ZAGREB, June 20 (Hina) - Addressing a reception on the occasion of Anti-Fascist Struggle Day, June 22, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Thursday the Croatian people had created ZAVNOH, an anti-fascist council of the
Croatian national liberation, as part of the anti-fascist movement, and that the current borders of Croatia were established and Istria, Rijeka, Zadar and the islands returned to Croatia at the ZAVNOH session.
ZAGREB, June 20 (Hina) - Addressing a reception on the occasion of
Anti-Fascist Struggle Day, June 22, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica
Racan said on Thursday the Croatian people had created ZAVNOH, an
anti-fascist council of the Croatian national liberation, as part
of the anti-fascist movement, and that the current borders of
Croatia were established and Istria, Rijeka, Zadar and the islands
returned to Croatia at the ZAVNOH session. #L#
Attending the reception were President Stjepan Mesic and other
state officials, presidents of parliamentary benches and political
parties, chairmen of parliamentary committees, union leaders,
representatives of religious communities, the Alliance of Anti-
Fascist Fighters, and the diplomatic corps accredited in Croatia,
as well as other guests, the government said in a statement.
Racan said June 22 this year marked the 61st anniversary of the
formation of the first partisan unit of Sisak, the first organised
form of resistance against occupying forces in this part of Europe.
The Croatian people recognised the threat of fascism and all the
evil it entailed, he said.
Croatia's anti-fascist commitment was never in question, the PM
stressed. Siding with the Allies, Croatian partisans contributed
through their struggle for freedom to making Croatia what it is
today, independent, modern, and democratic, said Racan.
Croatia is aware of the historical significance of anti-fascism, as
well as of the fact that anti-fascism had to be defended both from
narrow-minded ideological interpretations and those who acted
undemocratically, trampled human rights, or committed crimes in
its name, said Racan.
The anti-fascists who gave their lives for freedom must never be
forgotten, the PM said. He added that anti-fascism was deeply
ingrained in today's democratic society and represented a firm
foothold for the struggle against all forms of extremism, terrorism
and intolerance.
Commitment to anti-fascism is one of the determinants of all
western European democracies, said Racan. "The Europe of today, the
Europe of human rights and freedoms, has grown out of the
foundations of anti-fascism. Croatia is proud to belong to this
Europe," he stated.
(hina) ha sb