Inzko for Die Presse: I do not rule out the possibility of BiH's disintegration, but there will be no war

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Former High Representative of the International Community in BiH Valentin Inzko has not often spoken out since leaving the position of High Representative in BiH on August 1st.

However, Inzko spoke about the current political situation and the crisis that has been ongoing for months for the Viennese newspaper Die Presse.

Inzko does not rule out the possibility of Bosnia and Herzegovina's disintegration.

"If this continues, it could lead to that," Inzko said.

Referring to what the newspaper writes as Milorad Dodik's secessionist intentions, he said that the situation has never been as dramatic as it is now.

"People from Bosnia call me and ask if there will be war and if they should move out," said the Austrian diplomat, who served as High Representative in our country for 12 years, adding that he "calms his acquaintances with statements from US envoy for the Balkans Gabriel Escobar, who said during his visit to Sarajevo that there will be no war."

He adds that there is increased US interest in BiH, but also points out that Dodik, as he says, has already taken concrete steps, such as withdrawing from the BiH Medicines Agency, and draws attention to the fact that he wants to create his own army.

The establishment of the Armed Forces of BiH, Inzko says, is perhaps the greatest achievement of the international community in Bosnia.

"Dodik's announcements are intended to divert attention from the fact that he cannot show any successes," he emphasized, pointing out that elections will be held in BiH next year.

In an interview with "DiePresse", Inzko also defended the law on punishing the denial of genocide in Srebrenica, which he imposed shortly before leaving his post as High Representative.

"In Austria, we have a law that prohibits the glorification of Nazism. The denial of the Holocaust is punishable," he stated.

He adds that there has been an escalation of glorifying war crimes and denying genocide, and that with the law, he took a moral and civilizational measure, and also implemented the EU guidelines from 2008.

Inzko claims that the Law is not directed against Serbs.

"There are no bad peoples. The citizens in Bosnia, whether Bosniaks, Serbs or Croats, are good, peace-loving people, always ready to help."

In his interview, Inzko also states that not only Serbs, but also Russia, are fighting against the function of the High Representative, and adds that he is convinced that the international community still has its role in BiH and that its presence is extremely useful.

He also emphasized that he wants a "robust phase of the international community" and complained that the EU has not fully taken on, as he says, "the role of a locomotive in the countries of the region."