Balkan Investigative Reporting Network: Balkan Insight Daily No. 293, June 12 2009

HEADLINES:

Media Frenzy Over Mladic Videos

A media frenzy has begun over the airing on Bosnian TV of home videos showing war crimes fugitive Ratko Mladic moving about freely long after indictments were issued against him, with global media outlets linking the scandal to Serbia’s EU bid.

NATO To Reduce Troops in Kosovo

NATO Defence Ministers agreed yesterday in Brussels to reduce the KFOR troop presence in Kosovo, taking into account the steady improvement of the security situation there.

West Ponders Move as Bosnian Serbs Breach Deadline

The Bosnian Serb leadership has delivered another blow to the waning international presence in Bosnia, by ignoring a western ultimatum and deadline to abolish a disputed Assembly declaration, media reported on Friday.

EC Meets on Serbia Visa Liberalisaton Today

A concluding meeting between Serbian officials and the European Commission will take place today in Brussels before any decision can be made on abolishing the visa regime for Serbian citizens traveling to EU countries.

Dodik Snubs State Police Investigation

The prime minister of the Serb-dominated Bosnian entity of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, has refused to be questioned by the State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA, as a part of an ongoing corruption investigation, media reported on Friday.

MORE NEWS:

» Macedonia FinMin: Possible IMF Loan Late 2009

» Macedonia’s Draft Police Law Murky

» Tennis Dad Gets Sentenced for Death Threats

» Corridor 10 Gets USD 388mn World Bank Loan

» Kosovo Celebrates 10 Years of Freedom

» Serb Wins Young Scientists’ Award for Sex Study

» Djukic Sentenced to 25 Years

» Pop Singer Defies Balkan Politics

» Candidate for Bosnian Federation PM Named

» Macedonian Forest Ranger Killed in Ambush

» Croatian Government, Farmers Reach Agreement

» Bulgaria Poll Turnout Forecast Over 50 Percent

» Croatia Tourism Down by Nine Percent

» Albania President Calls for Justice Reform

» Serbia Press Review – June 12

» Bosnia Press Review – June 12

» Albania Press Review - June 12

» Romania Press Review – June 12

» Macedonia Press Review – 12 June

» Kosovo Press Review - June 12

most popular:

Macedonia: Albanian Group Seeks Federalization

A group of right-wing ethnic Albanian politicians during a Wednesday press conference demanded the federalization of Macedonia based on the Swiss and Belgian models.

Analysis:

Contractors Pressured to Open Albania-Kosovo Road Before Election

Government pressure on project designers to finish the tunnel works on the highway before the June 28 poll is raising serious safety concerns.

By Gjergj Erebara

Mladic Videos “Ancient History”

Footage of indicted ex-general moving round freely in Serbia seems unlikely to derail EU moves to bring Belgrade closer into the fold.

Blog:

Don’t Kill the Balkan Baby, Please

The baby was sick for many years. The parents spent a fortune on a doctor but the doctor was unsure what the problem was, let alone how to cure it.

Balkan Small Talk:

SEX I GRAD VI

Before the bad weather moved in, after one of those sunny days in May, I took a stroll down Knez Mihajlova.

Did You Visit?

Five Restaurants That Make the Trip to Varna Worthwhile

Varna’s chefs seem to be surpassing those of Bulgarian capital Sofia, or, at the very least, putting up some stiff competition.

Real Estate:

Bulgaria: Sofia Housing Prices Plummet

A significant fall of the prices of residential properties in Bulgaria has been registered in the first four months of the year.

Tourism in Balkans:

Croatia Tourism Down by Nine Percent

Croatia had around 1.8 million tourists in the first five months of 2009, nine per cent fewer than during the same period last year.

Did You Watch?

Pop Singer Defies Balkan Politics

Bosnian-born, Serbia-based folk star Fakreta Jahic Zivojinovic, better known as "Lepa Brena", once again defied local politicians and politics, and holding a concert at the Mostar City Stadium before 13,000 delighted fans.

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