Inzko: If the National Assembly of Republika Srpska does not revoke decorations of war criminals, there will be consequences

(Patria) - Valentin Inzko, the High Representative in BiH, spoke on Face TV about the announced arrival of Christian Schmidt to his position. He said he had spoken with Schmidt. He emphasized that Inzko is still here and that the transition can be completed peacefully.

"He has many friends and his CV is interesting. He is in all friendship committees. He is full of experience regarding reconciliation. I think he even met Milošević. He hosted Vučić, as well as BiH politicians," said Inzko.

To the statement by Senad Hadžifejzović that he learned that the Americans first want a program from Schmidt, and then give their consent to his program.

"That is a good question and expectation, because a new face is not enough. There must also be a new program; if things continue as they have, Valentin Inzko could also be the one. A new person must have new tools and a new paradigm, and I think Schmidt will work on that.

One thing is important: when the public relations service gave the information, Germany said they want BiH to return to the agenda. I sought this in vain and wrote letters. I visited Germany 12 times and repeated the same thing everywhere, that more attention should be paid to BiH. There is another problem; you know that soldiers from Chile are keeping the peace in BiH, and there are no soldiers from some of the largest European countries in BiH. I hope for new energy. The Germans do not have a single soldier in BiH. There are other countries that do not have soldiers either. I understand that there are bigger conflicts like Afghanistan, but I expect such engagement in BiH as well. If Vladimir Putin always has time for Milorad Dodik, then the West should also have time for BiH," said Inzko.

Speaking about the possibility that Germany, or more precisely Angela Merkel, used the opportunity while the new administration was being formed in the US to offer a candidate.

"Merkel knows Biden and is glad he is in Washington. The Biden administration has only been in office for a few weeks. They have other problems, such as the pandemic. A package of aid is also being prepared there. And some problems are bigger than BiH, such as the Middle East. Bosnia is not exactly at the top of the list, and one must understand that the Americans are still forming bodies. We do not yet have a special representative for the Balkans," said Inzko.

To Hadžifejzović's statement that he, as High Representative, says that Europe must pay attention to BiH for its own sake, Inzko says:

"I agree, but the primary task is for BiH politicians. They promise a lot. But without implementation, there is nothing. Everything has been analyzed too much; the time has come for implementation. All leaders have signed that they are for Brussels, so let them prove it now," said Inzko.

Speaking about his letter in which he asks the National Assembly of Republika Srpska to annul the decision on awarding decorations to war criminals, he said that if they do not do so, there will be consequences.

"They have a deadline. The Security Council session is at the beginning of May. The deadline for the National Assembly of Republika Srpska is the end of April," said Inzko.

However, he could not specify what those consequences would be.

"There is still time to revoke those decorations and resolve this in a proper manner. It will also be good for the Serb people, because it is difficult to carry that burden," added Inzko.