WB WESTERN Daily e-newspaper • N° 4088 • , July 18, 2017 e-MEDIA GROUP

BAKIR IZETBEGOVIC RS Leader Openly Violated Leader of the main Bosniak party and a member in the BiH Presidency urged the state prosecution and the international overseer of the peace agreement implementation in Bosnia to sanction Bosnian Serb leader for hate speech against Bosniak returnees akir Izetbegovic said a July 7 state - ment of the pres - Bident Milorad Dodik in Bratunac was “the most dangerous statement given by an official in BiH since the Dayton Peace Agreement was signed”. At a commemoration for Serb victims of the in eastern Bosnia, Dodik accused unnamed Islamic organiza - tions of financing the return of expelled Bosniaks to the region bordering , in a bid to “occupy the Drina river (region) again”. "Milorad Dodik made an open anti- constitutional and anti-Dayton state - ment, committing a criminal offence (defined by) the Criminal Code of BiH. Since there was no expected reaction from the Prosecutor's Office of BiH and the OHR, I addressed those Bosnian Bakir Izetbegovic and international institutions, as well as Bosniaks were occupiers in the Drina return, under the Dayton Peace members of the PIC Steering Board, river region until 1992, which is why (the Agreement and the Constitution of asking them to react and sanction this Serbs) forced them to leave their homes , is a repeated kind of behavior of the RS president," (...) by committing war crimes, crimes occupation of that part of Bosnia and said Izetbegovic. against humanity and Herzegovina, which should be “It is evident that (Dodik) believes the against them, and that their right to stopped,” said Izetbegovic.

Milorad Dodik, RS president: Where did Dragan Mektic, security minister: In a Dragan Covic, BiH Presidency (HDZ): (Valentin) Inzko come from? He proba - phone session (of the Council of (Bosnia’s internal organization) is a bly stopped by in Sarajevo and upon Ministers), I voted for (joining) the matter of BiH, not the EU. (...) The seeing what the Bosniak media wrote, Transport Community, but the HDZ European Parliament has a clear posi - he rushed to support them without ministers voted against. The HDZ tion on the country’s organization, reading (my) statement and under - blocked the (Transport Community) especially in parts related to constitu - standing its context agreement tivity and federalism Bosnia Daily, July 18, 2017 2 Daily Bosniak Leader Calls Markers for Investigation into Dodik: Two Islamic State Threat Options for Making Chaos The Bosniak member of the Presidency called for an he situation in the RS is very investigation into Islamic State group death threats complex and threatens to to leaders of Bosnia's Islamic community T escalate in the coming period. The reason for that are the numer - he latest Bosnian edition of the mili - told reporters. ous facts that the authorities in the tants' magazine Rumiyah published The Bosnian version of the ISIS magazine RS can no longer hide: companies, T photos of top Bosnian clerics and has since last September been justifying mines and banks are failing, debt is described them as Islamic outcasts, the attacks carried out by the terror group accumulating, agriculture subsidies saying killing them was better than throughout the world. The magazine is and welfare payments are late for killing infidels. issued in several languages, including months, the healthcare is collaps - "I call on the relevant state institutions ... Arabic, English, Turkish, German and ing, and pensioners and educators not to underestimate these threats, to French, by ISIS’s media arm Al-Hayat. Its have the lowest income in the whole investigate them thoroughly and sup - name means "Rome" and is thought to region. port religious leaders," Bakir Izetbegovic allude to the fall of the Roman Empire. Aware of this state of affairs, the ruling parties in the RS want to Security Minister Says Two Terror expand the crisis to the state level, and then to the Federation Attacks Prevented Recently level. They seek partners for that The Security Ministry and law enforce - was confirmed, which means we are among the Federation’s political ment agencies thwarted two terror doing our job and monitoring the situa - parties in the BiH Parliament, threats in Bosnia a month ago, the tion," Minister Dragan Mektic told a Slobodna Bosna news website security minister told a press confer - press conference in Sarajevo, and reported. Dodik's goal is to col - ence. congratulated OSA members on their lapse the Council of Ministers. To "Intelligence-Security Agency (OSA) success. achieve that, the SNSD and its identified and prevented two serious He added they are closely monitoring supporters came up with two terror threats. In accordance with this situation and they are always options. Option A is to play the information, individuals responsible for engaged in monitoring persons and card of animosities between par - those actions were found and appre - groups registered by law enforcement ties and leaders in the hended. Credibility of the information agencies. Federation, which should be enough to have the report on the work of the Council of Ministers Entity President Claims He Was not adopted. This would make Dodik achieve two goals: he Followed and Wiretapped would have a chaos at BiH level President of the Federation entity, and achieve a strategic advan - Marinko Cavara, told a press confer - tage over the SDS and the ence in Sarajevo that he was illegally Alliance for Changes, as a failure followed and wiretapped recently. He of the CoM would be interpreted added that he had "a strange situa - in the RS as a collapse of the tion on a motorway 12 days ago with Alliance's "traitor policies". two vehicles" and expects the compe - Option B, in case the CoM passes a tent bodies to complete the investiga - vote of confidence, is "entering the tion soon. Council of Ministers" through the "I asked the investigative bodies to HDZ ministers. An agreement on that determine reasons for those strange was reached by the HDZ and SNSD actions. I found out there are plans to suspicions, but I need to have evidence in ; the HDZ officials will pro - politically disqualify (me). I have certain in order to go public," said Cavara. tect the interests of SNSD, or the RS, at BiH level. An unseen absurd, which is unfor - Covic Visits Brussels tunately already being carried On his first day of chairmanship at the Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy out, and which threatens to bring BiH Presidency, member of the and Enlargement Negotiations the CoM into a state of complete Presidency Dragan Covic traveled to Johannes Hahn and President of the blockade. Whatever happens, the Brussels, where he met with the EU High European Council Donald Tusk. fact is that the SNSD will not stop Representative for Foreign Affairs and On the second day of his visit to Brussels, with the CoM, and its devastating Security Policy and Vice President of Covic will meet with Minister of Foreign campaign will be directed to the the European Commission Federica Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium Didier Court and the Prosecutor's Office Mogherini. He also met with the Reynders, the Presidency said. of BiH, OSA, SIPA, BiH Armed Forces etc. O pinion The Jokes I read articles on Srebrenica on Serbian news websites the other night at 2 am, and I stumbled upon a joke. They do that sometimes, telling Srebrenica jokes in the middle of night By BORIS DEZULOVIC nd so, Mujo was on a train Srebrenica – in brackets, especially children – is explained OSLOBODJENJE, SARAJEVO and the man sitting across as unintentional collateral, a glitch in the system. Men of mil - A him seemed strangely itary age were systematically killed at Srebrenica – true, with familiar. “Sorry,” Mujo said, “Are rather flexibly defined military age – so attention was paid to you by any chance Ratko the lives of women and children, Gatalo argues. In brackets, Mladic?” “I am,” the general con - with a high success rate. firmed. “It can’t be!” Mujo said, In a magnificent twist, Gatalo uses one of the elements of surprised. “And who are you?” textbook definition of genocide – a systematic annihilation Mladic took interest in the con - of a group or part of the group by preventing natural repro - versation. “I am Mujo,” Mujo said. duction – as a proof that there was no genocide. Just like if “Where are you from?” Mladic I said that the genocide against ’s Serbs in the Oluja asked. “From Srebrenica,” Mujo campaign – if Gatalo has the right to have an opinion on a said. “It can’t be!” Mladic said. genocide confirmed by court sentences as an “ordinary In a study on the phenomenon of crime”, I guess I have the right to think that an “ordinary” eth - Auschwitz jokes, German ethnologist Thomas Hauschild and nic cleansing of a whole minority is a genocide never his colleague from Berkeley Alan Dundes argued that the proven in a court – wasn’t a genocide because only the root of such humor in German society lies in the ironic Serbs were driven out of Croatia. toponymy of name Auschwitz: Au – German for ouch, Even more so, Gatalo describes the systematic killing of Schwitz – German for sweat, and Witz – German for joke, also Srebrenica men – why not go through the door opened so transliterated in the Balkans as vic, a joke. However, that is wide to a malicious intention? – as an almost “civilized” not the subject. In their study, professors Dundes and crime, “one of many in Bosnia” but not like other savage, Hauschild argue that the sick Auschwitz jokes on “sweat and bloody and indiscriminate crimes; “one of rare” crimes pain” have a hidden key for understanding them: when they against men only; not only humane, but also systematic, emerged in the German urban folklore of the sixties – not the very German-like thoroughly organizes and executed. Jew jokes, but the Jews in Auschwitz jokes – they were a reli - According to my understanding of Gatalo, the Srebrenica able sociological sign that the German society has included massacre was a big humanitarian operation of saving the fact of death camps in its consciousness. Not con - women and children who were left by their pathetic hus - science, but consciousness for start. Sigmund Freud could bands and fathers to the mercy of the Serb army. In case talk about it for hours: “Witz” - by definition always incorrect you think this was my joke, here is some more Gatalo: and rude – is man’s way to cope with own inhibitions. And “Many events; people from around the world will come to there was no stronger inhibition in the history of Germans mark the anniversary of surrounded Srebrenica men than Auschwitz. breaking through the frontlines and getting killed in the When I heard that Veselin Gatalo wrote in his latest column process, and also the war crime of execution of the cap - that Mladic’s humane army made sure they don’t kill women tured men. The men also left their women and children to and children at Srebrenica, I swear I thought it was irony and the mercy of the enemy.” a joke. It would even be a good joke, not one of those idi - A lot of things were said and written about the Bosnian war otic wits that are never about Auschwitz but always about in the last 25 years; a lot of things were said and written the Jews; that sick joke would be one of those German about Srebrenica in the last 20 or so years. But I don’t recall “Witz”es that put the fact of a crime into consciousness, and I have read anything as diabolic as Gatalo’s defense of the from there to “subconsience” – my word. It turned out that Srebrenica genocide; first by reducing it to an “ordinary” Gatalo wasn’t joking. Of course, he didn’t deny the mas - war crime, “one of many” and “a rare one” in which women sacre in his text – he just argued with the qualification of and children were spared. Women and children left by their genocide painfully obviously. A “war crime beyond doubt” cowardly men. Who deserved their fate. Of course, Gatalo he wrote generously, but added in brackets like an asshole: doesn’t think that, but he doesn’t have any material evi - “one of many in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also a rare dence to prove it. one without dead women and children”. The “undoubtful” And so, Veselin Gatalo took a walk in Potocari cemetery and fact that some women and children were killed at saw Fata’s grave. “It can’t be!” he said.

Publisher: WESTERN BALKANS e-MEDIA GROUP, POENTA d.o.o. Sarajevo, Augusta Brauna 3 l Editor - in - Chief: AMRA ZIMIC l Senior Editors: VLASTIMIR MIJOVIC, RASID KRUPALIJA l Editors: DANIJELA MRKIC, ENIS LJUBOVIC l Office Assistant: MUSTAFA BAHTANOVIC l DTP: Bekir Tvrtkovic, Marketing: SANJA LJUBICIC l GSM: 061 145 464, Phone: 033 942 226 l www.bosniadaily.co.ba, [email protected] Bosnia Daily, July 18, 2017 4 CoE Urges Bosnia to Improve Protection of Child Victims of Trafficking In a report published Monday, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) welcomes the legislative changes that have been made since the publication of its first report on Bosnia and Herzegovina in May 2013 he introduction of the criminal GRETA, along with the adoption of the lar child victims of trafficking, the report offence of human trafficking in the 2016-2019 National Action Plan against highlights the need for ensuring long- T criminal codes of the Republika Trafficking in Human Beings. term monitoring of their reintegration and Srpska, the Federation of Bosnia and However, despite the progress achieved, a proper risk assessment before returning Herzegovina and the Brcko District a number of issues continue to give rise children to their parents. GRETA also ensures that human trafficking is crimi - to concern. The majority of identified vic - urges the authorities of Bosnia and nalized consistently throughout the tims of human trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina to adopt measures to facil - country. GRETA also commended the Herzegovina have been children. GRETA itate and guarantee access to compen - introduction of legal provisions con - urged the authorities to strengthen their sation for victims of trafficking from the cerning the non-punishment of victims efforts to prevent child trafficking, includ - perpetrators or the State. In addition, the of trafficking for offences committed as ing by strengthening the role and report underlines the need to set up a a result of being trafficked, as well as capacity of social work centers to play a comprehensive statistical system on the establishment of the right of victims proactive role in alerting other relevant measures to protect and promote the to be granted a recovery and reflection authorities to possible cases of human rights of victims of trafficking. period pursuant to the new Law on trafficking and exploitation. Further, The Council of Europe Convention on Foreigners. The enlargement of the GRETA calls on the authorities of Bosnia Action against Trafficking in Human composition of the four Regional and Herzegovina to improve the identifi - Beings entered into force in Bosnia and Monitoring Teams coordinating anti-traf - cation of victims of trafficking and the Herzegovina in May 2008. The report is ficking activities by including labor provision of adequate assistance to the second assessment of the imple - inspectors and staff of mental health them, regardless of the victims’ co-oper - mentation of the Convention by the centers and day centers for children is ation with the investigating and prose - member country, said the Council of another positive development noted by cuting authorities. As regards in particu - Europe in a press release. Federation PM, French Ambassador Discuss Reform Agenda Implementation

Prime Minister of the Federation entity emphasized that for the first time after Reform Agenda, and that its measures Fadil Novalic received Ambassador of ten years these measures have con - will improve business environment the Republic of France to BiH tributed to economic progress of the which will attract new French invest - Guillaume Rousson in an inaugural visit country. ments in BiH and strengthen economic at headquarters of FBiH Government in They also talked about future projects cooperation between the two coun - Sarajevo, and talked to him about from area of energy efficiency and tries. implementation of the Reform Agenda communal services, where good expe - Ambassador Rousson said that France and current political situation in FBiH. rience and practice from France can supports BiH's European path and Prime Minister of FBiH informed the be used in their implementation. emphasized that they will provide all French Ambassador about implement - Ambassador Rousson emphasized that necessary assistance to the country on ed reforms and their positive results. He France supports implementation of the this path, FBiH Government said. Bosnia Daily, July 18, 2017 5 Receiver of Agrokor Gets Final Say on Future of Mercator

The receiver of Croatia's indebted concern Agrokor, Ante Ramljak, will take over the management of Slovenian retailer Mercator majority owned by Agrokor under a Ljubljana district court ruling, Slovenian media reported his in practice means that the its management 170 stores in Bosnia, length principle to Konzum. Slovenian court had recognized the while Konzum's remaining 83 stores in the In April, the Croatian parliament adopt - T insolvency of the majority owner of country will be taken over by Mercator ed a law, commonly known as Lex Mercator, and that Ante Ramljak Ramljak from August 1. Following the decision of Agrokor, in response to financial trou - will have the final say on the future of the the Ljubljana district court, Mercator no bles at the country's biggest private Slovenian retailer, news portal Siol.net longer has a say in the matter as Ramljak concern. It allows the government to reported over the weekend. Ramljak has the powers to manage it and, if nec - appoint temporary administrators to approached the court recently, when essary, dispose of it entirely or a part of its lead a restructuring process at the Mercator refused to take over stores assets, Siol.net said. request of creditors of the company or managed by its peer Konzum in Bosnia in In 2014, following the takeover of the debtor itself. an operation designed by the receiver Mercator by Agrokor, Konzum was put in with the aim of saving the performance charge of retail operations in Croatia of Agrokor in the country. and in Bosnia. Mercator's fast-moving Mass Grave Last week, Ramljak announced that consumer goods stores in Croatia and Agrokor's retailer Konzum will retain under in Bosnia were leased out at arm's Discovered near Foca Crnadak and Dacic Will Open A mass grave was discovered in the Foca region, in the village of Miljevina. New Building of Bosnian Spokeswoman of the Missing Persons Institute of BiH Lejla Cengic told FENA Embassy in that the remains of five persons were Foreign ministers of Bosnia and Serbia, tives of diplomatic corps, MFA said. exhumed from the mass grave so far. Igor Crnadak and Ivica Dacic, will Opening of the new embassy building It is presumed that the bodies belong open the new building of Bosnian is another confirmation of good bilater - to Bosniak civilians killed in the region Embassy in Belgrade today. The open - al relations between Bosnia and during the Bosnian war. ing will be attended by high officials Serbia, but also of intention to build Under the order of the Court of BiH, from Serbia and Bosnia, as well as good lasting relations between the two the exhumation is run by the BiH ambassadors and other representa - countries, the ministry said. Prosecutor's Office. Bosnia Daily, July 18, 2017 6 Bosnia’s Economic Growth Should Be at 6% for 25 Years to Reach EU Level

Chief of the Office of the World Bank in Bosnia and Herzegovina Tatiana Proskuryakova said that BiH could achieve an economic growth of more than three percent, which is the forecast for this year, if the structural basis of the country's economy changes roskuryakova said that this change is that the public sector is too big and means that people who are employed also the essence of the Bank's strate - inefficient and as such suffocates the in the real sector must pay it, even more Pgy, news agency Srna reported. private sector. than labor productivity, which leads to a “If we assume that this growth of three “The second problem is that growth is driv - lack of employment in economy. percent will not only be realized but sus - en by consumption rather than invest - “If this does not change, everyone will tained, although its sustainability is a ments, and the third is that jobs are not run away from the real sector into grey matter of concern, it is not enough to opened in the real private sector. There is economy and then there will always be bring BiH closer to the EU. BiH should another thing that is not mentioned in our a budget deficit for social spending. As have a six percent growth in a period of strategy, but there is a clear need to be the structure of the economy changes, 25 years to reach the level of the mentioned. If you look at the system of social protection reform and pension Union,” says Proskuryakova. taxation and social protection in BiH, you insurance reform must be carried out,” She noted that some Asian or European see that it is based on a yugoslav model she noted. countries yearly "grow" seven percent, that presumes that everyone is working for If there is a political will in the country to even more, and assessed that it is the state,” says Proskuryakova. embark on these reforms, as indeed possible for BiH will achieve a She went on to say that the entire social Proskuryakova pointed out, the World much faster economic growth. She protection system is based on social Bank will provide financial, as well as stressed that the first problem in BiH is contributions or labor taxation, which technical and analytical support. Book Fair Opens at May Average Net Salary Sarajevo Children Square Grew by 2.7% Seventh mini book fair organized by the Rabic pub - The average net monthly salary in Bosnia increased by a lishing from Sarajevo, which gathered 26 publishers nominal 2.7% year-on-year in May, reaching 860 KM, after from BiH, Croatia and Serbia, opened at Sarajevo rising by 1.0% in April, official figures showed on Monday. Children Square. Director and owner of Rabic, Goran On a monthly comparison basis, the average net monthly Mikulic, told FENA it is an outdoor sale exhibition of salary in Bosnia increased by a nominal 2.6% in May, after books and the aim is to enable citizens to buy books falling 1.8% in April, according to data published on the cheaper. website of the country's Agency for Statistics. Discount at this fair, which will last until July 27, is from 10 to The average gross salary increased by a nominal 2.8% on 80 percent. the year, reaching 1,336 KM in May. Bosnia Daily, July 18, 2017 7

Bosnia Ranks Sixth in the World by Growth in Tourist Numbers

Destinations worldwide received 369 million international tourists (overnight visitors) in the first four months of the year, 21 million more than in the same months of 2016, an increase by 6 percent, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer osnia and Herzegovina found itself negative events during 2016 are show - with results of last year. on the list of counties which have ing clear signs of recovery in a very The current strong momentum is reflect - B recorded the largest growth in the short period of time, and this is very wel - ed in the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts number of tourists, occupying 6th spot coming news for all, but particularly for confidence index, based on evaluations with annual growth of over 26 percent, those whose livelihoods depend on and prospects of worldwide experts sur - which is four times more from the aver - tourism in these destinations”, said veyed every four months since 2003. age growth in Europe. The January-April UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai. Experts evaluated tourism performance period usually represents some 28% of International arrivals in Europe (+6%) in the first four months of 2017 with the the yearly total and covers the winter rebounded in January-April after mixed highest score in 12 years, clearly season of the Northern Hemisphere and results last year, as confidence returned exceeding their already positive expec - the summer season of the Southern to some destinations that were impact - tations from the start of the period. Hemisphere, as well as the Chinese New ed by security incidents, while others Responses to the survey were strongest year and Easter holidays, among oth - continued to grow strongly. Results from Europe, in line with the rebound in ers. International arrivals reported by improved particularly in Southern arrivals. Experts also show strong confi - destinations around the world were pos - Mediterranean Europe (+9% as com - dence in the current May-August period, itive overall, with very few exceptions. pared to +1% in 2016) and Western as their prospects are the most optimistic Most of 2016’s strong performers main - Europe (+4% as opposed to +0% in in a decade, also driven by upbeat tained momentum, while destinations 2016). Northern Europe (+9%) contin - expectations in Europe. The May-August that struggled in previous years contin - ued to record strong growth, while period includes the peak tourism season ued to rebound in the first part of 2017. Central and Eastern Europe recorded in most of the world’s major tourism desti - “Destinations that were affected by 4% more international arrivals, in line nations and source markets. Sarajevo Brewery Launches New Product Sarajevo-based brewer Sarajevska and the expansion of the beer product general director Zlatko Ramic said in Pivara has launched a new product - range, the company is now moderniz - the statement. natural spring water Lejla. It is a pure, nat - ing its water segment. It is known that Natural spring water Lejla is of excep - ural, spring, domestic water whose spring we are one of the few breweries that tionally stable quality and has a con - is located in the pristine nature of have own water source, even three stant, unchanged and balanced min - Trebevic mountain overlooking the city of wells. The quality of our water is superi - eral ratio. It has a beneficial effect on Sarajevo. It springs from underground or, controlled daily and unchanged for the human body, it is suitable for con - reservoirs of water, protected from pollu - more than 150 years and we are confi - sumption at all ages and can be con - tion, the company said in a statement. dent that this product will also find its sumed in unlimited quantities, says the “After redesigning Sarajevsko Pivo beer way to consumers,” Sarajevska Pivara’s statement. Bosnia Daily, July 18, 2017 8 Mostar Becomes a Big Gallery of Street Art

Mostar’s historic buildings have been a draw for generations of tourists but the city’s walls now offer a more modern attraction – street art or the sixth year in a row, Mostar in the past, you need to live now. Of hosted the Street Arts Festival. The Euronews course, you have to understand suffer - influence of the graffiti and mural ing of others, but we have to continue F long way away. artists is visible almost on every corner: with our lives,” notes Mimoza. “Tourists really like the street art here. But on renovated constructions; on Claudio Nunez, an artist from Uruguay if someone had told me six years ago destroyed blocks; on the street that who painted one of the murals on that the street art will become so popu - marked the city’s division during the Santic street said that it felt really good lar and known in here, I wouldn’t 1990s war. The art crosses the ethnic for him and his Colectivo Licuado to believe it,” said Mimoza. lines that soldier sought to impose. take a part in a Festival and to share “I really think this is nice, and particular - “At least when it comes to the urban cul - their art with the people of Mostar. ly since we have a lot of abandoned ture the graffiti and murals gave a new Members of Colectivo are traveling space, lots of ruins and there is still a lot identity to this city. And having in mind around the world and they are trying to of space to work on.” that the city has over a hundred paint - visit as many places and to leave the Unlike previous years when the artists ed murals, the city itself has become traces of their art. focused on the Glass Bank, a tall one big gallery of street art,” said destroyed building in the center of the Marina Mimoza, the festival organizer. city, this year, artists were mostly devot - Art Makes Life Brighter ed to Santic street and the Konak, a for - Success Seemed mer yugoslavia military headquarters. As Nunez explains, it is their belief that a Long Way Away “It’s half ruined building. We cleaned it, art can always unite people, even children planted flowers, they also though it takes time sometimes. Thanks to her and the team that work painted the walls outside. But also, we “So many people have worked togeth - besides her, great number of artists are painted inside and made an art gallery er as volunteers to make the festival coming to Mostar every spring. This from one of the devastated rooms,” possible, and they are working for a year’s edition of the festival gathered explains Mimoza. better future, putting up colors in artists from Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, This year’s guest artists from Uruguay Mostar.” Montenegro, but also group of artists and Argentina did the most work on Mostar’s complicated political system from Uruguay and Argentina. Santic street, which once divided Serbs has enabled local elections to take Based on the number of artists who are and Bosniaks in the city and still bears place for nine consecutive years, but painting the walls of this southern the scars of war. the city is still searching to recreate the Herzegovinian city and the interest that “My personal belief is that Santic street joy and unity it was once known for. the graffiti and murals are evoking from is ideal to become a mural street. It As Mimoza notes, art makes life brighter tourists, it is clear that the festival is get - used to be a division line during the war. and everyday challenges more bear - ting its international recognition. But as And now, just when you meet with the able: “It is nice that we are becoming a Mimoza pointed out, when they first people who are still living there, you see city that embraces street art, because we started in 2012, this success seemed a how hard our reality is. But you can’t live don’t have a lot of that in this country.” Bosnia Daily, July 18, 2017 9

PDHR BRUCE G. BERTON The Election Campaign Never Seems to Be Stopping The Croat proposal of the Election Law deepens divisions instead of leading towards a solution, said Bruce Berton, an American diplomat and the Principal Deputy High Representative, at the end of his mandate “It remains to be seen now what the SDA dictory initiatives? will propose and how far they are pre - Nezavisne novine We must resolve this, in this or that way. pared to go, or whether they will pro - I think there must be some change pose changes to the Election Law only before the election. you have heard or changes to the Constitution, too,” which brings more and more division Croat representatives who really insist Berton said. among people. We want to see more on the resolution of this, and they have He said that the OHR’s role is not finished efforts directed at reconciliation, dialog made their proposal. I am afraid that yet because the conditions and goals instead of divisions. And it seems quite their proposal only deepens divisions in have not been fulfilled, making an often that we make one step forward this country instead of resolving prob - assessment that the OHR could stay on and two backwards. lems. It remains to be seen now what for some time. Is the divisive rhetoric, after all, more the SDA will propose now and how far “There is a clear awareness among the profitable for the leaders? they are prepared to go, or whether members of the PIC SB that the condi - you are right. It seems that it is easier for the they will propose changes to the tions and goals have not been met. politicians to use nationalist rhetoric Election Law only or changes to the And, to be honest, I do not see any instead of choosing the harder road trying Constitution, too. And when you look at debate about a possible change of to make compromise with other politi - the unresolved cases from the those conditions,” Berton said. cians. What is the declared goal of this European Court for Human Rights, it country is that it aspires towards a compro - seems that the solution will require cer - Nationalist Divisive Rhetoric mise – the EU. We would like to see more tain constitutional changes, which are progress on this road. Obviously, the elec - hard to achieve because a two-thirds Over the last twelve months many things toral climate of 2018 can already be felt majority is required. The OHR is ready to have happened, from the referendum, and the election campaign never seems help and has both the experience and revision of the judgment, etc. How do to be stopping. However, it seems to me experts that can be well used if the two you see BiH today? that there is an opportunity to do some - sides make an agreement. As the High Representative said, we thing within the next few months before the If I am not mistaken, the Constitutional have one positive and one negative campaign starts in earnest. Court of BiH should make a decision trend. We can see sporadic progress on you mean the Election Law? Can this concerning the constitutionality of the the European road, and then again, we question be really resolved before the Election Law…? can see this nationalist divisive rhetoric, election, considering the rather contra- yes, it seems that the SDA is waiting for that decision before they present their proposal. I really don’t know what they will propose, that is what we are all wait - ing for now.

5+2

Brcko is one of the 5+2 conditions and objectives for the closure of the OHR. Has it been fulfilled? yesterday I had meetings in Brcko and I believe that the situation is stable, but there are still some open issues. Until they are resolved, I don’t think we can say that that condition has been met yet. Of course, there has been progress, for example prompt organization of elections last year and the subsequent forming of authorities. Then the adop - tion of the budget, although this year they managed to do that in June, last year in September, which is not very encouraging. They adopted four laws in the area of financing, which is also good not only in the sense of greater transparency and fight against grey economy, but also harmonization with Bruce Berton entity- and state-level laws, which also Bosnia Daily, July 18, 2017 10 helped with the IMF. Amendments on prevention of money laundering were adopted as well, and so on. Businessman Accepted So, out of 5+2, state and defence prop- erty remain? Sentence for Bribing Those are two very sensitive issues, but there is also financial sustainability and Brcko District. Also, it is required to have Tax Authority Chief a positive assessment of the political sit - uation in BiH, which will probably be the hardest one. It is interesting that in the PIC session this time there were no differing opinions. Was that a coincidence or did some- thing happen “behind the scene”? It is not a coincidence. We made joint efforts to come to agreed positions. We did not spend hours on proposals and drafts that would result in footnotes and differing opinions of individual mem - bers. One of the reasons is that we have returned to the old format of commu - niques, shorter ones, and we spoke about those issues that we thought were important for the leaders to agree on – solutions for the Election Law, Mostar, Businessman Sedinet Karic will receive a one-year sentence progress on the EU agenda, IMF arrangements, freedom of media and for bribing the former director of the BiH Indirect Taxation funding of public broadcasters. We also Authority if the court accepts his plea bargain with the spoke against divisive rhetoric and in prosecutors, reported the Center for Investigative Reporting favor of dialogue and reconciliation. Finally, what is the fate of the OHR? he Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina the trial against Causevic and What will happen to it? has been deliberating the plea bar - Sadikovic. Campara said that Karic was 5+2 were determined in 2008. There is T gain agreement that Sedinet Karic the key prosecution witness. no doubt that the role of the OHR has made with the BiH Prosecutor’s Office in “I think that his testimony will be para - changed significantly over the years. It May 2017. Justice Biljana Cukovic said mount in proving what the lead is now much smaller, but the Bonn pow - that the Panel of Judges could not defendant and Sadiković had done,” ers are still there if a need for them aris - decide and will make its announce - said Campara. es. I think that there is still a clear role for ment next week. The Prosecutor’s Office Justice Cukovic asked the prosecutor to the OHR, in particular before the forth - and the defense counsel agreed that clarify the length of sentence since coming election year. All in all, I think Karic would receive a one-year prison Karic had been sentenced earlier to the OHR will remain in BiH for a certain sentence. Prosecutor Dubravko five year in prison on tax evasion period of time because there is a clear Campara said that Karic cooperated charges. According to the new indict - awareness among the members of the with the prosecutors in providing impor - ment, he bribed Causevic with nearly PIC Steering Board that the conditions tant evidence. According to the prose - half million KM. and objectives have not been met. And cutor, the defendant described how he Campara answered that Karic has to be honest, I see no debate about has given given money to the director served the earlier sentence and that his changing those conditions. of the BiH Indirect Taxation Authority. firms have no debts toward UIO BiH. “For a certain period of time” sounds Karic is accused of bribing the former The trial of Causevic, Sadikovic and like three or four years at least? ITA director, Kemal Causevic, with Karic began on July 6, 2017. After the It is difficult to say how long exactly, 425,000 KM to obtain preferential treat - prosecutors informed the Court that but that cannot be ruled out. BiH is the ment for his two firms that were import - they made an agreement with Karic, his most complicated place I have served ing textile. According to the indictment, case was set apart before the Panel in so far. in 2007, Causevic got in touch with decides if it will give a go-ahead to the your mandate as the Principal Deputy Anes Sadikovic and Karic, the owners of agreement. High Representative is ending. you have companies importing textile from Turkey, The indictment also describes how spent two years here, what are your China and Hungary. Causevic offered between 2004 and 2012, Causevic experiences like? no detailed inspections of cargo, and invested illicit gains into legal economy This is without a doubt the most compli - customs would clear importers’ fake by buying a number of expensive real cated place in which I have served. And invoices or make them smaller in value. properties worth around 1.2 million KM, obviously there are challenges that are In exchange, Causevic asked Sadikovic in and around Sarajevo. CIN has written sometimes frustrating not only for us in and Karic to pay him 1,000 KM per about this in detail. the international community but also for each truckload of goods. Between The ITA former director is also charged local actors and ordinary citizens. 2007 and 2011, Sadikovic’s and Karic’s with abuse of office in relation to a pub - However, I think that I now understand companies imported more than 1,722 lic bid for printing revenue tags. the people here better and I have learnt truckloads of textile. According to the Causevic approved a KM 200,000 resti - to appreciate this country of fascinating indictment, the two have paid Causevic tution to a complaining bidder, Glas beauty and good people. I hope that I at least 1.72 million KM. Srpski” – Grafika AD , even will remain present here and be a part If the Court upholds the agreement, though there were no grounds for it as of the processes in this country. Karic would be a prosecution witness on no damage had been done. Bosnia Daily, July 18, 2017 11 West, Battle for Balkans Gas Corridors

The West and Russia are battling for control of the transport of natural gas through the Balkans, as both sides pursue their geopolitical agenda in the volatile region oscow has suffered a series of Russian territory, he said. The EU and the setbacks in the Balkans. AFP US are willing to extend TAP to create a M Montenegro has joined NATO, "gas ring" circling the Balkan region while Macedonia's new social demo - Russia in the Balkans gas market only from Albania, through Montenegro and cratic government seems to be distanc - serve to increase the geostrategic Bosnia, to Croatia. ing itself from its previous pro-Russia importance of the region. Along with a planned liquefied natural stance. But while the West can offer "Southeast Europe lies at the crossroads gas terminal (LNG) on the northern Balkan countries incentives such as the of energy corridors linking East and the Croatian island of Krk, partly financed prospect of membership of the West," Albania's former foreign minister by EU, it would create strong competi - or investment locally, Paskal Milo told AFP. tion between the West and Russia. Russia can play the energy card. "The region does not interest them as an In May, seven Balkan nations - Albania, economic resource, but it is becoming Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, , Political Dependence more important as a transit territory for Macedonia and Montenegro - signed a other strategic markets in Europe and deal to jointly develop a natural gas Gas accounts for a quarter of the for gas storage." pipeline that could diminish their European Union's energy consumption According to analysts, the West feels it dependence on Russia. The project is and in 2016, Russia's Gazprom supplied must respond to Moscow's use of ener - backed by the US development agency a third of Europe's gas. And in the gy as leverage for control in the region. USAID. And the Europeans are backing Balkans, dependence on gas looks set "After some years in which Russia was the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline (IAP), that would run from Albania, through only to increase as coal fired power sta - winning in the energy game, the West Montenegro and Bosnia, to Croatia. tions shut down - under pressure from seems to be gaining the advantage," the EU. Croatia is already an EU mem - Less told AFP. ber, but the other so-called Western A number of gas transmission projects A Sensitive, Balkan countries - Albania, Bosnia, that will ultimately reduce the region's Demanding Project Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo and energy dependence on Russia are Serbia - are all at different stages on the underway. For its part, Russia signed a deal with path to joining the bloc. The EU-backed Trans-Adriatic Pipeline Turkey in October 2016 to build the "In Serbia, Bosnia, Bulgaria and (TAP) project to bring Azeri gas via Turkey TurkStream pipeline pumping Russian gas Macedonia, Russia tries to convert to Greece, Albania and across the through Turkish waters in the Black Sea dependence on gas supplies into polit - Adriatic to Italy is expected to make its towards Europe. Visiting Turkey this month, ical dependence, and obstruct their first deliveries in 2020. In terms of capac - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said integration with the West," said Timothy ity - 10 billion cubic meters annually - the he wanted the pipeline linked to his Less, head of the Nova Europa political 870-kilometer TAP may not appear that country. But experts say the project is risk consultancy. important in economic terms. highly sensitive in geopolitical terms and Nevertheless, for the moment at least, "It is more a geopolitical project that technically very demanding. It would Russian influence in the Balkans' energy could enhance, even if only minimally, require work at depths of up to two kilo - sector is limited by a lack of infrastruc - EU gas security," said Nicolas meters under the sea. It depends on a ture. Without gas pipelines, it cannot Mazzucchi, a researcher at the IRIS whole number of issues, said Igor supply most of the countries in the French think tank. Dekanic, a professor at the region, said Less. And it is here that the The West is pushing for a way to reach Faculty of Mining, Geology and West hopes to steal a march on the Caucasus, and one day perhaps Petroleum Engineering. These included Moscow by backing rival projects. The even tap into Caspian or Middle relations between Turkey, Russia and EU, competing interests of the West and Eastern gas, while circumventing the migrants issue, Syria, the expert said. PHOTO OF THE DAy CLASSIFIEDS A furnished three-storey house (or separate apartments) for rent, located above Skenderija, 50m from Tranzit, near the Stari Grad Radio and the Russian Embassy. Each apartment has a terrace, and the house has a front yard terrace with a grill. Gas/electricity heating. Parking available. The house has a gar - den. Viewing available every day.

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