Publisher: Centar za Sigurnosne Studije

Round-Table on Elements of the Security Policy - Foreign and Economic Policy -

Round-Table on Elements of the Security Policy - Foreign and Economic Policy -

Author(s): Bisera Turković,Milovan Blagojević,Hansjorg Kretschmer,István Gyarmati,Željko Bilbija,Mijo Anić,Jadranko Prlić / Language(s): English

Keywords: international relations; foreign policy; BiH; security; roundtable;

Today’s round-table is a continuation of the work on the project of a state-level security policy for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Centre for Security Studies wishes to give its own contribution to the development of this important theme, considering that there exists no country that can afford to be without a security policy. In considering that the time has come for Bosnia and Herzegovina when there needs to be an open discussion, the Centre for Security Studies has decided, through a seminar an a couple of round-tables, to initiate an open and structured discussion, which would contribute through an exchange of views, to approach and discover responses to the security threats that we and the world in which we live is currently faced with. The day before yesterday, we were witness to one of the security problems that has arisen and from which nobody is safe, and that is terrorism. Unfortunately, terrorism is not somewhere very far away from us; it is a threat to us in this country as well. We naturally condemn it and express our sincere sympathies and condolences to the families of those who were killed. During the previous seminar, we spoke about the concept of security policy what is expected from such a document. What are the interests on which the security policy of Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to be based? What are the interests we wish to defend or promote? What are the priorities? What are the objectives that need to be created in the short and long term? The security policy of Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to protect the citizens, peoples and state from foreign and internal threats of any kind, taking into consideration the level of security and level of guarantees that the global Euro-Atlantic and European security system can provide. During our last seminar, among other items we spoke about the aims of Bosnian integration into the Euro-Atlantic and European security environment, taking into account the risk factors that current jeopardise the security of this country. Considering that only mutual arrangements of the citizens and peoples of this country can achieve lasting results, to point to their real interests, the Centre for Security Studies decided to hold a round-table in September, October and November – to endeavour to discuss the founding elements of the security policy about which we have agreed.

Round-Table on Elements of the Security Policy - Intelligence Services -

Round-Table on Elements of the Security Policy - Intelligence Services -

Author(s): Bisera Turković,Matthias Sonn,Nikola Špirić,Kalman Kocsis,Joy M. Wijnen Riems,Bogić Bogićević,Mirsad Abazović,Izet Žigić / Language(s): English

Keywords: round-table; BiH; security; policy; intelligence services;

I would like to greet you on behalf of the Centre for Security Studies, which today has organised this round-table. For your information, especially for those of who today are with us, the Centre for Security Studies has organised a project on the adoption of a statelevel security policy for Bosnia and Herzegovina. We commenced with a seminar on this theme in July, and after this, we organised a round-table on two elements of the security policy – foreign policy and economic policy. Today's round-table is dedicated to the intelligence-security services, especially the intelligence-security service. I think that all shall agree that reform of the security system is essential for the political, social and economic policy of every country, as well as BiH. At the same time this is also an exceptionally sensitive political theme. Naturally, we do not think that this round-table will succeed to find a solution for the existing problems in this field, but we hope that we shall have an open discussion, a discussion with different positions and viewpoints; a discussion in which we shall be able to see the experiences of different countries and in which manner their intelligence service systems exist and cooperate, and on which conditions they are established. When speaking about Bosnia and Herzegovina, generally it is known that there exists opposing political views on this theme. I would not like to be judge of who is right, nor to advocate a specific viewpoint, because that is not the role of this Centre; however, allow me to direct your attention towards a number of essential issues, for which I hope this round-table nevertheless will be able to offer a response. The question is whether in Bosnia and Herzegovina we can, alongside the full appreciation of our constitutional framework, speak concerning the problems of the organization and activities of our system of intelligence services? We are speaking concerning the division of the different intelligence systems. Does there exist a system or systems that represent a guarantee for the citizens, peoples and country, or does this represent an element that jeopardizes peace and security? Does BiH generally need to establish a single security-intelligence system, and would this mean the establishment of that type of system without full political will? Would this mean that we shall have merely a formal unit at the top, and essentially ethnic components that would act as separate systems? Or would the establishment of a single intelligence security system be better even in this form than a completely separated system? Are today’s intelligence services seen as serious partners, for the exchange of information with other intelligence services, and what would generally be required in order for the security services to be accepted as a serious partner in the exchange of information? Do the existing structures in this country accept the current situation and organizations for negotiations for the exchange of information? What would be the orientation and tasks of a new single security system? Without the restructuring of the intelligence-security system, is it possible that BiH could be a bearer of further democratic processes? This question takes into consideration the globalization of threats, for which we can merely mention the terrorist act of 11 September, which sent a warning to all the democratic and peace-loving elements of the world that they must harmonize their efforts in safeguarding peace and security; and that is the priority that concerns the intelligence services of the democratic world. Are we and can we be a partner in further democratic development and democratic institutions with this type of system of intelligence services? These are only some of the issues, and I believe that you shall pose many others concerning the issues that we shall discuss here today. With prejudging what would be the correct response, I would ask all participants to make possible a very open discussion, in which to remove all positions that would be contradictory. Let us see what is the smallest possible denominator on which we can base a future solution. I would now ask the highly respected Ambassador Matthias Sonn, Deputy High Representative, to open this round-table.

Seminar on Security Policy for Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo, 16 - 17 July 2001

Seminar on Security Policy for Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo, 16 - 17 July 2001

Author(s): . Miscellaneous / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; policy; security; seminar; Sarajevo; 2001;

Significant progress has been achieved since the signing the Dayton Peace Agreement. Today, peace and stability prevail throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina; co-operation between Bosnia’s three constituent communities - Bosniacs, Croats and Serbs - has been increasing; Bosnia’s war-damaged infrastructure has to a large extent been repaired; many of Bosnia’s refugees have returned to the homes they had occupied prior to the war, and; the country’s economy has been steadily returning back on course. Much, however, remains to be done in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to secure a peaceful and stable future for the country. One of the most pressing tasks that stand ahead is the establishment of a state security policy for the country.

Security Sector Reform and Media in BiH - The Way Ahead to Security Sector Good Governance

Security Sector Reform and Media in BiH - The Way Ahead to Security Sector Good Governance

Author(s): Mariangela Fittipaldi / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; politics; security; reform; media; governance;

The Security Sector Reform (SSR) in BiH is proving to be a major step forward in the institutional building process. Although an ongoing development, it has recently been characterized by some important improvements, especially as far as the adoption of the new Defence Law is concerned. In order to foster changes towards security sector good governance, the role played by the main civil society sections in monitoring the reform is crucial. Thus, the forthcoming years will be particularly important with regard to the extent to which media, representatives of civil society, centres of research, and NGOs will be able to participate in the process and constantly monitor the changes in the security landscape of the country. In particular, media play a vital role in providing an essential link between civil society and government. This is even more necessary with regard to security, the supply of this public good being an essential pre-condition to economic and political development. When media are independent, regulated and developed, the effectiveness of the cited role is more likely to come into force. Consequently, the absence of these conditions would seriously impair the possibility for media to function like a «watchdog» with regard to decision-making and policies adopted. On the other hand, the model of good governance of the security sector assumes a wider participation of civil society in the evolution of the security sector. This implies that several efforts have to be undertaken in order to keep the public informed on security issues. Therefore, a full participation of media in the SSR process would contribute to make the international and local institutions in charge of defence and security matters accountable and transparent toward the public. This report analyses media's coverage of security issues in BiH. Through an assessment of the complex relationship between media and the security sector in the country, the openness of the security sector itself will be taken into account. The ultimate aim of this study is to evaluate the pace to a good governance of the security sector for BiH. The report will use two important guidelines for enquiries. On the one hand, the extent to which the security institutions in BiH are accountable, open and responsible to media will be evaluated. The issue will be considered of primary concern since a substantial part of the relation at stake depends on the structure of the security sector. The research will further focus on the extent to which media are open to security institutions and specialized in dealing with security issues, the obstacles to quality journalism and capacity to report on security-related issues being one of the central aspects of media relation to security. Finally, the report will be partly based on the theoretical model of security governance, which assumes an increasing interaction between media and the state. Although many changes have taken place in the organisation of the security sectors of the most advanced democracies, a full media involvement is far from being reached since the extent of participation is dependent on both structural and contingent limits entailing the model itself.

Security Sector Reform and Media in BiH - The Way Ahead to Security Sector Good Governance

Reforma sigurnosnog sektora i mediji u BiH - Put ka uspješnom upravljanju sigurnosnim sektorom

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: BiH; politics; security; reform; media; governance;

Reforma sigurnosnog sektora (RSS) predstavlja veliki korak naprijed u procesu institucionalne izgradnje. Trenutni razvoj okarakterisan je poboljšanjima, barem kada je riječ o usvajanju novog Zakona o odbrani. S ciljem usvajanja promjena koje se tiču dobrog upravljanja sigurnosnim sektorom, uloga koju ima civilno društvo u praćenju reformi je od krucijalnog značaja. Osim toga, godine koje slijede biće izuzetno značajne s obzirom na stupanj u kojem će mediji, predstavnici civilnog društva, istraživački centri i NVO-e biti u biti u mogućnosti da učestvuju i konstantno prate promjene u procesu koji se tiče sigurnosnih pitanja u zemlji. Poseban značaj u osiguravanju veze između civilnog društva i vlade imaju mediji. Njihova je uloga još značajnija kad je riječ o sigurnosti, jer obezbjeđivanje tog opšteg dobra jeste osnovni preduslov za ekonomski i politički razvoj. Kada su mediji nezavisni, regulisani i razvijeni, efektivost navedene uloge tada je potpuna. U protivnom, nedostatak ovih uslova može ozbiljno ugroziti mogućnost medija da funkcioniraju kao «nadzornici» u pogledu donošenja i usvajanja odluka. Sa druge strane, model dobrog upravljanja sigurnosnim sektorom podrazumijeva veće učešće civilnog društva u nastajanju sigurnosnog sektora. Ovo ukazuje na potrebu poduzimanja određenih koraka da bi se osigurala informisanost javnosti u pogledu sigurnosnih pitanja. Prema tome, potpuno učešće medija u procesu reforme sigurnosnog sektora doprinjet će stvaranju međunarodnih i lokalnih institucija zaduženih za pitanja odbrane i sigurnosti, a koje bi bile transparentne i dostupne javnosti. Ovaj izvještaj analizira medijsku pokrivenost sigurnosnih pitanja u BiH. Kroz uspostavljanje složene veze između medija i sigurnosnog sektora u zemlji, bila bi uzeta u obzir otvorenost sigurnosnog sektora kao takvog. Glavni cilj ove studije je evaluacija napretka dobrog upravljanja sigurnosnim sektorom u BiH. U izvještaju su korištene dvije važne vodilje za istraživanje. Sa jedne strane, biće evaluiran stepen zastupljenosti sigurnosnih institucija u BiH, odnosno koliko su otvorene i odgovorne prema medijima. Ovo pitanje se razmatra kao primarno s obzirom na stvarno učešće u relaciji i strukturi sigurnosnog sektora. Izvještaj će se nadalje fokusirati na stepen otvorenosti medija za sigurnosne institucije i stručnost medija kada su u pitanju sigurnosne teme, te na ograničenja kvalitetnog novinarstva i mogućnost izvještavanja o temama u vezi sa sigurnosti, kao jednog od glavnih aspekata odnosa medija prema sigurnosti. Na kraju, izvještaj će biti djelomično baziran na teoretskom modelu sigurnosnog upravljanja, koji podrazumijeva pojačanu saradnju između medija i države. Premda su se desile mnoge promjene u organizacijama sigurnosnog sektora u najnaprednijim demokratijama, potpuno učešće medija još nije postignuto, s obzirom da stepen učešća zavisi i o strukturalnim i o mogućim ograničenjima.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Bilateral Relations with Turkey

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Bilateral Relations with Turkey

Author(s): Nerkez Opacin / Language(s): English

The main focus of this research is to closely examine and analyze the extent of bilateral relations between Republic of Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The methodology is based on analyzing the general definition of international relations as an introduction, followed by a synopsis of bilateral relations between these two countries, whilst the main focus will be placed on the current state of economic cooperation.

Perceptions and Attitudes of the Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina towards Terrorism and the Role of International Security Organisations

Perceptions and Attitudes of the Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina towards Terrorism and the Role of International Security Organisations

Author(s): Vladimir Obradović / Language(s): English

Keywords: Terrorism;

The survey of the perceptions and attitudes of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) towards terrorism and the roles of international security organisations (NATO, SFOR) comparatively encompassed subjects from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and the Republika Srpska (RS). Due to the content of the research only male subjects have been included, which we selected by a systematic, stratification sample, dependent upon telephone number in each individual canton. The control of the accuracy of the samples and the analysis of the results afterwards was conducted according to the variables of age, work experience and nationality. Besides this, we conducted focus groups that involved interviewing journalists, officers, professors, faculty assistants and students. The commentary and content of the discussion made possible a qualitative approach in the investigation.

Seminar: Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Partnership for Peace

Seminar: Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Partnership for Peace

Author(s): . Miscellaneous / Language(s): English