Cormack: It would be unthinkable in the US to ignore Supreme Court rulings

US Ambassador to BiH Maureen Cormack, in her first interview since arriving in BiH with the media, including the Patria News Agency, spoke about her first impressions of the situation in BiH, political corruption, BiH's path to NATO...

- I have been here for three months and have traveled extensively throughout the country. I have met with a great many people, and my first impressions after talking with citizens are excellent. The citizens of this country are very educated and well-informed about current events.

What frustrates me is that this country has excellent human resources, conditions for tourism development, nature, and conditions for the development and strengthening of the energy sector. But, none of this is progressing due to political corruption and obstacles.

The current suffering is not necessary and can be overcome. I hope that during my mandate, we will be able to cooperate, not only with the authorities but also with the citizens, to encourage them to work towards a better future. You are a country in the heart of Europe, you have a great location, and you can leverage that.

The Ambassador could not comment on the statement by the President of the BiH Court, Meddžida Kreso, who warned back in October last year that there is a judicial mafia in BiH.

- I was not here when she made that statement and I cannot comment on individual statements about what we are doing and what we will continue to do. However, I can say that the judiciary is crucial for the progress of the rule of law, which is the foundation for a successful economy and societal development. This embassy has cooperated with police, prosecutors, and judges for years... USAID has a judicial reform project that is being implemented with the aim of reducing the number of unresolved cases, and to provide support to people who want to have a judicial system as it should truly be, the Ambassador said.

Regarding IPA funds and their suspension, Cormack emphasized that the US strongly supports the European future of BiH, but that it is not a solution for US funds to replace IPA funds.

- The key is for BiH institutions to implement the reforms they have committed to. This is no longer a country where the international community will fill all the gaps. The situation was different in the 1990s. Now you have institutions, politicians, and a government structure that can function successfully with political will. These are not imposed reforms; rather, BiH authorities have committed to them. The EU is ready for this program to be re-established, she said.

When asked about the potential departure of the OHR, and whether the time has come for it, the US Ambassador stated that the PIC has been concrete on this issue for years.

- You have the 5 plus 2 conditions and goals. Some have been met, some have not. One of them is the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, and we hope it will happen this year.

The most important conditions are for BiH to be a stable and successful country on a clear path to the EU. All the elements are there for this to happen, but of course, only if there is political will. And for that to exist, citizens must demand accountability from their politicians, leaders who made promises during election campaigns, Cormack emphasized.

Terrorism is a global problem, and not unique to BiH, the Ambassador said, and emphasized that there is very strong cooperation with BiH authorities in the fight against this global scourge.

- BiH was probably the first in the region to adopt a law prohibiting travel to foreign battlefields. There have been three arrest operations, and some of these cases are in court.

It is imperative that people are held accountable, that these cases do not disappear, that they are concluded. These people must go to prison if the court decides so.

Although much has been done in BiH, it is necessary at the local level for communities to provide alternatives for young people. To provide education, for them to move forward, to find jobs. We cannot close the door on this issue. There is a huge number of unemployed young people here, more than 60 percent, and this leads to such problems. The key is to provide a path for the future, but the initiative must come from the local community, and we will support it.

Constitutional Reforms

- BiH has shown in recent months that it is clearly committed to a future in the EU. Constitutional reform should be an organic part of that path to the EU. The US wants to support this process, but it needs to be an integration process along with economic and social reforms.

On the path to the EU, constitutional reform will be part of the steps that every country joining the EU had to undertake. I cannot tell you what needs to be changed, because BiH is not becoming a member of the US but of the EU, but we will help as much as needed in this process, the Ambassador emphasized.

BiH in NATO

- As early as 2005, BiH showed its commitment to joining NATO, and it is a long road. It will not happen immediately or soon, but the process of moving in that direction is of great help to BiH as a country.

The security and stability gained not only improve the country's security but also its economy. The BiH Armed Forces have done so much. BiH has played and continues to play an important role in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, and we remain committed to partnership, the US Ambassador stressed.

NSRS Declaration

After the US Embassy warned the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (NSRS) to refrain from adopting a declaration that would not respect the decision of the BiH Constitutional Court, Ambassador Cormack did not want to speak hypothetically about what would happen if it were indeed adopted.

- We need to see what happens. The Constitutional Court is part of the original Dayton structure and the Constitution. The Constitutional Court must be respected as an institution for this country to progress. It would be unthinkable in the US to ignore a Supreme Court ruling. However, I hope that both the FBiH and RS will continue to respect the fundamental institutions of BiH.