Bosnian Serbs Armattan, State Stability at Risk

2,500 automatic rifles from Serbia will arrive at the Bosnian and Herzegovina Serb entity in March, and weeks before the planned opening of a new training centre, where Russian advisers are expected to work, writes British Guardian newspaper.

“Armmet arrives at the time when Bosnia's long-term stability is in question,” writes British newspapers, recalling that the Dayton Agreement that ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina 22 years ago has divided the country into two semi-autonomous parts, Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Serbian civil society activists Government in Sarajevo and Western diplomats believe the new armed police units will be used by Bosnian Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik to consolidate his position and intimidate opponents before the October elections.

Fearing that these police forces could be used to help Dodik's goals of achieving Serb independence, at the risk of a new war in the region.

Russia supports Dodik, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at least six times since 2014, as he views him as a dam to protect Bosnia from entering NATO.

The Guardian also writes about Dodik's ties with the Russians and that members of Serbia's <x0-nderer”, trained in Russia, have appeared on the streets of Banja Luka, Kosovo Press broadcasts.

Dodik has confirmed the purchase of weapons and said it was done to combat terrorism, and that it was completely legitimate and there is nothing to hide. The RS Anti-Terror Police Training Centre has cost $4m and will open in April at the former Zallushan site near Banja Luka. Republika Srpska Interior Minister Dragan Lukac signed a co-operation agreement with Moscow in 2015, under which Russian experts will provide training in the fight against terrorism at the centre. According to the paper, a Serbian opposition activist under anonymous conditions has indicated that Russian consultants have already arrived in the Banja Luka and Zaculhan region, and it is planned that the new local airport terminal will be used as the Russian humanitarian “ ”, similar to the one in Nis, which American authorities suspect actually represents the Russian intelligence operation centre.