CVIJANOVIĆ: SRPSKA IS SACRED, WE MUST NOT FORGET OUR BRAVE SOLDIERS

ISTOČNA ILIDŽA, AUGUST 4 /SRNA/ - Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović said that Republika Srpska is sacred and that the interests of Srpska are truth and respect for all those who made it possible for it to become a stable place to live.

Cvijanović stressed that it is an obligation to show respect in every part of Republika Srpska for those who lost their lives in the last war and who laid the foundations of freedom, as well as gratitude to those who made it possible for Srpska to progress and grow. After a liturgy and memorial service for fallen Serb soldiers were held at the Church of the Holy Hieromartyr Peter of Dabar-Bosnia in Vojkovići as part of the "August 4 — Lest We Forget" commemoration, Cvijanović said that Republika Srpska is today aware of its reality thanks to all the fallen soldiers and all those who are working to strengthen it. "We must not forget our brave soldiers. We must not forget those who gave parts of their bodies for freedom," Cvijanović told reporters. She said that politics must not divide people and that the interests of Republika Srpska should be the priority. "The interests of Republika Srpska are to speak the truth and show respect for everyone who made it possible for Republika Srpska to be a stable place to live," Cvijanović said, adding that it is the duty of institutional representatives to preserve collective memory and pass it on to future generations. Cvijanović expressed her belief that Republika Srpska has a good future and that the most difficult times are behind it. "Republika Srpska is sacred, and today it lives in freedom. I am certain that we will know how to appreciate this and, by gathering together, show that we must understand that the interests of Republika Srpska are the interests of all its citizens. A heavy price was paid for it, and we must show respect for the courage and humanity that were demonstrated," Cvijanović said. Through the heroic struggle of the local population and the Army of Republika Srpska, the attack by Muslim forces on Vojkovići, Grlica and Krupac was repelled on August 4, 1992, preventing their plan to advance towards Ilidža and Pale.