PIC VOICES FULL SUPPORT TO MEASURES OF HIGH REP FOR BOSNIA

SARAJEVO/BRUSSELS, Nov 30 (Hina) - The management board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) for Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday supported a decision of the High Representative (HR) for BH to replace 22 local officials, as well as the full implementation of a New York declaration which, among else, envisages the establishment of a uniform border police in BH by year's end. Foreign ministry political directors of the countries members of the management board at today's Brussels session okayed in their entirety the measures HR Wolfgang Petrisch has been undertaking towards the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement, in keeping with the powers bestowed upon him. According to a statement the Office of the HR released to the media in Sarajevo, the political directors also supported the efforts Petrisch, the Independent Media Commission, and NATO's Stabilisation Force have been making to ensure full media freedom and equal media access to all three constituent peoples living in BH. In doing so, it is necessary to eliminate political influences coming from either inside or outside BH, the officials concluded. The PIC management board okayed Petrisch's intention to take measures which will lead to the establishment of a uniform economic system in BH, and ensure the development of entrepreneurship. The board and Petrisch also reminded of a statement adopted on 17 September and regarding the impending parliamentary elections in Croatia. The board agreed Petrisch should convey a resolute message to authorities in Croatia, demanding that electoral procedures taking place on BH territory, the registration of voters in particular, be carried out in a free and fair manner and in keeping with standards set by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. (hina) ha