| RADIO HERCEG BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) |
| Public Administration | Mikerevic on RS situation | Export of wooden shackles |
| PDP on SDA Ministers | Demands of PDP | FBiH HoR on internal debts |
| Terzic on crisis in RS | Austrian president died | Official demands of PDP |
| Session of BiH Presidency | Bulldozer process | Regional news |
Note that reception of RTRS programme was interrupted last night in the
| Oslobodjenje | There is no money for old foreign currency savers |
| Dnevni Avaz | Haris Siljadzic: the highway construction is late due to slow administration |
| Dnevni List | Official |
| Vecernji List | Tropic heats are killing Herzegovinians |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Father of Valentin Coric guarantees with his winery for pre-trial release of his son |
| Glas Srpske | Over murder of Novica Lukic: Policemen charged; |
| Nezavisne Novine | Dragan Cavic: Early elections are worst option for RS; Milan Bogdanic: Commission cannot complete its work within stipulated deadline; Milorad Dodik: Ivanic and PDP cause crisis of RS institutions; Serb Sarajevo: Two special policemen charged with murder of Novica Lukic |
| Blic | The |
| Vecernje Novosti | Generals stay at home! |
Economic/social issues | |
| FBiH HoR discusses internal debts
| FTV, Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 6 ‘There is no money for old foreign currency savers’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Hadzipasic delayed adoption of the law on internal debt’, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Governments asks for seven days for discussions’, by E. Me., Slobodna Dalmacija, Old savers want their money’, by B. Kristo, Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Internal debts still on hold’, by Indira Tabucic, FENA – The FBiH House of Representatives discussed Wednesday the set of laws that should allow the implementation of the plan for the payment of claims/debts. The House will vote on these laws next week. The deputies discussed in urgent procedure the proposed law on changes to the law on establishing and implementing claims of citizens in the privatization process, the draft law on settling internal commitments/debts of FBiH and the proposed law on changes to the law on the privatization of companies. Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays called on representatives to adopt the law on internal debts settlement and stressed that any delay of the passage of this legislation would put at risk the presence of existing and the arrival of new investors, the creation of new jobs and the monetary and fiscal stability of the country. FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic told journalists that the Government is prepared to improve the proposed laws, especially solutions concerning old foreign currency savings. Representatives of the Association of Old Foreign Currency Savers urged representatives to pass a just decision and pledged to remain determined in fulfilling their rights. Association of Old Foreign Currency Savers Steering Board Chair Amila Omersoftic told journalists that the only fair solution would be to give savers shares in profitable companies. ‘If old currency saving is taken out of the laws which address other claims by citizens it is a question if that would ensure more funds and result in a better economic model”, Hays said and added that he personally thinks that such a decision would be unfair to all. The House of Representatives will continue its session next week. |
| Party for BiH founder Silajdzic on BiH economic development
| FTV, Dnevni Avaz cover page, pg 5 ‘Highway construction late due to slow administration’, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover ‘There is no political will in BiH to stimulate economy’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘To turn BiH in civic state’ by D. P. Mandic, FENA – The founder of the Party for BiH, Haris Silajdzic, on Wednesday stated, at a debate organized by the Council of the Bosniak Intellectuals Congress (VKBI), that, if this were possible, it would be necessary to abolish the Entities and cantons in BiH, because this country is a too small space for this kind of economic fragmentation. In making opening remarks on “Economic development of BiH – the present and the future”, Silajdzic stressed that BiH did not have a common/unified political will, which explains numerous absurdities. “BiH looks like a car with four hands on the wheel and this is why it is impossible to drive it”, he said. Expressing support to BiH’s European integration, Silajdzic said that integration was disabled by the solutions imposed by the international community. He referred to this as the “Dayton embargo” and asked how BiH can move forward if its Entities are less mutually connected than the EU participating states. Dayton Accords has served its purpose, it was good under the given circumstances, but this is not the way to go on, said Silajdzic. The failure to launch the project of building corridor Vc as and many others, Silajdzic explains by the incomprehensible slowness caused by the lack of a single political will in the “feudal BiH”, calling on the international community to insure integration inside BiH before its admission into European structures. Silajdzic does not see that somebody in BiH has a goal. He also believes that there is no will for building the country, but instead for maintaining status quo, which is also the goal of the “negative” part of the international community. |
| Bulldozer initiative third phase launched
| BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Governments supported new reforms’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Request for abolishment of membership fee in the Foreign Trade Chamber’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘FIPA is proposing abolishment of incomes to Foreign Trade Chamber’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic, FENA – BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic, FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic and RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic officially marked the launch of the third phase of the Bulldozer process in Sarajevo on Wednesday. The launch was signaled by the establishment of the BiH Association of Employers. Overall coordination of the Bulldozer process will be gradually transferred to this association. The Association of Employers Founding Assembly Chair Esad Ibisevic expressed hope that this association would take a segment of the Bulldozer Commission’s activities as soon as possible. The association members also requested the adoption of the law on the establishment of the economic-social council at the state level. Terzic expressed satisfaction with the fact that employers had gathered strength to get organised at the state level and by doing so sent to the all governments in BiH a clear signal that the establishment of a single economic space was being done for the sake of BiH citizens and not the international community. He announced that the Coordination Board for Development would adopt at this month’s meeting a total of 355 measures for the next six months as a further stimulation for the creation of a more favourable economic environment in BiH. He also announced the start of open dialogue between the authorities, the Association of Employers and the banking sector. FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic said that the Bulldozer initiative was functioning, but that it could do much better. Many things are not harmonised and are being delayed and are not leading towards significant progress in economic terms, according to Hadipasic. “We need a single economic space and common solutions, a simpler administration procedure, a single fiscal system, more financial discipline and money”, the FBiH Prime Minister said. RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic said that the RS Government is cooperating well with urgent reform task forces and that it used them as a resource. “We shall continue to support urgent reform task forces because this helps the Government to adopt the right reforms and companies to create new jobs”, Mikerevic said. Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays said that the establishment of dialogue between those performing economic activities and those regulating that filed was the most important achievement by the two previous phases of the Bulldozer process. He expressed confidence that OHR would be less involved in this third phase and reiterated that the international community would continue to provide necessary assistance to domestic structures. |
| BiH Presidency discusses audit’s report on the body’s 2003 financial performance
| Herceg Bosna Radio, Oslobodjenje pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘There were no office abuses’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘There were no abuses in spending of budget funds’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Assets are spent in a transparent manner’, FENA – The BiH Presidency adopted Wednesday the report on implementation of the BiH Presidency’s budget for 2003 together with the BiH Auditor’s Office report on financial operations of the body in 2003. The BiH Presidency analysed the audit report and adopted conclusions concerning the plan of measures that should be implemented in the next three months “in order to remove all shortcomings that have been repeating in audit reports for the last three years”. The Secretariat of the BiH Presidency has been tasked to prepare a program of activities until the next session that will ensure the removal of all shortcomings. Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Presidency to be more ready for audit in October’, mentioned on cover, by V. Vujovic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Covic is not going at Tadic’s inauguration either’, by D. Jazvic and Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Covic and Terzic are not going to Belgrade’ by D. Pasic also report that during yesterday’s session the BiH Presidency adopted report on the execution of the budget for 2003 discussed the audit report on the BiH Presidency’s financial operations. With regard to this report Croat member of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic stated that they did not notice anything that would refer on the abuse of office in order to cause some damage within the BiH Presidency and that the same objections with regard to the BiH Presidency’s financial operations were occurring from 2001 until 2003. Covic added that the BiH Presidency tasked its Secretariat to make a program of activities by the next session of the BiH Presidency in order to remove all shortcomings by the next audit that is to take place in October. |
| DL on 3rd GSM license: ‘Official Austria lobbies for Eronet!?’
| Dnevni List, front and pg 2 ‘Official Austria lobbies for Eronet!?’, by De. L. – The daily got a unofficial confirmation from a ‘source from pinnacle of BiH Council of Ministers’ that the 3rd GSM licence will be awarded on July 12, however the source could not reveal whom the licence will be awarded to. Still, the source notes that subjects outside BiH are heavily involved in lobbying and apparently the Austrian Foreign Ministry is exerting great pressures that the licence be awarded to ‘Eronet’. In that context, DL reminds that the manager of ‘Mobilkom Austria’, Boris Nemsic, recently made an offer to buy 50,5% of shares in ‘Eronet’ for 24 million Euros and promised future investments into the company. |
| DL on electricity delivery to ‘Aluminij’
| Dnevni List pg 9 ‘OHR guarantees electricity delivery to Mostar Aluminij!?’ not signed – Commenting on this week meeting during which contract on electricity delivery for Mostar ‘Aluminij’ was signed, DL says that on this occasion Head of the OHR’s Economic Department Patrice Dreiski stated that the decision passed by High Representative Paddy Ashdown on December 31, 2003, according to which electricity cannot be sold unless domestic needs are met, must be completely implemented next year. DL also reminds that General Manager of ‘Aluminij’ Mijo Brajkovic stated that signing of the aforementioned contract was a good opportunity to show to some companies that they cannot have monopoly, since those who have electricity (referring to Elektroprivreda of the FBiH) unfortunately did not attend signing of the contract. Brajkovic added: “This is the problem that the OHR should deal with since the OHR has strength for it.” |
| Funding Old Bridge opening ceremony
| Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Presidency to be more ready for audit in October’, mentioned on cover, by V. Vujovic and Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Covic and Terzic are not going to Belgrade’ by D. Pasic – Among the other things, during yesterday’s session the BiH Presidency discussed the Old Bridge opening ceremony. After the session Croat member of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic stated that it has been demanded from the BiH Council of Ministers and the Federation of BiH Government to make transfer of funds in accordance with their decisions so that all planned activities regarding the Old Bridge opening ceremony would be carried out normally in the coming days. Also, the BiH Presidency believes that all these activities will be finished on time. Dnevni List, pgs 10-11 ‘Resignations of Jahic and Beslic because of lack of funds?’, mentioned on front, by Sanja Bjelica – Carries one in series of articles that re-iterate claims that the opening ceremony for the Old Bridge has been heavily compromised because of lack of funds. According to Deputy Mayor of Mostar, Ljubo Beslic, the ceremony shall be held, however the magnitude of the ceremony depends on the funds. Beslic explains: “Unless there is no money by Friday, Mayor Jahic and I will resign from Organizational Committee for opening ceremony for Old Bridge. In that case, the City of Mostar will take on the organization of the ceremony and organize a modest event during which we will open the bridge. I sincerely hope that the money will come, but in case it does not come, it will not be a ceremony of a state level, it will be City of Mostar’s, a modest one with participants from our city, it will not be pompous, no big names”. DL notes that the FBiH Finance Ministry informed the Department for Finances of City of Mostar that 500.000 KMs would be paid for the ceremony, but the money did not appear on the account yesterday. Deputy Mayor Beslic noted that there were always certain ‘games’ when Mostar is in question, however he said he would talk about it after the opening ceremony. |
| Update to blocking of SDS accounts
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘SDS money coming to accounts of BiH institutions’ – NN carries confirmation of RS Finance Ministry and OHR that on Monday, RS Finance Ministry ahs transferred the amount of almost BAM 33 thousand from the RS NA budget (intended for financing of SDS) onto the special account of the Finance Ministry and Treasury of BiH (opened with BiH Central Banka). |
| Auditors at “Srpske Sume”
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘International auditors at “Srpske Sume” – Mileta Limic, Acting Director of “Srpske Sume” yesterday confirmed that as of Monday, special international auditors have been engaged in audit of financial dealings of “Srpske Sume”. They are doing this in accordance with authority of High Representative. According to NN, OHR yesterday confirmed audit at “Srpske Sume” is ongoing. |
| DL on military apartments in FBiH
| Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Military apartments’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – The author is criticizing the FBiH authorities, the FBiH Minister for Physical Planning, Ramiz Mehmedagic, and Party for BiH in particular, over their engagement in the issue of return of 1500 military apartments to tenancy rights holders, saying that their plan to deny former JNA and officers who are serving in other armies at the moment from getting the apartment back is nothing but legalization of plunder, which also breaches the Dayton Peace Accord, High Representative’s decisions, decisions of the Human Rights Chamber, CRPC’s decisions etc. “None of that matters to the Minister, Federation Government and parliamentarians. It is important to achieve the narrow party goals. The sooner, the better, since elections are around the bend”, concludes the author. |
Political developments/statements | |
| Memorandum on public administration reform signed
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Being closer to EU standards’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘4.8 million euros for reform of public administration in BiH’, SRNA – The RS and Federation of BiH premiers, Dragan Mikerevic and Ahmet Hadzipasic, and the chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, signed in Sarajevo on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding with the European commission for the reform of the public administration in BiH. Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Public administration reform new exam for domestic authority’ by E. Mackic also covered the issue. DL says that this Memorandum was signed as early as in December last year, however, it was necessary to make changes so that domestic authorities can take over the main role in the public administration reform. |
| Announcement of referendum for secession of RS
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Terzic: That is not way by which RS citizens can reach EU’ – According to the daily, in all major RS cities collection of signatures will be organised on July 10 for a referendum on secession of RS from BiH. The initiative has been launched by the RS Together to Truth Association. BiH CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic, Party for BiH leader Safet Halilovic, HDZ BiH Vice-president Josip Merdzo and SDU Vice President Sejfudin Tokic criticised the initiative saying this was not the way to resolve problems and reach EU. According to OHR Spokesman Vedran Persic (Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘OHR: BiH is the state’), a mono-ethnic referendum would not be good basis for making political decisions and would therefore not have legal effect. |
| Mikerevic hopes government crisis to be averted soon
| SRNA, FENA – RS Premier Dragan Mikerevic said in Sarajevo on Wednesday that the composition of the RS National Assembly would be completed, a new Speaker elected and the parliamentary majority defined within the next ten days, in order to avert an RS government crisis. “Failing that, we would most probably have to hold early parliamentary elections,” Mikerevic said. The RS premier pointed out that no-one in BiH needed a crisis of any description and that it was his duty to see to it that the work of institutions was not disrupted. Mikerevic voiced his hope that the political crisis, caused by the recent mass dismissals by the High Representative, would be quickly overcome and that the results of all these changes would become manifest within the next few days, without being reflected in the work of institutions. “I am optimistic about the future of BiH, development of democratic processes and its institutions”, said Mikerevic. |
| PDP officially asks for ejection of SDA ministers from government
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 10 ‘Dismiss ministers from SDA’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘PDP officially requested removal of ministers from SDA’, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘PDP demanded removal of Ministers from line of SDA’ by f, Dnevni List pg 21 ‘Official demand for absolving of duty of SDA Ministers sent’ not signed and Slobodna Dalmacija pg 6 ‘To remove RS ministers in Government’ by A. Macanovic , FENA – The RS Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) on Wednesday sent an official request to RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic to remove ministers nominated by the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) from the Government. The PDP wants Mikerevic to appoint other Bosniak ministers, as prescribed by the RS Constitution. The PDP statement underlined that the aforementioned request was sent in accordance with the conclusions of the session of the party’s main committee held on 2 July. “The reasons for the request for the dismissal of the SDA ministers in the RS government are obstructions to the implementation of reforms in the RS and persistent SDA activities contrary to the interests of the RS,” the statement said. The PDP added that it would back the government in its reform orientation and efforts to join Euro-Atlantic integrations. |
| Cavic: Early parliamentary elections the worst option
| BH Radio 1, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Cavic: Early parliamentary elections the worst option’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Cavic: I will use all the means to prevent crisis in RS’, FENA – The President of the RS, Dragan Cavic, on Wednesday evening addressed the public via RTRS in connection with the recent dismissal of 59 high-ranking entity officials, mostly Serb Democratic Party members, by the High Representative of the international community in BiH. “The recent decision by the High Representative to dismiss 59 Serb Republic officials is political retaliation which has shaken the authorities of this entity, but it is still not certain that this mean the holding of early elections,” Cavic said in the address. “My objective is political stability, not instability. I believe that early elections are a last resort. Elections can take place as a consequence of the constitutional framework determined by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly or a blockade of parliament. In this case they would have to be called. However, I am more inclined to accept solutions that are commonplace in parliamentary life throughout the world – instead of elections, if it is impossible to retain a two-third majority, we should form another one,” he added. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘I will not allow crisis in RS’ mentioned on cover ‘Early elections are worst option for RS’ – In last night’s statement to RTRS, Dragan Cavic, RS President, said that early elections would be suicidal for RS and would bring this entity into a political crisis. He said that early elections, which PDP demanded, would b the worst option, noting he would schedule elections only if constitutional pre-requisites necessary for doing that are provided. He said: “I do not want nor I will cause political crisis in RS. If parties want crisis, they will be held responsible for it.” Cavic last night did not exclude the possibility of seeing SDS join PDP demand for removal of SDA Ministers from RS Government. This move, according to him, would not cause political crisis in RS. He also said he had talks with Boris Tadic, Vojislav Kostunica and officials from RS and F BiH, and they expressed agreement with his view that RS does not need political and institutional crisis. He added: “Sudden elections would be a source of instability. But, if elections took place within constitutional framework, those would be inevitable.” He stressed the priority task of RS authorities at the moment is to constitute RS NA. Cavic referred to removals of 59 officials as political purge, stressing that SDS would form a team of legal international law and human rights experts, who will be providing assistance to each individual removed, who expressed intention to file an appeal to HiRep’s decision. He also said team will be considering the possibility of filing a lawsuit against High Representative before any Court in any foreign state, where such suits can be performed. Cavic stressed: “There is only one Ashdown, and 1.2 million Serbs in RS. SDS has 150,000 members and supporter, and there is only one Ashdown. There are people capable of running SDS amongst those 150,000.” According to NN inset 1 ‘Tihic wants to be “New Alija”’, Cavic accused Sulejman Tihic of running clero-radical politics targeting RS and its people. He added: “The hard stream of SDA is tightly linked with the most radical Clericalists from Islamic community in BiH.” He added Tihic wants to be “New Alija”, who would be leading BiH on the basis of Islamic Declaration. “Radical politics is the most dangerous. It is an environment which creates terrorism”, noted Cavic. According to NN inset 2 ‘Karadzic and Mladic’, Cavic said that RS police is undertaking all measures aimed at locating and arresting war crimes suspects, stressing police has been engaged in extensive operational work for months now. He added: “In case Karadzic and Mladic were located, RS would be freed of enormous pressures and the life of SDS would be mush easier.” According to NN inset 3 ‘PDP officially demands removals’, PDP yesterday addressed an official request to RS Prime Minister to dismiss SDA ministers from RS Government. (Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Time for removals’) Dragan Mikerevic, RS Prime Minister, yesterday stated that RS NA composition will be filled in the coming ten days time, new Speaker elected and parliament majority defined, in order to avoid crisis of RS Government. “Early elections might be scheduled if this did not take place”, noted Mikerevic. (Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Days of denouement coming’) According to NN inset 4 ‘SDA: Possible elections in BiH’, Adnan Terzic, BiH COM Chair, yesterday stated that the PDP demand might lead to early elections in RS. He noted BiH now does not need early eletions. He is of the view this request does not lead towards stabilisation in BiH. |
| NN interview with Dodik | Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘PDP is causing crisis in RS’ mentioned on cover ‘Ivanic and PDP cause crisis of RS institutions’ – In a page long interview to NN, Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, yesterday called on ruling coalition in RS to urgently take a stance on the following issue: would parliament majority continue to function or early elections would be scheduled. He expressed readiness of SNSD to give its contribution to the stabilisation of situation in RS. He said that shifting of responsibility from one party to another only destabilises situation and brings RS institutions in danger. He noted: “I hope there will be enough political wisdom that we all find the best solution to stable and safe future of the RS. In the interest of RS, we should all renounce personal interests, motives, frustration and desires.” He said it is clear to everybody that HR Paddy Ashdown’s measures targeted one group of people from the authority associated with criminal activities, and not RS institutions. He added: “Latest decisions of HR’s do not represent an attempt to abolish RS. These decisions did not destabilise RS, because this is a personal political crisis, not institutional crisis.” |
| SD on current situation following removals of RS officials
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17 ‘Karadzic and Mladic are crushing Serb entity’, by B. Kristo – The author reflects on the events following the removal of 59 officials from the Republika Srpska saying that, apart from the confusion within the SDS and PDP, the removals did not trigger reactions by various associations of war veterans. Furthermore, the author claims that the harsh statements about withdrawing from the authorities and organization of early elections have taken a back seat, because ‘as soon as the heads cooled down’, the SDS and PDP realized that they would not be enjoying a unanimous support from the Serb people the way they had hoped for. SD argues that the real consequence of removals is in coalition partners, the SDA and PDP, finally being honest to each other as seen in the recent statements. Finally, the author notes that the worst consequence is slowing down of reforms processes. |
| D. Covic on crises of RS authority
| Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Presidency to be more ready for audit in October’, mentioned on cover, by V. Vujovic – Asked after the BiH Presidency session to comment on the so-called crises in the RS authority, Croat member of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic stated that the BiH Presidency did not feel any crises and that representatives of all peoples who were submitting reports did it in an ordinary way. |
| ‘Defence and Foreign Affairs Daily’ on HR’s decision on removals
| Dnevni List pg 21 ‘HR in BiH is destroying RS’ by M.R. – DL says that the US magazine ‘Defence and Foreign Affairs Daily’ published an analyses under the title ‘As it has been envisaged Ashdown is making first step to destroy RS’ which among the other things says: “High Representative Paddy Ashdown took steps on June 30 and July 1 to punish community of Bosnian Serbs. His step represents the first move in the envisaged attempts to completely change the Dayton Peace Accord from 1995 destroying the RS by giving authority to the Moslem leadership that was closely cooperating with Osama bin Laden since the beginning of the nineties.” |
| Paravac to attend Serbian president’s inauguration
| BHTV, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Paravac at the Tadic’s as well’, SRNA – The Serb member of BiH Presidency, Borislav Paravac, will attend the inauguration of the newly-elected Serbian president, Boris Tadic, in Belgrade on July 11. All BiH Presidency members received individual invitations to attend the inauguration, Paravac’s cabinet confirmed for SRNA. “Paravac believes that the inauguration of the president is an important event for Serbia and marks the beginning of the end of the crisis in the functioning of the institution of the president of the republic,” an advisor to the Serb member of the BiH Presidency, Drago Vukovic, told SRNA. According to him, Paravac believes that the election and inauguration of the Serbian president will contribute to the development of the relations with BiH and thus with the RS. BiH Presidency members Sulejman Tihic and Dragan Covic will not attend the Serbian President Boris Tadic’s inauguration, but on that day the Presidency chairman Tihic will be in Srebrenica and the Croat member will attend the funeral of the Austrian president. According to Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Cavic and Mikerevic will be on July 11 in Belgrade’, RS President and Prime Minister, Dragan Cavic and Dragan Mikerevic, will also attend Tadic’s inauguration. BHTV, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Presidency to be more ready for audit in October’, mentioned on cover, by V. Vujovic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Covic is not going to Tadic’s inauguration either’, by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Covic and Terzic are not going to Belgrade’ by D. Pasic, FENA – The BiH Presidency did not discuss on Wednesday the invitation to attend the inauguration of Serbian President Boris Tadic scheduled for Sunday in Belgrade. “This issue was not on the agenda”, BiH Presidency member Dragan Covic told journalists. He said that every Presidency member received the invitation individually and that they would all individually decide whether to attend the inauguration. “I will certainly not go”, Covic said. |
| M. Ivanic is paying two-day visit to Croatia
| Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Return of refugees and Ploce Port main topics of talks’ by I. Glibusic and Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Ivanic goes for tow-day visit to Zagreb’ by f – At the invitation of Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul, BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic is paying a two-day visit to Zagreb, where he will meet with Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Zuzul himself. According to DL unofficial information among the other things, they will discuss realization of all the things that were agreed at the last session of the Inter-State Council such as securing of return of refugees by the end of 2004, Ploce Port, passage through Neum, double citizenship etc. Sarajevo media also covered the issue. |
War crimes | |
| Srebrenica Commission will not be able to make final list of missing persons
| Oslobodjenje pg 10 ‘List of missing persons will not be completed within deadline’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘List of missing persons from Srebrenica will not be made by July 17’, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 6 ‘Commission cannot complete its work within stipulated deadline’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘List is not final’, FENA – The Srebrenica Commission Chair, Milan Bogdanic, said that the Commission would not manage to determine the final list of the missing persons from Srebrenica until the set deadline, July 17, and it would therefore request the RS Government that a relevant entity organization or institution takes over this task. Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 6 ‘Commission cannot complete its work within stipulated deadline’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘List is not final’ also covered the issue. According to the dailies, RS Government Bureau for Public Affairs noted that this request of Bogdanic was not discussed at Government session, stressing that at the session dated 1st July, Government made conclusions regarding further activities of Commission. “At this session, Government concluded Commission has carried out tasks from its mandate by having filed final report.” |
| Around 20,000 people expected to arrive in Potocari on July 11
| FTV, FENA – The funeral ceremony for and burial of 338 identified victims of 1995 genocide in Srebrenica will be carried out on Sunday, July 11, at the Memorial Centre in Potocari, the Srebrenica Municipal Official and President of the Organizational Board for marking the ninth anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, Abdurahman Malkic, told FENA. With this ceremony, the total number of victims from Srebrenica buried at the Centre will rise up to 1.327. Malkic estimates that approx. 20.000 people could attend the manifestation of marking the ninth anniversary of the genocide against the Bosniaks of Srebrenica. BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic will address to the participants. Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Funeral for 338 Srebrenica victims’ also covered the issue. |
| RS Government to help commemorate Srebrenica “tragic events”
| BHTV, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ’30,000 from RS Government’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ’30,000 KM for marking Srebrenica anniversary’, FENA, SRNA – The RS Government will, as last year, help finance the marking of the anniversary of the tragic events in Srebrenica and to this effect will discuss at Thursday’s regular session the proposal to approve funds from the current budget reserves to the tune of 30,000 KM. |
| Croatia to pay out war reparation requests
| Glas Srpske cover page story ‘Bloody bills coming up’ – The article is about war reparation claims (260 filed so far), which Serbs from Croatia filed with Croatian judiciary. GS refers to the recent ruling passed by Zagreb District Court, according to which the amount of EURO 85 thousand should be paid out to the family members of Nikola Kosic from Podravska Slatina (who was murdered in 1991), and wonders this ruling represents an intention of Republic of Croatia to, “at least indirectly, admits its dependency was partly acquired over corpses of innocent people, mainly Serbs?” |
| US’ Grossman in SiCG
| EuroBlic pgs 1-2 ‘Time for extraditions’ mentioned on cover “Mladic to The Hague, Generals to Serbia’ – Following yesterday’s meeting with Vojislav Kostunica, Miroljub Labus, Vuk Draskovic and Prvoslav Davinovic, Marc Grossman, the US Deputy Secretary of State, yesterday stressed it is time Ratko Mladic and four military and police Generals were extradited to The Hague Tribunal. He also stated that when Ratko Mladic is in The Hague, US would support the idea of ICTY that other war crime cases are to be resolved by Courts in Serbia. He also said that the issue of cooperation with the ICTY is not an issue, which should satisfy US or Europe demands, but instead “it is a right and good thing for Serb people”. According to EuroBlic inset ‘No deal “Mladic for Generals’”, Florence Hartmann, Spokesperson of ICTY Prosecutor, yesterday strongly denied announcements that extradition of Ratko Mladic would ensure four generals are tried before SiCG courts. She said that there is no bargain with ICTY indictments. |
| Deal “Mladic for four Serbian Generals’
| Vecernje Novosti cover page report ‘Generals stay at home’ – VN learnt from confidential sources that over the past days, the leading political quadripartite team (Serbian President, Parliament Speaker, Prime Minister and his Deputy) has reached a consensus with regard to issue of extradition of Serbian Generals and cooperation with the Hague. They agreed that it should first be determined whether Ratko Mladic were in Serbia, and then proposed that four Generals are tried before Serbian Courts. As VN learnt from its sources, the Americans have expressed readiness to support this idea. |
Security/investigations/legal proceedings | |
| EU head of missions support police reform in BiH
| Herceg Bosna Radio, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘BiH citizens deserve police forces capable of fighting crime’, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Efficient and strong police’, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘People in BiH deserve its Police’, not signed, FENA – The heads of missions of the EC and EU participating states welcome the forming of the Commission for Police Restructuring in BiH as an essential means for improving the overall structure of police forces in BiH. Their joint announcement states that the quality of police has already been significantly improved thanks to support of IPTF and now the EUPM; however, it is still necessary to establish a police structure capable of implementing the law. “The people in BiH deserve police forces that will work in their best interest by combating crime, including organized crime and corruption”, the heads of EC, EU missions in BiH stated. |
| Update to RS police Visegrad action/murder of Lukic
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Charged with murder of Novica Lukic’ mentioned on cover ‘Two special policemen charged with murder of Novica Lukic’; Glas Srpske cover page report ‘Over murder of Novica Lukic: Policemen charged’; EuroBlic RSpg3 “Charged with murder’ mentioned on cover ‘Two special policemen charged’ – The Serb Sarajevo District Prosecutor’s Office yesterday pressed charges against two members of the RS Special Police Unit, Vedran Purisic and Drazen Bojic for the murder of Novica Lukic in Visegrad. Dusko Tomic, legal attorney of defendants, said he would file a motion on this classification of charges, claiming: “This is not a proper classification of crime act. They can be charged with involuntary manslaughter, not the murder, since they had no intention to murder and were just carrying out orders.” According to NN inset ‘RS Interior Ministry will finance defence’, Dusko Tomic yesterday said that RS MoI is informed of charges brought against his defendants. He also said that Ministry informed his it would, after all, finance defence against two special policemen. |
| NN op-ed on security
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘BiH and security’ by Josip Blazevic – The author is referring to the latest Crisis Watch publication, which observed “nothing of importance took place in BiH, in regard to improvement nor deterioration of security situation”. Accordingly, the change in BiH, regarding security issues, remains unchanged. He wonders whether this assessment would change following withdrawal of SFOR, referring to assessment of Senad Slatina, ICG official, who is of the view situation would deteriorate. The solution to this would lay in establishment of BiH institutions, which would no longer acquire international missions. |
| VL on pollution in BiH, depleted uranium
| Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘NATO is not providing the public with maps of areas contaminated with uranium’, mentioned on front, by Milo Jukic – features a story about pollution of BiH during and immediately after the war, noting that mass quantity of medicines had been dumped throughout the country. VL stresses the story about the depleted uranium, which NATO troops used during bombardments of RS Army’s positions in 1995. In that context, VL argues that NATO has avoided to give BiH authorities the exact locations of bombarded sites. |