IZETBEGOVIĆ'S INCITEMENT TO LYNCH WOULD BE PUNISHABLE IN ANY OTHER STATE, BUT NOT IN BiH

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 25 /SRNA/ – The Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović has stated this evening that SDA leader Bakir Izetbegović's statement that Milorad Dodik should be removed by force demonstrates that the campaign is directed not against an individual, but against Republika Srpska itself, with the ultimate goal of centralizing BiH.

"From their perspective, it means: 'We tried to defeat Dodik in elections, but it did not work; we changed various rules, but nothing came of it'. SNSD was deprived of a fourth seat in the BiH House of Peoples, we were pushed through judicial proceedings following Christian Schmidt's imposed decisions in order to benefit centralist forces, and it still did not succeed. All of this is aimed not personally at one man, but at Republika Srpska", Cvijanović told ATV. She questioned whether someone should be killed simply because they hold a different opinion? "These have become dangerous matters, and this amounts to a call for lynching. In any well-ordered country, such behavior would be punishable, but unfortunately that is not the case here. By what force do they intend to stop Dodik? Just imagine the kind of state they are offering us", Cvijanović questioned. In her view, political developments must be brought back within an acceptable framework, in contrast to the approach taken by Izetbegović and BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konaković. Cvijanović assessed that Bosniaks will have to accept that BiH belongs to its constituent peoples and that it must function in accordance with the Constitution of BiH. She stressed that the period of imposing solutions through force, as practiced by Christian Schmidt and others, has passed. "We want all processes to be completed in a democratic manner, without any form of coercion. Several years ago, Izetbegović threatened with weapons. I have personally never mentioned war as an option. That is why we will complete the work that will ensure stability for Republika Srpska", Cvijanović said. She noted that Republika Srpska officials act with a broader objective in mind and with the goal of maintaining social stability. "The measure has been exceeded with the judicial proceedings against Dodik. Sarajevo has developed an obsession with Dodik and cannot seem to function without constantly focusing on him. Izetbegović says he has a firm agreement with the opposition in Republika Srpska, and I ask: an agreement about what, and does it include this threat as well? In any case, citizens should ask what exactly that agreement entails. Bosniak politicians continually seek to impose solutions on Republika Srpska, unlike us, and that is a major difference", Cvijanović said. She reminded that, as a member of the BiH Presidency, she defends the interests of Republika Srpska and performs her duties in accordance with the Constitution.