Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SARAJEVO371
2008-02-25 13:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sarajevo
Cable title:  

TFKV01: SARAJEVO EAC MEETING, FEBRUARY 24, 2008

Tags:  AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PINR PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
O 251308Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7912
INFO AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY TIRANA PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY ZAGREB PRIORITY 
USOFFICE PRISTINA PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 000371 

SIPDIS


DS/IP/EUR, DS/ISS/ITA, EUR/EX, EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2018
TAGS: AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PINR PREL
SUBJECT: TFKV01: SARAJEVO EAC MEETING, FEBRUARY 24, 2008

Classified By: CDA JUDITH CEFKIN FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SARAJEVO 000371

SIPDIS


DS/IP/EUR, DS/ISS/ITA, EUR/EX, EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2018
TAGS: AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PINR PREL
SUBJECT: TFKV01: SARAJEVO EAC MEETING, FEBRUARY 24, 2008

Classified By: CDA JUDITH CEFKIN FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador chaired a core EAC on 02/24/08
to review the status of the Banja Luka Branch Office (BLBO)
which has been closed since 02/21/08. The EAC agreed that the
BLBO should remain closed with a review of the decision on
02/26/08. The EAC also agreed that although the BLBO will not
be officially open 02/25/08, and pending Washington's
approval, a POL Officer should be sent to Banja Luka to
attend meetings with Republika Serpska officials on Monday
2/25/08. EAC agreed that RSO personnel should also remain in
Banja Luka until further notice. End Summary.


2. (C) While the weekend was quiet in Banja Luka, the EAC
noted that demonstrations in Banja Luka and other cities in
the Republika Srpska have gone on without permits and
protests can be expected to occur unannounced at anytime. The
primary organizers for these demonstrations are student
groups from the Universities and various NGO's lead by the
Serb Movement of NGO Associations (SPONA). SPONA reportedly
announced that it considers itself "in a constant state of
protest through March 2008". Police expect that 30,000 or
more will demonstrate on Tuesday 2/26/08 in the center of
Banja Luka. Reportedly SPONA and or others are busing
protesters from around the RS to participate in the next
round of demonstrations. RSO is coordinating closely with
Police and will ensure that increased police coverage is
present.

3. (C) Due to the unannounced violent student protests that
led to the evacuation of the BLBO on 2/21/08, and in view of
expected mass demonstrations planned in Banja Luka for
02/26/08, the EAC concurred that the BLBO should remain
closed. The decision to reopen the BLBO will be predicated by
the security environment present and violence displayed
during the protests in the upcoming days. Protesters are
expected to be bussed into Banja Luka in great number for the
upcoming demonstrations against Kosovo's independence from
Serbia. The level of local police response towards potential
protester actions against the international community's
facilities in Banja Luka will be a significant determining
factor in the reopening of the BLBO. As a precautionary
measure no local guards will be present at the BLBO on
02/26/08 and RSO personal in Banja Luka will stay inside the
RS Ministry of Interior headquarters.


4. (C) Post has prepared an updated Warden Notice to be
posted to the Embassy website and released to the official
American community once cleared by Washington. Notice will
advise of the ongoing closure of the BLBO. It will also note
the possibility of demonstrations occurring in other areas
and advise American citizens to avoid areas where
demonstrations are occurring. All official travel to Banja
Luka must be cleared by the EXEC office. The same advisory
will be shared with Mission staff. As always, EAC will
continue to closely monitor the situation and revise security
measures and update Warden Notices as situation warrants.
CEFKIN