Lendo responds to Stojanović: Unfounded accusations against SDA, the Army of the Republic of BiH fought for a democratic and civic state

(Patria) - The statement by FBiH Vice President Igor Stojanović about SDA's intention to create an "Islamic republic" on 22 percent of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a malicious accusation that has absolutely no foundation and irresistibly resembles the propaganda that has been spread for years by centers from which great-state projects originate, states the reaction of Refik Lendo, Vice President of the Federation of BiH.

"SDA did not agree to the division of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the most difficult circumstances for this country, at the height of aggression and the implementation of joint criminal enterprises, and accusations that it is attempting this today will not hide the fact that those who voted for the Law on Residence contributed the most to the division of the state and ethnic segregation after the war. That was not SDA.

I am sorry that the public was deprived of a timely stance by colleague Stojanović regarding the statement of FBiH President Lidija Bradara, according to which the entity company BH Gas has no jurisdiction over territories where Croats are the majority population. In the stance announced yesterday, colleague Stojanović, instead of clearly and unequivocally condemning Bradara's scandalous statement, uses it to present alleged statements by President Bakir Izetbegović out of context.

In my capacity as a general of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I proudly emphasize the multi-ethnic character of the Army and testify to the courage and unbreakable willpower of all its members to defend the state from aggression and to create conditions for the realization of the vision of the late first president, Alija Izetbegović.

His vision was the construction of a modern, democratic state organized on a civic principle, for all its citizens and peoples.

Colleague Stojanović, in his capacity as a soldier of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, can also testify to the fact that no one ever said they were fighting for an 'Islamic republic' but for the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and he can also recall the statements of the late first president Alija Izetbegović, whose political message was that we should be Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs, but still be a little more Bosnians.

That SDA never created an 'Islamic republic' can best be testified by colleague Stojanović, who cannot complain that he was discriminated against in any way. Quite the contrary, he changed a number of jobs in the public sector that many Bosniaks could only dream of.

Instead of unfounded accusations about the division of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it would be much more purposeful for all of us holding positions in state institutions to talk about real problems, such as the enormous debts of the FBiH Government, which in the first nine months of this year already reach 670 million KM, the debts of public companies, or problems with the pension fund," Lendo stated.