Gov't in Sarajevo topples, Koštunica tells Lajčak to resign

The chairman of the Bosnian Council of Ministers has resigned, heralding the fall of the government. Nikola Spiric, the Republic of Srpska (RS) representative, has sent an official letter of resignation to members of the president’s cabinet, said Irena Kljajic from fellow presidency member Zeljko Komsic’s press department. Gov't in Sarajevo topples, Kostunica tells Lajcak to resign Kljajic said that the chairman, together with the remaining presidency members, would continue to work in a technical capacity, until the appointment of a new president and members of the Council of Ministers. Spiric said in Sarajevo that after the international community – with the exception of Russia – had stood firmly behind High Representative Miroslav Lajcak’s decision to radically alter the decision-making process within the Council, he had been left with no option other than to tender his resignation. "12 years after Dayton Bosnia is still not a sovereign country since it is ruled by foreigners. Unfortunately, Bosnian politicians are dedicated to the international community rather than to the country," Spiric said. Moreover, he added that Lajcak’s measures had significantly heightened tensions within Bosnia-Hercegovina, and that his resignation was the only way to diffuse the situation. Spiric surmised that Bosnia was a “place for global time-buying“ that was just “waiting the outcome of the Kosovo crisis.“ He had earlier labelled Lajcak’s decision as “anti-Dayton and dangerous.“ The high representative yesterday called Spiric’s views “over-emotional, irrational and irresponsible." Meanwhile, Lajcak described Spiric's decision as "within his rights, but irresponsible." "This will not calm the situation, but I expect the Council of Ministers to be fully functional in this technical mandate," he said. "The law on the Council of Ministers envisages this possibility and the citizens of Bosnia have no reason to worry," Lajcak said, adding se saw the fact Spiric resigned over measures meant to make the Council's work more efficient as a "paradox". Thursday afternoon, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica saw another opportunity to weigh in on the political crisis in the neighboring Bosnia, releasing a written statement that called on Lajcak to resign. Kostunica sees the Slovakian diplomat as "the most responsible party" in the current crisis, and adds it would be "natural than he now steps down, instead of deepening the crisis further with his measures." "Any attempt to bring down the Dayton Accord can have unforeseeable consequences, therefore the international community needs to rectify the mistakes which have led to a serious crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina," Kostunica warned. A similar public exchange took place last week, when Kostunica accused Lajcak of jeopardizing the Dayton peace agreement, while Lajcak called on Kostunica not to interfere in Bosnian affairs. As a consequence, Belgrade-based ambassadors from the most powerful western countries earlier this week officially protested Serbia's position in the Bosnian political crisis, and attempts to link that issue with the Kosovo status problem.

Gov't in Sarajevo topples, Koštunica tells Lajčak to resign

Kljajić said that the chairman, together with the remaining presidency members, would continue to work in a technical capacity, until the appointment of a new president and members of the Council of Ministers.

Špirić said in Sarajevo that after the international community – with the exception of Russia – had stood firmly behind High Representative Miroslav Lajčak’s decision to radically alter the decision-making process within the Council, he had been left with no option other than to tender his resignation.

"12 years after Dayton Bosnia is still not a sovereign country since it is ruled by foreigners. Unfortunately, Bosnian politicians are dedicated to the international community rather than to the country," Špirić said.

Moreover, he added that Lajčak’s measures had significantly heightened tensions within Bosnia-Hercegovina, and that his resignation was the only way to diffuse the situation.

Špirić surmised that Bosnia was a “place for global time-buying“ that was just “waiting the outcome of the Kosovo crisis.“

He had earlier labelled Lajčak’s decision as “anti-Dayton and dangerous.“ The high representative yesterday called Špirić’s views “over-emotional, irrational and irresponsible."

Meanwhile, Lajčak described Špirić's decision as "within his rights, but irresponsible."

"This will not calm the situation, but I expect the Council of Ministers to be fully functional in this technical mandate," he said.

"The law on the Council of Ministers envisages this possibility and the citizens of Bosnia have no reason to worry," Lajčak said, adding se saw the fact Špirić resigned over measures meant to make the Council's work more efficient as a "paradox".

Thursday afternoon, Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica saw another opportunity to weigh in on the political crisis in the neighboring Bosnia, releasing a written statement that called on Lajčak to resign.

Koštunica sees the Slovakian diplomat as "the most responsible party" in the current crisis, and adds it would be "natural than he now steps down, instead of deepening the crisis further with his measures."

"Any attempt to bring down the Dayton Accord can have unforeseeable consequences, therefore the international community needs to rectify the mistakes which have led to a serious crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina," Koštunica warned.

A similar public exchange took place last week, when Koštunica accused Lajčak of jeopardizing the Dayton peace agreement, while Lajčak called on Koštunica not to interfere in Bosnian affairs.

As a consequence, Belgrade-based ambassadors from the most powerful western countries earlier this week officially protested Serbia's position in the Bosnian political crisis, and attempts to link that issue with the Kosovo status problem.