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The last year in Brcko has witnessed the establishment of a multi-ethnic police force, judiciary and administration, and significant progress in minority return. But alongside our efforts in the areas of return, and enhancing democratic government and freedom of movement, my office was mandated in 1997 to develop and implement a targeted economic revitalization program for Brcko. The Supplemental Award of 15 March 1998 stressed even more firmly the need to revitalize the Brcko economy. I am now encouraged to take steps to create a special economic zone and to establish a program of privatization. We have accelerated the Dayton process in Brcko in terms of returns, democratization, freedom of movement and multi-ethnicity but we lag behind on infrastructure and the creation of employment. This imbalance must be addressed if we are to sustain the success in Brcko that we have achieved. The most pressing need is for job creation. Jobs, jobs, jobs. To address the need for jobs we now require micro, medium and large scale credits, as well as investment in companies in the Brcko area. I cannot continue to bring in people, thus augmenting the population, without being able to create jobs. The delay in getting an effective legal framework for privatisation across the country meant a delay in getting people back to work. So while the legal framework is developing we must start laying the groundwork for privatization through capital investment in industry, training in managerial skills and vocational training for the potential workforce. To enable me to take these steps I urgently need expert, professional staff to be seconded to OHR, to plan clearly and dynamically for privatisation and the establishment of a special economic zone. We also need an expert in public administration to work with the municipality. Some of these things I have never done before, so quite frankly, I need (your) help. Returns in the Brcko area must be accompanied not only by jobs but by the repair and development of the water and sanitation infrastructure. We've had significant assistance but we need more. Help is needed now to support and develop both the industrial and residential needs of the town. Moreover, returns will not be sustainable at the present pace without investment into temporary alternative accommodation for Serb DPs in order to open up houses in Brcko town for return by their original occupants. I've heard this mentioned several times today, in order to open up houses so that people can be returned. 75% of Brcko housing is occupied by DPs i.e. persons who did not and do not own the houses they live in nor do they have a legal claim to them. Donors and colleagues: implementation in Brcko must be made sustainable by breathing new life into Brcko's economy. This is the key to reducing ethnic tensions in the Brcko area. Without your help OHR will not be able to fulfill its obligations under the Award. It is for this that I ask your urgent attention. Thank you.
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