HOUSE OF PEOPLES Softić: Attempt to shift blame for institutional blockade onto the 'Bosniak caucus'

(Patria) - After a 14-hour break, the session of the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly resumed, and SDA delegate Safet Softić said he was unclear which session they were at.

"I understand that we are at the continuation of the 11th session and that we are discussing what was the subject of that agenda item," said Softić.

He said a little earlier that it would be good for them to apologize today because they will certainly not be meeting for some time.

"Everything that is happening today is aimed at deepening the crisis, at shifting the blockade of institutions onto the 'Bosniak caucus'. We only want things to be done according to the Rules of Procedure and nothing else. Here we have seen a barrage of insults directed at the Bosniak Caucus, and I don't know what purpose that serves. We need to finish the 11th session and move on to the 12th session. We are not seeking the removal of Nikola Špirić; that was sought by others, even people from the Serb Caucus. We are asking that the agenda continue from the moment you walked out the door.

There is no need to talk about anyone being threatened. No one is threatened in BiH; we all have a problem, both as individuals and as peoples. We entered into the issue of the Election Law without even opening a discussion. You have a majority for the Election Law in this house, as far as I can see. There is no problem for it to pass, but according to the Rules of Procedure. You are putting us in a position where we have no choice," said Softić.

Nikola Špirić said he was trying to chair the 12th emergency session and asked everyone to help him in that.

Sredoje Nović (SNSD) took the floor and said that the Bosniak Caucus had previously blocked the House of Peoples for seven months.

"We know how the withdrawal of the law came about and what was agreed upon. Has anyone asked where that law is? I don't want to provoke either replies or corrections of statements. Several ugly words were heard here today, which even resembled a semi-threat that there are other ways to resolve things. If you are again thinking about some other kind of threats, then you are deluding yourselves. The key in this country is to preserve peace, security, and open dialogue. I think that today, as long as the constitutional-legal, or call it whatever you want, body that found itself tasked with assessing the causes of the crisis lasts. Without that, we will not emerge from the crises. Without dialogue, no matter how difficult it may be, but it is terrible to hear in public all sorts of increasingly worse epithets flying around in this country. It is sad if someone thinks they will be the winner. We are all obliged to conduct dialogue with each other, not to say many things to one another," said Nović, adding that either we move to the agenda or continue like this.

Delegate Ilija Cvitanović (HDZ 1990) took the floor and said that if there were interruptions of sessions, blockades, and if after several days a new session was continued, then the stance of not holding the 12th emergency session is neither principled nor consistent.

"Neither do I need to, nor do I have anything to call anyone to account for, but the moment BiH finds itself in requires that the session be held, that we discuss, and even vote, but with full responsibility towards the state. What I find most interesting is that on one hand, the Croat Caucus receives support from my left side from the Serb Caucus, and on the other hand, the Croat Caucus has for years been preserving the integrity of BiH together with the Bosniak Caucus. I would be happiest if the Croatian member were elected by the citizens of Teslić as well, but the constitution is such that voting cannot happen. I hope the time will come when we will elect three from all of BiH and that everyone will elect them," said Cvitanović.

The first deputy, Kemal Ademović, also took the floor and said he was wrong when he thought they would adopt laws.

"I thought we had an agreement that would not harm anyone. I was like that and I will remain so," said Ademović.