DODIK: HEROIC ARMY DEFENDED CENTURIES-OLD HOMES

BANJA LUKA, MAY 12 /SRNA/ – The Republika Srpska Army heroically defended the centuries-old homes of the Serb people, and May 12, 1992, when it was formed, is one of the most important dates for the Serb people, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik has said today.

"The then President of Republika Srpska Radovan Karadžić and the commander of the Main Staff of the RSA Ratko Mladić were a guarantee that the RSA would continue the tradition of the Serb soldier, protecting freedom and everything important to us – our home, father, mother, brother, sister," Dodik said at the Kozara Barracks in Banja Luka during the ceremony marking RSA Day.

He stressed the importance of forming RSA and emphasized that there would be no Serb people in BIiH had it not been for May 12.

"This is best shown by the parts of BiH that do not belong to Republika Srpska. I thank all of you, especially the representatives of Srpsko Sarajevo, which was and remains Serbs’. That is why for us it will always be Srpsko Sarajevo, because the Serb soldiers from that area made the most significant contribution to the creation of Republika Srpska," Dodik added.

He recalled that Republika Srpska was created because the Serb people wanted freedom.

"That is the call the Serb people have always recognized in key moments when their existence and freedom were attacked. I am proud to live in Republika Srpska, and the RSA fought for the freedom of the Serb people and Republika Srpska, not for BiH, which was imposed. The rest of BiH is a hostile environment for Republika Srpska, just as the Croatia - Albania - self-declared Kosovo military alliance is. That is their alliance against the Serb people," Dodik said.

He stated that the Serb people in BiH is not welcome to those who envision BiH organised differently, as well as to some internationals.

"That is why we have never stopped marking RSA Day and Republika Srpska Day. Serbs are a freedom-loving people who never attacked anyone, only defended themselves, and this is the day when we once again pledge ourselves to Republika Srpska, its freedom and future. If in the next five to ten years we do not secure our status, Serbs in these areas will become a dramatic minority. Therefore, we clearly and loudly say – Republika Srpska above all and everything," Dodik said.

He repeated that a significant number of RSA members were unjustly convicted and remain imprisoned.

"We do not want to accept that Karadžić and Mladić are what they are accused of. Mladić is today fighting for his health and we must stand with him, because the Serb people must not forget their heroes. He is a hero of the Serb people," Dodik emphasized.

He added that official Sarajevo and part of the opposition from Republika Srpska gathered around internationals have bad intentions toward Republika Srpska.

"Remain Serb soldiers, defend Republika Srpska and our people. Long live Republika Srpska, Serbia and the RSA," Dodik said, congratulating everyone on RSA Day.

Aleksandar Goganović, the Deputy Defence Minister in the Council of Ministers, presented Dodik with a commemorative gift on behalf of Serbs in the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of BiH.