OHR BiH Media Round-up, 10/1/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

SDA on marking of Day of RS

Eid celebrations

Muslims in BiH celebrating Eid

Arrests inSpain

Bird flue in Turkey

HVIDRA leader arrested in Zagreb

Eid marked throughout world

Weather

Iran continues research on at. fuel

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Prices monitored in FBiH

Negotiations with EU on Jan 25

Galijatovic’s case update

Anniversary in Buhine Kuce, in Vitez

BiH Lawsuit against SCG on Feb 27

Delalic’s case update

Radulj on BiH- SCG lawsuit

Employee’s right to sue employer

RS marks its Day

Softic on BiH- SCG lawsuit

Hiring persons with special needs

Dodik on RS Government

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

BiH to launch SAA talks on Jan 25^th

Issue of Kalatex company

RS Birthday and Saint’s Day

Press conference on VAT in Mostar

District Brcko on VAT

SDA on RS Birthday

Issue of BiH’s property in Cavtat

ITA on VAT

Analysts and citizens on RS Birthday

Issue of ex YU diplomatic property

Assoc. of unemployed on adminstrat.

Disabled veterans in Kotor Varos

Oslobodjenje

Due to Eid, not published

Dnevni Avaz

Due to Eid, not published

Dnevni List

Bird flue threatens our country again [on appearance of bird flue in Turkey]

Vecernji List

4 religions with 4 ides on organization of BiH

Slobodna Dalmacija

Prices went up by even 60 %!

Nezavisne Novine

Actions against profiteers launched

Glas Srpske

No point in complaining [problems of two young men from Celinac without parents]

EuroBlic

Child’s noise silent, a village brimming with bachelors [vacant house at villages under Vlasic]

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related topics

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

SDA on Day of RS

RHB– The SDA issued a press release on the occasion of the marking of the Day of RS, January 9. The party believes that the presence of senior BiH officials at the ceremony marking the Day of the RS, which is according to the SDA “a product of genocide and expulsion of non-Serb population”, is irresponsible and inappropriate. SDA believes it is shameful to deny the existence of members of other peoples in the RS and approve of violation of human rights in the entity.

SDS Presidency in session

SRNAnews agency – SDS Presidency meets today to discuss the current situation in the RS Government and the proposed entity budget for 2006. SDS Vice President Bosko Siljegovic told Srna that Presidency would also discuss the on-going negotiations on the constitutional changes.

Political developments

RS Day marked [w/out Bosniaks and Croats present]: entity’s existence cannot be questioned

BHT1 by Boris Gagic – On the occasion of marking the RS Day [January 9], the entity president Dragan Cavic stated that there is no need for abolishment of the entities. “RS is not just entity, it is our life-style. And in this form it doesn’t threatens the existence of BIH, but it enriches it and makes this state arrangement the only possible and most functional one” stressed Cavic. Both RS position and opposition think that defence and police reforms will not bring RS existence into question. SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated that “RS with its institutions, rights and regulations, legislative, executive and judicial governments, will not be brought into question, whether someone like it or not”. Bosniak and Croat officials from RS did not attend the ceremony marking the RS Day since, according to their beliefs, this Day has not been legally regulated. Head of Bosniak Caucus in RSNA Tarik Sadovic commented: “They [Serb politicians] are mocking the issue of constitutionality and equality if they thinking that Bosniaks and Croats should mark the RS Day as well.” RTRS by Nada Arlov – “Serbs deem Dayton as internationally mediated entitlement. Political representatives of Bosniaks and Croats consider it as internationally mediated injustice. That basic difference in viewing the Dayton… makes situation difficult for RS every year,” added Cavic. “As long as citizens of RS believe in RS, as long as they want the RS, it will continue to exist and I think we should not question that,” said Dusan Stojicic, RSNA Speaker. Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister, commented that the RS authorities decides on 2.2bn KM of public revenues, thus “after all these reforms, RS independently decides on ten times more of financial resources than what its gives for BiH.” Marko Pavic of the DNS said that he was not happy to hear that those who sold much of RS power now talking about strong foundation of the entity. The reporter comments that 2006 is to be a year of challenge for political parties in the RS, adding that all politicians present at the marking of RS day were optimistic. Socialist Party is convinced that RS has future. Slobodan Popovic ofSDP said that what RS needs is more social justice, jobs and better life for pensioner. Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Wreaths laid and liturgies served’ by SRNA, EuroBlic pgs RS2-RS3 ‘Cavic: Srpska will remain and survive’ by Mirna Soja and EuroBlic team, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Our homeland will live’ by M. Dzepina – also report on RS Day marked. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘There will be more pressures’ – carries Ivanic’s statement. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Survival in spite of everything’ not signed – Dodik adds that now is the time to determine the situation through talks on constitutional changes.

RS politicians oppose to Tihic’ initiative for abolishment of RS

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Hard head and golden cap’ by D. Momic – The article carries statements of Chairman of BiH HoR Nikola Spiric, SRS’s Milanko Mihajlica and PDP’s Goran Milojevic, all of them opposing Sulejman Tihic’s initiative for abolishment of RS. Mihajlica commented on talks on constitutional changes and said Zlatko Lagumdzija now has the leading role in the talks on behalf of Bosniak people, while Haris Silajdzic is the one who “pulls all strings from behind the stage”. PDP’s Milojevic says that constant conditions set by Bosniaks are leading to nowhere and adds that this might lead to a complete failure of talks on constitutional changes.

Cavic: SDS will neither form new Govt nor it would participate in it

RTRS by Sinisa Mihajlovic – Commenting different statements on possible changes of the Government, the RS President Dragan Cavic stated that it was absurd to request from the SDS to dismiss the RS Government following non-adoption of the budget in the RS National Assembly. “SDS will neither form new Government nor will it participate. Those of you dismissing the Government, you should form a new one” said Cavic. However, the current RS Government doesn’t enjoy support. Milorad Dodik, SNSD leader, believes that the Parliament is in crisis because of Government’s illegalities towards the Parliament [without specifying which]. “We just want to stop it” underlined Dodik. Petar Djokic from SP RS stated that current Government must face with its responsibility. “But not just the responsibility of the RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic’s Government but also the responsibility of the ruling political party SDS in the last 5 years,” Djokic argues. Leader of PDP, Mladen Ivanic, said that PDP is going to make decision once it sees the concept. Ivanic announced that PDP would support the budget adding that again everything lies upon the decision of SDS. Reporter commented that SDS promised not to vote for that budget because, officially, their amendments were not adopted, but, unofficially, because they have no confidence in BIH Council of Ministers consisted of PDP Ministers. “If amendments are adopted in the scope that is reasonable to SDS there is a possibility for us to vote for the budget” explained Cavic. Reporter, who says that all events around the RS Government is just alike the soap opera noted that the crisis in RS has been transferred to the state level since BIH Parliament will vote on budget of BIH Institutions on 16 January. Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Proposed budget of RS meets needs of society’ – also carry Cavic.

Dodik: SNSD to hand signatures for casting of no confidence vote to RS Govt on Wednesday

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Initiative for Government overthrowing at RS NA tomorrow’ by V.Popovic – Milorad Dodik, SNSD President, Monday announced SNSD will Wednesday launch initiative for a confidence vote in RS Government, adding that collected signatures of MP’s necessary for this action will be handed to Dusan Stojicic, RS NA Speaker, on Wednesday. Stojicic said if he received SNSD initiative for a confidence vote, he would inform delegates and Government of it, stressing: “After that, Government should give its view within a month time. Following that, extra-ordinary session of the Parliament should be convened to discuss support to Government.” BHT1 – Dodik reiterated that not only RS Government was in crisis but the RS Parliament as well since they haven’t adopted anything at the last two sessions. Dodik stated that, above all, he relies on the support of SDP and PDP and some other, smaller political parties. Hayat– also carried Dodik announcement.

Davidovic: SAA talks to commence on 25 January

FTV – BiH Chief Negotiator with the EU on Stabilisation and Association Agreement Igor Davidovic said that the first round of talks is scheduled for 25^th January in Sarajevo. He specified that this would include the official positioning of the EU and the presentation of the BiH negotiating position to the EU. Davidovic reiterated that this would be the first official, technical round of talks, which will be followed with new rounds of talks every six weeks. PINK, BHT1, Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Talks with EU start on 25 January’ by V.P. – also carried this statement.

VL: BiH religious leaders on Reis Ceric’ idea to discuss const. changes at Inter-Religious Council

Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘4 religions with 4 ides on organization of BiH’ and pg 3 ‘4 religions with 4 different states’ by Z. Jurilj – Commenting on the idea of Reis Mustafa Effendi Ceric to discuss the constitutional changes issue at the Inter-Religious Council, Secretary of the BiH Bishops’ Conference Ivo Tomasevic said that he personally believes that this issue would not be discussed there. He believes that, perhaps, Reis Ceric should have discussed this issue at the Inter-Religious Council first and then give such statements to media. VL says that due to holidays they failed to contact representatives of the Serb Orthodox Church (SPC) and therefore VL conveys their stand given earlier according to which ‘SPC does not want to participate in creating of fake multi-ethnic image of BiH’. Representative of the Jewish Community in BiH Jakob Finci said that he did not analyse the Reis Ceric’s idea completely and therefore he could not comment on it.  

RS politicians reject Ceric’s initiative Silajdzic should be State Head

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘BiH will fall apart if Silajdzic became president’ by Srna – Commenting on Reiss Mustafa Ceric’s statement that Haris Silajdzic should be the head of the state and create a state without entities, SDS’s Dragan Cavic assessed on Monday that BiH would fall apart if Silajdzic were elected state president, adding Silajdzic had done too much evil to Serb people and said such ideas confirm tri-partite Presidency is the best solution. SNSD’s Milorad Dodik said Ceric was interfering with politics and assessed Silajdzic does not have a support in a large part of BiH. PDP’s Mladen Ivanic stated that initiatives of Ceric and Sulejman Tihic were even bringing talks on constitutional changes in question.

RTRS int with Cavic: all issues on const. changes must be agreed on 15-16 January

RTRS late news – In an interview to the RTRS, RS President Dragan Cavic repeated his earlier statements praising the Dayton peace agreement. Commenting the talks on constitutional changes, Cavic expressed hope to reach agreement on all issues on January 15 and 16, when negotiations are to continue. He also expressed his satisfaction with agreement reached on functions of President and Presidency. He underlined that the RS political parities are united in their stances on the constitutional changes. Regarding the current situation with the RS Government, Cavic believes that the institutional crisis should be overcome as soon as possible. This year would be difficult because of VAT introduction, says Cavic adding it would be at the same time good fiscal year. Cavic stressed importance of fulfilling commitments toward ICTY in following months.

Interview with B. Colak on illegal issuing of BiH citizenships, on OSA tasks, situation within HDZ

Vecernji List pg 6 ‘There is no amnesty for giving citizenships to terrorists’, mentioned on cover ‘We shall punish those who were giving citizenships to terrorists’ by Z. Kresic carries an interview with BiH Minister of Security Barisa Colak who says that those who were illegally issuing BiH citizenships should not be amnestied and they should be held accountable for what they did in any case. Colak added that he gives such statement conditionally since the status of limitation should be bear in mind. Asked to comment on the demands that OSA should be able to arrest the persons suspected of being connected to terrorism, Colak said: ‘It should be very careful with regard to this issue due to possible abuses. I believe that police agencies only should have such powers and not OSA.’ VL inset ‘HDZ has not divided on the contrary! carries Colak as saying that HDZ has not split after the HDZ Central Board session. He added: ‘If we exclude that unnecessary incident then we can exclusively talks about political maturity and seriousness. All discussions and passed decisions illustrate this’

EPP Political Board did not discuss issue of HDZ on Monday’s session

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘EPP dealt with its own problems yesterday’ by Z. Kresic carries that HDZ BiH was not at the agenda of the European People’s Party (EPP) Political Board session held on Monday although it had been announced and expected.

NHI on dismissals in FBiH MoD: ‘Dismissals tailored by HDZ, SDA and OHR’

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘Dismissals tailored by HDZ, SDA and OHR’ by N. Dimitrijevic carries a press release issued by NHI with regard to dismissing of 182 persons, who used to be employed in the former FBiH Ministry of Defence. The press release says that NHI is convinced that this is about the victims of the plan precisely made by the HDZ-SDA coalition and the OHR, that is, that the procedure has been politically motivated so that HDZ can finally square accounts with those who were opponents of the idea on the Croat self-rule in 2001. NHI substantiates this claim by saying that most of Croats who were dismissed from the FBiH MoD are those who started to work in this Ministry at the time of the Croat self-rule. 

Minister Radovanovic: Defence reform model is good for all peoples in BiH

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Defgence reform model is good for all peoples’ by Agencies – BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic said that 2006 would be important in many aspects of defence reform, adding that the model adopted last year is good on the long term for all peoples and citizens in BiH. Radovanovic noted: “In order to accelerate defence reform activities planned under the BiH Defence Law including budget and political support, need to be respected.” On the planned budget for the BiH Ministry of Defence of BAM 278 million, Radovanovic said that the sum is insufficient to implement all actions planned by BH Defence Law, noting there is a conclusion of the BiH CoM stipulating that budget rebalance should treat defence reform a priority.

NN op-ed supportive of defence reform

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Defence and first days’ by Dragan Risojevic – Writing about defence reform in BiH, the author stresses that this year, defence reforms is being transferred from a reform in writing into practice and amongst officers and soldiers, where great challenges are to follow. The author notes the so far defense reform flow has observed no major problem, owing to which reason it would be logical to expect the practice would not see any major difficulties. Risojevic underlines we can hope defence reform may be a copy of the military aspect of the Dayton Agreement, which is practically one of rare parts of the peace act completely implemented in the practice so far.

Economic issues

Causevic: ITA satisfied with first results of VAT; FBiH inspectors start with price monitoring

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pgs 2-3 ‘Actions against profiteers launched’ by R.Cengic – Daily carries confirmation of Ibrahim Tirak, Head of the F BiH Price Monitoring Teams, that teams have gone out on the field as of Tuesday, bar five cantons, where Cantonal Governments failed to enact decisions on restrictions of mark of basic groceries. RHB– As Director of the BiH Indirect Taxation Administration, Kemal Causevic said, inspectors were going to investigate whether the taxpayers have carried out all necessary preparations for VAT. The Head of the CAFAO Department for Taxation System Development Wilhelm Schloemer, deems the statement of the BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzic [who said that there was a possibility to introduce zero tax rate in case of greater economic difficulties], as political issue. Single VAT is much more practical for BiH citizens, said Schloemer at the press conference. BHT1 – At the press conference presenting the first results of the VAT, Causevic stated that ITA has been satisfied with the VAT application announcing that Administration anticipates to collect 3.5 billion KM through this tax in 2006. Hayat – ITA representatives confirmed that certain problems have occurred. “The problems refer to merchants being confused about a method of calculating the prices which include VAT. Some taxpayers, intentionally or unintentionally, adds 17 % of tax to the sum of existing prices”, said Deputy ITA Director in charge of taxation affairs, Dinko Corluka. Second training course for market inspectors has been launched on Monday. “Perhaps, one of the most important things is transfer of necessary knowledge. I am glad that the Office [CAFAO] is given opportunity to help in the training process”, Schloemer. In terms of profits of the VAT, ITA reminds that the BiH Parliament expected 700 millions KM more in the budget. “700 millions KM are enough for construction of Sarajevo-Mostar highway”, said Causevic.FTV, RTRS -also carried reports from the press conference. Dnevni List, pg 23 ‘Return of VAT begins in early February’, by Zeljko Marijanovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘First VAT re-fund on 10 February’ by M.Krilic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘No tripping over’ – also reported.

BiH Assoc. of Consumers: Prices of some products went up by even 60 %

Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pg 17 ‘Prices went up by even 60 %’ by M. Karacic carries that the BiH Association of Consumers learnt that instead of 17 % the prices of some products in BiH went up by even 50 and 60 % due to the VAT introduction.

ITA Brcko: unjustified increase of prices in bakeries, up to 70%

FTV – ITA office in District Brcko stated that their price monitoring team has noticed unjustified increase of prices in certain bakeries, ranging from 11% to 70%. They have announced that teams of inspectors will be sent to market regulate this. ITA warned that some merchants increased the price of goods prior to the VAT introduction, than adding the tax after 1 January.

Chief Inspector of FBiH Financial Police: By abolishment of FBiH Fin. Police Vrankic wants to protect his friends involved in criminal activities

Dnevni List pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Vrankic wants to destroy Financial Police’ by M. Zorlak – Chief Inspector of the FBiH Financial Police Zufer Dervisevic claims that the statements given by FBiH Minister of Finances, Dragan Vrankic, according to which the FBiH Police has lost even 95 % of its competence due to the SIPA establishment are not correct. Dervisevic added that SIPA is the state body and it acts at the state level, while the FBiH Financial Police acts at the FBiH level. According to Dervisevic, Vrankic wants to destroy the FBiH Police and abolish one of a few bodies in the FBiH that is well organized and acts professionally. Dervisevic concludes that by such attitude Vrankic wants to protect his friends deeply involved in criminal activities.

Former customs officials still not getting reply from BiH Court regarding lawsuit against ITA’s Causevic

Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Lawsuits against Causevic are ‘collecting dust’’, by Dejan Jazvic – Notes that former FBiH customs officers, who have filed charges against the ITA Director Kemal Causevic with the BiH Court because he allegedly illegally fired them and kept some staff that are not qualified enough, are yet to receive a reply from the BiH Court’s Council for administrative disputes although the charges were filed in March 2005. VL notes that the judge in charge of the case, Jasminka Orucevic-Cohadzic, is keeping the case-file aside, arguing that administrative procedures do not require much time to be solved.

Cavtat Children’s’ Hospital: BH State’s Attorney demanded revision of court decision

Hayat, FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘State’s Attorney demand revision of court decision’ by R.Rakic – The BiH State’s Attorneys’ Office has requested revision of decision (with Croatian Supreme Court via Dubrovnik Trades’ Court) of the Zagreb Supreme Trades’ Court, which has definitely confiscated the property of Sarajevo University Property in Cavtat.

War crimes

Rogatica action update: Abazovic refuses to take food

RTRS- Dragomir Abazovic, war crime suspect injured in EUFOR’s attempt to arrest him on Thursday in Rogatica, is awake but refuses to take food. His son, who was also injured during EUFOR action, is stable. Abazovic’s wife died due to injuries in Foca hospital on Thursday. FTV, BHT 1, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Wounded Abazovic rejects food’, not signed, Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Health condition of Dragoljub Abazovic stable’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Abazovic refuses to take food’ by D.Mu., EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Abazovic refuses to take food’ by D.S.-T.V.– also report on Abazovic’s condition.

OHR on Matijasevic’s statement: action in Rogatica would not happen if RS MoI did its job 

RTRS – Commenting the RS Minister of Interior Darko Matjasevic’s statement that EUFOR action in Rogatica attempting to arrest war crimes suspect (in which a wife sustained injuries and died, and suspect and the son were injured) could not be called professional, Ljiljana Radetic, OHR spokesperson said Matjasevic should think of how it is possible that Dragomir Abazovic, war crime suspect, has not been arrested although it has been two years since the indictment was brought against him. Radetic added that the action would not happen if the RS police arrested Abazovic and did its work.

BiH’s lawsuit against SCG for aggression and genocide scheduled for February 27

FTV – BiH agent in the lawsuit against SiCG for aggression and genocide, Sakib Softic, told FENA he was optimistic regarding the main hearing scheduled for 27^th February before the International Court of Justice in the Hague. Commenting the request sent by BiH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic to the ICJ President for postponing the process until the BiH Constitutional Court rules on the request by BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac, Softic stated that the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not authorised to communicate with the International Court of Justice. He added that this request couldn’t damage the process. RHB– Slobodan Radulj, legal advisor to Serb BiH Presidency member says that the lawsuit BiH filed against SCG in 1993 is not a state’s case as it has been financed only by one people. PINK, BHT1, Hayat, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘It is not his job’ – also carried that hearing is scheduled for 27 February.

Croat opposition wants BiH lawsuit against SCG to represent Croat victims too

Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Call to prove genocide against Croats too’, by Miroslav Vasilj – Reports that the Croat opposition parties led by the HSP Djapic – Dr. Jurisic will launch an initiative the aim of which is to prove during the BiH lawsuit against SCG that the ‘Serbian-Montenegrin aggressor in BiH’ committed a genocide against the Croats too. It is stated that the lawsuit is primarily financed from the FBiH budget, therefore the Croat side too has to have an insight into the case. In statements to the VL, leaders of the Croat (opposition) parties stress that they support the lawsuit only in case genocide against the Croats is being proven.

Scheffer: ‘Karadzic and Mladic must go to The Hague in order to see BiH admitted into PfP

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Karadzic and Mladic must go to The Hague in order to see BiH admitted into PfP’ by BETA– Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary General, Monday stated that he “strongly and truly hopes” SiCG and BiH will have been admitted into PfP by the end of year, noting it is of crucial importance Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic are handed to the Hague Tribunal.