DODIK: THE ONLY THING WE MUST AFFIRM IS THE SERBIAN NATIONAL IDENTITY

MRKONJIĆ GRAD, AUGUST 4 /SRNA/ - President Milorad Dodik pointed out tonight that they attacked the Republika Srpska, but did not break it; that they tried to tear it down, but did not destroy it; and that it survived despite the desire of its enemies for it to disappear.

"We must never again consent to any ideological identity; the only thing we must affirm is the Serbian national identity and the Serbian national interest," stated Dodik.

He emphasized that the Republika Srpska survived thanks to our desire, need, and character to preserve it.

"The Republika Srpska was not created out of spite or by chance. From this area, 141 uprisings were launched against the Turkish occupying forces. At the same time when Karađorđe was leading an uprising in Serbia, the Mašići Rebellion was taking place in my village. We are proud of that; it shows that we are a unique people," said Dodik.

He stated that a strong Serbia is important to the Republika Srpska, and that it is vital for President Aleksandar Vučić to continue developing and strengthening Serbia in order to defeat the constant attitude of Muslims and Croats who say they are best off when Serbia is weak.

"That is why they blame Vučić, because he has built a strong Serbia. Anyone who speaks against him is gravely mistaken to think that it can pass," Dodik pointed out at the commemoration of the Day of Remembrance for the Murdered and Exiled Serbs in Operation "Oluja" /Storm/.

The Republika Srpska, Dodik added, lives off the success of Serbia.

"I am grateful to Vučić for these three days spent with our people. I am grateful for all the help that Serbia has provided to the Republika Srpska. Thanks to Serbia's help, we have built kindergartens and highways. Vučić took it upon himself to build the bridge at Rača and did not allow the Republika Srpska to go into debt for it," said Dodik.

He noted that there used to be no bridges on the Drina River because they wanted to separate the Serbs.

"Today there are bridges, and there will be more and more, because there is no way to stop our integration. We live for the day of ever greater closeness to Serbia. We do not have much time," emphasized Dodik.

He stated that there are currently more than 40 million Muslims in the EU, and that it is only a matter of time before they take over the most important levers of power.

"Why would such an EU be our goal? The EU in BiH pursues a unitarian Bosnian-Herzegovinian policy, and we see that every day. Today there is talk of creating some kind of Bosnian-Herzegovinian cultural heritage, which does not exist. There is Serbian cultural heritage, and that is what we need to preserve," stated Dodik.

Dodik noted that the Serbian Orthodox Church has saved the Serbian identity throughout history.

"Let us gather around the Serbian Orthodox Church, around the Republika Srpska, and Serbia. That is the only thing that matters," said Dodik.

Dodik emphasized that Serbia is developing and that the Republika Srpska is not standing still.

"We have defended our political status in impossible conditions, we have enough instruments to fight for our rights, and we demand a return to the original Dayton Agreement and the annulment of the decisions of the High Representatives because they were based on lies and the distorted political will of the great powers," said Dodik.

He reiterated that Serbia and the Republika Srpska must not be weakened and that Vučić must not give up.

Dodik thanked the citizens of Mrkonjić Grad, whom he called heroes, for returning to their burned-down hearths and rebuilding their lives thanks to the help of the Republika Srpska and Serbia.