BOSNIA--SECURITY MINISTER ON SPIRIC RESIGNATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SARAJEVO 002487

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR FOR DICARLO, EUR/SCE (FOOKS, STINCHCOMB); NSC FOR
BRAUN; OSD FOR BEIN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KJUS KCRM BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA--SECURITY MINISTER ON SPIRIC RESIGNATION
AND SIPA DIRECTOR SELECTION

REF: SARAJEVO 2370

SARAJEVO 00002487 001.4 OF 002


Classified By: Ambassador Charles English for reasons 1.4(b),(d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: During a November 13 meeting, the Ambassador
and Minister of Security Tarik Sadovic discussed the work of
the Council of Ministers (CoM) in technical mandate and the
selection process for the director of the State Investigation
and Protection Agency (SIPA). Sadovic blames Serbian and
Republika Srpska (RS) politicians for stoking political
tensions by linking the RS with Kosovo status and fears
Bosnia may be entering a period of prolonged crisis. The
Ambassador urged Sadovic to play a constructive role in the
CoM in technical mandate to keep the government functioning.
Sadovic pledged to do his part including stepping into the
role of Chairman if needed. The Ambassador encouraged
Sadovic to use professional competency instead of ethnicity
as the basis for selecting the next director of SIPA. END
SUMMARY

Crisis and the Council of Ministers
--------------


2. (C) The Ambassador, on November 13, met with Tarik
Sadovic, Bosnia-Herzegovina Minister of Security. Sadovic is
a Bosniak and a member of the SDA. Sadovic said he had no
doubt that leaders in Serbia and the Republika Srpska
collaborated to provoke the current political crisis by
linking the RS and Kosovo Status talks just prior to the UNSC
debate on renewing the EUFOR mandate and the December
conclusion of Kosovo Status talks. Sadovic said he feared RS
political leaders could call for an RS referendum on
secession should Kosovo be granted independence. Sadovic
fears Bosnia may be an entering an extended period of crisis
which could affect many spheres including security. Sadovic
told us he has urged his colleagues of all nationalities in
security agencies to resist any political pressure to leave
their posts. Sadovic urged the USG to remind RS political
leaders that calling for such an unconstitutional referendum
is illegal and punishable by law. The Ambassador noted to
Sadovic that the USG was equally concerned by anti-Dayton
rhetoric by Bosniak political leaders in calling for the
abolition of the entity structures and in particular the RS.
(Note: In a press release issued by the Ministry following
the session, Sadovic's anti-referendum statement was
highlighted while the Ambassador's criticism of Bosniak
political leaders was omitted. The Ambassador used a
subsequent run-in with Sadovic to complain about the
omission. End Note.)


3. (C) Following the Presidency's acceptance of CoM Chairman
Nikola Spiric's resignation (reftel),the Presidency must
recommend a new CoM Chairman who will then propose a new
government to Parliament for approval. Sadovic was concerned
that SNSD leader Milorad Dodik will use his party's numerous
seats in Parliament to block the approval of a new government
in order to show the international community that Dodik holds
the keys to the future of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Ambassador
reminded Sadovic, that especially in any prolonged absence of
a new government, it is imperative Sadovic play a
constructive role in the functioning of the CoM in technical
mandate. Sadovic agreed that the CoM can and should continue
to function and hoped the U.S. would pressure Spiric to
remain as CoM chair until a new government is announced.
Sadovic said that as deputy Chairman he could step in for
Spiric, but would prefer not to, fearing that Serb ministers
would walk out or to give the impression that Bosniaks were
trying to dominate. However, if he had to, he would choose
Bosnia over Spiric and step in as chairman.

SIPA Selection Process
--------------


4. (C) The Ambassador asked for an update in the selection
process for SIPA Director and reminded Sadovic that
professionalism, competency, and management skills rather
than ethnicity should guide the selection process. Sadovic
acknowledged U.S. political and material support in the
creation of SIPA and related that the Selection Panel will
interview 4-5 candidates on December 4. (septel). Sadovic
claims he wants a "decisive and courageous" Director
committed to fight crime, but one who would be professionally

SARAJEVO 00002487 002.3 OF 002


compatible with Sadovic himself. Sadovic added, that in his
opinion the next SIPA Director should be an ethnic Bosniak,
in order to maintain ethnic balance in the law enforcement
agencies under the Ministry of Security. However, asserting
that he will not attempt to influence the outcome of the
selection process, Sadovic said he created a multi-ethnic
selection panel and asked them to strictly follow the legal
selection procedures and to recommend the best candidate.
The Ambassador again stressed competency over ethnicity in
the selection process, pointing to the opportunity given the
Ministry of Security to set an example for the rest of BiH's
structures.
ENGLISH