OHR Press Release Statement to the media, Sarajevo, 16 December 1997

Further to the failure of the Parliamentary Assembly to agree the law on Citizenship, in accordance with the deadline set at Bonn, the High Representative has sent the following letter to the members of the Presidency. Although agreements were reached on the draft laws on the Council of Ministers and on Travel Documents, the High Representative regrets that no such agreement was reached in regard to Citizenship. Therefore, he has decided that the law on Citizenship will enter into force on 1 January 1998. This decision is in accordance with the Bonn conclusion (Article II.1.A), and is taken under the authority granted to the High Representative in Annex 10 of the Dayton Agreement. 17 December, 1997 H.E. Alija Izetbegovic Chair of the Presidency H.E. Kresimir Zubak Member of the Presidency H.E. Momcilo Krajisnik Member of the Presidency Bosnia and Herzegovina Dear Presidents, With reference to Para II 1 a of the Bonn Document, the deadline of 15 December 1997 to adopt the three Laws on Citizenship, Council of Ministers and Travel Documents has expired. As I see it two laws were adopted properly by the two Houses of Parliament: The Law on the Council of Ministers and the Ministries of Bosnia and Herzegovina (adoption in the House of Peoples on 16 December, in the House of Representatives on 2 December 1997. The Law on Travel Documents (adopted in the House of Representatives on 15 December and in the House of Peoples on 16 December 1997). The necessary steps to publish both laws in the Official Gazette should be taken immediately. It is with regret that I have been informed about the failure of both Houses to take a similar decision with regard to the Law on Citizenship on Bosnia and Herzegovina within the said deadline. In accordance with my authority under Annex 10 of the Peace Agreement and Article XI of the Bonn Document, I do hereby decide that the Law on Citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall enter into force by 1 January 1998 on interim basis, until the Parliamentary Assembly adopts this law in due form, without amendments and no conditions attached. The text of the Law, as submitted to Parliament and in accordance with Annex 1 of the Bonn Document is attached hereto and must be published in the Official Gazette as well. As all three laws are of utmost importance for the Peace Process I invite the Chairs of the Council of Ministers as well as the Minister for Civil Affairs and his Deputies to my Office on 19 December at 11 a.m. to discuss the next steps which must be taken to implement the three laws without delay. I would be grateful if you could request the Members of the Council to attend this meeting. In concluding, I recall in this context the Bonn Document, which calls on the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina to adopt the statement on the possibility of concluding bilateral agreements on dual citizenship in accordance with the Constitution. I would appreciate if the Presidency in its meeting on 17 December 1997 could discuss this issue in a spirit of co-operation and mutual good will. The Peace Process is, after Sintra and Bonn, entering a new and decisive phase. I am decided to fully use my authorities under Annex 10 of the Dayton Peace Accord and Article 11 of the Bonn Document to insure an efficient implementation and fully count on your full co-operation in this endeavour. This letter will be distributed to the Media. The Co-Chairs and the Vice-Chair of the Council of Ministers will receive copies. Translations will follow by tomorrow morning (17.12.). Carlos Westendorp High Representative OHR Press Release, 16 December 1997