GOGANOVIĆ: MESSAGES FROM AMERICA CONFIRM GROWING AWARENESS THAT BiH CAN FUNCTION ONLY THROUGH AGREEMENT AMONG ELECTED LOCAL OFFICIALS

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, JUNE 6 /SRNA/ – Messages coming from the USA indicate that, even within the international community, there is growing awareness that BiH can function only through an agreement between its two entities and three constituent peoples, with full respect for the Dayton Peace Agreement, Deputy Minister of Defence in the Council of Ministers of BiH Aleksandar Goganović told SRNA, recalling that Republika Srpska has always supported such an approach.

Goganović emphasized that Republika Srpska has for years called for political processes to be returned to local institutions and for dialogue among the legitimately elected representatives of the constituent peoples, rather than imposed solutions which have deepened the crisis and mistrust. "Consistent adherence to the letter of the Dayton Accords, rather than its spirit, which in practice has often been used as a basis for political impositions and deviation from the original Dayton principles, is proving to be the only solution for the benefit of all those living in BiH," Goganović stressed. He assessed that it is very important that the USA is speaking increasingly openly about the need for a new international approach to BiH, adding that this has been significantly aided by a strong diplomatic initiative by Republika Srpska officials, primarily Milorad Dodik, Željka Cvijanović, and Ana Trišić-Babić, who succeeded in changing perceptions of a one-sided approach to BiH promoted by various high representatives and their supporters. He added that the Dayton Peace Agreement remains the most significant achievement of American diplomacy in the Balkans. "Republika Srpska remains committed to peace, stability, and partnership relations with the USA, while maintaining the clear position that the voice of Republika Srpska and the Serb people must not only be heard, but also respected on an equal footing with the other two constituent peoples," Goganović said.