Glasanje je prvi, a ne posljednji korak
Tokom
posljednjih nekoliko sedmica, pokušao sam iskoristiti ovaj prostor za poticanje
dijaloga među glasačima u kojem smo imali priliku čuti šta muči građane ove
zemlje. Bez obzira da li smo imali ikakve veze s tim ili ne, drago nam je da se,
u ovim zadnjim danima pred izbore, u kafićima i frizerajima, među taksistima,
akademicima, mehaničarima, svim građanima podjednako, ozbiljno razgovara o
problemima koji su direktno povezani s njihovim životima. Čak je i Victoria Nuland, pomoćnik državnog
sekretara za Evropu i Evroaziju, danas na svom Twitter profilu objavila “Pratim sjajnu debatu o stvarnim problemima na
#izboriBiH 2014” …”. U cijelom svijetu ljudi prate situaciju čekajući da
vide šta će se ovdje dogoditi u nedjelju.
Da ne bude
zabune, iako cijeli svijet prati šta se dešava, izbor je vaš i samo vaš, ničiji
više. Duboko poštujem ljude u ovoj zemlji i ne bih ni pomislio da vam sugeriram
ko bi bio najbolji lider za BiH. Naš jedini cilj je da podstaknemo svakoga od
vas da vi izaberete – da uvažite sopstvenu odgovornost da odlučite ko će vas
zastupati u naredne četiri godine. Ako to ne učinite, ne bi trebalo da se
kasnije žalite na odluke lidera čiji prioriteti nisu isti kao vaši.
Ali, vaša
uloga ne završava u trenutku kada ovog vikenda ubacite glasački listić u
glasačku kutiju. Građani ove zemlje ne mogu otići kući, pratiti rezultate na TV
i tvrditi da su uradili sve što su mogli. Čim bude formirana nova vlada (a svi
se nadamo da će se to brzo dogoditi), počinje
vaš, ponekad težak posao pozivanja političara na odgovornost za obećanja koja
su dali—odgovornost za vidljiva, značajna poboljšanja u vašem svakodnevnom
životu. Već imate dosta sredstava koja su vam potrebna da nastavite biti
angažovani u civilnom društvu i političkom procesu. Profesionalni, nepristrasni
mediji mogu biti jedno od njih. Oni treba da budu vaši saveznici u borbi za
transparentnost i odgovornost. Nagradite ozbiljne, objektivne novinare svojim
vremenom i pažnjom.
Zatim,
pokažite podršku posvećenim, grassroot
organizacijama u ovoj zemlji koje se bore za jačanje civilnog društva i pomažu
vam da pozivate lidere na odgovornost tako što govore jednim glasom zastupajući
interese građana. One naporno rade da bi obezbijedili transparentnost koja je
očajnički potrebna i vama i svima koji žele da ova zemlja uspije. Posjetite
njihove internet stranice, saznajte više o njihovim inicijativama, i neka
politički lideri znaju da slušate ono što NVO sa kredibilitetom imaju reći.
Demokratski
proces može biti frustrirajući, ali apelujem na vas da i dalje u njemu
učestvujete da biste osigurali budućnost ove zemlje za vas i vašu djecu. Vaš
glas je od ključne važnosti, poput avansa za dugoročnu investiciju koja traži
strpljenje i stalnu pažnju, a potencijalne dividende su sigurnost, stabilnost i
ekonomski prosperitet koje svi građani ove zemlje zaslužuju. Glasanje u
nedjelju samo je prvi korak na putu ka boljoj BiH.
Napomena: Danas je blogger otpravnik poslova Ambasade SAD-a u BiH
Nicholas M. Hill
####
Voting is the First Step – Not the Last
Over the past few weeks, I have tried to use this space to
foster a dialogue among voters that echoed the concerns we hear from citizens of
this country. Whether we had anything to
do with it or not, we are glad to see it’s happening. That from the cafés to the hair salon, among
cab drivers, academics, and mechanics alike, people are having serious
conversations in these last few days before elections about issues that
directly affect their lives. Even our
Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Victoria Nuland, tweeted
today that she is “Tracking the great
debate on real issues in #izboriBiH2014…” People around the world are
watching to see what happens here on Sunday.
Make no mistake, while the world is watching, the choice is
yours and yours alone. I have the
deepest respect for the people of this country and would not presume to tell
you who is best suited to lead BiH. Our
only objective is to encourage each and every one of you to make that choice -
to honor your responsibility to decide who will represent you for the next four
years. If you don’t, you should not complain
later about decisions made by leaders who do not share your priorities.
But your role does not end when you cast your ballot this
weekend. The citizens of this country
can’t go home, watch the results on TV, and say you have done all you can. As soon as the new government is formed (and
we all hope it will be quickly,) you begin the sometimes difficult work of
holding politicians accountable for the promises they’ve made— accountable for
improving your day to day lives in measurable ways. You already have many of the tools you need
to stay engaged in civil society and the political process. Professional, unbiased media can be one of
them. They should be your allies in the
struggle for transparency and accountability.
Reward serious, objective journalism with your time and attention.
Next, show your support for the dedicated, grassroots
organizations in this country who are struggling to strengthen civil society
and make it easier for you to hold leaders accountable by speaking with a collective
voice in representing the interests of the people. They are working hard to ensure the transparency
you, and everyone else who wants to see this country succeed, desperately
needs. Visit their websites, find out
more about their initiatives, and let political leaders know you listen to what
credible NGOs have to say.
The democratic process can be frustrating, but I urge you to
remain invested in it to secure the future of this country for yourselves and your
children. Your vote is crucial as a down
payment on a long-term investment that requires your patience and constant attention,
but the potential dividends are security, stability, and the economic
prosperity all citizens of this country deserve. Voting on Sunday is just your first step down
the path to a better BiH.
Note: The blogger today
is Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Nicholas M. Hill.
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