U.S. Embassy in Bosnia: Dodik’s Threats to Schmidt – Attack on Dayton, Constitutional Order And State of Bosnia

Michael Murphy US Ambassador to Bosnia (Photo: YTPrintscreen)

The threat of Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik, that he would prevent the high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, from entering RS territory and limit his freedom of movement is unconstitutional and represents one more deliberate attack by Dodik on the Dayton peace agreement, the constitutional order and the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina stated on Sept. 7.

“The High Representative is responsible for overseeing the implementation of civilian aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which obligates officials to cooperate with him, and he enjoys diplomatic status throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” the statement reads.

The embassy added that “Mr. Dodik’s reckless threats and ridiculous claims about the High Representative’s status and authority are unacceptable and represent yet another step down a dangerous path that he has chosen – a path of isolation.”

On Sept. 6, Dodik stated that a decree was being prepared in RS on the arrest and deportation of the high representative for Bosnia, Christian Schmidt. “If he comes to a meeting in RS, he will be thrown out,” he said.