Over the past two weeks some Sarajevo media have strongly supported the signing of a petition against the sending of pyrotechnists to Iraq, which was initiated by a minor opposition party, the Social Democratic Union.
The initiative has been strongly supported by Sarajevo's highest circulation daily, Dnevni Avaz, while some officials of ruling parties such as the Party for Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Party of Democratic Action have criticised the Presidency's earlier decision on Bosnia's participation in a mine removal programme in Iraq.
In reaction, the Presidency's members today issued a statement recalling that the decision on the sending of pyrotechnists to Iraq was motivated by the wish to help the Iraqi people and the realisation that it was time for Bosnia to take over its share of international commitments by participating in peace missions around the world.
The third reason for the decision is the wish to reaffirm Bosnia's commitment to actively participate in the international anti-terror coalition, the statement read.
Previously, decisions were made on sending Bosnian officers to United Nations peace missions in Congo and Eritrea. The decision on sending 36 pyrotechnists to Iraq was made in accordance with the Constitution and the Law on Defence.
The statement said the latest decision was legally based also on the U.N. Security Council's resolutions on Iraq and NATO's decision on the engagement of its military potential in the training of the Iraqi army. It added the decision was also in line with Bosnia's foreign policy guidelines, particularly Euro-Atlantic integration and the strengthening of friendly ties with the U.S.
Bosnian pyrotechnists were first to be sent to Iraq in September, but their departure will occur at least three months later, which is the time necessary to equip and train them, a process which has not begun yet. Parliament also has to adopt a law on participation in peace missions, the draft of which is expected to be ready later this month.
It is estimated the Iraqi mission will annually cost Bosnia about US$5 million, half of which will be provided by the U.S. government.