| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Tomasevic on Ceric’s statement | Negotiations on | BiH’s negotiations on |
| BiH’s negotiations on | Lisak regarding police reform | |
| Spasovic on BiH vs. | Tihic pays visit to the | Tihic meets with Rice |
| 3rd BiH de-mining unit leaves for | Conference on media and security | |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| An explosive device in Eastern SA | A girl killed by train | Pentagon exported arms from BiH |
| Issue of weapons exported to | World News | Negotiations on |
| 3rd BiH de-mining unit leaves for | Explosive found in | Report on police reform issue |
| EC’s Lange on police reform in BiH | FTV on incriminated customs officers | Slavko Stolica injured in shooting |
| Oslobodjenje | We are closer and closer to the final text of the Agreement with the EU |
| Dnevni Avaz | Bidding is not helpful in searching the truth |
| Dnevni List | Weapon smuggled for Sadam Hussein as well |
| Vecernji List | Army has had 200 camps for Croats |
| Nezavisne Novine | Bomb near the school and prosecution |
| Glas Srpske | ‘Mira’ finally breathing |
Political developments | |
| Third round of
| BHT1- BIH commenced the third round of the negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement with EU on Friday. Focus of this round was on the issue of free trade, financial services and various forms of the ownership as well as the issue of concession. Head of Department for West Balkan in EC’s General Directorate for Enlargement, Dirk Lange confirmed the press conference that they discussed the issue of free trade and liberalisation of the market waiting for the BIH’s position on the issue. Igor Davidovic, BiH Chief Negotiator with the EU stated that BIH is close to the final version of the Agreement adding that it has made the list of the products for the concession. “The most important fact is that the Agreement on the free trade will be implemented immediately without previously being ratified” noted Davidovic. Next round of negotiations on |
| BiH Chief Negotiator Davidovic: we submitted list of products BiH wants to protect
| Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Union submitted with list of products we want to protect’ by T.Lazovic– Igor Davidovic, BiH Chief Negotiator with the EU stated for DA that negotiations have entered the phase when most serious issues are discussed, issues that would be regulated by future Stabilization and Association Agreement. “Among other issues we talked about concession lists, i.e. industrial and agricultural products that BiH has interest to protect for a certain time after starting of free trade” said Davidovic. Davidovic explained that lits are closed and as it seems, acceptable to both sides. Oslobodjenje cover splash and pg 7 ‘We are closer and closer to final text of the Agreement’ by M.K.S.– Vecernji List pg 2 ‘BiH asking for concession for agricultural products as well’ by Eldina Medunjanin, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘EC is not giving up on three principles’ by D.P.Mandic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Finances and Laws for Police to transfer to state level’, mentioned on cover by M.Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Step closer to the Agreement’ by Z.Domazet– |
| BiH Presidency Chair Tihic asked WB for help in construction of Corridor Vc
| BHT1 By Lejla Zvizdic, Washington – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic has met the President of World Bank |
| US state Department: MPs who voted against proposed constitutional changes fight for status quo
| BHT1– In a statement released by the U.S. State Department, it is noted that BIH Parliament’s MPs who voted against the proposed amendments to the BIH Constitution are fighting for the status quo. It was noted that |
| Austrian Ambassador Almhofer: EU still interested in BiH constitutional changes
| Hayat- Austrian Ambassador to BiH Werner Almhofer attended the session of the Commission for international cooperation of SDA and stated that EU stance on constitutional changes in BiH hasn’t changed and that EU is still interested to talk about the issue. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Almhofer: EU expects continuance of the talks’ by A.M., Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘EU still in favour of reforms in BiH’ by A.Terzic, |
| HDZ 1990 VP Raguz: both constitutional changes phases have to be united; without changing the BiH internal structure first phase doesn’t mean anything
| Oslobodjenje addition “Pogled’ pgs 4-5 ‘Work on constitutional changes continues’ by Nagorka Idrizovic– In two pages long interview for daily, Chair of BiH House of representatives and Vice-President of HDZ 1990 Martin Raguz talked about division within HDZ, stressing that current situation is a result of political disputes. “Our stance was that basic reasons for changes, beside not recognizing political problems of not only Croats, but all people in BiH, are inappropriate personnel i.e. negative selection of personnel” said Raguz adding that leadership has lost its trade mark, when it comes to reforms such as of education and PBS reform. Asked about constitutional changes and why are they bad for Croats, Raguz said that they asked for serious debate, considering that Dayton Agreement was created many years ago and it is possible to see weak and strong sides of it. “Our interest is for this country to be established in democratic way and to get to the new step forward” adding that they deem that these changes haven’t responded in sufficient manner to needs and that procedures weren’t simplified, but more complicated [such as election of Presidency]. Explaining their rejection of entity vote, Raguz said: “These are state institution, within them we all should be in equal position, they should be efficient in order to be able to make autonomy decisions”. Commenting on the process of constitutional changes, Raguz said that process should be united i.e. first and second phase should and the time needs to be rationalized. “Because first phase wouldn’t mean nothing basic if it doesn’t comprehend this asymmetrical, expensive, inefficient and irresponsible internal structure of BiH, as precondition of serious European step forward” said Raguz, adding that work on constitutional changes would continue right after elections. |
| RS VP Osmanovic: I would raise issue of SDA relation toward Dodik’s Government, due to his radical stances
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Karadzic and Seselj wouldn’t be ashamed of Milorad Dodik’, mentioned on cover by N.D.– RS Vice-President Adil Osmanovic told DA that latest statements given by RS Prime- Minister Milorad Dodik regarding separation of the RS are so irresponsible and extreme that even Radovan Karadzic and Vojislav Seselj wouldn’t be ashamed of them. Osmanovic claims that Dodik has only radicalized the political scene, disregarding the fact that he is in majority composed of other parties then his SNSD. “He hasn’t distanced from the radical right nor he learned to separate statements he gives as party leader from those he gives as RS PM. His stances are such that at the next session, I as SDA Vice President would raise the issue of our relation toward Government he leads” said Osmanovic. |
| HDZ 1990’ Ljubic: Lawsuit filed by HDZ vs. HDZ 1990 is an act of a political loser
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘That is a desperate act of a loser’, mentioned on cover by F.Vele– HDZ 1990 leader Bozo Ljubic told the press conference in Mostar that registration of the party is legal and undisputable. Commenting of the lawsuit HDZ filed against HDZ 1990, Ljubic said: “I see the lawsuit as a desperate act of a loser, who is trying to disable the competition trough repressive measures because he lost the political game”. Asked about chance for coalition with the HDZ and leader Dragan Covic, Ljubic said: “…there are two major problems in that. First is a leadership elected in undemocratic manner and the second is signing of the constitutional changes. If these two things would changes nothing is impossible”. Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Lawsuit is a desperate act of a loser’ by Fena, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Coalition with parties with Croat pre-sign’ by Danijela Kozina, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Process of party’s registration a done deal’ by M.Kr., |
| Conf. on allocation of state assets; RS urges passing of the law to remove the ban imposed by former HR
| RTRS – At the conference that RS Government organized on topic of allocation of state assets it was stated that RS deems that FBiH side is obstructing the passing of the BiH Law on Allocation of State Assets. Former High Representative Paddy Ashdown banned disposal over the state assets before the Law is passed. BHT1- RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik deems that this issue should solely be included in the Constitution. “Agreement on succession cannot be the basis for the allocation of the property,” added Dodik. BIH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac deems that the law on succession cannot be consequently implemented but it represents the basis for the prepared projects. PINK- “Some people from FBiH, from |
| RS PM Dodik: Referendum in
| Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Referendum unburdens relation between RS and |
| SNSD:
| Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘ |
Police Reform | |
| EC’s Lange: EC expects BiH to adopt police reform based on three EC principles
| BHT1- During the third round of negotiations on Stabilization and Association Agreement held on Friday in |
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| PINK– Member of the Police Reform Directorate Steering Board, Sead Lisak said that the Recommendation that RS National Assembly passed [RSNA passed it on May 10, under title “Recommendation on model of future police structure in BIH”] does not obligate Police Reform Directorate. According to Lisak, Police Reform Directorate is the only that has a mandate to propose implementation plan for the police reform. Lisak said that after September 30 politics might be involved in this issue in order to reach consensus that RS insists on. Hayat, RTRS– carried. Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Recommendation doesn’t oblige the Directorate’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Parliament’s Recommendation doesn’t oblige the Directorate’ by NN, |
| RSNA Speaker Radojicic:
| RTRS- RS officials believe that the Police Reform Directorate cannot work on the basis of the Opinion that was passed by the Police Reform Directorate Steering Board [on May 3] due to different Recommendation of RS National Assembly [passed on May 10]. Igor Radojicic, RSNA Speaker demands respect of RSNA opinion that includes minimum of RS interests. “They do not respect RS opinion so the chances to adopt something that they [Police Reform Directorate] propose are none”, said Radojicic. RSNA asked form the |
| Conference on media and security reforms; BiH HoR Chair Raguz: I doubt that politicians would endanger
| PINK By Zeljko Mandic- Two-day conference “Media and Security Reforms in BiH” is being held in |
| LDS: It is shameful that OHR and OSCE aren’t objecting RSNA’s Recommendation | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘It is shameful that OHR and OSCE aren’t objecting the RSNA Recommendation’ by Fena– LDS leader Lamija Tanovic and LDS condemned the Recommendation that RS National Assembly passed in regard to police reform. Seeing this Recommendation as shameful, it was stressed that even more shameful is OSCE and OHR’s behaviour on this issue and the fact that they are not objecting the Recommendation. Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Criminals rewarded once more’ not signed, |
Defence and security issues | |
| Third contingent of BiH soldiers departs for
| BHT1- The third contingent of BIH soldiers departed on Friday night, on the peace mission in |
| Two kilos of unknown type of explosive located in
| BHT1- Public Security Centre of East Sarajevo in cooperation with EUFOR has removed 2 kg of the explosive with the clock mechanism. The explosives had been found in garbage near the elementary school in Municipality East Novo Sarajevo after a man called the police informing them of the bomb. Danka Tesic, |
| NATO’s Gregorian: No base for speculations that weapons was exported illegaly
| BHT1– In light of Amnesty International’s report on export of the weapons from BiH to Iraq [where speculates that weapons ended up elsewhere and possibly in wrong hands],London daily The Guardian published that Pentagon has been using the private BIH companies’ network for exporting the weapons to Iraq in last two years adding that even one of the companies has been put on the U.S. and UN’s black lists. Commenting these claims Political Advisor to the Commander in the NATO’s Headquarters in |
| Naturalized citizens obligated to submit relevant documents
| Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Annulling of citizenships to follow’ by Eldina Medunjanin– BiH Commission tasked to conduct an audit over naturalized citizens i.e. those that received their citizenship in period April 1992 to January 1, 2006 has submitted a general invitation to all concerned parties to submit documents on registering into BiH citizenship. All that doesn’t comply with this demand could have citizenships annulled automatically. |
| EUPM takes over coordination in fighting the organized crime
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| Four candidates applies for vacancy for appointment of new RS Police Director | Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Four candidates applied for Andan’s successor’ by N.D– Chair of the Independent Board for election of RS Police Director, Ilija Lukic said DA that four candidates have applied the vacancy for appointment of new RS Police Director, which would inherent the function of Dragomir Andan. Lukic said that the Board would wait for another seven days, “After that goes the interviews, evaluations and vetting procedures, opinion of the authorized ministry and final stance of the RS Government”. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Four candidates for RS Police Director’ by D.R., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Four candidates applied’ by V.J.– |
War crimes | |
| Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecutor Sljivar; all commissions should submit us data on missing Serbs in
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Bidding is not helpful in searching the truth’ and pg 5 ‘We are conducting investigation against 1.300 suspected for war crimes’ by Edina Sarac– In interview for DA, Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecutor Branko Sljivar reminded that even 13 years ago, when no one could even dream that BiH prosecution would be established one day, war crimes were prosecuted in Sarajevo. “We are currently conducting investigation against 1.300 people suspected for war crimes in 81 cases.. Apprehensions of suspects, conducted on the RS territory and two years ago and the last three were conducted based on the cases that this Prosecution did,” said Sljivar. Talking about missing Serbs in |
| ICTY Spokesperson Nikiforov: ICTY cooperation is international obligation and has to be respected
| Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘BiH Court would have to protect witnesses’ by L.Sinanovic– Talking for DA, Spokesperson of ICTY Chief Prosecutor Anton Nikiforov reiterated once more that cooperation with the ICTY is an international obligation that has to be respected. “For example, when it comes to [Radovan] Karadzic and [Stojan] Zupljanin we always insisted that only common effort from |
| HR
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Palic is one of our priorities’ by E.Kamenica– According to daily’s source from the OHR, Chair of FBiH Commission for Missing Amor Masovic wrote the High Representative Christian Schwarz- Schilling asking for the exhuming of Avdo Palic [Member of BiH Army gone missing in Zepa area and the HR tasked the RS Government’s Commission to find his remains] to be conducted by this Commission which was refused. As daily writes Schwarz- Schilling reminded to specificities of this case, specialty because RS is obligated by the Human Right Chamber to locate Palic’s remains and his murderers. Schwarz- Schilling also reminded Masovic that Palic’s wife has appointed two members of FBiH Commission to attend exhuming. Inset ‘Dodik and Dupor’- Daily’s source claims that Chair of RS Government’s Commission Milan Dupor and RS PM Milorad Dodik have talked about Palic case on Friday and that even though exhuming is announced for May 15 that would not happen. |
Reaction to Reis Ceric’s statement | |
| Bishop Conference surprised with Reis Ceric’s statement
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| DA carries Cardinal Puljic’s interview to CAN
| Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘What did Cardinal Puljic said in Washington’ by MINA– MINA carried interview that Cardinal Vinko Puljic gave the Catholic News Agency and which can be found on www. catholicnews. com- by the author Regina Linskey. Cardinal Puljic said: “Catholics in BiH feel the pressure, danger and discrimination from unjust political system and from Muslims, financially supported by Islamic countries”, adding that successful dialogue between Croats and Muslims depend on ‘political situation’. |
| Croat Inmates have proofs that BiH Army had about 200 camps for Croats
| Vecernji List cover splash and pg 3 ‘Army has had 200 camps for Croats’ by Zoran Kresic– Reacting to the statement of Reisu-l-ulema Mustafa Effendi Ceric who said that BiH Army didn’t have any prisoner camps for Croats, Chair of Association of Croat Inmates Mirko Zelenika said that Association has documents proving that BiH Army has had about 200 camps for Croats. Zelenika adds that 60 camps were on |
| Mostar Major offended by Ceric’s statement; Mostar is the only multiethnic city in BiH | Vecernji List cover splash and pg 3 ‘Army has had 200 camps for Croats’ by Zoran Kresic, Inset “Mostar is the only multiethnic city in BiH’- Reacting to Ceric’s statement about apartheid, Mostar Major Ljubo Beslic said that these are vicious statement with untrue approach. “Statement that there is apartheid in act in Mostar toward Boosniaks is undermining efforts of establishment of coexistence…Mostar is the only multiethnic city in BiH, which is very simple to prove…” said Beslic. |
Economic issues | |
| RS PM to solve Prijedor Mira factory problems
| Glas Srpeske cover splash ‘Mira finally breathing’ by D.Bulic– RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik visited Prijedor and promised that the Government, along with the Municipality would do everything trying to solve the property-legal issues of cookie factory ‘Mira’, whose majority owner is Zagreb based factory ‘Kras’. |
| BiH Transporters unsatisfied with Causevic and | Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Ignoring relation from Causevic and |