Christian Schwarz-Schilling: All politicians – in
Christian Schwarz-Schilling: The RSNA, the FBiH Parliament and the BiH Parliament all signed up to the political Agreement of October 2005 in which they accepted the three EU Principles of police reform. This was a precondition for starting talks on a
When the parliaments signed up to this reform they did so for the reasons I cited above – police reform will deliver tangible benefits to citizens in the form of functional policing that is effective across BiH. It makes BiH a more capable partner to the effort to strengthen international security, and I am assuming Mr Dodik wants this as much as citizens want it. They have had enough of crime.
Christian Schwarz-Schilling: The Directorate is responsible for producing technical proposals from which BiH’s Police Reform will develop. Once BiH has agreed this reform it will be assessed by the European Union for compliance with the three principles. The reforms technical viability will be one of the points that the EU will consider. There is no doubt that solutions can be found that accomodate all interests, but that are in line with the three EC principles.
Christian Schwarz-Schilling: There is nothing in the three principles, or the October political agreement that says that the RS Ministry of Interior has to go, nor is that he aim of this reform. But the Ministries of the Interior will have a different role from today. The third principle states that policing regions need to be based on technical criteria. Given this requirement I am yet to hear a convincing argument to that the
Christian Schwarz-Schilling: The proposal that narrowly failed in the spring is a critical first step towards a broader reform process, one that must be owned by
Christian Schwarz-Schilling: The point of constitutional reform must be to produce a system that works, and works for all citizens. But as I’ve indicated that question needs to be agreed and supported by BiH’s constituent peoples.
Christian Schwarz-Schilling: The Peace Implementation Council will review this question in February. I am not going to pre-empt their decision.
Christian Schwarz-Schilling: More prosperous, secure, democratic and well on the way to full EU membership. It is possible – but only if politicians are pragmatic and forward looking. There is already clear consensus in support of most of the necessary reforms – these reforms should be (and can be) carried forward successfully with focused administrative and political effort. On the remaining reforms where there is not yet general agreement, let’s get down to negotiations without further delay so that we can start implementing agreed solutions without delay. The worst failing of politicians in
Christian Schwarz-Schilling: I understand that the State Court has confirmed indictments for crimes against the Serb civilian population as well. I believe citizens in both Entities are relieved that those who committed war crimes are being tried and sentenced. A crime is a crime – whoever commits it. International judges add an important capacity to the BiH judiciary but their presence was always temporary only and as the State Court strengthens as an institution so the international presence is being reduced.
Christian Schwarz-Schilling: The process is yet to finalised therefore it is too early to make any kind of comment in this regard. I have made it clear that the process on which we are now embarked to review removals and, where appropriate, to allow removed officials to return to public life, explicitly excludes those who were removed for reasons related to ICTY violations.
Christian Schwarz-Schilling: The quickest way to resolve this is for the authorities in the RS to meet their obligation to cooperate fully with the ICTY. The RS needs to play a proactive role in apprehending all indicted war criminals and in shutting down their criminal support networks.