Mehmedović: Erdogan in Bosnia is a platform to justify Zagreb's and Belgrade's interference in our internal affairs

Sarajevo, (Patria) - Zagreb's and Belgrade's control over the BiH Presidency – should we abandon the idea of Croats and Serbs being independent of Zagreb and Belgrade, asks the representative in the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Šemsudin Mehmedović. 

"Schmidt was not at the inauguration of the BiH Presidency. Schmidt did not attend the reception on the occasion of Statehood Day in Vijećnica organized by Komšić and Bećirović. What is the message? – A boycott of Komšić as an idea of Croats' independence in BiH from Zagreb. Only a representative accepted by Zagreb can be a representative of Croats. Not a Croat by nationality, but a Croat who listens to Zagreb and follows Zagreb. Just as Jelena Trivić said: We will always follow Belgrade.

This is the essence of the discussions in BiH. What principles does the international community have? Definitely, now and in this case, it does not respect its own principles but is clearly on the side of Zagreb and Belgrade," Mehmedović points out and asks: Why?

Mehmedović believes that Schmidt told us that when he was not at the inauguration of the Presidency members.

"He was with the reis-ul-ulema at the time of the inauguration to symbolically convey to him why he was with him. There is no independence of Croats in BiH from Zagreb. Remember that messages about a mini-Dayton organized by Croatia, Serbia, and Turkey came from Zagreb. An increased presence of Turkey suits Zagreb and Belgrade because it indirectly gives them the right to do what they are doing. Escobar supported the messages from Zagreb that Croatia, Serbia, and Turkey should participate. On September 6, 2022, Erdogan spoke about changes to the Election Law and said that leaders should agree, although it was clear that they could not agree and that changes to the Election Law should not come before the elections. That was enough: and they came after the elections. Five minutes after the elections. But Erdogan interfered in a way, as did Croatia, although we claimed that Croatia was interfering in the internal affairs of BiH," says Mehmedović.

He then quotes Erdogan: "The intervention of the High Representative in this regard is contrary to democratic principles. There is about a month left until the elections, and the intervention of the High Representative in this regard would constitute an intervention in the democratic process. We can never consider an intervention in the democratic process in a country established on democratic principles as correct." Erdogan said and added that the electoral process should be approached in accordance with the current electoral legislation.

"I have said many times: this is the definition of a 3-in-1 state. Croatia uses Croats in BiH to practically influence and shape BiH policy in its own interest. Belgrade does the same. And they have the support of America and Britain in this. In BiH, Croatia and Serbia are 'satisfied' and 'paid' for other moves. The 3-in-1 state of BiH is actually Janša-Orban's non-paper. Let's be honest – if čović was elected once and was legitimate, and the second time he was not, that cannot be a reason for changing the Election Law. Then the change of the Election Law serves to get an excuse for national electoral units, and we know what that means. Let's also remember Jozo Križanović and the international community's attitude towards the issue of legitimacy at the time. Bosniak policy with the idea of Croats' independence from Zagreb clearly proceeded without agreement and consultation with key world players such as America, Britain, Germany, France, Turkey, and the EU. Now it is very clear and very crudely clear. Bosniak policy is therefore in open conflict with America. Were we too close to Turkey? Is Erdogan too deep in the Balkans? Did it benefit us or harm us in the context of the idea that Erdogan's influence in the Balkans and patronage is undisguised, while at the same time the idea of Croats' independence in BiH from Zagreb is being promoted? Wasn't it giving cause to the key patrons of Dayton to say: Ok, you want Erdogan to sultanize over BiH and the Balkans, but you don't allow it to Zagreb and Belgrade? It turns out that we intentionally offered a concept for others to destroy it, which they eagerly awaited. And that we ourselves provided arguments for the idea of Croats' independence from Zagreb to fail, because it is now obvious that it has collapsed in such a way that Biden, through Escobar, is sending clear signals that we should take seriously," explains Mehmedović.

He adds: "Just as we should take Dodik's sentence very seriously, which clearly came on American and British tanks, in which he said that he and čović have gone from being a problem to a solution for the international community":

Mehmedović then quotes Dodik: "In a way, HDZ and SNSD, which were previously labeled as a problem, are now emerging in BiH as a solution for the possible faster establishment of government. I think the example of our cooperation can serve others.”

"That's the model: Don't interfere with us, and we won't interfere with you. In essence, looking at it from a realpolitik perspective, the independence of Croats in BiH from Zagreb, if Turkey is too close to BiH, is not independence but falling under Turkish influence and means the approximation of Croats in BiH to Turkey, which is an absurd path. Zagreb and Belgrade used Turkey's increased presence to have an excuse for increased engagement in BiH. Let's be realistic, Serbia and Croatia benefit much more from Turkey's closeness to BiH!

Of course, we have enough room to say and trade: as much Turkey as Croatia and Serbia. But are we now in a position to determine that, more than 12 years later? It is very important to emphasize: Montenegro does not have Turkey as a strong partner, so it is experiencing the 'Serbian world'. It is obvious that Janša & Orban's 'non-paper' is hinting at a model in quiet formation. The reception in Vijećnica by Komšić & Bećirović showed that Schmidt is not the only one boycotting the idea of Croats' independence in BiH from Zagreb. Whoever was not in Vijećnica, then they were with Schmidt. Or proof of a double game. The Russian ambassador was in Vijećnica for three reasons: - The first is to emphasize the essence of Statehood Day that BiH is not only Serbian, or Muslim, or Croatian, but also Serbian, Muslim, and Croatian." says Mehmedović, then quotes Kalabuhov:

"Bosnia and Herzegovina is not Serbian, nor Croatian, nor Muslim, but also Serbian, Muslim, and Croatian, a free and fraternal Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which the full equality and equal rights of all Serbs, Muslims, and Croats will be ensured.”

"ZAVNOBiH did not say that BiH is a state of all its citizens, it did not directly define a civic BiH, but through the idea of constitution, it opened space for Croatia and Serbia to define a 3-in-1 state. - The second is to amplify the false impression about Russian support for Alkalaj's speech at the UN - The third is to declare victory: He publicly supported čović in changing the Election Law, I remind you of the meeting on May 21, 2021, so Schmidt's decision of October 2, 2022, with the clear consent of the Russian embassy. Finally: How many times have we heard criticism from the Americans and the EU for Croatia's electoral interference in BiH? Never. Enough for the wise!" concluded Mehmedović.