SERBS WILL FOREVER CELEBRATE JANUARY 9

ISTOČNO NOVO SARAJEVO, JANUARY 9 /SRNA/ - Representatives of the Municipality of Istočno Novo Sarajevo and the Municipal Veterans' Organization laid wreaths today at the Central Memorial to Fallen Fighters in Miljevići, marking January 9 - the Day of Republika Srpska, with the message that the observance of this date will never be brought into question.

President of the Istočno Novo Sarajevo Veterans' Organization Dragiša Tuševljak told reporters that January 9 is one of the most important dates in the post-war history of Republika Srpska and that it will never be disputed as long as Serbs live in these areas.

Tuševljak said that messages are coming from the Office of the High Representative claiming that the marking of Republic Day is a criminal offense, but that veterans and the people are sending a clear message that there is neither justice nor rule of law in BiH if decisions are made by a Constitutional Court whose mandate has expired and whose work was unlawfully extended by Christian Schmidt, who was not legally appointed.

"The founding day of Republika Srpska - its birthday - cannot be declared illegal," Tuševljak stressed.

He said that the Veterans' Organization gives full support to the institutions of Republika Srpska in their efforts to preserve and mark January 9, stressing that this date must not be questioned under any circumstances, regardless of who is in power.

Deputy Mayor of Istočno Novo Sarajevo Aleksandar Kostović said that disputing January 9 means disputing the right of the Serbian people to make decisions independently.

"Anyone who attempts to challenge this date is challenging our right to organize, to decide, and thereby threatening our very existence in these areas," Kostović said.

He emphasized that January 9 is the cornerstone of Republika Srpska and of the survival of the Serbian people, and that its observance represents the celebration of the existence of Serbs in these areas.

January 9 is celebrated as the Day of Republika Srpska because on that date in 1992 it was established under its original name, the Republic of the Serb People in BiH.

Republika Srpska was founded by Serb deputies in the then BiH Assembly after they were outvoted on key issues concerning the survival of Yugoslavia, and after representatives of the other two peoples embarked on secession against the will of the Serbs, who held the status of a constituent people.

The name Republic of the Serb People in BiH was in use until February 28, 1992, when the first Constitution was proclaimed and the name was changed to Srpska Republic of BiH, which was used until August 12, 1992, when it was changed to Srpska Republic. That name was replaced in September 1992 by the current one - Republika Srpska.