BOSNIA: MEETING WITH NEWLY APPOINTED SIPA DIRECTOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 000113 SIPDIS SIPDIS EUR FOR DICARLO, EUR/SCE (HOH, FOOKS, STINCHCOMB); NSC FOR BRAUN; OSD FOR BEIN; E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2018 TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV PINR KJUS MOPS BK SUBJECT: BOSNIA: MEETING WITH NEWLY APPOINTED SIPA DIRECTOR REF: 07 SARAJEVO 1071 Classified By: CDA Judith B. Cefkin. Reasons 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) The Charge accompanied by RSO and POLOFF met, January 15, with newly appointed director of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) Mirko Lujic. The discussion focused on the challenges posed by improving SIPA's performance. The Charge reviewed the history of USG financial support for SIPA in the form of training and equipment. While stressing the importance we attach to our close cooperation with SIPA, the Charge conveyed USG disappointment with SIPA's operational capabilities and noted the need to improve coordination with other law enforcement agencies. Along with congratulating Lujic on his appointment, the Charge told Lujic that we look to him to lead a significant and near-term improvement in SIPA's effectiveness. CDA asked for his views his on immediate priorities for fixing SIPA. ¶2. (C) Lujic, familiar with the USG support for SIPA from his two years as SIPA Chief of Operational Support, expressed appreciation for USG assistance, especially training programs conducted through ICITAP. Although Lujic said he hoped the Bosnian government would fund the agency with a budget adequate to meet near term needs, such as an upcoming communications integration project, he hoped the USG would continue providing equipment and advanced training for SIPA personnel. Lujic claimed personal contacts between police officials form the basis for adequate coordination between SIPA and other law enforcement agencies but hoped that ongoing police reform efforts can provide a better legal basis for such coordination. ¶3. (C) Lujic acknowledged serious problems including manpower shortfalls and the performance of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID),which is currently staffed at less than 50 percent of projected levels. Lujic hopes to create a more flexible hiring mechanism, promote less narrow specialization in the CID, and to obtain Council of Minister support for a more competitive SIPA salary structure. In the short term Lujic would like to see SIPA attract the most qualified personnel from other law enforcement agencies while continuing to recruit and train younger inspectors. ¶4. (C) Lujic anticipated some of the problems with recruitment and management structure would be alleviated through the passage of a series of amendments to the Law on SIPA currently under consideration by Parliament that were drafted through USG and OHR collaboration with previous SIPA management. He also indicated his hope to work with USG and other international actors on more sweeping organizational changes to address the problems SIPA faces. The Charge cautioned against attempting any overly broad internal reorganization as the police reform process is ongoing and so as not to detract too much time and energy from utilizing existing resources to conduct effective investigations. ¶5. (C) When asked about delays to the building of the SIPA Headquarters building (reftel),Lujic indicated that the tender process for the construction contract was completed with the award going to the lowest bidder, Integral Engineering. The Public Procurement Agency had reviewed and rejected two appeals from losing bidders. As long as no appeals are filed with the Council of Ministers in the next 30 days, the 15-month construction contract should be signed in late February. Lujic hoped SIPA will be able to finally collocate all its HQ personnel by Fall 2009. Background on Lujic -------------- ¶6. (C) During the interview process for SIPA Director, Mirko Lujic was one of three candidates tied for first place, but was appointed as the result of an agreement among political party leaders allocating key jobs based on ethnicity. Lujic was not first choice of international law enforcement specialists, who feel he lacks the management expertise, knowledge, will, and integrity to salvage SIPA. Although he has significant law enforcement experience, it is unclear if he has the ability to lead SIPA to become Bosnia's premier law enforcement institution, or even if his SNSD political patrons wish him to do so. ¶7. (C) Mirko Lujic, a 57-year old law enforcement official born in Sipovo (DOB Sep. 24, 1955) became a Junior Inspector with the State Security Sector office in Jajce in 1985. In 1989 until the war broke out Lujic worked as an Inspector for Foreigners with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. During the war Lujic served as Deputy Commander of the Traffic Police in Jajce. Following the war Lujic worked for the police in Brcko before taking up a job as an Internal Affairs Inspector in Mrkonjic Grad. From April 2000 until April 2001 he served as a member of the first BiH Police contingent (CIVPOL) with the United Nations Mission in East Timor. In 2002 he transferred to the State Border Service office in Gradiska where he worked as Chief for 3 years before joining SIPA in ¶2005. His last position in SIPA, before his promotion to Director was as Chief of the Operational Support Unit. Lujic is married with three children. CEFKIN