Friday
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1(19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Al’Qaeda present in BiH | Illegal immigration | Brucellosis in | Demand of John MacNair |
| BiH HoP in session | New audit reports | Colak on police reform | Letter Ali Hammad |
| Indicted Goran Hadzic | CIPS affairs in BL | BiH HoP in session | Change of RS cities names |
| New audit reports | Colak on police reform | New audit reports | Goran Hadzic indicted |
Saturday
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Change of RS cities names | Dejan Milenkovic arrested | Audit of FBiH MoI | Patriarch Pavle in |
| Statement by Mesic | HR public address | Statement of A. Hadzipasic | Returnees to Petrovac |
| Sell of Fructal products | Situation in RS Army | Dejan Milenkovic arrested | World news |
| World News | Change of RS cities names | Economy in B. Grahovo | World news |
Saturday
| Oslobodjenje | Investigation on the BiH Presidency’s overspending; 3000 police officers in BiH are surplus; Draskovic-Ivanic: Reaching borders through territory exchange; Candidates for generals positions confirmed |
| Dnevni Avaz | Investigation into false documents; Ashdown: I am looking forward to |
| Dnevni List | Ashdown: Opening of |
| Vecernji List | Incurring of new debts banned to BiH |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Price of bread, milk, oil etc. to increase by 17% |
| Glas Srpske | Tenants are facing |
| Nezavisne Novine | “Peace mission” flied in BiH; False documents for persons from SCG; Ivanic’s Minister at defendant’s chair; Kozic and Klickovic are constructing hydroelectric power station |
| Blic | The Government is shaking |
Sunday
| Oslobodjenje | Women are still endangered at the |
| Dnevni Avaz | Decision by |
| Dnevni List | Arrests of Islamic terrorists are being prepared? |
| Vecernji List | Slovenian juice divided BiH |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features |
Police, security and defence issues | |
| Report on BiH police forces: 3000 police officers are surplus
| FTV Fri, RTRS Fri, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 8 ‘3000 police officers in BiH are surplus’, mentioned on cover, by A. Prlenda, Nezavisne Novine, Saturday pg. 9 ‘There is a surplus of 3,000 policemen in BiH’ by M. Cubro, Glas Srpske, Saturday pg. 3 ‘Are dismissal notices in an envelope?’ not signed, EuroBlic, Saturday pg. RS1 ‘Obsolete philosophy of policemen in BiH’ by J. D. , Dnevni List Saturday pg 2 ‘BiH Police can compete with European one!’ by I. Tabucic – The summary of the report on the financial, organizational and administrative assessment of security forces in BiH says that the Police forces in BiH offer high-quality services to citizens, however that there is a surplus of 3000 police officers in BiH and the report also reads that the current police structure cannot reply to demands of the state for fight against all kinds of organized crime. The report was presented to the public on Friday and Head of the EC delegation in BiH Michael Humphreys submitted it to BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak, who stressed that the situation will be improved once SIPA is fully operational. Colak added he believes that the commission for police restructuring will contribute to the strengthening of the role of state in police businesses. BHTV 1 Fri – Colak also said that BiH currently spends too much money on police, which is not connected and organized. “The existing structure of police, which BiH needs to fight against organized crime, terrorism, and drugs, is simply not good,” said Bernard Prestel from the Commission for reconstruction of police forces. Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 4 ‘Proces of police reform in BiH could last for 6 years’ by M. Kukan, Vecernji List Saturday pg 3 ‘3000 policemen to lose job’ by D. Jazvic – Colak estimates that it will take 5 or 6 years to reach European standards when the area of the police is in question. |
| BiH HoP endorses appointments to generals positions
| RHB Fri, FTV Fri, RTRS Fri, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 9 ‘Appointments for generals positions confirmed’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 5-6 ‘Candidates for generals positions confirmed’, mentioned on cover, by A. Terzic, Dnevni List Saturday ‘BiH Presidency will officially appoint confirmed candidacies’ by NINA and Slobodna Dalmacija Saturday pg 14 ‘Generals ‘passed’ HoP’ by F, Nezavisne Novine, Saturday pg. 5 ‘Appointment of commanders was confirmed’ by M. C. – The BiH House of Peoples on Friday confirmed the appointment of candidates to the generals’ positions at BiH joint defence institutions. The HoP confirmed the appointment of Brigadier Sifet Podzic to the position of the Head of the BiH Armed Forces Joint Command, Brigadier Slavko Puljic to the position of the Deputy Head of the BiH Armed Forces Joint Command and Brigadier Vlado Dzojic to the position of the Commander of the BiH Operational Command. |
| On Al’Qaeda presence in BiH | RHB Fri, RTRS Fri – Both media reported they received the letter from Ali Hammad, apparently a former Al’Qaeda member. He currently serves a sentence in Zenica and said he left the organization following attacks on the |
Crime and legal issues | |
| Four persons arrested for frauds regarding CIPS projects
| BHTV 1 Fri, RTRS Fri, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 7 ‘Arrestees worked on CIPS project’ by Onasa, Dnevni Avaz Sat cover page story ‘Investigation on false documents’, pg 2 ‘Prosecution commences with the comprehensive investigation on false documents’, by B.C., Nezavisne Novine, Saturday cover and pg. 3 ‘False documents for persons from SCG’ by A. Sisic– BiH Court on Friday reached a decision on detention for four persons, suspected of being members of a net of organized crime, which has enabled issuing of approximately 500 CIPS IDs and Driver’s licenses. A detention was prescribed for Cvijo Tovilovic, Milisav Knezevic, Milovan Stojicic and Spomenka Balaban. Glas Srpske, Saturday cover ‘False IDs’ by V. J. – ‘All arrested persons are from RS, but were also brought in relation with individuals from the Federation of BiH. The most worrying fact is that this group has forged several hundreds of CIPS documents for persons from Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Halilovic: Launching a procedure not excluded is there were irregularities’ by Aj.D. – BiH Civil Affairs Minister Safet Halilovic said that he is certain “that the CIPS project is not threatened with the event that occurred in Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Macan: Misuses possible only where MUP is in charge’ by M. Vidovic – Manager of CIPS project in Banja Luka, Sinisa Macan claims that arrestees were not employed by the CIPS project, explaining that they worked in the departments of RS Interior Ministry for issuing IDs. |
| Former RS Finance Minister indicted for fraud
| BHTV 1 Fri, RTRS Fri, Nezavisne Novine, Saturday cover and pg. 2 ‘Ivanic’s Minister at defendant’s chair’ by D. Risojevic, Glas Srpske, Saturday pg. 11 ‘Vilendecic was accused’ by M. D. – Banja Luka Prosecutor’s Office brought an indictment against Simeun Vilendacic, former Minister of Finances at the RS Government, because of a suspicion that he had damaged RS budget for BAM 88,000. The investigation in this case has been conducted on the base of a report of the RS Audit Service for 2002. |
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| BHTV 1 Fri, FTV Fri, Nezavisne Novine, Saturday pg. 2 ‘They were accused of planning of bombing attacks in Sarajevo’ by D. Muminovic, Vecernje Novosti, Saturday pg. 21 ‘They have forged IDs’ by M. L. – Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor’s Office on Friday brought indictments against four persons over committing a criminal act against safety of people and property and over an illegal possession of weapon and explosive substances. Indictments were brought against Zijad Turkovic, Bakir Ibrahimovic, Sead Kobilic and Antun Grladinovic. The indictment reads that they, as an organized group, purchased an explosive in December 2003, which they have intended to use in committing serious criminal acts in the area of Sarajevo Canton. The police have brought the four in relation with the murder of Taib Torlakovic yet the Prosecution has not found enough evidence to bring an indictment for the murder. |
| Raguz on McNair’s request for transfer of high-profile cases | Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 5 ‘It is possible that the demand of McNair’s special departments is to be rejected’, mentioned on cover ‘It is possible for McNair’s requested to be rejected’ by Husein Orahovac – In an interview to DA, the president of the BiH Court Martin Raguz said that the Court has still not reached a decision following the demand submitted by the State Prosecutor John McNair to take over about 10 cases from Mostar and Sarajevo Cantonal Courts against also high profile politicians. The motion has been filed about 20 days, but Raguz dismisses there are any problems adding that the Court has demanded from McNair [who responded to that request] to give separate explanation for the request for each of the cases, and not one explanation for all of them. Raguz concludes that the chance for the request to be rejected are 50-50. |
Political issues | |
| HR Ashdown announces EU taking over leadership in BiH
| RHB Sat, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 2 ‘Peace in BiH will not be endangered’ by Onasa, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 3 ‘New phase starting in BiH with EU forces’ by Onasa, Vecernji Lust Saturday pg 4 ‘EU is taking over leadership in BiH’ by dja and Dnevni List Sunday pg 2 ‘Criminals from BiH threat to whole EU’, mentioned on cover, by NINA – Addressing the BiH citizens on Friday, High Representative Paddy Ashdown announced bigger European influence on the international activities in BiH although partners such as USA, Turkey, Russia and Canada will continue to have an important role in BiH. Nezavisne Novine, Saturday pg. 4 ‘Europe is taking leading role in BiH’ by D. Risojevic, Vecernje Novosti, Saturday pg. 4 ‘Greater influence of EU’ by D. Stojakovic, EuroBlic, Saturday pg. RS2 ‘One step from Europe’ by M. S. – He noted that BiH owes a lot to NATO forces but now it was the time for a new phase of the presence of the international forces under the leadership of EU, forces of which – EUFOR – will replace SFOR in December this year. According to the High Representative, these will be strong forces, very similar to the current SFOR and will have approximately the same number of soldiers. ‘The role of EU forces will go beyond peace implementation because, for example, it will round the work of EUPM in strengthening rule of law in BiH, especially in field of fight against organized crime’, HR Ashdown stated. |
| RS Govt changes names of 13 cities in RS | RHB Fri, FTV Fri, RTRS Fri, BHTV 1 Sat, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 4 ‘Prefix ‘Serb’ to be abolished from the names of cities’, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 5 ‘Names for 13 citizens established’ by Onasa, Dnevni List Sunday pg 6 ‘RS added to names of Serb municipalities’ by V. Vujovic and Vecernji List Sunday pg 4 ‘Name Srbinje is disputable’ by B.S., Nezavisne Novine, Saturday pg. 3 ‘Draft changes of names of towns in RS was defined’ by Srna, Glas Srpske, Saturday pg. 2 ‘Baptizing at the Parliament’ by Z. Marceta, Vecernje Novosti, Saturday pg. 3 ‘Srpsko Orasje – Donji Zabar’ not signed – RS Government on Friday adopted the draft law on amendments to the law on territorial organization and local self-administration, changing the names of 13 cities in the RS, pursuant to a decision of the BiH Constitutional Court. Minister of Administration and Local Self Governance Slaven Pekic said that this draft, as well as the draft law on amendments to the Law on Town Serb Sarajevo, will be forwarded to the RS National Assembly, which will pass the final decision on the city names. The Government has changed the name of Srpsko Sarajevo to Sarajevo of RS, Srpski Drvar to Drvar of RS, Srpski Sanski Most to Ostra Luka, Srpski Mostar to Eastern Mostar, Srpsko Gorazde to Gorazde of RS, Srbinje to Foca Srbinje, Srpski Kljuc to Ribnik, Srpska Kostajnica to Kostajnica, Srpski Brod to Brod, Srpska Ilidza to Ilidza of RS, Srpski Stari Grad to Stari Grad of RS, and Srpsko Orasje to Donji Zabar. |
| Reactions to RS Govt’s decision on changes of names
| RHB Sat, Dnevni Avaz Sun cover page story ‘Decision by Constitutional Court outwitted’, pg 2 ‘RS Government outwitted decision of the constitutional court’ by J. Sogolj – Safet Halilovic, BiH Civil Affairs Minister, believes that the RS Government decision is purely a formal one where the essence of the problem has not been changed. He insists that the Court’s decision orders removal of names forcefully imposed due to war, which RS Government has not done. Tarik Sadovic, chair of SDA caucus in RS National Assembly sees that RS govt’s decision as an attempt to outwit BHTV 1 Sat – “Decision of BiH Constitutional Court refers to name Srbinje, and BiH Constitutional Court said that name Srbinje was unconstitutional, while term Foca-Srbinje is being used and I do not see reason why this should not it be the solution,” said Slaven Pekic, RS Minister of Administration and Local Self Governance. |
| Meeting between Draskovic and Ivanic; reactions
| BHTV 1 Fri, RTRS Fri, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 2 ‘Draskovic offers recognition of borders and exchange of territory’, mentioned on cover ‘Draskovic offers exchange of borders’, not signed, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 5 ‘Reaching borders through territory exchange’, mentioned on cover, by B. Boskov, Nezavisne Novine, Saturday pg. 5 ‘Most of issues between two states have been resolved’ by agencies, Glas Srpske, Saturday pg. 2 ‘Agreement straightens border’ by Tanjug, Dnevni List Sunday pg 6 ‘Resolving of border issues between BiH and SCiG by exchange of territories’ by M. Batarello – After the meeting held in Belgrade BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Montenegro Vuk Draskovic concluded that the border issue and resolving of property relations are the biggest issues in the relations between BiH and SCiG. Ivanic also said that there are no differences in their stands when the locations of borders are in question but in the way how to define them, while Draskovic stated that a part of border related issues can be resolved by exchange of territories. FTV Fri – “There are no differences in opinions on where the border is. There is difference in how to adapt the border,” said Ivanic adding that the first thing to do is to verify agreements and then start negotiations on the issue. Vuk Draskovic belives that disputable border areas of Uvce, Rudo and Priboj should be solved by exchanging the territory following the principle of reciprocity. “We had very detailed discussions on many issues and we agreed on everything” said Draskovic. Dnevni Avaz Sun pg 3 ‘Vuk Draskovic’s offer should be rejected’, mentioned on cover, by H. Orahovac – Commenting the offer made by Vuk Draskovic, BiH Civil Affairs Minister Safet Halilovic stresses that this Ministry has prepared the agreement on borders with SCG, accepted by BiH Council of Ministers, and that it is not possible to discuss exchange of territories before this agreement is signed. “Perhaps during this process of signing the border agreement with SCG it would be good if OHR gets more included in this problems caused by Belgrade,” added Halilovic. |
| Ashdown in Mostar
| RHB, FTV Fri, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 13 ‘Reconstructed Old Bridge will be on aired on all TV stations around the world’, mentioned on cover ‘I am looking forward to opening’, by F. Vele, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 4 ‘Picture of Old Bridge will be on all screens in the world’ by Onasa, Nezavisne Novine, Saturday pg. 4 ‘Opening of the Old bridge is a great moment for BiH’ by V. Coric – High Representative Paddy Ashdown visited Mostar on Friday in order to discuss preparations for opening of the Old bridge with the Town officials. The HR stated that opening will be a strong sign that BiH, just like the City of Dnevni List Saturday front, pg 4 ‘Ashdown: Opening of Old Bridge is sign that BiH is recovering’ by NINA, Slobodna Dalmacija Saturday last pg ‘Insecurity of ceremony chased away foreign officials’ by M. Landeka – Ashdown also met with the Mostar Mayor Hamdija Jahic and Deputy Mayor Ljubo Beslic. The dailies carry Beslic as saying that some information about the security situation in Mostar contributed to the situation that many foreign officials gave up their coming at the BHTV 1 Fri – Ashdown also rejected all speculations on possible terrorist attacks during the ceremony of opening of the |
| Palavric: Dismissals in RS not necessary
| Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 11 ‘EU forces should continued to arrest war criminals’, inset ‘Dismissals in RS not necessary’, Dnevni List Saturday pg 5 ‘Nevertheless, decreasing of pensions in FBiH is possible’, mentioned on cover, by E. Mackic and Slobodna Dalmacija Saturday pg 15 ‘Pensions must not be decreased’ by F, Glas Srpske, Saturday pg. 2 ‘Srpska in old practice’ by Srna – SDA Deputy President Seada Palavric called on the RS authorities to reveal as to who is responsible for the fact that BiH did not join Partnership for Peace and to remove these officials instead of demanding ‘unjustified and unnecessary removals of Ministers from the line of SDA’. Oslobodjenje Sat pg 8 ‘RS authorities are better to cooperate with |
| Cavic: SDS is the strongest political organization of Serbs in BiH
| Oslobodjenje Sun pg 7 “SDS is the strongest political organization of BiH Serbs” by Fena, Dnevni Avaz Sun pg 4 ‘A number of SDS members raises following Asdhown’s removals’ – Acting SDS President Dragan Cavic stated on Saturday in Sokolac that the situation inside the party, following the HR decision on removing 49 of its members, has been consolidated: “Lately, SDS has an influx of new members which is an obvious reaction of an ordinary man to these events.” Cavic added that young people have recognized SDS as the place where they can realize its political goals and ideals. Key SDS officials gathered in Sokolac to discuss with representatives of municipal boards of this party the measures carried out inside the party following the HR decision. Following the meeting Cavic stressed that SDS is the strongest political organization of BiH Serbs. |
| Oslobodjenje int with Cavic
| Oslobodjenje Sat, ‘Pogled’ supplement, pgs 28/29 ‘I don’t know whether municipal boards financied Karadzic’ by Vedrana Zivak – In an interview to Oslobodjenje, Acting SDS President Dragan Cavic says that HR decision of removal of 49 SDS officials was a direct “attack against the fundamental human rights” and further comments on the impact the decision had on the party: “Such attack any political party or organization would handle with difficulty. You cannot say that it was not a serious attack, literary an organized political knockout… We have overcome the most dramatic stage of the crisis and I think that the conditions for formal functioning of SDS have been created.” Asked to comment a statement by US Ambassador to BiH Clifford Bond that SDS should have been banned, Cavic says: “That would be the harshest demonstration of the democracy’s fall down… that would not be good for this country.” Answering the question how much money has been spent by SDS to finance Radovan Karadzic, Cavic responded: “To my knowledge SDS has not spent a pfening [for that purpose]… I cannot know and I don’t know in which way certain municipal boards spent their finances, as they had status of a legal entity and their own bank accounts. I undertook a number of measures. In past few days we created a single account, and all others will be shut down… the single books will be kept, and a list of entire property, obligations and debts will be made. We will create a centralized way of leading all financial transfers.” |
| Paravac: SDS operations were brought into the question
| Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 11 ‘SDS operations were brought into the question’, Nezavisne Novine, Saturday pg. 5 ‘BiH should withdraw the lawsuit against SCG’ by Beta, Glas Srpske, Saturday cover and pg. 3 ‘The lawsuit should be withdrawn’ not signed – Serb member of BiH Presidency and SDS member Borislav Paravac has stated that the recent removals at SDS had not weakened the party and he reiterated that BiH should withdraw the lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro. Upon HR Ashdown’s order on a special audit on SDS due to a suspicion that the party is financing the work of the net of helpers of Radovan Karadzic and Ravna Gora Chetnik Movement, Paravac claims that ‘OHR has a developed practice not to present evidence on claims it brings’. |
| VN editorial on Ashdown
| Vecernje Novosti, Sunday pg. 2 ‘Pasic and Ashdown’ by Zeljko Vukovic – The author quotes HR Paddy Ashdown’s comment upon reactions of Serb population on his decision on the removals, as saying ‘There was no public demonstrations, which means that people does not think I have done anything unjust’. The author says that the current masters of colonies and their subordinates are measuring pulse of native population. He says: “it is very simple – they are not complaining, therefore apply more pressure”. He compares it with practice Nikola Pasic had applied in past, also on Serb people. |
| DL op ed on political situation following HR decision
| Dnevni List Saturday pg 11 ‘With whom Tihic will go on iftar this year’ (iftar is an evening meal during Ramadan fast) by Z. Jukic – DL carries an editorial on the recent political crises emerged upon the decision on removals of RS officials passed by High Representative Paddy Ashdown. The author says: “The last conflict between SDS and SDA, that received the considerable HR’s support in its many segments, is just an introduction in the things use during the next pre-election campaign…” The author goes on to say that a very small number of BiH citizens will vote at the coming elections and according to Jukic this will not be so significant blow for ruling parties as it will be for the HR who will finally have to explain to his leaders in Brussels how come that apathy rules among BiH citizens after the HR’s, pompously announced reform processes. |
| Diplomatic forum on political relations btw
| Oslobodjenje Sat pg 7 ‘Due to internal problems, BiH is not fully equal partner’, mentioned on cover, by A. Omeragic, Slobodna Dalmacija Saturday pg 16 ‘BiH burdened by shadow of past’ by B. Kristo, Dnevni List Saturday pg BiH has certain limits for normal functioning’ by V. Vujovic and Vecernji List Saturday pg 2 ‘Republic of Croatia will demand change of Agreement on Ploce Port’ by D. Jazvic – Talking at the diplomatic forum on political and economic relations between BiH and Croatia, BiH Ambassador to Croatia Zlatko Dizdarevic was very critical about behaviour of the Governments in both Sarajevo and Zagreb. According to Dizdarevic, still there is no enough readiness in BiH and |
| NN editorial on political situation | Nezavisne Novine, Saturday pg. 7 ‘To which extent does Terzic rule?’ by Mato Djakovic – The author says he had met with Neven Tomic, former politician, former HDZ member, former Prime Minister of BiH Government, former Mayor of Mostar. Tomic told him there is no use to deal with politics in BiH nowadays. He explained it with the fact that once it was possible to negotiate and talk with the international community, during the mandates of Bildt, Westerndorp, Steiner even Petritsch, while today, according to Tomic, HR Ashdown only sends his deputies to CoM or Presidency to deliver his order. They can either respect the order and enact laws, or move aside. Should they fail to do this, the international community would remove them instead. The author wonders how much of the authority do Sulejman Tihic, Borislav Paravac or Dragan Covic actually has. He emphasizes that he does not oppose Paddy Ashdown nor the international community, but he also says: ‘Is there anyone smart enough to explain to Paddy Ashdown and international community that this is not |
War crimes | |
| Srebrenica Commission deadline extended
| FTV Fri, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 8 ‘Deadline to complete the work extended to 15 October’ by Fena, Dnevni List Sunday pg 13 ‘Deadline for Srebrenica Commission extended by October 15’ by NINA – DL carries an OHR’s press release which says that the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, has written to RS President Dragan Cavic and RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic extending the deadline by which the RS Srebrenica Commission must complete its work and present its final report, until 15 October. Nezavisne Novine, Saturday pg. 3 ‘Deadline for Srebrenica Commission was extended’ not signed – RS Government reached a decision to extend a deadline for the completion of the work of Srebrenica Commission by October 15. As the Head of the Public Relations Bureau of RS Government, Cvijeta Kovacevic, has stated, the decision was brought in accordance with stance of the Office of the High Representative. Glas Srpske, pg. 2 ‘Baptizing at the Parliament’ by Z. Marceta carries the inset ‘Srebrenica’, in which it reports on the extension of the deadline. |
| VN int with Richard Prosper | Vecernje Novosti, Saturday pg. 2 ‘A cost must be paid’ by Dubravka Savic – Pierre Richard Prosper, the |
Audits | |
| New audit reports reveal irregularities in
| RTRS Fri, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 9 ‘Negative assessments for Court and BiH Prosecution’, Dnevni List Saturday pg 9 ‘Prosecution and BiH Court got failing mark’ by D. Polovina-Mandic, Nezavisne Novine, Saturday pg. 3 ‘Only two reports, out of eleven, were assessed positively’ by R. Cengic, Glas srpske, Saturday pg. 4 ‘Money leaking everywhere’ by N. Zelenovic, EuroBlic, Saturday pg. RS3 ‘The Court and Prosecution are the greatest squanders’ by J. D. – State Auditors Samir Musovic and Dragan Kulina on Friday held a press conference presenting the results of new audit reports into financial workings of 11 BiH institutions. They said that the work of the BHTV 1 Fri – “Neither Court nor Prosecutors Office has reported equipment such as computers, furniture, etc, in amount of 537 000 KM for the Oslobodjenje Sat cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘Investigation on BiH Presidency’s overspending’ by Azhar Kalamujic – Oslobodjenje carries that Kulina also confirmed that the State Prosecution has commenced with the investigation of the financial workings of BiH Presidency for the past year. FTV Fri – “BiH Prosecution in several attempts has been submitting a report, and has been asking for explanations and additional documents and information [on BiH Presidency],” said Kulina. “We expect institutions on BiH level to adopt the systematic regulations on spending,” said Musovic. |
| Raguz responds to audit report
| Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 5 ‘It is possible that the demand of McNair’s special departments is to be rejected’, mentioned on cover ‘It is possible for McNair’s requested to be rejected’ by Husein Orahovac – In an interview to DA, the president of the BiH Court Martin Raguz was asked to comment the negative assessments made on spending of BiH Court and presented by the auditors: “The Court did not spend a single pfening in non-transparent way. The remarks made by the Audit Office strictly refer to technical side of book keeping. We will correct those things.” |
| Audit of FBiH Tax Administration
| Nezavisne Novine, Saturday pg. 6 ‘Budget was overstepped for BAM 190,000’ by R. Cengic – A report of the Audit Service reads that the Federation of BiH Tax Administration has overstepped certain budget items for 2003 for approximately BAM 190,000 and it also did not keep records on its incomes from forcible collection of taxes. Although the total expenses of the Tax Administration were less than planned, water supply expenses, telephone expenses and expenses for rent of warehouses were higher than planned. The Deputy Director of the Federation of BiH Tax Administration, Ivan Previsic, has stated: ‘The Ministry of Finances is to be blamed for these omissions. On several occasions we asked from the Ministry to approve reallocation within our own budget, but it has failed to reply on our requests’. He added that the Tax Administration would have accomplished savings amounting more than BAM 1 million had it reallocated funds within the budget. |
| Audit of FBiH MoI | FTV Sat – Audit report of the FBiH Interior Ministry revealed certain irregularities in the spending finances in the institution, whereas 760.000 KM were overspent. Mevludin Halilovic, FBiH Minister of Interior claims that he did not have budget means at his disposal, and that the only thing he did was sign pay checks. “I could not expect better report having in mind the fact that FBiH MoI has regulations … by which requests for budgetary means were submitted by Police Director and Administration Director,” claims Mevludin Halilovic adding he warned FBiH Government and Ministry of Finances about these regulations saying they are opposite to the law on budget. |
Economic and social issues | |
| NN on construction of hydropower plants on Vrbas | Nezavisne Novine, Saturday cover and pg. 5 ‘Kozic and Klickovic are constructing hydropower station on Vrbas’ by A. Sekulic – A contract on the concession for the construction of hydropower plants on Vrbas has not been signed as yet, nevertheless, judging everything, the leading firm that will participate in this project is “Gradjevinar” firm from Kraljevo. Although engineer Milos Radenkovic is formally at the head of the firm, it was found out unofficially that two former RS Prime Ministers – Dusan Kozic and Gojko Klickovic – actually stand behind this firm. |
| SDA urges authorities not to accept memorandum on understanding on pensions
| Dnevni List Saturday pg 5 ‘Nevertheless, decreasing of pensions in FBiH is possible’, mentioned on cover, by E. Mackic and Slobodna Dalmacija Saturday pg 15 ‘Pensions must not be decreased’ by F, Glas Srpske, Saturday pg. 2 ‘Srpska in old practice’ by Srna – SDA Deputy President Seada Palavric appealed to the Governments of the RS, Federation of BiH and CoM not to accept the Memorandum on Understanding on Pensions, because this would lead to a significant decrease in the amount of pensions in the Federation of BiH. |
| Hadzipasic on pensions | FTV Sat – FBiH Government says that International Monetary Fund did not forbid payment of half of a pension from 2000, but that IMF only has suggested to take care of the system when estimating and planning for any kind of spending budgetary means. “In 2004 budget there is a budget for payment of pensions, and what is the most important is that we do have money, and we will pay that pension around 25 July” said Ahmet Hadzipasic, FBiH Prime Minister. “Categories which have the lowest incomes such as pensioners, disabled persons, will receive their pensions in cash and all these programmes we do together with IMF, this is not disputable and that will happen” added Hadzipasic. |