HDZ 1990 tells Čović: We don't want mobilization, we want to live in diversity

TRAVNIK, (Patria) - The Cantonal Board of HDZ 1990 of Central Bosnia Canton issued a press release rejecting the call for mobilization of the Croat people by the Croat member of the Presidency of BiH and leader of HDZ, Dragan Čović.

- Mr. Čović, after the local elections, where we ran together for national interests, you deceived us in all municipalities in Central Bosnia. You did not respect even the minimum of the agreements and signed contracts in any municipality in Central Bosnia, but immediately, with your subordinates and on your directive, you started a confrontation aimed at destroying, demolishing, and extinguishing HDZ 1990. Therefore, as a human being, we ask you to take responsibility for the destruction of Croatian unity in Central Bosnia, which will never happen again in Central Bosnia, thanks to you and your followers.

Since you are so responsible towards your people, how dare you call for mobilization and frighten an already suffering people with such rhetoric, while the wounds from the previous war are still fresh? Do you have even a shred of dignity and shame towards the fallen defenders who gave their lives for freedom, the freedom that you and we enjoy?

Defenders defended every inch of their homeland, where we were supposed to build families, work, have decent salaries and pensions, and enjoy our old age with grandchildren, a homeland where knowledge and excellence would be valued above party affiliation and nepotism. Instead of empty parks that should echo with children's laughter and joy, our bus stations are full, because people are leaving in search of a better life, wanting to preserve at least a little dignity.

It is sad when pensioners and parents rummage through garbage looking for anything to feed their families. But you don't encounter this, because you travel in expensive armored limousines with tinted windows! So much for responsibility!

In 2014, you stated in Večernji list that Croats would not disappear from BiH, yet Croats are now going to Germany or other EU countries to do menial jobs to feed their families.

We in Central Bosnia, whom you have betrayed and deceived in all previous agreements, ask you how, after all you have done to us in Central Bosnia, you can advocate for unity and blame others for the failures of yourself and the policies you have represented and implemented for 20 or more years? You had time in these 20 years to create better living conditions for everyone, but you didn't!

You had unity in Central Bosnia in all municipalities during the local elections, but you deceived and betrayed us, and we are not afraid of you, but we warn you that you will not succeed in intimidating us with pre-election rhetoric about the endangerment of the Croat people by others and different people!

We are only endangered by you and your blind, ignorant, and UDBA-like subordinates, and we strongly condemn anyone who supports the policies that have led to the disappearance of our people from Central Bosnia.

You can win these elections, and the next ones, and a hundred more, and be and enjoy power, but you cannot escape the historical truth that the Croat people have largely disappeared from Bosnia and Herzegovina while you and your followers were in power and authority.

Travnik native and Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić wrote: Of all that man builds and erects in his life's drive, nothing is better or more valuable in his eyes than bridges. They are more important than houses, holier than temples. Equal to everyone and for everyone, useful, always built meaningfully, in a place where the greatest number of human needs intersect, they are more enduring than other structures and serve nothing that is secret or evil.

We want to build bridges! We want to stay and live here in the richness of diversity! We want to return the future to our children! Unlike you and your subordinates - the statement from HDZ 1990 reads.