Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 6 April
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| BiH House of Peoples in session | BiH HoP on debate on const change | RSNA in session |
| Investigation on tobacco smuggling | RSNA in session | EC suspends finances to ARDA |
| | April 6 declared as Day of City | New |
TV news broadcast on 5 April
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Croat Caucus on FBiH PBS Law | BiH signs EU convent. on citizenship | Text of constitutional amendments |
| HDU on FBiH PBS Law | Public discussion on Corridor 5c | Police Reform Directorate session |
| Report on ‘Balkan syndrome’ | BiH Presidency in session | Katusic escapes hospital custody |
| BiH Presidency in session | CoM adopts report on trafficking | ITA stops payments |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| BiH ITA blocks payments | Katusic escapes hospital custody | RS NA adopts laws on org. crime |
| BiH courts Chairs on their finances | Feature on Travnik factory | Live report from RS NA |
| | ITA stops payments | Constitution amendments adopted |
| Protest in | Anniversary of | |
| Oslobodjenje | 3080 members of BiH Army committed suicide [due to their poor social conditions] |
| Dnevni Avaz | [BiH Prosecution] Decisive strike on tobacco bosses |
| Dnevni List | Trial to Police: |
| Vecernji List | Wink of UNPROFOR member crucial evidence before court (trial for |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Highway to Ploce – Potemkin’s village? (Public discussion on construction of Corridor 5C held in |
| Nezavisne Novine | 15 trolleys and 7 trams damaged (derby btw Zeljeznicar and |
| Glas Srpske | Experts, who does not know! |
| EuroBlic | Srpska is losing three million KM per day |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| RS Law on Holidays fails to obtain necessary RSNA majority; SDA, | RTRS, BH Radio 1 – At the continuation of the session of the RS National Assembly, the MPs rejected the proposed RS Law on Holidays since it failed to obtain necessary majority after 41 delegates voted in favour, 10 against and 12 abstained from voting. The delegates from Bosnaik parties asked through proposed amendments that RS Day should be celebrated on 21 November (signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement) instead of 9 January. However, these amendments were not adopted. SDA abstained from voting, while |
| BiH HoP to discuss decision to put const. amendments for public debate | |
Constitutional changes | |
| BiH politicians harmonized amendments drafted by BiH Presidency with the text of the agreement; HDZ and PDP amendments also accepted
| RTRS – Leaders of seven BiH political parties [SDA, |
| HDZ’s Relota: party’s presidency drafted amendments to const. changes agreement
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Relota: everything is harmonized with the parties’ agreement’ by F.V.– HDZ Spokesperson Miso Relota stated that HDZ Presidency has drafted amendments to the agreement on constitutional changes and submitted them to parties that signed the agreement. “These amendments are absolutely in accordance with the parties’ agreement and five following documents” said Relota. He explained that parties would or already have drafted amendments to the Constitution that would be merged in one joint amendment. Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Politicians agreed amendments to Constitution’ by D. Pusic – Relota also said harmonizing of the amendments should be in line of the signed agreement and the documents that followed it. He added: ‘HDZ will participate at other meetings of political parties on this issue and it has been planned that one or two meetings on this issue will take place.’ DL inset ‘There are no new amendments’ carries |
| | Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Politicians agreed amendments to Constitution’ by D. Pusic carries that |
| PDP’ Ivanic: BH Parliament would be disbanded if it failed to elect BH President and Vice Presidents
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Amendments to Constitution accepted’ by M.Cubro – Mladen Ivanic, PDP President, stated: “We have detailed that BiH Parliament would be disbanded if it failed to elect BH President and Vice Presidents. We have altered some amendments that might have suggested that for example only BH Parliament is in charge of all the Laws, while entities practically would not exist in this regard.” Daily also adds that presidents of SNSD and HDZ would later on sign the statement political leaders of |
| Int w/ Jonjic ( | Danas pgs 22-25, mentioned on cover ‘None guarantees us second phase of constitutional negotiations’ by T. Sarac carries an interview with President of the |
| RS President Cavic: Through const. changes RS wants to preserve entity organization of BiH | Dnevni List pg 6 ‘To preserve entity structure’ – RS President Dragan Cavic met with Irish Ambassador Patrick McCaib on Wednesday and Cavic stated that through constitutional changes the RS wants to achieve bigger functionality of BiH institutions but also to preserve the entity organization with functional entities. |
Economic, social and judicial issues | |
| ITA suspends allocating revenues from single account
| BHT1 – As of Wednesday, the Indirect Taxation Administration would not allocate revenues from the single account. ITA Steering Board Chair Joly Dixon on Tuesday made a decision annulling the earlier decision from March 31 on the allocation of revenues reaching a new decision on “freezing” the allocation of revenues until further notice, i.e. until a compromise is reached. ITA stated that it would re-launch the process as soon as the Steering Board adopts a final decision for further allocation of revenues. Commenting |
| OHR confirms process of extending mandate to
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6, announced on cover ‘Payments from state account halted’ by D.Risojevic – OHR confirmed in the meantime that |
| BiH Finance Minister says ITA’s decision not blocking state budget, but urges solution
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘All payments from the single account are blocked’ by M.K.-T.L. –BiH Finance Minister Ljerka Maric confirmed for daily the suspensions of the allocation does not block the state budget, but stressed that the issue has to be solved as soon as possible. Maric said that Steering Board is obliged to make decision based on information on collecting the VAT this year, adding that she cannot see any reason why RS representatives would reject to do so. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘No one can take money from nobody!’ by M.Kukan –FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic argues that the analysis of the VAT would indicate the proper allocation and coefficients. |
| RS reps in ITA Steering Board continue asking for same coefficients
| Hayat – The RS representatives had been rejected to support a change of the coefficients at the meeting of the ITA Steering Board, which resulted with temporary decision by Chair Joly Dixon. “The RS members of the Steering Board were dissatisfied with such decision and they asked [it] to be annulled”, said the BiH ITA Spokesperson Ratko Kovacevic. FBiH Minister of Finance Dragan Vrankic objects to RS demands for an increase of coefficients, stressing that RS has no grounds for such demand. Vrankic said that in the first two months, the FBiH was left without 4.8 millions KM of revenues. “I, being a Minister, will support allocation, grounded on laws”, said Vrankic. BiH Parliament representatives find such decision unserious. “This is not about lack of money but lack of will to have the issue solved”, said BiH Parliament representative Jozo Krizanovic. “I think that the Steering Board acts irresponsibly in terms of processes and situation within all BiH institutions”, said BiH House of Representative’s Chair Martin Raguz. |
| BiH Transport Ministry organized public discussion on Vc corridor
| PINK – The public discussion on the Vc corridor’s construction organized by the BiH Transport and Communications Ministry was held in |
| RSNA adopts set of laws establishing special judicial departments to fight organized crime
| RTRS – Following the heated discussion during the extraordinary session on Wednesday, the RS National Assembly adopted today the changes to the Law on RS Prosecutor’s Offices aimed at creating conditions for the establishment of a Special Department for fighting organized crime as part of the RS Prosecutor’s Office. RS Justice Minister Omer Visic stated that the new laws are aimed at efficient fight against organised and economic crime, adding that the new judicial structures would not demand appointment of new judges. During the discussion, deputies of |
| HJPC: adopted set of addenda to laws interfering with HJPC work
| Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Fighting crime’ by G. Dakic and Z. Markovic Inset ‘Opinion’ – The opinion of HJPC reads that the suggested changes and addenda to RS Law on Courts and Law on Prosecutor’s Office are interfering with competences of HJPC in the segment of appointments. HJPC also notes the suggestions include creating of pre-requisites for the work of a special department of RS Prosecutor’s Office, constructing of new courtrooms in Banja Luka, employment of new judges, new organization of administrative personnel and additional financing for which neither an assessment had been made nor funds had been planned in the budget. Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Peric: Such laws can not be passed in a rish’ by N.Diklic – Peric praised the intentions of RS Government but also stressed that such laws could not be passed ad hoc. |
| Economic-Social Council condemns FERK decision to increase electricity price, calling Agency irresponsible
| Hayat – The FBiH Economic-Social Council ( |
| DA: BiH Prosecution investigates tobacco smuggling industry; high-ranking officials/ pol. leaders involved? Reforms could be jeopardized?
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Drastic strike on tobacco bosses’, pg 3 ‘Ongoing big investigation on cigarettes smuggling’ Sead Numanovic – Daily learns that by the order of BiH Prosecution, team of international prosecutors and authorized security agencies launched an extensive investigation in cigarette smuggling industry. Unnamed source claims that some very important political figures are under investigation, allegedly some of them are party leaders that signed agreement on the constitutional changes, adding that this strike could have automatically mean cease of constitutional changes and the police reform. DA source further notes that BiH Prosecution has information that group of people are racketeering businessmen from |
| BiH CoM discusses decision how to financially help decertified police officers
| Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Seta of one of state agency will be in Mostar’, by eme – The BiH CoM discussed on Wednesday the proposal of decision and proposal of agreement on solving social and labor related issues for the decertified police officers. The BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees has been tasked to get opinion of the entity governments, after which the BiH CoM would declare itself. VL also notes the BiH CoM would (in future) take care that new BiH institutions get decentralized, therefore one of future state institutions will be seated in Mostar. Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Solve procurement of passports’, not signed – The BiH CoM tasked the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Finance and Treasury to harmonize mechanisms that would solve the issue of procurement of (BiH) passports in order to prevent possible shortages of passports. |
| BiH Presidency discusses financial discipline | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Paravac: Redundant spending of Bosniak officer to |
Police reform, entity symbols, other political issues | |
| BiH presidency member Paravac concerned about outvoting in BiH CC: removal of RS symbols as “ripping of his own flash”
| RTRS – Commenting the BiH Constitutional Court’s decision on entity symbols, member of BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac expressed his concern over the fact that outvoting based on ethnicity at BiH Constitutional Court is a regular practice that is being covered up by secret voting practice. FTV– Paravac stated that for him any possible removal of RS insignia will be experienced as “ripping of his own flesh”. Paravac also wonders about the credibility of BIH CC since it has a lot of problems in his opinion. He also joined RS officials who will ask re-examination of the latest BIH CC decision. Paravac concluded that BIH Presidency would meet with judges of BIH CC on their invitation to discuss BIH CC problems. Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Abolishment of symbols will create hatred’, by D. P. Mandic – Paravac added decision could create hatred towards the BiH symbols. Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Paravac: Like they are ripping my own flesh’, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Abolishment of symbols is like ripping of live flash’ by M.K.S, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘He will demand examination of decision of BiH Constitutional Court’ by S.Gojkovic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Destroying of trust’ by D. Mo. – also reported. |
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| RTRS – Reacting to decision of |
| RS PM Dodik:
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Dodik: This is not the court of this country’ by Srna – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated on Wednesday in Banja Luka that the decision of the BiH Constitutional Court on RS insignia can not be implemented by the RS Government, as it was not directed to the Government but to the competent parliamentary committee. He said he has objections to the BiH CC, as this is not the Court of this country since, as he claims that three foreigners are in it, not being limited in bringing decisions and doing things similar to what the Indirect Tax Steering Board Chair Joly Dixon does. |
| SBiH Founder Silajdzic: RS is parallel state
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Dodik makes state out of RS’ by E.Sarac – Commenting current political situation in BiH, Founder of SBiH Haris Silajdzic stated for DA: “Last moves of the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, blocking police reform, blocking budget on all levels and establishing special court and prosecution, which litters totally reformed legal system are proofs that RS is the parallel state.” Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Politicians agreed amendments to Constitution’ by D. Pusic – SBiH issued a press release which says that statements given by RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik and RS President Dragan Cavic with regard to the BiH CCs decision on RS symbols (due to which they brought in question signing of the constitutional changes and police reform agreements), show that it is not serious to reach agreements with politicians who build their careers on violation and self-willing interpretation of signed agreements. The press release also says that SBiH was right when it stated that Dodik and Cavic would not sign the const. changes agreement if it were not strengthening sovereignty of the RS. |
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| RTRS – At the Wednesday’s session of the Steering Board members of the Police Restructuring Directorate agree on future organization of police in BiH. RS representatives insisted on preservation of entity Interior Ministries with full respect to the state policing agencies SIPA, State Border Service and BiH Ministry of Security. On the other hand, FBiH representatives proposed a police model under which there would be unified police forces organised on local, regional and state level. Head of RS Police Dragomir Andan stated that he must respect the RS Constitution and insist on preservation of RS MoI. According to Andan, the proposals provided by RS representatives are fully compatible with the three principles set by the EC [financing from the state level, transfer of all policing authorities to the state and establishment of functional regions]. Andan stressed that the statements of RS President, Prime Minister and RS National Assembly Speaker additionally support the stances of RS MoI on preservation of this Ministry. Chair of Police Restructuring Directorate Steering Board Sead Lisak stated that the Directorate must take the existing political influences into consideration, stressing that any agreement reached by Directorate would make no sense if it would not to be adopted. BHT1, Nezavisne Novine pg6 ‘RS representatives demand entities’ police remain’ by M.Cubro,EuroBlic pgRS3 ‘RS is persistent in defending its MoI’ by Srna, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Stances still differ’ by Srna – also carried. |
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| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘RS not willing to give up on police and entity line’ by E.Sarac – Chair of |
| RS Pres. Cavic meets Irish Ambassador McCaib/ Cavic: Entities must have role in functioning of BiH police structures
| Dnevni List pg 6 ‘To preserve entity structure’ – RS President Dragan Cavic met with Irish Ambassador Patrick McCaib on Wednesday. Talking about the police reform Cavic stated examples of many European, de-centralized states in which the Police has been organized in a way that Federal units play a role in organizing and functioning of the police. Cavic believes that for this reason the European standards should take into consideration the fact that the entities must have a role in organization and functioning of BiH police structures. |
| OHR did not comment allegations that ICTY Chief Prosecutor Del Ponte demanded removal of RS Police Director Andan | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Carla del Ponte demands Andan’s removal?’ by E.S. – OHR spokesperson |
| DL speculates that Ljubic, Raguz and Zoric might be leading people of HDZ 1990, while Merdzo might be a leader of HDZ 1990 in Mostar
| Dnevni List pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘New party on Day of HVO!’ by Z. Jukic – HDZ 1990 should be officially established on April 8 (DL says that this is also the Day of HVO) and, most probably, Bozo Ljubic would be the President of this party. DL says that a negative feature of Ljubic is his hesitation and indecisiveness, however on the other side he enjoys significant international reputation. According to DL, Martin Raguz would be either the President or Vice President of the new party, while Vinko Zoric would be the Vice President or Secretary of the new party. DL inset ‘Mostar and Herzegovina-Neretva Canton are Merdzo’s area’ carries that, most probably, Josip Merdzo would be in charge of HDZ 1990 in Mostar. Another DL inset ‘HDZ members to join Ljubic’ carries that as far as the Canton 10 is concerned main Ljubic’s people would be Ivica Madunic and Filip Andric, while his people in the Central Bosnia Canton would be Rudo Vidovic, Velimir Valjan and Nikola Lovrinovic. DL inset ‘Neven Tomic also with Ljubic’ says that former Mostar Mayor Neven Tomic might also joint the new party. |
| One of founders of HDZ 1990 Raguz: We are party that will whip off fears of Croat people
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘We are party that will whip off fears of Croat people’ by Husein Orahovac – On occasion of inaugural session of the new Croat party in BiH – HDZ 1990, in an interview for DA one of its founders Martin Raguz says that this right-centre oriented party will whip off fear of Croat people from the possible inequality. In regard to cooperation with other Croat parties in BiH, Raguz said that he is offering open talks on that issue. Inset ‘Support of Catholic Church’ – Answering question whether HDZ 1990 would have support of Catholic Church, Raguz noted: “I do not want to manipulate with spiritual leadership of Croat people in BiH… I will say only this: Bishop’s Conference is in line with initiators of HDZ 1990 in the regard to the proposed constitutional amendments.” |
| HDZ’s Relota believe that HDZ is becoming only stronger; Zoric announces to join HDZ 1990
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘We are only stronger after this’ by M.K.S.– In a statement for daily, HDZ Spokesperson Miso Relota stated that disciplinary procedures against MPs in BiH Parliament Vinko Zoric and Filip Andric and MP in FBiH Parliament Ivan Madunic was launched because of violation of HDZ founding documents. “If someone without knowledge of party’s Presidency or anyone else, abolishes a Caucus then that is a frivolous behavior that passes nowhere, especially in a serious part such is HDZ” said Relota. Even though this is a second disciplinary procedure in last six months, Relota believes that this only presents strengthening of the party. Zoric said that he did not receive official notice on this decision. “They are slowly becoming a non-Croat party because they agreed such constitutional changes, they aren’t democratic because they have stolen votes on the Congress and they are destroying unity trough expulsing of important people from the party” said Zoric, announcing that he would join HDZ 1990. |
| FBiH HoP Croat Caucus President Franjicevic: BiH should have one TV with three channels
| Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Croats’ stubbornness makes Europe angry’, by Mensud Zorlak – According to the author, the Croat Caucus in the FBiH House of Peoples are not concerned with threats of the IC that they could be responsible for a possible suspension of talks between BiH and EU ( |
| RSNA discusses law on holidays
| RTRS – At the session on Wednesday, the RS National Assembly discussed the RS law on official holidays. According to the discussed proposal, official holidays should be January 1st and 2nd (New Year), January 9th (Day of Republic), May 1st and 2nd (International Labour Day), May 9th (Day of victory over fascism) and November 21st (Day of signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement). The religious holidays should be Orthodox Christmas and Easter, Catholic Christmas and Easter and two Muslim holidays of Aid. RTRS late news– Extraordinary session of RSNA was interrupted late on Wednesday night, after MPs finished with discussion on the Law on RS Official Holidays. Session would continue on Thursday, when MPs would vote on the Law. RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated that the discussed proposal may not be the best solution, but it is a solution that is for sure going to be acceptable for |
| BiH Ambassador to CoE signs European convention on citizenship
| PINK – BiH Foreign Ministry stated on Wednesday that BiH Ambassador to the Council of Europe in |
| BiH CoM lagging behind deadline for appointment of CIPS Director for two weeks now | Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘CIPS Director was not appointed’ by N.K. – Although announced, Wednesday’s session of the BiH CoM failed to discuss the issue of appointment of CIPS Director. It is now two weeks behind deadline for appointment, while CIPS has no director for six months now. In Line with the Law on BiH State Service, if BiH CoM failed to elect one of candidates, BiH State Service Agency can do so instead. |
| SDA, SBiH,
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘SDA, SBiH, |
ICTY and war crimes | |
| Departure of spokesperson for ICTY Chief Prosecutor, Florence Hartmann, stirs speculations she was dismissed
| BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Was Florence Hartman replaced’ by Hina, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Florence Hartman replaced’ by BIRN, EuroBlic pg 2 ‘Florence Hartmann dismissed’ by N. M. J. and T. N. Dj., Vecernje Novosti pg 4 ‘Florence Hartmann dismissed’ by Tanjug – Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte dismissed her Spokesperson Florence Hartmann. Del Ponte’s Advisor Anton Nikiforov stated he will be carrying out duties of Acting Spokesperson until further notice, announcing the reasons for the removal will be presented to public at a press conference that will be held on Friday in the Hague Tribunal. EuroBlic pg 2 ‘Florence Hartmann dismissed’ by N. M. J. and T. N. Dj. – Rumor has it one of possible reasons for the removal might have been Hartmann’s statement given on the eve of Del Ponte’s meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, when she said del Ponte’s assessment of cooperation of SiCG with ICTY would be negative. Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Florence Hartmann removed’ by B92, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Hartmann was removed’ by Srna – also report on removal |
| Dutch experts conclude Milosevic died of heart attack
| PINK– Dutch Prosecutor’s Office stated on Wednesday that Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic died of natural causes. Prosecution finished its investigation on causes of death and concluded that toxicology tests have not shown a “single sign of poisoning or any toxicological factor that could have cause heart failure”, the Prosecutor’s Office stated. The Dutch Institute for Court Medicine “finally confirmed that the cause of death is heart attack. The autopsy revealed several serious heart conditions which caused the cardiac arrest”, the same source said. BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Confirmed that Milosevic dies of natural causes’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 22 ‘Milosevic was not poisoned’ not signed – also covered. |
| Trial for
| Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Trial to Police: Liska Street presented like Srebrenica’ by A. Vrebac, Vecernji List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Wink of UNPROFOR member crucial evidence before court’ by R. Soldo – The trial against 6 Croats (former policemen) charged with the ‘Liska Park’ case started before the Cantonal Court in Mostar on Tuesday. They are charged with an assault on a large group of Bosniaks in February 1997, who were on their way to visit a cemetery in |
| GS critical of testimony of Harvard professor before ICJ (on BH suit vrs SiCG) | Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Experts, who does not know!’ by M.Dz. – Daily is critical of testimony of Professor Andras Riedlemeyer, Harvard expert for Ottoman Empire, who testified as witness of BiH in the BiH suit against SiCG before ICJ. Daily notes that by testifying before the court, Riedlemeyer has showed ignorance by referring to destroyed religious objects of Bosniaks, failing to mention religious objects of Serbs and Croats were also largely destroyed during the war in BiH. Dusan Antelj, Director of RS Secretariat for Religions, viewed Riedlemeyer’s testimony as “hypocritical and rude” and far way from the truth. He wants on to mention religious objects other than mosques destroyed in BiH. |