OHR BiH Media Round-up, 1/4/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK  (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

HNC school strike at Mostar Court

Milan Lukic said not guilty

BiH Const. Court on entity symbols

School in HNC to end in June

Regional News

Donors’ Conference in Brussels

BIH CC plenary session

Andan on war crimes indictees

Del Ponte on SCG cooper. with ICTY

BIH HoR Commission on c.changes

Donor conference in Brussels

Andan on war crime indictees

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Feature on electricity prices

Donors’ conference in Brussels

BiH Constitutional Court decision

Protests due to electricity prices

SCG to continue SAA talks on April 5

RSNA session

Donor’s conference in Brussels

Lukic pleads not guilty

Andan on war crimes indictees

BIH CC plenary session

BiH Const. Court on entity symbols

Milan Lukic said not guilty

Oslobodjenje

Srebrenica victims do not need speeches (Srebrenica Tragedy Organizational Board decided to exclude political contents from central manifestation)

Dnevni Avaz

EU enlargement must not stop (Chairman of BiH Pres. Tihic on EPP Congress in Rome)

Dnevni List

Money on hold (on construction of MostarClinicalHospital)

Vecernji List

Electricity bills higher by 10 KM (on increase of electricity price due to FERK decision)

Nezavisne Novine

Unconstitutional entity coat of arms and flags ( BiH Const. Court on entity symbols)

Constitutional changes

Constitutional-Legal Commission concluded that there is constitutional and legal ground for debating amendments to BiH Constitution

BHT 1 Report by M. Cosic – The Constitutional-Legal Commission with the BiH House of Representatives established that there is a constitutional-legal ground for debating amendments to the BiH Constitution. The public debate on amendments to the BiH constitution will last about fifteen days. “We call upon all the institutions and BiH citizens to submit their stances on changes to the BiH Constitution in a written form”, stated President of the Constitutional-Legal Commission Mirsad Ceman, announcing that the public debate will be organized in the building of BiH Parliamentary Assembly. It was expected that the Constitutional-Legal Commission would discuss the amendments to the BiH Constitution proposed by representative Mladen Potocnik as well, however this item was removed from the agenda. Potocnik deems that political leaders did not like what they saw in his proposal. On the other hand, member of Constitutional-Legal Commission Momcilo Novakovic claims it would not be reasonable to discuss two different proposals of the constitutional changes at the same time. RHB, Hayat, FTV, Dnevni Avazpg 8 ‘Amendments to Constitution have ground, public debate in mid April’ by A.M., Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Amendments to BiH Constitution at public debate’ by A.T., Nezavisne Novine pg 4, mentioned on cover ‘Discussion in Parliament in mid April’ by N. Krsman, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘There is legal ground for amendments’ by D.J., Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Public discussion on Constitution by April 22’ by D. P. Mandic.   

EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn calls on MPs in BiH Parliament to adopt changes to BiH Constitution 

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Changes to BiH Constitution should be adopted’, mentioned on cover ‘BiH makes considerable progress’ by S. Numanovic carries a page long interview with EU Enlargement Commissioner Oli Rehn, who calls on MPs in the BiH Parliament to adopt changes to the BiH Constitution as soon as possible and that this act would be a very clear signal of progress that BiH has made. Rehn added that change of the BiH Constitution especially in he part that refers on strengthening of state institutions is an important aspect that strengthens the process of European integration.

Austrian Ambassador Almhofer: Const. changes agreement must get support in BiH Parliament

Nezavisne Novine pg 6, mentioned on cover ‘Agreement of parties must get support’ by D. Risojevic carries Austrian Ambassador Werner Almhofer as saying that all representatives of the International Community in BiH have a clear stand that the constitutional changes agreement is good and they expect that it gets support of MPs in the BiH Parliament.

HDZ President Covic on const. chgs: ‘I support Bishops, but politicians bear responsibility’

RHB – HDZ President Dragan Covic met with members of West Hercegovina Canton HDZ in Siroki Brijeg. They spoke about HDZ stances towards constitutional changes. Covic stated that HDZ wants complete execution of political agreements in order to make steps forward when it comes to protection of Croat interests. Vecernji List pg 2 ‘I support Bishops, but politicians bear responsibility’ by T. Kvesic, N. Koturic carries Covic as saying that he in person saw the constitutional changes in a different way, as thorough and not cosmetic changes, but only Croats stood for such changes. He added that for this reason he supports stands of the BiH Bishops’ Conference but politicians bear their responsibility. Also reported by Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘To remain on track of political agreement to the end’, Dnevni List pg 16 ‘Cantonal HDZ supported Covic’ by V.S. carries that HDZ Presidency session will take place on April 3.

HNZ: Our President Brkic did not sign constitutional changes agreement

RHB– HNZ issued a press release, which stresses that its President Milenko Brkic has not signed the agreement on constitutional changes. HNZ feels that entity voting in the BiH Parliament is not contributing to equality of people living in BiH. HNZ also emphasised that it agrees on the issues related to the BiH Council of Ministers, BiH Presidency and human rights. Brkic feels that the part of the agreement related to the BiH Parliament should be left for the second phase of the negotiations. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Brkic denies that he signed agreement’, Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘On Parliament in second phase of negotiations’, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Brkic did not sign constitutional changes agreement’ 

SBiH founder Silajdzic: Proposed const. changes agreement is in definitive strengthening of tDayton Peace Accord and its creations, the RS and FBiH

Oslobodjenje (Saturday’s addition) pg 4 ‘Constitution is basic law of each country’ by N. Idrizovic carries an interview with SBiH founder Haris Silajdzic who talks about constitutional changes and says: ‘None opposes changes, but are we supposed to agree with the changes that are not crucial and which do not remove main sources of problems that we stressed when the Dayton Peace Agreement was signed?’ Silajdzic believes that the proposed agreement is in some way a definitive strengthening of the Dayton Peace Accord and its creations, the RS and FBiH.

Osl. op-ed: As long as const. changes were discussed according to IC dictate it is illusion to expect any kind of progress in BiH

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘BiH made in USA’ by D. Stanojlovic comments on constitutional changes and the author concludes that as long as this issue was discussed and agreed upon according to a dictate of the International Community led by the USA it is an illusion to expect any kind of progress in BiH divided to the war and Dayton Peace Agreement.

Other political issues

BiH Constitutional Court concluded that certain Articles of FBiH Law on coat of arms and flag and RS Law on flag, coat of arms and anthem are not in accordance with BiH Constitution

BHT 1 – The BiH Constitutional Court (BiH CC) has concluded that certain Articles of the FBiH Law on coat of arms and flag, and the RS Law on flag, coat of arms and anthem are not in accordance with the BiH Constitution. Therefore, the FBiH Parliament and RS National Assembly have been ordered to harmonize those Articles with the BiH Constitution within 60 days from the day of publishing this decision in the BiH Official Gazette. Namely, the BiH CC concluded that the Article 2 of the RS Law on flag, coat of arms and anthem (which says that the flag, coat of arms and anthem represent the statehood of RS) and the Article 3 (which says that the symbols of the RS are used in accordance with ethical standards of Serb people) are not in accordance with the state Constitution. The BiH CC explained that the Serb people in the RS, as well as Bosniaks and Croats in the FBiH, are entitled to preserve their tradition, culture and identity through legislative mechanisms; however, the BiH CC deems that the same right should be given to Bosniaks and Croats in the RS and Serbs in the FBiH. BiH CC also discussed constitutionality of the BiH Lawsuit against SCG for genocide, which was requested by Borislav Paravac, BiH Presidency member but would make decision at the following session.  Also reported by Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Provisions on coat of arms, flag and anthem in RS and FBiH unconstitutional’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Entity symbols unconstitutional’ by A. Av. Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Unconstitutional entity coat of arms and flags’ by R. Cengic, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Flags and coats of arms must harmonize’ by D. Jazvic.

Negative comments on BiH CC decision on FBiH and RS Laws on symbols by Kuzmanovic (RS team in BiH CC), Simic (SNSD) and Stojicic (SDS)

RTRS – ‘It is obvious that to a large extent the Court worked in accordance with political understandings and not legal. I believe that RS would do something, especially regarding the regulations on statehood”, said Rajko Kuzmanovic, from the RS team before the BiH Constitutional Court. “We in SNSD would insist that at the same time with implementation of the BiH CC’s decision and looking for solutions at the entities’ level, ask for a change of the symbols at the BiH level so Serb people symbols are equally included in the BiH coat of arms”, said Krstan Simic, SNSD. “In my opinion, this is a political decision that would have consequences on life and future of this country. I believe that this kind of decisions are problematic”, said Dusan Stojicic, SDS .

BiH Presidency Chairman Tihic on his initiative to question constitutionality of FBiH and RS Laws on symbols: My initiative was not directed against any people in BiH

BHT 1 – The aforementioned BiH Constitutional Court decision was reached after BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic requested the assessment of constitutionality of the RS symbols. “For me, this is an expected decision, because when I launched the procedure I was convinced that those laws have discriminating character, and that they are not in accordance with the BiH Constitution, entity Constitutions and the European Convention on Human Rights and Freedoms”, stated Tihic, adding that his initiative was not directed against any people in BiH.  

BiH Presidency Chairman Tihic at EPP Congress in Rome : Vision of modern and united Europe prevails in BiH

FTV – ‘Regardless of all difficulties we are going through, the vision of a modern and united Europe established on equal possibilities and rights for all its citizens, prevails in BiH’, Chair of the BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic stated on Friday at the Congress of the European People’s Party in Rome. Tihic emphasized the fact that significant progress has been made in all fields in BiH, adding that domestic authorities have continued to carry out reforms. Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘EU enlargement must not stop’ and pg 4 ‘President Cipampi satisfied since processes in BiH progress’ by A. Malagic carries Tihic as saying that all those who spoke at EPP Congress that the process of the EU enlargement must not be stopped. Also reported by Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Vision of modern Europe wins in BiH’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘European people’s Parties support EU enlargement’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Tihic with Ciampi’ by ra

EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn: ‘BiH has made considerable progress’

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Changes to BiH Constitution should be adopted’, mentioned on cover ‘BiH makes considerable progress’ by S. Numanovic carries a page long interview with EU Enlargement Commissioner Oli Rehn, who says that in order to complete negotiations on SAA , BiH must resolve the issue of full cooperation with ICTY, achieve more progress when the PBS reform is in question. Rehn also hopes that the police reform would be implemented in accordance with the plan of activities defined in the Police Reform Directorate.  

Inaugural Assembly of HDZ 1990 to take place on April 8

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Inaugural Assembly of HDZ 1990 to take place on April 8’ by F. Vele – The Presidency of the Initiative Board of HDZ 1990 (made of Bozo Ljubic, Martin Raguz, Vinko Zoric etc.) has held its second session during which it was decided that an inaugural assembly of this party would take place in Mostar on April 8. DA says that Josip Merdzo stated that he would also be a member of this party. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ’Inaugural Assembly of HDZ 1990 to take place on April 8’ – The Presidency also concluded that the constitutional changes agreement in this form and contents is not acceptable and they called on Croat and all other MPs in the Parliament to reach a solution that would be acceptable for all. Dnevni List pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Establishment of new HDZ on April 8’ by D. Pasic

HDZ President Covic on HDZ 1990: BiH institutions will protect HDZ name

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘I support Bishops but politicians are one who bear responsibility’ by T. Kvesic, N. Koturic – Asked to comment on establishment of HDZ 1990, HDZ President Dragan Covic stated that BiH institutions will not allow something like that since HDZ names and symbols are protected. He added that it is legitimate right of people to form parties however it is not logical that someone who is no longer an HDZ member presents oneself as inheritor of that idea.

Croatian Minister of Transport Kalmeta: Croatia will not start building Peljesac Bridge without BiH’s consent

BHT 1 – Croatia will not start building the bridge linking the Peljesac peninsula with the mainland without BiH’s consent, Croatian Transport and Development Minister Bozidar Kalmeta stated in Sarajevo. “A bascule bridge could be the one of solutions.. We would prefer if we could reach the agreement on the height of the bridge, which would be… let’s say mutual”, stated Kalmeta. The BiH authorities still did not respond to such proposal, however, experts believe that the bascule bridge is not good enough solution for BiH, because free access to the high seas is possible only under suspension bridges, which should be over 65 meters high. Also reported by RHB, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Bridge to Peljesac will not be built without BiH’s consent’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Construction of bridge will not start without consent of BiH’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Bascule bridge is one of alternatives’ by Hina

RSNA passed draft Law on RTRS/RSNA majority refused to discuss proposal on reconstruction and equipment supply of Banja Luka Clinic Centre

RTRS – The RS National Assembly (RSNA) passed a draft Law on RS Public Broadcast Service, which excludes influence of political, financial or any other party. Nedeljko Cubrilovic, the RS Minister for Traffic and Communication said that the most important is that this Law provides editorial independence, autonomy and sustainable independent financial system to RTRS. SDS said that RTRS is very partial in its reporting. Dusan Stojicic from SDS proposed establishment of a Program Council within RTRS, which would be appointed by te RSNA or some other way and that would estimate reports that would RTRS broadcast. Some RSNA Representatives were not satisfied about not clear situation regarding the founder of RTRS, small number of RTRS Steering Board Members and a way of collecting RTRS tax.  SDA supported SDS initiative on establishment of the Program Council. RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik asked from RSNA to continue session after 15:00 hrs and discuss a proposal on reconstruction and equipment supply of the Banja Luka Clinic Centre. However, RSNA majority did not accept this request. “This is a completely cynical decision that I as a man cannot accept. Now, the deadline is endangered and I do not know how we would implement this project”, said Dodik. Borislav Bojic, SDS denied Dodik’s accusations and said that the RS Government requested the discussion on this issue at the end of the RSNA session since at the beginning of the session it did not have necessary majority. RHB, Pink, BHT 1, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘RSNA refused to discuss Banja Luka Clinic Centre’, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Reconstruction of Banja Luka Clinic Centre questionable’ by O.V., Nezavisne Novne pg 5 ‘Editorial policy all that matters to SDS MPs’ by V. Popovicand ‘’Dodik: Project of reconstruction of Clinic Hospital endangered’ also report on the session.

RS PM Dodik’ reaction on DA article/Dodik: ‘There is no police reform that would abolish RS police’

Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘There is no reform that would abolish RS police’ carries a reaction of RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik to a commentary published in this daily on March 28 under headline ‘Dodik and Police’. In his reaction Dodik says that this article is full of untruths and constructions on alleged plans of the RS PM to stop European-Atlantic integration. The reaction also carries Dodik as saying that for him and many people in the RS, the RS is a permanent category and that there is no police reform that would abolish the RS Police.

BiH, SCiG and Croatia   confirmed willingness to enable return process in region, without any discrimination by end of 2006

BHT 1 – After the ministerial meeting in Sarajevo, dedicated to solving the refugee-related issues in BiH, SCiG and Croatia, participants signed the joint statement. Ministers from three countries, BiH Minister for Human Rights and Refugees Mirsad Kebo, Croatian Transport and Development Minister Bozidar Kalmeta and SCG Minister for Human and Minority Rights Rasim Ljajic confirmed the willingness to enable the return process in the region, without any discrimination by the end of the year. Also reported by RHB, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘To implement Sarajevo Declaration consistently’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘To make possible return by end of 2006’ by G.M., Dnevni List pg 2 ‘To resolve issue of displaced persons by end of year’ by D. Kozina

EU provided 500.000 Euros for Twining Project that would strengthen work of General Secretariat (with BiH CoM) and governmental institutions

Pink – The EU provided 500.000 Euros for the Twining Project that would be realized in following 18 months by the General Secretariat of the BiH Council of Ministers and its partners in France and Slovenia. This project would strengthen work of the General Secretariat and governmental institutions. By this project, the EU wants to strengthen administrative and institutional capacities of future member countries. Also reported by BHT 1, Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Half million Euros for functional public administration’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Half million Euros for more efficient work’

Judicial issues/War crimes/Security

Donors’ Conference for raising money for judicial reforms in BiH held in Brussels / Donors officially promised 7.7 million Euros

BHT 1 Report by E. Bucalo – The Donors’ Conference for raising money for the judicial reform in BiH took place in Brussels on Friday. Donors officially promised 7.7 million Euros. Unofficially, according to a BHT 1 reporter, they promised over ten million Euros. The money will be mostly used for building the state prison in BiH, and for the work of the Court of BiH and state Prosecutor’s Office during next three years. According to the BHT 1 reporter, the story about the money for the judicial reforms is far from over, because many potential donors – such as the EC – have not yet decided how much money they would give for judicial institutions in BiH. “Basically, our first priority is to help the state to build its institutions. We have already made significant progress in the fields of customs and public administration”, stated Director of the EC for Western Balkans Reinhardt Priebe. Terzic welcomed the fact that BiH is not so attractive for international donations as it used to be. “I don’t want to create country whose representatives would organize donors’ conferences every year and all around the world”, explained Terzic. Pink says that the conference did not give expected results. Also reported by RHB, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Priebe: Successes that BiH achived in area of rule of law are impressive’ by H. Orahovac and ‘Over 10 millions Euros promised’ by T.L., Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Success of judiciary is key for stabilization of region’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Judicial institutions in BiH achieved progress’ by G.M., Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Progress of judicial institutions welcomed’ by Nina

Chair of BiH CoM Terzic on Donors’ Conference for judicial reforms: Countries participating at conference promised to donate between 10 and 12 million Euros.

BHT 1 (Late News Update)Guest of the News at 22:00 was Chair of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic, who has just returned from the official visit to Brussels. Commenting the donors’ conference held on Friday, Terzic said that the main goal of the conference was not just raising funds for the BiH Court and Prosecutors’ Office, but also promotion of BiH and the achievements of the BiH judicial system. According to Terzic, countries participating at the conference have promised to donate between 10 and 12 million Euros. However, Terzic stressed that France , several Islamic countries and the EC have also promised donations, but they did not precisely say how much money they are going to provide. Terzic announced that BiH institutions are going to fully take over the financing of judiciary system within next three years; he reiterated that BiH, and especially RS institutions, must do everything possible in order to achieve full cooperation with the ICTY and eliminate the networks of support of ICTY indictees.

RS Police Director Andan: Activities on apprehending ICTY indictees will be intensified

BHT 1 – RS Police Director Dragomir Andan announced on Friday that the activities on apprehending ICTY indictees would be intensified, saying that this is a commitment from the law adopted in the RSNA. Commenting on RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik’s announcement that the special department for search after The Hague indictees will be established, Andan said that the unit would be an integral part of the RS Ministry of Interior. He denied media speculations that the Special Unit was supposed to be established on Friday. Also reported by Pink, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘RS Police will intensify activities for arrest of war crime indictees’, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Intensified activities for arrest of ICTY indictees’, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 Intensified activities for arrest of ICTY indictees’ by Srna

ICTY: Lukic charged with war crimes committed against Bosniak civilians in area of Visegrad pleaded not guilty

BHT 1 – For the second time, Bosnian Serb Milan Lukic pleaded not guilty before The Hague Tribunal on all counts of the indictment. Lukic is charged with war crimes committed against Bosniak civilians in the area of Visegrad between 1992 and 1994. This former commander of paramilitary formations ‘White Eagles’ and ‘Avengers’ was arrested in Buenos Aires, Argentina in August 2005. Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Milan Lukic is afraid of trial in Sarajevo’ by A. Beslija carries Lukic’s lawyer as saying that Lukic is concerned about the fact that the ICTY did not give any guarantees to Argentina that he would not be extradited to Sarajevo. Also reported by RHB, Pink, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Person charged with burning of 135 Bosniak women, children and old people pleaded not guilty’, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Lukic pleaded not guilty’, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Milan Lukic denies war crimes in Visegrad’ by F, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Milan Lukic pleaded not guilty before ICTY’

Srebrenica Tragedy Organizational Board decided to exclude political contents from central manifestation

Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pgs 4 and 5 ‘Srebrenica victims do not need speeches’ by A. Becirevic – The Organizational Board for Marking Srebrenica Tragedy decided that the central manifestation has a religious character exclusively without political contents.

RS Association of families of prisoners of war disappointed with fact that FBiH Government has not established Commission for missing Serbs in Sarajevo/OHR: Domestic institutions should deal with missing persons issue

RTRS – The RS Association of families of prisoners of war, killed soldiers and missing civilians are disappointed with the fact that the FBiH Government is not fulfilling its promise on establishment of the Commission for missing Serbs in Sarajevo. The FBiH Government told to RTRS that this issue still has not been on the agenda and that RTRS should talk to FBiH Ministry of Justice. RTRS got the information that FBiH Minister of Justice is away from BiH. The RS Association of families of prisoners of war, killed soldiers and missing civilians would protest before the FBiH Government on April 10^th. Also covered by Nezavisne Novine pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘FBiH Government did not meet deadline’ by R. Rakic. NN inset ‘OHR supports demands of missing persons’ families’ carries OHR spokesperson Mario Brkic as saying that the OHR believes that all those who lost members of their families have a right to know about their destiny but that competent domestic BiH institutions should deal with this issue.

DL: Gun from which it was shot during Abazovic’s arrest was not brought for expertise

Dnevni List pg 7 ‘EUFOR ‘hid’ weapon from which it was shot’ by E. Mackic – After an expertise on the Abazovic case had been carried out, the Criminal-Technical Centre of the RS Ministry of Interior concluded that disputable cartridge cases, that were found during the investigation on the spot are from bullet 5,56X45 mm and they were shot from gun 5,65 mm that was not brought for an expertise. DL says that this is a part of the report of RS Police Director Dragomir Andan sent to the BiH Security Ministry.    

BiH Defence Minister Radovanovic and SCG Defence Minister Stankovic: SCG and BIH are exchanging information on ICTY indictees

Hayat – BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic and SCG Defence Minister Zoran Stankovic met on Friday in Belgrade. They agreed that ICTY cooperation is most important issue for BiH and SCG at the moment. Radovanovic addressed the media and stated that SCG and BiH are exchanging information on ICTY indictees.  Also reported by RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘BiH and SCiG have been exchanging information on Mladic for longer period of time’, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Cooperation with ICTY most important issue’ 

ICTY Chief Prosecutor Del Ponte submits report on SCG cooperation with ICTY, emphasizing improvements/SAA talks with SCG to continue on April 5^th 

BHT 1 – Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte in Brussels submitted to the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers an assessment of Serbia-Montenegrin cooperation with The Hague Tribunal. EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn announced that, in her report, Del Ponte underlined the improvement in cooperation, therefore, the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with SCG will be continued on April 5^th as planned. Explaining the decision, Rehn stressed that Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica promised to locate, arrest and immediately transfer Ratko Mladic to The Hague. The EC will reassess the situation at the end of April and decide whether to continue the SAA talks with SCG or not. Also reported by FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 17 ‘SCiG continues negotiations with EU’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘EU continues talks with Serbia ’

An explosive device has been discovered in trolleybus in Sarajevo

BHT 1 – An explosive device has been discovered in a trolleybus in Sarajevo early on Friday morning. This is the second time in last three months that somebody planted explosives in a Public Transportation Company GRAS’ vehicle. The police investigation is underway. Also reported by most print media.

Economy

FERK did not postpone implementation of decision on increase of electricity prices

FTV – Although the FBiH Government on Thursday requested that FBiH Regulatory Commission for Electricity (FERK) postpones implementation of the decision on increase of electricity prices, FERK did not reach such decision. It means that the new electricity prices will go into effect on Saturday, April 1^st. Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Only FERK can pass decision’ carries President of the FERK Risto Mandrapa who says that according to the law only Ferk can decide on increase of electricity prices.

Hayat: FBiH Government knew about increase of electricity prices

Hayat Report by S. Mulic – The FBiH Government knew about increase of electricity prices. The reporter explained that the FBiH Electricity Regulatory Commission (FERK) could not reach a decision without an approval of Elektroprivreda and added that the FBiH Government appoints Elektroprivredas Steering Board, therefore the FBiH Government knew about the increase. The reporter commented that Elektroprivredas decided to increase the prices in order to cover the losses that are made during export of electricity and added that BiH is one of rare countries that has excess of electricity.

BiH Association of Independent Trade Unions is worried about announced increase of electricity prices

RHB – The BiH Association of Independent Trade Unions is worried about the announced increase of electricity prices. Chair of the Association Edhem Biber stated that the Trade Union together with the Association of Employers and members of the FBiH Government will hold a session where they will try and find a solution for all citizens.

BiH CoM Chairman Terzic and EU Commissioner for Economy Almunia announced beginning of economic dialogue btwn BiH and EC

RHB – An advisor to BiH Council of Ministers Chairman Adnan Terzic, Bojan Zec Filipovic, stated that Terzic together with BiH Finance Minister Ljerka Maric met with EU Commissioner for economy and fiscal issues Joaquin Almunia (SP). According to Zec-Filipovic, Almugno announced the beginning of economic dialogue between BiH and the EC. The dialogue should start on Monday. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘BiH’s intention is to harmonize economic policy with EC’

Update on HNC strike of teachers

HNC Government’s request on ban of teachers’ strike considered before Mostar Municipal Court

RHB, BHT 1, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Court passed verdict in favour of teachers’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Court passed verdict in favour of Trade Unions’, Vecernji List pg 7 ‘Court partly decided in favour of Trade Unions’ by I. Brkic-Cubela, Dnevni List pg 11 ‘Court passed verdict in favour of Trade Union’ by S. Bjelica – A request of the Hercegovina-Neretva Canton Government related to a ban On the teachers’ strike was considered before the Mostar Municipal Court. The Court concluded that it has no reason to order the beginning of classes since teachers have already returned to the classrooms. The Court will also decide on the ban of the strike after it questions HNC Prime Minister Miroslav Coric on Monday.

HNC Government: Classes to end on June 23

RHB – The HNC Government reached a decision on the ground of which classes in schools that were on strike will last until June 23.