CZECH SHARE USG CONCERNS ON BOSNIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000691

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EUR/SCE FOR MFOOKS AND ASTINCHCOMB, EUR/CE FOR ATRATENSEK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV BK EZ EUN
SUBJECT: CZECH SHARE USG CONCERNS ON BOSNIA

REF: STATE 113894

Classified By: POLEC Counselor Charles O. Blaha for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (SBU) Czech National Coordinator of the Stability Pact for
South Eastern Europe Pavel Svitil commented that the Czechs
share our concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in
Bosnia. While Bosnia is on the agenda for the November 10
GAERC, the Czechs plan to revisit this topic, a key Czech EU
Presidency priority, during future GAERCs since a number of
critical events will fall during the first half of 2009.
They are planning for Bosnia to be on the February GAERC
given the March EU budget discussions, as well as their
interest in discussing Bosnian reform progress and the Peace
Implementation Council (PIC) 5 2 agenda.


2. (SBU) On the topic of Bosnian constitutional reform,
Svitil emphasizing that this is "strongly needed," especially
in order for Bosnia to achieve substantive reforms in other
areas, a critical requirement for eventual EU membership.
Svitil acknowledged that now is perhaps not the best time to
reopen discussions on Bosnian constitutional reforms and that
the EU has work to do to more clearly define the reforms that
the EU expects of Bosnia.

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OHR Lajcak - Status Quo Can't Continue Much Longer
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3. (C) On October 27 High Representative and EU Special
Representative (HR/EUSR) Miroslav Lajcak met with Czech PM
Topolanek, DPM Vondra and FM Schwarzenberg in Prague.
According to Katarina Rychtarikova of the MFA South and South
East Europe Department, who accompanied him at these
meetings, Lajcak emphasized that the status quo in Bosnia
cannot continue, that there needs to be a full redefinition
of the international community's engagement and that the
Office of the High Representative (OHR) needs to be reshaped.
Since the mandate of the OHR expires and will be transformed
in June 2009, Lajcak discussed some possible shifts in
responsibilities, which he believe may help improve
coordination and the role of his office. One idea he floated
with the Czechs was a possible shift of the OHR's Bonn powers
(which allow the OHR to enact governmental changes) to
someone based outside of Bosnia, but within the current EU
leadership in Brussels, while leaving the EUSR in Bosnia with
day-to-day responsibilities. Lajcak will discuss the role of
the OHR as well as the current situation in Bosnia with the
EU Foreign Ministers at the November 10 GAERC.


4. (C) Comment: The Czechs attach great importance to
achieving stability and eventual EU accession for the
countries of Western Balkans. Given these priorities, the
Czech EU Presidency during the first half of 2009 could be a
rare opportunity to more fully advance USG priorities in the
Balkans with a like-minded EU partner.
Graber