Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 9 June
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| FBiH Govt on Aluminij today | Potocari Foundation Board session | |
| HDZ Presidency in session today | Milan Lukic to surrender – lawyer | Mladic negotiating surrender |
| Crisis in BiH CoM, BiH authority | World news | Crossing of borders |
TV news broadcast on 8 June
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Snow in Kupres | BiH HoR in session | BiH HoR in session |
| Snow in Biokovo | Ivanic on Terzic’s decision | Report from Zenica prison |
| HR on Ivanic’s dismissal | HR on BiH CoM | HR’s letters to Matijasevic, Stankovic |
| BIH HoR session | Lidija Korac on early elections in BiH | ICTY update |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Bad weather conditions in BiH | Snow in | ICTY report |
| BiH HoR in session | Snow on Vlasic | Ivanic’s resignation |
| BiH students in visit to BiH HoR | BiH HoR discussed crises of CoM | HR on CoM |
| Covic announces changes | RS Parties on Terzic’s decision | SDS Presidency session |
| Oslobodjenje | RS MoI confirmed participation of Serbian police in Srebrenica [massacre] |
| Dnevni Avaz | Ashdown: I strongly desagree with Terzic’s move |
| Dnevni List | BiH Presidency accepts Terzic’s resignation |
| Vecernji List | Scandal in |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Snow drifts in Blidinje |
| Nezavisne Novine | Paddy Ashdown: Politicians got caught in summer madness |
| Glas Srpske | Removal from ambush |
| EuroBlic | Ready for elections |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
| Srpski Nacional | Execution by shooting: this is a Serb |
BiH Council of Ministers’ issues | |
| BiH HoR rejects to call on Terzic to resign
| RHB, BHT1, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Delegates did not want to call on Terzic to resign’ by V. Zivak, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Demand for Terzic’s resignation rejected’ by M. Zorlak, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Rather negotiations than elections’ by eme, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘Hopeless situation’ by B. Kristo, Nezavisne Novine pgs 2-3 ‘Demand for removal of Terzic was rejected’ by M. Cubro –The BiH House of Representatives on Wednesday did not accept the conclusion proposed by SDP representative Zlatko Lagumdzija calling on the Chair of CoM Adnan Terzic to resign. After a several hours long debate regarding the report by Terzic on the situation in the CoM [following his acceptance of the Mladen Ivanic’s resignation due to of CoM to appoint SIPA Director], the House adopted the conclusion that requests from Terzic to make consultations with the political parties in the HoR within seven days in order to overcome current situation in the CoM. Another adopted conclusion [demanded by the opposition] states that the HoR is concerned about the general situation in the country and the crisis in the CoM caused by accepted and announced resignations of ministers. PINK, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘Ivanic hinders way to FTV by Blazica Kristo – Reporter commented that everything is possible to happen in the CoM, including a possibility for Ivanic to return to his position as if nothing has happened. It is even possible, says FTV, that all this has been done to drive PDP away from the government, as they are no longer political leaders in RS. Currently, no one knows weather Ivanic is still a Minister or not. |
| Terzic’s report on CoM causes frenzied debate in HoR: SPRS, PDP, SDS say Terzic caused crisis deliberately; HDZ accuses Ivanic of crisis
| BHT 1 by Gvozden Sarac – During the discussion in the BiH HoR, Deputy Chair Nikola Spiric [SNSD] stated that SDS has found reliable ally in Terzic since “Terzic… wants SDS to be a majority in BIH HoR”. Mladen Novakovic from SDS doubts in appointing new BiH Foreign Minister from SDS. Zlatko Lagumdzija from SDP stated that BIH institutions are generally in crises and that “coalition of three nationalistic parties along with HR have reached the bottom after the 2,5 years”. Hayat by Semsudin Skejic, Denis Zaimovic – SPRS representative Tihomir Gligoric accused Terzic of being the one who created crisis in the CoM. PDP representative Jelina Djurkovic said that Terzic’s decision was illegal. HDZ’s Filip Andric and Lagumdzija were the only ones to support Terzic’s decision, but reporters stress support turned into proposal for Terzic’s resignation. BiH Security Minister, Barisa Colak, says that the CoM is able to continue the work since there are at least two Ministers from all three constitutive nations. He also accused Ivanic and some others ministers of causing the crisis. RTRS by Sladjana Jasarevic – HDZ feels that Ivanic should have withdrawn his resignation in writing and respect the agreement on SIPA and OSA positions reached 2 years ago. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Serb delegates strongly attacked state Prime Minister’ by H. Orahovac – Serb delegates in the BiH HoR told Tezic was acting opposite of the provisions under the Law on CoM. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Eraly elections?’ by A. Macanovic – PDP Vice President Goran Milojevic and Novakovic believe Terzic caused the crises deliberately, while SPRS President Petar Djokic and Dzevad Osmancevic from SBiH say in this way BiH is closer to early elections. SDP Vice President Slobodan Popovic stated that relations between Terzic and Ivanic were also hypocritical before. Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Terzic is releasing political balloons’ not signed SDP member Jozo Krizanovicalso believes that this is another of staged political crisis. FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pgs 2-3 ‘Demand for removal of Terzic was rejected’ by M. Cubro, EuroBlic pg RS1 ‘Decision as in accordance with conscience, after consultations’ by Dusanka Stanisic and pg RS2 ‘Ready for new elections’ by Rajna Radosavljevic and Nedeljka Breberina, announced on cover ‘Ready for elections’also carries Spiric and Lagumdzija. |
| HR Ashdown: ‘Politicians got caught in summer madness’
| RHB, PINK, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Ruling politicians are going through ‘summer madness’’ by A.Omeragic, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘I am expecting from Terzic to return country on way towards EU’ by M. Zorlak, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Ashdown: This is summer madness!’ by dja, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Reforms cannot be stopped’, by F, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Paddy Ashdown: Politicians got caught in summer madness’ by N. Krsman, Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘Ashdown against summer madness’ by D. Stojakovic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Terzic was attacked by summer madness’ by V. Bu., EuroBlic pg RS1 ‘Decision as in accordance with conscience, after consultations’ by Dusanka Stanisic and pg RS2 ‘Ready for new elections’ by Rajna Radosavljevic and Nedeljka Breberina, announced on cover ‘Ready for elections’ – Commenting latest events in BiH CoM, the HR Paddy Ashdown said on Wednesday there are two possible conclusions: the first being that the BiH government reached the end of the process of reform and cannot deliver more, or that “this is all about of summer madness”. Addressing a press conference on the occasion of Adnan Terzic’sto sign the resignation of Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic, Ashdown said that he could not yet tell which of these options is true, but inclined to believe it is the second option. HR added Terzic still has time to ensure CoM continues its work regarding the reforms. FTV by Nikolina Veljovic – HR also informed press he talked to Terzic an hour before announced decision advising him not to do so. “I want to see this political turbulence finished as soon as possible. I hope that Chairman Terzic will do what he has done so far; take over the leadership and assemble all relevant sides in order to resolve this issue fast. I expect them to return to the job and important reforms in order to put the country on the path to the EU,” said HR. |
| Ashdown strongly disagrees with Terzic, but says PM’s has done a lot in carrying out reforms
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘I strongly disagree with Terzic’s move’, pg 3 ‘It is not secret I disagree with Adnan Terzic’s decision’ by S. Numanovic – In an interview with DA, Paddy Ashdown says that he strongly disagrees with the decision of Adnan Terzic to accept resignation filed by Mladen Ivanic as this would present a disturbance in efforts to ensure BiH is on the European path. However, he also says that Terzic’s work is not to be judged only by this and he understands Prime Minister’s frustrations in trying to implement reforms. He underlines that the government under Terzic was the one to carry out the largest number of reforms. |
| BiH Election Comm’s Korac: early elections not possible; HR: Early elections would not be supported by IC
| PINK, BHT 1, Hayat – A member of BiH Election Commission, Lidija Korac claims that organization of early elections in BiH is not a way out of the current situation. She says the early elections would cost about 10 million KM believing this is enough of the reason for BiH citizens to boycott possible extraordinary elections. “In this moment there is no legal possibility of changing or amending the election law and I believe that it is not acceptable”, said Korac. RTRS, Dnevni Avaz inset pg 3 ‘Early elections would bring instability’ – Commenting to the initiatives for early elections, Paddy Ashdown stressed at the press conference this is an internal BIH issue but added that changes to election law that would create long term instability, which would not be supported by the International Community. He added that those changes would also require constitutional changes not believing there is enough political will at this moment. |
| BiH CoM Chair Terzic: I did not think about to resign
| Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘I did not think about to resign’ Vedrana Zivak – In an interview with the daily, BiH Council of Ministers Chairman Adnan Terzic described non-functioning of the state government particularly the Foreign Ministry, resignation submitted by Transport and Communications Minister Branko Dokic, acceptance of the resignation submitted by BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic last December and more and more frequent request for early elections just as a sign it was about a serious problem in the authorities’ functioning caused by relations within the CoM. Terzic emphasized that the candidates to replace Ministers who had resigned should be appoint as soon as possible in order for the reform processes in the country not to be stopped. Terzic denied claims he had officially announced in March this year that Ivanic and his PDP colleagues had withdrawn their resignations. He said that he had just presented a conclusion from a BiH political leaders’ meeting in Neum suggesting that PDP Ministers including Ivanic and Dokic should continue their work in CoM. Terzic concludes that he had not thought about to resign because he was not responsible for any reform failures in BiH. |
| DL: BiH Presidency to accept Terzic’s resignation
| Dnevni List cover pg splash and pgs 2 and 3 ‘BiH Presidency accepts Terzic’s resignation’ by N. Bise – According to reliable information, at its regular session, that is to take place next week, the BiH Presidency will accept the resignation of Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic. DL also says that it is possible that an extraordinary session of the BiH Presidency takes place upon the return of Serb member of the BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac from |
| Ivanic: Terzic stated three month ago that the resignations had been withdrawn
| Glas Srpske cover splash ‘Deciding battle’ by Z. Ma. – BiH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic stated Wednesday that the discussion at HoR showed there is a battle on character of CoM and said Adnan Terzic was trying to gain a control over CoM. Ivanic wonders whether CoM was a joint body or was under a control of Terzic and added if Terzic succeeded in implementing his intentions, BiH would have no future. ‘I can happen easily that Terzic becomes a victim of his own political moves’, Ivanic said. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ivanic: Terzic confirmed three months ago resignations were withdrawn’ by E.S. – In a statement to DA, Ivanic says that he will come back to work on 13 June upon his return from |
| Daily: Ivanic officially dismissed, Hadzikapetanovic takes over heading BiH diplomacy
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘BiH diplomacy is headed by acting chief Ministry’s Secretary Adnan Hadzikapetanovic?!’ by Az. K. – The Spokesperson of the BiH Foreign Ministry, Sulejman Vlajicic, has confirmed to daily that Mladen Ivanic was official dismissed from his position on Wednesday. CoM Chair, Adnan Terzic, has informed him in written of acceptance of Ivanic’s resignation and confirmed that until new Ministry is appoint, BiH diplomacy will be headed by acting Ministry’s Secretary Adnan Hazipkapetanovic. |
| PDP: ‘Ivanic’s removal is attack against Serbs and RS’
| FTV, RTRS, RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ivanic’s removal is attack against Serbs and RS’ by Srna, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Ivanic’s removal is strike on RS’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Authority cannot reach an agreemen on distribution of the chairs’ by D. Risojevic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Attack on Srpska’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘PDP: Illegal attempt of removal of Ivanic’ by Agencies – “The illegal attempt to remove… Mladen Ivanic by… Adnan Terzic is not a strike against Ivanic or PDP, but against the RS and the Serb people in BiH”, was announced by PDP on Wednesday. The Party declares that the “self-proclaimed prime minister” and self-proclaimed “president of BiH Government” is violating the BiH Constitution and the Law on theCoM, forgetting about the measure and the size of his function. PDP deems that Ivanic would remain to be the BiH Foreign Minister. |
| Cavic: Terzic’s decision dangerous
| FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Parliamentary majority cannot stay without PDP’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 18 ‘Extremely dangerous decision’ by A. Macanovic, Nezavisne Novine pgs 2-3 inset ‘Cavic: To resolve crisis without involving personal emotions’, Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘ “Smells” like elections’ by Sl. Pesevic, EuroBlic pg RS1 ‘Decision as in accordance with conscience, after consultations’ by Dusanka Stanisic and pg RS2 ‘Ready for new elections’ by Rajna Radosavljevic and Nedeljka Breberina, announced on cover ‘Ready for elections’- RS President Dragan Cavic considers Terzic’s decision to be very dangerous for the status of the CoM and warns that it can lead to failure of that Institution. SDS Presidency has also issued a statement, stressing that SDS Presidency supports Ivanic as Minister of Foreign Affairs. |
| Reactions by Bukejlovic, Mihajlica, Kunic, Dokic
| RHB, EuroBlic pg RS1 ‘Decision as in accordance with conscience, after consultations’ by Dusanka Stanisic and pg RS2 ‘Ready for new elections’ by Rajna Radosavljevic and Nedeljka Breberina, announced on cover ‘Ready for elections’ – RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic stated that Terzic’s decision is unreasonable. Bukejlovic stated that Terzic’s decision produced a crisis that will slow down the process of reforms in BIH. SPRS believes crisis in BiH are being generated by nationalistic parties that are jeopardising reform processes by their behaviour. SRS’s Milanko Mihajlica says by deciding to remove Ivanic ‘Terzic had, actually, removed himself’. Glas srpske cover pg splash ‘Removal from ambush’ by N. Z. (carries reactions of HDZ’s Ivo Lozancic, Tihomir Gligoric, PDP’s Jelina Djurkovic, SDS’s Momcilo Novakovic, SDP’s Zlatko Lagumdzija) – Petar Kunic had demanded from Adnan Terzic to revoke the decision on removal of Ivanic since it was opposite to laws. Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘ “Smells” like elections’ by Sl. Pesevic – Former Traffic and Communications Minister Branko Dokic did not reject the possibility of organizing early elections. According to Dokic, an alternative is to elect new CoM and recompose parliamentary majority at the state level. |
| Colak: Ivanic lead CoM into crisis
| BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘We will not come long way by breaking political agreements’ by Srna, Nezavisne Novine pgs 2-3 inset ‘Colak: Resignations of HDZ ministers are possible’, EuroBlic RS 1 pg Inset ‘Colak: Agreement was violated’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Ministers are responsible’ – BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak has stated that Mladen Ivanic and some other Ministers have lead CoM in such a situation by refusing, without justification, to vote for any of the decisions that was put on the agenda. He refused to comment on decision of Terzic to remove Ivanic, but he said one should have done everything possible to prevent this from happening. |
| SNSD calls on Terzic, Colak to resign
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Resignations should be offered by both Terzic and Colak’, Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘ “Smells” like elections’ by Sl. Pesevic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Authority cannot reach an agreement on distribution of the chairs’ by D. Risojevic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Big crisis’ – President of the SNSD Executive Board Nebojsa Radmanovic stated that SNSD believes that Adnan Terzic should submit resignation after his 2,5 years long activity failed. Radmanovic also said that that BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak should resign as well since contrary to the Euroepan principles he advocated appointment of the SIPA Director according to the political and not professional criterion. |
| NHI critical of ruling parties; HDZ to discuss Terzic’s move
| RHB, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘NHI: Ruling coalition formed only for serving narrow interests of parties’ not signed – NHI believes that current situation in CoM proves that coalition SDS, SDA and HDZ supported by PDP and SBiH was only formed to please party interests without any idea or programs that would lead BIH to EU. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 18 ‘Covic: Ljubic would divide HDZ’, by Marko Herceg – The newly elected president of HDZ BiH, Dragan Covic, stated on Tuzla-based ‘Radio Soli’ that the HDZ Presidency, which is scheduled to meet today (Thursday), would discuss the situation pertaining to Chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, accepting the BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic’s, resignation. |
| DL op-ed accuses Terzic of creating crisis in CoM
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Terzic imitates Ashdown’ by M. Zorlak – Commenting on Adnan Terzic’s acceptance of Mladen Ivanic’s resignation, the author says that BiH is faced with the political war and the person who is responsible for this war is not Paddy Ashdown but Terzic as he did not consult anyone for everything done during the last few days. The author concludes: ‘It is not hard to conclude that Terzic achieved his goals by imitating the HR a lot. Just like Ashdown, Terzic dismissed Ivanic in a cool manner and Ivanic learnt about his dismissal in media.’ Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Early elections?’ by A. Macanovic wonders whether Ivanic would remain the BiH foreign Minister in case that the HR appointed another person and not Novic to the position of the SIPA Director. |
| SD/DL op-eds critical of appointment of Sredoje Novic
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘It is another regime but service is same’ by M. Erceg carries an editorial on Sredoje Novic’s appointment to SIPA and the author describes Novic by saying: ‘He is an old cadre from the Communist time, the cadre of Radovan Karadzic and his successors, that investigative bodies should deal with instead of appointing him to such responsible position. However, since people who are like Novic and who have similar past like Novic are running BiH it is an illusion to expect that he would be subject of an investigation.’ Dnevni List cover pg splash and pgs 2 and 3 ‘BiH Presidency accepts Terzic’s resignation’ by N. Bise – Commenting on Sredoje Novic’s appointment to the position of the SIPA Director DL says that this is jut another proof of hypocrisy and dirtiest tricks in which Paddy Ashdown and his nationalistic reformers participate. |
War crimes | |
| RS MoI works on gathering Srebrenica information; Stankovic says MoD to finish it part by mid August
| RHB, FTV,Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Matijasevic ordered faster information submission to the Srebrenica Working Group’ by Fena, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Paddy Ashdown demands information on war criminals from Srebrenica’ by De.L., Vecernji List pg 18 ‘Ashdown demands list of war criminals’ by H, Nezavisne novine pg 6 ‘They will send requested data to Srebrenica Work Group’ By R. Segrt, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Requested information will be submitted to the Srebrenica Working Group’ by R.Segrt – RS Interior Minister Darko Matijasevic received the letter from Paddy Ashdown and has already ordered all public security centres to provide the Srebrenica Working Group with the requested information on perpetrators of the Srebrenica crimes in 1995. The spokesperson of RS Police Director Radovan Pejic on Wednesday told Fena that the RS Police Director, in line with Matijasevic’s order, has distributed concrete tasks and appointed the implementers of necessary activities in the RS MoI. HR on Tuesday in separate letters warned Matijasevic and RS Defense Minister Milovan Stankovic that Srebrenica Working Group must urgently be provided with the requested information. Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Names of perpetrators will be known by mid June’ by O. Vukovic – Pejic told daily that RS MoI should complete its task by mid June. BHT1, RTRS – Stankovic stated that he didn’t understand that 31 May was an ultimate deadline admitting nothing has been done last month but stressing that intensive cooperation was carried out with Srebrenica Commission. The task was to verify and reduce a list containing 25 000 names and Stankovic claims that the task was impossible to finish by 31May. RS Defence Minister says plan is to finish the task by end of August. |
| Cavic on Scorpions in BiH
| BHT 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘RS should not distance itself’, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Political revenge’ by Z. Ma. – RS President Dragan Cavic stated that RS Institutions shouldn’t distance itself from the issue of “Scorpions” participation in crimes in Srebrenica, but that they should undertake certain measures. |
| Daily: RS MoI confirms involvement of Serbian police in Srebrenica crime
| Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘RS Interior Ministry confirms involvement of Serbian police in Srebrenica crime’ Azhar Kalamujic – RS Interior Ministry has confirmed involvement of joint forces of Interior Ministries of Serbia, Republic of Srpska Krajina and Republika Srpska under command of Ljubomir Borovcanin in development in and around Srebrenica from July 10-19, 1995, learns the daily from the international circles. These findings representing the first official RS authorities’ confirmation of Serbian aggression on BiH were mentioned in the latest report prepared by the Task Force for the Implementation of the Srebrenica Commission Conclusions, which was signed by the body’s chairman, Jovan Spajic, on May 31 this year. The report was forwarded to the OHR and the RS Government. |
| Ivanic: ‘Srebrenica is the worst example of intolerance’
| BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Srebrenica is the worst example of intolerance and discrimination’– Taking part in the OCSE conference on anti-Semitism in |
| NN op-ed on Srebrenica: ‘Serbs cannot run away from Srebrenica [events]’
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘About honour’ by Pero Simic – Writing about video on killing of Srebrenica Bosniaks, the author notes that snapshots, which represent a minor part of slaughter which took place in this city, should – without any doubt – make all those in RS and Serbia, who have not realised it so far, to acknowledge now what was going on ten years ago. According to him, “Serbs cannot run away from that and there is no other option but to look in the truth’ eyes. It should also be clearly stressed that crimes committed in Srebrenica do not represent crimes of the entire Serb people but instead a group and individuals, whose ideologists and orderers have been hiding for ten years, evading the inevitable responsibility.” |
| VN on war crimes committed in Srebrenica
| Vecernje Novosti pg 2, announced on cover ‘Srebrenisation of Serbs and |
| Nacional publishes picture from video-tape showing execution of a young Serb
| Nacional cover pg splash ‘Death by firing squad: This is Serb’ by E.N. – Daily carries a picture taken from a video-tape, which has been forwarded to the Hague Tribunal a long time ago, showing the execution of a Serb young man. The daily’s source from RS Office for cooperation with the ICTY, says: “Crime is crime, regardless of who commits it and who the victims are. The publication of this video-tape does not minimise pain and suffering of the families of young Srebrenica Muslims, but instead we are trying to prove that same or similar crimes were committed by all sides in war. Neither all the Serbs or Muslims are responsible for those crimes, but instead individuals, who must be brought to justice.” |
| Oric released of 2 counts of indictment
| PINK, BHT1, Hayat, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 4, mentioned on cover, Oslobodjenje pg 11 ‘Noric neither prevented nor punished crimes’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Judges rejected a third of indictment against Naser Oric, mentioned on cover, by A. Hadzic, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Trial against Naser Oric continues’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Oric’s demand for release rejected’ by ra – The ICTY Trial Chamber stated on Wednesday that they released former BiH Army Commander Naser Oric of 2 counts of the bill of indictment, however, the ICTY Trial Chamber instructed continuation of the process for 4 counts of the indictment which charge Oric with violation of law and customs of war in 1992 and 1993 in the area of Srebrenica. |
| No agreement on extradition of war crimes suspects
| RTRS, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Without agreement on extradition of war criminals’ by D. Zadravec – The tri-lateral conference on cooperation between judiciaries of Croatia, BiH and SCG, has been held on Wednesday on Brijuni, Croatia. Conference, organized by the OSCE Mission to Croatia, has not resulted with the declaration foreseeing extradition of war crimes suspects among the three countries, which was opposed by all three countries because the provision violates the countries’ constitutions. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Kovac: BiH position is that criminals should be tried in a country where they committed the crime’ – “A ministerial part of the meeting has been finished and expert groups are now doing their part of the job. The Ministers have presented their views. Speaking on behalf of the BiH delegation, I presented our stance that the criminals should be tried in a country where they committed the crime. This has been BiH’s position from the very beginning and we have not changed it,” said Kovac |
| ICTY notes cooperation still not satisfactory; US Congress discusses Srebrenica resolution
| RTRS – ICTY report on the cooperation of the Balkan countries notes that it is still not satisfactory due to the failure to arrest and extradite war crime indictees. RS has been accused of not wanting to help in locating and arresting Radovan Karadzic. Report also states that Ratko Mladic is hiding in Serbia and ads that Belgrade cooperation with ICTY has been improved in the last 6 months. PINK by Ivica Puljic (VOA) – US Congress has started discussion on the adoption of a resolution regarding the war crimes committed in Srebrenica, proposed by the Congressman Christopher Smith. ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte and President of ICTY Theodore Merron sent the letter to the Congress pointing to the lack of cooperation from RS side. |
| Del Ponte says Gotovina in Mostar, SIPA to investigate
| Dnevni List, pg 10 ‘General Gotovina is in Mostar’, mentioned on front ‘General Gotovina in Mostar?’, by Marko Karacic – DL retells a report originally published by the ‘Globus’ magazine, which carried that the ICTY Chief Prosecutor, Carla del Ponte, told OSCE Ambassadors based in Vienna that she believed that runaway general Ante Gotovina was hiding in Mostar and that he was moving from BiH to Croatia and vise versa. Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Cantonal MoI: We do not have information that general Gotovina is in Mostar’, by H – According to a spokesman of Canton 7 Interior Ministry, Srecko Bosnjak, the said MoI has no information that any ICTY-wanted fugitive was in the MoI’s AOR. Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘SIPA will investigate claims of Carla del Ponte’ – Admir Katica, SIPA Spokesperson, stated that “each information that might help in arresting war crime suspects is subject to investigation. Therefore, we will also investigate into this claim. Still, we do not comment on any information we might have on whereabouts of war crime suspects.” He could not comment on whether SIPA previously had information Ante Gotovina was hiding in Mostar. |
| Serbian weekly “Evropa” claims Mladic negotiating terms of his surrender with Kostunica’ Cabinet | EuroBlic cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘Government is negotiating with Mladic on surrender’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Negotiations on surrender of Ratko Mladic’ – Serbian weekly “Evropa” claims in its last edition that the representatives of the Serbian Government are negotiating Ratko Mladic on terms of his surrender. Referring to anonymous source, paper notes that the final outcome of negotiations might be known in ten days time. Three sides are involved in negotiations: Cabinet of Vojislav Kostunica (namely Aleksandar Nikitovic), close associates of Mladic (Dragomir Pecanac, former Head of Mladic’s Cabinet, and Zdravko Tolimir, also charged before ICTY) and Russian intelligence, whom Mladic trusts. |
Political, economic and judicial issues | |
| DA: HDZ to remove Lucic, Bozic, Nikolic and Maric?
| Dnevni Avaz, pg 4 ‘HDZ to remove Lucic, Bozic, Nikolic and Maric soon?’, by F. Vele – Following a statement by the newly elected president of HDZ BiH, Dragan Covic, that a number of HDZ BiH ministers in the FBiH Government and BiH CoM will be changed, Avaz learns from its source in the HDZ BiH that it is certain that minister Dragan Doko (BiH Minister of Foreign Trade) will leave the post because of family reasons and that FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic will replace him. The source notes that one could lately hear in the HDZ HQ that the FBiH ministers of healthcare and agriculture, Tomo Lucic and Marinko Bozic respectively, are almost as good as gone, whilst the status of the FBiH Defence Minister, Miroslav Nikolic, is uncertain since he is a ‘thorn in the HDZ leadership’s side’. The same applies for BiH Finance Minister Ljerka Maric. The source adds it is only ministers Vrankic and Borjana Kristo (FBiH Justice Minister) whose status is firm. Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Reconstruction of Federation and State Government’, by M. R. – Speculates that ministers Lucic and Bozic might leave, as well as FBiH Minister for Development, Mladen Cabrilo. FTV by Anita Damjanovic– FTV finds out that 4 or 5 ministers FBiH and BiH level will be replaced. Covic said that he will talk to all nine HDZ Ministers in next few days and that after that HDZ Presidency will decide who will leave. |
| Ljubic submits appeal following Covic’s election as HDZ president | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Bozo Ljubic submitted appeal regarding election of Dragan Covic’ by F.V. – DA learns that Bozo Ljubic, defeated candidate for HDZ President position, on Wednesday submitted the appeal regarding the regularity of the elections to the HDZ BiH’s Election Commission. |
| Covic says HDZ will not divide
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 18 ‘Covic: Ljubic would divide HDZ’, by Marko Herceg – The newly elected president of HDZ BiH, Dragan Covic, stated on Tuzla-based ‘Radio Soli’ that he believed that there would not be divisions in the HDZ following the recent party convention. According to Covic, three future objections of the HDZ are the internal party re-organization, preparations for constitutional changes in BiH and preparations for the general elections in BiH, for which Covic believes they will be held next year. RHB by Milan Vego – In an interview to RHB, Covic says that DPA has to be amended. He underlines Croats want equality and to take from the law what belongs to them. |
| Danas says Covic will first try to improve relations with HDZ Croatia
| Danas pgs 14 – 18 ‘First friendship with Sanader and Martens and then purge within HDZ’ by DL team of journalists speculating on first moves by Dragan Covic as new HDZ President, magazine says priority would be to improve the relations with HDZ Croatia and Croatian PM Ivo Sander as well as with representatives of European People’s Party who were against his candidacy. According to the article, then Covic would start with purges within the party and warding of his yes-men with various positions. Danas says that changes at ministerial positions that belong to HDZ would take place soon. |
| Tihic meets Supervisor Johnson, discuss Brcko status
| BHT1, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Talks on the status of Brcko District’ by Nina, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Brcko is a nucleus of entire BiH’ by Onasa, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Brcko is a nucleus of the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina’ not signed – BiH Presidency member Sulejman Tihic on Wednesday met with the Supervisor of Brcko District, Susan Johnson discussing the status of the District within BiH ‘The State should be interested in Brcko District and consensus should exist within BiH regarding the constitutional-legal status of Brcko District’, Johnson emphasized. |
| Cavic denies SDS relations with Privredna Banka
| BHT 1, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘SDS has no connections to Privredna Bank’- SDS President Dragan Cavic said in Banja Luka on Wednesday that the current composition of the SDS Presidency has neither proof nor information about the intention to form a fictional company, a charge leveled against SDS in the Privredna banka Istocno Sarajevo case. Speaking at an SDS Presidency session he said that the disputable company was established in 1997 when Aleksa Buha was the SDS President and he was not even a member of the Party. Cavic said that the decision of the RS Banking Agency to freeze the assets of SDS is loosely based on the Law on Banks, but that it is a precedent in which without any evidence, court verdict or prosecutor’s order an account of a party has been blocked, and ordered that funds be removed from the SDS account even before any court decision has been made. RTRS – SDS also stated that it will hire professional attorney to prove that the lawsuit is unfounded. |
| FBiH Govt to discuss Aluminij issue, DL says crisis in Govt possible
| Dnevni List, pgs 4-5 ‘Party for BiH overthrows Federation Government’, by Arijana Beus – The FBiH Government will today (Thursday) discuss the deal the Government has reached with the ‘Aluminij’ of Mostar according to which the state and stock holders i.e. the workers will have the same number of stocks in the company. DL explains that the deal was arranged on behalf of the Government by the PM Ahmet Hadzipasic (SDA) and Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic (HDZ), however the SBIH is against the deal saying it is not done in a legal procedure. DL reckons that a crisis at the FBiH level will start if the deal goes through in the Government. Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Aluminij unifies years of service of pre-war workers!’, by Zoran Kresic – According to the deal, the workers would have 45% of stocks, the state 43%, however according to the FBiH Minister of Industry Izet Zigic’s proposal, the ratio should be equal, namely 44%. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Proposal for the statement to be owner of minority shares?’ by L.S. also reports. |
| VL: HR Ashdown to grant amnesty to Grabovac today
| Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Ashdown brings Nikola Grabovac back’, mentioned on front ‘Ashdown to grant amnesty to Grabovac’, by Dejan Jazvic – VL learns from sources close to the OHR that the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, will today make public names of second group of BiH politicians who will be allowed to take part in the political life of the country. These officials were removed between 1998 and 2003. According to VL’s information, among officials that will be granted amnesty is a former FBIH Finance Minister, Nikola Grabovac, who was removed by HR Ashdown in 2002 because of the ‘AM sped’ affair. |
| GS reactions to SDA Congress
| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Creators of false nation’ by Z.Markovic-S.Milankovic – Regarding the statement HR Paddy Ashdown gave (when he, according to daily, commended SDA), daily says HR commends protectors of DA destruction and creation of “Bosnian” nation. Momcilo Novakovic says it is evident SDA did not take much of distance from initial programme of its founders, mainly members of organisation “Young Muslims”, adding that SDA stances are not a characteristic for this party solely, but also for all the Bosniak parties in FBiH. Veselin Poljasevic, PDP delegate at the RSNA, says it is clearly seen SDA still wants to accomplish its wartime goals, including unitary state. Krstan Simic notes the SDA stances mark implementation of the idea originating from 1971, when Bosniak Institute was established in |
| Robinson investigating on Govedarica, current President of the Supervisory Board of Elektrokrajina | Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘Toby Robinson preparing a suit against Govedarica’ by R.Cengic – Toby Robinson, Temporary Administrator of Privredna Banka East Sarajevo, will launch proceedings against Milorad Govedarica [recently currently President of the Supervisory Board of “Elektrokrajina”] and several of his associates, over the loan he had taken while assuming the position of “Matres” Director and never paid it back. |