BOSNIA - POLITICIANS COMMENT ON U.S. HOUSE

UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000606

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR (JONES),EUR/SCE (FOOKS, HYLAND)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA - POLITICIANS COMMENT ON U.S. HOUSE
RESOLUTION


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The nonbinding resolution on Bosnia (H.R.
171) passed on May 12 by the U.S. House of Representatives
provoked much commentary by Bosnian politicians, most of it
along predictable lines. Bosniak and Croat politicians
generally praised the resolution, saying it demonstrated
increased U.S. engagement and a desire to support Bosnian
constitutional reform. Serb politicians were critical, many
saying the resolution, which focused on the need for
constitutional reform, was the product of lobbying by the
Bosniak community in the U.S. END SUMMARY

Bosniaks and Croats Welcome the Resolution
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2. (SBU) Husein Nanic, a parliamentarian from the Bosniak
Party of Democratic Action (SDA),said in a discussion
program aired on the Bosnian State-level public television
station that the House resolution signifies a more active
role for the U.S. in the Balkans. He said domestic
politicians would have to develop their own solutions on such
issues as a new constitution, but Bosnian politicians would
need help from friends in the international community. Bakir
Izetbegovic, Vice President of the SDA, also welcomed the
resolution and stressed the importance of U.S. engagement in
Bosnia. Haris Silajdzic, President of the Party for Bosnia
and Herzegovina (SBiH),issued a statement saying that the
bill, along with U.S. Vice President Biden's visit to Bosnia,
defined plans for more forceful engagement of the United
States in Bosnia in order to establish a fully democratic and
functional state. SDP President Zlatko Lagumdzia also
welcomed the resolution, saying it would result in an
American-European partnership in which the U.S.
administration would have an active role.


3. (SBU) Martin Raguz, Vice President of the Croatian
Democratic Union-1990 (HDZ-1990) said the resolution was a
welcome development ahead of Vice President Biden's visit,
and argued that the resolution clearly identifies
constitutional reform as a precondition for Euro-Atlantic
integration. Raguz stressed the importance of wide-ranging
constitutional reform, saying that simply harmonizing the
Constitution with the European Charter on Human Rights would
not go far enough. He said the current Constitution is
unjust, but questioned the political will to change it.

Serb Criticism
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4. (SBU) Serb politicians were critical of the resolution,
generally stressing that it was a nonbinding resolution and
that they would resist any efforts by the international
community to impose constitutional reform. Alliance of
Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) President Milorad Dodik
said he respects the right of Congress to pass a resolution
on Bosnia, but he strongly opposes interference of foreigners
in constitutional reform. He said that he would not take
part in a constitutional reform process if it is led by
anyone from the international community. Republika Srpska
President Rajko Kuzmanovic, also from the SNSD, said the
resolution is the result of lobbying by destructive forces
and "anti-Dayton elements" in the U.S. Dragan Cavic, leader
of the Democratic Party, one of the Serb parties in
opposition to Dodik, said he is "concerned" about the content
of the resolution. He said he opposes the naming a Special
U.S. Envoy for the Balkans, and argued that the case made in
the resolution for a Special Envoy was a consequence of the
failed policies of the ruling coalition and of Dodik's SNSD.
ENGLISH