OHR

HR to Highlight Constitutional Reform, Police
Decertification

The HR is today in

New York

where he will address the UN Security Council for
the first time as High Representative. He will then meet with the UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan.

He will highlight the necessity for Constitutional Reform, as well as the
need for the issue of the decertified police officers to be resolved before the
end of the OHR’s mandate.

He will say that Constitutional Reform is a priority for BiH, and note that
the passing of the proposed amendments will send an important signal about the
country’s readiness to reform itself on the path to

Europe, as well as its preparedness to serve its citizens
better.

He will say that a ‘No’ to constitutional reform would represent a
significant set-back for BiH.

The HR will say that he is committed to assuming an active role in this
second phase of constitutional reform, but note that a second phase can only be
built on the basis of a successful first phase.

On the issue of the decertified police officers, the HR will express his
determination to see the issue revolved before the end of the OHR’s mandate. He
will, however, note that the situation cannot be resolved without the support of
the UN.

He will say that he fully supports the approach of the BiH government on this
issue, and say he has the backing of the EU to pursue a solution.

“We should not preach the principles of the rule of law, responsibility for
reforms and ownership, and at the same time contradict this principles in our
own activities,” he will say, in this regard.

The HR will tomorrow travel to

Washington
where he will meet with
officials from the World Bank and the State Department.

We will distribute the HR’s speech to the UNSC later this afternoon.

EUPM

European Union Police
Mission Sponsors Kids
Festival

European Union Police Mission will be the main sponsor of this year’s Kids
Festival taking place is

Sarajevo

between 9-15 June 2006. The Kid’s Festival as the largest independent youth
event in South East Europe which attracts around 30,000 children from across BiH
represents a unique combination of education and entertainment.

This sponsorship represents a part of the efforts of the local police
supported by the EUPM on raising awareness on drugs hazard.

In addition to various activities that the children from across BiH will be
involved in the Kids Festival, the EUPM is particularly pleased to announce that
one day – 15 June – will be proclaimed a Police Day.

This will be a chance for all law enforcement agencies to directly interact
with the children by focusing on anti-drugs, traffic safety and other messages
relevant for their safer childhood.

The European Union Police Mission believes that the active involvement of the
police in this project will certainly contribute to building a positive image of
the police and enhancing the trust of the people in the law enforcement
agencies. It is where a democratic police belongs – in the centre of society,
close to the citizens they serve and protect.

EUFOR

No statement.