Instead of expressing condolences to Serbia for the unprecedented tragedy that claimed 14 lives, unfounded accusations arrived from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the biannual debate on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the UN Security Council, Denis Bećirović, chairman of the BiH Presidency, accused Serbia and Republika Srpska of a destructive policy and alleged secession.
President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, stated that Bećirović’s shameful attacks reflect impotence and malice, serving as an example of violating the Dayton Agreement.
For Russia, the only realistic report on the situation in BiH is the one sent by the Government of Republika Srpska. Together with Chinese representatives, they criticized the report of the illegitimate Christian Schmidt.
Bećirović did not address pressing issues in BiH, such as the rise of radicalism, terrorist attacks, or the threat posed by these attacks, nor did he seek help from foreign partners in combating them. Instead, he accused Republika Srpska of alleged secession and Serbia of a destructive policy.
“They publicly advocate the unilateral dismantling of the Dayton Agreement, the revival of the criminal project of Greater Serbia, the destruction of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the violation of international and national law,” said Bećirović.
Željka Cvijanović, the Serb member of the BiH Presidency, believes that Bećirović used his address as an attack on Serbs, proving his Serbophobia while essentially advancing his Greater Bosniak policy.
“Accusing others serves to hide the goals of precisely such a policy. Every time, after such hateful outbursts, it becomes increasingly clear that Republika Srpska must protect itself at all costs, uncompromisingly and consistently, in line with its constitutional position,” Cvijanović emphasized.
Although he supports the UN Security Council’s decision to extend the EUFOR mission in BiH, Dodik regards Bećirović’s half-hour speech as a display of hatred towards Serbs.
“This is the clearest example of violating the Dayton Agreement, especially in the UN. A textbook example of violating the Constitution and undermining the constitutional structure of BiH. Once again, Bećirović shamelessly attacked Serbia and Republika Srpska with worn-out lies and deceptions, seeking an excuse for the failure of Bosniak politics,” Dodik stressed.
Radovan Kovačević, a delegate in the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, reminds us that Republika Srpska’s policy is not secession but the preservation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. He also pointed out that Bećirović did not have the consent of the other two members of the Presidency for his UN address.
“It must be said that his claims about Republika Srpska’s alleged secessionist policy and the disruption of BiH’s constitutional order are nothing but nonsense,” Kovačević stated.
From Srpska, the clear stance is that it is Bećirović, through his statements, who creates additional division and instability, not the Serbs.
“Bećirović is attempting to position himself as the leading extremist and representative of the Bosniak people. It’s simply astonishing that he receives support for statements that frequently violate the peace agreement,” said Nenad Stevandić, President of the National Assembly of Srpska.
The Minister of Justice of Republika Srpska, Miloš Bukejlović, emphasized that Bećirović chose the wrong platform to accuse Serbia, as the Serb people do not threaten any constituent people in BiH.
“The All-Serb Assembly is a form of organizing all Serbs on both sides of the Drina River, and in this way, we do not threaten any other constituent people in BiH,” said Bukejlović.
Representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries criticized Srpska. Meanwhile, China and Russia criticized Schmidt’s report, viewing it as an act of desovereignization.
“Schmidt frequently uses ‘Bonn powers,’ which exacerbates divisions. It’s a controversy that interferes in BiH’s affairs. These are matters the citizens themselves should influence, particularly regarding the ‘Bonn powers,'” said Geng Shuang, China’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN.
Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, stated that the Office of the High Representative (OHR) has long outlived its purpose, now serving as a relic of colonial politics that should be closed as soon as possible.
“The West’s goal is to centralize BiH, with Euro-Atlantic integration offered as the solution to all problems. It’s laughable to hear that from NATO, given what they did in the Balkans, bombing civilians with depleted uranium,” emphasized the Russian representative.
Moscow’s stance is that the report submitted by the Government of Republika Srpska to the Security Council best reflects the situation on the ground. This report stresses that it is crucial for domestic and international actors to stop undermining the BiH Constitution and to respect the Dayton Agreement.
Source: RTRS
