“We are determined to remain and endure, on our own land,” emphasized Siniša Karan, envoy of the president of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik and minister of internal affairs of Republika Srpska.
Distinguished Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, President of the National Assembly, Serb member of the BiH Presidency, esteemed Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, representatives and ministers from Srpska and Serbia, honored guests, respected participants in the parade, heroes and sons and daughters of heroes, dear and especially esteemed citizens,
I have the exceptional honor to greet you on behalf of the president of Republika Srpska, Mr. Milorad Dodik! President Dodik, due to his recovery, is not with us today, but we all know that he is here with us in spirit, as he has been for decades, fully committed to Republika Srpska. And we stand with our president!
Guided by honor, bravery, and an eternal striving for justice, today we are gathered in honor of Republika Srpska, on the day of its founding and proclamation! Today, we celebrate our statehood, with immense gratitude to all the heroes who participated in the defense of Republika Srpska, especially those who remain on eternal guard. 26,048 heroes have eternally illuminated the honor of the Army of Republika Srpska, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Serb Krajina Army, the Police of Republika Srpska Krajina, and other units to which they belonged. Glory and thanks to them!
In the past, after glorious victories won on the battlefields, the Serb people often lost in peace. Our proud and heroic people granted freedom to all the Balkan nations, sacrificing themselves, only to have to defend that same freedom from those very nations. And they would defend it again and again, as Serbs and freedom are eternally bound. One cannot exist without the other.
Our nation has a rich tradition of freedom. We have always been on the right side of history, standing against Ottoman conquerors, fascism, Nazism, Ustaša atrocities, political and radical Islam, and all other invaders and aggressors throughout the centuries. We know very well that a nation without its own state slowly vanishes. Wherever Serbs were left without their state, they were exterminated, expelled, and assimilated almost entirely. That is why today, from our Krajina beauty, our Banja Luka, we declare together and strongly to everyone—we are determined to remain and endure here, on our own land!
Despite all historical mistakes and divisions in the last century, the Serb people still began and ended that century with great, epic victories—the breakthrough of the Salonika front and the creation and defense of Republika Srpska! The creation of Republika Srpska marks the beginning of an era of wiser, more united, planned, and long-term Serb political leadership. This is precisely demonstrated by the fact that, over the last 30 years, the Serb people have three times, through referenda, clearly declared: we will not give up Republika Srpska—it is our land, our identity, our state!
We love Republika Srpska, but we wish no harm to anyone. To love one’s own does not mean to hate others. This has always guided us, and others would do well to remember this sentiment.
In the spirit of our people lies democracy—the desire and ability to hear, listen, and respect everyone’s opinion. As a people with great democratic capacity, we successfully organized three referenda, which symbolize freedom and are the most authentic expression of democracy.
In 1991, in our first national referendum, we clearly expressed the collective will of the people and declared where, how, and with whom we would live. Based on this nationwide referendum, Republika Srpska was established and, from 1992 to 1995, functioned as a full-fledged state. Republika Srpska participated in all peace negotiations, contributing its territory and statehood to the newly formed state union and becoming a party to and signatory of the Dayton Agreement, which remains the only viable framework for coexistence today. We were never entirely satisfied with this arrangement but understood the historical moment, waiting for the right time.
Today, Republika Srpska stands firmly between chaos and order, preserving the Dayton constitutional structure of the state union, which can only survive through the full respect and consistent implementation of the Dayton Agreement as signed. If we do not return to the letter of the Dayton Constitution, we approach a point where it must be declared that the Dayton Agreement has failed, having been dismantled by Clinton-Biden’s America.
The attacks on Dayton never ceased. On the contrary, they were systematically launched immediately after the peace agreement was signed, becoming more insidious and brazen. On September 25, 2016, during the second Serb referendum, the people’s will triumphed over all challenges, decisively declaring the desire to celebrate January 9 as the Day of Republika Srpska!
Brothers and sisters, respected citizens, the history of the Serb people abounds with assemblies as a unique form of decision-making in times of historical trials. From Emperor Dušan and Prince Lazar to modern leaders, assemblies have always aimed to preserve the people’s identity and ensure their survival. Today, this tradition continues, ensuring that our people face the future without fear.
Three Serb referenda were our response to injustice, unconstitutionality, and external interference. They remain our eternal weapon. Do not provoke us into another referendum, for we will again decisively affirm that Republika Srpska is “born for eternity.”
Thank you all for genuinely building national unity in honor of Republika Srpska.
Long live January 9, the Day of Republika Srpska! Long live February 15, Sretenje, the Day of the Republic of Serbia and Republika Srpska!
Long live Republika Srpska, long live Serbia, and long live the Serb people!
Source: RTRS
