OHR BiH Media Round-up, 7/12/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

20 years imprisonment to M. Bralo

Former HVO’s Bralo sentenced

Bralo sentenced to 20-yr term

Renewal of trial to Blaskic demanded

Floods in Prijedor municipality

Floods in RS

Ljajic on del Ponte’s visit toBelgrade

FBiH HoR discusses MoD debt

Bomb thrown in Kos . Vitina

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

World news

Solana in Sarajevo

World news

Hays arrives in BIH

Leakey on Karadzic and Mladic

Info on BiH citizens Teheran

PDP on constitutional changes

Matijasevic returns from The Hague

Bijeljina: war criminal suspect arrest

Ivanic meets UK political director

War crimes suspect arrested

Matijasevic on ICTY indictees

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

119 killed in Iran plane crash

World news

OHR on police reform

War crimes suspect arrested

Floods in Una-Sana Canton

New EUFOR commander

Energopetrol issue

No urbanism institution in Mostar

SIPA arrests war crime suspect

Protest of Agrokomerc workers

79 workers of Bosna Exp. dismissed

Matijasevic returns from The Hague

Oslobodjenje

Instead of décor, crucial change [NGOs on const. changes]

Dnevni Avaz

EU will stay to help BiH [Solana]

Dnevni List

New protected witnesses open ‘Blaskic’ case

Vecernji List

A witness accused President of the Court (Covic-Lijanovici case)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Mostar leaving Covic

Nezavisne Novine

It is up to BiH to prove it needs to be a part of Europe

Glas Srpske

Refugees under water [report on bad weather and floods in Herzegovina and Prijedor]

EuroBlic

Pensions smaller as of 2006

Vecernje novosti

Feature Serbia related titles

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

ICTY: Bralo sentenced to 20 years in prison

BH Radio 1 by Sense agency – The Hague Tribunal sentenced a Bosnian Croat/ former HVO soldier who had pleaded guilty to charges including murder, rape and torture of Muslims to 20 years in jail on Wednesday. Miroslav Bralo, also known as Cicko, changed his pleas to guilty earlier this year on eight counts of war crimes and human rights abuses committed during the 1993 Bosniak-Croat war in central Bosnia. RTRS, RHB also reported.

FBiH HoR discusses situation in MoD

RHB, BH Radio 1 by Ljiljana Radl – At the continuation of its regular session in Sarajevo today, the FBiH House of representatives discusses information on the activities of and financial/material situation at the FBiH Defence Ministry. Debt of the Ministry amounts up to KM 32 million only on the basis of unpaid salaries and contributions. After the Ministry is abolished the debt will remain FBiH’s obligation. 

Political developments

Solana attends EUFOR handover ceremony: It is up to BiH to prove it needs to be a part of Europe ; Karadzic and Mladic are everyone’s responsibility

PINK by Aida Doric – EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana arrived in Sarajevo, where he attended the EFURO handover ceremony and met with the HR Paddy Ashdown. Solana told the press conference that BiH must continue fulfilling the EU conditions, especially cooperation with The Hague Tribunal. The official beginning of SAA talks with EU is the first step BiH made on the path of European integration, but BiH authorities and civil society must have the leading role in that process, stated Solana. “BiH needs to continue efforts to complete talks on SAA, and to finalize certain Dayton-related issues – and the most important issue is the full cooperation with the ICTY”, stressed Solana. This cooperation is necessary if BiH wants to get rid of the ghosts from the past, he added. “The status of BiH is very well defined by the Dayton Agreement, but when we think of the European Union it is very clear that the restrictions created by this agreement are very complicated, and it is very difficult to run the country complicated as BiH is”, concluded Solana, adding that the complicated state structure is not good for BiH citizens. FTV– “As you know, in the past period, there have been talks, and BiH leaders took over the responsibility to reach some agreements on constitutional changes by the mid 2006,” said Solana. BHT 1 – On the issue of ICTY suspects still at large, Solana commented: “Every day everyone has the responsibility to help bringing the war crimes indictees before the justice. It’s responsibility of everyone, most of all of the BiH authorities.” Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Arrests of Karadzic and Mladic’, Oslobodjenje pg 2, mentioned cover ‘Solana: Karadzic and Mladic are everyone’s responsibility’ by A.P. – Noting the importance of the cooperation with the ICTY, Solana underlined that Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic must be brought before the justice.

RHB, RTRS – also carried Solana’s statement on the cooperation with ICTY and DPA. Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘EU will stay to help BiH’, pg 2 ‘On the road to EU, BiH will be leading responsible local forces’ by L.S, Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘EUFOR played key role in BiH reforms’, by Mensud Zorlak,Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘First step towards EU’, by dja, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Solana: It is BiH’s turn to prove itself’, by F, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘It is up to BiH to prove it needs to be a part of Europe’ by A. Sisic, EuroBlic pg RS5 ‘Chiarinni instead of Leakey’ not signed, Vecernje Novosti pg 12 ‘Karadzic and Mladic hardly to be arrested’ by BBC, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Good bye past – through Hague’ by Z. Domazet – also reported.

New EUFOR Commander takes over

PINK, BHT 1, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Leakey handed command to Gian Marco Chiarini’ by command to Gian Marco Chiarini’ by I.Sinanovic, Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘EUFOR played key role in BiH reforms’, by Mensud Zorlak,Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘General Chiarini EUFOR commander’, by F, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘It is up to BiH to prove it needs to be a part of Europe’ by A. Sisic, EuroBlic pg RS5 ‘Chiarinni instead of Leakey’ not signed, Vecernje Novosti pg 12 ‘Karadzic and Mladic hardly to be arrested’ by BBC, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Good bye past – through Hague’ by Z. Domazet– Italian General Gian Marco Chiarini took over EUFOR command from British General David Leakey. Chiarini said that he deems the future of BiH is in EU and expressed his readiness to help BiH to move in this direction. Javier Solana attended the ceremony. RTRS – NATO operations commander John Reed noted that 2006 will be a very important year for BIH.

Gerald Knauss: Continuation of US engagement in BiH should be ensured

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Continuation of US engagement in BiH should be ensured’ by S.Turcalo – Gerald Knauss, Director of the European Initiative for Stability (ESI) is the most serious candidate for chief political advisor of OHR if Christian Scwartz Schilling assumes the position of the new HR to BiH, according to daily. In a statement to daily, Knauss stresses that one of major priorities of the future HR to BiH is to ensure further engagement of the USA in BiH, adding: “I do not expect Americans would force Bosnian politicians to adopt constitutional reforms, but the good point is that they are again concentrating on BiH. As for creation of international pressure for the sake of change of Constitution, that epoch has gone.” He is of the view Bosnian politicians and intellectuals must prove that multi-ethnicity and democracy in BiH can be related, He hopes that on the eve of the forthcoming elections in BiH in 2006, the opposition would have a strong campaign and provide concrete solutions to problems,. Especially in the field of economy, agriculture and education. According to inset ‘Nobody offered me the post’, Knauss denies Dnevni Avaz’ speculation that he would  become chief political advisor to future HR, noting: “For many years I have advised Schwartz Schilling while he was mediator for BiH and I do appreciate him. However, I cannot leave Istanbul for private reasons in future several years.” According to inset 2 ‘Schwartz Schilling is an excellent candidate’, Knauss praises the work of Schwartz Schilling.

OHR warns COM to establish Directorate for implementation of police reform

RTRS, PINK, Hayat, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Decision on establishment of Police Reform Directorate to be adopted by tomorrow’ by SRNA, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Establishment of Directorate for Police Reform is late’, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Establish directorate for police reform’, not signed,Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Establish police directorate’, by ra, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 23 ‘Deadline under question mark – BiH stalling?’, by D. Pasic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘To adopt a decision on establishing the Directorate for police reform’ by Onasa – The Council of Ministers must establish a Directorate for the implementation of the EC approved plan for police reform by the deadline that they themselves set – 31 December. This deadline has been approved by the BiH parliaments and by the EC. “In order for the requisite personnel to be appointed in time for the end of year deadline, the Council of Minister must adopt the Decision establishing the Directorate, acceptable to the EC and the US, who are monitoring this process, no later than this Thursday“, the spokesperson of the OHR, Kevin Sullivan, on Tuesday told a press conference.

RS NA Board for constitutional issues defined 7 amendments to RS Constitution

EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘The Presidency is still a problem’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Drafts of 7 amendments to RS Constitution were defined’ by Srna – RS National Assembly board for constitutional issues has defined 7 amendments to RS Constitution that mostly relate to transfer of defence authorities to the state level. This board also accepted the opinion of Venice Commission on constitutional situation in BIH. Chair of the board Dusan Stojicic stated that decision on these amendments was unanimous. He also stated that he would suggest to RS NA to consider these amendments at special sessions of RS NA so this important issue could be resolved by the end of the year. Member of the board Krstan Simic stated that the RS public should be introduced to the opinion of Venice Commission on constitutional situation in BIH. He also stated that all those who oppose this opinion are opposing constitutional changes in the future. RTRS – also reported.

RTRS ‘ Crvena linija’ on PDP- SDS conflict: No side has a vision, nobody wants to make first move, citizens left in hands of technical Govt

RTRS ‘Crvena linija’ current affairs program by Zoran Popovic – In the program focused at the conflict between the SDS and the PDP, Veselin Poljasevic of PDP accused the SDS of not implementing reforms or completing privatisation, lack of social program following the VAT introduction and clear vision of future. On the other side, SDS official Stanko Pivasevic underlined the PDP is entitled to become opposition, but called the party immoral and contradictory having refused to resign from ministerial positions, thus becoming its own opposition. He added: “At times when issue of police reform must be solved, when issue of const. changes is pending, PDP has created a political crisis in RS which is highly immoral.” Pivasevic confirmed discussion on police reform has been postponed for time being upon a request by the RS President Dragan Cavic. Poljasevic denied PDP brought decision to become opposition to win votes at upcoming elections. SDS Pivasevic commented: “I just say that someone needs the political crisis in RS before the talks on const. changes.” He argued that opposition should vote no confidence to the current Govt, form a new one and take over responsibility for the RS destiny. “PDP, SNSD and other oppositional parties have enough votes to dismiss the Govt. Otherwise, the Govt will remain at power but as technical government… We expect the opposition to reject any proposal we come up with,” concluded Pivasevic. Reporter further reminds of the DNS expectations for PDP to launch no-confidence vote in Government, which Ivanic rejected by saying “it should be organised by a politically strong party that will be able to form a new government” [referring to SNSD]. Milorad Dodik also rejected possibility of his party to launch this initiative, but said SNSD would not support RS Govt’s proposals: “We are aware that OHR has stated that RS Govt needs to adopt these laws but SNSD will not vote on them regardless of the pressures. We do not want to protect 11 racketeers. ”In a statement to RTRS, SDA’s Tarik Sadovic commented in situation in which neither SDS can form RSNA majority nor SNSD can launch no-confidence vote without support of PDP, the solution would be for SDS and SNSD to form a union. Poljasevic expressed belief the situation would be solved as “SDS would come to senses and dismiss the Government”. Reporter concluded that neither of the sides has a vision, thinks only of following day, leaves citizens with a technical government and of not wanting to make the first move.

Hayat ‘Korak’ on SAA talks: process to bring benefits for BiH citizens, IC role to reduce

Hayat ‘Korak’ magazine by Adnan Rondic – ‘Guests of this “Korak” issue dedicated to the SAA talks were two young employees of the BiH Directorate for European Integrations, Valida Repovac and Ahmed Turkic, SDHR Martin Ney, UK Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft and Chief BiH Negotiator Igor Davidovic. Guests listed a number of benefits the process would bring to BiH citizens, which include, as SDHR Ney elaborated, no visa regime, peace, stability and security, better living standards, increase of foreign investments strengthened role of law, etc. Ambassador Rycroft added this would not happen overnight, but over the longer period of time. Talking of the progress in BiH, Rycroft noted the RS Government is obstructing it. He adds the current constitution caused weak central structure and strong entities, whereas state level structures need to be strengthened. He reiterates this does not mean an end to the entities. In terms of the IC role, Repovac says Directive wants to exclude the OHR form the process of joining the EU as much as possible, since it is illogical for a foreign body to impose certain laws BiH needed on its path to Europe. Ney agreed the in this process it is not IC but the domestic forces who are important. Rycroft noted the IC would gradually decrease its role, simultaneously increasing responsibility of BiH leaders adding it would not be easy. Davidovic says that constitutional changes are not going to have huge impact on the SAA talks, since the EU has a clear stance regarding the issue.

SD: Mostar leaving Covic

Slobodna Dalmacija cover page, pg 20 ‘Mostar leaving Covic’ – After Executive Board of the Mostar HDZ Bijeli Brijeg branch sent an open letter to the HDZ BiH leadership requesting reconvening of the ninth party’s convention, other HDZ Mostar branches might do the same, according to HDZ Bijeli Brijeg Chairman Drago Maric. Maric claims that, in this way, HDZ BiH leader Dragan Covic and his associates would fully lose support of Mostar HDZ.

SDS Main Board to elect Deputy President today

Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘They are electing 6 new Vice Presidents’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Election of Deputy President today’ by V. P. – SDS Main Board should today fulfill 15 vacant seats at this Board and elect new Presidency of the party. According to a source from SDS, Dragan Cavic is expected to nominate Borislav Paravac, Borislav Bojic, Slobodan Udovicic, Bosko Siljegovic, Vesko Budimcic and Milorad Sofrenovic for positions in the Presidency of the party.

Austrian Ambassador Almohofer: BiH must urgently tackle Bologna declaration

Dnevni Avaz, pg 9 ‘Almohofer: BiH must urgently tackle Bologna declaration’, by S. Skuletic – Werner Almhofer, the Austrian Ambassador to BiH, the country that donated 1,5 million KMs as support to higher education reform to BiH on Tuesday, stated that Austria and other countries were willing to help the BiH universities in applying standards from the Bologna declaration, however he underlined that the responsibility for enactment of the higher education law rested solely with BiH authorities. RHB, Hayat, FTV – also featured.

HDZ’s Maric, Andric on higher education law

Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Halilovic does not let Croats breathe’, by Ivana Rozic – Carries an article about the issue of framework law on higher education law in BiH, featuring a statement by the Canton 8 Education Minister, Jozo Maric, who says he does not know how far works on drafting of the law have gone, however he underlines that the Croat members of the Commission in charge of drafting of the law will do everything to protect the Croat interests. DL also carries a comment by an MP in BiH HoR, Filip Andric (HDZ), who says there are announcement that a proposal (of law) will also come from the BiH Civil Affairs Ministry. Andric argues that the “experience tells us that Safet Halilovic (BiH Civil Affairs Minister) never offered something that would be acceptable for education of Croats in our country”.

Novakovic denies Ney’s and Butler ’s critics against RS over education reform

Glas Srpske pg 7 ‘Resistance without arguments’ by M.Filipovic – Momcilo Novakovic, Head of the SDS delegate at the BiH HoR, said that statements of PDHR and SDHR Lawrence Butler and Martin Ney that RS is hindering the education reform in BiH are senseless, adding his proposal was rejected at the BiH HoP over Croat’ opposition and no explanation was provided on what provisions his proposal was not in line with Bologna Declaration.

Talks on constitutional changes

Media: no confirmation on talks on constitutional changes; Hays with Covic, Brkic and Lagumdzija today

Hayat – The representative of US Institute for Peace Donald Hays arrived in BiH on Monday evening in order to continue the negotiations on changes to the BiH Constitution. Although it was expected that Hays would start the new round of discussions on the constitutional changes with BiH political representatives on Tuesday, Hayat presenter stated that this information was neither confirmed nor denied until the news broadcast. The only thing certain, according to Hayat, is that the talks will be held on Thursday in Sarajevo. “I can tell you that the session is scheduled for Thursday, and it was announced that Sulejman Tihic, Zlatko Lagumdzija and the representative of the Party for BiH would participate in discussions. However, the paper offered for those discussions – as some kind of continuation of Brussels and Washington talks – is rather disappointing. I think that we are still talking only about cosmetic changes”, stated Chairman of the Party for BiH’s Presidency Safet Halilovic.

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Hays with Covic, Brkic and Lagumdzija today’ by A.M. – HDZ and HNZ have previously announced that the leaders of these two parties Dragan Covic and Milenko Brkic will today meet with Donald Hays. Damir Masic from SDP Tuesday confirmed to daily that Zlatko Lagumdzija has a scheduled meeting for today as well.Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Serbs hushing up meeting with Hays?!’, by Ivana Rozic – also carries Cavic and Brkic to meet Hays today. Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Without confirmation of talks on constitutional changes’ by N. N. – no leading party in BiH wanted to confirm whether talks on constitutional changes commenced in Sarajevo on Tuesday.

DL: RS reps hushing up meeting with Hays?

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Serbs hushing up meeting with Hays?!’, by Ivana Rozic – DL comments on announcements that Donald Hays was going to be meet representatives of political parties on Tuesday, however DL learned from the SDS that such meeting did not take place. However, DL reckons it is hard to believe that the Serb representatives would not appear at a meeting with Hays and the author sees the reason for such behaviour of the RS politicians in the fact that the RS media accused the Serb politicians of signing documents in Washington that are against interests of the RS, which the reason why the RS politicians are hushing up the meeting with Hays.

Tihic under heavy criticism for not attending the talks;

Lagumdzija: Tihic is scoring goals against us

RHB– PDP has announced that it will participate in negotiations on constitutional changes in BIH only on level of party leaders. PDP has also stated that SDA Chair Sulejman Tihic is possibly blocking BIH on its path towards EU by not participating in these negotiations. FTV – SNSD expressed similar position on Tihic on Monday. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Lagumdzija: Tihic is scoring goals against us’ – At the Round Table on topic “Constitutional Reform: How to proceed further after Washington”, Zlatko Lagumdzija, SDP President, harshly accused Tihic and added: “I am of the view that in the game played by those who want to maintain status quo and those who want changes, Tihic has definitely either played with those striving to maintain current status or infiltrated in our team supporting changes and scoring auto-goal.” Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Tihic blames America’ by Z.Markovic – The PDP, Krstan Simic from SNSD, Mladen Bosic from SDS all criticise Tihic for his non-participation in continuation of talks.

DL op-ed: Tihic’s behaviour undermines constitutional changes process

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Tihic’s constitutional reforms’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – carries an op-ed in which the author criticizes the behaviour of Sulejman Tihic during the constitutional reform process, particularly his demonstration of disagreement because the changes do not include the abolishment of the RS. The author argues that such behaviour not only brings into question the deadline for realization of the reforms, it also deepens the already deep national divisions, which will eventually fortify the national parties in power.

SDS ’s Novakovic: task force agreed to develop draft law on commission for truth in BiH by March 2006

EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Commission for truth in BiH will be established’ by N. B. – SDS’s Momcilo Novakovic stated that the task force, composed of representatives of BiH Parliamentary parties and representatives of the American Institute for Peace, should develop a draft law on establishing of a commission for truth in BiH by March 2006. The Task Force was established upon the initiative of the Collegium of BiH HoR and American Institute for Peace and its goal is to reach a law that would enable reaching the truth with regard to wartime events in BiH.

Round table on const changes in Banja Luka : through consensus to agreement

RTRS – Round table on the constitutional reform in BIH was also held in Banja Luka on Tuesday. Participants of the table stressed that domestic politicians will fail to agree on any key issue which will lead to new Constitution written by the foreigners. Chair of RS Helsinki Committee Branko Todorovic feels that such Constitution would be a bad solution for BIH and its citizens. PINKby Ljubisa Davidovic – According to roundtable moderator Miodrag Zivanovic the question is not whether the BiH Constitution should be changed, but how would it be change especially since leading political parties have proved not to be capable of reaching any kind of agreement. Zivanovic believes that the only solution is to hold two conferences on BiH future: one at the international level and the other one attended only by the domestic representatives. “If we don’t do that, if we stay in this… sterile situation, I think that Europe will move further away, regardless the fact that BiH formally started the negotiations on the SAA”, stated Zivanovic. Hayat, Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘Through consensus to constitutional changes’, not signed – carry Todorovic. BHT 1, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Constitution should be changes through a consent only’ byu D. Sa., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Citizens to be consulted as well’ by D.Momic, – also reported.

Round-table on const. changes in Sarajevo : New BiH constitution a matter of political will, agreement not possible without IC

FTV – Association of Independent Intellectuals “Krug 99”, Serb Civic Association [SGV], Movement for Equality, Croat National Council and Bosniak Intellectuals Council held roundtable discussion on the topic “Constitutional Reform: How to proceed further after Washington” in Sarajevo on Tuesday. It was noted that the first deadline is very near, December 14, but no concrete steps were taken [political parties agreed to prepare a package of five constitutional segments that could be changed before the next meeting of the Peace Implementation Council.] Hayatby Nebojsa Radulovic – The new BiH Constitution is the matter of political will, and it would not be possible to reach an agreement on constitutional changes without the help of International Community, participants concluded. They believe that the new constitution is in all BiH citizens’ interest. “Several things should be changed: the authorities of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, the structure and jurisdiction of BiH Council of Ministers, the position and the authority of BiH Presidency”, stated SGV’s Mirko Pejanovic. Opposition believes that the constitution is not a dogma, and it could be changed, but not with ruling nationalist parties: “The only real answer is that constitution should be changed completely, it should be replaced. But with those persons, with those leading political parties, it is not possible to create normal constitution”, stated SDP President Zlatko Lagumdzija. Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pgs 4 and 5 ‘Instead of décor, crucial change’ by A. Omeragic – also reported.

Cavic with Shuvalov: Russia will not support change of DA’s core

FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Russia will not support change of Dayton core’ by ONASA, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Support from Russia’ by Z. B., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘In line with Dayton and agreement’ by M.Mi. – Dragan Cavic, RS President Tuesday in Banja Luka met with Konstantin Shuvalov, Russian Ambassador to BiH, and discussed the issue of super-structuring of Dayton Peace Agreement. According to press statement issued by Cavic’ Cabinet, Shuvalov informed Cavic that Russia supports improvement of Dayton solutions on BiH Constitution, under condition that those result from agreement amongst representatives of the three constitutive peoples. Shuvalov also said Russia will not support any attempted change of core of BiH constitutional order.

NN op-ed: agreement would be reached faster is next year was not electoral

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Ten years later’ by Natasa Krsman – the author notes that an agreement on the constitutional changes would have been reached in a much faster and easier way if the following year was not an electoral year.

Economic and judicial issues

Agrokomerc issue: Workers protests, Hadzipasic says privatisation only way out

Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Protest of 200 sacked workers of “Agrokomerc”’ by Az.D., Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Hadzipasic’s support to economy without politics’ by S. Se. – FBiH House of Representatives (HoR) discussed situation in “Agrokomerc” company at the same time while several hundreds of company’s workers were protesting in front of the FBiH parliament building on Tuesday. FBiH Government stated in its report that “Agrokomerc” is still a successful producer despite the very difficult condition in the company. According to Government, priority is preparation for privatisation of this company. Workers were addressed by the FBIH PM Ahmet Hadzipasic who urged them to elect their own governing bodies and promised he would support those. Hayatby Lejla Gutlic – Workers demand situation in this company to be resolved, their status defined and privatisation carried out without the company being broken up in pieces. Gathered workers claim that they own more than 53 percent of Agrokomerc shares. However, the report by the FBiH Government reads that 90.3 percent of Agrokomerc is owned by state, while shareholders own only 9.7 percent of its capital. Hadzipasic, who commented the current workers’ conditions as “grief and misery”, says he believes that the post-war Agrokomerc management is responsible for current situation in this company. He added only solution is privatisation. Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Decision on former giant from Velika Kladusa today’ by A. Dedajic – Despite numerous conclusions supported by SDA and DNZ, the Government has not voted on them. Instead, these parties have agreed to meet today the FBiH Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry Marinko Bozic and to discuss these with him. The FBiH HoR is expected to adopt the final conclusion at the session today. RTRS, FTV, RHB, BHT1, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Protests’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Protest of workers of Agrokomerc’, by eme, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 18, mentioned on front ‘Agrokomerc on its knees’, by Dinko Pasic  – also reported.

FBiH HoR to again hold session on Enegropetrol co-capitalization issue

RHB, BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘FBiH Parliament would discuss about ‘Energopetrol’, mentioned on cover ‘Energopterol in Parliament again’ by M. Kukan, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Energopetrol again before delegates’, by Tanja Dragic, Nezavisne novine pg 9 ‘On adoption of F BiH Government’s decision on December 20’ by M. Rener, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Opposition requested new session about Energopetrol’, by eme – The representative in the FBiH House of Representatives Mirnes Ajanovic collected 26 signatures supporting the initiative for the HoR to convene a special session dedicated exclusively to the co-capitalisation of the Energopetrol. As the number of signatures satisfies the legal demand, the session should be scheduled within 14 days. At this session, the representatives should vote on the FBiH Govt’s proposal of the Energopetrol co-capitalisation. In the same time, FBiH Govt urged Energopetrol management to more actively participate in this process. Hayat – At the same time, FBiH Govt urged Energopetrol management to more actively participate in this process; Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic explained that it is the high time for those people to start doing their job. FBiH Govt also obliged Supervisory Board and Energopetrol’s management to find a solution for the mortgage on the part of company’s property at HVB Central Profit Bank. “It is irresponsible to ask the same people who almost completely destroyed this company to solve the problem”, commented Ajanovic. FBiH Government will continue its efforts to complete the deal with the strategic partner, Croatian-Hungarian consortium INA-MOL; if this deal fails, Hadzipasic announced that FBiH Government would take certain steps in order to avoid the bankruptcy and the possible liquidation of Energopetrol.

Seada Palavric elected Judge of BiH Constitutional Court

RHB, FTV, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Seada Palavric elected Judge of BiH Constitutional Court’ by H.Orahovac, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Seada Palavric judge of BiH Constitutional Court’ by S. Se., Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Palavric a judge of BiH Constitutional Court’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Seada Palaviric is new judge of BiH Constitutional Court’ by R. C. – After the retirement of Cazim Sadikovic left the vacant position of a judge in the BiH Constitutional Court, the FBiH House of Representatives on Tuesday elected in a secret vote Seada Palavric to this position. Other candidates were Kasim Trnka, Redzib Begic, Safet Pasic and Sida Jasarspahic.

‘Covic and others’ case: Protected witness Nikolic says Lijanovic brothers were paying off judges, Kreso

Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Health problems stopped testimony’, by Erna Mackic – Trial in the ‘Covic and others’ case continued in the BIH Court on Tuesday with the prosecution witness, Zoran Nikolic, taking the stand. He stated during the hearing, among other claims, that he received some 50.000 KMs from the Lijanovic brothers, the money he had given to the then FBiH Supreme Court’s Secretary, Raif Karic, in order to bribe a judge of the Supreme Court. Inset entitled ‘Tadic received 200.000 Euros’ notes that Nikolic stated that all (Lijanovics’) appeals that were rejected by the FBiH Supreme Court ended up in the BiH Constitutional Court (BiH CC) i.e. in the hands of Mato Tadic, the BiH CC President, an indictee in the case. According to Nikolic, Tadic received 200.000 Euros for his services. Trial was adjourned because of Nikolic’s high blood pressure. Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘Witness accuses court president’ and pg 4 ‘Witness went sick in courtroom’, by Dejan Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 20 ‘Nikolic ‘tangled’ Meddzida Kreso too’, by Z. Tulic – Nikolic also involved into the case the President of BiH Court, Meddzida Kreso, alleging that Kreso was checking for the Lijanovic brothers at the BiH Prosecution whether the Prosecution was running investigations against them. FTV, RTRS,Vecernji list cover splash ‘A witness accused President of the Court’ (Covic-Lijanovici case), Oslobodjenje pgs 4 and 5, mentioned on cover ‘Nikolic revealed network of bribed judges’ by A.N., Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Lijanovic’ bought apartment, car and gave the money to Covic’ by S.Turcalo, Nezavisne Novine pg 6, announced on cover ‘The Lijanovics have attempted to buy judge Vlado Adamovic’ by A. Durmo– also reported.

McNair warns: State must allocate money for BiH Prosecution

Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘BiH Court does not have money for trials’, by Zdenko Jurilj – The outgoing Head of BiH Prosecution’s Special Department for Organized Crime and Corruption, John McNair, warns that unless the said department gets more money from the state budget in 2006, there could be a stall in the already started processes and in starting of new ones. He explains that the state budget funds so far have been insufficient, underlining that funding has so far been helped by foreign donations. VL also notes that the BiH Prosecution received 2,5 million KMs from the state, which is according to VL ‘a joke’.

Nicholl: Banking supervision should be with Central Bank 

RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Banking supervision with Central Bank’, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘To transfer competences of the supervision from entities to BiH Central Bank’ by Srna – BiH Presidency Chair Ivo Miro Jovic and BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac held separate meetings with Central Bank of BiH (CBBH) Steering Board member and US Ministry of Finance expert Peter Nicholl in Sarajevo on Tuesday. They discussed the need for establishing banking supervision in BiH and the transfer of authority from banking agencies to that body with the Central Bank. Nicholl said that CBBH is working on this project and this issue now needs to be urgently raised in order to ensure that the supervision of banks is efficient as possible.

Blic: Pensioners who retire as of next year will be receiving pensions under less favorable conditions

EuroBlic cover pg splash and pg RS1 ‘Pensions smaller as of 2006’ by Mirna Soja – RS citizens who will retire as of next year will be receiving pensions under less favorable conditions than until now, due to decrease of a coefficient in calculation of the amount of a pension. RS PIO Fund Director Slavko Basic has stated that this change was defined by the latest changes and addenda to the Law on RS Pension and Disability Insurance. On the other hand, Deputy RS Labor Minister Rajko Klickovic says this is the first time he heard of these changes, while Chairman of the Pensioners’ Association Rade Rakulj claims the decisions on retirement will not be less favorable than until now.

Pensioners in RS concerned over effects of VAT introduction

Glas Srpske pg 7 ‘How to survive rate’ by R.Skondric – According to Rade Rakulj, President of the RS Association of Pensioners, the pensioners in RS are concerned over effects of VAT introduction, adding that pensioners were glad to hear that RS Government is undertaking everything within its powers to pay out December pensions at full amount. However, he claims that full pension amount will not resolve their problems.

RS Association of Entrepreneurs criticises Terzic over VAT

Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Businessmen are not responsible for increase of prices due to VAT’, Glas Srpske pg 6 ‘Terzic cheating on entrepreneurs’ by D.B.M., EuroBlic pg RS5 ‘Terzic shifts blame’ by N. B. – The RS Association of Entrepreneurs Tuesday released a press statement, saying that instead of declaring entrepreneurs extra-profiteers, Adnan Terzic, BiH COM Chair should pass the Law on control of prices and accordingly provide basis for prevention of price increase following VAT introduction. Release stresses that Terzic is attempting to transfer the responsibility for inevitable price increase as of 1^st January onto entrepreneurs.

OHR: ITA Governing Board is the place for resolving the dispute

Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘ITA Governing Board is the place for resolving the dispute’ by Srna, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Governing Board is the right address’ by D. V. M. – The ITA Governing Board is the appropriate forum in which to address his issue. The three Finance Ministers are members of the Board. The OHR expects these vital issues to be resolved by all Board Members in the course of this month. This will allow the Board to move forward and focus all its energies and attention on the imminent introduction of VAT.

Osl. op-ed: ‘More of BiH as a state is necessary for overall progress’

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Progress in RS’ by B. Simic carries author as saying that according to most macro-economic indicators the RS has better results in this year than the FBiH, while on the other hand the RS authority led by RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic does not implement reforms that are a pre-requisite for strengthening of BiH, and the OHR warned of this last week. The author concludes: ‘The Future of BiH is in equal development, erasing of borders in terms of economy… For this reason these positive indicators in the RS should be a guideline for a complete atmosphere in BiH…Not only international financial institutions but the EU as well would view us only as a whole. This means that more of BiH as a state is necessary for overall progress.’

War crimes

SIPA arrests Dragan Damjanovic, war crime suspect

Dnevni Avaz pg 4, announced on cover ‘Dragan Damjanovic arrested in Bijeljina’ by E.S., Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Dragan Damjanovic arrested in Bijeljina’ by V. Du. – Members of State Information and Protection Agency (SIPA) apprehended Dragan Damjanovic on Tuesday in Bijeljina area suspected of participating in oppression, robbery and murders of Bosniak civilians in Vogosca Municipality during 1992 and 1993. Members of Centre for Investigating War Crimes carried out this apprehension in cooperation with the members of the Public Security Centre Bijeljina, by order of BiH Prosecutor’s Office. Arrested person was immediately delivered to BiH Prosecutor’s Office. RTRS, PINK,BHT1, FTV, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘War crimes suspect arrested’, not signed, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Damjanovic was arrested’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Dragan Damjanovic, war crimes indictee, was arrested’ by M. C. and Z. K.– also reported.

Matijasevic: Del Ponte expects arrests by the end of the year

Hayat by ATV Banja Luka – RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic stated RS Ministry of Interior does not exclude the possibility that some Hague indictees currently or occasionally stay in RS, adding MoI does not have any concrete information on their locations. He did not want to confirm whether the RS MoI is currently conducting the negotiations with one of the Hague indictees at large on his voluntary surrender, adding: “What is correct and what I can confirm is that we are conducting many talks and activities to establish a contact with any of the persons from the public list of indictees.” According to RS Minister of Interior, Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte is satisfied “in principle” with the activities RS is carrying out in order to locate and arrest persons indicted for war crimes. According to him, Del Ponte stressed that she expects new apprehensions to be carried out by the end of the year. In regard to this, Matiajsevic said: “We stressed that it is not possible to talk about some specific dates… but that we would do our best to fully cooperate with the ICTY as soon as possible.” He neither denied or confirmed the information Stojan Zupljanin’s is alleged residing on Montenegrin coast, nor the speculations that former and current members of the RS and Serbian Army are guarding Ratko Mladic. BHT1, RTRS, PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘There is no deadline for arrest of Karadzic, Mladic and Zupljanin’ by O.V., EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Matijasevic: Hague expects extradition’ by M. Soja, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Del Ponte expects arrests by the end of the year’ by A. Sekulic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘No deadlines, but asap’ by V.Janjic, Vecernje Novosti pg 12 ‘All those suspicious under surveillance’ by Sl.Pesevic – also reported.

Del Ponte demands renewal of procedure against Tihomir Blaskic

PINK, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Prosecution demands renewal of procedure against Blaskic’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Carla del Ponte demands new trial for Blaskic’ by FENA, Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 7 ‘New protected witnesses open ‘Blaskic’ case’, by Ivana Rozic,Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Three protected witnesses charging general with new evidences’, by F, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Del Ponte wants Blaskic to stand a new trial’ by AFP – The ICTY Prosecutor’s office has demanded the trial in the case of HVO General Tihomir Blaskic to be renewed. Prosecutor’s office has come up with the testimonies of three new protected witnesses. Blaskic has been sentenced to 40 years imprison for the crimes against Bosniaks in the Central Bosnia region. His sentence has been reduced to nine years, after which he was released. 

Leakey: Karadzic/Mladic most probably not in BiH

PINK, RHB, BHT1– Outgoing EUFOR commander, British General David Leakey, believes that it is not likely that EUFOR will arrest two most-wanted indicted war criminals Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, because he does not believe that they would risk moving through BiH. In an interview for BBC, Leakey explained that the coordinated international operation has made Karadzic and Mladic’s movement through BiH almost impossible.