FEDERATION FORUM
Chairmen’s Conclusions
On 14 April, Bosniak and Croat representatives of the Federation and others met at a session of the Federation Forum. The meeting was chaired by Ambassador John. C. Kornblum, U.S Assistant Secretary of State, and Ambassador Michael Steiner, Principal Deputy High Representative. The following was agreed:
- participants reconfirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the Protocol of 25 October 1996 and the Agreement on Sarajevo of 27 March 1997. The Federation Partners decided to submit the agreed constitutional amendments to the next session of the Federation Parliament , and to the Sarajevo Canton Assembly for adoption by urgent procedure by 22 April.
- Similarly, the Federation partners agreed to submit the attached constitutional amendments to the next session of the Federation Parliament, and to the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Assembly for adoption by urgent procedure by 22 April.
- Once the above steps are accomplished, the City of Sarajevo will be established.
- The Federation partners confirmed that most of the outstanding issues concerning the Law on Split and New Municipalities have been resolved. They request that the Minister of Justice and his Deputy submit a consolidated draft to the 15 April session of the Government, followed by adoption and passage by the Federation Parliament by the urgent procedure.
- The Participants welcomed the completion of restructuring of the Sarajevo Canton police and the progress already achieved in forming the new police forces in Mostar and in Travnik. They call on the authorities in the other Cantons, especially in those Cantons with a Special Regime, to use the momentum gained thereby to establish the reconstructed police forces already agreed on in principle. Each Canton will address and resolve the technical issue of an insignia and a coat of arms, either as has been selected by the Sarajevo Canton and the Federation Police , or as selected by an individual Canton. A Review Group under the Special Group is charged to work out this technical issue for Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and Central Bosnia Canton by April 22. By this date, in Canton Sarajevo, Central Bosnia Canton, and Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, other police and security forces, as determined by IPTF, will cease to function.
- The Participants agreed that the issue of housing of Croat civilian and military officials in Sarajevo, including the official residence of the Croat Member of the Presidency, will be finally resolved by May 1. The housing so designated will be available for occupancy by Croat officials by May 30.
- Participants expressed their gratitude to Ambassador Kornblum for his efforts and personal commitment to the building of the Federation. They welcomed Ambassador Gelbard, who will co-chair future sessions of the Federation Forum.
Office of the High Representative
