NEBENZYA: SRPSKA GOVERNMENT REPORT OFFERS OBJECTIVE VIEW AND EXPOSES TRUE CAUSES OF POLITICAL CRISIS

NEW YORK, OCTOBER 31 /SRNA/ – The report submitted by the Government of Republika Srpska to the UN Security Council is objective and points to the real reasons behind the crisis in BiH, Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, has stated.

During the semi-annual debate of the UN Security Council on the situation in BiH, Nebenzya said that the Serbs’ mature vision of the future, that is, of BiH without a notorious foreign protectorate, as well as the expectation that both Croats and Bosniaks take responsibility for the country’s future, stands in stark contrast to the plans of European capitals regarding the Balkans. Nebenzya brought attention to the fact that the Dayton Peace Accords is being grossly violated in BiH-level institutions through illegal mechanisms of decision-making, whereby decisions are adopted solely by representatives of one of the three constituent peoples, all in the interests of Western countries. He cited as an example the exploitation and politicization of the Srebrenica tragedy, as well as attempts to shift all blame for BiH’s instability onto Republika Srpska, noting that such actions go uncriticized by the West. “We have reached a point where judicial and electoral bodies at the BiH level, which are no longer independent, alter the electoral will of the people, while pressure is exerted through sanctions, threats, political oppression and criminal prosecution. The height of this neocolonial practice was reached when the position of High Representative was handed to the German Christian Schmidt, in violation of procedure and without the consent of the UN Security Council, which alone has the authority to approve such an appointment,” Nebenzya reminded, emphasizing that Russia does not recognize “Mr. Schmidt as High Representative.” Nebenzya went on to say that Schmidt himself has worsened the situation through his unfounded presence and by imposing solutions on the peoples of BiH. “The OHR seeks to create a false image of BiH by portraying Republika Srpska as the problem, while in reality it is the only entity upholding the foundations of Dayton,” Nebenzya said. He criticized what he described as a shocking lack of respect for BiH, reflected in the actions of the OHR, which are inconsistent with the country’s sovereignty. “We demand that this experiment be brought to an end,” Nebenzya declared. He reminded that Republika Srpska has proposed solutions to the crisis on several occasions and called on all members of the Security Council to read the report of the Government of Republika Srpska. According to him, it is essential to respect the will of all three constituent peoples and move away from anti-Serb rhetoric. Nebenzya also expressed concern over the position of Croats in BiH. According to him, the situation has reached the point where judicial and electoral bodies are pressuring those who refuse to comply with their decisions, and that giving Schmidt the authority to act as High Representative represents the culmination of this pressure, Nebenzya stressed. He added that Schmidt is attempting to impose so-called solutions on other peoples while being detached from reality, which is evident from his report. “We are asking for domestic institutions to be allowed to conduct their own affairs. The elimination of the OHR and respect for the rights of BiH’s peoples to develop together can guarantee peaceful coexistence and progress, whereas any violation of the Dayton Agreement could worsen the situation across the region. Russia is ready to take an active part in discussions on a genuine resolution of the post-conflict situation in BiH,” Nebenzya concluded.