Speaking informally with the press on Monday, outgoing Croatian President Stjepan Mesić confirmed that he was prepared to order the Croatian army to cut off the corridor in northern Bosnia should the Republika Srpska attempt a referendum on the succession from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mesić added that he did not believe that anyone would try to break up BiH
The Novi List daily ran an article on Tuesday, citing an informal conversation between Mesic and several reporters during yesterday's Christmas and New Year's reception for journalists.
The article cited Mesic as saying he would immediately order the Croatian army to cut off the corridor near Brcko if Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Milorad Dodik decides to call a referendum on secession of Republika Srpska. Such a referendum would lead to the collapse of the Dayton Agreement and disappearance of Republika Srpska, Novi List cited Mesic as saying.
"My yesterday's statement was a message that as signatories to the agreement we have certain obligations - Bosnia-Herzegovina must survive on its territory," Mesic told reporters today.
"This was an informal conversation and you know we are the guarantors of the Dayton Agreement which guarantees the survival of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Croatia cannot accept the break-up of Bosnia-Herzegovina, I don't believe anyone can afford such an adventure," Mesic said.
Asked to comment on Serbian President Boris Tadic's statement that he would not support the referendum either, Mesic said he was glad to hear that, adding however, he heard Tadic saying that he entirely supported Republika Srpska, in other words Milorad Dodik.
"Now he has to decide what he is supporting," Mesic said.
