The former vice-president of the Assembly and deputy of the Social Democratic Party Rifat Rastoder made an immeasurable contribution to the development of modern Montenegro, always striving for dialogue and achieving tolerance, it was announced at the commemorative session in the parliament.
The Speaker of the Assembly Danijela Đurović said that Rastoder in his long parliamentary work strove for dialogue, achieving tolerance and respect among MPs.
"And in the discussion, he was distinguished by his calmness and the need to establish a minimum of understanding and a common language with everyone," said Đurović.
She pointed out that Rastoder particularly advocated for balanced regional development and the establishment of municipalities in order to achieve the progress of less developed areas.
"He took his work seriously and responsibly, and he especially took care of the reputation of the institution he represented," Đurović added.
Former President of the Assembly Ranko Krivokapić said that Rastoder died on the same day "as the one who gave his name to the state he loved the most, Tito's Yugoslavia".
"Rifat Rastoder was formed in that country, based on the values that gave him the strength to preserve his critical mind and the stability to think about the future," said Krivokapić.
As he said, Rastoder had the privilege of living most of his life in a country that made everyone better.
"Ali so quickly sensed the time that will make each of us worse." He was wise enough to know how to find a measure in the anti-war movement, so that it does not turn into revenge when he became part of the government," Krivokapić added.
He said that Rastoder is "the duality of Montenegrin leadership".
"The struggle is ceaseless, but the pen is sharp." He wrote until the last moment of his life to teach, not to punish. He wrote that we would be better, knowing how bad we can be. He wrote and created so that Montenegro, to which he dedicated his life, could one day avoid even old mistakes," Krivokapić pointed out.
He said that Rastoder made an immeasurable contribution when writing the Constitution, in the area of minority rights and identity, and that he strongly contributed to the political constitution of the Bosniak people in Montenegro.
"The freedom he sought for others and gave to others, he also gave to his people. He kept the clean face of Montenegro and through the red and black spots, always finding a way out to the clean, to the truth," said Krivokapić.
Melita Rastoder Ljajić, Rifat's daughter, thanked everyone who came in large numbers from all over the world to see her father off, and those who sent sincere words of condolence and comfort to the family via telegram.
"Standing upright, being a human in every form and space, continuously fulfilling oneself through work, truly loving people, one's Bihor and one's Montenegro is the essence of Rifat Rastoder's life," she said.
Historian Adnan Prekić said that Rastoder was a man who, at every opportunity, put his relationship with people first.
"That innate modesty, simplicity in communication, seemed to be a part of his personality. "Always calm, ready to listen, full of respect for his interlocutors, he was someone you could always rely on, ready to help, one of the few who gave more than he asked for," said Prekić.
Prekić pointed out that Rastoder left behind a great legacy in journalism and research work, but primarily in politics, to which he "selflessly gave his best years".
He added that Rastoder made the greatest contribution to the development of modern Montenegro in politics.
"We are convinced that the following years will once again reveal the greatness of his work, as well as the values of a free and democratic Montenegro, which he believed in, fought for, and created with his actions," concluded Prekić.
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