OSCE Chairman-in-Office appoints Head of Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

VIENNA, 18 December 1995 - The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Hungarian Foreign Minister László Kovács, appointed Ambassador Robert Frowick today as Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. A U.S. diplomat, Amb. Frowick was the OSCE's first Head of Mission to Skopje in 1992. He previously served with the rank of Ambassador to the then CSCE. During his foreign service career, Amb. Frowick held posts at the U.S. Mission to NATO and at U.S. embassies in Rome, Prague, Paris and Bucharest.

At its Ministerial Council Meeting in Budapest on 8-9 December, the Foreign Ministers of the 53 OSCE States decided to establish a Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina to carry out the tasks outlined in the Dayton Peace Agreement. The Head of Mission, under the authority of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, will be responsible for supervising the election process, monitoring human rights and facilitating negotiations on confidence- and security-building measures and arms control in the region. As Head of Mission, Amb. Frowick will oversee an international staff of about 250, and ensure close co-operation with the wide range of international and private organizations working in the area. The Head of Mission will also chair an electoral commission comprising international experts and representatives from both entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Mission will have its head office in Sarajevo, with two regional headquarters and up to 30 field offices set up in principle towns throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. The OSCE-appointed international Ombudsman, who will investigate human rights violations, issue findings, and bring proceedings before a newly created Human Rights Chamber, will also work out of the Sarajevo Mission office.

Ambassador Frowick will take up his duties immediately. The Mission is expected to begin operating in January.