Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SARAJEVO1473
2006-06-30 12:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sarajevo
Cable title:
BOSNIA: HARRIERS HIT POLITICAL TARGET
how-toVZCZCXRO5995 RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHVJ #1473 1811235 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 301235Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3870 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUFNSKA/SIXTHFLTREP GAETA IT RUFOAOA/USNIC SARAJEVO RUFNSHH/AFSOUTH IT RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 001473
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR (DICARLO, FRIED, VOLKER),D (SMITH),P (BAME),
EUR/SCE (ENGLISH, SAINZ, FOOKS),NSC FOR BRAUN, USNIC FOR
WEBER, GREGORIAN, OSD FOR FLORY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2016
TAGS: MARR MASS PREL BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA: HARRIERS HIT POLITICAL TARGET
REF: SARAJEVO 1275
Classified By: Ambassador Douglas L. McElhaney for Reasons 1.4 (B) and
(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 001473
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR (DICARLO, FRIED, VOLKER),D (SMITH),P (BAME),
EUR/SCE (ENGLISH, SAINZ, FOOKS),NSC FOR BRAUN, USNIC FOR
WEBER, GREGORIAN, OSD FOR FLORY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2016
TAGS: MARR MASS PREL BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA: HARRIERS HIT POLITICAL TARGET
REF: SARAJEVO 1275
Classified By: Ambassador Douglas L. McElhaney for Reasons 1.4 (B) and
(D)
1. (SBU) Two U.S. AV-8B Harrier jump jets assigned to the
USS Iwo Jima visited Sarajevo on June 26 as part of a
coordinated Embassy-NATO HQ effort to increase the visibility
of U.S. bilateral engagement with Bosnia and Herzegovina
(BiH). The Ambassador and NATO HQ Commander Brigadier
General Weber offered short remarks highlighting the first
ever U.S. fighter jet visit as evidence of both a continued
U.S. commitment to Bosnian defense reform, and the U.S.
ability to quickly react to any crisis. Bosnian Defense
Minister Radovanovic, Chief of the Joint Staff Major General
Podzic, other invited guests, and the media enjoyed an
up-close view of the Harriers while on static display at the
Sarajevo International Airport. Afterward, the Harriers made
several low-speed passes of the city to provide the locals
with an eagerly awaited view of the jets in action.
2. (C) The Bosnia public understood the intended message
loud and clear: the U.S. remains engaged in BiH. All major
Bosnian media gave extensive and overwhelmingly positive
coverage to the visit. The three major Bosnian dailies
positively highlighted that the visit was U.S. recognition of
Bosnian progress on defense reform. Defense Minister
Radovanovic publicly stated that, in terms of military
diplomacy, the jets were an "extended hand of friendship."
In a private comment to the Embassy, BiH Parliament Deputy
Speaker Dzaferovic applauded the demonstration that the U.S.
military can "get here in minutes," saying that message was
well understood in the Republika Srpska as well as the
Federation.
3. (C) Summary: Judging from the enthusiastic public
reaction, the visit will contribute to mollifying public
(especially, but not exclusively, Bosniak) concerns about the
potential lessening of U.S. engagement in BiH. Building on
this initial success, similar displays of U.S. military
capabilities in other major Bosnian cities (specifically
Banja Luka and Mostar) during the months leading up to the
October elections would greatly dilute political rhetoric
aimed at pandering to nationalistic fears of vulnerability or
abandonment. End Summary.
4. (U) Our thanks to the USS Iwo Jima, the Sixth Fleet, and
Allied Joint Force Command Naples for making this possible.
MCELHANEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR (DICARLO, FRIED, VOLKER),D (SMITH),P (BAME),
EUR/SCE (ENGLISH, SAINZ, FOOKS),NSC FOR BRAUN, USNIC FOR
WEBER, GREGORIAN, OSD FOR FLORY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2016
TAGS: MARR MASS PREL BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA: HARRIERS HIT POLITICAL TARGET
REF: SARAJEVO 1275
Classified By: Ambassador Douglas L. McElhaney for Reasons 1.4 (B) and
(D)
1. (SBU) Two U.S. AV-8B Harrier jump jets assigned to the
USS Iwo Jima visited Sarajevo on June 26 as part of a
coordinated Embassy-NATO HQ effort to increase the visibility
of U.S. bilateral engagement with Bosnia and Herzegovina
(BiH). The Ambassador and NATO HQ Commander Brigadier
General Weber offered short remarks highlighting the first
ever U.S. fighter jet visit as evidence of both a continued
U.S. commitment to Bosnian defense reform, and the U.S.
ability to quickly react to any crisis. Bosnian Defense
Minister Radovanovic, Chief of the Joint Staff Major General
Podzic, other invited guests, and the media enjoyed an
up-close view of the Harriers while on static display at the
Sarajevo International Airport. Afterward, the Harriers made
several low-speed passes of the city to provide the locals
with an eagerly awaited view of the jets in action.
2. (C) The Bosnia public understood the intended message
loud and clear: the U.S. remains engaged in BiH. All major
Bosnian media gave extensive and overwhelmingly positive
coverage to the visit. The three major Bosnian dailies
positively highlighted that the visit was U.S. recognition of
Bosnian progress on defense reform. Defense Minister
Radovanovic publicly stated that, in terms of military
diplomacy, the jets were an "extended hand of friendship."
In a private comment to the Embassy, BiH Parliament Deputy
Speaker Dzaferovic applauded the demonstration that the U.S.
military can "get here in minutes," saying that message was
well understood in the Republika Srpska as well as the
Federation.
3. (C) Summary: Judging from the enthusiastic public
reaction, the visit will contribute to mollifying public
(especially, but not exclusively, Bosniak) concerns about the
potential lessening of U.S. engagement in BiH. Building on
this initial success, similar displays of U.S. military
capabilities in other major Bosnian cities (specifically
Banja Luka and Mostar) during the months leading up to the
October elections would greatly dilute political rhetoric
aimed at pandering to nationalistic fears of vulnerability or
abandonment. End Summary.
4. (U) Our thanks to the USS Iwo Jima, the Sixth Fleet, and
Allied Joint Force Command Naples for making this possible.
MCELHANEY