Request arrives at Ministry of Defence: Dodik seeks participation of BiH Armed Forces members in January 9 parade

The Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed to Patria that a request has arrived from the Office of the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, regarding the participation of members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment (Republika Srpska) of the Armed Forces of BiH in the celebration of the unconstitutional Day of Republika Srpska on January 9 in Banja Luka, Patria reports.

-The Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina considers requests from the Office of the President of Republika Srpska in the regular decision-making procedure, bearing in mind the positive legal norms regarding such requests.

Annual activity plans of the commands of the infantry regiments of the Armed Forces of BiH with civilian authorities, non-governmental organizations and other legal and natural persons for 2017 have not yet been approved (they are in procedure), which also means that the Activity Plan of the Command of the 3rd Infantry (Republika Srpska) Regiment of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina has not been approved, we were told at the Ministry of Defence of BiH.

In accordance with the law and regulations, the decision or order for participation in a ceremony can be made or given exclusively by the Minister of Defence, Marina Pendeš, and the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of BiH, General Ante Jeleč.

If the Minister and the Chief of the Joint Staff give the green light for the participation of members of the Armed Forces of BiH in the parade in Banja Luka, it will mean that they accept the Day of Republika Srpska as a legal and official holiday, which was declared unconstitutional by a decision of the Constitutional Court of BiH. Also, if this happens, it would be the first time that members of the Armed Forces of BiH participate in this celebration.