An international body overseeing Bosnia's peace after the 1992-95 war on Thursday delayed a decision until February on ending the country's status as an international protectorate.

The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) said on Thursday that Bosnia's leaders had repeatedly failed to fulfil conditions set for the closure of the Office of international High Representative (OHR) and enable its transition into an EU representative office.

EU and U.S. diplomats have engaged in shuttle diplomacy since early October to try to persuade Serb, Muslim and Croat leaders to overcome their differences and agree on a minimum constitutional reform package needed for EU integration.

"The only success that has been made can be attributed to the OHR engagement," Inzko told reporters, referring to his office's technical assistance in surveying state property, one of the conditions for the OHR closure.

Separatist Bosnian Serbs want the OHR shut down. But the Muslims and Croats want it to remain until safety mechanisms are installed in the constitution that would prevent the possible secession of the Serb Republic from Bosnia.


Reuters