The new Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Balkans, Alexander Kasanof, who has replaced Gabriel Escobar in this position, recently met with High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, whose legitimacy is not recognized in Republika Srpska due to the absence of a UN decision on his appointment.
“The United States strongly supports the High Representative and his use of the Bonn Powers when necessary to defend the Dayton Peace Agreement and protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multiethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” stated the U.S. Embassy.
The meeting took place at the GLOBSEC forum, where the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina was the main topic of discussion.
The so-called Bonn Powers, which grant High Representatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina near-dictatorial authority to impose laws and dismiss democratically elected officials, are based on a few imprecise provisions established more than a quarter-century ago.
Source: Glas Srpske
