GOGANOVIĆ RESPONDS TO HELEZ: PRESIDENT DODIK HAS NO NEED TO MEET WITH YOU

EAST SARAJEVO, JULY 29 /SRNA/ – Deputy Minister of Defence in the Council of Ministers, Aleksandar Goganović, told SRNA that Zukan Helez’s arbitrary behaviour, his disregard for institutions, and the erosion of trust among members of the Armed Forces of BiH have led to him becoming the very symbol of division and the destruction of what has been built over many years.

Goganović told Helez that the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, receives all necessary information regarding the state of the defence system from Republika Srpska representatives in joint institutions, including the BiH Presidency member, the deputy minister of defence, and Serb generals of the Armed Forces.

"Therefore, President Dodik has absolutely no need to meet with you. He meets with political leaders, which you are not," Goganović told Helez, in response to Helez’s recent statement commenting on Republika Srpska president’s views.

Goganović emphasized that BiH's defence system had long been considered one of the most integrated parts of society, supported by the international community - until Helez took over the ministerial position.

"Since Helez became head of the Ministry of Defence, the system has been in a constant state of crisis. Instead of working together to strengthen capabilities and improve cooperation within the Armed Forces of BiH, Helez chose the path of conflict, exclusivity, and self-promotion, aiming to secure certain military equipment donations he intends to place in barracks located in the Federation of BiH, specifically in municipalities with an exclusively Bosniak majority," Goganović stated.

However, he added, "I would like to tell my colleague Helez that this will not do, because part of the Armed Forces system includes barracks in Republika Srpska and those located in cities with a Croat majority."

"The attempt to create a Muslim army in BiH instead of multiethnic armed forces will not do, because such a move lacks support from the Serb people, and I am convinced it also lacks support from the Croat community," emphasized the deputy minister of defense in the Council of Ministers.