SARAJEVO, Oct 15 (Hina) - The resignation of the interior minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina's federation, Muhamed Besic, has elicited a very harsh reaction from the United States Embassy in the country. Diplomatic sources in Sarajevo
have confirmed to Hina that the U.S. charge d'affaires in Bosnia, Christopher Hoch, has forwarded a very strong-worded letter to all significant state bodies of authority, pointing out that Besic's resignation brings into question the U.S. government's trust in Bosnia's willingness to continue taking resolute anti-terrorist measures. The Sarajevo daily Dnevni Avaz has quoted the long letter by Hoch, the highest ranking diplomat until the new U.S. ambassador arrives early next month. The letter emphasises the surprise and disappointment at the fact that Besic, of the Party for BH, has been forced to resign. The former interior minister of Bosnia's Croat-Muslim f
SARAJEVO, Oct 15 (Hina) - The resignation of the interior minister
of Bosnia and Herzegovina's federation, Muhamed Besic, has
elicited a very harsh reaction from the United States Embassy in the
country.
Diplomatic sources in Sarajevo have confirmed to Hina that the U.S.
charge d'affaires in Bosnia, Christopher Hoch, has forwarded a very
strong-worded letter to all significant state bodies of authority,
pointing out that Besic's resignation brings into question the U.S.
government's trust in Bosnia's willingness to continue taking
resolute anti-terrorist measures.
The Sarajevo daily Dnevni Avaz has quoted the long letter by Hoch,
the highest ranking diplomat until the new U.S. ambassador arrives
early next month.
The letter emphasises the surprise and disappointment at the fact
that Besic, of the Party for BH, has been forced to resign.
The former interior minister of Bosnia's Croat-Muslim federation
is described as the leading figure in Bosnia's struggle against
terrorism, something the ruling Alliance for Changes coalition,
which includes the Party for BH, has directly been committed to.
Hoch has warned Bosnia's authorities the U.S. will not have
understanding for those outside the world coalition against the
perpetrators of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and
Washington. Bosnia's authorities are requested to clarify their
position towards terrorism, not only in words but through action as
well.
Before resigning, Besic accused Haris Silajdzic, Party for BH's
former leader, of having attempted to extort a resignation in
August. The resignation was to be a punishment for Besic's refusal
to replace Dragan Lukic as head of police administration at the
federal Interior Ministry with a Muslim.
Silajdzic has been in Turkey for some time now, while his closest
party associates, Beriz Belkic and Safet Filipovic, have recently
vehemently criticised Besic, particularly in light of his
statement that 70 Al-Quaida members were preparing to come to
Bosnia.
The international community's High Representative for Bosnia,
Wolfgang Petritsch, has also been notified about Hoch's letter. His
spokeswoman Alexandra Stiglmayer said Petritsch's Office had been
very surprised by Besic's resignation, adding cooperation with the
former minister had been good.
In the explanation of his resignation, Besic among else said he had
been forced to make the decision in order to foil the struggle
against terrorism and organised crime.
The Nezavisne Novine daily from Banja Luka claims many tycoons were
implicated in the resignation. Besic became a problem after coming
close to the mastermind of organised weapon trafficking from Bosnia
for Kosovo, a top Bosnian politician, the newspaper said.
(hina) ha sb