Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SARAJEVO117
2007-01-18 09:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Sarajevo
Cable title:  

BOSNIA: MEASURED REACTIONS TO KOSTUNICA AND

Tags:  BK PREL UNMIK YI SR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1168
PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHVJ #0117 0180943
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 180943Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5253
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUFOAOA/USNIC SARAJEVO
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 000117 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2017
TAGS: BK PREL UNMIK YI SR
SUBJECT: BOSNIA: MEASURED REACTIONS TO KOSTUNICA AND
DRASKOVIC STATEMENTS

Classified By: Ambassador Douglas McElhaney. Reasons 1.4 (b),(d).

Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 000117

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2017
TAGS: BK PREL UNMIK YI SR
SUBJECT: BOSNIA: MEASURED REACTIONS TO KOSTUNICA AND
DRASKOVIC STATEMENTS

Classified By: Ambassador Douglas McElhaney. Reasons 1.4 (b),(d).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) Recent comments attributed to Serbian officials,
including Premier Vojislav Kostunica and Foreign Minister Vuk
Draskovic, linking Kosovo with the status of the Republika
Srpska add fuel to the constant drumbeat of statements from
Srpska PM Dodik about a referedum for Srpska independence.
The response of Bosian politicians until now has been muted.
An upoming visit by PM Kostunica to Republika Srpska ma
present an opportunity for both Dodik and Kostuica to
continue push the envelope in linking Kosovo and RS status.
We should discourage both from doing so. End Summary.


2. (SBU) RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik traveled to
Belgrade over the weekend to celebrate Orthodox New Year,
reportedly at the invitation of Serbian Premier Vojislav
Kostunica. At an election rally on January 12, Kostunica was
quoted in Bosnian dailies as highlighting Dodik's visit as an
example of the "single cultural and ethnic space" occupied by
Serbia and the RS "regardless of official or unofficial
views." Kostunica reportedly went on to state that if Serbia
"abandons the right to Kosovo, we would also abandon the
right to defend and protect the RS as an independent part of
Bosnia and Herzegovina." Kostunica's reference to the RS
notably incorporated the use of the word "samostalan" meaning
independent or autonomous. Kostunica's statement has been
interpreted by many Bosnian commentators as linking a Serbian
concession on Kosovo independence to relinquishing its
ability to support independence aspirations in the RS; both
similarly damaging to pan-Serb interests.


3. (U) Comments by Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic
also received prominent press coverage in Bosnia. Following
a meeting with Swedish FM and former High Representative Carl
Bildt, Draskovic was quoted in Bosnian papers as stating that
citizens in the RS "will have the right to self-determination
and independence in case the UNSC approves the same request
by Kosovo Albanians."


4. (U) In Bosnia, reactions to the Kostunica and Draskovic
statements divided predictably along entity lines. Bosniak
Presidency member Haris Silajdzic characterized the comments
as "microphone aggression that will never succeed," adding
that "Bosnia will not be destroyed" and will "remain within
its current borders." In an extensive January 12 interview
in the news magazine DANI, Silajdzic limited his comments on
the issue to stating that "our neighbor is linking the Kosovo
issue to one part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republika
Srpska entity, quite openly, at the top level." Asked for
his reaction to the Kostunica address, Nebojsa Radmanovic,
Serb Chairman of the Tri-Presidency, characterized it as an
"unofficial statement," and refused comment. Serb Minister
of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic also had no official
reaction. In a telephone interview Croat Presidency member
Zeljko Komsic said that the Draskovic statements represent a
clear interference into Bosnia's internal affairs that "will
certainly have an effect on our bilateral relations."


5. (U) In an interview with Croatia-based daily Vecernji List
Milorad Dodik, who has come close to advocating RS
independence "under certain circumstances," avoided direct
reference to the comments by Serbian officials. Asked about
the impact of Kosovo status negotiations on Bosnia, Dodik
stated that "nothing spectacular will happen and there won't
be any kind of revolution" but added that the recognition of
Kosovo independence would create a "new political logic in
the region." Media outlets in the Republika Srpska have
downplayed the remarks by Serbian leaders and, to date, other
RS government officials have not responded in public
comments.

Comment
--------------


6. (C) When Kostunica visits the RS January 18 and 19 (he is
not visiting the national capital of Sarajevo, a slap in the
face to Bosnia and Herzegovina leadership) he and PM Dodik
could well turn up the rhetorical heat. Ambassador intends
to strongly discourage Dodik from talking about referenda in
the RS when he sees him next week. As done previously, it
would be useful to remind Kostunica et al to stay away from
invidious (RS/Kosovo) comparisons during his presence on BiH
territory. End Comment.
MCELHANEY