RAKOVIĆ: SRPSKA'S POSITION ON SITUATION IN BiH TO BE HEARD IN NEW YORK IMPORTANT

BELGRADE, OCTOBER 8 /SRNA/ – Historian Aleksandar Raković told SRNA that it is highly significant that Russia will present Republika Srpska’s report on the situation in BiH at the end of October during the UN Security Council session, which will ensure that Srpska’s stance will be clearly heard in this UN body.

Raković says that such Russia's move is a new confirmation of the deep ties between the Serb and Russian peoples. "It is important that Republika Srpska will be represented in this way and that the Security Council member states will hear it. In the end, this will become a public document that anyone can read," Raković emphasized. Raković pointed out that one should not forget that Republika Srpska has enemies among some permanent UN Security Council member states, particularly the United Kingdom and France. "It is important that this matter reaches that forum, which will at some point bear fruit - although we cannot predict when exactly," said Raković. Speaking about the situation in Republika Srpska, Raković expressed confidence that Srpska will overcome the crisis imposed on it, particularly highlighting that all Serbs are one political nation, therefore the Srpska issue is an issue for all Serbs. "Srpska is an issue that concerns all Serbs. I am confident we will succeed. In such great battles a nation is forged. No great victories without great struggles; this is one such struggle," said Raković. Raković emphasized that Russia views Republika Srpska, Serbia, and the Serb people as friends and brothers, which is confirmed at this year's Valdai Club in Sochi, where President Vladimir Putin spoke with Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik on key issues and sent an important message to the youth of Serbia amid protests. "He paid attention to Republika Srpska, met with President Dodik, and their discussion included the topic of Republika Srpska and Dodik's proposal for a joint Russia–US commission to resolve issues in the former Yugoslavia. That alone makes it extremely important," he said. Raković added that when Putin answered his question about a "colour revolution" in Serbia, he was very clear in stating that certain Western power centres were behind the attempt to implement it. "He delivered a well-intentioned and friendly message to the Serbian youth, who were not adequately informed, nor could they have been, due to lack of experience, that they were entangled in a network acting against Serbia. That's now clear. If, for various reasons, they didn't want to believe Vučić, Putin has now made it very clear what's going on," said Raković. He considered it especially important that neither in his question to Putin nor in Putin's response was there any disqualification of the people who were or are on the streets. Instead, the situation was addressed diplomatically and factually.