Mehmedović: Erdogan in Bosnia is a platform to justify Zagreb and Belgrade's interference in our internal affairs

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The control of Zagreb and Belgrade over the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina – should we abandon the idea of the independence of Croats and Serbs from Zagreb and Belgrade, asks representative in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Šemsudin Mehmedović. 

"Schmidt was not at the inauguration of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Schmidt did not attend the reception on the occasion of Statehood Day in the City Hall organized by Komšić and Bećirović. What is the message? – A boycott of Komšić as the idea of the independence of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina from Zagreb. Only a representative accepted by Zagreb can be a representative of Croats. Not a Croat by nationality, but a Croat who listens to Zagreb and follows Zagreb. As Jelena Trivić said: We will always follow Belgrade.

This is the essence of the debates in Bosnia and Herzegovina. What principles does the international community have? Definitely, now and in this case, it does not even respect its own principles, but is clearly on the side of Zagreb and Belgrade," emphasizes Mehmedović and asks: Why?

Mehmedović believes that Schmidt conveyed this to us when he was not at the inauguration of the members of the Presidency.

"He was with the Reis-ul-ulema at the time of the inauguration to symbolically convey to him why he was with him. There is no independence of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina from Zagreb. Remember that messages came from Zagreb about a mini-Dayton that would be organized by Croatia, Serbia, and Turkey. Zagreb and Belgrade benefit from the increased presence of Turkey because it indirectly gives them the right to do what they do. Escobar supported messages from Zagreb that Croatia, Serbia, and Turkey should participate. Erdogan spoke on September 6, 2022, about changes to the Election Law and said that leaders should agree, even though it was clear they could not agree, and that changes to the Election Law should not come before the elections. That was enough: and they came after the elections. Five minutes after the elections. But Erdogan, in a way, interfered, as did Croatia, even though we claimed that Croatia was interfering in the internal affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina," states Mehmedović.

He then quotes Erdogan: "The intervention of the High Representative in this sense is contrary to democratic principles. There is about a month left until the elections, and the intervention of the High Representative in that sense would constitute an intervention against the democratic process. An intervention against the democratic process in a country structured on a democratic principle can never be considered correct by us." Erdogan said and added that the electoral process should proceed in accordance with the current electoral legislation.

"I have already said several times: that is the definition of a 3-in-1 state. Croatia uses Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina to practically influence and create BH policy in its own interest. Belgrade does the same. And in this, they have the support of America and Britain. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia are 'settled' and 'paid' for other moves. The 3-in-1 state of Bosnia and Herzegovina is actually the Janša-Orban non-paper. Let's be honest – if Čović was once elected and legitimate, and the second time he is not, that cannot be a reason for changing the Election Law. Then changing the Election Law serves to get an excuse for national electoral units, and we know what that means. Let's also remember Jozo Križanović and the attitude of the international community at that time towards the issue of legitimacy. The Bosniak policy with the idea of the independence of Croats from Zagreb obviously went without agreement and consultation with key world players such as America, Britain, Germany, France, Turkey, and the EU. Now it is very clear and very brutally clear. The Bosniak policy is therefore in open conflict with America. Were we too close to Turkey? Is Erdogan too deep in the Balkans? Did that benefit us or harm us in the context of the idea that Erdogan's influence in the Balkans and patronage is undisguised, while simultaneously promoting the idea of independence of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina from Zagreb? Wasn't that giving cause to the key patrons of Dayton to say: Okay, you want Erdogan to sultanize around Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Balkans, but you don't allow that to Zagreb and Belgrade? It turns out that we intentionally offered a concept for others to destroy, which they were eager to do. And that we ourselves provided arguments for the idea of the independence of Croats from Zagreb to fail, because now it is obvious that it has collapsed in such a way that Biden, through Escobar, sends clear signals that we need to take seriously," explains Mehmedović.

He adds: "Just as we should very seriously take Dodik's sentence, which obviously came on American and British tanks, in which he said that he and Čović have gone from being a problem for the international community to being a solution":

Mehmedović then quotes Dodik: "In a way, the HDZ and SNSD, which were previously labeled as a problem, now appear in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a solution for the possible faster establishment of government. I think that the example of our cooperation can serve others."

"That is the model: Don't you interfere with us, we won't interfere with you either. Essentially, from a real political perspective, the independence of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina from Zagreb, if Turkey is too close to Bosnia and Herzegovina, is not independence but falling under Turkish influence and means the approach of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina to Turkey, which is an absurd path. Zagreb and Belgrade used the increased presence of Turkey to have an excuse for increased engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Let's be realistic, Serbia and Croatia benefit much more from Turkey's closeness to Bosnia and Herzegovina!

Of course, we have enough room to say and trade: as much Turkey as Croatia and Serbia. But, are we now in a position to determine that, more than 12 years later? It is very important to emphasize: Montenegro does not have Turkey as a strong partner, so the 'Serbian world' is happening to it. It is obvious that in a certain way, the Janša & Orban 'non-paper' is hinting at a model in silent formation. The reception in the City Hall by Komšić & Bećirović showed that Schmidt is not the only one boycotting the idea of the independence of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina from Zagreb. Whoever was not in the City Hall, then is with Schmidt. Or proof of a double game. The Russian ambassador was in the City Hall for three reasons: - First, to emphasize the essence of Statehood Day that Bosnia and Herzegovina is neither Serbian nor Muslim nor Croatian, but both Serbian, Muslim, and Croatian," states Mehmedović, then quotes Kalabuhov: 

"Bosnia and Herzegovina is neither Serbian, nor Croatian, nor Muslim, but both Serbian, Muslim, and Croatian, a free and fraternal Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which full equality and equality of all Serbs, Muslims, and Croats will be ensured."

"ZAVNOBiH did not say that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a state of all its citizens, it did not directly define a civic Bosnia and Herzegovina, but through the idea of constitution opened space for Croatia and Serbia to define a 3-in-1 state. - Second, to strengthen the false impression of Russian support for Alkalaj's speech at the UN - Third, to declare victory: He publicly supported Čović in the changes to the Election Law, I remind you of the meeting on May 21, 2021, so that Schmidt's decision of October 2, 2022, was with the clear consent of the Russian embassy. Finally: How many times have we heard criticism from Americans and the EU for electoral interference by Croatia in Bosnia and Herzegovina? Not once. A word to the wise is enough!", concluded Mehmedović.