Schmidt meets with Duraković in Banja Luka, Dodik demands he be expelled

(Patria) - High Representative Christian Schmidt today spoke with the Vice-President of Republika Srpska, Ćamil Duraković, in Banja Luka. They exchanged views on the current political situation in BiH, with a particular focus on the position of returnee communities in the RS.

"The High Representative emphasized that secessionist and authoritarian aspirations, along with negative rhetoric aimed at causing divisions, slow down progress on the path of reforms and integration, which has real consequences for all citizens of BiH. Political elites must show a real commitment to solving problems in the spirit of common priorities for the benefit of all in BiH," the OHR announced.

High Representative Christian Schmidt today met with RS Vice President Ćamil Duraković @Camil_Durakovic in Banja Luka. They exchanged views on the current political developments in #BiH, with a particular focus on the position of returnee communities in the RS.
The High… pic.twitter.com/8BOzv0jLtA

— OHR BiH (@OHR_BiH) September 4, 2024

Schmidt also visited the BiH Agency for Identification Documents, Registers, and Data Exchange (IDDEEA) this morning and expressed his support for this institution.

High Representative Christian Schmidt visited the BiH Agency for Identification Documents, Registers, and Data Exchange (IDDEEA) @IDDEEABIH and expressed his full political support to this vital state institution entrusted with overseeing the seamless personalization of… pic.twitter.com/JgF9bs8yu8

— OHR BiH (@OHR_BiH) September 4, 2024

Milorad Dodik, President of the RS, said today in Doboj that he was informed that Schmidt was in Banja Luka.

"I think the police are chasing him now to expel him, if he hasn't already been deported," Dodik said, answering a question about his arrival in Banja Luka.

"You know what kind of sycophants they are, who sneak around so no one sees them, and then when we say we will set up a checkpoint to arrest them, they say, 'Ah, you can't do that just to him.' He did it because he knew we were in Doboj now. Why didn't he come to Doboj and take a walk around here. He walks when we are not here," Dodik said.

He then added that he had no problem with Schmidt walking around Banja Luka.

"Let him walk. Banja Luka is a free city. But what is true is that he did not enter any institution. I see he met with that Bosniak vice-president there; well, they have the right to contact, I'm not saying they don't, but I will consider whether this is a blow to Republika Srpska from the Bosniak vice-president or not. Much depends on me and his work. If you work against Republika Srpska, well, master, excuse me. I'm not defending, if he went to a cafe, I'm not defending, that's okay, but in the institutions, there is a clear conclusion that he is fake and that he cannot be received in the capacity he falsely presents himself in," Dodik stated.

He said he was informed of Schmidt's arrival before the start of the SNSD Main Board session in Doboj.

"When they informed me, I said, 'Find him and throw him out,'" Dodik said.