SELAK: THOMPSON CONCERT UNDERMINES RECONCILIATION EFFORTS

BANJA LUKA, FEBRUARY 14 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Justice Minister Goran Selak condemned what he described as Ustasha iconography and messages displayed at a concert by controversial Croatian singer Marko Perković Thompson in Široki Brijeg, calling it a direct blow to the reconciliation process and a flagrant example of double standards in BiH.

Selak said that in the civilized world there is no place for the glorification and promotion of the Ustasha movement. According to him, last night in Široki Brijeg, accompanied by what he described as the inevitable symbols and iconography of the notorious World War II-era Independent State of Croatia /NDH/, the public witnessed the glorification of an ideology that resulted in genocide against Serbs during World War II. “While officials of Republika Srpska are prosecuted, sanctioned and brought before courts for the dignified observance of Republika Srpska Day, in the Federation of BiH symbols and slogans under which the most horrific crimes against the Serbian people were committed are openly glorified, with mass support and public promotion,” Selak stressed. Selak pointed out that such events deeply disturb the remaining Serbs in the Federation of BiH, as well as all citizens of Republika Srpska who seek peace, stability and the rule of law. He added incidents like this only confirm, in his words, the justification of the struggle to preserve the autonomy and constitutional rights of Srpska. “I call on the international community and its representatives in BiH, who are exceptionally prompt and efficient in condemning everything that comes from Banja Luka, to finally break their silence over the revival of the ghosts of the past in the Federation of BiH. Our politics is politics of peace, but peace cannot be built on the foundations of insults and the denial of one people's suffering,” Selak concluded.