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 You are in: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Press Relations Office > Press Releases (Other) > 2007 > May 
Press Statement
Tom Casey, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
May 24, 2007


Bosnia and Herzegovina: Meetings with Bosnian Political Leaders

Under Secretary of State R. Nicholas Burns met with Bosnian Presidency member Haris Silajdzic and Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska entity Milorad Dodik in their capacities as political party leaders on May 24.  Under Secretary Burns emphasized the importance of halting the nationalist rhetoric that has characterized the political environment for the past year.  He urged the leaders to reach agreement on police and constitutional reform so that Bosnia and Herzegovina can reach its goal of NATO and European Union membership.

The United States is disappointed that President Silajdzic and Prime Minister Dodik were unable to reach agreement on these issues.  By failing to overcome their differences, they are making it impossible for Bosnia and Herzegovina to proceed on its path to full integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.  These leaders must work within the Dayton framework, which includes the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its two entities – the Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina – to resolve these issues.  They must live up to their obligations to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide for a stable and prosperous future.

2007/418


Released on May 24, 2007

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