Ivanić and Dodik Against NATO: Announcing the Presence of BiH Armed Forces Members on January 9th in Banja Luka

Besides the very clear stance of NATO Headquarters BiH Commander Giselle Wilz that the participation of any member of the BiH Armed Forces in any part of the “Day of Republika Srpska” program on January 9th would constitute a violation of the Law on Defense and that such individuals would be subject to disciplinary measures, including dismissal from military service, and that their actions could also be considered in the context of Annex 1A of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH, the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, Mladen Ivanić, claims that members of the BiH Armed Forces will be in Banja Luka on January 9th, writes the BiH news agency Patria.

Ivanić stated this after the Ministry of Defense of BiH withdrew its earlier decision that the Military Orchestra of the BiH Armed Forces – Banja Luka Band could participate in the activities on January 9th. The new decision applies only to January 8th and the honoring and laying of wreaths for the fallen soldiers of the VRS, NOR, and civilian victims of the war.

- I repeat, members of the Third Infantry (RS) Regiment of the BiH Armed Forces will attend the event, I have found a solution for that, and you will see what it is in the coming days – said Ivanić.

He requested the engagement of an Honor Guard, but the final decision rests with the Presidency of BiH. It is clear that there is no consensus because Ivanić is for it, Bakir Izetbegović is against it, and Dragan Čović is abstaining.

This is the second time that January 9th is being marked as an unconstitutional day of Republika Srpska, a decision made by the Constitutional Court of BiH in November 2015.

The President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, is convinced that members of the Third Infantry Republika Srpska Regiment will be on Krajina Square and that no one can prevent them from doing so. He lashed out at NATO, stating, “this is not the BiH Armed Forces but NATO’s.”

In the official program sent to the media from Ivanić's office for January 8th and 9th, there is no mention of an honor guard or the parading of members of the Third Regiment of the BiH Armed Forces.

The President of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolić, has announced his arrival on the unconstitutional day of Republika Srpska, but not Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, who was there last year “on a working visit.”

In recent days, numerous reactions have come from political parties, BiH officials, and analysts stating that the BiH Armed Forces cannot and must not participate in marking the unconstitutional day of Republika Srpska.

Although the news agency Patria sought a reaction from High Representative Valentin Inzko regarding January 9th and the statements of Milorad Dodik, who called the BiH Armed Forces “hostile,” as well as about possible sanctions, we did not receive a response.