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MOU signed on defense budget audit in Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO 3 April 2001
SARAJEVO, 3 April 2001 - The government of the Federation of BiH and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the organization, planning and execution of an audit of the budget of the Ministry of Defense of the Federation of BiH for the fiscal year 2000.
"The OSCE welcomes this progressive step toward greater transparency and accountability," said OSCE Head of Mission Ambassador Robert L. Barry. "This move by the Federation government demonstrates its understanding that the people have a right to know what it is doing with their money."
The purpose of this audit is to create transparency in defense sector expenditures and help identify where further controls and improved oversight mechanisms are required. It is hoped that the resulting transparency will ensure good governance and greater parliamentary control in defense matters; increase military accountability to civilian authorities; and enhance confidence and security building for the constituent peoples of BiH as set down by Article II, Annex 1B of the Dayton Peace Accords.
The document has been signed by Federation Prime Minister Alija Behmen, Federation Defense Minister Mijo Anic, Federation Deputy Defense Minister Ferid Buljubasic, OSCE Deputy Head of Mission Ambassador Dieter Woltmann and the Head of the OSCE Regional Stabilization Department Brigadier General Ulf Henricsson.
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.
"The OSCE welcomes this progressive step toward greater transparency and accountability," said OSCE Head of Mission Ambassador Robert L. Barry. "This move by the Federation government demonstrates its understanding that the people have a right to know what it is doing with their money."
The purpose of this audit is to create transparency in defense sector expenditures and help identify where further controls and improved oversight mechanisms are required. It is hoped that the resulting transparency will ensure good governance and greater parliamentary control in defense matters; increase military accountability to civilian authorities; and enhance confidence and security building for the constituent peoples of BiH as set down by Article II, Annex 1B of the Dayton Peace Accords.
The document has been signed by Federation Prime Minister Alija Behmen, Federation Defense Minister Mijo Anic, Federation Deputy Defense Minister Ferid Buljubasic, OSCE Deputy Head of Mission Ambassador Dieter Woltmann and the Head of the OSCE Regional Stabilization Department Brigadier General Ulf Henricsson.
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.