Main News Summary
Tuesday, 13 May 2003

SFOR
Nezavisne Novine
Anti-hail rockets must not jeopardise the safety of aircraft
"In order to be allowed to use anti-hail rockets, the RS authorities should submit to SFOR a plan that will guarantee the safety of the aircraft within the rockets' destruction range," SFOR said yesterday. "This plan is necessary, because anti-hail rockets cannot be fired just like that," said Alex Kendrick, SFOR MNB NW deputy spokesperson. (p.8)
SFOR
Oslobodjenje
US Admiral Johnson visits Sarajevo
On Monday, NATO AF SOUTH Commander US Admiral Gregory Johnson visited HQ SFOR in Sarajevo. During his visit, Admiral Johnson spoke with Stjepan Pocrnja, Secretary of the Standing Committee on Military Matters. According to SFOR spokesperson Captain Dale MacEachern, COMSFOR General William Ward was also present at this meeting. "They spoke about the significance of the BiH Armed Forces reform and what should be discussed in this regard at the Joint Military Commission's meeting scheduled for 23 May," Captain MacEachern said. (back page)
SFOR
Jutarnje Novine
Operation Harvest in Novo Sarajevo municipality
The Novo Sarajevo Civil Protection, FBiH Army, SFOR and EUPM took part in Operation Harvest 2003 that was organised in the municipality of Novo Sarajevo the past weekend. Citizens voluntarily handed in the following: one automatic rifle, one pistol, 77 hand grenades, seven rifle-grenades, 2,680 various calibre bullets, 28 ammunition pieces for anti-aircraft guns, one rocket-launcher, 26 pieces of "Vitezit" explosive, one detonator, six rounds of ammunition and 0.5 kg of explosive powder. The Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that the collected weapons and ammunition had been taken by SFOR soldiers to Rajlovac, where they would store the weapons until they are destroyed. (p.43)
SFOR
Dnevni List
SFOR on use of anti-hail rockets
SFOR has confirmed that it does not allow the RS Anti-Hail Protection to use a meteorological radar and fire anti-hail rockets because of SFOR aeroplanes' safety. SFOR spokesperson Jeff Coverdale stated that "SFOR has not completely banned the use of meteorological radar and anti-hail rockets by the RS Anti-Hail Protection, but it simply gave a negative response to its question whether they could fire those rockets or not". (p. 11)
SFOR
AP
Russia will withdraw peace-keepers from Bosnia, Kosovo by August
(Factiva) Russia will withdraw its peacekeeping contingent from Bosnia and Kosovo by August, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Tuesday. "The decision to withdraw the peace-keepers doesn't mean we have lost interest in the (political) settlement in the former Yugoslavia," Ivanov told a joint meeting of NATO ambassadors and Russian officials. "Russia will continue to participate actively in the efforts aimed at a political settlement." He said that President Vladimir Putin had directed the military to start the withdrawal from the Balkans in the second half of May. Russia's military chief of staff, Gen. Anatoly Kvashnin, said last month that Moscow spends $26.9 million a year on the peacekeeping forces. Russia has 650 Russian peace-keepers in Kosovo and 320 in Bosnia.
SFOR
Blic
Problem of the use of anti-hail rockets to be quickly resolved
The RS Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Supply, Rodoljub Trkulja, confirmed that a commission consisting of representatives of the Anti-Hail Protection, the VRS, and the RS Ministry of Defence was appointed in order to reach an agreement on the use of anti-hail rockets with SFOR as soon as possible. "We received from SFOR some explanations that anti-hail rockets have a four-kilometre range and that they, allegedly, jeopardise their flights, even though SFOR has been consulted each time these rockets have been fired and it was informed of the exact location where rockets would be fired, just to avoid these problems," Trkulja said. He also explained that SFOR claimed that meteorological radar disturbed their radar installations, but that experts said that was not likely, since the purpose of meteorological radar is different, so its method of operation also differs from SFOR's radar. "The problem of anti-hail rockets use must be resolved very quickly, because hail can come any time now following this sultry weather, and then what little crop is left will be destroyed," said Uros Svraka, President of the RS Association of Farmers. (p.6)
AF IN BIH
Dnevni avaz
SDS: Changes in the Army only within the DPA
Yesterday, the Serb Democratic Party stated that it supported the reform process in the RS and BiH defence systems. The Dayton Peace Agreement, the RS Constitution and the BiH Constitution are the legal and institutional framework for defence reforms, while the procedures defined in the BiH Constitution are the only way to reach new joint solutions "that must not represent a return to the old unitary solutions, which not only did not pass the test of time, but were contrary to European standards", reads a statement issued by the SDS. (p.4)
AF IN BIH
Dnevni List
With SFOR, BiH does not require an army
The People's Party through Labour to Prosperity supports the reforms in the Armed Forces, but these reforms should not lead us in any of the proposed directions that are being circulated in public. "The function of our armies is actually to defend themselves from each other, which was shown through the activities of the BiH intelligence services. As for threats from the outside, it is better not to talk about our defence abilities. The presence of SFOR and other international military bodies, with the local police, can be a sufficient guarantee of BiH citizens' safety," reads the statement issued by the party. (Photo on p.6)
AF IN BIH
Nezavisne Novine
Stankovic: Military reform in line with the Constitution
Yesterday, RS Defence Minister Milovan Stankovic stated that, when it comes to meeting conditions for BiH's accession to the Partnership for Peace, the RS responsible bodies would make all decisions on the reform of the VRS in line with the BiH and RS Constitutions. After placing wreaths in the Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Banja Luka on the occasion of 12 May - Day of the VRS, Stankovic said that his wish was for the VRS to celebrate its future birthdays in peace, freedom, better economic circumstances, and being reformed by the highest standards. (Photo on p.4)
AF IN BIH
Dnevni List
The VRS autonomy to be preserved
On the occasion of 12 May, the Day of the Republika Srpska Army, the honorary gun volley was fired in Banja Luka on Sunday evening. RS President Dragan Cavic stated that one of the RS priorities is the survival of its army and that the VRS finds its place within the reform of the Armed Forces in BiH. Cavic said that this year was crucial for the adoption of a new organisation of the Armed Forces in BiH. He also said that he hoped that by the end of year a solution for the establishment of a single command at BiH level would be worked out, but that the VRS autonomy within the BiH Armed Forces would be preserved. (Photo on p.11)
BIH - CROATIA
Dnevni avaz
There are no reactions from Zagreb as yet on the offer made to use the Port of Bar
According to Zlatko Dizdarevic, BiH Ambassador to Croatia, there was no official reaction on Monday to the talks held between BiH and Montenegro on the use of the Port of Bar. The stance of Croatia on the talks about BiH using the Port of Bar as an alternative to the Port of Ploce is expected in the coming days. The BiH Parliament Foreign Policy Board will visit Zagreb from 28 to 30 May, at the invitation of the Croatian Parliament. Another occasion to discuss the issue of the use of the Port of Ploce with Croatia's representatives is the visit of the Croatian Prime Minister, Ivica Racan, to BiH in June. The exact date of his visit has not yet been determined, but it is believed that Racan's visit is quite certain. (Photo on page 5)
BIH - SCG
Nezavisne Novine
BiH will ask for the extradition of members of the Milakovic family
Bozo Mihajlovic, State Prosecutor is conducting an investigation into the cases of Milorad Milakovic, Ilija Gavranovic, Mladenko Rosic and Niko Arsenic. They are accused of human trafficking. Mihajlovic stated on Monday that the BiH Prosecutor's Office would send a request to Serbia and Montenegro for the extradition of the members of the Milakovic family, if it was established that the wife and the sons of the first suspect Milakovic had left BiH and the BiH law-enforcement authorities could not find them. (p. 3)
BIH - SCG
Jutarnje Novine
Court epilogue of aggression on BiH more important than trading
During his visit to Serbia and Montenegro on the Day of Fighting Fascism, Adnan Terzic, Chair of the Council of Ministers, said that BiH would not discontinue its lawsuit against Serbia and Montenegro before the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Terzic was received according to protocol, but there was an impression that this visit was relegated to a marginal status by the media or that it simply did not understand the importance of the visit. "There is no possibility of our considering discontinuation of the lawsuit, and honestly, we have no moral right to do so," said Terzic politely. (Photo on page 15)
CORRUPTION
Oslobodjenje
Criminal charges against Acimovic and Vukovic
The Trebinje Public Security Centre filed criminal charges with the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Trebinje against Svetozar Acimovic, former General Manager of Elektroprivreda RS, and Rajko Vukovic, former Assistant to the General Manager for Economic Affairs in Elektroprivreda RS, for founded suspicion that they abused their authority and cost the budget KM 169,000. The Trebinje police reported on Monday that according to the information collected so far, it is suspected that Acimovic and Vukovic made three payments in the amount of KM 650,000 to the Cyprus account of the AD Energoprojekt hidroinzenjering company from Belgrade for the purpose of obtaining economic gain, while the agreed price for the services that this company provided for the Buk Bijela and Srbinje hydro-electric power plants was KM 481,000. (Photo on page 4) /The same in Jutarnje Novine (p. 3), Nezavisne Novine (p. 5)/
CORRUPTION
Dnevni avaz
Lagumdzija says that Amina worked in accordance with law
Zlatko Lagumdzija, SDP President, said on Monday that it was a lie that "Ars Creativa" had enjoyed a privileged status in any public company or enterprise during the past two years. "'Ars Creativa' worked in accordance with law, and the operations of this company were worth less than one percent of the overall expenditures that any public company pays for its marketing operations," said Lagumdzija. (Photo on page 8)
CORRUPTION
Dnevni avaz
Why is Zlatko hiding the fact the sudden turnover of his wife's company was almost KM 1.5 million
The allegation that seven employees of "Ars Creativa" earned only KM 19,302 in the last two and a half years combined raises suspicion because the turnover of this small company reached the incredible figure of almost KM 1.5 million last year. It is not difficult to guess the reason that Lagumdzija was silent about this. It is a pity that Lagumdzija did not call for an audit of the operations of his wife's company. Nobody from the Tax or Finance Administrations or the relevant Prosecutor's Office dares to be involved in such an audit. But following his fingerpointing aimed at senior politicians, such as Seada Palavric, Barisa Colak, Niko Lozancic, Safet Halilovic, Mirnes Ajanovic and Sejfudin Tokic, perhaps a miracle might still happen in this corrupt tate. (Photo on page 8)
CORRUPTION
Nezavisne Novine
Rebac turns down the ultimatum by Mafia
Although the ultimatum deadline that the Mafia from Travnik and Herzegovina gave to Zelimir Rebac, Director of the FBiH Customs Administration, to resign was up on Monday, Rebac refused to comply with the Mafia's request. "It is great satisfaction and encouragement for me to see that I have support from the people in Mostar and Sarajevo, and also the support from the IC," said Rebac. He said that he was satisfied with his tête-à-tête with the Federation Premier, Ahmet Hadzipasic. "Hadzipasic promised additional financial support for specialists that are providing security for me and my family, and asked me not to resign," said Rebac. (Photo on page 3)
CORRUPTION
Oslobodjenje
SDP President, Zlatko Lagumdzija, calls on OHR and investigation authorities to establish how much exactly "Ars Creativa" earned (Front-page story)
Zlatko Lagumdzija, SDP President, called on the OHR and competent investigation authorities to carry out an audit of public enterprises and private companies doing business with it and check all the allegations made in order to stop using his wife's company "Ars Creativa" for the political settling of scores. In a letter that Lagumdzija sent to the BiH Presidency, the Chair of the Council of Ministers, the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, the BiH Court and the BiH Prosecutor's Office and the Ambassadors of the PIC member countries, he said that his request for review was motivated by last week's reports on the alleged crime of the "Ars Creativa" company. "While I was on a business trip in Washington last week, I was subjected to a new series of attacks orchestrated by the well-known media racketeer and the leaders of the ruling regime Sulejman Tihic, Barisa Colak, Suada Palavric, Niko Lozancic and Safet Halilovic. I take responsibility for saying that there were no operations contrary to the laws of this country in this case, including the Law on Conflict of Interest. I am fully convinced that Dnevni avaz is behind this campaign, as well as a lobby that is trying, through discrediting BiH Telecom and settling scores with me, to create an atmosphere in which it will be possible to plunder the state resources by selling a licence for a third GSM operator for next to nothing. The SDP and I will always be an obstacle to them in this and similar thefts, no matter what the price is," said Zlatko Lagumdzija in the letter. (Photo on page 1) /The same in Dnevni List (p. 7), Nezavisne Novine (p. 7)/
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
Dnevni List
USD 30 mill. to support the private sector
Yesterday, representatives of the BiH Council of Ministers, led by Chair Adnan Terzic, held a meeting with Orsalia Kalantzopoulos, Director of the World Bank and Regional Co-ordinator for Southeastern Europe. After the meeting, Terzic said they had discussed issues that had to be broached in order to be prepared for the future relations between the World Bank, the Council of Ministers and BiH Entity Governments. "It is important that we take clear positions in relation to the World Bank, primarily because BiH is currently in a rather difficult economic situation. We think that only with clear attitude towards the international financial institutions we can count on the stable future," said Terzic. "On the other hand, this year the WB Country Assistance Strategy is to be ended, so a new CAS is to be agreed for the period between 2004 and 2007," Terzic added and continued: "We have agreed to analyse the current WB projects in BiH in order to avoid mistakes from this CAS period in the next one. This very small amount of USD 30 million that the WB has earmarked for the next three-year CAS period, we will use to support the private sector, and not as technical assistance in the privatisation process and the social sector, as we have done so far." (Photo on p.4)
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
Jutarnje Novine
Safet Halilovic, BiH Minister of Civil Affairs: Release of 'Algerian Group' announced
"I am glad that the US authorities have obtain information which makes it possible for the 'Algerian Group' to be released and which coincides with the findings of the institutions in charge of the protection of human rights in BiH. The announcement made by Colin Powell, US Secretary of State, that the 'Algerian Group' will be released is encouraging. It is also encouraging that both parties, the US authorities and the institutions that take care of human rights in BiH, think the same about this case," said Safet Halilovic, BiH Minister of Civil Affairs. (Photo on page 2)
EXHUMATIONS
Dnevni avaz
Bodies discovered in Orlice and Sikirice near Bratunac
The mortal remains of three victims were exhumed yesterday in Orlice and Sikirice near Bratunac on Monday. The mortal remains of a married couple were exhumed in Orlice, while the third person was exhumed in Sikirice. (p. 10) /The same in Oslobodjenje (p. 2)/
FBIH - PARLIAMENT
Oslobodjenje
Crisis HQ takes action: Masks and gloves against SARS
The Crisis HQ for the Prevention of SARS, established at the request of the Federation Government, has already started action under the leadership of Dr. Zlatko Puvacic, President of the Crisis HQ. Criteria for the hospitalisation of those suffering from and suspected to be suffering from SARS have been established. "It has been concluded that two of the most well-equipped clinics in the FBiH in Tuzla and Sarajevo will provide ten beds for patients suffering from SARS. The third clinic in Mostar failed to meet the requirements necessary for the treatment. It is necessary for the Federation Government to provide 20 additional beds to for place those suffering from SARS under quarantine. The Podhrastovi clinic is an alternative solution in case there is a need to accommodate more patients and if we observe that several persons have breathing problems. However, it is necessary for this quarantine to be close to the two clinical centres, whose contagious departments have been determined for possible hospitalisation because they are close to the clinical centre," said Dr. Puvacic. The two selected clinics and the Canton Public Health Institute have already been provided with masks and gloves for protection. The same equipment will be sent to border crossings. Dr. Ekrem Jusufovic from the Contagious Clinic in Tuzla stated at a press conference on Monday that the Tuzla University Clinical Centre had formed a HQ for SARS cases. He said that the Crisis HQ was monitoring the health condition of the passengers coming from regions where there were cases of SARS. (Photo on page 4)
ICTY
Oslobodjenje
Women of Srebrenica to sue the RS Government
After Momir Nikolic's full admission of crimes committed in Srebrenica had been presented to mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa on Friday, they announced a lawsuit against the RS Government from the time when Mladen Ivanic was RS Premier. Nikolic admitted that he had been involved in killings of 7,000 men in Srebrenica, and described the executors and chain of command in detail. "Because the RS Bureau for Liaison with the Hague Tribunal stated in its shameful report that only 2,000 men from Srebrenica had been killed, we will sue the RS Government," Munira Subasic, President of the Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa Association, announced. The ICTY Outreach Program representative, Refik Hodzic, met with women of Srebrenica and Zepa to get them acquainted with Nikolic's admission and its significance for the clarification of the truth of the events that occurred in Srebrenica in July 1995. After that, Munira Subasic stated that law and justice were not the same thing, because "no one can bring back her son and husband". She added that the mothers now asked that The Hague Tribunal forward arrest orders for those war criminals described by Nikolic to the domestic judiciary so that they can be processed in BiH. They also asked the Tribunal to pressure the RS judiciary to start trying war crimes suspects. Women of Srebrenica also criticised the media for not paying enough attention to Nikolic's admission. (Photo on p.7)