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”;

Considering  that the Federation House of Representative adopted on the 10 December 2002, the federal budget for 2003;

Considering further that the Federation House of Peoples required to adopt the budget has not yet been formed and is unlikely to be formed before the end of December;

Noting that any further delay in the adoption of the federal Budget for 2003 will result in serious financial and other repercussions for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina including jeopardizing its ability to (i) provide necessary public services; (ii) continue crucial financial arrangements for the Federation; and (iii) to meet its national and international fiscal obligations as they fall due;

Bearing in mind that the International Monetary Fund Stand By arrangement will be disrupted if the Budget of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not adopted by December 16,

Bearing in  mind further the serious consequences associated with the failure to adopt the federal Budget for 2003 in a timely manner; 

Having considered the totality of the matters aforesaid, the High Representative hereby issues the following

DECISION

ENACTING THE BUDGET OF THE FEDERATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA FOR 2003

The Budget of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2003 which follows (including Annex A) and which forms an integral part of this Decision, shall come into effect pursuant to article 7 thereof but on an interim basis until such time as the Parliament of theFederation of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopts the same in due form, without amendment and with no conditions attached.  This Decision shall come into effect forthwith and shall be published without delay in the Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.