The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, has appointed Kalman Kocsis as Supervisor for Intelligence Reform, to assist with the implementation of reforms that have been agreed in this sector. This appointment has been made in light of the model established by Jim Locher and Joly Dixon, who have assisted with, respectively, the implementation of defence and indirect taxation reforms by remaining engaged in the process following the conclusion of their original mandate.
The Supervisor for Intelligence Reform is tasked with monitoring, advising and assisting the BiH authorities in all aspects of the implementation of the recently passed Law. The Supervisor will regularly report to the High Representative on progress in implementing the law.
The Director-General and Deputy Director General remain responsible for the Intelligence and Security Agency’s operations, and the Chair of the Council of Ministers and the Executive Intelligence Committee remain responsible for the supervision and political oversight of the Agency’s work, as provided by the Law on the Intelligence and Security Agency.
“Intelligence reform has powered ahead,” the High representative noted when making this appointment. “The progress achieved, including the passage of the Law, the appointment of an Intelligence Committee in the Parliamentary Assembly and the appointment of the Director-General and Deputy-Director-General is very encouraging. Ambassador Kocsis’ leadership, vision and hard work have been instrumental in this process. This appointment will allow him to continue to help BiH implement this reform.”
A former Hungarian Ambassador to BiH, Kalman Kocsis, since its establishment in 29 May 2003 , acted as Chairman of the Expert Commission, which drafted the Intelligence and Security Agency Law. He was formerly the head of the Hungarian intelligence service.