VICTIMS EXHUMED IN SKABRNJA BURIED ON WEDNESDAY

ZADAR, Nov 18 (Hina) - The remains of 49 people who were killed seven years ago to the day in the village of Skabrnja near Zadar (southern Croatia) were given a proper burial in their home village on Wednesday. Exactly seven years ago, soldiers of the former Serb paramilitary, aided by the Yugoslav Peoples' Army (JNA) occupied Skabrnja and brutally killed its residents and soldiers. Seven days later the bodies were handed over to the Croatian side and were temporarily buried in Zadar. The remains of 31 civilians and 18 soldiers were exhumed in Zadar last week. Several thousand people from Skabrnja, Zadar and surrounding areas, as well as representatives of local and state authorities and the Croatian army, gathered in Skabrnja on Wednesday for the funeral. A mass was held by the Zadar Arch-Bishop Ivan Prendja. Skabrnja municipal head Ante Milkovic said the Skabrnja tragedy was one of the most difficult Croatian tragedies of the Homeland War. He called on the gathered not to give into hatred. "We can forgive, but we must never forget," Milkovic stressed. Besides the victims buried on Wednesday, another victim of Skabrnja was exhumed on Wednesday. The remains were buried in the near-by village of Zemunik. (hina) lml jn