In the exercise of the powers vested in the High Representative 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;

Taking into account the two Decisions of the High Representative issued on 23 May 2002, Amending the Constitution of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Amending the Constitution of the Republika Srpska, wherein the constitutional foundations were enumerated for the creation of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Republika Srspka;

Taking into account further the Laws on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council in force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina 15/02, 26/02 and 35/02, Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina 22/02, 41/02, 42/02 and 19/03, and Official Gazette of Republika Srpska 31/02 and 55/02), which establish the legal framework for the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils in Bosnia and Herzegovina and provide for the High Representative to designate international members to serve as the President and Vice-President of each of the Councils during the transitional period.

Recognising the need for the assurance that all international and European standards are upheld during the crucial transitional period of the Councils’ existence when the restructuring of the courts and prosecutors offices will take place and a selection of judges and prosecutors to fill the restructured posts will occur;

Recognising further the necessity of independence and impartiality in the work of the Councils in order to achieve the essential purposes underlying the laws and constitutional amendments aforementioned, and the invaluable benefit that would accrue to the people and judicial system of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the utilisation of international expertise during the transitional period;

For the reasons hereinafter set out the High Representative hereby issues the following

DECISION

On Appointment of a New Member of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina

1. As provided for in Article 66, paragraph 2 of the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina 15/02, 26/02 and 35/02,), Article 76, paragraph 3 of the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina 22/02, 41/02, 42/02 and 19/03) and Article 76, paragraph 3 of the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Republika Srpska (Official Gazette of Republika Srpska 31/02 and 55/02),

Mr. Michael T. O’Malley

is hereby designated and appointed as Vice-President of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Republika Srpska in respect of the transitional period until 31 December 2003.

2. The appointment under this Decision shall take effect on 26 June 2003.

3. 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, in the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska and in the official Gazette of the Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina.