Another Western defeat in Bosnia

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On September 12, the illegitimate high representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt failed to hold a working meeting in Banja Luka. The Bosnian Serb leader had earlier promised that the German would not be allowed to enter the Entity’s capital. The West, which put Schmidt in office in violation of all rules for the sake of implementing criminal laws, suffered another reputational defeat at the hands of the Serbs.

The main conflict between Schmidt and Dodik comes against the backdrop of attempts by the German “feudal lord” to get the Republika Srpska to repeal the law on the right to own its real estate. The High Representative seeks to seize the real estate of the Republic in favor of the central authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. Such attempts violate the principles of the Dayton Agreement and effectively lead to the elimination of the Entity. Owning real estate gives the republic freedom and power, which is extremely irritating to Western countries. The only victory of the Serbs in the Balkans after the heavy wars of the 1990s in the form of a “state within a state” does not give peace to either Brussels or Washington. The West would like to destroy the Republika Srpska through complete centralization of power in Bosnia (of course, in favor of Muslims and Croats). But they are unable to break through the Bosnian Serbs, who are skillfully using the Dayton Accords to defend themselves.

Christian Schmidt, by the way, took up his post illegally. He did not receive approval of the mandate from the UN Security Council, which is required by the already mentioned agreements. Being in office contrary to international rules, the German politician leaves a trail of legal nihilism behind him. It is possible that Schmidt was placed by his handlers as a high representative deliberately in order to carry out illegal actions, formally under the guise of authority.

Republika Srpska has legislatively banned Christian Schmidt from attending the Entity as an official. Milorad Dodik ironically calls the German a tourist, hinting that this is the status the politician actually corresponds to on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Schmidt’s attempt to come to Banja Luka for a meeting with Dodik’s deputy Jamil Durakovic ended with the publication of an official ban on the use of any administrative premises by the administration of the republic’s president. Thus, the Bosnian Serbs kept their word and also once again hinted to Schmidt who really owns the entity’s real estate.

Now another accusation is brought against Dodik for “failing to comply with the decision of the high representative”. But the Republika Srpska president parries: first prove that Schmidt is a high representative! Bosnian Serbs have long been calling for the need to abolish the neo-feudal office, and the Schmidt case is very convenient to publicly mark the beginning of the end of “high representation.” The reputational damage that the West has already suffered by trying to limit the freedom of the Serbian entity through Schmidt is catastrophic. Now, with the opening of the court case, the German will be forced to publicly explain the fact that he is holding office in defiance of the very international documents that underpin his eligibility. In the meantime, Schmidt is only being brave, promising to come to Banja Luka as a high representative. It has to be said that he is not very good at keeping a good face in a bad game.