Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SARAJEVO1468
2008-09-15 13:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sarajevo
Cable title:
BOSNIA--INFORMED OF CHANGES IN IRAQ COALITION
how-toVZCZCXRO2982 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHVJ #1468 2591328 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 151328Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8939 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JCS WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUZEJAA/USNIC SARAJEVO
C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 001468
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2018
TAGS: MOPS MARR BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA--INFORMED OF CHANGES IN IRAQ COALITION
REF: STATE 96122
Classified By: Amb. Charles English for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 001468
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2018
TAGS: MOPS MARR BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA--INFORMED OF CHANGES IN IRAQ COALITION
REF: STATE 96122
Classified By: Amb. Charles English for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Ambassador informed the Tri-presidency, and,
separately, the Minister of Defense that Bosnian armed forces
would no longer be needed in Iraq in 2009 (Reftel). All
three members of the Presidency expressed their satisfaction
that Bosnia was able to assist in the stabilization of Iraq
and welcomed the news that Iraq was now able to take over
security responsibilities from some coalition members.
Chairman of the Presidency Silajdzic emphasized BiH's
willingness to be a provider of security and not just a
consumer.
2. (C) The Ambassador underlined that we will continue to
look for opportunities to work together with Bosnia, noting
that "The need in Afghanistan is still very strong." The
Bosnian Serb member of the Presidency Radmanovic told the
Ambassador "We will have time to discuss future
opportunities, but we should refrain from doing so now, as we
are talking about the withdrawal from Iraq." In a separate
telephone call about the Presidency's press release,
Radmanovic's aide told us that he had instructed her to make
sure that the other members' cabinets did not put anything in
the press statement about future deployments or Afghanistan.
Comment:
--------------
3. (C) We have a clear interest in encouraging Bosnia to
maintain overseas deployments. We believe that a Bosnian
contribution to other international missions--namely,
ISAF--is politically feasible, despite Radmanovic's
preference for waiting until the Bosnian troops withdraw
before they take up the issue. Bosnian forces would require
substantial support to carry out the mission and the
necessary political and practical steps will take time.
However, since being invited to join PfP in 2006 and then
reinforced by the invitation to join Intensified Dialogue at
Bucharest, NATO membership has been, along with EU
membership, one of the two uniting goals of a divided
country. Bosnian engagement in Afghanistan would increase
their inter-operability and ability to deploy in future
operations, as well as instruct them on the level of reform
necessary to reach their goal of joining NATO. Continued
engagement in coalition activities also leads to higher
levels of bilateral security assistance, which has proved key
in supporting the defense reform agenda, itself a cornerstone
of our effort of building a sovereign, united Bosnia firmly
anchored to the Euro-Atlantic community.
ENGLISH
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2018
TAGS: MOPS MARR BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA--INFORMED OF CHANGES IN IRAQ COALITION
REF: STATE 96122
Classified By: Amb. Charles English for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Ambassador informed the Tri-presidency, and,
separately, the Minister of Defense that Bosnian armed forces
would no longer be needed in Iraq in 2009 (Reftel). All
three members of the Presidency expressed their satisfaction
that Bosnia was able to assist in the stabilization of Iraq
and welcomed the news that Iraq was now able to take over
security responsibilities from some coalition members.
Chairman of the Presidency Silajdzic emphasized BiH's
willingness to be a provider of security and not just a
consumer.
2. (C) The Ambassador underlined that we will continue to
look for opportunities to work together with Bosnia, noting
that "The need in Afghanistan is still very strong." The
Bosnian Serb member of the Presidency Radmanovic told the
Ambassador "We will have time to discuss future
opportunities, but we should refrain from doing so now, as we
are talking about the withdrawal from Iraq." In a separate
telephone call about the Presidency's press release,
Radmanovic's aide told us that he had instructed her to make
sure that the other members' cabinets did not put anything in
the press statement about future deployments or Afghanistan.
Comment:
--------------
3. (C) We have a clear interest in encouraging Bosnia to
maintain overseas deployments. We believe that a Bosnian
contribution to other international missions--namely,
ISAF--is politically feasible, despite Radmanovic's
preference for waiting until the Bosnian troops withdraw
before they take up the issue. Bosnian forces would require
substantial support to carry out the mission and the
necessary political and practical steps will take time.
However, since being invited to join PfP in 2006 and then
reinforced by the invitation to join Intensified Dialogue at
Bucharest, NATO membership has been, along with EU
membership, one of the two uniting goals of a divided
country. Bosnian engagement in Afghanistan would increase
their inter-operability and ability to deploy in future
operations, as well as instruct them on the level of reform
necessary to reach their goal of joining NATO. Continued
engagement in coalition activities also leads to higher
levels of bilateral security assistance, which has proved key
in supporting the defense reform agenda, itself a cornerstone
of our effort of building a sovereign, united Bosnia firmly
anchored to the Euro-Atlantic community.
ENGLISH