KOŠARAC: THREE AND A HALF DECADES SINCE HISTORIC DECISION THAT SHAPED PATH OF THE SERB PEOPLE IN BiH

PALE, OCTOBER 24 /SRNA/ - The establishment of the Assembly of the Serb People in BiH on October 24, 1991, was an expression of the political will of the Serb people to take responsibility for their own future and protect their rights and national interests through institutions, SNSD Presidency member Staša Košarac told SRNA.

He added that it was also a historic response to the political crisis, the outvoting of Serb MPs and attempts to decide the future of BiH without the consent of the Serb people. "Serb MPs elected in the first multiparty elections demonstrated political resolve and a sense of historical responsibility. They refused to accept that decisions on the fate of the Serb people be made without their consent and established an institution that would become one of the pillars of the creation of Republika Srpska," Košarac stressed. He reminded that this historic decision laid the foundations for the political organization of the Serb people, followed by the Declaration on the Proclamation of the Republic of the Serb People of BiH on January 9, 1992, and the adoption of the first Constitution on February 28 of the same year. "Today, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska is the highest legislative and representative body, one of the fundamental pillars of its statehood and a key guardian of its constitutional position, powers and interests. Over the past three and a half decades, it has weathered war, peace negotiations, reconstruction and numerous political crises, remaining the central forum for making decisions on the most important issues for Republika Srpska and its citizens," Košarac said. He stressed that he had the honor and privilege of serving as a member of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska during its sixth term, from 2004 to 2006. "That experience represents a special responsibility for me and reaffirms the importance of institutions founded on the will of our people," Košarac said. He pointed out that Republika Srpska continues to face numerous political and constitutional challenges. "We must therefore be determined, responsible and united in protecting its powers and constitutional position. I am confident that, drawing on our historical legacy and the strength of our institutions, we will overcome the challenges and continue to build a Republika Srpska worthy of its founders and all those who fought for its survival," Košarac concluded. The 35th anniversary of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, established as the Assembly of the Serb People in BiH, will be solemnly marked in Pale today. The ceremony also includes a screening of the film Republika Srpska: Created in Peace, Defended in the Defensive-Patriotic War.