BOSNIA - HDZ 1990 WEIGHS IN ON CURRENT POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 002573 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR (DICARLO),EUR/SCE (HOH, SILBERSTEIN, FOOKS, STINCHCOMB); NSC FOR BRAUN; OSD FOR BEIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR BK SUBJECT: BOSNIA - HDZ 1990 WEIGHS IN ON CURRENT POLITICAL CRISIS REF: A. SARAJEVO 2556 ¶B. SARAJEVO 2490 Classified By: Ambassador Charles English for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On November 28, Ambassador met with Bozo Ljubic, Minister of Transport and Communication, and Chairman of the Croatian Democratic Union 1990 (HDZ-1990) (one of the six parties in coalition in state-level government) to discuss the ongoing political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ljubic noted his disappointment that parliament had failed to reach an agreement on adopting High Representative Miroslav Lajcak's October 19 measures, but also his optimism that an agreement could be found given enough time. (Note: This meeting took place two days before a deal was reached to end the political stalemate. End Note.) He suggested, however, that constitutional reforms replacing the current two-entity structure must come soon to prevent future stalemates. Although refraining from overt references to ethnically-based federal units, he also reiterated the plan he recently unveiled at the November HDZ-1990 party congress that envisions a Bosnia comprised of at least three federal units. End Summary. AMBASSADOR URGES CONCENTRATION ON EUROPEAN GOAL -------------- -- ¶2. (C) The Ambassador's November 28 meeting with Transportation Minister and HDZ-1990 Chairman Bozo Ljubic centered on the current political stalemate and potential ways forward. Regarding the lack of consensus on Lajcak's measures, the Ambassador suggested that party leaders might consider approaching the High Representative to ask for an extension of the December 1 deadline explaining that although there has been good-faith negotiation thus far, a consensus may not be likely before the deadline. Underscoring our shared goal of Euro-Atlantic integration, the Ambassador noted that although there is debate about how to get there, anything that advances Bosnia's path to Europe through consensus, while eschewing further ethnic divisions, would be supported by the USG. The Ambassador encouraged Ljubic to take a constructive role in resolving the current crisis, and to work toward a future Bosnia that balances the interest of all Bosnians both through internal dialogue and discussions with Brussels. �A;CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION "FRUSTRATING" BOSNIAN CROATS -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) During the meeting, Ljubic noted his disappointment that parliament had thus far failed to reach an agreement on Lajcak's October 19 measures. He agreed with the Ambassador's suggestion that parties might collectively approach the High Representative to ask for an extension of the December 1 deadline, thereby buying time to reach a true consensus. He also commented that the current political situation is "psychologically frustrating" to Bosnian Croats. Ljubic explained that he remains an optimist about Bosnia and its future, but not about its current structure and functionality. He suggested that with the European Union as a goal and with the help of the international community, he believes Bosnian leaders will reach an agreement as long as they can keep two axioms in mind; first, that Bosnia cannot be divided; and second, that Bosnia cannot function in its current form and requires serious constitutional reforms. Ljubic added that as long as current dysfunctional structure remains it can only lead to further disintegration of the state. CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM REQUIRES "SURGICAL MEASURES" -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Elaborating on his hopes for a new constitutional structure and reiterating statements made at the November 10 HDZ-1990 party congress, Ljubic explained that he foresees a nation with "at least three" federal, multi-ethnic units or a "consociated" state akin to the Belgian or Spanish models. Kosovo is not applicable to Bosnia, he stated, because Bosnia is heterogeneous and any solution must respect the mixture of peoples and avoid "labyrinthine" boundaries based on ethnic distinctions. Ljubic noted that he does not agree with a two entity structure, but if convinced that Bosnia could meet EU Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) requirements with two entities, he would concede. This, however, is not the case, he said because, at present, the two entity structure usurps state-level competencies. ¶5. (C) Regardless of the final details, Ljubic urged that the reform process must begin in earnest sooner rather than later, and that leaders must agree on the same basic principles as a starting point. These, he said, could include an agreement that BiH should be a "federal" state setting the stage for subsequent framework negotiations. When reduced to a simple "Bosnia; yes or no?" Ljubic stated that "for me, it is yes." He said that the status quo, however, hinders progress because parliamentarians constantly vote along ethnic lines to counter proposed legislation. He also noted that he personally has achieved no progress in his own Ministry because of these political obstacles. (Note: In a recent government performance study, the Center for Civic Initiatives disparaged Ljubic's Ministry of Transport and Communications as the most ineffective of the 10 institutions comprising the BiH Council of Ministers. End Note.) Ljubic blamed the current Bosnian system and not the individuals in the system. A medical doctor by profession, Ljubic concluded with the analogy that Bosnia has "appendicitis" that cannot be cured using simple medication but requires swift, "surgical measures." CORRUPTION AS CULPRIT -------------- ¶6. (C) In addition to nationalism and ethnic rhetoric, Ljubic mentioned that he views corruption as a leading problem among Bosnian officials. Strong political networks and links to organized crime have been an long-standing component of Bosnian politics for years, Ljubic said, and added that it is almost a rule for politicians to use nationalism as a curtain to mask corruption. When asked whether he would support the formation of an anti-corruption task force at OHR, Ljubic said yes, and added that he supports the presence of international prosecutors and judges who enure the objectivity and rule of law in the current justice system. COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) As we have done with Silajdzic, Tihic and now Ljubic, we will continue to engage Bosnian party leaders to encourage them to take a constructive role in bringing a final resolution to the recent political crisis. Publicly, Croat party leaders, including Ljubic and his HDZ-BiH rival Dragan Covic, have underscored their support for the HighRep and his October 19 measures. There may be a temptation if the crisis continues, however, for Croats to exploit it to advance their own agenda. During November 29 meetings of the House of Representatives Collegium, Deputy Speaker Lozancic, a Croat from HDZ-BiH, proposed introducing ethnic voting into the parliament. Bosniak parliamentarians and OHR quickly quashed the proposal, however, bringing discussion back on a constructive path. End Comment. ENGLISH