Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 13 February
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| HNC: Teachers on strike | HNC teachers started strike | Dodik to demand RSNA session |
| | ‘Zrak’ employees protested | HR in |
| HR Schwarz-Schilling in | ‘Inpek’ employees protested | Q-fewer in Kostajnica under control |
TV news broadcast on 12 February
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| HR and Croatian PM met in Mostar | HR visits | Matijasevic receives death threat |
| Sanader met leaders of Croat parties | HR meets Sanader | BIH/Croatia property agreement |
| | Shuvalov on constitutional changes | HR meets Sanader |
| Shuvalov on constitutional changes | 5 years of Milosevic’s trial | HR to meet Scheffer and Rehn |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Feature story on ‘SIMES’ company | Feature on Busko lake | RS still without Restitution Fund |
| Illegal employment in BiH | HR meets Sanader | BiH received 17 bill. KM donations? |
| Feature story on school in Potocari | LDS opposes new FBIH Ministry | Memorial for Rada Abazovic |
| Chiarini on Karadzic and Mladic | Reconstruction of Vihovici dump | Chiarini on Karadzic and Mladic |
| Oslobodjenje | Mittal would fulfill all obligations from the contract |
| Dnevni Avaz | Matijasevic and Andan would not lead the police [N. Radmanovic, SNSD] |
| Dnevni List | Establishment of new party questionable (Sanader with Croat parties reps) |
| Vecernji List | Sanader calls on BiH Croats to unite (Sanader with Croat parties reps) |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features |
| Nezavisne Novine | End of February is risky for BiH (avian flue) |
| Glas Srpske | Times goes backwards (features story on Serb returnees in Cvijanovic near Brcko) |
| EuroBlic | Patients afraid of reporting on corrupt medical staff (corruption at health sector) |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| RS PM-designate Dodik to ask for RSNA session and removal of Speaker Stojicic | RTRS, |
| US Ambassador to BiH calls on political parties to resume talks on const. changes | RTRS – The |
Croatian PM Sanader visits BiH | |
| HR Schwarz-Schilling meets Croatian PM Sanader in Mostar; discuss const. changes, CEFTA
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| Croatian PM Sanader meets Croat parties in BiH: they should define their joint position during the future talks on constitutional changes
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Sanader took half an hour for Croat parties’, mentioned on cover ‘ |
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| VL on Croat parties meeting with Sanader: Croat parties suggested to join forces for 2006 elections
| Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘Sanader calls on BiH Croats to unite’ and pgs 2-3 ‘Sanader: There will be no new HDZ’, not signed – Prior to the meeting between the Croatian PM, Ivo Sanader, and representatives of the Croat parties, representatives of the said parties had met with senior officials of HDZ of Croatia, namely Andrija Hebrang, Luka Bebic and Ivan Jarnjak. The latter called on Croat parties’ representatives to go together in the forthcoming elections in 2006 because it is expected that the elections threshold will be set at 4%, which could eliminate almost all Croat parties, except the HDZ, from the participation in legislative authorities. Regarding the meeting itself between Sanader and representatives of Croat parties, VL learns that Sanader called for peace to members of the ‘sister party’ i.e. the HDZ BiH, which in VL’s opinion means that he (Sanader) rejected giving support to establishment of a new Croat party, the ‘HDZ 1990’ that is, which would gather dissatisfied members of the HDZ BiH. |
| SD: Ljubic insists he is still HDZ member
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 13 ‘I came as member of HDZ BiH’, by M. Karacic – SD stresses that according to Bozo Ljubic, he attended the meeting with Ivo Sanader as a member of HDZ BiH, which nobody (of participants of the meeting) contested – including Ivo Miro Jovic of HDZ Secretary Nevenko Herceg. HDZ BiH refused to comment Ljubic’s statement, stressing the party would no longer deal with itself. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘I do not know which HDZ Bozo Ljubic represented’, mentioned on cover by F.V.– DA comments that Sanader’s visit did not meet expectations of Croat political scene, when it comes to the clashes inside the HDZ. DA adds that Sanader’s support to establishment of new Croat party lead by Ljubic has not happened. Speaking for DA, Jovic said that Ljubic couldn’t act as HDZ representative, being that he is expelled from the party, stressing that he doesn’t know what HDZ he represented then. |
| DL: Ljubic could not confirm whether he would establish new party
| Dnevni List, front pg splash pg 3 ‘Establishment of new party questionable’, by Sanja Bjelica – Questioned whether he would form a new party, expelled member of HDZ, Bozo Ljubic, said he could not either confirm or rule out such a possibility. It is interesting to note, says DL, that Ljubic announced establishment of a new party on (Saturday) morning however after the meeting with PM Sanader, Ljubic could not confirm he would form a new party. In this context, DL wonders whether there is a deal between the two regarding the situation in the HDZ BiH so Ljubic was asked to abandon the idea. Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Everyone under the same roof’ by Srna – Following the meeting, Ljubic said the only serious solution for constitutional changes in BiH would be the platform of the Bishop conference, in accordance with which BiH should be divided in four regions. |
| Agreement on legal-property issues between
| BHT1 Boris Grubesic – BIH Deputy Justice Minister Niko Grubesic stated that legal-property agreement between BiH and |
| JL op-ed: Sanader cannot help BiH Croats because Croat politicians in BiH are corrupt
| Jutarnji List, pg 15 ‘Why Sanader cannot help Croats in BiH’, by Snjezana Pavic – commenting on the meeting between the Croatian PM, Ivo Sanader, and representatives of Croat political parties when Sanader called for devising of joint Croat position regarding future constitutional changes in BiH, and the situation on the Croat political scene in general, Pavic argues that the Croat political scene is “terrible”, that “five million Euros would be enough to recruit 80% of Croat politicians into the ‘Party of Islamic Jihaad’”, which is the situation, according to Pavic, even Sanader cannot solve. |
Other political issues | |
| HR
| PINK – High Representative Christian Schwarz-Shilling will visit |
| SDA’ Tihic, | Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Different stances of parties on resumption of talks on Cosntitution’ by R.Cengic – In regard to continuation of talks on constitutional changes, daily carries statements of Milorad Dodik, SNSD President (saying no to talks unless principle of 16-month rotation at BH Presidency were accepted), Sulejman Tihic, SDA President(saying talks did not end but were rather suspended and need to resume). Zlatko Lagumdzija, |
| Russian Ambassador Shuvalov: Modernisation of constitutional system – normal process in a sovereign and independent state
| PINK – Commenting the process of constitutional changes in BiH for FENA, Russian Ambassador to BiH Konstantin Shuvalov stated that modernisation of constitutional system is a normal process in a sovereign and independent state. Shuvalov added that the defining of the essence and deadlines of the negotiations on constitutional changes are a matter for local politicians. Shuvalov also stated that he doesn’t know anything about the speculations on a connection between the talks on constitutional changes in BiH and negotiations on future status of Kosovo. According to Shuvalov, these negotiations are not parallel; they are merely taking place at the same time. |
| DA on the new RS Govt: Nobody from Pero Bukejlovic’s Govt would remain; Cadjo or Lukac to lead RS Police?
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Matijasevic and Andan would not lead the police’ pg 2 ‘There is no place for Matijasevic and Andan in RS MoI’ by N. Diklic- E. Sarac – The RS Prime Minister designate Milorad Dodik stated he would requested from the RS National Assembly Speaker on Monday to schedule the RSNA session to discuss the appointment of the new RS Government, which should be done by 25 February. Dodik said he is not yet sure who would take the position of the RS Interior Minister, but stressed this would not be current Minister Darko Matijasevic. Chair of SNSD Executive Board, Nebojsa Radmanovic, confirmed for DA that no one from the cabinet of Pero Bukejlovic would stay in new Government and emphasised that issue of future RS Interior Minister is of extreme importance for RS and for cooperation with the ICTY. Radmanovic stated that most likely RS Police Director Dragomir Andan would leave his post, but this matter would be discussed after establishment of the Government. As DA carries, Radmanovic indirectly confirmed that two men are taken into consideration for position of Interior Minister and those are Stanislav Cadjo, loyal Dodik’s associate, and Dragan Lukac [former Chief of the RS Special Police]. Inset, ‘Would Zaric leave OSA’- As DA carried Dodik plans to replace Risto Zaric in BiH Intelligence Service [OSA] and instead of him appoint Predrag Ceranic. Inset ‘Pressures of certain IC circles’ – DA carries that some from the IC allegedly pressure Dodik to allow Matijasevic and Andan to remain in their positions. On the other side, other part of IC helps Dodik to bring his people in order to fight crime and corruption. |
| PDP’ Borenovic and Crnadak candidates for RS minister of sports and youth
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Demand for Parliament session today’ by D.R. – Nebojsa Radmanovic, President of Executive Board of SNSD, confirmed that that Milorad Dodik, RS PM-designate will today hand a motion with the RS NA Speaker for Parliament session. As for potential candidates for the position of RS minister of sports and youth, daily notes main candidates are Igor Crnadak and Branislav Borenovic, both from PDP. Moreover, the PDP Youth Council Sunday supported candidature of Borenovic. |
| DNS accepted participation in new RS Government: transport and communications to DNS | Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Dodik’s invitation accepted’- Speaking for Fena, leader of DNS Marko Pavic stated that they have accepted the invitation of SNSD leader and RS PM- designate Milorad Dodik to participate in new government with one or two ministers. Daily reminded that Dodik has already stated that DNS member Nedeljko Cubrilovic would get position of RS Transport ad Communications Minister. |
| President of Movement for Changes Dzihanovic: Party’s goal is to stop illegal privatization of companies in BiH | Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Place moratorium on privatization of companies’, by Erna Mackic – The President of “Pokret za Promjene” (PzP, Movement for Changes, the newly formed political party), Sahbaz Dzihanovic, presented to DL the main programme/focus of the party. The main goals are to stop social decay of BiH, stop the illegal privatization of companies, placing of moratorium on privatization of public goods during the election year and reduce the oversized administration. |
Crime, war crimes, judicial and police issues | |
| RS MoI Matijasevic receives alleged death threats
| BHT1 by Zoran Sarenac – RS Minister of Interior in technical mandate Darko Matijasevic received a death threat, sent to him and certain media in the RS via email. RS MoI has undertaken all security measures and the threat has been analysed. RS MoI spokesman Radovan Pejic stated that threats like these are not new or unknown and added that they were sent even before. Reporter comments that this threat can be deemed as a sort of a pressure against RS PM designate Milorad Dodik who still hasn’t decided upon a candidate for new RS Minister of Interior. Dodik stressed that he will propose a structure for RS MoI that will – in his opinion – do the job. Reporter speculates that SNSD currently reviews five candidates for this position, without disclosing their names. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Minister is being threats with death’ by |
| Milosevic’s trial in fifth year
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| EUFOR Commander Chiarini: Secret weapons are danger for BiH, region; EUFOR troops shot in self defence during Abazovic arrest
| Dnevni List, pg 9, mentioned on front ‘Secret weapons caches are threat to whole of region’, by Anja Vrebac – carries an interview with the EUFOR Commander, Major-General Gian Marco Chiarini, who stresses that according to EUFOR’s information, there are a lot of hidden weapons in BiH, which represents a danger for both the country and the region. Inset ‘My soldiers shot in self defence’ – asked to comment on the Abazovic case (exchange of fire between EUFOR troops and family of war crimes suspect near Visegrad when the war crimes suspect’s wife got killed) i.e. whether human rights were violated, Chiarini noted that the EUFOR stuck to its earlier press statement, namely that EUFOR soldiers shot back in self defence since they were fired upon in the first place. RTRS – EUFOR Commander also said that he has no information that would indicate that ICTY indictees Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic have been hiding in BiH. HAYAT, BHT1 also covered. |
| Activities being implemented following extradition of Atmani to
| EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Who has BiH passport?’ by Dusanka Stanisic – Following last week’s apprehension and extradition of Said Atmani from BiH to Morocco, the author notes a number of issues, including who and when gave ID card to Atmani if BiH citizenship was taken from him five years ago, may be raised. Dragan Mektic, BhiH Deputy Security Minister, is of the view that this is a serious issue, that needs to be thoroughly investigated. According to some unofficial information, SIPA has already demanded from Sarajevo Canton MoI to deliver all relevant information on issuance of CIPS documents to Atmani. Author further refers to the issue of establishment of Commission in charge of removing illegally obtained citizenship rights, which is not operation as yet. |
| CoE’s Seger: BiH authorities have difficulties in fight against organized crime, but situation is improving
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Data that there is about 4. 000 fictive companies in BiH says a lot’, mentioned on cover by T. Lazovic– Director of Council of Europe General Secretariat’s Crime Department Alexander Seger stated for DA that BiH experts from SIPA, included into project CARPO have presented an appraise to CoE, which shows that in last year BiH has lost KM5 billion because of economic crime. Seger stated that this appraise was based on state structures’ information, open sources and several projects that CoE carries in BiH. He emphasised that appraise does not contain details on which was conducted. “Every appraise of illegal market is difficult, but it was surely based on large number of reported embezzlements, tax evasions and similar. Also, data that there is about 4. 000 fictive companies in BiH says a lot” stated Seger. Seger stated that BiH authorities have problems in fight against organized crime, but that situation is improving, since new state institutions and agencies for conducting of the law are being established. |
| BiH Human Right Minister Kebo: HR supports our efforts to solve the issue of decertified police officers
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Issue of decertified police officers would not be discussed in February’ by A.M.– As DA reports, BiH Foreign Affair Ministry was informed that it is not sure that issue of BiH decertified police officers would be discussed in February, or in fact during the period while US chairs the UN Security Council. BiH Ambassador to UN Milos Prica has informally met with some representatives within the UC SC and they have expressed the initiative to put this issue on the agenda. BiH Human Right and Refugee Minister Mirsad Kebo has discussed this issue with High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling. “HR has supported the initiative that BiH authorities have launched at the UN SC. He stated that he has also sent a letter to chairmen of this body, trough which he joined our efforts to end this issue. We talked about finding of the solution for material care for decertified police officers until the revision is ended for which we also got support” said Kebo. |
| DL: Trials to ‘Covic and others’ takes too long
| Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Only seven witnesses questioned in one year’, by Erna Mackic – the author is very critical of the fact that the trials to HDZ President, Dragan Covic, and other indictees in the ‘Covic and other case’ (alleged tax frauds) have not moved much even after one year since the process has started before the BiH Court. To illustrate the slowness of the proceedings, DL reminds that the Prosecution has managed to question only 7 of 80 announced witnesses, whilst the defence teams are yet to start making their case. Still, DL does not point finger at anyone in particular for the slowness. |
Economic issues | |
| Oslobodjenje: Mittal is to meet all obligations under contract
| Oslobodjenje cover splash ‘Mittal would fulfil all obligations from the contract’ pgs 4-5 ‘Integral production by end of 2007’ by Elvir Beslic– In interview for daily General Director of ‘Mittal Steel Zenica’ Seid Kapetanovic confirmed that owner Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, according to the contract on co-capitalization, has until 2007 to start integral production. Kapetanovic said that FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic and high Company staff would discuss the contract that ‘Mittal’ signed and obligations that need to be fulfilled, stressing that he is convinced that all articles of the contract would be fulfilled in given time. |
| DA: Negotiations with IMF re. Stand-by arrangement on hold until budgets are passed | Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Stand-by arrangement put on hold’ by E.P.– As DA learned new credit ‘stand-by’ arrangement between BiH and the International Monetary Fund is currently on hold until parliaments in BiH pass budgets for 2006 and until it is proven that the IMF recommendations from December were included in the budgets. Meanwhile, the negotiations on the loan in amount of $67 million are also on hold. |
| DA: BiH needs to solve issue of internal debt to get better credit rating
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Internal debt questions BiH’s international credit rating’ by T.L.– DA learns that by the end of March, BiH could get a better international credit rating, improving position of BiH commercial banks and the Central Bank, and increasing number of foreign investments. Governor of BiH Central Bank, Kemal Kozaric, stated for DA that only remaining condition for this to happen is to solve the issue of the internal debt. |
| ITA’s Causevic: first VAT applications for January submitted in ITA | Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ’20 thousand VAT applications arrived for January’ by T.L.– Speaking for DA, Director of Indirect Taxation Administration Kemal Causevic stated that majority out of 33.000 of VAT taxpayers have submitted monthly reports on time. Causevic stressed that they have already received 20.000 reports, while those sent by the snail mail are still arriving. “Applications that we have received are already being processed and by end of this week we will have firs monthly report on VAT implementation in BiH” said Causevic. After processing of data, Causevic said, it would be known what are the incomes and who has right on returning of VAT. |