Eric Nelson, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina, reacted after today's stormy speech by the Director of Civil Protection of the Republic of Srpska, Milan Novitović, during the simulation exercise "Coordination 2021". Nelson told Novitović that the exercise is very important and that many things can be learned from it that are applied in crisis situations and natural disasters.

Joint action needed

As an example, Ambassador Nelson cited the floods from 2014 or the earthquakes in Croatia in 2020 during which joint action was needed.

- It is important that we continue with the exercise. We do not see members of Parliament in this exercise. We see citizens, police officers, volunteers, members of agencies helping those affected. It is very important that everyone participates in the exercise today, from all entities and the Brčko District and organizations - that is the value of this lesson - Nelson pointed out.

The interest of my people is at stake

It should be reminded that during the briefing, Novitović asked about the (non) formation of a coordination body at the state level and pointed out his dissatisfaction because, as he says, he was the only representative of the Serbian people.

- The Coordination Body of B&H exists, it was formed by the decision of the Council of Ministers. In the objectives of the exercise you have defined that it is necessary to check the establishment of the coordinating body. What do you want to say, that at the beginning this exercise failed, because you cannot form a coordinating body. This is a simulation, the RS Emergency Situations Headquarters has been simulated. Višković is not sitting here as the president of the staff and other members of the staff - said Novitović in his presentation.

- The interest of my people is at stake, there are no representatives of my people. I feel like a constructive part of Bosnia and Herzegovina and I think I have to say it publicly every time I feel that my people are threatened. Some call it an incident, I don't see it as an incident but as solving the problem - Novitović pointed out.