KARAN: JELIĆ GAVE PRESIDENCY AUTHORITY, INTEGRITY AND HUMANITY

MODRIČA, SEPTEMBER 30 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan said today in Modriča that Milan Jelić brought personal integrity, authority, humanity and compassion to the presidency, further enriching the office through his character.

After laying a wreath at Jelić's grave to mark 19 years since his death, Karan said Jelić's strongest qualities were his humanity and his unbreakable bond with the people, adding that he had left behind numerous initiatives and achievements that remain visible today. "Offices do not make people; people give meaning to offices. That was Milan Jelić," Karan stressed. Karan said the legacy of Jelić's life and work remained visible in Modriča and throughout Republika Srpska, pointing in particular to his commitment to young people and education and the establishment of the Milan Jelić Foundation. "What we can do to honor him is to build on the legacy of his presidency, his humanity and his personal qualities, and make Republika Srpska even stronger and better," Karan said. Milan Jelić, then president of Republika Srpska, businessman and politician, died on September 30, 2007.