BosNet INTERVIEW: Ambassador Gelbard interview for the RTV B&H
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Subject: BosNet INTERVIEW: Ambassador Gelbard interview for the RTV B&H
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B o s N e t - September 1, 1998
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editor's note: the following interview with Ambassador Robert Gelbard was
kindly given to BosNet by the RTV B&H reporter Envera Selimovic who
conducted the interview.
RTV of B&H-Washington Bureau
Interview with U.S. Special Envoy for Implementation of the Dayton
Peace Agreement Ambassador ROBERT GELBARD
SELIMOVIC: Ambassador Gelbard, thank you for being with us É
A High US official recently said that the situation in Bosnia has
dramatically improved. Yet he admitted that the refugee situation still
is not satisfactory. The cynic might say, totally unsatisfactory,
especially in light of the small number of minority returneesÉ
GELBARD: United States clearly thinks that there has been dramatic
progress over the course, not just of last two and a half years since
the Dayton agreement, but particularly in the last one to and
one-and-a-half years, we have seen extremely important development in
many sectors. There is much greater cooperation right now between the
Federation and Republica Srpska. We have seen a lot more development, but
not enough yet in the joint institutions, and we certainly hope that
there would be a significantly greater amount of progress after the
upcoming elections.
We have seen a great deal of economic reconstruction, particularly in
the Federation, but also now in the Republica Srpska and we certainly
hope that the obstacles that exist in Federation, which has such a
headstart, will be removed--for example, through the desolution of the
Narodna Banka (National Bank), whose existence endangers the ongoing IMF
agreement. Assuming there continues to be a pro-Dayton government in
Republica Srpska I would be expect that there would continued to be a
lot of progress there.
Building democratic institutions will continue to be importantÉbut,
yes, we remain frustrated by the slow progress--too slow progress--on
particularly minority refugee returns. This is an area where the United
States and other countries feel that there have been structural
impediments raised by all three groups. There has been significant
violence, particularly by the Croats and the Serbs. We are deeply
regretful that the Bosniaks have gone back and [not] on their
commitment for the return of Serbs and Croats to Sarajevo canton.
Overall, this is not a satisfactory situation.
Of course, the UN had called 1998 the "year of return." I started
calling it "the year of talking about return," insteadÉand I can
understand that a lot of the hoped-for progress was blocked because of
election campaign.
There will be no excuses after the elections. And, it is my strong
view, that if there is not satisfactory progress on refugee returns
across the boardÉI don't care whether it is with Serbs, Croats,
BosniaksÉthere will be serious consequences in terms of the support by
the United States and the rest of the international community on the
economic area and the other areas. We see this as something that is
essential, and at the heart of Dayton and we will continue to work in the
most serious possible ways to assure important refugee returns.
SELIMOVIC:Talking about support, Ambassador, you are going to go to
Bosnia to rebuke anti-Dayton notions and encourage voters. Do
Americans finally "have a dog in the fight", to borrow Secretary
Baker's phrase?
GELBARD:We support people who implement the Dayton agreement, it is not
people who say they are in favor of Dayton. I have been very amused to
see that the SDS says that they are pro-Dayton. Well, words are easy; it
is accomplishments we are interested in. Americans are pragmatists and
the only thing that convinces us are deeds. What we want to see is the
implementation of the Dayton agreement in every way. There will be no
revisions to Dayton, we oppose revisions. There have been discussionsÉI
know at various times at a lots of different levels about possibly
redrawing the map. We will oppose any effort for partition, we will
oppose any attempt to revise Dayton and we will only support those who
support Dayton through their accomplishments.
SELIMOVIC: Talking metaphorically - the movie "Wag the dog" seems to
be a popular oversimplification for explaining President Clinton's
international initiatives. Do you believe that Bosnia and Kosovo are
overshadowed by the domestic Lewinski matter and current terrorist
problems on the international scene.
GELBARD: U.S. foreign policy continues based on the need to accomplish
certain goals. There are no domestic impediments of any kind. The fact
that Secretary Albright is going to Bosnia right now is clear dramatic
proof of our policy. This was a trip that was planned some time ago and
it follows her trip of year ago. This trip is being done in anticipation
of the upcoming elections and is intended to highlight: first,
dramatic progress which has occurred in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the
year since her last trip; but second, also the tremendous importance of
these elections. I would say, that globally, US foreign policy has
initiative of its own. We are the United States of America. We would
continue to pursue foreign policy objectives because we feel that they
are right objectives to pursue.
SELIMOVIC: US officials have conformed that Mladic is in Serbia and
That Karadzic is still on the run. Besides the fact that Milosevic is
accountable for accused war criminals from Serbia he is obviously
harboring at least one of the two the most wanted. Recently, he was
accused of criminal actions in Kosovo. And yet you are hoping for his
cooperationÉ
GELBARD: Well, first of all, we do believe that there a number of
Bosnian Serb indicted war criminals who are in residence in Serbia. The
recent murder of Slobodan Miljkovic, wanted Bosnian Serb indicted war
criminal inside Serbia, is very clear proof of this. We do believe that
Mladic is in residence in Belgrade, and has been, for quite some time. We
feel it is incumbent upon president Milosevic to cooperate with the
international community, the United Nations Security Council and
international law and turn these people over to the Tribunal. Till now,
of course, he has refused to cooperate with the international community
whether it is with so called Vukovar three or with the Bosnians Serbs,
who are hiding there. To the contrary, he and his security forces
protect them. This is another important demonstration that Milosevic not
only doesn't abide by the rule of law, he flouts it. The United States
feels it is absolutely critical for him to cooperate in every way
possible, if there is ever going to be any kind of support that
international community has, such as through the outer wall of
sanctions, through diminishing the outer wall of sanctions for the
country of Yugoslavia.
SELIMOVIC: Does that mean that you are not going to take further actions
against Milosevic despite this severe breach of international law?
GELBARD: I didn't say that. The pressure that United States has imposed
on Yugoslavia is far greater than any other country has done. First, in
the most stalwart way imaginable maintaining the outer wall of sanctions.
Second, by imposing additional sanctions over the course of the last six
months. Third, by not yet having diplomatic relations, something other
countries do, and we will continue to search for other means to achieve
the desired results, whether on Kosovo or on developing democratic norms
inside Yugoslavia or in cooperation with their neighbors.
SELIMOVIC: Ambassador, one can say Bosnia is still deeply divided.
Not like two years ago but enough that pessimists would say forever.
In light of the upcoming elections where is the spark of hope?
GELBARD: I totally disagree with that idea. Bosnia has come out of 46
months of the worst war Europe has seen since World War II, and one of
the worst wars we have seen in the World in over the last 50 years. I
think the progress which has occurred, particularly over the past
year-and-a-half, is dramatic proof that Bosnia and Herzegovina is well on
the way to full recovery. This is an area that had never been a country
in the modern times. It has certainly never been a democracy; it has
certainly never had a market economy. The people of Bosnia and
Herzegovina have shown enormous resilience in building back and out of
tragedy and tremendous destruction which has occurred there. The
international community wants to continue to help. Ultimately, of course,
it is up to the people of the country to do this. But I am tremendously
optimistic and my government is tremendously optimistic, based on the
progress we have seen, particularly over the last year-and-a-half We are
going to have a prosperous, democratic state of Bosnia and Herzegovina
composed of two multiethnic entities in the foreseeable future.
SELIMOVIC: Finally, ambassador Gelbard, in the eve of your incoming trip,
what would be your message to the Bosnians?
GELBARD: The United States is looking forward to a free and fair
election. We think the results of this will be another strong example to
the world about the continuing important recovery of Bosnia and
Herzegovina and the very positive movement that we see toward its full
membership in the community of democratic nations. I will be returning to
the Bosnia and Herzegovina for the elections and we look forward to
seeing that the will of the people will only ratify the continued
progress toward a strong, prosperous, democratic country.
SELIMOVIC: Ambassador Gelbard, I thank you very much.
Envera Selimovic
RTV of B&H
Washington, D.C. August 28,1998
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