Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 26 April
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| ICTY: Trial agst 6 Croats begins | BiH HoR on amendments today | BiH HoR to vote on const. amend. |
| BiH HoR inter. session on cons. chgs | FBiH HoR on Law on pardon | ITA SB to decide on distribution |
| US, Aust. Ambass. pc on const. chgs | Trial to Prlic and others | BK TV programme interrupted |
TV news broadcast on 25 April
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| No transmission | HoR is discussing con. amendments | BiH HoR discusses const. changes |
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| Decisions brought by BiH Presidency | BiH role in secret |
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| FBiH HoR rejected Law on amnesty | The trial of 6 former Croat leaders |
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| Novic on police reform | The trial of Niko Obradovic continues |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| BIH HoR in session | BiH HoR discusses const. changes | Colak on possible terrorism in BiH |
| FBIH HoR in session | Mass grave discovered near Potocari | HoR is discussing con. amendments |
| FBIH HoR in session | EUFOR operation near Cajnice | Mandate to deminers prolonged |
| Kebo on decertified police officers | The trial of 6 former Croat leaders | EUFOR left area of Cajnice |
| Oslobodjenje | Second phase disputable and the firs one wasn’t even passed yet |
| Dnevni Avaz | Zilic’s NO an introduction in drama |
| Dnevni List | Amendments lead to rifts within parties (BiH HoR session on const. changes) |
| Vecernji List | Hackers break into electricity agency (FBiH Agency for Electricity’s computer system got hacked) |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Prosecution ‘combing’ through business operations of ‘Cincar’ ( |
| Nezavisne Novine | Acrimonious discussion on amendments to the Constitution |
| Glas Srpske | Pauses instead of voting [HoR discussed amendments to the Constitution] |
| EuroBlic | Through elections to petroleum [Trade Union believes RS Govt would soon resolve the status of the Brod Refinery] |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| US and Austrian Ambassadors, EC head of delegation urge BiH parliaments to adopt const. amendments
| RTRS – The |
| EC’s Humphreys: This is not time to define focus of second phase
| BH Radio 1 – Head of EC in BiH, Michael Humphreys stressed the changes of the constitution are not a process of revolution but evolution, and she he hope politicians would show responsibility by passing the amendments. “In time, the changes have to be made regarding vetoes that exist in entity vote as well as in the clause on vital national interest. BiH Government, Parliament of this country must have an option to, before all other, lead this country i.e. in case of the Parliament pass decision on behalf of this country. Appropriate mechanisms taking into consideration certain entity and regional differences will always exist in the Parliament, but they will need to change, comparing to the way they are now. Package that is considered now has truly pushed things forward, as much as it was really possible at this moment. But, under assumption that phase one is successful the phase two would certainly happen… This is not the time to define what is in the second phase” said Humphreys. |
| PDP’s Ivanic: Expectation of FBiH ‘radical’ parties for IC to impose amendments not applicable | RTRS – Mladen Ivanic, BH Foreign Minister, has warned FBiH parties (referring to them as radical) that their expectation IC will impose constitutional reform cannot be applied. He has also stated that it is possible BiH may become a black whole in the region unless constitutional amendments as agreed are adopted, adding responsibility for that would rest with those opposing to constitutional reform. |
| BiH Presidency member Jovic: const. changes are very important for BiH
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| OHR: Wednesday is crucial day for BiH; proposed changes are step towards EU integration | |
| BiH HoP postpones session until tomorrow | FENA- Collegium of the BiH House of Peoples decided to postpone the session which was schedule for today for Thursday at 10,00 hrs under condition that the BiH House of Representatives today adopts a proposal of the amendments to the BiH Constitution. |
Constitutional changes before BiH HoR | |
| BiH HoR interrupts 15 hrs long discussion on const. changes without voting
| BHT1 and RTRS late news broadcasts – At 1.30 am on Wednesday, the BiH House of Representatives has interrupted the session on the amendments to the BiH Constitution without voting on the changes despite 15 hours long discussion. Session would resume on Wednesday at 15.00 [BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic asked for recess in order to consult with the parties that signed the Agreement on the addenda submitted by the MPs]. PINK by Jovanka Nina Stevanovic – All 42 members of the Parliament attended, as well as the members of the BiH Presidency, BiH Council of Ministers, OHR and European Commission as well as 12 Ambassadors. Official proponent of the amendments is BiH Presidency, which came after the agreement was reached by leaders of major BiH political parties in March. Tihic said in his opening statement that amendments were an important step toward strengthening of BiH and its institutions. For the amendments to be adopted at the HoR, the two thirds of the deputies attending the session must vote in their favour. The reform must be adopted and come into effect before May 4 when BiH Central Election Commission should schedule October elections. FTV by Adisa Ruzdic – The changes include legislative authority for the Parliament, 87 MPs in the HoR, changing the role of the House of Peoples to deal only with the issues of vital national interest, election of one President and two vice presidents by the BiH Parliament, and broader authorities for the BiH Council of Ministers. Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘Zilic’s NO opening drama?’ by H.Orahovac Inset ‘Tihic: Survival of the country is at the stake’ – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic: “All that are determined to vote against the amendments have to be aware that it can impact not only reform and European path of BiH, but its survival as well.” US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney, Austrian Ambassador Werner Almhofer, Croatian Ambassador Josip Vrbosic, Head of EU Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys and Canadian Ambassador Shelley Whiting, among others, attended the session. Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Pauses instead of voting’ by Z. D., Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Acrimonious discussion on amendments to the Constitution’ by M. Cubro, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Voting is not even in sight’ by Dusanka Stanisic, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 6 ‘On changes until late in the night’, by Z. Tulic – all carried. |
| SDA’s Zilic stuns his party, other MPs announcing he would vote against amendments
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘Zilic’s NO opening drama?’ by H.Orahovac – Daily comments that the SDA’s Mehmed Zilic shocked the party and its MPs when he unexpectedly opposed the proposed amendments stating they “mean division of state”. Deputy HoR Speaker, the SDA deputy Sefik Dzaferovic responded: “Mehmed, I invite you as a BiH HoR Deputy Chair and as a SDA Deputy President to raise your hand in favour of the amendments! I beg you to do so, to vote for reforms, for they do not mean division of BiH, they are a chance for integration.” Avaz carries that SDA Bakir Izetbegovic was spotted in BiH HoR building talking with Zilic in private. Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Amendments lead to rifts within parties’, by D. P. Mandic – Also notes it was surprise to see Zilic was against the proposed changes knowing that his party is supporting the changes. Inset ‘Secret voting’ carries Sead Avdic who asked from the Collegium to enable secret voting on the amendments because MPs have allegedly been subjected to pressures by the signatories of the Agreement on constitutional changes. RTRS and BHT 1 noted Zilic was a great surprise. |
| Hayat: Sead Avdic and Mehmed Zilic’s votes uncertain
| Hayat by Lejla Gutic – Hayat comments the only two votes in the BiH HoR, namely of MPs Sead Avdic and Mehmed Zilic, are still uncertain and can decide on the outcome of HoR’s voting. According to Hayat, Avdic said on Tuesday he would accept the alternative solution that would ensure the abolishment of the entity voting at the state level while entity-voting principle can remain at the “divided level”. Gutlic noted that Zilic once again resolutely said that he would not support the amendments to the BIH Constitution adding that they were pressurised by the local and international officials. Reporter stated that Zilic promised detailed information on this issue on Wednesday. BHT 1 – BH Free Democrats deputy Sead Avdic: “We should vote taking into consideration responsibility toward BiH.” |
| MPs claims they were put under pressure to vote in favour of const. changes; PINK: session was classic trade of votes
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘Zilic’s NO opening drama?’ by H.Orahovac – BiH Free Democrats MP Sead Avdic said deputies were put under pressure for the last few days by those who prepared the amendments. DNZ Ibrahim Djedovic answered he was under no pressure. BiH HoR Speaker Martin Raguz from HDZ 1990 demanded from the MPs that only European standards that would be applied to all the BiH citizens. Inset ‘Durakovic: Inadmissible moves’ – SDU deputy Nijaz Durakovic: “What |
| Opponents against entity vote, HoP role reduced, manner of talks
| Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘Constitutional changes – entity voting the stumbling block’, by Dejan Jazvic – VL says notes that the entity voting and status of Croats were the main disputable issues of discussion during the BiH HoR’s session. FTV – FTV comments that the criticism by the opponents comes to way talks on constitutional changes were conducted, preserving entity vote in the HoR and the reduced role of the HoP. Hayat also covered objections. |
| Opponents to the const. changes, SBiH Belkic, HDZ 1990
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Second phase disputable, while the first one is not adopted’ by Aldijana Omeragic and Almir Terzic – SDU deputy Nijaz Durakovic who said it seems there will be no second phase of radical reforms, after he heard some statements of deputies from RS. Prior to that BiH HoR Deputy Chair Nikola Spiric stressed that “transfer of authorities to the state level does not mean abolishing entities”, adding that the second phase of constitutional changes “could be on reform of FBiH, which is maybe eve more necessary.” BOSS deputy Muhamed Moranjkic demanded BiH HoR to postpone this discussion for November, after the October elections. HDZ deputy Vlatka Komsic – who prior to the session filed dozens of amendments –demanded deputies to first adopt the Agreement on constitutional changes reached by major BiH political parties in March. Both of these proposals by BOSS and HDZ were refused. Spiric proposed that the agreement of political parties is adopted after the amendments. BiH Free Democrats Sead Avdic proposed BiH HoR to adopt the Dayton Peace Agreement, which was also refused. Article also carries that deputies were trying to win Avdic’s vote. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17 ‘We will for ‘yes’ if our amendments are adopted’, by Zlatko Tulic – carries Vinko Zoric (MP, HDZ 1990) as saying the party is ready to support the changes in case the HDZ 1990’s amendments get adopted, which would guarantee equality to Croats and represent good basis for 2nd phase of talks [without going into more details.] |
| BHT1: Parties have not changed their stances
| BHT1 by Vanja Filipovic – Reporting on the BiH House of Representatives’ session on the constitutional changes, BHT1 comments that the political parties have not change their stands regarding the constitutional changes. SBiH insists on the extension of public debate period stressing they believe the changes proposed would make entities more influential over the state. Member of the Croat Caucus Vinko Zoric complied on unequal position of Croat population: “We cannot influence anything. In the BiH HoR, Bosniaks from FBiH and Serbs from RS both have two-third majority, and they can veto any law. Croats cannot do that.” FTV by Adisa Ruzdic – SBiH deputy Beriz Belkic commented: “We simply believe those changes neither open the process, nor represent the first step of the change of constitutional concept, which we believe is making this state dependent on entities.” RTRS – Zoric stressed several time that the “0ntity vote is being cemented in HoR. The election of members of HoP is disputable since are being elected by House of Representatives. There are problems in parliamentary procedure and regarding presidency.” RTRS comments out of 12 Serb MPs only Mirko Blagojevic, |
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| BHT1 by Vanja Filipovic – Commenting the session of the BiH House of Representatives on the constitutional amendments, MPs from parties which signed the Agreement deem the debate in the Parliament is nothing more than an ordinary pre-election campaigning. |
| Sead Avdic int. w/ BHT1 [denying pressure was made]; HoR Deputy Speaker Spiric comment session
| BHT late news broadcasts: BHT broadcasted two live interviews with independent deputy in the BiH House of Representatives Sead Avdic, and BiH HoR Deputy Chair Nikola Spiric at the time the session was still on going. Avdic said that after 13 hours of discussion, MPs were in the stage where further discussion was almost physically impossible. He explained that numerous breaks during the session were caused by the fact that there was no majority necessary to adopt the constitutional amendments; therefore, according to Avdic, parties who support amendments are trying to use those breaks to collect more votes in favour of amendments to the BiH constitution. Avdic confirmed that he held numerous talks with various political officials, but added he was under no pressure, even though many considered his vote a crucial one. Spiric deems that certain representatives and political parties are deliberately trying to get those constitutional amendments rejected in a first reading. “They don’t want to vote in favour of the constitutional amendments until somebody promises them in advance that their amendments will be accepted during the second phase… That is absolute nonsense”, stated Spiric. He emphasized that it will be hard to convince two thirds of representatives from FBiH to vote in favour of constitutional amendments, while in the same time two thirds of representatives from RS are ready to vote for those amendments. Spiric was not able to say when would the representatives vote on the constitutional amendments. |
| Intl Community: US and EC sent letters to BiH HoR to underline importance adoption of amendments to Constitution
| BHT1by Vanja Filipovic – A number of the officials from the International Community attended the session of the BiH HoR on Tuesday; BHT reporter unofficially learns that some of them exerted pressure on deputies, urging them to adopt constitutional amendments. During the session, the letters of support to constitutional amendments arrived from the cabinet of the US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. RTRS, Hayat – Two letters, namely from US Under Secretary for Political AffairsNicolas Burns and Barroso, were read to the deputies, regarding the importance of the adoption of the amendments. In his letter, Burns stressed that US Government has been supporting the process of constitutional changes, while Barroso stated that the adoption of the amendments would send a positive signal to EU that BIH is ready for the integration process. FTV, Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Second phase disputable, while the first one is not adopted’ by Aldijana Omeragic and Almir Terzic, Inset ‘Support of US Government and European Commission’, EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘Letters of support’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Burns: US Government is with BiH’, Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Pauses instead of voting’ Inset ‘Burns’ letter’ – also covered. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘USA are by your side at this historic moment’ by A.M. – carries Burns’ letter. |
| Osl. op-ed: BiH politicians prove that they always think one thing and do the other
| Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘The discussion’ op-ed by Senka Kurtovic– Commenting the Tuesday’s discussion in BiH House of Representatives on proposed amendments to BiH Constitution, Kurtovic referred to behavior of BiH politician, underlining that BiH gains and loses with constitutional reform were discussed least of all. “And so many times in last few months we have heard that constitutional changes aren’t in the interest of one people or one politician, but citizens and this country’s better future. All refers to the conclusion that politicians [as always] think one thing and do the other” , concluded the author. |
| BH Human Rights Minister Kebo:
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Second phase is being prepared in Washington’ By S.S.– During the conversation with BiH Human Right Minister Mirsad Kebo, Director of Department for Southeastern Europe within US National Security Council Bertram Brown emphasized that concepts for the second phase of constitutional reforms are being prepared in Washington. “But, as Brown underlined, condition above all conditions to even come to the second phase, is that the first set of constitutional changes is accepted’ said Kebo from Washington for DA. Kebo should Wednesday meet assistants to US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice, after which he would depart for |
| Cardinal Puljic repeats entity division is unjust, says some Croat politicians are blackmailed, corrupt
| Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘There are blackmailed and bought among Croat politicians’ by VoA, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Some Croat politicians have been bought’ by VOA, Vecernji List, pg 3 ‘There are blackmailed and corrupted people in Croat policy’, by M. V., Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘There are blackmailed and those who are bought among Croat politicians’ by Onasa – The Archbishop of Vrhbosnia, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, warned on Tuesday that there were blackmailed and corrupted Croat politicians. “That was present during the time of Mr. Petritsch (Wolfgang, former HR). He knows well what he did with some politicians. Current politicians are doing the same”, said Puljic in an interview for ‘Voice of America’, adding that he will not be naming the corrupt politicians and that he has enough ‘elements’ for his statement. The cardinal again opposed the proposed constitutional changes, arguing that the entity division of country was “unjust because it legalized wartime successes”. Also in Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Some Croat politicians are bought’, not signed |
| SD comment: Croats will end up ‘empty handed’ after entity division of BiH gets legalized
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17, mentioned on front ‘Bosniaks and Serbs get half of BiH each, Croats get tickets for The Hague’, by Petar Milos – the author notes that the two most prominent issues in BiH in last few days have been the start of trials to ‘Prlic and others’ and constitutional changes, which are both, claims Milos, related to division of BiH. Milos notes it is absurd that ‘Prlic and others’ are charged with ‘criminal endeavour the aim of which is to divide BiH’, claiming that everyone knows the war was started by Belgrade and continued by forces of what is today called the RS. As for constitutional changes, Milos argues they fortify the entity division of BiH and that the Croats will end up ‘empty handed’ because BiH will be divided into two, not three entities, with assistance of the IC. |
| VL comment: Const. changes amendments might cause disappearance of Croat people
| Vecernji List pg 6 ‘Blind leaders’ by |
Police reform, war crimes and security issues | |
| Vacancy for position of RS Police Director published
| PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘vacancy for Police Director signed of’ by Fena Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Andan’s successor to be known by end of May’ by N.Diklic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Vacancy for selection of Andan’s successor tomorrow’ by D. R., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Names in an envelope’ by V. J. – Ilija Lukic, Chair of Committee for Election of RS Police Director reported that the vacancy for the position of new RS Police Director is officially opened as of Tuesday, April 25 and will be closed on May 12. On April 13, RS Government accepted resignation of former RS Police Director and Member of Steering Board of the Police Restructuring Directorate Dragomir Andan. Vacancy will be opened for 15 days as of April 25. |
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| PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Difficult to the agreement on police reform’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘With difficulties to an agreement on police reform’ by V. Popovic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘With difficulties to a solution’ by D. Momic, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘It will be very difficult to reach agreement on police’, not signed – Igor Radojicic, RS National Assembly (RSNA) Speaker said that it would be hard to reach the agreement on police reform due to different stances of the Steering Board of the Police Restructuring Directorate. RSNA Defence and Security Board would discuss police reform at its enlarged session, which is scheduled for April 28. |
| SIPA’s Novic: police reform is necessary despite all political reluctance
| PINK – Sredoje Novic, SIPA Director and member of Police reform Directorate said for media that police reform in BiH is necessary, regardless to various political and other resistances in the process. Novic deems that police reform would contribute to more efficient work of SIPA. “Police structure that BiH doesn’t exist anywhere. But, it is not a problem that BiH has 16 police agencies, but the problem is that it doesn’t have centralized data base or internal coordination” said Novic. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Reorganizing of police necessary regardless to political resistances’ by E.S., Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Special units ready for the most complicated tasks’ Inset ‘Novic: Police reform is necessary for SIPA’ – also reported. |
| Acting RS Pol. Director to represent RS at
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Smajlovic as RS representative at Steering Board’ – Igor Radojicic, RS NA Speaker, has stated that Nijaz Smajlovic, Acting RS Police Director, will be representing RS at the Police Reform Directorate instead of Dragomir Andan. Radojicic is of the view that one of the problems in the work of STerring Board, on which RS Premier, Milorad Dodik, also warned, is the fact that only one member is representing RS. |
| HR Schwarz-Schilling: failure of police reform could lead to
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Visa regime has very bad influence on BiH economy’ by DA correspondent from Brussels- Tarik Lazovic– Addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee of European Parliament in Brussels, High Representative Christian Schwarz- Schilling warned that police reform is critical issue for BiH and that RS has to be extremely careful, since this could lead to suspension in Stabilization and Association Agreement talks. Schwarz- Schilling said that Police Reform Directorate ( |
| Commissioner Rehn aware of situation with police reform; Rehn recently talked to CoM Chair on the issue
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘ |
| European Parliament’s Committee discusses reports on alleged
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Parliamentarians mostly interested for role of international factors in extradition’ by T.L – The Provisional Committee of the European Parliament held session on Tuesday in Brussels to discuss alleged cooperation of European countries with US Central Intelligence Agency ( |
| HR Schwarz-Schilling on ‘Algerian group’: I will ask from BiH authorities to address this issue with US
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Visa regime has very bad influence on BiH economy’ by DA correspondent from Brussels, Tarik Lazovic Inset ‘BiH and USA need to talk about Algerian Group’ – Addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee of European Parliament in Brussels, High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling answered the question of the ‘Algerian group’ stating that he would ask the BiH authorities to raise the issue with the US Administration. “That issue recently has drawn my attention and what I see now is that BiH and US must work on this sensitive issue,” said HR adding that this case was specific as those six people have judicial verdict that there is no reason to criminally persecute them. He expressed hope that the |
| BiH Security Minister Colak says security structures check terrorism speculations
| RTRS –BiH Security Structures have been checking the information submitted by US and Croatian intelligence services on alleged threat of terrorist attacks from BiH by “white Muslims”, in other words Bosniaks involved with Al-Qaeda. Commenting the statement of former leader of Bocinja village near Maglaj [reported to be inhabited by mujaheedins] Abu Hamza and his fellows of acting their way if BiH takes them citizenship away, BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak said that security structures would take all necessary measures. Hayat – also carries. |
| EUFOR: No evidences of terrorists’ presence in BiH
| BHT 1, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘No proof on terrorists in BiH’ by Fena Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘EUFOR: no proof on presence of terrorists in BiH’ by fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘No evidence on presence of terrorists in BIH’ by Fena, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Still no evidence’ by Fena.- EUFOR on Tuesday announced that they have no evidence that BiH and the Balkans represent a bigger terrorist threat than any other country in Europe and the world. |
| DL: BiH Commission for revision of citizenships to act on 61 cases next week
| Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘Documentation on 60 suspicious citizens collected’, by Tanja Calic – reports that the Commission in charge of revision of illegally acquired citizenships has collected documentation on 61 persons, who are suspected of illegally getting the BiH citizenship. DL also notes that the Commission could be next week deciding which citizenships were given illegally, which could be followed by deportations from the country. |
| VL’s source: Terrorist suspects arrested last year were arrested ‘too early’
| Vecernji List, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘Bektasevic, Cesur and Ikanovic arrested too early’, by Zoran Kresic – VL got a confirmation from a ‘source close to security agencies’ that Mirsad Bektasevic, Abdulkadir Cesur and Bajro Ikanovic, (who were arrested in late 2005 under suspicion that they were planning terrorist attacks) were arrested too early, which prevented a possibility to reveal a wider terrorist support network. The same source notes that due to this, it will be very difficult to prove their intention to carry out terrorist attacks despite the material evidence that were found in their apartments. Allegedly, there had been discussions within BiH security agencies whether to arrest them or wait a little longer, however under influence of foreign security agencies, the decision was taken to arrest them in order to avoid possibility of a terrorist attack on time. |
| “Prlic and others” case commences before ICTY
| BHT 1 by B. Grubesic, Den Hague – A pre-trial conference was held before the ICTY for the case against 6 former Croat leaders [Jadranko Prlic, Bruno Stojic, Slobodan Praljak, Milivoj Petkovic, Valentin Coric and Berislav Pusic]. The ICTY Prosecution announced 400 witnesses. Analysts estimate that the trial against 6 Croats could last at least 2 and half years, which means that it would one of the most expensive processes before the ICTY. The report says that the Prosecutor requested that the existence of an interstate-armed conflict, as well as some already proven crimes are established as an indisputable fact. Since defence lawyers oppose this proposal, the Court’s decision regarding this problem could be of great importance for this case. FTV, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Accusations on Croatia expense remain’ by A.Beslija Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Del Ponte: Evidences would e presented for the whole year’ by F.Vele, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Trial to six Croats from BiH today’ by |
| 10th anniversary of RS Missing Persons Office | PINK – The RS Missing Persons Office on Tuesday marked its tenths anniversary. Milan Bogdanic, the chair of the Office, told the press conference on this occasion that the ICTY has never exhumed bodies nor delivered information to RS Office for search for prisoners of war and missing persons on location of graves of missing persons, said Bogdanic and added that all information was gathered by the Office’s own research. He expressed concern due to lack of cooperation of those that have knowledge regarding this issue, and said he is also worried because of failure to implementation BiH Law on missing persons adopted two years ago. Bogdanic doubts that the establishment of BiH Institute for missing persons would improve situation significantly. RTRS, BHT 1, EuroBlic pg RS3, announced on cover ‘Search for 1.496 missing persons is still ongoing’ by Mirna Soja, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Half way down the course’ by G. Klepic, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Still searching for 1.496 people’ by O.V.– also reported. |
Other political and economic issues | |
| FBiH HoR in session: bill on pardons, report on FBiH Govt’s work in 2005 rejected
| BHT 1 by M. Cosic – The FBiH House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected the Bill on Pardons in the FBiH. After the representatives rejected this Bill with majority of votes, session of the FBiH HoR was interrupted at the request of SDA Caucus. According to Semsudin Mehmedovic, the SDA Caucus will request on Wednesday individual voting of the representatives. Assistant to the FBiH Minister of Justice Dzemaludin Mutapcic said that the Bill must be harmonized with the State Law on Pardons. If the Bill was rejected after the individual voting as well, the OHR’s decision on suspension of pardoning will remain in effect. During Tuesday’s session, representatives of the FBiH HoR also rejected the report on the work of FBiH Government in 2005, as well as the program for 2006. Opposition members claim that representatives in FBiH HoR indirectly gave a vote of no confidence to the FBiH Government, however, Deputy FBiH Prime Minister Dragan Vrankic clearly said that they would not resign. The FBiH HoR session will resume on Wednesday. FTV- “We needed only 2 or 3 more votes. I think it speaks something about the work of the Parliament… and I think that we can already feel political atmosphere of the pre-election campaign in the Parliament“, said Vrankic. Hayat, PINK, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Deputies cancelled support to FBiH Government’ by S.Se Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Government without support for program of work’ by A.Hadziarapovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 4, announced on cover ‘Report and Plan on the work of the Government were rejected’ by R. Cengic, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘FBiH Government will not resign’ by M. Zorlak – also covered. |
| Vidovic (MP in FBiH HoR, HDZ 1990): Party will not act as opposition in Parliament
| Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘HDZ 1990 will not act as opposition’, by Eldina Medunjanin – notes that HDZ 1990’s MP in FBIH HoR (formerly of HDZ BiH), Rudo Vidovic, informed fellow MPs on Tuesday that his party is establishing its Caucus in the chamber consisting of him, Josip Merdzo, Slavica Josipovic, Ivica Ceko, Djuro Matuzovic and Zoran Maric. Vidovic also informed the MPs that the Caucus would not act as opposition, which surprised many MPs, given that the Croat ministers in the FBIH Government come from HDZ BiH. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Genocide and war crimes exempt from the pardon’ by S.Sehercehajic – carries that the Caucus HDZ 1990 has been established. |
| HR Schwarz- Schilling: Visa regime is disabling BiH to be competitive at EU market
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Visa regime has very bad influence to BiH economy’ by DA correspondent from Brussels, Tarik Lazovic – Addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee of European Parliament in Brussels, HR Christian Schwarz- Schilling talked about effects that introduction of Value Additional Tax(VAT) caused estimating them positively, and emphasized thatsocial situation in the country is not so bad as anticipated. Asked how BiH could establish better communication and trade with neighbors and European countries, HR warned that visa regime is leaving BiH isolated, even though this is a country in “hearth of the |
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| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘SNSD is the strongest party in BiH’ by R.S. – Daily learns that the results of the research conducted by |
| Former RS premier and finance minister announce joining to
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Bukejlovic and Cenic possibly at Political Centre’ by V.Popovic – Pero Bukejlovic and Svetlana Cenic, former RS Premier and Finance minister respectively have announced the possibility of joining Political Centre of Srpska ( |
| ITA SB to hold session on Wednesday;
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘De-blocking of the account depends on the agreement of three Prime-Ministers’ by M.Kukan – Session of Indirect Taxation Administration’s Steering Board is announced for Wednesday in |
| SD:
| Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 16 ‘Prosecution ‘combing’ through business operations of ‘Cincar’’, by Frano Mioc – At the order of Canton 10 Prosecution, the Canton 10 police is carrying out inspections of several companies and institutions in the canton whose business operations are suspicious, including the ‘Cincar’ Public Company, confiscating various documentation in the process. |