09/07/1996

Contact Group Meeting In Frankfurt – Bonn, 07/09/96

Press Section – German Foreign Ministry

Contact Group Meeting In Frankfurt

The International Bosnia Contact Group met on 7 September in Frankfurt, under the Chairmanship of the Political Director of the German Foreign Ministry, Wolfgang Ischinger. Carl Bildt, High Representative and Ambassador Frowick, head of the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also attended.

The Contact Group stressed the importance of the 14 September elections for the peace process. It condemned irregularities which had arisen and called on the Parties to comply with their obligations to achieve a democratic environment in the lead up to the elections and while they take place. Furthermore, they called on the Parties to respect the relevant electoral rules.

The Contact Group made the following statement on the postponement of the Communal elections: “In the light of the decision of the provisional Election Commission in Sarajevo to postpone the Communal elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Contact Group is of the opinion that these elections should take place before the end of the year – under international monitoring led by the OSCE. The Contact Group calls on the Governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska to agree on measures necessary to allow for international monitoring before the 14 September.”

In the opinion of the Contact Group, the elections on 14 September open the way for the critical phase of full implementation of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the establishment of common institutions; also as an expression of the continuity of the Bosnian state, composed of the two entities, the Federation and the Republika Srpska.

The Contact Group also considered developments in Eastern Slavonia. It was united on the need for the stable transitionary period.

The Contact Group believes that the peace process requires further intensive guidance from the international community. It therefore considers necessary further meetings in Autumn at Ministerial level, in the form of the Peace Implementation Conference (PIC) and the Contact Group.

Office of the High Representative