America warns Dodik: We are ready to respond to anti-Dayton activities and attempts at secession!

(Patria) - The US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina issued a statement regarding the denial of genocide by officials of the RS and Serbia at yesterday's session of the RS National Assembly and a rally held in Banja Luka.

"The denial of the Srebrenica genocide by RS President Dodik and other leaders from the RS at yesterday's session of the NSRS and the rally in Banja Luka is reprehensible and irresponsible. Denial of the genocide is an insult to victims of all nationalities and causes additional pain to the families of the victims. Denial of the genocide destroys the social fabric of Bosnia and Herzegovina, threatens its stability, and is illegal under the laws of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The genocide occurred in Srebrenica in 1995. This has been confirmed on multiple occasions by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice. Nothing Mr. Dodik says or does can change the facts, not even organizing day-long events dedicated to denying the genocide and spreading disinformation about the resolution currently being considered by the UN General Assembly. That resolution is an initiative to recognize and commemorate the Srebrenica genocide in order to honor the victims. Contrary to Mr. Dodik's claims, it is not directed against any UN member state, nor does it attribute responsibility to any people. The frequent denial of the Srebrenica genocide makes this kind of international commemoration of the 1995 events even more important.

Mr. Dodik's threats to initiate the secession of the RS from Bosnia and Herzegovina and his support for unconstitutional electoral legislation in the RS are further evidence of his disregard for the Dayton Peace Agreement and his intention to undermine the state structures of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Creating a parallel electoral system would constitute unconstitutional and anti-Dayton activity and would deprive voters in the RS of the basic democratic right guaranteed by the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United States is ready to respond to these anti-democratic and anti-Dayton activities. We support the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and multi-ethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina and reject any attempt at secession," the statement said.