| CROAT RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) |
| Del Ponte in Croatia | Agreement on refugees | Prosper in Sarajevo |
| Strike in Mostar schools | Prosper visits BiH | Del Ponte visit Zagreb |
| SDS vs. Holbrooke | UN on Israeli attack | OSCE on segregation |
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| Ploce Port issue |
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| Oslobodjenje | M.T threw explosive at Selimovic, planned to attack Lagumdzija as well?! |
| Dnevni Avaz | Nijaz Sabanovic: BOSMAL fulfilled key condition! |
| Dnevni List | Eronet returns to HT Mostar in next one month; Bigger engagement of BiH authorities in arrest of war criminals |
| Vecernji List | Bosniak Police controls even the cathedral; Karadzic distances BiH from NATO; |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Carla del Ponte: I call on Gotovina to surrender for sake of Croatia |
| Glas Srpske | Banjaluka inhabitant, Radmila Budic, found dead and wrapped in scotch tape: Fear stronger than heart |
| Nezavisne Novine | Pierre Richar Prosper visiting BiH: War crime suspects on loose represent obstruction to BiH admission to EU; SDP Caucus at House of Rep’s: Law on confiscation of illegally obtained property proposed; ICTY Chief Prosecutor: Carla del Ponte calls on Ante Gotovina to voluntarily surrender |
| Blic | Pejic does not give up the post |
War crimes | |
| US Ambassador for war crime issues visits BiH
| Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 5 ‘Support to war crime processing in BiH’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Trying war criminals represents a test for BiH judiciary’ – BiH Presidency members Dragan Covic, Sulejman Tihic and Borislav Paravac received in Sarajevo on Monday the U.S. Ambassador for War Crime Matters, Pierre Richard Prosper. They talked about apprehending of war crime suspects and establishing of the BiH court for war crimes. A greater engagement of domestic authorities in apprehending of war criminals is expected, because the failure to resolve this issue is an obstacle to accessing Europe, as well as the Partnership for Peace and NATO, said Ambassador Prosper. BiH Presidency members agreed that all war crime suspects must answer before the court. Ambassador Prosper stated the example of Serbia-Montenegro that is before NATO and the Partnership for Peace. Dnevni Avaz pg. 5, mentioned on the front page ‘BiH cannot in PfP with Karadzic at large’ – “I came here for the same reasons I was coming before. I came to talks about the need that the indicted war criminals and particularly Radovan Karadzic, are apprehended and transfer to the Tribunal in The Hague,” said Prosper in an interview for the newspaper. Vecernji List (front page, “Prosper: Karadzic distances BiH from NATO”, and page 2, “New diplomatic pressure”, by D. Jazvic), Slobodna Dalmacija (page 7, “Support to processing of war crimes in BiH”, by D. Pasic), Dnevni List (front and page 3, “Bigger engagement of BiH authorities in arrest of war criminals”, not signed), Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘War crime suspects on loose represent obstruction to BiH admission to EU’ also covered Prosper’s visit. Prosper is scheduled to visit Banja Luka on Tuesday. |
| Future of war crimes processing before BiH Court
| Vecernji List (page 4, ‘Donations for new trials’, by Zdenko Jurilj) – reports that representatives of the OHR and ICTY will tomorrow, before the UN Security Council, hold a joint presentation on establishment of special councils with the BiH Court, whose task would be to process war crimes committed in BiH. VL also reports that a sort of donors’ conference, which would gather money for the project, should be held in late October. In that context, VL says rough estimates say the cost of the councils should be in the region of 10 million Euros. VL also notes that the SDHR Bernard Fassier appealed to the BiH authorities and potential donors to attend the conference and discuss ways how to help the future war crimes departments, and says the OHR expressed its displeasure regarding the slow establishment of the said councils with the BiH Court. |
| SDS on BiH lawsuit against SCG | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, Oslobodjenje pg. 2 ‘SDS to sue Holbrooke’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘SDS considering possibility to file lawsuit against Holbrooke’ – The RS Serb Democratic Party (SDS) declares that the BiH lawsuit against former FRY, i.e. Serbia-Montenegro must be withdrawn from court procedure or should be submitted to the procedure of ratification in BiH Parliamentary Assembly, reiterated on Monday the spokesperson of SDS, Dusan Stojicic. |
| Carla del Ponte’s visit to Zagreb | BHTV, FTV, Sarajevo dailies, Vjesnik (front page and pages 2 and 4, “Del Ponte: Croatia meets all demands of The Hague, however, Gotovina remains problem”, by S. Kapetanic, M. Rozankovic) carries that the ICTY representatives, led by the ICTY Chief Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, yesterday met with a delegation of the Croatian Government. Vjesnik says that del Ponte also had separate meetings with Croatian Prime Minister, Ivica Racan, and Croatian President, Stjepan Mesic. Vjesnik carries that del Ponte expressed satisfaction over the cooperation with Croatia at all levels apart with regard to the issue of arrest of Croatian General Anto Gotovina. Racan stated that they would not hesitate to arrest Gotovina because it would be tragic for the Croatian history that Croatia becomes a hostage of that case. Slobodna Dalmacija (front and page 3, Carla del Ponte: “I am inviting Gotovina to turn himself in for welfare of Croatia”, by O. Ramljak), Dnevni List (page 17, “Gotovina case remains problem for Croatia”, by D.L.), Jutarnji List (front and pages 2 and 3, “Carla del Ponte softens attitude?”, by B. Vlasic), Vecernji List (pages 9 and 10, “General Gotovina is still a problem”, by D. Knezevic), Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 3, ‘Carla del Ponte calls on Ante Gotovina to voluntarily surrender’ also covered this issue. |
Economic social issues | |
| FBiH Government orders removals in BH Telecom, HT Mostar
| Oslobodjenje pg. 9, mentioned on the front page, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4, ONASA – The Federation of BiH Government has ordered the Minister of Traffic and Communications Nedzad Brankovic to remove the current steering board of BH Telecom and appoint a new one by October 16 and inform the government about the move. The Government also ordered the authorized Minister to remove the Government-nominated member of the HT Mostar Supervisory Board. The new steering board of BH Telecom will have 60 days to re-register the company from a public one into a shareholders company. It was also decided that an acting director is appointed in the company. |
| Interview with President of HT Mostar’s management Stipe Prlic | Dnevni List (front and page 7, “Eronet returns to HT Mostar in next one month”, by Jurislav Petrovic) – questioned to comment about the situation regarding the return of HT Mostar’s shares in Eronet to the company (HT Mostar), the director and president of “HT Mostar” (Croat telecommunications Mostar) management, Stipe Prlic, says with the decision of the Cantonal Court (in Mostar), which confirmed the decision of the Municipal Court I (in Mostar), it has been established that the transfer of HT Mostar’s share in Eronet onto three private companies was illegal, that is to say against the Law on privatization. This triggers Prlic to say that these decision will speed up the process of return of HT Mostar’s share in Eronet to HT Mostar, which in turn means that Eronet would automatically get the (third GSM) licence. Prlic expects the shares will be returned within one month. |
| BOSMAL/5c corridor | Dnevni Avaz front page, pg. 3 ‘BOSMAL fulfilled the key condition’ – BOSMAL Director Nijaz Sabanovic said in an interview for the newspaper that the company was still waiting for a Council of Ministers response to the submitted Malaysian bank guarantees and the documentation on BOSMAL’s financial capability with regard to making the project documentation for the 5c corridor construction. |
| Dokic on RS Telekom report | Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘Morocco, no confusion at all’ – Branko Dokic, BiH Minister of Traffic and Communication and former Republika Srpska Minister of traffic and communication, raised a question as to what regulation was violated by the fact that the public firm “Telekom Srpske” paid his travel expenses to Morocco and other places, since he paid those visits to arrange some jobs for Telekom! According to Dokic, audit report was worked out in an extremely unprofessional manner, since auditor deliberately omitted the purpose of his visit (although auditor did mention at the very beginning the visit took place). The purpose was to lead BiH delegation at Morocco to attend international conference on information and communication technologies. |
| Siemens analysing RS Telecom audit report | Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘Siemens is writing a response’ – The special audit report on Telekom Srpske has also reached Austria! GS learnt that officials of “Siemens”, with which Telekom co-operate over the past two years, analysed report on special auditor and is preparing a response to it. |
| Political parties on RS Telekom’s audit | Blic pg. 13 ‘Either denials or resignations’ – In regard to the audit report on business conduct of Telecom Srpske, SDS spokesman Dusan Stojicic said that SDS supports the audit, but does not wish to question the correctness or incorrectness of the report, because this matter should be considered by the relevant institutions. Regarding claims in the report that some debts were written off to the SDS, Stojcic said the party had sent the note to Telekom asking for explanation what exactly had been written off, since that the party had never asked for that. Stojicic said that all who violated the law in Telekom should bear responsibility. President of Democratic Patriotic Party Predrag Radic has stated that he will submit a lawsuit against OHR special auditor Charles Pickering, because in the report on business operation of Telekom Srpske he twice attacked his dignity as a man and politician. Radic is of the opinion that the report was ordered by OHR, and not OSCE. (Blic pg. 13 ‘Disputable debts and friends’; Vecernje Novosti pg. 21 ‘Intentional mistakes’ carries Radic’s statement) “Special auditor’s report on Telekom Srpske indicates on a lot of irregularities which consequences will not only damage this company but the RS and its citizens as well,” secretary-General of the SRS, Ognjen Tadic, said. He called on the Telekom’s leadership to deny the auditor’s report by arguments or otherwise to accept the RS Prime Minister’s invitation to resign. |
| Update to Srpske Poste dispute | Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘End before the beginning’; Nezavisne Novine, pg. 8, ‘Milutin Pejic does not give the seat’, Blic pg. 13 ‘Pejic does not give up the post’; Vecernje Novosti pg. 21 – The Commission for transfer of duties on Monday failed to complete its work in Srpske Poste. Milutin Pejic, General Manager of Srpske Poste, who was removed from position, refused to hand over duties and office to Milijana Dakic. Commenting on Dragan Mikerevic statement (that Pejic will be removed from position with police assistance if necessary), Pejic said that Premier’s statement was a slap in the face of the entire judiciary system, of Republika Srpska and HiRep as well. |
| Banjaluka invalid on hunger strike over CRPC decision | Glas Srpske, pg. 3, ‘No surrender’; Nezavisne Novine, pg. 5, ‘Invalid on hunger strike over CRPC decision’ – 1st category war invalid, Nikola Josipovic, will continue with hunger strike, which he commenced on 1 October 2003. His strike followed the CRPC decision on his forcible eviction, in spite of legal document in his possession proving that he is tenancy rights holder. |
| Old foreign currency depositors to protest in RS | Blic pg. 13, Vecernje Novosti pg. 21 – The RS association of old foreign currency depositors announced mass protests and blockade of institutions and roads, if the RS Government fails to launch negotiations with the association over modalities and possibilities of payment of old foreign currency deposits amounting to 1.4 billion KM. “The holders of 540,000 saving books reject measures adopted by the Republika Srpska Government, which provide for 50 euro to be paid to each holder by the end of 2003, up to 500 euro to be paid next year, and the rest of their savings to be turned into the state bonds”, chairman of the association Svetozar Nisic said. He added that, should the payments fail to take place, the association’s members would seize premises of the banks where they had deposited their money. Nisic demanded on Monday at a press conference in Banja Luka from Ljubljanska Banka to finally start to repay debt amounting to 185 million KM it owed to deposit holders in the RS. |
| Patriot criticism against PDHR Hays | Patriot, pages 16 & 17, ‘Destruction of strategic firms’ by Miljan Kovac – Patriot again writes about the Expert Working Group for Privatisation, whose members are the representatives of certain ministries and entity Directorates for Privatisation. The author again criticises PDHR, Donald Hays, and accuses him of attempting to sell out all strategic firms in Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for small amount of money to his American friends. He further presents views of some businessman and economic experts in Republika Srpska (including Damir Miljevic and Predrag Radic), saying that the establishment of Working Group represents an attempt to privatise the strategic firms beyond regulations and procedures regulated by the Law. The author also mentions the documents, one worked out by PDHR called “Mandate and description of duties of Privatisation Working Group” and second one presented by the Chairperson of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, called “Rule Book on work of Experts’ Working Group for Privatisation”. (NOTE: On this, please see last week’s translation of Patriot article on the same issue.) The author concludes the article by referring to eventual consequences of all conclusions reached at informal/secret meetings (including Mrakovica and Bjelasnica). He is of the view that none, Experts Group or Donald Hays would bear consequences. The consequences will instead be born by citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Patriot, pages 18 & 19, ‘Hays does not like disobedient persons’ by Miljan Kovac – In another article about PDHR, Donald Hays, the author brings him in connection with the current situation at Republika Srpska Elektroprivreda. Namely, the author explains that Hays seems to dislike even the new leadership of Republika Srpska EP, although it has made significant results in the past six month. According to the author, Hays will keep accusing any person at the top of Republika Srpska EP until his wish comes true – his wish is to debilitate EP and reduce its price to minimum, so “his friends from USA could buy it cheaply”. The author is also critical of the Republika Srpska Government, saying that it has no strength to oppose to any request posed by PDHR Hays. This is proved by the fact that the Republika Srpska Government has not still presented its stance regarding report of Government commission, which assessed whether the continuation of Fatnik Polje tunnel construction is justified or not. |
Political developments | |
| Ashdown began European, US tour
| Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, FENA, Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Talks on progress in BiH’, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘BiH is no longer the state of conflicts’, Dnevni List page 2, ‘International Community remains in BiH’, by Fena – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, has begun a tour of European capitals and will also be visiting New York to brief the UN Security Council on the situation in BiH. As the OHR spokesperson, Vedran Persic, announced, Ashdown is in Berlin on Monday to brief Foreign Minister Joschka Fisher and other German officials and parliamentarians. He is travelling to Brussels this evening where he will be briefing Lord George Robertson of NATO and also the PSC ambassadors of the European Union. On Wednesday he travels to New York to brief the UN Security Council on progress in BiH over the last year, and then he returns to Paris and then London where he will be having meetings with senior officials. The High Representative is undertaking this trip because the International Community is again turning its attention towards BiH, not this time because it is failing, but because it is succeeding, said Persic. Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Joint engagement of EU and US in BiH is important’ carried a statement on the tour given to the newspaper by Chief OHR Spokesman Julian Braithwaite. “The High Representative informed Fisher on the ongoing reforms in BiH and on the importance of the integrative processes bringing BiH closer to the European and transatlantic integration. The assessment is that BiH is making a stable progress towards Europe,” said Braithwaite. |
| BiH, SCG signed an agreement on refugee return
| BHTV, FTV, Osloboodjenje pg. 6, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2, Vecernje Novosti pg. 4 ‘Easier repossession of apartments’, Dnevni List page 5 – BiH and Serbia and Montenegro signed an agreement on two-way return of refugees in Belgrade on Monday. BiH Ministry for Refugees have data about 6000 citizens of Serbia and Montenegro who are currently residing in BiH, out of whom 3 thousands are from Sandzak and Kosovo. Government of SCG does not have exact number of refugees from BiH, but approximate number is 100 thousands and 25 thousands are willing to go back home. Minister Mirsad Kebo commented the agreement: “It is a legal framework which will facilitate process of return and prevent bureaucratic obstacles”. SCG Minister Rasim Ljajic said: “Relationships between our two countries have been normalised and this is a sign we are moving forward”. It was said three cantons offered conditions for returns, but it is still not known who will finance the process. There are expectations similar agreement may be signed also with Croatia. |
| SDP proposes draft law on confiscation of illegally gained properties | BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg. 7, mentioned on the front page ‘Forcibly confiscate all illegal gains’, Nezavisne Novine, cover and pg. 2, ‘Law on confiscation of illegally obtained property proposed’, Dnevni List front and page 5, ‘Agency for capturing ‘big fishes’, by R. Radic – SDP caucus in BiH House of Representatives introduced the draft law on confiscation of illegally obtained properties. The Law envisages establishment of an agency for confiscation of the properties from persons who acquired them through illegal activities. The agency would be established at the state level and confiscated assets would be returned to the budgets for social purposes. SDP leader Zlatko Lagumdzija explained: “Such law is being used in Italy to combat mafia activities”. SDA Vice president Seada Palavric: “We are going to consider the draft and determine our standpoint, and it should be considered if it is in line with convention on human rights.” The draft has already been supported by NHI, SNSD, but the representatives of these parties are not very hopeful the draft law can be passed very quickly. SDP stressed if the Law would not be passed through parliamentary procedure, then they would ask assistance from HR. |
| Second session of Mostar Commission | Dnevni List (page 4, “Media deprived of relevant information”, by M. R.) – reports that the Mostar Commission held a second session yesterday at which the Chairman of the Commission, Norbert Winterstein, presented the operational plan on how to hold sessions. The session was also attended by two newly appointed independent experts, namely Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Mostar, Hamdija Jahic and Ljubo Beslic. DL unofficially learns that Mr. Winterstein suggested to members of the Commission not to comment on the session of the Commission in the media in the initial stage of talks, which leads the daily to say that the OHR South and Mr. Winterstein would feed the media with the information “on a dropper”, that is to say that very limited information will be presented to the public. This all triggers the daily to say this should not be the usual practice in the work of the Commission, saying it is Mr. Winterstein’s turn to give relevant information that media and citizens of Mostar are interested in. Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Principles for the future work discussed’ also reported on the session. |
| Session of Mostar’s Municipality Old Town | Dnevni List (page 13, “Municipal public attorney will review decisions of City Council”, by Ze. H) – reports that the Municipal Council of Mostar’s Municipality Old Town (Stari Grad) did not declare itself on transfer of founder’s rights, which the company has over the “Komos” Public Company, the transfer onto the City of Mostar. DL notes that the item was removed from the agenda after a discussion by the councilors and director of “Komos”, Mufid Kajtaz. According to DL, the Municipal Council will request the Mostar City Council to submit the Municipal Public Attorney all the relevant decision because allegedly, a question arises whether the Mostar City Council took a legal decision on establishment of single city public utility company. DL also reports since 49% of “Komos” is private property (owned by workers and stockholders) and the rest is owned by municipalities Old Town, North and Southeast, the councilors of Old Town decided it was impossible to transfer the rights without including the workers and stockholders into the process. The position of the councilors is that once the Municipal Public Attorney gets the decision of the Mostar City Council and ascertains whether it has been taken legally, only then pre-requisites for the Municipal Council to declare itself will be made. Director of “Komos”, Mufid Kajtaz, says the decision (by the Mostar City Council) brings the status of “Komos’” workers into question, wondering what will happen to the workers once the job has been transferred onto another company. “Those people will be left jobless”, said Kajtaz. President of the Statutory Board of Municipality Old Town, Mensud Durakovic, says the whole deal is about trickery. “All our requests, which the Municipal Council forwarded to the City Council, about protection of interest of workers of Komos, were not materialized and one has to notice it was about an attempt of deception, to deceive both the Municipal Council and all workers of Komos. We for sure stopped the deception and attempt to divide the successful company of Komos”, says Durakovic. Oslobodjenje pg. 6 ‘Review the decision on public utility company’ also reported on the issue. |
| SDA on Republika Srpska insignia and symbols | Nezavisne Novine, pg. 4, ‘SDA expects a debate on Republika Srpska symbols’ – Tarik Sadovic, Head of SDA Caucus at Republika Srpska National Assembly , stated that SDA will not give up on its request for the change of Republika Srpska symbols and insignia. He expressed expectation that at tomorrow’s session in Banjaluka (Wednesday), MP’s will vote on this initiative. |
| NN editorial: “Bosnian Serbs” | Nezavisne Novine editorial by Slavko Jovicic, pg. 7, ‘Bosnian Serbs’ – The author, Slavko Jovicic, who is also the Vice President of the Republika Srpska Association of former inmates, refers to the term of “Bosnian Serbs”, which media in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also some media in Republika Srpska< often use. This practise is seen in almost all other environments. According to the author, this is not proper, because Serbs in Iran are not called Irani Serbs, nor are Serbs in USA called American Serbs. He is of the view that the term “Bosnian” is embryo aimed at creating new, completely hybridised and non-existing “Bosnian nation”. |
| Oslobodjenje’s Dizdarevic again criticises nationalist political parties | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘BiH awaits itself’ editorial by Zija Dizdarevic – Following statements made by Richard Holbrook and Bernard Kuchner made during their visit to BiH in which they said the future was in hands of BH peoples, Dizdarevic argues that the destiny of the country is controlled by SDA, HDZ and SDS. ‘Holbrook says we have nothing to complain of, while he himself calls SDS nazi party, confirms that Alija Izetbegovic did not let it be banned, but still asks High Representative Paddy Ashdown to do so. This absurd says it all.’ Dizdarevic delivers harsh criticism against nationalists’ parties, and reminds there is also High Representative, with his powers, who controls the situation in the country. Asking ‘How BiH can access EU without its own political energy based on positive historical experience…?’, Dizdarevic regrets lack of democratically oriented forces in the country. |
| VL: “Kusljugic a new Bosniak leader” | Vecernji List (page 5, by Jozo Pavkovic) – reads that “after charismatic Alija Izetbegovic, modern, yet worn out Haris Silajdzic and Zlatko Lagumdzija, and colorless Tihic, the supremacy among the Bosniak leaders could be assumed by Mirza Kusljugic, the current Ambassador with the UN in New York”. VL’s reasoning behind the claim says Kusljugic has good relationship with the Democrats, he is very well educated, politically sound, speaks excellent English and looks modern, “therefore to the Americans, he is almost certainly the future Bosniak leader”. VL goes on to say that in order to succeed, Kusljugic has to strengthen his position in BiH, foremost in the SDP BiH, and in that context, VL says it is almost certain Kusljugic will be elected the new President of SDP in the next party elections. The daily also notes that Kusljugic is person acceptable for co-operation for both the Croat and Serb politicians. |
| SDS to sue Holbrooke | Croat Radio Herceg Bosna, Oslobodjenje pg. 2 ‘SDS to sue Holbrooke’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 2, ‘SDS considering possibility to file lawsuit against Holbrooke’, Dnevni List (page 10, ‘Possibility to file lawsuit against Richard Holbrooke is being reconsidered’, by Fena) carries that SDS spokesperson Dusan Stojcic stated on Monday that SDS is reconsidering the possibility to file a lawsuit against Richard Holbrooke before a US court because of extremely negative qualifications and statements on SDS given during Holbrooke’s recent visit to Sarajevo. Vecernje Novosti pg. 5 ‘SDS sues Holbrooke’ – The SDS spokesperson, Dusan Stojicic, told a press conference in Banja Luka that the party was considering the possibility of raising charges against Richard Holbrooke before the U.S. court, because of his statement that the SDS is a Nazi’s party which should be banned. Stojicic said Holbrooke’s statement had been given with the aim to damage the SDS’s reputation. Vecernje Novosti pg. 2 ‘RS will not disappear’ – Commenting on Richard Holbrooke’s statement that the SDS should be banned, president of this party and speaker of the RSNA, Dragan Kalinic, says “Holbrooke loves Izetbegovic, he does not love Karadzic. And that is his judgment on the SDA and SDS.” Kalinic says Holbrooke forgets that since the end of war the SDS as a leading political party has been participant to many decisions that enabled the full implementation of DPA. According to Kalinic, Holbrooke’s statement indicates that the IC has been working with ‘Nazis and criminals’ and that the RS is a Nazi’s creation. “We will not accept changes of the BiH Constitution, because it is possible, within the Constitution, to find legal solutions for state organisation that would satisfy the highest European standards. The RS is a fact and without big troubles with Serbs it is not possible to erase it,” Kalinic says. |
| ‘Statement of Day’: Richard Holbrooke | Dnevni List carries in its ‘Statement of Day’ former US ambassador with the UN Richard Holbrooke as saying: “The departure of US soldiers from Balkans would be a historical mistake.” |
| Editorial: ‘Self-management Dayton’
| Vecernji List (page 6, by Radoslav Dodig) carries an editorial dealing with the last week’s visit of US diplomat Richard Holbrooke paid to BiH. The editorial says that Holbrooke was talking about straitjackets and prisons, and the author concludes that it is easy for Holbrooke to talk about these things when he does not live in BiH, whose destiny he determined to a large extent. The editorial also says: “During the last 8 years BiH turned into an experiment state of an experimental agreement, and its citizens into ethnic guinea pigs. For this reason I am shouting wisely: Do not touch Dayton.” The author wonders how he will I manage his destiny in that case and says: “Richard, return self-management to us.” |
| Editorial: ‘Private Holbrooke’ | Slobodna Dalmacija (page 17, by Marin Erceg) carries an editorial dealing with the last week’s visit of US diplomat Richard Holbrooke paid to BiH. The editorial says: “Very frequently the question arises as to where and how money was spent, and some people from the international organizations say that this is about 17 billion $ in the post-war period, and the results are very modest. The arrow is directed at the High Representative himself, who is being accused of buying a villa on Jablanica Lake from one Bosniak general in return for the removal of Head of FOSS Munir Alibabic.” The editorial goes on to say that it has been speculated among diplomats in Sarajevo that Bill Clinton received a big fee for his coming to Srebrenica. The author also says: “Although Holbrooke did not receive a fee for his coming he raised doubts due to his contradictory statements. All this shows false glory of the world politics in BiH and vain expectations of local people that they will launch something important. Hypocrisy and selfishness rule with domestic politicians and their real masters.” |
Legal affairs/investigations | |
| ‘M.T. threw explosive at Selimovic, planned to attack Lagumdzija?!
| Oslobodjenje front page, pgs. 4-5 ‘M.T. threw explosive at Selimovic, planned to attack Lagumdzija?! – The Sarajevo Canton Interior Ministry, as the newspaper learns, has submitted a report to the Cantonal Prosecutor Mustafa Bisic stating that there are reasonable doubts that the person (initials M.T.), who is well known to the police, conducted on Augusts 5 this year in Sarajevo a bomb attack on the house of Sarajevo Brewery Director Hilmo Selimovic and planned to attack SDP leader Zlatko Lagumdzija. |
| VL on order of HNC Prosecutor Resulovic given to financial police
| Vecernji List (front page, “Bosniak Police controls even cathedral”, and page 3, “Bosniak Prosecutor sends police to cathedral and Croat People’s Theater”, by Z. Kresic) carries that on September 30, 2003, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Prosecutor, Mirsad Resulovic, demanded from the financial police in Mostar to collect discrediting information about owners of 12 office buildings and companies which are owned by Croats or which are located in the western part of Mostar. VL says that having in mind the fact in what kind of documents the Prosecutor’s Office is interested in, Resulovic is just a signatory of the organized economic and political persecution of Croats, organized at the end of Resulovic’s career (Resulovic is to be retired soon) and at the beginning of re-organization of Mostar. VL says that the building of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Government, stadium “Zrinjski”, office building “Integra”, Croat People’s Theater, public company “Parkovi” etc. are among the office buildings and companies that the Prosecutor’s Office is interested in. |
| Elderly woman found dead in Banjaluka | Glas Srpske, cover page story, ‘Fear stronger than heart’ – The unidentified perpetrator(s) broke into the apartment of Budic family, where they found Radmila (71) alone and wrapped her with scotch tape. It is presumed that she died of heart attack. All the furniture in Budic apartment were littered. The police investigation is ongoing. Cedo Budic, the husband of Radmila, who found her in the apartment, said that nothing was taken away from the apartment. It is believed that criminal(s) were in search of jewellery and money. |
| Oslobodjenje editorial: Alibabic and Justice | Oslobodjenje pg 2 [In Focus column] ‘Alibabic and Justice’ editorial by Mirko Sagolj – ‘In the series of the catastrophic mistakes High Representative Paddy Ashdown made in BiH, removal of Munir Alibabic from the duty of FOSS Director was one of the hardest.’ Sagolj further claims that all events that followed the removal showed that Alibabic was removed either because of Ashdown falling under the influence of intrigues by SDA, Party for BiH and Dnevni Avaz, or he did it purposely to ‘get rid’ of Alibabic who could ruin the harmony between High Representative and nationalists parties. Sagolj described Alibabic was a man who ‘knows a lot’, but cannot be corrupted. ‘If there is a justice in this world, Alibabic must gain moral, political and legal satisfaction, while Ashdown must bear moral, political and legal consequences.’ – concludes editorial. |
Defence reform | |
| Stankovic on defence reform
| Glas Srpske, pg. 5, ‘Sale of political mist’ – GS carries a statement by Milovan Stankovic, Republika Srpska Defence Minister, who said that each politician is presenting his positions on defence reform in a political manner, which suits him best. Minister Stankovic stressed that there will be RS Army, noting that people pointing at insignia (that are to be worn at military uniforms) deliberately forgot to say that entity armies would also keep their entity insignia on uniforms. He is of the view that the proposed defence reform concept guarantees equality of all three constitutive peoples. He also said that no decision concerning Army will be brought without a consent given by all three members of BiH Presidency. He also said that Ministry should now provide the resources necessary to pay out severance pays to 2500 soldiers, owing to the planned downsizing. |