OSCE Chairman-in-Office issues statement on municipal elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina

COPENHAGEN, 6 March 1997 - The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Danish Foreign Minister Niels Helveg Petersen, issued the following statement today:

The municipal elections this year will be of key importance for the future developments of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The purpose of the elections is to achieve new structures of authority in municipalities all around the country, and it is only when this has been achieved that the electoral process can be regarded as concluded.

Higher quality in the elections and firmness after the elections will be the key to carrying through this most important aspect of the peace implementation process this year.

Against this background, I as Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, have decided that the municipal elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina should take place on 13 - 14 September 1997.

This decision has been made upon recommendations from the Head of the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Robert H. Frowick and with the concurrence of the Members of the Provisional Election Commission. Prior to taking this decision the Chairman-in-Office has consulted with the High Representative, Members of the Contact Group as well as EU and NATO.

At the Lisbon Summit, the Heads of State and Government of the OSCE pledged all necessary resources for the OSCE Mission to fulfil its mandate of which the conduct of municipal elections is a crucial element. The Chairman-in-Office urges all international actors to take upon themselves the responsibility of providing the funds and means necessary without delay.

The Chairman-in-Office recalls that the responsibility of the holding of municipal elections rests with the local parties. In this context the Chairman-in-Office urges the local parties to ensure in particular freedom of movement, equal access to free media and prompt installation of democratically elected officials.