TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL SUSPENDS OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (July 11,2008) - In the face of what it calls “unwarranted and damaging” attacks, anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International announced on July 10 2008 that it was suspending operations in Bosnia and evacuating its staff.

The development follows allegations by the leader of the genocidal Serbian creature in Bosia "RS",Serbian fascist Milorad Dodik, that "Transparency International staff were involved in racketeering and organised crime".

Transparency International said that it was deeply concerned about the safety of its staff, and after consultations with the European Union Police Mission in Bosnia (EUPM), had decided to put operations on hold and withdraw its staff.

“It is one of the few times in Transparency International’s history that a national chapter has been intimidated to the point of having to suspend operations. We are deeply concerned and saddened, and stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Bosnia,” Transparency International managing director Cobus de Swardt said in a statement issued in Berlin,Germany.

Transparency International said that EUPM had pledged to monitor developments, “in the absence of any meaningful local police protection”.

“The ongoing public accusations against the only independent anti-corruption watchdog in the country and the leading NGO combating corruption provides an accurate landscape of Bosnia today: a very dangerous place for voices of criticism calling for accountability and transparency in the work of the ruling powers,” Transparency International said.

“Despite progress made, it is still practically impossible for anti-corruption watchdogs to operate in the country.”

At a meeting on July 9, the International Community's Principal Deputy High Representative in Bosnia Raffi Gregorian gave evidence to the Bosnian State Chief Prosecutor suggesting that the leaders of the genocidal Serbian fascist creature in Bosnia "RS had in late 2007 begun planning a campaign of allegations to attempt to discredit Transparency International.

“It took some months until the action was put in motion and today, the staff of Transparency International lives in an extremely uncertain environment,” Transparency International said.

Speaking after the July 9 meeting, Gregorian said: “It is high time to stop the propaganda campaign against Transparency International and allow independent judicial institutions to investigate any allegations in accordance with principles of due process and impartiality”.

A Transparency International statement on July 9 quoted the Bosnian State Chief Prosecutor as saying that the Bosnian State Prosecutor’s Office had not received any report of crimes or any witness statements alleging racketeering by representatives of Transparency International.

Meanwhile, on July 10, New York-based watchdog Human Rights Watch issued a report saying that Bosnia’s cantonal and district courts faced “serious challenges in their efforts to fairly and efficiently try cases of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide”.

“A sustained commitment by local authorities, as well as substantial international support, is needed to address the large backlog of cases,” Human Rights Watch said. “Local and national authorities in Bosnia should demonstrate the political will to ensure fair and effective trials can be held.”
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GREGORIAN MET WITH TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL DELEGATION

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (July 4,2008) - The International Community's Principal Deputy High Representative in Bosnia Raffi Gregorian met yesterday with a delegation of Transparency International, consisting of Executive Director Srđan Blagovčanin, Executive Board member Emir Đikić and Programme Manager Bojan Stančević.

Blagovčanin informed Gregorian that Transparency International continues to be the subject of public attacks by the political representatives of the Serbians living in Bosnia, including the alleged claim that its staff are engaged in racketeering and organised crime.

Gregorian expressed full support for Transparency International’s request for any such allegations to be handled by an independent judiciary, in accordance with principles of due process and impartiality.

“Transparency International has never been contacted by police, questioned, or served any notice by the courts. There have been repeated announcements by representatives of the (genocidal Serbian creature in Bosnia) "RS" of legal action against the organisation, which have never resulted in concrete action. If anyone believes that there is a civil or criminal case to be answered, it should be done through the courts, and not public statements”, Gregorian said.

Gregorian stressed that attacks on independent civil society actors are inconsistent with democratic practice and the rule of law.

“Instead of engaging in potentially libellous attacks against the staff of Transparency International, all levels of the Bosnian government should work on improving governance, and enhancing transparency and civil society participation in public life,” Gregorian stated.
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