Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 28 April
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1(12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| Canton 10 HKDU agst. const. chgs | RS Gov. to sue Dixon- Causevic | RS Govt. sues |
| RS Govt sued | Excavation in Gornja Kamenica | Prijedor Transport prepares strike |
| Reactions on cons. chgs non-adopt. | ‘Azot’ ends hunger strike | |
TV news broadcast on 27 April
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| No transmission | BiH HoR rejects Const. amendments | BiH HoR fails to pass const. amend. |
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| Reactions of HR to HoR decision | Reactions to BiH HoR session |
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| McElhaney on HoR decision | Constitutional Affairs Board’s session |
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| BiH politicians on HoR decision | EU visas prices in increase |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Amendments not adopted | BiH HoR fails to pass const. amend. | BiH HoR rejects Const. amendments |
| Reactions to BIH HoR session | Reactions to BiH HoR session | Foreign diplomats on HoR decision |
| Central Election Commission session | IC reps on BiH HoR session | Elections won’t be postponed |
| Feature on gas prices for businesses | EC on BiH HoR session | ITA single account de-blocked |
| Oslobodjenje | |
| Dnevni Avaz | McElhaney announced sanctions |
| Dnevni List | The worst possible message has been sent (reactions to failure to adopt const. Changes) |
| Vecernji List | Death in |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Committee must fall down (HDZ BiH and HDZ 1990 taking each other on in Capljina) |
| Nezavisne Novine | Sanctions will follow [warning of |
| Glas Srpske | Two votes short [HoR did not adopt amendments to BiH Constitution] |
| EuroBlic | They are chasing electricians with guns [stealing of electricity is of frequent occurrence in Gradiska] |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| RS PM Dodik: RS Govt filed today lawsuit vs ITA SB Chair Dixon, Director Causevic
| RTRS – Milorad Dodik, RS Premier, has today stated that the RS Government has today filed a suit with BH Prosecutor’s Office against ITA Steering Board Chair, Joly Dixon, and ITA Director, Kemal Causevic. Dodik said RS Government sued them because “by violating the law and regulations and decisions of the ITA SB, they have damaged the RS budget for over BAM 50 thousand.” Dodik explained: “We are of the view that there is a criminal responsibility of Mr Dixon and Mr Causevic for a damage inflicted upon RS over distribution of resources from ITA single account.” Dodik explained that in 2005, Dixon has passed and signed independent decision, while Causevic was aware this decision was not discussed at the SB but still he implemented it, by which he had violated the Law and previous decision of ITA SB. Dodik also said: “Dixon is a foreigner in BiH and his professional employment is at ITA – therefore, speculation is not true he does not bear legal responsibility or holds immunity.” He stressed that |
Constitutional changes | |
| US Ambassador McElhaney on HoR’s vote on const. changes: There would be sanctions
| PINK – Reacting to the failure of BiH House of Representatives to endorse the amendments to BiH Constitution, |
| Austrian Ambassador Almhofer, EC’s Humphreys disappointed with the outcome of voting in the BiH HoR
| BHT1 – Commenting the failure of the BiH parliament to endorse constitutional changes, Austrian Ambassador to BiH Werner Almhofer said that he was worried by the outcome, but pointed out that constitutional reform in BiH had to be continued. “Those who voted for the amendments should meet with those who voted against them in order to harmonize a joint conclusion which would ensure reform’s process”, said Almhofer. The Head of the EC Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys is also disappointed with the outcome of voting. “Constitutional reform process is not directly connected with the Stabilization and Association process, but EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and the EC President [Jose Manuel] Barosso said that constitutional reform was of extreme importance in terms of BiH’s progress”, said Humphreys. FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Constitutional changes have to be continued’ by S.N – carry press statement by the EC condemning the fact that the proposed amendments have not been passed. Dnevni List, front pg splash ‘The worst possible message has been sent’, by D. P. Mandic – DL notes that the general assessment of BiH and international officials is that the rejection of constitutional amendments has stopped BiH’s journey to Euro-Atlantic integration. FTV, RTRS, Hayat, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Sanctions for failure follow’ by D. P. Mandic, Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Negative message to Washington’ by D.J., Slobodna Dalmacija pg 9 ‘USA disappointed’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘EU worried’ by S.N, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘Sanctions to follow’ by M.Cubro, Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Two votes short’ by Z.D., EuroBlic pgs RS2-RS3 ‘BiH’s progress stumbled on amendments’ by EuroBlic team – also covered. |
| HR Schwarz-Schilling: failure of constitutional changes sends out negative message to IC
| PINK – Commenting the outcome of the BiH House of Representatives session on on amendments to the BiH Constitution, HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling stated that the result of the voting of BiH HoR sends out a negative message to the international community. He stressed that the results of voting represent a great loss for BiH. As OHR Spokeswoman Ljiljana Radetic stated at a press conference held on Thursday that Schwarz-Schilling has said: “I and other members of the IC have been personally involved in this process. We have sought to impress on members of parliament the importance of the proposed amendments. The political parties, public opinion and members of parliament were all perfectly clear that the IC was united in standing behind this project. The proposed amendments were and remain necessary in order to start the vital process of strengthening governance in this country. Those who brought this package to failure must reflect on the consequences of their actions.” BHT1, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Sanctions for failure follow’ by D. P. Mandic, Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Negative message to Washington’ by D.J., Slobodna Dalmacija pg 9 ‘USA disappointed’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘I am deeply disappointed’ by S. N. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Heavily gained opportunity missed’ by Fena, EuroBlic pgs RS2-RS3 ‘BiH’s progress stumbled on amendments’ by EuroBlic team, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘A bad message’ by M.Dz – also covered. |
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| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 “Road to the Europe postponed’ not signed– UK Ambassador to BiH Matthew Rycroft expressed his regret over rejection of amendments to BiH Constitution and added that those who voted against have postponed BiH’s road to the Europe. “I pay a tribute to those who voted for the package, as well as to the party leaders and others who did so much work to develop the best possible consensus. In order to achieve consensus, all parties were at the limit of what they could accept. It was not a perfect package, but it was much better than the status quo – which is what we are now left with. Those who voted against this change must ask themselves if their country can wait until 2010, which is the next chance for any changes affecting elections. I don’t think you can” said Rycroft. RTRS – also reported. |
| Former PDHR Hays, initiator of const. change hopes talks to continue after elections
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Those who want to revive agony of the war were against’ by S.N.– Commenting the rejection of amendments to BiH Constitution, one of initiators of the project Donald Hays said that it is significant that this project got 26 votes in BiH HoR, adding that they were opposed by “handful of people that are fixated on the past, who want to revive the agony of the war and settle old accounts in it”. “Unfortunately, now BiH citizens would pay the price of their selfish calculations,” said Hays, adding that he hopes that necessary changes would be carried out after elections. RTRS – also carries. |
| SDA Presidency excludes MP Zilic from party, demands return of mandate in HoR
| FTV – Following the failure of the BiH HoR to adopt the constitutional changes, the SDA Presidency at the session on Thursday has excluded its HoR representative Muhamed Zilic from the party after he ‘shocked’ [as media said] the party by voting against the proposed amendments. He was also asked to return his mandate as he violated official stance of his party. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Mehmed Zilic expelled from SDA’ by A.M.– The Presidency also expressed concern for the fact that amendments were not passed, deeming that this has made a great damage to BiH underlying the responsibility of those who voted against it. Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Responsibility primarily lies on SBiH’ not signed– SDA underlined they are prepared to continue with the process of constitutional reform and invited all signatories of the Agreement on Constitutional Changes, as well as friends from the International Community, “to stand by us in this process”. RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Mehmed Zilic expelled from SDA’, mentioned on cover ‘Disobedient Mehmed Zilic expelled from SDA’ by V.J., Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Mehmed Zilic expelled from SDA’ by A.M., Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Mehmed Zilic expelled from party’ by R. D., Glas Srpske pg 5 inset ‘Zilic excluded’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Mehmed Zilic excluded from party’ by A.Sisic, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘New Constitution should be worked on’ by M.C., Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘A space open’ – also reported. |
| Expelled SDA’s Zilic: Amendments would install
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Amendments would install Cyprus model in BiH’, mentioned on cover ‘They want to take away my right to the opinion’ by S.Numanovic– In statement to DA, now former SDA MPs in BiH House of Representatives Mehmed Zilic explained his reasons for rejecting the amendments to BiH Constitution by saying “he fights for united BiH”, while amendments would install Cyprus model in BiH. Zilic stressed that he was exposed to many pressures, but didn’t want to comment any further, adding “that he is aware that most of the talks he has had with domestic and foreign officials was in good intention”. Zilic denied that he was not trying to revenge SDA leader Sulejman Tihic or BiH Human Rights Minister Mirsad Kebo, confirming that sometime ago Kebo did show him the “file” against him, but stressed that he is not angry with him. “At the time I was angry with Tihic who new about the paper and didn’t tell me” said Zilic. Inset ‘Mandate on SDA disposal’ – “My mandate remains at their disposal and I gave it to them right away when I said that I wouldn’t vote for this” said Zilic. Oslobodjenje pg 2, mentioned on cover ‘Disobedient Mehmed Zilic expelled from SDA’ by V.J. – Article carries that Zilic did not believe at first when he learned allegedly from a reporter he was expelled from party. Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘Mehmed Zilic excluded from party’ by A.Sisic –– Zilic also denied press question whether it is true he voted against constitutional changes following instructions of Hasan Cengic. |
| SB: SDA MP in BiH HoR Zilic voted against const. changes due to his personal clash with SDA leader Tihic
| Slobodna Bosna cover splash ‘KOS member Zilic demolished BiH Constitution’, pgs 6-9 and 24 ‘Mehmed Zilic – Stabs SDA in the back’ by Asim Metiljevic and Mehmed Pargan – Commenting failure of BiH House of Representatives to adopt constitutional changes, authors stress that the reason why SDA’s Muhamed Zilic refused to obey orders from his party leadership is his personal clash with SDA leader Sulejman Tihic. Article claims that the root of the clash is the fact that Tihic removed Zilic from the position of his advisor, after Zilic supported Elmir Jahic running for SDA president. SB alleges that SDA leadership got into possession of files that discredit Zilic as formed [former Yugoslav Army intelligence service] |
| SDA leader Tihic: those who opposed const. changes should be asked what next
| PINK – Reacting on the BiH HoR session, SDA leader Sulejman Tihic stated the opponents of the proposed amendments have managed to stop the progress and a process that was positive for BiH. “This is only the first half of the match, we will continue the fight”, said Tihic. BHT1 – Ask to comment on the future of constitutional changes, Tihic said this answer should be given by those who voted against the proposed amendments: “I think that Seselj’s radical, SBiH, HDZ 1990 as well as independents deputies should be asked what should be done now… they are responsible for this”.Hayat – Tihic stated: “Once the political strength is created in BIH HoR amendments will be adopted”. RTRS, FTV, Dnevni List, front pg splash ‘The worst possible message has been sent’, by D. P. Mandic, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘This is just first half’ by A. M., EuroBlic pgs RS2-RS3 ‘BiH’s progress stumbled on amendments’ by EuroBlic team, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘A good chance was lost’ by V.Popovic, Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Two votes short’ by Z.D. – also covered. |
| SDA’s Dzaferovic: BiH lost great opportunity
| FTV by Sinan Saric – SDA deputy Sefik Dzaferovic “I think that BiH has lost a great opportunity in its normal constitutional-legal development period and I am sad about it…those who voted against the amendments should bear the responsibility”.Those who voted for the proposed constitutional amendments in the BiH House of Representatives claim that BiH has lost a lot, especially when it comes to the assistance of the IC. On the other hand, those who voted against the amendments claim that they have saved BiH from further ethnical and political divisions. |
| SBiH’s Silajdzic, SDU’s Tokic and BOSS satisfied with outcome of HoR’s session
| BHT1 – Founder of SBiH Haris Silajdzic, who was a strong opponent of the proposed amendments to BiH Constitution, stated: “I am sure that we are acting in line with citizens’ will and the European Parliament’s, US Senate and other institutions’ recommendation to pass a constitution or changes which foresee full democracy”. Hayat – SBiH deputy Beriz Belkic stated that they voted against the amendments because entity voting is a powerful instrument that is being used over BIH as a state. SDU leader Sejfudin Tokic says that everyone has to work now towards affirmation of BIH as a state of equal people living in it. FTV – Belkic said“We did not find entity voting as psychological category but as a powerful instrument of entity’s supervision over BiH”. Patriotic Block – SBiH, SDU and BOSS – claims that it is going to continue with constitutional changes by organizing a broad discussion. RTRS – Silajdzic called upon BiH politicians to continue the talks on constitutional changes immediately. “The voting of BiH HoR opens up the space for continuation of this important task”. PINK – Tokic announced that the parties gathered in the “Patriotic Block” are going to open a new dialogue with all political parties that promote interests of BiH. BHT1, Hayat, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Struggle for state without entities’ by R. Dautefendic, Dnevni Avaz pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Silajdzic: We proceeded in line with will of citizens’ by S.Skuletic, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Call on continuation of talks on constitutional changes’ by A.Omeragic – also covered. |
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| FTV by Sinan Saric – |
| RS party leaders disappointed with failure of const. changes, criticise FBiH parties; SNSDs Dodik: Talks should continue after elections; only
| FTV By Ognjen Blagojevic – Commenting the failure of the BiH House of Representatives to adopt the constitutional changes and a large number of objections to the preserving entity vote in the HoR, the SNSD leader Milorad Dodik said: “The story about entity voting is extremely unfair since it focuses only on that particular issue, paying no attention to the fact that BiH institutions should have been strengthened”. |
| RS PM Dodik: I don’t understand why entity vote is suddenly such a problem | OBN current affairs program ‘Telering’ By Mato Djakovic– Commenting on BiH HoR session, RS PM Milorad Dodik underlined that he doesn’t understand why entity vote is suddenly such a big problem, especially for Beriz Belkic and SBiH. “Entity vote was used only a couple of times so far. It is entity, not ethnic voting. But the fact that somebody identifies those two things – well, it’s a completely different issue”, stressed Dodik. |
| RSNA Speaker Radojicic: to change RS Constitution as soon as possible regarding VNI | BHT1 By Zorica Medjedovic – Constitutional Affairs Board within the RS National Assembly held session on Thursday. At the beginning of the session, the Board condemned the fact that proposed constitutional amendments were not passed and stated that it proved that a majority of BiH politicians was still immature to reach an agreement. The Board decided to issue an initiative to authorised persons to have the RS Constitution changed, as soon as possible. RS NA Speaker Igor Radojicic said: “There is a number of issues and different interpretations regarding the issue of vital national interest mechanism, election and activities of the RS Council of Peoples“. Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Changes to a part of RS Constitution are necessary’ by A. S. – also carries. |
| HDZ leader Covic on const. changes: negative results represent a huge step back | PINK – HDZ BiH leader Dragan Covic stated that the outcome of the BiH HoR session on the constitutional changes is a huge step backwards for the country and a rejection of the IC support. He adds that such public rejection sends out a very clear message, adding that BiH will have to wait a long period for another chance for changes. BHT1 – “I am worried because this could result in an ambient in which BiH, namely its constitutional solution, would permanently be sought trough two entities which means that Croats in BiH could lose their future in BiH”, said Covic. RTRS, Hayat, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘4 Federal units have been demanded’ by T. Calic – Covic also said that HDZ BiH will now have to look for a new solution and for HDZ the most acceptable one is BiH made of 4 federal units. Vecernji List pg 5 ‘This is defeating for Croats’ by B. Stevandic, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘4 Federal units most acceptable solution for HDZ’ Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘HDZ for BiH with four federal units’ by O.V, EuroBlic pgs RS2-RS3 ‘BiH’s progress stumbled on amendments’ by EuroBlic team, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘A good chance was lost’ by V.Popovic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Croats may disappear’ by Z.M –also reported. |
| BiH Presidency member Jovic: those who rejected amendments need to be responsible for adoption of bad decision | Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Bad decision for BiH’ by Fena– With the failure to adopt changes to the BiH Constitution an opportunity has been missed to adopt certain positive solutions that were agreed by the representatives of all three peoples in BiH, and the international community realized yesterday that it does not have a partner for talks in BiH, BiH Presidency member Ivo Miro Jovic said. “Those who have decided to vote in 2006 for a Constitution from 1995 need to be responsible for the adoption of a bad decision for BiH”, Jovic said on Thursday. EuroBlic pgs RS2-RS3 ‘BiH’s progress stumbled on amendments’ by EuroBlic team – also reported. |
| President of HDZ 1990 Caucus in BiH HoR Zoric proposes postponing on voting on constitutional changes for a month or two and elections | Vecernji List, pgs 4-5 ‘Pre-election game about Constitution’, mentioned on front ‘First phase of pre-election campaign’, by HINA – President of the HDZ 1990 Caucus in BiH HoR Vinko Zoric proposed that voting on constitutional changes be postponed for a month or two and to postpone for the same period of time the implementation of the October elections. VL says that advocators of constitutional changes said that nothing could change in a month or two if there is no political will for adopting the solutions at this moment. RTRS – He added his Caucus believe that the changes of Constitution are necessary, despite of the fact that they have voted against the proposed amendments. He stressed that the existing Constitution is harmful for Croats in BiH. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Croat Caucuses and SBiH should be involved in negotiations’ by Fena – also reported. |
| Central Election Commission Petric: no realistic chances for rescheduling elections
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘There are no real chances for delay in scheduling of elections’ pg 3 ‘There are no real chances for delay in scheduling of elections’ by L.S.– Answering to demands of some parties that proposed for elections not to be scheduled before new constitutional solutions are agreed, Chair of BiH Central Election Commission Branko Petric said that there are no realistic chances for that. “Only the Parliament, by changing the Law, could postpone date of elections, which would automatically postpone their scheduling” said Petric. He added that even then it wouldn’t be procedurally possible to conduct all legislative issues in time. |
| Speaker of BiH HoR Raguz: Merged 1st and 2nd phase of const. changes talks after October elections
| Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Merged phase of constitutional changes after elections’, by Ivica Glibusic – carries interview with Speaker of BiH HoR, Martin Raguz (HDZ 1990), who says the last session of the BiH HoR dedicated to constitutional changes was a democratic one, when the decision to reject the proposed changes was taken in a democratic manner. He reiterates that the Croat MPs could not support the amendments because the amendments would mean that the Croat MPs would not be in position to influence future decision-making process. Finally, Raguz says the process will continue right after the October elections, arguing that one should be thinking about merging the so called first and second phase together. Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 9 ‘Raguz: BiH saved for second time’, by Veso Vegar – carries Raguz with similar message regarding continuation of constitutional changes. He also noted: “We (presumably Croats) saved the country for the second time. First time it was during the referendum (on BiH independence).” |
| Ljubic (HDZ 1990) – advocators of const. changes are at fault, Tadic (HSS) – new discussion should be carried out | Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Opposition wants new negotiations’, by Z. K. – leader of HDZ 1990, Bozo Ljubic, says it is the 6 political parties ( |
| | Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘A good chance was lost’ by V.Popovic – Kresimir Zubak, |
| BiH HoR deputy Avdic: | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Tihic and Lagumdzija are responsible’ by H.O. – Independent MPs to BiH HoR, Sead Avdic, who voted against the amendments to the BiH Constitution, accused |
| BiH HoR MP Potocnik: IC will take break and see nothing can be done by force | Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘End of take-it-or-leave-it system’ by S.S. – Commenting failure of BiH House of Representatives to adopt amendments to the BiH Constitution, independent deputy Mladen Potocnik, who voted against, said that nothing horrible happened: “We shoed our readiness and will for constitutional changes, but not any kind. New constitution has to be made, but it should not be done under someone’s pressure.” He added that International Community would take a break after this and see that nothing can be done by force. |
| Chief Negotiator Davidovic: this would be dissimulating for | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘This is dissimulating for further talks to the EU’ by T.L.– BiH Chief Negotiator for Stabilization and Association Agreement Igor Davidovic stated for DA that failure to pass amendments to BiH Constitution would be dissimulating for continuance of the talks on |
| SD: | Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 19, mentioned on front ‘Zlatko Lagumdzija insulted Raguz’, by Zlatko Tulic – according to Tulic, the most interesting moment of the 2nd day of session of BiH HoR happened when the |
| DA: Tuesday and Wednesday were two most tempestuous days at State Parliament since | Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Two most tempestuous days at State Parliament’ by N.Orahovac – Daily notes that this weeks’ Tuesday and Wednesday were the most tempestuous days at the BiH Parliament since the Dayton was signed, adding it may be a usual thing when Constitution of a state is changed. Daily observes the sessions were unique chance to see “alive” how parliamentary lobbying looks like, since there was no free space either room where “a duo” of delegates was not seen explaining each other what is wrong with proposal and in what manner “everything should be resolved once and for all”. Daily adds the most interesting thing to see was how Douglas McElchany, US Ambassador to BiH, was calling on delegates for a talk, like Mehmed Zilic, Sead Avdic, Mladen Potocnik, Mirko Blagojevic. Daily adds Zilic was “a special target” not only from his party colleagues from SDA but also of |
| Osl. op-ed on const. chgs: ‘Things that were agreed are political capital that should be used’ | Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Singling out’ by Z. Dizdarevic comments on non-adoption of the constitutional changes and the author says that BiH has missed a chance to move from the |
| NN op-ed: politicians once again ignored will of majority of citizens | Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Now what?’ by Aleksandar Sekulic – Referring to failure of politicians to adopt constitutional amendments, the author notes certain local politicians once again ignored will of the majority of their citizens and – just to make it more complicated and unbelievable – the debacle was ensured by those representatives of parties that used the parliamentary discussion for their personal pre-election promotion only. |
| DL comment: Entity voting is too big a deal to be ignored
| Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘(No) Constitutional changes’, by Pejo Gasparevic – the author generally disagrees with the proposed entity voting in the BiH HoR, which would ‘”endanger the status of a constitutional people to Croats in our country”, arguing it is “too big a deal” that one must not ignore. Gasparevic also notes that Croat politicians have been in past 15 years signing all agreements, often with no vision at all, which in turn made the Croat position difficult, which was not the case this time around. |
| VL comment: Voting in BiH HoR again showed differences between peoples
| Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Freak’, by Zdenko Cosic – the author argues that the events in the BiH HoR and previous practice that the OHR is the one that carries out interventions in the BiH legislation have shown that BiH has become an infinite protectorate. Cosic also argues that the BiH HoR session again showed the differences between the three peoples in BiH, in which the Serbs want to preserve the RS, the Bosniaks want to establish a new, civic, Bosnian identity, whilst the Croats want equality in the state. As a conclusion, Cosic says BiH continues to live as a freak, no matter whether the changes get adopted or not. |
| VL comment: BiH deeply in pre-election campaign
| Vecernji List, pgs 4-5 ‘Pre-election game about Constitution’, mentioned on front ‘First phase of pre-election campaign’, by HINA – the article notes that the failure to adopt constitutional changes clearly shows that BiH is already deep in the pre-election campaign, arguing it is mostly used by the HDZ 1990, which gained publicity by taking on the HDZ BiH leader, Dragan Covic, and confronting him on the issue, and by the SBIH, which used the issue to foremost launch back into the politics its founder Haris Silajdzic. |
| VL comment: There are many pros and cons after const. changes got rejected
| Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Demise of Croats from political scene prevented’, by M. V. – the author argues there are many pros and cons when constitutional changes i.e. the failure to adopt them is concerned. Author says that good sides of the failure, are that Croats will not be sidelined owing to the entity voting, the RS based on genocide will not be legalized, and that BiH still has politicians that care about the sovereignty of the country by not giving in to various pressures, foremost by the |
| Vjesnik: Polls showed not more than 40% citizenry support changes | Vjesnik, pg 7 ‘Majority of citizens against proposed model’, by Alenko Zornija – the author says that despite numerous statements by IC and BiH officials that majority of BiH citizens support the proposed changes, no opinion poll showed that the changes are supported by more than 40% of the citizenry. |
| Vjesnik: Main reason behind failure is reluctance of IC to raise issue of middle level authority | Vjesnik, pg 15 ‘Without changes’, by Marko Barisic – according to Barisic, the main reason behind the failure lies in the fact that the IC went into the process by advocating for cosmetic changes only, i.e. by refusing to organize a discussion on the middle level of authority. The author also reckons that the Croats do not have reasons to regret the outcome of the issue because the changes would annul their status of a constituent people. |
| SB op-ed: Opponents of const. changes buried BiH’s last hope
| Slobodna Bosna pgs 4-5 ‘New Bosnian vague myth – confidence’ op-ed by Senad Avdic – Harshly criticizing all the BiH House of Representatives deputies that voted against the amendments to the BiH Constitution, especially SDA’s Muhamed Zilic, editorial reads that they are responsible for “burring almost the very last hope for something to be changed in this country.” Author concluded that the fact these deputies were referring to confidence entrusted to them by their voters is nothing but a farce. Dani: SBiH founder Silajdzic and clashes within SDA and HDZ brought down const. changesDani pgs 18-20 ‘Move forward Europe, don’t wait for us…’ by Dzenana Karup-Drusko – Dani comments personal ambitions of SBiH founder Haris Silajdzic, and clashes within SDA and HDZ prevented amendments to be adopted in BiH HoR. |
Other issues | |
| RS PM Dodik: Any police reform which is not result of compromise/consensus is unacceptable
| RTRS by Stela Jungic – The RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated in |
| BiH Presidency member Jovic: BiH needs single police structure | Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘No decisions without consent of RS’ by V. Popovic – Croat member of BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic has stated that BiH needs single police structure but he also added he understands Serb representatives at the Governing Board of Police Reform Directorate because Croats too ‘have got used to be outvoted’. |
| OHR appeals on RS institutions to urge its reps at
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘No decisions without consent of RS’ by V. Popovic Inset ‘OHR: RS needs to be constructive’ – OHR expressed its concern over the fact Police Reform Directorate had breached the deadlines for the implementation of this process. OHR also appealed on RS institutions to urge their representative at the Governing Board of |
| ITA Steering Board unblocks single account, distribution of revenues started
| RTRS by Radoslav Banovic – Steering Board of Indirect Taxation Administration unblocked the single VAT account and the ITA has started with the distribution of collected public revenues. The single account has been blocked on April 5 due to dispute of entities and Brcko District over distribution coefficients. Over 225 million KM have been collected since the blockade of the account. RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik announced that RS Government is not going to give up the lawsuit against Chair of ITA Steering Board Joly Dixon and other persons responsible for unjust distribution of VAT income. Dodik stated that the lawsuit might be filed already on Friday, if the necessary evidence is collected on time. Dodik also announced that the vacancy for appointment of an independent auditor tasked to investigate the distribution coefficients is going to be published soon. Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘FBiH received 127.4, RS 58.1 million’ by T.L., – Out of total KM, ITA Spokesman Ratko Kovacevic stated that 58 million KM have been transferred to RS on Thursday, 127,4 million to FBiH and 8 million KM to Brcko District. The rest of amount is intended for settling foreign debts of entities, financing state institutions and reserves. EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘225 million BAM unblocked’ by T. V. – Blic carries that Kovac informed that 56 mil KM went to RS, 123 mil KM to FBiH and 7,5 mil KM to Brcko District. Hayat, BHT1,Glas Srpske pg 3 ’58 million to Srpska’ by D. Vrhovac – also carries. |
| RS Government dismisses management of a number of public companies
| RTRS by Sinisa Mihailovic – At the session held on Thursday in Banja Luka, RS Government discussed the information on activities of RS Interior Ministry based on the 2003 audit reports on “Elektroprivreda RS”, Oil Refineries, RS Railroads, RS Forests, “Petrol”, RS Banking Agencies and RS Post, as well as Gacko and Teslic Municipalities. RS national Assembly has already adopted the reports. The damage caused by criminal activities is over 38 million KM. Process of suspension of all executive managers has been started. RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated that all responsible ones must be punished, adding that even those who were not directly involved but have failed to prevent irregularities are responsible too. PINK, BHT1, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘RS Elektroprivreda 30 persons committed crimes’ by O.V., Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘The responsible ones must be suspended’ by D. Risojevic, EuroBlic pg RS2 ’40 million BAM to be left to economy’ by T. V. – also reported |
| EU increase price of visas as of
| BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Out of 2007 visa 60 euros, possible exemption of BiH’ by T.Lazovic, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Schengen visas 60 euros’ by APF, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Decision on increase of prices postponed for our country’, by LJ. Vidacak – EU Foreign Ministers agreed on Thursday that price of the ‘Schengen visas’ will increase from 35 to 60 Euros as of |
| 42 schools have to change names by September 1
| BHT1, FTV, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Neither school must carry the name of anyone or anything from the previous war’, mentioned on cover ‘Schools have to forget the last war’ by An.S, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ’42 more schools have t change names’ by Fena, Vecernji List, pg 7 ‘Debatable symbols now in religious classes’, by Eldina Medunjanin – The Board for implementation of Provisional agreement on satisfying special needs and rights of children of returnees took a decision according to which founders and school principals are obliged to change inappropriate names of schools and remove symbols that might offend minority pupils by September 1, 2006. |
| Head of WB Office to BiH Reinermann: BiH is one of poorest candidates for admission to EU
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 8 ‘Unemployment is burning issue’ by Dirk Reinermann, the Head of World Bank Office in BiH – Dirk Reinermann, the Head of World Bank Office in BiH, warned on a high number of unemployed people in BiH and said BiH is one of the poorest candidates for the admission to EU. ‘While the low level of employment makes an influence on the poverty level and life standard in the country, it might soon become a stumbling rock at the path of the country in the process of admission to EU’, Reinermann emphasised. |
| EUFOR Commander Chiarini: terrorism is a global threat and BiH a other countries is endangered
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Terrorists threat all countries and so to BiH as well’, mentioned on cover by Lana Sinanovic– In an interview to DA, EUFOR Commander Gian Marco Chiarini said that EUFOR command has recently received information that one of the most wanted war criminals, probably Radovan Karadzic, is hiding in BiH. “At this moment we do not have information that war crimes indictees are on BiH territory. We monitor the situation carefully and continue to work in full power for them to be faced with the justice”, said Chiarini. Commenting on police reform, Chiarini compared it to successful defence reform, stressing: “it is a bit harder with police reform. I personally expect that this reform, with a bit more flexibility of people that are involved in the process, would achieve the same success as the defence reform did. Searching for compromises is the essence of the democracy”, said Chiarini. Asked about information on terrorist cells in BiH, Chiarini said that terrorism is a global threat, which endangers all countries in the world. “We cannot exclude the existence of the threat in any country and that goes for BiH as well. However, at this moment EUFOR has no data that would lead us to conclusion that threat of terrorism and terrorist attacks is larger in BiH than elsewhere” said Chiarini. |