CRIMINAL COMPLAINT MAY BE FILED AGAINST ORGANIZERS OF "WHITE RIBBONS"

BANJA LUKA, MAY 28 /SRNA/ - Duško Vukotić, President of the Veterans of Republika Srpska Assembly, said that all patriotic associations are considering jointly filing a criminal complaint against the Bosniak organization pushing for the event called the "White Ribbons" gathering scheduled for Saturday, May 31, in Prijedor.

Vukotić emphasized that such a gathering is being organized based on falsification of historical facts, reminding that the white ribbons were worn by Ustaše units in Prijedor and its surroundings in 1941, which is supported by historical documents.

"This is yet another falsification of history, where the narratives are being reversed. We will also address the City Administration so that we can gather in Prijedor on May 31 in as large a number as possible, without any tensions. The message to Bosniak organizations is not to provoke us," Vukotić told reporters in Banja Luka. He also announced that representatives of the Veterans of Republika Srpska will attend the commemoration of the Defense Day of Prijedor on May 30.

Vukotić reiterated the organization’s position on the introduction of a veterans' ID card, which would ensure that only actual war participants enjoy the given privileges, adding that they believe there are more people with veteran status decisions in the current registry than actual participants in the war.

The Secretary General of the Veterans of Republika Srpska Aleksandar Nedić said that during the public debates on the new constitution of Republika Srpska, the veterans' initiative to guarantee special protection to Defense and Homeland War veterans through an amendment was positively received.

"The amendment reads - veterans and fighters, as well as the families of fallen fighters, shall enjoy special protection under the law. A set of laws would then address various areas of rights and privileges for this group," Nedić said