OHR, Kevin Sullivan
OSCE, Aida Bešić
EUPM, Zinaida Ilaria
EUFOR, Tom Ryall
NATO, Derek Chappell
ICTY, Matias Hellman
OHR
RS Government Has Accepted Srebrenica Commission Figures on Number of Victims
A recent statement by RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic has gained widespread coverage. In an interview the Prime Minister stated that the RS government had not published the figure of 8,000 victims at the Srebrenica Massacre. It is important to make clear that the RS Government has accepted the figure given by the Srebrenica Commission.
The Srebrenica Commission was established in order to investigate the fate and whereabouts of those who went missing in Srebrenica during the period of the 10 to 19 July 1995, as the RS was ordered by the Human Righst Chamber. It was hoped its findings would also bring an end to manipulation of the number of those killed and missing that has been evident in recent years.
The Srebrenica Commission’s report provided details of the planned and deliberate liquidation of between 7000 and 8000 Bosniaks at the hands of the RS Army/Bosnian Serb Army.
In a special session convened on 28 October 2004 , the RS government adopted the Srebrenica Commission’s Report in its entirety. With the adoption of the Report, the RS government recognized its responsibility for the massacre of between 7000 and 8000 Bosniaks.
Furthermore, the RS government issued a formal apology to the survivors of Srebrenica for the tragedy they suffered.
It is distressing that Mr Bukejlovic does not know the Conclusions made by his own government The question whether list have been published or not are largely irrelevant in this respect.
Mr Bukejlovic’s statements on this are completely out of tune with all other statements made by Serb leaders. He seems not have understood that the era of denial is over and that this country is looking towards the future. Only the most discreditable take refuge from the truth by denying what happened.
Police Reform is About Meeting European Standards
The High Representative commends RS President Dragan Cavic on the comments he has made in regard to cooperation with the ICTY. Mr Cavic, as you know, noted that Karadzic must surrender or be arrested.
President Cavic is also reported in this morning’s press to have expressed confidence that the RS and the Federation can reach a compromise on police reform issues that have still to be resolved. As you know, a settlement has to be reached by September if BiH is to launch the Stabilisation and Association process with the European Union before the end of the year. However, while Mr Cavic’s confidence that a settlement can be reached is encouraging, it is important to stress that the issue does not revolve around inter-Entity compromise. It boils down to BiH meeting European criteria. These criteria are straightforward. BiH must have a a police service where all legislative and budgetary competencies are vested at State Level, where police areas are drawn up on the grounds of functionality, and where there is no inappropriate political interference in policing.
High Representative to Visit Foca
Finally, I would draw your attention to two visits taking place this week. Later today the High Representative and his wife Jane will drive to Foca. They will stay overnight with returnees, and spend time tomorrow working on a farm in the Foca area.
PDHR to Visit Travnik
In addition, the Principal Deputy High Representative Larry Butler will be in Travnik tomorrow. Asmong other meetings, Ambassador Butler will be briefed by businesspeople from the Travnik area on the challenges they face in starting new companies and expanding existing companies so that they can create jobs. There will be a media opportunity at the close of this meeting and I have brought along a media advisory with the details.
OSCE
OSCE marks 30th anniversary of HelsinkiAct
Thirty years ago, after nearly two years of negotiations, the heads of state and government of 35 nations assembled at the Conference on Security and Co-operation (CSCE) in Helsinki and signed a document intended to promote peace, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and stability throughout what was then a divided Europe .
On this occasion, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina would like to draw attention to and commemorate the significance of the Helsinki Final Act signed on 1 August 1975 , for this document was to have a strong and lasting effect, often in unexpected ways, on the future course of European security. It was, as former Czech President Vaclav Havel noted, where the “power of the powerless” was strengthened.
Indeed, the Helsinki Final Act gave Havel and the peoples of Europe a greater capacity to hold their leaders accountable to they commitments they made. The Act would not just be “a piece of paper that could be waved around but did not have to be enforced.” The Act inspired citizens to communicate with one another, to participate in political life, and to contribute to change — change that radically altered the political, geographical, economic, and social dynamics of Cold War Europe.
There is no question that the Helsinki Final Act played an essential role in breaking down the barriers of mistrust between East and West. Today it continues to build confidence among neighbors and nations, to promote democratic principles and human rights norms and standards with countries, and to strength peace and security throughout the region. It is also this same Final Act that provides the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina with its firm grounding and as well as with the basis for its work in seeking to bring the same positive results to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Journalism Training For Education Reporting
The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Reuters Foundation are organizing journalism workshops scheduled to take place later this month in Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka. The specific aim of the workshop is to improve coverage of education issues. The courses will offer unique presentations, discussions and practical writing exercises on the important topic of education and reform. Candidates who successfully complete the program will be awarded a Reuters Foundation certificate. The OSCE Mission to BiH and Reuters Foundation are offering scholarships to all qualified participants that will cover tuition, transportation, hotel and meals. All journalists that cover education issues or have an interest in education are invited to apply. A working knowledge of English (written and spoken) is important to successfully completing the program. The deadline for all applicants is 10 August 2005. All applications should be sent via e-mail to josh.laport@osce.org or by fax which number is 033-442-479. For more information please go to www.oscebih.org .
EUPM
No statement.
EUFOR
No statement.
NATO
No statement.
ICTY
Good morning to you all on behalf of the ICTY.
There is one new development related to the transfer of cases to national courts. The Tribunal’s Office of the Prosecutor filed on 28 July a Request for referral of the case against Ivica Rajić, also known as Viktor Andrić, to the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina .
Ivica Rajić is alleged to be responsible for crimes committed in Vareš and Stupni Do on 23 October 1993 , including murder, inhuman treatment, unlawful confinement of civilians and extensive destruction not justified by military necessity.
According to the indictment, HVO forces under Rajić’s command arrested more than 250 Muslim men in Vareš, regardless of their civilian or military status, who were detained in horrible conditions and physically abused. The attack on Stupni Do is alleged to have resulted in the deaths of at least 37 Muslim men, women and children, as well as sexual assault on women.
According to the indictment, no HVO commander or soldier was ever punished or disciplined for the crimes committed in Vareš or Stupni Do. Ivica Rajić is charged with Grave Breaches of the Geneva Conventions and Violations of the Laws and Customs of War.
In total the Office of the Prosecutor has to date requested the referral of cases against 14 persons charged with crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina . The ICTY Referral Bench has already ruled that one case, that of Dragomir Milošević, would remain in The Hague due to the gravity of the alleged crimes and level of responsibility of the accused.
The Referral Bench has also decided that cases against eight accused (Željko Mejakić, Momčilo Gruban, Dušan Fuštar and Dusko Knežević; Savo Todović and Mitar Rašević; Radovan Stanković; Gojko Janković), charged with crimes committed in Prijedor and Foča, would be referred to Bosnia and Herzegovina, but those decisions are not final yet.
Three accused suggested for referral to Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Milan and Sredoje Lukić, Dragan Zelenović) are still at large, and two requests (Paško Ljubičić, Ivica Rajić) have only been filed recently.
That is all from the ICTY today, thank you for your attention.
RTQs
Journalist 1:
Question for NATO and OHR. Do you have any contacts with Ljiljana Karadžic after the statement last week.
OHR:
From OHR’s point of view, you know that it is not our operational responsibility. The High Representative has made it clear what the implications of surrender or arrest o Karadžic would be.
NATO:
On behalf of NATO. As indicated in our press release last week, we welcome the appeal that Ljiljana Karadžić made. Obviously, the apprehension of Radovan Karadžić is in the best interest not only for the family but for all of BiH. We had no further contact. We watched the appeal, as everybody did on the television. We were impressed with the heart felt personal nature of her appeal but it was her appeal and we have no contact.
Admir Mujanović, SAN:
For Mr. Kevin Sullivan. Will OHR finally do something in regard with Rector of Istočno Sarajevo University, Radomir Lukić? He was removed from the position last year but still is a rector. I know that some requests were addressed to Ministry of Education but nothing happened.
OHR:
That’s a matter which will be dealt with, which is being looking to as we speak and when we have an announcement to make we will make it.
Journalist 3:
Question for NATO, EUFOR and ICTY. Do you have any contact with any of individuals which may be in some kind of contact with Radovan Karadžić, any approaches, any signals, anything that may indicate that this plea would result in an action on his part?
NATO:
On behalf of NATO. We have had no response from that appeal. We can only hope that if Mr. Karadžić heard that appeal, and we are quite certain that he did giving the amount of coverage received, that he will respond to that appeal that is come from his family, from his wife. I think the effect of that appeal is to totally isolate him. I think it really brings into focus the fact that there are very few people that support Mr. Karadžić now. It really is time for him to face justice and for BiH to move on. We had no further contact.
ICTY:
No, I have no such information and in any case the ICTY would not comment on any operational matters related to fugitives. The ICTY does not have the possibility or mandate to arrest any fugitives and we constantly remind those who do have the responsibility and possibility to contribute to the arrest of fugitives that they should do their utmost to that goal.
Sanja Banković, FTV:
Question for OHR. How do you comment slow speed of reforms and the fact that State Border Service still does not have key official?
OHR:
The speed of reforms probably can never be fast enough. In principle, the institutions exist with which to address issues such as the appointment of the Director of SBS and we want to see those institutions functioning properly.