TADIĆ: RSA IN SUMMER 1995 SHOWED IT WAS CAPABLE OF DEFENDING ITS COUNTRY

LOPARE, JUNE 1 /SRNA/ – In the summer of 1995, the enemy attempted to break through the defense of Republika Srpska at several locations, and all of those offensives failed completely because the Republika Srpska Army /RSA/ demonstrated that it was capable of defending its country, said the envoy of the President of Republika Srpska Ognjen Tadić in Lopare today.

Tadić said that without those VRS victories, including the one on Majevica on June 1, 1995, the peace that followed would not have been possible.

"Our enemies were forced to sit down at the negotiating table, which we had been offering since 1992, to recognize Republika Srpska and accept the creation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which in every possible way ensures its constitutional and legal legitimacy," Tadić said in Lopare, where a memorial service was held at the Central memorial for fallen VRS soldiers who gave their lives for the freedom of their people and the Majevica region.

The president of the Lopare Veterans' Organization Risto Radić told reporters that June 1 marks the day when one of the strongest offensives on Republika Srpska and VRS positions, including Majevica, was launched in 1995.

"The Second Tuzla Corps launched the offensive here, one of the largest, best organized and best equipped corps in the so-called Army of BiH. The military ratio between attackers and defenders was four to one in their favor," Radić said.

He added that, despite this and NATO air support, the Majevica mountain massif did not fall into enemy hands.

"A decisive defense was fought, there was no fallback position, and the enemy could not be allowed to take Majevica, because it would have eliminated any tactical defense base and opened the route toward Semberija and the Drina River," he said.

Radić noted that, unfortunately, a high price was paid in human lives.

"A total of 245 fighters from the Lopare municipality were killed during the Defense-Homeland War, and only on that day, June 1, 1995, eight fighters were killed defending the peaks of Majevica, while 17 were lightly or severely wounded," he said.

He added that the memorial site has now been completed with bronze plaques bearing the names of the fallen soldiers.

"This is a donation from the Office of the President of Republika Srpska, with which we have excellent cooperation. The President's Office supports almost all activities of the Veterans’ Organization, and provides full support," he said.

Mayor of Lopare Rado Savić emphasized that this day is of great importance for Majevica.

"We paid tribute and respect to those who gave their lives for Republika Srpska," he said, adding that the installation of memorial plaques with all names of the fallen soldiers has now been completed.

The memorial service was attended by families of fallen soldiers, representatives of the Veterans' Organization, local authorities, and numerous guests.

June 1 holds a special place in the history of Lopare and Majevica, as it represents one of the most significant dates in the defense of this area during the Defense-Homeland War.