Headlines
A statement has been released from the RS Presidential Cabinet today saying that the RS President received a group of RS officers who had just finished their education as national defense military officers.0:45
The RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, met with the UN SRSG in BiH, Mrs. Elizabeth Rehn, in Banja Luka today. The meeting primarily focused on the ongoing police reconstruction process and the forthcoming elections in BiH.
1:03
Prime Minister Dodik, and his Federation counterpart, Ejup Ganic, met with the Chairman of the Brcko Arbitration Tribunal, Roberts Owen, in Brcko this evening. Speaking about the return process, Dodik stressed that it must be conducted in two ways, and that economic potential must be reactivated to enable returns. Dodik went on to stress that he expected the final arbitration decision to be made at the beginning of the next year.
1:13
The European Union Commissioner, Hans Van den Broek met with members of the BiH Presidency and representatives of the CoM in Sarajevo today. The meeting with the Presidency discussed the implementation of Annex 7 of the DA and relations between the EU and BiH. “While notable progress has been made since my latest visit last October, returns, especially minority returns, still remain an alarming issue. Van Den Broek is expected to meet with President Plavsic in Banja Luka and PM Dodik in Bijeljina tomorrow.
1:47
(Kosovo-related issues)
2:52
Following the violations of Articles 5 and 10 of the RS Law on public informing and the general situation in local media, the RS Government, at its session yesterday, passed measures introducing commissioners, who will be acting as directors and editors and will only be accountable to the Government, to run local radio and TV stations until the final legal solution has been reached.
3:22
(Commentary by the RS Minister of Information, Rajko Vasic)… Measures introduced by the Government are entirely logical, since the Government just could not tolerate illegal activities in this field any more…Aside from a number of violations of the Law on public informing, we have also had permanent threats by the IC that certain media shall be closed down and that international administration shall be introduced due to their one-sided reporting…
1:56
Following the decision by the RS Government to remove directors of local radio and TV stations, Dragan Gasic, the international administrator for SRT, stated that commissioners appointed by the Government were not on the SRT pay-roll and would not be on it. “The Government has no right to put commissioners on SRT pay-roll. This decision is not in accordance with a letter nor with the spirit of temporary arrangements for operating the SRT of 13th February 1998, and, therefore, will not be obliging for SRT”.
1:06
The SDS, at a press conference today, sharply condemned removals of respective directors and editors of local radio stations in 16 RS municipalities. “This decision is against independent journalism, especially because it is well known that all of the removed directors are members of the SDS”. Dragan Cavic, the Vice President of the SDS, appealed to Westendorp and Berry: a) to immediately cease the ongoing hunt for the people for the sake of democratic and free elections, b) to publicly voice their positions on unprecedented violations of basic human rights and political liberties, c) there want be free and fair elections for as long as the current authorities continue to behave in such a violent way and disrespect RS laws. Cavic went on to appeal to the entire Government to immediately resign.
1:39
(Reactions were also reported by the following: the Serb Radical Party (against), the Serb Movement of Renewal (against), the Municipal Board of the Party of Independent Social Democrats from Doboj (in support of).
1:10
Following the decision by the RS Government removing its leadership, the Trade Union of Sarajevo Radio employees today went on strike, and stated that the decision would not be implemented.
0:35
According to Doboj municipal authorities, Pavle Stanisic who has been appointed as RS Government commissioner for Doboj Radio, has refuted to assume this position. However, after meeting with representatives of the Doboj Municipal Assembly, Stanisic addressed a letter to the RS Government saying that he was not able to assume the position due to categorical refusal by the Doboj Municipal Executive Council and a number of loal radio employees. (other reactions – Modrica Radio –
0:29
An agreement on business and technical cooperation has been signed between the Banja Luka-based “Nezavisne Novine” daily newspaper and the Banja Luka-based Simic TV in Banja Luka today, aimed at improving and democratizing media landscape in the RS. 1 min
0:00
BETA has reported that the RS Minister of Justice, Petko Cancar, has announced that the RS Government is planning to introduce rigorous measures aimed at curbing corruption in the RS judiciary.
0:33
The RS representative at the BiH Presidency, Momcilo Krajisnik, today described the arrest of Vuckovic brothers from Prijedor as another discrediting move by the Hague Tribunal and SFOR.
0:14
The Vuckovic brothers held a press conference in Prijedor today.
0:57
Interest of Banja Luka citizens in getting a new common passport continues to increase. According to local police officials, passport request forms will be provided in sufficient numbers shortly, and, unlike those issued so far, will have a stamp of the Banja Luka Public Security Center to prevent people from copying and selling forms.
1:12