DODIK: U.S. VISIT QUESTIONED AS MY MOTHER IS HOSPITALIZED

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 23 /SRNA/ – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik has stated today in Banja Luka that his planned visit to the United States may be called into question due to his mother's serious health condition.

"A very difficult situation is unfolding in my family at the moment - my mother is hospitalized at the University Clinical Center. She is in a coma. If she does not survive, I will not go to the United States," Dodik told reporters. Dodik stressed that he had been looking forward to the trip, during which he was expected to receive recognition at a university in Chicago, adding that it was unbelievable that Bosniak representatives had sought permission to stage a protest outside the institution because of his visit. "I was convicted for not respecting Christian Schmidt, a descendant of fascists who imposes his will here, and Muslims support that. Then they say, `we want to live with you`. They do, but under their conditions, and I am not for living under their conditions," Dodik said. He emphasized that everything he does is aimed at ensuring that Republika Srpska can decide for itself. "I believe in Republika Srpska, because it is the only framework in which we have freedom. If Republika Srpska disappears or its competences are significantly reduced, there will be no Serbs in this region, that is clear to me," Dodik said. Dodik added that he would like to go to Chicago and that, to those protesting his visit, he would first show three fingers.