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

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

2006 Mostar Fair opens

FBiH HoP discusses Law on FBiH PBS

Top RS leadership in meeting

FBiH HoP on PBS law

HDZ- disciplinary procedure

Armed bank robberies

Econ-Social Council on electricity

Miners asks for increase of coal price

Strikes inFrance

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

WN: natural disasters in Europe, US

HR visits Banja Luka

NATO/EU to fund BIH demob. sold.

BiH religious leaders in Brussels

BiH CoM meeting

HR meets Dodik in Banja Luka

HDZ Presidency in session in Mostar

RS asks for Dixon ’s resignation

HR on status of removedindividuals

BiH CoM in session

Turkish businesspersons visit BiH

USAID fund recon. of Aladza mosque

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Bus drivers in Tuzla on general strike

Bihac Court on Stulanovic

RS asks for Dixon ’s resignation

Reactions on Law on MPs’ pensions

Mostar Court on strike of teachers

Reception hosted by RS President

Trade Unions on VAT consequences

Confer. of Chairs of courts in BIH

Reactions on BiH Con. Court decision

BiH CoM on constitutional changes

CoM re constitutional changes

HR visits Banja Luka

Oslobodjenje

New electricity prices to increase anyway

Dnevni Avaz

[Founder of SBiH] Silajdzic: I have valid US visa in passport

Dnevni List

Conflict of juveniles: They used stones and knives in fight (on conlfict of Mostar juveniles during last weekend)

Vecernji List

None can cut off power supply to police (on attempt to cut off power supply to police station in Drvar due to accumularted debts, which ended up with bringing in for informative talks few persons from Power Supply Drvar)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Head of BiH Registry Office Johnson: Karadzic and Mladic to stand trial in Sarajevo

Nezavisne Novine

Projects for family

Glas Srpske

Father before noon, mother after noon (feature story on unemployed man from Mostar and his 2 daughters)

EuroBlic

Forensic experts have not completed their work as yet

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related topics

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

HDZ Presidency starts disciplinary procedure against its MPs

BH Radio1, RHB– The HDZ BiH Presidency has, at proposal of the HDZ President, Dragan Covic, started a disciplinary procedure against Vinko Zoric, Ivan Madunic and Filip Andric (HDZ MPs in BiH and FBIH parliaments) over the alleged violation of Statute of HDZ. The party also adopted proposal of HDZ amendments (to the BiH Constitution), which reflect solutions from the Agreement of political parties. The proposal will be forwarded to the state institutions, signatories of the Agreement, the US administration and representatives of the EC.

FBiH HoP in session, to discuss the PBS law

BH Radio 1 by Ljiljana Radl – At today’s session, the FBiH House of Peoples should vote on the Law on FBiH Public Broadcasting Service. This Law was previously passed by the FBiH House of Representatives, which also adopted three amendments which according to the OHR, European Commission and OSCE are not in accordance with the state legislation. FBiH HoP discussed the law last week, but voting was postponed due to, as Chair of FBiH HoP Slavko Matic explained,  “low quality of majority of present MPs”. Radl reminded that passage of this Law is one of the conditions to conclude the SAA talks.

RS Govt to discuss law to fight organize crime

RTRS – At today’s session in Banja Luka , the RS Government is expected to discuss Amendments to the proposed Law on stamping out organized crime, and proposed Law on addenda to RS Law on Courts. 

Political issues

HR CSS visits Banja Luka , meets RS PM Dodik: 

BHT1 – The RS Prime Minster Milorad Dodik briefed the High Representatives Christian Schwarz-Schilling about an initiative of the Special Department for the cooperation with the ICTY in the RS before he presented to the RS National Assembly. At the meeting held on Monday in Banja Luka, Dodik informed Schwarz-Schilling about activities planned to solve the ICTY issue: “I informed [him] that there is a unit formed inside the RS Interior Ministry in charge of searches after war crime suspects. We have already appointed the staff deemed as capable to carry out task.” On the occasion, the HR stressed that BiH could not expect to join the EU without full cooperation with the ICTY adding the RS Government must make some steps towards resolving this issue. “I am impressed with concrete steps the RS PM Dodik is undertaking… since they are essential activities that must be undertaken to ensure talks with EC proceed slowly. I also told ICTY representatives that in regard to the issue of ICTY cooperation, there must be strong conditionality, but same conditionality should not apply to both, SiCG and BiH,” HR added. Among other things, Schwarz-Schilling stressed that he will intensively work on liberalization of the visa regime for BiH adding that one of his priorities is completion of the police reform. FTV – Dodik also assured the HR the laws regulating the fight against organised crime are to be adopted and the special department in the RS Prosecution is to be established. “I do not want to be the Governor and fully exercise the Bonn powers; I prefer the role of the negotiator or advisor. Politicians in BIH must not be ordered. They have to make their own decisions and take the full responsibility,” concluded CSS. FTV – Schwarz-Schilling stated at the conference in Banja Luka bishopric that “one cannot hide that war criminals participated in signing of the Dayton agreement, such as former president of Serbia and the FRY Slobodan Milosevic…That is the reason why this agreement cannot be taken as righteous.” RHB, PINK, RTRS, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘There is no dilemmas for the RS, cooperation with the ICTY’, mentioned on cover By O.Vukovic, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 inset ‘Hague cannot demand same from BiH and SCG’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Schwarz Schilling: Dodik’s Government is doing right things’ by D.Risojevic, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Support to European path’ by D.Momic – also reported.

HR Schwarz-Schilling meets religious leaders in Banja Luka

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Christian Schwarz-Schilling promised help for rebuilding Ferhadija’ by N.Diklic – At the meeting held in Banja Luka on MOnday, BL mufti Edhem Camdzic informed the High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling on issues troubling Bosniak population in the RS. Camdzic commented for DA: “Without employment and normal living conditions for returnees, majority of those who returned to Banja Luka will start leaving it. High Representative promised he would support us.” HR promised to help raising money for BL destroyed mosque of Ferhadija. HR also met with Banja Luka Bishop Franjo Komarica and Orthodox Bishop Jefrem.

BiH CoM tasks Justice Ministry to prepare report on amendments to BiH Constitution

Hayat by Lejla Gutlic – At the session held on Monday, the BiH Council of Ministers has called on the Justice Ministry to draw up a report on draft amendments to the BiH Constitution as soon as possible, and decided to discuss these at the next session.  “(We have been informed that) political leaders have not signed the proposal of the Presidency, which has been forwarded into the parliamentary procedure, and that this should be done before the BiH CoM discuss it”, stated BiH Minister of Communications and Transport Branko Dokic.  Hayat comments it is not clear anymore whether seven or six political parties signed the agreement after an independent member of the BiH Parliament Mladen Potocnik stated on Monday that the agreement contains no signature of the HNZ President Milenko Brkic. During the negotiations, Brkic stated that he endorses majority of the changes agreed but added that his party did not approve a part of which talks about the organisation and the work of the state parliament. Brkic believes that the entity vote principle is not in line with the principle of equality of all peoples and citizens in BiH. RHB, PINK, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Parties’ leaders have to sign the amendments as well’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Constitutional changes at next session’ by M.Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Ball passed to Justice Ministry’ by Z.Domazet, Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Amendments were not initialed’, not signed – reported on CoM’s decision.

Public debate on const. changes to be held this month

BHT1 – A public debate on proposed amendments to the BiH Constitution organized by the BiH parliament would be held in April. The BiH House of Representatives is expected to discuss the amendments on April 24; and the content of the amendments to be discussed depend on the stance to be issued by the members of the BiH parliamentary Constitution-Legal Commission. Meanwhile, some parties threatened not to support the proposed amendments. RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, commenting the BIH Constitutional Court’s decision regarding the entity symbols, announced possibility of obstructing the constitutional reform. Reporter quoted Dodik saying that he “will think about the constitutional reforms because not everything can be gained in this way”. U.S. Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney reiterated that constitutional changes in BIH are of great importance. Hayat, FTV– carried Dodik’s statement.

HNZ’s Brkic: HNZ did not sign the agreement on constitutional changes

Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘I did not sign the agreement on constitutional changes’ by M. C. – President of BiH HNZ Miljenko Brkic on Monday confirmed he did not sign the agreement on constitutional changes, although the public was informed leaders of all seven political parties, including HNZ, signed it. He expressed his surprise over the fact the interest for this issue appeared only now, noting he had tried to inform the public on this immediately after the agreement was signed but ‘it seems as if nobody wanted to listen to a small party’. He added he supports all solutions that were agreed upon, except the way of voting at BiH Parliament. Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Agreement without Brkic’s signature’ by ms carries a photocopy of the constitutional changes agreement which shows Brkic did not sign the agreement.

MPs comment Potocnik (MP) statement on possible buying of votes for const. changes: Dzaferovic (SDA), Gligoric (SP) deny such possibility; SBiH, SDA

Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Buying of votes is just political trick’, by Ljiljana Vidacak – Commenting on statement by an independent MP in the BiH HoR, Mladen Potocnik, who warned there could be buying of votes that would support the proposed constitutional changes in the BiH Parliament, MPs Sefik Dzaferovic (SDA) and Tihomir Gligoric (SP) note that they believe there will be no buying of votes. The latter underlines it is about an unserious statement, adding the statement could also be a political trick the aim of which is to put pressure on the MPs and affect the way they vote on the issue. Inset ‘Vote in accordance to political conviction’ carries Deputy Speaker of BiH HoR Martin Raguz, who says every MP should be voting in accordance with his/her political convictions and arguments. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Potocnik is presenting a political trick due to additional pressure’ by H.Orahovac – SBiH’s Beriz Belkic stated that it is very unlikely that this allegation could be true. Inset ‘Jahic: I didn’t hear of such speculations’ – Chief of SDA Caucus Elmir Jahic stated that he hasn’t heard of such speculations.

RS PM Dodik threatens to cancel support to changes due to decision of BiH CC

Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Dodik: I would love to see who is going to take coat-of-arms out of my office’ by N.Diklic – Commenting decision of BiH Constitutional Court regarding the entity symbols, daily carries that RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said: “No matter what [BiH CCs] decision is, it is unacceptable for the RS Government, and I would love to see a person who would take coat-of-arms out of my office.” Dnevni List pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Serb coat of arms pulls down constitutional changes’ by I. Glibusic, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Dodik considers amendments’ by Fena – also reported.

RS NA Speaker Radojicic: Media misreported on BiH CC decision regarding entities’ symbols

EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Symbols’ – Igor Radojicic, RS NA Speaker, confirmed that Joint Commission of RS NA and CoP Monday did not discuss the decision of BiH CC regarding constitutionality of entities’ symbols. According to him, although integral part of this decision has not arrived to RS Parliament as yet, a great confusion has been caused in public, since media have mis-reported information. Radojicic explained: “Decision has not been officially published, and it has three elements – one part of Law in RS has been put out of effect, second one needs to be harmonised, while third part was not even discussed.”

Stojicic ( SDS ): BiH CC’s decision on RS symbols would cause series of negative consequences

Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Compromise should be reached’ – A high-ranked SDS official Dusan Stojicic has judged that the BiH Constitutional Court’s decision on RS symbols is a political decision and he added: ‘It would have been better that RS institutions had discussed this issue.’ He warned that this decision would cause a series of negative consequences and that a compromise should be reached with regard to this issue.  

RS top officials to hold meeting today and discuss latest political developments

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Leaders of decision of BiH Constitutional Court on symbols’ by V.Popovic – Milorad Dodik, RS Premier, has confirmed that the RS top officials will today (Tuesday) discuss the latest developments following decision of BiH Constitutional Court declaring entity’ symbols non-constitutional. According to media advisory released from Dragan Cavic, RS President’s Cabinet, the meeting will be attended by Cavic as a host, Dodik, Igor Radojicic, RS NA Speaker. Mladen Ivanic, PDP President, also confirmed he would attend today’s meeting, although advisory released from Cavic’s Cabinet did not mention his name. Sulejman Tihic, SDA President, has condemned announcement of today’s meeting, reiterating court decision should be implemented not politicised.

SD welcomes BiH CC’s decision on status of entity symbols, says decision will no go down smoothly

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 13, mentioned on front ‘’Dismantling’ of Serb symbols’, by Veso Vegar – Commenting on the decision of the BiH Constitutional Court (BiH CC), which ruled that the entity symbols were not in harmony with the BiH Constitution, SD notes the issue will surely be a hot topic of political discussions in next six months or so especially having in mind that many RS senior officials have already voiced their disagreement with the decision. SD notes that the BiH CC could not take different decision since the three peoples are equal in the Constitution, therefore the symbols and anthem must reflect that, however the problem lies in the fact that the Serb parties believe that half of BiH is exclusively their ‘state’. Finally, SD argues that the decision will not be implemented as smoothly because there is no political will for it, which will have to trigger an action on the part of the IC.

FBiH President Lozancic: FBiH Constitutional Court only can remove me from FBiH President position

Vecernji List pg 6, mentioned on cover ‘I will not be wasting my time at sessions’ by Z. Kresic carries an interview with FBiH President Niko Lozancic. Asked about the initiative for his removal, Lozancic says that as far as he knows so far there has not been an official demand for his removal. Lozancic also said that many MPs are attacking him because he does not want to waste time at sessions of the Parliament, because he called on some of them to do their job and pass the budget and laws on time, while some MPs are attacking him because he does not want to have debates with them. Lozancic also says that the FBiH Parliament elected him for the position of the FBiH President, however the FBiH Constitutional Court only can remove him form this position.  FTV current affairs program ’60 Minuta’ By Bakir Hadziomerovic– In an interview to FTV, the SDP’s Deputy in FBiH Parliament Slavko Sucur said he has already gathered 69 signatures [out of 66 necessary] for Lozancic’s dismissal. In a statement to magazine, Lozancic says the initiative is not official, as it wasn’t submitted to FBiH Constitutional Court also rejecting all accusations against him

SDA proposes decreasing number of FBiH ministers and MPs

Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘To decrease number of FBiH deputies and ministries’ by A.Hadziarapovic – At the next session of FBiH House of Representatives, Chief of SDA Caucus Semsudin Mehmedovic will launch initiative to decrease a number of deputies in FBiH Parliament and ministers in FBiH Government. Mehmedovic denied this was the second phase of the talks on the constitutional changes, stressing that its primary aim is to decrease administration costs. SDA proposes 79 MPs in FBiH HoR, and from 44 in FBiH House of Peoples. Inset ‘Government with ten ministries’ – Mehmedovic added that the FBiH Government should also have maximum 12 ministries, while 10 is optimum.

Religious communities reps meet EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn, support European integration

Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Religious communities are for European integration’, by R. D. – carries the President of Jewish community in BiH, Jakob Finci, who says the representatives of religious communities in BiH met with the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Ollie Rehn, in Brussels on Monday. Finci says that the religious communities showed once more during the meeting that they cared about European integration in other words that the religion is not something that divides people. RHB, BHT1, Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Religious communities support BiH European path unanimously’ by A.M., Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Leaders of BiH religious communities in Brussels’, by f – also reported. 

OHR recommends HoP to adopt PBS law

BHT1, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Passing of the Law would unblock the European path’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘F BiH House of Peoples I blocking BiH path yo EU’ by N.N., Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Law on PBS on Agenda’ – OHR has recommended to the BiH House of Peoples to adopt the proposed law on PBS at the session on Tuesday in the same text as suggested by FBIH Government. Otherwise, OHR warned, FBIH HoP MPs will be responsible for obstructing the BIH’s path to the EU.

Hayat: Will law foreseeing a number of benefits for MPs pass parliamentary procedure?

Hayat by Zumra Arnautovic – Representatives in the BiH Parliament launched a procedure for an adoption of the law regulating their status as MPs in the state Parliament which, among other various benefits, reads they are entitled to the early retirement and a pensions in amount of 1,760 KM. Hayat learns that proponents of the Law are Muhamed Moranjkic (BOSS), Ibrahim Djedovic (DNZ), Vinko Zoric and Filip Andric (both HDZ), Milos Jovanovic (SDS), Izet Hadzic (SDA), Mehmed Suljkanovic (Party for BiH), Ivo Lozancic (NHI), Petar Kunic, Mirko Blagojevic and Mladen Potocnik (independent representatives). Reporter stresses that it seems the MPs enjoy no support even from their own parties. “Personally I will vote against this law. That’s the SDA stance also”, stated SDA’s Sefik Dzaferovic. “As a Caucus, we will not support anything that’s beyond the realistic possibilities in BiH”, explained SBiH’s Beriz Belkic. “I don’t see it as such a bad thing… I would probably support it”, stated HDZ’s Ruza Sopta. “Maybe the figures are too high, especially when one takes the actual situation in BiH into consideration… But, it is up to Parliament to decide if those figures are realistic or not”, concluded SDS’ Momcilo Novakovic.

US Ambassador in Foca: this was only municipality considered for removal of sanctions this year 

Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Remains of Aladza will be collected by June 3’ by A.Bajramovic –BiH Commission for Heritage and US Ambassador Douglas McElhaney held the lecture on cultural and historic heritage at the foundation of Aladza mosque in Foca. US Embassy donated 50,000$ for the mosque and schools’s reconstruction. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Foca soon without sanctions’ by E.Aganovic – At the occasion, McElhaney said: “Foca is the only municipality which was considered was eligible to remove sanctions this year, and credits for this goes also to the Head of Municipality.” Municipal Head Zdravko Krsmanovic commented: “Until this moment, Foca was usually sending messages of hatred, destruction and war crime, but it is not like that anymore.” Nezavisne Novine pg 10 ‘A larger number of returnees expected’ by E.Du., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Reconstruction of Aladza mosque’ by D.Todorovic – also covered.

Economic issues

BiH CoM: construction of static bridge connecting Peljesac and mainland would limit BiH access to open waters, accepts option of bascule bridge 

Hayat – The BiH Council of Ministers held a session on Monday at which it also adopted a report on activities regarding the construction of a bridge from the Croatian mainland to the Croatian peninsula of Peljesac. The council adopted an opinion of an expert group that the project on offer of building a static bridge structure would limit BiH’s access to its own territorial waters. Thus, the CoM brought decision to continue with the activities to find the solution acceptable for both sides, BiH and Croatia. “We are not questioning the right of a sovereign country to link two parts of its territory; but the right of other country, to have free access to its territorial waters, should not be questioned either”, explained BiH CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic. “There are different technical solutions we are thinking about… However, we would prefer if we could reach an agreement on the height of the bridge which would satisfy both Croatia and BiH”, stated CroatianSea, Tourism, Transport and Development Minister Bozidar Kalmeta. BHT1 – CoM endorsed a possibility of constructing the bascule bridge and concluded that this proposal ensures the progress regarding this issue if it’s the official stand of Croatian Government. RHB, PINK, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘BiH still doesn’t know how high the bridge should be’, mentioned on cover by M.K.S., Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Proposed project of Peljesac bridge is not acceptable for BiH’ by L.S., Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Croatian proposal is unacceptable’ by M.Cubro, Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Croatia endangers access to open sea’ by D. P. Mandic, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘BiH agrees with construction of bascule bridge’ by eme, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 5 ‘Consent for bascule bridge’ by H  – carried similar reports.  

RS reps in ITA Steering Board demand Chair Dixon to resign claiming he made unauthorized decision on coefficients

PINK – The RS representatives in the Indirect Taxation Administration’s Steering Board, RS Finance Minister Aleksandar Dzombic and Miodrag Kudic officially asked for the resignation of ITA Steering Board Chair Joly Dixon due to his “illegal decision” on temporary allocation of revenues from the single account for this year. According to Dzombic and Kudic, Dixon did not have an approval of ITA Steering Board for his decision to reduce RS coefficient for 0,5% and Brcko District for 0,3%, and increase coefficient to FBiH for 0,8%. On March 31, Dixon informed RS Finance Ministry that this decision was brought at the meeting of ITA Steering Board and that would go into effect from April 1. Dzombic said that he was present at that meeting adding that such decision was not reached. RTRS – Dixon’s office informed RTRS that Dixon is away from BiH and that he would hold press conference next week regarding this issue. Commenting that ITA damaged RS last year for around 30 million KM, RTRS reported that next meeting of ITA Steering Board is scheduled for April 11. ITA stated that its responsibility is of technical nature and that has to carry out all decisions. ITA would carry out Dixon’s decision, which also includes increase of reserves from 10% to 15%. BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘RS asks for Dixon resignation’ by O.V., Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘RS Government sues Joly Dixon’ by D. Risojevic, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘RS damaged again’ by Mirna Soja, Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Resignation – no other option!’ by D.Vrhovac-Mihajlovic, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Dixon’s removal asked for’, by NINA also covered.

RS PM Dodik: RS Government will sue ITA Governing Board Chairman Dixon

RTRS – Commenting decision of ITA Steering Board Chair Joly Dixon decision on temporary allocation of revenues from single account for this year, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated: “Such way of working and unclear situation regarding ITA allocation from last year and this decision could contribute to negative relations in ITA Steering Board. I believe that Dixon should not have brought such decision by himself”. Reporter commented that last year due to ITA decision on allocation of incomes, RS was damaged for 30 million KM and Brcko District for 5 million KM.  Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘RS Government sues Joly Dixon’ by D. Risojevic – Dodik announced RS Government would today (Tuesday) file a lawsuit against Dixon because he had, in his own will, determined how much money would the entities get from taxes that have been collected. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘RS demand Dixon’s resignation’ by O.V. Inset ‘Damaging RS’ – carries Dodik’s statement.

ITA Steering Board member Basic claims Chair Dixon made legal decision

Dnevni Avaz pg ‘RS Representatives claim again that they are damaged and demand Dixon’s resignation’ by T.L. – Commenting allegations of the RS officials in the ITA Steering Board who accused the Board Chair Joly Dixon of damaging RS budget by temporary allocating revenues from single account, Board member Haris Basic told DA that Dixon brought regular decision in line with his legal authorities. Basic said: “Since [RS Finance] Minister [Aleksandar] Dzombic did not want to approve change of the coefficient on allocation… for the last two weeks, and deadlines were close, Dixon informed Steering Board members and European Commission representative Renzo Davidi that he is going to bring a decision.”

HR CSS demands solutions regarding ITA/ RS dispute

Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘RS Government sues Joly Dixon’ by D. Risojevic Inset ‘Schwarz-Schilling: consent of RS is needed’, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Schwarz Schilling demands just solution’   – Christian Schwarz Schilling, HR to BiH, has stated Joly Dixon is aware he should have had consent of RS representatives for this decision, stressing that this dispute must be resolved in a just manner.

FERK doesn’t give up on a decision to increase electricity prices in FBiH  

BHT1, Oslobodjenje cover splash ‘New electricity prices to increase anyway’ by H.A.– FBiH Electricity Regulatory Agency (FERK) has announced that they will not change their decision on increasing electricity prices for approximately 6% as of 1 April. Head of FERK Risto Mandrapa stated that all their decisions are based on the legal regulations adding that the entire issue has been exaggerated since “the increase would be not more than 2KM”. FERK claims that no one from the FBIH Government has contacted them regarding the increase of the electricity price. Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘FERK would not reschedule the applying of new tariffs” by F.Vele,Mandrapa said for DA that decision on increase of electricity price is effective since it was published in the Gazette on Friday and it applying as of April 1.

SDA demands FERK to dismiss leadership stating decision made despite Govt

Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘SDA: To annul increase of electricity price’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 11 inset ‘Tihic: No justification for increase of electricity price’- SDA leader Sulejman Tihic said that SDA would ask for FBiH Parliament to replace FERK leadership, considering that they passed this decision despite the FBiH Government’s warnings.  

FTV 60 minuta: Dodik’s fight against organized crime and illegal privatization will fail since he has no support of his Ministers

FTV current affairs program ’60 Minuta’ By Dragan Stanimirovic– Commenting a promise of the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik to make a fight organized crime, corruption and audit of privatization process his priority, FTV claims Dodik could fail as he doesn’t enjoy support of his Ministers. To prove this, Stanimirovic features DNS delegate in the RS National Assembly Drago Kalabic who said several audit reports have already been prepared on the public companies, such as ‘RS Putevi’ [RS Roads] or ‘RS Zeljeznice’ [RS Railroads], proving irregularities in the companies however no action followed after the RS Chief Auditor Bosko Ceko submitted them. While Kalabic claims that managers and directors of such companies should be removed even before indictments are raised, Stanimirovic comments that in the case of RS Railroads and RS Roads their directors are protected by the new RS Transport and Communication Minister Nedeljko Cubrilovic.

EC suspended ARDA projects in BiH

Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash, pg 3 ‘Projects for family’ by P.Klincov – Daily learns at European Commission (EC) to BiH that EC has suspended financing of Accredited Regional Development Agency for northwest BiH (ARDA) over suspicion that the personnel of this agency has attempted to abuse development projects of millions worth (namely of BAM 20 million worth). Frano Maroevic, EC Spokesperson, explained that EC has demanded from ARDA Steering Board to investigate whether there was a conflict of interest between agency staff and firms and NGO’s that were supposed to implement projects. Hamdija Lipovaca, ARDA Steering Board President and Bihac Mayor, stated he had received a letter from Michael Humphreys, Head of EC delegation to BiH, informing him of this.

BiH and EU launch talks on economic cooperation

Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘European Commission wanted to talk about privatisation’ by T.Lazovic – The BiH and EU launched talks on economic issues, which are lead in parallel to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement [SAA] talks. Director of the BiH team in the talks Osman Topcagic stressed the great importance of such dialogue for establishment of future economic cooperation between BiH and EU. Topcagic confirmed that labour market, fiscal development, relations with international monetary institutions, VAT, budgets and privatisation are some of the issues to be discussed.

Defence and police reforms; other police issues

NATO, EU to establish fund for BiH soldiers affected by defence reform

BHT1 by Elvir Bucalo, Brussels – At the joint session of EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) and North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the NATO HQs in Brussels on Monday, it was noted that EUFOR would not change a number and current structure of its troops deployed in BiH before the October elections. The EU High Representative for Security and Foreign Policy Javier Solana stated that there are no intentions to modify the current EUFOR mission, however “most likely, this will be done, in coordination with NATO, after the general elections.” The session also announced the fund set up by NATO to fund reintegration into civilian life of some 11.000 BiH troops in the process of the demobilisation. NATO Secretary-General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stated commented that this is the “the largest NATO fund for this purpose…. some EU member states have already promised their help”. Furthermore, the EUFOR Commander, Major-General Gian Marco Chiarini, confirmed Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic are not hiding in BiH: “Obviously, a certain support network still exists but we are trying to discover it”. BHT 1 reporter comments that the EU and NATO work on North-Atlantic integrations for BIH without some great hype, adding that some of the work, such as reforms and ICTY cooperation, must be done “at home”.Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘€13 million for demobilised soldiers in BiH’ by L.S. –Head of BiH Mission to NATO Sven Alkalaj told DA that the plan is to provide care for 2200 troops in this year. PINK, FTV, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Departure of Mladic to The Hague would be a favourable development for the region’ by BETA, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘€13 million for demobilised’ by AFP, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘NATO is reducing number of soldiers in BiH’ by ra – also covered.

Presentation on association to PfP and NATO held in Sarajevo

FTV – Upon the invitation of the BiH Ministry of Defence, in Sarajevo on Monday, NATO experts held a presentation for representatives of legislative and executive authorities in BiH on the association process for the Partnership for Peace and NATO. Thus, the members of the BiH Presidency, BiH Council of Ministers and the BiH Parliaments Joint Commission for Defence and Security Policy were presented the future steps needed for the full membership in the PfP and NATO. RTRS – Gabriel Cascone, NATO expert for political issues and security policy said that the whole BiH should engage in order to join PfP and NATO. BHT1– It was suggested the establishment of the work group that would coordinate the needed activities. Political advisor to the NATO HQs in BIH Raffi Gregorian reiterated that full cooperation with the ICTY has to be achieved for BiH to be able to join the PfP and NATO. Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘To establish a team that would lead negotiations on association with PfP and NATO’ by L.S. – The presentation was attended by the members of the BiH Presidency, Ivo Miro Jovic and Borislav Paravac, CoM Chair Adnan Terzic, Defence Minister Nikola Radovanovic and deputies, Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic, Security Minister Barisa Colak and representatives of the BiH parliament. 

HR CSS meets RS PM Dodik: police reform to be implemented in line with the Agreement

Hayat – At the meeting with the Christian Schwarz-Schilling held in Banja Luka on Monday , RS PM Milorad Dodik stated the RS Govt has not intentions to obstruct the process of the police reform, however it wants reform to be implemented in accordance with the Agreement on the Police Reform approved by the parliaments. After the meeting with the HR, Dodik emphasized that the reform should be implemented so that there is no misunderstandings on any of the issue. Dnevni Avaz pg 13 ‘Dodik: I would love to see who is going to take coat-of-arms out of my office’ by N.Diklic Inset ‘Minimum bellow which it is not possible to go’ – Commenting police reform, Dodik noted: “I am for police reform, but I want to send a message to public and international community that minimum we can accept is RS police within BiH security structures, with the state law that will recognize RS police as an organisational part, with budget at the BiH level.”

PDP: There should be a consensus in decision-making process at PRD

Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Consensus needed’ bySRNA – Mladen Ivanic, PDP President, Monday expressed his view that there should be a consensus regarding decision-making process at Police Reform Directorate ( PRD ), noting there should be much more RS representatives at PRD . He noted these issues need to be clarified soon in order to ensure process of police reform proceeds normally.

RS President Cavic: There would be no abolishment of RS police

Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘No abolishment of the police’ by V. Janjic – On the occasion of April 4 – the Day of RS Police – RS President Dragan Cavic, RS PM Milorad Dodik and RS NA Chairman Igor Radojicic organized a reception for leadership of RS MoI led by Minister Stanislav Cadjo and Police Director Dragomir Andan. They discussed future of the police and Cavic reiterated there would be no abolishment of RS police because this would not be a solution that would stabilize BiH. Dodik emphasized RS Police must be a part of BiH security structures adding: ‘There is no dilemma for the Government – the police stays and this is a minimum beyond which we would not go’.Radojicic said the competent RS NA Board will monitor development of events and inform RS NA on everything, but ‘consensus must be reached’. Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘RS Police must remain’ – also carries Cavic.

HR endorses Venice Comm.-recommended solution for decertified police

RHB– High Representative in BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling deems that the solution for decertified police officers in BiH should be based on proposals of the Venice Commission. The Commission last year recommended the UN Security Council to establish the body authorized to carry out the revision of the decertification decisions made by the UN International Police Task Force in BiH. OHR supported BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic’s letter to the UN SC stressing the need for resolving this issue. FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Christian Schwarz-Schilling promised help for rebuilding Ferhadija’ by N.Diklic, inset ‘To accept recommendations of Venice Commission’ – also carried.

CoM intends to purchase OSA HQ building

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘OSA HQ will be in Zrak building’ by M.K.S. – On proposal of BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM expressed intention to purchase the administrative building of ‘Zrak’ company and turn it into the Headquarters of BiH Intelligence-Security Agency [OSA]. It is not yet known what would be the price of the building. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Council of Ministers intend to purchase Zrak building for OSA’ – also reported.

Investigations, affairs, security and crime

SBiH’ Silajdzic denies that he was deprived visa for entering USA

FTV- Founder of SBIH Haris Silajdzic has denied the information carried by FTV, citing Banja Luka’s magazine “Focus”, that he has been denied visa for entering the U.S. Silajdzic stressed at the press conference, that he has a diplomatic passport and visa for an unlimited number of entries into the U.S. adding that the visa was issued in December, 2005. “Regarding the false information published in the news of BHT 1 and FTV that I have been denied the visa for U.S.A. I have the visa. But. I’m more concerned with the speculations of a magazine without prior confirmation since it is against the ethics and rules of journalism and this is not in the interest of citizens who expect credible information from the media which they pay. I believe that all this is in the service of a campaign using all means available to discredit those supporting different views related to the constitutional changes” said Silajdzic. BHT1, Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Silajdzic: I have valid US visa in passport’, pg 5 ‘Silajdzic: This is campaign for discrediting ones who think differently on constitutional changes’ by E.Sarac Oslobodjenjepg 7 ‘Silajdzic: I have US visa’ by S.R., Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘They are trying to discredit me because of BiH Constitution’ by M.Cubro, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Information is not correct!’ by R.D., Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Silajdzic: May visa is valid for another 6 months’ by dja– also carried.

US Ambassador rejects to comment Silajdzic story 

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Visas are private question for every individual’ by Al.B.– During his visit to Foca, the US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney refused to comment the media speculations that SBiH founder Haris Silajdzic was not granted the US visa. Ambassador said that this is the private question for every individual and that he doesn’t have legal right to answer this.

HR Schwarz-Schilling allows pardoned officials, expect those removed for obstructing ICTY, to hold public positions

BHT1 – The High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling has issued a decision regarding the legal status of officials removed by previous High Representatives with the exception of those removed on the basis of non-cooperation with the ICTY. The decision permits removed officials to apply for and hold positions in public companies and public institutions such as hospitals or institutions to which the laws regulating the civil service do not apply but which are partly or entirely financed from a budget at any level of government in BiH. FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘No returning to the function by automatism’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Replaced officials can work in public companies’, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Return to public institutions ensured’ by N.Krsman, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Paddy Ashdown removed, Schwarz Schilling pardoned’ by M.S., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘The return of those “dismissed”, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Schilling rehabilitates removed officials’, by Danijela Kozina, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘New step towards rehabilitation of removed officials’, by E. M.– also carried.

Visegrad Prosecutor: Investigation results into Abazovic case/ EUFOR action in Rogatica 5^th April still awaited for

EuroBlic cover pg splash, RSpg 1 ‘Forensic experts have not completed their work as yet’ by Tijana Veselinovic – Anica Vukadin, Visegrad Prosecutor, told daily it is still not known when Prosecution will announce results of the investigation on “Abazovic” case, since results of forensic medicine are awaited for (5^th April action of EUFOR in Rogatica, when they attempted to apprehend war crime suspect, murdered his wife and injured suspect and his son). She explained that forensic medicine analysis should show who injuries were inflicted to Dragomir and Dragoljub Abazovic.

SDS official announces party to pay 1.8 million to PBES

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Would pay the debt that Robinson asks’ by N.D.– SDS Vice-President Borislav Bojic confirmed for DA that SDS would manage to pay 1.8 million KM by April 24 on the name of verdict of the District Court in Sokolac. Even though Bojic claims that process that Provisional Administrator of Privredna Banka East Sarajevo Toby Robinson has stated is politically motivated, he doesn’t deny the validity of the verdict. “There would be no need for confiscating of the assets, as Robinson stressed, because we already collected KM1,5 million. Rest we would collect in given deadline” said Bojic. Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘SDS also handed report’ by V.Popovic – also carries.

NN op-ed blames corrupt and incompetent authorities for failure to provide safe and secure environment

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Crime’ by Mirza Cubro – Following USA warning of its citizens to be cautious while travelling to BiH “since organised crime in BiH is increasing”, the author blames the corrupt and incompetent authorities for this failure to provide safe and secure environment. The author stresses that security and intelligence apparatus in BiH, especially top leadership of these, cannot respond to challenge of fight against organised crime, terrorism and arrest of war crime suspects. Therefore, he demands a necessary “cleaning” at security, intelligence and police services.

Head of BiH Registry Office Johnson: Most probably, Karadzic and Mladic will stand trial before BiH Court in Sarajevo

Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pgs 10 and 11 ‘Karadzic and Mladic to stand trial in Sarajevo’ by Z. Tulic – Head of the BiH Registry Office Michael Johnson stated for Radio Free Europe that, most probably, Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic will stand trial before the BiH Court in Sarajevo. Johnson also believes that the ICTY would be closed down before it has been planned and for this reason he stressed that in spite of claims by ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte (who claims that Scheveningen would not close down before Karadzic and Mladic get there) and efforts exerted in order not close down the ICTY, the decision on this issue would depend on the UN Security Council.