02/22/2005 SB Ambassadors Sarajevo

Steering Board Ambassadors Urge RS Authorities to Resolve Trebinje Municipal Crisis as Part of Larger Internal Debt Settlement

The Steering Board Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council have called on the RS Authorities to resolve, as a matter of urgency, the financial crisis inTrebinje Municipality precipitated by the war damage claim brought against the municipality. At the same time the Steering Board Ambassadors strongly endorse efforts to enact appropriate legislation in the RSNA that will help to ensure that any future claims for compensation arising from wartime events can be resolved fairly but without jeopardizing the safety, security or wellbeing of citizens.

The Steering Board Ambassadors note that while the right to compensation under the law must be protected, it cannot override the right of citizens to adequate public services. It is the duty of the authorities to take rapid and realistic action to ensure that these twin requirements of a modern democratic society are met.