Bosnia's Defence Minister Zukan Helez told N1 that a peaceful dissolution in Bosnia and Herzegovina would mean a war, unveiling also that he gave a permission for deployment of EU military forces to barracks in two towns in the country's northeast.
Speaking in N1's Pressing, Helez commented on inflammatory rhetoric of Milorad Dodik, the President of Republika Srpska entity, who has been announcing secession and merging the entity with Serbia as well as withdrawal from the state institutions.
“It will be like this until we say it can't go on like this. Until a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina is attacked or tried to be taken out – there will be a conflict – there is no other option. I was never the first one to say I would attack anyone. But, I am clear, I won't allow anyone take a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Whoever touches its borders will get a response. A peaceful dissolution means a war,” he underlined.
Helez also said he spoke to a NATO top official on today.
“It they say they are concerned, that this is serious… Public knows that Dodik is not doing this alone and that has support of (Serbian President Aleksandar) Vucic, who pretends to be a peacekeeper when he meets those from the international community. I am telling him to stay out of it. There is no fear anymore,” the minister said.
According to him, conditions for a secession will never be met.
He also said that there are no “sparks” or tensions within the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“But, if anyone decides to leave, there is no way back, other people will be accepted,” stressed Helez.
He unveiled that he talked to commander of EU military forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina – EUFOR and agreed to deploy their forces to the barracks in Orasje and Bijeljina, the towns in Bosnia's northeast.
“I am the only one who can give a permission to EUFOR to enter those barracks. They are already in Bijeljina and Orasje,” he said.
As for Dodik's secession plans, Helez said that there is also a defence plan but that he could not speak more on this topic.
He stressed that everyone should take for serious the US support to Bosnia's security as well as the words of ambassador Micahel Murphy.
Speaking about Bosnia's NATO path and membership, Helez said he was happy that BiH is first under the NATO's watch alongside Moldova and Georgia.
“I am emphasising that they accepted some countries that were not in a procedure. I would like BiH to meet everything, but Sweden completed it all in a month. Romania and Bulgaria also met nothing for the EU. I am lobbying that we cut in line,” he noted.
Asked if that means that NATO could make a decision on accepting BiH without parliament's decision or a referendum, the minister replied:
“That's right. NATO can accept Bosnia and Herzegovina in. Referendum in BiH, according to the Constitution and law, is not an option. The Presidency passed a decision that BiH can join NATO.”
Helez also said he rejected the invitation of the Russia's attache for a meeting as well as the call for training of soldiers.
“Of course, I rejected it, I refuse to cooperate with aggressor,” he stressed.
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