Bećirović: "Ukrainization" of BiH is a latent danger

Zijad Bećirović, director of the International Institute for Middle Eastern and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) Ljubljana, in an interview with the Patria News Agency, commented on the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and when asked how he sees the messages sent by US policy in BiH and in which direction it will go, he stated that the foreign policy of US President Barack Obama so far has been below expectations, and according to expert assessments, weak.

- Such a policy has consequently enabled the growth of Russia's influence. If such a policy continues, there will be a further strengthening of Russian influence in the Balkans, which in the foreseeable future can also affect BiH through the emergence of a new Ukraine. That is why the "Ukrainization" of BiH is a latent danger that must be thwarted in time and appropriate steps must be taken by the US administration to prevent it. US policy towards BiH must cease to be declarative through expressing support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH; instead, concrete activities are needed to bring the country into full membership of NATO and the EU. In this regard, I see that US foreign policy is at a fateful crossroads, meaning whether US policy will solve the problems and challenges it faces or try to "freeze" all of it.

NAP: The US Ambassador to BiH specifically emphasized the right of citizens to demonstrate, but on the condition that they are peaceful protests?

- Demonstrations in BiH are a very complex phenomenon. Undoubtedly, it was an attempted coup d'état. Thus, a failed coup d'état. And now, to cover it all up, demonstrations with a symbolic number of participants continue. The key challenge facing BiH is how to suppress organized crime and corruption. The bearers of the fight against crime and corruption must be professional, virtuous, and honest people. The bearer of the fight against crime and corruption cannot be the controversial Minister of Security of BiH Fahrudin Radončić. It would be like, for example, in the USA, the main fighter against the mafia being Al Capone. It is both funny and tragic. I see the key problem here, because most of the bearers of key functions in the state are also bearers of crime.

NAP: Does what has been happening in BiH in the last month fall within the framework that the US supports?

- The American administration is a broad term. According to estimates, there are 10-12 million people in the US who decide on something when it comes to US national interests. Individuals from the American administration are unfortunately not immune to all that is happening in BiH, and some have even become entangled in some very dishonorable dealings and arrangements with certain politicians or officeholders in BiH. I do not exclude the possibility of corrupt activities here. The US does not have a clearly defined policy towards BiH and other crisis hotspots in the world. President Obama is pursuing a policy of "frozen" conflicts and the status quo. He has even approached his former enemies, e.g., Iran, the Syrian regime. Thus, last Monday he appointed a new ambassador to Syria, Daniel Rubenstein, to replace Ambassador Robert S. Ford. Such a thing would be unimaginable for a Republican administration in the US.