Agreed Measures On Dayton Accords Compliance

Released by Office of the Spokesman.U.S Department of State, in Geneva, Switzerland on March 18, 1996

The Parties to the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina express their determination to provide the political leadership necessary to ensure the complete fulfillment of the spirit and the letter of the Agreement, which provides a comprehensive framework within which to build peace, and of the commitments made at Rome on February 18, 1996. Full implementation by all Parties is an essential prerequisite for the return of normal, peaceful, and democratic life to the region and for the process of reconciliation. The Parties' performance on a broad range of implementation issues will be considered at the Contact Group Ministerial to be held on March 23 in Moscow.

1. The Parties commit themselves to build upon the accomplishments of the first three months of implementation to establish conditions for free and fair elections by September 1996 as required in the Agreement. To fulfill their obligations, the Parties will work closely with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement its strategy for democratization.

In particular, they commit themselves to improve compliance with provisions that affect the daily life of persons. Basic human rights, in particular freedom of movement, freedom of association, and the right of resettlement must be honored fully. Access to electronic and print Media for all recognized political groupings is an absolute prerequisite for successful elections And for the building of a viable constitutional order. Encouragement of tolerance, respect for rights of others, respect for private property, and the suppression of violence against persons are major tasks.

The Parties note that a comprehensive compliance review will be provided by the High Representative to the Moscow Contact Group Ministerial on March 23, based on his report to the U. N. Secretary General. In Moscow, Ministers of the Contact Group will discuss appropriate measures in cases of non-compliance with the Agreement during the first phase of implementation.

2. The Parties share the deep concern expressed by the members of the Contact Group participating in this meeting over developments in the area of Sarajevo, including violence, destruction, and threats toward citizens in areas transferred to the Federation. The High Representative will continue his dialogue on the future of Sarajevo within the framework of the Joint Civil Commission for Sarajevo, based on the Rome Statement of February 18, 1996. These discussions will cover all issues that must be solved in order to secure Sarajevo as a city for Bosniacs, Serbs, Croats, and Others, and as the capital and seat of the future common institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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