Inzko: Bonn powers are the last resort

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - After the session of the political directors of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), High Representative in BiH Valentin Inzko and the first deputy high representative Dennis Hearne spoke about the topics and conclusions.

Inzko said that the PIC called on political leaders to refrain from nationalist rhetoric, and that the clear commitment is lasting peace and prosperity for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its territorial integrity and sovereignty were once again emphasized.

The PIC SB adopted a conclusion, with a dissenting opinion from the Russian ambassador regarding the arming of members of the RS MUP.

- The PIC SB expressed concern; we received information from the EUFOR commander. We do not know why such large quantities of long-barreled weapons are needed. When the IPTF left, it proposed that 10 police officers share one long-barreled weapon; in Austria, it is 5-6 police officers per long-barreled weapon. Otherwise, the police use short-barreled weapons, pistols. That is standard police weaponry. I would be glad if BiH had as few weapons as possible, not more. Not to mention the financial consequences, because buying long-barreled weapons is not cheap either - said Inzko.

He noted that the RS MUP had all the necessary approvals for the procurement of weapons.

When asked why the international community supported the proposed Law on Criminal Procedure and not the HDZ's proposal, Inzko said the answer was very simple.

- The proposal submitted by the SDA is in line with international standards. If the HDZ's proposal were in line with international standards, we would have supported it as well - said Inzko.

He reiterated that the international community and some embassies criticized the HDZ BiH and the SNSD because they jointly opposed this good solution regarding the Law on Criminal Procedure.

- 23 years after Dayton, it is up to political leaders to find a solution based on consensus. The Bonn powers are always the last option and we are not currently considering them; let us use the few weeks and months before the elections to find a good solution that should last even after the elections, say for the next decade. If BiH wants to become a candidate for EU membership, then it must be able to adopt such solutions based on consensus and compromise. But the Bonn powers still exist - said Inzko.

Inzko said that resolving the verdict in the Sejdić-Finci case is also on hold, but the international community concluded that the most urgent issue at the moment is the election of delegates to the House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament.