CVIJANOVIĆ: I PRESENTED THINGS THEY HAD NEVER HEARD BEFORE

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 1 /SRNA/ – Serb member and Chairperson of the BiH Presidency, Željka Cvijanović, stated that during her meetings in the United States she spoke about matters that were new to them, since they had previously only heard that Republika Srpska was to blame for various issues, and that now both in the U.S. and in Europe there is a desire to learn more.

Cvijanović emphasized that the current U.S. administration’s foreign policy priorities include good cooperation with all, avoiding wars fought with weapons, building relations between countries through economic ties, and a shift away from participating in nation-building or state-making elsewhere.

"I think the time has come for everyone to tell their own story. The issues I presented in those meetings were new to them – when I explained what the High Representative is doing, they asked whether such things are really still happening," Cvijanović said.

When she answered that yes, it is still happening, she said even those who previously criticized them expressed disapproval.

"When you explain that this is a reaction to such activities, a sign of resistance to an illegal and non-Dayton obligation and phenomenon, they say, 'Is that really possible?'" she explained in an interview with Newsmax Balkans.

According to her, the essence of democracy is openness and the ability to speak freely, and she recognizes the new administration's commitment to defending democracy.

She pointed out that both in meetings and through the address by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in Dayton, it was made clear that America no longer wants to be a global policeman, nor to impose solutions – not even offer them unsolicited.

"It was emphasized that it is the obligation of domestic institutions, just like in any other country, to create their own environment and solutions, and that the U.S. will encourage serious dialogue," Cvijanović said.

"For me, those messages are clear," she added, stressing that the U.S. does not support a culture of nullifying the will of the people – which was stated explicitly.

She noted that dialogue is possible with anyone willing to engage, with a sense of responsibility and capacity to lead it.

"In Republika Srpska, every single institution and their representatives want dialogue, and that’s important to me. I would consider myself a very diminished person if I were unwilling to talk," Cvijanović said, adding that dialogue is especially necessary when there is disagreement, so that misunderstanding can lead to some form of agreement.

She emphasized that her goal is for no one to take anything away from anyone else, and for people to understand that all are equal – that BiH should make its decisions independently with all of its constitutional mechanisms.

"My goal is for BiH to be truly sovereign, not falsely so. It is not sovereign as long as a foreigner can manipulate it, pretend to be above the parliament – which he is not," Cvijanović said.

She also pointed out that the National Assembly of Republika Srpska passed laws as a countermeasure to what is being imposed, because an unelected foreigner has no right to change the Election Law, suspend the will of political parties, punish them, and do whatever he pleases.

"You cannot say that he or any other foreign individual is defending the sovereignty of the country, while its own institutions – which are supposed to behave sovereignly – are not," Cvijanović stressed.

She highlighted the importance of addressing the cause rather than just the consequence, in order to understand how things should be arranged.

"If a colleague of mine comes and says that the most important pillar for preserving the country is some unelected foreigner, I say that’s a pathetic policy. You know what the greatest guarantee for preserving a country is, that the three members are equal, that the constitution and laws are respected, that we can communicate and develop better solutions. A country that needs someone from abroad to protect it is a weak country," Cvijanović says.