BOSNIA- DODIK CONDEMNS VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 000347

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR (DICARLO),EUR/SCE (HOH, SILBERSTEIN, FOOKS,
STINCHCOMB); DEFENSE FOR FATA, BEIN; NSC FOR BRAUN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA- DODIK CONDEMNS VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS
OUTSIDE US BRANCH OFFICE IN BANJA LUKA


Classified By: Ambassador Charles English for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. On February 21, approximately 1500 violent
demonstrators protesting Kosovo's declaration of independence
moved on the US Branch Office in Banja Luka, prompting its
evacuation. The Ambassador phoned Republika Srpska (RS) Prime
Minister Milorad Dodik to relay strong USG concern over the
unfolding events, and demand the full protection of RS
security forces. The Ambassador also informed Dodik that the
Branch Office would remain closed in the near-term. Dodik
condemned the violent actions, and disavowed any RS
government role in their organization. Dodik pleaded with
the Ambassador to keep the Branch Office open. However, in
light of the Prime Minister's statement that "sporadic
violence" could still occur, the EAC determined that the
Branch Office will remain closed on February 22. (Note. While
we later learned that the Branch Office had not suffered
damage in the attempted attack, the Ambassador confirmed the
EAC decision to close on February 22 in light of the prospect
of further violent demonstrations. End Note.) End Summary.


2. (SBU) A fast growing, violent group of protesters gathered
in central Banja Luka at 1200 on February 21. The crowd
quickly grew from several hundred to an estimated 1500. As
the numbers rapidly expanded, the RS police lost control of
the demonstrators who began moving on the Banja Luka Branch
Office. The crowd engaged local police officers approximately
half a block from the Branch Office. Several police officers
were injured in the confrontation, and several reportedly
took no action to stop the protesters. RSO personnel at the
scene reported large rocks being thrown at the Branch Office.
Prior to the protest, local staff and Head of Office had
already vacated the premises.


3. (C) The Ambassador phoned RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik
at 1500 to relay strong USG concern over the unfolding events
in Banja Luka. After expressing concern for the policemen
injured in protecting our facility, the Ambassador told Dodik
that it was apparent that the RS police had lost control of
the situation, and it was even more troubling that accounts
indicated some police had failed to attempt to check the
violent actions of the protesters. The Ambassador informed
Dodik that he had decided to keep the Banja Luka Branch
Office closed on February 22 with the possibility of
extending the closure if the security situation did not
improve. In closing, the Ambassador directly asked Dodik two
questions: 1) Should we continue to have confidence in his
ability to control the situation?; and, 2) Were the violent
demonstrations directed at the Branch Office an attempt by
Banja Luka to send a message to the USG?


4. (C) An audibly nervous Dodik responded that he had been
unaware of the seriousness of the demonstrations, as he had
been in meetings with the British and then German
Ambassadors. Dodik condemned the acts and assured the
Ambassador that the RS government would take all measures to
control the situation and prevent any further violent actions
against the Branch Office. Dodik said that the protesters
had currently moved across town and were engaged in further
violent demonstrations directed against the RS National
Assembly (RSNA) building. The fact that the RSNA was being
targeted, Dodik said, was clear indication that his
government had no role in fomenting the violence. Dodik told
the Ambassador that he and other senior RS leaders had done
"everything possible" in recent days to "calm the situation,"
and to maintain a peaceful character for all protests. Dodik
stressed that no one from "political institutions" were
behind the demonstrations, and that the protests were
organized by unspecified "radical elements." Dodik also
promised to prosecute any individuals who took part in
violent actions against the Branch Office, and "immediately
fire" any policemen who stood aside in the face of the
demonstration.


5. (C) Dodik pleaded with the Ambassador to keep the Branch
Office open, saying its closure would "send the wrong
message." Dodik pledged to fully compensate the USG for any
material damage to the building, and to provide "all security
necessary" for the Branch Office to operate. (Note. At
approximately 1700, local RSO personnel were able to re-enter
the Branch Office, with RS police escort, and report that
there was no damage to the facility. End Note.) The
Ambassador asked Dodik if he could guarantee that no further

violent demonstrations would occur, and Dodik responded that
he was "afraid that sporadic violence" could take place in
the coming days. With that in mind, the Ambassador told
Dodik, safety necessitated closing the office on February 22
and reviewing its operational status over the weekend. Dodik
pledged to keep the Ambassador fully informed with security
updates.
ENGLISH