MINIĆ: 3RD SARAJEVO BRIGADE WAS ONE OF THE RSA'S MOST DISTINGUISHED BRIGADES

SOKOLAC, SEPTEMBER 6 /SRNA/ - The Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Savo Minić has stated today that the 3rd Sarajevo Brigade of the Republika Srpska Army was one of its best brigades and that, after the war and the signing of the Dayton Agreement, it had to transfer the remains of fallen comrades and family members from municipalities that became part of the Federation of BiH to Novi Zejtinlik.

"I came today to pay tribute to all the soldiers and comrades of the 3rd Sarajevo Brigade," Minić told reporters at Novi Zejtinlik. The Prime Minister added that he was at this sacred place today to see the implementation of projects previously agreed for Novi Zejtinlik. "This concerns gravestones, fencing and everything that must at all times demonstrate that our brave heroes deserve our respect," Minić stressed. A memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony at the central memorial cross at Novi Zejtinlik in Sokolac, today, marked the beginning of events commemorating the Day of the 3rd Sarajevo Brigade of the Republika Srpska Army. At 11:30 a.m., flowers and wreaths are scheduled to be laid at the monument to Dr Miodrag Lazić in the Dobrinja neighborhood of Istočna Ilidža, while at noon a memorial service for the fallen soldiers will be held at the Church of St Demetrius the Great Martyr in Veljine. The 3rd Sarajevo Brigade was formed by merging several Republika Srpska Army units from the areas of Vogošća and Rajlovac, as well as parts of the municipalities of Centar, Stari Grad, Ilidža and Ilijaš. The brigade's area of responsibility stretched from Hreša to Rajlovac along the inner defense line, and from Ravni Nabožić to the Nišići Plateau and further towards Olovo along the outer defense ring of Serb Sarajevo. After the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords, the brigade was dismantled, because the territory within its area of responsibility was incorporated into the Federation of BiH, while its units were relocated to towns in Republika Srpska. The Association of Former Soldiers and Their Descendants, known as the 3rd Sarajevo Brigade, nurtures and cherishes the brigade's traditions and memory.