Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 9 November
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
| Humphreys delivers EC report on BiH | Attempted bank robbery in Lukavica | Serbian officials to visit B. Luka |
| BiH Presidency in session | FBiH HoP in session | Attempted armed robbery |
| FBiH HoP in session | Riots in France | Two mass highway accidents |
TV news broadcast on 8 November
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| Davidovic elected as Chief negotiator | Cavic nominates Davidovic | Cavic on Chief BiH Negotiator |
| Rycroft on | EC Humphreys on | HR on |
| FBIH HoP in session | | HR meets Rehn and Solana |
| BiH HoR in session | Ashdown meeting EU officials | BiH HoR in session |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| HNC Gov. held extraordinary session | HNC MoI premises searched | Davidovic elected as Chief negotiator |
| Prlic before ICTY in February 2006 | Mektouf’s case, update | HR, EU and EC on |
| Davidovic for Chief BiH Negotiator | Cavic on Chief BiH Negotiator | EC donated equipment for ITA |
| Reactions on Davidovic’s nomination | Rycroft on | BIH HoR in session |
| Oslobodjenje | Third minister left FBiH Government (Zigic resignation) |
| Dnevni Avaz | SDU’s Tokic: To prevent enemies from representing the state |
| Dnevni List | Agreement between Federation Government and Aluminij endangered |
| Vecernji List | Investigators from |
| Slobodna Dalmacija | Federation police ‘combing’ through seat of MoI in Mostar |
| Glas Srpske | Account should be settled (about war crimes in |
| Nezavisne Novine | Government introduces curfew ( |
| Blic | |
| Vecernje Novosti | |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
| EC to publish annual report on progress of countries that are candidates for EU membership
| The |
| Serbian PM Kostunica scheduled to meet with RS officials in BL; delegation has still not arrived
| RS Radio – The Serbian delegation with Vojislav Kostunica leading it has not arrived as yet to |
| Mektic on newly formed Commission for revision of decisions on naturalization of foreign citizens | |
| FBiH HoP in session
| BH Radio 1 Ljiljana Radl, |
| Davidson urges for implementation of education reforms
| BH Radio 1, RS Radio – OSCE Head of Mission Douglas Davidson stated that BiH adopted the principles of the |
Political Developments/Reforms | |
| Igor Davidovic nominated for Chief BiH Negotiator with EU
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| Party for BiH,
| Hayat – Safet Halilovic from Party for BiH said that the discussion on the chief negotiator took wrong turn. |
| SNSD,
| RTRS – Krstan Simic from SNSD stated that this method of electing the Chief Negotiator has harmed RS. Petar Djokic from |
| NN: All parties in BiH unanimously approve nomination of Davidovic
| Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Davidovic the best in the eyes of all’ by V.P. – Daily reports that all ruling and opposition parties in the BiH Tuesday unanimously support nomination of Igor Davidovic for BiH chief negotiator. Daily notes not a single political party expressed dissatisfaction over nomination. It also carries brief statements of |
| EC’s Lange: BiH should form teams for negotiations with EU asap
| Vecernji List pg 4 ‘To form negotiating teams as soon as possible’ by vi – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anton Rill met in Brussels with the Head of the Department for BiH and Albania with the General Directorate for EC Enlargement, Dirk Lange. During this meeting it was stated that BiH should show a serious approach towards the |
| HR Ashdown meets with EU’s Solana, Rehn
| Pink, BHT, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘BiH must approach the talks with seriousness’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Ashdown lobbying for talks to start ven before December 12’, mentioned on cover ‘The most important moment in post-war BiH history’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Length of talks depends on reforms’ by N.N., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Everything depends on reforms’, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘ |
| British Ambassador Rycroft says BiH can expect start of
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| PDP supports nomination of Schwartz Schilling as new HR to BiH | Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘PDP supports Schwartz-Schilling’ by D. R. – At the session of Political Bureau of European Peoples’ Party, PDP pleaded for Christian Schwartz-Schilling to be appointed new High Representative to BiH. |
| Humhreys on
| Pink, RTRS – Head of the European Commission Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys expressed satisfaction with the fact that the EU Council of Ministers accepted on Monday to start talks on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement ( Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Changes directed by BiH’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘IC will not be deciding on changes to the Constitution’, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘The International Community will not change BiH Constitution’ by D. K. – Head of EC Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys on Tuesday stated in Prijedor that the future BiH Constitution must be functional, efficient and at service of citizens, but the International Community will not be deciding on constitutional changes – it will be citizens, politicians and institutions of BiH to decide on this. He expressed hope that negotiations on |
| Croatian President Mesic on BiH and
| FTV brings a part of the interview with the Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, in which he spoke about BiH’s and |
| Croatian President Mesic received honorary PhD at
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| Tokic commenting on Igman Initiative session
| Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash ‘To prevent enemies from representing the state’ and pg 5 ‘To prevent enemies of BiH from representing the state’ by A. Malagic – In a statement to daily, SDU’s Sejfudin Tokic stated that, after Igman initiative session ended, one gets an impression that BiH Presidency has once again compromised the state, instead of promoting it. He noted he had got an impression during the session that SiCG President Svetozar Marovic and Croatian President Stjepan Mesic had showed more feelings and responsibility for the future of BiH than certain members of BiH Presidency. Tokic emphasized there are people sitting at the highest state institutions who have fought against BiH during the time of the aggression and have not changed their stance, therefore people must prevent – through next elections and constitutional changes – enemies of BiH from representing the state. Regarding the statement of Borislav Paravac who said certain stances presented during the session were unacceptable for Serbs, Tokic said Paravac had showed he is a follower of a modified policy of Radovan Karadzic. Inset ‘RS cannot remain under this name’ – SDU will demand through talks on constitutional changes for discrimination of other peoples in RS to be prevented and believes the entity can remain but not under this name. |
| VL: It was clear that Paravac would not sign the ‘Igman Initiative’s’ statement
| Vecernji List pgs 6-7, announced on cover ‘Mesic and Marovic were drawn in the middle of Paravac – Tihic conflict’ by Zdenko Jurilj – VL claims it was known 15 days ago that the text of joint statement, which should have been signed at the Igman Initiative session, would not be signed because the organizers of the session were told by BiH Presidency member Borislav Paravac’s office that there will be no discussion on changes of the Dayton Agreement. According to some information, the organizers believed Paravac would not cause a diplomatic embarrassment and would sign the document after all. The article reads SiCG President Svetozar Marovic and Croatian President Stjepan Mesic very quite surprised with the development of the events, since they have believed the text would be signed. |
| Kostunica visiting B. Luka today
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Kostunica today in Banja Luka’ by A.S., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Kostunica coming’ by G.K. – Vojislav Kostunica, Serbian Premier, will today pay a visit to Banja Luka, where he and some of his Ministers will meet with the most serious officials of the RS Government. According to press statement issued by RS Government Bureau for Public Affairs, the Serbian ministers will hold numerous bilateral meetings with department ministers. |
| DA comments on Kostunica’s unannounced visit to BiH
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Kostunica is ignoring BiH state institutions’ by E.S. – Daily reports that as it has been the case on many occasions so far, the SiCG officials are again ignoring BiH state institutions and paying a visit to BiH without previous announcement. As daily learns from BiH Foreign Ministry, today’s visit to SiCG delegation, led by Vojislav Kostunica, was not officially announced, although it should have been. They only document that came to BiH Foreign Ministry is a demand of SiCG bodies for flight of Serbian plane over BiH sky. Daily also notes that last week also saw similar behaviour of RS officials, when first RS Government officials and then RS President visited Belgrade with no prior announcement provided to BiH Foreign Ministry. |
| CoM Chair AdvisorZec-Filipovic claims Police Directorate to be formed at Thursday’s session of BiH COM
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘BiH CoM to form Police Directorate tomorrow?’ by E.S. – According to information from BiH COM, Thursday’s session of CoM might see decision on establishment of Police Reform Directorate reached. According to Bojan Zec-Filipovic, advisor to BiH COM’ Chair, “preparation of documents has reached final phase and we expect decision may be reached at Thursday’s session. Off course, space is left for seeing this postponed sometime next week, since it is possible that decision is not reached Thursday, owing to internal procedure for handing of documents.” EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Professional above politics’ by Rajna Radosavljevic – Carries statement of Zec Filipovic, saying final preparations regarding Police Directorate are ongoing, without providing details when Directorate would be established. It also carries statements of Stanko Pivasevic from |
| Results of poll on police reform
| RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Majority supports the Government’ by D. Momic – Prime Communications Agency has conducted a public opinion survey in RS on police reform in BiH. The results show 67,3% of citizens think police reform should be realized in frame of the entities, 61,2% of citizens think it would be more useful if RS Government respected the Constitution in the process of police reform, since this would have been in the interest of RS and its people, 64% of citizens supported the decision of RS Government not to adopt police reform concept that would include crossing of IEBL, 81,9% of citizens think MoI and police should continue to exist regardless of the police reform model while, with regard to whether a single police in BiH would do a more quality work than the current structures, only 14,8% of citizens think this would be the case while 57,7% of citizens think a single police would not show more quality work. |
| BiH HoR adopts amendments to the Law on Citizenship
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| HDZ MPs in BiH and FBiH HoR support Ljubic, Merdzo and Raguz
| Dnevni List, pg 8 ‘Attempt to discipline membership is – unjustified’, by D. P. Mandic – HDZ MPs in BiH and FBiH House of Representatives issued a press release on Tuesday in which they gave their full support to Martin Raguz, Bozo Ljubic and Josip Merdzo and condemned the disciplinary measures that the HDZ Presidency has started against the troika. According to Vinko Zoric, (MP, also a member of HDZ Presidency) none of three of them have been working against interests of the HDZ and the Croat people, which is the reason why they do not deserve the treatment as ‘prescribed’ by the HDZ Presidency. Also covered by Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 8 ‘Covic practicing strictness wrongly’, by T. Zoric, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘Disciplining of those who signed promemoria’, Dnevni Avaz pg 11, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘They raise their voice against Covic’. |
| SD interview: Covic believes there will be no repeat of HDZ Convention
| Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 8 ‘No reasons to repeat Convention’, mentioned on front ‘New Convention of HDZ is cuckoo’s egg’, by Marijan Sivric – Carries an interview with the President of HDZ BiH, Dragan Covic, in which he mostly comments on the trip to Brussels and the meeting he had with the President of European People’s Party, Wilfried Martens. Asked whether the EPP would stick to its earlier position that the HDZ Convention would have to be repeated, Covic says he does not believe it will be the case, arguing that the party can solve all pending issues within its own rank and in democratic way. He reiterates that the EPP has been submitted all the documents pertaining to the HDZ Convention and that Martens will visit HDZ on November 27. |
| HDZ’s Herceg: There are attempts to weaken HDZ on eve of constitutional changes
| Vecernji List, pg 8 ‘There are efforts to systematically weaken HDZ BiH’, by Vlatko Ivankovic – Carries a one-page interview with the general secretary of HDZ BiH, Nevenko Herceg, in which he mostly talks about the situation in the HDZ, reiterating earlier statements by the current HDZ leadership that the 9th HDZ Convention was carried out according to the HDZ Statute. Herceg also notes that there have been continuous efforts in last 10 years to weaken the position of the HDZ BiH, especially nowadays on the eve of the constitutional changes. He notes it is a trap the HDZ is being lured into through various removals, imprisonments, persecutions, pressures etc. |
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| Vecernji List page 4 ‘Jurisic against cosmetic changes of Constitution’ by M.V., Slobodna Dalmacija pg 21 ‘New organization of BiH of cosmetic nature only’ by F carry that leaders of |
| US Institute for Peace to have consultations with 8 political parties before Conference on DPA that is to take place in | Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘Serbs do not want BiH Government and BiH Prime Minister’ by Z. Tulic – Commenting on the Conference on Improving the Dayton Peace Accord, that is to take place in Brussels from 11 to 14 November, SD learns from the sources close to SDA and HDZ that representatives of the USA Institute for Peace would have consultations with representatives of 8 political parties respectively before the Conference. |
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| Novi Reporter pgs 12-13 ‘Rally Paris-Dakar-Sarajevo’ by Sasa Bizic – Writing about the issue of constitutional changes in BiH, the author notes that the thesis framed in Sarajevo – that Dayton Constitution of BiH is a stillborn state, which needs to be changed – was accepted by the RS NA. He notes problems will arise in regard to territorial organisation of BiH, when talks are raised at the higher level of authority. Furthermore, the author makes a comparison between the approach the international community has towards situation in the BiH on one side and the ongoing riots in |
| Novi Reporter critical of Dragan Cavic
| Novi Reporter pg 6 ‘They are all…‘ by I.G. – The author writes about Dragan Cavic, RS President, to whom he refers to a Paddy Ashdown’s kid, saying that Cavic was the one who compiled the list of those |
| Milan Komljenovic from
| Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘I expect serious turmoil at the party’ by V.P. – Milan Komljenovic, member and one of founders of |
Economic/Social Affairs/Education | |
| Lozancic: Zigic to continue performing duties until final decision is made
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| Oslobodjenje speculates SBiH pressured Zigic to resign for failing to ensure deal for OMV
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Withdrawal suggested at ‘iftar’ organized by the party’ by A. Avdic – Izet Zigic told daily that his resignation is irrevocable explaining that “events related to Energotrol have jut been the last drop.” He did not want to disclose whether the main reason for the resignation was the pressure from his party’s colleagues. Daily unofficially learns that his resignation was discussed at the ‘iftar’ organized by the party and attended by Haris Silajdzic, Fadil Cerimagic and Safet Orucevic. Apparently, Zigic was suggested to withdraw as he failed to ensure that Austrian OMV company, represented by Orucevic, was chosen as the strategic partner in Energopetrol co-capitalization. |
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| Dnevni List, pg 7, mentioned on front ‘Instead in Government, collapse in Party for BiH’, by Arijana Beus – DL learns from sources in the SBIH that Izet Zigic, after submitting resignation from the office of FBiH Minister for Industry, has also submitted resignation from the membership in the Presidency of the SBIH and office of president of SBiH’s Executive Committee. Unofficially, Zigic decided to do so because he was backing up the proposal of the FBiH Government, according to which the ‘INA-MOL’ consortium would take part in co-capitalization of ‘Energopetrol, however since the SBIH MPs in the FBiH Parliament went against the Government’s plan, Zigic decided to submit the resignation. Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Investigation about threats against minister requested’, by Eldina Medunjanin – Notes that a group of MPs in the FBiH House of Peoples has requested that an investigation be launched into reasons why Minister Zigic submitted the resignation. MPs believe that Zigic’s statement (that it is more important to save his head/neck, rather than to advocate for the state) is good enough a reason to suspect that his resignation was submitted under pressure. |
| SDA Presidency to discuss Energopetrol; DA says SDA deeply divided over issue
| Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘SDA Presidency tomorrow to discuss Energopetrol’ by M. Kukan – SDA Presidency will hold session tomorrow discussing, among other issues, co-capitalization of Energopetrol company. DA says that following the latest events it has become obvious that the final decision will be made by SDA, however the party is deeply divided over the issue. Avaz learns that its leader Sulejman Tihic was in favor of Government’s decision, however there is not yet official stance of the party’s leadership while Adnan Terzic earlier stated the was against INA-MOL consortium purchase. Leader of SDA Caucus in FBiH HoR, Semsudin Mehmedovic was also against the decision, however Bakir Izetbegovic underlined the Government made right decision. DA learns Mehmedovic however will not give up on his stance. |
| FBiH HoP fails to adopt amendments to the Law on Privatisation of Companies
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| Speaker Matic on session of FBIH HoP
| Dnevni List, front pg splash and pg 3 ‘Agreement between Federation Government and Aluminij endangered’, by D. P. Mandic – Also reports on the session of the FBiH House of Peoples. According to the Speaker of the HoP, Slavko Matic, the decision of the FBiH HoP not to support changes to the Law on Privatization of Companies shows that the FBIH Government has not been enjoying a stabile parliamentary majority for quite some time now. |
| FTV: BiH HoR adopts report on donations
| FTV – BiH House of Representatives has accepted report of the Commission in charge of investigation of the spent donated means in past 9 years. Several conclusions have been adopted, such as the BiH Council of Ministers’ obligation to submit the BiH Parliament with the report on donations BiH had received as of 1996. The HoP has also adopted amendments to Law on BiH citizenship. According to the amendments, state Commission in charge of reviewing decision on naturalization of foreign citizens in period of |
| RS PM Bukejlovic to appoint new RS Education Minister in a few days
| BHT, RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Three candidates for RS Education Minister’ by V.P., Glas Srpske pg3 ‘Gligoric is not a candidate’ by Z.Ma., EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘The name of new minister of education next week’ by M.S.-N.B. – The RS President, Dragan Cavic, Tuesday denied speculation he would appoint Miladin Gligoric, RS Minister of Energy, new RS education Minister. RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic will appoint new RS Minister of Education within next few days. He refused to comment on the candidates adding that everything will be announced at the due time. Furthermore, Bosko Siljegovic, |
| EC donated equipment valued at euro 4.5 million to ITA
| Pink, BHT, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘ EC donated equipment valued at euro 4.5 million’, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Everything is ready for VAT introduction’ by I. Rozic, Nezavisne Novine pg 12 ‘Continuation of assistance for development of Prijedor’ by D.K., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Europe is giving computers’ by D.Vrhovac-Mihajlovic – Representatives of the EU donated on Tuesday to BiH Indirect Taxation Administration (ITA) 4,5 million euros worthy technical equipment for the establishment of the information network of the administration for indirect taxation and introduction of VAT from the first January next year. Handing over ceremony was held in Banjaluka. “This is important material support, which is useless if it is not used the right way and by professionals employed in ITA,” said on this occasion Head of the EC Delegation to BiH, Michael Humphreys. ITA director Kemal Causevic stated that this institution will do everything to justify the trust of their Steering Board and of the EC. RS Finance Minister Svetlana Cenic stated that only clean accounts can bring in |
| PDHR Butler op-ed in Oslobodjenje
| Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘We can accept challenges’ op-ed by PDHR Larry Butler – “Bird flu has infected around 120 people in Asia since late 2003 and killed more than 60. It isn’t a pandemic – and it doesn’t have to become one. Currently, the risk of infection by a deadly strain of bird flu is infinitely smaller than the risk of infection by a seasonal, non-fatal flu virus. This risk can be kept low if the authorities around the world take sensible and effective steps and apply internationally acceptable standards of animal health management. This virus, like any other virus, can be identified quickly and prevented from spreading. Which is what state veterinary services are for. Currently the responsible BiH authorities at the state level are taking sensible and effective steps – in the matter of bird flu. However, other aspects of the animal health and human health safety must be treated with the same attention at the Entity level too,” wrote PDHR Butler. |
| VL update to sale of ‘Magros’
| Vecernji List, pg 7 ‘Confirmation to Saudis for Magros’, by Dejan Jazvic – The Sarajevo Cantonal Privatization Agency confirmed that the partnership former out of two sister companies, namely ‘Al Shiddi Trading Est’ from Saudi Arabia and ‘Al Shiddi International’ from Zenica has been selected as the best bidder for sale of ‘Magros’ company of Sarajevo. The Agency notes that unless there is an appeal by other bidders to the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Economy by November 15, the partnership will become the owner. Oslobodjenje pg 5 also covered the issue. |
| BiH farmers announce mass protests
| Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Farmers are not afraid of winter’ by Erna Mackic – BiH farmers have been protesting in front of BiH joint institutions building in Sarajevo for 137 days now. They are asking for BiH Ministry of Agriculture to be established as well as for domestic production to be protected. They announce protests in all BiH towns will be held on December 5. BiH Farmers Association Chair Ranko Bakic said they have a support of the international community – HR Paddy Ashdown and Head of EC Delegation to BiH Michael Humphreys – for which farmers are thankful but this does not offer a solution to the problem. Bakic said they are protesting in spite to the corrupted authorities in order to make them understand they have responsibilities towards citizens. |
Crime/Legal Proceedings | |
| Raid into Herzegovina-Neretva
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| Slobodna Dalmacija, front pg splash and pg 8 ‘Federation police ‘combing’ through seat of MoI in Mostar’, by Antonela Vlaho – Regarding the Monday’s control of the seat of the Canton 7 Interior Ministry, SD unofficially learns that the operation was started by the BiH Prosecution because of information on alleged financial illegalities that have occurred in the Canton 7 MoI over last few years related to suspicious purchase of police cars, forging of documents and other suspicious activities. Vecernji List, pg 7 ‘FBiH police took cantonal MoI’s documents’, mentioned on front ‘FBiH police officers barge into cantonal MoI’, by Zoran Kresic – VL learns from an anonymous police source, it was several Bosniak police officers from the Dnevni List, pg 3 ‘Ministers unhappy with barging into cantonal MoI’, by N. Dedic, Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘HNC Government: FBiH MoI carried out inappropriate raid!’, by zk, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 4 ‘Inappropriate barge into cantonal MoI’, by Antonela Vlaho – The Canton 7 Government held an extraordinary session on Tuesday. The Government issued a press release saying that the operation was carried out in a ‘inappropriate fashion’, which brings the integrity of the cantonal MoI into question. |
| VL: ICTY investigators investigating into crimes against Croats in Jablanica area
| Vecernji List, front pg splash ‘Investigators from The Hague at Stipica livade’ and pg 5 ‘The Hague documented crimes at Stipica livade’, by Zoran Kresic – According to VL, investigators from the ICTY spent two days last week gathering evidence about crimes that the BiH Army committed against the BiH Croats in the Jablanica area, namely at Doljani and Stipica livade where the BiH Army killed 39 Croat civilians and soldiers on July 28, 1993. |
| Trial against Herceg Bosna leaders begins in February
| Dnevni List pg 2, mentioned on front ‘Trial against Prlic and others in February 2006’ by M. Karacic, Nina, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘The Hague begins trial to ‘Herceg Bosna’ in February’ by Z. Kresic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 4 ‘Trial against ‘Herceg Bosna’ leaders begins in February 2006’ by F – The trial against Jadranko Prlic and other Herceg Bosna officials, who have been charged with war crimes committed in Herzegovina, should start in February next year. This is the decision of the ICTY conference on the state of procedure in this case, which was held on Tuesday. |
| EUFOR and police in action of control of BiH border
| Dnevni List pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Big showdown of Army and police with crime’ by D. Kozina, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 4 ‘EUFOR and police in action of control of BiH border’ by H carry that the BiH State Border Service controls 97 % of the BiH border at the moment, while the EU assistance would be necessary for the full control of all 1500 kilometers of the state border. For this reason the BiH police and EUFOR started a big control of the BiH border whose goal is to prevent smuggling and other criminal activities. People from EUFOR stressed that this highly coordinated action has for its goal to reveal and stop smuggling and illegal crossings of the border that are related to the organized crime. |