10th Anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords

10th Anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords
November 18, 2005

November 21, 2005 marks the tenth anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords. On this date a decade ago, my hometown hosted a meeting of Balkan leaders that initialed a peace agreement for a region marred by civil war from 1992-1995.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was the location of this historic event which occurred during my two term tenure as mayor of Dayton and remains among the highlights of my service to the city. The creation and implementation of The Dayton Peace Accords was a milestone for establishing stability in Bosnia.

The region has taken an active role in supporting Bosnia's transition to peace and democracy. The city of Dayton signed a sister city agreement with Sarajevo. Other groups and organizations have also worked to build relationships and provide assistance to Bosnia. Business and law enforcement representatives throughout Southwestern Ohio have hosted exchange programs with Bosnian representatives to learn from each other.

The Balkan region has experienced tremendous progress over the past decade. Following the Peace Accords, there has been a marked decline of inter-ethnic violence, restored freedom of movement, and a large number of refugees have returned to their homes. With international assistance, Bosnia has even held elections and established modern democratic government structures. Clearly Bosnia has made significant strides in the past decade. On behalf of our community's involvement in the Peace Accords, I have visited Bosnia five times. The progress in rebuilding has been extraordinary. As a nation, we will reap the benefits of helping a developing democracy through increased market possibilities for American companies.

American presence and accountability is essential to ensuring continued adherence to the Dayton Peace Accords. Last Thanksgiving my wife Lori and I shared the holiday with the 2-107th Calvary from the Ohio National Guard troops serving to maintain stability in Kosovo. It was a privilege to spend time with our troops and to witness their selfless service in maintaining Bosnian peace. American assistance continues to help maintain the peace, bring justice to past war criminals, and rebuild the nation's war torn economy.

Last year I held an Armed Services Committee Issues Forum on Bosnia to discuss the transition from a NATO led peace operations to a European Union led peace operation. Witnesses including Former Bosnian Ambassador to the US, Igor Davidovic, Former Bosnian Ambassador to the United Nations, Mirza Kusljugic, and US General Major General James W. Darden testified regarding the need for a small continued US presence in Bosnia or unrest .

Although the progress in Bosnia is encouraging, Bosnia is still vulnerable to unrest. Bosnia continues to work toward bringing war criminals to justice and Constitutional and police reforms to create a more efficient and unified government structure. Bosnia's work on these and other economic issues are important to helping Bosnia enter the European Union.

As a Member of Congress, I continue to support the work of Bosnian officials to ensure continued peace and stability in the Balkan region. I have met with several Bosnian leaders including Bosnian Ambassador to the United States, Bisera Turkovic and Prime Minister for Bosnia and Herzegovina Adnan Terzic to further the success of Bosnia's progress. We are optimistic about the relationship the United States has developed with Bosnian nation and the opportunity to work toward a stronger and more economically prosperous Bosnia.

On the tenth anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, I am proud of the role that my hometown played in encouraging democracy in Bosnia. The relationship that the United States has developed with Bosnia is strong and healthy. The progress that Bosnia is making is extraordinary. As a nation, we will benefit from increased economic activity in the stable Balkan region.

http://www.house.gov/miketurner/news/columns/11.18.05.shtml