Jusić at Circle 99 session: Great-state projects' threats haven't disappeared, BiH's defense position weakened!

(Patria) - A regular session of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina Circle 99 was held today in Sarajevo on the topic "BiH's Defense Position Thirty Years After the Dayton Peace
Agreement".

The keynote speaker was the former Deputy Minister of Defense of BiH, Sead Jusić, who spoke about the current defense position of Bosnia and Herzegovina, three decades after the Dayton Peace Agreement.

In his address, Jusić emphasized that defense issues in a country with a heavily burdened historical memory, marked by aggressions and suffering of citizens, are an almost daily topic of public interest.

"Every military-security change in the neighborhood, especially in countries that participated in aggression and crimes against BiH in the nineties, creates a sense of endangerment among citizens," said Jusić, adding that today's session is an opportunity to assess current defense challenges and point out the responsibilities of competent state institutions.

Jusić presented BiH's defense position through four key perspectives: the historical legacy of wars and aggressions during the 20th century, internal defense capability, strengthening the military capacities of neighboring countries, and international and allied defense cooperation.

The former Deputy Minister of Defense of BiH recalled that the suffering during the aggression in the nineties and other war crimes, as qualified by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, were the result of the great-state projects of Serbia and Croatia.

"In addition to historical revisionism and the glorification of pro-fascist movements from the past, we still witness the celebration of criminals whose deeds have not been rejected, which clearly shows that the threats of great-state projects have not disappeared," Jusić pointed out.

Speaking about internal defense capability, Jusić emphasized that the reduction in the number of armed forces and the abolition of military service have weakened the defense preparedness of citizens.

"This process, along with long-term defense reforms, has led to citizens being outside the BiH defense system in all aspects, from registration to military-professional preparedness," he said.

Jusić also mentioned the current trend in the region – the return of military service – noting that Croatia plans to reactivate military service for a period of two months, with the possibility of civilian service and conscientious objection, while Serbia's and Croatia's activities regarding military service for dual citizens should not be overestimated as a direct threat. According to him, it is crucial to ensure adequate defense education and training for young generations, even outside the Armed Forces of BiH.

Finally, Jusić emphasized the importance of cooperation with the NATO alliance: "Cooperation through the latest program created specifically for BiH represents a guarantee of special status and opens up the possibility for stronger progress towards full membership."

Recalling the role of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Jusić concluded: "Dayton not only stopped the war but, with the international authority of its creators and witnesses, ensured the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina."