OHR BiH Media Round-up, 11/11/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

A. Colak on old foreign curr. savings

Conference on BiH inBrussels

Humphreys on BiH road to EU

Theodor Meron in Belgrade

Conf. on const. changes in Brussels

Incidents at Kosovo

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

New Constitution drafted?

The Guardian on BiH Constitution

59 people killed in Amman

Conference on BiH Constitution

Conference on judiciary

BiH citizen arrested in Australia

Tomasevic on Istanbul Conference

BiH CoM in session

Spies from Arabic countries in BiH

Del Ponte in Sarajevo

Mektic on BiH border crossings

Carla del Ponte in Sarajevo

NTV Hayat  (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

World News

“Searching for Justice” conference

No info on Mulahalilovic

BiH CoM in session

BiH Council of Ministers session

Conference on BiH Judiciary

The Guardian on BiH Constitution

BiH politicians to meet in Brussels

RS citizens for Karadzic’s surrender

Interview with Beriz Belkic

Parties on constitutional changes

Arab agents in BiH?

Oslobodjenje

10,000 suspects of war crime in BiH

Dnevni Avaz

There will be no changes in Council of Ministers

Dnevni List

Covic leaves HDZ, Convention to be repeated

Vecernji List

EU and USA : No abolishment of entities

Slobodna Dalmacija

Capljina will be desert (feature of ‘Upper horizon’ project)

Glas Srpske

A cat and calf’s head (story on BiH’s 2006 Budget)

Nezavisne Novine

Decision on changes to BiH Constitution over weekend in Brussels

Blic

Serbia-related headlines

Vecernje Novosti

Serbia-related headlines

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Conference on BiH to commence in Brussels

RS Radio – The conference on constitutional changes in BiH, which will be organized by the European Commission, the American Institute for Peac in Washington will commence in Brussels today. The representatives of the parliamentary parties from BiH will take part at the conference. Dragan Cavic, RS President, stated in Bijeljina last night that apart from him, the following officials will be attending Brussels meeting; Miloard Dodik and Mladen Ivanic, with their assistants.

Ivanic on Brussels mtg

RS Radio – PDP President Mladen Ivanic stated that he would not sign anything in Brussels in case that pressures were exerted during the talks on constitutional changes, even if this was his last political decision in a career. Prior to his departure to Brussels , Ivanic expressed expectation at the press conference in Banja Luka that Brussels conference on constitution changes in BiH will be held in absence of pressure, since BiH Constitution can be changed only if all three constitutive peoples agree. 

Ante Colak (HSS) on old foreign currency savings

RHB – HSS Vice President Ante Colak who launched the initiative for change of the Law on FBiH internal debt that refers on old foreign currency savings judged that the FBiH Constitutional Court disputed this law since it was discriminatory for old foreign currency savings depositors.

Humphreys: SAA can be signed with BiH politicians and not with HR

RHB – Head of the EC delegation in BiH Michael Humphreys stated that BiH will not become an EU member as long as the High Representative exists in BiH since the SAA cannot be signed with the HR but with domestic authorities.

War Crimes

Conference In Search after Justice held in Sarajevo

Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘10,000 suspects of war crime in BiH’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Prosecutor (Del Ponte) concerned about poor progress in locating Karadzic’, Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘State Court seeks help from international community’, by Erna Mackic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Laws need to be changed to have smoother trials’, by Eldina Medunjanin, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘BiH judiciary will be processing war criems for decades’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘A hand of support necessary’ by V.B., EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘In search after justice’ by Dusanka Stanisic  – The conference titled “In Search after Justice – the Review of Achievements of the Legal System in BiH”, started in Sarajevo on Thursday morning. ICTY Chief of Investigations Patrick Peres Lopez stressed the importance of creating the legal and institutional conditions for processing the war crimes before the courts in BiH, Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro. There are about 10,000 war crime charges in BiH, so it is expected that state judiciary would need decades to process all those cases, and to punish persons responsible for war crimes and the violation of international humanitarian right during the conflict in BiH. “My appeal to colleague prosecutors and judges in BiH… is that all committed crimes must have perpetrators with name and face. It is the only way to stop the collective indictments and the hostility among peoples”, stated Patrick Lopez-Terres. The Chair of BiH Court Meddzida Kreso called on the International Community to assist in processing war crimes cases as well as in apprehension of war criminals. Kreso added that one of the greatest problems the Court was faced with was lack of prison units.. The main problem for Prosecutor’s Offices is the lack of evidences, and the fact that many victims and potential witnesses do not live in BiH any more, stated Prosecutor in BiH Prosecutor’s Office Behaija Krnjic. State Information and Protection Agency SIPA’s Department for War Crimes would soon have about 40 employees. “We would try to find the location of those (Hague indictees) who are still on the loose, and I am not talking only about two most wanted suspected war criminals (Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic), but about hundreds of people whose whereabouts are still unknown”, stated SIPA Director Sredoje Novic.

SIPA Director Novic: A SIPA employee under investigation over alleged involvement in war crimes

FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘A SIPA employee under investigation over alleged involvement in war crimes’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘To accelerate procedure against Tepavcevic’ – The Director of the State Information and Protection Agency (SIPA) Sredoje Novic stated on Thursday that it should be checked as soon as possible whether those who committed war crimes are employed in BiH state institutions. Novic added that there are no information on such cases in SIPA. Novic however said that he had requested BiH and Sarajevo Canton Prosecutions to confirm all deny suspicions that SIPA officer Milenko Tepavcevic was suspected of war crimes.

Chief Hague Prosecutor Del Ponte visits Sarajevo

RHB, Pink, BHT, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘No information on Karadzic’s whereabouts’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Carla Del Ponte’s visit under veil of secrecy’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Secret meetings with officials of OSA, SIPA and NATO’ by M.Cubro – Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte arrived in Sarajevo on Thursday afternoon. She discussed the cooperation with the Hague Tribunal and the arrest of Radovan Karadzic with NATO officials and BiH authorities. ICTY Chief Prosecutor’s Spokesperson Florence Hartmann stated that the main reason for this visit is the wish to maximally speed up the apprehension of seven remaining Hague indictees, who are still on the loose – Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic above all. Del Ponte is concerned by the fact that there is no progress in location and arrestment of Karadzic.

Poll conducted by “Prime Communications” on Karadzic/Mladic’ surrender

Dnevni List, pg 5 ’53,7 percent of interviewees in favour of Karadzic turning himself in’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg2 ’53.3% of RS citizens supportive of Karadzic’ surrender’ by N.N. – According to the research poll, conducted by Prime-Communications Agency, 53.3% of RS citizens are supportive of surrender of Radovan Karadzic. Poll also shows that in case of Ratko Mladic, 46, 9% of RS citizens don’t think that he should surrender, while 40,7% thinks that he should, 12.4% of those interviewed have no view on this issue.

Political developments/Reforms

Leaders of eight BiH political parties need to reach agreement on constitutional changes by their own, without international mediators

RHB, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Looking for consensus on key issues related to constitutional changes’, FENA – After being formally welcomed by EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn in Brussels the leaders of eight parliamentary parties from BiH will stay this weekend at a meeting in order to reach a consensus on key issues concerning constitutional changes in BiH. “Presidents of political parties from BiH need to reach a consensus on the BiH Presidency, state parliament and government, as well as issues concerning the protection of human rights in the context of constitutional changes,” the European Commission told FENA. They will hold talks without any mediators or representatives of the international community. Besides presidents of SDA, SDS, HDZ, SNSD, SDP, PDP, SBiH and HNZ, members of the working group that worked on issues of constitutional changes and reaching an agreement on those changes will also take part in the meeting in Brussels . The working group is consisted of authorised representatives of the eight political parties and they have since April analysed those issues at a number of meetings. The European Commission, the American Institute for Peace and the “Dayton Project” Association  provided financial and technical support for these activities.

British Guardian on constitutional changes in BiH

RHB, Pink, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Constitutional rights of citizens’, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘One assembly, one chief of BiH’, by pincom.info – UK daily Guardian published the article which reads that the Americans have written a new constitution transforming BiH into a centrally governed parliamentary democracy for the first time, adding US, backed by Europe, strongly pushes to have the blueprint agreed by BiH political leaders within the next fortnight. The blueprint has been developed during seven months of secret negotiations between US experts and officials and BiH politicians, and it apparently enjoys the full backing of the US state department. The crunch session of negotiations comes this weekend, when leaders of the main eight governing and opposition parties in BiH will gather in Brussels to discuss the concept which stipulates a national parliament with full legislative powers, central government and cabinet enjoying full executive power, and a titular head of state.

SDA’s Ceman: Guardian article is very optimistic; RS parties say these talks just aimed at solutions for bottlenecks

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Will BiH have one government and one head of state?’ by A. Malagic – DA brings the inserts of the article which was published by UK newspapers Guardian according to which the BiH politicians are to agree to new constitution mainly written by Americans. SDA representative who participate the talks, Mirsad Ceman, commented that Guardian “is very optimistic, however doesn’t responds to truth at this moment.” Ceman explained that these talks were directed at “partial improvements of the Constitution… So, in this moment it is not possible to come to entirely new constitution, but rather to make changes which would make BiH more credible at its path to Europe. Unfortunately, we have failed to agree on several important issues but we will see what will happen in Brussels.” Inset ‘RS parties support only solutions for bottlenecks’ carries statement by member of the PDP Main Board, Slobodan Nagradic, who told Srna news agency that RS parties share the stance under which the current negotiations are not talks about the BiH constitutional structure but about the solutions to the current bottlenecks in functioning of executive authorities. “FBiH parties believe that the CoM should be renamed as BiH Government, and the Chair to be renamed as the President of the Government, while the parties from RS believe this [current situation] is necessary and that better organization and different distribution of authorities could ensure that the executive authorities in BiH can answer to needs at this stage of integration to Europe,” says Bagradic. According to an inset ‘SDA in favor of Republic’, SDA will advocate in Brussels for defining BiH as a Republic organized at the principles of regions and municipalities. Apparently, SDA will also support transfers of authorities in agriculture filed, and propose increase of delegates in HoP to 25 and in HoR to 81. SDA also proposes BiH Constitutional Court justices to be elected by the Parliament without foreign judges.     

Hayat interview with Party for BiH’s Belkic on constitutional changes

Hayat Midheta Kurspahic – SDA, HDZ, Stranka za BiH (Party for BiH), SDP, PDP, SDS, SNSD and HSP representatives are to meet in Brussels during the weekend in order to discuss constitutional changes in BiH. Report brings interview with BiH Parliament and Stranka za BiH representative Beriz Belkic. On being asked whether the consensus is going to be reached, Belkic said that he hoped that it was going to happen since the issue is of great relevance for all BiH citizens and that a modern frame, which would enable economic, political and social development, would be created. Belkic said that it was difficult to reach consensus in terms of general European principles on state organization. “As far as Stranka za BiH is concerned, we have not abandoned our strategic aims, which have been introduced several days ago and we believe that the principle on regional organization of the state should be emphasized”, said Belkic. On being asked whether there was consensus in terms of constitutional changes proposed by US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns (single national assembly, single central government with single Prime Minister and single state President), Belkic said that there was no consensus, since certain political parties believed that entities should preserve their authorities. Belkic also said that Stranka za BiH was to hold session on Thursday evening in order to discuss issue of meeting in Brussels but some other issues as well, such as the issue of Energopetrol, elections in the party, etc.

FTV – Political parties positions on constitutional changes

FTV – HSS announced that the proposal of constitutional changes in BiH, to be discussed in Brussels, is not what most of the BiH citizens expected. SDA President Sulejman Tihic, who would participate in Brussels talks, stated that this party would accept any solution, which is better than a current one. We want one president instead of BiH Presidency, Government instead of BiH Council of Ministers, the increase in the number of delegates in the BiH House of Representatives, and the House of Peoples that would be authorized to solve only the Vital National Interest issues, presenter quoted Tihic’s words. SNSD believes that BiH should be a federal state composed of federal units, and one of those federal units must be RS; they also believe that the institution of BiH Presidency should remain intact, but the Presidency Chair should have more significant role. BiH Parliament should also be more influential, which means that some entity authorities should be revised, stated SNSD. HDZ believes that BiH should have three entities or provinces, or have regional structure. New BiH constitution should be adopted through the regular parliamentary procedure, which means that the full consensus of all three constitutive people must be reached. SDP expects that leaders of political parties on Friday in Brussels will reach some kind of agreement regarding the constitutional changes in BiH. According to SDP , BiH should be a republic with one president who would have fewer authorities than current Presidency, with much stronger Government and Parliament that would have two houses. There should be no cantons or entities in BiH, only four or five regions based on European principles of regional organization, stated SDP . And finally, SDS does not expect any kind of final agreement would be reached on a meeting in Brussels . SDS wants BiH with three-members Presidency, Council of Ministers and Parliament with two houses; the proposal that foresees the single president is absolutely not acceptable, said the SDS announcement.

VL: Forthcoming constitutional changes will be detrimental to Croats

Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘EU and USA: No abolishment of entities’ and pg 3 ‘USA changes Dayton’, by Zoran Kresic – Announcing the Brussels meeting dedicated to constitutional changes scheduled for November 11-13, VL notes that talks about the issue have in past several months focused on changes to the BiH Presidency, BiH Council of Ministers, Parliament and vital national clause, however the talks did not tackle thorough changes to the BiH Constitution, which will, as a result, deepen the division of BiH into two entities, which is detrimental to the BiH Croats. When it comes to the changes, VL notes that the project leader Donald Hays has not so far managed to persuade the political parties to undertake changes to the BiH Presidency and establishment of a proper state government instead of BiH CoM. Apparently, parties only agree that representatives of ‘other’ peoples should be represented in the (BiH) Parliament.

Relota (HDZ): There needs to be new BiH constitution, three levels of authority

Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘HDZ does not accept cosmetic changes’, by F – According to the HDZ spokesman, Miso Relota, the party advocates the enactment of a new BiH constitution, which would be enacted in the Parliament by all three peoples. He further explains: “HDZ advocates the organization of state with three levels, first level is state, third level is municipality, and there has to be an agreement on the middle level – whether it will be entities, three entities, three provinces, whether it will be regionalization, it is hard to see at the moment”.

Ashdown: Accession to EU requires changes to the BiH constitutional structure

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Constitutional rights of citizens’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Process of accession to EU requires changes’, FENA – The structure of authority in BiH is too complicated and the process of joining the EU requires changes, High Representative Paddy Ashdown told FENA commenting on announcements of upcoming constitutional changes that should happen as part of the commemoration of the 10th anniversary since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement. “For changes to happen a consensus of all peoples in BiH is needed,” Ashdown said before the meeting that will be held in Brussels this weekend during which the leaders of eight largest, ruling and opposition parties in BiH will discuss constitutional changes in BiH.

RS/Serbian press: Reactions to Guardian article

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘Decision on changes to BiH Constitution over weekend in Brussels’ by V.,Popovic – Dailies carry extracts from report published by the British “Guardian” that reads: “The Americans have written a new constitution transforming Bosnia into a centrally governed parliamentary democracy for the first time, and are pushing strongly – with European backing – to have the blueprint agreed by Bosnia’s rival nationalist leaders within the next fortnight. The blueprint, obtained by the Guardian, has been developed during seven months of secret negotiations between US experts and officials and Bosnian politicians.  The bold new draft is said to enjoy the full backing of the US state department… The crunch session of negotiations

comes this weekend. …If Bosnian leaders agree in Brussels this weekend, they will travel to Washington where the US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, will preside over a signing ceremony on the new constitution on November 22, the anniversary of Dayton. The constitution would then be adopted in Sarajevo by next March, leaving six months before general elections in October are conducted in a radically altered political landscape.” NN also carries comments of local politicians regarding this. Slobodan Nagradic, who has been taking part in talks on constitutional changes on behalf of PDP, stated that RS political parties share the stance that this phase of negotiations should not encroach the constitutional structure of BiH, noting PDP will insist on maintenance of tripartite BiH President, two-leveled parliament and minimal reform of CoM. Vice- President of SDS Mladen Bosic said: “Shortly, we are advocating  Presidency, two Houses of the Parliament, CoM which should be functional in a measure that it can provide undisturbed access of BiH to European integrations”. Nebojsa Radmanovic from SNSD is of the view that BiH is still in need of tripartite BiH Presidency, and that it is still too early for election of one president. SNSD stresses new constitution can solely be reached through consensus. Sulejman Tihic, SDA President, is supportive of American proposal on constitutional changes. Jozo Krizanovic from SDP said this party is supportive of constitutional changes, pleding for one president, stronger BiH Government and two-leveled Parliament. Miso Relota, HDZ Spokesperson, says HDZ views current two-entities structure of BiH as unacceptable. According to NN inset ‘David Chandler: The USA wants to settle its, not BiH’ problems’, David Chandler, Professor at the Westminster University of London, told BBC that new Draft Constitution of BiH is a good proposal, according to which BiH would look like a normal state. However, he is not convinced that it would bring major changes. He is greatly concerned over the fact that document has been prepared outside BiH, while BiH politicians have been consulted on its extracts to a certain extent, stressing: “I am of the view the Americans are trying to resolve their problems, not Bosnian problems with this.”

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘What will happen in Brussels?’ by Z.M.-Lj.F. – Apart from carrying “Guardian” report, it carries statements of Mladen Bosic from SDS, and confirmations from SNSD and PDP that Milorad Dodik and Zeljko Mirjanic on behalf of SNSD and Mladen Ivanic and Slobodan Nagradic from the PDP will be attending Brussels session.

Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘They abolish both RS and Federation’ by D.Markovic – carries “Guardian” report

Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘Versus unitary Bosnia’ by D.S. – carries HR Ashdown’s statement, and statement of Drago Vukovic, Advisor to Borislav Paravac, sating that: “We do not oppose changes reached through consensus, but we oppose creation of unitary state. We strongly oppose any sort of imposed solution.”

Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘A critical phase’ by Sl.P. – Dragan Cavic, RS President, Thursday stated that “RS and BiH are in critical period of transition from Dayton into European phase”, noting this process of BiH admission to EU may last as long as post-Dayton phase lasted. He also said that we should not “be afraid of changes as long as political representatives of RS are taking part in those changes which enable development of BiH without jeopardizing the vital entity’ interest and status of RS.”

Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘Federation of two entities’ by Sl.P. – Krstan Simic, Head of SNSD Caucus at RS NA, claims there are conceptual difference in approach IC has towards the issue of constitutional structure of BiH, reiterating SNSD stance that “BiH should be structured at the federal principles with the existence of two entities and three peoples.”

Solana’s Spokesperson Gallach: Talks with BiH might start on November 21

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Talks may start on November 21’ – Christina Gallach, Spokesperson for EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, confirmed in a statement for the daily that talks on SAA with BiH might start on November 21. If this does not happen, according to her, the talks will start on December 12’

Terzic with HDZ on SAA talks

Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Terzic with HDZ on negotiations’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘Form negotiating teams urgently’, by vi, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 20 ‘Mostar: Terzic visited HDZ BiH HQ’, by F – The European Union Council of Ministers’ decision on launching negotiations with BiH on the SAA was the topic which was discussed on Wednesday in Mostar between the Chairman of the BiH Council of Minister, Adnan Terzic, and delegation of HDZ BiH. Terzic visited Mostar at the invitation of a senior delegation of the HDZ, with whose members he spoke on strategy and standards, which need to be coordinated before launching of negotiations with the EU, the HDZ said in a statement. Participators of this meeting agreed on that it is needed to implement European standards in the BiH society, as well as act according to them, with stress mark on that basic motive to our country’s people and citizens should be connecting of B-H to the EU. HDZ delegation was led by party president, Dragan Covic.

Terzic: Priorities are Euro-Atlantic integrations, VAT and Vc; No changes in CoM expected

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 5 ‘There will be no changes in Council of Ministers’ by Sead Numanovic – In an interview to DA, the Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic expresses his satisfaction with the nomination of Igor Davidovic to the position of the BiH chief negotiators on SAA with EU. Terzic adds that he is personally acquainted with Davidovic, and “he is good solution so I will absolutely approve of him.” Commenting speculations that the SAA talks could be officially started as early as 21 November, Terzic said he would be very happy but added that mid-December is not that long time to wait either. Talking about priorities until the end of his mandate, Terzic points that Euro-Atlantic integrations are at the top of the list, followed by the VAT introduction and Vc corridor. “Vc corridor and everything that will follow the conference on 17 November this year is one of the Council’s biggest priorities. We will present [at the conference] ambitions we have when it comes to this issue,” says CoM Chair. On the integrations process, Terzic explains that NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer offered for BiH to join NATO in 2008. “Thus, my intention is to direct all the energy in the first half of year towards making an action plan of introducing all NATO standards into defence structures which would make us credible candidate for 2008… Of course we cannot even think about entering NATO without Karadzic and Mladic are arrested.” As for the police reform, Terzic explain that the basic outline of the decision on the establishment of the Police Reform Directorate has been finished, and it was harmonized with OHR and EC. The CoM is to voice its sentence yet. After that “we would fill in places in Directorate from state, entities, some cantonal and Brcko District structures. We are not yet in the stage to discuss who would lead it.” Terzic finally says that he expects no changes in the current structure of the CoM. “It is very difficult to expect that I will gather the representatives of the political parties creating parliamentary majority to discuss this issue… Ministers in technical mandate, thanks to OHR, most probably are OK with this situation. As for me, it is only important that they come to work, participate the CoM work and that we make decisions,” concludes Terzic.

CoM session: Law on OSA, appointment opf Chief Negotiator were not discussed

RHB, Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Amendments to Law on OSA not discussed’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Re-registration of refugees from Croatia begins’, by D. P. M., Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Davidovic put on hold’, by eme, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘The status of stay of US soldiers in BiH determined’ by M.C – BiH Council of Ministers has established several proposals of the agreements with the United States of America, regarding the cooperation in preventing the spreading of weapons of mass destruction, the improvement of military relations and the US access to the infrastructure in BiH. Although it was announced, BiH CoM did neither discuss the changes to the law on BiH Intelligence-Security Agency (OSA), nor the information on transferring more than one million of Communications Regulatory Agency surplus income to the BiH Public Broadcasting Service account. CoM also did not discuss issue of Chief BiH Negotiator in Stabilization and Association Agreement talks.

Croatian HDZ leader Sanader: EPP told HDZ that Covic should step down

BHT, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Covic inadequate person for the post’, Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 5 ‘Covic leaves HDZ, Convention to be repeated’, by D. P. Mandic, M. Karacic, Hina, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 3 ‘They do not live up to challenge’, by K. Sutalo, Vecernji List, pg 13 ‘Sanader: Covic made hostage out of party’, by Deana Knezevic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Dragan Covic is not up to his duties’ by A.Sisic  – HDZ of Croatia President and Croatian Prime Minister, Ivo Sanader,confirmed on Thursday that HDZ BiH leaders held talks with the leaders of European People’s Party. According to him, EPP officials urged HDZ BiH to convene a new Convention and to remove current president Dragan Covic. Sanader stated that somebody who expels three prominent members of his party – which is exactly what Covic did with Bozo Ljubic, Josip Merdzo and Martin Raguz – is not adequate person for the post of HDZ BiH President.

M. Relota, J. Merdzo on decision to expel Merdzo, Ljubic and Raguz from HDZ membership

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Merdzo does not exclude possibility of final division’ by F. Vele – HDZ spokesperson Miso Relota stated that the decision of the HDZ High Court of Honor about expelling HDZ members Josip Merdzo, Martin Raguz and Bozo Ljubic from the HDZ membership is grounded and in accordance with the HDZ Statute. Relota stressed that 3 of them have a right to lodge an appeal to the BiH Presidency and DA comments on this option by wondering how it is possible that a body at whose proposal a disciplinary procedure was launched could decide on the appeals. Commenting on this decision Josip Merdzo stated that nothing is definite yet and that they will wait to see as to what the HDZ Central Board would say on this issue. Asked whether HDZ representatives in the state and FBiH Parliaments would remain faithful to the HDZ policy after some of HDZ most prominent members were expelled, Merdzo says: ‘It is hard to suppose now at which moment breaking up between the HDZ Caucus and the current HDZ leadership might take place. It is possible that it happens, however, so far there was no such thinking.’ 

Madunic, Jovic, Jukic on expelling of Raguz, Merdzo and Ljubic from HDZ membership

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘They were expelled since they demanded more democracy’ by S. Se. – Commenting on the information that Martin Raguz, Bozo Ljubic and Josip Merdzo were expelled from the HDZ membership, President of the HDZ Caucus in the FBiH HoR Ivan Madunic stated that if this information is correct then it speaks a lot about HDZ itself. He added that it should be seen whether the three of them violated the HDZ Statute by its acting and whether it was explained what Articles of the Statute they violated. Commenting on the same issue Chairman of the BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic stated: ‘Each party is a group of like-minded persons who pay membership subscriptions and those who think in a different way form their own parties.’ Another high-ranked HDZ official Velimir Jukic shares a similar opinion and he said that he condemns signing of Promemoria and that those who passed the decision on expelling from the party just did what they are tasked to do.

SD on HDZ: War between two HDZs not over yet

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 3 ‘Sanader’s men defeated in HDZ BiH’, by Zlatko Tulic – Commenting on the situation within the HDZ BiH, Tulic notes that the decision by Dragan Covic and his people to exclude Ljubic, Raguz and Merdzo from the party can be seen as a clear message to Ivo Sanader. In that context, Tulic argues that Zagreb lost a battle to Mostar, however the war is far from over. The author also argues that all reforms that have been carried out in BiH in past three years (education, police, media) have been detrimental to the BiH Croats, owing to the HDZ BiH not coming up with proposals of their own. SD argues that the whole policy of the HDZ BiH has been set up with a sole aim to protect Covic from criminal prosecutions.

SDS Assembly

BHT, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Political coherence of the party confirmed’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘No rift at SDS, but there are different views’ by Z.Kusmuk/V.Popovic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Stories on conflicts fabricated’ by Lj.Faladzic, EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Cavic announces party reforms’ by Lj.Ljubojevic-SRNA – New Main Board of SDS was elected in Bijeljina, and SDS President Dragan Cavic said that by election of 60 new members of the Main Board SDS has denied all media writings about divisions within the Party, stressing that, large stories are always made around large parties. “Mostly malicious with lots of untruths and in every opportunity, as in this one, we have denied all these speculations with a stabile situation within the Party. Naturally, we have lots of problems and problems are product of High Representative’s decisions, which have almost ruined us financially and organizationally. We are functioning literally without means for two years and we are still alive, we have political stances and we are still a political factor”- said Cavic.  Asked about disobedience of Herzegovina ’s SDS toward him, Cavic said that they aren’t that kind of a Party, denying that there are no differences within SDS toward any parts of RS or members of SDS .

DL: Cavic and Kostunica talking about RS leaving BiH if Kosovo gets independent?

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Republika Srpska to join Serbia?’, by De. L. – The daily notices that the RS President, Dragan Cavic, and Serbian PM, Vojislav Kostunica, have been meeting each other on more or less regular basis lately, and according to a source of the ‘Glas javnosti’ (‘Voice of Public’), the reason is an initiative coming from the RS according to which the RS would leave the FBiH should Kosovo get independent, and on top of this, there is an option that the RS joins Serbia. The source notes that the other reason behind the frequent meetings is preparations to arrest Ratko Mladic in Serbia . Allegedly, the arrest could take place very soon.

Cavic denied media speculation on his talks with Kostunica on separation of RS from BiH

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘I am not working with Kostunica on separation of RS’ by Z.K. – Dragan Cavic, RS President, denied claims of the Serbian daily “Glas Javnosti”, that he is collaborating with Vojislav Kostunica, Serbian Premier, on separation of RS from BiH. According to Serbian daily, Kostunica and Cavic have intensified their meetings lately, the reason of which is the initiative if Kosovo gets autonomy, RS would leave BiH. Cavic said in Bijeljina: “Those are unbelievable speculations…I must stress connecting the issues of Kosovo and RS is at the greatest detriment of Serbs. RS has its status recognized with the international agreement called Dayton Accords.””

Bukejlovic on effects of Kosovo status upon regional situation

Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Dominos come from Kosovo’ by Tanjug – In an interview to Tanjug news agency, Pero Bukejlovic, RS Premier, assessed that the independence of Kosovo and Metohoija would open the issue of whether other peoples in the region have the right to self-determination, adding: “If Kosovo were recognized as independent, it would probably cause problems and tensions in the regions. How can we allow somebody to have a right to self-determination and deprive the others of that same right.” On launchment of SAA talks between EU and BiH, Bukejlovic expressed conviction that talks would commence on 12 December as planned, noting talks will most certainly see demands for harmonization of BiH Laws with the existing legislative at EU.

IFIMES: SDS prepared indictment against SPRS’ Djokic

Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘SDS prepared indictment against Petar Djokic in secrecy’, by NINA – The Ljubljana-based ‘IFIMES’ (International institute for Middle East and Balkans studies) is warning that the SDS has prepared in full secrecy an indictment against the leader of the Socialist Party of RS (SPRS), Petar Djokic, who is the leader of second strongest opposition part in the RS. Djokic will be allegedly charged with illegal wire-tapping in Brcko. IFIMES adds that the indictment has similar elements like the indictment that had been pressed against SNSD’s Milorad Dodik, which leads IFIMES to say it was prepared by the same structure of people from SDS who in charge of discrediting of opposition parties.

US Annual Report on religious freedoms

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Serious problems still present in BiH’ by D.Ra. – The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, has presented the annual report of the State Department regarding religious freedoms, according to which poor administrative and judicial systems restrict religious freedoms and represents main obstacle to protection of freedoms of religious minorities. Report assesses as positive move of Bishop Grigorije, who called on Karadzic and Mladic to surrender. According to NN inset ‘Non-Muslims in Sarajevo at margins’, Department’s report notes that there are complaints regarding religious discrimination in Sarajevo, noting media vastly discuss the issue of islamisation of Sarajevo, while non-Muslims in Sarajevo feel isolated and on the margin.

US’ Holbrooke on DA

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Dayton prevented infiltration of mujahedeens’ by VoA – Richard Holbrooke, the creator of the Dayton Agreement, stated before the US Senate’ Committee for relations with abroad that the Dayton Agreement has prevented the infiltration of mujahedeens in BiH, adding: “If we had not then embodied the provision in the DA which had enabled us with unilateral right to use military force in order to root out foreign elements…. Namely, we had not heard of Al Q’Aida at that time, but know we know that DA, followed with Kosovo action, stopped Osama bin Laden and Al Q’Aida from making Afghanistan out of Bosnia, that would then be closer to us and the heart of Europe.”

Economic/Social Affairs

SDA supports FBiH Govt’s decision of choosing INA-MOL for Energopetrol privatization

BHT, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Prevent monopoly of INA-MOL consortium’ by S. Rozajac – At the session on Thursday, the SDA Presidency decided to support the decision of the FBiH Government to co-capitalization of Energopetrol and awarding the contract to the INA-MOL Consortium. At the same time, party has demanded from the Government to prevent the possibility of the Consortium creating the monopoly. FBIH Prime Minister, Ahmet Hadzipasic, said that in addition the party has asked form the government to launch the production of the FBiH terminals as soon as possible. Daily reports that several members, including the SDA Vice President Adnan Terzic and FBiH Parliament delegate Semsudin Mehmedovic [both previously not supporting the decision] left the session earlier. However, Hadzipasic said this happened only because of their private obligations. SDA leader, Sulejman Tihic, said that the decision brought is the best one to save the company. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘FBiH Government’s decision on consortium INA MOL endorsed’ by A.M. – also reported.    

FBiH Government on Law on Privatization of Companies, Grabovac on ‘Aluminij’

Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Government helpless when it comes newly born situation regarding Aluminij’, by A. Beus, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 22 ‘Support to Proposal of law on privatization’, by Z. Zekic – The FBIH Government, which held a session in Mostar on Thursday, supported changes to the Law on Privatization of Companies as supported by the FBiH House of Representatives, which were however turned down by the FBiH House of Peoples. According to FBIH Deputy PM, Gavrilo Grahovac, failure to adopt the law is endangering the agreement between the FBiH Government and ‘Aluminij’ of Mostar.

VL interview: Hadzipasic on ‘Energopetrol’ and ‘Aluminij’ – Government will not change its position

Vecernji List, pg 6, mentioned on front ‘We are not changing decision about Energopetrol’, by Eldina Medunjanin – carries an interview with the FBiH PM, Ahmet Hadzipasic, in which he, whilst commenting on the ‘Energopetrol’ issue, says that there is no need to convoke a session of the FBiH Parliament because the Government said what it had to say, namely “there is nothing that could change the Government’s decision”. Still, PM Hadzipasic says if the FBIH Parliament wishes to annul the Government’s decision, then the Parliament should prepare a recovery plan, secure financial means and ultimately take the responsibility if such plan fails. Asked to comment on the ‘Aluminij’ issue, PM Hadzipasic notes it is the question for the FBiH Parliament because it voted the way it did, however the PM believes that the pre-election campaign had started earlier than ever, which is detrimental to the work of the FBiH Government.

Interview with one of the removed director Osmanagic on “Energopetrol”

Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘Sale to INA/MOL would hide crime’ by R.Cengic – In an interview to daily, Sead Osmanagic, one of removed director of Sarajevo Energopetrol (EP), says that the sale of EP to INA/MOL would hide criminal activities at this company of millions BAM worth. He claims that EP is not “dead, but seriously ill patient, that can still be saved”. He also notes that his fall at EP has started when he asked the company “Aura” from Ljubuski, run by Lucic family, when this company would eturn gas stations they took from EP during the war.

DA: ‘Construction of bridge to Peljesac begins without BiH consent’

BHT, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Construction of bridge to Peljesac begins without BiH consent’ by L.S. – Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Croatian Minister of Traffic and Tourism Bozidar Kalmeta have opened the beginning of works on the construction of the bridge to Peljesac on Thursday. Kalmeta stated: ‘In principle BiH agrees with the construction proposed in this way, however, it has not given a full support to the project yet. The response is neutral so far since BiH still demands certain studies.’ Commenting on this statement BiH Deputy Minister of Traffic and Communications Haris Basic who learnt about the beginning of the aforementioned construction from DA said: ‘If this and what Kalmeta said is truth then he is deluding the public. We have not given a consent to a proposed solution since it does not make possible for BiH a free access to an open sea.’ Basic said that Kalmeta does not state facts ‘unless he agreed some other arrangements in private talks with BiH Minister of Traffic and Communications Branko Dokic’. Also reported by Oslobodjenje last pg ‘Croatia began construction of bridge for Peljesac’ by D. Zadravec also covered the issue.

RS Finance Ministry official on BiH budget for 2006

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘A cat and calf’s head’ by D.V.M. – The article is about framework budget plan of BiH joint institutions for 2006, noting that if the practice continues of seeing new BiH joint institutions formed, the expenditures will be almost impossible to cover. Zarko Mionic, Assistant to RS Finance Minister, warns that increase of budget demands on a yearly basis are unrealistic, stressing the need for development and investments into social issues instead of directing the money where it is not so necessary.

Security/Legal Proceedings

SBS warn SBS Director of illegalities by his predecessors

Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘SBS leaders accused of crime’, by Dejan Jazvic – Reports that a group of anonymous members of the State Border Service sent the SBS Director, Vinko Dumancic, a letter asking him to initiate an investigation into behaviour of former SBS principals, namely Slavisa Vukovic, Nijaz Spahic, Robert Peric and their associates, who are accused of illegal spending of money for per diems, salaries, tender-related procedures etc. The letter was allegedly sent to the OHR too.

‘Ohrid’ process meeting in Sarajevo on security of borders

Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Establish open, but safe borders in region’, by D. P. Mandic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Establishing safe borders’, by ra – The third meeting of the Ohrid process on security of borders started in Sarajevo on Thursday. The aim of the meeting is to establish open, but in the same time safe and controlled borders in the western Balkans. According to BiH Deputy Security Minister, Dragan Mektic, the aim is to make easier the legitimate moving of people, vehicles and goods and prevent all forms of trans-border crime.