KOVAČEVIĆ: RETURN OF SRNA TO PALE - FIRST STEP TOWARDS PALE BECOMING SRPSKA'S CAPITAL

PALE, OCTOBER 1 /SRNA/ - The envoy of the Republika Srpska President, Radovan Kovačević, said that the return of the headquarters of the Media System of Republika Srpska – SRNA to Pale was an important step towards having Pale designated in the Constitution as the capital of Republika Srpska, with Banja Luka as its main city.

On behalf of Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan and President Milorad Dodik, Kovačević congratulated Acting SRNA Director General Tatjana Parađina, all editors, journalists and other employees of the Media System of Republika Srpska – SRNA, on the official opening of the impressive new premises in Pale.

He reminded that SRNA was established on April 7, 1992, in Pale and that its first director was Todor Dutina.

"SRNA was established at the time with two typewriters and a single fax machine. That sounds incredible today, but it had people who had the courage, strength and vision to be the first media voice of Republika Srpska and the first voice telling the truth about what was already happening in BiH at the time and how the Serbs were already being oppressed," Kovačević told reporters after the official opening of SRNA’s new premises.

He stressed that SRNA was present on the front lines on all battlefields, as well as at locations around the world where peace was being negotiated, and efforts were being made to secure recognition of Republika Srpska.

"And all those people who were part of SRNA for so many years, people who are doing an exceptionally serious and responsible job at SRNA today," Kovačević added.

He pointed to the importance of free access to information, stressing that it is extremely important for the social health of Republika Srpska.

"Imagine what it would be like if the only source of information available to us were what we are bombarded with from Sarajevo; what would our lives look like?" Kovačević added.

Speaking about the debate over whether SRNA should be based in Pale or Banja Luka, Kovačević said that President Dodik had said it should be where it was established.

"We must show that Pale is the place where Republika Srpska was established, where it was born and defended, and move towards amending the Constitution so that it clearly states that Istočno Sarajevo, with its seat in Pale, is the capital of Republika Srpska, and that Banja Luka is its main city," Kovačević said.

He added that Pale should then be given a number of additional institutions and, alongside Banja Luka, should become a key centre of Republika Srpska.

"Let this be the first step, just as SRNA was once the first voice of Republika Srpska," Kovačević concluded.