The mandate of the High Representative needs to be strengthened, but ultimately the responsibility for the future is in the hands of the leadership and citizens of B&H, said in an exclusive interview for "Dnevni Avaz" prominent American diplomat Thomas Miller. As a former ambassador of the United States of America to B&H, Miller has left a deep mark in our country. Although he does not perform official duties in the American administration today, he closely monitors the situation in our country. He spoke for our paper about the expectations from the new Biden administration.

Greater efforts

What can we expect from the new US administration and what will be the role of Tony Blinken as State Secretary?

- Biden made it very clear that his highest priorities will be pandemic and the catastrophic effects it had on the United States. He will take over the function at the time when the vaccine is expected to arrive, and that should be the focus of his administration.

Biden and Blinken know the Balkans very well, probably better than any of their predecessors. They are aware of the problems and possible opportunities. The people Biden has presented so far in terms of the foreign policy team have extensive experience, including the Balkans and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Although it is too early to speculate on our policy on B&H issues, you can be sure that our efforts will be guided by greater coordination with our allies, a deeper understanding of the region, better information and experience and activities in the better interest of the United States.

How do you see the situation in BiH 25 years after Dayton Agreement?

Unfortunately, honestly, I think things could have been much better. Dayton stopped the war, but never intended to build a prosperous, successful, and self-sustaining country. This has always been and remains the responsibility of the leadership of B&H and its nations. There is still a lot of work to be done.

Team work

What is your opinion about the Office of the High Representative? Should it be reformed, strengthened or abolished? 

- I know that there are different opinions on this issue. Personally, I believe that the position of the High Representative should be maintained and his mandate strengthened. At some point, of course, it should be abolished, but with all these problems of corruption, bureaucracy, nationalism, division and lack of cooperation among leaders, I think we have not yet come into a position to do so.

What do you think what the international community should do, how should they react to this situation?

- We must work together and solve the problems I have listed and support those leaders and their efforts to make B&H a normal state, which will be fully integrated into European institutions and NATO.

The effect could have been much better

Can the current political leaders solve issues such as constitutional reforms, the Election Law and all the problems you have listed?

- Unfortunately, their performance could have been much better. I left B&H almost 20 years ago full of hope and optimism about the future of the country. After all, the problems of B&H are and will always be problems that the leadership and people of B&H must deal with. The international community, including the United States, offers assistance, but the main responsibility for the state's future lies with the people of B&H. And whether current leaders can solve these problems is a question that citizens need to address when deciding who to vote for.