VIŠKOVIĆ: NO ONE CAN PREVENT THE CELEBRATION OF ARMY DAY

BANJA LUKA, May 12 /SRNA/ – The Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Radovan Višković stated today that no one can prevent the celebration of the Day of the Army of Republika Srpska (RSA), which he described as a tradition and obligation of the Serb people.

Višković emphasized that the RSA was heroic and a source of pride for the Serb people, having protected them from a new massacre that was allegedly intended for them during the 1990s, as well as during World War II.

He pointed out that May 12, the day when the RSA was formed 33 years ago, is a significant day for the Serb people, and that gratitude must be shown to all those who had the strength and will to organize the RSA and protect their people.

The Prime Minister expressed pride in attending the celebration of RSA Day today at the Kozara barracks in Banja Luka.

Višković stated that the RSA Central Memorial Room in the Kozara barracks is a sacred place bearing the names of the best sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters who gave their lives so that others may live in freedom today.

“We are in Banja Luka, this is Republika Srpska, and here we decide who and how will celebrate and mark the 33rd anniversary of the magnificent formation of the RSA,” Višković told reporters following the ceremony marking the Day of the RSA and the 3rd Infantry (Republika Srpska) Regiment of the Armed Forces of BiH.

He stressed that the RSA had a dual role – to fight battles and to build a state – and expressed his gratitude for that.

“Today we are here to pay tribute to all these people and to say thank you for everything they did. The RSA demonstrated through its actions what it was capable of and what it accomplished. It gave us freedom and Republika Srpska,” Višković declared.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the members of the 3rd Infantry (Republika Srpska) Regiment should be proud of preserving the tradition of the RSA.

“They should not succumb to the pressure from those who would like us not to commemorate even this date. You cannot stop us from doing so – this is our tradition and obligation, and we are simply doing what we believe is ours,” Višković said.

The RSA was formed on May 12, 1992, and by the end of the Defensive–Homeland War, it had 210,000 soldiers. According to the Republika Srpska Center for War Research, War Crimes, and Missing Persons, 23,659 RSA soldiers were killed.

After 14 years of existence, the Army of Republika Srpska became part of the Armed Forces of BiH, where its military heritage and identity are preserved by the 3rd Infantry (Republika Srpska) Regiment.