MINIĆ: SRETENJE SYMBOLIZES UNITY

VIŠEGRAD, FEBRUARY 14 /SRNA/ – The Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Savo Minić has stated in Višegrad today that he is proud of the Serb people and that Serbs must be aware that Sretenje is a day of unity.

Minić said that by marking Sretenje, the Day of Veterans and the First Serbian Uprising, remembrance is shown for all Serbian victims throughout history.

"There should have been more of us here today, to show the mothers who gave their sons and the children who grew up without fathers that there is someone who remembers them and preserves their sacrifice from oblivion in this way," Minić said at an academy held in Višegrad as part of the observance of the Statehood Day of Republika Srpska and Serbia-Sretenje, the Day of Veterans and the First Serbian Uprising.

He stated that throughout history Serbs achieved freedom only after great sacrifices, adding that they often lived in self-deception.

"When the era of communism came, we left our priests to ridicule. We, the Serbs - no one else. Who forbade us from going to church? No one. Brother betrayed brother. We gave the royal palaces to Tito," Minić reminded.

He said that Serbs must find the strength to draw parallels with historical facts and understand that now is the moment for unity.

"Our veterans cannot live on ceremonies and wreath-laying alone, but on a strong Republika Srpska, so they know what they fought for," Minić said, adding that he was pleased that Serbs who pursue their policies under different political banners were also present in Višegrad today.

He stressed that political banners must not divide the Serb people and that the only true flag is the tricolor, which, he said, has never been Nazi or fascist.

"They will respect and value us more when we say we are Serbs, that we are proud and that we hate no one, but that we will know how to defend ourselves if anyone touches us," Minić sated.

He pledged that as long as he serves as prime minister, he will fight with all his strength to make Republika Srpska better and more prosperous.

Minić added that he is honored to attend the Sretenje observance in Orašac tomorrow.

"Long live Republika Srpska! Long live Serbia!" Minić said.