Helez: No One Ever Mentioned US Sanctions to Me, I Will Block the Appointment of the SIPA Director Until the Minister of Security Is Elected

(Patria) - Minister of Defence of BiH Zukan Helez in tonight's edition of the show Istraga sedmica explained what happened during the meeting with the Iranian military attaché covering Croatia and BiH.

"There was no discussion about any bilateral military relations. When that is done, it goes through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then to the Council of Ministers of BiH, then the Presidency of BiH. I cannot even arrange that at all. That was a spin and a setup. It was incorrectly reported, that 'bilateral cooperation'," said Helez.

He said he received no letter or warning about possible sanctions.

"I called the military attaché from the US Embassy and we resolved everything. No sanctions are mentioned nor is there any reason for them. I told him that if I had done that, I would have said so. But that was not at all in the program of my appearance," said Helez.

He confirmed that the BiH military attaché went to a meeting at the State Department where he clarified the entire situation.

"We concluded that these are media spins and that these are people who do not love BiH," said Helez.

Speaking about the US attack on Iran, Helez said that everyone must return to the negotiating table and that all hotspots must be resolved.

Helez said that the last time he was at a coalition meeting was when Milorad Dodik cursed the genocide in Konjic and that he no longer goes to negotiations.

Regarding the appointments made by the Council of Ministers of BiH, Helez said he will block the appointment of the SIPA director until the Minister of Security is appointed.

"There must be some procedure. First the Minister of Security, then the director and deputy director of SIPA," said Helez.

He said that embassies suggested to him that the election of the SIPA director should not be completed given that Slobodan Radinković, who is linked to the criminal milieu, was proposed.

Speaking about Milorad Dodik, he said that if the verdict of the Court of BiH is confirmed, he will disappear from political life.