BOSNIA - OHR URGES SPEEDY RESOLUTION TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 000752 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE (HOH/FOOKS/STINCHCOMB) AND IO E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/01/2012 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR UN BK SUBJECT: BOSNIA - OHR URGES SPEEDY RESOLUTION TO DECERTIFIED POLICE OFFICERS ISSUES REF: A. SARAJEVO 62 ¶B. 06 SARAJEVO 3209 Classified By: Political Counselor Michael J. Murphy ¶1. (SBU) On April 5, the Office of the High Representative (OHR) convened a meeting of representatives from the U.S. and current European members of the Security Council and urged them to support a UK proposal that would end the current standoff between the Bosnian government and the UN over the International Police Task Force's (ITPF) police decertification process. HMG's proposal, prepared in consultation with OHR, would not change the IPTF decertifications, but it would change their effect. It would allow decertified officers to apply for positions in Bosnia law enforcement (effectively ending the IPTF's lifetime ban on such employment),but require them to meet current legal standards for such employment. The UK representative explained that HMG's Mission to the UN had distributed copies of the proposal to the U.S. and others earlier this week. ¶2. (C) OHR stressed that the proposal would not reverse previous decertifications. Nor would it allow the Bosnian government to set up its own review body to reexamine, and possibly overturn, IPTF decisions. OHR predicted that very few of the decertified police officers would actually seek reemployment, particularly since the proposal would require that they reenter the police force as cadets. In addition, one of the "current conditions" under Bosnian law for employment as a law enforcement officer is that an applicant must be under age 35. Approximately 70 percent of all decertified police officers are older then 35, OHR explained. (Note: Other criteria include passing a background check, obtaining a medical clearance and fulfilling minimum educational requirements. End Note.) ¶3. (C) Several representatives stressed the importance of securing Bosnian government support for HMG's proposal, but cautioned against engaging in detailed negotiations over it. The HMG representative noted that her Embassy had reviewed the outlines of the proposal with the new Minister for Human Rights and Refugees. She also stressed HMG's view that the Security Council would make the ultimate decision on the way ahead, though the Bosnian government would have to signal its acceptance. Several representatives recommended requiring written affirmation of Bosnian support (i.e., a letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs or the Prime Minister) as part of the political deal, as well as a firm commitment from the Council of Ministers to annul its December decision to set up its own independent review mechanism. ¶4. (SBU) OHR closed the meeting by noting that it would send a small team to New York April 12-13 to lobby representatives' UN Missions to support HMG's proposal. OHR stressed its hope that the issue could be resolved during the UK's Presidency of the Security Council. MCELHANEY