Nikšić: 'Neum efforts' to fulfill Čović's wishes further encourage Dodik's attacks on the state

(Patria) - The Social Democratic Party of BiH is not participating in the talks on Constitutional reform and amendments to the Election Law of BiH being held in Neum. I have informed the ambassadors of the PIC Steering Board member states, the High Representative, the EC mission, and today the MEPs from PES about the reasons, said Nermin Nikšić, leader of the SDP.

"I have no intention of repeating what we stated in the letter that is available to the public, but I want to further clarify and provide answers to some open questions that can be heard. I want to remind you, we do not participate in blockades even when we can, and we never put party interests above public ones. We showed this in 2015, when we could have blocked the Federation of BiH, because we held the key to forming the government. At that time, with our signatures for the candidacy of Milan Dunović, we unblocked the formation of the government in the Federation of BiH.

Unfortunately, our claim that it is the electoral will of the citizens, but that it will bring nothing good to those same citizens, has proven to be true.

Today is the time to finally say enough. Enough is enough that it is taken for granted that the SDP, as a state-building party for whom the fate of Bosnia and Herzegovina is above all, will eventually give in to those who are openly destroying the institutions of our state.

These negotiations are also taking place under threats and blackmail. I am not talking about rumors that individuals are blackmailed, but about threats to the state and blackmail of 'either it will be my way or everything will be blocked'. We are dealing with people who think that through blackmail, threats, and blockades they can get everything they want. And of course, they are looking for 'partners' with whom they can do so. The SDP does not agree to such blackmail.

Talks mediated by friends from the EU and the US can sometimes be difficult, but I want to clearly state that I have never felt their approach from any blackmailing position. If certain politicians in BiH feel blackmailed or intimidated by potential sanctions, that is their problem and it is certainly a consequence of their actions.

As for us in the SDP, on a personal level, no one can blackmail us or has any means to do so. We are not afraid of sanctions or blackmail because we have never done anything that could provoke them. Those who are afraid should explain to the citizens why they are afraid and why some of them may be ready to betray the fundamental principle on which our homeland is built, the principle of unity of our diversity in a single, indivisible Bosnian-Herzegovinian identity and state.

And while on one hand we have the 'Neum efforts' to fulfill Dragan Čović's political wishes, on the other hand, this further encourages Dodik, who continues his attacks on the state. While negotiations are taking place in Neum, Dodik is announcing new attacks on state institutions and state property. When we made the decision to freeze our participation in the election law negotiations, we even anticipated that this would happen.

We will all be held accountable for our decisions, as they say, both before God and before the people. Each of us chooses their political path. Not all of us make the same choices. Not all of us have the same priorities. We have chosen not to be allies either in fulfilling Čović's wishes or in Dodik's attacks on the state. Our priority is to unblock state institutions and to repeal the unconstitutional decisions and laws of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska.

The SDP BiH has taken the position that we will not participate in discussions on this topic until the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina is unblocked, and the anti-state, separatist actions of the NSRS and its leadership are neutralized and sanctioned. We consider discussions about unblocking the FBiH or the Election Law to be absurd at a time when the state is facing a direct, coordinated attack on its sovereignty from within the country and its surroundings.

Discussing any other topic, I consider 'burying one's head in the sand'.

What is a fact and about which there should be no discussion. There is an Election Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Admittedly, it is bad and needs to be changed. But even if it is not changed, it exists and elections can be held according to it, as before. I am glad that the High Representative confirmed this with his statement today, Nikšić concluded.