DODIK: ONLY VUČIĆ CAN ENSURE CONTINUITY IN PRESERVING PEACE AND STABILITY

BELGRADE, OCTOBER 18 /SRNA/ - President Milorad Dodik said today that he believes citizens of Republika Srpska eligible to vote in Serbia will vote for the list gathered around Aleksandar Vučić, because only the continuity ensured by Vučić provides reassurance that efforts to preserve peace and stability in the region will continue.

Dodik stressed that preserving peace requires great skill, adding that the people of Republika Srpska see a threat to both Serbia and Republika Srpska. "I cannot even contemplate the possibility of another option, because there would be a border on the Drina, and Vučić's opponents say that we are dirty and evil," Dodik told TV Prva. Commenting on a banner displayed at a rally held by the Student List in Novi Pazar that stated that Srebrenica was a genocide, and on the Student List's failure to respond to a request from students from Republika Srpska to state its position on the issue, Dodik said that this would not happen, explaining that, roughly speaking, everyone shared that view. "We were established before any conflict. But the question arises as to who is teaching our children here in Serbia. Many people from Republika Srpska say they would never enrol their children at a university here if they were to be taught by professors like Jovo Bakić," Dodik said. He added that his cooperation with Vučić had been excellent and that Vučić had never imposed his views on Republika Srpska or pressured its representatives to do anything against their will, but had always told them that he would stand by them. “Vučić is one of the hardest-working and most dedicated people I know,” Dodik stressed. Dodik said that the “United Serbia” rally in Novi Sad, which he attended, was impressive and that he had seen a promising mood among those present. “I saw a mood of determination to defend Serbia against certain distorted alternatives. /Slovak Prime Minister/ Robert Fico delivered an excellent speech, and he spoke in Serbian, which was quite charming. He made important points about Vučić’s significance and the defense of Serbia and its sovereignty. Like Vučić, Fico is fighting for his country’s sovereignty, adapting his behavior to each given moment,” Dodik said.