President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, stated that Russia and China have consistently advocated strict adherence to international law, and expressed his gratitude to both countries for not allowing the mandate of Christian Schmidt to be verified in the UN Security Council.
He recalled that for someone to be appointed as High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the Security Council, according to Annex 10 of the Dayton Agreement, the consent of the signatories of Annex 10 is required — five parties in total.
“One of those parties is Republika Srpska, the Federation of BiH, Serbia, Croatia, and some joint level of Bosnia and Herzegovina. But we participate as well, because without our involvement in a joint decision at the BiH level, there can be no appointment. All of this was bypassed, and suddenly there was talk about it in the Security Council through the submission of a report — which, of course, China and Russia rejected, because Schmidt was never officially appointed,” Dodik explained.
He added that this is part of a broader Western attempt to display power — but that this strategy is not succeeding.
“Given the recent session where Russia and China walked out when Schmidt appeared, and the U.S. notably softened or altered its stance, choosing not to involve itself as an arbiter, we’re left only with the UK and partially France among the permanent Security Council members still showing hostility toward us,” said the President of Republika Srpska.
He noted that the attitude now is not the same as it was five or six months ago during the height of the Biden administration’s involvement.
“That’s why it was necessary to thank them, because this is unprecedented. China has never previously used its veto on issues not directly related to its own national interests. This is the first time China has done so regarding the High Representative and in defense of international law,” Dodik said.
He emphasized that officials in Sarajevo are completely misinterpreting the situation when they claim that China and Russia acted against them.
“No, they are simply defending international law — and international law clearly states that if you want a High Representative, he must be selected by the signatory parties and confirmed by the Security Council. Schmidt has neither of those. I believe that this is now well known to all well-intentioned and reasonable countries around the world. Everyone knows this and sees it for what it is — a manifestation of the liberal-globalist arrogant approach toward small and powerless states upon which they want to impose their will,” said Dodik.
He also posed a rhetorical question: if the UK and France are truly so powerful, then why are their partners failing in the war in Ukraine?
“It’s easy for Britain to try to impose its force over Republika Srpska, but now we are in a global context. All that remains for them is to exercise force over us — nothing more,” Dodik concluded.
Source: RTRS
