Post by karabin on Oct 12, 2008 20:58:18 GMT -5
09 October 2008 Sarajevo _ The assembly of Bosnia’s Serb-dominated entity of Republika Srpska is threatening to use “all means” to protect Serbs against hardline comments on the political scene.
A possible referendum on independence is not ruled out in the fresh warning.
The warning has been prepared by the Republika Srpska Assembly to be discussed at its extraordinary session, which has been scheduled for October 13 following an incident involving the Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) member of the tripartite presidency, Haris Silajdzic, local media reported on Thursday.
In his speech before the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, Silajdzic condemned Republika Srpska for genocide committed during the war. Although he appeared before the UN in his official capacity as a representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, he gave a personal speech since the three members of the presidency were previously unable to agree on a joint statement.
Silajdzic gave a similar speech a few days later in Strasbourg on September 30, before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Both speeches were believed to be timed, if not motivated, by the October 5 local elections.
Republika Srpska officials reacted angrily, criticising Silajdzic for “a speech from the past” and called for an extraordinary session of the Republika Srpska Asembly, which should take up an official position regarding Silajdzic and his statement.
Silajdzic and all other presidency members, as well as all other top politicians, were also invited to the session. Silajdzic has already said he will not be able to attend because of a pre-scheduled visit by the Slovenian President to Sarajevo in that period.
“The National Assembly of Republika Srpska expresses its readiness to use all legal and political measures, including a right to a referendum of the citizens of Republika Srpska, to defend its legitimate interests and protect the identity confirmed by the Dayton peace accord,” local media quoted the note prepared by the Republika Srpska assembly.
The note also expressed “extreme concern” over the “radicalisation” of political and inter-ethnic relations in the country, and called upon Republika Srpska citizens to remain calm and refrain from any incidents.
Bosnian Serb leaders, especially Republika Srpska premier Milorad Dodik, on several occasions in the past has threatened a referendum on independence, but international officials stressed that Republika Srpska is not an international legal entity and has no right to hold a referendum.
International officials have also repeatedly warned both Silajdzic and Dodik against provoking inter-ethnic tensions in the country.
www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/13883/
A possible referendum on independence is not ruled out in the fresh warning.
The warning has been prepared by the Republika Srpska Assembly to be discussed at its extraordinary session, which has been scheduled for October 13 following an incident involving the Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) member of the tripartite presidency, Haris Silajdzic, local media reported on Thursday.
In his speech before the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, Silajdzic condemned Republika Srpska for genocide committed during the war. Although he appeared before the UN in his official capacity as a representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, he gave a personal speech since the three members of the presidency were previously unable to agree on a joint statement.
Silajdzic gave a similar speech a few days later in Strasbourg on September 30, before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Both speeches were believed to be timed, if not motivated, by the October 5 local elections.
Republika Srpska officials reacted angrily, criticising Silajdzic for “a speech from the past” and called for an extraordinary session of the Republika Srpska Asembly, which should take up an official position regarding Silajdzic and his statement.
Silajdzic and all other presidency members, as well as all other top politicians, were also invited to the session. Silajdzic has already said he will not be able to attend because of a pre-scheduled visit by the Slovenian President to Sarajevo in that period.
“The National Assembly of Republika Srpska expresses its readiness to use all legal and political measures, including a right to a referendum of the citizens of Republika Srpska, to defend its legitimate interests and protect the identity confirmed by the Dayton peace accord,” local media quoted the note prepared by the Republika Srpska assembly.
The note also expressed “extreme concern” over the “radicalisation” of political and inter-ethnic relations in the country, and called upon Republika Srpska citizens to remain calm and refrain from any incidents.
Bosnian Serb leaders, especially Republika Srpska premier Milorad Dodik, on several occasions in the past has threatened a referendum on independence, but international officials stressed that Republika Srpska is not an international legal entity and has no right to hold a referendum.
International officials have also repeatedly warned both Silajdzic and Dodik against provoking inter-ethnic tensions in the country.
www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/13883/