Bosnian Vice President Warns of Potential Failure of EU-Russia-US Peace Ultimatum

Strategic Insights -

Bosnian Vice President Ejup Ganic expressed concerns that an expected parliamentary vote next week on accepting the EU, Russia, and US peace ultimatum may fail. Ganic argued that the international community must provide assurances that the rights of ethnic minorities in the territory occupied by Bosnian Serbs will be protected. The ultimatum, issued by foreign ministers in Geneva on July 5, requires the warring factions to accept a division of Bosnia-Herzegovina roughly in half, with the Muslim-Croat federation controlling 51 percent of the country.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bosnian Vice President Ejup Ganic stated that the expected parliamentary vote on the EU, Russia, and US peace ultimatum may fail due to concerns over the protection of ethnic minority rights in the territory occupied by Bosnian Serbs.
  • Ganic emphasized the need for internationally monitored elections throughout the former Yugoslavia to promote democracy and accountability.
  • US Representative Frank McCloskey warned that lifting the UN arms embargo on Bosnia would be "inevitable" if the Bosnian Serb leadership rejects the ultimatum.
  • The ultimatum requires the warring factions to accept a division of Bosnia-Herzegovina roughly in half, with the Muslim-Croat federation controlling 51 percent of the country.
  • The Bosnian federation parliament is scheduled to take a final decision on the Geneva peace package on July 18, with the deadline for acceptance or rejection being July 19.
  • McCloskey emphasized the importance of addressing "serious issues that have been sidestepped" in order to achieve a lasting peace in Bosnia.

Statistics:

  • 51%: The proposed division of Bosnia-Herzegovina between the Muslim-Croat federation and the Bosnian Serb leadership.
  • July 5: The date when foreign ministers from the United States, Russia, and the European Union issued the peace package ultimatum in Geneva.
  • July 18: The scheduled date for the Bosnian federation parliament to take a final decision on the Geneva peace package.
  • July 19: The deadline for the acceptance or rejection of the ultimatum by the warring factions.
  • July 11: The date when Bosnian Vice President Ejup Ganic made the comments to United Press International.

Sources:

  • United Press International, attribution to Bosnian Vice President Ejup Ganic
  • "Foreign Ministers of the U.S., Russia, and Europe Issue Bosnia Peace Ultimatum," European Times
  • Associated Press, attribution to U.S. Representative Frank McCloskey