General Wilz: NATO has no information that the Military Intelligence Battalion of the BiH Armed Forces operates outside the legal framework

Commander of the NATO HQ in BiH, US Army Brigadier General Giselle Wilz, in a short interview for the Patria News Agency, presented NATO's views on the activities of the Military Intelligence Battalion of the BiH Armed Forces, and the fierce political offensive from Republika Srpska to maximally reduce the intelligence activities of the BiH Armed Forces.

PATRIA: Have you recently followed the statements of politicians from Republika Srpska who are trying to pressure and shut down the Military Intelligence Battalion of the Tactical Support Brigade of the BiH Armed Forces (it is the only battalion and this brigade is multi-ethnic) by spinning the public, and how do you comment on this?

GENERAL WILZ: Of course, I am aware of media reports about various statements regarding the military intelligence unit, but it would not be appropriate for me to speculate on political motives.

PATRIA: Can the Armed Forces of BiH function without the Military Intelligence Battalion?

GENERAL WILZ: Military intelligence units are common in almost all armies and perform various functions necessary for the military. From a strategic point of view, the Armed Forces of BiH require military intelligence capabilities in accordance with the legally defined mission of the Armed Forces of BiH.

PATRIA: Do you believe that due to the increasing security threats in the world that the new era brings, the powers of this battalion should be increased, or perhaps, as is the case in Serbia, a special Military Intelligence Security Agency should be established within the Ministry of Defence?

GENERAL WILZ: Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the help of NATO and others, has made significant efforts to develop a legal framework that governs military intelligence matters. In recent years, the Minister of Defence has approved several necessary regulations, directives, and agreements, including an agreement between the Ministry of Defence and the Intelligence Security Agency of BiH. The Defence Law and related regulations, directives, and agreements provide legal clarity for the effective functioning of the military intelligence system.

PATRIA: Has the NATO HQ in Sarajevo noticed any irregularities in the work of the Military Intelligence Battalion of the BiH Armed Forces so far, for example, operating outside their legally prescribed competencies?

GENERAL WILZ: We are not aware of any activities outside the relevant legal framework.