NEBENZYA: REPUBLIKA SRPSKA FIRMLY DEFENDS THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT

NEW YORK, 30 OCTOBER /SRNA/ – Western countries created problems in BiH and are now trying to blame Republika Srpska, which has made determined efforts to defend the Dayton Peace Agreement, which guarantees the country's decentralised foundations, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said.

"Banja Luka has repeatedly put forward reasonable initiatives for dialogue within BiH, but Sarajevo has rejected them under the influence of Western countries," Nebenzya said at a UN Security Council session during a debate on BiH.

He pointed out that the Office of the High Representative /OHR/ is being shamefully used in BiH as an instrument for interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign country and for controlling its legislation, judiciary, law enforcement agencies and electoral institutions.

"This creates obstacles to inter-ethnic reconciliation," Nebenzya stressed.

He said that Western countries, driven by their own interests, are manipulating the situation, attempting to create a framework and justifications for maintaining external control over governance in BiH.

"Attempts to portray First Deputy High Representative Louis Crishock as the so-called Acting High Representative have no legal basis whatsoever. Only a legitimate High Representative whose candidacy has been confirmed by the UN Security Council can hold such authority," Nebenzya emphasised.

He pointed out that BiH continued to face chronic, systemic contradictions, and that the inter-ethnic relations issue remained acute.

"Therefore, the Security Council cannot withdraw from the process of resolving the problems in BiH. We call on the parties in BiH to form governments at all levels without delay," the Russian Ambassador said.

Nebenzya stated that "the political leadership in BiH will address the problems inherited from the so-called High Representative /Christian/ Schmidt".

He said that Russia supported the extension of the mandate of Operation Althea for another year, strictly in accordance with the agreed parameters.

"Althea should play a stabilising role and help preserve peace and stability in BiH," Nebenzya said.