The High Representative, Carlos Westendorp, received today a delegation of the Serb Civic Council, headed by Mr. Mirko Pejanovic. Several matters were discussed, inter alia, minority returns, the human rights situation across Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Council’s proposal for appropriate constitutional amendments to the Constitutions of both the Federation and the Republika Srpska that would enshrine the constituent character of all three peoples in both entities. Mr. Westendorp was also appraised of the willingness of more than 30,000 Bosnian Serb refugees to return to their homes, as expressed by the requests received by the SCC to that effect.
The High Representative conveyed his support to the principles of ethnic reconciliation, the return of refugees and displaced persons and democratization at all levels. He specifically pledged any and all efforts by the OHR to promote ethnic integration and, in that context, said he would look into the most appropriate means for the effectiveness of the equality of all citizens throughout Bosnia and Hercegovina, including through the adoption of relevant legislative and constitutional amendments, as appropriate.