We must move from defense to offense

(Patria) - Objectively speaking, the Bosnian political scene is currently witnessing the collapse of the state, reflecting old strategies towards Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This collapse involves, of course, primarily the inspirers from Croatia and Serbia, but also internal quislings who see their political goal in this, stated the president of Krug 99, Adil Kulenović, in an interview with the Patria News Agency (NAP).

The fact is, however, Kulenović points out, that in Bosnia and Herzegovina, when it comes to state-building political forces, there is not only a superficial lull but also a kind of helplessness in the given circumstances.

These political forces, our interlocutor continues, are unable to clearly define their political goal, political background, political intentions, and political strategy for the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which could serve as a basis for conducting daily political struggles.

- The enemy forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which operate in every possible way, maximally exploit the confusion that arises within the political public and state-building political parties.

They use strategy through intelligence services, by infecting the BiH public and causing defeatism and helplessness, but they also operate through media outlets that have the opposite task from what is in the interest of the state of BiH - points out Kulenović.

According to him, this situation, which at first glance suggests helplessness, could turn into positive political energy if goals and tasks were set that would define a clear future for Bosnia and Herzegovina as a democratic and sovereign state.

- The strategy of trying to preserve the state through appeasement, through concessions to forces working on its collapse, is not yielding results and must finally be ended.

Without an offensive, instead of the current defensive policy, we will not ensure long-term peace and stability in BiH, nor the satisfaction of all its citizens, especially those who find their place in BiH for life, as well as for the future of their children.

An offensive strategy primarily entails a clear vision of security policy in BiH, as something that citizens in both entities largely await. Security initiatives that will guarantee peace and stability for a longer period.

It is not enough to remain silent in the face of serious dangers we face under the guise of not alarming citizens; it is necessary to build tactics and strategies to respond to the current situation.

If something cannot be achieved through a top-down system – from the state leadership, which is blocked – downwards, then a strategy can be built starting from local communities, through municipalities, up to the state as a whole.

When it comes to the security aspect, it must have clear visions in order to sensitize citizens and encourage them to live in a way that means they do not fear tomorrow - states Kulenović.

He adds that it is necessary to establish what kind of state we intend to build – whether we intend to stick to the old, clearly outdated concept of the Dayton Agreement, or build the state based on the visions of modern European science and practice, and on what is the fundamental value of liberal democracy and the community of European democratic states.

- When any surveys are conducted, even superficial ones aimed at exploring citizens' perceptions of the state of affairs, they mostly end by providing an even more pessimistic picture, creating a sense of helplessness and the impossibility of overcoming the existing situation.

I am convinced that with the approach I mentioned earlier, it is possible to sensitize all citizens, but also to achieve what will ultimately alleviate inter-ethnic relations, which are now used only for radicalization and the collapse of the state.

We must, of course, in this context, realistically assess who our allies are in building a modern, democratic BiH, and who are those who would gladly leave it in its current status quo.

I am not only referring to our ill-intentioned neighbors, but also to all those who, for the sake of power, are willing to "slaughter an ox for a piece of meat".

Therefore, instead of defensive, our strategy must be offensive, but it is not enough for it to be expressed only through some emotional aspects, nor only through the mere raising of new flags and battle cries. It is only possible through a rational approach and visions of a stable and peaceful BiH.

I do not believe that the citizens of Republika Srpska, and ultimately some recent developments in that entity show this, are ready to live in a state of constant suspicion and incitement of suspicion towards each other.

These developments within RS certainly indicate that it is still possible to expect understanding for those ideas that stand against ethno-nationalist ambitions, ideologies, the destruction of the state, and the erosion of reconciliation between ordinary people, citizens, neighbors, and brothers - concludes Kulenović in an interview with NAP.

(D.K.)