The main cause of the constitutional and political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina is Christian Schmidt, said the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Radovan Višković.
He emphasized that Bosniak politicians, such as Elmedin Konaković, have for years been accustomed to having external actors resolve internal political issues in BiH in their favor and to the detriment of Serbs. In that context, Višković commented on Konaković’s demand that Christian Schmidt appoint a new Minister of Security in the Council of Ministers.
“What Konaković is now demanding from Schmidt, he once demanded—and received—from former U.S. Ambassador Murphy. Just as he now insists on the Minister of Security, he previously pushed a foreign agenda to BiH’s detriment regarding the southern gas interconnection. Almost as a rule, Bosniak political representatives constantly need a foreign mentor to resolve internal matters in BiH, despite being elected by the people and well-paid to do their jobs,” said Višković.
Given this behavior, Višković added, it is fair to question what Konaković is even doing as Minister of Foreign Affairs if he expects others to do his job.
“Instead of issuing meaningless demands, it would be better and more purposeful for Konaković to respond to the increasing criticism from his own people, who see the ‘Trojka’ as the most responsible for the current situation BiH is facing,” Višković stated.
Minister Elmedin Konaković might as well be talking to himself, said Višković, adding, “We’re not particularly thrilled to talk to him either.”
“No one is stopping him from talking. For the past two months, the Trojka from the Federation and the so-called Trojka from Republika Srpska have been ‘talking,’ but it all ends there. He says he’s willing to talk—but not with the President of Srpska, Milorad Dodik. Well, Dodik isn’t exactly delighted to speak with Konaković either, but he is ready to talk with anyone who is a legitimate representative of a constituent people,” Višković noted.
He stressed that all of this remains just talk because they lack the capacity to implement anything they agree upon.
“When you come to an agreement, you must also be able to implement it—and that’s where the problem lies. They’re trying to shift the burden to someone else. Clearly, Christian Schmidt—illegitimate as he is—is their go-to. If the opposition in Srpska is also your solution, then good luck. But it’s all in vain. They have never had the capacity to implement what they agree on. That’s BiH’s real issue. For example, SDA did have that capacity; this group does not,” Višković said.
He further noted that they can’t even implement what they agreed upon with the HDZ.
“They will never implement the agreement. Now HDZ tells them, ‘Gentlemen, enough talking.’ They keep pulling cheap Sarajevo tricks. They believe they can achieve a unitary BiH through others solving their problems. Well, Mr. Konaković, perhaps you should start solving those problems yourself—but always with the idea that someone else will do it, and preferably to the detriment of the Serb people. Schmidt is the main cause of the constitutional and legal crisis in BiH. We from Srpska have more important matters to deal with—we are focused on real life,” said the Prime Minister of Srpska.
He added that he moves freely, without any issues, that he is in his Republika Srpska, and does not feel like a fugitive.
Source: RTRS
