President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, stated that Srpska demonstrated the celebration of Republic Day, January 9, in an atmosphere of gathering and calls for peace, emphasizing that there were no incidents that would have humiliated anyone.
Responding to a journalist’s question about the attacks on the professor of the Faculty of Economics in Sarajevo, Sabina Silajdžić, due to her stance on the celebration of January 9, Dodik said that he finds it awkward to comment on it, especially there, as it could be perceived as complicating matters for the professor. However, he believes that, considering what she said, “then it is what it is.”
“We don’t like and don’t think we should celebrate March 1, but we have never reacted with arrogance and hatred toward people. We thought it was their right (in the Federation of BiH) to celebrate whatever they wanted, but we also have the right to celebrate what we think should be celebrated and not have someone else determine it for us,” said Dodik in Banja Luka.
According to him, in that regard, Silajdžić is right.
“We need to be allowed to mark that,” emphasized Dodik.
He reminded us that none of the political options that represented Republika Srpska on a joint level in the Presidency or joint institutions ever celebrated March 1.
“But we did not dispute it. This is some rage and some hatred. I just call on our people to mark other days with peace and dignity. I am glad and believe that we will mark all the coming years in that way. We will celebrate our holidays, both religious and state,” Dodik emphasized.
He added that Republika Srpska showed that it does so in an atmosphere of gathering, with messages calling for peace, and there was no incident indicating any humiliation of anyone.
“I don’t understand them in the Federation. If it bothers them so much, why don’t they watch their federal television? There was no broadcast there; there was nothing of all that. If it annoys you, why watch these channels from here? Traditionally, I don’t watch any media from the Federation, so life is easier for me for that reason,” Dodik said.
Recall that Sabina Silajdžić posted a text on social media titled “Addressing ‘pro-Bosnian forces’: questioning and testimony to the truth,” where, among other things, she stated that both March 1 and January 9 are legitimate political choices.
Later, in an interview with the Federation of BiH, she said that March 1 and January 9 are “equal in her heart” and that “a unilateral decision was made for both dates.” Representatives of the Student Parliament of the University of Sarajevo then announced that they would file a complaint against Silajdžić.
Source: RTRS
