PLANNED PEACE MARCH TO TEOČAK - DELIBERATE PROVOCATION

BIJELJINA, JULY 2 /SRNA/ – The "Panthers" Guard Veterans' Association has stated today that the planned so-called Peace March from Janja to Teočak is a blatant provocation aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Serb people in Semberija and further escalating already heightened ethnic tensions.

The association called on the organizers to cancel the event in order to help ease tensions.

"Political leaders in Janja have consistently fueled hatred, while Janja itself has become a gathering place for controversial Muslim wartime commanders who lecture young people. Harun Hodžić, a wartime officer of the `El Mujaheed` unit, has been particularly active in these activities," the association said in a statement.

The veterans said the announcement of the march has understandably caused concern among Serb residents and called on the local Veterans Organization in Janja to comment on the issue.

"We are concerned by the announcement of the so-called Peace March organized by Nedim Trebinčević of Janja, which is planned to pass through the Serb villages of Modran, Suvo Polje and Trnova on its way to Teočak," the veterans said, noting that no such event had been organized previously.

The so-called Peace March is scheduled for Monday, July 6, departing from Janja at 6:00 a.m., with more than 20 participants expected.