CVIJANOVIĆ: SRPSKA PARLIAMENT SHOULD PROTECT PEOPLE, BORDERS AND TERRITORY

BANJA LUKA, JULY 7 /SRNA/ - The Serb member of the Presidency of BiH, Željka Cvijanović, called on the National Assembly of Republika Srpska to protect Republika Srpska, the Serb people, its borders and territory, and to send a message that it would not tolerate the outvoting of Serb representatives in the Presidency and the Commission to Preserve National Monuments of BiH.

"The National Assembly should say that, if such a Commission is to continue to exist, it must have a regulated and organised system that is not based on usurpation. It should be credible and carry out its work to serve the goals of equality and the preservation of the cultural heritage of each of the three constituent peoples," Cvijanović said in her address to the National Assembly.

She stressed that the National Assembly should protect Republika Srpska, the Serb people, its heritage, borders, and 49 percent of the territory.

"Protect your children and grandchildren, and all those who will come after them. That is what I have come to ask of you," Cvijanović said.

Cvijanović said that the Commission to Preserve National Monuments was not envisaged by the Dayton Agreement and that it was acting in a manner contrary to Dayton by engaging in certain activities.

"The Dayton Agreement never stated that they could expand their mandates and competencies, interfere with property issues, meddle in urban planning and construction, or designate national monuments in a manner that is not provided for either by Annex 8 or by the essence of the Dayton Agreement, which requires the protection of the rights of the constituent peoples," Cvijanović said.

She stressed that the Commission's abuses had escalated significantly over the past five to six years.