JOVANOVIĆ: ACTIONS AGAINST SRPSKA FINAL BLOW TO THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT

BELGRADE, AUGUST 29 /SRNA/ – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Vladislav Jovanović states that if the threat that the president of Republika Srpska could be elected by voters from the Federation of BiH if no one in Srpska votes in the elections comes true, it would represent a coup d'état by the Federation against Srpska.

Jovanović believes that the spiral of illogical and legally questionable actions coming from Sarajevo, Bosniak leaders, and the so-called international representatives, effectively represents a final blow to the Dayton Peace Agreement. He warns the Dayton Peace Agreement must be preserved, as its alternative is uncontrollable chaos with unpredictable consequences. Jovanović pointed out that the Dayton Peace Agreement not only ended the war but also enabled lasting peace on the condition that all of its provisions are respected, not just selectively. "Since the Bosniaks have never respected it from the beginning, even officially stating that to them, it's basically a death noose; they, with the help of their Western friends, have systematically altered the agreement to the detriment of Republika Srpska, to the point where they can now dictate who will represent it," Jovanović said. According to him, what is needed now is a strong and rational intervention by the international community "to stop this march toward the worst-case scenario" and to reestablish mutual respect and coexistence in BiH based on a revival of all the principles and articles of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Jovanović believes that Republika Srpska, which is preparing for a referendum, is currently in a defensive position. "It is not the aggressor; it is defending itself – it is being attacked and challenged, along with its competencies and the people's right to elect their president," Jovanović said. The Serbian diplomat emphasized that the will of a people is essential in choosing any of its representatives. "If that will is removed and those representatives are elected by anyone else but those living in Republika Srpska, then it marks the end of Republika Srpska as established by the Dayton Peace Agreement and the beginning of establishment of Republika Srpska to suit the mini-imperial ambitions of the Federation of BiH," Jovanović stated. Regarding the recent threat by the president of the Central Election Commission of BiH Irena Hadžiabdić that voters from the Federation could elect the president of Republika Srpska, if no one in Srpska turns out to vote, Jovanović observed that not even during Ottoman times was such a thing done. "What they're saying is, in essence, a coup d'état by the Federation against Republika Srpska, which they are preparing. That's exactly what it is, by every description of that act in political language," said Jovanović. He added that the situation in BiH is a sign of the country's poor political health, which is bad for both the Federation and Republika Srpska, as well as for the broader region. Jovanović assessed that the series of provocations coming from Sarajevo toward Republika Srpska may not be accidental. "Similar provocations are happening in Kosovo, only in different forms, the goal of which is to marginalize the Serbs in the Balkans in general, including weakening Republika Srpska, perhaps, to the point of its very non-existence," Jovanović concluded.