Serbia on that day observed a day of mourning for the victims of Croatia's Operation Storm.

He told the Belgrade-based daily Politika of his sadness and disappointment, but would not say whether his government would lodge protests over this.

The daily added that the embassies' decision has been interpreted as an act of disrespect of the government's decision, but also of diplomatic protocol.

According to the article, embassies of the "Quint countries" - i.e., the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, and Italy - made the decision after consulting with each other, and in agreement with their capitals.