Transcript of the International Agency’s Joint Press Conference at CPIC

Subject: JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE – 14 January 2003

1.       The following attended the regular Press Conference held at the CPIC at 11:30 hours on Tuesday 14 January 2003:

2.       Twenty-two members of the media including three television crews attended the conference.

3.       The transcript of the questions and answers is attached.

Good morning, we are a few minutes late apologies, which are becoming routine now, but we will try very hard to start on time in the future.  Greetings to all those who are celebrating New Year today.

A lot of our colleagues are at the OHR just now, were the ICTY conference is taking place this is the second day of a three-day conference.  At the conference international experts are the analysing issues connected to holding war crimes trials in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Today’s discussions will focus on the technical requirements for holding war crimes trials here, the potential role of the Bosnia and Herzegovina State Court in handling these trials, the role of police officers in Bosnia and Herzegovina in arresting and transferring war-crimes indictees and the issue of witness protection.

In a few minutes, the president of the ICTY Claude Jorda and the Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte, as well as the High Representative Paddy Ashdown will address the conference.  The High Representative will note that the task of international and domestic authorities is and I quote, “to bring justice to the guilty in order to help bring peace to the innocent.”  The High Representative will advocate that the conference focuses on a comprehensive solution that delivers justice for all and not a partial solution.  This will involve equipping Bosnia and Herzegovina with the means to deal with these issues itself.  That is a pre-requisite for becoming a strong, self-sustaining European democracy wedded to the rule of law.

The second item this morning concerns the State Court.  The efficient administration of justice is key to the social, political and economic recovery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the role of the State Court, is central to that.  The International Community and the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities have agreed that the State Court must be up and running this month.  The Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliamentary Assembly, must pass the necessary legislation, which entails the criminal and civil codes and the criminal and civil procedure codes, these were presented to parliament last year, if necessary through emergency procedure.  There is still time for this to be done and it is for that reason with concern that we note that the Serb Caucus yesterday, rejected this emergency procedure.

The third point this morning concerns, the visit of the European Union’s High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, who will arrive in Sarajevo this evening.  Tomorrow, he will join the High Representative Paddy Ashdown and other officials, including Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, at the ceremonies marking the launch of the European Union Police Mission.  As you know, the EUPM became operational on 1 January.  I believe Jon Oskar, might have some more details on that.

The final point is the Principal Deputy High Representative Donald Hays will have a press conference, at 15:30 this afternoon.  He will be talking about customs reform, the International Working Group on Customs Reform delivered its report to the High Representative last week, in which it recommending the establishment of a single customs administration in Bosnia and Herzegovina without further delay.  Ambassador Hays, will be laying out the steps which Bosnia and Herzegovina leaders must now take in order to ensure that citizens throughout the country begin to enjoy as soon as possible the increased revenue, which an efficient, unified and corruption-free customs service can deliver.  He will say that the principle of a single customs administration for Bosnia and Herzegovina is non-negotiable.  With that I will pass you over to the capable hands of OSCE.

Urdur Gunnarsdottir – OSCE

Good morning, I have only one brief point for you.

As part of the joint OSCE and OHR public information campaign on education, a Sarajevo tram has been painted with the campaign’s visuals and slogans and will riding through Sarajevo this coming Thursday, it will be riding until the end of the year promoting education reform.

The tram will have its first run on Thursday, 16 January, starting at the Sarajevo tram depot, at 12:30.  You will all receive a media advisory regarding this later today or tomorrow.  That is all thank you.

Jon Oskar Solnes – EUPM

Good morning, this the first time I have had the opportunity to address you, since the successful meeting on Friday.  I have just a few points on that, the Solana meeting and a few facts and figures on the EUPM.

I have previously talked about the seven core programs from this podium, which are designed to raise the overall standard of law enforcement in this country.  I think it is interesting to note, that the Commissioner has put great emphasis on this will also include help with resources and material following a thorough assessment of needs of the Bosnia and Herzegovina police.

The meeting was a very good one and all those invited came to the Holiday Inn, despite difficult weather conditions.  In the view of the EUPM the meeting was very successful, facilitating an informative and constructive dialogue between the EUPM and Bosnia and Herzegovina senior police.

The second point, as Kevin mentioned, tonight we will have the European Union’s High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Dr. Solana, arriving in Sarajevo, he will be arriving at approximately 19:30, this is the latest information I have.

We will be issuing a joint OHR and EUPM media advisory regarding a media opportunity at the airport.  I would just like to bring to your attention, that if you would like to be present at the airport apron tonight, when Dr. Solana arrives, you will have to contact the OHR press office before 14:00 today, to get accreditation, we have the telephone numbers here for you.  This of cause will be interesting for TV crews and photographers in particular.

Tomorrow, Dr. Solana, the European Union Special Representative and High Representative Lord Ashdown and EUPM Commissioner Sven Frederiksen, will visit the Presidency, they will also be going to the local Canton police station in Sarajevo, to discuss police issues with local police.

There will be plenty of media opportunities, which will culminate with EUPM Inauguration Ceremony, which will start at 11:00 tomorrow, at the EUPM Headquarters, the UN Building.  I urge you to arrive early if want to get through the rigorous security checks.

The deployment phase of the EUPM is about to be concluded and will end next week.  The EUPM now has around 420 police officers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, over 300 local staff and about 45 international civilians in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  We believe that the concept of co-location has been quite successful so far, as the local police in Bosnia and Herzegovina has showed enthusiasm for enhancing its capabilities and has generally welcomed the EUPM officers from all over Europe.  That is all from me.

Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR

Good morning, I have one point for you today and it deals with SFOR restructuring

This month, SFOR completed the process of restructuring into a smaller but more robust and operationally agile force centred on ten battle groups of around 750 soldiers each.  The restructured force is forward-based and focused on potential trouble spots identified by past experience and careful analysis of the current situation.  HQ SFOR in Sarajevo has also undergone a small reduction in personnel.  SFOR now numbers some 12,000 troops from more than 30 nations.  The SFOR mandate has not changed and the force continues to do everything necessary to help maintain a ‘safe and secure environment’, as laid out in the General Framework Agreement for Peace.  The new structure is made up of 10 Battle Groups, with MNB Headquarters exercising direct Command and Control over their subordinate units.

COMSFOR has the authority to task all forces under his Command across Multi-National Brigade boundaries, allowing for a quick response throughout the whole country. There is also a tried and tested capability to bring Strategic Reserve Forces into the Country very quickly in the event that they are needed.  The Brigade Headquarters are in Mostar, Tuzla and Banja Luka.

For the next two weeks I will be away and Major Shawn Mell, will be replacing me, as of Thursday.  That is all.

Kevin Sullivan – OHR

Do we have some questions?

Questions and Answers

Q: Nick Hawton – BBC

Yves, what is the latest on Fijuljanin?

A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR

I have nothing to add about Fijuljanin.  Any and all further questions on the subject of the detention of Fijuljanin should be referred to NATO Headquarters.

Q: Nick Hawton – BBC

So, there is no reaction from SFOR to the fact that Bosnia’s Humans Rights Chamber announced yesterday, that SFOR is holding him illegally?

A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR

As I just said, any comments on that situation to answer your question, you will have to go to NATO Headquarters to get your answers.

Q: Nick Hawton – BBC

And NATO Headquarters are planning a response, are they?  They are aware of this?

A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR

They are aware of this and they are expecting calls, because they have asked us to refer all calls from media and enquiries to NATO Headquarters.

Q: Nick Hawton – BBC

Why have they done that?  Why has everything got to be referred to Headquarters?

A: Lieutenant Commander Yves Vanier – SFOR

Like any military force we do answer to a higher Headquarters, they have asked us to send all calls to them and we are doing so.

Q: Dzravko Ljubas – DPA

Kevin, BiH Radio reported this morning, that the High Representative announced possible sanctions against the Republika Srpska, if they do not apprehend Karadzic, can you comment on that?

A: Kevin Sullivan – OHR

I am not aware of that report from BiH Radio.  The High Representative has made it clear that the arrest of Karadzic is a priority and that the domestic authorities have to address this in a serious and practical way.  So as to take the necessary steps that will lead to his arrest.  That was his position before this report this morning and that is his position now.

Q: Dzravko Ljubas – DPA

This was on the news at 11:00 and they just quoted the High Representative, they did not say when he said this or why?

A: Kevin Sullivan – OHR

They may have been quoting his remarks on British television on Sunday morning, when he made the point that it is the apprehension of Karadzic and other war criminals is a top priority and that this will effectively bring closure to a the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Q: Zana Filipovic – RFE

Mr. Jon, do you have more information about the Trbinje incident regarding the cigarette smugglers?

Jon Oskar Solnes – EUPM

No reply.

Q: Zana Filipovic – RFE

Do you have more information regarding the Trbinje incident?

A: Jon Oskar Solnes – EUPM

No I have nothing to add to that, at this moment.

Q: Zana Filipovic – RFE

Is the EUPM going to assist the State Border Service in this matter?

A: Jon Oskar Solnes – EUPM

The EUPM will of course… I missed that one can you repeat?

 Simultaneous translator

 Sir, I was actually interpreting your answer.

A: Jon Oskar Solnes – EUPM

OK thank you. The EUPM will of course mentor and advise the State Border Service.  But, we have to make one thing completely clear here the EUPM Commissioner Sven Frederiksen, has stated time and time again that local law enforcement matters are in the hands of the local law enforcement authorities.  We will do everything we can to help them, but we do not have an executive mandate.

Q: Viola Gienger – Freelance for Cox Newspapers

What does that mean.  That you do not have an executive mandate?  And another question I have is what is the difference between tomorrow’s hand over ceremony and the 1 January?

A: Jon Oskar Solnes – EUPM

I repeat what EUPM Commissioner Sven Frederiksen in his statement on 1 January.  The time has come to pass more responsibility on to the local authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  This means that the EUPM is a follow on mission from IPTF, but is not the same kind of mission.  I have said from this podium, that we will have co-locations, as we call them, that is we have very experienced senior hand picked officers from all over Europe working with and alongside a senior level police force here.  In the way of an executive mandate we will only assist, we will advise them, we will monitor them and we will ask them to do the law enforcement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in away that we deem is accordance with European standards.  We want to bring the police to the European standards throughout our mandate, and if they do not do this then we will take action.  But, the executive law enforcement is the hands of the local police of Bosnia and Herzegovina now.  On the second point what is the difference between the 1 January ceremony and the inaugural ceremony tomorrow.  The 1 January ceremony was low key handover ceremony where we invited the media to show that the EUPM was operational and its mandate had commenced.  Tomorrow, we will have along with dignitaries, which Kevin and I have already discussed.  Among them Dr. Javier Solana and the Greek Foreign Minster in the capacity of representing the European Union Presidency, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency and we will have local political dignitaries of Bosnia and Herzegovina at State, Entity and Cantonal level.  So, I am expecting if everybody makes it about 100 VIP’s and you of coarse the media.   So, there is a distinct difference in that this tomorrow, is the official launch ceremony of the EUPM.

Q: Viola Gienger – Freelance for Cox Newspapers

Getting back to the previous case, you said that if the local authorities do not carry out their functions as they are supposed to, you will take action.  What scope do you have to take action, what kind of action can you take?

A: Jon Oskar Solnes – EUPM

We have a process agreed with the European Union Special Representative, who is of course also the High Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina he has the political authority, if you will, of the EUPM, while EUPM Commissioner Sven Frederiksen is the law enforcement commissioner.  If EUPM through Sven Frederiksen and his staff, identify police procedures by the local authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which they do not deem to be in accordance with the standards we want to see.  There will be a report to Sven Frederiksen reporting that police officers are not operating according to the agreed standards, this will be taken to a higher level.  Eventually if this ends in a procedure of what we call non-compliance, now we are talking about mid and senior level, not willing to comply with our mentoring and advise.  Sven Frederiksen will have the capability to point them out and have them removed from the jobs by the European Union Special Representative/High Representative.  This we explained at the Friday, meeting this is known to all local police in Bosnia and Herzegovina and according to the responses we had in that meeting with the top senior local police in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  We do not expect to have to make use of this measure very often and I hope we do not have to make use of it at all.

Kevin Sullivan – OHR

Do you have any more questions, then thank you very much.