Friday
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA(18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Vlado Maric attacked | Vlado Maric attacked | Una-Sana Canton crises | RS Gov session |
| Muselimovic threatened | New Mostar Statute | New Mostar Statute | Mikerevic meets with WB |
| Una-Sana Canton incidents | 5C corridor | Open letter to OHR | 5C corridor not in 2004 |
| Zenica Miners | Una-Sana Canton incidents | Miners strike continues | Presidency on Greece visit |
Saturday
| NTV Hayat (18,55 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Miners ended strike | End of miners strike | End of miners’ strike | Srebrenica Commission |
| Removals in HDZ? | HDZ Main Board Session | HDZ Main Board Session | Minister of Defence |
| Commission on Srebrenica | Srebrenica Commission | Abolition of entities | FTAs |
| TV subscription | Minister of Defence | Srebrenica Commission | TV Fees |
Saturday
| Oslobodjenje | SDA hid invitation for the meeting on Mostar; In case concession holder is not chosen, BiH will build the highway itself; Miners left pits |
| Dnevni Avaz | SDA Vice President Elmir Jahic: Change in Federal Government possible; Miners left pits |
| Dnevni List | After visit to Greece: Tihic versus Paravac; Wnendt: Solution needs to be taken by end of January |
| Vecernji List | Survey by Vecernji List: Croats in BiH do not have national strategy: HVO victims to get incomes four times lower |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Prominent Mostar lawyer a target of Mafia clans: Threats to Muselimovic “you and Dika are done for”; Ashdown’s senior deputy in Mostar: Bosniak leaders boycott talks |
| Glas Srpske | Refugees in Garca, Visegrad, do not want money. They want flats; Weapon smugglers arrested in Serbia; Driving restrictions in Rome. |
| Nezavisne Novine | BiH Federation Government does not hear Zenica’s miners: “It is not possible to live with 140KM per month”; Due to war more patients in Psychiatric clinics: Milovan Stankovic, RS Defense Minister: “The amount of severance pay is not known yet”; BiH Ministry of Transport and Communication: “Construction of Vc Corridor will not start this year”; Due to lack of money more BiH citizens sell private properties; Michael Jackson plead not gilty for abuse of children. |
Sunday
| Oslobodjenje | SDA boycotts talks on Mostar; Bacon: Establish the truth about Srebrenica |
| Dnevni Avaz | Colak: HDZ wants reorganization in BiH; Bacon: Ashdown will not put up with RS Government’s obstruction; Halilovic asks for financing of BiH institutions |
| Dnevni List | Sessions of HDZ Main Board and Presidency: Abolishment of Federation of BiH requested; OHR’s warning to Government of Federation of BiH: Urgently take decision on collection of RTV subscription fee |
| Vecernji List | Colak: There will be removals in executive authority; Aluminij has three days: OHR plays double game |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features Croatia related headlines |
Mostar | |
| Wnendt visited Mostar; held talks on city’s structure
| RHB, Vecernji List Sat pg 5 ‘Members of SDA ignored Ashdown’s deputy’, Dnevni List Sat front, pg 7 ‘Wnendt: Solution needs to be taken by end of January’, Slobodna Dalmacija Sat, pg 14 ‘Bosniak leaders boycott talks’ – The Senior Deputy High Representative Werner Wnendt visited Mostar on Friday and met with Presidents of Caucuses in the Mostar City Council and representatives of political parties, and after that with the Deputy Mayor of Mostar, Ljubo Beslic, and business people and various associations. In a statement to the press, SDHR Wnendt stated that he was visiting Mostar on behalf of the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, who would be visiting Mostar next week. “The High Representative gave the [Mostar] Commission guidelines for their work. The Commission worked independently and reached consensus on most of the things, 90% has been agreed. Very few questions are open and we try to find solutions for that. These include way to organize the election system.” – said Ambassador Wndent. BHTV 1 – Wnendt met with the City Council’s deputies from HDZ, SDP and Party “Radom za Boljitak”, Serb City Council and additionally with Party for BiH. SDA was absent from the meeting. President of Serb City Council Ratko Pejanovic said that they have most reasons for discontent and adding that the Winterstein’s proposal was unacceptable, as they would loose six places in the City Council. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 11 ‘Compromise would restore trust’, Dnevni List Sat pg 7 ‘Saravanja: Imposition of Winterstein’s proposal is detrimental to Mostar’ – SDHR Wnendt met with Pavo Saravanja (Radom za Boljitak)w who said the party was not satisfied with Winterstein’s proposal and that any imposition of such proposal would be detrimental to Mostar. Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 3 ‘Wnendt: Soon we will find solution for Mostar’ – Wnendt did not want to give details of the meetings with the parties, but added that the solution for Mostar must be reached by the end of the month, otherwise the High Representative Paddy Ashdown would impose it. “I believe we will find solution for this city soon. Desire to stop this agony is also noticeable with the parties,” stated Wnendt. President of HDZ Caucus Jadranko Lovric said that after the meeting his party still was in favour of the solution for Mostar to be reached through consensus. Both Party for BiH and SDU supported Winterstein’s proposal, but stressed that the way of brining important decisions must be further defined. RTRS, FTV – Majority of Parties found the proposal by the Chair Mostar Commission Norbert Winterstein unacceptable, however their objections differ. While HDZ has problems with the issue of election units, SDA objects the abolishment of six municipalities. Representatives of the Serb City Council also don’t agree with the proposal, because they would loos six places in the City Assembly. |
| Oslobodjenje claims SDA hid invitation for mtg with Wnendt | Oslobodjenje Sat cover splash ‘SDA hid invitation for meeting on Mostar’, pgs 4&5 ‘SDA hid invitation for the meeting on future of Mostar’ by Se.K. – Daily claims that president of the Bosniak caucus in Mostar City Council Suad Hasandedic hid the invitation that Werner Wnendt sent to parties in Mostar. Apparently, Hasandedic did not also pass the invitation to Party for BiH [SBiH] and SDU. “That is scandalous and another obstruction from SDA” stated Safet Omerovic from SBiH for Oslobodjenje, who said that he heard about the meeting accidentally, and that he later found out that the invitation was sent to Hasandedic who refused to pass it to SBiH. “Luckily, we additionally met with Wnendt and supported the principles of OHR for Mostar” – added Omerovic. Oslobodjenje also claims that the reason for SDA’s boycott was that they were “angry with Wnendt”, who in interview to daily called recent Bosniak referendums in Mostar ‘illegitimate’. Oslobodjenje Sun cover pg story ‘SDA boycotts talks about Mostar’ by Senka Kurtovic – Daily claims that SDA will boycott the talks on future of Mostar that is scheduled to take place on Thursday by the representatives of European Union. Anonymous high-ranking official from the international community stated that he strongly condemns refusal by SDA to participate the debates on future structure. Article further reads that SDA negatively responded to the invitation by Ambassadors of UK, Netherlands and Italy – which make up EU troika – to be present at the Thursday’s meeting. IC official commented: “This is extremely serious move by SDA. With that SDA sends very bad message to EU, but also to BiH and Mostar”. |
| HDZ on Mostar issue | FTV, BHTV 1, Vecernji List Sun front ‘Colak: There will be changes to executive authority’, pgs 2&3 ‘HDZ for shutting down of Federation’, Dnevni List Sun front, pgs 4&5 ‘Abolishment of Federation of BiH requested’, Slobodna Dalmacija Sun pg 5 ‘HDZ BiH in favour of reducing jurisdiction of Federation’, pg 10 ‘Mostar as one unit of local self-government’, Dnevni List Sat front, pg 6 ‘There is no alternative to HDZ’s proposal’, Dnevni Avaz Sun cover splash ‘Colak: HDZ wants restructure of BiH’, pg 2 ‘Colak: we will start initiative for restructure of BiH’, Oslobodjenje Sun pg 3 ‘HDZ willing to accept compromise on Mostar’– At the session held on Saturday in Neum, the HDZ Steering Board has once again stated that Mostar should be organized as a single municipality with one election unit. The HDZ President Barisa Colak said the party have not excluded other proposals under the condition that those solutions would also be implemented in other BiH cities, adding that Mostar cannot be exception case. The HDZ BiH also maintained the proposal by Norbert Winterstein puts the city’s Croats into an unequal position with regard to the Bosniak residents. Oslobodjenje Sat pg 8 ‘HDZ and SDA leaders in Sarajevo to decide?’ – HDZ Secretary General Rade Bosnjak stated for Oslobodjenje that if the solution for Mostar cannot be reached at the city’s level, leadership of parties will try to do it in Sarajevo. He also commented the absence of SDA officials from the meeting with the SDHR Werner Wnendt saying that this was not wise move. Bosnjak also expressed opinion that marking Mostar as black hole in Balkans was exaggerated description of situation in the city. |
| Ashdown: divided Mostar no longer acceptable | Vjesnik Sun front, pg 11 ‘Mostar will again become single city’ by Alenko Zornija – Vjesnik carries an interview with the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, in which he, talking about Mostar issue, says: “In any case, a divided Mostar is no longer acceptable to citizens of this city and unless there is an agreement, I will be forced to take a solution which will make it unified. The solution to the issue cannot be postponed indefinitely. It is unacceptable that the current parallelisms continue, but in the same time, such administrative structures, which make sure that no people can outvote the other, will be created”. |
| ICG: Winterstein’s proposal is the best that could be achieved | Dnevni List Sat pg 22 ‘Winterstein’s proposal is best what could be achieved’ by Miso Relota – In an interview for DL, Senad Slatina, a political analyst of the International Crisis Group (ICG), assessing the Proposal prepared by the Chairman of the Mostar Commission, says the Commission, which was led on behalf of the IC by Mr. Norbert Winterstein, went into negotiations with genuine enthusiasm and that a model for organization of divided cities in BiH was being looked for in Mostar. “Such ideas collided with the reality that exists in Mostar. In such circumstances, the Winterstein proposal is the best that we could achieve (…) I think we got a document that will be a new interim statute for city of Mostar. Its transformation into a permanent statute will probably wait for new, more comprehensive negotiations on reform of local self-government throughout BiH”, says Slatina. |
| Oslobodjenje editorial slams SDA over Mostar
| Oslobodjenje Sun pg 2 ‘‘Take care of Dayton for me’’ editorial by Senka Kurtovic – Editorial in highly critical of SDA refusal to participate talks on Mostar, estimating that the party decided to have it their own way or no way at all. “What kind of city would that be without parallelism, anarchy, absence of rule of law, political manipulations and making ‘normal’ people from Mostar nuts. It is not a city that SDA from Mostar would fight for. If there is luck, and Mostar finally becomes a single city, even forcefully, many SDA staff will have to find another place under the sun. Or some new city to destroy.” Kurtovic also slams statements by SDA officials, particularly of Fatima Leho, who justify their position by saying that they were tasked to do so by late Alija Izetbegovic. She concludes: “Dialogue is not a way SDA likes to solve things. Well, OK than. There is an imposed decision too. Do we call it forced? You asked for it. Than, watch it!” |
| FT editorial on Mostar | Feral Tribune pg 18 ‘Ash&down’ by Ivan Lovrenovic – Author says that at the moment when the High Representative is planning to impose a permanent solution to Mostar, the problem is that the SDA and HDZ fear they would lose domination over people and “national interests”. According to Lovrenovic, in a nutshell, Mostar is at the same political point it was back in 1995, and that another debacle for the IC in Mostar would be a fatal blow to it (the IC). |
Political issues | |
| Session of HDZ Main Board
| FTV, BHTV 1, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz Sun cover splash ‘Colak: HDZ wants restructure of BiH’, pg 2 ‘Colak: we will start initiative for restructure of BiH’, Vecernji List Sun front ‘Colak: There will be changes to executive authority’, pgs 2&3 ‘HDZ for shutting down of Federation’, Dnevni List Sun front, pgs 4&5 ‘Abolishment of Federation of BiH requested’, Slobodna Dalmacija Sun pg 5 ‘HDZ BiH in favour of reducing jurisdiction of Federation’, pg 10 ‘Mostar as one unit of local self-government’– At the session of HDZ Central Board held on Saturday in Neum Barisa Colak confirmed that the Board discussed the restructuring of BiH, adding that the party will initiate a number of meetings on this issue. It also adopted a decision which proposes reducing the powers of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The party concluded it would ask for the adoption of a constitutional law on the transfer of powers within the exclusive jurisdiction of the federation onto the state, and for said law to regulate the transfer of powers which until now have been shared by the federal and cantonal authorities onto the latter, said a statement issued after the meeting. NTV Hayat, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 8 ‘HDZ and SDA leaders in Sarajevo to decide?’ –Barisa Colak announced the possibility of a number of HDZ BiH officials holding posts in state and entity bodies being replaced for failing to meet expectations. According to the anonymous sources, participants at the session held behind closed doors, said that refers to those officials who during the recent elections in Croatia criticized Ivo Sanader and supported Ivica Pasalic. Dnevni Avaz Sun pg 2 ‘Inter party elections after the September municipal elections’ – Colak also added that the inter-party elections will be held only after the September municipal elections. |
| BiH Presidency ends visit to Greece | RTRS, BHTV 1, Vecernji List Sat pg 2 ‘Greek businessmen want to invest into banking sector’ – Upon returning from Greece, the members of the BiH Presidency held press conference concluding that the visit was good and substantial. Greece said it would donate 19.5 million Euros for the assistance to the Balkans countries, which will also include the reconstruction of the joint institutions building in Sarajevo. Greece confirmed that it was ready, together with the businessmen from that country, to participate in the Investment Conference to be held in Mostar at the end of February. Presidency member Sulejman Tihic said that the attitudes of the Presidency members were coordinated during the visit, while the Chairman Covic announced the possibility that only Chairman would pay these kinds of visits in the future. FTV, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 4 ‘Greek assistance to BiH’s willingness for European Integrations’– Asked about the reports that Serb member to the Presidency Borislav Paravac allegedly thanked Greece for helping Serbs during the war in BiH, Covic denied this. Dnevni List Sat cover splash ‘Tihic versus Paravac’, pg 5 ‘Sulejman Tihic versus Borislav Paravac’ by Renata Radic – DL finds out the information to the media was presented directly by the Bosniak member of the Presidency, Sulejman Tihic, “as proven in Paravac’s statement to the press”. “Please, tell me your source of information. Who is your reliable source, because we know who attended the meeting and who followed the meeting”, said Paravac. Oslobodjenje Sat pg 6 ‘Covic sent message to Ashdown: there will be investors in Mostar’ – The Chairman of the Presidency, Dragan Covic, was asked to comment the statements by the High Representative Paddy Ashdown that there would be no investors participating upcoming investment conference in Mostar without new city’s Statute adopted: “There will be conference, no matter of the outcomes on Mostar negotiations. We all want for Mostar to become a single, normal city. It is inappropriate to condition economic and social progress… in BiH with Mostar structure.” |
| Jahic: Possible changes in FBiH Govt FT editorial on | Dnevni Avaz Sat cover splash ‘Changes in Federal Government are possible’, pg 5 ‘Personnel changes in Federal Government are possible’ by Fadil Mandal – In an interview to DA, SDA Vice President Elmir Jahic – a member of the Commission appointed by the part to examine the work of the SDA in executive authorities – stated that the report of the Commission is expected to be discussed at the Tuesday’s session of the Party’s Presidency. He said that the report contains “proposal of the measures that could improve the work of the executive authorities at all levels”. Asked whether media reports on SDA’s dissatisfaction with the work of the FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic were true, Jahic responded: “No party’s body discussed or brought decision on the removal of any of the officials in any government… The main objections are directed at the insufficient level of the cooperation inside the Federal Government… Also there are problems present in the field of defence, agriculture, interior affairs, refugees and DPs, etc… Now, we also have a problem with new Federal budget, … and we cannot accept [it].” Jahic refused to see whether they would be personnel changes at any level of the authorities. |
Economic and social issues | |
| Zenica miners end strike, leave pit
| NTV Hayat, RTRS Sat, Oslobodjenje Sat cover ‘Miners left pit’, pg 8 ’20 minutes before the midnight, miners left pit’, Dnevni Avaz Sat cover ‘Miners left pit’, pg 13 After 80 hours, miners left pit’ – Twenty-nine miners working in the Raspotocje mine of Zenica Coal Mines ended strike on Friday night by leaving the pits where they spent about 80 hours. Company’s Management promised to pay out 40% of the overdue December salaries until next Monday. BHTV 1 Sat – The Management also promised to increase wages for 30% but only after the production increases. FTV Sat – After leaving the pit, miners said that they were aware that their problems were not solved, as they will receive the food packages instead of the unpaid benefits. RHB, BHTV 1, FTV, RTRS Friday reports – FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic also promised to Safet Durma, Director of Zenica mines, in a telephone conversation that the FBiH Government will ensure a 2 – 4 million KM worth loan that would help the company to prosper. |
| Dokic on Vc corridor possibilities | RHB, Nezavisne novine cover, pg 2 ‘Construction of Highway in BiH will not start this year’, Vecernji List Sat pg 2 ‘BiH will build Corridor Vc alone’, Dnevni List Sat pg 3 ‘Construction of Corridor Vc highway postponed’, Slobodna Dalmacija Sat back pg ‘Corridor Vc will not be built this year’ -“Building of the Vc corridor in BiH will not start this year, as documentation will have to be drafted.” – stated Branko Dokic, BiH Minister of Transport and Communication on Friday at the press confernece Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 2 ‘BiH can on its own build Vc corridor’ – Deputy BiH Transport and Communications Minister Haris Basic said that by the end of this week, CoM will pass the list of the candidates for the Concession Commisison. Oslobodjenje Sat cover, pgs 4&5 ‘BiH will build the corridor on its own’, BHTV 1 –Dokic explained that in the next few months the Council of Ministers would prepare the public bid inviting the companies to express their interests in the the concession for the building of the corridor. He added that there were about 20 offers from the companies for drafting the project documentation, and that one should be selected by the time bid for construction works is ready. However, Dokic also stated that if the Council of Ministers do not award a concession for the building Vc corridor in the case no one applies, there is a possibility the it will be build by BiH and its own means, some of them initially collected from the profits of the state companies and GSM licences. Minister Dokic also stressed that there were no possibilities to start with the construction of Vc corridor this year, especially since the documentation would be started in May and it would not be finished before the end of year. FTV, RTRS – “The estimate is that the project documentation will cost between 40 and 60 million KM.” – stated Dokic. |
| Director of Elektroprivreda HZHB attacked
| BHTV 1, RTRS, FTV, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 5 ‘Director of Elektroprivreda HZ HB attacked’, Vecernji List Sat front, pg 7 ‘Manager Vlado Maric attacked’, Dnevni List Sat front, pg 43 ‘Vlado Maric, general manager of Elektroprivreda, physically attacked’, Slobodna Dalmacija Sat front, pg 20 ‘Manager of Elektroprivreda attacked’– Early morning on Friday, unknown perpetrator attacked the General Director of Elektroprivreda Herceg-Bosnia Vlado Maric in front of the company’s building. Maric managed to defend himself. Nezavisne Novine mentioned the issue. RHB – Spokesperson for the Mostar Police station Srecko Bosnjak, stated that probably attacked due to the crises created by non deliverance of the electricity to Aluminium. The Presidency of the Elektroprivreda HZHB held session following the attack against Maric and other threats to the managers of the company, and requested protection from the authorized institutions. Management Board also issued a press release requesting the HNK Interior Ministry to conduct the investigation and to inform the public on its findings. “If this is not solved within 24 hours, Elektroprivreda HZHB will not be able to bear consequences that might come as a result.” – stated Jerko Pavlicevic, President of the Management Board. Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 8 ‘Was Vlado Maric attacked because of misunderstanding with Aluminij?’ – Following the attack, Maric sent the letter to authorized state, FBiH and international organizations, as well as the High Representative. Elektroprivreda HZHB believes the attack was related to the problems with Aluminij. |
| VL says OHR plays double game in electricity for Aluminij | Vecernji List Sun front ‘OHR plays double game’, pg 3 ‘OHR’s games with Aluminij’ by Zoran Kresic – VL learns from “a source in the OHR” that the OHR has ordered the Elektroprivreda of BiH to continue supplying the “Aluminij” of Mostar with electricity until Monday, after the “Elektroprivreda of BiH” (EP BiH) announced it would gradually stop the supply starting 1600 hrs on Friday. The FBiH Government is sitting on Monday. Moreover, VL reports the problem has now been transferred onto the “Elektroprivreda of Herceg Bosna” (EP HZ HB), which is now buying electricity from the EP BiH for almost 40 Euros per MW/h and sells it to “Aluminij” for 28 Euros, although the High Representative’s Decision (on Industrial Electricity Tariffs) obliges the EP BiH to provide electricity to “Aluminij” for 27 Euros, which is the current tariff. In that context, VL says the CEO of EP BiH, Enver Kreso, is refusing to abide by the law (Decision), whilst the OHR is not reacting at all, which, according to the author, confirms suspicions of “double game”, because the OHR allowed the EP BiH to keep selling the electricity to the EFT despite the Decision, which says the electricity can be exported only if the needs of domestic companies are met. |
War crimes | |
| Srebrenica Commission holds second session
| NTV Hayat, RTRS – “Srebrenica Commission should have its first provisional report done by 31 January and should submit it to the RS Gov.” – stated Marko Arsovic, president of the commission appointed by the RS Government to investigate the events in Srebrenica in July 1995. Commission held its second meeting in Banja Luka on Friday. The Chair Marko Arsovic expressed his hope that this commission could fulfil its task until 15 April, which is a deadline set by the High Representative. However, he added that he also hoped that the international community would extend the deadline enabling the Commission to finalize its work within 6 months from its establishment, if it does not finish its work by 15 April deadline. BHTV 1 – The Commission still hasn’t accepted the operational plan of work or received the necessary financing from the RS Government. FTV – The members of the Commission, the Head of the International Commission for Missing persons Gordon Bacon, said that he is satisfied with the Commission work and that all issues that were supposed to be discussed were discussed. Marko Arsovic said that he believed that the Government will provide the necessary means for their work, because it is its duty to do so. Next session is scheduled on 23 January when Rules of Procedure will be adopted. BHTV 1 by Tanja Alavuk – Commenting the deadline given by OHR, Gordon Bacon said that first thing that is expected of this Commission is truth. He also said that this Commission has support of the RS authorities, RS Prime Minister and RS President. Stressing that the five out of seven members of the Commission are from RS, Bacon added that if the truth is revealed it would be the first time for a Government Commission to admit events in Srebrenica in 1995. Dnevni Avaz Sun cover ‘Bacon: Ashdown will put up with RS Government’s obstruction’, pg 8 ‘First provisional report by 31 January’ – Gordon Bacon stated after the session that the High Representative Paddy Ashdown will not put up with anybody’s obstructions, especially not those coming from RS Government. |
| Interview with Gordon Bacon on Srebrenica Commission | Oslobodjenje Sun cover ‘Establish truth about Srebrenica’, pg 7 ‘To extend deadline for disclosing truth about Srebrenica’ by Sanita Rozajac – In an interview to daily, Gordon Bacon said that the first session of the Commission was used to introduce members to each other, and to establish the priorities in the work. Asked whether he was satisfied with the election of the members from RS, Bacon answered that all members of the Commission expressed their readiness to work towards the revealing the truth about Srebrenica without political pressures. Bacon added that the hardest part of the work was to obtain information on the mass graves, and added that the last three months were lost on appointments of the members leaving very little time for the Commission to complete its work. He added that most probably Commission would ask the High Representative to extend its deadline. |
| HRW on processing war crimes cases in local courts of Balkans | RHB – “Trial to Dominik Ilijasevic shows the omissions that are obvious at the domestic courts that are working on the war crime cases” – reads the Human Rights Watch report on the possibility of the Balkans local court to process the war crimes cases. Oslobodjenje Sun pg 6 ‘Intimidation of witnesses – offence’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Courts in the Balkans not ready to process the war crimes cases’ – HRW states that the problems in cases were badly prepared defence, weak protection of the witnesses, insufficient mechanisms of cooperation with other countries in the region and the lack of clear rules which would prevent use of evidences gathered by the ICTY. “Transfer of the cases from ICTY to the local courts will not succeed unless the international community assists in making courts able to lead credible trials” – reads the report. |
RTV subscription issue | |
| OHR demands FBiH Govt to adopts decision on RTV subscription
| NTV Hayat, Dnevni Avaz Sun pg 4 ‘FBiH Government must make decision on RTV subscription’, Oslobodjenje Sun pg 2 ‘To bring decision on collection of RTV tax’, Vecernji List Sun pg 2 ‘OHR: Government should take decision on way of collection of RTV subscription fee’, Dnevni List Sun front, pg 2 ‘Urgently take decision on collection of RTV subscription fee’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 11 ‘OHR: FBiH Government must take decision on collection of RTV subscription fee’ – OHR called on FBiH Government to urgently consider the issue of RTV subscription and to bring the decision on its collection at the session to be held on Monday. RTRS, FTV, BHTV – OHR reminded that the BiH Feasibility Study obligates the development of financially and editorially independent media, which includes the effective system regarding the collection of RTV subscription. Statements from the Office of the High Representative also reads that the proposed collection through the telephone bills was not violating the Law on Customers Protection, as said by the FBiH Government when it failed to adopted the decision. |
| RS Govt endorses agreement on RTV subscription | BHTV1, FTV, RTRS – At the session held on Friday, the RS Government supported the agreement between RS Telekom, PBS and RTRS on the collection of TV subscription fees through phone bills. Nezavisne Novine and Glas Srpske mentioned this issue. |
| Dokic urges PMs to adopt decision on RTV suibscription | FTV – BiH Minister of Communications and Transport Branko Dokic sent a letter to FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic and FBiH Minister of Transport and Communication Nedzad Brankovic, in which he states that, according to the article 11 of the Law on Establishment of Public Broadcasting System, all physical or legal person in possession of TV or Radio device are obligated to pay tax fee. Based on this, Dokic demands from Hadzipasic and Brankovic to adopt the decision to collect the RTV subscription through telephone bills. |
Defence and security issues | |
| RAI 3 broadcast claims 7000 mujahedin terrorist present in BiH
| NTV Hayat – Italian TV station RAI 3 broadcast an interview with anonymous mujahedin, who claimed 7000 mujahedins ready to participate the terrorist activities around the world were present in BiH and added that Italian troops should withdraw from Iraq, as Al’Qaida was getting ready to prepare Italy. Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 8 ‘In BiH nobody knows for 7000 alleged terrorist’ – Daily writes that at this moment nobody has an information that about 7000 mujaheedins in BiH. Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic stated: “We already instructed anti-terrorist team of the CoM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to contact Italian authorities and people from RAI through our diplomatic representatives. What we have to pay attention to is that there are indications that that report was really made in Bosnia. However, it is early to say anything before the end of the investigation. In any case, this ruins BiH reputation in the world terribly.” Speaker of the FBiH House of Representatives Muhamed Ibrahovic demanded from the CoM to ask Italian authorities to carry out official investigations on the published information. Spokesperson for SFOR, Dave Sullian said that Stabilisation forces did not have evidences of the recruiting and training of terrorist in BiH, or the existence of training camps. |
| BHTV 1 feature on defence minister
| BHTV 1 by Marina Boskovic – The BiH Minister of Defence should be appointed by the 15 February, and all three ruling parties have expressed large interests for naming one of their own for the position. According to the Adem Boric from SDA, at the time the position of the BH Defence Minister is extremely important. At the same time SDS demands that Minister is Serb and stressed that this post is a priority for them. Mirko Sarovic, the Vice President of SDS, said that the positions in other Agencies – such as the State Information and Protection Agency – were important relevant, but added that the place in the Council of Ministers is extremely important. Niko Lozancic from HDZ said that evaluating all reforms and actions that lead to the establishment of the state Defence Ministry his party concluded that it would be of great importance to have Croats is in that place. Appointment of the BiH Defence Minister is one of the key steps if BiH wants to join Partnership for Peace and NATO. NATO General Secretary Jaap De Hoop Sheffer, during his visit to BiH last week, said that it was up to domestic authorities to agree on the the Minister. RTRS – RS Defence Minister Milovan Stankovic stated that the position of the BiH Minister of Defence should be given to RS. |