My statement that we will have an answer even for the worst scenarios and that we were “counted”, caused a of exaggerated reactions, with “disgust” and the claim that it was a “warmongering statement”, SDA president Bakir Izetbegovic said.
There is neither the need for “outrage”, nor is the statement “warmongering”. On the contrary. The assertion that we will always be ready to do everything to preserve our own country, its security and peace, is our right and obligation. The Constitution prescribes this obligation for every citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It cannot be a threat or warmongering when we say we will defend ourselves. Incitement to war is when secession is threatened, the division of the state is threatened, the “Serbian world” is talked about on a daily basis, the borders are redrawn, when an entire nation is insulted and belittled, when we receive messages from the neighborhood every day that are very often similar to those from the 90s. years of the last century.
We are witnessing Chetnik gatherings and threats that the Drina will flow again in blood, as it did in the Second World War and during the aggression from 1992 to 1995; we also witnessed decorations for Radovan Karadzic and other convicted war criminals; we are also witnessing the arming of Serbia and the police of the RS entity, Serbia’s national security and defense strategies that include the territory of BiH, the deliberate weakening of the defense capacities of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are also witnessing that for a long time the RS MIA has been listing returnees to this entity… And it would be a long time to come could list. All this caused almost no reaction, or those reactions were very mild from those who reacted violently to my statement yesterday and today. If there were decisive reactions to the above, then I probably wouldn’t have to explain to people who are rightfully worried that we will not allow the scenario from 1992.
Bosnia and Herzegovina was exposed to aggression, and the Bosniak people to brutal slaughter that culminated in genocide, and at the same time – an arms embargo. In the demilitarized zones of Zepa and Srebrenica, where the UN guaranteed their safety, genocide was committed against Bosniaks. That is why Bosniaks, in the circumstances in which they daily witness moves and messages that threaten stability and peace, have the right to be concerned, cautious and organize the defense of their own lives, naturally within the framework of the laws and institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We must never allow ourselves to be counted again in mass graves and camps.
Bosniaks have never attacked anyone, nor will they. They didn’t even show themselves to anyone despite the terrible crimes committed against them. On the contrary, they stopped every attempt at revenge in the suffering, besieged Sarajevo. Nobody is in danger from Bosniaks.
However, the weakness and lack of awareness of the danger to which we are exposed can be the cause of new attempts to realize criminal large-state projects at the expense of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bosniaks.
Strength and readiness to defend can thwart such an attempt. Every nation and every country in the world has the right to defend itself. That right will not be denied to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bosniaks, Izetbegovic said on Facebook.