21.11.1996 OHR Sarajevo

Statement by the High Representative, Carl Bildt one year since Dayton

Statement by Mr. Carl Bildt, High Representative

One year on from Dayton, much has been achieved but there is a great deal more to do. The shells are no longer falling in the streets of Sarajevo. The beginnings of economic recovery can be seen. But it will take longer to fulfil the promise of the Peace Agreement. It only takes a day to start a war. It can take years to achieve real peace. The international community has made clear in Paris that it will play its part.

I call on political leaders within Bosnia, and especially the Joint Presidency, to move urgently towards the creation of all of the joint institutions set out in the Peace Agreement. There have been too many instances these past few months of delay, obstruction or refusal to implement aspects of the Agreement. Today is not the day to praise Dayton, but to implement it.

Office of the High Representative