BOSNIA APPLIES FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP ACTION PLAN

UNCLAS USNATO 000427 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL NATO PGOV MCAP PHUM PINS PNAT BK SUBJECT: BOSNIA APPLIES FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP ACTION PLAN (MAP) REF: SG(2009)0836 ¶1. (SBU) During an October 2 visit to NATO Headquarters, Zeljko Komsic, the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH),delivered a letter to NATO Secretary General Rasmussen formally applying for BiH's entry into NATO's Membership Action Plan. Rasmussen distributed the letter to Allies later the same day (ref). ¶2. (U) In announcing the application on its website, NATO noted that the Secretary General had welcomed Bosnia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. He was quoted as saying "that this application is the best route to lasting stability in the Euro-Atlantic area" and that it was his "vision for all countries in the Western Balkans to be integrated in NATO." At the same, the website article also said that Rasmussen had stressed that BiH needs to continue and step up its reform work, especially regarding its democratic institutions, constitutional arrangements, and in the defense realm. ¶3. (SBU) The text of Komsic's letter follows: BEGIN TEXT Your Excellency, It is with great pleasure I refer to the successful meeting in NAC plus BiH format on Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) implementation that was held on 11th March 2009. Once again, we stated out our commitment to the values of the Alliance as well as our willingness to remain proactive, visible an (sic) reliable Partner that shares the burden of today's concerns. Above all, we underlined our eagerness to become a full-fledged NATO member, which is of a strategic importance to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina has made the best use of its time in Partnership for Peace, taking advantage of a number of available tools. Furthermore, we have demonstrated readiness to constantly upgrade the level of our cooperation with the Alliance, which is clearly visible in our IPAP and Intensified Dialogue performance. Recently, we have officially become ISAF Non-NATO contributing state. Along these lines, our achievements and ambitions, I hereby present a formal application of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the Membership Action Plan. Further progress towards NATO membership is crucially important to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also, it should serve to promotion of NATO strategic goals and contribute to security and stability of the whole Euro-Atlantic area and the region of South East Europe in Particular. I have the pleasure to ask you to forward the application of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the Membership Action Plan to the Allies, in accordance with the usual procedure aimed at its consideration and endorsement. Allow me to use this opportunity and express our gratitude for Your sincere and extensive support to integration of South East Europe democracies into Euro-Atlantic structures. We are very pleased for the success of our friends and neighbours, Republic of Albania and Republic of Croatia, and we believe it is the right time for us to follow their way. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Zeljko Komsic /s/ END TEXT HEFFERN