A LETTER TO BH OFFICIALS
Depolitisation of the Police Forces in BH

Dear Sirs,
As one of the actors of civic society, strongly commited to realise the aims of the Pact for Stability of Southeast Europe, I use this occasion to express the commitement of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I am convinced of a significant number of other non-governmental organisations, to contribute, in line with our possibilities, to the consistent and timely implementation of all the issues agreed upon at the Sarajevo Summitt.
I am free to propose to you to do all, in accordance with the principles of the Stability Pact, and within the domain of your competence and authority, to depolitise the composition of the police forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Helsinki Committee proposes that the steps be undertaken in order that the members of the police forces, excepting the Minister and Deputy Minister, be renounced from the political parties. This would make preconditions for such composition of the police which can correspond to the high european standards.
Assured that this suggestion will meet your understanding and concrete assistance I remain,

Sincerely yours,

Srdjan Dizdarevic
President of the Helsinki Committee
for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina

01-08A/99
Sarajevo, 3 August,1999

Sent to:
Mr Ante Jelavic, Chairman of the BH Presidency
Mr Alija Izetbegovic, Member of the BH Presidency
Mr Zivko Radisic, Member of the BH Presidency
Mr Edhem Bicakcic, Prime Minister of the BH Federation
Mr Milorad Dodik, Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska
MR Sredoje Novic, Minister of Interior of the Republic of Srpska
Mr Mehmed Zilic, Minister of Interior of the BH Federation

c.c.:
Mr Martti Ahtisaari, Chairman of European Union
Mr Robert Barry, OSCE Regional Co-ordinator
Mr Bodo Hombach, Special Co-ordinator for Pact