OHR BiH Media Round-up, 19/4/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

FBiH HoP on FERK’s decision

FBiH HoP at extraordinary session

BiH Pres on Amendt’ toBHC

Money for pensioners transferred

Terzic on decertified policemen in NY

UN SC members on Iran

Benedict XVI’s first year

Unexpl. mines founded in H. Pijesak

RTRS celebrates 14^th anniversary

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

FBIH HoR session

War crime suspect Vukovic arrested

BiH lawsuit against SCG before ICJ

BIH Presidency session

Lawsuit BiH vs. SCG update

Amendments to BiH Constitution

BIH HoR Legal Commission session

BiH Presidency in session

SGV, McElhaney on const. changes

Mesic meets Croat reps from BIH

FBiH HoR in session

CoM Chair Terzic in New York

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

BIH Presidency session

FBiH HoR on FERK decision

HR addresses UN Security Council

HR addresses UN Security Council

Alleviating the VAT consequences

BiH Presidency in session

Terzic to address UNSC

BiH Presidency accepts CBBH report

War crime suspect Vukovic arrested

BIH lawsuit against SCG

Milanovic on foreign trade exchange

“Mandic and others” trial started

Oslobodjenje

[RS PM Dodik] Continuation of talks only with survival of RS

Dnevni Avaz

[FBiH Deputy PM Grahovac] It is impossible to work with Hadzipasic

Dnevni List

Cardinal still against Constitution

Vecernji List

Due to debts [for electricity, water supply] 2 million citizens before court

Slobodna Dalmacija

Lord [Ashdown]’s conspiracy against Covic

Nezavisne Novine

They damaged the budget for 7,2 million BAM [ITA filed a report to BiH Prosecutor’s Office against dealers of cigarettes]

Glas Srpske

New round of postponement [fate of const. amendments still uncertain]

EuroBlic

[Removed Deputy Minister Miroslav Cicic:] I will sue the Prime Minister

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

BiH Presidency, leaders of political parties, CLAC to discuss const. changes

RTRS – The BiH Presidency members and leaders of the leading political parties in BiH will meet today in Sarajevo to discuss addenda to the agreed amendments to the BiH Constitution. Dragan Cavic, SDS President said the meeting will exclusively focus on technical issues, adding that these talks in no regard represent changes to the agreed amendments to the BiH Constitution. Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, has stated that RS should remain a permanent category, whose existence will not be brought into question during talks on constitutional changes.  The members of the BiH HoR’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Commission will also vote on the constitutional amendments today.

CoM Chair Terzic meets senior UN staff; says they agree issue of decertified police should be solved jointly by OHR, CoM, EU, UN

RTRS – During the meeting with Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair, in New York, the newly appointed Deputy Secretary General of UN, Mark Malloch Brown, has supported demand of the BiH to become a member of the Peace Building Commission, the newly formed body at the world organization. According to press statement released by BiH CoM, Brown accepted this demand regarding it as a grounded initiative. BH Radio 1 – Terzic also met with the UN Peacekeeping Undersecretary Jean-Marie Guéhenno. They agreed that the OHR, BiH CoM, EU and UN experts should join efforts to find a solution for 598 police officers decertified by the United Nations International Police Task Force.  

FBiH HoP discusses decision on FERK’s electricity price increase

BH Radio 1 by Ljiljana Radl – At an extraordinary session of the FBiH House of Peoples in Sarajevo dedicated to a decision of the Federal Electricity Regulatory Commission [FERK] toincrease the electricity prices, FERK representative Zdenko Simunovic addressed the HoR explaining the decision was grounded on obligations towards the Energy Community of the South Eastern Europe. He also reminded of FERK’s legal authority to bring decisions independently. The House of Representatives asked the FERK to reassess its decision and requested the Commission to postpone implementation of a part of decision referring to the price increase for households until FBiH Government creates a program ensuring social welfare for vulnerable citizens, setting deadline for this by June 30. RHB – also announces the session.

Constitutional reform

BiH Presidency tasks political leaders to verify whether const. amendments are in line with agreement

BHT1 – The BiH Presidency held the session on Tuesday at which it failed to reach a decision supporting addenda to the draft amendment to the BiH Constitution. Instead, it tasked the leaders of the seven parties who signed the agreement on constitutional changes [SDA, SDS, HDZ, SDP, SNSD, PDP, HNZ] and who are expected to met on Wednesday to give their opinion as a matter of urgency on the addenda to the draft amendments. After this, the Presidency would proceed with adopting the amendments. The Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic informed the members of the BiH parliamentary Constitutional-Legal Affairs Commission [CLAC] about this decision. “I’ve heard many discussions and different opinions about the proposed amendments (to the BiH Constitution). I personally agree with some of those opinions, but in current circumstances they are simply not possible”, stated Tihic. RTRS – BiH Presidency member Ivo Miro Jovic stated that the Presidency wasn’t sure if the revised text is in keeping with the agreement that the parties reached. RHB, PINK, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Special meeting of signatories of constitutional changes today’ by Az.K., Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Decision left for the parties’ leaders’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Decision on amendments today’ by M. Cubro, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Amendments returned to negotiators’ by Dusanka Stanisic, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 7 ‘BiH Presidency calls for agreement on constitutional changes’, by H – all reported.

CLAC postpones voting on const. amendments: 25-30 changes to amendments submitted, session continues on Wednesday

BHT1 – The Constitutional-Legal Affairs Commission [CLAC] of the BiH House of Representatives would declare itself on the principles of a proposal for the amendments to the BiH Constitution on Wednesday 19 April, since between 25 and 30 new amendments to the basic text of this law were put forward on Tuesday. “The commission will declare itself on the principles on Wednesday because some colleagues put forward amendments to the proposed amendments, which not only go deep into the text of the constitutional amendments but also represent important principal issues,” CLAC Chair Mirsad Ceman said. “I expect us all to sleep on this, and to see if we are ready to accept what is necessary and realistic. I would like us to be constructive”, CLAC member and HDZ 1990 official Martin Raguz said. “I’ve said before that I would support the constitutional amendments, because I believe they are in accordance with the constitutional organisation of BiH”, stated SDS’ Momcilo Novakovic. Members of the CLAC expect a situation to be much clearer on Wednesday after the leaders of parties who reached the agreement on constitutional changes meet. The CLAC could than meet on afternoon of the same day. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Decision on amendments today’ by M. Cubro – CLAC members Tihomir Gligoric and Petar Kunic on Tuesday asked that the competences in field of security be shared between the state and entities. ‘All states strive to decentralise this sector. Therefore, BiH as a federal state should go in this direction too’, Kunic stated. RTRS by Zorica Rulj – Raguz objected the decision-making process concerning the constitutive peoples in BiH institutions, transfer of legislative power to the House of Representatives, reducing existing role of the House of Peoples, and preservation of the entity voting in the HoR. CLAC member Petar Kunic said his fellow members of the Commission also sharply criticized the way the negotiations on const. changes were lead. The session was also attended by the BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic. FTV, RHB, PINK, Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Decision on amendments today’ by M. Cubro, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Amendments returned to negotiators’ by Dusanka Stanisic, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Voting on constitutional amendments postponed’, by D. P. Mandic – reported.

CLAC postpones votes due to RS officials’ letter; Comm. members object both essence of const. reform and method of negotiations

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘No stance on constitutional amendments’ by H.Orahovac – BiH Parliament’s Constitutional-Legal Affairs Commission [CLAC] postponed vote on constitutional amendments due to the letter leaders of SNSD, PDP and SDS, Milorad Dodik, Mladen Ivanic and Dragan Cavic respectively, submitted to the BiH Presidency demanding some ‘technical changes’. CLAC members, SDU’s Nijaz Durakovic and SBiH’s Beriz Belkic stated earlier that they would vote against the proposed amendments, explaining main reason was the preservation of the entity voting. HDZ 1990’s Martin Raguz commented: “We cannot accept solutions that lead Croat people into unequal status… BiH House of Representatives, thank to entity voting, Serbs and Bosniaks have right to call for veto. Croats do not have that right.” CLAC member Filip Andric agrees with Raguz. BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic was present at the session and was on disposal for questions of the CLAC members. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Around 30 amendments on constitutional amendments were submitted’ by A.Omeragic – Addenda to the constitutional amendments were also submitted by the BiH HoR deputies Zlatko Lagumdzija, Belkic, Raguz, Petar Kunic and Tihomir Gligoric. Lagumdzija tried to encourage some CLAC members to adopt the amendments saying the continuation of the reform is guaranteed by the US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice and EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana.

RS PM Dodik on second phase of const. reform: Talks on mid-level of authorities, where RS is undividable federal unit

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Dodik: Changes to the Constitution should be adopted’ by D. R.– Apart from noting that the continuation of the talks on constitutional changes is possible only if the existence of RS is guaranteed, RS PM Milorad Dodik told the press conference he would be glad if the constitutional changes were adopted at BiH Parliament next week so that this phase of the talks could be completed. RTRS – “The negotiations on the mid level [of authorities] foresee talks on establishing of three or more federal units, whereas RS is undividable, single federal unit”, said Dodik. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 5 ‘Continuation of talks only with survival of RS’ by O.Vukovic – Dodik declared that nobody should fear continuation of reform as the RS is an indisputable and permanent category. He is of the opinion that the RS officials should participate in such talks, regardless of how many phases there would be. However, he stressed that they need to know what they want before the talks itself take place. He reiterated that SNSD would vote in favor of the amendments to the BiH Constitution under condition certain ‘technical’ corrections are adopted [as requested by Dodik, RS President Dragan Cavic and PDP’s leader Mladen Ivanic]. In opposition case, SNSD would vote against the amendments, said Dodik.

Croat Coalition for Changes meet Croatian President Mesic, inform const. changes unacceptable due to entity vote

RHB– Croatian President Stjepan Mesic met with representatives of political parties from Croat Coalition for changes. Marko Tadic from Croat Peasant Party [HSS], Ivan Musa from Croat Christian-Democratic Union [HKDU], Petar Milic from Croat Demo-Christians [HDK] and Miro Grabovac from Croat Democratic Union [HDU] introduced Mesic with their stance on constitutional changes. They stressed that entity voting in BIH Parliament is unacceptable for Croats and expressed their expectations that Mesic will warn international community on the constitutional changes that are damaging to Croats in BIH. Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Croats loose constitutionality’ – The Coalition also stated Mesic expressed his support to all the ones that are trying to join their forces to ensure equality of Croats and other peoples in BiH, and expressed his hope that the new forces after the elections would faster bring BiH into the circle of developed countries. BHT1, FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘All peoples in BiH must have equal rights’ by Srna, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Members of HK for changes with Mesic’, by NINA, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Stjepan Mesic is expected to warn International Community’ by Fena – reported on meeting

VL: Croat Coalition for Change inform CRO Pres. Mesic that entity voting is unacceptable

Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Mesic about position of Croats in BiH’, by Miroslav Vasilj – According to VL’s knowledge, President Stjepan Mesic personally said that the entity voting is unacceptable. He also stated that he for the first time learned about the real problems related to the constitutional changes during the meeting with the Croat Coalition on Tuesday. Finally he promised that he would be talking to BiH authorities in Sarajevo as well as with representatives of the EU and US administration about the issue, however Mesic once again stressed that Croatia did not want to interfere into internal issues of an other state, reminding that however Croatia has obligations stemming from the Dayton agreement.

DL: HR, Head of European Parliament’s Comm. for SEE meet Cardinal Puljic trying to persuade him to change Church’s stand on const. changes

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 5 ‘Cardinal Puljic still against Constitution’ by Z. Jukic – According to sources close to the OHR, High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling and Head of the European Parliament’s Commission for Southeast Europe Doris Pack talked on eve of Easter with Cardinal Vinko Puljic and Archbishop Pero Sudar about constitutional changes and they tried to persuade Puljic and Sudar to change their stand on this issue. DL explains that people from the International Community believe that the constitutional changes would get support of Croat MPs in the BiH Parliament if the Church changes its opposition against them and according to the article US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney met Cardinal Puljic with this purpose last week, however, the IC and the Catholic Church did not approach their stands on this issue at this meeting either.

Round Table in Mostar on const. changes: US is ready to help

RHB, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Last thing we want is that more Croats leave BiH’, mentioned on cover ‘Aim is for BiH citizens to have more efficient authority’ by F.Vele, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘USA is ready to help’ by Agencies, Dnevni List pg 10, mentioned on cover ‘We should not be afraid of constitutional changes’ – “Nansen Dialogue Center” (NDC) Mostar Tuesday organised a round table on constitutional changes in this city, at which introductory notes were given by Douglas McElchany, US Ambassador to BiH, and Slavo Kukic, Professor at Mostar University. McElchany stressed that the US’ engagement in talks on constitutional changes in BiH is not surprising if it is known the USA is always ready to assist in resolving serious issues and problems, adding: “We have only helped in organising talks.” Kukic stressed that much credit for running talks on constitutions changes goes to the USA Administration, adding he is not certain the talks would have been held if that assistance had been absent. Vecernji List pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Constitutional changes will not move Croats from BiH’ by M. Vaslij also carries that asked to comment on the Cardinal Vinko Puljic’s accusations that the US and British policy want to move Croats from BiH, McElahney stated that there is nothing in the constitutional changes that would move any people from BiH.

Ambassadors of France , Austria , Holland and Belgium view Agreement on constitutional changes a progress

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Aim of international community is to create state capable for talks with EU’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Agreement on constitutional changes is a progress’ by Agencies – The French Ambassador to BiH, Anry Zipper de Fabbiani, has stated that the Agreement on constitutional changes, concluded between the main political parties in BiH, represents a progress welcomed by the EU states and USA, and this is a significant stage on the path of strengthening state efficiency BiH citizens and European integration of the state are in need for. The Dutch Ambassador to BiH, Karel Voskuller, and Head of Diplomatic Bureau of Belgium in Sarajevo., Stijn Mols, lso welcomed Agreement and its purpose to create a functional and efficient state of BiH. Werner Almhofer, Austrian Ambassador to BiH, also viewed Agreement as great success.

HR CSS : BiH MPs are expected not to block BiH’s progress, adopt const. reform

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘It is necessary to adopt constitutional changes’ by S.Numanovic– Following his speech before the UN Security Council, Christian Schwarz-Schilling told DA that constitutional reform undergoing in BiH was discussed in the UN Security Council and adding all Ambassadors supported them, stressing he expects BiH Members of Parliament not to block BiH’s progress towards full independency. “Security Council would be upset with the fact that BiH has moved backward. Constitutional changes are essential for BiH’s path toward the EU and its full independence“, said CSS.

BiH CoM Terzic: UN SC demands from BiH Parliament to adopt changes

Oslobodjenje pg 4 inset ‘UN Security Council demands BiH Parliament to adopt constitutional changes’ by R.I. – Commenting is visit to the United Nations, the BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic told daily the most influential members of the UN Security Council on Tuesday in New York demanded from the BiH Parliament to adopt amendments to the BiH Constitution.

IFIMES (think-tank from Ljubljana ) claims: Constitutional changes without citizens’ support

Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Sidelining of Croats from politics’, by Valentina Rupcic – the Ljubljana-based IFIMES (International Institute for Middle East and Balkans Studies) carried out a phone survey in BiH on sample of 1233 citizens from whole of the country and asked them whether they supported the proposed constitutional amendments. Apparently, 61,4% did not support the changes, whilst 27,1% did support them. IFIMES’ conclusion is that the entity voting in the BiH Parliament will mean that the entities will have a complete control over the state, highlighting that due to their small numbers, Croats will not be in position to influence voting in the Parliament. Similar in Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Changes lead to political sidelining of Croats’, by NINA

SD commentary: Americans want adoption of constitutional changes by end of April at any cost

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19, mentioned on cover ‘Constitution at any cost’ by V. Vegar says that the constitutional changes must be adopted by the end of April since the US administration set this deadline and it does everything to meet it. The author concludes that from all sides involved in these talks Americans care about this issue the most. The commentary goes on to say that it is also interesting that Americans do not talk at all with SBiH representatives that oppose the constitutional changes, however they strongly influence Croat representatives that are against the changes and the author concludes that this shows that Americans obviously need support of the Croat people for this issue.

Other political issues

HR addresses UNSC, points 3 priorities for BiH: elections, const. reform, SAA negotiations; urges UN SC to solve decertified police officers issue; OHR to close down in spring 2006?

RTRS by Marina Marjanovic – The High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, on Tuesday addressed the UN Security Council on Tuesday, for the first time in the HR role, stressing BiH has three priorities in 2006: constitutional reform, the general elections in October and the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. He stressed also no progress for both BiH and other regional countries was possible without full cooperation with the ICTY. OHR Spokesperson Ljiljana Radetic stated for RTRS that the HR stated the adoption of amendments to BiH Constitution would send an important signal that BiH is ready to undertake reforms. He also announced that before the end of the mission, OHR would have to annul all decisions banning certain individuals from performing public functions and to solve the issue of the decertified police officers “who have been deprived of their rights by IPTF” [UN International Police Task Force]. FTV – CSS stressed one of his key tasks is to oversee the end of the OHR and the full establishment of the EU Special Representative Office in BiH. The end of the OHR will also mean the end of the special executive powers, the so-called Bonn Powers, stated HR, adding he expects the full support of the UN Security Council in completing a successful transition. “I hope that this can occur in the first or second quarter of 2007,” HR said. Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘OHR might be closed in spring of 2007’ by D. Risojevic – Commenting later, HR added the transformation from OHR to EUSR would depend on the capability of domestic authorities to take the responsibility for management over the state.Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘It is necessary to adopt constitutional changes’ by S.Numanovic, Inset ‘Support network to ICTY fugitives still exists in some parts of RS’- HR also argued that obligation of the full cooperation with the Tribunal should be observed in the context of entire region and not BiH alone. “Supporting network to war crimes’ indictees still exists in some parts of the RS. We have to deal with that”- said Schwarz-Schilling. BHT1- HR confirmed to BHT he held a meeting with the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.RHB, PINK, Hayat, FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘OHR might be closed in spring of 2007’ by D. Risojevic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Destiny in your own hands’ by Z.Markovic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Approach towards BiH must be changed’ by M. S., Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Schilling in Security Council on constitutional changes’, by f, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Refusal of constitutional reform is step back’, by NINA– also reported.

CoM Chair Terzic addresses UN SC informing of BiH improvements; focuses on decertified police officers

BHT1by Erol Avdovic, New York – The Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic attended the session of the United Nations Security Council in New York. Addressing the UN SC, Terzic talked about improvements BiH has made in last two years. Big part of his speech Terzic dedicated to the issue of the 598 police officers who were decertified by the United Nations International Police Task Force [who at the time of the UN Mission to BiH had a mandate to carry out certification process] saying some of those officers have been unjustly deprived of their right to work. He stressed the UN Security Council should solve the issue. The CoM Chair was supposed to hold a meeting with the UN SG Kofi Annan; however, Terzic told BHT he would meet the UN Undersecretary for peacekeeping operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno, and the Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown. BHT 1 says the BiH Mission to the UN did not manage to organize a meeting with Annan. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Special attention paid to decertified police officers’ by S.N.– “Most of the attention in my address was paid to issue of decertified police officers. I asked UN SC to pass necessary decisions so that audit of decertifying process could be done” said Terzic. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Problem of decertified police officers should be solved as soon as possible’ not signed Inset ‘Justice in hands of UN’ –Terzic told Voice of America all 15 UNSC member states supported his demand to issue of decertified police in BiH. FTV– Terzic urged UN member countries to support BiH in an effort to become the member of the Commission for Building Peace, which should be soon established within the UN. Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘UN Security Council demands BiH Parliament to adopt constitutional changes’ by R.I. – Terzic said that UN SC member states were satisfied with the progress made in BiH in last two years. PINK, Hayat, RTRS– also covered.

CSS : UN SC supports request to solve issue of decertified police

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘It is necessary to adopt constitutional changes’ by S.Numanovic– Following his speech before the UN Security Council, Christian Schwarz-Schilling told DA he received full support from the UN SC on the issue of the decertified police officers: “They deem that review of decertified police officers has to be carried out in a just way and in line with the Charter on the Human Rights.” He stressed both his and Adnan Terzic’s stance were fully supported: “[UNSC} was very pleased with cooperation between OHR and BiH authorities. It was emphasized that program, which we established, needs to be carried and they expressed readiness to help.” 

CoM Chair: UN SC expects police reform to end in this year

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Special attention paid to decertified police officers’ by S.N., inset ‘Police reform by end of the year’ – Commenting his address to the UN Security Council, Adnan Terzic,told daily the UN Security Council “clearly said that they expect police reforming process, in line with European standards, to continue and end in this year and that activities that are bringing BiH closer to the EU are intensified and continued”.

BiH Presidency member Jovic: Cro/BiH Inter-State Council will not discuss open issues btw 2 countries 20 April mtg

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘To bring agreements with Croatia to ratification’ by Hina – Croat member of the BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic stated that the meeting of the Inter-State Council for Cooperation between Croatia and BiH will take place in Sarajevo on April 20 and it will be dedicated to the discussion of overall relations between the two countries, however concrete solutions for some of open issues would not be discussed. The Croatian delegation would be led by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, while Chairman of the BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic would lead the BiH delegation. Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Mesic does brings no ministers to Sarajevo’ by Az.Kalamujic – Commenting Jovic’sstatement that Mesic would not bring any of the Croatian ministers to the meeting, article reads this mean no dispute burdening a relation of two countries for years would be solved and blames entirely BiH Council of Ministers failure to prepare materials. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘Mesic stands for Inter-State Council between BiH and Croatia with role of advisor’ by T. Klauski carries that Mesic would come out with the proposal for redefining a role of the Inter-State Council that would have a role of an advisor.  RHB, BHT1 and Hayat also covered.

Oslobodjenje op-ed: BiH and Croatia need to hold working and not procedural meeting

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Meeting Without a Timetable’ op-ed by Senak Kurtovic – Commenting the meeting of the BiH Presidency members with the Croatian President Stjepan Mesic to take place in Sarajevo on Thursday, editorial criticises the fact that the most important issues – including Ploce port and Peljesac bridge – would not be discussed. Author concludes BiH and Croatia need to hold much more serious working meeting.

Decision on dismissal of former RS Pol. Dir. Andan handed to RS Board for selection of Pol. Dir.: Procedure for selection be launched

Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Successor to Andan being looked for’ by V.J. – Ilija Lukic, President of the RS Independent Board for selection of RS police director, Tuesday confirmed to daily that Decision on dismissal of Dragomir Adnan from position of RS Police Director was handed to Board Monday. Lukic noted: “Practically, the Board has now got a green light to conduct procedure for selection of new Director.” He announced Board would meet on 25 April, when Board should agree on issuance of vacancy. Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Vacancy will be published on April 25’ by D. R. – also reported.

SD: HDZ President Covic stated that he filed lawsuit against former HR Ashdown/OHR, US and British Embassies are not aware that lawsuit was filed

Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pg 17 ‘Lord’s conspiracy against Covic’ by V. Vegar – HDZ President Dragan Covic stated in a TV show (SD does not say in which one) that he filed a lawsuit against former High Representative Paddy Ashdown since he was acting against Covic all the time and according to SD this implies that former HR took part or even initiated the criminal prosecution of Covic. According to SD, Covic learnt about this sort of conspiracy from US diplomat Donald Hays. SD says that asked to comment on this information, the OHR stated that as far as they know there is no the bill of indictment against Ashdown and that the OHR in principle does not comment on things related with their former personnel. SD also says that they contacted the US and British Embassies, as well as, Hays himself but they also said that they do not know anything about the lawsuit. The author concludes that after he received such replies he wonders whether the lawsuit exists at all.

FBiH Deputy PM Grahovac: It is impossible to work with Ahmet Hadzipasic

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 8 ‘Grahovac: It is impossible to work with Hadzipasic’ by M.Kukan – In an official letter addressed to the FBiH PM, Ahmet Hadzipasic, the FBiH Deputy PM Gavrilo Grahovac explained that he does not want to fill in for PM Hadzipasic whilst the PM is on vacation and attending different ceremonies. He added that it is impossible to work with Hadzipasic because “while he is meeting other PMs in public, I am solving 50 documents for his cabinet on daily basis and signing all the papers.” Grahovac thinks Hadzipasic started pre-election campaign.

Crimes and security

Main hearing in case of BiH vs. SCG for aggression, genocide before ICJ continues until 9 May

BHT1- Main court hearing in the case of BiH lawsuit against Serbia-Montenegro for aggression and genocide has been continued before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. Head of BiH Legal Team Sakib Softic stated that verdict, which would establish that SCG is responsible for the genocide in BiH, would induce democratic processes in Serbia, and help Serbs in BiH to understand that genocide has been committed in their name. Softic’s Deputy Phon van den Biesen contested some of the arguments presented by the SCG representatives; according to his words, they spent most of the time trying to transfer the responsibility for genocide onto the RS. He stressed that SCG Legal Team ignored the irrefutable evidences presented by BiH representatives, and tried to cause confusion regarding the very definition of genocide, as well as the responsibility of an individual or the state. BiH Legal Team will continue presenting their closing arguments until Monday, April 24. SCG Lawyers’ team will present their closing arguments between May 2-9, when the court trial in the case of BiH lawsuit against SCG for aggression and genocide will be completed. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Van Den Biesen: Belgrade hides important documents” By B92– Van Den Biesen said at the main hearing that Belgrade hid documents relevant to the case. PINK, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Belgrade wants to rewrite history’ by A.Beslija, Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘Defence without evidence?’ by E. R., Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Softic: SiCG must face the past’ by Beta, EuroBlic pg 3 ‘Softic: SiCG is avoiding the responsibility for genocide’ not signed, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Facing with the past’ by BETA – also covered.

Trial to Mandic, Sarovic, Bijelica and Govedarica started; indicted for embezzlements in PB ES

BHT1– The arraignment before the BiH Court’s Department for Economic and Organized Crime and Corruption marked the beginning of the trial against Momcilo Mandic, Milovan Bjelica, Mirko Sarovic and Milorad Govedarica. They are indicted for organized crime and financial embezzlements related to dealings of ‘Privredna Bank’ East Sarajevo. Mandic is also accused of helping the ICTY indictees, and establishment of aid fund in 1998 for supporting of Radovan Karadzic‘s hideouts. According to the indictment, Mandic, Bjelica, Sarovic and Govedarica embezzled several million of KMs; among other things, this money was used for financing SDS. Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘One of prosecution witnesses is Toby Robinson’, by D. J. – VL notes that the Provisional Administrator for ‘PBES’, Toby Robinson, should be one of the prosecution witnesses. PINK, Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Prosecutor: We would prove connection with crime, war criminals…’ by N.Jamakovic Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Mandic: I wasn’t helping Karadzic’, mentioned on cover by A.S., Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘The Prosecutor: I will prove the guilt of Mandic and others’ by A. Djozo, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Trials to Mandic starts’, not signed,  – also carried.

RS Police arrested war crime indictee Vukovic, based on indictement of Sarajevo Canton Prosecution

RTRS– Spokesman of RS Ministry of Interior Radovan Pejic confirmed that RS police had arrested war crime suspect Radmilo Vukovic on Tuesday morning in Foca in line with the arrest warrant issued by the Sarajevo Canton Court. Vukovic is suspected of committing war crimes in the area of Foca.  He has been working in Foca Police in department for issuing of personal documents. Pejic stressed that the arrest was conducted without any incidents. Vukovic has been handed over to the Trebinje Prosecution. Dnevni Avaz pg 11, mentioned on cover ‘Raped a Bosniak women making them to give birth to unwanted child’ E.Sarac, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘He was arrested because of war crimes’ by D. Mu., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Vukovic was arrested’ – also reported.

FBiH Deputy PM demands RS PM to support idea of Joint Comm. for war crimes

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 8 ‘Grahovac: It is impossible to work with Hadzipasic’ by M.Kukan Inset ‘Let him solve establishment of commission for missing persons with Dodik’ – Regarding the establishment of the commission for missing persons in Sarajevo, FBiH Deputy PM Gavrilo Grahovac stated that he demanded from the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik to support the idea of joint commission funded by both FBiH and RS Governments that should be looking for all the missing persons, not only Serbs, which Dodik refused. Grahovac noted: “Let PM Hadzipasic deal with him.”

DL op-ed: Abu Hamza should be expelled from BiH because of his threatening messages to BiH institutions

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Terrorist message of Aby Hamza’ by Z. Jukic negatively comments on the things that ‘a leader of mujaheddins’ community in BiH Abu Hamza’ stated in political TV show ’60 minutes’ last Monday when he announced that he would take a large spectre of measures against BiH institutions if he was deprived of a BiH citizenship. The author concludes that because of the things Hamza said we must insist even more on the work of the Commission for Audit of BiH Citizenships and that Hamza deserves to be expelled because of such threats even if his personal documents had been issued legally. 

Economic crime/investigations and issues

FBiH HoR urges FERK to reassess decision on increase of electricity price and to postpone it until the Government passes the social plans for those that would suffer the most

FTV By Zlata Behram– FBiH House of Representatives held extraordinary session on Tuesday to discuss the decision of the FBiH Regulatory Electricity Commission [FERK] to increase an electricity price in the entity. The HoR asked the FERK to reassess its decision and requested form the Commission to postpone implementation of a part of decision referring to the price increase for households until FBiH Government creates a program ensuring social welfare for vulnerable citizens, setting deadline for this by June 30. Nermin Vila, member of the European Ecologic Party commented that FERK is appointed by the Parliament and should be held accountable, but stressed “it seems FERK is independent of BiH citizens, economy and the FBiH institutions – but very dependent of Elektroprivredas lobbies”. FBiH Labour and Welfare Minister, Radovan Vignjevic, emphasized that at least 200,000 FBiH citizens live under poverty line: “This is not the right time to make such reforms of the electricity prices. I am not against reform processes, but at this moment when we still do not know the full consequences of the VAT introduction I think we have rushed too much.” FTV comments none of three FERK officials wanted to talk to media; Chair of the Commission Zdenko Simunovic told FTV reporter they are not obligated to address public. The discussion on FERK decision to increase the prices of electricity will be continued on Wednesday, during a special session of the FBiH House of Peoples. RHB, PINK, BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘To postpone increase of electricity price for households’ by A.Hadziarapovic, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Decision on increase of electricity price remains’ by A.T., Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Postponement of application of new prices was asked for’ by R. Cengic, Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Cry for postponement of increase of prices of electricity’, by Mensud Zorlak– all carried similar reports.

Removed Deputy Traffic Minister says he would sue RS PM Dodik for dismissing him without investigaton/ Dodik: I will apologize to Cicic if accusations were not true

EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘I will sue the Prime Minister’ and pg RS1 ‘Cicic: I will sue Dodik / Dodik: I will apologize to him’ by Tijana Veselinovic – The removed Deputy RS Minister of Traffic and Communications Miroslav Cicic announced he would sue RS PM Milorad Dodik because he had removed him without checking whether he was actually racketeering transporters. At the same time, RS PM Dodik on Tuesday stated he was willing to apologize to Cicic if the accusations against him were not true. RS PM Dodik announced he would confront Cicic with the transporter that brought accusations against him and added he will apologize if the procedure fails to confirm the accusations and added: ‘but, I am not sure I will have to do so’. Cicic, on the other hand, claims Director of “Medjugorje” firm from Laktasi Mile Atlagic was the one who brought accusations because he failed to obtain the imports license. Atlagic claims Cicic was racketeering him for years. Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Atlagic: Cicic was racketeering me’ by P. Klincov – carries a similar report but puts an accent on Atlagic’s statements. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Racketeering being checked up’ by Srna – carries Dodik’s statement.

NN publishes names of 6 officials of “Srpske Sume” suspected of having committed acts of organised crime

Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘All officials of “Srpske Sume”’ by V. P. – Nezavisne Novine learnt that the six persons for which BiH Prosecutor’s Office had requested from RS authority institutions to launch investigations against, due to suspicion they had committed acts of organised crime in the territory of RS, were the following officials of “Srpske Sume”: Miro Rokvic, Zoran Supeta, Miso Marjanovic, Dragisa Dragutinovic, Radenko Borojevic and Novica Davidovic. RS PM Milorad Dodik has recently confirmed DSS President Predrag Kovacevic had given him, the information on 6 persons from RS that were assuming duties in “Srpske Sume” and were suspected of having committed acts of organised crime.

RS Finance Minister Dzombic seeks independent audit of allocation of public revenues

RTRS current affairs program ‘Crvena Linija’ by Zoran Popovic – In a show on the temporary blockade of the single ITA account under the decision by ITA Steering Board Chair Joly Dixon, the RS Finance Minister Aleksandar Dzombic say he asked for an independent audit of revenues’ allocation. He argues the best solution for the current dispute over the coefficients to bring temporary decision now, while the final one would be brought after 30 June deadline for VAT payers to submit their reports. Minister informed his FBiH counterpart Dragan Vrankic of this proposal, but Vrankic insists final decision is made immediately. Dzombic says Vrankic apparently enjoys Dixon’s support, even though Dixon told Nezavisne Novine three days ago that the Board should now bring a temporary decision. ITA Director Kemal Causevic did not want to comment whether RS has been damaged or not, but did agree with an initiative for independent audit. Causevic also expressed belief that the issue would be solved at the ITA SB meeting scheduled on Thursday, 20 April, and praised the work of Dixon in setting up the Administration. Member of the Board, Haris Basic, also supported the audit. Former RS Finance Minister Svetlana Cenic in a phone interview said that for a long time she had been warning about this issue [which Causevic confirmed] but added she did not enjoy political support to solve it. ITA SB Chair did not participate the show, to which host who commented Dixon would rather enjoy Dubrovnik than offer explanation to BiH citizens. According to a poll carried during the show 62% of citizens who voted believe Dixon was responsible for the current situation. 

BiH Confederation of Syndicates warns ITA bodies and officials to reach decision on distribution

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Allocation of public revenues from the single account must be agreed’ Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Budget users are suffering’,Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Warning to Dixon and Causevic’ by M.M. – The Confederation of BiH Syndicate representing over 90% of employees in BiH on Tuesday demanded from Joly Dixon and ITA Steering Board to reach decision on distribution of revenues from a single account, stressing that failure to reach decision points at incapability of this body to run financial politics. Syndicate warns “it would not allow budget users expiate over inefficiency of steering boards.” Demand was also forwarded to Kemal Causevic, ITA Director.  

Head of Revenue Agency: Brcko District expects “frozen” ITA funds to be distributed soon

Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Frozen investments’ by M. Dj. – The competent bodies of Brcko District expect that the indirect taxation funds “frozen” at the single account would be forwarded to Brcko District, RS and FBiH soon, Head of Brcko District Revenue Agency Osman Osmanovic said. ‘If [this] situation continues and if the money is not paid to the account of the District, we will face problems in execution of the budget of capital investments through investment spending that was launched at the beginning of April’, Osmanovic stated.

ITA files report to BiH Prosecutor’s Office against dealers of cigarettes

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘They damaged the budget for 7,2 million BAM’ and pg 3 ‘Dealers of cigarettes damaged the budget for 7,2 million BAM’ by A. Sekulic and P. Klincov – ITA had submitted reports to competent Prosecutor’s Offices against several directors of firms from both entities, which are suspected of having damaged the budgets for 7,2 million BAM through imports and trades of tobacco products last and this year.

BiH Transport. Minister Dokic: BiH will propose southern exit point for Vc corridor

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘We will propose Zvirovici for Southern exit of 5-C Corridor’ by Lana Sinanovic – In an interview for DA, BiH Minister of Transport and Communications Branko Dokic said BiH will propose Croatia for Zvirovici settlement to become a southern exit point for the Vc corridor. Dokic stated that experts did they job professionally and that this should not be an issue of dispute, adding though that this route is still not 100% confirmed.