Operation Storm marked In Croatia

Croatia on Thursday marked the 15th anniversary of Operation Storm during which the country regained control over the ethnic Serb areas of the country. Croatian President Ivo Josipovic said at the main celebration in Knin that Operation Storm had been carried out according to all rules of war, with respect for international conventions and that recognition ought to be given to all those who planned and participated in the operation. Operation Storm marked In Croatia "From a military standpoint, Operation Storm was conducted according to all the rules of war, with respect for international conventions and for that reason everyone who planned and who honorably participated in that operation under the leadership of first Croatian President Franjo Tudjman ought to be recognized," said Josipovic. The main ceremony began with the laying of wreaths and the lighting of candles at Knin city cemetery, and then the state flag was raised above Knin Fortress. Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic, as well as top state and military officials, attended the ceremony. Josipovic said that "cooperation with neighbors, without forgetting one's own dignity and history" was "the way forward." Prime Minister Kosor called on everyone to celebrate the anniversary of Operation Storm, which is celebrated in Croatia as Victory Day, in the spirit of togetherness and to continue to build a free and democratic Croatia which was open to its neighbors. "From Knin, the place where Milosevic's policy was defeated, I tell you that Croatia will do everything it can to include its neighbors in Euro-Atlantic integration, but I am also telling you that we will not allow anyone to revise history and violate our sanctity. We will celebrate Storm because in that way we are celebrating victory and peace," said Kosor. During Operation Storm, members of the Croatian Army committed war crimes against Serb civilians, for which several of the main commanding officers in that operation are on trial in the Hague, with more than 200,000 Serbs fleeing Croatia following the operation.

Operation Storm marked In Croatia

"From a military standpoint, Operation Storm was conducted according to all the rules of war, with respect for international conventions and for that reason everyone who planned and who honorably participated in that operation under the leadership of first Croatian President Franjo Tuđman ought to be recognized," said Josipović.

The main ceremony began with the laying of wreaths and the lighting of candles at Knin city cemetery, and then the state flag was raised above Knin Fortress. Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and Parliament Speaker Luka Bebić, as well as top state and military officials, attended the ceremony.

Josipović said that "cooperation with neighbors, without forgetting one's own dignity and history" was "the way forward."

Prime Minister Kosor called on everyone to celebrate the anniversary of Operation Storm, which is celebrated in Croatia as Victory Day, in the spirit of togetherness and to continue to build a free and democratic Croatia which was open to its neighbors.

"From Knin, the place where Milošević's policy was defeated, I tell you that Croatia will do everything it can to include its neighbors in Euro-Atlantic integration, but I am also telling you that we will not allow anyone to revise history and violate our sanctity. We will celebrate Storm because in that way we are celebrating victory and peace," said Kosor.

During Operation Storm, members of the Croatian Army committed war crimes against Serb civilians, for which several of the main commanding officers in that operation are on trial in the Hague, with more than 200,000 Serbs fleeing Croatia following the operation.