The statement by Defence Minister in the Council of Ministers Zukan Helez, calling for talks on abolishing the entities, did not go unanswered today.
The message from Banja Luka is that such a move is out of the question, with the remark that Helez has effectively launched an election campaign. This has been noted even in the other entity, as numerous comments on Helez’s post—many written by Bosniaks—describe his claims as “hollow” and “classic pre-election rhetoric.”
“It is clear to me that the election campaign is starting and that this is why he is making such inflammatory statements,” said Aleksandar Goganović, Helez’s deputy, reacting to the minister’s recent call to open discussions on abolishing the entities.
Goganović said the rhetoric is becoming distasteful and urged Helez to stop calling for the abolition of Republika Srpska, describing it as pointless.
“Republika Srpska is a permanent category guaranteed by the Dayton Peace Agreement, and the guarantors of that agreement are the world’s leading powers such as the United States and Russia, as well as the most powerful European states. These are merely political dreams,” Goganović said.
A very clear and direct message to Helez was also sent by the Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željka Cvijanović.
“There is no Bosnia and Herzegovina without the entities,” Cvijanović stated.
The Bosniak privatization of Bosnia and Herzegovina is becoming distasteful, said SNSD leader Milorad Dodik. He told Helez that he is ignoring the new global relations now taking shape, in which, Dodik noted, everything is possible except the abolition of entities.
“The entities are defined by agreement in Dayton and enshrined in the Constitution as the only subjects that can further develop the Dayton Peace Agreement—and now he would abolish them. Just imagine that. What we are witnessing is a bitter struggle to preserve their concept, while much has changed in the world,” Dodik emphasized.
Those well versed in international relations share a similar view, noting that Bosniak political aspirations no longer interest foreign actors.
“They will therefore have to reconsider their idea of creating a centralized Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Nina Sajić, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Banja Luka.
Helez, in particular, has much to reconsider when it comes to his statements. Even those he is trying to appeal to have “read him,” as his remarks are clearly part of a pre-election narrative. Comments can be found stating that “the SDP put Helez forward to make it seem as though someone is opposing Dodik, in order to satisfy their voters.”
“Better keep quiet, take Ramo Isak by the hand and hide in a mouse hole,” reads another comment by Bosniaks on Helez’s call to abolish the entities—speaking volumes in itself.
Source: RTRS
