"Mesic does not understand what Operation Maslenica meant for Croatia. Before the operation, Zadar had been without water and electricity for two years, with most residents hiding in shelters. After the operation, we came out and continued with our lives. It was a brilliant action with the minimum number of victims," Aras said.
He added that Mesic's role in the operation was negligible, which he said was why Mesic was not the right person to comment on it.
Aras went on to say that every man, not only in the Zadar area, but in the entire Croatia, was clear about the importance of the operation which liberated the Zadar hinterland and re-established connections between Croatia's south and north.
Asked to explain the statement he gave to Croatian Radio, President Mesic said the operation had been carried out poorly and resulted in too many victims on the Croatian side. Asked whether he considered General Gotovina responsible for it, he said that all people who had planned the operation were responsible for it.