Transcript shows no fundamental change regarding NATO path

By Suad Beganović

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On the occasion of the published transcript of the meeting between the Quint ambassadors and the three members of the BiH Presidency, we analyze the key statements of the stronger negotiating party, i.e., the Quint ambassadors. In one of Milorad Dodik's remarks, we learn that the US ambassador is, as expected, in charge.

We are skipping the statements, or rather, the undignified and cheap bickering of the state leadership in front of foreign diplomats, for several reasons, such as: they do not truly decide on the NATO path, they present contradictory views on the same meeting in the media, they even slander the ambassadors' statements, and finally, we do not want to fall into the trap of biased interpretation of their views, which they articulate clumsily.

The transcript is not important because of the statements by Dodik, Komšić, and Džaferović, but rather because we have the opportunity to hear what the Quint ambassadors said, about which the aforementioned three gave conflicting statements. Thus, Komšić preferred to emphasize that the agreement is sufficient for NATO (as stated in the transcript), but he also forgot to mention what Dodik emphasizes about the guarantee that it is not an ANP (also stated in the transcript).

Special Decision of the Presidency

“The agreed text clearly specifies the agreed principle of cooperation with the NATO alliance. The document clearly specifies that a decision on membership would entail a special decision by the BiH Presidency and the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

The paragraph unequivocally points to cooperation, but it should be emphasized that this does not conflict with membership here, because, as the document states, that remains a decision to be made later. However, it is clearly stated that a special decision on membership is required. In other words, the most accurate description of the situation was given by Bakir Izetbegović, who did not even attend the meeting, when he stated for the media that one does not go to NATO without the decision of the Serb people, i.e., the representatives of Republika Srpska, or even a referendum. It can be concluded that the most populist statements were made by Sifet Podžić from DF, who claimed NATO border on the Drina. Željko Komšić did not inform the public about this part of the meeting.

State Level Necessary

“This would help us open package number two of socio-economic reforms for the two entities, but without the state, we cannot move forward. We must also have a state level.“

This part does not favor Milorad Dodik. Too bogged down in his own arrogant anti-state statements, he does not even want to mention the state level. Although the entity's share is clearly visible, and reforms would essentially be implemented at that level, Dodik has become such a slave to anti-state policy that he had to remain silent about this part, even though it is completely logical in all respects.

Reform Program Activates Nothing

“NATO will accept the document however you call it. NATO will accept it as a document that does not activate anything and does not change the status of the MAP regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina. NATO will accept the document that maintains the consensus regarding partnership. NATO will say that they have received the reform program which represents the basis of cooperation between BiH and NATO.

The key paragraph that Željko Komšić and Milorad Dodik distorted beyond recognition in their media appearances. Komšić thus only emphasized that the Reform Program would be accepted by NATO, while Dodik emphasized the word cooperation, not membership. One sentence – halved – is a picture of Bosnia and Herzegovina's politics.

However, if the document activates nothing, it is completely clear that the ambassadors also participated equally in this pathetic charade which ultimately changes nothing. Namely, the MAP has existed for ten years, only to be reactivated from a conditional state two years ago. Although Komšić likes to call it the last step, alluding that we are almost members of the NATO alliance, he regularly forgets to mention that the last step of the NATO path entails a hundred steps in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are even mentioned in the reduced Reform Program. Since consensus is required for each of these steps, the NATO path is a pipe dream, and membership is not certain even for many years to come. Also, the list of required reforms in the Reform Program has no deadline and barely obliges anyone. An example is North Macedonia, which sent an ANP, as it is called, for 14 consecutive years without being admitted.

Permission to Continue Manipulation

“The method of submitting the document is not important. NATO wants to receive the document. There will be criticism, but you are all in a good position to show that you have represented your interests and that no one is a loser in this agreement. It is not an agreement called ANP, but the agreement confirms the partnership.”

The permission to continue the media manipulation in which everyone is a winner, and then everyone is a loser, does not bother the ambassadors, who in another later statement will point out “that this is our country”, which translates to they don't care too much either.

We have an agreement, it is not an ANP, it is not membership either, it is a partnership, and whether it will be in our lifetime is not entirely clear – we will wait a few decades.