Konaković: I applaud agency leaders for not sending police to Laktaši, Dodik is a terrorist and there is no dialogue with him

(Patria) - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen met with Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković in Sarajevo today, after which they addressed the media.

Konaković said in a brief address that such visits are important for the country's future, and referred to the current political situation and the actions of Milorad Dodik.

“Such visits are important because Russia and some other countries still have an active role in many processes. We are in the process of functionally establishing the OSCE system, we are proud that we will be part of the solution in the future so that the OSCE as a global organization can continue its work,” he said, adding:

“Today's visit is particularly important due to the turbulence we are experiencing and the attacks on the constitutional order by Dodik, Višković, and other actors. On the other hand, we should adopt several more key laws on the path to the EU. This best describes the state the country is in; on one hand, the threats called Dodik, Višković, and others, and on the other hand, the chances and opportunities we have for this country to develop its economy and provide opportunities for people in BiH.”

He also announced a visit to Finland.

“I look forward to my visit to Finland because we will have the opportunity to discuss a joint, bilateral concept there as well. BiH has a community of over 3,500 people in Finland, a valuable and well-organized community.”

Konaković is convinced that the police will do their job when it comes to Milorad Dodik.

“Here, one should listen to the police; we shouldn't be the ones to say how they should do it. I don't know why everyone thinks that the term 'dialogue' means dialogue with Dodik. Dodik is a madman and a terrorist, a man who has attacked his own people, a politician who threatens SIPA police officers, threatens citizens that he will expose and publish them. There is no dialogue with terrorists, but dialogue with normal people is something that BiH desperately needs.”

He stated that the country can be led in two ways.

“You can lead the country in two ways, one is this fan-like approach, and you can lead it as it should be. BiH is in its biggest crisis since Dayton to date. Institutions are doing their job, the Council of Ministers held a session, no process is blocked.

I applaud the agency leaders who did not send the police to arrest him in Laktaši or elsewhere. The RS Ministry of Internal Affairs is there, and it is not worth the potential bloody conflict that could occur due to the arrest of a criminal, which is why I applaud the leaders for their rational thinking. Dodik plans whether he will go to Israel, how he will pass airport checks, and how he will return and sneak around. This is how their life in BiH will look in the coming weeks until police agencies intercept them somewhere. People have reason for concern, but not for fear.”

He also referred to Dodik's announcements about establishing a border police force.

“Dodik said yesterday that he will establish a border police force, that he will decide which trucks enter and exit, and that he will quickly resolve that with Brussels. What is Dodik actually telling the people who follow him, and does anyone believe that this is a possible scenario? We should not fear his insane statements, but the people working with him should tell him that he has completely lost his mind.”