OHR BiH Media Round-up, 29/10/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Declaration on position of Croats

Tihic meets NATO Parliament deleg.

BIH–Denmark police cooperation?

4 terrorists arrested in Denmark

RS meeting on SAA negotiator

HR on SDS account/Pecelj

NATO delegation in BIH

New prosecutors appointed

RS Gov’t payment to ICTY families

Radic appears in Livno Court

RS Government in session

BHT 1 speculates on new HR to BIH

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Danish terrorists linked to BiH?

Energopetrol update

HR dismisses Pecelj

Update on “Energopetrol”

HR removes Pecelj

HR allows part of SDS funds

HR removed Pecelj

Tihic on joining PfP

HR on renaming of public buildings

RS meeting on SAA negotiator

Ivanic on Chief SAA negotiator

RS Government session

Oslobodjenje

Arrested terrorists connected to terrorist plot in Sarajevo

Dnevni Avaz

America revives engagement in BiH (interview with Richard Holbrooke)

Dnevni List

Terrorists from Sarajevo arrested in Denmark!?

Vecernji List

Sarajevo connection of white Al-Qa’ida

Nezavisne Novine

They were planning terrorist attack in Sarajevo

Political Developments/Reforms

Negotiations on Chief Negotiator with EU to be held on Monday, Ivanic statement

FTV – RS President Dragan Cavic scheduled a meeting for Monday with RS PM Pero Bukejlovic, RS National Assembly Speaker Dusan Stojicic and leaders of five most influential RS parties. They will decide on the name of Chief BIH Negotiator in Stabilisation and Association Agreement negotiations. BIH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic stated that public mostly focused on the name of the negotiator and not on the BIH’s strategy during SAA negotiations. Ivanic said that the entire responsibility was not on the chief negotiator but on the political parties and their consensus on the strategy. He added that the negotiator must be supported by all institutions therefore the name of the negotiator is important but not crucial. On being asked whether he would like to be elected as the Chief Negotiator, Ivanic stated that being the BIH Minister of Foreign Affairs, he has already got a role in the negotiations. Pink – So far, strongest candidate for the position of chief negotiator seems to be Igor Davidovic, former BiH Ambassador in USA. Oslobodjenje, pg 6 ‘Majority of parties from RS support appointment of Davidovic’, by O. Vukovic – Notes that majority of parties from the RS believe it is Davidovic who would be the best man for the job. (meeting also announced on Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Consultations about negotiators’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine, pg 2 ‘Talks on negotiator with EU on Monday’, by V. P.)

Osmanovic (SDA): Chief Negotiator should be Bosniak

Dnevni Avaz, pg 9 ‘Terzic’s offer is not the party’s position’, by E. S. – According to SDA Vice President, Adil Osmanovic, the SDA believes that since the BiH Foreign Minister is a Serb, and BiH Ambassador to the EU is a Croat, a Bosniak should be the Chief Negotiator for the SAA talks. Osmanovic says that the BiH CoM Chairman, Adnan Terzic’s offer that the Chief Negotiator should be from the RS is not the position of the SDA or any of the party’s bodies.

Humphreys on SAA talks, BiH Constitution

RTRS – LATE NEWS UPDATE: Carries an Interview with Chief of EC delegation in BIH Michael Humphreys. Humphreys spoke about negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement and stated that BIH needs to appoint the Chief Negotiator and negotiating team as well as to prepare for official start of negotiations before the year ends. He added that there are more substantial obligations that BIH needs to complete during the SAA negotiations and they are completion of necessary reforms as well as adoption of necessary laws. When it comes to SAA negotiating team, Humphreys stated that it was entirely up to BIH authorities to choose the right people and added that he would not comment on the Chief Negotiator or members of the team. As far as constitutional changes are concerned Humphreys said that EU Enlargement Commissioner Oli Rehn stated that there was a need for change of BIH Constitution but wouldn’t precise the extent of the changes. Humphreys expressed hope that hopefully political parties would in time and through discussion reach a compromise regarding constitutional changes. He did say that the position of EC is that BIH needs to change in order to become more efficient. Humphreys stated that SAA negotiations would probably start on 12^th December and added that the date depended on the decision of Council of Europe. He also stated that he didn’t know how long the SAA negotiations would last and repeated that it depended on BIH authorities. At the end Humphreys concluded that BIH deserves to become a EU member but it can only become a member if it is able to meet the EU obligations.

Oslobodjenje, pg 28 ‘We want single positions in talks with BiH’, by Marina Kavaz-Sirucic – Carries an interview with Chief of EC delegation to BiH, Michael Humphreys, in which he talks about the SAA talks. Humphreys notes it is important that BiH during the SAA talks has single platform/position and that the RS or FBiH, or Croats, Serbs and Bosniaks do not have different positions. On connection between arrest of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic and completion of SAA talks, he says: “It is necessary for BiH to continue and prove full cooperation with The Hague Tribunal during the negotiations (…) If we reach end of negotiations, and the two are still at large, it will be very difficult for us to say that BiH is fully cooperating with The Hague”.

BiH Presidency with NATO delegation

Hayat – BiH Presidency member Sulejman Tihic, and representatives of Offices of BiH Presidency members Borislav Paravac and Ivo Miro Jovic met on Friday in Sarajevo with the delegation of NATO Parliament Assembly. They discussed the defence reform and police restructuring process. Tihic stated that for BiH, NATO membership was of strategic importance, however it would not be possible until all war crime indictees are arrested. Pink – Head of NATO delegation Karl Lamers stated that NATO was going to support BiH on its way to the Euro-Atlantic integration. (RHB, BHT, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘Reform to defence and police opens road to Europe’, not signed also report, Nezavisne Novine, pg 8 ‘Arrest of war crimes indictees in pre-requisite for NATO’, by M. C.)

Avaz interview: Holbrooke on advantages and disadvantages of DPA

Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash ‘America revives engagement in BiH’ and pg 5 ‘We shouldn’t have recognized Republika Srpska’, by Sead Numanovic – Carries an interview with ambassador Richard Holbrooke, the creator of the Dayton Peace Accord, in which he mostly talks about the pros and cons of the DPA. Asked about bad sides of the DPA, Holbrooke notes there are some mistakes within the DPA itself, however the biggest mistakes are related to failures to implement the DPA, foremost the fact that Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic are still at large. In that context, Holbrooke notes NATO refused to arrest Karadzic in 1996 when his Mercedes was parked in front of his office at Pale because the then (NATO) commander, an American admiral, refused to execute the order. “President Clinton later told me he considered it disobedience”, says Holbrooke. Furthermore, he says that when it comes to the implementation of the DPA, the SDS should have been banned and dissolved. Asked to comment about the fact that the RS got recognized, Holbrooke says:” I did not say it was the biggest mistake, it was a mistake to accept such a name. I do not oppose existence of a separate Serb entity within BiH the way you have provinces or states in the USA or Germany. My mistake was to agree to ‘republic’ in the name of the entity (…) Furthermore, we shouldn’t have allowed the existence of the institution of the RS President”. Inset ‘Ban SDS’ carries Holbrooke as saying the SDS is still a force that is trying to undermine the DPA, divide the country, the party which is still under control of the war criminal that is hiding somewhere in a monastery in the Balkans. “If Karadzic had been arrested, I would no advocate the banning of the SDS. However, it did not happen”, said Holbrooke.

DL: Hays to visit BiH to see what constitutional changes are acceptable to political leaders

Dnevni List, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘Sarajevo gets status of district’, by Ivica Glibusic – DL announces that the leader of project on making of a new BiH Constitution, Donald Hays , will be visiting BiH by November 10 in order to learn from BiH leaders what is the minimum of constitutional changes they are willing to agree to. DL notes there are several proposals of territorial organization of BiH that maintain the existence of the entities, and there is only one proposal that does not foresee the division into entities, instead the proposal is to divide BiH into four regions plus the Sarajevo district.

Neum gathering on position of Croats: Declaration wants establishment of three federal units in BiH

RHB – Science gathering dedicated to constitutional position of Croats in BIH ended in Neum. Conference ended with adoption of declaration. Part of declaration states that Croat people have the right to self-preservation, equality and political subjectivity in BIH. Declaration also states that Dayton Agreement has accomplished a lot when it comes to peace implementation in BIH but it has failed when it comes to internal BIH order. It further goes saying that in the past 10 years, 2 peoples have become dominant in the 2 entities defined by the DPA thus bringing the Croat people in the state of cultural and political non-equality. Therefore the declaration concludes that the internal order of BIH needs to be changed so BIH could become a stabile, self-sustainable and democratic state of equal people who enjoy full human rights. Dnevni List, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Declaration requests forming of third entity’, by Marko Karacic – The declaration also proposed a solution according to which BiH should be a community made of three federal units i.e. three republics. DL goes on to say that it has learned that the OHR is not opposing the formation of the third entity. Allegedly, DL was told by the OHR that domestic politicians should be the ones to agree about the third entity. (also reported by Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Sopta: Why not divide BiH!?’, by H)

RHB – Report by Mijo Kelava – Dr. Mladen Bevanda, the Chairman of Croat society for science and arts stated for HB radio that the declaration was made at the conference by 12 scientists and was adopted unanimously. He adds that the declaration describes the position of Croats in BIH and visions on how to overcome problems that Croats in BIH are facing. Bevanda says that the declaration contains the vision of BIH in accordance with wishes of all peoples in BIH. He also says that Croats will not give up on their channel in BIH and adds that Croats need to have everything what other 2 people in BIH have as well. Bevanda goes on to say that the declaration will be sent to members of the international community as well as all relevant political and social factors in BIH and adds that hopefully Serbs and Bosniaks will also accept the declaration and work together with Croats on its implementation.  

Oslobodjenje op-ed: Croats are indeed equal, HDZ leaders are ’too-equal’

Oslobodjenje, pg 9 ‘Of course Croats in BiH are – unequal’, by Mirko Sagolj – Commenting on the Neum gathering, Sagolj argues that majority of BiH Croats are indeed unequal because many of them have become poor and many of them were forces to leave their pre-war homes. Sagolj points the finger at the late Croatian president Franjo Tudjman and his sub-ordinates in BiH, and at the organizers of the gathering, which are according to Sagolj, Dragan Covic’s HDZ, saying it is exactly them, who are ‘too-equal’, who are complaining about the Croats’ inequality.

Oslobodjenje, NN op-eds: Nothing is really changing on BiH political scene

Oslobodjenje, pg 9 ‘At two tables’, by Gojko Beric – Commenting on the current political situation in BiH in light of start of SAA talks and forthcoming constitutional changes, Beric argues that the start of SAA talks will not improve the overall political climate in BiH, as evident in recent statements of Milorad Dodik (“either three republics or separation”), Cardinal Vinko Puljic (thesis about Croats being unequal in BiH) and Dragan Covic (that the current BiH Constitution is unacceptable to Croats). According to Beric, BiH will soon start living at ‘two tables’, the first one will be the talks with the EU about the SAA, the second one will discuss the constitutional changes, which is a ‘hot potato’ that nobody, even the IC, wants to take.

Nezavisne Novine, pg 7 ‘Subjects’, by Mirza Cubro – Similar like the op-ed in ‘Oslobodjenje’ (see above), the op-ed in NN says that nothing important will change in the BiH politics. Cubro argues that the biggest reform in BiH in 2005, the police reform, came to be only after some serious twisting of arms.

RHB editorial on constitutional changes in BiH

RHB – Report by Ivica Simunovic – This week’s commentary is dedicated to constitutional changes in BIH. Simunovic says that in a way BIH constitution has already been changed by EU through Venice Commission and Donald Hays’s team which works under supervision of Richard Holbrook. He says that their suggestion will probably be acceptable for Serbs and Bosniaks which will leave Croats to be exposed to pressure in order to accept it. Simunovic says that Croat parties in BIH should decisively say what they want but sadly they are not even saying what they don’t want. He adds that Croat politicians in BIH are insecure as well as not ready to firmly state their opinions. He also says that Croat parties are racing to see which one of them will be more modest in order to please international community. He concludes by saying that Croat parties will reach a consensus on the Constitution only after it is actually adopted which will of course give them a reason to complain about the position of Croats until a new change to the constitution is made and so on until there are no more Croats left in BIH.

HR Ashdown removed RS Education Minister Pecelj, reactions

RTRS – Report by Sandra Kalacanovic – HR Paddy Ashdown has dismissed RS Minister of Education and Culture Milovan Pecelj. OHR stated that Pecelj was dismissed since he ignored his responsibility regarding implementation of HR’s decision by which Radomir Lukic was to be dismissed from the position of Eastern Sarajevo Law Faculty Dean. Pecelj is also forbidden to perform any official, election or public duty as well as run for elections. Before HR’s decision was announced, a session of the Eastern Sarajevo University Council was held. It was stated that members of the Council are aware that HR’s decisions are obligatory but expressed fear that implementation of HR’s decision regarding Lukic’s dismissal endangers the autonomy of the University. Chair of student association Jovan Bunjavcevic stated that Lukic’s dismissal is out of the question and added that Lukic has full support of the students. OHR stressed that the autonomy of the University does not mean that University members can violate the law. Reporter comments that Pecelj was present at the session but wouldn’t make any statements and adds that he was also unavailable after the decision on his dismissal was announced. (Hayat, FTV, Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘Ashdown removed Minister Pecelj’, by N. D., Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Blockade of SDS’ funds partially annulled, minister removed’, by NINA, Nezavisne Novine, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Ashdown removed Pecelj’, by G. Maunaga report on HR’s decision)

Ashdown partially lifts freeze of SDS’ funds

RTRS, FTV, BHT, Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘Blockade of funds of SDS partially lifted’, not signed, Dnevni Avaz, pg 10 ‘ Ashdown partially abolishes ban of financing of SDS’, not signed, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Blockade of SDS’ funds partially annulled, minister removed’, by NINA, Nezavisne Novine, pg 2 ‘SDS’ money partially deblocked’, by V. P. – HR Paddy Ashdown has made a decision that partly abolishes the blockade of public funds paid to SDS. OHR stated that this decision would be implemented as of 1^st October 2005 and warned that it will also be cancelled if HR sees any evidence that SDS funds are being used for help to ICTY indictees.

HR Ashdown issues Decision on naming of public institutions

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘Changes to names of public facilities will be approved by Council of Ministers’, not signed – HR Paddy Ashdown made a decision that defines legal procedure that has to be respected when renaming public buildings in BIH that have an international or inter-entity character. OHR stated that the proposal on a new name of a building or an institution will have to be submitted to Council of Ministers for approval.

Dailies, BHT report Schwartz-Schilling to become new HR

BHT – Presenter stated that BHT 1 found out from domestic and international sources that the new High Representative for BIH would be Christian Schwarz Schilling (from Germany). Dnevni Avaz, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Christain Schwartz Schilling will be new High Representative’, by S. Numanovic – Learns from a ‘senior diplomat’ that the German Chancellor Angela Merkel decided to nominate Schwartz-Schilling. Avaz also reports that Germany forwarded the nomination to the OHR on Friday via its embassy in Sarajevo. Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘New High Representative from Germany after all’, not signed – According to information close to the (BiH) CoM, the next HR will come from Germany. Nezavisne Novine, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘Christian Scwartz-Schilling is most serious candidate’, by M. Cubro learns similar information from ‘an international community official in BiH’.

Oslobodjenje, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Who will succeed Ashdown?’, by A. O. – Notes that neither an OHR spokesman, Mario Brkic , or officials of EU embassies (in BiH) could not confirm how many candidates applied for the post. Oslobodjenje notes that Germany is interested in having a German HR, however the daily learns from diplomatic circles that Germany has not submitted its candidate by Thursday.

RS Govt session

Pink – Dragica Tojagic – At the session held on Friday, RS Government decided to demand dismissal of RS Attorney Stefan Todorovic, because he failed to submit appeal to court decision on payment of compensation to Hypo-Alpe-Adria Bank (6 million KMs).  RS Government discussed the report on cooperation with ICTY, concluding that the cooperation with ICTY has been intensified in past months. RS Government also decided to pay 280.000 KM to families of 11 ICTY indictees who have surrendered to ICTY. The Government adopted the proposal of Agriculture Development Strategy until 2015. RS Minister for Agriculture Goran Perkovic stated that the Strategy included all important steps for further development of agriculture. (also reported by BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘300.000 KMs for families of The Hague indictees’, by O. V., Dnevni Avaz, pg 9 ‘Fmilies of The Hague indictees to get 300.000 KMs’, by Fena, Nezavisne Novine, pg 2 ‘RS Government requests removal of Attorney Todorovic’, by D. Risojevic, and pg 3 ‘Families of The Hague indictees to get 300.000 KMs’, by D. R.)

Update to BiH CoM’s decision to transfer 1,1 million KMs to BHT1 and BH Radio from RAK’s funds

Pink – Aida Hasanbegovic – BiH Council of Ministers decided to transfer the surplus profit of Communications Regulatory Agency (RAK) to the accounts of BHT1 and BH Radio. This money should be used for financing of satellite broadcasting of BHT1 and BH Radio.  However, the RAK doesn’t agree with this decision, claiming that it represents a violation of RAK’s regulations. Therefore, the RAK requested annulling of this decision. At the next session, BiH CoM is going to discuss the appeal of RAK. RAK Director Kemal Huseinovic believes that CoM is going to annul the decision. BiH Minister for Foreign Trade Dragan Doko stated that CoM’s decision doesn’t have any negative influence on independence of the RAK. Association of Electronic Media also objected the decision of CoM, claiming that it directly influences the independent work of the RAK. BHT – BiH CoM denied Huseinovic’s allegations. BiH CoM stated that the BiH CoM has rejected the RAK’s request to annul their decision.

HR Ashdown meets leaders of PBS

FTV – High Representative Paddy Ashdown met with Heads of Unions and Directors of Public Broadcasting Services on Friday. They discussed the recently adopted law on Public Broadcasting System. FTV found out that the meeting resulted in decision to sign new contract with Telecom companies in BIH that will include dunning PBS taxes on their dunning notices.  The talks on PBS law implementation will be continued. BHT – HR supported the proposal to increase the PBS tax.

Krajina (HDZ) elected new mayor of Gornji Vakuf/Uskoplje

RHB, BHT, Oslobodjenje, pg 8 ‘Marinko Krajina is head of municipality’, by Onasa – BIH Election Commission has announced that according to available results the new head of Gornji Vakuf/Uskoplje municipality is Marinko Krajina (HDZ).

Security, Investigations, Judicial Issues

Danish police arrest 4 terrorist suspects, connections with arrest in Sarajevo from other day

BHT – By Boris Grubesic – Danish police arrested four men suspected of terrorism. Reporter notes that Danish police issued a report that the recent arrests of possible terrorists in Denmark were results of the cooperation of Danish police with one Balkans state that has recently arrested several suspects connected to the terrorist organisation. Reporter stated that the only country in the region that has arrested several suspects and that has seized a large amount of explosive is BIH. Reporter than reiterated that 4 persons were arrested on the charges that they have planned terrorist attacks. Hayat – FBIH Police Spokesman Robert Cvrtak refused to say if the arrest of three persons in Sarajevo from the other day was connected to the arrest in Denmark, however he confirmed that FBiH Ministry of Interior is cooperating with foreign investigators. Oslobodjenje, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Arrested terrorists connected to terrorist plot in Sarajevo’, by A. Omeragic – According to a Danish police official, Joern Bro, the 4 arrested persons are connected to terrorist plot that was discovered in Sarajevo last week. Swedish media say that the target of the terrorist attack was either the US or UK embassy in BiH, however Danish police officials believe the target was in Denmark, however they are not certain about it. Bro adds that two out of four suspects had connections with the Swedish citizens, who was recently arrested in Sarajevo. Spokeswoman of BiH Prosecution, Edita Pejovic, could not comment on the issue because of the ongoing investigation.

 (RHB, FTV, Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘Arrests connected to investigation in BiH’, by S. T. also report, Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 4 ‘Terrorists from Sarajevo arrested in Denmark!?’, by D. Kozina, Vecernji List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Sarajevo connection of white Al-Qa’ida’, by Robert Soldo, Nezavisne Novine, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘They were planning terrorist attack in Sarajevo’, by D. Raduski, D. Muminovic)

RS Army’s warehouse broken into: Detonators stolen

Dnevni Avaz, pg 22, mentioned on front ‘Tons of dangerous materials stolen’, by E. Halac – The police at Pale received a report on Wednesday that a warehouse of the RS Army at Jahorinski Potok near Pale got broken into. According to RS MoI spokesman, Radovan Pejic, a certain amount of detonators got stolen. Avaz says the rumours are the dangerous materials got stolen long before the report was made on Wednesday, and some people even connect it to the arrest of three terrorist suspects in Sarajevo from the other day. According to Avaz’s unofficial information, investigators are looking into this possibility.

Prosecutor Sljivar launches investigation into ‘Energopetrol’ affairs

BHT, FTV, Dnevni Avaz, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Prosecutor Sljivar launches investigation on ‘Energopetrol’, by M. K., Nezavisne Novine, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘Prosecution of Canton Sarajevo checking sale of ‘Energopetrol’’, by M. Rener – Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecution stated that Chief Cantonal Prosecutor Branko Sljivar demanded an investigation of the (FBiH Government’s) decision on choosing INA-MOL consortium for the strategic partners in co-capitalization of Energopetrol company. Presenter stated that the Consortium sent another offer demanding the control over “Marshal” hotel at BjelasnicaMountain and FBiH Terminals despite previous agreement of these facilities not being a part of the deal. Hayat – According to Dnevni avaz, FBiH Minister for Energy Izet Zigic asked FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic and FBIH Minister for Finance Dragan Vrankic to submit a detailed report on new requests of INA/Mol and annulling of co-capitalisation contract. FBiH Government will discuss the “Energopetrol” privatisation again on Monday, and submit its conclusions to FBiH House of Representatives. Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘What is INA/MOL denying, and what the consortium has written to Zutic’, by M. Kukan – INA/MOL denies it has sent the offer regarding take-over of ‘Hotel Marsal’ and FBIH Terminals, however Avaz claims to be in possession of a letter that the consortium has sent to the FBiH Privatization Agency, which, according to Avaz, prove that the consortium is interested in the hotel and terminals.

Croatian Prosecution received documentation of ‘Hercegovacka bank’ case from BiH Prosecution

Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘Pajic submitted with part of documentation’, by S. T., Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Croatia opens investigation against Ante Jelavic and generals!?’, by E. Mackic, N. Dedic, Nezavisne Novine, pg 8 ‘BiH Prosecution gives Croatia information’, by A. Durmo – BiH Prosecution submitted a part of documentation on the ‘Hercegovacka bank’ case to Croatian Prosecution, for purposes of possible additional investigation on illegal transactions of funds donated by Croatia to HVO. BiH Prosecution’s John McNair announced further cooperation with Croatian Prosecution.

FTV on sale of ‘Magros’ company in Sarajevo : OHR interested in the case

FTV – By Sanjin Beciragic – Presenter stated that the real drama was ongoing at the (Sarajevo) Cantonal Agency for Privatisation regarding the issue of Magros company. Report features the last year’s offer by the ‘Importanne’ company from Zagreb to buy Magros for 120 million KMs, which was easily rejected. Report featured the statements of the Head of Cantonal Agency for Privatisation Rifet Djogic who stated that Agency had to check the validity of the information and respect the process of privatisation. The reporter stated that now, some other company has offered 117 million KM for Magros. Sarajevo Canton PM Denis Zvizdic stated that Canton wants an elite business centre on the place of Magros adding that the process of privatisation is being lead by Agency. Reporter ironically noted that Agency would now have hands full of this issue since they got OHR’s attention regarding Magros privatisation. The reporter added that BIH Investigation Agencies should determine who made profit on the price difference of 7 million KMs.

5 new prosecutors appointed

Pink, Hayat, Oslobodjenje, pg 6 ‘Five prosecutors appointed’, by Onasa, Dnevni Avaz, pg 11 ‘Five prosecutors appointed’, by Onasa, Nezavisne Novine, pg 10 ‘Five prosecutors appointed’, by Srna – High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council appointed five new prosecutors, among them also British prosecutor Peter King Alcock, who has been appointed upon decision of the High Representative. Other new appointed prosecutors are Jasmina Causevic, Emsud Muhadzic, Mehmedialija Huesinovic and Adina Selimovic. BHT – Reporter featured Alcock’s biography. Alcock had served in Zimbabwe and Kosovo before he came to BIH.

Economy

Economic Conference starts in Sarajevo

Pink – Aida Doric – Three-day international conference “BiH and Social-Market Economy in 21^st Century” started in Sarajevo on Friday. The conference should encourage the authorities to adopt new laws that will create a better business environment for small and middle-sized businesses.  Chair of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic stated that social care was responsibility of local authorities, adding that BiH should take advices from other, more developed countries regarding this issue. The conference will deal with economic development of BiH in regional concept, economic practice in BiH, problems of globalisation and support for small and middle-sized businesses. (RHB, BHT, RTRS also report)

Terzic and Hadzipasic on VAT consequences

FTV, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘130 million KMs from budget for endangered people’, not signed – Chairman of BIH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic met with FBIH Prime Minister Ahmed Hadzipasic to discuss the FBIH’s programme on protection of socially-endangered people after the introduction of Value Added Tax. FBIH Government planned to give 130 million KMs for this programme.

Terzic to try to exempt publishing from VAT

Oslobodjenje, pgs 4-5, mentioned on front ‘Terzic promised publishing will be exempt from VAT’, by V. Zivak-Faladzic – During the meeting with the Association of publishers of newspapers and magazines held on Friday, the Chairman of BiH VoM, Adnan Terzic, promised he would do everything to exempt the publishers from the VAT. Terzic explains: “…It is obvious the VAT will have a bad affect on the publishers and we will have to think about exempting the publishers from the VAT…There are chances to exempt the publishers from the VAT”. (also reported by Dnevni Avaz, pg 10 ‘Terzic promised help in solving problems that will appear because of VAT’, by Onasa, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Terzic willing to solve problems of publishers’, by M. Zorlak, Nezavisne Novine, pg 11 ‘Publishing should be exempt from VAT’, by M. Cubro)

BiH Fiscal Council takes decision of budget

RTRS – BIH Fiscal council reached a decision on defining a primary budget surplus at BIH level as well as ways of distribution between state and entity levels.

Miscellaneous

Decertified police officers postpone protests for time being

RTRS – Report by Zorica Rulj – Decertified policemen feel that the position of Venice Commission regarding their dismissal is positive. Venice Commission feels that UN should re-examine every individual case of decertification. They have given up on the announced protests but stressed that they will pursue their rights event to human rights court in Strasburg if necessary. Report features decertified policeman Zoran Bijelic who is pleased with the decision of Venice Commission. Decertified policemen are expecting solution for their current positions from UN. They also warned that their patience is running out since they are living on border of existence for the past 2.5 years. (also in Nezavisne Novine, g 14 ‘Strike of decertified police officers postponed’, by M. Cubro)

Reis Ceric: FTV spreads fear among Muslims in BiH

Oslobodjenje, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘RTV FBiH spreads fear among Muslims’, by MINA, Dnevni Avaz, pg 4 ‘FTV spreads fear among Muslims in BiH on Monday’, not signed –According to MINA agency, the Reis-ul-Ulema Mutafa Ceric stated during the sermon at the ‘Begova’ mosque in Sarajevo on Friday that the FTV (Federation of BiH Television) persisted in its harassment of Muslims during the month of Ramadan. According to Ceric, it is about a TV show that is aired on Monday, especially the last show from October 24, in which the Bosnian Muslims are connected to international terrorist network.