Firstly, last week’s elections were conducted according to undisputed democratic standards.
Therefore no question that the High Representative will not accept their outcome, and make every effort to work constructively with those officials who are elected by voters.
As part of their commitment to the electoral process, all candidates going into these elections confirmed their unconditional commitment to the Dayton Agreement. This entails, therefore, a number of specific commitments to moving ahead with the peace process and its various dimensions.
In particular, elected officials must commit
- to maintaining a climate of peace, stability, law and order, tolerance and ethnic re-integration
- to make significant progress towards bringing about refugee return in the next 12 months, and full implementation of laws on property
- to continue the process of market-led reform, which enables international donations and investment
- to continue thorough police and judicial reforms
- to work alongside international representatives and donors in continuing with the laws being introduced for this country
- to respecting and strengthening the new government institutions of BiH; no alternative structures or outside interference will be tolerated
- to foster the creation of a civil society in line with the goals set by the Council of Europe
The Dayton Agreement provides the legal and political framework on which this country is being re-built. The High Representative will tolerate no discussion on undermining or ignoring the Dayton Agreement, and furthermore has no reason to believe that the political landscape following these elections will change the priorities of which all political leaders are aware.
He will tolerate no disruption of the progress made so far. He is however more than happy to work with any democratically-elected leader who recognises the priorities faced by BiH today better standard of living for all citizens is the priority…
If there is deliberate disruption of the democratic process by any leader, the High Representative will not hesitate to use his Bonn powers to take action against these individuals