Bosnia Herzegovina War
Bosnia and Herzegovina (11/04)
The implementation of the Dayton Accords of 1995 has focused the efforts of policymakers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the international community, on regional stabilization in the former Yugoslavia. However, with the efforts to bring peace in Kosovo and Macedonia, donor resources for Bosnia and Herzegovina have diminished. Bosnia and Herzegovina's relations with its neighbors Croatia, Albania, and Serbia have been fairly stable since the signing of Dayton in 1995. The U.S. role in the Dayton Accords and their implementation has been key to successes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since the Dayton Accords were signed, over $14 billion in foreign aid has moved into Bosnia and Herzegovina, approximately $940 million of it coming from SEED funds. As stated above, this support has been key to the growth and revitalization of the economy and infrastructure in the republic. In addition to SEED funding, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs have been crucial to t ... [Read More]
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The 1995 General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Dayton Accords) created the independent state of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), previously one of the constituent republics of Yugoslavia. The Agreement also created two multiethnic constituent entities within the state: The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Federation) and the Republika Srpska (RS), along with the independent District of Brcko. The Federation has a postwar Bosnian Muslim (Bosniak) and Croat majority, while the RS has a postwar Bosnian Serb majority. The Constitution (Annex 4 of the Dayton Accords) established a federal democratic republic and assigned many governmental functions to the two entities, which have their own governments. The Accords also provided for the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to oversee implementation of civilian provisions. The OHR has the power to impose legislation and remove officials who obstruct the implement ... [Read More]
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The 1995 General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Dayton Accords) created the independent state of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), previously one of the constituent republics of Yugoslavia. The agreement also created two multiethnic constituent entities within the state: The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Federation) and the Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation has a postwar Bosnian Muslim (Bosniak) and Croat majority while the RS has a postwar Bosnian Serb majority. The Constitution (Annex 4 of the Dayton Accords) established a central government with a bicameral legislature, a three-member presidency (consisting of a Bosniak, a Serb, and a Croat), a council of ministers, a constitutional court, and a central bank. The Accords assigned many governmental functions to the two entities, which have their own governments, Parliaments, militaries and police forces. The Accords also provided for the Office of the ... [Read More]
NATO-led Mission Ends in Bosnia and Herzegovina
On July 31st of this year, I was in Bosnia and reviewed with officials from the Government of Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as with the commanders in the field, the process of transition as it was envisaged at the time, and Im very pleased to see that the arrangements are working out as smoothly as was planned. NATO's mission in Bosnia to stop a war and enforce a peace is complete. The people of Bosnia have welcomed a continued international security presence as they take the remaining steps on the path of reform which will bring them closer to Europe and to the transatlantic community. We are pleased that the European Union will establish a military mission, Operation Althea, to help with stability during this crucial period. This mission is a demonstration of the productive cooperation between NATO and the European Union under the Berlin Plus framework. ... [Read More]
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The 1995 General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Dayton Accords) ended the 1991-95 war and created the independent state of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), previously one of the constituent republics of Yugoslavia. The agreement also created two multiethnic constituent entities within the state: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Federation) and the Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation has a postwar Bosnian Muslim (Bosniak) and Croat majority while the RS has a postwar Bosnian Serb majority. The Constitution (Annex 4 of the Dayton Accords) established a central government with a bicameral legislature, a three-member presidency (consisting of a Bosniak, a Serb, and a Croat), a council of ministers, a constitutional court, and a central bank. The Accords assigned many governmental functions to the two entities, which have their own governments, parliaments, and police forces. The Accords also provided for the Office of the High Representative (OHR) ... [Read More]
UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina
On December 21, 1995, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1035, setting up the UN International Police Task Force and a UN Civil Affairs Office. These were brought together as the UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The UN Mission (UNMIBH) was created to help implement the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (also referred to as the as the Dayton-Paris Agreement). It was "under the authority of the Secretary-General and subject to coordination and guidance as appropriate" of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina appointed to oversee the Agreements implementation. ... [Read More]
United States Supports High Representative Ashdowns Actions Against War Crimes Fugitives and Their Supporters
The United States remains committed to helping Bosnia and Herzegovina assume its rightful place as a full member of the Euro-Atlantic community. Elements within the Republika Srpska are impeding progress towards this goal. NATO foreign ministers on December 9 reiterated that "failure by the Republika Srpska to fulfill its obligations to bring war criminals to justice" is the obstacle preventing Bosnia and Herzegovina from joining NATO's Partnership for Peace program. In nine years the Republika Srpska has failed to arrest even a single Tribunal indictee. Its failure to cooperate fully with International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia constitutes a fundamental breach of the Dayton Accords. It is clear that systemic changes to the Republika Srpska police and security structures are necessary to overcome this obstructionism. ... [Read More]
NATOs Role in Bosnia and Herzegovina
On December 2, 2004, the nine-year NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina concluded successfully. NATOs intervention in the Bosnia conflict--using force for the first time in Alliance history--led to the Dayton Accords and put an end to a costly and destructive conflict in the heart of Europe. In the nine years that followed the intervention, over 500,000 servicemen and women from 43 nations and every continent, including 90,000 Americans, served in Bosnia and Herzegovina without losing a single soldier to hostile action. The people of Bosnia have welcomed a continued international security presence as they take the remaining steps on the path toward integration into a Europe whole, free, and at peace. The European Union (EU) has established a military mission, Operation ALTHEA, to provide this support. ... [Read More]
Bosnia-Herzegovina
December 27, 2004 This Travel Warning has been revised to update security information and remind American citizens of the potential danger of travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This Travel Warning supersedes that of June 2, 2004. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens that there are still risks from occasional localized political violence, landmines, and unexploded ordnance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Local violence may occur without warning, related to political developments in ... [Read More]
Bosnia-Herzegovina
CRIME: Although street crime is relatively low and violent crimes are rare, pick pocketing and vehicle break-ins are a problem, and are on the rise in the capital city, Sarajevo. Most pickpockets operate in pairs and employ distraction methods to execute their craft. Sarajevo has also seen a recent marked rise in confrontational crimes, such as attempted muggings. Travelers should take normal precautions to protect their property from theft and exercise common sense personal security measures, traveling in groups, and staying in well-lighted areas after dark. Confrontations with local citizens resulting from traffic incidents or public disagreements should be avoided. INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or ... [Read More]
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