Covic and Dodik – key regional players for the Russians

By: Amina Corbo Zeco

The EU Delegation and the US Embassy have requested the Federation BiH to unblock the process of forming the government, to widen narrow party interests and focus on the needs of BH citizens.

Dragan Covic, the leader of HDZ BiH keeps demanding changes to the Election law to suit his own needs (and the needs of HDZ). It seems that since his recent visit with Russia, he has decided to formally and openly turn to Milorad Dodik and publicly become a 'Russian man'. And not any Russian man – Covic and Dodik are the figures of regional interest for the Russians.

Before his recent official visit with Moscow, Covic had frequent meetings with the Russian ambassador to BiH, Petar Ivancov, who has rarely shown any affinity for official Sarajevo (contrary to his feelings for Dodik and Covic). Relations between Russian Federation and Croatia have notably improved over the past years, which is one way to explain continued and unequivocal support to Covic and HDZ BiH by Petar Ivancov.

However, Covic's mentor in Zagreb, Milijan Brkic, who is also known for his close relations with Russia, has found himself in a battle against the pro-European part of HDZ Croatia concerning the highest position in the party, so Covic has become aware that he will not be able to use the HDZ Croatia as an informal diplomatic lobbying network.

Hence his decision to act alone, so far supported only by Russia and Dodik.

Dragan Covic tried to remove his Russian traces by his absence on the marking of non-constitutional 'Day of the RS', but the memories of his previous celebrating HDZ's decision to take Russia for their strategic partner – are still vivid.

Therefore, Milorad Dodik is not the only member of the 'pro Russia and anti NATO' club.

Russian representatives use every opportunity to stress their policy of not interfering with the internal affairs of BiH. It is indeed so when Russia keeps silent to any breach of the Constitution, or when it reacts quickly (only) to the decisions that are not in their interests and/or interests of their partners in BiH. However, when it comes to the ultra-sensitive themes such as constitutional changes, NATO and EU accession – the Russian embassy releases statements.

The one thing that also illustrated the strength of Covic's ties with Russia is Ivancov's care for so-called Croat issue in BiH. How's that for interference with BH internal affairs?

HDZ BiH (also) gets from the RS full support for changes to the Constitution and Election law, as HDZ's bill doesn't apply across the entity border so Dodik and SNSD can't really object to it.

Russia fulfills its interests in BiH through Dodik and Covic, and all under the slogan of not interfering with BH affairs. It gives direct support to Covic, thus directly slowing down BiH on its path to the EU and NATO.

Because Covic's wishes for the Election law are non-democratic and as such do not belong to Europe.