Šarović: What SNSD has started cannot pass without NATO intervention, we will not follow you

BANJA LUKA, (patria) - Mirko Šarović, president of SDS, addressed the National Assembly of Republika Srpska today regarding the information about the transfer of competencies from BiH to RS, i.e., the withdrawal of consent of RS from state institutions.

“I have heard a lot about myself and the party I represent in recent days, whether we are brave or not. I have never participated in the transfer of any competencies, and my hand has never been raised for it.

We transferred all these competencies with our own hands in one period, especially from 2006 to 2011, and this was largely done by the party in power, SNSD. And it is honest to say that we did transfer these competencies, some by our will, some under pressure, some by agreement between the entities, but it is legitimate to say we regret it and want to correct it and return them. I think that is more honest than selling to the people that we are some national heroes, and we are not.

Today, you have a majority here, you have a majority in the BiH Parliament, the Council of Ministers, perhaps the opposition is not needed to such an extent today.

RS was created at the time of our greatest military and economic power when we fought and achieved freedom and equality. RS does not have those forces today, and today it is much poorer, politically divided, with disappointed veterans, with not enough friends for this undertaking you want to undertake.

It is legitimate to seek competencies that RS has lost, but the key question is whether RS has the strength to carry out this undertaking. Is RS like this, and are you who are proposing this capable, are you powerful enough to achieve this? The intention is to do this through 140 laws, but can you do it? This issue has nothing to do with patriotism, treason, or courage, but it has to do with proper attention, whether this is the moment for this process we have entered. Responsibility and reason are older than our rights and legitimacy. Only a strong RS can undertake this, and it is not today.

Whoever thinks they can leave the BiH Armed Forces, the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH system, and do so without war and NATO intervention, I think they are gravely mistaken.

The way this is being proposed directly endangers peace and plunges RS into a spiral of conflict and the possibility of war.

As a party, we will monitor and support every reasonable proposal, but that proposal must go through dialogue and agreement on the most important issues. No unilateral decisions, because that is a danger to RS that will call into question the Dayton Peace Agreement, regardless of what you say about not endangering Dayton.

We must tell the people what we are leading them into, what awaits us if we pass laws and form our own RS army, and whether we can do that without war and without NATO intervention. Will our people live peacefully, and what will be the consequences? I think this is a dangerous scenario, and I think Dayton is being endangered, and I think assessments should be made.

The path you have taken, Mr. Dodik, is dangerous and disastrous for RS. We cannot follow you,” said Šarović.