Izetbegović: Patriotic League is the embryo of the anti-fascist Army that defended BiH

This day, June 10, is an important date in our recent history, and the Patriotic League is the embryo of the anti-fascist Army that defended BiH from both the east and the west, said Bakir Izetbegović, Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, at the commemoration of the 23rd anniversary of the founding of the Patriotic League of BiH, writes Patria.

In his address to those present, he said that the views that there were crimes on all sides are becoming louder, which could lead to equating the victim and the aggressor.

- Such a thing is incomparable. On the aggressor's side, the crime was planned, undermined, and carried out, and on our side, it was defended and stopped. It is not the same thing to kill one person and 100 people. We can proudly commemorate these difficult but glorious days - said Izetbegović.

He added that the Patriotic League of BiH showed its commitment to Europe from the very beginning, and numerous goals were achieved. Some of them are renewed statehood, territorial integrity, the formation of an anti-fascist army, and the return of the name of the Bosnian language...

Izetbegović also said that the placement of a plaque in Vrace in honor of Ratko Mladić is a provocation and that it disrupts reconciliation processes.

- This does not benefit the Serbian people either, who should not identify with Serbs who committed crimes. You see that both Ratko and Batko are where they deserve to be - he said, adding that even in peacetime, "we continue to fight for BiH".

- We were better in the war than in peacetime. Things were clearer in the war, you had an enemy, and now it's a fight for power. That animosity has entered the patriotic bloc as well. Only through unity can the levers of power be taken - said Izetbegović.

He said that BiH has many more matches ahead, but the economic one is the most important.

- We must create 100,000 jobs in the next eight years, but the quarreling in the country must stop, and we must deal with crime and corruption - said Izetbegović.

Izetbegović also commented on the candidacy of Dr. Mustafa Cerić for the Bosniak member of the Presidency of BiH, stating that everyone has the right to such a decision, but that the repercussions of that decision should be considered.

- How will this affect the division of Bosniaks, the division within the Islamic Community. It is his decision, his matter, but if I were in his place, I would think twice or three times. I think it can lead to new divisions, new animosities, new conflicts that we do not need. We need unity at this time - said Izetbegović.

Members, comrades-in-arms, patriots, and wartime officials attended the commemoration of the 23rd anniversary of the founding of the Patriotic League of BiH at the Dom policije. The BiH anthem was played, and the Proclamation of 10 points, adopted on June 10, 1991, at the meeting where the Patriotic League of BiH was formed with the participation of 356 key people from all over BiH, was repeated. The meeting was then led by the first president of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegović.

The president of the Patriotic League of BiH, Salih Kulenović, said that it was the most significant gathering in the new history of BiH.

- We showed by personal example how to defend the country. By creating the Patriotic League, the foundations were laid for the creation of the Army of BiH, the only legal and legitimate military force. Members of the PL BiH worked in complete secrecy, even protecting their identities, because the KOS and JNA forces knew about the PL and the purpose of its existence - said Kulenović.

He also said that 23 years later, it is necessary to point out the evil that befell BiH at the end of the 21st century. He emphasized the historical role of the SDA in the formation of the Patriotic League. Kulenović pointed out that PL members were among the first and most courageous fighters.

- The state must not and cannot neglect those who defended it. There is no political bargaining with the rights of fighters - said Kulenović, stating that the PL will seek to resolve the status of its members and their families.

He emphasized that the permanent task is to nurture patriotism and that the PL will always stand up to defend citizens and the state.

Jusuf Pušina, president of the association "Friends of BiH", said that the aggressors' goals were not achieved.

- Fortunately for us and all citizens, there are many more patriotic forces who want BiH, live in BiH, and want to feel it as their homeland. Perhaps our sports teams, which are composed of all peoples, show this the most. But we certainly need the help of the international community in this regard, in the sense that the citizens of BiH are treated as citizens of the world. BiH must overcome the obstacles that have been placed before it all this time. BiH will be a country of all citizens, regardless of whether someone likes it or not - said Pušina, reports Patria.