The Ivo Sanader government issued a press release on Thursday evening in response to what it called the latest inappropriate and groundless statements of Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Operation Storm.
"These days when we are celebrating the tenth anniversary of Storm Operation, the magnificent victory over the aggressive police, which was led by Slobodan Milosevic, we are convinced that all well-intentioned and objective observers treat this operation as an honourable act done for the defence of the territory of the sovereign and independent Republic of Croatia, in compliance with international law and UN Security Council resolutions," the press release reads.
Contrary to imputations which have lately been levelled from Belgrade and which are not to the benefit of the further development of the relations between Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro, "the Croatian Government draws attention to the historical fact that the only plan and objective of Operation Storm was to liberate the occupied territory, defend the internationally recognised borders and put an end to the reign of terror of unlawful group of criminal terrorists".
The Sanader cabinet also recalls that during the operation a public proclamation was issued with the call to all Croatian citizens to remain in their homes and recognise the Croatian authorities.
Those who hold the greatest responsibility for the departure of Croatian Serbs in 1995 are those who advocated and were implementing the greater Serbian policy and who manipulated their own people.
"Such a policy cannot be covered up or forgotten through subsequent false interpretations," the press release reads.
The Croatian government reiterates that it is committed to the development of good neighbourly relations with Serbia-Montenegro as well as to the promotion of the efficient regional cooperation particularly for the purpose of realisation of the European perspectives of southeastern Europe.