In a very friendly atmosphere, the two officials discussed current issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the presentation made by the High Representative to the U.N. Security Council and subsequent debate in the Council earlier in the day.

The topics that the High Representative and the U.N. Secretary General discussed included the attempt by BiH Croat hardliners to establish Croat self-rule in BiH and legitimate concerns of BiH Croats; the economic situation in BiH and need for economic reforms; refugee returns; the Special Relations Agreement between Republika Srpska and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; the progress made in the Brcko District; the EU proposal that the High Representative review current international civil implementation structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and the situation in Srebrenica.

Secretary General Kofi Annan expressed great interest in the situation in BiH. He was particularly interested to hear details of the international Action Plan for Srebrenica and the High Representative’s efforts to establish a cemetery and monument in this place.

The Secretary General expressed his full support for the work and priorities of the High Representative.