DODIK: THIRD REPUBLIKA SRPSKA REGIMENT SHOULD LISTEN TO SRPSKA CALLS

BANJA LUKA, MAY 12 /SRNA/ - The President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik says the Republika Srpska Army was honorable and people's, and that the Third Republika Srpska Regiment of the Armed Forces not only inherits its tradition, but also must listen to the calls Republika Srpska and the people would ever make.

"God Helps, heroes! We are here on the slopes of Kozara, which is a symbol of freedom, suffering, defiance and pride, we are in the Kozara barracks to prove that this is Republika Srpska, this is our gathering and no one can alienate such an important location with any moves," emphasized Dodik in his address at the main ceremony marking the Day of the Republika Srpska Army and the Third Infantry Regiment of the BiH Armed Forces.

Dodik pointed out that the Republika Srpska Army, formed 33 years ago, acted in a single manner to defend the population, language and culture.

"There is no force that could question our remembrance for any great idea. Our and the people's army was not formed to fight for ammunition and territory, but for houses and families," emphasized Dodik.

Dodik said that individual attempts to tarnish the Republika Srpska Army, which remained honourable, did not do.

"It fought for peace and for the people to feel free. The army was created out of the need to defend freedom, culture, and our sanctuaries, which has become sacred itself. It is the people's army, not mercenary or any other. It is anti-fascist, which was born from the Serbs' experience of World War II," emphasized Dodik.

He noted that the Republika Srpska Army fought on all fronts showing no readiness to leave the people.

"All the battles from Trebinje to Novi Grad are the defence of history and the future. Every Serb is being defended to live on own land and watch the child grow up in freedom. Today they are imposing various unnatural things on us that absolutely should not be part of our lives," said Dodik.

He said that the Serbs considered it honourable to defend the homeland; 33 years ago the Army was a barrier to prevent the crimes from World War II from being repeated.

"The Army was a barrier to prevent us from being slaughtered and killed by our neighbours again. The Army was created to avoid the crimes from the Second World War being repeated, in which the Muslims played a significant role in the NDH transporting Serbs to Ustasha-managed camps. They pushed the Serbs into an exodus, 6,500 of whom were killed on the Drina. We must build our memory and pride on it," emphasized Dodik.

He mentioned that the deputies of the first convocation of the National Assembly, of whom he was one, voted 33 years ago to establish the RSA because they knew that it was about the defence of the people and being united.

"Our decision was correct. We will not join NATO, which bombed us, destroyed cities and killed children. We remember and do not want to justify their operations because they committed crimes and used depleted uranium," said Dodik.

Dodik has said that he knows that this speech will not be welcomed by NATO and the West, because they expect the Serbs to applaud me for their atrocities.

"But we we are not going to forget. They didn't have to do it, we didn't threaten them. They bombed us for no reason. They failed to defeat the Army of Republika Srpska, which remained on its victory path," he said.

Dodik pointed out that the decision to abolish the Army of Republika Srpska was wrong.

"There is not even an excuse for the force that was behind it. The members of the Third Regiment are here not only to inherit the tradition but to be what they are. To listen and respect the people and listen to the calls Republika Srpska would ever send. That is how we explain the role because you are doing an honourable job. I want to express my gratitude on behalf of Republika Srpska because you did not give in or let the emblem disappear from your hand. You belong to this people. Remain good defenders of our traditions and the Army of Republika Srpska", emphasized Dodik.

He pointed out that Serbs have nothing to be ashamed of, least of all the Army of Republika Srpska.

"Don't let them impose stereotypes on us and stay in your own course of thinking. Don't let them mislead us like in Yugoslavia that Serbs sacrificed national pride for the idea of brotherhood. We are not delusional. We are Republika Srpska!" pointed out Dodik.

He stated that he was coming from a visit to Russia, where he witnessed an understanding for Republika Srpska's position.

"We were together at the marking the Victory Day. We were on the same side. The Soviet people lost 27 million people, we lost more than a million Serbs. You can't deny us the fact that our ancestors were anti-fascists, partisans and members of the Chetnik movement," noted Dodik.