SILAJDZIC: KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE DOES NOT AFFECT BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (February 19,2008) – A member of the Bosnian Presidency Haris Silajdzic stated that Kosovo independence is not a matter of Bosnia and that the Bosnian state institutions will not allow any interference into Bosnia's internal matters.

"The Bosnian state institutions are obliged to protect peace and security of all Bosnian citizens in case of an attempt to transfer tensions onto our country. This is especially related to returnee population which is in the center of domestic authorized institutions and international factor," Silajdzic said.

"Bosnia is sovereign, independent and internationally recognized state. This is a fact that Kosovo change of status cannot change in any way, or any other circumstances in the region for that matter," Silajdzic said.

"In the relations with Bosnia we expect from Serbia to act according to principles of mutual recognition and recognition of international law including the commitments Serbia took over with the verdict of International Court of Justice on February 26 2007”, Silajdzic stated.
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BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY ADOPTED PRESENTATION DOCUMENT OF INDIVIDUAL PARTNERSHIP ACTION PLAN FOR BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (February 19,2008) – The Bosnian State Presidency at the emergency session held in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo approved the Presentation document of Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) for Bosnia in 2008-2009.

It was asked from the Bosnian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to, through the Bosnian Mission with NATO; deliver this document to the NATO HQ in Brussels for review and adoption, the Bosnian Presidency stated.

The approval by the North Atlantic Council is in recognition of the progress Bosnia is making in defence reform and is a useful instrument for the successful completion of defence sector reform. It puts Bosnia on a firmer footing for the next phase of defence reforms - the Membership Action Plan - which could take Bosnia from the Partnership for Peace to full membership of NATO.
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EUFOR: SECURITY SITUATION IN BOSNIA REMAINS STABLE

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (February 19,2008) – After the Kosovo independence declaration, the security situation in Bosnia remains stable, the European Union Force in Bosnia (EUFOR) Spokesperson David Fielder stated.

He said that EUFOR will keep monitoring the situation and will react in cases when necessary.

”We always have action plans for every situation. Currently, the security situation in Bosnia is stable”, Fiedler emphasized.
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BRCKO DISTRICT SUPERVISOR RELIEVES OF DUTY TWO POLICE OFFICERS

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (February 19,2008) – The Brcko District Supervisor Raffi Gregorian issued an order in which Slobodan Katanic and Djordje Popovic are relieved of duty from the Brcko District Police.

He issued the order after the Appellate Committee adopted the resolution regarding the decision of Disciplinary Council on the termination of duty for these two officers, explaining that some procedural mistakes did not influence the verdict and Gregorian concluded that it is in the best interest of the District Police that these two are relieved of duty immediately, stated the OHR Office in Brcko.

The release explained that Gregorian planned to relieve these two police officers some time ago, but he waited on issuing the order since the Police Chief stated that he would do his best to improve the behavior of these two officers in the future, and in case this would not succeed, a disciplinary procedure would be initiated against them.

For over a year supervisor Gregorian received reports on severe breeches of duty, unprofessional behavior, inadequate service work and other inadequate activities of Katanic and Popovic with the purpose of endangering the efficiency of District Police.

Supervisor mentioned that the Tribunal for Brcko had a founding effect on the setup of professional, multi-ethnic, democratically oriented and responsible police forces in Brcko District.

Upholding the highest standards of professionalism and impartiality in the District police and especially among its high ranking officials, is the key for building a trust between citizens and Police in Brcko District, the Office of the International Community's High Representative in Bosnia (OHR) stated.
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DRAFT LAW ON BOSNIAN STATE BUDGET FOR 2008 SUPPORTED WITH FIVE AMENDMENTS

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (February 19,2008) – Commission for Financing and budget of the Bosnian Parliament's House of Representatives supported the draft law on BiH institutions and international obligations budget for 2008 with five accorded amendments which were adopted.

These amendments put the framework of the draft law for the Bosnian state budget for 2008, adopted by BiH Presidency, in the set of budget draft, adopted by the Bosnian Council of Ministers on January 17 in the amount of 1.186.357.560 Bosnian Marks, and according to conclusions of the Bosnian Parliament's House of Representatives from the last session.

At the same time, in relations to the budget draft for 2008 adopted by the Bosnian Council of Ministers, gross salaries and compenasions for all budget users are decreased by 6.3 percent.

The Bosnian Presidency confirmed the draft law on the Bosnian state budget for 2008 according which it would amount to 1.231.357.560 Bosnian Marks. However, House of Representatives adopted the conclusion ordering the Commission for financing and budget to, in cooperation with the Bosnian Ministry of Finance in the amendment phase conclude a budget draft which would have such assets structure in which assets from JR UIO for financing of the Bosnian state institutions instead of proposed 710.000.000 Bosnian Marks would be 675.000.000 Bosnian Marks and total budget would amount to 1.186.357.560 Bosnian Marks, which was the previous proposition of the Council of the Ministers.

In the second conclusion of House of Representatives it is stated that structure of liabilities would encompass the Bosnian Presidency propositions in the amounts accorded with the Commission and the Ministry of Finance and Vault as well as department ministries – Minsitry of Human Rights and Refugees, Ministry of Civil Affairs and Ministry of External Trade and Economic Relations.

Commission also finalized consults with the Council of the Ministers and based on that accorded five amendments adopted and in compliance with conclusions of House of Representatives.

House of Representatives should vote on the draft law on the Bosnian state budget for 2008 at the session scheduled for Wednesday, February 20.
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MONTENEGRIN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER VISITS BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (February 19,2008) – The International Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia, Miroslav Lajčák met yesterday in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo with Ranko Krivokapic, the Speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament.

Reviewing the declaration of independence by Kosovo’s Parliament the High Representative/EU Special Representative and the Speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament agreed that this event couldn’t derail the regions hopes of EU accession.

The EU agenda must remain the regions focus agreed Lajčák and Krivokapic.

The High Representative and EU Special Representative said that none of Bosnia’s problems are in any way related to Kosovo and its status.

“Any attempt to artificially link Kosovo to Bosnia or its constituent parts must be firmly rejected.Bosniais in no way a hostage to Kosovo nor is the country open to question under international law,” Lajcak stated.

Lajcak and Krivokapic agreed that there is no more important question for the country in the short term than its Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union.
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