Dodik: Secession of RS is not a plan of its leadership, we are not for any form of violence

(Patria) - President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik said that the secession of RS is not a plan of its leadership, but stressed that there are now 10 to 15 countries that have expressed readiness to support RS.

Dodik said that among these countries are EU members, as well as other countries of the world.

“We don’t need more than that,” Dodik said in an interview with the Croatian weekly “Nacional”.

Answering the question whether Russia is among those countries, Dodik said that the Russian Federation is currently occupied with some of its own problems and issues, but that he will ask it.

“Russia respects the territorial integrity of BiH and that is the official policy we are faced with. And how Russia will behave at the moment of a new factual situation, we have yet to see,” Dodik said.

He reiterated that RS will declare independence if Christian Schmidt imposes the law on property, because that would be a complete destruction of Republika Srpska.

“At that very moment, we will schedule a session of the National Assembly and declare the independence of Republika Srpska. What else are we to do? I am only confirming the commitment of the political and state leadership and the people of Republika Srpska that if property is touched, then the Republic is meaningless, its existence ceases. We must defend it and we will make such a decision,” Dodik said.

He reiterated that there is no plan for the secession of Republika Srpska, but that it is an option that should not be ruled out.

“So, neither Serbs, nor Croats, nor Muslims-Bosniaks, nor the international community are satisfied with BiH. Therefore, a solution must be provided, and we propose a return to the original Dayton, but that option is not being considered,” Dodik concluded.

He said that Republika Srpska is fighting, but that does not mean it should resort to any forms of violence.