OHR
Concern Over Presidency Failure to Meet Armed Forces Structure Deadline
The High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling is concerned by the BiH Presidency’s failure to meet its legally required deadline for approving the proposed decision on the size, structure and stationing of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and
The 1 July deadline was specified in the Defence Law that came into effect on
The High Representative said today “By missing this deadline, the BiH Presidency is delaying implementation of critical military reforms. In its capacity as collective commander-in-chief, the Presidency must take this up at its next meeting as a matter of urgency.”
The BiH Presidency is meeting again tomorrow.
The proposed decision on the size, structure, and stationing of the AFBiH has been developed by BiH Minister of Defence Nikola Radovanovic and his Transition Team with NATO advisory input.
The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council specifically addressed this issue at its meeting last week, expressing hope in the communiqué that “a decision will be reached before 1 July that is consistent with the law and the readiness requirements of a NATO-compatible, single military force”.
RS MPs agree to Pay Themselves More
The RSNA this morning enacted a Law on the Rights and Duties of MPs. As in similar legislation recently placed before the BiH and Federation parliaments, the RSNA law will give MPs generous pensions and other benefits – considerably more generous than the pensions and benefits paid to citizens. The RSNA approved the law even though it was the subject of a negative opinion issued by the RS Government.
The law will allow all parliamentarians who have been elected to the RSNA since 1996 to enjoy more favourable retirement conditions than any other citizen. The money allocated for these increased pension payments will, obviously, not be available to fund desperately needed social programmes.
No one denies that MPs have the right to a fair pay . What is at issue here is whether it is appropriate for MPs to increase their own benefits when the economy has not yet improved to a point where it is possible to increase the benefits paid to other workers.
There are elections in October. The media and the public should ask their elected representatives why they feel they are entitled to more generous remuneration than other citizens.
Extending Joly
There has been a certain amount of speculation recently on the extension of Joly Dixon’s mandate as ITA Chair. Well, the facts are as follows; Mr. Dixon’s mandate expired on Friday.The HR spoke to Mr. Dixon yesterday.
The HR is currently reviewing the situation and we expect a decision on how to move forward in a matter of days.
HR meets Mostar Representatives
The High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, will today meet with representatives of Mostar political parties that participate in the work of the Mostar City Council. They will discuss the current political situation in Mostar and the steps that are necessary to complete the remaining tasks of Mostar unification.
A short press opportunity will be organized after the meeting – at 18.00, here at the
OHR in
EUFOR
No statement.
RTQs
Dragan Simovic, SRNA
As I understand, you announced that Mr. Schwarz-Schilling will extend Mr. Dixon’s mandate?
OHR
I did not say that. I said that High Representative is reviewing it. We expect decision on how to move on in the next day or two.