BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ŽELJKO KOMŠIĆ VISITS MONTENEGRO

PODGORICA, Montenegro (December 12,2007) - The Bosnian President Željko Komšić is visiting Montenegro, where he met with the highest officials of Montenegro and officially opened the Bosnian Embassy in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica.

His stay in Podgorica President Komšić used for separate meetings with the Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović, the Montenegrin Prime Minister Željko Šturanović and the Montenegrin Assembly President Ranko Krivokapić.

The Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović congratulated the Bosnian citizens on initialing the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union, wishing Bosnia to sign it as soon as possible.

They stated the high level of understanding and friendship between the two countries’ peoples as well as the fact that there are no open issue between Bosnia and Montenegro.

They underlined the need for accelerating the negotiations in relation to the railroad transport enhancement, especially Čapljina-Nikšić line, and in that sense, for the meeting between the competent ministers and directors of the Bosnian and Montenegrin railroads.

They also emphasized that during the next meeting that should be held in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, as a confirmation of that high level of understanding, the Agreement on Borders should also be signed, because it is the topic without any problematic issues.

The Bosnian and Montenegrinn presidents agreed that it is necessary to continue the talks and the cooperation between other state organs as well, which could contribute to the solving of the joint interests and their enhancement, as internally, as well as toward the EU.

The Bosnian President Komšić invited the Montenegrin President Vujanović to visit Bosnia, which he gladly accepted.

Talking with Montenegrin Prime Minister Šturanović they also stated the high level of congruence in understanding the situation in which the economy and the executive organs of both of the countries. They noticed the possibilities for further relation enhancement, especially in the field of energy, the development of Sarajevo-Foča-Šćepan polje-Nikšić-Podgorica road lines and connecting the Bosnian economy with the Port of Bar in Montenegro.

They also talked about other issues of economic significance for the both countries, and suggested the possibility of an agreement between the both countries’ competent ministries. In that sense, the Montenegrin Prime Minister was invited to visit Bosnia, which Šturanović accepted.

On that occasion, Šturanović informed the Bosnian President that the Montenegrin Government would donate 100.000 Euros for the school and the clinic reconstruction in Luke village in Srebrenica.

Talking with Montenegrin Assembly President Krivokapić,the Bosnian President Željko Komšić exchanged views on the Assembly’s work and on the role of the politicians in realizing the multiethnic and religious relations, as a possible example for successful connection, within the country and with the countries in the region. Considering the rich experience of Krivokapić and his positive approach to these problems and the evident results in his country, were the reason for President Komšić to invite Krivokapić in a friendly visit to Bosnia.

The Bosnian State Delegation’s visit to Montenegro, led by President Komšić, was assessed positively and would surely contribute to the understanding and the better cooperation of the both countries’ peoples and their path to NATO and EU.

SIPA SUSPENDED TWO MORE OFFICIALS

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (December 11,2007) - An investigation conducted by the Bosnian State Prosecutor has led to two more members of the Bosnian State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) being suspended.

The executive director of the Bosnian State Investigation and Protection Agency, Sead Lisak, has suspended two more officials who are under investigation for war crimes.

According to an official announcement issued by SIPA, the suspended policemen's initials are S.D. and S.S. The Bosnian State Prosecutor suspects they committed crimes against humanity and is conducting an investigation into their activities.

After SIPA's first instance disciplinary commission had opened proceedings against the two officials, a decision was made to suspend them. The decision took effect on "December 11 and it will be in force until the end of the investigation or criminal proceeding".

On Friday, December 7,a Bosnian citizen of Serbian origin,Milenko Tepavcevic, Chief of Section for Security of Persons and Property, was suspended due to an investigation opened by the Bosnian State Prosecutor, which considers that he committed war crime against the Bosnian civilians during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.

Tepavcevic is suspected of having participated in the murder of 42 Bosnian civilians in April 1992. Their bodies were discovered in a mass grave in 2007.

EU FOREIGN MINISTERS WELCOMED LATEST POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN BOSNIA

BRUSSELS, Belgium (December 12,2007) - EU Foreign Affairs Ministers yesterday welcomed the latest positive developments in Bosnia, including the renewed commitment to police reform.

However, they also reiterated their concern over the political situation in Bosnia and slowdown in reform process over the last year.

EU Foreign Ministers said that it is the responsibility of the political leaders to ensure the full functioning of the Bosnian state institutions and to advance reforms which are essential for Bosnia to move forward and assume full ownership of its governance.

The key message for Bosnia's leaders is that EU Foreign Ministers are ready to sign a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Bosnia as soon as the four conditions are met. This includes police reform that meets the three EU principles as is set out in the Mostar Declaration and Action Plan on Police Reform, the completion of the public broadcast service reform, cooperation with ICTY and public administration reform.

In this regard today’s meeting organized by the leaders of the parties that make up the governing coalition is of real importance.

Practice has shown that when parliamentary party leaders sit down in the right forum to talk about concrete reforms a positive outcome is possible.

The International Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia welcomed these meetings as a structured mechanism by all coalition partners to co-ordinate their reform efforts, and find a compromise to secure a common view and a shared interest.

These meetings provide a vehicle for Bosnia’s political leaders to rebuild public confidence and generate a positive political atmosphere. Importantly, they present a real opportunity to address the requirements for EU integration.

TWO BOSNIAN MINERS KILLED IN COAL MINE ACCIDENT NEAR ZENICA

ZENICA, Bosnia (December 12,2007) - Two miners were killed yesterday when they were buried by coal waste in a mine in central Bosnia, Bosnian police said.

It was immediately unclear how the waste coals came loose and poured over the men in the Stara Jama mining pit, near the city of Zenica. The Bosnian authorities were investigating.

Mine manager Merhun Arnaut identified the two workers as Samir Cajlakovic, 37, and Muris Pipo, 33.Rescuers have reached the body of Cajlakovic, but were still searching through the coals for Pipo's body, Arnaut was quoted as saying.

The last major accident in the Zenica coal mine occurred in 1982, when a methane blast killed 39 Bosnian miners.