DODIK: REPUBLIKA SRPSKA RECOGNIZED BY U.S. ADMINISTRATION AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS

MOSCOW, JUNE 5 /SRNA/ – SNSD President Milorad Dodik stated that his primary concern is for Republika Srpska to be noticed and recognized, rather than becoming an object of pressure amid current global upheavals.

"Today, we have the respect of the US administration, the leadership of the Russian Federation, and a number of countries such as Israel, Azerbaijan and Hungary," Dodik told media outlets from Republika Srpska in St. Petersburg. Dodik also described as positive news the victory of Janez Janša in Slovenia, noting that during his previous term he had shown interest in regional issues. "I believe I will soon have an opportunity to meet with him and revive our previous agreements," Dodik said. He stressed that he wants Republika Srpska to be recognized as a constructive actor rather than the destabilizing factor that, according to him, Muslims sought to portray it as and subordinate it. "We are ready to talk with them and continue to call for dialogue. They say they will not talk with me, but they can speak with anyone in Republika Srpska who has institutional authority, Siniša Karan, Savo Minić or Željka Cvijanović. However, they refuse to talk with them as well," Dodik said. He pointed out that Bosniak political representatives are not up to the demands of politics. "After the disgraceful verdict, I did not give up. Instead, I took a firm stance that I will not give up and we will continue to fight for Republika Srpska and the Serb people," Dodik said.