After the attempt to appoint a new high representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina failed at the session of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), the United States of America sent an unusually harsh and direct message.
Along with open criticism of European partners, announcements are coming from Washington about a possible review of the American role in the international mission in our country.
As confirmed to Klix.ba from diplomatic circles, the two-day session of the PIC (June 3 and 4) ended unsuccessfully, and several hours of negotiations and the formation of two opposing blocs resulted in the postponement of the decision on Christian Schmidt’s successor until the end of this month.
The American Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina did not hide its dissatisfaction with this outcome. In the official statement, they point out that the public rightly expected that the PIC would elect a new high representative in order to ensure stability in BiH, but that the process was blocked due to European divisions.
“The US delegation sought to reach consensus around a mutually accepted vision and a highly qualified Italian candidate, the experienced diplomat Ambassador Antonio Zanardi Landi. The United States of America notes the European failure to reach consensus on a European candidate and is disappointed that these divisions have prevented the PIC from fulfilling its mission,” the US Embassy said in a message.
How much the American administration was dedicated to the Italian candidate is also shown by the fact that US Secretary of State Rubio recently described him in front of Congress as “a gentleman we think would do a good job helping to ensure some stability in that position”.
However, the most dramatic part of the message refers to Washington’s future steps in our country.
“The European indecision and the abandonment of the PIC’s duty towards Bosnia and Herzegovina force the United States of America to reconsider its role in the current international presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” reads the harsh conclusion of the announcement.
We remind you that the PIC session collapsed because France and Germany, with the support of Great Britain, defeated the American proposal that the Italian diplomat Antonio Zanardi Landi should become the head of the OHR. The EU member states had a different plan – they intended to install the Frenchman Rene Troccaz in the position of high representative.
Due to the fact that two strong blocs were formed and that even the talks before the session did not bring results, Christian Schmidt will remain in the position of high representative until the final consensus is reached.
The German diplomat resigned a few weeks ago, and his successor was to be officially appointed at this week’s session. According to the information obtained by our portal, the final decision on the appointment has now been extended to the end of June.
It remains to be seen whether the dramatic warning from the US will accelerate the agreement or lead to a deeper crisis within the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Klix.ba writes.
