Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 14 April
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| Feature on Easter | Oil prices in FBiH increased | Savers announce suit vrs BiH CoM |
| FBIH: Fuel prices to go up | Ombudsmen: assess FERKs decision | OHR to engage in 2nd phase of cc |
| Savers to file lawsuit with BiH CC | Depositors to address BiH CC | |
TV news broadcast on 13 April
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| | Tihic meets Del Ponte | CoB confirms terrorism indictments |
| Tihic meets Carla del Ponte | Ljubicic case forwarded to BIH | HoR on old foreign currency savings |
| BiH HoR and HoP in session | Round table on ICTY indictees | Funds for alleviating VAT effects |
| FBiH Government in session | RS NA session | Charges for the role in Srebr. crime |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| FBiH Govt on negative VAT effects | CoB confirms terrorism indictments | |
| BiH HoR on foreign currency savings | Junuzi fled from the prison in Zenica | RS NA session |
| Report on the RS Govt’s vehicles | HoR on old foreign currency savings | Tihic meets Del Ponte |
| Feature story on Gladovici returnees | HoP on Council of National Minorities | Hellman on ICTY mandate |
| Oslobodjenje | Pensions for April to include benefits for first three months |
| Dnevni Avaz | Social welfare to be included in pension for April |
| Dnevni List | Killed a girl and shot himself in the head (crimes case in |
| Vecernji List | Croatian policy is disgraceful (Croatian priest don Grubisic criticizes Croatian authorities) |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Financial Police is selectively picking ‘victims’ (FBiH Finance Minister Vrankic interview) |
| Nezavisne Novine | BAM 100 this year (old foreign currency settlement) |
| Glas Srpske | Bags are not sisters |
| EuroBlic | No trace of Karadzic and Mladic in BiH |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| BiH Association for return of old foreign currency: Law on savings is illegal, announce legal action with BiH CC | BH Radio1, |
Crime issues | |
| BiH presidency chair Tihic meets ICTY chief prosecutor Del Ponte; Tihic deems BiH would have to do more than express readiness to cooperate w/ICTY
| FTV– In official visit to the |
| BiH presidency chair Tihic: SIPA has to do more on PIFWCs arrests, so far it has done very little
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘The Hague expects data on Karadzic from BiH’, mentioned on cover ‘Tribunal asks data on Karadzic from BiH’ by A.Malagic– After the meeting with ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte, BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic said he told Del Ponte that BiH would do everything it could to have Radovan Karadzic arrested by end of the year. Tihic commented that RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik announced establishment of the special unit with a task to arrest and investigate war crimes, but Tihic emphasized this is also a responsibility of SIPA and BiH Intelligence Agency [OSA]. “The results can be achieved only through coordination of the these institutions and cooperation with intelligence services of other countries. SIPA has to do more on arrests of war criminals. It has done very little so far,” said Tihic. In statement to daily, Tihic said ICTY is not fully satisfied with the BiH’s cooperation. “As long as the cooperation is not established… ICTY would be asking for all our security services to give maximum effort and have result instead of current promises” said Tihic. |
| RSNA adopts RS Govt report on cooper/ with ICTY
| RTRS – At the session held in |
| RS Govt accepted RS Police Director Andan’s resignation
| RTRS by Sandra Zrnic – RS Government on Thursday accepted the resignation of now former RS Police Director Dragomir Andan tendered on April 7. The RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik accepted on April 8 the resignation which according to speculations in media was a result of the letter submitted by the ICTY Chief Prosecutor Calra Del Ponte to Dodik and HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling. According to unofficial information, Del Ponte was not satisfied with Andan’s cooperation with ICTY as well as with his war biography and close relation with crime groups FTV– carried RTRS’ report. EuroBlic cover pg splash, RSpg 1 ‘No trace of Karadzic and Mladic in BiH’ by Rajna Radosavljevic Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Cheque at last in line with Law’ by G.Dakic – also report. |
| SBiH’s MP in RSNA criticises former RS Police Director Andan
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Instead arresting criminals, Andan was making a show with hat on the head’, mentioned on cover by O.V.– During the RSNA’s discussion on the quarterly report on the cooperation w/ ICTY, the SBiH’s Muharem Murselovic criticized behaviour of former RS Police Director Dragomir Andan. “Instead arresting war criminals, with hat on the had Andan was making a show for reporters, during the search for war criminals all over Han-Pijesak, even though he knew that he wouldn’t find them there” said Murselovic. |
| SB: Del Ponte learned about Andan’s criminal past and asked for his resignation; she has proofs that he asked for commission to persuade Maldic to surrender
| Slobodna Bosna pgs 28-29 ‘How Dragomir Andan left’, mentioned on cover “Police Director was crying…’ by Emir Hodzic – SB writes about the resignation by the RS Police Director Dragomir Andan, claiming its source claims that Del Ponte had been fooled by Andan in several previous occasions when he allegedly provided her with wrong information on Ratko Mladic’s whereabouts. Furthermore, Del Ponte was shocked when she allegedly learned Andan asked the Serbian Govt for a lot of money to persuade Mladic on surrender. “Drop that spilled the glass” was when she apparently received a CD with indisputable evidences on Andan’s involvement in criminal activities. SB sources says Andan took the resignation quit bad to the extent that he even cried when he tendered it. SB claims Adnan illegally purchased two apartments in Belgrade, one being a gift from Momcilo Mandic [currently in detention for charges of Privredna Bank East Sarajevo related crimes], and concludes he would probably be indicted before BiH Court as there is more then one witness willing to testify against him. |
| Round table on war crimes, NATO’s Gregorian announces meeting with RS PM Dodik, welcomes Andan’s resignation
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Gregorian announced that he would soon talk to Dodik about Karadzic’ by A.P.– Following the round table on war crimes’ issues held in Sarajevo, Political Advisor to NATO HQ in Sarajevo Raffi Gregorian announced that he and NATO HQ Commander General Louis Weber would meet the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik in Banja Luka on April 26 to discuss the issue of remaining war crimes’ indictees. Asked if there is improvement in RS cooperation with the ICTY since Dodik came to power, Gregorain said: “We have heard public statements on full support to the ICTY and appointment of new Interior Minister and resignation of current Police Director Dragomir Andan is welcomed”. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘It is important if BiH would participate the eventual arrest of Mladic’ by Onasa, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Local authorities should locate Hague fugitives’ by |
| SB: On demand of ICTY Chief Prosecutor Del Ponte, RS PM Dodik went after ICTY fugitive Stojan Zupljanin, after replacing Zupljanin’s close relative from RS MoI
| Slobodna Bosna pgs 14-15 ‘After warning of Del Ponte, Dodik replaced relative of Stojan Zupljanin who was working for RS MoI and then went after Stojan himself!’ by S.Sacic – Article reads that following the meeting with the ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte in Banja Luka two weeks ago, the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik removed Advisor to the RS Interior Ministry Slobodan Zupljanin, relative of ICTY fugitive Stojan Zupljanin. Del Ponte allegedly said Slobodan was a member of PIFWCs network. SB speculates that RS MoI offered Stojan Zupljanin half a million KM, and Serbian authorities additional half a million, to surrender voluntarily. Stojan allegedly refused this, demanding from the ICTY to provide written guarantees he would be sentenced to not more than 12 years in a Scandinavian prison which Del Ponte rejected. |
| GS notes it is still uncertain whether OHR would attend commemoration at Donja Gradina | Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Schilling still weighing’ by D.Majstorovic – Writing about commemoration at Donja Gradina to WW II victims of fascism, daily reminds of actions and statements previous HR, Paddyy Ashdown, gave, concluding he failed to fulfil the promise and visit Donja Gradina prior to his departure from BiH. GS carries statements of Bario Brkic, OHR Spokesperson (saying that invitation has come, adding that one of senior officials of OHR will attend this ceremony) and statement of Ljiljana Radetic, OHR Spokesperson, saying there is much time left til Sunday to decide who would attend ceremony. |
Economic issues | |
| BiH HoR passes Law on old foreign currency savings stipulating 13 yrs deadline and settling of debts trough bonds; depositors unsatisfied
| BHT1 – BiH House of Representatives (HoR) on Thursday adopted the Law on old foreign currency savings, which regulates the procedure and deadlines for settling the obligations towards depositors with such savings in BiH-based banks. Depositors previously said they hoped the BiH HoR would not pass the proposed law, as it timeframe of 13 years for payment but in bonds instead of money. “We have been waiting for 15 years already, and now they want us to wait for another 13. That is a nonsense”, said Ale Lizalovic from the Association of Old Foreign Currency Savers. According to BiH Council of Ministers’ proposal, depositors would receive 100 KM each in 2006, and 1,000 KM each during next three years; the rest of the money would be turned into bonds. “I think state offered a solution that is pretty close to reality… Now, whether that is fair and satisfactory for those people, well that is altogether different story”, said SBiH’s Beriz Belkic. On the other hand BiH Finance/Treasury Minister Ljerka Maric believes the solution is good. “We have trustworthy sources, we have a good timeline, and we have fixed interest rate included; and therefore we think, if only we were able to solve the issues of ‘Invest’ and ‘Ljubljanska’ bank clients, that the Law would be perfect”, said Maric. FTV- According to BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzic, there was no alternative to this law, as the |
| BiH HoP passes Law on old foreign currency savings; instructs CoM to find another source of financing instead of VAT payments
| BHT1 late news – BiH House of Peoples passed the Law on old foreign currency savings, which regulates the procedure and the deadlines for settling the obligations towards depositors who had accounts in BiH-based banks. Considering the fact that deadline, set by |
| FBiH Govt approves KM25 millions to alleviate negative VAT effects; 18 millions for pensioners
| BHT1 – FBiH Government approved allocation of 25 million KM for alleviating negative effects of the Value Added Tax introduction. Out of this sum, 18 million KM are allocated for pensioners receiving with monthly pension less than 200 KM, meaning they would receive additional 10 KM on monthly basis retroactively from Jan 2006. Remaining 6 million KM is intended for social welfare beneficiaries. As the payment of the funds from the Single ITA Account is still blocked, FBiH Minister of Labor and Social Policy Radovan Vignjevic was not able to precisely say when would distribution of these means commence. FBiH Government also defined proposal of the law on income tax envisaging a single taxation procedure all citizens in Federation. The Government also forwarded to parliamentary procedure the proposal of the law on the lowest net hourly wage [1.75 KM], which also sets the lowest net salary in FBiH to 308 KM. According to Vignjevic, the exception to this law would be young persons with less than two years of working experience; their lowest net hourly wage would be 1.25 KM. |
| Onasa: FBiH CC says Law on Allocation of Public Revenues not damaging for Croat VNI?
| FTV – |
| GS critical of HR and ITA SB President because of coefficients for distribution of public revenues
| Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Bags are not sisters’ by D.V.M. – The article is criticising the HR to BiH, Christian Schwarz Schilling, for the opposite approaches he showed on the issue of ITA distribution coefficients, reminding that during his latest visit to BiH he said “Joly Dixon must know resources must be divided in a just manner and through agreement between RS and F BiH” and later on reached for cudgel represented in Bonn powers and extended Dixon’s mandate to further three months, although aware of the fact Dixon’s decisions resulted in financial loss damage for RS. The article concludes by referring to latest statement by Kemal Causevic, ITA director, who announced the possibility for reduction of taxes and allowances to salaries in F BiH. On this author stresses if anybody though of compensating that sum from amounts available to RS, he should be reminded that bags of two brothers are not sisters (i.e. they do not share funds). |
| ITA SB Chair unfreezes ITA single account for state institutions: 125 million KM remain on account / RS PM does not agree with EC proposal that RS should get 29.3% from ITA account
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘State institutions got blocked money’ by D.Risojevic – Daily learns that as of Thursday state can get its money from the single ITA account, since Joly Dixon, ITA SB Chairperson, freed previously frozen resources for the functioning of state institutions. The amount of BAM 30.5 million has been unfrozen and will be directed towards state institutions. According to latest information, there is now BAM 125 million on ITA single account after resources for state institutions were unfrozen. Daily writes about latest proposal of European Commission regarding distribution coefficients, according to which RS should get 29.3% from single account, while RS side persists on 30.5%. On this, Milorad Dodik, RS Premier, stated after Wednesday’s meeting with his F BiH counterpart Ahmet Hadzipasic, and F BiH Finance Minister, Dragan Vrankic, that: “We will not accept this, even if blockade extends to eternity.” Daily reminds F BiH side persists on application of coefficients on the basis of VAT payers’ claims. EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘ |
| SDA demands from ITA to ‘stop complicating’
| Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘It is dangerous to open package of constitutional changes’ by A.M. – At the press conference held on Thursday, SDA Vice President Ibrahim Nadarevic requested from the Indirect Tax Authority Steering Board to stop complicating and stalling the solving of the problem of allocation of funds from the ITA Single account. |
| ITA SB Chair
| Slobodna Bosna pgs 26-27 ‘Those that are accusing me would be better off to think about their taxpayers’ by Danka Savic – Explaining a decision to freeze allocation from the single ITA account, the Chair of the ITA Steering Board Chair Joly Dixon said that he was thinking about BiH taxpayers: “I am reconsidering passing new decision, because I deem it is wrong that taxpayers aren’t getting their money back, while politicians are hiding behind legal arguments.” Commenting initiative by the FBiH Finance Minister and member of ITA SB Dragan Vrankic to amend the Law on ITA placing the Administration under control of the BiH CoM, Dixon said such changes demand further evaluation “as BiH progresses on the way toward European integrations”. Inset ‘Dodik and Dzombic have no experience in public finances’- Commenting a lawsuit that RS PM Milorad Dodik announced against him, |
| NN op-ed criticises ITA SB President saying citizens are to face consequences of ITA single account freezing
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Revenues’ by Predrag Klincov – Wiring about blockade of resources at the ITA joint single account, the author stresses that the citizens, mostly budget beneficiaries, are to face consequences, criticising Joly Dixon, President of ITA Steering Board, to be main culprit for this dispute. The author observes with ironical tone that as situation on this issue becomes more tense, |
| Cro Secretary for European IntegrationsPejcinovic-Buric: Economy in BiH must be given enough time to adjust to the FTA
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Economy must be given enough time to adjust to the Agreement’ by T. Lazovic – Croatian Secretary for European Integrations, Marija Pejcinovic-Buric, told in a statement to DA that during the talks on the Stabilization and Association with the EU, the BiH negotiating team must ensure long transition period in which the goods of importance for domestic economy would be under customs protections enabling domestic companies to adjust to the free trade arrangement with the EU. She added that Croatian authorities at beginning were very ambitious, believing that period of 6 years was long enough to prepare for this, however now they know they needed more time. Pejcinovic-Buric is currently visiting BiH in an effort to facilitate negotiations BiH |
| BiH Foreign Minister Ivanic: New OHR policy of transfer of power is good, and we will see investments coming very soon; police reform must not turn into political battle
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Police reform must not turn into political battle’ by Edina Sarac – Commenting initiative to create free trade zone for Western Balkan countries, BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic told in an interview for DA said: “BiH looks very positively to the idea of this project. That process is a natural continuation of already existing bilateral agreements… BiH will be more attractive for investments than it is case now. We are very small market, and if we would be isolated, we would not be attractive enough as a part of wider market. BiH can use its comparative advantages, which are taxation system with lower tax rate than in the other regional countries.” He also noted that financial climate is not as that bad as the image of the country: “Some investors wonders what would happen when international institutions would not have such significant role. Therefore I think that the new OHR policy of transfer of power is good, and we will see investments coming very soon. Especially when we sign Stabilisation and Association Agreement [ |
| BiH CoM Chair Terzic met outgoing IMF Head to BiH Doyle and new IMF Head Demekes; Terzic: BiH CoM to reduce taxes to economy
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘VAT could reduce taxes for economy’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Satisfied with results of VAT introduction’ by R.C. – BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic on Thursday meet the outgoing Head of the IMF Mission to BiH, Peter Doyle, and the newly appointed Head of Mission, Dimitri G. Demekes. They ascertained that BiH, in defining her economic policies and ensuring the macroeconomic stability, consults and cooperates with the IMF, which has resulted in better economic indicators in BiH. The IMF officials commended the successful introduction of VAT. Terzic informed the Head of IMF Mission in BiH Demekes about the intent of the CoM to take advantage of the eventual boost in VAT revenue to reduce the taxes imposed to the economy for the purpose of creating a more advantageous ambiance for doing business and investing in BiH. |
| FBiH Minister Vrankic denies reports that he wants to place FBIH Financial Police under his control
| Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 21 Financial Police is selectively picking ‘victims’’, by Zlatko Tulic – carries a brief interview with the FBIH Finance Minister, Dragan Vrankic, in which he denies recent media reports that suggested that he wants to put the FBIH Financial Police FBiH FP) under (his) control in order to hush up crimes the HDZ has allegedly committed in the past. Vrankic says the documentation of the FBIH FP is not somebody’s private property, instead it should be with respective prosecutions. Furthermore, he says the companies the FBIH FP was controlling were ‘selectively picked’, for which he has evidence, however he does not want to present any details about it. |
| DA op-ed criticizes authorities’ lack of VAT follow up actions | Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘VAT against BiH economy’ op-ed by Faruk Cardzic – Referring to the introduction to VAT implementation in BiH, the author is critical of the value added tax adding that authorities have not responded as they promised leaving the citizens to fight the consequences of its introduction. Cardzic adds that “even though VAT filled the budget more than it was expected” it is still very unlikely that there would be some benefits for the economy. He additionally criticizes lack of or delay adoption of the programs to fight the negative consequences of the VAT [referring to the Thursday’s session of the FBiH Government]. “The most important thing is that state and politicians did not lack any those first 100 days of VAT. But, if they continue like this, they could soon come in the position of finished cow. Who would give milk then?” cynically concludes the author. |
Security and judicial issues | |
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| FTV – The pre-trial judge of BiH Court Mehmed Sator on Thursday confirmed the indictment for terrorism against two BiH citizens, Mirsad Begtasevic and Bajro Ikanovic, and Turkish citizen Cesur Abdulkadir. Their pre-trial detention has been extended for another year, but the Court of BiH is obligated to reassess every two months the justifiability of the reasons for keeping them in confinement. This is the first indictment for terrorism before the Court of BiH. Note: In late October 2005, BiH police arrested five teenagers on suspicion of plotting terrorist attacks on Western embassies in |
| Investigations against EFT company and its owner Vuk Hamovic terminated: No charges will be brought
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘BiH prosecution ceases investigation on EFT business dealings’ by R.Segrt – According to press statement company EFT released Thursday, the BiH Prosecution has ceased further investigation against EFT and owner of this company, Vuk Hamovic, launched in March 2003 and no indictments will be brought against them. (EFT business dealings in BiH were under investigation after publication of Report of OHR Special Auditor in March 2003 suggesting that EFT was privileged in trade deals with RS Elektroprivreda.) Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘No indictment against EFT Group’ by Onasa Oslobodjenje pg 17 ‘There were no irregularities in EFT work’ – also reported. |
| Status conference on case “Mandic and others” on PB ES issue starts today at
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Prosecutor’s Office planned 21 witness’ by A.Sisic, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Indicted for organized crime’ – The Status Conference in the case “Mandic and others”, where Momcilo Mandic, Mirko Sarovic, Milovan Bjelica and Milorad Govedarica have been charged with millions’ embezzlements within Privredna Banka East Sarajevo will be held before BiH Court today. Prosecution plans to call 21 witnesses to the stand. |
| GS argues EUPM Commissioner’s statement Brcko Police can retain its specific elements during police reform
| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Having foreboding’ by Z.Markovic – Following this week’s statement in Brcko of Vincenzo Coppola, EUPM Commissioner (that Brcko District Police may retain its specific elements during police reform, even if it belonged to another region), daily raises the issue as to why District should be allowed to preserve such specific elements while entities would be deprived of same right. Milanko Mihajlica, President of |
| Dani int. HJPC Chair Peric on establishment of BL Special Dep. for organized crime: RS PM’s intentions were good, but way it was done is not | Dani pgs 22-24 ‘Court is a mirror of immoral society’ by Emir Burlovic – In an interview to Dani, the Chair of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, Branko Peric, commented the law adopted by the RS National Assembly enabling establishment of the Special Court/ Prosecution in Banja Luka to deal with the organized crime and corruption by saying he has not seen the text of the law yet. “We have been supportive of an idea to create a system within existing structure to handle the issues of organized crime, but we also warned certain preparations are needed… [RS PM Milorad] Dodik’s intentions are good, but the way in which this was done is not. The organized crime is not exclusive issue of the entity… Perhaps it would be better to extend capacities of Prosecution and |
Political issues | |
| HR Schwarz-Schilling and BD Supervisor Johnson welcome establishment of Brcko District Office within CoM
| BHT1– The Office of the Brcko District Government within the BiH Council of Ministers was officially opened in |
| HR Schwarz-Schilling meets HSS leader Tadic; Tadic says that HSS calls upon democratic powers not to allow legalization of entity division
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| BiH CoM Chair Terzic puts his mandate at disposal to BiH HoR, demanding this to be discussed when all deputies are present
| Oslobodjenje pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘You can do with our mandates whatever you want’ by A.T. – BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic put the mandates of BiH CoM members at the disposal to BiH House of Representatives: “This does not mean that I resign, but you can do with our mandates whatever you want.” BiH HoR deputies Tihomir Gligoric [ |
| CoM Chair Terzic: goal of statements against me is destabilization of BiH
| BHT1 current affairs program ‘Javna Tajna by Amir Zukic– Commenting on initiative for his dismissal by some BiH parliamentarians, the Chair of the BiH CoM Adnan Terzic stated that RS now has a new majority, which needs new CoM. Terzic said that the goal of the RS PM Milorad Dodik who talked about “incompetence of Terzic and CoM” is to destabilize BiH and block its European path as “BiH goes to Europe, not entities… entities would not have power”. Terzic also rejected speculations SDA is not satisfied with either CoM’s or his work. |
| VL interview: HR Schwarz-Schilling believes proposed const. changes will be adopted, announces OHR will be involved in 2nd phase of talks
| Vecernji List, pg 6 ‘OHR will have important role in constitutional changes’, by Dejan Jazvic – carries an interview with the High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, in which he, among other issues, says he believes that the proposed constitution changes will be adopted in the BiH Parliament. The HR notes that the proposed changes, the entity voting in particular, are not ideal, however since there were many proposals that shut each other out, the proposed changes are as they are. He also assures that the second phase of negotiations will continue, since it was guaranteed by the |
| US Ambassador McElhaney: If parliament rejects amendments, politicians would have to explain citizen reasons for doing so
| OBN current affairs program ‘Telering’ by Mato Djakovic – In an interview to OBN, the US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney once again reiterated the importance of constitutional changes for BiH and interest that US Administration has in this issue, which can be seen in the fact that they initiated start of negotiations. Ambassador counted numerous benefits that BiH would have if proposed amendments to BiH Constitution were passed, but he refused to talk about the second phase of constitutional changes, which is announced for after October elections. However, McElhaney stressed that second phase is expected to be much more detailed and more difficult, and it will take much more time than the first one. According to McElhaney, the second phase should be carefully prepared in order to create an atmosphere where people will be able to sit together and discuss the needs of BiH citizens. Talking about possible consequences if BiH Parliament rejects amendments, McElhaney said that he hopes that politicians are going to understand necessity of proposed changes and take into consideration interests and needs of their voters. However, emphasized McElhaney, if amendments are rejected BiH politicians will have to take responsibility and explain citizens why this happened. |
| HDZ 1990 proposes ‘people’s veto’ in BiH HoP
| Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Croat representatives against constitutional changes’, by Mensud Zorlak – reports from session of Presidency of HDZ 1990 held on Wednesday night, at which the party decided it would support the proposed constitutional amendments in case the HDZ 1990’s amendments are adopted in the BiH Parliament. One of leaders of HDZ 1990, Vinko Zoric, explains the party will propose that a ‘people’s veto’ be in place in the BiH House of Peoples in other words ‘the protection of vital national interests without outvoting in the Constitutional Court of BiH.’ Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘No support without adopting amendments’ by Fena Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Corrections of proposed amendments’ by Fena – also reported. |
| SDA expects adoption of amendments to BiH Constitution
| Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘It is dangerous to open package of constitutional changes’ by A.M. – At the press conference held on Thursday, SDA Vice President Ibrahim Nadarevic stated the party expects the amendments to the BiH Constitution and the relevant amendments of the BiH Election Law to be adopted by the end of month so that new solutions could be applied at the forthcoming October elections. “Any form of opening the package brings the danger of not adopting the amendments. Thus, SDA will not support any changes of the amendments that are not in line with the spirit and essence of the political agreement among the presidents of the political parties”, said Nadarevic. Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Amendments for |
| Dani: SBiH founder Silajdzic has no actual support of 102 NGOs as he claims
| Dani pgs 20-21 ‘Secret of Haris’ list’ by Faruk Boric, Belma Becirbasic – Following the claims by SBiH founder Haris Silajdzic that 102 NGOs support his stance against the amendments to the BiH Constitution, Dani decided to check the information with the Chair of Society for Endangered Peoples Fadila Memisevic. She said that on Nov 25 last year she addressed Governments of the US and EU members states on behalf of those 102 NGOs stating they are in favour of united BiH. Memisevic further underlines although all of them desire BiH without entities, more than 80% are in favour of the constitutional changes. |
| Oslob op-ed: Refusing const. changes would mean a heavy blow to BiH’s int. credibility
| Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Public debate’ op-ed by Zija Dizdarevic – Commenting that public debate on amendments to the BiH Constitution brought nothing new, editorial reads that the opponents can stop adoption of the amendments, but cannot ensure the majority for their ideas. “Therefore it is a nonsense to claim that it is better to preserve things as they are, than to adopt the changes. Refusing would mean a heavy punch to BiH international credibility,” concludes author. |
| Feral Tribune: BiH CC’s decision on entity symbols will not go down as easy in RS
| Feral Tribune, pgs 28-29 ‘Flagpoles for live flesh’, by Ivan Lovrenovic – commenting on the BiH Constitutional Court’s ruling that the entity symbols are not consistent with the BiH Constitution, Lovrenovic reckons the symbols of the FBiH will be abolished easily and silently because both the Bosniaks and Croats, who make the majority in the FBiH, have not embraced the symbols as their own, whilst the implementation of the decision in the RS will cause troubles. The author underlines statement by the RS PM, Milorad Dodik, (that he would prevent anyone from removing the RS coat of arms from his office) saying the statement is foremost Dodik’s message to his Serb voters and proof that Dodik does not know and does not want to know about the independence of judiciary. |
| VL interview: HR Schwarz-Schilling announces trip to US where he will meet
| Vecernji List, pg 6 ‘OHR will have important role in constitutional changes’, by Dejan Jazvic – In an interview to VL, Christian Schwarz-Schilling announces his next week’s trip to the US where he would meet US administration’s officials, the UN Secretary General Annan and present the UN Security Council a report on situation in BiH. With regards to the latter, the HR says the report will be dealing with transition of the OHR into the EUSR, |