Die Erklärungen von Prud und Banja Luka und ihr politischer Kontext: Schritte zur Vertiefung der Teilung Bosnien-Herzegowinas oder zu deren Überwindun
The Declarations of Prud and Banja Luka and Their Political Context: Steps Towards a Deepening of the Division of Bosnia-Hercegovina or Rather Towards

Summary/Abstract: Abstract. The authors document the latest developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina, by analyzing recent talks between the leaders of the country and the divisive politics of their respective parties. The authors look specifically at the Party for Democratic Action (SDA), the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the Alliance of Independent Socialdemocrats (SNSD), and the meetings in Prud (November 2008), Banja Luka (January 2009), as well as in Mostar (February 2009). Given that the last-mentioned meeting was unsuccessful due to the early defection of Milorad Dodik, the representative of the Serb community, the authors also refer to each party’s comments on the Prud and Banja Luka talks as part of an on-going debate about the Bosnian constitution and the restructuring of the country’s administration. While all parties favor the abolition of the international authority, the Office of the High Representative, and especially the authoritative so-called Bonn Powers, they do so in order to have a freer hand to pursue their diametrically opposed schemes. The authors conclude by recommending that the international community and in particular the U.S. maintain its strong presence in Bosnia-Herzegovina, so as to further monitor the apparently irreconcilable positions within the country’s political system and among its leaders.

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