B92 talks concession, Ilić talks B92

Velimir Ilic's party called a news conference today after B92 TV broadcast its Horgos – Pozega highway deal special. However, pre-election coalition partner of Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's DSS and presently a member of the ruling coalition, New Serbia, did not address the program itself or the controversial concession, instead choosing to bring up the issue of the premises housing B92 television, radio and internet operations. B92 talks concession, Ilic talks B92 Party vice-president, Dubravka Filipovski, handed out copies of a lease contract signed by B92 and then National Bank of Yugoslavia, which, she claimed, enabled B92 to rent the building at only EUR 4.6 per sq meter per month. Infrastructure Minister Velimir Ilic also made a statement this morning lashing out at B92 with a number of accusations in his trade-mark style. Still, Filipovski was unable to tell reporters which part of the contract, made six years ago and signed by then governor, Mladjan Dinkic, was in fact contentious. When challenged, she also said New Serbia did not seek an official explanation as to the reason B92 leases the 3,500 sq meters of space at the stated price, either from the central bank or Dinkic himself. "We did not ask for an official answer, we presented the contract so that the public may acquaint itself with it," Filipovski said. "Publications of contracts are sought selectively," she added, and then mentioned the Horgos – Pozega case. B92 CEO Veran Matic said Friday New Serbia was looking to pressure the media company's staff not to do their jobs properly. "It has become customary that after every program of ours where we look into topics that have to do with the jurisdiction of that ministry headed by the New Serbia president, Velimir Ilic, this party reaches for the allegedly illegal lease contract we have," Matic said. "Today's news conference is nothing but a typical reaction by New Serbia to yesterday's B92 Investigates program, which looked into the Horgos – Pozega concession contract," he added. As for B92's contract, Matic said it was made in line with existing regulation, including involvement of a number of state bodies, the central bank, then federal government and others. The procedure also included public announcement and bidding, which B92 won, while the complete documentation is archived with the Serbian Property Directorate. "On top of everything, not only is the building we are using state-owned, but the state stands to benefit from the deal," Matic said. "Besides the rent, which is re-evaluated and paid in such re-evaluated amounts, the value of the property, which was in ruins when we rented it, has increased after B92 made investments that count in millions," he explained. "B92 will not allow the type of behavior exhibited by New Serbia or anyone else to stop us from dealing with topics that are of public interest," Matic said. "And that includes further monitoring and reporting of all the controversies surrounding the Horgos – Pozega contract." Velimir Ilic: Unhappy with B92 reporting (FoNet, archive)

B92 talks concession, Ilić talks B92

Party vice-president, Dubravka Filipovski, handed out copies of a lease contract signed by B92 and then National Bank of Yugoslavia, which, she claimed, enabled B92 to rent the building at only EUR 4.6 per sq meter per month.

Infrastructure Minister Velimir Ilić also made a statement this morning lashing out at B92 with a number of accusations in his trade-mark style.

Still, Filipovski was unable to tell reporters which part of the contract, made six years ago and signed by then governor, Mlađan Dinkić, was in fact contentious.

When challenged, she also said New Serbia did not seek an official explanation as to the reason B92 leases the 3,500 sq meters of space at the stated price, either from the central bank or Dinkić himself.

"We did not ask for an official answer, we presented the contract so that the public may acquaint itself with it," Filipovski said.

"Publications of contracts are sought selectively," she added, and then mentioned the Horgoš – Požega case.

B92 CEO Veran Matić said Friday New Serbia was looking to pressure the media company's staff not to do their jobs properly.

"It has become customary that after every program of ours where we look into topics that have to do with the jurisdiction of that ministry headed by the New Serbia president, Velimir Ilić, this party reaches for the allegedly illegal lease contract we have," Matić said.

"Today's news conference is nothing but a typical reaction by New Serbia to yesterday's B92 Investigates program, which looked into the Horgoš – Požega concession contract," he added.

As for B92's contract, Matić said it was made in line with existing regulation, including involvement of a number of state bodies, the central bank, then federal government and others.

The procedure also included public announcement and bidding, which B92 won, while the complete documentation is archived with the Serbian Property Directorate.

"On top of everything, not only is the building we are using state-owned, but the state stands to benefit from the deal," Matić said.

"Besides the rent, which is re-evaluated and paid in such re-evaluated amounts, the value of the property, which was in ruins when we rented it, has increased after B92 made investments that count in millions," he explained.

"B92 will not allow the type of behavior exhibited by New Serbia or anyone else to stop us from dealing with topics that are of public interest," Matić said.

"And that includes further monitoring and reporting of all the controversies surrounding the Horgoš – Požega contract."