Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Zlatko Lagumdzija spoke in an interview about the political situation in BiH.
He primarily commented on the possibility of forming a third entity through constitutional-legal changes.
“Just as all sides arrived at Dayton with different goals and ideas, so today there are those who dream of a so-called Dayton two. I do not believe that will happen, and I am quite certain that there is no question of a third entity. Especially since a third entity would be a way for some politicians to stay in power and continue to plunder their own people,” he emphasized.
He believes that the threat of secession by the SNSD president, Milorad Dodik, served the same purpose – staying in power and plundering the people. He adds that such politicians, with BiH’s membership in the European Union (EU), will end up as they deserve – as convicted criminals.
“Dodik wanted to take part of the state and proclaim himself its father, convinced that only in that kind of state would he not be held accountable for his crimes. Those who dream of a third entity think similarly,” he added.
Speaking about the possibility of forming a third entity, Lagumdzija pointed out that former Croatian president Franjo Tudjman, or Croatia itself, was the biggest beneficiary after the Dayton Peace Agreement was reached. He explained the reasons for his opinion.
“Because Tudjman got ‘half of the Federation,’ through half of the power in it, as well as a third of the power at the level of BiH. What would the Croats gain with a third entity? The same, but on a much smaller part of the territory. What would they do with that?” he asked.
He said he is not against a third entity because of the interests of Croats in BiH.
“Rather, because I do not believe in divided societies. In our region, it is not possible to ensure stability, prosperity, and lasting peace without unity in all diversity and mutual respect. There is no peace in divided, segregated societies, especially those born of blood and crime, those behind Srebrenica and all crimes on various sides. That is why I am against the so-called second entity as well, about which no one speaks and which no one questions,” he explained.
He also clarified what he means by the so-called second entity.
“If the first entity is Miletov’s, and the third Dragan’s, then what is the second entity? Is that Bakir’s entity? I am opposed to the second entity, and for that reason, I am a Bosniak,” Lagumdzija stated.
Asked to elaborate further, he said:
“The creation of an exclusive ‘Bosniakistan’ in the heart of Europe, as well as the attempt to declare Bosniaks a non-European people, is a stake driven into the heart of the Bosniak people. Bosniaks are a European people,” he emphasized.
