Sanctions still on hold, mild reactions to events in NSRS

(Patria) - Western embassies strongly condemned the decisions of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (NSRS) to return state competencies to the entity. They consider sanctions counterproductive at this moment. The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina calls on the BiH Prosecutor's Office to protect the constitutional order of BiH, writes Deutsche Welle. 

The mechanisms, which representatives of the international community in BiH had previously announced would be used if the Dayton Peace Agreement continued to be undermined, are still on hold. Judging by the positions announced by the embassies of Western countries, they will remain there for some time, as the use of any serious sanctions at this moment, as these circles emphasize, would be counterproductive.

Implementation on the "long stick"

From sources close to international representatives, we learn that sanctions were considered after the latest decisions of the National Assembly concerning the transfer of competencies, but it was concluded that this would cause a counter-effect at this moment and further escalate the political situation. At the same time, the adopted decisions are still on the "long stick," meaning it will take time for them to enter into force, as well as a six-month period for their implementation.

"Therefore, for now, it has remained only a verbal condemnation of this act, in an attempt to calm tensions and find a solution, either through the BiH Parliament or through direct agreement among political leaders on the issues that caused the crisis. However, it is not excluded that this decision may change," says our source.

Therefore, after the NSRS session, a joint statement was issued by the embassies of Western countries, signed by the USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and the EU Delegation to BiH, which should satisfy the form of reaction for now.

Dead end for RS

"The decision of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska to begin drafting laws on parallel institutions in Republika Srpska is an additional step of escalation. Members of the ruling coalition in RS must be aware that continuing to move down this dead end of challenging the Dayton framework harms the entity's economic opportunities, threatens the stability of the country and the entire region, and jeopardizes the future of BiH in the EU," the statement said.

The mild reactions from the West, on the other hand, have caused sharp reactions in the Federation of BiH. The BiH Prosecutor's Office is also being called upon to urgently protect the country's constitutional order and initiate proceedings against individuals who adopted conclusions on the transfer of competencies in the National Assembly.

"I call on the BiH Prosecutor's Office to prosecute Milorad Dodik as an instigator and leader of a group that has united to overthrow the constitutional order of BiH and undermine state institutions. The NSRS has abandoned the Dayton Agreement," said the cabinet of the BiH Presidency Chairman, Željko Komšić.

The leader of SDA, Bakir Izetbegović, states that the decisions voted on by MPs gathered around Milorad Dodik represent a direct blow to the Dayton Peace Agreement and the constitutional order of BiH.

Stop the formation of para-institutions

"By voting for decisions that announce the formation of para-institutions and abandon the Dayton Peace Agreement, Milorad Dodik and his political partners are plunging Bosnia and Herzegovina into uncertainty and instability, the consequences of which could be immeasurable. These forces must be prevented in their destructive actions," said Izetbegović.

Milorad Dodik has stepped into legal violence, which can have immeasurable consequences, it was announced from the Party of People and Justice.

"It must be clearly pointed out that Dodik has moved from the political to the legal violence phase, and it is quite clear that he is ready for any other type of violence, which is a direct threat to peace as the greatest achievement of the Dayton Agreement," stated the reaction from People and Justice, which is largely a similar stance to all other parties in the Federation of BiH.

A session of ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board was held mid-week, after which it was warned that RS, with its announced actions, is moving into anti-Dayton activities. The High Representative in BiH, Christian Schmidt, said after the session that one should wait and see what the day brings.

Nothing dramatic

"If there are wise politicians in Republika Srpska, and I am sure there are, then from all of this, a call for dialogue will be seen, and I think some things can be done. Perhaps these results will not be favorable for media results, but it is something that is quite good in a democracy. So, I am not particularly nervous right now, nor do I see what will happen as dramatic, but I think it is still a bit too big of a gamble for tactical games," said Schmidt after the PIC session.

Milorad Dodik also does not believe in sanctions, emphasizing that he is one hundred percent sure.

"There will be no sanctions. I am one hundred percent sure. Russia, China, and some other countries will not agree, therefore there is no international community. What am I doing here that would lead to sanctions? We respect the Constitution. There is no need to be afraid, I was not elected to be a coward and to be afraid," said Dodik, answering a question about possible international sanctions on the decisions of the National Assembly of RS on returning competencies from the state to the entity, which the parliament adopted last night.