ZAGREB, June 22 (Hina) - Representatives of the Croatian government, parliament and the Alliance of Anti-fascist Fighters and Anti-fascists of Croatia (SABA RH) on Sunday laid wreaths at the grave of national heroes in Zagreb's
Mirogoj cemetery on the occasion of Anti-fascist Struggle Day. Wreaths were also laid at the graves of anti-fascist fighters and their monuments in other towns throughout Croatia.
ZAGREB, June 22 (Hina) - Representatives of the Croatian
government, parliament and the Alliance of Anti-fascist Fighters
and Anti-fascists of Croatia (SABA RH) on Sunday laid wreaths at the
grave of national heroes in Zagreb's Mirogoj cemetery on the
occasion of Anti-fascist Struggle Day. Wreaths were also laid at
the graves of anti-fascist fighters and their monuments in other
towns throughout Croatia. #L#
In the Brezovica forest outside Sisak numerous delegations laid
wreaths and lit candles at a monument commemorating the
establishment of the 1st Partisan Unit. Labour and Social Welfare
Minister Davorko Vidovic said that the establishment of the 1st
Partisan Unit had made Croatia part of the victorious anti-fascist
coalition.
"This partisan unit was the foundation of today's independent
Croatian state because at that time our country joined the circle of
civilised countries. It was already then that Croats recognised the
danger of fascism and joined the fight for a just cause," Vidovic
said.
Vice-Premier Slavko Linic spoke at a ceremony marking the holiday
on Mt. Tuhobic outside Rijeka in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County.
Linic stressed that Croatia would always be proud of anti-fascism.
He also commented on last week's statement by independent MP Ivo
Loncar who said that the Communist Party and its symbols (the red
star, hammer and sickle) were criminal and that Josip Broz Tito was
one of the biggest criminals in history.
"Such people, who want to show their own truth and push the country
back into the dark, won't pass," said Linic, adding that in the past
60 years anti-fascists had been respected but there had also been
moments "when the hatred of those who were on the wrong side
resurfaced". "Such people still won't give up and want to justify
their criminal acts, but one should not waste time on them".
Speaking about anti-fascism in World War II, Linic said to the
gathered anti-fascist fighters: "You knew how to deal with German
and Italian fascists and domestic traitors - the Ustasha, which
placed Croatia alongside the winners".
The new generations "will always remember that fight and be proud of
everything they built in the socialist Croatia," Linic said, adding
that "much good that was done (in communism) was later built into
the foundations of our homeland".
A delegation of the SABA RH also laid wreaths at the monument in the
Jasenovac Memorial Area in tribute to all victims of the fascist
terror in Croatia.
Anti-fascist Struggle Day was also marked in Dubrovnik, Koprivnica
and other cities with whreath-laying ceremonies.
(hina) rml sb