Dodik praises citizens for gatherings and support, Murphy and Schmidt concerned about escalating attacks on Dayton, Sattler goes kayaking

(Patria) - Following several rallies held on entity lines to support Milorad Dodik, the President of Republika Srpska, who has been indicted for failing to implement decisions of the High Representative, Dodik himself has made a statement. He thanked everyone who attended the four rallies, which passed without incident. He again attacked High Representative Christian Schmidt.

“Schmidt lies when he talks about some administrative line; according to Dayton, it is a demarcation line and it clearly states that it is a border,” Dodik said on Friday evening.

He added that “what has begun could also be an introduction to resolving many issues,” citing the work and functioning of the judiciary in BiH.

While Dodik is encouraging the citizens of Republika Srpska to oppose the legal order of BiH because an indictment has been filed against him, US Ambassador Michael Murphy is simultaneously encouraging Schmidt to use his Bonn powers.

Murphy, along with the Chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the US House of Representatives, Congressman Michael Turner, visited High Representative Schmidt.

As stated in a post on the US Embassy's Twitter account, they discussed the escalating attacks on the Dayton Peace Agreement and the constitutional order of BiH.

“We emphasized the full support of the United States for the High Representative and his use of Bonn powers,” the statement said.

The OHR also commented on this visit, but in a slightly different tone compared to the US Embassy.

“The US is a key partner for BiH when it comes to security and stability, as well as strengthening capacities for fighting corruption and organized crime. The international community must act together in preventing the undermining of reforms and the violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement,” the OHR stated.

What is interesting is that the EU Delegation and its Head, Johann Sattler, have not commented on the gatherings on the entity line, but they have commented, for example, on kayaking on the Trebišnjica River.

Pomažemo 🇧🇦 u očuvanju njenih prirodnih ljepota i jačanju turizma!

🙏 to local cycling enthusiasts & young European ambassadors who joined me to explore the newly opened 🇪🇺-funded Trebinje-Jazina cycling route & for kayaking on Trebišnjica. #LijepaBiH #PovezaniKrozDobro 🇪🇺🇧🇦 pic.twitter.com/PprWU3Q7Lr

— Johann Sattler (@josattler) September 1, 2023