… So, this is one of the indicators of the positive changes in RS. And if things started happening there, than we must admit, that ‘the thing’ moves, generally speaking.” |
| BiH HoR adopts set of security laws; expands SIPA powers | RHB – The BiH House of Representatives adopted a Law on the State Agency for Investigation and Protection [SIPA] at the session held on Tuesday. The law consolidates the agency by extending its powers to carry out police work and by creating conditions for the SIPA to carry out operational tasks as defined by BiH laws and international agreements. The law prescribes that the SIPA be set up and organized as an administrative department within the BiH Security Ministry, but with operational autonomy to carry out police tasks. The deputies also endorsed a bill on preventing money laundering, which envisages measures and responsibilities for uncovering, preventing and investigating money laundering and financing of terrorist activities. It also envisages measures and responsibilities regarding international cooperation regarding preventing money laundering and financing terrorist activities. The BiH House of Peoples also adopted the Law on BiH police employees. The law was adopted in a somewhat different version than the one adopted by the BiH HoR and a commission was set up to harmonize them. Finnaly, HoP adopted the law on protection of witnesses in BiH, the law on amendments and addenda to the law on criminal procedure. |
| Asim Fazlic’s detention extended | Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Asim Fazlic’s detention extended’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Detention to Asim Fazlic extended’ – The BiH extended custody for suspect Asim Fazlic until 29 June this year on demands by the state Prosecution’s special division for organized crime, commercial crime and corruption. Fazlic, former deputy head of BiH Interpol, is suspected of the criminal act of abuse of office, revealing official secrets and bribe-taking. Nacional Belgrade daily pg 19 ‘Detention for Deputy Director of BiH Interpol was extended’ – A press release issued by the BiH Court explained that the Court accepted the Prosecutor’s reasons saying that new evidence have directed the investigation in direction of shedding light on new facts in relation to cooperation of Fazlic with a group of persons against whom an investigation is underway regarding the explosions in Sarajevo on December 30 and January 18. |
| Terzic on fight against terrorism | Nacional Belgrade daily pg 19 ‘BiH has no instruments to fight terrorism’ – The Chairman of the CoM, Adnan Terzic, has stated he expected no sanctions after a report of the American Government, which reads that the current authority of BiH has slowed down the fight against terrorism. “There are a number of measures we have undertook in this field. I think there is no room for sanctions,” Terzic has stated. “We have a coordination team for fight against terrorism, yet it only coordinates the work of the entity institutions in charge of fight against terrorism. We still do not have institutions, therefore we cannot take a full responsibility for fight against terrorism. It is still under the jurisdiction of the entities, and at the head of these institutions are people who were appointed by the previous authority,” Terzic has explained. OHR Spokesperson Vedran Persic has pointed out OHR did not want to comment on this report of the American Government. The Public Relations Service of the American Embassy to BiH could not have stated on base of which this report has been compiled. |
| Colak on US State Department’s report | Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 5 ‘Sanader cannot dismiss Covic’ by Husein Orahovac – In an interview to DA, BH Security Minister Barisa Colak commented the report by the US State Department: “Slow down of the activities in [the field of fight against terrorism] o cured at the time when the authorities were changing, so regardless to which political option was at the power.” In same regard, Colak comments that the Law grounds for fight against terrorism were ‘not bad’, however that the financial aspects for security matters were ‘catastrophic’, outlining that budget approved for SIPA is 5 million KM, while it needs about 30 million KM. |
Political issues | |
| Colak: Sanader cannot dismiss Covic
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 5 ‘Sanader cannot remove Covic’ by Husein Orahovac – In an interview to DA, BH Security Minister and HDZ BiH President Barisa Colak denies that the party has problems to the extend as reported widely in media. Asked to comment media speculations that HDZ leader in Croatia, Ivo Sanader, wants to remove Dragan Covic from HDZ top in BiH, Colak answers: “There is not truth in it, nor it could be. Because we are two parties in two states. I don’t see a way in which Mr Sanader would implement something like that. Otherwise, we have very, very good relationship with Sanader.” |
| DA says SDS financial reports indicts party assisted war criminals | Dnevni Avaz cover, pg 2 ‘SDS assisted war criminals’ by S. Numanovic – According to the source from the international community, DA says that the SDS’ financial report submitted to OHR is superficial and contains “deep black holes” which could indicate that this part spends the least of its means for its work. The bigger parts go to the suspicious activities connected to the crime and assisting war criminals. The BiH public will be informed about the details on this case by the end of the week. DA carries that HR Paddy Ashdown meets SDS President Dragan Kalinic today. Article also says that, according to the source, affair alike the ‘Orao’ could raise from the SDS report submitted to OHR. |
| NN interview with Spiric
| Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 6 ‘BiH Presidency is working on the verge with crime’ – In a brief interview to NN, Nikola Spiric, the Co-Chairperson of the BiH House of Representatives, says that the conduct of the members of BiH Presidency is on the verge of crime, noting that the delegates at BiH Parliament had supported their squandering at the cost of BiH citizens. He says: “BiH Presidency does not do the job it was elected to do, but instead is working on the verge of crime or even is engaged in criminal activities.” Spiric voted against the adoption of the budget for 2003. |
| Ashdown meets Cardinal Puljic | RHB, Vecernji List page 2 ‘Cardinal warned of fear among BiH Croats’, Dnevni List front page splash and page 5 ‘Lack of good will in building of stable state’ – Vrhbosna Archbishop Cardinal Vinko Puljic met yesterday with High Representative Paddy Ashdown. During this meeting Puljic raised the issue of fear and apathy among the Croats and their mistrust in existing mechanisms of the authority and representatives of the International Community when protection of equality of all peoples in BiH is in question. The HR said that he heard similar statements from other religious leaders and peoples in BiH and the two of them agreed that there is a lack of good will when building of a stable state, that will protect each citizen, is in question. According to the articles, the HR and Cardinal also touched upon the issues such as Law on Religious Freedoms, restitution, education etc., however, this time they did not go into details and they decided that these issues will be discussed at the future meetings. |
| FBiH HoR fail to discuss Stolac ‘flag’ incident | Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘SDA against discussion on the events in Stolac’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘SDA and HDZ against discussion on Stolac’ – Representative of the Party for BiH, Omer Vatric, proposed that the agenda of FBiH House of Representatives session held on Tuesday to also include the discussion on the ‘flag-incident’ in Stolac [note: please see Media Round-ups since May 1]. However, this item has not been included in the agenda, as the demand did not receive support from SDA, HDZ, HD and HND. Only votes in a favour of this discussion were obtained from SDP and SBiH. However, SDA voted for this item to be included in the agenda of the next session. |
| DA warns changes to BH Election Law may not be implemented on time for October elections | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Representatives of national minorities will not be elected at October elections?’ by A. Malagic – DA carries that despite the fact that both BiH Houses adopted the changes to the BiH Election Law which now stipulate that any area with more than 3% of minorities must have their representative in the local authorities, it appears that these representatives will not be elected at upcoming elections. Apparently, adopted changes still did not come in effect. According to Chairman of the BH Election Commission, Lidija Korac, to come in force, changes must be published in Official Gazettes, which Parliament still did not do, reminding that the registration of parties and independent candidates, including those of minorities, expires on 15 May. |
| NN editorial on BiH accession to EU | Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘European over national’ op-ed by Josip Blazevic – The author is writing about the analysis of the European Policy Institution, the eminent analytic institution seated in Brussels, which reads that BiH would be admitted into EU in 2020 together with Albania and Serbia and Montenegro. The analysis was presented at the ceremony of admission of ten new members into EU. According to him, this analysis should be “taken for granted” for a pure reason that the level of internal integration of BiH is at the low level. He claims that inability to raise oneself above national interests prevents internal “consolidation” of the state.He further refers to the recent BBC Interview with Bertrand Henry Levy, one of the most important living philosophers in the world, who said that BiH should “serve as a model for Europe”. Namely, he has stressed that the ethnic diversity in BiH is something Europe should strive. He has said: “BiH is a sort of Europe. This laboratory of Europe should actually be Europe.” |
Economic and media issues | |
| Update to purchase of BH steel
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘I will send urgent request to Kuwait partners’- FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic said that Kuwait partners still did not respond to the inquiry regarding the purchase of 51% of BH Steel. Two companies – British company LNM and Ispat company from Bombay. Oslobodjenje cover, pg 5 ‘Offer worth 310 million US dollars’ – Representative of the Indian ISPAT Guntupali Jagannadham said that this company offered 310 million US dollars for 51% of BH Steel’s shares, which was, in his words, more than LNM’s offer. In addition, Ispat says that it is ready to accept the conditions of BH Steel Syndicate |
| FTV strongly opposes PBS Draft Law | Vecernji List pg 7 ‘FBiH citizens save RTV RS’ by Ivica Pjanic – In light of the fact that PBS Draft Law foresees equal distribution of finances between the entity broadcasters, as VL says, despite of the fact that the RTV FBiH annually makes almost five times as much money as the RTV RS does, VL comments that many independent observers see this as confirming theses on the continuation of policy which rewards the results of great Serbian aggression on BiH and Croatia. Marija Topic-Crnoja, FTV editor-in-chief, is quoted as saying that there is no such example where the money one makes belongs to another legal entity and adds: “This is about financial injection to RTV RS at the expense of citizens of the bigger BiH entity”. Saying that FTV staff speculate about true intentions of the continuation of pressure on FTV, the daily says there is a thesis that RTV FBiH was created in order to prevent abolishment of RTV RS and that this represents another token of a bargain between Serb and Bosniak parties that leads to continuation of division of the country. Slavo Kukic, Chairman of RTV FBiH Steering Board, says that those who approved of something like that must explain why they approved such a theft. |