LINTA: CROATIA'S "COLUMN OF REMEMBRANCE" SEEKS TO IGNORE SERB VICTIMS

BELGRADE, NOVEMBER 18 /SRNA/ – The President of the Alliance of Serbs from the Region Miodrag Linta stressed that the so-called Convoy of Remembrance in Vukovar represents a pro-Ustasha commemoration whose strategic goal is to deny Serb victims, fuel hatred and violence against Serbs, and promote the false myth of Greater-Serbian aggression.

Linta emphasized that this commemoration essentially serves as yet another mechanism for spreading an atmosphere of fear, intimidation, and pressure against Serbs. He noted that Croatia continues to deny the mass crime against more than 200 Serb civilians in Vukovar, who were killed between May 1 and November 18, 1991, by Croatian paramilitary and police forces. Linta added that the denial of crimes against Serbs in Vukovar has a very clear objective. "In the event that Serb victims were acknowledged, the most brazen fabrication — that the war in Vukovar was allegedly started by Serbs and the JNA — would be disproved, and the truth would be confirmed about the intention of Franjo Tuđman’s pro-Ustasha regime to ethnically cleanse Vukovar of Serbs", Linta stressed. He stated that, for this reason, the city authorities in Vukovar refuse under any circumstances to allow memorials to be placed at numerous sites where Serbs were killed. Linta reminded that on this day 34 years ago, units of the Yugoslav People’s Army liberated Vukovar from Croatian paramilitary formations and saved the remaining Serb civilians from certain death. "JNA officers and soldiers deserve recognition and respect because they accomplished their assigned mission. Today we should proudly remember the fallen fighters who gave their lives for the liberation of Vukovar and the restoration of peace", Linta said.