Silajdžić for CNN: The Drina must be protected, those who started wars came through it

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and former member of the Presidency of BiH Haris Silajdžić was a guest tonight on CNN's show with Christiane Amanpour.

In her introduction, Amanpour stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina has been in its biggest crisis since the war began. Silajdžić said in his introduction that he is very concerned about the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“This is not just about Bosnia and Herzegovina, they are behaving aggressively, not only the person you mentioned (Milorad Dodik, editor's note) but Russia and Serbia are behind him. I do not believe what they are saying,” said Silajdžić.

When Amanpour asked what the EU, Russia, Serbia, and Bosnian Serbs have done, Silajdžić said that 1991 is repeating itself.

“We are again seeing a violent return of the Greater Serbia ideology, not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina but throughout the region. I do not believe what they are saying, because they were saying something else a few days ago, and now they are trying to get out of that situation. The international community has so far reacted with only a few words; we need strong action to save BiH and the region from war. They (Serbs, editor's note) want to secede from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that is not allowed according to Dayton. This is a dangerous situation and the international community must react,” said Silajdžić.

Amanpour wanted to know if foreign powers would try to use Bosnia and Herzegovina as a place for further geopolitical struggles.

“I think we need strong foreign forces in Brčko and on the Drina border, as those who started wars came through those points, and we need to prevent that,” said Silajdžić.

When asked about Milorad Dodik and his political path, and how he became a nationalist, Silajdžić said that he became a radical over time as his ties with Moscow strengthened.

“Today he glorifies war criminals, mocks our efforts to preserve peace, and threatens our existence. We must now do everything to prevent this; this is a very dangerous situation,” stated Silajdžić.

Silajdžić reiterated once again that war in BiH must be prevented because the citizens do not want it.

“We want a new constitution that will give us a civic democratic country. They are asking us to have a normal democracy and asking why they should live in a country where war criminals are rewarded. They live in a country where their project is rewarded. Dayton was successful in bringing peace, but its second part was not implemented in the best way,” said Silajdžić.

Haris Silajdžić called the actions of Dodik and Republika Srpska the clearest attack on the Dayton Peace Agreement.