“SDP BiH’s gathering to mark the day of ZAVNOBiH is just a continuation of pressures that have existed since the end of the previous war, and we are yet to expect pressures related to the upcoming holiday in Republika Srpska on January 9,” stated Dragan Vrhovac, president of the Union of associations of war veterans of Republika Srpska.
Vrhovac, appearing on RTRS morning program, emphasized that the assembly of SDP BiH members in Banja Luka was not only intended to provoke but was somewhat unclear because, as he stated, “Bosniaks have never paid much attention to marking ZAVNOBiH.”
“They now remembered to mark ZAVNOBiH just before marking January 9. Unfortunately, they did mark it in some cities in Republika Srpska. Meanwhile, when Serbs go to the Federation of BiH to mark their holidays and light candles for their fallen, they face unprecedented provocations. I’ll give an example of Dobrovoljačka street in Sarajevo where, in a completely different street, we pay respects under police protection,” said Vrhovac.
He highlighted that the stance of war veterans from Republika Srpska is to always prevent such provocations in Serbs towns.
“If necessary, and it will be necessary, we will gather and prevent such types of commemorations as they do to us in the Federation of BiH,” emphasized Vrhovac.
He stressed that the Serbs people must preserve Republika Srpska because it’s under threat, remain united, and uphold the institutions of power.
“If Republika Srpska disappears or its rights are diminished, we will end up like the Serbs from Krajina who were displaced and expelled worldwide,” concluded Vrhovac.
