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