Bećirović for Patria: Political dependence is the key problem of the security system in BiH

Zijad Bećirović, director of the International Institute for Middle Eastern and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) Ljubljana, openly discusses in an interview with the Patria agency how political dependence is the key problem of the security system in BiH, commenting on the latest terrorist attack in BiH.

Patria: We have had another case of a terrorist attack in BiH, as characterized by police agencies. Fear has gripped the citizens, and questions are often asked about how this latest case might affect BiH?

BEĆIROVIĆ: One of the characteristics of terrorism is that the organizers and perpetrators of acts of violence are noticed, meaning they want to "convey and send a message" through violence, and most often they do it in the name of some, let's call them, "higher" goals. In light of current events in the world, and especially after the events in Paris, the citizens of BiH are rightly concerned, and the message is clear. Cases of violence, or terrorism, are happening everywhere in the world, including in BiH. No one is spared, and we all need to face it and fight against it.

Patria: It is now evident that there is no coordination among police agencies; the Minister of Security himself has admitted this. What steps need to be taken to finally achieve this much-desired coordination?

BEĆIROVIĆ: The security system in BiH is not only fragmented but also self-contradictory. The entire system in Republika Srpska is police and intelligence-linked and relies on Serbia, and largely supports the authorities in RS, which are dismantling BiH. This means the security system does not exist; it is contradictory, and the heads of all agencies are appointed based on political criteria. In such a situation, the statement by the BiH Minister of Security, Dragan Mektić, that the security system is "uncoordinated" is not surprising, as he too came through political channels, specifically on the recommendation and will of SDS.

Patria: How realistic is it to expect the authorities in BiH to engage more strongly and effectively in the fight against terrorism?

BEĆIROVIĆ: Every authority in BiH must know that BiH is a security challenge for Europe and the world, because if they think otherwise, the future of BiH is endangered. Genocide and the worst crimes since World War II have occurred in BiH. I believe that no authority can function if it is not fully dedicated to the security challenge called Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Patria: We have had personnel changes in key leadership positions in important police agencies (SIPA, OSA). Are the appointed personnel truly the right solutions, and what can their appointments bring, primarily to the citizens?

BEĆIROVIĆ: Every change brings something new. Besides the BiH Minister of Security, SDS also appointed the director of SIPA, and SDA appointed the new director of OSA. What is the difference between Goran Zubac and the new director of SIPA? Well, only in who is the director's political patron; Zubac's was SNSD, and this one's is SDS. As for OSA, I believe it is conditionally good to know who is responsible for what. It seems to me that the previous leadership of OSA, under the guise of political independence, was actually politically dependent in BiH, as well as internationally, which is not good for any intelligence service. This way, we know who appointed whom, and it is then in everyone's interest for the service to function professionally, because the responsibility lies precisely with the one who took on the role of appointing the top officials. Unlike SIPA, the OSA agency does not have police powers and cooperates very closely with partner countries, so the professional or unprofessional work of the new OSA leadership will become clear very quickly.