The decision to cancel the joint military exercise of the Armed Forces (AF) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the Serbian Army is the decision of Defense Minister Sifet Podzic, and not the BiH Ministry of Defense, stated Deputy Defense Minister Mijo Kresic.
Kresic pointed out that a complete procedure was carried out in the Ministry of Defense in order for the exercise to take place, but that, as he said, it was suddenly unilaterally canceled.
“I don’t think it should have happened in this way. Preparations were made for the exercise, it was agreed how and where it will be held, all decisions were made through the sectors of the Ministry of Defense and through the Joint Staff of the AFBiH,” stated Kresic.
Also, he emphasized that he would strive and insist that they define the date of the holding of this exercise this year as soon as possible.
As he mentioned, the decision to hold the exercise was made by the Presidency of BiH, at the time when Sefik Dzaferovic was the chairman.
The Serbian Army cannot enter BiH without the permission of official bodies
Regarding the reactions of officials from Republika Srpska (RS) that the Serbian Army will come to BiH, despite the decision to postpone the exercise, Kresic said that no armed formation from neighboring countries can enter BiH without the consent of the official BiH authorities.
“We have an obligation to hold the exercise this year at the Manjaca range. We still have time. The defense ministers recently discussed all the details and everything has been agreed. For that reason, this is a little strange to me,” Kresic said.
Bosniaks should decide on Podzic’s dismissal
“Minister Podzic comes from the ranks of the Bosniak people, and Bosniaks should decide on his dismissal,” Kresic noted, Klix.ba writes.
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