12 BUSES FROM BIJELJINA HEAD TO GENERAL MLADIĆ’S FUNERAL

BIJELJINA, SEPTEMBER 7 /SRNA/ – Bijeljina residents set off this morning in an organised convoy of 12 buses to attend the funeral of General Ratko Mladić in Belgrade, head of the City War Veterans Organisation Miodrag Stevanović told SRNA.

The Republika Srpska Army veterans, entire families, and high-school-aged young people, all proud of the Serb commander, unanimously say that they are seeing the general off into legend. “Dignified” and “immortal” are among the words most frequently used to describe General Mladić, whom Bijeljina residents say earned his place in history long ago among the heroes who fought for freedom.

Željko Milić, a soldier from the Sarajevo battlefield, said that the Serb army fought honourably and fairly during the war and defended Republika Srpska.

He is convinced that the truth will certainly prevail over domestic and international lies and deceptions about the general and the Serb people, stressing that Serbs from Republika Srpska want peace, but also dignity.

Veteran Zvjezdan Mišković said that he is accompanying the general just as he did during his lifetime, but now into eternity and peace.

"The Serb people love their heroes, he is one of them. General Mladić has not died for us; he is someone who will live forever. Thank God that we have heroes such as Ratko Mladić among our people, heroes are still being born today!", Mišković said.

General Mladić will be buried today at Topčider Cemetery in Belgrade.

Ratko Mladić died at the detention hospital in The Hague on August 27, after the Hague Mechanism repeatedly rejected requests for his early release for medical treatment in Serbia.