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