Zora Vidovic, the Finance Minister of Republika Srpska, stated in an interview with RTRS that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien should investigate why the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina ordered the closure of accounts belonging to individuals and entities in Republika Srpska who are on the U.S. sanctions list.

Vidovic emphasized that the sanctions imposed on these individuals and entities have no connection to corruption, as O'Brien claims, because none of them have been prosecuted or convicted for corruption.

“He says that accounts in U.S. dollars are being closed because they don't want the dollar to be used in corrupt activities, but here, accounts in convertible marks (KM), through which people receive their salaries, have been closed. I would recommend that O'Brien contact the U.S. Embassy to find out what happened because we have information from banks that they were ordered by the embassy to close these accounts,” Vidovic said.

She added that she has not received any official documentation from the U.S. Embassy, but banks have confirmed that they were instructed to close the accounts.

“The OFAC list means you can't have a dollar account, and your assets in the U.S. are seized. What's happening here is not in accordance with our laws or international laws. The question is, what happened in Republika Srpska? I think this needs to be clarified in the coming period,” the minister emphasized.

Commenting on O'Brien's statement that the SNSD, as the ruling party in this entity, has access to resources and thus more opportunities to engage in corrupt activities, Vidović said this claim is based on mere assumptions.

“He says the government manages the resources of Republika Srpska. That's true in every country. Then he says that because the SNSD has the largest participation in the government, it's assumed they use those resources for corruption. Imagine imposing sanctions on someone based on assumptions, without evidence or convictions. Sanctions are imposed based on assumptions that the SNSD is engaging in corrupt activities,” Vidovic stated.

She also pointed out that the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has prevented the Republika Srpska government from accessing international markets, concluding that this is against all laws and based on force, and questioned whether O'Brien is aware of this.

Despite these challenges, Vidovic assured that Republika Srpska will not go bankrupt and will continue to progress, develop, and strengthen its position.

“Imposing sanctions on a government means hindering its work. It means they want the disappearance of the Republika Srpska government, RS, and the creation of a unitary Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are aware of this, and we will fight politically and legally, in accordance with the law, to preserve our position,” Vidovic stressed, adding that “the U.S. Embassy and the opposition in Republika Srpska have been talking about the bankruptcy of RS for three years, but that will not happen.”