NOSOVIĆ: REPUBLIKA SRPSKA - PERMANENT GUARANTEE OF SERB SURVIVAL

BANJA LUKA, JANUARY 6 /SRNA/ – The President of the Republika Srpska Association of Former Camp Inmates Anđelko Nosović said that Republic Day - January 9 is the most important date for Republika Srpska and the Serb people, because Republika Srpska is a permanent guarantee of the survival of Serbs in these areas.

"When we see what part of the international community and Bosniaks want, the existence of Republika Srpska represents a form of defense and a guarantee of existence and security for the Serb people in these areas," Nosović told SRNA. According to him, having one's own republic means being free, being master on one's own land, and this is something of great importance to every person living in Republika Srpska. "This is especially important for Serb former camp inmates, because if we had had Republika Srpska, we would not have ended up in the dungeons of our enemies. There is no price or obstacle that would justify not defending and preserving Republika Srpska, which is the guarantee of the survival of Serbs in these areas," Nosović pointed out. Speaking about the announced unveiling of the central memorial to fallen soldiers of the Patriotic-Defensive War in Banja Luka as part of the Republic Day commemorations, Nosović said it is of historic significance, noting that more than 24,000 Serb soldiers gave their lives in the defense of Republika Srpska. "In Republika Srpska, we must nurture a culture of remembrance of fallen Serb fighters and pass it on to younger generations so that their sacrifice is never forgotten," Nosović said. January 9 is celebrated as Republic Day of Republika Srpska because on that date in 1992 it was established under its original name, the Republic of the Serb People in BiH. Republika Srpska was founded by Serb deputies in the then Assembly of BiH after they were outvoted on key issues regarding the survival of Yugoslavia, while representatives of the other two peoples moved toward secession against the will of the Serbs, who held the status of a constituent people. The name Republic of the Serb People in BiH was used until February 28, 1992, when the first Constitution was proclaimed, after which it was replaced by Srpska Republic of BiH, a name used until August 12, 1992, when it became Serb Republic. In September 1992, this name was replaced with the current one - Republika Srpska.