Dodik warns I can declare Republika Srpska independence

After Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik declared today that Republika Srpska could soon declare the secession, there was a sharp reaction from the country's Federal Interior Minister Rama Isaac.

We remember that Dodik today said Republika Srpska will declare independence if the international community's high representative, Christian Schmidt, establishes the Law on Bosnia and Herzegovina's state property.

“Milord, if High Representative Christian Schmidt imposes the Law on Bosnia and Herzegovina State Property at 5 o'clock, and you declare independence at 11:00 p.m. 11:01, you will end up behind bars. I guarantee you that. Here's”, Isaac said, followed by Klux.ba, writes Klankosova.tv.

He urged Dodik not to wait for the High Representative's decision.

“Be bold and try, but you will not succeed, or stop poisoning Bosnian society and sowing fear, hatred, division and intolerance. You will not declare anything, Milorad. Only I can declare you. And for that, guilt. Guilty of committing serious criminal acts punishable according to the provisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina Penal Code”, Minister Isaac has declared.

What did Dodik say today?

In an interview with RS entity television (RTRS), Dodik threatened that the secession or proclamation of independent Republika Srpska would follow at the same time as High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt would ultimately impose a law that resolves the status and right of the state property.

He says there is information that such a decision could follow in January and has warned that in that case the RS Assembly will meet immediately and declare the secession. He explained that this means “independence (from Bosnia and Herzegovina) in everything”, where RS will not prevent passage through its territory, that is, setting a strong “ “limit towards the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it will do so if it finds it necessary.

“We do not expect anyone from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to be encouraged to attack RS. And under such circumstances, we will evaluate how we will act. I expect EUFOR to stand on the cross-entity line and prevent” contacts, he said.

“American will be angry”

He estimated that in such a scenario “the Americans would be furious and try to seek intervention”, but believes RS friends will not allow it. He has not clarified which friends he was referring to, but it is known that Dodik at the moment except Belgrade has friends only in Moscow and Budapest, as he has good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

From January of next year, it is Hungary that takes over from Austria the command of the European Union's military forces in BiH (EUFOR), whose task is to prevent possible armed conflicts, but also guaranteeing freedom of movement through BiH, as it is an obligation stemming from the Dayton Agreement.

The high representative himself has not mentioned the possibility of establishing laws on state property and has repeatedly stressed that it is the authority's duty and responsibility in BiH. Currently, Schmidt plans to impose only technical changes to the BiH election law if the BiH parliament does not make decisions during January that would ensure the integrity of the election process.