OHR BiH Media Round-up, 7/6/2004

Oslobodjenje

Without names of criminals, report is no worth!; BiH Election Commission: Disputable candidates eliminated

Dnevni Avaz

Tihic: It is time for reconciliation in Krajina; McElhaine new US Ambassador to BiH

Dnevni List

Scandalous: 1733 pensions spent for cars

Vecernji List

Siroki is BiH champion

Slobodna Dalmacija

Features Croatia related headlines

Glas Srpske

Tragic death of two boys from Sipovo: Teo Gorans buried

Nezavisne Novine

Michael Humphreys: Europe is waiting for arrest of the Hague indictees; BiH Criminal Code: Associates of the Hague indictees can get to ten years imprisonment; Dragan Marsicanin: We checked and established: Ratko Mladic is not in Serbia

Blic

Polemics in BiH: Why should our soldiers get killed in Iraq?

War crimes

Srebrenica Commission to submit report at the end of this week

RTRS, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Final report of Srebrenica Commission at the end of next week’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Preparation of final report postponed’; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Jobs postpone deadline’ – RS Government said on Sunday that its Commission appointed to investigate events in and around Srebrenica in July 1995 is to present its final report by the end of this week. The Commission was initially to submit its report to the government at the beginning of next week but it was delayed due to a “newly received huge quantity of documentation” and with the consent of the office of the top international envoy to Bosnia, a statement said. Earlier this week, Srebrenica Commission said it had discovered 31 new mass graves containing victims of the massacre. The High Representative Paddy Ashdown gave a deadline of mid-June to the commission.

Oslobodjenje feature on work of Srebrenica Commission

Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 7 ‘Without naming criminals, the report has no value’ by A.B. – Oslobodjenje writes that members of Srebrenica Commission have been working extremely hard to complete the report, learning that during the weekend members had difficult discussions over the term to use to describe the crimes committed against Bosniaks in Srebrenica. According to Oslobodjenje’s source, chances to qualify events as ‘genocide’ as 50-50 and everything is in hands of the international member, Gordon Bacon. Daily also quotes Mirsad Tokaca, president of the Investigative and Documentation Centre in Sarajevo as saying that the ICTY has already brought decision on this issue, therefore it would be logical for Commission only to respect the court. Tokaca is further critical of the Commission, stating he feels sorry Smail Cekic ‘was pushed to uncomfortable situation’, concluding Cekic was wrong to accept the appointment in the Commission. Tokaca goes on saying that RS will never name the perpetrators of the crimes, stressing that without it the report has no value.

Humphreys: ‘Europe is waiting for arrest of the Hague indictees’

Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 2 ‘Europe is waiting for arrest of the Hague indictees’ – In a brief interview to NN, Michael Humphreys, the Head of EC delegation to BiH, expresses his belief that RS authorities will soon undertake activities aimed at arresting war crimes suspects. Owing to this reason, he does not exclude the possibility that the claims of some recently removed police officers of RS (referring to Dragan Lukac), that international community had given a list with three names of the Hague indictees to RS authorities, whom they need to arrest by Istanbul Summit of NATO are true. However, he does not want to talk about this in detail. On arrests he adds: “If I make a judgement based on experiences over the past few months, I am of the view that the authority officials, but also the people of RS are exhausted over this issue and they want it resolved once and for all. I believe it can be achieved. If pressure is exerted from all sides, it can be done. Can it be done by the end of June? I do not know that, but I hope it can.”

B. Luka seminar on processing war crimes cases

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Accomplices of the Hague indictees to get upto ten years of imprisonment’ – The accomplice of the Hague indictees, who pour the oil into the car tank of the Hague indictees, can face ten years imprisonment, according to NN. Although the BiH Criminal Code containing provisions cocnernng individual and direct accomplice of war crimes suspect have been applied since 1 March 2003, BiH Court officials told NN that not a single person has so far been faced with trial on this grounds. The above provisions of the BiH Criminal Code were reiterated at the weekend seminar in Banja Luka called “Prosecution of war crimes and promotion of cooperation with the Hague Tribunal”. BiH Court officials also told NN it is hard to prove the acts of assistance to persons indicted of war crimes. 

Political issues

Douglas McElhaney new US Ambassador to BiH

RHB, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Douglas McElhaney new US Ambassador to BiH’, mentioned on cover, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘New American Ambassador to BiH is Douglas McElhaney’; Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘McElhaney instead of Bond’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Douglas McElhaney new US Ambassador to BiH’ by D.J. carries – US President George Bush announced that diplomat Douglas McElhaney has been selected for the position of new US Ambassador to BiH. His appointment has to be confirmed by US Senate. McElhaney previously occupied position of US Consul in Milan, Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassy to France and Deputy US permanent representatives to NATO.  

BiH-Croatia Interstate Council being held in Zagreb today

RHB, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Session of Inter-State Council for Cooperation between BiH and Croatia’ not signed and Vecernji List, pg 2, ‘Two significant agreements to be signed in Zagreb today’, not signed, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Property is the most important’  – The BiH-Croatia Interstate Council will hold its ninth session in Zagreb today. The agenda will include the report on the implementation of conclusions from the eights session, exchange of reports on the current situation in BiH and Croatia, guidelines for improving relations between the two countries and bilateral relations between BiH and Croatia. BiH Presidency members and Croatian President Stjepan Mesic will meet before the session.

Blic, pg. RS2 ‘To resolve disputes regarding property exchange’ by Milan Pilipovic – Both Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and the President Stjepan Mesic will attend the work of the Council. On the occasion of the visit, BiH Minister for Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic announced that two agreements would be signed during the visit. One agreement will regulate avoiding of double taxation, while the other agreement will regulate executing of court decisions. Ivanic also announced they would discuss property issues of Serb refugees from Croatia and pension issues.

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Covic is not expecting some big progress’ by H. Orahovac – According to the platform adopted last week by BiH presidency, the Council will also address the issue of Ploce port, trespass through Neum, building of Vc corridor and Adriatic-Ionic highway, dual citizenship, etc. Previously, member of BiH Presidency Dragan Covic stated that he expects no big progress regarding the issues that still cause some difficulties in relations between two countries.

Ashdown today in Belgrade

RHB, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Ashdown with Kostunica, Josic and Draskovic’ by Nina and Vecernji List pg 17 ‘Ashdown looks for help in Serbia’ by DJ , Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Ashdown with Serbian authorities on cooperation between RS and the Hague’, Blic, pg. 5 ‘Ashdown in Belgrade today’ not signed, Nacional Belgrade daily, pg. 3 ‘Ashdown to meet Kostunica and Jocic today’ not signed – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, in visit to Belgrade, is to meet with Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, Serbian Interior Minister Dragan Josic, and SCG Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic. Ashdown will emphasise the important role that the Belgrade leadership can play in supporting Dayton implementation, not least by impressing upon the RS leadership that the future of the Bosnian Serbs lies in BiH and, through BiH, in Europe.

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Belgrade must convince Serbs that BiH is their future’ – Ashdown will also reiterate a point that has been highlighted again in recent weeks by NATO and EU leaders, that the RS authorities must move from promises to results in their full cooperation with the ICTY.

Tihic ends visit to USK: It is time for reconciliation amongst Bosniaks in Krajina

Dnevni Avaz cover page ‘It is time for reconciliation in Krajina’, pg 3 ‘It is time for reconciliation amongst Bosniaks in Krajina’ by J. Sogolj – SDA leader Sulejman Tihic, in his visit to Una Sana Canton, has held a speech in Velika Kladusa promoting the need for reconciliation amongst Bosniaks in Krajina. “This is the idea that SDA Presidency considers for some time now… I believe that the preconditions have been met to raise this issue and to start with activities directed at inter-Bosniak reconciliation,” said Tihic. “However this doesn’t mean that we can now go to coalition with DNZ, as DNZ first has to renounce Fikret Abdic, and it has to give up on goals that were dragged, especially goals of secession nature. Only in that case we can talk to that party,” concludes Tihic.   

Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Preconditions met for reconciliation amongst Bosniaks’ by D. Ob. – article covers speech Tihic held in Krajina carrying the same message as above.

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘All those who go for elections as independent candidates will be dismissed from SDA’ – Ending working visit to Una Sana Canton, Tihic stated that two big issues were solved: new USK Govt and selection of SDA Cantonal Board.

HSP BiH will not go into Coalition with HDZ

RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘No coalition with HDZ BiH’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘HSP BiH will not go into coalition with HDZ’ – “Catastrophic political situation in BiH and criminal privatisation of public companies, which was done by HDZ, doesn’t allow us to go into the Coalition with them and Croat people must have a replacement for majority Croat’s party in BiH. Therefore, we believe that HSP of BiH represents true political option turned towards Croat national interests,” stated Zarko Pavlovic, chairman of the HSP main board on Sunday in Rama. The party will compete in 27 municipalities at the upcoming elections, however it will not go into coalition with HDZ.

DL on financial audit report on BiH Presidency

Dnevni List, cover and pgs 8 & 9, ‘1733 pensions spent on purchase of vehicle’, by Renata Radic – In light of financial audit report into BiH Presidency expenditures which indicates lack of conscience in spending says it is expected that the audit report is on the agenda of the Presidency’s session which is due this week.

In an inset, Dnevni List, cover and pgs 8 & 9, ‘Audit of all budget beneficiaries’, not signed, the daily adds that the Auditing Office has planned audits of all last year’s budget beneficiaries, as well as of the Employment Agency and Official Gazette of BiH. The audit is planned into 2 phases, the second/final one is to last until September when the final report will be delivered to Parliamentary Assembly.

Humphreys on feasibility study

Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 2 ‘Europe is waiting for arrest of the Hague indictees’ – In a brief interview to NN, Michael Humphreys, the Head of EC delegation to BiH, says on the issue of EU Feasibility Study for BiH that “if BiH fails at this test for PfP, it will be really hard to expect that positive result will be accomplished regarding EU Feasibility Study.” As for the level of fulfilment of EU Feasibility Study pre-requisites, he says: “Apart from the issue f the Hague, certain progress has been achieved on other issues.” He does not want to make any assessment regarding possible BiH admission into EU.

BiH Election Commission: parties confirmed resignations of disputable officials

Oslobodjenje cover, pg 6 ‘Disputable candidates eliminated’ by A. Terzic – Following the announcement by BiH Election Commission of approving application for upcoming, municipal, elections for 70 political parties, Oslobodjenje writes that Commission Chair Vehid Sehic confirmed parties with disputable officials have submitted resignation papers to the Commission. Those include Besim Halilovic and Mustafa Strukar from SDA, Party for BiH confirmed resignation of Fehim Skaljic, Nada Sevo resigned from SNSD Main Board, and SPRS did the same for Milan Djuric. HDZ also confirmed its dismissed Drago Tokmadzija. Sehic says that “after they eliminated the candidates in question, these political parties will receive approval for local elections. Parties must take care that questionable persons cannot be candidates for upcoming elections.” In addition, Democratic party BiH – who had a problem due to its name – has reregistered itself into New democratic party f BiH, and democrats from RS gave themselves new name DSS, Demcratic Party of Srpska.

Central Bosnia Edu Minister Lovrinovic says that OHR ignores their proposals

Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Lovrinovic: HDZ of Central Bosnia stands behind proposals sent to OHR’, mentioned on cover, by I. Glibusic – Education Minister in the Central Bosnia Canton Nikola Lovrinovic stated that he sent to the OHR a proposal of the decision on ‘two schools under one roof’ last week. According to Lovrinovic, the OHR refused that proposal and then the session of the Presidency of the HDZ (Central Bosnia) Canton Board took place during which this proposal was corrected and sent to the OHR again. Lovrinovic said that, so far, they have not received reply whether the first decision that they proposed at an emergency session of the Cantonal Assembly is acceptable or a new decision with new amendments regarding  ‘two schools under one roof’.

HDZ says cantonal Laws on Education to be harmonized in two weeks

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Harmonisation of Laws on primary and secondary education in 15 days’ – Pero Pavlovic, the HDZ Spokesperson, stated on Sunday that the Central Bosnia, Livno, West Herzegovina and Herzegovina-Neretva Cantons will harmonise Cantonal with State Law on primary and secondary education in two weeks time. He also said that the HDZ of West Herzegovina and Livno Cantons will today forward proposals regarding disputable provisions of the Law concerned during the course of today.

DL on renaming of Mostar streets and proposal on unified Mostar institutions

Dnevni List pg 5 ‘City institutions under multi-ethnic administration and without ethnic symbols’, mentioned on cover, by Z. Jukic – According to a source, close to the Mostar City Administration (CA), teams that are supposed to change the names of Mostar streets and define administration over the city institutions are about to finish their work and their proposals should be before Mostar Councillors soon. DL also says that multi-ethnic boards made of 5 members (2 Croats, 2 Bosniaks and one member from the line of Serb people or the others) will be in charge of all city institutions. This proposal also contains a provision according to which none institution under the Mostar CA will not have an ethnic prefix and ethnic and religious symbols will not be exhibited in these institutions. DL says that according to their source in the international organizations in Mostar, the deadline for the implementation of the decision on city institutions and renaming of streets, set by the OHR, is August 31.   

Interview with HB President Mario Vasilj

Vecernji List pg 7 ‘To strengthen Croat political scene in BiH’ by T. Kvesic – VL carries an interview with President of a newly formed political party Croat Block (HB) Mario Vasilj. Vasilj says that as far as their political orientation is concerned HB belongs to democratic centre. According to Vasilj, this party will go at elections in coalition with CCD and HKDP and the name of this coalition will be Croat People’s Block, Croat Block or Croat People’s Assembly. Vasilj also said that HB is a place of gathering around national goals that have to be achieved. Asked to comment on the journalist’s conclusion that some people will believe that this is about creation of the third entity, Vasilj says that they will not demand anything that other two peoples do not have.

Lozancic: I am not satisfied with the work of some ministers

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Locancic: I am not satisfied with the work of some ministers’ by M. Cabric – FBiH President Niko Lozancic explains for DA reasons for constant initiatives for reshuffle of FBiH Government: “I openly say that I am not satisfied with the work of certain ministers in Federal Government. Therefore I have initiated the issue of Govt reshuffle several times,” said Lozancic.  Following claims that BiH will not be admitted to Partnership for Peace, Lozancic said he doesn’t feel responsible for that: “FBiH did everything it could in this segment.”  

FBiH Prime Minister Hadzipasic on five FBiH Ministries move to Mostar

Dnevni List, pg 7, ‘Protection of domestic production and stimulation of domestic producers’, mentioned on cover, by Miso Relota – In its report on the FBiH Government session held last Thursday, DL quotes FBiH Prime Minister Ahmed Hadzipasic as expressing his doubt that FBiH Government’s decision on and deadline for the move of five FBiH Ministries to Mostar could be fully implemented this year. According to him, the reason for his doubt is lack of money, although the Government strives at respecting law and making its Ministers operate in full capacity in Mostar.  

DL on appointment of Dragan Covic to position of President of HDZBiH Election HQ

Dnevni List, pg 3, ‘Dragan Covic takes over HDZ local elections too’, by De. L., comments that the fact that it is Dragan Covic, HDZBiH Vice-president, and not Barisa Colak, the party President, who is appointed the President of HDZBiH Election HQ has once again confirmed Covic’s absolute power in the party and allegations that Colak’s party power is zero. Namely, the position of the President of HDZBiH Election HQ will enable Covic to become exclusive creator of HDZBiH election lists at the forthcoming local elections, which is something many party officials feared.

DL: SDA Main Board session in Mostar on 19 June

Dnevni List, pg 3, ‘SDA will make coalition with parties of pro-Bosnian orientation’, by N.B., carries that the session of SDA BiH Main Board is to be held in Mostar on 19 June. At its last session, SDA BiH Presidency decided that the Main Board’s session main topics would be October elections and the reform processes on entity and state levels. Election platform will also be presented. A source close to SDA says the party will cooperate will all parties of pro-Bosnian orientation, adding that post-election coalition with such parties is not excluded either.

Economic issues

GS int with Hays on public companies

Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘The time of excuses has gone’ – In a brief interview to NN, Donald Hays, PDHR, says that the problem of mismanagement at public companies in BiH and accordingly enormous losses these companies make will not disappear until the rules, which concern omissions at these companies, are harmonised with the common practise in Europe and USA. On this he adds: “These companies should act as development motors, create new posts and serve long-lasting interest of their staff, their families and all citizens. Furthermore, the management of companies should serve as one of indicators of market efficiency in BiH and attract foreign and domestic investors. Until it happens, I will keep pointing at this problem, and so should you.” He says that the main problem rests with the laws, because they have many holes. On brochure, which OHR has disseminated via local dailies last week, he says that the brochure explains five laws, namely how they function, when they were presented to ministers, which is the planned deadline for their announcement. On this he adds: “This is a sort of educational campaign for the citizens and public media, so they could act as informed citizens.”

Oslobodjenje editorial praises Hays’ latest econ activities

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘‘We all are Hays’’ editorial by Ibrahim Prohic – [PDHR] “Donald Hays these days condemned the authorities due to failure to implement reforms and bad management of the state capital. Reforms are blocked already at the adoption of the necessary laws, and public companies work with loss… We knew all this without Hays. But, this time he located responsibility to the right address. We called upon eight ministers at state and entities levels… Unfortunately, we doubt this will result with necessary changes… Media marked Hays’ campaign as daily news and tomorrow already forgot it. So called opposition is not using a chance to articulate dissatisfaction of citizens… Things will be better in BiH only where there an climate [movement] in which ‘we all get to be Hays’,” reads the editorial.  

Humphreys urges reforms in statistics field

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘How to know where is Bosnia and Herzegovina’ op-ed by Michael Humphreys –  In an op-ed published in DA, Michael Humphreys, the Head of EC delegation to BiH, addresses the issue of reliable static information, claiming they are necessary for BiH especially in the field of economy, and stressing that BiH is the only country with a desire to be admitted to EU but without correct, official statistics. More specifically, Humphreys condemns failure of BiH authorities to appoint the head of BiH Statistics Agency: “Let me be clear – the problems did not piled up due to lack of professionalism of people dealing with statistics. They cannot do much without appropriate political support. What leads to even bigger disappointment is the fact that progress could have been made immediately if there was enough will and decisiveness by structures in power and Statistics Agency.” 

Mikerevic signs contract for purchase of premises for ITA

Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Mikerevic today signs the contract of purchasing premises’ – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic will today sign a contract on the purchase of business premises for the BiH Indirect Taxation Authority with representatives of the tender winners – construction company Laktasi and Bijeljina Nova Bank. The RS Government said in a statement on May 28 that Laktasi and Nova Bank were selected by a commission formed with that assignment. The Authority will be located in Banja Luka.

Update to Serb Brod Oil Refinery

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Oil Refinery employees propose a new solution’ – The Serb Brod Oil Refinery staff will soon propose to RS Government an alternative solution for the placement of the Refinery oil at the market in F BiH, since the Mrakovica Agreement between entity Premiers has obviously failed. According to Milorad Ceric, President of Brod Oil Refinery Syndicate, they would propose to Government to give up on Mrakovica Agreement and ask from it to “charge tax and excise to buyers in F BiH only in F BiH”.

Open letter of RS Railroad Company shareholders

Blic, pg. RS12 ‘Angry with Minister’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – A number of RS Railroad Company shareholders addressed the representative of this firm and RS Defence Minister, Milovan Stankovic, by an open letter in which they stated: ‘If you are not involved in crime at RS Railroad Company, you have an obligation to annul a scandalous business report of this firm for 2003, which was adopted at an assembly of shareholders on June 1’. The shareholders claim they have been outvoted and their arguments have been rejected. The shareholders warned that documentation has been falsified and did not reflect the true situation. Upon denunciations against RS Railroad Company Director Sreten Telebak, Srecko Saran and Marko Arselic, Doboj Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office issued an order on conducting of an investigation in these cases on June 2. 

Crime related issues

FTV on police action in Tesanj

FTV by Gordana Ristovic-Muslija – FTV reports that five people were injured last week when group of Tesanj Police Station officers tried several days ago to move group of citizens who were attempting to stop mining of a stone-pit in Putesic, Tesanj municipality. The citizens tried to prevent illegal operation of private company Jasarevic Kop. Police was called to move them, and detained those who resisted. Inhabitants claim that police said that the mining had to be carried out, even if their lives were to be endangered. Zenica Doboj Interior Ministry claim that police officers only did their job in accordance with their mandate, and that no force was used that day. Admir Katica, spokesman for the Cantonal MoI, said that mines were already set and that they could not been removed. MoI will conduct investigation. Inhabitants announced they will file charges, wondering who can ban Jasarevic Kop to continue with mining as accusing the company of not applying appropriate work related security measures and they endanger security of citizens.

Spiric says international NGO sector in BiH serves as points for money laundering

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘When I talked about money laundering, I referred to NGOs’ by H.O. – Two days ago in Banja Luka, Deputy Speaker of BiH House of Representative Nikola Spiric sated that “international community has installed its institutions BiH as posts for money laundering.” Spiric insists he referred to the NGO sector: “I said that a lot of money came into BiH, and that it did not go into reconstruction and development. That means, that a part of these means was misused. My intention was not to point out to responsibility, but rather to its existence.”  

Dnevni List pg 2 carries in its ‘Statement of Day’ Spiric as saying: “The International Community installed its institutions as posts for money laundering.”

Illegal arms cache found near Prijedor

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Illegal arms caches found’, Blic, pg. RS7 ‘Another secret warehouse of weapon’ by G. S.  – With the assistance of the local police of Prijedor, the SFOR MND detected the illegal arms cache at the premises of the Red Cross in the village of Gornja Lamovita, near Prijedor. Some arms were also found at the premises of the Health Care Centre nearby this location and one family house.

NN op-ed on organised crime

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Criminals and authority’ by Mirza Cubro – The author is making a reference to last weeks’ statements by Kevin Carty, EUPM and Commissioner, and Branko Sljivar, Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor. Both of them confirmed there is organised crime in Sarajevo, according to the author. The author is also critical of the fact that unfortunately, much more attention was last week given to a home-made video of the Croatian star Severina rather than to this cry of Sljivar that something needs to be done in order to make the criminals in this state – at least for the moment – feel there is a power of order. The author stresses there must be many reasons because of which Mafia in BiH feels safe, one of which is an obvious link between authority and crime. Speaking of last week’s statement of Adnan Terzic, BiH COM Chairperson, Cubro says that regardless of the fact that BiH CoM Chair reiterated the necessity for police reform (since there are 18 police forces in BiH that do not cooperate well), the Chair also said that there is no political will for such reform at the moment. On this, the author grounds his claim there is link between crime and authority.