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Joint statement in Bosnia and Herzegovina on elections obligations
SARAJEVO 30 November 2000
SARAJEVO, 30 November 2000 - The High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Wolfgang Petritsch, and the Head of the OSCE Mission, Robert Barry, issued a joint letter on 28 November reminding all recently elected candidates of their obligations to fully implement the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) in BiH and to comply in full with the Provisional Election Commission (PEC) Rules and Regulations.
The letter also informed all parties and candidates that, in accordance with Article 119 of the Rules and Regulations, the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the OSCE would carefully monitor the status of implementation of the election results. It was noted that during implementation of previous election results in BiH there were too many instances where individuals known for their record of obstructing peace implementation were nominated for government positions. "As in previous elections, the High Representative retains the authority to declare an individual as unacceptable for an appointed or indirectly elected office in view of his/her record of obstruction to the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina," stated the joint letter from the High Representative and the OSCE Head of Mission. "We hope such intervention will not be required and that instead officials will be nominated for their qualifications and proven record of serving the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina."
The OHR and the OSCE added that it was the duty of all those who nominate candidates for public office to choose the most qualified candidates to hold government positions. This point has been emphasized in recent statements by both organizations which have stressed the need for competent officials at all levels in order to see BiH through complicated economic and political negotiations in the coming months.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission 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 OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/(0)33 292-449 or ++387/(0)66 144-311 or OHR Spokesperson Oleg Milisic at ++387/(0) 33 283-879 or ++387/(0) 66 161-382.
The letter also informed all parties and candidates that, in accordance with Article 119 of the Rules and Regulations, the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the OSCE would carefully monitor the status of implementation of the election results. It was noted that during implementation of previous election results in BiH there were too many instances where individuals known for their record of obstructing peace implementation were nominated for government positions. "As in previous elections, the High Representative retains the authority to declare an individual as unacceptable for an appointed or indirectly elected office in view of his/her record of obstruction to the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina," stated the joint letter from the High Representative and the OSCE Head of Mission. "We hope such intervention will not be required and that instead officials will be nominated for their qualifications and proven record of serving the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina."
The OHR and the OSCE added that it was the duty of all those who nominate candidates for public office to choose the most qualified candidates to hold government positions. This point has been emphasized in recent statements by both organizations which have stressed the need for competent officials at all levels in order to see BiH through complicated economic and political negotiations in the coming months.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission 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 OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/(0)33 292-449 or ++387/(0)66 144-311 or OHR Spokesperson Oleg Milisic at ++387/(0) 33 283-879 or ++387/(0) 66 161-382.