DODIK: WHAT IS A THREAT TO PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST CANNOT BE AN ALLY OF STABILITY IN EUROPE

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 11 /SRNA/ - The President of the SNSD Milorad Dodik pointed out that what concerns many Western countries today regarding the actions of Iranian structures around the world is not a new phenomenon for Republika Srpska, and pointed out that foreign fighters, radical ideologies, and centers of power from Iran and other countries tried to shape the situation in BiH during the past war.

"I read with great attention the joint statement of the United States, Canada, Australia, and a number of European countries about the threats and destabilizing activities associated with the actions of Iran and Iranian structures around the world," stated Dodik. He pointed out that he agrees with the assessment that any action that encourages extremism, violence, political destabilization, and endangers the security of states and nations must be recognized and stopped. Pointing to radical ideologies in the past war in BiH, Dodik emphasized that Republika Srpska does not speak about this based on assumptions, but based on its own experience. "Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of the Iranian Quds Force, personally confirmed that he stayed in BiH during the war. His mission was neither humanitarian nor diplomatic. It was part of a broader effort, organization, training, and assistance to Islamist structures that fought against the Serbs and Republika Srpska, and some of those formations are remembered for severe crimes against Serbian civilians and soldiers," stated Dodik. According to him, all the links between international Islamist networks that operated in BiH and individuals connected to Al-Qaeda have never been fully clarified either. "There are known media reports that Osama bin Laden received BiH documents during the war through its embassy in Vienna, and numerous international reports and investigations for years have pointed to the presence and activities of radical Islamist structures in the territory of BiH," Dodik pointed out. He reminded that after the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, several investigations and security analyses also pointed to certain connections of some participants and facilitators of the attacks with networks that had previously operated in BiH. Dodik points out that Republika Srpska, since its inception, has been on the front line of defense against religious fanaticism and political extremism, which has nothing in common with freedom, democracy, and the right of people to live in peace. "That is why we follow the warnings about the activities of Iranian structures around the world with special attention, because we have our own experience with the consequences of such policies," added Dodik. He stated that it is no coincidence that Sarajevo has for years been considered one of the most important strongholds of Iranian influence in this part of Europe. "Anti-Semitic outbursts toward Jewish tourists, the ban on the European Conference of Rabbis, and open campaigns against the State of Israel have shown how deeply present that influence is and how much it deviates from the European values that many declaratively swear by," points out Dodik. He emphasized that Republika Srpska, through its institutions, will support any initiative that contributes to the fight against extremism, terrorism, and ideologies of hate that threaten global peace and security. "We do not speak based on theories or assumptions, but based on the experience of a people who have faced the consequences of those policies that produce divisions, conflicts, and instability for more than three decades. That is why we believe it is time to talk about the role of Iran and its networks in the Balkans openly, responsibly, and without political calculations," stated Dodik. What is a threat to peace in the Middle East, adds Dodik, cannot be an ally of stability in Europe. The USA, Canada, Australia, and leading European NATO members yesterday accused Iran of planning attacks on members of Jewish communities and Iranian dissidents abroad. In a joint statement by the USA and 21 other Western countries, they promised to protect themselves from such activities.