    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [May 29, 1996]
    [Pages 827-828]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Appointment of the Special Representative for Civilian
    Implementation in Bosnia
    May 29, 1996

        I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Richard Sklar as
    Special Representative of the President and the Secretary of State for
    Civilian Implementation in Bosnia. This appointment underscores that,
    with success in meeting the principal military tasks under the Dayton
    accords, we must give high priority now to making the peace irreversible
    by accelerating efforts to rebuild the political and economic fabric of
    Bosnian society.
        Mr. Sklar will be the senior U.S. official resident in Bosnia
    responsible for coordinating the work of all U.S. civilian agencies
    involved in the reconstruction effort, under the authority of the U.S.
    Ambassador to Bosnia. His responsibilities will encompass humanitarian
    assistance, economic revitalization and reconstruction, the resettlement
    of refugees, the conduct of elections, and strengthening of public
    security. He will also serve as liaison to his counterparts from other
    countries and the heads and staffs of all the international institutions
    engaged in civilian implementation activities.

    [[Page 828]]

        I can think of no one more qualified to spearhead this critically
    important endeavor than Richard Sklar. Mr. Sklar has had a distinguished
    35 year career in private and public sector management. Prior to
    accepting this appointment, he has served as president and chief
    operating officer of O'Brien-Kreizberg Inc. (OK), the oldest and largest
    ``pure'' project and construction management firm in the United States.
    OK is now managing over 100 major construction projects in the United
    States and abroad, from airports and rail systems to facilities for the
    Atlanta Olympics. Mr. Sklar served on the administration's transition
    team for the Agency for International Development during the
    administration's first 3 months, and then became a member of the Board
    of Directors of the Russian-American Enterprise Fund. He has continued
    to serve as an adviser to AID Administrator Brian Atwood and to Richard
    Morningstar, Coordinator for Assistance to the New Independent States.
    Mr. Sklar has built and led two businesses, both world leaders in the
    construction industry. In addition, he served in major public management
    roles for the city of San Francisco. Mr. Sklar was an officer in the
    U.S. Army artillery following his graduation as a mechanical engineer
    from Cornell University in 1956.
        I am deeply grateful that Mr. Sklar has accepted this appointment,
    and for his willingness to serve our Nation in helping to build an
    enduring peace in Bosnia.