Brussels, 23/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 22 September, the European Union criticised a cross that appeared on Zlatiste hill overlooking Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital that is majority Muslim. In the view of the spokesperson for the EU delegation in Bosnia, Andy McGuffie, this action undermines the reconciliation and rule of law. “The EU delegation calls on the Republika Srpska authorities to act swiftly to ensure respect for the relevant legislation”, he said, calling on the Bosnian leaders and political actors to support reconciliation and respect the rule of law.
“We look to all political actors and media organisation in Bosnia-Herzegovina to exercise leadership and responsibility and ensure that their public statements and coverage do not exploit the issue to raise ethnic tensions or create fear or division”, McGuffie added.
The white cross, measuring 10 metres high and 4 metres wide, was erected by former Serbian prisoners of war to “the memory of the 6,500 Serbian victims of Sarajevo”. It was put up in an area from which Serbian forces bombarded Sarajevo during the war (1992-1995), and has created tension in the Muslim-majority city. Parliamentary elections will take place on 12 October. (CG)