Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SARAJEVO113
2008-01-18 17:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sarajevo
Cable title:  

BOSNIA: MEETING WITH NEWLY APPOINTED SIPA DIRECTOR

Tags:  PREL PTER PGOV PINR KJUS MOPS BK 
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 181701Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7673
INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 0514
RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB 0502
RUFOAOA/USNIC SARAJEVO
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JCS WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
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).

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