Project Bosnia

The Vision An Internet-based legal system for Bosnia fostering a rule of law, promoting a civil society

Rationale F Legal institutions must exchange information, but –no libraries –few printing presses F Compensate by building Internet-based legal infrastructure F Internet and already symbol of freedom F Infrastructure is infrastructure –strengthen free press –improve efficiency of government –broaden citizen participation –improve markets

Constitutional Court/ Ombudsman/elections Internet Judge 3 Judge 1Judge 2Attorney Clerk Defendant VULSCEELI Czech, Hungarian, Slovak, Russian Cts. Server Ombudsman H.Rts. Orgs. OSCE voting kiosk

What’s left to be done?

Internet Service Providers in Bosnia terminal server router modem pool & dial-up lines Internet Service Provider (ISP) cellular or terrestrial public telephone system Internet clients account?

Making the vision real F Get PCs in the hands of judges, legislators, lawyers, law students, journalists and NGOs –collect PCs in the U.S. –identify recipients & ship to Bosnia –mobilize other sources, e.g. World Bank, USIS F Connect PCs –get adequate telephone connections –build Internet service providers (ISPs) F Technology is not enough

Accomplishments F Enlisted support from Bosnian and U.S. government officials F Acquired Pentiums for Constitutional Court and Ombudsman; connecting to Intranet server now F Wrote software for Constitutional Court F Arranged for dialup Internet service F Shipped and configured 35 donated computers F Framed elements of telecommunications policy F Began dialogue on open government/Freedom of Information

Accomplishments - continued F Matched USG sources of support with Bosnian recipients –legal institutions –entrepreneurs F Recruited and screened Bosnian entrepreneurs for startup ISPs F Organized externship programs (2 in Spring 1997) F Sent two law students as election monitors

Next steps F Identify second ISP –“Project Bosnia server” –PTT? –Private? F Get accounts established F Continue to build legal content