Hebib: BiH's defense is not over, in the war we knew where the line was, and today we don't even know who is shooting or from where

I wish I could tell you that the defense of BiH is over. But, unfortunately, I cannot state that, given that pressure is still being exerted with completely different, much more difficult means, and, I would say, a silent war. BiH is being attacked with difficult means that are hard to fight against, because in the war we knew that shooting was coming from Trebević, and today we don't know where it's coming from, nor do we know where the line is or who is shooting, and we know there is no peace, Avdo Hebib from the "Patriotic League" Association told the Patria News Agency on the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of the Patriotic League on June 10.

- We know that we cannot make further progress in building the state, and very subtle psychological methods of pressure on the people are being used, and unfortunately, I must tell you that in my humble opinion, I think the war in BiH is still ongoing. I don't know until when, because we cannot resolve vital issues through legal means, but we are seeking the help of the international community to force someone to adopt that law so we can move forward; these are the defense lines that prevent progress and do not allow peace to be established – says Hebib.

He added that some forces in BiH are seeking a sense of insecurity, which he also connects with the burning of the BiH Presidency building.

- We did not allow the Presidency building to be set on fire during the war, and now it is. So what is that, there is nothing to compare. We knew who was doing it then, and who is doing it today, no one wants to reveal, neither the organizer nor who led it, nor for what purpose it was done – added Hebib.

Otherwise, Hebib sees June 10, 1991, as one of the most significant dates in the history of BiH that should be talked about and discussed.

- When the Bosniak National Council saw the situation and how great evil was being prepared for BiH, a session of SDA leaders, or rather the then movement, was held at the Police Hall, and an analysis of the situation since the breakup of former Yugoslavia and preparations for the attack on BiH after Slovenia and Croatia was carried out; it was known that an attack on BiH would follow – says Hebib.

Then, Hebib continues, the SDA party leadership felt the most responsible to do something, to prepare the people for defense.

- So we held a meeting with over 350 representatives from all parts of BiH. The decision was made to try to prepare the people for defense, because aggression against BiH was already certain. Since the then JNA betrayed us, we also proceeded to organize the defense, so we formed and organized the Armed Forces for defense. That was the only way through that entire front, and the entire nation constituted that front – added Hebib.

Nine regional committees of the Patriotic League were then formed; they further organized at the municipal level and gave certain instructions and tasks to try to prepare the people as much as possible.

- It was very difficult because the Territorial Defense had been disarmed. With the Patriotic League, we decided to mobilize the reserve police force, because we had nothing to defend the people with. We had neither weapons nor people, so the decision was made to mobilize the reserve police. It was disrupted by the departure of a contingent of Serb members of the reserve police, then we filled the ranks with members of the Patriotic League and established a military structure together – explains Hebib.

He adds that this first defense structure of the military forces was established quite successfully.

- The worst thing was that the army took the weapons of the Territorial Defense, as well as some police armament that was in military warehouses. And we were handicapped there; we armed the people by force, by some means, by some means I don't even know – added Hebib, emphasizing that June 10 must always be celebrated as one of the most significant dates in the history of BiH.

Like in previous years, the founding of the Patriotic League will be appropriately marked today at the Police Hall in Sarajevo, and among other attendees will be the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, Bakir Izetbegović, writes Patria.