TOŠIĆ: WE HAVE BEEN CELEBRATING SRPSKA'S BIRTHDAY WITH HONOR FOR 34 YEARS

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, JANUARY 9 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Day - January 9 is one of the most significant dates for the Serb people, not only on this side of the Drina River but way further, Momir Tošić, President of the Assembly of the Creators of Republika Srpska Association, has stated for SRNA.

"On January 9, 1992, with the adoption of the Declaration on the Proclamation of the Republic of the Serb People in BiH, we immortalized, and for 34 years have been celebrating in the brightest light, the birthday of Republika Srpska. When I remember those days, I always start from October 24, 1991, when we formed the Assembly of the Serb People, because, due to the majoritarian control of Serbs by Croats and Muslims, the fate of the Serb people to become a national minority, as in Croatia, was already in a way predetermined," Tošić reminded. Tošić stressed that this freedom-oriented process was initiated by Serb deputies, who at the time represented the elite of the Serb people in BiH, including academics, university professors, and prominent public figures. According to him, these individuals were highly respected within the Serb community of then-BiH, especially after the courageous decision, perhaps also guided by divine providence, to set the foundations of Republika Srpska precisely on January 9, the day of Saint Stephen the First Martyr, Archdeacon. "At that time, we were under constant pressure from the very first day we formed the Assembly of the Serb People. In a way, we were asked to abandon our intention and the work we had already outlined, but we acted courageously. I can say that the deputies of that first Assembly were the true creators of Republika Srpska, who, in those complex and turbulent times, had the courage to leave the then Assembly of BiH and lay the first cornerstone of Republika Srpska," Tošić pointed out. He stressed that even then, the flag of Republika Srpska was raised high, proudly carried by the fighters of the Republika Srpska Army during the Patriotic-Defensive War, heroically defending the unique Serb achievement created on January 9, 1992. January 9 is celebrated as Republika Srpska Day because Republika Srpska was established on that date in 1992 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 concerning 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, and the proclamation of the first Constitution, when it was replaced by the Serb Republic of BiH, which remained in use until August 12, 1992, when the name Serb Republic was introduced. That name was replaced in September 1992 with the current one - Republika Srpska.