Veterans persist with demands, several roads blocked

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Hundreds of former veterans blocked several road routes in the country, dissatisfied with the authorities' treatment of the veteran population.

Veterans blocked traffic at the intersection of the M-4 and M-17 main roads in the village of Karuše, the M-17 Žepče-Zenica road (in the village of Donja Golubinja), the Ivan mountain pass (M-17 Sarajevo-Konjic), the Šićki Brod junction (Tuzla) and the Blatuša junction (Zenica).

The largest protests are at the Šićki Brod junction near Tuzla, where several hundred veterans gathered.

The protests were previously announced by the former commander of a company in the 211th Brigade of the Army of BiH, Sulejman Fejzić Fejza, who died three days ago, but his death did not prevent his fellow fighters from taking to the streets today. They carried his pictures and stated they will not give up on the goals Fejza pursued.

Several veteran associations earlier announced a blockade of roads, border crossings and protests in front of the building of the Government of the Federation of BiH if the FBiH House of Representatives does not schedule a session by February 28 to discuss their demands.

So far, veterans have demanded a veteran registry, a veteran supplement, and the cessation of funding for veteran associations.