OHR BiH Media Round-up, 24/9/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Catholic Church on work of ICTY

HR on SDS financial transactions

Bosnian’s Stecak destroyed

Puljic addresses media

RS MoI on war crimes conference

2 Bomb explosions in Sarajevo

Media round table in Mostar

Spajic on Srebrenica Taskforce

HR’s letters to Paravac and Cenic

OHR comments media round table

Ivo Miro Jovic on PBS Law

Reaction on police reform

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Terzic addresses UNGA

Ivan Krndelj resigns

HR on SDS financial transactions

HR’s letters to Paravac and Cenic

Polic and Obhodjas to be dismissed

Pensioners meet Cenic & Bukejlovic

BIH Constitution Court in session

Reactions on OHR press-conference

RS Government session

Hayat on BIH Army’s emblems

HR’s letters to Paravac and Cenic

TI sends initiative to RS NA

Oslobodjenje

Negotiations on Karadzic’s surrender are carried out in Djeric’s weekend house

Dnevni Avaz

Ashdown ordered a new investigation

Dnevni List

Topalovic couldn’t explain what mental pain is

Vecernji List

New Dayton – Croats and Bosniaks pro, Serbs against

Nezavisne Novine

USA increases pressure against Banja Luka

Glas Srpske

Secret of animal language [feature story on a man who heals people who were bitten by snakes by using magic spells]

Political developments

OHR broadens the investigation on SDS financial transactions

TV Pink – The High Representative Paddy Ashdown ordered RS Finance Minister Svetlana Cenic to broaden investigation on SDS financial transactions to SDS premises in Pale and Sokolac. By October 14, the OHR has to be submitted with report on financial transactions of SDS’ offices in Pale and Sokolac, while in terms of offices in Doboj the report has to be submitted by October 3. Ashdown warns that similar investigations could be carried out in other SDS’ premises, until being sure that they are working in line with the law. The HR has sent a letter to BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac asking him to fully cooperate.

BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, RHB, Nezavisne novine pg 2 ‘Investigation on payments of money to SDS in Pale and Sokolac’ by V. P., Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Ashdown sent a letter to Paravac’ by De. L., Dnevni List pg 7 ‘High Representative ordered SDS to give money back’ by Nina, Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘Ashdown ordered noew investigation’ and pg 2 ‘Ashdown ordered investigation in SDS Pale and Sokolac’ by S. N., Oslobodjenje pg 3, announced on cover ‘Ashdown ordered an investigation on SDS Pale and Sokolac’ not signed – also reported on OHR broadening the investigation.

Doboj SDS President Garic: we will give money back

Nezavisne novine pg 2 ‘Investigation on payments of money to SDS in Pale and Sokolac’ by V. P. inset ‘Garic: we will give money back’ – President of Doboj SDS Nikola Garic has stated Doboj SDS will act upon the order of HR Ashdown and will give money back to all persons who had illegally given it to Doboj SDS .

HR dissatisfied with RS President Cavic’s public statements supporting RS Minister of Interior Matijasevic

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Ashdown: Cavic, you are not right’ by S. C. – HR notified RS President Dragan Cavic that he is not pleased with his statements supporting RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic regarding press conference held in Pale dedicated to war crimes committed over Serbs. ‘You are quite wrong in noting that there were no repurcussions following statements of F BiH Police Director Zlatko Miletic. Mr Milteic’s attention was force a bly drawn to the inappropriateness of his action, at the time and in exactly the same way as that of Mr Matijasevic on this occasion’, a letter HR sent to Cavic reads. ‘This has nothing to with the relevance of this matter to alleged war crimes against Serbs, as you wrongly and provactively claim’, the letter reads. HR reminded that Ministers of Interior have specific, legal and defined duties and responsibilities to fulfill in respect of professional handling of police information. ‘From them, the highest standards are required, which, I regret to say, were not achieved on this occasion’, HR noted in the letter.

RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Minister by-passed laws’ by N. Zelenovic – also reported on the letter.

SDS Deputy President Bosic: SDS may expect ban on its work as well

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘We expect a complete ban on the work as well’ by V. P. – SDS Presidency concluded at its session late Thursday evening that the party was exposed to various pressures and possible sanctions by IC and the party will defend itself with all available means. According to Deputy SDS President Maden Bosic, the party will propose specific measures by mid next week to defend individuals and the party from pressures. ‘SDS may expect ban on its work as well, although our work is almost banned since our accounts are blocked’, Bosic said.

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Tightening the noose’ by M. Djurdjevic – also reported.

RS Minister of Interior Matijasevic will send relevant information to HR, does not expect to be removed

TV Pink, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘There will be no removal’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Matijasevic has decided to forward the report’ by bs, Dnevni List pg 7 ‘Matijasevic does not expect to be removed’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Matijasevic doesn’t expect to be removed’ by Fena, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Butler will receive information’ by O. V. – RS Minister of Interior Darko Matijasevic said that he would submit to the High Representative all the relevant information regarding the press conference held on September 9 in Istocno Sarajevo, at which facts on war crimes committed against Serbs in FBiH had been presented. Matijasevic said that he expected not to be dismissed, as well as any other spectacular reactions, since, as he said, all relevant bodies had to perform their duty.

Jovic: Croat media silence must be resolved

RHB – Round table on Functioning of media in multicultural community based on European principles was held in Mostar. BIH Presidency President Ivo Miro Jovic addressed the participants of the round table. He stated that Croat media silence must be resolved once and for all. He added that European standards provide space for media in mother tongue even for minorities but the same right is being denied to Croats in BIH although they are one of sovereign people in it. Jovic stated that he mentioned this issue at the session of UN General Assembly, which he attended recently. Jovic repeated once again that law on PBS is not based on European standards.

TV Pink, BHT1, FTV, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Croats in media silence’ by Srna, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘They are offering darkness to Croats’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘We will seek our rights in Strasbourg’ by Oliver Cvitkovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘The Law on Public RTV system is not based on European standards’ by Srna– also carry Jovic’s statement.

OHR: establishment of one language channel opposes the spirit of Dayton Agreement and undermines PBS

RHB, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘We will seek our rights in Strasbourg’ by Oliver Cvitkovic inset ‘OHR reacted during the meeting’ – OHR commented the Round table on Functioning of media in multicultural community based on European principles that was held in Mostar. OHR stressed that law on PBS is one of uncompleted tasks from Feasibility Study. OHR reminded that the establishment of one language channel opposes the spirit of Dayton Agreement and undermines PBS. OHR called upon all 3 people to support the law on PBS. OHR reminded that BIH Constitutional Court decided that PBS law is not violating national interests of Croats in BIH.

OHR: Polic and Obhodjas will have to resign

FTV – OHR has confirmed that Zenica-Doboj Canton and Bosansko-Popdrinjski Canton Prime Ministers Nedzad Polic and Salko Obhodjas respectively would have to resign or else they were going to be dismissed. Namely, Obhodjas and Polic are violating regulations of BiH election law.

BHT1, Nezavisne Novine pg 12 ‘Political decision of the Election Commission’ by E. D., Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Dzaferovic: we will ask from OHR to annul sanctions’ by A. Malagic inset ‘OHR: the procedure of removal must be implemented’, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Obhodjas, Polic, Basic and Delibasic must be removed’ by Fena– also reported.

Obhodjas: Political decision of Election Commission

Nezavisne Novine pg 12 ‘Political decision of the Election Commission’ by E. D., Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘They have said everything was clarified’ by Al. B., Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Unserious stance’ by E. A. – Bosansko-podrinjski Canton Prime Minister Salko Obhodjas said on Friday that the BiH Election Commission’s decision requesting from the Cantonal Assembly to start the procedure for his removal is politically motivated and in violation of the law and impartial professional work. Obhodas added that this decision indicates the early start of the election campaign and that it was adopted following pressure by the media.

Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘They have said everything was clarified’ by Al. B. – Obhodjas notes he had passed a number of vetting procedures and says in 2004 Johan Sjoberk and Maurice Powel from OHR phoned him and told him they have clarified everything with OSCE and Election Commission and that there were no obstacles for me to assume duties of the Canton Prime Minister.

Polic: Election Commission did not verify information before deciding to ask for my resignation

Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Polic’s message to Petric: You reached the decision without checking information’ by A. Dz., Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Claims are incorrect’ by E. B. – Nedzad Polic sent a letter to Chairman of BiH Election Commission in which he claims EC had not verified information before it reached a decision to ask for his resignation. He claims the information, which served as a base for the decision, was incomplete, incorrect and unverified.

SDA’s Dzaferovic: we will ask from OHR to erase sanctions

Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Dzaferovic: we will ask from OHR to erase sanctions’ by A. Malagic – SDA thinks the Election Commission, prior to reaching the decision on removal of Obhodjas and Polic, should have first addressed OHR and should have asked from it to erase the existing sanctions the Interim Election Commission imposed against the two of them in 2000. SDA’s Sefik Dzaferovic says Obhodjas was sanctioned until he proved he had not violated regulations, and they will ask from OHR to erase this sanction that was only formally recorded.

HDZ to discuss Law on RTV system, constitutional changes

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘On RTV system Law and elections today’ by N. N., Vecernji List pg 2 ‘HDZ National Council too will discuss RTV system’ by M. I., Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Sessions of central HDZ bodies’ by Nina – Sessions of HDZ Presidency, HDZ National Council and Main Board of BiH HDZ will be held today (Saturday) in Neum. They will discuss the Law on RTV system, strategies for the next elections and constitutional changes.

VL: A Dutch to be the next HR

Vecernji List pg 3, announced on cover ‘A Dutch to be new High Representative’ by Zoran Kresic – PIC will on October 4 confirm the appointment of the next High Representative to BiH. According to some information, a Dutch was selected last week, with consent of Russian and American administration, to be a successor of HR Paddy Ashdown and this selection will only be formally confirmed at the next session of PIC.

Police reform/reactions

US Ambassador McElhaney: US Government intends to strongly engage in continuation of police reform talks

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘USA increases pressure against Banja Luka’ and pg 5 ‘America increases pressure against authorities in Banja Luka’ by D. Risojevic – in a lengthy interview to NN, US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney says he still had no chance to see a new proposal of RS Government on police reform. He also noted the American Government intends to strongly engage in continuation of police reform negotiations and he added: ‘If thins means I will have to be in Banja Luka every day, so be it. If this means I will have to make an influence on the High Representative to do certain things, then this is what I will do’. The Ambassador also condemned RS Interior Minister Matijasevic’s most recent behaviour, as well as his refusal to reply to the letter of SDHR Butler.

RHB: constant threats made by HR are becoming ridiculous

RHBReport by Ivica Simunovic – RHB reporter comments the failed negotiations on police reform and says that the agreement will probably be reached by dismissal of someone from RS authorities and adds that new deadline for police reform will be announced accordingly. Simunovic says that constant threats made by HR Paddy Ashdown are becoming ridiculous and continues by saying that on the other hand HR does not have a problem in dismissing Croat officials. Simunovic goes on saying that HR is inciting development of small business in Herzegovina since dismissed Croat officials cannot stay in politics thus are turning towards business. Simunovic wonders whether such incentives are going to occur in RS as well since RS authorities announced a compromise when it comes to police reform. He concludes that it remains to be seen whether RS will agree to EC principles when it comes to police reform.

RS citizens think the situation cannot get worse;

Topcagic: it is important to access funds through signing SAA

BHT1 Report by Marina Boskovic – Reporter reminds on recent High Representative’s warning to RS authorities unless they do not adopt the police reform based on the tree EC principles, RS, BiH and its citizens will face total isolation. Reporter added that BIH experts claim that isolation will result in worse economical situation. On the other hand, RS citizens do not understand what is to gain and what is to lose by the police reform adding that it cannot get worse than it is now and they do not believe that EU admittance will provide jobs. The reporter listed all benefits BiH would gain by signing SAA (loans, favourable visa-regime etc.) Head of Office for EU Integration Osman Topcagic stated that at the moment it is better to get the access to the funds sooner than later adding that it is important to invest in infrastructure, agriculture and industry in order to get financially closer to countries that were admitted to EU last year.

Comments by Dzihanovic, Popovic, Tadic and Dodik

FTV – Ognjen Blagojevic, Dzenana Zolota – Report brings reactions on ‘crisis’, caused by failure in police reform talks. FBiH Vice Chair Sahbaz Dzihanovic says that it is high time for nationalistic parties, which carry out segregation politics, to be abolished. “It is obvious that nationalists and nationalistic parties in BiH are holding BiH in poverty, thus making it unable to become part of modern, European states”, said Dzihanovic, adding that SDS should be abolished. “It is obvious that the High Representative is trying to amnesty himself, since as the existing coalition was being established out of nationalistic parties he said that they were reformist ones which would carry out reforms in BiH”, BiH SDP Vice Chair Slobodan Popovic. “I have already said that Paddy Ashdown’s mandate was going to end with demonstration of his inability and his loyalty to the RS, as well as his disinterest in BiH”, said HSS Chair Marko Tadic, adding that this has been a wasted HR’s mandate. “I think that personal interest plays important role in the whole issue and that certain International Community representatives, who are trying to recover the authority in the BiH Council of Ministers and in entities, are generating the greatest crisis which has ever happened in BiH”, said SNSD Chair Milorad Dodik. Reporter says that the authorities are responsible for BiH’s future, since the whole state has become the hostage of the failed police reform talks or else it is all about the HR’s disorientation.

CoM Chairman Terzic: police reform will soon be completed

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Police reform will soon be completed’ by Srna – CoM ChairmanAdnan Terzic is convinced that after a successful completion of the defense reform, along with an active participation of American administration, the police reform will soon be concluded as well and this would lead to signing of SAA. During a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdulah Djul, in New York Terzic that it would create the right on affirmative marking of 10^th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

Ambassador Rycroft: measures against RS are already being implemented

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Rycroft: measures against RS are already being implemented’ by A. Bajramovic – British Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft visited Gorazde, on which occasion he stated RS is currently an element puts obstacles on the European path of BiH. He said should RS continue with such a practice, it will suffer consequences. He also added certain measures of isolation were already applied, but he refused to be more specific about the measures.

State Department official for European and Euro-Asian issues Walker: USA will not give up from police reform in BiH

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘USA will not give up from police reform’ by A. S. – Kurt Walker, a high official of the State Department for European and Euro-Asian issues, has stated USA will not give up from the police reform in BiH because this is an important reform that must be implemented. He added that the marking of 10^th anniversary of signing the Dayton Agreement would be used to again put an accent on issues that still need to be resolved.

DA: Cavic and Cenic visited OHR on the eve of IC address on police reform, Cavic intends to establish a new party

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Dragan Cavic to establish a party?’ by E. Sarac – a source of DA claims on the eve of IC representatives’ address on police reform, RS President Dragan Cavic visited OHR shortly after RS Minister of Finances Svetlana Cenic too had a private meeting with High Representative Paddy Ashdown. The article notes Cavic is already preparing an “exit-strategy” in case he fails to get a support for the adoption of an agreement foreseeing transfer of police authorities to the state level. Reportedly, Cavic intends to establish a new party, members of which would be SDS members who share his stance.

Professor Kunic: Martens’ proposal on police reform is not suitable for BiH’s constitutional organisation

Glas Srpske (Glas Plus inset) announced on cover and pg 2 ‘Violence over the Constitution’ by Zarko Markovic – carries a lengthy interview with Petar Kunic, a professor at the Banja Luka Faculty of Laws, who claims the Martens’ proposal on police reform is not suitable for the constitutional organization of BiH. He also claims there is an orchestrated campaign for introduction of changes to BiH Constitution, only because the current organization foresees the existence of RS and he notes the only Constitution that needs to be changes is the F BiH Constitution

NN op-ed: to cope with nationalists

Nezavisne Novine pg 7 op-ed ‘To cope with nationalists’ by Ugo Vlaisavljevic – The author says those who had claimed a productive cooperation could not have been expected from the nationalistic parties were, perhaps, right. Opposition politicians and public more and more often say Ashdown’s belief that he will be able to successfully cooperate with “the nationalists” finally turned to have been fruitless.

Oslobodjenje op-eds stress the necessity of police reform, wonder what the new RS govt’s proposal on police reform would be like

Oslobodjenje pg 9 op-ed ‘Handcuffed hands of law’ by Dragan Stanojlovic – the author notes every-day life dramatically warns of necessity of resolving of the situation with regard to police tasks in BiH. Oslobodjenje pg 9 op-ed ‘Fear or another deceit?’ by Mirko Sagolj – the author wonders what the new proposal of RS Government on police reform would be like and he wonders whether this is just another deceit or a result of a pure fear following threats with sanctions.

War crimes/legal proceedings

Member of Srebrenica TF Cekic: Defence Ministry forwarded data utterly opposite to data given to Srebrenica Commission

BHT1 – Report by Zorica Lolic – Member of Srebrenica Task Force Smail Cekic claims that RS Ministry of Defence has given them documents, returned from Haag on Podrinjski canton, that are utterly opposite to the documents given to Srebrenica Commission. He complained on the methodology and work results of the RS MoD. “They have to correct the remarks by 30^th September and, unless this happens, I will never accept the results” said Cekic. Cekic stated that OHR hasn’t received the list containing 100 names adding that all it received from RS representatives was the list with more than 20 000 names of RS Army members in the area of Srebrenica in 1995.

RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Defense Ministry forwarded new data’ by Srna, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Data were forwarded’ not signed, Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Srebrenica Task Force still had not completed tasks’ by Nina – carry similar reports.

RS Commission in charge of investigation of Srebrenica events convened session on Friday

TV Pink – RS Commission in charge of investigation of events in Srebrenica in 1995 has commenced session on Friday, in Banja Luka. The Chair of the Taskforce for Srebrenica Jovan Spajic expects the Taskforce to complete the task given by the High Representative Paddy Ashdown, and adds that RS authorities are tasked to investigate the events and find out who were the ones who committed crimes over Bosniaks in and around Srebrenica, as well as to find out who are the ones who are employed within BiH and RS institutions.

BHT1, RTRS – also reported.

If Srebrenica TF does not receive information by Sept 30, OHR will hold RS PM Bukejlovic responsible

Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘OHR holds Bukejlovic responsible’ by A. O. – OHR has stated Srebrenica TF, whose mandate will expire on September 30, still had not received needed information from RS Government and its institutions. The article reads in case the Task Force does not receive information by September 30, OHR will hold RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic responsible. The Chair of the Taskforce for Srebrenica Jovan Spajic confirmed RS MoI had not forwarded needed information on units that had participated in Srebrenica massacre because he did not receive such information from Serbian police.

Oslobodjenje: negotiations on Karadzic’s surrender were held in Djeric’s weekend house several days ago

Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pg 7 ‘Negotiations on Karadizc’s surrender in Djeric’s weekend house’ by R. Zivkovic – The article claims there are ongoing negotiations with Radovan Karadzic to surrender. Reportedly, the negotiations are being carried out in Stara Gora between Rogatica and Han Pijesak. The article speculates former RS Minister of Interior Zoran Djeric and Dragomir Andan might have been the persons that have been negotiating on the surrender with Karadzic and his people several days ago in Djeric’s weekend house.

Representatives of three major religious communities in Montenegro will pay tribute to Srebrenica victims in Potocari

BHT1 – Report by Adela Malkoc – The delegation of representatives of three major religious communities from Montenegro will pay tributes to Srebrenica victims in memorial centre “Potocari”. Montenegro Patriarch Mihailo of Srpska Orthodox Church, don Branko Sbulega as the Catholic Priest and Effendi Idriz Demirovic. BIH Cardinal Puljic commented that that this responsibility is not on the religious workers but on the BIH Government.

Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Patriarch, Catholic Priest and former Reis in Potocari today’ by A. H., Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘We will pray for criminals to become human’ by A. B. – also reported.

Trial in case “Topalovic vs. Dnevni List” continues

Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Topalovic couldn’t explain what mental pain is’ by Zeda – reports on a court proceeding in case of “Muamer Topalovic vs. Dnevni List”. Topalovic claims an article published in this paper caused mental pain to him, but when he was asked to explain this claim, he couldn’t explain it.

BiH Court did not receive official request for extradition of Bajramovic to Serbian judiciary

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘BiH Court did not receive demand for extradition of Ismet Bajramovic’ by A. Durmo – BiH Court on Friday confirmed it still had not received an official demand for the extradition of Ismet Bajramovic – Celo to Serbian judicial authorities. ‘While we are waiting for the official demand to be sent from Belgrade, a judge in charge of this extradition case will conduct an investigation. The judge will be collecting data and, only after this completes, we will know what to do next’, a collocutor from BiH Court has stated.

SiCG legal representative Stojanovic: out-of-court settlement would be better solution

Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Solution out of court?’ by Tanjug – SiCG legal representative Radoslav Stojanovic has stated that a list of witnesses published in Oslobodjenje was misinformation. He also said SiCG believes an out-of-court settlement would be a better solution both for BiH and SiCG, for the sake of future relations in the region.

Other political developments

EU, BiH and UNDP representatives signed Memorandum on Understanding supporting training of public officials

TV Pink, BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS –EU and UNDP representatives signed a Memorandum on understanding, which provides support in terms of training of officials employed within state and entity institutions, on Friday in Sarajevo. “It is of great importance for state officials to be professional in order for citizens to respect them”, said the Chief of European Commission Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys. Director of BiH State Service Jakob Finci said that there was no school for state officials in BiH. Humphreys and Finci agreed that functional and efficient state administration was of great importance not only for the most important state services but for European integration processes as well.

BHT1, Hayat, FTV – EU will provide 1 million Euro for this training scheme while the UNDP which will implement the project will contribute 50,000 euro and services of one project manager before the start of the project.

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘A million € for public employees’ by R. C., Dnevni List pg 3 ‘One million € for training of public employees’ by M. Zorlak, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘A million € was earmarked for training of public employees’ by Srna – also report on signing of the Memorandum.

RS pensioners to hold protests on Monday

TV Pink – RS pensioners are to hold protests on Monday, as it was decided after talks between RS Pensioners Association, RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic and RS Finance Minister Svetlana Cenic. The Chair of the Association Rade Rakulj said that RS authorities’ reaction came too late. Rakulj said that he expected 30,000 pensioners to gather on Monday. “We could not abandon our idea on protests. They are going to be peaceful, and it depends on talks to follow whether they are going to become radical”, said Rakulj. Rakulj added that the pensioners asked the authorities to increase the pensions, saying that there was possibility for that to happen.

RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Pensioners are not giving up from protests’ by A. S., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Better days to come?’ by M. Mi., Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Bukejlovic promises higher pensions, while Rakulj is not giving up from protests’ by Srna – also reported.

TI’s demands changes to be introduced to Law on Free Access to Information

TV Pink, RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Shortcut to rights’ by Srna – BiH Transparency International has submitted the RS National Assembly Speaker Dusan Stojicic with initiative on change of law on free access to RS information. Transparency International decided to do so while analysing existing law solutions and while working with great number of journalists and citizens, who were deprived of certain information, given no explanation.

CoM Chairman Terzic addressed UN General Assembly

Hayat – Chairman of BIH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday. In his address, Terzic emphasised the importance of the existence of an office for early conflict situation warning adding that this implies the strengthening of the UN’s political department. He stated that post-conflict states could be valuable source for this office. Terzic added that BIH strongly supports the UN Security Council. Regarding the terrorism, Terzic said that the global threat needs the global answer, which can be offered only by UN.

BHT1, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Dayton frame for reforms’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 5, announced on cover ‘BiH will in five years be a member of the Security Council’ by S. N.– also reported on the address.

VL: Croats and Bosniak plead for change of DA, Serbs oppose

Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘New Dayton – Croats and Bosniaks pro, Serbs against’ and pgs 38-39 ‘Either a new Dayton or fall-apart of the state?’ by Miroslav Vasilj – On the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of signing the Dayton Agreement, the author notes Bosniak policy officially pleads for change of the DA, but does everything possible in practice to keep the F BiH because of systematic pouring of money from Croat areas to Bosniak areas. Serb politicians’ stance is to keep RS at any cost to weaken BiH and Croats, according to the author, plead for constitutional changes due to their unfavourable position but they still do not know what kind of BiH they want.