In the exercise of the powers vested in me by Article V of Annex 10 (Agreement on Civilian Implementation of the Peace Settlement) to the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to which the High Representative is the final authority in theatre regarding interpretation of the said Agreement on the Civilian Implementation of the Peace Settlement; and considering in particular Article II.1.(d) of the last said Agreement, according to the terms of which the High Representative shall “Facilitate, as the High Representative judges necessary, the resolution of any difficulties arising in connection with civilian implementation”;
Recalling paragraph XI.2 of the Conclusions of the Peace Implementation Conference held in Bonn on 9 and 10 December 1997, in which the Peace Implementation Council welcomed the High Representative’s intention to use his final authority in theatre regarding interpretation of the Agreement on the Civilian implementation of the Peace Settlement in order to facilitate the resolution of any difficulties as aforesaid “by making binding decisions, as he judges necessary” on certain issues including (under sub-paragraph (c) thereof) measures to ensure implementation of the Peace Agreement throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and its Entities;
Recalling the agreement in Article V of Annex 3 to the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina obliging Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Entities to create a permanent Election Commission with the responsibility of conducting future elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Noting that the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted on 23 August 2001 the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which inter alia establishes the Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to regulate the lawful operation of the election commissions and polling station committees under that Law;
Observing that the said law was published in the Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina (23/01) on 19 September 2001 to enter into force eight days thereafter;
Recalling that by my Decision of 27 September 2001 published in the Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina (27/01) on 24 October 2001 I appointed the international members of the Election Commission;
Noting that under Article 18.1.5 of the said Law it is provided that in case the members of the Election Commission from Bosnia and Herzegovina have not been appointed by 15 September 2001, the High Representative shall appoint the members from Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Taking into account the recommendations of the Provisional Commission for Nomination;
Having considered and borne in mind all the matters aforesaid, I hereby issue the following
DECISION
- I hereby appoint to the Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Mr. Hilmo Pasic, as the Bosniac member;
Mr. Branko Peric, as the Serb member;
Ms. Lidija Korac, as the Croat member;
Mr. Vehid Sehic, as the representative of the “Others”.
- These appointments shall take effect from the date hereof and shall last for a period of five (5) years or until otherwise provided by me.
This Decision shall enter into force forthwith and shall be published without delay in the Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska.
Sarajevo, 16 November 2001
Wolfgang Petritsch
High Representative
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