Controversial Reservist Police Force Plans Dropped in Bosnia

The Republika Srpska Interior Ministry said on Monday that it has shelved amendments that envisaged the establishment of the new reservist police force, after coming under criticism from Bosniak war victims' groups and from Bosnia and Herzegovina's Western allies.

"Considering that the establishment of a reserve police force requires a longer period of time and funds for conducting competitive procedures and selection, equipping [the force] with uniforms and other related equipment, as well as the time for adequate training in order to make the reserve police force functional, the Republika Srpska Interior Ministry is withdrawing amendments related to the reserve police force," the ministry said in a statement.

The announcement came a day before the Bosnian Serb Parliament was to discuss the introduction of the new reservist police force.

Reacting to the announcement, the Interior Ministry in the country's Federation entity said that in response, it would also drop its plans to set up its own new reservist force.

"As soon as Republika Srpska abandons the introduction of the reservist police, the Federation Ministry of Internal Affairs will suspend activities related to the introduction of reservist police in the Federation," Federation Interior Minister Aljosa Campara told Bosnian media.

"From the very beginning, we pointed out that it is unnecessary to introduce a reservist police force. I welcome the decision of the Republika Srpska Interior Ministry, despite the fact that I do not think they should even have ventured into this story," Campara added.

The sudden decision by Republika Srpska came after meetings last week between the Deputy Assistant US Secretary of State, Matthew Palmer, and high-level police officials from...