AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

UNCLAS SARAJEVO 002160 SIPDIS SIPDIS EUR FOR DICARLO, EUR/SCE (HOH, FOOKS, STINCHCOMB),S/WCI (WILLIAMSON, LAVINE); NSC FOR BRAUN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV BK SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS REF: SARAJEVO 2086 ¶1. (U) Ambassador Charles English presented his credentials yesterday to the BiH government. After first meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chief of Protocol, the Ambassador presented his credentials to Zejlko Komsic, Chairman and Croat member of the Tri Presidency, during a formal ceremony. In his remarks, Komsic stressed the special position of trust the U.S. retains in Bosnia and Bosnia's commitment to pursuing Euro-Atlantic integration. He also noted that, as a multi-ethnic country, the U.S. is a model for what Bosnia aspires to become. ¶2. (U) The Ambassador, in turn, emphasized the U.S. commitment to continued robust engagement in Bosnia, noting that Bosnia is at a crossroads, and that Bosnia's leaders must now make critical choices and demonstrate the ability to compromise. He pledged U.S. support for leaders who are committed to advancing a forward-looking vision of the country, and stressed the importance of reconciliation. The Ambassador praised Komsic for recent statements acknowledging atrocities committed by the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war (reftel). The Ambassador expressed hope that other top political leaders would follow Komsic,s lead. ENGLISH