BOSNIA's three co presidents agreed with world powers yesterday on a detailed plan to stabilise the fragile peace in the former Yugoslav republic. The two year plan is a condition for continuing international aid.
At the three hour meeting in Paris, the United States warned Bosnia's factions they faced United Nations sanctions if they nil to restore freedom of movement; in the ethnically divided country.
The accord, approved at the meeting, provides a transitional period to make the peace - negotiated one year ago in Dayton, Ohio - self sustaining and to build joint institutions, a functioning economy and a more normal life for Bosnians.
The French Foreign Minister, Mr Herve de Charette, who cochaired the conference, said it had adopted "a contract between the leaders of Bosnia Herzegovina and the international community" in which world aid was conditional on compliance.
"We will respect this contract strictly ... but it is first and foremost the leaders of Bosnia Herzegovina who must fully accept their responsibility," he told a news conference.
The co presidents - Muslim, Mr Alija Izetbegovic; Serb, Mr Momcilo Krajisnik, and Croat, Mr Kresimir Zubak - pledged to complete Bosnia's joint institutions "as soon as possible" and accepted a 13 point plan to fully implement the Dayton accord.
It commits them to allow freedom of movement, facilitate the return of refugees, co operate with the international war crimes tribunal and increase democracy and press freedom.
Without committing the international community to keep a military presence when the mandate of the peace implementation force (Ifor) expires next month, the document said: "Recognising the fundamental importance of a secure environment to the task of civilian implementation, the participants welcomed the ongoing study by NATO members in co operation with other states participating in Ifor of options dealing with the evolving situation."
The international mediator, Mr Carl Bildt, said the peace process was "not yet self sustaining" and a successor force must stay for the entire two year consolidation period.