SARAJEVO SUPPORTS ALL FORMS OF ISLAMIC RADICALISM

SARAJEVO, JUNE 27 /SRNA/ - Security expert Dževad Galijašević told SRNA that official Sarajevo supports all forms of Islamic radicalism, stating that the recent parade in support of Iran and Palestine is evidence of deep institutional, security-defence, and political ties between Bosniak representatives and Tehran - ties detrimental to the security and European path of BiH.

He has stated that official Sarajevo supports both Wahhabi Sunni radicalism and Iranian Shiite radicalism. Galijašević noted that connections with Tehran date back to 1981 and 1982, when the late Muslim leader Alija Izetbegović visited Ayatollah Khomeini, and that these ties continued throughout the war in BiH. He pointed out that such connections persisted after the war, citing the example of former Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turković, who, according to him, cooperated with Iranian structures. "After the war, these ties continued, driven by a major illusion in Sarajevo that the US was unaware of what Iran was doing. The U.S. tolerated the delivery of special forces, weapons, and military aid from Iran to Izetbegović's army during the war. But tolerance doesn't mean support," Galijašević emphasized. He explained that the U.S. made their stance clear by cracking down on the terrorist camp in Pogorelica, arresting Iranian instructors, and forcing then-federal ministers of defence and police, Hasan Čengić and Bakir Alispahić, to resign. "Things continued with Minister of Defence in the Council of Ministers, Zukan Helez, who engaged in cooperation with defence structures from Turkey and Iran. By issuing a statement on behalf of the Ministry of Defence declaring plans to expand military cooperation with Iran, Helez crossed a line," said Galijašević. He emphasized that such a statement, made in front of Iran's non-resident military representative, implies that military cooperation already exists. "This was unacceptable to the United States, and we saw the response from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. In a joint statement, they declared that such cooperation would not be allowed and warned of sanctions against BiH, including suspension of BiH-USA military cooperation programmes," Galijašević said. He argued that BiH, due to its military cooperation with the U.S., could become a conduit for transferring American military technology to Iran. "The U.S. recognised this. When Helez was forced to apologize, claiming he was misunderstood, Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković took it a step further by provoking the U.S., through his minister /of Labour and Social Affairs in the FBiH Government/ Adnan Delić, who issued a harsh statement suggesting the Conference of European Rabbis, which has nothing to do with Gaza or any war, is not welcome in Sarajevo," Galijašević noted. He added that political maneuvering is once again visible in Sarajevo through informal groups organizing parades on the streets with Palestinian and Iranian flags. Galijašević stated that ministers Konaković and Helez, through systemic support of Tehran and a theocratic state, are sending a message to Western partners, especially the U.S. and Europe, that they are not bound by Western positions on Iran. "This is dangerous for BiH and undermines both our security and our European future. The 'Troika' is playing games with the political fate of Bosniaks. This kind of radical pro-Iranian behaviour is harmful," Galijašević warned. An informal group of residents yesterday organised a motorcade parade in Sarajevo, with cars adorned with Iranian and Palestinian flags, traveling from Ilidža to the City Hall square.