Šaljić: Schmidt's comparison of Alija to Mladić is not surprising, the question is why veteran organizations are silent and what their purpose is

(Patria) - If anyone thought that the High Representative for BiH Christian Schmidt might have made a slip of the tongue in his speech, unfortunately, he did not! We quickly forgot, and no one mentions it anymore, that on October 18, 2006, the then High Representative Paddy Ashdown suspended the decision of the Airport Authority and the then federal authorities to name Sarajevo Airport Alija Izetbegović International Airport, said the Party of BiH MP in the KS Assembly Jasmin Šaljić.

"Many countries in the world have done so in honor of their presidents and paid posthumous tribute, and this is nothing unusual or controversial. For the High Representatives in BiH, only the late President Alija Izetbegović is controversial!", said Šaljić.

"Unfortunately, High Representative Schmidt did not make any slip of the tongue; this is a continuation of the hypocritical policy of parts of the international community. We are witnessing how he made our majority nation in BiH meaningless by suspending the Constitution for 24 hours and permanently embedding the HDZ BiH political party in power, which will be the only unquestionable one when forming all future governments of the FBiH entity and which will also determine coalition partners. We are not surprised by the speeches and (in)actions of the High Representatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but the inaction of those from whom it is expected is worrying: elected officials, holders of high positions, academics, public figures, etc.", states Šaljić.

As he says, remaining silent when someone, whoever it may be, equates Alija Izetbegović with a butcher, a convicted war criminal, and a genocidaire Ratko Mladić is devastating.

"I am outraged regarding the veteran associations and the people who lead them. I ask you, what more needs to happen for you to speak out? What has happened to you people? You are silent about the tearing down of flags, you are silent about the statements of Professor Silajdžić who attacks the fundamental dates of RBiH, and now about the comparison of the Supreme Commander with Mladić. What is your purpose? Is it time for you to let other, younger people take over!?", Šaljić asked.