Hill: Čović is endangering Croats, only interested in party appointments to state-owned companies

Chargé d'affaires of the US Embassy Nicholas Hill wrote a blog about the current political situation in BiH, which the Patria agency transmits in its entirety.

- These are serious times for Bosnia and Herzegovina and, in fact, for the entire region, and difficult times for me as I leave the Embassy after three years. I have spoken frankly about the situation here during my mandate, and I will do so here as well. I cannot say that the country has made significant progress on the path of reforms in the past three years, but the conditions for achieving progress still exist. The focus should be on improving the economy and creating jobs, and reducing the opportunities for political parties to use state-owned companies as means to reward followers and extract cash from them. Improving the investment climate and introducing a greater degree of political and economic transparency are key to the future of this country. Since these types of reforms are not popular with the current political parties, consensus on real reforms is slow to achieve. Unfortunately, ethnic politics – which, along with corruption, are two sides of the same coin – continue to plague those who want this country to enter the 21st century. Although Mr. Dodik may see it that way, I am not just talking about the machinations of the President of Republika Srpska when I condemn ethnic politics.

For this country to progress in the future, the three largest parties representing the three constituent peoples – SDA, HDZ, and SNSD – do not have to abandon ethnic issues, but they must set them aside to focus on urgently addressing the economic problems that are destroying citizens' lives. SDA is currently the largest party representing the largest ethnic group and, in that sense, may have the greatest responsibility to embrace a more BiH-oriented, and less Bosniak-oriented, platform for progress. Whether true or not, observers, many of whom are Bosniaks, tell me that the SDA is currently firmly controlled by the old guard who want to promote a narrower, hardline agenda. Perhaps I am exaggerating, because in a way, party president Izetbegović showed generosity when forming coalitions with Serbian, and especially with Croatian partners, but the country's demographics dictate that the SDA be more inclusive and constantly respect the multi-ethnic reality of the country. Whether this is justified or not, whether it is the result of senseless political manipulation, non-Bosniaks become nervous when they talk about the future in a country where they are a minority.
There are examples where the SDA could show greater commitment to a multi-ethnic state in a much more concrete way. Let's consider the senseless bickering that followed the arrest of Naser Orić in Switzerland. Orić was extradited to BiH and should be prosecuted fully in accordance with the law. To permanently strengthen the reputation of a credible institution, the state prosecution, led by a chief prosecutor who is widely considered to be under serious influence of Bosniak political forces, should diligently work on thoroughly reviewing all evidence and presenting it to the court. If Orić is found guilty, nothing would further strengthen the credibility of state institutions more than sending him to prison. There are also complaints that too many blind followers of the SDA work in the Prosecutor's Office. Whether this is true or not, the SDA must consider public perception and work to change it. Similarly, in power-sharing agreements, the SDA has a leading role in selecting the new director of OSA. The position of intelligence service director is an extremely sensitive issue for all citizens of this country, and the SDA should not strive to appoint someone to this position who will turn this institution into a party instrument.

The Need for Broader Consensus

About ten years ago, I served in Zagreb and was amazed by the bipartisan support for the Euro-Atlantic agenda, including the support of then-Prime Minister Ivica Račan and opposition leader Ivo Sanader. Broad consensus among political parties was crucial for Croatia's rapid progress, first towards NATO, and then to EU membership. I mention this only because it is an incredible contrast compared to the politics of Croats in BiH today, which tend to be self-pitying and unconstructive. And while Croats desperately need employment and economic opportunities, the dominant political leadership of the HDZ is barely moving, constantly spinning the story of "Croat inequality" and how it needs to be resolved by reforming the election law. The reform of the election law is indeed important and it must certainly be addressed in this country to enter the EU, but that reform does not have to consume all the oxygen in the room and prevent activities on much more urgent economic reforms that this country needs.
Party leader and Presidency member Čović is persistent in making deals, but is too detached from the latest economic reform activities. The only economic priority the party has paid attention to since the elections is appointing party members to lucrative state-owned company boards. And the disinterest he shows towards the reform agenda only contributes to endangering the position of Croats in BiH. Croats, who almost all have EU passports, leave for other parts of Europe in search of work. Families are separated along generational lines. Compared to the number of Croats, they have enormous political influence. They also have enormous economic advantages given the proximity to profitable coastal tourist resorts, yet the narrative used by the HDZ in recent years is largely negative and rigid. This must change, or the HDZ leadership will resolve the "Croatian question" by other means. Croats will leave this country, and the only question will be who will be the last to turn off the lights in Herzegovina.