NEW SRPSKA CONSTITUTION SPEAKS TO STRENGTH AND POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY

SARAJEVO, OCTOBER 15 /SRNA/ – The new Constitution of Republika Srpska reflects the strength and political responsibility of its institutions and demonstrates that Srpska has the capacity to adopt a new constitutional document that is not directed against anyone, Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac said today.

"This is our right, and no one should be concerned about why Republika Srpska is adopting a new constitution," Košarac told reporters in Sarajevo.

He reminded that the Constitution of Republika Srpska had been amended in various ways and said that a responsible political approach called for a new constitution.

Commenting on constitutional changes concerning the Council of Peoples, Košarac said the body had been established through an intervention by the High Representative and had obstructed the faster passage of certain legislative proposals because it had become politicized.

"The new constitution is modern, and we want to state that Banja Luka is the capital, which we intend to formally establish through the Constitution," Košarac stressed.

President Milorad Dodik said the plan was to proclaim the entity's new constitution on January 9. He said it would be modern, respect the constituent status of the peoples and prevent abuses in the functioning of Republika Srpska.

Dodik also said the new constitution would specify that Banja Luka is the capital of Republika Srpska and Pale its seat of government.