British MPs send message: Dodik must know that Bosnia and Herzegovina has friends

(Patria) - In today's debate led by British MPs, Milorad Dodik, president of SNSD and member of the BiH Presidency, was identified as the culprit for the political crisis. Today, the High Representative in BiH, Christian Schmidt, is present in London, having held several meetings with British officials. 

Alicia Kearns, a member of the ruling Conservative Party who initiated the parliamentary debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that diplomatic activities can preserve peace.

"For 26 years we listened to nationalism that led to bloodshed. More than 8,000 people were killed, women were raped, and 57 British soldiers died. The attempt to exterminate Bosniaks must not be repeated. The lost lives must not be forgotten. Diplomacy must make a difference. Great Britain and this legislative house can prevent history from repeating itself. We must fight for peace," she said.

She stated that action must be taken against Milorad Dodik.

"In recent months, Dodik has been putting pressure on the Dayton Peace Agreement. His task is to protect the Constitution, and he has always denied the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the United Nations. He threatens to withdraw from state institutions, the army, and the judiciary, and to militarise the police. He must be stopped in his shameful campaign of genocide denial," Kearns assessed.

She called for High Representative Christian Schmidt to receive full support from Great Britain.

"The worst crime since World War II occurred in Srebrenica. The motive of Slobodan Milošević (President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, editor's note) was clear. It is important that we support the High Representative, that the law banning genocide denial is implemented. The Dayton Agreement froze ethnic divisions. It is incorrect that people cannot live together," she opined.

According to her, Dodik does not have unified support for his intentions to undermine the Dayton Peace Agreement. She also called on the G7 countries and the UN to get involved in resolving the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

She requested that the British contingent of NATO in Bosnia and Herzegovina become more involved.

"We must prevent conflicts and act according to an early warning system," she added.

She emphasised that Dodik must know that Bosnia and Herzegovina has friends.

"If we do not help Bosnia and Herzegovina, what happened in Montenegro will happen. Dodik must hear that Bosnia and Herzegovina has friends," she stated.

Asked whether Bosnia and Herzegovina's membership in NATO could contribute to resolving the crisis, she replied that it could be achieved, but that Bosnia and Herzegovina's membership in this military pact worries Russia the most.

"It is time for deterrence diplomacy," concluded Conservative MP Alicia Kearns.

David Wayne, a member of the opposition Labour Party, regrets that Great Britain has not been proactive in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is satisfied that Stuart Peach has been appointed as the British envoy for the Western Balkans.

"Great Britain has not been as proactive in Bosnia and Herzegovina as it should have been. Some things can change. The appointment of Peach is a positive message and a real contribution that problems will be addressed," he stated.

As he said, perhaps it is necessary to move towards Dayton 2 and clearly state that Russia is the biggest obstructer.

He opined that it is not enough just to talk, but also to ensure that the British government is fully involved.

"We must be ready to send soldiers"

Bob Stewart, also from the Conservative Party, recalled visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war. He also highlighted Dodik as the main culprit for the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He also recounted a meeting between former High Representative Paddy Ashdown and former Croatian President Franjo Tuđman.

"I was on friendly terms with Lord Ashdown. He told me what happened at one of his dinners with Tuđman. Paddy asked him how he saw the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the next ten years. He took a menu and drew a divided Bosnia between Croats and Serbs on it. He asked him what would happen to the Muslims. He told him they would be in a small area between Croats and Serbs," Stewart stated.

He also said that the solution lies in international reaction and that full support must be given to Schmidt to preserve Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is among those who believe that a new Dayton is needed, as he emphasised. He expects Great Britain to lead in solving the problem and stressed that this country must be ready to send soldiers to save lives.