OHR BiH Media Rouns-up, 21/2/2006

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

Jajce: Poultry being put down

Cull of poultry near Jajce

Poultry being put down in Jajce area

BiH CoM session

EU discusses vaccination

Covic on const. changes

FBiH: Defenders getting pensions

‘Scorpion’ admited murder

Scorpion member’ statement

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Avian flu confirmed in BiH

Avian influenza confirmed in BiH

Avian flue confirmed in BIH

Avian flu spreading acrossEurope

Avian flue measures in BiH

Avian flue in Croatia

Croat returnee to Bugojno murdered

Avian flue and Q fever in BiH

New cases of Q-fever in BL

Jovic on constitutional changes

Protection measures at border cross

Zbanic arrives to Sarajevo

NTV Hayat  (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Avian flu confirmed in BiH

Zbanic arrives to Sarajevo

Avian influenza confirmed in BiH

New cases of dead poultry in BiH

Swans in Jajce positive on avian-flue

Q fever in RS

BiH citizens on avian flu

RS measures vs. avian flue

Discussion on const. changes

Important info on avian flu

Avian flue: mandatory disinfection

SDS Presidency in session

Oslobodjenje

‘Golden Bear’ arrived in Sarajevo

Dnevni Avaz

Agreement [on const. changes] by end of this week?

Dnevni List

Euthanasia of poultry in critical zone today

Vecernji List

Church would get property that was taken away from it (Agreement with Vatican to be at today’s BiH CoM ‘s agenda)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Swans from Pliva Lake infected with avian flue

Nezavisne Novine

Killing of poultry (avian flue ascertained)

Glas Srpske

Justice, where are you?

EuroBlic

Avian flue detected in BiH

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related topics

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Poultry being put down in Jajce area

BH Radio 1, RTRS, RHB– According to RHB’s reporter from Jajce, Meri Zlatovic, civil protection and fire brigade of Jajce, in cooperation with the local police, have started putting down poultry in the radius of 3 kilometres from where two dead swans (that died from bird flu) were found last Thursday. The poultry are being put in a specially dug pit. Zlatovic also reports that other preventive measures will also be applied in the 10 km radius, which include registering of all poultry and ban of poultry sales.

SNSD’ Dodik: Presidency with three members rotating every 16 months

RTRS – RTRS just received report from press conference Dragan Cavic, Milorad Dodik and Mladen Ivanic, presidents of SDS, SNSD and PDP respectivelyheld in Banja Luka. They stated that bilateral meeting of representatives of SDS, SNSD and PDP with leaders of SDA and SDP resulted in a sort of a compromise, that may lead to positive solution regarding constitutional changes. RTRS carries Dodik as saying: “All three of us stood behind stance that in the future, BiH can hardly have one president. We insisted BiH should have Presidency that would be elected in the following manner: two members from FBiH and one from RS and 16-months rotation would be introduced. I must say I am convinced in seeing such an agreement reached. We have also discussed the issue of some BiH authorities. This entire package should be viewed as a compromise on reaching constitutional changes. There will be almost no change to BiH House of Representatives, which will maintain entity vote, stipulating that BiH HoR’s decision must be supported by one third of delegates from entity. This provision, currently existing in Constitution, has not been issue of dispute. Another round of bilateral talks should be held, mainly with the parties from F BiH, namely HDZ and Party for BiH, in order to obtain their assent on these issues, although they have already supported these solutions. As far as we from RS are concerned, we are of the view we have qualitatively contributed to the issue of resolving the problem.”

SDS Presidency: party in opposition 

RTRS – Following last night’s session in Banja Luka , the SDS Presidency released a press statement, saying that in the period until October 2006 elections, the SDS will act in opposition and it will continue with realization of conclusions reached by the SDS Chair Board. SDS Presidency does not approve of RS Government decision to increase ministerial salaries.

Scorpion member admits he had taken part in killings in Srebrenica

BH Radio 1, RTRS – Member of ‘Scorpion’ Unit Pero Petrasevic who is indicted along with other three members of the Unit for murder of Srebrenica civilians in village Trnovo in 1995, admitted before the Belgrade War Crime Chamber that he had participated in the murders.

PBES suspects Mandic and others plead not guilty

FENA, SRNA – Momcilo Mandic, Milovan Bjelica, Milorad Govedarica and Mirko Sarovic pleaded not guilty to all counts of indictment that charge them with organized crime, economic crime and corruption related to the case of Privredna Bank East Sarajevo. They entered plea before BiH Court ‘s judge for preliminary proceedings, Susanne Moller, today (Tuesday).

Health issues

Avian influenza confirmed in BiH, but not deadly H5N1 strain of virus; BiH Veterinary Office Chief Bagaric: Medicines against bird flue are ready 

BHT1 – Head of veterinary laboratory in Sarajevo Abdullah Gagic on Monday officially confirmed that dead swans found at the lake near Jajce were infected by H5 strain of avian flue virus [deadly H5N1 has not been confirmed]. At the press conference, BiH Foreign Trade Minister Dragan Doko, Head of Veterinary Office in BiH Jozo Bagaric and Gagic told press that disinfection in the area where infected poultry has been found and poultry registration have been completed. The measure of keeping poultry in indoor facilities is still in force; the mass cull of the birds is planned for on Tuesday and entity Ministries would compensate for this loss. Doko stated that the Ministry would estimate the relevant loss following the cull. Hayat – The samples of swans found dead in Pliva lake near Jajce were forwarded to EU laboratory in Weybridge, UK, for additional analysis and final confirmation. In the mean time, all remaining swans from their flock were shot dead, and local authorities listed households and poultry in their possession within a three-kilometre radius. “That is total of 10 villages, 222 households and 2,215 pieces of poultry in FBiH, and two villages, 190 households and 2,200 pieces of poultry in RS”, stated Bagaric. Slobodna Dalmacija cover pg splash and pg 11 ‘Swans from Pliva Lake infected with avian flu’ by D. Pasicannounce that all 4.415 pieces of poultry in the Pliva lake area will be put down today (Tuesday). RTRS, PINK, FTV – carried similar reports. Dnevni Avaz, pg 3 ‘Bird flu H5 virus confirmed’, by Z. Persic – Bagaric also said he had found out from Central Bosnia Canton Healthcare Institute that certain quantities of relevant medicines have been prepared in case the citizenry get infected. Oslobodjenje, pgs 4-5, mentioned on front ‘Jajce has been declared infected zone’, by S. Sehercehajic, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘Killing of poultry’, pg 3 ‘Avian flue in BiH ascertained’ by R.Rakic, R.Segrt, EuroBlic cover pg splash, RSpg 1 ‘Avian flue detected in BiH’ by Rajna Radosavljevic, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Avian flue ascertained’ by EGS, Dnevni List cover pg splash and pgs 2 and 3 ‘Euthanasia of poultry in critical zone today’ by D. Polovina-Mandic, Vecernji List pgs 2 and 3 ‘Presence of deadly virus confirmed in BiH’ by D. Jazvic – also report.

BiH CoM Chairman Terzic: BiH authorities did everything regarding bird flu

Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘We have prepared everything for application of preventive measures’, by S. N. – carries Chairman of BiH CoM, Adnan Terzic, who says BiH authorities have prepared all measures to combat the bird flu in accordance with international standards.

RS health authorities introduce protection measures against avian flue

RTRS– Srboljub Golubovic, Chief of Epidemiology Clinic Banja Luka said at the press conference in Banja Luka that there is only theoretical chance of transmission of avian influenza from swans to people. RS Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Goran Perkovic signed decision on obligatory preventive measures against deadly H5N1 avian flue to BiH. These measures include: obligatory indoor keeping of poultry, prohibition of birds hunting, isolation of farms, quarantine, prohibition of watering poultry at uncontrolled spots [springs, lakes, etc], prohibition of fairs and trade of birds and poultry. RHB– Spokesperson of the Clinical Centre Banjaluka Marko Radoja stated for Radio Herceg Bosna that all the necessary measures have been taken in order to prevent avian flu from spreading across BiH.

Protective measures against avian flue on SCG -BiH border crossings

RHB–SCG authorities have strengthened the control measures at the border crossings with BiH – Mali Zvornik and Loznica. The workers of Veterinary office from Loznica are carrying out the disinfection of all vehicles that enter SCG from BiH. PINK, BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz, pg 2 ‘Mandatory disinfection of vehicles from BiH’, by E. M, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Mandatory disinfection’ by S.Sa., EuroBlic RSpg 1 ‘Disinfection at border’ by Lj.Lj./S.P. – reported.

Possible epidemic of Q fever in RS; authorities conducting protective measures

RTRS– About 10 people are currently hospitalized in Banja Luka clinic after being diagnosed with Q fever transmitted from sheep. Cases of Q fever have been registered in Kostajnica and Bronzani Majdan, and the cull of sheep took place on Monday in Kostajnica. According to Srboljub Golubovic, Chief Epidemiology Clinic Banja Luka, disease can be transmitted from sheep to people if sheep products are not thermally processed. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management will compensate those whose cattle is destroyed. RHB– Spokesperson of the Clinical Centre Banjaluka Marko Radoja stated for RHB that it is possible that the Q-fever epidemic will be declared, since eight persons suffering from this disease have been admitted to hospital during last eight days. PINK, BHT1, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Seven people infected’ by R.S., Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘BiH is ready for fight against avian flue’ by R.Segrt – also reported.

Constitutional changes

Politicians agreed for BiH to have President and two Vice-Presidents with 16 month mandates: entity vote remains

FTV- Following the talks on the constitutional changes held on Sunday in Sarajevo, the representatives of SDA, SDP, SDS, PDP and SNSD reached the agreement on Presidency to consist of a President and two Deputies with rotation in the position every 16 moths. As for the Parliament, it was agreed for the BIH House of Representatives to consist of 87 delegates and entity votes to be maintained, while BiH House of Peoples would have 21 delegates. SDALeader Sulejman Tihic stated the agreement would not finalized until SBiH, HDZ and NHI also present their stances on the proposals. PDP Presidency stated that Bosniak approval of the proposal on the three-member Presidency and Parliament with entity vote is a positive step forward. SBiH noted that negotiations kept away from public attention and the Parliament brought into question the founding principles of new the Constitution. HDZ did not comment the offered solutions while spokesperson Miso Relota informed the party leader Dragan Covic would be at the phone during Tuesday’s negotiations as he is not able to personally attend the talks due to broken leg. SDP Presidency stressed that the good basis was made for the constitutional reform adding that new solutions should be included in the electoral law however adding that the process should be open to media and NGO sector. BHT1 – SBiH’s Beriz Belkic stated, “we have to understand that all Institutional obstructions are the result of persistent insisting on ethnical or entity principles”. Relota stated that in this weekCovic, Tihic and SNSD Leader Milorad Dodik would get in touch. RTRS – The next that should be decided is transfer of authorities from entities to BiH level. “We believe that this is very important for BiH and that these talks, if they are transformed into amendments, present BiH great step ahead, toward EU and toward all that EU demands from BiH”, said Nebojsa Radmanovic, SNSD. “These agreements that were reached are result of compromise of all three sides,” said Tihic. As RTRS carries, HDZ insists on new phase of talks in order to discuss middle level of power. Milanko Mihajlica,SRS believes that all arranged agreements are contrary to RS and Serb people interests. Joint Press Conference of Dragan Cavic, SDS, Milorad Dodik, SNSD and Mladen Ivanic, PDP will be held on Tuesday in Banja Luka. PINK, Hayat, RHB, EuroBlic pg RS3 ‘The Presidency remains’ by Nedeljka Breberina, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Agreement in sight’ by Z. Markovic, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Signatures at the next meeting’ by M. Cubro, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Step in a good direction for locating of solution’- also carried. [NOTE: FTV, Slobodna Dalmacija and Nezavisne novine have reported that the rotation would be every 18 months, while rest of the media listed said the rotation would take place every 16 months, which counts to usual 48-months mandate].

Blic, GS confirm agreement on presidency reached

EuroBlic pg RS 3, announced on cover ‘The Presidency remains’ by Nedeljka Breberina – Blic also carries that the agreement was reached on Presidency. Its source also claims it is certain US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney would schedule a new round of talks either by the end of the week or for the next weekend. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Agreement in sight’ by Z. Markovic – PDP’s Vinko Radovanovic confirmed parties harmonized stances on the Presidency consisting of three members that would rotate every 16 months.

DL sources: Entities would survive, concession to Serbs was made

Dnevni List pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Croats deceived, entities remain?!’ by D. Pusic DL sources who took part in the Sunday’s talks stated that there is a big possibility that a concession was made for Serbs and that survival of entities was agreed upon.

SD’s source on constitutional changes talks: Tihic does not agree with rotation in BiH Presidency

Slobodna Dalmacija, pgs 16-17 ‘Direct elections for head of state’, by Zlatko Tulic – carries an outdated report on Sunday’s meeting of 5 party leaders. However, SD claims to have learnt from sources close to the PDP President (Mladen Ivanic) that a progress has been reached on issue of BiH Presidency, since it has been allegedly agreed that the Presidency (President and two Vice Presidents) would be elected in direct elections in the FBiH and RS. SD also notes that the issue of rotation within the Presidency is still problematic issue. Namely, President of SDA, Sulejman Tihic, allegedly disagrees with an 18-month rotation.

SDA leader Tihic: final agreement on const. change could be made by end of week

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 4 ‘Agreement by end of this week?’ by A.Malagic – Leader of SDA Sulejman Tihic confirmed that the final meeting, during which political leaders would sign the agreement on the first phase of the constitutional changes, could be signed by the end of this week, after which the agreement should be sent to parliamentary procedure. Asked what if SBiH would reject to participate in the future talks, Tihic said: “We will try for SBiH to accept at least major part of these solutions because of parliamentary procedure”. Oslobodjenje pg 5 by Az.K. – On Monday, SDA Presidency authorized Tihic to sign agreement on const. changes reached on Sunday. Hayat – Commenting talks, Tihic said: “I think that we have reached a high level of consensus regarding the issues of BiH Presidency, state competencies and BiH Parliamentary Assembly… Those solutions are naturally the result of compromises from all three sides.” Tihic added that in the next two days he would inform SBiH and HDZ about the talks held on Saturday in residency of the US Ambassador to BiH, Douglas McElhaney.

HDZ President Covic: HDZ would sign constitutional changes agreement only if it gets guarantees about opening new negotiating phase

Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Guarantees on middle authority level necessary’ by Z. Kresic carries HDZ President Dragan Covic who says that he talked by phone with SDA President Sulejman Tihic, SNSD President Milorad Dodik and US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney on results of the Sunday’s constitutional changes talks, however he refused to interpret progress that was allegedly reached on Sunday. Covic stressed that he would have additional consultations with Tihic in Mostar today (Tuesday). Covic also said that there would be no agreement without Croats and that HDZ and HNZ should send a clear stand on this issue. According to Covic, HDZ would sign the constitutional changes agreement only if it gets guarantees about opening a new negotiating phase. VL inset ‘Positive message is being sent’ carries Covic as saying: ‘With these initial changes we have done a very good job since a very positive message is being sent. However, there is no agreement for us until a firm framework is defined and the time when the talks about the middle authority level should start…’   

HDZ: Sunday talks were not ‘secret’ but first in round of bilateral talks

RHB– HDZ Spokesperson Miso Relota comment Sunday talks on constitutional changes stating these were not ‘secret’ talks held without Croat representatives, but only second in the series of bilateral meetings, alike the one held between HDZ, SDA and SBiH two weeks ago in Mostar. Relota announced similar talks to be held on Tuesday between HDZ President Dragan Covic, SDA President Sulejman Tihic, SBiH leader Safet Halilovic and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik. The only difference is, according to Relota, that it would be some kind of a telephone meeting, because Covic is still under house treatment due to broken leg.

SBiH’s Halilovic: I was told ‘people were only chatting, no talks of const. taking place’; issue should be discussed in Parliament

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Talks on constitutional changes can not be a private deal’ by S. Numanovic – Speaking for DA, SBiH official Safet Halilovic criticises the secretive manner of talks on the constitutional changes, adding that he was told on Sunday night by SDA leader Sulejman Tihic and some Ambassadors that “people are only chatting” and that no talks on const. changes were taking place. Halilovic said that SBiH would participate in continuation of the talks if concrete proposals were made. Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Signatures at the next meeting’ by M. Cubro – Halilovic says adds the talks on cosnt changes should be carried out at BiH Parliament. Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Agreement in sight’ by Z. Markovic – Halilovic announced he would not discuss conclusions of Sarajevo meeting with Tihic.

SDP Presidency authorizes Lagumdzija to continue talks on const changes

Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘BiH could get rotating Presidency’ by A. Omeragic, inset ‘SDP supported change of the constitution’- SDP leader Zlatko Lagumdzija was supported by SDP Presidency to continue talks on the constitutional changes. Presidency also said the talks created good base for establishment of amendments to be built into the Constitution and BiH Election Law.  

SDU’s Tokic: Ethnic divisions are being legalized away from public eyes

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Tokic: Ethnic divisions are being legalized away from public eyes’ by A.M.– SDU leader Sejfudin Tokic stated for DA that SDU, SBiH and BOSS would hold a joined press conference on Tuesday to talk on constitutional changes. Tokic said that they are driven by patriotic motive and certain attempts to legitimize existing ethnical divisions, far away from public eyes.

HNZ President Brkic: Certain messages are being sent to Croats through fact that agreement on const. changes is made without them

EuroBlic pg RS 3, announced on cover ‘The Presidency remains’ by Nedeljka BreberinaHNZ’s Milenko Brkic stated the party does not oppose the idea of having the Presidency consisted of three members that would rotate if a national parity is established at the state level, i.e. the party believes it is crucial to have Chairmen of CoM, parliament and Presidency from different peoples. Dnevni List pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Croats deceived, entities remain?!’ by D. Pusic Brkic stated that the meeting on constitutional changes of SDA President Sulejman Tihic with Croat parties has been planned for coming days. Asked to comment reaching of an agreement on constitutional changes without Croat parties, Brkic said that certain messages are being sent to Croats in this way.

FBiH Vice President meets Russian Ambassador: DPA is an obstacle in carrying out reforms

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Dayton Agreement an obstacle for carrying out of reforms’ by Fena – FBiH Vice President Sahbaz Dzihanovic and Russian Ambassador to BiH Konstantin Shuvalov discussed in Sarajevo on Monday the current situation in BiH, implementation of key reforms, democratization and achievement of full equality of peoples and citizens in BiH. Dzihanovic described the existing Dayton constitution as the main problem causing difficulties, which BiH is facing in the implementation of key reforms.

Political analyst Borogovac on Sunday’s const. changes talks: Liquidation of BiH agreed upon

Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Liquidation of BiH agreed upon’ by M. Zorlak carries that the plan of BiH’s liquidation was agreed upon during the Sunday’s talks and political analyst Muhamed Borogovac agrees with this claim and he wonders as to why SDA President Sulejman Tihic and SDP President Zlatko Lagumdzija agreed to make an agreement on constitutional changes with 3 representatives from the RS without Safet Halilovic from SBiH and Croat parties. Borogovac believes that the only reason for such behaviour of Tihic and Lagumdzija is their fear in which way they would sell legalisation of the RS to the public. Borogovac also claims that the crucial thing in the agreement is that entities would survive, they become a result of self-determination and they cease to be the result of aggression. Borogovac added that in this way the RS gets the right on self-determination.

Oslobodjenje op-ed: outcomes of talks on const. changes speak enough about its seriousness

Oslobodjenje pg 9 ‘Suspicious continuation’ op-ed by Mirko Sagolj – Commenting ongoing continuation of talks on constitutional changes, editorial reads that leaders of SDS, SNSD, PDP, SDA and SDP “allegedly solved on ‘big’ constitutional issue: instead of three members of BiH Presidency, in the future there should be one President and two Vice Presidents.” Article further reads that national composition of negotiators is very suspicious, questioning how is it possible for Serbs and Bosniaks to talks on such issue without Croats. Author adds that if the allegations are true, that this is really Serb-Bosniak round of negotiations, how is it possible that SBiH is not involved. Editorial concludes that outcomes of these talks speak enough about its seriousness.

DL op-ed criticizes fact that Croats did not attend Sunday’s talks on const. Changes

Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Knife stabbed at Croats’ back’ by A. Vrebac – The author harshly criticizes the fact that Croat representatives did not attend the Sunday’s talks on constitutional changes, which ‘according to the statements of the participants resulted in the final agreement on this issue’. The author hopes that Croat politicians would finally summon up some courage and raise their voice against destruction and depriving Croats of their rights. 

Other political issues

Chair of Presidency Jovic: Constitution has to be changed because Croats are inferior to other two people

RHB– Chair of BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic, during the lecture on a theme ‘Constitutional changes in BiH’, which took place in a German city of Stuttgart, stated that forty-five percent of Croats have been missing in BiH since 1991, and that is the biggest genocide; therefore, Head of the EU Delegation for South Eastern Europe Doris Pack will submit to the EU Parliament the resolution for the protection of Croat people. Jovic reminded that the representatives of eight parliamentary parties agreed in Washington that it is necessary to change the Dayton Constitution, ten years after it has been signed. He stressed that it is absolutely necessary to change BiH Constitution, since Croat people is in inferior situation in regard to other two peoples. BiH should be organized on European principles; Jovic believes that it would be best for BiH to be organized as Switzerland or Belgium. Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘45% of Croats missing in BiH’ by Fena, Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 11 ‘Genocide was committed against Croats’, by F, Vecernji List, pg 4 ‘Jovic in Sttutgart on constitutional changes’, by bl, Dnevni List, pg 7 ‘Organization does not suit Croats’, by NINA – also reported.

SDS’s Presidency discussed political situation in RS and withdrawal of its ministers from CoM

RTRS – SDS Presidency session was held late on Monday night in Banja Luka. Session was focused on continuation of negotiations on constitutional changes and establishment of new RS Government and RS National Assembly majority. Bosko Siljegovic, SDS Presidency member said that Presidency will ask SDS leader Dragan Cavic that SDS Main Board reconsiders decision to withdraw deputy ministers Slobodan Ecimovic and Dragan Mektic from BiH CoM. Siljegovic also said that Cavic will be asked to work more on consolidation of party.

NN learns PDP candidates’ names for ministerial positions: Borenovic, Pekic and Pasalic

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Borenovic, Pekic and Pasalic candidates for ministers’ by V.P. – Daily learns from a source close to the PDP that the candidates for ministerial positions in the RS Government would be: Branislav Borenovic for Minister of sports and youth, Slaven Pekic for Minister of agriculture and forestry, while Stevo Pasalic, Professor from East Sarajevo University, will be proposed for Minister of education and culture.

SDA leader Tihic: Terzic is excellent prime minister and we would not support his removal

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Tihic: Terzic is excellent prime minister and we would not support his removal’ by A.M. – At its Monday’s session held in Sarajevo, SDA Presidency supported BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic in performing his duties. SDA leader Sulejman Tihic stated: “We wont support any demand for his removal. We think that he was a successful prime minister in his mandate.”

BiH CoM Chairman Terzic: BiH peoples found minimum of consensus and progressed towards Europe

Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Comparison of BiH and SCG is dangerous’ by S.Numanovic – Visiting Kran Montana forum in Montenegro, BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic stated: “There are some international officials that say BiH is late in the reforms process. That is not correct! We must not and cannot forget that only ten years ago our country was victim of aggression.” Terzic added when it is up to EU integrations that it is very dangerous to put BiH in the same position as other regional states: “BiH suffered horrible aggression and destruction, and we have succeeded regardless to the fact that none of the regional states had such problem as we did. We managed to forget all the differences and found minimum of consensus and progressed towards Europe.” BHT1, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘BiH need stable and secure region’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘A stable region necessary’ by N.N.  – also covered.

FBiH crisis to end with appointment of two new Ministers

Dnevni Avaz pg 11 ‘Government’s crisis would end on Thursday’ by A. Hadziarapovic– The agreement to end the crisis in the FBiH Government caused by ethnic misbalance in the FBiH Ministries following the abolishment of FBiH Defence Ministry and further deepened after HDZ insisted on Industry Minister position to belong to them has been reached between SDA, SBiH and HDZ. This, says DA, means that new Ministry would be established. As a result, both Houses of FBiH Parliament scheduled an extraordinary sessions for Thursday, with only agenda item to be amendments to the Law on FBiH Government and Law on FBiH Ministries. Chair of FBiH HoR Muhamed Ibrahimovic said the only purpose of the session is to establish new FBiH Ministry of Tourism and Environment. Depending on vote results in the houses, FBiH President Niko Lozancic would immediately appoint two new Ministers, Minister of Industry, Energetic and Mining Vahid Heco and Minister of Tourism and Environment Miroslav Nikolic.

VN Interview with HR: I will reach for powers for the Hague

Vecernje Novosti pg 2 ‘I reach for powers for The Hague’ by Dusan Stojakovic – In a brief interview to daily, Christian Schwarz Schilling, HR to BiH, says that a reference to Bonn powers does not mean that local politicians have gone slacken, noting: “There are issues where I would reach for powers to their full extent – if BiH institutions fail to do the work properly. Mainly if somebody jeopardises the peace in the state and BiH institutions fail to cooperate with the ICTY.” He notes that only looking back in past can raise misunderstandings in BiH, noting that comparison between Kosovo and RS is a pure nonsense, adding: “History, situation in Dayton and after Dayton are different, so there is no grounds for such perception.” He adds that both entities in BiH must have close communication and contacts on a daily basis and talk of mutual goals. According to inset “Mujahedeens”, he stresses: “I personally see no major danger in BiH from terrorism that from any other parts of the world. If somebody who had navigated the plane to Pentagon had been in BiH before it means nothing. Well, a large number of world terrorists spent some time in Berlin or Hamburg but they cannot be brought in connection with Germany.”

Glas Srpske criticises HR to BiH over his statement regarding mujahedeens in BiH

Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘A pact it is, but not the devil’ by D.Majstorovic – GS refers to report by Belgrade based daily “Politika” according to which HR to BiH, Christian Schwarz-Schilling stated for German daily “Suddeutsche Zeitung” that mujahedeens regularly fought in Bosniak Army of BiH and they had never practised terrorist methods. In this light, daily gives overview of a dozen of terrorists/suspects outlining details of their cases linking them all to BiH, stating their either participated in the BiH war or have BiH travel documents. Daily sarcastically wonder how come HR has not heard of those cases. It also says HR to BiH, like Richard Holbrooke, former Special US Envoy for Balkans, claims arrival of mujahedeens to BiH was the only way for BiH to survive. GS notes the only difference between the two is that Holbrooke, unlike HR to BiH, called this operation “pact with the devil”.

Head of EUPM Coppola: Our top priorities are police reform, preventing politics to interfere in work of police, fight against organized crime

Dnevni Avaz pg 5, mentioned on cover ‘Politics still has strong influence on BiH police’ by Edina Sarac – In an interview for DA [the first interview for BiH media], Head of EUPM Commissar Vincenzo Coppola said that one of the main priorities in the EUPM next, two-year mandate would be the police reform. Coppola also stressed the importance of preventing politics to interfere in work of police and fight against organized crime. Answering the question will the talks on police regions start soon, he said he talks on the subject should start in April, adding that of the most importance is to find satisfying solution which would make local police more efficient. Speaking of political impact on work of the police, he said that that should be prevented. Inset, ‘Problem of terrorism is present in whole the Europe’ – Speaking of possible presence of terrorism in BiH, Coppola said that the whole Europe has that problem, and that it is also possible ‘sleepers’ could be find in BiH as well, adding that he has no such information. Inset, ‘SIPA is of most importance in fight against organized crime’ – Coppola said: “SIPA is the most important instrument in fight against organized crime and we will follow their work.”

VL: Agreement with Vatican which legalizes status of Catholic Church in BiH at agenda of today’s BiH CoM session

Vecernji List cover pg splash ‘Church would get property that was take away from it’ and pg 5 ‘Agreement with Vatican’ by Z. Kresic carries that a long prepared Agreement with Holy See would be at the agenda of the BiH Council of Ministers session, that is to take place on Tuesday (today). Deputy BiH CoM Chairman Barisa Colak expects that the Agreement would be adopted since it has been finally harmonized by all sides. VL explains that realization of the Agreement has been postponed for years due to the objections of the Islamic Community and some Bosniak political structures. VL also reminds that due to such development of the situation Cardinal Vinko Puljic left the work of the Inter-Religious Council. VL says that this Agreement legalizes the status of the Catholic Church and the most important issue in the agreement is repossession of the nationalized Catholic Church’s property that the Church lost during the Communist time.

OHR: laws on public broadcasters need to be harmonized

RHB – During their visit to BiH, President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn emphasized that the Law on Public Broadcasting System has to be defined as soon as possible. On that occasion, OHR Spokesperson Sanela Tunovic stated for RHB that the PBS reform is the reform of the whole system on state and entity level. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement demands independent and financially self-preserved PBS, which fulfils the basic programme requirements of all BiH citizens. All three broadcasters, BHT1 and BH Radio 1, FTV and Radio, and RS TV and Radio are the part of joint system – and it is necessary to harmonize the laws on entity level, in order for this system to function properly, concluded OHR Spokesperson.

NN op-ed: Serbs in BiH must decide on its future

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘BiH and future of Kosovo’ by Senad Slatina – The author of op-ed is Director of Regional Office of CEIS, Centre for European Integration Strategies). In regard to commencement of talks on Kosovo status, he notes that possible decisions of Belgrade on this are not of crucial importance for BiH, but instead political inclinations that may develop amongst Serbs in BiH, i.e. Republika Srpska in regard to this issue. He notes politicians from RS are giving vague formulations regarding possible consequences of Kosovo independence on BiH or warning independence would represent a dangerous precedent. He concludes by saying decisions must be reached “on this side of the river”.

War crimes

War crimes suspect Milan Lukic extradited to ICTY from Argentina

BHT1– Milan Lukic, a Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect who had been indicted by ICTY in connection with atrocities during the war in Bosnia, was being extradited Monday to The Hague, authorities said. The office of Federal Judge Jorge Urso said Lukic was put on a flight to Spain and was headed ultimately for The Hague. Lukic was arrested in August in Argentina. He is charged with war crimes in Visegrad in the period between 1992 and 1994. FTV, RTRS– also carried. Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Lukic on the way toThe Hague’ by Fena, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Milan Lukic boarded on flight for Holland’ by Agencies, Dnevni List last pg ‘Milan Lukic transferred ito The Hague’

BiH Court accepts indictment against Jankovic

FTV– BIH Court has accepted the ICTY indictment against war crime indictee Gojko Jankovic suspected of the war crimes in Foca. Jankovic is still in detention because he is considered to be ‘a flight risk’. Jankovic surrendered to ICTY in 2005. Hayat, RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Hague indictment against Gojko Jankovic extended by five points’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Indictment against Gojko Jankovic upheld’- also carried.

Hearing of war crimes suspect Samardzic on March 6

FTV– BIH Court has scheduled the first hearing in the case of the war crime indictee Nedjo Samardzic on 6 March. Samardzic, a suspect for the war crimes in Foca in 1992, was arrested in joint SIPA and SFOR action in October 2004. Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Samardzic case to start on March 6’ not signed Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Main hearing against Nedjo Samardzic started’ not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Commencement of trial against Samardzic postponed’ – also carried.

German daily: Mladic and Karadzic ask 5 million euros for their surrender

RHB, Hayat, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Five million for surrender?’, Dnevni List, pg 4 ‘Surrender for 5 million Euros’, by HINA, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Ratko Mladic in The Hague by end of February’ by B. Boskov, inset ‘Karadzic and Mladic ask five million euros each’- German daily “Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung” reported on Monday that ICTY indictees Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic demand five million Euros each to surrender to Serbian authorities. According to daily, intensive negotiations with both indictees are currently in progress; Karadzic and Mladic want millions of Euro to secure their families and helpers.

SCG authorities to submit Mladic’s medical files

FTV – SCG national council for cooperation with the ICTY approved six requests filed by the ICTY Prosecution for delivering documents, including 36 files on Ratko Mladic that are not a part of his personal file. Head of this SiCG body, Rasim Ljajic, stated the enclosed medical records show that Mladic was treated under three different names between 1993 and 1997 and the information of the retirement payments, as well as persons who were authorised to collect retirement payments for Mladic. The names were not disclosed because the investigation is still ongoing. Hayat, Vecernje Novosti pg 13 ‘Mladic in The Hague before documents’ by U.D.N., Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Ratko Mladic was treated under three various names’ by BETA – also carried.

Former chief of Serbian State Security Agency Petrovic: Some ten days left for his hand over and it has been waited for the proper scenario

Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Ratko Mladic in the Hague by end of February’ by B.Boskov – Former chief of Serbian State Security Agency Goran Petrovic stated on Monday that Ratko Mladic could be deported to the Hague very soon: “Negotiations on Mladic’s surrender are in the final phase. Some ten days left for his hand over and it has been waited for the proper scenario.” Petrovic said that there are negotiations ongoing, for in the other case Serbian authorities would not demand new deadline to be set for end of February.

VN: is a great possibility of seeing General Mladic arrive to the Hague prior to documentation requested on him

Vecernje Novosti pg 13 ‘Mladic in The Hague before documents’ by U.D.N. – Daily reports referring to its source from one of security agencies (engaged in day-and-night actions to locate Ratko Mladic) saying: “A lot of information has been collected regarding previous movements of Ratko Mladic. Joint activities of police and security agencies resulted in information how Generals’ security is operating…What we know is that the chances for seeing Mladic get out of multiple encirclement are minor.” Hence, daily speculates there is a great possibility of seeing General Mladic arrive to the Hague prior to documentation SiCG needs to hand to the ICTY.

60 Minuta: Mladic could be apprehended soon, since Kostunica has hit the wall and cannot hide truth from the IC

FTV current affair program ’60 minuta’ by Damir Kaletovic – FTV says that Ratko Mladic is still at large due to support by the Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunicaand the Serbian intelligence services. However, FTV says Mladic could be apprehended soon, stating that Kostunica now has faced the wall and could not “lie” to the International Community any longer. Former Chief of Serbian State Intelligence Service Goran Petrovic also accused Kostunica of being a leader of Mladic’s support network, adding: “I am sure that Kostunica is in touch with Mladic through some of his close associates and they are negotiating on his surrender.” SCG Defence Minister Zoran Stankovic stated that SCG Ministry of Defence, Secret-Intelligence Agency as well as Military-Intelligence Agency are engaged in search for Mladic, which is under supervision of Vladimir Vukcevic, special War Crimes Prosecutor in Serbia, who was appraised as most competent for the job by the Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte.

GS raises the issue whether those responsible for crimes against Serbs in Tuzla , Zenica and Sarajevo would be penalised

Glas Srpske cover pg splash ‘Justice, where are you?’ by N. Zelenovic – Daily reports on recent identification of mortal remains of none Serb civilians from the areas of Tuzla and Zenica, mainly elderly people, featuring stories of families of the killed persons in these two cities and Sarajevo. Daily observes whether anything would change and criminals responsible for the crimes would be penalised.