| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | BH TV 1 (19,00 hrs) | FED TV (19,30 hrs) | RT RS (19,30) |
| FBiH HoR in session | RSNA on Hafizovic | Helsinki Comm. on SFOR | SFOR action in Sokolac |
| Protests in Drvar | FBiH HoR in session | Protests in Drvar | RSNA in session |
| NHI on Veterans Law | FBiH Govt on workers | Privatisation issues | Exercise of entities armies |
| OHR urges PBS Law | Macedonian elections | FBiH HoR in session | SNSD press conference |
| Oslobodjenje | SFOR searched for wiretapping devices in Sokolac; Cavic: Srebrenica Commission report was devastating; A hand grenade thrown in Sarajevo downtown; Joint military exercise near Doboj: Successful help to ‘injured’ |
| Dnevni Avaz | Government will not resign; Soldiers from both entities help ‘injuries’; Terzic: We set deadline for ourselves; Mujic: Pensions as of tomorrow; Draft Family Law: Husband banned from divorcing if a wife is pregnant |
| Dnevni List | Protest in front of FBiH Government today; FBiH Prime Minister Hadzipasic on Law on Bankruptcy: Bankruptcy procedure means recovery of company and not its liquidation |
| Vecernji List | Hercegovacka Banka is getting its owner tomorrow; Customs’ strike on Herzegovina |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | FBiH and RS Armies in the same formation; One of HDZ founders in Mostar Jadran Topic: HDZ has become private property of HDZ top |
| Glas Srpske | RS Syndicate of Health: To pay debts; Constitutional Court: Sarovic rejected; Belgrade: Patriarch visited Starovlah’s |
| Nezavisne Novine | Military drill: Soldiers of RS and F BiH helped civilians; RS Parliament: SDS gave up on removal of Sevket Hafizovic; Sokolac: SFOR soldiers were looking for tapping equipment; Damir Miljevic: Shares of “Pivara” will drop below BAM 1 |
| Blic | Cajavec: They are privatized but do not know who is their owner; Scandal: Dodik cursed Djeric’s mother |
Economic issues | |
| Trade Union to hold protests in front of FBiH Govt building
| BHTV 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Who received demands to address the workers’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 11 ‘Thousands workers in front of Government’, Dnevni List front and page 5 ‘Protest in front of FBiH Government building today: It has been expected that tens of thousands workers will come’ – In the organization of the BiH Trade Union a protest rally of the workers from the Federation of BiH will take place in front of the FBiH Government building today “We offered the concrete program, with concrete measures, by which we would provide financial help for 10.500 workers,” said Ahmet Hadzipasic, FBiH Prime Minister. “We could expect around 30 million KM,” added his deputy and FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Vrankic. FTV – Meanwhile, the petition for the dismissal of the FBiH Government has still been signed. |
| Hadzpasic on social care measures | RHB, Dnevni List front and page 4 ‘Bankruptcy procedure means recovery of company and not its liquidation’ – During its session on Wednesday, the Federation of BiH Government gave support to the Program for social care of workers who will lose job in the process of privatisation, bankruptcy or re-structuring of the company. FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic stated that the bankruptcy procedure is the procedure of the company’s recovery and not its liquidation. He believes that current activities of the BiH Trade Union and their demands for the removal of the FBiH Government can endanger activities in the area of the reforms’ implementation. FBiH Minister of Finances Dragan Vrankic stated that the FBiH Government is on the right way since reforms do not have an alternative. Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Government will not resign’, pg 2 ‘Government will not resign because of unrealistic demands of the Syndicate’ – FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic states for DA that the Syndicate will not cause the FBiH Govt to be dismissed, adding that positive economic trends shows its work to be positive. Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘There will be enough money for those redundant’ – Hadzipasic stresses that there is no reason for social plan not to be implemented, as income increased for 5%. He also denies that speculations spread by the Syndicate that hundreds of thousands workers could be laid off following the implementation of the Bankruptcy Law is not correct, and says that in the worst case 10.500 workers would be redundant. |
| OHR on Bankruptcy Law | Dnevni List pg 11 ‘Questionable decision of Herzegovina-Neretva canton on education’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 11 ‘OHR supports Government’, Slobodna Dalmacija back page ‘Sanela Tunovic: Law on PBS to be adopted’ – Sanela Tunovic, OHR Spokesperson stated that, thanks to the amendments to the FBiH Bankruptcy Law, companies now had the opportunity to restructure and stay in business and secure a capital injection through investment rather than going into liquidation or remaining in business “on paper”. Tunovic added the issue was addressed in a statement by the World Bank, noting that last week Entity officials and World Bank experts finalized preparations for a project that will make US$12 million in WB funds available for employment-support services. RHB –OHR spokeswoman in Banja Luka Ljiljana Radetic also called on the trade unions to work with the Entity governments for the purpose of taking advantage of the bankruptcy law in the most efficient manner in order to protect jobs and create new ones by stimulating restructuring and investments. |
| Protests in Drvar over privatisation | RHB, BHTV 1, FTV – On Wednesday, protests were held in Drvar over the privatisation process. President of the local Association of unemployed returnees, Jovo Bajic said that privatisation in Drvar municipality is illegal and crime oriented. During the protests by several hundreds of unemployed returnees, Jovo Bajic stated that their mains demands include the revision of privatisation and implementation of Labour Law. This is not first protest of this kind, as the last year in several occasions the returnees gathered and tried to voice their opinions to the Cantonal Government. Returnees are mostly dissatisfied with the company “Finvest”, that privatised several firms in Drvar. |
| RS Farmers to block border crossings on 7 May | BHTV 1 – Representatives of the RS and BiH Farmers Association, and BiH Associations of poultry farmers and meat packers, have scheduled blockades at five BiH border crossings on May 7, unless BiH Parliament adopts on May 4 amendments to the Law on Customs Tariffs. Representatives of these associations reminded at a press conference in Banja Luka about numerous difficulties they were facing because of bad legal solutions in the sector, stressing their dissatisfaction with Free Trade Agreements signed with neighboring countries. ONASA – Chairman of the BiH Association of Farmers Vladimir Usorac said that the free trade agreements were causing financial losses to BiH as well as that it had already caused losses to farmers. According to Usorac, the only possible solution is that amendments to the Law on Customs Tariffs be passed. RTRS – President of BiH Association of Poultry, Zlatan Ivancevic said that in FBiH main problems are unfair competition in the industry. |
| Name of new owner of Hercegovacka Banka to be published tomorrow | Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Name of new owner of Hercegovacka Banka tomorrow’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘Purchaser of Hercegovacka Banka will be known tomorrow’ – The Hercegovacka Banka Provisional Administration informed that the bank’s Administrator Toby Robinson would issue a press release tomorrow with a name of a new owner of Hercegovacka Banka. Vecernji List front and page 3 ‘Hercegovacka Banka is getting its owner tomorrow’ by Z. Kresic – On the same issue, article reads that the offer of the consortium of a few Croatian companies is among the most serious offers. VL says that allegedly High Representative Paddy Ashdown and Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader gave blessing to this deal during their recent meeting in Zagreb. |
| VL on reactions in Herzegovina to ITA decision
| In light of recent orders by Kemal Causevic, Director of Indirect Taxation Agency, Vecernji list, front page splash “Customs strike on Herzegovina” and p 3, “Strike against customs officers in Herzegovina?, by Dalibor Ravic, reports that customs officers and freighters in Herzegovina consider them to be a strike against them and are of the view that, by exerting pressure, one tries to prevent import of food and meat and meat products from Croatia. Freighters add that it is only fictitiously that they are allowed to transport Croatian products without paying customs and state that non-recognition of EUR-1, i.e. the certificate on the origin of goods from Croatia, causes the main problem. They are also dissatisfied with the provision that food of animal origin and medications can now only be imported via border crossings regulated by the decision of the Council of Ministers. They add they are ready to take the steps to avoid blocking of their work or closing of freight forwarding companies down. |
| WB on its work | RHB, Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Additional financial funds of World Bank will still be accessible to BiH’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 6 ‘BiH is losing special status of post-conflict country’ – The World Bank’s office in Sarajevo informed that media writings, which say that the WB will stop with financing of BiH, are not correct and that apart from currently active projects the WB prepares few new projects. DL says that the WB warned that all these projects depend to a large extent on the willingness of the BiH authorities to speed up the current process of the reforms and adopt necessary laws. The WB also said that at the end of June this year BiH will lose its special status in the WB as a post-conflict country and currently the WB is preparing its own business plan called Country Assistance Strategy that will offer support in the implementation of PRSP goals in the next 4 years, as well as, in the process of accession to the EU and other important reforms with additional 200 million $. However, the WB stressed that this support will also depend on the efficiency of the domestic authority. |
Political issues | |
| RSNA withdraws initiative to dismiss its Vice President Hafizovic
| BHTV 1, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Initiative to dismiss Sefket Hafizovic withdrawn’ – RS National Assembly did not discuss the initiative supported by 49 representatives to dismiss of its Vice-President Sefik Hafizovic. RS Socialistic Party delegate Nedjo Djuric withdrew the initiative because representatives did not vote for the proposal to discuss the initiative within the second item on the agenda. The initiative was launched and it claims that Hafizovic violated the code of conducted of RSNA representatives by expressing support for Fata Orlovic, a returnee to Konjevic Polje, and that he damaged tolerance between ethnic groups with his request for the demolition of an Orthodox church built on Fata Orlovic’s land. Duric accused representatives of the ruling coalition, especially the SDS, of protecting Hafizovic because they proposed that this issue be discussed as the last on the agenda. “There were no official talks about this, but there is a possibility for complications in this relationship [if Hafizovic was dismissed], and in BiH Parliament. We would have some consequence in that case,” comments Milan Tupajic, SDS delegate. Opposition said it would not proposed Hafizovic’s dimissal again. Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 4 ‘SDS gave up on removal of Sevket Hafizovic’; Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘In May about Visegrad’ – Igor Radojicic, SNSD delegate, stressed that the RS Parliament Speaker, Dragan Kalinic, had said at the session of the Collegium before the Parliament session that the removal of Hafizovic would result in a crisis at all levels of executive authority, which might bring the entire state in jeopardy. RTRS -“Probably due to the great interests of RSNA Speaker and ruling party, and considering the positions that SDA holds and considering that SDA probably has key influence over the this Government functioning and over SDS, RSNA Speaker simply wanted to take this point of the agenda,” said Nedjo Djuric. SDS doesn’t see anything controversial here; they say that they have only respected the attitude of RSNA Collegiums. “It was agreed for this agenda item to be included in another item of selection and appointments. We were ready… I support this initiative and we gave the signatures for it,” said Milan Tupajic. “It would be completely acceptable and it would be completely normal for me if you, Mr Djuric, instead of that politically motivated initiative, came out with a idea that this Assembly could reach a conclusion on and forward it to the BiH Parliament. [Maybe idea] in the area of human rights protection, to investigate at the BiH level all cases of not only illegally built facilities but also religious premises built on the private property,” said Sefket Hafizovic. Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic appealed to Deputies to let the Government to solve this issue. |
| FBiH HoR considers laws on apartments issues and restitution | RHB – At the session on Wednesday, FBiH House of Representatives adopted the Draft Law on amendments to the Law on Selling Apartments with Occupants’ Rights. Considering that with this law the FBiH Government has encompassed both the military and nationalized apartments, as well as the apartments to which the repossession claims had not been submitted, the SDA and HDZ caucuses requested from the Government to treat the nationalized apartments with a different law once the state-level law on restitution has been adopted. As for the military apartments, the Draft recommends that those persons who were holders of occupancy rights in 1992, but in the meantime solved their housing status in some other country of former Yugoslavia, cannot repossess their apartments in Federation BiH. BHTV 1 – While the claim of the military apartments would not be possible, the owners would be entitled to compensation. As for the framework Restitution Law, HoR says that OSCE has not yet considered it. “Annex 7 [of DPA] says that the private property is inviolable. The problem is the treaty on succession. We expect OHR to say something about this,” said Ramiz Mehmedagic, FBiH Minister for Urban Planning and Environment. “We will soon have 10 suggestions for restitution on the state level,” said Irfan Ajanovic SDA delegate. Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘To JNA officers either money or return of the apartment’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Nationalized apartments to wait for restitution’ – also covered the session. |
| DA int with Terzic | Dnevni Avaz cover ‘We set deadline ourselves’, pg 5 ‘We set short deadline for ourselves because we have to speed up the path towards Europe’ by Sead Numanovic – Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Adnan Terzic in an interview to DA expresses his satisfaction with the results of the Mrakovica meeting. He also says that he did reforms process was not too slow, adding that “the international community treats this issue in a way that is not helping us. Negative atmosphere is being created around a work you do, and that doesn’t help but on the contrary.” However, Terzic says that there is still a lot to be done and adds that short deadlines were step by BiH authorities in order to make progress towards Europe in near future. |
| SNSD says IC shows, through economic, dislike for voting for certain parties
| RTRS – SNSD held a press conference in Foca on Wednesday to talk about the economic situation in RS municipalities, stressing that economy in Eastern and Western RS are reflections of the political condition. In the Western part, where other party are ruling, IC helped and stimulated the development. However, in the Eastern parts they have imposed the sanctions and in that way make citizens realize that IC did not support their political opinions. “Eastern part of RS that has constantly disobeyed to IC by electing SDS as current and future government; IC said ‘OK you chosen that political option, but we have means and we are not giving them’. This is why I want to warn people in this part of RS to try to change situation,” said Nikola Spiric, from SNSD. If the changes do not happen the situation will get even worse, because current Government, says Nikola Spiric, must fulfil the obligations to be taken over from OHR. |
| VL in with Lidija Korac | Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Because of money for elections state might end up at court!’ by E. Medunjanin – In an interview with President of the BiH Election Commission Lidija Korac says possibility for the Commission to remain without a part of funds necessary for upcoming elections: “We shall do our job completely. However, when the bills arrive then it will be a problem as to who will pay them. Since we are a state institution, the one who performed the service will probably sue the state because of unmet obligations.’ Asked whether the BiH Election Commission, and its Audit Department, have an insight in the financial operations of SDS after the High Representative Paddy Ashdown sanctioned this party, Korac says that this Department is the weakest one in the chain of the Election Commission. Korac added that they have the SDS financial report, however, a little has been done with regard to it. |
Defence and security issues | |
| FBiH, RS troops together carry out military exercise
| RHB, Oslobodjenje cover, pg 8 ‘Successful ‘salvation’ and evacuation of those injured’, Dnevni Asvaz cover, pg 3 ‘FBiH and RS troops put pontoon bridge over river Bosnia’, Slobodna Dalmacija front and page 11 ‘FBiH and RS Armies in the same formation’, Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 2 ‘Soldiers helped civilians’1 – About 400 troops from both entities armies on Wednesday for the first time participated the joint action at the military exercise of extinguishing fires and providing first aid to those injured. Under the name “Helping the unfortunate 2004”, operation under command of BiH Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic and patronage of the OSCE, took place on territories of both Entities, in the area of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Tuzla Canton and Doboj regions. RTRS – “For me as the Defence Minister, it is important [to have something] based on experiences and analyses which are the result of this exercise will enable development of the procedures that will further ensure the real use of armed forces in the future, in situations caused by natural or other disasters, because that is one of the responsibilities for armed forces in BiH,” said Nikola Radovanovic. Representative of OSCE President, Claudio Zapulla said that this exercise showed that the lives of BiH citizens could be protected and that if necessary these forces could provide help to neighbourly states |
| SFOR searches RS Telekom in Sokolac looking for wiretapping devices | Onasa – SFOR soldiers carried an inspection of the building of Telekom Srpske in Sokolac on Wednesday. Spokesman for the SFOR command Dennis Thaagard stated that the inspection was unannounced, adding that employees in the facility cooperated with SFOR troops and that there were no problems, adding that RS police was subsequently informed about the inspection. Director of the RS Telekom unit in Sokolac Mile Balotic said this inspection was different from the past three inspections conducted in this company, adding that SFOR soldiers were interested in wiretapping devices and asked if the company received orders for wiretapping from higher authorities. He stressed that there are no wiretapping devices in this company. Balotic added that SFOR soldiers did not take any of equipment or materials, that they were correct and that members of the local police did not participate in the inspection. RHB – SFOR Spokesperson, Dave Sullivan refused to comment whether troops were searching for wiretapping equipment. RTRS – According to RTRS, SFOR troops carried out the search inside the RS Telecom of Sokolac with an aim to prevent providing the ICTY suspects with the assistance. SFOR stated that they will thoroughly and in details analyse the results of this operation. For the first time, SFOR didn’t take any documents and their questions to employees were related to existence of wiretapping equipment inside the Telecom. SFOR Spokesperson Dennis Thaargard pointed that the cooperation with the local police was good. This is the fourth search carried out in this building. Oslobodjenje cover splash, pg 8 ‘SFOR looked for wiretapping devices in Sokolac’ – “The action was a part of our usual activities ensuring implementation of the Dayton agreement,” said Thaagard adding that the local police was addressed by SFOR just before the beginning of the operation, and that the action was performed “with local police support.” However, spokesperson for Public Security Centre Srpsko Sarajevo Radovan Pejic stated for Oslobodjenje that the police did not participate in this search. Nezavisne Novine cover and pg 3 ‘SFOR was looking for tapping equipment’, Dnevni List pg 16 ‘SFOR was looking for wiretapping equipment in Telekom Srpske’ Vecernji List pg 2 ‘SFOR was looking wiretapping equipment’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19 ‘Sokolac: SFOR in inspection in building of Telekom Srpske’, Blic pg 13 ‘SFOR soldiers were searching for “bugs”’ – also covered the SFOR action. |
| Covic: new Croat candidates by Friday | Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘By Friday new proposal for generals’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘We will complete the procedure on 30 April’, FENA – “We must fulfill the requests that have been set before us, because the relation of the current authorities, SFOR and its role, is clear,” told BiH Presidency member Dragan Covic to Fena news agency on the nominations of the candidates for generals’ positions in the BiH Armed Forces, especially the candidates that have been “disqualified”. Covic stressed that he told the Defence Minister that he has a legal obligation to propose four new names, in regard to the Croat component of FBiH Army. “We shall try to find four honourable brigadiers, willing to accept the candidates. This task, at least when the Croat segment is in question will be concluded, in sense of the new proposals, by April 30 I should hope”, said Covic. He announced that the Presidency would have to hold talks with SFOR. |
| Tihic’s advisor on appointment of generals | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Checks of candidates could be ceased if there is no agreement from BiH Presidency’ – Advisor to the Bosniak members of the BiH Presidency, Rasim Delic, stated for DA that if presidency members Sulejman Tihic and Dragan Covic do not approve further vetting procedures for general positions in BiH Armed Forces the entire process could be halted. He stresses that the announcement by Tihic that he would not interfere with the procedure anymore should “bring those carrying out the vetting procedure to come out publicly with standards and documents, if they have them, referring to those they accused.” Additionally, DA publishes a part of apaper claiming that it is facsimile from ICTY which stats that brigadier Selmo Cikotic [Bosniak candidate rejected by SFOR] was not a subject of the Tribunal’s investigation for war crimes. |
| Radovanovic on Tihic’s statement | Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Procedure cannot be stopped now’ – The BiH Defence Minister Nikola Readovanovic states for DA tat he learned from media about the statement by the BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic who said that he would not further interfere with the selection of the process of appointing generals in the BiH Armed forces. He commented: “I think that in this way Chairman Tihic distances himself from the situation that was caused with the first check up and I believe that such attitude would not directly impact the procedure of the appointment or stop it.” |
| Nikolic on candidates for generals | Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Appointment of officers will depend on Tihic’s decision’ – Miroslav Nikolic, the Defence Minister of F BiH, yesterday stated that he had not still received any instruction from the members of the BiH Presidency, regarding next steps in the process of presenting candidatures of officers for future positions at BiH defence bodies. He said: “The further vetting process would be uncertain if Sulejman Tihic remained faithful to his statement he would not candidate new Bosniak officers.” |
| VL op-ed on SFOR vetting procedure | Vecernji list, p 2, “SFOR’s picking to pieces”, by Ljuba Djikic – In its editorial on SFOR’s role in vetting candidates for military positions, author comments that it would be logical to expect that political officials who proposed candidates for military positions stick to their proposals until the end, even at the cost of resignation, if they truly believe their candidates are honorable people. VL adds they should also not propose new candidates until the original candidates’ guilt is proven and presented to public. Otherwise, offering new candidates would mean that SFOR is absolute master of people’s destinies in BiH. The editorial concludes by saying that it does not matter what the people surrounding the rejected candidates think of them and what their results are; what matters is the opinion of the supreme judge who is inerrant and who does not stand objections. |
| Helsinki Committee criticises SFOR vetting procedure | Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Candidates for generals had their fundamental human rights breached’, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Breaches of fundamental human rights’ – President of BiH Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Srdjan Dizdarevic states that that some fundamental human rights were breached in the case of the disqualified candidates for the generals’ positions with the BiH Armed Forces. “We declare that SFOR was wrong to conduct this entire procedure non-transparently without presenting any arguments whatsoever in support of such a decision”, said Dizdarevic. He stressed that none of the disqualified candidates were heard out, or in position to present their defence, and they were not even given the elementary right to appeal, said Dizdarevic. He said it is unacceptable that these people are being denied the right to retirement, and added: “The international community has great authorities in BiH, but practically has no responsibility whatsoever, there is no instance to which it should be held responsible for the recent ever-frequent human rights violations.” FTV – “SFOR exceeds its authorities. They made the issue of their integrity open to speculations, claiming that these people took part in some atrocities during the war. Only Tribunal in Hague or local courts have that right,” said Srdjan Dizdarevic. |
| RSNA on RS MoI, Visegrad action | BHTV 1 – RSNA at the session held on Wednesday decided – after long discussion – to postpone the discussion over the report on the work of RS Interior Ministry in 2003, and the report on the police action in Visegrad. “My cabinet staff is in contact with the family and I will find time to meet with Lukic family,” said Dragan Mikerevic, RS Prime Minister. RTRS, Blic pg 13 ‘The intelligence officers notified the police on nothing’ – Interior Minister Zoran Djeric asked for additional time to obtain detailed information regarding the cease Visegrad action, but also other cases that the MoI works on. “The background on all this is clear to me, because let me tell you, Gentlemen, it is not important whether this Ministry will be lead by Zoran Djeric, Marko Janko, Dragan Lukac or any Police Director, we have started some processes in 2003 and even Good can’t stop them now,” said Zoran Djeric. “Why are you threatening here? What do you want to say: ‘Listen Mr Dodik, there is a charge against you!?’ Complete those things man, you hold them back for three years and did nothing and you always threat with something,” commented Milorad Dodik, SNSD President. At the end of the session, Deputies decided to postpone the proposal of Law on Veterans’ Rights to be discusses at the extraordinary session scheduled for May 4. |
| NHI against Veterans Law | RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Defence reform brought into question’, Dnevni List, p 6, “NHI will not support Law on rights of defenders and their families – NHI will not support the FBIH Law on Defenders’ Rights to be discussed at the extraordinary session of FBiH House of Representatives. According to Chairman of NHI Executive Board, Dobrica Jonjic this Law abolishes the achieved rights of veterans from HVO. NHI will submit several amendments, regarding the fact that FBiH Government should have ensured the following before adoption of the Law: signing of the bilateral contract with Government of Croatia to legalize its assistance for HVO members, and secondly, the comprehensive revision of the lists of both components. Dobrica Jonjic said there were a number of people claiming to be invalids, and that revision should result with filing criminal charges. |
Legal issues | |
| Sarovic’s motion denied
| RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Mirko Sarovic’s demand rejected’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Mirko Sarovic demand rejected’, Dnevni List page 7 ‘Demand of Mirko Sarovic refused’, Glas Srpske cover page report ‘Sarovic rejected’; Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Motion filed by Mirko Saropvic rejected’ – The BiH Constitutional Court rejected an appeal by former BiH Presidency member Mirko Sarovic to temporarily revoke the decision by the High Representative Paddy Ashdown replacing him. A statement by the Court says that the appeal was considered by the Inner Council and that the decision followed unanimously. |
| Helsinki Committee on Human Rights situation in BiH
| Dnevni list pg 5 ‘Ruling parties maintain ethnic and political divisions’, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Different partisan interests for their own and others’ – At the annual Assembly of BiH Helsinki Board for Human Rights it was assessed that certain progress has been made in the Property Laws implementation and adoption of Laws on equality of gender and protection of national minorities. Yet, speakinggenerally, the last year was marked by attempts of the ruling parties to preserve ethnic and political divisions. Srdjan Dizdarevic, the Board President, said that there was no expression of political will for reforms that would lead to substantial furthering of human rights and freedoms. As for the International Community, Dizdarevic noted that the High Representative continued order-issuing practice thus neglecting the need to strengthen democratic institutions. He added the IC had huge powers but answers to no one when it violates laws and human rights, such as in cases of SFOR raids, disqualification of generals, minimising significance of judicial independence. For this reason, he believes, the position of the IC should be re-defined and bring it to partnership relation. Dizdarevic also noted that some media, particularly print ones and the ones that are in function of nationalistic parties, also contribute to spreading of national intolerance, fear and insecurity. Vecernji list pg 3 “Disqualification of officers – violation of human rights” – carries a brief report on the Assembly. |
| FBiH HoR demands changes in HJPCs | Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Resolution on Bosniak marginalization’ by A. Terzic – FBiH House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted the final text of the resolution on breaches of the decision regarding the constituency by marlinalization of Bosniaks in FBiH and BiH. This resolution demands form High Rep Paddy Ashdown and BiH Parliament to reconsider appointment of the new High Prosecutorial and Judicial Council whose composition would be in accordance with the constitutional principles respecting the equal representation of all ethnic groups. Also, this resolution demands HJPC to correct mistakes committed to day in appointments of prosecutors and judges. |
| Kalinic sues Blagojevic | Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Kalinic asks from Blagojevic BAM 50 thousand as compensation’, Blic pg 13 ‘Kalinic sues because of defamation’ – Through his attorney yesterday, the RS Parliament Speaker, Dragan Kalinic, field a lawsuit against Mirko Blagojevic, delegate of Republika Srpska Serb Radical Party Dr. Vojislav Seselj, with the Bijeljina Court. Kalinic sues Blagojevic for slander outspoken on 23 April and related to Republika Srpska police action in Visegrad. Kalinic demands compensation of BAM 50 thousand from Blagojevic. |
War crimes | |
| Bogdanic on upcoming Srebrenica Commission report
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Better cooperation with RS institutions’ – Following the session of the Srebrenica Commission on Wednesday, the Commission Chair Milan Bogdanic stated for Oslobodjenje that the preliminary report that is to be submitted to the RS Government and OHR on Friday would include the information on Commission progress especially in gathering new information on mass gravesites. It will also deal with the cooperation with RS authorities. “The essence of this report will refer to the fact that all necessary institutions do participate in the collection of the data regarding the events in Srebrenica in 1995, and that following the criticism by the HR [Paddy Ashdown] the cooperation improved significantly,” says Bogdanic. |
| RS Govt appeals to citizens to help with information on Srebrenica events | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Appeal to submit the information on grave sites of Srebrenica people’ – RS Government called upon all those possessing information on the mass graves and events that occurred in and around Srebrenica in period form 10 to 19 July 1995 to call, as only comprehensive and honest Commission report – that would include also information on undisclosed mass graves – is one of the criteria for accession to PfP. Statement by RS Government, titled ‘Your Government Needs Your Help’, adds that all those with some information could call 051 314 332 or send it in written. Information can be sent anonymously. |
| Cavic on Srebrenica Commission
| Oslobodjenje cover, pg 3 ‘Devastating report by Srebrenica Commission’, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Ashdown is the only absolute power in BiH’, Dnevni List page 14 ‘Defeating report about crime in Srebrenica’ – newspapers carried interview with RS President Dragan Cavic published by Vecernje novosti [please see yesterday’s BiH Media Round-up] in which he says: “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 content of the report is really devastating.” |
| Mikerevic says all war crimes suspects should surrender | Blic pg 13 ‘Mikerevic for surrendering’ – At the session of RS National Assembly, during the discussion on the Visegrad police action, RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic stated yesterday that all war crimes suspects should surrender voluntarily. Upon the statement of Chief of RS Special Police Service Dragan Lukac, who has stated that the international community has blackmailed the RS authority to arrest three indictees by May 1, Mikerevic stated this could not be “viewed as a blackmail, but as an obligation of RS Government.” |
Media | |
| OHR urges adoption of PBS Law | RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Adopt the law on PBS’ – OHR repeated its urge to the BiH Council of Ministers to adopt the PBS legislation at the session today. Spokesperson of Banja Luka OHR Ljiljana Radetic told a press conference that this law is fully in accord with the EC Feasibility Study, the Prime Ministers’ agreement and the Dayton Accords. She reiterated that passage of this law is one of the preconditions for European integration, and that if BiH is serious about joining Europe, it must show this by fulfilling these conditions. Dnevni List pg 11 ‘Questionable decision of Herzegovina-Neretva canton on education’, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 11 ‘OHR supports Government’, Slobodna Dalmacija back page ‘Sanela Tunovic: Law on PBS to be adopted’ – also covered the similar statement given by OHR Spokeswoman in Mostar, Sanela Tunovic. |