President Milanović: Kijevo Should Be Headquarters of Dinara Nature Park
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović attended a commemoration marking the 30th anniversary of the killing of civilian victims in Kijevo in the Homeland War held at the central cross “Raspeti kijevski Krist“ (Crucified Christ of Kijevo) in front of St. Michael’s church.
The anniversary of the fall of Kijevo, the first place in Croatia, which was attacked by the so-called Yugoslav national army (JNA) and in which the aviation was used for the first time including weapons banned by international conventions, began with a wreath-laying and candle-lighting ceremony for the fallen Croatian defenders and civilians at the central cross. A commemoration followed the wreath-laying ceremony at which President Milanović said that thirty years in the life of a nation is not much, but that not one nation in Europe experienced what our Croatian nation did.
“Here in this place the early medieval Croatian state was born and took root, the state which is referred to in the Croatian Constitution, in rare historical sources, in tradition, but mostly the truth. Here is our identity, our roots, the stone, this is where the people suffered immensely during the war. Today I don’t see them as victims, or as those who have survived and need charity, but as those who are the winners, who are dignified, who forgive and are merciful”, President Milanović noted.
He added that in the roots of European civilization there is forgiveness, reconciliation and a new beginning too. “How many times did you start from the beginning? How many times has this church been built? How many times did Europe fall and raise up again?” President Milanović said, emphasizing that in reconciliation and forgiveness there must be reciprocity, not arrogance and haughtiness. “Here our brave soldiers perished, but here powerless and defenseless civilians were also killed, on their doorstep, without anyone to protect them, naive to think that they were protected by UNPROFOR or their neighbours’ elementary human mercy”, he said, and added that it is our duty and our obligation to remember other victims besides our own. “But we expect reciprocity. As a human being, I would be pleased if the other side reciprocated in this manner. Only in this way can the European civilization, neighbourhood and community survive. We are a culture, a society with a common past, aware of that past, with some misconceptions, even myths maybe, with faith in a new beginning”, President Milanović noted.
Although much less populated than thirty years ago, he underlined that Kijevo has sufficient residents to create conditions for a good life. “Today the 500 of you, with the young Head of your municipality and your group of young people have the opportunity, if they listen to you, to be the headquarters of Dinara Nature Park. You have said it all, the amount of energy, ideas and money you invested while others were watching. The mere fact that a day or two before the decision is made we are still calculating is not good. Kijevo should have known long ago where it stands, this is a very important matter”, President Milanović said, adding that the arrival of the headquarters of Dinara Nature Park in Kijevo is a major economic opportunity.
“Forgiveness, reconciliation, coexistence, community life, respect, the right to a new beginning and a new economic start for Kijevo. Long life the arrival of the headquarters of Dinara Nature Park in Kijevo! This is your chance, this is work, this isn’t survival, this is a possibility for making good money. Standing between you and this opportunity is a little bit of human and political attention, and one decision”, President Milanović said in concluding his address in Kijevo.
Prior to the commemoration of the anniversary of the killing of civilian victims of Kijevo in the Homeland War, President Milanović laid wreath and lit a candle at the Memorial to the first victim of the defense of Kijevo, fallen Croatian defender Frane Jurić Arambašić, in the village of Ćulumi
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas