KOLJEVIĆ: FIRST SESSION OF ASSEMBLY LAID SRPSKA'S LEGAL FOUNDATIONS

BELGRADE, OCTOBER 24 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Senator Bogdana Koljević told SRNA that the historical significance of the first session of the Assembly of the Serb People lies in the fact that it laid the foundations of Republika Srpska.

On the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the founding of the Assembly of the Serb People in BiH, Koljević said it was an important decision.

"When the first troubling signs of the impending misfortune appeared in 1991, the Serb people in BiH, guided by their difficult historical experience, sensed the danger," Koljević said.

Luckily, she says, the first multi-party elections had already been held, and this time the people had their own leaders.

"It was a group of wise, courageous, and determined individuals who stood in defense of their people, ready to protect Serb homes and freedom," Koljević emphasized.

She emphasized that action was necessary and that, following the founding of the SDS, one of the first significant decisions was the establishment of the Assembly of the Serb People.

"It was a compelled decision, but historically one of the most important," Koljević said.

She says this was demonstrated by the first session of the Assembly of the Serb People in BiH, held in Sarajevo with MPs elected in legitimate elections.

"This showed that the Serb people wanted to resolve disagreements and problems peacefully, through consensus, within BiH, legally and legitimately," Koljević said.

On the Serb side, she added, a hand was extended in a spirit of agreement, but it was not accepted, as the word war echoed from the other side in the Assembly of the FR BiH, and soon the horrors of war began.

"However, the Serb people had their Assembly, their pillar, and the foundation for achieving their goal - the defense of their people and their territory," Koljević emphasized.

She notes that the Assembly often worked under impossible conditions, adopting decisions, laws, and acts, and gradually establishing the legal framework for their state, Republika Srpska.

"This is precisely the historical significance of the first session of the Assembly of the Serb People: it laid the legal foundations for Republika Srpska, the state we continue to safeguard, defend, and build today," Koljević said.

The National Assembly of Republika Srpska was established on October 24, 1991, as the Assembly of the Serb People in BiH.

The decision was made by MPs elected in the autumn 1990 elections.