KOŠARAC: FBiH "TROIKA" IS PLAYING GAMES WITH OPPOSITION FROM SRPSKA

SARAJEVO, DECEMBER 22 /SRNA/ – Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac told SRNA that the "troika" from the Federation of BiH (FBiH), together with Christian Schmidt, is clearly stringing along the "troika" from Republika Srpska—toying with them, while the opposition in Srpska runs around and contributes to what he described as their serious political adventures.

"SNSD has the strength and will not allow decisions to be made in Sarajevo without the position of Republika Srpska. Tasks will not be set for us by the Sarajevo `troika` and Schmidt. We will continue to implement, at the joint level, the policies of Srpska’s institutions," Košarac said. He added that adopting laws at the BiH level without the positions of Republika Srpska is a policy of Sarajevo, but also of the opposition in Srpska, warning that such intentions are reckless. "The policy of SNSD is that Banja Luka and Republika Srpska have a say in Sarajevo. Let the opposition in Srpska serve Sarajevo and Schmidt," he said. Košarac said he could not believe that their pace is being dictated by Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković. "You can see from his face and cynical smile that he is playing with them, and they are more obedient than the most obedient," Košarac said. By accepting Sarajevo’s and Schmidt’s game, he said, the opposition confirms SNSD’s position that they pose the same threat to Republika Srpska as their mentors do. "They claim they were waiting for the authorities to pass laws, saying the European path cannot wait, and the like. These are meaningless excuses. SNSD has been very clear that solutions without the position of Republika Srpska, under the guise of the EU narrative, mean centralization, which is completely unacceptable for Srpska," Košarac said. Košarac underlined that there is no European path without Republika Srpska, calling this the policy of SNSD. "At the BiH level, we do not allow even an item of information—let alone laws—to reach the agenda without the consent of Srpska. That is SNSD’s policy: Republika Srpska decides, not Sarajevo," he stressed. By contrast, he added, the opposition in Srpska has clearly shown that its policy is identical to that of Sarajevo and Schmidt. "Pathetic and hungry for positions," Košarac concluded.