Nicholas Hill, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in BiH, considered that Milorad Dodik, SNSD leader and president of Republika Srpska, can block reform processes in BiH regardless of whether or not his party is part of government at the BiH level.
“He (Dodik) is capable of doing it. Even today we see the situation in agriculture, which is the result of one of his blockades, because of which it is impossible to form institutions and agencies that would enable export of agricultural products,” Hill said at a press conference in Banja Luka.
He added that the U.S Embassy is very carefully monitoring the situation at the state and Federation level.
“Our priority is that stable governments form at all levels as soon as possible, and I hope that the focus of leaders will be improving the economic situation,” said Hill.
After discussions held over the last two days with Nedeljko Cubrilovic, president of the RS National Assembly, RS Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic, and NDP leader Dragan Cavic on forming a government in this BiH entity, Hill stressed that he “believes that the situation is very interesting.”
“I don’t want to imply anything with this statement other than now you have several parties in this coalition and there is no longer one dominant political party,” explained Hill.
The deputy chief of mission has remained steadfast and, during his official visit to Banja Luka, did not meet with Dodik.
“No, I didn’t meet with Mr. Dodik, and I have nothing new to say in connection with that,” he said.
Commenting on the work of BiH security agencies in the fight against terrorism, Hill recalled that the U.S. closely cooperates with SIPA and other governmental institutions.
“We have had good cooperation thus far and it is much appreciated. But there is no doubt that a lot of work must be done. Everyone should do more, the prosecutor should make better cases, and we are very happy to see that Foreign Minister Zlatko Lagumdzija said at the conference of the coalition for the fight against ISIS in Brussels that BiH supports this fight,” concluded Hill.
(Source: Oslobođenje)
