DODIK: REPUBLIKA SRPSKA ENDURED BECAUSE IT FUNCTIONS AS STATE

PALE, MARCH 1 /SRNA/ - SNSD President Milorad Dodik has stated that Republika Srpska has survived because it lives as a state, adding that its rights have now been fully rehabilitated.

"Today we have reached a position where Republika Srpska is recognized as a place where injustice was done. Today we are discussing this at relevant venues, from Washington to Russia," Dodik said at the Assembly of the Association "Creators of Republika Srpska", which is being held in Pale. Dodik noted that Muslims have lost the propaganda over the past six months that they had used to try to discredit Republika Srpska. "I believe there will be additional relief for our position," Dodik stated. "I have no promises from US President Donald Trump or his people, but today in the United States no one is talking about the Dayton Agreement," Dodik said. He pointed out that it is important in the present time that the Constitution of BiH has never been changed. "That is the politics we pursue," Dodik said, adding that BiH is more divided than before into Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH. He emphasized that the current approach is to return to the Dayton Agreement and then continue working forward. Dodik also warned that attempts are constantly being made to impose centralization on Republika Srpska, stressing that all such pressures, including narratives about civic rights and the principle of one person–one vote, would be fatal. "Every measure toward the EU was aimed at imposing centralization and unitarization on us," Dodik said. He added that he is more concerned about conformism within Republika Srpska itself. "Some now think it might be better with Muslims. The only possible solution is to ensure that the issues of the Serb people are asserted in the proper way," Dodik said. He pointed out that February 28 should be marked, as it was on that date 34 years ago that the first Constitution of Republika Srpska was proclaimed. "I respected the fact that the leadership of the Serb people at that time knew what it was doing. We understood the time that was coming and that we were expected to be fundamental in certain matters," Dodik said. He stressed that he is proud to have been part of the group that recognized the moment and did not hesitate. "It can now be said with certainty that the positions and perseverance of the leadership at that time prevented some bad solutions," Dodik said. He also noted that March 1 is observed as a Day of Mourning in Republika Srpska. "That day is destined to keep Serbs constantly under some form of pressure," Dodik said.