STEVANDIĆ: SRPSKA WAS ESTABLISHED AS JUSTICE FOR A PEOPLE THAT HAS ENDURED ALL GENOCIDES

PALE, OCTOBER 24 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska was established as a form of historical justice for a people that endured all genocides under impossible historical circumstances, when almost the entire world was against the Serb people, Nenad Stevandić, Speaker of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, said today.

Speaking at an academy marking the 35th anniversary of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, held in Pale, Stevandić emphasized that Republika Srpska had overcome the greatest divisions among Serbs because it was created through unity, under one flag, one idea, and one coat of arms. “Children of Chetniks and Partisans stood together, without a harsh word or division, regardless of which political camp they belonged to. That is how we must be tomorrow,” Stevandić said. He emphasized that the greatest value of the current convocation of the National Assembly is that, since the establishment of Republika Srpska, it represents the first Serb leadership that has not been brought down, betrayed, or divided. “That is historical justice, but also a major cornerstone for the future work of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska and all our institutions,” Stevandić stressed. He added that the current convocation, like the members of the first convocation, was fully aware of the risks, including the possibility of losing their freedom or being forced out of the political arena. “But the price was worth paying, and we consciously chose to accept the risk in order to preserve our personal dignity and integrity, the national interests of Republika Srpska, its sovereignty, statehood, and territory,” he said. Stevandić added that the generation that created Republika Srpska would be remembered as one of the greatest Serb generations in the history of the Serb people on this side of the Drina, because Republika Srpska was the greatest achievement of the Serbs in the past two centuries. “And that is why Republika Srpska is important today for the entire Serb people and Serbdom as a whole, not just for those of us who are its citizens,” Stevandić concluded. Attending the ceremonial academy in Pale are Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan, National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić, Milorad Dodik, chairman of the Organizing Committee for the commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the National Assembly’s establishment and work, and Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić. The ceremony is also attended by Russian Ambassador to BiH Igor Kalabukhov, Serbian Defense Minister Bratislav Gašić, members of the Creators of Republika Srpska Association, ministers in the Republika Srpska Government, members of the National Assembly, and representatives of Republika Srpska in the joint institutions.