The Contact Group at its meeting in Moscow on February 25, 1998,
reviewed the progress of implementation of the Peace Agreement based on
the information provided by the High Representative.
The Contact group endorsed the steps taken by the High
Representative to accelerate the peace process pursuant to the authority
given him by the Dayton Accords and the Bonn PIC conference. The
Contact Group, however, emphasized that the actions of the High
Representative do not in any way relieve the Bosnian sides of their
responsibility and the need to take decisions on their own.
The Contact Group underscored its view that the common
institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina need to become increasingly
effective. In this connection it is necessary to solve the issue of
permanent premises for the common institutions. The Contact Group
reiterated its impartial approach to all Bosnian sides and called on
them to fully implement the Dayton Accords, and confirmed that support
for the various sides would be influenced by the extent to which they do
so.
The Contact Group endorsed the High Representative's assessment
that full OSCE supervision of the round of elections in BiH scheduled
for September 1998 would be necessary. The Contact Group underlined the
need to expedite elaboration of the Electoral Law and the establishment
on its basis of the Permanent Election Commission.
The Contact Group welcomed the positive developments in the
Republika Srpska since the formation of the new Government. It expressed
strong support for its constructive policy in implementing the Peace
Agreement. The Contact Group particularly appreciated Prime Minister
Dodik's decision to restart transport and communication links with the
Federation, and steps to end corruption and implement fiscal and
economic reforms.
The Contact Group also welcomed Prime Minister Dodik's decision to
allow the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to
open an office in the Republika Srpska, and the decision of three
residents of the RS to voluntarily surrender to the Tribunal's custody.
It urged other indictees to do likewise, and reiterated that all
signatories to the Dayton Accords, and all States, have an obligation to
cooperate with the Tribunal.
Taking note of positive shifts in reform of the radio and TV in the
Republika Srpska, the Contact Group expects that the international
community shall intensify efforts as well as in the Federation, in order
to make the BiH media fully comply with European democratic standards.
The Contact Group reiterated the necessity of full implementation of
the municipal election results, dismantling of illegal parallel
structures and ensuring freedom of movement.
The Contact group emphasized the 1998 must bring decisive steps to
achieve the return of refugees and displaced persons to their places of
origin. The Contact Group supported the activities of the UNHCR in
cooperation with the Return and Reconstruction Task Force and other
International Agencies. It called on all States in the region to
cooperate in an all-way programme of returns, and focused in particular
on the need for freedom of return throughout Croatia. It highlighted the
necessity of preventing provocations or discrimination against returning
refugees and displaced persons.
The Contact Group stressed the need to implement fully the results
of the February 3 Conference on Return to Sarajevo, which was an
important step in implementing the Bonn PIC Conclusions on the return of
refugees to minority areas.
The Contact Group expressed satisfaction with the decision of the
Republika Srpska National Assembly to annul the Property Law which did
not correspond to the spirit and letter of Annex 7 to the Peace
Agreement. The Contact Group calls upon the Federation of BiH to bring,
without delay, its property and housing legislation fully in line with
the proposals of the High Representative.
The Contact Group recalled the importance of an early IMF agreement,
and regretted that this was being blocked by one party. The Contact
Group called on those concerned to resolve their difficulties by the
time the IMF Mission returns to BiH.
