CVIJANOVIĆ: PARLIAMENT MUST PROVE IT IS WORTHY OF CITIZENS' TRUST

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 18 /SRNA/ - The Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović said at the special session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska on the appointment of an acting president that it is crucial for the Parliament to demonstrate that it is worthy of Republika Srpska and of the trust placed in it by the people.

"Everything we are doing today, we are doing to preserve Republika Srpska," Cvijanović stated during her address to the Assembly. She emphasized that politics is about tactics - when there is a clear goal, the course can be adjusted to reach that goal. "I believe that our common goal is Republika Srpska, regardless of whether we all get along or not. We must emerge from this crisis wiser and stronger, not weaker," Cvijanović said. She pointed out that the focus should be on the future, not the past, and that hope must be given to Srpska. "Whatever needs to be annulled, we will annul - if it is for the benefit of Republika Srpska," Cvijanović underlined. She added that political winds in Sarajevo are shifting and asked rhetorically who, among relevant international actors, has recently spoken against Republika Srpska. "Has anyone in America said something against Srpska? In China? In Russia? In Hungary? We've heard certain European countries, but we will resolve those issues with them - because if they want us as partners, they must respect us," Cvijanović stressed. She noted that the selection of an acting president is a political matter that should be carried out with dignity. "/PDP parliamentary group leader Igor/ Crnadak wants to replace us in every way possible - since he cannot replace us through elections," Cvijanović remarked. She recalled that in 2005, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted a declaration outlining the entity's strategic orientation within the BiH defense system. "At that time, consent was given for the adoption of the Law on Defense, which led to the establishment of the Armed Forces and other institutions. Now the opposition wants to blame someone else for that. In that year, the SNSD was not even in power," Cvijanović reminded. She reiterated that Ana Trišić Babić, who has been proposed for the position of acting president, was a member of President Milorad Dodik's delegation whenever issues arose on the path toward EU integration. Cvijanović also said it was immoral for Crnadak to spread lies about her family, especially if he hopes to gain political points in such a manner.