Minister Živko: In the coming year, the Ministry of Interior of the Una-Sana Canton will procure specialist vehicles!

Interviewed by: Dean Džebić

Dynamic changes in the security environment in the world, the region, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina itself require a dynamic and prompt response. The terrorist attack in Kosovo, as well as the increasingly current migrant crisis, whose summer waves are already being announced, necessitate more significant technical and technological equipping of police agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In this regard, the Ministry of Interior of the Una-Sana Canton is under numerous pressures, which it is successfully coping with. We spoke with Božidar Živko, Minister of Interior of the Una-Sana Canton, about the material and technical capacities of the MUP USK and the challenges of the migrant crisis.

How do you assess the security situation in the Una-Sana Canton? What do the security assessments indicate about the new migrant wave announced by experts, and to what extent is the MUP USK capable, independently and in cooperation with other police agencies, of dealing with this security challenge?

- The security situation in the area of the Una-Sana Canton is "satisfactory," and a possible assessment is also "good" considering all the security challenges of the environment and the rest of the world. With the current capacities of the Una-Sana Canton police and in cooperation with other security agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I believe we can respond to all security challenges ahead of us, including in the case of an increase in the number of persons on the move in our canton.

In the Sarajevo and Tuzla cantons, the ministries of interior have successfully completed the procurement of armored vehicles, a new contingent of passenger vehicles for police purposes, etc. What is the operational budget of the MUP USK, and can it, as such, meet the requirements of technical and technological equipment? Does the MUP USK need new off-road vehicles, and to what extent is there interest from higher authorities to participate in procurement programs?

- The budget of the MUP USK amounts to about 54 million convertible marks and, as such, meets the minimum needs for the smooth functioning of the ministry as a whole, but also of the Una-Sana Canton police. Within these funds, there will be room for material and technical equipping of the police, but certainly only with a professional and serious approach to spending, i.e., short-term and long-term procurement planning, especially when it comes to some of the capital investments in the Una-Sana Canton police.

What is the current number of migrants staying in the Lipa camp, and what are the camp's capacities? Were narcotics or weapons found during the raids conducted in the camp? Do citizens have reason for concern?

- Currently, about 1,200 migrants are staying in the Lipa camp, while the camp's capacity is 1,500 persons. During the last raid, the police did not find anything that would be of interest from the aspect of police work. Our citizens have no reason for concern, except for those engaged in illegal activities of smuggling persons or other criminal activities related to the stay of migrants in our area.

Will the increase in migrant influx, in accordance with the powers of the MUP USK, again affect changes in passenger traffic in the form of checks on buses and vehicles entering the Una-Sana Canton?

- If there is a deterioration of the security situation in any respect, i.e., a threat to the safety of our citizens, the Una-Sana Canton police reserves the right, in accordance with its legal powers, to take all necessary measures and actions, including measures of increased checks on all traffic participants.

In the past period, the public was informed about the poor condition and insufficient number of motor vehicles of the MUP USK. Are procurements of new passenger and off-road vehicles planned in the near future, and what projects are involved?

- In the coming year, the Una-Sana Canton police plans to procure a certain number of purpose-built police vehicles with special specialist equipment, for which funds will be secured from the budget of the Una-Sana Canton.

How do you assess the statements of certain politicians from the Republic of Croatia, specifically members of parliament, who call for the formation of self-protection associations that would, as they state, return fire to Bosnia and Herzegovina? To what extent does such rhetoric hinder and complicate the work of police agencies and cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina?

- Unfortunately, in the public space, we can often hear various statements by individuals that, sometimes due to ignorance and sometimes for other motives, are made and attract public attention, but very often do not reflect the real situation on the ground. Such statements can also be viewed in the context of internal, daily political events in our neighboring countries or upcoming election campaigns and the gathering of points or sympathy among part of the public. I believe that such statements by individuals cannot significantly harm relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia or complicate the work of police agencies, because for us, the opinions and positions of the official authorities of our neighbors are primarily relevant.

I am sure that good neighborly cooperation will continue in the future, all with the aim of ensuring better security for both our citizens and citizens in the neighboring country.