FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Two US military jets flew over Bosnia on Monday in a show of support for the Balkan country's integrity in the face of the divisive policies of pro-Russian Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik.
The F-16 jets flew as part of a joint exercise with Bosnian forces. The flights were carried out in the regions of the eastern city of Tuzla and northern Brcko, according to a statement from the United States embassy in Sarajevo.
"This bilateral exercise is an example of advanced military cooperation that contributes to peace and security in the Western Balkans, as well as demonstrates the commitment of the United States to guarantee the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the face of activities against the Dayton (agreement)," it said. in the statement.
"The United States has underlined that the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina does not contain the right to secede and will act if anyone tries to change this fundamental element" of the Dayton peace accords that ended the 1992-95 war in the country, emphasized in the statement.
Milorad Dodik, who is president of the Serbian entity called Republika Srpska, has defied US and British sanctions on his policies. Backed by Russia, he has repeatedly threatened to separate the Serb-run half from the rest of Bosnia.
Bosnian media reported that the sound of the jets could be heard in the northwestern city of Banja Luka, the capital of the Serbian entity, during a ceremonial gathering there. In a speech, Milorad Dodiku repeated that "the goal of the Serbian people is a Serbian state in these areas", reported regional television N1.
Milorad Dodiku scoffed at the flights, saying they would contribute to Tuesday's celebrations, which usually include a parade of armed police and a display of their equipment.
The leader of Bosnia's Serbs told Reuters news agency on Monday that he had no plans to seek secession, backing away from previous calls for a separate republic amid increasing pressure from the United States.
In 2021, he triggered the most serious political crisis since the 1992-95 war when he said he would withdraw the region from key Bosnian state institutions, such as the judiciary, tax system and joint armed forces. He did not follow through on the threat, saying he would wait for a more convenient geopolitical moment.
But he told the Reuters news agency in an interview in Banja Luka on Monday that secession was not part of his plan.
"We do not call for revolution. We are not preparing for war, we are preparing for political decisions at the level of the state parliament and at the level of the parliament of the Republika Srpska", said Milorad Dodik.
He said that political dialogue between ethnic groups in Bosnia is necessary to ensure greater autonomy for the Serbian entity.
"In the first phase, we must ensure dialogue between political parties in Bosnia, without the participation of foreigners, in order to ensure a sustainable agreement. Otherwise, Bosnia has no future," he said.
In the interview, Dodiku spoke openly against what he calls international interference in Bosnia's affairs, in which an international peace envoy has executive power over matters related to the implementation of the Dayton agreement.
He said that if current envoy Christian Schmidt tried to visit Republika Srpska he would be asked to leave. Dodiku said Mr. Schmidt's mandate is illegal because it was not confirmed by the UN Security Council, where the Serbs' major ally, Russia, has veto power.
He said foreigners should have no role in Bosnia's politics, including the Constitutional Court, which is staffed by three international judges along with two judges from each of the three ethnic groups - Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs.
Bosnia is aiming for European Union membership, but efforts have stalled due to slow reforms and internal divisions.
Lini një Përgjigje