Army to reduce weapons stocks in Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJEVO, 21 April 2000 - The Personal Representative's Office for Articles II and IV along with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina welcome the decision by the Army of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to reduce its heavy weapons stocks. This reduction phase commences with the "opening of the reduction period" at the Tuzla Barracks on 26 April.

The entire reduction phase will end on 25 July 2000. Ultimately, the Federation Army will reduce some heavy weapons, including main battle tanks and artillery pieces as stipulated in the Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control. Representatives of the Republika Srpska will lead a multinational inspection team, including experts from Ireland, Italy, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Croatia, and assist with the initial preparations and procedures on 26 April. The inspection teams will see the armaments, record the respective serial numbers, and verify the amount of armaments to be reduced as notified by the Federation Army.

Media are invited to attend the opening of the reduction period, which takes place at 8:00 hours on April 26, 2000, at the "Husein Kapetan Gradascevic" Barraks in Tuzla.

The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace, the OSCE activities are to promote democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society; foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists; monitor and advance the human rights situation; supervise the conduct of elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures.

The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.

For further information, please contact Suzana Pejcic, OSCE press office, Sarajevo, +(387) 71 292-338.

MEDIA CONTACT: For information, contact the Press and Public Information, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, tel.: (+387-71) 292 172; fax: (+387-71) 292 289; website: www.oscebih.org; e-mail: [email protected]