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Spotlight on Bosnia – Obstacles to Progress and Recommendations for the International Response

Moderators

Mark Milosch

Chief of Staff

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Bob Hand

Policy Advisor

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Witnesses

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Clifford Bond

Former U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina/Vice President

American University in Bosnia-Herzegovina

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Kurt Bassuener

Senior Associate

Democratization Policy Council

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Nida Gelazis

Senior Associate

European Studies Program/Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

This briefing addressed how politics in Bosnia are marked by increased nationalist rhetoric, which sometimes threatens the country’s peace, stability and territorial integrity, and the parties’ unwillingness to work constructively with the representatives of the international community, and the difficulties that have been faces since the October 2010 elections. Possible sources of this political impasse and possible course of action for the international community were also examined.

Witnesses testifying at the briefing – including Clifford Bond, former U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Vice President of the American University in Bosnia-Herzegovina; Kurt Bassuener, Senior Associate of the Democratization Policy Council; and Nida Gelazis, Senior Associate of European Studies Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars – provided several recommendations for improving the political situation in Bosnia, including a strong EU presence in the country, an emphasis on economic improvements, and basic reforms to improve the functionality of the Dayton state.

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