| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| Appointment of generals | Appointment of Generals | Appointment of generals | Appointment of Generals |
| RS PM on BiH generals | Covic on generals | SFOR on generals | BiH Officials about General |
| FBiH HoR in session | Terzic on Mrakovica mtg | FBiH HoR in session | Terzic on Mrakovica mtg |
| Hays visits Ljubuski | FBiH HoR in session | Workers protests on 29/04 | RS Government in session |
| Oslobodjenje | Smuggling between FBiH and RS increased; Four discharged without right to pensions; SFOR said choosing OSA Chief was illegal |
| Dnevni Avaz | To propose new generals as soon as possible; Veterans Law still waiting; Adamovic to head BiH Court? |
| Dnevni List | Hays: Ljubuski Municipality should be role model for whole BiH; program of taking care and dismissing of FBiH Army soldiers adopted |
| Vecernji List | Todoric, Leko and A. Zuzul want Hercegovacka Banka |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Candidates for Generals’ positions got dishonourable dismissal from Army; Assistance for defenders was taken away and sold |
| Glas Srpske | RS Administration Inspection: Reports do not help; |
| Nezavisne Novine | Final works on reconstruction of city symbol: Old Bridge re-merges Mostar; Nikola Radovanovic: It was ordered four senior officers must be urgently dismissed from army; Banjaluka Stock Exchange: The value of shares of “Banjalucka Pivara” still dropping |
| Blic | Marin Kvaternik: Corruption in health system is a problem of judiciary; Prijedor: Bomber and thieves arrested |
Appointments of generals/other defence issues | |
| Radovanovic presents results of SFOR check up for general positions
| RHB, Oslobodjenje cover, pgs 4&5 ‘Four discharged without a right for pension’, Slobodna Dalmacija page 17 “Candidates for Generals’ positions got dishonourable dismissal from Army’, Nezavisne Novine cover, pg 2 ‘No obstruction for admission into PfP’, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Formation of suspicious colonels’ – In a vetting procedure carried out by SFOR, seven persons received the approval for appointment to general positions in the BiH Armed Forces. Brigadiers Sakib Folic, Rizvo Pleh and Dzevad Radzo, Colonels Miladin Milojcic, Dragos Milankovic, Mirko Tepsic and Dragan Stupar and Major General Stamenko Novakovic passed, BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic told a press conference in Sarajevo on Tuesday. Brigadiers Slavko Puljic, Vlado Dzojic, Ivica Pavic, Safet Podzic, Senad Masovic and Serif Spago were not approved because of “acts committed in the past making them unfit to serve as generals”. Brigadiers Selmo Cikotic, Jasmin Saric, Goran Medic and Haris Saric will be removed from military service without a right to pension or other benefits by 15 may, as according to SFOR, they were were under the investigation for involvement in war crimes. BiH Defence Ministry sent a list with 19 names to be checked for appointment to 13 general posts. Responding to the failure of the Srebrenica Commission, the HR Paddy Ashdown sacked one of them Col Gen Cvjetko Savic. Minister Radovanovic said that even though ten candidates haven’t passed the selection, he still believed that continuation of reforms would enable BiH to fulfil the conditions for joining PfP. RTRS -“The only document we have received from SFOR is a letter from SFOR Commander, and that is in accordance with current practice of SFOR Command regarding the Army personnel, meaning the people within the military forces,” said Nikola Radovanovic after being asked whether he demanded explanation from SFOR. “We have asked for explanation regarding the instruction that says for persons being discharged to be laid off without a right on pension and other benefits, as the right on pension is a right stipulated in labour and legal [legislation],” added Radovanovic. FTV – “In earlier previous situations when we asked for explanations we have received answers whose point and meaning was they have no obligation to give [explanations] to us,” said Nikola Radovanovic. BHTV 1, Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘To propose new candidates as soon as possible’, pg 2 ‘New candidates to be proposed as soon as possible’ – Standing Committee for Military Matters will hold session on 5 May to establish a list of new candidates names for the positions in BiH Army HQ. List with names will be send to the BIH Presidency and BIH Parliament, explained Nikola Radovanovic. |
| Covic: “It is strange how not one of the Croat candidates fulfilled criteria” | BHTV 1- The Croat member of the BiH Presidency, Dragan Covic, has assessed that, at the very least, it was strange how not one of the Croat candidates for the posts of general in the BiH armed forces could fulfil the criteria and pointed out everything should be done to prevent the “lynching” of these people and their deciding to leave the army altogether. FTV – Covic assessed the vetting process had lasted too long: “An extremely lot of time has been wasted, more than 20 days needed to get a general view in the form of a negative reply.” RTRS – “Considering that we are doing to complete defence reform, I am confident that in next few days we will found some joint solution, that FBiH Minister of Defence will offer one new solution to BiH Minister of Defence, so that the process could be repeated, which we already had and which was too long, I would say,” said Dragan Covic. |
| Tihic excepts Packett to reconsider his decision | RTRS, BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Tihic demands Packett to reconsider decision on Cikotic and Saric’ – Chairman of the BIH Presidency, Sulejman Tihic, stated that he has expected SFOR’s Commander to accept the arguments and facts to be presented to him and reconsider his decision to rejects candidates for the general-ranked positions in BiH Army. Tihic previously stated that Virgil Packett decision was scandalous and humiliating. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Tihic: I will not interfere with the proposing process anymore’ – Tihic said that he received official note from ICTY confirming that no investigation is being lead against candidate Selmo Cikotic, adding that he expects the same confirmations in case of two other candidates. He also said that he will not be involved with the proposing procedure anymore, not wanting to “bring honourable RBiH officers in this position.” |
| SDA supports Tihic’s statements | RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘SFOR decision on Bosniak candidates is dangerous precedent’, Slobodna Dalmacija page 17 ‘SDA: dangerous precedent’, Dnevni List page 3 ‘Sullivan: SFOR does not want compromises when appointment of Generals is in question’ – SDA has given support to BiH President Sulejman Tihic over SFOR Commander’s decision not to confirm the appointment of a number of Bosniak candidates to the posts in BiH military forces. “This decision, not based on relevant proof but superficial judgments, jeopardizes the elementary human rights of BiH defenders. This is a dangerous precedent for all citizens of BiH,” reads statement from the SDA. Party also demands from SFOR commander to offer an explanation as to “why, all of a sudden, support was withdrawn for persons who had already passed numerous checks. These persons already carry out duties as Corps commanders with SFOR agreement. They also have written proof from the Hague tribunal that they are not under investigation”. |
| Ivanic urges Bosniaks to nomiate new candidates | RHB, RTRS – BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic stated on Tuesday that the Bosniak side must nominate new candidates for the senior military posts as soon as possible, so as to prevent the situation arising where BiH would lose the chance to join Partnership for Peace. Commenting on the statement of BiH Presidency Chairman Sulejman Tihic in which the decision of SFOR commander Virgil Packett to reject six Bosniak senior military officials for the posts of general was called scandalous, Ivanic emphasized that the Bosniak side should not get angry and should nominate new candidates for these posts as soon as possible. |
| Mikerevic very satisfied with SFOR results | RHB, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Recognition for Serb personnel’ – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic said that he was encouraged by the fact that candidates from RS have received the approval from the international community. Mikerevic pointed that RS Army has a new generation of officers, and that this is a confirmation of their competence and professionalism. “I hope that, when it comes to other two components, when it comes to Bosniaks and Croats, that personnel solutions will be found soon, so we would complete it, so that even this wouldn’t became the problem to join the PfP. I think when it comes to us, we only can greet this kind of fact, which says that RS truly has something to be proud on,” said Dragan Mikerevic. |
| SFOR says it would not compromise on generals | FTV, RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘SFOR without compromise’, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Sullivan: We expect names to start with new process’, Slobodna Dalmacija page 17 ‘SFOR’ We are waiting for new names’, Dnevni List page 3 ‘Sullivan: SFOR does not want compromises when appointment of Generals is in question’ – SFOR spokesperson Dave Sullivan said that the decision regarding the candidates for posts of generals in the BiH armed forces was brought in line with the Dayton Agreement, and that it “was not about guilt, innocence, or entities”. In his response to the statement by the Sulejman Tihic describing the decision by SFOR Commander Virgil Packett as “scandalous”, Sullivan said that appointed generals have to enjoy the credibility and trust of all sides and the international community, and therefore SFOR has no intention to compromise these standards. SFOR stressed that these officers “will confirm whether BiH is ready to head forward into the future and possibly become a member of the Partnership for Peace, or whether it will be constrained by the past.” |
| Croats to face difficulty with proposing new candidates | Vecernji List page 2 ‘Croats without candidates for Generals’ positions at state level’ by E. Medunjanin – VL says that failing of Croat candidates will be a big problem for Croat officers since there are almost no candidates that have proper rank and education necessary for the aforementioned positions among Croats. BH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic said yesterday that FBiH Defence Minister Miroslav Nikolic warned him of this fact. Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘To propose new candidates as soon as possible’, pg 2 ‘New candidates to be proposed as soon as possible’ – carries the same information. |
| Nikolic surprised over rejection of Croat candidates | Dnevni List page 3 ‘None Croat passed the vetting procedure for Generals’ position’ carries FBiH Defence Minister Miroslav Nikolic as saying that he is surprised by the fact that none Croat General passed the SFOR’s vetting procedure with an explanation that they participated in the project of the Croat self-rule. Nikolic added that none of these officers was relieved of duty at the time when the Alliance for Changes, that was a big opponent of the Croat self-rule, was in power and even some of them were promoted at that time. He also said that this is a big problem for the Croat side since every other candidate can be brought in connection with the Croat slef-rule. |
| Mothers of Srebrenica accuse 2 Serb candidates for crimes | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Dragan Satupar and Dragos Milankovic were organisers of the first concentration camps’, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘And Serb Generals Stupar and Milankovic?’ – Members of the Association Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa enclaves strongly objected to the SFOR decision to reject Croat and Bosniak officers for generals positions with the BiH Armed Forces. “This is another evidence that SFOR takes one side and the one which committed the most crimes and genocide in BiH, instead of doing its job well as by now they should have arrested war criminals Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, and many others wanted by ICTY. We know that Serb generals Dragan Stupar and Dragos Milankovic already in 1992 were, among well known criminals, the organizers of the first concentration camps in Eastern Bosnia, such as Susica in Vlasenica and others, where senior citizens, women and children were taken away to, and they they are in mass graves all around East Bosnia,” reads the Association’s statement. |
| FBiH HoR adopts social care for redundant soldiers | RHB, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘6000 KM for soldiers’ settlements’, Dnevni List front and page 6 ‘Program for taking care of and dismissing of FBiH Army soldiers adopted’ – FBiH House of Representatives adopted the program of discharging and taking care of surplus members of the FBiH Defence Ministry and Army. Authorized Minister Miroslav Nikolic presented the program to both houses outlining that it defines several forms for taking care: retirement, severance pay in the amount of 6.000 KM, and re-qualification and re-socialisation of the existing staff. |
| FBiH HoR postpones discussion on Veterans Law | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Vote on Veterans Law postponed’ – Law on Defenders’ Rights has not been not included in the agenda of the FBiH House of Representatives session held on Tuesday, despite recommendations of the FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic and authorized Minister Ibrahim Nadarevic. Minister Nadarevic said that adoption of the Veterans’ Law is one of the main conditions for receiving the World Bank’s credit of US$ 51 million. It was decided that the Veterans’ Law would be considered at an extraordinary session of the House, most probably on May 4. |
| NN on OSA appointments | Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘OHR expects from Terzic to respect the Law on appointments’ – The Chairperson of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic, yesterday said that he would not appoint Almir Dzuvo as the Head of the BiH Intelligence and Security Agency (OSA), if established he did not meet necessary requirements. NN carries the statement by the OHR Spokesperson, Oleg Milisic, saying that: “Appointment of the Director-General and Deputy Director-General shall be carried out on the basis of demonstrated professionalism and previous experience in the area of intelligence and security and law enforcement, and not on the basis of political affiliation. The requisite experience may not have solely been gained through positions requiring apolitical appointment.” Terzic yesterday asked from OHR to analyse the candidature of Edhem Besic for the position of the OSA Head. |
| Belgrade daily claims Ashdown ordered NATO to hunt Al’Qaeda in BiH | Ne deljni Telegraf pg 2 ‘Ashdown: Leve Karadzic, run after Al-Qaeda “sleepers” – After receiving a confidential document from Madrid, Ashdown ordered NATO soldiers the following: Leave Karadzic, start chasing for the Al Qaeda “sleepers”. Last week OHR received confidential material from Madrid that explains in detail connections of Al Qaeda terrorists and the war in Bosnia. Message from Madrid is clear: Bosnia is the shelter of the Al Qaeda “sleepers”, and they represent the connection between the Islamic and the European wing of this terrorist organization. Thus, upon Ashdown’s instruction, both the military and political forces in Bosnia are focusing on the new assignment, while arresting Karadzic and others indicted for war crimes became second priority. Ashdown has forwarded this second priority task to the RS police. |
Mrakovica meeting follow up | |
| Terzic on Mrakovica meeting achievements
| BHTV 1, Dnevni List page 2 ‘Double taxation is being abolished’ – Chairman of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic said at the rpess conference n Tuesday that the agreement on excise taxation that was reached between entities Prime Ministers at the meeting in Mrakovica is a big step towards fighting the grey economy, and create single economic space in BiH. It is also one of the conditions BIH has to implement in order to start negotiations on signing Stabilization and Association Agreement. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Smuggling between entities must be stopped’, Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 5 ‘Smuggling between FBiH and RS increased’ – Terzic also stated that inter-entity smuggling has increased, and that it can be prevented only through establishment of the single economic space in BiH. He also stressed that the trade exchange between Federation of BiH and Croatia is three times higher than with RS, which is the same with RS and Serbia and Montenegro. This, says Cavic, means that goods between entities are mainly smuggled. Additionally, officials also agreed to establish a single date base of the companies in BiH, which means that the fight against fictive firms would be strengthened. |
| OHR welcomes agreement reached btw Hadzipasic and Mikerevic on taxes | Dnevni List page 7 ‘Avoiding of double taxation is bait for investors’ – OHR welcomes the agreement by entity Prime Ministers Ahmet Hadzipasic and Dragan Mikerevic to start deducting excise tax on domestic goods only once, at the point of production. “Creating a genuine single market in BiH is essential for creating new jobs and attracting new investment,” OHR spokesman Vedran Persic said on Tuesday, adding that the OHR also supports Prime Minister Terzic’s promise that a package of urgent measures will be implemented in the course of the next two months with a view to strengthening the Single Economic Space in BiH. “The tax agreement means that BiH’s complicated excise system will be simplified. This cumbersome system made it harder for firms to do business in BiH – in some cases it meant that they were taxed twice – and this in turn made it harder for firms to create new jobs,” he said. OHR also called on all the parties in the BiH Parliament to support the legislation needed to “turn commitments into reality”. |
| Businessmen encouraged by Mrakovica agreement | Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Businessmen encouraged over Mrakovica agreement’ by D. Risojevic – The author is writing about Mrakovica meeting, saying that the agreement reached at Mrakovica should significantly make the life easier, since all producers of the excise goods should sell their goods at the market of another entity without paying double taxes on the same goods. According to some expectations, Serb Brod Oil Refinery will mostly be effected by these measures. Radomir Predojevic the owner of “Golden Metro” firm, who has troubles placing his products at the market in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is encouraged over the announcement on abolishment of double taxes. Boris Gaspar, Republika Srpska Minister of Trade and Tourism, is convinced that the implementation of this Agreement would resolve other issues. He is of the view that these measures would have a good impact on the sale of oil and other excise goods. Some other people share his view, for example Sefik Lojo, General Manager of Sarajevo Tobacco Factory, Mladen Micic, President of Republika Srpska Chamber of Commerce. Damir Miljevic, President of the Republika Srpska Association of Employers, is a little bit sceptical, stressing that he has just one message for the signatories of the Mrakovica agreement: “Good morning, people! The same authority officials now passing those measures have imposed these taxes a year ago. And now you have remembered to reinstate the affairs.” |
Other economic and social issues | |
| Hays visits Ljubuski BiH
| RHB, Dnenvi Avaz pg 8 ‘Good municipal administration is important for economic development’, Dnevni List front & p 5, “Hays: Example of Municipality of Ljubuski to be used for entire BiH”, Vecernji List p 3, “To reinforce role of municipalities” – During the meeting with PDHR Donald Hays that was dedicated to the process of reforms in municipalities and possibilities of economic progress, the Mayor of Ljubuski, Markan Zelic, underlined the unity of the authorities which reflects in harmony between the Mayor and councillors. Saying that the future of BiH does not start in administrative seats but on the ground and with people, PDHR Hays added that topics of discussions were strengthening of the role of municipalities, the issues that should be contained in the Law on local self-government, the problems of young people. During the visit, PDHR also visited Rofix Company and met its director Branko Grganovic. “I have met a person who came to a privatised company and let it to success”, PDHR said while Grganovic stressed the positive relation with municipal authorities. |
| Syndicate announces strike tomorrow | BHTV 1, FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘More than 20.000 workers will come to Sarajevo’, Dnevni List page 4 ‘Gathering of workers is only beginning of activities’ – BIH Syndicate says it done everything to prevent the general strike scheduled for the April 29, but that the Government refused to introduce moratorium on the Bankruptcy Law. Syndicate also said that the strike would be a beginning of the action which will last as long as Government doesn’t fulfil their requests. According to the Syndicate, FBiH government tried to fool the workers with the package of social measures without a legal ground. Protests are expected to be attended by the several thousands of workers who are dissatisfied with the implementation of Law on Bankruptcy. Syndicate’s President Edhem Biber said that the workers only ask for the minimal respect of their human rights, stressing they are opened for negotiations. Syndicate holds the Federal Government to be the most responsible, and it collected over 40 000 signatures for its dismissal. |
| Covic visits Modrica | RHB – BiH Presidency member, Dragan Covic, declared today in Modrica that return of Croats to this region is symbolic, because it is only about 10 % of the pre-war population. He stressed that the return is not conditioned by political, but rather economic reasons, and added that the BiH Presidency and Council of Ministers should support first of all economic development of the region and its infrastructure. Covic met with the Head of Modrica municipality Novak Gojkovic, representatives of NGOs and businesses. RTRS -“The issue of return of Croats is especially complicated, because the number of Croats returning to this area is symbolical, …we have also concluded that question of returning is no more conditioned by political atmosphere or some negative ambient, but primarily it has to do with the possibilities for some normal life,” said Dragan Covic. |
| VL on possible bidder for Hercegovacka bank | Vecernji List front page splash “Todoric, Leko and A. Zuzul want Hercegovacka Bank”, pg 13 “Consortium of 8 companies led by Todoric buys the Bank”, by Zoran Kresic and Snjezana Mlinarevic – VL reports that yesterday, on the last day of the tender for bids of companies for the purchase of Hercegovacka Bank and the companies the Bank owns, a consortium of Croatian companies submitted its offer. Details on the amount of the offer are not known, but the offer of the consortium is considered to be among the most serious ones. The companies that make the consortium (Ledo, Franck, Atlantic Group, HUP owned by Andjelko Leko, Skolska knjiga, Granolio, Zvecevo companies and Varazdin-based Validus Fund) either already have their companies in BiH or are owned by people of Croat origin. In the inset, “Green light by Ashdown and Sandaer”, VL refers to sources close to Croatian Government which comment that the consortium aiming at participating in privatisation in the neighbouring country was not formed by accident. VL goes on to say that the activities on their joint presentation date back from Paddy Ashdown’s last visit to Zagreb. Well-informed sources say that, during his talks with Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, the HR asked him to encourage a couple of reputable private companies to respond to the tender for Hercegovacka Bank sale since deposits of many Croat(ian) companies and of BiH Croats got blocked in the Bank. |
| RS Govt discusses RS Elektroprivreda report | RTRS – At the extraordinary session of RS Government, RS Elektroprivreda submitted the report on its business and it was noted that for the first time since it was established RS EP had marked positive balance, with profit of 2,7 million KM. The production of electricity has been increased for 14,41%. Further restructuring of EP has an obligation to increase the production and reduce possibility of illegal distribution of electricty. The RS Government has supported the signing of contract with British Company LNM that should invest 25 million KM in Coal Mine Ljubija. RS Minister of Economy, Energy and Development Milan Bogicevic said that 600 employees would work to fulfil the contract. |
Political issues | |
| Terzic on work of BiH authorities
| BHTV 1, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Cooperation with ICTY efficient to join Europe?’, Vecernji List page 4 ‘Terzic: EC will be satisfied’ – At the press conference held on Tuesday, Chair of BiH Council of Ministers, Adnan Terzic said BiH authorities have been working intensively to accomplish conditions set by the EC and laid down in the Feasibility Study, and stressed that it was realistic for expect BIH to start negotiations on SAA next year. As for the cooperation with ICTY, Terzic stated that recent BiH officials’ signing of the statement on the cooperation with ICTY would be enough for European officials to see as this condition fulfilled. FTV – “All tasks which are priorities for negotiations on the signing of the Stabilization and Accession Agreement are being carried out, but we should not expect adoption of the Laws during the night,” said Terzic, adding that all conditions for VAT will be fulfilled by the 1 July and he additional announces adoption of the Law on PBS today. RTRS – “This CoM has made a significant step forward in its activities of moving BiH to European way and all is a product of our activities, starting from receiving a questionnaire to drafting Feasibility Study, …normally in cooperation with OHR and EC,” said Terzic. |
| Cavic on DPA, Ashdown | Vecernje Novosti pg 4 ‘He only doesn’t have power over rain’ by Dubravka Vujanovic – In an interview to VN, RS President Dragan Cavic says the International Community is only looking for a way out of Bosnia, but also for a way out for Bosnia, and that this is the essence of everything that is happening in BiH. He continues saying that the initiatives to revise Dayton Peace Agreement “are ridiculous. This cannot happen without the consent of the Serb people. I don’t expect any forced change of the DPA.” Cavic continues: “We are not the real authority here. The only authority is [Paddy] Ashdown. It doesn’t matter whether I like Ashdown or not, whether I respect him or not – he is the one with the power to change the streams within the society, and the people. He only cannot influence natural occurrences, such as rain or snow, or hills and valleys.” |
| NN on Kalinic interview to Belgrade newspapers | Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘A last wish of Dragan Kalinic’ editorial by Mirjana Kusmuk – The author is making a reference to a recent interview the RS Parliament Speaker, Dragan Kalinic, gave to a Belgrade newspaper, when he said that: “If there are no solutions found within the coalition for current problems, the elections would follow unless some other coalition or group resolved the crisis. Maybe early elections would take place at the same time as municipal elections.” The author is of the view that SDS head feels bad time has come for SDS over its failure to cooperate with the Hague Tribunal. She also says that Kalinic would go to live in Belgrade and leave it for somebody else to arrest Radovan Karadzic. She concludes that the end of politics run by SDS is evident and even visible. The only question is whether this disaster of SDS would be definite or a possibility for some sort of reincarnation and mutation would be provided. |
| Spiric criticises Ashdown | Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Shaken trust’ – Nikola Spiric, the member of the SNSD Steering Board, yesterday expressed surprise over the fact that nobody from the Republika Srpska had not reacted upon the statement of the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, who said that “it would not be good to establish responsibility for Visegrad action, in order to ensure that the action of arrests of war crime suspects continues.” He warned that Visegrad police action had been carried out in an extremely unprofessional manner and accordingly annulled any sort of confidence in police force. |
| VL int with Clifford Bond | Vecernji List front and page 5 ‘Dayton can be changed but at local level only’ by Z. Mihaljevic carries an interview with US Ambassador to BiH Clifford Bond. Asked whether the USA is ready to support European initiatives for the change of the Dayton Peace Accord (DPA), Bond says: ‘The DPA could and should be changed in terms that it reflects current circumstances and changes. It has already happened during the past 8 months by the establishment of the state Defence Ministry and institutions that support that Ministry… In other words this means that the DPA can be changed, however, it should happen at the local level. We shall give support to all initiatives that are in accordance with the feelings and with the consensus for its change.’ |
Education | |
| OSCE calls upon cantons to pass harmonized PSE laws
| RHB – OSCE calls upon those cantons which have not yet passed harmonized Laws on Primary and Secondary Education to fulfill their obligations towards the citizens of BiH and the IC. Spokeswoman Zianida Delic said that adopted of the laws would ensure equal access to education for all children, and the platform for modernisation of the education system.To date, the Brcko District, Republika Srpska, as well as Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica-Doboj, Una-Sana, Bosnian-Podrinje Cantons have fully harmonized their Laws on Primary and Secondary Education with the State Framework Law. FTV – Hercegovina Neretva and Posavina Cantons adopted the Law, however OSCE expressed its concern with several paragraphs of the Law which are not synchronized with the Law on state level. |
| SD on Ashdown meeting with Mostar University students | Slobodna Dalmacija, p 16, “Verbal promises to be incorporated into Law”, by Zoran Zekic – Referring to the meeting the High Representative Paddy Ashdown had on Monday with representatives of Mostar Sveuciliste’s Students’ Union, article quotes a source from the Union as sayingthat the HR said during the meeting that he was aware of the students’ position on the Higher Education law and education reforms. The students nevertheless reiterated their dissatisfaction with the law, i. e. the part that refers to the provision that places higher education on the entity instead of the state level. They also find the Law unacceptable due to the fact that it is being worked on without students’ participation. Saying that the 42 million US$ loan of the World Bank is an immoral blackmail, the students handed over to the HR their Presidency’s decision by which Croat people’s representatives are requested to clearly oppose the proposal of the Law which 10 thousand students and 800 teachers gave a bad mark to. |
| BiH Houses to discuss Higher Education Law on 4 May | RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Law on Higher Education on 4 May in BiH Parliament’ – BiH House of Representatives and BiH House of Peoples should consider the Framework Law on Higher Education on May 4. Prior to this, the Law should also be discussed by the constitutional-legal commissions of both Houses. Last week OHR appealed to the Parliamentary Assembly to adopt the Framework Law on Higher Education by May 7, reiterating that the World Bank would put US$ 42 million at BiH’s disposal if the deadline is met. |
| DL editorial on HR sanctions vs. HDZ over education | Dnevni list, p 2, “Apples and oranges”, by Miso Relota, comments that the latest High Representative’s decision to fine HDZ of Central Bosnia Canton over education reform is strange and that it could be characterized as mixing apples and oranges. It is strange because, unlike Bosniak side, the Croat side did its best in order to have amendments on Laws on primary and secondary education in that Canton adopted. Thus suspicions that the OHR will not sanction SDA proved accurate and it is becoming more and more certain that there is attempt to forcibly implement reforms in BiH, which are doomed to fail, at the expense of the constituent people smallest in number. And this is because there is no courage to oppose those who do not understand demands of the weakest. The editorial concludes by words that the method of force wins races on short run, while justice and good win the final battle. |
War crimes | |
| Srebrenica Commission says cooperation with RS officials improves
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Srebrenica Commission getting a significant number of information’ – Milan Bogdanovic and Smail Cekic, Chairperson and Co-Chairperson of the Srebrenica Commission respectively, yesterday assessed that a significant number of information from all relevant institutions had reached the address of Republika Srpska Government Commission for Srebrenica over the past few days. The deadline, which the High Representative to BiH, Paddy Ashdown, gave to Zoran Djeric, Republika Srpska Interior Minister, and Milovan Stankovic, Republika Srpska Defence Minister, expires in two days. Bogdanic stated: “I am satisfied with the level of co-operation with established with RS MoI and Defence Ministry.” Cekic said:“We will review and analyse the information we received in order to examine whether these information have already been published or this is the first time they are disclosed.” Also covered by Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Information previously claimed to be non-existing now submitted’. |
| Cavic on Srebrenica Commission, Ashdown’s measures | Vecernje Novosti pg 4 ‘He only doesn’t have power over rain’ by Dubravka Vujanovic – RS president Dragan Cavic says the International Community is only looking for a way out of Bosnia, but also for a way out for Bosnia, and that this is the essence of everything that is happening in BiH. Author comments that the RS authorities have not taken seriously the work on Srebrenica Commission report, and that HR Paddy Ashdown used this to again punish the Serb entity, like he has done so many times so far. Cavic admitted that this time, the RS brought this on itself. “There were many systematic mistakes in the work of the Srebrenica Commission, as well as cases of failure by the Government to provide conditions for its work. Finally, the report was prepared by a Bosniak member of the Commission, who inserted many unacceptable assessments. Other members have silently accepted such report. The contents of the report is really devastating,” says Cavic. |
Legal issues | |
| Jelavic ceases hunger strike
| FTV – Former member of BIH Presidency, Ante Jelavic cease his hunger strike. Jelavic used strike to protests against, what he believes to be a illegal detention, contrary to the decision by the BiH Constitutional Court to temporarily suspend Hercegovacka Bank proceeding against Jelavic before the Sarajevo Cantonal Court. FTV learns from the Court chair Martin Raguz that the Crime Court should on Thursday reconsider appeal of Miroslav Prce and Ante Jelavic to be released. |
| DA: Adamovic new president of the BiH Court? | Dnevni Avaz cover ‘Adamovic comes to head the BiH court?’, pg 3 ‘Vlado Adamovic will be the Chairman of BiH Court?’ – DA anonymous source claims that since current Chairman of the BiH Court, Martin Raguz, will be soon retired, he would be replaced with oen of the current judges in BiH Court. Source claims that top candidates would be judges Jasmika Orucevic-Cohadzic and Vlado Adamovic, with later candidate having more chances. |
| RSNA today discusses Kristal Bank and BL Clinical Centre irregularities | RTRS – RS National Assembly today is expected to discuss the report by chief auditor on the workings of the Kristal Bank and Banja Luka Clinic Centre. Chief Auditor Bosko Ceko said that he expects that Deputies will accept these reports, which have showed a number of irregularities in both companies. The RSNA Board for Economic and Finances evaluated the reports, brought conclusions and RSNA should base its discussion on those grounds. Ceko stressed that his part of the job has been completed, with everything now in the hands of Prosecution. |