IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MOSCOW'S AND BEIJING'S STANCES ON SCHMIDT'S REMOVAL WILL BE HEARD IN NEW YORK

BELGRADE, OCTOBER 30 /SRNA/ - Political scientist Aleksandar Pavić told SRNA that it is highly significant that Russia, as the presiding member, will present the Republika Srpska’s report on the situation in BiH at tomorrow’s UN Security Council session, adding that the representatives of Moscow and Beijing may express their views during the debate on the need for Christian Schmidt to step down.

"Republika Srpska has shown over the decades that it is a bulwark against BiH’s entry into NATO, and President Milorad Dodik has not given up on maintaining friendship with either Russia or China. That is why Russia can stand behind Republika Srpska and represent it, even literally present its report before the Security Council. That is a major development," Pavić emphasized. He said that Russia, as the presiding member, controls the agenda, and since it is a friend of Republika Srpska, Serbia, and the Serb people, it will certainly not advocate for anything contrary to Serb interests, but rather uphold a principled position, the defense of international law and the Dayton Agreement. "At the same time, Russia is confronting the neo-colonial legacy of Dayton, which is the Office of the High Representative /OHR/, a thorn in the side not only of Republika Srpska but also of Russia itself for quite some time," Pavić pointed out. According to him, it is certain that Republika Srpska, through Russia, will present all its remarks and positions before the UN Security Council. He emphasized that it is significant that this time, unlike during previous sessions discussing BiH, there are people from U.S. President Donald Trump’s circle in the White House, and they are not fans of Christian Schmidt at all. Pavić agreed that statements from Russia and China regarding the need for Schmidt to step down can be expected tomorrow. "As for the United States, it will be up to their assessment whether they want an open disagreement between themselves and France and the United Kingdom to break out. They might smooth it over and avoid addressing it, or they might speak about it in milder terms," Pavić said. He stated that he doubts the United Kingdom and France would want to give up that instrument known as the High Representative, adding that they might agree for Schmidt to step down and be replaced by someone more acceptable to all sides, who would be appointed by the UN Security Council. "If the Americans reach such an agreement with the French and the British, then such an outcome could be expected," Pavić added. He says that the European powers are certainly not ready at this moment to give up the Office of the High Representative, but they might be willing to let Schmidt go in exchange for someone else taking the position, perhaps even with a fixed-term mandate. Pavić believes that the obstacle in the UN Security Council to seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the procedure for appointing the High Representative could be the United Kingdom and France, as they still uphold a globalist, imperialist stance, do not support Republika Srpska, but want the OHR to remain in place, to increase European influence, and to absorb BiH into NATO. But, Pavić points out, the situation is different because Washington, Brussels, and the European capitals no longer speak with one voice, and the same applies to BiH. Asked whether the UN Security Council session tomorrow could include positions on the need to abolish the OHR or for Schmidt to step down, Pavić said it is difficult to say anything with certainty, because what happens behind the scenes is not known. "Will the Americans first talk to the British and French, and if they disagree, are they willing to bring those disagreements to the Security Council or not? Much depends on that. If a consensus were reached among the Western powers, it would be much easier. But I am not sure that can happen," Pavić said. However, he believes that Russia will certainly present this demand, and most likely China as well, which also does not recognize Schmidt. He stated that much depends on behind-the-scenes agreements and talks between the U.S., Britain, and France on this issue, but it is already becoming clear that Schmidt is completely unnecessary and illegitimate. "The situation is simply accumulating, especially because Schmidt is directly responsible for this latest crisis in BiH, the removal, let’s say, of the democratically elected President of Republika Srpska. So this is not sustainable. Even if nothing happens tomorrow, it is not sustainable," Pavić emphasized. He added that it is certain Schmidt cannot remain in that position for much longer.