OHR BiH Media Round-up, 12/7/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

No news broadcast due to strike

Srebrenica anniversary

Anniversary of Srebrenica genocide

Trial to 7 former officers in ICTY

Carla Del Ponte in Potocari

Regional news

Anniversary ends with no incidents

SIPA arrests war crime suspect

Mourning day marked only in FBiH

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

505 people buried in Srebrenica

Anniversary of Srebrenica genocide

Srebrenica anniversary

Del Ponte on Mladic

HR CSS on Srebrenica genocide

Bratunac anniversary

Malkic on organisation in Srebrenica

Mourning day marked only in FBiH

Simsic sentenced to 5 years

Schwarz-Shilling re Srebrenica

Anniv. of genocide marked in USK

SIPA arrests war crime suspect

Oslobodjenje

Powerful remained shameful and those with no power wait for justice [Srebrenica] 

Dnevni Avaz

Justice cannot be avoided or escaped [Effendi Ceric’s speech in Srebrenica]

Dnevni List

Bosniaks seek revenge (shots fired nearby mosque in Banja Luka)

Vecernji List

Herzegovina without strategy (feature on building of highway through Herzegovina)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Better concentrate on draw rather rush into attack (football story from Siroki Brijeg)

Nezavisne Novine

505 victims buried

Glas Srpske

Not a single change since Dayton

EuroBlic

Hunt for voters without squandering [Parties announced they would conduct modest pre-election campaigns]

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

Marking of 11th Srebrenica massacre anniversary

Marking of 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide: 505 body remains buried, about 30.000-50.000 people attended religious ceremony

BHT1 by Svjetlana Todorovic, Mirela Cosic – 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide was marked on Tuesday in a ceremony mainly of religious character. The remains of 505 identified Bosniaks killed in 1995 – including eight 15-year-old boys and five women – were buried in Memorial centre in Potocari. Reporting live, BHT said total of 2,442 graves “now testified about the scope of monstrous crime committed against Bosniaks from Srebrenica”. The Head of Islamic Community in BiH, reisu-l-ulema Mustafa Effendi Ceric served the funeral, which was attended by more than 50,000 people. FTV by Salih Brkic – FTV noted more than 5,000 Srebrenica victims are yet to be discovered and identified. RTRS by Drazen Glisic – RTRS carries that commemoration was attended by 20,000 people. Effendi Ceric stated that all perpetrators of crimes in Srebrenica would be held responsible one day, noting that truth cannot be hidden or justice escaped. Reporter comments that RS MoI was professional in providing security, in cooperation with other security agencies.Hayat– Effendi Ceric noted that “people, BiH, world and time” all changed after 11^th July 1995. Hayat reported 30,000 people attended. PINK – Upon request of victims’ families, commemoration was of religious character and without any political speeches. NOTE that BHT1, Hayat and FTV all focused their reports on featuring stories of some of the women who attended the funeral of their relatives.Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Powerful remained shameful and those with no power wait for justice’ by Sakib Smajlovic– Daily carries two pages on ceremony, Ceric’s speech. Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Nothing is the same after July 11, 1995’ not signed, Dnevni List pg 2 mentioned on cover ‘Truth can be neither denied nor concealed’ by HINA, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 11, mentioned on cover ‘The big remained small, and the powerful ashamed’ by Z. Banovic – Headlines are words from the speech of reis-ul-ulema Ceric. Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2-5 ‘Justice cannot be avoided or escaped’ not signed– Daily carries five pages dedicated to marking, and entire Ceric’s speech. Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Srebrenica buries its dead’ mentioned on cover ‘Kostunica is to blame that criminals are still at large’ by Dejan Jazvic – Headline refers to ICTY Chief Prosecutor. Vecernje Novosti pg 10 ‘Condemnation of crimes debt to victims’ by M. Z. R., Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pgs 2-3 ‘505 victims buried’ by J. Sarac and V. Radic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Commemoration without official speeches’ by K. Cirkovic – also reported. NOTE: NN says approximately 50.000 people attended the commemoration, EuroBlic reads the number was between 15000 and 30000, Glas Srpske and Vecernje Novosti report people arrived in 270 buses and approximately 3000 cars.

Ceremony in Potocari ends without no incidents

BHT1 by Hatka Hamidovic – According to BHT reporter, marking the 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide ended with no incidents, or any kind of problem for that matter. Unlike the year before, there were no traffic jams, and all of those who wanted to be in Potocari were able to attend the commemoration. According to the information from Public Security Centre Srebrenica, approximately 3,500 passenger cars and 300 buses arrived to Srebrenica and Potocari in last two days. Spokesperson of PSC Srebrenica, Dragomir Pjeric, confirmed for BHT that there were no security incidents reported, but several hundred of medical treatments. RTRS, Vecernje Novosti pg 10 ‘Condemnation of crimes debt to victims’ by M. Z. R., Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pgs 2-3 ‘505 victims buried’ by J. Sarac and V. Radic Inset ‘No incidents’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Commemoration without official speeches’ by K. Cirkovic Inset ‘Security’– RS Minister of Interior Stanislav Cadjo was featured stressing no incident occured. PINK also reported ceremony without any incidents.

Glas Srpske cover story reports of incidents: Kravice citizen claim “March of death – road of freedom” participants threatened to Serbs and insulted policemen

Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Threats revived fear’ by K. C. – One Vojin Pavlovic from Kravice told Glas Srpske he saw Zulfo Tursunovic from Suceska village of Srebrenica, who was a close associate of Srebrenica wartime commander Naser Oric, riding a horse through Kravice village on Monday afternoon at the head of “March of death – road of freedom” column, ‘in the same way he was riding to blood-shedding actions in Serb villages in Podrinje in 1992 and 1993’. Pavlovic said he then realised the war was not over and Serbs would be in danger as long as criminals who had committed crimes in Serb villages are punished. He says participants of the march were shouting “Allah ekber” and asking if there were any Serbs, threatening there would be no more Serbs and added several hundreds of Bosniaks from the column insulted policemen because they “were protecting Chetniks”. Policemen asked Serbs not to react on provocations.

Head of Srebrenica Municipality Malkic: organisation in 2006 better than in 2005

Hayat By Tomislav Djuric – In an interview to NTV Hayat, Head of Srebrenica Municipality and organisational board for marking 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica massacre, Abdulrahman Mlakic stated that he was satisfied with organisation this year unlike last year. He especially pointed out to the last years’ traffic issues [Note: last year the weak traffic regulation and a huge number of official delegations caused delays in arrival of vehicles and buses, which resulted with some families of victims not arrive on time for funeral or having to walk for hours to be on time. That was the main criticism against the RS authorities at the time]

ICTY Chief Prosecutor Del Ponte: Nobody searches for ICTY indictees any more; Tribunal will not close until Karadzic and Mladic are in the Hague

BHT1 by Svjetlana Todorovic – The Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte has attended the funeral of and paid respect to 505 victims of Srebrenica genocide. During talks with the mothers and wives of the victims, Del Ponte stressed that members of various intelligence agencies have been searching for Ratko Mladic for a long time, but added that they have ‘no real authorities’. She accused Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica of being a main culprit for the fact that Mladic is still on the run. Del Ponte added that if he wanted, Kostunica would apprehend Mladic immediately[she was quoted in Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘No one searches or Karadzic any more and Kostunica is protecting Mladic’ by A.Avdic, as saying: “Kostunica can extradite [Ratko] Mladic today if he wants to. However, he is negotiating with him on voluntarily surrender and we know that Mladic would never surrender”. ] She also used the opportunity to explain why she did no attend last year’s ceremony [which was attended by geat number of both domestic and foreign delegations]: “I did not come out of protest… Because all the IC representatives were here, and Radovan Karadzic and Mladic were still at large. The IC bears a part of responsibility for the fact that they have not been apprehended yet”, stated Del Ponte. She emphasized that nobody supports her anymore in her hunt of ICTY indictees, which was obvious when UN Security Council rejected the request to establish a special unit to arrest six remaining ICTY fugitives. Del POnte said she did not forget about Karadzic, but added that nobody searches for him any more either. “That’s the question you should ask those in RS. They have the police which is in charge of apprehending war criminals, and which has the biggest opportunity to do that, since they control the territory on which Radovan Karadzic could be”, commented BiH Presidency Chair SulejmanTihic.FTV – Del Ponte reiterated that the Tribunal would not close before those two most-wanted war criminals are prosecuted. Hayat, PINK, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘As long as I am here I would fight for Karadzic and Mladic to go to The Hague’ by E.Sarac, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Srebrenica buries its dead’ mentioned on cover ‘Kostunica is to blame that criminals are still at large’ by Dejan Jazvic, Vecernje Novosti pg 10 ‘Condemnation of crimes debt to victims’ by M. Z. R., Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pgs 2-3 ‘505 victims buried’ by J. Sarac and V. Radic Inset ‘Carla del Ponte angry’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Commemoration without official speeches’ by K. Cirkovic, EuroBlic RSpg 1 ‘Day of memory and sorrow’, announced on cover ’30 thousand people paid respect to the fallen’ by S. R. Mrkonjic – also covered..

Serbian NGO Woman in black pays respect to Srebrenica victims

Hayatby Lejla Gutlic, Potocari, Srebrenica – The 11^th anniversary of massacre in Srebrenica has been attended by the Belgrade-based NGO ‘Women in Black’. About forty woman came to support to those from Srebrenica, expressing their disagreements with relations of Serbia with BIH and the fact that someone committed crime on their behalf. PINK – Nevena Kostic from ‘Women in black’ Association stressed that genocide was committed in Srebrenica. BHT1 by Svjetlana Todorovic – The excuse from Serbia should not be accepted until Serbian officials and society clearly acknowledge there was genocide committed in Srebrenica, stated representatives of Serbian NGO ‘Women in Black’. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Passer-bys called them Ustasha’ – DA noted that Serb residents were calling these women ‘ustashas’. FTV, Vecernje Novosti pg 10 ‘Condemnation of crimes debt to victims’ by M. Z. R., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Commemoration without official speeches’ by K. Cirkovicalso reported. Note that electronic media especially treated presence of this NGO representatives as the second most important [after ICTY Chief Prosecutor].

Representatives of International Community, diplomats and domestic politicians attend Srebrenica commemoration

BHT1 by Svjetlana Todorovic – Although the marking of 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide was strictly a religious manifestation, numerous representatives of International Community, diplomats and domestic politicians attended the ceremony in Potocari. Education and Culture Minister Anton Kasipovic and Minister for Refugees and Displaced Persons Omer Brankovic ledthe RSdelegation. BiH legal representative in lawsuit for genocide against Serbia and Montenegro before the International Court of Justice, Phon van den Biesen, also arrived. RTRS by Drazen Glisic – Kasipovic stated that everyone has to be aware that enormous evil occurred in Srebrenica. Reporter concludes that despite announcements, Naser Oric failed to appear at the commemoration. US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney stated that Srebrenica will remain permanent scar and added that he came to Potocari in order to be with the families of Srebrenica victims. Chair of Association Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa Munira Subasic stated that RS authorities should state the names of those responsible for crimes in Srebrenica so reconciliation could take place. She reminded that those who are most responsible for the crime are still at large. “Those who committed crimes should be brought to justice and held responsible”, stated Sulejman Tihic. Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘It is important to send message to the world from this place’ by E.S. – RS President Dragan Cavic and members of the RS National Assembly have not attended [Note that Cavic has previously announced he would not attend the ceremony to avoid “keeping company with” Naser Oric, who at the same time said he would not attend the ceremony in order to avoid any incidents]. PINK, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘It is important to send message to the world from this place’ by E.S. – Assistant to UN Secretary General Diego Arria  was also present: “Presence around the pain of these people is the most powerful message to the world.” Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘505 more victims of Srebrenica crime buried’ not signed – Srebrenica ceremony was also attended by: British, Croatian and Serbian ambassadors Matthew Rycroft, Josip Vrbosic and Grujica Spasovic, respectively, as well as by ambassadors of Islamic countries; Head of EC Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys, NATO and EUFOR commanders Louis Weber and Gian Marco Chiarini, respectively; BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic, SbiH leader Haris Silajdzic, FbiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic, RS Vice President Adil Osmanovic, RS Council of Peoples Remzija Kadric, Head of FbiH Commission for Missing Persons Amor Masovic. Vecernje Novosti pg 10 ‘Condemnation of crimes debt to victims’ by M. Z. R., Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pgs 2-3 ‘505 victims buried’ by J. Sarac and V. Radic, EuroBlic RSpg 1 ‘Day of memory and sorrow’, announced on cover ’30 thousand people paid respect to the fallen’ by S. R. Mrkonjic

HR Schwarz-Schilling: we have failed the victims of Srebrenica genocide

FTV – On the occasion on 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide, the High Representative in BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling said in a written statement that “We [the IC] failed the victims of this genocide in life and we will fail them in death unless we ensure that the remains of each and every one of them are buried with dignity, and that the perpetrators – each and every one of them – are brought to justice.”Announcement further reads HR was “moved” when he learned that BiH Council of Ministers declared July 11^th a Mourning Day in BiH; he expressed hope that all BiH institutions would soon “set aside a day every year to honour the memory of both the victims of Srebrenica and all citizens of BiH who lost their lives”. Hayat – HR added that “each time I think of Srebrenica, I have to ask myself what more we could and should have done…to prevent the slaughter in… a UN-declared safe haven.” BHT1, Vecernji List pg 2 Inset ‘Criminals must be punished’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘We have let down the victims’ by N. N., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Commemoration without official speeches’ by K. Cirkovic Inset ‘Schwarz-Schilling’, Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 Inset ‘We’ve allowed genocide before our own eyes’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘We have failed genocide victims’ – also carried.

Only FBiH marks 11 July Mourning Day

BHT1 by Marina Boskovic – BHT 1 reports that alike the last year, only FBIH has complied with the decision of the BiH Council of Ministers to declare July 11^th a Mourning Day in BiH. Report further notes the representatives of the RS Government refused to explain why the day of mourning was not marked in that entity. The electronic media in RS also failed to respect relevant code of conduct, even though the Communications Regulatory Agency (CRA) appealed on all media to comply with the CoM decision. “We, as a regulatory agency, do have the mechanisms that we can apply (in those cases)”, stated CRA representative Amela Odobasic, but she did not specify what kind of sanctions – if any – media in RS would face. BHT report features a poll conducted among the citizens in FBiH and RS cities: while FBiH citizens unanimously claim that the anniversary of Srebrenica genocide should be marked with a day of mourning, RS citizens claim that the crimes were committed on all sides. FTV also carried. Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pgs 2-3 ‘505 victims buried’ by J. Sarac and V. Radic Inset ‘Media warned to respect the Day of Mourning’, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘There was no mourning day in RS’ – carried on CRA .

Reactions in Serbia on 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica massacre; Serbian President Tadic: all persons who committed war crimes must be punished

BHT1 by Vesna Simic – On the occasion of 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide, Serbian President Boris Tadic stated that all persons who committed war crimes must be punished. Tadic stressed that it is necessary to condemn all crimes, not only because of the past, but also for the better future. Tadic said it is not important for for him “whether the crimes were committed in Prijedor, Sarajevo, Srebrenica, Bratunac or Kravice; crimes are crimes, no matter where they were committed”. Serbian President added that The Hague must have the same criteria towards all the criminals, and expressed protest Bosniak Srebrenica wartime commander Naser Oric was sentenced to only two years of prison for crimes committed against Serb civilians. Vice-President of the Serbian Government Ivana Dulic-Markovic stated that the crimes committed in Srebrenica must not be forgotten, adding perpetrators must be brought justice. Independent Association of Journalists from Vojvodina assessed as shameful that July 11^th is not declared a day of mourning in Serbia. According to BHT reporter, Serbian citizens are aware of the fact that genocide was committed in Srebrenica; however, especially after ICTY sentenced Oric, many of them justify crimes by saying that they were committed on both sides. FTV by Adisa Smailagic – Serbian Journalists reminded that the crime in Srebrenica was the worst crime committed in Europe after the WWII, and that Serbia should bow to the innocent victims of this horrible crime. At the same time, Initiative of Young People for Human Rights decided to mark the 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide by distributing t-shirts and badges with messages about Srebrenica in nine Serbian cities. Such action almost provoked an incident in the very centre of Nis, because citizens mostly consider indicted war criminal Ratko Mladic to be a hero. Hayat also covered. Vecernje Novosti pg 10 ‘Evil acts have name’ by M. Z. R., Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘It is necessary to condemn all crimes’ by Beta, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Tadic demands all crimes to be condemned’ by Onasa carried Tadic. Vecernje Novosti pg 10 ‘Burden to conscience of mankind’ by M. Z. R., Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Crime in Srebrenica must be punished’ by Beta – reports Ivana Dulic-Markovic.Vecernje Novosti pg 10 ‘Beginning of catharsis’ by M. Z. R., Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘It is shameful that 11^th July is not mourning day in Serbia’ – Independent Society of Journalists of Vojvodina Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘We must not forget crime in Srebrenica’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Crime perpetrators must be apprehended and punished’ – Carries statement of Ivana Dulic-Markovic. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Incident due to paying respect’ by S.Rozajac, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Police arrested attacked on activists’ by Onasa – Initiative of Young People for Human Rights marking anniversary of Srebrenica genocide.

Serbian Liberal Democratic Party: Serbia in conflict with modern world since Govt is consolidating “anti-Hague lobby”

Vecernje Novosti pg 10 ‘Arrest fugitives’ by M. Z. R. – Serbian Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) issued a press release in which it assessed that on the occasion of 11^th anniversary of crimes in Srebrenica Serbia is in conflict with the modern world because the Serbian Government is “consolidating anti-Hague lobby”. LDP reminded 8.000 people had been killed in Srebrenica in only three days and demanded Hague fugitives Ratko Mladic, Radovan Karadzic and other war crimes indictees to be arrested because this is an obligation towards their victims.

ICMP: the truth about Srebrenica genocide is a key factor in the process of reconciliation

FTV – The memorial ceremony marking the 11^th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide allows members of victims’ families to bury their dead with dignity, International Commission for Missing Persons (ICMP) announced on Tuesday. Only 2,636 out of 7,789 Srebrenica victims have been identified so far. The truth is a key factor in the process of reconciliation, stated ICMP; by providing irrefutable evidences about the identity of victims, ”we keep people from believing the extremists, who still claim that these events have never happened,” is said in the ICPM announcement. 

International media on the anniversary of Srebrenica genocide

BHT1 by Alenka Bruck – BHT 1 analyses that unlike the year before, the international media this time did not pay much attention to anniversary of Srebrenica genocide. The exception are media in neighbouring countries, Croatia , Serbia and Montenegro . Only BBC and Euronews covered the commemoration in Potocari, while CNN and Sky News did not.

DL op-ed harshly criticize facts Mladic, Karadzic still at large, IC for not preventing genocide

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Killing with joy’, by Resad Dautefendic – comments on the 11^th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide harshly criticizing the fact that the order-makers of the genocide, namely Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic, are still at large, in the same time criticizing the then Dutch battalion of the UN in Srebrenica and whole IC in general for not doing anything to prevent the massacre.

DA op-ed: Srebrenica anniversary shows a need to put the name to the crime

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Crime with no name’ op-ed by Sead Numanovic– Commenting 11^th Srebrenica genocide anniversary, author stresses that “words of condemning” the crimes came even from Serbia. At the same time, he comments, unlike Serbia, the RS has failed to even observe the Mourning Day proclaimed at the state level, while political parties in the RS were preparing “decapitate”, as author notes, another Srebrenica resident, referring to RSNA Deputy Speaker Sefket Hafizovic, whose replacement is demanded by RS parties because he met the former Srebrenica wartime Commander Naser Oric upong his release from prison. Noting that this anniversary is showing all necessity of de-nationalization of Serbian and RS societies; Numanovic says process would result with naming the perpetrator so “condemnations from Serbia would carry the name and wouldn’t be empty phrases…butchers wouldn’t be national heroes and their mortgage wouldn’t burden entire people.”  In conclusion, Numanovic underlines: “When crime has no name it is, then, collective and possibility for repeating of it is much greater.”

Other war crimes issues

BiH Court sentences Bob an Simisic to 5 years of prison for war crimes committed in Visegrad

RTRS by Zorica Rulj – BIH Court sentenced Boban Simsic to 5 years in prison for committed crimes against humanity in Visegrad. Simsic has been sentenced for helping in forced disappearance of Bosniaks as well as rape over Bosniak civilians in Visegrad. Chair of Association Women war victims Bakira Hasecic stressed that they are not pleased with the verdict. Both Prosecution and Defence announced appeals. Defence attorney Zeljko Civsa claims that his client is completely innocent. Simsic has been in custody since January 2005 and this period will be included in serving of his sentence. Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Boban Simsic gets five years in prison’ by E. Mackic – Article reads that judge Dragomir Vukoje, who read the verdict sentencing Simsic to five years in prison, said that the reason Simsic was acquitted of other charges such as murder, torture, rape, imprisonment of civilians and inflicting serious injuries is that the prosecution failed to prove these and because the witnesses often changed their testimonies. PINK, BHT1, Hayat, FTV, Glas Srpske pg 10 ‘Simsic got five years’ by V. Bugarin, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Five years of imprisonment for Boban Simsic’ by A. Djozo, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Boban Simsic sentenced to five years in prison’ by N.J., Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Boban Simsic sentenced to five years in prison’ by A.Omeragic – also covered.

SIPA arrests war crime indictee Nenad Tanaskovic

FTV – On the basis of order issued by the BiH Prosecutor’s Office, members of State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) on Tuesday in Visegrad apprehended one person suspected of committing war crimes against civilians in 1992, in the area of Visegrad municipality. As FTV unofficially learns, apprehended person is Nenad Tanaskovic, controller in ‘Visegrad Trans’ company. He was arrested on local bus station, and immediately handed over to the BiH Prosecutor’s Office. Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Person arrested near Visegrad’ by ra – Article only says one person was arrested by SIPA in Visegrad on Tuesday on charges of war crimes against civilians without giving the person’s name.PINK, BHT1, RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 11 ‘War crimes suspect’ by Srna, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Nenad Tanaskovic arrested’ by A. Dj., Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Nenad Tanaskovic arrested’ by N.J.-Al.B., Oslobodjenje pg ‘Nenad Tanaskovic indicted for war crimes in Visegrad’ by S.S. also covered.

RS Association marks anniversary of Serb victims from Bratunac

RTRS – Chair of the RS regional association of refugees and displaced persons in Bijeljina Veljko Stevanovic called upon all political parties and citizens to pay their respects to Serb victims of the crimes in Bratunac region. He reminded that in 1992, “Muslim forces” lead by Naser Oric burned 36 villages and killed over 1000 Serbs. Vecernje Novosti pg 10 ‘Serbs too had been killed’ by P. Vasovic, Glas Srpske cover pg report ‘A commemoration for innocent victims’ by K. C., EuroBlic pg RS6 ‘Commemoration to Serb victims’ by S. R. M. – also reported.

Political issues

Croat delegates demands proposal law on FBiH PBS to be declared unconstitutional, demand third channel

BHT1 – During the public discussion held in the FBiH Constitutional Court, the Croat delegates in the FBiH House of Peoples asked for the proposal of the law on FBiH Public Broadcasting Service to be declared unconstitutional and destructive for the vital national interests of Croats. Representatives of Bosniaks and Serbs did not attend discussion, because – as they say – their presence was not necessary. Croat representatives deem that the law does not guarantee equal representation of Croat language and culture in programs of FBiH public broadcasting service, FTV; thus, they demand establishment of a separate TV channel in Croat language. “In case Constitutional Court does not take those very clear and obvious arguments into consideration, and fail to make such decision… we will use every further mechanisms we have on our disposal”, stated Croat HoP delegate Mate Franjicevic. PINK, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Croats insist on a channel for program on their language’ by R. Cengicalso covered. Note that none of the major Croat dailies reported of the discussion.

Croatian delegates want the proposal of the law on FBiH Public Broadcasting Service to be declared unconstitutional

Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Croat club demands three channels with three languages’ by S.Se., Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Madunic: Bosniak-Serb agreement on division of media space is ongoing’ by Agencies – During the public discussion on issue of the Law on FbiH Public Broadcasting Service, BiH House of Peoples deputy Ivan Madunic stated that “Bosniak-Serb agreement on division of media space, damaging Croats, is ongoing”. Madunic added he is worried by the role of International Community in this process, which according to him, leads towards assimilation of Croats in BiH.

GS: IEBL still not defined in many places, executive and legislative bodies of entities have problems in their work over this

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Not a single change since Dayton’ by G. Dakic – RS Administration for Geodetic and Property-Legal Issues says not a single meter of inter-entity boundary line (IEBL), which should have been identified and marked in field by a joint commission of RS and Federation of BiH, had been harmonised so far and the RS Administration claims F BiH Commission for Boundary Demarcation is to be blamed for this. Having in mind IEBL often runs through settlements, cemeteries, roads etc., there is often a conflict of jurisdiction of executive and legislative bodies of entities. Director of RS Administration for Geodetic and Property-Legal Issues and Chair of RS Commission for Boundary Demarcation Vladimir Bojat says he had forwarded, on behalf of the Government, two appeals to F BiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic asking from him to activate the work of F BiH Commission, but no reply had been received since.

Covic’s HDZ BiH sends leader of Croatian HDZ documents in order to smear HDZ 1990

Dnevni List, pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Dossiers of leaders of HDZ 1990 sent to Sanader’, by Zvonimir Jukic – according to DL’s sources in the HDZ BiH, people close to the HDZ BiH leader, Dragan Covic, have sent the Croatian PM and leader of Croatian HDZ, Ivo Sanader, documents the aim of which is to smear leaders of the HDZ 1990. (NB: it is believed that Sanader prefers HDZ 1990 to HDZ BiH) The alleged documents apparently note that the HDZ 1990 and its president Bozo Ljubic have gathered many compromised people from the era of Ante Jelavic (former HDZ BiH President, currently on the run from BiH judiciary). As evidence, documents for example note that the leader of HDZ 1990 in Mostar is Stipe Maric, who had been removed (from the office of Head of Mostar’s Municipality Southeast) by the High Representative in 1998 because of obstruction of return process in Mostar. According to the author, the aim of the operation is to keep Sanader away from pre-election campaign in BiH thus limiting the losses, which would have occurred if Sanader was to support Ljubic’s HDZ 1990 during pre-election campaign.

SDS’ Bosic: Campaign would be dirty, in FBiH more then in RS, because RS parties have united around key issues

Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Campaign would be dirty, in FBiH more then in RS’ by Nadja Diklic– In interview to DA, SDS candidate for BiH Presidency Mladen Bosic said that BiH would remain in same situation as now, all until raising of national tensions comes before citizens’ welfare. He added that priorities have shifted in BiH and that situation would remain the same all until the politics comes before economy. Commenting recent demands for referendum in the RS, Bosic said that in all these years no one has asked BiH citizens anything. He underlines that for example in Slovenia, people vote at referendum for every little thing [such as work of railroads]. However, he stressed that there can be no territorial reorganization of BiH, unless International Community approves it. Talking about expectation of SDS at upcoming elections, Bosic said that much is expected, even though they are going to elections without large number of their personnel and finances, due to numerous sanctions. “And campaign would be dirty, I believe more in FBiH then in RS, because it happened that in this entity politicians have united around key issues,” said Bosic. Inset ‘SDS is not building it story on Karadzic for years’- Bosic underlines that no one in SDS is building SDS’ story on Radovan Karadzic, adding that all those who are saying that are “buying their voters”.

PDP’s Ivanic: coalition options to be discussed after “locking horns” at elections

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Nothing from coalition’ by S. K. – PDP President Mladen Ivanic stated in Srbac on Tuesday that PDP will take part in the upcoming elections independently, with its candidates for all authority levels, RS and BiH. At the PDP Municipal Board Srbac, he said PDP has good relations with SNSD, noting possible coalitions will be discussed after “horns are locked” at elections. He expects PDP would win over 9 delegates seats, the same number it currently holds at RS NA.

CoM Chair Terzic: Negotiations for more liberal visa regime to commence

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘BiH is fighting for more liberal visas’, mentioned on cover ‘Terzic: Negotiations on more liberal visa regime are starting’ by S.Numanovic– The Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, told DA the consultations on opening of bilateral negotiations between EC and countries wishing to join the EU are starting next week. “With that, an implementation of more liberal visa regime could start at least three months earlier, as recently Franco Frattini, Deputy to EC Chair and Commissioner for Justice, told me,” said Terzic. He emphasised Brussels is satisfied with progress that the country has made in the area of border security and other security segments. “If police reform would follow this as well, by the winter BiH could get more liberal visa regime for certain categories of citizens,” said Terzic. It is expected, as DA writes, that Frattini would get the approval for precise plan of complete abolition of visas, by end of the month. DA underlines that EC’s officials have announced continuance of work on the issue, which was confirmed by EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, who also stressed that countries in the region are expected to establish better border control. Head of EC Delegation Michael Humphreys announced that this process would soon start, but he underlined some of pre-conditions and that is ICTY cooperation, police reform and reorganizing of public administration. Inset ‘Benefits for two countries’- Anonymous source from the EC told DA that Frattini and Rehn are trying to present EU Foreign Affairs Ministers with the action plan, by which two of Balkans countries would get more liberal visa regime by end of the year. Source added that sympathies of Rehn and Frattini are on BiH’s side.

Director of Directorate for EU Integrations, Topcagic: UK Govt says EU enlargement cannot end before western Balkans countries have entered

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Support to BiH European path’ by Se.M.– Director of BiH Directorate for EU Integrations, Osman Topcagic told DA from London that Great Britain Government has once again showed full support to BiH integrations. Topcagic, who is in London with BiH Chief Negotiator on Stabilization and association Agreement Igor Davidovic, said that they met GB Government’s Coordinator for Balkans Angus Lapsley. Lapsley told them that EU enlargement couldn’t be finished until western Balkans states become members.

BiH Presidency member Jovic: Presidents of Serbia, Montenegro , Croatia and BiH Presidency would discuss “redefining’ of special relation

Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘BiH redefining special relations with neighbours’ by H.Orahovac– As DA learned in Cabinet of BiH Presidency member Ivo Miro Jovic, special relations between neighbourly countries would be discussed by state Presidents. Jovic explained for DA that they want to redefine special relations and bring them closer to known modalities in the Europe. However, he didn’t want to explain this to DA. Jovic only stressed that this “redefinition” would probably be discussed by end of the month in Dubrovnik . DA reminded that entities have different interpretations of “special relations” where FBiH and Croatia haven’t insisted on this, while RS and Serbia have signed it, even though, as DA carries, it is not valid since wasn’t approved by BiH Parliament. Inset ‘Presence of Boris Tadic as well’- Jovic explained DA that most probably this “redefinition” would be discussed by Presidents of Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and all three members of BiH Presidency.

Property and economy

Municipal Council of Stolac legalizes construction plots for Croat refugees from central Bosnia

Vecernji List, pg 7 ‘OV Stolac legalizes 34 locations’, by Frano Matic, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘HDZ and HSP donate land to Croats’, Inset ‘Monument to war criminals’, Oslobodjenje pg 11 ‘HDZ is performing autocracy and tyranny in Stolac’ – at its yesterday’s (Tuesday) session, the Municipal Council of Stolac (MC) took a decision to give construction permits for 34 construction plots in Stiolac settlements of Aladinici, Hodovo and Rotimlja, which are mostly populated by the Croat refugees from central Bosnia. The decision was supported by all 10 Croat councillors, whilst 5 Bosniak ones were against.

Bosniak representatives send HR letter complaining against ‘tyranny’ of HDZ

Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Habota: Tyranny of HDZ rules’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg7 ‘Bosniaks against decision’, by F – Stolac MC President, Ahmet Habota,sent the High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, a letteron Tuesday in order to inform him about the “authoritarianism and tyranny” practiced by local HDZ leaders. The letter was sent after the session of the Stolac MC, which Bosniak delegates claim was deliberately convened on the Day of National Mourning declared on the occasion of the genocide in Srebrenica. In the letter to the HR, Habota warns that there are no Bosniaks and Serbs in public institutions and companies in Stolac, while their presence in the municipal administration is negligible. He also notes that discrimination is manifested in the allocation of public property and construction land for which Croats do not have to pay any compensation, while other peoples have to pay high fees. Habota requests the HR to use his authorities and finally end the agony this municipality and its citizens are experiencing.

VL: Property-legal relations agreement btw BiH and Croatia will not be signed prior to October elections, RS reps oppose signing

Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Return of property is possible only after elections’, by Eldina Medunjanin – VL learns from the BiH Council of Ministers that there has been no progress in last two months with regards to signing of property-legal relations agreement between BiH and Croatia. It would appear that with the October elections approaching, all activities of harmonization of positions in BiH have been suspended. VL notes the problem lies in the RS authorities and Serb representatives in BiH authorities, who are against the principle that all property should be returned to pre-war owners because many companies and entity authorities in RS have usurped the Croatian property in RS. VL also argues that BiH would be better of if property was returned, since estimates say the Croatian property in BiH is valued at KM 500 million, whilst BiH’s property in Croatia is estimated at KM 2 billion.

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

No news broadcast due to strike

Bratunac 14^th anniversary

Bratunac commemoration

FBiH HoP on income tax

RS delegation on visit to Israel

EUFOR deactivated  3 bombs

Fee for Serbian citizenship goes up

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

No news broadcast due to strike

Srebrenica anniversary

Anniversary of Srebrenica genocide

Trial to 7 former officers in ICTY

Carla Del Ponte in Potocari

Regional news

Anniversary ends with no incidents

SIPA arrests war crime suspect

Mourning day marked only in FBiH

NTV Hayat  (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

505 people buried in Srebrenica

Anniversary of Srebrenica genocide

Srebrenica anniversary

Del Ponte on Mladic

HR CSS on Srebrenica genocide

Bratunac anniversary

Malkic on organisation in Srebrenica

Mourning day marked only in FBiH

Simsic sentenced to 5 years

Schwarz-Shilling re Srebrenica

Anniv. of genocide marked in USK

SIPA arrests war crime suspect

Oslobodjenje

Powerful remained shameful and those with no power wait for justice [Srebrenica] 

Dnevni Avaz

Justice cannot be avoided or escaped [Effendi Ceric’s speech in Srebrenica]

Dnevni List

Bosniaks seek revenge (shots fired nearby mosque in Banja Luka)

Vecernji List

Herzegovina without strategy (feature on building of highway through Herzegovina)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Better concentrate on draw rather rush into attack (football story from Siroki Brijeg)

Nezavisne Novine

505 victims buried

Glas Srpske

Not a single change since Dayton

EuroBlic

Hunt for voters without squandering [Parties announced they would conduct modest pre-election campaigns]

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Marking of Bratunac anniversary: RS President says it is duty to break stereotype on victims of just one nationality

RTRS – The 14th anniversary of suffering of 69 Serbs from Srebrenica and Bratunac, who were killed on 12 July 1992 was marked today. Attending the commemoration, Dragan Cavic, RS President, has stressed that a massacre of wide scope had taken place in this region of Podrinje between 1992 and 1995. He said crime initially started with attacks from the UN-protected zone in Srebrenica in 1992, carried out by units under command of Naser Oric. According to him “it is our duty to mark events of this nature in order to break stereotype on victims of just one nationality”. Requiem served at Srebrenica church was also attended by RS PM Milorad Dodik, who said that entire families were killed in this area and nobody has been held responsible for these crimes. On this he added: “We must not allow our victims are minimized. Serb people has a right to justice.” Apart from RS President and RS PM, requiem for victims was also attended by BiH Presidency member, Borislav Paravac, BiH Foreign Minister, Mladen Ivanic, representatives of the RS Association of veterans’ and many other delegations. FENA news agency reported that about 5.000 people attended the ceremony.

Czech daily: ICTY trials shape impression as if only one people in BiH (Serbs) are responsible for crimes committed

RTRS – The Czech daily “Gospodarske Novine” reports that the impression is shaped over Hague trials against Serbs as if only one people in BiH is responsible for the crimes in BiH. Daily reminds that marking of Srebrenica anniversary has coincided with the commencement of trial against 6 former high officials and officers, including former Serbian president, Milan Milutinovic, for the crimes committed against Kosovo Albanians. Daily notes that impression about Serb guilt is augmented by verdict pronounced against former BiH Army commander Naser Oric, whom ICTY sentenced to only 2-year prison term as daily says. Czech daily reminds that at the beginning of war, units under Oric’s command were setting afire and plundering Serb villages around Srebrenica, owing to which reason desire amongst Serbs for revenge contributed to massacre in 1995 against Srebrenica Bosniaks.

FBiH HoP in session, discussion on law on income text, lowest hourly net wage and law on duties/rights of MPs

BH Radio1 by Ljiljana Radl– At today’s session, FBiH House of Peoples should discuss proposal Law on lowest hourly net wage and proposal Law on Income Tax. Reporter reminded that FBiH House of representatives has discussed both proposals at its last session, but voting was postponed. Texts of these two proposals were significantly modified by FBiH Government, during the discussion in FBiH HoR, since MPs didn’t agree with proposed solutions. According to the most recent version of the proposed Law on Income Tax, there would be 4 annual income tax rates. The lowest rate would be 5% for monthly salaries up to KM400, 10% for salaries from KM400-800, 15% for salaries up to KM 1,200, while highest rate of 20% would refer to salaries over KM 1,200. FBiH HoP would also discuss, in urgent procedure, proposal Law on rights of elected officials and public office holders. This proposal law was passed by FBiH HoR, with several amendments of Administrative Commission.

Political issues

Int with Christian Schwarz-Schilling: ‘No abolition of entities without Serbs’ YES’

Nedeljni Telegraf pg 3, announced on cover ‘No abolition of entities without Serbs’ YES’ by I. E. – In an interview to Nedeljni Telegraf, High Representative to BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling explained the essence of the Council of Europe (CoE) Parliamentary Assembly’s Resolution (PACE Resolution) and stated Parliamentary Assembly of CoE had given a great contribution to discussions on the constitutional changes in BiH and added it is clear the constitutional reform, in order to be successful, will require a broad support and using elements of this recommendation out of context to create tension ahead of the elections is irresponsible and will contribute nothing to securing BiH’s Euro-Atlantic future. Asked whether the Resolution is binding, HR reminded BiH is a member of CoE but added it is also a sovereign state and any changes to BiH’s constitution can only come from within BiH. HR commented on BiH’s possibilities for EU integrations and said the final step is to sign the Stabilisation and Association agreement, but before BiH can do that the EC wants to see progress on Police reform, a finalised agreement being passed by BiH’s parliaments. Asked whether abolition of the entities might cause unrest in BiH, HR stated: ‘In this pre-election period you might get the impression, from Serb leaders in particular, that the Entities could be dissolved against the will of BiH’s Serbs. This is a pre-election “patka”. The simple fact is that this could only happen were all BiH’s peoples, including the Serbs, to agree to this’.

EPDSEE Chair Pack: PACE resolution “represents a completely foolish act, it is obvious they don’t know what they are talking about”

Novi Reporter cover splash, pgs 14-15 ‘Resolution from Silajdzic’s cauldron’ by Igor Gajic – In a statement to Banja Luka weekly, Doris Pack, Chairperson of the European Parliament Delegation for South East Europe (EPDSEE), says that “Resolution of Council of Europe (on BiH) represents a completely foolish act…It is obvious they do not know what they are taking about, but on the other hand who are they actually.” A diplomatic source from European Commission seated in Brussels confirmed her words, saying: “It is not even clear to us why CoE needed this, especially at the time of elections when everybody is using it as means, regardless of how meaningless it may be.” Pack further confirms that Haris Silajdzic, SzBiH founder and President, “lobbied against Constitution. For months. Both here in Strasbourg and in Brussels as well, and wherever he was. He even tried to convince me to support him in his wishes, saying the time has not come for new Constitution as yet.” Weekly reminds Pack insisted that RS politicians are not to be blamed for failure of constitutional reforms, but instead Silajdzic was.Weekly further carries comment of another member of EPDSSE Gizele Kalembach, who lobbied for CoE Resolution, who according to weekly demonstrated the depth of ignorance of situation and basic knowledge of BiH system, without being able to differentiate between entities and cantons in BiH.

WP op-ed by Serbian PM Kostunica: Kosovo independence would set off similar demands elsewhere [especially in case of nationalities in countries nearby]

Washington Post pg A15 ‘Justice for Serbia: Kosovo Independence Imperils Our Democracy’ op-ed by Vojislav Kostunica – WP carries op-ed by Serbian Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica, who strongly argues against the independence of Kosovo. Noting it independence would be against the “fundamental documents and pillars of international order”, Kostunica says such decision would mean “depriving a democratic country of a part of its territory simply because one ethnic group that has aspirations for that territory threatens violence is impermissible, not only morally but also from the perspective of historical experience.” He also underlines independence would have strong impact on rest of the Balkans and wider: “Viewed strategically, and not just with regard to preserving stability in the Balkans, the arguments against an independent Kosovo are equally strong: Independence for Kosovo would surely be viewed as a precedent, setting off similar demands elsewhere. Those who argue otherwise are, quite simply, closing their eyes to the hard facts. Resolving the problems of national minorities through self-determination (especially in the case of nationalities that already have their own countries nearby) inevitably leads to border changes and all the dangerous complications that this entails.” Kostunica concludes that Serbia is prepared to accept any form of compromise that does not entail independence, and “it offers Albanians the greatest possible autonomy, including all legislative, executive and judicial powers, while expecting in return only the inviolability of borders and safety for the non-Albanian population of the province.”

SD: One of founders of HDZ BiH Kovac leaves party dissatisfied with Covic’s leadership

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 9, mentioned on front ‘Covic and company are pulling wool over everyone’s eyes’, by Antonio Karamatic – carries an interview with Miro Kovac, whom SD introduces as one of three founders of HDZ BiH, who announces he is leaving the party. Kovac explains he is unhappy with the HDZ BiH’s leadership, foremost with the party president Dragan Covic and his closest aides, claiming they put personal interests before interests of the Croats in BiH.

BiH CEC’ Petric confirms persons against whom investigations are ongoing on criminal charges can candidate

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Under investigation to elections’ by Z.Markovic – Branko Petric, President of BiH Election Commission confirmed to daily Tuesday that in line with the BiH Election Law, the persons, against whom the criminal procedure or investigation has been launched can candidate at the elections. According to him, the fact that a criminal report has been filed against SDP’s Hakija Meholjic and possible investigation against him for war crimes cannot effect his candidature. On the other hand, daily raises the issue of moral background of Meholjic’ candidature, following his statement at HRT “Latinica” programme Monday evening when he openly said that RS is a fascist and genocidal creation and that he would pledge for its abolition as long as he lives. Following some media reports in BiH, according to which Naser Oric may candidate for election, Petric says persons who have been convicted of war crime, and whose verdict does not ban public functions, can candidate at elections.

Political parties in BiH announce modest pre-election campaigns

EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘They save until victory’ by Mirna Soja – Daily reports that during the upcoming pre-election campaign, the political parties in BiH will spend less money in comparison with previous years, since the changes to BiH Election Law stipulate each party can spend 30 pfenning per voter. Most parties claiming their campaign will focus on direct contacts with voters (SNSD, SDA, SzBiH, SP RS, SRS RS, PDP, DEPOS). Judging by information obtained from election HQ’s of political parties, the SDP of BiH will spend most in one-month pre-election campaign, up to BAM 1 million.

BiH HoR discusses amendments to Law on Citizenship and possible changes on Law on VAT at its next session on 24-25 July

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Law on higher education’ by A.T. – BiH House of Representatives Speaker Martin Raguz confirmed that BiH HoR will discuss amendments to the Law on Citizenship and define possible changes to the Law on VAT at its next session scheduled for 24 and 25 July. Raguz told daily: “As far as BiH Parliament is concerned, we completely fulfilled our obligations. At the moment, we do not have a single legal act to adopt, which is directly tied with obligations of some of the EU conditions.” With regard to police reform, he stressed that this issue is not even in the agenda of BiH Council of Ministers: “It is only the legal act on higher education, that we think is the most necessary to be adopted. But that is also not up to BiH Parliament, for we received draft law only recently from BiH CoM. Our authorized commissions declared on the issue, public discussion also took place.”

Bosniak Caucus to initialize passing of FBiH proposal Law on Pardon

Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Disputable salaries to officials after their mandate expires?’ by A.Hadziarapovic– According the announcement, Bosniak Caucus in FBiH House of Peoples would initiate, at Wednesday’s session, passing of the proposal Law on Pardon, as was adopted in FBiH House of Representatives. Chair of Bosniak Caucus, Jasenko Tufekcic confirmed this to DA, stressing that their only desire is to regulate this issue which has been without any regulation since September 6 of last year. Tufekcic added that as far as he knows, OHR has nothing against this proposal law, since they wouldn’t derogate BiH Court’s authorities [According the proposal Law, pardon could be granted by the FBiH President with agreement of Vice-Presidents for crimes excluding crimes of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The proposal are to be submitted by the special Commission which would not judiciary officials wouldn’t be represented]. At the same time, FBiH HoP would discuss Law on rights of elected officials and public office holders, and Tufekcic deems that salaries of MPs wouldn’t be a problem, but regulation foreseeing officials to continue receiving salary up to a year after expiration of mandate and provision which links salary amount to length of service.

GS op-ed: Sarajevo and Bosniaks as majority people in BiH have same responsibility that Serbs had during former Yugoslavia for that state

Glas Srpske op-ed pg 2 ‘State and homeland’ by Krstan Simic – In the introduction, the author says he admits and recognises BiH as his own state, which is still too distant for him as homeland blame for which does not fall with him. He denies he is Yugo-nostalgic (nostalgic after Yugoslavia), admitting grief after times brimming with security, social order and human engagement. He underlines that constant and rude insults and unjust blaming of people he belongs create a defence mechanism with him towards the so-called homeland. He concludes by saying that the same responsibility that Serbs as majority people and Belgrade had during former Yugoslavia for that state, now rests with Sarajevo and Bosniaks as majority people in BiH.

Economy and investigations on economic crimes

Oil prices to increase to almost 2 KM per litre

Dnevni Avaz pg 6 ‘Gas prices price will be higher than two KM!’ by E.P. – According to DA, the price of oil derivates will increase again in entire country as of end of this week. It adds that “new attack on consumers by oil distributors has been confirmed by entity’s Ministries of Trade who were already submitted with the new rate cards.”  The new prices would charge just several pfenings less than 2 KM per litre. RTRS, BHT1, PINK, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Unnecessary new expenditures’ inset ‘Oil price to increase?’ by M.Miljus, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Oil price to increase’, announced on cover ‘Oil price again to go up for 10 phennings’ by G.Maunaga – Chair of RS Association of Oil Distributors Vukasin Vojnovic confirms that prices should go up as of next week, which is a result of the new price increase at the world market.

ITA will hold session in the second half of July discussing principles on allocation of 120 million KM

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘On allocation in the second half of July’ by R.C. – Ratko Kovacevic, BiH Indirect Taxation Administration (ITA) Spokesperson said that ITA Steering Board (SB) would hold its session between July 21 and 25 discussing principles on allocation of 120 million KM. Kovacevic added that the session would be held after the newly appointed ITA SB Chair Peter Nicholl returns from business trip to Algeria in the capacity of consultant of the US Embassy’ Treasury.

DSS’ Kovacevic interview: prosecution should identify those responsible for the affair “Vitol” and reveal names of members of “punitive expedition”

Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Prosecution should identify those responsible for the affair ‘Vitol’’ by V. Popovic – In a half-page interview to daily, DSS’ Predrag Kovacevic said that RS Ministry of Interior (MoI) deserves praise for the investigation in the oil refinery ‘Brod’ regarding ‘Vitol’ affair, adding RS Prosecution should react now since this affair includes people from the RS top such as RS President Dragan Cavic. On the organized group so called ‘punitive expedition’ that is being trained in Pale in order to assassinate some RS officials, Kovacevic expressed hope that RS MoI would soon publish names, adding these days one leaflet showed up in Pale containing names of 20 RS public life’ officials who will be liquidated.

Daily learns Sarajevo Canton Prosecution opened pre-investigation activities regarding business activities and privatisation of ‘UNIS’ Sarajevo

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Pre-investigation operations opened’ by M. Cubro – Daily learns from the source close to Sarajevo Canton Prosecution (SCP) that SCP opened pre-investigation actions regarding business activities and privatisation of company ‘UNIS’ Sarajevo and companies that were either partly established or owned by ‘UNIS’ Sarajevo. Documents regarding this issue are confiscated from FBiH Ministry of Energy and Mining and unofficially contain proofs on establishment of sisterly companies of ‘UNIS’, joint companies such as ‘UNITIC’ and German car producer ‘Volkswagen’. Oleg Cavka, Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor could not either confirm or deny the investigation.

VL: Croatia announces building of highway near Neum, BiH has no strategy to help Herzegovina’s road network

Vecernji List, front pg splash and pg 5 ‘Herzegovina without strategy’, by Zdenko Jurilj – VL notes that Croatia, by building two tunnels through Mount Biokovo (situated near BiH-Croatia southern border) and part of Adriatic highway north of Neum through BiH territory, as announced last week by the Croatian PM Ivo Sanader, will in fact help Herzegovina combat its current traffic isolation. In this context, VL notes that even the Chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, promised Sanader that BiH authorities were ready to give Croatia the concession for construction of highway through BiH’s territory (Neum). However, VL regrets the fact that BiH authorities have no strategy/plans to build network of roads in Herzegovina, which would connect to the said tunnels and Adriatic road.

Terrorism and security

Police identified person who shot near mosque in BL settlement Vrbanja

Glas Srpske pg 10 ‘Shots in front of mosque’ by O.M. – The Spokesman of Public Safety Centre Banja Luka, Rade Mutic, stated that the person who fired the shots whilst driving a car near a mosque on Monday evening has been identified (initials are S.J. 29 from Banja Luka). He added that the person in fact was celebrating the birth of his daughter. Road between Banja Luka and Celinac was blocked on Monday night for around two hours by dissatisfied Bosniak citizens (from Vrbanja settlement of Banja Luka). He also added that they intervened on number of occasions when called both by Serbs and Bosniaks from Vrbanja, thus concluding that both peoples in Vrbanja are raising tensions unnecessarily. Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 20 ‘Bosniaks seek revenge’, by Anja Krajinovic – according to unofficial information, the gathered Bosniaks asked for revenge for this act because they have been prokoved by Serbs on may occassions in past few years. BHT1, RTRS, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Police knows who fired at mosque’ by N.Diklic, Nezavisne Novine pg 10 ‘Citizens blocked the road after the shooting’ by N.Moraca – also covered.

Terrorism suspects were in BiH, Washington Post reports  

Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘They planned attack on tunnel in New York’ by D.Raduski – Daily reports referring to Washington Post that the Lebanese man Assem Hammoud, 31 who at one time was in BiH and who was arrested in an alleged plot to bomb New York transit tunnels under the Hudson River had been recruited by al-Qaeda three years ago. In addition to Hammoud, U.S. officials say, two suspects are being held overseas without charges, five others are at least partly identified and six foreign governments are cooperating. At some point, Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, commander of Lebanon‘s Internal Security Forces said the suspects were in Bosnia, Canada, Denmark and the United Arab Emirates. A U.S. law enforcement official said that among the eight main suspects, one “had a connection high up” in the organization of al-Qaeda’s former leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, before Zarqawi was killed. Hammoud used the Internet, where last year FBI agents monitoring Web sites and chat rooms uncovered the plot.

Oslobodjenje: BiH authorities, EUFOR, NATO have no information on CIA secret files

Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘CIA flights still mystery for BiH’ by A.P. – Reminding that although Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe [PACE] mentioned BiH as ‘transit country’, which CIA used to perform its secret fights to departure arrested indicted for terrorism, article carries that BiH officials does not seem to show they know anything on the issue. Author stresses that BiH Security Ministry is either silent or claiming there were no flights, adding that BiH Directorate for Air Traffic also remained silent. EUFOR spokesperson Karen Halsey told daily EUFOR HQ has no information on flights, for “they do not supervise airports”. NATO spokesperson Derek Chappell stated that NATO has no control over US military or official flights in BiH. An unnamed local source told daily that Tuzla airport is under such US control that local bodies are not able to supervise and check all US military flights.

‘Women in Black’ protest in Belgrade marking Srebrenica anniversary

CORR: Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Passer-bys called them Ustasha’ by Onasa – The story of DA refers to protest organized by Serbian association ‘Women in Black’ in Belgrade downtown. The protests were held on Monday, and it gathered about 50 women who in this way marked the 11^th July anniversary of Srebrenica crimes. They were secured by strong presence of the local police. According to Onasa, many passer-bys were offensive of them and several called them ‘ustashas’. However, there were no security incidents that occurred.