BOSNIA: SARAJEVO: RESIDENTS STAGE PEACE DEMONSTRATIONS

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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Serbo-Croat/English About 3,000 war-weary Sarajevans demonstrated for peaceful coexistence Monday, while Serbs in the Bosnian Serb-held part of the capital vented their anger over peace accords that take their land away. At the same time, a 15-member team of U.S. Congressmen, led by Ron Packwood, arrived in Sarajevo and met with Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic. The team hopes to determine how the Dayton agreement will be implemented. After weeks of demonstrations organized by the Bosnian Serbs in Sarajevo--- the Muslim residents countered with a peace protest. About three-thousand Sarajevans marched and sang for peaceful cohabitation with their fellow Serb citizens. The rally comes a day before Bosnian Serbs were to hold a referendum on the peace agreement initialed November 21st in Dayton Ohio. The U.N. however said the referendum will have no effect on plans to sign that agreement in Paris on Thursday. The main road in the capital was closed off as demonstrators gathered to listen to speakers addressing the crowd. Later, marchers walked to the presidency where Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic held a meeting with a team of U.S. congressmen. President Izetbegovic explained why people marched to his office. SOUNDBITE (Serbo-Croat): "People have not gathered because they wanted to see me but because they want Americans to get their message of peace, to show that they had been living together and still want to live together." SUPERCAPTION: Aliza Izetbegovic, President Bosnia Herzegovina The 15-member team of U.S. congressmen is led by Republican Ron Packard. SOUNDBITE (English): "The greatest response came when they saw their president. There's no question that they have a great love and respect and they know that we're here and they met us here with great anticipation that it will lead to something very important for them and the people." SUPER CAPTION: Ron Packard, U.S. Congressman Packwood said the purpose of their visit was to determine how the Dayton agreement would be implemented and whether or not American troops should come. Back outside, Sarajevans spoke their mind. VOXPOPS (Serbo-Croat): "We are here for peace, we want peace." "We want a better future, we want a unified Sarajevo. Peace means everything for us." "We want a unified Sarajevo. We want to live together like until now." SUPERCAPTION: Sarajevo residents Foreign mediators have told frightened Serbs in the city that they would help outline plans to ensure coexistence and enforce human rights. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/4ff3d24613726c762b5064f40043df0a Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork