SARAJEVO, Nov 25 (Hina) - Several hundred partisans, i.e. anti-Fascist fighters from the Second World War, on Monday gathered in the western Mrkonjic Grad to mark Statehood Day of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
SARAJEVO, Nov 25 (Hina) - Several hundred partisans, i.e. anti-
Fascist fighters from the Second World War, on Monday gathered in
the western Mrkonjic Grad to mark Statehood Day of Bosnia-
Herzegovina. #L#
The national holiday, which was celebrated in Bosnia while it used
to be a part of the former Yugoslavia (SFRY) in memory to the anti-
Fascist conference (the so-called ZAVNOBIH) in Mrkonjic Grad in
1943, has also been marked Bosnian authorities since the
declaration of the country's independence in 1992.
However, only parts of Bosnia, where Bosniaks (Muslims) make up a
majority of the population, mark 25 November as Statehood Day. In
the Serb- and Croat-populated areas, 25 November this year was an
ordinary working day, like it had been in the past 10 years.
Serb employees in the joint bodies of the state authorities in
Sarajevo on Monday went to work, while their Croat and Muslim
(Bosniak) colleagues had a day off.
Bosnian Serbs justify their conduct by the fact that Bosnia has not
yet established formally national holidays.
The Bosnian parliament's House of Nations (upper house) earlier
this year endorsed a bill on national holidays, which stipulated
that New Year, 1 May (Labour Day) and 25 November (Statehood Day)
would be holidays. But, the House of Representatives did not adopt
this bill.
On Monday, only the Bosniak member of the collective presidency,
Sulejman Tihic, is to give a party for officials and the diplomatic
corps in Sarajevo.
The different interpretations of 25 November in Bosnia have not
affect the status of this holiday for foreigners. The United
States' President George Bush has sent a message to all the three
members of the presidency, wishing the best for Statehood Day. In
the message, Bush pointed out the significance of the fact that for
the first time since the war, Bosnia had organised the elections on
its own and successfully. He also thanked Sarajevo for its
contribution to the international fight against terrorism.
(hina) ms