IN THE COMPANY OF VASIĆ: If you don't know, Minister Dizdar, resign!

Written by: A. Čorbo-Zećo

Minister Nerin Dizdar today found himself in Živinice in the company of a man accused of war crimes, Dragomir Vasić.

Dragomir Vasić, current vice-president of the RS National Assembly, was shoulder to shoulder with Ratko Mladić in July 1995 when genocide was committed in Srebrenica. He was also a member of Mladić's negotiating team at the "Fontana" hotel in Bratunac on July 12, when Bosniaks were forcibly brought for talks. Vasić was part of the RS military and police structure that planned and executed the genocide. Reports were sent about the liquidation of thousands of civilians, and today, instead of prison – a position. Instead of truth – mythomania.

Today he is on trial before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina for crimes against Bosniaks from Zvornik, when in the summer of 1992 about 700 civilians were monstrously killed. And while the trial continues, he parades at a road opening – alongside the minister for return.

Instead of returnees in Gornja Višća receiving just one piece of good news – an asphalt road making their lives easier – the story went in a completely different direction. Scandalous photographs from the event put the moral collapse of politics in focus.

Dizdar justifies himself by saying he didn't know. But "I didn't know" is not an excuse. If the minister for return doesn't know who is sitting in the front rows and with whom he shares the stage, then he doesn't know what his job is either. Even worse is his announcement that he will "check" what happened. If this is a surprise to him, what then for the returnees?

The political and moral insensitivity of SDP cadres has exceeded all limits. Returnees who survived persecution, loss of home and death of their loved ones deserve respect, not the humiliation of having their projects opened by people accused of their suffering.

Therefore, Minister Dizdar, if you really "didn't know" – resign. Ignorance in that position is not an excuse, but a disgrace. And you could have asked your party colleague from Živinice who was with you – someone organized all this. Ceremonies don't fall from the sky either, just as you fell into a position for which you are obviously not up to the task.

Your excess of ambition and lack of capacity today do not harm only the SDP. They harm the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina!