SARAJEVO, September 30 (FENA) – The Party for Democratic Action (SDA) announced that the party will not support the Protocol on police reform signed by a member of the Bosnian Presidency Haris Silajdzic and the political leader of the Serbians living in Bosnia Milorad Dodik.
SDA emphasized that the party officials did not participate in the development of the document.
The President of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Zlatko Lagumdzija also announced that police reform protocol signed by Silajdzic and Dodik is unacceptable for the SDP.
Allegations of certain political parties, especially their leaders on the disintegration of the country and state institutions through the act of signing the Police reform Protocol which took place o Friday are absolutely untrue and malevolent, Party for Bosnia (SBiH) announced on Saturday.
The SBIH party representatives stated that it has become obvious that the comments are based on the interests of certain individuals.
”Instead of welcoming such moves and the decision of the SBIH party and SNSD party leaders, which were called by both the Brussels and Washington on Friday as obstruction parties, using every opportunity to emphasize that only Haris Silajdzic and Milorad Dodik can solve the police reform issue, today they have completely revealed themselves and their plans of eliminating the two most prominent personalities from the Bosnian political scene”, the SBiH announced.
Behaviour of the SDA party leaders is incomprehensible. That is a coalition party with the SBiH, which has, in every key moment, repeated the phrase “everything Silajdzic accepts will be welcomed for he is the absolute winner of the elections”,the SBIH said.
The SBiH further emphasized that they and the SDA party representatives closely collaborated in the development of the police reform protocol, contrary to some claims.
The SBiH added that the protocol they signed mostly resembles the Lajcak proposal. That will open the door towards European Union for Bosnia.Both the parties have shown determination for European integrations by signing the protocol,the SBIH stated.
By following the High Representative's recommendations, the SBiH will not analyse the details of the document and will not be held responsible to anyone calling Mr. Silajdzic to comment certain items of the Protocol,the SBIH said.
The announcement also states that the expert analysis have shown that the Protocol strengthens the Bosnian state institutions.
The SBiH party will wait for the reaction from Brussels (today). After that, the document will be sent to the parliamentary procedure,the SBiH announced.
Monday, October 1, 2007
83 SKELETONS OF GENOCIDE VICTIMS EXHUMED FROM THE ZELENI JADAR MASS GRAVE
SREBRENICA, Bosnia (October 1,2007) – In ten days of work the Bosnian expert team from the Tuzla Canton exhumed from the Zeleni Jadar secondary mass grave 13 complete and 70 incomplete bodies of the genocide victims, Murat Hurtic, head of the team stated yesterday.
He emphasized that the plan was to have the exhumation works completed by yesterday, but added that the activities will continue until the end of this week at elast. It has been assumed that over 100 skeletons of the genocide victims will be exhumed.
It has been confirmed that the bodies belonged to the Bosnian citizens from Srebrenica, murdered by the genocidal Serbian aggressor in 1995.
He emphasized that the plan was to have the exhumation works completed by yesterday, but added that the activities will continue until the end of this week at elast. It has been assumed that over 100 skeletons of the genocide victims will be exhumed.
It has been confirmed that the bodies belonged to the Bosnian citizens from Srebrenica, murdered by the genocidal Serbian aggressor in 1995.
HSS AND NHI PARTIES UNITE
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 1,2007) – The Bosnian-Croatian Peasants’ Party (HSS BIH) and the New Croatian Initiative (NHI) will act in future as a unified political subject at the Bosnian political scene. The new party’s name will be “HSSBiH-NHI”.
Decision on unification of the two politically related parties was passed yesterday at the Unification Convention held in Sarajevo.
Marko Tadic, President of the HSS BiH has been elected president of the new party. Kresimir Zubak, President of the NHI party has been elected President of the Main Board of the HSSBiH – NHI.
Main Board of the party consisting of 72 members was elected, as well as the party’s presidency.
HSSBiH-NHI will adopt the statute, political platform and other necessary decisions at the party’s convention.
President of the HSSBiH-NHI Marko Tadic emphasized that the party is facing many obligations, especially in the light of the upcoming constitutional reforms in Bosnia.
He emphasized that the adoption of the Kresevo Declaration has been a positive contribution to the Bosnian constitutional processes for it clearly emphasized the attitude of the political parties of the Croatians living in Bosnia regarding the issue.
Tadic said that one of the biggest tasks of the new party will be the candidacy at the following elections. He expressed expectation that the HSSBiH-NHI will be the strongest or one of the two strongest Croat parties at the elections.
Kresimir Zubak was of the similar opinion. He emphasized the necessity of stopping the treng of marginalization of Croats in the decision making processes in Bosnia.
He added that the integration of the two parties will contribute the affirmation of the interests of Croatians living in Bosnia.
He expressed conviction that the party will have a positive reception at the Bosnian political stage.
Heads of the HSSBiH-NHI party believe that others will follow their example and that the fact that there are 18 Croat parties in Bosnia for 150.000 voters is absurd.
Decision on unification of the two politically related parties was passed yesterday at the Unification Convention held in Sarajevo.
Marko Tadic, President of the HSS BiH has been elected president of the new party. Kresimir Zubak, President of the NHI party has been elected President of the Main Board of the HSSBiH – NHI.
Main Board of the party consisting of 72 members was elected, as well as the party’s presidency.
HSSBiH-NHI will adopt the statute, political platform and other necessary decisions at the party’s convention.
President of the HSSBiH-NHI Marko Tadic emphasized that the party is facing many obligations, especially in the light of the upcoming constitutional reforms in Bosnia.
He emphasized that the adoption of the Kresevo Declaration has been a positive contribution to the Bosnian constitutional processes for it clearly emphasized the attitude of the political parties of the Croatians living in Bosnia regarding the issue.
Tadic said that one of the biggest tasks of the new party will be the candidacy at the following elections. He expressed expectation that the HSSBiH-NHI will be the strongest or one of the two strongest Croat parties at the elections.
Kresimir Zubak was of the similar opinion. He emphasized the necessity of stopping the treng of marginalization of Croats in the decision making processes in Bosnia.
He added that the integration of the two parties will contribute the affirmation of the interests of Croatians living in Bosnia.
He expressed conviction that the party will have a positive reception at the Bosnian political stage.
Heads of the HSSBiH-NHI party believe that others will follow their example and that the fact that there are 18 Croat parties in Bosnia for 150.000 voters is absurd.
BOSNIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER SVEN ALKALAJ ATTENDED AMERICAN-ADRIATIC CHARTER MEETING
NEW YORK, USA (October 1,2007) – The Bosnian Foreign Affairs Minister Sven Alkalaj attended the meeting of the American-Adriatic Charter at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.
The meeting was organised by the US State Department, which was represented by Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried.
Fried said that the Sotheastern European states are in the best possible historic moment because there are no obstacles towards the West, except perhaps those that they could alone create. Accession to an undivided Europe is a solution for all Sotheastern European states.
He expressed hope that this is also the wish of these states and expressed satisfaction with the fact that Bosnia,Montenegro and Serbia have become members of the NATO Partnership for Peace Programme (PFP).
Participants in the meeting also praised the success achieved by the three American-Adriatic Charter member states, which are to soon become NATO members. The three new member states of the Partnership for Peace have been invited to follow their example and use their experiences in continuing their successful road towards full membership.
The three new PFP member states have informed the participants in the meeting about the activities they have taken after joining the Partnership for Peace.
They also discussed the upcoming third ministerial meeting of the American-Adriatic Charter and the American-Baltic Charter, which will be held in Split,Croatia, next month.
Alkalaj informed the meeting about the significant progress Bosnia has made in the field of defence reform and numerous steps our country has taken after joining the Partnership for Peace towards full membership in NATO.
US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said that no other reform in Bosnia has shown so much success as defence reform. He expressed hope that police reform will be equally successful.
The meeting was organised by the US State Department, which was represented by Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried.
Fried said that the Sotheastern European states are in the best possible historic moment because there are no obstacles towards the West, except perhaps those that they could alone create. Accession to an undivided Europe is a solution for all Sotheastern European states.
He expressed hope that this is also the wish of these states and expressed satisfaction with the fact that Bosnia,Montenegro and Serbia have become members of the NATO Partnership for Peace Programme (PFP).
Participants in the meeting also praised the success achieved by the three American-Adriatic Charter member states, which are to soon become NATO members. The three new member states of the Partnership for Peace have been invited to follow their example and use their experiences in continuing their successful road towards full membership.
The three new PFP member states have informed the participants in the meeting about the activities they have taken after joining the Partnership for Peace.
They also discussed the upcoming third ministerial meeting of the American-Adriatic Charter and the American-Baltic Charter, which will be held in Split,Croatia, next month.
Alkalaj informed the meeting about the significant progress Bosnia has made in the field of defence reform and numerous steps our country has taken after joining the Partnership for Peace towards full membership in NATO.
US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said that no other reform in Bosnia has shown so much success as defence reform. He expressed hope that police reform will be equally successful.
SADOVIC CANCELLS COMPETITION FOR BOSNIAN STATE INVESTIGATION AND PROTECTION AGENCY DIRECTOR
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 1,2007) – The Bosnian Security Minister Tarik Sadovic cancelled the competition for the position of the Bosnian State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) Director.
Sadovic made this decision at the proposal by the Commission for the appointment of the SIPA Director because it was impossible to meet the principles of quality, independent control, openness and representation in employment, which are defined by law, Sadovic’s Cabinet stated.
The Bosnian Ministry of Security announced that it would soon announce a new competition for the position of the SIPA Director.
Sadovic made this decision at the proposal by the Commission for the appointment of the SIPA Director because it was impossible to meet the principles of quality, independent control, openness and representation in employment, which are defined by law, Sadovic’s Cabinet stated.
The Bosnian Ministry of Security announced that it would soon announce a new competition for the position of the SIPA Director.
ANOTHER BRATUNAC TRIAL BEGINS BEFORE BOSNIAN STATE COURT THIS WEEK
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 1,2007) - One more trial for war crimes committed by the genocidal Serbian aggressor in the eastern Bosnian town of Bratunac,during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia, is due to begin before the War Crimes Chamber of the Bosnian State Court this week.
Also this week, the Appellate Chamber of the Bosnian State Court shall consider the appeals against the verdict in the case of Serbian war criminalRadisav Ljubinac.
Today, 1 October, the trial of Serbian war criminals Mirko Todorovic and Milos Radic is due to start. The former members of the genocidal paramilitary formations of the Serbians living in Bosnia (VRS) are charged with having committed crimes against humanity against Bosnian civilians in Bratunac in May 1992.
The Trial Chamber envisages that the process may last for 22 days. In that period the Bosnian State Prosecutor is due to examine 14 witnesses and two court experts. The defence teams of the two indictees have announced inviting more than 20 witnesses in total.
On Thursday, 4 October, the Appellate Chamber of the Bosnian State Court shall consider the appeals against the verdict in the case of Serbian war criminal Radisav Ljubinac. On 8 March this year Ljubinac was sentenced, by a first instance verdict, to ten years imprisonment for crimes committed in the Bosnian town of Rogatica.Serbian war criminal is charged with having committed murder, maltreatment and the use of Bosnian civilians detained by the Serbian aggressor in "Rasadnik" concentration camp as human shields in the course of 1992.
The defence team of Serbian war criminal Jadranko Palija is due to begin presenting evidence on Friday, 5 October. The Bosnian State Prosecutor charges Palija, as a former member of the genocidal paramilitary formations of the Serbians living in Bosnia (VRS), with having participated in the attack on Begici hamlet and in murder of a large group of Bosnian civilians, as well as in the unlawful detention of Bosnian civilians in the concentration camp located in the settlement of Mahala in the western Bosnian town of Sanski Most.
Today, 1 October, the trial continues in the case of Serbian war criminals Zdravko Bozic, Mladen Blagojevic, Zeljko Zaric and Zoran Zivanovic, charged with crimes against humanity committed in the eastern Bosnian town of Bratunac in 1995.
On the same day and also on Tuesday, 2 October, the prosecution will continue presenting evidence against Croatian war criminals Zdravko Mihaljevic, a former member of the Croatian aggressor's formations, who is charged with war crimes committed in the Bosnian village of Tulice near Kiseljak.
Also on Tuesday, the trial before the Bosnian State Court continues in the case of Serbian war criminals Mitar Rasevic and Savo Todovic, charged with crimes committed in Foca detention camp.
Two more witnesses will appear at the trial of Zijad Kurtovic on 4 October. The former commander of a military police squad with the Bosnian Army is charged with having maltreated 20 Croatian aggressor's soldiers detained in Donja Dreznica near Jablanica in 1993.
The prosecution evidence presentation process in the case of Sefik Alic,a former member of the Bosnian Army charged with killings of four captured Serbian aggressor's soldiers in 1995 is due to continue on Tuesday, 2 October.
The defence teams of the 11 Serbian war criminals charged with genocide committed in the eastern Bosnian village of Kravica,near Srebrenica,are due to examine a total of nine witnesses before the Bosnian State Court at the hearings scheduled on 3 and 4 October.
On 3, 4 and 5 October the Bosnian State Prosecutor is due to present evidence against Serbian war criminals Zeljko Mejakic, Momcilo Gruban, Dusan Fustar and Dusko Knezevic, charged with having committed crimes in detention camps in the northern Bosnian city of Prijedor during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
Also this week, the Appellate Chamber of the Bosnian State Court shall consider the appeals against the verdict in the case of Serbian war criminalRadisav Ljubinac.
Today, 1 October, the trial of Serbian war criminals Mirko Todorovic and Milos Radic is due to start. The former members of the genocidal paramilitary formations of the Serbians living in Bosnia (VRS) are charged with having committed crimes against humanity against Bosnian civilians in Bratunac in May 1992.
The Trial Chamber envisages that the process may last for 22 days. In that period the Bosnian State Prosecutor is due to examine 14 witnesses and two court experts. The defence teams of the two indictees have announced inviting more than 20 witnesses in total.
On Thursday, 4 October, the Appellate Chamber of the Bosnian State Court shall consider the appeals against the verdict in the case of Serbian war criminal Radisav Ljubinac. On 8 March this year Ljubinac was sentenced, by a first instance verdict, to ten years imprisonment for crimes committed in the Bosnian town of Rogatica.Serbian war criminal is charged with having committed murder, maltreatment and the use of Bosnian civilians detained by the Serbian aggressor in "Rasadnik" concentration camp as human shields in the course of 1992.
The defence team of Serbian war criminal Jadranko Palija is due to begin presenting evidence on Friday, 5 October. The Bosnian State Prosecutor charges Palija, as a former member of the genocidal paramilitary formations of the Serbians living in Bosnia (VRS), with having participated in the attack on Begici hamlet and in murder of a large group of Bosnian civilians, as well as in the unlawful detention of Bosnian civilians in the concentration camp located in the settlement of Mahala in the western Bosnian town of Sanski Most.
Today, 1 October, the trial continues in the case of Serbian war criminals Zdravko Bozic, Mladen Blagojevic, Zeljko Zaric and Zoran Zivanovic, charged with crimes against humanity committed in the eastern Bosnian town of Bratunac in 1995.
On the same day and also on Tuesday, 2 October, the prosecution will continue presenting evidence against Croatian war criminals Zdravko Mihaljevic, a former member of the Croatian aggressor's formations, who is charged with war crimes committed in the Bosnian village of Tulice near Kiseljak.
Also on Tuesday, the trial before the Bosnian State Court continues in the case of Serbian war criminals Mitar Rasevic and Savo Todovic, charged with crimes committed in Foca detention camp.
Two more witnesses will appear at the trial of Zijad Kurtovic on 4 October. The former commander of a military police squad with the Bosnian Army is charged with having maltreated 20 Croatian aggressor's soldiers detained in Donja Dreznica near Jablanica in 1993.
The prosecution evidence presentation process in the case of Sefik Alic,a former member of the Bosnian Army charged with killings of four captured Serbian aggressor's soldiers in 1995 is due to continue on Tuesday, 2 October.
The defence teams of the 11 Serbian war criminals charged with genocide committed in the eastern Bosnian village of Kravica,near Srebrenica,are due to examine a total of nine witnesses before the Bosnian State Court at the hearings scheduled on 3 and 4 October.
On 3, 4 and 5 October the Bosnian State Prosecutor is due to present evidence against Serbian war criminals Zeljko Mejakic, Momcilo Gruban, Dusan Fustar and Dusko Knezevic, charged with having committed crimes in detention camps in the northern Bosnian city of Prijedor during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
POWER PRICE IS CONDITION FOR ALUMINIJ MOSTAR BIDS
MOSTAR, Bosnia (October 1,2007) - Three bidders for an 88 percent stake in Bosnia's sole aluminium plant, Aluminij Mostar, have conditioned their bids on cheap power supplies, a top privatisation official said.
The companies are Swiss-based commodities trader Glencore International AG in a consortium with a Croatian and local firm, Britain's En+ Group and Greek metals, energy and engineering group Mytilineos.
The minimum price for the stake, equally owned by the FBIH entity government and small shareholders, was set at 76.8 million Euros (108.7 million US Dollars).
"They link the price of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange with the electricity price," said Enes Ganic, the head of the FBIH entity privatisation agency.
"They also condition future investments and construction of a new plant with low power prices," he added.
Ganic said the conditions were unusual.
"We have guaranteed to secure them with needed quantities of electricity but not to supply them with cheap electricity.This is highly unusual," Ganic said.
He said the commission would review all bids by next Thursday, contact the bidders to determine if are sticking to their requests and then forward a report to the government.
"We had earlier decided to negotiate the price of power with the best bidder," Ganic said.
"But we have never considered a possibility of awarding Aluminij Mostar some privileged status in terms of power supply. The company is a qualified buyer and can purchase the power at a market price even abroad."
Ganic said the government would have the final say.
"Only government can make the decision on whether to annul the tender altogether or consider to subsidise Aluminij, if it decides that its privatisation is of strategic importance."
The companies are Swiss-based commodities trader Glencore International AG in a consortium with a Croatian and local firm, Britain's En+ Group and Greek metals, energy and engineering group Mytilineos.
The minimum price for the stake, equally owned by the FBIH entity government and small shareholders, was set at 76.8 million Euros (108.7 million US Dollars).
"They link the price of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange with the electricity price," said Enes Ganic, the head of the FBIH entity privatisation agency.
"They also condition future investments and construction of a new plant with low power prices," he added.
Ganic said the conditions were unusual.
"We have guaranteed to secure them with needed quantities of electricity but not to supply them with cheap electricity.This is highly unusual," Ganic said.
He said the commission would review all bids by next Thursday, contact the bidders to determine if are sticking to their requests and then forward a report to the government.
"We had earlier decided to negotiate the price of power with the best bidder," Ganic said.
"But we have never considered a possibility of awarding Aluminij Mostar some privileged status in terms of power supply. The company is a qualified buyer and can purchase the power at a market price even abroad."
Ganic said the government would have the final say.
"Only government can make the decision on whether to annul the tender altogether or consider to subsidise Aluminij, if it decides that its privatisation is of strategic importance."
IFC HELPS MOSTAR IMPROVE ITS BUSINESS ENVIROMENT
MOSTAR, Bosnia (October 1,2007) - The International Finance Corporation (IFC) , a member of the World Bank Group, has signed an agreement with the southern Bosnian city of Mostar , marking a joint commitment to improve the business enabling environment. With more than 100,000 inhabitants, Mostar is the economic center and the largest city in Herzegovina region.
Improving the business environment by simplifying administrative procedures and providing better services will help reduce the cost and risk of doing business. This will foster competitiveness in cities and municipalities and attract more foreign direct investment.
“We hope to reduce the administrative burden for doing business and attract new companies to Mostar, and IFC’s assistance in this effort is critical,” said Ljubo Beslic, Mayor of Mostar.
“We are pleased to work with Mayor Beslic and his team. Making administrative procedures simpler for businesses at the local level should help attract new investors to Bosnia and support private sector development,” said Pierre Guislain, IFC/World Bank Director for Investment Climate.
According to Margo Thomas, IFC Business Enabling Environment Manager and Regional Program Coordinator, IFC’s assistance will help reduce the cost of doing business in Mostar by streamlining business formalities and inspections procedures, as well as increase transparency.
Established in 1956,IFC promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries as a way to reduce poverty and improve people's lives.
IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is headquartered in Washington, DC. It shares the primary objective of all World Bank Group institutions: to improve the quality of the lives of people in its developing member countries.
Mostar is the second locality in Bosnia to be included in IFC’s subnational competitiveness project in the country.
Improving the business environment by simplifying administrative procedures and providing better services will help reduce the cost and risk of doing business. This will foster competitiveness in cities and municipalities and attract more foreign direct investment.
“We hope to reduce the administrative burden for doing business and attract new companies to Mostar, and IFC’s assistance in this effort is critical,” said Ljubo Beslic, Mayor of Mostar.
“We are pleased to work with Mayor Beslic and his team. Making administrative procedures simpler for businesses at the local level should help attract new investors to Bosnia and support private sector development,” said Pierre Guislain, IFC/World Bank Director for Investment Climate.
According to Margo Thomas, IFC Business Enabling Environment Manager and Regional Program Coordinator, IFC’s assistance will help reduce the cost of doing business in Mostar by streamlining business formalities and inspections procedures, as well as increase transparency.
Established in 1956,IFC promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries as a way to reduce poverty and improve people's lives.
IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is headquartered in Washington, DC. It shares the primary objective of all World Bank Group institutions: to improve the quality of the lives of people in its developing member countries.
Mostar is the second locality in Bosnia to be included in IFC’s subnational competitiveness project in the country.
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