FENA 08/09/2004 - FORMER MILOSEVIC'S ADVISOR TESTIFIES; WORLD BANK DIRECTOR PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN BiH

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FSA6332: 07.09.2004 09:36

MORNING SERVICE

FORMER MILOSEVIC'S ADVISOR TESTIFIES

THE HAGUE, September 7 (FENA) – Former Slobodan Milosevic’s legal advisor Smilja Avramov appeared before the ICTY on Tuesday as a witness for the defence in the trial of the former Yugoslav President.

While Milosevic was in university Smilja Avramov was his professor and afterwards an advisor in the Yugoslav Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a participant in negotiations between Croats and Serbs in 1990.

Milosevic was forced to allow one of his two attorneys assigned to him last week to question the first defence witness.

Milosevic, after refusing to meet the two attorneys assigned to him against his will, again tried to oppose the decision of the judges. “You have taken my rights to defence, Mr Kay does not represent me, he represents you”, Milosevic told Judge Patrick Robinson.

The Judge turned off his microphone saying that he does not wish to listen to the “same old refrain”.

He reminded the audience that he would not allow the accused to question witnesses because that would be against the decisions that were made to protect Milosevic’s health.

Milosevic will be allowed to ask questions only after the witness is questioned by one of the attorneys.

(Fena) jc

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FSA6333: 07.09.2004 09:37

MORNING SERVICE

IVANIC: RETURN OF OCCUPANCY RIGHTS TO SERBS IN CROATIA BY THE END OF THE YEAR

BANJA LUKA, September 7 (FENA) – BiH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic said at a press conference in Banja Luka on Tuesday that a solution concerning the issue of returning occupancy rights to Serb refugees from Croatia should be found by the end of the year.

He described as positive the fact that Croatia has finally recognised this problem and stressed that it should be resolved at the level of BiH and Croatian Ministries of Justice.

He reminded that during the past six months he insisted three times on the resolution of this issue during his visit to Croatia and the visits of Croatian officials to our country.

Ivanic said that based on his initiative BiH and Croatian Ministers of Justice, Slobodan Kovac and Vesna Skare-Ozbolt, met one month ago and that a working group should propose a solution to this issue in the coming days.

“There is a problem concerning occupancy rights. The Croatian side recognised that there is a problem and agreed to try and solve it by the end of the year”, Ivanic said and added that he insists on this, but that the decision depends not only on BiH institutions, but Croatian as well.

He said that unlike BiH, Croatia does not have a High Representative “who forces us in BiH to return occupancy rights to people who lived before the war”.

This is a typical example of unequal treatment, Ivanic said.

(Fena) jc

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FSA6334: 07.09.2004 09:38

MORNING SERVICE

BiH DELEGATION LEAVES FOR RUSSIA

SARAJEVO, September 7 (FENA) – A BiH delegation, led by BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic, left for a two-day visit to Russia on Tuesday, the BiH Council of Ministers stated.

Terzic is planned to meet Russian Prime Minister Mihail Fradkov on Wednesday and signed an agreement between the BiH Council of Ministers and the Russian Government on trade and economic cooperation, as well as the agreement on establishing an intergovernmental BiH-Russian commission for trade and economic cooperation.

He is also planned to meet Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergej Lavrov.

BiH Finance and Treasury Minister Ljerka Maric, BiH Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Lidija Topic, Deputy Security Minister Dragan Mektic, FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic and RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic are in the BiH delegation. They will present projects at the state and entity level open for possible Russian investment in the Russian Foreign Trade Chamber on Thursday.

(Fena) jc

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FSA6335: 07.09.2004 09:38

MORNING SERVICE

WORLD BANK DIRECTOR PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN BiH

SARAJEVO, September 7 (FENA) – World Bank Director James D. Wolfensohn said in Sarajevo on Tuesday that BiH would continue to have the full support of this international financial institution.

Speaking to BiH parliamentarians and representatives of executive authority in BiH Wolfenshon highlighted great successes achieved by BiH in the transition period and underlined the importance of creating an environment that would allow its further progress on the road towards European integrations, including achieving competitiveness at the global market.

It is imperative for BiH, Wolfenshon said, that by initiating development projects it becomes a useful member of the global community and that after the phase of reconstructing infrastructure it starts creating an environment that will ensure a better future for the generations to come.

He urged representatives of BiH authorities to also review global development aspects, including the development of partnerships and added that the vicinity of the EU market could prove a benefit in that context.

- You can rely on our full support on the road towards developing a modern, economically sustainable and stabile BiH, Wolfenshon siad.

BiH House of Representatives Speaker Martin Raguz greeted Wolfenshon on behalf of BiH officials and reminded of the importance of the WB in the reconstruction of BiH.

- The WB, which is present in BiH since 1996, financially supported 50 different projects in the total value of approximately 1 billion USD, Raguz said and stressed its contribution to the transformation of the BiH society and the post-war reconstruction.

(Fena) jc

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FSA6336: 07.09.2004 09:39

MORNING SERVICE

COVIC MEETS SWISS AMBASSADOR

SARAJEVO, September 7 (FENA) – BiH Presidency member Dragan Covic met Swiss Ambassador to BiH Urs Breiter in Sarajevo on Tuesday. They discussed the upcoming visit of the BiH Presidency to Switzerland scheduled for October 5 at the invitation of the Swiss President, the BiH Presidency stated.

The visit will be used as an opportunity to improve bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in the field of economy.

A presentation of BiH economic potentials will also be organised for Swiss businespersons.

Covic and Breiter also discussed the need for signing agreements that would intensify activities at the bilateral level.

(Fena) jc

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FENA 15/09/2004: ASHDOWN: BiH PRESIDENCY FAILS TO SUPPORT FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE COURT; SFOR CAMP McGOVERN HANDED OVER TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES

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FSA7904: 15.09.2004 10:32

MORNING SERVICE

ASHDOWN: BiH PRESIDENCY FAILS TO SUPPORT FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE COURT

SARAJEVO, September 15 (FENA) – The failure of the BiH Presidency to ratify the decision establishing the War Crimes Chamber in the State Court is a serious threat to the development of BiH potentials to efficiently organise trials for committed war crimes in accordance with the set deadlines – January next year, High Representative Paddy Ashdown said on Wednesday.

He said that the establishment of the War Crimes Chamber in the State Court is a precondition for that Court to start working on cases of war crimes next year, as was planned by the plan for the transfer of cases developed by the Hague Tribunal.

“This failure is a serious blow to our efforts to deal with BiH corruption at a senior level, and in that a serious blow to the strengthening the rule of law because it weakens the long term ability of the State Court’s special department for organised crime, serious economic violations and corruption to prosecute cases in a transparent and reliable manner”, Ashdown said.

He warned that this is the worst possible message that BiH could have sent in this moment and that it has again shown that short-term election political interests have caused serious damage to the long term European future of BiH.

Ashdown thinks that the failure to start prosecuting war crimes in January 2005 as promised shows that BiH is not serious about resolving the issue of war crimes, joining NATO and the EU.

“I have to conclude with regret that the future of BiH is again a hostage of those who intend to obstruct trials for committed war crimes, as well as cases of corruption at the senior level. Furthermore, that decision puts at risk approximately 39 million EU in international assistance for improving the judicial system in BiH provided by this agreement”, the High Representative said.

(Fena) jc

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FSA7905: 15.09.2004 10:33

MORNING SERVICE

TIHIC: BiH FIRMLY SUPPORTS INVIOLABILITY OF AVNOJ BORDERS

SARAJEVO, September 15 (FENA) – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic did not say that BiH would request the return of a part of the territory of a neighbouring country, i.e. a part of Boka Kotorska, and this is a complete misinterpretation of his statement, Tihic’s Cabinet stated on Wednesday.

In a statement issued following such media reports Tihic’s Cabinet stressed that our country never had pretensions towards territories of neighbouring countries, including Boka Kotorska.

Quite the opposite, BiH firmly supports the inviolability of AVNOJ borders of states created in the area of former Yugoslavia, Tihic’s Cabinet stated.

(Fena) jc

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FSA7906: 15.09.2004 10:34

MORNING SERVICE

DOKIC REQUESTS HUNGARIAN MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT TO PROVIDE AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE

SARAJEVO, September 15 (FENA) – BiH Communications and Transport Minister Branko Dokic requested Hungarian Ambassador to BiH Istvan Varga on Wednesday to provide a clear response and position of the Hungarian Ministry of Economy and Transport concerning the request of the BiH Ministry of Communications and Transport for urgently issuing additional bilateral licences for the transport of products and the exemption of oil, oil derivates and wheat from the licences regime.

 “Minister Dokic informed Ambassador Varga about all activities that the BiH Ministry of Communications and Transport has taken so far on overcoming this problem and requested a clear response from the Hungarian Ministry of Economy and Transport, which has so far avoided to provide a clear response despite three request for an urgent response by Minister Dokic”, the BiH Ministry stated.

Ambassador Varga expressed readiness to work towards an urgent resolution of this issue, which is of key importance for businesspersons from both countries. He also confirmed that Hungary wishes to improve economic relations with BiH.

(Fena) jc

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FSA7907: 15.09.2004 10:35

MORNING SERVICE

BRCKO: SFOR CAMP McGOVERN HANDED OVER TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES

BRCKO, September 15 (FENA) – The handover of the SFOR Camp McGovern near Brcko to Brcko District BiH civil authorities was marked on Wednesday with a symbolic taking down of the US flag and the erection of the BiH flag on the central mast in this complex.

“The news today is good. Together, we have reached a point in the stabilisation process where we welcome the transition of the Camp McGovern to the Brcko District civil authorities”, SFOR Operation Group North Timothy Wright said at the ceremony.

“Nine years ago this was a divided city with many destroyed houses and apartments, destroyed infrastructure, and its citizens exhausted and full of fear and hatred. Step by step we have created preconditions for the return of the city population. We have returned all property, ensured the return of citizens, repair and reconstruction of most of the structures and infrastructure. We have asphalted more than 200 km of roads, reconstructed the power grid, built 20 schools, five new gyms, a large number of city and village sport fields and playgrounds, as well as other structures significantly influencing the life of our citizens”, Brcko Mayor Branko Damjanac said.

“This is an end of one mission, a peacekeeping mission, and the start of another mission, a mission of peace”, High Representative Paddy Ashdown said.

Ashdown urged Brcko District politicians and citizens to use progress achieved during the nine years of peace and to continue building a better future after the upcoming elections. He added that the international community is not leaving BiH.

“There are people who think that if they wait long enough we will leave and they will be able to return to their past. That is a wrong assessment. SFOR succeeded IFOR, and EUFOR will come after SFOR. OHR still remains here”, Ashdown said.

(Fena) jc

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FSA7908: 15.09.2004 10:36

MORNING SERVICE

CAVIC AND LOCHER DISCUSS DEFENCE REFORM

BANJA LUKA, September 15 (FENA) – RS President Dragan Cavic and Defence Reform Commission Chair James Locher discussed ongoing reforms in this field in Banja Luka on Wednesday.

“We have concluded that a compromise has been reached and that defence reform is the largest post-Dayton step forward, which has recognised the specific nature of international relations in BiH, and especially the role and position of entities and constitutive people”, Cavic said after the meeting.

Cavic also stressed the determination of the RS to work towards membership in the Partnership for Peace.

(Fena) jc

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FENA 31/08/2004 - BiH soldiers deployed to Iraq without adequate law; remains of victims discovered near Srebrenica and Prijedor

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SA5203: 31.08.2004 09:14

MORNING SERVICE

SESSION OF THE COMMISSION FOR DEFENCE AND SECURITY POLICY

SARAJEVO, August 31 (FENA) – The Joint Commission for Defence and Security Policy and Monitoring of Defence and Security Structures at State level on Tuesday considered the Bill on participation of members of the BiH Armed Forces, state officials and other employees in peacekeeping missions and other activities abroad.

The Acting Chair of the Commission, Bosko Siljegovic, told the press that codifying the final proposal of the said law, which will regulate the matters on participation of BiH Armed Forces in peacekeeping missions abroad, has been postponed for seven days. 

- The Commission has suggested the working group, which comprises representatives of BiH Defence and Security Ministries, to prepare the text of the bill that will also include the matter of participation of police officials in peacekeeping operations, explained Siljegovic, expressing hope that this law would be on the daily agenda of the next session of the BiH House of Representatives, scheduled for September 7.

Deputy Chair of the Commission Sefik Dzaferovic said that today’s meeting also included considering the Bill on the State Border Service (DGS) and the Bill on Monitoring and Controlling State Border Crossings, which was proposed by BiH Council of Ministers. 

The adoption of these laws, he said, is a commitment BiH has taken over within the 16 priority conditions for opening the negotiations on Stabilization and Association with the EU.

According to the Commission Deputy Chair, Branko Zrno, the daily agenda of today’s session also included the Report on occupied posts in the BiH Defence Ministry, which currently functions at the level of 28 percent.

Noting that personnel occupancy in this ministry is a precondition for accessing Euro-Atlantic integration, Zrno expressed hope that the situation in this field would be improved in the next month.

In response to a journalist question on the grounds of which law BiH Presidency has issued the Decision on deploying BiH soldiers to Iraq, i.e. whether they can be deployed to this country without passing the said law, officials of the Commission said that BiH Presidency, in accordance with the Law on Defence BiH, is authorized for making such a decision, and that “it would be logical” to issue a relevant law before enforcing it, which would also treat the matters of organizational and technical nature (the matters of withdrawing from the mission, eventual compensations for damages, etc.).

(Fena) gk       

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FSA5206: 31.08.2004 09:19

MORNING SERVICE

REMAINS OF 20 VICTIMS FROM SREBRENICA DISCOVERED AT MASS GRAVE BLJECEVA

BRATUNAC/SARAJEVO, August 31 (FENA) – The experts for exhumations on Tuesday have discovered the remains of some 20 victims from Srebrenica in the mass grave Bljeceva in Municipality Bratunac. The bodies were not exhumed today because the works are still in progress on opening the grave.

According to the Chief of Tuzla Department of the FBiH Commission on Missing Persons, Murat Hurtic, the grave is over 20 metres deep, and approx. 4 metres wide.

(Fena) gk

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FSA5208: 31.08.2004 09:35

MORNING SERVICE

MIKEREVIC MEETS IFAD DELEGATION

BANJA LUKA, August 31 (FENA) – RS Prime Minister Dragan Mikerevic and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Rodoljub Trkulja on Tuesday held talks with a delegation of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The Fund is currently crediting its third project in RS and BiH titled “Development of cattle-breeding and rural financing”.

Director of the IFAD Sector for Near East, North Africa and South-east Europe Abdulmajed Slama informed Prime Minister Mikerevic about the previous projects of IFAD in BiH, and underlined the excellent cooperation this organization has with the RS Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy in implementation of the mentioned ongoing project, was announced by RS Government’s Bureau for Public Relations.

The IFAD delegation also briefed Mikerevic that the Fund, within this project, through the Italian Government, has provided US$ 328.000 for supporting establishment of a network for collecting milk and its products in the area of municipalities Rogatica, Kalinovik, Nevesinje and Berkovici.

Mikerevic underlined the significance of IFAD projects for improving the overall social situation in BiH, and expressed hope that the Fund would continue investing in development of agriculture in RS, which has substantial resources in this field.

(Fena) gk

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FSA5207: 31.08.2004 09:25

MORNING SERVICE

REMAINS OF 56 VICTIMS DISCOVERED IN MASS GRAVE STARI KEVLJANI

PRIJEDOR/SARAJEVO, August 31 (FENA) – The remains of five victims were exhumed on Tuesday from the mass grave Stari Kevljani in Municipality Prijedor, told Fena representative of the FBiH Commission on Missing Persons Jasmin Odobasic.

Since August 13, when the exhumation at this location was launched, to date the remains of 56 victims have been exhumed. The experts have also discovered documents indicating that the victims were inmates of detention camp Omarska.

The remains are being moved to the Sejkovaca hall in Sanski Most, where they will undergo anthropological processing and autopsy. DNA analysis will be performed for all the bodies. 

Exhumation at this location will resume Wednesday.

(Fena) gk

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FSA5209: 31.08.2004 09:45

MORNING SERVICE

DOKIC AND CHO ON ELECTRIFICATION OF RAILWAY DOBOJ-TUZLA-ZVORNIK

SARAJEVO, August 31 (FENA) – BiH Minister of Communications and Transport Branko Dokic on Tuesday received the General Director of company DAEWOO, M.G. Cho, who informed Dokic about the degree of preparing the feasibility study, on which the Korean Government is working through this company, which concerns electrification of railway Doboj-Tuzla-Zvornik. 

This study is a donation of the Korean Government as a contribution to development of the railway sector in BiH, was announced by BiH Ministry of Communications and Transport.

Cho informed Dokic that the study would be completed in two months the latest. In addition, he expressed the preparedness of the Korean Government to credit the electrification of railway Doboj-Tuzla-Zvornik with very advantages conditions. 

BiH Minister of Communications and Transport expressed gratitude for the offer and requested that the Korean Government forwards the official proposal for crediting so that the Council of Ministers could consider it.

The meeting was also attended by the General Director of the BiH Railway Corporation, Borka Trkulja, and Deputy General Director for Infrastructure Ivan Knezovic.

(Fena) gk

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MARKETING - tel/fax: 033 445 346; mob: 061 200 527; e-mail: marketing@fena.ba IT FENA - e-mail: otprema@fena.ba; fena-info@fena.ba

FENA 03/09/2004 Adnan Terzic visits Lybia; Over a hundred businesspersons from Austria and BiH, members of the Association of Austrian-BiH Businesspersons, held a consultative meeting

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FSA5608: 02.09.2004 10:04

MORNING SERVICE

FIRST POSTWAR HYDROELECTRIC PLANT PEC MLINI PUT INTO OPERATION

GRUDE, September 2 (FENA) – BiH Presidency member Dragan Covic and General Director of Elektroprivreda “HZ Herceg-Bosna” Vlado Maric on Thursday have put into operation the first postwar hydroelectric plant Pec Mlini, whose facilities are in Municipality Grude. 

The electric plant will use the power of river Vrljika, which is collected in the compensation pool Nuga.

Although the project value of the said plant was estimated at 74 million KM, it was completed with only 60 million KM, said Maric, adding that this saving will be the basis for launching construction of hydroelectric plant Mostarsko blato, adding that the construction works could be launched late next year. The project of building hydroelectric plant Mostarsko blato is worth approx. 100 million KM.

The funds for building Pec Mlini were insured by the Zagreb Bank with a long-term mortgage credit of 30 million KM, while Elektroprivreda HZ Herceg-Bosna provided 50 percent of the funds.

BiH Presidency member Dragan Covic said that this is a very significant project, because four years ago when the cornerstone was laid, many had doubts about its completion.

“This area must be provided with adequate infrastructure, the matter of water supply for the entire Herzegovina must be resolved, as well as the problematic of disposing of waste waters“, stressed Covic.

Director of hydroelectric plant Pec Mlini Zivko Mikulic said that the plant has the installed strength of 15 MGW times two, and will produce 83, 2 GWh of electric power per year.

Apart from producing electric energy, the great significance of this plant is in function of protection from floods, better use of agricultural land and development of tourism.

The ceremony of opening the hydroelectric plant Pec Mlini in Grude was attended by the FBiH Government delegation headed by Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic, as well as the officials of cantons Herzegovina-Neretva and Western Herzegovina.

(Fena) dps

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FSA5610: 02.09.2004 10:38

MORNING SERVICE

TERZIC: VISIT TO LIBYA OPENS MANY DOORS FOR BiH ECONOMY

SARAJEVO, September 2 (FENA) – BiH and Libyan chambers of commerce have signed a trade agreement during the visit of BiH political-economic delegation to Libya, which indicates establishment of business cooperation, said BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic upon the return of our delegation from the Great Socialist People’s Arab Libyan Jamahiriya.

He said that arrangements have also been made for harmonizing a framework agreement that will define relations between the two countries, as well as the agreements that will enable protection of investments of both countries, evading double taxation, as well as several agreements on scientific and technical cooperation.

“The Libyan Prime Minister and I have agreed to meet every three to four months, and in the meantime the relevant ministries will be cooperating fully. It was an extraordinary visit that will primarily open many doors to BiH economy”, said Terzic.

He indicated that talks in Libya also focused on the subject of exchanging oil for water, but stressed that, considering that these energy sources are not of the same category, Libyans are not keen on discussing this subject with the rest of the world.

“However, we have offered hydroelectric power and they were interested in this. They have promised to send representatives of their foreign investments agency to assess the possibilities for their appearance in this area”, said Terzic.

He added that this visit has created great possibilities for cooperation in the fields of building housing facilities, using the hydro-energetic potentials in both countries, cooperation and transfer of technologies in the sectors of telecommunications, agriculture, etc.

(Fena) gk    

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FSA5609: 02.09.2004 10:20

MORNING SERVICE

TERZIC: SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO LIBYA

SARAJEVO, September 2 (FENA) – The political-economic delegation of BiH headed by Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic on Thursday has returned from the Great Socialist People's Arab Libyan Jamahiriya. 

“We were politically aware that we have positive feelings and friendly relations. In talks with President Muamar Gadafi, we have insured a special status for BiH in Libyan Jamahiriya, as well as on the entire African continent, which was one of our priorities”, Terzic told the press at the Sarajevo airport.

He stressed that the Libyan President has supported BiH’s European path, and encouraged our country to swiftly become a part of the great European family and guaranteed that the good relations that were built with Yugoslavia in the past will be turned towards BiH in the future.

“This fact opens great political and economic perspectives for BiH”, said Terzic.

He added that in two meetings with the political leadership of the hosting country, talks focused on the possibilities for engaging BiH businesspersons in the new wave of economic reform in Libya. 

“We came at the right time, because privatization in Libya is just beginning. The country is opening to foreign investors and I am pleased with the fact that our business delegation has held numerous meetings during our visit to Libya”, said BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic.

(Fena) gk  

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FSA5611: 02.09.2004 11:14

MORNING SERVICE

MEETING OF BiH AND AUSTRIAN BUSINESSPERSONS

SARAJEVO, September 2 (FENA) – Over a hundred businesspersons from Austria and BiH, members of the Association of Austrian-BiH Businesspersons, held a consultative meeting Thursday evening in Hadzici, near Sarajevo.

Businesspersons from the two countries exchanged information about the possibilities for mutual investing, and discussed the business results of companies from BiH that have daughter companies in Austria.

This traditional meeting of local and Austrian businesspersons, which takes place five to six times per year over the past three years, was attended by the former Austrian chancellor, Alois Mock, who is paying a private visit to Sarajevo, and representatives of the Austrian contingent of SFOR.

Austria is one of the leading investors in BiH economy, and participants of the meeting have expressed interest for strengthening business cooperation between the two countries.

(Fena) gk

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FENA 16/08/04 - CONSUMER BASKET IN JULY 437,79 KM; “Lakshmi Niwas Mittal Holdings NV” London became majority shareholder of Željezara - Zenica

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FSA2487: 16.08.2004 08:55

MORNING SERVICE

FBiH: CONSUMER BASKET IN JULY 437,79 KM

SARAJEVO, August 16 (FENA) – The consumer basket in July this year in Federation BiH was estimated at 437,79 KM, which is a drop of 12, 86 KM or 2, 85 percent in comparison to June, told a press conference Monday the Director of the Federation Statistics Bureau, Dervis Djurdjevic.

According tom him, the average monthly paid net salary per employee in June this year was estimated at 537, 51 KM, while the average paid pension was estimated at 198, 45 KM.

The total number of persons seeking employment in June was 387.651, while the average unemployment rate was 44, 6 percent.

(Fena) jc

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FSA2484: 16.08.2004 08:50

MORNING SERVICE

FBiH: INCREASE IN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS

SARAJEVO, August 16 (FENA) – Industrial production in Federation BiH in July this year is greater by 16, 9 percent than the average monthly production in 2003, and is also greater by 14 percent than the production in the same month last year, while it is greater by 5, 5 percent in comparison to production in June this year, told a press conference Monday the Director of the Federation Statistics Bureau, Dervis Djurdjevic.

According to the FBiH Statistics Bureau, the total of 1.086.825.000 KM of goods were exported in the seven months of this year, which is an 8, 8 percent rise in comparison to the same period last year. In this period, the imports have amounted up to 3.379.786.000 KM, which is by 5, 7 percent more than in the same period last year. Majority of the goods were exported to Croatia.

The percentage of covering imports by exports in the past seven months is 32, 2 percent.

(Fena) jc

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FSA2490: 16.08.2004 09:07

MORNING SERVICE

FBiH:  MORE TOURISTS, LESS SPENT NIGHTS IN JUNE

SARAJEVO, August 16 (FENA) – Federation BiH in June this year was visited by 23.385 tourists, which is a 4, 5 percent rise in comparison to June last year. 

According to the Federation Statistics Bureau, there were 52.645 spent nights, which is a 14, 2 drop in comparison to June last year.

The capacities in tourism included 10.650 beds, which is a 4, 7 percent rise in comparison to June 2003.

(Fena) jc

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FSA2489: 16.08.2004 09:01

MORNING SERVICE

TERZIC MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF BiH ASSOCIATION OF MEAT PRODUCERS AND PROCESSORS

SARAJEVO, August 16 (FENA) – BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic on Monday held talks with representatives of the BiH Association of Meat Producers and Processors.

Representatives of the Association ascertained that it is necessary to take the relevant measures in order to enable the beginning of implementation of the Law amending the Law on the Customs Tariff.

Terzic confirmed that the Council of Ministers would at its next session issue decisions that will ensure full implementation of the Law.

(Fena) jc

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FSA2492: 16.08.2004 09:44

MORNING SERVICE

"LNM HOLDINGS NV" MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER OF BH STEEL ZELJEZARA

ZENICA, August 16 (FENA) – Multinational company “LNM Holdings NV” from London, which annually produces over 45 million tons of steel in 13 factories throughout the world, which makes it the second largest producer of steel in the world, is the new majority shareholder of the Zenica BH Steel Zeljezara as of Monday evening. 

The sale contract by which LNM has become the holder of 51 percent of the capital in the BH Steel plant was signed, in presence of numerous guests among which BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic, FBiH President Niko Lozancic, and senior delegations from Kuwait and Canton Zenica-Doboj, by the owner of “LNM Holdings NV”, Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, his son Aditya Mittal, FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic, representative of the Kuwait Investment Agency (KIA-KSIC) Summeya el Humeydi and Director General of BH Steel Zeljezara Zenica Seid Kapetanovic.

“LNM and the management of BH Steel, together with KIA and the FBiH Government, will take this company to another level, and make it the pride of this country. I am convinced that today will mark the beginning of production revitalization and that BH Steel will soon, from the current amount 200.000 tons of produced steel annually, reach the level of 2 up to 2, 5 million tons of steel”, said the new owner of BH Steel, Lakshmi Nisaw Mittal.

“LNM Holdings NV” will immediately invest US$ 80 million in its new company, while the total investment is estimated at approx. US$ 425 million. 

The strategic partner is committed to immediately employ 2.850 workers, and it is expected that launching of integral production in the period of up to three years the longest would have the company employing between 4.000 and 4.500 workers. We believe in the quality of the package of social measures, which was designed in cooperation with the company’s Trade Union.  

Once the integral production has been launched, the Government would sell its shares to KIA-KSIC, said FBiH Minister of Energy, Industry, and Mining Izet Zigic.  

According to Lakshmi Niwas Mittala, the new owner intends to keep the company’s residence in BiH, and a team of experts would soon be formed to work with the company’s management in order to improve the production capacities. 

Representatives of KIA-KSIC, LNM and BH Steel Zeljezara Zenica have expressed particular gratitude to FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic, whom they have regarded as the key person in realization of this project.

The first contacts of representatives of “LNM Holdings NV” with FBiH Government and KIA were made in September 2003, and they have resulted in signing the sale contract by which “LNM Holdings NV” has become the majority shareholder of 51 percent of the capital, while KIA-KSIC disposes with 41 percent, and FBiH Government has 8 percent of capital in BH Steel Zeljezara.

(Fena) jc 

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