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G-7 Summit: Decisions Concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina
Lyon, France, June 29, 1996
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We confirm our support for the Peace Agreement and the establishment
of a democratic and pluralistic State of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
composed of two Entities.
The prime responsibility for implementing the Peace Agreement
lies with the different communities and their leaders. Without
compliance and active participation in rebuilding a civil society,
they cannot expect that the international community and major
donor countries shoulder the main burden of the implementation
and reconstruction effort.
Endorsing the conclusions adopted at the Peace Implementation
Conference in Florence, we have taken the following decisions
:
1. Elections and Institutions
- We shall contribute substantially to the preparation of the
elections scheduled by the OSCE on 14 September 1996. To this
end, we are increasing our assistance to the OSCE, inter alia
by contributing to the deployment of 2,000 observers and the development
of independent media.
- The Parties too must play their part and implement the full
range of their commitments, including freedom of movement and
association, free access for all the candidates to the media and
effective arrangements for refugees and displaced persons to exercise
their right to vote.
- We recall that according to its resolution 1022, the UN Security
Council will terminate the sanctions regime on the tenth day following
the occurrence of the first free and fair elections.
- We ask that IFOR's support for the election process be reinforced,
including by creating a safe and secure environment, providing
logistic assistance and concentrating IFOR's resources where necessary.
- We support the High Representative in his work of preparation
with the Parties of the establishment of the new institutions
: the collective Presidency, the Council of Ministers, the Parliament,
the Constitutional Court and the Central Bank. We shall provide
the future authorities with the necessary constitutional and legal
assistance. We recommend that the duration of the first term of
the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Entities be
harmonized, by agreement within all the institutions concerned.
2. International War Crimes Tribunal
- All States and Entities have an obligation under the Peace
Agreement to cooperate fully with the Tribunal by taking action
to arrest indicted persons. All persons indicted by the International
Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia should appear before
the Tribunal in The Hague for trial.
- The presence in public office of indicted war criminals or
any attempt by them to seek elective office are open violations
of the Peace Agreement. We insist that Mr. Karadzic step down
immediately and permanently from all public functions and take
no part in governmental decisions. He should transfer all his
powers completely to new leadership in the way provided for in
the Constitution of Republika Srpska. New leadership of Republika
Srpska should demonstrate their willingness to cooperate with
the international community in implementing the Peace Agreement.
This would enable the assistance available under it to flow to
Republika Srpska.
- Recalling UN Security Council Resolution 1022, including the
provisions on sanctions, we support the High Representative and
the Commander of IFOR and will, as necessary, act following their
recommendations. We are ready to consider the application of sanctions
instruments to any Partie to the Peace Agreement.
- Consistent with this obligation of the Parties to cooperate
with the International War Crimes Tribunal, we urge them all to
implement a broadly based amnesty law.
3. Consolidation Plan
- Noting France's proposal for a 2-year plan of consolidation
of the peace process, we endorse the request made by the Peace
Implementation Council in Florence on the 14th of June for its
Steering Board to elaborate an action agenda stating the aims,
the means and the timeframe of this plan for civilian consolidation.
4. Reconstruction
- Economic reconstruction is vital to lasting peace. We call
upon all donors to accelerate payment of their pledges for 1996
and to make every effort to disburse at least 50 % of 1996 pledges
by December 1996 and 100 % by June 1997. - Economic assistance
should be provided to all Parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina depending
upon their compliance with the peace process. After the successful
holding of elections on September 14, it will be possible to take
a decision on the holding of a further Donor Conference.
- We support projects which encourage cooperation and reconciliation.
We call on the Parties to develop common economic structures and
policies, including a Central Bank and new currency, a common
customs policy, a unified payments system, the appropriate distribution
of revenues among the State, the Entities and the Cantons.
- In this context, we look forward to the IMF engaging Bosnia
and Herzegovina with the aim of reaching agreement on an economic
stabilization and reform program.
- We confirm our full support for the High Representative in
the exercising of his coordination role.
- We insist that high priority be given to mine-clearing operations,
housing for refugees and job creation projects.
5. Refugees and the rule of law
- We demand that the Parties ensure that refugees and displaced
persons can return freely and in safety. The early return of refugees
will help accelerate the economic recovery of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- We support the efforts of the UNHCR, including its plan for
the return of refugees. The implementation of this plan implies
the increase of voluntary contributions.
- IFOR will have to exercise continued vigilance with regard
to freedom of movement.
- Reconstruction program should encourage the return of refugees.
We recommend giving priority to 19 target areas in 8 regions of
Bosnia and Herzegovina and thereby facilitating the return of
185,000 people by the end of this year.
- The question of property rights must be settled rapidly.
- In order to strengthen the rule of law, we are prepared to
provide technical legal assistance. We shall ensure that the means
available to the International Police Task Force and its effectiveness
be increased.
6. Regional and Security Issues
- We stress the need to observe the timetable set by the Arms
control Agreement signed in Florence on June 14. We shall provide
the OSCE with the means to verify the Arms Control Agreement,
and closely monitor its implementation.
- More rapid progress must be made to resolve the question of
Brcko, beginning with the early agreement by the Parties on a
third arbitrator. We urge the Parties to achieve a solution as
soon as possible.
- We support initiatives to promote stability, good neighborliness
and economic development in South-eastern Europe.
- We ask for the acceleration of the Working Groups' work on
national and ethnic communities and minorities, and on questions
of succession, and we call upon the States concerned to cooperate
fully with them.
7. These decisions should be implemented within the framework
of the structures put in place by the Peace Agreement.
[end of document]
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