21.03.1997 OHR Sarajevo

Reaction on the decision by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on the agreement with the RS

Yesterday’s decision by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on the agreement with Republika Srpska violates the letter of the Peace Agreement on Bosnia and Herzegovina and must be seen as serious by the international community.

It has been made clear to the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia that the agreement is not consistent with the Peace Agreement and the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that ratification should not occur until it has been brought into line with these.

By totally disregarding this, the regime in Belgrade has demonstrated that it is not fully commited to the Peace Agreement for Bosnia, but is prepared to disregard it when this suits its interests.

If the procedure over this agreement in Belgrade shows disregard for the Peace Agreement in a way which must have serious consequences, the internal procedures inside the Republika Srpska seem to be making a complete mockery of its own constitution. There is hardly a relevant provision in the constitution of Republika Srpska which has not been disregarded or violated in the effort to hammer this procedure through.

Although the agreement cannot enter into force until ratified by the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the procedures now seen in both Belgrade and Pale shows a disregard both for the Peace Agreement and for constitutional procedure that will affect the attitude of the international community towards them.