Komšić: We fought for BiH's statehood ourselves, future generations must preserve it

(Patria) - On the occasion of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Statehood Day, members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić and Denis Bećirović laid flowers at the Eternal Flame in Sarajevo, and then at the Šehidsko cemetery Kovači and at the grave of the first president of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegović.

Reflecting on this day, Komšić stated that we should always keep in mind that much blood and many lives were lost for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that this should never be forgotten. He urged future generations to preserve the country because we have no other homeland.

- Happy Statehood Day to all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is definitely a great day for Bosnia and Herzegovina. After several hundred years, in 1943 in Mrkonjić Grad, Bosnia and Herzegovina restored its statehood. It is a historical fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the oldest states on the European continent, however, history has always been ruthless, very cruel to these regions and of course to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In 1943, fascism raged in the heart of occupied Europe, while persecution of people, the Holocaust, and even genocide against the peoples and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina were taking place, a brilliant group of people still found the strength and had the vision to imagine what it would look like after the war. In this historical context, Bosnia and Herzegovina regained its statehood at the ZAVNOBIH session, but it must be said honestly that even then, within the anti-fascist, partisan movement, there was resistance to this idea - he said.

We have always, he added, been somewhat the "main course on the menu of our neighbors."

- However, it must be said honestly that thanks to the partisan movement, Josip Broz Tito, and the Bosnians and Herzegovinians who fought to have a say in what would happen to Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was possible to achieve the status of an equal republic for Bosnia and Herzegovina within the future Yugoslavia - Komšić said today in Sarajevo and added:

- Of course, that was one step while the common state of Yugoslavia existed, but without that date, it would have been difficult to reach March 1, 1992, i.e., independence, and from that moment on, Bosnia and Herzegovina has functioned as a completely independent and sovereign state, a member of the international community.

He reiterated that history has been ruthless and cruel to our ancestors and recent generations.

- Too many lives and too much blood have been shed for this country, and that should be kept in mind. We must remember that we ourselves, our ancestors, fought for both statehood and independence and for the present moment. This should never be forgotten, and we must tell our children, the generation that is coming and which I hope will have more sense and wisdom to make something better of this country than it is today.

The generation to which I belong defended this country, and it is the responsibility of future generations to ensure a better, more organized, fairer, and more advanced state in every sense for themselves and future generations. I am optimistic in this regard. When you look at the situation in the world, I have confidence in Bosnians and Herzegovinians that they will preserve this country despite the resistance that exists within the country and the surrounding area. We must not give up or falter, we must endure this struggle because we have no other country besides this homeland of ours - Komšić concluded.

The commemoration of November 25 - Bosnia and Herzegovina's Statehood Day, began this morning with the raising of the state flag on Sarajevo's Hum hill, accompanied by the playing of the national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina.