Today, the High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, has designated Canadian diplomat Paul Martin to succeed Georges Bordet as Deputy High Representative and Head of OHR Banja Luka. Mr Martin, who is already in Bosnia and Herzegovina to familiarise himself further with current issues, will take over from Mr Bordet on 19 February.
Mr Martin brings a wealth of experience to his new post. For two years until November 2000 he was the High Representative’s Special Envoy to the Doboj Municipalities, and in 1996 and 1997 he served as IPTF Station Commander and Deputy District Commander in Banja Luka. Mr Martin began his career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and has served in a variety of positions at Canadian missions in Europe. In Ottawa he has been responsible for Canadian Government cooperation with a variety of international agencies.