Kaluža: US recognizes there is no longer a need for OHR in BiH

International relations expert Luciano Kaluža has stated that the United States fully recognizes that the Office of the High Representative (OHR) no longer serves a necessary purpose in BiH following the elections and the political mandate granted to domestic representatives.

Kaluža believes that remarks delivered by US representative Tammy Bruce during the United Nations Security Council session further clarified the possibility of closing the OHR once new authorities and institutions are established in BiH.

“It was clearly stated that once the authorities in BiH are established, including the Presidency of BiH, the Council of Ministers and other institutions, the OHR will definitively lose the purpose of its continued existence,” Kaluža told the SRNA news agency.

US position signals shift toward domestic political responsibility

Kaluža recalled that the institution of the High Representative was established under the Dayton Peace Agreement to oversee the civilian implementation of the agreement.

However, he argued that the political circumstances have changed and that democratically elected representatives now possess the authority needed to manage the country’s affairs.

“It is evident that the United States is fully aware that, following the elections in BiH and the mandate obtained by political structures within the country, there is absolutely no longer any purpose or need for the existence of the High Representative,” Kaluža emphasized.

According to him, the Security Council discussions highlighted that political leaders in BiH have full authority to proceed with forming governments and establishing institutions in accordance with the Constitution.

Kaluža: Political dialogue must include Milorad Dodik

Kaluža placed particular emphasis on the reference to political leaders in the statements made during the UN Security Council session.

“The key word is leaders. If we consider this in the context of Republika Srpska, we know who those leaders are and who must be included in discussions and negotiations. This includes President Milorad Dodik, which means it was indirectly stated that dialogue with him is necessary,” Kaluža explained.

He also criticized Bosniak political representatives in Sarajevo, arguing that their approach of political blockades and exclusion lacks international support.

According to Kaluža, they must recognize that such policies do not enjoy the backing of the United States.

Russia consistently supports Republika Srpska’s interpretation of Dayton

Commenting on the address delivered by Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya, Kaluža noted that the Russian diplomat has consistently supported the positions of Republika Srpska.

“The Russian ambassador speaks about the situation as it actually is: Republika Srpska is not the problem within the Dayton Peace Agreement. Rather, it advocates the genuine implementation of the agreement as it was written, not as it has been interpreted over the years following its signing,” Kaluža stated.

He argued that the central message of the Security Council session was that Russia and the United States share a similar approach regarding the need to return responsibility for BiH’s political and institutional functioning to elected domestic representatives.

According to Kaluža, the country’s institutions should operate under the authority of political leaders who received their mandates through elections.

Domestic dialogue could pave the way for OHR closure

Kaluža also argued that Republika Srpska had previously faced political consequences for advocating dialogue among domestic representatives without foreign intervention.

He described this as a paradox, particularly in light of what he considers the emerging US position.

“Republika Srpska was punished for advocating dialogue within BiH without foreign representatives interfering in domestic agreements, and that is a paradox,” Kaluža said.

“Now we are seeing a return to that approach through the US position, which essentially says that domestic leaders must talk to one another, and the way they conduct that dialogue within BiH will ultimately determine how the OHR is closed,” he concluded.

Source: RTRS