OHR BiH TV News Summary, 29 June 2000

News Headlines

  • BiH Presidency meets with newly-appointed BiH Council of Ministers in Sarajevo to discuss this institution’s work priorities
  • SFOR Commanding General Adams participates in session of Standing Committee for Military Matters, and stressed reconstruction of BiH Army and creation of single, unified army in BiH
  • BiH Presidency meets with new BiH Federation Ombudsman Frank Orton to discuss human rights situation in BiH
  • BiH Constitutional Court opens third session to discuss harmonization of entity constitutions with BiH Constitution
  • Petritsch decides to suspend RS Law on Privatization of Socially-Owned Apartments because certain provisions are not in accordance with Annex 7 of Dayton Peace Agreement: they contradict other RS laws – Stiglmayer
  • SNSD Main Board member Simic says that Petritsch’s decision to suspend RS Law on Privatization of Socially-Owned Apartments is not favorable news for RS because of great interest of RS citizens for privatization process
  • RS National Assembly Deputy Speaker Jovan Mitrovic surprised by Petritsch’s decision to suspend RS Law on Privatization of Socially-Owned Apartments
  • SDA delegate in RS National Assembly Tihic says that Petritsch’s decision is justified, adding that SDA supports it
  • RS National Assembly holds session in Banja Luka to discuss two-year RS Government work report
  • Croatia proposes draft agreement on travel of BiH nationals to Croatia without official ID until September 30, which, according to Jadranko Prlic, should be approved by BiH Council of Ministers
  • Conference on Democracy organized in Berlin – World news
  • Kouchner and Serbian Bishop of Prizren sign memorandum of understanding
  • Investment Committee, composed of World Bank and European Bank for Development and Reconstruction, discusses opportunities for investment of venture capital in BiH
  • Bijeljina Municipal Assembly discusses land allocation, and charges Property Commission to analyze High Representative’s decision on suspension of this land allocation, and to attempt to find land that could be exempt from the High Representative’s decision
  • BiH Federation Court Justices and journalists hold roundtable in Tuzla on cooperation
  • SDA initiative on election platforms to strengthen BiH common institutions
  • Republicans BiH party President Kljuic assesses “we need de-politicization of state administration, and not its use as instrument to achieve other ends”
  • BiH Independent Trade Union lends its full support to RS workers who are scheduled to start general entity-wide strike this Friday
  • OHR, HN Canton and Mostar officials reach agreement on “Aleksa Santic” Gymnasium High School to return to its old premises, which is, according to OHR, a step forward in Mostar unification
  • European Championships 2000 semi-final match Italy v Holland

News Summary

BiH Federation Court Justices and journalists hold roundtable in Tuzla on cooperation

Court justices and journalists from the BiH Federation held a roundtable in Tuzla on mutual cooperation and methods of uncovering the truth. Sarajevo daily Oslobodjenje reporter Vehid Jahic stated: “In general, the court should be more open, and we (referring to journalists) more correct. We are obliged by the code (of journalism).” Judges pointed out the necessity of educating journalists, as well as a more professional relationship to their work. Vlado Adamovic, Vice-president of the BiH Federation Association of Court Justices, stated: “when they (journalists) report on an investigation, that it has been completed, they only say the Interior Ministry has carried out the investigation, but should say the Interior Ministry carried out the investigation under judicial supervision.” Roundtable participants concluded the session by agreeing that mutual cooperation should be strengthened. (01:11)

SDA initiative on election platforms to strengthen BiH common institutions

The SDA is to kick off an initiative for the OSCE and political parties and independent candidates to include, in their election platforms, suitable measures for strengthening BiH common institutions and improving the refugee return process. The SDA condemns RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik’s statement on Ferhadija mosque in Banja Luka, which he said would not be build until after the November elections in BiH. The SDA described SDP allegations on SDA standing behind the tax police’s inspection of Dnevni Avaz as an insinuation. (00:25)

(This excerpt is taken from the daily report of the IMC-led Joint Media Monitoring Group (JMMG)).