Is Turkey Completely Turning Its Back on BiH?!

By: Sead Numanović/Politicki.ba

When someone you thought was a close friend, even a brother, presents Srebrenica as a "massacre" and the "most terrible crime" (what crime is "not terrible"?), without using the word "genocide" even once, you must at least think deeply.

The official news agency of the Republic of Turkey, Anadolu, published a commentary by Mustafa Talha Ozturk on July 12, the day after the funeral and burial of seven victims of genocide and the day after the 30th anniversary of the genocide was marked worldwide, including in Turkey.

Immediately below the author's signature, it was emphasized that he is the "news editor for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro" of the official Turkish news agency Anadolu.

And immediately below that very important clarification, the author described Srebrenica as the "most terrible crime in Europe after World War II".

Ozturk, of course, has the right to his style and his stance.

But when he presents that stance on the official page of the official news agency of Turkey, conspicuously avoiding the word "genocide", which he did not want to mention at all in his "opinion", and when in the same text he "cleanses" Serbia's role in the aggressive wars against its neighbors in the 90s, and even criticizes a "deluded" Bosnia and Herzegovina, we must at least wonder!

Is the text titled "Srebrenica 30 Years Later: Western Selective Justice and Double Standards That Broke Up Yugoslavia" a (terrible) mistake by the author, who is also in a high position within the official news agency of Turkey, or a direct message that another political turn has occurred?

If the text with the same theses had been published on Tanjug, or even HINA, we would not have even commented.

But when the Anadolu agency's editor for the Balkans conspicuously does not mention the term "genocide" while writing about Srebrenica, it is more than an "editorial gaffe". Much more!

When he drags the Vatican, Catholic Europe into everything, and properly denigrates Bosnia and Herzegovina because it "learned nothing from history", conspicuously avoiding any even well-intentioned criticism of Serbia, from which the Chetnik hordes launched the bloody dismemberment of Yugoslavia, you don't have much choice but to say - enough!

Ozturk, and even the country of Turkey, has the right to its stance.

It also has the right to a complete turn.

We live in times where principles mean nothing and only power is respected.

But, however uncertain, transitional, and hypocritical this current time may be, some principles are undeniable even in it. And indelible.

The highest court in the world has determined that genocide occurred in Srebrenica.

The International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague has irrefutably proven this in multiple judgments.

And Serbia's role in the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina has been proven.

And the highest court in the world - the International Court of Justice - has stated its unambiguous position on this.

Why is none of that relevant to Anadolu?

Bosnia and Herzegovina strives to build its relations with Turkey based on mutual understanding, sincerity, brotherhood...

There are many problems, and it is difficult to say who is more to blame for the growing number of misunderstandings.

However, some things are unquestionable and are at the foundation of our identity and dignity. And especially close friends, even brothers (if we are brothers at all), do not question these under any circumstances or in any situation. And especially do not relativize them.

Anadolu's editorial commentary the day after the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica pleased Belgrade!

Sarajevo did not!

And Ankara must react!

If that doesn't happen, a hint is enough for the wise!

And there are wise people in Anadolu, as well as in Ankara. And they know that stances, political directions, and principles of action should be built on truth. Whatever it may be! And towards anyone!

And for us, the truth about Srebrenica is undeniable and unquestionable. And it is not debated with us.

At the very least, Anadolu owes us a deep apology.

And Ankara should send its editor for our region for further education at the very least! And even ideological detoxification.