KNIN KNIN, Aug 5 (Hina) - The Victory and Homeland Day, celebrated in memory of the 5th August 1995 when Croatia's forces liberated the town of Knin, which Serb rebels had held since early 1990s, was marked in this southern town on
Monday morning with the wreath-laying ceremony.
KNIN, Aug 5 (Hina) - The Victory and Homeland Day, celebrated in
memory of the 5th August 1995 when Croatia's forces liberated the
town of Knin, which Serb rebels had held since early 1990s, was
marked in this southern town on Monday morning with the wreath-
laying ceremony. #L#
Delegations of the President, Government, Parliament, Armed Forces
and opposition parties and local authorities laid wreaths and lit
candles.
On behalf of Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, his advisor Igor
Dekanic placed the first wreath in front of the Central Cross in the
town cemetery.
He was followed by the delegation of the Sabor and the government.
The army chief-of-staff, General Petar Stipetic, accompanied by
commanders of the 3rd military district, also placed the wreath and
lit candles in the cemetery.
At the end of the official ceremony, delegations of the ministries
of the interior affairs and war veterans and local authorities laid
wreaths.
After the official part, a delegation of the opposition Social
Liberals (HSLS), led by the party chief, Drazen Budisa, placed the
wreath.
During the 1995 operation known as "Storm", which commenced in the
early hours of 4 August, Croatia's forces liberated 11,000 square
kilometres of territory within 84 hours. The liberated areas had
been under control of Serb insurgents for over four years.
The liberation of Knin was seen as the climax of this swift
operation. Exactly at noon of 5 August, Croatia's huge flag was
hoisted at the medieval citadel overlooking the town.
On the same day, then President Franjo Tudjman arrived in the town
and said its liberation had made it possible for the country to be
stable for centuries to come.
On Monday, 7 August, the then Defence Minister, Gojko Susak,
announced that the operation had been completed and that Croatia
had restored its constitutional and legal system in the former UN
north and south sectors.
In the entire operation, which involved over 200,000 troops, 174
soldiers lost their lives, while 1,430 were wounded.
(hina) ms