BOSNIA - AMBASSADOR PRESSES USG LAW ENFORCEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SARAJEVO 001822 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR DICARLO, EUR/SCE, NSC FOR BRAUN, USNIC FOR WEBER E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER SENV HR BK SUBJECT: BOSNIA - AMBASSADOR PRESSES USG LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DEFENSE AGENDA WITH PM SPIRIC REF: A. SARAJEVO 1766 ¶B. SARAJEVO 1563 ¶C. SARAJEVO 1663 Classified By: Ambassador Douglas McElhaney for reasons 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Ambassador August 22 raised the issues of civil protection, our upcoming law enforcement agenda, defense reform, and the increase in nationalist rhetoric during an August 22 meeting with Council of Ministers (CoM) Chair Nikola Spiric. Using recent fires as an example, Ambassador highlighted the need for better internal and international cooperation to handle national emergencies. Ambassador made clear our equities in the upcoming selection of the next director of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) as well the need to adopt amendments to the SIPA law currently in front of the CoM. Ambassador urged prompt action on a defense property transfer agreement and discussed prospects for police reform as well an increase in divisive political rhetoric coming out of Banja Luka. End Summary Fires highlighted need for Civil Protection Reform -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador met with Prime Minister Nikola Spiric on August 22 for a wide-ranging discussion of bilateral and reform-related issues. Ambassador emphasized that the latest series of forest fires along the Bosnian/Croatian/Montenegrin border had highlighted the glaring lack of civil defense cooperation between the entities and with international partners, especially Croatia (Ref A). Spiric pointed out the effective emergency response role played by the Bosnian armed forces but acknowledged that politics hindered effective cooperation between entities. Spiric claimed his office (rather than the state-level civil protection department) was in constant contact with entity civil protection authorities to keep abreast of the fire situation. In order to prevent a repeat of the disaster next year, Ambassador encouraged Spiric to support draft legislation, prepared by NATO Sarajevo HQ, establishing a state-level coordination network (Ref A). Spiric claimed he would welcome legislation, such as NATO's draft Law on Protection and Rescue, that defines state level authorities. Spiric warned however that legislating formal transfers of competencies would open a divisive political battle. ¶3. (C) Spiric stated that protocols for bilateral emergency response cooperation with Croatia are in place but admitted that they had not been used effectively during the recent fires. Spiric was unhappy about the approach taken by Croatian PM Ivo Sanader who he accused of politicizing the disaster by sending him a letter soliciting information on the fire emergency with a copy to the EU in Brussels. Spiric claimed he responded immediately to Sanader in writing suggesting they meet but received no response. However, Spiric restated his willingness to meet at any time with Sanader as well as with his Serbian and Montenegrin counterparts to prepare a more coordinated fire response in the future. SIPA Director Selection Process -------------- ¶4. (C) Spiric and Ambassador discussed the upcoming selection process for a new State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) Director. Ambassador stressed that the CoM must ensure a transparent process based on professional policing criteria without regard to nationality. As the largest bilateral donor to SIPA, Ambassador expressed our keen interest in the selection process and asked that a US observer be present on the selection board. Ambassador told Spiric that the USG expects a highly qualified SIPA director with demonstrated management skills. The new Director must also be free of political influence with the independence to investigate even high-level politicians. Ambassador noted that several observers have cited Federation Police Director Zlatko Miletic as a law enforcement executive with such qualities. Legislative Agenda -------------- SARAJEVO 00001822 002 OF 002 ¶5. (C) Ambassador raised draft amendments to the Law on SIPA due to be reviewed by the CoM on August 23. The amendments would strengthen the authority of the SIPA Director and help the organization attract and retain personnel. Ambassador reminded Spiric that the U.S. Embassy worked closely with the Ministry of Security and the Office of the High Representative on the amendments and urged Spiric to approve them. Ambassador also raised pending amendments to the Law on the Foreigners Affairs Service and new draft of the Law on Movement and Stay of Aliens. The draft legislation would strengthen Bosnia's ability to monitor aliens residing in the country and remove those who pose a threat to public safety. Ambassador urged Spiric to ensure that these draft laws, recently submitted by the Ministry of Security, be placed expeditiously on the CoM agenda and adopted. Defense Property -------------- ¶6. (C) Turning to defense reform, the Ambassador noted that, although the process has been generally successful, Bosnia must now develop a formal defense property transfer agreement (Ref B). Ambassador emphasized the urgency of concluding such an agreement and raised the need for a Ministry of Defense (MoD) representative in the property transfer working groups. Spiric said his office had asked the MoD to nominate a working group representative and was waiting for a response. Prospects for Police Reform -------------- ¶7. (C) Ambassador raised High Representative Miroslav Lajcak,s initiative to break the police reform deadlock (Ref C). Spiric echoed RS views on the importance of local decision making in police work hinting at some opposition to plans for centralization. Ambassador reminded Spiric that in the course of two-year negotiations on police reform, RS PM Milorad Dodik has been presented with very favorable terms and a politically acceptable agreement is possible. Ambassador predicted that Lajcak will put pressure on all sides to reach a deal this time. Spiric declined to comment further and expressed his hope that a deal could be reached. Politics and Rhetoric -------------- ¶8. (C) Spiric complained that Bosniak politicians were currently taking their lead from Islamic Community Head Reisu-l-Ulema Mustafa effendi Ceric. Spiric asserted that the prominent role of the Reis in Bosniak politics showed Bosnia-Herzegovina to be a religious rather than secular state. Ambassador reminded Spiric of the political role played by leaders of all religious groups, including Catholic and Orthodox leaders. Ambassador expressed his strong disappointment at Dodik's recent divisive nationalist rhetoric, particularly regarding Kosovo final status. Spiric recalled his efforts over the last seven months to calm political rhetoric and promote dialogue. Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) Spiric seemed amenable to several of our requests, including a U.S. observer on the SIPA Director Selection Board and support for SIPA and immigration-related legislation. His comments on police reform suggest SNSD will be looking for additional concessions from OHR during the renewed push for an agreement in September. Spiric's support of a civil protection law that does not involve any transfer of competencies is in line with Dodik's current push to stall or reverse transfers of competencies from entities to the state. Spiric was regrettably unconcerned with Bosnia's abysmal response to the recent fires. Although prospects for active inter-entity civil defense cooperation is a long way off, meaningful bilateral cooperation with Croatia must be a near-term priority to ensure regional security. End Comment MCELHANEY