MINIĆ: FBiH LAWMAKERS USING SRPSKA-SERBIA ISSUE FOR ELECTION PURPOSES

ŠEKOVIĆI, SEPTEMBER 10 /SRNA/ - The Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Savo Minić has assessed in a statement today that a letter from several MPs from the Federation of BiH calling for the suspension of special parallel relations between Republika Srpska and Serbia was part of a political campaign serving their day-to-day and pre-election interests.

"This is an attempt to stir up a political campaign that suits them ahead of the elections in the Federation, because they believe it will win them votes. They have done nothing on the economic front," Minić told SRNA in response to a question, pointing to economic indicators in Republika Srpska that he said were better than those in the Federation of BiH. Republika Srpska, as he stated, had economic indicators to point to and talk about, while politicians in the Federation were talking about suspending relations with their closest neighbor, despite being led by people who glorify their fellow nationals and fire weapons during celebrations. "We should not pay attention to them as long as their statements are limited to /BiH Defense Minister Helez/Zukan Helez and similar non-important figures," Minić added. Asked about the support of the Croatian National Council of BiH for Austrian economist Gunther Fehlinger's proposal to establish 10 cantons in BiH and abolish the entities, Minić said the Federation already had 10 cantons and could divide itself as it wished, adding that Republika Srpska does not care about that and reminding that there is the Dayton Peace Accords. "Whether they are bored, whether they dislike us that much, or whether they are always looking for some excuse to escalate their hatred, it does not concern us at all. Republika Srpska has its own powers and capacities, and they can keep talking," Minić added.