09.09.2005

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 9/9/2005

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Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 9 September

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

12th anniv. of Grabovica massacre

OHR on SBS

Cenic on police talks

SDHR Ney met with D. Covic

Ivanic criticises Terzic

Dodik’s comment

HNC Education Minister to hold pc

FBiH Government crisis

RS NGOs against police reform

TV news broadcast on 8 September

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

CoM session

EC on police reconstruction

HR and Solana on Police reform

Colak on SBS Director

CoM failed to appoint SBS Director

Report on separation of schools

FBIH Government session

CoM passed law proposal on ITA

CoM session

HR on police reform

RS Government on “Vitol” contract

Ivanic got visa forUSA

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

HR and Solana on police reform

Police reform

Police talks without agreement

CoM failed to appoint SBS Director

HR and Solana on Police reform

RS POW on defence authorities

Statements on police reform

CoM session

CoM session

ICG- SDS needs to be banned

Speculations on the SBS director

Trial to Dodik and Kondic

 

Oslobodjenje

FBiH Government without Ministers

Dnevni Avaz

Del Ponte: The first thing to do is to grab Mladic

Dnevni List

Croat dangerous for state security !?

Vecernji List

Herzegovina  : 6 Croats under investigation because of Gotovina

Slobodna Dalmacija

Covic leaves ‘at his own request?’

Nezavisne Novine

Illegal alcohol bottling plant was discovered

Glas Srpske

Slaughterers of Abdul Aziz

EuroBlic

Features Serbian related titles

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

Srpski Nacional

Features Serbian related titles

 

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Ashdown appoints SBS/SIPA leadership

 

 

SRNA Paddy Ashdown today appointed Vinko Dumancic as the SBS Director. In a letter sent to Adnan Terzic, Barisa Colak and Mladen Ivanic the HR expressed “deep regret” at having to take this decision, but also noted concern that SIPA and SBS remain weakened by the CoM’s failure to appoint senior management to posts that have been vacant for several months. Ashdown also appointed Vahid Alagic as SBS Deputy Director, Sead Lisak as SIPA Deputy Director, Dragan Lukac as Assistant Director for the Criminal Investigation in SIPA and Mirza Lisinovic as Assistant Director for the Internal Control in SIPA. OHR underlined all these appointments are based on merit as scored by the CoM selection committee.

Ivanic says Terzic created new political crisis in BiH

 

RTRS, BH Radio 1 – BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic said that the BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzic had created a new crisis of government in BiH by rejecting to vote for candidates for SBS heads yesterday. Terzic cares much more about his party’s position than about the interests of the country, said Ivanic. 

Cenic on police reform

 

RTRS Svetlana Cenic, RS Finance Minister and a member of the RS negotiating team in police talks, has confirmed that during negotiations, RS delegation has expressed readiness to reach compromise on some issues, adding that the issue of public safety should be kept within entities authority. She announced that RS negotiating team is preparing a full report for the next session of the RS NA.

FBiH Vice-president Dzihanovic says crisis of FBiH Govt created by SDA, HDZ

BH Radio 1 – Crisis of the FBiH Government is continuously being produced by SDA and HDZ through their permanent conflicts with ministerial office holders, according to FBiH Vice-president Sahbaz Dzihanovic. Dzihanovic reiterated that FBiH President Niko Lozancic had violated legal procedure in ministerial appointments.

On SDHR Ney’s mtg with Covic

RTRS, RHB – SDHR Martin Ney and HDZ BIH President Dragan Covic had a meeting today in Mostar.  This is their first and introductory meeting. During the meeting they have discussed current status of reforms needed for BiH’s further advance down the Euro-Atlantic integrations among which are defence reform, police reform and public broadcasting. 

 

SBS leadership appointments / Police reform

CoM fails to appoint SBS leadership after Terzic rejects Peric’s nomination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BHT 1 by Marina Boskovic – At the session on Thursday, the Council of Ministers has failed to appoint the Director of State Border Service. CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic stressed that the problem is not the expertise of candidates but the ethnic balance. He voted against the appointment of Robert Peric for a Director and Vahid Alic for deputy Director, believing that this distribution of positions infringes the ethnic balance in the security structure in BiH: “I think that this is product of a situation that appeared after Mladen Ivanic broke down the BiH Presidency’s agreement that defined the national division within certain state institutions.Hayat – Terzic stressed that BiH Presidency doesn’t want to make a new agreement and this puts them in a dead-end  position. Asked which is more relevant, professional or ethnic background, Terzic said: “I don’t know in which country you live in! Absolutely, professional criteria are something that is priority, but BiH has Constitution and I urge you to read it and see that someone in this country has to provide equality of peoples”.  While Terzic stated that he would be disappointed if HR would appoint SBS Director as he did with SIPA. CoM will discuss the appointments again in 7 days. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Prime Minister Terzic voted against Peric’s appointment’, mentioned on cover, by V.Z. – Daily comments that while Terzic has stated that his party, SDA, has also instructed him against Peric’s appointment, it learned that OHR doesn’t support this candidate either as he is apparently not competent enough to perform the leading position. Oslobodjenje learns Paddy Ashdown has apparently instructed Terzic not to vote in favour of Peric. Asked to comment this, Terzic answered they should ask HR that question. RHB – BIH Security Minister Barisa Colak commented for RHB that the objection on disturbing ethnic balance if Croat was appointed was not valid, and added he wouldn’t be surprised if HR Paddy Ashdown was to intervene regarding this appointment. In addition to police, the CoM endorsed the draft law on the Indirect Taxation Administration and will forward the law proposal to the BiH Parliament in urgent procedure. FTV, RTRS, PINK, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Terzic voted against Colka’s proposal as well’, Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 5 ‘Croat dangerous for state security’ by E. Mackic, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Terzic prevented appointment’ by D. Jazvic, v  – also reported.  

FTV: HR to appoint Dumancic as SBS director?

 

BHT 1, Hayat, RTRS, PINK, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ashdown to appoint SBS Director’- The failure of the BiH Council of Ministers to appoint the Director and the senior leadership of the SBS on Friday represents a very worrying fact, OHR stated. OHR said that Paddy Ashdown, who announced he would impose appointment in case an agreement is not reached, is consulting the EUPM and considering action he should take urgently. FTV – FTV found out from the sources close to the International Community that HR could appoint the new SBS Director even on Friday. FTV claims that, although Robert Peric and Vahid Alic have achieved the best results and were placed at the top of the list, HR will appoint Vinko Dumancic as a new SBS Director.  Sources reveal that the reason for Dumancic’s appointment is his long experience with the police force. HR will also appoint Deputy and Assistant to the Director of SBS. Reporter noted that HR would appoint Deputy of Director of SIPA and high officials within this organisation.

Ashdown meets Solana: Police reform principles will not change

 

BHT 1 by E. Bucalo – An unexpected visit of High Representative Paddy Ashdown to EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Security Javier Solana on Thursday in Brussels was mostly focused on the recent events regarding the police reform negotiations. After these negotiations failed once again on Wednesday in Sarajevo, many EU representatives reiterated that there are no negotiations on the three EU principles regarding the police reform: exclusive state authority over the police, eliminating of political influence and establishment of police regions, based on technical and professional criteria. Ashdown stated that Solana warned BiH that the time for reaching the agreement on the police reform is running out and that this was only the policy of postponement. “If the RS is not ready to reach the agreement on the police reform than it risks losing the investments, funds, the beginning of the Association and Stabilisation Agreement and the only perspective is isolation and a black hole” said Ashdown. The EU officials did not deny that the sudden HR’s visit to Brussels was the message to Banja Luka regarding the next meeting on the police reform scheduled for September 12th in Banja Luka. Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Police reform principles will not change’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘There will be no negotiations on principles’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘No negotiations in EU principles’ announced on cover ‘There will be no negotiations on principles of police reform in BiH’ by R. Cengic– also reported.

Ashdown warns agreement on police must be reached

 

RHB, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Agreement must be reached’, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Ashdown: Time for reaching agreement is running out’, Glas srpske pg 5 ‘Someone is in a hurry’ by Z. Markovic inset ‘Anniversary’- HR Paddy Ashdown warned that time for reaching the agreement on police reform in BIH is running out.

UK Ambassador Rycroft: RS should be held responsible for police reform failure

 

Hayat, RTRS, RHB, FTV, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘RS should be held responsible for police reform failure’, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘RS will be held responsible if the EU principles are not accepted’, Glas srpske pg 5 ‘Someone is in a hurry’ by Z. Markovic inset ‘Rycroft’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘No negotiations in EU principles’ announced on cover ‘Thjere will be no negotiations on principles of police reform in BiH’ by R. Cengic– The British Ambassador to BiH, Matthew Rycroft, as a representative of the country that is presiding over the EU until the end of the year, reiterated that the negotiations on police reform must be completed before BiH is able to open the SAA negotiations. He also stressed three EC principles must not be changed: “We expect the RS representatives to demonstrate the necessary flexibility to reach an agreement that is line with these principles. If they fail to do so, they will be held responsible for the failure of negotiations.”

EC on police reform: no bargaining on three main principles

 

Hayat, PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Entities are not partners for talks with Europe’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘6 days only for agreement on police’, mentioned on cover ‘6 days for agreement on police’ by M.B., Slobodna Dalmacija pg 20 ‘Strategy of postponement’ by D. Pasic – The EC delegation to BiH also said on Thursday there would be no bargaining on the three main EU principles regarding the reform.

RTRS int with McElhaney: there is no reason for fear of one people’s domination

 

RTRS ‘Aktueltni razgovor’ current affairs program by Dragana Knezevic – In an interview with RTRS, the US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney comments he said hopes that the negotiations on police reform will be successfully completed soon. he added that BiH needs police forces that are strong, well paid, trained and free of corruption. McElhaney adds that the control and coordination of police work must be at the state level, but reminds that all three peoples have their representatives in the authorities on state level and thus there is no reason for fear of domination of one ethnic group over two others.

BN TV int with Dodik, on police reform

 

BN TV ‘Puls’ current affairs programme by Suzana Radjen-Todoric – In an interview to BN TV, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik says that due to the negotiations on police reform all problems that citizens are facing with in the RS are being forgotten. Talking further about reform, Dodik is critical of the authorities, adding “Adnan Terzic is negotiating on police reform without CoM authorizing him to do that.” As for the OHR, Dodik notes that “High Representative… didn’t have to start the talks on police reform with this much energy or with this approach…We have a situation in which Mr. [Paddy] Ashdown gave himself powers to form the Police Reform Commission. At the same time, he was saying that this is one of the issue… outside of powers that he has.” SNSD leader reiterated that he will participate in anything under pressure, describing the first talks on police, that he did participate, as unbearable: “Everything is always brought down to the same tone: those from the RS are always the problem. Of course, you have only one possibility where they tell you that this is take-it-or-leave-it-project.” Journalist repeatedly asked Dodik whether there were any promises made at the first round of the police talks at the Vlasic, which SNSD leader denied.  As for the police organization, Dodik comments that the current structures should not be a problem with the agreement on joint coordination at the state level. He adds the RS “needs… the message that it has its own police structure, which will be a part of police and security system in BiH…I can’t believe that some people that follow this process can’t recognize readiness of the RS to regulate police work with the law at the state level, to allow persecution of criminals across the entities’ border.” He believes that police reform negotiations failed completely and that other proposals should be considered.

Political parties comment on police reform talks

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘No solution in Banja Luka either’ by S. G. and R. C. – With regard to police reform talks, SNSD’s Nebojsa Radmanovic said BiH authorities have finally realized it was necessary to launch police reform and added that so far activities were not even the beginning of the reform. SDA’s Ramiz Salkic assessed there will be some kind of an agreement because of sanctions SDS is facing. SDS’s Stanko Pivasevic reiterated this party would maintain the stance of RS NA, while SDP’s Damir Hadzic thinks HR Paddy Ashdown is trying to rehabilitate SDS with his threats. PDP’s Velimir Sakan says during the past talks, meetings were only listed yet did not result in any concrete agreement.

RTRS feature on police negotiations

 

RTRS by D. Knezevic – The police reform talks that were held on Wednesday in Sarajevo were concluded without a final agreement. A new meeting has been scheduled for Monday since RS representatives asked for new consultations with the EC. The EC on the other hand has once again strongly reiterated that there are no negotiations on their 3 basic principles. BiH Council of Ministers Chairman Adnan Terzic stated that he asked the RS representatives to declare whether they agree to transfer the budget and legal competence to the state level. Terzic added that RS representatives asked for several days to confer regarding this issue. RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic stated that the RS representatives insist on entity competence over the public security as well as keeping a part of the budget in the entity. “I can see that the RS Government representatives are looking for a way to accept 3 EC pre-requisites and therefore they need some more time”, stated Terzic. Bukejlovic believes that the deadline (15th of September) set for meeting this last pre-requisite from the Feasibility Study will be met.

Feral on prospects of police reform in BiH

 

Feral pg 28 ‘Battle for police‘ by I. Lovrenovic – In an editorial on the police reform, among the other things, the author says: ‘Even laymen see that that the defense reform issue was placed on the agenda all of a sudden and it was made topical amid the drama with the police reform…By all accounts, Banja Luka realized that they could preserve their concept of the police only if they offer a big thing in return and that is the Army…High Representative Paddy Ashdown, who is in charge of the police reform talks, has shown many times a skill to present the most rotten compromise, which almost does not affect a status quo at all, as a huge reform achievement. It is very possible that something like this would happen with the police reform too and that RS President Dragan Cavic and the RS would be praised at the end because of ‘statesman’s wisdom’ and ‘courage to reach a compromise’. 

 

Political issues

Speculations on FBiH Govt crisis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oslobodjenje cover pg splash, pgs 4-5 ‘F BiH Government without Ministers’ by Senita Sehercehajic – Writing about Thursday’s session of the FBiH Government, daily claims referring to reliable sources that the reason for termination of the session were resignations of the FBiH Ministers of Veteran’s Issues and Health respectively, Ibrahim Nadarevic and Tomo Lucic, and the issues of their successors. Daily notes new session will not be scheduled until party consultations are held in regard to filling of vacant ministerial positions. Daily’s source close to FBiH Government claims that “Government is now in stalemate position. And that is not the only problem, because if further attrition of Government continues – and there are some announcements in this regard – it would be a chaos.” Desnica Radivojevic, FBiH Vice President, is of the view new agreement is the only way out from the current situation. Dnevni Avaz pg 3, announced on cover ‘A major crisis at Government in sight’ by M.Kukan – DA learns that some members of the Government were also critical of Sahbaz Dzihanovic’ statements (who expressed dissatisfaction over the fact he was not consulted on acceptance of resignations), finding his behaviour as “being free-archer causing crisis at Government”. BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Vice President mixed up constitutional powers’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Lozancic: Dzihanovic not at all authorized for ministers’ resignations issue’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Appointment in accordance with Constitution and laws’ by S. Gojkovic – FBiH President Niko Lozancic has written to his Deputy Dzihanovic in which he expressed a surprise with Dzihanovic’s rejection to adopt his proposal for appointment of Zahid Crnkic on position of Minister of Veterans and Disabled Veterans and of Vjekoslav Mandic on position of Minister of Health [see BiH Media Round up Sept 8 for details.]

Lozancic on latest developments with regard to Prce’s pardon

 

RTRS, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘BiH – a small country with many spies’, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Harsh ghoulish campaign is being led against me’ by NINA, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Niko Lozancic accused Ashdown of being spy’ by H, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Appointment in accordance with Constitution and laws’ by S. Gojkovic inset ‘Spies are in front of TV cameras as well’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Spies are working publicly’ by Srna – A cabinet of FBiH President Niko Lozancic issued a statement regarding the Miroslav Prce case and reactions of the High Representative Paddy Ashdown, in which Lozancic says that he has no need to comment on notorious accusations against him and other politicians in this country. Lozancic stressed that as many before him, he was the first indicted in media, which resulted in a harsh, ghoulish campaign against him and now he is expecting his execution. In his statement Lozancic referred on the HR as ‘a person close to a foreign intelligence service’.

NN op-ed: the other side of truth

 

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘The other side of truth’ by Slavo Kukic – Writing about latest statement Niko Lozancic gave regarding HR, Paddy Ashdown, and OHR, the author elaborates on separate segments of Lozancic’s statement, expressing agreement with some placing an emphasis on the fact that Lozancic has kept silent about the second side of the truth, which is that he himself does not act in compliance with legal and constitutional provisions. He critically compares Lozancic’s dissatisfaction over RS attempts to preserve by all means possible what was created in war (referring to police) and Lozancic’s approval of separation of school children.

FBiH leaders pardoned Delimustafic as well

 

Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘FBiH leaders pardoned Delimustafic as well’ Azhar Kalamujic – According to the article, HR Paddy Ashdown said a few days ago that the Federation of BiH Presdient Niko Lozancic and his deputies Sahbaz Dzihanovic and Desnica Radivojevic had not granted pardons not only to former FBiH Defence Minister Miroslav Prce but also to some other important persons. Ashdown did not disclose their names. However, reliable sources told the daily on Thursday that among those persons is former (at the beginning of the war) Republic of BiH Interior Minister and Cenex Company owner Alija Delimustafic. Delimustafic was sentenced to four years in prison for organized crime (organized kidnapping of a person in Geremany in 1996) by the Sarajevo Cantonal Court on February 19. 2003.

US Embassy issues a visa for Ivanic after all

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Ivanic in composition of official BiH delegation’ by R. C. – BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday confirmed Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic will travel to the session of UN General Assembly in New York. The Ministry refused to comment on issuing of a visa to Ivanic. BiH Presidency had no official information on this issue, but the daily got unofficial information that BiH diplomatic representatives in US have intervened at US State Department, after which it issued a recommendation with regard to issuing of visa to Ivanic. BHT 1, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Ivanic got visa’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Ivanic will nevertheless get US visa’ – also reported Ivanic was granted with visa. 

Ivanic meets McElhaney

 

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘A number of challenges before BiH’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Minister Ivanic received USA Ambassador’ by NINA, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘BiH facing numerous challenges’ by S. G.– BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic on Thursday met with the US Ambassador to BiH, Douglas McElhaney and discussed the progress that has been achieved in BiH since the Dayton Accords signing to date. It was ascertained that BiH has realized substantial results in realizing the reformatory processes in various fields, primary in reforming the tax system, defense system and establishing a single economic space. Ivanic and McElhaney agreed that BiH is still facing numerous challenges on the road of fulfilling the conditions for accessing European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and underlined that the responsibility for successful realization of these conditions lies with the institutions and political factors in BiH.

Reactions to Dodik’s criticism against PBS

 

BHT 1 Report by Sanita Lisica – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik announced his intention to call on BiH citizens to boycott paying RTV subscription to the BHT 1. BHT 1 says that Dodik is dissatisfied because of broadcasting of the Srebrenica Commemoration Ceremony. Dodik stated that Srebrenica was important event but that the reports on it were inappropriate and partial. Dunja Mijatovic from Communications Regulatory Agency stated that this was a political pressure adding that CRA hasn’t received complaints on the work of BHT 1 for partiality. Reporter noted that the Srebrenica commemoration Ceremony was broadcasted in the region and in the world. Plamenko Custovic from PBS stated that it is interesting how politicians call for boycotting whenever they hear a report on them. “All politicians want to control media which is opposite to principles of the democratic society” added Custovic. Senior Deputy of High Representative Martin Nay stated that Dodik’s call is inappropriate and it will cause the problems to BHT 1 but as well to RTRS and FTV. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Irresponsible Dodik’ by N. Z., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘OHR: Dodik is irresponsible’ not signed – also carry Ney statement.

SD: Covic to leave position of HDZ President by end of year

 

Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pg 21 ‘Covic leaves ‘at his own request’? by B. Magas claims that HDZ President Dragan Covic will abandon this position at his own request probably be the end of this year. According to SD information, high-ranked Catholic Church officials including Cardinal Vinko Puljic himself intensively exert pressure against Covic to leave the position of the HDZ President. SD explains this demand by saying that Cardinal Puljic is very much interested in finding a fair solution for constitutional and legal postion of Croats in BiH and in order to achieve this goal he needs politicians who have not been discredited. A high-ranked HDZ Croatia official stated that they hope that Covic would realize that he has to leave and in this way he would make the biggest favour to Croats in BiH.

UNDP: Political crisis is causing ethnic intolerance in BiH

 

Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Political crisis is causing increasing ethnic intolerance’ by D. Kozina – According to the UNDP report an increasing ethnic intolerance has been noticed in BiH lately (UNDP mentions messages against Croats written in a book of impressions in the Sarajevo cathedral, segregation in schools etc.). According to UNDP, this was caused by the political crises in BiH emerged due to the BiH CoM’s failure to meet pre-requisites from the Feasibility Study, impossibility to reach an agreement on the police reform etc.

Matic on defence reform

RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘OHR confirmed the agreement (on transfer of defense authorities to the state level) is to be signed by entities’ – The FBiH House of Peoples Chair, Slavko Matic, claims that in contacts with representatives of the OHR’s legal department he has been informed that the agreement on transferring competencies in defense sector from the FBiH to the State level should be signed by the two Entities, in line with the BiH Constitution. FBiH HoP at the session on Thursday discussed the manner of signing the agreement on transferring these competencies, i.e. whether the agreement should be signed by FBiH and BiH or entities. The dilemma was caused by the appearance of two written versions of this agreement, Matic told Fena.

 

Education issues

EU Head of Missions in BiH: Capljina and Prozor-Rama local authorities’ decisions lead towards segregation in schools

 

 

RHB, PINK, BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Step in wrong direction’, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘To recall decisions on separation of schools according to ethnic principle’ by I.G., Slobodna Dalmacija pg 26 ‘Segregation of pupils in Capljina, Rama and Stolac’ by D. Pasic – EU Heads of missions in BiH stated that decisions on legal separation of schools made in municipalities Capljina and Prozor- Rama, and expected in Stolac, present serious and wrong move which leads to segregation. Authorities of Hercegovina- Neretva Canton have been invited to annul these decisions, while SDA and HDZ were invited to show leading skills in uniting, and not in segregation. RTRS – British Ambassador in BIH Matthew Rycroft stated “these decisions show the neglect of the international obligations and standards”.

OSCE concerned with schooling situation

 

RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Damage to all peoples in BiH’, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Violation of Law on Education’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘To remove politics from schools’ by raOSCE Head of Mission, Douglas Davidson, expressed a concern by the recent actions and decisions taken by the municipal authorities in Capljina and Prozor-Rama regarding the restructuring of schools in their communities. Davidson stresses that the creation of separate curriculum schools, which in practice tend to be attended only by students of one constituent people, in these municipalities violates the cantonal legislation on education, but it reflects a continued and increased failure to comply with BiH’s post-accession commitments to the Council of Europe.

Halilovic finds school separation scandalous

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Decisions of BiH authorities are a serious step in wrong direction’ by S.Skueltic – Reacting on the issue of legal and physical separation of schools in Stolac and Prozor/Rama, Safet Halilovic, BiH Minister of Civil Affairs, tells daily that the conduct at these two municipalities is scandalous, beyond any standard, and worst – in large contradiction with the post-accession conditions and duties BiH has already accepted when it was admitted into Council of Europe. The Heads of the Diplomatic Missions of the EU member-states are of the view these decisions on school separation are a serious step in wrong direction, namely towards segregation.

FBiH Education Minister: Segregation in schools must stop

 

Dnevni List pg 12 ‘Segregation is schools must stop’ not signed – With regard to the issue of ethnic divisions in some BiH schools FBiH Minister of Education Zijad Pasic stated: “I am calling on all competent bodies and institutions for establishment of the constitutional legislation to take steps necessary for application and respecting legal regulations and protection of children’s rights.” Hayat – Pasic has stressed that these divisions of the schools will only make BiH further away from European integrations as all of this will undermine BiH’s chances to join EU. Pasic stressed that segregation and discrimination of children are unacceptable, adding that decisions of certain Municipalities are in collision with general instructions on legal and administrative unification of the schools.

Ethnic division of children in Herezegovina-Neretva Canton

 

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Prozor has already gotten a school for Bonikas, Capljina will also get one’, mentioned on cover, – Daily carries a feature on the latest divisions in the primary schools in BiH, giving an outline of situation in Prozor/Rama, Stolac and Capljina. In addition, it carries that a reliable sources claim that a mentor of the idea on Bosniak school is Esad Dzelilovic, President of SDA Prozor, Minister of Environment at Government of Herzegovina Neretva Canton and member of the SDA Main Board. It is claimed that his wife, who is currently working at intern at Court will be School Director. Dzelilovic responds to these claims saying: “You were misinformed…After all, all schools in Mostar have been divided on ethnic principles.” He also denies his wife will not be new school’ manager.

SD: Herceg Bosna flag set on fire in Rama

 

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16, mentioned on cover ‘Herceg Bosna flag set on fire’ by A. Kudicsays that establishment of a school ‘Alija Isakovic’ caused harsh reactions in Rama and local people bring into connection this event with the incident which happened on September 6, when unknown perpetrators took off and set on fire a Herceg Bosna flag. SD says that the local police did not confirm that these two cases are connected.

DL op-ed saying that education issue is being used for scoring political points

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Education’ by I. Glibusic carries an editorial on the problems in the education area that have emerged in BiH lately. The author says that this kind of problem emerges in BiH every now and then and he added: ‘This is also one of the ways for diverting the BiH citizens’ attention from the main problems but also the way for scoring political points every time before the elections. It is especially dangerous that unskilful politicians, uneducated journalists and a street deal with the education issue.’

 

Corruption / crime / trials

TI critical over non-existence of office for complaints on public procurement procedures, RS Prosecution

 

 

 

Hayat, BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Glas srpske pg 3 ‘Complaints with no address’ by D. Vrhovac – Mihajlovic – Chairman of “Transparency International” Boris Divjak on Thursday’s press conference warned of the problem of non-existence of the Office for complaints with regard to public procurement in BiH. With regard to free access to information, Divjak said OHR, as crucial political body in BiH, does not fall under the Law on Free Access to Information. Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Corruption coming/arising from RS Prosecution (RS Prosecution is first instance in chain of corruption)!?’ – TI also said it was very much dissatisfied with the work of the RS Prosecution, thus it starts to think that the corruption is coming from this institution.  BHT 1 – Divjak stressed that RS Prosecution does not react to auditor’s reports. Chief RS Prosecutor Amor Bukic stated that irregularities in auditor’s reports do not necessarily represent a committed criminal act since auditors haven’t made any criminal reports upon which they could react.

Dodik, Kondic trial continues

 

RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Witnesses refuted indictment counts’ by S.Karic, EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Five ministers defending premier’ by SRNA – Trial to former RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik and RS Finance Minister at the time Novak Kondic continued in Banja Luka. Dodik and Kondic are accused of misuse of position and/or authorities thus damaging the RS budget for 6 million KM. 5 defence witnesses (all ministers in Dodik’s Government) testified Thursday, all of whom agreed that RS Government’s decisions were made according to certain procedure, stressing not a single minister at Dodik’s Government was allowed to be member of any Board (whgich was not the case with composition of other governments). Trial continues on Friday. 

EUFOR discovered illegal alcohol bottling plant in Banja Luka

 

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 2 ‘Illegal alcohol bottling plant was discovered’ by G. Arbutina – In frame of “Harvest” action in Banja Luka, Banja Luka PSC and EUFOR members discovered an illegal alcohol bottling plant in the house of Miodrag Mandic, who denied he was illegally producing alcohol. He claims he was only collecting empty bottles in order to sell them.

 

War crimes issues

Interview with del Ponte: I am afraid I will stay the only one in the fight to have Karadzic and Mladic arrested

 

 

 

 

 

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘The first thing to do is to grab Mladic’, pg 5 ‘I am afraid I will stay the only one in the fight to have Karadzic and Mladic arrested’ by Sead Numanovic – In a page-long interview to Dnevni Avaz, Carla del Ponte, ICTY Chief Prosecugor, opposes to commencement of EU talks with SiCG on SAA until war criminals Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are at large, adding: “I am of the view that EU has a lot of potential to exert extreme pressure in order to see cooperation with the ICTY fulfilled, i.e. to have war crime suspects at large arrested.” She says “we are working hard in order to have two of them arrested and transferred to the Hague before the end of year”, since it would be very hard to apprehend them after this year ends. Emphasising she will not settle down until two of them are arrested, she expresses fear she will stay the only one in the fight to have two of them apprehended by the end of this year. She says that she had expressed disappointment in Bern over the fact that information they had might have led to arrest of Karadzic and Mladic, but did not, since SiCG, RS and even international community seem to need more time. She reiterates Karadzic is moving in the area between RS and Montenegro. On “Prlic and others” case, she says it will not be transferred to Court in BiH neither to any other Court in the region.

VL: 6 persons from Herzegovina to be checked because of suspicion that they help Gotovina

 

Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘6 Croats under investigation because of Gotovina’ and pgs 2 and 3 ‘Croatia demands investigations on Herzegovinians because of Gotovina’ by Z. Kresic – Many sources confirmed to VL that after their meeting in Zagreb, Croatian secret services were ordered to continue their cooperation with neighbouring countries including BiH in order to arrest war crime indictee Croatian General Anto Gotovina. VL says that Federation of BiH secret services received a list with 6 names from the area of Herzegovina who should be checked since they are suspected of financing and helping Gotovina. According to the article, two officials confirmed to VL that this list with 6 names exists. 

GS: RS police prepared report on 1743 mujahedeen volunteers

 

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Slaughterers of Abdul Aziz’ by D. M. – the article claims RS police have already prepared a report on 1743 volunteers from Islamic countries, who fought as members of the “El mujahedeen” unit of the 3rd corps of BiH Army. The article further claims one of order-givers and executors of crimes was Mahmud Abu Abdul Aziz al-Muntesiba aka Barbaros, who is, according to a report sent to BiH Prosecutor’s Office, accused of crimes mujahedeens committed in the area of Donnja Bioca, Crni Vrh, Teslic and Podvelezje in 1992 and 1993. The article claims this case will be forwarded to the Hague Tribunal to be used in court proceedings against Sefer Halilovic and Rasim Delic, as well as to announced a denunciation against General Sakib Mahmuljin.

First war crimes trial in Brcko starts

FTV, Dnevni Avaz, pg 12 ‘Soul-stirring testimony on maltreatments in the port’ by E. Razanica, Glas Srspke, pg 11 ‘Kole rejected the indictment’ by M. Djurdjevic – The first hearing in the trial against Konstatin Simeunovic, indicted for the war crimes committed against non-Serb civilians in Brcko in 1992, started before the Basic Court in Brcko on Thursday. The indictment accuses Simeunovic for the war crimes against civilians committed in the concentration camp “Luka” in Brcko in 1992.

 

Economic issues

Update to B.Brod Oil Refinery

 

 

RTRS, FTV, PINK, BHT1, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Government is preparing a tender for new partner of Refinery’ by R. Cengic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘”Vitol” poured losses’ by G.Dakic, EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘A culprit for harmful contract is looked for’  – RS Government has decided on Thursday’s session to prepare tender’s documentation for establishment of a mixed firm consisted of Brod Refinery and some foreign firm, RS Minister of Economy, Energy and Development, Miladin Gligoric stated, stressing that contract B.Brod Refinery has with British “Vitol” firm is harmful for the Refinery because it gives exclusiveness to “Vitol” at the same time disabling Refinery to do business with any other company. On the other hand, “Vitol” is demanding the compensation of 1 million KM.

Trade union, consumers, economists say food, books, medicines should be exempted from VAT

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Food, textbooks and papers must be tax-exempt’ by D.Risojevic – The Syndicate officials (Ranka Misic, Obrad Belenzada), associations of consumers (Dragutin Boskovic) and some economic officials (Borislav Bijelic) share the view that the VAT in BiH should not be applied on food, textbooks and newspapers, otherwise catastrophic consequences might come upon. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Food, medicines and print should be exempted from VAT’ by M. Kukan – DA carries the statement of Midhat Arifovic, FBiH Taxation Administration, who said that VAT is very significant reform, but that that food, medicines and print should be exempted from it.