CVIJANOVIĆ: INJUSTICE DONE TO SERBS SHOULD BE CORRECTED

DOBOJ, SEPTEMBER 21 /SRNA/ - The Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović said today at the commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the Halyard Operation in Boljanić near Doboj that she wants the truth to be heard far and wide, and that all injustices concerning the Serbs should be corrected in the future.

"I believe this is a sacred duty for all of us. We want to show that we live here as masters of our own home, and that Republika Srpska is recognized as a place of freedom, a place that seeks to fight for freedom of all our generations," Cvijanović emphasized in her address to those gathered. She added that Republika Srpska values friendship and friends immensely and deeply appreciates every helping hand. "This is the kind of hand that came through the Halyard Foundation, which has brought us together here again and shown that we truly are one when we do good things," Cvijanović said. According to her, this place deserves great attention and respect. "This place also deserves that the knowledge which was not passed on to us, because we grew up in a different time, be passed on to the generations to come. I believe this is our shared responsibility," Cvijanović added. She said that the president of the Halyard Foundation, John Capello, deserves special respect as a truth teller. "He helped once again to bring truth together with truth in this field, to let friendship be reborn and flourish, and to show what true friendship is, what partnership is, what alliance is, and what we can do for one another when we are good people and on the right side of history," Cvijanović emphasized. She expressed the conviction that it was not easy for some to come to this place. "I am certain that there were certain obstacles, but I am grateful to everyone who stepped forward and decided, together with us and the residents of these fields here, in Doboj, Republika Srpska, to make this place visible for future generations," Cvijanović added. She emphasized that it is important for things like this to be known to understand what has happened and what is to come. Cvijanović said that she first learned about the Boljanić field and the remarkable mission to rescue American pilots during her stay in the United States. "Thanks to the dedication of both Americans and American Serbs who wanted the truth about this to be heard, we can gather at this place and show our deep respect, not only for the Homeland Army, but for all these good residents, Serbs from this area," Cvijanović said. She emphasized that these Serbs, while living, working, and suffering under harsh conditions in an enemy encirclement, managed to set aside food meant for their families to share with the Allied pilots, provide them with clothing and shoes, care for them, nurse them, treat them, and ensure their escape from this place. Cvijanović stated that she wants Serbs to live in freedom alongside all their neighbors, regardless of who they are, and to jointly nurture what Republika Srpska truly represents, a place of freedom and a place of commitment to a better future. "Politics exist to make certain decisions, but politicians are also here to correct things if they are not right, and I am confident that we are now on the path of recovery," Cvijanović emphasized. The 81st anniversary of the Halyard operation and the rescue of Allied pilots carried out by members of the Yugoslav Army in the Homeland is being commemorated today in Boljanić near Doboj. A total of 500 Allied pilots were rescued in the Halyard operation, and 60 American aviators were evacuated from the improvised airfield in Boljanić.