OHR BiH Media Round-up, 2/12/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

Covic: Attempts to weaken HDZ

One-month detention for Andrun

HSS on problems of return to RS

CoM adopts changes to VAT Law

Ind. List for Rama on sit. in Rama

PDHR, SDHR on RS obstructions

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Arrest of Jasarevic

Sarovic Govedarica Bjelica in custody

Video link between courts

Custody for Sarovic and others

Videolinking BiH and SCG courts

Sarovic, Goverdarica, Bjelica case

Terzic on Sanader’s proposal

FBiH Gov on distributing public rev.

Study on violence in families

CoM in session

RS Government session

Update on “Energopertol” case

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

World AIDS Day

Fazlic acquitted of charges

EUFOR actions

Sarovic Govedarica Bjelica in custody

Sarovic, Goverdarica, Bjelica case

Custody for Sarovic and others

Videolinking BiH and SCG courts

BiH CoM in session

Bandic’s plea

“Zvornik case” trial update

Johnson on Brcko District Assembly

Djokic’s trial

Oslobodjenje

One-month detention for Sarovic, Govedarica, Bjelica

Dnevni Avaz

[McElhaney] None can stop negotiations

Dnevni List

Hakalovic made Srebrenica out of Klis!

Vecernji List

50 % interviewed persons support punishing of women (on violence in family)

Slobodna Dalmacija

With bulldozers on Lucki and Carinski bridges (on illegal construction in Mostar)

Nezavisne Novine

200 vehicles will be confiscated

Glas Srpske

It is easy to squander what belongs to someone else

EuroBlic

Everyday risk for 1,3 million people [feature story emphasizing BiH is rated 3^rd country in the world regarding the number of mines]

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

CoM adopts amendments to Law on VAT: zero rate for print media/press

BH Radio 1 – BiH CoM adopted amendments to Law on VAT that will now be forwarded to the ITA Steering Board for further procedure. The amendments foresee zero tax rate for press and publishing sector including books, newspapers, magazines, scientific publications etc.

PDHR, SDHR warn RS of poor results in key reforms implementation

BH Radio 1 by Vanja Ilicic – At a press conference in Sarajevo today, PDHR Larry Butler and SDHR Martin Ney warned RS Govt that it had to improve implementation of key reforms in the country thereby de-block process of BiH’s European integration. RS Govt’s failures represent a threat to very realistic prospects of BiH on its European road making in that way damage to all citizens in the country. The RS authorities’ obstructions include lack of their support to the adoption of CoE-supported guidelines for witting history and geography textbooks, harmonization of the higher education law at the state level with the Bologna process, completion of defence reform, and adoption of the rest of the ITA-related legislation. All these issues are responsibility of RS Govt and not the IC, said Ney. The senior OHR officials concluded that if the current authorities in BiH do not take over the full responsibility for the future of the country they should be punished by voters at the next general elections.      

US Ambassador McElhaney discusses constitutional changes with RSNA officials

BH Radio 1 – US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney met in Banja Luka today with members of the collegium of the RSNA to discuss the status of constitutional reform talks in BiH. RSNA representatives said that there had been no new proposals and that the participants at the meeting agreed the constitutional changes are about a process requiring time.

Covic: There are attempts to weaken HDZ

RHB– At the last night’s pre-election rally in Grude (for the Head of the Municipality) HDZ President Dragan Covic stated that there is an attempt to divide HDZ through a special scenario, whose authors are from BiH but also from abroad, in order to weaken HDZ in the negotiations on constitutional changes and on the eve of the next year’s elections. RHB explains that in this way Covic commented on the situation within HDZ and he called on unity of HDZ. He also said that during the last weeks he was present at HDZ public forums on constitutional changes all over BiH and according to him establishment of the third, Croat entity was proposed at all public forums apart from the one in Zepce.

Judicial proceedings / Crime issues

One-month detention ordered for Sarovic, Govedarica, Bjelica

Hayat – The Justice of the BiH Court, Malcolm Simons, on Thursday set one-month custody for the former BiH Presidency member, Mirko Sarovic, former Director of the RS Strategic ReservesMilorad Govedarica and former SDS official Milovan Cicko Bjelica. Sarovic and Govedarica were arrested on Tuesday in Eastern Sarajevo in line with the warrant of the BiH Prosecutor’s Office. Bjelica turned himself in as well. Sarovic, Govedarica and Bjelica have been charged under suspicion for organized crime connected with work of Privredna Bank East Sarajevo [PBES] along with the PBES Director Momcilo Mandic. The reasons presented by the BiH International Prosecutor Jonathan Rattel as part of the argument that the accused could escape have been accepted. It has been announced that that the charges will be raised against all the suspects by December 14. The three are suspected of embezzlements provided for secret funding of SDS and ICTY indictees. It has also been confirmed that there is ongoing investigation on Mladjan Mandic, brother of Momcilo Mandic, but it has not been confirmed if there will be charges against him. Sarovic, Govedarica and Bjelica have stated that the only citizenship they have is BiH, but Prosecutor Rattel has submitted the INTERPOL document confirming that Sarovic and Govedarica have also SCG citizenship. RTRS – Sarovic’s Defence Attorney Dragisa Jokic stated that BIH Court’s decision was unusual and legally impermissible. RHB, BHT 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 2 ‘One-month detention for Sarovic, Govedarica, Bjelica’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2, Dnevni List pg 2 ‘One-month detention to Sarovic, Govedarica and Bjelica’ by E. Mackic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘BiH Court ordered detention for Sarovic’ by bs, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 22 ‘Detention to Sarovic, Govedarica and Bjelica ordered’ by F, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Sarovic in detention’ by D. Mu. And A. D., Vecernje Novosti pg 14 ‘Detention for Sarovic’ by D. Stojakovic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘As far from witnesses as possible’ by Z. Domazet, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘The three in detention’ by Mirna Soja– also reported.

Oslobodjenje op-ed on PBES arrests: Network of evil

Oslobodjenje op-ed pg 9 ‘Network of evil’ by Zija Dizdarevic – referring to the order on detention for Sarovic, Govedarica and Bjelica, the author notes RS MoI was not involved in this operation, which only shows the level of trust the international community has in this institution. The author concludes by saying such judicial actions, including the ongoing processes in the Hague , help reveal the nature of RS, motives on basis on which it had been created as well as to reveal the moral profile of its political top.

Video-link between Sarajevo and Beograd courts established

RTRS, RHB, PINK, Hayat, BHT1,Oslobodjenje cover page, pg 3 ‘Video-link between Sarajevo and Beograd established’, Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Video-link to be used for giving testimonies in trial of Scorpions as well’, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Possibility to testify over video-link’ by E. Mackic, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Words of victim out of criminals’ sight’ by D. Jazvic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Testimonies from distance’ by V. B. – The Belgrade-based District Court’s Special War Crimes Chamber and the BiH Court for the first time established a videoconference link between courtrooms in Belgrade and Sarajevo on Thursday. The link is to allow giving of the testimonies by witnesses, interested parties not able to attend main hearings. Head of the BiH Prosecution’s Special Department for War Crimes Vaso Marinkovic said at a press conference following establishment of the video link with Belgrade that new war crime indictments could be expected soon – in the case against the “Zvornik group” indicted for war crimes against the Bosniak population in the period April-July 1992 in the Zvornik area.

Asim Fazlic acquittal confirmed

FTV, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Verdict acquitting Asim Fazlic confirmed’, Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Asim Fazlic cleared of all charges’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Fazlic’s verdict was confirmed’ by Srna  – Asim Fazlic, Deputy Director of BiH Interpol, has been acquitted of charges for office abuse by the Appellation Council of BiH Court’s Special Department for Economic Crime, Organised Crime and Corruption.

SPRS’s Djokic pleaded not guilty before Brcko District Basic Court, says trial orchestrated by SDS

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Djokic, Tesic and Klasnjic stated they were not guilty for damaging Telekom Srpske’ by E. R., Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Djokic rejected culpability for damaging “Telekom Srpske”’ by V. P., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘I am not guilty’ by M. Dj., EuroBlic pg RS8 ‘SDS orchestrated this indictment’ by L. S. – also reported.- Leader of SPRS Petar Djokic pleaded not guilty before Brcko Basic Court on the charges that he misused his powers and damaged RS TeleKom for 140.000 KM by providing illegal telecommunication services. Djokic told press this was a political trial orchestrated by the SDS and its top officials.

EUFOR and police searched security agencies in BiH

Nezavisne novine pg 3 ‘Search at security agencies’ by Sn. K., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘EUFOR in front of doors’ by M. D. – EUFOR members, with support of the police, conducted a search at several private-owned security agencies in BiH to verify whether these agencies work in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement, as EUFOR Spokesperson Jem Thomas confirmed. He stated they have checked weapons these agencies are using in their work and said “Sektor Security” from Banja Luka, Sarajevo and Bijeljina were some of agencies that were searched. “Sektor Security” confirmed their premises were raided, but nothing was confiscated on this occasion. RTRS – also carried, but without the details.

EUFOR conducted action aimed against crimes that have negative effect on BiH economy

EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘They found logs’ not signed, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Logs were confiscated’ by M. Dz. – The members of EUFOR have searched 25 locations in the responsibility zone of Multinational Operational Group North-West (MNOG N-W) during the operation “Orient”, directed against crimes that have a negative effect on BiH economy and confiscated, among other, a truck full of illegally cut logs. The spokesperson of MNOG N-W, James Gater, on Thursday told a press conference that the operation focused on the problem of smuggling. On basis of information collected in the course of previous activities, this operation was aimed at preventing the criminal elements from accessing the public transport network. Apart from other facilities, EUFOR searched the railway stations in Bihac and Banja Luka , passenger vehicles in Tomislav-Grad, Bihac and Banja Luka , and locations that could be used for air traffic in Livno, Bihac and Cazin.

Police and Prosecutor’s Office fight car-Mafia in Banja Luka region

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘200 vehicles will be confiscated’ and pg 3 ’70 cars were confiscated, search ongoing for another 130’ by D. Risojevic and S. Karic – The police and Prosecutor’s Office conducted an action aimed at breaking car-Mafia chain in Banja Luka region, 70 vehicles were confiscated and it is expected that another 130 cars will be confiscated in the forthcoming period of time.

Political issues

OHR: RS Government’s result in implementation of crucial reforms is not good

RHB, PINK, FTV, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘OHR considers RS Government’s achievements in key reforms poor’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Result of RS Government is not good’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 16 ‘OHR: Dissatisfaction with RS Government’ by F, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Poor performance’ by Srna, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Butler reprimands the Government’ by M. Dz., Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘OHR is dissatisfied with RS Government’ by Srna  – OHR Banja Luka spokesperson, Ljiljana Radetic, on Thursday said that the RS Government’s output in implementing the key reforms is not adequate. “This threatens to jeopardize the very realistic chances BiH now has on the road to the European integration processes, which would attract foreign investments, create new jobs and improving the living standard”, said Radetic. She stressed that BiH is entering a new period and that the authorities must move forward with clear, practical and political commitment to ensure the necessary reforms. She told a press conference that the PDHR, Larry Butler, would in the next several days hold a press conference on the subject of RS Government’s results in implementing reforms, which should produce direct and necessary benefits for the citizens.

RS Govt says it made not a single obstruction in reforms implementation

FTV – The RS Government does not know what does the OHR mean by saying that the Government’s record on key reforms is not good, spokesperson for the RS Government Cvijeta Kovacevic said on Thursday. Commenting on the OHR’s position Kovacevic said that the RS Government did not make a single obstruction or step that would indicate that it is not fulfilling the accepted commitments. BN TV ‘Puls’ magazine – RS PM Pero Bukejlovic commented the OHR statement: “Imagine what would it be like if they are praising me?” adding that he would be glad to be commended for economic progress.

Snjezana Bozic to take over position of RS Education Minister

PINK, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Snjezana Bozic to be appointed RS Education Minister’, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Snezana Bozic new Education Minister’ by M. S., Nezavisne novine pg 9 ‘Snjezana Bozic got consent of OHR’ by D – RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic on Thursday informed the Government that the OHR has consented with the appointment of Snjezana Bozic as the new RS Minister of Education and Culture. “Bozic will be officially appointed on this function in the next several days”, the RS Govt press officer Cvijeta Kovacevic told a press conference. In the past five years, Bozic performed the functions of Sokolac Municipal Assembly Speaker, Municipal mayor and deputy mayor. She is to take over position of Education Minister after the HR Paddy Ashdown removed Milovan Pecelj due to failure to implement the Decision on removing the dean of Law Faculty in Eastern Sarajevo, Radomir Lukic.

Cavic calls on RS parties to elect new majority, accuses PDP of destabilizing RS institutions

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘RS President: PDP has no courage’, EuroBlic pgs RS2-RS3, announced on cover ‘Establish new Government’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – RS President Dragan Cavic called on PDP and other RS parties to reconsider the RS status and perform their constitutional duties and elect the new majority in the Government. Cavic stated that PDP’s attitude shows their intention to destabilise the RS Institutions.

M. Ivanic on RS Government/ SDS after PDP became opposition: Even Cavic doesn’t stand behind RS Govt

Dnevni Avaz pg 10, mentioned on cover ‘Even Cavic does not stand behind RS Government’ by E. Sarac carries an interview with PDP President Mladen Ivanic who says that the fact that PDP is becoming the opposition does not mean destabilization of the RS or the crisis in the work of the entity institutions as SDS President Dragan Cavic defined it. Ivanic also believes that Cavic is trying to use the current situation for his personal political goals and that the RS Government does not have majority without PDP. According to Ivanic, SDS would be the biggest political loser at the end since it remains alone and he added: ‘SDS alone would carry big burden of the political responsibility and none in the RS is ready to support them. Why would PDP support the Government that does not even have the support of the President of the party whose members formed it?’ RTRS, EuroBlic pgs RS2-RS3, announced on cover ‘Establish new Government’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘PDP is not endangering RS institutions’ by Srna – Ivanic stated that he did not understand the statement issued by Cavic how PDP destabilises RS Institutions. Ivanic added that Cavic doesn’t support the Government that is being consisted of SDS members as well.

BN TV ‘Puls’ int with Bukejlovic on RS Govt, PDP, economy, Cavic: PDP still holds the power; no resignation; fight for RS police is yet to follow

BN TV ‘Puls’ current affairs magazine by Suzana Radjen – Todorovic – Guest of the magazine was the RS PM, Pero Bukejlovic, who underlines seeing no reasons for the Govt or himself to resign following the PDP’s reject to support its proposals at the RSNA session. “Why should I resign, with such results? Parties have possibility to replace the Govt. I believe that if I would make such a move, I would be the one who is accused for instability in the RS and in the BiH,” said Bukejlovic. He reminded his Govt has been in minority since the beginning, always searching for the majority support from session to the session. He repeated his stances that PDP’s motive was the interests in the CEOs positions and underlined PDP still holds the power: “They aren’t presented in ministerial positions, but PDP is represented in the Govt’s building. Crucial positions in public companies, Funds, Governmental institutions, Ministries are being held by the PDP,” added Bukejlovic. “I want to emphasise that nothing is the same as of 25 Nov, when SAA talks were officially opened… Even Mr. Ivanic… is member of the negotiating team and what kind of message would he send to the Europe and to the world if he would advocate the replacement of the Govt…Destabilization of the RS Govt could be carried out without destabilizing the Council of Ministers”, said Bukejlovic. Asked about the problems the Govt could face soon as the next RSNA session is dedicated to the budget proposal, Bukejlovic answered: “I don’t know why budget would not be endorsed. That would be a very bad message for IMF, World Bank, Europe and investors. At last session of the Fiscal Council, OHR has insisted that all budgets have to be passed by end of year and I believe that OHR will insist on that.” On his relationship with Dragan Cavic, Bukejlovic noted there have been disagreements between them mostly having to do with the transfer of entities’ authorities to the state level. Asked if Cavic is angry with him because of police reform, Bukejlovic said that there were some feelings of resentment due to difference stances, and concluded: “Those who have done that [accepted police reform] still believe that they have secured [the position of] the RS Police…I think that struggle for that is yet to follow”. 

NN op-ed on ‘crisis’: PDP admits following “bad way” past six years

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Crisis’ by Natasa Krsman – PDP presented a set of five program goals, under the title “good path”, with an aim to offer a solution for a poor economic situation in RS and the author wonders whether PDP leadership, by choosing such a name for this set of measures, had actually admitted they have followed a “bad way” in past six years since they have been at the authorities.

Terzic: HDZ Croatia does not want agreement on Ploce port

BHT1 by Adela Malkoc – Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader stated that another meeting of Croatian and BiH Commissions for Border should be held prior to ratification of Agreement on Borders. He announced that Croatia would come with a new proposal of agreement on Port Ploce. Sanader claimed that the agreement on PlocePort has never been fair, and a fair agreement is necessary. Chair of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic reacted negatively to Sanader’s statement. For Terzic, a drastic change of agreement on Port Ploce is unacceptable. He claimed that in this way, any agreement with Croatia, including the Free Trade Agreement, can be abolished. Mirsad Ceman, President of BiH Parliament Assembly’s Legal-Constitutional Commission stated that all agreement should be ratified first, and any possible changes should be considered afterwards. Agreement on Port Ploce has been waiting for ratification by Croatia for seven years. In the meantime, BiH fulfilled its obligations and allowed free passage through Neum. RHB, RTRS, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘HDZ Croatia does not want agreement on Ploce port’ – Terzic accused the HDZ from Croatia of not wanting to reach an agreement on Ploce and Neum. Hayat – Sanader will come in return visit to BiH only after the agreement on inter-state border has been harmonised, reports SRNA .

Feral on reasons because of which Tudjman-Izetbegovic agreement on border was made topical at this moment

Feral pgs 8 and 9 ‘ Outwitting regarding borders’ by M. Culic speculates as to why the Croatian Government has decided to activate the Tudjman-Izetebegovic agreement regarding the border between BiH and Croatia near Neum. Feral says that although the Croatian Government denied it, most probably the reason for activating of the agreement is an attempt to please the official Sarajevo which is very angry because of the announced construction of the Peljesac bridge. 

EU’s Rehn: BiH must carry out reforms necessary to catch up with Croatia and SCG ; EC to closely monitor reforms implementation; Solana/Busek: BiH’s not to be changed regardless to Kosovo negotiations

BHT 1 ‘Javna tajna’ magazine by Amir Zukic – BHT1 brings an interview with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn commented on the beginning of the SAA talks btw EU and BiH; “I believe that the beginning of the negotiations will bring certain benefits to ordinary citizens of BiH, along with better job and travelling opportunities… There has been no real threat that BiH would be isolated. I would put it this way: the leaders of this country and the civil society understood that the countries like Croatia and SCG are moving towards the EU, and that BiH must go the same way, i.e. that it must carry out the reforms necessary to catch up.” BHT 1 ‘Javna tajna’ magazine by Elvir Bucalo – Lidija Topic, BiH Ambassador to Brussels, underlines that all sectors in BiH society will bear some responsibilities to meeting the obligations under the SAA talks. “We have said that ideal negotiations would last a year, but obviously it all depends on the reforms in BiH. [EC] will monitor very closely reforms’ implementation BiH… [i.e.] cooperation with the Hague, police reform, and the public broadcasting legislation”, stated Krisztina Nagy, EC Commissioner spokesperson. However, BHT reporter speculates that negotiations would depend on some other factors as well: one being negotiations on Kosovo status, i.e. possible territory compensation to Serbia. “Team… [leading] the negotiations on the future status of Kosovo… has a plan to reach an agreement without any changes in the structure of BiH. It is a stable country, and I think that its borders should not be changed, no matter what the final status of Kosovo would be,” stated EU HR for Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact Gerhard Busek warned that BiH is both economically and politically among the last in the region; one of the reasons for this situation is the fact that RS refuses to carry out the police reform as it still believes border changes are possible. “I think that they are listening to some voices from Serbia, which say that if there are changes on Kosovo, there must be some kind of compensation. But it must be said aloud and clear: it’s impossible to change the borderlines in Europe. We are wasting time on that issue. Look at the European perspectives: the boundaries will not be important in the future.”

EC’s Franttini: Visas for Western Balkans will not be abolished soon

RHB, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Visas for BiH citizens will not be abolished soon’ by VOA – Deputy President of the EC Franco Frattini stated that the Western Balkans countries could not expect liberalization of the visa-regime until they reach an advanced phase of the negotiations on full membership in the EU.

DA interview with D. McElhaney on Washington talks, reforms: None can stop negotiations

Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘None can stop negotiations’ and pg 5 ‘We are very impatient and we want that process of reforms goes faster’ by L. Sinanovic carries an interview with US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney in which he announces that Donald Hays, who launched negotiations on constitutional reforms in BiH, comes to Sarajevo next week when the talks would continue. Asked to comment on the journalist’s judgment that the Washington talks were not very successful, the US Ambassador says: ‘The negotiations in Washington were just a beginning and I am not so dissatisfied. For this reason I believe that the public should not be so negative and dissatisfied as well.’ Asked to comment on the implementation of reforms so far, the US Ambassador says: ‘The truth is that we would like that this process goes faster, however, the most important thing is that we have proved that everything can be done.’

Feral op-ed on Washington talks: Initiative doesn’t concern BiH a lot, but rather an entire region

Feral pgs 30-31 ‘Peaceful Bosnia’ by I. Lovrenovic comments on the Washington talks and the author says that the initiative for ‘face-lifting’ of BiH does not concern BiH a lot, its urgent internal political problems and permanent crisis that primarily results from its completely wrong territorial and political organization. According to the author it rather concerns much more a wider regional context and priorities set in a different way. The author says that ‘to put it simply ‘peaceful Bosnia’ is necessary especially with regard to the status of the RS, so that it does not represent some bigger source of instability during the hard negotiations on the political future of Kosovo and even Montenegro’.

Brcko District’s Supervisory Order decision a surprise for Assembly 

FTV by Halid Rifatbegovic – Following the failure of the Brcko District Assembly to adopt draft changes to the law on police, Supervisor Susan Johnson decided to use her powers and pass the changes. Johnson also ordered postponing of discussion on removal of Brcko Police Chief Milinko Milicevic, explaining the discussion was not considered in an objective way, but it was used as a platform for political attacks against Milicevic. Johnson’s decision was a surprise for members of Brcko District Assembly. Head of Commission for monitoring police work Ratko Stjepanovic opposed the explanation for Supervisor’s decisions claiming some police officers clearly violated regulations. Stjepanovic qualified Johnson’s decision as depriving Assembly of authorities. The Commission member Ivica Ageljic stated that Johnson has derogated the Assembly and citizens. On the other side, Head of Brcko District Assembly Milan Tomic stated that Johnson has full authorities to pass decisions where the Assembly can’t reach an agreement adding that in this case she merely used her legal powers. Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Assembly’s wings were clipped’ by M. Djurdjevic – SPRS’s Sinisa Kisic, President of Democratic Party Stako Stakic and Head of the SBiH Caucus Semso Sakovic all stating they were surprised by decision. HDZ’s Anto Domic, thinks the existing Law on the police is incomplete. BuroBlic pg RS8 ‘Assembly’s “mouth” were shut’ by L. Stefanovic – SDP’s Izet Banda welcomed the Supervisory Order.

S. Dzihanovic: Mostar is still divided city; Tihic did favor to RS nationalists by demanding RS name to be changed

Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Dzihanovic: We shall participate at elections’ by Z. Jukic carries an interview with President of the Movement for Changes Sahbaz Dzihanovic who says that this movement would participate at the next elections. Asked to comment on the current situation in Mostar as a former member of the Commission for Drafting New Mostar Statute, Dzihanovic says that Mostar is still divided city thanks to SDA and HDZ primarily. He also believes that the International Community’s mild attitude towards the current situation in the city contributes to such situation. Nezavisne Novine pg 9, announced on cover ‘Tihic does favor to nationalists from RS’ by R. Cengic – also carries an interview with Dzihanovic, who claims the initiative BiH Presidency member Sulejman Tihic has sent to BiH Constitutional Court to harmonize the name of RS with the Convention on Human Rights was pure politicizing and a favor to RS nationalists. He explained that this move might cause a resistance to the implementation of the Washington Agreement.

VL op-ed on attitude of Croatian politicians towards BiH Croats: Sander doesn’t even want to community with HDZ BiH leadership

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Rather Ivan than Stipe!’ (Ivan refers on Slovakian President Ivan Gasparevic, while Stipe refers on Croatian President Stjepan Mesic) by Z. Kresic carries an editorial in which the author says that the Slovakian President received a honorary doctorate at the Mostar University (the Croat one) on Thursday, while the same doctorate was given to Mesic in Tuzla last month. The author goes on to say that this is not strange having in mind the fact that Mesic has never come to visit Croats in BiH, while the Slovakian President who has the Croat(ian) origin did it. The author also believes that Mesic in general is more preoccupied with getting sympathies of the Bosniaks, while Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader does not even want to communicate with the current HDZ BiH leadership. The author concludes that Croats and relations between BiH and Croatia suffer consequences of such situation.  

Security and terrorism

BiH CoM session: OSA authorities broadened to arrests to fight terrorism; no discussion on police reform directorate

RTRS, RHB, FTV, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘OSA got bigger authorities in fight against terrorism’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘OSA will have right to apprehend’- The BiH Council of Ministers on Thursday’s session adopted the changes to the Law on BiH Intelligence Agency [OSA] which primarily concern the commitment of the Agency to harmonize its activities with the Law on the protection of classified information adopted earlier, explained BiH Deputy Security Minster Dragan Mektic. The changes will also allow OSA more authorities in arrests and interrogations of persons suspected of being involved in terrorism and posing a direct danger to others. CoM also defined changes to the Law on Ministries and other BiH Structures, which were proposed by the BiH Security and Defence Ministries. These changes foresee establishment of the Security Ministry’s office for relations with foreigners, and updated authorities of the BiH MoD. CoM did not discuss the proposal of the decision regarding the establishment of the Directorate for the Implementation of Police Restructuring. Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘Intelligence agents to get authorizations to conduct arrests and interrogations’ by M. Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Board failed’ by N. Zelenovic (GS puts an emphasis on failure of CoM to adopt decision on establishing of the Directorate for implementation of police reform)

Washington Post, IHT : BiH and Balkans are starting point of terrorists 

Hayat, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Arabic immigrants make core of militants in BiH’, mentioned on cover ‘Arabs make core of militants in BiH’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Bektasevic was working for Al-Zarkawi’, mentioned on cover ‘Anti-terrorist CIA headquarters in BiH’ by dja, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Starting point’ by Srna, Nezavisne novine pg 8 ‘Bosnia and Balkans are starting point of terrorists’ by D. Raduski – Media carry the excerpts of the article published by the Washington Post which claims BiH and other parts of the Balkans are becoming a launching pad for terrorist attacks in Europe. According to WP’s sources, Islamic radicals are looking to create cells of so-called white al Qaeda, non-Arab members who can evade racial profiling used by police forces to watch for potential terrorists. WP also quotes a Western intelligence agent in Belgrade as stating: “They want to look European to carry out operations in Europe… It’s yet another evolution in the tools used by terrorists.” Parts of the Balkans are ripe recruitment territory for Middle East radicals, intelligence officials say. Unnamed source from Sarajevo said for WP that after September 11 2001, CIA and other foreign intelligence agencies have formed their common HQ in order to track suspected terrorists in BiH. This source also said that these spy teams work independently of OHR in BiH. Washington Post reports that recently arrested Mirsad Bektasevic used to maintain web site of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi [Iraqi most notorious insurgent] web site, and was in connection with three men in UK who were arrested at the beginning of November. Daily also mentions the article published by the International Herald Tribune on 28 November on the same issue, which claimed that a raid in BIH found proof of Islamist network.

BHT 1 on terrorism investigations in BiH: New arrests to follow soon?

BHT 1 ‘Javna tajna’ current affairs programme by Suzana Stambol – BHT 1 features on linking BiH and terrorism says that foreign intelligence is present in BiH, while the apprehensions of terrorism suspects are more frequent. BHT learns that new arrests are to follow in the future. Testimony of Mirsad Bektasevic, 19 years old Swedish citizens arrested on October 19 along with Turkish citizen Cesur Abdulkadir, helped investigators to track down another three suspects. BHT gives a part of Bektasevic’s testimony; according to reporter, he practically confirmed that he brought arms and 37 kilograms of explosive to the house in Butmir settlement. He also has claimed that he had received instructions in English from unknown person, who allegedly gave locations in Sarajevo where Bektasevic picked up bags with guns and explosive powder. His lawyer Idriz Kamenica still refuses to reveal defence details, adding that his client had several internet nicknames, but was not able to confirm whether Maximus was one of them. Bektasevic’s testimony led police to Hadzici where Amir Bajric and Bajro Ikanovic were arrested twelve days ago and the third one last Friday. At the same time, similar operation is in progress in Denmark: five persons closely linked with Sarajevo group are under investigation. The investigation has also been launched in Sweden, and Swedish Prosecutor Thomas Lindstrand and two intelligence officers interrogated Bektasevic. According to police sources, the operation of discovering network of persons prepairing terrorist attacks on BiH institutions is still in progress, and new apprehensions could soon follow.

VAT introduction / Energopetrol co-capitalisation

FBiH Govt adopts amendments to law on distribution of public revenues

HayatElma Kazagic – FBiH Government defined the amendments to the Law on distribution of public revenue in FBiH and financing of the FBiH, and forwarded it to the FBiH Parliament for adoption in shortened procedure. Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic has denied the allegations that all the participants in the revenue will remain at their present level. FBiH Government has also brough decision to respect HR Paddy Ashdown’s recommendations to transfer five Ministries to Mostar. The moving expenses, furniture and equipment would cost KM 511.000. The FBiH Government also rejected the draft law on converting foreign currency savings/deposits of citizens into public debt of the FBiH. FTVby Zlata Behram – The amendments would regulate the distribution of incomes from VAT. As of January 1^st, all VAT income will be transferred to the joint state account. FBiH Minister of Finances Dragan Vrankic stated that the VAT revenues will be distributed to entities, cantons and municipalities based on the needs defined in previous years. In order to successfully plan their budgets, all cantons will have to adopt laws on distribution of cantonal revenues. FBiH Government also adopted the 2006 budget in amount of 1,1 billion KM. RHB, PINK, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Transformation of foreign currency savings in FBiH public debt rejected’also published.

Hadzipasic to meet HVB Bank over Energopetrol related mortgage

BHT1 by Mirela Cosic – Deadline for payment of mortgage for 25 “Energopetrol” gas stations expired on Thursday, and FBiH Government didn’t request from the HVB Bank to extended the mortgage. The bank announced it would activate the mortgage and collect the debt. The representatives of FBIH Government will meet the HVB Bank to discuss this issue, and the FBIH PM Ahmet Hadzipasic expressed the expectation for mortgage to be prolonged. In the meantime, the opposition still claims that FBiH Government doesn’t have the necessary support to continue with process of co-capitalisation of Energopetrol. As SDP representative at FBiH HoP Svetozar Pudaric stated, FBiH Parliament doesn’t agree with Govt’s proposals on Energopetrol, whoever the Govt continues talks with INA/MOL corporation as potential partner for co-capitalisation. Hayat, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Ahmet Hadzipasic requested to meet with HVB Bank representatives’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Decision on prolonging of the deadline for mortgage today’ by M. Rener – also reported.

Vrankic claims he was not familiar with HVB Bank issue

Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Vrankic did not support BiH press because of principle’ by M. Zorlak carries FBiH Minister of Finances Dragan Vrankic as saying on Thursday that he is not familiar with the information that ‘HVB Bank’ announced activating of a mortgage over Energopetrol’s (EP) property. He also said that the FBiH Government did not discuss EP and added: ‘A working group works on that project and I am not its member.’

Terzic: Monitoring of prices will be introduced after VAT implementation

Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 6, announced on cover ‘Monitoring of prices will be introduced’ by M. Cubro, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘How to prevent speculations with prices’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Hunt on extra-profiteers’ by Az. K. – Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic has gathered a team formed of entity and cantonal Ministers of Trade, Tax Office, Indirect Taxation Administration. This team aims to monitor prices after VAT has been introduced, and therefore to protect the BiH citizens.

Hurtic on VAT introduction: everything is ready

RTRS by Aleksandar Vranjes – Zlatko Hurtic, Advisor to the CoM Chairman, said that CoM has adopted the set of social programs for protection of socially endangered groups after the introduction of Value Added Tax. Hurtic stated that everything is prepared for introduction of VAT that was verified by the International community as well.  “We have adopted one rate VAT. CoM has also adopted the proposal to exempt the books, publishing and press from paying VAT” said Hurtic. He explained that one VAT rate will fight the grey economy in BIH adding that maybe in few years BIH could introduce two rates. Hurtic explained that VAT was condemned by many economical experts that were politicians in order to gain some votes at the forthcoming elections.

Vrankic on VAT rates: ‘I did not support BiH press because of principle’; Bukjelovic agrees

Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Vrankic did not support BiH press because of principle’ by M. Zorlak – Commenting on the fact that he sustained from voting on a proposal by BiH CoM’s Chair Adnan Terzic to exempt press and printing industry from a VAT, FBiH Minister of Finances Dragan Vrankic said that he did it because of principle. He added that this issue was raised at the last moment and if there was an intention to do something with regard to this issue it should have been done in June. He stressed that first of all basic provisions should be exempted from the VAT and then other things. TV BN ‘Puls’ – RS PM Pero Bukejlovic agrees with Vrankic on insisting first food to be considered.  

Opposition parties, Trade union, publishers strongly criticise rejection of print media exemption from VAT

Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Ruling parties in service of destruction of domestic media’ by F. Cardzic, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘They want to shut down independent media’ not signed – carry reactions of SDU, SDP and BOSS criticizing decision not to exempt print media of paying VAT. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Vat already left 200 print makers jobless’ not signed – Amer Toskic, the Chairman of the Trade Union of Print Makers, claims the decision clearly shows the Govt deliberately tries to destroy print makers/media and publishing houses. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Books from abroad are exempted from customs fees’ not signed – publishers say BiH will not be able to endure the impact of VAT and they warn of the unfavorable position of BiH publishers, having in mind books imported from abroad are exempted from paying customs fees.

Crnkic: ‘We expect delays in payments to disabled persons due to VAT’

Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘We expect delays in payments to disabled persons due to VAT’ by A. Dedajic – F BiH Minister for Veterans’ Issues Zahid Crnkic thinks there might be delays, caused by the introduction of VAT, in payments to invalids of war and families of killed soldiers of BiH Army.

GS, Kudic criticize ITA Director Causevic over demand to construct new buildings for ITA seats

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘It is easy to squander what belongs to someone else’ by D. V. M. – the article criticizes ITA Director Kemal Causevic over his intention to construct new ITA seats in Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Mostar and Tuzla, despite to the fact ITA uses the current building in Banja Luka free-of-charge. The article notes the construction of new buildings would cost approximately 25 million KM. RS member of the Steering Board Miodrag Kudic also criticizes Causevic over the same matter and says Causevic only wants to provoke RS members in order to create an impression they oppose to customs and tax reforms.

Seminars criticise too expensive governments in BiH

RTRS by Marija Marjanovic – At the Conference “The Expenses of BIH Government” held in Sarajevo it was concluded that the BIH Government costs BIH 1 billion KM. experts at the conference have agreed that this sector need urgent reforms as well as that that the constitutional changes only bring to the increase of the costs of the administration. PINK Dragica Tojagic – Excluding municipalities, BiH public administration with costs of near KM 1 billion is too expensive – all participants at Banja Luka round table agreed and demanded urgent reform.

War crimes

ATV: sources from RS intelligence claim negotiations underway with Karadzic/Mladic

Hayat by ATV report – USA Ambassador to SCG, Michael C. Polt, repeated that Washington conditions SCG entering Partnership for Peace with extradition of Ratko Mladic to the ICTY, underlining that this is the common obligation of both Belgrade and Podgorica. Zagreb magazine ‘Globus’ alleges that Mladic and Radovan Karadzic will be secretly transferred from Belgrade to BiH and forwarded to the Hague. Commenting this story, Belgrade newspaper ‘Vreme’ journalist, Dejan Anastasijevic said this is sensational, exclusive but false information we are used to listen for years now. SCG Ministry of Defence gave no comment. Reporter says that RS Police Director Dragomir Andan is still in Belgrade, adding that RS Police Spokesperson Radovan Pejic stresses the close contacts with SCG institutions. Pejic said that all the efforts have been put together to fulfil Andan’s promise that Mladic would be extradited by the end of the year. Reporter says that an unknown source from the RS intelligence circles confirmed that there have been negotiations undergoing with, allegedly Karadzic or Mladic. Anastasijevic comments that SCG has never been under such pressure regarding its cooperation with the ICTY, adding that SCG authorities really have to do something. Anastasijevic: “The only questions is whether they [SCG authorities] are able in relatively short period of time to really find Mladic, or will they suffer the consequences for being inactive for years.” Reporter concludes reminding Carla del Ponte will visit Belgrade in seven days.

DL: A son of Croat civilian (killed in 1993) blames BiH Commander H. Hakalovic for war crimes committed in Konjic area

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 7 ‘Hakalovic made Srebrenica out of Klis!’ carries Mijo Kostic whose father Branko was killed in Klis, the area near Konjic during the Bosniak-Croat conflict in 1993 by the BiH Army soldiers led by Hasan Hakalovic. Kostic denies Hakalovic’s claims according to which the BiH Army did not commit war crimes in the area of Klis at that time and he added that 87 Croat civilians and soldiers were killed, many villages were burnt down etc. Kostic also criticizes the fact that 10 years after these crimes were committed the ICTY has not processed responsible ones.