Former Speaker of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, Dragan Kalinić, told SRNA ahead of the session of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), where the appointment of a new High Representative is expected to be discussed, that both the legality and legitimacy of this post-Dayton creation are questionable, as it has continued to exist for years despite having no foundation in the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Its legitimacy is also disputed because Russia, as a guarantor and signatory of the Dayton Agreement, and China, two major global powers, left the PIC a long time ago – Kalinić pointed out.
According to him, recent developments suggest that the dispute surrounding the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the position of High Representative will continue in one form or another, as moments that appeared to move the process forward were often followed by setbacks.
- Officials of Republika Srpska, especially following the resolution of the National Assembly calling for the closure of the OHR, will rightly challenge any appointment of a High Representative unless it is confirmed by a specific resolution of the UN Security Council. At the same time, it is clear that there is a demand to reduce the self-proclaimed powers that have contributed to continuous political and legal turmoil in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Kalinić stated.
He added that there are also calls for limiting the High Representative’s mandate, preferably to one year, or at most two, in order to implement an exit strategy for the OHR without conditions imposed by the European Union.
- If we set aside what I consider unrealistic aspirations by part of the Bosniak political establishment for a unitary state, it becomes evident that neither the OHR nor the High Representative is any longer necessary for the political representatives of the three constituent peoples, because the assumption is that they are capable of moving beyond political dependency and beginning a normal political life – he said.
Kalinić argued that current Serb representatives in the institutions of Republika Srpska have long since become politically mature and aware that further international tutelage is unnecessary.
- Without intending to offend anyone, perhaps the other two peoples are also capable of moving beyond political adolescence and finally maturing. That is a prerequisite for any rational dialogue and possible agreement among those who live in this country — that they, and not self-appointed foreigners, determine its future – Kalinić said.
In his view, the most a new High Representative should be is a moderator.
- The best thing such a person could do, and what should be done for the sake of peace and stability during this transition from a protectorate to a normal democratic country, is to revoke all unconstitutional and unlawful decrees imposed by previous High Representatives, especially those of the foreign official known as Schmidt, and return to the original Dayton Peace Agreement – Kalinić emphasized.
He expressed confidence that the current authorities in Republika Srpska are prepared to contribute to what he described as a necessary return to dialogue and agreement with all parties that constitute Dayton Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The condition is that no one attempts to blackmail or threaten us, because we will no longer accept that, and such an approach no longer works with our people. This is our country, and the best among us gave their lives for its freedom, equality, and self-governance – Kalinić concluded.
Source: RTRS
