OUTVOTING IS NOT WAY FORWARD, BUT WRONG PATH; SOC WILL PRESERVE ITS PROPERTY

BELGRADE, JULY 10 /SRNA/ - His Grace Bishop Sergije of Bihać-Petrovac said that the attempt by members of the BiH Presidency, Denis Bećirović and Željko Komšić, to impose foreign members on the Commission to Preserve National Monuments represents a departure from consensus as the only acceptable solution for all major issues in BiH, but that the Serbian Orthodox Church will preserve its property and status, never at the expense of others, nor by taking away or disputing what belongs to others.

According to him, politics, which is not only partisan and election-oriented but also deeply destructive to BiH and peace, has become heavily involved in the Commission to Preserve National Monuments as well. "Our path is the path of dialogue and agreement, and that is what we want and demand for the Commission to Preserve National Monuments as well — that domestic experts resolve common issues together through consensus," Bishop Sergije said. Bishop Sergije repeated his earlier statement that, if BiH were ever to disappear, it would be because of those who today present themselves as its protectors, which is absurd, but true, the Serbian Orthodox Church /SOC/ said in a statement. "What we do not agree on together cannot bind anyone, and what we agree on together, we will implement together. It is so simple, straightforward and acceptable, yet so difficult and unattainable in this country full of absurdities," Bishop Sergije said. Bishop Sergije asked whether it is really so difficult for people in BiH to respect one another, reach joint decisions through compromise, and finally learn that outvoting anyone is not the way forward, but a wrong path. "Is it impossible to reach joint decisions and reasonable solutions that would be good for everyone, including the Commission to Preserve National Monuments?" Bishop Sergije asked. According to the bishop, if there were willingness, above all human willingness, political solutions would be possible, but some persist in bringing in someone from outside who would supposedly work for the common good. "Even small children would not believe in such intentions, so neither can we, who have witnessed that outvoting – outvoting in a referendum - led this country onto a path to war in which thousands of innocent Serbs, Bosniaks and Croats lost their lives," Bishop Sergije emphasised. Bishop Sergije wonders whether time has taught the people of BiH anything, or whether they will once again take the wrong path of outvoting instead of making consensus the foundation that would make BiH stronger and more pleasant for all the peoples living in it. Bishop Sergije pointed out that, in BiH, the past teaches that where there is no agreement, there is conflict, and that everyone who wants peace, progress and coexistence among people must show basic respect for the other side, their views, needs and wishes. "Agreement is the key to this country’s survival, and those who swear allegiance to it, considering themselves and presenting themselves as its protectors, are doing everything to sow the seeds of discord in BiH which, unfortunately, have already been bearing abundant fruit for a long time," Bishop Sergije said. At a special session held On Tuesday, July 7, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska upheld by a two-thirds majority the statement of Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović, according to which the decision of the BiH Presidency on appointment of members of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments, adopted without consensus at a session of that joint institution, is highly detrimental to the vital interests of Republika Srpska.