Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

$1bn Bosnia aid is lost to fraud

Adam Lebor
Tuesday 17 August 1999 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

AS MUCH as pounds 1bn has disappeared from public funds, or been lost to aid projects, because of fraud carried out by the Muslim, Croat and Serb nationalist leaders in the three enclaves of Bosnia.

The anti-fraud unit set up by the Office of the High Representative - the agency responsible for implementing civilian aspects of the Dayton peace accord - has exposed so much corruption that relief agencies and embassies are reluctant to publicise the thefts for fear of frightening away international donors, according to a report in yesterday's New York Times.

The report names several officials linked to the governing nationalist parties that it says profited from the fraud. Although the Office of the High Representative has dismissed 15 officials or prevented them from holding office, most retain authority.

In one incident, 10 embassies and aid agencies lost more than $20m deposited in a Bosnian bank. Only the Swiss embassy has acknowledged its losses.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in