OHR BiH Media Round-up, 30/9/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

BiH HoR on defence laws

BiH HoR in session

Matijasevic’s letter to HR Ashdown

RS expected to declare on police

New victims of bombs inIraq

Bukejlovic in mtg on police reform

Matijasevic’s letter to Ashdown

Weather

BiH HoR in session on defence

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

RS politicians meeting in Liplje

Stankovic before BiH Court

Stankovic transferred to BiH

First ICTY indictee before BiH Court

Del Ponte on Karadzic and Mladic

Del Ponte in Belgrade on Thursday

No support to BiH CoM by SDS

OHR on Srebrenica Working Group

Del Ponte in Zagreb on Friday

OHR expects SDS proposal

SDS withdrawn support to CoM

EU Ambassadors on EU enlargement

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Explosion in Sarajevo

Stankovic transferred to BiH

SDS withdrawn support to CoM

Stankovic before BiH Court

Del Ponte in Belgrade on Thursday

RS politicians meeting in Liplje

Kreso on ICTY transfer

Indictment against Kemal Ademovic

Police reform proposal deadline

Del Ponte in Belgrade

Solana’s spokesperson on BiH, SAA

20 RS MoI employees blacklisted

Oslobodjenje

Stankovic transferred from The Hague to Sarajevo

Dnevni Avaz

BiH is in jeopardy of transit terrorism – NATO’s Weber

Dnevni List

Honourable departure from Europe (Siroki Brijeg in UEFA Cup)

Vecernji List

Water from taps in Grude has worms

Slobodna Dalmacija

Highway will destroy 200 houses (Croats of Zepce protest against itinerary of Vc)

Glas Srpske

He has a house on a paper [feature story on a person facing property return problems in Sarajevo]

Nezavisne Novine

Close to the solution (Liplje meeting)

Blic

Suicide in the center of Prijedor[Vukasin Slijepcevic (54) committed suicide

Vecernje Novosti

Features Serbia related headlines

Srpski Naciona

Features Serbia related headlines

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

SNSD’s Dodik says nothing was agreed in Liplje monastery

FENA – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated late last night that representatives of RS parties had not reached a concrete agreement regarding RS’ role in the police reform at the meeting in Liplje monastery near Teslic. Dodik reiterated that SNSD accepted three European principles for police reform in BiH, and that they should be promoted in their initial version. 

SPRS leader Djokic says RSNA should accept EU principles on police reforms

RS Radio, SRNA – Petar Djokic, SP RS President, told SRNA news agency that the only way-out from currently complicated situation in RS and BiH is to hold RS NA session and make decision on acceptance of three EC principles on police reform. Djokic said that the decision should only describe those principles and nothing beyond that. “It should not be added that reform must be in line with the Constitution or anything like that since this is something that should not be disputable”, Djokic said. Djokic is convinced that such a solution might be sufficiently acceptable even for OHR, as well as for EC, RS and BiH. He added that passage of such a decision by RSNA would allow BiH start talks on SAA , which will surely last for several years. “In that time frame police reform can be carried out in accordance with the European principles,” said Djokic. Otherwise, according to Djokic, BiH will fall into an even deeper crisis. Djokic said he would not attend a meeting on police reform scheduled for Friday in Banja Luka since the meeting is senseless following Thursday’s meeting in Liplje, where PM Pero Bukejlovic had an opportunity to hear all the relevant RS political parties’ positions on the issue.

Matijasevic sent letter to HR Ashdown

BH Radio 1, RS Radio, RHB – RS Interior Minister, Darko Matijasevic, sent a letter to the HR Paddy Ashdown expressing his regret that the press conference held by the RS Interior Ministry on 9 September presenting the investigations lead on was crimes committed against Serbs has been viewed as political move. He denied there was any political background in the reasons to hold the press conference.

BiH HoR discusses defense laws

BH Radio 1 Jasenko Krehic, RS Radio, RHB – BiH House of Representatives has commenced the session this morning, and the main agenda item is the discussion of the amendments to the BiH Defence Law and its subsequent adoption. However, reporter noted that the HoR has been in recess since the 9am waiting for the BiH Presidency decision on the coat of arms and symbols for the infantry regiments. 

FBiH Vice-president Dzihanovic meets Austrian Ambassador Almhofer

BH Radio 1 – FBiH Vice President Sahbaz Dzihanovic met with the Austrian Ambassador in BiH Werner Almhofer.They concluded that the implementation of the constitutional reform is the key to solving the current situation in BiH. Dzihanovic introduced the Ambassador with the platform for the new BiH Constitution.

War Crimes

NATO Commander: We suspect ten persons are linked with terrorism

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘BiH is in jeopardy of transit terrorism’, pg 5 ‘We suspect ten persons are linked with terrorism’ by Sead Numanovic – In a first interview to a BiH media, Lewis Weber, NATO Commander in BiH, says that Radovan Karadzic and Ante Gotovina are occasionally coming to BiH. The interview speaks of NATO plans for the enxt year, assistance to sacked officers during defence reform, hunt of war crime suspects and terrorist danger over BiH and the region. He is not aware of details of plans of assistance, which would be offered to sacked officers. On terrorism, he notes “there are no threats against people of BiH, BiH itself or international community. However, a threat exists from terrorist activities going through BiH. SBS is doing an excellent job, however the question is whether there are institutions or infrastructures in BiH that would be following up on activities of organized crime and terrorism in desired form?” In regard to this, he adds there are about ten persons and some organizations NATO is interested in, noting NATO is aware of some activities and some centres, without revealing details of any. 

War crimes indictee Stankovic transferred to BiH

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘Stankovic transferred from The Hague to Sarajevo’, Dnevni Avaz pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Stankovic in Court of BiH’s prison’, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Radovan Stankovic transferred to Sarajevo’, by NINA, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Stankovic to be tried in BiH’, by Valentina Rupcic, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘First case was taken over’ and pg 2 ‘First case from the Hague was taken over’ by A. Durmo- The Hague indictee Radovan Stankovic has been transferred from the ICTY detention unit to BiH, to stand trial before the Court of BiH in Sarajevo. He was taken over at approximately 14,00 hrs by the Court Police at the SarajevoAirport and transported to the detention unit of the Court of BiH. “He has been already brought before the Preliminary Proceedings Judge in this case Dragomir Vukoja”, added Court of BiH President Meddzida Kreso. Stankovic is indicted for enslaving and multiple raping of Bosniak women and girls in Foca. Many female witnesses in this case will be subjected to the same measures of protection as if they were testifying before the Hague Tribunal, said Chief Prosecutor in BiH Marinko Jurcevic. The Prosecutor’s Office has 40 days to adjust the indictment against Stankovic to BiH process laws; Stankovic defence attorneys have already announced that they will complain about the indictment, because they want their client to be processed according to the laws of former Yugoslavia.

Deadline given to Srebrenica TF expires today

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Report in front of Government today’ by D.Risojevic – On the eve of expiration of deadline given to Srebrenica Task Force (to hand Report), the RS Defene Ministry Thursday submitted a list of all members of military units that had taken part in seizure of former UN enclave, confirmed Milolovan Stankovic, RS Defence Minister. The Report is expected to be include in agenda of today’s session of RS Government.

EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘The Government on Srebrenica names today’ not signed also reported on the issue.

OHR expects Srebrenica Task Force to complete its job by Sept 30

Pink, BHT, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Srebrenica Task Force report to be submitted today’ – OHR Spokesperson Ljiljana Radetic stated that OHR wants Working Group for Srebrenica to finish its job successfully till September 30 and that RS Government was bearing full responsibility for meeting the deadline. Radetc stated that work of this Group depends on RS Government, due to which RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic will be held responsible for any possible failure.

Del Ponte called on Serbian authorities to arrest Hague indictee Ratko Mladic by Dayton anniversary

BHT, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Apprehension of Mladic in November’, Dnevni Avaz pg 22, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 7 ‘Ratko Mladic has to go to The Hague by December’, by Tatjana Tagirov, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘December is the deadline for Mladic’ by Agencies, EuroBlic pg 2 ‘New deadline for Mladic’ not signed, Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘Mladic in the Hague before the Dayton’ by P. Vasiljevic – During her visit to Belgrade, Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte once again called on Serbian authorities to arrest Hague indictee Ratko Mladic. The new deadline for Mladic’s apprehension is December 2005. Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica stressed that Belgrade will do its utmost to fully cooperate with the Hague Tribunal. According to BHT reporter, neither Del Ponte nor Kostunica have mentioned the October 5, although Chief ICTY Prosecutor stated few days ago that she is going to Belgrade to check whether Serbian authorities will extradite Mladic until that day or not. “I expected Mladic to be transferred to the Hague before the tenth anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre on July 11th. Now, we have another deadline, and that is the anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement in December”, said Del Ponte after meeting with Kostunica. Although Mladic’s apprehension was not the condition for beginning of the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, it is pretty clear that it will be condition for the next Serbian step towards European integrations. Del Ponte however said he was very satisfied with ICTY cooperation with SCG in the past year since some 20 ICTY indictee had been transported to The Hague in the period.

Advisor to Serbian President: Serbia needs BiH’s help to arrest Mladic

Dnevni List, pg 20 ‘Serbia needs help from BiH to extradite Mladic’, not signed – According to Jovan Simic, an advisor to the Serbian President, available information say that general Ratko Mladic is moving from one country into another, therefore there needs to be a regional cooperation with BiH too in order to do something about the issue.

Karadzic in Serbia?

Srpski Nacional pg 8 ‘They are searching for Karadzic in Serbia ’ not signed – UN Prosecutors are have stated it was found out Radovan Karadzic was transferred from Bosnia to Serbia during the war.

Footage of Ashdown on Kosovo was played during Milosevic’s trial; OHR reaction

Nezavisne Novine pg 6, announced on cover ‘A footage of Ashdown with weapons was played’ by Beta – Slobodan Milosevic on Thursday played a footage of Paddy Ashdown inspecting weapons that members of OVK, as well as Albanian citizens, showed to him during his visit to Kosovo. NN also printed several photos extracted from the footage. Inset ‘OHR: Ashdown’s diaries are not secret’ – carries a reaction of OHR saying the context in which this video was taken is described in Paddy Ashdown’s diaries, on page 286. The video was taken on September 28, 1998, during a visit Lord Ashdown made to several villages near the Suva Reka valley. The weapons shown in the video were weapons that had been collected by the Albanian villagers in order to hand them over to the Serb military and were beyond use. The diaries are published and therefore in the public domain.

RTRS, RHB, Srpski Nacional pg 4 ‘Footage of Ashdown with weapons in Kosovo was played’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Milosevic expands ‘indictment’ against Paddy Ashdown’, Dnevni List, pg 21 ‘Milosevic shows recording of Ashdown with arms from Kosovo’, by Tanjug, Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Milosevic compromising Ashdown’, by H, Slobodna Dalmacija, bak pg ‘ICTY: Milosevic compromising witness Paddy ashdown’, by Halso reported on the issue.

Political Developments/Reforms

Top RS politicians, Serb Orthodox Church representatives discuss police reform, constitutional changes at Liplje Monastery near Teslic

RHB, BHT, Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Meeting of RS political, religious leaders’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Meeting of priests and politicians from RS’, by not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Meeting of RS officials in Liplje monastery’ by V. Popovic, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Leading politicians of Srpska are expecting help from the Church as well’ by G. D., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Harmony in sight’ by Srna – The highest officials of the Serb Orthodox Church and representatives of RS political parties held a meeting on key political issues/reforms at Liplje monastery near Teslic on Thursday. The meeting was attended by the Metropolitan Dabrobosanski, Nikolaj, the Bishop of Banjaluka, Jefrem, and the Bishop of Bihac-Petrovac, Hrizostom. It was attended by RS and SDS president Dragan Cavic, the speaker of the RS Parliament, Dusan Stojicic, premier Pero Bukejlovic, BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac, SNSD president Milorad Dodik, SRS president Milanko Mihajlica, PDP president Mladen Ivanic and PDP official Goran Milojevic. Those taking part at the meeting also included RS Socialist Party president Petar Djokic, Democratic National Party president Hadzi Jovan Mitrovic, SRS-Vojislav Seselj representative Predrag Markocevic and RS police minister Darko Matijasevic.

BiH Presidency member Paravac says RS politicians close to police reform solution

BHT, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘We are close to the solution’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Paravac: Position on police reform could be defined today’ – BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac said that he expects that RS’ position on police reform that will satisfy the EU principles will be defined as soon as on Friday. Paravac told reporters that Thursday’s meeting of the highest officials of the Serb Orthodox Church and representatives of RS political parties, held at Liplje monastery near Teslic, showed that the solution to police reform is near, adding that there will be new moments. He stressed that all the parties demonstrated a united position on police reform and that the only issue is how to implement police reform. Paravac said that the meeting also dealt with the upcoming reform of the BiH Constitution. “We reviewed all aspects, trying to reach a united position, for these are key reforms concerning RS,” stressed Paravac adding that the debate on constitutional reform will last until the end of the year and that RS’ existence can not be brought into question. He added that the meeting also dealt with the BiH Council of Ministers, noting that the SDS no longer support this institution. “There are problems, and we feel that the Council no longer functions as it should. We also hope to take a position on this,” said Paravac. He said they would also meet tomorrow in Banjaluka. SNSD president Milorad Dodik told reporters that he agrees with the three EU principles on police reform, but only if their enforcement does not threaten RS interests.

DL: Meeting of Serb politicians at monastery is ‘fishy’

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Time for changes’, by Sanja Bjelica – Commenting on the current situation in BiH, Bjelica says the 10th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accord was supposed to be about ‘big things’, when BiH was to sum up all it has achieved in past ten years. Instead, the crisis shows that the ruling parties are not capable of acting together. As for the meeting of the Serb politicians in the Liplje monastery near Teslic, Bjelica says that there is something fishy about it, arguing that joining ranks on ground of nationality can only bring new divisions.

Oslobodjenje: SDS, PDP and SNSD will attend meeting with Bukejlovic to discuss police

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Police reform should not be rejected’ by O. Vukovic – Daily writes that the leaders of the three main political parties – SDS , PDP and SNSD – will mostly likely all appear at Friday meeting requested by the RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic to discuss the police reform. SDS spokesperson for political affairs, Stanko Pivasevic, commented nobody refused to attend and added that Dragan Cavic is also expected to be present. PDP leader, Mladen Ivanic, confirmed his arrival to the consultations adding that the RS Government must present its proposal if the meeting is to be successful. Ivanic added that the PDP has it own proposal, but will not reveal it until it is obvious whether the RS Govt’s proposal can win support. SNSD leader, Milorad Dodik, reiterated his stances under which police reform is acceptable, but not proposal by the Police Reform Commission [Martens plan]. In an invitation to leaders for consultations, Bukejlovic stressed that the Government is fully aware its responsibility in the reform, thus the meeting would only be a matter of assisting to find solutions.

RTRS, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Bukejlovic calls for last discussion’, by A. Macanovic also announced today’s meeting on police reform in Banja Luka .

OHR: IC united in determination to see RS police reform proposal that meets EU principles

RHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Three European principles and that is it’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘The sooner the better’ by D. T. – “The IC stands united in its determination to see an agreement on police reform that meets the EU’s three principles adopted. The sooner the SDS presents a proposal that meets the EC’s principles, the sooner negotiations on an SAA can begin.” stated OHR Spokesperson, Ljiljana Radetic.

DA: EU Council to say SAA negotiations with BIH possible by end of year 

Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Negotiations with BiH possible by the end of year’ by S. N. – DA learns that the EU Council will stated on Monday that the negotiations on the Stabilization and Association Agreement with BiH could start before the end of this year if three EC principles on police rare accepted. DA adds that the proposed conclusions of the EU Council [which is to meet in Luxembourg next week] state that “EU is ready to start negotiations as soon as possible” under condition of reaching an agreement on police. Council also expressed its disappointment with the RS National Assembly conclusions on police reform “and expresses regret that because of this the SAA negotiations cannot start before the 10th anniversary of the DPA.” The conclusions once again underlined importance of 3 police principles in details. At the same time, it recommends the EC to commence with SAA negotiations with SCG as soon as possible.  

BHT, Hayat, FTV – Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union member countries will conclude on Monday’s session in Luxembourg that BiH could start the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU until the end of the year, but only if there is a progress in the field of police reform, stated EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana’s Spokesperson Christina Gallach.

Cavic on SDS’ situation, HR, CoM

Hayat By Nebojsa Radulovic- RS President and President of SDS Dragan Cavic stated that for time being he will not ask for withdrawal of SDS from BiH government, stressing that latest decisions of High Representative Paddy Ashdown have implicitly banned SDS , being that its work is disabled and that SDS will not be able to participate in next elections. “In these financial limitations, SDS will not be able to participate in next elections, not because it was formally banned, but because it will not be in possibility to perform obligations from the Election Law and to register for elections”, stated Cavic. Cavic stated that this is a case of political retribution, which is violating all human rights’ declarations, stressing that reason for this the fact that police reform wasn’t accepted, adding that they are asking only for things that are regulated by DPA. “Naturally that solution has to be realistic, politically defined and defined by the composition that it is politically digestible and in the frame of the realistic ambient and of DPA frames, which are something we live in”, stated Cavic. Cavic added that they are not asking for support of SDA and HDZ, adding that their stances on HR’s measures is defeating and time will show that these parties will also fall into disfavour of the HR, stressing that they are creating addictive cult out of the HR. “If SDA and HDZ and all other parties, think that this is a future of this country and that only should be recognized as a fact, because it happened to someone else… well their turn will come, everyone will, because all of us together in this country have created an addiction cult out of the HR. It seems that in this country you have to listen to the HR in order to be successful politician, even when he is wrong. He is horribly wrong with these measures and not only that, but he is destroying basic principles of the EU”, stated Cavic. 

RS Constitutional Court rejected demand of Bosniak Caucus on raising VNI re police reform conclusions

Pink, BHT, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘The Court cannot consider a political act’ by A. S. – The Council of RS Constitutional Court for the Protection of VNI rejected the request of Bosniak Caucus on Thursday for launching VNI procedure with regard to RS NA conclusions on police reform. The Chairman of RS Constitutional Court, Mirko Zovko, sated that the Council reached this decision unanimously since it assessed this was a political act, upon which the Court should not be taking any decision.

EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Demand of Bosniaks is not acceptable’ by Srna, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Police in accordance with Constitution’ by M. D. also covered the issue.

SDS withdraws support to CoM

RHB , Pink, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘ SDS does not support BiH CoM any more’ – SDS Vice President Mladen Bosic stated that as of Thursday Council of Ministers doesn’t have support of SDS . Priory SDS had stated early this week that they expect solidarity and support from parties which make majority in BiH Parliament, regarding the judgement of political retribution toward SDS , in two days, or in contrary SDS will have no reason to participate in Parliament’s majority.

BiH Foreign Minister Ivanic pushes for premier’s replacement

BHT, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Ivanic: Terzic cannot find replacements for Dokic and me’, SRNA – Bosnia-Hercegovina Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic told SRNA on Thursday that the Bosnia-Hercegovina Council of Ministers in its current line-up lacked perspective and that its fate had been sealed, for which he predominantly blamed its chairman Adnan Terzic. “I think that the current set-up in the Council of Ministers does not have a future because relations between its members have deteriorated to the point of no return,” Ivanic said. He further said that the degree of distrust among the members of the Bosnia-Hercegovina Council of Ministers was so great that it was “no longer possible to repair it”. “The person most responsible for this situation is Terzic himself because he ignited this crisis thanks to his irrational actions”, Ivanic categorically said. Commenting on the announcements that talks will begin among parties which have a parliamentary majority with regard to the issue of filling the posts of the foreign minister and the minister of transport and communications within the Bosnia-Hercegovina Council of Ministers, which are currently under a technical mandate of Ivanic and Branko Dokic, Ivanic recalled that “Terzic has spent four months talking about the imminent replacement of the ministers in question from the Party of Democratic Progress [PDP]”.

CoM holds session: Ministers do not discuss SDS withdrawal, Dokic/Ivanic positions

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘ SDS withdrawal of support for government was not discussed’ by agencies – At the session held on Thursday, the BiH Council of Ministers did not discuss the political issues related to the current authorities in the working of this institution or the SDS announces of withdrawal from the CoM. BiH Deputy Civil Affairs Minister, Zoran Tesanovic, told journalists after the session that the CoM discussed proposal of the BiH Law on publish purchases to be sent in urgent parliamentary procedure. He added that this proposal “postpones for three months previously set 9-months deadline for establishment of the Agency for public purchase.” Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Without discussions on Mladen Ivanic and Branko Dokic’ by V.Zivak – Faladzic – Tesanovic also underlined that the CoM has not discussed the positions of the Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, and Traffic/Communications Ministers, Branko Dokic. However, daily says that it is obvious that the PDP ministers obstruct the work of the CoM. The evidence, says daily, is the failure of the CoM’s Economy Board, chaired by Ivanic, to meet which further resulted with Ministers not discussing the report on BiH institution’s budget execution for this year.

RHB , Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘More underage involved in crime’, by E. Mackic, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘2030 officials employed in SBS’, by Z. Rerig, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Shorter procedure for procurements’ by V. Bu. also reported on CoM session.

Terzic: CoM works without disruptions

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘CoM works without disruptions’ by Srna – The Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic underlined on Thursday that the CoM works without disruptions despite the obvious internal difficulties, said Terzic’s advisor Bojan Zec Filipovic. Terzic also commented that the SDS decision to withdraw support for the CoM “just adds the burden to the current situation.”  Filipovic also confirmed Terzic met with Paddy Ashdown on Thursday, but did not disclose any details explaining this was a regular meeting.

BHT, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘ SDS does not support reforms’ also carried Terzic’s statement.

Comments on SDS’s withdrawal of support to BiH CoM: Terzic, HDZ, Lagumdzija, Spiric

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Council of Ministers of BiH does not have a support of SDS’ announced on cover ‘ SDS: Council of Ministers without support’ by S. Gojkovic and M. Cubro – Apart from carrying statements of SDS’s Mladen Bosic and PDP’s Mladen Ivanic the article carries a reaction of CoM Chairman Adnan Tertzic as saying SDS, by denying the support to CoM, is creating another problem for itself with regard to relations with the international community. ‘By not supporting CoM, SDS is blocking reforms and European path of BiH’, Terzic said and added he has no intention to dismiss the CoM after it lost the support of one of five ruling parties. HDZ’s Miso Relota says HDZ supports the current composition of CoM and they expect an agreement on police reform to be reached as soon as possible. SDP’s Zlatko Lagumdzija expects from Terzic to ask for a session of the Parliament to explain how he plans to ensure normal functioning of his Government. Otherwise, according to Lagumdzija, early elections should be organized. SNSD’s Nikola Spiric thinks this was an attempt of SDS to soften political attacks from F BiH. ‘They do not have enough strength to withdraw from the authorities. They will prove their seriousness if they ask for a vote of non-confidence to the current Government. Should they do so, we will support them’, Spiric added.

EuroBlic pg RS2, announced on cover ‘Terzic without support’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – also carries statements of Terzic, Bosic, Ivanic and Tesanovic.

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘It cannot get any worse’ not signed carries Ivanic’s statement.

CRO press on situation in BiH CoM: Novakovic – SDS will not push for vote of no confidence on Friday; DL blames IC and reformers for crisis, comments by VL

Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘International community caused crisis in state’, by Ivica Glibusic, Zvonimir Jukic – Apart from reporting that the SDS withheld its support to the BiH CoM, DL got a statement from the President of SDS Caucus in BiH HoR and member of SDS Presidency, Momcilo Novakovic, who says the SDS will not push for vote of no confidence in the BiH CoM at Friday’s session of the BiH HoR considering that the chamber should be adopting defence laws, and Novakovic says it would be a shame to spoil the end of such huge work. The article concludes that BiH is facing early elections on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the DPA, which is a product of bad moves by the IC and domestic reformers.

Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Survival of Terzic’s government is very questionable’, by dja – Notes that after the SDS withheld its support to the BiH CoM, the survival of Adnan Terzic’s government has become very questionable. The author also notices that the BiH CoM is now dealing with not so important issues, as confirmed by Thursday’s session of the BiH CoM.

Vecernji List, pg 25 ‘Collapse of authorities in BiH’, by Zoran Kresic – Comments that the stalemate in the BiH authorities is best suited to the international administration in BiH. VL comments that although it was expected that the start of the end of the OHR’s mission was going to be announced, it is highly likely that the Peace Implementation Council will on October 4 approve the continuation of the mission in BiH with strong authorities and the same budget.

Minister Colak: Parties should sit down and find best solution

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 11 ‘Against ‘crisis’ solutions’, by A. Macanovic – Member of HDZ Presidency and BiH Security Minister, Barisa Colak, believes, when it comes to crisis in the BiH CoM, that all parties that create the parliamentary majority should sit down and discuss which solution is the best one to overcome the crisis.

SDS Doboj to meet Paddy Ashdown’s demnads

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘ SDS Doboj to fulfill Paddy Ashdown requests’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘They are giving back 17,600 KM’ by S. C., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘We will give money back’ by Sl. P. – During Thursday’s session of Doboj SDS, it was agreed that Doboj SDS will respect all measures HR Paddy Ashdown ordered. The decision, including deadline for its execution, will be forwarded to OHR Sarajevo.

BAM 5 million stolen from RS foreign currency reserves by people close to SDS, Privredna Banka Eastern Sarajevo

Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘BAM 5 million stolen from RS foreign currency reserves’ by A.Sisic – Daily learns that during 1997 and 1998, former RS Premier, Gojko Klickovic, and persons close to SDS and Privredna Banka Srpsko Sarajevo (PB SS) signed a number of orders expropriating over BAM 5 million from foreign currency reserves and budget resources of RS, while final destination of majority of money remains unknown. The resources from the RS budget were stored at PB SS. A number of documents and acts of RS Government, daily holds possession of, notes orders for payment of millions’ amounts were signed. These orders were marked as confidential. Daily notes that not a single of these transactions has been published in “Official Gazette”. NN collocutor close to BiH Prosecutor’s Office (PO) notes that “one document of RS Government, signed by Klickovic reads that one part of foreign currency reserves is to be transferred to an account of “business bank” in Montenegro . This decision of RS Government was a state secret and only few members of SDS were aware of it. The name of the bank is unknown.”

Cavic neither denied nor confirmed wiretapping

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Cavic neither denied nor confirmed the information’ by V. P. – Upon NN’s question whether he can confirm the information re wiretapping, Dragan Cavic said “no”. Nevertheless, asked whether he can deny the information, Cavic again said “no”.

SB: Matijasevic investigates Cavic’s role in Vitol case illegalities to blackmail him; Cavic strikes back by making himself a victim

Slobodna Bosna pgs 28-31 ‘President Cavic strongly accuses Police Minister Matijasevic’ by Suzana Sacic – SB carries that while the SDS complains the HR’s decisions entirely ruined financial capabilities, the party has not had problems to “illegally finances”, thus is not its main problem. Instead, SB says the real concern is the conflict inside the SDS which could “result in its own political elimination. Aware of dramatic situation, [Dragan] Cavic… will try in the next few weeks to make a victim of himself in order to win support of both IC and the domestic public.” SB explains that the conflict between RS Interior Minister, Darko Matijasevic, and Cavic has culminated at the SDS Presidency’s session at which RS President accused Matijasevic and Bukejlovic [to whom SB gives no great role than one of a “pawn”] of wiretapping him, subsequently releasing this information to media too. Allegedly, Matijasevic, extremely ambitious and lead only by his personal interests, strongly opposes the police reform because he is both a lobbyist of the hard-line nationalists and aware he would not remain the Minister. Therefore, he has commenced the investigation against Cavic and his role in contract between UK company “Vitol” and Brod Oil Refinery which reportedly ruined the refinery but gained large sums of money for Cavic personally. SB says this could ruin Cavic and therefore Matijasevic has decided to use it as blackmail tool. Article also concludes Cavic has been desperate, but decided to win by making himself a victim of the situation in which Interior and Prime Ministers prepare coup d’état. “And that is how we come to the beginning of the story: SDS Presidency session in which Cavic accused Matijasevic and Bukejlovic of wiretapping resulted with the new affair, and a possible result – if Matijasevic is replaced – is the end of the Vitol investigation and peaceful dreams for Cavic,” says the article.

BOSS calls for formation of parliamentary majority without SDS, PDP

Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘To form parliamentary majority without SDS , PDP’ – “The SDS decision is good for Bosnia-Hercegovina in every respect. Today I again sent an open request to the presidents of the SDA, the Party for Bosnia-Hercegovina and the HDZ [Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia-Hercegovina] to form a parliamentary majority on the level of Bosnia-Hercegovina without the SDS and the PDP [Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic’s Party of Democratic Progress], in order to protect the interests of all the peoples of Bosnia-Hercegovina, who are obviously being held hostage by the destructive nationalist-chauvinist policy of the SDS ,” said BOSS leader Mirnes Ajanovic on Thursday commenting on SDS withdrawal of support to CoM. 

SB: Germany not ready to give up on HR position, Dutch candidate has strong chances

Slobodna Bosna pgs 50-51 ‘If Germany doesn’t find a candidate, new head of OHR in BiH will be Dutch Michiel Patijn!’ by Danka Savic – Speculating about HR Paddy Ashdown’s successor, SB claims that Holland has expressed the interests for the position and has found a candidate, but Germany who had been wrapped up in its own political turmoil has showed it is not ready to give up on this position either. SB learned from diplomatic sources that Germany has asked from the Peace Implementation Council not yet to appoint the new HR, and therefore it is not excluded for the new candidate to be approved only after October PIC session. IC in BiH is ready to support Germany , says SB, but Dutch candidate – Michiel Patijn – also has strong chances. Article carries that diplomatic sources speculate on two German names as possible candidates: Volker Ruehe, former Defence Minister and Gernot Erler, Head of SPD Caucus in the Bundestag. If Germany fails to nominate someone, concludes the author, Dutch candidate will most probably be the next HR.  

Economic/Social Issues

PDHR Butler advocates for centralization of supervision over banking sector

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Lower rates, more foreign investments’, Dnevni Avaz pg 18, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘A centralized control of banks in BiH is needed’ by A. Sekulic, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Butler: Banks in BiH should be put under central control’ by T. V. – Speaking of need for reforms continuation in BiH and underlining the banking system reform, PDHR Larry Butler highlighted at a conference on financial sector in Sarajevo on Thjursday the need to centralize the banking supervision in BiH under the Central Bank in order to strengthen the banking sector. Butler added that such a move would create greater confidence in the banking system, help attract investment from outside the country and help lower interest rates determination.

World Bank’s Reinermann: BiH could lose 100 million US$ unless it carries out structural reforms

RTRS, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Increase of allocations for invalids is impermissible’, by Erna Mackic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘F BiH Government jeopardizes a loan amounting 200 million’ by R. Cengic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Dollars under key’ by N. Zelenovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 – According to the director of World Bank in BiH, Dirk Reinermann, BiH could be losing World Bank’s financial package worth around 100 million US$ in case it does not speed up structural reforms that are key to economically sustainable development. These reforms include reform to management and public financing, higher education, improvements to investment environment, privatization and strengthening of network of social security.

Minister Dokic: Corridor Vc could be completed by 2012 if everything is perfect

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 18, mentioned on front ‘Corridor Vc finished by year 2012’, by Zdenko Rerig – BiH Minister for Traffic and Communications, Branko Dokic, says that the Corridor VC through BiH could be finished by 2012 if the project was given an absolute priority in BiH. Dokic believes the best solution would be to build the Corridor through concessions, however Dokic says that BiH authorities will have to discuss all other options.

FBIH Minister Vrankic, EC’s Humphreys support one VAT rate

Vecernji List, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘Opposition abuses VAT for pre-election purposes’, by Zoran Kresic – In an interview for VL, the FBiH Finance Minister and member of ITA Steering Board, Dragan Vrankic, says that the opposition parties in BiH are abusing the issue of VAT law by requesting introduction of several tax rates and that all this is a part of their pre-election campaign. Vrankic insists that BiH needs one VAT rate because the country needs to have an efficient tax system, since if there were several tax rates, there would be room for various abuses.

Slobodna Dalmacija, pgs 18-19, mentioned on front ‘If we exempt newspapers from VAT, pornography will be cheaper too’, by Emir Felic – Just like Minister Vrankic, the Head of EC delegation to BiH, Michael Humphreys, insists that there should be one VAT rate because any changes to the VAT law would be expensive, confusing and would cause a lot of postponements. He too insists that different tax rates would open door to many abuses.

RS Institute for statistics denies PDHR Butler

Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Neither secrets or interference’ by G.D. – The RS Institute for Statistics Thursday denied claims of PDHR Lawrence Butler (that RS I obstructing gathering of statistical data in BiH and stalling with signing of agreement on promotion of a single professional statistics structure). The press release Institute released reads that RS Institute has a good cooperation with the F BIH Institute and BiH Statistics Agency, adding: “All data RS Institute holds is available to BiH Agency for Statistics, even those at the level of individual statistical units including confidential information.” RS Institute adds that the program for statistics for period from 2005 to 2008 (adopted by RS NA) has been fully harmonized with the BiH Program of statistics.