OHR BiH Media Round-up, 23/9/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

Catholic Church on work of ICTY

Meeting on refugees status in Bihac

RS to offer new concept of police

Conf. on human rights inGermany

Mostar: Round table on media

World news

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

RS- isolation or European principles

IC press conference on RS and SDS  

IC press conference on RS and SDS  

Ivanic on police reform

Reactions to IC press conference

HR on illegal financing of SDS

Tihic on failure of police reform

Problem of BiH citizens in Croatia

Reactions to IC press conference

NHI on defence reform

Farmers to continue protests

McElhaney on change of BiH Constit.

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Infection of Zenica miners update

FTV on OHR’s press conference

S. Department on DPA anniversary

Report on OHR press conference

FTV on HR’s statements

RS- isolation or European principles

Hayat: Washington stops sanctions

Cavic on sanctions on SDS

New proposals for police reform

Oslobodjenje

RS authorities punishing BiH citizens with isolation

Dnevni Avaz

Ismet Celo Bajramovic wanted by Serbian Interpol for war crimes committed in Sarajevo

Dnevni List

Fell into river with BMW and died (traffic accident near Konjic)

Vecernji List

New insignia of BiH army: Bosniaks want Bosnian rangers

Slobodna Dalmacija

Cardinal Puljic: Del Ponte humiliated Catholics

Nezavisne Novine

SDS is leading BiH to an isolation

Glas Srpske

Funds awaiting for students [a story on unused scholarships provided by a fund established by one Rajko Djermanovic in 1977 in Sweden]

EuroBlic

Ashdown: Choose either the police reform or isolation

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

Srpski Nacional

Features Serbian related titles

IC officials on situation in BiH/ Reactions

IC: RS has another week to accept police reform, otherwise BiH would be isolated; new proposals to be discussed only if line in w/ EC principles

BHT 1 by Marina Boskovic – BHT 1 comments that despite all expectations, Thursday’s joint press conference of HR Paddy Ashdown, US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney, British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft and Chief of EC Delegation in BiH Michael Humpreys didn’t bring any sanctions against RS or SDS officials.The representatives of the IC warned RS authorities that there is only one week left to accept the police reform based on the tree EC principles; otherwise BiH will face total isolation. Ashdown said that, if SDS led Government of RS continues this way, they would face strict sanctions, adding he would chose time and way of punishment in accordance with his own will and ideas. Hayat by Adnan Rondic – “The isolation will result in fewer jobs, more poverty and the same unfavourable visa-regime and losing the chance to join the rest of the region in joining the EU. Let me reiterate that the police reform itself doesn’t represent any danger for the future of RS but that the obstructions represent a real danger” said Ashdown. Reporter noted that HR concluded that RS now lives in the period of 1995. FTV by Blazica Kristo – “Belgrade will not look at Banja Luka now, it’s looking at Brussels, and in a week’s time, Belgrade will be on its way, Banja Luka will be left behind, Belgrade will not cast a backward glance at Banja Luka. You are completely isolated from your friends, BIH and IC” said Ashdown. RHBby Zana Rebo – Speaking about announced new proposals on police of RS PM Pero Bukejlovic, Ashdown stressed that these proposals will be taken into consideration only if they are in line with three EC principles. RTRS By Branka Kusmuk– “Police reform will truly happen and the only question is weather it will happen fast and lead to improvement of the situation, or it will happen slowly. As slower it is the measures will be more negative, against those who fail to carryout their obligations,” said Rycroft. Reiterating that cooperation with ICTY, defence reform and police reform are the keys to the EU, McElhaney stated that Washington has carefully monitored the event on police reform: Eyes of the World will be turned to BiH on this November and they will estimate progress and omissions that you have made.” PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 5 inset ‘Humphries: We did not want to meet with Ivanic’ – Humphreys stated that the EU troika had refused to meet with BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic, and explained this was a direct consequence of the failure of police reform, since EU officials didn’t want to meet with a politician who comes from the entity which is obstructing the progress of BiH.

Oslobodjenje cover page, pgs 4-5 ‘RS authorities punishing BiH citizens with isolation’, Dnevni List, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘Police reform or complete isolation’, by Nermin Bise, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Warning to RS authorities, punishments against SDS Doboj’, by Eldina Medunjanin, and pg 21 ‘Ashdown threatening Banja Luka’, by H, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 11, mentioned on front ‘Ashdown again only threatening RS’, by B. Kristo, Z. Rerig, Dnevni Avaz pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Threats repeated, no one was removed’, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pgs 2-3 ‘SDS is leading BiH to an isolation’ by N. Krsman, EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘Ashdown: Choose either the police reform or isolation’ and pg RS2 ‘It is again five minutes to noon’ by Dusanka Stanisic, Vecernje Novosti pg 4 ‘A warning for Banja Luka’ by D. Stojakovic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘A bill – for Srpska only’ by N. Zeenovic, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pgs 2-3 ‘SDS is leading BiH to an isolation’ by N. Krsman, inset ‘Ashdown is not commenting on possible removals of politicians’ – also cover.

Hayat: IC was ready to impose sanctions against RS, US Govt stopped it giving more time for RS

Hayat – Hayat learnt unofficially that the dismissals of the RS officials were prepared and were supposed to be announced by the IC representatives, but the change in this stance literally took place over night. Hayat claims that now that the US Government actively took part in police reform issue, top officials from Washington urged to give RS five more days to reconsider their attitude. Presenter claims that USA wanted to calm the situation in BIH by avoiding the sanctions in order to get the clear situation for Kosovo adding that without resolved Kosovo issue SiCG cannot start the negotiations for Stabilisation and Association Agreement scheduled on 5^th October.

RS Govt announces new initiative for police reform

RTRS, BHT1, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘New initiative for police reform’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘RS Government’s initiative on police reform’ by V. P., EuroBic pg RS2 ‘Initiative on police reform soon’ by E. B., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Threats are not negotiations’ by G. Dakic – The new initiative of the RS Government aimed at finding the solution for reforming the police structures in BiH will very shortly be presented to the public and representatives of the international community, RS Government announced on Thursday. The Government announced it is working on finding a solution that would be acceptable for all three constituent peoples in BiH and the EU, and expects the interlocutors in BiH and the IC to show understanding in finding the solution because exclusiveness of any side would not produce the necessary results.

Cavic: Sanctions against SDS by end of week; HR’s announcements should be taken very seriously

Hayat, PINK, BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg  2 ‘Cavic expects sanctions against SDS’, Dnevni List pg5 ‘SDS will be punished this week’, by E. M., Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 11 ‘Take the warning seriously’, by A. Macanovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Cavic: we are preparing a reply to punishments’ by V. P., inset ‘The only thing they can do more is to hang us on trees’, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Ashdown should be taken seriously’ by R. Radosavljevic, inset ‘What is (not) a problem’, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Punishments are not solution’ by E. G. S. – SDS President Dragan Cavic stated in Banja Luka on Thursday that he thinks the SDS could be sanctioned quite soon, with some measures announced by the end of the week. He added that SDS fears no individual sanctions, as it had faced with that a number of times in addition to orchestrated trials and bans of financing. Cavic underlined that “system of this country cannot function without SDS”. RTRS by Momcilo Ostojic – he added that SDS would defend itself with every possible measure, stressing that these possible sanctions have solely revenging and political character. Cavic added that all options, from new relations toward Council of Ministers or even crossing to the opposition are open. “We can’t be collocutors any more if we have this status, which is totally unequal. We are in the status which is unbearable,” stated Cavic. Oslobodjenje, pgs 4-5 ‘Threats by international community should be taken seriously’, by O. Vukovic – Cavic also stressed announcements by the HR should be taken seriously. “Next weeks in the political life of the RS will be very significant for the final outcome of the political situation in BiH. If the problem is not solved, next months will be marked with measures that could cause serious consequences and bring a difficult period, serious political instability and a lot of problems for the RS and its status in BiH”, assessed Cavic. He also stressed that one has to show responsibility and find solution for police reform.

BN TV int with RS Finance Minister Cenic on police reform, constitutional changes, IC press conference: solution must be found

BN TV current affairs program ‘Puls’ by Suzana Radjen Todoric – In an interview to Bijeljina based BN TV, the RS Finance Minister, Svetlana Cenic, commented on the future steps to be taken in the police reform by saying that RS needs no OHR or EC to tell them what to do: “We have commenced with discussion on what we can do and what can we offer negotiations on some other basis long before [press conference by the IC officials].” She also expects RS politicians to find solutions that would satisfy the EU, the RS and also all there constituent peoples in BiH, however stresses that the solutions of the police reform will also have an impact on operation of Justice and Local Self-Governance Ministries. Asked about the pressures to which negotiators were exposed, Cenic said: “When you have the HR, US Ambassador, UK Ambassador and the Head of the EC… holding a joint press conference and send their message, that that is a very big pressure and it is more difficult to work under such conditions.” Cenic denied that Belgrade is influencing the decisions made in Banja Luka, adding RS is in BiH and the entity would not be any happier if the issue of reuniting with Serbia would be raised: “Maybe the IC speculates more with this issue, there are accusations that this is done in order to strengthen negotiating positions regarding Kosovo.” On the constitutional changes, Cenic sad that is it possible to talk about reform without those changes, but underlines those are unavoidable eventually. “Whether this will come sooner or later, that is a technical issue,” she said.

RTRS int with RS MoI Matijasevic on police reform: there surely will be consensus in near future

RTRS current affairs program ‘Aktuelni razgovor’ by Biljana Knezevic – In an interview to RTRS, RS Interior Minister, Darko Matijasevic, comments on the possible sanctions by saying he would like to know the EU position on the issue as this entering the Union is a voluntary act and the sanctions method has not been used so far. Matijasevic said that, instead of sanctions, he prefers discussion that “will surely lead to the consensus in the near future”. He also dismisses OHR claims made recently regarding the mixing of policing and politics, adding that he doesn’t believe that those accusations are some kind of answer to the RSNA decision to reject the proposed reform. Matijasevic adds the MoI will provide all the necessary information HR Paddy Ashdown needs to perform his duties. Asked to explain three basic EC police reform principles from his point of view, Matijasevic said that those are efficiency, economy and de-politicising of police work. The problem, says the Minister, is a structure. “We believe that efficiency, economy and de-politicising could be achieved by uniting the indivisible security space in BiH. RS Police and MoI should be the part of this indivisible security space. Joint institutions should exist, and they should provide the functionality of this indivisible system. But, RS MoI and police institutions should have some autonomy as well”, added Matijasevic. He explains that the “indivisible security space” stipulates Security Ministry at the state level including SIPA and SBS, and RS MoI and FBiH MoI on entity levels to organize police work. Matijasevic concluded: “We must be maximally tolerant… because we must not make an imprudent move that would close doors to the EU integrations.”

Tihic: police reform failure attempt to link BiH with Kosovo issue, DPA key problem

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Key problem is Dayton Agreement’ – BiH Presidency member Sulejman Tihic commented the press conference by IC in a statement to DA by saying “we heard nothing new. Warnings, deadlines, threats are being ignored in RS for longer time now. Because of the RS obstructions, whole country suffers and I am afraid that the sanctions announced will affect BiH citizens more than those responsible in RS.” He added that blocked of the BiH institutions in reforms is just another demonstration that the DPA allows existence of two or more countries within a one state. RHB,PINK, BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Dayton Agreement is obstacle to progress’, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pgs 2-3 ‘SDS is leading BiH to an isolation’ by N. Krsman,  – Tihic said that he fears that the failure of police reform is an attempt to destabilize BiH and bring it in a regional context with the issue of Kosovo.

Comments from RS [Radmanovic, Kalabic, Popovic, Ivanic, Dodik, Jovicic, Pavic]

Oslobodjenje, pgs 4-5 ‘Threats by international community should be taken seriously’, by O. Vukovic – President of SNSD Executive Board, Nebojsa Radmanovic, notes that the responsible should be identified because the citizenry should not paying the price for the politicians’ responsibility. A DNS MP in the RSNA, Drago Kalabic, stresses that Ashdown is running away from responsibility that the authorities in BiH that he has installed have collapsed. SDP Vice President Slobodan Popovic, following the threats of isolation, recalls recent stories about the Cyprus model, which is completely unacceptable for him.Oslobodjenje pg 5 inset ‘Find solution through compromise’- BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic takes the view that it is necessary for all sides to be prepared to remove obstacles for the resumption of talks on police reform in BiH, adding RS needed to come up with a clear concept on police reform. FTV – Commenting the press conference, the SNSD Leader Milorad Dodik stated that entire political situation in BIH is terrible: “The period of coalition has finally ended among those who wanted to create petty nationalists and reformists; what was impossible, but we are missing the appropriate sanctions in order to resolve the situation.” BHT1 – Commenting announcements of the RS Government on new initiative for police reform, SNSD’s Kristan Simic commented saying he expects RS NA to discuss the platform his party proposed recently in an extraordinary session. PINK Deputy Head of Coordination of 11 RS NGO’s Slavko Jovicic stated that he is going to send a request to Russian Ambassador Konstantin Shuvalov, asking Russia, as one of the Dayton Peace Agreement Signatories, to stand for protection of the constitutional position of RS. RTRS – President of DNS, Marko Pavic considers that statement from the IC wasn’t surprising for anyone, stressing that worst thing was that promises of RS institutions weren’t fulfilled which created panic among citizens.

Comments by Lagumdzija, Raguz, Tomljenovic, Komsic, Halilovic, Tokic

BHT 1 – SDP leader Zlatko Lagumdzija said that OHR and the IC are partly responsible for present situation. HDZ’s Martin Raguz stated that police reform shows clearly that even the most creative implementation of the Dayton Constitution has its limits. RTRS by Momcilo Ostojic – RS Vice President Ivan Tomljenovic stated that police reform is a way to the EU and that RS politicians should find solutions. Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pgs 2-3 ‘SDS is leading BiH to an isolation’ by N. Krsman, inset ‘Authorities are responsible for failure’ – SDP’s Zeljko Komsic has stated that Ashdown’s statement given on Thursday shows it is the time for thorough changes in the country that can be performed through elections. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Cosic’s message to RS was to obstruct reform’ – SBiH official, Safet Halilovic comments that if a warning by the IC officials is everything that will be used in this situation, that there would be no important progresses in the course of police reform. Only harsh sanctions can produce results, says Halilovic. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘EU performing policy of double standards’ – SDU leader Sejfudin Tokic underlines that the reaction of the IC is just a demonstration that there are double standards applied in BiH – where EU gives just warnings to RS, at the same time it is to start negotiation on SAA with SCG .

Oslobodjenje op-eds on police reform: Decision should be taken in BiH Parliament

Oslobodjenje, pg 9 ‘Guardians of entities’, by Danijel Omeragic – Commenting on the course of police reform, the author says it is easy to understand why the RS agreed to abolishment of entity armies, since there is no danger of new conflicts, however when it comes to the police reform, it is clear that the entity MoIs are ‘guardians of entities’ and that’s why the RSNA sent a massage that it would never agree to ‘suicide’ in form of police proposal sent by Chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic. Omeragic further notes that removals mean nothing to the RS leadership, since nothing has changed since Dragan Kalinic and Mirko Sarovic were removed, instead SDS’ positions are represented by Dusan Stojicic and Borislav Paravac. Finally, the author argues that an important issue such as the police reform should be taken to the state level and a decision about it should be taken in the BiH Parliament. “Instead of skirmishing with the SDS and RS top, the High Representative, if he really wants to help, should insist on such solution”, concludes the author.

DL commends HR Ashdown for not removing anyone

Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Training nerves’, by Nermin Bise – Carries an op-ed about yesterday’s press conference by the IC reps in which the author argues that the strong messages of the IC’s officials to the RS politicians are a lot stronger than removals or threats about abolishment (of the RS). Bise notes that the public had expected the High Representative to remove Borislav Paravac or Darko Matijasevic, however the HR did not do it, instead he made a logical move by announcing a classic isolation of the RS, measures that are already seen in practical life, such as neglecting of BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic and Raca border crossing ceremony without representatives of RS authorities. The patience game continues, concludes the author.

NN op-eds critical of OHR’s surprise with failure of nationalistic parties, critical of too mild reaction

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Misconceptions, too, are unfortunately a part of a life’ by Slavo Kukic – the author refers to latest correspondences between OHR and RS authorities with regard to police reform and he sarcastically says he does not understand why OHR is so surprised with what RS authorities and politicians are doing since it was OHR is most of the cases who had given “the green light” in the appointment processes of the same politicians. Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Isolation’ by Natasa Krsman – the author says everyone who had expected a strong reaction of IC were left disappointed after the IC press conference yesterday. She says citizens have lost their hopes a long time ago, while it seems as if IC had just now confronted its fruitless hopes that they might be able to realize the reform with “their favourites from nationalistic parties”.

Media comments on IC press conference

Dnevni Avaz pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Threats repeated, no one was removed’ – DA comments that nothing spectacular occurred at the press conference. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 11, mentioned on front ‘Ashdown again only threatening RS’, by B. Kristo, Z. Rerig – SD comments on the press conference by the IC by saying that HR Ashdown ‘tricked’ the media, who had been in last few days speculating about possible removals, by not removing anyone. FTV was very critical of the IC in its reporting due to the lack of announced sanctions. It called the entire police reform “a soap opera”. Hayat commented the press conference was “pompously announced”, but had a “dim closure.

OHR instructs money from SDS Doboj to be returned to Paravac

BHT 1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Money has to be returned to Paravac’, Oslobodjenje pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Ashdown ordered that money is returned to Paravac’, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Punitive measures against SDS’, by H, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Warning to RS authorities, punishments against SDS Doboj’, by Eldina Medunjanin,Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Ashdown ordered them to return the money’ by V. P., EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Ashdown’s order: return the money, give a receipt’ by E. B., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘First check up, then a report’ by N. Z.– The HR, Paddy Ashdown, announced a series of measures that he is taking in response to the violation of a his Decision of 30 June 2004, blocking all SDS bank accounts and requiring any financial transaction in excess of 150 KM to be conducted through a single authorized bank account. Within these measures, he sent a letter RS Finance Minister Svetlana Cenic requiring a detailed financial report to be delivered to the OHR by 3 October, that identifies the origins of the 17 payments made to, and held illegally by, SDS Doboj. It also instructed SDS Doboj to repay to all 17 individuals concerned the full amount of money that was illegally paid to SDS Dobo, and requires the SDS to deliver a written report to the High Representative by 3 October confirming that the funds have been repaid. In addition, OHR orders SDS Doboj to submit detailed monthly reports on all financial transactions to the OHR, the BiH Election Commission and the RS Ministry of Finance. Finally, ORH also requires SDS that all financial transactions by the party to go through the single central account of the SDS. “Failure to comply with the above will be considered anti-Dayton. The leaders and the members of the SDS must be made to understand that a culture of theft, corruption, and under the table dealings is unacceptable… A zero tolerance policy towards political corruption is in operation – it is a policy which I am confident will have the full support of citizens,” stressed HR. 

War crimes

Ismet Celo Bajramovic apprehended upon Serbian Interpol warrant; released

PINK, BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz cover page, pg 3 ‘Ismet Celo Bajramovic wanted by Serbian Interpol for war crimes committed in Sarajevo’, Oslobodjenje pg 36, mentioned on cover ‘Ismet Celo Bajramovic interrogated over war crimes’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Belgrade wants Bajramovic because of war crimes’ by A. Durmo, Vecernje Novosti pg 3 ‘Crimes against Serbs’ by D. Stojakovic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Celo was arrested’ not signed  – BiH Court brought in Ismet Bajramovic Celo for interrogation based on Interpol’s arrest warrant. Serbian Interpol issued a warrant for Bajramovic’s arrest, and dailies speculate the warrants is based on the RS Interior Ministry’s accusations for war crimes committed in BiH. Bajramovic’s attorney Fahrija Karkin confirmed that extradition procedure for Bajramovic is ongoing. However, Karkin is sure that Bajramovic is not going to be extradited. After detention for interrogation, Bajramovic was released.

ICTY approves joining of cases on Srebrenica

Hayat, FTV, RTRS, BHT 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Nine persons responsible for Srebrenica genocide to be tried together’, Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘One process for genocide in Srebrenica’, Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘The Hague: Joint trial against nine for Srebrenica’, by NINA, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘ICTY: Mega-process against 9 Serbs accused of Srebrenica approved’, by H – Nine Former RS Army Officers, accused of killing Bosniaks in July 1995 in Srebrenica, will be trialled as one case. ICTY Prosecution decided to join the indictments against Ljubisa Beara, Vujadin Popovic, Drago Nikolic, Ljubomir Borovcanin, Zdravko Tolimir,Milan Gvero, Radivoje Milietic, Vinko Pandurevic and Milorad Trbic. Former General Tolimir is still at large.

ICTY reminds SCG it has only two weeks left to arrest Mladic; Tadic says this is duty of Serbia

PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘No one knows where Mladic is’ – Serbian President Boris Tadic told CNN that it is Serbia’s duty to find and extradite Ratko Mladic to ICTY and that this would be done. Tadic said that the Serbian Government is doing everything in its power to find Mladic, because he is a great problem for Serbia and that it is in its national interest. “Nobody knows Mladic’s whereabouts at this moment… I assure you that we are doing everything in our power to find him”, added Tadic. PINK – Spokesperson for the ICTY Chief Prosecutor Florence Hartmann stated that Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica had two more week to hand over Mladic. Hayat – NATO General Secretary Jaap De Hoop Schefer stated that issue of Mladic presents the dark cloud over Serbia as well as the obstacle for the NATO Partnership for Peace. Schefer met with SiCG Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Draskovic. Srpski Nacional pg 4 ‘He fled Serbia’ by U. Mrdic – the paper caims Ratko Mladic fled Serbia in February this year and, according to source from Serbian MoI, is currently hiding in eastern RS.

Srebrenica Task Force has not received all documents

RTRS by Valentina Lekanic– Chairman of Working Group for Srebrenica Jovan Spaic stated that they could end their task till the end of the month, stressing that they have manly finished their job on RS Ministry of Interior and it remains for them to acquire documents on Police Units from Republic Srpska Krajina and Serbia. Spaic stated that RS MoI doesn’t have this information, but that High Representative Paddy Ashdown has engaged with relevant authorities. Spaic explained that obligation of RS authorities is to identify people who have participated in events in Srebrenica and who are now employed in public offices, on Republic or Municipality level. Member of Working Group Smail Cekic claims that they still haven’t fulfilled obligations given by the HR, because RS Ministry of Defence still hasn’t finished its activity, adding that RS MoI has mainly fulfilled its obligation toward the Working Group, stressing that if relevant institutions fulfil their obligation to the WG, then it will be able to finish its.Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘They did not get the list of RS Army members’ – carries Cekic. BHT1, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘BiH received only a part of documentation from Serbia ’ – carries Spaic.

Other political issues

Election Commission requests for dismissal of Polic, Obhodjas

FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Election Commission requests for dismissal of Polic, Obhodjas’, Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘Removals and recalls requested’, by B. Kristo – The BiH Election Commission established on Thursday that Bosna-Podrinje Canton Prime Minister Salko Obhodas, Zenica-Doboj Canton Prime Minister Nedzad Police, member of the Bosna-Podrinja Canton Assembly Izet Basic and member of the Zenica-Doboj Canton Assembly Abdulah Delibasic are violating regulations of the BiH Election Law. The Law stipulates that “no person that acted in contradiction to the Rule and Regulations of the Provisional Election Commission cannot be nominated at the elections, perform mandate to which it has been elected, nor perform such duty.” In light of this and after reviewing decisions of the Provisional Election Commission, the BiH Election Commission will forward a request to competent bodies to start the dismissal procedure, i.e. the procedure for terminating their mandates.

Krndelj to leave Brcko Assembly?

FTV Report by Halid Rifatbegovic – Deputy Chairman of Brcko District Assembly Ivan Krndelj announced he would resign unless the situation caused by Serb Caucus that had left the last session is resolved. The reporter noted that the situation might escalate into crisis since Serb representatives refuse to participate in the work of Brcko Assembly due to irregularities in removing the illegally built “S” housing area. Mustafa Sinanagic from Brcko SDP stated the entire issue has been politically manipulated by sides that want to prevent the construction of a mosque on this site. SDA party requested the resignation of Chairman of Brcko District Milan Tomic and organisation of urgent elections. The reporter noted that it is uncertain if the aforementioned session will be scheduled soon adding that unless representatives of political parties come out with a constructive solution, the work of legislative and executive authorities will be brought in question. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Ivan Krndelj to resign today?’ – also reports on possibility that Krndelj will resign.

State Department on the 10^th anniversary of the DPA

RTRS – Talking to BiH Ambassador to USA Bisera Turkovic, Deputy to State Secretary Daniel Fried stated that State Department has passed decision on marking the 10^th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which will depend on certain conditions that BiH authorities need to fulfil. State Department demands immediate arrest of Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, acceptance of police reform and announcement for Constitution reform, which wouldn’t jeopardise RS or status of Brcko District. Fried stressed that if these conditions are fulfilled, it is planned that BiH authorities meet with State Secretary Condoleezza Rice in Washington on 10^th anniversary.

BHT1 feature on DPA and constitutional changes

BHT 1 by Damir Simic – As the 10^th anniversary of Dayton Peace Agreement is approaching, there are many speculations about possible changes of the Constitution. RS President Dragan Cavic stated that, if the IC decides that RS is reason for destabilisation, BiH Constitution is likely to be changed. US Ambassador in BiH Douglas McElhaney said that the discussions on change of the Constitution are already ongoing, but he refused to give any details. Chair of BiH CoM Adnan Terzic stated that, if police reform in accordance with the EC principles fails, EU and USA should use every tool to ensure a stabile future of BiH. According to Terzic, failure of police reform opens the discussions on Dayton Constitution as obstacle for progress. Some media speculate on creation of a new Dayton agreement by US politician Richard Holbrook. BiH Presidency member Ivo Miro Jovic stated that those who had participated in creation of the unjust Dayton Agreement, among them also Holbrook, are not allowed to work on creation of the new BiH constitution. Jovic suggested that BiH should have the same constitution as other multi-ethnic communities in Europe. RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic stated that changes of Dayton Constitution mustn’t be allowed. “RS is created in blood, it is a treasure we mustn’t disturb”, said Bukejlovic.

SD: Initiative to change DPA are building up

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 8 ‘SDP BiH already has man in charge of revision of Dayton’, by Jasna Babic – According to Babic, the initiative to carry out changes to the Dayton Peace Accord has progressed considerably to the point that the SDP BiH already has a man who is in charge of the issue, namely Sabrija Poiskic. “It is little premature to talk about it (…) However, the initiative does exist. Preliminary talks are taking place. Experts are included, US Peace Institute and all significant parties in BiH”, said Poiskic. On top of this, SD claims that the recent statement by the Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on the need for revision of the DPA, despite being denied by his office, was not made by mistake.

DA int with Ivo Miro Jovic: Dayton is unfair 

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Bush promised to me that BiH will be under permanent care of Americans’ by Faruk Vele – BiH Presidency Chairman Ivo Miro Jovic described in an interview to DA his visit to UN assembly in New York and said defense reform in BiH shows BiH has both strength and will to regulate certain things. According to Jovic, this should be the base on which talks on new BiH constitution should be developed. He assessed the Dayton [Agreement] as unfair and, asked what would be the proposal of Croats in BiH like, Jovic replied by saying: ‘You will now ask me whether I plead for the third entity’, stressing that he is constantly being asked this question. He added he pleads for such BiH that would be developed as a community of three peoples with equal rights. Inset ‘Nobody links the issue of Kosovo with us’ – since there are frequent speculations saying the separation of Kosovo should be compensated with the separation of RS, Jovic was asked to say whether he heard anything about this in New York. Jovic said neither Bush nor Clinton even hinted anything similar.

Covic: There has to be changes to BiH Constitution

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 23 ‘Covic: Constitution must change’, by Z. Zekic – HDZ President, Dragan Covic, received a delegation of EU Monitoring Mission in BiH, led by Matti Lehtonnen, on Thursday. Topics of the meeting included, among other issues, the constitutional changes in BiH. Covic underlined the importance of constitutional changes, arguing that BiH organized as it is now has no future and that it would be pointless to have general elections without carrying the changes.

Dani int with Lagumdzija on HR, constitutional changes, CoM: BIH doesn’t not have CoM

Dani, front pg splash ‘VAT will bring us collapse’ and pgs 12-15 ‘Foreign occupying forces and domestic traitors’, by Vildana Selimbegovic – In an interview to Dani magazine, SDP leader Zlatko Lagumdzija comments saying that the HR Paddy Ashdown’s biggest problem was that he licensed the ruling parties as ‘reformers’ and that he helped them come to power. On constitutional changes, Lagumdzija says talks between the ruling parties, SNSD and SDP are “pretty serious” and that he is optimistic about them. On BiH CoM, Lagumdzija says last 9 months have shown that BiH does not have the BiH CoM.

Cardinal Puljic: Del Ponte insulted BiH Catholics; Sarajevo print media insults Catholics

Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 7 ‘Cardinal Puljic: Del Ponte humiliated Catholics’, by Zlatko Tulic, Vecernji List, pgs 2-3, mentioned on front ‘Your accusations are insulting us, the Catholics’, by Dejan Jazvic – According to the Archbishop of Vrhbosnia, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, the interview in which the Chief ICTY Prosecutor, Carla del Ponte, accused the Catholic Church of hiding the ICTY fugitive Ante Gotovina, shows del Ponte’s lack of responsibility and in the same time it humiliated the Catholics in BiH. Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Sarajevo media are insulting Croats’, by Mensud Zorlak – On the occasion of World media day that the Catholic Church is marking for the 39^th time, Cardinal Puljic stated in Sararjevo on Thursday that the print media in Sarajevo were insulting feelings of the Catholics, which is something that has to change.

Round table discussion on fight against crime, corruption held in Banja Luka ; DA: SIPA proves fight vs. crime can be successful at the state level 

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Suppressing crime is a priority’ by P. K. – NGO “Narodni Font” has organized a round table in Banja Luka, named “Liability of BiH authorities for organized crime and corruption”. Dragomir Babic, from NGO stated that the main problem is that when cases of corruption are revealed the Prosecution fail and these cases remain unsolved for years. US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney stressed the importance of the police role in this issue, and once again he emphasised the importance of police reform in BiH, being that it is a foundation for fight against corruption. Ambassador expressed certainty that changes in police reform will happen, stressing that many changes in BiH were impossible, but were carried out at last. RTRS also reported. Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘SIPA’s actions bring back hope’ op-ed by Mirela Kukan – DA says that the latest operation carried out by SIPA in which several persons suspected of the money laundering were arrested only proves that “BiH can solve the problems with the organized crimes at the state level.”

VL reveals future insignia of regiments of future BiH armed forces

Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘New insignia of BiH army: Bosniaks want Bosnian rangers’ and pgs 4-5 ‘BiH army gets Bosniak rangers’, by Dejan Jazvic – VL is revealing insignia and names of the future regiments of the future BiH armed forces, which will maintain “traditional connections” with the HVO, BiH Army and RS Army.

Economic issues

Farmers says they will keep protesting throughout winter

RHB, PINK, BHT1, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Farmer will spend winter in tents’, by E. Mackic, Nezavisne Novine pg 10 ‘Three tons of onion were distributed’ by N. Krsman – Members of BiH Farmers’ Association, who have been protesting for 90 days, have repeated that they are determined to be on the same place all through the winter if authorities don’t start with solving of their demands. Chairman of the Association Ranko Bakic stated that Association would not back down from their demands. Sarajevo press also commented.

Dani int with SDP’s Lagumdzija: VAT will bring us collapse

Dani, front pg splash ‘VAT will bring us collapse’ and pgs 12-15 ‘Foreign occupying forces and domestic traitors’, by Vildana Selimbegovic – In an interview for ‘Dani’, the President of SDP, Zlatko Lagumdzija, says if the Law on VAT is not changed i.e. unless basic groceries, medicines etc. are not exempt from VAT, that would cause difficult economic and social crisis among the poor and middle class in BiH. Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Ten thousand signatures supporting changes to VAT Law’ by S. G. – Approximately 10,000 citizens have already signed the petition supporting introduction of changes to VAT. The petition signing was organised by BiH SDP.

NN: ‘Ministers of Finances oppose to excluding food from VAT’

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Ministers of Finances oppose to excluding food from VAT’ by M. Cubro – ITA Steering Board has “forbidden” BiH Parliament from introducing changes to the VAT Law and to exclude food from VAT, as according to Beriz Belkic, a member of the Constitutional-Legal Commission of BiH Parliament. He thinks it is absurd to have the situation in which ITA Steering Board, composed out of Ministers of Finances and experts, is telling the Parliament what to do and what not to do.