Vol. 470 No. 8
41 Mr. O'Malley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the outcome of the recent unsatisfactory election in Bosnia is likely to have the effect of copper-fastening the partition of that country into three separate ethnic areas; his views on whether this is satisfactory; and if not, the steps, if any, he proposes to take to ensure that Bosnia is reunited as a multi-ethnic society. [20078/96]
49 Mr. O'Malley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he has taken and proposes to take as President of the Council of Ministers in connection with the current situation in Bosnia, in particular the failure for many months of IFOR and the other international authorities to arrest any of the persons indicted for war crimes by the International Tribunal of the Hague, which has resulted in the resignation in protest at this inactivity by the Chief Prosecutor, Judge Goldstone. [20077/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 49 together. The primary objective of EU and Irish Government policy in relation to Bosnia and Hercegovina is to ensure the continuing existence of that country as a single multi-ethnic and democratic State in its internationally recognized borders, consisting of two entities; and founded on respect for the human person and the rule of law. With this objective in mind, the European Union continues to fully support the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Hercegovina as the basis for lasting peace and self-sustaining stability in that country. The Union, and the Government, will continue to insist on full implementation by all parties of the terms of the Agreement.
The elections of 14 September represented an important step in the process of implementation of the agreement, and they were welcomed as such by the EU. While conditions for those elections were not ideal, they were conducted in a reasonably democratic manner and the electoral process, and the results, have been validated by the OSCE. These polls are important in that they pave the way for the full implementation of the new Constitution of the State of Bosnia and Hercegovina — a constitution which necessitates genuine power-sharing between the main ethnic groups in Bosnia and Hercegovina and which provides a framework for integration rather than separation. The EU fully supports the strategy of the High Representative, Mr. Carl Bildt, in his efforts on behalf of the international community to facilitate the establishment of the power-sharing institutions of the country. All three members of the collective Presidency have now signed the Solemn Declaration of allegiance to the Bosnian Constitution, and are participating in the meetings of the Presidency, where the formation of the national institutions, in particular the Council of Ministers, is under discussion. The Union is determined to continue to make a significant contribution to the development of lasting peace and stability in Bosnia and Hercegovina and is committed to a strategy aimed at consolidating the peace process over a two-year period. A marked improvement in co-operation by the parties with the International Criminal Tribunal is a key priority for the EU in this context.
