General Wilz: The AF of BiH require a Military Intelligence capability

Brigadier General Giselle M. Wilz is the Commander and Senior Military Representative of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Headquarters in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her role inter alia includes  advising the local authorities on military aspects of security sector reform.

We sought General Wilz's opinion of the status of the Military Intelligence Batalion of the BH Armed Forces, its necessity and relevance in the existing military structure. The context for the topic is the ongoing political pressure coming from the RS to reduce military intelligence activities to bare minimum.

PATRIA: Have you been following lately the public statements by the politicians from the Republika Srpska, who seem to be trying to exert a pressure and prepare the ground for shutting down the Military Intelligence Battalion of the Tactical Support Brigade of the Armed Forces BiH (both are the only multiethnic units in the Army)?

WILZ: I am of course aware of the media reports about various statements regarding Military Intelligence, but it would not be appropriate for me to engage in speculation about political motives.

PATRIA: Would the Armed Forces of BiH be able to function without the Military Intelligence Battalion?

WILZ: Military intelligence units commonly feature in nearly all armies and fulfil a variety of functions necessary to the military. From a strategic perspective, the Armed Forces of BiH require a Military Intelligence capability commensurate with the legally mandated missions of the AFBiH.

PATRIA: Do you think that, owing to the increasing security threats in the world, the authority of such a battalion should actually be increased? Or, as was the case in Serbia, should a special Military Intelligence security agency be created within the Defense Ministry?

WILZ: BiH, with the help of NATO and others, has invested significant efforts to develop the legal framework governing Military Intelligence affairs. In the recent years the Minister of Defence has approved several necessary regulations, instructions and agreements, including an agreement between the MoD and OSA BiH. The Law on Defence and related regulations, instructions and agreements provide legal clarity for the effective functioning of the Military Intelligence system.

PATRIA: Has the NATO HQ Sarajevo noticed any irregularities related to the work of the Military Intelligence Battalion of the Armed Forces BiH that is, if they have worked outside of their authority defined by the relevant legislation?

WILZ: We are not aware of any activities that exceed the scope of the relevant legislation.