Mountains are places where myths are born, stories about impossible endeavors, and heroes who inspire generations and stand on the line dividing good and evil. In the Bosnian Mountains, Avdo Palić wrote a story that, although true, carries the moral lessons of a myth about a hero.
Thirty-one years ago, on July 27, 1995, the Colonel of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Avdo Palić, with a smile on his face, told criminals, “I am Avdo you are looking for,” after he succeeded in finding a way and saving the population of Žepa in two weeks following the fall of Srebrenica and a genocide. The members of the war Presidency of Žepe, Mehmed Hajrić and Amir Imamović, were also alongside Palić.
The Army of Republika Srpska, after entering the United Nations-protected zone in Srebrenica, aimed for Žepa. During two weeks of hell and resilience, Palić managed to organize evacuation, and according to the member of the UN Peace Mission, Edward Joseph, his approach secured the lives of men and the evacuation of women and children from Žepa.
Joseph, who arrived in Žepe on July 19, described that the war criminal Ratko Mladić deployed artillery and loudspeakers that were meant to break the morale of the defenders, and then expelled international observers. The conditions for continuation of the genocidal killing were created, but Palić, together with his associates, showed unseen bravery and wisdom.
He held on for five days before the powerful enemy, which Joseph deemed crucial for saving the lives of men. The city fell on July 25.
The most significant video recording showed in a few seconds the moral superiority of Avdo Palić as he, with a smile on his face, extended his arm to a war criminal, Zdravko Tolimir.
“I am Avdo you are looking for,” Palić says as he extends his arm to, at the time, a military superior enemy, but shows no fear; on the contrary, his approach confuses the “general” Tolimir, who can barely answer articulately, almost justifying himself: “We are not looking, but you can talk.” Without an army and tanks, Palić managed to stand above the bandits pretending to be officers and an army while committing genocide.
Palić succeeded in his intention. He saved the lives of Žepa citizens, but in all stories about heroes, the hero pays for the ultimate victory with his life.
Although Palić was supposed to be protected according to all rules of warfare, he was captured and taken away from Žepa on August 4th to a secret military prison in Bijeljina, from where he was taken for a prisoner exchange on September 5th, 1995, by order of the Main Staff of the Army of Republika Srpska, by Captain Dragomir Pećanac and the member of the Military of Republika Srpska, Željko Mijatović. Exactly that date, September 5th, is considered the day he was killed.
Avdo Palić’s mortal remains were exhumed in 2001, in Vragolovi near Rogatica, but were identified in August 2008. The Janaza and the burial were held in the graveyard of the Ali Pasha Mosque in Sarajevo.
Colonel Avdo Palić, both in war and in death, showed bravery which should be talked about and included in educational programs, as his deed goes beyond the story of patriotism and falls in a category of universal values that should serve as an inspiration, especially to the part of humanity which does not celebrate criminals. Unfortunately, not a single school or educational institution is named after Avdo Palić or his associates, and this is the test for those who swear by Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The more that is known, spoken about, and taught based on the values represented by Avdo Palić, the more statehood and justice there will be, and if the heroism of Palić, Hajrić, and Imamović is forgotten, then it will also be forgotten that we even have a state, Klix.ba writes.
