RS leader "convinced" entity will gain independence

(Tanjug, file)

RS leader "convinced" entity will gain independence

BANJA LUKA -- Serb Republic (RS) President Milorad Dodik has said that Bosnia-Herzegovina is "a framework" that is endangering the Serb entity.

"I merely do not believe in the possibility of Bosnia-Herzegovina as an independent state. The RS would not be in anyone's way as an independent state and would not be a troublemaking factor."

"The idea of the RS as a state has never been lost, it was pushed to the background a little, and now we have completely rehabilitated it and put it on the agenda," he told the Banja Luka-based Nes Radio, the daily Nezavisne Novine reported.

Dodik added that he is "convinced" the Serb entity would gain its independence, and said he would like to be the man to head that process.

"The republic, which does not have an international status of a state, which is a part of Bosnia-Herzegovina, denied by that very Bosnia-Herzegovina and some foreigners, could not do more when it comes to economic development. Our greatest success is remaining on our feet during the past eight years, despite all the challenges," he stressed.

Asked to comment on statements of his political opponents that he should "deal more with economy and development, and less with nationalism," Dodik said this was "a platitude planted by foreigners":

"That's like, don't talk about the RS and that you are a Serb, and your salary will be KM 5,000. And then you will transfer powers to the RS level. That is a topic of public imputation, that's been easily accepted. The very fact that in this time we increased the gross product by 70 percent says that we did deal with the economy," Dodik told the radio, adding that salaries and pensions in the RS...

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