Brcko, February 17, 2001 – As a further step in regulating the Arizona Market’s legal status within the authority of the Brcko District Government and in furtherance of the Supervisory Order dated November 16, 2000 on Arizona Market, the Supervisor of Brcko District Ambassador Gary L. Matthews issues the Supervisory Order on the Use of Land in the Arizona Market.
The Order aims at restoring the Government’s control over land in the Brcko District and in particular in the area of Arizona Market. Currently, land in this area which is designated by law only for agricultural purposes, is illegally used for commercial purposes.
In accordance with the Order, the public companies Posavina-Brcko and Posavina-Brka shall cease their operations involving use of land in the Arizona Market immediately. The Government will safeguard the companies’ assets and, within 45 days, develop a plan for their dismantling.
The Government will, within the same deadline, review all contracts on the use of agricultural land in Arizona and repudiate those that are found to be illegal. The Order was issued in accordance with the powers of the Supervisor provided in the Final Award and the statement issued by the International Community on October 26, 2000 empowering the Supervisor to take all necessary measures in order to regulate the Arizona Market by June 2001.
The authorities in both Entities and the Brcko District, including their respective police forces, support strong and sustained action to bring the Arizona Market into a legal and strictly regulated status.
For more information, please, contact OHR North Public Affairs Officer Suzana Pejcic at 049-205-666.