Reconciliation in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Public
Event
Date
Friday, July 24, 1998
Implementation of Dayton Peace Accords
While improvements in governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina are visible, progress
has been slower than expected. Zubak placed part of the responsibility for slow
progress on the existing governing structures, and accepted personal responsibility
since he had been a member of the HDZ and the collective presidency. The government
needs new political powers for faster implementation of the Dayton agreements and to
speed the process of political pluralization.
![Sven Alkalaj](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090109133128im_/http://origin.usip.org/events/pre2002/images/photos/salkalaj.jpg)
Sven Alkalaj
Integration and Reconciliation
Zubak stressed the need to speed up normalization of relations among the
nationalities and reconstruction. Increased cooperation and communication among all
nationalities is vital. New political initiatives are necessary for these goals, and
leaders must offer a political conception for democratic development in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. The consciousness of the need for new political concepts and more
cooperation is present among all citizens of all nationalities, said Zubak, which
shows that Bosnia and Herzegovina is on the right road for further implementation.
These central issues now have equal or greater importance on the political agenda as
the exclusively nationalist issues that had been dominant in the past.
The results of the September 1998 elections will reveal whether or not the forces
for change have gained support over nationalist parties. The elections will determine
whether new political parties will have a dominant role in the government.
![President Kresimir Zubak](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090109133128im_/http://origin.usip.org/events/pre2002/images/photos/zubak.jpg)
President Kresimir Zubak
"The Hardest Test"
Zubak characterized the return of refugees to their homes as "the hardest test"
for the governing structures. Despite the fact they have been displaced for so long,
the refugees' will to go home remains strong. The constitutions of the entities
should be adjusted to grant each national group the status of constituent nation in
the entity in which they are not the majority. He called on the Office of the High
Representative to use his power to dismiss officials who resist returns.
A lack of coordination and strategy among the numerous organizations in Bosnia and
Herzegovina has impeded the international community's assistance in implementing
civilian reconstruction and assisting in refugee return. Zubak suggested that the
international community could help speed up refugee returns by putting specific areas
under SFOR control and declaring them "zones of return." These zones would be
re-incorporated into the entities only with the completed return of refugees. He
suggested that this process could be gradual, addressing many areas in succession,
not all at once.
Zubak remarked on the success of the Train and Equip program in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, noting in particular that two armies that had previously fought against
each other had been integrated. If Republika Srpska is prepared to meet the necessary
conditions, this program should be expanded there.
![President Zubak responds to a question through his translator.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090109133128im_/http://origin.usip.org/events/pre2002/images/photos/zubaktrans.jpg)
President Zubak responds to a question through his translator.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Zubak highlighted the need for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was
approved recently by the presidents of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since part of the
conflict was caused by different views of the history of the region, agreement on a
single, shared past (good and bad) is essential for future peace. They look to the
U.S. Institute of Peace to help them as they establish and institutionalize this
process.
Relations with Croatia
In response to a question, Zubak claimed that contrary to common belief, the HDZ
in Bosnia and Herzegovina never received directions from Zagreb to obstruct
implementation. The HDZ in Bosnia and Herzegovina has lost credibility, and Zubak
does not think their broad media efforts will deliver enough voters to win the
election. He emphasized that during the war Bosnian Croats had leaned heavily on
Croatia, where they found strong family ties and a sense of national identity as well
as material ties like support for war wounded. Bosnian Croats reacted strongly to
Serb attacks against Vukovar and Dubrovnik. Peace is weakening Bosnian Croat ties to
Croatia and the Croats of Bosnia are developing independent views, though they hope
the relationship between Bosnia and Croatia will remain strong. There are good
geopolitical reasons for Zagreb and Sarajevo to stay on good terms and pursue mutual
interests.
HDZ and the New Croatian Initiative
![Daniel Serwer](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090109133128im_/http://origin.usip.org/events/pre2002/images/photos/serwer.jpg)
Daniel Serwer
Dominant, indigenous forces in the HDZ had slowed the implementation process. Zubak
recently formed a new party, New Croatian Initiative, when he found that the HDZ
could not democratize. Although the campaign is still in the preparation phase,
involving mostly round table discussions, Zubak pointed out the excellent popular
participation at party rallies. The campaign begins officially on August 15, 1998.
Their greatest problem is lack of media coverage on Croatian television. Many Croats
in Bosnia and Herzegovina watch the state-run Croatian television, which only covers
the HDZ.
In response to a question on how Zubak's party will work to improve the position of
women in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zubak noted that over 50 percent of the voters are
women. His party has formed a women's caucus charged with creating a political
platform on women's issues, which the party as a whole will adopt.
Joint Institutions
If re-elected to the joint presidency this September, Zubak pledged to work for the
firmer establishment of joint institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Almost none of
these institutionssuch as the presidency and parliamentare totally
constructed. Zubak pointed out that as yet none have the same offices or meet
regularly in the same place. Therefore, his first goal would be to establish a
central district in Sarajevo for such joint services and meetings.
Speakers
- President Kresimir Zubak
Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Sven Alkalaj
Ambassador of Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Dan Serwer
Senior Fellow, U.S. Institute of Peace
Media Inquiries
Please contact Ian Larsen (+1.202.429.3870) or Lauren Sucher (+1.202.429.3822) in
the Office of Public Affairs and Communications.