As it was found out from diplomatic sources, the United States (U.S.) could soon decide to expand the “black list”, more precisely new sanctions for individuals in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) for anti-Dayton, anti-constitutional and anti-democratic activities, as well as corruption.
Unofficially, there will be more people on the expanded U.S. list of sanctions, from all three constituent peoples, and the announcements say that there could be “important” namesamong them.
The heated political climate in BiH has been in the focus of Washington, London, and Brussels for a year now, and according to the available information, the U.S. sanctions list will be expanded as political structures in our country and close associates in public companies continue to work directly against the interests of all citizens of our country.
There are many reasons for sanctioning BiH politicians. From attempts to overthrow the state and secession planning, through crime and corruption, the announcement of a third entity, attempts to block elections and obstruct the functioning of state institutions, as well as opposition to condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Yesterday‘s statement by the U.S. Embassy can be interpreted as a sign of what is being prepared in Washington, and policies that block the work of BiH institutions, the functioning of the state,and those who want to deny basic rights to citizens for their own interests, are to blame.
Namely, on the official Twitter account of the U.S. Embassy in BiH, they announced on the occasion of the non-adoption of the law on the prevention of conflicts of interest in BiH institutions, for which the SNSD and HDZ are to blame.
“Party leaders have promised their voters that they will lead them to the European Union (EU). This is difficult to do when parties vote against reforms required by the EU, such as conflict of interest and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council(HJPC) law,” the statement said. In addition, the embassy asked who they want to enrich their voters or themselves.
Also, on Monday night, it was mentioned in the Voice of America‘s video that the HDZ leader is working in the interest of Russia and against the interests of BiH citizens because he is obstructing the holding of this year’s elections, which are scheduled for October 2nd. Also, HDZ Finance Minister Vjekoslav Bevanda was mentioned.
“The U.S. clearly opposes the current policy of Covic and HDZ BiH,” it was precisely said.
This “warning” was not enough for HDZ ministers led by Vjekoslav Bevanda, who yesterday did not support the allocation of money for this year’s General Elections.
At a recent session of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield also hinted that the U.S. government will not sit idly by while the ruling parties “harass” BiH, each in his own way. She said that Milorad Dodik’s policy was dangerous and that all should be worried about it, and she did not fail to point out the mentioning of the third entity as well as the growing corruption.
She accused all ethnic nationalist leaders, including Bosniak politicians, of wanting to stay in power through corruption and divisions.
“Everyone is responsible for facing challenges. They use divisions and fear to stay in power, to divert attention from real problems,” Thomas-Greenfield noted.
The Americans have already come out with a set of sanctions this year, when they confirmed the sanctions against Milorad Dodik, as well as Alternative Television, for undermining Dayton.
In April, Americans punished former chief prosecutor Gordana Tadic and her immediate family, former HJPC president and adviser Milorad Dodik Milan Tegeltija, and his wife Tijana, BiH House of Peoples delegate Asim Sarajlic, and former PDA president Mirsad Kukic for corruption.
The very announcement of sanctions makes BiH politicians who are not innocent “before God and the law” nervous. The clock is ticking, and the website of the U.S. Treasury Department is slowly recording an increasing number of visits from BiH, Klix.ba writes.
E.Dz.
