Croatia Will Not Apologize to Anyone for Its Victory!
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Veterans Affairs dismisses Serbian president's claims that 'Operation Storm' was a crime at a ceremonial session in Slunj.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Veterans Affairs dismisses Serbian president's claims that 'Operation Storm' was a crime at a ceremonial session in Slunj.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Croatian Veterans Tomo Medved firmly dismissed on Thursday the latest accusations by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić regarding the military-police operation 'Storm'. At the ceremonial session of the City of Slunj marking City Day, he stated that Croatia 'will not apologize to anyone for our victory'.
Medved was responding to the statement by the Serbian president, who called the operation from August 1995, which liberated the occupied part of Croatian territory, a 'crime that Serbs must not forget' and threatened that 'something similar will never happen again'.
'The Government will not allow attacks on veterans and the Homeland War', Medved emphasized, noting that over the past decade, in partnership with associations stemming from the Homeland War, the Government 'recognizes forms of support and cooperation aimed at improving the quality of life and health, and especially an atmosphere that respects the victors, those who brought peace and freedom'.
He also called for optimism and 'continued strengthening of economic growth and development', reflecting on the country's circumstances. 'There is a certain despondency creeping in; everything seems difficult to us. This despondency is often unjustified, and optimism is crucial. We have reasons to be proud of what has been achieved and to look optimistically at each new day. Every morning we see new projects, programs, and achievements for Slunj', the minister said.
Member of Parliament Damir Mandić, envoy of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, emphasized the importance of Slunj for national identity. 'Slunj is Croatia, and there will be Croatia as long as there is Slunj', Mandić said.
Karlovac County Prefect Martina Furdek Hajdin presented concrete economic indicators, highlighting that Slunj records a 15 percent increase in tourist arrivals and a 30 percent increase in overnight stays. 'We are talking about numerous investments in infrastructure, various tourist attractions, and facilities', said Furdek Hajdin.
Mayor Mirjana Puškarić specified that 90,000 overnight stays were achieved, and there is also a 15 percent increase in newborns. She emphasized that 'the greatest ornament of Slunj is its people'.
Numerous awards were presented at the ceremonial session. The public lifetime achievement award went to veteran Nikola Štefanac, and among the recipients of public awards are the Police Directorate, Sergio Bertaccini, Nikola Butina, and the association Parents for Slunj from Castel San Giovanni, Italy. Awards were also given to friendly cities and municipalities: Grude, Krašić, and Castel San Giovanni. A series of letters of thanks were presented to individuals, notably to priest Mile Šajfar, honored on the 50th anniversary of his first Mass, who thanked everyone on behalf of all the awardees.
