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 Art. 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";

Being aware of the urgent need to ensure that the municipal structures in Zepce Municipality are democratically elected;

Noting that the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina has adopted the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH O.G. 23/01);

Bearing in mind Article 9 of the High Representative’s Decision of 6 October 2000 on Integrating the Municipality of Zepce (FBiH O.G. 44/00), and the High Representative’s Final Decision of 30 November 2001 on Integrating the Municipality of Zepce (FBiH O.G. 56/01);

Further bearing in mind the Conclusion dated 1 February 2002 of the Interim Municipal Board of the Municipality of Zepce No. 01-05-48/02;

Taking into account the progress achieved in the implementation of the High Representative’s Decision dated 6 October 2000 hereinbefore referred to;

Bearing in mind the totality of the matters aforesaid, I hereby issue the following:

DECISION

1. The Municipal Elections in Zepce shall be held on the same day and as a part of the next forthcoming Bosnia and Herzegovina General Election and shall be organized by the Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be responsible for all technical aspects of the organization and implementation of the Municipal Elections in Zepce.

2. The mandate of the councilors elected at the forthcoming municipal elections in Zepce shall expire on the same day as the mandate of the municipal councilors elected at the last municipal elections in all other municipalities.

3. The municipal elections in Zepce municipality shall be financed from the municipal Budget.

4. As soon as a new Municipal Council is elected, the Interim Municipal Board established by the Decision of the High Representative on Integrating the Municipality of Zepce (FBiH O.G. 44/00) shall transfer the rights, duties, and responsibilities to the newly elected authorities and shall cease to exist upon the holding of the first session of the new Municipal Council.

5. This Decision enters into force with immediate effect, and shall be published without delay in the Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.