Friday
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA(18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Plane wreckage located | Plane wreckage located | Plane wreckage located | Plane wreckage located |
| Details on plane crash | Candidates for MoD | Mostar Conference | Mostar Conference |
| Mostar Conference | Mostar Conference | Candidates for MoD | Candidates for MoD |
| Candidates for MoD | BiH Central Bank | Judge on hearing | BiH HJPC issues |
Saturday
| NTV Hayat (18,55 hrs) | BH TV 1(19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Probe into plane crash | Probe into plane crash | Probe into plane crash | Probe into plane crash |
| Mosques in BiH | Rotation in BiH Presidency | Rotation in BiH Presidency | Mostar conference |
| Int w/ Christian Amanpour | EUFOR in BiH | EUFOR in BiH | Rotation in BiH Presidency |
| Int with Richard Holbrooke | Human Rights in BiH | Campaign for ICTY | RS Law on local elections |
Saturday
| Oslobodjenje | Victims’ bodies found in wreckage; OHR responded to Avaz: There is not compromise on BiH future; In Srebrenica and Potocari graffiti of hatred and evil |
| Dnevni Avaz | Trajkovski was alive shortly after the accident; Richard Holbrooke for Avaz: There is no political will to arrest Radovan Karadzic; BiH HoP: Genjac on questionable resolution: Pensions from RS offered with false hope |
| Dnevni List | Tragedy: Macedonian presidential airplane found; New investment road for BiH opened |
| Vecernji List | Death one minute before landing |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Airplane tried to land on mine-sown plateau |
| Glas Srpske | Resolution of rights of pensioners: Account settled; Carla del Ponte: Genocide charges failed; Srebrenica: Cross gone missing |
| Nezavisne Novine | Update to plane crash: The bodies of those killed located; Tragedies: Trajkovski is the 10th state leader killed in plane crash; Paddy Ashdown: Politicians use fear to prepare people for elections; Martin Raguz: I plan to engage more in HDZ soon |
Sunday
| Oslobodjenje | Speculations overshadowed investigation on plane crash; Tihic took over duty from Covic; Report on EUFOR’s goals: Priority a fight against organized crime |
| Dnevni Avaz | Dumic is Defence Minister?; Is French flight control to be blamed for crash; Sulejman Tihic took over Chairman duty; Investigation against 9 RS Army officers; Decision of the FBiH Parliament: As of January higher salaries for delegates and representatives |
| Dnevni List | Krstevska: SFOR handed over recording of conversations between control tower and airplane; EU forces in BiH protect Europe from crime |
| Vecernji List | Abduction: 17 year-old son of general Zagorac set free; Black box sent to Paris for analysis |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features Croatia related headlines |
Macedonian plane crash | |
| Macedonian PM arrives to BiH; location of plane crash and bodies found; investigation commenced
| BHTV 1 Sat, FTV Sat – Macedonian Prime Minister, Branko Crvenkovski, arrived to BiH on Saturday, in order to gather information about Thursday’s crash of the plane carrying Macedonian delegation, including the President Boris Trajkovski, to the International Investment Conference in Mostar. BHTV 1 Fri, FTV Fri, Oslobodjenje Sun cover splash ‘Speculations overshadowed investigation into plane crash’ – On Friday the site of plane crash was located in mined areas of village Rotimlje 24 hours after the accident, and bodies of Trajkovski and eight other passengers on board were recovered from the wreckage and transported to the mortuary in Mostar. The plane crashed in the village of Rotimlje. Investigation into crash has commenced on Friday and is carried by the BiH Prosecutor’s Office. Media reported that the 4 bodies were identified. Plane wreck is being analysed in Mostar, while experts announce that the investigation into the reason for the accident would be known in two to three months. RTRS Fri – “I can say is that after last night, when we have taken over into the hands of BiH institutions the whole search, we have done that job practically in two, two and a half hours, from the moment when the teams have came on the field”, said Mladen Ivanic, BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs, who also explained that plain was located by FBiH Army’s helicopter. Even though the reporters were banned to approach the scene of the accident, it was found out that the plain has crashed only 10 kilometres away from the Airport. Dnevni List Sun front splash, pg 4 ‘SFOR handed over recording of conversations between control tower and airplane’ – Deputy State Prosecutor of Macedonia, Roksanda Krstevska, told Dnevni List that SFOR had handed over the audio tape of conversations between the control tower and the pilot. Reportedly, the tape will be examined by representatives of the BiH Civil Aviation and Republic of Macedonia and a person from the Prosecution. RTRS Fri, RHB Fri, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 4 ‘Two black boxes found at the accident site’ – “Members of the expert team have located black box, that is black boxes, because there are two of them on the crashed plain,” said Barisa Colak, BiH Minster of Security. Dnevni List Sat pg 2 ‘Black boxes in possession of BiH authorities’, Vecernji List Sun front ‘Black box sent to Paris for analysis’, pgs 2&3 ‘Paris solves Mostar mystery’, Slobodna Dalmacija Sun pg 4 ‘Black box goes to Paris – The recovered “black box” has been sent to Paris for further investigation. RTRS Sat – Expert team from US on Sunday arrives to BiH to examine the black box. Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Trajkovski was alive shortly after the accident’, pg 3 ‘Bodies of president Trajkovski and other members of Macedonian delegation found’ – Dnevni Avaz on Saturday reported that there were indications that Macedonian president Boris Trajkovski was alive shortly after the accident. NTV Hayat, Oslobodjenje Sun cover splash ‘Speculations overshadowed investigation into plane crash’ – Spokesperson for FBiH Interior Ministry Nedzad Vejzagic denied media reports on possibility that any of the victims were alive immediately after the plane crash. Oslobodjenje Sat cover splash, pgs 4&5 ‘Victims’ bodies found in wreckage’ Dnevni Avaz Sat cover splash, pgs 2-4 ‘Trajkovski was alive shortly after the accident’; Nezavisne Novine cover, pgs 2-4 ‘The bodies of those killed transported to Mostar’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Bodies of those killed discovered’; Oslobodjenje Sun cover splash, pgs 4&5 ‘Speculations overshadowed investigation into plane crash’, Dnevni Avaz cover, pgs 4&5; Vecernji List Sat pgs 4&5 ‘Cause of tragedy still in black box’, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Airplane crashed two minutes before landing’, Slobodna Dalmacija front pg splash, pgs 2&3 ‘Airplane tried to land on mine-sown plateau’ – also bring mentioned updates to the accident. |
| Politicians and media critical of SFOR performance after plane crash; accusations against SFOR | RTRS Sat – According to media reports in Macedonia and the source close to BiH investigation team, if probe concludes that the plane’s mechanics did not broke down, the blame for the accident will be with SFOR. According to the same source, at the time of crash, plane flying 700 meters too low and it was only 15 kilometres away from the Mostar’s airport. “We have criticized SFOR at the joint session of BiH Presidency and Council of Ministers, because of their way of communicating with BiH Governments, during the first day, because we were almost unable to approach the place and to do anything”- said Sulejman Tihic. Oslobodjenje Sun pgs 4&5 ‘Flight control lead through strange ways?’ – Macedonian public views SFOR flight control for plane crash, while Macedonian Defence Minister Vlado Buckovski said that failure of the plane engine did not caused crash. Slobodna Dalmacija Sat pg 2 ‘SFOR gives troubles to rescuers’ – The Chief of Sarajevo-based Mountain rescue team, Ismet Jamakosmanovic, is “dissatisfied with the fact that SFOR created troubles on Thursday when they did not allow us to approach the ground believed to be hiding the airplane remains.” RHB Fri – BiH Prime Minister Adnan Terzic confirmed that SFOR didn’t allow FBiH helicopters to participate in the search for bodies on Thursday and he criticized the SFOR, because they haven’t offered any information to the public about this event. NTV Hayat, Oslobodjenje Sun pg 5 ‘Accident because of engine failure or wrong flight control?’ – NTV Hayat and Oslobodjenje reported on the article that appeared on Saturday in Croatian newspapers Novi list by journalist Drago Pilsel who stressed that since the plane crashed very near Mostar Airport, the SFOR flight control had to know precisely what was happening with the plain. Journalist was also highly critical of SFOR and accused it for giving false information to media on Thursday. Dnevni Avaz Sun cover, pg 5 ‘Is French flight control responsible for crash?’ Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Controllers made a mistake?’, Vecernji List Sat front splash ‘Death one minute before landing’, pgs 2&3 ‘Plane crashed one minute before landing’ – on Saturday, print media speculated that SFOR flight control was to be blamed for the plane crash. |
| SFOR denies its responsibility for plane crash | NTV Hayat – Hayat’s carried report by ATV Banja Luka: “We cannot say anything for sure, and all I san say that the investigation is being carried out. All the details will be announced after the investigators find all of the facts and come to conclusions,’ stressed the SFOR spokesperson David Sullivan. RTRS Sat – SFOR Spokesperson, Dave Sullivan said that SFOR is not guilty for the plane crash. Oslobodjenje Sun pg 5 ‘All speculations not appropriate’ – Sullivan said that it was inappropriate to speculate on the reasons for plane crash before the investigation is completed. |
Defence and security issues | |
| Terzic says Darogmir Dujmic most probable BiH Defence Minister
| Dnevni Avaz Sun cover splash ‘Dujmic to be Defence Minister?’, pg 2 ‘BiH Defence Minister most probably will be Dragomir Dujmic’ – CoM Chair Adnan Terzic confirmed to DA that on he interviewed three candidates for MoD position, adding that Dragomir Dujmic will most probably be the minister since he is a lawyer. Terzic stressed that prior to appointment there are still things to be done, stressing he hoped that on Mondayhe would be able to appoint minister. RHB Fri, RTRS Fri, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 3 ‘Terzic got three names’, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 11 ‘Terzic proposed with three names’, Dnevni List Sat pg 6 ‘Terzic receives names for office of first defence minister’, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Three names on the list’ – Adnan Terzic, Chairperson of BiH Council of Ministers, confirmed that SDS delivered a list with three names to him for the position of BiH Defence Minister, which he will review and one name would forward for vetting procedure to OHR. FTV Fri – Three candidates are all SDS from Bijeljina: Mico Vukovic, Ljubo Trifunovic and Dragomir Dujmic. BHTV 1 – OHR spokesperson Vedran Perisic: “The citizens of Bosnia-Hercegovina have reason to be concerned due to delays in appointment of this person because the membership in the alliance [Partnership for Peace] would mean long-term security for all citizens of this country.” Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘BiH authorities propose incompetent candidates’ – A highly ranking foreign diplomat in BiH told NN that the authorities of BiH risk that BiH is not admitted into PfP if they continue to bid with the names of incompetent candidates for the position of BiH defence minister. |
| Paravac on MoD position | RTRS Sat, Glas Srpske pg 2 in GS supplement “Plus”, ‘Tihic bothered with RS ‘ – Borislav Paravac, Serb member to Bih Presidency, says that the imposed deadlines regarding the appointment of the state Defence Minister do not allow Republika Srpska officials to persist in their demand before Adnan Terzic, chairperson of BiH COM, as to why he had rejected the candidature of Branko Stevic to the position of BiH defence minister. He also says that rejection of candidatures of Serb officials, their disqualification and discrediting actually equate with the denial of Dayton BiH, especially Republika Srpska. He adds that it remains unclear as to who played the crucial role in rejection of candidature of Stevic, namely whether it was Terzic, OHR or FBiH media. |
| Ashdown urges appointment of MoD | NTV Hayat – The High Representative Paddy Ashdown informed the BiH authorities that, when appointing the Minister of Defence, they have to choose between a short deadline and appointing the right person for the job who will represent the future of this country instead of past. Ashdown believes that the decision of the Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers on rejecting the candidature of Branko Stevic was accurate and brave. RTRS Sat – HR Ashdown said that BiH Governments must appoint the person who will represent the future and not the past. |
| Ashdown disappointed BiH HoP did not adopt Intelligence Law | Oslobodjenje Sat pg 2 ‘Ashdown disappointed with Parliament’s lack of seriousness’ – High Representative Paddy Ashdown is disappointed with the failure of BiH House of Peoples to adopt the Law on BiH Intelligence Agency, as it was done previously by BiH House of Representatives. According to OHR Spokesperson, Oleg Milisic, there is no need to wait to RS National Assembly to discuss this issue first: “This is a matter to state Parliament, which also represents RS parties and the High Rep will have to reconsiders the situation and estimate whether the Parliament is serious or not about adoption of this law.” BiH HoP did not discuss the Law, after Serb delegates demand to wait for RSNA session and its conclusion on the Law. |
| US State Department on respect of human rights in BiH | BHTV 1 Fri, Oslobodjenje Sun pg 6 ‘Discrimination against refugees and minorities’, Nezavisne Novine, pg. 7, ‘Police forces in BiH still treat citizens baly’ – The annual report of the US Department of State for 2003, regarding the status of human rights respect in BiH, also says that police forces in BiH still treat citizens badly and also maltreat prisoners and citizens. |
Mostar conference | |
| Work of International Investment Conference in Mostar completed
| FTV Fri, RTRS Fri, RTRS Sat, Dnevni List Sat front, pgs 4&5 ‘New investment road for BiH opened’, Slobodna Dalmacija Sat pg 19 ‘Investors’ interest in roads and power-plants’, Vecernji List Sat, front ‘Investment conference ended’, pg 7 ‘Bosnia and Herzegovina is country open to investments’ – Even thought it was overshadowed by the Macedonian delegation plane crash, the International Investment Conference in Mostar was held in Mostar and finished on Friday. Over 2300 people from over 50 states took part in Mostar Conference. One of the most stressed points was that BiH can’t move forward until it implements reforms, especially those aimed at political stability, acceleration of privatisation process, and restructuring of taxation and customs system. RHB Fri – Due to plane crash, conference included only plenary sessions and round table discussions, with many international delegations leaving Mostar on Thursday night and consequently a number of bilateral negotiations being cancelled. There were five round tables held: on banking; industry and energy; infrastructure; agricultural and food industry; and on tourism, services and trade. About 350 journalists covered Mostar conference, including 25 media houses from BiH and 30 from abroad. BHTV 1 Fri, Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 10 ‘BiH must become a country attractive to foreign capital’, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Direct contact with future partners’ – Dragan Covic, Chairperson of BiH Presidency, stated on Friday that the International Investment Conference in Mostar was an opportunity for direct communication of possible partners, authority representatives and business community. In a number of insets, NN reported on the signing of Joint statement of seven regional states stressing their commitment towards cooperation; presentation of Corridor 5c as the most important BiH project; presentation of around 70 projects from the field of agriculture by RS. In addition, Dragan Vrankic, Federal Minister of Finance, said that reform of banking system is necessary. Mladen Micic, President of the RS Chamber of Commerce, said that some important projects for Republika Srpska, such as the construction of Hydropower plant “Buk Bijela” were not presented during the conference. Branko Dokic, BiH Minister of Traffic and Communication, stated that foreign investors shoed a solid level of interest to invest in water traffic in BiH. Dnevni List Sun pg 15 ‘Modernization of Mostar Airport soon’, Slobodna Dalmacija Sat pg 18 ‘Airport gets wings’ – Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Mostar, Hamdija Jahic and Ljubo Beslic respectively, signed with representatives of Germany’s DORCH consult and ELATEC, a memorandum of understanding for the Mostar Airport during the MIC. Dnevni List Sat pg 4 ‘Every conference is start to investment process’, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 7 ‘Austrian Alpha reconstructs Igman and Bjelasnica?’ – Director of the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, Mirza Hajric, said that a number of negotiations on investments were underway, adding that the real effects of the conference would be visible in next few months. Daily carries that the investors expressed big interests for projects presented at the round-table discussion on tourism. Austrian company Alpha, together with Hypo Alpa Adria Bank, already said it was interested to invest in building centres in Sarajevo mountains Igman and Bjelasnica. |
| NN editorial on Mostar conference | Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘New chapter’ editorial by Josip Blazevic – The author is writing about Mostar conference, saying it was overshadowed by the tragic plane crash and tragic eath of Macedonian President, Boris Trajkovski. However, Mostar conference was held, in his view, in perfect moment for BiH and in positive environment. He stresses the results of the conference cannot be expected in a day or a month, but in a year or so. After local politicians create safe pre-requisite necessary for foreign investments. |
| DA praises organizers of Mostar conference | Dnevni Avaz Sun pg 3 ‘Successful first step’ op-ed by Eldar Dizdarevic – Noting that despite the plan accident, author says that organizers of Mostar Investment Conference must be congratulated for the work they carried out in Mostar. Author says that everybody was impressed with the number of participants, 2300, and that the organization was on the high level, and that all preparations were perfectly conducted. Author concludes that the real impact of the conference will be visible in several months time. |
| DL on Mostar conference | Dnevni List Sun pg 2 ‘Politicians, role up your sleeves’ by Meri Musa – The author writes: “Presenters from international financial organizations suggested how we should move on, by warning of shortcomings such as impermissibly high prices of public utilities, no standard of production and incomplete legal system. These are the main reasons why BiH is in the last place when it comes to foreign investments in all countries in transition”. |
Political | |
| Tihic takes over post of BiH Presidency chairman from Covic | FTV Sat, NTV Hayat, Oslobodjenje Sat pg 3 ‘Tihic Chairman’, Oslobodjenje Sun cover, pg 3 ‘Tihic took over duty from Covic’, Dnevni Avaz Sun cover, pg 3 ‘Tihic took over position of chairman’, Vecernji List Sun pg 5 ‘Fulfilling of conditions for EU and Partnership for peace a priority’, Dnevni List Sun front pg ‘Sulejman Tihic takes over duty of chairman of BiH Presidency’, pg 7 ‘BiH facing important foreign policy activities in period to come’, Slobodna Dalmacija Sun pg 9 ‘Tihic instead of Covic’ – The Bosniak member of the BiH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic, has taken over the post of chairman of the Bosnia-Hercegovina Presidency from Dragan Covic and will be in the post for the next eight months. At the ceremonial session in Sarajevo on Saturday, Sulejman Tihic announced that the fundamental orientation of all the entity and state institutions in the coming period will be satisfying conditions for acceptance into the Partnership for Peace and starting negotiations for the signing of the EU’s Stabilization and Association Agreement. RTRS Sat – Tihic also mentioned that in the next period BiH has to pass 44 Laws and establish 25 new Institutions, but he considers that joint statement by political parties in BiH Parliament is a good sign. “It is realistic to expect the implementation of reforms in area of Defence and acceptance of BiH to PfP at the [NATO] summit in Istanbul in June this year. In accomplishing that goal we have to make additional efforts, when it comes to cooperation with ICTY, especially on the arrestment of most wanted war criminals, Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic”- said Sulejman Tihic, Chairman of BiH Presidency. BHTV 1 Sat – Outgoing chairman Dragan Covic has stated that during last eight months BiH has made a significant progress, especially in the area of Defence and Security, but he also said that we can’t be satisfied because the life standard in BiH is among lowest in Europe, pensioners are in terrible situation and there are no investing in health and education. |
| Ashdown presents BiH authorities with Solana’s report on EUFOR | BHTV 1 Sat, Vecernji List Sun front ‘EUFOR in fight against crime too’, pg 5 ‘EUFOR in fight against organized crime’, Dnevni List Sun front, pg 3 ‘EU forces in BiH protect Europe from crime’, Slobodna Dalmacija Sun back pg ‘BiH – part of EU family’- The High Representative and European Union Special Representative in BiH, Paddy Ashdown, on Friday forwarded to the BiH Presidency the report that EU High Representative Javier Solana presented on 23 February to the EU Foreign Affairs ministers on the possible EU deployment in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The report is based on the premise that if NATO decides to end SFOR’s mission in BiH, the EU should be prepared to deploy a force in BiH. The report notes that in providing a force for BiH the EU’s principal objective would be to support this country’s aspiration to achieve full integration in the EU and NATO. NTV Hayat – “A major obstacle to further stabilisation in BiH is the nexus of organised crime and political extremism. Establishing the rule of law and dealing with organised criminal networks are the key to long-term stability in BiH”, reads the report by Solana. Oslobodjenje Sun cover, pg 6 ‘Fight against organized crime a priority’, ‘BiH still needs international assistance’, Dnevni Avaz Sun Solana: The final goal is BiH ready to fight organized crime on its own’ – Regarding the EUFOR mandate, report reads that EUFOR’s engagement would be different in comparison with SFOR, with two main aims: to ensure security environment and to assist BiH towards its accession to EU. EUFOR would pay special attention to the fight against organized crime. |
| Holbrooke on initiatives to change Dayton Peace Accord and SDS | NTV Hayat – In an interview broadcast by NTV Hayat, DPA creator, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke said that the situation in BiH is improved, but stressed that there were still a number of things to be done: “We still have demagogues and racists, murderers and criminals, who are trying to tear the country apart and prevent the BiH citizens from reaching their true potentials.” Asked to comment about the initiatives for the changes to Dayton Peace Agreement, Holbrooke said: “I have always been saying that the Dayton needs to be improved. By that means we have Republika Srpska as an issue. It has the wrong name, because it leads to the conclusion that some people are separated and sovereign, which is not true. It is simply a province in a state.” Dnevni Avaz Sat cover ‘There is no political will to arrest Karadzic’, pg 5 ‘NATO had assignment to arrest Karadzic and Mladic’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to DA, Richard Holbrooke said that he still believed that SDS should be banned to act as a party: “SDS is not a political party anymore, it is mafia organization and a cover for mafia activities. By the way, mafia exists in all three ethnic groups. Whoever doesn’t believe in that, let me look at Mostar for instance.” Dnevni List Sun pg 2 ‘Holbrooke: We agreed that Karadzic disappears’ – carried bits from an DA interview. |
| DA: Salaries of BiH HoP and HoR reps to be increased | Dnevni Avaz Sun cover, pg 2 ‘As of January, higher salaries for delegates and representatives’ – Salaries of representatives and delegates in both houses of FBiH Parliament should be increased for 150 – 200 KM. According to FBiH House of Representatives Secretary Ante Baotic, this was not increase of the salaries by harmonizing with the salaries of other employees of FBiH institutions. According to FBIH House of Peoples Secretary Izmir Hadziavdic delegates still did not receive increased salaries, and doubts this would happen at all. |
| DL int with Ahmet Hadzipasic | Dnevni List Sat front, pgs 22 and 23 ‘Times of non-argumented removals without consideration of public opinion are gone’ by Miso Relota – The FBiH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, responding to journalist’s question about his and removal of ministers from his Government, says that at the time the issue of his removal was topical, many pensioners and invalids sent him letters of support, which leads PM Hadzipasic to say that the times of non-argumented removals are gone. Regarding possible removals of ministers from his cabinet, PM Hadzipasic says: “I will not give in to anyone unless he or she presents arguments that a certain minister is not doing a good job (…) At this moment, it is certain that there will be no changes to ministers in the FBiH Government. I will not give in”. |
| NN int with Martin Raguz | Nezavisne Novine cover, pgs 5-7 in NN supplement Revija, ‘I plan to engage more in HDZ soon’ – In an interview to NN, Martin Raguz, Deputy Speaker of the BiH House of Representatives, responded to press question regarding alleged rifts at HDZ by saying that such processes are aimed at “profiling the party”. He admits there are difficulties in the functioning of authority at both levels, stressing that city of Mostar is the best example of this. He believes he greatly contributed to the “profiling of HDZ as reformistic party”. He also announced his soon candidature for the most senior positions at the party top. |
| Oslobodjenje editorial on ruling parties, elections and campaigns | Oslobodjenje Sat pg 3 ‘Demagogy and numbering’ op-ed by Mirko Sagolj – Author notes that SDA was the first to commence with the campaign before the local elections, and that it is possible to recognize the campaign character. Arguing that “fabricated coup d’état” served only to create impression that the coalition of ruling nationalists parties was endangered and finding an enemy later in FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic, authors says that while these efforts failed, and that it was “comical to see the way in which SDA rejected this idea [of FBiH reshuffle].” The added campaign material author sees to be the story on unequal representation of Bosniaks in judiciary and police. Sagolj also reminds that this is the thesis that provided victory to all nationalists parties in elections to date, and ever based on their economic, ethnic, social or democratic programmes. |
| DL on HR’s decision on Mostar | Dnevni List Sat pg 10 ‘From ‘Boban’ via ‘Lenin’ and ‘Tito’ to ‘Alija’’ by Zvonimir Jukic – Author notes that the latest activities of soon-to-be-abolished municipalities in Mostar relating to change of names of streets and squares, once again show that the High Representative for BiH, Paddy Ashdown, was right to abolish the “national exclusivities”, which had been demonstrated by the Mostar national municipalities in past few years. The author notes that the Mostar city municipality “Stari Grad” (Old Town) has launched an initiative to rename the “Musala square” into “Alija Izetbegovic square” and that the city municipality “Southwest” took a decision to rename “Rondo square” into “Mate Boban square”, without consulting the citizenry about it. |
Judiciary | |
| OHR responds to Avaz: “Don’t ask us to compromise with BiH’s future’
| Oslobodjenje Sat cover, pg 3 ‘There is no compromise with BiH future’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Don’t ask us to compromise with BiH’s future’, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘There is no discrimination of peoples nor censorship in BiH’, Dnevni List Sat pg 7 ‘If BiH wants to become part of Europe, Parliament should change laws’ – As a response to demands filed by “Avaz” staff, OHR on Friday released a press statement which reads: “Don’t ask us to compromise with BiH’s European future”, and which notes that Dnevni Avaz’s “demands appear to be based on a misunderstanding of the law, or of normal practice elsewhere in Europe, or in some cases, on errors of fact.” OHR stressed that Dnevni Avaz is not banned from writing about Zlatko Lagumdzija, provided what they write is consistent with the truth. Secondly, OHR points out “that there is already a process underway to ensure that only judges and prosecutors who are professionally qualified and uncompromised by their past are reappointed. That is the job of the HJPCs.” Thirdly, OHR says that “there no evidence that any of the three constituent people are being systematically discriminated against in appointments to the police, judiciary, prosecutors’ offices, intelligence services, or any other state and public service.” The OHR welcomes and applauds the democratic right to organize peaceful protests in accordance with the law. But, stressed the press release, the OHR will not compromise on the independence of the judiciary and therefore BiH’s European future. |
| DA responds to OHR | Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Selective avoidance of highest standards for isolates this country from Europe’ – Reacting to statement by the OHR, the editorial collegium of Dnevni avaz said that answers by the High Representative Paddy Ashdown given were appreciated by DA, but added that received answers presented “indications that the process in question is no longer seen as a perfectly done job,” the paper said in a statement. “We thank the High Representative for directing us to the BiH parliament for changing of the law on protection from defamation, which we will do, but we remind him that the OHR imposed that law,” reads the statement. “Thus we still think that we are addressing the right address about this issue and we once again insist on abolishment of the temporary ban on writing about politicians, since that is censorship…The High Representative, maybe, does not see evidence of systematic discrimination during the appointments in police, judiciary and prosecution but the facts do not lie.” The statement adds that the OHR will always have the support of the public and Dnevni avaz in building of multiethnic structure of judiciary in BiH and their independence. |
| Political reactions on OHR respond to Avaz
| Dnevni Avaz Sun pg 9 ‘Demands for equality cannot be regarded as the pressure’ – DA brings reactions from several politicians on OHR’s answers to DA demands. Member of SDA Presidency Adil Osmanovic said that he was worried with the situation in RS Interior Ministry: “There is absolutely no balanced ethnic structure regarding the representation of Bosniaks and Croats. Out of about 8000 people in RS MoI, there are 440 Bosniaks. In addition, there is wide-spread trend of dismissing Bosniak police officers for a reason of reducing the number of police officers.” President of SBiH Safet Halilovic says he was in favour of adoption of Lustration Law, while BOSS leader Mirnes Ajanovic estimated that it would be more productive if OHR would undertake some concrete actions to solve the issues regarding the equality of all three peoples. |
| Oslobodjenje op-ed on Avaz’s demands posed to OHR
| Oslobodjenje Sat pg 2 ‘Media manipulators’ op-ed by Daniel Omeragic – Author refers to demands published by Dnevni Avaz following the court’s decision banning newspapers to write untrue information on Zlatko Lagumdzija. Editorial reads that DA is an example of media manipulator, while OHR’s respond to Avaz proved that there were a number of Bosniaks appointed to key positions in judiciary and police. “OHR is very clear. Avaz may protests as much as it wants, however, it will not be allowed to interfere with the work of courts and prosecutors,” concludes editorial. |
| NN int with Ashdown | Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 6 ‘Politicians use fear to prepare people for elections’ – In a page-long interview to NN, the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, said that the statements on jeopardy of all three peoples of BiH before the coming local elections is extremely dangerous and destructive for the entire state. He said: “I hope we will be thinking about the future, not the past, during this pre-election period. However, I know politicians prefer to use fear rather than hope during pre-election campaign.” He assessed that all politicians, “maybe especially nationalistic parties”, prepare their voters for local elections through these statements on jeopardy of vital national interest. He also said that the aim of extremely harsh reaction of “Avaz” upon court verdict concerning Zlatko Lagumdzija is to interfere in judicial work. |
| SDA to propose Lustration Law
| Dnevni Avaz Sat pg 8 ‘SDA will propose Law on Lustration’ – Following announcement by BiH House of Peoples delegated Osman Brka that SDA would propose Lustration Law, if CoM fails to do so, BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac said to Avaz that CoM’s activities plan did not include draft of this law. SDA Vice President Suada Palavric said that BiH needs it, agreeing that SDA should propose this Law. BiH House of Representatives’ Speaker Nikola Spiric said such law deserves attention, however added that they were a number of other of higher priority. SBiH delegate in the BiH Parliament Beriz Belkic agreed that all levels of authorities should discuss the need for such law. |
| Oslobodjenje on Avaz’s demands, and Lustration Law | Oslobodjenje Sun pg 2 ‘In interests of people!’ op-ed by Senka Kurtovic – Following announcement on the possibility of adopting the Lustration Law, author writes that lustration law will bring BiH into another dangerous situation whereas everyone will look whether the judge is “‘one of us’. That way we will come to the beginning.” Author argues that this discussion will take roots in all aspects of society, where “students will accuse professors for failing them because they are one of them. Patients will blame doctors from other people for diseases.” |
War crimes | |
| Holbrooke on arrest of war crimes suspects
| NTV Hayat – In an interview with NTV Hayat, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke said that withdrawal of US troops from SFOR before the arrest of two top war crimes suspects, Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are arrested, would be a serious mistake: “We started our mission with 20 thousand people in the US troops in January 1996, and eight years later we have 1200 left. It is a successful story, but it cannot end too early. As long as Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are free, this would mean a serous mistake.” He adds: “I find the fact that Radovan Karadzic has not yet been arrested to be the greatest failure of the international community.” Dnevni Avaz Sat cover ‘There is no political will to arrest Karadzic’, pg 5 ‘NATO had assignment to arrest Karadzic and Mladic’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to DA, Richard Holbrooke added that he agrees with recent statement by ICTY Deputy Chief Prosecutor Graham Blewitt that there was no enough political will to arrest Karadzic and Mladic. |
| Hatred graffiti appeared in Srebrenica | Oslobodjenje cover, pg 3 ‘Graffiti of evil and hatred’ – Vice President of Srebrenica Municipality Assembly Sadik Ahmetovic informed Oslobodjenje that on Friday morning graffiti carrying hatred messages appeared in Potocari and Srebrenica. Graffiti that were sprayed on Potocari primary school and Bosniak houses in Srebrenica read ‘Knife, wire, Srebrenica’, ‘Raso, commander’, and ‘Mladic a national hero’. Srebrenica local police searches for perpetrators. |
Pensions issue | |
| RS politicians welcome FBiH HoP resolution on pensions | Glas Srpske cover page story, ‘Account settled’ – GS writes about the session of BiH House of Peoples, which accepted the Resolution proposed by Goran Milojevic, PDP delegate and Co-chairperson of BiH House of Peoples. The Resolution has obligated the PIO Fund of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to start paying out pensions to those pensioners, who earned their pensions in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. RTRS Fri – PDP and Mico Micic, RS minister of Labour and Veterans, also welcomed the decision. Dnevni Avaz Sat cover ‘Pensions from RS offered with false hope’, pg 12 ‘Resolution on transfer of RS pensioners to FBiH not possible to implement’ – President of Bosniak caucus, Halid Genjac, resolution adopted by BiH House of Peoples was not possible to implement, adding that the resolution “did not offer any solutions for means that could be used for pay out for the new users. Its application would mean decrease of pensions in FBiH and increase in RS.” Deputy Director of FBiH Pensions Fund Bakir Mujic said he was shocked with the adoption of the resolution, which would cause decrease and lateness of pensions payout. |