Bosnia and Herzegovina
Current Operations
OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
(OSCE Long-Term Missions)
Since: 12/95
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OHR
Office of the High Representative (Other)
Since: 12/95
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EUPM
European Union Police Mission (EU)
Since: 01/03
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EUFOR Althea
EU Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EU)
Since: 12/04
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BiH parties to start consultations on new prime minister (13.11.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) tripartite presidency said on Monday (November 12th) it had accepted Prime Minister Nikola Spiric's resignation. … The presidency, currently headed by Bosnian Croat Zeljko Komsic, must propose to parliament a candidate for prime minister within 30 days. If they fail to do so, early parliamentary elections will have to be called.
UN secretary-general's report on BiH confirms reform failure (09.11.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) Reforms are stalled in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), where leaders have failed to move the country towards EU membership in the past year, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday (November 8th) in a report to the UN Security Council. … Ban noted that while technical SAA negotiations were completed long ago, initialling the document is impossible due to the failure of police reform.
BiH court opens second war crimes trial related to Srebrenica massacre (09.11.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) The genocide trial against former Bosnian Serb officer Milorad Trbic opened on Thursday (November 8th) in BiH. Trbic was assistant commander for security of the Bosnian Serb army's Zvornik Brigade in July 1995. He is charged with personally killing 55 Muslims and supervising the execution of over 7,000 others after the UN-protected enclave fell to Serbian forces.
Bosnia war crimes suspect detained (07.11.2007)
(Quelle: Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)) A former officer in the Bosnian Serbs army has been detained in connection with the killing of 71 civilians in the town of Tuzla during the war in 1995. Novak Djukic, who was a major in the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, has been detained on suspicion of involvement in the shelling of Tuzla on May 25, 1995 which produced one of the largest number of casualties in a single incident.
Ten candidates to run for RS president (06.11.2007)
(Quelle: n/a) The BiH Central Elections Commission verified on Monday (November 5th) that ten candidates will run for president of Republika Srpska on December 9th. Four others were rejected. The election was scheduled after incumbent Milan Jelic's death on September 30th.
Lajcak optimistic legal experts will resolve government crisis in BiH (06.11.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) At a press conference Monday (November 5th), High Representative Miroslav Lajcak said he is optimistic that legal teams representing his office and and Republika Srpska's (RS) government will resolve a dispute over measures Lajcak announced recently to boost decision-making by parliament and the central government. Although no agreement was reached Monday, the teams agreed to continue negotiations throughout the week.
Ethnic divisions threaten Bosnia again as Prime Minister quits over 'interference' (02.11.2007)
(Quelle: The Independent) The Prime Minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina resigned yesterday, claiming that interference from the international community had made his job impossible. The exit of Nikola Spiric, a Bosnian Serb, plunged the ethnically divided state into its worst crisis since the war ended in 1995. 'For 12 years, foreigners have run this country and this is not good,' Mr Spiric said. 'I resign and this is the only right decision.'
Dangerous rumblings in Bosnia (02.11.2007)
(Quelle: ISN Security Watch) The passage of hard-hitting measures by the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina sparks mass protests by Bosnian Serbs, in a crisis that is threatening to escalate dangerously.
EU welcomes police reform declaration (30.10.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) The EU on Monday (October 29th) welcomed a declaration pledging to unblock stalled police reform, signed by leaders of the six main parties in BiH's parliament on Sunday. In a statement, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn's spokeswoman Krisztina Nagy praised what she described as 'the spirit of consensus and compromise'.
Serbs protest imposed reforms (30.10.2007)
(Quelle: RFE / RL) The Bosnian Serbs' parliament voted overwhelmingly today to condemn administrative reforms introduced on October 19 by the international community's high representative as contravening the 1995 Dayton peace agreements, which ended the 1992-95 conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The 12-point parliamentary resolution also called for sharply curbing Miroslav Lajcak's powers. … Lajcak's reforms are aimed at speeding up the decision-making process in the Bosnian government and parliament and invigorating the reform effort.
Germany warns Bosnia not to undermine Dayton accord (29.10.2007)
(Quelle: Washington Post) Germany warned politicians in Bosnia on Monday not to undermine the Dayton Peace Accords by resisting an international peace envoy's efforts to streamline government decision-making. In response to bickering between Bosnia's Muslim, Serb and Croat leaders that has stalled reforms over the past 18 months, peace envoy Miroslav Lajcak unveiled new measures earlier this month aimed at simplifying the functioning of the government. But some politicians, including Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Milorad Dodik … have condemned the plans and mobilized the Serb public against them.
Five countries seal agreement on deploying European Gendarmerie in BiH (19.10.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) Five European countries sealed a treaty Thursday (October 18th) on the deployment of European Gendarmerie Force personnel in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The accord was signed by France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. Under the deal, the five countries will send a 140-member paramilitary police unit to BiH, which will support efforts by EU police, the UN, the OSCE and NATO.
Lacjak announces "new approach" for BiH (17.10.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) The top international envoy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, High Representative Miroslav Lajcak, says his office will shift its focus away from EU integration and towards economic reforms. The move comes after the country lost its chance of signing a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU this year, due to an ongoing deadlock over police reform.
Sanctions expected against BiH for police reform failure (16.10.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) The Peace Implementation Council will meet on October 30th regarding sanctions it plans to impose, following the failure of Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) politicians to agree on police reform. High Representative Miroslav Lajcak met with the six-member Contact Group in Brussels on Monday (October 15th), acknowledging the setback over the past year could not be ignored. He says most of the blame falls on RS political leaders, whom he says ended up ignoring three EU principles approved early on in the process.
Presidential elections in RS scheduled for December 9th (12.10.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) The Central Elections Commission (CEC) has scheduled presidential elections in Republika Srpska for December 9th, in the wake of President Milan Jelic's death nearly three weeks ago.
Lajcak urges BiH leaders to reach deal on police reform this week (09.10.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) High Representative Miroslav Lajcak said on Monday (October 8th) he would allow politicians one more round of negotiations to strike a deal on police reform. He voiced hope that progress would be made by the end of this week.
High Representative rejects police reform deal (05.10.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) High Representative Miroslav Lajcak rejected on Thursday (October 4th) the last-minute police reform deal struck by Bosniak and Bosnian Serb leaders Haris Siladzic and Milorad Dodik last week. Lajcak said that while it was a solid attempt at compromise, the document fails to meet the three key principles for police reform set by the EU.
Bosnian police deal “not enough” (02.10.2007)
(Quelle: RFE / RL) A breakthrough agreement on reform of Bosnia-Herzegovina's police forces is 'unfortunately ... not enough to continue [Bosnia's] Stabilization and Association Process with the European Union,' Miroslav Lajcak, the international community's high representative in the country, said on October 1. At least temporarily, Lajcak's statement dashes the hopes raised on September 28 by the last-minute agreement, whose authors, Haris Silajdzic and Milorad Dodik, both said they believed the deal would open the way to a Stabilization and Association Agreement, a first step toward EU membership.
Bosnia Serb speaker named acting President (02.10.2007)
(Quelle: BIRN) The assembly of the Bosnian Serb Republic, RS decided late on Monday that its speaker, Igor Radojicic, will act as president until elections, after the entity`s President, Milan Jelic died on Sunday. Elections for the new RS president are to be announced by the Central Electoral Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BiH. The death of Jelic caused initial confusion as neither the RS constitution nor that of the Bosnian central state stipulates who should succeed the RS president in case of death or a severe, incapacitating illness.
BiH politicians strike last-minute deal on police reform (30.09.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) BiH's top Serb and Muslim politicians reached a last-minute agreement Friday (September 28) to carry out a reform of the country's divided police forces. The EU had set the end of September as a deadline for completing the talks, and refused to sign a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with BiH until the deal was finalised.
Bosnia: penchant for partition (25.09.2007)
(Quelle: ISN Security Watch) At a time when international community is trying to unite Bosnia's three ethnic groups and merge their separate ethnic-based administrations, some local politicians are doing their best to keep the country divided and even create further divisions by bringing war-time maps to the table. … The most recent move to throw a wrench in unification plans, comes from Bosnian Serb leaders who are maneuvering to support the further partitioning of the country to include a third Bosnian Croat entity.
EU troops search home of former Bosnian Serb president (23.09.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) EUFOR troops, along with Bosnian Serb police and NATO officials, raided the home of former Bosnian Serb President Mirko Sarovic on Friday (September 21st) looking for clues into the whereabouts of fugitive Radovan Karadzic.
Bosnian Croats adopt platform on constitution (21.09.2007)
(Quelle: BIRN) The main Bosnian Croat parties have adopted a joint platform on future constitutional changes at a meeting in the central Bosnian town of Kresevo on Friday. The declaration envisages the abolition of Bosnia’s two largely autonomous entities, and the creation of new regions. The joint platform sets out the Bosnian Croats’ proclaimed commitment to a Bosnia and Herzegovina, BiH, with a European agenda, where Croats, together with the other two constituent peoples, the (Muslim) Bosniaks and the Serbs, will enjoy sovereignty and equality across the whole territory of the country.
Gregorian hints of movement in BiH police reform talks (16.09.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) Principal Deputy High Representative Raffi Gregorian said on Friday (September 14th) that both Republika Srpska Prime Minister Milorad Dodik and Bosniak presidency member Haris Silajdzic have agreed that police districts should not cross ethnic lines. This would signal a change in the position of Silajdzic and the Bosniaks, who had earlier insisted new police districts should mirror the country's regions, rather than the current two-entity system.
Dodik rejects Lajcak's draft police reform proposal (02.09.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) A day after BiH politicians rejected the draft police reform proposal submitted by High Representative Miroslav Lajcak, claiming it would favour Repubilka Srpska (RS) police structures, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik also criticised the document. Dodik said he reviewed the proposal on Friday (August 31st), and said that it was unconstitutional and not in compliance with RS' positions.
Bosnien soll in fünf Regionen geteilt werden (24.08.2007)
(Quelle: Der Standard (Wien)) Expertenteams der zwei führenden Parteien der Muslime in Bosnien sind dabei, einen gemeinsamen Vorschlag für die seit langem geplante Verfassungsreform vorzubereiten. Demnach soll der Staat statt wie bisher in zwei künftig in fünf Regionen unterteilt werden, die ethnisch gemischt sind. Beobachter erwarten, dass die bosnischen Serben einer Teilung der Republika Srbska nicht zustimmen werden.
Serb leader in Bosnia warned not to challenge peace agreement (22.08.2007)
(Quelle: International Herald Tribune) Bosnia's top international official Wednesday threatened to sanction the prime minister of the Bosnian Serb mini-state for 'inflammatory' statements hinting at the country's eventual break up. Miroslav Lajcak, Bosnia's international administrator, said he was concerned about a 'series of inflammatory statements' made over the last few days by premier Milorad Dodik.
Bosnia: Finally, movement (15.08.2007)
(Quelle: ISN) Just couple of weeks after taking office, Bosnia's new international envoy is winning praise from the international community and discouragement from local officials with the introduction of measures to reverse the obstruction of progress that has plagued the country for more than a decade.
Busniak appointed new OHR chief in Banja Luka (15.08.2007)
(Quelle: SE Times) Veteran Czech diplomat Ivan Busniak has been appointed as the new head of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in Banja Luka. He will succeed Orlando Fusco on September 1st. High Representative and EU Special Representative in BiH Miroslav Lajcak tapped Busniak for the post.
Lajcak says police reform does not mean revocation of RS police (08.08.2007)
(Quelle: Southeast European Times) Meeting with local authorities in Trebinje on Tuesday (August 7th), High Representative Miroslav Lajcak said police reform is only a technical issue, unnecessarily being complicated by politics and speculation. He also denied rumours that police restructuring would dismantle the Republika Srprska (RS) police or the entity itself. Lajcak has set an end of September deadline for agreement on stalled reforms, in order to initial a Stabilisation and Association agreement with the EU this year.