Statement by Prof. Bronislaw Geremek Statement by Prof. Bronislaw Geremek, OSCE Chairman-in-Office Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland Peace Implementation Council for Bosnia & Herzegovina -Plenary Meeting (Madrid, December 15, 1998) Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, I would like to reaffirm this organisation's continuing commitment to the implementation of all aspects of the General Framework for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina constitutes a priority task for OSCE. It is central in the efforts to ensure stability and rehabilitation in the region. In recent weeks, OSCE has been busy coping with another responsible mission: verification activity in Kosovo. We will continue to work for the long-term solution of that conflict. The involvement in Kosovo serves, of course, a broader objective. In managing the conflict we aim at preventing a negative spill-over and, above all, protecting the peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the results of the Dayton implementation process. Therefore, the situation in Kosovo and in other parts of the region is an important context for our discussions today concerning the external aspects of the implementation of the agreed agenda for Bosnia and Herzegovina. OSCE´s work in Kosovo consumes a considerable amount of resources. In organising this work, we made it an imperative that the involvement in Kosovo would have no adverse impact on our ability to continue unabated with the operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the support coming from the participating States, OSCE has the potential to be successful in fulfilling both tasks. Mr Chairman, The external risks and instabilities should mobilise us to redouble our efforts aimed at self-sustaining peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Three years after Dayton we can speak with some satisfaction about the results achieved so far. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a different place now and every day brings new stabilising elements in the life of the country. Democracy is getting stronger, albeit slowly. The state institutions are more operational, independent media more influential, economic foundations more solid, and military stability is better ensured. But these processes are still slow and not fully irreversible. Incidents with refugees continue to erupt, several important measures are not implemented, dividing walls still exist in the minds of the people and in real life. A considerable gap persists between our expectations and the reality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The civilian side of the implementation goals suffers from a number of shortcomings. This may lead to understandable frustration. We cannot, however, compromise on our vision - a multiethnic, peaceful, democratic, tolerant, economically viable Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is no alternative to it. We cannot give it up. This vision embodies the fundamental values and principles, which make up for OSCE´s identity. That is why the success in Bosnia and Herzegovina is crucial for the attainment of the strategic objectives of OSCE. Our credibility is being tested there. Therefore we should take a critical look and try to improve the effectiveness of our efforts. There is still much to be done in this respect. Self-sustainment is the key word. We repeat it at every occasion and will repeat it many times today. The peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot hang forever on the international military presence and the enormous international effort in the civilian sphere. It has to take deep roots in the country and be consciously fostered from within. We should thank all the people in Bosnia and Herzegovina who share this truth and work co-operatively with us and with each other to make it a reality. I am confident that the dividend of peace will make its way to the awareness of the political class as well as ordinary people. I am confident that "cold peace" so often still a characteristic of mutual relations in that country, will be replaced by "co-operative peace". In taking stock of the developments since the last Council meeting, we all owe respect and credit to the people whose work in sometimes so difficult environment, makes it possible today to note the progress achieved. I have in mind, in particular the personnel of our stabilisation forces. SFOR continues to provide the secure conditions necessary for the civilian implementation and assistance to many non-military aspects. I wish also to stress with satisfaction the excellent co-operation between OSCE and the High Representative, Mr Carlos Westendorp. Mr Chairman, Let me turn to the main challenges that OSCE will face in 1999 when fulfilling its tasks under the Dayton Agreement. I would like to outline only the general directions of our work. I have asked Ambassador Robert Barry, Head of the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to speak in detail about the tasks and plans of the Mission in the implementation process. The election segment of OSCE´s work will be focused on the implementation of the results of this year's municipal elections. The year 1999 will also mark the transfer of the previous electoral responsibilities carried out by OSCE to the national authorities. Already by 1 January next year, three-fourths of OSCE staff engaged in these activities will be nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina. OSCE will be busy passing election technology, knowledge and operational skills to the institutions and individuals of the country. The OSCE Mission will make its contribution to meet the challenge of the planned return of 120 thousand refugees. This will include human rights monitoring and intervention, legislative and administrative reform, information collection and dissemination, human rights institutions building, civil society programmes and confidence building. We have to be prepared to deal increasingly with administrative barriers to minority return - property questions, job discrimination, documentation problems, access to public services, security and education. In this context let me stress the necessity to ensure the right of return of all refugees and displaced persons as well as the need to accelerate the work on the question of property compensation. OSCE will also continue activities in support of democratisation. Building democracy is a long-term process. It requires continuous effort and patience. Next year we will put emphasis, i. a. on the rule of law programmes strengthening the judiciary and other legal institutions. The civil society programmes will concentrate on NGO and political party development. We must prevent the fossilisation of the party politics pattern based on ethnic divisions. Governance programmes will focus on the capacity-building of the Republika Srpska national assembly, cantonal and municipal assemblies. The year 1999 calls also for heightening the international community's efforts aimed at substantial legal and editorial restructuring of the major electronic media houses in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I need not stress the importance of bringing to trial all persons indicted for war crimes. Without it the notion of the rule of law will remain seriously impaired. Another important area of the OSCE´s work is regional stabilisation. The implementation of the confidence-building measures as well as arms control measures was generally successful in the past year. The inspection regimes were consolidated and no major discrepancies emerged from the notified military data. More than 250 heavy weapons have been destroyed in order to meet established ceilings. The military contacts were developing towards normalcy. To build upon the achievements and proceed towards a self-sustainable stabilisation in the military field, a long term programme was developed by the OSCE representatives. It aims among others at promoting the integration of the Federation armed forces, reorienting the training doctrines, enhancing the mechanisms for civilian control over the military, and the reconfiguration of the deployment patterns to eliminate the capability for rapid offensive actions. The main goal for 1999 concerning the Subregional Arms Control Agreement consists of reaching a consensus among the parties for the reduction of the exceptions provided by the Agreement that legally increase the ceilings of Dayton. Next year will also mark the start of the negotiations proper on regional stability as provided for in Article V of Annex 1-B of the Dayton Agreement. Twenty States will sit together at the table to devise measures to reduce localised instability in order to enhance stability as a whole within the region and to strengthen security and the concept of its indivisibility. Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, The agenda for 1999 will be challenging, indeed. It should be increasingly geared to spur the necessary internal, self-sustaining processes. It should demonstrate beyond any doubt the international community's standing commitment to the long-term rehabilitation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a good example of a mutually reinforcing co-operation between the many international organisations and institutions involved there. It was a catalyst for expanding this co-operation to other fields and geographical areas. It is in itself a precious asset, which should be further developed. OSCE will stand ready to contribute to this process. In conclusion, let me note that today's meeting is one of the last occasions during which I have the honour to speak as the Chairman-in-Office of OSCE. It was a demanding but also a rewarding task. The operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina constituted a considerable part of this challenge. Likewise the progress of peace there would also be, to me personally, a considerable part of the reward. I wish to thank distinguished colleagues for their support and co-operation. I need not assure them that in the taking over of the responsibilities of the Chairmanship by my Norwegian Colleague*, the necessary continuity will be fully ensured. Thank you for your attention.