CONTACT GROUP ADOPTS CONCLUSIONS ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

WASHINGTON, Nov 11 (Hina) - Bosnia-Herzegovina should in the future pay special attention to a speedier development of market economy, refugee return, judicial reform, reinforcing central institutions and pressing ahead with media reform and education issues, said special US envoy for former Yugoslavia Robert Gelbard on Monday. Gelbard stated this following a one-day Washington meeting of the Contact Group which he chaired. "We expect all officials to work towards full implementation of the Dayton peace agreement and in support of a united and multi-ethnic Bosnia. This is the only basis on which they can expect support from the international community", Gelbard said. The Contact Group expressed satisfaction with the conclusions of the donors' conference on Bosnia-Herzegovina, held in Brussels last week. The Group believes that it is time for the international community to gradually start reducing its help for Bosnia-Herzegovina, taking into account the need to address requirements in those areas which have not benefited fully from such assistance. The Contact Group noted three risk factors that must be addressed: the lack of inter-ethnic integration, the need to finally delineate state and entity responsibilities, and the existence of political party strongholds over the means of production. (hina) mm rml