VIENNA VIENNA, May 24 (Hina) - The newly appointed High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lord Paddy Ashdown, who takes on the office on May 27, spoke for the first time before the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on
Friday.
VIENNA, May 24 (Hina) - The newly appointed High Representative to
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lord Paddy Ashdown, who takes on the office on
May 27, spoke for the first time before the OSCE Permanent Council
in Vienna on Friday. #L#
Addressing reporters afterwards, Ashdown said he saw his duty as an
important obligation to create stability and progress in Bosnia-
Herzegovina.
The international community was wrong to believe that
democratisation, without the establishment of the rule of law in
the country, would solve everything, he said.
Lord Ashdown stressed that crime was the gravest danger for the
country and so the first of his three priorities would be to
establish the rule of law and fairness. This priority is followed by
the provision of resources for BH citizens - including conditions
for work and life, employment, and stability. The third priority is
the continuation of reforms that have begun, he said.
Time is not on Bosnia's side, Ashdown warned, adding that it was
necessary to prevent the international community's interest in the
country from waning. Bosnia should focus on realising the set
objectives: setting up a civil society, enabling refugee returns,
and improving the education system, he said.
Ashdown said that Wolfgang Petritsch - who was the High
Representative for three years - had laid firm foundations for
further development in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He announced that he
would continue with implementing constitutional reforms.
Lord Ashdown announced that he would remain at the position of High
Representative for two years.
(hina) sp rml