US diplomat, Bosnian administrator meet to discuss the area's future

US diplomat, Bosnian administrator meet to discuss the area's future
The Associated Press
Published: January 30, 2007

WASHINGTON: The situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Balkan region should be reviewed fully before the steering board of the Peace Implementation Council meets next month to discuss the country's future, U.S. and Bosnian officials said Tuesday.
Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns and Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling, the high representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina met to discuss the region and the future of Schwarz-Schilling's office.
Spokesman Sean McCormick said in a statement that the two discussed the need for Bosnia's new government "to set aside the divisive nationalist rhetoric that characterized the election period and to move rapidly on the reforms needed ..., particularly police and constitutional reform."
An overall review is necessary for the council's steering board meeting, which will decide whether the high representative system will continue, McCormick said.
The council comprises more than 40 countries and international organizations who oversee the peace conditions that followed the 1992-95 ethnic wars the Bosnia area.

Before he left Sarajevo on his trip, Schwarz-Schilling, a German, went on record that an international administrator should be maintained, with powers to impose laws and fire obstructive local politicians. He said, however, that he will not serve beyond June.