Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 22 May
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) |
| 55.4% for independent | 55.4% for independent |
| European Police Chiefs in | EU on |
| Dodik on const. changes talks | Conf. of Police Chiefs |
TV news broadcast on 21 May
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Referendum in | BiH success at Eurovision | BIH 3rd at Eurovision finale |
| Additional info on referendum | Montenegrin referendum | BiH delegation arrives at 21,30 hrs |
| ‘Referendum’ for Serbian independ. | Feature on medication import | Poll on Eurovision finale |
| Audit of naturalisation decisions | Feature on BIH loan rating | World Media on Eurovision finale |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Referendum in | Referendum in | Montenegrin referendum |
| Reactions on referendum | | Live report from |
| Serb ministers on Terzic’s statement | Poll in | |
| Business Forum 2006 in | Busek on referendum | Live report from |
| Oslobodjenje | |
| Dnevni Avaz | State is being put in hands of the mobsters [on FBiH Gov’s decision on police salaries] |
| Dnevni List | Division of HDZ makes Croats vote (commentary by DL) |
| Vecernji List | Mysterious poisoning of goats (Goats poisoning near Mostar) |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Referendum was successful before lunchtime (Montenegrin referendum) |
| Nezavisne Novine | Historical referendum [Referendum in |
| Glas Srpske | House full of twins [Feature story on a family from Rogatica] |
| EuroBlic | Entire |
| Vecernje novosti | The state in grey area [Referendum in |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| Montenegrin referendum: 55.4% for independence; turnover 86.3%
| BH Radio 1 by Samir Huseinovic– The Montenegrin Republican Referendum Commission published first official preliminary results of Sunday’s referendum according to which 55.4% of Montenegrin citizens voted in favour of independence. 86,3 % of voters turned out at the referendum. As Chair of the |
| BH Radio1 on stances in
| BH Radio 1 by Elvir Bucalo – EU and NATO announced they would make their officials comments on the referendum in |
| Conference of police chiefs of European capitals commences in
| BH Radio 1 – The 28th Conference of Police Chiefs of European Capitals has commenced in |
| RS PM Dodik: There is no reason to continue const. reform before elections
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| HDZ Presidency hols session today | |
Montenegrin referendum: yes to independence | |
| Preliminary results: 55.3%
| Oslobodjenje cover splash and pgs 12-13 ‘Montenegro voted independence’ by Svjetlana Salom – Following the closing of polls at 21:00 on Sunday night, Montenegrin Centre for Monitoring published the first preliminary results fifteen minutes after midnight according to which 55.3% people who voted did so in favour of independent Montenegro with full international sovereignty. Dnevni Avaz pg 16 ‘ |
| Media note extraordinary election turnout: Montenegrin politicians certain results would be accept
| FTV by Adisa Ruzdic, Podgorica – According to the Montenegrin Referendum Commission, the preliminary result would be published on Monday morning. Both leaders of the anti-independence block Predrag Bulatovic and the independence block Milo Djukanovic went to the polls reiterating their stands on the referendum. About 3300 referendum monitors were placed at the polls all around the country, and FTV notes incredible turnout. BHT1 by Sasa Delic, Podgorica – BiH Parliamentarians Beriz Belkic, Bosko Siljegovic and Velimir Jukic also took part in the monitoring of the referendum as international observers. Hayat by Nebojsa Redzic, Podgorica – Reporter stressed that a turnout of voters was almost unbelievable, adding that almost 90 percent of registered voters were expected to vote by 21,00 hrs. About 300 airplanes carrying Montenegrin citizens – most of them of Bosniak nationality – arrived from abroad and landed in |
| BiH politicians on
| BHT1 by Mirela Cosic – BHT 1 comments that BiH citizens generally have only two types of reactions to the Montenegrin referendum: they are either not interested in the issue or see it as the last chapter in the break-up of the Former Yugoslavia. HDZ leader Dragan Covic stated that BiH could benefit from the referendum in |
| Poll in
| FTV – FTV carried a survey on the streets of |
| Osl op-ed on referendum: Final act in death of | Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Yugoslavia- the final act’ op-ed by Josip Vricko– Commenting on Sunday’s referendum in Montenegro, Vricko comments that statement of Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic [who said that Serbia as well would now become independent] will prove to be true and that Serbia would now be alone with its problems and “chronically looking back to the past”, since Montenegro has chosen Brussels over Belgrade. Vricko stressed that neighbours would recognize |
Dispute over Comm. for sufferings of Serbs in | |
| CoM Ministers of Serb nationality: Commission that should investigate suffering in
| Hayat – Ministers of Serb nationality in the BiH Council of Ministers – Mladen Ivanic, Branko Dokic, Slobodan Kovac and Nikola Radovanovic – deem that the statement by the CoM Chair Adnan Terzic that the BiH Parliament’s conclusion “on necessity to form a Commission to investigate suffering of Serbs, Croats, Jews, Bosniaks and others during the war in Sarajevo was mistaken” is his personal stance. On 18 May, Terzic state this adding that he as the CoM Chair would not implement this, as it opens the process of forming similar commissions for every town and place in BiH. To avoid any further speculations, ministers of Serb nationality deem that it is necessary to adopt the conclusion on forming such commission at the upcoming CoM session, to be formed and operational in the timeframe of 15 days after adoption of such decision. At the end of their statement, four ministers of Serb nationality emphasized that the forming of this Commission is basically a condition for the continuance of the work of CoM. FTV – They added that Terzic’s opinion means ignorance of the Parliament’s authority especially since the abovementioned conclusion has been reached at the plenary session of both houses of the BIH Parliament. BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Adnan Terzic ignored BiH Parliament’ by Fena,Glas Srpske cover splash ‘Establish Sarajevo Commission’ by Srna, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Forming of the Commission is a pre-requisite for the work of Council of Ministers’ by P. Klincov also covered. |
| Gligoric, Novakovic, Djurkovic criticise Terzic’s statement re Commission for Sarajevo Serbs, advocate his resignation
| Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Disastrous political statement’ by Z. Domazet – Commenting on CoM Chair Adnan Terzic’s statement [regarding the forming of Commission for investigation of truth on sufferings of Sarajevo Serbs], BiH HoR delegate Tihomir Gligoric assessed Terzic made this statement in the moment of weakness and nervousness and added this statement represents the basic guidelines and ideology of Terzic’s party. |
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| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Insincere condemnations’ by R. G. – RS |
| Chairman of Serb NGOs Dukic calls on Serb reps to leave joint institutions following Terzic statement on Sarajevo Serbs
| Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Abandon joint institutions’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Dukic condemned Terzic’s statement’ by F – Chairman of the Serb movement of non-government organizations Branislav Dukic also condemned the Chairman of BiH CoM Adnan Terzic’s statement (who refuses to form commission that would investigate into destiny of missing Serbs of Sarajevo) and he called on Serb representatives in joint, state institutions to leave the institutions or they would be punished in the October elections.RTRS by Marina Marjanovic – Organisation of killed soldiers and missing civilians families Eastern Sarajevo demanded from the Serb representatives in the Council of Ministers to freeze their work in CoM. This came as the reaction to the statement of the Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic who refused to form a commission for suffering of Serbs in |
| SDHR Bas-Backer to sent new letter to RS PM Dodik re Palic case | Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘What would Dodik do by Friday’ by E.K.– According to daily’s source in the OHR, Senior Deputy to High Representative Peter Bas-Backer, in charge of monitoring Avdo Palic case [Palic gone missing during the negotiations with the RS Army officials on evacuation of Zepa] would sent a new letter to RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, asking him on steps he would take in the next few days to finalize the case. OHR source told daily that Dodik would have to explain what he would do if Palic’ body is not exhumed by May 27. Author comments that RS representatives have guaranteed that body would be located, stressing that they have been giving such promises before and now is the question what would High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling do if it turns up that this promise was false as well. |
Economic and social issues | |
| FBiH MPs objects to FBiH Government’s decision to decrease salaries to police officers; such decision strengthens the crime and corruption
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash and pg 2 ‘State is being put in hands of the mobsters’ by A.Hadziarapovic– After the FBiH Government passed the law proposal foreseeing a decrease of salaries for police officers [which reduces their salaries to KM 315 per month] in order to increase salaries for officials’ Advisors, MPs in the FBiH Parliament oppose such decision. Head of SDA Caucus in FBiH House of Representatives, Semsudin Mehmedovic stated that such decision is a strong stimulant for the criminals and corruption: “Instead of equalizing… salaries of all police officers in entire BiH, the FBiH Government with its bad politics… is creating complete chaos.” BOSS’ MP in FBiH HoR Mirnes Ajanovic said that such decision is “shameful and illogical”. MP in FBiH House of Peoples Nermin Pecanac said the “Government’s decision is a direct way of financing crime, as in this way the state weakens its own institutions…” Inset ‘Supporters should submit resignation by himself’- “In addition to annulling the decision, its proponents as well as Ministers that supported it should also tender their resignations. It seems that a goal of the Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic is to disperse police, as decrease of police salaries and Finance Police dissimulates every aspect of fighting crime” said Pecanac. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Would Parliament have a special session?’ by N.J. – Ajanovic submitted a request to schedule a special FBiH HoR’s session. |
| FBiH police Unions call on FBIH Govt to re-examine decision to decrease police’s salaries | Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Federation being put in hands of Mafia?!’, by Danijela Kozina – the president of Association of Unions of FBiH police employees, Hamdo Melez, says the Association will on Monday address the FBIH Government in writing and ask the Government to re-examine its conclusion according to which salaries to the police forces in FBiH are to decrease. |
| BiH representatives attending Business Forum 2006 in
| Hayat by Adnan Rondic, |
| BiH receives 160 million Euro for highways and water supplies from EBRD
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘BiH receives 160 million Euro for highways’ by Adi Hadziarapovic, London – Commenting the |
| DA: authorities should put moratorium on sale of public assets until after elections, or Dodik’s concept would prevail and undermine state authorities
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Harmful sale of state assets’ op-ed by Husein Orahovac– Commenting of frequent announcements of RS Prime-Minister Milorad Dodik, regarding the possible sale of RS telecom Orahovac notices that such announcements are on the trail of his political activities so far, since he showed up to be leaders of the politics that wants to end everything in entity frames and if possible award it with state attributes in the process. Orahovac therefore underlines that authorities should listen to the warning iof SDU leader Sejfudin Tokic [who asks for moratorium on sale of state assets until after the election, after which the legal frames would be established], stressing that in contrary: “The victory of Dodik’s concept would happen, which would additionally undermine authority of state institutions and bring BiH citizens in position of silent watcher…” |
| Member of BiH HoR Commission for Finances Belkic: BiH CoM yet to submit report on effects of VAT
| Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Terzic ‘failed’ with report on VAT’, by D. P. – DL notes that the BiH House of Representatives’ Commission for finances and budget did not discuss (during its last session) what was supposed to be the most important item on the agenda, the first effects of introduction of VAT that is. Commission member, Beriz Belkic, explains that the BiH CoM failed to provide the Commission with a written report/information on first effects of the VAT although the BiH HoR obliged the BiH CoM to do so. Namely, the BIH HoR made a conclusion when it passed the Law on VAT that the BiH CoM was to present the said report within 60 days of introduction of VAT. |
| Pan-European Conference: BiH should first define maritime borders, then discuss construction of Peljesac bridge | Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘First defining of maritime borders, then Peljesac bridge’ by G. G. – As according to conclusions of Pan-European Conference “PEMT 2006”, BiH needs to develop an elaborate study on maritime borders with Croatia and, until maritime borders are defined, BiH needs to halt all negotiations on construction of Komarno – Peljesac bridge in order not to jeopardise its sovereignty on sea and its sovereign access to open sea. |
Political issues | |
| HDZ President Covic appealed on religious leaders of Catholics and Muslims not to deal with pre-election campaign
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘Cardinal’s and Reis’s statements are bringing unrest’ by D. Muminovic – In an interview to Nezavisne Novine, BiH HDZ President Dragan Covic appealed on religious leaders of Catholics and Muslims in BiH to stop using rhetoric that had been used 15 years ago and he appealed on them not to deal with pre-election campaigns. Covic is convinced BiH HDZ will win majority of Croat’s votes at October elections and says that the establishing of HDZ 1990 would not put BiH HDZ in jeopardy. He added he believes the court proceedings carried out against him in “Lijanovici” case before |
| DL: Division of HDZ could improve Croats’ turnout in October elections
| Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Division of HDZ makes Croats vote’, by Ivica Glibusic – DL notices that the number of Croat voters has been decreasing with every elections, which is reflected in the fact that the so far the strongest Croat political party, the HDZ BiH that is, has won 338.440 votes in 1996 elections, whilst in 2002, it won 114.207 votes. Sociologist Slavo Kukic believes reason behind this is that nothing significantly changes in BiH, including the politicians on the scene, which made the electorate ‘tired’ of voting. However, he believes that the division of the HDZ BiH into HDZ BiH and HDZ 1990 could be the trigger behind an increased turnout believing that a part of electorate will simply vote against (HDZ BiH President) Dragan Covic’s lobby. |
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| Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Almost a half of citizens do not know when elections would be held’ by S. Gojkovic – As according to results of |
| BiH Diaspora not informed about the changes to the election procedure
| Hayat by Zumra Arnautovic – Although it is only four months until the election in BiH, Hayat carries that BiH Diaspora still does not know how would they vote in October. The turnout of voters in diaspora was disastrous last time they were supposed to vote, and the main reason was too complicated election process. This time, the voting procedure is simplified, mainly thanks to the fact that decision on passive voters’ registration has been adopted. But, according to unnamed representative of BiH diaspora, BiH citizens in other countries do not know anything about those changes, because nobody informed them, and the information on passive voters’ registration is not possible to find even on the web-site of the Election Commission. He added that, according to some unofficial information, only BiH citizens with valid CIPS identification documents would be able to vote in October; the problem is that only 40 percent of BiH citizens in diaspora so far managed to obtain those documents, which means that more than a half of BiH citizens in other countries would not be able to vote in October. |
| DA on SBiH’s new leadership: Silajdzic to propose new presidency members
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘We are waiting for Silajdzic’s proposals for election of four Vice-Presidents’ by H.O.– As SBiH General Secretary Munib Jusufovic told daily that the party should establish all party’s Boards and leadership in short time: “As it is foreseen with party’s documents, new members of Presidency are proposed by the SBiH leader and confirmed by the Executive Commission. I hope that Dr Silajdzic [Haris] would propose candidates for Presidency in next two to three days” said Mehmedovic. Mehmedovic didn’t want to reveal names of possible candidates, but DA writes that most likely the nominees would be Safet Halilovic, Beriz Belkic and Gavrilo Grahovac. |
| DL: Silajdzic has always been in charge of SBIH
| Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Silajdzic gunning for office of president of state’, by R. Dautefendic – commenting on the return of Haris Silajdzic behind the helm of the SBIH, the author says in reality he never left the office of president of SBiH since he has always been pulling the strings from the shadow, and now he returns in order to try and become a member of BiH Presidency. Dautefendic calls the whole process of election of new SBiH leader a farce since Silajdzic was the only candidate, claiming that the former chairman of SBiH Presidency, Safet Halilovic, had had a task to safeguard Silajdzic’s office from others, which he did magnificently, “and that’s why he will be rewarded with another ministerial duty”. |
| NN op-ed: Courts should be dealing with Silajdzic
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Silajdzic’s comeback’ by Rubina Cengic – Referring to the election of Haris Silajdzic to the position of Party for BiH President, the author reminds he had even announced he would run for BiH Presidency member ‘although courts should be dealing with him because he had been pulling the state into debts without anyone’s knowledge’. She concludes by saying it is hard to believe ten difficult years have passed since there are no laws that would prevent the person who had attempted to trick the state once from doing it again. |
| HDZ 1990’s Ljubic: Croats in BiH would not pay price for independence of Kosovo or
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Croats would not pay the price of Kosovo and Montenegro independence’, mentioned on cover by Onasa, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘We will not be paying for independence of Kosovo or Montenegro’ by Agencies – HDZ 1990 leader Bozo Ljubic stated that BiH Croats have paid a huge price for the Croatian independence [which they aren’t sorry for] but they will not pay any price for independence of Kosovo and Montenegro, estimating that context of constitutional changes in BiH is much wider and “someone’s attempt was to compensate for eventual losses trough the position of Croats”. Ljubic presented the leadership of the new party and said that by rejecting amendments to BiH Constitution HDZ 1990 clearly showed that wouldn’t accept something like that despite pressures they were submitted to. |
| HoR Deputy Chairman Spiric: talks on const. changes at US Embassy represent testing of negotiators’ pulses
| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘New testing of pulse’ by M. Dzepina – Deputy Chairman of BiH HoR Nikola Spiric stated for Glas Srpske that the meeting at US Embassy on constitutional changes, which will be held today [Monday], represents testing of negotiators’ pulses in the period before October elections. He reiterated that the stance of his party, SNSD, is that the constitutional changes are too serious issue and, therefore, it is impossible to implement these in next four months. Nevertheless, Spiric believes |
| DL: OHR is responsible for situation in Mostar by enacting undemocratic Statute
| Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Responsibility for Mostar’, by Ivica Glibusic – commenting on last week’s statement by the High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, who said that political parties in Mostar failed to assume political responsibility for situation in the city, Glibusic argues it is the OHR that is responsible since it imposed an undemocratic Mostar Statute, which is abused by political parties to block processes. The author sees the remedy in annulling that Statute and enacting a new one, which will be in line with legislation of other cities in BiH, which will in turn make sure that the political parties do become responsible, not like now when powers that be from outside use the Statute to block everything. |
| BiH CoM confirms: Several citizenships already taken away from naturalized citizens
| Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Some foreigners already without citizenship’, by Lj. V. – ‘Nezavisne Novine’ got a confirmation from the BiH Council of Ministers that the State Commission for revision of decisions of citizenship issued between April 6, 1992 and January 1, 2006, has already reached several decisions by which several BiH naturalized citizens will be stripped of their citizenship. Apparently, there are some security aspects that prolong making of the decision public, therefore the decisions will be made known later this week. |
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| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘HJPC’s decision encouraged comeback of criminals’ by V. Popovic – President of RS Democratic Party ( |