Historically, we were denied the right to language and to call ourselves the way we want to. We were insulted and called Bosnian Serbs. We are not Bosnian Serbs, we are Serbs, Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik said, on Friday, during a Christmas reception at the ‘Kozara’ barracks.

“We keep saying that we’re not Bosnian Serbs but even the high-ranking international officials keep calling us Bosnian Serbs when they address us,” Bosnian Serb Presidency member said at a reception organised by the Sixth Infantry Brigade command of Bosnia’s Armed Forces. “Don’t insult us, because you’ll provoke a torrent of nasty responses. There are only Serbs here.” 

He added, he only wants mutual respect.  

“They expect us to call Bosniaks as Bosniaks, even though we have a number of objections to the context, history and many other things. They say they want to be called Bosniaks, and we say ok, but they keep calling us Bosnian Serbs,” Dodik noted.  

“All we want is to have our religion respected as much as we respect other religions, as well as holidays,” Serb Presidency member concluded.