OPINION:
Parallel to the outset of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Bosnian-Herzegovinian entity Republika Srpska initiated activities that have since come to severely threaten peace in the western Balkans.
Working in coordination with Moscow, the leaders of Republika Srpska are attacking fundamental provisions of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The campaign of intimidation has recently intensified to a degree that Bosnia and Herzegovina now face the horrifying threat of renewed armed violence — something the U.S. and NATO must not allow.
Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik has threatened to use force to surround and occupy the barracks of the legal Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such warmongering rhetoric, coupled with a dangerous militarization within the RS, could have grave consequences that endanger peace in this part of Europe.
The U.S. and the United Kingdom are well aware of this danger. They have imposed sanctions on Mr. Dodik and other RS leaders, stating that “the dangerous anti-Dayton and nationalist policy of RS entity leaders is disrupting domestic and regional peace, encouraging ethnic hatred and denial of genocide.”
The European Union is also wary. Members of the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the foreign affairs ministers of all EU member states to support the imposition of firm sanctions on Mr. Dodik and other RS leaders for violating the Dayton agreement.
The Russian Federation, operating through the RS entity, seeks to shift the Western focus from Ukraine toward the western Balkans region. Due to the evident pro-Russian stance of the RS entity leadership, this part of Europe, alongside Ukraine, is the weakest point in the Euro-Atlantic security architecture.
The direct interference of Russia in the internal affairs of the independent and sovereign state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside strong support for pro-Russian politicians, is best exemplified by the recent public statement of the Russian ambassador in Bosnia and Herzegovina that Mr. Dodik “is one of the greatest friends of Russia. Over the past few years, he has visited Russia more than 20 times. Each of his visits has been carefully prepared to reach new agreements and implement coordinated arrangements.”
This statement, along with other pieces of evidence, unequivocally indicates attempts to destabilize Bosnia and Herzegovina under direct instructions from Moscow.
The West needs to react promptly before the situation escalates.
The U.S. has been a proven friend to multiethnic Bosnia-Herzegovina. As a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I express gratitude to the U.S. for everything they have done and continue to do for the peace and security of all citizens of my country.
The U.S. consistently supports the stability and economic progress of our country. Only a strong and unified response from the West and democratic forces within Bosnia and Herzegovina can guarantee that pro-Russian separatists will not jeopardize peace.
The Dayton Agreement is among the five most successful peace agreements from the end of World War II to the present. The U.S. and other Western countries have invested over $50 billion in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the post-Dayton period.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with the region, face a choice between a policy of destabilization and the preservation of peace. If there is no concrete response to the blatant attempts to dismantle the Dayton Peace Agreement, the next phase will inevitably lead to destabilization, not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina but across the region.
The West can and must prevent the escalation of conflict in Ukraine and the outbreak of a conflict in the western Balkans.
It is encouraging that — upon Mr. Dodik’s recent threat of Republika Srpska seceding from Bosnia and Herzegovina — James O’Brien, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs and one of the authors of the Dayton Peace Agreement, made the precise statement that in the agreement, “there was no right of secession and the U.S. will act if anyone tries to change this basic element of Dayton”
NATO established peace in 1995 and holds the mandate to protect the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Within the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically in Annex 1-A, there is a provision regarding the military aspects of the peace settlement. Based on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1031, NATO was granted the mandate to implement the military aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
According to this agreement, NATO is authorized to ensure the peace, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. NATO is also tasked with halting all destructive forces that pose a threat to the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Given the serious threat facing the region and the strategic significance of certain parts of our country, an adequate response by the West would be to swiftly deploy NATO troops to some strategic sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Let us not allow the repetition of genocide and crimes against humanity.
The highest U.N. courts have conclusively ruled that genocide was committed against Bosniaks in Srebrenica in 1995, within the “U.N. Safe Area.” The rulings clearly state the army, police and political leadership of the RS carried out that genocide.
In addition to genocide, war crimes and other crimes against humanity were committed across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Glorifying convicted war criminals and reverting to their criminal ideology and policies is a violation of international law and a gross provocation to the civilized world.
Unfortunately, followers of the same ideology and policy responsible for genocide are once again threatening peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.
• Denis Bedirovic serves as a member of the tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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