Monday, June 15, 2009
Roddick wins Karlovic in two sets
In the ATP Queens men’s quarter-finals, US player Andy Roddick won Ivo Karlovic 7:6, 7:6 in just one hour and 22 minutes and two tie breaks. It was Roddick’s fourth victory against Karlovic.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Farmers End their Strike
The farmers’ strike has ended with most of their demands being met after some five hours of negotiations with the government. While the milk producers and cattle breeders are pleased, those working on land have not had their wishes met. The many tractors that descended on Zagreb on Wednesday rolled back into the villages.
Hvar Finds Loophole to Open Shops on Holiday
The Hvar mayor has declared June 11, Corpus Christi feast a market day in the town of Hvar and in that way found a loophole in the law that allows for shops to be open on a state holiday. Meanwhile, owners of shops in Dubrovnik’s Stradun have shown their disapproval of the shops having to remain shut on a holiday by placing banners WELCOME TO CROATIA – CLOSED in their shop windows.
NATO To Cut Troop Numbers in Kosovo
The NATO General Secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has announced speaking in Brussels that a political decision had been made to cut the number of NATO troops in Kosovo. For the first time since Croatia joined the Alliance the Croatian Defense Minister Branko Vukelic has been attending a NATO Council meeting.
Footage Confiscated During Search Operation
The ICTY fugitive Ratko Mladic had been living as a regular citizen in Belgrade and spent time at the facilities of the former Yugoslav army. This was happening at a time when the authorities of that country claimed that they had no idea where he was and this has been proved by the footage aired by TV B-H Federation.
Rehn Hoping for the Lifting of the Blockade in the near Future
The EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has stated speaking in Brussels that after six months the key issues regarding the border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia were at the brink of being resolved and Croatia’s EU accession talks unblocked. Monday is to see the holding of a regular meeting of EU heads of diplomacy in Luxembourg.
HRT: We Shall Save Double the Target
Croatian Radio Television (HRT) has announced that it was making its cuts in spending according to plan and it would make double the savings it originally planned when it was reporting its plan to the government. In the meantime HRT has rebalanced its budget which will allow it to cut costs by 130 million kuna at an annual level.
Corpus Christi Feast Marked
peration Memphis Results in Several Arrests
European Commission Agriculture Commissioner Pay First Visit to Croatia
The European Commission Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel is paying her first ever visit to Croatia. She has visited a number of farms, homesteads and large industrial complexes around Zagreb in order to see for herself in what way EU pre-accession funds were spent."
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Agriculture Minister Ready for Negotiations
The Agriculture Minister Bozidar Pankretic has stated he was ready to talk to the farmer around the table and not in the street. He said he had spoken to the farmers' representatives on Tuesday adding that the Ministry will not allow the further slump in the price of milk and if this were to happen, the state would intervene. He said that next week he would sign an agreement with the EBRD.
INA Elects New Supervisory Board
At the INA annual meeting it was decided that the loss for last year amounting to 839.9 million kuna made in 2008 be covered from the kept profit that matches the loss. A new supervisory board was named for a four-year mandate its members being Dammar Polaner, Vojislav Civic, Verna Orland, Gorgy Moony, Sultan Alcott, Josef Similar, Able Galatz and Oszkár Világi. Deloitte d.o.o. Zagreb has been chosen as the auditor for business dealings in 2009, while Laszlo Geszti will be the INA CEO in the coming period and board members will be Lajos Alácsa and Attila Holod, Tomislav Dragicevic, Josip Petrovic and Dubravko Tkalcic.
Croats Attempting To Win Lottery Jackpot of 47 Million Kuna
Legal Proceedings against Slavica Halted
The Sibenik county court has halted the criminal proceedings against Drazen Slavica. The court has accepted the objection put forward by Slavica's lawyer Cedo Prodanovic. Slavica had been accused of being responsible for the deaths of 12 firefighters at Kornat. Prodanovic reasoned that Slavica could not have through lack of action caused the situation that resulted in the deaths of the firefighters.
Closed-door Trial due to Protected Witness Taking the Stand
The trial of Croatian generals Ante Gotovina, Ivan Cermak and Mladen Markac before the ICTY was held behind closed doors on Wednesday as a protected witness had been testifying. At the end of the hearing judge Alphons Orie stated that he had given the prosecution another additional chance to by June 18 respond to the arguments given by Croatia regarding the requested documents, after which the judges' council would make its decision.
Preparations for the Tourist Season Have Never Been Better
At a meeting of the government's commission for the coordination and monitoring of preparation activities for the 2009 tourist season, the Tourism Minister Damir Bajs said that Croatia had never been better prepared for the tourist season. At a meeting held in Sibenik Bajs said that good cooperation was enjoyed on the preparation efforts between government services, different institutions and state-run companies.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Farmers Want To Speak to PM Sanader
Farmers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the state of affairs in agriculture, particularly in milk production by driving their tractors straight to the Agriculture Ministry building. Some 1,000 tractors are taking part as well as some 10 farmers' associations. Among the protestors are members of the Croatian Farmers Association who are opposed to the views of their leadership which claims that problems should be resolved through talks.
If It Were Not for Ljubljana, Croatia Would Be Close to Attaining Its Goal
Speaking at the Days of Croatian Diplomacy event, the Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic has stated that if the Slovene blockade of Croatia's EU negotiations was not in place, Croatia would have by the end of the Czech turn of being at the EU presidency helm opened 31 negotiation chapters and closed 17. Jandrokovic said that Slovenia's blockade was unfair and should be lifted immediately. He added that since the EU has no mechanisms that would help resolve the issue of the Slovene blockade Croatia is to continue talks with Slovenia and the EU with a new meeting being held next week.
Government Displeased with Level of Savings Managed by State-run Companies
The PM Ivo Sanader warned companies they were not managing enough savings, following a session of the Economic Council. He said that most savings were managed at the Croatian Electricity Board, Jadrolinija and HAC totalling more than 70 percent, while the least savings were managed by ACI, Croatia Osiguranje, Croatian Radio Television and Narodne Novine. Sanader said that the government was expecting of state-run companies to stick to what they promised.
Not that Much Terrorism in Croatia
The British Foreign Office has somewhat played down its warnings about travelling to Croatia. In the advisory to British citizens it is stated that there is a low risk of terrorism in Croatia and the crime rates were low. However, the global risk of non-selective attacks in places frequented by both Croats and foreigners has been stressed. An earlier Foreign Office advisory claimed there was a latent threat of terrorism and organised crime which brought on a reaction from the Croatian Foreign Ministry.
Project of Protecting Children on the Internet Unveiled
At the Central Office for e-Croatia a project aimed at protecting children from dangers lurking from the use of the Internet and mobile phones was unveiled. The project is aimed at raising awareness levels in children, parents and the general public about the dangers of the Internet and mobile phone use when children are concerned.
Fire at Sisak Hospital Put out
Croats Heading for the Seaside
A four-day extended weekend is to be spent by the Croats at the seaside. Some 400,000 visitors are expected to flock to the Adriatic and traffic jams are expected on all routes leading towards the sea: A1 leading to the central and southern Adriatic, A6 leading towards Istria and Kvarner and A3 which is the route to Slavonia.
Pankretic's Resignation Would Not Change Anything
Prior to Wednesday's announced protest of 10 farmers' organisations, the Agriculture Minister Bozidar Pankretic and the Croatian Farmers' Association Stated they were not supporting the protest. Despite this the protestors are planning to go ahead with their protest by riding their tractors all the way to Zagreb. Pankretic said that if his resignation would solve all of Croatia's problems, he would immediately resign."
Rosker Pleads Guilty
The killer of four people from Krizevci, Stjepan Rosker is on trial for killing his cousin Sinisa Rosker, Sinisa's daughter Jasmina, his mother Durdjica and Tihomir Matoic the boyfriend of Sinisa's elder daughter. Rosker has also on trial for attempted murder and illegal possession of arms and ammunition. Rosker pleaded guilty and expressed remorse at the start of the trial held at the Koprivnica county court."
Milinovic: I Hope to God My Son Will Not Become a Smoker
The Health Minister Darko Milinovic said during a working lunch with representatives of the Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) that he was against changes to the law on banning smoking in public places. He said he hoped his son would not become a smoker and said that he would reconsider in autumn when the initial results of the smoking ban are known whether he will be open for talks on technical requirements for spaces where smoking would be allowed.
Crimes Were Not Part of a Plan
Former Croatian UN Ambassador in Switzerland, Miomir Zuzul is being questioned by ICTY prosecutor Stefan Wespie for the second day in the ICTY case against Croatian generals Ante Gotovina, Mladen Markac and Ivan Cermak. He is currently answering questions about crimes committed following operation Storm. Zuzul said he knew about the reports, but had no first hand knowledge of the crimes, as he did not witness them. He said he had also heard of the report by UN Human Rights Commissioner Sadako Ogata dating from October 1995. He said that crimes following operation Storm were unwanted events that accompanied certain situations and had in now way been planned.
Osijek Goes Bankrupt; Lawsuits Pending
Due to a large debt and unpaid bills the bank account of the city of Osijek has been blocked. The town currently owes some 60 million kuna in contracts that had been signed during the time Anto Djapic was mayor, said current mayor Kresimir Bubalo. He said that the town would only just be able to pay out wages to town clerks this month.
Industrogradnja Strike Ends
The wages' payment for March has begun at the Industrogradnja Izoind company ending the strike of its workers which commenced on Friday. The regional commissioner of the Construction Sector Union of Croatia Ivan Kovacevic said that talks would begin with the management now on the wages payment for April. He said that he believed a deal would be struck that would stave off further strikes.
INA Has To Sell Crobenz
The concentration of INA and MOL has been approved under the condition that within nine moths Crobenz is sold. This was concluded at Tuesday's session of the Competition Council. Also, the construction or taking into concession of service stations has been limited for INA and MOL at new sections of motorways.
European Bishops Criticise the Overall Economic Crisis
At the third gathering of European bishops in charge of social issues held in Zagreb organised by the council of European Bishops's Conferences whose deputy president is cardinal Josip Bozanic it was stated that the current crisis was not only economic and financial, but primarily a crisis of trust, moral and values. They claimed that this was a chance for reconsidering the live led in the society and the life of each individual. The church can in that sense offer the moral and values' framework which places into the centre the person and what is good for humanity.
Infanticide May Have Happened in Zagreb
A new mother from the vicinity of Zagreb who has been admitted to hospital suffering from bleeding and whose life is in danger has had her stillborn baby brought in with her. The doctors managed to revive the mother and it is still not known whether the child was stillborn or infanticide was involved.
USKOK heads first enquiry in Dubrovnik
Exhumation begins at grave dating from 1945
Exhumation is underway at Gornji Hrascan in Medjimurje, the site of a mass grave dating back to the summer of 1945, after the end of WWII. According to unofficial records, the grave extending approximately two kilometres along the embankment of the river Drava contains the remains of more than 1000 victims believed to have been members of the NDH (Independent State of Croatia) army interned at the camp in Varazdin."
Smoking ban is killing business
Restaurant and café owners in Vinkovci went on strike on Monday by closing their venues in protest of the ban on smoking. A protest rally was held on the main square of this city in continental Croatia which was attended by some 200 caterers who are demanding an immediate amendment to the law prohibiting smoking in public places and the application of the Austrian model, that is, to allow owners to decide whether their venue will be for smokers or not, even in the case of those that are smaller than 50 square metres, and if bigger, that 30 square metres be sectioned off for smokers.
Zuzul denies knowledge of expulsion of Serbs from Krajina
Testifying before the Hague Tribunal, the third witness for the defence in the case against Gotovina et al., former Croatian foreign minister Miomir Zuzul, said that during the duration of Operation Storm when he was heading Croatian negotiations with insurgent Serbs in Geneva he did not recollect hearing about a plan to expel Serbs from Krajina. Citing the words of the late President Franjo Tudjman, Zuzul said that he would have negotiated with the devil himself if it would have meant saving lives and brought about a peaceful resolution.
Grgec gets 10 months for forging polling lists
Shops re-open on Sunday
Air conditioner cause of fire at shopping centre
The Eyes of Vinodol
Veterans demand ban on Lepa Brena concert
Representatives from around twenty Homeland War veteran organisations protested in Zagreb on Monday under the motto ‘Defending the Homeland is an Honour’. They believe that the concert of the Serbian folk singer, Lepa Brena, to be held in Zagreb is controversial due to her having supported the aggressor army in Krajina. At the request of citizens they have organised the signing of a petition to ban the concert on Zagreb’s central Ban Jelacic Square."
Monday, June 8, 2009
Bus ignites, no casualties
A bus belonging to the Karlovac-based transport company Autotransport went up in flames on the Zagreb-Rijeka motorway just after the Sv Marko tunnel on Sunday. The cause of the fire has yet to be established. The driver and passengers managed to get off the bus and remove their luggage before the bus caught fire so that there were no casualties.
Investigation into illegal sale of flats
Awning collapses injuring two
Black weekend on Croatian roads
It was another black weekend on Croatian roads. A motorcyclist, injured in an accident on the island of Hvar, has died at the Bjelovar Hospital. In Zagreb, another motorcyclist lost his life after he skidded off the road. In Varazdin, a 27-year-old was killed after his car skidded off the road and hit a tree. In Istria, an 18-year-old teenager from Pula lost his life on the Medulin-Pula road.
Vlahusic reports Suica to state prosecutor’s office
The newly-elected mayor of Dubrovnik, Andro Vlahusic, has reported former mayor Dubravka Suica to the state prosecutor’s office for the sale of land intended for a golf course on Mt Srdj. The state prosecutor’s office has confirmed that it is looking into claims related to the sales contract and whether it was signed after the call for elections, which is against the law.
Tax officers go before investigative judge
Three suspects, arrested during operation ‘Greed’ went before the investigative judge in Osijek on Saturday. The men in question are the head of the Beli Manastir tax office, Zdravko Roskar, and tax inspectors with the Osijek tax office Dragan Grubisic and Nedjeljko Culo who are suspected of abuse of position and accepting bribes."
Renewed protest over name of square
Djapic survives attempt to relieve him of duty
As was expected, after the election defeat in Osijek, the head of the Croatia Party of Rights, Ante Djapic, came under fire at the first session of the party’s main committee when several county associations, headed by party vice-president Pero Coric attempted, but failed, to see Djapic step down as party leader and members of his presidency resign their posts."
Stancic rehabilitation centre gifted by deputy PM
NATO ships anchor in Split
A group of ships of the NATO fleet are on a visit to the Croatian Navy in Split. Entering Lora harbour were the ITS Luigi Durand de la Penne, the HS Kountouriotis and the SPS Patino; the USS Laboon anchored at the entrance to the harbour. The visit is intended for the exchange of know how between crews, foreign and domestic, and also includes sports events and socializing.
Bandic gives in to Milanovic
The SDP Presidency has decided that the Zagreb assembly will be headed by a member of the party and it is believed that the person in question is Boris Sprem, a favourite among all party members. Current mayor of Zagreb Milan Bandic was not present at the session, neither were Zlatko Komadina and Zvonimir Mrsic.
Less congestion on roads, more tourists
Intergrafika, Modernpak fairs close
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Building permits in 45 days
Kerum's first promise
The newly-elected mayor of Split, Zeljko Kerum, took over his post on Friday.
Kerum told reporters he was satisfied with the financial report submitted by his predecessor, Ivan Kuret (HDZ), according to which the city authorities had collected more than 400 million kuna, 40 million kuna in deposits, adding that bills were being paid on time and that the city did not have any pending mortgages."
Kerum told reporters he was satisfied with the financial report submitted by his predecessor, Ivan Kuret (HDZ), according to which the city authorities had collected more than 400 million kuna, 40 million kuna in deposits, adding that bills were being paid on time and that the city did not have any pending mortgages."
Symposium focuses on Hague Tribunal
The seventh symposium entitled 'The Hague Tribunal – Joint Criminal Enterprise – What is That?' was opened in Zagreb on Friday by Constitutional Court judge Milan Vukovic and focuses on 'defending the dignity of Croatia's struggle for independence and freedom. A dozen papers, presented at the symposium this year and over the past four years, will be published in a collection.
Will farmers hold mass protest on 10 June?
Farmers, disgruntled with the delay in incentives and lower purchase price for milk, have announced a mass protest for 10 June, however, they do not stand united as members of the Croatian Peasant's Association are claiming that it is founded on private interests, a claim also supported by the Ministry of Agriculture."
Detention extended for Golemovic
Detention extended for Golemovic
The detention period for Drazen Golemovic, arrested in the joint police and USKOK sting ‘Ipsilon’ has been extended for a further 30 days to prevent him from repeating crimes for which he stands accused and from influencing witnesses. Police officer Nedjeljko Miosek also remains in custody while a police officer and customs officer have been released.
The detention period for Drazen Golemovic, arrested in the joint police and USKOK sting ‘Ipsilon’ has been extended for a further 30 days to prevent him from repeating crimes for which he stands accused and from influencing witnesses. Police officer Nedjeljko Miosek also remains in custody while a police officer and customs officer have been released.
Your Planet Needs You
Joining people around the world uniting for the planet on 5 June for World Environment Day 2009, with a strong call for environmental action with the theme 'Your Planet needs You! Unite to combat climate change' the Fund for Environment Protection and Energy Efficiency, the Ministry for Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship and UNDP have published 710,000 copies of the 2009 EE guidelines which will be distributed in daily newspapers throughout Croatia.
Police seize concealed amphorae
The Zadar police have seized five amphorae on the island of Ugljan from a fisherman who found them in his net, but failed to inform the Museum of Archaeology on his find. The man can be fined up to 500,000 kuna, but it seems that local and foreign divers do not fear such measures. The question remains as to how Croatia can preserve its cultural heritage and how it can combat the black market dealing in such artifacts."
Friday, June 5, 2009
Authorities Were Not Forcing out the Serbs
Vesna Skare Ozbolt had given her testimony at the ICTY trial as a defence witness for Gen. Ante Gotovina for the second day running on Thursday. At the time of operation Storm she had been the head of the president's office when the president was Franjo Tudjman and later she was the Justice Minister.
She said that the Croatian authorities had been surprised and disgusted by the pillaging and torching following operation Storm adding that no one had defended those who had committed such crimes and some 2,000 people had been tried for such actions.
She said that the Croatian authorities had been surprised and disgusted by the pillaging and torching following operation Storm adding that no one had defended those who had committed such crimes and some 2,000 people had been tried for such actions.
Artillery Logs still Need To Be Handed over
The ICTY chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz has submitted his regular report to the UN on Croatia's cooperation with the ICTY, a report that Croatia's EU negotiations partly hinge on. He said that over the past six months Croatia had in most part fulfilled the demands of his office and thanked PM Ivo Sanader for his personal engagement and assistance.
He said that the only exception was the handing over of key documents which have to do with operation Storm. PM Ivo Sanader also attended the UN Security Council session and said that Croatia had handed over all the documents it possessed.
He said that the only exception was the handing over of key documents which have to do with operation Storm. PM Ivo Sanader also attended the UN Security Council session and said that Croatia had handed over all the documents it possessed.
No Hope of any Survivors on Doomed Air France Flight
The Air France carrier has told families of passengers of a plane that went missing on Monday on the flight between Rio and Paris that there was no hope of anyone surviving the accident. The air accident investigators are still puzzled over what had caused the accident.
Marijuana Ruling Represents Precedent
The Supreme Court has scrapped the Virovitica county court ruling which sentenced a war veteran suffering from PTSD to one year in prison for planting two marijuana plants and acquitted him.
It was explained that the individual was a person with serious health problems who was suffering from PTSD with anxiety and depression symptoms and the meagre quantity of marijuana plants helped him ease the symptoms. Supreme Court officials refused to comment on the ruling.
It was explained that the individual was a person with serious health problems who was suffering from PTSD with anxiety and depression symptoms and the meagre quantity of marijuana plants helped him ease the symptoms. Supreme Court officials refused to comment on the ruling.
Mesic and Tuerk: Tensions Need To Be Eased
President Stjepan Mesic and his Slovene counterpart Danilo Tuerk met at the fringes of the regional conference of presidents of stated of South East Europe in Cetinje. The two agreed it was necessary to ease the tensions in the relations of the two countries and said that the two countries enjoyed good cooperation in many fields which should be furthered.
Konstruktor Captures Deal in Montenegro
The Split-based Konstruktor construction company has been awarded a concession by the Montenegrin government for the designing, financing, construction, administration and maintenance of a motorway leading between Bar and Boljar at the border with Serbia.
Jurcic in Favour of Shipbuilding Restructuring
The president of the Croatian Association of Economists and a member of the Economic Council Ljubo Jurcic has said he was against the privatisation of shipyards and was in favour of their restructuring. He said this speaking in Pula and commenting on the announcements that the European Commission had adopted the special model of the Uljanik shipyard privatisation.
Banks’ Placements Experience further Slowdown
According to central bank data, the slowdown of the annual growth of bank placements in the non-banking sector has continued in Croatia. The annual growth totalled 9.2 percent at the end of March and 6.2 percent if the impact of the exchange rate is taken into account. This is the result of the dwindling demand for loans, but also a more moderate offer of bank loans in the conditions of slowed down economic growth.
SDP Demanding Free Education for Students Fulfilling their Tasks
The SDP parliamentary party club has forwarded into emergency parliament procedure changes to the Law on Scientific Activity in Higher Education. It is proposing the scrapping of education fees for regular students, material assistance for students that are in need and rewarding particularly gifted students. This would cost Croatia some 500 million kuna per year.
The Authorities Were Not Forcing out the Serbs
Vesna Skare Ozbolt, who used to the the head of the President’s Office during Franjo Tudjman and later the Justice Minister is giving her testimony as a defence witness for Ante Gotovina at the ICTY for the second day running. According to her Tudjman had never spoken of or ordered the expulsion of Serbs from Croatia, but rather the Serbs and their leadership did not want to live in Croatia. She confirmed that the intention of the state authorities was not to force out the local Serbs, but just the opposite – the aim was to keep as many of them as possible in Croatia.
Opposition Criticizes Government for Not Better Protecting Children’s Rights
Parliament MPs have adopted the report of the Work of the Children’s Ombudsman’s Office for 2008 submitted by children’s ombudsman Mila Jelavic. The opposition had during the debate called on the government and the Family Ministry not to ignore the suggestions and advice as by doing so they were accomplices in the violations of children’s rights rather then those who are preventing such conduct.
Croatia’s Ambassador to U.N. Not Being Replaced
The Foreign Ministry has denied claims made in articles by Jutarnji List daily that the government was to dismiss the current Croatian U.N. Ambassador Neven Jurica. The Ministry spokesperson said that due to Jurica’s state of heath this was not being discussed as yet. Jurica has been in hospital since April after being diagnosed with lung haemorrhage.
Leading Brokerage House Being Established
The FIMA financial group and Interkapital have decided to merge their broker business thus creating FIMA Interkapital d.o.o. The two will enjoy equal ownership stakes. The new company will hold some 15 percent of the market and would end up the leading brokerage according to shares turnover in Croatia.
Operation Yugoslavia Conducted in Spain
The Spanish police have arrested some 42 members of a criminal enterprise made up of former Yugoslav countries’ nationals, including Croatian ones. The group had broken into more than 500 homes and robbed at least six kilograms of jewellery and about €200,000.
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