GRUSHKO: OHR USED AS WEST’S INSTRUMENT TO INFLUENCE BiH

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 21 /SRNA/ – Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Grushko stated that the OHR being used as an instrument of the West to maintain influence not only over the foreign policy of BiH, but also over its internal situation is Russia’s position and assessment.

Responding to a question by Sanja Vulić, head of the SNSD caucus in the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, about the existence of the OHR and decisions imposition, Grushko said at a forum in Banja Luka that Russia maintains a principled stance against the OHR. “The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council already made a decision in 2006 to close the OHR. When Valentin Inzko ended his term, Christian Schmidt came after him, and representatives of Germany approached us on that matter,” Grushko said. Noting that he had participated in that dialogue, Grushko said Germany tried to persuade the Russian Federation not to oppose Schmidt’s candidacy in the UN Security Council, but that the Russian side clearly stated it would neither consider the candidacy nor discuss whether he was suitable or not. According to him, the so-called rules-based order then took effect, and Schmidt was simply brought to BiH. “The Russian Federation does not recognise him; we are now living in such a situation. Our position has not changed. I can assure you that our leadership in the UN Security Council continuously presents the view of his illegitimacy,” Grushko stressed. He added that it is humiliating that in the 21st century a sovereign country, even one with a complex structure, is governed by an external mentor. “That cannot be the case. BiH was even a member of the UN Security Council, participated in decisions on war and peace together with major powers, at the same time being governed by an external supervisor - that is an absurdity,” Grushko said. The Russian deputy foreign minister noted that it is difficult to say what would need to happen for this situation to be corrected, adding that he believes this chapter should be closed. “Nearly 30 years have passed, therefore the constituent peoples and entities are fully capable of reaching an agreement themselves and finding a formula that best suits their legitimate interests,” Grushko said.