The Decision by the National Assembly of the RS on the referendum on January 9 as the Day of RS was officially published in the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska.
Serb politicians believe that RS has the right to hold a referendum which is scheduled for September 25. The question on the referendum will be “Do you support the marking and celebration of January 9 as the Day of Republic?”.
Ambassador of the United States of America to BiH Maureen Elizabeth Cormack reacted to the decision. In a video, she said that “in the capacity of the Ambassador of the USA to BiH she clearly says that statements from the Embassy do not reflect her personal attitudes or attitudes of employees, but that they represent the policy of the US Government.
“Regarding the scheduled referendum, our attitude is: “As the OHR made it clear, organizing the referendum scheduled for September 25, which asks the question that the Constitutional Court of BiH already answered, would be contrary to the Constitution of BiH. The Constitutional Court of BiH is an integral part of the Annex 4 of the Dayton Peace Agreement and decision by this court are final and binding, and must be respected.
Respecting the principles of legitimacy by everyone in BiH is of crucial importance for the democratic process, as well as for a very important assignment of opening new workplaces and developing economy, so that the citizens of this country can live better. Without a functional legal framework and stability that it provides, it is impossible to solve economic and political challenges that this country faces. Holidays and their marking are an important part of every culture. Instead of moving on with the unconstitutional referendum, the leaders should be working on solving disagreements in the interest of all citizens. Previous funds will be spent on the referendum, and there will be no progress whatsoever.
Continuing discussions on a comprehensive state law on holidays, acceptable within the current legal framework, costs nothing, and with good will such conversation can give concrete results.
It is not in the interest of the citizens of RS that their leaders continue activities on this referendum, just as it is not in the interest of those who aim at violating the Dayton Peace Agreement or the constitutional order and who thereby represent a threat to security, stability and prosperity in BiH,” Cormack.
(Source: nap.ba/photo: avaz.ba)
