Russian Ambassador to BiH Undermines State Institutions and 'Pushes' RS Separatism

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Russia believes that Republika Srpska raised the issue of returning competencies within the framework of a democratic process. This was stated in an interview with BHT by the Russian Ambassador to BiH, Igor Kalabuhov, who believes that competencies were transferred to the state under certain pressure from the international community.

Kalabuhov sees no problem with the idea of SNSD leader Milorad Dodik about an independent Republika Srpska within Bosnia and Herzegovina. He says it is a matter for politicians, a matter of democratic decisions, and if this idea is realized through dialogue, then the Russian Federation will support it. In doing so, the Russian Ambassador consciously bypasses BiH institutions, emphasizing that everything should be resolved through dialogue, but between the entities.

Kalabuhov says that Russia's position is that there is no High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina because the appointment procedure for Christian Schmidt was not followed. He notes that the decision to appoint the German diplomat was made by the ambassadors of the member states of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Steering Board, without, as he says, consensus, without a determination method, without the High Representative being coordinated in the UN Security Council.

"As a guarantor state of the Dayton Peace Agreement, we are a member of the PIC, but we do not work in the OHR as long as Christian Schmidt is there. We do not support any official contacts with Mr. Schmidt," says Kalabuhov.

He sees no problem with Republika Srpska repealing the High Representative's decision banning the denial of genocide and other crimes committed in BiH, even though that decision was made by Valentin Inzko in accordance with his powers. He believes it is a matter for the National Assembly of Republika Srpska.

When asked that the signatories of the Dayton Agreement in BiH, as well as the signatories of the annexes, agreed to cooperate unconditionally with the Office of the High Representative, Kalabuhov briefly added almost the same sentence: "It is a matter for the bodies of Republika Srpska."