ZAGREB, May 8 (Hina) - The Croatian anti-fascist movement and Croatian citizens greatly contributed to the global struggle and victory over fascism, is the conclusion of Monday's celebration of the 55th anniversary of the victory over
fascism in Zagreb. The manifestation, dubbed Day of Victory - Day of Peace, was organised by the Alliance of Anti-Fascist Fighters of Croatia (SABH), under the auspices of Croatian President Stipe Mesic.
ZAGREB, May 8 (Hina) - The Croatian anti-fascist movement and
Croatian citizens greatly contributed to the global struggle and
victory over fascism, is the conclusion of Monday's celebration of
the 55th anniversary of the victory over fascism in Zagreb.
The manifestation, dubbed Day of Victory - Day of Peace, was
organised by the Alliance of Anti-Fascist Fighters of Croatia
(SABH), under the auspices of Croatian President Stipe Mesic. #L#
The citizens of Croatia gave a great contribution to the victory
over fascism, one of the biggest anti-fascist movements in Europe
came into existence in Croatia, led by Josip Broz Tito, President
Mesic said and was loudly applauded by the gathered at the Vatroslav
Lisinski theatre.
The present Croatian borders were won through the struggle against
fascism, and were recognised by the international community on
January 15, 1992, because they were won in the people's liberation
fight, Mesic said.
"Just as we had massively and bare-handed resisted the nazi-fascist
regime in 1941, so we resisted the Milosevic armed force in 1991,
(Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic) the new 'Balkan supermen',"
Mesic said.
In both battles, he stressed, we were victors because we fought for
man and his dignity.
Mesic expressed firm conviction that Croatian citizens did not
stand behind war crimes.
"I am certain that neither us nor you stand behind war crimes,
neither during the nazi-fascist struggle, nor during the Homeland
War. Unfortunately, crimes did happen in war, but these were crimes
of individuals, not an entire people," Mesic asserted.
"Moreover, I am convinced that you do not stand behind those crimes
which occurred in the post-war victory celebration (crimes
committed immediately after World War II in which Croats were
massively killed," the President said.
The present interrupted Mesic's speech several times to applaud
him, especially loudly after his address to the people, "... dear
friends and comrades ..."
On behalf of the Croatian Government, the gathered were greeted by
Croatia's First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic. The day of
victory over fascism is a great day, the day of victory over a great
evil, a day whose messages are even today very clear, he asserted.
Monday's celebration was organised to pay respect to the victims of
the war, but also to warn the living about the consequences of hate
and war, SABH president Ivan Fumic said.
He said besides Croats, members of other peoples participated in
the anti-fascist struggle in Croatia, thus adding breadth to the
movement and its democratic character.
The meeting at which were present more than two thousand members of
the anti-fascist movement, was applauded by Russian Ambassador
Eduard Kuzmin. Attending were also representatives of the
Parliament, state officials and representatives of the diplomatic
corps.
(hina) lml mm