LOCAL PRESS Belgrade, Pristina open new round of talks (Beta) Belgrade and Pristina will send their delegates to Brussels, on Aug. 15, to open a new round of expert talks on the Community of Serbian Municipalities, telecommunications and other open issues. The Serbian government’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija reported that the director of the Office, Marko Djuric, would lead the Serbian negotiators. Djuric said that telecommunications would be one of themes, more specifically, the Serbian telecom’s operations in Kosovo and Metohija. Reflecting on the Community of Serbian Municipalities, Djuric said that Pristina had done nothing to honor that part of the Brussels agreement. As for the beginning of construction works on the bridge across the Ibar River, dividing Kosovska Mitrovica into the Serbian north and Albanian south, Djuric said that the bridge would not be re-opened as long the Kralja Petra Street in the northern part of Mitrovica was not converted into a pedestrian zone. The European Union arranged for the works to start on Aug. 14, under a previous agreement on the bridge and the removal of the Peace Park, reached on Aug. 25, 2015 in Brussels. Delegations from Pristina and Belgrade are expected to meet in Brussels, on Aug. 15, to discuss a country call code for Kosovo, the Kosovo government reported. Kosovo’s minster in charge of dialog with Serbia, Edita Tahiri, said ahead of the Brussels meeting that she was optimistic and hoped that the talks on “a country code for the Kosovo state” would be finalized, and that Kosovo would be allocated the 383 international call code. Reconstruction of Kosovska Mitrovica bridge starts – EUR 1.2 million set aside (Blic) The revitalization of the bridge on the river Ibar in Kosovska Mitorvica and the access routes which will enable free traffic between the north and the south of the city by mid-January has started. The EU has set aside EUR 1.2 million for the project. The revitalization has begun in accordance with the recent agreement between the director of the Government of Serbia’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Marko Djuric, and the chief of Pristina’s negotiation team, Edita Tahiri. Djuric said, following the meeting in Brussels that the opening of the bridge and the removal of the Peace Park would contribute to the normalization of relations between Serbs and Albanians and the EU Office in Pristina made an almost identical announcement. The works will be supervised by the mixed work group headed by the two mayors – Goran Rakic from North Kosovska Mitrovica and Agim Bahtiri from South Kosovska Mitrovica. The Kosovo Police, EULEX and KFOR, in accordance with their mandates, will supervise the works in order to ensure that they are being carried out peacefully. An excavator, along with several trucks, has been brought to the south side of the bridge on the Ibar, and ten workers should start the excavation works on the access route. The works on the north side of the Bridge, as Rakic announced, will start in a few days. Work starts on bridge in Kosovska Mitrovica, Belgrade describes it as “Reconstruction” (VIP, B92) Work on removing the barricades on the main bridge over the Ibar River in Kosovska Mitrovica, which has been closed for traffic since 1999 and which separates the northern, Serbian part from the southern, Albanian part of the city, started on Sunday, as stipulated by the agreement on normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, signed in 2003 in Brussels, later confirmed in August 2015, electronic media report. The removal of the barricades is one of the terms that Serbia is supposed to meet, and the Serbs from the northern part of the city at one point placed large concrete flower boxes and declared it the Peace Park, in order to prevent this from happening. The Serbs from the northern part of the city have been against the opening of the bridge, but the authorities in Belgrade managed to find a way to channel and neutralize their discontent. It is likely that this was the reason why representatives of the Serbs from northern Kosovo visited Belgrade last week for a meeting with the director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo. Since 1999 the bridge over the Ibar has been the scene of countless clashes between Albanians, who tried to cross it, with Serbs who prevent this from happening. KFOR intervened on several occasions, stopping the clashes. The bridge was guarded by KFOR members for a long time, with checkpoints set up. After the signing of the Brussels Agreement the bridge was opened for pedestrian traffic, but not for vehicles. During the negotiation in Brussels Kosovo representatives insisted that the bridge be opened for vehicle traffic. The opening of the bridge is one of the conditions that gave for agreeing to fulfill the stipulations regarding the Community of Serbian Municipalities. The removal of the so-called Peace Park was not opposed by any of the Serbs from the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica. There was an increased Kosovo police presence around the bridge. The EU office in Kosovo said on Sunday that it expects the bridge in Mitrovica to become a symbol for the normalization of relations between the communities in Kosovo. The EU office formed a working group which will oversee and revise the dominant political and security conditions in the municipalities during and after the reconstruction process with the mayors of the northern and southern parts of the town. Djuric: Traffic in Mitrovica to get new image (VIP, RTS) Although the barricades on the bridge were a symbol of the struggle of the Serbs in northern Kosovo to prevent the government in Pristina from getting control over the area, Djuric failed to make any mention of that in a Sunday morning appearance on Radio TV Serbia (RTS). He said that the bridge “will not be opened until the reconstruction is fully completed”. “We are building today and in six months, that is by January 20 and the end of the reconstruction, all of Kosovska Mitrovica will have a new traffic image,” he said. Djuric said that King Peter street which flows into the bridge from the northern side of the town will be turned into a pedestrian zone. He said a static KFOR and Serbian section of the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) check point will be set up on the northern side of the bridge. Djuric said that there are those among the Kosovo Albanians who mock the fact that Serbia is meeting its obligations under the Brussels agreement and who “have no intention of” accepting responsibility for the implementation of their part of the agreement. Djuric recalled that more than 40% of the agreement covers the Community of Serb Municipalities. Djuric said that the talks between delegations from Belgrade and Pristina on the Community of Serb Municipalities and telecommunications are due to continue in Brussels on Monday. Serbia insists on the implementation of the parts of the agreement on the forming of the Community while Pristina says that will happen only after the implementation of the part of the agreement on an international dialing code (+383) for Kosovo. DSS: Bridge opening endangers safety of Serbs (B92) The opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) said that the Serbian government is endangering the safety of Serbs in northern Kosovo by giving permission for the removal of the so-called Peace Park. The safety and security of the Serbs living in northern Kosovska Mitrovica is being seriously endangered since there have been more than 1,000 registered incidents on it since 1999, the DSS said. The DSS said that the intensive integration of Serb municipalities in the north into the Kosovo system is being continued. The DSS claims were refuted by the Serb List which is made up of Serb parties in the Kosovo parliament and is under the direct control of the authorities in Belgrade. The Serb list said that the “revitalization of the streets and bridge across the Ibar will give the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica a new modern traffic with heightened security for the population of that part of the town”. The Serb List said the DSS claims are “scandalous, shameless and immoral”. The Serb List said that the bridge will not be opened for traffic before King Peter street is turned into a pedestrian zone and its level raised to prevent vehicles from entering the center of the northern part of town and before a KFOR check point is set up on the northern side of the bridge which meets the conditions Belgrade set in negotiations with Pristina over the implementation of the Brussels Agreement. PM “plans to create two more ministries” in his new cabinet (Danas) PM Aleksandar Vucic “plans to very soon create two new ministries – of ecology and of EU integration, and introduce more new faces to his cabinet.” This is what Belgrade-based daily Danas writes on Monday. “More new faces will enter the government, it is not ruled out that minister without portfolio in charge of EU integration Jadranka Joksimovic and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic will swap places,” said the newspaper. In mid-September, continued the article, changes to the Law on Ministries and the Law on Government will be before the Serbian National Assembly. The prime minister “intends to separate ecology, currently within the agriculture ministry, into a separate ministry, but it is not yet known who will head that department.” The daily also said there will be a new ministry – “for euro-integrations, that is, for the EU.” Miscevic: Brussels mission to visit Serbia in early September (Tanjug) Serbia’s chief EU negotiator Tanja Miscevic said on Friday a Brussels mission would visit Serbia in early September to clarify the system of reporting on the country’s progress in the recently opened Chapters 23 and 24 of the EU accession talks. Chapter 23 deals with the judiciary and fundamental rights, while Chapter 24 covers justice, freedom and security. Addressing a conference at the Tanjug Press Centre, Miscevic highlighted the significance of the chapters, adding that, without progress on Chapters 23 and 24, there could be no progress on any other chapter. “But how will they know if there has been progress? Through the reporting and monitoring system. Half-yearly reports are made through the monitoring mechanism on how much has been done and how many measures have been implemented,” she said. The mission will give a much clearer view of what the reporting will look like, as another control mechanism of our progress towards the EU, she said. Dacic: We hope Vienna will help ease tensions in region (Beta) Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic expects Austria will continue to support Serbia’s EU integration and contribute to easing tensions in the region. “We expect continued Austrian support when it comes to the European integration of Serbia and the opening of new chapters in the accession talks with the EU later this year,” Dacic told reporters after a meeting with his Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz in Vienna on Friday. The Serbian foreign minister was in Austria accompanying Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, who also met with Kurz, and with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern. Dacic said his country hopes Austria would also “contribute to easing tensions in the region” and that Serbia will play a constructive role and will be a factor of stability in the region. “By the very fact that we are here in Austria only a day after the new government was elected, Vucic has shown how important the role of both Austria and Minister Sebastian Kurtz is to us, when it comes to regional relations,” said Dacic. One of the topics discussed today was the migrant crisis. Dacic said that Serbia will continue to cooperate in this area and will “monitor the European answer to that question.” “We cannot allow Serbia to in some way become the victim of the lack of a united European policy,” Dacic said. Serbia “to protect itself and Europe” from new migrant wave (B92) Serbia will be capable of protecting its national and state interests, as well as European interests, in case of another major migrant wave. Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said this in Vienna, remarking there was no such large influx of migrants “at the moment.” After a meeting with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, Vucic said that, in the event of a new major migrant wave, Serbia would speak with EU officials and that he would be among the first to consult the Austrian chancellor. Whatever the EU decision may be in that case, we would be ready to implement it immediately and protect the borders, Vucic said at a joint press conference with Kern. He said Kern had presented to him Austria’s clear and unequivocal position on what it wanted, and added that Serbia would act accordingly. “Serbia has been particularly respectful of human rights and showed solidarity, and now it knows precisely what it is doing – in collaboration with Austria and other European countries it will protect the rights of people coming from war-torn regions, while protecting its own borders and the right to life of those who have lived in Europe for decades and centuries,” Vucic said. Kern offered support of the Austrian army and police in securing the borders, to which the Serbian prime minister said that any help is welcome, the Serbian government said on its website. He also pointed out that Serbia has done “a perfect job” on the issue of migrant crisis. Kern said that thanks to Serbia, the number of migrants was reduced, because it consistently acted in securing the borders, and added that “border protection will be in accordance with humanitarian obligations – it is very important that the measures work.” Swedish Prime Minister to Visit Belgrade after more than 40 Years (RTS, Politika) Stefan Lofven, who will arrive in Serbia on Monday evening, will be the first incumbent prime minister of Sweden to visit Belgrade in more than 40 years, the Serbian Broadcasting Corporation (RTS) reported. Lofven’s visit to Serbia is bilateral and is not part of a wider regional tour. He will meet on Tuesday morning with Serbian PM Aleksandar Vucic, and the main topics will be Serbia’s European integrations, primarily the economic cooperation between the two countries. Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said ahead of his visit to Belgrade on Aug. 15 that Sweden had always strongly supported Serbia and the Western Balkans’ integration with the EU, and that it would continue to support the process. The Swedish prime minister said in an interview with the Politika daily that Sweden and Serbia had developed excellent bilateral relations, pointing to a considerable potential to expand trade and strengthen economic relations. When asked about a recent attempt by Croatia to block the EU integration process for Serbia, Lofven said the EU-Serbia negotiating framework and the Union’s heritage had to be respected. “Opening the chapter on the rule of law is an effective way to resolve open bilateral issues, as it has been designed to adjust national legislation to the EU’s standards,” Sweden’s prime minister explained. “We hope that Chapter 31 on foreign, security and defense policies will be opened soon, which will place an even heavier emphasis on Serbia’s adjustment to the EU’s foreign and security policy,” Lofven said. US Vice President in Belgrade on Tuesday (RTS, Blic) US Vice President Joseph Biden will be visiting Serbia on Tuesday, for the second time media reported. Belgrade will also be visiting Pristina. It is assumed that one of the topics at both locations will be moving along the Brussels Agreement on normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, and experts on US foreign policy interpret Biden’s visit as a reaction to global developments, the Serbian Broadcasting Corporation (RTS) reported. Blic writes on Monday that the main topic of discussion between Biden and Serbia’s PM Aleksandar Vucic and President Tomislav Nikolic will be the creation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities in Kosovo. According to the newspaper’s sources, Biden will once again thank Serbia for accepting two prisoners from Guantanamo, which is why he will also not be pressuring officials in Belgrade to recognize Kosovo’s independence. This issue, as well as the solving of the murders of the Bitiqi brothers, American citizens who were killed by special police force members after being released from prison in 1999, will be the task of the new US administration, following the presidential elections, Blic reports. What Hague Tribunal said about “exonerating Milosevic” (B92) Niel Clark’s column for RT earlier this month, asserting that The Hague Tribunal “exonerated” Slobodan Milosevic, has caused complete chaos. Clark made his conclusion based on the guilty verdict passed to Radovan Karadzic, which does not explicitly mentioned Milosevic’s role in the crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Also, Clark noted that there was “no official announcement or press conference regarding the exoneration of Milosevic” – a former Serbian and Yugoslav president, and a Hague inductee himself, who died before the end of his trial. Radio Free Europe asked the Hague Tribunal for comment on this matter, and received this reply: “The Trial Chamber of the Karadzic case found, at paragraph 3460, page 1303, of the Trial Judgment, that ‘there was no sufficient evidence presented in this case to find that Slobodan Milosevic agreed with the common plan’. The Trial Chamber found earlier in the same paragraph that ‘Milosevic provided assistance in the form of personnel, provisions and arms to Bosnian Serbs during the conflict’.” Radio Free Europe also said in its report that “the trial against Karadzic was against him and him only, and therefore has no impact on the separate case against Slobodan Milosevic.” Legal experts previously stated for Tanjug that it was not possible to make conclusions about one case based on another, while Karadzic’s lawyer Goran Petronijevic stated that “if it is said that Karadzic’s verdict acquitted Milosevic, then it found Vojislav Seselj guilty – who was found innocent in his own trial.” Previously, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic issued a written statement saying that it was proved there was no guilt on the part of Milosevic, Yugoslavia and Serbia, and that the lies about genocide and war crimes, used as the basis for punishing Serbia and the Serbian people, had been brought down. He recalled that almost five months passed since the sentencing of Radovan Karadzic, and that, although it was published publicly, and despite the fact paragraph 3460 states that Milosevic was acquitted of suspicions of ethnic cleansing and war crimes in B&H – there has been silence about it in the West. “Therefore, this brings down the picture of the Western policy towards Serbia being justified,” Dacic said. According to the statement, the judgment states that Milosevic said all members of other nations and ethnic groups must be protected, that the national interest of Serbs is not in discrimination (paragraph 3288), and that it is necessary to fight resolutely against crime (paragraph 3284). Reacting to Dacic’s statement, opposition LDP party leader Cedomir Jovanovic said that “politicians who are trying to justify their role in a tragic policy” are the reason for stagnation. “To the same extent that we are willing to recognize the evil brought on by pro-Ustasha rampages in Croatia, extremism in B&H and Kosovo, we are ready to turn away from the tragic mistakes of our past and give legitimacy to people who wrote the blackest pages of our history,” said he. Labor Minister Aleksandar Vulin issued a statement similar to Dacic’s, pointing out that the court in The Hague “confirmed the correctness of the policy of Slobodan Milosevic.” “The Hague Tribunal is tasked with reconciling the countries in the region, putting us on the same plane. It did not succeed in that. Well, when such a tribunal recognizes that Milosevic did not participate in the organized criminal enterprise, it is clear that Serbia was right,” said Vulin. The LDP also reacted to this statement by saying it was “precisely an expression of the disorientation of society.” SNS and SVM sign coalition agreement (Studio B) The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) signed a coalition agreement on establishing joint program commitments and the best possible relations between Serbs and Hungarians, agencies reported on Sunday, citing a SNS statement. Immediately following the parliamentary and Vojvodina provincial elections, in late April, SNS leader and Serbian PM Aleksandar Vucic announced that the only sure coalition partner is the SVM. The SVM received the position of Vojvodina Assembly speaker, as well as certain departments in the provincial government, and it will also be present in the Serbian Government through secretaries of state and assistant ministers. The program commitments define the goals in all spheres of social life, especially focusing on strengthening economic activity, improving the lives of citizens, and further development of Vojvodina. The SNS announced that the two parties had reached an agreement on pushing for the realization of infrastructure development projects of vital importance to the country, and increasing efforts to create conditions for improving agricultural production and improving living and working conditions for producers. The SNS and SVM have agreed to strengthen state capacities in the further struggle against corruption and crime, as well as achieving maximal security for all the citizens of Serbia, the statement said. REGIONAL PRESS Vucic can stop Dodik, Will Joe Biden ask Vucic to stop Dodik? (Dnevni avaz) Analysts from Belgrade told Dnevni avaz daily that Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic might be the key person in stopping of the referendum on the Republika Srpska (RS) Day, especially after US Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Belgrade on Tuesday. Director of the Center for Regionalization in Belgrade Aleksandar Popov said that this is possible and added that the decision of the RS National Assembly on holding of the referendum is absurd and unnecessary. Popov reminded that Vucic had prevented RS President Milorad Dodik to hold referendum in past and warned him that this is wrong. “It remains to be seen if he will do the same this time as well”, Popov said and concluded that holding the referendum on the RS Day would open path to holding of other referendums. Sources told the daily that Biden and Vucic will maybe, among other things, discuss attempts to create a new crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), which is in nobody’s interest. First session of Commission for Implementation of Referendum in RS to be held on Monday (N1) First session of the Commission for Implementation of Referendum on the Republika Srpska (RS) Day is scheduled to take place in Banja Luka on Monday, August 15. This has been announced from the RS National Assembly (RSNA). To remind, on July 15, the RSNA adopted decisions on calling referendum on the Day of the RS and on appointment of members of the Commission for its implementation. These decisions were published in the RS Official Gazette (on Friday) and officially entered force. Before the decisions entered force, the RS Constitutional Court (CC)’s Commission for Protection of Vital National Interest (VNI) passed a decision according to which this referendum does not threaten VNI of Bosniak people in the RS. The RS Government has been tasked to ensure funds and technical support for implementation of the referendum, and it has been assessed that the referendum will cost around BAM three million. Bosniak officials slam RS for intending to hold referendum on RS Day (FTV) FTV carried reactions to Thursday’s decision of the Republika Srpska (RS) Constitutional Court’s (CC) Council for Protection of Vital National Interest (VNI), according to which there is no violation of Bosniak VNI when it comes to the RS National Assembly (RSNA)’s decisions on holding of a referendum on the Day of the RS and adopting the RS Law on Census. Representatives of SDA said that referendum in the RS is anti-Dayton, adding that if Dayton is destroyed, the entities will disappear, but not Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), because B&H existed before the Dayton, while the entities are Dayton creations. SDA Vice-President Sefik Dzaferovic stressed that the Constitutional Court of B&H has to react in this case. “The state-level judicial institutions also have to react and they have to protect the sovereignty of B&H, because basically this represents violation of B&H’s sovereignty,” Dzaferovic underlined. SBB B&H Vice-President Mirsad Djonlagic stressed that decision to hold the referendum on the Day of the RS is unacceptable, anti-Dayton and anti-state. Representatives of SDA and SBB B&H underlined that referendum represents an interlude to the destabilization of the country. Representatives of opposition parties in B&H said that referendum will cause the most damage to the citizens, once again calling on High Representative in B&H Valentin Inzko to use the Bonn powers. Leader of the Civil Alliance Reuf Bajrovic said that reality is such that the High Representative will not react. “We should face the facts and stop shifting responsibility from the international community to us and vice versa. We live here and not the international community,” Bajrovic stressed. Representatives of HDZ 1990 believe that these are political games of RS President Milorad Dodik. Leader of HDZ 1990 Ilija Cvitanovic stressed that story about the referendum in the RS is absolutely unacceptable. “This represents destruction of the state of B&H which we are all fighting for,” Cvitanovic underlined. SB&H leader Amer Jerlagic stressed that referendum on the Day of the RS is just a survey that is legally null and void, and which will not be recognized by anyone. SDP representative in the B&H Parliament Sasa Magazinovic stressed that everything that is happening is “a complete political farce, which can have very big political, but also other consequences”. Fierce reactions in Federation of B&H sparked by the ruling of the RS Constitutional Court (Hayat) Fierce reactions have been sparked by the ruling of the Republika Srpska (RS) Constitutional Court (CC), according to which the decision of the RS National Assembly (RSNA) to call a referendum on the RS Day does not violate the vital national interest of Bosniaks. Representatives of political parties from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) emphasized that regardless of the RS CC’s assessment that the disputable decision does not violate anyone’s rights – the decision does endanger everyone except for the Serb people in the RS. According to DF, the case is about political games by which SNSD leader Milorad Dodik actually wants to join the ruling authority at the state level. DF MP in the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Damir Becirovic assessed that such ruling of the RS CC is not surprising at all, given that the RS has no democratic capacity or developed institutions. “It is all detrimental to the processes that are underway in B&H”, he warned. SDP MP in the Federation of B&H HoR Damir Masic underlined that the RS CC is nothing but an instrument in the hands of the ruling authority in the RS, SNSD and Dodik himself. He also reminded that the RS CC is composed of the people who used to serve as ministers under the rule of Dodik. Masic emphasized that the Office of the High Representative (OHR) now has an opportunity to “finally do something for the high salaries they receive for helping B&H”. SDA fiercely condemned the “politicized” ruling of the RS CC. Instead of protecting the human rights of all citizens of the RS, the RS CC is refusing to protect one ethnic group because of political influence coming from SNSD, according to SDA. SDA MP in the B&H HoR Sefik Dzaferovic assessed that it is absolutely scandalous and warned that the ruling regime in the RS, joined by the opposition, has made dangerous anti-Dayton and unconstitutional moves aimed at destabilization of B&H. According to SDA, the lack of concrete reactions coming from the OHR – except for conclusion that the General Framework Agreement for Peace in B&H is being violated – gives more reasons to the ruling authority in the RS to implement its own decisions without being afraid of possible sanctions. Therefore, the OHR and the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), as guarantors of the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA), are expected to take concrete actions with regard to this issue. If they allow implementation of such an unconstitutional ruling of the RS CC, deeper problems will emerge and it will be difficult to resolve them, according to the aforementioned politicians. Salkic criticizes decision on referendum on RS Day, calls Inzko to abolish it (Hayat) Commenting on the decision of Republika Srpska (RS) to hold the referendum on the RS Day, RS Vice-President Ramiz Salkic stated that RS President Milorad Dodik is pursuing a policy of causing chaos, disorder, division of the country, inter-ethnic intolerance and radicalism. BHT1 – Salkic said that Bosniak officials do have a response to the decision on referendum, warning that the case is about the most drastic disturbance of peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) since the end of the war. Salkic also emphasized that High Representative Valentin Inzko should abolish the decision on referendum in the RS. Ambassador Cormack: US Government’s stance is that RS Day referendum is contrary to B&H Constitution (TV1) US Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Maureen Cormack published a video message and additionally emphasized the strong reaction of the US Embassy to the decision of the Republika Srpska (RS) authorities to hold referendum on the Day of the RS. Cormack reiterated that referendum on the RS Day is contrary to the Constitution of B&H, emphasizing that this is the stance of the US Government. “As the US Ambassador to B&H, I have made it clear that statements from the embassy do not reflect my opinions or those of my staff, but rather the policy and the position of the US Government. On the issue of the scheduled RS referendum, our position is this – as the Office of the High Representative (OHR) made clear – the scheduled September 25 referendum posing a question that has already been decided by the CC of B&H would be inconsistent with the B&H Constitution”, Cormack underlined. Cormack reminded that the role of the CC is an integral part of Annex 4 of the Dayton Peace Agreement and that, as such, its decisions are final, binding and must be respected. As Cormack noted, respect for rule of law by all parties in B&H is critical to the democratic process and to the essential task of creating jobs and developing economy so that the people of B&H can build better lives. Cormack noted that it is impossible to address the economic and political challenges that B&H is facing without a functioning legal framework and the stability it offers. Cormack said that holidays and celebrations are an important part of any culture and that instead of continuing with an unconstitutional referendum the leaders should be working to resolve differences, in interests of all citizens. Cormack warned that valuable resources will be wasted for organizing the referendum while this will not result in progress on this issue. Cormack stressed that continuing with talks on comprehensive state law on holidays, which would be acceptable within the current legal framework, costs nothing and could yield real results. “It is not in interest of the people of the RS that their leaders pursuit this referendum or any others with the objective of challenging the Dayton Peace Accords or the constitutional framework of B&H, thus threatening the security, stability and prosperity of B&H”, Cormack concluded. Austrian Ambassador to B&H Martin Pammer: Dodik is free to attack me, but referendum is unacceptable (Dnevni avaz) Austrian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Martin Pammer stated for the daily that he is expressing his resolute stance against referendum in Republika Srpska (RS); despite the fact that he was attacked by RS President Milorad Dodik on several occasions by saying that he (Pammer) is a third-class or fourth-class diplomat. “Austria, which is a great friend of B&H, has identical stance on this matter with the one of the USA and the EU. The Constitutional Court of B&H, as the highest instance in B&H, clearly determined its stance on the Day of the RS and that decision must be respected. On the other hand, we deem that the RS Constitutional Court, unfortunately, is not independent, and now it shows”, Pammer stressed. He further noted that a situation of instability in B&H has been created again, which is very bad for future of the country. “It is particularly bad for further development of economy. Austria is the biggest cumulative investor in B&H. Our companies want B&H to be stable and to make progress in economy”, Ambassador added. He also emphasized that “some people” believe they can deny the state, which actually cannot be done. “That leads to instability”, Pammer warned. Asked if reaction of the international community or the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) can be expected, he replied by saying it is a question what kind of strategy should be created in terms of a harsh reaction, which is, according to him, a matter of politics. “Austria is, unfortunately, not a member of the PIC. The question is, and I am saying this personally, if the PIC can do something given the fact that there are representatives of different countries and different policies sitting there. Unfortunately, sometimes B&H is a victim of global situation and relations between big powers”, he concluded. Inset ‘This is not first time’ Asked if referendum in the RS may open the Pandora box, Pammer replied it is hard to say it but that he knows that Germany and the EU often exerted pressure on Dodik and other politicians. “It is not the first time we see Dodik making such moves”; he concluded. Srebrenica to organize referendum on secession from RS (TV1) The decision of the Republika Srpska (RS) Constitutional Court’s (CC) Council for Protection of Vital National Interest (VNI) that there is no violation of VNI when it comes to the RS National Assembly’s (RSNA) decision to call a referendum on the Day of the RS continued to cause reactions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) The reporter stressed that the Office of High Representative (OHR) has yet to provide a concrete response and the RS CC’s decision has increased discontent of Bosniaks. SDA representative in the House of Representatives of B&H Sadik Ahmetovic told TV1 over the phone that the RS CC has took side of one of constituent peoples and it made a decision which destroys the integrity of the decisions of the B&H CC. Ahmetovic claims that this is the reason why the Srebrenica Municipal Assembly will discuss the decision to secede Srebrenica Municipality from the RS. Ahmetovic reminded that genocide was committed in Srebrenica, adding that the RS authorities are not respecting non-Serbs, not just in Srebrenica but in entire RS. According to Ahmetovic, RS President Milorad Dodik even threatened that Bosniaks who live in the RS must take part in the referendum if they want to continue to live there. Ahmetovic pointed out that considering the verdicts for the Srebrenica genocide and the fact that Bosniak pupils are not allowed to learn Bosnian language, Srebrenica citizens will be asked if they want to continue to live in an entity whose authorities are not respecting Bosniaks. Ahmetovic stressed that the RSNA’s decision is anti-DPA and Bosniak politicians will discuss this issue in line with activities of the international community and the RS authorities. Ahmetovic warned again that possibility of holding a referendum on secession of Srebrenica from the RS will be discussed in case the referendum on the Day of the RS takes place as planned. Dodik: Srebrenica is part of RS and no referendum will change it (RTRS) Commenting on the announcement of SDA representative in the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Sadik Ahmetovic on referendum on secession of Srebrenica from Republika Srpska (RS), RS officials stated that any referendum on secession of Srebrenica is unacceptable, adding that it will definitely not happen. RS President Milorad Dodik said that according to constitutional order (of B&H) Srebrenica is part of the RS. He underlined that the referendum on the Day of the RS is not issue of territory but referendum related to competences of the RS. He underlined that Srebrenica is territorial unit in the RS, adding that no referendum will change it. B&H Presidency member Mladen Ivanic reacted to the announcement related to holding of referendum on secession of Srebrenica from the RS and said that the Dayton Peace Accords clearly define territories and territorial boundaries within B&H and added that such initiatives are anti-Dayton. “It will be very interesting to hear and see whether those same embassies and that same OHR will condemn such statements or if they will mention them at all, which will be a proof of their hypocrisy and double standards”, Ivanic added. Serb officials from Srebrenica strongly oppose to possible referendum on secession of Srebrenica from RS (RTRS) Candidate of Serb parties for the post of Head of Srebrenica Municipality Mladen Grujicic stated that referendum on secession of Srebrenica would represent violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) underlining that although SDA representative in the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Sadik Ahmetovic is aware it is impossible to conduct such referendum, he is trying to use current situation for political purposes ahead of local elections. Also, some Serb politicians reminded that this is not the first similar attempt of Bosniak political representatives regarding secession of Srebrenica from Republika Srpska (RS). Namely, Bosniak councilors in Srebrenica Municipality Assembly adopted Resolution on secession of Srebrenica from the RS in 2007. SNSD’s councilor in Srebrenica Assembly Radomir Pavlovic said that the OHR rejected this Resolution, because it violated the DPA and the RS Constitution. Cavic: Ahmetovic’s initiative is in interest of election campaign (N1) Leader of NDP Dragan Cavic stressed that the announcement of SDA representative in the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sadik Ahmetovic on referendum on secession of Srebrenica from Republika Srpska (RS) is a reply to initiative regarding referendum on the Day of the RS. He added that Ahmetovic’s initiative is pointless and in interest of pre-election campaign. Dodik visits Srebrenica; Srebrenica is an integral part of RS (RTRS) Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik paid a visit to Srebrenica on Sunday. On this occasion, Dodik called on the citizens to vote in referendum on the Day of the RS, which is scheduled for September 25. Dodik said that the RS was created before the war events and “before the shameful referendum in which Serbs were outvoted”, adding that the RS also stands in the Dayton Peace Agreement as such. Dodik commented on the statement of US Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Maureen Cormack, who said that the US Government is against the referendum. In this regard, Dodik noted that he does not believe in what Cormack said and added: “Story that the US Government had the question ‘Whether or not we will support referendum in the RS?’ in their agenda is only for the naive ones. She (Cormack) can tell that to someone who is less informed. It is evident that, since her arrival, the US Embassy is exclusively in the function of Bosniak politics in B&H and not in the function of reconciliation.” Dodik noted that referendum on the Day of the RS will take place despite any pressures, while the first session of the RS Commission for Implementation of the Referendum will take place as early as Monday in Banja Luka. He claims referendum on the Day of the RS cannot be prevented by the B&H Constitutional Court (CC)’s decision, the Bosniak politicians, or certain embassies. RS President stressed that the RS cannot give up on this referendum because, if they give up, tomorrow the agenda could include change of name of the RS. Aside from referendum on the Day of the RS, Dodik reflected on the recent announcement of possible referendum on secession of Srebrenica from the RS area. Dodik asserted that this municipality remains part of the RS, since it is territorially part of this entity and its secession is out of the question. “Stories of Bosniak politicians on referendum are mere politicking. Srebrenica cannot leave the RS unless the Government passes that decision, which I have to sign. I will never do such a thing”, Dodik asserted. He emphasized that it is important to preserve stability and peace due to which joint candidate of Serb parties Mladen Grujicic, if elected Head of Srebrenica Municipality, will therefore have the obligation to take care of all Srebrenica citizens regardless of their ethnic affiliation. Dodik noted that in this way “a whole new dimension of local authorities in Srebrenica” would be created, which would not be directed against anyone and which will strive to be objective. Grujicic, who attended Dodik’s speech in Srebrenica, stated that the time has come for a Serb to be elected Head of Srebrenica Municipality. “The time has come for Head of the municipality to be a Serb, not because of being a Serb but because some things must change here in order for people to live better – not just Serbs but Bosniaks as well. Srebrenica is both Bosniak and Serb town, but it belongs to the RS”, Grujicic said. Reporter carried a survey among citizens who attended Dodik’s speech in Srebrenica, where they all said they feel encouraged by messages Dodik conveyed. Dodik in Srebrenica: No genocide occurred in Srebrenica, Alija Izetbegovic sacrificed the municipality (BHT1) Dodik stated that no genocide occurred in Srebrenica, and added that then Bosniak leader Alija Izetbegovic sacrificed the municipality. “For me and for Republika Srpska (RS), the events in Srebrenica were not genocide. It has been planned and speculative story from its start,” Dodik stated. Dodik claims that Alija Izetbegovic obviously sacrificed Srebrenica, adding that Alija Izetbegovic did not pay visit to Srebrenica in the first three years after the war. Addressing a rally in Srebrenica, Dodik called on Serbs to participate in the referendum on RS Day, which will be held on September 25. He stressed that the referendum will be held, regardless of possible ban by the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dodik is key disruptive factor in B&H (TV1) Republika Srpska (RS) Bosniak Vice-President Ramiz Salkic deems the move by RS President Milorad Dodik to come to Srebrenica and deny the fact that genocide happened in that town as immoral. Salkic underlined that Dodik is referring to the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) only when that suits him, but not when he is violating the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), which is part of that agreement. Salkic accused Dodik of being “key disruptive factor in B&H.” Head of Srebrenica Municipality Camil Durakovic also commented a visit of RS President Milorad Dodik to Srebrenica “Just like it is possible for him to deny the state of B&H, we can also deny the entity that is responsible for genocide, according to the international court’s ruling. Law is on our side, and majority in the RSNA, which is result of ethnic cleansing on territory of smaller B&H entity, is on his side. We do not want to be part of the system that is destroying the Constitution of B&H”. Commenting on the statements by RS President Milorad Dodik about Srebrenica, SDA representative in the B&H Parliament Sadik Ahmetovic said “First of all, Dodik did not speak with the citizens instead he spoke with citizens of Serb ethnicity. Thus showing that for him the Bosniaks are not a constituent people in that entity. His messages were sent to the Bosniaks, who are victims of genocide, in a very ugly way. He denied the genocide despite rulings of the International Court of Justice and several individual verdicts of the Tribunal in The Hague”, said Ahmetovic, who also called on High Representative Valentin Inzko to stop the process of destruction of the state that is being carried out by the RS President. “I call on him not to allow further destruction of the state and its institutions. There are also attacks against human rights and victims of genocide. Unfortunately, Bosniaks and Croats do not have instruments to stop some processes through institutions of the RS, nor to stop some decisions. We can make moves that would be good and strong reply to Dodik. If the international community tolerates his moves, then we as representatives of Bosniaks in the entity of RS have no other way but to respond to Dodik in a way he responds to us”, said Ahmetovic. Dodik: I was wiretapped; such transcripts can only be used before court (BN TV) RS President Milord Dodik stated in Srebrenica on Sunday that appearance of transcripts of his telephone conversations in public indicates that he was wiretapped adding that he is unaware if there was an order for that. Dodik stressed that, if there was an order, the question is why transcripts of conversations appeared in public. Dodik reminded that, according to the law, transcripts can be used exclusively in trial and before court, which means that they cannot be misused in public. “I absolutely stand behind everything I have ever told anyone over the phone, or in any other way. I do not think that this is any evidence for incrimination, at least what I had the chance to read in the media. What I read in the media represents an interpretation and it speaks of inserting some things that did not even happen. This means that someone designs or adds up as it suits them, in attempt to produce a story via transcripts, like the one produced with (SBB leader Fahrudin) Radoncic”, Dodik noted. Djakovic: Things would be clearer if transcript of my conversation with SDA official was published (N1) In an interview for N1 journalist Mato Djakovic talked about published transcript of his telephone conversation with RS President Milorad Dodik. Among the other things, Djakovic confirmed that controversial transcripts of his phone conversation with RS President Milorad Dodik are “partially true”. He also said that it would be much clearer why this transcript was published now, if transcript of telephone conversation between him and one high-ranked SDA official was published too. Also, Djakovic reiterated that he called Dodik after Salihovic was guest in ‘Telering’ current affair magazine hosted by Djakovic, adding that he informed RS President about Salihovic’s stances regarding investigations in cases involving Dodik. “It is all in Telering. I only informed Dodik before it was broadcasted. I also presented my stance, my opinion”, explained Djakovic. Reaction to the wiretapping scandal (BN TV, Nezavisne) The Alliance for Changes (SzP) insists that the role of Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Goran Salihovic in termination of investigations against Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik should be thoroughly investigated. The request comes following the publication of transcripts of a phone conversation in which TV journalist Mato Djakovic informed Dodik that he “got it all done” with Salihovic for all investigations against him to be terminated. SDS Vice President Ognjen Tadic told reporters that two facts must be taken into account. First, the published transcripts are no longer disputable, given that one of the persons involved has publicly admitted what they were talking about. Second, the transcripts actually reflect the difference between political parties in the RS; while the leadership of SNSD is taking advantage of their connections to try to end or prevent investigations, the leadership of SDS is trying to make sure that police and judicial institutions in this country do their job in an adequate manner, Tadic explained. “It is impossible that the Chief Prosecutor is under any kind of suspicion and that he keeps performing his duties at the same time”, he warned. PDP Secretary General Igor Crnadak stressed that it is yet to be seen in the upcoming months if crime and thievery will rule this country or there is a system of institutions that can actually do their job for the best interest of citizens. B&H Presidency member Mladen Ivanic stated that the story about the authority of Chief Prosecutor of B&H Goran Salihovic was launched and he added that a response to this story must be given soon, otherwise this might fully ruin trust in judiciary. Ivanic emphasized that there are indications that there is a political will for fight against corruption, but there is no will of judicial institutions to do the same. “It is up to key carriers of judicial functions, up to the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of B&H, President of the Court, Chief Prosecutor and Minister of Justice to give answers”, Ivanic said and added that he expects the Chief Prosecutor of B&H to be removed in case it is proven that at least some of allegations against him are true. Orepic’s statement about Vukovar Serbs and the reactions (Hina) According to a report carried by the regional N1 TV network, Croatian Minister of the Interior Vlaho Orepic has accused the Serb minority of manipulating residence registrations, saying that “after false registrations in Vukovar are deleted, the legal grounds for the setting up of Cyrillic signs” in that eastern city “will no longer exist”. “No one wants to say the truth, but I believe that if all false registrations of residence are removed, the Serb minority will not have the 30% (share in the local population entitling it to the equal use of its language and script). If that has been the only ground for using the Cyrillic script in Vukovar, after this, it will no longer exist. The Serb minority has manipulated residence registration,” Orepic told the Vecernji List daily. Serbian Minister of the Interior Nebojsa Stefanovic has described as scandalous his Croatian counterpart Vlaho Orepic’s statement. In a statement carried by the Serbian public broadcaster RTS, Stefanovic said this was an attempt to “deny the few Serbs who have not been expelled from Croatia the right to use their language and script.” “The wish to find any reason, regardless of how false it may be and how little sense it may make, to strip Serbs in Croatia of their guaranteed human rights – the right to use their own language and script and the right to live without fear of repression by state bodies – only shows that the Croatian leadership does not understand European values,” Stefanovic said in his statement. He also resented the Croatian leadership’s interpretation of the rule of law. “They obviously also do not understand the meaning of the fight for equality and the rule of law just as they do not understand what is the best way to show that you do not support fascist regimes, which communicated with the Serb people exclusively with mallets, knives and pits,” the Serbian minister said. The president of the Serb National Council (SNV), Milorad Pupovac, has described as worrying the statement by Minister of the Interior Vlaho Orepic. “Mr. Minister, you have accused, several times, an entire ethnic minority of manipulating residence registration so your accusations do not only worry us, they make us afraid,” Pupovac said in an open letter to Orepic following his statement, made in an interview with the Vecernji List daily. A minority’s right to the official use of its language, Pupovac said. The mayor of Vukovar, Ivan Penava, on Sunday accused the former government led by Social Democrat Zoran Milanovic of having tried to cause chaos in Vukovar by refusing demands by the town authorities to conduct a new census in that town. “Despite the fact that in the period from 2013 to 2014 we gave the creators of chaos led by Milanovic, (former Minister of the Interior Ranko) Ostojic, and (Croatian Serb leader Milorad) Pupovac lists with the names of 400 people with fictitious residence in Vukovar and real addresses in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and despite data from primary schools showing that the share of Serb pupils is 20% and identical data from kindergartens, they disregarded all the arguments,” said Penava, a member of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party. He said Orepic was the only one to respond to the numerous appeals by the town authorities to finally establish the real number of Vukovar residents. Vukovar needs peace and stability as a precondition of economic recovery and investment, said Penava. Croatian Conservative Party (HKS) leader Ruza Tomasic, who is also a member of the European Parliament, said on Sunday she supported the Ministry of the Interior’s revision of residence registrations and removal of false registrations of members of the Serb minority in Vukovar, dismissing criticisms from Serbian officials regarding the matter. “The problem of false residence registrations in Vukovar must be finally solved and therefore I support the removal of persons with fake residence registrations from residence registers. All members of the Serb minority who have falsely reported their residence with the police are knowingly cheating the country from which they seek special rights. It was on that major swindle that the (Zoran) Milanovic government based its decision to introduce bilingualism in Vukovar, thus fomenting division and causing inter-ethnic relations in the town to deteriorate,” Tomasic said in a statement. As for criticism from Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic regarding the matter, she said that she did not know how Stefanovic could have “the cheek to speak about the rule of law and European values in his protest note when Croatia is light years ahead of Serbia in terms of respect for minority rights.” “For years Serbia has been marginalizing ethnic Croats and creating artificial ethnic identities such as the Bunjevci in order to fragment the ethnic Croat community in Vojvodina, which, unlike Croatian Serbs, has always been loyal to the country it lives in. Serbia is the last country to have the right to lecture anyone on minority rights. As long as it is run by Chetniks and (Slobodan) Milosevic’s yes-men, there should be no room for it in the EU,” said Tomasic. INTERNATIONAL PRESS Ambassador says he “knows” which ministers are pro-Russian (Sputnik) Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Chepurin has told Sputnik that he “knows which ministers in the new Serbian government are close to Russia.” The diplomat was in the National Assembly when Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic presented his government and its program last week. According to him, Serbia has seen a consolidation of power in recent years. “It is clear who the leader is. Of course, it pleases the prime minister. But at the same time, it’s no exaggeration to say that a gigantic burden of responsibility is on him for the work of the government, for Serbia in general. I think it is good that the government relies on a solid majority in parliament and in society. It is difficult to manipulate such a government, among other things, from abroad. It is also true that the opposition is divided,” Chepurin said, adding: “The contradictions between opposition forces are significantly greater than the differences between them and the government. I think that constructive cooperation between the government and this or that opposition party on some i