The highest international official in Bosnia stated that Serbian separatism threatens to rebuild its own army It has now retreated, but in the absence of substantial diplomatic contacts between the United States and Europe, the country and surrounding areas are still heading for crisis.
Former German Minister Christian Schmidt served as senior representative of the international community Bosnia and HerzegovinaSaid that the Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik, persuaded by regional leaders, suspended plans to withdraw Serb soldiers from the Bosnian national army and reorganize the Bosnian Serb forces.
In an interview with The Guardian, Schmidt said: “We have seen that after many talks, including nearby talks, the message he got is that no one will accept a way that leads to an increase in the possibility of political and military conflict— —I hope not—”Washington.
“I don’t actually see the danger of war,” Schmidt added, adding that the country has fewer heavy weapons than when the Bosnian War broke out in 1992. “Fortunately, there are too few military assets available,” he said.
However, Schmidt argued that Dodik’s separatist rhetoric and his pledge to cut off the law and taxation system in half of the country controlled by the Serbs are pushing the country into a serious crisis.
“These self-realization strategies have reached him [Dodik] I can’t go back without shame,” he said. “My impression is that we are very, very close to this point. This requires a very clear answer from the international community. “
“I want to say that the challenge of the disintegration of Bosnia and Herzegovina is that it cannot be limited to Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt met with Biden’s foreign policy team in Washington on the threat of the collapse of the Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the war in 1995. His aides were encouraged by the unexpected appearance of National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan at their meeting. White House officials believed that this was a signal that the Biden administration would pay closer and higher-level attention to developments in Bosnia.
After the State Council Counselor visited the area, Derek CholetWrote the State Department history of the Dayton Agreement. In view of Dodik’s threat, US officials stated that they are reassessing Washington’s policy in Bosnia, which has so far been low-key and focused on electoral reforms.
“I am very happy about this, because I have seen that there is no strategy in recent years, because not only in the United States, but also in the European Union have impressions, but things will happen [peacefully]”Schmidt said. He emphasized that during his trip to the Western capital, he was not asking for an increase in international peacekeepers, but for unified diplomatic contacts.
Kurt Bassuener, co-founder Democratization Policy CommitteeThe Berlin-based think tank believes that Schmidt is too optimistic about the possibility of avoiding violence, and that the country’s military equipment is sufficient to trigger another conflict.
“I think he is actually quite complacent,” Basuna said. “The most important thing is to have enough equipment to make very bad things happen.”
Schmidt’s position was under diplomatic pressure. Moscow opposed his appointment and did not recognize his authority. Both Russia and China insisted that every reference to a senior representative was deleted from the most recent meeting. UN Security Council Resolutions In Bosnia. Dodik refused to meet him, questioning his legitimacy.
But Schmidt, who is supported by other members of the international community, said he will not be forced to leave. “I will stay, I will [fulfil] My responsibility,” he said.
