BANJA LUKA (Bosnia-Hercegovina): A move by Bosnian Serb leaders to secede like Kosovo reflects the fragility of a country whose unity depends on the international community, observers said.

The Bosnian Serb parliament said on Friday their entity had the right to break away if a significant number of United Nations and European Union countries recognise Kosovo’s independence.

“In that case, the Republika Srpska assembly believes it has the right to launch a referendum to reconsider its statehood status,” a resolution adopted by an overwhelming majority in the parliament said.

Such a move would put into question the Dayton peace agreement which ended Bosnia’s 1992-1995 war and split the country into two semi-independent entities.

The two entities — the Muslim-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska — share weak central institutions while each has its own government, parliament and police.

Many Bosnian Serbs feel their entity should follow Kosovo’s lead and be allowed to secede from Bosnia and eventually attach itself to Serbia, which they see as their “motherland”.

Analysts estimate an overwhelming majority of the entity’s population which accounts for 31 per cent of Bosnia’s 3.8 million would opt for independence at a referendum.

Washington was the first to condemn such an initiative by Bosnian Serbs.

“Bosnia-Hercegovina is a sovereign and independent state and its territorial integrity and sovereignty are an undeniable fact,” US ambassador to Bosnia Charles English told the Oslobodjenje daily.

“The three-and-a-half-year long war was expected to provide an answer to the question if someone had a right to secede from Bosnia-Hercegovina. Dayton (peace deal) solved the issue.

“There is no right to secession.” Meanwhile, political analyst Tanja Topic warned that Bosnia is “unstable and fragile.” But she stressed the Balkan country’s “borders will be inviolable” due to the “clear position of the international community.” Other analysts share similar views, stressing the international community should, despite opposite calls by some local politicians, maintain its presence in the country.

“The international community will have to stay for a longer period of time in Bosnia,” political analyst Ivan Sijakovic said.

However, he added its role should change so that it is not perceived as a “threat, an institution imposing conditions and punishing,” but rather as an advisor.

The RS parliament resolution should be seen as a serious threat, Sijakovic said.

“It is not a matter for politicians any more, but on the contrary now the citizens are putting pressure on politicians” to consider RS’ independence, he said.

In Sarajevo, political analyst Srecko Latal welcomed more moderate views of Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, but did not hide his concerns.

“If they really proceeded with organising a referendum, that would destabilise Bosnia further because the international community would clearly not allow it,” Latal said.

“It would be a no-win situation for everyone.” For Emil Habul, another Sarajevo-based analyst, the Bosnian Serb parliament tried to “take up positions for the future.”

“RS secession is an idea that has been smouldering since 1992, but Dodik and his government understand that it is impossible to achieve,” Habul said.

“Bosnia is an international protectorate...and as long as there is a strong presence of the international community...a referendum in RS is a big political illusion,” Topic said.“It could happen within a decade or two, or maybe never,” she concluded.—AFP