OHR BiH Media Round-up, 18/4/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

FBiH HoR on electricity price

CLAC discusses const. changes

BiH CLAC in session

BiH Presidency on const. changes

FBiH HoR discusses FERK’s decision

Trial vrs Mandic/Bjelica/Sarovic

Incomes tax soon

BiH Court trial on PBES case

Weather forecast

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1  (19,00 hrs)

No transmission

Tihic and Radovanovic on BiH Army

CoM approves constitut. changes 

CoM on constitutional amendments

Solana on constitutional changes

Terzic on BiH before the UN in NY

Posters in Banja Luka and Bijeljina

Radojicic on RS symbols

Dodik dismisses Cicic

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Tulic’s housing issue still unsolved

Dodik dismisses Cicic

Dodik’s request to FBiH Government

BiH CoM in session

ITA opens new free phone line

Dodik dismissed Cicic

BiH citizens on const. changes

Comment on announced income tax

Salaries of Chiefs of RS

Dodik on police reform

Compensation payment for officials

Solana on constitutional changes

Oslobodjenje

April pension without an increase

Dnevni Avaz

[FBiH PDIF] More than 6000 companies owe 329 million KM

Dnevni List

Terrorist attacks as assistance to ‘brothers’ (Text of video recording of terrorism suspects announcing attacks)

Vecernji List

Mesic and Blaskic are plotting against Kordic

Slobodna Dalmacija

Features Croatia related headlines

Nezavisne Novine

He was removed over racketeering [RS Minister of Traffic and Communications Cubrilovic removed his deputy Miroslav Cicic]

Glas Srpske

Trace leads to Vienna

EuroBlic

Dodik is removing without investigations or evidences [Cicic removed]

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

FBiH HoR in session discussing FERK’s decision on increase of electricity price

RHB– FBIH House of Representatives has commenced the extraordinary session on the latest decision by the FERK (FBiH Regulatory Commission for Electricity) to increase prices of electricity. BH Radio 1 by Ljiljana Radl – SDA Caucus Chair Semsudin Mehmedovic said that the FERK’s decision is immoral, not only because of its influence on the citizens, but also because FBiH Parliament has just recently adopted FERK report for 2005 and agenda for 2006 in which FERK did not mention an increase of prices. FERK representative Zdenko Simunovic stated that the decision was aimed at harmonization of the FBiH’s with the European electricity sector’s market. Simunovic also said that one of the reasons for the price increase is that FBiH is forced to import electricity.

Trial for Privredna Banka ES starts

BH Radio 1, RTRS – The reading of indictment against Mandic, Mirko Sarovic and Milovan Bjelica charged with organized crime related to business dealings of Privredna Banka East Sarajevo before BiH Court today has marked commencement of trial.

Croat Coalition for Changes meets Croatian President Mesic, discuss const. changes

FENA – Leaders of the Croat Coalition for Changes have met with the Croatian President Stjepan Mesic in Zagreb today informing him of the proposed amendments to the BiH Constitution and underlying they would negatively influence the Croat position in BiH. President Mesic gave full support to all those who try to unify forces in order to achieve equality of Croats but also of other peoples in BiH and he expressed hope that new forces after coming elections would bring BiH faster in the group of developed countries.

Constitutional reform

CoM approves amendments to BiH Constitution, says they should be defined more precisely 

BHT1– The BiH Council of Ministers endorsed the positive stance given by the Justice Ministry thus supporting the proposed amendments to the BiH Constitution. Following the session on Monday, the CoM stated that it was aware proposed set of amendments was only a part of the political agreement and have insisted that competent BiH institutions intensify work on preparing legislation that would ensure the full implementation of the agreement.  CoM further concluded that the “amendments contain certain imprecision and shortcomings in terms of form” thus concluding that amendments must be more precise. The BiH Council of Ministers will forward its stance to the BiH House of Representatives. The BiH HoR Constitutional-Legal Affairs Commission [CLAC] Tuesday holds session to also discuss the proposed amendments. Mirsad Ceman from CLAC announced that the session of BiH House of Representatives on constitutional amendments is scheduled for April 25. Ceman added that theoretically, the amendments could be adopted on the same day, after two compulsory readings. FTV, PINK, Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Opinion of Justice Ministry accepted’ by Fena, EuroBlic pg RS1 ‘Amendments must again undergo additional development’ by Nedeljka Breberina, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Council of Ministers’ by Z.D., Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Changes to the Constitution were supported’ by M. C., Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Implement political agreement completely’, by D. P. Mandic  – also carried.

Justice Minister Kovac: minor clarifications of the amendments made

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Opinion of Minister Kovac accepted’ by A.O.– BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac told daily that the Justice Ministry did not make any essential changes to the amendments. He explained that the report by the Ministry, which was endorsed by the CoM, included several clarifications. For instance, Kovac says that the voting procedure in the caucuses of the House of Peoples was not defined, but instead text reads that decisions are passed “by simple majority” whereas it was not clear whether simply majority refers to majority of delegates attending or a total number of deputies. Ministry decided that it would be referred to total number.

CLAC to discuss amendments to BiH Constitution on Tuesday; CLAC Chair Ceman explains that ‘negative report’ could be passed, but says he hopes to positive outcome

FTV, EuroBlic pg RS1 ‘Amendments must again undergo additional development’ by Nedeljka Breberina– The Constitutional-Legal Affairs Commission [CLAC] of the BiH House of Representatives will discuss the amendments to BiH Constitution proposed by BiH the Presidency on Tuesday. Head of the Commission Mirsad Ceman told FENA news agency that so far no member of Commission has submitted its own amendments to the proposed constitutional changes. Hayat – Hayat carries speculations on a possibility for the Commission to take negative stance on the issues regarding the state, BiH Presidency and CoM’s authorities. CLAC member Momcilo Novakovic said the Commission is well aware of the stance of the political parties and if the body is to evaluate the amendments in line with those stances, than the chances for its endorsement is small. “If someone finds these principles [of the agreement] insufficient, so called ‘negative report’ would be sent to the House of Representatives, which would discuss it on April 25, and if the negative report would be passed, that would mean that the amendments failed”, said Ceman. EuroBlic pg RS1 ‘Amendments must again undergo additional development’ by Nedeljka Breberina – Ceman said, judging by previous statements of some delegates, the sessions of both the Commission and HoR will have uncertain outcomes. ‘However, I believe these might have been only preliminary public statements and the constitutional amendments might pass after all’, Ceman said.

DA: BiH Presidency Chair Tihic to attend session of CLAC

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Sulejman Tihic to attend the session as well’ By H.O.– As CLAC Chair Mirsad Ceman stated for DA, it is expected for BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic to attend Tuesday’s session of CLAC. Explaining that Tihic would attend in accordance with his function, Ceman said: “Before that session of BiH Presidency, at which, as I am informed, technical changes should be made. I do not know what concrete technical changes would be made, but we will be informed about that by Tihic at the very session” said Ceman.

Leaders of RS parties urge technical changes of proposed const. amendments under which remarks refer to security and defence issues

FTV- Leaders of RS parties who signed the Agreement on the constitutional changes – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik, SDS leader Dragan Cavic and PDP leader Mladen Ivanic – urged the BiH Presidency to make technical changes to the proposed amendments to the BiH Constitution and harmonise them with the agreement reached. These corrections concern authorities of BiH in the field of defence and security and they requested that it be defined in a way so that it states that the “defence and security are under the authority of BiH pursuant to the state laws.” FTV says this is because it was agreed this sector would be regulated by special laws which would clearly define the position of the RS police as part of security system. The second technical correction concerns the legislative authority of BiH. Dodik said that the amendments have left out the word “level” and that the final text should read, “the legislative activity for the BiH level is assigned to the BiH Parliamentary Assembly”. He said that there is nothing new about this and that it has all been defined by the earlier agreement on constitutional changes. Dodik said that these are the conditions of SNSD for supporting constitutional amendments. RTRS, EuroBlic pg RS1 ‘Amendments must again undergo additional development’ by Nedeljka Breberina Inset ‘Support to three entities in the second stage’, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Improve amendments in technical sense’, not signed  – also reported.

RS PM Dodik: nobody should fear second phase of const. reform

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Dodik: Either technical corrections or we will not vote for changes’ by Onasa – Talking about second phase of negotiations on constitutional changes, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said that nobody should fear it as RS has a clear stance that the entity and its police must survive and that any kind of reorganization of the RS is out of the question. He reiterated that it would be best for BiH to be organized in “three federal units”.  Inset ‘He doesn’t trust Constitutional Court’ – RS PM stressed that he does not trust BiH Constitutional Court, since the evaluation of its work was never made. Dodik stressed that BiH CC works as non-other CC in the world, because “instead to only determines accordance of the regulations with the Constitution, it deals with establishment of the political system, which is unacceptable”. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘RS reorganization is out of question’ by O.V. – also reported.

SPAS party opposes to offered amendments to BiH Constitution

RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Only tiny fragments’ by D.Mo. – Radivoje Trbic, delegate of SPAS (Serb Patriotic Party) has stated that the offered amendments to BiH Constitution are catastrophically unfavourable for RS future, noting the system of collection and distribution of taxes is particularly unfavourable, since BiH joint bodies take as much as they need while RS and F BiH only get tiny fragments.

DA op-ed: Demands of RS parties for changing Const. amendments is cheep politics

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘New ransom from RS’ by Husein Orahovac – Commenting demands of SNSD, SDS and PDP for BiH Presidency to make technical changes of proposed amendments to BiH Constitution and harmonise them with the reached agreement, editorial reads that whatever motivated RS politicians to make this move, it can only be qualified “as cheap political game that has no bigger future”.

Reps. of Croat parties discuss amendments to BiH Constitution, call upon Croat deputies in Parliament to reject them

FTV- Representatives of HDZ 1990, HSP ‘Djapic – Jurisic’, Croat Block and NHI [Bozo Ljubic, Zarko Pavlovic, Ivan Madunic and Kresimir Zubak respectively] met on Monday to discuss proposed amendments to the BiH Constitution. They agreed these changes would not enable BiH to become a more efficient state but instead it would lead to more expensive/unjust structure. Parties called upon all members of the Parliament, especially Croat representatives, to reject the proposed amendments, which would additionally limit equality of Croats and cement division of BiH by entities. BHT1– NHI leader Kresimir Zubak stated that the proposed amendments are very negative for Croats in BiH, stressing that these amendments will bring Croats into position of a national minority. HDZ didn’t attend the meeting. Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Invited deputies not to accept constitutional changes’ by A.Omeragic – The parties also argue that there was no need to reduce the role of BiH House of Peoples if the entity vote would remain in the HoR. HSS leader Marko Tadic was invited to the meeting, but didn’t come. “HSS has no need to say anything more, because it already declared against the changes,” Tadic told daily. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Entity division must not be cemented’ by H.O. – DA say that HDZ 1990 organized the meeting. RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Changes to the constitution were rejected’ by M. Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Amendments without support’, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Do not accept amendments to Constitution’ by R.D. – pointed out Croat parties do not support the amendments.

HDU, Demo-Christians, HSS to discuss const. changes w/ Cro President/PM

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Entity division must not be cemented’ by H.O. – DA learns that leaders of the Croat Demo-Christians, HDU and HSS [which oppose constitutional changes] on Tuesday would meet Croatian President Stjepan Mesic to discuss the constitutional changes. “There is still a possibility to discuss the changes to the BiH Constitution with Croatian PM Ivo Sanader,” DA was told by an official of one of these parties. Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Invitation to Mesic to come to Herzegovina’ by M. Vasilj, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 15 ‘Delegation of Croat Coalition for Changes with Mesic’ by D. J. – also announce the meeting.

Jonjic ( NHI ): ‘Proposed const. amendments change HoP only and this is unacceptable for us’

Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Even 3 Croat stands on Constitution’, mentioned on cover ‘Some met in Sarajevo, others are about to go to Zagreb’ by D. Jazvic – Dobrica Jonjic (NHI), who attended the meeting stated that the proposed changes only refer to House of peoples, which is unacceptable. VL carries that Croat Coalition for Changes (HD, HSS, HKDU, HDU) did not attend the meeting although it was announced.  A member of the Coalition Petar Milic stated that they disagree with the way the meeting was convened as well as with contents of the meeting. VL concludes that apart from these two Croat stands on constitutional changes [Croat Coalition on one side, and HDZ 1990 on another] there is also the third one advocated by HDZ BiH. 

BiH HoR Speaker Raguz and Cardinal Puljic on Const. changes: Equality of peoples must be assured in deciding process

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Equality of peoples must be assured in deciding process’ by Fena – At the meeting that took place on Monday, the BiH House of Representatives Speaker Martin Raguz and the Vrhbosna Archbishop Cardinal Vinko Puljic mutually ascertained that the BiH Parliamentary Assembly should ensure a public and founded debate on the constitutional reforms that should result in defining the European and democratic solutions for BiH, adding that respecting the multinational character of BiH, constitutional changes should ensure the constitutional equality of the constituent peoples in the decision-making process. Raguz and Puljic also discussed the regulating of the contractual relations between BiH and the Holy See as well as the role of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly in this process.

VL: Cardinal Puljic’s criticism ofUS/ UK policy might be reason of US and British Ambassadors’ absence at Cardinals’ Easter reception

Vecernji List pg 7 ‘Noticeable absence of US and British Ambassador’, mentioned on cover ‘US and British Ambassador were absent’ not signed reports on the Cardinal Vinko Puljic’s Easter reception and VL says that as far as foreign diplomats are concerned US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney and British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft did not attend the reception and some people brought their absence in connection with the Cardinal’s harsh criticism of the US and British policy.

EU’s Solana welcomes const. Changes; chance for BiH politicians to send positive signal

BHT1 – EU High Representative of Security and Foreign Affairs Javier Solana welcomed the progress made in BiH regarding the constitutional changes. He stressed that BiH parliamentarians have the opportunity to send a positive signal to the EU and show that BiH is ready and capable to conduct the reforms by itself. Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Invited deputies not to accept constitutional changes’ by A.Omeragic– “After months of negotiations, package of measures with broad support of parties, was submitted to the Parliament. These amendments represent first important step in order to assure for central institutions of the country to function efficiently in fulfilling of European standards”, said Solana. RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 “Parliamentarians are in opportunity to send positive signal to the EU’ By Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Solana welcomed progress in reform of the Constitution’ by R. S., Dnevni List, back pg ‘Solana welcomes constitutional changes’, not signed – also covered.

FTV ’60 minutes’ int. w/ US Ambassador: proposed changes are just beginning of constitutional reform

FTV ‘60 minutes’ current affairs programme by Bakir Hadziomerovic – Asked to comment what would happened if the BiH Constitutional-Legal Affairs Commission [CLAC] at its session on Tuesday vote against the amendments to the BiH Constitution, the US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney emphasized in an interview to ‘60 minutes’ that he believed BiH political parties would find a way to have amendments adopted. Underlining proposed changes mark just a beginning of the constitutional reform, McElhaney said: “You’ve seen the statements by the International Community, everybody agrees this is the right path… But the problem is that certain people in this country think that this is too much, or too little… But if the BiH Parliament fails to pass those changes, if responsible than they would have to say what they would do instead, what is their solution… We said to the people: look to the future of your country, how are you going to negotiate your way into anything if you do not have the government that actually works?”

USA ’s Di Carlo satisfied with Agreement political leaders in BiH reached on amendments to BiH Const.

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘USA is satisfied with reform of Constitution’ by Voice of America – Rosemary Di Carlo, the Assistant to US Secretary of State, has expressed satisfaction over the Agreement political leaders in BiH have reached on large number of Amendments to the BiH Constitution few weeks ago, assessing it as a first step in modernisation of the Dayton Constitution. She also noted “it is important those Amendments are adopted by 25 April, in order to ensure those are in function prior to October elections.”

BiH Presidency to additionally discuss constitutional amendments Tuesday

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Invited deputies not to accept constitutional changes’ by A.Omeragic Inset ‘Amendments to BiH Constitution’, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘ Presidency about amending amendments to Constitution’, not signed – BiH Presidency is scheduled to meet in Sarajevo on Tuesday and the main topic on the agenda will be amending of Proposal of amendments to the BiH Constitution.

Oslobodjenje op-ed slams SBiH founder Silajdzic: unitary state, proposed by Silajdzic, is as untenable as the one created in Dayton

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Silajdzic’s optimism’ op-ed by Mirko Sagolj – Commenting criticism expressed by the SBiH founder Haris Silajdzic towards the amendments to the BiH Constitution, editorial reads that unitary state, proposed by Silajdzic, is equally unsustainable as the one created by the Dayton Peace Agreement. Noting that Silajdzic criticized the “ones who were not implementing Dayton [Peace Agreement] as they should,” author reminds that his party is the only who was in the power since its establishment. Editorial concludes: “And now, the Founder blames others for failure, promising himself the victory [at the upcoming elections]. Congratulations!”

Defence and police reform/ other pol. issues

Marking Day of II Infantry

Ranger Regiment of BiH Army; BiH Presidency Chair Tihic expressed hope BiH would join PfP this year, he complimented peace missions

PINK – On the occasion of the Day of II Infantry Ranger Regiment of BiH Army, the BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic said the BiH Armed Forces present a guarantee of peace and prosperity of BiH and its good-quality involvement in European security forces. Tihic added the BiH should be built by consensus of all three peoples and expressed hope that BiH would join Partnership for Peace this year. ”Our goal is single defence structure, membership in PfP and NATO and professional and de-politicized army, which is even now able to sent its troop along with the international troops to peace missions… and to become not just recipient but also a sender of the international military aid,” said Tihic. The BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic, said that the restructuring of BiH Armed Forces in line with the current legislation would be completed by the end of the next year. “Critical date is June 30 when BiH Presidency should decide on structure and location of BiH Armed Forces. Critical date is September 30^t when we should decide on persons remaining in the BiH Armed Forces. Critical date is July 1 2007 when we need to establish brigades and regiments. There are many activities but they are going well”, said Radovanovic. Sifet Podzic, Chief of BiH Army Joint HQ said that the first new uniforms are expected to arrive on April 21, adding thatuniforms would be produced in BiH. BHT1– Raffi Gregorian, Political Advisor to NATO HQ in BiH said that the process of modernisation of any armed forces is a constant process, which will continue in the future. About 2.000 persons will lose their jobs due to the defence reform in future period, and a significant part of defence budget will be spent on compensation payments for such cases.  Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘To defend values that lives of best sons were given for’, mentioned on cover ‘Remembrance to our best sons’ By L.Sinanovic, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘BiH Armed Forces moving toward NATO’ by S.Hodzic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Job is not completed’ by Srna, Dnevni List, pg 17 ‘Armed forces are guarantee of peace in country’, by Mensud Zorlak– also reported.                                 

Kurier: Regiments of BiH Armed Forces still ethnically divided

Kurier ‘EU and NATO secure shoulder by shoulder’ – Commenting the defence reform and the involvement of the EU and NATO troops in BiH, Vienna based daily comments that although that there is the Defence Minister at the state level for the first time in BiH history, the regiments are still ethnically divided. Article concludes stating this “conditionally multiethnic army” is being used as a convincing argument for the police reform [note that Kurier doesn’t bear any comment to this practice].

RS PM Dodik: survival of RS Police a minimum for police reform

Hayat – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said in Banja Luka that survival of the RS Police is a minimal condition for reform of the police. “If there is no that, there is no reform” told Dodik, adding that this is not a threat, but a minimum one can’t go below. Dodik stressed that RS wants reformed police of the RS, which would integrate into BiH security system. He said that he is assured that the Law, which regulates police area, would contain the article, which defines existence of RS Police. “If there is no this article, then there can be no constitutional authority that is being talked about”, said Dodik. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Attempt to deprive RS of BAM 100 million’ by D.Risojevic, Vecernje Novosti pg 19 ‘No police, no reform’ by M. L – also carries.

BiH CoM’s Terzic to address UN SC , meet UN SG Annan about decertified police officers

Dnevni Avaz, pg 4 ‘I will insist on revision of certificates that had been taken away’, by T. Lazovic – In a statement for Avaz, the Chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, announces he will be on Tuesday addressing the UN Security Council when he will insist that the UN SC adopts a statement, which in turn will allow revision of decisions that enabled decertification of police officers in BiH. Terzic notes he will also be talking to the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, and his deputy Marc Brown, about the aforementioned issue, whilst he (Terzic) will also be addressing the UN SC about changes conducted in BiH and plans regarding BiH’s European path. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Terzic to address UN Security Council today’ – also announces.

RS PM Dodik: independence of Kosovo might destabilise situation in BiH

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Kosovo, independence and shotguns’ by O.V., Vecernje Novosti pg 4 ‘Danger for Bosnia’ by M. L., Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Attempt to deprive RS of BAM 100 million’ inset ‘Independence of Kosovo would lead to instability in BiH’ by D.Risojevic – Milorad Dodik, RS Premier, after meeting with SiCG Consul in Banja Luka, Jadranka Derajic, stated that declaration of independence of Kosovo and Metohija may influence destabilisation of situation in BiH, adding: “I am not sure that someone will take arms, but it is certain that decision of this kind would cause permanent dissatisfaction and distrust.”

GS: BiH Const. Court ’s decision on entity symbols resembles to attempts to create single – Bosnian – nation

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Trace leads to Vienna’ by Z. Markovic – Following the decision of BiH Constitutional Court on entity symbols, the article reiterates stances of politicians and intellectuals (BiH Presidency member Sulejman Tihic, member of “Krug 99” NGO Vlatko Dolecek, SDU’s Miro Lazovic) who all share similar views re entity symbols, i.e. they think the symbols should not favour any of the BiH peoples. Glas Srpske criticises such stances by saying it resembles to an attempt to copy Austrian-Hungarian regime’s attempts to create a single – Bosnian – nation out of peoples in BiH.

Economic crimes and other issues

RS PM Dodik dismisses Deputy RS Minister for alleged racketeering during issuing of international transport licences

RTRS – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik on Monday ordered a removal of the RS Assistant Minister for Road Traffic and Road Miroslav Cicic for taking “racket” from one transporter. The transporter approached Dodik outside the Government building on Monday and told him that he has been paying “racket” for five years to Cicic for receiving a licence for international transport. Cicic has been immediately removed from duty. Dodik urged citizens to turn in all those taking “racket” and who are still in the Government. Cicic said that did not get written notice but he did leave the Government’s building. “Everything can be checked, nothing is disputable. I am saying that it is not true”, said Cicic. RTRS commented this is just beginning of the RS Government’s fight with the corrupted officials. “There are so many people that work in administration, in Government, in Municipality that are ready for 100 KM or 1000 KM of racket to ruin millions of KM income for country”, said Dodik. Dodik also announced tough measures against RS Taxation Administration officials that protect tax evaders. “We need administration that would be in interest of RS and this people not in interest of different powerful persons”, said Dodik. PINK, BHT1, Hayat, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Assistant Minister racketeered for five years’ by O.V. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Dodik dismissed Deputy Minister for racketeering’ by M.T, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘He was removed over racketeering’ by P. Klincov, EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘Dodik is removing without investigations or evidences’ and pg RS2 ‘Removal without evidence’ by Tijana Veselinovic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Racket writes dismissal?’ by D. Momic, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Minister removed over bribe’, not signed, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Dismissed over ‘racket’’, by F – also reported. 

Removed Deputy Minister Cicic: nobody can fire me on grounds of someone’s story

EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘Dodik is removing without investigations or evidences’ and pg RS2 ‘Removal without evidence’ by Tijana Veselinovic – reports on the decision of RS PM Milorad Dodik to remove Deputy RS Minister of Traffic and Communications Miroslav Cicic and quotes Cicic as commenting: ‘nobody can fire me on base of someone’s story and without any evidence’.

Dodik confirms he met with DS’ Kovacevic on crime in Srpske Sume

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Attempt top deprive RS of BAM 100 million’ by D.Risojevic – RS PM Milorad Dodik confirmed he met DSS President Predrag Kovacevic with regard to demand of BiH Prosecutor’s Office for information on six persons from RS reportedly linked with organised crime. These persons were employed at “Srpske Sume” and Dodik refused to reveal their names by saying ‘I do not remember the names of criminals’.

FBiH PM Hadzipasic: RS PM Dodik failed to carry out solution on allocation of public revenues we agreed in Mostar last week

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘I do not believe that Dodik will break deal on unblocking’ by Mirela Kukan – In an interview to DA, the FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic said that he does not understand why the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik has not respected a solution two of them reached at the meeting held in Mostar last Tuesday which would remove a halt in the allocation of the public revenues. Hadzipasic further commented: “I am not clear why deal was not carried out at once. Namely, we agreed for April allocation to be carried out based on principles used to date, according to which the RS would again receive about 30.5% of income.” He added June 1 was scheduled as a start of allocation based on new information on VAT incomes. FBiH PM said he contacted Dodik on Monday: “PM Dodik said that he will consult RS Finance Minister and inform me about their stance. Although he never contacted me, I still think that there is no dilemma and that he would not break the agreement… There is no need for politicization and making spectacles on the issue that can easily be established on basis of VAT registration and firm argumentation.”

RS PM Dodik: it was attempted to reduce RS income for BAM 100 million through VAT distribution coefficient settlement

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Attempt top deprive RS of BAM 100 million’ by D.Risojevic – Milorad Dodik, RS Premier, has stated it was attempted to reduce RS income for BAM 100 million through VAT distribution coefficient settlement. (NOTE: Indirect tax revenue, which is distributed to entities, Brcko and state is calculated upon coefficients, over which entities are disputing.) Furthermore, Dodik claims that ITA has so far processed approximately 90% pf VAT claims for F BiH and only 40% of those claims for RS, stressing that the level of processed claims must be equal in both entities. He assessed that Kemal Causevic, ITA Director, is not accountable for his deeds to BiH bodies, nit instead “his party and some other structures in F BiH”. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Uneven processing of VAT applications’ by O.V.– also reported.

DA: ITA SB to meet on 20 April? 

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘ITA Steering Board new session on April 20?’ by T.L. – Daily learns that new meeting of Indirect Taxation Administration Steering Board [ITA SB] is likely to take place on April 20, when the allocation of public revenues for the entities will be discussed. Entity budgets are still blocked, for there is still no agreement on this issue disputable among ITA SB members. Daily learns that EC Delegation to BiH and ITA SB Chair Joly Dixon insisted that BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic gets involved in solving this issue. Ivanic should allegedly explain RS Finance Minister Aleksandar Dzombic “entire process” for there is an impression that Dzombic is “not enough familiar with allocation of revenues”.

RS NA Chairman met with pensioners’ delegation: Dixon ’s decision brought RS’s budgetary system in jeopardy

PINK, BHT1, RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Changes, urgent ones’ by R. Skondic – RS NA Chairman Igor Radojicic met with a delegation of pensioners on Monday. Radojicic believes a reform of Pension and Disability system is necessary because the current one is obsolete and is not sustainable. Inset ‘Illegal decision’ – Radojicic assessed that, due to illegal decision of the Chairman of the ITA Governing Board Joly Dixon on stoppage of payments from ITA account, functioning of budgetary system of RS including grants for pension and disability insurance was put in jeopardy. Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘It is necessary to respect RS NA conclusions’ by Agencies, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Radojicic: Dixon caused damage to pensioners’ by M. S. and N. B. – also reported on the meeting.

FBiH PIO says companies owe them about 329 mn KM; discusses April pension coefficient

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 4 ‘More than 6000 firms owe 329 million KM’ by S.Muslic – FBiH Pension Disability Insurance Fund [FBiH PDIF] published data that more than 6000 FBiH firms owe them 329 million KM. The BiH Trade Union Chair Edhem Biber commented by saying if companies would pay their debts regularly, pensions could be doubled. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 3 ‘April pension with no increase’ by A.Terzic – Daily carries that FBiH Pensions Disability Insurance Fund [FBiH PDIF] Steering Board would discuss coefficient for April pensions, adding that there would be no increase due to the low payments to the fund.

Speculations of terrorists’ presence in BiH

Croatian and US Intelligence Services’ report links BiH to terrorism organizations

BHT1- According to a report by the US and Croatian intelligence services, Islamist militants linked to Al Qaida and other terrorist organizations have been in the Balkans for over 15 years. The 252-page report claims that the extremists from Afghanistan, who were trying to reach West Europe over Turkey, Albania and Kosovo, have been financed also by drug smuggling chains. Report further reads the terrorists were using the porous borders in order to travel, meet and train for possible terrorist attacks in Europe. On the other hand, BiH and international officials claim that BiH cannot be considered as a centre of terrorism activities. RTRS – The Associated Press reported the special attention in this report was paid to BiH, adding that thousands of Mujaheedin came to BiH in order to fight on the side of Muslims in period of war 1992-1995 and that some were even active in the Region before the ethnic war. Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Fuse from the Balkans’ by Tanjug, Vecernje Novosti pg 15 ‘Al-Q’Aida is present in the Balkans for years’ by Tanjug, Oslobodjenje pg 11 ‘Islamic militants present in Balkans for 15 years’ by BHT – also reported.

Int. press: Deputy SIPA Director Lukac says dozen of terrorism suspects under surveillance

New York Times ‘Terrorists Recruiting ‘White Muslims’ by AP – Commenting the US-Croatian intelligence report on “potentially dangerous Islamic groups in BiH”, the BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak said there are no evidences on existence of ‘recruitment camps’ in BiH. AP comments that even if these camps would exist in BiH, its citizens require visas, noting it is complicated and time-consuming process, to travel. In interview to AP, Deputy SIPA Director, Dragan Lukac, said the BiH authorities aren’t taking chances and that dozen of suspects are under surveillance, stressing that authorities are sharing information with FBI, CIA, Scotland Yard and other international security agencies. Lukac also said that since September 11, evidence has emerged that extremists have been trying to “carve out a beachhead” in the Balkans. He concludes that the Balkans is “a kind of El Dorado ” for criminals. International Herald Tribune, Washington Post- also carried the AP report.

DL carries text of video recording in which M. Bektasevic, C. Abdulkadir charged with terrorism announce attacks

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Terrorist attacks as assistance to ‘brothers’ ’ by E. Mackic carries a text of the video recording in which Mirsad Bektasevic and Cezur Abdulkadir, who have been charged with terrorism before the BiH Court, announce terrorist attacks ‘against Europe and those whose forces have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan’.

US Ambassador in FTV ’60 minutes’: US closely monitors first BiH terrorism trial

FTV by Bakir Hadziomerovic – Commenting the indictments launched by the BiH Prosecution last week charging three suspects for terrorism, US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney stated in an interview to ‘60 minutes’: “We are interested in what is going on in this country, because terrorism is an international issue. That is something that concerns us to great extent. Terrorists need to be brought to justice; they should be tried for what they have done on the basis of evidences presented. So yes, we are monitoring this case closely, but now it’s up to BiH courts to process those cases.”

War crimes

New demands to FBiH Government for establishment of the Commission on sufferings of Serbs in Sarajevo

Hayat – The Chair of the RS Association of Imprisoned, Killed and Missing Persons Nedeljko Mitrovic announced that the association would a request to the BiH Constitutional Court by which the FBiH Government should establish a commission in charge of investigation of events on sufferings of Serbs in Sarajevo. Mitrovic announced that Association would organize protests before OHR building, unless their demands are met by BiH CC. RTRS– RS Government asked FBiH Government to establish, following the example of Srebrenica Commission, which would investigate suffer of Serbs in Sarajevo and make report in this regard. RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik reported that RS Government made report on Srebrenica on its own and that now asks to investigate together with FBiH Government suffer of Serbs in Sarajevo. Dodik added that RS Government does not want to interfere in job of FBiH Government on its territory. Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘They announce protests in front of OHR’ by R.Rakic – also reported.

GS critical of IC, including HR, for failing to attend Donja Gradina commemoration for Jasenovac victims

Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Cheap excuses’ by D.Majstorovic – Writing about commemoration for victims of WW II’ concentration camp in Jasenovac at Donja Gradina, daily stresses that the representatives of the international community, and also Croats and Bosniaks in BiH, from year to year ignore the commemorations of Serb, Yews and Romas at Donja Gradina, stressing that Christian Schwarz Schilling, HR to BiH, although previously invited to attend, failed to attend it owing to – as daily says – “alleged” previously scheduled duties. In regard to this, daily adds: “Is not it weird and extremely inappropriate excuse not to attend Donja Gradina? It is hard to believe that HR to BiH, whether he is Paddy Ashdown or Christian Schwarz Schilling, know nothing about the history of this region, events and tragedies that came over that people not so far in the past. If they don’t, then it is a shame. If they do, then the shame is even bigger.”

Father of ICTY indictee Kordic accuses Croatian President Mesic and HVO General Blaskic that they were part of plot against his son

Vecernji List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Mesic and Blaskic are plotting against Koridc’ by Z. Kresic carries that father of ICTY indictee Darijo Kordic (who has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment because of war crimes committed over Bosniaks in Central Bosnia in 1993), Pero Kordic, sent an open letter in which he accused Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and HVO General Tihomir Blaskic that they were a part of the plot against his son. He also announced filing of a private lawsuit against Mesic and criticised Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader for double standards when the Homeland War and ICTY indictees are in question.

Moscow daily: Mladic to be extradited prior to Montenegrin referendum

EuroBlic pg 3 ‘We are expecting Mladic soon’ by T. N. Dj. – Moscow daily “Komersant” has published Serbian authorities would extradite Hague indictee Ratko Mladic to the Tribunal prior to Montenegrin referendum, in order not only to avoid possible sanctions of EU for non-cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, but also to influence the result of the referendum. ICTY Chief Prosecutor’s Spokesperson and Advisor Antun Nikiforov denied this information by saying the deadline is the end of April, while everything else are speculations.