Tuesday, November 18, 2008

BOSNIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ANA TRISIC BABIC MET WITH IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MANOUCHEHR MOTTAKI

TEHRAN, Iran (November 18,2008) - The Iranian Foreign Minister criticized today certain influential members of the European Union for imposing ideas on other European countries saying the behavior is against democracy and freedom.

Manouchehr Mottaki meeting with the Bosnian Deputy Foreign Minister Ana Trisic Babic, in Tehran said the unity among EU members is a normal issue but imposing ideas by certain major members does not accord with democracy and freedom.

Iran and Bosnia interactions are not against any country he noted and added Iran is prepared to enlarge trade cooperation in order to promote bilateral ties.

Mottaki also denounced the U.S. double standard policies regarding fragmentation of countries or others’ territorial integrity and continued “this approach in addition to Washington’s other mistakes has led to the country’s foreign policy failure.”

Ana Trisic Babic on her part said the visit is aimed at promoting bilateral economic ties between Bosnia and Iran.

She also added the level of economic relations does not accord bilateral political interactions and thus must be raised.
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BOSNIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ANA TRISIC BABIC VISITS IRAN

TEHRAN, Iran (November 18,2008) - The Bosnian Deputy Foreign Minister Ana Trisic Babic met and conferred yesterday in Tehran with Head of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi.

Boroujerdi expressed satisfaction over the establishment of peace and security in Bosnia that has provided an appropriate ground for development and advancement of the country and improvement of the Bosnia's economic status, announcing Iran's readiness and will for expansion of political, social and economic relations with Bosnia.

Referring to the outstanding roles played by the parliaments in elimination of the obstacles in the way of the countries' cooperation, he said, "The two countries' parliamentary officials should therefore continually exchange ideas and have regular meetings."

The head of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission referring to Iran's nuclear profile, said that our country is determined to continue its nuclear activities within the framework of the NPT regulations and will not yield to any concession regarding its absolute rights, adding that Iran is meanwhile ready for continuation of negotiations, as the sole existing way for solving the dispute with the West.

He also one again stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran is strongly opposed to manufacturing nuclear weapons, adding, "We do our best in line with the annihilation of the entire atomic bombs around the world."

He then referred to the ongoing economic crisis in the United States, expressing worry over the expansion of its dimensions to the European countries, adding, "We hope the dimensions of such crises would not expand very noticeably."

Boroujerdi meanwhile announced the Iranian officials' readiness for joining efforts aimed at controlling the negative effects of a potential international economic crisis.

He reiterated, "The current economic crisis is the result of the inappropriate militaristic approach adopted by the White House officials during the years of the past decade."

The Bosnian Deputy Foreign Minister, too, in her part stressed the importance of maintaining optimum relations with Iran, asking for stronger bilateral economic ties between Bosnia and Iran.

She expressed hope that the two countries' comprehensive cooperation, particularly in economic field, would grow constantly.

Babic added, "There are lots of commonalities between Iran and Bosnia that can serve as the basis for the expansion of ties and the two countries' top officials are fortunately well aware of this fact."
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TURKISH HEALTH MINISTER RECEP AKDAG TO VISIT BOSNIA

ANKARA, Turkey (November 18,2008) - The Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag will visit Bosnia upon invitation from the Bosnian Civil Affairs Minister, the statement released by his ministry said today.

Turkish Health Minister will travel to Bosnia on Wednesday, an official statement has said.

Minister Akdag is expected to return to Turkey on November 21.
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TWO SERBIAN WAR CRIMINALS ARRESTED IN BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (November 18,2008) - Bosnian police today arrested two Serbian war criminals suspected of torturing and murdering Bosnian civilians during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia,the Bosnian State Court said.

Serbian war criminals Soniboj Skiljevic and Radoje Lalovic are suspected of "unlawful detention, torture, inhumane treatment, causing serious bodily harm, murder and forced labor" at the Kula concentration camp, prosecutors said.

Before the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia, the Kula prison was for petty criminals, but in April 1992, the genocidal Serbian fascist aggressor turned it into a detention facility for thousands of Bosnian civilians.

The crimes were committed from May 1992 to December 1995, the prosecutors of the Bosnian State Court of Bosnia said in a statement.

The two Serbian war criminals were arrested in Sarajevo and in the northeastern Bosnian town of Bijeljina, respectively.

Before Bosnia's 1992-1995 war, the Kula prison was for petty criminals, but when the fighting broke out in April 1992, Serb forces turned it into a detention facility for thousands of Croats and Muslims.

Some 10,000 Bosnian civilians passed through the Kula concentration camp during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia, according to the U.N. war crimes tribunal for ex-Yugoslavia.
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BOSNIAN STATE BUDGET TO INCREASE BY 237 MILLION BOSNIAN MARKS IN 2009

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (November 18,2008) - The Bosnian Ministry of Defence will have 384 million Bosnian Marks at its disposal in the following year, which is 59 million Bosnian Marks more compared to 2008, according to a budget draft adopted at the last meeting of the Bosnian Council of Ministers.

17 million Bosnian Marks more has been earmarked for the Bosnian Tax Administration, around 15 million Bosnian Marks more for the Bosnian State Investigation and Protection Agency and around 10 million Bosnian Marks for the border police.

However, these figures are smaller than initially planned. According to the draft adopted, the Bosnian state budget will increase by 237 million Bosnian Marks in 2009.
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