ONLY UNITED CAN WE OVERCOME ALL CHALLENGES; OUR STRENGTH LIES IN UNITY

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 29 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska was created through unity and can only survive and prevail through unity, therefore we are calling on the politicians in Srpska to do everything necessary to achieve national unity, which is urgently needed now in the defence of Republika Srpska and its institutions, said the War Veterans of Republika Srpska.

"If there are political subjects who, in these difficult and challenging times for Republika Srpska and its future, are thinking only of themselves and their own interests, it would be wise for all patriotic forces to unite in a coalition that will clearly express its support for Republika Srpska in the upcoming referendum, and defend it in every future elections. We are certain that the love for Republika Srpska cannot be defeated by any force, whether it comes from Sarajevo or from the illegitimate Christian Schmidt!" the statement said.

Fully aware of the situation under the protectorate in which we live, the statements adds, we, the soldiers of Republika Srpska, who as one defended our people’s right to have their own state and institutions with our lives and bodies, now feel obliged to address all politicians in Srpska.

They reminded that during the Defensive-Patriotic War, no Serb soldiers asked whether the fight was dangerous or whether it could be avoided – they entered that battle fully aware of the national goal: the importance of survival and freedom of their people.

"Even then, we had different ideological leanings, different political sympathies, but we were all one: We were Republika Srpska, and we must remain so!" the Srpska War Veterans said.

Today, as the Central Election Commission of BiH imposes decisions on the Republika Srpska institutions, and as the people's right to express themselves in a referendum is being challenged, the Veterans remind all politicians that these institutions did not fall from the sky – they were created and defended with lives in the war, which is why they must not be surrendered without a fight, especially not without national unity.

"We emphasize the importance of this moment for Republika Srpska and the Serb people, and we call on all politicians in Srpska to achieve the necessary unity in honor of those who gave their lives for our institutions, for our people, for our Republika Srpska. We do not have a backup Republika Srpska – national unity is now both a necessity and an obligation for all of us," the War Veterans of Republika Srpska said.

They warned that the greatest tragedy for the Serb people would be to emerge from these challenges without trying, without effort or desire to achieve national consensus.

"We owe this to our ancestors, to the current and future generations. Today, more than ever, we must show unity in Republika Srpska. It's time to end petty political divisions, because they only benefit those who wish to weaken our people and our institutions.

Republika Srpska was born in difficult times thanks to unity, courage, and determination. If we succeeded then, there is no reason we cannot be even more united today, as we face strong political and diplomatic pressures. Srpska must remain a strong pillar and a guarantor of freedom for the Serb people, which is only possible if we all unite around a common goal – preserving our rights, our freedom, our state," concluded the War Veterans of Republika Srpska.