SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 5,2007) – "We clearly cannot expect all political leaders in Bosnia to be focussed on the issue of police reform this week, but we expect this process to continue in the coming days," the Office of the International Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia (OHR) stated.
Spokesperson for the EU Special Representative Eldar Subasic said that Bosnia's politicians have shown readiness to make progress on finding a compromise and that it is now necessary to reach an agreement that is in accordance with the requirements of the EU and has necessary political support as soon as possible.
“We are today much closer to such an agreement that was the case recently. It would be a pity if we stopped now on half way”, Subasic said.
Friday, October 5, 2007
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DECREASED IN BOSNIA
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 5,2007) – Unemployment rate in Bosnia in July 2007 was 43,7 per cent, or per 0,5 per cent lower compared to June.
According to the analysis of the unemployment rates data made by the Bosnian Bureau for Work and Employment, there were 522.690 unemployed people registered in August, which is per 0,47 per cent lower compared to July.
47,89 per cent of the unemployed persons are women.Out of the total number of the unemployed registered persons in Bosnia, 3,68 per cent are with an university diploma.
According to the analysis of the unemployment rates data made by the Bosnian Bureau for Work and Employment, there were 522.690 unemployed people registered in August, which is per 0,47 per cent lower compared to July.
47,89 per cent of the unemployed persons are women.Out of the total number of the unemployed registered persons in Bosnia, 3,68 per cent are with an university diploma.
OMBUDSMAN VITOMIR POPOVIĆ CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO BOSNIAN OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTION'S REPUTATION
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 5,2007) – The Bosnian Human Rights Ombudsman Safet Pašić expressed regret over the behavior of his colleague Vitomir Popović towards a journalist and editor of Federal TV, for that act has caused considerable damage to the Bosnian Ombudsman institution.
Pašić told the press that words like “a bullet between your eyes” can come out of the mouth of anyone, especially from the mouth of a man performing the duty of ombudsman, whose main responsibility is protection of human rights and basic liberties of citizens.
Pašić added that a special weight to the act is the fact that Popović threatened media representatives.
”I hereby sincerely apologize to the journalist and editor threatened to and I hope that this will not endanger our concrete cooperation which had existed prior to this event”, Ombudsman Pašić said.
He emphasized that the institution of Ombudsman will still be at service to the citizens, although this act has caused considerable damage to their reputation.
Pašić told the press that words like “a bullet between your eyes” can come out of the mouth of anyone, especially from the mouth of a man performing the duty of ombudsman, whose main responsibility is protection of human rights and basic liberties of citizens.
Pašić added that a special weight to the act is the fact that Popović threatened media representatives.
”I hereby sincerely apologize to the journalist and editor threatened to and I hope that this will not endanger our concrete cooperation which had existed prior to this event”, Ombudsman Pašić said.
He emphasized that the institution of Ombudsman will still be at service to the citizens, although this act has caused considerable damage to their reputation.
SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION AGENCY TO INVEST 75 MILLION EUROS TO HELP RETURNEES IN BOSNIA
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 5,2007) – The Bosnian Minister of Human Rights and Refugees Safet Halilovic had a meeting with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency Director Anders Hedlund and this Swedish organization representative from Stockholm Eva Belfrage on the projects financed by this organization that are being implemented in Bosnia.
Belfrage stated that the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency representatives are satisfied with the cooperation with the Bosnian Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and that the projects related to the return process will end by the end of the year.
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency invested 28 million Euros in 2006 for the projects in Bosnia; about 75 million Euros are to be invested in the following three years.
”In the following period, we will focus on helping Bosnia in the stabilization and association processes. We will do so by supporting the institutional reforms”, Belfrage said and added that this Swedish organizcation is interested in helping the Bosnian Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees in development of the action plans for improvement of the Roma people’s position in the country, especially in the housing sector.
Halilovic thanked the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency representatives for the assistance they have been providing to Bosnia, especially the returnees and added that many important projects have been realized in cooperation between the Bosnian Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
It was emphasized at the meeting that the data base formation project will be completed by the end of the year. The database contains information on all the objects in Bosnia in need of a reconstruction.
This project will be implemented in 104 municipalities in Bosnia. They will all be able to use the database for the purpose of reconstructing the objects, Minister Halilovic said.
Belfrage stated that the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency representatives are satisfied with the cooperation with the Bosnian Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and that the projects related to the return process will end by the end of the year.
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency invested 28 million Euros in 2006 for the projects in Bosnia; about 75 million Euros are to be invested in the following three years.
”In the following period, we will focus on helping Bosnia in the stabilization and association processes. We will do so by supporting the institutional reforms”, Belfrage said and added that this Swedish organizcation is interested in helping the Bosnian Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees in development of the action plans for improvement of the Roma people’s position in the country, especially in the housing sector.
Halilovic thanked the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency representatives for the assistance they have been providing to Bosnia, especially the returnees and added that many important projects have been realized in cooperation between the Bosnian Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
It was emphasized at the meeting that the data base formation project will be completed by the end of the year. The database contains information on all the objects in Bosnia in need of a reconstruction.
This project will be implemented in 104 municipalities in Bosnia. They will all be able to use the database for the purpose of reconstructing the objects, Minister Halilovic said.
AN INVESTMENT CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN SREBRENICA ON NOVEMBER 6
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 5,2007) – The Bosnian Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic met with the International Community's High Representative’ Special Envoy for Srebrenica Clifford Bond in Sarajevo. They discussed political issues in Bosnia and the position of Srebrenica and its citizens.
Bond informed Komsic about activities on improving the social and economic development of Srebrenica municipality. He expressed satisfaction with the fact that domestic authorities and international organisations have given their support for development projects in the fields of infrastructure and social care.
They also discussed ways to find systematic and practical solutions for greater security, economic recovery and the improvement of living conditions in this area.
Bond announced that an investment conference will be held in Srebrenica on November 6 and that it will assess initiative for the development of business opportunities in this municipality, the Bosnian Presidency stated.
Bond informed Komsic about activities on improving the social and economic development of Srebrenica municipality. He expressed satisfaction with the fact that domestic authorities and international organisations have given their support for development projects in the fields of infrastructure and social care.
They also discussed ways to find systematic and practical solutions for greater security, economic recovery and the improvement of living conditions in this area.
Bond announced that an investment conference will be held in Srebrenica on November 6 and that it will assess initiative for the development of business opportunities in this municipality, the Bosnian Presidency stated.
GERMAN MEMBERS OF EUFOR MISSION TO LEAVE BOSNIA IN NOVEMBER
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 5,2007) - Brigadier Friedhelm Tranapp took the command over German troops in the European Union forces in Bosnia (EUFOR). The previous commander was Brigadier Rudolf Giegeling.
The official ceremony which also marked the transfer of 8th to 9th contingent occurred at the Rajlovac camp on the German Unification Day, celebrated as a national holiday on October 3. It symbolizes the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
German Ambassador to Bosnia greeted the participants of the ceremony and emphasized the importance of the EUFOR mission to Bosnia.
”This country has not arrived yet to the place we want it to be”, Ambassador Schmunk said.
The German Ambassador expressed readiness of his country to continue to support Bosnia and emphasized the progress achieved after the unification of Germany. He said it has been a successful period of development in which his country managed to become an equal partner at the European Union of states.
Brigadier Giegeling stated that the German soldiers have been participating at the international missions for over 15 years and that the stability achieved in Bosnia has resulted in a significant decrease of the number of troops, in accordance with the new operative military concept entitled the Minimum Military Presence.
He said that the 9th contingent is to finish the activities of Bunderwehr military equipment retreat and that the Rajlovac base could be brought back to the jurisdiction of Bosnia and its Armed Forces.
The 8th contingent received the words of congratulations by the Head of the Operative Troops in Bosnia, Colonel General Karlheinz Viereck, who awarded the previous commander Brigadier Giegeling.
The highest EUFOR officials and representatives of the International Community as well as the members of Bosnian diplomatic chorus attended the ceremony.
Commander of the 9th contingent Brigadier Friedhelm Tranapp was born in 1963 in Sterbur (Esen) and served as a personal officer at the Bundeswehr Headquarters and Head of the Operation Command of German Army’s Air Force.
The official ceremony which also marked the transfer of 8th to 9th contingent occurred at the Rajlovac camp on the German Unification Day, celebrated as a national holiday on October 3. It symbolizes the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
German Ambassador to Bosnia greeted the participants of the ceremony and emphasized the importance of the EUFOR mission to Bosnia.
”This country has not arrived yet to the place we want it to be”, Ambassador Schmunk said.
The German Ambassador expressed readiness of his country to continue to support Bosnia and emphasized the progress achieved after the unification of Germany. He said it has been a successful period of development in which his country managed to become an equal partner at the European Union of states.
Brigadier Giegeling stated that the German soldiers have been participating at the international missions for over 15 years and that the stability achieved in Bosnia has resulted in a significant decrease of the number of troops, in accordance with the new operative military concept entitled the Minimum Military Presence.
He said that the 9th contingent is to finish the activities of Bunderwehr military equipment retreat and that the Rajlovac base could be brought back to the jurisdiction of Bosnia and its Armed Forces.
The 8th contingent received the words of congratulations by the Head of the Operative Troops in Bosnia, Colonel General Karlheinz Viereck, who awarded the previous commander Brigadier Giegeling.
The highest EUFOR officials and representatives of the International Community as well as the members of Bosnian diplomatic chorus attended the ceremony.
Commander of the 9th contingent Brigadier Friedhelm Tranapp was born in 1963 in Sterbur (Esen) and served as a personal officer at the Bundeswehr Headquarters and Head of the Operation Command of German Army’s Air Force.
EU COMMISSIONER FOR SCIENCE AND RESEARCH WORK JANEZ POTOČNIK VISITS BOSNIA
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 5,2007) – The EU Commissioner for Science and Research Work Janez Potočnik arrived yesterday in a two-day visit to Bosnia.
Potočnik will meet with Bosnian officials to discuss the EU perspective of Bosnia and cooperation between Bosnia and the EU in the fields of science and scientific research.
The meeting with representatives of the academic and scientific community, universities, research centres, industry and small and medium companies will discuss cooperation between the EU and Bosnia in scientific research, especially research as a tool of integration, forms of transferring knowledge, accession of Bosnia to Framework Program 7 (FP7) and the role the academic community and other relevant participants in that process can play.
FP7 is the chief instrument through which the EU provides funds for scientific research and development activities in almost all fields of science.
FP7 has a budget of more than 50.5 billion Euros for 2007-2013.
Accession to FP7 will allow Bosnia to get funds for financing scientific research cooperation at the EU level and to initiate mobility of Bosnian researchers to EU countries.
This will strengthen the capacities of Bosnia in the field of scientific research and open the possibility of cooperation with the Joint Research Centre, the European Commission research organisation, which has specific programs for supporting EU enlargement.
Potočnik will meet with Bosnian officials to discuss the EU perspective of Bosnia and cooperation between Bosnia and the EU in the fields of science and scientific research.
The meeting with representatives of the academic and scientific community, universities, research centres, industry and small and medium companies will discuss cooperation between the EU and Bosnia in scientific research, especially research as a tool of integration, forms of transferring knowledge, accession of Bosnia to Framework Program 7 (FP7) and the role the academic community and other relevant participants in that process can play.
FP7 is the chief instrument through which the EU provides funds for scientific research and development activities in almost all fields of science.
FP7 has a budget of more than 50.5 billion Euros for 2007-2013.
Accession to FP7 will allow Bosnia to get funds for financing scientific research cooperation at the EU level and to initiate mobility of Bosnian researchers to EU countries.
This will strengthen the capacities of Bosnia in the field of scientific research and open the possibility of cooperation with the Joint Research Centre, the European Commission research organisation, which has specific programs for supporting EU enlargement.
DEEP PURPLE TO HAVE CONCERT IN SARAJEVO ON NOVEMBER 3
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 5,2007) – As a part of their “Rapture Of The Deep World Tour”, one of the most significant heavy metal and rock groups in history, Deep Purple, will have a concert November 3 in Sarajevo. This will be their first visit to Bosnia.
Many generations grew up listening to their music. They will be celebrating 4 decades of work next year. The band has sold over 100 million copies of their albums and is a part of the rock music anthology.
The “Rapture of the Deep” album was published in late 2005. They will come to Sarajevo carrying full equipment, so expectations for a huge music spectacle are high.
Tickets will be sold at prices of 30 Bosnian Marks. The box offices will open soon.
Many generations grew up listening to their music. They will be celebrating 4 decades of work next year. The band has sold over 100 million copies of their albums and is a part of the rock music anthology.
The “Rapture of the Deep” album was published in late 2005. They will come to Sarajevo carrying full equipment, so expectations for a huge music spectacle are high.
Tickets will be sold at prices of 30 Bosnian Marks. The box offices will open soon.
30 YEARS OF TOWN TWINNING BETWEEN SARAJEVO AND MAGDEBURG CELEBRATED
MAGDEBURG, Germany (October 5,2007) – On the occasion of marking the 30th anniversary of town-twinning between Sarajevo (the Bosnian capital) and Magdeburg (Germany), the Mayor of Sarajevo Semiha Borovac and representatives of the City Council are in a visit to this German town, and are guests to the Mayor of Magdeburg Lutz Trűmper.
The City of Sarajevo representatives have attended in the past two days numerous manifestations organized to mark the town twinning anniversary and to celebrate the German Unification Holiday.
Trűmper welcomed the Mayor of Sarajevo and had a meeting with her. The two officials exchanged opinions on the past cooperation and talked about the intensification of the future cooperation between the two cities.
At the “Otto Von Guericke” hall at the City Council, Mayor Borovac addressed the Mayor and Magdeburg city officials.
Borovac stated that Sarajevo and Bosnia want to become a part of the EU as soon as possible and that support of the cities and friends like Magdeburg is needed.
”We want to build a better future in Europe, together with other European cities”, Borovac said.
Mayor Trűmper emphasized that Magdeburg recognizes the place and the role of the City of Sarajevo in the EU. He added that Magdeburg will fully support Bosnia in the process.
Mayor again thanked the City of Magdeburg for all the help they provided for the citizens of Sarajevo during and after the 1992-1995 Serbian,Montenegrin and Croatian aggressions against Bosnia.
The City of Sarajevo representatives have attended in the past two days numerous manifestations organized to mark the town twinning anniversary and to celebrate the German Unification Holiday.
Trűmper welcomed the Mayor of Sarajevo and had a meeting with her. The two officials exchanged opinions on the past cooperation and talked about the intensification of the future cooperation between the two cities.
At the “Otto Von Guericke” hall at the City Council, Mayor Borovac addressed the Mayor and Magdeburg city officials.
Borovac stated that Sarajevo and Bosnia want to become a part of the EU as soon as possible and that support of the cities and friends like Magdeburg is needed.
”We want to build a better future in Europe, together with other European cities”, Borovac said.
Mayor Trűmper emphasized that Magdeburg recognizes the place and the role of the City of Sarajevo in the EU. He added that Magdeburg will fully support Bosnia in the process.
Mayor again thanked the City of Magdeburg for all the help they provided for the citizens of Sarajevo during and after the 1992-1995 Serbian,Montenegrin and Croatian aggressions against Bosnia.
BOSNIAN FRANCISCANS AND OTHER VICTIMS OF COMMUNIST CRIMES FOUND IN MASS GRAVE AT ZAGVOZD TO BE BURIED ON OCTOBER 7 AND 9
ŠIROKI BRIJEG, Bosnia (October 5,2007) – The burial of 18 Bosnian Franciscans, victims of crime committed during World War II and in the post-war period by the Communists, which were found in a mass grave at Zagvozd in April 2005, will be organised at that place and at Široki Brijeg – fra Mijo Jozić said.
The three identified Franciscans – fra Melhior Prlić, fra Zdenko Zubac and fra Julijan Kožul – will be buried at Široki Brijeg on October 9, while the remaining 15 unidentified bodies will be buried at Zagvozd on October 7.
The funeral of the identified Franciscans will be led by the General of the Franciscan Order, fra José Rodríguez Carballo. They will be buried in the monastery church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary next to the remains of 12 other brethren killed at Široki Brijeg and 6 brethren killed at Mostarski Gradac in 1945.
To sum up, a total of 66 Bosnian Franciscans were killed by the Communists during World War II and in the post-war period. So far only 30 bodies have been found.
The three identified Franciscans – fra Melhior Prlić, fra Zdenko Zubac and fra Julijan Kožul – will be buried at Široki Brijeg on October 9, while the remaining 15 unidentified bodies will be buried at Zagvozd on October 7.
The funeral of the identified Franciscans will be led by the General of the Franciscan Order, fra José Rodríguez Carballo. They will be buried in the monastery church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary next to the remains of 12 other brethren killed at Široki Brijeg and 6 brethren killed at Mostarski Gradac in 1945.
To sum up, a total of 66 Bosnian Franciscans were killed by the Communists during World War II and in the post-war period. So far only 30 bodies have been found.
SERBIAN WAR CRIMINAL RATKO MASLENJAK TRIED IN UNITED STATES
AKRON, USA (October 5,2007) - Guilty verdicts were returned against Serbian war criminal Ratko Maslenjak,currently living in Akron,USA, accused of making false statements on US immigration documents, Gregory A. White, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, said.
The jury convicted Serbian war criminal Ratko Maslenjak, 48, of 2783 Old Home Road, after a five-day trial in the courtroom of U.S. District Court Judge Solomon Oliver Jr., White said in a press release.
The evidence presented during the trial revealed that Maslenjak failed to disclose on two immigration documents the fact that he had served as an officer in the genocidal paramilitary formations of the Serbians living in Bosnia (VRS), during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
His failure to list that fact affected the decisions of U.S. immigration officials in first allowing Serbian war criminal Maslenjak to achieve refugee status and later permanent resident alien status, the release said.
An investigation conducted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Republic of Yugoslavia into allegations that the paramilitary forces of the Serbians living in Bosnia (VRS) was involved in acts of genocide and persecution against Bosnian civilians in Srebrenica in July of 1995 resulted in the seizure of the VRS military records, the release said.
Those records indicated that Maslenjak's brigade had been part of those operations in which units of the paramilitary forces of the Serbians living in Bosnia (VRS) committed genocide.
A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered and sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2008.
Identifying and removing persecutors and human rights violators from the United States is one of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's top enforcement programs.
To achieve this goal, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) created its Human Rights Violators Unit, with a specific mandate to deny safe haven to human rights violators by bringing to bear a full range of investigative techniques and legal authorities to identify, locate, investigate and remove them from the United States. ICE has currently identified more than 800 cases from 85 countries involving suspected human rights violators.
ICE encourages the public to provide any information they may have regarding human rights abusers living in the United States. In the United States anonymous tips may be reported at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423).
The jury convicted Serbian war criminal Ratko Maslenjak, 48, of 2783 Old Home Road, after a five-day trial in the courtroom of U.S. District Court Judge Solomon Oliver Jr., White said in a press release.
The evidence presented during the trial revealed that Maslenjak failed to disclose on two immigration documents the fact that he had served as an officer in the genocidal paramilitary formations of the Serbians living in Bosnia (VRS), during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
His failure to list that fact affected the decisions of U.S. immigration officials in first allowing Serbian war criminal Maslenjak to achieve refugee status and later permanent resident alien status, the release said.
An investigation conducted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Republic of Yugoslavia into allegations that the paramilitary forces of the Serbians living in Bosnia (VRS) was involved in acts of genocide and persecution against Bosnian civilians in Srebrenica in July of 1995 resulted in the seizure of the VRS military records, the release said.
Those records indicated that Maslenjak's brigade had been part of those operations in which units of the paramilitary forces of the Serbians living in Bosnia (VRS) committed genocide.
A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered and sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2008.
Identifying and removing persecutors and human rights violators from the United States is one of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's top enforcement programs.
To achieve this goal, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) created its Human Rights Violators Unit, with a specific mandate to deny safe haven to human rights violators by bringing to bear a full range of investigative techniques and legal authorities to identify, locate, investigate and remove them from the United States. ICE has currently identified more than 800 cases from 85 countries involving suspected human rights violators.
ICE encourages the public to provide any information they may have regarding human rights abusers living in the United States. In the United States anonymous tips may be reported at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
