The Day of the Sixth Corps Marked: The Parallel History of Čović and Izetbegović

The Sixth Corps of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of seven corps of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was formed on June 9, 1993, and its headquarters were in Konjic. The first commander of the corps was Salko Gušić, who remained in that position until January 28, 1994. Braco Fazlić was appointed deputy commander, and Dževad Tirak as chief of staff. The assistant commanders were: for intelligence affairs Munib Milišić, for security Nermin Eminović, for morale Mustafa Musić...

The area of responsibility of the 6th Corps was relatively large and intersected, which further complicated the functioning of the corps. It stretched from Volujih jama on the slopes of Treskavica in the northeast, across the canyon of the Ljuta River, the Bjelimić plateau to the village of Šćipe in the municipality of Prozor. The zone of this corps connected the zones of the 1st, 4th and 3rd Corps. In Kruščica near Konjic, the memorial complex "Milaševica" was ceremonially opened by Bakir Izetbegović and Izo Šoljić, the father of Bosnian martyr Mujo Šoljić. As always, some shadows were cast on that anniversary as well. The day of the formation of the corps was marked exactly 51 days after the actual date of formation - June 9, 1993. The Izetbegović couple attended the gathering.

Sebija Izetbegović held a kind of AFŽ of the SDA in Konjic a few months ago. In contrast, there were no key people who founded the Sixth Corps. There were only a few parents of fallen soldiers. Everything seemed like a kind of fun trip to Konjic. Folklore groups performed and sang. The parents of the fallen soldiers of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina know best whether gratitude for the fallen heroes was expressed with dignity. If someone wanted to show respect for the struggle of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, they could first visit those soldiers in front of the Government of the Federation and then move on. At this gathering, Hasan Hakalović, the famous commander of the Neretvica brigade, spoke emotionally. When he was accused of crimes seven years ago, there were almost no reactions from Sarajevo.

He was left to defend himself alone, although there was not a single piece of evidence that he participated in those actions or initiated them. But Hakalović is not the only slandered Bosnian soldier. There are several charges for crimes committed in the area of the Sixth Corps, and the Army soldiers were left without any support.

Another HVO gathering was connected by a secret meaning to this gathering in Konjic. Just one day before this gathering in Kruščica, on July 28, accusations could be heard that a crime was committed against HVO soldiers in the municipality of Jablanica, which is in the area of operation of the Sixth Corps. The marking of that anniversary was attended by Dragan Čović, Izetbegović's colleague from the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the report broadcast by the public service FTV, it was said that on Stipića livade, in the municipality of Jablanica, on the morning of July 28, 1993, a crime was committed against 33 Croatian soldiers and 6 civilians who were killed by members of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Perhaps Izetbegović or someone from his side should react to the fact that the killing of 33 HVO soldiers is called a crime.

So, this is another accusation, according to which the killing of HVO soldiers is spoken of as a war crime, and it confirms that those soldiers were not captured. This is not the only case where the death of HVO soldiers is called a crime. So, the fact is that until July 28, 1993, cities were being destroyed and the Bosniak population was expelled from them. The world had already seen Bosniaks in HVO concentration camps like Dretelj, Heliodrom, Gabela... So, today, the soldiers and commanders of the Sixth Corps most need legal aid, proper answers in the public to all accusations, not picnics and belated anniversaries.

It is known that, according to all evidence, Konjic and Jablanica were in the plans for annexation to Boban's so-called Herzeg-Bosnia, and that there is testimony and numerous statements from HVO commanders and political leaders of Croatian Herzeg-Bosnia about this. This is evident from the transcripts recorded in the office of Croatian President Franjo Tuđman, as well as from his meetings in December 1991 with the leaders of the HDZ of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

For people dealing with these issues, such constructions and insinuations are part of a strategy that attacks Mostar and Stolac and treats these cities as Croatian property for many years and tries to permanently displace Bosniaks. This peacetime ethnic cleansing is obvious. It is sad that we have no proper answers here. It is crucial to provide answers to all these incredible accusations, which seem as if they were planned in some powerful centers. The truth is one, and if it is not spoken, the lie becomes louder. If there is no reaction to the accusations from the HDZ for the death of soldiers that is treated as a crime, then Izetbegović and Čović, as if by agreement, hold parallel history lessons in these areas. Then one could conclude with a clear conscience that it is a matter of their personal and party promotion and nothing less than that.

Written by: S. Omeragić