President Milanović: The defense of Livno was of immense importance for the defense of Croatia
The President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović took part today in Livno in the commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of the defense of Livno. On that occasion, he presented a decoration to the Petar Krešimir IV Brigade of Livno. In his address, President Milanović highlighted the historical importance of the defense of Livno in the context of the Homeland War and the defense of the Republic of Croatia.
“The victory on 23 April 1992 was of immense importance for Croatia, enabling the continued operations and control of this part of Dalmatia by the Croatian Army and Croatian forces. Defending Livno was, of course, most crucial for the people of Livno themselves, but it was also vital for Croatia as a whole. The defense of Livno and the repulsion of the enemy were of tremendous significance for Croatia. And if I may take the liberty of interpreting events a bit more freely, I would say that Operation Storm may have begun as early as the spring of 1992 – right here – with the defense of Livno and the establishment of the conditions necessary for the major victories achieved by the Croatian Army in 1995. Had Livno not been defended at that time, it would have been extremely difficult to reclaim in 1994. These were bold decisions and a great day for Croatia,” said the President of the Republic.
President Milanović also emphasized the importance of unity among Croatian defenders from different regions of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. “It was a collective effort by Croats from Croatia and from Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is your homeland,” he told the people of Livno.
The President also addressed the current political challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing that the country’s future must rest on an agreement among its three constituent peoples – without interference from the international community.
“That agreement is best reached by yourselves – Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks – with as little involvement from foreign actors as possible,” said the President, underlining that solutions for Bosnia and Herzegovina must come from within.
“There will be no agreement in BiH without you. Everything else, as time goes on, becomes merely an obstacle. And if we haven’t learned that from history, then we have learned little,” President Milanović added, calling for mutual understanding, responsibility, and reasonable dialogue among the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He concluded by stating that the decoration awarded to the Livno Brigade symbolizes the Republic of Croatia’s debt of honour to those who not only defended Livno but also laid the groundwork for future victories.
On this occasion, President Milanović awarded the Petar Krešimir IV Brigade of Livno the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski for the heroism displayed by its members during the Homeland War.
The brigade was formed on 23 September 1991 at a meeting of the Crisis Staff in the village of Dobro, when all military units, platoons, village guards, and police reserves were unified into a single brigade. The Livno Brigade was the first organized military unit of the Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and, by personnel numbers, the largest unit of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO). It was officially named on 22 April 1992 and was the first to achieve HVO victories against the Yugoslav People’s Army and Ratko Mladić. A total of 7,150 individuals – exclusively residents of the Livno region – served in the brigade. Of these, 114 were killed and 420 wounded.
In addition to the President of the Republic, the gathering was addressed by Martin Brdar, President of the Commission for Veterans’ Affairs; Darko Čondrić, Mayor of Livno; and Borjana Krišto, Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Following the solemn decoration ceremony, President Milanović laid a wreath and paid tribute at the Monument to the Fallen for the Freedom of the Croat People.
Adviser to the President of the Republic for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković and generals Ljubo Ćesić, Rahim Ademi, and Zdravko Andabak were in the delegation alongside President Milanović.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan