CIO: Croat National Congress conclusions violate Dayton Peace Accords

BUCHAREST, 6 March 2001 - The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, has expressed his concern over the conclusions of the Croat National Congress held on 3 March in Mostar. These conclusions contravene the constitutions of both Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and are, thus, in clear violation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace (Dayton Peace Accords).

After months of delays in implementing the results of the November 2000 elections, on 22 February Bosnia and Herzegovina finally elected a new moderate government that set its mind on promoting much needed economic reforms, strengthening State institutions and accelerating the return of refugees.

Furthermore, with the inauguration of the Federation House of Peoples and the election of the President and Vice President of the Federation, the process of forming a new government at the Federation level is well under way.

These developments marked an historic step on Bosnia's road toward peace and European integration. The citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina deserve responsible leadership working within the established constitutional framework, that effectively provides for the protection of every person's fundamental rights, including language, religion and culture.

The extremist rhetoric at the Croat National Congress as well as the decisions upon the creation of illegal parallel institutions of government in the cantons under Croat control threaten the above-mentioned positive developments.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office condemns these actions which undermine the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace and contravenes the Constitutions of both Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federation. He calls upon all political forces to observe the constitutional provisions.