High Representative's Decision Decision preventing Mijo Tokic from holding any executive position in Canton 10 or any other office Sarajevo, 16 October 1998

Alija Izetbegovic President of the Coalition for a United and Democratic Bosnia and Herzegovina Ante Jelavic President of the HDZ Dragan Kalinic President of the SDS Biljana Plavsic President of the SNS Nikola Poplasen President of the SRS Dear Sirs and Madame, We are aware that your parties are currently engaged in negotiations with regard to the nominations of candidates for appointment to executive positions in Governments at all levels as well as the nomination of delegates to the House of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. You are aware that this year forty candidates were struck off candidate lists and a number of municipal councillors removed from office by the Election Appeals Sub Commission for violations of the Rules and Regulations of the Provisional Election Commission. Furthermore, the High Representative, in accordance with his mandate under Annex 10 of the General Framework Agreement and Section XI of the Bonn Declaration, removed from office several government officials for obstructing the implementation of the Peace Agreement. The appointment of such an individual would represent a flagrant disrespect for the most basic of democratic principles. The voters of this country have a fundamental right to demand that the trust they have endowed in the political parties for which they have cast their ballots is not abused through the election of officials and delegates who have personally obstructed peace implementation. Furthermore, huge personnel and financial resources invested by the international community to assist your country must be supported on the ground by co-operative government and party officials ready to take an active and forward-leaning role in implementation of the Peace Agreement. We hereby inform you that in accordance with Article 15.35 d) of the Rules and Regulations of the Provisional Election Commission and Section XI of the Bonn Declaration, those who have been removed by a decision of the Election Appeals Sub Commission and who have personally obstructed implementation of the Peace Agreement are not entitled to hold public office at any level of government or be elected to the House of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This decision also applies to officials who have been removed from office for obstructing the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace by the High Representative in accordance with his mandate under Annex 10 of the General Framework Peace Agreement and Section XI of the Bonn Declaration. This ban applies for the next term of office and will be reviewed at the end of this period by the High Representative. Should you have any queries in regard to the specific individuals to which this decision applies please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours sincerely, Carlos Westendorp Robert L. Barry              High Representative     OSCE Head of Mission

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