Željko Raljić: Dodik's bad policy in world media is a big slap in the face to citizens

BANJA LUKA, (Patria) – The president of the Banja Luka Centre for Free Journalism, Željko Raljić, believes that Milorad Dodik's target is not the terrorists he speaks of, but the opposition in an election year, as well as "the few remaining free media in Republika Srpska."

Unfortunately, Raljić says, Dodik's policy has provoked sharp criticism not only from the domestic but also from the international public, "which will have unforeseeable consequences for Republika Srpska and its citizens."

The British Guardian reminded on Wednesday that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Bosnian entity Republika Srpska purchased 2,500 automatic rifles, "which is worrying given Russia's influence on that part of Bosnia and Herzegovina." The same media outlet, which has exceptional influence in the world, has also written about the bad policy in this entity, which can cause instability in the entire region.

"The fact that Republika Srpska has made it onto the pages of the world's best-selling magazines due to the policy led by Milorad Dodik is a devastating fact for its citizens, but also for the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Raljić says in a comment for the Patria news agency.

"Flirting with paramilitary organizations like 'Srbska čast' and further arming members of the RS MoI sends a more than bad message to the citizens of RS, but also to everyone who does not think like Dodik and his SNSD," adds Raljić. In addition, he says, the announcement of the expansion of the US blacklist makes Dodik nervous "because he is aware that this will significantly affect the election results of his party, and target him as the main culprit for disrupting political relations within BiH."

"Hence the rattling of weapons, or as the saying goes - scaring the bear with a sieve," Raljić believes.