Office of the High Representative Press Release Supervisor hosts donor's conference for Brcko, November 4-5 1997 Brcko, 3 November 1997

The Supervisor has invited representatives of over 20 nations and 10 international organisations to gather in Brcko on November 4 and 5, 1997, for a Brcko Donor's Conference to develop ideas and commit resources for economic revitalisation in Brcko. The Supervisor, with local political leaders and the major international agencies involved, will provide an overview of the progress made in the economic reconstruction of Brcko, and discuss further funding needs and commitments for the Brcko area. The Donor's Conference will concentrate on 3 areas: Reconstruction of municipal infrastructure: the IC has made significant contributions already to the water and power supply but much remains to be done. Small business development and micro-credit: to release the talents, skills and energies of private enterprises. Second destination housing: as persons return to their homes of origin in Brcko, the need to provide alternative housing for Serb DP's currently occupying such homes remains paramount. The Supervisor has made clear that Serb DP's will not be put out onto the street. The reconstruction and revitalisation of the Brcko economy is a key part of the Supervisor's mandate for Brcko. This conference brings together governments and agencies who seek further progress in the development of Brcko as an open, stable and prosperous town again. Press events Delegates will arrive in the course of Tuesday, November 4. We will welcome the participants at a reception with local businessmen at OHR at 17.45pm, where there will be a photo opportunity for the press. Press are also invited to attend the opening speech of the conference at dinner in the Ravena Hotel at 19.30pm on Tuesday November 4. During the morning of November 5, conference sessions will be held at OHR Brcko for the participants only and they will be given a tour of the area. There will be a short press conference with the Supervisor, following the conference, at 13.30pm in the OHR Media Centre, following the close of the conference. Reception, OHR, Nov 4, 17.45pm: Photo Opportunity only. Dinner and opening address, Ravena Hotel, Nov 4, 19.30pm. Photo Opportunity and Opening Speech. Press Conference, OHR Media Centre, Nov 5, 13.30pm. For more information, contact OHR North: Spokesperson: Razvigor Bazala Press Officer: Suncica Loncarevic OHR North, Economics Adviser: Nikolaus Lambsdorff OHR Press Release Brcko, 3 November 1997