The devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria and the announcements of the departure of rescuers from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) as help to the affected areas could not pass without some vicissitudes and complications. It is clear that the objective of Republika Srpska (RS) officials is to present themselves as functional, and the Federation of BiH (FBiH) as problematic.
Since the day before yesterday, announcements can be heard that more rescue teams will travel to Turkey and Syria to help, but suddenly calls have been made to follow procedures. From the FBiH, they announced with messages that they were waiting for approvals.
The state level is also awaiting approval from the Ministry of Security headed by Nenad Nesic.
At the same time, the departure of the rescuers was announced and promptly implemented in the RS. Everything was of course arranged by Milorad Dodik, who together with the mayor of Banja Luka, Drasko Stanivukovic, escorted a group of rescuers on an Air Serbia plane.
“For Srpska, it is important that our Civil Protection be in Turkey as part of international forces and help the people there. It will be in Turkey as long as necessary, which will be assessed with the authorities of that country,” said the SNSD leader.
This example, as minor as it may seem, still illustrates how even in such situations the image of the dysfunctionality of the state is sent. Because it is important for Dodik that tomorrow he can present the story to the Turkish president that the RS came to help them, and not necessarily the state of BiH.
According to the latest information, the rescuers within the Federal Administration of Civil Protection were supposed toleave for Turkey last night.
This information was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Federal Administration of Civil Protection, Majda Kovac.
“We are planning to send a team of 42 members of the Federal Administration of Civil Protection. Part of them will leave tonight by land, and part tomorrow by air. Their team will consist of two medics and two search dogs that should be of great help,” she mentioned yesterday.
The first team left last night at 6 p.m., and the second left today at 8:30 a.m. from the Sarajevo airport.
The Council of Ministers has not yet given approval for their departure, which is why the Federal Administration of Civil Protection will start a rescue operation even without it, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
