Today, as part of the commemoration of the Battle for the Defense of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the joint delegation of the Assembly and the Government of the Sarajevo Canton laid flowers and paid tribute at the “Kovači” Cemetery, at the central niche of the Bosnian Martyr and the grave of the first of the President of the Republic of BiH, Alija Izetbegović, the “Lion” Cemetery, the “Stadium” Cemetery, the Central Memorial to Martyrs and Fallen Fighters of Novi Grad, and in the Alley of Veterans at the “Vlakovo” Cemetery.
With this activity of remembrance of all those who wove their lives into the foundations of our only homeland Bosnia and Herzegovina, this year’s event Days of Canton Sarajevo, which will last until May 9, officially began.
In addition to the delegation of the Assembly and the Government of the Sarajevo Canton, the following delegations also participated in these activities: the Presidency of BiH, the City of Sarajevo, municipalities from the territory of the Sarajevo Canton, the delegation of SABNOR CS and the Coordination of Veterans’ Organizations of the Sarajevo Canton and municipalities.
As part of the appropriate program, the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs of the Sarajevo Canton, Omer Osmanović, addressed the audience, remembering those fateful days for our country and its capital.
Osmanović pointed out that not only Sarajevo was defended on this day, Bosnia and Herzegovina was also defended.
“We must jointly stand up to the denial of the truth, while simultaneously creating the conditions for restoring the dignity of our veterans, war disabled soldiers, families of martyrs and fallen soldiers. Thanks to all of them, today we live in peace, remembering the heroes of our freedom,” said Minister Osmanović.
According to him, the aggressor’s plan was to take over the Presidency building and completely eliminate the state leadership of our homeland.
“In the face of the aggressors, we showed courage – the citizens of Sarajevo, bare-handed young men, heroes, patriots stood up to defend the capital city and the homeland, opposed a far superior enemy whose goal was to destroy a nation, won a key battle, and began the heroic defense of the city and states. The first battle was won, the most important one, which was the motive and inspiration for the next four years of bloody struggle. That day, unfortunately, also marked the beginning of the longest siege of a city in modern history, which will last for 1,425 days,” Minister Osmanović said.
He also said that today’s residents of our capital, as well as all patriots, will not get tired, because the culture of memory has been entrusted to all of them.
“Thanks to our comrades, their persistence and desire to survive, Sarajevo did not fall into the hands of the aggressors, this city was not broken and every life that was cut off is a testimony to that,” stressed Minister Osmanović.
