INITIATIVE ON JOINT COMMISSION FOR THE BALKANS PROVES SRPSKA KNOWS WHAT IT WANTS

BELGRADE, OCTOBER 10 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik's initiative for Russia and the United States to form a joint commission on the Balkans proves that Srpska is not afraid, that it is active, and that it knows what it wants, political analyst Dragomir Anđelković told SRNA.

"From a moral standpoint, Dodik's initiative is entirely justified for the simple reason that the truth is on our side. If matters are assessed based on facts, it will be clear that we are not a destabilizing factor, but rather advocates of peaceful solutions and stability," said Anđelković. From a practical perspective, Anđelković says, the initiative means that Republika Srpska will not be passive and will fight for the truth. "It all depends on whether Russia and the U.S.A can agree on certain strategic parameters and mutual relations, which would provide the framework for this initiative to become operational and serve as a way for major powers to alter their approach towards the Balkans," Anđelković stated. According to him, what Dodik has proposed absolutely makes sense for the future if U.S.-Russia relations are normalized and if both powers are in a position to impose a new approach towards the Balkans based on truth and new principles. He stressed that it is important that Republika Srpska perseveres under complex circumstances, and that President Dodik is not backing down but leading an active struggle. "In such circumstances, our struggle today creates the possibility for a future turnaround when the forces represented by Donald Trump in the US or Vladimir Putin in Russia manage to overcome the Euro-Atlantic, non-national centres of power," said Anđelković. Regarding the snap presidential elections in Republika Srpska, Anđelković said that the candidate of SNSD and the ruling coalition, Siniša Karan, is continuing the policy of President Dodik, who will remain a key figure. "Support for continuity in the defence of Republika Srpska is support for one who represents an extension of what Dodik has done and keeps doing," Anđelković concluded.