| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Interpol official arrested | Interpol official arrested | Interpol official arrested | HR Ashdown in Banja Luka |
| Abu Hamza in Germany | HR Ashdown in Banja Luka | FBiH HoR in session | HR visited Susret |
| FBIH Parliament Session | CoM in session | HR Ashdown in Banja Luka | Interpol official arrested |
| Electricity for Aluminij | FBiH HoR in session | CoM in session | Charges against SFOR |
| Oslobodjenje | Because of unfulfilled promise to Bush BiH lost work in Iraq; Bond: People of Mostar already suffered enough; FBiH HoR: Jelavic and Prce left to BiH Court; Aluminij Mostar: Kreso announced switching off today; Interpol: Fazlic suspected of forging arrest warrants |
| Dnevni Avaz | Prosecution says it has evidences against Fazlic; Tihic from Brussels: NATO will stay in BiH; US Ambassador in Mostar: Bond’s support for Jahic and Beslic |
| Dnevni List | Ashdown: RS must not distance BiH from Europe; Implementation of Statute promised Bond |
| Vecernji List | Deputy Director of Interpol arrested because of bribe; Without investigation on Jelavic |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Deputy Director of Interpol arrested; Mlaco, Prlic, Vikic, Stojic…at The Hague list |
| Glas Srpske | Scandal at BiH InterPol: Deputy Director arrested; Buying up length of service: Those having enough money will go to pension |
| Nezavisne Novine | Paddy Ashdown visited Treatment Centre in Bastasi: Authority does not prevent smuggling in drugs; Upon order of BiH Court: Asim Fazlic suspected of disclosing confidential information to people from arrest warrants; Svetozar Radulovic: Ilic left behind many debts at Health Care Fund; CID police investigates into business dealings of Oil Refinery |
| Blic | Ashdown warns politicians: We have no time for risks; Mladen Ivanic on diplomacy in BIH: to stop lobbying; What does the file case of the Interior Minister contain |
| Nacional | USA and NATO are requesting the removal of Colonel Stojanovic: He revealed existence of Al-Q’aida in Kosovo |
| Dani | Emin Svrakic, the president of the Green Berets (Bosniak) veteran’s association: Torlakovic was killed by mistake |
| Ljiljan | Vuletic (BiH film director): We are Bosnians and we are making motion pictures |
| Slobodna Bosna | Terzic’s advisor Tarik Djodic accused because of crime committed by Hasan Cengic |
Criminal affairs | |
| Deputy Director of Interpol arrested for misuse of office
| RHB, FTV, BHTV 1, RTRS, Vecernji List front ‘Deputy Director of BiH Interpol arrested because of bribe’, pg 3 ‘Deputy Director of BiH Interpol arrested’, Glas Srpske cover pg story ‘Deputy Director arrested’, Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 3 ‘Asim Fazlic suspected of disclosing confidential information to people from arrest warrants’, Dnevni List front, pg 59 ‘Deputy Director of Interpol Asim Fazlic arrested’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 15 ‘Deputy Director of Interpol arrested’, Blic pg 12 ‘Deputy Director of Interpol arrested’, Nacional pg 10 ‘Bribery of the Interpol Director’ – Deputy Director of BiH Interpol, Asim Fazlic was arrested on Wednesday by FBiH Ministry of Interior Police Administration. Fazlic is under investigation carried out by the Special Department for Organized Crime, Economic Crimes and Corruption to the BiH Prosecution Office for allegations on misuse of position and authorities, more specifically, on releasing confidential information at disposal of the suspect, enabling them to escape the justice. BiH Prosecution Office also said that the investigation has still been in progress. Robert Crvtak, FBiH MoI Spokesperson, confirmed that BiH Court also has requested a search of certain offices used previously by Fazlic. Sarajevo press on Thursday speculated that Fazlic has also been identified as person who was disrupting the investigation into the murder of Taib Torlakovic, helping the persons from the warrant arrests in this case for the suspect Zijad Turkovic. Oslobodjenje cover, pg 7 ‘Fazlic suspected of hiding arrest warrants on Turkovic’, pg 7 ‘Arrest of Asim Fazlic under secrecy veil’ – State Ministers said that they were not officially informed on why and how was Fazlic arrested, confirmed the BIH Deputy Justice Minister Niko Grubesic. He added that Council of Ministers at the session held on Thursday did not discuss the case. Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Prosecutor sys it has evidences against Fazlic’, pg 2 ‘Prosecutor interrogated Fazlic’ – Daily says that Prosecutor of the Special Department for Organized Crime, Economic Crimes and Corruption John McNair on Thursday already interrogated Fazlic. Avaz’s source also claim that Prosecutor has evidences against Fazlic, which prove that he was seen in Holiday Inn in the presence of the persons involved in the crimes and in whose apartments FBiH MoI, upon search, found warrant arrests that Fazlic allegedly held back. According to Avaz, Senka Nozica will be Fazlic’s defence lawyer. |
| FBiH HoR rejects Commission to examine Jelavic and Prce arrests | RHB, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 8 ‘Jelavic and Prce left to BiH Court’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Establishment of the Commission on examining Jelavic and Prce arrests rejected’, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘SBiH is not interested in Jelavic and Prce’, Vecernji List front pg ‘Without investigation on Jelavic’, pg 3 ‘One vote was missing’, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘No Commission for case Jelavic and Prce’ – The FBiH House of Representatives at the extraordinary session held on Thursday rejected with majority votes the initiative to form a joint parliamentary commission for determining the circumstances around apprehension of the former BiH and FBiH senior officials Ante Jelavic and Miroslav Prce. Establishment of the commission was initiated by HDZ, the Croat Democratic Christians and the Croat National Union.On January 28 the FBiH House of Peoples supported forming of the commission and nominated its four members. FTV – This proposal for commission was endorsed by SDA along with few smaller parties, while Party for BiH sustained from vote and SDP representatives voted against it. BHTV 1 – Representatives refused to support establishment of the Commission saying that it would represent interference with the work of the judiciary institutions. “One who considers that he [Jelavic] is discriminated… [he] has a right to appeal, so… rule of law provides… legal protection, so the Parliament really has no need [to do so]”, said Atif Dzapo, HoR delegate. |
| NN editorial on initiative to form Commisison on Jelavic, Prce arrest | Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘It still is getting dark!’ editorial by Natasa Krsman– The author refers to the decision by the FBiH HoR, which rejected the initiative of HDZ to form a joint parliamentary commission for determining the circumstances around apprehension of the former BiH and FBiH senior officials Ante Jelavic and Miroslav Prce. Editorial criticises this intention by Federal Parliament, stressing that it would be a reason enough for RS Parliament to hold extraordinary sessions and demand forming of special commission every time SFOR conducts an action. She concludes that if it was the case, RS MP’s would not have slept ever. |
| SB: Terzic’s advisor accused over crime committed by Hasan Cengic | Slobodna Bosna front page, pgs. 26-28 ‘Terzic’s advisor Tarik Djodic accused because of crime committed by Hasan Cengic’ By Mirsad Fazlic – “According to sources close to the Federation of BiH investigative bodies, the recent apprehension of Ante Jelavic, Miroslav Prce and Miroslav Rupcic was just an overture ahead of arresting and trying former BiH Army logistic officer and today’s deputy to the state parliament, Hasan Cengic,” wrote Fazlic. Fazlic adds that, within this plan supported by SFOR, OHR and US Embassy, at the beginning of this week, the FBiH Interior Ministry submitted a criminal report on Tarik Djodic, the advisor for CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic, who had once been a Cengic’s employee. |
| SB’s Avdic: Reform of judiciary meaning the apprehension of criminals | Slobodna Bosna pg. 4 ‘Reform of judiciary meaning the apprehension of criminals’ Op-ed by Senad Avdic – “Only a year following their establishment (that was followed by numerous protests, destructions and nationalistic formal-legal obstacles/endless discussions), the State Court and the State Prosecution Office have not only become an indisputable roof judicial institution in the country. Through more than efficient and non-compromised practice applied so far, they have also become almost the only judicial bodies giving at lest a little hope to the citizens of this country that justice should not necessarily be just slow and reachable,” wrote Avdic. |
Political issues | |
| Ashdown in Banja Luka warns RS to implement reforms
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Road to Europe doesn’t allow holidays’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘RS cannot be obstruction on the road to Europe’, Dnevni List front, pg 11 ‘Ashdown: RS must not distance BiH from Europe’, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Holidays are not excuse’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 14 ‘Number of holidays cannot justify you’– The High Representative Paddy Ashdown on Thursday met with the RS leadership in Banja Luka, warning that Republika Srpska cannot be a reason for halting BiH move towards Europe and stressing that that a few crucial issues, related to EU admission, must be solved in the next couple of days. BHTV 1 – Ashdown also said that it was not too late establish BiH High Judicial and Prosecution Council, SIPA and BiH Minister of Defence. High Representative also warned that the NATO and EU would not forgive if RS becomes a reason of delay in reforms implementation process, adding that this process could be completed if moving very quickly. “RS faces the choice – to participate in this process or not. If it [choices not to], it is clear that a number of initiatives, and there are a lot of them, will definitely declare RS and RS institutions, as well as Serbs and their political representatives, as key obstructionists of the political ways, which are the political way of each country in the region”- said Dragan Cavic, RS President following the meeting with HR. HR Paddy Ashdown said during the talk with RS President Dragan Cavic that he has believed that RS leaders are willing to move towards Europe, and noted that and that main enemy is not lack of will but of time. Ashdown also met with the RS National Assembly Speaker, Dragan Kalinic and repeated his message. “RS Governments wants to have solutions to those issues found, in a way they would… preserve the competences of RS and at the same time enable the same time at the BiH level, to have bills passed and established for the institutions that will represent BiH [way] towards Europe,” said Dragan Kalinic. FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘SIPA doesn’t oversteps entity MoI’ – Paddy Ashdown has also spoke with RS Minister of Interior, Zoran Djeric on the State Information and Protection Aagency. “Establishment of SIPA in any case doesn’t means the negation of the Interior Ministry, but, in contrary, establishment of SIPA means strengthening of MoI,” said Zoran Djeric. RTRS, Blic front pg, pg 13 ‘There is no time for political risk’ – Asked to comment his earlier statement that RS is a “brake” for reforms, HR Ashdown said stated it was not true that the most of obstacles to reforms come from the RS. “You must precisely quote my statements, especially in headlines. I have said that the RS should be very careful not to be an obstacle to European integrations of BiH”, Ashdown said. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Ashdown sets three crucial tasks’,– Dragan Cavic also expressed support to extension of mandate to Defence Reform Commission, because the selection of first defence minister should be carried out during this time. According to NN inset, Ashdown yesterday commented on RS Interior Minister Zoran Djeric statement regarding Zeljko Kopanja and NN, noting “it was not a wise thing to do by minister”. He said: “I read comments given by Minister and I believe it was not wise of him, and Minister knows this as well. However, I will not react for the time being. However, if any other minister or politician threatened to freedom of the press, I would certainly react.” Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Time is running out’ – According to GS, HiRep also met with Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, but there were no press statements after that meeting. |
| Ljiljan: Politicians must take seriously Ashdown’s warning | Ljiljan pg. 5 Op-ed by Mirsad Sinanovic – “If BiH politicians do not understand seriously a recent warning by HR Paddy Ashdown, that will be disaster for all BiH citizens. If the politicians has not realized so far that BiH has just that European chance than who else is supposed to realize that? Or they are maybe not even thinking about the young generations to come by taking away the only path to future from them,” wrote Sinanovic. He concluded that one could simply not understand those obstructing the road to future. |
| SDA to discuss next moves regarding FBiH Govt reshuffle
| RHB – SDA President Sulejman Tihic stated that relations between Coalition parties in FBiH have not been breached, but explained that the confidence among them has been a little bit disturbed after Party for BiH did not support SDA request for removing Ahmed Hadzipasic, FBiH Prime Minister. Tihic announced new consultations in the party to take place regarding the next step towards removal of Hadzipasic and FBiH Government. Barisa Colak, HDZ President did not directly reply whether HDZ would stay behind FBiH Prime Minister’s dismissal. In Colak’s opinion, current situation with regard to functioning of the FBiH Government must be solved as soon as possible. “The Government is too important to be a subject of experimenting. This process can not wait for months because it could disturb our reforms”, said Colak. BHTV 1 – The main issue regarding the reshuffle of FBiH Government, is the next step to be carried out by SDA that has to decide on whether to submit the initiative before the Parliament to vote on mistrust. SDA Vice President, Bakir Izetbegovic didn’t agree with this initiative. “The work wasn’t easy for the Government and [I sale them] them for the effort. However, we’re falling behind with what was planed and what must be done”, said Bakir Izetbegovic. Asked to comment is it true that SDA has been divided into three fractions over this issue, Izetbegovic said: “There are no three fractions… It is clear to everyone, faster and more has to be done… The only question is [whether] should cut [happen] right now or should those men be given some deadline, but that will be decided with coalition partners and I personally wouldn’t go too hard there.” Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘I will not vote for re-shuffle of F BiH Government’ – Salko Sokolovic, SDA delegate at Federal Parliament and member of SDA Presidency, on Thursday said he would not support the initiative by his party, SDA, regarding FBiH Government re-shuffle and removal of Ahmet Hadzipasic from the position FBiH Prime Minister. He said: “I think party tops have failed to provide necessary working environment for this Government.” |
| Covic and Colak on FBiH Govt reshuffle | Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Without arguments against Hadzipasic’ – Chairman of BiH Presidency Dragan Covic commented the current situation in FBiH and plans to dismiss Prime Minister: “Irresponsible, as many times before. If someone wanted to replace the Prime Minister, it should have been done with arguments, complete the job in several days, not with this dragging.” Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Partnership, not outvoting’ by Zoran Kresic – The author reckons that the HDZ BiH is closer to an option of a smaller reconstruction of the FBiH than going into a complete removal of it, especially after the FBiH Vice President, Sahbaz Dzihanovic, rejected to support the SDA’s initiative on removal of the Government. Talking about issues pertaining to the work of the FBiH Government, HDZ President Barisa Colak stated for VL: “The Government is too important to do experiments with it. This process cannot be dragged for months because that would endanger our reform direction”. Colak is also in favor of re-defining relations with the Bosniak side: “We foremost want to re-define relations in order to jointly work in the interest of BiH and its citizens and peoples. It is unacceptable to have outvoting in the strategic issues”. |
| FBiH HoR discussed budget
| RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Nekom kapom, nekom sakom’ [saying refers to uneven distribution, in this case, of budget means], Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Establishment of the Commission on examining Jelavic and Prce arrests rejected’ – FBiH House of Representatives on Thursday also held a regular session, discussing the item on violating the decision on constituent peoples by marginalizing Bosniaks in Federation BiH and BiH. The representatives should considered the amendments to the Bill on Financial Support in Primary Agricultural Production. Further, the House of Representatives discussed the Draft FBiH Budget for 2004. FTV, BHTV 1 – The Government suggested the budget in amount of a billion and 185 millions KM, which is approximately 32 million KM less from the last year’s. “Tax incomes are lower for 111 millions, but we have financing of 187 millions and in that part, when we subtract the means determined for payment of internal debt in amount of 87 millions, we see that financing is not that too big”, said Dragan Vrankic, FBiH Minister of Finances. According to Minister Vrankic, the Budget predicts small options for development but it provides stabile public consumption and less of encumbers. |
| Bond visits Mostar | RHB, Dnevni Avaz cover ‘Bond’s support for Jahic and Beslic’, pg 3 ‘Because of Mostar’s future, political misunderstandings must be overcome’, Dnevni List front. pg 15 ‘Implementation of Statute promised Bond’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 14 ‘There must be no obstructions’ – US Ambassador to BiH, Clifford Bond visited Mostar on Thursday, and invited Hamdija Jahic, Mostar Mayor and his Deputy Ljubo Beslic to jointly participate in the implementation of Mostar Statute imposed recently by the High Representative. Bond warned that any obstacles in implementation would be irresponsible. Jahic stated that he, as both the mayor and SDA official, would not take part in any kind of obstruction adding that his party brought decision to participate the implementation of the Statute despite having objections. Beslic said that the HDZ Presidency on Friday discusses its position on Mostar decision, adding that HDZ Mostar Board would respect instructions by its Presidency on the implementation of the Statute. He added that HR Paddy Ashdown will be informed on HDZ stand on Friday. Oslobodjenje cover, pg 6 ‘People of Mostar suffered enough’ – “Statute imposed by the High Rep is the trial to balance and protect all equally. I would only like to us leaders of Mostar to give a chance to this Statute and to cooperate in its implementation,” stated Bond. Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Clifford Bond supported unified Mostar’ – Bond stressed that importance of the joint work of the Mostar officials on the implementation of the OHR decision. He said that: “The essence of this decision is not to reconstruct the City Administration, but to create a better future for all citizens of Mostar.” |
| Bond on Dayton | Slobodna Bosna pgs. 22-26 ‘War criminals will be arrested this year’ – Interview with US Ambassador to BiH Clifford Bond. “The Dayton can and probably should be changed in time. Essentially, it has been changed already. The defense reform is a result of creation of the defense ministry at the state level, which does not exist in the Dayton. Regarding taxes, we see two entities transferring responsibility to the state lave in order to have a single customs system. The key for changes is in a clear, open, public debate on what has to be done and in consensus reached amongst all parties involved. All say there are too many levels of authority. A practical debate on how reduce administration is what is needed now, and an agreement should be reached on that,” said Bond. |
| SB, Dani on Ashdown’s meeting with young BiH citizens/intellectuals | Slobodna Bosna pgs. 16-17 ‘Ashdown told us to organize and raise revolution’ Article by Dennis Gratz, one of the attendees at the recent HR Paddy Ashdown’s meeting with the members of the Association of Postgraduates of the Center for Inter-disciplinary studies in Sarajevo. “If the domestic authorities are afraid of their young, educated compatriots, why then OHR would not engage ‘local brains’ instead of indifferent bureaucrats,” wrote Gratz. “Any essential domestic political-social offensive is in advance pre-determined to fail if its principles do not match policy being carried out by OHR,” he added commenting on the role played by OHR in BiH. Dani pgs. 28-29 ‘We are currently being headed by scum’ – When he arrived in the Sarajevo University building on January 29, Ashdown was probable expected another sterile and monotone academic discussion. The ACIPS gathering however turned into a fierce debate between him and the young BiH intellectuals, during which highly-educated young people requested the only man with real power in the country to respond to the questions related to some of the most important political/social/economic issues. |
Economic issues | |
| Aluminij update
| RHB, BHTV1, FTV, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 9 ‘Kresno announced switching off today’, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Aluminij after all accepted Federation tariffs’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘EP HZ HB will secure permanent electricity to Aluminij’ – CEO of Elektroprivreda of BiH [EP BiH], Enver Kreso, announced on Thursday that he would observe the decision of the EP BiH Steering Board and order the stopping of supply of electricity to Aluminij Mostar in case the Elektroprivreda of Herceg Bosna [EP HZ HB] does not sign contracts on agreed surplus of electricity with clients of the EP HZ HB by February 6, 2004. However, media carry that the supply to Aluminij should not be in danger because, according to the CEO of EP HZ HB, Vlado Maric, the contract between the EP HZ HB and Aluminij is already agreed upon and will be signed on February 9. The reason why the contract will not be signed is because the Aluminij CEO, Mijo Brajkovic, is away on business trip. VL further reports that the Aluminij has agreed to pay 35,58 Euros per MW/h for electricity for January, 36 Euros for February and 35,55 Euros for the month of March. Furthermore, according to Maric, should there be the termination of delivery from the EP BiH, the electricity for Aluminij would be secured from the neighboring countries, although it could lead to the collapse of the BiH energy system. Slobodna Dalmacija front, pg 19 ‘Elektroprivreda of BiH disconnects Aluminij?’, Dnevni List front, pg 5 ‘Kreso: No delivery of electricity to Aluminij without signed contract’ – DL carries the FBiH Assistant Minister of Energy and Industry, Edin Zametica, as saying that the “Law on application of electricity tariffs system”, which was enacted by the High Representative for BiH, is being incorrectly interpreted. Zametica argues that the problem is “because the contracts signed before the Law on electricity tariff systems came into effect are still being applied”. |
| BiH CoM adopts BiH Development Strategy | RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Development strategy ‘til 2007 adopted’ – BiH Council of Ministries adopted a BiH development strategy for period 2003-2007. This has marked the completion of strategy preparation that lasted for 18 months. It consists of 900 measures aimed at the improvement of economic and social status in BiH. Development strategy has 4 goals: achievement of sustainable economy in BiH, fulfilment of conditions for EU admission, reduction of unemployment for 30% and poverty for 20% and an increase of economic profit by the end of 2007. The strategy was previously endorsed by the entities governments. BHTV 1 – In next two months, two offices should be opened within the office of CoM Chair, which would work on the economic research and monitoring of strategy’s action plan. FTV – According to Niko Grubesic, FBiH Deputy Justice Minister, this strategy could be BiH’s way out of economic troubles, stressing that it dealt with the issues in entire BiH and was created by domestic experts. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Terzic demands European integrations to be discussed in all future sessions’ – CoM also adopted the proposal by the Chair Adnan Terzic to include discussion on the European integrations related to fulfillment of conditions as the agenda item for every future Council of Ministers session. |
| Covic on Mostar Investment Conference | Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Mega-projects ready for Mostar conference’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘2000 guests will come to Mostar for conference’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Nevertheless, woman to be Defense Minister?!’– Chairman of BiH Presidency Dragan Covic announced that at the upcoming Mostar International Investment Conference BiH will present 5 “mega-projects”. At the breakfast with journalists, Covic said that these projects are related to Vc corridor building, small hydro plants, agriculture and tourism. “We expected massive, big number of businessmen, signing of about dozen, I would say political, but also the same number of agreement on concrete investments,” said Covic. |
| Hadzipasic and Mikerevic in Washington | Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Stability factor in BIH more and more important’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘BIH becomes the state that should be invested in’ – FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic and RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic took part in a debate in the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington dedicated to improving cooperation in the Balkans during the third day of their official visit to the US. Besides prominent members of this Centre the debate was also attended by State Department representatives working on issues concerning the Balkans and Southeast Europe, the diplomatic corps in Washington, and non-governmental organizations and associations. Hadzipasic estimated that it was stressed throughout debate that BiH is not a conflict country anymore, but a state worth investing in. On Thursday Hadzipasic and Mikerevic attended the traditional Breakfast Prayer organized by the US President, Vice President and leaders of executive, judicial and legislative authority. Hadzipasic today completes his visit by holding several final talks. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4&5 ‘Because of unfulfilled promise to Bush BiH lost work in Iraq’ – Regarding the statement by Hadzipasic that US did not list BiH as on 63 countries who are allowed to send their companies and participate reconstruction of Iraq, daily writes that this was a result of ‘unfulfilled’ promise given by BiH authorities to US President regarding the BiH deployment in military peacekeeping mission to Iraq and construction of US military bases in BiH. |
| Terzic, Hays attend BiH Foreign Trade Chamber Assembly | Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Hays: RS runs away from privatisation’ – CoM Chair Adnan Terzic and Principle Deputy High Representative Donald Hays on Thursday attended the session of the BiH Foreign Trade Chamber Assembly. Terzic praised Assembly’s work, especially commending its export-import database. Hays supported Chamber’s activities regarding the integration of economy interests in BIH, and called upon all leaders to be more determined in implementation of privatisation. He also stressed that the RS runs away from privatisation. |
| Roundtable on electricity sector in BiH | Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Export of electricity should be a ground for BiH development’ – The roundtable titled ‘Reform of the Electric Power Sector in BiH’ was held in Sarajevo on Thursday. Addressing participants, Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic said that apart from Bulgaria, BiH is the only country in the region with electricity surplus despite the fact that it uses only 30 percent of its hydro potential, and added that export of electricity should become a ground BiH development in the upcoming period. Terzic stressed that a state ministry for electric power, state regulator and operator of the transfer system need to be established. |
Media | |
| No agreement on collection of the RTV subscription | RHB, BHTV 1, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Demand to the FBiH Govt to bring obligatory decision’, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Withouth agreement on collection of RTV subscription’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘The way of payment of RTV subscription was not harmonized’, FENA – Representatives of public broadcasters and telecoms in FBiH on Thursday failed to reach an agreement regarding the content of Article 2 of the proposed Agreement on the Collection of RTV Subscription in the BiH Federation. BH Telecom and PBS BiH issued a press release which reads that directors of public broadcasters and telecom companies Drago Maric, Jasmin Durakovic, Hamdo Katica and Stipe Prlic agreed to notify the FBiH Government in writing that no agreement has been reached regarding collection of RTV subscription through telephone bills. Directors of both telecom companies maintain that the disputable article in the proposed text of the Agreement is in contravention of the laws regulating the operation of telecom companies, including Article 46 of the Law on Consumer Protection. They warned of business risks to which both telecom companies might be exposed due to possible reduction of the number of telecom subscribers. Representatives of public broadcasters adhered to their previous stance that the only acceptable solution to the problem is to include RTV subscription in the telephone bill. The public broadcasters said they would request that the FBiH Government to order |
| Cavic visits NN, supports freedom of media | RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Cavic supports independent media’ – During visit to Nezavisne Novine, RS President Dragan Cavic stated that he has been in a favour of media freedom because it had been forbidden in the past. “I have been differently described in Nezavisne Novine, but have never felt insulted about that, because everyone must be aware that media used both bright and dark side of those who perform any public job” said Cavic. |
Defence and Security | |
| Tihic meets NATO officials
| RHB, BHTV 1, Dnevni Avaz cover ‘NATO stays in BiH’, pg 4 ‘NATO establishes office in Sarajevo’, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘NATO opens office in Sarajevo’, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘NATO opens its Headquarters in BiH’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘NATO opens its Headquarters in BiH’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘NATO’s headquarters in Sarajevo’– Following the meetings with the NATO officials in Brussels, including the Deputy Secretary General Alessandro Minuto Rizzo, member of BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic announced that the NATO will open its office in Sarajevo, which will be carry out the training for BiH Armed Forces, their preparation for full NATO membership and arrest of war crimes suspects. The Office will be lead by a general of US nationality. Tihic added that officials convinced him that there will be no important changes and that this NATO office would have very strong authorities. He also said that EU forces, which would be maintained in the same capacity of current SFOR, would probably be commended by the UK. Tihic and NATO officials also discussed defence reforms and admission to Partnership for Peace. FTV – NATO officials also urged implementation of the defence reforms, especially the appointment of BiH Minister of Defence by the end of next week. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Apathy in implementation of reforms must be stopped’ – Following the visit by Sulejman Tihic and his meetings with a number of NATO officials, daily writes that the Brussels position is that BiH politicians has to stop the ‘charmed circle’ of the ‘apathy and objective limitations’ in order to start with the necessary reforms. |
| Terzic and Ashdown to hold PC on SIPA | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Ashdown and Terzic will talk about organizing SIPA’, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Terzic and Ashdown on SIPA organization’ – Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic and High Representative Paddy Ashdown will hold a press conference in Sarajevo on Saturday to talk about activities on organizing and functioning of the Security and Information Protection Agency (SIPA), which is one of CoM’s priorities regarding the fight against organized. CoM Spokesperson Mirjana Micevska reminded that BiH Council of Ministers adopted late last year a program of activities for implementing 16 measures stemming from the European Commission’s Feasibility Report on starting talks between BiH and the EU on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Activities on SIPA are one of those priorities that should help further fight organized crime. |
| DA int with SIPA Deputy Director Lukac | Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Unfinished investigations on Sarajevo events will be taken over by our Agency’ – In an interview to DA, Deputy Chief of State Information and Protection Agency [SIPA] Dragan Lukac said that the did not “recognize himself” in recent statement by Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte who said that some SIPA officers provided support for war crime suspects at large, including Radovan Karadzic. He also invited Del Ponte to share the evidences on such SIPA officers, in order to launch investigations in such possible cases. Asked where Karadzic was finding, Lukac said that SIPA did not have any information on this. “SIPA is not operationally functional at all… Some aspects of SIPA are practically in function, but perhaps some do not want to have SIPA to start with its work as they have some personal or other reasons”, commented Lukac constant delays in the beginning of the Agency’s work, and added this referred to mainly local circles. Asked to comment security situation in Sarajevo, Lukac said it is not different from situation in all BiH citizens, adding that in few months SIPA would be able to take over any possibly uncompleted investigations regarding the latest incidents in Sarajevo. |
| OHR, EU, UN reconsidering desertification of 19 SWAT policemen | BHTV 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Decisions on desertification of SWAT team being reconsidered’ – According to BHTV 1, representatives of the United Nations, European Union and OHR are reconsidering the decision on desertification of SWAT policemen and the process should be completed by the end of April. “The High Representative sent and recommended UN to appoint one or two ambassadors who would come to Sarajevo and establish independent panel, which would be done by the IPTF Commissioner,…actually for him to initiate it”, stated the Asim Kadribasic, lawyer of 19 Sarajevo SWAT policemen who were previously decertified by UN Mission for using force. |
| Covic on BiH Defence Minister | Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Nevertheless, woman to be Defense Minister?!’ – Hosting a breakfast for journalist, Chair BiH Presidency Dragan Covic was asked about the future BiH Defense, to which he said that the position of the Croat side is that the Defense Minister does not have to be exclusively Croat simply because after BiH’s admission to Partnership for Peace each decision passed at the level of the state must pass harmonizing with other members. Asked whether a woman will be the future BiH Defense Minister, Covic did not answer, however, it was said that the public will be informed about this issue in the next few days. |
War crimes | |
| SD speculates on new ICTY indictments for war crimes
| Slobodna Dalmacija front, pg 5 ‘Mlaco, Prlic, Vikic, Stojic etc. on The Hague list’ by Z. Tulic – SD speculates whose names will be on the bills of indictment that Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte announced. SD says that according to reliable information, Dzevad Mlaco, who used to be a high-ranked SDA official and wartime Head of the Bugojno Municipality, and his colleague high-ranked officer of the BiH Army Selmo Cikatic are among the indictees because of the crimes committed over Croats in this area. The article also mentions current Commander of the Federation of BiH Special Police Unit Dragan Vikic and former Minister of Police Jusuf Pusina due to their relatedness with the attack on the convoy of former Yugoslav Army in Sarajevo and shooting of members of Serb Special Unit in Veliki Park. SD also says that according to the information coming from the sources close to the ICTY, the indictees might bypass Slobodan Praljak and Jadranko Prlic. |
| Srebrenica Commission to report monthly only to RS Govt | Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘RS Government will monitor the work of Srebrenica Commission’ – Commission appointed to investigate the events that took place in Srebrenica in July 1995 will no longer submit its monthly reports to OHR and Human Rights Chamber, but to the RS Government. This was confirmed by Cvijeta Kovacevic, chief of RS Prime Minister’s Cabinet, who also explained that OHR will receive only general report following the completion of Commission work, while up to that point RS Government will be the only one to have insight in its work. “RS Government will discuss reports which will be submitted by the Commission… at the sessions. After that, the reports will be returned to the Commission, and out of the monthly reports there will be general document made, which will be further submitted to RS Government and other relevant institutions”, explained Kovacevic. |