Delkić: Russia found allies in Čović and HDZ in BiH

By Haris Ljevo

President of the Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina from Washington, Ajla Delkić, spoke in an interview for the Patria News Agency about Russia's influence on political developments in the region, the importance of BiH joining NATO as soon as possible, the support the US provides to our country, and other topics.

NAP: In your appearances, you often emphasize the danger of external influence on BiH, primarily Russian. In BiH, only a few individuals speak about this and take these warnings seriously. Is it possible that people in BiH do not really consider these warnings relevant, or is it something else?

Russian interference in regional events is a real and documented phenomenon that analysts and government officials outside BiH discuss daily. The political leaders of the smaller entity of BiH have moved closer to the Kremlin's policies instead of working on Euro-Atlantic integration and Western democratic values.

Dodik's numerous meetings with Putin, combined with his delegitimization of Bosnia and Herzegovina, pose a huge danger to the stability of the entire region. BiH leaders should be cautious regarding Russia, as Russia has shown a willingness to violate international law and use force, as they did in Ukraine and Georgia. If the US Department of Defense is concerned about this issue, the citizens of BiH should be even more concerned because they have much more to lose.

NAP: Do you believe that BiH must double its investments in defense to join NATO as soon as possible? Is that possible at this moment, knowing that one half of the country does not support the country's entry into NATO?

BiH must invest more in its defense capabilities to show its goodwill towards other NATO members, but also to more decisively and independently address its position in the region and the world. Although BiH is a small country, it is of great importance to show its commitment to peace through strength. The vast majority of BiH citizens support its membership in the NATO alliance, and upon accession, all citizens will ultimately benefit, as it will result in an influx of new investments and more secure borders.

NAP: The outgoing member of the BiH Presidency, Dragan Čović, is a special case. In all his public appearances, he advocates for joining NATO and the EU and refers to European values, while on the other hand, we have a very serious narrative about how he, along with his long-time partner Milorad Dodik, is working for Russia and Putin. How do you explain that?

Russia has found an ally in Čović and HDZ, who aggressively lobby the US and EU to amend the BiH Election Law with the aim of cementing ethnic divisions similar to the "three-fifths" compromise. This is a move that undermines democratic principles and fundamental human rights. People in BiH must be aware of the existence of such dangerous attempts.

If the citizens of BiH do not like the way politicians are running this country, they can initiate changes and demand more from their elected representatives. It is interesting to note that Dodik's closest political allies are currently the same individuals who glorify the Ustashas and proudly sing Thompson's extremely controversial songs that celebrate crimes committed against Serbs in World War II.

NAP: You once said that the US and BiH have always been on the same side throughout their history. How willing are the US to help BiH get out of this difficult political crisis?

The United States has proven countless times that it is ready to support BiH's Euro-Atlantic integration and has objectively provided the most significant military, financial, and economic assistance to BiH after the aggression against BiH. If we want to ensure a prosperous future, we must stop waiting for someone to save us. Having your own country entails responsibility and great sacrifices. In a democracy, people must take responsibility and participate.

NAP: The issue of the Election Law has been one of the main political topics in BiH for a long time. We return to Čović and HDZ, who accuse anyone who says that a civic BiH is the only correct path of being a "Bosniak radical," and there are even statements labeling such people as "ISIL members." How do you comment on such phenomena?

Dragan Čović wants to cement existing ethnic divisions. This is an undemocratic act that violates fundamental human rights. It should be possible for an individual to vote for the person they consider the best candidate, not for someone who belongs to their ethnic group.

Ajla Delkić with former US President Bill Clinton

NAP: The US ambassador to BiH will soon change. Mr. Nelson will replace Ambassador Cormack. What can we expect, as Dodik constantly warns that Cormack is part of the outgoing Obama administration and that things will get better for him and RS when Trump's people take office?

The US State Department is part of the administration, and from the beginning of President Trump's term until today, the United States has expressed strong support for BiH's territorial integrity and support for historical facts such as the genocide in Srebrenica. The current administration recently imposed sanctions on SNSD member Nikola Špirić for corruption.

The situation in RS will improve only when its political elite stops spending millions on expensive lobbying firms that work against the interests of BiH and the citizens of the smaller entity, and instead invests that money in areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

NAP: In September, the US imposed sanctions on SNSD Vice-President Nikola Špirić. The sanctions were signed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a man from the Trump administration. Can we see this as a message to Dodik that nothing will change in America's relationship with BiH, regardless of who is in power in the US?

Secretary of State Pompeo sent a strong message that the US is against corruption and supports BiH's territorial integrity and documented and reliably proven historical facts such as the genocide in Srebrenica.

NAP: The crisis in the Arab world, which began with the Arab Spring in 2011, may have diverted US attention from BiH. Many argue that the situation in BiH would be much better today if that had not happened. How much truth is there in such claims?

That is incorrect. The war ended more than twenty years ago, and BiH is a relatively small country in the world where there is currently no state of war. Therefore, it does not require such attention from the US. This is not a bad thing, as it is time for the citizens of BiH to start managing their country. The US currently has no major economic interests in BiH, so it is necessary for us to attract as many investments as possible from the US, as this would create a natural mechanism for the US to protect its interests.

NAP: Numerous analysts, and even former high representatives in BiH, warn of the danger of some new type of conflict erupting in the region. How serious are these threats, and can a new war truly occur, even though the remains of all victims from the last war have not yet been found?

I believe that the rhetoric and actions of the region's political elites are such that they increase the likelihood of new conflicts. In the last 150 years, every generation in BiH has experienced one or more wars, and it is extremely disturbing to observe the rearmament of Serbia and RS again. It is of utmost importance that BiH strengthens its defense capabilities and considers reintroducing military service to preserve peace and stability.

Only a strong defense force guarantees peace. Sweden and Switzerland have not experienced war for almost two hundred years, not because they are pacifist states, but because they have extremely strong defense capabilities.