IT IS NECESSARY TO RESTORE SRPSKA'S DAYTON POWERS

BANJA LUKA, JULY 6 /SRNA/ - The draft Declaration on the protection of the vital national interest of the Serb people in BiH, which is expected to be considered at tomorrow`s special session of the National Assembly, highlights the need to restore Republika Srpska`s Dayton powers through parliamentary procedures at the level of BiH, including the annulment of a number of decisions made by high representatives.

As stated in the draft text, this refers to decisions through which powers were transferred from Republika Srpska outside of the Constitution and laws, with the strong support of part of the international community and unitary forces in BiH. It further stresses that this ultimately implies the termination of the mandate of the Office of the High Representative /OHR/ and the High Representative, and a return to dialogue and political agreement among all relevant political actors on the future of BiH. The National Assembly of Republika Srpska emphasizes the importance of defending democratically elected institutions of Republika Srpska from all attempts to reduce or abolish their powers and transfer them to the level of a unitary BiH, contrary to the constitutions of Republika Srpska and BiH, as verified by the Dayton Peace Agreement as a treaty. The National Assembly points out the importance of preventing all attempts to deprive Republika Srpska of its property and to transfer ownership over it, as well as its use, to the level of BiH, stressing the need for stricter legal regulations and the punishment of all abuses related to this vital national issue. The protection of cultural and historical heritage, including monuments of national culture, language, script, Orthodox churches, Serbian cemeteries and similar sites, from denial, appropriation, and revision of historical facts in this area, is of particular importance. The goal should be an economically sustainable and socially stable Republika Srpska in which all its parts develop equally, in order to provide young people with equal opportunities for a normal life and a clear perspective for themselves and their families if they choose to remain in the communities where they were born and can secure stable employment. Stable economic development implies the strictest fight against crime and corruption, particularly in public enterprises and institutions, the draft Declaration states. The National Assembly calls for further deepening of cooperation with Serbia based on the Agreement on the Establishment of Special Parallel Relations in the fields of economy, culture, education, infrastructure, security, and all other sectors. "This cooperation is in no way directed against the other two constituent peoples in BiH, nor against any neighboring country, but rather contributes to peace and stability in BiH," the draft text states. It aims to further strengthen and consolidate the Serbian national identity and to ensure that Republika Srpska and Serbia remain reliable guarantors of the survival of the Serb people in these historically turbulent Balkan regions. It is stated that the adoption of the Declaration was initiated by the Association "Creators of Republika Srpska" and the Veterans` Organization of Republika Srpska. The draft decision on the adoption of the Declaration on the protection of the vital national interests of the Serb people in BiH is expected to be put before lawmakers under urgent procedure at tomorrow`s special session, scheduled to begin at 10:00.