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Rome Agreement

 
18/2/1996
 

Agreed measures

President Izetbegovic, President Tudjman and President Milosevic agreed today in Rome on the following actions to strengthen and advance the peace process.

1. Full Cooperation on Implementation:

The Parties will resume all civilian and military contacts immediately.

The next meeting on the Joint Interim Commission will take place between the Prime Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republika Srpska, and the Federation in Banja Luka on February 27 under the Chairmanship of the High Representative. The next meeting of the Joint Civilian Commission will take place with representatives of the parties at the office of the High Representative in Sarajevo on February 28. The Joint Military Commission will hold its next meeting on the USS George Washington on February 19. The Provisional Election Commission will meet at the OSCE Head Office in Sarajevo on February 19. In Vienna, the sub-regional arms control negotiations pursuant to Article IV of Annex 1-B will adhere to the schedule agreed in Dayton.

The governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation and the Republika Srpska agreed today to nominate their representatives to all other commissions established by the Dayton Agreement no later than March 1, 1996.

2. Military Implementation:

Full compliance with the military aspects of the General Framework Agreement will continue to be carried out as the cornerstone of the peace process. There will be no restriction on IFOR movements, inspections or access. Freedom of movement will be guaranteed throughout the country for all persons and organizations.

All foreign forces will be withdrawn immediately from Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with the provisions of the peace agreement.

Establishment of a secure environment will facilitate rapid implementation of reconstruction and reestablishment of civil society so that normal conditions of life can be restored. To further this goal, parties will continue to respect the zones of separation and to comply fully with IFOR's order to declare or withdraw heavy weapons within the 10km zone.

3. Sarajevo:

All aspects of reunification of Sarajevo will be carried out on schedule. Bosniacs, Croats, Serbs and all Others in Sarajevo will receive equal treatment as citizens of an undivided city. Serbs will have the opportunity to exercise fully their legal rights with respect to the

governance of the city. They will be afforded the opportunity at the obstina level in accordance with the Federation Constitution to participate in the oversight of education, social welfare and health care and to use the Serbian language and Cyrillic alphabet.

Sarajevo will be a city open in itself and open to the outside. There will be free movement of goods, services and capital between then Federation and the Republika Srpska also in the Sarajevo area. Neither the Federation nor the Republika Srpska will establish controls at the boundaries between the two entities. Residents of one Entity will have the right to work also in the other Entity.

The implementation and transition of local structures, including police, will be carried out in accordance with the Joint Statement of February 4 issued by the High Representative and IFOR Commander and will be completed as scheduled by March 19. The Joint Civilian Commission for Sarajevo will continue to function as the consultative and coordinating body charged with ensuring full implementation.

The transfer of authority to the Federation in the 5 suburbs of Sarajevo will be completed by D+91. During the period up to D+90, a plan will be finalized and implemented to establish an integrated and representative police force in accordance with Federation law, the composition of which will approximate the ratio of the Bosniac, Croat, and Serb population in the 1991 election census in each opstina. During this transition period the integrated Federation police force will be formed and introduced into the opstinas on a gradual basis as determined by the situation in the respective opstinas. The IPTF will play an active role in overseeing and closely monitoring the force's deployment and activities. IFOR will play a key role in monitoring overall security in these suburbs during the period in transition.

4. Release of Prisoners of War and Search for Mission Persons:

The Parties will complete promptly the release of all civilian and military prisoners held in relation to the conflict. They will also promptly release persons detained in forced labor in relation to the conflict. The Working Group on Mission Persons shall be established immediately and hold its first meeting, to be chaired by the ICRC, at the Office of the High Representative on March 1. Organizations may visit any site at which they suspect people may be detained. IFOR will work to provide a secure environment for the completion of these tasks.

5. Cooperation on War Crimes and Respect for Human Rights:

As part of their obligation to cooperate fully in the investigation and prosecution of war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law, as provided in Article IX of the General Framework Agreement, the Parties will provide unrestricted access to places, including mass grave sites, relevant to such crimes and to persons with relevant information. IFOR will work to provide a secure environment for the completion of these tasks.

Persons, other than those already indicted by the International Tribunal, may be arrested and detained for serious violations of international humanitarian law only pursuant to a previously issued order, warrant, or indictment that has been reviewed and deemed consistent with international legal standards by the International Tribunal. Procedures will be developed for expeditious decision by the Tribunal and will be effective immediately upon such action.

The adoption of the Law on Amnesty by the legislature of the central government is a welcome development. The Federation and the Republika Srpska will enact similar amnesty laws.

6. Economic Cooperation and Development:

The Parties will create favorable conditions for economic development and free flow of goods and services in Bosnia and Herzegovina and throughout the region. This is of particular significance for the early return of refugees. At the next meeting of the Joint Interim Commission, the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina will work towards a system of payments. The Federation and the Republika Srpska will improve common infrasturcture systems, including power systems, telecommunications and road and rail links. All utilities, including power, water and telecommunications, will be restored to Gorazde and Banja Luka on an urgent basis, and will be discussed at the next meeting of the Joint Interim Commission.

The Parties agree to establish railroad links between Tuzla and Zvornik as well as Tuzla, Doboj and Banja Luka. The Parties will also work towards normalizing trade and economic cooperation among each other.

The Parties will establish immediately between the Federal Republic of

Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina telecommunication links.

7. Bilateral Relations:

President Izetbegovic and President Milosevic agree to meet one another in a month and thereafter as appropriate, to further the peace process and develop bilateral relations. They further agree to establish a direct telephone line between them.