Dodik wants a peaceful separation, but prison or Russia are more realistic

By Delvin Kovač

The "trojka" politicians have allowed themselves numerous humiliations to keep their positions in state institutions, acquired thanks to a coalition with the number 1 enemy of the state. An insatiable hunger for positions and power has blinded the leaders of SDP BiH, NiP, and Naša stranka, who seemingly cannot see beyond their own noses. Nermin Nikšić, Elmedin Konaković, and Edin Forto are ready to swallow their pride daily, nodding in approval to the vast majority of what Milorad Dodik and his otherwise very good friend Dragan Čović present them with. Sometimes the "trojka" politicians try to utter something, but they are careful not to offend their long-time companions who, supported by Belgrade and Zagreb, openly play to break up the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The "trojka" politicians are not bothered by Dodik cursing genocide in their faces and insulting them with inappropriate language. One might say, nothing else is to be expected from the leader from Laktaši; his "coachman" vocabulary is his asset and trademark. But it is worrying that the "invalid structure," as Dodik characterized the "trojka" politicians, is ready for almost any concession just to keep their established positions. In his latest outpouring of a special kind of "love" he harbors for them, Dodik called Konaković stupid. And Konaković should not have responded to him. We know that Konaković usually does not spare his keyboard on social media, but this time he failed. He responded to Dodik with only three or four carefully chosen sentences. He did announce further elaboration, though.

One gets the impression that the only bright spots among the "trojka" politicians – and the only ones who seem to have their own "self" in response to Dodik's behavior – are the member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Bećirović, and the state Minister of Defense, Zukan Helez. No anti-state statement by either Dodik or one of his protégés goes by without Bećirović reacting, at least verbally. This was also the case this time when Dodik again spoke about the peaceful separation of Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH. He clearly told him that there can be no peaceful or unpeaceful breakup of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that those who thought it was possible to build a state on the internationally recognized state territory of BiH ended up as war criminals with life sentences.

On the other hand, Helez in Konjic, unlike his other "trojka" colleagues, could not overlook Dodik's insolence. He slammed his fist on the table at the curse of genocide and, according to his own admission, called him a monkey. Certainly, such behavior is not fitting for any state official, especially those holding such high positions, but the secessionist should be aware that, considering Helez's long experience in pubs with red tablecloths, he even got off lightly.

There is no doubt that any attempt at a peaceful or unpeaceful separation of Republika Srpska from the Federation of BiH, which Dodik constantly emphasizes, should be promptly reacted to by judicial institutions and law enforcement agencies – otherwise, Dodik renders their existence meaningless. Because the "trojka" politicians cannot even bring him to heel on some more trivial matters, let alone when it comes to the secession of Republika Srpska. Let's also recall that they said they would not touch upon issues on which they do not have a consensus... And if Dodik is threatened with prison, perhaps Helez's prophecy about his escape to Vladimir Putin might come true.

Nikšić and Konaković have not yet told us if they asked Minister Helez where he got such information, because if it is true, Dodik's colleague from the Council of Ministers of BiH should also elaborate on his words that Dodik is a political reality without which one cannot proceed in Bosnia and Herzegovina? Or perhaps Konaković expects Dodik to continue to control key processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina through his SNSD puppets even from distant Russia?

Dodik is probably aware that the people embodied in Bosniaks, Bosnians, Herzegovinians, and sincere patriots of this country will never, under any circumstances, allow any separation of any part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Because, Dodik is probably aware, that would mean war. If Dodik attempts a peaceful separation, he will only accelerate his departure to the dustbin of history, where he would join the ignominious company of convicted war criminals Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić. And at the same time, he would drag his closest, hate-filled, blinded followers down with him to the bottom.