BOSNIA- AMBASSADOR REACHES OUT TO RADMANOVIC ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 002261 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR(DICARLO),EUR/SCE(FOOKS/STINCHCOMB); NSC FOR BRAUN; OSD FOR BEIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR EU BK SUBJECT: BOSNIA- AMBASSADOR REACHES OUT TO RADMANOVIC ON CRISIS REF: A. SARAJEVO 2252 ¶B. SARAJEVO 2237 ¶C. SARAJEVO 2236 Classified By: Ambassador Charles English for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The Ambassador spoke with Bosnian Serb member of the Tri-Presidency Nebosja Radmanovic October 24 to make clear that recent rhetoric and actions by RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik were leading the RS into a direct and serious confrontation with the international community and the United States. The Ambassador requested that Radmanovic use his influence to moderate the situation. Radmanovic said that the RS leadership did not expect that the High Representative Mirolsav Lajcak would change his decisions, but "a serious legal explanation" of the measures was necessary to allow Dodik the space to walk back the confrontation. Radmanovic pledged to continue discussions with the Ambassador in an effort to find a way out of the crisis. End Summary. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador spoke with Bosnian Serb member of the Tri-Presidency Nebojsa Radmanovic October 24 to request his assistance in backing the Republika Srpska away from an open confrontation with the international community and the United States. The Ambassador again told President Radmanovic that RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik's recent statements and actions risked a serious and severe reaction from the United States that would only isolate the RS. The Ambassador took particular issue with Dodik's most recent assertions questioning Bosnia's continued existence as a state, and noted that such rhetoric could lead "to the most serious threat to Bosnia since the end of the war." The Ambassador told Radmanovic that he expected him to "lead decisively" and use his moderating influence "to help Dodik walk back from the edge." ¶3. (C) Radmanovic responded that he had been expecting such a call from the Ambassador, and that "steps must be taken to ease the confrontation." Radmanovic said that the RS leadership knew that the High Representative's decisions could not be changed, but OHR needed to provide space for Dodik to back down from his rhetoric. Radmanovic said that the High Representative still had not provided its "serious legal interpretation of the measures," as Lajcak had promised Dodik, adding that hopefully this explanation would diffuse the situation. Radmanovic said that Dodik needed the explanation from OHR "by the close of the week." (Note. We understand that OHR is to deliver the explanation this morning. End Note.) ¶4. (C) The Ambassador noted that Dodik's rhetoric was a disproportionate to the alleged offense. The High Representative along with the international community is seeking to make state institutions function and Dodik has made veiled threats of secession and threatened to cripple the work of state institutions. Radmanovic agreed that Dodik had gone too far, and seemed to make statements "out of rage" though "they are not directed at our friend, the United States." Radmanovic said that Dodik is "an explosive person who says too much," but also has to deal with radical elements in his own party. Radmanovic told the Ambassador that he thought Dodik was actually working to control "radical NGOs and interests" in the RS. In closing, Radmanovic said he "fully understood the message" and pledged to work to moderate the current tensions. Radmanovic agreed that he and the Ambassador should be in communication for the next couple of days to see where they could "work together." ENGLISH