OSCE Troika Ministers issue statement on elections in Bosnia amd Herzegovina

BELLINZONA, 19 September 1996 - The following statement was issued in Bellinzona, Switzerland today by the OSCE Troika.

The Ministers of the OSCE Troika (the past, present and future Chairmen-in-Office) met in Bellinzona, Switzerland today. During the meeting, current OSCE Chairman-in-Office Swiss Federal Councillor Flavio Cotti and the Foreign Ministers of Hungary and Denmark, Mr. Lazlo Kovacs and Mr. Niels-Helveg Petersen, received reports on the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Head of Mission, Ambassador Robert Frowick, and the Coordinator for International Monitoring, Mr. Eduard van Thijn. They also took note of Mr. van Thijn's Preliminary Statement of 14 September.

The Ministers expressed their thanks to the Provisional Election Commission, the OSCE Mission, the election supervisors, and to the election monitors for their excellent work in the preparation and conduct of these extremely complicated elections which were held under most difficult conditions.

The Ministers noted with satisfaction that the elections were run in a technically correct manner, with discipline and without any major incidents. They thanked the other international organizations operating in Bosnia, namely the IFOR and the IPTF, for their close cooperation and support.

The Ministers expressed gratification at the large number of Bosnians who turned out on 14 September, braving harsh circumstances, to cast their ballots and vote on their future. The Ministers hope that these elections represent a first step away from the period of deep and violent conflict, towards a new era of reconciliation, plurality and democracy. They trust that these elections will lay the foundation for a dialogue that will transcend ethnic boundaries.

The Ministers are conscious of the fact that conditions for perfect elections can not be reasonably expected just a few months after the end of one of the most cruel conflicts in Europe since 1945. Nevertheless, they are concerned that the conditions for "free, fair and democratic" elections to which the Parties to the Peace Agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina had committed themselves, have not been satisfied. The fact that a small share of the refugees and displaced persons crossed over the IEBL to vote is indicative of the negative political climate that still reigns. Furthermore, the Ministers recall that the indicted war criminals have still not yet been delivered to the International War Crimes Tribunal.

The Ministers are particularly concerned about those appeals made by various political parties during the election campaign which go against the spirit of the Dayton Agreement and which allow doubts to emerge as to the respect that these parties hold for the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They urge these parties, and their members who have been elected, to act fully and entirely in compliance with their commitment to the goals of the Peace Agreement.

The Ministers call upon the Parties to the Peace Agreement to implement the results of the elections and ensure that the common institutions can begin to operate efficiently as soon as possible. They also encourage the newly elected institutions to make every effort at making the objectives of the Peace Agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina a reality.

The Ministers appeal to the international community to continue its engagement in the achievement of the goals of the Peace Agreement. This holds true especially for the conduct of the municipal elections which had to be postponed due to manipulation of the voter registration process. The Ministers deem it indispensable that before these municipal elections are held, the problems which led to postponing the elections be solved.

The Ministers of the OSCE Troika welcome the fact that the term of office of the common authorities just elected has been limited to two years. They sincerely hope that the institutions elected on 14 September will take root and flourish, and that the elections to be held in two years' time will be able to take place under better conditions.