TRIBUTE PAID TO THOSE KILLED WHILE DEFENDING FROM MUSLIM PARAMILITARY FORMATIONS

BIJELJINA, MARCH 31 /SRNA/ – Today, tribute was paid to Serb fighters who lost their lives in the Homeland-Defense War, marking the Day of the Defense of Bijeljina against attacks by Muslim paramilitary formations in 1992.

A memorial service for the fallen Serb heroes was held at the Church of Saint George in Bijeljina, followed by the laying of wreaths and flowers at the Central Monument to fallen fighters. President of the Bijeljina Veterans' Organization Miodrag Stevanović reminded that Bijeljina was attacked 34 years ago by Muslim paramilitary formations and that people gathered today to honor those who defended the city at that time. President of the Serb Radical Party "January 9" Mirko Blagojević said that Bijeljina was "pulled from the jaws" of the enemy within a few days, adding that there are still attempts today from the Bosniak side to undermine Republika Srpska. He pointed out that the Serb people are now much more aware, but that unity remains essential to preserve Republika Srpska. “We have the capacity to preserve ourselves, but we need unity. We have a president, the Assembly, the Government, and Serbia standing with us,” Blagojević said. Cvijetin Nikić, an SDS councilor in the Bijeljina Municipal Assembly at the time of the attack 34 years ago, said that the Serb people largely supported the policy led by the first President of Republika Srpska, Radovan Karadžić. He pointed out that even today, while honoring Serb victims, Republika Srpska, its institutions and leadership are under relentless pressure, both institutional and otherwise. “I call on both the government and the opposition to contribute to preserving Republika Srpska, and on all citizens to stand together in defending Republika Srpska and its competencies, while respecting the rights of others in BiH,” Nikić said. After the wreath-laying ceremony, veterans, friends and family members visited the Memorial Room dedicated to fallen fighters of the Homeland-Defense War.