Friday
| RADIO HERCEG BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| PIC/HR’s press conference | SFOR action in Pale | | SFOR action in Pale |
| HoR approves generals | HR’s press conference | Radovanovic on defence | HR announces sanctions |
| Blewit on Karadzic | Appointments in BH army | HR’s press conference | Statement of Djeric |
| Peace award | Selling ERONET shares | SFOR action in Pale | Elections in |
Saturday
| NTV Hayat (18,55 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| | Inspection in Celebici | Law on Higher Education | Incident in |
| BIH development strategy | Incident in | Funerals in Prijedor | Burial in Prijedor |
| Gorazde forgotten | Burial in Prijedor | Incident in | RS police action in Celebici |
| Sandzak takes BIH history | Elections in | | Dodik on Karadzic |
Saturday
| Oslobodjenje | |
| Dnevni Avaz | Djeric and Njegus to go together with Kalinic |
| Dnevni List | Republika Srpska remains after Istanbul Summit |
| Vecernji List | 1000 marks for each old saving |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Berislav Pusic should not have surrendered himself |
| Glas Srpske | Both apartment and position to Podzic; Ashdown threatens with punishments |
| Nezavisne Novine | SFOR searched premises of SDS; Ashdown announced sanctions to RS authority; Draft report of international auditor: Malfeasant acts of SDS go through public firms; Softic: Verdict next year |
| EuroBlic | Gathering in Visegrad: It is important for RS to harmonize its interest with world and EU; SFOR searched SDS in Pale – Stojicic: Something big is being prepared |
Sunday
| Oslobodjenje | Common funeral for 57 victims of the crime |
| Dnevni Avaz | Crime cannot remain unpunished |
| Dnevni List | Decision: Framework law on higher education detrimental to Croats |
| Vecernji List | Wrong data against B. Pusic |
PfP/Cooperation with ICTY/War crimes | |
| Ashdown’s press conference/PIC Communique
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS on Friday, Dnevni List, Sat, front and pg 3 ‘Republika Srpska remains after Istanbul Summit’, by Indira Tabucic, Vecernji List, Sat, pg 2 ‘Republika Srpska will not wait long for my answer’, by Eldina Medunjanin, Slobodna Dalmacija, Sat, back pg ‘Ashdown: I will punish Republika Srpska’, by F, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘On consequences for RS after Istanbul’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘It is unacceptable that BiH future is ruined due to RS’ – Following a two-day meeting of political directors of Peace Implementation Council, the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, stated that topics of the meeting were fulfilling of requirements for BiH joining the Partnership for Peace programme and possible measures in case NATO decides not to invite BiH to join the PfP at the NATO Istanbul Summit. “I will consider all the possible measures and take corresponding decisions very soon after we have received a reply from Istanbul”, stated HR Ashdown commenting on possible speculations in the media that dealt with sanctions against the RS because the entity failed to arrest war crimes suspects. HR Ashdown also noted it was unacceptable that the country’s held hostage by some people in the RS, also criticizing statements of some RS leaders who claimed that “it was not tragic” if BiH did not join PfP in Istanbul. In that context, HR Ashdown noted that measures against people who are responsible for BiH not joining the PfP did not mean the abolishment of the RS. On the other hand, HR Ashdown and PIC political directors are very happy with the course of reforms in last few months. Nezavisne Novine, Saturday, pg. 3 ‘Sanctions for RS authority’ by A. Sisic mentioned on cover ‘Ashdown announced sanctions to RS authority’, Glas Srpske, Saturday, pg. 3 ‘Ashdown threatens with punishments’ by SRNA mentioned on cover ‘Ashdown threatens with punishments’, Vecernje Novosti, Saturday, pg. 4 ‘I will not abolish RS’ by Dusan Stojakovic alosd reported on the HR’s press conference. According to the dailies, Ashdown could not say whether SDS President Dragan Kalinic and Interior Minister Zoran Djeric would be among first to be sanctioned or removed. Nezavisne Novine, Saturday, pg. 3 carries the inset ‘Paddy Ashdown: Nobody is talking about abolishing of RS’ – HR Paddy Ashdown reiterated that nobody was ‘talking about abolishing of RS’. ‘Citizens of RS too are victims of irresponsible authority of RS. There will be two principles of OHR in the forthcoming period of time. One is that we must make the work of the most responsible ones for failure to arrest PIFWCs more difficult. The other one is to abet and encourage SDS and others to finally start cooperating in order to be able to bring the suspects before the face of justice’, HR Ashdown stated. Sat Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘‘On consequences for RS after Istanbul’, ONASA – The PIC Steering Board was briefed on a range of Rule of Law reforms, including the War Crimes Chamber project and initiatives to tackle organized crime in BiH. The Steering Board welcomed Prime Minister Terzic’s call for a Police Restructuring Commission. The Steering Board welcomed the significant progress that has been made in Defense and Intelligence Reform but expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that, just days ahead of NATO’s Istanbul Summit, BiH has failed to meet a key condition for participation in Partnership for Peace, namely cooperation with the ICTY. The work of the RS Srebrenica Commission and the recent statement of RS President Dragan Cavic are welcome positive steps that may represent a significant turning point in postwar reconciliation in BiH. The Steering Board, however, emphasized that President Cavic’s statement must be followed by deeds including the arrest of ICTY indictees. The RS has failed to locate or apprehend even one war-crimes indictee in the nine years since the Dayton Accord. The RS, an Entity of BiH guaranteed under |
| GS interview with Ashdown: We want actions, not excuses
| Glas Srpske – Glas Plus, Saturday, pg. 2 ‘We want actions, not excuses’ by Goran Mihajlovic mentioned on cover of Glas Plus ‘We want actions, not excuses’ – carries a full-page interview with HR Paddy Ashdown, in which he stated that the door of PfP are not yet closed for BiH, but he added that chances for the admission of BiH are small. He welcomed the statement of RS President Dragan Cavic and emphasized that there will be no positive response unless concrete measures are undertaken. HR Ashdown gave comments on the possibility of RS to arrest war criminals, determining of truth on war crimes, freezing of accounts of SDS, economic situation in BiH etc. Asked to comment on media claims saying that he, as a high representative, has too wide authorization, HR Ashdown stated: ‘I think this is alright because this is a condition, request as in accordance with the Asked whether it is true that he had supported the idea of SDA on forming of a Bosnian nation, as Seada Palavric had stated, HR Ashdown said: ‘I never comment statements of other people, but in this case I will make an exception. This is completely untrue’. Vecernje novosti, Sunday, pg. 4 ‘ |
| VL: Kalinic to be removed, Djeric stays
| Vecernji List, Sun, pg 3 ‘RS remains, removals of officials to follow’, by Branka Stevandic – According to VL’s sources “close to international circles”, in case BiH does not join the PfP at the NATO Istanbul Summit, there will be sanctions against senior officials of the RS, however the Republika Srpska will remain intact. According to VL, the IC has decided not to touch the organization of BiH as stipulated by the DPA, however it will remove obstacles on BiH’s road to NATO and EU. According to VL’s sources, the President of SDS, Dragan Kalinic, will be removed, but the same is not in store for the RS Interior Minister, Zoran Djeric, who has been frequently mentioned as one of obstacles. Allegedly, the BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, ‘cut a deal’ with people from the IC that Djeric stays in the office, and instead some junior officials of the RS MoI will be removed. |
| Dnevni Avaz: Djeric and Njegus to go together with Kalinic | Saturday’s Dnevni Avaz cover page ‘Djeric and Njegus to go together with Kalinic’, pg 2 ‘Those to be removed include: Kalinic, Djeric, Njegus, Zaric, Vasic…’ – According to the daily, RS Interior Minister Zoran Djeric and RS Police Director Radomir Njegus will be removed by the HR Paddy Ashdown after the Istanbul Summit together with SDS leader and RS national Assembly Speaker Dragan Kalinic. |
| EU, EC Ambassadors hail Cavic’s statement on Srebrenica crime
| Sunday’s Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Cavic’s admission way towards reconciliation’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Cavic’s claiming responsibility a brave position’, ONASA – The Heads of Missions of the member countries of the European Union (EU) and the European Commission (EC) welcomed the statement by Republika Srpska President Dragan Cavic, acknowledging the Serbs were responsible for the tragic events of July 1995 in Srebrenica. “A new page seems to be on the verge of being turned in the history of BiH, which will enable its population to face the future with more confidence. This can be done provided other steps are taken towards recognition of the truth by the Serbs as well as other constituent peoples of BiH”, said a statement issued by the Dutch Embassy in Sarajevo. The Heads of Missions called on all political leaders and civil society in BiH to actively participate in the process of truth, justice and reconciliation, which is the only way to create mutual trust among the constituent peoples, the statement cited. |
| Statement of Day: Dragan Cavic | Dnevni List, sat, pg 2, carries in its ‘Statement of Day’, the Republika Srpska President, Dragan Cavic, as saying: “We will be punished for all those who were in power between 1996 until present days”. |
| RS Interior Minister promises better cooperation with Hague in future
| RTRS on Friday, SRNA – RS Interior Minister Zoran Djeric said in Doboj on Friday that cooperation between the RS Interior Ministry and the Hague Tribunal had been fairly good over the past few months and would be even better in the forthcoming period. “We shall do everything to continue getting positive assessments of our work from the international community so that the doors of the Partnership for Peace and European integration processes are opened for the RS and BiH,” Djeric said after talks with the head of the Doboj public security centre, Mladen Micic, commanders and leaders of this centre. He stressed that the RS Interior Ministry was doing all its tasks professionally and that it was up to representatives of the international community to decide with whom and how they want to work. |
| Defence Minister Radovanovic on BiH joining PfP
| Dnevni List, Sun, pg 23 ‘BiH entering Partnership for peace is linked to condition whose fulfilment is uncertain’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – carries an interview with the BiH Defence Minister, Nikola Radovanovic, who, talking about issues pertaining to BiH joining the PfP, says: “I personally, and this seems to be the case with majority of other officials in BiH, have a problem with the fact that we are not in position to be invited to the PfP because of the currently most mentioned condition, that being the arrest of Radovan Karadzic. I am afraid that we are entering something which is pretty uncertain considering it is very disputable who and when one can say the arrest would happen, and I think in that way BiH is linked to something that is very uncertain”. |
| DL on BiH joining PfP
| Dnevni List, Sat, pg 2 ‘Karadzic leads BiH to Europe’, by Jurislav Petrovic – Amid announcements that BiH will not be joining the PfP at the NATO Istanbul Summit, the author argues that a BiH delegation should not be travelling to the Summit at all in order not to waste time and taxpayers’ money. Instead, the author suggests the BiH authorities to stay in BiH and take on the numerous problems. |
| SFOR action in Pale
| BHTV, FTV, RTRS on Friday, Nezavisne Novine, Saturday, pg. 2 ‘Financial documentation was taken’ by M. Cubro cover ‘SFOR searched premises of SDS’, Glas Srpske, Saturday, pg. 3 ‘They took away papers and computer’ by N. Zelenovic, Vecernje novosti, Saturday, pg. 4 ‘Five boxes of documentation of SDS were taken away’, by Sl. Pesevic, Blic, Saturday, pg. RS1 ‘SDS: Something big is being prepared’ by J. D. – T. V. mentioned on cover ‘SFOR searched SDS in Pale – Stojicic: Something big is being prepared’, Slobodna Dalmacija, Sat, pg 15 ‘Documents and computer taken’, by A. Macanovic, Dnevni List, Sat, pg 16 ‘Inspection of observing of Dayton agreement’, not signed, Vecernji List, Sat, pg 4 ‘SFOR searches SDS premises at Pale’, by bs, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover ‘SFOR raided into SDS, hotel Panorama premises in Pale’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Five boxes with SDS documentation taken away’, mentioned on cover ‘What was SFOR looking for in Pale’ – SFOR members searched premises of SDS in Pale on Friday and confiscated documentation on financial transactions of Pale Municipal Board of SDS party, “Hidrogradnja” firm and “Panorama” hotel in Pale. SFOR Spokesperson Mark Hope said this was an unannounced, routine action and did not want to give any more details. Police officers of RS police assisted SFOR during the action by regulating traffic. According to the President of SDS Municipal Board, Nedjo Risticevic, SFOR soldiers behaved in a correct manner during the action. |
| SDS says it cannot be arresting war crime indictees
| Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘SDS cannot arrest war crime indictees’, ONASA – Spokesman for the Serb Democratic Party (SDS) Dusan Stojicic did not want to comment on Friday’s inspection of the SDS municipal office in Pale stressing that such activities were within mandate of the Stabilization Force (SFOR). Commenting on the announcements on removal of certain SDS officials over non-cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, Stojicic said that the SDS cannot accept responsibility for something like that. “We do not accept that we should arrest war crime indictees. We cannot do that and no one can ask us to do that,” Stojicic said. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Stojicic: SDS will not sit and do nothing’ also carried Stojicic’s statement. According to the daily, Stojicic also said that the party would not sit and do nothing emphasizing that inappropriate political pressures on the strongest RS party might lead to a political crisis. |
| Ivanic: No reason for criticism of RS
| Sunday’s Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘No reason for criticism of RS’ – BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic said late on Friday in Bijeljina that RS was suffering international community’s criticism without any reason. This criticism according to Ivanic may be realised as a political pressure that then can bring into question normal functioning of BiH and RS. |
| SFOR searched house of Savo Todorovic in Serb Sarajevo
| TV Hayat, BHTV, FTV, RTRS on Saturday, Vecernje novosti, Sunday, pg. 4 ‘There is neither Todorovic, nor evidence’ by Beta, Nacional Belgrade daily, Sunday, pg. ‘Unsuccessful arrest action’ not signed, Dnevni List, Sun, pg 13 ‘Unsuccessful arrest of Savo Todorovic’, by NINA, Vecernji List, Sun, pg 2 ‘Todovic not arrested’, by bs, Sunday’s Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover ‘They looked for Todorovic in a house which no one has been living in for a long time’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘They were looking for the Hague indictee Todorovic in Celebici’ – The Serb Sarajevo Public Security Centre confirmed that the goal of the police action in Celebici near Srbinje was the arrest of war crimes indictee Savo Todorovic. With the support of special police units from Srbinje, members of the Serb Sarajevo Public Security Centre searched this morning at |
| Graham Blewitt on Karadzic and Mladic
| Herceg Bosna Radio on Friday, Vecernje Novosti, Saturday, pg. 5 ‘NATO does not want Karadzic’ by Tanjug, Nacional Belgrade daily, Saturday, pg. 3 ‘NATO does not want to arrest Karadzic and Mladic’ not signed – The Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Hague Tribunal, Graham Blewitt, has stated that, in his opinion, there is no political will in NATO to arrest Radovan Karadzic anymore. ‘I do not think Karadzic or Mladic would ever appear at the Hague’, Blewitt stated. |
| RS Government to financial support ICTY indictees
| Nezavisne Novine, Saturday, pg. 5 ‘Hague indictees will be receiving “salaries”’ by A. Sekulic, Vecernje novosti, Saturday, pg. 4 ‘Help for detainees’ by FoNet – RS Government has reached a decision on financial support to persons held in detention of the Hague Trbunal and members of their families. As in accordance with the decision, the Hague indictees from RS, who have voluntarily surrendered, will have a right to monthly income in the amount of an average salary in RS while, at the same time, their families will be receiving a half of this amount. According to the Bureau for Public Relations of RS Government, 200,000 KM were earmarked from RS budget for this purpose this year. The decision also foresees a right of detainees’ family members to compensation of expenses of their travels to |
| Draft report of international auditor on financial transactions of SDS
| Nezavisne Novine, Saturday, pg. 4 ‘The biggest malfeasant acts are going through public firms’ by A. Sisic mentioned on cover ‘Draft report of international auditor: Malfeasant acts of SDS go through public firms‘ – International auditors have found that in the most of SDS Municipal Boards in BiH money has been spent in a non-transparent manner and there are justified suspicions that this party is financing war crimes indictees through various malfeasant acts. ‘By an insight to SDS accounts, evidence on ‘common’ corruption were found, while the biggest financial malfeasant acts were done through public firms and private owned firms close to this party’, a BiH official, who had read the draft report of international auditor on financial transactions of SDS in 2003 and first four months of 2004, has stated. |
| Dusan Stojicic on audit of financial transactions of SDS
| Nezavisne Novine, Saturday, pg. 4 ‘Something big is being prepared for SDS’ by V. P., Glas Srpske, Saturday, pg. 2 ‘Pressures continue’ by G. D., Vecernje novosti, Saturday, pg. 4 ‘Strike on Srpska’ by M. L., Blic, Saturday, pg. RS1 ‘SDS: Something big is being prepared’ by J. D. – T. V. mentioned on cover ‘SFOR searched SDS in Pale – Stojicic: Something big is being prepared’ – SDS Spokesperson Dusan Stojicic stated on Friday at a press conference that reports of some media on audit of financial transactions of SDS were supported by international and domestic forces with an aim to create an environment for reaching radical decisions against SDS. He explained that such radical decisions would include ban of the work of SDS, removal of high-ranking officials of SDS or ban to participate at the elections. ‘I claim responsibly that there were no illegal transactions in SDS. Announcements brought by some media that there were illegal transactions is an announcement that something big is being prepared for SDS and it is no coincidence that this is happening just before the Summit in Istanbul’, Stojicic said. |
| Meeting on BiH lawsuit against SCG
| BHTV, FTV, RTRS on Friday, Nezavisne Novine, Saturday, pg. 2 ‘Softic: Verdict next year’ mentioned on cover ‘Softic: Verdict next year’, Blic, Saturday, pg. 5 ‘Without agreement between SCG and BiH’ not signed, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 6 ‘Hague Court concerned about BiH/SCG relations following the ruling’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Decision on the date of the process beginning to be made in a few weeks’ – Legal representatives of BiH and SCG held a “technical meeting” on Friday in order for both of the parties to present their stances on continuation of the dispute BiH commenced 11 years ago against then Republic of Yugoslavia. Legal representative of BiH at the International Court of Justice and in |
| Burial of exhumed war victims in Prijedor
| TV Hayat, BHTV, FTV, RTRS on Saturday, Sunday’s Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 3 ‘Common funeral for 57 victims of the crime’, Dnevni Avaz cover page, pg 3 ‘Crime cannot remain unpunished’, ONASA – There is no revenge, since it does not prevent but stimulates crime, however, there are truth and justice, which prevent crime and ensure reconciliation, the head of the Islamic Community in BiH, reis-ul-ulema Mustafa Ceric, said Saturday in Prijedor. Attending a prayer devoted to funeral for mortal remains of 53 Bosniaks killed in the 1992-95 war in BiH, Ceric said there were still those who refused to know of and accept that a crime had taken place here, a crime that could not be justified but by truth in BiH and justice in The Hague. Bodies of four Bosnian Croats, who had also been killed during the war, were also buried on the day. The chancellor of the Bishop’s ordinariate in |
Political developments/Reforms | |
| BiH HoR confirmed the list of candidates for generals’ positions
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS on Friday, Nezavisne Novine, Saturday, pg. 5 ‘Sifet Podzic and Vlado Djojic at the head of Armed forces’ by agencies, Glas Srpske, Saturday, cover ‘Both apartment and position to Podzic’, Blic, Saturday, pg. RS3 ‘HoR supported nine generals’ by J. D., Vecernji List, Sat, pg 3 ‘Brigadier Podzic the first army commander’, by E. Medunjanin, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg 8, mentioned on cover ‘Spiric tried to challenge appointment of Podzic’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Appointment of general Sifet Podzic confirmed’ – At a session held on Friday, the HoR of BiH Parliament confirmed the list of candidates for generals’ positions at the BiH joint defence institutions and Armies of the Federation of BiH and RS. Delegates supported the candidacy of Sifet Podzic to the duty of the Head of BiH Joint Command, Slavko Puljic to the duty of Deputy Head of Joint Command for Operations and Vlado Dzoic to the duty of the Commander of BiH Operative Command. As in accordance with the list, the following were nominated for the positions at the Federation of BiH Army: Hajrudin Grabovica, Jugoslav Brdar, Mirsad Gutic and Anto Jelac. All candidates have passed the vetting procedure of SFOR. Glas Srpske, Saturday, cover ‘Both apartment and position to Podzic’ – apart from reporting on the confirmation of the list of candidates, the article also reads that upon remarks of Serb delegates, who have disputed the candidacy of Sifet Podzic because he is using someone else’s apartment, BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic has explained that the Ministry has looked into these claims and found that Podzic did not violate laws. On the other hand, judging a reply of the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees to Jovo Vukobrad (the owner of the mentioned apartment) Podzic will have to move out of the apartment. Jovo Vukobrad is attempting to get reinstated to his apartment since September 1998 |
| US State Secretary Assistant says US will remain in BiH
| Nezavisne Novine, Saturday, pg. 3 ‘America will stay present in BiH’ by SRNA, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘US remains present in BiH’, ONASA – Assistant to US Secretary of State Caitlin Stephens said during her meeting with officials of the BiH House of Representatives that the US would remain in BiH determined to continue assisting BiH through NATO and bilateral relations. Stephens said that the opening of a NATO Office in |
| Movement for Changes established
| BHTV, FTV on Saturday, Sunday’s Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5, mentioned on cover ‘Changes for the benefit of all and not just the chosen ones’, Dnevni List, Sun, pg 3 ‘Movement for changes a result of dissatisfaction of BiH citizens’, by Erna Mackic, Vecernji List, Sun, pg 2, ‘Main goal is to stop agony within society’, by Eldina Medunjanin – An inaugural assembly of the ‘Movement for changes’ was organized at Sarajevo’s ‘Holiday Inn’ Hotel on Saturday, which drew much attention because initiators of the Movement are some prominent people from both the ruling parties and the opposition. According to its founders, the Movement should initiate positive process in BiH and help the country escape the agony it is currently in. A member of the Initiative Board and the FBiH Vice President, Sahbaz Dzihanovic, reckons the formation of the Movement is one of most important events in BiH history, resolutely denying claims that the Movement is a new form of ‘Alliance for changes’ that could soon grow into a political party. According to Dzihanovic, the Movement is an association of citizens that will be, among other issues, fighting against the practice of taking decisions outside BiH institutions. VL notes that some 500 people joined the Movement on Saturday, and that initiators include Ahmet Hadzipasic, Nikola Spiric, Ivo Zivkovic, Beriz Belkic, Muhamed Filipovic, Ilija Simic, Marko Tadic, Slavo Kukic and other people from public life. |
| HDZ Presidency dissolves Cantonal Board in C10
| Dnevni List, Sat, pg 4 ‘Cantonal Board of HDZ in Herceg Bosna canton dissolved’, by Miso Relota – The Presidency of HDZ BiH held its session in Mostar on Friday at which it, among other issues, took a decision to dissolve the Cantonal Board of HDZ in Canton 10 because of numerous problems the HDZ in Canton 10 had faced in the past. DL reminds that cause of problems was lack of agreement between HDZ representatives from Livno and Tomislavgrad. |
| DL interview: SDHR Wnendt on Mostar
| Dnevni list, Sat, pg 7 ‘Mostar is becoming a more attractive centre’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – carries an interview with Senior Deputy High Representative, Werner Wnendt, in which talks about issues pertaining to situation in Mostar. Commending the adoption of the city budget for 2004, which is seen by SDHR Wnendt as a proof that domestic politicians are capable of taking responsibility for processes in Mostar, SDHR stresses that one third of the city budget would be spent on infrastructure, however, SDHR Wnendt says it is unfortunate that there are also debts that need to be covered by the budget. Asked to comment on the implementation of the Mostar Statute, SDHR Wnendt says the implementation goes well, noting that one always has to bear in mind the situation from the times when the city was divided. “Now you have one city with unified institutions and a lot of money is being invested into infrastructure, With such developments, Mostar becomes a more attractive destination for visitors, and we hope it will become more attractive to people who are ready to invest in it”, stated SDHR Wnendt. Questioned as to what the problems were, SDHR noted the re-organization of the administration that needs to be worked on and destroyed buildings in the city centre that ought to be reconstructed. |
| FBiH President Lozancic in Mostar meets Mayor and Deputy Mayor
| Herceg Bosna Radio, FTV on Friday, Slobodna Dalmacija, Sat, pg 18 ‘Five ministries – to Mostar’, by Miroslav Landeka, Dnevni List, Sat, pg 14 ‘Five Federation ministries ready to move to Mostar’, mentioned on cover, by NINA, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Five ministries move to Mostar’ – the FBiH President, Niko Lozancic, who was visiting Mostar on Friday, met with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Mostar, Hamdija Jahic and Ljubo Beslic respectively, who asked the President Lozancic to move five FBiH ministries to Mostar. According to Mayor Jahic, the move would economically help the city, foremost by creating new jobs. Mayor Jahic also stressed that the issue of surplus employees of the City administration ought to be solved together with the FBiH and Canton 7 Governments, so the surplus administration get jobs in cantonal and FBiH ministries. FBiH President Lozancic comments: “As far as the FBiH authorities are concerned, we have agreed upon certain concrete steps related to transfer of Federation ministries to Mostar, which are defined in the law that the seats are in Mostar, and full functioning of them, as well as FBiH Pension/Disability Fund. Moreover, establishment of a number of State agencies is ongoing at the moment, and we shall certainly insist that a number of them be seated in Mostar”. |
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| FTV on Friday, Dnevni List, Sun, front and pg 7 ‘Decision: Framework law on higher education detrimental to Croats’, by Ivica Glibusic, Vecernji List, Sun, pg 2 ‘Law that is dangerous to BiH Croats’, by Dejan Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija, Sat, back pg ‘Croat national interests endangered’, by B. Kristo, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Proposal on use of one or several languages destructive’, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 – The BiH Constitutional Court released on late Friday afternoon that the BiH Framework law on higher education was destructive to the Croat vital national interests. The |
Security/Investigations | |
| Macedonian prosecutor says report on Trajskovski plane crash story for kids
| BHTV, FTV on Friday, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg 7, mentioned on cover ‘Case dismissed, doubts remained’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Macedonian prosecutor claims the investigation into the death of Trajkovski has still not completed’, ONASA — Macedonian Public Prosecutor Aleksandar Prcevski has labelled the BiH Commission’s report on the plane crash that killed Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski as “a kids’ story.” Prcevski said on Friday that the report was not a relevant document issued by the competent authority, which would possibly allow him to take certain measures. He went on to say that the investigation into the accident which killed the entire Macedonian nine-member delegation on their way to the BiH town of Mostar for an investment conference on 26 February 2004 had yet to be completed, announcing he would request a hand-over of the aircraft remains. FTV on Friday – The BiH Investigating Commission Chair Salko Begic said the Commission’s job in the matter had been completed. He added that the Commission had worked in accordance with international law and standards and procedures of international civil aviation authorities. “Job of the Commission is neither to accuse nor to prosecute, since it is the Prosecution’s job. Every Prosecution office, in |
| BiH HoR on apprehension of Jelavic, Prce, Rupcic
| FTV on Friday, Nezavisne Novine, Saturday, pg. 5 ‘Without taking of stances on arrest of Jelavic’ not signed, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘SDA will not support the Commission’s report’ – On Friday, HoR of BiH Parliament did not take a stance on the report of investigation commission for investigating circumstances of the arrest of Ante Jelavic, Miroslav Rupcic and Miroslav Prce. After the discussion, upon a proposal of HDZ-Democratic Christians caucus, a conclusion was adopted, in accordance with which the commission should continue with its work. A report of the commission should be forwarded to BiH Ministry of Safety and BiH Ministry of Justice, and an expert opinion should be asked from the Ministries. The Commission has assessed that human rights were violated during the arrest as well as that a legal procedure was not respected. Dnevni List, Sat, pg 4 ‘SFOR involved in rigged process against Jelavic and others’, mentioned on cover, by Danka Polovina-Mandic – Notes that the report of the Investigative commission that was established to determine circumstances of arrest of Ante Jelavic, Miroslav Prce and Miroslav Rupcic caused plenty of polemics in the House of Representatives of BiH Parliament. DL reminds that the Commission earlier established that there was violation of human rights, that the Special Police was used outside the law and that there were no grounds to keep Jelavic, Prce and Rupcic in custody any more. This position was commented by Deputy Speaker, Sefik Dzaferovic (SDA), as interference into the work of courts, whilst Ivo Miro Jovic (HDZ) stated it was about politically rigged process in which SFOR was involved too. The HoR decided to postpone declaring to the Investigative commission’s report and send it to BiH Ministries of Justice and Security for their declaration. |
| Incident in
| BHTV, FTV, RTRS on Saturday, Vecernje Novosti, Sunday, pg. 4 ‘Former camp inmates were attacked’ by P. Vasovic – More than a hundred of Vecernji List, Sun, pg 3 ‘Serb wreath torn apart’, by Miro Petrovic – a delegation of the Association of RS POWs came on Saturday to lay a wreath in memory of fallen JNA soldiers in Tuzla on May 15, 1992, which, according to VL, provoked the masses that had gathered. The Association earlier announced it would place a memorial plaque at |
Economic/Social issues | |
| VL finds out plans of FBiH Govt re old savings
| Vecernji List, Sat, front and pg 3, ‘1000 marks for each old saving’, by Zdenko Jurilj – According to plans of ministers in the FBiH Government and representatives of the OHR and IMF, the old savings worth several hundreds million of KMs should be solved in a way that old savers receive 1000 KMs per each account, whilst the rest of the debt would be placed under a 10-year moratorium. Following the moratorium, in 20-years time, the rest of savings would be regulated by issuing securities, which could be used to buy stocks in BiH companies. Apparently, the plan has been heavily criticized by all the MPs in the FBiH Parliament. “It is impossible, it is a nonsense that even the biggest enemy would not come up with. All the presidents of caucuses who discussed the issue of old savings with Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays, opposed the proposal. That will happen next Tuesday, at the next session of FBiH Parliament, when the MPs have to officially declare themselves about the proposal”, commented the president of HDZ caucus in the FBiH Parliament, Ivan Madunic. Dnevni List, Sat, pg 5 ‘Savers want stocks in telekoms and Elektroprivredas’, by Ivica Glibusic – Notes that associations that gather old savers request that old savings, which were planned to be paid out in bonds, be paid out in stocks in (public) telecommunications companies and Elektroprivredas. |