Headlines in Print Media |
Dnevni Avaz: Ramadan’s message of Head of the BiH Islamic Community – Let us be decisive in good behavior; Following Alibabic’s accusations: Ashdown – I do not respond to such the impudent lies; IMF requests urgent revocation of decisions on oil prices reduction
Dnevni List: From Belgrade Yugoimport, through BiH company Intertrade, to USA: SFOR knew about export of 80 000 guns to the USA
Vecernji List: None out of 13 Governments has been formed in BiH yet: New elections possible
Slobodna Dalmacija: The Hague turnaround: Croats from Central Bosnia convinced that justice will win in case of HVO General: If General Blaskic was here he would help reconstruction of mosque in Ahmici
Glas Srpski: Stratfor Institute Report on arms sale to Iraq – Orao in a shadow of Sarajevo
Nezavisne Novine: RS authorities and SFOR search barracks and military equipment factories – Investigation starts in Kosmos and Cajavec; Interview with Paddy Ashdown: I have been fighting against nationalists my whole life
Blic: Dodik: Ivanic is thinking whether to make a coalition with the SDS; Rasim Delic accused of war crimes; Ashdown: Future of economy in small enterprises
OHR activities; related news |
Asked to comment on the accusations against him by the removed FOSS Director Munir Munja Alibabic, the High Representatives Paddy Ashdown said he believed that “people know what the truth is,” and that he did not intend to respond to such the impudent lies. “I came here not to be popular but to ensure that the reforms are carried out, which will take BiH on the irreversible road toward the European Union,” Ashdown said. (Dnevni Avaz, p 3, “I do not intend to respond to impudent and bizarre lies”, mentioned on the front page)
“The Office of the High Representative wishes to make clear that the recent allegations made by Mr. Munir Alibabic, the former director of FOSS, including the allegations that the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, is protecting ICTY indictee Radovan Karadzic and conspiring with criminals to undermine Foreign Minister Zlatko Lagumdzija, are utterly without foundation. These allegations are so absurd they deserve no further comment”, OHR Chief Spokesman Julian Braithwaite said at a press conference in Sarajevo on Tuesday. (BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje, p 3, Vecernji List, p 2, “OHR rejects Alibabic’s claims”, Dnevni List, p 9, “Alibabic’s claims are complete nonsense”, Blic p 2)
The Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, on Tuesday called on the authorized bodies and institutions in BiH to revise decisions related to the sector of oil and oil derivatives in order to avoid that the stand-by arrangement with the IMF is brought into question. “From IMF, we have received clear assurances that, if the disputed decisions reducing and abolishing fuel-related taxes are not revoked, the obligations towards BiH from the stand-by arrangement will seriously be reconsidered,” Hays told journalists in Sarajevo. (Dnevni Avaz, p 9, Oslobodjenje, p 6, mentioned on the front page, Dnevni List, back page)
Vecernji List (page 3, by Edina Medunjanin) carries an article in which the author wonders whether the prices of oil products will remain the same after their reduction or they will be changed again. VL says that this primarily depends on the stands of MMF and OHR. VL says that it is possible that the HR corrects the decision of the Federation Government if he determines that it violated the Memorandum, which was signed before with the RS Government and Government of the Brcko District.
“Although Ashdown is categorically rejecting discussions about change of Dayton Accord, he is, in fact, proposing it: taking power off from entities and giving it to the state. Looks attractive and simple, but with one mistake in construction. To conduct reforms, but with whom? (…) Ashdown says ‘with anyone who is ready to implement the reforms’, while his opponents think that it is not irrelevant with whom, because, simply talking, it would be like expecting from ‘national’ parties to abolish themselves. (…) The question is, how to convince Ashdown that it is not irrelevant who will be his partner across the table“, writes Ranko Mavrak, in his editorial in Jutarnji List (p. 14).
Nezavisne Novine quotes(p 6) DNS Chairman Dragan Kostic as saying that entities should reach an agreement on the way in which VAT will be introduced so that the High Representative does not impose it. “Entity constitutions enable adoption of general law on joint VAT in both entities, without changing the BiH Constitution. It is up to entities to decide how the introduction of joint VAT will be going on”, said Kostic. He said that the introduction of the joint VAT is reality if both entities are determined to take the path of European integration.
In an exclusive interview with Nezavisne Novine (pages 4-5), High Representative Paddy Ashdown explains his views on reforms in BiH, Orao affair, IC presence in BiH, nationalist parties, etc. Ashdown said he did not believe that many people in BiH would accuse him of being indecisive for the past six months. “Some people say that I advocate some sort of a protectorate in BiH. Therefore, you can criticise me as much as you wish, but I will react only when I want to react, that is, when I collect all the facts”, said Ashdown.
Vecernji List (page 2, by Ljuba Djikic) carries an editorial saying that justice will not be reachable for many BiH citizens, due to the decision of Paddy Ashdown, the High Representative, on the reduction of some Municipal Courts. The editorial says that strict but dubious criteria were applied when the decision on the abolishment of the courts was passed. The editorial also says: “The idea as to how to improve the circumstances so that people become motivated to look for justice was not considered at all. Transferring of the courts in remote Municipalities, to which a regular transportation has not been organized at all, will additionally contribute to the situation that the citizens keep suffering injustice. And while most representatives of the International Community (including the High Representative) every day state that they only listen to the voice of people, judging by their deeds, which are reflected in the last provisions on judiciary, those who decided on destiny of that people or peoples in BiH do not hear the voice of the people. ”
BiH lawsuit against FRY before ICJ in The Hague |
In a statement with Fena (Dnevni Avaz, p 2, Vecernji List,front and page 2,by Dejan Jazvic, Dnevni List, p 9), the former Bosniak member of the BiH Presidency, Beriz Belkic, denied that the former BiH state leadership had negotiated with the FRY legal representative, Tibor Varady, about any out-of-court deal. “My personal view is and always was that BiH should never give up the legal proceeding against Yugoslavia before the International Court of Justice,” Belkic said.
Orao affair; following investigations |
Oslobodjenje reports on the pages 4-5 that, following Orao affair, the inspections are also underway in all nine companies belonging to the military industry in the BiH Federation. The newspaper quotes the Entity Deputy Defense Minister, Ferid Buljubasic, as saying that, however, there are no any indications so far that any of these companies has exported arms and military equipment to the countries under international or unilateral sanctions. Buljubasic threby denied allegation by the RS Prime Minister Mladen Ivanic describing them as unfounded. (BHTV 1)
Slobodna Dalmacija (page 7, Hina, titled: “IC representatives rejected claims of RS officials: “SFOR did not know about negotiations on sale of weapon to Mianmar”) carries that OHR and SFOR stated that they did not know about the intention of the RS authorities to sell weapon to Mianmar (former Burma) as Mladen Ivanic, the President of the RS Government, claimed. Julian Braithwaite, the Chief OHR Spokesperson, stated at Tuuesday’s press conference in Sarajevo that the fact that high-ranked officials of the RS went to Mianmar in order to negotiate on the sale of weapon is surprising. Braithwaite also said that Paddy Ashdown, the High Representative, and his associates have never been informed about it and added: “If the RS officials were negotiating the sale of weapon and did not know about the embargo, then it is the best indicator that a system of control over the military industry in BiH is weak.” (Vecernje Novosti p 15)
Representatives of the BiH Federation authorities have met in the Middle East with representatives of the regime of the Iraqi President, Sadam Hussein, in order to discuss arms exports that would be more massive than the exports from the Bijeljina based “Orao” Aviation Institute, the latest report of the “Stratfor” US analyst group claims. The report states that, according to Interpol, there is evidence on wide cooperation in regard to arms exports from both BiH entities to Baghdad. The “Stratfor” analyst group believes that the engagement of mostly the Moslem part of the BiH Federation in the transfer of arms and military equipment might change the present status of the Moslems as the victims of the Balkan wars. The group concludes that the more the connection between Sarajevo and Baghdad is disclosed, the easier the connections with Islamic terrorist organizations, such as “Al Qaeda”, will be recognized (Glas Srpski, front page, Nezavisne Novine, p 2).
Vecernji List (page 4, by D. Jazvic) carries that, according to unofficial information, Jack Straw, the British Minister of Foreign Affairs, will demand from his interlocutors in Sarajevo new information on the Orao affair. VL says that before the visit to Sarajevo, Straw paid visit to Belgrade, and threatened Belgrade with sanctions due to the Orao affair. The article says that BiH might be faced with the same, since the results of the investigation on this case have shown that BiH considerably participated in the military trade with Iraq. A source from the BiH Council of Ministers stated: “We do not have answers to all crucial questions yet. We hope that Minister Straw, his Government and the whole International Community will have understanding for objective problems that slow down the investigation on the sale of weapon to Iraq.” (Oslobodjenje, p 4)
Dnevni List (front and page, by V. Maric) carries an article on the information, that media was dealing with previously, regarding the sale of 80 000 guns to the USA. The guns were produced in the Serbian factory “Crvena Zastava”, and they were sold through BiH company “Intertrade” owned by Nihad Spahalic. According to DL, the consent for the sale contains signatures of leading people from the Ministry of Defense, but also a reminder that an attachment was handed over to the Main SFOR Headquarters. DL says that the reason for a halt in the investigation on this case is the fact that SFOR knew about a transport of suspicious weapon but it has never reacted to it.
Kadrija Hodzic in his editorial in Dnevni List (page 4) writes about Orao affair and asks “How serious are threats of Paddy Ashdown? (…) If we should judge by already seen silence of the High Representative and lack of investigation in affair from June this year, when equipment for ‘systematic control of communications and air activities of SFOR’ was discovered, then this investigation is also in danger to remain without looking for political responsibility. That would mean involvment in further destruction and abuses in the country. (…) Division of what we in BiH call ‘International Community’ about security issue in BiH (which is also visible in personality of Donald Hays, who is the Principal Deputy of the High Representative, he spoke about “Orao” affair on behalf of his Government) takes us in reviewing the idea of putting a foreigner as a first man of defence structure and military activities, similar to what we have in the Currency Board, in order to prevent us from division and ideological extremism – the old problems that can not be in the best interest of Europe”, says the author.
Implementation of the election results |
Nezavisne Novine(p 6) and Blic (p 2) also report on the meeting of moderate parties, which took place on Monday night in Banja Luka. The paper reports that in the next 7 to 10 days the Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) should make up its mind and decide with which parties it will side. After the PDP comes up with its decision another meeting will follow. Nezavisne states that the main “culprit” for failure of the Monday’s meeting is RS Prime Minister Mladen Ivanic. SNSD Chairman Milorad Dodik said that PDP made it very clear at the meeting that it wants to form a coalition at the state level without SDS. “At the RS level, PDP has to be very careful about the position of the party. PDP has some talks with SDS, but they (PDP) are also thinking about becoming an opposition party”, explained Dodik. Dodik said that the US Ambassador to BiH, Clifford Bond, was encouraging the leaders of moderate parties to form a coalition that will be recognized by the IC, which basically means the coalition without SDA, SDS and HDZ. NHI Chairman Kresimir Zubak said that nothing has been decided so far, adding that the negotiation will continue. SDP Vice-President Slobodan Popovic said that SDP would negotiate with all parties except with HDZ, SDA and SDS. The paper also says that, apart from PDP, the SBiH was very reluctant to reach an agreement. SBiH official Safet Halilovic said that two or three smaller parties, which were not members of the Alliance for Change, are having dilemma as to whether they should support the moderate parties or not.
The paper speculates that if the moderate parties fail to reach an agreement on coalition then there is a big possibility for PDP to form a coalition with SDS and SDA and some smaller parties, which can also be concluded from the Adil Osmanovic’s statement that SDA will support Ivanic as a prime minister if SDA get post of RS deputy prime minister and control over two ministries (Ministry of Refugees and DPs and Ministry of Urbanism). SDA also does not dismiss the possibility of having the SPRS in that coalition. However, SPRS Secretary General Zeljko Marjanac said the SPRS would not form coalition with SDA.
Dnevni List (page 3, by A. Stanic) carries article about meeting of SDP, SBiH, PDP, SNSD, Working for Prosperity, Socialist Party of RS and NHI, and their talks about forming coalition on state level. The article says that the representatives of all parties will meet the High Representative Paddy Ashdown today (Wednesday) at 15 h, and talk about implementation of the economic reforms and implementation of the election results on all levels.
Vecernji List (page 2, by Z. Kresic) carries that Jerko Lijanovic, the Vice President of People’s Party Working for Prosperity, confirmed that the meeting in Banja Luka took place and that none Western diplomat apart from US Ambassador Clifford Bond attended this meeting.
Vecernji List (front and page 15, by Robert Bubalo) carries an article titled “New elections possible in BiH”. VL says that some international officials in BiH say that the new elections in BiH are possible if the authority is not constituted within a planned deadline. The article also says that these deadlines have already expired and a takeover was only done in the BiH Presidency. According to VL, the establishment of the coalition Government at the Federation level between HDZ and SDA and some minor parties is completely certain, however, none has majority at the state level. For this reason everybody waits to see as to what Party for BiH will do. Safet Halilovic, the President of Party for BiH, proposed forming of the Government of the BiH unity, and VL says that this proposal was made probably because of a threat of Clifford Bond, the American Ambassador in BiH, who stated that in case that national parties form the Government the USA might suspend its assistance. VL says that Paddy Ashdown, the HR, and EU officials accepted the coming of the national parties in power as reality. Two days ago Bond closed their stands by saying that the USA will respect the results of the general elections in BiH. VL concludes: “Perhaps, Americans have concluded that it is better to form any kind of Government then allow new crises, chaos and elections, that might bring even bigger support to the national parties.”
Acting President of HSS BiH, Tomislav Kresic, stated in an interview in Dnevni List (page 4) that HSS will not enter any post-election coalitions. However, Kresic stated that they will support co-operation among Croats in BiH, but also with other two nations, without outvoting or underestimating.
Affairs in the Federation |
Vecernji List (page 3, by Zdenko Jurilj) carries an article in which the author investigates as to why the Sarajevo authorities refuse to give a consent for the construction of Catholic Churches in Sarajevo. The article says that the Vrhbosna Archbishop’s Office handed over requests for the construction of three Catholic Churches in Sarajevo to all relevant institutions, however, these institutions have not issued documents necessary for the beginning of the construction yet. Savo Vlaski, the Sarajevo Deputy Mayor, stated the reason for this problem is following: ” Due to the fact that the organization of Sarajevo as a city has not been completed yet, the Cantonal authorities took over the highest authorities, including the construction of facilities.” Vlaski also said that they ask the Vrhbosna Archbishop’s Office to submit their documents to the Sarajevo Mayor and Deputy Mayor so that the two of them can have an insight into it. VL says that thanks to the financial assistance of Islamic countries, more mosques have been built in Sarajevo since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, than in the last hundred years.
Headlines in Electronic Media |
- Members of SFOR blocked all military objects of RS Army in Zaluzani and Mahovljani airport
- Buljubasic: there are no indications that FBiH companies exported weapons to states under embargo
- Meeting behind the closed doors of the parties from both entities last night in Banja Luka
- In Den Haag, proceedings against FRY continues
FTV 1 (1930)
- IPTF sentenced members of the Special Unit of the Canton Sarajevo Ministry of Interior before the court did
- Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office in Sarajevo raised indictment against Zarko Pandurevic
- During the proceeding in the case BiH versus FRY, BiH delegation denied yesterday’s statements presented by FRY side
- Sabahudin Fijuljanin, arrested by SFOR on the suspicion of jeopardising their security, handed over to the Ministry of Interior of Federation