Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| HVIDRA protest in Travnik | BiH HoP passed budget | BiH HOP on BH Election Law |
| HNC teachers’ strike frozen | FBiH HoR approved temp. allocation | RS Min. Tomic on veterans |
| Strike of Agrokomerc employees | HVIDRA protests in Mostar | BiH lawsuit v |
TV news broadcast on
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Strike of HNC elementary schools | HR on constitutional changes | Strike in HNC schools stooped |
| Pan European Union conference | 14th anniversary of Sijekovac tragedy | Landslides in |
| HR on constitutional changes | Report on SIPA work | HR on OHR and BIH Constitution |
| Tihic on constitutional changes | Conference on trafficking in BiH | 14th anniv. of Sijekovac massacre |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Adoption of constitutional changes | Mine in Kakanj to be closed | HR on constitutional changes |
| BIH HoP session on Monday | Poem on “Old Pit” in Kakanj | 14th anniversary of Sijekovac tragedy |
| HR at Circle 99 discussion | HNC ended strike | Vrbas river flooding a house away |
| Feature on visa regime for BIH | HVIDRA to organise protest | Conf. on public services reform |
| Oslobodjenje | Paravac persecuting Bosniaks again (marking of Day of Doboj Municipality without Bosniak representatives) |
| Dnevni Avaz | I would also talk to Pope about constitutional changes [Tihic statement] |
| Dnevni List | HDZ has started to play its last game (Deputy Speaker of FBiH HoR Merdzo against constitutional changes agreement) |
| Vecernji List | Suspicious fire (Fire in a Mostar warehouse, unofficial information say documentation of former Mostar Bosniak Municipalities and confiscated items of Mostar Tax Administration were placed there) |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Features |
| Nezavisne Novine | BiH gets a lot [HR at the session of “Krug 99” on const. changes] |
| Glas Srpske | Bistrocaj became overgrown with weeds [citizens of Bistrocaj near Trnovo claim F BiH authorities do not care about reconstruction of Serb houses in Trnovo municipality] |
| EuroBlic | Bankers think of BiH as of very risky market |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| HDZ’s Covic reiterates: Majority will support const. changes | |
| IFIMES opinion poll: 59,8% of citizens do not support const. changes | |
| BiH HoP passes harmonized text of BiH budget for 2006
| BH Radio 1 – By Mustafa Karahmet– During its session, BiH House of Peoples has passed the harmonized text of budget 2006, by which conditions for its publishing and implementation have been created. BiH HoP has also passed amendments to the Law on Public Procurement, which is prolonging the deadline for start of the work of Appeals Office by end of this month. BiH HoP MPs should also declare themselves on amendments to the BiH Election Law in first reading, since BiH House of Representatives has already passed these amendments last week in both readings. |
| FBiH HoP gives approval to FBiH Govt to decide on temporary allocation of public revenues
| BH Radio 1 – By Maida Alic – FBiH House of Representatives has given approval to FBiH Government to pass decision on temporary allocation of revenues from the single account. FBiH House of Peoples has given the same approval and the decision would be in force until the Law on Allocation of Public Revenues is passed. |
| Croat war veterans protest because of reduction of pensions, failure to ratify agreement with
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Constitutional Changes | |
| HR
| PINK – High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling once again welcomed the decision of BiH Presidency to send the amendments to BiH Constitution to parliamentary procedure. Schwarz-Schilling stated that the proposed changes were necessary for strengthening of state institutions and that they needed to be adopted. He stresses that if the amendments do not become effective on time before the October elections, their full implementation would have to wait until 2010, and this would slow down BiH process of integration with the EU. “I know that there were pretty sharp critics against the agreement on constitutional changes… but we must see what is possible at this moment and what can be done”, said Schwarz-Schilling. He stressed that the changes must be made step by step, also announcing that the OHR is going to be closed by spring 2007. By then, the duties of HR will be taken over by EU Special Representative. Unlike HR, EUSR won’t have the |
| Intellectuals stress the need for OHR for at least next 2 years; HR
| BHT – Commenting the statement of the HR, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, that OHR should be closed by spring in 2007, Association of independent intellectuals ‘Circle 99’ pointed out the need for OHR to stay in BiH for at least next two years by saying that “BIH institutions do not see the interest of the state but the interest of all three constituent peoples, political parties and political lobbies respectively”. Jakob Finci, member of “Circle 99”, described BiH as a little baby that still needs the guidance of OHR “before it starts the elementary school i.e. enters the EU”. Head of ‘Circle 99’ Hidajet Repovac noted that “the adoption of new constitution as basis of BIH transformation toward EU” is expected. HR stressed that it was time when BIH citizens should decide upon their future emphasizing the important role of the BIH intellectuals. “The improvement of civil society is of great importance for development of BiH, where the leading role belongs to the intellectuals” stated Schwarz-Schilling. Hayat – HR stressed that 2006 is a key year for BIH especially due to October elections, which should strengthen the voice of BIH people rather than being cheep political game of its politicians. As far as constitutional changes are concerned HR stated that he is not completely satisfied, however he added that the changes were made in areas where that was possible, reminding that time is running out for adoption of constitutional changes. FTV – HR stressed: “And thus intellectuals and their influence on media create the atmosphere for organising the elections. What is the level of discussions is the question for politicians. All of them should sit down together and start the dialogue in order to see what they have been really saying. The transparency as a part of democracy must be included in the forthcoming elections.” (also reported by also reported by Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘BiH gets a lot’ by D. Muminovic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Crucial year’ by N. Z., Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Parliamentarians bear huge responsibility’ by E. Mackic) |
| Chair of BiH Presidency Tihic: Constitutional changes are much better than current situation, especially in area of state authorities
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash and pg 5 ‘I would also talk to Pope about constitutional changes’ by Admir Malagic– In interview for DA, Chairman of BiH Presidency Sulejman Tihic says he believes that amendments to BiH Constitution would get the support of MPs in BiH Parliament “regardless to certain problems and criticism”. Tihic denied all assessments that these changes are leading toward dysfunctional (state) and dissolution of the state, stressing that these changes are “the dam to any attempts that could endanger territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH”. Tihic emphasized that these changes are much better than the current situation, adding that in his opinion changes that refer to authorities of the state are the largest success in all this, since defense and security have been transferred onto state level. Tihic stressed that neither Croats nor any other people in BiH has lost anything by these changes, adding that he is soon traveling to |
| HDZ leader Covic: future number of entities would be discussed in autumn
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘We would discuss entities in autumn’ by F.Vele– HDZ leader Dragan Covic said for DA that the agreement reached in first phase of talks on constitutional changes is fully acceptable for all citizens, especially for BiH Croats. “At the state level, Croats will absolutely be able to equally participate in passing of all relevant decisions” said Covic, adding that he doesn’t agree that these changes are “cementing the current situation in BiH”. Covic adds that entities were mentioned very carefully during the talks “so that in next step of the constitutional changes the conditions would be created for us to talk about three or more entities or federal units” said Covic, adding that this is the reality of middle organization of the authority in BiH, and it would be discussed in autumn how many would be established in the future. |
| Deputy Speaker of FBIH HoR and former HDZ official Merdzo against const. changes
| Dnevni List cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘HDZ has started to play its last game’ by Dn. L. – Commenting the constitutional changes agreement, Deputy Speaker of the FBiH HoR and former senior HDZ official (expelled by decision of current HDZ Presidency) Josip Merdzo stated that HDZ has started to play its last game. Merdzo notes: “HDZ President Dragan Covic had a full, legitimate right to refuse offered changes and insist on better solutions when Croats are in question. Nothing could have been imposed to him.” Merdzo concluded that this agreement represents a wasted chance for creating pre-requisites for real equality of all BiH citizens. |
| SBiH reiterates it is against const. changes
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Our partners are citizens’ not signed– Leader of SBiH Safet Halilovic criticized parties that participated in talks on constitutional changes, saying that they are trying to “find ideal of political life in dividing of interest spheres between three monopolistic, mono-ethnical parties”. Halilovic added that one model of constitutional changes, based on principles of Dayton, is being imposed and SBiH is warning that BiH citizens are excluded from this whole process and because of that SBiH is inviting all patriotic citizens and political and social organizations to prevent plans, whose goal is to create base of dissolution of BiH. |
| Patriotic Block: agreed changes are discriminatory and in favour of separatist forces in RS
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Constitutional changes are leading toward dissolution’ by Fena– Representatives of Patriotic Block [made of BOSS, SDU, SBiH] held a public debate in Brcko where they talked about the reached agreement on constitutional changes, calling them “monstrous, discriminatory and at the same time source of political, economic and every other destabilisation in BiH”. It was also stated that these changes are going in favour of political forces in RS “which lean toward its separation and annexing to |
| Hayat: Adoption of constitutional amendments will depend on independent deputies
| Hayat by Elma Kazagic – According to current statements of MPs in BIH Parliament, adoption of constitutional amendments will depend on independent MPs. Reporter says that in order for these changes to be adopted, 28 MPs in BIH House of Representatives must vote for them. So far, 6 SBIH MPs stated that they would not vote for the changes as well as 5 Croat MPs who dissolved the HDZ-DC caucus. Tihomir Gligoric from SP stated that the stance towards constitutional changes would be made at the session of SP Main Board. Sead Avdic, an independent MP from |
| GS: Adoption of constitutional amendments in BH HoR rests with Croat MPs | Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Croats will decide’ by D.Momic – With regard to issue of constitutional changes, daily speculates on possible (non) adoption of the amendments to the BiH Constitution. Daily notes that the adoption of amendments lays in the hands of Croat MPs, namely Martin Raguz, Filip Andric, Vinko Zoric, Ruza Sopta and Ivo Lozancic, who announced they would not vote for amendments. |
| | Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Parties’ signatures- betrayal’ by Fena– Leader of |
Other Political Developments/Reforms | |
| Next session of Steering Board of the Police Reform Directorate in
| RTRS Branka Kusmuk – Chair of BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic announced that the next session of Steering Board of the Police Reform Directorate was going to be held in |
| HR
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘I warned Dodik that he could be blamed for fail of police reform’ by T.Lazovic – Commenting police reform at the session of Association of Independent intellectuals ‘Circle 99’, High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling said: “I had serious talks with RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, because there were some warnings that he is not willing to continue reforms implementation. I stressed that he will be blamed and that he has to take responsibility if that condition is not fulfilled.” Schwarz-Schilling added that Dodik assured him his intention was not to block police reform. Speaking about BiH negotiations with EU on Stabilisation and Association Agreement [ |
| FBiH pensioners warn there is no money to take care of surplus police officers
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Problem of surplus of police officers can not be solved over backs of pensioners’ by A.Dedajic– Chair of FBiH Pensioners’ Association Sefkija Elezovic said that Association is embittered with the announcement that over 3.000 police officers, who would be left without jobs after police reform has been implemented, would gain right to early pensions. Elezovic explains the FBIH Pension Fund doesn’t have finances for these pensions, stressing that they should be provided by the FBiH Government, even though [as Elezovic puts it] they (Government) are aware that they won’t. FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic deems that FBiH Pension Fund is obliged to provide finances, regardless to the way these people are retired. “It is true that there is no means in the budget for payment of early pensions, but parliamentarians voted for that,” said Vrankic. Inset “Vignjevic supports Association and the Fund’- FBiH Labour and Social Policy Minister Radovan Vignjevic supports the stance of the Association, stressing that this would bring the Fund into critical position. |
| DL: New Croat party to be formed this week
| Dnevni List pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Ljubic announces establishment of party’ by Z. Jukic – Expelled member of HDZ, Bozo Ljubic, and his supporters will officially announce establishment of their party during this week. DL says that dismantling of the HDZ-CD- |
| Day of Municipality of Doboj marked without Bosniak representatives
| Oslobodjenje cover splash ‘Paravac persecuting Bosniaks again’, pg 3 ‘Paravac wants to celebrate “Serb Doboj” forever’ by M.Begic– Day of |
| GS critical of SDA’s policy aimed at destroying RS legality
| Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘They are running Alija’s war’ by Z.Markovic – Writing about last week’s RS NA session (which discussed BiH lawsuit against SiCG and adopted Declaration concluding that lawsuit is a political act aimed at destroying legality of RS), GS notes that as much as political representatives of three peoples in BiH have shown their unity on some issues, the irreconcilable consequences are evident to the same extent on other issues, i.e. stances of Serb and Bosniak representatives are as different as chalk and cheese. Daily further makes a reference to statement Sadik Ahmetovic, SDA delegate gave, telling Serb delegates “it is never too late for you to become Muslims”. Borislav Bojic, |
| BIH HoP to discuss Law on Elections on Monday
| Hayat – At the session scheduled for Monday, BIH House of Peoples will discuss the amendments on the BIH electoral law, adopted by the BIH House of Representatives. Changes to the law introduce passive registration of voters in BIH. One of objections to the changes is related to voting of displaced persons from RS who had their CIPS ID taken in FBIH. Chair of Srebrenica municipality assembly Sadik Ahmetovic stated that changes to the law mean that people who voted in 1991 for municipalities they were deported from are now passively transferred to municipalities where they had their ID taken. On the other hand Vedran Hadzovic from BIH Election Commission stated that the changes to the law were made under assumption that displaced persons have taken temporary CIPS IDs. He adds that displaced persons will be asked whether they will vote for municipality where they lived in 1991 or their current municipality. Reporter comments that the biggest problem are people who failed to register as displaced persons in the set deadline and have taken their CIPS IDs in FBIH. According to information of BIH Election Commission, there are 20 000 of these persons. These persons will have the option of questionnaire when voting so they can state for which municipality they want to vote. Hadzovic says that persons who want to vote for 1991 municipality will have to have an ID from that municipality. |
| Election Comm. member Sehic: Displaced persons have right to choose where would vote
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Passive registration of voters does not legalize ethnical cleansing’, mentioned on cover “displaced persons are deciding by themselves where would they vote’ by A.Hadzic– Member of BiH Election Commission Vehid Sehic said that passive registration of voters, for which it is said it would be devastating for Bosniaks, would not prevent displaced persons to vote in their former residences. Sehic stressed that essence of passive registration is that all BiH citizens would be automatically included into the central voters list, which means that all refugees with IDs would be listed. Sehic stressed that displaced persons have the right to choose where would they vote, in their former residences or in places where they reside now. Member of Working Group for drafting of BiH Election Law Emir Jahic stated that decision on passive registration was passed at proposal of all parties and confirmed by the BiH Parliament. |
| FBIH HoR to discuss Law on allocation of revenues on Monday that is contested by Croats Caucus in FBiH HoP
| FTV – At the extraordinary session scheduled for Monday, FBIH House of Representatives will discuss FBiH Government’s proposal on temporary allocation of public revenues in FBiH. This proposal has been adopted by the FBIH House of Peoples. The Law on Allocation of Public Revenues in FBiH has been passed, however it has been sent to the |
| Pan-European Union conference ends on Sunday, says it will lobby for BiH with EU
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| RSNA to discuss new RS Govt’s proposal of law of audit of privatization process as promised by new RS PM Dodik | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Opposing audit could result in five years imprisonment’ by Srna– According to the proposal of law on audit of privatization process, which would be discussed on March 30 by the RS NA at a special session, audit process would be conducted by special Commission appointed by the RS Government. RS Government prepared the proposal and it foresees that Commission would have obligation to audit decisions and activities of RS Government, Privatization Agency, Finance Ministry and Section for Privatization of Banks. Law foresees that all institutions, organizations and persons could face three months to five years in prison if they fail to submit all necessary information to the Commission. Also reported by Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Five years imprisonment for keeping silent about frauds during privatisation’ by D.R. (NB: the issue of audit of privatization process was labelled by the RS PM Dodik as one his priorities) |
Economy | |
| Professor Tomas and SE Europe Development Bank’s Barasin: Bankers think of BiH as of very risky market, hence unfavourable loans | EuroBlic cover pg splash and pg RS5 ‘Bankers think of BiH as of very risky market’ by Mirna Soja – Professor at Banja Luka Faculty of Economics Rajko Tomas and Marketing Director of south-eastern Europe Development Bank Ostoja Barasin explained in a statement to EuroBlic that the unstable political situation, poverty among citizens and insolvent economy were the main reasons why managements of banks in BiH are offering loans with higher interest rates and more unfavourable terms than in neighbouring countries. |
| EP HZ HB: DERK and FERK’s discriminatory provisions make sure Croats pay more expensive electricity
| Vecernji List pg 2 ’20 millions KM from Herzegovina goes to RS’, mentioned on cover ‘Herzegovina finances RS’ by Z. Kresic – Elektroprivreda of Croat Community of Herceg Bosna (EP HZ HB) will sue the FBiH and BiH Regulatory Commissions for Electricity (FERK and DERK) because of discriminatory provisions on the ground of which consumers in Herzegovina and areas with the Croat majority pay more expensive electricity. VL explains that DERK imposed to EP HZ HB to pay compensation for transfer of electricity amounting to 6 Euros per MW, while at the same time EP BiH and EP RS have been ‘stimulated’ by compensation of 2,5 Euro for export of energy. VL concludes that due to this discriminatory tariff of DERK, 20 million KMs goes every year from EP HZ HB to the account of company ‘Elektroprijenos’ based in Banja Luka. VL concludes that it turns out that |
| DL op-ed: Increase of electricity price to cause strikes and social unrests | Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Hard times are ahead of us’ by I. Glibusic says that if announced increase of electricity prices and other goods really take place it is clear that strikes and even social unrests would follow, while according to the current situation, BiH authorities do not do anything to avoid it. |
| Central Bank Governor Kozaric: Interest rates in BiH are dropping | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Interest rates in BiH will decrease’ by N.Jamakovic – BiH Central Bank Governor Kemal Kozaric said that interest rates in BiH had decreased by 3% in last three years, adding that this trend would surely continue. Kozaric says interest rates do not only depend on supply and demand, but also on the legal framework that would enable banks to provide more favourable treatment to clients. He underlined that one of positive factors in change of banking system in BiH would be establishment of supervision at the state level. Kozaric reminded that one of conditions for European Monetary Union membership is that interest rates must not be higher than 7%. At the moment, BiH has an average interest rate of 9,04%. |
War Crimes | |
| 14 anniversary of massacre of Serbs in Sijekovac marked on Sunday
| RTRS Stela Jungic – 14 anniversary since the death of 60 Serb civilians from |
| FBiH Govt. to form Commission for missing persons in
| Euro Blic RSpg 3 ‘Families of missing persons threaten they would go out on the streets in April’ by Nedeljka Breberina – FBiH Government confirmed to EuroBlic that it should establish a Commission in charge of search after missing persons in ten Sarajevo municipalities by the end of March. On the other hand, the RS Associations of families of the missing persons have announced they would hold protests on 10 April unless FBiH bodies formed the Commission. |
Miscellaneous | |
| HNC: Classes in elementary schools (Croat curriculum) start on Monday
| FTV – Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNC) |
| RS Education Minister Kasipovic: Higher education in RS needs to be reformed urgently
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘Professors are being checked up too’ by S. Gojkovic – In an interview to NN, RS Minister of Education and Culture, Antun Kasipovic, stated RS higher education urgently needs to be reformed. According to Kasipovic, before they are reformed, faculties will need to undergo an extensive audit of their work and justify their existence. He announced some faculties would have to be closed – regardless of the fact whether it is a public faculty with long tradition or a private-owned faculty established just recently – should it be proven they do not meet personnel or technical pre-requisites. |
| BH Justice Minister announces donors conference for BiH in
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Collecting of money for reform of judiciary in BiH’ by Agencies – Slobodan Kovac, BH Justice Minister, has announced that the donors conference, which should raise resources intended for completion of judiciary reform in BiH, wouldl be held on March 31 in Brussels, adding: “The reform of a closed system is an important segment of judiciary reform and we have observed a large interest to build a state prison, which would demand approximately EURO 15 million.” (also in Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Invitations sent to about fifty states’ by Fena) |