Defense Minister compares situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina to 1990's

Reactions to the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina were swift from the Croatian government and from NATO, saying they remain firmly committed to the stability of the region and to the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.

Defense Minister Ivan Anušić also compared the situation to the early 1990's when tensions flared up into war.

"We are once again in a situation that could be even more incendiary than in the 1990's, because of the rhetoric of the Bosnian Serb leadership. And I hope it won't come to that. But if it does, we have to be ready. Because that is a country that borders Croatia, and because 350 thousand Croats live in that country," said the minister.

NATO's statement said they fully supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. "The Dayton Peace Agreement is the cornerstone of peace in this country and must be respected," said the military alliance.

"Any actions that undermine Dayton, the constitutional order, or national institutions are unacceptable. Inflammatory rhetoric and actions are dangerous. They pose a direct threat to Bosnia and Herzegovina's stability and security. But let's be clear, this is not 1992. And we will not allow a security vacuum to emerge."

On Wednesday, the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued an arrest warrant for Milorad Dodik and two other high ranking officials of the Serb-run entity for attacks on the constitutional order.

The potential regional crisis follows a state court verdict on February 26 which sentenced Dodik to one year in prison and a six-year ban on holding presidential office for defying the decisions of Bosnia's international peace overseer, the High Representative.