Which Plenković is credible: the one from Zagreb yesterday or the one from Sarajevo today?

I will advocate for the equality of all three constituent peoples and a whole Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with its European path, which is the only guarantee of the country's cohesion and integrity, and for the protection of the equality of Croats as a constituent people throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina - emphasized today at the Presidency of BiH the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, writes Patria.

Unfortunately, contradictory messages from Plenković arrived from the other side, which appeared this morning in 'Večernji list', where the Croatian Prime Minister made a series of harsh qualifications that, unfortunately, not a single BiH politician asked him about today.

Which Plenković is credible? The one from Zagreb yesterday or the one from Sarajevo today?

- The amendment of the Election Law is crucial precisely to ensure the legitimate representation of Croats in BiH, given that in the past we have truly witnessed abuses of the existing Election Law, and unfortunately, it has happened that the election of a Croatian representative was decided by the votes or parties of other peoples. Legitimate representation of Croats means that Croatian representatives are decided by Croatian voters.

The current Election Law allowed for the outvoting of Croats, i.e., disrespecting their electoral will, which is in evident conflict with the Constitutional Principle of equality of all constituent peoples throughout BiH. Legitimate representation is crucial for making all important political decisions relevant to Croats in BiH, such as the establishment of a television program in the Croatian language, the status of the Croatian language, holding classes in the Croatian language, or decisions on financial and economic care for the predominantly Croatian areas in BiH - said Plenković.

If the legitimate Croatian representatives are in power, the question is where does this current endangerment come from?

The Bosnian language is not respected in any canton with a Croatian majority, nor is it constitutionally guaranteed. Two schools under one roof are a Croatian project, even in areas where Croats are the majority.   

- It is important to note that the shortcomings of the current Election Law are also responsible for the long-standing political blockade of Mostar - said Plenković, absolving the real violators of the Constitution, laws, and political morality in this city.

It is evident that through this statement, Plenković speaks the language of Dragan Čović, the leader of HDZ BiH, to whom established and unconditional support is extended for everything he does in the restructuring of BiH.

- This concerns the proposal for the territorial restructuring of BiH, which has been known for a long time, and according to which, instead of the current two entities with ten cantons each, BiH would be organized as a state with four multi-ethnic federal units. A broader discussion needs to be held on this proposal, as well as any other proposals that will be on the table, in order to reach a common and best possible solution for BiH. I repeat, the responsibility lies with the political parties and institutions of BiH to foster the best institutional changes through mutual dialogue that will reconcile everyone's interests - Plenković clarified to the end.

Judging by this, Plenković leaves no room for any harmonization and agreements, as he speaks in ready-made categories and already draws conclusions. 

The culmination of his arrogant attitude towards BiH and meddling in internal affairs relates to the humiliation of the judicial institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, even the Hague Tribunal, which he practically declared political, even denying crimes. In his statements, he combines the first-instance verdict against the six Croats with indictments coming from RS against Croatian generals. 

- The filing of indictments against Croatian defenders in BiH, suggesting a joint criminal enterprise and the aggression of the Republic of Croatia against BiH, is completely unacceptable. Such indictments have very clear political connotations and follow the erroneous theses of the non-final first-instance verdict against the six BiH Croats. This is a distortion of historical facts that, due to doubts about criminal prosecution, has already influenced the departure of Croatian defenders and their families from BiH. I believe that a strong political reaction from the BiH authorities is necessary to prevent the abuse of the judicial system.

First of all, all attempts to impose collective responsibility should be rejected, an open dialogue should be initiated, and existing models of judicial cooperation should be seriously considered if the judicial bodies of BiH continue to insist on politicized political-legal qualifications - said Plenković.

It is unacceptable that Plenković treats the Tribunal's first-instance verdict against the six BiH Croats as something that merely "suggests" a joint criminal enterprise. Plenković lumps all these products from RS together with lawsuits distributed from the Republika Srpska against Croatian Army generals. According to the Croatian Prime Minister, invoking the first-instance verdict against Prlić and the group has political connotations and distorts historical facts. It is shocking that Plenković asks political representatives of BiH to influence the judiciary, and even manages to send an occasional threat if the judicial bodies continue to insist on "politicized political-legal connotations".

The public in BiH is not aware that any indictment has been filed against Croatian generals. The only real fact that remains is the first-instance verdict against Prlić's group for a joint criminal enterprise before the Hague Tribunal. It is already being said in diplomatic circles that indictments against HV generals are being produced according to agreements between RS and some Croatian factors in the BiH government and the Republic of Croatia.

Why? To relativize any guilt as much as possible, and to alert the public in Croatia on the common issue of some collective guilt, which does not exist in international law. One verdict was delivered by an international court, and the other was produced for multiple political-legal (mis)use. That is why Andrej Plenković speaks vaguely, intertwining two completely opposite things, treating the first-instance verdict of the Hague Tribunal and what are still unconfirmed indictments from RS before the BiH judiciary equally. A skillful, but transparent game.   

Today, Plenković is warmly welcomed in Sarajevo, and no one asks him anything about these incorrect treatments of the state of BiH. From the answers given to 'Večernji list', it is clear what Prime Minister Plenković thinks. And the silence of BiH politicians who received him today is usual and shameful, as is the traditional retreat in the face of problems. When the Croatian Prime Minister leaves this country, our leaders will package their silence in the sweetness of hospitality, political wisdom, and diplomacy.