Cardinal Vinko Puljić spoke about the Dayton structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina and stated that the internal organization must guarantee equality.
Speaking about the state itself, Puljić made a clear distinction between Bosnia and Herzegovina as a historical whole and its Dayton structure.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is one thing, but the Dayton state is something very complex and it is not functioning. We said that immediately after Dayton – that it would be difficult for it to function and that has proven to be true,” Puljić told Plenum on Federal Television (FTV).
He described the situation as follows:
“You put us in a straitjacket and left, and we are left inside to fend for ourselves.”
Puljić does not direct his criticism only at domestic actors, but also at the international factor.
“Too many cooks spoil the broth. Many people are tailoring things in Bosnia and Herzegovina – both the international community and local politicians. They have their own style and do not take into account how things really stand here,” Puljić is of the opinion.
However, he sees a solution in an internal organization that must guarantee equality.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina will not function normally unless conditions are created where every person and every nation is respected and valued,” he stated.
Reflecting on his participation in a gathering in Zagreb and the reactions that followed, Puljić emphasized that he was not familiar with the entire political context of the organizers.
“I knew who was inviting me, but I didn’t know everyone else standing behind it. They went completely political, and I am not a politician. I want to speak what is on my conscience – the dignity of man, human rights, and the equality of peoples,” he pointed out.
Throughout several parts of the conversation, Puljić returned to the relations between Bosniaks and Croats, which he sees as crucial.
“What saddens me most is the state of relations between Bosniaks and Croats. We must live together and respect one another in equality,” Puljić emphasized.
In that context, he particularly problematized political representation.
“When one nation elects a representative for another, it does not create a good state, but discontent,” he said, adding that the three constituent peoples are like a tripod.
“If one leg is unstable, everything collapses. Without equality, there is no peace,” he explained.
When asked about the third entity, Puljić did not take a direct political stance but saw it as a consequence of the existing system’s failure.
“I only said that it is an alternative. If a system cannot be created in which every nation elects its own representative, then another modus is sought,” Puljić said.
At the same time, he remains consistent with his earlier position:
“I am still against legalizing ethnic cleansing. But if this doesn’t work, then people seek what is possible.”
Puljić revealed “secret plans” in conversations with politicians, which he refused to speak about.
“I came across those plans and I’m sick of it all. But I will not talk about it,” he said.
He added that these are not plans of the international community, but domestic ones, though the international community is aware of them, and stated that each of the three sides has its own plans, Klix.ba writes.
