Chinese envoy calls for dialogue, reconciliation among ethnic groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Wednesday called on the international community to promote dialogue and reconciliation among all ethnic groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries in the region so as to achieve harmonious coexistence.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina is an important country in the Balkan. Maintaining its peace, stability and development and achieving harmonious coexistence among all the ethnic groups there are in the interest of the region and the international community at large," said Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, after a vote on the draft resolution to commemorate Srebrenica event.

The draft resolution being put to a vote said "acceptance of the tragic events at Srebrenica as genocide is a prerequisite for reconciliation" on which the disagreement is considered to exist.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday failed to adopt the resolution as Russia vetoed it. China abstained.

"The conflict that happened in Former Yugoslavia two decades ago is a dark page in history. China expresses condolences to the death of innocent civilians in Srebrenica and other areas. The international community should deeply reflect on history so as to prevent the reoccurrence of such tragedy," said Liu. "In addressing relevant questions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the international community, including the council, should bear in mind the need to maintain peace and stability in the country and the region and promote dialogue and reconciliation among all ethnic groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina and among regional countries so as to achieve harmonious coexistence. This should be the consensus of the council."

The draft resolution tabled by some countries on the commemoration of the Srebrenica event has given rise to controversy within the country and other countries in the region. Some council members have strong reservations about the draft, Liu said.

"Under such circumstances, forcing a vote on a contentious draft resolution goes against the spirit of promoting reconciliation within Bosnia and Herzegovina and among regional countries. It also affects the unity among the council members. China regrets that. As such, we have to abstain in the vote on the draft resolution," said Liu. "China has always respected the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We believe a country has the right to choose its own path of development and foreign policy."

The final result for the vote was ten in favor, one against and four abstained.

The Srebrenica event occurred when the Army of Republika Srpska killed more than 8,000 people, mostly men and boys, in the town of Srebrenica, Bosnia, over two nights beginning on July 11 1995.