News Headlines
- Police officer Mameledzija inured in Travnik car bombing
- World news
- Izetbegovic and Miller discuss Lyon’s statement
- Bicakcic denies Lyon’s perception of BiH Federation
- Instructions for restoration in RS through Sarajevo office
- Luzanski, Barry and Hoffman discuss implementation of OHR and OSCE decision to dismiss 22 officials, municipal HDZ offices may be banned from elections for failure to do so
- Metal union workers on hold will demand Silajdzic resign at their 17 January protests – Omerdic
- Archbishop Puljic declares St. John the Baptist festivity temple
- Consultations on assembling government held in Zagreb
- Serb opposition meeting in Belgrade ongoing
- Prijedor returns are greatly assisted by Sarajevo Center Municipality
- Liplje, near Zvornik, turning into garbage dump, thus preventing returns, but one man attempts to rebuild his house nonetheless
- Modrica and Vukosavlje returns
- Uncontrolled exploitation of salt water causes sinking of structures in Tuzla
- Mahmuljin and Delic host reception for officials in BiH on Army Day
- Bajram celebrated in Kirkenes, one of northernmost points on Earth
- Culture
- Sports
- Culture
- Trial against Kordic and Cerkez resumes at The Hague
- It is better for BiH Parliament to reach consensus over Border Service Law than for High Representative to impose one – Asanin
- RS delegates in BiH House of Representatives will not vote for Border Service Law – Nikola Spiric
- Bicakcic announces improvement in privatization process in BiH Federation
- OSCE Tuzla opens seven offices for citizens to report on election candidates occupying someone else’s apartment
- Party for Democratic Prosperity RS reconsiders Farrand’s invitation to nominate candidates for Brcko District Assembly
- Journalists ask Petritsch to prevent authorities from adopting repressive law
- Christmas reception in Zenica Orthodox Church
- Ivica Ropus resigns as HDZ Croatia spokesperson
- First BiH magazine for culture of urban life ‘Moj Dom (My Home)’ presented in Sarajevo
News Summary
Izetbegovic and Miller discuss Lyon’s statement
Comments made at Sunday’s session of Circle 99 have become the topic of the day in BiH. A meeting between BiH Presidency Member Alija Izetbegovic and US Ambassador to BiH Thomas Miller was also focused on this issue. Izetbegovic asked for the US view of statements made by Head of the International Crisis Group Sarajevo office James Lyon. An announcement from Izetbegovic’s office says that Ambassador Miller noticed that there are incorrect translations of Lyon’s statement, in which US to the BiH Federation was not spoken of in general, but that portion allotted to privatization agencies.
00:41
Bicakcic denies Lyon’s perception of BiH Federation
TV BiH has asked Lyon to repeat his opinions, reached through secret sources, in front of our television cameras. His comments are followed by replies from Edhem Bicakcic and Gajo Sekulic. Lyon spoke of the session of BiH Circle 99 on the BiH H Federation economy. He gave a very gloomy prediction for the redirection of US aid, directly accusing SDA hard-liners for obstructing privatization. “I said that there is a possibility that perspectives in the RS will improve within a year or two” Lyon stated. “Now the RS has Milorad Dodik, a politician who, in the past, has successfully implemented Markovic’s reforms. I do not say this because I prefer the RS of Milorad Dodik, but it is a realistic estimate.” SDA Vice-president Bicakcic responded by saying, “Lyon’s statements are completely biased and untrue. As far as his perceptions of the SDA are concerned, they are a continuation of his long-lasting actions against the party. I can say that the BiH Federation and BiH have a certain political and economic future, and economic development in the BiH Federation has pulled even farther away from the RS this year as well.” Dr. Gajo Sekulic of Circle 99 said, “Lyon has presented a string of voluntary opinions, which lack any analytical or scientific basis. I am interested in the actions of the International Crisis Group in BiH.” Lyon also spoke of the Stability Pact. He believes it cannot succeed without EU funds. To this, Bicakcic stated, “the Stability Pact is a European project that was followed by many doubts, as was its establishment in Sarajevo. I believe those supporting it will not abandon the project, which opens the door to the Balkans.” Lyon is keeping his sources confidential, but sticks to his story.
04:53
Journalists ask Petritsch to prevent authorities from adopting repressive law
The Independent Union of Professional Journalists BiH asked High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch to use his mandate to prevent BiH Federation authorities from adopting the law on insult and slander, the draft of which was adopted by the BiH Federation Government. The draft law is extremely repressive and foresees financial penalties that could not be afforded by any journalist or media outlet in BiH.
00:23