Izetbegović: I refused to trade victims, let the Court establish the truth

Bakir Izetbegović, a member of the BiH Presidency, said once again today that the revision of the verdict pertains to establishing the truth about events for which the regime of Slobodan Milošević is responsible, and that he is surprised by the equating of the authorities in Serbia with those in the RS, Patria reports.

He called on his colleagues not to leave the government, and stated that he will insist on the right of BiH to seek the truth before domestic and international courts. He said he does not expect a quick decision, and that courts work slowly and thoroughly.

Regarding accusations that he left the session and thus blocked further work of the BiH Presidency and institutions, Izetbegović said he does what the BiH Constitution, the law, and the rules of procedure prescribe.

- Every decision must go through the Secretariat, and Mr. Ivanić directly proposed a decision. Where does the crisis begin? There, where they try to accuse me and stop me from addressing the courts. Whom will we respect and by whose decisions will we be guided if not by the courts where international judges sit - said Izetbegović.

Regarding the status of agent Sakib Softić and his mandate, only the court in The Hague can decide, Izetbegović noted, stating that his mandate can only end by another decision of the BiH Presidency.

Izetbegović said he refused to trade victims, and that he has not and will not do so.

- Genocide and aggression occurred, and let my colleagues try to put themselves in the shoes of their neighbors. The Bosniaks did not do that - said Izetbegović.

- This is about responsible politics. Because the key evidence came through the key trial, that of Ratko Mladić, and then you need a few months to go through it - he said, explaining why the "last moment for submitting the request for revision of the verdict" was waited for.

- This is not a state that belongs to Bakir Izetbegović or to the Bosniaks. If they cause a crisis, everyone will suffer. I did not agree to sweep things under the rug. I will not leave the government, but I will not give up on the truth being established before an impartial court where experts sit. Let everyone think about what has been happening for the last 25 years.