The testimony of four nominated diplomats proposed by the White House, who must be confirmed by the Senate of the United States Congress, was held at the Senate Foreign Policy Committee, reports Al Jazeera.
Among them was James O’Brien, who was nominated for the position of Deputy Secretary of State for Europe.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen asked how the emphasized rhetoric of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik against the unification of BiH could affect instability and whether there was concern that it could affect the renewal of EUFOR’s mandate in the UN.
Reduce Dodik’s money control
O’Brien replied that Dodik controls the government in one part of Bosnia and Herzegovina and that he wants to control the resources and all the funds that come from those resources.
“We are able to reduce his control of money and that is part of his challenge. Together with the EU and the high representative, we tell him that this is unacceptable, that there will be clear consequences and that he must give up such behavior,” he continued.
“The military forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina are crucial for security. We have clearly said, whether they are under EUFOR or the NATO alliance in some capacity, their presence is crucial.”
O’Brien confirmed that, in the event that EUFOR’s one-year mandate in the UN is not extended, NATO peacekeeping forces would be deployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
