The round table “Is Prijedor the Positive Example of Building of Understanding and Trust in Bosnia and Herzegovina?” was held in Prijedor on September 5, 2008. The organisers were the Forum of Tuzla Citizens and Association of citizens “Don” from Prijedor.

About 30 participants from the domain of politics, media, religion, and non-governmental organisations participated in the round table. Even though the round table was held at the beginning of the election campaign, the politicians dedicated some time to the round table and shared their opinions on living together in Prijedor and difficulties they meet.

The basic aim of the round table was to find the answer whether Prijedor is really a positive example in that matter. Besides general positive opinion of most of the participants (and some of them were the Mayor of Prijedor Municipality, Mr Marko Pavic; the president of the Assembly of Prijedor Municipality, Ms Azra Pasalic, MD; former Mayor of Prijedor Municipality, Mrs Nada Sevo), the opinion of several participants should be emphasised. They stated that Prijedor cannot be the best example since many Bosniaks returned to Prijedor (around 25,000, which puts Prijedor at the top of the list) due to their love towards their city, but the percentage of the returnees in the municipal departments is very low. They added that mostly Bosniaks are present at the round table, which makes them conclude that there is no wish for real dialogue and that the image of Prijedor in public is only “a cover”.

According to Mr Pavic, the Mayor, Prijedor is the positive example since most of the pre-war population returned to the town, their property was returned to them, and there is high level of security of the citizens and property.

The inspiring discussion of Imam Sudbin Music, the president of the Islamic Community in Prijedor, should be emphasised. Besides the tragedy in his personal life, he found strength, believing in basic principles of his own and other religions about peace and mutual respect among the people, to achieve a correct and good relation with his townsmen of other ethnicities.

Speaking about returnees, Imam Music and other participants emphasised that that is the problem number one in Prijedor and that the population of returnees is neglected. This statement is related to the returnees in general, with no division based on ethnicity, stating that they are all in the same situation and expressed fear that if such a trend in the society is continued, the final phase of the ethnic division of Bosnian territory could happen.

There were statements at the round table that the past war left many wounds, but that it should be understood that the dialogue cannot be based on war rhetoric. Citizens should focus on everyday life, no matter their ethnicity or political attitudes.