"Palestinians and Bosniaks see Erdogan as their leader"

Source: Anatolia, FTV

SARAJEVO -- Bakir Izetbegović has said that he will never meet with (Serbian) Presidnt Nikolić, "if he keeps sending the message that no genocide took place in Srebrenica".

Bakir Izetbegoivić (Tanjug, file)

The chair of the Bosnian Presidency and representative of the country's Bosniaks (Muslims) in that body explained that he had canceled a meeting with Nikolić last month because the Serbian leader had stated that Bosnia-Herzegovina was "slowly dying out", and that "genocide was not perpetrated in Srebrenica".
Turkey's Anatolia agency is reporting that Izetbegović at the same time expressed his regret at "not having a chance to talk with leaders such as Boris Tadić".

Speaking for the Sarajevo-based Federal TV, he described Turks as "a calming factor in Bosnia-Herzegovina".

Asked to explain his statement that Turkish PM Recep Erdogan was "also a Bosniak leader", he once again stated that "many Muslims see Erdogan as their leader, including Palestinians and Bosniaks":

"Muslims are the Ummet, that has global problems, and they seek global leaders. One of those global leaders who can connect Muslim and secular values is without a doubt Erdogan. Muslims most certainly feel him as a man who articulates their interests, says the words the take pride in, stands behind their feelings. Many Muslims in the world think that way. For example, Palestinians, and even Bosniaks."

Izetbegović noted that his father Alija "could not have left Bosnia to Erdogan in a testament", but that he "did leave the care for Bosnia to him in a testament":

"My father also left the Americans the care for Bosnia in a testament, that is to say, for wars to not happen again in Bosnia-Herzegovina."

Izetbegović went on to say that as Serbs in Bosnia cooperate with Serbia and Croats with Croatia, "hairs are being split only when it comes to us (Bosniaks)", and continued:

"We all have some nations who stand behind us. Turks stand behind Bosnia-Herzegovina and behind Bosniaks, but in an intelligent manner. They will not support us in conflict, but they will support us in reconciliation, a renewal of the economy and inter-personal relations, in the integration processes toward the EU and NATO."

He described Turks as "now the world's no. 16 power" that can bring in capital, investments, and reconciliation, while at the same time - "asking for nothing in return".

Once they realize that, Izetbegović was confident, Serbs in the Serb Republic (RS) will change its position regarding Turks and Turkey.

Izetbegović denied that he had insisted that Bosniak parties in neighboring Montenegro should join that country's new government, and confirmed that he had met with their representatives, "because if Belgrade is gathering all Serbs, I'm free to visit Bosniaks in Montenegro".

He announced that the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) "will use all democratic means" to block the recently announced deal between the parties led by Milorad Dodik (SNSD) and Zlatko Lagumdžija (SDP), and spoke against Dodik's initiative to demilitarize Bosnia, "under the circumstances when two neighboring countries are armed".

As for his alleged involvement in criminal activities, Izetbegović said that he would withdraw from the Presidency and leave politics if accusations of his illegal activities and "public or secret business ties" were to be proved.