PRESS CONFERENCE SPONSORED BY BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Press Briefing

PRESS CONFERENCE SPONSORED BY BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Despite a multi-ethnic administration, judiciary and police, and the reconstruction of infrastructure, the international community's contributions were still needed in Brcko, correspondents were told this afternoon at a Headquarters press conference by that city's Mayor, Borko Reljic, and two Deputy Mayors, Ivan Krandelj and Mirsad Islamovic.

Introducing the group, which for the past week had been meeting with citizens, leaders and businessmen in its sister city, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Muhamed Sacirbey, said that under the Dayton Peace Agreement, the status of Brcko remained an open item. Arbiter Roberts B. Owen was expected to make a final decision on the matter in February 1999. In the meantime, attempts were being made to return Brcko to normal life. While opinions varied on the solution for Brcko, cooperation among members of the multi-ethnic adminstration was welcome.

Mayor Reljic said that after elections in September 1997, a multi-ethnic administration, judiciary and police had been established. Progress was being made in implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement, and Brcko was determined to establish a multi-ethnic community. Intensive efforts were being made to reconstruct infrastructure in the area, including hospitals, electrical lines, roads and schools. Those efforts aimed to create a better life in Brcko. The friendship between Brcko and Johnstown was valuable and should continue. He thanked the international community for its help, including for the Dayton Peace Agreement.

Deputy Mayor Krandelj said that friendship, hope and optimism had resulted from the visit to Johnstown. He was honoured to be in New York, a symbol of peace, and in the United Nations, which had done so much for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Brcko administration was trying to implement the provisions of the Dayton Agreement, but it needed help.

Deputy Mayor Islamovic said the Brcko delegation had been in the United States since 2 September, primarily to visit its sister city. Many important meetings had been held, from which he expected concrete results.

The task of Brcko's multi-ethnic administration was to provide political and legal security, which were preconditions for investments in Brcko. A second task was the reconstruction of infrastructure while a third was the establishment of a multi-ethnic community. The international community was owed thanks for its help to date, but more funds were needed for Brcko to move away from crisis and complete its reconstruction.

Brcko was under a special regime and its status was not yet resolved, he said. Mr. Owen would decide one of three possible solutions for Brcko: it could be given to Bosnia and Herzegovina, remain in Serbia, or become an open city. But the presence of the international community was still needed in

Brcko. In his view, the most realistic solutions would be for the town to be in the jurisdiction of Bosnia and Herzegovina or for it to be proclaimed as a special district. Special thanks were due to Ambassador Robert Farrand, Supervisor for Brcko, for successes in establishing multi-ethnic administration, police and judiciary.

Lieutenant-Colonel Kevin McCalles, a United States Army Reserve Officer from Pennsylvania, said he was part of a group of 80 persons sent to Bosnia for nine months. On behalf of Ambassador Farrand, he expressed appreciation for United Nations efforts on behalf of Brcko, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It was rewarding to witness the emergence of infrastructure -- such as schools, roads, houses, the hospital -- which encouraged the return of multi- ethnic groups, he said. Multi-ethnic governance and the return of citizens was only possible through the international community's efforts and donations. Things in Brcko were progressing slowly -- but well. On behalf of Ambassador Farrand, he encouraged the international community to continue to do its part to make Bosnia a whole country.

Ambassador Sacirbey said that credit was due to the international community, but also to Brcko's three leaders.

A correspondent asked about progress to date in establishing a multi- ethnic residency in Brcko. The Mayor responded that the return process had been started about eight months ago. To date, some 1,100 families had returned, so that around 3,600 people now lived in the Brcko municipality. One of the tasks of the multi-ethnic administration was to establish a multi- ethnic community by enabling refugees and displaced persons to return to their homes.

Mr. Krandelj said the rate of return was slow -- for Croats in particular -- because prerequisites for return were safety and a sound financial situation. While safety had been increasing, the housing and financial situations were not good. Those were improving, however, and would continue to do so after the arbiter made his decision. Brcko had always had a sizeable Croat population compared to the overall population of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ambassador added.

A correspondent asked about forces that were trying to impede the work of the multi-ethnic administration. The Mayor said the primary obstacles were economic. The unemployment rate in Brcko was around 96 per cent. Investment by the international community would lead to jobs for returnees and the local population. The Serbian Government was determined to implement the Dayton Peace Agreement fully, but -- as in all States -- there were different opinions, and some forces did not support implementation.

Bosnia Press Conference - 3 - 10 September 1998

Mr. Islamovic said implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement was key for peace and for progress. While the efforts had not been totally successful to date, progress had been made.

Mr. Krandelj said there were economic and political pressures. In establishing a multi-ethnic community, it was important to have the three nations participate equally in the community. Croats in Brcko were asking to be equal with others; other issues would afterwards be resolved easily.

Lieutenant-Colonel McCalles said the stabilization force was working well and that the situation had stabilized.

A correspondent asked about the number of citizens of Croat nationality that had returned to Brcko. A small number of Croats had returned, the Mayor said. People who wanted to return faced uncertainties about employment and their social status.

Mr. Islamovic added that around 1,200 families had returned to Brcko, including its suburbs.

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