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BRČKO – Supervisor for Brčko, Raffi Gregorian, banned yesterday the payment of salaries to the officials of the Government and the Parliament of the District, because the MPs, even after six days did not manage to adopt the budget for the next year.

As it was communicated from the OHR, Gregorian did it because of delay in proposing and adoption of budget, which the MPs, according to the District Statutes, had to adopt by the December 1st.

As far as it is known, this is the first such move of a representative of the International Community since the end of the war.

The District Assembly, which on November 28 started the discussion on the budget, which amounts to 202 million marks, is in session for six days now.

Nevertheless, his order might be just formal, since it is expected that the budget is almost for certain adopted by December 10, when the salaries are being paid in the District bodies anyway.

Meantime, the OHR communicated that the ban will be in force for as long as it takes for the budget to be adopted by the Assembly.

"Timely adoption of budget is one of the most important tasks and duties in order to achieve the financial stability and maintain the economic sustainability, and also to maintain democracy in economy and finances", points the press release.

Anyway, the District Assembly, which on November 28 started the discussion on the budget, which amounts to 202 million marks, is in session for six days now. Out of 800 submitted amendments, close to 200 were submitted by the Mayor Mirsad Đapo. Until yesterday, the Assembly managed to discuss only just over 200 of them.

The Government understood this move of the Supervisor as a warning, but they refrained from commenting.

Izet Banda, the chief of the SDP caucus, the strongest party in the Parliament, deems Gregorian’s move justified, and he added that it was yet to be seen whether it would smarten the MPs.

"This should be a serious signal to the Government as well that to all, and especially this demanding affairs such as budget, it must approach in a more timely manner and with more accountability", said Banda.

Some of the MPs, who did not want to make a public statement on the issue, deem that this Gregorian’s move is "a demonstration of force and feebleness", because they believe that the budget will be adopted in a few days and that his decision is – nonsensical.