DODIK: DOCUMENTATION CENTER DEDICATED TO SUFFERING OF SERBS IN SARAJEVO SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED

PALE, MARCH 16 /SRNA/ - SNSD president Milorad Dodik said that a documentation center or museum dedicated to the suffering of Serbs from Sarajevo should be established, including the exodus 30 years ago.

Speaking at a student conference in Pale, Dodik stated that the time has come for such an institution to be founded and announced that he will personally support the initiative. Dodik said it is important to preserve the memory of the suffering and struggle of Serbs from Sarajevo, but also to safeguard the truth about their role in the creation of Republika Srpska. He pointed out that the exodus of Serbs from Sarajevo was preceded by four years of war and the struggle of the Serb people in that city. "That event is one of the most heartbreaking in the recent history of the Serb people," Dodik said. Dodik stressed that it is more appropriate to speak of "Serbs from Sarajevo" rather than "Sarajevo Serbs," since Serbs significantly contributed to the construction and development of that city. He also said that, according to estimates, Serbs left behind enormous property in Sarajevo after the war, including apartments, houses, and other real estate. Dodik said that it is important to speak about these facts so that younger generations can understand the history and suffering of the Serb people. He reminded that as a member of the National Assembly, he took part in adopting key decisions, including the proclamation of Republika Srpska on January 9 and the adoption of its Constitution. Dodik emphasized that without the resistance and struggle of the Sarajevo-Romanija Corps of the Republika Srpska Army during the war, Republika Srpska probably would not exist today. He added that the residents of Istočno Sarajevo continue to demonstrate a high level of patriotism and awareness of historical events.