PM Plenkovic: Defenders' sacrifice was in the foundations of the free and democratic Croatia

The state leadership, led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, as well as numerous veterans and citizens laid wreaths and lit candles in Okucani on Monday to pay their respects to the defenders killed in Operation Flash, in which the army and the police liberated the western Slavonia region 22 years ago.

Speaking to the press after a memorial service, Plenkovic said Operation Flash had been a watershed in the Homeland War, followed by Operation Storm.

He said the defenders' sacrifice was in the foundations of the free and democratic Croatia, and that the government was protecting the dignity of the 1991-95 Homeland War with its every step.

Plenkovic said he was glad the drafting of a new law on veterans and their families, under the coordination of the War Veterans Ministry, was nearing completion. He said the new law would integrally regulate care for veterans and the exercise of their rights.

He also extended his congratulations on Labour Day, saying social solidarity was one of the pillars of his government.

Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic thanked the families of the killed defenders as well as the defenders, whose sacrifice he said had made it possible for everyone to live in a free and democratic state.

War Veterans Minister Tomo Medved said his ministry would soon present the draft of the new veterans law which would answer the many questions important to veterans.

Operation Flash was launched at 0521 hours on 1 May 1995 and, in only 31 hours, about 500 square kilometres of Croatian territory was liberated and a motorway linking central Croatia to Slavonia was unblocked. Thirty-two army and police units took part in the operation in which 42 soldiers and police were killed, while 162 were wounded. Operation Storm followed three months later, showing Croatia's determination to restore the state and legal order throughout its territory.

Text: Hina

News