Dodik: We demand that the SDA withdraw its initiative to change the name of Republika Srpska

BANJA LUKA, (Patria) - SNSD leader Milorad Dodik today gathered the presidents of parliamentary parties in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska and the Parliament of BiH to consider further steps after the announcement of the submission of the SDA initiative to the Constitutional Court of BiH regarding the change of the name of the BiH entity Republika Srpska.

The meeting was attended by SNSD Vice President Nebojša Radmanović, DNS President Marko Pavić, SP President Petar Đokić, President of the United Srpska Nenad Stevandić, DEMOS Vice President Spomenka Stevanović, NDP President Dragan Čavić, SDS President Vukota Govedarica, PDP President Branislav Borenović, as well as Obren Petrović and Boris Јerinić. The Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Radovan Višković, also attended the meeting.

Dodik said that all representatives of political parties signed a joint statement highlighting a unified stance that the SDA initiative is an attack on the Constitution and Dayton.

- We will manifest this unity on various issues we will face. The one who violates the constituent status and the status of peoples, primarily the Serbian people, is the Federation. The House of Peoples is a constitutional category, and we have never had a situation where the Club of the Serbian People in the House of Peoples was filled. At the level of the FBiH, it has never happened that the six most important functions are divided 2-2-2 among the constituent peoples. 

Dodik said he will do everything to ensure that the position of all peoples, "primarily Serbs, as well as Bosniaks and Croats, is as good as possible."

- This situation required such a clear response. We are not delving into the strategy and tactics of those who initiate such topics. This is an attempt to undermine Republika Srpska and an attempt to divert attention from that party, which cannot form a government in the FBiH. The nervousness of the proposer, i.e., Bakir Izetbegović, is evident - said Dodik.

Dodik said that the SDA needs to withdraw this initiative and never do it again so that talks can continue.

Vukota Govedarica, President of the SDS, said that when it comes to RS, everyone is ready to talk.

- We are obliged to protect the name of Republika Srpska, which is defined by the Dayton Peace Agreement. The conclusion is that we must be reasonable and responsible in all this towards RS and its people. Today we warn that the constitutional position of BiH is threatened, the Dayton Peace Agreement is threatened, the Constitution of RS is threatened, and we are ready to defend it. Today's stance and the much more down-to-earth stance of Bakir Izetbegović show that by creating a big problem, they think they can solve a small problem. They will not solve it. All our steps will depend on how the SDA behaves - said Govedarica.

Branislav Borenović, President of the PDP, said that the SDA acted unconstitutionally and anti-Dayton just one day after they said they would lower the ball, and then "lit a fire."

- They are not interested in a serious fight against corruption and crime, but in inter-ethnic tensions. The parties from RS have issued a joint statement, and we call on everyone to return to the constitutional framework. For us in the PDP, it is important that there is agreement that such parties cannot be negotiated with regarding the formation of government as long as they hold such views. A party that works against RS should not even have a Vice President of RS. In just a few hours, the SDA has caused political chaos and in this way is taking or assuming responsibility for political upheavals that may or may not suit some in this country. RS is a permanent, unquestionable constitutional category that no one may degrade, whether it is the SDA, its leader, or anyone else. What the SDA has done and what will be put ad acta means that they did not wish well for the citizens living in RS.