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Bildt Insists Removal Of Karadzic is Proceeding
By Kurt Schork
The Bosnian Serb news agency SRNA had earlier poured cold water over Bildt's claims that he had secured the "beginning of the end" of Karadzic, who led Bosnia's Serbs through 3½ years of war resisting their inclusion as a minority in a multi-ethnic state dominated by Muslims.
Bildt's aides had told reporters that he was promised by Bosnian Serb parliament speaker Momcilo Krajisnik that Karadzic would "step out of public life and will not be seen or heard." But SRNA quoted sources close to Krajisnik as saying such statements were unfounded and were just another attempt to put pressure on the Bosnian Serb leadership.
Since Wednesday, Karadzic has dismissed his prime minister, Rajko Kasagic, for getting too close to Bildt, and replaced him with hardliner Gojko Klickovic who promised ic appointed his hardline deputy Biljana Plavsic to act for him "in contacts with the international community and other delegated activities."
"We believe this is the beginning of the end of the influence of Dr Karadzic on the political scene," Bildt's spokesman said. "Mr Bildt is continuing to ensure that this sidelining of Dr Karadzic is ratified and consummated." After denials from Karadzic's side, Bildt argued: "I don't think that it's relevant which personalities are there, it's important which policy line is being pursued. If you look at Plavsic and Karadzic and Krajisnik the
policy differences can hardly be described as substantial."
"But it is a fundamental point that those who have been indicted by the tribunal should not hold public office. That's a central element of the peace agreement. Noncompliance on this particular issue casts a very dark shadow over the political structures of the Republika Srpska. To take that dark shadow...away is clearly something that
an increasing number of also very centrally placed people around Mr Karadzic and to a certain extent Mr Karadzic himself seem to realize must be done." |
SARAJEVO, May 20 (Reuters) — International envoy Carl Bildt insisted on Sunday that his efforts to force Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic from office were making headway. "It's a process," Bildt said after five days of upheaval in the Bosnian Serb leadership which dashed, revived and dashed again the major powers' prospects of ousting Karadzic and bringing him before an international war crimes tribunal. "No one is going to achieve heaven on earth and all of the commandments of the Bible or of the peace agreement here within seconds. But if we have it moving in the right direction, then we hope," Bildt, who is the big powers' representative in Bosnia under last year's Dayton peace agreement, told reporters before leaving for a NATO meeting in Athens.
Berserkistan, May 19 · Bildt: Beginning of End for Karadzic
Berserkistan, May 19 · Is Karadzic Really Gone? Officials, Media Scramble for Answers
Berserkistan, May 19 · Bosnian Serb News Agency Denies Karadzic is Steping Down
Berserkistan, May 19 · Karadzic the Gambler Plays Desperate Game of Survival
Berserkistan, May 18 · Bosnian Serb Parliament Elects New Hardline PM
Berserkistan, May 18 · New Bosnian Serb PM Sets Go-Slow Policy on Dayton
Berserkistan, May 18 · Karadzic Outflanks Bildt Over Prime Minister's Firing
Berserkistan, May 18 · Karadzic Names New Prime Minister to Replace Moderate Kasagic
Berserkistan, May 18 · Karadzic's Actions Intensify U.S. Sanctions Threats
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