Deputy Secretary Steinberg's meeting with

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 018262 DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/FO, EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL BK SUBJECT: Deputy Secretary Steinberg's meeting with Bosnian Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj on February 20, 2009 ¶1. Classified by EUR Assistant Secretary Daniel Fried for Reasons: 1.4 (b and d) ¶2. (U) February 20, 2009; 11:25-11:55 a.m.; Washington, D.C., USA. ¶3. (U) Participants: U.S. Deputy Secretary Steinberg EUR - DAS Stuart Jones D Staff - Mary Sue Conaway EUR/SCE - Mike Fooks (note taker) Bosnia Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj Chief of Staff Emina Merdan ¶4. (C) Summary. Deputy Secretary Steinberg and Bosnian FM Sven Alkalaj discussed the situation in Bosnia and need for greater U.S. engagement. Alkalaj pressed for more senior U.S. attention and complained about Bosnian Serb obstruction of EU required reforms. The Deputy Secretary stressed continuing U.S. support for Bosnia and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations and that we would expect pragmatism and compromise from its political leaders in return for deeper engagement. On a draft constitutional amendment on Brcko, they agreed that Brcko Arbitrator Roberts Owen's views would be important. End Summary. U.S. Engagement/Expectations -------------- ¶5. (C) The Deputy and FM Alkalaj agreed on the importance of U.S. leadership in Bosnia and shared concern over the direction Bosnia has been headed. The Deputy indicated that the new Administration would devote greater attention to Bosnia, but warned Alkalaj that President Silajdzic should not mistake greater U.S. attention as an opportunity to "dig in" on extremist positions. As a condition for U.S. reengagement, Silajdzic and others must approach issues in good faith and work towards compromise. There are realities on the ground, like the existence of the entities, which will not change for the foreseeable future. Sustainable solutions will require all ethnic groups to feel protected. Alkalaj undertook to convey these messages to Siladjzic. EU integration, Serb Obstructionism and OHR -------------- ¶6. (C) Alkalaj's top foreign policy goals for Bosnia are to complete visa liberalization with the EU and to obtain EU candidacy status, but he blamed Bosnian Serbs for blocking the required reforms, including 50 percent of EU Partnership requirements. Alkalaj asserted that Silajdzic is not seeking to undo Dayton or abolish the RS, but that ethnic blocking mechanisms are preventing Bosnia from becoming the strong, functional state required for NATO and EU membership. Until those blockages are removed, the OHR will remain necessary to overcome Serb obstructionism. According to Alkalaj, OHR should not be an obstacle to Bosnia's achieving EU candidate status, which is a "political decision." The Deputy noted that U.S. policy is under review, but was inclined to agree that OHR closure is premature, and that OHR remains a useful tool for international engagement. Prud/Nationalist Rhetoric -------------- ¶7. (C) Alkalaj asserted that nationalism in Bosnia is tied to election cycles and that 2009, as an off year, presents a window for progress. Brcko -------------- ¶8. (C) Alkalaj indicated Silajdzic would support the draft Brcko constitutional amendment if Brcko Arbitrator Roberts Owen supported it. The Deputy welcomed Alkalaj's commitment to this cause. CLINTON