US Drives Diplomatic Spat Over Bosnia's High Representative

A diplomatic conflict is increasing over the choice of the next High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). This decision will be made at the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) meeting in early June. The United States strongly supports Italian diplomat Antonio Zanardi Landi for the role. However, major European countries, including the United Kingdom and Germany, oppose Landi. There is also resistance from BiH diplomats.

The US believes Landi would be impartial and use Bonn powers carefully. Facing growing opposition, the US introduced a second candidate, William Ruger. John Ginkel, a US diplomat in Sarajevo, announced this. Ruger is a deputy director at the NSA. He supports "America First" policies, which suggest European nations should manage their own problems.

This move to present Ruger sends a clear message to European partners: either accept Landi or consider Ruger. A US representative, Tammy Bruce, hinted at this strategy at the UN Security Council. France may also propose its own candidate. A French delegation, possibly led by Minister Benjamin Haddad, might soon visit Sarajevo to do so.