Daily e-newspaper • N° 2734 • Sarajevo, March 21, 2012

RADMANOVIC AND KOMSIC RECEIVE SECRETARY GENERAL OF OSCE BiH Presidency Pledges Active Role in OSCE BiH Presidency members Nebojsa Radmanovic and Zeljko Komsic received in Sarajevo the Secretary General of OSCE Lamberto Zannier, who presented the work plan of OSCE in BiH and the region he collocutors emphasized that depending on the Gov- Tthis organization is the largest ernment's priorities. civil mission in BiH, and the second ''They exchanged opin- mission of OSCE in Europe, that it ions on social and polit- has an important role in BiH, and ical situation in BiH that it expands its action to the e- and the role of OSCE in ntire region of Western Balkans and BiH's and region's acc- continues to work in BiH in coo- ession to the European peration with domestic authorities, Union, and they men- tioned the progress in formation of the Ahmetovic Meets government in BiH, as well as the ful- fillment of obligations for EU, which is with ICMP Delegation the basis for further engagement of An urgent solution must be found to son is determined by DNA analysis. OSCE'', reads the statement. accelerate the process of discovering "This is something that we must not Presidency members thanked the mass graves and identification of missing allow - that families wait several years Secretary General for the continuous persons, said Minister of Security of BiH to complete this part of the process. It is engagement of OSCE in BiH and said that Sadik Ahmetovic after meeting with a inhumane and irresponsible of some BiH will remain their active member. delegation of the International Com- individuals to leave such evidence in They added that EU needs to expand soon mission on Missing Persons (ICMP), led drawers for years, not informing the to the region of Western Balkans, and that by program director for the Western families," Minister Ahmetovic said. they should continue their talks on the role Balkans Adam Boys. They discussed the One proposal is that within the Agency of OSCE, adds the statement. work of ICMP and how to solve certain for Forensics a Department of Forensic It was stressed that ''cooperation of BiH problems that slow down the process of Medicine should be formed, which with OSCE has been mutually useful and it identification of missing persons. It was would coordinate the work of forensic is expected to stay that way in the future''. highlighted that there are cases of stalling medicine experts, thus facilitating the This is the first visit of the Secretary to call the families in for identification, work of prosecutors and speeding up General of OSCE, Lamberto Zannier, since although the identity of the missing per- the process of identification. he has been appointed to this position.

Mile Lasic, professor: Will SDP have Enver Kazaz, professor: I don't Ibrahim Prohic, psychologist: SDP the strength to realize the depth of cri- believe that SDP, with its current lead- does nothing for the public interest. sis, produced by its methods of gover- ership and party elite, has the capacity For the whole time since the elections, nance that have nothing to do with to democratize within. SDP's complete they act as an extreme, clientelistic democracy? SDP equalized complete- leadership should resign, for the sake party, which cares only about its own ly with the ethnocratic parties of party and for the sake of Bosnia interests and the leader's position CURRENT AFFAIRS Bevanda Receives UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Issues Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Vjekoslav Bevanda, received in Sarajevo the Assistant Secretary General of UN for Political Issues, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, who said he fully supports BiH on its Euro-Atlantic path and construction of society based on inclusive dialogue, coordination and sustainable development ernandez-Taranco congratulated Bevanda on appointment and After he thanked Fernandez-Taranco, Bevanda said that member- Fexpressed leadership as the Head of the Council of Ministers ship in the Council of Security of UN was a great honor and chal- of BiH. He congratulated BiH on its significant role as the mem- lenge for BiH. He emphasized that, besides the change in position ber of the Council of Security of UN, and thanked for a commit- on international political stage, membership in the Council of ted work of our country in promotion of values of peace, security Security had a significant internal dimension, because it improved and preventive diplomacy on international political stage. the process of decision-making in the institutions of BiH. ''For what it has learned from its experience in construction of peace Bevanda said that BiH will celebrate its 20th anniversary since and democratic institutions of the post-war society, BiH can offer a it became the 177th member of UN on May 22, and empha- lot to the international community in construction of joint society sized that UN and its agencies had an important role in the con- based on sustainable development'', said Fernandez-Taranco. struction of sustainable peace and stability of institutions in BiH. He added that he expects the partner relations between BiH and UN to continue in the future. Ljubic Meets with Croatian Parliament Deputy Speaker Croatian Parliament deputy speaker Jadranka Kosor received in an official visit deputy speaker of the BiH Parliament House of Representatives Bozo Ljubic. Kosor said that Croatia fully sup- ports the "European way" of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and this support will be even stronger when Croatia becomes a full mem- ber of the European Union. Interlocutors also discussed the overall political situation in BiH, with focus on the position of Croats in BiH. BiH Parliament HoR deputy speaker stressed that BiH's stabil- ity is of extreme importance for the Republic of Croatia, as well as for the entire Europe, since "there is no stable Europe with- LET THEM out a stable Balkans, and Balkan stability is impossible without CONTINUE WITH THE a stable BiH". The legislative activities of the Croatian Parliament were also WORK. THEY WON'T topic of meeting, and meeting was concluded with an agreement SOLVE ANYTHING on future cooperation. SEJDIC- FINCI More Details on Komsic COMMISSION Resignation Today Zeljko Komsic has resigned from all posts in the Social Democratic Party, SDP, but has as yet given no official explanation for the move to the public. Komsic told Bosnia's Dnevni list daily that he decided to resign out of principle. "This cannot go like this anymore, so this was a logical step. I will stay a member of the SDP, but with no posts and I will continue to fight for principles of social-democracy." Komsic declined to explain further saying he will do so when the time is right. "I remain to be a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herze- govina and I will continue to work in that post in full capacity with all the obligations that entails," Komsic said. After a meeting with the SDP leader, Zlatko Lagumdzija, in Saraje- vo, the two said they will organize a press conference today.

Bosnia Daily, March 21, 2012 2 HIGHLIGHTS OPINION !The United States Embassy to BiH announced the participation of eighteen sec- ondary school students and three teachers Justice and Reconciliation from Bijeljina, Orasje, and Bihac in the spring 2012 Youth Leadership Program, an Cannot Be Delayed intensive four-week exchange program that will take place in Seattle and Washington, Justice and reconciliation must not be delayed further D.C. beginning in April 2012. U.S. Deputy in the region of the former Yugoslavia, and it is up Chief of Mission Jonathan Moore will meet the participants at a pre-departure orienta- to national governments to increase their efforts tion today. Mr. Moore will congratulate stu- he dissolution of the former Now, resolute action is required at nation- dents and teachers on their selection for the Yugoslavia was marked by gross al level to solve all pending war-related program and learn from them about their Thuman rights violations, including criminal cases. hopes for their visit to the U.S. 'ethnic cleansing' and killing of civilians. Regrettably, the efforts made so far by !On training ''Why is national action plan More than twenty years after the first war, governments to provide adequate repara- for inclusion of Roma in BiH important to the legacy of this violent past still lingers tion to war victims have generally not the media and public'' it was emphasized across the region, endangering the full been successful. An approach centered on that when reporting about Roma media enjoyment of human rights, democracy the human rights of the victims is neces- need to point to the positive things in their and the rule of law. sary. In particular, fair and durable solu- lives. ''We are trying to influence media lan- guage so stereotypes of Roma community The return to normalcy has been too tions should be found to end the in BiH would decrease. We would like slow and some societies in this protracted displacement of media to present needs of Roma, their wish region remain polarized along eth- refugees and other persons. for integration in BiH society and obliga- nic lines. Many victims of the wars I have observed with interest the tions of the state to the Roma community'', have not yet received adequate repa- efforts undertaken so far, not least by president of the Association of Roma in ration for the harms they suffered. the Croatian and Serbian Presidents, BiH Dervo Sejdic said. Reconciliation has been to recognize wartime crimes !BiH Defense Minister Muhamed Ibrahi- By Thomas hampered by numerous Hammarberg and to establish and recognize movic met in Sarajevo with a delegation obstacles to clarify the past. the truth. Public and official from the U.S. Air Force College, on cooper- CoE Commissioner Impunity for wartime crimes acknowledgements of the ation of the defense institutions of Bosnia for Human Rights and Herzegovina with the Government of has not been eliminated, and facts, as well as acceptance of the United States. He also thanked the U.S. there are still some 13,500 missing per- responsibility are important steps. Government for the assistance through the sons whose fates are not clear. A regional truth and reconciliation com- U.S. Embassy in BiH, provided to members The estimated 20,000 women who have mission could be an important tool to of the BiH Armed Forces during adverse been subjected to wartime sexual violence overcome present difficulties. States in weather conditions, by delivery of necessary remain in a particularly vulnerable posi- the region should provide more support to parts for helicopters and fuel. tion and deserve stronger support from the realization of this idea. the states concerned. Such a truth process would counter the There are also approximately 438,000 ignorance and denial of the gross human refugees and other displaced persons rights violations which are unfortunately whose legitimate claims for reparation still prevalent in the public and political Editor - in - Chief have not yet been met. discourse in the region. AMRA ZIMIC In addition, the situation of about 18,000 The education systems in the region Publisher people in the region who are stateless or at should promote genuine knowledge of POENTA d.o.o. risk of statelessness, especially Roma, history, restore tolerance and trust Sarajevo, 4 Zmaja od Bosne Street poses serious human rights and humani- between the peoples - especially the Senior Editor tarian concerns that need to be addressed younger generations - and counter ethnic RASID KRUPALIJA in compliance with agreed European and polarization and discrimination. Editor international standards. Europeans have learned from history that ZDRAVKO LJUBAS During my visits to the region, I have peace and security not based on the principle Contributor stressed that justice is key to reconcilia- of justice could be extremely fragile and KATHRYN HOFSTRA tion, and that it must be justice without short-lived. Post-war justice aimed at inter- distinction. Efficient national judicial sys- ethnic reconciliation and social cohesion is a Office Assistant tems must be established not only to rein- long-term and complex process whose suc- MUSTAFA BAHTANOVIC force the rule of law, but also to increase cess depends on a supportive, mature politi- DTP the necessary public trust in the judiciary cal climate and unfailing will and determina- MERSAD KIJAMET and effectively prevent future human tion on the part of political leaders. Marketing rights violations. The reconciliation process should be a AJNA NUHANOVIC The work of the International Criminal priority for all states concerned, as well as GSM: 061 145 464 Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, ICTY, for European institutions. This is the only Phone/Fax: 033 288 032, 033 288 035 has been groundbreaking, making possi- way to heal open wounds and ensure a Web site: www.bosniadaily.co.ba ble the prosecution and trial of senior stable, prosperous future for all peoples in E-mail: [email protected] leaders involved in war-related crimes. the region. CURRENT AFFAIRS TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL BiH Corruption Most Visible in Employment Complaints sent to the Center for legal assistance to citizens in the fight against corruption Transparency International BiH in 2011 show that the irregularities in the employment are the biggest problem that people encounter, and most complaints are related to the Civil Administration ast year, this Center received 1.097 calls percent), and a large number of com- processes before the court, but there Lby free open line for reporting cases of plaints (11 percent) related to the denial have been reports that related to corrup- corruption and by mail or email. Based on of access to information in public insti- tion in the judiciary itself, and the viola- those applications, TI BiH has initiated 197 tutions. Analyzing the nature of cases in tion of procedures. On the other hand, TI cases towards various institutions in BiH these areas, it is evident that most com- BiH received six reports related to the trying to ensure the rights to the citizens, and plaints, both in the public administration prosecutions, where the most evident point to individual cases of corruption. and other segments, referred to the problem is prosecution's failure to act on Comparing different sectors, the largest process of employment, where citizens complaints of citizens. TI BiH pointed number of complaints related to irregu- mostly reported irregular vacancies for out that the prosecution of corruption larities in the field of public administra- civil servants at all levels of govern- cases is on a very unsatisfactory level in tion (17 percent), followed by the judici- ment, and irregular procedures for BiH, and it is particularly worrying that ary (13 percent), education (9 percent), appointments to various functions. the judiciary clearly ignores corruption, property rights (8 percent), and the field When it comes to justice, the citizens so as the fact that this sector is increas- of construction and urban planning (7 most commonly complain about long ingly exposed to pressure. Japan Donates Funds for Demining Spiric Meets with Minister Spiric stressed that he supports ining and Technical Survey Activities in Italian Ambassador projects which create a possibility for Municipalities of Bihac and Velika Kladusa "Also, public institutions refuse to con- improving the real economy, and that he in the amount of 420.000,00 EUR. duct proceedings to determine liability in was advocating such an approach when the Hideo Yamazaki, Ambassador of Japan to their own ranks, and an additional obsta- 2012 budget was created, which is restric- Bosnia and Herzegovina will host today a cle is the slowness of administration, and tive and involves reduction of the adminis- signing ceremony at the Embassy of Japan. ignoring trend, ie contempt judgment, tration costs. He stressed that better condi- Representatives of Demining Commission in even by state institutions. However, what tions for the development of the economy Bosnia and Herzegovina, Municipality of is encouraging is that citizens are increas- will be created if savings are realized in Bihaæ, Municipality of Velika Kladuša, Bos- ingly deciding to report corruption, and public administration and if long-term nia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center that among those who report corruption solutions for costs are found, which among (BHMAC) and ITF Enhancing Human Secu- there's growing number of whistleblow- other things, arise because of inconsistent rity (ITF) will participate the signing ceremo- ers, ie persons who report irregularities in laws with international best practices. Spir- ny. To this grant support of the Government of the institutions in which they are ic recalled that the World Bank assessed Japan, through which 333.372 sq. m. of land employed," the statement reads. that this is the case with the amendments to would be released by methods of demining BiH Council of Ministers deputy chair- the Law on service in the armed forces. He and technical survey, ITF would apply its man and BiH Minister of Finance and added that under this legal solution, dis- matching fund mechanism, and thus ensuring Treasury Nikola Spiric met in Sarajevo charged soldiers in BiH can retire when 35 the duplication of funds and clearance of mine with the Italian Ambassador to BiH Rai- years of age, although in the European contaminated areas. mondo de Cardona. Ministry of Finance Union age moves to 70 years. Since 2009 the Government of Japan and Treasury informed that at the meet- The interlocutors agreed that BiH should donated 550.000,00 EUR through ITF for ing was assessed that BiH and Italy have go faster towards European integration, demining and technical survey activities good bilateral cooperation, and that there and Spiric stressed that this commitment on 23 locations in Municipalities of Gra- are many possibilities for improving the can be seen in the draft budget for 2012, canica, Lukavac and Petrovo where in total economic ties between the two countries. which includes the funds for the census in an area of 591,556 sq.m was cleared. Ambassador de Cardona stressed that BiH, local elections, and the construction Overall (since 1999), Japan donated there is interest of investors from Italy to of border crossings toward the EU and 1.489.849 EUR through ITF for various invest in BiH, who has so far invested neighboring Croatia. mine action programmes in the region of around 120 million Euros, but the possi- The Government of Japan provides new Southeastern Europe. In period of 1998- bilities are much bigger because Italy donation in the amount of 420.000,00 2012, ITF raised over 302 million EUR of only in Serbia has investments worth EUR for the activities of demining and donations and cleared 116.171.958 sq. m. three billion Euros. According to esti- technical survey in municipalities of Bihac of land in SEE and the South Caucasus. mates of the Ambassador de Cardona, and Velika Kladusa. For projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina investors from Italy are particularly inter- The Embassy of Japan and ITF Enhancing solely, ITF raised and implemented more ested in investing in the energy sector in Human Security will sign the new grant than 130 million EUR, clearing 61.682.769 the region where BH can take an impor- contract for the project Humanitarian Dem- sq. m. of land, statement writes. tant place in these projects.

Bosnia Daily, March 21, 2012 4 SOCIETY Discharged Soldiers Protest in Sarajevo In front of the building of BiH institutions in Sarajevo, a peaceful protest of discharged members of the BiH Armed Forces was held hey demanded from the relevant BiH "We will demand in coming days that they gave us support, and we expect Tinstitutions to provide the funds this law is included in the proposed them to act in line with the law and the form 2012 state budget for payment of budget for 2012. We do not care about Constitution of Bosnia and their salaries. It is about 1,500 former anything else. We will not accept any Herzegovina," Hubjer told reporters. members of the BiH Armed Forces who kind of promise. We just demand Protesters are convinced that the positive are entitled to the early retirement based Council of Ministers to include this law outcome of today's protest is unquestion- on the adopted amendments to the Law in to the draft budget, which will be at able and they are determined to stay in tomorrows session agenda", front of the BiH institutions until the ful- Senad Hubjer said. fillment of their requirements. If we are not included in the proposed budget, added Conference on Hubjer, we will collectively start a hunger strike. Standards in Nine- "We are compelled to do so. Year Education If we are hungry in our homes, we can be hungry Starts Today here too", Hubjer said. BiH Agency for preschool, elementary Protesters expect to meet and high school education will organ- with the Chairman of the ize today the second conference, as on BiH Armed Forces from 2010, pro- Council of Ministers Vjekoslav part of the series of conferences and vided that by 23 December 1995 they Bevanda, FBiH Prime Minister Nermin seminars titled ''Standards - the path to were participated at least two years in the Niksic and President of the Social quality education in BiH''. war as members of the BiH Army, the Democratic Party (SDP) BiH Zlatko Second conference ''Standards of Croatian Defense Council and Republika Lagumdzija. Student Achievements in Nine-Year Srpska Army, and were discharged due "We expect them only to confirm what Education'' will be held on March 21 to their age. they were talking all the time, because and 22 in the BiH Parliament. The aim of the conference is introduc- tion of education authorities and the World Down Syndrome public to key activities of the Agency, realized during 2011, and which Day to Be Marked in Sarajevo resulted by defining the standards of The Association "Life with Down Dom mladih Skenderija. student achievements for 3rd and 6th Syndrome" will organize today in Participants of the fair will be preschools, grade of elementary school in Sarajevo a fair of inclusion ideas, amid primary and secondary schools, the partners Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian language, 21 March - World Down Syndrome of the Association "Life with Down Mathematics and natural sciences. Day, which this year will be celebrated Syndrome", who were in recent years sup- External assessment of student throughout the world under the slogan porting the system of inclusive education achievements in contemporary educa- "I want to learn." for children with Down syndrome and other tion systems become one of the key children with special edu- tools for responsible and efficient edu- cational needs, and many cation management. persons from public life. This research has grown more signifi- "The fair will show the cant because it offers reliable and idea of inclusion and proper empirical data on establish- highlight good practice of ment of set education goals. including children with These data enables consideration of Down syndrome in efficiently of education process by iden- Photo by Vanja Lisac schools and kinder- tifying the key knowledge and skills United Nations, in accordance with its res- gartens, and we hope that it will contribute that students need to acquire and build olution on persons with Down Syndrome, to spreading the spirit of inclusion in all in a certain phase of their education. held a major conference devoted only to spheres of life. This is one way of promot- Ultimate purpose of school learning is people with Down syndrome, and in par- ing children with Down syndrome and acquisition of permanent knowledge ticular their status around the world, enti- therefore reduce prejudice against them", and skills that a student can use mean- tled "Building our Future". said Sevdija Kujovic, president of the ingfully in the new learning and apply Fair of inclusion ideas will be held in Association "Life with Down syndrome". in difference life situations.

Bosnia Daily, March 21, 2012 5 ECONOMY Bosnia Sells Its Share of Yugoslavia's Diplomatic-Consular Property Part of the diplomatic-consular property (DCP) of the former Yugoslavia, which based on the agreement of succession BiH received, should be used to improve the DCP network of BiH, while the second part, in due time, will find new owners, i.e. it will be sold This was confirmed by Adnan Hadzikap- property of Yugoslavia belongs to BiH. The According to Hadzikapetanovic, besides etanovic, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign value of the DCP of the former Yugoslavia is BiH, Croatia and Macedonia are also inter- Affairs BiH and member of the Joint Com- estimated at 266.4 million U.S. dollars. ested in the building in Argentina. mittee for Succession of the Diplomatic-Con- "The last meeting on the division of DCP "The next meeting of the Joint Committee sular property of former Yugoslavia. took place in Zagreb at the Ministry of will be held in Macedonia in the next month. "We will send information to the Council of Foreign and European Affairs. Then, divi- Then we will continue to negotiate division Ministers of BiH and request that all proper- sion of 23 objects was agreed. The of DC property in South America, North ty which is functional for BiH stays in its Embassy of former Yugoslavia in Algeria Africa, the Caribbean and Sahara," said diplomatic ownership, and that those was distributed in equal parts between Hadzikapetanovic. objects, of which we have no diplomatic Croatia and Bosnia with the purpose of In the first stage of the division of property benefits, be sold. With the consent of the common sale or for other purpose which BiH received the house in Washington and Council of Ministers, the use of this proper- would be under a bilateral agreement. We the residence in Hungary, it should also ty will facilitate the work of diplomacy, we wanted the Embassy of former Yugoslavia receive the embassy in Ottawa, the apart- will not have to pay rent and thus we will in Algeria, however, also Croatia has ment in Milan and the residence in Vienna. achieve savings," Hadzikapetanovic said in shown their interest. BiH was given the The third phase should be completed by an interview for Fokus. former SFRY Embassy in Nairobi, 31st August 2012 and in this stage BiH He reminded that 15 percent of the total DC Kenya," said Hadzikapetanovic. should receive the Embassies in Oslo, Madrid and Ankara. The work of the Expert Group on the succession of the artistic lega- Mostar's Economy Fair Next cy of former Yugoslavia should be present- Week, Partner Country Croatia ed in detail at a meeting in Skopje. Despite the global economic crisis, this and opportunity for both countries. year Mostar Economic Fair will have all "The fact is that all countries that were on Federation Prime the exhibition facilities full and will be one the border of the European Union have Minister Opens of the best so far, said the director of the made an extraordinary economic progress. Fair, Dalfina Bosnjak. Not because someone is so planned, but First Solar Plant This year's Mostar Economic Fair will be because the flows of goods and economic held from 27 to 31 March in the Customs logic influenced that it came to investing in Region Free Zone of Herzegovina. Participation across the borders of the European Federal Prime Minister Nermin Niksic of more than 800 exhibitors from thirty Union," said Ambassador Stanicic. put into operation solar power plant in countries is expected, with Croatia as the He added that it was likely that a large the company "Eco Energy" Ltd. in partner country. The main topic of the number of Croatian food companies Kalesija. It is the first solar power plant Fair will be economic cooperation would transfer a part of production to BiH in the region, which is located within between Croatia and BiH, as well as the so that Croatian products would remain the sports hall which is under construc- consequences of Croatia's accession to competitive at the regional market. tion. The company "Eco Energy" from EU on the economy of the two countries. This year, too, in addition to general Eco- Kalesija, owned by Selmir and Sadik Croatian Ambassador to BiH, Tonci nomic Fair, two specialized events - Fair of Fatic, invested in the project of the Stanicic, said that the Croatian accession Tourism and Fair of Book and Printing power plant 800,000 KM. to the EU represents a major challenge Industry will be held. "This is a great day, not only for Kalesija, Tuzla Canton and the Federation, this is a big day for the region Therefore, I will Energy Sector to Face remind of the fact that this is the first Long Term Instability facility of this kind in the region," Prime Minister Niksic pointed out among other Existing and expected level of electricity convertible marks KM to invest up to things, congratulating Fatic on the prices in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2015 for maintaining the import level, in courage to engage in such a project. next three years is not sufficient for production/power generation sectors of The ceremony, besides the federal and future investment needs in BiH electric electricity and in coal supply. WB offi- municipal, was attended by representa- power companies, which endangers the cials are explain that according the state- tives of the cantonal government. Within financial and business potential and sec- ments from energy companies this proj- the visit to Kalesija, Prime Minister Nik- tor growth, warned in World bank. WB in ects will be financed from internal funds sic met in Kalesija with the chief execu- recently published report says that three of the companies and some external loans tive of the municipality, Rasim Omerovic. energy companies are planning 6.1 bill which will require state guaranties.

Bosnia Daily, March 21, 2012 6 INTERVIEW OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL LAMBERTO ZANNIER Eliminating Discrimination Should Be a Priority Secretary General of OSCE Lamberto Zannier talks about the need of implementation of the decision in ''Sejdic and Finci'' case, education in BiH and degree of development of system for protection of human rights hat is the purpose of your visit to consensus, I know well that resolution of cal and other developments. The OSCE WBosnia and Herzegovina? difficult issues requires skilled diplomacy, Representative on Freedom of the Media, I wanted to come soon after the establish- good will and constructive compromises. Ms Mijatovic can provide the authorities ment of the new state government to discuss Your political representatives will need to with expert advice and support. their priorities and in which areas the OSCE find such constructive compromises for dif- BiH is still seen as a country in which can support the country. With my visit I also ficult issues like the constitutional reform. two schools under one roof operate. want to emphasize that the other 55 coun- The extent of constitutional reform in BiH is When and how will this issue - an obvi- tries that are part of the OSCE continue to be a question for domestic political parties to ous proof of discrimination and war firmly committed to supporting Bosnia and determine, not international organizations. burden - will be solved? Herzegovina. The OSCE still has the largest Once the process is launched I am sure it ‘Two schools under one roof’ create segrega- civilian mission in the country and we are will take time until it is concluded. tion and divisions from an early age. These working with all levels of the government divisions - especially at such young ages - are and the society supporting you in strength- Constructive Solutions detrimental for Bosnia and Herzegovina and ening your democratic institutions. are of little benefit to anyone in any municipal- I welcome the new government’s declared From your viewpoint has BiH and to ity, canton or entity wishing to build a tolerant, priorities, which will support your ambition what extent made progress in the field innovative and successful generation of citi- of EU integration. This is very positive, of human rights and HR protection? zens and future leaders. You already have the especially at a time when the other countries Are we working enough on improving necessary legislation to eliminate this problem. in the region are making important steps on this segment, as well as the freedom of All schools have a legal obligation to provide their own EU integration paths. expression? appropriate education for all children in their How far actually is BiH from the EU hav- catchment area. The BiH law on the prohibi- ing in mind that the authorities cannot tion of discrimination bans segregation in edu- agree on Sejdic-Finci judgment imple- cation. The Council of Europe, the European mentation for a long time? Parliament, the Council of the European I know that this issue has been on the agen- Union, the Human Rights Council, and many da now for a couple of years and there was others, have all called for these laws to be hope that it could be resolved before the last implemented, especially with regard to 'two general election. We are all also aware that schools under one roof'. Regrettably, there has the debate on constitutional changes, which been no progress on this since 2005. Young would also include this, has been going on Lamberto Zannier people of this country deserve such progress. for even longer. Eliminating discrimination There are numerous positive examples, and How realistic is to expect constructive against citizens which prevents them from you have gone a long way since the horrific solutions with regard to judiciary and holding the highest public office simply conflict which began 20 years ago here in structural dialogue, while taking into because of their ethnicity should be a prior- Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today you have account RS requests for abolishment of ity. When this country joined the OSCE and strong and independent institutions to pro- BiH Court and Prosecutor's Office? the Council of Europe it made a number of tect human rights and strengthen the rule of To build a strong economy, democracy commitments including to respect human law and I am pleased that the OSCE played and conclude dealing with the war crimes rights and fundamental freedoms. BiH has a significant role in helping to establish you need strong judicial institutions and honored its commitments in different areas them. Today the OSCE is still working with the rule of law. To question the existence so it should do it in the ‘Sejdic-Finci’case as the authorities on strengthening the demo- of those institutions is not a solution, but well. The EU insists that you fulfill this and cratic accountability of armed forces, fight- efforts should rather focus on improving a number of other commitments to progress. ing human trafficking, as well as supporting their effectiveness through the EU-led This is an additional incentive to go ahead media freedom. I believe that that the focus structured dialogue. The OSCE will con- with its implementation. Besides non-dis- now should be on judicial reform to safe- tinue to support the needed judicial crimination, functionality is also a key topic guard judicial independence and entrench reforms. What we care about is the rule of to be addressed through overall constitu- the rule of law. Another priority is the law. It provides stability and security and tional reform in BiH. It is difficult to reach reform of the public broadcasting system. is a key element of any democracy. The consensus on such sensitive issues. As the Independent public broadcaster working for judiciary must be able to work independ- Secretary General of an organization made the citizens has a vital role in informing the ently and being subject only to the scruti- up of 56 countries that take decisions by citizens across the country on social, politi- ny of an independent authority.

Bosnia Daily, March 21, 2012 7 FEATURE A Bullet for Suljagic, an Award for Ceric After a death threat last month, the Minister of Education in the Sarajevo Canton resigned. Emir Suljagic's offence was to have proposed that the mark for religion should not count (towards the average) in the schools of the canton, so as not to discriminate against those students choosing not to study it at school is proposal set off furious reactions By Andrea Rossini Minister did not go back on his steps. Hwhich, according to several human Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Some say he had already left the country. rights activists, opened the way for the successive threats. One of his chief antag- Criticism of his position came mainly An Award for Ceric onists was the powerful head of the from the leader of the Bosnian Islamic Islamic community in Bosnia community, Reis-ulema Mustafa Ceric. On March 20, in Rome, the Reis Ceric will Herzegovina, the Reis-Ulema Mustafa In May last year, in a particularly biting receive the award of the Ducci Foundation Ceric who in Rome will receive an impor- speech to 30,000 faithful at Blagaj, Ceric for his contribution to peace, and, in par- tant award for his contribution to Peace. attacked the Minister's proposals warn- ticular, for his "promotion of dialogue Emir Suljagic is one of the few Bosnian ing that the Muslims would take to the between religions and cultures". Together Muslims to survive the siege and fall of streets and create a "Sarajevo summer", with Ceric awards will go to Marco Srebrenica. He was the youth seen in the (the reference being to the Arab spring), Impagliazzo, President of the Comunita di film at the Hague tribunal as he translat- Sant'Egidio and Professor Andre Azoulay, ed for the meeting between Mladic and President of the Anna Lindh Foundation. the leader of the Dutch forces after the In Bosnia Herzegovina various human town had fallen. On Srebrenica and its rights activists, including the well-known siege, Suljagic has written some very documentary maker Refik Hodzic, have moving pages. His book Postcard from signed a petition organized by the popular the Grave is a sort of diary of life in the actor Fedja Stukan asking the Foundation enclave seen through the eyes of an ado- not to give the award to the present leader lescent. But Suljagic does not avert his of the Bosnian Islamic Community. The gaze from the crimes committed by his signatories of the petition, not only in the "own people"- he describes the exploita- Emir Suljagic light of the Suljagic affair, describe Ceric tion, misappropriations and corruption affirming that "the schools are ours" and as "a person who spreads hatred and intol- which prevailed in a town subject to the condemning "those who want to do in erance on the basis of religion and one of discretion of its military leaders and, Sarajevo what had been done in those responsible for the radicalization of above all, he relates the cruelty of the Srebrenica", that is genocide. believers in Bosnia Herzegovina". forces for peace, the blue helmets. Following this, the Minister and his family The President of the Foundation, Paolo After the war, as a journalist, Suljagic had started to receive threats and hate mail. Ducci, has however declared to OBC that covered the trials in the Hague Tribunal. The episode of the bullet was the last of a "arguments and diatribes concerning the Finally he entered politics, with the long series. In his letter of resignation pub- internal situation in Bosnia do not come Social Democrats, becoming a Minister lished on the Canton government website, into, and must not come into, the evaluation in January 2011. Suljagic wrote, "those who hide behind by the scientific committee (of the religion to threaten me and my family use Foundation) which is restricted to the con- Mafia-Style Warnings (religion) to keep the power and privileges tribution made by Ceric at the international they illegitimately acquired." level as the promoter of inter-religious and "Leave Allah and his religion alone, or After his resignation was announced, inter-cultural dialogue". President Ducci the hand of the faithful will strike you." slogans appeared on the walls of the cap- also recalled the considerable recognition This was the message Suljagic found in ital in favor of the Minister. The most already awarded to Ceric in an internation- an envelope in his letter box last frequent phrases, reported in the local al context and his participation in important February 8. Inside there was a 7.32 cal- newspapers, were, "We are all Emir", initiatives like the International iber bullet. Already the previous year his "Dignity instead of ministerial posts" Commission for Peace Research and the proposal to reduce the weight given to and "Beware of bullets". A large banner World Council of Religions for Peace. religion in schools had roused strong stated that Suljagic was not "Minister for The resignation of Suljagic is a sign of reactions leading him to offer his resig- Obscurity" as he had been defined by a Bosnia's lasting incapacity to create public nation. His Party (SDP) colleagues, how- well-known Bosnian daily paper, but structures characterized by inclusiveness, ever, at the head of the Sarajevo Canton, "the Minister for the teachers and their not division, for all its different citizens. had given him their support and con- pupils". In mid February in Sarajevo, The award to Ceric is perhaps a sign of our vinced him to remain. This time, though, some hundreds of people, including lasting incapacity to comprehend how he was alone and, after such a serious many teachers, took part in a demonstra- much the internal dynamics of that country threat, decided to give up. tion in support of Suljagic. But the are important for the destiny of Europe.

Bosnia Daily, March 21, 2012 8 PROFILE BPNP: MUSLIM BOSNIAN NEO-NAZI GROUP Most of the World's Problems Result from "Letting the 'Chosen People' Control the World" The Bosanski Pokret Nacionalnog Ponosa (Bosnian National Pride Movement), founded about two years ago, describes itself as a National Socialist (Nazi) movement championing white supremacy and Bosnian national revival hat differentiates the BPNP international community are destroying By A. Ceresnjes and Y. Carmon from other European neo-Nazi the national fabric of Bosnia. In terms of MEMRI Wgroups is that it was founded religious sentiments, the organization by, and is intended for, Muslim Bosnians union and NATO as a global army). seems to sympathize with the Creativity - as evident from its spheres of opera- Bosnia must be a free nation with its own Movement, a nontheistic modern reli- tion, which are listed on its website. army which is always ready to defend the gion that many white supremacist groups Indeed, the site states that 95% of the country's sovereignty, [and which] oppos- embrace as "the white man's religion." group's members are Muslim (though es [the] globalization policy which is In addition to rejecting Zionists, commu- this is not a mandatory requirement for being forced by Zionist structures with nists, capitalists and Islamists, the organi- membership). The website also reveals just one purpose - [the] creation of one zation also expresses hostility towards that the group celebrates the Muslim- world government which will allow the other groups despised by the Nazis, Nazi alliance during the Second World namely homosexuals, gypsies War: It reveres the Muslims who joined and blacks. the Nazi war effort, and sees a role The section titled "literature" model in their leader, then-mufti of features links to texts by Ad- Jerusalem Hajj Amin Al-Husseini, who olf Hitler, Joseph Goebbels, from 1941 through 1945 collaborated Benito Mussolini, Reinhard with the Nazi leadership and the SS. Heydrich (a senior com- It should be mentioned that unlike some mander in the SS and one of EU countries, Bosnia does not ban Neo- the main architects of the Nazi groups or the use of Nazi symbols - Holocaust), and Alfred Rose- enabling the organization to operate and nberg (a Nazi leader and Rei- circulate its materials with impunity. ch Minister for the Occupied Eastern Territories), as well The Ideology of BPNP 'gray eminence' to rule the world." as articles about the SS and The Protocols "Ideologies that are not welcome in of the Elders of Zion, literature about the The BPNP website, which has sections in Bosnia are: Zionism, Islamism, commu- evil influence of the Freemasons, and Bosnian and English, states that the orga- nism, capitalism. The only ideology various texts on race theory and white nization's ideology is based on the doc- good for us is Bosnian nationalism supremacy. The site's photo gallery trine of Nazi propaganda minister Joseph because it secures national prosperity includes images relating to various topics Goebbels, as set out in his manifesto The and social justice..." that concern the group, including "BPNP NAZI-SOZI: Questions and Answers for The inclusion of "Islamism" among the propaganda," "campaigns," "enemies," Nationalist Socialists (1932). A section on rejected ideologies is noteworthy. As and Bosnian history. the site is features the "Ten mentioned, the site states that 95% of the As for the group's activities, they seem to Commandments for National Socialists," group's members are Muslim (the other be confined, so far, to operating the web- which is part of this manifesto, adapted 5% being Bogomils - members of a site, circulating propaganda fliers, spray- for the current circumstances in Bosnia Gnostic Christian sect that advocates a painting slogans, and holding clandes- and Herzegovina. Another section on the return to early Christianity). However, tine meetings of the group members, site, headed "BNPM Attitudes," stresses the site also stresses that religious affili- who, according to the site, are "very Bosnian nationalism and lists the ideolo- ation is irrelevant to membership in the carefully screened." gies the group rejects, which include com- organization, which champions white munism, capitalism, Islamism and also supremacy, and that the organization Celebrating Bosnian Zionism, which, according to the site, is does not consider religious clerics and Collaboration with the Nazis striving for world domination. The sec- institutions as sources of authority. In tion, written in English, states: "We are fact, it states that Bosnia's religious The site operator calls himself "Sauber- against alliances and unions whose pur- establishment, and its leader, the Chief zweig," after Karl Gustav Sauberzweig, pose is establishment and protection of Mufti, lack any legitimacy, for they are commander of the 13th Waffen Mountain the new world order (EU as continental tools through which the EU and the Division of the SS Handschar. This was a

Bosnia Daily, March 21, 2012 9 PROFILE division of Muslim Bosnians, recruited ery and distress. It is even sadder that the the chosen people, and states that the son by Hajj Amin Al-Husseini in the autumn Cetniks [Serbian nationalist and monar- of God was a Jew and that God promised of 1943, which fought on the side of the chist paramilitary organizations] and the Jews control of a certain geographic Nazis in the Second World War. The divi- Partisans carry on their activities, mur- area. A thinking man should ask himself: sion - which participated in the occupa- dering and plundering wherever they go. how is it that a nation so small has tion of Hungary in 1944, and was also But we call out to them, 'You can murder played such a large role in the lives of the charged with the task of guarding the rail- and plunder, but the day will come when European peoples? To ignore this ques- way from Hungary to Slovakia and tion is to ignore reality." Poland, where half of Hungary's Jews "It is a fact that Jewish forces were were exterminated - is highly revered by involved in the French Revolution, in the the BPNP. The site quotes reports by First World War, in the October [1917] high-ranking Nazis about the division Revolution and in the Second World and its soldiers: "The Bosnian is a very War. Anyone with eyes in his head can good soldier. His strength lies in the use see that. It's [also] a fact that Jewish of terrain and in close combat. With the forces are waging a culture-war against infantry attack he is in his element. In Europe. They want to erase every trace defense, however, he must be led strictly of the authentic European culture and and with caution. During heavy barrages replace it with the American anti-culture of enemy artillery and air attacks, he called 'multi-culturalism'! The same must be led very carefully. He is good forces are also promoting [a policy of] natured, but hates the Serbian element. open borders and mass-migration, which To the officer who wins his heart he will [have] been destroying Europe's natural bond himself with an almost childlike development since ancient times. They loyalty. He has an extreme sense of fair- want to create a world that stifles all the ness and feeling of honor. He loves his the tables are turned!'" Imam Waffen-SS good fruits of our forefathers' [culture]. Bosnian homeland. This strength must be Hanzdar divizije, Muhasilovic. The fact is that the Aryan race did not reinforced repeatedly, i.e. it must be "These deeds signify the great benevo- survive more than 50 years under the stressed that the time when the division lence for us Muslims and for Bosnia in rule of these forces. All we want is to returns to the Balkans to save the home- general. I therefore consider it my duty defend our right to existence and life." land depends on the individual. The to extend our thanks to the Reichsfuhrer- A section headed "New World Order" sooner he masters his tasks, the sooner SS in the names of the division's Imams states that the Jews are, in effect, control- the division will be ready for action" SS as well as an in the names of the hun- ling the world: "Freedom of speech is Brigadefuhrer Karl G. Sauberzweig dreds of thousands of Bosnia's poor in granted to a handful of 'privileged' politi- "I knew there was a chance that a few that I pledge that we are prepared to lay cians, journalists and functionaries that traitors might be smuggled into the divi- down our lives in battle for the great are puppets of the Zionist mechanism... sion, but I haven't the slightest doubt leader Adolf Hitler and the New Europe" The authorities quickly silence and cen- concerning the loyalty of the Bosnians" Imam of Handzar division SS- sor the voices that come to defend the [Reichsführer-SS] Heinrich Himmler. Hauptsturmfuhrer Husein Dzozo. values that are trampled daily by the Also quoted on the website are state- The site's picture gallery includes many effective media propaganda, controlled ments by the division's Muslim com- photos illustrating the Bosnian collabo- by the ruling Jews. Truth is dear, but any manders describing the vision they ration with the Nazis in World War II, prisoner knows that freedom is price- shared with the Nazis: "They [i.e., the such as photos of parades held in honor less... 90% of the problems in the world enemies of the Germans] are your enemy of Amin Al-Husseini during his visits to are the result of a dark plan formulated and God's enemy. And that is the Bosnia, and photos of the soldiers and by the promoters of the New World English, Americans, and Bolsheviks, officers of the Handschar Division. Order with the aim of letting the 'chosen who fight against faith, against God, people' control their empire, namely the against morality, and just order. On the The Group's Anti-Semitism [entire] world. This diabolical plan is other side stands National Socialist masterminded by the Zionists, the Germany with its allies, under the lead- The site's "Question and Answer" section Freemasons and the Illuminati, and we ership of Adolf Hitler, who fight for God, elaborates on the group's hostility become party to it whenever we believe faith, morality, and a fairer and more towards the Jews. The site operator their lies... A certain group of people is righteous order in the world, as well as writes: "The Jews have immense influ- trying to suppress the emotions of for a fairer distribution of goods that God ence throughout the world - in [the humanity at large, emotions that are so has produced for all people." domains of] politics, economy, culture, important! They want to preserve the "As we observe this Bajram feast with and religion. Anyone who scoffs at [the 'chosen people' status that they have good food, and even halva, an entire notion of] a Jewish conspiracy need only established for themselves. [They army of our brothers, our refugees, wan- open the Bible. He will find that, for over believe] we 'gentiles' must know our der about from city to village, wrapped 1,000 years, the European peoples have place, because, [according to them], they in rags, barefooted, hungry and cold. embraced a religion that, for some are the elite and we are [mere] animals Their Bajram feast will be spent in mis- unknown reason, designates the Jews as dancing to their tune."

Bosnia Daily, March 21, 2012 10 REGION Serbian Schools Get to Grips with Chinese Chinese classes in 31 primary and secondary schools began on Monday - all part of Serbia's long campaign to cozy up to the Far Eastern giant, reports Balkan Insight "Good afternoon", were the first words March 14 when Education Minister "I arrived four days ago... I hope that in Chinese that pupils in Belgrade's Zarko Obradovic and Chinese ambassa- children will learn Chinese and I, France Presern primary school heard in dor Jang Vanha signed a Memorandum Serbian," Gao Chen, a new teacher, said. their first Chinese class. of Understanding on the subject. About 7,000 Chinese live in Serbia, of whom "The goal of this project is for Serbian stu- about 3,000 reside in Belgrade. They began dents to encounter Chinese tradition and settling in Serbia in the 1990s, mostly as culture. Learning Chinese is important for traders from the provinces of Zhejiang and economic reasons too," Obradovic said. Fujian, which are known as textile centers. This pilot project will last until the end China is one of the four so-called "pillars" of the year. Volunteers from China have of Serbian foreign policy and the two been selected to teach Chinese twice a countries have had close relations in last week to anyone who chooses the subject two decades. China has strongly supported "Chinese is something that nobody had from third grade onwards in primary Serbia over Kosovo, among other issues. an opportunity to learn before so it will schools. Students in Serbia are already certainly be interesting," a girl student obliged to learn English and at least one Serbian from the school commented. Serbia's other foreign language, such as Russian, Education Ministry has been working on French, German and now Chinese. Army Chief Sues introducing the Chinese language to The teachers have only recently arrived from Serbian schools for months and on China and thus know only a little Serbian. Natasa Kandic The Serbian army chief, Ljubisa Dikovic has filed a lawsuit against the director of Judge Excluded in High the Humanitarian Law Centre in Serbia, Natasa Kandic, after she accused him of Profile Croatia Trial being responsible for war crimes com- The trial of a former top advisor in and their 12-year-old daughter mitted in Kosovo in 1999. Croatia's wartime Interior Ministry, Aleksandra, who were murdered on the The Humanitarian Law Centre, in a report Tomislav Mercep, charged with war night of December 7, 1991 in a forest published in January, blamed Dikovic for crimes, was postponed, as one of the near Zagreb. a number of war crimes committed in judges will have to be excluded. The murder of the Zec family, who were Kosovo in 1999 when he was the com- The trial was postponed on Monday as Serb civilians living in the Croatian cap- mander of the Motorized Brigade of the it was revealed that one of the trial ital, far from the frontline, is considered Yugoslav Army. The report was based on judges, Jadranka Mandusic, had inter- by many to be one of the cruelest war exhibits from the Hague Tribunal, public rogated one of the witnesses during the crimes committed by the Croatian documents of the Yugoslav Army, JNA, investigation, contrary to Croatian law. forces. The killers, all members of the the NGO's documentation, and deposi- Croatian criminal law does not allow a unit under Mercep's command, were tions from witnesses. judge who has attended a preliminary captured and confessed to the crime but The Humanitarian Law Centre main- interrogation to also participate in the they were released due to a procedural tained that an officer with such a stained trial of the accused. The presiding judge mistake and never stood trial. record should not be at the helm of the has decided to formally restart the trial Some of the perpetrators continued with Serbian Army, "as he clearly lacks the on March 26, although two sessions their military careers and were hon- professional and ethical potential to help have already been held so far. oured with a presidential medal. One restore trust in the Serbian Army region- Mercep has been charged, that as a became a member of the military's pres- ally and internationally". commander of a police unit, he person- idential guard. After 1991, Mercep was The Serbian Ministry of Defense and ally ordered the unlawful arrest, torture appointed an advisor to the Croatian General Dikovic have denounced the and killing of civilians from October 8, Interior Ministry. report as a vicious attempt to smear 1991 until mid-December 1991 in and Despite independent media reports about the Army's reputation, while Serbia's around Zagreb and in the towns of war crimes committed by his police unit, War Crimes Prosecution Office has Kutina and Pakrac in central Croatia. he remained at large and was a promi- dismissed the evidence against According to the indictment, his police nent political figure until recently. He led Dikovic as groundless. unit illegally captured 52 people, killing a political party and an influential war Lieutenant General Ljubisa Dikovic 43 of them, while three disappeared and veterans' organization and even ran for was appointed Head of the Army of six survived torture. Croatian president in 2000. the Republic of Serbia on December Among the victims named in the indict- He has been in custody since his arrest on 12 last year by a decree of Serbian ment are Mihajlo Zec, his wife Marija war crimes charges in December 2010. President Boris Tadic.

Bosnia Daily, March 21, 2012 11 WEATHER OUTLOOK GLOBE IN PICTURES CINEMAS

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