KARAN: ISTOČNO SARAJEVO - SYMBOL OF SUCCESS AND FREEDOM

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, SEPTEMBER 16 /SRNA/ –Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan has said this evening that Istočno Sarajevo, which emerged during one of the most difficult periods in history, has grown into a symbol of perseverance, success and freedom for the Serb people of the Sarajevo-Romanija region, as well as for Republika Srpska in general.

Ahead of the ceremonial gathering marking the Day and patron saint's day of Istočno Sarajevo – St. Peter of Dabar-Bosnia, Karan told the press that respect and tribute are owed to all those who gave their lives for freedom, not only in the area of what was then Srpsko Sarajevo, but throughout Republika Srpska.

"Serbs in this area experienced great suffering during the armed conflicts, but also something that even our minds today cannot fully comprehend – when the guns fell silent and the armed fighting ended, they experienced a new Golgotha," Karan said.

President Karan stressed that, despite all the tragedies and suffering, the Serbs of the Sarajevo-Romanija region demonstrated perseverance and preserved their freedom.

Karan said that Istočno Sarajevo is today a modern city and regional administrative centre, as well as an important cultural, sporting, tourist, economic and university centre.

"Republika Srpska and all its institutions have supported all the projects implemented in Istočno Sarajevo and will keep doing so," Karan said.

He stressed that it is the responsibility of current generations to build a better future for new generations on the foundation of the suffering and fate of the Serbs from this area.

"At a time when almost everything had been lost, they said that they would remain on their own – and they did," Karan said.