Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SARAJEVO3089
2006-12-06 10:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Sarajevo
Cable title:  

MILORAD DODIK RECONFIRMED AS RS PREMIER

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL BK 
pdf how-to read a cable
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PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHVJ #3089/01 3401037
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 061037Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4990
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SARAJEVO 003089 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BK
SUBJECT: MILORAD DODIK RECONFIRMED AS RS PREMIER


SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SARAJEVO 003089

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BK
SUBJECT: MILORAD DODIK RECONFIRMED AS RS PREMIER


SUMMARY
--------------

1. (SBU) Milorad Dodik was confirmed for his third term as
Republika Srpska (RS) Premier by the RS National Assembly
November 30. Both in personnel and policy matters, Dodik,s
new RS Government will differ little from his previous
cabinet. Eleven of sixteen ministers have retained their
posts, while the populist government program, rich with
infrastructure investments, differs little from the agenda he
introduced when he took office in February 2006. In his
address to the RSNA prior to the confirmation vote, Dodik
confirmed openness for police reform and for improved
functionality of state institutions, but insisted that the
position and the institutions of the RS be respected. Dodik
repeated a warning that if there were attempts to abolish the
RS, he would call for a referendum on its status. END
SUMMARY.

DODIK RE-CONFIRMED BY AN OVERWHELMING VOTE
--------------

2. (SBU) Following a one-hour speech in which Milorad Dodik
presented both his proposed ministers and his plans for
governing, both Dodik and his slate were confirmed by RS
National Assembly votes. The 60-vote majorities which both
Dodik and his cabinet received constituted 18 votes more than
the simple majorities necessary for confirmation, and
included majorites among RSNA MPs from all of Bosnia and
Herzegoina's three constituent peoples. Dodik,s
governent, including his own Alliance of Independent Socal
Democrats (SNSD, 41 RSNA seats),the Party ofDemocratic
Progress (PDP, 8 RSNA seats),the Socialist Party (SP, 3 RSNA
seats),and the Democratic People,s Union (DNS, 3 RSNA
seats),as well as the Bosniak parties, the Party of
Democratic Action (SDA, 3 RSNA seats) and Party for BiH
(SBiH, 3 RSNA seats). Capsule biographies of Dodik and the
members of his new cabinet will be reported septel.

GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES LARGELY UNCHANGED
--------------

3. (SBU) In a speech presenting his government's plans, Dodik
continued to promote an agenda that is both populist and
pro-business. Emphasizing that his government's efforts had
led both to higher wages and pensions and to increased
employment and stock market activity, he promised continued
work to stabilize both the business and the social

environment. On the business front, Dodik remained committed
to expanding the private sector, through continued
privatization and stimulating foreign investment. Dodik
again promised increased investment in infrastructure, such
as roads and hospitals, based at least in part on
privatization revenues. (NOTE: Dodik has already delivered
on one of his campaign promises. Earlier this week, the RSNA
passed a draft RS Budget for 2007 that includes eight per
cent pay increases for state workers. END NOTE.)


4. (SBU) As with the economy, Dodik restated his goals for
the fight against crime and corruption. Cooperation with
ICTY was the first issue Dodik mentioned when addressing the
responsibilities of the RS Police, saying it was ¬ just a
legal obligation8 for all organs in the RS. As for the
fight against organized crime and corruption, Dodik argued
that the Office of the RS Special Prosecutor and
privatization review would both show results in the course of
this four-year term.

OPEN TO REFORM, BUT GUARDING RS PREROGATIVES
--------------

5. (SBU) During his speech, Dodik spoke of ongoing
state-level reform projects, combining words of support with
words of caution. Dodik said that he supported police
reform, but insisted that reform be achieved through
agreement and not imposed. He asserted that there was room
for the RS Police within the three EC police reform
principles. Dodik also expressed support for constitutional
reform, both for the March package of reforms, as well as for
participation in a second round of talks on lower levels of
government. He noted that while his priority in such talks
would be preservation of the RS as a federal unit within
Bosnia, decisions about organization within the Federation of
Bosnia and Herzegovina should be left to its leaders.
Departing from his prepared text, Dodik restated a warning
that if there was an attempt to abolish the RS, he was
prepared to ask the RS people to express their will on its
status in a referendum.

GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION, REPRESENTATION ABROAD
-------------- -

6. (SBU) While most of Dodik,s plans are continuations of
old priorities, there were at least two new wrinkles. Citing
the importance of energy projects for the future of the RS,
Dodik proposed that the energy portfolio be separated from

SARAJEVO 00003089 002 OF 002


the economy portfolio to become the competency of a new RS
Ministry of Energy. Sources n the RS Government said that
this decision woul be accompanied by a reshuffle of other
portfolios, so that the total number of ministries in the RS
Government would not increase from the current sixteen.
Dodik also said that improving the image of the RS abroad was
a priority of his next term. To this end he pledged to open
RS representative offices in both Washington and Brussels.
These offices, according to Dodik, would not serve a protocol
function but rather be engaged in issues like trade and
tourism. The RS currently has representative offices in
several capitals, including Moscow, Berlin, Belgrade and
Athens.

COMMENT
--------------

7. (SBU) It is not a surprise that Dodik,s team and
government program are little changed from those that led to
his victory at the polls October 1. The very size and scope
of this victory, however, will lead to changes in the tone
and tempo of the Dodik government. Given his margin of
support among RS voters, Dodik is all the more likely to
continue to insist, for instance, on police reform by
consensus. Moreover, with the commanding majority his
coalition now controls in the RSNA, his RS legislative agenda
is likely to face few, if any, significant hurdles. END
COMMENT.
CEFKIN