Are Croats formally going to become an ethnic minority in our country? Are Miller's and similar statements an attack on the constituent position of the Croat nation in BH or are they merely taking account of the existing situation?
It is true that the number of Croats in comparison with the situation before the war has halved. According to one recently published survey, there are about 440,000 Croats in BH, or about 13 percent of total population. In the Republic of Srpska (RS) it is almost impossible to talk about Croats as a "political factor". And it is becoming increasingly clear that even in the Federation BH, the will of the Croat electorate, even 90 percent of it, is not crucial in the election of officials in the lower house of the Federation BH Parliament.
However, in the community such as Bosnia-Hercegovina is supposed to be, the size of one constituent nation should not be the measure of its rights. Ambassador Miller, supposedly a proven friend of our country, definitely knows about that.
However, perhaps Miller and his colleagues have a different vision of the bright future of Bosnia-Hercegovina, perhaps as a state based on the motto "flesh brings rights"? In that sense, it would be really sad if Miller's statement in Mostar is not an ordinary blooper, of the kind that happens to everyone from time to time. If, on the other hand, his statement actually reflects the philosophy of the international community in its approach to BH, then no one among BH Croats should be surprised with all the recent moves, starting with the changes in the mode of election of representatives in the house of nations. The campaign against the HDZ as one of nationalist parties in that context could merely provide cover. Of course, the HDZ is to a large extent responsible for the catastrophic position of Croats in BH. The responsibility is definitely born by the current as well as former politicians of that party who have defected in the meantime. But the negation of HDZ's right to today participate in the executive authorities, at the moment when it has such an overwhelming support of the electorate is nothing but the annulment of the electoral will of the Croat nation.
It may be a paradox but it is true: although the HDZ is facing a likely demise, it is today, perhaps the first time since its founding, as it has always portrayed itself - the true representative of the interests of the Croat nation in BH.
If now the HDZ, with such election results, is denied the right to legitimately represent the Croat people then tomorrow that people in BH will be represented by literally anyone and anyone will on its behalf will make decision about, for example, the constitutional order in the country.