OHR BiH Media Round-up, 8/4/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

14^th anniversary of HVO

HR extends Dickson’s mandate

Investigation on murder in Potocari

US on Islamic extremists in BiH

Andan resigns

Boy drowned in Neretva river

US Embassy on surplus weapons

Samardjic sentenced to 12 years

Hafizovic’s driver died in car accident

Cardinal Puljic meets McElhaney

Regional news

Professors injured in car accident

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Court of BiH sentenced Samardzic

Samardzic sentenced to 13 years

Dodik accepts Andan’s resignation

RS Police Dir. Andan to be removed?

Reactions to Samardzic’s sentence

RS NA Dep. Speaker’s driver drowns

Meakic to be processed in BiH?

Andan resigned

Samardjic sentenced to 12 years

Bjelica testifies before the ICTY

Meakic case to be transferred to BiH

Returnee Fatima Omic found dead

Oslobodjenje

Constitutional changes in hands of Pensioners’ Party

Dnevni Avaz

Dragomir Andan resigned

Dnevni List

Tragedy: High school student drowns (high school student drowned in Jablanica)

Vecernji List

Fatal fall (high school student drowned in Jablanica)

Nezavisne Novine

Andan submits resignation

Political Developments/Reforms

RS PM Dodik accepts resignation by RS Police Director Andan, media speculate resignation triggered by recent Chief ICTY Prosecutor’s letter

RTRS – Report by Sinisa Mihailovic – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik accepted the resignation of RS Police Director Dragomir Andan. Final confirmation of the resignation will be verified on Tuesday at session of RS Government. Reporter comments that letter of Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte sent to HR Christian Schwarz Schilling and Dodikis the cause for Andan’s resignation. Dodik stated that he introduced Andan with the contents of the letter thus resulting in Andan’s resignation. Reporter says that Andan submitted his resignation personally to the building of RS Government and adds that he wasn’t in the mood for journalists. He also says that according to unofficial information, Del Ponte was not satisfied with Andan’s cooperation with ICTY as well as with his war biography and close relation with crime groups. “Main objections are related to pause in the process of ICTY cooperation”, says Dodik. Chief of police administration Nijaz Smajlovic will be acting RS Police Director until new one is appointed. Pink – RS MoI spokesman Radovan Pejic stated that Andan also resigned as a member of Police Reform Directorate (PRD). According to unofficial information, Del Ponte during her last visit to BiH stated to HR Schwarz Schilling that it would be good for Andan to resign since evidence exists on his involvement in the organised crime. Hayat – “I know nothing about his reasons, you should ask him… Of course, lately there have been some remarks on his work in the (Police Reform) Directorate, and that’s what he used as an argument (in his resignation letter)… That’s all I know”, stated Dodik. Dnevni Avaz, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Dragomir Andan resigned’, by N. Diklic – notes that after del Ponte submitted the letter to the HR Schwarz-Schilling and PM Dodik, in which she complained of Andan’s poor cooperation with the ICTY, Andan had been given two weeks to decide what to do. Obviously, says Avaz, he decided to be one step ahead by submitting the resignation. As a result of the resignation, session of PRD scheduled for yesterday (Friday) got cancelled.

(also reported by BHT, FTV, Oslobodjenje, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Dragomir Andan resigned’, by O. V. – A. Av., Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘D. Andan submits resignation’, by BS, Nezavisne Novine, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Andan submits resignation’, by D. Risojevic, R. Segrt)

BiH CoM’s Terzic: BiH should be able to sign SAA by end of year, EU must not neglect SE Europe

Pink – BiH CoM Chairman Adnan Terzic stated at Crans Montana Forum held in Zagreb on Friday that BIH has fulfilled all technical conditions necessary for membership in Southeast Europe Stability Pact. He also informed the participants of the Forum that BIH has started negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement, which in his opinion should be signed by the end of the year. Terzic said that BiH CoM has undertaken a “true reform wave” in order to fulfil the conditions necessary for membership in the EU. BHT1 – Terzic stressed that 85% of BiH citizens see their future in the EU. Oslobodjenje, pg 2 ‘Terzic and Sanader – jointly for expansion of EU’, by D. Zadravec – reports that Terzic and Croatian PM, Ivo Sanader, noted that the IC must not neglect the southeast Europe when it comes to the expansion of the EU. (also reported by Dnevni Avaz, pg 4 ‘Integration of southeast Europe is interest of EU too’, by T. Lazovic, Dnevni List, g 22 ‘Expansion of EU must not stop’, by HINA, Nezavisne Novine, pg 3 ‘Technical pre-requisites for Stability Pact are met’, by M. C.)

Defence Minister Radovanovic: BiH MoD will be in charge of all weapons

Nezavisne Novine, pg 2 ‘All weapons will be listed in 30 days’, by D. M. – the BiH Defence Minister, Nikola Radovanovic, confirmed on Friday that all weapons that used to be the property of entity armies will be listed and transferred into the ownership of the BiH MoD in other words the BiH Armed Forces. Earlier, OSCE, NATO and EUFOR expressed concern because of some reports that alleged that some entity bodies believed they should continue to be in charge of weapons and ammunitions, which could be eventually sold/exported.

BiH CoM’s Terzic: BiH met conditions for PfP

BHT1 – Ilijana Trbovcic – Chairman of BiH CoM Adnan Terzic stated at the Crans Montana Forum held in Zagreb on Friday that BiH has fulfilled all technical conditions for membership in NATO Partnership for Peace. (also reported by FTV)

RS PM Dodik: RS Goct fully supports SAA process

RHB – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated that RS Government ‘fully and actively’ supports the process of negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. After the meeting with non-resident Israeli Ambassador to BiH, Dodik emphasized the necessity of strengthening the role of domestic politicians and institutions in solving the issues important both for the continuation of SAA talks, and for the future development of BiH.

PDP leader Ivanic on police reform: Part of competence at RS level

RTRS – by Nada Arlov – As far as police reform is concerned, PDP leader Mladen Ivanic feels that a part of competence should remain in RS. “Basic security should remain at entity levels”, says Ivanic.

PDP leader Ivanic: PDP MPs will vote for removal of BiH CoM

Oslobodjenje, pg 7 ‘Key problem is not RS, it is FBiH’, by O. V. – carries PDP leader, Mladen Ivanic, as saying (probably referring to initiative of SP’s Tihomir Gligoric re motion on vote of no confidence in BiH CoM) that PDP MPs in the BiH House of Representatives will next week vote in favour of removal of BiH CoM. He explains that he personally is the BiH Foreign Minister, who has been relieved from duty since June last year. (also in Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘Constitutional amendments are jeopardized by disunity among parties from FBiH’, by Srna, Nezavisne Novine, pg 5 ‘PDP in favour vote of no confidence in BiH Council of Ministers’, not signed)

SDS’ Novakovic insists that BiH Constitutional Court should not be having foreign judges

Hayat – Head of the SDS Caucus in the BiH House of Representatives, Momcilo Novakovic, stated on Friday that three days ago he asked for the continuation of the parliamentary procedure regarding his proposal of the law on BiH Constitutional Court. Novakovic’s proposal envisages that only BiH citizens could become the judges of the BiH Constitutional Court. (also in Oslobodjenje, pg 7 ‘Constitutional Court without foreigners’, by A. Terzic, Dnevni Avaz, pg 9 ‘Novakovic for Constitutional Court without foreigners’, by Onasa, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Continuation of procedure on Constitutional Court’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine, pg 2 ‘Without foreign judges’, by M. C.)

Avaz comment: BiH Presidency member Paravac inspiring burning of flags in Brcko

Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘Why Paravac does not feel sorry for BiH flag’, by Admir Malagic – condemning the fact that the BiH flag got burnt in Brcko one more time the other day, Malagic insists one cannot only accuse the direct perpetrator, instead Malagic says the roots of the problem go much deeper. Namely, the author stresses that such disrespect for the BiH national flag might have been inspired by member of BiH Presidency, Borislav Paravac’s, statement who noted that the love towards the RS symbols, which have been deemed as anti-constitutional by the BiH Constitutional Court, could be turned into hatred towards the state symbols.

Founder of HDZ 1990 Ljubic: Croat electorate ready to support HDZ 1990

Vecernji List, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘I am taking over authority with new party’, by Zdenko Jurilj – carries an interview with one of founders of the HDZ 1990, which should be established today (Saturday) in Mostar, Bozo Ljubic, who among other issues claims that according to HDZ 1990’s information from the ground, the (Croat) electorate is ready to recognize and support the new Croat party because of its program. He also reveals he has been talking to other political parties about formation of coalition, without sharing any details, claiming that many HDZ BiH members will defect to the HDZ 1990.

VL comment: HDZ 1990 has good chance to challenge HDZ BiH

Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘HDZ 1990’, by Miroslav Vasilj – commenting on the establishment of a new Croat party, the HDZ 1990 that is, Vasilj notes the party is in for an uphill struggle from the very beginning considering that the Croat electorate’s turnout in elections has been constantly decreasing. However, Vasilj says the new party has got the timing just right because the majority of Croats are against the proposed constitutional amendments (that are supported by the HDZ BiH), which could trigger the Croat voters to actually challenge the HDZ BiH.

Constitutional Changes

Oslobodjenje: SDA’s Tihic should not be so sure that const. Changes will get necessary support in Parliament

Oslobodjenje, front pg splash and pgs 4-5 ‘Constitutional changes in hands of Pensioners’ Party’, by Az. Kalamujic – the author notes that the leader of SDA, Sulejman Tihic, should not be making premature statements that the proposed constitutional changes will received the necessary majority in the BiH House of Representatives (28 out of 42 votes, or 2/3 majority of all votes). Oslobodjenje reminds that according to Tihic’s calculations, the changes will be supported by 10 SDA MPs, 5 MPs from SDS and HDZ each, SDP (3), SNSD (3) and PDP (1), which adds up to 27. The SDA counts on the Pensioners’ Party to give the crucial 28^th vote. However, the author reminds that when it comes to the HDZ, the situation is completely different, since 4 MPs of what used to the HDZ Caucus plus Ivo Lozancic (independent MP) recently formed what they call the Croat Caucus, in other words they turned their back on HDZ leader Dragan Covic.

NN interview with RS President Cavic: Proposed amendments are good compromise

Nezavisne Novine, pgs 4-5, mentioned on front ‘Constitutional amendments are good compromise’, by Dragan Jerinic – carries an interview with the RS President, Dragan Cavic, in which he among other issues, talks about the ongoing constitutional changes. Cavic underlines that the proposed constitutional changes are results of very hard negotiations i.e. that they are a good compromise that will improve the functionality of BiH institutions and determine a normal interaction between the state and entities. As for the second phase of constitutional changes, which should tackle the issue of middle level of authority, Cavic reiterates that nobody from the RS will even take part in the story called the abolishment of the RS

RS PM Dodik: RS parties will support const. Chanes; PDP’s Ivanic: Problem is in disunity in FBiH

RTRS – Report by Nada Arlov – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated that RS representatives would support the constitutional changes. PDP Chair Mladen Ivanic feels that political relations within FBIH might represent a problem when it comes to adoption of constitutional amendments. Nezavisne Novine, pg 5 ‘Key in hands of part of Croat delegates’, by V. Popovic – Ivanic says the key for adoption of constitutional changes rests with part of Croat MPs. Oslobodjenje, pg 7 ‘Key problem is not RS, it is FBiH’, by O. V., Dnevni Avaz, pg 8 ‘Constitutional amendments are jeopardized by disunity among parties from FBiH’, by Srna – carry Ivanic’s statement) Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Serbs support constitutional changes’, by Nina – reports that Dodik made the statement during a meeting with the German Ambassador to BiH, Arne Freiherr von Kittlitz in Banja Luka on Friday.

Oslobodjenje commentary: Const. Changes will be adopted because the US want so

Oslobodjenje, pg 9 ‘Calculating votes’, by Daniel Omeragic – the author argues that leaders of SDA and SDP, Sulejman Tihic and Zlatko Lagumdzija respectively, should not be calculating as to how many MPs will be supporting the proposed constitutional changes, especially the bit in which the two leaders count on that not all MPs would attend the session, which should make the job easier, which is according to Omeragic ‘frivolous’. The author concludes that the necessary majority will be secured, not because of adding of votes, but simply because the US want it that way.

RHB commentary: BiH must have Constitution that would satisfy everyone, including Croats

RHB – Report by Ivica Simunovic – As the day of parliamentary discussion about the changes to the BiH Constitution is approaching, the nervousness on a political scene in BiH is becoming more and more obvious, said the RHB commentator. Even the two very important laws, which should move BiH closer to European integration – Law on PBS and Law on Higher Education – are somewhat marginalized due to omnipresent discussion on constitutional changes. RHB commentator deems that the very fact that Croats use all possibilities to postpone the adoption of these two laws in proposed form provokes the rage among European officials, because they are not used to deal with someone who so resolutely refuses to obey. In order to overcome this obstacle, BiH must have the constitution that would make everybody happy, including Croats. If the proposed amendments to the BiH Constitution are adopted, and Croats do not get what they want – a Croat channel – it would be clear that all the stories about political step forward were nothing more than pushing the problems under the carpet.

War Crimes/Crimes

BiH Court sentences Nedjo Samardzic to 13 years and 4 months for war crimes in Foca area, Association ‘Women victims of war’ unhappy with veridtc

BHT1 – BiH Court sentenced Nedjo Samardzic to 13 years and 4 months in prison for war crimes. Samardzic has been sentenced for torture and raping of civilians in the Foca area in the period between April 1992 and March 1993. However, he has been acquitted of most charges of indictment. Court also included in the sentence a sentence for crime committed before the war. BiH Prosecutor Behaija Krnjic stated that he was not satisfied with the mild sentence and announced that he would submit an appeal. Members of Association “Women victims of war”, who were present at BiH Court on Friday, stated that they feel disappointed by such sentence. Oslobodjenje, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Rape crimes should be tried outside BiH’, not signed – The Association ‘Women victims of war’ announces it will ask that cases of rape be tried outside BiH because “this verdict of BiH Court makes us victims one more time.” RTRS – Defence team too announced it would appeal. Hayat – This is the first verdict handed down in a war crimes case, in which the indictment was confirmed and trial conducted, after the establishment of the Section I for War Crimes within the Court of BiH. (also reported by RHB, Pink, FTV, Oslobodjenje, pg 12 ’12 years imprisonment for crime against humanity’, by N. J., Oslobodjenje, pg2 ‘Samardzic gets 13 years and 4 months of prison’, by Erna Mackic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Samardzic sentenced to 13 years of prison’, by f, Nezavisne Novine, pg 6 ‘Sentenced to 13 years imprisonment’, by A. Djozo)

ICTY rules: ‘Meakic and others’ case to be referred to BiH Court

Hayat – ICTY Appeals Chamber decided on Friday afternoon to uphold the decision to refer the ‘Meakic and others’ case to BiH judiciary, rejecting all eight basis for complaint in the process. Zeljko Meakic, Momcilo Gruban, Dusan Pustar and Dusko Knezevic are indicted for murders, beating, sexual attacks, humiliating and psychologically mistreating Croats and Bosniaks in Omarska and Keraterm camps in Prijedor. Meakic was the commander of Omarska camp between May and August 1992, Gruban was a shift commander in Omarska, Pustar was a shift commander in Keraterm. Knezevic does not have a ‘title’ in front of his name, but it was established that he was able to enter or leave both Omarska and Keraterm camps whenever he wanted to. Those four indicted persons should be transferred to BiH during next 30 days. (also reported by BHT1, FTV, Oslobodjenje, g 12 ‘Meakic and others will be tried in BiH’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine, pg 2 ‘Referred to BiH Court’, by N. N.)

Former SDS member Bjelica denies he financially helped Karadzic to hide

Hayat – Report by Asim Beslija – Milovan Bjelica, former high-ranked SDS member, continued before the ICTY his testimony in trials to former senior BiH, RS and SDS official Momcilo Krajisnik. Among other things, Bjelica on Friday talked about his relations with leaders of SDS, such as fugitive Radovan Karadzic and Krajisnik. He denied that he was Karadzic’s close associate, saying that he did not know him until the SDS was established at Sokolac. Bjelica also denied that he financially helped Karadzic to hide from the ICTY. Regarding his relations with Krajisnik, Bjelica stated that he never met him in person; according to Bjelica, Krajisnik was a respected person, even among Croats and Bosniaks.

SCG Assembly passes law on freezing property of ICTY indictees at large

RTRS – SCG Assembly adopted the law on freezing of property to ICTY indictees at large. (also reported by FTV)

59-year old Bosniak returnee to Potocari killed: Possible motive is murder for gain

BHT1 – Hatka Hamidovic – Two days ago, a 59-year old returnee to Potocari, Fatima Omic, was found murdered in her house. Police is investigating this case. It is assumed that the victim had known the murderer and let him in the house. Most possible motive for the murder is intended robbery. Omic had been living alone, since her husband and son had been killed during the war. Her neighbours and relatives hope for a fast investigation in this case and more police protection for the returnees. Hayat – District Prosecutor (of Bijeljina Prosecution) Marko Zekic said that the preliminary results of the investigation showed that the perpetrator(s) of this murder had known the victim; he added that the perpetrator(s) must be discovered, because they left a lot of clues. Dnevni Avaz, pg 51 ‘After killing Fatima Omic, killer took pension from bag’, by A. Hadzic – pension that Omic collected on the day of the murder was taken from her bag, therefore it is suspected that the motive is murder for gain (also reported by RTRS, Oslobodjenje, pg 23 ‘Returnee Fata Omic killed with blunt object’, by A. Avdic, Vecernji List, g 21 ‘Woman from Srebrnica killed’, by B. S.,

Economy

HR Schwarz-Schilling extends mandate to ITA GV Chairman Dixon

Pink – HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling extended the mandate to Joly Dixon as the Chairman of ITA Governing Board. HR extended the mandate for 3 months starting as of 1^st of April with an additional extension option of 4 months. HR stressed that he has complete trust in Dixon’s abilities. (also reported by Hayat, FTV, BHT1, Oslobodjenje, pg 3 ‘Schwarz-Schilling extended Dixon’s mandate’, not signed, Dnevni Avaz, pg 5 ‘Joly Dixon’s mandate extended for three more months’, by Fena, Dnevni List, pg 6 ‘Schilling extended mandate to Dixon’, by NINA, Nezavisne Novine, pg 2 ‘Dixon got three more months’, by D. Risojevic)

RS PM Dodik: HR’s decision not in accordance with Dayton authorities

RTRS – RS PM Milorad Dodik commented the decision of HR Schwarz-Schilling to extend the mandate to Dixon. Dodik feels that this decision is a result of lobbying from certain individuals since the law stresses that the BiH CoM should appoint members of the Governing Board rather than the HR. “This decision is not in accordance with Dayton authorities given to HR”, says Dodik. Dodik also says that Dixon blocked the work of ITA for months thus damaging RS and reminded that RS Government started a lawsuit against him.

ITA GV Chairman Dixon insists he did everything by the book

Dnevni Avaz, pg 5, mentioned on front ‘Everyone got more money last year than expected’, by S. Numanovic – in an interview for Avaz, the Chairman of ITA Governing Board (GB), Joly Dixon, insists that all budget beneficiaries received more money last year than they had expected, insisting that he did everything by the book. He also announces a session of the ITA GB scheduled for April 11, at which he will present his case to all members of the ITA GV, in the same time calling on his critics not to charge him in the media, but rather to sit and try and find a solution.

BiH CoM Chairman Terzic met possible investors to BiH in Zagreb

Hayat – Report by Sabina Sisic – BiH CoM Chairman Adnan Terzicattended the main event with entrepreneurs at the Crans Montana Forum in Zagreb, BiH CoM announced on Friday. Representatives of 30 most important companies from Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Monaco, Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro attended the business lunch with BiH CoM Chair; Terzic informed them about the results of economic reforms in BiH. The Director of the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) Haris Basic presented the comparative advantages of the most attractive sectors for further investments into BiH economy. Most of the representatives of the companies have announced visits to BiH in order to learn more about the situation and arrange possible investments.

FBIH Parliament to discuss decision on increase of prices of electricity

Hayat – Both Houses of the FBiH Parliament will hold a special session, dedicated entirely to the FERK’s (FBiH Regulatory Agency for Electricity) decision to increase the electricity prices. House of Representatives will hold a session on April 18^th, while the exact date of House of Peoples’ session is not yet known. Dnevni Avaz, pg 4 ‘SDA will ask for withdrawal of decision on price increase’, by Fena – President of SDA Caucus in the FBiH HoR, Semsudin Mehmedovic, says the SDA Caucus will ask that the decision be withdrawn. (also in Oslobodjenje, pg 7 ‘Extraordinary session of House of Representatives’, not signed, Dnevni List, pg 9 ‘Extraordinary session because of increase of price of electricity’, not signed,