DODIK: SRPSKA HAS NO ONE TO SECEDE FROM, I HAVE EMPHASIZED ITS INDEPENDENCE

BANJA LUKA, FEBRUARY 9 /SRNA/ - SNSD leader Milorad Dodik emphasized that Republika Srpska has no one to secede from and that in his statements, he highlighted its autonomy and independence.

"I did not say secession; I said autonomy, self-determination, independent policies, and the independence of Republika Srpska," Dodik said at a press conference. He emphasized that Republika Srpska can only be like that if the army and all the powers it received under the Dayton Agreement are returned. "If that does not happen, then it goes straight to self-determination, a referendum, and again independence. We have nothing to secede from; we are just shaking off the dead weight," Dodik explained, adding that foreigners have tried to maintain an unsustainable situation in BiH. He reiterated that Republika Srpska is not asking for anything beyond what is in the Constitution, which states that it has an army, that the border police of Republika Srpska control BiH’s external borders, and other competencies, but that BiH does not have the right to a court, intelligence service, fiscal system, or other competencies. "You will not force us to adapt to your foolish narrative," Dodik emphasized. Commenting on calls for him to be held politically accountable over the word `balije,` Dodik asked why no action was taken when Dino Konaković said the same. "I apologize to anyone who was offended. I know many good Bosniak Muslims, but here I am speaking about their politicians. If Dino Konaković calls his people `balije,` I consider that a legalized term," Dodik said. He added that they have no choice but to accelerate criminal prosecution, which, he stated, will also speed up some other processes.