Osmanović at anniversary commemoration: The Battle for the Presidency is one of our most important victories

(Patria) - By laying flowers and paying tribute to Bosnian martyrs and fallen defenders, as well as the first president of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegović, at the Kovači Cemetery, the Lav Cemetery, the Stadion Cemetery, the Central Memorial to Martyrs and Fallen Fighters of Novi Grad, and in the Alley of Veterans at Vlakovo, the delegation of Sarajevo Canton today marked the anniversary of the Battle for the Defense of the Presidency of the Republic of BiH. This also marked the beginning of the commemoration of Sarajevo Canton Day, which will last until May 9.

During the ceremonial program at Kovači, it was stated that today we remember the best sons and daughters of Bosnia and Herzegovina and all the sacrifices made for the freedom of Sarajevo and our homeland.

Attendees recalled how on May 2, 1992, the forces of the former Yugoslav People's Army and Serb paramilitary units set out to capture the Presidency building and divide the city in two. The heroic resistance of Sarajevo patriots thwarted their intentions, and as it was said, on that May 2, Bosnia and Herzegovina was defended in Sarajevo. On this occasion, attendees were reminded that in those days of 1992, the longest siege of a city in the history of modern warfare also began, lasting more than 1,460 days. On average, it was stated, 329 projectiles fell on the city daily, or more than 50,000 tons of artillery shells during the siege.

Addressing the attendees, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, Omer Osmanović, called for unity and care for the younger generations, who, as he stated, should cultivate a culture of remembrance.

"War criminals, who have been convicted in international courts and are serving life sentences, threatened that an entire nation would disappear. This nation did not disappear, this nation will be here, we are proving that by coming today," said Minister Osmanović, who also thanked the veterans on this occasion for defending Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As he emphasized in his statement to the media, the Battle for the Presidency is one of the most important victories because Bosnian patriots showed who they were on that occasion.

"As a generation, we were honored to be able to defend Bosnia and Herzegovina. We defended it, and I hope that the generations after us will build a much better Bosnia and Herzegovina, which they deserve," said Minister Osmanović.

In addition to the delegation of Sarajevo Canton, numerous other delegations from various levels of government and veterans' associations also laid flowers and paid their respects.