LJEPOJEVIĆ: SELF-DETERMINATION IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF PEOPLES

BELGRADE, OCTOBER 14 /SRNA/ - Milan Ljepojević's book "The Path of Self-Determination" was presented in Belgrade today, focusing on the right of peoples to self-determination and the right of Republika Srpska to decide its own future.

Ljepojević said self-determination had been turned into a taboo subject and a kind of dogma in this region, even though it was one of the fundamental rights of peoples, first exercised by the United States, which had been a British colony before becoming an independent state.

"Those in the West are trying to make us believe that we do not have the right to self-determination, but peoples do have that right because it is enshrined in UN declarations, charters and other legal instruments," Ljepojević said.

He said that in "The Path of Self-Determination" he had analyzed the Dayton Agreement in detail and had not attempted to interpret it, but instead reproduced it verbatim so that readers could see for themselves what it says.

Ljepojević said he had analyzed Republika Srpska in the same way and concluded that the transfer of numerous powers and violations of the Constitution would not have occurred without the role played by certain Serbs.

He added that the book also highlighted what he described as the positive role of some Serbs, particularly Milorad Dodik.

"When you say Dodik, the first association is Republika Srpska, and when you say Republika Srpska, the first association is Milorad Dodik. Everything that has been done during his time in power speaks for itself," Ljepojević said.

He said he dedicated the book to all of Republika Srpska, and above all to those who gave their lives for Srpska, which he described as a guarantee of freedom and a secure and prosperous future.

Mlađen Cicović, head of the Republika Srpska Representative Office in Serbia, said Ljepojević's book, devoted to the right of peoples to self-determination and Republika Srpska's right to decide its own destiny, went beyond day-to-day politics.

"Republika Srpska was created as an expression of the historical aspirations of the Serb people to live freely and secure their political and institutional existence. That is why its creation and status must be viewed on the basis of historical facts and documents, while respecting the rights and political will of its people," Cicović said.

He said the right to self-determination implied equality among peoples and the right to decide their political future, adding that these principles had to be applied consistently, without double standards or short-term political calculations.

"For Republika Srpska, this issue is inseparable from the Dayton Peace Accords and the BiH Constitution. Peace and stability can be built only on respect for what was agreed, equality of the constituent peoples and recognition of the legitimate interests of both entities," Cicović said.

Mile Bosnić, president of the Movement of Krajina Serbs, said Ljepojević's book had appeared at the right time, adding that the author had pointed out that everyone talks about the Dayton Agreement, while it seemed that only Milorad Dodik had actually read it.

"This book clarifies certain concepts so that people can understand what the Dayton Agreement is, how it was signed, what the High Representative means, how powers were taken away and how to pursue the struggle toward the ultimate goal, which is self-determination," Bosnić said.