GREGORIAN SUSPENDED SALARIES TO BRCKO DISTRICT GOVERNMENT AND ASSEMBLY

BRCKO, Bosnia (December 6,2007) - Brcko Supervisor Raffi Gregorian issued an Order immediately suspending payments of salaries and all remunerations to the members of Brcko District Government and councilors of the Assembly of Brcko District for violating the Brcko District Statute by failing to adopt the 2008 Brcko District Budget by the required deadline.

The Supervisor is disappointed that the Brcko District Government, after timely submission of the proposed budget plan by October 1st, 2007, and after public discussions had been held, decided only last week to introduce more than 150 amendments, including a significant revised projection of revenues, thus in essence presenting an entirely new budget,said the Office of the International Community's High Representative in Bosnia (OHR).

The Brcko District Government collectively failed to prepare an accurate and reliable draft budget for 2008 and the Councilors of Brcko District Assembly have collectively failed to review and adopt it in a timely manner,the OHR said.

The Supervisor Gregorian warned both the Brcko District Government and the Assembly more than two months ago that he would take such action if they violated the Statute.

Gregorian regrets that he has had to intervene because of the apparent lack of understanding by the elected bodies of governance for the importance of a timely and orderly discussion and adoption of the budget and for their disrespect of the Statute.He urges the Assembly to adopt the 2008 budget as soon as possible,the OHR said.