SARAJEVO, May 27 (Hina) - Lord Paddy Ashdown on Monday took over the duty of the international community's High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a two-year mandate.
SARAJEVO, May 27 (Hina) - Lord Paddy Ashdown on Monday took over the
duty of the international community's High Representative in
Bosnia and Herzegovina for a two-year mandate. #L#
Ashdown began his Bosnian mission by meeting the chief commander of
NATO's Stabilisation Force, US General John Sylvester. The take-
over of duties between Ashdown and his predecessor Wolfgang
Petritsch took place at the Office of the High Representative (OHR)
in Sarajevo at noon.
Ashdown thanked Petritsch on a job well-done, saying he had set good
foundations during his three-year mandate.
Petritsch showed that he simultaneously served the interests of all
Bosnian citizens and those of the international community, Ashdown
said and added that he would further build on the foundations set by
Petritsch.
In his last press briefing in Sarajevo, the outgoing Austrian
diplomat said he was leaving Bosnia with a feeling of relief as well
as gratitude for having had the opportunity to do such a responsible
job.
Petritsch said he was proud to have been able to work in Bosnia and
help it start transforming into a modern European state.
He, too, assessed that in the past few years foundations had been
set to enable a final and determined implementation of the Dayton
peace agreement.
Leaving his Sarajevo office, Petritsch gave Lord Ashdown small
flags of the OHR and Bosnia. He said that only one was missing, that
of the European Union (EU), but added he was confident it would be
there at the end of Ashdown's mandate, replacing the OHR one.
Upon assuming his new duty, Ashdown went to the Bosnian parliament
to brief the MPs on his view of the situation in the country and
outline drafts of reforms that have to be taken.
The Sarajevo media all agreed that Ashdown's first priority will be
the establishment of the rule-of-law and economic revival.
The British diplomat has been welcomed with big hopes and
expectations given his familiarity with the Bosnian situation.
Ashdown will also hold the office of special EU envoy for Bosnia.
(hina) ha