| CROAT RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| 11th anniversary of HVO marked today | World news
| Demolition of private facilities begins at Arizona Market | High-level BiH delegation, HR in Belgrade meet top Serbian-Montenegrin officials |
| BiH Presidency Member Dragan Covic said forthcoming reforms of defence system to be drastic and painful | BiH companies to be involved in reconstruction of Iraq after the war
| Instead of revision of privatisation in accordance with Markovic’s model, privatisation with certificates should be checked, say trade unions | Council of Ministers discusses Law on Citizenship |
| ICTY confirms verdicts to Zdravko Mucic, Hazim Delic and Esad Landzo | High Representative Paddy Ashdown visits Belgrade | BiH and Romania signed a free trade agreement | RS Government accepts proposals of Bulldozer commission |
|
| Regional news | International Day of Roma marked today | Misunderstandings before tomorrow’s appointment of the Presidency member |
| Oslobodjenje | Dragan Covic set up the sale of the Soko building |
| Dnevni Avaz | Biber: We are prepared even for more radical moves! |
| Dnevni List | HR Paddy Ashdown in Belgrade: Lobbying for formulation of clear strategy how to join EU; Lord Robertson in Sarajevo: Soon a joint HQ over BiH armed forces?; Colak: Some earlier agreements not observed |
| Vecernji List | Frost causes damages worth millions; HDZ-SDA partnership collapsing; Bosniaks and Croats together on strike |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Court forbids any questions about the shells!?; HVO deserves credits for defence of BiH |
| Glas Srpski | Ministry of energy, economy and development: Rule Book erases sawmills; Appointment of Serb member to BiH Presidency: Paravac, Gligoric or Kunic |
| Nezavisne Novine | Paddy Ashdown, HiRep to BiH: Authorities must prevent the escape of criminals from Serbia to Bosnia; Following imposition of state of emergency in Serbia: Dealers seek shelters for drugs in RS; Arizona market: Destruction of illegally built objects commences |
| Blic | Paddy Ashdown: Historic chance for the fight against Mafia; Paravac , Gligoric and Kunic in race; Kostunica: I did not know that Tomic and Bulatovic were seeing Legija |
Affairs | |
| Dragan Covic set up sale of Soko building
| Oslobodjenje front page, pg. 6 ‘Dragan Covic set up the sale of the Soko building’ – The BiH Federation Customs Administration has requested return of 640.000 KM and termination of the contract with the Mostar-based Euro-Consulting company over an illegal sale of a non-functional building of the Mostar-based Soko company to the Federation Customs Administration. The facility, placed in the Mostar free zone, was bought in 2000 by then Customs Administration Director Filip Andric. However, the current Croat member of the BiH Presidency, Dragan Covic, who was at the time obtaining duties of the Soko Steering Board Chairman and FBiH Finance Minister, is being mentioned as one of the most responsible persons for the irregularities related to illegal trade with the company’s property. |
| Trade Unions do not give up the revision of the privatisation | Dnevni Avaz front page, pg. 3 ‘Trade Unions do not give up the revision of the privatisation – Biber: We are prepared for even more radical moves!’ – Oslobodjenje pg. 2 ‘Ill-intentioned games around revision’ – The BiH Association of the Independent Trade Unions on Tuesday issued a press release signed by President Edhem Biber with regard to the more frequent attempts to discredit a legal demand for the revision of the illegally done privatisation. “The goal and intention of the BiH Trade Unions Association are to stop and make impossible the practice in which individuals, who were on the social margins all until yesterday, are building their own wealth on the basis of hardly gained worker’s property leaving employees even without basic rights,” the release/letter read. |
| Responsibility for the illegal arms export in the Federation? | Oslobodjenje pages 4-5, mentioned on the front page ‘Illegal arms export: Removals in the FBiH as well?’ – The final report on the Orao affair prepared by the Tiger international team, after which Mirko Sarovic resigned from the office, points out at a possibility that RS Deputy Defence Minister Nikola Delic and General Marinko Siljegovic are removed from the offices as well. It however also points out at a possibility that, over an illegal arms export, some managers of the companies from the Federation and officials of the FBiH Defense Ministry are also removed. “The further investigation is justified particularly into some contracts which FBiH and RS together with Yugoimport might be involved in. The findings might justify removals of some directors and officials of the FBiH Defence Ministry,” reads a report presented to the newspaper by a well-informed source. |
| Oslobodjenje editorial: The state of crime | Oslobodjenje pg. 2 In Focus editorial by Daniel Omeragic ‘The state of crime’ – “There is almost no a day without discovery of a new affair in BiH. An unarranged state is an ideal place for crime,” Omeragic wrote referring to the ongoing investigation into the UN arms embargo violation in the BiH Federation and the alleged involvement of the BiH Presidency member Covic in the irregular sale of the Mostar’s Soko property. |
International community/OHR | |
| Ashdown in Belgrade
| Oslobodjenje pg. 2 ‘Organised crime represents a regional problem’, FENA, Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Paddy Ashdown calls for an alliance against crime’ By Sead Numanovic from Belgrade – The issue of the war crime indictees who are still at large dominated meetings of the High Representative Paddy Ashdown with the top officials of Serbia and Montenegro in Belgrade on Tuesday. In a way, the discussion was aimed to initiate a sort of a hunt on the persons wanted by The Hague Tribunal. “The High Representative exchanged information on the issue particularly during his meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic and Interior Minister Dusan Mihailovic,” Chief OHR Spokesman Julian Braithwaite told Avaz. Dnevni List (front and page 4, by Fena, “Lobbying in order to formulate clear strategy for entering EU”) and Vecernji List (page 2, by Fena, “Ashdown in Belgrade because of Mafia”) quotes OHR Spokesman Oleg Milisicas saying that High Representative for BiH Paddy Ashdown was paying a two-day visit to Belgrade where he will attend Southeast Europe Cooperation Process Summit. Nezavisne Novine, page 2/also cover page, ‘No boundaries for crime’; Glas Srpski, page 3, ‘Free space for crime’ – Both dailies report on yesterday’s Belgrade visit of the HiRep to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, and his meeting with the officials of Serbia and Montenegro. NN carries a short interview, which was taken during the break HiRep had between meetings with Serbian officials in Belgrade. According to HiRep, there are no boundaries for criminals. Furthermore, “if BiH does not have efficient mechanisms to catch criminals, the Serbian criminals and cheats would cross to BiH, and vice versa. If we all failed to raise possibilities to a higher level, we would never be able to catch criminals in our states. This is a regional problem, which should be tackled from the regional level.” Responding to press question as to whether he is familiarised with the connections between the so called Bosnian lobby in Belgrade and RS officials, HiRep said that we should not be surprised over the fact that the crime is linked across boundaries. As to the areas in BiH, with the biggest presence of criminals, HiRep referred to the areas of Trebinje (owing to its closeness to Montenegro), Capljina (owing to its closeness to Croatia) and Bijeljina (owing to its closeness to Serbia). |
| Ashdown for Blic on the fight against organised crime
| “Organised crime and Mafia are the problem of the whole region and the fight against that evil must be tackled from the regional level”, High Representative Paddy Ashdown says. Pointing to the Belgrade’s authorities’ measures against the organised crime, Ashdown says “we have to use this historic opportunity and alongside with the Belgrade’s authorities fight against the organised crime. That is the only way to arrest Karadzic and Mladic, to apprehend Djindjic’s assassins. That is the only way to get rid of Mafia that has out citizens in its hands.” Ashdown says that BiH is ready for the fight against organised crime, because in BiH there is the rule of law based on the separation between the authority and judicial bodies. He reiterates his readiness to help the official Belgrade in solving this evil, announcing new measures against criminals, such as freezing their accounts and ban on issuing visas. Ashdown says he has proposed that to the EU and he hopes the EU will agree on that at the summit in June in Thessaloniki. Asked whether taking away ‘statehood’, ‘independence’ and ‘sovereignty’ from the entities means weakening of the entities’ roles, Ashdown says it is not true. “That is the way of thinking of those who want to frighten the others so that they do not undertake anything. The Dayton is my legal basis. One day it will be changed, but it will be changed by the people of this country and not by the IC. I already said I would defend the rights of entities defined by the Peace Accord. But I cannot close my eyes before the fact that the entities subvert authorities that the Dayton given to the state. The RS did not only violate the UN resolution but the DPA, on which our peace is based, as well.“ Ashdown mentions two firms from the Federation, Vitezit and Unis that also violated the UN embargo on weapon trade with Iraq, but says that those are private firms that did not work in cooperation with the government and therefore there is no political responsibility, only responsibility of their directors. At the end of interview, Ashdown says that the IC will remain in BiH as long as BiH does not become a functional state on the road toward Europe. “We have written the Mission Implementation Plan. It foresees six tasks we have to implement and when that happens we will leave.” (Blic pg. 7 headline ‘Historic chance for the fight against Mafia’) |
| VL on HR’s decision with regard to travelling abroad of high-ranked officers from both entities | Vecernji List (page 5, by D.J., “They do not know who to follow”) carries that by the end of May this year Standing Committee for Military Matters and the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs should harmonise procedures and pass regulations on the ground of which the decision of High Representative Paddy Ashdown on the obligation to register all trips abroad of the high-ranked officers from both entities will be implemented. VL says that although the HR envisaged in his decision that the officers who are planing to travel should inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about it, the Steady Committee for Military Matters will be also involved in the process of registration and checking. Prior to drafting of regulations and procedures the joint meeting with OHR will take place in order to get more detailed explanation as to who will be treated as the high-ranked officer. |
| Lord Robertson visiting Sarajevo tomorrow | Under a title “Soon a joint HQ over BiH armed forces?”, Dnevni List (front and page 3, unsigned) reports that an SFOR spokesman, Dale MacEachern, confirmed that the NATO Secretary General, Lord George Robertson, is going to visit Sarajevo tomorrow when he is to meet the COMSFOR, Lt-Gen William Ward, members of BiH Presidency and Secretary General of Standing Committee for Military Matters. Sarajevo dailies also report on the issue. |
Political developments | |
| Oslobodjenje editorial: Who rules in BiH?
| Oslobodjenje pg. 2 Editorial by Amra Kebo ‘Who is ruling in the state?’ – “Local politicians live in fear of the international officials. Our state is being created in that fear, which is bad both for us and the state,” concludes Kebo claiming that the only certain authority in BiH is the authority of the international community. |
| Paravac, Gligoric, Kunic running for the Presidency | Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Paravac, Gligoric, Kunic running for the Presidency’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Paravac, Gligoric, Kunic candidates for the Presidency’ – Borislav Paravac (SDS), Tihomir Gligoric (SPRS) and Petar Kunic (PDP) are the candidates for the Serb members of the BiH Presidency nominated so far. Ahead of the today’s session of the BiH House of Representatives, it is therefore still uncertain who will replace Mirko Sarovic in the office. Nezavisne Novine, page 7, ‘Match between SDS and PDP with Paravac and Kunic’; Glas Srpski, cover page story, ‘Paravac, Gligoric or Kunic’, Blic pg. 7 headline ‘Borislav Paravac, Tihomir Gligoric and Petar Kunic in race’ and Vecernje Novosti pg. 3 headline ‘Paravac is the favourite’ also cover the issue. |
| SNSD to propose change of the Election Law
| Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Carrying out replacements on the basis of gained votes’ – The President of the SNSD, Milorad Dodik, said on Tuesday that the party’s delegates to the BiH Parliament would initiate changes of the provisions in the BiH Election Law defining the replacement of the of the BiH Presidency members. The amendments would allow a candidate who is next on list by gained votes to automatically succeed a dismissed member of the Presidency. In that case, Mirko Sarovic would be replaced in the office by the SNSD’s Nebojsa Radmanovic (Oslobodjenje pg. 3 quotes SNSD’s Milorad Zivkovic on the same issue). |
| CRO Press on the election of the Serb member of the BiH Presidency | Vecernji List (page 5, by Eldina Medunjanin, “Borislav Paravac has biggest chances today”) also announces that the BiH House of Representatives should appoint a new Serb member of BiH Presidency at a session scheduled for today. According to VL, only two candidates have been nominated so far, Borislav Paravac (SDS) and Tihomir Gligoric (SPRS). VL gives minimal chances to Gligoric given the number of MPs SDS and their coalition partners PDP have in the chamber. Also, the daily announces that the BiH House of Peoples, which is supposed to confirm the appointment, is to take place by end of the week. Dnevni List (page 10, unsigned, “SDS has a right to its candidate”) carries the SDS President, Dragan Kalinic, as saying that neglecting of SDS, as the RS strongest party, and neglecting of the will of the electorate must stop. “SDS got around 180.000 votes for its candidate for the BiH Presidency and that’s 80.000 more than the second-placed candidate and on basis of that, this mandate belongs to SDS”, says Kalinic. The same papers on the same page carries the President of SNSD, Milorad Dodik, as saying that SNSD will push for changes of the BiH Election Law. |
| Voting on non-confidence in the sate Government? | Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Voting on non-confidence in the sate Government?’ – The deputies in the BiH House of Representatives will today vote pro or contra an initiative for vote on non-confidence in the state government launched recently by the SNSD caucus and deputy Tihomir Gligoric. |
| HDZ and SDA fail to reach agreement on HNC Government | Vecernji List (front “HDZ-SDA partnership collapsing” and page 3 “HDZ-SDA partnership collapsing on Mostar?”, by Zoran Kresic) reports that negotiation between HDZ and SDA on formation of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Government, held on Monday night, failed to give results thus creating tensions between the two parties. Acting President of HDZ BiH, Barisa Colak, who participated in the talks together with his party colleagues Dragan Covic and Niko Lozancic, blames SDA for the failure because SDA tied the establishment of authority in Mostar to the way the authority has been established in Central Bosnia Canton. In that context, Colak says such requests are unrealistic because HDZ wants the authority to be established in accordance with the election results and 1991 census. Colak however announced the talks would continue. On the same issue, Dnevni List (front and page 7, by Miso Relota, “Colak: Some earlier agreements not observed”) carries Colak as saying that SDA did not observe some earlier agreements between the two parties, foremost regarding the abolishment of parallelisms saying it would appear SDA cannot show readiness to abolish the parallelisms. Asked whether the decision now lies with the OHR, Colak says: “We expect contacts with the IC. We will probably contact OHR representatives one of these days. As things stand at the moment, it is obvious we will need some sort of service from the OHR. I do not see other way how to solve the problem.” The same daily carries a statement by a Vice President of SDA, Elmir Jahic, who says SDA is of an opinion that the best solution would be that representatives of the two parties at the cantonal level find a solution. “The characteristic of HNC is that no people has the absolute majority so it is logic to expect that political representatives of any people cannot have an absolute majority in the HNC Government”, says Jahic. Jahic says the Government should be formed in accordance with the Federation Constitution which stipulates that a cantonal government is formed on basis of the last census from 1991. |
| Ivanic with Svilanovic | Nezavisne Novine, page 3, ‘Serbia to deliver to BiH a list with names with potential criminals’; Glas Srpski, page 3, ‘Names to be revealed’ – Both dailies report on yesterday’s meeting in Belgrade between BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, and his Serbian counterpart, Goran Svilanovic. Svilanovic stated that the request of the BiH Foreign Minister (that Serbia should deliver the list with the names of persons from RS and BiH, suspected of their involvement in organised crime) will be met and such would be delivered to the BiH institutions in charge. Ivanic yesterday also met with his counterparts from Albania, Ilir Met, Macedonia, Ilinka Mitreva, and also with Turkish and Bulgarian Ambassadors to Serbia and Montenegro. Ivanic stressed that the main topic discussed at these meetings was the chairmanship of BiH over 6th Summit of the Southeast Europe Cooperation Process. Nezavisne Novine, page 3, ‘Dealers seek shelters for drugs in RS’ – Following the assassination of the Serbian PM, Zoran Djindjic, and the imposition of state of emergency in Serbia, the increased controls in Serbia have forced Serbian drug dealers to seek for a new shelter for drugs. And it seems like that appropriate shelter is RS. Milan Stankovic, Head of drugs and drug addiction at the RS MoI, said that RS police recently detected and confiscated over 35 kg of marijuana in Ugljevik area, which was supposedly transferred to RS from Serbia. According to him, the drug market in RS is supplied by the Serbian dealers or via Serbian dealers. |
| Ivanic on BiH lawsuit against FRY/Serbia and Montenegro | “It is obvious that there is no single stand on BiH lawsuit against FRY (now Serbia and Montenegro). In regard to that the BIH Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have any direct activities, but in its work it should turn toward the future, achieving good agreements and making life easier for people. It does not mean that the lawsuit does not create problems in our everyday work, but if one good atmosphere is created already launched positive processes might be continued in the whole region”, BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic says. (Vecernje Novosti pg. 2 headline ‘No agreement on the lawsuit’; Blic pg. 7 ‘To turn toward the future’) |
| SDS spokesperson on relations with PDP | Nezavisne Novine, page 7, ‘There are problems with PDP, but those are solvable’ – Dusan Stojicic, SDS Spokesperson, yesterday stated that relations between SDS and PDP would not face with a definite crisis and finally be broken, because such would represent a major challenge for the RS. He further stressed that the time would show “that relations between these two political parties do not have a realistic political alternative at this point in time. And this fact should be lesson for both parties. |
| RS Gov. convened | Glas Srpski, page 2, ‘Package for changes’ – Following yesterday’s session of RS Government in Banja Luka, Dragan Mikerevic, RS Prime Minister, stated that RS Government has set a package of laws from the field of economic reforms, rule of law and reform of civil service. It would recommend the RS NA to pass these laws asap. At yesterday’s session, the RS Government also adopted, in principle, 19 measures proposed by Bulldozer Commission. Out of these, three measures (regarding taxation of citizens, shelter fee and membership at Chambers of Commerce or of Apprenticeship) should be harmonised at the meeting with the BiH Federation officials on 21 April in Banjaluka. |
| RS NA to resume session | Glas Srpski, page 2, ‘Discussion on audits resumes’ – RS National Assembly is today expected to resume the 4th regular session with discussion on the remaining 12 audit reports of the RS Chief Auditor. RS NA is also to discuss the request for the change of newspaper name from “Glas srpski” into “Glas Srpske”. |
Economic affairs | |
| Arizona Market
| Nezavisne Novine, page 4/also cover page, ‘Destruction of illegally built objects commences’ – Destruction of illegally built objects at the Arizona market in Brcko commenced yesterday. The action was launched early in the morning, with the local police assistance. |
| Sawmill owners to face problems | Glas Srpski, cover page story, ‘Rule Book erases sawmills’ – Rule Book on minimal technical and technological conditions for the work of sawmill will spoil the plans of many owners of power saws, saws and many other machines for wood-cutting in RS. The Rule Book sets that the owners of 920 sawmills in RS should have obtained decisions on meeting all conditions necessary during the course of this year. |
| SD on relations between Head of Federation Customs Administration Zeljko Rebac and Lijanovici
| With regard to the case that charges Lijanovici company with violation of customs regulations and damaging the state for 39 million Marks, Slobodna Dalmacija (front and page 14, by Petar Milos, “Until yesterday he had been turning blind eye now he has got back to his sight”) carries that as a member of the Tax Administration Management current Head of Federation Customs Administration Zeljko Rebac was familiar with this case, however he did not do anything to prevent it expecting that with the Lijanovici’s assistance he will become the Head of the Mostar Customs Office. The source from the Customs Administration, who wanted to stay anonymous, says that stronger political lobby, who appointed Rebac the Head of the Federation of BiH Customs Administration, appeared and Rebac turned his back to Lijanovici and became the most persistent person when resolving of this case is in question. |
| Agreement on Free Trade between BiH and Romania signed | Vecernji List (page 2, by Fena, “Free trade with Romania”) and Dnevni List (page 5, by F. Mackic, “Agreement on Free Trade between BiH and Romania signed”) carry that BiH Minister of Trade and Economic Relations Mila Gadzic and State Secretary for Foreign Trade Eugen Dijmarescu signed Agreement on Free Trade between BiH and Romania in Sarajevo yesterday. According to Gadzic, for BiH the Agreement presents liberalisation of foreign trade courses and it is one of the reform steps, that BiH implements within all economic reforms. Sarajevo dailies also reported on the issue. |
| Hrvatske Telekomunikacije has nothing against issuance of the third GSM license to Eronet | Slobodna Dalmacija (page 14, by Miroslav Landeka, “GSM to Eronet – Eronet to HT!”) carries a report from yesterday press conference by the HT Mostar (Croat telecommunications Mostar) during which the Chair of HT Supervisory Board, Slavo Kukic, said the HT had nothing against the “Eronet” receiving the third GSM license but under a condition that 51% of “Eronet” stocks be returned to the HT Mostar. In that context, Kukic said the destiny of some 2000 HT Mostar workers depends on the issuance of the license. (Dnevni List, front and page 3, by J. P., “Kukic: We support issuance of license to Eronet, but with return of ownership to HT”,Oslobodjenje) |
| Jago Lasic says that Federation of BiH Economic Chamber is ready for transformation | Slobodna Dalmacija (last page, by Fena, “Chamber is ready for transformation”) carries President of the Federation of BiH Economic Chamber (PKFBiH) Jago Lasic as saying that PKFBiH is already prepared for transformation. With regard to the proposal of changes and amendments to the Law on Economic Chambers, SD also carries that according to proposed solutions, that the Federation of BiH Government adopted on Monday according to recommendations of the Bulldozer Commission, the crucial change of the law refers to the abolishment of obligatory membership in the Economic Chambers. |
Other issues | |
| Destiny of “Algiers group” in hands of Americans
| Vecernji List (page 5, by D. Jazvic, “Destiny of Algiers depends on decision of US Government”) notes that despite the decision of BiH Human Rights Chamber which ordered the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take action and provide legal aid to two members of the so-called “Algiers group” and despite a meeting that was held some six months ago between the then BiH Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Civil Affairs, Ivica Misic and Jusuf Halijagic respectively, on one side and the US Ambassador to BiH, Clifford Bond, on the other, when Bond promised he would submit a report and ask for instructions from Washington, no reply has come from the US State Department. VL concludes by saying the BiH authorities have nothing to do but wait for a decision from Washington. |
| SD on Mostar mortar rounds case
| With regard to the case of Mostar mortar rounds, Slobodna Dalmacija (front and page 15, by Marijan Sivric) carries Faruk Balijagic, a lawyer of one of the suspects in this case, as saying that according to someone’s instruction the Court (Mostar Municipal Court I) banned questioning of the most important persons who are deeply involved in the whole case and for this move, meanwhile, Municipal Judge Tatjana Kazazic and Municipal Prosecutor Sead Temin were promoted to higher positions. Balijagic also singles out the President of the Trial Chamber, Halil Maksumic, who is according to Balijagic an immoral person, who enjoys SDA support when the exchange and allocation of construction plots as well as many other activities are in question. Balijagic also says: “In case that the circles of the International Community who support rule of law send a message that they want implementation of law and not anarchism and legal mess then this case has to be returned to the process of investigation.” |
| Denial by Bjelica | Nezavisne Novine, page 3, ‘I do not know Borislav Mikelic’ – Milovan Cicko Bjelica, the removed Serb Sarajevo mayor, claims he had never cooperated with Borislav Mikelic, last prime minister of RS Krajina. Blic pg. 3 – “The RS Ministry of Interior Affairs does not have any official information on the connection between former President of Serb Krajina Borislav Mikelic and certain structures of the RS authorities and Zemun clan”, spokesman of the RS Interior Ministry Zoran Glusac says. He adds that the RS Ministry of Interior Affairs has conducted series of checks requested by the Serbian Police. According to Glusac, there is possibility that a part of Zemun clan is in the RS or that domestic criminals cooperate with their ‘colleagues’ from Serbia. |
| Serbian-Montenegrin Defence Minister on cooperation with RS Army | Nezavisne Novine, page 3, ‘Cooperation with RS Army ceases’ – Boris Tadic, Defence Minister of Serbia and Montenegro (SCG), stated that the SCG Army no longer cooperates with the RS Army. Vecernje Novosti pg. 3 ‘The World does not reproach anymore’ also carries the statement. |
| BiH Press Council: New officials appointed | Nezavisne Novine, page 8, ‘New Director and Manager elected’ – BiH Press Council yesterday appointed Nermina Durma as the Director of Press Council Secretariat, and Zinada Babovic as the Media and Public Information Manager. BNIH Press Council is the first self-regulatory institution of this kind in BiH and southeast Europe. |
| FBiH’s Minister Mehmedagic on military apartments | Glas Srpski, page 5, ‘They return in order to take it away’ – The changes announced by Ramiz Mehmedagic, BiH Federation Minister for Urban Planning, regarding the regime for property reinstatement to officers of the former JNA, indicates that the apartments would not be returned to the majority of their pre-war tenancy holders. Mehmedagic explained that Article 3a of the Law on cessation of Law on abandoned apartments would be changed. Accordingly, the former JNA officers, who were not BiH citizens until 30 April 1991, will be enabled to get in possession of military apartments. According to Mehmedagic, the provision, according to which the military apartments would not be returned to those officers, who remained in service of military troops of the neighbouring states until 14 December 1995, remains in effect. |
| Cropress on 11th anniversary of HVO | Vecernji List (page 2, by I. Brkic-Cubela, “HVO lined up before Covic”), Dnevni List (page 13, by S.B., “Covic and Nikolic laid wreaths at Masline cemetery”) and Slobodna Dalmacija (page 15, by Darko Juka, “HVO gets credit for defense of BiH”) carry that 11th anniversary of HVO was marked yesterday. Among numerous ceremonies, lining up of the Croat component of the Federation of BiH Army before Croat member of the BiH Presidency Dragan Covic also took place. Covic stated that further rationalization of the Army is painful but inevitable. Federation Minister of Defense Miroslav Nikolic stated that calling HVO a parallel and criminal formation as well as criminalization of the whole Homeland War is an act of those who have a clear political goal to minimize importance and equality of the Croat people in BiH. |