prijava
SARAJEVO, November 5 (FENA) - Addressing the United Nations Security Council today, High Representative Valentin Inzko said that in the past the international community tried robust interventionism and an approach focusing on the responsibility of the BiH authorities, and that, given the reality on the ground, perhaps it is time to rethink its current approach towards BiH.
"Let us finish the job in front of us, let us unite forces and let us turn a new page in our engagement and open a new chapter. Of course, it is not about us. It is about the citizens of Bosnia Herzegovina, who have deserved better and who still have trust in us," said Inzko.
He stated that regrettably, the international community made one grave conceptual flaw during the implementation of the Dayton Agreement – we invested our trust in some politicians too early, and they used our goodwill to reinvigorate nationalistic, divisive policies, especially since 2006.
"The lack of progress and real reforms is obvious, blockages of institutions at the state-level and lately also at the Federation level became a new normal in BiH. Also normal is, for example, the systemic discrimination of the so-called Others, citizens who do not declare themselves as members of the Constituent Peoples," said Inzko.
He reminded that the latest example of glorifying a war criminal is BiH Presidency member Milorad Dodik’s request on 16th September 2020, that the BiH Presidency honors and pays “respect” to the convicted war criminal Momcilo Krajisnik, who died a day before, with a minute of silence.
"The same politician, Mr. Dodik, some time ago opened a student dormitory in Pale, close to Sarajevo, in honour of convicted war criminal Radovan Karadzic, who has been sentenced to life by the ICTY. Similarly, in the past, Dario Kordic, who served 12 years for war crimes, received a warm welcome upon his release, organized by a political party, and a mass of gratitude in a Catholic church was celebrated for him. This is unacceptable," Inzko stated.
Earlier, Mr. Dodik threatened, that Serbs and Croats would present their plan for how Bosnia and Herzegovina should function and that if it was not accepted, they would “dissociate” from the country.
"To be clear, Mr. Dodik is talking about the secession of the Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina – again. Needless to say, there is already a plan for how Bosnia and Herzegovina should function, and it is called the General Framework Agreement for Peace signed in Dayton 25 years ago. There is no option in the Agreement for secession, neither is it possible to cherry-pick from the Dayton Agreement. Such statements are irresponsible, unfounded and show poor leadership. They also completely disregard the well-being and prosperity of the citizens, as well as peace and stability in the region," he said.
Given such rhetoric, he acknowledged and expressed gratitude to the Council for its reauthorization of the mandate of the European Union-led military mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, EUFOR ALTHEA, in fulfilling the main peace stabilization role under the military aspects of the General Framework Agreement for Peace. The continued presence of EUFOR remains necessary.
He noted that Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the midst of campaigns for the 15 November Local Elections, and expressed his gratitude and support to the BiH Central Election Commission, which has endeavored to organize these elections under extraordinary circumstances, while also facing constant pressure and criticism, particularly by the Republika Srpska party led by Mr. Dodik, SNSD, and by the Federation-based Croat Democratic Union, HDZ BiH, led by Dr. Dragan Covic.
He underlined the need for Bosnia and Herzegovina to dramatically improve the rule of law and the fight against corruption.
(FENA) A. B.
