Visit to Bosnia by Hans Koschnick, Chairman of the Steering Committee for Refugee Matters

The Chairman, Mr.Hans Koschnick, accompanied by his Assistant Ms.Julija Pezer and the Executive Secretary of Steering Committee, Mr.Kilian Kleinschmidt, traveled to Bosnia to update himself with the situation in Republika Srpska and to hold talks with a range of Government and IC Representatives in preparation of the 6th session of the Steering Committee, held in Sarajevo on the 22nd of March.

In Banja Luka he met with RRTF representatives (OHR/UNHCR), the RS President Mr.Sarovic, the Prime Minister, Mr.Ivanic, the Refugee Minister, Mr. Micic, the Mayor of Banja Luka, Mr.Davidovic and finally the former Prime Minister, Mr.Dodik.

All RS government representatives and foremost the President confirmed their commitment to the return process and described a range of concrete measures they had already or intended to initiate in this regard. Economic recovery had now become the main issue to allow sustainable return while previously prominent security and political problems had reduced considerably in the past year. Questions such as property legislation were not politicized matters anymore but had to be addressed socially and economically in a national Bosnian, but also in a regional context, and needed to be seen within the process of European integration.

However, all warned of the possible negative consequences of the naturally unpopular eviction process through the Property Legislation Implementation Plan (PLIP) which required considerable resources to be able to avert not only human suffering, but also a renewed political crisis as this situation could be exploited politically. Of common concern, a point adhered to by Mr.Koschnick, was the likely transfer of evictees into former and new collective centers due to insufficient existing alternative accommodation. The fact that the number of the collective centers and inhabitants would increase again, was difficult to accept and other solutions needed to be found, also taking into consideration the wish of many not to return. While the priority for promotion of return and repossession of property was not questioned by the Government, the social and economic changes, often linked to the ongoing urbanization process, had to be recognized and be addressed.

Better cooperation with Croatia was a crucial matter for Republika Srpska for economic development reasons and early resolution of outstanding obstacles to return, according to the Government and the RRTF representatives. While contacts existed, further efforts had to be made and dialogue could be established either on State or Entity level. This process could possibly be engaged jointly by the RS with the Federation government. The arrest of more than 100 returnees from FRY and RS in Croatia was mentioned as an important impediment for those willing to return and had sent very negative signals and could be interpreted as bad intention. The question of the ongoing census in Croatia and the possible negative consequences of non-registration of refugees in regard to Croatian citizenship and future elections remained also to be clarified with Croatia. The RS Government favored agreements on special relations with Croatia, a step which should also be envisaged by the Federation government in relation to the FRY. Additional border crossing points and simplified crossing procedures for those, living in border areas were issues to be discussed.

Prime Minister Ivanic raised the option of a regional conference on succession issues amongst the countries of the former Yugoslavia which should be explored, in order to resolve the wide range of outstanding questions of common interest. He also reconfirmed his commitment to the Dayton Accord, but expressed worry about the handling by the international community and the Federation government of the current crisis with the HDZ, which could endanger the Federation and ultimately the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In Sarajevo Mr.Koschnick met with EC Ambassador Kretschmer, the Head of the EBRD office, Mr. Ghinescu, the Director of the Worldbank, Mr.Ingram, Mr.Bellon, Director of the KFW, Ambassador Sonn, OHR Deputy HR, Bishop Sudar, Federation Refugee Minister Halilovic and finally Council of Ministers Chairman Mr. Matic.

The need to aim for increasing government responsibility in the return and integration process was raised with the heads of EC, WB, EBRD and the international organizations and also discussed with Chairman Matic. The currently available grant resources, being already today unable to cover the immediate needs of returnees, and which were anticipated to be drastically reduced by the end of 2002 had to be gradually replaced by financial provisions in the State and Entity budgets. This process had to be supported through an early planning process involving the relevant Ministries and IFIs.

Chairman Matic, very well aware of the serious shortcomings in his country in the economic sector, strongly advocated the creation of an investor friendly environment through simplified administrative procedures, but also through adjustments and harmonization in the legal framework. While centralization was certainly important for a range of issues, such as telecommunications, the energy sector, ecology, state border services etc, it was not the answer to all problems in the country. He also engaged to discuss bi-lateral issues with the Croatian Government in the near future.

Hans Koschnick, following the Steering Committee on Refugee Matters, held on 22nd of March (see separate minutes), spoke at the Council of Europe sponsored conference " Link Diversity", outlining his perspective of the state of displacement in the region and particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Kleinschmidt/28/3/2001