Kulenović: Did the Trojka learn anything after O'Brien?

(Patria) - When we defined the topic of today's session, we could not have predicted that James O'Brien, in his address at the Faculty of Political Science in Sarajevo two days ago, would highlight the focus of our lasting attention and efforts, stating that, as he said, "Local leaders need to reach a compromise, reject corruption, and end ethno-nationalism." This message for a prosperous future is of exceptional importance, emphasized by a high-ranking US official and one of the significant actors of the Dayton Agreement, stated Adil Kulenović, president of Krug 99.

"Therefore, even beyond him, as citizens who are particularly concerned, after difficult personal experiences, we are convinced that 'A stable BiH cannot be built on policies of concessions to ethno-nationalism,' which is also today's topic. Milan Dunović, a member of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, will speak about it as the introductory speaker.

We believe that the choice of introductory speaker Dunović is reasonable in itself. His moral credibility and political profile are authentically civic, and he is determined in advocating for human rights and civil liberties, and the equal rights and equality of all people, with all their identities in our country.

The mantra of BiH's multi-ethnic character is culturally and socially accurate.
But it is as accurate as for almost every country in the world. America, especially. However, this mantra, translated into the construction of a political system, is a dangerous and destructive formula for a dysfunctional state and the destruction of society. The model for BiH, a model of a corpus separatum, a special case, that old formula of hegemonic, neocolonial aspirations and expansionism towards BiH, is a model that necessarily fuels irredentism, separatism, and secessionism, a model that must be rejected.

But its consequences are even more devastating for the destruction of social cohesion and the best traditions of living in diversity and understanding. The model produces ethno-nationalism, and ethno-nationalists solidify the model.

Our criticisms of the US envoy, and Escobar, and Palmer, and Shole, were rational and justified due to their appeasement of ethno-nationalism in BiH and towards BiH, due to making concessions to the Greater Serbia nationalism of neighboring countries. Appeasement, that fatal word for the catastrophes of World War II and the bloodshed during the breakup of Yugoslavia, appeasing authoritarian self-proclaimed leaders of the people, making concessions to soften them, has brought us to the brink of renewed conflict and war. It cannot continue like this.

Therefore, with all the risk of hasty judgments, the risk that we have heard words and are waiting for deeds, the interpretation of the key provisions of the Dayton Agreement, by the authority that participated in its creation, Mr. O'Brien, gives hope and confidence for peace in BiH. And the most precise determination towards what can be qualified as an attack on the constitutional order of the country, from the position of the Constitutional Court and foreign judges, state property to the constitutional position of the entities and the common way of resolving disagreements. And focusing on the key actors of blockades and instability.

But politics is not a moment in time, but a process. In politics, there are no final solutions with which all social progress would be doomed to failure. Especially states, which in given historical circumstances must find a way out of a state of subjugation and the embrace of an undemocratic future. O'Brien points to this path and emphasizes

"Dayton clearly states that the future of BiH is in Europe and that the state will evolve as much as necessary for that to happen," and reminds of the Constitution, stating that "all officials and institutions in BiH will adhere to European standards and international law within their official duties." And these standards are certainly not the standards of ethno-nationalism, legitimate representation, dismantling the state, ethno-territorial consolidation, and statization of entities. The end of ethno-nationalism is possible on the road to Brussels, O'Brien said. Without it, that road would also be another dead end.

In politics, deviating from principles is a sure path to defeat. Did the Trojka learn anything after O'Brien?", Adil Kulenović stated in his opening remarks.