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The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, yesterday appealed to public institutions and bodies holding accounts in Hercegovacka Banka to open accounts with alternative commercial banks in order to meet their obligations towards their citizens.
The High Representative shares the concern of the Provisional Administrator, Toby Robinson, that many public institutions and the services they provide will be jeopardized in the immediate future if they do not act now. At the moment, it is legally -- and practically -- impossible to unfreeze any account held in the Hercegovacka Banka. The High Representative stresses that it is of the utmost importance that all public institutions affected by the outbreak of violence last Friday -- where the Provisional Administrator was prevented from gaining access to the bank and which has since severely delayed its reopening -- to act quickly in the interest of the public and citizens. In order to ensure that the necessary measures are taken, the High Representative and his Deputy for Economic Affairs, Daniel Besson, on Wednesday held a meeting with Federation Vice President Safet Halilovic, Prime Minister Alija Behmen, Defense Minister Mijo Anic, Finance Minister Nikola Grabovac, Justice Minister Zvonko Mijan and Interior Minister Muhamed Besic. Yesterday morning, the Deputy High Representative for Economic Affairs met again with Federation Finance Minister Grabovac. Mr Grabovac understood the necessity to establish new accounts for the Federation authorities.
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