BUDIMIR: IF THERE IS NO DIALOGUE - SELF-DETERMINATION WILL BE THE RESPONSE

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 11 /SRNA/ - Minister of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska Željko Budimir stated today that self-determination will be Srpska's response if there is no dialogue in BiH.

Speaking at a special session of the Government of Srpska, Budimir emphasized that such a response would be aimed at respecting the letter of the Dayton Agreement and preventing the collapse of the legal system of Srpska and BiH, while creating conditions for peace, stability, and economic progress in BiH and the region.

"An analysis of the existing legal framework and established competences and relations in BiH clearly shows that the Dayton foundations have been significantly altered in many segments without the consent of the entities and constituent peoples. The current situation is not even close to what the Dayton Peace Agreement guarantees as the only basis for progress and development of BiH," Budimir said.

He stressed that Srpska and its institutions are the only ones in BiH safeguarding the rule of law and attempting to build a legal state within BiH's complex system.

According to him, in the recent period, institutions and officials of Republika Srpska have undertaken a number of activities to protect the constitutional order of BiH and prevent anti-Dayton actions.

Budimir added that warnings were repeatedly issued that unlawful and imposed decisions undermine Dayton BiH, which can only survive through strict respect of the Dayton Agreement.

He recalled that the National Assembly of Srpska had adopted a series of acts aimed at protecting the interests of Republika Srpska.

"It was demanded of the signatories of the Dayton Agreement and of the international factor to respond to the adoption of acts that dismantle Dayton and to any activity contrary to its provisions and principles, and to enable the initiation of necessary procedures that will return BiH, Srpska and the Federation of BiH into the framework envisaged by this international treaty," Budimir said.

He reiterated that the Government of Srpska was elected by the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution of Republika Srpska and represents the will of its citizens.