B4-0762, 0765, 0774, 0782, 0789 and 0791/97

Resolution on the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the case of Novi Pazar

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina,

- having regard to the preliminary report of its ad-hoc delegation on the observation of the local elections in Bosnia- Herzegovina,

A. taking note of the relatively calm circumstances under which the local elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina were finally held on 13 and 14 September 1997,

B. aware, however, of the extremely difficult conditions under which these elections were organized and recognizing the great efforts made by the OSCE, SFOR, the Office of the High Representative and many non-governmental organizations to ensure the good conduct of these elections,

C. expressing its satisfaction that joint international pressure has resulted in the full participation in these elections of all major political parties in both entities of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina; deploring, however, the fact that differences between the communities in Mostar prevented polling in the city's central district,

D. whereas, also, it was not possible to ensure the independence of the media during the election campaign; expressing its great concern over the distorted use of public media, especially in Republika Srpska, to incite hatred against SFOR and the international organizations,

E. emphasizing that these elections were an important step in the implementation of the Dayton Agreement, but that further progress still has to be made, in particular regarding the free movement of citizens, the return of refugees to their places of origin and the full reconstruction of a democratic society which respects the rule of law,

F. emphasizing that these elections should contribute to the restoration of a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious society in Bosnia-Herzegovina and that the coming-to-power of anti-democratic forces which are not prepared to cooperate in the full implementation of the Dayton Agreement shall not be tolerated by the international community,

G. whereas the economy of Bosnia-Herzegovina has no chance of improving until the rights of ordinary citizens (especially refugees and displaced persons) are restored,

H. noting with concern that a large part of the financial resources committed by the European Union for the reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina has not yet been spent,

I. concerned about the illegal removal of the elected leadership in the town of Novi Pazar and its replacement by non-elected candidates loyal to the Serbian government,

1. Welcomes the efforts made by the OSCE, SFOR, the Office of the High Representative and many non-governmental organizations to ensure the good conduct of the local elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina and expresses its support for all democratic forces in the country which are contributing to the full implementation of the Dayton Agreement;

2. Calls on the international police force, the OSCE and SFOR to monitor the installation of the newly elected mayors and local assemblies, especially in municipalities where those recently elected have not yet returned to their constituencies;

3. Strongly condemns all terrorist acts and provocations, including those against international personnel, that were aimed at disrupting these elections and against the further implementation of the Dayton Agreement;

4. Appeals once again to all parties signatory to the Dayton Agreement to cooperate fully with the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague and to extradite all indicted war criminals; furthermore calls on SFOR to continue to help bring suspected war criminals to justice;

5. Insists that international support for reconstruction in Bosnia-Herzegovina must continue to be made conditional on the cooperation of the authorities at all levels in all aspects of the implementation of the Dayton Agreement;

6. Expresses its support for the policy pursued with regard to President Plavsic in order to restore the rule of law in Republika Srpska;

7. Urges the Commission and the Council to take the necessary measures to make financial support for the reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina more efficient and to achieve speedier disbursement of the financial resources committed;

8. Urges the Council and the Commission to play an active role in developing independent media in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in creating a fully democratic environment there by implementing programmes under the Phare democracy programme;

9. Insists that specific measures be taken as soon as possible to tackle increasing corruption throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina;

10. Emphasizes that a continuing presence of SFOR troops should be guaranteed to secure further implementation of the peace agreement;

11. Urges the Serbian authorities to reinstate with immediate effect the elected representatives in Novi Pazar and requests the OSCE to take the necessary measures to ensure continuing respect for democratic procedures in the region;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Office of the High Representative, the OSCE, the UN Security Council, the governments and parliaments of Bosnia-Herzegovina and its entities and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.