Sharp reaction from the Green Berets: Sefer Halilović's private threats do not represent the Bosniak people

The Association Bosnia-Green Berets sharply criticized the statements of retired Army of RBiH general Sefer Halilović, who stated on TV1 that Republika Srpska will cease to exist if the Dayton Peace Agreement is dismantled and a new conflict arises. Halilović threatened a new war, writes the Patria news agency.

The Association Bosnia-Green Berets, which brings together resistance organizers during the war in BiH in the early 90s, war veterans, volunteers, and defenders, stated that Halilović's statements reflect his private views, and that Bosniaks do not wish for conflicts even in their deepest thoughts.

-Sefer Halilović's war threats have given Serbian officials an alibi to state that Serbia will defend Republika Srpska and that Republika Srpska will declare secession, which perfectly fits the apocalyptic scenario for Bosnia and Herzegovina – the association's statement reads.

The statement further reads:

-A logical question arises: For whom does Sefer Halilović work and in whose name does he speak. And, does everything he says exclusively serve Greater Serbian goals?!

We believe that the highest Bosniak political, academic, and spiritual officials are obliged to immediately distance themselves from Sefer Halilović's private threats, which do not represent the Bosniak people, who have no intention of threatening war over the unconstitutional referendum in Republika Srpska. Veteran organizations should also state that Sefer Halilović's threats are his personal stance, not the position of BiH patriots.

A special dimension to Sefer Halilović's scandalous statements is the fact that Bosniaks today are the only disarmed people in Europe, who rightly fear for their future. Bosniaks have no other option but to fight for Bosnia and Herzegovina through legal and political means, and anyone who pushes them towards war is acting to the detriment of Bosniaks.

Whether Sefer Halilović made these scandalous war threats to gain publicity or as a former Belgrade intelligence officer is less important. Bosniak officials must urgently distance themselves from this false patriotism that harms Bosnia and Bosniaks.

Halilović spoke on TV1 about the announced referendum in RS, which the authorities in Banja Luka announced for September 25, all due to the decision of the Constitutional Court of BiH which stated that the celebration of January 9 as the Day of RS is unconstitutional.

The referendum has caused sharp reactions not only among Bosniak politicians, but has also been condemned by the international community and embassies. Some analysts suggest that BiH is close to new conflicts.

When asked by journalists if there are enough people on both sides in BiH ready to fight, Halilović answered with "Yes, absolutely.".

- And that is why I appeal to think carefully. Because Milošević is dead, the JNA does not exist, there are no thousands of tanks, thousands of transporters... Serbia cannot help RS. We will not allow someone to secede half of our country – Halilović said, writes Patria.