Bosnian politicians are using money intended for flood victims to plug budget holes!

David Barth, Director of the Mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Colonel Scott Miller, U.S. Defense Attaché, published a commentary on the blog, which we are transferring in its entirety without corrections:

Although the head of the development agency and a senior advisor in the U.S. military have different responsibilities and partners, both of us have personally witnessed the inability of authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, at all levels, to respond to the needs of citizens. Tragic floods have deprived families of the two most essential things – the security of their own homes and productive employment. But politicians in BiH have proven incapable or unwilling to match the efforts of the international community, even by half, deciding to act according to their usual custom of favoritism, party interests, secret deals, and shifting blame to others.

At the donor conference held in July, the international community secured more than 800 million euros to help flood-affected areas. More than 100 million euros of these funds have already been spent on humanitarian aid that the international community sent immediately after the floods or on flood recovery and reconstruction projects. However, international institutions have provided the authorities of BiH with more than half a billion euros for flood relief and recovery. Little of that money has reached affected citizens or municipalities. Four months have passed since the first floods, and BiH politicians have neither a plan nor even a serious idea they can offer for recovery. Flood victims have received almost nothing but empty promises and excuses from their leaders. Instead, these same leaders have quickly used international aid to fill the sacks with which they cover existing budget holes caused by their policies, and very little funds have gone to help the flood victims. And now they are asking for the remaining funds?   

Every student from the flood-affected areas will be able to return to school this month, because the European Union and the United Nations have worked hard to quickly repair the damage to schools. Thousands of businesses and farmers will be able to return to productive work because USAID, the Government of Sweden, the Government of Norway, and other organizations have worked hard to help restart businesses. Basic infrastructure, such as bridges, water supply, and roads, has been quickly repaired thanks to the joint efforts of the international community. But what have the BiH authorities themselves done in this regard?

It is clear that there are bright examples. The Armed Forces of BiH, Civil Protection personnel, and volunteers bravely and tirelessly engaged in the first days after the floods. The AF BiH continues to carry out activities, and is now working on demining projects, road clearing, and infrastructure reconstruction. The Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank reacted quickly to release USAID funds for the implementation of our most urgent projects. We and the citizens of BiH are grateful to them for that.

In the flood-affected areas, rafting clubs, local groups, the diaspora, and certain municipal leaders have engaged to help each other regardless of their ethnic, religious, or political affiliation. Unfortunately, these efforts have been ignored by politicians who have built personal empires by repeating stories about how differences between ethnic groups prevent joint functioning, stories about past hostilities and victimization. The citizens of this country recognize these as political tactics used in the past to manipulate, divide, and control people.  Citizens know that their politicians use fear and insecurity to avoid transparency and accountability. This can hardly be a recipe for a prosperous and successful future to which the children of BiH are entitled.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis is known for the saying, “sunlight is the best disinfectant.” While we certainly need more sunlight, he certainly wasn't talking about the weather. His message is that transparency best ensures that public policies are implemented in the public interest. The international community can justify every expense. Can politicians in BiH claim the same? Citizens know the truth and must be prepared to demand more.

The October elections are an opportunity for citizens to express their views and choose the future they want. The floods have revealed countless examples of the best in the reactions of ordinary people in BiH and the worst in the reactions of politicians.  The citizens of BiH deserve better, for themselves, and for their children and grandchildren. The only way for this to happen is by demanding accountability – and demanding that the winners of the next elections adhere to that standard.