BOSNIA - DODIK SEEKS AMBASSADOR'S HELP WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 002266 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 - DODIK SEEKS AMBASSADOR'S HELP WITH RESOLVING CURRENT CRISIS REF: A. SARAJEVO 2252 ¶B. SARAJEVO 2237 ¶C. SARAJEVO 2236 Classified By: Ambassador Charles English. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Republika Srpska (RS) PM Milorad Dodik called the Ambassador on October 24 to ask for help finding a positive resolution to the confrontation between the RS and the international community over the measures announced by the HighRep on October 19. Dodik outlined his concerns about the measures, explaining that he was seeking an opportunity to work with OHR to modify them. If the HighRep refused to modify his decisions, RS National Assembly would pass "serious" measures during its October 29 special session. The Ambassador urged Dodik to analyze carefully the OHR legal interpretation of the decisions, which he would receive on October 24, and to refrain from making further inflammatory statements in the press. END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) RS PM Dodik called the Ambassador on October 24 to ask for help resolving his current confrontation with HighRep Lajcak over measures the HighRep announced on October 19. (Note: The measures are designed to facilitate decision-making in state-level executive and legislative institutions. End Note) Dodik outlined his concerns about the HighRep's actions, including claims that they were unconstitutional, in violation of Dayton, and would allow Bosniaks to "outvote" Serbs in state-level structures. Dodik claimed that HighRep Miroslav Lajcak promised him a legal interpretation of the October 19 decisions and an opportunity to help modify them to make them more palatable to the RS. Dodik claimed he could not accept the decisions as written and complained that he had not received the promised legal interpretation (Note: OHR tells us that Dodik will have this document this afternoon. End Note) Dodik finds it unacceptable to have laws and measures imposed and said the RS is drafting a counter proposal. ¶3. (C) Dodik admitted "some radical press statements have been made," but argued nothing beyond democratic norms had been said, adding that he personally was working with colleagues to calm the situation. As an example, Dodik cited what he claims was a successful attempt to persuade the RSNA to postpone its special session until Monday, October 29. Dodik warned that if the HighRep's decisions are not modified by then, the RSNA will pass "some serious decisions." (Note: Dodik did not elaborate on what those measures might be, but in interviews over the last 24 hours, he has warned the RSNA would support the resignation of RS officials from state government, call for the abolition of the Bonn Powers, and begin the process of reclaiming competencies transferred to the state. End Note) Dodik claimed that he lacks the authority to head off RSNA measures, if the HighRep does not modify his October 19 measures. Nonetheless, Dodik assured the Ambassador that the RS will remain peaceful. Dodik offered to be available at any time for any agreements, and he asked the Ambassador to use his influence with the HighRep. Dodik says he called SBiH President Haris Silajdzic, SDA President Sulejman Tihic (who would not take his call) and HDZ-BiH President Dragan Covic to discuss the current crisis and discuss possible solutions. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador thanked Dodik for his efforts to engage in dialogue and pledged to be available any time to talk. The Ambassador said that OHR's legal interpretation would provide both sides the opportunity to discuss rationally the situation in terms of facts and law. After reviewing the document, Dodik could engage in a dialogue with OHR where he thought the HighRep's actions were not in accordance with Dayton. Ambassador told Dodik to stop making inflammatory statements in the press, noting that Dodik's statements questioning the existence of Bosnia could lead Western partners to conclude that Dodik's goal was to separate the RS from Bosnia. The Ambassador added that statements threatening to withdraw state-level competencies for the army, judiciary, and tax system undercut key successes of the last several years. The Ambassador recommended that Dodik tell the media he wants a constructive dialogue and is seeking a positive resolution to the current crisis, stressing that Dodik should refrain from speculating on what would happen if dialogue fails. Dodik said he would do so. ENGLISH