Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 7 June
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| ‘June Dawns’ manifestation | Sredoje Novic new SIPA director | False alarm on planted bomb in BL |
| Nicholas Burns in BiH | Hungarian Foreign Minister in BiH | Del Ponte on |
| Paravac in | At least 18 killed in | Luxembourg mtg of EU Fin. Min’s |
TV news broadcast on 6 June
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Ljubic on HDZ Presidential elections | HR to appoint SIPA Director | Slobodan Milosevic’s trial |
| HDZ Rama denies Ljubic | Fejzagic on attacks in Zenica prison | Conference about Srebrenica |
| Ivo Miro Jovic meets HR | Pusara request transfer to Foca | New BiH Ambassador at EU HQ |
| OHR opposes early elections | EUPM on incidents in Zenica prison | EUPM assesses Andan’s letter |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Medic on “Skorpioni” | Slobodan Milosevic’s trial | HR on SIPA Director appointment |
| Tihic on Srebrenica execution video | Trial of Sasa Cvjetan in SCG | Follow up to events in Zenica prison |
| BiH-SiCG coop. in fighting crime | Follow up to events in Zenica prison | RS MoI on Scorpions unit |
| Davinic on Ratko Mladic | Burns to visit BiH, SCG, Kosovo | SBS marks 5th anniversary |
| Oslobodjenje | Bozo Ljubic leaving HDZ?! |
| Dnevni Avaz | Ashdown will appoint Sredoje Novic |
| Dnevni List | Two prisoners ran away |
| Vecernji List | Croat beaten up because of Srebrenica |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | I will also win Wimbldon |
| Nezavisne Novine | Solana: RS Government is culpable for isolation |
| Glas Srpske | Rain does not wash tears (reports on a graduate pupil who got killed in a car accident in Foca) |
| EuroBlic | Bus tickets up to 50% more expensive |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
| Srpski Nacional | Features Serbian related titles |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| HR appoints Sredoje Novic as SIPA Director
| BH Radio 1, RHB – Paddy Ashdown today appointed Sredoje Novic as the SIPA Director, at the request of the Chair of the BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic. OHR stated that the HR has issued the Decision following seven months of uncertainty over the appointment and that he has appointed the candidate rated as best qualified by the BiH CoM’s own Selection Committee. |
| Ivanic on SIPA Director
| RTRS – BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, is of the view that the responsibility for delay in appointment of SIPA Director rests with persons in charge, who should have provided unified criteria for election of leadership not only at SIPA but also other state agencies. Ivanic stated: “If it is about political agreement, the political criterion should have been applied everywhere. In such case, I would not oppose to anything. In any other context, the criterion on professionalism should be dominant one.” |
| EUPM satisfied with Andan’s letter
| BH Radio 1 – EUPM stated that the Commissioner Kevin Carty is satisfied with the letter from Dragomir Andan, RS Police Director as it finally acknowledged that he had no intelligence or evidence to support the claims made on 10 May 2005 in reference to the Madrid terrorist bombing. Furthermore, the Commissioner finds it satisfying that Andan publicly recognized that his statement was unprofessional and misleading. |
| Leakey meets Stankovic in
| RTRS – David Leakey, EUFOR Commander, today in |
| SNSD calls on Stankovic to resign
| FENA – A member of the SNSD Main Board Dubravko Suvara called on RS Defence Minister Milovan Stankovic as a person responsible for all events in Manjaca to submit the resignation and he warned of blockades and protests in front of the RS Defence Ministry if Stankovic does not do it within 7 days. |
| Gallack on BiH progressing towards EU
| RTRS – Christina Gallack, Javier Solana’s Spokesperson, stated that SiCG and BiH do not have the same starting position on integration process. She said that BiH is faced with a major problem, since political leaders in one part of the state are persistently refusing to undertake necessary steps, owing to which reason EU cannot be marked as responsible for this. |
War crimes | |
| Media: Scorpions were part of Serbian MoI
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Scorpions were in composition of SAJ’ by R. Segrt – According to Belgrade TV station “B92”, the “Scorpions” unit was transferred under the jurisdiction of the Department for Public Safety of Serbian MoI in March 1999, i.e. it was in composition of the Special Anti-terrorist Unit (SAJ). B92 claims it had an insight into a document that confirms this claim. EuroBlic pgs 4-5 ‘Vlastimir Djordjevic incorporated the Scorpions in MoI’ by M. P. and T. N. Dj. – also claims the Scorpions were a part of Serbian MoI and claims it was then Head of Serbian Public Security Vlastimir Djordjevic who gave his consent for this. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Squadron of death executed 50 Srebrenica citizens?’ by E. Sarac – According to information of DA, members of a special unit of Serbian MoI, the “Scorpions”, transferred 50 citizens of Srebrenica to Trnovo battlefield. Destiny of 6 of them is known, while there is still an ongoing search for bodies of approximately 40 of them. Inset ‘Proof that they were not a paramilitary unit’ – Avaz claims police documents present a proof in writing that the Scorpions were not a paramilitary unit, but were a unit of Serbian MoI that was active in the area of Trnovo and Srebrenica. |
| Update to Milosevic trial: Stevanovic says Scorpions not official Serbian MoI unit
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Individuals from the Scorpions might have been a part of Serbian MoI’ by Fena – Obrad Stevanovic, a defense witness in the case against Slobodan Milosevic, has stated during the trial that individuals from the Scorpions unit, after the war ended in BiH and Croatia, might have become members of a reserve composition of Special Anti-terrorist Unit of Serbian MoI (SAJ), but he denied it was possible for the entire unit to be incorporated to the composition of MoI. FTV, PINK, BHT 1, Hayat, RTRS – The ICTY Prosecution showed the video of Obrad Stevanovic shaking hands with Ratko Mladic in Bratunac only few days after genocide in Srebrenica. |
| RS MoI investigations allegations of Serbian forces’ presence in BiH
| RTRS by Stela Jungic – RS Interior Ministry is checking the allegations made by the |
| Trial of Sasa Cvjetan, member of Scorpios unit, continues
| FTV by Zinaida Hamidovic – The trial of Sasa Cvjetan, member of Scorpions unit, continued on Monday before the Belgrade District Court. Cvjetan was already sentenced to 20 years in prison for murdering Albanian civilians in Podujevo in 1999, but Serbian Supreme Court has cancelled this decision due to procedural reasons. According to the indictment, Cvjetan killed 14 civilians, women and children during March 1999 while he was member of Scorpions unit. At the same time, Serbian Police and Prosecutor’s Office are working on the case of this unit’s crimes in Srebrenica, stated Serbian Minister of Justice Zoran Stojkovic. PINK, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘[Scorpions] admitted [to Serbian MoI] on 25 March 1999’ also reported. |
| Conference on Srebrenica genocide to be held on July 10-15
| FTV, BHT1, PINK, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover, ‘Prevent for future generations to live destiny of their ancestors’ by S. Rozajac, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘This country needs its truth’ by S.T., Dnevni List pg 6 ‘International scientific conference on genocide in Srebrenica from 11 to 15 July’ by E. Mackic– International scientific conference will take place from July 10 to 15 in Potocari and Sarajevo on the occasion of marking the 10th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica.The gathering, organized by the Institute for researching the crimes against the humanity and international law within the University in Sarajevo in cooperation with the University of North Carolina, will gather over 50 scientists and experts on genocide from the country and abroad. The aim is to analyze and clarify crimes against the Bosniaks of safe haven Srebrenica in July 1995, and to inform the world about the entire truth on genocide, was said at a press conference on Monday. |
| Tihic on Srebrenica execution tape: It proves aggression
| FTV, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Another proof of SCG aggression against BiH’ – BiH Presidency member Sulejman Tihic said on Monday commenting on video showing the executions of Bosniaks from Srebrenica in July 1995 that this video is further proof that the Armed Forces of Yugoslavia took part in the aggression against BiH and the genocide against non-Serbs. “This is only further evidence that we are going to submit together with our lawsuit against Serbia-Montenegro, which is planned to be discussed in February next year”, Tihic said. Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Proof’ op-ed by Mirko Sagolj – Editor agrees with Tihic’s statement. |
| Serbian Parliament to include Srebrenica crimes’ issue on agenda
| Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘Today about Srebrenica’ by R.O.-D.M.S., Nezavisne Novine, pg 2 ‘Serbian Assembly on Srebrenica resolution today’ not signed – Predrag Markovic, Serbian Parliament Speaker, has scheduled the meeting of Caucuses today in order to discuss the agenda of the upcoming Parliament session. It is also expected that topic of the meeting will be crimes in Srebrenica and whether Parliament should pass resolution on this issue or not. |
| Serbian Minister says Mladic to be arrested soon | Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Soon we find Ratko Mladic’, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘We expect Mladic’s arrest soon’ by Onasa – SCG Defence Minister, Prvoslav Davinic said he expects that Ratko Mladic will be arrested and brought before the ICTY in the next several months. |
Security issues | |
| DA says Ashdown to appoint Sredoje Novic as SIPA Director
| Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘Ashdown will appoint Sredoja Novic’, pg 2 ‘Sredoje Novic as SIPA Director?’ by S.Numanovic – Daily reports that Paddy Ashdown will today announce decision on the appointment of SIPA Director. It is expected that Sredoje Novic will assume the position of SIPA Director. Daily notes that Ashdown has accepted suggestion of Adnan Terzic that Mladen Ivanic, Barisa Colak and Terzic try once more to find solution to this issue. The meeting took place last night. Daily notes that if Colak’s demand to see a Croat appointed as SIPA Director is rejected, the question is what he would do about it. Some circles note that he might tender resignation over second defeat in the last few days (first was election of Dragan Covic HDZ President). Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Ashdown: I will appoint SIPA Director by tomorrow!’ by M. Zorlak – DL inset under headline ‘Colak certain that Lukac would be appointed’ reports that the HR met with Colak on Monday and that Colak seemed rather satisfied after the meeting. DL says that Colak has nothing against the HR’s decision on the SIPA Director since Colak is certain that his candidate (Dragan Lukac) would be appointed the SIPA Director. |
| HR expresses regret he would appoint SIPA Director
| PINK, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 inset ‘Ashdown: I will support local process’ – Paddy Ashdown, HR to BiH, on Monday expressed regret that he would appoint the Director of the State Information and Protection Agency. He also said: “I will try to reach decision that would support process and democratic structures. I would, naturally, be free to chose any candidate from any milieu, but it is not a principle I will be following on this issue. One of the most important factor I would consider during decision-making process is who to support domestic, local process.” RTRS, BHT1, Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Ashdown today decides on new SIPA Director’ by R. Cengic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Ashdown ready to appoint Director’ by D. S., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Ashdown completes work’ by N. Z. – reported HR is to make decision today. |
| CoM: This is first issue CoM could not solve with consensus
| PINK – Commenting the CoM’s request for HR to appoint SIPA Director, Bojan Zec Filipovic, Advisor to BiH CoM Chair, stated: “In the previous work of the CoM, all decisions were reached by consensus. This is the first situation when it is obvious that we cannot reach a consensus.” He explained this was a reason why CoM asked the HR to use his authorities and bring decision. |
| Zenica prison confirms incidents and says perpetrators sanctions
| PINK, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Maltreating of non-Bosniaks on scene’ by De.L, Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Disciplinary measures against two inmates’ by R. Segrt, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Prison covered with silence’ by D. Majstorovic– Assistant to the FBiH Minister of Justice, Resad Fejzagic, confirmed on Monday for that two inmates of Zenica prison face sanctions for attacking a Serb and a Croat prisoners charged with war crimes, after viewing the tape on execution of Bosniaks from Srebrenica. EUPM is in contact with local authorities in Zenica in order to investigate the events, stated EUPM Spokesperson, Zinaida Ilarija. Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Jabandzic: Attacks are not ethnicity related’ by A. Dzonlic – reports that Zenica prison claims that these were individual incidents and that there are no ethnic tensions in the facility. RTRS – RTRS reports that imprisoned Serbs claim that the violence occurred in the past as well. Requests of Serb prisoners for transfer to RS prisons were already sent but RS Justice Ministry cannot approve them due to unresolved regulations on transfer of prisoners between RS and FBIH. BHT1, FTV, also reported. Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘Croat beaten up because of Srebrenica’ and pgs 2 and 3 ‘New attacks in Correctional Facility Zenica’ by R. Soldo, B. Stevandic brings outdated report on incidents occurring. PINK – Attacked Serb inmate requests transfer to Foca detention. |
| Two prisoners ran away from Mostar prison
| Dnevni List cover pg splash ‘Two prisoners ran away’ and pgs 48 and 49 ‘Two Mostar prisoners ran away’ by N. Dedic, Dnevni AVaz cover, pg 31 ‘Spectacular escape from prison’ – 2 prisoners, Ivan Ivankovic and Marijan Perkovic, ran away from the Mostar prison on Friday night. DL says it is interesting that they ran away in the same way and from the same cell as 4 prisoners last year. |
| SBS marks 5th anniversary
| FTV by Gordana Antonic – The BiH State Border Service (SBS) has marked the fifth anniversary on Monday. In the last five years, SBS significantly improved the control of BiH’s borderline. For example, in year 2000 Hayat – “Control over border crossings presents one of the crucial parameters, which should be met before the EC’s proposal on abolishment of visas regime for BiH citizens”, said the Chair of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic. RTRS, PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Strong service’, Dnevni Avaz pg – also reported. |
| EUPM assesses Andan’s letter
| BHT1 – EUPM will declare its position regarding the RS Police Director Dragomir Andan’s letter, in which he denied his recent statement that the terrorist attack in |
| DA: ‘Matijasevic lobbied for staying of RS MoI by lying’ | Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘Matijasevic lobbied for staying of RS MoI by lying’, by E. S. – S. N. – Avaz reports that the RS Interior Minister, Darko Matijasevic, visited Washington on May 26 and 27 where he met with congressman Trent Franks. Apparently, the meeting was arranged by “Congress of Serb Unity” (CSU). CSU conveys that Matijasevic explained to |
Update to HDZ convention | |
| Bozo Ljubic demands says HDZ elections irregular
| RTRS, FTV, BHT1, RHB, Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 2 ‘Bozo Ljubic leaving HDZ?!’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Ljubic demands cancellation of HDZ Convention’ by F. Vele, Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Doctor Ljubic: There were over 100 fake delegates more’ by rb, Dnevni List pgs 4 and 5, mentioned on cover ‘Ljubic: HDZ Convention would be certainly annulled’ by M. Karacic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16, mentioned on cover ‘Bozo Ljubic: I am winner’ by E. Karamatic, Nezavisne Novine pg 6, announced on cover ‘Ljubic: Investigation on election of Covic is possible’ by V. Coric, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘To annul the congress’ not signed – Bozo Ljubic, defeated candidate for the HDZ BiH President, held a press conference on Monday reiterating his doubts on regularity in the election of the party’s top officials. He explained that during the Convention the number of accredited voters had changed several times, and also warned of the irregularities in the process of assigning the delegates of the HDZ Youth. Hayat – “There are enough elements to make us suspect the regularity of the elections and we are investigating the whole issue. There are indications that certain persons, mentioned on the list, are completely unknown to municipality organizations they are said to be the members of the organizations”, said Ljubic. He also said that the preparation of the Convention was on the edge of regularity, for which he directly accused the former HDZ BIH president, Barisa Colak. Ljubic and his associates forwarded the collected evidence to the HDZ Election Commission and believe that elements exist for the annulment of the Convention. As for his future political career, Ljubic declared that he would continue his political engagement, not specifying as to if he remains HDZ member. |
| President of HDZ Convention Election Comm. rejects Ljubic’s accusations | Dnevni Avaz inset ‘Pervan: We did not receive objection’, Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Ljubic’s people confirmed results’ by Z. Kresic – Chairman of the HDZ Convention Election Commission Perkan Pervan rejected Ljubic’s accusations about fixed voting and Pervan stressed that all 11 members of the competent Commission, including 8 members who supported Ljubic, signed that the election process was regular. RHB – Chairman of HDZ Rama Board Ivica Simunovic denied Ljubic’s claims. |
| EPP on possible irregularities at HDZ Convention/HDZ Presidency to take place on Wednesday
| Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Doctor Ljubic: There were over 100 fake delegates more’ by rb, Dnevni List pgs 4 and 5, mentioned on cover ‘Ljubic: HDZ Convention would be certainly annulled’ by M. Karacic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16, mentioned on cover ‘Bozo Ljubic: I am winner’ by E. Karamatic – DL says that according to unofficial information the top of the European People’s Party (EPP) also investigates the way it was voted at the HDZ Convention and if it turns out that there were certain irregularities EPP sanctions might be drastic. DL says that even permanent ousting of HDZ from EPP is possible. SD inset ‘HDZ top without comment’ says that the HDZ top did not want to comment on Ljubic’s accusations and according to SD a session of the HDZ Presidency would take place, most probably, on Wednesday after which Covic should giv his opinion on this issue. |
| Josipovic, Madunic, Merdzo and Spajic on regularity of Covic’s election
| Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Josipovic: Results of elections were known before voting’ not signed carries Slavica Josipovic from HDZ of Central Bosnia Canton as saying that she believes that it was known before the HDZ Convention what would be the results of this Convention. Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Madunic: No comment’ not signed carries Ivan Madunic from HDZ Tomislavgrad as saying that he does not have comment on voting at the HDZ Convention. Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Merdzo: Voting raised suspicions’ not signed carries HDZ member Josip Merdzo as saying that the way it was voted raised certain suspicions which now should be grounded on certain evidence. Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Spajic: If there are suspicions they should be removed’ not signed carries President of the Central Bosnia Canton HDZ Board Anto Spajic as sayingthat due to close gain between Covic and Ljubic arguments should be presented to the public. |
| HDZ of
| Vecernji List, pg 10 ‘We will not interfere into HDZ BiH relations’, by Mladenka Saric – Following the election of Dragan Covic into the office of the new HDZ BiH president, having in mind reports that allege that the president of HDZ Croatia and Croatian PM, Ivo Sanader, wanted Bozo Ljubic to win, VL wonders what is going to happen to relations between the two parties. Spokesman of HDZ Croatia, Ratko Macek, says the HDZ Croatia does not want to interfere into internal relations within the HDZ BiH. “It is out sister party. The only interest of the HDZ Croatia is protection of constitutionality, sovereignty and equality of the Croat people in BiH, and when it comes to election of leader of HDZ BiH, of course we have our opinion”, says Macek. Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Election of Dragan Covic will help neither HDZ nor BiH’ by D. Zadravec – Croatian politicians practically did not comment on the election of Dragan Covic for HDZ President, however media reports claim the election of Covic will held neither HDZ nor BiH, considering the fact this is a politician the international community does not want to have as a collocutor. |
| FTV ’60 minuta’ on HDZ Convention: Rumours on clashes confirmed
| FTV ’60 minuta’ current affairs programme, comment by Zvonimir Jukic– Commenting the IX HDZ Convention, which resulted with election of Dragan Covic as the party’s president, reporter says that the event only confirmed all the rumours on clashes within the party and division in two fractions. Bozo Ljubic, says the reporter, was assured he would the elections as he has enjoyed support from the European People’s Party, HDZ of Croatia, and his hopes were shared by Vinko Zoric and Martin Raguz. On the other hand, Covic had support of all major HDZ centres, including the largest HDZ Board in Mostar where Covic defeated former Major Ivan Prskalo. Reporter says that clashes were apparent even during the discussion on the agenda. Magazine concluded that the question opened following the Convention is whether clashes in HDZ will continue or they will conclude with some members leaving and establishing a new party. |
| DL, SD open-edit. on Covic’s election
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Where is HDZ going to?’ by I. Glibusic carries an editorial on the 9th HDZ Convention and election of Dragan Covic for HDZ President. Among the other things, the author says that the question arises whether those who strongly oppose Covic’s policy would leave the party or they would wait for some other time since they are afraid to show up at the political scene independently. The author also concludes that doubts in regularity of the elections would make hard Covic’s work and the position in the authority. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 16 ‘Busy about themselves’, by Petar Milos – Commenting on the events and outcome of the recent HDZ Convention, the author argues the convention was not about the position of the Croats or party statute, plans or programs, it was in fact about HDZ delegates looking after their own positions and interests. |
Other political issues | |
| Ashdown meets Ivo Miro Jovic
| RHB, FTV, RTRS, BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Urgently meet conditions for Europe’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Solution for police reform must be fund as soon as possible’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘To find solution for public RTV system as soon as possible’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘To find solution for police and public RTV system as soon as possible’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Police reform and reform of public RTV system keys for future of BiH’ by B.K., Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘To find a solution for police reform as soon as possible’ by Srna, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘To find solutions’ not signed – BiH Presidency member Ivo Miro Jovic on Monday met with the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown. Talks focused on the importance of reforms BiH is facing on the road to European integration. It was mutually ascertained that solutions must urgently be found for reform of police and the public broadcasting system in order to fulfill the conditions for opening negotiations on Stabilization and Association with the EU. |
| OHR against holding early elections
| RHB, RTRS, BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Early elections would only draw attention away from reforms’, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘OHR against early elections’ by NINA, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Early elections would be a bad solution’ by Srna, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘New elections – unnecessary’ by N. Z. – OHR stated on Monday that amending the BiH Election Law to allow new elections would produce multiple elections and revolving-door administrations with subsequent long-term and destabilising consequences. Statement further reads that early elections would also shift the focus away from the reforms that BiH needs to implement in order to complete the Feasibility Study requirements. In addition, says OHR, each election costs around 10 million KM and much time to organize. |
| DA op-ed on early elections: they are not possible
| Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘Why early elections are not possible’, by Sead Numanovic – Carries an op-ed in which the author says the early elections are not possible because the current legislation do not envisage early elections. Numanovic notes that the process to remove the flaw in the legislation would take months, meaning the time would come for regular elections. |
| BiH Election Commission on early elections
| Hayat byElma Kazagic – Commenting the recent statement by the chair of the BiH Council of Ministers Chair, Adnan Terzic on necessity of the early elections, the President of the BiH Election Commission, Vehid Sehic, underlines that a lot has to be done in order to hold those. “BiH Constitution states that BiH Presidency is allowed to dismiss BiH House of People. If such decision is to be brought, BiH Election Commission is the one to decide on deadlines in which elections should be held”, said Sehic however stressing that the elections bring large expenses, as almost 8 million KM was spent on 2002 election. In addition, regular elections are to be held in October 2006, thus he believes that the solution for the situation in the country does not lie in early elections. “We have to be aware of the fact that many thing in BiH are not as they should be, and early election do not present a solution”, said Sehic. |
| Interview with Javier Solana: RS Govt. is culpable for isolation
| Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘RS Government is responsible for isolation’, pg 5 ‘RS Government is culpable because MP’s have chosen isolation’ by V.Popovic – In an interview to daily, Javier Solana, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, is of the view that the resumption of talks on police reform is still possible under condition that RS NA accepts three EU principles, assessing: “It is of key importance that in this manner, RS NA vests mandate with its representatives to negotiate on further progressing of BiH towards Europe.” He notes that EU has expressed disappointment over rejection of RS NA to accept the offered EU principles, stressing that police reform is of extreme importance for BiH progressing towards EU. He also says: “The responsibility for the current crisis in police reform talks rests with RS Government, since it failed to convince RS MP’s to choose the course towards |
| Busek: Reforms must be implemented faster
| Dnevni Avaz, pg 5 ‘BiH must implement reforms faster’, by S. Numanovic – Carries an interview with the Special Coordinator of Stability Pact, Erhard Busek, in which he notes that the situation in BiH is characterized with slow progress, which is always hampered by something, like in the process of police reform. “If your country wants to integrate, not only inside, but with European processes too, reforms must be implemented much faster”, said Busek. |
| FTV ’60 minutes’ ints with Ivanic, Lagumdzija on early elections, HR powers
| FTV ’60 minuta’ current affairs programme, by Bakir Hadziomerovic – Appearing in the magazine, BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic,and SDP leader, Zlatko Lagumdzija, both disagreed with the statement by the HR Paddy Ashdown, who compared BiH and Belarus, stating that the situation in BiH is still much better. Asked to comment the initiatives for referendum in RS for separation from BiH, Ivanic said that this announcement is just a result of fear of people in RS following the attempts for centralization of the country, stressing that no one serious in RS is even considering this option. Lagumdzija agreed adding that nobody in the world supports these initiatives. Asked about recent statement of the CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic that extraordinary elections should be held, Ivanic said that he wouldn’t entirely agree with Terzic as he doesn’t consider that reforms have been ceased, adding that police reform is the issue to be discussed and if this fails to produce any results till September he would be than keen to agree that new elections could be the only way out. He also said HR should transfer his authorities to BiH Governments, because they were elected by the people. Lagumdzija said that he thinks that Terzic’s statement is a product of the agreement with the HR constructed to scare those obstructing reforms, underlying this is not possible without a change of the Election Law which would take a long time. Regarding the transfer of HR’s authorities, Lagumdzija said that he has no one to transfer them to further criticising current ruling parties. |
| Club of Bosniaks at RS CoP raised VNI protection on RS NA conclusion re. police reform
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Veto on conclusions of the RS NA on police reform’ by S.G. – The Club of Bosniaks at the RS Council of Peoples has demanded protection of VNI (vital national interest) in relation with RS NA conclusions on police reform. The rpess release Club issued reads: “We demand from the representatives of international organizations to exert additional pressure against RS and its officials in order to release BiH citizens of isolation they are leading them into.” The release adds that nothing must be an obstacle to the establishment of modern and functional police forces. EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Protection of interests’ by N. B. – also reported on the same matter. |
| PDP to propose Dokic’ successor in the next 10 days
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Mikerevic, Solaja and Tesanovic in game’ by V.Popovic – Gavrilo Antonic, Executive Director of PDP< announced that in the coming ten days, PDP Presidency will reach decision on who will replace Branko Dokic on the position of BiH Minister of Traffic and Communication. He did not want to speak about concrete names of possible candidates. However, NN refers to some political circles, referring to Dragan Mikerevic, former RS premier, Zoran Tesanovic, BiH Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs, and Dragan Solaja, former RS minister of traffic and communication,as the most serious candidates for this position. NN source close to PDP top leadership, however, claims that Solaja would not accept the nomination, although party members find him to be the most qualitative solution. Mikerevic is not so interested either, according to the same source. |
| Lidija Topic new BiH Ambassador to EU HQ
| PINK by Elvir Bucalo – The newly appointed BiH Ambassador to the European Union (EU) headquarters, Lidija Topic, announced that BiH would take new diplomatic course in meeting the conditions necessary to being with the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. “We are expected to make essential progress, especially in the police reform process”, said Topic after meeting with the EC President Jose Manuel Barroso. The fact that |
| | FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Solving key Balkans issues’ by Onasa, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Burns to point to importance of arresting Karadzic and Mladic’ by Srna – US Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Nicholas Burns, arrives in the Balkans regions today in order to visit Sarajevo, Pristina and Belgrade. He will meet with the local officials and international officials stressing importance of the cooperation with the ICTY and arrests of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic. |
Economic and social issues | |
| Farmers give up on protests
| PINK by Dragica Tojagic – The BiH Association of Farmers has decided to delay the announced protests after the meeting with the BiH CoM Chair, Adnan Terzic who allegedly promised acceleration of solving problems related to the domestic agriculture production. “We are going to wait till Thursday to see if this is to be accomplished completely”, said Ranko Bakic, the Chair of BiH Farmers Association. Terzic and the Association’s representatives agreed to speed up the solving of the problems regarding the protection of domestic production. FTV, RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Farmers gave up on protests scheduled for today’ – also reported. |
| Update to Energopetrol privatisation
| Dnevni List, pg 10 ‘INA and MOL do not give up bid for Energopetrol’, by Hina, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 4 ‘INA and MOL still want Energopetrol’, by Z. Tulic, H – INA claims that the INA-MOL consortium is not giving up the bid the consortium has made for co-capitalization of ‘Energopetrol’. On top of this, INA says it will accept all decisions of the judiciary and pay out all possible obligations towards the FBiH that are taken by the judiciary and is ready to give guarantees for that. This comes after the FBiH Minister of Energy and Industry, Izet Zigic, stated that INA-MOL did not agree to terms set by the FBiH Government. Dnevni Avaz, pg 4 ‘INA owes more than 63 million marks!’, mentioned on cover, by L. S. – According to Zigic, the FBiH Government’s team tasked with signing of Contract on co-capitalization of ‘Energopetrol’ concluded yesterday (Monday) to schedule another round of talks with INA-MOL for Wednesday. According to Avaz’s unofficial information, INA debts towards the FBiH budget, including interest, is around 63 million KMs, excluding obligations towards FBIH Pension/Disability Fund. |
| Oslobodjenje says final decision on Aluminij on Thursady
| Oslobodjenje pg 3, announced on cover ‘Final decision on Thursday’ by J. V. – F BiH Government should discuss the Aluminij issue this Thursday and, according to Oslobodjenje, all interested parties have agreed ten days ago that the Aluminij should get 45%, state 43% and Sibenik TLM should get 12%. Nevertheless, according to a source from F BiH Government, Ministers from the Party for BiH have obstructed almost already agreed solutions by demanding that the state and Aluminij should have equal share – 44% each. |
| Update on HVO victims who receive pensions from
| Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘HVO victims at checking in Zagreb’ by I. Glibusic – With regard to the meeting on the status of HVO victims, who receive their pensions from Croatia, West Herzegovina Canton Minister for Defenders’ Issues Zdravko Beslic stated during the meeting with the Croatian delegation, which was held on Monday, they completely harmonized a proposal of an inter-state agreement between the Republic of Croatia and BiH at the level of working groups. According to Beslic, this agreement has been sent to |