(23 Nov 1995) English/Nat
Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic has called for a large multinational force to be stationed in his country to ensure the successful implementation of the Dayton peace plan.
Speaking in Sarajevo on Thursday for the first time since his arrival back from the U-S, he re-emphasised the need for the international community to back up its words with military muscle.
Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic spoke of the need for a sizeable peacekeeping effort to ensure that fighting did not break out again.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We must have a force here - a respectable force, an impressive one that will deter all attempts, all eventualities of trying to destroy this peace process and the peace."
SUPER CAPTION: Haris Silajdzic, Bosnian Prime Minister.
He also said the majority of people in Serbian-controlled land wanted peace but were being coerced by the Bosnian Serb leadership.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We know for sure that the majority of the Serbian population of the occupied territories are being intimidated into co-operation with the forces of occupation. They are intimidated - they are afraid of their lives. But I'm sure once the international community shows it's real determination by sending the forces in, that will be a good signal for the population of the occupied territories to accept and co-operate with the peace process"
SUPER CAPTION: Haris Silajdzic, Bosnian Prime Minister.
According to Silajdzic, the Dayton peace deal marks the end of expansion plans by the rebel Bosnian Serbs.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Serbian nationalism will never be dead. But the negative Serbian nationalism has now been - well to a great extent defeated because the project of Greater Serbia has failed."
SUPER CAPTION: Haris Silajdzic, Bosnian Prime Minister.
The success of the plan Silajdzic and the other Balkan leaders signed will clearly depend on the international community putting its muscle behind its encouraging words.
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22 авг 2024
