Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 5 April
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) |
| HDU: Croats are 2nd class citizens | Charges vs. Damjanovic confirmed |
| ITA suspends payments | RSNA in session |
| BiH Presidency session | Regional News |
TV news broadcast on 4 April
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| FBIH HoP in session | Regional News | RS officials on CC’s decision |
| Mostar Trade Fair opened | Regional News | Dodik called on PIFWCs to surrender |
| Jovic opened Mostar Trade Fair | Dodik called indictees to surrender | HoP on the Bill on FBiH RTV Service |
| Doko on Mostar Trade Fair | Maktouf to spend 5 years in prison | Economic dialogue with the EU |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| | HoP on the Bill on FBiH RTV Service | Regional News |
| | FBiH HoP to discuss FERK decision | RS Off. on |
| FERK not to decrease electric. prices | FBiH pensioners on FERK decision | RS Gov. to sue ITA and |
| World News | Economic dialogue with EU | RS Police Day |
| Oslobodjenje | [ |
| Dnevni Avaz | [BiH CoM Chair Terzic] |
| Dnevni List | Mostar Fair gathered elite of region (on opening of Mostar Fair) |
| Vecernji List | It depends on Croats whether they would have their own entity (interview with RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik) |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | With hammer over Croats (commentary on Croatian political show ‘Latinica’ which discussed the issue of BiH Croats) |
| Nezavisne Novine | Two banks robbed |
| Glas Srpske | Banks robbed |
| EuroBlic | A woman drove away an organised group of thieves’ |
| Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related topics |
Constitution, entities symbols and police reform | |
| RS PM, President and NA Speaker agree to change entity constitution redefining CoP’s role, demand reassessment of
| FTV – At the joint meeting held in Banja Luka on Tuesday, the RS President Dragan Cavic, RS National Assembly Speaker Igor Radojicic and RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik reached an agreement to submit to the BiH Constitutional Court a demand for re-examination of the latest decision on the entity’s insignia. Radojicic stated the deadline for the reassessment is one year. They also announced the initiation of the procedure for changes to the entity’s constitution redefining and restricting a role RS Council of Peoples while noting that its activities are aimed primarily at protecting party interests rather than vital interests. BHT1 – Referring to latter as “mini-constitutional changes” BHT1 also commented that these three top RS officials needed less than half an hour to plan how to keep the RS anthem of ‘Boze pravde’, ‘eagle’ on the coat of arms and tricolor flag in use even following the official publication of the BiH CC’s decision: they announced the RS Government is to propose the law on use of ethnic symbols in the RS, noting that the Court clearly said that no people can be banned from using their symbols. “Nobody has the right to contest the symbols of constituent peoples in BiH, Serbs, Croats or Bosniaks”, emphasized Cavic. On the other hand, |
| RSNA Speaker: RS CoP currently deals more with political parties’ than national interests
| Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Demand for reassessment of the decision on RS symbols announced’ by O.V. – Further explaining the decisions to restrict the role of the RS Council of Peoples, the RSNA Speaker Igor Radojicic said that it would be “desirable” for RS CoP’s mandate and number of MPs to be reduced. He stressed this is the result of the recent tendency for the CoP to deal more with political parties than national interests. Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Issue of ICTY cooperation has to be solved definitely’ by Srna – On the same issue, RS President Dragan Cavic explained the restrictions are necessary to “prevent… obstructions coming from Bosniaks lately”. |
| Bosniak reps in RS CoP deny responsibility for obstruction of work of RS institutions
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘We are not obstructing work of RS Council of Peoples” by N.Diklic– Chair of RS Council of Peoples Remzija Kadric and Chair of Bosniak Caucus in RS CoP Ramiz Salkic rejected accusations of RS President Dragan Cavic that they are obstructing the work of the RS CoP and the RS National Assembly. In a statement to DA, Kadric said that CoP protects vital national interests and that no one can deny this role given under the RS Constitution. “We are last to blame for RSNA passing laws endangering VNI of Bosniaks and Croats” said Kadric. |
| RSPM Dodik calls on PIFWCs at large to surrender; says RS police would survive police reform
| BHT1 – The RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik on Tuesday called upon all persons war crimes suspects to voluntarily surrender, and appealed to all those with information about PIFWCs at large to cooperate with the RS authorities. In his speech on the occasion of the RS Police Day, Dodik reiterated there are no dilemma on necessity of RS Interior Ministry’s existence. “We are fully convinced that the RS Police has a future, and this Government strongly supports a stance that the police could and should be a permanent category integrated into the BiH security system”, explained Dodik. RS Police Director and member of Police Reform Directorate Steering Board Dragomir Andan said he was encouraged with such statements of high-ranking RS officials: “If that’s the principle… than it is only a matter of modalities how we would integrate in the state ministry.” At the same time, the IC demands speeding up of activities on drafting the legislation stipulating transfer of authorities from the entities to the state, providing assurances of no political interference in police work and establishment of the police regions respecting technical conditions. “I think all |
| BiH CoM Chair Terzic on RS PM’s stance on police reform:
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg ‘Europe will not change standards for Dodik’ by E.Sarac – Commenting the statement by Milorad Dodik that the RS Police must be preserved even at price of halting the |
| BiH Presidency Chair Tihic on RS PM’s stance on police reform: Dodik needs time to get used to being a PM | Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Decision of Constitutional Court has nothing to do with amendments’, inset ‘Dodik should get used to be Prime Minister’, by Admir Malagic – In an interview to DA, the BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic commented to Milorad Dodik’s statement that RS Police must survive even at the cost of the halt in the |
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| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Constitutional changes are important for European path’ by S.Numanovic – Commenting statement by Milorad Dodik that amendments to the BiH Constitution were under question following the verdict of the BiH Constitutional Court declaring RS symbols unconstitutional, UK Ambassador Matthew Rycroft stated for DA: “I am convinced that Dodik’s Government will do everything within their powering the field of cooperation with ICTY, breaking organized crime and implementing the reforms that are tracing BiH path towards Europe… EU set four key principles… Dodik committed himself, and now he is stating that he will not block BiH path to |
| VL int with RS PM Dodik: Serbs will not give up entity way of voting just to make Croats satisfied
| Vecernji List cover pg splash, pg 6 ‘It depends on Croats whether they would have their own entity’ by M. Vrankic carries an interview with RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik. Asked to comment on the fact that Croats are not satisfied with the agreed constitutional changes to a large extent, Dodik says that the biggest concession was made to Croats, from the way of election of the BiH Presidency to the HoP, and he added that Serbs would not give up the entity way of voting just to make Croats satisfied. He added: ‘We simply do not accept BiH organized in a different way. We want to have an entity and this is the way it would be.’ Dodik also says that he is not among those people who are against a political and territorial organization of Croats in BiH, however this issue depends on Croat political representatives. Dodik also believes that a political problem of Croats has emerged when the FBiH was formed and when it was given up from earlier demands and ambitions. |
| RS President Cavic: BiH symbols were imposed and represent nobody
| EuroBlic pg RS2 ‘To preserve the entity’ by Rajna Radosavljevic Inset ‘Imposed symbols of BiH’, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Symbols of BiH’ – Commenting on the decision of BiH Constitutional Court on entities’ symbols, RS President Dragan Cavic stated he does not know whether an initiative for change of BiH symbols had been launched adding it is the fact these had been imposed and represent nobody in this country. ‘What can be concluded from those yellow and blue colors and those little stars? Nothing! All of that looks like a geometrical figure or some kind of an advertisement and it seems the best solution is if this country’s symbols represent nobody’, Cavic stated. |
| SDA’s Tihic: BiH CC decision on symbols, police reform and const. changes must not be put in relation;
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Some only now realized what they have agreed’ by M.K.S. – Commenting statement by Milorad Dodik that the constitutional amendments were under question after BiH Constitutional Court declared RS symbols unconstitutional, the SDA leader Sulejman Tihic told daily these two issues are separated. Tihic stressed the police reform was another issue which should be treated separately: “We could all condition [the agreement]… with something else. This political agreement is the product of compromise, and if one would demand additional compromise besides the agreement on constitutional changes, it would take us to dead-end.” HDZ did not want to comment Dodik’s statements.Inset ‘Council of Ministers have wrong information’ – Tihic said that BiH CoM stating the leaders of political parties are the ones that should sign amendments before these were sent into the parliamentary procedure. Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Decision of Constitutional Court has nothing to do with amendments’ by Admir Malagic – In an interview to DA, Tihic expressed his hope the RS parties would respect the agreement on the const. changes: “I believe that Dodik… is not going to put these two issues [const. changes and BiH Constitutional Court’s decision on entities symbols] in relation.” Tihic said that he personally think that entities should not have any insignia whatsoever, but only the state. He also announced the continuation of the talks on the constitutional changes between the political leaders on Wednesday. |
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| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘Some only now realized what they have agreed’ by M.K.S. – Commenting statement by Milorad Dodik that the constitutional amendments were under question after BiH Constitutional Court declared RS symbols unconstitutional, the |
| RS NA Speaker Radojicic: Referendum is a dangerous thing in BiH, denies
| Ekstra Magazine pgs 22-25 ‘Referendums are dangerous thing in Bosnia’ by Diajna Vuleta – In an interview to Bijeljina based bi-weekly, Igor Radojicic, RS NA Speaker, says that the agreed constitutional changes do not cause dramatic changes, i.e. result is actual situation in the field. Responding to press question regarding scheduling of referendum on constitutional changes, Radojicic says: “Referendum is a sensitive issue. Its scheduling, not only for this cause, may revoke memories to the beginning of 90’s…I am of the view it is better to prefer voting at parliaments rather that scheduling referendum, owing to possible problems of majorisation at any level.” Stojicic is of the view the most disputable issue is central level of authority (referring to cantonal structure in F BiH), adding settlement of this issue is under question owing to relations between Bosniaks and Croats. On agreement of constitutional changes signed, he denies statement Dragan Covic gave (that provision on “continuation of talks” has been included into agreement), adding he is not saying there will be no continuation of talks but just that SDA and |
| Martin Raguz takes over position of BiH HoR Speaker; announces HoR discussion on const. amendments on April 24
| RTRS – Martin Raguz on Tuesday took over the position of the BiH House of Representatives’ Speaker from Nikola Spiric at which occasion he announced that the BiH HoR would discuss the amendments to the BiH Constitution on April 24. Raguz said that would not allow any kind of pressure on representatives, and further explained that the main public discussion on the issue would be held on April 12 in the Parliament. Spiric said the next things for discussion in the HoR are focused on current reformatory processes: constitutional reform, adoption of the higher education law, reform of police, etc. and added that HoR should adopt the Laws that are necessary for Stabilization and Association Agreement. |
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| FTV, RTRS, Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Building and strengthening of state and society’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘To resolve issues of visa regime and unemployment’ by M. Sutalo, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘State to be strengthen on basis of truth, just and reconciliation’ by Onasa – During the meetings with EU officials in Brussels, BiH religious community leaders expressed clear orientation and support of the BiH Inter-Religious Council to European integration and asked support of EU officials in resolving of problems in BiH. VL also says that during separate, informal meetings with European officials Cardinal Vinko Puljic informed them about the stand of the BiH Catholic Church on constitutional changes. |
| Heraldists, historians in BiH disagree on potential appearance of RS/F BiH insignia
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3, announced on cover ‘From eagle, lilies and Sahovnica to queen’s elbow’ by R.Cengic/D.Risojevic – Daily carries statements of heraldists and historians from BiH (Muhamed Filipovic, Dragomir Acovic and Dubravko Lovrenovic) regarding potential appearance of RS and FBiH insignia. However, depending of their ethnic background, their views on the issues significantly differ as if they were politicians. |
| DA op-ed criticizes RS politicians reactions to BiH CC decision on entity symbols: Political barbarism in RS
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Political barbarism’ op-ed by Husein Orahovac – Commenting the statements of the RS high ranking officials opposing the decision of BiH Constitutional Court on RS insignia, editorial reads that behaviour of RS political leadership is “barbaric”. Commenting Dodik’s statement on Monday [“I would love to see a person who would take coat-of-arms out of my office”, for more details see BiH Media Round-up April 4] author stresses that Dodik is obviously even ready to physically stand up against the decision of the Court. Editorial concludes that RS politicians very well know what are the authorities of judiciary: “They know, but they do not care!” |
| SD commentary: Constitution is being imposed by international administrators
| Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pgs 16 and 17 ‘With hammer over Croats’ by P. Milos comments on a TV debate in Croatian TV political show ‘Latinica’ broadcasted on Monday when issues of BiH Croats and constitutional changes were discussed by Croatian politician Vesna Pusic, BiH journalists Ivan Lovrenovic and Senad Pecanic, Vinko Zoric from HDZ etc. Milos says that all collocutors were discussing the constitutional changes that all of them, apart from Zoric, are not familiar with. Milos also says that this is irrelevant since Zoric just like all other MPs is being ignored when this issue is in question because ‘the Constitution is simply being imposed by international administrators’. |
| VL commentary: DPA division of BiH is big problem that is not being corrected
| Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Country with defect in manufacture’ by Z. Cosic carries that the High Representative admitted the fact that we are all aware of: ‘A mistake has been made in |
Other political issues | |
| Croat Caucus in FBiH HoP invokes VNI regarding PBS law
| FTV – The FBiH House of Peoples (HoP) on Tuesday adopted the Law on the FBiH Public Broadcasting Service by majority vote despite the fact that Croat Caucus rejected the legislation and launched a procedure of protection of the vital national interest. The initiative on VNI protection is line with their earlier announcement in case of law passage without their amendments. The Croat MPs specially objected the refusal of the amendments proposed by delegate Zdenko Antunovic, which envisages establishment of three channels in the languages of the constituent peoples. “This Law does not enable us to cherish our differences, along with all those things in common”, Chair of the Croat Caucus, Mate Franjicevic, commented. “Therefore, I believe that the Constitutional Court, i.e. the Council for the Protection of the Vital National Interest will agree with our stance that this Law is destructive for the vital national interests of Croat people”, added Franjicevic.Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Croats insisting on getting TV channel’, by Mensud Zorlak – also reports from session and comments that the invocation of the vital national clause by the Croat Caucus will almost certainly trigger a reaction on the part of the IC, which insists the law has to be in harmony with the state law, since it is one of the |
| EC hopes that public broadcasting legislation is passed long before
| FTV – Commenting the adoption of the Law on the FBiH public broadcasting service by the FBiH House of Peoples on Tuesday and launch of VNI protection procedure by Croat Caucus, the spokesperson for the EC in BiH, Frane Maroevic, stated: “We are ready to wait for the final decision on this law… Our principles are the same from the very beginning: BiH needs the system of public broadcasting which is financially sustainable and united on a state level.” BHT1 – representatives of the EC Delegation to BiH deem that the law has passed the part of the procedure, which is a progress in itself. “We hope that the procedure in the |
| CoE Monitoring Committee commends BiH post-accession efforts, urges adoption of higher edu. law, supports const. changes
| FTV – The delegation of the Council of Europe’s Monitoring Committee visiting BiH on Tuesday commended efforts of the BiH authorities in meeting the CoE post-accession criteria, but also raised concerns over the fact that the framework law on higher education has not yet been adopted. The Head of the BiH Parliament’s delegation in the CoE Parliamentary Assembly, Elmir Jahic, met the delegation and informed that the BiH Council of Ministers works to quickly have the proposal of this law. CoE officiall Kimmo Sassi said after meeting the members of the BiH parliamentarians that BiH has made substantial progress in the reformatory processes since the last report of the Committee two years ago. The Council of Europe also supported the constitutional reform, stressing the process is necessary if BiH wishes to progress on the road to |
| HDZ launches disciplinary procedure against three of its members; former members to establish new party on Saturday
| BHT1 – Upon recommendation of the HDZ leader Dragan Covic, the HDZ Presidency who met on Tuesday launched a disciplinary action against its three members – Vinko Zoric, Filip Andric and Ivan Madunic – accusing them of violating the HDZ statute and code of honour. Zoric and Andric, who ten days ago dissolved the HDZ Caucus in the BiH Parliament and instead established the Croat Caucus, are not surprised with such decision. “I can only congratulate president Covic and the HDZ Presidency on a very wise decision… I’m glad that he finally found a way to solve the problems of Croat people in BiH”, ironically commented Andric. At the same time, the group of former HDZ members, led by Bozo Ljubic and Martin Raguz, on Saturday will form a new party, called HDZ 1990. “The actual leadership of HDZ failed to obey the democratic principles, led this party into some kind of international isolation, and completely lost the credibility”, explained Martin Raguz, adding that more than 400 delegates from all parts of the BiH will take part at the inaugural assembly of new party HDZ 1990. In a short statement for BHT, BiH Presidency member Ivo Miro Jovic stressed that there is no split in HDZ BiH. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Ivo Miro Jovic denies split-up’ not signed, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Ivo Miro Jovic: There is no split within HDZ’ by S.B. – carries Jovic. |
| HDZ’s Relota: Zoric, Madunic, Andric to be expelled
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Vinko Zoric, Ivan Madunic and Filip Andric before expulsion from HDZ’, mentioned on cover ‘Dragan Covic continues with purge of disobedient’ by F.Vele– Commenting the decision of HDZ Presidency, HDZ Spokesperson Miso Relota said that such decision of the Presidency leads toward certain expulsion. “We in HDZ have finished with the story about them. They committed a heavy violation of the Statute of the party and Presidency’s decision regards extinction of HDZ Caucus in BiH House of Representatives, but also the the overall activities of these people in last months” said Relota. |
| Zoric (HDZ) on HDZ Presidency disciplinary measures agst him: ‘The reason for disciplinary measures is meaningless just like Covic himself’
| Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Only Bishops have stayed on Covic’s way’ by Lj. Vidacak – Commenting on the BiH Presidency disciplinary measures against him Vinko Zoric said that he is not going to respond to any summon of Covic and the HDZ bodies, ‘that Covic forms in an undemocratic way’. He also said: ‘The reason for the disciplinary measures is meaningless just like Covic himself.’ Zoric added that the BiH Bishops’ Conference realized that HDZ is not taking a good direction and therefore the Bishops turned their back to HDZ. Zoric added that after some time the electorate would do the same. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19, mentioned on cover ‘HDZ has lost compass’ also carries Zoric calling on honourable people to join new party, HDZ 1990. |
| Madunic (HDZ) on HDZ Presidency disciplinary measures: ‘Covic is fatal for Croat people’
| Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Only Bishops have stayed on Covic’s way’ by Lj. Vidacak carries Ivan Madunic as saying that the disciplinary measures against him were taken because he was publicly criticizing proposals by HDZ Ministers Dragan Vrankic and Borjana Kristo and because he spoke up about constitutional changes. Madunic also said that he is not going to join HDZ 1990 and he added that he believes that Covic is fatal for the Croat people and that Covic has destroyed HDZ to a large extent. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 19, mentioned on cover ‘HDZ has lost compass’ also carries a similar Madunic’s statement. |
| Andric (HDZ): Perhaps, HDZ Presidency disciplinary measures were taken because of our statements regarding const. changes’ | Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Only Bishops have stayed on Covic’s way’ by Lj. Vidacak also carries Andric as saying that he is not aware of the reasons for the disciplinary measures taken against them and that, perhaps, this is related to their statements with regard to constitutional changes since they did not give any other statements. Andric added that he would stay by the end of his mandate. |
| HDZ Deputy President Lozancic: ‘Disciplinary measures do not mean sanctions’ | Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Disciplinary measures do not mean sanctions’ by S. B. – FBiH President and HDZ Deputy President Niko Lozancic stated that the disciplinary measures do not mean sanctions. He added: ‘The disciplinary measures are a part of our estimation that certain HDZ members do not behave in accordance with principles of the HDZ Statute and Programme.’ |
| Ex HDZ official Raguz: new party, HDZ 1990, would be open for all citizens
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘HDZ 1990. open for everyone’ by A.T.– Member of Initiative Board of new political party HDZ 1990. Martin Raguz, told daily that new part would be open for all and would focus on promotion of welfare of all BiH citizens. Raguz couldn’t be exact in numbers and say how many former HDZ members would cross to HDZ 1990. and said: “We expect that majority of former HDZ deputies would respond to our political party”. |
| DL op-ed condemns disciplinary measures HZD Presidency took against few HDZ officials | Dnevni List pg 2 ‘I am a state’ by D. Kozina condemns latest disciplinary measures taken by the HDZ Presidency against few HDZ officials and the author ironically wonders whether BiH Bishops might also expect the disciplinary measures since they just like sanctioned HDZ officials have their own opinion on certain issues. |
| Supervisor appoints members of the Office of the Brcko District Coordinator within BiH CoM
| Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Members of the Office of the Coordinator were appointed’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 6 ‘Kisic was appointed coordinator’ by M. C., Glas srpske pg 2 ‘Kisic goes to Sarajevo’ by G. D., EuroBlic pg RS9 ‘Kisic is the coordinator of the Office of the District’ by L. S. – Brcko Supervisor Susan Johnson on Tuesday issued a Supervisory Order appointing Sinisa Kisic as the Coordinator and other four members of the Office of the Coordinator of Brcko District within the BiH Council of Ministers, to serve until September 30, 2008. The Office was established following an agreement reached between Adnan Terzic, BiH CoM and Mirsad Djapo, Mayor of Brcko District, in November 2005. Due to delays in its implementation, the Supervisor issued an order explaining it enables various outstanding issues to be resolved between the State and Brcko District in an orderly and timely manner. |
| Advisor to RS President Matijasevic departs to
| Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Political and economic lobbying in the interest of RS’ by D.Risojevic – In a brief interview to daily, Darko Matijasevic, advisor to RS President for political issues and international relations, Monday departed to Washington, where he is supposed to meet with the high officials of the US Congress and influential lobbying groups on behalf of Dragan Cavic, RS President. According to Matijasevic, the main topics of those meetings will be: Hague issues, constitutional changes and economic cooperation. According to him, “we plan to stress the importance of the |
| | EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘Gligoric: deadline is April 8’ by Dusanka Stanisic – |
Economic issues and investigations | |
| RS Govt decides to file lawsuit against ITA Steering Board Chair Dixon; they invited The HR to replace
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Frozen payments from the single account’ by T.Lazovic– Following the accusations by the RS members of the Indirect Taxation Administration’s Steering Board, the Chair of the Board Joly Dixon suspended a temporary decision on allocation of revenues from the single account freezing the means. “This is a very undesirable situation, because work of all BiH institutions at all levels would be obstructed by this, all until the Steering Board passes the final decision,”- reads ITA SB’s statement. |
| RS Govt demands from HR
| BHT 1 – RS Government, who has decided to file a lawsuit against Joly Dixon accusing them of the damaging the RS following the introduction of new coefficients and halting revenues, on Tuesday requested from the HR, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, to remove Dixon from ITA. RTRS – “We believe that High Representative respects institution such as RS Government and its contribution to reforms in BiH and that would accept our request… With |
| EU recommends BiH should maintain single VAT rate
| FTV– The integral part of the talks on Stabilisation and Association Agreement with European Union is the economic dialogue. Next European Commission report, which will assess the improvement BiH has made on the road towards European integration, should include the suggestions and recommendations announced during the two-day economic dialogue between BiH and the EU. One of the recommendations is that BiH should persevere on the single Valued Added Tax rate. “We recommend the single tax rate wherever the tax administration is in process of development, which is the case in BiH. Government should introduce social programs to compensate for the negative effects of the Value Added Tax”, stated Antonio De Lecea, Director of the EC Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs. “I don’t think that we are going to wait for those recommendations to become obligatory… We will carry out an analysis, and try to immediately implement whatever we can”, stated Director of the BiH Directorate of European Integration Osman Topcagic. The economic dialogue between BiH and EU representatives is still informal and it is expected that EU would soon officially request from domestic authorities to create economic-fiscal programme by |
| OHR: Parliamentarians cannot increase their own salaries
| Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Parliamentarians cannot raise their own salaries’ by Fena – OHR spokesperson Kevin Sullivan told a press conference on Tuesday, stating that the OHR welcomes the public debate on the Bill on increasing the salaries and pensions of representatives in the BiH Parliament launched by the media and NGO sector. He said: “The essence of public comment has been that parliamentarians clearly have to be paid at a level that is appropriate to the importance and the demands of their work – but this is not a license to give themselves a salary increase”. Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Parliamentarians cannot be paid from non-existing funds’, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Call to adopt Law on salaries before elections’ by Agencies, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Salaries in reverse’, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Adopt law on salaries by elections’, not signed – also reported. |
| PDHR Butler calls on BIH CoM to back CEFTA plans
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘To support Central European free trade zone’, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Support to major trade initiative’, by ra – The Principal Deputy High Representative, Larry Butler, called on the members of the BiH CoM to give their backing to a major trade initiative that will be launched in Bucharest under Stability Pact auspices on Thursday. Prime Ministers from all the countries in the region are expected to make a formal commitment to negotiate simultaneous accession and amendment of the Central European Free Trade Area (CEFTA) by the end of this year |
| ARDA Steering Board member Pavic: I will demand removal of ARDA staff
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5, announced on cover ‘Marko Pavic: I will demand removal of staff at the Steering Board session’ by P.Klincov – Marko Pavic, member of the Steering Board of ARDA (Accredited Regional Development Agency for northwest BiH) has stated that at Thursday’s session of the ARDA Steering Board (SB), he would demand removal of Agency employees who intended to abuse funds of European Commission. (EC Monday suspended finances to ARDA projects on suspicion those were allocated to firms and NGO’s family members of ARDA staff managed). According to inset, Michael Humphreys, Head of EC delegation to BiH, addressed a letter to ARDA SB, noting Donald Prohaska is one of founders of NGO “Euro Razvoj” (one of agecies whose engagement in projects was disputed) is also working at OHR. Oleg Milisic, OHR Spokesperson, stated OHR will closely monitor the situation related to this. Daily learns from unofficial sources that Prohaska is no longer working at OHR. |
| NN op-ed wonders where all the money from ARDA projects has gone
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘And those agencies’ by Predrag Klincov – In regard to the issue of suspension to EC finances to ARDA projects (on suspicion projects of BAM 20 million in total were assigned to NGO’s and firms owned by family members of ARDA staff), the author underlines regardless of the fact ARDA issue is unmasked and striking, the public is interested to know where all the money intended for numerous international projects has gone. The author concludes that this case may have a negative impact and cause damage to 35 municipalities which EU has provided services to through this agency. |
| BiH Prosecutor’s Office launched pre-investigation activities on manipulations with old foreign currency savings | Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘BiH Prosecutor’s Office launched pre-investigation activities’ by N. Krsman – Asdaily learns, BiH Prosecutor’s Office has launched pre-investigation activities on manipulations with old foreign currency savings of BiH citizens and role of individuals in it in past 15 years. The |
War crimes | |
| BiH
| BHT1– The Appeals Council of BiH War Crimes Chamber of BiH Court announced its verdict in the Abduladhim Maktouf case on Tuesday, finding the accused guilty and sentencing him to five years imprisonment. The Council found Maktouf guilty as an accessory in the taking of three Croat civilians as hostages by the „El Mujaheed“ unit in Travnik in 1993. In committing these acts the accused committed the criminal offense of war crimes against civilians from article 173 of the Criminal Code of BiH. The time the accused has spent in custody during the criminal proceedings since |
| RS Police Director Andan confirms establishment of team for cooperation with the ICTY
| Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘About ten of most experiences people is in a team for cooperation with the ICTY’ by N.D.– In a statement for DA, RS Police Director Dragomir Andan confirmed that RS Government has established a Special Department within RS Interior Ministry for cooperation with the ICTY, but the Head of this Department still wasn’t appointed. “We have one suggestion for this position, but Minister still hasn’t signed his appointment”, said Andan, adding that idea about this Department is not new. “Nevertheless, we have brought about ten of best people from this area…We would do everything in our power to apprehend war crimes’ indictees” said Andan. Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘A unit for special investigations was established’ by Agencies – also reported. |
| EuroBlic: Mladic to be apprehend silently as Gotovina was | EuroBlic pg 3 ‘Arrest of Mladic following Gotovina’s recipe’ by Tanja Nikolic Djakovic – In a statement to daily, Anton Nikiforov, advisor to Carla del Ponte, ICTY Chief Prosecutor, stated that Vojislav Kostunica, Serbian Premier, has assured del Ponte Ratko Mladic will be in Scheweningen soon. He also reminded that the arrest of Ante Gotovina was carried out in silence. Thus, the daily names the article with reference to this. |