Gradimir Gojer: Let the OHR be ashamed of its reaction to the formation of the reserve police force in RS

(Patria) - Academic, director, and writer Gradimir Gojer sent an open letter to Valentin Inzko, the High Representative of the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stating that the OHR's statement commenting on the formation of the reserve police force of Republika Srpska was humiliating.

Authorities from the BiH entity of RS have initiated amendments to the Law on Police in RS, which includes the formation of a reserve force in that entity, as well as the possibility for RS to engage police officers from other countries, giving them false identities, if the RS police director deems it necessary.

A large number of independent intellectuals and political parties have warned that this constitutes a violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, as well as a significant increase in armaments within Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Russian Ambassador to BiH, Petar Ivancov, supported such amendments to the law, while the OHR stated that they do not understand "the existence of a reserve police force in RS."

"As the parliamentary procedure is still ongoing, we call on RS officials to submit the draft amendments for timely broader discussion among domestic and international actors, and we remind that the establishment of a reserve force must correspond to needs that fall within the jurisdiction of RS. We call on the National Assembly of RS to respond transparently to these remarks, as well as to the concerns expressed by certain political entities and civil society actors, while ensuring that the proposed amendments fully meet international standards and the General Framework Agreement for Peace," the OHR stated.

Gradimir Gojer considers the OHR's reaction to be humiliating:

"Mr. Inzko, what the OHR announced on April 19, 2019, regarding the issue of forming the reserve police force of Republika Srpska is humiliating to intelligence and common sense. It is unclear to you why Milorad Dodik is creating an army within the police. Therefore, to clarify things for you, I will point out that for the genocide committed in Srebrenica, not only military formations but also the police of Republika Srpska were accused and convicted. Thus, it was a criminal formation in the war. Now, such a potential military (!!!) formation needs a reserve force.
If, gentlemen, it is still not clear to you, I will explain further: this is a direct attack on the internationally recognized state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is a threat to every Bosniak and Croat in Republika Srpska, these are units created on the logic of genocidal policy and nationalist concepts.

Your tolerance of Milorad Dodik's rhetoric, who openly speaks against the existence, or rather the disappearance, of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, does not do you credit, but your passive observation of the creation of potential military formations that will tomorrow be used against the citizens of this country, while stating that you do not understand what the units of the Reserve Police Force of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of RS are supposed to be for, is an insult to every average intelligent Bosnian and Herzegovinian.

Be ashamed of the text with which you announced yourselves!" Gojer's letter, sent on Monday, states.