Serb leaders Tuesday condemned remarks by High Representative Valentin Inzko that compared celebrating Republika Srpska Day on January 9 with celebrating the anniversary of the creation of the fascist Independent State of Croatia (NDH) on April 10. In a press release reported by SRNA, the RS Government called Inzko’s statement “extremely malicious and shameful” and said they were “tremendously insulting for all citizens of Republika Srpska, especially the Serbs and hundreds of Serb victims of the NDH regime and their families.” The press release also said “this is not the first time the High Representative undermined the Dayton Agreement and its Annex IV with his statements and actions.”
SRNA reports Mladen Ivanic, Chairman of the BiH Presidency, said he would discontinue communication with Inzko if he fails to apologize for his comments. Ivanic said, “This is an insult not only to Serbs, Serbian Republic and all of its residents but to all people in BiH who want peace and stability and who are fed up with conflicts”
SRNA also reports BiH Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak said of Inzko’s comments, “To make any kind of comparisons between Republika Srpska and the NDH is a scandal without precedent.”
