TUBIĆ: LET US PROTECT SRPSKA AS THE APPLE OF OUR EYE

BANJA LUKA, JANUARY 3 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska must be protected as the apple of our eye, the secretary of the "12 Babies" Association Željka Tubić said today, emphasizing the immeasurable importance of marking Republic Day on January 9.

Tubić stressed that commemorating Republic Day is an obligation, not only for the babies who died due to a lack of oxygen but also for all the fallen civilians, wounded and fallen soldiers, war invalids, and all other victims. "The lives of our children are embedded in the foundations of Republika Srpska, and perhaps their death, that horrific crime that occurred, changed the course of history and the very existence of Republika Srpska," Tubić told reporters after laying flowers at the "12 Babies" Memorial on the occasion of Republic Day. Tubić expressed gratitude to the Office of the President of Republika Srpska for inviting the mothers of the 12 babies to lay flowers in honor of Republic Day. In 1992, at the then-Banja Luka Clinical Center, 12 newborn babies died due to the lack of understanding from world powers, who did not allow the transport of oxygen. By the decision of the UN Security Council of May and June 1992, international flights were banned, including those carrying oxygen tanks from Belgrade to Banja Luka, resulting in the deaths of 12 newborn babies who were in incubators. The first baby died on May 22, 1992, followed by the agony and death of the other babies. By June 19 of the same year, 12 babies had died in Banja Luka, becoming a symbol of the violation of human rights and the inhumanity of the international community. The agony was ended by the breakthrough of the corridor, connecting the Banja Luka region with other parts of Republika Srpska and Serbia. The thirteenth baby, Slađana Kobas, lost her battle for life at the age of 14, while the fourteenth baby, Marko Medaković, suffered lifelong consequences from the lack of oxygen. Republika Srpska will celebrate January 9 as its Republic Day, marking 33 years of existence. January 9 is celebrated as the Day of Republika Srpska because it marks the date in 1992 when it was established under the original name of the Serbian Republic of BiH. It was founded by Serbian representatives in the then Parliament of BiH after they were outvoted on key issues regarding the survival of Yugoslavia and members of the other two peoples began secession, disregarding the will of the Serbs, who had a status of a constituent people.