Tumultuous and Bosnia & Herzegovina (“BiH”) at the United Nations Security Council seem to be a frequent theme over the last two decades. This time though Ivory Coast, Haiti, Sudan, the Koreas, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, and Somalia face the crisis as (BiH) assumes front stage but as President of the UN Security Council (“UNSC”) rather than subject of its deliberations. January 2011 seems to be an especially heavy load for the UNSC, and that is only for the agenda items already set.
--The referendum on the “secession” of South Sudan has been set and is under the supervision of the UN. Darfur recently is also never far from the list of politically and on humanitarian level most troubled issues.
--January also marks the anniversary of last year’s horrific Haiti earthquake. The challenges to this ever-intensifying UN mission though are expanding rather than becoming more manageable, from cholera to election fragilities.
--Korea has moved on the UNSC agenda in a way not witnessed for decades, and there appears a hot brew is now on a low boil ready to spill over with any more heat added.
--Ivory Coast though probably holds the dubious recognition for being the most volatile issue in the immediate future of the UNSC. (See UN Security Council Report for a really comprehensive and well-made analysis of the UNSC agenda items for January 2011 – also listed below for your convenience).

Other issues scheduled to be addressed before the council includes Nepal, Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan), Somalia and Central Africa as well as special on conflict prevention. Undoubtedly other issues will rise to the agenda, either in abruptly called public meetings or behind closed doors of the UNSC Deliberations chamber.

From Consumer to Contributor, (War Ravaged to Candidate to Election to Presidency of UN Security Council):
It will BiH’s position at the head of the UNSC that will be the most intriguing for many of us, those who have direct ties to BiH and those who are curious to see if and how UN efforts may transform subjects of debate into contributors to solutions. Over a decade earlier, during my service as BiH Ambassador to the UN, we forwarded the candidacy of BiH for a two-year term as non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2010-2011 term. (My deputies and were of common view that BiH would benefit as would world family).In 2009, BiH won overwhelmingly as other potential candidates shied away from what was seen as a strong bid by a country perceived as culturally diverse and having established a credible representation at the UN since becoming a member on May 22, 1992, (under the most difficult circumstances of aggression, conflict and genocide).

Do not misunderstand: BiH still has many internal difficulties to overcome as well as outside meddling from some and failed promises from others. After elections in early October, BiH still is operating under a caretaker government as well as meager resources. Even now BiH and neighboring states continue to be subject of UNSC briefing and deliberations, (particularly Serbia’s failure to arrest indicted war crimes fugitive General Ratko Mladic and regular reports from the Office of the High representative –Ambassador Vallentin Inzko). Nonetheless, BiH continues to be a sought after ally within the UNSC and garner respect. There are many potential pitfalls though for the country as BiH’s position of leadership, as hard as it may be for some to conceive, is likely to be lost to the heated discussions within BiH over a new government and ongoing debates regarding the fundamental future of BiH.

Generating more History than it can Consume!”
Most educated observers already recognize that BiH’s current service within the UNSC and past experience, (as subject of deliberations, peace making and now a hesitant reintegration process), have been useful to the UN as an institution as a whole. Having been always accorded with the colorful definition of a country that has “generated more history than it can consume,” BiH has now the ability to share. Learning from that history is for the benefit of fellow members of the UN as well as BiH.

The benefits to BiH are even more tangible, even if not always recognized by the country’s population that continues to be traumatized by unemployment, obsolete economic methodologies, internal political opportunism, ultra-nationalist rhetoric and external exploitation of its divisions, (while my description sounds like hyperbole, I’m actually concerned that I have not adequately described the obstacles faced by BiH and its citizens over the recent history). BiH has, nonetheless, advanced its objectives through its UNSC election and service, due to the deference broader European neighbors and other democracies have accorded the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations – from liberalized visa regime to at least some advancement toward NATO and EU membership. BiH’s reputation has also been enhanced globally advancing both commercial opportunities overseas and investments within, (besides states from EU, USA, Turkey, Arab Gulf, others as India, China and South Korea have given BiH a further look).

What is perhaps more difficult to ascertain is the longer term perception that BiH will engender: as a consumer of the global diplomatic institutions and processes or a contributor to global peace and security and most critically, what it takes to move shared values forward. BiH’s people have been successful in areas as diverse as art and engineering, human rights and as peacekeepers. (BiH troops have served from observers in Horn of Africa to de-miners in Iraq). They have been victims, defenders, peacemakers and now contributors to the gradually growing global culture of peace.

By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey

See our film reports on BiH in the UN Security Council as well as the many issues on the agenda of the Council for January 2011 including:

“Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj –conversation” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/bosniabihpresidency-un-security-council-foreign-minister-alkalaj-conversation/23689

“In Bosnian” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/bosna-bihpredsjedava-vjece-sigurnosti-ministar-sven-alkalaj-razgovor/23690

“Korea Lunging to Conflict” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/korea-lunging-to-conflict/23588

“Darfur/Doha Mediation” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/darfurdohaqatar-mediation/23581

“Sexual Violence/Civilians in Conflict” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/darfurdohaqatar-mediation/23581

“”ICTY - War Crimes Tribunal Report to UNSC” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/yugoslav-icty-war-crimes-tribunalun-security-council-report/23355

“Bosnia & Herzegovina Elected to UNSC - Interview Amb. Muhamed Sacirbey” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/bosnia-herzegovina-elected-to-un-security-council/18579

“Amb. Diego Arria – conversation” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/diego-arriavenezuela-bosnia-part-1/22846

“Ivory Coast – Two Presidents on Collision Course/ Security Council Takes Action” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/ivory-coast-two-presidents-on-collision-courseun-security-council-to-take-action-by-ambassador-mo/16968


More film reports related to work of UN Security Council at www.unsecuritycounciltv.com

January Security Council Agenda Report:

Security Council Report at www.securitycouncilreport.org

Bosnia and Herzegovina will hold the Council presidency in January.
Two open debates are expected. The first is on the Middle East, to be held in the second half of the month following the usual monthly briefing.
A second open debate is expected on institution-building, as part of post-conflict peacebuilding. This is likely later in the month with a presidential statement as a possible outcome (Security Council Report will be publishing an Update Report on this issue closer to the debate.)
Sudan will take much of the Council’s attention throughout January. Consultations are expected a few days prior to the beginning of the referendum (scheduled to start on 9 January) and again soon after its conclusion. A briefing by the head of peacekeeping Alain Le Roy on the regular quarterly reports of the Secretary-General on UNMIS and UNAMID, which are due in early to mid-January, is expected, followed by consultations. The Sudan Sanctions Committee is expecting to receive an interim report from its panel of experts.
Other possible events in January include:
• further discussions on Côte d’Ivoire;
• early in the month, the Department of Political Affairs is likely to brief Council members in consultations on issues of possible concern during the month of January;
• on Nepal, a briefing by UNMIN head, Karin Landgren;
• on Haiti, a meeting on post-election political developments and the humanitarian situation including the status a year after the earthquake and the impact of the cholera epidemic;
• on Somalia, a briefing by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga;
• also in consultations, a briefing is expected on the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia (UNRCCA) by its head, Miroslav Jenca;
• a decision by Council members on election of the bureaux of Council subsidiary bodies; and
• consultations on the Central African Republic following outcome of elections on 23 January.
At press time it seemed possible that there will be no draft resolutions for adoption in January. One possibility is Nepal (should there be a request to renew the UNMIN mandate which otherwise expires on 15 January).