Dr. Cerić: I challenge Dodik to a duel

Milorad Dodik has once again shown no limits, persistently using the election campaign to emphasize his stance that Bosnia and Herzegovina should be divided. Let him know that will not pass, said dr. Mustafa Cerić, an independent candidate for the Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressing a rally in Gračanica on Sunday evening, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

Commenting on Dodik's latest statements that Bosnia and Herzegovina is unsustainable as a state, and that an "atmosphere of Islamic fundamentalism" looms over it, and that he is ready to help Croats in their intentions, dr. Cerić said that "he cannot even help himself."

- He would be better off focusing on the real problems in our country, not on empty, unachievable stories. Dodik should be clear that he is a Bosnian to Serbs in Belgrade and that he cannot escape that - emphasized dr. Cerić.

Dr. Cerić described the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Dodik's secessionist stories and intentions, as a battle between David and Goliath.

- Who is Goliath in Bosnia? Who is huge, stout, insolent? Who thinks the people cannot defeat him? There are several of them... One of them is named Milorad Dodik. He challenges us, humiliates us, insults us, provokes us, glorifies criminals and threatens to name streets, schools, and other institutions after war criminals, those who killed, raped, and oppressed our people... If he thinks he is Goliath, I tell him that I am David and I challenge him to a duel, with the force of argument, not the argument of force! I challenge him to a duel wherever and whenever he wants - emphasized dr. Cerić.

- To those who offer me a saber or a shield for this fight, I say thank you. I need neither a shield nor a saber. My shield is truth, justice, and my people. His shield of hatred and malice, nor his allies from Belgrade or Moscow, will not help him - said dr. Cerić.

As witnesses to this struggle and its righteousness, he invited those who have strengthened the foundations of statehood, culture, and tradition in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the centuries – Ban Kulin, King Tvrtko I Kotromanić, Mile, Ilija Garašanin, Vuk Karadžić, AVNOJ councilors, stećci, Mak Dizdar, Bobovac, Ivo Andrić, Bihać, Meša Selimović, Halid Palić, Bogić Bogićević, Jajce, Stjepan Kljujić, Izet Nanić, Jovan Divjak, Stjepan Šiber, and others.

Dodik and those like him, he added, are a result of the weakness of the current Bosniak authorities and their preoccupation with power.

- Therefore, use your heads when you vote. Don't let the same snake bite you twice from the same hole. These elections are crucial – they can take you forward, into a better future for you, your children, and your grandchildren, or into an abyss. And do not be afraid. Goliath's end has come, now, just as in the distant past. David defeated Goliath - concluded dr. Cerić.