OHR BiH Media Round-up, 15/4/2006

ITA dispute / other economic issues

ITA SB President: Tuesday session may result in agreement on distribution coefficient, if RS Finance Minister Dzombiccomes to meeting prepared for compromise

Nezavisne Novine pg 6, announced on cover ‘I am not afraid of suit from RS’ by D.Risojevic – In a half-page interview to daily, Joly Dixon, ITA Steering Board President, whom NN calls as person behind “budget blockade” in BiH, says he does not fear from suit RS announced would file against him, adding “if anybody should fear a suit, it is then RS representatives proposing something illegal.”. Dixon believes that the upcoming session of the ITA SB to be scheduled for Tuesday, 18 April, may result in agreement on distribution coefficient, if RS Finance Minister, Aleksander Dzombic, comes to meeting prepared for compromise. He still firmly defends his stance that distribution should be in line with claims filed by VAT payers.

Weekly commentary: the allocation of funds from the Single Account

RHB – BiH is a peculiar country, because a big deposit of funds in the Single Account provoked problems instead of satisfaction, said RHB commentator. The financial issue has soon become a political problem, and a reason for endless discussions about the allocation of funds from the Single Account. RHB commentator blames BiH constitution for this absurd situation, among other things, because it allows Bosniaks to have the majority in FBiH House of Representatives and the FBiH Government. Croat representatives in House of Peoples can launch the procedure of protecting the vital national interest, but the final decision is on the Constitutional Court. Since the BiH Constitution does not precisely define who can be appointed as the judge of the Constitutional Court, parties are allowed to appoint, as RHB commentator said, their own ‘fighters’ – which raise the question of BiH Constitutional Court’s impartiality. During a television interview, US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney clearly said that the constitutional changes guarantee that all people in BiH, including Croats, would have the same rights because – among other things – there is a common sense in BiH that all people are equal. RHB commentator concluded that such claim could only provoke sneer, because in BiH everything must be precisely defined, from A to Z. 

PDP on allocation of ITA resources

RTRS – PDP supports RS Government stance not to accept coefficient of 29,3 % on allocation of Indirect Taxation Administration (ITA) resources from single account. PDP believes that RS was damaged last year as well. 

BiH CoM Chair addressed letter to F BiH and RS Premiers

RTRS – Adnan Terzic,BiH Council of Ministers Chair sent letters to Ahmet Hadzipasic, FBiH Prime Minister and Milorad Dodik, RS Prime Minister. Terzic asked for urgent implementation of measures for mitigation of consequences on socially endangered categories caused by introduction of VAT. Terzic earlier said that entities’ authorities did not do their job and that socially endangered categories did not get single KM of subvention. “I usually hardly understand what Terzic says. I really do not understand his statement. We have 21 million KM in our budget (for social categories). You know that the budget was adopted two weeks ago since it had to be discussed by Council of Peoples. In the meantime we came into the process of blockade by this famous Joly Dixon. Now we discuss this project, this 21 million KM, and that would be definitively realized. And what Terzic said, I really do not understand”, said Dodik. 

FTV, BH T 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Dodik rejected last Vrankic’s offer’, announced on cover ‘Dodik rejects Vrankic proposal’ by T.Lazovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Measures for mitigation of VAT consequences necessary’ by Agencies – also report

DA says F BiH Fin. Min. Vrankic made another offer to RS representatives at ITA SB, which they rejected

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Dodik rejected last Vrankic’s offer’, announced on cover ‘Dodik rejects Vrankic proposal’ by T.Lazovic – Daily learns that Dragan Vrankic, F BiH Finance Minister and Vice Premier, Friday addressed another offer to RS representatives at the ITA Steering Board. Vrankic confirmed to daily that on basis of consultations, he has agreed with RS Premier, Milorad Dodik, that April distribution (from ITA single account) should be performed in line with coefficients from last year, under condition that May distribution should be in line with the Law. Furthermore, Vrankic added after he had addressed an offer in writing, it was rejected, stressing this offer is the last one meeting demands of RS. Daily concludes referring to Vrankic that if blockade of a single account lasts some time more, the F BiH will be in much better and would be able to function normally, while RS cannot afford it, since there is a piled money at F BiH account in wait of adoption of the F BiH Law on distribution of revenues.

RS Pres. Cavic rejects F BiH Fin. Min. proposal that ITA SB should be placed under BH Fin. Min. jurisdiction

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Vrankic’s proposal is not acceptable’ by D.R. – Dragan Cavic, RS President, Friday rejected proposal of the F BiH Finance Minister, Dragan Vrankic (that ITA SB should be placed under direct authority of the BiH Finance Ministry in order to avoid blockaded), qualifying it as unacceptable. He said that Indirect Taxation Administration (ITA) allocation of resources is not good and supported the initiative of RS Minister of Finance for the audit of the allocation.

FBIH Government adopts proposal law on income tax

BH T 1 – FBIH Government has adopted a proposal law on salary tax and sent it into parliament procedure. The law provides differentiated tax rates of 10 and 15 percent. FBIH Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic says that those citizens with smaller income will pay 50% less tax than they currently do. According to the proposal law every FBIH citizen will have to have a tax card with their status written on the card. Tax expert Mirsad Kikanic feels that this law should be adopted at the state level so all kinds of manipulations can be avoided. Reporter concludes that student scholarships will be exempt from this law as well as pensions and social incomes.

President of BH Union of Syndicates Biber critical of F BiH Govt. proposal on income taxes: The Law is of usury purpose

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash, pg 2 ‘Federal Government is offering usury law’ by F.C. – Commenting on F BiH Government proposal regarding differential rates on income tax, Edhem Biber, President of BiH Union of Independent Syndicates, says that Government is offering a usury Law, underlining: “It is one in a row of Laws aimed at filling in budget holes, satisfaction of certain forms, and basically to suck out the sole from citizens.” He notes the aim of the proposed income tax is to satisfy needs of the enormous administrative apparatus.

F BiH Employers’ Association President also criticises F BiH Govt. proposal on differentiated tax

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Grizelj: It cannot pass through without assent of ESC’ by E.Plecic – Tomislav Grizelj, President of the F BiH Association of Employers, is of the view that the F BIH Government’ proposal on differentiated income tax cannot be forwarded to Parliament until it gets a green light from F BiH Economic and Social Council ( ESC ). He is critical of the proposed Law, adding that judging by information available so far on this Law, employers are to become social workers.

IMF officials met RS Pres. Cavic: IMF to complete economic analysis on BiH in June

BHT 1 – Outgoing Head of the IMF Mission to BIH, Peter Doyle, and the newly appointed Head of Mission, Dimitri G. Demekes met with RS President Dragan Cavic. Main topic of their conversation was distribution of income from ITA’s joint account. Cavic stated that Chair of ITA’s Steering Board Joly Dixon announced a new session of the Board which in Cavic’s opinion is encouraging. “I hope that a solution even a temporary one will be found”, stated Cavic. He added that the issue of income distribution must be resolved once and for all. Doyle stated that IMF urges members of The Steering Board to find a swift solution since that solution is important for execution of 2006 budget. Demekes stated that IMF plans to deal with new stand-bye arrangement in BIH and added that consultations on this arrangement will start in June. Reporter concludes that according to current situation IMF will agree on new arrangements with BIH once political situation in the country settles down.  Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Economic situation is alarming’ by G.D., Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘IMF to complete economic analysis on BiH in June’ by D.R.

BH Ombudsman Ljubic called on FBiH Parliament to once again reassess FERK’s decision to increase the prices of electricity

NTV Hayat, FTV – BiH Ombudsman for Human Rights Mariofil Ljubic called on FBiH Parliament to once again reassess the FBiH Regulatory Commission for Electricity FERK’s decision to increase the prices of electricity, and possible negative consequences of this decision to already-poor economic and social status of BiH citizens. Ljubic emphasized that FERK decision is a reason for concern, especially since it comes only few months after the Value Added Tax introduction. Movement ‘Dosta’ announced new protest gathering in front of the BiH Institutions building for Saturday at noon.  Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘TO re-examine decision on electricity price increase’ , Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Announcement on price increase raises concern’ by NINA – also report

Charges against BiH CoM

RTRS – Association of Old Foreign Currency Savings Depositors announced that would on April 17^th bring charges against BiH Council of Ministers due to proposed Law on payment of old foreign currency savings that was adopted in BiH Parliament on Thursday. Dnevni List pg 5 ‘300 thousand savers to file suit’ by D.P.Mandic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Savers announce new suit with BiH Constitutional Court’ by N.Krsman – also report

Police reform / Crimes

RS MoI Cadjo: “I believe RS MoI will not be abolished”

RTRS “Aktuleni razgovor” magazine broadcast on 14 April – RS Minister of Interior Stanislav Cadjo commented on police reform stressing that RS, FBIH and IC representatives should not interpret the set and agreed conditions. “EU conditions can be interpreted only by those who had set them. The agreed political agreement on the reform cannot be variously interpreted because it results in nonsense…than it is just the matter of time when a problem can arise. It is pointless to focus on political goals” said Cadjo. He refused to comment RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik’s statement that RS MoI will not be abolished even if that meant to stop the negotiations. Cadjo expressed his view that correctly understood EU conditions were completely suitable frame for establishing the efficient, depoliticised and professional MoI. “I believe that RS MoI will not be abolished” explained Cadjo.  RS MoI refused to comment whether former RS Police Director Dragomir Andan’s resignation was caused by ICTY Carla Del Ponte’s letter but he denied that the position is reserved for one of his favourites.

RS MoI Cadjo’ int. to DA: Exclusiveness in police reform is not good for agreement

Dnevni Avaz pg 5, announced on cover ‘I will throw out all the scum from RS police’ by Nadja Diklic – In an interview to daily, Stanislav Cadjo, RS Interior Minister, commented on so far work of Police Reform Directorate (PRD), saying that the idea on establishment of PRD basically anticipated accomplishment of final political agreement and its implementation, adding: “However, the start of it resulted ion neglecting basic principles, which led to different interpretation of Agreement. All of this resulted in constant attempts to persist on this path…This is not encouraging, but I believe it is possible to find a way out from this situation. Exclusiveness has never been good for agreement.“ RS MoI says that the priority of RS police work will be to fight organised crime, apprehend war crime suspects and separate RS policemen into “honest and scum”. He denied accusations he has been conducting purge at RS police, stressing there are no “the untouchables”, i.e. all those involved in criminal activities will have to face consequences.

US Amb: Police reform is important for BiH/US Govt. is working closely with EU on this issue

BHT 1LATE NEWS UPDATE – carries interview with US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney, where he commented on police reform amongst other things. McElhaney reminded that this reform is important for BIH and added that US Government is working closely with the EU on this issue. McElhaney concludes that US has a clear strategic goal for BIH and that it membership in EU and NATO.

Trial to Mandic and others scheduled for April 18^th

TV PINK – Trial in case of Momcilo Mandic and others, where Momcilo Mandic, Mirko Sarovic, Milovan Bjelica and Milorad Govedarica have been charged with millions’ embezzlements within “Privredna bank East Sarajevo” is scheduled for April 18^th. Prosecutor Eric Larson said that Prosecution would by April 18^th prepare petition request of 25 pages; invite 24 witnesses and 2 witness experts. Larson also said that Prosecution might use evidence from recently opened investigation on disturbance of judiciary work. Reporter commented that although Larson was not precise when mentioned these evidence, Larson probably thought about recent search of Mirko Sarovic, Milan Govedarica and Milan Bjelica’s cells in Doboj Prison. According to Dragisa Jokic, Sarovic’s attorney, during search Prosecution took Sarovic’s documentation on his defence, which would probably use as their evidences. Jokic said that would call 7 witnesses and 1 expert witness. First witnesses in this trial will show up on April 24^th.  BHT 1 – BIH Prosecution announced that it is carrying out a separate investigation against the indictees related to obstruction of justice. Indictees on the other hand protested due to length of the proceedings as well as due to the confiscation of evidence from their prison cells. Reporter comments that according to some estimates the ruling in this case will be made at the end of 2006. RTRS – Dusko Tomic, Mandic’s attorney asked for disqualification of Prosecutor Eric Larson. According to Dragisa Jokic, Sarovic’s attorney, Prosecution is not ready for the hearing and for that reason tries to postpone it.  NTV Hayat, FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Several persons under investigation’ by A.Djozo, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Trial against Mandic starts next week’ by Erna Mackic – also report

War crime indictee Damjanovic pleads not guilty on all counts of the indictment

RHB, BH T 1, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Damjanovic pleaded not guilty’ by A.Dj., Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Not guilty’ by E.M. – Dragan Damjanovic on Friday before the Court of BiH pleaded not guilty on all counts of the indictment that holds him responsible for crimes against humanity committed during the war in BiH. The indictment, which BiH Prosecutor’s Office brought on March 22^nd 2006 , holds Damjanovic responsible for crimes committed in the area of Vogosca municipality in 1992 and 1993.

ICTY acquits Stanisic and Simatovic of war crimes committed against Bosniaks in Srebrenica

NTV Hayat, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Trnovo remains’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Stanisic and Simatovic freed of crime charges in Srebrenica’ by B92 – The Hague Tribunal acquitted Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic Frenki, former Serbian State Security (SSS) Head and former Commander of SSS Special Operations unit respectively, of charges for war crimes committed against Bosniaks in Srebrenica in 1995, Simatovic’s attorney Zoran Jovanovic told news agency SRNA. Judges ordered ICTY Prosecution to change the indictment against Stanisic and Simatovic by May 15, in a way that they are indicted for murdering six Bosniaks near Trnovo, and not for genocide in Srebrenica. (NOTE: they have been charged with participation in a joint criminal actions aimed at committing crimes against non-Serb population in Croatia and BiH in the period from 1991 to 1995.)

DA: RS PM Dodik conditioned cooperation with the ICTY with departure of Andan from RS Pol. Director’s position

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Dodik conditioned cooperation with The Hague with Andan’s departure’ by E.Sarac – Daily observes that Milorad Dodik, RS Premier, has obviously managed to identify the way to get rid of Dragomir Andan, former RS Police Director, in a transparent and legal manner. Namely, daily reports referring to sources close to SNSD that during his latest meeting with Carla del Ponte, ICTY Chief Prosecutor, at EUFOR base in Ramici near Banja Luka, Dodik conditioned cooperation of RS with ICTY with Adnan’s departure from police force. A result of the meeting is the letter Carla del Ponte addressed to HR to BiH, Christian Schwarz Schilling, asking from him to undertake steps which would resulted in having Andan, war-time close associate of Ratko Mladic, leave RS Police. Daily also notes that Andan is – at the moment – doing his best to find some position at the Cabinet of RS President.

Constitutional changes / General political issues

HR Schwarz-Schilling: the agreement on constitutional changes is a clear step forward, but the process has to continue

RHB – High Representative in BiH Christian Schwarz–Schilling was the guest of the Radio Herceg Bosna programme earlier on Friday. RHB news magazine carried a part of this interview, in which High Representative talked about constitutional changes. “We are supporting this process on all levels. We are giving legal advices, we are talking with different political figures, and so far we are trying to support this whole process led by the United States to the final stage of this agreement between leaders of the parties. We hope that there will be a majority in the Parliament in the next days”, stated Schwarz-Schilling. Asked to comment on the accusations of certain political leaders that the changes to the BiH Constitution are only cosmetic, High Representative said that everyone have the right to express their own opinion. “I think this package would be unthinkable two or three years ago. So, it is a substantial progress, in the interest of the people of BiH. I support the positive statements from political leaders, party leaders, and of course, those who oppose this package have various reasons… and it’s a normal democratic process that they are saying that this step is not big enough or it’s cosmetic or whatever. They are expressing themselves in a way that they are thinking – that would be good for the elections if we were making those statements. But that’s normal, and we have to accept that they are expressing their opinion”, explained Schwarz-Schilling. HR concluded that the agreement on constitutional changes is a clear step forward, but ‘the process has to be continued after the elections’.

Austrian Ambassador to BiH Almhofer: Constitutional changes are not at detriment of any peoples

Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Constitutional changes are not at detriment of any people’ by Resad Dautefendic – In an interview to daily, Werner Almhofer, Austrian Ambassador to BiH, says that talks on constitutional changes were launched since it was established BiH was not a functional state, adding: “EU is specially interested in efficient implementation of what is to be agreed on constitutional changes, i.e. successful implementation may impose further changes to Constitution as necessity.” He is of the view that at this stage of talks, not a single peoples of BiH has been brought to bad position in comparison with others.

Interview with US Amb. McElhaney: BiH Parl. should adopt const. changes asap

BHT 1LATE NEWS UPDATE – carries interview with US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney, who stressed that constitutional changes are very good for BIH and added that BIH Parliament should adopt these changes as soon as possible. McElhaney reminded that the second phase of constitutional changes will commence after October elections. When asked by the reporter on BIH’s cooperation with ICTY McElhaney emphasised that ICTY cooperation is imperative for BIH. “People in BIH must cooperate with ICTY”, stated McElhaney.

PDP’ Trifkovic accuses some members of BiH CoM of creating atmosphere if disputing amendments to BiH Constitution

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘RS would be accused of failure in constitutional changes’ by V.P., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘They call evil destiny’ by D.Mo.  – Nevenka Trifkovic, PDP Secretary General, Friday stated that some members of the BiH CoM are creating atmosphere of disputing and rejecting amendments to the BiH Constitution, stressing they are using BiH CoM for daily political purposes. She added that in case constitutional changes amendments were not adopted at the BiH Parliament, RS delegates would be accused for that.

SP RS Djokic: BH needs more efficient Presidency, Parliament and CoM/Centre Club disappointed with SDS, PDP and SNSD

RTRS – Petar Djokic, Socialist Party Chairsaid that this party supports three basic principles of constitutional changes in BiH and that BiH needs more efficient Presidency, Parliament and Council of Minister. Centre Club expressed disappointment in RS National Assembly because SDS, PDP and SNSD did not accept initiative on special session on constitutional changes.

Croat Coalition for Changes opposes to proposed constitutional changes

RHB, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Coalition against constitutional changes’ –The Council of the Croat Coalition for Changes emphasized on Friday that the Coalition is against constitutional changes, which are based on the principles of economy and functionality. According to Radio Herceg Bosna presenter, they support the radical constitutional changes, which would finally solve the Croatian national issue in BiH. Croat Coalition for Changes once again urged Croat representatives in the BiH House of Representatives not to vote in favour of proposed constitutional changes.

BH Pres. Chair Tihic talked about BiH in The Hague

RTRS, TV PINK – Sulejman Tihic, BiH Presidency Chair gave lecture “BiH: 10 years after Dayton and on the way to Brussels” at the Clingeldeal Institute in The Hague. Tihic said that joining EU and NATO is priority for BiH and that it presents the best way to establish permanent stability and peace in South East Europe.  Tihic said that BiH is not in question as a country today and that there are no serious political forces that could endanger BiH territory and sovereignty, emphasizing returnees’ hard position. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Vision of united and modern Europe wins in BiH too’ by A.Malagic  – Tihic said that in spite of difficulties it is going through, the vision of a modern and united Europe, grounded on equal possibilities and rights for all its citizens, is winning in BiH. Dnevni List pg4 ‘To adopt constitutional amendments by the end of month’ by NINA – Tihic expressed expectation that the BiH Parliament will have adopted constitutional amendments by the end of this month. Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Priority is BiH admission to EU and NATO’ by SRNA – also report on Tihic’s visit

Dnevni List op-ed critical of HDZ President Covic

Dnevni List op-ed pg 2 ‘Covic – a failed successful man’ by Zvonimir Jukic – The author is critical of Dragan COvic, HDZ President, saying he is now trying to amortise chaos in his own party. The author notes that Covic has proved as a bad politician and bad businessman, but also a bad scientist.

Miscellaneous

Interview with Cardinal Puljic: We are chased by Americans and Englishmen

Vecernji List pgs 5-7 ‘We are chased by Americans and Englishmen’ by Jozo Pavkovic – In an interview to daily on the eve of Easter celebration, Viko Puljic, Cardinal and Vrhbosanski Archbishop, voices a message to Croat peoples, noting: “I will clearly say to our people not to blame others but instead to acknowledge how impossible it is for us to accomplish equality with other two peoples before we ourselves agree and take a clear stance: both we Croats in Bih and Croats in Croatia.” He adds: “It is visible American English politics are elading us towards “leaking” from BiH, which is greeted by those who want to have “clean” territories they have accomplished through expulsion.”

Catholic believers throughout the world mark the Good Friday

All media report on celebration of Catholic Easter in BiH and throughout the world.

The first changed version of PRSP presented on Friday in Sarajevo

TV PINK – Version of revised BiH Midterm Development Strategy was presented at BiH Syndicate House. The main goals of this strategy are poverty reduction, acceleration of economic development and EU integration process. Opinions on poverty in BiH are different. Edhem Biber, BiH Syndicate believes that poverty increased in BiH and that there are around 1 million poor people in BiH.  Azemina Vukovic, Chair of PRSP (Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers) Implementation Agency said that in period 2001-2004 poverty reduced in BiH. Vukovic announced several more public discussions on this strategy. After that revised document will be sent to BiH Council of Ministers for the adoption. NTV Hayat, FTV – also report

The implementation of the law on free access to information

NTV Hayat – The biggest problem in the implementation of the law on free access to information is the fact that public institutions often turn a deaf ear to a request for accessing information. ‘Mediacentar’ Sarajevo conducted a research that included 240 public institutions on all levels of authority in BiH. “31.7 percent of public institutions have not responded to our request at all, while other 68.2 percent did respond”, stated Amer Dzihana from ‘Mediacentar’. The law on free access to information in intended for all BiH citizens, but journalists should be able to make a most of it. However, Deputy Ombudsman Mehmed Halilovic claims that journalists almost never use the advantages this law gives. Mediacentar researchers deem that it is necessary to create a list of public institutions that are obligated to obey this law.