13.02.2006

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 11/2/2006

TV news broadcast onFeb. 10, 2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Regional news

BiH Armed Forces issues

Tokaca on RDC researches

Strike of HNC education workers

RS Government’s decision

Dodik on new RS Govt Ministers

HNC education Union on strike

Regional News

CS Police prevents protest in SA

HBC teachers on support strike

Regional News

World News

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Police identifies 2 flag burners

BiH CC on foreign currency savings

Sladjana Kobas died

BIH CC adopts savers appeals

Strikes and protests in Mostar

Family house burned in Pothranj

HR on BIH state system

HNC Trade Unions on protests

Dodik revealed names of ministers

Defence reform document presented

Inpek workers take over managing

BiH Armed Forces issues

 

Oslobodjenje

Dodik promised Tihic: Terzic’s Government remains in power by end of mandate

Dnevni Avaz

SDA President Tihic: SDA supports Terzic and current composition of BiH CoM

Dnevni List

Wave of protests in Mostar (on strikes and protests that are to take place on Monday)

Vecernji List

HR Schwarc-Schilling: Vecernji List Stamp is biggest social event in BiH

Nezavisne Novine

Agreement on change of Constitution by April (mtg McElhaneye/Terzic)

 

Reshuffling in RS Government/Voting of non-confidence to CoM?/ Const. changes talks

RS PM Designate Dodik revealed names of future RS Government Ministers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RTRS – Milorad Dodik, RS Prime Minister Designate revealed names of Ministers, while the RSNA session on election of the Government should be scheduled between February 20 and 25. According to RTRS, Dodik believes that has support of majority in the RSNA and that the budget will be passed by the end of February, right after the Government’s elections. Dodik is still waiting for proposals of PDP and SDP for ministerial positions. “We know now that the Minister of Finance would be from SNSD, Aleksandar Dzombic, who is now a deputy director of Nova Banka Bijeljina, Minister of Administration and Local Self-Government Nebojsa Radmanovic, Minister of Communication and Transport Nedeljko Cubrilovic from DNS, Minister of Economy, Energy and Development would be Milan Jelic, present director of Refinery and Minister of Health and Social Welfare would be Ranko Skrbic”, said Dodik. According to RTRS, Dodik looks for a ministerial position for Omer Brankovic. Ministry of Interior would go to SNSD and new Speaker in RSNA would be Igor Radojcic. SRS will be along with SDS in opposition since they care very much, according to RTRS, about the Serb majority in RSNA. NHI will give great support to Dodik. “We believe that Mr. Dodik is man of this time. He (Dodik) is in his nature man of action, ready to take political risks. This time demands people like him”, said Kresimir Zubak, NHI President. DSS is close to give full support to Dodik and is only waiting to get certain guarantee for RS status. The consultations will end on Sunday and Dodik will officially request the RSNA session on Monday. 

BHT 1 carries that Dodik pointed out that before electing the new government, SNSD would propose dismissal of the RS National Assembly Speaker Dusan Stojicic and appoint Igor Radojicic as the new one. Nezavisne Novine pg 4, mentioned on cover ‘New RS Government by February 25’ by V. Popovic carries a similar report.

DA source reveals names of other possible Ministers in new RS Government 

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Dodik gives crucial positions to cadre from his SNSD’ by N. Diklic – Apart from the aforementioned names DA carries its source from the SNSD top which says: ‘According to the RS Constitution 8 positions belongs to Serbs, 5 to Bosniaks and 3 to Croats and while all Serb positions have been proposed the party still proposes Serbs.’ The source revealed that Dodik is dissatisfied with RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic’s refusal to remain at this position. Now Dodik is thinking whether to appoint Stanislav Cadje from SNSD or Dragan Lukac at this position. According to the same source, Dragan Solaja, a former Traffic Minister from PDP is a candidate for the Minister of Labour, Slaven Pekic from PDP Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Omer Visic from SBiH Minister of Urban Planning, Proko Dragosavljevic would be the Education Minister, while Omer Brankovic would the Minister of Refugees.

RS Vice President Tomljenovic condemned practice that Croat Ministers in RS Government are being elected without consultations with elected Croat authority representatives in RS

Vecernji List og 2 ‘Dodik’s Croats instead of SDS’ Croats’ by Z.K. carries RS Vice President Ivan Tomljenovic as condemning the practice that Croat Ministers in the RS Government are being elected without consultations with elected Croat authority representatives. He added: ‘Dodik continues with the same practice and he would chose his Croats for ministerial positions.’ Tomljenovic called on Croat political parties and negotiators to stand for change of entity Constitutions so that constitutionality and equality of Croats with other peoples would come into life.

SRS reps to RS PM Designate Dodik: ‘If there was no Serb Assembly majority, SRS would be opposition’

 

RHBSRS Chair Milanko Mihajlica spoke with RS PM designate Milorad Dodik. He stated that it is not acceptable for SRS that political factors who are in favour of the RS abolishment are in the RS Government. Also reported by Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘To form Serb Assembly majority’ carries that SRS representatives stated that it is very important for them to secure the Serb Assembly’ majority and if there was no such majority SRS would be the opposition to the new RS Government.

RS PM Designate Dodik: ‘We shall deal with BiH CoM after RS Government was formed’

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘We shall deal with BiH CoM after RS Government was formed’ by N. D. carries RS PM Designate Milorad Dodik as announcing that they would deal with the BiH CoM’s removal after a new RS Government was formed and he added: ‘We shall think of what we shall cook up there.’ Commenting on BiH CoM Chairman Adanan Terzic’s statement that Dodik would block reform process in BiH by his (Terzic’) removal, Dodik said: ‘BiH reforms that Terzic is in charge of are wretched.’

SDA President Tihic on mtg with RS PM Designate Dodik: SDA supports Terzic and current composition of BiH CoM/Tihic: Dodik promised that he would not raise issue of non-confidence to BiH CoM

 

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash and pg 2 ‘SDA supports Terzic and current composition of BiH CoM’ by A. Malagic carries SDA President Sulejman Tihic as saying: ‘At my last meeting with RS PM Designate Milorad Dodik, Dodik raised the issue of the BiH CoM and expressed dissatisfaction with BiH CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic and his work. I told him that as far as SDA is concerned SDA would continue to support Terzic and current composition of the BiH CoM by elections. SDA believes that they should continue with their mandate by the elections.’ Tihic also said that judging by the Dodik’s reaction he understood that ‘SNSD would not be the force that would launch initiatives and demand the removal of the BiH CoM’. Tihic also confirmed that constitutional changes talks would continue next week, however the exact timing of the meeting is not known yet. Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pgs 4 and 5 ‘Terzic’s Government remains in power by end of mandate’ by A. Omeragic, A. Kalamujic also carries Tihic as saying that Dodik promised that he would not raise the issue of non-confidence to the BiH CoM, however that the agreement would not be valid if somebody else launches this issue in the BiH Parliament. Tihic added that SDA would not support this initiative even if it was launched and he added that HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling also asked him about this issue recently and that he told the HR that as far as SDA is concerned Terzic and BiH CoM remain by the end of the mandate.

SDA President Tihic: SDA should get position of RS Deputy PM and position of Minister for Refugees in new RS Government

Dnevni List pg 7 ‘SDA gets position of Deputy Prime Minister of new Government’ also reports on the Tihic-Dodik meeting and carries that Tihic stated that SDA should get the position of the RS Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Refugees and according to Tihic Omer Brankovic is a candidate for this position. Tihic added that SDA would preserve the position of the RSNA Vice President.

Independent repr. Gligoric, HDZ repr. Martin Raguz,  SDS Vice President Novakovic on voting of non-confidence to RS Government

 

Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pgs 4 and 5 ‘Terzic’s Government remains in power by end of mandate’ by A. Omeragic, A. Kalamujic carries independent representative Tihomir Gligoric as saying: ‘The fact that the budget for this year and changes to the Law on VAT were not adopted shows that the CoM does not have the support in the Parliament.’  HDZ representative Martin Raguz stated: ‘We are willing to talk about all aspects of the CoM’s functioning and especially the relation towards the Parliament but we are also for a serious discussion and not for hasty moves.’ SDS Vice President Momcilo Novakovic stated that SDS will not launch the initiative for voting non-confidence to the CoM, however if Dodik forms the RS Government they would call on their people in the CoM to submit resignations.

On mtg US Ambassador to BiH McElhaney/CoM ChairTerzic/ McElhaney: Constitutional changes talks would continue

 

RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Key of negotiations strengthening of state’s competences’, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Agreement on change of BiH Constitution by April’ by M. Cubro – US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney informed CoM Chair Adnan Terzic about results of negotiations on constitutional changes. According to McElhaney, the key issue of negotiations is strengthening of competences and a possibility of the state government’s acting as a necessary precondition for successful BiH’ joining to Euro-Atlantic integration. McElhaney also confirmed that constitutional changes talks would continue.

 

Other political issues

FBiH Prime MinisterAhmet Hadzipasic: Ministry of Tourism and Environment to be established

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Ministry of Environment and Tourism to be formed’ by R. Cengic – FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic stated on Friday after the meeting with his deputies that the FBiH Ministry of Environment and Tourism would be formed. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘New Ministry for Tourism and Environment’ by M. Kukan carries a similar report.

Commander of joint HQ of BiH armed forces Podzic presented ‘Map of road in transition of BiH armed forces’

Pink, Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Proposal on deploying of commanding pots and units to be drafted by July 1’ by L. Sinanovic, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Real estates in BiH CoM’s proposal’ by A. Prlenda, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Amount of extra weapon would be determined by July 1’ by M. Cubro, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Dismissing of soldiers begin by end of September’ by D. Polovina-Mandic – Document “Map of road in transition of BiH armed forces” contains tasks and plans of the BiH Armed forces from 2006 until 2010. Commander of joint HQ of BIH Armed forces general Sifet Podzic presented this document on Friday. He expressed his expectation that BIH Presidency will make a decision by 1st of July on new formation, which in fact means forming of new regiments and divisions, establishment of support command and its units. He also stated that 2070 people will have to be dismissed as a result of the reform in defence system. Podzic expressed his belief that BiH armed forces will in fact be the joint forces once transition period ends.

VL interview with HR Schwarz-Schilling: I would use Bonn powers in case of DPA violation and disrespecting of obligations twds ICTY

Vecernji List pg 6 ‘I will use powers in cases of Dayton and The Hague’ by D. Jazvic carries an interview with HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling who, among the other things, says that he would use Bonn powers in case of the Dayton Peace Accord violation and in case that domestic institutions do not do their job with regard to cooperation with the ICTY in a proper way.

 

On mtg SDHR Ney, BiH Minister of Transport and Communications Dokic: Entity laws on public RTV services should be adopted as soon as possible

 

BHT 1, RTRS – SDHR Martin Ney and BiH Minister of Transport and Communications Branko Dokic met in Sarajevo in order to discuss problems regarding implementation of the BiH Law on Public Broadcasting System. They concluded that it is necessary to adopt entity laws on public RTV services as soon as possible in order to speed up an internal reform of PBS, which is one of the most pre-requisites in the SAA process. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Frequent visits of SIPA officials should not influence RAK’s work’ carries that after he had received the information about frequent visits of SIPA officials to RAK, Dokic said that he hopes that this situation will not influence normal functioning of RAK.

On mtg BiH CoM Chair Terzic/ SDHRNey

 

Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Projects in final phase’ – BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzic received on Friday theoutgoing SDHR Martin Ney. Ney expressed gratitude to Terzic on the fruitful and open communication with the BiH CoM and underlined that the projects on which he was working have entered the final phase and will be completed successfully. He confirmed that the greatest challenge in this year will be the successful completion of the negotiations for a SAA with the EU, in which the key process will be the envisioned public administration reform. n this context, Terzic and Ney arranged intensifying of activities on forming the taskforce that will prepare the strategy for public administration reform, by which one of the key elements in the negotiations would be resolved.

Youth representatives of 14 political parties in BiH and SDHR Ney presented platform of youth policy

 

Pink, BHT1, Hayat – Youth representatives of 14 political parties in BiH and Senior Deputy High Representative Martin Ney presented a platform of youth policy which is based on four priorities: employment, education, health and social welfare and institutional demands. Ney said that this project was initiated by the OHR and that youth representatives did not work as representatives of political parties but as political representatives of youth population. Ney said that the OHR helped youth to make this document. According to Ney, the platform is feasible. Youth Representatives criticized BiH CoM and Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM Chair whom unsuccessfully tried to meet in last two moths. Also reported by Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Platform of youth politics made’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Platform of youth policy made’ by S.L, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Young people need job’ by R.D..

Open letter of Mostar BishopPeric criticising SDHR Ney reg. Stolac crosses issue

 

Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘ ‘Joint action’ for pulling down of Stolac crosses’ carries an open letter of Mostar Bishop Ratko Peric to SDHR Martin Ney in which the Bishop refers on the written document from the meeting between Ney and FBiH Minister of Urban Planning Ramiz Mehmedagic, who, according to the written document, stated that he was willing to pass the decision on removing of Stolac crosses when the law comes in force. The Bishop criticizes parts of this Ney-Mehmedagic agreement and he wonders as to why Ney as an intelligent person involved in ‘such destructing activities’ now when he is departing BiH. The Bishop also wonders whether Ney was under someone’s pressure.

Croat Association for Equality and Democratic BiH published Declaration

 

RHB – The Croat Association for Equality and Democratic BiH published a Declaration to all intellectuals and parties in BiH. The Declaration is meant for all persons and parties that are dissatisfied with functioning of BiH institutions, who are concerned about equality and future of the Croat people etc. The Declaration is signed by Bozo Ljubic and it, among the other things, says that the Declaration is an opportunity to all those, who are willing to put their capabilities and their vote at the elections in defence of Croat equality and survival in BiH, to do it through Croat Association for Equality and Democratic BiH. Dnevni List pg 5 carries the text of whole Declaration.

Croatian PM Sander to meet CoM Chair Terzic, HR Schwarz-Schilling and Croat political parties in Mostar today 

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Ivo Sanader will talk with Terzic and Schwarz-Schilling’ by F. Vele carries Croatian Government spokesperson Ratko Macek as saying that Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader would meet in Mostar on Saturday with BiH CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic and HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling. He added that few Croat parties insisted to have separate meetings with Sanader, but Sander decided to have one joint meeting with all of them. Macek confirmed that HDZ President Dragan Covic would also attend this meeting. DA says that Sanader would also meet with Bozo Ljubic.

HR Schwarz-Schilling to attend ‘VL stamp’ manifestation and meet Sanader in Mostar today

Vecernji List cover pg splash and pgs 4 and 5 ‘Schilling: Vecernji List Stamp is biggest social event in BiH’ by D. Jazvic carries HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling stated that he is glad to attend ‘Vecernji List Stamp’ manifestation in Mostar on Saturday (today) and that is also glad since this would be an opportunity to meet with Croatian PM Ivo Sanader.

HNZ to HR Schwarz-Schilling, OSCE: Education reform is priority’

RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Education reform is priority’, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Education reform demanded’ – HNZ called upon HR Christian Schwarz Schilling and OSCE to put education reform on their list of priorities. HNZ stresses that all reform processes in BIH are meaningless without thorough education reform.

 

War crimes/Terrorism

Chair of Research-Documentation Centre Tokaca claims that none of his researches are going to be given to SCiG teams in order to use it in its defence in BiH- SCG lawsuit

 

BHT 1– The Chair of Research-Documentation Centre Mirsad Tokaca claims that none of his researches are going to be given to Serbia-Montenegrin teams in order to use it in its defence in the BiH-SCG lawsuit. While commenting recent critics addressed at his work, Tokaca says that results of investigations the Centre carries out with over 96,000 killed and missing persons, are incomplete. “None of my researches are going to fall into hands of any SCG teams, since it is impossible. This is nothing but a campaign, led against me, in order to keep me silent”, said Tokaca. Association ‘Women of Srebrenica’ stated in their statement that the results Tokaca presented could be SCG ’s main weapon in its defence in BiH– SCG lawsuit. The Association adds that researches Tokaca carries out are extremely relevant but that a state should take the full responsibility in revealing the real number of killed and missing persons.

US Ambassador to SCG Polt: Mladic must go to The Hague immediately’/HR Schwarz-Schilling: Mladic and Karadzic will be arrested by 2007

RTRS US Ambassador to SCG Michael Polt said that the authorities have to arrest Ratko Mladic immediately. According to High Representative to BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling, Mladic and Radovan Karadzic will be arrested by 2007 when the mandate of High Representative to BiH ends. Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Mladic must go to The Hague immediately’ also carries Polt’s statement.

 

Osl. interview with HR Schwarz-Schilling/ CSS hopes that Karadzic and Mladic would be arrested during this year

 

Oslobodjenje (Saturday’s addition ‘Pogledi’) pg 4 ‘War criminals in The Hague during this year’ by R. Kolar carries an interview with High Representative to BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling who asked about war crime indictees’ arrests, among the other things, says: ‘I can say that there is close connection between negotiations on SAA and efficiency in arrest of war criminals…There are information that Ratko Mladic is being closely followed in Serbia and there would have to be stronger cooperation of the RS in breaking down of the network of support to Mladic and Radovan Karadzic in order to put an end to this issue. I believe that this issue would not be at the agenda next year.’

VL: Chief ICTY Prosecutor   del Ponte brought about 20 war crime cases that would be processed before BiH courts

Vecernji List pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Del Ponte brought 20 war crime cases’ by Z. Kresic – An anonymous source from the BiH Prosecution confirmed that during her last visit to Sarajevo Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte brought about 20 war crime cases that would be processed before BiH courts.

SIPA investigates terrorist Atmani case/Atmanic’s documents were issued in Sarajevo

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘SIPA investigates responsibility of policemen and politicians’ by A. Sisic – SIPA demanded on Friday from the Sarajevo Canton MoI the complete documentation on issuing personal document to Moroccan terrorist Said Atmani. Also, it was stated in CIPS that these documents were issued to Atmani in the Police Administration Novi Grad Sarajevo and not in Fojnica.

 

Economy

BiH Constitutional Court adopted appeals of large number of old foreign currency savers against BIH, FBIH and RS

RHB, Hayat, FTV, RTRS BiH Constitutional Court adopted appeals of large number of old foreign currency savers against BIH, FBIH and RS. BIH CC concluded that since BIH does not have the law that regulates the issue of old foreign currency savings it has not protected the right on property of its citizens. Also reported by almost all printed media.

Hayat brings feature on introduction of bonds in BiH

 

Hayat brings feature on introduction of bonds in BiH. The reporter says that they tried to speak with BiH Minister of Finance LJerka Maric on this issue but without success. Ljubisa Vladusic from the BiH Central Bank stated that they are ready for introduction of bonds and added that they acquired necessary equipment for printing of bonds. Director of Sarajevo Stock Market Zlatan Dedic says that introduction of bonds is very welcome in BiH. The reporter comments that BiH might resolve the problem of war compensation and old foreign currency savings with the introduction of bonds. The Central Bank announced that bonds can be introduced in the second part of 2006 but experts feel that this deadline is too ambitious.

World Bank displeased with fact that BiH still does not have 2006 budget

 

Hayat – The World Bank stressed its displeasure with the fact that iIH still doesn’t have the 2006 budget. Director of WB in BiH Dirk Rainermain stated attention needs to be drawn towards economy in BiH. He added that economic reforms must be implemented in BiH. The WB intends to invest 130 million dollars in this area, mostly in structural reforms. The reporter comments that special challenge represents decrease of investment into administration. Rainermain also stated that hopefully Council of Ministers will adjust its budget to demands of International Monetary Fund and present it to BIH Parliament as soon as possible. The reporter concludes that the BiH Parliament might be dismissed if 2006 budget is not adopted by end of March.

 

Protests

Sarajevo Canton Police to prevent protest in front of Danish Embassy on Sunday since it has not been reported on time

BHT 1, Hayat, FTV – Sarajevo Canton Police is going to prevent protest in front of the Danish Embassy in Sarajevo, due to Prophet Mohammed’s caricatures scheduled for February 12th, since it has not been reported in time. Also reported by all printed media.

 

Strikes, protests in HNC on Monday

 

BHT 1, FTV, Dnevni List cover pg splash and pgs 12 and 13 ‘Wave of protests in Mostar’ Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Strike in schools as of Monday’by E. Milavoic, S. Bjelica – On Monday, peaceful protests and strikes are to take place in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNC) in front of the HNC Government. Namely, Trade Unions of education, ‘Urbing’ company and ‘Sume Herzeg-Bosne’ employees are to organize them. According to announcements, these are going to be the greatest protests ever in the HNC. Members of the Trade Unions said that they would rather resign or be fired than abandon their requests and cancel the protest. They want to see the crucial issues solved for good.