Posted on 09/18/2006 10:59:02 AM PDT by Bokababe
KOSOVO IS SERBIA
The son of Alija Izetbegovic and vice-president of the Bosnian Party of Democratic Action Bakir Izetbegovic says the secession of Kosovo would set a dangerous precedent
BELGRADE - Bakir Izetbegovic, the vice president of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) and the son of the late leader of that party, Alija Izetbegovic, sharply opposes the secession of Kosovo from Serbia and the proclamation of the independence of the southern Serbian province. In a statement for "Kurir" Izetbegovic assessed that "it would be better if Kosovo did not secede because this would set a precedent for Europe".
"It would not be good for something like that to happen because it would lead to a series of separatisms, which would encourage secessionists in all countries, and that would not be good," believes Izetbegovic.
When asked whether his position resulted from the fear that in the event of the proclamation of an independent Kosovo the same thing would happen in Republika Srpska or whether it was based on principle, the SDA vice-president did not wish to answer directly.
"Principles exist in order to be respected and they should be adhered to. In all honesty, the Albanians in Kosovo went through all sorts of things but the principles of inviolability of territory must be respected, and that is why the problem of Kosovo should not be resolved by proclaiming independence," says Izetbegovic. He repeated his position stated two days ago on Sarajevo's OBN TV, where he said that Kosovo should remain a part of Serbia.
"Kosovo should have the status of broad autonomy but within Serbia because every re-tailoring of borders could encourage other regions to go the same way," assessed Izetbegovic.
Republika Srpska premier Milorad Dodik was the first to stir up passions on both sides of the Drina by comparing the status of Kosovo and Republika Srpska. Dodik warned that "if the independence of Kosovo should occur, it will invigorate the thoughts of people here about the same right to something like that". At the same time, Dodik rejected a referendum on the independence of Republika Srpska any time in the near future, as well as its annexation to Serbia.
"Now is not a good time for a referendum because Serbia could not support it due to its internal problems. However, when the issue of Kosovo is resolved and a few other problems, we can discuss the matter at that point," said Dodik recently. He noted that the referendum would not have to be on the independence of Republika Srpska but could involve a greater independence for it within Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Dodik also recently assessed that the possibility of annexing Republika Srpska to Serbia was "foiled earlier". He explained this position by saying that it is necessary to have "realistic policies" instead of "failed projects [like] Serbia to Karlovac or wherever". Dodik's assessments have provoked serious reactions in Europe. The London "Guardian" even went so far as to state that Dodik's call for a referendum on the independence of Republika Srpska could "launch a new war and mean the end of the Bosnian state".
Muslim pilgrim from the shadows
Even though he is formally the vice-president of the SDA, many people in Bosnia-Herzegovina consider Bakir Izetbegovic the most powerful man in the party, and in certain circles he is even considered the most influential Muslim politician in Bosnia. As well, Croatian and Bosnian media describe him as a gray presence in various developments, scandals and internal Bosnian Muslim political upheavals in the last decade. He rarely gives interviews, especially to independent media. He is an architect by profession, and was at one time the director of the Institute for Urban Construction.
(R. K.)
Bump!
Then there's Hercegovina, not just Republika Srpska.
Sure, they don't need the Albanians anymore and fear that independence for Kosovo would mean secession for RS, thus losing out on half of BiH.
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