Dodik in a commissioned interview for Vučić's newspaper: We will not attack anyone, but we will defend the RS

For the Belgrade-based Informer, a newspaper under the direct control of Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, an interview was given by the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik. From the questions and answers, it can be read that the sole aim of this interview is to continue stoking tensions in the region.

Also, via Informer, Vučić "gave Dodik a chance" to clarify how the Serbian Prime Minister became angry with him because he made statements about the referendum outside of the agreement, and to send a message that Vučić is "today the most deserving for peace and stability in the region."

Thus, Dodik warns "that, if it is true that Bakir Izetbegović boasts before Western diplomats that he has more soldiers under arms than the Serbs, then that is an open threat of war!", reports the Patria news agency.

Dodik says that Izetbegović apparently is not aware that with such threats he risks a lot, and assures that the RS will never and under no circumstances provoke a new war. At the same time, he emphasizes that the RS will defend itself with all available means in the event of a possible attack!

- First, I am not sure that Bakir has an army that could realize his plans. Second, no matter how much he lights campfires, we do not want a new war! We will not attack anyone, but let everyone be sure that we will defend the country. In that sense, it means a lot to us that Serbia, as a military power in the region, calms tensions and guarantees peace.

Is there a real danger of conflict?

- Since the RS was formed, still in peacetime, on January 9, 1992, it has been constantly threatened and contested. The Serbs, let me remind you, were the first attacked in BiH. Later, during Mesić's time, geostrategic plans emerged for Croatia to "cut through" the RS. Probably someone is still thinking about that today, but I do not believe it will happen. If the Croatian army entered our territory, that would be aggression! On the other hand, in the services in Sarajevo today, war associates of Alija Izetbegović work, the same ones who brought in mujahideen to kill Serbs. We are not naive enough to believe they have changed, and that is why we are cautious.

Are you disappointed by Serbia's decision not to interfere in the issue of the referendum in the RS?

- Not at all. The stance of not interfering in the internal affairs of the RS is correct. Vučić was only dissatisfied because we had an agreement not to comment on it before the meeting, and I carelessly gave a statement about the referendum. We have excellent and friendly cooperation. Serbia acts as a true guarantor of the Dayton Agreement. Serbia is today a guarantor of peace and stability, and Vučić is the most deserving for that.

Some claim that the referendum is an introduction to the partition of BiH?

- The decision on the referendum was made by the RS parliament, and it is not an introduction to secession, as they claim in Sarajevo. It is merely a declaration on the celebration of the Day of the RS, because we experience January 9 as a national holiday. It represents a call for peace, not conflict. There is no talk of any partition.