Why is BiH under tremendous pressure: Serbia preparing the ground for revision of the lawsuit

One of the hot topics of current debates in BiH in Serbia is if BiH will file for revision of indictment against Serbia.

10 years ago, The Hague issued a verdict pronouncing Serbia guilty, which was a unique case in the world, for not preventing the genocide it was aware of, and for not punishing the perpetrators of the crime. According to the court decision, Serbia became the first country which violated the Convention about genocide.  

Both sides – the accuser, BiH and the defendant, Serbia, have a right to request revision.

The public focus is also on statement of the member of Presidency BiH, Bakir Izetbegovic, who announced the revision if the legal team gathers new evidence, and fierce reaction of his colleague from Presidency, Mladen Ivanic, President of RS, Milorad Dodik, as well as chief of Serbian diplomacy, Ivica Dacic – who are strongly opposing the notion of revision.

Ivanic sees it as a prelude to a new crisis, which cannot be of use to anybody. The third member of the presidency, Dragan Covic, stated that nobody needs any revisions.

Ivica Dacic said that 'if it comes down to that after all, Serbia will use all legal means to win again.'

- We cannot kiss and hug before cameras, make efforts for stability and peace in the region, and watch those writing new charges. If they slap us, they should not expect us turn to them the other cheek, Dacic said.

Thus Dacic hinted that Serbia is not going to sit idle.

According to our sources, their legal team is working hard on a request for revision of the verdict which pronounced Serbia guilty.

When the International Court of Justice convicts a country for not doing anything to prevent genocide, it is a defeat of international dimension. Having said that, Dacic is has taken on a role of 'defeated winner' by saying that the verdict from 2007 was in favor of Serbia. He knew very well that was a huge stain they would have to carry forever.

Serbia has been trying to discourage BiH from its intentions by fierce political pressure over the past month or so. By doing so, Serbia is also trying to create conditions so that only they file request for revision, which could eventually help them wash away 'sins' from the past.

One can expect Belgrade to put additional pressure through Dacic and always ready minister Aleksandar Vulin, on Izetbegovic and probosnian forces in BiH which have been working hard to gather evidence for the revision of the lawsuit.

One should not be surprised if Serbia's President Tomislav Nikolic theatrically and supported by Vucic, cancels his visit to Sarajevo if the request for revision happens to be filed before his visit.