OHR BiH Media Round-up, 29/4/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Hays on failed const. amendments

RS Gov. to sue Dixon – Causevic

Failure of constitutional changes

Solana on failed const. amendments

RS officials on police reform

Police reform process

Cavic on BiH police reform

Third rotation group for Iraq ready

SCG talks with EU to be suspended?

Dodik on BiH police reform

Milojica arrested

RS Govt filed lawsuit against Dixon

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Solana on failed const. amendments

RS Govt filed lawsuit against Dixon

Milojica arrested

Davidovic on failed const. amend.

Dodik on police reform process

RS NA DSB on police reform

Almhofer on failed const. amend.

Feature on ‘Spedicija’ company

Reactions on BIH HoR’s decision

BiH Embassies decline visas

‘Azot’ workers still on strike

RS Gov. to sue Dixon – Causevic

Oslobodjenje

[ SDS leader] Cavic announced fiasco of police reform in BiH

Dnevni Avaz

[SBiH founder Silajdzic] Dodik confirmed we were right

Dnevni List

State property give to our neigbours?! [BiH still without Law on property]

Vecernji List

Dead man from Duvno found in Kuwait [Wrongly identified body of BiH citizen transferred to Australia by mistake]

Nezavisne Novine

EU raises sanctions against BiH

Glas Srpske

[Advocat Balijagic claim Muslim Intelligence Service exists in BiH] They will kill me

Euro Blic

[B. Brod Oil Refinery] Leadership steeling millions

Police reform

RS PM Dodik: RS MoI not to be abolished at the cost SAA talks are stopped

PINK By Dragica Tojagic – At the session of RS National Assembly’s Board of Security and Defence in Banja Luka on Friday, it was concluded by RS politicians that RS is ready to adopt the police reform but not with imposed solutions. At the occasion, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated that RS would not allow the abolition of RS Ministry of Interior at the cost of stopping the negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement. FTV – Dodik stressed that RS Police has to be the part of the united BiH police structure, adding that the police reform will not be possible without consensus. He stressed that RS supports the police organized on three levels: state, local and middle level. RHB, BHT1, HayatDnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘To preserve RS MoI even at cost of stopping SAA talks’ Nezavisne Novine pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘No abolishment of RS MoI’ by V.Popovic Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Cavic announced fiasco of police reform in BiH’ by Orijana Vukovic Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Agreement or failure’ Blic pg RS2-3 ‘They do not want to abolish RS MoI’ – also covered.

RS NA Defence and Security Board: political leaders to discuss on police reform instead of PDRs

RTRS By Sinisa Mihailovic – At the session held on Friday in Banja Luka, the RS National Assembly’s Defence and Security Board has, unofficially, concluded that Police Reform Directorates [PRD] in BIH are not in position to reach the consensus on police structure models so this should be taken over by the leaders of political parties. RS President Dragan Cavic stressed that the principle of imposed solution and outvoting should not be applied. Cavic stressed that RS MoI has to be preserved, adding” “I fear that this radicalisation of poetical scene in FBIH shows the need for Constitutional reforms aimed at abolishment of RS and not at creating more functional state”. According to the RS National Assembly Speaker Igor Radojicic the outvoting would create additional problems adding that RS is interested in implementing the police reform but there are certain limits under which RS cannot go. Reporter stated that, as a problem was stressed the fact that Directorate was still discussing the ‘Martens’ plan’ on police structure models. “We have concluded today that if Martens’ plan had been good for RS it would have been adopted last year. This model is not going to get the RS support because it stipulates the abolishment of RS Interior Ministry,” commented Radojicic. Reporter stated that everything that is going to be agreed has to have the three European principles but the problem lies in the different interpretations. SIPA Director Sredoje Novic said that “these principles are completely differently interpreted in RS and in FBIH and this would cause problems”. Reporter concluded that the entire process should be finished by February 28 in 2007; otherwise signing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement will be far from BIH adding that so far the PDR was not in position to accomplish any element of the plan for implementing the police reform.  RHB – Cavic said that if solution, reached by the PRD was not going to come out as the result of consensus, it was going to fail. PINK – PDP leader Mladen Ivanic noted that it is better for Directorate not to discuss the issue of police reform until the politicians have reached the agreement: “Everything else is political manipulation. If something hasn’t given the results so far it is unlikely to give results in future”. On May 3, members of Police Reform Directorate are going to vote on the proposed reform. September 30is set deadline for reaching the proposal on the police reform in BIH. BHT 1 – Deputy BiH Minister of Security Dragan Mektic stated that the members of the Police Reform Directorate are not able to reach an agreement over some key issues, which could only further complicate the whole process. Nezavisne Novine pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘No abolishment of RS MoI’ by V.Popovic Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Cavic announced fiasco of police reform in BiH’ by Orijana Vukovic Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Agreement or failure’ Blic pg RS2-3 ‘They do not want to abolish RS MoI’ – also covered.

EUPM Head Coppola: RS hasn’t adopted nor suggested any proposal that would contain first EU principle – budget and control at state level

Hayat By Nenad Tribic (ATV) – EUPM Head Vincenzo Coppola attended the RS National Assembly’s Security Board’s session and pointed out that the three EU’s principles should not be violated. RTRS – According to Coppola, RS hasn’t adopted nor suggested any proposal that would contain the first principle – budget and control at state level. BHT1 – International officials have already announced that the stoppage in the reform processes could slow down the talks on SAA with the European Union. Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Coppola: No discussion on that’ Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Agreement or failure’ Inset ‘Duty’ Blic pg RS2-3 ‘They do not want to abolish RS MoI’ Inset ‘European principles’ – also covered.

Constitutional changes

Former PDHR Hays accuses SBiH and HDZ 1990 for failure of constitutional reform

FTV – Former Principal Deputy High Representative in BiH Donald Hays on Thursday evening accused SBiH and the newly founded party HDZ 1990 of being responsible for the failure of the constitutional reform, and for not looking after the interests of BiH. In an interview for the Voice of America, Hays stated that those two parties voted against the proposed constitutional amendments in order to gain some political points on the eve of the elections in BiH. BHT 1 – Hays said that the International Community must consider very carefully whether it will participate in the future processes. RHB, RTRS Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘SBiH and HDZ 1990 are to be blamed for failure of constitutional reform’ Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Hays accused SBiH and HDZ’ by Fena Dnevni List pg 9 ‘Hays accused SBiH and HDZ 1990’ by Hina– also covered.

EU to raise sanctions against BiH; BiH CoM Chair Terzic: I expect significant problems in SAA talks

Nezavisne Novine cover splash, pg 3 ‘EU raises sanctions against BiH’ by M.Cubro – NN learns from unnamed source close to European Commission and local authorities that EU will raise sanctions against BiH for the amendments to the BiH Constitution were not adopted. Article alleges that ‘Albanian model’ will be practiced on BiH, which means that all EU institutions will keep on regular meeting with BiH authorities, but there will be no significant step forward towards EU. Noting that Albania and EU finished talks on Stabilisation and Association Agreement [SAA] two years ago, but the agreement has never been ratified yet, author claims that similar scenario will be prepared for BiH as well. With regard to failure of constitutional changes, BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic stated: “I expect significant problems in SAA talks. We will do our best to end the talks within deadline, but when the agreement will be signed and ratified, that is uncertain.”

Failure of constitutional changes to provoke sanctions, delays in SAA talks?

BHT1 Mirela Cosic – According to BHT reporter, it is questionable whether the International Community will participate in the continuation of the constitutional reform process in BiH. Certain high-ranked international officials warned that rejected constitutional amendments could provoke negative response from Brussels and Washington. US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney on Thursday announced the possibility of sanctions, but refused to be more specific. However, domestic politicians seem to be more optimistic. “There won’t be any sanctions from the International Community”, clearly said HDZ leader Dragan Covic. European officials warned that, although constitutional changes were not a condition for signing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, BiH has lost a chance for faster progress. BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic stated: “Formally, I don’t think that the failure to adopt the constitutional amendments will have any effect [to SAA talks]… Practically, it is still early to tell whether it would cause some kind of delay in negotiations. As a ministry, we will try to prevent this, and I hope that the Agreement will be signed by the end of the year”, stated.

SBiH founder Silajdzic: RS PM Dodik’s statement only confirmed Patriotic block was right

Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Dodik confirmed we were right’, pg 5 ‘If entity voting is abolished, I give up from any function’ by Edina Sarac – Commenting outcomes of BiH House of Representatives failure to adopt amendments to the BiH Constitution, in an interview for DA SBiH founder Haris Silajdzic said: “[RS Prime Minister Milorad] Dodik only confirms we were right. He stated that the offered amendments only strengthen entity voting and it is completely logical, as he says, for those in FBiH to make noise, because they are not naïve so they would not understand what is the issue. It was talked all the time about second phase, and then he comes out and says that the story of second phase is being artificially made.” Commenting statement of former PDHR Donald Hayswho blamed SBiH and HDZ 1990 for begin against the amendments only to gain short-term political points, Silajdzic said that he would give up on any function if the entity voting is abolished. Commenting possibility of BiH facing sanctions, announced by US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney, Silajdzic stressed: “BiH is under sanctions since 1992. when the embargo deprived right to defend ourselves. Structure of BiH is based on crime and unjust. We are now demanded to forget it now, even not to mention it.” Silajdzic also noted that it is not true that his party did not offer any new proposal, underlining that the only amendment they submitted was abolishment of entity voting.

Oslobodjenje op-ed: If IC put that effort in arresting Karadzic and Mladic, const. changes would be over long time ago

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘BiH is already punished’ op-ed by Daniel Omeragic – Commenting statements of International Community [IC] regarding failure of constitutional changes and possible sanctions toward BiH announced by US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney, editorial reads that it is hard to remember when the IC was so united regarding on issue as it was on this one. Criticizing efforts of IC, author stresses: “If that amount of energy has been put into real help to BiH (arresting Karadzic and Mladic, insisting on equality of all three peoples in whole the BiH territory, opening EU doors and liberalization of visa regime…) constitutional changes would be over long time ago. In this phase, IC was more concerned with protection RS than with interests of BiH. Instead admitting that he was making wrong moves, McElhaney is threatening with sanctions. One of punishments could be closing road to NATO and EU. Such harshness was not being practiced not even on SCG, that is not fulfilling ICTY obligations not even ten years after the war.”

Opponents of const. changes should be told that entering EU implicit federal pluralism

Nezavisne Novine pg 7 ‘Federation on amendments’ by Ugo Vlaisavljevic – Editorial opens that the failure of constitutional changes only showed the ‘fear of federalism’ that exists in BiH, which is reminiscence from former Yugoslav state federation. Criticizing parties from FBiH for their intolerance regarding ‘federal pluralism’, author comments that entering the EU will be irreversible entering into political matrix of federal pluralism: “Opponents of the constitutional changes… should be told that we are only now entering endless process of gradual, amendment, ‘cosmetic changes’.”

SDA leader Tihic on expulsion of MP to HoR Zilic from SDA: we showed how much constitutional changes mean to us

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Decision Zilic’s expulsion we showed how much constitutional changes mean to us’ by Z.P. – Commenting expulsion of SDA deputy to the BiH House of Representatives Mehmed Zilic from the party, SDA leader Sulejman Tihic said he was sorry such decision has been brought, adding: “It is a political matter of such importance that we could simply not bring any other decision. By doing so, we showed what constitutional changes mean to us.” Zilic was expulsed from SDA after he opposed the party stance and voted against the proposed amendments to the BiH Constitution. Tihic once more stressed that this was just the first half and he would try to revive the process of constitutional changes.

SDA Presidency member Kebo denied he was blackmailing HoR MP Zilic

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘It is not file, but anonymous letter’ by A.M. – Commenting allegations that SDA leadership got into possession of files that discredit SDA deputy to the BiH House of Representatives Mehmed Zilicas formed [former Yugoslav Army intelligence service] KOS agent, after which he wanted to make his revenge and voted against constitutional changes, SDA Presidency member Mirsad Kebo confirmed for DA that he did show Zilic a document ‘against him’, denying he was blackmailing him. Kebo said it was an anonymous letter, not a file, adding that he was not the one who came with that in public, but Zilic himself.

BiH HoR MP Zilic: I would do the same again

Oslobodjenje Pogled pg 4 ‘I would do the same again’ by Sefik Hodzic – Commenting his expulsion from SDA after opposing the party stance and voted against the proposed amendments to the BiH Constitution, BiH House of Representatives deputy Mehmed Zilic said he would do the same thing again, also stressing that SDA leader Sulejman Tihic publicly announced that there would be no sanctions against anybody, no matter how would some MPs vote: “All the ambassadors listened to him, all deputies, observers. It speaks about a morality.” Zilic is of stance that constitutional changes would have to happen from with in, by strengthening state institutions. He confirmed that he has no intention to return his mandate to the party. Inset ‘Open all the files’ – Zilic denied allegations that he was [former Yugoslav Army intelligence service] KOS agent, adding that he is in favour of opening all the files so everyone see who is the real KOS agent. He also said that he did not turn back on Tihic for being connected with assassination on former Deputy FBiH Interior Minister Jozo Leutar: “That has nothing to do with assassination of Leutar. I am always ready for launching another investigation on assassination of Jozo Leutar and I am at the disposal for both court and prosecution.”

HoR MP Zilic will not return his mandate back to SDA

Dnevni Avaz pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Mehmed Zilic will not return his mandate back’ by H.O. – BiH House of Representatives Secretary Branka Todorovic confirmed for DA that former SDA MP to HoR Mehmed Zilic demanded to become member of Mixed caucus, after he was expelled from SDA for not obeying party stance and voted against the constitutional changes. Article concludes that Zilic is not willing to return his mandate to SDA.

BiH Presidency member Paravac on failure of const. changes: We issued bad message

Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘We issued bad message’ by D.Mu – Commenting failure of BiH House of Representatives not to adopt the amendments to the Constitution, BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac stated: “To honest friends of BiH and to whole the public that supports us on our way to Euopean integrations, we issued a bad message and showed incapability to reach key issues for BiH future by ourselves.” He assessed that the decision of the produced bad relations in BiH, radicalize the political scene and return the country backwards. Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Existence of RS is main problem for some’ by Onasa – also carried.

PIC and HR regret for BiH HoR failed to adopt const. changes

BHT1, RTRS – Peace Implementation Committee and the High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling have expressed regrets because the BIH House of Representatives failed to adopt the amendments to the Constitution stressing that BIH politicians should take the responsibility for the negative impact of missing this opportunity to move forward. US State Department expressed disappointment with BiH HoR’s decision adding that this will have negative impact on process of BIH Euro-Atlantic integrations. Member of BIH Presidency Borislav Paravac deems that BIH will be now go one step backward and that the general situation will be ruined. PDP deems that BIH’s European path has been brought into question. SP stated that the forthcoming elections are the reason why the amendments hadn’t been adopted. SRS ‘Dr. Vojislav Seselj’ believes that rejection of the proposed amendments is good for RS. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Political parties have to take responsibility for negative effects’ by FenaNezavisne Novine cover splash, pg 3 ‘EU raises sanctions against BiH’ by M.Cubro Inset ‘Regrets for non-adoption of amendments’ – also covered.

EU HR Solana regrets rejection of constitutional amendments

RHB – EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solanaexpressed his regret over rejection of amendments to BiH Constitution. According to Solana, the proposed amendments presented a crucial step forward in terms of more efficient BiH Government’s functioning. BHT1, HayatDnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘More efficient Government still stays as obligation’ Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Amendments represented important step forward’ Nezavisne Novine cover splash, pg 3 ‘EU raises sanctions against BiH’ by M.Cubro Inset ‘Solana disappointed’ Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Solana disappointed by voting results’ – also covered.

Austrian Ambas. Almhofer EU is still interested in BiH developments

Hayat – Commenting the BiH’s European perspective after having the proposed constitutional changes rejected, Austrian Ambassador to BiH and the EU Chair Werner Almhofer said that the EU was still interested in developments in BiH as well as in talks on constitutional changes in BiH.

BiH Chief negotiator Davidovic: Failure of const. changes should not impact SAA talks

Hayat By Elma Kazagic – Commenting the fact that the proposed amendments foresaw enlargement in the BiH Council of Ministers by two new Ministries, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Science, Technology and Ecology, and what was going to happen now after the amendments rejected, Chief BiH Chief negotiator in Stabilization and Association Agreement talks with the EU Igor Davidovic said that there should be no changes. “I expect no obstacles not postponement in negotiations, but there is possibility for a good atmosphere to be violated”, said Davidovic. On May 12, BiH should hold next round of SAA talks.

RHB on const. change: Croats are winners

RHB By Ivica Simunovic – Commenting the failure in constitutional reform in BiH, RHB reporter says that there were two opposite sides in the whole process; one consisted out of the RS politicians, who supported the amendments since they ‘cemented’ the RS’ foundations and SDA, whose members believed that it was better to have anything instead pf nothing, and SBiH, which opposed the amendments since ‘permanent’ RS violated their attempts to create unitary, centralized BiH. Reporter furthermore adds that Croats, whose votes made the decision final, should be regarded as winners, since they rejected to sign something, which would make their situation even worse.

Other issues

RS Government files charges against ITA Steering Board Chair Dixon and ITA Director Causevic

RTRS By Sandra Zrnic – On Friday, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik announced that RS Government has filed charges with BIH Prosecutor’s Office against ITA Steering Board Chair, Joly Dixon, and ITA Director, Kemal Causevic. Dodik explained that RS Government has filed charges against Dixon and Causevic for violation of the ITA regulations and in that way violating RS budget for several million KM, adding that the Court will determine the exact sum. It was stressed 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. “Dixon is a foreigner in BiH and his professional employment is at ITA so, speculation is not true he does not bear legal responsibility because of the diplomatic immunity,” commented Dodik speculation that Dixon will not be held responsible. Dixon expressed his disappointment because Dodik decided to conduct a dialogue with him first through the media and now by using the courts. In his announcement Dixon stated: “I chair the organization that works on the basis of discussion and consensus and this was so far the case, it is very unfortunate that it is no longer. Any charges against the ITA or its management are ridiculous as they have been efficiently executing the decisions of the Governing Board”. Causevic did not want to comment. PINK – Dodik expressed hopes that BIH Prosecution will be objective in this case and put it on the list of high priorities especially because this is the first case of this nature. BHT1 – Dixon claims that he has learned about Dodik’s lawsuit from press, which ‘surprised him’. He stressed that no one could question the success of ITA. Hayat, RHB, FTV Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Dixon: Dodik would want to destabilize ITA SB’, mentioned on cover ‘Joly Dixon: I am surprised and disapointed’ by T.Lazovic – Dixon commented that Dodik’s lawsuit against him was aimed to destabilize ITA and attracting public attention. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Dodik claim that Dixon and Causevic damaged RS for tens of million KM’ Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Lawsuits against Dixon and Causevic’ by D.Risojevic Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Court is the right place’ by G.Dakic Blic pg RS3 ‘RS damaged by several million KM’ Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Charges against Dixon and Causevic’ – also covered.

BIH and SiCG Justice Ministers signed protocol on cooperation

RTRS – BIH and SiCG Justice Ministers, Slobodan Kovac and Zoran Stojkovic, respectively, signed the protocol on the cooperation between these two Ministries at the meeting organised in Belgrade on Friday. Kovac stated that BIH and SiCG have responsibilities to reform the judiciary in regard to the EU integrations. Both Kovac and Stojkovic stressed the importance this agreement in regard to the negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement with EU. PINK – Kovac stated that BIH and SiCG have responsibilities to reform the judiciary in regard to the EU integrations. Hayat, FTVNezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Signed protocol on cooperation’ by Beta Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Establishing normal relations with Serbia ’– also covered.

War crime indictee Milojica arrested

RTRS – Members of Banja Luka Public Security Centre have arrested war crime indictee Boro Milojica from Prijedor for committing war crimes over civilians in LJubovija in 1992. Banja Luka PSC’s Spokesperson Rade Mutic confirmed that Banja Luka police arrested war crime indictee Boro Milojica from Prijedor, indicted committing war crimes over civilians in Ljubovija in 1992. BHT1, FTV, Hayat, Pink Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘War crime indictee arrested in Ljubija’ by M.Z. Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Boro Milojica arrested’ by B.Ka Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Boro Milojica arrested for war crime’ by D.K. Blic pg RS2 ‘Boro Milojica arrested’ –  also covered.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn: EU- SCG talks to be suspended if Mladic is not arrested

BHT1 – The talks between the European Union and the Serbia-Montenegro could be blocked is most wanted ICTY indictee Ratko Mladic is not apprehended soon. According to BHT presenter, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn announced that the European Commission would suspend the negotiations if Mladic were not arrested within the next few days. However, he did not say anything about the deadline for Mladic’s apprehension. Rehn announced that he would meet Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte on Wednesday, May 3; after that, he would make a decision on the future of SCG talks with EU. The next round of negotiations has been scheduled for May 11 in Belgrade. Hayat, FTV, RTRS Dnevni Avaz pg 11, mentioned on cover ‘It is time for Mladic to be extradited to the Hague’ Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Mladic’s arrest is last SCG’s chance for talks with EU’ by Fena – also covered.

RS Government dismisses management of a number of public companies

Euro Blic cover splash, pg RS1 ‘Leadership steeling millions’ by Tijana Veselinovic – Following the decision of RS Government to start process of suspension of all executive managers in major RS firms, for they caused criminal activities worth over 38 million KM, article carries Doboj police submitted materials against former Bosanski Brod Oil Refinery directors Vojin Mujicic and Ilija Drpa, as well as present director Sava Danilovic to the Doboj County Prosecution.

GS: Advocate Balijagic claims that there are Muslim Intelligence Service in BiH

Glas Srpske cover splash ‘They will kill me’ by V.Janjic – Famous Tuzla-based advocate Faruk Balijagic claims he addressed High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling and BiH Chief Prosecutor Marinko Jurcevic that there is a Muslim Intelligence Service existing in BiH and that his life is in danger, after he was attacked in the hall of municipality court in Velika Kladusa, where he was defending a man loyal to Fikret Abdic, indicted with economy crime. During the wartime, Abdic established his own autonomy in Velika Kladusa region. Inset ‘No comment’ – SIPA Spokesperson Admir Katica did not want to comment Balijagic’s claims.

DL: BiH should have Law on Property

Dnevni List cover splash, pg 9 ‘State property give to our neigbours?!’ by Ljiljana Vidacak – Article carries that BiH still have no Law on Property, that would ease return to possession state property in former Yugoslav republics.