DODIK: UNIFICATION OF SRPSKA AND SERBIA HISTORIC GOAL

NEVESINJE, JULY 6 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik stated that the unification of Republika Srpska and Serbia is Serb people’s historic goal.

"Why are we not allowed saying that? Why can everyone else have their own plans, but we are not allowed to?" Dodik said during his speech at the formal gathering on Freedom Square in Nevesinje, as part of the marking the 150th anniversary of the Nevesinje Uprising against Ottoman rule. Dodik stressed that the Serb elite must unite and define national and state goals. "We need unity, undeniable leadership, and strong states. We want to build that platform together with Serbia, not with Bosniaks or Croats," Dodik said. The president of Srpska emphasized that today, Serbs have two states - Srpska and Serbia. "That is not BiH. The more time we spend in it, the more we will lose our identity," Dodik said, adding that Srpska must fight for its status. He criticized those from Sarajevo who, according to him, insist on Serbs living with them, yet constantly try to take something away from them "through false stories about BiH." He emphasized that the idea of Srpska today must belong to every citizen, which are ideas of freedom, independence, and the right to their own way of life. "We wish no harm to others- not to Bosniaks, nor to Croats - even when they show outbursts of hatred towards us," Dodik said. The residepnt of Srpska stressed that lessons must be drawn from history. "We must strongly present all our historical events through our educational programmes and reject all those who try to dictate what our textbooks and history should look like. They tell us to write something else. However, we must write only the truth," Dodik declared. He pointed out that most of the high representatives came from Germany and Austria, who, like the Austro-Hungarians, are trying to control this region. "For them, the biggest culprit is the Serb people and their struggle for freedom. Today we are fighting battles with the same enemies, conquerors, and those who want to destroy our identity -just as the rebels did 150 years ago," Dodik said.