OHR Press Release Privatization Monitoring Commission Sarajevo, 27 January 1999

The High Representative, Carlos Westendorp, opened today the first meeting of the Privatization Monitoring Commission. The independent Commission comprising three distinguished members was established to monitor the privatization process in Bosnia and Herzegovina and make specific recommendations to the High Representative on any issue which arises during the privatization process. The High Representative welcomed the three Commissioners, who will preside over regular meetings of the Commission: Mr. Sweder van Wijnbergen, Secretary General of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. Mr. Daniel Weinstein, a retired judge who served on the Supreme Court of San Francisco from 1982 to 1988. He has had a distinguished career as a mediator of major economic disputes in the U.S. and abroad. Mr. Jaan Manitski, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Estonia and former President of the Privatization Management Board in Estonia. A secretariat with highly-qualified permanent staff, headed by Director Marie Fucci, has already commenced operations. The High Representative stressed the importance of privatization for the future of the country. Privatization must be carried out speedily and in full compliance with the terms of the General Framework Agreement for Peace and the BiH Framework Law on Privatization of Enterprises and Banks. The High Representative asked the Commission to look closely at the current situation regarding privatization and make immediate recommendations to resolve issues which could delay the process. In the next two days, the Commission will have meetings with authorities from BiH and the Entities, the Privatization Agencies and the RS Privatization Directorate as well as with members of the International Community dealing with privatization. This first meeting of the Commission will be concluded on Friday, 29 January 1999. OHR Press Release, Sarajevo, 27 January 1999