OSTOJIĆ: SERB HISTORY WOVEN FROM FREEDOM DEFENDING BATTLES

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 27 /SRNA/ – Serb history has been woven from numerous battles fought to defend homes and freedom, Republika Srpska Minister of Labour, War Veterans and Disabled Persons Protection Radan Ostojić said today at a reception organised by the Republika Srpska War Veterans Organisation /BORS/.

Ostojić said that as early as the Battle of Kosovo, it was established that freedom was the greatest value for the Serb people and that the Kosovo pledge has guided the Serb nation throughout its history.

He stressed that the heroes of Kosovo chose that it was better to be free in the Kingdom of Heaven than to live in slavery.

Addressing a reception for generals of the Republika Srpska Army, he stated it was about the people who led the army during the 1992–1995 Defensive-Patriotic War and made an immense contribution to ensuring that the people today live in freedom and have Republika Srpska.

"Without their plans and leadership, victory could not have been achieved, our centuries-old homes could not have been defended, and genocide could not have been prevented. Without them, neither freedom nor Republika Srpska would exist today," Ostojić told the press.

Chair of the Republika Srpska War Veterans Organization Presidency Milovan Gagić said that, together with the soldiers, the generals made an enormous contribution and took crucial decisions during the most difficult moments of Republika Srpska’s defence, where the Serb people live freely today.

He said the generals could certainly provide valuable advice regarding BORS's three key goals: preserving Republika Srpska, nurturing tradition and safeguarding historical truth, as well as improving the status of the veteran population.

Retired Lieutenant General Savo Sokanović said that the Republika Srpska Army had no more than 20 to 24 generals at any one time, which was a very small number compared with the size of the force.

"Without the soldiers, police officers, the people and the political leadership of Republika Srpska, we would not have achieved what we have today – the state entity of Republika Srpska," Sokanović said.

Speaking on behalf of the generals, he thanked the organisers for the reception held on the occasion of Vidovdan /St. Vitus Day/, the patron saint's day of the Republika Srpska Army, and said they remained ready to contribute their experience and knowledge to the continued preservation of Republika Srpska, without which there would be no happiness for the Serb people in this region.

The ceremonial reception for 15 generals of the Republika Srpska Army was organised by the Republika Srpska War Veterans Organisation.