On October 4, 2013, ACBH ACBH President, Mirzeta Hadzikadic, ACBH Board Member, Dr. Sarah, Wagner, ACBH Honorary Board Member, Dr. Mirsad Hadzikadic and ACBH Executive Director, Ajla Delkic met with various members of the Washington, D.C. policymaking community to discuss the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and advocated for continued U.S. presence in the region.

 

While meeting with Congressional Caucus on Bosnia Co-Chair, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and her staff, ACBH expressed gratitude for the Congresswoman's long-standing support and welcomed her to the new leadership role. Congresswoman Johnson looks forward to working with all members of the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia in helping BiH on its Euro-Atlantic path.

 

"ACBH is thankful to have had the chance to sit down with Congresswoman Johnson as well as other Washington, D.C. policymakers and discuss the situation in BiH at length as well as ways that the Bosnian American community can assist with the democratization process in BiH. The U.S. foreign policy towards BiH is that of a united, multi-ethnic and democratic BiH and that is what ACBH has long advocated for; and we look forward to working with policymakers in Washington, D.C. to help keep BiH on the path towards NATO and the European Union," stated ACBH President, Mirzeta Hadzikadic.  

 

ACBH also met with officials at the U.S. Department of State which operates the diplomatic missions of the U.S. abroad and is responsible for implementing the foreign policy of the United States. ACBH is hopeful that a new U.S. Ambassador to BiH will be appointed in the near future and looks forward to assisting the U.S. Department of State on ways to strengthen the U.S. relationship with BiH.

 

Lastly, ACBH met with Mr. Bob Hand, Policy Advisor at the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) who serves as an expert on the Balkans. Mr. Hand stressed the importance of an effective and engaged diaspora and spoke about the work of the commission in regards to human rights and democracy efforts. Congressional Caucus on Bosnia Co-Chair, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) is the Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission alongside Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD).