Deputy Chairman of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Nikola Špirić, stated that the state of security is not a matter to entertain the public, and if the Minister of Defense in the Council of Ministers, Zukan Helez, intimidates the people with alleged military camps in Republika Srpska without any evidence, then he must face criminal responsibility.
“I would ask the minister, if he claims these camps exist and can neutralize them, why hasn’t he done so? Why inform the public about something allegedly existing that can be neutralized? He speaks blatant nonsense and lies. It’s dangerous when all this is uttered from the top of the Ministry of Defense without any supporting arguments. Otherwise, everyone who lies must face criminal charges,” Špirić said to BH Radio 1.
He emphasized that the realm of security is a serious topic that demands seriousness, responsibility, and cannot be discussed without valid arguments.
“If the minister has evidence, let him present it, so that people are not frightened or misled. Intimidation without supporting arguments is worrying. I, too, would like to know what he’s talking about, just like everyone else living here. If he’s spoken lies, then it’s a costly game for him,” Špirić stated.
Responding to claims by parliamentarians from Republika Srpska in a letter sent to members of the European Parliament that radical Islamic cells exist in BiH, Špirić replied that there are arguments for everything written in that letter.
“In that letter, we state that such cells exist and can be activated, and we have evidence from competent authorities and parts of international institutions. These are exact reports, even signed by responsible individuals from the Bosniak people, not me. This means it’s based on arguments. Helez must substantiate his statements because everyone lying must face criminal accountability,” Špirić conveyed.
He pointed out that everything written in the letter from parliamentarians in Republika Srpska is based on citations from competent BiH addresses and international institutions.
“Now, the Islamic Community says it’s not 100 mosques but 14, but this means there are some, even though the Federation of BiH refuses to face the truth and confront what could be a security problem in BiH,” Špirić highlighted.
Commenting on the visit of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and his statements, Špirić said it’s not good to have communication only with a part of BiH during such visits because it appears as if the only problem is Republika Srpska and its leadership – which is not true.
Regarding the cooperation of parties at the BiH level, Špirić assessed that it’s not good that there are no representatives of Serbs at important Council of Ministers meetings and hopes this will be rectified. He also expects compromises to be made regarding the laws that need to be adopted on the path to the EU, including the law on the Constitutional Court of BiH.
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