ROUNDTABLE ON DEFENSE OF MUNICIPALITIES OF NOVI GRAD AND KOSTAJNICA TOMORROW

NOVI GRAD, SEPTEMBER 16 /SRNA/ - A round table titled “Defense of the Municipalities of Novi Grad and Kostajnica in September 1995” will be held in Novi Grad tomorrow, featuring direct participants in the events, aimed at informing the public about the events of September 1995, when the borders of Republika Srpska were established in the area.

The roundtable is being organised by the Municipal Organization of Republika Srpska Army /RSA/ Senior Officers. Its president, Stevan Tadić, said that public attention is generally focused on the defense of the western borders against Croatian aggression, and that the situation involving the forces of the Fifth Corps of the so-called Army of BiH was far more difficult until September 25.

He added that the areas of the municipalities of Novi Grad and Krupa na Uni were liberated in a counteroffensive at the time, and the borders of Republika Srpska were established.

Momir Kovačević, Deputy President of the Assembly of the Republika Srpska Organization of RSA Senior Officers, said that the municipality of Novi Grad was in the most difficult position, as it was attacked both from Croatia and by the forces of the Fifth Corps of the so-called Army of BiH.

“We managed to repel the Croatian Army’s attack and, in a counteroffensive, liberate the area occupied by the Fifth Corps — 17 villages and 350 square kilometres of territory — which speaks volumes about the courage of the commanders, soldiers and local population,” Kovačević said.

He believes that, after the Corridor breakthrough, this was the most significant battle fought during the Defensive-Patriotic War.

“Had Novi Grad, Kostajnica, Kozarska Dubica and Prijedor fallen, it is a big question what would have happened next. The enemy’s plan was for the forces taking part in Operations ‘Maestral’ and ‘Una’ to meet in Banjaluka, after which Operation ‘Drina’ was to be launched, which would have meant, as they had planned, ethnically cleansing BiH of Serbs,” Kovačević explained.

The roundtable will feature Colonel Vlado Topić, then commander of the First Tactical Group; Colonel Ranko Dabić, wartime commander of the Novi Grad Brigade; and Colonel Vlado Živković, wartime commander of the Prnjavor Brigade.

Among the speakers will be Lieutenant Colonel Dušan Đenadija, commander of the Balj-Kostajnica Combat Group; Major Stevan Tadić, chief of engineering of the Novi Grad Brigade; and Major Momir Kovačević, wartime commander of the First Battalion of the Novi Grad Brigade.

The roundtable will be held in the amphitheatre of the Cultural and Educational Centre in Novi Grad, starting at 10:00 a.m.