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OSCE supports Federation Ministry of Defense in Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO 2 April 2001
SARAJEVO, 2 April 2001 - OSCE Head of Mission Ambassador Robert L. Barry expressed his full support for the actions of BiH Presidency member Jozo Krizanovic and Federation Minister of Defense Mijo Anic, and called on the Croat officers in the Federation military to obey their chain of command and not allow themselves to be manipulated by political forces.
"The pressures that have been placed on the Croat soldiers in the Federation military by certain generals and HDZ members is extremely unfortunate, and places them in a very difficult position," stated Barry. "They face losing their pensions, their salaries, and could jeopardize their careers. It is unfair to drag them into what is essentially a political dispute with one political party."
The OSCE also praises the quick action by BiH Presidency member Jozo Krizanovic over the weekend to appoint Ivan Zeko as the new deputy commander of the Federation armed forces. This and other appointments made over the weekend by Krizanovic should finally put to rest concerns expressed by certain government officials, including Posavina Canton governor Mijo Matanovic, about the procedures for replacing those Croat officers who were either relieved of their duties or resigned in recent days. Furthermore, the OSCE expects Matanovic and all other elected officials in the Federation to fulfill their constitutional obligations to uphold the decisions of the government of the Federation of BiH as well as the decisions of the BiH presidency.
The OSCE also reminds all elected officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina that the emergence of armed forces outside the framework of the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) is clearly impermissible. The solution to all political disagreements is through discussion and dialogue, while at the same time respecting the elected institutions at all levels. Anything less would place these institutions constantly at the mercies of one or the other political party and jeopardize the stability of the country.
For further information, please contact OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/(0)33 292-449.
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.
"The pressures that have been placed on the Croat soldiers in the Federation military by certain generals and HDZ members is extremely unfortunate, and places them in a very difficult position," stated Barry. "They face losing their pensions, their salaries, and could jeopardize their careers. It is unfair to drag them into what is essentially a political dispute with one political party."
The OSCE also praises the quick action by BiH Presidency member Jozo Krizanovic over the weekend to appoint Ivan Zeko as the new deputy commander of the Federation armed forces. This and other appointments made over the weekend by Krizanovic should finally put to rest concerns expressed by certain government officials, including Posavina Canton governor Mijo Matanovic, about the procedures for replacing those Croat officers who were either relieved of their duties or resigned in recent days. Furthermore, the OSCE expects Matanovic and all other elected officials in the Federation to fulfill their constitutional obligations to uphold the decisions of the government of the Federation of BiH as well as the decisions of the BiH presidency.
The OSCE also reminds all elected officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina that the emergence of armed forces outside the framework of the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) is clearly impermissible. The solution to all political disagreements is through discussion and dialogue, while at the same time respecting the elected institutions at all levels. Anything less would place these institutions constantly at the mercies of one or the other political party and jeopardize the stability of the country.
For further information, please contact OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/(0)33 292-449.
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.