Bosnia: Police reform declaration adopted

Bosnian politicians adopted a declaration on implementation of police reforms in Mostar Sunday. The move came following their four-hour meeting of six top Bosnian politicians with High International Representative Miroslav Lajcak. Bosnia: Police reform declaration adopted The reform of the country's law enforcement sector are aimed at initialing and signing of a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union. The signatories agreed to assume all of the necessary obligations for the implementation of the reform in keeping with EU principles, which are necessary for the continuation of the EU association process. The political crisis in Bosnia continues with a war of words between the international and RS officials. Earlier today, Lajcak warned that he will not tolerate any attempt to destroy the authority of the office of the high representative (OHR), telling the government in Belgrade that their country has problems of its own it needs to see to, rather than concern itself with Bosnian issues. The international community does not wish to see the situation in Bosnia deteriorate, he added. "Demagogy and stupid statements could be heard in the last few days, but no arguments to prove that the last package of measures was directed against the Republic of Srpska," Lajcak told Bosnian state television in Sarajevo. He added it will not be up to the RS parliament to decide whether the OHR continues its activities, and that Serbia needs to let Bosnian politicians deal with Bosnian problems. Lajcak said Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's statement that the Dayton peace accord was jeopardized was "dangerous". Lajcak also noted that although he did not insist on the issue of the possible sacking of RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, "no option was ruled out." Saturday, Interior Minister Dragan Jocic (DSS) said Belgrade offered strong support for Dodik in his efforts to secure the functioning and status of the Serb entity in Bosnia, in keeping with the Dayton Agreement. Jocic told Tanjug news agency that Lajcak "has to take into account that, under the Dayton Agreement, the state of Bosnia-Herzegovina includes two entities and that the status of the RS is guaranteed by the international agreement." Serbia, as one of the signatories of the Dayton Agreement, insists on its consistent implementation and preservation of the RS, the minister, Kostunica's number two, added. "Lajcak's measures have already caused a major crisis and have to be revoked immediately. It should be said that Lajcak would be responsible entirely for a possible deterioration of relations within Bosnia because he tried to impose a solution and abolish the RS," said Jocic. On October 19, Lajcak imposed amendments to the Law on BIH Council of Ministers and parliamentary rules of procedure, and changed the quorum necessary to conduct sessions of the House of Representatives.

Bosnia: Police reform declaration adopted

The reform of the country's law enforcement sector are aimed at initialing and signing of a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union.

The signatories agreed to assume all of the necessary obligations for the implementation of the reform in keeping with EU principles, which are necessary for the continuation of the EU association process.

The political crisis in Bosnia continues with a war of words between the international and RS officials.

Earlier today, Lajčak warned that he will not tolerate any attempt to destroy the authority of the office of the high representative (OHR), telling the government in Belgrade that their country has problems of its own it needs to see to, rather than concern itself with Bosnian issues.

The international community does not wish to see the situation in Bosnia deteriorate, he added.

"Demagogy and stupid statements could be heard in the last few days, but no arguments to prove that the last package of measures was directed against the Republic of Srpska," Lajčak told Bosnian state television in Sarajevo.

He added it will not be up to the RS parliament to decide whether the OHR continues its activities, and that Serbia needs to let Bosnian politicians deal with Bosnian problems.

Lajčak said Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica's statement that the Dayton peace accord was jeopardized was "dangerous".

Lajčak also noted that although he did not insist on the issue of the possible sacking of RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, "no option was ruled out."

Saturday, Interior Minister Dragan Jočić (DSS) said Belgrade offered strong support for Dodik in his efforts to secure the functioning and status of the Serb entity in Bosnia, in keeping with the Dayton Agreement.

Jočić told Tanjug news agency that Lajčak "has to take into account that, under the Dayton Agreement, the state of Bosnia-Herzegovina includes two entities and that the status of the RS is guaranteed by the international agreement."

Serbia, as one of the signatories of the Dayton Agreement, insists on its consistent implementation and preservation of the RS, the minister, Koštunica's number two, added.

"Lajčak's measures have already caused a major crisis and have to be revoked immediately. It should be said that Lajčak would be responsible entirely for a possible deterioration of relations within Bosnia because he tried to impose a solution and abolish the RS," said Jočić.

On October 19, Lajčak imposed amendments to the Law on BIH Council of Ministers and parliamentary rules of procedure, and changed the quorum necessary to conduct sessions of the House of Representatives.