| code: 170080 | Date: 2009/10/23 | source: Reuters | print |
Muslims want int'l mediator as Serbs call for new Bosnia talks
|
Bosnia's Serb leader proposed on Thursday a new joint talks with other ethnic groups after all of them rejected proposals by the European Union and United States.
"I shall send invitations tonight or tomorrow morning to all relevant political leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina for a joint meeting in the next 10 days, to try reach some solutions," Milorad Dodik said after meeting the new Russian ambassador.
The Bosnian Muslim leader cast immediate doubt over the plan by insisting on an international presence.
Bosnian Muslim leader Sulejman Tihic said trust was a key issue with Dodik.
"I would answer his call ... only if representatives of parties that make up a parliamentary majority agree to such a meeting and the international community attends as a mediator or at least a witness," Tihic said, adding: "Dodik has breached all the agreements that we have clinched locally so far."
Dodik was the first of Bosnia's Serb, Muslim and Croat leaders to reject a EU-U.S.-proposed constitutional reform package this week.
The other leaders followed suit for different reasons and the talks on Bosnia's future mediated by EU and U.S. senior officials ended without breaking the stalemate in the country, which many say could jeopardise stability in the whole region.
Dodik said a new meeting would be organised without foreign officials and experts and try to agree some compromise changes to the constitution, enshrined in the Dayton peace accords that ended the 1992-95 war that accompanied Yugoslavia's collapse.
"A domestic dialogue without foreigners is something we can do. Butmir (a military base near Sarajevo where talks were held) was an unnecessary adventure..., but I remain devoted to do all needed for a dialogue between leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina."
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said he supported Dodik's initiative for a further dialogue. "There must be an agreement. Without a stable Bosnia-Herzegovina, there cannot be stability in the Western Balkans."
/106
| Share : | Del.icio.us |
Digg |
Facebook |
Newsvine |
Reddit |
Technorati |