Transcript of the International Agency’s Joint Press Conference in CPIC

Subject: JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE – 17 October 2002

1.       The following attended the regular Press Conference held at the CPIC at 11:30 hours on Thursday 17 October 2002:

2.       Twenty-four members of the media including three television crews attended the conference.

3.       The transcript of the questions and answers is attached.

Oleg Milisic – OHR

Good morning everybody.  I have two items for you this morning.

Speaking at a seminar this morning, organised by the Sarajevo University School of Economics, the High Representative Paddy Ashdown, called on the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and their leaders to focus their efforts on urgent economic reform.

“We need a bonfire of bureaucracy,” the High Representatives said.”  A revolution of reform, we need to drive a bulldozer through our systems to sweep away the barriers that destroy business.”

This indicates the High Representatives, intention to shift economic reform up a gear.

The High Representative said that, “Bosnia and Herzegovina’s bureaucrats and politicians routinely make it difficult for companies to create jobs and raise living standards.  This explains why unemployment is so high, why almost half the population lives close to the poverty line.  One in five of our citizens live on less than 5 KM a day, one in four in the Republika Srpska.”  He noted that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national wealth stands at less than half its pre-war level and foreign direct investment is lower than anywhere in Central and Eastern Europe, except Albania.

“The reasons are many, but they all come down to one thing,” the High Representative said, ” We have not reformed anything like enough, or fast enough.”

He noted that in a market economy, governments cannot create jobs by decree, but they can provide a legal framework, which makes it easy for businesses to set up, they can provide a light and efficient tax structure and they can clear away obstacles.  So that business can operate as freely as possible in the marketplace.  That way, they create conditions in which jobs are created naturally.

The High Representative said that, “the system of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be made leaner, cheaper and more effective.  Public administration must be made transparent, responsive, and cost efficient.  The revenue system must be revamped, with the introduction of a modern VAT system organised at the state level and reforms instituted in the rotten, corrupt prone customs administrations.”

The High Representative said, “it was crucial that the finance ministers appointed in the new administrations be people of the highest probity and calibre.”  He called on the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to take the initiative in economic reform and not to wait for their leaders.

The High Representative challenged potential entrepreneurs saying, “If you have an ambition, pursue it.  If you have spotted a niche in the market, fill it.  If you have ever dreamt of starting a business, of running your own show, then get out there and make it happen.”

The High Representative, to every new Minister he said, “I hope you will ask yourself this question, what can I do today to make this country a better place in which to do business and a more welcoming place for foreign investors?”

You will find copies of this speech on the tables outside, at the moment only in English I am afraid, but a translation is on the way and we will be distributing that this afternoon.

My second point is with regard to what is known as compensatory mandates and accusations of rigging the election results have been rife.  One thing is clear though compensatory mandates are distributed according to the Bosnia and Herzegovina election law.  This law is a matter for the Bosnia and Herzegovina Election Commission, not the international community or anyone else.

This is certainly a complex process, but the system being implemented by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Election Commission, is similar to that used in other countries including the Netherlands and Norway, and in this the Bosnia and Herzegovina Election Commission has the International Communities full support.

I want to be clear that the International Community, is not involved in this process and we see no reason to be, but the Office of the High Representative, does urge everybody to respect the independence and professionalism of the Election Commission, and to support them in their difficult work.  Thank you, that is all I have for you today.

Urdur Gunnarsdottir – OSCE

Good morning.  I would like to start by agreeing with Oleg, on what he said about the Election Commission and the compensatory mandates.  Otherwise I have only one point for you today.

Altogether 22 employers in Bosnia and Herzegovina are now participating in the Fair Employment Project, it is a project that OSCE started earlier this year and it is for both private firms and municipalities.

Today three firms in Banja Luka and Sanski Most signed a memorandum of understanding with the OSCE, to participate in the project.  In it the firms pledge to adopt principles of equal possibilities for all, regardless of gender, national origin, political affiliation, trade union activity and other status.  Victor A. Tkachenko Deputy Head of the OSCE mission, signed on behalf of the organisation.

All three firms see clear benefits of their involvement and I quote, “we encourage co-operation between all ethnicity’s and respect for the rights of workers.  I believe that the advice we will receive from OSCE will benefit my colleagues and myself, and as a result we will be better prepared for entry into Europe,” said Mr. Esad Softic he is the Director of Splonum Company in Sanski Most.  We have a longer press release outside for those that are interested.  Thank you

Kirsten Haupt – UNMIBH

Good morning.  I am starting with a rather serious announcement today.

The IPTF Commissioner Sven Frederiksen has removed the provisional authorisation from eleven police officers over their questionable performance.  All eleven police officers were found to have violated codes of professional conduct when frequenting night clubs and using sexual services in these establishments.

These eleven cases of removal of provisional authorisation are the result of the relentless efforts of the IPTF STOP team in their fight against human trafficking in Bosnia-Herzegovina and I am going to give you details on all eleven cases.

In June 2002, two inspections were carried out in the night club Roki in Vitez.  Several women were located in the night club and interviewed by IPTF, some of them requested assistance from the IPTF.  The women in the Roki night club were regularly subjected to severe maltreatment.

In a court hearing in July 2002, several women identified six police officers as frequent customers of the night club, all six having served in Vitez Police Administration in Canton 6.  Including Dzemail Hrustanovic, who was the Station Commander of Vitez PoliceAdministration, and the former police officers, Ilija Alilovic, Slavko Calic, Jasmin Kajmak, Jasmin Hrustic and Enver Djidic.

In June 2001, the IPTF STOP team in co-operation with local police conducted a raid on a night club in Kiseljak.  After the raid two police officers, Bruno Zuljevic and Dalibor Bajkusa stayed behind and used the sexual services of the club.  It was also established later on that these two police officers had tipped off the club owner about the forthcoming raid.  At the time, Bruno Zuljevic was the Chief of Police in Kiseljak.

In December 2001, the IPTF STOP team conducted a raid at the Don night club in the Brcko District.  In connection with this raid it was established that two police officers, Mladen Ilic and Admir Poljakovic, had informed the club management about the planned raid.

In the last case, former Crime Inspector of Police Administration Bugojno Zdravko Nikolic used his official position and authority to sexually abuse a number of women in the period from January to May 2002.  On one occasion Mr. Nikolic, physically assaulted one woman.

The violations occurred in the night bar Lav in the area of Bugojno.  Further, Mr. Nikolic, had an agreement with the bar owner to obtain sexual services in exchange for information on possible raids on this night bar.  The bar owner, owned another bar called Afrodita, which was right opposite from the night bar Lav, and he has been moving the women between the two locations.

An international arrest warrant has been issued against the bar owner, for his involvement in human trafficking, but he is currently at large.  This case is particularly serious, as Mr. Nikolic, at the time, was the local STOP team leader.

Working in that function…  I really would ask you not to laugh about it, I think it is pretty serious and I would like you to consider it as such…Working in that function he seriously obstructed the work of the IPTF STOP team.  Mr. Nikolic was criminal charged and in June 2002, was sentenced to one month in prison.

It is particularly appalling that these eleven police officers, by frequenting these establishments and using their sexual services, were directly or indirectly condoning the fact that human trafficking took place in these places.  Furthermore, some of them in a particularly despicable way went so far as to actively undermine the relentless efforts of their colleagues in their fight against human trafficking by forewarning club owners, of oncoming raids.

The conduct of these former police officers not only shows their lack of respect for the victims of human trafficking, but also their total disregard for the role of the police in upholding law and order.  Following the removal of provisional authorisation, none of them will ever again be able to join a law enforcement agency in Bosnia-Herzegovina.  Also, the relevant police officials have to ensure that an immediate investigation be launched and necessary administrative and or criminal steps be taken against them.  Unfortunately I have to say more such announcements will be coming during the next press conference, you will then get the details.

Two more other issues.

UNMIBH is launching a nation-wide public campaign called, Clean and Crime Free.  This campaign was developed to complement UNMIBH’s, recent Crime and you, campaign and aims to further reinforce to citizens the benefits of the community working in partnership with their police to minimise preventable crime.

Specifically, it encourages citizen participation in cleaning up and improving the appearance of their neighbourhoods and in public spaces to convey a message of ownership and care, thereby discouraging criminal activity in the area.

Through the combined effort of police and citizens working in unison, communities greatly increase their capacity to resist crime, reduce fear and restore civic vitality.  On 19 October 2002, a comprehensive information leaflet, printed in Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian will appear as an insert in local newspapers and that is, Dnevni Avaz, Nezavisne Novine and the Bosnia and Herzegovina edition of Vecernji List.  Copies of the leaflets are available for you outside.

The last is an announcement, at a ceremony on Friday, tomorrow, 18 October, at 11:00 hours in the United Nations Building.

The IPTF Commissioner will announce the first certification decisions concerning law enforcement personnel in Canton 5, Brcko District and the Foca-Srbinje Sector of Srpsko Sarajevo Public Security Centre.  Senior representatives of these police institutions will be present.  The media are invited to attend the ceremony and there will also be a press opportunity afterwards.  A separate media advisory will be sent out to you this afternoon.  That is all I have.

Bakir Jalovcic – UNHCR

Good morning.  No statement from UNHCR.

Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR

No statement from SFOR this morning.

Oleg Milisic – OHR

Are there any questions?

Questions and Answers

Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters

This is not a question.  But, Kirsten please, if you deal with Bosnian police, you do not have to behave like them.  If me and a couple of my colleagues laughed at a remark about the head of the STOP team Police Commander, being found in a brothel, it is a completely human and natural reaction to laugh about this.  In no way does it mean we are not treating this information with utmost seriousness, I think it is purely and fully a human reaction to laugh at this.  It is another paradox of the Bosnian situation.  So, if we laugh, it does not mean we are not treating the stuff you give us with seriousness.  Thank you

Kirsten Haupt – UNMIBH

The first impression you get, is that it is not being taken seriously.  It is a very serious issue that a police officer who has actually been working us on this issue, is totally abusing this entire thing and continued to be involved in it…

Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters

…What do you expect us to do, start crying or something?  It is laughable unfortunately it is tragic comedy and that is for Bosnia…

Kirsten Haupt – UNMIBH

…Disagree with you.

Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters

Yet another example, we appreciate your efforts, your information and everything you do.  But, I think a lot of people here did laugh because situations like this do not happen in every country in the world.  So, do not take it personally.

Kirsten Haupt – UNMIBH

I did not take it personally.  But, I think it is pretty sad that you can laugh about it.

Nedim Dervisbegovic – Reuters

I am sure everybody is the same and I…

Unknown voice

…We in the audience are definitely concerned about our police.

Kirsten Haupt – UNMIBH

I hope so.

Unknown voice

You would be.

Kirsten Haupt – UNMIBH

I am.  That is why I am sitting here.

Amra Hadziosmanovic – AFP

We really do not expect you to give us a behaviour lecture.  I understood it that way.

Kirsten Haupt – UNMIBH

I think, when talking about a serious issue like that, it is just not the time to laugh about it.  I am sorry, that is my opinion.

Fedzad Forto – FENA

Kirsten, in this particular case may be they had an excellent opportunity to see IPTF officers as they went to bars like this.  Because you know very well the situation with IPTF officers who went to such bars and night clubs.  It was an excellent example of their behaviour.

Kirsten Haupt – UNMIBH

And to let you know, we have taken exactly same measures against them, we have sent them home, we have immediately repatriated these people once evidence to that effect came about.  The home countries, as I have explained many times, have been tasked to follow up such cases and deal with them in their home countries according to their home laws, so the same standard has been applied here.  Police officers, no matter which countries have to conduct themselves in a certain professional manner.  That includes everybody, that applies to local police officers and it also exactly applies to IPTF officers.

Oleg Milisic – OHR

If that is it then thank you all very much.