Čović: Bosniaks also defended their generals, I see no issue with the Croatian government defending theirs

Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dragan Čović said at a gathering with journalists today that the issue of the Sejdić and Finci ruling can be resolved by the end of January and that the issue of electing members of the Presidency, at least as far as the FBiH is concerned, is almost completely resolved.

Čović often referred to the Master Plan of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and said that for obtaining candidate status in 2017, we are eagerly awaiting the questionnaire.

- It would be irresponsible not to get candidate status very soon - Čović said.

Čović expressed regret that the pre-election rhetoric continued after the elections, stating that sending messages through the media, as Bakir Izetbegović and Milorad Dodik are doing, is unnecessary because an atmosphere of consensus needs to be built.

He finds the concept of a joint criminal enterprise unacceptable because it is applied selectively, but he supports the concept that everyone must be held accountable for every crime. When asked how he views the current reporting from Croatia, where some media outlets there are writing that Croatia participated in uncovering crimes in Orašje, and that the acting Chief Prosecutor Gordana Tadić is a Croat, Čović said:

- I don't know Ms. Tadić, I see it's being written that she is a relative of my associate, but I don't see a reason why that is being emphasized - Čović pointed out.

We were also interested in Čović's comment regarding analysts' claims that the loud reaction from Croatia to the arrest of HVO generals from Orašje is actually pressure on The Hague and fear of what the second-instance verdict for Prlić and others will say, which should also include a verdict for a joint criminal enterprise.

- I am sure that Bosniaks would react in the same way if proceedings were initiated against generals. But, that has also been done. Remember what has been done in the last ten years. Plans were made systematically, even in this building. In the same way, the Croatian government protects its generals. I have not heard anywhere that anyone has disputed that any crime should not be prosecuted. - says Čović.

Čović did not want to comment on the conclusion of Krug 99, which states that "in Bosnia and Herzegovina in recent months, the idea of Herceg-Bosna has been clearly revived, with the affirmation and proposal of federalization as a form of organization, which represents a direct division of BiH on an ethnic principle".

- I do not comment on the statements of associations, but I respect everything. People gather, present their views, and it is clear from which political position they present such views. But in a way, they are exaggerating things. We now have a completely different approach to BiH on the scene - Čović stated.