|
Internal Debt
As you know, the House of Representatives of the Federation Parliament
yesterday narrowly rejected the legislation necessary to implement the internal
debt plan worked out with the IMF. The plan had already been accepted at the
State level and by the RSNA and Brcko District Assembly.
Resolving the issue of internal debt is crucial for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s
recovery. This issue cannot be swept under the carpet. It has bedevilled
economic progress until now and it will continue to do so unless it is addressed
squarely. The plan worked out by the BiH authorities with the IMF is a fair one.
It protects the most vulnerable and ensures that the authorities honour their
commitments. It has been opposed by a small minority of people who had
substantial sums of money in foreign account deposits in 1991.
The IMF will continue to engage in discussions, and OHR hopes to see this law
brought before Parliament again in the very near future. This is a test of the
seriousness of BiH’s politicians to take the hard decisions necessary to put
this country on a stable footing so that it can generate jobs and prosperity for
its citizens.
Without this solution - there will be no repayment of pension or disability
arrears, no payment of frozen foreign currency reserves and no way to address
the mounting burden of war claims debt. Passage of this legislation is vital for
BiH’s economic recovery and for its European integration effort.
The OHR will be monitoring how BiH’s politicians respond to this challenge.
Chris Patten to Attend First Meeting of Police Restructuring Commission
The Police Restructuring Commission will tomorrow hold its first meeting in
Sarajevo. The EU Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten, will address
the Commission at the start of the meeting. Police Restructuring Commission
Chairman Wilfried Martens will address the practical organisation of the
Commission's work and discuss conceptual approaches for the establishing single
structure of policing for BiH under the overall political oversight of the
Council of Ministers. The restructuring of the BiH police forces along these
lines is a prerequisite for long-term peace and prosperity and for membership of
NATO and the EU.
Media will have an opportunity to record the opening statements to be made by
BiH Security Minister Colak, Commissioner Patten and Chairman Martens at 17:00
today at the Joint Institution Building, Sarajevo
PDHR Hays in visit to Kotor Varos
The PDHR, Donald Hays will visit Kotor Varos municipality tomorrow. During
his visit, Ambassador Hays will meet with municipal officials and RS National
Assembly deputies who are from Kotor Varos. Ambasasdor Hays and his hosts will
speak about the steps that have been taken in order to impove the capacity of
the municipality to respond to citizens' needs. During the course of the day, we
will issue a media advisory will all the details related to Ambassador Hays
visit to Kotor Varos.
|
