High Representative removes Mr. Pero Markovic

The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, today removed Mr. Pero Markovic, General Manager of Suma Herceg Bosne and former President of the municipality of Capljina. Mr. Markovic has been removed because of his long record of grossly and exceptionally mismanaging public resources. He has failed to show proper regard for the standards that a holder of such office ought to demonstrate.

Mr. Markovic transferred ownership shares to the financial detriment of his municipality; he also offered land plots to associations he was a member of, proving a clear conflict of interest in the exercise of his duties.

In his letter to Mr. Pero Markovic of 14 November 2002, the High Representative said “I am forced to conclude that, during your term in office as President of the Municipality of Capljina, and as General Manager of Sume Herceg Bosne, you have persistently and grossly failed to show proper regard for the standards that the holder of such offices ought to hold.  I am forced to conclude that your behaviour has had a detrimental effect on the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace.” The High Representatives’ decision is effective immediately.

Mr. Markovic is currently charged with numerous offences of gross mismanagement, amounting to criminal conduct. The charges brought before the relevant prosecuting authorities allege violations of numerous articles of the FBiH Criminal Code. The High Representatives decision was taken independently of these proceedings and will not effect the case before the court, which must be determined only on the evidence presented to the court.