The Bosniak-American Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BAACBH) would like to recognize and commemorate Bosnian Statehood Day on November 25, 2008. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has sustained its current borders for centuries, most recently as a republic of Yugoslavia, then as an internationally recognized sovereign state in 1992. It persisted through threats to its borders, as evident in the war of aggression from 1992 to 1995. As it negotiates agreements for integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures, BiH is entering the newest and most important stage in its political and economic development.
Bosnian Statehood Day expresses the historic richness of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s multi-ethnicity and stresses the importance of its unity. The sustainability of BiH is of great value to Balkan and European stability. BiH is strategically important to the international community as well and needs strong leadership and guidance from the United States of America in its democratization process. It is of vital importance that the international community and U.S. foreign policy play a key role in the formation of a new Bosnian constitution that will be focused on civic representation rather than ethno-territorial injustices.
To enhance democracy and multi-ethnicity in BiH, BAACBH is working tirelessly to educate the general public about Bosnian history, heritage and tradition. BAACBH has also initiated a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.Res 679) which urges support for the elimination of BiH’s current ethno-territorial divisions that are undermining the country’s union and democratic governance.
Proven through its history, BiH has been a country of unity and tolerance, and a safe haven for multi-ethnicity. BAACBH is dedicated to such a unified BiH.