After NATO Warning: BiH Ministry of Defence Withdraws Decision on BiH Armed Forces Military Orchestra Participation in January 9th Celebration

After NATO General in BiH Giselle Wilz warned Patria that the participation of any member of the BiH Armed Forces in any part of the "Day of the Republika Srpska" program on January 9th would constitute a violation of the Law on Defence, and that such individuals would be subject to disciplinary measures, including dismissal from military service, and that their actions could also be considered in the context of Annex 1A of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH, the Ministry of Defence of BiH has revoked the decision on the participation of the Military Orchestra of the Armed Forces of BiH in the commemoration of the Day of RS, writes Patria. The NATO Headquarters Sarajevo confirmed to Patria that General Wilz sent a letter to the Minister of Defence Marina Pendeš.

Namely, there was no consensus among the members of the Presidency of BiH regarding the participation of the Third Regiment of the BiH Armed Forces in the commemoration on January 9th, as the Chairman Mladen Ivanić was in favour, Bakir Izetbegović was against, and Dragan Čović abstained.

Following NATO's clear stance, the Ministry of Defence of BiH withdrew its earlier decision, thus approving the participation of the Military Orchestra of the BiH Armed Forces - Banja Luka band in ceremonial activities on January 8th, paying tribute and laying wreaths to fallen soldiers of the VRS, NOR, and civilian victims of the war.

The Ministry of Defence of BiH issued a press release, which we are transmitting in its entirety:

- Regarding the letter from the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo addressed to the Ministry of Defence of BiH, concerning the tribute on January 8th to fallen soldiers and civilian victims of the war in RS, we inform the public and the media that the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo has supported the efforts of the Ministry of Defence of BiH to find a solution in a situation where tribute needs to be paid.

In addition, the Ministry of Defence of BiH, in its decision to approve the participation of the Military Orchestra of the BiH Armed Forces in ceremonial activities on January 9th, also considered the fact that the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, Mladen Ivanić, requested the engagement of the Honour Guard, which includes the Military Orchestra, for activities in which he would be present.

With regard to the execution of the request of the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, the Ministry of Defence of BiH requested that the Presidency of BiH make a final decision in the context of the received letter from the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, according to which any engagement of the BiH Armed Forces on January 9th would be considered a violation of the provisions of the Constitution of BiH and the Dayton Peace Agreement.