US Embassy: Secession or 'disassociation' does not mean entity independence nor the end of BiH, but the end of Republika Srpska!

(Patria) - The US Embassy has issued a statement regarding yesterday's address by Milorad Dodik.

"Yesterday, Mr. Dodik announced that the Government of Republika Srpska had made an official decision to propose 'disassociation' of Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina. In other words, that means secession of RS; this is dangerous, irresponsible, anti-Dayton action that puts at risk the territorial integrity, sovereignty and multi-ethnic character of BiH.

And these are key US interests. The United States will defend and protect them, among other things, by holding accountable those who put them at risk.

Mr. Dodik and the RS Government have tried to explain this decision with a set of lies and disinformation designed to frighten the public in RS into following them down this dangerous path. The facts are simple and clear. There is no international conspiracy to abolish RS, and Dodik cannot cite a single statement by any US official calling for the abolition of RS.

BiH is not a union of two entities. As explicitly stated in the Dayton Peace Agreement and the BiH Constitution, BiH is the successor state of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The BiH Constitution does not grant the right to secession or 'disassociation' to entities or any lower administrative unit. RS can only exist within BiH. Secession or 'disassociation' of RS does not mean independence of RS nor the end of BiH, but the end of RS.
Mr. Dodik's activities jeopardise the future within Euro-Atlantic institutions that the citizens of BiH, including RS, desire. The path he proposes would ensure that the citizens of RS, their children and grandchildren do not have the peaceful, prosperous life in a democracy they deserve," the US Embassy stated.