BOSNIA: FORMER DEFENSE MINISTER NAMED NATO

UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000670 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS SECDEF FOR FATA AND BEIN, DEPT FOR EUR (DICARLO),D (SMITH),P (BAME),EUR/SCE (HOH, SAINZ, FOOKS),AND EUR/RPM (BROTZEN),NSC FOR BRAUN, USNIC FOR WIGHTMAN AND MCLANE, USNATO FOR REID, UNDERWOOD, SHAFFER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR BK SUBJECT: BOSNIA: FORMER DEFENSE MINISTER NAMED NATO AMBASSADOR ¶1. (SBU) On March 27, the Tri-Presidency appointed former Defense Minister Nikola Radovanovic as Bosnia's new Ambassador to NATO. Radovanovic is expected to assume his duties in the coming weeks and will head-up Bosnia's effort to move through the Partnership for Peace (PfP) processes to full NATO membership. Radovanovic had served as defense minister in the previous government and was the driving force behind the initial stages of defense reform implementation. ¶2. (SBU) Senior officials of the Defense and Foreign Affairs Ministries tell us that plans to staff Bosnia's mission at NATO HQ in Brussels and the Partnership Cell in Mons are well-advanced. Ambassador Radovanovic would head an 8 person mission in Brussels. The rest of the delegation would consist of two diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, three civilian employees of the Ministry of Defense, and two uniformed military officers. The Partnership Cell would be headed by a Bosnian Armed Forces Lieutenant Colonel with a senior Non-Commissioned Officer serving as support staff. The MFA and MOD are currently reviewing candidates for these coveted posts. According to the Assistant Minister of Defense, all staff should be in place by June. ¶3. (SBU) Comment. The appointment of Radovanovic is a welcome sign that the Bosnian government remains serious about further NATO integration. Radovanovic was instrumental in sheparding defense reform legislation through parliament and in standing up a single state-level Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces-- the key elements in securing Bosnia's invitation to join PfP. In a country generally lacking leaders of the technocratic model, Radovanovic is an apolitical, defense and security intellectual who has a keen understanding of the tasks facing Bosnia on the road to NATO membership. He is well-known in Brussels, and should serve as an effective and competent representative of Bosnia during this important time. End Comment. MCELHANEY