SERBS WILL NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO THREATEN THEM

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, OCTOBER 2 /SRNA/ - The Mayor of Istočno Sarajevo, Ljubiša Ćosić, told SRNA that Serbs have no problem with Muslim Bosniaks, but that they will not allow anyone to threaten them or threats, such as the most recent one against the Serbian Orthodox Church /SOC/ in Tuzla, to be carried out.

Ćosić noted that a large part of society in the Federation of BiH /FBiH/ fosters hatred towards Serbs and clings to the role of the so-called victim, which leads to the creation of general intolerance, as well as verbal and physical threats, threats which, if there were justice, federal institutions would punish rigorously. He emphasized that the real question is how, with such messages, they intend to build BiH, and whether they are aware that the kind of BiH they swear allegiance to, based on what they display, cannot exist or function. "And even if we were to resolve all internal problems within BiH, if there is intolerance, hatred towards peoples, such threats and constant incidents, sooner or later the country will cease to exist, collapse in one way or another, and fall apart," Ćosić warned. Ćosić said that the threatening letter sent to Serbs and the Serbian Orthodox Church in Tuzla is not surprising, as it reflects a pattern exhibited by many extremely radicalized individuals in the FBiH over the past years. He noted that Istočno Sarajevo borders Sarajevo and always strives to maintain fair and proper relations, considering that the majority of people in Istočno Sarajevo originally come from Sarajevo. "And even if we were to resolve all internal problems within BiH, if there is intolerance, hatred towards peoples, such threats and constant incidents, sooner or later the country will cease to exist, collapse in one way or another, and fall apart," Ćosić warned. "Although we have in no way expressed any hatred or intolerance, nor issued threats, much negativity has come from Sarajevo," Ćosić said. He emphasized that Istočno Sarajevo is a safe city and that it strives, through its institutions, to maintain peace, security, and proper functioning, ensuring that such incidents do not occur and using mutual communication to show that such actions should not happen. "If we were lucky," Ćosić says, "federal institutions and society would condemn such threats and be very strict when it comes to punishing such acts and individuals." "However, in most cases, institutions remain silent, do not punish them, and in some situations even reward them, while the public glorifies them. This then creates a cycle of repeated incidents," Ćosić added. From prison in Tuzla, Dževad Hasić sent a threatening letter to Serbs and the Serbian Orthodox Church, stating that they are not welcome in the city and that the Orthodox priest will be forcibly converted to Islam, with the cross replaced by a crescent and star.