Krug 99: Protest was not a failure - the goal was achieved

(Patria) - The Association of Independent Intellectuals Krug 99 issued a statement today regarding criticisms of the protest held on June 2, ahead of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) session.

Krug 99 denies claims that the protest was a failure due to "insufficient number of citizens," emphasizing that the success of the gathering was not measured by the number of participants, but by the weight of the words and the goals achieved.

"Krug 99 is not a political party. We do not bring people by buses. Those who came to the protest have a moral stance, responsibility, and courage to do everything they can for the interests of the state and all citizens - not ethnonationalistic and transactional interests.

We gather intellectuals, analysts, lawyers, and citizens who understand that Bosnia and Herzegovina is not changed on the street - but in institutions. Our goal was not to block traffic. We even prevented that.

Our goal was to put demands on the table - right where decisions are made - among PIC members. That goal was achieved. Completely," Krug 99 points out.

They note that their demands align precisely with the dispute between the US and the EU, and that the PIC, after a two-day session, failed to appoint a new High Representative.

The reason, they recall, is the disagreement between the United States and European Union countries - over the candidate, but also over the powers the new High Representative will have.

"We dared to clearly demand that a High Representative be chosen from a European country that has international capacity, developed democratic culture, and the intention to lead Bosnia and Herzegovina from Dayton to Brussels.

That is not a proclamation about a person, but an insistence on the path that should open constitutional reforms based on civic democratic principles and achieve the central condition for full European integration," Krug 99 states.

They add that their demands - preserving the OHR until the 5+2 conditions are met, rejecting the relocation of the Office outside Bosnia and Herzegovina, implementing the rulings of the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights, resolving state property according to European standards, and preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina - are now at the center of negotiations between Washington, Brussels, Berlin, Paris, Rome, and London.

"That is not a coincidence. It is the result of months of analysis, writing, thorough discussions, and finally - public presentation of views in a place where diplomats could not ignore them.

There were about a hundred of us - but our six points are now being negotiated in world capitals. Criticisms about the 'small number of people' miss the essence and the goal. Protests are measured not only by numbers, but by the consequences they leave.

If a protest of about a hundred people contributed to the fact that the PIC, for the first time in history, cannot easily make a decision on appointing a High Representative - then that is a success, not a failure.

If a protest of about a hundred people influenced the US and the EU not to hastily and irresponsibly reject the powers of the OHR and the resolution of state property - then that is a success, not a failure," Krug 99 underscores.

They also state that they are not defending party interests, but the state and the Bosnian nation.

"Krug 99 has no party affiliation. We have no candidates for positions. We have no personal interests. What we have are - arguments, analyses, and the courage to voice them publicly.

Those who remain silent and wait in the wings for developments to 'engage' with the malice of hindsight are mere opportunists fighting from the sidelines and at the mercy of any master.

And that is why we will continue. Regardless of how many of us will be on the street tomorrow. If it is needed again," Krug 99 notes.

They emphasize that those who came to the protests have a moral stance, responsibility, and courage to do everything they can for the interests of their state and all citizens - not ethnonationalistic and transactional interests.

"There were about a hundred of us, not fifty thousand. But our six points are now in negotiation rooms in Brussels, Washington, Berlin, Paris, Rome, and London. If that is a failure - may every failure of ours be like this," concludes the statement from Krug 99.