Today Deputy High Representative and Head of the OHR (S) Jean-Pierre Berçot met Mr Omer Macic, the Prime Minister of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. Unfortunately, Mr Miroslav Coric, the Deputy Prime Minister of the HNC was unable to attend but was advised of the meeting.
Deputy High Representative informed Mr Macic of his, and OHR’s, utter disappointment with the work of the Prime Minister and his Deputy. He regretted that these officials, despite their responsibility, have not respected their own words nor commitments. Their persistence in playing political games instead of resolving vital issues in the Canton illustrates their lack of honesty as politicians and questions their worthiness to represent the citizens. Their passivity has nothing to do with the preservation of national interest, but only with political and personal calculations, since a properly functioning Canton and the regular payment of salaries are in the interests of all.
As a reminder, these officials are responsible for the stalling of the process of merging the Cantonal Ministries. This is despite putting their signatures on their own joint action plan in February 2002. Moreover, the irresponsible manner in which the recent resignations were dealt with has only delayed matters further. Additionally, the advice and support given by the International Community has been ignored.
DHR Berçot conveyed that OHR finds such irresponsible behaviour disgraceful and unacceptable. The OHR considers the merging of the ministries is a vital step towards resolving the continuing and deeply worrying financial crisis in this Canton.