Interview With Mirela Hukovic-Hodzic of Bosnian and Herzegovinian National Public Radio

SECRETARY POWELL: I have pressed Serbian officials very recently, and very hard, to do everything they could to bring him to justice. They are searching for him. They are examining every possibility. Serbia-Montenegro understands that this is also a condition for their full integration into the Euro-Atlantic community as it is a condition for Bosnia-Herzegovina, with respect to Mr. Karadzic and others.

So, the whole international community is very anxious to see these individuals turned over. And it is in the interest of Serbia-Montenegro and Bosnia to get rid of this problem. It is holding two nations back. It is holding all the citizens of these nations back from the possibilities of a better future as a full member of the Euro-Atlantic community. So I hope that they will be brought to justice soon.

MS. HODZIC: One of the reasons why Radovan Karadzic is still free, that is being mentioned from time to time, is his supposed deal, which was made with the American administration. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke reputed the existence of such an agreement more than once. If such an agreement really does not exist and we have this huge concentration of NATO forces in Bosnia in the region, how is possible that he is not yet arrested?

SECRETARY POWELL: There is no such deal, and I reaffirm what Ambassador Holbrooke said. I am not aware of any arrangement. We are looking for him. We have been looking for him for a long time. But you know it is possible for an individual to hide, if they are careful and if there have people who are willing to help them. We will continue to look for him, but unfortunately he has not yet been found.

MS. HODZIC: In Bosnia-Herzegovina it was a common belief that until now the American forces were the best guarantee for stability in the region. How much will the USA stay actively involved in BiH?

SECRETARY POWELL: We will stay involved. As you know, SFOR will go away at the end of the year, which is appropriate. It’s accomplished its principal mission. There is stability in the country, but there is still a need for a presence and the EUFOR, the European Union Force, will provide that presence.

The United States will still remain involved through our participation in the residual NATO force. There will be a NATO small headquarters here in Sarajevo, working on counter terrorism issues and Hague Tribunal apprehensions and defense reform, Working with the European force. And an American General will be in charge of that NATO headquarters. And we are also examining what continued presence might be appropriate at the air base in Tuzla.

MS. HODZIC: Bosnia-Herzegovina is not yet on the list as an American ally in the war against terrorism. Mr. Powell, could you tell us where is the position and place of BiH in the Global War against Terrorism? Does the US administration believe that our country is undertaking proper measures against terrorism, or perhaps not?

SECRETARY POWELL:I think you are, and I would say you are a part of the Global War on Terror. It doesn’t require formal alliance to be a member of this alliance. But Bosnia has suffered from terrorism over the years, and so it is in Bosnia’s interest to be part of this international effort. In my meeting with your Presidency today, we talked about what you have been doing, building up your intelligence capability and how we can assist that. So we appreciate what Bosnia is doing and encourage Bosnia to do even more.

MS. HODZIC: Can we talk about Iraq? Most world media, more frequently in their assessment are stating that the American administration in Iraq passed through the complete failure. Mr. Powell, can you tell us to which point the USA accomplished its strategic goals in Iraq?

SECRETARY POWELL: The first goal that we set for ourselves last year at the beginning of this conflict was to remove the regime of Saddam Hussein. That regime is gone. Saddam Hussein is gone. No more mass graves will be filled. We don’t have to debate any longer about weapons of mass destruction because now we have a new interim government that is committed to democracy, to freedom, to elections, to representative government and to using the wealth of Iraq to build hospitals and schools, not palaces and weapons. And so our major goal has been achieved.

The next goal, of course, is to make sure that this democratic system is firmly based on the rule of law and based on elections. And we hope to see the Iraqis conduct elections at the end of the year. Notice I said we hope to see Iraqis conduct elections because they are now sovereign again. Sovereignty was given back to the Iraqi people. We will remain with our forces to work with the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government as they build up their forces so they can take responsibility for their own security in due course.

And so it is still a difficult challenge. There are still bombs going off. There are still terrorists who are trying to keep democracy from winning. But they will be defeated because democracy will win. People want freedom. People do not want to go back to the days of Saddam Hussein. And those who say America is losing, they are wrong. America and the Iraqi government, the Iraqi people, will win because 25 million people will prevail ultimately over a few thousand terrorists and former elements of the dictator’s regime.

MS. HODZIC: The Presidential elections in the USA are just about to be held. What are the chances of the President of the United States of America George W. Bush to be elected again, according to your opinion and if that happens, will you be in his Administration again?

SECRETARY POWELL: Well one of the features of being the Secretary of State in our country is that I’m not allowed to speak about domestic political matters because foreign policy is supposed to be bipartisan. And so The Secretary of State should not be taking a position with respect to our elections. Nevertheless, I do work for President Bush. [Laughter]

MS. HODZIC: Thank you very much for taking the time for BH Radio One listeners.

SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you very much. My best to all of your listeners.

MS. HODZIC: Thank you.