15. Srebrenica: The Council, while noting the efforts of the Interim Executive Board, expresses its profound disappointment that the results of the 1997 municipal elections have not been implemented in the Srebrenica municipality.The Council notes recent efforts of the authorities of the Republika Srpska to resolve this matter, and insists upon the immediate formation of a multi-ethnic authority in Srebrenica in accordance with the 1997 election results.The Council invites the High Representative and the OSCE Head of Mission to make recommendations to the PlC Steering Board if this is not achieved by 31 January 1999.

16. The Council calls for political parties to be accountable to the public and to adopt internal democratic procedures and the financing of political parties to be regulated in a transparent manner in the election law.

17. Dual Citizenship: The Council calls upon Bosnia and Herzegovina to conclude bilateral citizenship agreements particularly with neighboring countries, which shall address, inter alia, voting rights.

The urgency of this matter is reflected in the BiH Citizenship Law which requires that the BiH Council of Ministers proposes to the Presidency to conclude bilateral agreements with neighboring countries by July 1, 1998. The Council urges the relevant BiH Governmental authorities to conclude such agreements, with the High Representative's assistance, as soon as possible, but no later than by June 30, 1999.

Media Reform

18. A politically-controlled media helped to start the war.A free and open media will help to keep the peace. Media reform is therefore vital to the creation of a self- sustaining peace.

19. The Council regards the successful development of a more pluralistic media in BiH as one of the most encouraging developments of the last year. Political control of the media in both entities has been dramatically reduced; and the creation of an open, free media environment based on professional journalistic standards is well underway.

20. The Council warmly congratulates the High Representative for the pivotal role he has played in this process, by driving through reforms which have removed direct political control of the main television networks and prepared the ground for genuine public service broadcasting. The Council also congratulates the OSCE for its role in this process through the efforts of the Media Experts Commission (MEC) over the last two years. The Council welcomes the successful establishment of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), in accordance with the Bonn PlC Conclusions, and subsequent deliberations and rulings issued by the IMC. The Council recognizes the authority of the IMC to impose sanctions, ranging from warnings to the closing down of broadcasters, in accordance with the IMC Broadcasting Code of Practice.

The Council calls on member states to fully support the transfer of MEC responsibilities from the OSCE to the IMC and to provide appropriate financial, technical and personnel support.

21. The Council supports the reform of public broadcasting pursued by the High Representative. In 1999, it calls for:

• the adoption of legislation in both Entities which enshrines the principles of

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