Bećirović: All who threaten Dayton will be responsible for opening Pandora's box and consequences that could be unforeseeable

(Patria) - Member of the BiH Presidency Denis Bećirović addressed the reception he co-hosted with Željko Komšić tonight at Sarajevo City Hall on the occasion of BiH Independence Day.

Bećirović's full speech can be read below.

"Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina at home and abroad, esteemed excellencies, eminences, respected guests.

I especially welcome the High Representative in BiH, Mr. Schmidt, the Head of the EU Delegation, Mr. Soreca, as well as numerous ambassadors and international representatives. Their presence tonight is an important message.

Today, with pride and dignity, we celebrate our great holiday - Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This holiday symbolizes freedom, unity, and the right of citizens to express their democratic will. The results of the legal and democratic referendum for an independent, sovereign, and united Bosnia and Herzegovina were recognized by the entire world, and on May 22, 1992, our country became a full member of the United Nations. This is an epochal result that cannot be erased.

The vast majority of citizens of our country decided on March 1 to preserve a thousand-year history and open the door to the future for our country. The citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina did not allow the history of our country to be trampled and the future to be in division and occupation.

The democratically expressed will of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina was defended by brave and honorable patriots during the brutal aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We owe them boundless respect and gratitude.

Millions of people who love Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the country and abroad, follow the noblest idea - the idea of freedom. This is the strongest idea that man has ever had and will have, as long as human society exists.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a long-lasting and resilient country. The centuries behind us undeniably confirm this. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a permanent international legal, historical, and political fact. No one can dispute that.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a coherent whole for centuries.

Distinguished American historians Robert Donia and John Fine rightly stated: Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a unique whole for centuries. Our country is a centuries-old plural society that proves that pluralism can successfully exist. Bosnia and Herzegovina has built a special cultural and spiritual value.

Ladies and gentlemen, we live in a brutal world. The world we knew until February 2022 was not just, but this new one, being born, is much more unjust and cruel. We need to be cautious.

We must face the truth - there are destructive individuals who, for personal interest, threaten the collective interest of Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats, and other citizens to live in peace and a safe environment.

To realize this dark plan, they are trying to devastate the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The attacks on the institutions of the High Representative and the Constitutional Court of BiH are not accidental. This is part of a dangerous plan to destroy the constitutional order and institutions that have the mandate and authority to stop anti-Dayton and anti-constitutional activities.


Photo: Patria

How to respond to challenges and temptations?

Let us not forget, based on the provisions of the UN Charter and the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations from 1970, the right to self-defense is a fundamental right of every state. This right is an inseparable part of its sovereignty.

The state institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina are obliged to activate all available resources when necessary, for the purpose of protecting the state and all its citizens and peoples.

On the foreign policy front, let us continue diligently and daily to develop and strengthen our strategic alliances. Let us work in an organized and united manner.

On the domestic political front, we must be much more cautious and prepared. We all have an obligation to preserve constitutionality, legality, and fight for the human rights of all citizens and peoples. This is our common interest.

Great trials and challenges lie ahead. The competent state institutions, as well as responsible representatives and military forces of the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, have a clear mandate, duty, and mechanisms to stop and sanction all those who threaten peace, stability, and the constitutional order.

Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, any attempt to overthrow the constitutional order of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina is an act of threatening peace.

All those who attempt to threaten the Dayton Peace Agreement will be responsible for opening Pandora's box and for consequences that could be unforeseeable. My message to all people in our country is not to allow a collective catastrophe to be caused by protecting the interests of privileged individuals.

I publicly call on all political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to act responsibly.

In defending peace, people, and the state, no one should calculate. We must resolutely and together preserve the principles of constitutionality and legality, with all available state mechanisms and means.

Together and decisively, let us stop the targeted spread of apathy, defeatism, and any possible incidents.

Ladies and gentlemen, in these complex moments for the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I want to address every person in our country.

I want to address Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats, and all other citizens. Together, let us preserve peace, stability, and the constitutional order that guarantees it. Together, let us not allow the repetition of the tragedy of the 1990s.

Together, let us not allow irresponsible politicians to lead us into collective tragedy. Together, let us prevent any incident that will serve as cover for the forces of darkness to destabilize. Together, let us protect our children, Bosniak, Serbian, Croatian, and every other child.

May the 33rd anniversary of Bosnia and Herzegovina's independence be additional motivation for us to continue building our state for all its inhabitants.

Long live our homeland Bosnia and Herzegovina! It has always had sons and daughters who will defend it. So it was and so it will remain.

This year, we celebrate our national holiday on the eve of the beginning of the month of Ramadan. On this occasion, I congratulate Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region, and around the world on the upcoming month of Ramadan.

And finally, with pride, I congratulate all citizens on March 1 - Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina!"