Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We would like to thank Ambassador Barry for being with us today, and yesterday, and briefing us so comprehensively on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The United States condemns the March 3 declaration of the HDZ-led Croat National Assembly, creating a so-called interim Croat self-government. This was in violation of the constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Dayton and Washington Peace Agreements.

The United States joins the International Community in supporting the decision by High Representative for Bosnia Wolfgang Petritsch to dismiss from office Ante Jelavic, the Bosnian Croat member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to dismiss or ban from public office three other Bosnian Croats.

The High Representative's decision is an appropriate response to the extra-constitutional actions taken by Mr. Jelavic and the other extremist elements of the political party that he led.

As Ambassador Barry just stated, the High Representative's decision is not aimed at the Croat people, but at extremists who reject legal institutions and processes in order to promote their own self-interest over the interests of the Bosnian Croats.

The United States supports the efforts of the High Representative and the International Community to bring democracy and the rule of law to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has functioning political institutions in which all constituent peoples, including Croats, can participate. The International Community is prepared to work with all reasonable political groups to assist those institutions.

The countries in the Peace Implementation Council believe the Alliance for Change represents a real alternative to the radical nationalism of the past. We encourage the Alliance to undertake reforms to benefit the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the enactment of an election law.

We also call on international organizations, and the OSCE Mission in particular, to offer assistance to build the capacity of committees in the parliaments, and we note with pleasure the development of the Parliamentary Support Project.

The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina have suffered greatly from nationalist extremism and ethnic separatism. The way forward is not toward more rancor and division, but toward cooperation and unity.

We would like, once again, to commend the Mission on its work, particularly in regard to property repossession, as well as the work done on anti-corruption issues.

We also note that the UN and Bosnia police have just conducted the largest series of raids thus far, shutting down 38 brothels throughout the country and freeing 177 trafficked women. This operation was an important demonstration of the Inter-Entity Task Force's commitment and capability.

We call on International Organizations and the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure the protection of these women. As law enforcement agencies plan subsequent raids, we also call on the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to introduce, as soon as possible, comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation - as agreed to at the Vienna Ministerial last November - to ensure that the punishment fits the crime.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, as this is Ambassador Barry’s last appearance before the Permanent Council, we also would like to thank him for his groundbreaking work over a wide range of issues. His leadership of the Mission and its work has been nothing short of superb. We believe it sets a sterling example of what the OSCE can do in the field and we will certainly miss his presence here in the Permanent Council and his crystal clear presentations.

Thank you, Ambassador Barry.