http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=126129
JAVNO (CROATIA)
Kosovo`s Independence Shakes Fragile Bosnia
The Bosnian Serb parliament said their entity had the right to break away if
a significant number of countries recognise Kosovo.
AFP illustrative photo A move by Bosnian Serb leaders to secede like Kosovo
reflects the fragility of a country whose unity depends on the international
community, observers said.
The Bosnian Serb parliament said Friday their entity had the right to break
away if a significant number of United Nations and European Union countries
recognise Kosovo's independence.
"In that case, the Republika Srpska assembly believes it has the right to
launch a referendum to reconsider its statehood status," a resolution
adopted by an overwhelming majority in the parliament said. Such a move
would put into question the Dayton peace agreement which ended Bosnia's
1992-1995 war and split the country into two semi-independent entities.
The two entities -- the Muslim-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska --
share weak central institutions while each has its own government,
parliament and police.
Many Bosnian Serbs feel their entity should follow Kosovo's lead and be
allowed to secede from Bosnia and eventually attach itself to Serbia, which
they see as their "motherland".
Analysts estimate an overwhelming majority of the entity's population which
accounts for 31 percent of Bosnia's 3.8 million would opt for independence
at a referendum.
Washington was the first to condemn such an initiative by Bosnian Serbs.
"Bosnia-Hercegovina is a sovereign and independent state and its territorial
integrity and sovereignty are an undeniable fact," US ambassador to Bosnia
Charles English told the Oslobodjenje daily. "The three-and-a-half-year long
war was expected to provide an answer to the question if someone had a right
to secede from Bosnia-Hercegovina. Dayton (peace deal) solved the issue.
"There is no right to secession."
Meanwhile, political analyst Tanja Topic warned that Bosnia is "unstable and
fragile." But she stressed the Balkan country's "borders will be inviolable"
due to the "clear position of the international community."
Other analysts share similar views, stressing the international community
should, despite opposite calls by some local politicians, maintain its
presence in the country.
"The international community will have to stay for a longer period of time
in Bosnia," political analyst Ivan Sijakovic told AFP.
However, he added its role should change so that it is not perceived as a
"threat, an institution imposing conditions and punishing," but rather as an
advisor.
The RS parliament resolution should be seen as a serious threat, Sijakovic
said. "It is not a matter for politicians any more, but on the contrary now
the citizens are putting pressure on politicians" to consider RS'
independence, he said.
In Sarajevo, political analyst Srecko Latal welcomed more moderate views of
Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, but did not hide his concerns.
"If they really proceeded with organising a referendum, that would
destabilise Bosnia further because the international community would clearly
not allow it," Latal told AFP. "It would be a no-win situation for
everyone."
For Emil Habul, another Sarajevo-based analyst, the Bosnian Serb parliament
tried to "take up positions for the future."
"RS secession is an idea that has been smoldering since 1992, but Dodik and
his government understand that it is impossible to achieve," Habul said.
"Bosnia is an international protectorate ... and as long as there is a
strong presence of the international community ... a referendum in RS is a
big political illusion," Topic said.
"It could happen within a decade or two, or maybe never," she concluded.
Published: February 23, 2008 09:29h
JAVNO (CROATIA)
Kosovo`s Independence Shakes Fragile Bosnia
The Bosnian Serb parliament said their entity had the right to break away if
a significant number of countries recognise Kosovo.
AFP illustrative photo A move by Bosnian Serb leaders to secede like Kosovo
reflects the fragility of a country whose unity depends on the international
community, observers said.
The Bosnian Serb parliament said Friday their entity had the right to break
away if a significant number of United Nations and European Union countries
recognise Kosovo's independence.
"In that case, the Republika Srpska assembly believes it has the right to
launch a referendum to reconsider its statehood status," a resolution
adopted by an overwhelming majority in the parliament said. Such a move
would put into question the Dayton peace agreement which ended Bosnia's
1992-1995 war and split the country into two semi-independent entities.
The two entities -- the Muslim-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska --
share weak central institutions while each has its own government,
parliament and police.
Many Bosnian Serbs feel their entity should follow Kosovo's lead and be
allowed to secede from Bosnia and eventually attach itself to Serbia, which
they see as their "motherland".
Analysts estimate an overwhelming majority of the entity's population which
accounts for 31 percent of Bosnia's 3.8 million would opt for independence
at a referendum.
Washington was the first to condemn such an initiative by Bosnian Serbs.
"Bosnia-Hercegovina is a sovereign and independent state and its territorial
integrity and sovereignty are an undeniable fact," US ambassador to Bosnia
Charles English told the Oslobodjenje daily. "The three-and-a-half-year long
war was expected to provide an answer to the question if someone had a right
to secede from Bosnia-Hercegovina. Dayton (peace deal) solved the issue.
"There is no right to secession."
Meanwhile, political analyst Tanja Topic warned that Bosnia is "unstable and
fragile." But she stressed the Balkan country's "borders will be inviolable"
due to the "clear position of the international community."
Other analysts share similar views, stressing the international community
should, despite opposite calls by some local politicians, maintain its
presence in the country.
"The international community will have to stay for a longer period of time
in Bosnia," political analyst Ivan Sijakovic told AFP.
However, he added its role should change so that it is not perceived as a
"threat, an institution imposing conditions and punishing," but rather as an
advisor.
The RS parliament resolution should be seen as a serious threat, Sijakovic
said. "It is not a matter for politicians any more, but on the contrary now
the citizens are putting pressure on politicians" to consider RS'
independence, he said.
In Sarajevo, political analyst Srecko Latal welcomed more moderate views of
Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, but did not hide his concerns.
"If they really proceeded with organising a referendum, that would
destabilise Bosnia further because the international community would clearly
not allow it," Latal told AFP. "It would be a no-win situation for
everyone."
For Emil Habul, another Sarajevo-based analyst, the Bosnian Serb parliament
tried to "take up positions for the future."
"RS secession is an idea that has been smoldering since 1992, but Dodik and
his government understand that it is impossible to achieve," Habul said.
"Bosnia is an international protectorate ... and as long as there is a
strong presence of the international community ... a referendum in RS is a
big political illusion," Topic said.
"It could happen within a decade or two, or maybe never," she concluded.
Published: February 23, 2008 09:29h
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