DODIK: BOSNIAK POLITICIANS ARE BOTHERED BY FACT THAT I HAVE PEOPLE'S SUPPORT

PRNJAVOR, JUNE 25 /SRNA/ – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik assessed that Bosniak political leaders have exhausted all available means, including the judiciary, foreign actors and other mechanisms, in attempts to remove him from politics, but that such efforts have failed because he enjoys the support of the people.

Dodik said that this support is what bothers Bosniak politicians and is the reason behind SDA leader Bakir Izetbegović's recent statement that "Dodik must be removed by some kind of force". "He tried awkwardly to defend himself by saying he was referring to the BiH Court. The Court did not use force against me - I went there voluntarily. That means he is expecting some other kind of force. I asked him whether he was threatening me, and he replied, 'God forbid'. I then asked whether I should expect his mujahideen to come after me. Again he said, 'God forbid'. I asked whether he had any answer other than 'God forbid' – yes or no? He avoided answering", Dodik said. He noted that he remains politically active and continues to enjoy public support, even though he will not be a candidate for any individual office. "Anyone who sees holding office as the main purpose of politics has a serious problem. My political path has always been one of growth. I engage in politics by never giving up on the goal, although the paths to achieving it may vary. You can hold office or not hold office", Dodik stressed. He added that critics often point to his long-standing advocacy of a referendum on Republika Srpska's independence but argued that such critics do not understand politics. "I am fully aware that a referendum cannot take place at this moment, but if we do not ask for it today, we will never achieve it. That is my view", Dodik said. He stated that he genuinely believes BiH is a failed state, divided by irreversible divisions, and that the international community has exhausted all of its military and financial leverage. "BiH is still together today, but it no longer has the critical mass necessary to survive as a country. There must be enough commitment and affection for something in order for it to endure. I do not wish anything bad on either Bosniaks or Croats. The Dayton Agreement established one unquestionable fact that cannot be changed, although Sarajevo has failed to understand it, the inter-entity boundary line. That is why they launched the debate over property", Dodik stressed. Speaking to K3 Television in Prnjavor, Dodik said it is essential to preserve Republika Srpska and that the most important task is preventing constitutional changes that would alter its position. "Have there been interventions? Yes. Did we reject them? Yes. We are acting in accordance with the Constitution", Dodik said. He stressed that he has invested enormous energy into politics and, despite facing many challenges, never felt he had the right to withdraw, because there were moments when he tempted to step away, but the people would not allow it. They continued to vote for him. "Had I invested the same energy into private business, I would have become one of the most successful businessmen in this region", Dodik said.