Bosnia: Former enemies in show of solidarity

Former Republic of Srpska (RS) soldiers say that they see assistance offered by war veterans of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina as a friendly gesture. They added that they would do the same if the situation was reversed. Bosnia: Former enemies in show of solidarity “We will not let them and their children starve. It is not right for the RS government to leave the people who used to die for it until yesterday out in the street,” Association of Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina War Veterans’ Senad Hubjer told B92. Former RS soldier Darko Topic points out that the former RS soldiers and their families live in very difficult conditions and that he is touched by the concern of the people he once fought against. “If my children are hungry it’s useless for someone to tell me that I am a Serb. I cannot live on empty stories. What happened back then, we were played by politicians even back then,” he stated. The Bosnia-Herzegovina public was surprised to hear that the retired Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina Army members decided to give a part of their pensions, which they got after 18 months of protests, to the dismissed RS Army soldiers who still have not earned their right to pensions. The former enemies together found themselves on the verge of poverty because the entities have not implemented the Bosnia-Herzegovina parliament’s decision on their retirement. The case has seriously shaken all the ruling structures in the country that have been maintained thanks to the atmosphere of fear and tensions for years. 1,200 former Bosnia-Herzegovina Army soldiers have decided to give EUR 5 from their first pension which is about EUR 150 to 300 RS Army soldiers who were dismissed and left without any income. Former RS Army soldiers’ representative Rade Dzeletovic has confirmed that the funds will be given to the poorest retired soldiers, adding that the former enemies are now brothers in misfortune. “People took it as a humane, friendly gesture because the misfortune has brought us together. Our children should live just like these politicians’ children. We would probably do the same,” he pointed out. The former RS Army soldiers, just like the soldiers in the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, retired two years ago in accordance with the Law on Armed Forces that envisages that soldiers are entitled to an early pension after reaching the age of 35. However, despite the law they have been fighting for their rights for 18 months. While Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina authorities agreed to pay advance pensions to its soldiers, the RS soldiers are left without any income because their pensions are not envisaged by the budget. It seems that the only income that the former RS soldiers would be getting for months are the unusual donations by the Federation soldiers, who said they were prepared to allocate a part of their pensions as long as it takes. Such solidarity represents a sharp contrast to the behavior in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s society that is being held hostage by politicians who are inciting nationalism for their daily political purpose. The move, that has demolished the post-war myth that it is impossible for the former enemies to live together in Bosnia-Herzegovina, was made precisely by the people who carried the weight of the war on their shoulders. Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina veterans clash with police during one of the protests (file) B92

Bosnia: Former enemies in show of solidarity

“We will not let them and their children starve. It is not right for the RS government to leave the people who used to die for it until yesterday out in the street,” Association of Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina War Veterans’ Senad Hubjer told B92.

Former RS soldier Darko Topić points out that the former RS soldiers and their families live in very difficult conditions and that he is touched by the concern of the people he once fought against.

“If my children are hungry it’s useless for someone to tell me that I am a Serb. I cannot live on empty stories. What happened back then, we were played by politicians even back then,” he stated.

The Bosnia-Herzegovina public was surprised to hear that the retired Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina Army members decided to give a part of their pensions, which they got after 18 months of protests, to the dismissed RS Army soldiers who still have not earned their right to pensions.

The former enemies together found themselves on the verge of poverty because the entities have not implemented the Bosnia-Herzegovina parliament’s decision on their retirement.

The case has seriously shaken all the ruling structures in the country that have been maintained thanks to the atmosphere of fear and tensions for years.

1,200 former Bosnia-Herzegovina Army soldiers have decided to give EUR 5 from their first pension which is about EUR 150 to 300 RS Army soldiers who were dismissed and left without any income.

Former RS Army soldiers’ representative Rade Dželetović has confirmed that the funds will be given to the poorest retired soldiers, adding that the former enemies are now brothers in misfortune.

“People took it as a humane, friendly gesture because the misfortune has brought us together. Our children should live just like these politicians’ children. We would probably do the same,” he pointed out.

The former RS Army soldiers, just like the soldiers in the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, retired two years ago in accordance with the Law on Armed Forces that envisages that soldiers are entitled to an early pension after reaching the age of 35.

However, despite the law they have been fighting for their rights for 18 months.

While Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina authorities agreed to pay advance pensions to its soldiers, the RS soldiers are left without any income because their pensions are not envisaged by the budget.

It seems that the only income that the former RS soldiers would be getting for months are the unusual donations by the Federation soldiers, who said they were prepared to allocate a part of their pensions as long as it takes.

Such solidarity represents a sharp contrast to the behavior in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s society that is being held hostage by politicians who are inciting nationalism for their daily political purpose.

The move, that has demolished the post-war myth that it is impossible for the former enemies to live together in Bosnia-Herzegovina, was made precisely by the people who carried the weight of the war on their shoulders.