GUIDANCE FOR DECEMBER 5 DEBATE ON BOSNIA AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 128178 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL PGOV BK SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR DECEMBER 5 DEBATE ON BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ¶1. The Department requests that USUN draw on the following points in making its statement during the UN Security Council debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina, scheduled for December 5. ¶2. Begin points: Thank you, Mr. President: -- I would like to welcome High Representative Lajcak back to the Council today. We thank him for his comprehensive report and applaud his work as High Representative. I would also like to reiterate the statement of support for the High Representative that my delegation made when the Council last met in May to discuss the situation in Bosnia. The role of the High Representative is critical in implementing the Dayton Accords and ensuring that Bosnia and Herzegovina completes its transition to a secure and stable sovereign state. The United States remains firm in its support of the Peace Implementation Council's (PIC) decision to continue the High Representative's mandate until the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina fully meet the five objectives and two conditions specified in February. Mr. President, -- The United States welcomes the positive developments that the High Representative has identified since his last report, particularly with regard to the PIC-designated objectives. In particular we commend the work of the High Representative and his staff to facilitate progress on meeting the 5 plus 2 criteria, particularly in mediating a compromise leading to the adoption of the National Justice Sector Reform Strategy. -- We also share, however, the serious concerns the High Representative has raised with regard to political developments, which have impeded further progress on these objectives. Since the June signing of a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU there has been little progress on this agenda. Instead, we have seen a sharp rise in divisive nationalist rhetoric. We have seen state-level institutions, which are required for the country to make further progress towards NATO and the EU, attacked and undermined. And we have witnessed disturbing attempts to roll back previously successful reforms of the last 13 years, the very reforms that have led the EU and NATO to open their doors to Bosnia's eventual membership. -- We join the High Representative in rejecting rhetoric or actions that undermine the Dayton Accords, call in to question the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina or promote unilateral changes to the constitutional structure of the country. We emphasize that continued divisive nationalist rhetoric and behavior will bear directly on the PIC Steering Board ability to deliver a positive assessment of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the last and arguably most important of the PIC conditions that must be met in order for the Office of the High Representative to conclude its mandate. -- We do believe that the November 8 Prud/Odzak agreement is a welcome develpment that offers an opportunity to break this destructive cycle and to make progress toward meeting the outstanding 5 plus 2 criteria, particularly related to state and defense property. This initiative represents the kind of constructive approach and spirit of compromise that is required for Bosnia to continue to move forward. To achieve true progress, BiH's political leaders will need to translate the agreement into concrete actions, including finding a legally viable solution for protecting Brcko District's status under the terms of the Final Award. We urge all of Bosnia and Herzegovina's leaders to work constructively to implement the Prud/Odzak agreement in a manner that meets the outstanding 5 plus 2 criteria and furthers the country's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Mr. President, -- The United States will remain fully committed to supporting the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina who continue to strive to stabilize their country, implement reform, implement the terms of the Dayton Accords, and ultimately help their country claim its rightful place within the STATE 00128178 002 OF 002 Euro-Atlantic community. We call on the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina to do the same. End points. RICE