Americans, the British and even Germany are losing patience for Milorad Dodik, the President of Bosnia’s Republika Srpska (RS) entity, former High Representative Wolfgang Petrisch told N1 Thursday, adding that an increasing number of other capitals are realising he came to the point of no return and that legal steps must be taken.
“The High Representative's decision to repeal the two laws [about the non-enforcement of High Representative and BiH Court’s decisions] has the full support of a huge majority. If this goes unnoticed, the latest initiative of the RS parliament would represent the most serious violation of the Dayton Agreement so far, and – if accepted – would undoubtedly mean the end of Bosnia and Herzegovina as we know it. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider all available options. In my opinion, OHR’s decisions pave the way for legal procedures according to the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. If such a violation of the Constitution were to occur in another European country, the country's state prosecution would immediately be activated. Is there a public prosecutor ready to enforce the rule of law in Bosnia? I hope. On the international level, the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius will be important for the Western Balkans as well. Due to Russia's constant aggression against Ukraine and its regional influence, there is speculation about the possible transfer of the special forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he told N1.
Answering the question what would be the reactions of his close associates should Schmidt decide to dismiss Dodik, Petrisch said:
“I hear that the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, is very unhappy about Dodik and his constant provocations. Belgrade is engaged in accession negotiations with the EU and does not need another headache. The dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is at a crucial stage, for which Vucic needs all the support he can muster from Brussels and Washington. He wants calm on the Bosnian front. As for Moscow, the international community will move quickly against any pro-Russian MP. Viktor Orban is a big anti-European nuisance, but too weak to do real damage in BiH. In short, I am optimistic that this crisis will pass. But then it is necessary to apply a stronger and more proactive strategy. EU, UK and US are working on it. A turning point is being prepared in the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina without Dodik,” Petrisch noted.
In his earlier interviews for N1, the former High Representative emphasized that the use of Bonn powers will never make Bosnia a truly European state. However, the situation is extremely complex and many experts emphasize that we are witnessing the biggest crisis of the last few years. Petrisch revealed what would be the smartest steps that the international community should take.
“Today there are more viable ways and means than the Bonn powers. If the last elections in RS had not been rigged, we would have seen another RS by now. RS without an illegitimate President. Even more important, the BiH judicial system, the state attorney's office, must be at the level of European standards and begin to act according to the Constitutional provisions. The laws apply to every citizen of BiH – including the President of the RS entity. Let's face it: there is rarely a Bosnian politician who has done so much harm to his own people and homeland. Young people are emigrating to the EU because they don’t see a perspective for themselves. Who will pay back the gigantic budget deficit of the RS that Dodik accumulated? Not him, I'm afraid. By provoking the international community, he simply wants to divert attention from the economic and financial disaster he has created. I feel that we are witnessing the beginning of a decisive chapter for a better Bosnia. And Dodik will not be a part of that,” Wolfgang Petrisch concluded.
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