Written by: Antun Masle
Q: What will, in your opinion, the victory of the opposition in
Croatia mean to the relations between BiH and Croatia?
A: I would say that the election results in Croatia will contribute
to the improvement of the relations with BiH. First of all, they open an
opportunity for a better correlation on equal foundations of the two
independent and sovereign countries, which derived from the former
Yugoslavia, but between which there are many political, social and cultural
ties. Croats in BiH can already feel certain changes that occurred upon the
HDZ's loss of power. This particularly relates to radicals to whom the past
elections are the last signal that all speculations about the tentative
annexation to Croatia are to be forgotten. It is known and clear that
Croatia and BiH are two neighbouring, sovereign states and that the BiH
Croats are no Croatian Diaspora, but a constituent nation in BiH.
Q: Neither the opposition coalition nor the presidential candidates,
seem to be prepared any longer to "inject" hundreds of millions of DM for
the Croat community in BiH. What is your position?
A: First of all, Croatia has certain duties towards the Croats in
BiH, and the IC has been requesting those donations be fully transparent.
This is what the Croatian tax-payers should insist, too. My Deputy,
Ambassador Johnson, has been to Zagreb and has contacted the new
government's representatives. He has said that we in BiH have nothing
against the continuation of the assistance, but that we are against a
non-transparent transfer of money. We have requested this be sorted out. We
have reached full agreement on this. I am of the opinion that Croatia can
assist Croats in BiH in social and cultural realms.
Q: But, the Croat army component is the biggest Croatian money
spender.
A: The issue of the army financing is quite a complex one. The new
leadership in Zagreb must seriously reconsider the financing of the Bosnian
Croats' army and give an accurate review of the means and their purpose. It
is exactly in the military segment that the situation can considerably be
improved by reduction of the contributions for the army. Demilitarisation in
the region must strengthen, which has been foreseen by the Stability Pact.
Therefore, Croatia, but all the other donors too, will be decreasing
military contributions in the forthcoming years. The sooner this is done,
the better.
Negative legacy
Q: How will, in your view, the election results influence the events
in Croatia itself?
A: Croatia has just had historic elections and, I dare say, Croatian
elections will have a historic significance in the whole region. After the
elections, Croatia and Slovenia are the best example of a successful
transformation into civil societies that are on the best way to become a
part of the European community of nations. I expect that in the presidential
elections, too, Croat(ian)s voted for the one who would integrate the
country with Europe. Croatia, naturally, must not be euphoric as the economy
was left in a bad situation, the unemployment rate is high, the level of the
human rights and freedoms is low, media landscape is too directly depending
on politics. However, I am certain that the situation in Croatia will be
improved very soon with the help of the European Community.
Q: What should the relations between Croatia and BiH be in the
future? Should there be special relations, according to the Agreement on
Special Relations?
A: Irrespective of the form, and the special relations formula's
becoming reality is possible, the relations between Croatia and BiH must be
sincere, good neighbourly relations, without tongues in their cheek. The two
states have a common history. Croatia can nowadays help BiH on its way to
the European community of nations. In my judgment, both states are a part of
Europe, although both have gone through really difficult temptations over
the last years. The Stability pact is a good framework for cooperation for
other countries in this region, too.
Wrong priorities
Q: Unlike Croatia, BiH has not been admitted to the Council of
Europe. Namely, it has been assessed that many things need to be improved
before the entrance. What are the fundamental Council of Europe's
objections?
A: Common institutions in BiH still do not function. The Council of
Ministers is in a deep crisis, the Parliament has not taken all of its
responsibilities yet, the election law has still not been adopted.
Unfortunately, the visit of the Council of Europe's delegation coincided
with the rejection of the election law draft. This indicated that the state
with its institutions is still not ready to enter the Council of Europe,
although it has the Council's sympathies. The first condition is that BiH
becomes functional politically-wise, which is still not the case. I, or
anybody else from the function of the IC's High Representative, am not
allowed to represent BiH in Strasbourg, it must have a leadership of its
own. When it will be admitted depends exclusively on the leadership that
must show its will to cooperate.
Q: Bosniak and Croat representatives in the BiH Parliament have not
agreed upon the draft election law as the new election law might easily
bring about the weakening of the nationalistic parties that remain to be the
major political forces in BiH. After that, speculations started that you
would, in accordance with your authorities, impose the election law?
A: I am not too happy when I have to impose any of the laws. The
best would be if the law could be passed in a regular procedure, although it
does not go without problems in BiH and sometimes there is no other
solution. This was the case of the establishment of the Border Service in
conformity with the law imposed by me, although the Serb side was against
it. For us, the story about the election law is not finished yet. We will
keep on requesting the Parliament's cooperation. There is a possibility of
changing the draft law. The decision has not been made yet, but we will not
give the new election law up.
Q: Which side in BiH is in your opinion the most cooperative one?
A: Generally speaking, the people living in that country wish for
prosperity and want to cooperate with the IC. Yet, there are nationalistic
parties that are primarily and almost exclusively interested in maintaining
their political power. The people and the country are the last interest on
their lists. The national leaderships in BiH have wrong priorities. People
who would care more about the citizens should come to power because, from my
six-month experience, I can say that, just like in Croatia, people who are
familiar with the European democratic standards and who want to live in
conformity with them live here.
Support to Dayton
Q: The IC in BiH has been trying for years to strengthen the
social-democratic option and decrease the influence of national, or
nationalistic, parties. You have not been successful so far. Do you expect
changes?
A: The election results in Croatia give most hope that nationalistic
parties that are in power in BiH would be replaced by moderate
Europe-oriented parties, although the situation in BiH is considerably
different. The country is still traumatised by the terrorist war, which
significantly slowed democratic processes down. There are also a communist
legacy and finally the ruling structures' obstruction. However, the things
are gradually changing for the better.
Q: Will there be a redefinition of the DPA like, for example, the Croat
side in BiH is wishing? There have been some stories lately about the
creation of a third entity?
A: The DPA is not made of wrought iron. Anything can be changed if
majority of citizens decides so. That is, if majority of the BiH citizens
requests changes. However, since a considerable part of the obligations from
the DPA have not been fulfilled yet, it would be better to concentrate on
their fulfillment. I still think that the time will come when changes will
be necessary. For example, a change of the Constitution requires two-third
majority. When that is voted in, a new Constitution is created. Something
similar could soon happen in Croatia.
Q: Do you have contacts with Croatian politicians?
A: I have met all of the most important Croatian politicians from the
former Government, headed by Prime Minister Matesa, Minister Granic, as well
as the former Opposition Six. I also had a separate meeting with Stipe
Mesic.
Q: Will you ask for a meeting with new Croatian President and what will
you request?
A: I am preparing a visit to Zagreb. That is a priority. I want to meet
immediately with new President and the Government representatives. Croatia
must accept BiH as a sovereign state with the possibility for development of
special relations. I will request from the new Croatian authorities also a
sincere support to the DPA.
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