BRUCE: NEXT HIGH REPRESENTATIVE MUST HAVE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS

NEW YORK, MAY 12 /SRNA/ - The United States believes that the next appointed high representative should work toward transferring governance responsibilities to domestically elected political leaders and must have both internal and international consensus, US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Tammy Bruce said.

Speaking at the UN Security Council session on BiH, Bruce stressed that the OHR was never intended to be a permanent mission and that the next high representative will have limited powers. Bruce reminded that President Milorad Dodik stepped down from his position and that laws in Republika Srpska that the US considered "controversial" were withdrawn, noting that elections will be held in October. She assessed that the international mission in BiH is moving toward a new phase and that the role of the high representative will soon no longer be necessary. According to her, the focus should be on pragmatic solutions through agreement rather than imposition. She added that the US will assess candidates in terms of credibility and impartiality, and that America also has its own candidates "if necessary". Bruce said the message to leaders in BiH is to focus on pragmatic governance rather than dramatic changes.