PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release : 10 February 1998

ICG Publishes Report On Brcko Proposing Shared Jurisdiction Of Both Entities

The report, entitled Brcko: What Bosnia Could Be, is the third paper which ICG has published on Brcko. ICG hopes that this latest contribution may provide the starting point for the parties to the dispute to develop a common position to be submitted to the Arbitration Tribunal.

The long-delayed final outcome could have serious consequences. Awarding Brcko exclusively to either Republika Srpska or the Federation risks creating "winners" and "losers" and strengthening hard-liners in both entities.

Under the ICG proposal, there would be no "winners" or "losers". Instead, the entire pre-war municipality, including both Republika Srpska-held Brcko town and surrounding areas as well as territory under Federation control, would be placed under the shared jurisdiction of the two entities. Thus the two entities would overlap in Brcko.

In order for the three communities in the municipality to develop the necessary confidence to reintegrate, limited autonomy rights could be provided for the preservation and development of their respective cultural, educational and religious rights.

Retention of jurisdiction by the Arbitration Tribunal to adjust the award based on the conduct of the parties to the dispute will not be necessary if the international Supervisor's mandate is extended and will unnecessarily prolong uncertainties in the area. However, the award should include general principles for the constitution of the shared municipality, many of which are elaborated in the report.

While complex, this proposal has the advantage of setting precedents for co-operation between the entities. In addition, with such an outcome, the corridor linking the two parts of Republika Srpska, at present about 5 km at its narrowest point, will be enlarged to between 18 and 30 km.

See Full Report...

For further information contact ICG Brussels on +322-502-9038 or send e-mail here

The International Crisis Group is a private, multinational organisation created to reinforce the capacity and resolve of the international community to prevent crises arising from human causes. Members of the ICG board include former heads of state and government, foreign ministers, MPs and leading figures in business and the media. ICG is chaired by the former US Senate majority leader, George Mitchell.

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