OHR Weekend Round-up, 10-11/4/2004

NTV Hayat (18,55 hrs)

BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs)

FED TV (19,30 hrs)

RT RS (19,30)

Terzic, Lagumdzija on CoM

Unions vs. FBiH Govt

Murder in Rogoj

Mikerevic on Djeric

On ethnic prefixes

RS Unions’ statement

Unions vs. FBiH Govt

Murder in Trnovo

Prisoners Camps in BiH

Shooting in Rogoj

Law on Higher Education

Nikolaj’s Easter message

eFM, CRA dispute

Law on Higher Education

Nikolaj’s Easter message

Floods in RS

Oslobodjenje

Ashdown announced sanctions against Mikerevic and Cavic; Sjekirica lost passport in Sweden; Two killed in shooting near Trnovo; SPC asks Finic, Ceric to condemn attack on Starovlah

Dnevni Avaz

Bond: Americans are staying in BiH; Hadzipasic: I will not resign after vacation; Bloody encounter near Trnovo

Dnevni List

Wounded cousin held hostage; Minister Colak: Enhanced activities in determining questionable citizenships

Vecernji List

Charles R. Shrader, American military historian: Izetbegovic was close with Osama bin Laden; Interview with Cardinal Puljic: Those who do not want BiH safeguard Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska

Slobodna Dalmacija

Mostar: Way of the Cross on Hum

Nezavisne Novine

Letter of Vitorka Starovlah to Metropolitan Nikolaj: I begged to see my husband and son or to kill me; Dragomir Jovicic: I demanded investigation into audit reports; Brcko District: Million KM for a building, EURO for the entire bank; Trnovo: Two young men murdered

Oslobodjenje

Dismissal of FBiH Government or protests in Sarajevo; Halilovic: Ethnic universities in BiH not acceptable

Dnevni Avaz

Radovanovic: Candidates for generals positions submitted documents; Srebrenica Commission: RS police protects Smail Cekic; Halilovic: Destiny of 100.000 students is in question

War crimes

Orthodox Church denies protecting war crimes suspects, strongly condemns SFOR action

RHB, BHTV 1 Fri, FTV Fri, RTRS Fri, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘SPC is not protecting war criminals’, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 8 ‘People in BiH have three big values’, inset: ‘SPC is not protecting war criminals, Nezavisne Novine pg. 2 ‘SPC does not protect war crime suspects’ – In the press release, the Eparchy of Dabrobosanska Region has reiterated that SPC (Serb Orthodox Church) does not support war crime suspects. “We claim responsibly, clearly and unambiguously, that SPC, its episcopes and priests, neither protect, nor support and help hiding of the war crimes suspects!” carries the press release. SPC has also called on international functionaries and media in BiH to stop making accusations of this kind, “because they cannot amnesty the crime committed against the Church”. The press release was signed by Metropolitan of Dabrobosanska region Nikolaj.

RTRS Sat – In the Easter greeting, Metropolitan Nikolaj stated that those who committed the crime of injuring priest Jeremija Starovlah and his son have gone below any moral values and humanity: “Because of that, as Good’s creatures we condemn no one, but instead petty them, however we condemn very much their sins and one making mistakes is a collaborator not of Good but of Devil. This event… said everything and comments are not needed anymore”.

Oslobodjenje cover, pgs 4&5 ‘SPC demands Fincia and Ceric to condemn attack on Starovlah’ – Mitar Tanasic, the secretary of Dabrobosanska Eparchy, comments that SPC did not see a reason for further participation in the Inter-religious council if all religious communities do not condemn the attack on priest Starovlah and his son [attack was condemned by Catholic church, but not Jewish and Islamic communities, claims Tanasic]. He also adds that the action carried out by SFOR troops in Pale on 1 April was nothing but an attack against Orthodox Church, and adds that the international community has good relations with Islamic and Jewish communities, while it is not equally favourable of Orthodox and Catholic churches. Tanasic concludes that neither priest Starovlah nor SPC supported war criminals. Asked why the Church doesn’t invite war crimes suspects at large to surrender, Tanasic answers: “SPC is not a judge, or the prosecutor… It is not up to us to call on surrender. ICTY and authorities should do that.”

Ashdown on apprehension of war crimes suspects

FENA – The High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, told FENA news agency that there were two priorities that could ensure future for BiH, the first one to join the Partnership for Peace programme in June, and the second to enter the European tunnel in June or by end of the year. “This task requires two things. First, it is necessary to accelerate the reformatory process and if we are not able to do this, we shall not enter Europe. Second, we need to fulfill the international law, especially in the segment that refers to cooperation with the Hague Tribunal”, said Ashdown.  The first task, he added, must be fulfilled by the State authorities. The second, stressed Ashdown, is a task for the RS authorities to show that they are actively cooperating with the Hague Tribunal, which has not been the case so far.  “This is not an ‘if’, this is something that must be done. If we are not able to prove to NATO that we can fulfil this condition, I am afraid that NATO will say ‘no’. If the entire BiH has to suffer the damage because the RS was unable to fulfil this condition and that we did not, as a country, join PfP, it will be great misfortune”, warned Ashdown. This will, he added, force us to consider other matters, to see where the responsibility lies in the context of RS and individually. “Then we shall have to consider providing the state level with more competencies in the sense of apprehending the indicted war criminals. If the entities show that they are not able to cooperate in apprehending the indicted war criminals, than we shall have to enhance the State for this task”, said the High Representative. Saying that it would be unfortunate if the Republika Srpska did not meet the pre-requisites and BiH did not join the PfP as a whole, HR Ashdown notes that in that case one should be reviewing whether to give bigger authorities to the state level, in terms of apprehension of war criminals, that the state does not have at the moment.

RHB, FTV Fri, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 2 ‘If entire BiH suffers damage because of RS, that would be a big misfortune’, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 2 ‘Arrest of war criminals to be transferred to the state’, Vecernji List, page 2 ‘Raise apprehending of war criminals to state level’ carried HR’s statements given to Fena.

Srebrenica Commisison will seek deadline extension for its report

Oslobodjenje Sat cover page story ‘Ashdown announced sanctions against Mikerevic and Cavic’ by Az. Kalamujic – The article reads that the Commission appointed to investigate events in Srebrenica in July 1005 will seek extensions of the deadline for submitting its first report on missing persons. Oslobodjenje says the next week Commission will pose this demand to the High Representative Paddy Ashdown, and adds that while the report is supposed to be delivered by 14 April, however “due to the obstruction in the Commission work and by those responsible in RS that will, obviously, not be possible.” Author also reminds of the statement by Bernard Fassier, Senior Deputy High Representative, which says that Ashdown may dismiss uncooperative members of the commission, and also announces possible sanctions against RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic and RS President Dragan Cavic.  Article concludes that “OHR will obviously not put up with political manipulations around the Srebrenica crimes anymore.”

Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 4 ‘We ask for another two months for the report’ – Vice President of the Commission, Smail Cekic, stated for DA that based on the Commission’s work to date it was not possible to make a final report, and therefore HR Ashdown was asked to extend the deadline for another two months. 

Srebrenica Commission member under police protection

Dnevni Avaz Sun cover ‘RS police protects Smail Cekic’, pg 2 ‘RS police must protect Smail Cekic’ – DA brings that RS police approved protection for the Srebrenica Commission Vice President Smail Cekic upon a demand by the RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic, Daily says that it is still not known for what reason Mikerevic asked for Cekic’s protection.

Bond on apprehension of war crimes: ‘additional pressure is necessary’

Dnevni Avaz Sun cover splash ‘Americans are staying in BiH’, pg 5 ‘USA will not leave BiH’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to DA, US Ambassador to BiH, Clifford Bond, says that BiH now “faces the biggest problem of them all – full cooperation with ICTY. And nobody should have illusions that the full cooperation with ICTY was not only precondition for BiH accession to PfP, but also to EU.” He adds that local authorities, especially those in RS, must prove that they take this responsibility seriously. Asked what needs to be done to ensure RS authorities complying this cooperation, Bond answered: “I don’t want to speculate what actions could follow, but additional pressure is necessary.”

Dnevni List pgs 24 and 25 ‘I doubt that pre-requisites for joining Partnership for Peace will be met by June’, by Renata Radic – In an interview to DL, Ambassador Bond answers to journalist question whether BiH will be joining the PfP if it does not arrest war criminal by June, by saying: ‘In December last year, the NATO Council, despite welcoming the reform in the area of defence, was clear in terms of pre-requisites for membership in Partnership for Peace. The final press release from the summit clearly stipulated that one of conditions was a complete cooperation with The Hague Tribunal. In this matter, there has not been a serious cooperation of the Republika Srpska. All the members of NATO will be talking at Istanbul whether conditions pertaining to The Hague Tribunal have been met. At the moment, we cannot say it is the case. I am not an optimist the pre-requisite can be met. Only the arrest of Radovan Karadzic would be enough to meet the pre-requisites’.

SRNA: Dudakovic, Mlaco could be indicted by ICTY for war crimes

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Potential indictees are Dudakovic and Mlaco’ – The sources close to the Hague Tribunal and the authorities of BiH in Sarajevo confirmed that two more indictments could be delivered to Sarajevo against Bosniaks. First concerns Atif Dudakovic, Commander of 5^th Corps of former BiH Army, and the second one concerns Dzevad Mlaco, the war-time Mayor of Bugojno.

RHB, RTRS Fri – According to the information given to SRNA news agency from abovementioned sources, Mlaco could be indicted for disappearance of at least 20 Croat civilians in Bugojno. Sources say that general Dudakovic could face indictments for crimes against Serbs in BiH in 1995, and for bombing of Zadar in 1991, at the time when he was JNA general.

SDA: BiH cannot be a hostage to RS’ lack of cooperation with ICTY

RHB, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 4 ‘BiH cannot be a hostage’, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 4 ‘BiH cannot be hostage of RS’ lack of cooperation with ICTY’, Dnevni List page 3 ‘Mehmedovic: BiH cannot suffer consequences of RS not cooperating with The Hague Tribunal’ – The President of SDA Caucus in the FBiH Parliament, Semsudin Mehmedovic, stated at the press conference that ‘it is the position of the SDA that BiH cannot be a hostage to RS’s lack of cooperation with The Hague Tribunal’. Mehmedovic noted it is impermissible that all the RS Governments, from 1995 to date, have not launched a single procedure of war crimes against non-Serbs and that the RS have not arrested a single of 25 war crimes suspects charged by the ICTY. ‘It is high time that the RS, not the whole BiH, suffers consequences’, says Mehmedovic.

Defence and security

BiH Foreign Ministry: Sjekirica reported lost passport in 2003

FENA – Acting spokesperson of BiH Foreign Ministry, Sanja Vidovic, stated for FENA news agency that Sanel Sjekirica suspected of being linked with the recent terrorist attacks in Madrid, reported disappearance of his passport, issued six months earlier in Madrid, to the BiH Embassy in Stockholm in 2003. Vidovic explained that the Embassy sent a note to BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting, on basis of his application, the termination of that passport. She adds that the passport was proclaimed invalid in the Official Gazette, and a new BiH passport was issued to Sjekirica on July 2003.

BHTV 1 Fri, FTV Fri, Oslobodjenje Sat cover, pg 5 ‘Sanel Sjekirica lost passport in Sweden’, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 3 ‘Sanel Sjekirica got passport in Stockholm the last time’

BiH Authorities investigate Sjekirica case

RHB – Sanel Sjekirica was born in 1980 in Mostar, and police has not been able to find him at his registered address. Deputy BiH Security Minister, Dragan Mektic said that the Ministry received an official demand from Spanish Governments to check up on Sjekirica’s identity, and BiH Interpol has been cooperation in this case. 

RTRS Fri -“Following demand of Spanish police, we, not only we but all other polices, are gathering all information that can help in solving that case… We are checking certain person connected with BiH,” said Dragan Mektic. 

Oslobodjenje Sat cover, pg 5 ‘Sanel Sjekirica lost passport in Sweden’ – Mektic also said that the Spanish authorities have not yet sent a number of the Sjekirica’s passport found in Madrid apartment in which a group of terrorist suspects committed suicide. Therefore, officials still cannot confirm whether this passport is Sjekirica’s new, or old, lost one.

Dnevni Avaz Sun pg 3 ‘HNK MoI submitted file on Sanel Sjekirica to BiH Interpol and FBiH MoI’ – Spokesperson for Herzegovina-Neretva Cantonal Interior Ministry, Srecko Bosnjak stated that this Ministry submitted file with gathered information on Sanel Sjekirica to BiH Interpol and FBiH Interior Ministry.

Colak announces activities in determining questionable citizenship

Dnevni List front, pg 5 ‘Enhanced activities in determining questionable citizenships’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 3 ‘BiH authorities will help solving Sjekirica case’ – BiH Security Minister, Barisa Colak, says that BiH authorities will do everything to shed a light on events related to the Sjekirica case. Minister Colak goes on to say that this and similar cases can slow the BiH path to Euro-Atlantic integration, noting that investigations into ways how persons of African and Asian origin were given BiH citizenships during the war have been intensified in past six months.

RHB – “All of this time, especially in last half of year we have been intensively working on… determining in which ways the BiH citizenships were granted to certain citizens of African and Asian origin during the war, and… we want to know where those people are now… These people have changed, several times, their addresses and even their names and now that this is a really complicated problem to which BiH must pay attention if it really wants to be a state in real sense of that word, as the fight against terrorism is not only the fight carried out by only one State or a region,” said Barisa Colak speaking about terrorism. 

OHR: BiH must seriously treat security issues

RHB, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 3 ‘Everybody in BiH must seriously treat security issue’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16 ‘Security should be seriously dealt with’ – OHR spokesperson, Vedran Persic, stated that the recent tragic terrorist attacks in Spain and news on possible connections of a BiH citizen with the attacks showed the need for everyone in BiH to take the issue of security seriously.

Vecernji List pg 3 ‘OHR: Security must be at top of agenda’ – In context of Persic’s statement, VL reads that the story around Sanel Sjekirica underlines the importance of keeping the security issues at the top of the political agenda if BiH ‘s ambitions to join EU and NATO are to be realized.

BHTV 1 Fri – “First of all, this highlights the importance of existence of SIPA and institutions that will seriously deal with issues of crime and also highlights the importance of implementing the Law on Intelligence and Security Agency, whose task would be to collect information in the field of safety,” stated Vedran Perisic, OHR spokesman. BHTV 1 also commented that possibility of BiH citizen’s involvement in the terrorist attack in Madrid placed BiH in the repulsive situation, and that unless it gets proven Sjekirica is not involved in the attack, BiH would be even further far from Europe.

Ceric on speculations on terrorist camps in BiH

Oslobodjenje Sat cover, pg 7 ‘It is time to help living’ by FENA – In an interview to Fena news agency, Reis effendi Mustafa Ceric comments on the media speculations on terrorism camps in BiH: “I think that following 11 September we probably did not offer all answers that the West wants to hear from us and that there is a certain doubt of terrorists’ camps here in Bosnia, but all that is just a continuation of the politic and those politicians in Europe who want to clear their polluted conscience because they allowed Srebrenica [to happen]. There will always be those who will claim that we are potential terrorists, mujaheedins who cannot be trusted. But what happens now? Bosniaks are getting further away from the state functions. I advise the international community not to do that.”  

Radovanovic on defence reforms

Dnevni Avaz Sun cover splash ‘Candidates for generals positions submitted documents’, pg 5 ‘Results of vetting procedure for generals next week’ by Mirela Kukan – BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic says that the first results of the SFOR vetting procedure for the candidates for generals positions with BiH Armed forces are expected next week. He adds that meanwhile candidates submitted all documents demanded. Talking about the progress of establishing the Defence Ministry at the state level, Radovanovic says that there are teams working on necessary documents, such as rule of procedure for Ministry, expecting them to be completed soon and submitted to Council of Ministers for approval. As for the BiH’s admission to Partnership for Peace, minister says he is still optimistic that BiH will be invited to join the programme in June at NATO Istanbul summit. Asked to comment EU’s taking over of SFOR mandate, Radovanovic says that was a logical move as security situation in BiH was position, and adding that EU advocates cooperating with BiH authorities in this move.

VL: SIPA agents cannot protect state principals because of lack of money

Vecernji List pg 4 ‘SIPA agents cannot protect state principals because of lack of money’ by Dejan Jazvic – VL reports that due to lack of money, SIPA is not yet ready to protect members of BiH Presidency and other senior officials, the jobs that are currently being carried out by members of cantonal and entity ministries of interior, which means there is not a unified system of protection at senior levels of authority. VL also carries Deputy Director of SIPA, Dragan Lukac, as saying that SIPA will be able to provide the security as soon as the money becomes available.

Economic and social issues

BH Independent Union demands dismissal of FBiH Government, announces protests on 29 April 

RHB, BHTV 1, FTV Sat, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 9 ‘Syndicate demands dismissal of FBiH Government’, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 2 ‘Petition on Govt dismissal starts’, Dnevni List, page 8 ‘Main protest rally of Union on April 29’ – Unhappy with the FBiH Government decision to reject the request for moratorium on application of Law on changes and amendments to the Bankruptcy Law, the Crisis HQ of BiH Association of Independent Trade Unions decided to start collecting signatures aimed at removal of the FBiH Government. According to the President of the Union, Edhem Biber, there will be a series of protests at whole levels, noting that the main protest rally will be most probably held in Sarajevo in front of the FBiH Government building on April 29. ‘We have had enough of this way of work of the Government, if they cannot work, they should step down’, says Biber.

Oslobodjenje Sun cover splash, pgs 4&5 ‘Dismissal of FBiH Government, or protests in Sarajevo’ – On Friday the Syndicate submitted a request for dismissal of FBiH Government to FBiH president Niko Lozancic and FBiH House of Representatives Speaker Muhamed Ibrahimovic.

FTV Fri – The Syndicate claims it receives letters of support arrive from entire Federation: “We are prepared for a long and challenging struggle. We believe we are right and able to accomplish our demands. We just demand a minimal respect for human rights,” says Edhem Biber. Namely, the Association requests moratorium on implementation of amendments of the Bankruptcy Law until a realistic programme for social accommodating of workers has been designed.

BHTV 1 Sat – Biber claims that the Law on Bankruptcy is not in accordance with the international standards and that the changes to the Law minimize rights of workers. Syndicate says that the means for social care ought to be acquired 20 % from the Employment Bureau and 20 % from privatisation. However, Privatisation Law does not stipulate directing resources for this purpose so Syndicate says that the Law would have to be changed.

FBiH authorities on Syndicate’s demands

Dnevni List front, pg 4 ‘Federation Government does not accept Union’s position’ – The Government of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is surprised with the position of the Main Board of BiH Independent Union, which requests moratorium on application of Law on changes and amendments to the Law on bankruptcy. According to a letter, signed by the FBiH Deputy PM Gavrilo Grahovac, sent to BiH Syndicate says that the threat of social protests shows that the Union is ready to involve itself into politicisation of inevitable economic processes.

Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 2 ‘Minister Grahovac offers partnership to Syndicate’, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 9 ‘We will carry out all obligations taken upon’ – The letter by Grahovac also states that the FBiH Government is committed to carrying out all the obligations taken upon through the programme for providing social care to the workers, and that it will follow up on the programme’s implementation. Grahovac also invited Syndicate to cooperate with the Government and solve all the issues in question.

Oslobodjenje Sun pgs 4&5 ‘Government cannot offer something it doesn’t have’ – FBiH Deputy Prime Minister Dragan Vrankic comments that Syndicate’s actions were premature, and that politics got involved in entire process. He adds that a demand for moratorium of the law on the changes to the Bankruptcy Law was unserious, and stresses that the law was in favour of workers. 

FTV Fri – Political parties who voted in favour of the changes to the Bankruptcy Law in Federal Parliament say that postponement of the Law implementation would make bring BiH more distant the Euro-Atlantic integrations. “We expect constructive role of BiH Syndicate in the dialog with the Parliament in order to overcome present issues,” said Semsudin Mehmedovic, president of SDA Club in FBiH Parliament.

NN editorial on corruption

Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘Corruption’ op-ed by Josip Blazevic – The author is referring to the latest report of the World Bank on business corruption in the states of Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the period from 1999 to 2002. He brings some information from that report and concludes by saying that the non-existence of the legal state, poverty and the political system are basic reasons for a high level of corruption in BiH. He claims that corruption can be stamped out through transparency and responsibility in the work of public sector (judiciary, etc.).

Political issues

Mikerevic on Ivanic and Djeric

RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg. 4 ‘I will not desecrate the name of Mladen Ivanic’ – Dragan Mikerevic, RS Prime Minister, stated that Zoran Djeric, RS Interior Minister, is not responsible for the failure of RS MoI and Prosecutor’s Office to do anything about the audit reports (into the work of Mladen Ivanic Government) for the past year and a half. Mikerevic is satisfied with Djeric’s performance, stressing that there is no need for removal of Djeric. Mikerevic also said he does not want to take part in desecration of the name of Mladen Ivanic (in regard to politicisation of audit reports).

Cardinal Puljic: Those who do not want BiH safeguard FBiH and RS

Vecernji List front, pgs 6&7 ‘Those who do not want BiH safeguard Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska’, by Jozo Pavkovic – The Archbishop of Vrhbosnia, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, comments on the HDZ’s proposal aimed at abolishment of entities and strengthening of state of BiH: ‘Guarding the entities, and wanting the state in the same time, it is something that excludes one another. This odd state can be created only by people who do not love us or have interest to keep this area full of tremors’. Cardinal Puljic also stresses the poor return of the Croats to the Republika Srpska in particular, complaining of limited funds for the Croat returnees. ‘So many funds have gone through local authorities, but did not end up in reconstruction. International representatives know that, and they consciously ignore it. When it comes to investments into infrastructure or perspective self-sustainable return, one should go through the investments and see that areas where Croats lived or where they live at the moment have been bypassed (…) It goes that far that the British ambassador says on TV Hayat that Bishops in BiH talk wrongly about the return, because he knows better. In other words, we, who have the real insight on the ground, we speak untruth for the diplomats, and they know better etc. That was humiliating and insulting’, says Cardinal Puljic.

Bond on BiH politicians

Dnevni Avaz Sun cover splash ‘Americans are staying in BiH’, pg 5 ‘USA will not leave BiH’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to DA, US Ambassador to BiH, Clifford Bond, says that in that past nine months the international community noted the progress in reforms, however adds that was the result of the IC pressure to move forwards in the fields such as defence or taxation. “Now these reforms have to be implemented. And entire society faces problems because parties and leaders of the parties in the authorities are still taking everything down to the interests of one group, instead of entire society,” says Bond. Asked whether he doesn’t trust politicians, Bond answered: “I think it is time to act, and to for words. If this leadership is not capable of coming up with appropriate actions, than I hope that the voters will be wise enough to elect other people. Because, you cannot stay in this condition. You have to move forwards.” Asked whether this was a call for early elections, Bond denied it. US Ambassador concludes that US will not withdraw from BiH after EU takes over SFOR mandate.

Hadzipasic denies speculations he will resign

Dnevni Avaz Sat cover, pg 3  ‘I will not resign after vacation’ – FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic, in a statement to Avaz, denies speculations that he will resign from his position after he returns from vacation, and take over position of director fo the Metalno company from Zenica.

Kalinic on ethnic prefixes in name of cities in RS

Dnevni List, page 19 ‘RS Assembly will react within set deadline’, not signed – the Speaker of the RS Assembly, Dragan Kalinic, talked to principals of the Serb Sarajevo about the recent decision of the BiH Constitutional Court according to which names of towns with the ‘Serb’ prefix will have to be changed with three months. Kalinic stresses that the RS National Assembly will react within the set deadline, expressing hope that ‘delegates in Assembly of Serb Sarajevo will decide to organize referendum, so the citizens can decide about the future name of their city and municipalities in it’.

Education issues

Halilovic urges adoption of Law on Higher Education

Oslobodjenje Sun cover, pg 7 ‘Nationalist universities in BiH are not acceptable’ by An. Simic – Talking at the session of the Bosniak Intellectuals Congress, BiH Safet Halilovic stated that ethnic based universities in BiH were not acceptable: “If we give one people their ethnic based university, and that to the second and the third, then we do not have reforms. We are in favour of universities choosing their language, but its employees and students must have opportunity to also chose their language.” Halilovic added that ethnic based universities were not in accordance with the Bologna declaration, and that the international community cannot accept further delays in the adoption of the Framework Law on Higher Education. He also warned that unless the law was adopted by 7 May, BiH will lose 42 million US dollars approved by the World Bank.

BHTV 1 Sat –Safet Halilovic also warned that the Law on Higher Education might not be adopted by the BiH House of People. “I already received certain critical announcements that the Law on Higher Education, I mean difficulties could occur in HoP, but we hope the sense will win over because this Law is, first of all, in the interest of youth”, said Halilovic.

FTV Sat, Dnevni Avaz Sun cover ‘Destiny of 100.000 students is in question’, pg 2 ‘Adoption of the law on higher education is in interest of over 100.000 students’ – also reported on Halilovic’s speech.

Ceman: HDZ could block the law in HoP

Dnevni Avaz Sun cover ‘Destiny of 100.000 students is in question’, pg 2 ‘Adoption of the law on higher education is in interest of over 100.000 students’ – In a separate inset ‘Croats could oppose to law adoption’, Avaz carries statement by the Mirsad Ceman, delegate in BiH House of Representatives and the president of constitutional and legal commission, who announced that the he will call on the session of the commission in next few days: “The Law on Higher Education is in commission phase. Constitutional and legal commission is in charge of its consideration. At the next session we will discuss constitutional ground, and it is expected to have certain number of amendments which will go into some conceptual basic solutions.” He expressed hope that the Law will be adopted and added that the issue of language will be a problem, saying that there is a possibility for HDZ to bock the law in House of Peoples. He concludes that he hopes these problems will be overcome.