DODIK: SRPSKA MUST BE INDEPENDENT – THERE IS NO OTHER WAY

DUGA NJIVA, JUNE 22 /SRNA/ – The President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik emphasized that if Republika Srpska wants to survive in the future, it must become as autonomous as possible and ultimately an independent country, because, as he stated, there is no other way.

"All the deceptions we see surrounding BiH are aimed solely at exploiting the moment to imprison Serbs in this region," Dodik said during his address at the commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of the Corridor Breakthrough at Duga Njiva near Modriča. He stressed that politicians in Republika Srpska are being asked to accept BiH. "I do not accept BiH beyond what is written in the Constitution. The Constitution clearly defines the position of Republika Srpska. Return that position to us, and we will build our status within that framework!" the President of Srpska underlined. Dodik noted that Republika Srpska supports a constitutional BiH, but opposes the current unconstitutional version. "What BiH is today is not in the Constitution. We politicians must understand that. If we agree on this, then we agree on everything else. If not, then that part of our progressive people must fight for it," Dodik stated. He also objected to the increasing use of the term "Bosnian Serbs," saying it is unacceptable. "We are not Bosnian Serbs, we are simply Serbs. We belong to a unified, powerful Balkan nation, a historic people. We do not accept such labels placed upon us," Dodik said. According to him, BiH deserves only to be dismantled. "Now they'll say `Dodik is destroying the Constitution.` I'm not destroying anything - I'm asking for the Constitution to be upheld. Since they've already dismantled everything, there’s nothing left for me to ruin," Dodik emphasized. He also pointed out that the European concept is in crisis, that new global powers are emerging, and that the EU is facing recession and inflation. "Is it worth giving up our sovereignty for such a story? Who guarantees that the EU will even exist in five years?" Dodik asked. He further accused Europe of wanting to place the judiciary in the hands of Muslims, allowing them to pass judgments against Serbs. "The latest draft law on the court—which, unfortunately, some of our people support - includes the formation of a civil division, meaning we'd have to go to Sarajevo for boundary disputes, only to be judged by the same logic as in the old proverb: `the judge is both your accuser and your judge,`" Dodik warned. The President emphasized that a difficult and challenging period lies ahead, but that Republika Srpska is not without strength. The military operation Corridor 92 lasted from June 14 to 28 in the Posavina region and reconnected the western parts of Srpska and the Republika Srpska Krajina with the rest of Republika Srpska and Serbia. According to the Republic Center for War Research, War Crimes and Missing Persons, at least 855 soldiers of the Republika Srpska Army, 14 members of the Srpska police, and 19 members of the police and army of the Republika Srpska Krajina were killed in the operation. Over 1,500 Serb fighters were wounded. This operation, triggered directly by the death of 12 babies in a Banja Luka hospital due to a lack of oxygen, ended a 42-day land and air blockade of the western part of Republika Srpska and Republika Srpska Krajina. The commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of the Corridor Breakthrough was organized by the Government of Srpska's Committee for the Preservation of the Traditions of Liberation Wars.