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

Subject: JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE – 19 September 2002

1.       The following attended the regular Press Conference held at the CPIC at 11:30 hours on Thursday 19 September 2002:

2.       Twenty-seven members of the media and three television crews attended the conference.

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

Oleg Milisic – OHR

Could we have all mobile phones turned off including those on the podium.

Good morning everybody.  I have one point for you today.

As you are probably aware the European Union Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten, is visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina over the next couple of days.

The High Representative and he will, amongst other things, discuss preparations for the European Union Police Mission, which begins at the start of next year and developments in the reform process in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

They will take part in a number of events in Sarajevo and Banja Luka during the course of today and tomorrow including laying the foundation stone of the European Union supported Police Academy in Banja Luka.  We issued a Media Advisory yesterday, but I have brought along copies that you will find on the tables outside should any of you have missed that.

I think it is important to add the High Representative sees Chris Patten’s visit as yet another indication of the European Unions long-term commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a part of Europe, and far from reducing its presence here, the European Union is playing an increasing role.  As you know, as of June this year, the High Representative Paddy Ashdown, is also the European Unions Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and as of January 1st, as I have already mentioned, he will take on the Police Training Mission from the IPTF.

It is clear that the European Union is moving towards Bosnia and Herzegovina.  At the same time Bosnia and Herzegovina must move with increasing speed towards the European Union.  The European Union’s commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina has to be matched by a Bosnia and Herzegovina commitment to reforms and Europe, this is a two way street.

These elections will determine whether Bosnia and Herzegovina undertakes the reforms necessary to move closer to Europe, or stagnates, falling further behind its neighbours.  The High Representative has said that the next four years will be make or break for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is why it is important for all voters to use their vote and to vote for the reforms that will drive Bosnia and Herzegovina into Europe.  Thank you that is all I have for you today.

Urdur Gunnarsdottir – OSCE

Good morning.  One brief point from the OSCE.

Ambassador Beecroft the OSCE Head of Mission will visit Gradacac, Modrica and Brcko District tomorrow, Friday 20 September.

In Gradacac Ambassador Beecroft will meet with the mayor and the speaker of the municipal assembly.  Gradacac is a good example of how municipal administration can support the private sector.  Following that, Ambassador Beecroft will visit the Sveti Sava Primary School in Modrica.  The Sveti Sava School is in a return area and is attended by Serb, Croat, Bosniak and Roma children.

In Brcko District the Head of Mission will participate in a round table discussion on Youth Participation in Social and Political Life of Brcko District and that will be organised by the Political Resource Centre in Brcko.  Finally he will address 55 young participants in a program called the Successor Generation Initiative.

The program is designed to provide young people with the tools necessary to take part in shaping the country’s future and has been running since January this year.  Tomorrow’s session will be in Brcko.  Before Ambassador Beecroft addresses the participants, three of them will meet with the press and speak about their visions, expectations and experiences from the program.  That is all from me today.

Kirsten Haupt – UNMIBH

Good morning.  I have a few things to announce.

First, three police officers who have been working in the Trebinje area had their provisional authorisations removed for their war time conduct.  The IPTF Commissioner Sven Frederiksen, removed the provisional authorisation to exercise police powers from Rade Nosovic, Milorad Ilic and Goran Vujovic.

In the period of June to December 1992, many non-Serbs from Bileca Municipality were arrested and taken to Bileca Police Station where they were subjected to severe maltreatment including beatings and electric shocks.  Rade Nosovic, sector leader in Bileca, and Milorad Ilic, police officer in Bileca, have been identified in having taken part in criminal acts against non-Serbs in Bileca Police Station in 1992 where both had been working at the time.

Goran Vujovic was commander of Bileca Police Station from May 1991 and throughout the war.  In his position as Police Commander, he has been identified as having been aware of, and as having expressed support for, severe abuses against non-Serbs committed by his subordinates.  He has also been identified as having been present at Bileca Police Station when such abuses were taking place.  Further, Mr. Vujovic has been identified as having been present in villages in Bileca Municipality and giving orders as to which non-Serb owned houses were to be burnt.

The decision on withdrawal of provisional authorisation precludes all three from any current or future employment in any position in any law enforcement agency in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

So far, 216 police officers had their provisional authorisation withdrawn, 64 of them for their war time background.

The second issue is on the International Peace Day.  This coming Saturday, 21 September, is International Peace Day.  Every year on this day, people all over the world gather in support for world peace, to remember the victims of conflict and to promote the building of a more peaceful world.

For the first time this year, following an initiative of the United Nations General Assembly, the International Peace Day will observed as a day of global cease-fire and non-violence.  All hostilities all over the world should cease for at least this one day.

In New York, on 21 September, this coming Saturday, the Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, will ring the peace bell, this bell has been cast from coins donated by children from all over the world.

Here in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the International Peace Day will be honoured with a special event on Monday 23 September.  Through an interactive video linkup, high school students from Bosnia and Herzegovina will be able to share their thoughts on this day with high school students in New York and with high school students from countries were other peacekeeping missions are taking place such as Sierra Leone, East Timor and Kosovo.

The statement of the Secretary General of the United Nations and the UNMIBH message on the occasion of the International Peace Day will be available after the conference.

Two announcements we have heard already.  About the visit of External Relations Commissioner of the European Union Chris Patten, to Bosnia and Herzegovina he will be in Banja Luka tomorrow, to lay the new foundation stone of the new police academy in Banja Luka.  The Special Representative of the Secretary General Jacques Paul Klein will be there as well.

The European Commission has given great support to both police academies and donated 2,9 million Euros for the renovation of Vraca academy and the building of the new Banja Luka academy.

One more announcement regarding, applications for Vraca Police Academy, young people between 18 and 27 years of age are invited to apply for the Vraca Police Academy, in particular women and ethnic minority applicants.  The deadline for applications for the next class starting in December 2002 is on 10 October 2002.  A detailed announcement will be available after the press conference.

For the next press conference I would like to announce, that we will have a special conference after the regular press conference regarding the accreditation of law enforcement agencies here in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you are cordially invited to stay no next Tuesday.  Thank you.

Rafik Hodzic – ICTY

Good morning.  No statement from ICTY today.

Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR

Good morning.  I have one point for you today related to the annual rehearsal of DYNAMIC RESPONSE 2002.

During the last four days, nearly 700 troops from The Netherlands, Romania and Poland have been taking part in the annual rehearsal of DYNAMIC RESPONSE 2002 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Troops from the Netherlands are presently operating at the company level in three areas, namely Mrkonjigrad, Bogojno and Glamoc.  The Polish contingent is deployed in the Doboj area.  Troops from both countries are familiarising themselves with the terrain and environment of Bosnia and Herzegovina and are conducting normal framework operations.  The Romanian contingent deployed in Mostar is conducting a Command Post exercise with the Spanish Battle Group.

The presence of these troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina sends a clear message of NATO’s and the International Community’s resolve and commitment to maintain peace and stability in the Balkans.

Oleg Milisic – OHR

Are there any questions at all?

Questions and Answers 

Q:            Fedzad Forto – FENA

One question for SFOR, one question for the OHR and one question for ICTY.  The first is for SFOR, according to information there is some preparation in the American sector of SFOR in case America attacks Iraq?

A:            Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR

I did not get your question, could you please repeat it.

Q:            Fedzad Forto – FENA

Is there any movement of American Troops concerning American intention to attack Iraq?

A:            Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR

This is a question you should direct to the United States Armed Forces and not to SFOR.  I cannot speak on behalf of the United States Armed Forces.

Q:            Fedzad Forto – FENA

Oleg, concerning the affair with the Soko factory, did you Know that Mr. Mirko Sarovic, is a member of the management board in that factory and what consequences could there be if it is proven that the Soko factory, sold weapons to Iraq?

A:        Oleg Milisic – OHR

As we have already said, obviously these are very serious accusations.  But, to guess at results of an investigation that I understand is still ongoing would not be prudent for me to do right now.  So, at the moment, no comment on that other then what I have just said.

Q:            Fedzad Forto – FENA

A question for the ICTY, can you provide more details about when we can expect hearings in the Milosevic case, that is to say his charges for crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

A:        Rafik Hodzic – ICTY

The introduction will be given on the 26 September, for both indictments, that is to say for both Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.  So, the Prosecution and Defence will have the opportunity to present their depositions at the beginning, their opening depositions.  Talking about the number of witnesses, I will have to check whether the decision has already been made.  But, as far as I am aware the Trail Chamber still did not render its decision on the number of witnesses, because there might be some similarities with his charges for Kosovo.  So, I will have to check that out, if you really want to see how the Prosecutors Office intends to continue you will have to…I can provide you with the pre-trail brief