President Milanović Pays Tribute to Blago Zadro in Vukovar: Croatia doesn’t forget its heroes because it’s a state owing to them
“Blago Zadro gave everything for Croatia and Croatia will not forget him because it does not forget its heroes. Croatia is a state owing to such people. That state is an instrument, not just a flag and an anthem, but an instrument to defend national interests. If need be a bold defense in order to preserve our treasure, our people in Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, wherever they may be. And that is what those people fought for”, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović stated in Vukovar today at the commemoration marking the 31st anniversary of the tragic deaths of Major General Blago Zadro and Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Hill.
Speaking at the commemoration President Milanović recalled Blago Zadro’s address in Borovo Selo in April 1991. “These few minutes eliminate every doubt and every misunderstanding about why this man ended up being where he was in critical moments. April ’91 is a time when many bad things were behind us. That speech, these few minutes that were recorded, talk about the relations between Croats and Serbs in this country. It talks about this being our common homeland, that they are welcome here, that he even isn’t the one who calls, but that things have their own order from time immemorial and that only bad people can spoil things. Those weren’t the words of a soldier but of a labourer and a trade unionist who was to become a military leader a few months later, even though he hadn’t been trained for it”, President Milanović stated, adding that this speech must not be forgotten, it must be repeated and taught to pupils at school.
“A few months later Croatia was created here. Croatia moved unstoppably towards its independence, sovereignty and a break-up with those with whom things didn’t go. But had it not been for Vukovar, independence would have come later, not earlier, in less favourable circumstances. That is why the sacrifice of those people is huge and indescribable!”, the Croatian President said, underlining that it was a horrible time for Croatia that had to fight alone for its freedom. “Croatia defended itself unarmed while under an arms embargo, Croatia defended its territory, Croatia and only the Croatian Army, no third party. Croatia paved the way for the Dayton agreement and for negotiations. The Croatian Guards Brigades, the Croatian Army, no longer just the defenders”, the President noted.
“Croatia faces challenging and interesting years. We must stand together, ignore certain differences, forget them for a moment because only we care for this country, nobody else does. All others come and go, we stay, and our neighbours stay. The state’s neighbour is not some property owner that changes one morning. It’s there to stay and we have to keep that in mind tomorrow and remember how Zadro talked about this because it is indeed realistic and educational. These words have value and are loud and clear even today, because it takes two for friendship and tolerance. If year after year I go to Jasenovac, Grubori and Varivode, I don’t expect anyone to worship me for that, but to at least give a nod to the Croatian victims at Ovčara. That would be fair. There is no Europe, good relations or understanding without that. Glory to him, glory to Croatia!”, President Milanović exclaimed in concluding his address.
Speaking in addition to President Milanović at the event entitled “Heroes of Trpinjska Cesta” marking the anniversary of the tragic deaths of Major General Blago Zadro and Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Hill were the president of the Council of Defenders of the City of Vukovar Tomislav Josić, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Croatian Veterans and delegate of the Prime Minister Špiro Janović, and Member of the Croatian Parliament and delegate of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Nikola Mažar.
Prior to the event on Trpinska Cesta at the memorial bust of Major General Blago Zadro, tribute was paid at the Memorial Cemetery to the Homeland War Victims during a wreath-laying and candle-lighting ceremony at the tombs of Major General Blago Zadro and Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Hill.
In the continuation of his stay in Vukovar, President Milanović in the company of the Mayor of Vukovar Ivan Penava toured the newly-constructed building of the Workers’ Home in Borovo Naselje.
Accompanying President Milanović was the Special Adviser to the President for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta