OHR BiH Media Round-up, 23/12/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA

(12,00 hrs)

S. Tihic received Cardinal Puljic

Brkic (HNZ) replied to Musa (HKDU)

R. Stankovic to enter plea today

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA

(18,00 hrs)

(18,00 hrs)

(19,00 hrs)

Massacre anniversary in Krizancevo

RS MoI arrested three for war crimes

Three arrested for war crimes

HDZ delegation visits Tuzla

Const. negotiations continue in Jan.

Karadzic/Mladic supporters warned

Talks on constitutional changes

BiH HoP passed Law on Pardon

RS Gov support ICTY detainees

CoM session

CoM on SIPA regional centres

Three arrested for war crimes

(19,00 hrs)

FTV

(19,30 hrs)

(19,30 hrs)

RS MoI arrested three for war crimes

FBiH HoP on budget for 2006

Refinery workers protest in BL

Negotiation on Mladic’s surrender?

FBiH Gov not discussed soc. prog.

Work of RS air traffic service

Trial of Scorpions members

FBiH Ministry of Labour on VAT

Feature on eviction in Banja Luka

Stankovic to enter his plea

BiH Conf. of Trade Unions on VAT

3 war crime suspects arrested

Karadzic, Mladic supporters identified

Dnevni Avaz

Suspension of negotiations with EU possible

Dnevni List

German troops in BiH impersonating journalists to gather intelligence data on terrorists

Vecernji List

People defends general (Gotovina receiving letters of support)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Barun’s trades with military discount (Mayor of Livno involved in alleged corruption)

Glas Srpske

What did SFOR burry? (Radiation issue)

Nezavisne Novine

They want work and salaries

Blic

Helpers of Karadzic and Mladic were revealed

Vecernje Novosti

We know who are the helpers

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

S. Tihic received Cardinal Puljic

RHB – On Thursday Bosniak member of the BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic received Cardinal Vinko Puljic who informed him about the problems that the Catholic Church is faced with at the moment and appealed for assistance in resolving of these problems. Tihic reiterated that the interest of all peoples and BiH citizens is their equality in all segments in life and he expressed readiness for active involvement in resolving of aforementioned problems. They also exchanged opinions about the current political situation in BiH and stressed that there is a need for constitutional changes that would lead towards regional organization of BiH in order to security equality of all peoples and citizens on the BiH territory.

Brkic (HNZ) replied to Musa (HKDU)

RHB – HNZ President Milenko Brkic replied to the letter sent by HKDU President Ivan Musa in which Musa qualified the HNZ statement that during the meeting in Kiseljak Croat parties’ stand were harmonized as a deceit of the public. In his reply Brkic says that he does not go in public disputes, however, he has made an exception since lately there has been a trend or agreed method that some Croat politicians communicate through open letters, pamphlets etc. in order to accuse, disqualify etc. those who do not share their political stands.   

War Crimes/Legal Proceedings/Terrorism

Serbian Prosecutor Vukcevic says Karadzuic, Mladic supporters identified

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 3 ‘Karadzic, Mladic supporters identified’, Dnevni List, pg 22 ‘Karadzic and Mladic’s aides identified’, not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 7 ‘We know who sends carrier pigeons to Mladic’, by Senol Selimovic, Vecernje Novosti cover pg splash and pg 13 ‘We know who helpers are’ by E. Radosavnjevic, EuroBlic cover pg splash and pgs 2-3 ‘Helpers of Karadzic and Mladic were revealed’ by Ana Z. Adzic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Helpers of Karadzic and Mladic were identified’ by N. N.  – Serbia Chief Prosecutor for war crimes, Vladimir Vukcevic said that persons, who keep contact and help Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, have been identified. Vukcevic couldn’t reveal the identity of these persons, but he has warned that anyone who provides logistics help to Karadzic and Mladic will be prosecuted.

VN: Mladic and Karadzic will be extradited by the end of the year, most likely in one of east-European countries

Vecernje Novosti pg 13 ‘Extradition on east’ by V. M. – Sources close to western intelligence services in BiH claim Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic would be extradited to Scheveningen by the end of the year. According to the source, Mladic will be the first to be extradited and the extradition of Karadzic would follow shortly after. The source claims neither of them would be arrested “at home”, but abroad, most likely in one of east-European countries, in accordance with the recipe that was already applied in the case of Ante Gotovina.

P. Bukejlovic on SDHR Ney’s letter: BiH Constitutional Court would get report on Palic’s case by end of year

Oslobodjenje pgs 4 and 5, mentioned on cover ‘Constitutional Court would get report by end of year’ by E. Kamenica carries that through the Press Office RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic commented on the letter that Senior Deputy High Representative Martin Ney sent to him with regard to the case of wartime Zepa Commander Avdo Palic. Osl. says that the Press Office letter says that competent RS bodies are carrying out additional investigations in which they found out new facts and the Human Rights Commission with the BiH Constitutional Court would be informed about it by the end of the year. Commenting on the whole case Avdic’s wife Esma Palic expressed bitterness over the whole case and she said: ‘How come that HR Paddy Ashdown, that is SDHR Ney, have remembered this case just now and they ask and not demand implementation of the decision.’ She also believes that the HR was not determined with regard to this case: ‘He had all instruments to force responsible ones to reveal the facts…’

Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘New findings on destiny of colonel Palic’, not signed also covered the issue.

German ARD stations: German soldiers in BiH impersonated journalists to gather intelligence

Dnevni List, front pg splash ‘Impersonating journalists to reveal terrorists’ and pg 5 ‘German soldiers in BiH interviewed possible terrorists under disguise of journalism’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘German soldiers in BiH presented themselves as journalists’, by H – The German soldiers in BiH posed as journalists in order to obtain information on persons who are suspected of being linked with terrorism, German TV station ARD reported on Thursday. According to the same sources, the Bundeswehr soldiers in the mission in BiH in 2003 presented themselves as journalists to the family of one of the suspects for preparing the attacks on the embassies of western countries in Sarajevo, Bensajah Belkacem, and used the information they collected during the “interview” for intelligence purposes. Belkacem, who is detained at U.S. camp Guantanamo since 2001, is held accountable by the United States for preparing the attacks on the U.S. and British embassies in Sarajevo together with another five alleged members of Al Qa’ida. The German Association of Journalists (DJV) reacted sharply to the news on the alleged abuse of the journalist profession. “If the soldiers posed as journalists, they did not only violate the Bundeswehr procedures, but they have also jeopardized the security of journalists in war areas”, said DJV President Michael Konken.

VL’s source on Matijasevic’s claim about 1800 people linked with terrorism in BiH

Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘1800 people linked with terrorism’, by Dejan Jazvic – With regards to a statement by the RS Interior Minister, Darko Matijasevic, that there are some 1800 persons in BiH that are connected with terrorism, VL claims to have learned from ‘BiH security institutions’ that Matijasevic’s statement is based on certain intelligence information, however they cannot be taken as completely relevant. Allegedly, the information are related to all persons that have been subjected to various investigations or who have been linked with possible terrorism threat. VL’s source notes that “majority of those persons are occasionally or permanently under our surveillance, whilst at the moment we cannot say with certainty where a small number (of them) are”.

Krizancevo selo memorial: Croats are hurt because nobody is held responsible

RHB, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Nobody is being held accountable for crimes of BiH Army’, by A. D. – On the occasion of 12th anniversary of killing of 30 HVO soldiers and 34 Croat civilians of Krizancevo selo near Vitez, who were killed by the BiH Army, a holy mass was served at Krizancevo selo on Thursday. VL notes that what hurts the survivors from Krizancevo selo the most is the fact that nobody is being held accountable for the crime, whilst in the same time everyone knows about the Ahmici crimes that have been tried by the ICTY. Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Ivo Miro Jovic, attended the mass. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 23 ‘Nobody is charged for crimes yet’, by Z. Cilic – carries Jovic as saying during the commemoration for the Krizancevo selo victims: “The Hague should have been the house of justice, instead it has turned into a political-interest institution”.

Arrest in Prijedor

Pink, BHT, Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Three suspects for war crimes arrested’, by NINA, Dnevni Avaz pg 3, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Three persons arrested over war crimes’ by D. Kovacevic, EuroBlic pg RS12 ‘A policeman behind bars as well’ by M. S., Vecernje Novosti pg 13 ‘Suspicious Serbs’ not signed, Glas Srpske pg 11 ‘Investigation over Ljubija?’ by V. J. and D. B. – Upon an order of Banja Luka Regional Prosecutor’s Office, three persons were arrested in Ljubija near Prijedor under suspicion for having committed war crimes against civilians. According to unofficial information, one of the arrested persons is a policeman. The arrested ones, Pero Djuric, Stojan Besir and Robert Besir, father and son, have been placed in one-month detention.

Trial of Scorpions members continues; Aleksandar Medic pleaded not guilty

Nezavisne Novine pg 6, announced on cover ‘Slobodan Medic ordered shooting’ byDivna Vidakovic, Vecernje Novosti pg 12 ‘My godfather ordered the shooting’ by E. Radosavljevic, Glas Srpske pg 11 ‘I did not shoot at prisoners’ by Tanjug – In continuance of trial of “Scorpion” members, before Belgrade War Crime Chamber, one of indictees Aleksandar Medic denied his participation in crime and pleaded not guilty. Medic identified people who shot prisoners from Srebrenica in Trnovo and stated Commander Slobodan Medic had ordered shooting.

Other BiH media also covered the trial.

RS NA: equal rights for all Hague indictees

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Equal help to Hague indictees’ by P. K., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Equal rights’ by G. D. – The RS Government issued on Thursday the Decision on material assistance for persons from RS who are detained at the ICTY detention facility and for their families. The decision states that all detained persons have equal rights, regardless of whether they have surrendered voluntarily or they were arrested on basis of secret indictments. The decision will be in force as of January 1, 2006.

Political Developments/Reforms

CSS interview for SB: I was nominated for HR by German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Slobodna Bosna, pgs 30-34 ‘I was nominated for this duty by German Chancellor Angela Merkel’, by Snjezana Mulic – carries an interview with the next High Representative for BiH, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, in which he notes that the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, contributed a lot for his candidacy by nominating him for the post, however Schwarz-Schilling underlines that he lobbied for himself in world capitol cities where he presented his vision of the future role of the HR. Asked to present his future concept of work, Schwarz-Schilling says he is at the moment reluctant to do so because he plans to do it on February 1, 2006, when he is to take over the office in Sarajevo. Asked to comment on the constitutional changes, he argues it is not the issue whether the BiH Constitution needs changing, it is more of an issue how much the Constitution contributes to BiH becoming a part of the EU. “What the new constitution will look like, we shall see, but more changes reached by consensus means, it will be better for BiH”, says CSS. Questioned whether he will request the abolishment of the three ruling ‘nationalistic parties’, CSS says if parties work in accordance with democratic principles, they should not be abolished, adding that according to information at his disposal, there are no reasons to abolish any party. “However, now I will be ‘on the spot’, I’ll have direct information and will know how parties work and whether certain interventions are necessary”, added CSS. Finally, CSS denies he will be doing the HR’s job as a volunteer, saying he had been working for 10 years as a volunteer when he was the mediator for BiH. Inset ‘People who claim that genocide was not committed in BiH are dangerous’ carries CSS as saying that a genocide was committed in BiH and that people who claim the opposite are dangerous and are trying to change the history. On arrest of Karadzic and Mladic, inset ‘EU must not blackmail BiH over Karadzic and Mladic’ carries CSS as saying that it would be unfair if BiH was given a condition to arrest the two prior to joining the EU, claiming it is the task for all authorities of BiH, SCG and foreign intelligence.

DA interview with British Amb. Rycroft on SAA negotiations, constitutional changes talks

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash and pg 2 ‘Suspension of negotiations with EU possible’ by S. Numanovic carries an interview with British Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft who says that the negotiations on the SAA between BiH and the EC might be slowed down, stopped or even suspended if there was no progress with regard to full cooperation with the ICTY, police reform, application of the Law on Public RTV Service and building of the functional state. He also expressed a hope that these negotiations between Sarajevo and Brussels would be completed by November next year if the current cooperation continues. Talking about the constitutional changes talks Rycroft said that the progress was achieved in the area of human rights and the BiH CoM, while the progress with regard to the BiH Presidency has not been achieved yet. He added: ‘I believe that we are moving towards the agreement on one President with 2 Vice Presidents.’

US Ambassador McElhaney optimistic regarding the outcome of constitutional reform talks

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘BiH needs government that will spend money on citizens and not salaries of bureaucrats’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘One president the most optimal solution’, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘One president is optimum solution’, by D. P. Mandic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘McElhaney: Agreement on organization of BiH Presidency is possible’, by E. M., Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘McElhaney: I will push reaching of the agreement’ by M. Cubro and V. Popovic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Everything is on the table’ by Z. D. – Regardless to the fact that leaders of eight political parties were not able to reach agreement on BiH Presidency structure and the fact that it seems that they are even more determine to preserve their stances, U.S. Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney is optimistic and hopes that negotiations on constitutional reform will continue on January 3 and 4 2006. During the fourteen hours of negotiations leaders of RS Parties have emphasized that they are strongly against the establishment of one President, while SDA President Sulejman Tihic said that this is the best solution.  Ambassador McElhaney however stressed that it was good the political leaders have presented all of their various positions on the issue. McElhaney reiterated that one President would be the most optimal solution for BiH. “I believe that it is very important for BiH to have that one voice,” said McElhaney, stressing that all options are on the table and it is up to the parties to agree on them. When asked how long could this phase of negotiations last, Ambassador McElhaney said that politicians have set the deadline alone and that is March of the next year.

R. Gregorian: ‘It is important to prevent abuse of religion in Army’

Oslobodjenje pg 6, mentioned on cover ‘Soldiers should deal with Army and not religion’ by A. Prlenda – Explaining his statement given last week when he said that it is important to prevent abuse of religion in the Army former Co-chairman of the Defence Reform Commission Raffi Gregorian stated that during the discussion on the number of officers in charge of religious issues in the BiH armed forces there were proposals to have almost 50 people for this purpose on 10 000 soldiers which is too much. According to Gregorian, another problem are high-ranked officers practicing religion in uniforms and he added: ‘When a soldier sees a General at the religious service he might be afraid that he would be discriminated if he is of different religion…It should be clear that a new Army belongs to everyone in BiH regardless of religious affiliation.’

CoM discusses SIPA internal structure

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Tuzla determined as the fourth SIPA regional center’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘SIPA will conduct all security checks for future police officers’, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Tuzla is fourth regional seat of SIPA’, by Danka Polovina-Mandic, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Policemen will go to peace mission to Sudan’ by M. Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Tuzla too gets the office’ by Srna, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘SIPA is reorganizing’ by D. S. – At a session in Sarajevo on Thursday, the BiH Council of Ministers adopted amendments to the regulations on internal structure of SIPA. Ministry of Security is tasked to submit the report of a working group by next CoM session which will contain the proposal for SIPA’s permanent premises location. CoM also decided that the HQ of 4th SIPA regional centre is placed in Tuzla.

BiH HoP adopts draft laws on audit, pardons

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Law on Pardons adopted’, Dnevni Avaz pg 10, Dnevni List, pg 2, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Draft law on audit was adopted’ by Srna – BIH House of Peoples on Thursday adopted draft law on audit of BIH institutions. This proposal states that BIH Presidency is no longer competent to appoint the Chief auditor and his/her deputies. The draft also states that the auditors will be appointed for a period of 7 years without renewal. BIH HoP also adopted law on pardons.

FBiH Government adopts draft law on FBiH PBS

RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘IT was proposed that FTV be founded by FBiH Parliament’ – FBIH Government on Thursday adopted draft law on FTV public broadcasting service. According to this proposal FTV will have a status of public company founded by the FBiH Parliament. According to the draft law, FTV would be financed by collected RTV tax and marketing income.

Covic does not exclude possibility of sanctioning 16 HDZ representatives in state and FBiH Parliament

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Covic does not exclude possibility of sanctions’ by A. Avdic – President of HDZ Dragan Covic does not exclude possibility of sanctioning 16 HDZ representatives from the state and FBiH Parliament who demanded convening of an emergency HDZ Central Board session. Covic also said that those who signed this initiative partly violate the HDZ Statute. He added that by expelling 3 HDZ members a clear message was sent saying that they would not allow parallelism in the HDZ acting. Covic judged the initiative for convening the emergency session as an attempt of some people to improve their positions before preparation of the lists for coming general elections starts. According to Covic the emergency HDZ Central Board session would not take place by the end of this year. Covic also stated that that HDZ is not in crisis since recently signed Promemoria also did not influence considerably stability of the party. Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘I will fight that Zagreb does not interfere in our matters’, mentioned on cover ‘Zagreb should not interfere’ by E. Huremovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Different stances on endangering Croats are facing’ by J. Sarac carried a similar Covic’s statement.   

Relota: HDZ is not falling apart

Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘HDZ does not expect establishing of new party’, by Anja Vrebac – Commenting on the establishment of the ‘Parliamentary Coordination of HDZ’, an HDZ spokesman, Miso Relota, says one cannot be talking about the HDZ falling apart. He stresses that the HDZ President, Dragan Covic, is supported by all cantonal and municipal organizations of HDZ, except for two, reiterating the earlier claim that the HDZ has certain information that certain domestic and international political structures want to cause rifts within the HDZ, thus weaken the position of the Croat people and its representatives during the constitution reforms talks.

SD: Another rift within HDZ

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 23 ‘Conflicts within HDZ because of Law on inspections’, by V. V.  – SD notes that the issue of Law on Inspections (of FBiH) has caused newest rifts within the HDZ. Namely, HDZ MPs in the FBiH Parliament, who were outvoted in the Parliament (they contested the law because it decreases jurisdictions of cantonal inspections) announce they will contest the law with the Constitutional Court, whilst on the other hand the FBiH President, Niko Lozancic (HDZ), proclaimed the law a few days ago. SD also says it is worth noting that the FBiH Justice Minister, Borjana Kristo, also from the HDZ, was the proponent of the law.

PDP supports removal of RS Govt

RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘PDP delegates signed the initiative for removal of the Government’ by V. Popovic – PDP’s Nevenka Trifkovic confirmed that nine delegates of PDP at RS NA have signed the initiative of the SNSD to replace the RS Government. She said that support for the SNSD’s initiative “does not mean” going into a coalition with this party and “the most normal thing would be for the SNSD and SDS, who have the most seats in the RS NA, to form a government“. She said PDP supports the SNSD’s initiative, as the existing government does not have a majority in the Assembly. SNSD’s Krstan Simic, on the other hand, claims SNSD had not launched any initiative for removal of the Government as yet.

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Signatures for removal’ by Z. M., EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Ivanic offers nine votes’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – also reported

Economic/Social Affairs/Environment

FBiH HoP adopts FBiH 2006 Budget without amendments adopted by HoR

FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘FBiH 2006 Draft Budget adopted’, Dnevni Avaz pg 10, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ’50 amendments were submitted’ by R. Cengic – FBiH House of Peoples have additionally complicated the adoption of the budget for 2006,. The House on Thursday rejected all the 27 amendments, except one of administrative kind. These amendments have been rejected by FBiH Government but adopted by FBiH House of Representatives. FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic said it is possible FBiH would enter year of 2006 without having budget passed.

ITA’s Causevic: everything is prepared for VAT introduction

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Everything is prepared for VAT’ by Srna – ITA Director Kemal Causevic on Thursday told members of the Commission for Finances and Budget of BiH HoR that everything was prepared for the introduction of VAT as of January 1, 2006. The Commission members presented different stances with regard to non-adoption of changes to VAT Law, which foresee 0 VAT rate for basic groceries and print media. SDS and SDA representatives assessed a single VAT rate is the best solution while SNSD opposed such a stance.

Glas Srpske pg 6 ‘Too late for more rates’ by D. Vrhovac Mihajlovic, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Two VAT rates are not serious’ by M. S. – carry similar reports.

BiH trade unions propose six-month prolongation of VAT introduction

Pink, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘It would be good to prolong VAT by June’, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Million citizens in our country will be endangered’, by Erna Mackic, Nezavisne Novine pg 12 ‘They are asking for 300 million for social programs’ by M. Rener, EuroBlic pg RS5 ‘Biber: not much help from social programs’ by D. Stanisic – BiH Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU) representatives believe that the financial resources intended for social program to alleviate possible negative VAT consequences are insufficient. . BiH CTU thinks that the beginning of 2006 is therefore not the right time for VAT introduction, suggesting it’s prolongation till 1st of July 2006. Prices of basic consumer’s goods have already been raised, CTU Chair and Deputy Chair Cedo Volas and Edhem Biber told journalists ion Thursday, adding that only 1/12 of the tax income will be directed to the social programs.

Lasic says BiH should have introduced different VAT rates

Dnevni List, pg 49 ‘Basic groceries will go up by 17 percent’, by Zeljko Marijanovic – The Deputy President of FBiH Economic Chamber, Jago Lasic, underlines that the basic provisions such as bread, milk, cooking oil etc, which have been tax-free until now, will become more expensive by 17% as of January 1, 2006, arguing that BiH should have introduced several different rates of VAT and exempt certain goods, the way Croatia and SCG did it. Lasic reckons that BiH, in order to remedy the situation, should simply re-write the VAT laws and regulations from Croatia or SCG because the BiH economy is compatible to them.

DL op-ed criticizes BiH authorities over VAT law

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘We are in for bleak future!’, by Erna Mackic – The author is criticizing the BiH authorities on the eve of introduction of the VAT law, saying that the BiH politicians do not care about the poor in BiH, especially criticizing the decision to allocate additional 10 KMs to pensioners that get less than 200 KMs a month. Mackic’s message to the BiH authorities is to attract foreign investors, open jobs and make sure young people do not leave BiH.

Team for monitoring of prices after VAT introduction to be established

Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Team for monitoring of prices after introduction of VAT’ by D. R. – In order to prevent unjustified growth of prices and restricting the margin with the basic groceries following the introduction of VAT, the RS Government has tasked the Ministry of Trade and Tourism to form a team for monitoring the growth of prices following the introduction of VAT, as RS Minister of Finance Svetlana Cenic told a press conference after the Government session. The RS Government tasked the control bodies of market inspections to intensively control the appliance of existing regulations regarding the control of prices.

Bosanski Brod Refinery workers protested in front of RS Govt’s building

Nezavisne novine cover pg splash and pg 5 ‘They want work and salaries’ by R. Segrt – Employees of Bosanski Brod Oil Refinery held a protest in Banja Luka on Thursday and appealed on RS Government to enable the refinery’s work and pay debts toward the employees.

Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Ship [Brod] is sailing to an abyss’ by M. Milunovic, EuroBlic pg RS1 ‘Let us work’ by Tijana Veselinovic also reported on the issue.

Orahova citizens claim SFOR buried radioactive material in the area in 1997;

Experts from RS Institute for Protection of Health took soil samples

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘What did SFOR burry?’ by B. V. – Citizens of Orahova near Gradiska are afraid because of unknown source of increased radiation. Citizens claim Hungarian battalion of SFOR was present in the area in 1997 and they have buried some barrels in a piece of land and banned citizens from approaching the site while they were burying the barrels. Citizens claim vegetation does not grow on the site, which is the reason they believe the barrels contained radioactive material. The article also reports experts of the RS Institute for Protection of Health on Thursday took samples of soil for analysis and carries a statement of inspector of the Institute Milan Blanusa who says the examinations show the level of radiation in the area is higher than normal.

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘New samples of soil at analysis’ by G. Golub – also reports samples were taken.

RSNA: More money earmarked for return process and for delegates

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘More money for return and for delegates’ by D. R., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Not a mark without a cover’ by G. Dakic, EuroBlic pg RS4 ‘Same sum, only different package’ by Nedeljka Breberina – The RS Government defined on Thursday the Draft budget for 2006 in the amount of approximately 1 billion KM, which represents a nine percent rise in comparison to the 2005 Budget, as RS Minister of Finances Svetlana Cenic said. Cenic stated that regardless of whether the RS Draft budget is adopted at RS NA, due to uncertain parliamentary support to the Government, activities would not be halted on the introduction of VAT on January 1. Cenic stressed that the adoption of the FBiH Budget in the proposed framework is completely contrary to the agreement reached at the FBiH Fiscal Council and the stands harmonized with IMF, and added that the RS would behave responsible and respect the agreements reached at the level of the Fiscal Council. The Minister of Finance said that the qualitative and quantitative changes of the Draft budget for 2006 were made in the segment of domestic expenditures. Apart from domestic expenditures, the RS budget for 2006 will finance the BiH joint institutions with 95,5 million KM (21% more than in 2005) and servicing of the foreign debt in the amount of 109, 8 million KM.

RSNA: RS Chief Auditor’s mandate extended for 7 years

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Ceko’s mandate extended for seven years’ by D. R., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Ceko’s mandate was extended’ by G. D. – RS NA confirmed that the mandate of the RS Chief Auditor, Bosko Ceko, had been extended for seven years.

OHR expects from RS Govt to fulfil promises

Nezavisne novine pg 5 ‘OHR expects from RS Government to fulfill its promises’ by G. M., Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Promises under surveillance’ by M. Dz. – OHR Spokesperson Ljiljana Radetic stated on Thursday in Banja Luka that OHR expects RS Government would fulfill promises given to PDHR Lawrence Butler with regard to banking system and other measures necessary for European integrations. She reminded RS PM Pero Bukejlovic and Ministers of RS Government had supported the supervision of BiH banking system to be under BiH Central Bank.