European Journal # Bosnia: A Country Divided # 18.03.2009

Austrian diplomat Valentin Inzko has been named as the new United Nations High Representative to Bosnia. Inzko was the European Union's candidate for the job, but his appointment was delayed after the United States lobbied for someone who would take a harder line with Serbia. The appointment comes amidst rising tensions between the Muslim-Croat federation and the Bosnian Serb Republic, which have caused the UN to extend its mandate over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Meanwhile Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Milorad Dodik has been accused of embezzling over 70 million Euros of public funds, a charge that Dodik claims is politically motivated.