DODIK: JULY 5 TO BE DECLARED DAY OF MOURNING IN SRPSKA, NO DECISION AT BiH LEVEL

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 26 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik said that July 5 will be declared a day of mourning in Republika Srpska, marking the remembrance of the Serbs killed in Podrinje, and added that he has no objection to July 11 being declared a day of mourning in the FBiH.

Dodik pointed out that a false narrative is being created that the institutions of BiH organize the commemoration of the suffering of Bosniaks in Srebrenica, whereas it is initiated exclusively by Muslims.

"So far, there has been manipulation to use the BiH authorities to invite foreign dignitaries. They were not invited on behalf of BiH, nor have they ever been invited. There is no decision or authority to mark that day, and that day will not be a day of mourning in BiH," Dodik said at a press conference in Banja Luka.

He emphasized that Bosniak political representatives have for years been creating a false narrative about the nature of the crimes in Srebrenica and the number of victims, but he also called on everyone to ensure that the gathering on July 11, when the suffering is commemorated, passes peacefully, stressing that Republika Srpska institutions will do everything to ensure that.

"Republika Srpska understands the need to mark this event, but such a narrative cannot be imposed," Dodik said at a press conference in Banja Luka.

He stated that Bosniak political representatives violate rules and procedures regarding initiatives, noting that this was the case when Zlatko Lagumdžija initiated the adoption of the Resolution on Srebrenica at the UN, even though he did not have the consent of the Presidency, which is responsible for foreign policy.

He pointed out that crimes against Serbs in Podrinje have gone unpunished despite numerous pieces of evidence, and emphasized that the commander of the Muslims, Naser Orić, also went unpunished.

“It is indisputable that from 1991 to 1995, 3,500 Serbs, mostly civilians, were killed in Podrinje. There was also a crime in Srebrenica, but that is not genocide, rather a serious war crime. No one has been held accountable for crimes against Serbs. For crimes against Muslims, the entire political and military leadership of Republika Srpska has been held accountable. This does not lead to solving problems or reconciliation. It is not something that can contribute to coexistence,” Dodik stressed.

He said that all Serbs who faced the courts were sentenced to maximum sentences, even though a large number of Muslim victims were engaged in military activities.

“All Serbs were handed over and received maximum sentences; 3,500 people were killed in the actions of Naser Orić and others, and no one has been held accountable for that. You have little Slobodan and other fates that break both the heart and soul. We mourn equally for all victims. When a child dies, a whole world dies. This applies to all children,” Dodik stated.

He says that Serbian civilians in Podrinje were killed systematically and that Muslims did not stop their attacks from the beginning to the end of the war.

He also said that since the end of the war, Muslims have been trying to manipulate the number of victims.

“We are witnessing political manipulation by the Bosniaks, trying to confine all the victims to the period of July 1995. When you read the names, you will see that there are victims from 1991 as well. They focused on that short period to direct public attention. Over 400 people were alive but were still listed as victims,” Dodik said.

He says that Republika Srpska has been pointing out this fact, emphasizing that among the victims listed in Srebrenica were also those who worked after the war as drivers for officials.

"The Hague Tribunal determined various numbers and sticks to the false narrative of 8,000 victims. They included those killed in the Federation in Srebrenica. This is used in every narrative. We must explain this, not to cause a dispute, but so that the event on July 11 passes under the best security conditions. We wish them a peaceful stay at that place, and our police will do everything to ensure both events are safe and orderly," Dodik said.

Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik met in Banja Luka with members of the Organizing Committee of an event marking 33 years since the suffering of Serbs in Central Podrinje and Birač.

The reception at the Palace of the Republic was attended by the mayors of Zvornik, Bratunac, Milići, Šekovići, and Vlasenica, the president of the Republika Srpska Veterans’ Organization, Radan Ostojić, and representatives of the Ministry of Labor, War Veterans and Disabled Persons' Protection of Republika Srpska.

Also present were the Serb member and Chairwoman of the BiH Presidency, Željka Cvijanović, representatives of the Republika Srpska Organization of Families of Captured and Killed Soldiers and Missing Civilians, as well as representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The 33rd anniversary of the crimes against 3,267 Serbs in Central Podrinje will be commemorated on July 5 in Bratunac.