There are many reactions to the statements of the President of Republika Srpska (RS), Milorad Dodik, who, as a guest on the public service of this Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) entity, announced the possibility of secession, if the high representative in BiH Christian Schmidt imposes a decision on state property. While some believe that trade with the international community is involved, others see it as an additional complication of the political situation in the country.
Milorad Dodik, as a guest on one TV show, said that he has friends in the world who will prevent international military intervention in the event that RS declares secession from BiH. Dodik threatened secession if the high representative imposes a law on state property.
“It is the moment when the RS is extinguished and the RS is ready to make a decision on its independence on that day. We are determined to do it without a single shot being fired, “ stated Milorad Dodik, President of the RS.
Dodik presented a detailed secession plan, stating that the RSwill not prevent passage through its territory, that is, establish a “hard” border towards the Federation of BiH (FBiH), and that he does not expect attacks on the RS. His party colleague and until recently adviser claims the opposite.
“The RS has no plans for secession, separatism, or anything else. It has plans to protect the constitutional position of the RS, “said Ratko Kovacevic, delegate in the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.
Politicians from the FBiH consider Dodik’s statement as dangerous, unnecessary and political.
“BiH now has its own institutions that are ready to react to any danger that threatens the sovereignty of BiH, “ stated Kemal Ademovic, Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.
“Everyone interprets the dangers of decisions in their own way, it is up to us to do everything to make this country work,“ said Dragan Covic, Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.
“I think that a message has been sent to the international community in the context of the court proceedings being conducted before the court of BiH in the case of Milorad Dodik and that it is an attempt to make a certain kind of political trade with the international community,“ told Dzenan Djonlagic, delegate in the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.
The Public Relations Office of the Embassy of the United States (U.S.) announced their well-known position – that RS is an entity in the state of BiH and that neither it nor the FBiH exist outside of BiH.
“Milorad Dodik is wrong if he thinks that the U.S. will stand aside while he pushes BiH into conflict,” the U.S. Embassy in BiH announced.