The Republika Srpska is an administrative entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was established in 1995 following a three-year civil war. The conflict escalated between the Serbians, the autonomous Bosnian Muslims and the Croats. As local authorities and law enforcement were weak at the moment of the conflict, the intentional armed forces were engaged, and NATO conducted operations against the Bosnian Serbians.
"We are witnesses of the violations of law and unlawful violence carried out under the auspices of the part of the international community, especially the Western states and Turkey. Through the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and his office it affects the stability and prevents inner ethnic reconciliation after the 1992-1995 Civil War," Milorad Dodik told RIA Novosti.
The civil war ended by the Dayton ceasefire agreement signed in the United States. The incumbent government is considering prospective independence from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Earlier this year, High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Valentin Inzko, who is responsible for controlling implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, said that the referendum violates the truce, and sent a corresponding letter to the UN Security Council, saying that the Republika Srpska has no jurisdiction to solve issues on the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Western senior officials were concerned over the possibility of the referendum, with some of them, including EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, considering the precedent as a step toward the exit of the Serbs from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In turn, Dodik said that the referendum would take place even if Brussels and Washington imposed sanctions against the Republika Srpska.
