show details 1:06 PM (4 hours ago)
http://www.balkanstudies.org/articles/bosnia-either-dayton-stays-or-serbs-go
Bosnia: Either Dayton Stays, or the Serbs Go
In an
<http://www.vesti-online.com/Vesti/Ex-YU/82046/Biset-RS-da-se-ne-plasi-SAD-i-EU>
interview for the Serbian-language daily Vesti (Thursday, September 16) The
Lord Byron Foundation Chairman James Bissett gave his assessment of the current
political situation in the Western Balkans, including the future of Bosnia,
Turkey's neo-Ottoman designs, and the collapse of Belgrade's misguided
diplomacy.
The Republic of Srpska [Bosnian-Serb republic] should fiercely resist the
centralization of Bosnia-Herzegovina under the Bosniak domination. It position
should be “backed up by threat of secession and a declaration of independence,”
according to political analyst James Bissett.
Bissett thinks that, while it is hard to predict what might happen in
Bosnia-Herzegovina after the election, it seems obvious that the Americans and
the EU are determined to see constitutional changes that would transform BiH
into a centralized unitary state under Muslim domination. To do so, however,
would require changing the terms of the Dayton Accords.
“This should be fiercely resisted by the RS and backed up by threat of
secession and a declaration of independence. After all if the Albanians in
Kosovo can do so why not the RS?” Bissett asks. He is the Chairman of The Lord
Byron Foundation for Balkan Studies, former Director of the World Migratiopns
Agency and the last Canadian Ambassador in the Socialist Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia.
Bissett thinks that the best solution is for Bosnia and Herzegovina is to get
rid of the "gauleiters" sent in to rule over it and to let the country manage
itself under the terms of Dayton..
Over time, he says, a modus operandi might evolve to the point where the three
sides might be able to cooperate and work together. This will not happen unless
the outside interference from the USA and the EU is stopped. “Paddy Ashdown,
George Soros, Marti Ahtissari and all of the other foreigners have their own
agenda and it does not include the welfare and future prosperity of the
inhabitants of BiH. The sooner the people of BiH realize this reality the
better,” says Bissett.
Bissett thinks that in the short term the Republika Srpska will have to rely on
its own resources with little or no help except the terms of Dayton. “The main
thing is not to be frightened by the threats of the EU or by the United States.
These two entities are in very serious decline and will become preoccupied by
their own economic and financial problems. “The last thing anyone wants to see
is another armed conflict in the Balkans and the RS should make it clear it is
Dayton or separation,” according to Bissett.
The leadership of the Republika Srpska should be lobbying hard to maintain the
status quo under the terms of Dayton and their political leaders should be
persuading Russia, Bulgaria, Romania and the countries of Central and Eastern
Europe to support their cause. It is likely, Bissett adds, that these nations
have a more realistic amd pragmatic view of the Muslim encroachment into the
Balkans.
Turkey seeking dominance in the Balkans
Bissett thinks that the question of increasing Muslim influence in the region
is an unsettling one. “Turkey obviously is pushing hard for its previous
dominant position in the Balkans. Islam’s influence in Kosovo, Albania, Sandzak
and in BiH will undoubtedly increase and it poses a threat not only to the
Republic of Srpska but to the rest of the Balkans as well.”
Normally, he says, the non - Muslim countries of the Balkans should expect
sympathy and help from both Russia and the countries of the democratic west –
including the USA – but unfortunately, with the exception of Russia, the other
countries are led by short-sighted politicians who have little sense of history
or strategic vision.
Serbia “has thrown all of its eggs in the EU basket”
One might have expected as well that Serbia could be counted upon for support
for Dayton but in light of the recent decision to abandon its allies in the
United Nations General Assembly on the issue of Kosovo independence it is
obvious that the present Government has thrown all of its eggs in the EU
basket. This was a fateful decision because - to use a biblical analogy - "What
does it profit Serbia to gain entry into the EU if it lose its soul.”
Dr. S. Trifkovic, Foreign Affairs Editor
CHRONICLES: A Magazine of American Culture
http://www.chroniclesmagazine.org/?cat=4
www.trifkovic.mysite.com
_______________________________________________
News mailing list
n...@antic.org-snn
http://lists.antic.org/mailman/listinfo/news
