The High Representative wishes to remind all individuals holding public office in BiH that they must refrain from publicly taking sides, or inciting the population to take sides, should action be taken by the International Community in the event of further deterioration of the situation in Kosovo.
Statements or reactions by any official, inciting citizens to violence, will not be tolerated by the International Community. The High Representative will not hesitate to take action against anyone in breach of this principle.
The authorities in each Entity are held fully responsible by the High Representative for guaranteeing security throughout the country. Their primary concern should be to respect the letter and the spirit of the Dayton agreement and to ensure that a climate of peace and stability is maintained.
This message applies equally to the media in BiH, where balanced and non-inflammatory coverage of events must be guaranteed. This applies equally to the re-transmission of inflammatory programming from adjacent countries, signatory to Dayton, which in recent days has displayed direct incitement to hatred and violence.