Highlights

• How Headlines Tell It In The Press • Dani’s Emir Imamovic - Remote Control - Bih Journalists • ‘The Real Truth’ - Srpska Television’s Version And The Government • • Local Heroes in Tuzla See insert - Srpska Radio-Tv Special - ‘DIGGING IN THE WOUND’

A review of the B&H media published by Media Plan and the Institute for War & Peace Reporting Volume 3 • Issue 4 Monitoring Report August 23 1997 ‘ THE RAVENING HOUND OF PALE’ Oslobodjenje headline for a story of a dog biting a woman (13/8).

‘The Bloodthirsty Dog of Pale’ (13/8) the city where his conference with not yet been condemned as a war was how another Sarajevo daily, Vecernje Croatia’s President Tudjman took place criminal by any court). Novine headlined the same story about a (Vecernje Novine, 5/8). ‘Izetbegovic Is My Commentary sometimes plays to the dog who bit a female (Serb) journalist in President Too’ (Dnevni Avaz, 16/8) was a readership gallery. Oslobodjenje (6/8) wrote, Pale. Since dogs bite people everywhere, coloured interpretation of Vladimir Soljic on the reconstitution of the BiH the only interest the Sarajevo press could (Deputy President of the Federation)’s embassies, of ‘the diplomats that will have felt in the story was the opportunity statement that he accepts the authority of (unfortunately) be appointed by Pale and it offered for a good headline. the BiH Presidency. ‘The Ring Waits for ’. the Beast’ (Vecernje Novine 12/8), This underlines a problem for the described provisional arrangements Identification of quotes is not always daily press: the SFOR troops have made for the event of satisfactory. Oslobodjenje used emotional difficult art of headlines. Too often, intercepting former RS president Dr quotes supposed to be from a Zdruzena journalists or editors seem tempted to Radovan Karadzic. Lista ’97 (an opposition coalition party) make a good story out of their headline, meeting, without any identifiers: ‘The even if there is nothing in the text to ‘Never Again Independent’ (Dnevni leaders of the SDA are gathering in Tuzla justify it. ‘Human Rights Watch Accuses Avaz, 13/8) titled what was simply a list and combining in order to throw down the SDA’ (Dnevni Avaz, 9/8) titled a story of independent candidates for the local Beslagic (the local mayor), while the on the Helsinki Committee’s report on elections in .‘Tuzla Takes Abdest’ HDZ leaders spread themselves harassment of opposition parties - the (meaning ritual Islamic purification rites) throughout BiH over the weekend. What report did not in fact accuse the SDA. was an article on the need to wash the do they care for threats to peace?’ (5/8) Oslobodjenje (7/8) headline: ‘The Helsinki city. Committee for BiH: Politics Behind the Absence of identification sometimes Dnevni Avaz (12/8) wrote that Bihac Backs of the Homeless’ gave the looks like a research failure: Dnevni Avaz businessman Fikret Abdic should not be impression of being a direct quote by the (17/8) had a picture of one of two allowed to enter party politics: ‘OSCE committee. killed in the village of Laze, by Puts Pressure On Our Police To Guard local Serbs. The caption was ‘One of the ‘Izetbegovic Not Permitted in Split’ The Posters Of The Parties Of War Two Killed’ with no names or other suggests that the president Alija Criminals’.(Aside from the question of identifiers for either of the two. Izetbegovic was physically excluded from whose police are ‘our’ police, Abdic has

MONITORING REPORT, AUGUST 23, 1997 2

Like the electronic media (Studio 99 The Sarajevo daily press, compared and TV BiH follow the same pattern in with their counterparts in the Republika MONITORING REPORT their newscasts), the Sarajevo press Srpska, or with the newscasts of the Published by the sometimes show an inclination to focus electronic media, contain a much higher Institute for War & Peace Reporting and particularly on one political personality. proportion of genuinely investigative Media Plan This personality is, in general, co- reporting, as opposed to news agency president of the Council of Ministers, items. daily Dnevne Nezavisne Project Director: Zlatko Dizdarevic Haris Silajdzic. During the monitored Novine, and the RS official daily Glas Editorial Team: Zlatko Dizdarevic, Aleksandra Scepanovic & Marina Bowder period, Silajdzic was mentioned, mostly in Srpski, particularly the latter, make heavy Monitoring Team: MEDIA PLAN a positive, other wise a neutral context, 16 use of the RS state news agency SRNA. times by Oslobodjenje, (ahead of even Moreover, neither can be called impartial: IWPR is an independent conflict- President Izetbegovic, and well ahead of DNN is a strong supporter of President monitoring and media-support charity his fellow co-president, Boro Bosic). Biljana Plavsic, and parties who have working to inform the international debate Dnevni Avaz carried him eight times, all in sided with her, while Glas Srpski is on conflict and provide a platform and other support for voices of moderation caught in a positive context, usually because quotes unashamedly pro-SDS, and the Pale conflict. from his speeches were used as leadership. As regards headlines, ‘Muslims commentary. Vecernje Novine went even Mess the Procedure’ (for returns to further - almost the only politicians to be Brcko) is a fairly typical example of a Glas mentioned in a positive context at all Srpski title (8/8). were President Alija Izetbegovic, Premier Edhem Bicakcic and Haris Silajdzic. (The NOT EVEN A DOG’S Media Plan is an independent organisation exception was Vladimir Soljic, who was ‘ monitoring, training and developing the mentioned once, positively). SKELETON WAS FOUND’ Bosnian media.

On the other hand, the Sarajevo press (Srpska Television on the contents of the mass are willing to carry stories and headlines graves near Srebrenica) MEDIA PLAN which allow other nationalities a point of view, or show them in a sympathetic Srpska Radio-Television continued, in light. Dnevni Avaz carried (6/8) a message the monitored period, to use quotes by about property rights from Catholic politicians to convey resentment of the Monitoring Report is free of charge, and international community, but returned to reprinting with credit is encouraged. IWPR (Franciscan) Fra Petar Andjelovic, known and Media Plan gratefully acknowledge the in his pastoral region, central Bosnia, for padding this out with its own support of the Swedish International tolerance and broad views. In the same commentary. (This grew increasingly Development and Cooperation Agency number was a headline ‘The Croats of uninhibited with the August 20 (SIDA) for support for this project. Other Ozimic Protect Their Neighbours.’ This imposition of the NATO protectorate on media training, development and research was a story of how Croats in a village near the RS police, as Monitoring Report’s Special projects carried out by Media Plan and Insert ‘DIGGING IN THE WOUND’ IWPR in Bosnia are supported by the Zepce, better known for serious tensions European Union, US Information Agency, between Bosniaks and Croats, defended will show.) National Endowment for Democracy and their Bosniak neigbours from One presenter in particular stood out - Winston Foundation for World Peace. harrassment by Croat extremists. Marinko Ucur. He was responsible for

An interesting way to assess the some of the most graphic word-paintings Bosnia: reputation the Sarajevo press have away of a world conspiracy against Serbs, and, Obala Kulina bana 4/I, 71000 Sarajevo, tel/fax: from home and among non-Bosniak on August 11, told viewers ‘the real truth (387 71) 667 734/5 readers is to examine the number of about the conduct of the Omarska and E-mail: times they are used for commentary and Trnopolje camps’. He had noticed, ‘The [email protected] figures of raped Muslim women rise from [email protected] source-material, particularly by Croat media. Slobodna Dalmacija felt that Vecernje day to day, and there is no trace of ..a Novine’s headline of ‘Thin Results’ witness of the crimes. According to UK: (referring to the Split summit between natural consequences...by now, from Lancaster House, 33 Islington High St., London presidents Tudjman and Izetbegovic) was several tens of thousands of raped N1 9LH more accurate than Oslobodjenje’s slightly Muslim women at least half that number E-mail: [email protected] of children should have been born. rosier account. Significantly, the accounts of both Sarajevo papers were cited as However, such a natural rise in the birth- US: evidence that official (specifically SDA) rate has not been recorded. The hunt for Box 2617, New York, NY 10185, optimism about the meeting was false. Serb crimes has also been influenced by tel: (1 212) 688-1451, fax: (1 212) 371-4054 This suggests a tacit acknowledgement by the so-called mass graves, in which who E-mail: [email protected] Slobodna Dalmacija of the independence of knows how many Muslims are buried…when the ground around at least these two members of the For back issues and other information, visit Sarajevo press (6/5). (Radio and Srebrenica was dug, in the unsuccessful our Web site: Television Herceg-Bosna, and Croatia search for Muslim bodies..not even a http:/www.demon.co.uk/iwpr/iwpr.htm TV Mostar also quoted ‘the Muslim dog’s skeleton was found.’ media’ on the summit.)

MONITORING REPORT, AUGUST 23, 1997 3

He continued ‘Like cream on the (the other being Ratko Mladic). The several reporters there, this is one of media satanization of Serbs came the presenter issued a call ‘to gather to the several new steps for TV BiH. Another formation of the International court for idea in which we moved, the unity of the step noted in the monitored period was war crimes, in which the ratio of accused Serb people.’ (9/8). the relaying of SDS critique - made was 10 to 1, to the disadvantage of Serbs. against Federation foreign minister Meanwhile, every night before the Thanks to this lawful institution the Jadranko Prlic, who stated that Banja main newscast ‘Novosti’, for over a leaders and heroes of the Serb nation Luka is of strategic interest to Croats fortnight, the anti-Hague and pro- Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic (15/8). Karadzic book of Kosta Cavoski. ‘The have become the most hounded figures Hague Versus the Law’ has been Like Srpska Television and its ‘Party in recent European history.’ promoted. Chronicle’, TV BiH has begun to give Next day he was back: ‘The regular 10 minute representations of representatives of the international BRCKO BREWING political parties. Unlike the ‘Party community continue their pressure on Chronicle’s’ presenter, TV BiH allows the the RS.. reducing its police force.. to a party representatives to speak for dependent state, in relation to the SRT Radio Studio Brcko is still themselves, and the parties come on just members of SFOR and IPTF... In the refraining from commentary of its own, after the main news, instead of after the light of this today’s visit to Banja Luka by but the quotes to which it gives special late news. Most interesting was the the SFOR commander in chief Eric emphasis are increasingly menacing. appearance of a party from the RS - the Shinseki, and special delegate of the UN ‘Sadly we have to fight for Brcko Party of Federalists. Its president, Dragan general secretary Kai Eide, and although it is ours.’ (16/8) said the RS Djokanovic, said that he was appearing commissioner of IPTF Manfred Sajtner, Women’s Association. Mladen Bosic, on TV BiH, although his party was not should be interpreted. RS president Brcko SDS president spoke of ‘classic running in any Federation municipalities, Biljana Plavsic received them in the City pressure from the international as a sign of good faith, and to promote Hall.’(12/8). community against Serbs’ (8/8). the return of trust between the entities and nations. And the next day: ‘The representatives RS Army general General Vladimir of international organisations.. once again, Vrkes was relayed on August 11: ‘Serbs in Impartiality was also uppermost in at Pale today, showed their true faces. this area are surrounded by different Senad Hadzifejzovic’s report from Split Their statements proved that they do not pressures and we must fight and on the Tudjman-Izetbegovic conference, respect the official institutions of the RS, overcome them. The danger which lies and the TV BiH approach to the tense nor our state, officially recognised by before us is that the RS, by means of the issue of reconstituting the embassies. international agreement..And it cannot be voters lists will be drawn into a unitary But the TV BiH account of wondered at that the various international BiH.’ Holbrook’s meeting with the three organisations are spending their money SRT studio Brcko gave good coverage members of the BiH presidency was on mixing up directly in the internal to the ‘Cetnik organisation establishing handled rather oddly. The presenter affairs of the RS. They want to be judges itself in Brcko.’ This ‘chose its president commented that the protocol in the constitutional courts, to be the and unveiled plans for a new memorial in arrangements of the RS authorities chairmen of various meetings. They Brcko, for which the city, said the new hosting the meeting (which took place in would like, finally, to control the state president, would be renowned to the end Lukavica) were in disarray, but did not media’(13/8). of time’ (4/8). explain this was due to Holbrook’s Ucur had some competition from inability to get away in time from his another Srpska TV presenter, Dejana 54 SEVERED HEADS meeting with Biljana Plavsic. (This fact Glusac. She had her own angle on the was supplied by Radio Free Europe). TV reconstitution of the embassies: None of this could rival, however, BiH’s reporter also informed viewers that ‘Understanding that the Muslims are Serb Radio Doboj’s diatribe (5/8) against Serb officials forbade camera recordings, obstructing Dayton the most… contact ‘Muslim Army general Sakib without explaining that this was by with the Muslim representatives in Mahmuljin….the only commander who previous agreement (a fact also supplied Washington and the United States has had Mujahaddin units in his corps. The by Radio Free Europe). been broken off’ (6/8). She added in the aforementioned units killed 54 living In a newscast edited by Belmin same newscast that ‘highly placed prisoners of Serb nationality, and sent Karahmedovic, commentary was mingled members of SFOR and IPTF, who did their severed heads to Alija Izetbegovic in freely with news from Brcko that two not want their names mentioned, told Sarajevo.’ Bosniaks, who were part of the municipal SRNA reporters that, come peace or commission for assessing housing for force, it (BiH) would be divided, referring returns had been beaten by Serbs. ‘While to the renewal of armed conflicts’(6/8). RTV BiH the representatives of IPTF had gone out Srpska Television still displays a TV BiH now has a reporter based in to breakfast, the car with the lilies (on the portrait of Radovan Karadzic the RS - Sunita Sukalo, who reports from numberplate - i.e. the Bosniaks’ car) was prominently in almost every newscast. Its Banja Luka. Although Independent targeted by aggressors…Supervisor (for presence is usually saluted with emotive Studio 99’s Radmila Karlas, has been Brcko) Farrand and the IPTF must react commentary. Karadzic was described, on reporting from Banja Luka from the with decision…This can no longer be August 9 as one of ‘the two Serb heads beginning of this year, and TV INFO has tolerated. The rulers of Brcko must know

MONITORING REPORT, AUGUST 23, 1997 4 that the refugees, according to human Office of the High Representative. TV On August 9 there was a very and divine justice, have to return Herceg-Bosna persevered in using the complimentary item on Mehmed Bajric, home’(5/8). title of ‘Community in spite of warnings which showed him meeting with former from the local Media Experts’ (female) colleagues who used to work THE MEDIA OF HERCEG- Commission. with him in the police department of the ‘ Minstry of Internal Affairs. There were Perhaps the most unpredictable of BOSNA’ camera shots of him presenting each these media is Slobodna Dalmacija. This woman with a rose. Croatia Radio and Television Herceg- was the only Croat medium to Bosna, Croatia Television Mostar, and unemotionally announce the penalties, TV TPK covered the Hotel Tuzla all- Slobodna Dalmacija, all spent some time including the removal of candidates from party conference (12/8), but did not go discussing the aftermath of the Jajce the lists, which the OSCE sub- into particular detail - except when attacks incident (in which local Croats expelled a commission declared against the HDZ in on Mayor Selim Beslagic were the topic. large group of Bosniak returnees. All of Mostar and Zepce (16/8). The other TV Tuzla covered this conference more them gave most weight to Euro MP media ignored the matter, or, in the case fully - and was accused by TV TPK’s Doris Pack’s remark that she believed the of TV Herceg-Bosna, used it as grounds director Edib Kravic (13/8), in his incident to have been caused, in part, by for complaint against the OSCE. capacity as member of the local MEC subcommission, of being propagandist Bosniak policies. Slobodna Dalmacija Slobodna Dalmacija article‘Dayton and in contravention of OSCE quoted her correctly, but the other media Injustice’ (9/8) stated, ‘BiH Croats must regulations. followed the lead of Croatia Television, accept this country as their homeland, which quoted her as having referred to and not as a way into some kind of Great One of Kravic’s fellow-members of ‘Muslim forces’ (8/8). Croatia, which is unthinkable without an the SDA Election Committee, Camil Radio Herceg-Bosna reporter Meri apocalyptic war on the territories of both Custovic, is director and owner of Tuzla Zlatovic suggested that the Bosniaks were countries.’ This was balanced, however by Radio Hayat. This radio was also repeating what this medium saw as their an article which complained (13/8) ‘Why meticulous in relaying Coalition party former aggravation, by returning yet again force peoples to live in a single state when meetings to audiences, sometimes live. in excessive numbers. ‘98 families they don’t want to, and think up such a ‘Tuzla Personality Meha Bajric’ was returned, although only 80 were agreed.’ complicated civil and military structure in quoted attacking Beslagic, and Kravic Actually 99 individuals went back to BiH which without several thousand himself came on (11/8) to support his villages around Jajce (16/8). NATO soldiers has no hope.’ party more openly than on TV TPK. ‘The basic goal of the Coalition is that the Radio Herceg-Bosna reporter Mijo ESELAAM ALEJKUM, TUZLA borders of BiH be as they were a Kelavic’s description of the unsuccessful thousand years ago - from Drina to Una, sitting of the BiH Council of Ministers and from Sava to the sea… To victory! - (17/8), mingled news thickly with Edib Kravic, director of Tuzlansko- Eselaam aleikum’. commentary. - ‘Co-president Haris Podrinski Cantonal Television (TV TPK), Silajdzic - visibly resigned, and with a appears frequently on this station in his Meanwhile, two other local radio complete lack of politico-diplomatic tact capacity as representative of the Coalition stations have put together an informative or excuses, said that he could not allow for a United and Democratic BiH, and programme called ‘Reckoning the the Serb government to design the state member of the Election Committee of its Accounts’. This gives slight priority to documents and driving licences of their leader-member, the SDA. The Coalition’s attacks on the Coalition. The initiators are entity - which was fine. What was not promotive meetings are always covered, Zlatko Berbic, brother in law of Beslagic fine’, Kelavic went on to say, ‘was his and its announcements issued almost and owner of Radio Kameleon, and political terminology when he every day. Meanwhile, attacks issued by Zlatko Dukic, president of the Cantonal adduced…the number of expelled Serbs Coalition members against the local Committee of the SDP and director of from Croatia who would adopt the government of Tuzla Municipality Radio Tuzla. documentation of the Serb entity. It is (headed by Mayor Selim Beslagic, obvious that the BiH first minister was member of the coalition ‘Zdruzena Lista’ ZENICA confused about the means and reasons are carried on an almost daily basis (see August 7, 8, 10, 11, 14). for the Serb population’s departure from Local Independent TV Zetel ran a the . But the Serbs, On August 6: the Coalition announced detailed story on the release from prison remember, departed by design, and that OSCE had issued a complaint of 2 Serb brothers (4/8) for whom the peacefully, in tractors, with Galbraith at against SDP Tuzla - ‘because of ..the Zenica authorities had no proper their head, and not as Silajdzic insists on most basic lies about the alleged intention documentation. TV Zenica failed to saying, in the manner of people who are of the Coalition to choose a resident of notice the incident at the time. Three days being expelled.’ another municipality, i.e. Mr Izet Hadzic, later, after the story hit the Sarajevo press, TV Herceg-Bosna was particularly as a mayor of Tuzla. The candidate for thanks to details given out at an IPTF emphatic in its references to ‘the Mayor of Tuzla, Mehmed Bajric, was the press conference (5/8) TV Zenica carried Community’. By this was meant the three most serviceable in the defence of Tuzla, the municipal mayor saying the Mostar municipalities with a Croat and is beloved by the citizens, regardless authorities were not responsible - the only majority, whose combination into a single of nationality’. TV TPK did not tell way in which the story emerged. body has been declared illegal by the viewers exactly what the SDP had said.

MONITORING REPORT, AUGUST 23, 1997 5

INDEPENDENT Croatia. (15/8). However, according to government support), and the nationalist TV BiH (6/8) the weather map showing weekly Liljan. Croat politicians meanwhile TELEVISIONS Croatia and the Federation as a borderless ‘have’ Croat Radio Vrhbosna, and the monochrome whole, is due to be newspaper ‘Hrvatski Rijec’. NTV (Independent TV) BANJA changed. LUKA now runs a promotive jingle for Studio 99 is notable for independence, the SPRS (the RS Socialist party, whose but its productions are, to put it mildly, parent party - that of Slobodan Milosevic REMOTE CONTROL - BIH bad. The programmes of the former - donated the station’s equipment) before JOURNALISTS AND THE TVIN, now OTM, the network funded and after all news programmes ‘You don’t GOVERNMENT by foreign donations, are among have bread, you don’t have money, you Sarajevo’s more watchable television, but the newscast TV INFO is illogically don’t have work, you don’t have By Emir Imamovic medicine, but you do have the SPRS.’ structured and boring. Perhaps the best (Monitoring Report would like to of the electronic media is Radio Zid, Oko 22, the newscast of Independent introduce the second of its series of which constantly produces interesting, Studio 99, is notable for being unable to opinion articles (see last issue’s ‘The high-quality programmes. say the words ‘Republika Srpska’. The Media of “Herceg-Bosna”’). Monitoring nearest they can get is ‘the Entity with a The Sarajevo press, are a bright spot Report would like to point out that all on an otherwise depressing scene, when Serb Majority’, ‘the territory controlled by opinions expressed in this column are the the SDS’. While these phrases are their journalism is compared with that of author’s, and do not necessarily represent the electronic media. Bi-monthly Slobodna common on all Federation media, this those of the editors.) station alone uses them almost Bosna, the monthly magazine Dani, and a exclusively.. The citizens of former Yugoslavia few of the cultural magazines (Odjek and were among the last in Europe to buy Lica, for example), come up to the most TV INFO, the newscast of the now- themselves remote-control televsion sets. exacting standards of journalism. They renamed Open Television Network is still But this apparent backwardness was not have a wide readership - this include relying heavily on foreign press the result of low living standards, or politicians who, secure in their power, conferences for impartial news. No less ignorance of contemporary technology. rarely or never react to what Slobodna than five of these formed the basis for the The simple fact was, remote controls Bosna or Dani have to say about August 8 newscast. It is also keeping were unnecessary. This was the time of a corruption, nepotism, and the like. rigorously to its policy of never showing one-party, one-media system, and the two As for the dailies, Dnevni Avaz is the party politics. Audiences who do not state television channels broadcast supplement their knowledge by watching most ideologicised and identically stupid, ideologicised establishmentarian. Oslobodjenje, the oldest TV BiH or Oko 22, must remain in the programmes. dark about pre-election party news. daily in BiH, is infinitely more Now, after years of fragmentation, the independent, but regrettably sterile in TV INFO scheduling is not always media have, in BiH, expanded incredibly. approach and ideas. Then there is the logical - Federation agreements on the Sadly, however, only in quantity.In almost-tabloid - but interesting - Vecernje constitution of the embassies, Sarajevo alone there are seven TV Novine, whose continued existence is little telecommunications and the army stations, 11 radio stations, three daily short of a miracle. The government tried Council-Board) took third place on the papers, and numerous periodicals. The to exterminate it when bringing out August 11 newscast. (The first item was output of the TV stations, regardless of Dnevni Avaz - which bought up most of the non-agreement over road repairs.) their relations to the state, is the journalists and equipment of the older The same newscast carried Biljana catastrophically poor. This means the paper. Vecernje Novine, however, hung on. Plavsic’s accusation that the RS Ministry government does not have to worry of Internal Affairs had not given Key to the relationship between media about organising any system of and the regime is that while the documents to Brcko returnees, and her censorship, or pressurising journalists. announcement of her own party, right at government continues to enjoy its The independent media, as they mostly incredibly strong postion, journalists will the end. ‘The BiH political scene is not call themselves, are popular, but have rich in events,’ concluded the presenter. continue to deal superficially with the little influence, while journalists generally deepest of social issues. The few succeed in censoring themselves in a way professionals still active are like Don TROUBLE WITH MAPS suitable to the requirements of the Quixote fencing with the windmill - until regime. the government decides to punish them. In contrast to Srpska TV, Croatia The Bosniak-Croat establishment can The case of the satirical magazine Television puts BiH Federation news in feel secure, for quite a few of the Polikita, whose issues were confiscated the domestic, rather than the foreign bloc. independent stations are controlled, albeit from the vendors by the police, is a A Croatia TV programme on the discreetly, by the government. The SDA, chilling reminder of the regime’s power to religious celebrations of the Croat nation for example, in varying degrees, act when it so desires. chiefly covered Siroki Brijeg, Mostar, influences Bosniak Radio Hayat, Emir Imamovic is a journalist of Dani. Medjugorje, and Sarajevo, producing the Independent Television Hayat, RTV BiH, impression that there are more practising Dnevni Avaz (which was founded with Catholics in the Federation than in

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS TV TPK Protests (excerpt) Monitoring Report replies:

Illegal to Jam Among other things, your monitor Dear Mr Kravic. I would like to know what you are gave the opinion, that ‘this station used referring to when you speak of the Philharmonic Concert to promote the We apologise for the mistake in the ‘international community warnings of SDA,’ and ‘did not mention the name of Bosnian version of our report, which did possible jamming.’ My understanding is Asim Horozic, the composer whose work state, incorrectly, that TV TPK did not that jamming is illegal under international was being performed for the first time in mention the name of the composer, Telecommunications Union agreements. Tuzla.’ I have the impression that your Asim Horozic. However, even after I distinctly recall that Kofi Annan, when monitor did not follow our programme at reading the written text, we still feel he was in charge of UN peacekeeping all. In order to prevent arguments I am that it was unusual to specifically name operations, refused to envisage jamming sending you the video and written text, the president of TV TPK, Dr Sead the Khmer Rouge radio in Cambodia, and I would like to correct the untrue Jamakosmanovic, who was present, but because of its illegality under international information which affects the reputation not to name the Austrian director law. I can testify, because I was directly of our station.’ ‘specially invited to this event..under involved, that UNESCO Director Edib Kravic, Director. whose baton the two compositions were General Federico Mayor backtracked conducted.’ from a call to jam rebel radio in Burundi, for the same reason. With perplexity Ronald Koven, European Representative, World Press Freedom Committee.

MONITORING REPORT, AUGUST 23, 1997 7

Monitoring Report Special the texts of SRT’s August 20 and 21 came here with his men. They forced Issue: newscasts, to give an adequate picture me into my office, brought huge of how this station is conducting its hammers and axes, burst into all offices, hate campaign. We have tried to show forced all my men out.” ‘DIGGING IN THE WOUND’ how the quotes of politicians, quotes Next a statement by the Ministry of from the press, quotes from Internal Affairs (MUP) was read out in (From the letter from the RS Minister (presumably) ordinary citizens, as well full. Police officials appointed by Plavsic of Information, on the behaviour of the as the footage and commentary of the are referred to as “alleged”. They are, international community, read out on station itself, are used by presenters. according to the MUP, “individuals SRT, 20/8) They create an unequivocal image of a whose biographies show a lot of dark betrayed state, addressing its enemies in spots…Alleged head of state security of sadness, perplexity, and anger. On August 20 SFOR troops, with Banja Luka. Nenad Ceranic, is… a child the consent of RS president Biljana (It should be noted that the from a mixed marriage, whose mother Plavsic, imposed a protectorate on the photomontage mentioned above, which is a Croat… Alleged head of Banja Banja Luka police, taking control of the turned SFOR into Nazis did not feature Luka police Milan Sutilovic is a former Centre of Public Security, the Police in the actual newscasts of Srpska police chief, known as a protector of Academy, and the main Banja Luka Television, but in a music video shown Muslims and Croats in Banja Luka, police station. Srpska Radio-Television immediately afterwards. However, the which won him the trust of the responded with an overflow of hate- text of the newscasts is relevant, and is President.” propaganda. SFOR and IPTF were cast cited below). in the roles of an army of occupation, Then the camera returned to compared - with the help of archive On August 20, Srpska Televsion presenter Oljaca: “History reminds us footage - to the occupying Nazi forces presenter Dusko Oljaca described how that Benito Mussolini used to address of World War Two. SFOR: “violently burst into these the people from Roman balconies just buildings, and all legally appointed like Biljana Plavsic today.” Plavsic was Still more sinister was the treatment employees of the Ministry of Internal quoted saying: “There is no chance for of Biljana Plavsic - a demonstration of Affairs were thrown out on the street, this nation.” Oljaca went on: “Events this media’s skill in diminishing and with threats. Then they enabled para- that brought a part of the RS and the blackening a target figure. Plavsic has police forces (Plavsic’s police) to enter Serbian nation to the edge of the abyss sunk, in the past couple of months, the buildings. All of this was observed did not start last night from the balcony from ‘President Plavsic’ through to by a group of citizens who protested of Banski Dvori, but with violations of ‘Professor’ and ‘Mrs’. She is now ‘the sharply.” the Constitution, demagogy, woman’ (although all the other titles are manipulation and usurpation. Let us Camera shots showed policemen still in use). She has been compared just remind ourselves of the words leaving the Centre for Public Security, with a laboratory professor, treating her Plavsic used to describe SRT… a and a crowd of people protesting. The subjects like worms. She has been woman who failed in her personal life camera did not make it clear how large compared with Mussolini. Perhaps to manage something very much this group of protesters actually was. most offensively, her childless state and smaller (i.e. a family) than a Serb state, Prominent in the foreground was an broken marriage have been used to which is being created in this region for elderly man who shouted, “Shame on belittle her - she is a barren woman, the first time. And this woman sends you! We’ll throw a hundred thousand incapable of running her own personal other people’s children against Serbian eggs at the Banski Dvor (Plavsic’s life, much less a country. Bizarre children.” reference to her advisers and supporters current residence) tonight, you whore! as ‘hairdressers’ dyeing her hair (i.e., by Three months from today Tudjman’s The next item was a meeting of the way of a local-language pun, making a flag (i.e. the flag of Croatia) will hang Main Committee of the SDS in Banja fool of her) aim both to emasculate here!” Luka attended by President of the BiH presidency Momcilo Krajisnik, RS them and to mock her. (It is interesting to note that the last premier Gojko Klickovic, and other time eggs were seriously thrown in the Karadzic, meanwhile, is becoming top-ranking hard-line SDS members). RS, they were aimed at the SRT increasingly iconised, a christ-like figure, Above their heads, a huge photo- building in Bijelina, by allies of Plavsic - seen only in portraits. His loss to the portrait of Karadzic was displayed on see Monitoring Report ‘Dogs of War’, this Serb people is a ‘agonising wound’ the wall. The chief item on the agenda series, no 2.) which the international community, was further attacks on Plavsic, “ a (said the RS Minister of Information) An SRT reporter then interviewed woman who was never proportionate in are ‘digging and scraping’. He Stojan Davidovic, head of police anything.” represents the integrity of the Serb headquarters in Banja Luka: “My father The international community and nation - in contrast to Plavsic, who has fought a four-year war against the SFOR were also accused. Presenter betrayed her people. Schwabe (derogatory term for Oljaca backed this up with Germans). This morning a deputy Monitoring Report has tried to commentary: “…Pale is under Commissioner of IPTF - a German - assemble below enough excerpts from complete siege by SFOR and IPTF.

MONITORING REPORT, AUGUST 23, 1997 8

Control of movement and inspection of The article ended on a bizarre note: The broadcast started with the everything that moves - from those “Advisors (of Plavsic) are hairdressers following mixture of commentary and who lecture us daily on democracy!” An temporarily employed in the RS. They news: “Under the excuse that terrorists SFOR vehicle on its way to the dye the President and comb the state are being searched for, pupils of the entrance of Pale, followed by a car, like a parting.” secondary school of the MUP were came on screen. Through the thrown out in the street…. They don’t Then it was the turn of another windscreen of the car - the pictures have a place to either eat or sleep… this presenter, Svetlana Pezer-Sukalo. She were being taken by SRT’s camera. school is a boarding school where told viewers that the RS Minister of children from all over the RS are being Oljaca compared the situation with Information Svetlana Siljegovic had educated.” the time when “German occupation sent a letter to heads of international forces in enslaved cities of Europe organizations, warning them their Reporter Velimir Bozic came on air: distributed leaflets that said one thing, authority was being exceeded in “ever “Some 1.500 pupils… who were while their actions spoke of something greater and greater” measure, at the supposed to start the new school year completely different.. a leaflet produced press conferences organized on this Monday… will have to wait in by SFOR and IPTF appeared in Banja Wednesdays in Pale. (The letter was garages and kindergartens, where they Luka today. In this leaflet the occupying also sent to state news agency SRNA). sleep on floors, on the blankets forces of SFOR offer their vision of The letter stated “SRT was accused of provided by the RS army.” “Boys aged democracy. Such a democracy should lying, (which was) backed by a pile of 15 to 18 were on guard in the school.. be returned with a democracy that only lies and fabrications. This was not only and had gun barrels thrust into their ruffians can understand… it would be a diplomatic incident, but also a proof stomachs. Instead of food in the logical that… this nation should cancel that the international community takes restaurant, they now receive sandwiches its hospitality to these rowdies and the role of a judge in matters they are in the street and sleep on blankets on usurpers.” one-sidedly and superficially informed the floors of kindergartens, garages, at about.” friends’.” Next was heard a statement by the RS government on events in Banja Siljegovic also accused the Some pupils were interviewed, one Luka: qualifying these as a “coup international community of “striving of them saying that he was held at d’etat”; “obviously what we have here is for censorship and their own version of gunpoint by SFOR members. Then the an attempt at foreign occupation, the truth.” She labelled as “monstrous” Director of the institution, Mladen carried out with support of domestic the “constant satanization of Doctor Mandic, was interviewed: “Their collaborators.” Plavsic was a “renegade Karadzic, a man whose life was sleeping quarters were taken over by president” who “surpassed all Serbian destroyed by unprincipled and some 120 SFOR soldiers who brought quislings up till now.” “A war has been destructive policy of the international equipment in three trucks with them, declared on the Serb people west of the community, whose spokespersons still which is a clear sign that they will stay Drina, and the method of its conduct is dig and scratch the most painful wound here for a long time… Refugees from classical: stirring up divisions within the inflicted on the Serbs by international Drvar and Petrovac are especially upset, nation itself.” politics.” for they cannot either eat or sleep, even though they are good students.” For further illustration, the presenter The Minister felt that her task was used the local press. An article by the “to protect the journalists whom these Next the editor spoke of the RS Oslobodjenje was read out in full: spokespersons lecture and on whom “occupying forces of SFOR”, with a “world peacemakers who ostensibly they bear down, thinking themselves to special emphasis on the low-level flights support her (Plavsic) besiege Banski be superior”. She issued what sounded of helicopters over Pale “only 50 to 100 Dvori. There is no doubt that their like a veiled warning to independent metres above the settlement, upsetting visits are of an instructive journalists: “It is more important to be the residents”. character…(teaching her) the creation a journalist in a national medium, than On August 21 Srpska TV’s Dusko of her own government garnished with to be paid to carry other people’s Oljaca was back, with further news. leaders of the opposition and former beliefs.” SDS members, whose joint goal is the First Momcilo Krajsnik was quoted The press conference which the destruction of state unity and autonomy inviting ‘all workers of the Ministry of international organisations held in Pale under the protection of… suspicious Internal Affairs which Biljana Plavsic was carried - but the reporter put the dollars.’ tried in a lawless and inconstitutional word “alleged” in front of practically fashion to set up ..in the Centre for The article described ‘A policy of everything the “monstrous” Public Security in Banja Luka.. to blind execution of orders, issued by spokespersons were talking about. immediately pull out and hand over to those who instigated the flames of war Srpska Radio, meanwhile, joined in the legal officers, whom according to by bribery, leading to.. a unitary BiH. with a will. Here are some excerpts our law only the Minister of Internal What kind of rights would the Serb from the newscast ‘Dnevnik’ at 4 pm, Affairs can appoint’. Krajsnik warned nation have in such a quasi-state?.. The August 20, edited by Suzana Radjen- them that, “This work, carried out by prospect of a unitary BiH is paving the Todoric. force, in an unconstitutional way for a new exodus by Serb people.”

MONITORING REPORT, AUGUST 23, 1997 9 way..classifies you among those who are Then a statement from the Ministry with whom the representatives of the destroying the constitutional order. of Internal Affairs was read out. It international community have only just Nobody involved in ruining the RS will referred to the entrance by Plavsic’s started to cooperate. Further articles ever be amnestied.’ police into the station where tapes and raised the idea that the RS was due to materials which were compiled for her be robbed of Banja Luka. (That this is a ‘We fought the war’, he continued, eventual prosecution were being stored, recurring theme is shown by the SDS ‘in order that not one drop of Serb and which Plavsic’s police removed. response to a statement of Jadranko blood should ever be shed by Serbs, The statement spoke of “abuses Prlic, foreign minister of the Federation, and now you ..are putting us in a conducted within sight of the that Banja Luka is of strategic situation to shoot one another.’ He eavesdroppers… which provided importance for Croats - see the current described Plavsic’s supporters as further excuse for the attack of SFOR issue of Monitoring Report). ‘Enemies of our existence’. and IPTF” (who had entered the “Deputy for the High (Another SRT presenter,Tamara station when they saw what was Representative, Jacques Klein, received Curuvija, significantly bestowed his full happening). orders from the American government title of ‘Minister of Internal Affairs’ on The MUP statement insisted that the to divide Banja Luka from the RS, and Dragan Kijac, removed from this materials be handed over for public make it into a separate Canton, with position by Plavsic several weeks ago). prosecution, saying that otherwise the special and direct links to Zagreb and Next to be quoted was Mladen way would be left open for the Federation, states the Zagreb paper Mandic, Director of the police academy manipulation of the public by Plavsic ‘Globus’” said the presenter (adding in Banja Luka, who spoke the previous and her supporters. that this information was from the state day on Srpska radio - ‘This is now the news agency SRNA). Next Oljaca presented another item second day when the forces of SFOR on the behaviour of the occupying The main abuse, however, was and IPTF have occupied the Centre for forces: ‘The helicopters of NATO, reserved for Nenad Ceranic, Plavsic’s Training Personnel in Banja Luka. They today also, at just fifty to a hundred new head of state security. He had threw out everybody employed here, metres above the roofs of houses, given an interview to independent Banja together with the pupils, so that there is cruised over Pale. Two helicopters.. Luka daily Dnevne . In absolutely no way to continue with the flew low over the capital of the RS, the interview he accused the SDS- academic year.’ lighting up the area they flew over.” loyalist police in Banja Luka of A unidentified reporter commented: Shots of a flying helicopter were shown contributing to the troubles. Oljaca “They (the pupils) did not know what repeatedly. (These pictures are now reacted viciously: war is, and it hit them the hardest.. shown before every newscast while the “It was only left for young Ceranic although they are learning well”. initial summary is being read out, as if to put a noose round the necks of those they represent a symbol of the NATO The high point was when the editor- who guarded the Krajina, and with it ‘occupation’.) in-chief of Srpska Televsion, Miroslav the RS, while baby Ceranic hung on to Toholj, came on to give his comment. SRT conducted a vox pop called two grabbed flats, diving under the He remarked: “It is not surprising, this ‘Pale Today’ to find out what the table whenever he heard an enemy kind of behaviour by a woman who residents thought of the helicopters. shell.” obviously regards the state as a These were the results: Oljaca’s final conclusion, on reading laboratory and wants to treat people like “This is occupation, guys. We that Ceranic believed that Plavsic was in worms.” He blamed SFOR for must resort to taking up arms the right, was “What would his Croat “tolerating the terrorist attack of the again.” para-police, and then enthroning the Mama say?” formerly suspended” (meaning Plavsic’s “This disturbs the peace, and police, whom Krajsnik had suspended). disturbs sleep.” “This is provocation. They want He finished with some magnificent to destroy everything that was built rhetoric: “Who will answer to the dead up by blood. The Plavsic woman, and to those who stayed alive, if the as a president, has gone far too far. state disappears? And it will disappear, How come she is not ashamed?” if it is divided and inserted into a community in which it knows that it “We should take up our guns almost certainly cannot function…The again” (a man whose two sons responsibility of one person.. may be were upset by the flights) interesting for history, but it will not be Picking up on the Plavsic theme, a consolation to future generations.” foreign press articles were read out in He concluded by calling the RS, “the translation. All reminded readers (and first Serb state to exist in this area.” listeners) that Plavsic is a nationalist,