President Milanović Attends Unveiling of Monument to Bosniaks Killed by Serbian Insurgents in 1992

After taking part in a Remembrance Day commemoration for the Homeland War Victims of the Municipality of Majur, the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović attended the unveiling of “Golubica” monument erected in memory of the Bosniaks from Bosnia and Herzegovina executed in the community of Vasića Bare in 1992 during the Greater-Serbian aggression against the Republic of Croatia.

In his address President Milanović reminded that the young men who were killed were members of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, as he said, was then an allied and friendly army. “They broke through the occupied area fighting for their lives. They were both brave and desperate; most of them were armed, and struggled with the local occupiers and terrorists. Dozens of them managed to reach Sunja and were received by the Croatian Army and the Croatian authorities”, President Milanović noted, adding that the Army of BiH then expressed gratitude to Croatia.

President MIlanović described as barbarous the way these young men were executed at the site where “Golubica” monument has been erected. “Some of those people, some of our allies from the Army of BiH were killed while fighting, some were captured and executed. This is what is horrific in this story”, the President stated, and underlined that those times are behind us now, and that he would like that we as people, neighbours and nations understand each other better.

“As people and as neighbours to have understanding for each other’s problems, fears, frustrations, and expectations from each other, regardless of faith, which nation we belong to, because the people who used to live here remember those times. We have gathered here to remember much worse times, evil and hard times that loomed over us. In the hope and wish that this never happen again, and for it not to be forgotten, I extend deep condolences and respect to the young men who had enough courage, boldness, heart and wish to break through, to survive. The perpetrators of those crimes must be searched for”, President Milanović noted in concluding his address.

Speaking besides President Milanović at the memorial to the four executed Bosniaks from the village of Čarakovo near Prijedor was the Head of the Municipality of Majur Klementina Karanović, Sisak-Moslavina County-Prefect Ivan Celjak, and the State Secretary in the Ministry of Croatian Veterans’ Affairs and delegate of the Prime Minister Špiro Janović.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta