You will be aware that at the request of the High Representative the NATO Secretary General and the SACEUR have authorised SFOR to occupy and control a number of Broadcasting Facilities in the RS. This action took place this morning.
This action was taken following the grotesque distortion of the press conference with Judge Louise Arbour, which was broadcast by SRT on Sunday, 28 September.
The High Representatives recommendation was made on the basis of the mandate given to him under the terms of the Sintra Declaration specifically paragraph 70 which empowers him to act against any media outlet whose output is in persistent and blatant contravention of either the spirit or letter of the Peace Agreement.
The apology and rebroadcast of Judge Arbour’s interview by SRT was, although welcome , frankly too little too late. In our statement last night we made it clear that further action was under consideration.
The International Community will not allow agreements reached between the parties and organisations in the RS to be flouted in the way exemplified by Sundays SRT broadcast. We have issued numerous warnings in recent months. Most recently in the joint letter from the High Representative and COMSFOR to Mr Krajisnik in his capacity as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SRT of 10 September.
The distortion of the Interview with Judge Arbour, a distinguished international judge was the last straw. The population of the RS are entitled to hear the truth in fair and balanced reports on television and other media. It is with this in mind that we are determined to ensure a democratic and balanced public service television service is provided in the Republika Srpska consistent with the aims and provisions of the Dayton Agreement..