President, PM attend Armistice Day ceremonies

BELGRADE President Tomislav Nikolic on Monday took part in Armistice Day commemorations by placing a wreath at the Tomb to the Unknown Hero on Mt. Avala. After the ceremonial laying of the wreath, inscribed with the words, "To the heros of the Great War - proud descendants," Nikolic wrote in the memorial's guestbook: President, PM attend Armistice Day ceremonies "Many owe to Serbia, Serbia owes to you, without you this would be someone else's country, a foreign language would be spoken, foreign songs sung. On behalf of a grateful Serbia, which remembers and respects." Nikolic was accompanied by Defense Minister Nebojsa Rodic and Serbian Army chief Gen. Ljubisa Dikovic. Serbia, along with other countries that emerged victorious from the First World War, is today marking Armistice Day. The central gathering to mark the day was held at the Memorial to the Defenders of Belgrade, attended by Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, other government officials, and foreign diplomatic and military representatives. Dacic noted in his address that Serbia "chose the right side" in both world wars, and that the country "believes that it needs to, in peace, strengthen its natural place, a place that it has in the family of equal and united European nations." He said that it was necessary to, as we remember "our common ancestors" who were the innocent victims of war, make an effort and strengthen the awareness of the need to forgive, and a constant affirmation of life in peace. The prime minister also stated that Serbia lost one third of its population in the First World War and suffered irreparable material destruction, and that it "did not completely recover from those consequences to this day." Dacic reminded those gathered that the war started with "an attack on a kingdom in the Balkans, the Kingdom of Serbia," and according to reports, spoke with reverence about the Serbian victories in the battles of Cer and Kolubara, the country's heroic resistance in 1915, and the military's withdrawal through Albania - followed by the "resurrection" of the Serbian army, the breakthrough at the Macedonian Front, and finally the liberation in 1918. He remarked that "history has been built up and enriched all these years with new findings, but also with stereotypes which put the spotlight on the numerous victories in the battlefield and the glorious heroic commanders, but also neglect the enormous losses and destruction." According to the Serbian prime minister, it is courageous to fight for freedom, "that is an honor and a virtue," but, he said, "according to all yardsticks Serbia gave too much in the First World War." Dacic said that it was the obligation of all, "regardless of ethnicity and religion" to "persevere" in the dignified memory of the war, but that it was also the obligation of everyone "to leave our descendants a better arranged, more stable, democratic and tolerant society, based on the principles of understanding, equality, cooperation, and non-violence." Nikolic is seen at Mt. Avala on Monday (Tanjug) Tanjug

President, PM attend Armistice Day ceremonies

"Many owe to Serbia, Serbia owes to you, without you this would be someone else's country, a foreign language would be spoken, foreign songs sung. On behalf of a grateful Serbia, which remembers and respects."

Nikolić was accompanied by Defense Minister Nebojša Rodić and Serbian Army chief Gen. Ljubiša Diković.

Serbia, along with other countries that emerged victorious from the First World War, is today marking Armistice Day.

The central gathering to mark the day was held at the Memorial to the Defenders of Belgrade, attended by Prime Minister Ivica Dačić, other government officials, and foreign diplomatic and military representatives.

Dačić noted in his address that Serbia "chose the right side" in both world wars, and that the country "believes that it needs to, in peace, strengthen its natural place, a place that it has in the family of equal and united European nations."

He said that it was necessary to, as we remember "our common ancestors" who were the innocent victims of war, make an effort and strengthen the awareness of the need to forgive, and a constant affirmation of life in peace.

The prime minister also stated that Serbia lost one third of its population in the First World War and suffered irreparable material destruction, and that it "did not completely recover from those consequences to this day."

Dačić reminded those gathered that the war started with "an attack on a kingdom in the Balkans, the Kingdom of Serbia," and according to reports, spoke with reverence about the Serbian victories in the battles of Cer and Kolubara, the country's heroic resistance in 1915, and the military's withdrawal through Albania - followed by the "resurrection" of the Serbian army, the breakthrough at the Macedonian Front, and finally the liberation in 1918.

He remarked that "history has been built up and enriched all these years with new findings, but also with stereotypes which put the spotlight on the numerous victories in the battlefield and the glorious heroic commanders, but also neglect the enormous losses and destruction."

According to the Serbian prime minister, it is courageous to fight for freedom, "that is an honor and a virtue," but, he said, "according to all yardsticks Serbia gave too much in the First World War."

Dačić said that it was the obligation of all, "regardless of ethnicity and religion" to "persevere" in the dignified memory of the war, but that it was also the obligation of everyone "to leave our descendants a better arranged, more stable, democratic and tolerant society, based on the principles of understanding, equality, cooperation, and non-violence."