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Political crisis in Bosnia & Herzegovina
One Step Forward or Two Back
"There is no way to over-vote Serbian people",
said Miroslav Lajčak adding that he is very serious and not acting like
a cowboy wanting to change the Constitutional Law of BiH. "I also
have my personal dignity and there is no force to make me do something
I do not agree with". He mentioned that politicians from Serbia
always talk about Republika Srpska and very rarely about Bosnia and
Herzegovina
By BELMA BULJUBAŠIĆ
from Sarajevo, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
The new High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Miroslav Lajčak, became a target for officials of Republika Srpska,
Serbian entity in the state (the other one is Croatian-Muslim federation)
after new reforms were brought on October 19, for the improvement of
institutional work in BiH. "His decisions are forced and not in
favor of the Serbian nation", agreed all the political leaders
of Republika Srpska. The measures brought by the High Representative
are intended to improve the work of Bosnian government (Council of Ministers)
and that of the Presidency (three constitutional nations representatives:
Serbs, Croats, Muslims) and make it easier to achieve quote for voting
and bringing decisions during the meetings of these bodies.
 The
first measure was about change and the addition of Law on Ministery
Council of BiH and should improve the work of this institution by making
decision process easier. This is about the rule of quorum and the process
of bringing laws and decisions. Lajčak told journalists in Sarajevo
that the sessions at the Ministery Council BiH can work when the majority
of members is present. The decisions about certain issues can be brought
in by the majority of the present representatives, even with only one
representative of every nation, instead of two, like it was before.
This body will be able to work and vote even when minority of ministers
decide not to be present in session.
The second thing was ask the Collegiums of Parliament of Bosnia and
Herzegovina to adopt changes and additions (till December 1st) of Code
about the work of both Houses of Parliament. It is about three areas
- entities voting, the question of quorum for doing sessions and the
mechanism of bringing decisions in collegiums of both Houses of the
Parliament. If the deadline is not met, Lajčak said he will force these
actions himself.
Third is a call for creating a system of better coordination among the
executive and the legislative rules.
 These
decisions brought very sharp reactions and a lot of criticism from Republika
Srpska. Politicians, leaders, members of political parties', institutions
and organizations in this entity accused Lajčak's ideas because they
thought that they will threat the Serbian people and Republika Srpska
itself. The Prime Minister of Republika Srpska and the President of
political party - Association of independent social-democrats (Saveza
nezavisnih socijaldemokrata, SNSD), Milorad Dodik said these decisions
were not in favor of the Serbs at all. "We are going into riots,
not armed but democratic", said Dodik.
Many protests were announced all around Republika Srpska after proclaiming
new Lajčak reforms. The media have announced between 100 and 200 thousands
protesters. Serbian movement of non-governmental organizations of Republika
Srpska (SPONA) announced protests in every city of this entity and a
central meeting was planned in Banja Luka, where all the leaders of
parliamentary parties were invited.
These demonstrations gathered together only about 5,000
citizens, mostly retired and school children. People were carrying flags
with words "I change Bosnia for Srpska", "We want freedom
for Srpska", "Europe for Srpska" and also photos of the
Russian president Vladimir Putin could be noticed. The representatives
of SPONA said that the "Serbian people can not allow the international
community and the high representative to do what they want, covered
by democracy". Prime Minister Milorad Dodik announced his resignation
but the Board of his party SNSD refused it and asked HR Miroslav Lajčak
to check out his decisions because they thought it was against the Constitution
of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Deyton's Peace Agreement. Miroslav Lajčak
replied that everything was according to Deyton's Agreement.
 The
officials of Serbia, which is one of the states that guarantees the
implementation of Deyton's Peace Agreement, had consensus in accusing
High Representative Miroslav Lajčak for his last moves. They asked him
to check his decisions once more and to respect Deyton. Also they consider
these reforms to be against the constituency of one nation in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, against the Serbs.
"There is no way to over-vote Serbian people", said Lajčak
and added that he is very serious and not acting like a cowboy wanting
to change the Constitutional Law of BiH. "I also have my personal
dignity and there is no force to make me do something I do not agree
with", was his conclusion. He mentioned that politicians from Serbia
always talk about Republika Srpska and very rarely about Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
As oppose to their colleagues in Republika Srpska, the Constitutional
Commision of the House of Representatives in the Parliament of Federation
BiH (the other entity, Bosnians and Muslims) supported Lajčak's measures;
by their opinion measures are not against the Constitutional Law. One
of the Commission's conclusions wass that the "High Representative
in BiH has a right and a duty to interpret Constitution by his acts".
Also they think it is improving work of institutions and efficiency
of executive and law-bringing side of leadership.
The U.S.A. supported these actions, which are "about more efficient
work of institutions in Bosnia, and according to Deyton's Agreement",
said American Embassy in Sarajevo. France said they give full support
to OHR and the Secretary General of NATO, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer made
the same statement: "Decisions are absolutely according to his
rights and the Constitutional Law of BiH".
(Published: 09.11.2007.)
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