Power for N1: President Biden sent me to BiH, but the solution is in the hands of the citizens of this country

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Administrator of USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, Samantha Power is visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina. As she told N1, US President Joe Biden sent her to BiH to convey a message that the US stands with the people of BiH. 

“President Biden sent me here to send a message, and it is a message we have been sending for 26 years, that the United States of America stands with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Many high-ranking officials, up to the President of the US, have such strong ties to this country that it pains us to witness the stagnation that is happening here,” she said in the interview.

"Watching political actors who do not work for better prosperity but only for themselves is not ideal," she said.  

When asked if it is possible to create conditions for the international community to stand behind BiH with one voice, especially for the US and Russia to agree on this country and reach an agreement, Administrator Power reminded that the entire international community supported the Dayton Peace Agreement.

“26 years later, here we are. Fortunately, we have peace, but with different aspects of the peace agreement and reconciliation processes that have not been achieved. The US is fully committed to partnership with this country. The European Union and the UK are very engaged in the possibilities for the success of the people in this country, for their aspirations to be realized, but ultimately – the people of this country decide their future,” Power emphasized.

Power added that there is no magic cure that will appear from some secret agreement among foreigners. That will not lead to the solution that people need.

She also touched upon corruption, as well as the importance of fighting corruption, in relation to which sanctions were recently announced.

“There is still a lot of corruption in political circles, in issuing permits, in planning. Sanctions send a signal that no one is immune. Not only individuals in high positions, but also those who stand by them and enable their corruption. The effect of sanctions that go a step further is important. We will not solve the crisis overnight with sanctions. This will have to be resolved by the people in this country. (…) We can use sanctions to deter obstruction and work on divisions, everything that prevents people from realizing their potential,” Power explained.

Finally, when asked by journalists to address the public of BiH with a message, she said the following:

“My message is that the US stands with you. The American people stand with you. You can do it. In the war, I saw the resilience and creativity of the people in this country. You can do it,” she concluded.