Jakšić ahead of the celebration in Knin
The SDP vice-president said that the Operation Storm anniversary is not a day for political conflicts and that there is no point in wasting time on the Serbian president's "ravings."
The SDP vice-president said that the Operation Storm anniversary is not a day for political conflicts and that there is no point in wasting time on the Serbian president's "ravings."
While the streets of Knin were already filled from early morning with citizens who had arrived to mark the 31st anniversary of the military-police operation Storm, SDP vice-president, MP, and Mayor of Koprivnica Mišel Jakšić sent a clear message about the significance of today. At the heart of his statement was not the number of those gathered, but the dignity and gratitude owed to those who won freedom.
Commenting on the atmosphere and turnout in Knin, where around ten thousand visitors are expected, Jakšić told Zadarski list that every year of the celebration is good. "I don't measure how many people came, especially given the increasingly difficult weather conditions year after year. What matters far more is that everything is dignified, as befits the people who fought for our country and brought us freedom," he said.
Jakšić stressed that remembrance of the sacrifice of Croatian defenders must not be limited to August 5. "Their sacrifice must be the foundation on which we build a better, fairer, and more responsible society. We should remember their unity not only today but throughout the year, because that is the only path Croatia can take if it wants to be a normal country. We truly owe these people a great deal," he said.
When directly asked whether today should be free of political squabbling, Jakšić was unequivocal: "Absolutely. Today is not a day for political conflicts or any kind of politicization. Today is a day to proudly remember all those thanks to whom Croatia is a free country. We owe them so much."
He also addressed the narrative that has been coming from Belgrade for years, particularly from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. "For years, we have watched Aleksandar Vučić invest great effort in writing his own history-about Serbia, about relations with Croatia, and about Europe and the world. I think there is truly no point in wasting time on his ravings. I can only say that I am sorry that he is one of the factors why relations between Croatia and Serbia are not what they should be," Jakšić concluded.
The celebration of the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm, Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, and Croatian Veterans Day began with the traditional morning reveille at 6:30 AM. The procession set off from the 4th Guards Brigade "Pauci" barracks, passed through Kralja Tomislava Street, Trg Oluje, Ulica dr. Franje Tuđmana, and Trg dr. Ante Starčevića, all the way to the bridge over the Krka River.
This was followed by a holy mass at 7:30 AM at the Church of Our Lady of the Great Croatian Baptismal Covenant, led by the Military Ordinariate in the Republic of Croatia, Jure Bogdan, together with the Bishop of Šibenik, Tomislav Rogić. At 9 AM, tribute was paid to fallen, missing, and deceased Croatian defenders at the Monument to the Croatian Victory "Storm," while the central ceremony was scheduled for 9:40 AM at the NK Dinara Stadium and Knin Fortress.
