.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
Article content
(Bloomberg) — Key nations tasked with selecting the next special envoy to Bosnia and Herzegovina are at odds over whom to appoint to the role and what kind of weight it should carry, according to people familiar with the matter.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
The US and Italy have pushed for the appointment of Antonio Zanardi Landi, a veteran Italian diplomat, who served in key posts including Moscow and the Vatican, to succeed Germany’s Christian Schmidt after he resigned abruptly last month.
Article content
Article content
France, meanwhile, is proposing its own René Troccaz for the job.
Article content
Article content
The US, opposed by France and others, wants lighter governance within the office, which carries extensive powers, the people added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Talks are complex, the people said, and some of them suggested they may take longer or that nations might have to come up with an interim deal if they are unable to agree on Thursday, when a decision by the Peace Implementation Council, or PIC, is due. The group also includes Canada, the UK, and the European Union among others.
Article content
Italy’s government didn’t respond to requests for comment. A French official said it was normal for discussions to take place on the new envoy, but stressed there were no tensions between France and Italy, with the two countries sharing the same vision on the implementation of the representative’s mandate.
Article content
The US embassy in Sarajevo declined to comment and referred questions to the US State Department, which didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Article content
Schmidt, the outgoing envoy, had clashed with former Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, a Moscow ally and the Bosnian Serb leader who pushed for greater autonomy and threatened secession from the rest of the country of 3.2 million.
Article content
Article content
The PIC, which is convening in Sarajevo, was established through the Dayton Accords of 1995 that brokered the end to one of Europe’s deadliest wars since 1945.
Article content
The high representative is tasked with overseeing the peace process and can oust officials under certain circumstances, even though it is not elected by Bosnian voters. Schmidt often used that ability, known as the Bonn powers, during his tenure, imposing, for example, electoral reforms.
Article content
He told German newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine last month that he had been under “enormous and surprising pressure” from the US, with one of the issues being the American role in a project to build a gas pipeline in southern Bosnia.
Article content
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s central government has faced governance issues compounded by ethnic and political polarization. The tensions between Washington, Rome, Paris and other governments highlight the complexity of Balkan politics as well as divergent views over the region at a time of transatlantic strife.
Article content
European leaders are set to meet in Montenegro for the EU-Western Balkans summit on Friday.
Article content
English (US)