SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 4,2007) - The President of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA),Sulejman Tihic said that the proposal for police reform presented by the Office of the international communiy's high representative in Bosnia (OHR) awards the policy of obstruction.
“This proposal awards those who have been rejecting police reform for four years and who have been radicalising the situation in Bosnia for the last year. If we continue to do things like this then no one will accept any agreement or compromise and will by using radical rhetoric and rejecting everything always get what they want”,Tihic said.
According to him the proposal for police reform presented by OHR keeps the situation unchanged.
“We shall not have a capable, efficient police that will fight organised crime, a police that will be efficient in arresting war criminals and which will be able to fight terrorism. The present situation is clear proof that such a police will not be able to do any of this. This protocol legalises the current situation”, the SDA President said.
Tihic said that the proposed protocol fully accepts the demands of (the genocidal Serbian creature in Bosnia) "the RS"
“It means that the RS police will continue to exist. Under this proposal there will be three levels of organisation of the police in the RS and two levels in the FBIH. It completely devalues the principles of budget funding from the Bosnian state level and the principle of banning political influence, as well as the principle of local police regions”, Tihic said.
He added that the budgets will be defined based on decisions of the RS and the cantons and that they will then be considered by some sort of a coordination body of the Ministry of Security chaired by its deputy. This body will then reach decisions in consensus and by using the principle of ethnic voting.
Tihic stated that this proposal makes no mention of a state police.
“In reality the state police does not exist, it does exist on paper, however, it is practically reduced to an association of citizens where people will sit, discuss things, hold talks, make decisions in consensus based on ethnic and entity voting. This is in contradiction with the Bosnian Constitution. The principle of entity decision making and ethnic voting has never existed in administrative structures. This proposal introduces exactly that, and to make matters worse in introduces all of this in a police force which should function efficiently. We have a director who has been entirely stripped of his authorities because the proposal foresees assistants who are responsible and in charge of local police areas in the RS an FBIH. This is an utter legalisation of the current situation and the proposal provides no ground for reform”, Tihic said,
Asked whether he has informed the international community's high representative in Bosnia,Miroslav Lajcak,about his views, Tihic said that he has done exactly this.
“I told him this at the meeting.I told him this in person because he was previously informed by Haris Silajdzic that he does not accept the proposal and I told him that I concur with Silajdzic. I told him that I see this as a reward for those who have obstructed the entire process, that it is a reward for those who have been radicalising the situation all this time and that it sets a bad example for future reforms. After being allowed to reject everything and in the end to have things their way they will now accept to nothing”, Tihic said.
Asked what was Lajcak’s reaction to all this, Tihic said that he was somewhat surprised by what he had to say.
“I guess he expected a different reaction from me. You know that I am always open for compromise and that I am aware that the only possible and realistic policy is to do things one step at a time. However, this proposal does not represent a small step forward. It legalises the existing situation”, the SDA President,Sulejman Tihic said.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
CZECH DIPLOMAT IVAN BUSNIAK TAKES UP POSITION AS HEAD OF OHR IN BANJA LUKA
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 4,2007) – Czech diplomat,Ivan Bušniak,took up the post of the international community's deputy high representative and head of the office of the international community's high representative in Bosnia (OHR) in Banja Luka yesterday.
Ivan Bušniak is an experienced diplomat who has held both ambassadorial and advisory posts.He has served as Foreign Policy Advisor to the Czech Prime Minister. With the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs he served as Director of both the Eastern and Western Europe Departments, Director of Department for Africa, and Director General of the Euro-Atlantic Section.
Between 1995 and 2000 Ivan Bušniak was the Czech Ambassador to Yugoslavia (later Serbia and Montenegro) and Macedonia.
Ivan Bušniak is fluent in Bosnian,Croatian,Serbian,English,Russian and French. He is married with two children.
The international community's high representative in Bosnia,Miroslav Lajčák has also appointed Anatoly Viktorov, the Head of Regional Office of High Representative in Mostar, as Deputy High Representative, as of September 1, 2007. Mr. Viktorov has been Head of OHR South (Mostar) since July 2004.
Ivan Bušniak is an experienced diplomat who has held both ambassadorial and advisory posts.He has served as Foreign Policy Advisor to the Czech Prime Minister. With the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs he served as Director of both the Eastern and Western Europe Departments, Director of Department for Africa, and Director General of the Euro-Atlantic Section.
Between 1995 and 2000 Ivan Bušniak was the Czech Ambassador to Yugoslavia (later Serbia and Montenegro) and Macedonia.
Ivan Bušniak is fluent in Bosnian,Croatian,Serbian,English,Russian and French. He is married with two children.
The international community's high representative in Bosnia,Miroslav Lajčák has also appointed Anatoly Viktorov, the Head of Regional Office of High Representative in Mostar, as Deputy High Representative, as of September 1, 2007. Mr. Viktorov has been Head of OHR South (Mostar) since July 2004.
BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT ADOPTS THE REPORT ON STATE ADMINISTRATION' BUDGET REALIZATION
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 4,2007) – The Bosnian government adopted the Report on the Budget Realization in the first 6 months of this year. The Bosnian Ministry of Finances and Treasury will send the report to the Bosnian Presidency for further procedure.
The Bosnian Council of Ministers Chairman Nikola Spiric stated at a press conference after the session held in Sarajevo that realization of budget for the following period was in accordance to the law.
According to them, the incomes for financing the Bosnian state administration were 394.445.130 Bosnian Marks, in the first 6 months of 2007. Most of the money comes from the indirect taxation incomes (KM 309.852.140). At the same time,Bosnian state administration’ expenditures were 315.473.400 Bosnian Marks.
Spiric said that the Bosnian state administration spent less money than planned by the budget.He added that it is important that the Bosnian foreign debt, was settled timely.
According to Spiric, it is important that the public funds are used in accordance to the law.
The Bosnian government adopted the following bills: Bill on Adoption of the Law Changing and Amending the Law on High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, Bill Changing the Law on Ministries and other Bosnian State Administrative Organs, Bill Changing and Amending the Law on Police Officers, Bill Changing and Amending the Law on Immigration Service’s Activities, Draft of Law Changing and Amending the Law Bosnian Citizens’ IDs and Draft of Law Changing and Amending the Law on the Citizens’ Identification Number. They also adopted the Bill on Adoption of the Law on Bosnian Citizens’ Passport.
The Bosnian Council of Ministers Chairman Nikola Spiric stated at a press conference after the session held in Sarajevo that realization of budget for the following period was in accordance to the law.
According to them, the incomes for financing the Bosnian state administration were 394.445.130 Bosnian Marks, in the first 6 months of 2007. Most of the money comes from the indirect taxation incomes (KM 309.852.140). At the same time,Bosnian state administration’ expenditures were 315.473.400 Bosnian Marks.
Spiric said that the Bosnian state administration spent less money than planned by the budget.He added that it is important that the Bosnian foreign debt, was settled timely.
According to Spiric, it is important that the public funds are used in accordance to the law.
The Bosnian government adopted the following bills: Bill on Adoption of the Law Changing and Amending the Law on High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, Bill Changing the Law on Ministries and other Bosnian State Administrative Organs, Bill Changing and Amending the Law on Police Officers, Bill Changing and Amending the Law on Immigration Service’s Activities, Draft of Law Changing and Amending the Law Bosnian Citizens’ IDs and Draft of Law Changing and Amending the Law on the Citizens’ Identification Number. They also adopted the Bill on Adoption of the Law on Bosnian Citizens’ Passport.
FBIH ENTITY GOVERNMENT DELEGATION VISITS LIBYA
SARAJEVO,Bosnia (September 4,2007) – An FBiH entity government delegation headed by the FBiH Entity Prime Minister Nedzad Brankovic left on Thursday for a three-day official visit to Libya on the occasion of the commemoration of the 38th anniversary since Muammar al-Gaddafi took power in this country, the FBiH entity government stated.
The delegation includes FBiH Entity Minister of Energy,Mining and Industry Vahid Heco,“Bosnalijek” General Manager Edin Arslanagic,“Energoinvest” General Manager Dzemail Vlahovljak and his deputy Abdulharis Seta.
The FBiH entity delegation held meetings with Libyan officials. They used the opportunity to express gratitude for the assistance Libya has provided to Bosnia, as well as to the Bosnian companies that have been active in this country in the recent years.
The FBIH Entity Prime Minister Brankovic and members of his delegation met with Libyan Ministry of Energy, Gas and Water Omran Ibrahim Ebu Krao.
They also met with representatives of 14 Bosnian companies working in the fields of construction, the electric energy sector, production of food and pharmaceuticals in Libya, as well as other companies that will implement contracts worth 400 million USD in Libya in the upcoming period.
Some 1.500 Bosnian workers are currently employed by Bosnian and foreign companies in Libya at this time. This figure is expected to grow to 3.000 to 5.000 as economic cooperation between the two countries expands. There is great untapped potential for expanding cooperation in the field of exchange of goods and products between the two countries as well.
In this context cooperation in the field of production of food and pharmaceuticals is especially interesting. There is also strong interest in continuing cooperation with BiH construction companies at the Libyan market, as well as in the electric energy sector, especially with “Hidrogradnja”, “Energoinvest” and “GP Bosna”.
In order to discuss possible forms of cooperation the FBiH entity government delegation visited Libyan companies ELPCO and AL-MAYA, as well as the Libyan National Committee for the Control of Food and Pharmaceuticals.
The delegation includes FBiH Entity Minister of Energy,Mining and Industry Vahid Heco,“Bosnalijek” General Manager Edin Arslanagic,“Energoinvest” General Manager Dzemail Vlahovljak and his deputy Abdulharis Seta.
The FBiH entity delegation held meetings with Libyan officials. They used the opportunity to express gratitude for the assistance Libya has provided to Bosnia, as well as to the Bosnian companies that have been active in this country in the recent years.
The FBIH Entity Prime Minister Brankovic and members of his delegation met with Libyan Ministry of Energy, Gas and Water Omran Ibrahim Ebu Krao.
They also met with representatives of 14 Bosnian companies working in the fields of construction, the electric energy sector, production of food and pharmaceuticals in Libya, as well as other companies that will implement contracts worth 400 million USD in Libya in the upcoming period.
Some 1.500 Bosnian workers are currently employed by Bosnian and foreign companies in Libya at this time. This figure is expected to grow to 3.000 to 5.000 as economic cooperation between the two countries expands. There is great untapped potential for expanding cooperation in the field of exchange of goods and products between the two countries as well.
In this context cooperation in the field of production of food and pharmaceuticals is especially interesting. There is also strong interest in continuing cooperation with BiH construction companies at the Libyan market, as well as in the electric energy sector, especially with “Hidrogradnja”, “Energoinvest” and “GP Bosna”.
In order to discuss possible forms of cooperation the FBiH entity government delegation visited Libyan companies ELPCO and AL-MAYA, as well as the Libyan National Committee for the Control of Food and Pharmaceuticals.
BOSNIAN STATE COURT CONFIRMED INDICTMENT AGAINST SERBIAN WAR CRIMINALS RANKO AND RAJKO VUKOVIC
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 4,2007) - The Bosnian State Court confirmed an indictment which charges Serbian war criminals Ranko and Rajko Vuković with crimes against humanity.
The indictment alleges that, taking part in a widespread and systematic attack of the genocidal Serbian aggressor's forces aimed at the Bosnian civilian population of the Foča Municipality, Serbian war criminals Ranko and Rajko Vuković, together with two other Serbian war criminals, killed a Bosnian civilian in the Bosnian village Podkolun towards the end of May 1992.
The indictment alleges that the accused then left the village and killed another Bosnian civilian in a field near the road to the village.
In addition to the above, the indictment alleges that, on an undetermined date in July 1992,during the early stages of the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia,Serbian war criminal Ranko Vuković raped a Bosnian woman in Miljevina, Foča Municipality.
The indictment alleges that, taking part in a widespread and systematic attack of the genocidal Serbian aggressor's forces aimed at the Bosnian civilian population of the Foča Municipality, Serbian war criminals Ranko and Rajko Vuković, together with two other Serbian war criminals, killed a Bosnian civilian in the Bosnian village Podkolun towards the end of May 1992.
The indictment alleges that the accused then left the village and killed another Bosnian civilian in a field near the road to the village.
In addition to the above, the indictment alleges that, on an undetermined date in July 1992,during the early stages of the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia,Serbian war criminal Ranko Vuković raped a Bosnian woman in Miljevina, Foča Municipality.
BOSNIAN STATE COURT ORDERED ONE MONTH CUSTODY FOR SERBIAN WAR CRIMINAL RATKO BUNDALO
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 4,2007) - The Bosnian State Court issued a decision ordering custody of one month to a Serbian living in Bosnia, Ratko Bundalo. Under this decision, custody may last until 30 September 2007. Ratko Bundalo is suspected of crimes against humanity.
In its motion seeking custody orders, the Bosnian Prosecutor’s Office alleges that there is grounded suspicion that in the period between April 1992 and the end of 1992, as a member of the genocidal Serbian aggressor's formations, the Bundalo, planned, ordered, perpetrated, and instigated, inter alia, the persecution and killings of the Bosnian civilian population of the Kalinovik Municipality.
The Bosnian Prosecutor’s Office also alleges that Serbian war criminal Ratko Bundalo participated in the setting up and organisation of detention camps in the Municipality.
On the basis of the evidence submitted, the Bosnian state Court concluded that there was grounded suspicion that the suspect had committed the criminal offence of crimes against humanity.
Further, the Bosnian State Court ordered custody having found that the evidence pointed to the existence of a risk of flight and a risk that the Serbian war crimes suspect, if released, would interfere with the course of the criminal proceedings by influencing witnesses and accessories.
In its motion seeking custody orders, the Bosnian Prosecutor’s Office alleges that there is grounded suspicion that in the period between April 1992 and the end of 1992, as a member of the genocidal Serbian aggressor's formations, the Bundalo, planned, ordered, perpetrated, and instigated, inter alia, the persecution and killings of the Bosnian civilian population of the Kalinovik Municipality.
The Bosnian Prosecutor’s Office also alleges that Serbian war criminal Ratko Bundalo participated in the setting up and organisation of detention camps in the Municipality.
On the basis of the evidence submitted, the Bosnian state Court concluded that there was grounded suspicion that the suspect had committed the criminal offence of crimes against humanity.
Further, the Bosnian State Court ordered custody having found that the evidence pointed to the existence of a risk of flight and a risk that the Serbian war crimes suspect, if released, would interfere with the course of the criminal proceedings by influencing witnesses and accessories.
BOSNIA NAMES SQUAD FOR EURO 2008 QUALIFIERS WITH HUNGARY AND MOLDOVA
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 4,2007) - The Bosnian national football team coach Fuad Muzurović has named two uncapped goalkeepers in his injury-hit squad to meet Hungary and Moldova in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group C.
Muzurović, whose team lie second in the group level with Turkey and Norway on 13 points, is missing goalkeeper Muhamed Alaim, defender Veldin Muharemović and midfielder Branislav Krunić though injury. He has given first selections to keepers Zdenko Baotić and Denis Mujkić plus defender Semjon Milošević, and there are recalls for Dragan Blatnjak, Marko Božić and Edin Husić.
"These two matches are very important in the struggle for one of the top two places in the group, especially the trip to Hungary. Our hosts played well against Italy in a friendly but we have to play to win,"Muzurović, whose team visit Hungary on Saturday and then welcome Moldova to Sarajevo four days later, said.
Bosnia squad
Goalkeepers: Adnan Gušo (Pandurii Lignitul Târgu Jiu), Zdenko Baotić (Željezničar), Denis Mujkić (Jedinstvo).
Defenders: Džemal Berberović (Kuban Krasnodar), Branimir Bajić (Koblenz), Safet Nadarević (Zagreb), Dario Damjanović (Hajduk Split), Ivan Radeljić (Slaven Belupo), Semjon Milošević (Sarajevo).
Midfielders: Mirko Hrgović (Hajduk Split), Zajko Zeba (Naberezhnye Chelny), Zvjezdan Misimović (Nürnberg), Elvir Rahimić (CSKA Moskva), Darko Maletić (Partizan), Marko Božić (Fehérvá), Edin Husić (Cibalia).
Forwards: Vedad Ibišević (Hoffenheim), Edin Džeko (Wolsfburg), Adnan Čustović (Excelsior Mouscron), Mladen Bartolović (Hajduk Split), Zlatan Muslimović (Atalanta), Senijad Ibričić (Zagreb), Dragan Blatnjak (Khimki).
Muzurović, whose team lie second in the group level with Turkey and Norway on 13 points, is missing goalkeeper Muhamed Alaim, defender Veldin Muharemović and midfielder Branislav Krunić though injury. He has given first selections to keepers Zdenko Baotić and Denis Mujkić plus defender Semjon Milošević, and there are recalls for Dragan Blatnjak, Marko Božić and Edin Husić.
"These two matches are very important in the struggle for one of the top two places in the group, especially the trip to Hungary. Our hosts played well against Italy in a friendly but we have to play to win,"Muzurović, whose team visit Hungary on Saturday and then welcome Moldova to Sarajevo four days later, said.
Bosnia squad
Goalkeepers: Adnan Gušo (Pandurii Lignitul Târgu Jiu), Zdenko Baotić (Željezničar), Denis Mujkić (Jedinstvo).
Defenders: Džemal Berberović (Kuban Krasnodar), Branimir Bajić (Koblenz), Safet Nadarević (Zagreb), Dario Damjanović (Hajduk Split), Ivan Radeljić (Slaven Belupo), Semjon Milošević (Sarajevo).
Midfielders: Mirko Hrgović (Hajduk Split), Zajko Zeba (Naberezhnye Chelny), Zvjezdan Misimović (Nürnberg), Elvir Rahimić (CSKA Moskva), Darko Maletić (Partizan), Marko Božić (Fehérvá), Edin Husić (Cibalia).
Forwards: Vedad Ibišević (Hoffenheim), Edin Džeko (Wolsfburg), Adnan Čustović (Excelsior Mouscron), Mladen Bartolović (Hajduk Split), Zlatan Muslimović (Atalanta), Senijad Ibričić (Zagreb), Dragan Blatnjak (Khimki).
IVICA GRLIC ANNOUNCED HIS INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT
DUISBURG, Germany (September 4,2007) - Ivica Grlić has announced his retirement from international football as he looks to focus on club football with MSV Duisburg.
The 32-year-old has been a regular face in the Bosnia set-up since making his debut in April 2004 but with the combination of international commitments and Duisburg captaincy taking its toll, he has opted to call an end to the former. "My family and my job in Duisburg are what count for me," he said.
"Travelling with my country as well is just too tiring." Grlić stands down after making 16 appearances for the Bosnian national football team.
The 32-year-old has been a regular face in the Bosnia set-up since making his debut in April 2004 but with the combination of international commitments and Duisburg captaincy taking its toll, he has opted to call an end to the former. "My family and my job in Duisburg are what count for me," he said.
"Travelling with my country as well is just too tiring." Grlić stands down after making 16 appearances for the Bosnian national football team.
BOSNIAN BUSINESS DELEGATION VISITS TURKEY
IZMIR,Turkey (September 4,2007) - A Bosnian businessmen`s delegation led by Sarajevo Canton Economy Minister Abid Saric paid a courtesy visit to the Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO).
"Economic relations between Bosnia and Turkey are very limited. We are not pleased with the economic relations between Turkey and Bosnia," Saric said.
"We hope that the status quo in our economic relations would change. There is a great potential in economic relations between Bosnia and Turkey.The amount of Turkish investments in Bosnia is not at the level we desire. The Bosnian government has made it its priority to attract foreign investments. We call on Turkish businessmen to invest further in Bosnia," noted Saric.
Meanwhile, the CEO of IZTO Ekrem Demirtas indicated that "the free trade agreement between Turkey and Bosnia went into effect on January 1st, 2007. Customs taxes have been eliminated and since then we have noticed growth in economic relations. Now, we have to put into force the agreement on preventing double taxation. Once we erase double taxation, our commercial relations with Bosnia will grow", underlined Demirtas.
"Economic relations between Bosnia and Turkey are very limited. We are not pleased with the economic relations between Turkey and Bosnia," Saric said.
"We hope that the status quo in our economic relations would change. There is a great potential in economic relations between Bosnia and Turkey.The amount of Turkish investments in Bosnia is not at the level we desire. The Bosnian government has made it its priority to attract foreign investments. We call on Turkish businessmen to invest further in Bosnia," noted Saric.
Meanwhile, the CEO of IZTO Ekrem Demirtas indicated that "the free trade agreement between Turkey and Bosnia went into effect on January 1st, 2007. Customs taxes have been eliminated and since then we have noticed growth in economic relations. Now, we have to put into force the agreement on preventing double taxation. Once we erase double taxation, our commercial relations with Bosnia will grow", underlined Demirtas.
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