Dodik gives up plan to threaten BiH’s armed forces, for now

Serb leader Milorad Dodik has caved in to pressure and given up his plan to jeopardise the survival of BiH’s armed forces, BiH High Representative Christian Schmidt said.

In an interview for The Guardian, Schmidt also warned that the crisis had not yet been resolved.

Schmidt did not explain who had convinced Dodik that it was a dangerous plan which could lead to conflict in the entire country but also the region. Still, it is known that the Serb member of BiH’s Presidency earlier held separate talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, and Croatian President Zoran Milanović.

Schmidt warned that Dodik’s separatist rhetoric and his announcements that he would challenge the existing system of collecting taxes and duties at the national level and the state judiciary were leading the country into a severe crisis.

According to Schmidt, Dodik has put himself in a situation where it is difficult for him to take a step back without losing political credibility, making a clear response from the international community necessary.

If Bosnia and Herzegovina dissolves, Schmidt warned, that will affect the entire region.

Schmidt’s office in Sarajevo confirmed that he had met with US administration officials during his stay in Washington, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Department of State Counselor Derek Chollet, and Department of State Undersecretary Victoria Nuland.

(Željko Trkanjec | EURACTIV.hr)