STEVANDIĆ: OPPOSITION SHOULD CLARIFY ITS POSITION

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 23 /SRNA/ - The Speaker of the Republika Srpska National Assembly, Nenad Stevandić, told SRNA that he does not know how the opposition sees itself, but that someone needs to explain to them that in the Federation of BiH and the international community they are seen as an alibi for attacks on Republika Srpska and as an alternative for its surrender and capitulation.

"I understand that they see themselves differently, but history will not remember us by how we saw ourselves, but by what we did. Remaining in the National Assembly during the special session, because we did not give them an alibi to walk out, and then sitting there without voting at all… So, you are not for, not against, not even abstained, and you don’t have your own proposal. What does that mean? I would really like them to explain to us what their position is," Stevandić said. He reminded that the opposition did not want to participate in the conclusions regarding the information on the Court of BiH ruling and the decision of the Central Election Commission of BiH to terminate the mandate of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, nor in adopting the National Assembly’s position on the future activities of Republika Srpska institutions, and not even on the referendum question. "I asked if they would have their own conclusions, whether they even had a position on the matter. They did not present a position, nor did they want to draft their own conclusions. The same applied to the referendum question. We did not put it forward in advance because we sought cooperation and discussion, but they refused," Stevandić said. He said that the opposition must have a position, as they are not living in some other country observing events from afar. "Some, like /PDP leader Draško/ Stanivuković, condemned Christian Schmidt, which is correct, and said they do not recognize the ruling, that they will not take advantage of the situation to attack a wounded eagle or shoot into an empty goal. But, on the other hand, that party did not propose a single conclusion," Stevandić added. He emphasized that the defense of Republika Srpska must be free of vanity and any ambitions. "I called them brothers, and I will do it again, because I hope there are statesmanlike people in both the PDP and SDS, and that this sense of statehood will prevail over vanity and ambition. There will be more sessions and votes, and we should not spread hatred, but rather raise awareness of what awaits us if we are not united," Stevandić said. The National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted on Friday evening a decision to hold a referendum regarding the ruling of the unconstitutional Court of BiH against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and the decision of the Central Election Commission of BiH to terminate the mandate of President Dodik, setting the referendum date for October 25. The referendum question reads: "Do you accept the decisions of the unelected foreigner, Christian Schmidt, and the verdicts of the unconstitutional Court of BiH against the President of Republika Srpska, as well as the decision of the CEC to terminate the mandate of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik?"