Friday
| RADIO HERCEG BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| HDZ contra SDA | Boris Trajkovski funeral | ISA Law passed | BiH HoP in session |
| SDA statement | Law on ISA passed | Law on bankruptcy | RSNA in session |
| BiH HoP in session | Government crisis | HR in Washington | RS Justice |
| NHI statement | ICTY indictments | Trajkovski funeral | Political activities |
Saturday
| NTV HAYAT (18,55 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Police protects McNair | Hadzipasic statement | Coup d’etat affair report | Sustainable return |
| New ICTY indictments | Law on money laundry | Destroyed weapons | Reforms in Courts |
| Mohammad Mahatir | Bank robbers arrested | New indictments in Zagreb | FBiH Prime- Min statement |
| Vuk Draskovic | HR in Washington | Arrested bank robbers | Hadzipasic |
Saturday
| Oslobodjenje | CoM Official: We are waiting for indictments against Prlic and Praljak |
| Dnevni Avaz | Prlic, Praljak and Petkovic go to The Hague? |
| Dnevni List | “Colak: FBiH is not Bosniak state”; “Meeting because of Law on Bankruptcy: BiH is losing 15 million Dollars!?” |
| Vecernji List | “Black boxes on expertise in Germany”; “Lozancic started ‘moving’ of Hadzipasic” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | “Lozancic demands removal of Prime Minister Hadzipasic”; “Protest gathering in front of OHR: No revolutionary developments” |
| Glas Srpske | Who is Zulfo Tursunovic, suspect of war crimes in Srebrenica – When murderer is a judge; Stole a baby from a friend of hers; God saves icons |
| Nezavisne Novine | New crise in the FBiH Government – Niko Lozancic asked for Ahmed Hadzipasic’s dismission; Ashdown-Powell meeting – With current tempo BiH can not join Partnership for Peace; NATO Ambassadors – Dragomir Dumic is an obstacle for Partnership for Peace; Trajkovski burried; Opposition protest in RS on March 23 |
Sunday
| Oslobodjenje | Hadzipasic: HDZ requests for my removal in order to cover up its mistakes |
| Dnevni Avaz | Terzic: Assessments from New York are positive |
| Dnevni List | “Police arrested 2 robbers”; “Ashdown: EU taught lessons from 90-ies” |
| Vecernji List | “Robbers arrested”; “HVO pensioners: We shall block life in FBiH” |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features Croatia related headlines |
Political developments | |
| SDA-HDZ talks on crisis in the Federation Government to be held after Tihic and Colak’s return from Macedonia
| Herceg Bosna Radio on Friday, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg. 5 ‘HDZ should not have control over every profitable institution’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4, FENA – The negotiations between the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) and the Croat Democratic Union (HDZ), after decision of Croat ministers not to participate in the FBiH Government’s session, will resume immediately upon the return of SDA President Sulejman Tihic from Macedonia. SDA Vice-president Seada Palavric told a press conference in Sarajevo on Friday that the latest acts of HDZ are somewhat strange. She stressed that open talks will be held with HDZ on everything that represents a problem for them. “What we wish to hear from HDZ is whether they really wish to have top post in each institution that is profitable and has money”, said SDA Vice-president. Still, she expressed hope that the talks would result in understanding and resuming cooperation, which is possible primarily for the purpose of fulfilling the conditions for the Partnership for Peace and the European Commission’s 16 pre-requisites for opening negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement with EU. Palavric emphasised that all decisions issued by the FBiH Government on Thursday are legitimate because the government is not the body for protecting vital national interests, adding that the Government had quorum and has managed to reach “very important decisions”. Sunday’s Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Tihic: FBiH Government must function normally’ – The newspaper says that the SDA leadership will discuss the latest crisis in the FBiH Government (non-participation of the HDZ Minister in the work of the body and the request for Ahmet Hadzipasic’s removal by Federation President Niko Lozancic) at its session scheduled for Monday. SDA President Sulejman Tihic said it was abut very important issues since the FBiH Government had to function normally. |
| OHR on the latest crisis in FBiH Government
| FTV on Friday, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Let the reforms not to be affected’, FENA – The spokesperson of OHR, Oleg Milisic, on Friday told Fena that it is not up to OHR to comment on the newly established situation within the SDA – HDZ coalition. However, Milisic stressed that it would be worrying if this new situation between the two political parties results in slowing down the pace of implementing reform. |
| Lozancic officially requests removal of Hadzipasic; SDA defends Prime Minister | BHTV on Friday, Saturday’s Dnevni Avaz pg. 4 ‘Lozancic request for Premier Hadzipasic’s removal’, Nezavisne novine, cover and page 4; “Lozancic asks for Prime-Minister Hadzipasic’s dismission” – The president of the Federation of BiH, Niko Lozancic, has confirmed for BHTV central news that he had requested the consent of both vice presidents (Sahbaz Dzihanovic and Desnica Radivojevic) to start the procedure for dismissal of Ahmet Hadzipasic from the position of prime minister of this entity. Negotiations between the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) and the BiH Croat Democratic Union (HDZ), after the decision by Croat ministers not to participate in the Federation government’s session, will be continued as soon as the leaders of these parties return from Macedonia. Upon the initiative of Federation President Niko Lozancic, the leaders of the Entity talked on Friday about a renewed start of the procedure for dismissal of Federation Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic. Lozancic thinks that Hadzipasic is responsible for bad functioning of the Federation government. “I expect the vice presidents to comment on my initiative within the next few days and that we will have a standpoint, which could be either positive or negative. If it turns out to be a negative standpoint, I will, as the Federation president, request the prime minister to resign,” said Lozancic. |
| NN: SDA says HDZ trying to divide Federation | Nezavisne Novine cover and page 4: “Secretly, HDZ wants FBiH to be divided”, SRNA – The deputy chairman of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA), Elmir Jahic, believes that the essence of all of the objections of the Croat Democratic Union of BiH directed at the Federation government had to do with the partition of the Federation of BiH, that is transferring authority to the cantons, which would later be united on an ethnic group basis. “This would practically mean the division of the Federation of BiH, ending with the partition of BiH itself,” Jahic said in an interview for Nezavisne Novine. Recommending that problems have to be resolved by inter-party agreement, Jahic said the SDA will not allow decisions to be reached over the interests of Bosniaks and this party. Answering a question on whether the existing conflict in the Federation could lead to a breakdown in the work of state institutions, Jahic assessed that “someone was trying to demonstrate that the Federation cannot survive”. |
| SDA will not accept Federation premier’s dismissal | FENA – Seada Palavric, the deputy chairman of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA), told FENA on Saturday that the party would not accept the dismissal of Federation Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic. The SDA regards as finished “the episode” on the Federation government reshuffle, Palavric said, adding that those who did not take part in the Federation government’s work should be held responsible. Commenting on the initiative by Federation President Niko Lozanic, who requested that Hadzipasic be replaced “due to unsatisfactory situation in the Federation government”, Palavric said that such claims were unfounded, and “particularly because this initiative comes at a time when the Federation government confirmed the Federation’s budgetary proposal”. Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pgs. 4-5 ‘We will not accept removal of Ahmet Hadzipasic’ – SDA General Secretary Sefik Dzaferovic told the newspaper the SDA would never accept anyone’s ultimatums. |
| Hadzipasic demands presentation of reasons for his dismissal supported by facts | TV Hayatt, BHTV, FTV, RTRS on Saturday, Sunday’s Dnevni Avaz pg. 3 ‘Does Lozancic want us to work illegally?’, FENA – The prime minister of the Federation of BiH, Ahmet Hadzipasic, told FENA on Saturday that the initiative for his dismissal by the Federation president, Niko Lozanic, would need to be based on submitted and detailed arguments. All accusations about the unlawful work and transgressions by the Federation government and the prime minister would need to be substantiated, the Federation prime minister said. “The government worked in line with the law. Lozanic’s initiative can only be based on his wish for the Federation government to work against the law. As long as I am the prime minister, the government will not do so at any moment and it will not make any decisions which will jeopardize interests of any nation. All the government’s decisions need to be made in the interest of the Federation citizens and we intend to stand by these principles,” said Hadzipasic. Sunday’s Oslobodjenje front page, pgs. 4-5 ‘Hadzipasic: HDZ requests for my removal in order to cover up its mistakes’ carries an interview with Hadzipasic in which he also rejected accusations by HDZ leadership of his bad performance. |
| CRO Press on the crisis in FBiH Government
| With regard to the current crises of the Federation of BiH Government, Dnevni List (front and page 7, “Colak: FBiH is not Bosniak state”, by M. Relota) carries that HDZ President Barisa Colak confirmed the speculations saying that the latest crises of the partner’s relations is actually the SDA revenge due to a failed attempt to remove the FBiH Government. Colak also said: “It can be interpreted in that way too, however, it is well known that we were correct in that procedure…As the HDZ President I can say that we shall not allow that the FBiH turns into a Bosniak state.” Banja Luka Nezavisne novine, cover and page 5: “Possible blockade of BiH institutions” also carried Colak’s statement on the relations between HDZ and SDA, crisis in the FBiH Government. Slobodna Dalmacija (Saturday, front and page 15, “Lozancic demands removal of Prime Minister Hadzipasic”, by Z. Zekic) carries that FBiH President Niko Lozancic stated that he launched the initiative for the removal of FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic. Lozancic added that he expects from his Vice Presidents to reply to this demand by mid next week. Vecernji List (Saturday, front page, “Lozancic started ‘moving’ of Hadzipasic” and page 3, “Lozancic is removing Hadzipasic”, by Z. Kresic) also covered this issue. Vecernji List (Sunday, page 3, “Hadzipasic: Removal has to be based on arguments”, by Fena) carries that Hadzipasic stated that the initiative for his removal launched by Lozancic has to be based on presented and elaborated arguments. VL (Saturday, page 3, “Vrankic: Slap to IMF”, by Z.K.) carries that commenting on the decision on allocation of a part of a BH Telekom profit for construction of the highway Sarajevo-Zenica, FBiH Minister of Finances Dragan Vrankic stated that it was illegal to pass such decision without a competent Minister and according to Vrankic everything that they were fighting for during hard talks with the International Monetary Fund has been brought to question. Dnevni List (Sunday, front and page 5, “By its behavior SDA caused crises of Government”, by M. Relota) carries that commenting on the last session of the FBiH Government and Hadizpasic’s statement that he cannot wait any longer postponement of the appointment of the FBiH Civil Service Agency Head, Vrankic stated it is possible that Hadzipasic received a warning from the OHR. Vrankic added: “If he (Hadzipasic) had received a warning from the OHR to appoint a Head of FBiH Civil Service Agency as soon as possible, then he only had to place this item on the agenda. However, why did he place FBiH budget and other items on the agenda? The Civil Service Agency is just an excuse.” Vrankic also said: “SDA is not satisfied with Hadizpasic’s work because he is slowly implementing the constitutional position that they have…SDA gave a last warning to Hadzipasic… Hadzipasic gave in to SDA pressure and he tried to do it now.” Dnevni List (Sunday, page 7, “Croats dissatisfied with status in FBiH”, by M. Relota) carries a chronology of the whole issue and Hadzipasic as saying that the ultimate goal of HDZ is creation of the third entity. |
| DL: “Fatima Leho submitted resignation because of Jahic’s indecisiveness” | Dnevni List (Sunday, page 2, by N. Bise) carries that a source close to SDA Mostar City Board confirmed that SDA Mostar President Fatima Leho submitted an irrevocable resignation to this position a few days ago. The source also said that Leho did it for moral reasons after SDA principles and stands within the Commission for Drafting of Mostar Statute were not respected, however, the source added that the main reason is political indecisiveness of Mostar Mayor Hamdija Jahic, who was also a member of the aforementioned Commission. DL says that Leho objected Jahic that he avoided sessions of the Mostar Commission many times and then he accepted to participate in the implementation of the decisions on Mostar passed by High Representative Paddy Ashdown that are contrary to SDA’s stands. DL says that their source did not want to comment as to who might come to Leho’s position. |
| Session Municipal Council of Mostar Municipality West
| Dnevni List (Saturday, page 16, “Beus: City Administration inherits projects of vital importance”, by V.S.) carries that the session of the Municipal Council of the Mostar Municipality West took place and the Councilors placed stress on transfer of authorities over started projects on the Mostar City Administration since the Mostar Municipalities cease to exist on March 15. The Councilors also discussed a new Mostar Statute and the decision on the carried out referendum was adopted. President of the Municipal Council Ivan Beus stated: “We have passed the decision to form the Commission that will make an appeal on the proposed Statute, that will be sent to all competent institutions, however, at the same time we shall continue to participate in the implementation of the Statute.” |
| RS opposition protests to be held on March 23 | Nezavisne novine, cover and page 3: “RS oppostion protests to be held on March 23rd” – Oppostion protests will be held on March 23, at Trg Krajine in Banjaluka. Early elections should be consequence of the protests, announced board of political parties that have signed Chart for the Future. SNSD, Democratic People’s Union and Socialist Party annonuced that they have support of NGO’s, citizens, war veterans, disabled persons, pensioners, workers and youth. Oppostion wants general elections to be held in October, in the same time as local elections. |
BiH/International Community | |
| Ashdown’s meeting with Powell
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV on Friday, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg. 5 ‘Politicians between the past and the present’, Dnevni Avaz front page ‘There are two risks in the reform process’, pg. 2 ‘Can BiH fulfil NATO conditions by June’, Nezavisne novine, cover and page 3: “With current tempo BiH can not joint Partnership for Peace”, FENA – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, on Friday in Washington met with the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, OHR said in a press release. They discussed the latest developments in BiH focusing on BiH’s progress towards PfP and the EC’s requirements for the start of the SAA negotiations. The High Representative warned that at this rate BiH would not meet the requirements for PfP membership on time meaning by the NATO summit in Istanbul scheduled for June. “Much will depend on the caliber of the BiH State Minister of Defense”, said the High Representative adding that “the signs so far related to his appointment process are not encouraging”. The High Representative warned of the two risks to the reform process; the politics of competitive victimization which parties from all three constituent peoples have been developing ahead of the local elections and the irresponsible campaign against the establishment of an independent judiciary. The High Representative told Secretary Powell that Politicians in BiH are facing a clear choice between the populist temptation to scare the electorate from the past or of facing the real challenges of BiH today; unemployment, organized crime and the reforms needed to take BiH into Europe, said the release. |
| Ashdown meets with Rumsfeld | TV Hayatt, BHTV, FTV, RTRS on Saturday, Sunday’s Oslobodjenje pg. 3, mentioned on the front page with a photo ’EU has learnt lessons from 90s’, Dnevni Avaz ‘Implementation of reforms must be accelerated’, Dnevni List Sunday, front and page 3, “Ashdown: EU thought lessons from 90-ies”, by De.L., Vecernji List Sunday, page 2, “Ashdown talked with Rumsfeld about EUFOR”, by dja,ONASA – High Representative Paddy Ashdown met on Friday with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and discussed the situation in BiH. The High Representative warned that unless the pace of reforms is accelerated BiH would not qualify for PfP at Istanbul Summit. Much would depend on the caliber of new minister of defense. However the signals for this appointment were not, at this stage, encouraging, read a statement from the OHR. The High Representative and Secretary Rumsfeld also discussed possible SFOR-EU force transition in BiH. The High Representative said that if NATO decide to leave this year there would be a potential role for EU force. It would assist BiH integrate into Europe and it could assist BiH authorities in fight against organized crime. The High Representative said: “EU have learned the lessons of 1990’s. Any EU force would be robust and would have to be fully coordinated with NATO. Our history in BiH has shown that the IC was fully effective when was fully united”. |
| Decision on end of SFOR mandate to be made in Istanbul | Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg. 3 ‘Decision on the end of SFOR mandate’ – If the things in BiH would be going well, a decision on the end of SFOR mandate in BiH and its replacement with EU forces will be made at the next NATO Summit scheduled for June in Istanbul, according to the unnamed high-ranking sources close to NATO. The NATO officials are aware of a fact that this transfer of the authorities will represent a big test for future relations between NATO and EU but also for the future of BiH. |
| Terzic on his visit to US, debate in UN Security Council | Sunday’s Dnevni Avaz fron page, pg. 2 ‘Assessments from New York are positive’ – Interview with BiH Council of Ministers Chairman Adnan Terzic following his return from New York where he had addressed the UN Security Council together with HR Paddy Ashdown on the situation in BiH. Terzic emphasized a common opinion of the body members was that BiH had precisely defined goals and some had even said they were impressed with such a precisely defined BiH internal and external policy particularly when it came to the cooperation with the countries in the region. |
| Editorial: “Powerlessness of state” | Dnevni List (Sunday, page 2, by N. Bise) carries an editorial in which the author wonders as to why BiH has the BiH Presidency when High Representative Paddy Ashdown is doing everything that a President does in normal countries. The author also says: “And while Lord Ashdown ‘is wasting’ his precious time and does job of our legally elected Presidents, in their playground in BiH funny things are taking place that various Presidents, members of the Presidency, Ministers organize for us.” The author criticizes Serb member of the BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac who does not recognize a BiH Independence Day and Chairman of the BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic who sent a message at the funeral of Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski that the truth about the tragedy of the Macedonian delegation will be established. The author wonders about what truth Tihic is talking about when BiH and its institutions on its own territory were prevented for 24 hours to organize a search after the plane. The author says: “For this reason we should have foreigners in the state and they should tailor our destiny and pass the most important decisions. We are powerless any way.” |
Intelligence/security/organised crime | |
| BiH HoP adopts an amended version of Law on Intelligence-Security Service, harmonization needed
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS on Friday, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Two texts of the same law’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Law on Intelligence-Security Agency goes on harmonisation’, Dnevni List Saturday, page 3, by M.R.,Nezavisne novine, page 3: “Adopted Law on Intelligence and Security Agency”, FENA – BiH House of Peoples on Friday adopted the Law on the BiH Intelligence-Security Agency. However, since the text of the Law adopted in the House of Peoples is different from the legal text adopted in the House of Representatives, it will be necessary to harmonise them between the Houses. The Law establishes the BiH Intelligence-Security Agency, which is responsible for collecting, analysing and distributing of intelligence information with the aim of protecting the security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the constitutional order of BiH. |
| OHR expects adoption of Law on prevention of money laundering | TV Hayatt, BHTV, FTV, RTRS on Saturday, Sunday’s Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Key tool against crime’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Urgently adopt law on money laundering prevention’, Dnevni List Sunday, page 7, by De.L.,ONASA – The OHR is calling on the Council of Ministers urgently to adopt the Prevention of Money Laundering Law as an essential tool in BiH’s fight against organized crime. It’s been over two weeks since the Council of Ministers returned the Prevention of Money Laundering Law to its Economics Board for additional procedure, read a statement issued by the OHR on Saturday. This has blocked progress on the SIPA legal package that will create a state police force for combating organized crime, money laundering, international terrorism, and illegal migration. The Prevention of Money Laundering Law is important for BiH in fulfilling its international obligations in fighting money laundering and the financing of organized crime and terrorist networks. The BiH Parliament is ready to move on enacting the SIPA legislation but the stalled package needs to clear the Council of Ministers. OHR looks forward to speedy action so that BiH can honor its commitments under the National Plan on Organized Crime and the conditions in the EC Feasibility Study. |
Economic/social issues | |
| PDHR Hays says FBiH Law on bankruptcy to be passed soon
| FTV on Friday, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pgs. 4-5 ‘Trade Unions accuse the Government of accepting blackmail’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 12 ‘Government and Trade Union on the opposite positions’, Dnevni List Saturday, front and page 3, “BiH is losing 15 million Dollars!?”, by R. Radic,Nezavisne novine, page 2: “FBiH will lose KM 30 million because of Law on Bankruptcy”, ONASA – The Federation of BiH Bankruptcy Law, which has been in the parliamentary procedure for over a year, should be passed, together with amendments and social welfare program, in a few weeks, Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays said Friday in Sarajevo. After a meeting with FBiH Prime Minister Ahmed Hadzipasic, FBiH Trade Unions chairman Edhem Biber and representatives of the World Bank (WB), Hays said that government included into the draft bankruptcy law almost all amendments demanded by the trade unions. “However, the FBiH Trade Union is not fully satisfied with today’s negotiations, but, the bankruptcy law has to be passed as soon as possible, especially since it is one of the important elements for revitalization of privatization,” stressed Hays. According to Hays, the FBiH Government took on responsibility for the law to be passed as soon as possible, since the passing of the bankruptcy law is one of the requirements for the aid to be provided by the WB, in an amount of 15 million US dollar. FBiH Trade Union chairman Biber stressed they would work intensely over the next days “to improve the draft law, bearing in mind the fact that the law will have direct impact on 20,000 workers employed in the metal industry.” “We are aware of the consequences which will follow the passing of the bankruptcy law, namely around 130,000 workers in the FBiH, will become prospective candidates for the social welfare program,” said Biber. Another problem is, according to Biber, lack of quality bankruptcy commissioners in the FBiH. The FBiH Bankruptcy Law undergoes currently the last stage of parliamentary procedure, and its implementation is expected to enable enterprises to rationalize their status and attract investments. |
| Editorial: “Reforms and personnel” | Dnevni List (Saturday, page 6, by Z. Jukic) carries an editorial saying that the issue of personnel policy has become the biggest obstacle to speeding up of the process of reforms. The author also says that Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays is organizing round table discussions with owners of BiH companies in order to make their work easer and according to Marinko Sulic, who is the owner of company ‘Bobita’ from Citluk, these reforms made easier work of his company. The author goes on to say that in case that these reforms truly make easier the work of the economy then the question arises as to why the Federation of BiH Government does not continue with further adoption of legal acts and decision that will improve the work of the companies. The author says that an answer to this question says that the Government does not have time for it because it is too preoccupied with the distribution of the authority. |
| PDHR Hays’ meeting with representatives of 5 development regional agencies in BiH | Dnevni List (Saturday, page 8, “Investors in BiH do not know whom to turn to”, not signed) carries that Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays held a meeting with representatives of 5 development regional agencies in BiH and he stated that these agencies are of big importance for attracting of foreign investors in BiH. Hays stressed: “There is a big number of donors who do not know whom to turn to when they come. The regional agencies exactly are the right place where the one can get the information about economic potential of certain regions.” |
War crimes | |
| Waiting for indictments against Prlic, Praljak?
| TV Hayatt on Saturday, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje front page, pg. 6 ‘CoM Official: We are waiting for indictments against Prlic and Praljak’, Dnevni Avaz front page, pg. 3 ‘Prlic, Praljak and Petkovic go to The Hague?, Dnevni List Sunday, page 3, “ICTY: We do not comment on indictments in advance”, by M. Musa, Vecernji List Saturday, front page, “Bills of indictment for Praljak, Petkovic and Prlic?” and page 11, “Tudjman’s scripts as The Hague evidence”, by J. Babic – The BiH Council of Minister has been waiting yet since last October an official notification that the Hague Tribubal’s Prosecution Office had filed indictments against Jadranko Prlic (wartime Chairman of the Croat Community of Herceg-Bosna Government) and Slobodan Praljak, the wartime commander of the BiH Croat Army (HVO), according to a source close to the BiH CoM. Dnevni Avaz’s source close to the Croatian Government said the indictments against Prlic and Praljak, as well as Milivoje Petkovic (also wartime commander of HVO) should come (delivered to the BiH authorities) by the end of March since ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte had already signed them. |
| Cavic says entity obliged to respect law on Hague cooperation | Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg. 4 ‘Removal of RS President possible as well’, FENA – RS President Dragan Cavic has said – following Thursday’s statement by the US ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues, Pierre Richard Prosper, in the RS National Assembly where he threatened the RS with sanctions should it not cooperate in the arrest of persons indicted for war crimes – that obviously there could be repercussions, although the RS institutions were obliged to respect the Law on Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. “It is obvious that there could be repercussions and I do not exclude any kind of political consequences, including for me personally,” Cavic said. He believes it could be the case that at a given moment someone judges that he is responsible for this and should be removed from the post of RS president. Cavic said that in this case he would “not feel hurt” and pointed out that he has an obligation to respect the RS Constitution, to carry out his duties as mandated by the people and to preserve the dignity of the institution of the RS president. “I do this before everyone, the public, political parties and international representatives,” he added. |
| RS President says SFOR overstepped mandate by arresting general Subotic | RTRS on Friday, Saturday’s Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘Cavic says SFOR overstepped mandate by arresting Subotic’, Nezavisne novine, page 3: “ Cavic: SFOR went beyond their mandate framework”, RS Radio on Friday – Dragan Cavic, president of the RS, stated on Friday that, with the arrest of retired general and former/wartime RS defence minister Bogdan Subotic, SFOR had completely overstepped its mandate, and that the arrest represented a violation of basic civil rights and conventions that should be valid in BiH, as it had ratified and signed them. President Cavic emphasized that no one around knew who in the RS and Bosnia-Hercegovina was in charge of protecting the citizens. |
| Three-day conference on war crimes processing ends on the mountain of Bjelasnica
| FTV on Saturday, Sunday’s Oslobodjenje pg. 5 ‘New legal frame for war crimes’, FENA – A three-day conference on “Investigating and prosecuting war crimes, the crimes against humanity, and genocide”, ended on Saturday on the mountain of Bjelasnica near Sarajevo. The conference, which gathers over 50 prosecutors from BiH and experts of the Hague Tribunal, focuses on possibilities of strengthening BiH’s capacities in view of prosecuting war crimes, and establishing the Chamber for War Crimes within the BiH Court. The conference was organised by the RS Helsinki Board for Human Rights in cooperation with the ICTY’s Outreach Programme. |
| Pre-war murderer a war-time judge
| Glas Srpske, cover page: “When murderer is a judge” – Criminal charges against 49 war-time officials in Srebrenica are in ICTY Prosecutor’s Office. Among them is a criminal charge against Zulfo Tursunovic, a farmer, a commander and a judge at the Court Marshal. Tursunovic was in a jail at Srbinje/Foca, convicted for murder of two Lipovac brothers, when the war started. In the jail he met Alija Izetbegovic. During the war, Tursunovic was the closest associate of Naser Oric, and a commander of 281. Brigade of the BiH Army. He was commanding officer in the attacks against Serbian villages of Bradjevica, Kagudovica and Kaludra. On October 14, 1992 Tursunovic was appointed as one of the judges in Srebrenica Court Marshal. |
Judiciary | |
| Dnevni Avaz employees’ protest in front of OHR building
| Saturday’s Dnevni Avaz pg. 8 ‘Implementation of reforms must not be at the cost of any people’, pg. 9 ‘Hays: Evaluation of HJPCs work should be made at the end of the process’, Oslobodjenje pg. 9 ‘Meeting with Donald Hays’, Dnevni List Saturday, page 9, “Satisfaction after appointment of judges and prosecutors is completed”, by R. Radic, Slobodna Dalmacija Saturday, front and page 16, “No revolutionary developments”, by Z. Rerig,Nezavisne novine, page 6: “Avaz employees protest again”, FENA – Journalists, editors and graphical workers of Dnevni Avaz on Friday held yet another protest in front of the OHR in Sarajevo. Their thirty-minute silence represented a protest against the discrimination of one nation in judiciary, police, intelligence community, and other state services, as well as against the attempts of introducing censorship. Employees of Dnevni Avaz request issuing of the law on lustration, and establishing equality on key positions in courts, prosecution offices, police, intelligence community and other state and public services. The representatives of this daily newspaper, headed by the Editor-in-Chief, Fahrudin Djapo, were received by the Principal Deputy High Representative, Donald Hays. After the meeting, Djapo told the press that Ambassador Hays regards that a national balance in judiciary and other state institutions should in fact be established, and pledged that their requests would be considered in the end of the appointing process in judiciary bodies. According to Djapo, Hays said it is still necessary to wait for the completion of this process and that the BiH public should make judgement on this matter on basis of completed reports. |
| PIC warns BiH authorities that there is no compromise on independent judiciary | FTV on Friday, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg. 5 ‘Support to the HJPCs’, Dnevni Avaz pg. 2 ‘HJPCs do their best to re-establish multi-ethnic character of judiciary’, Dnevni List Saturday, front and page 9, “There is no compromise when independent judiciary is in question”, by Nina, Slobodna Dalmacija Saturday, last page, “Support to High Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils”, by D. Pasic, RS Radio on Friday – The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) for BiH on Friday warned the authorities in BiH that there could be no compromise as far as independent and professional judiciary was concerned if they want to meet the conditions for joining European integration. The ambassadors of the member countries of PIC stressed their full support to the BiH high judicial and prosecutorial councils operations as the best opportunity for BiH to establish a modern, independent and multiethnic judiciary and achieve European standards. They called on all those who want BiH to take its rightful place in Europe not to support the irresponsible campaign against the above mentioned councils. The statement they issued emphasizes that the high judicial and prosecutorial councils of BiH are responsible for putting a stop to the year-long practice of politics interfering in the judiciary and for establishing European standards, professionalism and integrity. |
Macedonian plane crash | |
| Boris Trajkovski buried in Skopje on Friday
| Herceg Bosna Radio, BHTV, FTV, RTRS on Friday, Saturday’s Oslobodjenje front page, pg. 8, Dnevni Avaz front page, pg. 4, Dnevni List Saturday, page 29, “President Trajkovski buried”, Slobodna Dalmacija Saturday, page 7, “Boris Trajkovski buried”, by Hina, Vecernji List Saturday, page 9, “Boris Trajkovski buried”, by Hina,FENA – The late President of Republic of Macedonia, Boris Trajkovski, was buried with the highest military and state honours in Skoplje on Friday. Numerous state delegations and representatives of international organisations attended the funeral ceremony. BiH Delegation comprised BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic, Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic and Minister of Security Barisa Colak. Trajkovski together with six associates and two crewmembers died on February 26 in a plane crash in the vicinity of Mostar. |
| Tihic meets with acting Macedonian President | Saturday’s Oslobodjenje pg. 8, Dnevni Avaz pg. 4, Dnevni List page 2, “BiH is willing to place at disposal all information regarding investigation”, by Nina, FENA – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic on Friday met with the Speaker of the Macedonian Assembly, Ljupce Jordanovski, who is currently the Acting President of Republic Macedonia. In extending his condolences to the citizens of Macedonia, Tihic expressed preparedness of BiH to forward all information regarding the investigation into the crash of the plane of President Trajkovski to the Macedonian authorities. BiH Presidency Chair headed the BiH delegation at the funeral of Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, who died together with six associates and two crewmembers on February 26 in a tragic plane crash near Mostar. |
| Fresh details about investigation into the plane crash | FTV on Saturday – Announcements given to FTV about events on the day of Macedonian delegation plane crash, local residents of Ratimlja confirmed in front of Investigation committee. Special part of investigation was devoted to events on the day of plane crash, search, and reasons, contradictory information that were given to public. Local residents of Ratimlja are still scared and unwillingly speak about what they saw on the day of accident. They confirmed earlier announcement about two SFOR vehicles passing through the village, to investigators. “It is evident that people saw some vehicles and we have time and routes so we will se how much it influenced the situation”, said Salih Begic, Chief of State Committee for investigation into the plane crash. ”Nothing is excluded except the doubt in presence of French air-traffic controllers in BiH, who are in Mostar and accessible to investigators”, continued Begic. Committee also analysed taped conversation with the pilots. ”Everything is in order, conversation was led in English, tape has good quality.” Goal of Committee is to finish Investigation before the deadline and answer what happened on the day of plane crash as well as speculations of public. Dnevni List (Saturday, page 2, “Black boxes are being examined in very good conditions”, by N. Dedic), Vecernji List (front and page 2, “Black boxes handed over to authorized laboratory in Germany”, by Fena) also deals with this issue. |