Penava in Knin: The Price Was High, but Now We Live in Freedom

At the celebration of Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day in Knin, Homeland Movement president Ivan Penava said that the significance of Operation Storm becomes even clearer over time. He stressed that it was crucial for liberating occupied territory and laying the foundations for a free and democratic Croatia.

'A Prerequisite for a Stable Croatia'

'The essence of the whole story is liberating such a large territory after four years of occupation, and achieving a free and democratic state. That was the prerequisite for a stable and democratic Croatia,' Penava told 24sata. He thanked the first Croatian president, Dr. Franjo Tuđman, the then state leadership, and all Croatian veterans who made the centuries-old dream a reality.

He acknowledged that the price was high but emphasized the value of what was achieved. 'It was hard, the price was high, and that is the truth, but in the end we have our own state, the centuries-old dream has been realized, and we live in freedom and democracy where, thank God, we often disagree on some things,' he added.

Response to Rhetoric from Serbia

Commenting on the narratives about Operation Storm coming from Serbia, Penava said that if one were to listen only to such messages, the very existence of the Croatian state would be called into question. He described it as a continuous policy directed against Croatia. He also reminded of the suffering during the occupation and said that, although there is always room for improvement, Croatia can be grateful to live in freedom today.

Bulj: 'I Would Tear Down the Fences'

Sinj mayor Miro Bulj sent a strong message at the same event about the need for unity, but also sharply criticized the treatment of veterans at the celebration itself. He stressed that he belongs to a generation that, after nine centuries, had the opportunity to win freedom.

'The Croatian people are still fighting, and I hope that we will build a sovereign and modern Croatia on unity, not on servile policies, but on the unity of Croatian veterans and all citizens,' Bulj said.

He was particularly bothered that veterans were physically separated from the official part of the program at the celebration. 'When I see these fences, I would tear them down right now. Honestly. Croatian veterans are behind the fence, the people who built this state. It is shameful, before these leaders of Croatian institutions, to build barriers from Croatian veterans and to have this many Croatian police forces involved, more than shameful,' Bulj said.

He emphasized that Knin is a symbol of the Croatian victory and reminded of the contribution of veterans from all parts of the country who participated in the liberation of the city, advocating that Victory Day be a true day of unity for all Croatian veterans.