BOSNIAK STATEMENT - SIGN OF NERVOUSNESS OVER SRPSKA'S POSITION IN WASHINGTON

BELGRADE, MARCH 20 /SRNA/ – Political analyst Aleksandar Pavić told SRNA that the Bosniak statement about alleged Islamophobia represents a strong sign of nervousness in Muslim Sarajevo, due to the fact that Republika Srpska has improved its position in Washington, as well as because US President Donald Trump has clearly stated that he will defend Christians worldwide.

Pavić believes that with this statement, Bosniaks are trying to justify themselves to the Trump administration, but that it is well known that their policy is rooted in Alija Izetbegović's "Islamic Declaration". He stated that Bosniaks have opted for a kind of preventive move, as they are aware that it is only a matter of time the Trump administration addresses the position of both Serbs and Croats in the FBiH, especially the position of Serbs, where they are very aware of how weak they are. Pavić emphasized that Republika Srpska is, practically for the first time since the beginning of the war in BiH, in a favourable position in Washington, at least when it comes to the White House, and that these relations will take ascending trend, which worries Sarajevo the most. He says that the Bosniaks have realized that they are no longer privileged children, whom Washington allows to be baton against the Serbs and Republika Srpska, so now they are trying somehow to improve their position and re-legitimize themselves, while at the same time accusing the leadership of Republika Srpska of Islamophobia. Pavić noted that this is a sign of their concern, especially as the Trump administration insists on protecting Christians worldwide wherever possible, which will also apply to BiH. EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIĆ REFERRED TO AND WHO BROUGHT MUJAHIDEEN Asked whether Bosniaks are trying to justify themselves to the Trump administration, given that they reject claims of threats to Christians and antisemitism, presenting themselves as a secular society that "have preserved religious sites of other peoples during the war," Pavić said this reflects nervousness, as they are aware that the Trump administration is more sensitive to the suffering of Christians than previous administrations. "They know very well that they have acted not only from anti-Serb, but also anti-Christian positions for decades, and that there is a strong anti-Israeli sentiment, as well as instances of antisemitism," Pavić said. He points out that Bosniaks are trying to justify themselves before the Trump administration, knowing that Trump is expected to remain in power at least until 2028, and that they are concerned because, for the first time, they feel they will not be favoured in BiH. "If they are not favoured in BiH, then their entire structure collapses," Pavić says, adding that, in his view, they had relied on foreign politicians, primarily the US ones, to establish lasting dominance in BiH and fulfill the vision of Alija Izetbegović. "That is why having long based policy on the `Islamic Declaration` is now inconvenient for them. Now they will try hard to present themselves as civic-oriented, but everyone knows who is who - one cannot change history overnight. Everyone knows what Alija Izetbegović stood for," Pavić emphasized. He also recalled that it is known who brought mujahideen to BiH during the 1990s, as well as which Islamic countries have the greatest influence in Sarajevo. Pavić believes the statement is an attempt to repair damage and a form of preventive action, while also serving as public justification by saying "it was not us," although, it is widely understood otherwise. "They can only try to mitigate this through lobbying, and they are certainly spending significant money in Washington to maintain their image, but there is no longer the same fertile ground in the Trump administration for such efforts as there was in previous administrations," Pavić said. He stresses the Bosniak statement is also a message to their lobbyists in Washington to intensify lobbying efforts, noting that their main support base lies within the US "deep state," which opposes Trump, although they will try to present themselves as if they love Trump, but it is known how things are. Pavić concluded that the statement has been perceived by much of the Serb public as negative toward Serbs, proving that Bosniaks are not capable of creating conditions for genuine coexistence in BiH. "They cannot function without confrontation; they do not know how to do otherwise. They are accustomed, with the help of foreign powers, to being the dominant force in BiH and cannot adapt to any other role," Pavić said.