KALINIĆ: UNITY ON KEY ISSUES ESSENTIAL FOR SRPSKA DEFENCE

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 23 /SRNA/ – Former Republika Srpska National Assembly Speaker Kalinić told SRNA that unity on key national issues is essential for defending Republika Srpska and its institutions, regardless of who is in power and who is in opposition.

Kalinić stated in the Republika Srpska Media System’s SRNA podcast that current political and international circumstances require solidarity among the Serb people, as not all processes concerning Republika Srpska, the region, and the broader international environment have been completed.

"It is imperative, but also a human and national necessity, that we stand together on at least the key vital issues, remain united, set aside the question of who is in power and who is in opposition, and build unity within Republika Srpska itself as the best way to defend Srpska’s integrity," Kalinić stressed.

He recalled that during the war there were also differing political views and heated debates, but that the preservation of a common goal was always taken into account.

Kalinić believes that Republika Srpska would be in a different position today, after 35 years, had such unity been maintained in the post-war period as well.

"Many internationals would then have thought twice about whether to attack us," Kalinić said.


ELECTORAL VICTORY OF STATE-BUILDING FORCES ENABLES STRENGHTENING SRPSKA'S INTERNATIONAL POSITION

Speaking about international affairs and the influence of foreign politicians in BiH, Kalinić assessed that international pressure would not cease, but that circumstances today differ from the period when high representatives made decisions with far-reaching consequences for political life in Republika Srpska.

"Fortunately, the current leadership of Republika Srpska won the elections. I describe that political option as state-building and state-preserving. Thanks to their activities and the expansion of diplomatic initiatives, we now have friends in Russia and Israel. New political opportunities are opening up in Austria and France as well. We have surprisingly good connections with the US administration," Kalinić stressed.

He assessed that all of this could contribute to a more favourable international position for Republika Srpska.


GOAL: RESTORE COMPETENCES TAKEN AWAY FROM REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

Kalinić expressed hope that the OHR would end its mandate in the foreseeable future and that any potential future role of the high representative would be limited to mediating between the two entities and the three constituent peoples.

He said that BiH needed to return to internal dialogue without impositions, blackmail, or threats, and that one of the goals should be the restoration of powers taken away from Republika Srpska.

"Our goal is to preserve Republika Srpska, defend its institutions, and, through one of the available procedural mechanisms, restore the powers that have been taken away from Republika Srpska. We need to restore the institutions that were forcibly transferred to the state-level authorities under pressure," Kalinić stated.

He emphasized that, alongside strengthening Republika Srpska politically, it is necessary to develop the economy and ensure balanced progress across all parts of Srpska.

"It is extremely important that we develop the economy, implement the investment cycle, and ensure, as far as possible, that every part of Republika Srpska develops evenly," Kalinić said, noting that this was one of the prerequisites for retaining young and educated people.


VERY DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERE IN PARLIAMENT TODAY

He assessed that the atmosphere in parliament today differs considerably from that of the first years following the Dayton Peace Agreement.

He recalled the wartime period and the rejection of the Vance–Owen Plan at a session held on Jahorina, noting that the representatives of the time, despite their political differences, took care to preserve Republika Srpska.


OPPOSITION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CERTAIN FOREIGN OFFICES

Speaking about the work of the National Assembly and the activities of opposition representatives, Kalinić assessed that they were not passive and started various initiatives, but whether they could implement them is questionable.

"They are not passive, but I would prefer their activities at the BiH level to be more focused on serving the interests of Republika Srpska, because that is more important to us. They often give in to rotten compromises with the Bosniak or Croat side and succumb to their influence. Is it possible that some foreign offices are influencing them as well? Quite possibly," Kalinić said.