BOSNIA- KOMSIC APOLOGIZES FOR WARTIME ATROCITIES

UNCLAS SARAJEVO 002086 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR (DICARLO),EUR/SCE (HOH, SILBERSTEIN, FOOKS, STINCHCOMB),S/WCI NSC FOR BRAUN DEFENSE FOR FATA, BEIN USNIC FOR WIGHTMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR BK SUBJECT: BOSNIA- KOMSIC APOLOGIZES FOR WARTIME ATROCITIES BY BOSNIAK ARMY ¶1. (SBU) On October 1, Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic acknowledged that individuals in the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ABiH),the Bosniak dominated force during the war, committed atrocities that must be punished. Speaking at a ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of founding of the 1st Corps of the ABiH, Komsic said that it was time "to be frank," and recognize that "crimes were committed against innocent civilians and defenseless enemies" in the name of the ABiH. Komsic told the audience, which consisted primarily of war veterans, that they could not "forget or forgive" these acts, and that only by punishing the guilty could the ABiH maintain its "honor." Komsic closed his remarks with a public apology, stating, "as the highest ranking ex-member of the 1st Corps, and on behalf of all honorable members of the Corps, I apologize to the families of those against whom dissenters committed crimes, and I hope that my apology will at least somewhat abate their pain and sorrow." COMMENT -------------- ¶2. (SBU) President Komsic, a Bosnian-Croat, is a veteran of the ABiH who earned its highest military decoration, the Golden Lily, for his heroism during the war. Komsic's remarks were, to our knowledge, the first time that a leading State or Federation official had publicly and directly apologized for war crimes committed by the ABiH during the war. It is difficult to imagine any other political leader in either entity making a similar statement. Komsic's choice of audience and venue for the speech was also an important signal that he intends to continue to make the prosecution of war crimes across ethnicities a cornerstone of his tenure in office. As Komsic and his staff have repeatedly told us, the President views himself as a new generation of Bosnian leader that can build his political resume on the war and its legacy for the positive purpose of promoting unity and justice. Unfortunately, the media did not give Komsic's remarks the attention they deserved. They were overshadowed by RS President Jelic's death in the RS and the police reform process in the Federation. End Comment. CEFKIN