DODIK: REST ASSURED, WE WILL PRESERVE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

CHICAGO, NOVEMBER 14 /SRNA/ - President Milorad Dodik told a gathering today at the St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville, near Chicago, that Serbs were still facing attacks aimed at undermining Christianity in the Balkans, but that Republika Srpska would certainly be preserved.

"Rest assured that we will preserve Republika Srpska with its predominantly Christian Orthodox identity," Dodik said, drawing loud applause.

He said that Muslims in Republika Srpska enjoyed freedom, while Serbs in the other part of BiH, namely the Federation of BiH, did not enjoy the same freedom.

He also pointed out that hordes of migrants were now roaming these areas and that "we are trying to remain stable."

"What are we supposed to clean up when we were not the ones who brought anyone here? The migrants set out for Western Europe, not for us, and we do not want to keep them," Dodik said.

Metropolitan Longin of the Midwestern American Diocese today presented the Order of St. Mardarije to President Dodik, expressing hope that he would wear it with honour on his Serbian chest and continue to support the Church and the Serbian people.